All About Me

Hey yall! This layout is doing double duty for me. I used it for our one hour sketch challenge tonite at Just Scrappin' and it is for our 'All About Me' swap we are having. I used Storybook for the shaped paper and Home Accents for the teal flourish looking border. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day tomorrow!
Aymee

My Take On A DIY Home Photo Studio

Ok, I know I've been chatting about this and need to share. I just finished a card, so I thought it would be a good time to take pix of my little DIY studio. So here goes. I wanted to come up with a DIY photo studio for me. I never have any good light here in PA, whether it be day or night. So I had to do something. I looked at the DIY studio on Strobist, but the only problem was finding a box big enough and I wanted to be able to store this. So I came up with my own solution that was way cost efficient and ready in a matter of seconds. AND it stores flat!!!! So just slider 'er under the couch when you are done and no one will be the wiser! LOL

Supplies used:

1-Elmer's Tri-fold Display board (I purchased mine at Michael's for $4.95 (here is a link for a visual: http://www.elmers.com/product/product_page.asp?pCode=730221)

1-Arhitects desk lamp (I purchased mine at Wal Mart for about $12)(I personally liked this option the best. Not only is it way affordable, but it also bends, so you have endless possibilities on positioning.)

1-Reveal Light Bulb (100 watt)

Ok, first you will need to cut down your display board. I cut mine down to 18" tall. I measured and drew a straight line. Then I used a box cutter to cut along the line. You can use the leftover for your 'base.' Then set it up as shown. I then sat my lamp on my cricut expression box and pointed the light like I wanted. I am still playing with this and figuring out what works. I have noticed that if you will kind of fold in the flaps, the lighting is better. I did that on one of the pix so you could see. I also am still playing with my camera's settings. I shot some of these on auto and some on Portrait. If you want the background kind of blurry, so that most of the focus is on your image, shoot in portrait. But anywho, this will easily accomodate any card, single or double 12x12 layout, or altered project. I think it's gonna work great for me. I hope this will help somebody out there. Here are some pix for you:






Take care! I'm off to a 1 hr crop challenge! :)
Aymee

A Few New Things

Happy Hump Day Yall! Well, Wednesday is already here! I just do not know where the time goes!!! Too fast! I hope all of you are doing well. It is so cold and chilly here in PA....BRRRRR! I've gotten to scrap a little and wanted to share what I had done. This first card is doing double duty. First, I am using it for my first time at Bitten By the Bug. I just love their blog!! And it is also for this weeks challenge at The Cuttlebug Spot. The challenge this week was to make a Valentine card that did NOT use red or pink. I used the Script and Swiss dots embossing folders. I also got to use one of my new Martha Stewart valentine punches. Love these new punches!!! The stamp is a Studio G stamp from the $1 bin. Here is this one:

This next card will be used for a challenge over at Treasured Scrapbooking. It is another Valentine card. I used the following Cuttlebug embossing folders: Swiss dots, D'Vine Swirl, Floral Fantasy, and Distressed stripes. I used 2 Martha Stewart border punches on this one: Valentine Lace and Icicle (turned it upside down to make 'grass.') The wings on the bee are vellum. I also added some heart 'rain dots', stickles, and ribbon. Here it is:

This layout is for a challenge over at Treasured Scrapbooking where you were to use white and blue on a layout. This is from this past Christmas. I used the Christmas Solutions and Home Decor cricut cartridges. The strip in the middle is a piece of paper I stamped. I used the Stampin' Up 'Santa's Lineup' Rolling stamp. Boy, was that fun!! I am loving these rolling stamps!

Last, I had finished these 2 layouts before Christmas but had no pic. So all I did was add the pic to each of these.


Thanks for stopping by! Hope you each have a beautiful day!!!
Hugs,
Aymee

TGIF!!!!

Hey everyone! Thank Goodness It's Friday! Whoo hoo!!!! I hope each of you are having a wonderful day so far. I just finished up this card for a challenge and wanted to share. I heat embossed the ball fringe (pom pom trim), dress, and argyle patterned background. I used my favorite Cuttlebug folder for the background, which is D'Vine Swirl. I embossed it on the metallic paper. I love that stuff for Cuttlebuggin'. It looks so cool. Then I also used my Cuttlebug to add the heart stamp. I then added some black lace ribbon and a paper button. I made all the buttons with my Martha Stewart button punch. Here it is:

Up close of bow/button:

Up close of stamping. Ball fringe is a Judikins Bolio stamp. Love those! Argyle patterned stamp is from a Stampin' Up set. Dress stamp is from Stampabilities.

