:: cotton candy cousins ::

Hi all! Today is my first post over on the Paper Issues blog!  So. Exciting.  It's also the last day to link up with current issue, Mix Tape.  I'm linking up this layout, just in the nick of time.

There are many ways to interpret this issue. I chose to go with a "mix" of collections, and use a song and use some washi "tape"!  This layout is about B, and her cousin L. eating cotton candy (the real story, told with hidden journaling, is all about them sneaking more by going off and hiding in the closet, eating handfuls at a time)! 

Link up by midnight tonight!  Link back to Paper Issues to be eligible for an awesome prize by Hazel & Ruby!

Guess what?  I have a code to share with you!  It gives you (yes you) a 20% discount at the Paper Issues Store! Woot!

See you again soon!

:: horseshoes :

Simple, but fun layout for today! 

I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut the title. I started by typing "Horseshoes" in bebas font. Then, I went in to the symmetrical letters and erase one half. Finally, I added a dashed line on the edges of those letters so they would fold easily. Before I cut, it looked like this:

I used Mister Huey spray ink to spray the wood veneer triangles at the top, and then added some white with a white out pen.

I'm linking this up to Paper Issues Current Issue : In The Navy.  The link party goes through July 6th -- plenty of time to join the party!

Thanks for stopping by!

:: hulk mad ::

I've recently started receiving "Swag Bags" from Paper Issues.  I love them.  They have all kinds of fun little goodies in them each month.  Sometimes I use them in my Project Life Book, and sometimes I use them on layouts.  Today I have a traditional LO to share.

Those are the perfect alphas!  I love them -- Simple Stories DIY and Typeset alphas (also available at Paper Issues).  

And wow!  I knocked this layout out in about 30 minutes.  When I saw this awesome "orange is the new black" layout over at Paper Issues, I knew I had to scrap lift it! Thanks Cassie Box for the inspiration! I used the May Swag Bag from Paper Issues for all of the little bits of paper and most of the embellishments.  I added flair from Amy Tangerine's Plus One collection, the paint splatters and the background patterned paper -- but most everything else is from that Swag Bag.  Awesome!

I'm linking this one up over at Paper Issues.  The Current Issue is "It's Raining Cats and Dogs".  I'm linking up because I used Simple Stories products, and this was taken during one of our first nice days this spring!

Thanks for stopping by!

:: beautiful :: (with video)

Hello! Today I have a process video to share with you!  This is my first attempt at a process video with a traditional layout.  Thank you for stopping by and watching my first Project Life process video -- and for coming back!! :-)

Please, please, please, give me feedback!  (I know that the bottom of the LO is not showing for parts of this video and I apologize, thank you to my online friends for encouraging me to post it anyway)!

Credits:

• Most of my patterned papers and stickers came from this Scrapbook Circle Kit (Bucket List -- sold out)!  I can't believe I am coming up on three years as a subscriber to these kits.  I still love every ounce of them!
• I also used this awesome Diana Fisher sketch from the Scrapbook Circle Blog.  Don't forget there is a free cut file as well! There is still time to submit to the challenge (April 23)!
• Many of my other embellishments, sequins, buttons, etc. (and a couple of stickers) came from the April Swag Bag over at Paper Issues.  I just subscribed to these "swag bags"and I'm really liking what I've received so far!  I will be linking this layout up with PI's current issue "Pitch Perfect" because I used a song lyric (my title). There is still time to link up to this challenge as well (April 27)!

Thanks for stopping by!

:: stitched : the dark knight ::

I am currently taking an online class through Studio Calico called "Stitched".  If you follow my blog much you probably already know that I love stitching on my layouts! You may also know that I purchased my sewing machine just for scrapbooking, meaning, I do not sew! It was quite the fiasco the first time I tried to thread my so-called self-threading machine. 

I thought I might just benefit from taking a class specifically about stitching on layouts. As always, this class is fun and I have gotten quite a few ideas from it. For this layout, I used both hand stitching and machine stitching.

The circles are a cut file that came with the class (one of the things I always love about classes are the "free" things that come with it like printables or cut files)! I cut it with the Silhouette Cameo and then found various patterned papers to back several of the circles. I also used Gelatos and a water brush to paint a few of the circles, stars, and wood veneer pieces.

I used this Ali Edwards (technique tuesday) stamp set to stamp a few sentiments. (I love her stuff. Always.)

FInally, I journaled around the outside of the layout as a border. I love how this one turned out!

Thanks for stopping by!

:: projects abound ::

Oh blogger friends, how I have missed you.  I am alive. I didn't fall off the face of the earth. Something did happen, though.

School started.

and not just for Charlie and me........

first day of preschool

But first she had a birthday....

