Crazy Awesome

Popping in to post a quick share of a layout I had up at Chic Tags earlier this week.

These photos with my buddy Hunter called for some crazy, fun papers, and layout design.  I pulled out my November Scraptastic Kit, some fab Chic Tags, and set to work.

The finished result surprised me with it's lack of white space.

Lots of layers as usual, and a LOT of machine stitching on this one.

Stitching in between the Cameo cuts

Lots of fun with Chic Tags products.  I love that you can add just one or two, or like me more often than not, you can add a whole bunch of them to a layout, and layer to your heart's delight.

Hope you'll head over to have a peek!

These are the tags used on this project.  They are available here in the shop.

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Beautiful Babies

A new week, a new sketch up at Let's Get Sketchy.  Fellow DT member Bev Code created a beauty for us to play with this week.  I pulled out all the stops on this one.  It was one of those layouts that just came together quickly once I pulled all the product that I wanted to use, everything just fell into place.

Psalm 127:3-4 "Children are an inheritance from the Lord.  They are a reward from him.  The children born to a man when he is young are like arrow in the hand of a warrior.  Blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them. "

I used a Pink Paislee mask, some paint, a Pink Paislee: Christy Tomlinson stamp, along with some Tim Holtz distress ink, and well as some cut files from my Silhouette Cameo.

Here is Bev's great sketch

Some close ups:

That honeycomb file is a Daniela Dobson creation.  You can find it here.

Some Amy Tangerine, Echo Park, Studio Calico, Chic Tags, and My Minds Eye

Those heart tickets were made using the Silhouette

I just love this photo of my sweet babies.  I can remember taking it, they had all been pretending to sleep on the couch, and made sure they were just loud enough for me to come and have a peek at what was going on.  Gosh, I think I would have to seriously bribe them to be this close together, all on the same couch for a photo these days.  At least I have the proof for the younger two, that there once was a time in their lives where their big sis actually enjoyed hanging out with them.

I hope you feel inspired to go and create today.  Hop over here to see what the rest of the DT did with the sketch, and to link up your own creation. Pin It

Warm It Up

Today at Use It Tuesday that's exactly what we are challenging you to use.  Using your hoarded stash, we are challenging you to create a project that uses red, and/or yellow, and/or orange.

Here is the layout I created using our little Wilson as inspiration.

Mask is The Crafter's workshop

The Crate Paper Story Teller papers, and embellishments, the red trim, and this gorgeous Evalicious flair badge that I've had forever were my hoarded items used on this layout.

You can see what the rest of the DT did to warm up their projects, and link up your own creation here. You never know, doing so may just get you into our Guest DT role somewhere down the road.

Enjoy your day friends, and thanks so much for stopping by! Pin It

January Sketch Challenge

Happy Monday friends,

Marjolaine provided Scrapping Everyday Miracles with her very first sketch challenge this week.  Here is my take on it.

That little tab at the bottom pulls out to reveal the hidden journaling.

Here is the original sketch

You can see that for the most part I worked with all the elements, but changed things around just a bit.  Rather than a circle I went with a rectangular shape on which to mount my photo.  This silhouette cut was a free one I discovered at Studio Calico provided by Kinsey Wilson.  (You can download the file here).  I was dying to use it so I pulled it out for this one.  I made the original cut on white card stock, and used the fabulous new Heidi Swapp Colorshine in mint green to colour the mask to better compliment the photo I was using.  Isn't that amazing coverage?  You've got to try her mists they are fantastic, and give a rich, intense colour.  Totally different from Mr. Huey's, not better just different.  I then moved the cluster along the edge to the other side, layering little bits and pieces rather than using the large square blocks.  I am in love with the finished result.  The twist on the challenge was to fussy cut a patterned paper.  There may have been a better way to cut the papers to go behind the mask, if so I don't know of it.  This baby took me a good while to cut out and cover.  A lot of Sookwang tape, and glossy accents at work here.

There is a great prize up for grabs this month.  It is not one, but two packages of flair from Paper Loves Glue.  They are super cute.

