STAMPERIA live, EP. 7 - Seaworld Altered TAG

I have been wanting to scrap a picture of my son-in-law for awhile. He and my daughter were exhausted after a long long day and night of my daughter being in labor to my precsious twin grandsons. I just loved the photo I captured of him asleep with the newborn baby on his chest.

I was browsing my favorite blogs the other day. One of my new favorite scrapbookers (Island Mom) had a gorgeous layout using the new Kiss Kiss line.  and Andrea's layout inspired me to finally get that picture and create. Be sure to check out her blog as this girl is amazing!

I do believe this is one of my favorite layouts to date! Thank you Andrea for the inspiration!

What's on your Workdesk Wednesday

Working on the third week of my 2015 project life album. Just finished a title card for week 3.

1st Project Life page of 2015

I finally finished my 1st PL page of 2015. I'm still working on Christmas pages..yes yes I know..I'm a little behind! I used a little bit of products from several companies to create this page. My favorite card "Tis the Season" was from an add on of Studio Calico's Walden PL kit called Christmas cards. To that I added some additional cards and embellies from Gossamer Blue and Maggie Holmes by Crate Paper.

I also made my first Bokah (2nd picture on top) using Lightroom 5. I recently upgraded to Adobe Creative Cloud and it comes with Lightroom 5 and Adobe Photoshop 2014. I adore Lightroom it's really simple to use and not at all complicated as I found Photoshop to learn..You know if I can create a Bokah it has to be easy to use!

Organization Attempt

Every Black Friday I go to Michael's and buy more craft organization Cabinets. They have had them 60% off for the last 4 years. This is the perfect time for me to get more as they are fairly pricey (around 50.00 each).  I can get so many more for 20.00 each! ha ha

This year I bought 5 more! Yep..5..and I'm finding I still need more. I have a huge craft shopping problem! I always want all the new lines and the problem is I never use it all. So my Scrapping Supplies continue to grow and I continue to buy more organization items to hold them.

I am constantly trying to find a better way to keep my things organized. I have found in my old age I just can not stand clutter. I can't create in it, I can't live in it.

This year as I was putting my cabinets together and rearranging my items. I found so many things I had forgotten I had. I tend to use things I see and not what is stored.

Right now Ephemera is my main problem lol..the same one I tried to tackle last Jan! I had thought if I sorted them by color/theme in plastic containers that my problem would be solved...So I did this..

This system isn't working for me. I am not good at digging thru things..hate it in fact..and I am not using these items as I should..

So..I decided to try something new. I am now putting them onto old cardstock I have that is faded and probably will not be used and putting them into a 12 x 12 old photo album.  The new collections will be on a page all by itself..and then when I'm done with it I am going to put the rest onto pages sorted by color and/or theme. That way when I am creating, I can just grab the book and instantly see what epherma I have (in say red) without all that digging!

The only thing you need to be careful about is making sure you use prepositional adhesive! I am hoping this new system will help me to use all the cool embellies I have that have been collecting dust :o).

Hello 2015!

I haven't written a blog post since March 2014! Gone are the days I ignore my blog. There was a reason. I was making 4 Project Life Albums for my daughters and didn't want to post the pics. Well I didn't finish them all the way but this year I am going to create some things for me as well and try my best to finish theirs!

I have some Scrapping Goals this year..

1. Work on what I want..not what I feel I need to

2. Make my own PL book..with no rules! nope not a one..it will not be a weekly or a monthly, it will be whatever I choose to make!

I am sticking with the 12 x 12. But my process will be a little out of the ordinary..ha ha.. 
I am 50..so daily pics just aren't the norm..all my children live in other cities/states. 
With the 12 x 12 I can put in all the 12x12 layouts I do, the 8 by 11 layouts I do, and do pl in the same album. My album is going to be a mish mash of my creations..If I have very little pics for the month so be it..if it's a month my grandchildren come then it may be 3 pages of pl and a few 12 x 12's...or 8 x 11's..heck I may even throw in a few journal pages as I really want to get back into the messy art I love but I don't want to have to commit to a journal :o) 
I am going to create what I want..put in there what I want..and in the end I feel if I go with the flow..the flow will be so much more enjoyable! :o)

3. Use something old in every single thing I create! My craft room is out of control and if it gets any worse I am afraid someone will submit me for the Hoarder Show! lol

Anyway..here is my first creation for 2015! 

