Croppin' Time

Hey yall! I am going to an all day crop today! Whoo hoo!!! I am looking forward to catching up with my gf's, getting a lot of scrappy stuff done, and enjoying some me time. So tomorrow, I should have several new things to show....I hope....that is if we don't chat too much. We have been known to talk a lot! LOL. I hope all of you have a wonderful, relaxing Saturday! Take care!!!!

Entomology

Hey everyone! I hope you all are having a wonderful day. I sat down for a bit to scrap today and did this layout. It is called 'Entomology,' for obvious reasons! Carter is just fascinated by anything outdoors and bugs are not an exception. This is one of my fave pix of him. That little scrunched up nose cracks me up! ROFL!

I did this for a 'Bingo' challenge on Treasured Scrapbooking. We were given a bingo card and you got to choose a 'row' to go by. The row, I chose included: the use of paint, a single photo, felt, pattern paper of your choice, and stitching.

I used:
1.paint-I painted a little bit of green above the paper pleating
2.a single photo-I chose a 5x7 of Carter
3.Felt-my Thickers are felt and so are the butterflies
4.Pattern Paper-I chose 2 sheets of patterned paper by DCWV
5.Stitching-I used my sewing machine to stitch on the paper pleating and around the perimeter of the layout.

Here it is:

To show dimension:

That's all for me today. I think I will play with Photoshop tonite and work on some new sketches. I hope all of you have a pleasant evening! Take care!

In This Skin

Happy Hump Day Yall! I hope you are having a great Wednesday! I have been bored out of my mind today. It is still so rainy and dreary up here. I need some sunshine. So I guess it has put me in a odd mood and I am scrapping a little different. I love to let out alot of my frustration through scrapping and that is what I have done today...so bear with me. I did this layout for 2 challenges. First, a challenge where you are suppose to do some scrappy therapy....meaning, you scrap something that bugs you and you want to get it off your chest. Second, for a challenge where you are to create your own patterned paper.

I created my own patterned paper by using this stamp. Here is my paper:

Now, this layout is called 'In This Skin.' I don't think many people know this about me, but I suffer from a skin condition called psoriasis. You have no idea how hard it is for me just to say that out loud, but it is. I have spent over 5 years suffering from this condition and stay covered up whenever I have a flair. I can't tell you how many hot, sunny days I've been in jeans and a long sleeved shirt because I am ashamed. But I am trying to do better. I am starting to put my story out there and get it off my chest. Thankfully, my psoriasis is only mild, but being a woman, it is still enough to make you really self conscious. But I am working on it. So I decided to get my frustration out. This will be another layout to go in the scrappy album that is just for me...almost a scrap diary. Here is the layout:

I journaled on a clear journaling tag and it reads:

"This photo is probably one of the last! It is when my skin was clear and beautiful. Then almost overnight it happened: psoriasis. Ugh! I even hate the word! It in itself sounds so disgusting! I spent years looking in the mirror and crying! Then one day, it hit me. This is who I am! You love me for who I am, not what I look like! I'm tired of covering up! Today, I will begin to put the pieces of me back together!"

Then around the tag that has the lady on it, I wrote: "I am lucky because this will make me stronger!!"

This next part really got me some criticism from the hubby. He said...'why did you tear up a perfectly good picture?' Well, I responded that I did not care what he thought. (LOL....I am really hard headed when it comes to my husband. I am a bit opinionated to say the least...ha ha). I tore it up for symbolism. I feel like this condition has taken 'pieces' of me away and by 'stapling' them back together, it symbolizes that I am going to make the effort to put those back together.

So there it is. Whoa! I feel like a weight has been lifted! Thank you for letting me share.

Treasure Every Moment

Hey yall! I just finished up this layout for the May Sketch challenge at Treasured Scrapbooking. I used the some of my new K&Co. Serafera paper and a journaling card that coordinates. The alpha's are a mix of Jenni Bowlin chalkboard alpha's and Thickers. I cut the photo into strips. I also incorporated some sewing, brown fabric, ribbon, and distressing. Here it is:

My journaling reads: (this is a poem I found online)
Will you ever believe my feelings are true?
What must be done to truly convince you?
You might listen to words I have said in the past,
But they cannot be heard, for mere words never last.
You might look instead at what I have done,
I have been there for you, like the moon and the sun.
I listened with patience to all you confided,
Judging not once, no matter what you decided.
Unconditional support without compromise,
Always embraced you, when you looked in my eyes.
I have done all of this, with more than pleasure,
For each time you smile, it is a moment I treasure.
This may not convince you that my feelings are true,
But one day you will look back & know that I have loved you!

