Unwrapping the Gifts

I was very excited about how well Pink Paislee's Mistletoe & Co. coordinated with the boys pajamas from last year. Kurt was really a "nice" boy last year; so, his grandmother gifted him a medieval castle with some awesome knights. He was quite pleased with the gift.
Initially, my layout had too much blue. Therefore, I had to hunt for some cardstock to add, to tie into the circles cut from this sheet,:

I found a French Vanilla sheet of cardstock and inked it with some yellow and walnut, to look distressed and bring the colors together. Everything is Pink Paislee except the charm, wire, ink, cardstock and the label holder chipboard with screw top brads. (oh & "definitely")

Jason received some fabulous gifts for being "nice", as well. But, was a little surprised that mom was taking a photo op at the moment he was trying to figure out his impression of the gift. :)
I added some cornflower blue paint to the Pink Paislee fabric, die cut and my photo edges.I ruffled a satin ribbon by folding it onto an adhesive strip, and tacked it with some thread at a few points. Then, I used an embroidary yarn to back stitch a border on part of the layout. Also, to add dimension, some additional blue, and texture beneath the photos, I added the altered circle die cut. I had used a Fiskar's Threading Water punch, cut it into pieces, attached it around the circle and stitched through the holes.and, this is how the back looks: Have a marvelous weekend, my friends!

Bon Voyage

Whenever I hear "Bon Voyage", I think of Bugs Bunny. He was always sending off his pesky friends and nasty foes with some tricky word play or misleading venture, on to some ship, plane or some land means of transportation,(....to various destinations like St. Louis and Miami).

Then, as the boat or train would begin to depart, there would be Bugs waving a hanky proclaiming,...bon voyageeey.

This layout was made with Jillibean Soup papers from the Lentil Soup collection that I won at a random draw on their blog. I used a sketch from Pink Paislee's blog.

And, while your here, please take a quick look at Scraptivity's December kit, in my slideshow. It was tons of fun including Piggy Tales papers, a penscore stamp making piece, a number of Clearsnap stamping tools and pieces, and oodles of tags, buttons, and assorted goodies for stamp making.

Janine "Says" at Scraptivity

This layout was my creation from the game that I hosted at
Scraptiv!ty, Janine says. I instructed the players to make a layout with verbal cues and no visuals. Deciding that paper curls would be a fun technique to instruct, I kept the rest of the layout fairly simple. If you are interested in the details to make a similar layout, please visit Scraptiv!ty's forum. I just loved mixing these Pink Paislee Pop Fashion papers with My Mind's Eye Whirlybird's papers and die cuts!

Sonshine!!

....using a sketch by Anam Stubbington for a My Mind's Eye sketch challenge, (due November 19).

Usually, one is able to recognize my sketch interpretations much more closely. But, I strayed a bit from my original plan, this time, mostly because of the movement in these photos. The base of my layout is precisely like the sketches with the exception of the circle shape. My bottom shape is most similar to the large journal spots' shape from the sketch. Then, the next layered patterned paper is matted. I decided to use the sun paper from the Ooh La La collection, and chose a coordinating plaid from that collection for the bottom strip.

I had a lot of fun with the sun, cutting, folding, layering, sparkling and penning!

I chose papers and accessories from four different major lines, Ooh La La, Tres Jolie, Signature Life and Wild Asparagus. Everything on here, except the bling and ink is My Mind's Eye. The large flowers were made similar to my "taboo?" layout, (details shown in link), except I chose different shapes and flipped them for the petals here. This time, I used a square, and a scalloped circle for each of the larger flower's petals. The smaller flowers were made from punches, and I doodled in them for dimension on the insides:



"Play" is bordered with layers of cut scalloped circles. My placement of everything ended up working around the parts of the photos that I wanted to leave showing,...especially the splashes of water that I loved.

Thanks for coming by. And, thank you Scrapbook News and Review staff and participants and my consistent Willow Traders friends, for the awesome hops last weekend. I never visited so many blogs in one weekend!

Congrats Natalie! You were drawn for the border punch.
Natalie said...
What a wise friend to share and post a scripture for you to focus on during that time in college, what a blessed friend God brought into your life. Thanks for sharing and I enjoyed your layouts, very pretty! God bless.

Have a marvelous day! Thanks for your visit!

