Scrap Your Story DIY Challenge with Maggie Holmes!!!!

Hello gang!!!!  I know it's been a while but I have been out of town for the past week and just catching up on things.  My family and I went down to Fort Lauderdale to spend some well needed time away from home and with my Aunt and Uncle whom we love dearly!!!!  They were kind enough to have us AND the kiddies for the past week and deserve an award for their patience with us!!! Hahahahaha!!!!! Hope everyone has enjoyed their summer thus far :-)  

Any who.... I am writing in regards to a BRAND NEW DIY Challenge over at Scrap Your Story.  We were going to do this a week ago but unfortunately Christy, the site owner, has fell ill and needs some time to heal.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family!  We've decided to go forward with the challenge with Christy cheering us from the sideline!!!!  

This week, the challenge is to CREATE YOUR OWN embellishment.  The girls have put together some FABULOUS ideas for you to learn the latest and greatest techniques for your pages!!!!  My DIY embellies are the ever-so-fabulous ROSETTES!!!!  They are super easy to make and add so much flavor to your pages!!!  And the best part?!?!?  You just use the same papers you're already working with to make them :-)

I've put together a step-by-step tutorial on how to get these done in a past post that includes a YouTube video if that will be of more help to you, but I will add the steps below as well.  
First, here is the layout I created making my very own rosettes.  I used a sketch by the wonderful Tabitha Triplett for the Twisted challenge over at Colorful Creations and Crate Paper's "Maggie Holmes Collection" (LOVE this line!!) to complete the page.  Here's a look:

Here's a close up of some of the rosettes.  As you can see, I cut them in half after making them to add a beautiful border to my picture!  I also added some K&Company brads to add a little detail :-)

For the page, I started by choosing papers that matched mine and my husband's outfits.  Just like a "girl" to do something like that!!!! Hahahaha!!! I used a Martha Stewart deep edge punch set to create the die-cut behind the photo.  Then, I just layered some papers, added the rosettes and grungepaper embellies,  threw on some ribbon, bling,  and liquid pearls, and called it a day!!!!  Don't those rosettes just make the page?!?!?   

Super Easy Rosette Tutorial! 

So, how do you make them you ask?!?  Well, it's SUPER easy and well worth the effort!!!  Here's what you'll need:

Necessary

12x12 paper (any kind)

Scoring Tool

Adhesive

Hot Glue Gun

Paper Scraps

Not Necessary

Paper Edge Punch(es)

Ink

First, you'll need to cut out some strips out of 12x12 paper that you want to use.  It HAS to be 12 inches in length for the rosette to form.  Depending on the size of the rosette, you'll want to cut your strips anywhere from 3/4inch (.75 inches) wide to one and a half inches wide(1.5inches).  Anything bigger or smaller will be too hard to work with.  Use your SCORING board and tool and score the strips at EVERY 1/4 inch.  To mae it easier in the long run, you should start on one side and score at every HALF inch (.5, 1, 1.5, 2,etc...), then flip it over and score at every 1/4 inch and 3/4 inch (.25 and .75).  This will make the accordion fold MUCH easier when you get to that step!

If you DO NOT HAVE a SCORING board, just use your paper trimmer and bone folder, or something similar.  When I don't feel like taking out my board that's what I do!!!!  

When you've completed the first step, you'll have a bunch of strips that look like this.. maybe more, maybe less.  You only need ONE strip per ROSETTE.  

For added detail, you can use your edge punches on some of the strips after you've scored them.  THIS IS NOT REQUIRED.  I'll show you the difference between them and the punches I used :-)

They should look like this when you're done punching.  

If you're an "inker" like myself, this is the perfect time to do your inking.  Just choose a side on the "non-punched" strips and ink the detailed side on the "punched" strips. These are the inks I choose:

Here's my heap of strips!!!  After you're done inking, go ahead and accordion fold the strips using the score lines.  This should be VERY easy!!!!

Now, use a little adhesive and bind your strips to make a circle (see below).  VERY IMPORTANT:  You MUST adhere the edges together keeping the SAME accordion fold pattern.  If it doesn't meet with the same pattern, just CUT one 1/4inch piece from ONE of the sides.  Then it should meet perfectly!!!!

