Coming Full Circle

Many years ago, I signed up for Shimelle's class, "Blogging for Scrapbookers 2", and it gave me the tools I needed to develop my blog... I even created my first YouTube video for that class. It definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone but it was so worth it in the end. I also participated in her "Journal Your Christmas" class starting in 2010, and I've completed a December album every year since then. Her "Pretty Paper" class taught me to use product while I love it and quit hoarding it for the perfect layout. As you can see, Shimelle has been a great influence in my scrapbooking journey and I thank her for that.

Fast forward many years and I am a Guest Designer on Shimelle's blog!!! I was lucky enough to get to pick my date and subject so I chose stars and July 4th (of course!) Click here to see the post and layout.

It's an honor (and a bit surreal) to be able to design for someone that has had so much impact on my creative journey. Thank you, Shimelle, for your inspiration and this opportunity. I've definitely come full circle and it's a great feeling! ♥

Inspired by Nature - Challenged by Paper

For the past month, I've taken many photographs of nature's beauty (mostly flowers), because the blooms and colors have been so breathtaking.

Last week, Melissa from Clique Kits, challenged us (Clique Kits Facebook group) to use the bold and beautiful Fancy Pants Attwell floral patterned paper. Although I love the paper, it's tough to use as a background because of the scale of the flowers and the explosion of color.

In my opinion, the best way to showcase patterns like this is to fussy-cut the flowers. That way, you get the effect of the big blooms without it taking away from your photos. I cut a few flowers out and played around with the composition until I was happy with it. Bold titles cut from these types of papers is another great way to let the paper shine- I'm thrilled with the impact it gives. I used a strip of photos so that your eye would still be drawn to the photos.

This is now my new favorite layout! ;) My advice is to take photos!!! Eventually inspiration or a challenge will come along and you'll be ready for it! Thanks for stopping by my blog! ♥

Bloom Where You Are Planted

When I saw Hip Kit Club's May kit, I was smitten and had to have it. Computer photos don't do it justice; it's absolutely gorgeous and I was instantly inspired to create with it. This year has been a year of learning to be still, learning how to handle things that are out of my control, and most importantly, learning how to thrive under those circumstances. It wasn't easy (at first), but once I "let go" my attitude shifted and I started focusing on things that bring me joy. This layout represents this little chapter in my life.

May's cut files (designed by Ashley H.) were the perfect starting point for my layout. I cut the bloom cut file from the She Blooms paper and also from Bazzill ombre' cardstock. For the background, I created a cut file with the phrase "Where you are planted", and used it as a stencil with Ranger Texture Paste. I love the light and airy look of it. I layered the bloom cut file with some of the die cuts from HKC's exclusives and some She Blooms chipboard. I really love the end result of this layout and I love the reminder, to myself, to focus on good things and something wonderful can happen.

Thanks for stopping by today - I hope you've been inspired to bloom where you are planted! ♥

Cut It Up Saturday with Paper Issues

I'm so excited to be sharing one of my first projects as a Paper Issues Creative Team member. I started with Danielle's gorgeous snowflake background cut file as my inspiration. Sadly we didn't have a white Christmas, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from using the cut file.

For this layout, I used Pinkfresh Studio's Christmas Wishes collection and some enamel dots from my stash. If you love this cut file as much as I do, please stop by the Paper Issues store to download... Did I mention that it's FREE?! To see more lovely inspiration with the cut files, be sure to stop by the Paper Issues blog here. If you decide to do some shopping at Paper Issues, be sure to use the discount code, Sherry20 to receive 20% off your order! Happy shopping and Happy New Year!

My New Favorite Layout

This layout was inspired by the fall Starbuck's cup and a cut file from Hip Kit Club (designed by Kim Watson). Instead of creating a cut file, I used a Faber-Castell Artist Pen in my Silhouette Cameo to sketch the layout. I then used Distress inks to paint the wreath; using colors inspired by the collage of fall photos. I love the light and airy look this created. The Starbuck's cozy is the perfect embellishment to finish off the layout.

Inspiration is all around us, we just need to take the time to notice it! For more information about this layout, be sure to check out my YouTube video here. As always, thank you for stopping by my blog!

