Showing My Brayer Some Love and Scrapbook Star

Note this: LOVE YOUR BRAYER! I bought a brayer a while back and rarely use it. To make this typewriter stamp (Cornish Heritage Farms) come to life, follow these instructions:
Stamp image onto white paper with Versamark, apply clear embossing powder, and heat set.

1. Trim paper to desired size.
2. With brayer, apply dark green ink (Library Green from Ranger), but leave it blotchy. Wipe ink off image.
3. With a second green ink (Lettuce Adirondack by Ranger), brayer over the the image and to one side only. Wipe ink off image.
4. With black ink (Black Soot Distress Ink by Ranger), brayer over the image ONLY. You want the black to get into the image's cracks to make it stand out more.
5. THEN - take the whole piece of paper and stamp it with VersaMark and apply 2 coats of UTEE embossing powder by Ranger. This is essentially a nice glossy coat you are adding to make the colours pop.

Here are some sneak peeks of Scrapbook Star's April 2010 Kit. It is a lovely kit, and full of girly and Spring colours with loads of embellishments to matchy match!!

Have a great Thursday friends!

Inspire Frame - Vinyl Art

I needed some decor for my pea green powder room and I whipped this up in a couple of hours and it goes quite well. ALTHOUGH - I plan on distressing this a bit. I want to take it apart and do some tearing on that background paper, some more stamping, maybe add some gems and other detail to make it more interesting. Stay tuned for the revised project!

VINYL - the chandelier and the word inspire were cut from vinyl with my Silhouette and placed on top of the glass. I could easily remove them if I like, which is ideal to save the glass, and frame from my mistakes!

Supplies:

Paper - 7 Gypsies

Dies - Silhouette

Stamps - Cornish Heritage Farms

Markers - Copic

Bad Girls - Project 52 Challenge Blog

Ok folks! Here is my first official challenge with Project 52.

PARAMETERS:

WHAT: 3D Homes:

THEME: Dreams

REQUIRED MATERIAL: Buttons

My "Thoughts & Dreams House":

For my house, I created it from scratch, which is very satisfying - to create something from nothing. I decided to make my house sort of practical by adding a slot in the top for me and my family to use to store our thoughts and dreams. I plan on sealing off the bottom, so that our thoughts are safe inside until one day we decide to open it. I think even in a couple years' time, going back and looking at our thoughts and dreams will be interesting.

I wanted my house to contain a quote that spoke to me and one that I believe...with God, all things are possible. The tree branch is a Silhouette die cut. That gorgeous time glittery paper is from The Robin's Nest. The gorgeous leaves are Prima.

I made this flower from fabric, I am in the middle of making a tutorial on how to. There are so many variations to this!

Here is my slot made with a punch from Stampin' Up! I love my Dymo Label Maker, and used it for most of my dream quotes.

Here is a ribbon wall, all kept nicely in place by using a stapler. MY ADVICE - If in doubt - use a stapler or hot glue gun!

This quote spoke to me. Dreams don't just happen or come true, it takes effort! I used the die cut frame from Silhouette to enclose this wonderful quote. See my daughter in the back, she loved the house! She had lots of questions for me, the best one being "can I have it?".

This might be my favourite side, probably because of that orange flower pops. You can really see the stamping on this side. To cover the house, I used a nice 6x6 stamp (Vintage Text by CHF) to add a little something to look at. I also used Shimmerz to give it a blue. The yellow you see here and there is actually decorative packing tape.

And here is the final side, the birds. I used 5 birds in total to symbolize my family. Having my family is like a dream come true, so here it is, on my house.

I do hope you'll consider playing along. You have until April 10, 2010 to submit a HOUSE project in the Bad Girls gallery so that we can ogle your creative genius and for consideration to be a Guest Designer with us.

See the Project 52 post for more details and for pictures of the other designer's COOL projects.

TIME - to Reflect...

We are having an on-line crop this weekend at Scrapbook Star and for my challenge (which will be posted later) is a reflective challenge. I just picked up these envelopes from Hero Arts and thought one of them would suit my layout, and tucked inside is an honest reflective note of where I am now, and where I was a decade ago, and a little about what I've learned along the way.

By the way - the stamps on this layout are new from Technique Tuesday (Ali Edwards) and I just love them. I think you'll be seeing a lot of them on my layouts and projects.

Below I am showing a sneak peek of my first project with PROJECT 52, the Bad Girls challenge blog. I kept on coming back to this piece, with fresh eyes every time, and I can tell you that what I originally envisioned, is not what resulted. HOWEVER, I am satisfied with the end piece. Hope you'll stop by Project 52 when all the team's projects are revealed on Monday.

Enjoy your Friday!

Getting Stampy! AGAIN.

When I used to design for Cornish Heritage Farms, I found many ways to stamp on my projects. It's been a while now that I have stopped using stamps on my layouts, BUT I have decided to dust off the ink pads and get back into it!

