Owl on a Branch layout

For this Pink Cat Studio paper piecing project, I went old-school. Um, for me, anyway, as I started out as a scrapper!

Like the Clown Owl card below, I used the simple option for this cute owl - I printed the colour reference sheet onto white carstock, cut it out, and glued it all together - easy peasy!

I looked for some photos that had a similar blue colour, and these ones (of Chloe's 11 month photos) were the best option. I used the blue and orange as my main colours, with a pop of green to match the leaves. A large SU rub-on adds some black details, and a wee blue scallop on the far right to balance the layout.

I have two more of these projects to share with you, so come by again soon :)

And here's the direct link to the Own on a Branch image.

Peaceful Wishes Mini-scrapbook

I started this mini-scrapbook at Carrie's, but didn't put it all together until I got home. See Carrie and Leanne, I finished it!

The inside (the pages of which fold out) is meant to have photos. I'm not sure yet which I'll put in there...

This week's challenge at Our Creative Corner is to use snowflakes, which I managed to do in a few places - the die-cuts, stamps on the inside, and on the patterned paper.

All supplies are SU, except the bell (unknown!) and the embossing folders/Cuttlebug (Provocraft).

Vacation 2007

Yeah, I know. Posts have been scarce lately. It's the end of summer, what can I say? Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of things come fall.

And yes, I've finally scrapped some photos from our Feb 2007 trip to Mexico. The disappointing part? These are photos for my mother-in-law's album. I haven't even started ours yet. Whoops!

Anyway, I was inspired by this pail/shovel die cut that I have (and used on another page) so I ended up hand cutting all of the embellishments for this page, aside from the flip-flops and title (stickers).

All products are Creative Memories (oh, I forgot about the marker for the journalling, which is Marvy).

ETA: Since posting this, I realized that I forgot that I wanted to add something to the last page. So imagine that along the right side of the top photo is the caption "The original squishy-face" in the same blue marker as the journalling. I'm too lazy to take another photo.

My bump

I fell in love with this Pebbles paper, and found some embellishments that match perfectly!
The letters are actually stickers, but I left the backing on them and used dimensionals to pop them up. I did the same with the {braces}.

I love the focus on the one colour photograph, but having the black and white ones to fill out the page. Of course I added some journalling in my own handwriting, even though I don't like the way I write! It's definitely more personal than typing it out on the computer.

Obviously my inspiration came from the paper, and I knew I wanted to do a bit of blocking, using the paper and photos to define the majority of the space. The casual embellishments break-up all the lines, and keep it fun.

I love the time you can put into a scrapbook layout, especially because you know it's going to be kept for a long time, unlike a card, which you never know if the recipient will keep!


Stamps: none
Paper: cardstock (Bazzil), patterned paper (Pebbles)
Ink: none
Accessories: stickers (Pebbles), felt flowers, corduroy brads, flower brad, Pumpkin Pie marker (SU), letter stickers (Colorbok)

Shabby Chic Blues

Another scrapbook layout! This one started with some Making Memories accessories I bought. I thought the blues in the photo worked well, and I started down the "shabby chic" route. The sketch is from Paper Popsicles (you may need to join to see the sketch). Like the ribbon? I've seen this done with sewing, unfortunately this ribbon came with a strip of adhesive down the middle, but it's old, so it discoloured the middle. I knew I wanted to cover it up with the white ribbon, so I just laid down a strip of red line tape, and folded the ribbon down along it. A second strip of red line adhered the white ribbon on top. I added lots of fun embellishments, adding to the shabby look.

Stamps: none
Paper: dot and flower patterned (Making Memories), white cardstock (Bazzil), teal patterned (Creative Memories)
Ink: none
Accessories: Photo corner punch, Taken with Teal marker (SU) white ribbon (Offray), buttons/butterflies/journalling circle/flower (Making Memories), flowers (Prima/unknown), blue ribbon (unknown), sewing machine (Janome)

The Jitterbug

First of all, check out the blog candy here (deadline is March 15, 2009 at 11:59 pm).

