Happy Day Card

This Maggie Holmes Crate Paper is so pretty. I used some of the 6x6 paper pad to create this card based on Cardabilities sketch #123.

Supplies: patterned papers (Maggie Holmes Crate Paper), sentiment stamp (October Afternoon), Stamper's Big Brush (Faber-Castell), butterfly punches (Martha Stewart), baker's twine (Maya Road), moonshine sequins (Simon Says Stamp), vellum and paperclip (Dollarama)

The vellum butterfly punched overlay helps soften the darker colours of the paper and I just like how the Moonshine sequins give a touch of sparkle to the whole thing.

My paper colour choices were based on the beautiful colour swatch from Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.

Isn't that just such a pretty inspirational swatch? Happy creating!

TTFN,

One down... umpteen to go!

Just scrap it.  Simply that is it in a nutshell.  I want to get all the pre-prepared layouts that I have waiting to be scrapped.  I literally have a bunch of layouts, where I have the photos and the product and the layout design already sketched.  They are even in paper holders or large baggies as I would prep them for vacation time at the cottage or for the occasional crop.  Inevitably, I would do more than I would get completed but leave the rest for other projects that were time sensitive given my little time I have had for scrapping this past year and half.  My goal is to change this.  I want to get all those layouts scrapped. I know that it will make me feel better, a way to de-clutter, use up stash and feel productive.

In my quest, I got a few layouts done at Crop and Create Markham.  The best part was, it literally only took me minutes to pack for the crop.  Like I mentioned, everything was pre-prepped and even better still, it was already in a crate that I tote to the cottage, ready to go.

Here is one that brings a smile to my face every time I look at it.  From the photo to the colours, it was fun to see it all come together.

Supplies: cardstock (Canadian Scrapbooker Super Stock), gelatos (Faber-Castell), chipboard sunglasses (Magenta), stamps [negative frame (MME), Duck (October Afternoon), crowns (Heidi Swapp), duck print (Basic Grey), loopy doodle stamp (Dear Lizzy American Crafts), polka dot washi tapes (Doodlebug Design), Cameras and labels washi tapes (Allison Kreft Webster's Pages), embossing powder (Stampendous), versamark and black ink (Tsukinenko), liquid glass (CTMH), glimmer glaze (Tattered Angels), chipboard letters (K and Company), glitter foam letters (American Crafts), glitter (Recollections), marker (Sharpie), jewels (SandyLion)

This selfie cracks me up.  Last summer, my daughter and niece embraced their first  selfies. I learned what a duck face selfie looked like.  More funny than flattering and I love how the photo depicts a typical teenage moment.  No matter the generation,  what hasn't changed is the young teen wanting to look fashionable and way older than they are.  I think the title just sums it all up.

These Magenta chipboard sunglasses are too cool.  I coloured them to match my daughter's using gelatos for the frames and Glimmer Glaze for the glass.  I sealed the frame with liquid glass to give the look of plastic like the real deal.

From the process photos below, you will see that the green glittered letters did not start out that way.  In fact they were a blue but I wanted then to match the green in the photo so I covered them with gesso, added the glitter and finished them off by outlining them with a marker.

This one is a total multi-manufacturer layout as I combined lots of stamps, mediums and washi tapes together to get the details and embellishments that I had in my mind.

Here are some photos showing the process as I was deciding how I wanted to place items as the layout came to life.

Sorry about the poor photo lighting but the crop hotel ballroom lighting was typical and I took these with my phone but they give you an idea of the process.

After the gelato coloured background has dried, I was deciding on a rough idea for placement.

Washi tapes all down. Just checking to figure out where to put stamping and doodling.

Some stamping completed at this point as well as a little bit of doodling. The journaling line has been added in and I am figuring final placement of all the pieces in relation to which washi sections I want to show.

The finished page - it was all just ducky, don't you think?! LOL! :)(Pun intended.)


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,

Off the Page with OA's Sasparilla

One of my favourite SNR Mag features is the Sketches - Take It Off the Page article where we take the assigned sketch and make a card, ATC or tag from it.

Supplies Patterned -  Paper, Stickers, Die-Cuts, and Journal Card: October Afternoon; Cardstock and Bitty Brads: Close To My Heart; Eyelets: Making Memories; Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps, STudio G; Ink: Rangers, Tim Holtz Distress Ink; Watercolour Crayons: Reeves; Embroidery Floss and Star Clip: Dollarama; Pen: Staedtler

I used the Nook February 2012 kit featuring October Afternoon's Sasparilla, some old denim, and this assigned sketch by Emma Stafrace.

Such a great source of inspiration and an easy trick to use if you are stuck for a card design idea... simply use a layout sketch and make a card with it.

TTFN,

Nook U - Graphic Arts 101

So my favourite online scrappy place My Scrapbook Nook is hosting their annual Nook U.

The first class is by Stacey Michaud entitled Graphic Arts 101. Be sure to check it out.  Her lesson, in true teacher form, is exceptional with clearly illustrated and explained concepts.  I am a huge Stacey fan.  Her work always brings a smile to my face because her layouts elicit a sense of fun and are fabulously designed.  Besides the Nook, she is a DT member for Pink Paislee (so love their stuff).  To see more of her fabulous work and learn more about her, check out her blog.

Here is my take on the challenge:



Full list of supplies can be found here.

 I really like the way it turned out.  I kept the embellishments to the minimum to let the multiple pictures tell the story.  I used the Nook's May kit featuring October Afternoon to make it.

Assignment elements covered:
Have a clear focal point: focal point (4x6) photo using rule of thirds, embellished with use of 3 elements (text areas) and also 5s (photos), “y” letter parallel to my dd’s arm in photo
Have contrast on your page: mixed lettering in the title work and contrasting colour (coral and green)
Create flow on your layout: using the natural flow within the photos (my dd’s hand actions), I created movement with 2x3s on diagonals, first 2 left and then 2 to the right.
Use the visual triangle: 3 Visual Triangles created with the text area, the colour green (green text, green grass and green banner flag), and the coral (title stickers, girls skirt and banner flag) with the photos in the triangulated area
Achieve balance on your layout: while elements are different and not symmetrical, there is balance between the left and right side.

I really liked how I covered it. Some parts were conscious choices I was making while designing it, others just happened to evolve in the process. I believe that is what makes this LO work and why it felt right when I decided upon the end arrangement. I stopped because it felt right but in reflection it probably worked and felt right because I had subconsciously achieved a balance of further good design elements that I discovered were there upon reflection of the finished piece.

Can you guess which choices were on purpose?

Conscience choices were focal point, visual triangle, and contrast.  It is funny how these things happen during the creative process.

** updated - Here is my add-to version with touches of black:

TTFN!