Back from Vacation and showing it off!!!!

Hey there everyone!!! I just wanted to stop in and say hello!! No, I haven't dropped off the face of the planet... just off the map (well, of North America that is!!!! Hahaha!!!).  

My family and I went on our annual vacation and boy did we have a BLAST!!!! We actually only took our oldest daughter because my two year old is just a bit too young for all the commotion... Although I missed her terribly, I had a fantastic time on our trip :-)

I thought I'd share just a few photos with you... A very few!!! I took over 2,000 pictures and wouldn't want to bore you so here are a few of my favs... 

We went on a cruise via the Carnival Victory...

And we went to Jamaica....

And then to Grand Cayman...

And then we went home... To do laundry and cleaning and working and cooking... Oh wait... I didn't cook!!! Hahahaha!!!!! Anyway, we had a GREAT time and I can't wait until next year!!!! 

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

SYS Challenge #8~ Stitching!

Happy Friday gang!!! It's that time again for another challenge over at Scrap Your Story.  If you haven't checked them out yet, please do so!  It's a wonderful challenge blog with weekly challenges and monthly prizes!!! Stop in and say hello :-)

This week's challenge is to incorporate stitching somewhere on your project.  Hand, machine, faux, or otherwise.  Since I'm not big on any type of "sewing" I decided on some faux stitching for this page.  This is my sister's LAST PAGE in her Senior Year Album and she's totally stoked to FINALLY be getting it!!! Although I would like to make a cover for it first :-)

Any who, here is what I've come up with.  I also combined this with the Guest Designer challenge over at Colorful Creations using the following sketch by Tabitha Triplett (one of my FAV sketch designers!!!!):

I flipped the page a quarter turn clockwise to accomodate my photos.  

Doesn't it just scream "my teenage years"!!!!!  Hahahaha!!! 

I started by using papers by DCWV "Glam Gal" paper stack.  The blue paper is from an old paper stack (can't remember by whom) and already had the polaroids on it.  I simply cut out the paper inside them and added photos!!! I included some banners (of course!) I cut out from coordinating papers, rub-ons by Scenic Route, and various pearls and bling!!!  I used a purple Souffle pen to create the stitched look around the blue paper.  Hope you enjoy :-)

Well my friends, thanks for stopping in and have a LUCKY day!!!

New DT Position Announced!!!!!

Hi there my craft companions!!! I wanted to let you guys in on a little secret... I am now on the VERY talented Design Team over at Sketch N Scrap (One of my FAV websites to play on) and will be creating cards for inspiration for them!!! Please stop by and check them out!!!!

Also, Sketch N Scrap will be hosting a Birthday Bash with fun, games, and prizes ALL month long so stop in and check out the details!!!!!

A few more things before you go:

Colorful Creations is also hosting a month-long May Sketch A Thon for it's 3rd Birthday as well!!!! 

AND last, but certainly not least:

2 Broke Girls Challenges will also be having a "mini" Sketch A Thon starting May 1st to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day so be sure to check out the details!!!

Challenge #7 at Scrap Your Story!

Sorry for the late post but I scheduled my post for the wrong date so here it is.... 

Happy Friday everyone!!!! I'm here with a couple new challenges to peak your interests and get those creative juices flowin!!!

First on the list is the Challenge #7 at Scrap Your Story!!!  This week's challenge is to create a page using the following sketch:

And here is my layout:

This is the second to last page for my sister's album and I just can't wait to have it completed!!! I'm working on the last one now so stay tuned....

These are  pics of my sister's Prom night and unfortunately her boyfriend was in Michigan so her father provided her corsage!!!! Oh, what a sight!!!!

I used papers by SEI and DCWV, and numerous types of embellies.  I used flowers by Recollections that I inked and misted with Glimmer Mist as well as made a variety of tags for Jessica's "tags" challenge on Sketches4All where the object is to use at least three tags on your project.  I also put my Crop A Dile to good use and created a "hanging" title with some embossed chipboard. 

