A Chip of the Old Block!

Hi... thank you for stopping by! I have a confession for you today... Outside of my complete obsession for all things paper crafting, I am a computer nerd too! Hehe! Here is a layout that I did that showcases this little fact about me. 

It started with this sketch from PageMaps... 

I was instantly inspired and knew what I wanted to do... I found the sketch on my lunch break, so I printed it out and wrote and sketched all over it until I could get home and create away... 

...and this is my idea come to life...

I started with the background. I found this image on Google Image Search and sent it to Costco to print out as a 12 x 12 background. (This is one of my favorite little tricks to really customize a layout... whether it be a picture like this or one of my own). 

Awhile back I spilled coffee on my laptop keyboard.. very sad. So I had to order a new one because it was all sticky... Once I installed the new one, I kept the old one to use the keys on a layout. When these pictures were taken, I just knew this was the layout I was waiting for... 

They worked out just perfect! I also had an old old laptop that died a few years ago, and I took it apart and stole the RAM out of it to include on my layout: 

...and then my jounaling documenting this memory with my Dad. Behind it are a couple of tags and one of them has a picture on it!

This layout was so much fun to create. Using the unique embellishments and being able to capture this memory with my Daddy! 

What is the most unique thing that you have used on a layout? Until next time, Happy Creating! 

another BLOG HOP!

Welcome to the Frog Dog Studio and Genuinely Jane Studios Blog Hop! 

This week the design teams are showcasing projects from the Frog Dog Studio January Mixed Media Kit, featuring an Exclusive Genuinely Jane Studio Telephone Booth Wood Album. Both teams are excited to share their kit projects and show you how they were inspired by Genuinely Jane products. 

Be sure to follow the blog hop list below as you hop from one blog to the next. Lost? Return to the Frog Dog Studio blog or the Genuinely Jane Studio blog to see who to hop to next! 

We love Frog Dog Studio kits and Genuinely Jane Studios product so much, we want to share them with you! Visit each blog and leave a comment for a chance to win one of the following:

1. ONE winner will be selected to receive a $25 Frog Dog Studio Gift Certificate to use in the Frog Dog Studio store.


2. ONE winner will be selected to receive a $25 Gift Certificate from Genuinely Jane Studios to use for GJS books in the Genuinely Jane Studios Store.


You must visit each blog and leave a comments on all blogs in order to qualify.

Comments are due by midnight EST, Friday, January 24th to qualify for the drawing. Winners will be announced shortly after the end of the comment period, so be sure to check back to see if you've won.

If you have been hopping along, then you just came from Scrappin' Madge. If you just came to visit and want to start at the beginning, then click HERE! 

So can you imagine my surprise and joy when I got my box full of goodies from Frog Dog and Genuinely Jane Studios.... 

OH BOY!!! I know, right! 

I started with the cover of the telephone booth album: 

Step 1: Cover the album with Gesso. 

Step 2: I rubbed Glossy Accents are part of the album and used Fresco Flakes to add some texture. 

Let me tell you... this Liquitex INK is absolutely AMAZING!!! I am in love with this stuff and I just used it for the first time this week.... I need all the colors now! 

The Mixed Media ink is pretty neat too... After I inked up my phone booth I used a paint brush and the ink pad to draw the details on to the phone booth. 

The pleated border I took and inked up like crazy! Using a sponge I inked up the strip. Then I stamped on to it using the Mixed Media Ink... (going to have to get some more of this ink too!). After all this was dried, I used a paint brush to paint swirls on to the border. 

The kit comes with some really great tissue paper... I introduced it to some Perfect Pearls Mist: 

Remember that phone book I was working on? Here is a close up: 

...and then the layout comes together: 

Using some of the other goodies in the kit, I added some embellishments here and there. One thing that is neat to do is stamping on various embellishments. I stamped my Genuinely Jane Studios stamp onto the little "H" card. 

I do have to mention that the whole time I was doing this layout I had the song Telephone in my head by Lady Gaga...! 

There are all kinds of details throughout this layout.... but it is now time to hop on over to see Ildiko! 

Hope you have enjoyed the hop so far. Make sure you leave comments so you can be entered in to the drawing for prizes!!! We LOVE prizes! 

Until next time, Happy Creating! 

S'more Techniques Please...

Happy FRIDAY! here is a little inspiration for you today.... 

I used lots of Distress Paint on this layout by dry brushing the background, inking the edges, and stenciling.

I also had lots of fun with twine, twisting and looping all the way up the layout!

....a little more twine.

Here is a close up of how I ripped and folded my paper back to create a little "pocket" for my picture.

My title is a mix of Thickers, hand writing, and sketching with my Silhouette. I drew the marshmallow for my "o". 

Wishing you a weekend full of inspiration and creativity!

XOXO

White Picket Fence...

Today I am over at the Genuinely Jane Studios Blog sharing my little picket fence album. There are lots of techniques and ideas for you in this little book. Jump on over there and check out all the mixed media goodness! 

Have a great Monday! Happy Creating! 

XOXO

One of Life's Greatest Blessings....

Happy Friday! Wow, I feel like this week has been so long. To be honest, I am tired and cranky. I haven't gotten enough sleep the last two nights. The Sandman has left me hanging... that jerk! ...but the weekend is upon us and I plan on spending most of it in my studio.... my happy place! 

