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!!!!

   

New Scrap Your Story Challenge and more!!!

Happy Friday everyone!!!! It's been SUPER hot here in Florida lately!!! We're already breaking the 100's and it's not even July!!!! It's gonna be a hot one :-)

You Brighten My Days!

Well, I'm not just here to blab... As much as I LOVE to!!! It's Friday which means another wonderful challenge over at Scrap Your Story!! 

This week's challenge is to create a page using polaroids.  That's it!!! Just use them somewhere on your page and you're in it to win it!!! Hahaha!!!  I also used the second monthly sketch over at Sketch N Scrap to complete the layout.  Here is the sketch:

And here is my example:

This is my youngest daughter on Easter of this year.  I just LOVE these photos!!! Any who, I decided to keep this page very simple.  Which is pretty hard for me to do!!! I always want to add more and more and more until the page no longer fits in the scrapbook sleeve!!! Hahaha!!!!

The papers are Martha Stewart and an unknown brand behind the photos.  I created the polaroids using grungepaper and black paint.  Then I just added green polka dot rub-ons from October Afternoon to add detail.  I also used rub-ons to add detail to the balloon strings!  And that's all!! Another one bites the dust :-)

Take Your Place, Make Your Mark, Live Your Life

I'd also like to share with you a page I created for my Father In Law.  This was included into an altered frame where I used coordinating papers and metal corner pieces to finish it.  I used a sketch by 2 Broke Girls and papers by Recollections (which I am in LOVE with, by the way!!!).   Here is the sketch:

And my creation:

Isn't it fabulous?!?!?  This is my Father In Law with all four of his sons on my wedding day!!! They all look so wonderful!!!! 

I used various embellies by Tim Holtz (compass, gears, photo tape, and "spinners?!?"), label by K&Company, and unknown metal letters.  For the photo tape, I actually printed photos at 3/4 of an inch and inserted them on the back using double sided tape by Martha Stewart.  I also used Liquid Pearls by Ranger to "frame" the photo.  Love, love, LOVE this one!!!!

Well, gang, thanks so much for listening to me blab!!! Have a LUCKY day :-)

SYS Challenge # 16... Making Waves!

Happy Friday gang!!! Another week has passed us by and we FINALLY had some sunshine here in Florida!!! I didn't think the rain would EVER let up!!! Just to give you an idea of a view outside my Townhome the past two weeks, I took a pic:

This is literally ALL I've seen for TWO WEEKS!!!! Are you serious?!?  Jeez... Can't a girl get some rays around here?!?!?

Any who, the rain has let up and the sun has undoubtedly come out to play again :-)  And that, my friends, makes me one very happy girl!!! :-)

"Explore Shamu"

Well, being that it is Friday, that means we have another wonderful challenge over at Scrap Your Story!!!  This week, following tradition, is a sketch:

I printed some beautiful photos I took on a recent trip to Sea World and brought them to the table!  Here's what I've come up with:

LOVE this page!!! These K&Company pattern papers were a perfect fit!!! I layered them up as usual, inked all the edges with various distress inks, and stayed pretty true to the sketch.  I hand-cut some flourishes and inked them with "Peacock Feathers" distress ink, then went over them with white liquid pearls.  The "Explore" title was stamped on white cardstock, inked, cut, then pop-dotted (have we made this a word?!?!) to the page.  I also used my circle punch to cut some circles from coordinating paper and added them.  The chipboard letters are by The Girls Paperie and were colored using a "True Black" Spectrum Noir alcohol marker.  I also added some liquid pearls (I keep wanting to call them perfect pearls so if you see that in a post, know that my mind will return shortly!! Hahahaha!!!) to them for added effect!  I made a "bubble" border using a punched border and some distress ink.  Simple, but sweet :-)

"Best of Times Tim Holtz style Birthday Card"

My husband's birthday was on the ninth and I decided to make him a "Tim Holtz" style birthday card.  This is also used for my monthly Card Challenge over at Colorful Creations and my Twisted Thursday Challenge over at Sketches4All.  This month's challenge is to use the "Resist" technique somewhere on your project.  There are many different ways to do this and I will include a link below for my curious visitors!!! Here is the card:

I started by misting, distressing, and inking some kraft cardstock.  Here's a look:

Then I embossed and sanded a piece of Coordinations cardstock using the Cuttlebug Hexagon embossing folder.  For the "resist" part of my card, I stamped a "clocks" image on Ranger Glossy Paper, then clear embossed it.  I then used various distress inks to go over it until I achieved the desired effect.  I also stamped the Tim Holtz "man with the umbrella" on kraft cardstock, and 7Gypsies "Best of Times" quote.  I added various metal gears (also by Tim Holtz) and a wooded piece by The Little Yellow Bicycle.  There you have it!!! A "manly" card for the "manly" man... Hahahaha!!!!  

