MME Challenge 33 Layout

My Mind's Eye layout sketch challenge for this month is another great versatile design that leaves much to the interpretation of the artist. By the looks of it, there were a lot of others out there that it spoke to because over 100 scrappers participated including some pretty big scrappy names thrown in the mixed. Not really that surprising for the prize is a choice of a collection.  Given that MME consistently puts out fab releases, with this CHA being no exception, who wouldn't want to give it a try? Gorgeous stuff!

Some of that gorgeousness, in the form of Miss Caroline Dolled Up, was featured in the March Kit at My Scrapbook Nook and that is what I used for my take.

Supplies: patterned papers, wood butterfly, grey and pink twine, cardstock stickers, and pins (MME), doilie (Michaels), fabric letters (American Crafts), font (TXT Abrasive), sketch (MME)

My daughter had on just the right colour for this one and I couldn't be happier because I am lovin' the results.  There is a bigger story behind the events surrounding the photo but I am honouring my daughters request that I not journal that part publicly. She is such a dear sweetie and I am so proud of her perseverance.

Here is the original sketch for the challenge. 

As you can see, I went with a round shape rather than the large rectangle one because it was more suited to the background patterned paper plus that doilie is just so darn cute.  Be sure to check out the other wonderful takes.  Tons of eye candy and inspiration there!

TTFN,

Something a little different

As many of you know, I like to mix things up a bit, challenge myself and try out different techniques. Well, I think it is safe to say that this layout I created for Magenta really had me stepping outside of my regular preferred styles.

Supplies: patterned papers, stamp, and corrugated letters (Magenta), cardstock (Bazzill), gesso (Golden), VersaMark and StazOn (Tsukineko), emboss powder (Stampendous), Acrylic paint (Deco Art), fabric letter stickers (Prima), numbers stamps (CTMH), Tim Holtz distress ink (Rangers), metal photo corners (Dollarama), marker (Sharpie), foam fram packaging used for chevron stamp (misc.)

I call it pop art grunge.  There is stamping, gessoing, sanding, plastic bag and wrap use, inking, distressing, painting, and I even improvised a chevron stamp with a leftover corner covering foam from a picture frame packaging by mitering the foam strip and stapling it together.  A how-to can be found on the Magenta Blog.

TTFN,

Crop and Create Excitement!

My stars must have been aligned because I was one lucky gal at Crop and Create Markham. I say this for multiple reasons. Firstly, I went on my own but I was not to remain that way because I was pleasantly surprised to run into some friends from the former Scraps of Joy store.  These sweet and talented ladies continue to teach and inspire crafters with their new venture, Scrappin' Gypsies. It was fun sitting together, catching up and sharing our creations and inspiration during the crop.

Secondly, Catherine , the publisher of Scrapbook and Cards Today and mastermind of the event, out did herself with the help of her fun loving and creative team.  The hotel accommodations, the food, the make n' takes, the goodie bags (thanks to generous and awesome sponsors), the onsite stores and the challenges were all outstanding.  I attended the super talented Kelly Goree's class and got to see her creative process.  I really do enjoy seeing how others think and share about their projects come to life.

Thirdly, the loot.  I was one of the many of the lucky ladies to win in the random draws in my class and in the crop.  By far, the most exciting win was in the Colour Suite Challenge.  Using the SCT Colour Suite palette for January, I created this layout and to my delight it won!

Supplies: patterned paper, sticker, canvas stickers and stamp (Little Yellow Bicycle), Cardstock (Bazzill), foam letter stickers (American Crafts), baker's twine (My Mind's Eye), inks (CTMH), pen (Creative Memories), staples and jewels (miscellaneous)

This was the colour board used.



Love the BasicGrey Kissing Booth goodies that I received (Thanks Catherine and Basic Grey!).

I had a blast. Caught up with some scrappy friends of old and made some new ones too. What more could a crafty girl ask for?

TTFN,

Back at it!

I find it so hard to believe that we are already three months into the year. They have just slipped away as I have been continually ill and have yet to be totally healthy this year. Day five into the March Break here and I am actually feeling like my old self since the first week of January. Yeah! I am crossing my fingers that my health will stay on track for the better once school starts again next week.

It really has been a bit.  I haven't been able to scrap much and I missed it.  The few items that I have, have been for Scrapbook News and Review  Magazine and upcoming Magenta posts, so I will share these when I can.

Here are a few things that have gone on ...

About six weeks ago my sweet, super talented, papercrafting friend Sherri Funk nominated me for a Liebster blog award. Given everything that was going on, I unfortunately did not get a chance to share it and pass it forward.  I still wish to recognize this kind and generous gesture that she bestowed upon me in someway so be sure to check out her wonderful work.  I promise it will be well worth the while.



Magenta is 20 years old this year. Wow! Twenty years in this industry is a spectacular accomplishment.  As part of the year long celebration, there are monthly challenge giveaways.  This month's just started so check out the details.


Here is my Dt take of this month's challenge using a stamped background to create a card

Supplies: Magenta stamp and letter stickers; Clearsnap ink; Doodlebug flock;Kitchen Parts doilie; Anchor floss; Dollarama jewels

I played with this one and tried something a little different.  After randomly stamping the cardface background in pink ink, I used a glue pen on the leaves and adhered green flock on them. This is one of those "pictures do not do it justice" type projects because the textures do not translate well into 2 D.  With the flocking, doillie, stitching and jewels, it is a cheery card sure to brighten the lucky recipient friend's day.

Hoping for sunny skies in your part of the world!

TTFN,

A New Chapter Begins

This has been quite the secret to keep for sometime now.  I so excited to be able to share that I have joined the Creative Staff at Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.  It is official with the launch of their new look and format to the magazine.

