2012 Top 10 Favourite Layouts

While this year was not as productive in quantity, I am exceptionally pleased with the quality of the layouts that I created.  Inspiration came from all over and I really found I played more and ventured into some new techniques and genres.

This first one is one I haven't had an opportunity to share before. It is one of my all time favs, not just a fav for 2012.  This one should really have a post all of its' own but since I have included it here... pardon me as I wax on about it. LOL!

Supplies - Cardstock: Core’dination; Chipboard, Buttons, and Trim: Crate Paper; Die-Cut Butterflies: Grant Archival; Doilie: Michael’s; Jewels and Felt Flower: Dollarama; Pen: Creative Memories

I absolutely adore the textures, the movement... oh who am I kidding... I really do love everything about it.  The inspiration for this one... the colour Pink.  I think it is fabulous how such a simple thing as a colour prompt can evoke such inspiration. Granted having great products on hand to choose from helps too.  I used Crate Paper's Random Collection, the gorgeous huge crochet doilie from Michael's and the beautiful glittery butterflies that I have had for a bit.  I lightly spot sanded the Core'dinations Cardstock base before I started to build the layout.  Then I reached a design decision dilemma for which I needed to use "a phone a friend" or rather a photograph and email a scrappy friend.

Supplies - Cardstock: Core’dination; Chipboard, Buttons, and Trim: Crate Paper; Die-Cut Butterflies: Grant Archival; Doilie: Michael’s; Butterfly Pin: Webster's Pages; Jewels and Felt Flower: Dollarama; Pen: Creative Memories

Did you spot the difference right away?  It is the jewelled Webster's Pages' butterfly pin but what a difference it makes I think to the balance of the layout.  I had put it there originally with the design purpose of a) completing the visual triangle and b) odd number of butterfly embellis but when I added it as the last item on the layout, I was like... ummm.  My friend went with the one I was leaning towards at the time which was the without. (She is not much into bling but she very much has an eye for design. Love you girl!:)

As for the rest... I like them all for a variety of reasons but I will just let them speak for themselves...

Here is wishing you much happiness and scrappiness in 2013!


TTFN,

This & That

Literally that is... of the Echo Park variety.  The This & That Graceful collection was one of my favs from this past year. A good thing too because I ended up with two packs of it.  I have been very fortunate over the time that I was a kit subscriber to not end up buying something before it happened to come out in a kit. (I can say that I have been guilty of buying some more of something afterwards because I loved it so much though. LOL!) But with this collection, I had to have it and purchased it at ScrapFest only to have it arrive in a Nook kit a few weeks later.

Thus far, I have loved anything I have made with it! The designs and colours... they just make me feel good. Definitely a bonus when one is creating.

Here is a fun whimsical layout that I made to go with the cute photo of my daughter from a few summers ago.




Supplies - Patterned Papers, Chipboard, Stickers: Echo Park Paper;  Punches: Martha Stewart, Marvy Uchida; Doilie: Today’s Kitchen; Fabric Letters: American Crafts; Acrylic Bird: Heidi Swapp; Embroidery Floss: Loops and Threads; Pen: Creative Memories

It was my Fun And Playful style take on this Jennifer Matot reverse sketch assignment:

I made this card at a crop for a dear teacher friend of mine.

Supplies: patterned paper and stickers (Echo Park), butterfly punch (Martha Stewart), square punch (Creative Memories), button pins (Maya Road), embroidery floss and jewels (Dollarama), pen (Staedtler), sketch (PageMaps)

I had such a strong feeling that she was going to get a contract that I created this card and even wrote the congratulations inside, weeks before she got one.  It is funny how sometimes we just know.  I was able to give her the card a few weeks later on the day she official received word.

I have a few more This & That projects to share but I will do so at another time. Until then...

TTFN,

A Few Feel Good Cards

It is quite amazing how much a card can lift one's spirits.  I really got into making cards more this year. I like that I can use up the stash that I have and create little gems in a relatively short period of time.




Supplies- Patterned Papers and Stickers: My Mind’s Eye; Cardstock: Bazzill; Ink: Close To My Heart; Foam Dots: Dollarama;

Nothing like a little MME.  I like this one for its' distressing, the paper collection, the stars, and mostly because I was able to incorporate seven different patterned papers into it.  It was my take on this Lucy Chesna sketch:

More MME for this next one I did for a No Sew Pleated Ribbon technique tutorial over at SNR Mag. 



