Make a Wish....

... is what I'll be telling my daughter to do soon.  Her birthday will be here in a matter of weeks and she is in full blown all about me mode already, LOL!  This year she's hoping to have a sleepover.  I told her she could, BUT her room had to be cleaned and it was to be done by her (okay well mostly by her with a little cleaning fairy help if she shows good effort... wink).  I know if this all goes down, I'll be the one in panic mode as to how to get everything just right so I decided to eliminate some of the pressure by getting her card made.

Lucy's sketches at MSW are always rockin' and I grabbed January's to make this:

Many layers of paper, chipboard, burlap, and stickers - the tag is chipboard covered with paper and a light coat of gesso, then I stamped the sentiment - a brad with the fasteners as antennas for the butterfly

Make a Wish

Lots of Crate Paper Emma's Shoppe, a fav still, along with Maya Road chipboard and pin + some Sassafras brads - Not too sure I'm sold on my ink blotches turned out for this one, but such is life - used a corner punch from an around the page punch for edges

from this sketch:

 Phew, one thing off the list of birthday preparations.  I've been looking online for party inspiration, if we're going to do a slumber party, we're going to do it right.  This is my fav so far:

Source

The girl loves zebra print and candy so I'm thinking this is surely on the right track!  I'll keep looking though.  Where do you go for party inspiration?

Out With the Old......

...... is the motto around my house these days.  I've been a cleaning lunatic and much to my body's dismay - mentally I'm a happy camper.  So imagine my delight when looking for a scrappy break I happened upon my friend Lisa's card challenge at MSW - out with the old; in with the new.  The concept: use old and new product.

stenciled molding paste colored with mist and embossing powder; bumpy textured created with watermark ink and embossing powder; mist splatters made with mica powder mixture

For my old contribution on this card I used my beloved Sassafras.... sigh..... the new stuff: mica powder, colored mesh, stencil.

1. misted molding paste, custom created embossing powder using mica powder for cloud stamp 2. bumpy embossing powder texture in upper left corner of notebook paper, mist splotches made with mica powder mixture 3. additional splatters, mesh, shimmery goodness

 

 

 Short and sweet tonight folks, I'm pooped but have so much more to do tomorrow and need to scoot to bed.  Until next time......

Getting Punky!

Hey there!  How's it goin'?  Fantabulous here - the sun is shining and its 40 degrees - ??! - yes you read that right - 40 degrees on a WI January day.  My DD went on a tubing field trip today and I can't think of any better weather.

So my title says I'm getting punky and that sure as heck is on.  I discovered a new challenge site called Punky Scraps via Michelle's blog and couldn't be more thrilled because the challenges there are right up my alley.  Lots of messy fun going on for reals!

While peeking around the site I saw this sketch:

Pretty sweet, huh?  With a little rotation of orientation this is what I came up with:

I swear this is prolly the quickest LO I've turned out eva'!  Everything fell into place the moment I knew what photos I wanted to use.  That never happens people!! 

Here's some deets for you to check out:

I loaded a stamp with paint for the border, attached the twine with a glue pen, and added some mist droplets.  The clouds were stenciled on using a mix of Pan Pastels.  My favorite part I must admit tho' is the title.  I really like how the placement turned out and since I wasn't sure about it in the 1st place that's a really good thing.

This is one of my favorite iPhone photos.  I'm sure I've already scrapped it and that's okay.  Here you can see a bit of the journaling I added to the banner strips and the texture added to the chipboard frame.  I did tat by using some Coarse Texture paste, let it dry, then dabbed on some Creative Inspirations paint.

Well that's all from me for today.  Make sure you check out the Punky Scraps blog, there are lots of other challenges posted besides the sketch and you've got until the 31st to play along.  Have fun!

Valentine ATC Tutorial

Hey Friends, Happy Monday to you!  Its been rather busy around my homestead these days.  Nothing exciting, just lots of chores around the kennel now that Winter finally arrived in WI.  Not that I'm pleased with that at all, but hey it is WI.  I also took a slight break due to a nasty burn on my inner arm.  Our cats:

Culprit #1

Culprit #2

They look sweet enough during the daytime, huh?  All curled up snoozin'. But lemme tell ya' by night its a whole nother story.  They love to romp, play, and chase each other - Okay, no biggie.  They love to find little snibbles of stuff in my space and bat it around - Eh, not as okay but I guess.  They often knock completed projects I've got on a drying rack down and each project somehow makes it behind our pellet burner - TOTALLY not happy about this at all.  So it was on one of my ventures behind the ol' pellet burner that I nailed my arm ever so quickly on the back pipe. Not cool.  Pain, swelling, and redness instantly.  Blisters came very quickly after that.  My story does end happily as I'm just fine thanks to some good tips from friends, but I'm still ticked off at the cats, LOL!