This past week I have spent more time in my studio than I have in awhile, and I forgot how nurturing it is for me. This past week I have created for me. The layouts that I did were for me and what I wanted to do. This sounds so silly, but in the blogging world of scrapbooking, with all the challenges and design team calls, it is easy to lose sight of why you started scrapbooking... and for me, why I started my blog. I started scrapbooking in middle school and was introduced to it by Ms. Tami - She was my 7th Grade Sunday School Teacher, Mentor, and head of the photo ministry team for the youth group. I fell hard and haven't looked back since. I LOVE IT. I am very much a creative soul, but also sentimental, so scrapbooking and I make a perfect pair...

Now fast forward 13 years, or so... and it's 2009... and I am about to start my journey into the blogging world. I decided to start a blog because I love the art of scrapbooking and wanted to share that passion and inspire fellow scrapbookers. Then I got caught up in the challenges, blog hops, design team calls, etc... and it became about creating things that "they" would want & like, changing my style so that it fit "theirs". I started to let not "making it" out there define my talent... and it took some of the joy away. My New Year's Resolution is to get back to the basics. Scrapbook and create for me.... and to share with you the tips, tricks, techniques, etc... that I use, discover, and learn along the way. I want to inspire you and I want to be inspired. 

The love of scrapbooking connects us all. Whether we are close friends, acquaintances, or have never met except through cyber space... we have a bond. There is nothing more exciting then to share with someone who gets it... gets that feeling when you see paper that speaks to you, the excitement of all the new CHA sneak peaks, or the simple joy of just playing with paper, glue, and glitter. So happy New Year Friends. Let's make this one full inspiration, joy, and coloring outside the lines. 

Today I have a layout to share that started off quite a while ago... like months! I did this really cool background and that is where it ended....  it started a little something like this: 

Lots of spray ink... Heidi Swap Color Shine, Ranger Adirondack Color Wash, and if I remember correctly a little Perfect Pearls Mist! I used the Inkessentials Manila Cardstock as my base. I knew I was going to be putting a lot of mixed media on there so I wanted something a lot sturdier than basic cardstock. 

Using a new stencil I had just gotten, (clearance at Michael's... Score!), I mixed modeling paste with paint and smeared it on my layout... when I picked the stencil up is was magic! I then used Inkessentials Enamel Accents in White, and outlined the hearts that were created from my stencil and modeling paste. 

...and then it just sat... 

This past weekend I stumbled across this sketch and heard the angels sing as the inspiration hit! 

...and then it just all came together...

The picture is one from my phone that I edited with Instagram. I am so loving scrapbooking with different size photos and different size layouts... it's like a whole new world! 

This layout started off as a 10 x 10 layout, I then needed a little more room for my banner, so I adhered it to a piece of 12 x 12 acetate. 

Close Up: 

The title is made up of rub-ons, the banner, which was stamped on, and sticker letters. I hand wrote the date. 

The two hearts were stamped and cut out and the banners behind the picture were created with just some scrap paper that I had. The center banner I stamped on using Adirondack Ink in Stream. (this was the same paint color I mixed with my modeling paste). 

All the bling was put on using my I-Rock and the swirls were stickers that I have had forever... Finally got into my stash that sits over there on my Clip-it-Up! 

This layout will have accompanying pages that will have journaling on them... telling about the event and about these awesome ladies. 

Friends... one of life's greatest blessings. I am very blessed to have the friends I do... Another one of my New Year's Resolutions is to make nurturing my friendships a priority... Not letting life get in the way of making time to grab that cup of coffee and catch up... to let them all know how much they mean to me. I LOVE my friends. 

Happy Friday, Happy Weekend, & Happy Creating! 

P.S. I am not as cranky now after spending this time with you... thanks! 

yes... we call ourselves babes!

Happy Tuesday! Today I have a layout that I did using lots and lots of pop dots! ...and ink, course texture medium, and my I-Rock! 

The Details: 

I used a Course Texture Medium mixed with yellow paint and a stencil to create the brick pattern. I went in with a brush and Gelatos to add the pinkish detailing.

 The paper that I used is from an older Basic Grey line. I bought three sheets from the clearance paper a while back. As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted to fussy cut and layer it up... You can see the layering here:

I used several things for my title and journaling. My title was cut using my Cricut and then some sticker letters. The date was done with a old fashion label maker! I got this when my dad upgraded to an electronic label maker at work... its a gem! I then journaled directly on the layout. 

Here is some more layering: 

I used some embellishments from Basic Grey and throughout the layout I used my I-Rock with some metal nail head bling! If you don't know about the I-Rock or have never used it, this is by far one of my favorite tools. I absolutely LOVE it.  

This little quote card is so perfect for my picture... Because these ladies make me smile. They are some of my dearest friends. 

NOW, for one of my favorite things on the layout...

I created this embellishment using the Tim Holtz Alterations Die, Sewing Room and some of his mirrored paper. I stamped on to the mirrored paper and then used Alcohol Ink in a pen to color the base and the top. I then added two buttons for a little flare.

Did you get to do any creating the first day of 2014? I played a bit in my studio. Lots more to come this year. It will be great! 

XOXO-

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 

I hope everyone enjoyed all the Holiday festivities these last couple weeks and brought in the New Year with a bang. 

One thing I keep seeing on Facebook and just love it is:

So my wish to you is that you have a year full of family, friends, sparkle, & coloring outside the lines. 

Write a book you will never forget, I plan to! 

Happy New Year! 

XOXO,