Supplies Patterned Papers, Trim and Sticker: My Mind's Eye; Cardstock: Bazzill; Ink and Pen: Close To My Heart; Double Sided Adhesive: Sookwang

 I love the textures, the inking and faux stitching and how backing the sticker with black cardstock tied it all together.  Here is a side view to get a feel for the dimension of it.  I had this one on display in my living room for quite sometime. It makes me think of my family every time I look at it.

This next card just makes me smile for its' cuteness factor. I won this stamp years ago in a stamping contest and finally got a chance to use it. Add in some  October Afternoon and a piece of Cosmo Cricket chipboard whimsy and viola ... cuteness! Nothing like an obscure assignment looking for fruits and veggie cards to spark one's creativity. LOL!

Supplies- Cardstock: Stampin' Up; Patterned Papers and Strawberry Die Cut: October Afternoon; Chipboard: Cosmo Cricket; Stamp: Inkadinkado; Ink: Rangers and Stampin' Up; Label Die: Spellbinders; Green Marker: Close To My Heart; Thread: Miscellaneous

Technique laden, but oh so fun, with some stamping, heat embossing, a bit of watercolouring, a border punch and a touch of Glitter Glam, makes this next card a birthday treat!




Supplies Patterned Papers: Lily Bee Design; Image Stamp, Markers, Ink and Emboss Powder: Close To My Heart; Sentiment Stamps: Studio G; Emboss Ink: Tsukineko; Punch: Fiskars; Glimmer Glaze: Tattered Angels; Pen: Staedtler

Lastly to finish off the feel good fest... a Crate Paper vacation card to send you on your way.  I was inspired by our then soon-to-be adventure to Potter World in Orlando when I made this one based on a sketch for an assignment.

Supplies- Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper and Stickers: Crate Paper; Airplane Charm: 7 Gypsies; Pen:Staedtler; Ink: Close To My Heart; Date Stamp: Trodat; Foam Tape and Twine: Dollarama

And here is the Lucy Chesna sketch that I created my take off. 

My Nook friends will no doubt recognize bits and pieces from various kits in these.  While I miss getting a new kit each month filled with luscious scrappy goodies that are the latest and greatest, I have to say that I will be able to still enjoy the years of goody packages that I have received for quite sometime.  I have yet to have used up one kit in its' entirety.  Sad but true and I am sure I am not alone (other than you past DT members).  I have come close only a few times but still have pieces.   More a lack of time on my part, not ideas and then always the next lovely to come along.  Lucky for me, I still love what I have and look forward to creating with those little bits of Nookness for many moons to come.  LOL!

TTFN,

I'm coming home!



Hello Friend card created for SNR Mag office supplies/elements article.

Supplies- Patterned Papers and Stickers: Crate Paper and Simple Stories; Cardstock Card Base: Halcraft; Brad: My Mind's Eye; Paper Clips: Acco; Staples: Misc.; Marker: Sharpie

That is what it feels like.  I have been away from all things scrapbook related since my last post at the end of August before school started. Wow how I have missed it!  It would be an understatement to say it has been a challenging bunch of months.  I have literally been living to work.  I really saw no other way to get through what I needed to do.  I do know that I cannot continue like I was again, once school starts up in a little over a week from now.  I need to somehow find a balance in the final weeks of my current assignment.  You will know that I was successful if I have things to regularly post once again past the first week of January! LOL!  Wish me luck!

In the mean time, I have the next week to do some catching up.  I have projects that I still haven't shared from earlier in the year, friends' blogs to stop by, visit with the uber talented ladies over at Scraptastic (if I can remember my user name and past word... seriously.. how sad is that? So not like me but par for the course right now), new things to create and new memories to make with my family and friends. Not too tall of an order is it?

I think the hardest part of coming home is figuring out what to do first and in what order... that is the problem with being a planner and a list maker.  I need to let loose and let whimsy be my guide. So whimsy lead away...

As to not leave you with just me musings, here is a vintage layout to share with you from a Magenta 20th Anniversary Challenge.

Supplies: patterned papers, chipboard, stencil (Magenta), cardstock (CTMH), alphabet stickers (Webster's Pages),marker (Sharpie), glimmer mist (Tattered Angels), bead gel(Golden), border punch( Reflections), lace (Prima), muslin, doilie and vintage mother of pearl buttons (Misc.)

Besides oodles of fussy cutting, I used a cool stencil technique for the flowers on muslin and I hid the journaling on the tag.   It is really uncanny how genetics work through time and the resemblance there is from this turn of the century photo to a current day family member. Funny how things work!