Making Layouts from Lemons

Last week I was house-bound with bronchitis (the lemons) and Paper Issues was hosting an on-line crop at the same time. What's a girl to do that's hopped up on steroids but not well enough to get out? You guessed it... I scrapbooked for days and 11 challenges later, I can honestly say I made the best use of my time. :)

This layout was created for Danielle's Free Cut File challenge.

The cut files, photo, and the Pebbles frames (DIY Jen Hadfield) were the inspiration for the layout. To add dimension to the frames I cut into the photos and had part of the photo overlap the frame. It's a simple technique that adds fabulous detail. I loved all the challenges and will be uploading a layout share in the next couple of days on my YouTube channel.

Everyday Inspiration

Last week we were outside enjoying the most beautiful weather and my daughter started gathering colorful leaves. She created word art with the leaves and the end result was stunning! I was instantly inspired by it and knew I wanted to create a layout - not only to document the moment, but to replicate the look. Here is a photo of her leaf art:

I cut some leaves using my Silhouette Cameo and used watercolors to paint them (totally inspired by a Wed w/Wilna YouTube video).

I fussy-cut the title from a photo of the leaf art. A simple scattering of leaves, a few embellishments from Pink Paislee's Cedar Lane collection, and the layout was complete. I love this layout for many reasons, but capturing the spontaneous moment with my daughter and finding the beauty in it is something I'll always treasure. If you'd like to see more of the process, please check out my YouTube videos here. As always, thank you for stopping by my blog! It's another beautiful autumn day here, I plan to enjoy it! ♥

Listening to Your Scrappy Voice

Hello, friends! I know it's been a long time since I've posted on my blog. We have been consumed this summer with house projects and I haven't had much time to scrap. Last week (in the middle of total chaos during this project), I woke up with the urge to scrap. For a few minutes I squelched my scrappy voice and told myself to focus on the job at hand. I finally caved and entered my craft room and I knew I was a goner.

I started with the "Leaf It To Me" cut file from The Cut Shoppe and the weekly challenge from the Hip Kit Facebook group. Fall is my favorite time of year so the beautiful leaves instantly spoke to me. I had taken several Instagram photos of some of my favorite fall things and thought it would be fun to document them. Once the over-sized leaf was cut using my Silhouette Cameo, I grabbed some Webster's Pages (Family Traditions) from my stash and backed the cut file with an assortment of the papers. The Dear Lizzy wood-grain paper, from my Hip Kit, is the perfect backdrop for the leaf; the colors just pop off it. Part of the challenge was to use embellishments around a large cut-file, so I used various stickers, enamel dots, and wood veneer to surround the leaf. The title, "FALL" is also from the cut shop (The Tall Type Alpha).

This is definitely my new favorite layout; it may even crack the top ten ever! I'm so happy I stopped in the middle of a busy time and listened to my scrappy voice. Sometimes you just NEED to create! Autumn begins this week; take time to enjoy this beautiful, colorful season! ♥

Challenging Myself

This week at Cocoa Daisy, we've been discussing stamps that we would love to own. I love laurel wreaths and found a chalkboard image on Pinterest with several styles and shared it on the forum. Would you believe a couple of days later, Wilna posted a YouTube video creating a layout with a chalkboard laurel wreath?! After watching the video, I decided that I would make my own laurel wreath cut file. I could have used Wilna's file, but I thought it would be fun to have my own.

The number one thing I learned with this personal challenge: If you're using a photo of your own drawing, draw really crisp, tight illustrations, otherwise you'll spend HOURS trying to clean up the image and closing gaps to make a clean cut file. You can thank me later for that little gem. :) The July Cocoa Daisy sketch was the perfect design to give my laurel wreath vision a try.

I started with a simple drawing and converted it to a Silhouette cut file. A sketch pen was used to created the background image. I then used gelatos to softly color the background image. I scaled down the cut file to make it a little bit smaller than the background image and cut it out on the Silhouette. I then painted the cut wreath. I used 3-D Foam Squares to raise the cut wreath, to give dimension to the layout. To get my journaling even around the circle, I lightly traced around my photo and added the journaling.