Well gang, thanks for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

Soooo Much to Do... and Say!!!!

WOW!!! So I haven;t been around much the last couple of weeks... I fell ill and was literally out of commission for a bit... but I am BACK!!!!! And I have soooo much to share with you!!! I hope you'll stay for a bit and enjoy the show :-)

Enjoy the Journey

First on the list is a layout for this week's "Journey" Challenge over at Scrap your Story.  The challenge is to create a layout of a journey, mine being a recent trip to Grand Cayman with some of my family.  This is a picture of my father and I at a local beach.  This is my first out-of-country vacation EVER with my father and a treasured one at that!!! I also used this month's first sketch and color challenge from Sketches With Color.  Here is the sketch and color combo:

And here is my layout:

We haven't had much sun this week with Tropical Storm Andrea over our shoulders so the quality isn't fantastic but it will work :-)

I flipped the sketch 180 degrees to accomodate my photo.  Papers are by Cloud9 Design, SEI, and DCWV.  I also used real seashells from a trip to Picnic Island last year to dress up the layout!!! I added a piece of burlap for the trunk of the tree and stamped the sentiment from a Tim Holtz pack.  Oh, I wish were there again :-) Hahaha!!!! 

Father's Day Card Tim Holtz Style

Speaking of my father, I also created a Father's Day card for my NEW monthly Card Challenge over at 2 Broke Girls Challenges.  My challenge this month is to create a card using metal ( We all know it's one of my all time fav embellies!!!).  My dad is an avid hunter and sportsman so this was very fitting!!! Here is what I came up with:

The papers, buckle, and brads are by Tim Holtz, as are all the inks I used to "distress" the edges!  The stamp is actually a dollar stamp I purchased from Joann's quite some time ago.  I also used this card as my entry for the "Honor a Guy in Your Life" Challenge over at Sketches4All.  You merely need to create a card, layout, altered, or any other paper craft project that honors a guy in your life!! Easy, right?!?  

Fly Tag

Another challenge I host over at Sketches4All is my monthly Tag Challenge.  This month, you need to create a tag with some sort of pocket on it.  I had some "funky" papers lying around by DCWV that I couldn't wait to play with so I put them to good use :-)

Here is my tag :

Isn't this adorable?!?!?  I used several different papers and alphas, as well as stamps, flowers, and liquid pearls.  I mailed this to a friend that I haven't seen in some time to put a smile on her face :-) I included ten "tickets" in which I stamped the backs of with a "quote" or word, then filled in the front with details from our past!!! 

And lastly, I added a quote to the back which was perfect for our "relationship"!!! 

Very sweet!!!

She Dances to the Beat of Her Own Drum

Another of my challenges is my "Technique" Challenge over at 2 Broke Girls Challenges.  This month, your challenge is to create a project using mixed alphas.  I used SEVERAL different colors and fonts to really dress this up!!! Here is my page:

These papers are from a Recollections paper pack I've had for forever and never seem to be able to use.    This is my youngest daughter on a recent trip to Sea World where she used the drums as a resting spot while the rest of the family played them!!! Just like her mother, I swear!!!! Hahahaha!!!!! 

The alphas are from various brands, including K&Company, MME, The Girls Paperie, and Thickers.  I colored some of them to match the theme.  She's just so rotten!!! Hahaha!!!!

Dream Big

I also have my monthly challenge over at Colorful Creations where this month's challenge is to create a project using shapes.  That's right... Your basic elementary shapes... Circles, squares, hexagons, etc...  And really use them!!! I chose to stick with circles, and use the first June Sketch from 2 Broke Girls Challenges to complete my layout.  Here is the sketch:

And here is my creation:

I used papers by Cloud9 Design and punched several different circles out of them using various size circle punches.  Then I added several circle stickers with words, adding liquid pearls around them so they would "stand out".  The paper was actually plain and I added all the rub-on flowers on the corners for detail.  A strand of pearls also frames the photo but it is very hard to see here.  I was also excited to use my new MS punch to create the die-cut behind the photo, for which I also added liquid pearls around the leave "stems".  This is my oldest daughter when she was three years old.  Lovely isn't she?!?!?  