I was so inspired by Kathleen's creation using the Scrapbook Werkstatt December Kit that I just had to try my hand at it. I didn't have the kit but I did have most of the items she used. I just love how this came out.  And I was able to keep my promise to myself to use something old. I used the wooden starts from Studio Calico that I've had about 2 or so years..Now to create some project life pages to go with it! 

Happy Mail Card

Our Color Studio Assigment this week was to create a project using one of the color combo's that our Studio Calico Instructors used. I decided to use the color combo that Kelly Noel I created a card yesterday to send to my Studio Calico Pen Pal. I also created a matching Envelope and liner to go with the card.

I used the Scrapbook Paper  & the Dear Lizzy little girl sticker from the Dear Lizzy Accent Sticker  that came from the SC Scrapbook Kit add on : Coffee Break. I took the Girl sticker and attached it to White Cardstock and trimmer around it then attached it with Foam Tape to give it some dimmension.

Using the Happy Mail stamp from the SC Cuppa Card Kit I stamped it and then embossed it in Black. I also stamped the envelope from the same stamp set twice using SC's Color Theory Coral Bay ink. and embossed it with clear embossing powder. I then cut the top of the little envelope and added it on top of the other envelope to give it dimmension. I added a few sequins and glued them down.

The envelope and liner were created by cutting them out on my Silhouette Cameo :o)

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday

I keep forgetting to post What's on my Workdesk Wednesday! But I've been a busy busy girl. :o)
I've been taking a class at Studio Calico (Color Studio). It is my very first Studio Calico class and it won't be my last!

 I have taken a lot of Scrapbooking and Art related classes in the past. I lot of them I left thinking "this wasn't worth my money"! But not the class at Studio Calico. I usually felt the classes I took didn't cater to seasoned scrappers. It was usually just simple things and techniques I already knew.

I am in love with the Color Studio Class! I know the basics of the color wheel. But that was about all I knew. I am really learning how to think about color and how to use it to take my scrapping to a higher level.

Our first assigment was to find a color combo I liked and to build a kit from my scrapping items using those colors. To me this was a great assigment. It made me study colors, color combos, and really think about the colors.

I knew I wanted to scrap a picture of my Grandson (Greyson). I have 6 Grandson's and I try to take turns scrapping them. I choose this pic taken by my Son-In-Law

Now how cute is that! So off I went to find a color combo I liked. After looking at combo's for about an hour I finally choose this!

It had all the colors in the photo plus Teal..I love the shades of Grey, and I love how the Teal and Red pop against the Greys and Black!

Using the combo I started sorting thru my craft items and putting together a kit that had those colors.
Here is a pic of the kit I created.

Since this was a Studio Calico class I tried to use mostly Studio Calico products :o).

This weeks assigment was to create a project using the kit we created. Which brings me back to "What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday! I am now creating a layout using the kit I put together!

Feb Wk. 1 Project Life

Feb Week 1

I love working on the Project Life Spreads. It's so easy to create a 3x4 or 4x6 for one of the pockets quickly. It makes it so easy to work a little and then come back.

I'm really into the Watercolor look and the Scripted Words you see on paper crafts lately. I love playing with Art Mediums so this is right up my ally! I wanted to attempt to make my own journal cards doing both.

