So Thankful + a quick altered flower tutorial

Thanksgiving is next week, and it’s the time of year when we’re reminded to be thankful for all the positive things in our lives. In honor of the holiday, I created a project and wrote this blog post for the Creating Keepsakes blog last week.

The things I’m thankful for in my life fall into two major categories: the “Big Things” and the “Little Things”. Some of the Big Things I’m thankful for include my wonderful family, our good health (knock on wood), and the roof over our heads. Some of the Little Things I’m thankful for include my morning latte and newspaper ritual, the sweet purring of my cats, and the rare moments when every piece of clothing in our house is laundered, folded and put away. I find that when I’m mindful of these big and little blessings in my life, the not-so-perfect aspects of my life don’t seem to matter much at all.

Two of the things I am MOST thankful for are my darling daughters. I count my blessings for them every single day.

For this layout I wanted to create a blank canvas to which I could add splashes of happy colors. Here's a little tutorial on how I altered the paper flowers, roses, etc.:

1. I started with a swatch of burlap and some leftover patterned flowers and wood embellishments.

2. I grabbed some gesso and a paintbrush, then I coated the burlap and flowers with the gesso. I gave the wood pieces a subtle white-wash.

3. I coated all the flowers completely, but I let a little bit of the natural color of the wood and burlap to show through.

4. Once the gesso was dry, I sprayed the flowers with spray ink. I sprayed them right over the painted burlap so that it would also soak up the pretty colors. The water-based spray ink beaded up on the gesso and resisted it a bit, but after a couple coats of spray ink, I was able to get a nice color. You just have to let the gesso and spray ink dry in between coats.

5. I added some smaller white roses that I spray-inked to match the rest of the bunch. The spray ink on the plain white roses appears much more vibrant than it does on the gesso/sprayed flowers, but I kind of like the mix of vibrant and more subtle hues. For a little extra sparkle, I coated a few of the flowers and some tiny white roses with glitter.

This is a great way to alter some of those patterned embellishments (flowers, chipboard embellishments, alphabets, etc.) that don’t quite fit your taste or match your other page elements. Just paint over them with gesso (white paint will also work in most cases), then spray, paint or ink them whatever color you want!

I have a challenge for you for the rest of this month. At the end of each day, think of THREE things you are thankful for that day. It can be Big Things or Little Things. Either way, the process of ending the day with gratitude is sure to brighten your outlook and lift your spirits!

Upcoming Classes at Treasured Memories Scrapbook Store

Hey all you Southern California scrapbookers!  I want to let you know about a couple upcoming scrapbook classes I'll be teaching at Treasured Memories scrapbook store in Oak Park, CA on Saturday November 17th.  I'll be teaching two, 2-page layout classes that day.  The first class features Prima's beautiful new Romance Novel collection, and it includes an array of flowers, chipboard, crystals, pearls, lace, ribbon, washi tape, cardstock doilies and more!  Here's a little sneak peek:

The second layout features products from Making Memorie's gorgeous Modern Millinery line, and it includes a mix of feminine embellishments, bling, gorgeous trim and doilies. All of the paper doilies in this kit will be individually die-cut by me using acid free cardstock.  Here are a couple snippets from the layout:

If you can't attend the classes, both can be purchased as kits. Photos and detailed instructions included! 

There are more details about the classes (i.e., times, cost, etc.) on the Treasured Memories Blog and the Class Calendar.  You can sign up for one or both of the classes by calling Treasured Memories.

I hope to see you there!!!

Prima: Ruby Violet

Have you seen Prima's new(ish) Ruby Violet collection?  This whimsical collection is very different from Prima's usual style, but I love this one too!  The papers and embellishments are fun and colorful.  Here's a Ruby Violet layout I made featuring my girls in the pool:

Here's a close-up of the patchwork:

The Ruby Violet collection includes an array of funky trinkets that are great for making jewelry and altered projects.  Here are a few pieces of jewelry I made:

 

Fun stuff, that Ruby Violet!