Okay, so more scrapbooking - yay! Paper Popsicles is having a Cosmo Cricket challenge, and I just happen to have a bunch of Cosmo Cricket paper and embellishments!Stamps: none
Paper: Jitterbug patterned paper (Cosmo Cricket), solid pink (Kalediscope)
Ink: none
Accessories: Jitterbug die cuts (Cosmo Cricket), Jack's World rub-on (Cosmo Cricket), Chocolate Chip marker, photo corner punch (SU), flowers (Prima), brads (unknown), sewing machine (Janome)

I had a bunch of scraps left on my desk, so I decided to make a card as well. This is based on Jen's Sketch for you to try for this week.
Stamps: In the Spotlight, So Many Sayings, Everyday Flexible Phrases (SU)
Paper: Jitterbug patterned paper (Cosmo Cricket), Going Grey, Chocolate Chip cardstock (SU)
Ink: Going Grey, Blue Bayou (SU)
Accessories: Five petal flower punch (SU), brads (unknown), sewing machine (Janome)

Anyone else have "Wake me up before you go-go)" in their head? ;)

Me and You

Whew. Just got back from a five day work trip in Texas. I had a couple projects ready to be posted, but just didn't have the time to do it!

So, here's a scrapbook page I made last week.
The retro look of the photo made me think of this line from Sassafras Lass (which was in that pile I just bought). One down, many to go!

Stamps: none
Paper: Sassafras Lass
Ink: none
Accessories: Close to Cocoa marker, green button, hemp twine (SU), chipboard stickers (Sassafras Lass), off-white lace ribbon (Tie One On Ribbon Club), blue ric rac, buttons (unknown)

Dotty Bright Birthday

Alrighty, you'll want to put on your sunglasses for this one. Are you ready?

This card covers three challenges:

- Mellow Yellow Monday Cuttlebug Challenge
- Mojo Monday #74
- TCPTUES46: Cupcakes

I told ya!

Okay, so I started with the Mellow Yellow challenge, and I just got this yellow glitter paper as a free bonus with an order. I never thought I'd use it, but there I was, looking at it. I wasn't sure how it would emboss, but Swiss Dots worked perfectly. I knew I had to stick with the bright colours, so I dove into some paper I bought years ago. The green/pink/orange dots. Finally, a use for it!

I paper pieced the cupcake, added lots of Stickles, used a white Glaze pen for the sprinkles, and dug out a yellow Glitter Dot. One of those neat little bows finishes it off.

Stamps: Smells Like Cake (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Whisper White (SU), DSP (Michael's), Sugar Coated paper (Doodlebug Design)
Ink: Green Galore, Only Orange (SU), Noir Black (Palette)
Accessories: Photo Corner punch, markers (SU), Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots embossing folder, CB (Provocraft), glitter dot (Dress It Up), ribbon (Michael's), Stickles (Ranger), white Glaze pen (Sakura), pink glitter gel pen (American Crafts)

So, I went on a bit of a scrapbooking supply spree. Paper, mainly, but with lots of matching embellishments. Here's the stack:

It's hard to tell, but trust me, there's a LOT there. So, if you don't see some scrapbook pages posted here in the next couple weeks, please send me a threatening email...pretend to be from Visa ;)

ps. Check out mudmaven's blog for some candy!

It's been a long time...

Since I've completed a scrapbook page! I think the last one I did was in June, so over six months ago!

Anyway, one of my New Year's resolutions was to get caught up, so this is a start!
This page came together quickly using a few elements from the U R Sweet (ugh, I can't stand the "txt" language) Simply Scrappin' kit by SU. I was happy how the arrows draw your eye along the path, telling the story in photos. I made liberal use of my Sakura white glaze pen.

I don't like my handwriting, but everyone says it's a personal touch. So I try to handwrite my journalling, and just live with it!

Stamps: none
Paper: Old Olive cardstock (SU)
Ink: none
Accessories: U R Sweet Simply Scrappin' set, My Way punch, black journalling marker (SU),white Glaze pen (Sakura)

ps. Don't forget about the blog candy! Go to -->this post<-- for details.

Back to basics

Nope, not unpacked yet, but getting there! We have so much more to do, and Dare doesn't agree that my crafts room is a priority ;)

Anyway, I have to make two cards by next weekend, so you'll see something new soon!

I've been planning on getting back into scrapbooking, as I'm quite behind in Chloe's book, and our wedding book, and my dad's scrapbook. So, for inspiration, I thought I'd post a few of my favourite pages:
I promise that there will be more to come!

Sweet Cheeks

I felt like scrapbooking today, so I came up with this quick page. All the photos are from the professional photoshoot we did when Chloe was just over six months old.

To make the background, I applied a bunch of rub-ons to basic white cardstock. Then I just added a few embellishments, the title, and the journalling strips.Paper: Certainly Celery cardstock, misc white cardstock
Accessories: Kaiser rub-ons, Making Memories stickers, brads, plastic flower

National Scrapbooking Day Challenges

As I mentioned before, NSD was May 3rd, and Scrapfriends had a set of challenges to celebrate! Here are the projects I created for a few of the challenges.

