Ole!

Hi everyone!  I have a festive layout to share today.   It features pictures of my girls during a little shopping trip while we were in Mexico a few years ago.  Oh how they LOVE to shop!  Yes, I know I'm going to be in big trouble when they get older.

I created a little fringed edge on the background cardstock and painted it with Shimmerz Glimmer Blingz.  Love that stuff!

This page was featured in the February 2010 issue of Scrapbooks, Etc.:

And I'm tickled pink to say that I also have my work published in the current issues of these fabulous magazines -- Creating Keepsakes (March/April), Scrapbooks & Cards Today (Spring), Somerset Memories (Spring),  the GORGEOUS Swedish magazine, Scrapbooking m.m. (March/April), and Scrapbook Trends (April):

Thanks for letting me share!

One of a Kind

My share for the day . . . a layout using Shimmerz Vibez and paint:

It's fun to see the different effects you can get by using Shimmerz products on different types of paper. For the background on this layout, I started with a sheet of kraft cardstock and cut out a decorative shape, then I sprayed it with Hermit the Frog Vibez.  I love how the Kraft cardstock absorbs the Vibez color.  It almost makes the cardstock look like soft suede or velvet, don't ya think?  I used Tickle-Me-Turquoise Shimmerz on the chipboard alphas.  For the patchwork I used scraps of fabric.  And of course no layout would be complete without some Prima goodies.

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!

A Million Memories March Kit mini album

I've been playing with my AMM March kit this past week.  Here's a little mini album I made with the Maya Road chipboard album that comes with the kit.  It's so TINY!  I love how it fits in the palm of your hand.

This mini album features pictures of our family photos from 2005 to 2009.

The last three photos (from 2007 to 2009) were taken by a fantastic photographer here in Los Angeles, Melissa Walker-Scott.

I made this for my husband for our anniversary next week, so I had to keep it hidden from him while I was working on it.   And Robert, if you decided to pop on my blog this week, then you've discovered my little anniversary surprise for you. Darn it! Well, I hope you like it!  Mwah!!  Happy "saversy" (that's a word my hubby and I made up).

I'll be posting my AMM kit layouts here tomorrow!

Lily Bee!!!!!

I'm so excited . . . I made the new Lily Bee Design Team!! I just ADORE Lily Bee's gorgeous collections so I'm over the moon!.  Thank you so much, Kristen!   And look at this amazing team: Lily Bee Design Team. I'm honored to be working with such an incredibly talented group of girls!

Here's one of my Lily Bee layouts that was just published in the February issue of Creating Keepsakes:

I fell in love with Lily's Bee's newest collections at CHA.  Such a gorgeous mix of colors and patterns.  I can't wait to get started!!

Velvet pinwheel tutorial

I haven't blogged much lately because I've been busy working on some things that I can't post yet, so I thought I'd share a simple little tutorial I put together for A Million Memories last May.

Materials needed:

-velvet ribbon or fabric

-needle and thread

-embellishments for the center of the pinwheel (optional)

Start with a piece of velvet ribbon.  For this example, I used velvet ribbon that was about 3/4 of an inch wide and I cut a piece that was about 6 inches long.  The length you’ll need will depend on the width of the velvet and how tight you want your spiral to be. 

1.    Take the threaded needle and stitch along one edge of the velvet:

 

2.  After you’ve stitched along the entire edge of the ribbon (see the photo above), pull your thread to gather the velvet:

3.  Keep pulling the thread until the entire edge of the velvet is gathered as tight as it will go.    The gathered velvet will form a little pinwheel (see below).  Just stitch up the loose ends and tie a knot in the thread: 

You can also use velvet fabric, but you’ll probably want to cut it along the edge of the fabric so that you have a crisp edge (just stitch along the edge you’ve cut). 

Once you’ve finished the pinwheel, you can add anything you want to the center – rhinestones, pearls, buttons, a dab of Stickles, flowers, etc.  And there you go!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

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!!

Prima Valentine's Day candy box

Some sweets for my sweets . . .

I embellished a Valentine's Day heart box with all Prima products:

  

 

Don't the chocolates look real?  They're not . . . I made them out of Fimo clay.  Before I added the beads and gems, I had the Fimo "chocolates" sitting on my scrap table, and my husband and my daughters asked me if they could have a one.  They didn't believe me at first when I told them they were fake chocolate candies because they look so much like the real thing, even up close (and even I was tempted!).

I used Magenta Shimmerz paint on the paper ruffle, and I sprayed the large Prima flower with Ruby Spritz.  I also added a little Shimmerz paint to the flower petal tips.  

Have a wonderful, love-filled Valentine's Day!!

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!!

Can you feel the VIBEZ????

