Sunday, May 29, 2011

Where have I been?


I just looked at this blog & realized that I have not posted anything in over a month. Life just takes over, I guess. I really haven't been scrapping much, probably because I am on a scrap diet, so I can't get all the new lovely stuff that's coming out. I guess the best way to not be tempted has been to avoid it altogether. I have also been obsessed with a couple new things as of late as well- couponing is what has been taking a lot of my time. It sure is a thrill seeing what new bargains I can get, though. Hopefully once I really get the hang of it, I will save enough to be able to come off my scrap diet and splurge. Until then, I hope to be able to get some new pages done and posted.
My other endeavor that has been consuming some of my time is my new challenge blog: Paper Thrills. I am posting a weekly challenge & we're having lots of fun over there! Come on over and try some of the challenges :)

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Pencil Lines Sketch #233


I know I've been dong a lot of these lately... I love them! This one gave me a chance to use my G45 Le Cirque papers, some ticket stamps from Cloud 9 Design (I've been using these things all over the place!), some vintage lace & rikrak, a metal star from who knows where and this awesome circus chipboard that I got from my sister, but I don't know who makes it...
I haven't had many sketches offered on here lately because I have been trying to step out of my comfort zone and using inspiration from other sources... that means, all those links in my challenge sites section are getting my attention. And, I just haven;t had as much time as I would like. Please check out the challenge sites, though- they're awesome!
Happy Scrapping!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Pencil Lines Sketch #232


I loved this week's sketch so much I had to do 2 different versions of it!
For this first one, I used plain white cardstock and painted a neon rainbow with acrylic paints, then I misted it with Lilac Walnut Ink to dull it down just slightly. I cut the flowers out with my Cricut using paper from DCWV Rock Star Stack. I stamped the title with some tiny letter stamps I bought at JoAnn's a while back.
For this next one, I wanted to do something totally different, so I decided to go a little cleaner. Everything on here is Echo Park. I used mostly "Playground" with a little smidge of "Springtime" mixed in. I am really loving how all of their lines play well together!
Hopefully be back with more, but until then, happy scrapping!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

One of Those Days...


I really wanted to get more done today, but I guess I was just uninspired today. I did manage to get one layout done... did this one using Sketch #231 at Pencil Lines. For this layout, I used papers & stickers from Sassafras, a chipboard flower from Colorbok, some stamps from Cloud 9 Design (I think), and some Spanish Moss Glimmer Mist. The rikrak and trim are from JoAnn.
I hate it when I get into these uninspired times... hope to get over this block soon :)

Pencil Lines Sketch #229


I know this is from earlier last month, but this is the layout I did for this sketch... just took me a while to post it :) I used paper from BoBunny on here along with some BoBunny swirls. The Flowers are Primas that I painted and the frames are from Making Memories. I bought these butterflies at Dollar Tree and am seriously thinking about going back and getting a ton more- I love them! The Sister sticker is from Scrapworks.
Hopefully I will be able to post more later. Until then, happy scrapping!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Some fun


1. March is National Women's History month. Talk about a historical woman you admire or maybe just a woman in your life.- I really admire my sister because she is one of the strongest and most creative people I know :)

2. Blog about one of these "special" days:
- March 14th - National Potato Chip Day
- March 15th - Dumbstruck Day
- March 16th - Everything You do is Right Day
- March 17th - Submarine Day
- March 18th - Goddess of Fertility Day
- March 19th - National Quilting Day
- March 20th - Extraterrestrial Abductions Day

I don't think I've actually heard about any of these days... The Goddess of Fertility Day should rightfully be Easter, or for us Pagans Eostre or Ostara... look it up if you have no idea what I'm talking about.

3. Saint Patrick's Day is this week as well! Do you do anything fun to celebrate? Do you wear green? Have you made any fun crafts? Why do you feel lucky right now? I really don't celebrate it- it wasn't snakes St. Patrick drove from Ireland, it was witches.