Doodle challenge: Show off your doodling skills in a layout. Color in your doodles as you see fit using colored pencils, markers, pens, crayons, paint, glitter, whatever you like.
For this scrapbook page, I hand doodled the background page. I wanted to keep the photos simple, and I think the black and white work well. I also wanted to limit the embellishment, to let the doodles stand on their own, so there's just a bit of glitter and gloss added.

Paper: White cardstock
Accessories: SU Stampin' Write journaling marker, Marvy Le Plume II markers, SU Crystal Glaze, Stickles, Sakura glitter pen, letter stickers

Create a Card challenge: We all have a ton of scraps and beautiful but underused stamps waiting to be loved in our stash. Why not spread the scraplove and create a card (or a few) with your scraps?

Except for the card bases and some of the white stamped paper, all the paper used was from my scrap stash!

Happy Birthday Card
Stamps: SU Alphabet Soup
Paper: SU Chocolate Chip, Whisper White; K&Company pp
Ink: SU Chocolate Chip; Versamark
Accessories: Corner rounder punch, clear embossing powder, heat gun, SU Vanilla ribbon, felt flower, Prima paper flowers, brad


Baby Card
Stamps: SU Cuddles and Tickles
Paper: SU cardstock, unknown scraps
Ink: SU Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White
Accessories: clear embossing powder, heat gun, ribbon





Many Thanks Card
Stamps:SU Lots of Thoughts
Paper: unknown scraps
Ink: SU Pixie Pink, Only Orange
Accessories: ribbon, buttons




Best Fishes Card
Stamps: SU Very Punny
Paper: unknown scraps
Ink: SU Pink Passion
Accessories: ribbon, SU Crystal Effects



Choose your hidden treasure challenge: We have a hidden treasure here at ScrapFriends. Every week, Penny and Karen hold weekly photo and sketch challenges. These challenges are not posted in our ScrapFriends Challenge Forums - these are free challenges, usually without prizes, graciously provided by KarenEmily and PennyB. Choose one photo or sketch challenge and create a new layout based on that challenge.

I won a prize for this challenge!! I used KarenEmily's Oct. 1st sketch for this layout.

Stamps: SU Simply Said, Inkadinkadoo's Circle and Dots
Paper: unknown cardstock and scraps
Ink: SU Pink Passion
Accessories: SU Scallop punch, SU Diamond Dust glitter, chipboard letters, rhinestones and rhinestone butterfly, flower brads

Learn Something New challenge: It's never too late to learn something new here at ScrapFriends. Our review team offers free online classes and how-to's to share their knowledge. Have you visited the Online Class Page or New How To's Forum lately? Choose a How-To or one of the Online Class Assignments and create a project using that technique.

I tried the Serendipity Squares tutorial:
Paper: SU cardstock, K&Co pp
Accessories: K&Co stickers, diecuts; ribbon; Xyron

I also completed a Scavenger Hunt on the Jacquard website, for which I won another prize! There were even more challenges, but I couldn't get to them all.

Doodle-rama

This is a layout for a challenge on Scrapfriends. National Scrapbooking Day is May 3rd, and Scrapfriends is having a fun contest. This challenge was to use doodling in your layout.

I wanted to keep the photos simple, and I think the black and white work well. I also wanted to limit the embellishment, to let the doodles stand on their own, so there's just a bit of glitter and gloss added.

Paper: White cardstock
Accessories: SU Stampin' Write journaling marker, Marvy Le Plume II markers, SU Crystal Glaze, Stickles, Sakura glitter pen, letter stickers

First Christmas

It's been a while since I've done any scrapbooking, but I am trying to finish my mom's scrapbook (Chloe's first year) before Mother's Day, so I need to get the last few pages done!

Here's one from Chloe's first Christmas:I used my ATG on this layout for all the paper and photos, and it really is great! It's easy to apply, and sticks like the dickens. So much so, I had to redo one of the torn paper borders, because I tried to reposition it, and the paper wouldn't come apart!

I scraplifted this layout from a magazine: Scrapbook & Cards today. The layout was by Heather Verrier.

Paper: Memory Block
Ink: Real Red (dragged the edges of the journalling block)
Accessories: rub-ons (Kaiser, Making Memories), brads, buttons, and stickers (unknown)

Going in circles

This layout was for a challenge on Scrapfriends, where we had to use at least two metal rimmed tags. I went with a circle theme here, obviously ;)

I used a bowl lid to trace the largest circle, and a CD for the smaller one.

