Technique Tuesday stamps and dies

I recently had the pleasure of working with some of Technique Tuesday's stamps and dies from their new Memory Keepers Studio and Fresh Cut Studio monthly programs.  They sent me the Picture Perfect stamp set and the coordinating Folding Banner die set.  These awesome stamps and dies are perfect for traditional scrapbooking, pocket scrapbooking, AND cardmaking!  Here's a layout I created with the goodies:

I used the stamps the dies to create the frames, tags, folded banner, and label.  To make the colorful background, I painted watercolor paper with a mix of Gelatos, watercolor pencils, watercolor crayons, and watercolor paint, then I punched circles from the colorful swatches.  For a little sparkle, I added glitter to some of the circles.  

I couldn't let the leftover watercolor and glitter circles go to waste, so I used them on a card.  I used the picture frame and "hello" stamps from the Picture Perfect stamp set, and the banner die from the Folded Banner die set.

Thank you, Technique Tuesday, for letting me play with your adorable stamps and dies!

Scrapbook & Cards Today

Happy summer, everyone!  I've been thoroughly enjoying these lazy days of summer . . . sleeping in, spending more time with my kiddos, hanging out at the pool, and just relaxing. 

Here's a layout I created that was published in the current Summer 2014 issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today.  Scrapbook & Cards Today is a gorgeous publication AND one of the last remaining paper scrapbook magazines, so it's an honor to be included.   

If this layout with the escaping butterflies looks familiar, it's because it's a slight variation of a layout I created  in February 2014 called  "Remember This", which has been widely circulated around the internet and frequently copied (usually with credit given to me, but sometimes without credit given . . . *sigh*).

I still have a whole bunch of Queen & Co. projects I created earlier in the year but haven't shared yet, so I'll be sharing them . . . eventually. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner!

I know everyone is anxious to find out the two winners of the Creative Spaces Vol. 3 special issue AND the Kaisercraft House of Drawers (one assembled and one not assembled).  So without further ado, the winners of the random drawing are . . .

Terri Burson

and

Laurie  

Congrats ladies!  I will try and contact you through your links to get your full mailing information, but if I'm not able to reach you, please contact me (email on the right hand bar).  Thanks for playing, everyone!

 

Creative Spaces Vol. 3 Blog Hop, plus TWO GIVEAWAYS!

The latest edition of Creative Spaces is out! 

Where you create can definitely inspire what you create, and this best-selling special issue is back again with even more room inspiration, storage and décor projects, and behind-the-scenes peeks at dozens of crafting spaces. We'll also show you how to get these inspiring looks with easy and inexpensive do-it-yourself approaches that are both beautiful and practical. No matter how your space is sized, Creative Spaces will help you make the most of what you have.

You can purchase a copy of the issue here: http://www.papercraftsmag.com/articles/Creative-Spaces--Vol--3.  Get ready to drool over all the gorgeous craft spaces! 

This fabulous issue includes many great ideas for craft room storage and decor.  I had the pleasure of decorating a Kaisercraft House of Drawers that appears in this issue. The set of drawers came unassembled, so I first assembled the pieces to get this:

Then I altered it with Melissa Frances papers and other goodies and this was my final result:

 

GIVEAWAY:  The generous gals at Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking are allowing me to give away prizes to TWO of my blog readers.  One winner will get the assembled version of the Kaisercraft House of Drawers (the plain, undecorated version shown two photos above, not my altered version immediately above), and the other winner will receive the unassembled version that needs to be constructed.  BOTH winners will also receive a copy of the issue!  To be entered to win, please leave a comment here on this post before Sunday, June 28th.  Sorry, the prizes can only be shipped to US addresses.