Another project I was able to finish is this keepsake box I made for a close friend.  It's amazing what you can create with a $.59 piece of chipboard and some cardstock!!!!

I really just figured this out on my own as far as scoring and putting the pieces together.  Sometimes I just venture into my own little world and come back something exciting!!! This is my inspirational piece for my Twisted Thursday Challenge this week over at Sketches4All.  Stop by and check out the details!!!!

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

Cest Magnifique Bits and Pieces Giveaway!!!

Just a quick hello to all my fellow crafters and a chance to share a giveaway over at Cest Magnifique!!!! They are a "kit club"/monthly sketch challenge blog with BEAUTIFUL supplies and VERY talented designers!!! Stop in and check them out for a chance to win some fabulous goodies!!!!

 

Have a LUCKY day gang :-)

 

SYS Challenge #6 and SNS #30!!!

Happy Friday!!! It's yet another gloomy day here in sunshiney Florida!!! It's been raining for three days and I'm hoping it will let up sometime soon!!! Anyway, I wanted to share a few things with you that I was able to finish this week :-)

The first is this week's challenge #6 over at Scrap Your Story!!! The challenge is to create a layout with the "Spring" theme in mind.  You can use flowers, spring colors, easter, etc.   GET CREATIVE!!! Of course, I myself went with the traditional Easter photos from this year!!! These were taken at my dad's on Sunday afternoon with the girls in their ever so beautiful atire!! 

I also used Sketch #30 from Sketch N scrap, and combined this with numerous other challenges that I will list below!  So, here is the sketch to work with:

And here is my layout: I pretty much stayed true to the sketch with only a few variations! I didn't have any sunlight to photograph it so I used my DSLR camera in hopes of a better photo.  I will upload a better one when the sun comes out to play!  

Aren't these girls just precious?!?!?  Yes, that would be me with my amazing pose for the camera in the top left... I am officially a goof ball!!!  I have had sooooooo much fun playing with the Heidi Swapp "Sugar Chic" paper collection!!!!! The papers are absolutely AMAZING and one of my fav collections to work with so far!!!  I also have fun playing with canvas, which I was able to sneak in on the bottom right.  I inked it to match the colors of the page, then stamped it and added "stitching" rub-ons to the edges.  

I used various flowers, grungeboard swirls (which I embossed white and placed inside the flower cluster), Thickers, and chipboard letters which were also heat embossed to the colors I wanted.  I am very pleased with this entire layout and cannot wait to actually photograph it in the sun for a better view at the wonderful colors!!!! 

Other challenges for this layout:

Libby's Song Challenge at Colorful Creations

Monique's Bling Challenge at 2 Broke Girls Challenges

Stacy's Let's Get Cooking CHallenge #5 at Sketches4All

Well gang, thanks for stopping in and have a LUCKY day!!!

P.s. There's still a little time to join in on Sketches4All Scrap A Thon Blog Hop going on so stop in and check it out!!! 

Cupcake By Design Sketch Challenge #2!!!!!!

Okay.... So, I stumbled across a site today that is giving away $1,000,000 to the lucky winner of a scrapbooking type challenge!!!!!!!!!  Are you serious?!?!?  No, I'm not... but Happy April Fool's!!!!!!

Okay, now that I got that out of the way, I did want you to know about a truly awesome sketch challenge over at 2 Broke Girls Challenges.  The challenge starts today and ends on April 30th so you have plenty of time to get this done!!!!  Be sure to check out all the other Design Team hosted challenges as well for numerous chances to win some fabulous goodies!!!!

Here is the lovely sketch for the month of April sketch challenge:

And here is my layout:

I'm finishing up my sister's album and am just soooo excited to see it all come together!!!! This, of course, is one of her "Senior Photos".  I used papers and a vellum quote by DCWV, as well as various other embellies.  

Also, don't forget to check out my monthly challenge over at 2 Broke Scrap Girls called Cooking Class 101!!! It's a monthly "technique" challenge to truly test your crafting abilities!!! This month, all you have to do is a little embossing (dry or heat embossing) on your project to enter to win the randomly drawn RAK.   I'm also hosting my monthly project challenge on Colorful Creations, as well as my monthly tag challenge and the Spring Blog Hop challenge on Sketches4All!!!!!!