I coloured the rims of the metal tags with Staz-on, and then filled them in with paper and a sticker for one, and a chipboard letter for the other.

There's also some rub-ons, small gems, more stickers, a metal rim sticker, brad, a Marvy Le Plume II marker, and white Sakura glaze pen (for the dots on the 'C').

The journalling:
"March 30, 2008 - As I finished this layout, which took much longer than anticipated (due to some defective embellishments), I was happy with how it turned out. Then I realized that I had titled the page "Ten Months" in error! Thankfully, the circles were easily moved, and I was able to redo it."

Yup, that's right. I put the wrong title! I was just about in tears, and decided to journal around the circles, explaining the error. I liked how it looked with the journalling, but the title bothered me too much. Good think the adhesive I used didn't work very well, and I was able to pull up the circles, and put them on another background! I wanted to keep the look of the journalling, so I explained the history of the layout.

Oh, and the adhesive issue pushed me over the edge, and I caved and ordered one of these.

It's a tape dispenser gun, and it's all the rage on SCS. Apparently it's easy to use, even though it looks like a packing tape gun! It's made for use in the framing industry, but has been adopted by paper crafters.

Here's the deets: Specifically designed for use with 1/4" Scotch ATG Tapes. Makes applying fillets, laying multi-opening mattes and working with small wooden frames simple. Other features include a gear system that helps prevent gum-up, easier loading and a transparent cover - so you know when it's time to refill!

XOXO

I haven't been scrappin' much lately, but completed this layout for a challenge on Scrapfriends. The challenge was to use at least nine eyelets in one layout.

The design is pretty simple, but I'm happy with it. I love the all-blue look, with a bit of white to keep it fresh. Although I think the paper flowers have a bit of green in them, so it throws me off...

The pp is from one of those Costco packs, the border strips are white paper stamped with Colorbox Fluid Chalk ink in Lagoon Blue (with a mix of See-D's and SU stamps). To finish off, a bunch of eyelets, a few glittery brads, three paper flowers, and my white Sakura glaze pen complete the page.

Layout of the Day!!!

What a nice little surprise! I finished this layout last night (for a challenge on Scrapfriends) and woke up this morning to find that they choose it as the layout of the day! Each day they choose a layout (uploaded from the day before) and feature it. I was pretty happy with the layout, and it's an extra boost to have it recognized!

The challenge for the layout was to use buttons in a different way. I decided to emboss mine, so I used white craft ink, and silver pearl embossing powder. It was a pain to deal with the wet ink and powder, so the buttons got a bit smeared, but I guess that just adds to the look ;)

I also cut out a bit of the background paper to overlap on the border, and cut out a butterfly to add to the photo mat.

First Birthday

Another layout done. This is also for a Scrapfriends challenge. I think all the paper is from one of those big Costco packs. I punched/cut out the flowers from another sheet. The striped paper is cut with patterned scissors, and then I punched holes in each bump. The quote is from a vellum sheet of quotes I found at my LSS. It's hard to see, but the staples are pink too!

Gettin' back on the crafty wagon

It's been a while! Here's a layout and card I made for a challenge on Scrapfriends. The challenge was to use a piece of patterned paper on a layout, and use the scraps on a card.

Layout: K&Co patterned paper; Stampin' up cardstock, punches, ink, brad, ribbon; Prima flowers, misc stickers, cardstock, and ribbon slide

This is a bit of a change from my normal style (which is more on the simple side) but I'm trying new things!

For the card, I wasn't going to have enough of the dotted paper, so I cut out a piece from underneath the photos ;)


Card: Stampin' up cardstock, punches, ink, brad; K&Co patterned paper; misc ribbon

I've been crazy about the brown and pink (or brown and blue) combo lately, and just ordered a bunch of Prima flowers (both paper and felt) in browns, pinks, and blues. I can't wait to play with them!

A card for Markus

Chloe's friend Markus was born one day before her, and thus he just turned two. This is the card I made for his birthday. His mom borrowed the same SU set to make the invites, so it coordinated well (although I used different colours). All products are Stampin' Up, except for the ribbon, which is from one of Tie One On's monthly ribbon kits, and the embossing powder (unknown manufacturer). I used my Pure Color Pencils to colour the images, and then used baby oil to blend the colours in.

I had planned to use the same set to make Chloe's party invites, but ran out of time :(

I've completed a few layouts in the last week, but aren't really happy with either. I've been inspired by Ms. Crafty if You're Nasty's Halloween layout, but have yet to do it justice. Third time's a charm?