MIRACLES OCCUR - A BABY SCRAPBOOKING LAYOUT (Webster's Pages)

Patterned papers are from the "Sweet Life" line by Webster's Pages.  I fussy cut the berries and brambles border scene and popped it up onto the reverse patterned side (two sheets the same).  Cardstock is Co'Ordinations - which I inked, tore and patched together around the picture and used to mount the title.  For the title I used an alpha sticker sheet in the same line.  I faux stitched in a berry red around both the picture and title with a Stampin Up marker.  I used Distress Crackle paint in Picket Fence, which I then inked with the same VersaMagic "bark" as I used on all of the edges.  Three corners got a bit of vintage seam binding and buttons.  This is way inkier/dirtier than I usually do but it's good to change things up a bit - well once in awhile!

MS CONTRARY - A TODDLER SCRAPBOOKING LAYOUT (American Crafts)

Allison sent me these pictures and I laughed until I cried imagining her trying to get a good picture of her three!  I will try this layout again but extend the "film strip" over both the top and bottom edges.

Patterned papers and rub on corners are American Craft, cardstock is Co'Ordinations, varigated rick rack purchased from Scrappers' Anonymous,  mirrored butterflies are Heidi Swapp, flowers are punched with Kaiser gem centers.

VINTAGE SCRAP - MADE IN WESTERN GERMANY

Just comparing this to a couple of other pieces I have, I suspect this piece is from the 1970s.  Perfect I think for spring projects, birthday or baby cards.  Don't forget to click and then save the larger image for better resolution.

CRAFTY SECRETS' FOLDING HOUSE and MY 100TH POST!!

"WELCOME TO LUCY'S WORLD"

I picked this kit up at our Victoria Scrapbooking Festival.  Another Crafty Secrets delight!  Put this together with Sassafrass papers, Crafty Secrets Altered Scraps, wrapped candies from Martha Stewart and all manner of bits - how fun! 

How about an inside view?

WAS SHIRLEY TEMPLE PART OF YOUR CHILDHOOD MEMORIES?

Do you remember spending afternoons watching old Shirley Temple movies on TV?   What about the old Hollywood musicals?   A friend of my mom's had an original Shirley doll dressed in a blue velvet outfit from her own childhood - I was so thrilled to see it.  My mom bought me my own - that was about 15 years ago!  I was 12 or so when I bought an original Shirley Temple cobalt blue glass breakfast set, which I still have, with my babysitting money.  Mom had an antique shop - so yes my collecting started early!

Folks always said my mom looked like Alice Faye, who starred in a number of Shirley movies, I thought this sheet music cover was a great illustration of the era.   Hope these bring back a few memories of your own.

A VINTAGE FATHERS' DAY IMAGE

This is a cutie!  All of the red is flocking, I think you get a sense of that from the image.  This shouldn't be too hard to duplicate as is.

This would also make a great front cover for a mini-album with the greeting changed up to suit the theme.  Nice to have an image suitable for the guys.

GRAPHIC 45 "FASHIONISTA" MINI ALBUM (1)

I've split this post into two hopefully making it not too cumbersome to download.  You will have to click on the pictures to get the fine detail.  This 6x6" mini was inspired by Christie Bryants' mini published in the Winter edition of "Scrapbooking & Beyond".  I think this is perfect for "Notes & Quotes", a collection of cropped pictures espectially from an earlier era, I tend to save small bits of pictures that are good when I wouldn't use the entire picture or memorabilia.

I have used the Fashionista line from Graphic 45 but you could use any line from Graphic 45, each one comes with sheets of die cuts which are featured here on each page.  If you are at a loss on how to use your die cuts this will inspire you! 

On the left is the cover and back page.  The red & white baker's twine is from Martha Stewart, the crocheted flower I topped with a vintage button.  I faux stitched (always!) in either white or black on the edges of each page. 

The 1st and 2nd pages are center.  Instead of using ribbon between the patterned papers I used strips of cardstock, scalloped and inked.  I inked a paper flower to coordinate.  I like the wrapped twine and ribbon and will use those techniques again.

On the right are the 3rd and 4th pages.  Again really simple use of the die cuts, bits of ribbon, gems and vintage buttons tied with the red & white bakers' twine.   It is the use of photo corners on each of the squares that make the interesting star shape. 

