Let's Get Sketchy With Pink Paislee and Heidi Swapp!!!!

Hello there my fellow crafters!!!  It's been a very cold, wet week here in sunny Florida!  Guess the "sunshine state" is not living up to its name!!!  

I've been busy working on a few projects lately, two of which are layouts for Let's Get Sketchy's weekly sketches!  

Grand Cayman layout using Heidi Swapp "Travel"

The first layout was made using LGS Week #2 sketch.  Here is a look at that one:

This was a very fun sketch to play with!!!  I chose to do another page for my Father's vacation album using the Heidi Swapp "Travel" paper pad.  Here's a look:

I'm trying to stick with a more "masculine" look for this album which is something I really need to work on!!!  I used some Lindy's and Dylusions mists on the background, as well as Distress ink and a stencil for all the circles.  I outlined everything with a black sharpie for contrast, and embellished lightly!  Another one bites the dust!!! Hahahaha!!!!!

"True Story" with Pink Paislee "Colorwash" Line

Next on my list is a SUPER FUN page I made for LGS Week #4 sketch.  

Here is the sketch:

And my super fun page:

Doesn't this scream "fun"?!?  This is my oldest daughter fishing with my husband in our backyard.  

I used the Pink Paislee "Colorwash" paper line and one of the coordinating tags ("True Story") for my papers.  I cut some stencils on my Cricut Expression 2 and went over them with molding paste.  I added some Lindy's magicals and Distress Stains to the paste until I reached my desired colors before adding it to the background.  I really just "free handed" the stencils, trying to make a full circle in the back with different lengths and shapes.

Here is a close-up of the background technique:

I'm also addicted to these Kaisercraft "Blooms" found in the Frosted Designs Store!  They are just gorgeous and with a little Lindy's, you can alter the colors to coordinate with your projects :) 

I lightly wrapped this Studio Calico "Love You" piece in handmade twine (thread and Spectrum Noir marker, PP2) and laid it loosely on the page.  

I finished with a little handwritten journaling (one of my goals for this year is to add more journaling to the FRONT of my pages!!!) on coordinating paper and going around each piece with a white Sakura Gelly Roll Pen for a "faux" stitched look.

I have some very exciting news coming to you on February 5th so be sure to check back!!!!

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

2 Broke Girls Overhaul... Great New Look and Prize Giveaway!!!

Well hello and happy August everyone!!!  

This is My Story with Maggie Holmes

Okay... Now this next one is a page I've been wanting to make for quite some time.  This is for my Creative Monthly Project Challenge over at Colorful Creations.  The challenge this month is to explore the world of "paper tearing".  

I, myself, am a "colorful" person of sorts.  I'm outspoken, extremely personable (from many years in the hospitality industry), and sometimes down right obnoxious!!!!  I'm also good-hearted, I give when I can, and help others as much as possible :-)

One way I express myself is through my tattoos.  Yes, I have several of them, and they all provide a glimpse into who I am.  I wanted to make a page that reflects me as an individual.  A page that gives you an idea of "who I am".  And this is it:

This page turned out better than I expected!!!!  I LOVE IT!!!!  I used papers by Crate Paper Maggie Holmes collection to start things off.  I distressed and tore edges, and created the big tear down the center.  I used a MS paper punch to punch the edges of the torn area, then layered punched edges of different paper, ribbon, and a little Liquid Pearls.  I created the flower cluster using various flowers by Recollections and Paper House Studio.  The chipboard pieces are from Blue Fern Studio and were heat embossed, inked,  misted and then topped off with Perfect Pearls and Liquid Pearls.  I used my Spectrum Noir Black Alcohol Marker to go over some teal glittered Thickers so that the chipboard color was black, but the glitter would remain teal to match the page.  This page is easy on the eyes, full of sparkle, and a little rough around the edges.  Pretty much sums me up!!!!!  

"Summertime" Anything Goes at Sketches4All

Sketches4All is hosting a "Summertime" Sketch Challenge where ANYTHING GOES!!!!  That's right... Make what you want as long as you follow the sketch:

I decided on a layout using pics from my trip to Cozumel in 2011.  Here's a look:

I've had these papers by The Girls Paperie sitting for quite some time and thought I would finally put them to good use!!!!  They went well with the photos anyhow!!!  

Instead of using three photos, I cut one into two and then added one of me and my husband on shore.  The embellies and ribbon are all from the same paperline, aside from the K&Company tag (bottom right) and the metal balloon by Recollections.  Looking at these pics make me want to revisit this tropical paradise!!!!!   

Handmade Baby Girl Card using Crate Paper "Little Bo Peep"

This is a card that I made for SketchNScrap's July 20th Card Sketch Challenge and FORGOT to post as we were in Fort Lauderdale!!!!!!  Browsing all my sites last night, I realized I hadn't even posted it yet... Better late than never I suppose!!! Hahahaha!!!

Any who... Here is the sketch:

My husband needed a baby girl card for his boss and this was the perfect sketch to get it done!!!  Here's a look at what I came up with:

I had this Crate Paper that I also TOTALLY forgot about and finally pulled it out to use!!!  Seems like a trend around here!!!!  I followed the sketch quite literally, adding only minor changes.  I hand cut the tag, hand-colored the elephant with my Spectrum Noir markers,  and heat embossed "Congratulations"  using pink powder.   I finished it with ribbon, buttons, and a couple of flowers!!!!  That's it!!!  Easy Baby Girl card out the door :-)

Well gang... that's all for today!!! Stay tuned for some more exciting projects coming in the next few days!!!  Have a LUCKY day :-)

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 :-)