Now, you'll need something to glue your rosette to when it's done.  This will be UNDER the rosette and NOT noticeable.  It doesn't have to be pretty... just big enough to keep it down and small enough to not be seen!!! I decided to use my 1inch circle punch and make circles.  You can use squares, strips, scraps, or anything else that floats your boat!!!  

Now, take your circle strip of paper and FLATTEN it!!!!!  Literally, just squish it down in the center while it's standing and it should form your rosette.  You can squeeze it tight for a "tighter" looking rosette, or lightly for a more "relaxed" look.  I usually go tighter!!!  Using your HOT GLUE GUN, place a little hot glue on the piece you cut for your base.  This would be my circles.  Now, take your rosette and CAREFULLY place it down atop the base while the glue is hot.  You must work rather quickly here!!!!  Hold the rosette in place on the base for about 30 seconds, or until the glue is cool enough to hold it.  That's it!!!! YOU'RE DONE!!!!!  

Here's a look at my rosettes:  You can see the difference between the "fancy" edge ones and the regular ones.  I actually like the look of BOTH!!!!!

Pretty cool, right?!?   Now, you can embellish as desired!!! I usually like to add a brad to the center of mine, but you can add buttons or anything else that looks good!!!  You can also "stack" them for added detail like this:

Tim Holtz Grungepaper Fun!

As an added "bonus" (hahahaha!!!),  I also want to show you the versatility of GRUNGEPAPER!!!!!!!  I absolutely LOVE grungepaper.. it's SOOOOOO much fun to play with!!!!!  

I used various stamps and stamped on the "smooth" side of the paper using embossing ink.    

Then, I used different color embossing powders and heated it up!!!!  Here's a look at them after I cut them out:

Isn't that neat?!?  And SOOOOO easy?!?  I added a little fun to my hearts using the Broken China Distress Marker by Tim Holtz.  He's my fav!!!!!

And the other heart I made... 

Well gang.... Thanks soooo much for stopping in.  Have a LUCKY day :-)

Summer Fresh and in Love!

Happy Friday gang!!! Another week has passed us by in the blink of an eye!!!!  

I'm here today to share with you a couple of things: Scrap Your Story's new weekly challenge and a totally "Summer Fresh" page!!!!

Between Us with Color Bok

First, since today is Friday, we know that means another fabulous challenge over at Scrap Your Story!  This week, a sketch... And a beautiful one at that!!! Here's a look:

I just bought some Color Bok paper on sale and wanted to give it some play time!!! Here's what I came up with:

This is me and my husband on the evening he proposed to me!!!  He took me back to the place where we had our first date, got down on one knee, and popped the question!!!!  

Any who, I tweaked this quite a bit... I just kept playing and playing but the "base" is still there!!!!  

I started by matting my photo, over and over again.  I used some of my Martha Stewart punches to create detailed edges, and, of course, outlined everything with a Black Sharpie marker!  I cut my finished matted product on the side, then attached to the opposite side of the paper.  I added a few eyelets and strung some hemp cord through them.  

I also put my Aged Mahogany distress stain to work on some Tim Holtz Crinkle Ribbon and Prima Resist Canvas.  I used a journaling stamp to add detail to the Crinkle Ribbon as well.  I finished it with a couple of wooden embellies by The Little Yellow Bicycle, ribbon by Recollections, and various other things.  It actually turned out better than I had hoped for :-)

Then with Simple Stories Summer Fresh

Next on the list... Simple Stories Summer Fresh line!!! One of my all time FAVS!!!!!!

I wanted to enter Tammy's "Country Song" challenge over at 2 Broke Girls where the title of your page must be a Country Song.  AWESOME!!!!!  The song my husband and I danced to at our wedding for our first dance is called "Then", by Brad Paisley (LOVE him!!!!).  It's "our" song!!!!  

Any way, since the theme was country, I wanted to do just that with my page.  Make it look a little country.  And what better line than this!!!  

I started by using Sketch #1 over at Sketches4All.  Here it is:

PERFECT!!!!!!  And here's my layout:

I just LOVE it!!!!  