Here is a recent layout stamped with the 6x6 Vintage Text (CHF) and that lovely flower to dress up the background paper (kraft Bazzill Cardstock).


A recent Michael's find is that BEAUTY chipboard by Colorbok. I treated it with a craft adhesive spray, Doodlebug Inc glitter and then with Liquid Pearls by Ranger.

The dress form (Silhouette die cut) has been treated with Glossy Accents and pink Microbeads from Martha Stewart. And again, there is that lovely Maya Road Ric Rac ribbon I am obsessed with using. The flower and leaves are of course PRIMA> who does it better?

I hope this is the first of many more stampy projects. Thanks for stopping by! I will be flashing some sneaks of my upcoming FIRST project for PROJECT 52. The new challenge will be up Monday and you won't want to miss it!

Bad Girls Bleuprint and Scrap Your Crap

So Happy Together is a layout that captured 2 goals! One, was to play along with this week's Bleuprint at Bad Girls, and the other, to play along with the challenge at Scrap Your Crap.

I loved challenge #51 at Scrap Your Crap, because it actually allowed me to do just that! The challenge was to use 20 + letters in your title, and then an additional 10 embellishments. I pulled out old decorative tape from Heidi Swapp, old embellishments, such as the beach sticker, the blue gems, and the Maya Road chipboard (which is heat embossed with red - smells like Cinnamon). How about that! A Scratch n' Sniff layout! Now there's an idea. :)

Now, I couldn't have come up with this layout without being totally INSPIRED BY Anna's Bad Girls Bleuprint - see more on the Bad Girls Kits forum. See below the images that Anna provided to get the juices flowing. She also made that sketch to go along with the images. I was inspired by the colours, white background and white space, I pulled the black, red, and green from the Tommy picture, and the fabric idea from the photo (I made sure to use fabric-like ribbons). Of course, I used the sketch as inspiration as well.

Now it's your turn. I've left you with 2 challenges that should get your mojo going. GO - SCRAP - CREATE! Oh and have fun!

"So Happy Together" Supplies:
Patterned Paper: BoBunny Press, Graphic 45, Teresa Collins
Cardstock: Bazzill, Core'dinations
Flower: Prima
Ribbon: Michael's
Stamp: 7 Gypsies
Sticker Letters: KaiserCraft and Rose Moka
Die Cut: Silhouette (Bracket)
Decorative Tape: Heidi Swapp
Chipboard: Maya Road
Embossing Powder: Cornish Heritage Farms
Other: Envelope, Gems

Simplicity

I don't tend to do simple, but this card called for it! I just could not bring myself to add anything else, so here it is....

My most simple project ever. I love it. Maybe you will start seeing some more simple from me. It sure is quicker! :)

Supplies:

Flower: Prima
Stamp: CHF
Paper: We R Memory Keepers
Cardstock: Bazzill
Gem: KaiserCraft
Ink: Stewart Superior

Bad Girls - Project 52 Challenge Blog

Project 52 is a challenge blog and is part of the greater community of Bad Girls Kits. I have been given the opportunity to design for them starting TODAY! The challenges are focused on ART using all kinds of mediums, not just paper, stamps and ink (which I am very comfortable playing with). So this will be a challenge for me as well as to all who play along! I hope you check it out and play along with me, because I am almost certain we will all learn something.

They have put together a talented group of "out of the box" thinkers and what you see there will inspire you to try something new (which I am ALL about). Check out previous posts too, there is so much to peruse and fall in love with.
Bye for now!

My Favourite Layout - EVAH!

Up the Street Scrapbooking is a new kit club, and has it's very first contest going on, so I thought I would participate. Here are the details if you want to check it out for yourself or visit www.upthestreetscrapbooking.com.

I must say, I think this is my favourite layout of all time! I LOVE the cluster and the colours, and the picture, my new Silhouette flourishes, that Maya Road ric rac ribbon, and of course, all those Prima products I love so much. Those pins are also Maya Road and I'm glad I have a hew more in my stash. I got them .15 cents each at Scrapbook Star! If you're looking for an on-line store, you should check out Scrapbook Star - amazing prices and great customer service.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Black Line Chipboard Buttons - by Jenni Bowlin
Parlor Petals Violet - by Prima
Mulberry Rose Leaves - by Prima V
intage Black Pearl Trinket Pin - by Maya Road
SWAK Brads - by Bo Bunny Press
Shimmerz Spritz Eucalyptus and Purple Passion
Eli - Paper by Rose Moka (purple houndstooth)
Chipboard Letters: Basic Grey
Foam Letters: EK Success
Kraft Die Cut: Maya Road
Velvet Ribbon: Maya Road
Pearl Brad: Making Memories
Lace: Prima
Liquid Pearls: Ranger
Tools: Tim Holtz Paper Distresser, Silhouette SD

Thanks for stopping by!