Alrighty moving right along to the tut!  This is what I'm going to show you how to make:

The supplies you need are as follows: 

Cardboard, mini buttons, chipboard and metal numbers, glitter (two different types if you have it), glass beads (regular beads would work fine too), paint, coarse pumice gel (any texture paste could be used), heart shaped cookie cutter

Step One: Mix pumice gel and paint together.  Spread on cardboard base.

Step Two: Press cookie cutter onto wet pumice gel.  This will serve as a shape holder.

Step Three: Pour glass beads inside of cookie cutter.  Gently press down to help them stick.  Sprinkle glitter around the outside edges of the cookie cutter.

Step Four: Remove cookie cutter and place mini buttons along the impression to create a heart.  Using tweezers, add the numbers to the middle of the heart.  Sprinkle extra glass beads on any bare areas.

There you have a quick and easy Valentine ATC, but wait you might be asking yourself what good does this do me?  I don't make ATCs.  Well I challenge you to think about how any of these techniques could transfer to your cards or LOs.  Using pastes and gels to embed things on LOs and cards is just as cool. ;0)

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial and find something useful from it. I originally did this tutorial for Scrapbook News and Review Magazine last year.  I'll be back again soon, until next time -  take care and be blessed and a blessing to others. 

A LO Just For Me

Hey! Hey! Hey!  It's Saturday and sunny gorgeous here, too cold, but pretty to view from inside. LOL.

I was working on some assignments this week and after I had started one I realized I'd used the picture before and abandoned the page.  I don't really like using the same pictures over and over for DT assignments... gotta keep it fresh ; ).  So after I finished off my tasks the page was staring me down and since it had a fav photo of mine on it I decided to finish it off.  

Best Friends by Scarlett Salamone Supplies Cardstock: American Crafts; Patterned Paper: Crate Paper, October Afternoon; Doilies: The Chip Chop Shop; Rhinestones: Recollections; Stickers: Crate Paper, October Afternoon; Die-cuts: October Afternoon; Twine: Martha Stewart; Brad: Crate Paper; Pins, Ruler, Bead: Maya Road; Word Sticker; The Girls' Paperie; Gesso: Liquitex; Mists; Tattered Angels; Shimmerz; Paint: Plaid; Dies: My Favorite Things, The Cat's Pajamas; Stencil: The Crafter's Workshop; Other: Paper doily, felt lips

 I had such a blast painting up the background and adding my favorite element - clouds - to the page.  Lots of my fav bellies tucked here and there and I was one happy scrapper.  

This page will go in my Book of Me I'm working on.  I never understood how people just LOVED their dogs so much until I had two of my own that are oh so special.  I can't explain how I feel when I hang out with them and play.  So free of worry and care.  Delightful bliss.

Here's a few of my favorite deets:

 Hope you all have a fabulous weekend.  Be blessed and bless others. 

10 Things on the 10th

Hey sweet peeps!  I was browsing the internet today and I happened upon Shimelle Laine's blog.  She had a post for today called 10 Things.  The idea is to create a post on the 10th of every month sharing 10 Things.  I thought that might be something fun to try and what's fab-u-lous is it doesn't have to be scrappy related.... any ten things go.  I don't share a whole lot of stuff here other than my creations, but I am hoping to get a wee bit better about that in the New Year.  This may be a fun way to incorporate and share other aspects of my life here with all you.

So here's my ten for today.  I decided to do my last top creation recap and share my favorite mixed media heavy projects from 2011.

 

 Reach High for the Stars - This is a canvas created for Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.  Each month (just about) last year I made a step-by-step piece for a tutorial article.

Art Doll - This sweet little doll is hanging out on a shelf in my creative space.  I loved using all the bits and pieces that brought her together.

You Are Loved - This tag holds some journaling on the back as part of my Attitude of Gratitude mini album I created in November while following along with Tessa's Attitude of Gratitude posts at Perfectly Precocious and Art Everyday Month at the Creative Everyday blog.  I love this stamp and have had fun decking this girl out in many different ways.  Mists, watercolors, and paints are my best friends for coloring stamps these days - add in a touch of paper piecing and I'm a happy girl!

Right Now - This is prolly my most favorite art journal page eva'!!  Well up to this point at least, LOL.  It all came together after a not so fab start - so great when that happens, right?