To show the dimension:

Inside of card:

Back of card:

Also, I wanted to share with yall this neat tip I learned on the message boards. Do you get tired of buying those expensive glue dots? Well no longer my friends! You can make your own A WHOLE LOT CHEAPER!!!!!!!! Go and buy some of Aleene's 'Tack it Over and Over' glue. I got mine at Michael's Arts and Crafts. Next, I recycled the paper that was originally from a Glue Dot's pkg. Squeeze a small amount of glue onto the paper. You will want to make a little bit bigger of a dot than you will want because it will shrink a tad as it dries. Let it sit overnite to dry and voila'...glue dots! They work great too! Here is a visual for ya. Now the glue is white when it comes out, so these are still wet/setting up. They will be clear when it dries.

Also, I finished up this layout this week. This will be my first layout to sell. I put many hours and much love into this layout. I hope it shows. Here it is:










Thanks for stopping by! Yall take care!
XOXOXOXO
Aymee

A Little Something For A Little Someone

Hello everyone! How are you doing today? Good I hope. I just finished making this card and wanted to share. I am using it for our January Card Sketch Challenge at Just Scrappin'. I am going to send this for a good friend of mine, Karen from AL. She has a friend who has battled cancer and has another dr. appt. coming up. So I am sending this to her. If you could say a prayer for her, that would be much appreciated. Take care and have a wonderful weekend!

XOXOXO, Aymee

These Hands

Hey everyone! How are you? Good I hope. At this time in my life, I'm really going through a hard time. I feel really depressed and have completely lost my 'want' to scrap. I call it my scrappy mojo. It is just nowhere to be found. So today, I just made myself sit down to scrap. This is what came out. I used some scrapbook paint to paint on my hands and then placed them down onto the paper. I also painted the word 'these' and a flourish under the flower. Also, I had to use my sewing machine! I just really am diggin that thing right now! No picture on this one, again like the last one. I just don't feel like scrapping pictures, so I use that spot to journal. Anyways, I hope all of you are doing well and I ask that if you can, say a little prayer for me. I'm having a hard time. I don't even feel like myself. Thank you!!! Yall take care!
Hugs, Aymee

A Sketchin' Sunday

Hey yall! How's it goin? I've been creating sketches all day. I'm still at it, but thought I'd let ya know. So if you want to see what I've been up to, head on over to my Sketchin' blog! Hope you all are looking forward to another week! Take care!

Hugs,
Aymee

Cuttlebug Challenges Saturday Sketch

Mornin' yall! How's it going today?? Good I hope. I wanted to remind yall to come on over and join the fun at Cuttlebug Challenges Blogspot today. We have a new fun challenge going on called the Saturday Sketch. Today's sketch is from your's truly! LOL. See ya there!!!

http://cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/

Here is the card I did for my example:



Cuttlehugs, as the Cuttlebug lovers say! LOL
Aymee

Still Hurting

Hey yall! Well, it's just been a rough day for me. I've cried a few times and just am blah! So I was thinking of veggin out for the day and not doing anything but chillin'. Well, by chance I stopped by one of my fave blogs called Gutter Girlz. They really are all about scrapping your emotions and just letting it all out. The prompt this time was "Still hurting" and the technique was to use "pins and sewing." So I just sat down at my desk and had at it. It is so not like me. I had no sketch! I just started cutting and gluing stuff down! Then I let it all out through distressing! LOL. I wanted to share my layout with you guys. And I know alot of us right now are hurting physically and/or emotionally...I challenge you to scrap your feelings too! Believe me, you will feel so much better! I know I do! Thanks for looking! Have a wonderful weekend!
Aymee

OH MY GOSH!!!!