For my Week Title Card I hand scripted Feb. and made a few squiggly lines to help fill in the card. I then stamped the week dates using Colorbox Razzberry. I love this bright pink color! I added a few hearts from the Studio Calico Sugar Rush kit at the top and then stitched thru them with my sewing machine to add a little texture. I just love how this came out and plan to play around with other cards using the Watercolors and hand script :o)

I then decided to create a journaling card so I could write about the picture my Daughter took of the Twins first snow! I wanted to document this and then when they were older they could look back at them enjoying their very 1st snow! So I tried to match the bright pink color I used to stamp with my watercolors. I played around adding pink, red, and white until I got the right blend and the color I wanted.  I then painted the card adding a little water as I went down to lighten the color and to give an ombre effect.
I added a tag I from Elle's Studio and a few wood veener hearts from Studio Calico and a vellum arrow. Again I added some stitching to add a little more texture. Then I took some of the teal watercolor I used in the title card and highlighted "Twins very 1st Snow and added a few splatters to the card. I also painted one of the wood veeners at the bottom and added some Glossy Accents. I stamped documented using the stamp set from Studio Calico's Sugar Rush Project Life kit.

I also handmade another card by stitching vellum and cardstock together and adding some Sequins in it. I loved it but felt it still needed something so I stamped and embossed a snowflake in the middle.

On the rest of the spread I used my Studio Calico Sugar Rush kits, and also a card from Becky Higgins Dear Lizzy Project Life Edition. The teal sequins came from the new Studio Calico Color Theory Collection. 

I really loved how this spread came out :o)

Color Studio Class at Studio Calico

Today was the first day of our Color Studio Class! I've been a busy girl today. First off Lisa posted our first assigment the other day. We had to find a color combo we liked and then find things in our scrapbooking stash to replicate those colors.

I worked this a little different. First I knew I wanted to do a layout of my new Grandson. I've had 4 new Grandson's within 6 months so getting their first layouts has been on my "must do" list! I decided to start with a picture. I just adore this picture my Son-in-law took..He is always creating the cutest props and I swear he should become a photographer!

I mean..how cute is that!!

Then I needed to find a color combination that would go well with this picture. So after a lot of searching I found this bracelet. Perfect color combo for this photo!

Then the real work started! Digging through all my craft stash finding things that would replicate this color combo. That was the fun part! I just love going thru my craft stash. I could spend hours finding things I forgot I had! lol

Since this was a Studio Calico Class I decided to try and find most of the items using their product. I have a lot of SC product as I just love their lines!!

Here is the kit I came up with: 

The only things that did not come from either one of their product lines or one of their kits are the mists and the Jenni Bowlin paints. 

After that was done I needed to start cutting out all the digital files that came with the class. I love my new labels! I'm always hunting for blank labels to use and SC provided a digital set with the class. Marcy Penner did a great tutorial awhile back on how to do a print and cut on the Silhouette Labels with your Silhouette. I decided to try this..wow! I now have a permanent set of labels saved in my Silhouette library that I can print and cut anytime I need them! Loved this tutorial! I swear it only took me like 10 min. to do this..so so cool!

After I did that..I got to thinking..Studio Calico has a lot of free digitals. I remember downloading the labels that go with their LemonLush line awhile back..yes I said FREE! you can find them here....http://www.studiocalico.com/digital/free/lemonlush-printable-shapes. And while your there..check out all of their free digitals! They have PL cards, Silhouette Cut files, lot and lots of free things you can try!

Free Studio Calico Digital Files

So I thought well while I'm at it..why not try out the print and cut tutorial on these also..and whoolaaaa!

Now I have even more labels for when I need them!!!! Free of charge! Now I'm off to cut out all of the cutting files that came with my class so I'll be ready for my next assigment :o) 

I bought these for my craft room..How cute!

What's on Your Work Desk Wednesday!

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday. I am starting to create a PL Spread of the grandson's in the previous snow storm. I decided to use Fancy Pants Designs - Timber Grove Collection, Pink Paislee's Snow Day collection, and Studio Calico's Sugar Rush Kit. Perfect papers and embellishments for this spread!

1st Project Life Spread for 2014!

I haven't posted to my blog in ages! I was so busy over the Fall doing Christmas Presents I just did not have time to scrap or to blog about it! I vow to do better this year. This is my first spread of 2014! I used a combination of items. A little from the ,Elle's Studio Jan. Kit,,  Studio Calico's Copper Mountain Jan Kit, and Becky Higgins Honey Edition Project Life kit.