If you're following along the Blog Hop, here is the list of participants:

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking magazine 
Cathe at Just Something I Made

Kristi and Kelli at Lolly Jane

Beckie at Infarrantly Creative

Haeley at Design Improvised

Tracie at Cleverly Inspired

Carola at Boxwood Cottage

Lina at Fancy Frugal Life

Lia at Lia Griffith

Jen at Tatertots & Jello

Jennifer McGuire

Jill Yegerlehner/Jillibean Soup

Amanda Coleman

Jen Gallacher

Becky Olsen

Stephenie Hamen

Jodi Sanford

Elle Price/Elle’s Studio

Mary-Ann Maldonado

Michelle Hill

Sherry Mendoza

We R Memory Keepers

Graphic 45

Cosmo Cricket

Fancy Pants Designs

Simple Stories

Michelle at Chalkboard Blue

Stacy Cohen--You are here!

DCWV Inc.

Hazel & Ruby

  
Don't forget to leave a comment here for a chance to win either the assembled or unassembled Kaisercraft House of Drawers, plus a copy of the new Creative Spaces Vol. 3 issue (US residents only). 

Celebrate

I'm breathing a big, happy sigh of relief today.  The past 8 months have been extremely busy and stressful for me -- mainly because of rigorous work demands.  Then when that finally calmed down, my oldest daughter had a health scare that required a medical procedure.  Thankfully she is fine now!  I feel like I can finally take a little breather for a while.  I'm hoping to spend the next few months recharging my battery a bit.

Here is a rainbow card I made using the new Queen & Co. washi tapes and gems. 

It was a little hard to photograph because of the white on white letters (cut with My Favorite Things dies), but you get the picture.

The first of many rainbow layouts and cards

I've always loved rainbow-colored layouts and cards, and recently I got on a huge rainbow kick when I was asked to design projects for Queen and Co.'s booth at CKC and the Scrapbook Expo.  Here is one of many rainbow scrapbook pages I created. 

I used Queen and Co's new washi tapes, buttons and gems to compliment a big black and white photo.

The Four of Us

A quick little share for the day . . .

I used Queen and Co.'s new bling and flowers.  I'm in love with these new felt flowers! 

Corset Card

Happy Monday, everyone!  Need a cute card or invitation for a bridal or bachelorette shower/party?    Here's a cheeky card I made using Queen & Co's new Glitter Studs, Rock Candy and twine. 

My daughters saw this card after I finished it and they both immediately said "Ewwwwwwww . . . that's inappropriate!!"  Yes, my little girls, keep thinking that until you're adults and married. ;)

To make the corset, I used a template I found through Pinterest (gotta love Pinterest!).  Pinterest took me to this downloadable template posted on Filckr:  CORSET TEMPLATE  If you scroll through the Flickr photos, you can find the various parts and sizes along with the instructions.  The Flickr page says this template was created by "Valerie", and a Google search led me to conclude that her full name is Valerie Brincheck.  Hopefully this is the proper credit for this adorable corset template. 

This corset would be cute for a Valentine's Day or Anniversary card too, don't ya think?

"Magic" cards

Queen & Co.'s Magic collection isn't just for Disney scrapbook layouts.  I used the products to make a couple of cards.  Both of the cards are somewhat generic, but I was thinking of Minnie Mouse's skirt when I made the paper ruffles on the first card below.

That's all for today!

Disney layouts with Queen and Co.

I've been busy creating scrapbook layouts and cards for Queen & Co's booth at the Scrapbook Expo and CKC events this year.  Here are some projects I made with Queen's & Co's adorable new Magic line. 

Do you have some Disney or Disneyland photos that you need to scrapbook?  Be sure and check out Queen & Co's Magic papers and embellishments!

Butterflies

I have one more My Creative Scrapbook kit layout to share.  For a while now I've had an idea in my head for using a small butterfly punch on a scrapbook layout.  When I saw the ombre Crate Paper "Love Note" paper in the kit, I knew it would be perfect for what I had in mind. Here's the result:

 

It's always a pleasure guest designing for My Creative Scrapbook because the monthly scrapbook kits are always so darn beautiful.  The icing on the cake is that most of the kits include a pack (sometimes two!) of Prima flowers - - a "must have" in my book! You can purchase the kits here:  My Creative Scrapbook 

Watercolor pencil tutorial

I have another My Creative Scrapbook Main Kit project to share. I've been noticing lots of watercolor paper craft projects on Pinterest lately, and it's inspired me to play around with watercolors myself. 