GRAPHIC 45 "FASHIONISTA" MINI ALBUM (2)

Pages 5 and 6 on the left.  I inked, faux stitched and layered papers to create the flowers on 5, used a scrap of lined paper for a journaling spot and again used paper instead of ribbon across the center - this saves quite a bit of bulk in the overall album.  On the next page I used Tim Holtz metals for the flower, a metal hanger on the center die cut and metal corners on the right one.

Pages 7 and 8 in the center.  As you can see each set of pages play off the basic structures already used.  The fussy cut woman on the left hand and the die cut ribbon wrapped onto the journaling spot on the left are the "beauty spots" on this set.

Pages 9 and 10 on the right.  A simple Sissix die cut swirl, some paper flowers with gem centers.  The blackboard look of this just crys out for white journaling.

I will finish this by simply punching the pages in the left corner and use a binder ring to keep them together.  I think one large bow in a sheer red ribbon.  I will definitely repeat this in another line of Graphic 45 papers but likely in a bigger size - more to enjoy!   So another unfinished project completed - yeah!

VINTAGE COWGIRL/WESTERN IMAGES

This weekend is our local "Luxton Rodeo" - cowgirls come to mind.  I did a bit of searching awhile ago - there is a National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.  An interesting site.

Here are a few western themed images I found.  Wouldn't these be great in a rodeo layout?

Remember to click on the image and then save the larger image for the best  resolution.

SPRING BANNER (Jenni Bowlin paper)

Maybe this post should be titled "lessons learned" or "patience".  I started this project last spring, it wasn't coming together for me so I put it away.  Actually I just stopped and tried not to think about it.  I hate unfinished projects - way too much guilt.  But this one just kept popping back into my sight line.

This morning I figured out it was the letters that didn't work.  They were blue and edged with the sweetest chocolate dots - I really hadn't want to let go of them.  It would probably have been easier to recut the letters with a darker cardstock but no I used both a Sharpie and a Stampin Up marker to recolor.  Then my trusty Krylon gold leaf pen (I never get tired of saying that!) to "shabby it up" by highlighting the letters and the edges of the ovals.

Then I got out a couple of Marvy punches (butterfly and dragonfly), two shades of dark brown patterned Basic Grey papers and punched enough of both to add to each oval.  I highlighted each of these with the Krylon pen also.  I added a teeny saphire blue gem (My Mind's Eye) to the head of each dragonfly.

It was the gorgeous coral and blue patterned paper from Jenni Bowlin that inspired this.  I used coral, blue and brown Co'ordinations cardstock, Bedazzles (Macarena), VersaMagic inks to complete the ovals and strung them together with white 1 1/2 inch moire ribbon from Martha Stewart.

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY MEGAN!!

SMILES ARE THE SOUL'S KISSES - A FAMILY SCRAPBOOKING LAYOUT (Quick Quotes)

Allison and Mac at Beacon Hill park here in Victoria - part of a family photo session late last fall. 

The cardstock is dotted swiss by Bazill, the metal tiles are from Pressed Petals, metal photo clips are 7gypsies and the patterned paper is Quick Quotes Paper - Summertime Blues.  Fall picture but the colors went well.

I like the looks of the products from Quick Quotes and purchase when I find it but must admit  it is the location that persuades me most.

This company is located in Chehalis, Washington where I grew up - in fact their address is on the Jackson Highway which is where my family also lived.  Hey I am a boomer - nostaligia always works!

ADORABLE - A BABY SCRAPBOOKING LAYOUT (Daisy D)

We all bemoan how far behind we get in scrapbooking our pictures.  So one picture at a time!  One priceless picture of our lil' Lucy.  She is rolling the ball with one of her cousins and her face says it all, she is just enchanted with this new discovery!

The patterned papers are from daisyd's Sweet Baby Jane line and designed by April Cornell.  (I've got some very worn table linens by her that I just can't part with!)  Bazzil dotted swiss and plain cardstock, Kaiser gems and title, layered tags and alpha on the ribbon are Making Memories.

"ON REFLECTION" - A STAMPING TECHNIQUE

On Saturday I attended a stamping demo at Stampers, a local store here in Victoria.  I am not a stamper but I do want to learn techniques.  But OMG am I impressed!  I pulled out some supplies at home and thought I would give it a try.  This is way better than I thought I could do and it only took about 5 minutes.  Perfect card for the guys in this family..

VINTAGE TEACHER CARD IMAGE

Perfect timing I thought for anyone who might use this for an end of the year project.  This German card isn't dated but comparing it to others I have a good guess would be 1912 or so.  Love the vibrant colors on this one!

ATCs - A VARIETY OF THEMES!