This time of year is so crazy! It seems most things get neglected. I have managed to get in a bit of craftiness here and there....

this week we camped...there was an insert

I'm taking a class at BPC called "Project Life Lessons".  One word -- awesome.

here it is without the insert

left

right

insert front :: the food

insert back :: the beach

I've even spent some time in my art journal. This Bob Dylan quote made me do this:

And I even made a few layouts...

all about brushing teeth....

and playing in the water.
that background started white....and then i got out the gelatos and stamps
those letters were white...you guessed it...gelatos (so fun)!

Yep, she still loves Batman. She really wants to be him when she grows up.  However, she has discovered that Batman isn't real (he is just in the movies - gasp!). So....now she wants to go to California, so she can "be" Batman in the movies, when she grows up.  Or today.

I. Love. Her.

:: strawberries ::

I'm having a great time participating in LOAD 513. I really don't plan on posting each layout that I do -- I just don't have that kind of time -- but I'm awake, so I might as well.  :-)

I took this photo -- and then I stamped the date on!  You can see that below

If you recall, our theme for the month is "Get a Clue" (from the Clue game). So each day our prompt has something to do with the game. Day two's prompt was "the knife".  So we were to "take a stab at" something, and/or interpret as we wish.  :-)  I used machine stitching, some distressing, and then in the close-ups you will see that I pierced the paper in three locations, 2 brads, and then a stick pin.  I thought the stick pin met the prompt!

These photos were from nearly two years ago -- she was so little!  Her hair was so much shorter!  Wow!

No time for listing supplies this time! Please just ask in the comments if you want to know where something came from! Thanks!

Scrap Your Story :: love spring

It's FRIDAY and you know what that means -- a new challenge goes live at Scrap Your Story Challenges!  This week we are working with one of Christy's sketches!  Here's my layout:

The journaling is about how my wonderful family stopped and let me take this photo, even though the weather was bad, we were hungry, and on our way out to eat.  But I just had to get a photo of the grass...it is turning green.  I am thankful for that -- because I am ready for spring.  Aren't you?  Here are a few close ups:

If you follow me on instagram or Facebook, you may have seen that I was letting scrapbooking stress me out this week!  Ever had one of those days/weeks where you waste a LOT of paper because none of your ideas work?  I had that this week!  Ugh.  Good news...I pushed through and I really like how my layout turned out! I got several happy packages in the mail this week, and that helped.  :-) 

The patterned papers and tags are from April's Scrapbook Circle kit, "Happy Place" and I added a couple of things from my stash. Also, I used some awesome washi that I got from a Paper Issues embellishment kit (some of the happy mail that arrived on my doorstep this week)! There is a complete list of supplies used at the bottom of this post.

Here's the sketch (I basically flipped it horizontally):

Come play with us!!!  It's so much fun to see what others create based on the same sketch!

I will also be posting this a Paper Issues.  Their "Current Issue" is all about using instagram photos (which I love)!

Supplies:

Echo Park :: Flower Garden 12x12 Sweet Girl

American Crafts :: Dear Lizzy 12x12 Lucky Charm Paper :: Lucky Coin

American Crafts :: Dear Lizzy 12x12 Lucky Charm Paper :: This and That

American Crafts :: Amy Tangerine Yes, Please :: Capture Embroidery Kit
American Crafts :; Amy Tangerine Yes, Please :: Create Cardstock Shapes

Studio Calico :: Chevron Snippets Wood Veneer
A Flair For Buttons :: Lovely Words Flair

Heidi Swapp :: Clear Pop :: Clear Mint Alpha (love these)!
Tape Works Green Chevron Washi Tape (got this in the Paper Issues "Thrift Shop" embellishment kit)
Elle’s Studio Serindipity Lil Snippets Labels 
Scrapbook Circle exclusive tags

:: a layout about me ::

I am loving playing along at CSI : Color, Stories, Inspiration! One of the things I love about the place is that a new case is introduced on Friday, and then you have over a week to complete it -- which means, two weekends, which I often need! This week was no exception. As soon as I saw this case last Friday (March 22), I knew I wanted to participate. The colors are fantastic! I even knew which photo I was going to use. If you are interested in playing along with this case, you have until midnight, and the new case (no due until next Sunday) has already been introduced, here. I think you will find the colors and inspiration equally yummy. Check it out! 

I also used the March sketch it out challenge (club CK) sketch from the great Ashley Horton!  So, here's my layout, and boy did I have fun!

After printing my photo, I realized it was too...ummm...white, had too much contrast, something, it just didn't look right! So, I reprinted, this time on vellum -- umm, yeah, way better and a fun change. I had gathered a bunch of papers together before beginning, and I did start with them, but I quickly decided I wanted to get my hands dirty. So, I grabbed a few 4x6 photo papers, and another neutral patterned paper with some words on it, then I grabbed some spray inks and made my own paper. Also VERY fun (they are the ones peeking out from behind the photo)! 

I used some more vellum and stamped a bunch of words on it...also used a wood veneer camera as a stamp, and stamped on the vellum! (see why I had so much fun with this one?) I used a stencil to cut out the word, "ME" and then put the vellum behind it. This was after trying several other things first, but I'm glad it lead me to this final product.