 
TTFN,

Remember - One Word Titles

Inspiration can strike at any time.  When I saw this lone piece of Prima patterned paper on a shelf in a scrapbook store, I knew right away it was destined for this photo of my daughter and her friend.




Supplies: Patterned Paper, Doilies, Flowers, Leaves, Rub-Ons: Prima; Felt Flowers: Dollarama; Paint-a-Shade Paint and Marker: Close To My Heart; Pen: Sharpie
Appeared in the June 2012 edition of SNR Mag's One Word Title article.

The colours would compliment the photo and the one word title was a perfect fit to document their special summer sister relationship.

I used some rub-ons from my stash to create a matte and journaling area. Instead of using rub-ons, you could achieve the same effect with stamping instead.

Then I added in cluster mixes of Prima fabric, paper and crochetted flowers, doilies, and leaves. I recoloured the leaves to a shade more suited to the title and background lines using a marker and damp paper towel. I also used the CTMH Create-A-Shade Pearlized paint to paint over the crystal jewel in the felt flowers to coordinate with the centres of the Prima flowers.

I fussy cut around the beginning of the title in order to tuck in a cluster to complete the visual triangle.

It started as only one piece of patterned paper. It goes to show that you do not need multiple pieces of patterned paper or cardstock to create a memorable layout.

 TTFN,

1/2 Way There...

Wow! We are already more than half way through 2012. I hadn't even thought of it until My Mind's Eye July Challenge.  While I didn't get to play along with the challenge, I liked the idea of the challenge and was inspired to create this card.

Supplies: patterned papers, die cuts, stickers, chipboard, twine (MME), stamp and ink (CTMH)

For this one, I raided my stash and used Good Day Sunshine Girl patterned papers and die cuts and a chipboard piece from Abbey Road's Round and Round Beep Beep Collection. Throw in some stamping, inking and twine.. and there you have it!

This would make a great card for a project milestone or academic adventure.  Remember the value is not in the destination, it is what we learn on the way there. Enjoy the journey!

TTFN,

Upcyling cards

Upcycling :verb [with object]

• reuse (discarded objects or material) in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original

We all have cards that will simply be put into the recycle bin and head for what is termed the down cycle where they are broken up and made into another product. Before you toss that card it into the bin, take a second look at it and see if there is something that you might be able to upcycle.

Supplies: Patterned Papers: Bella Blvd; Cardstock: Bazzill; Cardstock Pooh Bear and Happy sentiment: Hallmark Cards; Cardstock Letter Stickers: Lily Bee Designs
Appeared in SNR Magazine's May 2012 edition article - Inspired By Disney

Here I used an adorable Pooh Bear card and upcycled the image and some of the wording by creating a new card, using some cute Bella Blvd's Sunny Happy Skies patterned papers that coordinated well with the primary colours of the lovable little fellow.

I mean seriously, who can't use a little Pooh Bear to bring a smile to your face and brighten your day.  Truth be told I am a huge Pooh Bear fan.  Even my blog sign off... a tiggerism (tata for now)... stems from my love of all things Pooh related.

TTFN,

Hugs and Kisses with BasicGrey

We are so fortunate to have a strong relationship with my mother-in-law.  My daughter gets to spend time regularly with her grandma and they have a special loving bond. What better collection to reflect warm loving goodness than BasicGrey's Kissing Booth?  Here I created a layout for SNR's May 2012 Change It Up sketch article capturing the feel of the photos using the papers from this line a a combination of punched and fussy cut hearts.  If you can believe it, there are actually 10 different patterned papers used in the making of this one.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Papers and Cardstock Sticker: BasicGrey; Fabric and Chipboard Letters: American Crafts; Punches: Marvy Uchida, Recollections and Fiskars; Ink: Close To My Heart; Pen: Steadtler, Sketch: Emma Stafrace

My assignment was to change the 12x12 sketch into an 8.5" x 11" version.  Here is the original rendering:

 As you can see, circles became a bevy of hearts raining love and happiness.

TTFN,

Change it up with Watermelon Gazpacho

Today I am sharing a layout that I made for SNR's May 2012 edition Sketch - Change the Orientation article.  I love the vibrant colours of Jillibean Soup's lines.  For this one I used papers from the Watermelon Gazpacho collection and their red corrugated letters. The striped paper worked well with the colours in the photos lending a cohesive look to the page. The orange makes the photos pop especially with the white sanded the edges of the photos and the green title strip.  I matted the stripe stripes with white cardstock.