A Home - Another canvas piece for my article series.  The texture on this one makes me giddy and I have a hard time not putting my hands on it!  Good thing its hung higher up on the wall, hehe.

Enjoy the Journey - This is a necklace my sweet friend's gorgeous daughter wears from time to time.  Her bedroom theme is Curious George so I always have a blast finding little things with monkeys I can make for them.  I know a lot of people smoosh their bottlecaps before using them but I really love to keep them in tact and fill them up.  They make terrific embellishments.

Always in my Heart - I had to include this page because its so dear to me for many reasons.  This precious, beautiful young lady will always hold a place in my heart as a daughter of sorts.  The story of our journey is well documented on this page and looking at it I'm amazed at how much I wrote - so not typically me.  I also have a soft spot for this page because its the first background I ever created to build a LO up on.  I'd use goops and such to add elements, but never the base.  

I have no good clue what I titled this - but I adore it.  I made the little dresses out of clay and delighted in hanging them up on the little clothesline. 

To the Moon & Back - Since my son was little we've always said love you to the moon and back so it seemed fitting to make him a wall hanging - at 15 we don't say it quite as much ; ) - every once in awhile though and it warms this mama's heart.  Lots of fun layers here and gotta love a paper towel roll rocket!!

I Think I Can - A simple ATC showing off my new favorite chipboard (and doilies - I seriously canNOT get enough of LeeAnn's doilies) from The Chip Chop Shop , a love of clouds and all things shimmery.  Oh and don't forget the tar gel edge - LOVE that stuff!!!

So that's my 10 things.  Here's to hoping I remember to do this next month, LOL.  What 10 things can you share today?

  

 

  

Top 12 Cards

Happy Monday All!  I figured since I was a total creating lunatic this past year (I'm seriously embarrassed I prolly have more pictures of projects than kids/family at this point) I thought I'd share my top cards.  I really got more into making cards this past year and fell in love with stamps, layering, and all the little details you can add to make a special little gift in itself.  

January

Thank You - This was a card I created for my design term at A Walk down Memory Lane.  The featured manufacturer was Imaginisce and this Fall line was right up my alley with all those fantabulous apples.  Wanna know what made it even better??  This card was also featured on the Imaginisce blog thanks to my scrappy friend Kim.  What I like about this card: the rich fall colors, the paper piercing and punches, the cutie lil' apple stamp, and the stamped sentiment on the twill ribbon.

 February

Hello - Ahh, I love me some Sassafras Lass!  I will so miss them, especially the old school stuff. ;0) What I like: The ribbon - ooo la la, I made it myself!  Love that I found rayon seam binding at a local thrift store - speaking of I have to get back there - anyways, I misted the binding and then dried it, all crinkled up, in my microwave.  Easy peasy and fast - no dry time waiting!!!  I also made the somewhat clear bauble myself with UTEE and some glitter.  

March

Welcome to the World - This is my most favorite baby card made - EVA'!!  For real.  I actually found the template online (sorry I don't have the link but will seek to give proper credit) and created the first version for a baby shower card order I had.  This was a one-of-a-kind card for the mother of the expecting mother - make sense? LOL. Anyways I adored it so much I re-created the card for a call at SNR.  What I like: the shape.  I adore creating different shaped cards and this bootie just makes me smile.  The rolled roses.  These were done without dies or anything jazzy like that - just good ol' fashioned scissors.  Although I must say I do love my dies!!

 April

My Heart is Happy - This card makes me happy, happy.  I think its all the bright colors, the textures, and the crepe paper flower.  I totally need to get crackin' at making some more of those.  I forgot how pretty they were. 

May

Simply Put - This is the card I gave my hubbie for our anniversary in 2011.  I was so pleased with myself because our anniversary wasn't until August I couldn't believe I was actually that far ahead of the game for once LOL.  What I like about this card is the stenciled top.  I used colored goop (molding paste I believe) over the top of a Tattered Angels mask.  Then added some Gold Mica Flakes (I really got into using this stuff this year.  So fab-u-lous! Then of course there's lots of fussy cut pieces and plenty of word stickers (<--- swoon!)

June

Hi - This card came together so quickly I distinctly remember being shocked.  I usually gruel over every project I make no matter how big or small.  I love that this card has plenty of cloud lovin' going on paired with a great big ol' sun courtesy of a Jenni Bowlin stamp.  I used Echo Park and Lily Bee Designs on this card and using Lily Bee was a first. 

July

Hey You - Some more OA lovin' going on with this card.  I had a blast cutting apart all the paper doll pieces and putting them together in a scene.  I also can't believe my eyes that I actually used my distressing tool to rough up the paper some.  That's a rare occurrence these days.