I started by using some "kraft" distress paper for the background.  Then layered up a couple of papers from the Summer Fresh line.  I matted the photo using a mat from the collection, and some kraft paper that I stamped on with a distressed stamp to coordinate with the bg.  I cut out some die-cuts from some of the papers and added sticker die-cuts as well.  The jar is from the Dear Lizzy Neapolitan paper collection.  I cut it out, added my letters and Faded Jeans distress ink, then coated it with a thin layer of matte Mod Podge to seal it in.  Isn't it lovely?!?  I think it's just PERFECT for the title!!!!!  

Well, gang... Thanks so much for stopping in.  Have a LUCKY day!!!!

   

C'est Magnifique July Bits and Pieces Giveaway!!!!

It's another month and another opportunity to win some FABULOUS GOODIES over at C'est Magnifique!!! Hop on over to check it out!!!!

 

 

 

 

Chasing Butterflies, Summertime Fun, and a Frightful Affair!!!

Happy Friday gang!!! I really hope you enjoyed your Holiday!! We set off a few fireworks here and there between the rain spurts.  Nothing too fabulous but we had a good time all the same :-)

Since it is Friday, that means another fabulous challenge over at Scrap Your Story.  This week's challenge is to create a layout with "childhood" in mind.  Any childhood moments that stand out, pics of children, etc... 

Chasing Butterflies

I decided to scrap a photo of my oldest daughter when she was about 18 months old.  This is one of my FAV photos of her as a "baby"!!!! 

To complete the layout, I also used this month's sketch from C'est Magnifique!!!  Here is their sketch:

And here is my layout:

I had some papers from Inkado lying around that I won from Cest Magnifique a few months ago!  I decided to combine them with papers from the Pink Paislee Cottage Farms collection, as well as specialty "artisan" papers.  I distressed all the edges and inked them with various distress inks.  I added coordinating embellies, flowers, grungeboard flourishes and key, and chipboard.  I also topped it off with liquid pearls to complete it!!!!!  I wasn't sure about this one at first, but it is starting to grow on me!! 

"Hope All is Well" Watercolor Card using Distress Markers

Being that today is also the 5th of the month, it means that Sketch N Scrap has a wonderful new card sketch for you!!!

Here is the first monthly card sketch:

And here is my take on it:

I had some Coordinations cardstock that I just had to play with so I put it to work here!!!

I started by flipping the sketch.  Then, I sanded the Coordinations paper to expose the circles, and layered white cardstock and a little ribbon.  I colored on some watercolor paper with my Tim Holtz Distress Markers, then added a little water, and cut out strips to make my banners.  Of course, I topped it off with some Liquid Pearls to make it complete!!! I was going for "summery" colored type card and I think I achieved it here!!!

"Life's Journey Has Many Paths" Marine Card

I would also like to share with you a card I made for a former Marine and friend for my "Mini Treats" card challenge over at 2 Broke Girls Challenges.  I looked online for ideas on making a card for a Marine and couldn't find ANYTHING CREATIVE!!!!! Are you serious?!?  So, as I was lying in bed that night, it came to me!!! I just LOVE the Marine's Uniform and wanted to mimic it on a card.  So that's exactly what I did!!! 

Here's a look:

I looked at many pics of the uniform, and copied it down to the belt buckle!  I used cardstock by Recollections to make the base.  Then, I used my 1" circle punch and gold paper to make the "buttons".  I looked up Marine Reward Ribbons online and created a few of the simpler ones to add to the "breast" of the uniform. 

This was actually a VERY easy card to make and absolutely wonderful for ANY Marine!!! 

"My Favorite Memories" with The Cutting Café

The monthly challenge for Sketches4All for July is to create a layout with a "Summertime" theme.  We were also given two different sets of digi stamps to work with by The Cutting Café.

  One set of summer themed Bingo cards and the other of summer themed sentiments.  PEREFCT!!!!!! I have sooooo many pictures from our vacations to scrap and not enough time to get to them all so this gave me a reason to hop to it!!!!

I used the Guest Designer Sketch by Colorful Creations to complete the layout.  Here it is:

And here is my Summertime layout!!!

These are pics of me and my husband in the Bahamas during the summer of 2011!!!  I haven't been able to really get around to them so I am happy to have them down on paper!!! 

The bingo cards and the two circles ("bliss" and "sweet summer") were from the stamp sets.  I used papers by Recollections and bg paper by Bazzil.  I painted the chipboard title "Memories" with various paints in a "swiping" motion to sort of match the papers.  I then added liquid pearls to areas of the letters for detail.  I kept this page rather simple (for me anyway!!), adding only a few embellies by The Little Yellow Bicycle and Recollections.  One more vacation page to add to my album... done!!!! 

