Sweet Summertime

Hello, friends! My blog has been a little neglected because of house projects, vacation, etc., but now I'm back and ready to create! I enrolled in Gossamer Blue's Pretty Paper class because I fell in love with the kit being offered. The paper and stamps are AMAZING! As I was editing some vacation photos, I realized some of them were a perfect match for the kit, so I got busy creating. :)

I knew I wanted this layout to be clean and photo-focused, so I opted for a classic grid pattern. To make the patterned paper stretch, I cut strips instead of mounting the photos on it. To make the title pop, I used Zing embossing powder - I love how it gives subtle dimension and color contrast. I love this clean, fresh and beach-y layout, sometimes less is more and this is the perfect example. If you're interested in the process, I have a YouTube video of this layout here.

Now that camps and vacation are over, it's time to kick back and enjoy the dog days of summer! Thank you for stopping by my blog. xo

Matching Photos with Patterned Paper

Call me old school, but I still love to match photos with patterned paper. This layout is a perfect representation of that. I had a lovely vacation photo of our children at a marina. The soft peachy-pink hue of the sun setting in the sky was absolutely gorgeous that night. When I received Hip Kit Club's January kit, it had lots of the peachy-pink color which made this layout come together so easily.

I wanted to use the green and white paper, but it was a little too green for the photo, plus I wanted a touch of blue to compliment the clothing. I went over some of the v-shaped design with a blue Faber-Castell brush pen and placed vellum over the top to soften it. Vellum is my scrappy friend; it's amazing how it can transform the look of a paper.

We survived January without much winter weather (thankfully!); here's hoping February is the beginning of an early spring!

Creating Backgrounds with Stamps

This week's challenge at Hip Kit Club is a recipe challenge. It must include aqua, navy, pink, gold, use triangles,add stitching,and have something sparkly! To be honest, triangles are not my go-to design element, but the whole point of challenges is to be pushed out of the rut of sameness. I happen to have a fabulous triangle stamp in my stash (Cocoa Daisy), and pulled out my mini Distress inks and created a fun patterned paper.

I cut triangles from patterned paper and stitched a little banner to layer behind the Crate Paper chipboard banner. Several layers of Ranger Liquid Platinum embossing powder were used on the Dear Lizzy die cut word. To tone down the gold in the banner, I dabbed Brilliance (Platinum Planet) on it. I love the way it softens it; so pretty!

This layout is a personal pep-talk to myself. I needed this today, perhaps I should hang it in my scrap space as a daily reminder. :) Thanks for stopping by, have a lovely weekend!

A Challenge and a Scraplift

Just a quick post today showing two of my latest layouts. This first was created for a challenge by Emily at Cocoa Daisy. She threw in some quirky things like folding your paper twice to create a grid as a background. We also had to use both sides of three patterned papers (easier said, than done!), and a few more fun things were thrown into the challenge.

The second layout was created from a scraplift. I lifted the lovely and talented Terry (Cocoa Daisy), I especially love the way she uses distressed edges on her layouts.

I love taking challenges/scraplifting - it forces you out of your comfort zone, creatively, which is always a good thing! The holiday season is fast approaching, so I'm planning to clean up my space and get ready for the wild (wonderful) ride. :)

Scraplifting Elements of Design

Scraplifting is such a fun and easy way to get your mojo running. Scraplifting (to me) doesn't mean an exact replica of a layout. I prefer to use it as a jumping point for creativity. Yesterday I scraplifted Just G (Gillian) at Studio Calico. I searched her gallery and found a few layouts that spoke to me. I noticed a few repeating elements in these layouts: photo shapes, repeating elements, 8 1/2 x 11 layouts, and gray backgrounds. Here is my scraplift of Gillian's style.

Since I mainly scrap 12x12, I used a gray background and layered an 8 1/2x11 piece on top to be the main focal point. In her gallery, I noticed lots of photo shapes and I knew I had to give this a try. (One great benefit of scraplifting is trying new things, right?!) To create the heart-shaped photo, I used PicMonkey's new shapes editing tool (it's in the frames section of editing), I LOVE how this turned out. **The first time I tried it, too much sky was showing, and I wanted the focus to be on the gorgeous, turquoise water, so I just cropped my photo first, and then added it to the frame.** I then saved the heart-shaped photo on my computer and printed one large photo. To get the little photos, I just used the contact sheet option on my printer and trimmed around the hearts. I think I just discovered a new favorite technique! One final tip: I printed my main photo on luster photo paper and the small hearts on matte. I wanted the small hearts to feel like embellishments.