You can see what the rest of the DT did with the sketch, and link up your own creation here.  And incase you missed it the main challenge is here.  It's a call to scrap a "sad moment" in your life.  The DT had some really touching stories to share along with some great layouts.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope your week is off to a great start! Pin It

A love for tags

Hooray for Friday!

I participated in a challenge to close out this week.  Cristal over at Scaptastic Kit Club offered up a challenge this month to use 2 tags on a project. If you know anything about me and my preferred style of scrapping, you know that tags manage to find their way onto many of layouts.

This is a photo Isabelle took out in the forest behind our home. That girl can take some pretty great shots if you ask me.  I just had to scrap this beauty. 

 

I added one office supply tag, and one silhouette cut tag.  The office supply tag I played with quite a bit, by adding paint, mist, and masking.  The other I cut out of scrap paper, then offset and placed on a second piece of scrap cardstock.

The heart is cut from AC Pow paper, and the ampersand from vellum, both cuts  are from the Silhouette online store

That die cut paper is from Studio Calico

This inspiration for the title came from Isaiah 60:1 "Arise and shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you."  I think this may be the first layout I've ever completed that doesn't  boast a bit of patterned paper.

Thanks for stopping in today.  I hope you're in a for a fun, and relaxing weekend. Pin It

I {heart} To Tap

In case you missed it, I had this layout up on the Chic Tags blog yesterday.

I've been taking a Competitive Adult Tap class for the past few years now, and decided to create a layout in celebration of that accomplishment.  I didn't grow up dancing as just about everyone else in my class did.  I took it up as a hobby after watching the beginner class practice a few times.  They looked like they were having so much fun, I just had to give it a try.  Needless to say I loved it, and was hooked after the very first class.  Here I am 4 years later, having learned so much, getting a pretty good work out, and having a blast with the group of ladies who make up the class.  Competing is a blast, apparently people love to see us 'old ladies' strut out stuff on stage.

I enjoyed using my November kit from Scraptastic Kit Club, my silhouette, paints, mask, and mists on this one.

I'll be back tomorrow with a new layout I created for this challenge over at Scraptastic Book Club. Pin It

My Greatest Accomplishment

The Let's Get Sketchy Reveal is up today.

These photos of the girls are my favourite photos taken this year.  My friend Betty needed some subjects for her "Group" photos practice, and I eagerly volunteered my family for the job.

The journaling reads "You need to know that of all the things I've done thus far in my life, you are the thing I am the very most proud of.  Greatest challenge - Greatest reward."

Here is the sketch we used

You can see what the rest of the team did with the sketch, and link up your own take here.

Now let's talk CHA.  Did you follow all the news, and photos?  Are there any favourites that you're anxious to get your hands on?  This is what I've got my eye on...

Composition & Color by Alison Kreft

Color Me Happy by Glitz Design

Sweet Shoppe by Lily Bee Design

DIY Shop by Crate Paper

Trend Setter by Fancy Pants

Unforgettable by My Mind's Eye 

That's a lot.  My pocket book is hoping that not all of them look as great in real life as they do on-line, haha.

Thanks so much for popping in today friends! Pin It

Exciting News

I was thrilled to receive an email from Andrea just before church on Sunday morning inviting me to be a part of her very first design team.  The big announcement was made on the Cre8tive Cre8tions blog yesterday.

Andrea and her hubby Thomas have opened a brand new shop that specializes in flair badges and will soon have their very own line of acrylic stamps.  Their creations are fresh, fun, colourful, and simply perfect for your crafting needs.  As you know I love flair, so I think this may just be a match made in heaven.  I can't wait to start creating and sharing the fabulous product with all of you.  Please have a peek at the brand new team.  An eclectic group of women from all over the world.