Wow, sometimes I even amaze myself! lol I love learning new things and pushing myself creatively. Getting involved in an on-line scrap community is such a great way to learn, share, and be inspired. Thanks to everyone that inspires me on a daily basis!

I'm Not Defeated, I'm Determined!

This week has been wild and woolly in the scrap community. Two Peas In A Bucket announced they were closing and sent scrappers across the globe into a panic. How would we survive without our beloved Message Board (yes, even the NSBR!), and all the wonderful inspiration we find there? I will admit that it put me in a little bit of a funk because 2P's has been a daily stop for me, for at least 10 years. I have now accepted the fact that they are closing. Peas are gathering in different locations on the Internet, reconnecting, so all is well in my scrappy world. Rather than putting my head in the sand to accept this scrappy apocalypse, I am digging my heels in, and finding my passion for this hobby all over again. Disclaimer: During my panic phase, I may or may not have overspent on scrappy supplies this month. Thank goodness, the panic only lasted a couple of days! :)

This week I've had some forced downtime, so I decided to attempt to use my own handwriting to create a cut file on my Silhouette. I watched this video on You Tube and gave it a shot. If you haven't give it a try, you should. I just love that it's my own handwriting, it's so personal and unique! The challenge at Cocoa Daisy this month from Nicole, was to use strips of paper on a layout. I took strips of paper and made fun stars to start my layout. I took my "love" cut file and painted it with a Jenni Bowlin paint dauber to make it pop off the page. Since the handwritten cut files are pretty delicate, I just machine-stitched it to one of the stars. I added a few stamped stars and a few more extra strips/pieces of paper and my layout was complete.

My tip of the day is, focus on why we love this hobby and the reason we started it in the first place. Scrappy sites will come and go, but my love of documenting life moments will never fade. Thanks, Two Peas, for a fun and fabulous 10+ years. I learned so much, and grew as a scrapper because of the community you created. ♥♥♥

Silhouette Sunday

A couple of weeks ago, I helped a friend learn the basics of cutting on the Silhouette. I will admit, I'm a little lazy when it comes to using it, but after helping her, I realized how much I love this machine and it's a shame not to use it more. The Sunday Sketch from Studio Calico's blog today, was all the inspiration I needed to fire up my machine. I started with the large star and decided to back it with a couple of circle cuts. The title is from Kerri Bradford's July Fourth collection. Since the title is so delicate, I machine-stitched it to the star. It's amazing how quickly a layout can come together with the Silhouette!

I'm going to challenge myself to use my Silhouette more often, starting with the rest of these photos from July, 2012! ;)

Gelatos with a Touch of Gold

Over the past couple of days, I've been participating in the Studio Calico CHA 2014 Crop. We've had lots of fun sharing and creating together. Challenge #2 is a color challenge to use navy, pool, lime, pink, and gold. I will admit, I am not a huge fan of gold on layouts (I prefer silver), but sometimes you have to go with the flow. Challenge #8 is to use a digital die cut element on the layout. I decided to combine the two challenges and much to my surprise, I actually love the small touches of gold on this layout!

I started with the digital element of the hearts from SC's digital shop. I used my Cameo to cut the hearts, I also used the Cameo to sketch hearts on another sheet of cardstock to use as a template for painting. I took the sketched cardstock and painted in the hearts with Gelatos, I also added a sheet of vellum over the painted hearts to soften the colors. The die cut hearts were placed over the top and with a few embellishments the layout was complete

This layout is proof that I need to be a little more open to trends that I don't like. Are you team silver or team gold? :) I am happy to report that I've seen some silver popping up in the CHA sneaks!

Happy New Year!

I'm starting out the new year in a scrappy zone. I've completed seven layouts in the past few days and it feels great! I want to share a fun layout I created using my Silhouette Cameo. It's been collecting dust for the past few months and it's time to change that. I started out with a snowflake background and decided to use a sketch pen instead of the cut feature. I LOVE how this turned out and I think you will, too.

To mat the photos, I used patterned paper and misted with Heidi Swapp Color Shine. I stamped the snowflakes using VersaMark and heat embossed using Zing embossing powder. It adds lovely dimension to the paper.