When I started to make my July 1st challenges, I started thinking about the Holiday, July 4th.  When I thought about that Holiday, I started to think about all the holidays... Which led me to my next page!

"Fright Night" at 2 Broke Girls Challenges

For my technique challenge over at 2 Broke Girls, the task is to create a project (any project) using the "masking" technique.  I recently purchased a hexagon mask by Heidi Swapp and have been waiting to use it... This page was PERFECT for it!!!

Here's a look:

This is me and my babies on Halloween of last year.  Aren't they precious?!?!?

I started this page with some black cardstock by Bazzil for my base.  Then I cut another sheet of "Black Magic" Coordinations cardstock for my second "base". I embossed the edges in different areas using two embossing folders, then sanded it down to show the Orange core.  I used the mask and two different Distress Inks (Black Soot and Rusty Hinge) to create the hexagon background on the lighter colored paper.  I added several Halloween papers by K&Company as well as the coordinating chipboard pieces and stickers.  Again, I finished the layout with Liquid Pearls around the second "base" to make it stand out from the background.  Spooky or what?!?!?!  Hahahaha!!!

Well gang... I think that's all for today!!!!

Thanks soooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

Say It Loud!!!

Happy July my crafty followers!!! Can you believe it's July already?!?  Christmas and New Year will be here before you know it... Better get started on the Christmas cards!! Hahaha!!!

Well, I am VERY excited to bring to you today some FAB-U-LOUS projects I've been working on.  I can only share two of them today as the others are not fully done yet... And I wouldn't want to bore you any how!!!

Say it Loud with Heidi Swapp "Sugar Chic" Line

So, I've got a secret to tell you... I have a fascination with Heidi Swapp!!! And I don't know anything about her!!! Just that I am IN LOVE with her whole line of papers and embellies!!!! These papers worked wonders for my sister's Senior Year album but I decided to put them to use again for my "Make It Loud" challenge over at Colorful Creations.  I also used the July 1st sketch from 2 Broke Girls,  and combined this with the "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" Blog Hop at Frosted Designs.  The theme is girly... so girly it is!!!!  

This is a photo of me and my babies at Sea World earlier this year...  Here is the sketch:

And my page:

Is that LOUD or what?!?!?  I had sooooo much fun playing with this one!!!

I started by laying down my background papers... and yes, I combined patterns and colors with no guilt!!!! Then, I cut a nine inch circle from chipboard, cut several strips of the black and white patterned paper, and used mod-podge to adhere it down all the way around the circle.  I also added zebra-stripe rhinestones around the circle, as well as liquid pearls.  It's not just loud... It's busy too!!!! Hahaha!!!  I outlined everything with a large Black Sharpie, cut various embellies from the paper line, added some liquid pearls around the page, and voila... A page that screams "Look at me"  from a block on Google images!!! Hahahaha!!!!

Tim Holtz Style Faux Metal Tag

Okay gang... This is one of my ALL TIME FAVS!!!!! I saw this technique on the Tim Holtz blog several months ago and bought the foil tape, but never got around to trying it out.  I sometimes make tags for my husband that he uses as bookmarks and thought this would be a PERFECT time to put it to use!!  Here's the finished tag:

I started by cutting several strips of Ranger Foil Tape, in various sizes and not straight by any means.  I laid them down, overlapping in areas, and went to work!  I used a ball point pen to create the faux rivets on the "seams".  Then, I covered the whole tag with various alcohol inks until it got pretty dark.  I sanded off most of the color, but leaving enough to see it there.  I added some gears cut from Grungepaper and the "Sprokets" Sizzix die, and tons of Tim Holtz embellies.  I've had a lot of fun playing with the photo tape lately, so it's only natural that I would add it here!!!!

I finished it with metal gears, spinners, "word" trinkets, and crinkle ribbon.  Like I said... This is one of my FAVS!!!!! I absolutely LOVE the finished product!!!!

I will have some more wonderful ideas to share soon... So don't go far!!!

Well gang... Thanks sooo much for stopping in!!! Have a LUCKY day :-)