I prepared a quick little tutorial on a basic watercolor technique.  There are several watercolor mediums you can use: watercolor paints, water soluble pigment sticks, watercolor crayons or pencils, and watercolor papers (like the Peerless ones). Watercolor mediums that require water work best with watercolor paper, but you can use regular patterned paper and cardstock as well (just be prepared for a little warping).

I’m going to show you how I used watercolor pencils to create the watercolor background on my  layout. Watercolor pencils look like normal colored pencils, but when water is added to them, they give the beautiful appearance of watercolors. I bought my watercolor pencils individually at my local art store. That way I was able to choose colors that “sang” to me, rather than be limited to the colors that come in watercolor pencil sets.

1. I gathered my paper, watercolor pencils, and a water brush. If you don’t have a water brush, a paintbrush will do.

2. I drew circles with the watercolor pencils.

3. Using the watercolor brush, I added water to the colored circles.

4. Once I finished my first go-around on the circles and let them dry a bit, I went back and added a little more intense color around the edges of the circles. I added a little more water to blend the color. This was the finished result.

5. With all the water added, the paper warped quite a bit. To diminish the warping, I adhered my watercolored paper to a piece of heavy cardstock, then I placed it under something flat and heavy overnight.  And voila . . . vibrant color!

Love This Girl

Here's another layout I made with the My Creative Scrapbook February Main Kit featuring Crate Paper's Love Note papers.

 

I created a patchwork heart using bits and pieces of patterned paper, then I adhered the lace trim around the edge.  To add to the homespun feel of the page, I backed the patchwork heart with cardstock and then crocheted around the edge.  Here's a close-up.

Have a "love"-ely week!

Guest Designing at My Creative Scrapbook

I'm guest designing again this month for My Creative Scrapbook.  I always enjoy being a Guest DT for My Creative Scrapbook because Pam's kits are always stunning!!  I got to play with February's beautiful Main Kit, which is filled with Crate Paper and Prima goodies.  Here's one the layouts I created with the kit:

I created an ombre heart background by punching hearts from the Crate Paper Love Notes paper in the kit.

It was inpsired by an ombre heart cake I saw on Pinterest:

Check back again to see the rest of the layouts I made with the gorgeous My Creative Scrapbook kit!

A quick share for the day

Here's another layout I created for Queen & Co.'s booth at CHA using the new Darling Divas collection.

I added did a little machine stitching and crocheted the border.

I made the flowers using My Favorite Things dies and patterned paper from the Darling Divas collection.  The leaves were also made with MFT dies.

CHA projects for Queen & Co.

I had the pleasure again of designing some projects for Queen & Co.'s booth at CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) a few weeks ago.  Have you seen the new 2014 Queen & Co's products?  They have some fabulous new paper lines and adorable new embellishments!  I got to play with the new girl line called Darling Diva.  The colors and the patterns are awesome!  Here are a couple of the projects I created.

Here's a close up of my stitched circles filled with some the new Queen & Co. embellishments:

  A card:

I'll be back with another layout soon!

13 from 2013

Happy New Year everyone!  2013 was a year of change for me with regard to my scrapbooking and crafty priorities.  Early in the year I lost my creative mojo quite a bit, and I realized that I needed to cut back and focus more on other things in my life.  After a three month hiatus from scrapbooking (during which I was quite busy with work-work -- my "day job"), I'm ready to get back to crafting again . . . but on a smaller scale and with fewer commitments and deadlines.  I might even try (gasp*) Project Life this year.  I'll see how it goes. No pressure on myself!  Whatever crafty endeavors I take on in 2014, my priorities are going to be family, friends and health (I'm going to join a gym and start working out for the first time in 12 years!).

I realize I didn't blog very often last year.  In fact, I probably have a couple dozen projects that I never got around to posting.  Here is a sampling of some of my projects from last year -- 13 from 2013:

 

  

 I hope your New Year is starting off with a bang!