..:: shark girl ::..

Hi friends! I am up on the {A Flair for Buttons} blog today with this colorful layout and process video!

I was completely inspired by the flair that you see in the photo below!  When I saw it, I knew I wanted to do a layout that used water colored flowers.

I grabbed a cut file from the Silhouette store and cut the holes in my background paper so that I could hand stitch around the flower, then I painted the flower using gelatos and a bit of water. I used the same painting technique for a bunch of other flowers that I cut out of white card stock, and then added them to my page.

I used three pieces of flair from the same set -- Watercolors and I just love how this turned out. Here are a few more close-ups.

I made a process video of that something that suits your fancy!

Thanks for stopping by, see you again soon!

:: what a BEAuty ::

Fun. Colorful. Used a lot of stuff.  Got to play.  #winning.

What a BEAuty (<<< see what I did there?).  Quite a bit of Amy Tangerine Finder's Keepers made it on to this layout. Amy Tan's stuff always matches that water color look, which I happen to completely dig. 

Lots of layers, which mostly came from cards in SWAG bags, and I added a flair from {a flair for buttons} that matched perfectly (and reminds me to breathe, which is helpful). 

The story is simple. It's about a girl, dressed like her favorite fairy, watching Batman (and sometimes, she is Batman -- mostly on the weekends).

A splash of color all over the background -- made by me, using gelatos. I love me some gelatos. 

I'm sharing this one with the ladies over in the Paper Issues {friends & fans} Facebook group. They are really a fun group of peeps. Each month there are tons of challenges and ways to play along (and possibly win a gift card to the Paper Issues Store). I based this layout on the Scrap Lift Sunday challenge. Each Sunday a layout is posted, and we get to lift it! This past week's layout was create by PI girl Mary-Ann Maldonado.

Pop in and check out all the goings on! If your looking to purchase some of the new goodies in the Paper Issues Store -- don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!

:: it's a horse of a different color ::

It's Pinspire Me Monday over at the paper issues blog!  Corri found this great color palette on Pinterest, and asked us to use it as inspiration for a project!  I took on the challenge.

Not only do I love these colors together, I also love that water color look.  So I grabbed a white piece of card stock and my gelatos and got busy:

I started with the background.  First I slathered a bit of gesso on the white card stock to prep it a bit.  I only put it through the center of the page, where I knew the gelatos were going to go.  This helps the color move across the page a bit easier.  If you are interested I did do a video showing a few techniques I use often with gelatos (it also talks a bit about gesso).  I created a bit of texture by not smoothing the gesso out when applying. After it dried, I applied the gelatos, and moved and blended the colors with a water brush.

While that was drying, I grabbed some patterned papers from Heidi Swapp's September Skies collection (they go PERFECTLY with the color palette).

As you can see, this paper is a lovely blue, with white (and black) flowers of various sizes.  It's beautiful on it's own.  But I wanted to add a bit of color.  So I grabbed the above gelatos and painted some of them with a water brush!  I think you can see it in this photo (along with the texture created with the gesso under the color on the white card stock).

I was going for the look that Amy Tangerine has in some of her watercolor inspired patterned papers, so I didn't really "stay in the lines" while I was painting, I got a bit messy with it.

While that was drying, I grabbed another piece of white card stock and added some color with more gelatos and a water brush.  I used this piece of paper to cut out (freehand) the letters for the word "COLOR".

Finally I used a few more scraps of that same paper and made the triangles.  Of course I had to add some stitching and pop dots.  ;-)

If you'd like to play along with us over at the Paper Issues blog, click here for details.

If you are interested in gelatos, Heidi Swapp's September Skies, a water brush, or anything else that suits your fancy, check out the Paper Issues Store.  Don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' to receive 20% off your order!

Did you see the Cut It Out Saturday link party????  It's a new feature at Paper Issues -- and Jennifer Chapin created an awesome FREE cut file!  AND if you participate and win -- you could snag the November Swag Bag!   I hope to be back soon with a layout to share that I made with this file, it's a great one!

See you again soon!

..:: Paper Issues New Issue :: anything goes ::..

I'm on the Paper Issues blog today with my first feature in the latest issue!  So. Fun.

I've been looking for a way to document some of the lovely flowers that my One True Love plants for us each year.  This year, he took a bunch of photos (often times it's just me), I think because they were particularly beautiful. When I received my package from Paper Issues for the current issue (did I mention that it starts today?), I knew that these bags, stickers, twine, and tags would go together quite nicely for a little mini book! 

I used one of the bigger bags for the front and back covers (it's just folded around some card stock).  Inside the bag I created a shaker for the cover (totally fun)!

Next, I printed photos of flowers that included an array of colors (2.5 inches by 2.5 inches) and paired the photos with the bags, tags, and stickers from Whisker Graphics. I also used Gelatos throughout the book (one of my favorite things, of course)!

I received some twine in my Whisker Graphics bundle of goodies.  So I used those for some added embellishment on some of the pages and with the tags.

I found some quotes about gardens and flowers to pair up with each photo.

I did use some washi, alphas, and punches from my stash, a few other little items here and there (and gelatos) but all the big stuff you see is from Whisker Graphics.  I love how this turned out!

I had to change my thread and bobbin A LOT for this project.  LOL

The theme for this issue over at Paper Issues is "anything goes" and the sponsor is….you guessed it….Whisker Graphics!  Did you know that you can post old or new projects to each of our issues to be eligible for the prize??  YOU CAN! :-)  Just don't forget to link back to the issue!

OMGoodness…I just got an awesome package from Paper Issues!  Check this out:

Don't forget, if you order from Paper Issues and use my code (orangegearle) you can get 20% off your order! 

:: colorful fun ::

I am up on the Paper Issues blog today, sharing an August Swag Bag creation!

