CSI Case File 162 for Creative Embellishments!!!!!

Hello fellow crafters!!  Brandi here again with another layout created as guest designers from Creative Embellishments for CSI this month!  Here's a look at the case:

And here is my take (all evidence and testimony is in red):

This is a picture of the hubs and I on our one year wedding anniversary :-)  I used the Simple Stories "Homespun" collection which matched the scene perfectly!!!

I started with a textured solid white cardstock base and lightly splattered black distress ink across the page.  I used a circle stencil from the Crafters Workshop and distress markers to add circles in random areas.  

I mixed some molding paste with Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink in "Butterscotch" until I achieved my desired yellow color, I used the paste mixture over a Tim Holtz Sunburst layering stencil to the left of my photo!

I outlined all my papers with a thin black sharpie (one of my favorite techniques) to help the colors stand out against the all white background.  I used the Circle Bokeh Stamp and Versa Ink to clear emboss the pattern on my chipboard photo frame from the Together Frame Set. After heated, I used Ranger distress ink, Lindy's Flat Black Tornado, and Black Soot distress ink to color the piece. I dried it, then misted with homemade glimmer mist (made from water and perfect pearls) for some  shimmer :-)

I used the same black ink to color the "Love" title from the Everlasting Love title set (the smaller one) and various sticker letters from the collection to make my title (inspired by the "space" theme).  

I did my journaling in the "Q&A" format :-)  

I finished the page with some flowers by Prima and Petaloo, stickers, and die-cuts from the collection! 

Well gang...  Thanks so much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

Case File 160 for CSI: Creative Embellishments Guest Design Team!!!!

Hello everyone!!  Creative Embellishments is one of many sponsors this month over at CSI and this is my take on Case File 160!

Just a reminder, here are the details for the case:

(I highlighted all my "evidence" and "testimony" details in red! This is my VERY FIRST time playing along with CSI and it was quite enjoyable :-) )

Here's a look at my page using last month's "Out of the Blue" Kit from Frosted Designs:

I started by creating a background to the bottom half of the frame (or decorative border, whichever you prefer!) using a mixture of Gelatos and Lindy's Magicals over a primed surface (gesso).  I did some second generation stamping using one of the Damask Stamps from the Damask Stamp Set, then added texture with glitter paste and a Tim Holtz Stencil :-)

I used a transparent overlay for my pic and some paper ribbon to frame it with a circle!

I used Tim Holtz "Forest Moss" Distress ink to edge my papers for the green color, then distressed slightly with my scissors.  I tucked my journaling behind my photo, documenting our trip to Jamaica and Grand Cayman aboard Carnival Cruise Lines! I also used a Prima metal "This Way" sign for the subtitle as shown in the sketch :-)

I finished the page with a variety of flowers and a "Journey" flair piece (travel element) from the Nautical Set l Flair set in the CE Store!

Here's a close-up of the second generation stamping behind my photo piece, and also the heart I added that was inspired from the picture scene!

Well gang...  Thanks so much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

Designing with Creative Embellishments for Scrap Around the World!!!!!

Hey there folks!!!!  I have some very exciting news today:  Creative Embellishments is guest designing over at Scrap Around the World this month!!!!  Isn't that fabulous?!?!?!?!  

Here is this month's amazing mood board over at SATW:

I LOVE the colors and the overall theme of the board. I used several aspects to create the following page of my oldest daughter:

As you can see, I clearly was inspired by some of the colors (greens, browns, and whites!).  The bottom three pictures give me an overall "explore" feeling so I included that as my title, using the pattern of colors from the boat to color my actual title piece!  I used lots of flowers, drawing inspiration from the first photo, and a "wood" background from the bridge in the middle bottom row!

I used several CE goodies on my page, altering them in different ways!

I started by creating a background using black distress inks and the Binary , Distressed Burlap, and Distressed Checkered   Stamps from the store.

I drew some squares with water color pencils, adding small amounts of water to soften them out, then added a number of nesting Squares around the page, coloring them with different distress markers!

Using a stencil and molding paste, I added some texture to my page, stamping over top for more depth :-)

I used the Explore title from the Adventure Word Set, coloring it with distress markers, then adding a coat of crackle paint in rock candy for some texture!

I finished the page with a big heap of various flowers to throw in some color and girly-ness!!!!!

Well gang...  Thanks so much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

Making Your Pages "Pop" Tutorial for Frosted Designs!!!

Hello everyone!!  It's Brandi here today to share a quick tutorial with you on how to really make your pages stand out!  It works really well on this month's kit with the soft pinks and light hues of the papers and embellies :-)

Here's another look at this month's "Sweet Love" kit:

Yum, yum, yum!!!!  In love with this one!!!