Nothing Better

Today is a big day for my daughter.  She's getting braces!   She's only 8 1/2 years old and I know it seems pretty young for braces, but that's the way they occasionally do it now: Phase 1 at a young age and then Phase 2 as a young teenager (but for less time).   Luckily she's very excited about it.  She even created a little countdown calendar four weeks ago when we first scheduled the appointment.  She's been excitedly marking off each day with an "X".   As a special treat I packed Skittles and Dots gumdrops in her lunchbox today since she will no longer be able to eat these things when she has braces.  

Here's a layout I made for Prima's CHA booth using the fun and whimsical Doodle Deux line.  It's a little more "clean and simple" than my typical scrapbook pages.  It features pictures of me kissing and cuddling with my little girly.  Seriously -- there's nothing better in the world than mommy-daughter cuddles!

Lately I've really been into using circles on my layouts.  For this page I cut out various sizes of circles and then stitched around them.  Then I used lots of 3D adhesive to pop up the top layer of cardstock and give the page some dimension.

Thanks for stopping by!

CHA trends and a giveaway on Creating Keepsakes' blog

In my last post I wrote about some of the product trends I noticed at CHA (Craft and Hobby Assocation tradeshow).  You can see examples of five hot new trends on Creating Keepsakes' blog:  CHA Trends.  Best of all, CK is doing a GIVEAWAY of an assortment of prizes from each of their five "trends" categories.  Leave a comment on Creating Keepsakes' Creating Keepsakes' "CHA Trends and Giveaway" post (not on my blog) before this Thursday, February 9th for a chance to win. 

Some of the hot trends are flags, tickets and wood.  These adorable new embellishments by Prima combine all three of these trends:

Also, be sure and check out Creating Keepsake's "Cute Booth Tour" videos where you can get a little peak at some of the creatively-decorated booths at CHA.  I had the pleasure of doing a quick little video tour of Prima's CHA booth.

Have a great week!

Happy Friday!

I just mailed off a big box filled with Prima projects that I made for CHA next weekend. I had SO much fun working with all the new Prima CHA goodies! I think I can start posting my projects soon.

In the meantime, here's a layout I did that was published in the March/April issue of Scrapbooking m.m., a fabulous Swedish scrapbooking magazine:

I did this for an article on using mini frames on your pages. I printed out dictionary definitions for words that describe what I think is going through my daughter's mind in these photos -- believe, dream, imagine and wonder. I used the mini chipboard frames to frame the definitions.

I colored strips of burlap with Shimmerz Spritz, then I tucked the strips behind the patterned paper.  I made the leaves out of polymer clay.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday!  I hope all you mothers had a nice Mother's Day!  I had a great day myself.  We had a lovely brunch with my mom, stepfather, dad and stepmom (yep, we're all one big happy family!).  And I got lots of wonderful snuggles and kisses and homemade goodies from my darling little girls.  For Mother's Day my hubby wanted to buy me the new camera lens I've had my eye on for a while now, but I wasn't sure if the cost is really justified.  Well, it doesn't matter at this point, because the freezer portion of our old refrigerator is on its last leg, so we have to go buy a new fridge today.  Fun, huh?  Since we have to make this big purchase, I decided to hold off on the lens for the while.  That means that my photos won't look any sharper, but at least I won't have to eat mushy ice cream anymore.  And as a girl who NEEDS her bowl of Dreyer's Grand Light ice cream every single night, mushy ice cream just wasn't workin' for me.  

I have a little share for the day.  I've really been into crocheting on my layouts again lately.  Here's one I made with all Prima goodies:

The wording says:  "My Wish for you is that you have as much joy in your life as you have brought to mine."    Here's a little close-up.  I curled back the paper and stuck some tulle and other netted fabric behind there.  I lined the curled-back paper with lots of Prima flowers:

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a great week!