Sweet Fun using Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Collection

Okay... This is one of my MOST favorite layouts of all time!!!! I mean, that I've made anyway!!! I just LOVE playing with the Dear Lizzy paper line because it's just so sweet and, well, fun!!! 

I created this for my sketch over at Colorful Creation's Sketch A Thon last month.  I used an original sketch by Tabitha Triplett.. also one of my MOST favorite sketch "makers"!!! Any who, here is her sketch:

And here is my take on it:

Isn't it just too stinkin cute?!?!  I mean, not to toot my own horn but I LOVE how this turned out!!!! 

I flipped the sketch a quarter turn clockwise, then fussy cut a picture of my daughter from our recent trip to Jamaica and "placed" her inside the jar.  

I also used my mini heart punch and punched several hearts out from different papers from the collection.  I folded them in half and adhered them to the paper.  

I cut a sunburst using various papers from the collection, added coordinating ribbon, chipboard, and Polaroids.  The "fun" chipboard is by Heidi Swapp and the burlap flower from The Little Yellow Bicycle.  Finally, I added a few 3/16ths eyelets and threaded some paper string by Tim Holtz through the holes.  Voila!!! There you have it!! All my little secrets revealed... Hahahaha!!!!   

Well gang, I want to thank you sooo very much for stopping in... Stay tuned for a follow up post with tons of inspiration for card making!!! I've been super busy lately and still have so much to share with you!!! Have a LUCKY day :-)

Scrap Your Story Challenge #12

Scrap Your Story Challenge #12

Happy Friday gang!!! Ready for another exciting challenge from Scrap Your Story?!?!  This week's challenge is stamping and boy, did I have fun with it!!!!  I combined this challenge with Janet's NSD Sketch #8 over at 2 Broke Girls.  Here is the sketch:

And here is my take on it:

I  started by using some gesso, distress stain, and various flourish stamps to create my background.   Then I layered it up with papers by MME and Bo Bunny Mamarazzi 2 paper collection.  I also used Heidi Swapp stamps to make "words" around the page: "Fabulous", "Hello", "Remember Today" and "Having a Great Time" were all stamped with Stazon ink in random places.   The embellies are also from the Bo Bunny collection, aside from the bigger stars next to the word "Smile" which are grungeboard that I embossed and inked with distress inks.  There's a lot going on here but I think it turned out wonderfully!!!!!  

2 Broke Girls Sketch #5

I also made another page with a picture from our recent cruise vacation!! This was taken at the port of call in Ochos Rios Jamaica.  This is my Aunt, Uncle, Father, Step Mom, Husband, and daughter, respectively.  I also created this for Sketch #5 at 2 Broke Girls.  Here is that sketch:

And my page:

I used papers by Momenta, and the top one by K&Company.  I cut the cardstock stickers into banners for a little more detail.  The die-cuts are from The Girls Paperie, "silver anchor" by Jolees, and wooden ticket by Tim Holtz.  This truly was "The Great Escape".  Actually, the greatest of them all!!!!! 

This page was also entered for Stephanie's "Nautical Challenge" at the Skyline Paperie.  

Sketch N Scrap May 15th Card Sketch Challenge

And last, but not least, is a card I made for my Mother In Law for Mother's Day this past weekend using the May 15th Card Sketch from Sketch N Scrap.  I received some papers and embellies by Pink Paislee Cottage Farms collection and they were perfect for the "type" of card I was trying to make!!! Here is the sketch:

Staying true to the sketch, I merely added some detail with layering (one of my fav things to do!!!) and embellies.  Here's my creation:

Pretty?!?  I put one of my Martha Stewart punches to work, added some ribbon, pins, and button by Prima.  Easy enough!!!! And I LOVE the look!!! 

Well gang, that's all for today!!! Don't for get our month long BIRTHDAY BASH over at Sketch N Scrap and month long SKETCH A THON over at Colorful Creations!!! Plenty of inspiration to get those juices flowin' and bring home some prizes while your at it!!!!

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