I'm so excited about Shimmerz' newest product release!! Introducing VIBEZ....16 vibrant colors with intense shimmer and shine!! Watch the video announcement here: Vibez Video Announcment

In honor of this new release, Shimmerz is giving away a FULL collection set of Vibez Miniz to one lucky blog reader who makes a purchase from the Shimmerz Shop today! Check out the full details on the Shimmerz blog, and find out about some other chances to win.

Here's a layout I made with the new Vibez.  I used  papers from Graphic 45's fabulous new On the Boardwalk line:

I used Jeni B Bleu Vibez and Sea Foam Spritz on the white cardstock to create my splashed background.

Thanks for stopping by!

Creative Scrappers Featured Designer

I'm the Featured Designer this week at Creative Scrappers!  Head on over there and check out this week's great sketch.  Here's the layout I created based on the sketch:

I dyed the purple lace and flower with Shimmerz Spritz. Almost everything on this page is Prima.  Thanks so much for having me as your guest at Creative Scrappers, Kristine!!

On another happy note, I'm heading off to CHA today!!  I can't wait to hang out with my A Million Memories girlies -- some of whom I've never met in person.  And of course I'm excited to see all the new scrapbooking products.

Have a great week!

Playing with the new Shimmerz Pearlz

I was very excited to play with the new Shimmerz Pearlz!  These paints are SO pretty . . . they're more opaque than the regular Shimmerz paints and they have a beautiful sheen. Here's a little ocean-themed card I made:

I painted the edge of each little ocean wave with 'Pearl' Pearlz.  The chipboard flourish was painted with Tickle-Me-Turquoise Shimmerz, then I added a little Pearl Pearlz on top of it and blended it in with my finger for a  more subtle Pearlz effect. 

I made the little mermaid out of shrink plastic . . . you know . . . the Shrinky Dinks we played with when we were kids?  I first colored the plastic with colored pencils and then I added a touch of Shimmerz (green and blue) before baking the plastic.  When you bake the plastic, the Shimmerz crystallizes and flakes off a bit, but it leaves a lovely texture and color behind.  After it was baked, I simply added a little Stickles on top of it to seal in the texture.

Hope your day goes swimmingly!!!!

Paperlife Spotlight!!

I was thrilled and honored when Amy Coon contacted me a while back and said that she wanted to spotlight me on her fabulous scrapbooking site, The Paperlife.  Of course I said an enthusiastic YES!  I'm humbled to be one of the weekly featured scrapbookers/crafters right alongside some very talented ladies in the industry.  Thank you, Amy!

Amy did a little phone interview with me and we had lots of fun chatting about all kinds of scrapbooking stuff.  You can hear my interview (yes, it was recorded . . . yikes!) on The Paperlife. 

But wait, there's more!  As part of the spotlight, Michelle (the very sweet owner of A Million Memories) is giving away a monthly kit to one lucky commentator. Head on over to The Paperlife and leave a comment for a chance to win the fabulous A Million Memories January kit!

Exciting Shimmerz News!

Shimmerz has some FUN news and a new product release!! Check out the video below:

Yes, Shimmerz had teamed up with Teresa Collins for a fabulous new product release called Pearlz!

How would you like to win a set of the new Pearlz? Shimmerz is going to be giving away one complete set of Shimmerz Pearlz every hour for the next 12 hours! (10am - 10pm MST).  Head on over to the Shimmerz blog for all the details!!

A Million Memories January kit layouts

I know I say this every time, but I had sooooooooooooo much fun playing with this month's A Million Memories kit! Since the kit was filled with lots of Webster's Pages papers and Prima goodies, I was a happy camper. Here are my creations:



I took this picture of my daughter in the flower garden at the Getty Museum. I wanted to create a floral "shadow box" with multiple layers of patterned paper and cardstock.


I used lots of Shimmerz on this next one.  For the background, I sprayed white cardstock with blue and green Shimmerz Spritz.  I painted the leaves and branches with Shimmerz paint. 

The "grass" was made out of gauze that I sprayed with Spritz.

And my favorite part is the pair of love birds that I made out of shrink plastic:


This Basic Grey Origins paper is so gorgeous . . . I just couldn't bare to cut it up.

And last but not least, here's a layout featuring pictures from a hot air balloon ride my husband and I took many years ago while on an African safari adventure.   Again, I used Shimmerz Spritz on white cardstock to create the blue sky and green grass background.


I made the clouds by adhering gauze to hand-cut clouds.

The funny thing is that I've always been afraid of heights, but for some reason the hot air balloon ride didn't bother me at all -- even knowing that if we went crashing to the ground, we would most likely be eaten alive by wild animals.  Luckily that didn't happen.

If you want to get your hands on one of these beautiful AMM kits, you can buy it here.  Thanks, Michelle, for another GORGEOUS kit!!!