And here's a look at my page:

See how everything just "pops" against the background?!?  Doesn't it look fabulous?!?  Want to know my trick?!?  A sharpie marker!  Yep, it's really that simple!  No mess, no fuss :-)

Here's a little tutorial to show you how to achieve this result :-)

And here are some close-ups:

I LOVE the zipper pulls in this month's kit!  They truly add a touch of elegance to every page!

I even use the sharpie to outline my stickers and die-cuts!  

Using a butterfly punch and papers from the kit, I created 3D butterflies :-)

I used stickers from this month's kit and goodies from past month's kit to create my large flowers cluster under the photo!

And there you have it!

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

Things I Love with for Creative Embellishments with Romance Novel, Chapter 2!!!

Hello all and welcome to a new month!  February is here which means a month full of all the things I love!!!

Today is the 1st which means a new challenge over at Creative Embellishments!

Here's a look at the inspiration photo: (The twist this month is to use an ombre effect on your chipboard/ create a background!)

My two girls are on the top of my list for things I love so it's no surprise I would use a photo of one of them!  

Here's my page:

I used the "Forever Yours" kit from Frosted Designs to create the page and a variety of CE goodies!

I created my background with various stencils, molding paste, gelatos, and Lindy's magicals until I achieved my desired effect!

I added some stamping with the Distressed Checkered Stamp with black distress ink!

I love flourishes and added one from the Flourish 22 set, adding my ombre effect with a number of different gelatos!

I layered on tons of papers, distressing them along the way, and added some liquid pearls for accents!  I finished with a flower cluster and a wooden heart from the Hearts set, adding another ombre effect to that one as well!

Well gang...  Thanks so much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

Joy Layout using Simple Stories Cozy Christmas Collection!!!!

Hey there crafty neighbors!!!  I hope you are having a beautiful month! I'm popping in today to share a layout I created using lots of Creative Embellishments goodies and the December kit from Frosted Designs :-)

Here's a look at my daughters at a little place called "Christmas Town" here in Tampa:

I started my page by creating a  my background ( I didn't want to add too much as the paper already has some fabulous designs on it)!  I used the Distressed Burlap Stamp and second generation stamping for a subtle affect.

I then used the Circle Bokeh Stamp and a thin layer of gesso spread on using a palette knife to add more depth to my page!

My Punchinella Panel chipboard piece was inked with distress ink, then sprayed with Lindy's Stamp Gang Starburst Pearls for some shimmer, then tucked under my picture :-)

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

So Beautiful Layout with "Rustic Beauty Kit" and Creative Embellishments Goodies!

Hello there fellow crafters!!! It's a new month which means a new kit and new kit challenge over at Frosted Designs!!! This kit is absolutely beautiful... Seriously, I LOVE it more and more each time I look at it!!!

Here's a look at Rustic Beauty:

This kit features the FabScraps "Industrial Chic" collection, as well as goodies from Prima, Maya Road, Ranger and more!!!

I am also up on the CE blog today so there are all sorts of Creative Embellishment goodies on my page!!!

Here's a look:

This is my youngest daughter when she was only six months old (she's four now!). I LOVE how the blue in her eyes stands out in the photo, so I decided to add pops of blue in my page as well!! 

I started my background work using various gelatos for contrasting colors, gesso to tone it down, then stencils with molding paste and india ink. I also used the Circle Bokeh Stamp to add some depth and one of the cages from the four piece bird cage set:

I cut up some pieces of the Mini Brick Panel and colored them using white mist, then added them behind my photo with strips of paper and one of the white tags from the kit.

I created a large flowers cluster down the page using various flowers from the kit and some from my stash, tucking in odds and ends from the kit as well as a piece of Butterfly Flair for detail!

I finished the page with one of the fussy cut plates from the kit and part of the She's So Beautiful title from the CE Store, colored using white mist and a blue gelato!

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

So Thankful for Family with Creative Embellishments!

Hello everyone!!!  We are already in November (which means Christmas is literally right around the corner) and I am so enjoying this cooler weather! 

I'm here today with a scrapbook layout I created for the NEW November Challenge posted at Creative Embellishments!

Here's this month's inspiration photo:

Oh, how I truly LOVE the colors of Autumn!!  I recently did some "pumpkin painting" with the girls which created the perfect picture for the above photo!!!

Here's my page:

Yes, I know, my girls are beautiful!!!  Yes, I toot my own horn frequently when it comes to my girls.... They are my WORLD!!!!!

I used papers and embellies from the Garden of Abundance kit and We Are Family kit from the Frosted Designs Store.

I started my page by creating my background using a Prima "Rattan" 12x12 stencil and some molding paste.  I kept it pretty simple as the paper does most of the work here!  I added some of the "rings for so many things" from the CE Store which were colored using distress inks and Luminarte Silks Acrylic glazes.

I applied the same technique to the Ivy Wreath, coating it with distress crackle paint for a glazed over look, then using it as a frame for my pic!

I finished the page with some flower clusters and stickers!

Well gang...  Thanks so much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)