The Deathly Hallows - A Stuck?! sketch

Hey Everybody!

Today I'm bringing you a new page, and I have to admit, it is one of the favorites I have made in a while!

I used a wonderful sketch from the awesome Stuck?! sketches blog. I documented my first tattoo & a quote that sheds a little light into what it means (I journaled the entire story of the meaning behind my tattoo in my TN for future reference...).

Here is the original sketch:

I was definitely inspired by the diagonal, and LOOOOONG title for sure! Haha!

I got my tattoo shortly after my Grandmother passed, during which I was re-reading the Harry Potter books. I love the idea of allowing one to greet death as an old friend, rather than have it unceremoniously take you miserably from this world.

It's more than just a book or a story when it relates to your own life & makes you see things in new ways.

Supplies:
Gray Paper - Craftsmith
Black Triangle paper - Mambi, Me and My Big Ideas
Vellum Triangle paper - Seven for Studio Calico
Black alphas - Studio Calico
Deathly Hallows paper strip - Reminsce Wizarding 101
Gray alpha paper - DCWV
Tags/ephemera - Art Deco & Tim Holtz
Vellum written on by Cricut
Deathly Hallows seal - from Universal Studios
Oh and that's a brown paper bag too.

Thanks for looking!!

This is Us - A LM challenge with a SID sketch

Hello, friends!

Today I'm bringing you a double dipper -  I used a prompt from Lasting Memories, starting a LOVELY month of Valentine's challenges, with a sketch from the lovely Stick it Down blog.

The challenge from Lasting Memories this week is to use the word LOVE to inspire the supplies or techniques used to create your layout.

I used Layers, an Overlay, Vellum and Ephemera. LOVE!

Here's the inspiring sketch from Stick it Down:

I don't watch This is Us (I know that is blasphemy to many of you, I just don't need to watch a dramatic show that makes me have all the feels, life has enough feels!). However, the title is perfect for these photos that really demonstrate my husband's and my relationship.

I wanted to use these large white letters, but when I put them on the busy heart paper, they didn't stand out sufficiently. So I used my watercolors to bring the pops of green from my pattern paper to my title.

Also, give me all the puffy letter stickers! Am I right!?

That overlay gave me exactly what I needed at the bottom of this photo in that negative space! Thank goodness for the O in love and the lack of many supplies that fit that letter!

Supplies:
Patterned papers - Becky Higgins Project life Sunshine collection
black and white and green strips - Studio Calico
puffy alphas - Studio Calico
white alphas - Target
stamps - studio calico and stampin' up

Thanks for looking & I hope you will join us at Lasting Memories for the weekly challenge!

Funfetti - a JOT inspired layout

Hey everybody!

Today I'm bringing you a layout I created from a prompt I found for submissions to JOT magazine. I have submitted this layout, so fingers crossed! But even if it isn't chosen, I enjoyed creating it!

I don't often scrap just me and my husband on a large layout, but this was a trip with NO KIDS (woot!) and there was a funny story to go with it, so the hearts theme was perfect!

We went to watch some karaoke & the song Cake by the Ocean by DNCE was "sang" and signed in sign language! It was a funny night. I journaled the story on the little tag behind the photo.

A little while back I was lucky enough to win the entire Urban Chic collection from We R Memory Keepers, so I thought it would be perfect for this heart-themed page of LOVE.

Sure to embarrass the children in the future (I hope, haha!), this is one for the books!

All supplies are Urban Chic collection by We R Memory Keepers.

Thanks for looking!

ONE - a mixed media tag

Happy Hump Day!

Today I'm participating in a new (to me) challenge from More Than Words. They have a mini challenge where you create a tag, ATC or card with the prompt word.

I thought this would be a good way to practice my mixed media art. It was and I had a lot of fun making it. It also was a quick little project, so if you don't have much time, I suggest trying one to get that creativity out!

I watercolored a tag, then embossed stamped with pearl powder. I distressed some patterned paper and sewed on some ribbon, scrunching it for texture. I then layered paper flowers with felt hearts, a glitter heart and a heart push pin. I stamped the sentiment on vellum and embossed in red.

The challenge this month was to use the word or number one on your piece.

My sentiment say "1 heart, together, always and forever."

This was a fun little project, and I'll be doing more soon!

Thanks for looking!

EPCOT! - A My Creative Sketches layout

Hey everyone!

Today I'm bringing another layout from my recent trip to Disneyworld at Christmas! Yes, it is as magical as it sounds.

I used a lovely sketch from My Creative Sketches and put my hybrid Disney Christmas twist on it.

Yessssss! I've been saving this piece of Studio Calico paper for the perfect layout & it has come along!

Here's the original sketch:

I didn't have another paper that was the perfect Kelly green besides plain cardstock. So I had the idea to "make" my own patterned paper with embossed stamps. I super love how it turned out. I used the Echo Park disney stamps, as well as a few from my collection that would go great for a day at a Disney park!