Andrea Gomoll ---> shop owner

Anja Akkermann ---> Germany

Danielle de Konink ---> The Netherlands

Ela Bley ---> Germany

Georgia Heald ---> Australia 

Katarina Damm-Blomberg

Maj-Britt Koberg Søgaard ---> Denmark

Olga Vasilieva ---> Russia

Stéphanie Grenouillat ---> France

Tanya Privalova ---> Ukraine

Tomomi Hiramaru ---> Japan

You can see all the latest flair, including some great new Project Life enhancing badges here.  And you can check out Andrea's funky, mixed media loving scrappy style by scrolling down here.  Looking forward to a scrap happy fun year ahead with all these ladies.  Hope you'll follow along with me. Pin It

Make It Sparkle

The Use It Tuesday announcement came out yesterday.  You can see it here.  And, today is is my first post with them.   I am thrilled to be a part of this team,  and am really looking forward to inspiring others to use of their scrappy stash, as twice a month we bring you fun challenges to help with the process.

The challenge this week is to "Make It Sparkle".  I chose to use these photos of the girls and my mini Christmas shoot in front of our tree.

Part of the stash I've used up on this layout is this felt Making Memories embellishment is from two years ago.  The song book page, and Studio Calico are also "old" items.

The sparkle I've added is some super old Pink Paislee alphas (those flourishes were also from the alpha package), and some new sequins that my sweet friend Tara gave to me recently.

I would love for you to pop over to the Use It Tuesday Blog and see what the rest of the dt created for the challenge.  If you decide to play along, please link me up, I'd love to come by and leave some love.

Thanks for stopping by today friends, I sure appreciate it.  And a special thank you to those of you who left comments on my "sad moments" layout from yesterday.  Yes it was a little difficult to scrap, but I am thankful that I was able to use the experience to encourage some of you that things don't always end up the way you think they're going to.  God is good! Pin It

Scrapping the Sad Moments

The first challenge of the year is up at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.

This month we were encouraged to scrap a sad moment in our lives.  It was perfect timing in a way.  I discovered a few childhood family photos on my laptop as I was cleaning it up over Christmas.  This photo is so telling of the way I feel about my childhood.  So much sadness still present in my heart over it.  Look at my brother and me, how sad we appear to be.  Chances are we were likely yelled at for one thing or another just before this photo was snapped.  The only person smiling in the photo is my father.  The controlling, and abusive one in the family.

The twist this month was to use a bird, a symbol of freedom on our project.  Mine is tiny, but it's there on the My Mind's Eye brad on the bottom right.

A lot of journaling on this one.  Not hidden this time, but right out in the open, giving God the glory for the woman I've become in spite of the heavy hand under which I was brought up.  Jouranaling reads: "People often have a hard time believing my upbringing was as difficult as it was.  My bubbly, outgoing personality doesn't line up with what should have been the product of the emotional abuse I suffered as a child.  My explanation is always that God had a plan for me.  It was by His grace that both my brother and I turned out to be caring, loving individuals who broke the pattern of generational sins in my father's family.  John 16:33 has been a type of life verse for me. "I have told you these things that you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble but take heart for I have overcome the world."  It's so clear in this photo how unhappy we all are, only my father is smiling.  He was the only one with anything to smile about.  We all lived under his heavy and controlling hand. Thankfully, all my life I had other adults, surrogate parents who loved me, encouraged me, and showed me what the love of Jesus truly looked like.  The Holy Spirit worked through them to grow in me compassion, forgiveness, and a tender heart.  I am who I am because of Jesus.  Amen"

Have you ever scrapped a sad moment in your life?  I found this a little emotionally draining to do, but I'm glad I did it.  It will become part of my scrapbooks.  It's a part of my history, and deserves it's place among the memories of the rest of my story.

If you'd like to see what the rest of the team chose to scrap you may do so here.  If you choose to play along with us, you may link up there also.  You have until January 31st to do so, and be entered for a chance at our Top 3, as well as a $15 gift certificate to Paper Loves Glue (a fabulous little Etsy shop with great crafting product)

Hope your week is off to a great start, thanks for popping by today! Pin It

Happy Friday

A new year, and endless possibilities for Chic Tags inspired layouts.   Here are some sneaks of the layout I have up on the blog today.  Hope you'll pop over to have a look.

Everyday Life ATC, Autumn Days mini tags

A Camping We Will Go Bunting Alphas

25 Days Tabs

I created this layout to document the fact that even though my brother and I did not have the best childhood we managed to become really good friends in spite of it.  I am so proud of my baby brother, and so thankful to have him in my life.