With just a few cut words, snowflakes, and embellishments, the layout is complete! I love the versatility of the Cameo and need to make better use of it. Even though the layout looks complicated, the Cameo made this so easy!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and may your 2014 be filled with joy, wonderful moments, and creativity! ♥

Monochromatic Challenge

Today's Scrap Your Stash Challenge at Two Peas was to use a monochromatic color scheme. Luckily, I also received Cocoa Daisy's July kits in the mail today so I didn't have to go searching for products. I selected blue as my color, based on my photos, and let my creativity run wild. I started with Elle's Studio Saltwater paper (endless summer) because of the blue text. I mixed Golden Fluid Acrylic paint (Cerulean Blue Chromium) with Golden Gel Medium (Soft Gel Gloss), and a little water to thin it down. I painted directly on the patterned paper to create my background for my photos. A Jenni Bowlin paint dauber was used to add color to the jillibean soup corrugated alphas. I then used Martha Stewart glitter and gel medium to give the letters a little more sparkle.

My Silhouette Cameo was used to cut out first and a Silhouette Sketch Pen was used for our. Glossy Accents was used to glue down the Dew Drops. The stamps from Cocoa Daisy's July kit were stamped onto vellum and heat-embossed with Zing (of course!) and I used foam dots to create dimension. Finally, I used StazOn, Gelatos, and paint to color the Studio Calico cork embellishments.

There you have it. Who knew a monochromatic color challenge would lead into so many fun techniques?! You cannot believe the mess I have created from just one layout! I'm going to grab a little snack and clean up so I don't have to face it in the morning. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Buttons, Brads, and Bling!

I love the Scrap Your Stash videos on Two Peas. Every week we get a different challenge to actually use our treasured stash. This week's challenge by Paige Evans was to use buttons, brads, and bling as a frame or to frame any shape we choose. Sounds easy enough, right? My choice was a shamrock because my son's birthday is St. Patrick's Day. I cut the shamrock and some additional leaves (hearts) from assorted patterned papers using my Cameo. The fun part of this is gathering all the embellishments and attaching them. I will say that it took quite some time to do this, but it's so worth it in the end.

This was such a fun and relaxing layout to do. It was like a trip down memory lane seeing some embellishments I've had in my stash over ten years! If you're like me and need a push to use up some goodies, be sure to check out the Scrap Your Stash videos - I'm sure you'll be hooked just like me!

Fun with Citrus Twist Kits

Today I'm sharing a layout I created for Citrus Twist. I wanted the yellow to pop from the photo so I chose the Pebbles Walnut Grove (Eliza Jane) paper as my background. I selected a Silhouette phrase and only cut the word "sunshine" from a Pebbles journaling card, and backed it with a bright yellow card. I love how versatile journaling cards can be, they're not just for journaling, as you can see. :)

I adore the chevron printed kraft bag and when I put my title on it, I wanted to play off the direction of the chevron. I hand-stitched little arrows over the chevron to draw the eye to the photo. It's my favorite detail of the layout.

The kit came with one rosette and I knew I wanted to add more for balance so I picked a few of the Pebbles journaling cards and made rosettes with my scoring board. I also cut little banner strips from the journaling card and used the same twine to stitch over the banner.

Check out the adorable stitched vellum tag that was included in the kit. It is the perfect finishing touch to the layout. ♥

I have several more projects that I'll share with you over the next few days. If you're looking for a fabulous kit club, be sure to check out Citrus Twist. If you're new to my blog, please leave a comment, or feel free to follow me! Thank you for visiting!

Crop Challenges from CD

Last weekend was the fall crop at Cocoa Daisy, and once again, it was a fun-filled event. Lots of laughs, inspiration, and of course, challenges.

Here are a couple of layouts I completed from the challenges. First up, is a sketch challenge. I put my Cameo to use and love the results.

The next layout was created for a challenge thrown out by Miss Bossy Scrapper. What a hoot - this anonymous design team member would give random orders throughout the whole weekend so that by the end of the crop, we would have at least one layout completed. I used Miss Bossy Scrapper (Little Miss Bossy) as my inspiration for the title, Little Miss Artist.

There are several more challenges I hope to complete this week. It's not too late to join in, the challenges will be up until Nov. 4th.

Thanks for stopping by; Happy Halloween!