Guest Designer for ScrapbookSteals.com

I am the guest designer for ScrapbookSteals.com blog today. I created several quick and easy projects using the new Lifestyle Crafts Shape 'N Tape.

Here is an example of one of my projects:

 This larger version of Washi Tape is so so cool so be sure to check it out here! Scrapbooksteals.com Blog

Easter Egg Card

Our Challenge at Swirlydoos was to create a peek a boo card. I so needed to start on Easter Cards so I decided to try to make a peek a boo egg. I just love how this turned out!

I cut the egg out of my Silhouette and decorated it with Scrap Cake paper. I edged the paper with gesso tinted with some of Lindy's Stamp Gang Magicals ((Cosmopolitan Pink). I added some lace and a few of Melissa Frances Miniature flowers, and a Prima flower.

For the Peek a Boo part, You open the card and find a bunny I cut out of Graphic 45's Once Upon A Springtime paper. I stamped the word Spring on it using a Hero Arts Sending Happy Thoughts stamp and embossed that using some Lindy's Stamp Gang Morning Glory Azure Embossing Powder.

So Simple and so beautiful!
I also entered this in Paperhauses Spring Fling Challenge.  Check out their blog and their magazine. Just full of Creative gorgeousness!!!! http://www.thepaperhaus.com/

What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday

I always work on at least two projects at a time. That way when I'm waiting on something to dry I have another one I can work on..and..when I have problems with the design I can leave it for awhile. Usually it helps me to walk away, work on something else, then come back to it with a fresh perspective.

Since I've completed two projects this week. I am now gathering items for my next two. I'm always working on a wedding layout because I'm trying my best to do 3 wedding albums for my girls. lol..I've been working on these for 2 years! One day, they will be finished..:o)

Today, I thought I'd also start working on a layout of my Grandsons. I just love the picture I am going to use and I think the new 2013 Bo Bunny Mama Razzi 2 Collection that was revealed at the 2013 CHA Winter Trade Show is going to coordinate beautifully with this photo. Besides, I fell in love with the Mama Razzi Stamp Set that is in the collection and I've been dying to use it!!! :o)

I am also going to use the new Studio Calico Wood Veneer Chevrons that was revealed at the trade show this year. Both have Chevrons and will coordinate perfectly together!  I will also give you a hint. If you see these grab them! I saw them at my local scapbooking store and went back 2 days later to get them. They were already sold out...I was so aggravated with myself for not getting them the first time! ..But all wasn't lost..I went to my favorite online Scrapbooking store (A Cherry on Top) and they had them in stock..so I ordered them right that second!

Anyway, So I have gathered all my mists, paints, and Liquitex Art Mediums I think I will be using. Now all I need to do is cut a Chevron stencil from my Silhouete Cameo and I am ready to play!

Swirlydoos Feb. Round Robin Challenge

I created this layout for Swirlydoos Round Robin Challenge. You can find the details of the challenge here. http://www.swirlydoos.com/sd_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?194702

I used the gorgeous Swirlydoos Jan kit "Whimsy" I adore this kit!

It is packed full of gorgeous papers, embellies, and of course all the little touches Krissy throws in that makes her kits so breathtaking!

I used the teal cardstock that was included in the Swirlydoos Core'dinations cardstock add on kit as the base of my page.

 I always buy Swirlydoos cardstock add on. It makes scrapping so so easy when you have the coordinating card stock that matches your papers. And Krissy always has the cardstock matched perfectly!  And she always gives you top quality cardstock! Bazzill, Core'dinations, Kaisercraft, etc....

 I choose to use the Promenade paper from Kaisercraft's Botanical Odyssey Collection that was included in our kit as the base for my page.

I distressed it using Prima's  Inquild Bolme's Craft Knife/distresser. I Scrunched the edges in a few places and then inked all the edges with Color Box's Yellow Ochre Chalk Ink. and added a leaf and a flower that I had from previous Swirlydoos kits.