When creating this layout one evening, I consulted my scrappy consultant and said, "Should I do ornaments? or should I do Mickey heads?" Her response was, "Why don't you do Mickey Head Ornaments?"

I like your style, scrappy consultant! They worked perfectly with my little ornament buttons too!

My red paper was a little muted, so I had these perfectly muted red sequins to go with it! It was the perfect tie together for the page, as they're not iridescent or shiny.

I'm super pleased with how my page turned out & I cannot wait to get to scrappin' more. I'm still working on the first full day! haha!

Supplies:

Black and green paper - Studio Calico
Red bow paper - Studio Calico
Stamps - Echo Park and Studio Calico
Die Cuts - cut by Cricut (used ornament svg & welded on the ears!)
Sequins - Studio Calico
Glitter ribbon - Dollar Tree

Thanks for looking!

Focus - a loaded envelope

Happy Monday, friends!

Today I'm bringing you the first loaded envelope that I've ever made! I sent this to my dear, scrappy friend, Cheryl, and she received it this weekend.

I created this happy mail around the theme of the One Little Word Cheryl chose for the year, Focus.

I really enjoyed making this envelope. The amazing Lorrie Nunemaker has a free cut file here!

This mail was very clip-centric - haha - but hopefully she can use them in her new Happy Planner!

I made the shaker pocket out of the negative from where I cut the title word.

I watercolored this little card - my first attempt at roses, and I don't hate it.

The inside of the envelope was filled with some planner goodies and some Disney Christmas things for scrapbooking!

Thanks for looking!

Chicks Dig Them - a process post

Happy Hump Day, crafty friends!

Today I'm bringing you a layout that I have created for my application for the design team over at My Creative Scrapbook. I took some photos throughout my scrapping process to share some common issues one may run into while scrapping, and just to explain my creative process. So, hunker down for a longer than normal post, and I hope you enjoy!

So one of my crafty goals in 2017 is to use more mixed media. Well, friends... there's an art to this mixed media, and this certainly isn't it. So, my first bit of advice is do not be afraid to DISCARD something that is totally not working for you. This attempt at using Heidi Swapp Color Shine didn't work for me, so I moved along.

DISCARD

I gathered the papers I thought I wanted to use according to my photos and subject (an Easter party/Spring). I also knew I wanted to use my new mixed media goodies.

GATHER

Next, since I'm new to the mixed media gig, I improvised with my "stencil" and used a piece of chipboard. Sometimes you just need to think outside the box and

IMPROVISE

I applied my texture paste with a makeup sponge (remember: improvise?). I used the shine bottles, unscrewed to apply some splatter. So far, what I've learned on my mixed media journey is, "less is more." You can always apply more (which you will see me do later), but you cannot take it off! Splatters are fun and may become a normal part of my process!

SPLATTER

Next, I played around with a glassine bag under my large photo. But then I realized it was just too big for the circle I had created. Another instance to discard. I picked a couple of the papers from my gather stage that I liked the best and I used a straight edge to help rip them to the correct size, something I feel gives a tiny bit of dimension. The green paper had blue dots that matched the circle well, as well as the grid lines on my background paper are green.

DIMENSION

Since I was layering the smaller photo atop the larger, I did want a clear element to separate the two, so I switched to a smaller glassine bag. I also added the colorful paper and fringed the bottom sticking out. It's good to use different textures or texturize your paper to give interest on your page.

TEXTURE

Since the glassine bag is a bit tranparent, and the layout is for a party we had for Easter, I decided colorful sequins inside the bag would be perfect! I made sure to use transparent, extra-sticky tape to close the bag and keep the sequins from spilling before adhering the flap with washi. This is perhaps my most important process of scrapbooking - adding the sparkle!

SPARKLE!

Next, I picked my embellishments. I stuck with the colors of the Shine splatters and used ephemera from a few different collections, as I just have my stash all bunched together (gasp!).

EMBELLISH

I pulled out all the letters I thought would possibly go well with my color scheme. I like to pull out a few options, as I may not have all the letters I need in each color. I was planning a long title, since I used the "awesome" ephemera, so I like to pick multiple alpha font stickers to mix and match for long titles.

TITLE

I placed my epehemera and stuck down all the bits. The best way to embellish includes a visual triangle, which I created with my flowers. I also like to layer, layer, layer. A good way to get your layers to pop is to use some pop up foam dots to adhere certain pieces. I have used them on the flowers here.

VISUAL TRIANGLE

Sometimes, when you get low on your favorite letters, you have to think outside the box & convert! Both boys' shirts say "Chicks Dig Me." No C to be found on the pink alpha sheet, but never fear! The G and the O easily convert to Cs.