Thankful for Friends Faith Blog Hop

Welcome to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine's A Faith Perspective Thankful for Friends Faith Blog Hop. Today, we're out in force on the internet -- showing our faith and giving the glory to God. United, we stand as Christian paper crafters and blog owners to make a presence on the internet for all to see. We're celebrating the theme of friends and we're happy to share our projects with you based on the verse:

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. " Ecc4:9-10a

If you're just joining in on the fun, you can find the start of the train here: http://www.scrapbooknewsandreview.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=100783. First, we would like to take a moment to thank our generous co-sponsors: Layers of Color Stamps, Gina K Designs Stamps and Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. Together with Scrapbook News and Review Magazine, these companies have donated some wonderful prizes for today's blog hop.

Prizes? Oh, yeah! There will be three lucky grand prize winners for today's event.

To enter, simply hop to the blogs of all of the participating staff members of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine, take note of the staff member's name, and leave a comment on their posts. Then send us an email atgames@scrapbooknewsandreview.com listing each of the staff members who participated in today's hop. It's that easy. All entries must be received by Monday, November 16, 2009 at 12 noon, EST and three winners will be randomly chosen to win.
What are the prizes?

One $100 gift certificate from Layers of Color Stamps AND a 6 month subscription to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.
One basket of goodies -- four stamp sets from Gina K Designs and a 6 month subscription to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.
One set of digital stamps from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps and a 3 month subscription to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.
In addition, every participating staff member of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine will offer a free one-month subscription to the magazine to one of their lucky visitors by simply leaving a comment on their blog. That's a lot of chances to win, so let's get to the Hop!

Joanne came to mind immediately when I read the hop's focus verse. She was my college roommate during a very hard time in my life. You see, I returned to school in September just after my mother passed away suddenly. I was greiving and distracted. Her calm presence planted seeds of faith that sustained me through many life trails that were still to come. She hung a homemade poster up in our room of Romans 8:28 (NIV), "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." It has become my "life verse". And, I rely on those words, God's words, when I do not understand life circumstances. I cannot adequately describe the influence of one friend. But, when I say I am eternally grateful,...I mean it literally.

Please click on the layout, if you want to see the threading technique used around the photo.

Thanks for your visit. Please leave a comment,...I have a duplicate "upper crest" border punch to give away to one commenter.

Also, we will be having some fun activity(s) at Scraptivity on November 22nd, possibly with some prizes. Not familiar with Scraptivity?....it is an awesome kit club that focus' on a new technique each month. It includes a newsletter with step-by-step instructions on several projects each month. This is a super way to learn new, cool techniques. Please check back closer to the event for more information.


This was a favorite layout that I just had to sneak in.

Have a marvelous day filled with His abundant love and blessings! Warmest regards, Janine

The next stop on this blog hop is: Randi's A New Creation

They make my heart soar...

....my children, that is!!!

Kurt had an outstanding flag football year. He led his team in defense the whole season and captured nine flags in one game. And, he was pretty good on offense, as well. In fact, the coaches were calling him, "the hands guy", (thus the title). He scored at least twice this season. I loved this photo. So, when I read that American Crafts was having a Autumn Week Challenge, I thought what better opportunity to sport, (pun intended), this favorite photo of a Fall sport. The challenge is up until Thursday. I linked the challenge. Everything on this layout, except the photo, some inks and white cardstock are American Craft products. The design is a Julie Bonner sketch.

Jason is soaring this year, in other ways. At two years of age, he had speech delays, and we came to learn that he is on the Autism Spectrum. I was in such denial, initially, because he is so extremely intelligent. Yet, fine motor, gross motor and social interactions have been a challenge for him. Jason has had specialized care since he was two, addressing his weaknesses. I can confidently say that he has narrowed the gap significantly from his peers in just the last year. He amazes me!

In this layout, Jason is flying a kite that his grandfather had for him in Nova Scotia. We are on Crescent Beach.

It uses all Pink Paislee elements, except for the title, stitching threads and base cardstock. Thanks, in advance, for any suggestions.

Thanks for coming by. Have a marvelous week!

Being Sidetracked & Scraptiv!ty Nov 2009

Do you remember what I said about being side-tracked in my last post? Now that I am able to show you my November creations, I would like to explain. One of Scraptiv!ty's November kit contents is the 7 Gypsies: Artist Printer Tray. When I saw it, I, immediately, wanted to use it for jewelry display. So, this is where I got side-tracked.

I found a frame, took it apart and spray painted it black to match the artist printer tray.