Thanks for lookin'! Have a wonderful afternoon!

Explore

Hey yall! I hope you are all doing well on this Monday evening. I just finished up this layout for a new site I found through my friend, Steph. It is called 'Unscripted Sketches.' They give you a sketch and you can follow it for your project. I am also using this for Shirley's 'Touch of Blue' challenge on Treasured Scrapbooking.....so a little double duty! Yay!

This layout is called 'Explore.' This is my husband and our nephew, Carter. I used my sewing machine quite a bit on this one. I stitched around the photo in brown and teal. I did some more brown stitching on the rest of the layout. I incorporated some pom pom trim (which I used a stapler to staple onto the LO) and some lace. I used my Fiskars Threading Water punch and Martha Stewart owl punch. I used the Home Decor' cartridge for the flourish. I also included a metal hinge on the right hand side of the photo. The journaling, which is on the photo reads:

"Carter,
Always know that Uncle Brandon loves you very much! He always has and always will take the time to play with you! He is so good to explain things to you and go that extra mile to make sure you have what you need! You are his little buddy!"Here it is (and excuse my picture skills tonite. I was lazy and did not drag out my white studio. So I snapped it on my kitchen countertop...LOL):

Up close of photo to show stitching. If you have a hard time seeing it, you can click on the photo and it will make it bigger. I know it's hard to see.



As always, thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday! Take care!

For Mom

Hey yall! This week at The Cuttlebug Spot, we are celebrating Mother's Day and creating Mother's Day Cards. For more info visit:

http://thecuttlebugspot.blogspot.com/

Here is my card for this week's challenge. I used some of my new embossing plates by Sizzix in my Cuttlebug this week. The plates I used are: Small Dot (on the pink/brown polka dotted paper), Large Dot (on the brown cardstock), and Flourish (on the white strip of distressed cardstock). I really like these embossing plates. They are so much larger than the Cuttlebug folders and you can really cover a bigger surface area. I also incorporated some stitching, Stickles, flowers, and lace trim. My lettering is Memory Makers Tiny Alpha's. I also got to use a new stamp that I recently purchased. I stamped the image twice; once on plain pink paper and again on pink patterned paper. I cut just the dress out of the patterned paper and pop dotted it on top of the solid paper to give it some depth.

So come on over to The Cuttlebug Spot to celebrate Mother's Day with us!

As always, thanks for stopping by! Take care!

Some Crop Work

Hey yall! How are you doing on this rainy Sunday?? Good I hope. I tried to sit down today and knock out a few challenges.

'Admire'
This layout is a tribute to my best friend, my Mom. I used one of my very own sketches for this layout. I used the EK Success 'Swiss Cheese' border punch for the edge. I also incorporated some twine, ric rac, a flower, a clip, and a calender card. I used Home Decor for my heart. Here it is:

'Historic'
I did this layout for a challenge where you were to scrap a memorable trip. I chose to scrap our trip to George Washington's home, Mount Vernon. The picture is a postcard.

'Bliss'
I did this card for a sketch challenge on Just Scrappin'. I used my Fiskars Scalloped Circle squeeze punch for the scalloped border. I also incorporated a bingo card, buttons, ribbon, and a flower.

That's all for me today. I am gonna clean up my scrappy room and try to work on some sketches before the hubby comes home! Yall take care and have a beautiful week!

Papercasting With Your Cuttlebug Folders Tutorial

Hey yall! Wow! Two tutorials in one day! I am on a roll! LOL. This is good practice for me. Anyways, I came across the neatest technique on Treasured Scrapbooking the other day posted by Danielle. It is called paper casting and you use your rubber/acrylic stamps to do it. It is such an awesome look!! It reminds me of those fine, hand made papers you see in the stores. Here is the direct link to the technique her blog:

http://labeltulip.blogspot.com/2009/04/paper-casting-with-your-stamps.html

Isn't her tutorial fabulous?! I can't wait to try this with some of my stamps!!!

Well, while I was looking at this, I got to thinking...hmmmm....I wonder if I can do this with my Cuttlebug folders??!!! The answer....Yes you can! And here is how:

You will need the following: (and the great thing about this technique is that it is cost efficient!!! We all have these items readily available in our own homes, so no running to the store to buy something.)
1. Cuttlebug folder of your choice ( I did 2; one with Script and one with Houndstooth)
2. 8-10 squares of toilet tissue (any brand will do)
3. Water (I used a mini spray bottle)
4. Paper Towels

You will want to lay the sheets of toilet tissue on top of one another. I used 9 sheets for my first try.