On the corner I folded back the edges in 1/4" intervals. I again inked the edges. I added some black lace also from a previous swirlydoos kit. Than cut off  a butterfly from a Prima Flutter Vine (Pacific Blue) that I had and added it. I placed a few Black flourishes on the corner from a Prima Say it in Pearls flourish I had. I added a few flowers (from previous Swirlydoos kits and also some that I had). And whooola! I just love the corner of my layout!

I flipped and then altered the  Dusty Attic Decorative Frame #1 that was included in a previous Swirlydoo's kit. You can see the details on altering the frame on an earlier blog post here: http://scrapworld-scrap2day.blogspot.com/2013/02/whats-on-your-work-desk-wednesday.html

I then used the new Prima Damask Stencil and sponged on some Maya Road Charcoal Mist underneath the frame/picture. Then I used the Kaisercraft  Botanical Odyssey Rub-On that was included in our Jan. Swirlydoo Kit underneath the top left corner of the Dusty Attic Frame. Again as I did in the corner, I added another Prima Butterfly from the Prima Vine and a few flowers. I also colored a couple of the small white flowers with the same Tattered Angels Banana Pudding Chalkboard Mist that I used altering the Dusty Attic Chipboard Frame fo have them coordinate with the frame.

Our twist for this challenge was to use grouping of two. Now as every good scrapbooker knows,  usually  design principals are to use grouping of 3. I found this challenging to use two.But..that is also what expands your creativity! Pushing yourself and breaking rules! That is one reason I love to participate in Swirlydoos Challenges. Our Swirly Sisters are very good at making you step outside the box. My creativeness has grown so much since I've became a Swirly Girl! 

For the challenge I followed the amazing creation of Jenniev...

As you can see, I tried to take a few things from her layout to use, but also made the lift my own :o). It is so much better when you life a project to add your own touches and totally make it your own :o)

Sent from Heaven

I took part in Scraplifting's Challenge to lift Silvia's beautiful card. You can find the challenge here.
http://scrap-lifting.blogspot.com/2013/01/sylvia.html
I really loved the soft colors of Syliva's card and she also has such beautiful creations on her blog. You should check it out. http://shabbychicsilvia.blogspot.com/

I didn't finish my card in time to enter the competition. But at least I did finish it in time to mail it to my daughter :o). This card was made using Graphic 45's Little Darling's Collection. This is the second card I have made using the collection. I love it and plan to buy another paper pak for layouts!

I cut the leaves and vines from my Silhouette Cameo, then I distressed them and curled them to give them texture. I misted them with Tattered Angels Olive Vine Glimmer Mist. The flower and the zipper pull were both from Prima. I added a little cheesecloth underneath the tag and under the flower to give a little more texture. The paper under the tag was distressed then I added a little Liquitex Gesso around the edges for even more texture. A little sewing and I was done! 

What's on your work desk Wednesday

I altered the Dusty Attic frame with Shimmerz Pearls, Chalkboard Glimmermist, a Gelato, and Pan Pastels.

I am working on a layout for the Swirlydoo's Round Robin Challenge. I usually participate in this challenge every month. It's a great way to push yourself out of your comfort zone and try thing you may not normally try. And it's also a great way to learn new design ideas.

The challenge assigns teams. One person creates a layout using the twists for that month. Then the next member creates hers based on the one before and so forth. We usually do not copy them completely, though you can if you wish. I usually take a few main things off the layout and create  my own version.

I now have my chippy altered and I'm working on my Butterflies :o)

Swirlydoos Round Robin Card Challenge

It was my week in Swirlydoos Round Robin card challenge. I love the challenges, there are always great twists to spark your creativity and also you lift someones card so 1/2 the work is there for you. I always try to take whatever I'm lifting and make it my own instead of copying.

Here is a card I made my husband for our Anniversary. I cut the base out with my Silhouette Cameo. And used the gorgeous Authentique Lovely Collection. After gluing down the paper I simply cut out some leaves from my Silhouette, distressed them, and sprayed them with Lindy's Stamp Gangs Flat Fabio Greased Lightnin Green. The Prima rose was a light brown and I wanted to color it a deeper brown so I applied some Suede Glimmer Mist to the edges. I added a little lace and some Prima bling and it was done!