Then, I painted mixed reds, yellows and golds onto a piece of foam board for the mat, (which can be penetrated by my gold paint sprayed tacks,)....and I attached it to the painted frame. Then, I added wire to hang jewelry:

Then, for the artists tray, I used cardboard with tabs to secure jewelry, in the display boxes, so that the cardboard could be taken out to use the jewelry whenever I wanted. The decorated cardboard has slits at the top for necklaces and holes for pins and earrings. And, there is one in which I glued miniture clothespins from the kit to hold a bracelet. Here is a closer view:

All products used were from November, or prior month's, kits.

With Scraptiv!ty kits, the members receive a Notions™ newsletter. It contains step-by-step instructions and techniques used for many of the projects. I will refrain from going into too much here as those may be found in the newsletter.

Here is November's fabulous Scraptiv!ty Kit reveal:


Here are the remainder of my creation's:
This one uses a Makins: texture sheets with Core’dinations cardstock. Once I embossed and sanded a piece of the paper, I saw diamonds, (hmmm,....is this a jewelry theme..). I decided to create a diamond flower to use on my "sketch" submittal. The other decorative elements were cut from paper from a previous Scraptivity kit:


For this project, I used a Prima stamp for a background print. By the way, these stamps are incredibly detailed,...I LOVE them! And, I used Liquid Pearls, which may be found in the April 07 kit, to trace the embossed design from Bazzill: Embossed cardstock – Ruby Slipper Vine:


For my card project, I used the other Prima stamp set to create a dimensional hanging chandelier:














Lastly, I used the artist's tray as a template for a layout base:
Then inked the edges from the packaging of the Prima stamp sets, with several other kit inclusions to create this vintage layout:

I hope that you enjoyed my post today,...Now, go get yourself a kit, here, while they are available! :)

Happy Creating!!! :)

Lessons learned & Scraptivity sneaks...

I have finished my first official design team assignment last night and learned a lot!
1. Stick to the assignment first and don't get side-tracked by complimentary projects!
2. Give yourself all the time you have to work. Get done early, in case you need a redo.
3. Take lots of photos of the work in progress,....it will help later in the explanations.
4. Make notes of each step while you are doing it!

I had so much fun creating for Scraptivity, and LOVE that I get products that are not mainstream. For me, that's awesome because it makes me stretch my creativity. I was always afraid that I did not have enough originality because I cannot seem to find my style. But, the good thing about not having a niche is being able to do anything I want! So, I think I came up with a couple original ideas,...yeah!!

But, the downside is that I would have spent a lot more time on at least one of my projects to make myself 100% happy with it. Sorry to ramble, I hope you like my peaks! Sunday will be the reveal of the November kits:



I hope that I'm not giving away too much! ;)

Winner and Pencil Lines Sketch # 157

Kurt collected hundreds of snails while we were in Nova Scotia. I did, however, convince him to return them to the ocean, before they met their demise in a cramped cup of sea water. In this photo, he is "snail hunting". Papers are, Jillibean Soup White Bean. The sketch is Pencil Lines . I drew and cut the flowers and stitched around the inside cut flowered patterned paper.

But, I know this is why you are really here:
The drawing is closed & I have a winner,..
Congrats Beth Warren
random numbers:63
Timestamp: 2009-10-21 12:59:16 UTC

Thanks to everyone who left comments, became a follower or participated in any of the other chance opportunities. And thanks for coming by today! Have a marvelous day!

Home Sweet Blog Candy

When I first strayed from my 'Creative Memories only' scrapbooking roots, I was eager to learn about all the current manufacturer's, products, styles and techniques. As I was looking for resources, I found Scraptivity, a kit club that focus' each month on learning a new technique with some of the industry's cutting edge products. It was a fabulous find!

How exciting it is now that I will be able to share my find with you in a HUGE way! Talk about blog candy! I am offering up a free Scraptivity kit to celebrate that I will be designing for them. I want everyone to see what I am so charged up about. This is what Scraptivity offers up each month in their kits:
*a copy of their Notions™ newsletter which contains layout samples, sketches, how-to techniques plus other items of inspiration to help you scrapbook your memories
*a minimum of 14 sheets of paper including cardstock from companies such as Bazzill and Prism, patterned paper from various companies and, at times, specialty paper
embellishments such as fiber, ribbon, buttons, eyelets, hardware, slide mounts, wire – always an assortment of items from the traditional to what’s new on the market
*Scraptivity™ clear rubber stamps that cling to an acrylic block. New members receive a complementary stamp block with their first kit

Just look at their October Kit!!