I decided to lay my sheets of tissue on a plate to keep from getting water everywhere.

Next, pull out your spray bottle and spritz the sheets of tissue until they are thoroughly wet. I turned mine over once and used my fingers to press down to make sure I got it really moist.

Next, you will want to gently pick up your tissue and lay it onto the Cuttlebug folder.

Now, using your fingertips, begin pressing down your tissue into the image on the Cuttlebug folder.

When you are done, it will look like this....

Now, while it is wet, you will want to tear the edges of the tissue.

Next, using a paper towel, press into the image to soak up all the water that you possibly can. This also helps to define your image even more.

Very gently, pull your tissue away from the Cuttlebug folder...

Flip it over and this is what it will look like.....

You will want to let this dry completely. As it dries, the paper will puff up and curl a tad. I wish we had 'touch-a-vision'! LOL. These feel so cool!!!! It will look like this when you are done....

Once these are dry, you can color them with chalks, glimmer mist, etc. Or you could just leave them as is. They are beautiful either way. I decided to color mine with brown chalk for a distressed look. Here is the card I made using this new technique:

Yall this is so fun! I hope you will give it a try!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great evening!!!

A Ribbon Tutorial

Hey yall! Happy National Scrapbooking Day!!!! I hope all of you have some scrappiness planned! I am doing a little here and there. The hubby is wanting to go out today, so I may have to put it on hold until I get back this evening.

Anyways, I was up bright and early this morning. I just could not sleep. I had a lot on my mind and got tired of staring at the ceiling. So I decided to get up and come in my scrappy room. I have had so many people ask me about a ribbon technique that I like to use on my cards. I did one yesterday using it:

I promise yall, this technique is really so simple! If I can do it, anyone can. So I tried to put together a really basic tutorial this morning. I am still kinda new to this tutorial thing, but I am practicing. So please bear with me while I figure these things out. I took pictures through my whole process to share with yall. I wish I had a handycam so I could record these tutorials so you could have a better visual, but at the moment, I do not. My camera does not have recording capabilities, so for now, pix will have to do. So here we go...

I created a really simple look for this example on a pre-made double-sided note card. I took one of my new EK Success Border Punches called Swiss Cheese and punched along the bottom edge to show the color on the inside of the card. For this technique, you will need:

1. card/card base
2. Permanent Adhesive ( I use the Permanent AdTech Glue Runner from Wal Mart)
3. Ribbon of your choice
4. Scissors

First, I like to take my glue runner and lay down 2 strips of adhesive from one side of the card to the next. I do these directly on top of each other to give me a wide area of adhesive for the ribbon to adhere to:

Next, I leave the ribbon attached to the spool until I am ready to cut it off at the end, which you will see later in the tutorial. I do this because there is no exact measurement that you will need. It will all depend on the distance you are going and how much ribbon you like. I like to start on the left hand side of whatever I am working on. You will take the end of the ribbon and adhere it down about half way up the wide strip of adhesive at the very edge of your card. Press down to secure.

Now, going the other direction, lay your ribbon as show and press down to secure.

You will want to go in a back and forth motion and overlap a little each time. This overlapping will help to hide any adhesive from showing through.

I like to vary the length of mine up a bit for added interest and to make it easier on me! LOL

Once you get toward the end, it will look like this....

From here, you will want to cut your ribbon from the spool leaving about 1 and 1/2".....

Fold over....

Then you will want to adhere it all the way to the far edge like you did at the beginning of the technique; keeping in mind to leave about half of the adhesive showing.....

Then press down and this will secure your ribbon into place. As you can see, this technique almost hides where it begins and where it ends. So you will not have to worry about any overlapping ribbon.

Then, I like to use my fingers to press down the middle of the ribbon to secure everything really well...

Voila'! You are done!!!

The permanent adhesive will hold this on it's own, but I have also added staples to the center for extra added interest and security.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial! I promise, this is so simple and so fun!!! Give it a try on your cards, layouts, or altered projects! Be sure to let me know if you do too so I can see!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Bitten By The Bug Doodlecharms Border Challenge

Hey yall! TGIF! I am so glad the weekend is here!! I am ready to scrap and spend time with the hubby!!