I started with white card stock and gelatos (see tutorial below).  Then I got out the Swag Bag, which is particularly yummy this month!

Don't you LOVE all of those stars?? See that chevron stamp?  THE SWAG BAG HAS A STAMP!  Woot!  Love it!

All of those fun layers are created from cards included in the kit. Seriously fun kit this month.  Have you got yours yet?  They are available here.

An extra for today: video about having fun with Gelatos!  :-)  I show you the technique I used on this layout as well as a few others to get you started!


Thanks for stopping by!  See you again, soon!

:: super friends ::

In yesterday's post I promised another LO from the same October Scrapbook Circle kit -- but with a very different look.

 Did I deliver or what? ;-)  Check out all that color!  Nothing subdued about this one!

Did you notice the cool technique I used on the photos?  I recently attended True Scrap 5, produced by Lain Ehman. As in the past, this was so much fun!  It is two days of online classes, by many instructors (like 15, I think).  There is chatting and cropping and learning and inspiration....I could go on and on.  It left me so inspired to create! One of the techniques that I just had to try was ink on the photo to create a "Warhol" effect.  I printed the same photo four times, once in color, the others in b & w.  Next I used stamp pads directly on the b & w photos (just swipe the ink across -- several passes) to color them. Easy peasy, fun, and I like the look.  Funny that I used ink on the photos, but for the stamping in the background, I used gelatos (hadn't tried stamping with them yet and decided to go for it.  Worked like a charm)!

What technique have you been dying to try but haven't?  What's holding you back?!

:: hello baby mini book ::

In this post I shared our wonderful family news -- my oldest daughter will be having a boy on or around October 7. We are excited for this wonderful addition to our family! For the reveal party, I started a mini book as a gift. My daughter has asked me to go ahead and keep it, add to it, and give it back to her when it's finished. She has a busy few months ahead of her, including moving, and so this makes complete sense (and I am excited to do it)! Thought I'd share a few photos:

Both the front and back covers are chip board that I covered with white card stock, and added a bit of washi tape that goes around the edge. Before putting the card stock on, I used Gelatos and Tim Holtz distress daubers to create a fun pattern.

Foot Stamp + StazOn ink + Transparency = fun title page

For the inside pages I found a great 6x6 pad of American Crafts papers at Target. The pad is called "Hip Hip Hooray" and there are two of each pattern.  I love the colors because most of them are gender neutral. When I started this project we didn't know if she was having a boy or a girl. 

Most of the tummy and ultrasound photos I stole off her Facebook page! 

The book is complete up to the present.  :-)  I plan to put some photos of the baby room and any other tummy/ultra sound photos that she takes. Then, I will leave a few pages at the very end for when we get to meet that baby in person! 

Check back here tomorrow for a new Scrap Your Story Challenge! Here's a sneaky sneak!

Happy 4th of July!  Have a safe one!

Scrap Your Story :: bubbles and boots

It's Friday! This week at Scrap Your Story Challenge Blog, we have a sketch!


Thank goodness I am not a chronological scrapper! The moment I stopped worrying about scrapping things in order and getting "caught up", was the moment that I started scrapping more. I bring this up because these lovely photos were taken June 29, 2011, nearly two years ago! Look how little B. is! And that face. This story just had to be told -- but two years ago it just wasn't happenin'.

Journaling reads: B. frequently suggests going "outside deck". On this night we had fun with bubbles.  This is after she insisted that it's a good idea to wear fur-lined boots -- no matter the weather."  True story.

It has been super busy around here!  Out of town for several days, working with teachers writing assessments, designing professional learning for next week, and so much more. I have managed to get a little bit of creative time in, but I am looking forward to the end of June when I will have a bit more free time for projects big and small!

To the left is Christy's awesome sketch that I used for this layout!  Won't you make some time for creating, and play along with us this week?

I have several fun announcements and creations to share -- soon!

Thanks for following!

Scrap Your Story :: adventure is out there

It's FRIDAY!  There is a new challenge up at Scrap Your Story! Our theme this week is "A Journey". Here is my take on the theme:

Journaling reads: You have become so obsessed with Batman! Daddy bought you this fabulous t-shirt with an attached cape! I found the tutu and you added the boots.

My "journey" is really more about the adventure of raising an imaginative three-year-old! This is the ultimate journey; navigating parenting with my Soul Mate. What a lovely adventure! I used the quote (from the movie UP) "Adventure is out there" for my title, and aren't super heroes adventurous?! 

If you follow me on instagram, you may have seen that I purchased gelatos (not the food, the awesomeness from Faber-Castell). I have had so much fun playing.  I love getting a new toy -- it always makes me want to create and gives me a boost of inspiration.

I used a mix of gelatos and Tim Holtz Distress Paint  to make circles in a grid on white card stock. I blended the gelatos with a round, foam brush. Then I used a dropper and dropped some of the blue paint right onto the page in big blobs (that took forever to dry).

 I added some stamping (Ali Edwards) some wood veneer and some sequins for fun!

I also mixed the gelatos with water to make these orange splotches. I am in love with this product. I just know you will find gelatos showing up on my layouts more and more.

I am actually on a bit of a journey right now. I'm in St. Charles, MO for a PLC conference for work, but I brought a few scrapping supplies along with me, and I created my layout for this week's challenge in the hotel (first time doing that for me). This is the longest I have been away from My One True Love since 2007, and the longest away from my daughter EVER. I'm certainly glad that I had some scrappy supplies to keep me company (and more importantly, try to keep my mind off missing them)!

I hope to see your 'journey' layouts pop up on the Scrap Your Story challenge blog soon!

I scraplifted the basic design of this page. I saw this layout by qingmei on the Studio Calico blog and I knew I had to make my own version!