August

 

Back 2 School - Not my son's favorite card of the year to receive but hands down its my fav of the year for shiggity!  I had a blast adding paint, inks, stamps, and stencils to the background papers and building up with lots of fun embellishments.  I also finally used that little boy and dog stamp from Sassafras.  I had been waiting for a project to call for it.

September

 

Down on the Farm - I love country life and this card is so sweet to me.  In fact I'll have a hard time parting with and may end up attaching some type of twine to make it home decor... maybe a frame?  Hmmm.... anyhoo, this is a fav because I love all the farm related items on it including some of the OA fabric.  I got it for a steal of a deal on Stitch Steals and boy was I happy!

October

 

Why Hello There - This card is created on a paper bag and made completely from scraps - love that!  I also got down with my sewing machine (actually my hubbie's but he lets me use it now - YAY!) to give the card a patchwork feel and added the flower on top. 

 November

Give Thanks - I love Fall and creating any type of Fall card is right up my alley!  I love the cluster on this and the background.  Gesso has become a creative go to for me this year and I love how it can be used to slightly mask patterned papers so you can go over them with other mediums.


December

Merry Christmas - I didn't get the chance to stop by here to wish you all a Merry Christmas.  I hope you and your family had a lovely day.  What I like about this card: the mist and chunky glitter sprinkled about.  The punched edges of the cardstock.  the simple design and classic Christmas colors.

Well there you have it, my top 12 cards of 2011 - all chunky with lots of layers and embellishments - just the was I like it!

Hope you have a super start to the week.  Be sure to leave me a link if you have any top 12 (or whatever number) posts.  I'd love to stop on by and check it out.  I'll be back tomorrow with one last top 12 post to cover the mixed media and altered items I made this past year.

New Year, Fresh Look, Top 12 LOs

Happy New Year Friends! Its so hard to believe a week has already gone by in 2012. I'm blowing the dust off this bliggity blog ( <---- my husband's phrase, LOL) of mine and decided it was time for a fresh look. What'cha think? I was ELATED to find a cloud background and I actually was able to edit my own header!! That's huge for anyone who knows me and my tech challenges. So grab a cuppa' your favorite beverage and sit back. This is a doozie of a post.

A new year brings out so much hope for what's to come. Many look to creating resolutions - I've never been a person to do this, not sure why but glad because I've never been let down by not fulfilling them. LMBO. Some are choosing a word to live by for the year - this is more appealing to me and I pondered choosing one last year although I never did commit to one. This year I've indeed chosen a word and will share that with you all soon. I thought about joining up with the Ali Edwards class and maybe that will be in the budget for next year. Other projects get kick started as well - Project Life seems to be a biggie this year. Are you jumping on this train? I'll admit I'm intrigued and have loved seeing many different examples of how people are going about it, but I don't think it's in the cards. My anal self needed to start this the first week of the New Year and since that's already passed......LOL....I'll be getting down with some of the numerous photo prompts that can be found out there. I figure the prompts will help me document things I may otherwise not think about. I'll be sure to share prompts here as I find them. If you know of any good ones do share. =)

Speaking of sharing, I adored looking at people's top 10 (or whatever #) lists of fav projects last year and this year as well. I never did get around to posting one last year and since I can't share the crazy amount of projects I've created over the last few months I figured this would be a fun way to get some projects posted and look back on my scrappy style and how it's changed over the year. Today I'll share my top 12 LOs from 2011 - one for each month (well kinda).

January


Waiting for Me - This LO definitely shows off my love of fussy cutting and layering, as well as mixing manufacturers up. I used Echo Park, Crate Paper, and Sassafras (miss them lots). This was published in a past issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. This page is also dear to my heart because of the picture - its of me and my biological grandpa after meeting for the 1st time.

February



Ultimate Feast Throwdown - The kraft background (from My Mind's Eye) was perfect for this page. I loved working within all the gridded areas and had a blast creating my own embellishments and using stamps. I also used a ton of rub-ons on this page which is very rare. So this is a fav because not only does it show off my handsome fellas, but I also used up a ton-o-stash. That's always a good thing! This LO was also pubbed in SNR.

March



A Tinkerer's Dream - This is probably about the time I really made the connection of how to mesh my love for what I had been learning and doing with mixed media with my scrapbooking. I used lots of gel medium, Pearl Ex, mists, found items, and more to create this page, publised in SNR. It felt so good to create something I knew was uniquely mine and really tells a story about my son without even having to have words. He loves this page and has it hanging in his room.