Summer Jewelry

I have many interests and you may not know this, but I love to play around with jewelry. I like to submit my projects to Bead Trends, and so far, have been pretty lucky to get some of my items pubbed! Here is a necklace that I just adore, using some crystals to dress it up a bit. I looped together the chain, and wired together those circular pieces. The earrings were made in much the same way.

If you have any questions about anything you see on my blog, drop me an email.

Thanks for stopping by!

Playing with my NEW Silhouette

I must admit, before my friend bought her Cricut and showed me what it could do, I ignored all the talk about the Silhouette and all other electronic die cutting machines. At Christmas, she showed me her new purchase and I thought - I NEED ONE OF THOSE! How could I have gone on so long without one! Don't get me wrong, I will still use my Cuttlebug and Spellbinders dies, but where else can you get the frame and border below for 99 cents a piece and use it whenever you want, cut it in big sizes, and change up the colour when you want?

I made the layout below for Silhouette's Winter Games they have going on (a contest to win $50 in downloads) and I WANT to win it! This layout was done under 1 hour (for the Speed Scrapping contest). Of course, you'll see lots of Prima on this page too, one of my fave companies.

I stickled almost everything on page once I was done, even that beautiful red Prima flower.

TIP: Using Core'dinations cardstock with your die cutting machine allows you to sand it and distress it after you've cut your shape.

Moxie Fab's Trigger Tuesday Challenge

I decided to play along this week with Moxie Fab for their Trigger Tuesday challenge. I loved this challenge, because for me, it WAS a challenge. I would not normally pair up these colours, but I love the end result. I used some American Crafts flair stickers and some lovely red gingham from my craft supply. I always have a healthy amount of gingham! This card was super easy and maybe so, because it's stampless (if that's a word!).

Thanks for popping by!

He Is Not Here - Prima's Build a Page for February

I am really getting into challenges again, and lately with all the Prima flowers I got from Scrapbook Star, I have to use them up. So what better way than to participate in Prima's sketch contest that they have monthly.

The picture below is from Israel and is an image of the door to the Garden Tomb.

Below, I used a Tim Holtz FRAGMENT acrylic piece to make this, and treated it with alcohol ink and paint before slapping on a good coat of Glossy Accents. The key hole is Melissa Frances.

Here, I treated the lace (from Prima) with matching coloured stickles (Ranger Industries).

Below, I used those little plastic gems to make my own flourish. Aren't those Prima flowers BEAUTIFUL! I especially love that big dark aqua blue one. The fence is a die cut from my new Silhouette machine! I am having so much fun playing with it.

Happy Monday!

2 Sketches 4 You

My friend Jen came over and we stamped and coloured some images, and this one happened to find it's way onto a card for this week's sketch over at 2 Sketches 4 You. The stamp is from Stamping Bella and the sentiment stamp from CHF (Cornish Heritage Farms).




TIP: If your white embossing powder gets on more than just your sentiment, take a black marker to it (if it's on black cardstock), and this will make those little white powder marks disappear!

Supplies:
Stamps: Stamping Bella and CHF
Ink: Memento Ink, VersaMark
Glitter: Stickles by Ranger (on heart)
Markers: Copic

Paper: We R Memory Keepers

Cardstock: Bazzill

Gem: KaiserCraft

Embossing Powder: CHF

Die Cut: Spellbinders Nestabilities

Brads: Doodlebug Inc

Change is Good

It seems like forever since this photo was taken, but it was only five years ago. Since then, we have added 2 more kiddos to the mix. For three years though, we were a quiet family of 3. I used that awesome Wood Grain from Hambley Studios, and I made that journal block myself! Lots of Prima on this page (mainly the ribbon and flowers). Ciao!

Kisses...Stamping Bella

I love it when stampy friends come over and bring their stamps for me to play with! This is a Stamping Bella stamp and the card was made with my new Silhouette! I am really getting into using the Silhouette and trying to include die cuts into my layouts and projects. I took out my trusty (and sad to say dusty) Copic markers for this one. They really are great markers.

Happy Wednesday!

Some Masculine Cards

A family member just received wonderful news about his surgery and recovery, so I sat down to make some masculine cards to go with the gift we bought him. I used Cornish Heritage Farms' scrapblock with all those wonderful newspaper ads for the background. Their 6x6 stamps are the bomb! Since I had out all the supplies, I decided to make 2 cards in one sitting, just slightly different. My husband liked the 2nd one better, so that is the card we gave away.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Sweet Valentine's Tags

These are simple tags to make for your Valentine's gifts! Picture these wrapped around chocolates, or roses, or homemade breads or cookies. The top tags are made by using a heart stamp (CHF) and applying glossy accents (plain, pink glitter, red flocking). The bottom tags were made using Flower Soft for some nice dimension.

Happy Valentine's Weekend!!