Hey yall! I just had to share! I have recently had the privilege to meet the nicest lady. Her name is Kate and she is on the Hallmark Ladybug team. Her work is just phenominal! Well, her and her husband design some of the most beautiful pieces with the use of her Pazzles cutting machine. I contacted her and told her of my love for Gone With the Wind. If you don't know by now, I am the biggest GWTW fan you will ever meet! It is what inspired my name on all the message boards. I do collect stuff from the movie and hope to one day have a scrappy room fit for a true southernbelle decorated with all my GWTW stuff. Well, I asked Kate if she could do a Scarlett O'hara for me. Of course, I had to choose my personal favorite...Scarlett in the blue dress. Kate emailed me today with the final pix. I just HAD to show yall! She is unbelievable!!!!!! I can't wait to see it in real life. I am going to do a layout with this on it and frame it. She is 11" tall. Isn't she gorgeous???

Here is the picture that Kate used to go by:


And here is the real thing. Isn't is just amazing!!???!!!



I am in LOVE. I want to thank Kate and her husband, Julio so much!!!! I love it and look forward to working with yall for the next piece!

If you would like to visit one awesome blog, go to Kate's blog! I always love seeing all that she does! She is truly one talented scrapper! Here is the link to her blog:

http://katiebeescrappin.blogspot.com

Have a great weekend yall!
Aymee

Cuttlebug Challenge #13

As yall know, this week's challenge at Cuttlebug Challenges Blogspot was to create a 'white out' card. Here is mine using one of my fave southernbelle stamps! I also used the following CB EB folders: Swiss Dots, Mosaic Texture, Script, and Distressed Strips. I don't know if you can tell or not, but I even EB'd the flowers with Swiss Dots.

Also, I used one of my new card sketches for this one. Here's the sketch:

Thanks for stoppin by! Have a great weekend!!!
Hugs, Aymee

Cuttlebug Challenge #13 and some awesome news!!!

Hey everyone! How's it going today? I wanted to tell you all about another FUN challenge we are having at Cuttlebug Challenges! This is the greatest blog!! I just adore it and it really helps me to use my Cuttlebug. The challenge this week is to create a simple, all white card using your Cuttlebug. These cards are all so elegant and really have that WOW factor. Here is a card from Eva, one of the DT's from the blog, that is just gorgeous!!!

Now how beautiful is that???!!! All the white really pops and adds so much elegance. It also really highlights the embossing. I can't wait to give this a try as well. I will have my card up soon. But please do come on over and join us! AND there is a prize up for grabs: A Pack of Prisma Color Premier Pencil;Set of 24!!!! Can't wait to see all of you there!!!

Here is the link to the blog:

http://cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/

Also, we are going to be starting a Saturday Sketch challenge on the blog using sketches from your's truly! I am so super excited to work with all these awesome ladies! Our first sketch contest will be this Saturday! It is a card sketch contest! So please do drop by on Saturday and join us for a fun sketch challenge!!!!

Have a good one you guys!
Hugs,
Aymee

Stop and Smell the Flowers

Hey yall! How are ya doing this week? This week sure is going by sooo fast! I worked on some more of the hand made 'faux' Prima Lollipop flowers today and wanted to share. Other than this and sketch making, I haven't been up to too much. I just haven't got my scrappy mojo goin' on. But, I hope to make a card and some more sketches tomorrow. Yay! Can't wait to get back to scrappin'! Hope each of you are having a wonderful week! Take care!
Hugs
Aymee

Cuttlebug Challenge #12

Good evening yall! I just finished my card for this week's Cuttlebug Challenge. The challenge this week was to sand the embossing. I'm still learning with this sewing machine, so excuse any uneven stitching. LOL. Here is my card. Thanks for stopping by! Night yall! Take care!

One Sweet Confection

Hey everyone! How was your weekend? Mine flew by...as usual. I just finished up this LO and wanted to share. Not too crazy about this one. I am using it for 2 challenges: our monthly sketch challenge on Just Scrappin' and for Ziggy's 'Out with the old, In with the new' challenge. It is so hard for me to do multi photo layouts. I usually don't do this many. But I am glad I did the challenge. It made me do something out of my comfort zone and that is always good. It also helped me to use my Creative Memories circle cutting templates...hadn't used those in a good while. Anwyays, thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a great week! Take care!