April



Art Is... - This LO decks the wall of my scrappy space. I love it for many reasons - the grid design hooked together with jump rings, the fabric paper background I created myself, all the embellishments I either made or jazzed up, the different quotes and words - all little bits of what makes up me and brings me joy. Another page created for a past issue of SNR.

May



Imagine - May was a REALLY tough month for our family. My husband was severely injured and we were left wondering if he'd ever be able to function the same again. Praise God he is just fine and made a miraculous recovery. His therapists and doctors were amazed, as I was.
Scrapping time was at a minimum for me but deadlines for the magazine still called and this page was created for one of them. I think it really speaks of what I was longing for at the time - better, brighter, more colorful days. Lots of different mediums were used on this page along with stamps and stencils. I remember thinking the tide had turned after I did this page. My style had definitely shifted and using various mediums, along with my scrappy supplies, in a collage type manner was making me happy, happy!

June



Stuck Like Glue - Okay so here's where it gets hard for me to choose. At this point I'd abandoned what I felt my pages should look like per what I saw on online galleries, manufacturer blogs, etc. I made a very clear choice that I'm going to do what pleases me - most of the time that means loading up a page like this. I created this page for a DT assignment at MSW using a fabulous My Sketch World sketch by my chica Lucy and I must say by the time I was done with it the basics of the sketch were there but I made it mine for shiggity. I love doing that.

July



In Full Bloom - I love paint!!! - and at this point in th eyear no longer had any type of fears what so ever in using it! I had a TON of fun creating this page. Lots of collaged bits and pieces covered with layers of paint and stamps, glitter and goop LOL! I also went nuts with photos this month because I got an iPhone (love - like prolly too much, LOL)!

August



Campin' Cuties - I adore October Afternoon and could use their stuff all day long without needing anything .....okay let me not get carried away now haha..... seriously though I really do love working with OA stuff. This is a fav because of the photos, the stitching (yes I taught MYSELF how to sew this year - go me, go me!), the goops, and various items used. This month also kicked off the start of manufacturer events at Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. Boy oh boy did I create an insane amount of items!, sadly I can't share them here so the rest of my year's projects are slim pickings to share. LOL.

September


Treasure - Wasn't created in September but its favorite for sure. I love the pictures from my iPhone (I print at home, but am dying to try out one Postal Pix). I also love all the texture, stamping, and colors.

October



Too Pooped - What can I say, this is my lil' pumpkin (now just about 12!) and I adore this little 6x6 page. This also shows off my love for hacking the daylights out of some photos. I've been very inspired by Brit from Brits Scrappe Vegg. You should really go check her work out - totally cool for reals. Without cutting this photo apart, I never would have scrapped it. Now look at my cutie all nestled on some leaves, LMBO.

November



New Tryke - Another flashback LO cuz' I've got nothing shareable from Nov. yet. Super fun, colorful, and whimsical - just the way I like it and another photo I wouldn't have scrapped if i didn't cut my boy out.

December
was a time for family. I created to finish up deadlines needing to be met and to make some family gifts and had a bit of fun creating all sorts of packaging before things got too hectic. ;0) Anyhoo, rather than share a fav (cuz' frankly I've got nuttin') I thought I'd share some sneaks of what's to come:


I love Picnik!This collage was created there. So easy to use.

Quite the year for me scrappy wise. All of the above creations were published, at some point in time, in past issues of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. I worked with numerous manufacturers and created many LOs, cards, altered items, MM projects, and more for events and articles pubbed and yet to come. I continue on as the Mixed Media Director for the magazine and look forward to a New Year filled with exciting adventures. You want to miss it. As far as my style goes some things I notice: I love clouds, color, and mixing it up. I have a freedom to my pages yet its organized. Organized chaos I guess. I am very much a freestyle scrapper, and really delight in bringing collage to my pages. I LOVE me some goops and all that training I had in high school, along with the knowledge I've gained from friends at SNR, has FINALLY made it to my pages. I struggled for a good long while at how to do so in a way that was mine. Not that I haven't been inspired by others but I like to take bits and pieces and do my own thing. I think for too long I didn't do that. I look back to those pages and can't wait to redo them. ;0) someday, right? LOL I've got many hopes for the New Year and I so look forward to sharing them with you. You lovely readers are such a large part of my journey and I feel blessed for having each of you be a part of it.

If you're still with me at this point, a HUGE thank you. I really do appreciate your visiting and love when you share what you think. It makes me feel all warm when I know I'm not talking to myself, LOL!

I hope 2012 is good to you and yours and filled with God's blessings.