CONVERT

I wanted small letters for the bit above teh awesome word, but the ones I had brought out were not small enough. Then I remembered these glorious turquoise glitter letters, which have clearly been well loved. I managed to squeeze another word out of them, which was perfect because they matched the glitter embellishment leaves. Whenever you can bring your title and embellishments together, do it! Extra points for the sparkle!

COHESION

Almost done & I decide the layout needs a bit more pink. I pull out these little tags to layer behind my photo and cross my fingers that I can control the pink Shine well enough to add just a touch at the bottom!

FINAL TOUCHES

The final splatters worked superbly & I adore the final product! I hope that explaining my process has perhaps inspired you!

Supplies:

All papers - Studio Calico

Turquoise alphas - Heidi Swapp

White Alphas - Studio Calico & Basic Grey

Pink Alphas - Studio Calico

Flower and leaf ephemera - Maggie Holmes for Crate Paper

Ampersand and Awesome - Bella Blvd

Texture paste & Shine splatter - Heidi Swapp

THANKS FOR LOOKING!

Heal - a LM challenge

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. day, friends!

I hope you get to enjoy a lovely day off of work, as I do. If not, I hope you have a nice Monday, and I'm sorry!

This week, we have another stash-busting challenge for you over at Lasting Memories. This week's challenge is to bust out some ribbon, washi tape or paper strips & use them on your scrapbook page. I used ribbon and a tiny bit of washi on my layout of my great-grandmother & my babe last year. This was just a few weeks after my grandmother passed, her daughter, and isn't it so true how those sweet baby smiles and snuggles and help with our healing?! I sure know it helped me, and I was so happy that he made her smile.

I was really feeling texture and depth here, so there is quite a bit popping off the page. I bunched up the gray lace ribbon to give more oomphf.

All of Crate Papers' lines go together fairly well, I believe, so this flower ephemera from Maggie paired well with Lizzy's papers.

These gold glitter Thickers are to die for - I think (hope) I bought two packs when I happened upon them at Tuesday Morning a few weeks back.

I added the red twine to help the reds in the papers pop & tie together. I push some washi under the title to make it stand out better too and add another layer.

Supplies:
Paper - Dear Lizzy Documenter (I think that's the name)
Alphas - Thickers by American Crafts
Tickets - Studio Calico
Twine - Michael's
Flower ephemera - Crate Paper

Thanks for looking & I really hope you will play along with our challenge this week at Lasting Memories!

Viva Donald! - a My Creative Sketches layout

Happy Fri-yay, y'all!

Today I'm bringing you a fun and bright page from my Disneyworld album that I created using a lovely sketch from My Creative Sketches.

I just got this awesome Becky Higgin's paper pack at my local Tuesday Morning & I loved this one and thought it would be a perfect match for Donald's Mexican poncho! Donald was the first character in the park that Heath saw on this trip to Disneyworld, and he (Donald) was super excited and made sure to document that he was #1 in Heath's autograph book!

We also had a lovely Mexican lunch in Epcot this day. Both of my boys enjoyed the Tres Caballeros boat ride with no wait!

Here is the original sketch:

Since Donald was stationed in Mexico & this sketch had a little banner at the top, I knew I had to do some papel picados for my layout! I created my own on my cricut.

I also recently picked up some fringe tape on clearance at Michael's. That, combined with this frilly ribbon really reminded me of pinatas, so they both made it on the page too!

I really enjoyed making this page, and when my photo order comes in, it will have a companion pocket page!

Supplies:
Paper - Becky Higgin's Sunshine edition paper pack
Alphas - studio calico
fringe tape - Michael's
Ribbon  - Crate Paper

Thanks for looking!

Work it - some March 2016 Pocket Pages

I really worked towards my 2017 scrappy goal this weekend & completed a few pocket pages (my nemesis). I actually enjoyed it too. I guess I just need to complain enough about them, and inspiration will strike!

I am working my way through March of last year. (I also just decided I am going to print the whole year to display in pockets in my album, and scrap as I can, because who knows when I will actually be able to finish scrapping the entire year? It's already January 2017! But I'"m trying to take less photos this year, so we won't run into this problem again!)

I used some stamps and embossing on this 3x4 card. Easter is definitely a time you can get away with using pink on pages of boys!

Some more stamp embossing here too - I got a lot of random Easter stamps in the big box of stamps I acquired back in the fall.

The little frame from an old Studio Calico kit said 24/7 so I had to cover that up because it didn't make much sense to me!

All the random little phone photos of my Lachlan look great in B&W, so here we are.

I had a mini photo shoot with my boys on St. Patrick's day & you know I gotta scrap all the cutesy little photos.

This was a companion pocket page to a full layout I shared a while back here.

My Nana passed later that day, so I did a page with the last words she said to me. It was perfect for these photos I took that day.

I was happy about the amount of pages I completed this weekend! I'm in a scrappy groove & I'm ready to keep it going!

Thanks for looking!