4. If you were only allowed to use a) all patterned paper or b) all cardstock which would you choose? If you could only ever use three types of embellishments what would they be? I think I would choose cardstock because you can paint it and stamp it all you want & make your won patterned paper. As for embellishments, I think that I would stick with chipboard, stickers & flowers. Those are mostly what I use anyhow.

5. Write about your creative process. What part of scrapping do you start with first: the photos? the paper? the journaling? Where do you usually get stuck? My creative process usually starts with the pictures. I choose the paper to match the colors in the photographs and any journaling I do usually comes last because sometimes I feel the pictures say enough.

6. Do you tend to scrap only the happy things in your life or do you try to portray a more balanced picture on your pages? How do you feel about reading personal stories on scrapbook pages? I will scrap pretty much anything. Of course, I prefer the more personal & happy stuff, but we have pages about messy rooms, people being goofy, any of that. It's part of life and I am capturing it. In fact, I even scrap about special objects- I just finished a page about a teddy bear.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Another Pagemaps Contest


Have I told you how much I love PageMaps? I do! Anyhow, the sketch contest this month involves winnings from Webster's Pages (which I don't have enough of... but it's sooooo pretty!) Here's the sketch we have to use:
And here's my take on it (sorry the pic seems a little pixelated)
I used Webster's Pages for the background (because it was perfect for this!) I used some Prima minis for the flowers and a Fancy Pants journal card, and alphas from Echo Park. To make the butterflies, I used some Perfect Pearls Medium on a butterfly stamp and then brushed it with some of the Perfect Pearls, then cut them out. The journal spot at the bottom is also stamped and then cut out. I got the pretty lace at JoAnn's. It was white, but I wanted a different color, so I sprayed it with some lilac walnut ink.


Pencil Lines Sketch #228


This layout kind of took off on its own... I used Sassafras Paper Crush for this one along with some Colorbok Chipboard & some miscellaneous pieces of ribbon. 

Challenge Blog DT Call


New challenge blog : Paper Thrills challenge blog is having an open DT call... snce this is a new blog, I thought I would pass it on. Please pass it on as well!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Getting back in the game


I didn't get on the G45 Design Team, sadly. I guess that means that I am just back to scrapping for me. So, here's a cute page that I did from one of the sketches on Pencil Lines (no word on their DT yet...)
I used Sassafras for this one (of course!) With some flowers from Making Memories and a ticket from Jenni Bowlin.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

The Grand Finale


I wanted to end this with a bang, and let me say that this project took me the better part of a day to finish... I also made a semi-tutorial for you.
This wreath is almost entirely Once Upon a Springtime, but there is a smidge of Steampunk Debutante in there. On this wreath, I used flowers from the previous Jinky's Crafts tutorial I posted a while back, but I also figured out how to make these beautiful roses! So, I wanted to share how I made the wreath.
You will be folding them in half to use as leaves... I also used a green metallic gel pen to draw the veins in...
The rest of the wreath is attaching to your base. I used craft glue and pop dots to adhere most of my elements.
Enjoy!


Some more Springtime fun


It is no secret that our family loves the Faerie folk, so I have almost decimated my Once Upon a Springtime stash... time to buy more I guess :)
I also combined some paper from Renaissance Faire and some baby Primas for this gorgeous plaque for my Mother-in-law.
For this layout, I used the butterfly cut-outs to mask the striped paper with Glimmer Mist, then used them as 3-D objects. I painted them with more Perfect Pearls to give them that gorgeous blue tone.

Twisted Wonderland


I have to admit that, while I am absolutely in love with G45, I admired their papers from afar until they came out with the "Hallowe'en in Wonderland" line... these designs just took my imagination in a few crazy directions and one trip to Disneyland and 2 kids dressing up as the utterly mad characters for Halloween and I knew I needed them. I posted my Disneyland layouts a few months ago, but these Halloween ones totally rock (and oddly reflect both my kids' personalities as each of the characters they chose to portray).
On this layout, I also used some Alphas from Scrapworks (yep, old...) and Provo Craft as well as a Jenni Bowlin Halloween Bingo Card and Teresa Collins journal spot. I made the flower from ribbon I got at JoAnn.