If you're in a creative rut, go find someone to scraplift! You may just surprise yourself like I did with this layout! Thanks for the inspiration, Gillian! To see Gillian's gallery, click here.

Simple Stories = Simply Gorgeous!

Yes, I did just say that my album is gorgeous but what can I say... sweet photos of my children and fabulous papers from Simple Stories Mix & Match Collection as a base for my book and I'm in LOVE!

I used Kim Watson's great idea for using up little flags... use them to make banners- pure genius! I simply folded the flags over the twine and tied knots between each one. How cute is that?!

I love these stamps from Cocoa Daisy and knew I wanted to use them for these photos. First, I stamped with VersaMark, used Zing Embossing Powder (Color: Powder) and then heat set. Seriously, I can't stop looking at it - so pretty!

One of the best things about this Simple Stories collection, is that the pages are already gorgeous with any embellishment. With just a few touches, you can have Simply Gorgeous pages! ************************** Supplies: Simple Stories: Mix & Match Album, Studio Calico: Stamps, wood veneer birds, star stickers, Memoir Linen Paper, Cocoa Daisy: Stamps, Authentique: Diction word stickers, October Afternoon: Little Flyer, stickers Prima: Pearls Cavallini & Co.: Washi Tape Flora & Fauna Bella Blvd: washi tape Pink Paislee: Mistables, Basic Grey Picadilly letter stickers Thickers: Regards, Zing Embossing Powder (color:Powder)

Cardstock Challenge

This is my kind of challenge. It showcases the Core'dinations and works perfectly with my clean, simple style of scrapping!

I wanted to play off the beach idea, so I took some Core' and embossed the heart, initials, and date to mimic drawing in the sand. I also tore strips of Core to represent the water. I added some Ranger Holographic Embossing Powder to the torn edge of the Core' to show the light from the sun dancing on the water. The following are a few pics of my process and I have a few tips/trick to show you. If you want to make 3X3 photos from 4X6, just take a 3X3 clear stamping block to use as a frame to decide where to make your cuts.

Tip #2. To write letters/numbers backwards for embossing, just lay a set of stamps upside down and it's so easy to draw them!

A close up of the holographic embossing powder and the embossed and sanded initials.

Thanks for the challenge, Debbie! If you're inspired to join in on the crop, check it out here.

It's like riding a bike...

Scrapping, that is -- although I've thoroughly enjoyed my art immersion, I was starting to miss my favorite pastime. I woke up yesterday and decided I would take the time to scrap. It felt so good to get back to the photos, paper & glue.

Here are a couple of layouts...

Last summer, my brother took the kids fishing while on vacation. (Thank you, Uncle Barry!) When I saw this paper from the March Cocoa Daisy kit, I knew it was the perfect match for the photos. I simply cut out around the fish and added some Dew Drops for the fish eyes. Such a simple page, but I really love the end result!

The second layout simply captures my son finding the first sand dollar of the week -- always a big deal in our family! I cut the ribbon in half to border the photos.

In case you're wondering if I scrap every.single.photo, the answer is, "NO!" I use these nifty divided page protectors and simply slide the photos into the slots. It's a great way to see the photos you love but don't necessarily want to scrap.

Well, it feels great to be back, doing what I love! This week is our Spring Break, so I'm grabbing my camera and I'm ready to capture some fun, family moments. Thanks for stopping by!

Challenge Addict

I have become so dependant on challenges from fortheluvofArt.com; that I wasn't sure I could still scrap without one. I will always be a fan and participate in the challenges but today I decided to scrap solo!! It took a few minutes to get the mojo flowing but it eventually came back to me.

I've been so excited to use this line (My Mind's Eye Fine & Dandy.) I ♥ all the patterns & colors. Here is what I came up with...

Thanks for looking!

What do you do to get your scrappy mojo running? :)

More HHI mini album

The top shot is a layout I did for a challenge @ For the Luv of Art. The rest are a few more detailed shots of the mini! TFL!

Hilton Head Mini album

I purchased a mini album months ago with the intention of using it for beach photos. I'm not typically into mini's but I must say that I really enjoyed this project and I'm happy with the result. Thanks for looking!