Supplies: Patterned Papers and Corrugated Letters: Jillibean Soup; Cardstock: Close To My Heart; Chipboard Letters: American Crafts; Pen: Creative Memories; Sketch: Lucy Chesna

The layout features my daughter and her great uncle building or rather engineering a sandcastle.  I used the engineering term in the journaling because he really is an engineer (note the pinkie ring).  It also truly captures and evokes the moment because they really did have some serious but fun discussion in regards to engineering principles for both the design and construction.

Here was Lucy's original sketch:

I rotated the sketch 90 degrees and altered one rectangle area to accommodate my title and journaling.

TTFN,

Another Magenta Two Takes

For this two takes, I used the same card design concept but varied the card colours and stamping techniques.  One card being multicoloured (using the Magenta logo colours from one of the 20th Anniversary challenges) and the other monochromatic.

Supplies: patterned paper, stamp and chipboard letters (Magenta), cardstock (Bazzill), ink and stickles (Ranger), markers (CTMH), pen (Creative Memories)

For the multicoloured card, I coloured in both the base stamped butterflies and the fussy cut ones with waterbased markers to match the logo colours. I chose to faux stitch in black to coordinate with the inked pieces. Lastly, I used black Stickles on the body and antenni.

Supplies: patterned papers, and stamp (Magenta), ink (Ranger and CTMH), sentiment stamp (Dollarama), VersaMark (Tsukineko), emboss powder (Inkadinkado), glitter (Doodlebug Designs), Embroidery floss (Loops and Threads)

For the monochromatic yellow version, I stamped with a different lighter shade of black ink pad and the butterflies were heat embossed using white embossing powder before being fussy cut. I sewed with white embroidery floss to frame the torn paper stamped image and to coordinate with the white butterflies. I finished off the butterflies with glue and yellow glitter.

I really like how using one design, one stamp and different techniques and colours can create such a variety of looks. Another way to get more out of a stamp and design idea.
TTFN,

Believe - the Magic of Make Believe

As children grow they often leave behind the fun of make believe play as it is not a cool thing in the tween or teen years.  So when my daughter and nieces decided to play fairies and took their make believe play into the backyard, I quickly grabbed my camera thinking this might be one of my last opportunities to capture such fun joyful memories.

More often than not, I find that I take oodles of photos in the hopes of getting a few great shots out of the batch. Then I tend to scrap a few of the best or those that tell a certain story but many are left behind to go in the general photo box.  As I scrap non-chronologically, I use photos from different years as they work with certain ideas, inspirations or products. Such was the case from this summer's day photo session from a couple of summers ago. 

About a week ago, I pulled out the photos of this day and par usual, I looked them over and pulled out a bunch of the best ones.  I scrapped some fun ones of my niece in a layout entitled Fairy Fun. Then, I designated four others for two more layout ideas and the remainders were then relegated to the photo box.

A few days later, I was trying to come up with an idea for the Magenta 20th anniversary acrostic challenge, when this photo came to mind.  While it is not a particularly great photo from a photography stand point, it was perfect for telling the story and preserving the memory of a childhood make believe play moment.  Thus out it came from the photo box and a layout idea was born.

Supplies: patterned papers, stamp and letter stickers (Magenta), VersaMark ink (Tsukineko), emboss powder (Sugar Loaf Products), acrylic letters (Heidi Swapp), flowers (Making Memories), butterfly punch (Martha Stewart), thread, staples, and bitty jewels (Dollarama)

Here is a closer look at some of the details and the journaling.

Journaling reads: The fun & joy of make believe.  The ability to get lost in another realm where everything is possible.  Your imagination knows no bounds.  To be free to be a fairy fluttering with others in a world all your own.

As the layout came together, I even created a tutorial to go along with it highlighting an alternative way to get more out of a stamp image. It can be found on the Magenta blog here.

TTFN,

Hello Friends

Today I am sharing another fine feathered friend but this time from BasicGrey.  Love heading back into my stash, sparked by a sketch and coming up with a fun creation.   This card was based on a Lucy Chesna card sketch for SNR's April edition. 

Cardstock: Bazzill; Cardstock Stickers: BasicGrey; Letter Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps; Ink: Rangers; Twine: Jillibean Soup; Sketch: Lucy Chesna

I used a variety of cardstock stickers from the Offbeat Elements sticker sheet and stamped the "hello" letters on each tag to form the sentiment banner.
TTFN,