This one also uses some Co'redinations Whitewash cardstock and some ribbons from Target's dollar spot.


My daughter is Steampunk


The main reason I instantly fell in love with Steampunk Debutante is because of my very eccentric teenage daughter. She loves everything Steampunk, even to the point that she wears goggles everywhere and happens to also have a sheet of this line hanging on her wall that we need to frame, so it was no surprise to anyone in my household that I used a lot of the photos in her album as a basis for this layout featuring this gorgeous line.
This layout also uses a lot of the Fashionista line, but the flowers were all cut out from Steampunk Debutante. I also used a journal spot from Teresa Collins and a clip from Making Memories. The title and frame were cut from textured handmade cardstock scraps.

Scrumpdiddlyumptious cards


I know I have posted a card on here from time to time, but I make more than I post. I will try to be better about that because lately, I've been loving the card making.

I have to say, I have no occasion as of yet where I want to give this card up... it may go to my hubby just so I can keep it...
This was using the Steampunk Debutante & Renaissance Faire lines. I love that it is so effortless to blend G45's lines.
Also used on this one were Prima flowers, more of my Perfect Pearls, and some metal butterflies that I took off a necklace that I bought from Claire's on clearance CHEAP, some miscellaneous ric-rac, lace & brads, and some pearls from JoAnn.

For this second card, I was intending on being a baby card, but it would really work for more than that. this is using the Baby 2 Bride collection, along with some baby Primas and some more pearls.


Graphic 45 Love


I know I have been a little AWOL, but I have a good reason & some great treats to share! Graphic 45 is looking for a new design team, so I have been working on projects for my application. Posting said projects are part of that process, so I have lots to share! You know I am not missing out on this one... the more I work with these yummy, scrumptious papers, the more I love them! Get used to seeing tons more (as soon as I can get more...)
To kick things off, I have this adorable layout of my niece, featuring their Once Upon a Springtime line.
I also added some great butterfly stickers from JoAnn's dollar bins and some bling from Michael's. The flowers were all made from cardstock and then painted with water & Perfect Pearls (my new best friend). I also sprayed everything with Glimmer Mist.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

A Little Sketchy


I meant to get these sketches up yesterday, but it just got away from me, so here they are! I'd love to see your interpretations, so let's see 'em in the comments :) - I have no layouts done for these, either.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

I am sooo slapping myself...


I realized at about 9:00 last night that it was February 1st already. You may be asking why this bugs me? Yesterday was the cut off for the Sassafras DT call that I wanted to go out for. Damn you January for going so quickly!

Anyhow, I have some time to play with my scrappalicious stash today and have some insane sketches rolling around in my head as well, so, hopefully will have time to post more today. Stay tuned & play along, will ya?

Sunday, January 30, 2011

A quick sketch


Got a quick Sunday Sketch done...
Here's the sketch:
And my layout of it. For this layout, I used some old My Mind's Eye paper and some Graphic 45 for all the vintage signs. The swish is from Heidi Grace and the letter stickers are from Making Memories.
I'd love to see the take everyone has on this sketch :) Post a link in my comments so I can see :)
Happy Scrapping!

HMITM Challenge


HOP is on a brief few days respite from challenges for the Use Your Stash month (now extended into February!), so I thought I would try the weekly challenge at How Much is Too Much. The challenge is to create a layout using:

1 color (you can use a neutral color in addition to the one color if you want to)
1 die cut shape
1 bird, butterfly or wild animal accent
1 sheet of patterned paper (or less)
0 letter stickers
7 other items

I chose green with my neutral being brown/beige. For my 7 elements, I used rub-ons, stamps, Glimmer Mist, ribbon, a cardstock sticker, brads and a punch. The paper on here is from K & Co. Rub-ons are Colorbok. The Die-cut journal spot is My Little Shoebox. The stamps are from Michael's dollar bins & the Glimmer Mist is Spanish Moss.


Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Steampunkeroni


So, unfortunately I have no sketch today, but there are some layouts I would like to share. I did these for the Use Your Stash challenges at House of Paper. One think I really have been trying to do is use my favorite papers, instead of just thinking how much I like them when I thumb past them in my Cropper Hoppers. So, this week I have been digging into my G45 stash & using my Steampunk Debutante...

For this first layout, I used an awesome paper flower tutorial from Jinky's Crafts Blog. This is my variation. I paired the G45 with papers from K&Co. and houndstooth die cuts from Teresa Collins.

For this next layout, I used pretty much all G45, but threw in a little of Sassafras Indie Girl. The metal flowers and chain are from a necklace that I bought really cheap at Claire's (love it when they have dollar sales!) and took apart...
I do have to say, these challenges are really helping inspire me and get me scrapping! I suggest stopping over and checking it out :)

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

OMG the Goodies Just keep coming!


I don't know about anyone else, but with all the CHA sneak peeks that are coming out lately, it feels more like Christmas now than it did in December :) So far, some of my absolute favorites are (in no particular order...):
  1. BoBunny's Ad-Lib Line - Love that it all has this very Retro feel but still bright colors!!! And those puzzle pieces! I'm drooling over here!
  2. Graphic 45's Le Cirque - Anyone who knows me knows that I have an obsession for Circuses (or more specifically, the side-shows) and this collection has to be my #1 Must-Have of all of these new releases. I mean, how cool is this! It's all vintage circus banners! By the way, I also am in love with Once Upon a Springtime, but I already raided my LSS and nabbed all those papers...
  3. Echo Park's For the Record - This line is very quickly becoming one of my absolute favorite manufacturers (second only to my beloved Sassafras, of course) - their papers have all been beautifully coordinated & wonderfully versatile! I can't wait to get my hands on these...
  4. Webster's Pages- well, I tired to pick A line to favorite here, but I really like them all! The odd thing with these is they are all so beautiful, and it's easy to get overwhelmed with them and think, "Wow, what do I do, these are totally against my usual style." But really, they're not. As I have been finding by playing with my existing papers of theirs that I have, you really don't need to add much to make gorgeous layouts with them! And please do check out all the coordinating embellishments they have with these! They totally rock!

Now, so far, there have been no Sassafras sneak peeks  yet, but I am sure their new lines will be spectacular as usual. Unfortunately, I still have yet to get my hands on Mix N' Mend & Count Me In... nobody around here carries either of those lines, and my usually online retailers didn't, either :( Any suggestions? I'm thinking Ebay... 

I think I may have to set up a separate savings account for my scrapbooking addiction... 

I'll be back later today with some more layouts and a couple sketches because I am feeling super inspired lately. Must be that after-Christmas energy because lord knows I had no energy between Halloween & New Year's. 

Until then, Happy Scrapping!!!!




Tuesday, January 18, 2011

New look!


I saw the big banner that Shabby Blogs had changed servers and that I needed to get my blog background again, so I decided to change things up a bit. I am absolutely crazy about damask, lately, so I'm glad they had this... I'll be posting more layouts tomorrow. No scrappy time today :(

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Challenge Day #2


I got two of the challenges done today:
Chiara's 2nd Challenge was to create a layout using ribbon & buttons. I did just the thing with this Easter layout. I used paper from Crate's Restoration line. The ribbon is just plain, white ribbon that I stamped with acrylic paint to create the swirl. I also stamped the "Precious" in the corner and traced it with Stickles.

The second challenge that I got done was Karen's Flower Challenge (#2 for those of you playing the home edition). This one gave me the chance to use some insanely old Daisy Ds paper in my stash as well as really pushing my limits (extra points for using flowers on a Manly layout). I also used some papers from K & Co. and chipboard from Colorbok. To make the flowers n here, I cut circles in three different sizes on my Cricut, sanded the edges, and then attached them together with a brad. After that, I sprayed them with a distressing ink and some pewter Glimmer Mist. While they were wet, I crumpled & folded them to distress them more.
I have also managed to finally finish our vacation album, so hopefully I will be able to post some of those layouts later :)
Happy Scrapping!