You'll notice that I used some orange, which isn't included in the lovely color scheme provided by CSI. But, how could I do a layout about ORANGE GEARLE, without using orange?!?!

Hope you had a great {holiday, if you celebrate it} weekend!

:: remember today ::

Last week we had a snow day.  I took a zillion pics.  I grabbed my favorite one and scrapped it -- it's the first photo that I took 2013 that I used for a layout (not counting Project Life).

Journaling reads : "After Snowball fights and sledding in FRESH SNOW, you must have HOT CHOCOLATE!"  I took this journaling straight from a post that I posted to Flickr.  I'm not sure if you can tell or not from the pic, but my favorite part is how I cut a journaling card in half and put one part on top of the photo and the other part at the bottom for the date stamp. Then used an exacto-knife to cut the banner out (it's actually part of the journaling card) and stamped "sweet love" across the top of the card.

For this layout I used my January Scrapbook Circle kit (and a few items from a past kit or two), some flair from A Flair for Buttons, Studio AE January Stamp, and a few little tidbits from my stash. This is the first time that I have participated and submitted something to CSI (Color Stories Inspiration). This is the case file:

I used the colors, of course.  My pieces of evidence are hearts, diecuts and punches.  For the testimony I added a heart to my journaling spot.

Another first for me, I did a little distressing (I used the edge of my scissors) around the edges of my photo mat.

 For a little dimension, I added pop dots to one side of my journaling strips.

I'm pretty happy with the final product.  Pretty simple, but I like it!

Coming soon :  Project life share, and an update on goals (new and ongoing).

:: layout mission | January ::

Last week I told you about My Pinterest Challenge to myself, this week I'd like to let you in on another one of my goals.  I hope to do at least two layouts a month, not counting Project Life or One Little Word prompts.  For those of you that do two or more a day (or an hour), I know that you are thinking, "Uhh...loser!"  LOL, but I am afraid that I will no longer do layouts because of Project Life, so I had to start with a goal and go from there.  If I surpass it, no problem!  

My layout mission :  In addition to OLW prompts and weekly PL spreads, I challenge myself to complete at least two traditional layouts per month.

Both of these layouts I'm going to share with you today were made almost exclusively with January's Scrapbook Circle kit -- Only You (as you will see there's a bunch of Crate Paper's Fourteen Collection included in this kit!).  I added some washi, some flair from A Flair for Buttons (and one from American Crafts, I think), and of course some alphas.  This first one was a photograph that I took when I woke up one morning.  My phone is always right beside my bed so I grabbed it when I saw felt this:

I kept this one pretty simple (didn't even use my sewing machine or any washi on this one), but I like the way it turned out.  Journaling reads : "On Mother's Day I woke up to this hug and a little voice saying Come Here You".  It's a true story, yo -- she is that awesome!

I raised the "YOU" (Fancy Pants) with foam squares and placed a card from my Seafoam PL kit behind it (actually, I think this is one that I printed out from the digital kit, but didn't use...until now).  I traced around the inside of the card to add a bit of depth.  I used Ashley Horton's sketch for the Sketch It Out Challenge at ClubCK, and the twist for this month is "Outlining" (just another reason to trace around the inside of that card)!  Here's the sketch:

For my second layout, still using Scrapbook Circle's great January kit, I chose a couple of photos from June 2011.  I take TONS of photos of my daughter B. (if you follow me on instagram or facebook, heck, or even this blog, you already know this), but I don't take nearly as many of my best friend, and even fewer of myself.  The day that I took these photos (also my iPhone) he had brought one of his electric guitars outside, but still plugged in (you can see that the door to the house is behind him) and was playing.  It was nice out, B. was playing, and apparently needed an electric guitar as background music.  I so love these moments.  

I decided that I would scraplift myself for this one. I started out with this layout as inspiration, but then it kinda morphed into using this one.  I love the colors in this one!  I like the pop of yellow, and how it brings out the gold guitar.

I used arrows for the Scrapbook Circle "Make your Point" Challenge (Studio Calico Vellum ones -- from the kit -- and also some Amy Tan from my stash).

My favorite alphas right now are pretty much any of the 12x12 abc stickers from Lily Bee Design.  I believe these come from the Picket Fence Collection, but I've purchased about as many of these different sheets as possible, I love them!  I've used them a lot for PL, they are the perfect size.  I used DIY Thickers for "Soul Mate", and misted them with Mister Huey's "taxi" mist and then secured them with a little stitching, just in case).

I think the camera flair is American Crafts I think, and the arrow fair (as well as the one in the top left corner) is from A Flair for Buttons (love Shelley's flair).  The "inspired" sticker is Amy Tangerine (also love).

I must be into foam squares this month.  I decided that one of the photos needed to be lifted for a little dimension.

January Layout Mission: Accomplished!

Peace, love and understanding to ya!
:-) o.g.