Prima Masquerade Ball Masks

I was asked to make a couple creative projects for Prima a while back, and here is one of the things I came up with.  I made these Prima-adorned masks:

If I ever get invited to a fancy masquerade ball, I'll be set!

Happy Birthday to my not-so-little girl and some AMM kit layouts to share

Today is my oldest daughter's 8th birthday.  Seriously?  I'm saying this in the same intonation as my now 8-going-on-15-year-old daughter would say it (with a little bit of teen-like attitude thrown in):  SERIOUSLY??  Where in the world does the time go??   This morning as we were standing side-by-side in front of the bathroom mirror getting ready together (I swear she grew another inch last night while she slept!), I remembered our morning routine when she was a little baby . . . I used to set up a soft blanket and baby toys on the bathroom rug next to me, and she would happily play alongside me while I got ready.  Time flies!  Before I know it she'll be off to college.  *sigh*   In any event, it's shaping up to be a nice birthday for her.  We made her breakfast in bed, and then I'm bringing donuts to school for her class birthday celebration.   We'll have a nice birthday dinner tonight, and then I need to start preparing myself for her slumber party this coming weekend.  Happy Birthday, my sweet girl!

Turning to scrappy stuff, here are the layouts I made with the A Million Memories March kit:

I added some Prima flowers and colored them with Shimmerz paint and Spritz.

This next layout features pictures of my younger daughter on the day before her 6th birthday last year:

The journaling on this "Stay 5" layout says:  I took these photos of you on the day before your sixth birthday. I must have taken at least 50 photos that day. I think it was my feeble attempt to try and freeze time. It’s not that I don’t enjoy watching you grow into a lovely little lady, it’s just that I wish you would slow down a bit. As I was snapping all those photos I kept thinking, “Can’t you please stay five for just one more day?” 

This last one was based on the monthly sketch created by the very talented Rachel Hall:

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!

Prima Altered Doll

I was asked to create one of my altered doll forms for Prima (and you know how much I LOVE Prima).   Of course I jumped at the chance!!  Here's what I came up with:

I covered the bodice with crystals and pearls from the E. line and added layers of Prima goodies to the skirt.  I colored the Prima lace using Shimmerz Spritz.

I'm so honored that Prima displayed this doll in their booth at CHA and also used it for their retailer flier distributed to buyers at CHA:

 Thank you, Prima!!

New Graphic 45

Happy Monday!  Today I'm sharing a layout I made using papers from Graphic 45's new Le' Romantique line.   I love these papers -- soft, vintagey colors mixed with black, and of course there are lots of great graphics to cut out.  This is a picture of my mom on her wedding day:

Of course I had to add some Prima flowers and leaves.  I used Shimmerz paint on the large white Prima flower to give it some shimmer and shine.

Have a wonderful week!!

Prima!!

I absolutely love Prima products, so I was so thrilled when I found out that Prima was going to sponsor the A Million Memories Design Team!  That means that I got to play with some of the lovely new papers, flowers and other embellishments that they sent us.  I've had a ball creating layouts and a couple other scrappy projects with my Prima goodies.  I still need to finish taking pictures of everything, but here is one of my Prima creations:

I used Pixie Dust Shimmerz Blingz on the white Prima flower.


I'll be posting more of my Prima layouts and projects in the next few days!

A Million Memories kit layouts

Happy Friday!! I'm sharing the layouts I created with the beautiful A Million Memories November kit. I love the mix of Prima, Basic Grey and Pink Paislee papers in this kit.







Here is a layout I created featuring a picture of my grandparents from the year 1918. I really need to do more of these heritage pages. I think they'll be a special treasure for my kids and for their kids.





And last but not least, here's a page featuring pictures of me and my oldest daughter. I used Sea Foam Shimmerz Spritz and a butterfly mask on white cardstock.



I created a little instructional tutorial on A Million Memories with some tips on different ways to use the mini chipboard frames that came with the kit. You can find the tutorial here.

One another note, I'm going to be participating in a fun blog hop on Monday and Tuesday, so be sure and check back!