I have had the great fortune to have many of my projects picked up by the magazine in the past.  It is always such a thrill and honour to get published and it just goes to show, you never know where it will lead.

Billed as the largest online magazine, it is a neat publication with loads of projects for inspiration and not just scrapbooking.  They have sections on Cards and Stamping, Altered Art, Digital and Mixed Media.  Also there are a vast amount of tutorials covering all manner of paper crafting as well as showcases on manufacturers and their products. Not to mention that there are very real opportunities to have your work published.  All you have to do is submit to their calls.

Needless to say it was a surprise to be contacted by the executive editor and asked to join them.  I feel ready to branch out in this new direction. For now, I will be contributing to the Scrapbooking, and the Cards and Stamping sections. So you can look out for me in those areas as well as on the forum with the other talented and friendly staff members.

Thus begins a new chapter in my creative journey.  This has the potential to be quite the ride as Kate, the brainchild behind Scrapbook News and Review, takes the magazine in an exciting new direction.  Looking forward to the new adventure.

TTFN,

Font Fun with Magenta

You got to love when a product immediately inspires you with a project idea.  That was the case when I saw these Magenta Peel Offs W letter sheet.  My idea came to fruition this month for my Magenta assignment.

Supplies: patterned papers, chipboard snowflakes, chipboard letters and letter "W" Peel Offs (Magenta), cardstock (Bazzill), glimmer mist (Tattered Angels), paint (Deco Art), stickles (Rangers), tab punch (McGill), pen (Creative Memories), photo corners and jewel (miscellaneous)

Playing with the fonts and alliteration, I created this winter layout.  The journaling is tucked behind the photo and accessed by pulling up the card with the punched tab.

Here is a close up of the fussy cut and exacto knifed section.  I was going for a flowing snow drift effect where I glued down some lines but popped up others.  Also seen here is the painted and stickled chipboard snowflakes.

For the full details on its creation, be sure to hop on over to my Magenta blog post here.


TTFN,

New Magenta 2012 Release

It's that time of year again papercrafting fans.  It is new releases time! 



Magenta's release has lots to offer with stamps, chipboards, corrugated cardboard and cork pieces. Looking forward to creating with these.


TTFN,

Random Cuteness!

I am very much loving Crate Paper's Random collection! This line is so pretty and versatile.  This layout, is my take of a fun sketch from the January PageMaps collection.

Supplies: patterned papers (Crate Paper), stamps (CTMH, Inkadinkado), ink (Rangers, CTMH, Studio G), glitter letter stickers (MM), fabric letter stickers (Prima), punch (Fiskars), baker's twine (We R Memory keepers), pen (Creative Memories), twine and staples (misc.)

The sketch really resonated with me due to its unique design.

I flipped and moved some of the elements around to better suit my photos.  I used six different patterned papers as well as lots od stamping and faux stitching.

TTFN,

Get Picky GDT Inspiration Challenge #15

Happy New Year!

With the start of the New Year, comes another really fun Inspiration Challenge from Get Picky.  For this one, you are challenged to create a multi photo layout about something that you might resolve to do this year.  It can be anything that you please or you can draw inspiration from the poem posted, as I did for my Guest Designer layout.  There is lots to choose from that will resonate with many. 

Supplies: patterned papers, chipboard, stickers (Crate Paper), fabric chipboard letters (American Crafts), pin (Maya Road), flower jewels (CTMH), buttons, heart jewels and twine (miscellaneous), pen (Creative Memories)

I drew my inspiration from this line of the poem "Find time in each day to see the beauty and love in the world around you." Which you can see is my title and journaling. This is something that both my dd and I should and will try to do this New Year. With the constant go-go of our everyday lives, it is important to stop, take a moment and focus on the people and nature around you and appreciate them.

I used Crate Paper's Random collection featured in My Scrapbook Nook's September 2011 kit. Such a gorgeous line full of bright and playfully pretty colours. There is just something about this one that I liked so much, it even made my Top 10 for 2011.  In fact, four of my favs were from Get Picky challenges.  Thanks Tanya and Nikki for the inspiration!

To see some seriously spectacular eye-candy check out the DT's takes on this challenge.  The full poem and details can be found here.  Be sure to join in for a chance to win and be featured.

TTFN,

Top 10 0f 2011

While it is so hard to get down to just 10 layouts, I realize that my choices are really a reflection of where I am at in a scrappy state in time at the end of this year.  Like many, my current favourite often ends up being the most recently created piece. Yet will that be the case further in time? Then there are pieces that will forever hold a special place for the story behind its' creation.  Thus, this whole process in itself is neat to document and reflect upon at a later time.

This year's edition is in no particular order as that task proved to be even more confounding then picking just 10. LOL!

Without further ado, here is my Top Ten of 2012:

 

Once I whittled this year's collection of layouts down to this ten, I reflected upon my choices as a whole.  What I discovered about my work is it really illustrates the variety of styles, textures, colours, and manufacturers that I enjoy creating with.  Being analytical of mind, I also noticed some interesting things:

•  four were takes on sketches,
•  five were made with the fabulous kits of My Scrapbook Nook,
•  four were inspired by Get Picky challenges,
•  four have sepia or black and white photos
•  six have butterflies
•  seven were multi photo

I am really pleased with how I have grown this past year as an artist.  It is in sharing my passion for scrapping with others that has helped keep my productivity at a consistent level.  I also have been extremely blessed with some great friendships and wonderful opportunities to showcase my work this year.

Thanks for following along in my creative journey this past year.

Wishing you all the best in 2012.

TTFN,