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

Sketches4All Scrap-A-Thon Blog Hop!!!!!!!!

Are you guys ready to start Spring off with a bang?!?!?  Well, what better way to do that than with a Scrap-A-Thon Blog Hop!!!! Get out your tools and paper gang and let's get scrapping!!!!

Welcome to the Sketches4All Spring Blog Hop and Scrap-A-Thon!!! If you have come here from Becky's Blog, then you are in the right place!! If not, and you would like to start from the beginning, please stop by the Sketches4All Scrap-A-Thon Forum!!! 

We're sooooo happy to have you join us!!! Our Blog Hop starts today, Monday April 1st 2013 and runs until Sunday April 7th, 2013.  Winners will be announced on Wednesday, April 10th! You have 7 days to claim your prize... otherwise, you forfeit.  

Now, let's move on to the fun stuff!! There will be inspiration, challenges, and NUMEROUS Prizes along the way!!! Our "Grand" Winner will be crowned "Queen of the Hop" and awarded this FABULOUS PRIZE:

That's right everyone... You're eyes are NOT playing tricks on you!!!! That's a 24 pack of Spectrum Noir Markers in "Bright" hues (along with a zipper case that holds 36 markers), Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock for alcohol markers(20 sheets), and a Mulberry Wood "Gone Fishing" Stamp Set!!!! A total prize value of over $50.00!!!!! Holy smokes!!!!

But that's not all... We will also award a $25.00 gift certificate to second place and each of the Design Team members will have challenges and various prizes in the forum of Sketches4All!!!

Be sure to stop by each member's blog and leave them some love, and then head over to Sketches4All and join in on as many challenges as you can!!! You will be entered to win the prizes based on how many of the challenges you enter :-)

With the Hop, we are also introducing TWO new Design Team members: Brenda and Libby!!! We are also lucky enough to have Rachelle as our Guest Designer for the month of April who will be offering a challenge you will NOT want to miss out on!!!! Please make them feel welcome :-)

Now, for my challenge (he he he)... I would REALLy like to challenge your creative abilities!!! Actually, it's pretty simple... Just create anything you want... anything at all that reminds you of Spring... EXCEPT for a LAYOUT or a CARD!!!! This can be a tag, ATC, altered item, easter basket, etc, etc, etc!!!!  BE CREATIVE!!!! Think outside the box :-)

The first thing that came to my mind when I started this project, and thought of "Spring" in general, was the beautiful Cherry Blossom flower.  They start to bloom in various parts of Japan starting anywhere from January, all the way to mid April, and are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Of course, when I think of Cherry Blossom, I think of Japan.  When I think of Japan, I think of "Asian" themed art.  And well, that explains my project!!! Hahaha!!! Like I said... THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!!!!!

I decided on making a desktop calendar box for my husband, as he absolutely LOVES the "asian" culture.  Here are a few pics...

The inside of the box which is actually downtown Hong Kong.  

With the Calendar in place...

These are the front and backs of the calendar cards I made for the top.  I printed them out using Powerpoint on coordinating cardstock, then used mod-podge to adhere them to heavy cardboard for durability.  

 

And a quick shot of the back... I made the dragon on my Cricut Expression 2 using the "Pagoda" cartridge.  

I started by making the box with chipboard, then used mod-podge to adhere specialty paper with pics of Hong Kong, Kung Fu, and bamboo.  If you're interested in making your own, here is the tutorial...

Desktop Calendar Box Tutorial

Well, I certainly hope you've enjoyed my inspiration piece!!!! Now get out there and start scrapping!!!! 

Here is a list of the Design Team lineup:

Becky

Brandi

Brenda

Cheryl

Fia

Jessica

Libby

Lisa

Rachelle

Stacy

Thanks for stopping in my friends and have a LUCKY day :-)