Journaling reads: "I look at these sweet babies and feel such sadness at knowing the life they had in wait for them.  So much drama, and heartache mixed in with the few real moments of joy and carefreeness.  These little ones heard a lot of negativity in their childhood and experienced a lot of disappointment.  But the Lord is good, and they grew up to lead blessed lives surrounded by people who love them.  Praise the Lord for His loving kindness."

There are some fabulous new Valentine's Day goodies in the shop.  It won't be long before we're caught up on our Christmas photos and ready to move onto all things pink, red, and white.  You can see it all right here.

On another note I am happy to be able to finally let the cat out of the bag and let you all know about a fabulous new opportunity that I've been offered.

This month I will begin a six month DT term with Siobhan, Heather, and their fabulous team of designers from all over the world.  I love what this team is all about.  The second and fourth Tuesday of every month there is a new challenge.  The challenges vary from colour challenges, to product specific and everything in between.  The most important part of each challenge, however is to use your hoarded stash.  We are all guilty of buying goodies, that we forget about, or flat out hoard, and keep around so long that it becomes harder and harder to use.  This challenge blog is a great place to find the inspiration to use it all up.  The announcement, and my first project will be up on the blog next week.

That's it for today.   Thank you so much for popping in.  I'll be back on Monday with a new Challenge for Scrapping Everyday Miracles.

Have a safe, and fun-filled week end friends.

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More Faves of 2012

I thought it would be fun to do a top 12 of 2012 list that had nothing to do with scrapping but more to do with my private life.  Here's to opening up the door for you to get to know a little bit more about me.  In no particular order here are my top 12 Favorites of 2012.

1) Book - The Hunger Games trilogy

2) Purchase - Cowboy boots

3) Discovery - Instagram

4) Fail -  When I got out of the car without putting it in park first (thankfully no one was hurt)

5) Laugh - When hubby told me that women who wear heels in the snow and ice should wear helmets 

6) Scrappy Accomplishment - August Scrapbook Trends publication 

7) Quote - Let me not to focus on the little that's wrong so I end up missing the big picture of all that's right. 

8) Song - Blow Me One Last Kiss: Glee Version

9) Movie- Pitch Perfect

10) New tv series - Chicago Fire

11) Vacation- Vegas for a week with friends celebrating a 40th birthday

12) Blessing - The opportunity to have met so many wonderfully kind, generous, talented, and encouraging friends from all over the world. 

I'll leave you with a snap shot of our New Year's Eve/Anniversary

I'll be back tomorrow with a Chic Tags post.  Until then, have a great day friends!

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Favourite 12 of 2012

Happy New Year!

This is the time of year when many scrappy bloggers take a look back at what they've created over the past twelve months and decided on a handful of their favorites.  It's an exercise I would recommend to anyone in the creative field.  It's a way to not only relieve, somewhat the memories behind the creations, but also a chance to see one's creative growth through the months.

Going through my folder I realized that I had completed over 266 projects, including layouts, mini albums, altered items, and cards.  I was surprised at the number, that's almost one project per day.

When trying to select my favorites, I found myself a little torn between choosing layouts that I loved, and layouts that others loved.  It was really hard to narrow it down to twelve that way.  So to make things easier, I decided to keep it simple, and stick only with the layouts that I really loved.  Some I chose because of the happy memories the layout invoked, and others I chose simply for the love of the design or the products used.

In no particular order here are my twelve personal favorites for 2012...

The Next Generation

Cutie Pie

Sweet Baby

With All My Heart

Little Man

Passport Photo

Coffee Date

Take Note

Love This Kid

Vegas Bound

Christmas 2011

For The Love Of Coffee

Have you done your own favourites compilation for 2012?  I would love to come and have a peek if so just link me up in the comments section.

I want to thank each of you for following along with me this year.  Your comments, and encouragement mean so much to me.  It's always so humbling that others are actually interested in what's going on in my world.  Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.  I wish each one of you a healthy and happy 2013! Pin It