Each month they provide a sketch for inspiration here.

While your busy checking links, here is one more to check out. It is the sneak peak for November's kit,....and I can hardly believe what is coming my way in this kit. But, if you study the sneak, you can figure out two awesome products in it.

So, here's the deal.

1 chance for each:
---leave a comment on this post
---become a follower of my blog, or be an already existing one
---share a link to this post with other scrapbookers and tell me where
---sign up for Scraptivity's newsletter
---register to the Scraptivity forum
---check out the four links included in this post
---guess what technique might be introduced in Scraptivity's November kit and tell me what you would do with it (I will award 2 chances for this)

Reply letting me know how many chances I shall include for you, and sharing your ideas about what you would do with the November kit. I will draw a winner on Wednesday morning.

And, here is a recent layout that I created using some Bo Bunny papers and cardstock stickers that I had been hoarding:
The background black was made tracing a My Mind's Eye die cut sheet and cutting the outline.

And, I still love a good, warm pair of socks too!!!

Lifted Melanie Stanczyk

Been busy

I've completed quite a few layouts since my last post. The following three are my favorites:
Webkinz

I started with making a template with some paper scraps, and placed it over the die cut sheet:



Then, I painted the white areas using the template as a stencil: I then used green paint on the edge of cardstock to add journal lines. I took the painted journal box idea from artist, Kristen Fougeron, and tweaked her artsy style to make something more fitting for my more structured style. :) My original plan with this one, was to be clean and graphic, but since I smeared the green paint onto the right margin, I needed to distract the attention and added all the trees,...one was designed and paper pieced by me to match the design in the paper. The other three were part of MME's embellishments, one cut from acrylic, one chipboard and one die cut.

My Brave Super Hero
The second layout was completed for a Willow Trader's challenge to use twelve of something,...I chose paper patterns, but I happened to include twelve lines of journaling, as well... What I LOVE about this layout, is to be able to recognize how I have grown from my need for a "garanimal" package of papers to complete something that I like. Do you remember "Garanimals"? They were clothing pieces that were labeled with animals to mix and match coordinated pieces. Anyway, I really enjoyed picking out such a variety of papers that I find pleasing all mixed together. The manufacturers represented in here are: Collage Press, MME, Sassafras Lass, Creative Memories, Dream Street, Chatterbox, October Afternoon, and We aRe Memory Keepers. The circle border idea was taken from Susan Stringfellow, to cut and assemble pieces from a border punch:

Journaling reads:
Look at him in his superhero cape!
Look how cute my son is.
All the super powers of the world
He now believes are his!

He holds out his hands and parts the
sky, making room for the wind to blow.
He tilts his head and lowers his sights
To focus on the stars below!

His cape flows out from behind him
As he soars so fast and free.
He is a super duper hero...
And he belongs to me! (author unknown)

Where To?
My last layout was created with Creative Scrapper's Sketch #72:
The papers are mostly MME Abbey Road.
Thank you so very much for coming by!!! I hope that you have a marvelous rest of the weekend!!!

A B C, as easy as ....

This layout uses Basic Grey papers, Pink Paislee rub-ons and a Prima owl. Jason's Second grade class last year did a study on owls, dissecting their pellets. The mood was set with a reading of "Owl Moon".

"He did it all just for you"...and I am in awe of our Creator!!! These photos were taken in Nova Scotia. Papers are Daisy Bucket, MME & Pink Paislee, sketch by Susan Stringfellow. The bottom right circle uses a scalloped punch that was cut and reassembled around the circle,....another inspiration from Susan. TF coming by!

Happy as a Pig in Mud

Yep, that's Kurt! Not a care in the world about what anyone else thinks! THIS is what he wanted, (no scratch that), it is what he insisted on wearing last Halloween! I'm wondering who he received his independent spirit from! ;)
The page was created to use "sweets". Lots of different manufacturers in here. The base is Basic Grey & I penned the stitching. Then, there is some Prima, Pink Paislee and Fancy Pants. The cupcakes are cut from American Crafts paper, and touched up with stickles. The chipboard is Heidi Grace. Also, a Fancy Pants journal sheet, and Prima & Basic Grey rub-ons are in there. I believe that the large brad is Making Memories.
I made the flower with circles cut from the Fancy Pants paper:
1. Cut circles:



2. Fold over in back:





3. Arrange under brad:








Here is a close-up of the flower:











Have a marvelous & blessed weekend!!!