I did this card for the current challenge at Bitten By The Bug. I really like this blog, but don't participate too much. I don't always have the carts needed to play, but today when I saw the Doodlecharms challenge, I had to play along. I just love it there. It is the most inspiring place! I just bought the Doodlecharms cartridge a few weeks ago, so this is my first project using it. I decided to use the Popsicle border. I cut my Popsicles out in brown and then distressed them with the Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes folder. I then cut the top portion of the Popsicle out with some Jenni Bowlin Cherry Pie Paper. I used my brown ink to distress the top a tad. I also added some brown lace and red ribbon. The blue in the background was embossed with the Sizzix Harlequin Texture Plate. Here it is:

Thanks for stopping by! I'm off to Harrisburg for the rest of the evening. The hubby actually asked me out on a 'date'!!! LOL. He needs new work boots and then we will go to dinner. Hot date, huh?! Ha ha. I hope all of you have a wonderful evening! I'll be back tomorrow scrappin' to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day!!! Take care!

I have arrived!

Hey yall! I wanted to let yall know I made it home safe and sound last night. It was a really long drive for Brandon and I....14 grueling hours! Ugh! But, we made it. I have spent all day unpacking and getting my scrappy room back in order. I hope to be back to scrappin' soon! I hope all of you have a fabulous evening! Take care!

A Creatin' Frenzy!!!

Hey yall! Well, as you know, I've been busy busy! I haven't had much time to sit down and scrap. So Mom and I took advantage of free time yesterday and got our scrap on! LOL. I got 5 LO's done and she got 4 LO's done. It felt so good to scrap!!! Here is what I accomplished:

Me, Myself, And I
This layout is for a challenge on Treasured Scrapbooking where you had to scrap about yourself and list things about you. I made my own flowers for this one, which are faux Prima Lollipop flowers. These are so easy to make!!! I used some Jenni Bowlin Chalkboard alphas. Also, I used some bling, distressing, velvet trim, and pom pom trim.

Good Times

This is a layout of me and my good friend, Cristal. I did this for a challenge where you were to use lots of yellow. I do not use yellow too much, but this was a refreshing change for me. I like the yellow alot. I used my Cuttlebug for the butterfly. I also incorporated some bling, Thickers, and Memory Makers Tiny Alpha's.

Best Pals

This layout is of me and my very best friend, my Mom. I did this layout for a challenge on Just Scrappin' where you were to create a poem and use it on you layout. I will be the first one to admit, I am not known for my writing skills! LOL. But I did try. I wrote my poem on the tag and it reads:

" Mom I want you to know,

That our friendship will always continue to grow!

I treasure every moment that we share,

I hope you will always know that I care!

You mean everything to me,

And that is the way it will always be!"

I used some twine to tie a bow at the top of my tag. I also incorporated some flowers, buttons, bling, stitching, lace, distressing, and letter stickers.

I Have A Dream

I did this layout for a challenge where you were to scrap your dream job. My dream job is to be a bridal designer/bridal consultant. I used Wedding Solutions for the bridal gown and for the crown. I used Printing Press for the 'I have a' and Home Accents for the 'dream.' I used my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder for the dress. I added Stickles to the dress, crown, and title. Also, I added some delicate lace and pink velvet trim. The journaling reads:

"I have a dream of the perfect job for me! Of all the professions out there, the one that would be a perfect fit for me would be a bridal designer/consultant! I would be in heaven every single day surrounded by glamorous gowns and bridal accessories! To experience that special moment when a bride finds that perfect gown to walk down the aisle in. I remember that moment during my own bridal fitting. It was a moment that I will never forget! I remember the moment I looked at myself in the mirror. I truly felt beautiful! I turned to my mother and exclaimed..."I feel just like Princess Diana!" Would that not be so awesome? To help another bride-to-be create that special moment? It would be right up my alley and I could honestly say that I would look forward to going to work every single day! It would be my dream job! I know I would be good at it! So maybe, one day, my dream will become a reality!"

Risque'

This layout is of the 'Moulin Rouge' in Paris, France. We took a tour of the city during our visit there and Mom snapped this pic from the tour bus. We did stop there for like a minute and you had to option to go in and stay for a while, but we decided not to. I am using this for a challenge where you had to scrap with a postcard. So naturally, I used a 'Moulin Rouge' postcard. I used Mini Monograms for the alphas, which I glittered with Stickles glitter glue. I also used Mini Monograms for my scalloped rectangle shaped paper in the background. I stitched around the edge of the layout and then distressed. I also incorporated some ball fringe and a Paris Epoxy Sticker. Here it is:

Thanks for stopping by! I hope yall have a beautiful day! I will be gone until Thursday. Brandon and I are driving back to PA on Wednesday, so keep us in your prayers if you could. Thanks!

Big hugs!