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 :-)

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 :-)

Scrap Your Story and Sketch N Scrap reveal!

Hello again my friends!!! I've been having some connectivity issues with my FIOS the past few days (thinking maybe it's the weather) but I'm here today to share some fabulous new projects!!!! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!!!!

 

"My Friend, My Dad" using Pink Paislee Secret Crush

First, I'd like to share with you this week's new challenge over at Scrap Your Story.  The idea is to create a page using a "sunburst" somewhere on it.  I decided to create a small sunburst in the lower left hand corner of my page, behind the chipboard slider.  I've also combined this with Frosted Design's "Polka Dot" Challenge.  The challenge being to use polka dots somewhere on your project and this paper was perfect for it!!!! Here's a look:

 

 

I used the Pink Paislee "Secret Crush" paper collection and embellies.  Sketch is from Sketches With Color.  This is a photo of my husband and youngest daughter at the play arena in Sea World, Orlando earlier this year. 

 

Another project on the list is a card I created for the June 20th card sketch over at Sketch N Scrap.  Here is the original sketch:

 

 

And here is my take:

 

I chose to create a window recess card for the challenge, using papers by the DCWV "Rustic" paper stack.  The bird embellie is from Martha Stewart, trim by Recollections, and die-cut by K&Company.  This is a birthday card for a VERY close friend and I hope she enjoys it!!! 

 

Well, gang, thanks so much for stopping in and 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 :-)

Birthday Bash Winner!!!!!

And the winner for the Sketch N Scrap Birthday Bash Challenge (by default) is....
Kirsty Vittetoe!!!!!
Please email me at Brandimatos@gmail.com to claim your prize!!!!
Thanks for playing :-)

Basic Grey "Fact or Fiction" Put to Work and Graduation Congratulations Overload!!!

Hello again my crafty neighbors!!! I've been super busy lately making tons of cards for people, challenges, family, and clients.  I thought I'd take a moment to share some of them with you.  Sit back and relax for a minute... And hopefully you will enjoy the show :-)

"Thank You Sincerely" and "Stitched With Love" using Basic Grey "Fact or Fiction"

Well, first on my list is a card I made for Sketch N Scrap's FIRST ever card challenge.. which was May 10th of LAST month!!! How did I miss that?!?!  Who knows but I figured I let you see it anyway :-)

Here is the sketch to follow:

Here is my card:

I have tons of papers and embellies from Basic Grey's "Fact or Ficiton" paper line and hardly ever use it.    So I pulled it out and went to work!!! 

I followed the sketch quite literally being that it was the first... usually I dissect them, flip them, and make them my own!! I distressed all the edges with my distressing tool and left the edges bare, rather than ink them as I usually do.  I added some chipboard stickers, punched a butterfly from an EK Success butterfly punch, and added a couple of pearls just like the sketch.  I also stamped the sentiment, then stamped the word "sincerely" on coordinating paper and used mod podge to adhere it to some scrap grungeboard I had lying around.  Just to add some depth I suppose.  Or maybe I just wanted to play!!! Hahaha!!! Lastly, I tied some hemp cord around the sentiments and made a bow to finish it off!!! 

Now, on to this month's card challenge at Sketch N Scrap...  This is the sketch for the first June card challenge:

And my creation:

As you can see, I used the same paper line and created another "girly" card!!!  Again, I followed the sketch quite literally,  making only minor adjustments.  I hand stitched some embroidery thread around the border, added some "sewing" themed ribbon, and stamped a dress form using Timber Brown Stazon ink.  I finished it off with a couple of pearls, ribbons, and a wooden button by Prima with a bow  tied to the front and back!!! 

Alright, now on to "Graduation".  Seriously, I was so busy making Graduation cards for family, as well as invites for different clients that I dreamt about graduating all over again!!! Hahaha!!! 

Formal Black and White Graduation Card

Here is a card I made for my cousin who is pretty girly in nature.  She's grown into such a beautiful and amazing young woman and I am sooooo very proud of her!!! 

I decided on a trifold card using formal black and white colors.  Here is the front:

The papers are by Recollections, aside from the background card which is black Bazzil Cardstock.  I rounded the corners and added some black ribbon tied in a bow for detail.  

Here is the inside... I had a LOT of fun with this one!!! I had some graduation embellies left over from making my sister's senior year album and was so happy to use them here!!! 

Isn't it soooo cute?!?! Look at the robe... I mean seriously... it's adorable!!!! I used coordinating cardstock by Recollections on the inside as well, and created the "wording" using Powerpoint.  I outlined all the papers with a thick black sharpie (one of my fav things to do!!!) and rounded the corners on the edges to match the outside.  Pretty easy right?!?!  

For the second card, I used the exact same concept as the first (even down to the wording, changing only the font to match the "theme" of this card) but changed the papers in the total opposite direction!!!

My other cousin is an avid hunter and sportsman, so formal black and white seemed just a tad out of character!!! Hahaha!!!!  He also graduated top of his class and we couldn't be prouder of him!!! 

Camo Graduation Card

I had some camouflage paper left over from a frame I made for my father back in March and decided to use it up for the front.  I also added a buckle (also by Tim Holtz) to the outside cover.  I dyed some Tim Holtz "crinkle" ribbon using distress stain in Bundled Saige and Peeled Paint.  I was actually able to add a small eyelet to the ribbon as well so it could stay put in the buckle.  Sort of like a belt!!! 

For the inside, I pulled out some scraps from a Tim Holtz paper pad that matched the theme perfectly!  Lastly, I printed the wording again using Powerpoint and Voila!!!! Another fabulous, yet easy, graduation card!!! 

I also have some graduation invites to share, but must photograph them first!! I'll be sure to post them as soon as we get some sun around here!!! Tropical Storm Andrea has hit Tampa pretty hard and we've had TONS of rain this last week.  Can't wait for the sun to come out again!!!!

Well gang, as usual, 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 :-)

Don't Forget!!!!!

Just a quick reminder to get your entries in for the Sketch N Scrap Birthday Bash!!!! Deadline is tomorrow evening at 11:59 p.m.  Remember, ANY paper craft project is acceptable as long as I can see you've tried the challenge!!! Good luck :-)