"Bridge Girls" by Marilyn McIldoon - stamped on a vintage bridge score sheet!  "Pixie Chix" by Nance Longphee - too cute!  "Cirque" by Angie Miller. "Butterfly" by Sylvan Burnside. "Singing in the Rain" by Shelley Law.  Thanks again everyone!

ATCs - ASIA THEMES

"Iris" by Nance Longphee and "Ripple" by Marlene LaTendre (Marlene - if you don't give yours a title then it's up to me!)

ATCs - ASIA AND SOUTH AFRICA THEMES

It was our ATC Social this week at Scrappers' Anonymous.  Such a talented bunch and lively!  OMG the laughter was flying this week.  This trio is by Layne Mikoda, even the backs of her cards are works of art.  My photo ability is not up to showing these at their best!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY - A VINTAGE IMAGE

Happy Mother's Day to  Toni, Sandra, Allison, Holly and Megan!

(1910 German Card)

"THE EGG HUNT" - A Scrapbooking Layout"

Well if I don't get completely caught up, I'm progressing!  Madison and Liam along with Tyson and Holly in the backyard hunt!  I really think as kids it was all about the eggs - it's as adults that it becomes about the chocolate bunny.  Maybe not.

Madison's spring coat had to inspire the color choices - how perfect for Easter.  This time I let the papers say it all.  Gingham paper, flowered ric-rac and bunny buttons I have hung on to for several years.

ALL DRESSED UP FOR EASTER DINNER - A Scrapbooking Layout

Madison and Liam posing for a picture before dinner.  I'm sure we all have some of these pics - our own kids or ourselves as kids roped in for a quick shot to make mom, nanny or somebody happy!  Pleased with ourselves but just a little shy too.   Did you have a kids' table for big family dinners?  I think it made it a lot easier - not so many adult eyes watching!  That is until you had (at least in your own mind) outgrown the kids' table and spent the meal having an attitude (which generally you kept to yourself - it was a different time!).

I started out thinking I would use these brightly patterned Easter papers from Creative Imaginations but keep it simple.  No - it just called out for a giant flourish, begged for it even.  Of course I knew right where I had a large package of Fancy Pants chipboard.  Then Distress Paint and ink in Broken China, flower diecuts from My Minds Eye and Remarks letters by American Craft.brads  And then after posting - I had to add brads into the flower centers.

"EASTER EGG-CITEMENT" - A Scrapbooking Layout

How are you doing on your Easter pages? I wondered if I should post after the holiday?  But everytime I have done layouts ahead of time waiting for the pictures - darn if I don't think something else would have worked better!  And yes I do still have other years to do..

By printing all of these wallet size I've managed to capture the highlights all on one two-page layout - except for each of these three in the "Ears" but that will come later.  We weren't there this year but they have kept the same traditions and looking over the pictures makes me feel like I was there.  Isn't that one of the reasons for doing all of this?

The patterned background papers and letters are Making Memories, the flowers and postcard  My Minds Eye and the cardstock Bazzil.  I brushed a light coat of Antique Gloss Finish onto the letters to give them a bit of depth.  On the flower centers I used Lime Stickles.  All of the faux stitching was done with Stampin Up markers.   I used the chipboard skeleton and stamp set from a Crafty Secrets Vintage Postcard kit to create the postcard.  I then journaled it as if it were from the grandkids. 

It's sometimes hard to tell if a layout really works until you can get some distance on it.  After posting I often get an idea or two for changing them up.  Though I do try and scrap by my motto "Not every page has to be a work of art."

ATCs - "A PASTEL SPRING"

Sometime ago Susan presented the Scrapers' ATC group with a challenge.  She handed each of us some heavily textured water color paper and a box of oil pastels.

Truthfully not all of us were into this.  The bottom piece here is what I created that night.  It sort of worked on me. 

Afterall I have a creative side - why can't I create a small piece of impressionist art?  This is my art.  It feels like art to me. 

Well let's see what the ATC group has to say...I will let you know. 

ATC - 'THIS SPRING OF LOVE'

The central image is from the TwistedPapers cd "Victorian Scrap" - yoo hoo why would I use anything else!  Children, butterfies and flowers - all the innocence and delight of spring.

The background paper is from one of the Scrappers' Anonymous ATC goodie bags, the acrylic butterfly and flowers from JBS.  I punched the scallped square from dotted swiss bazzil cardstock and gilded it with my Krylon gold leaf pen.  I brushed on several coats of Glossy Accents (before adhering the acrylics) to give some depth.  Our ATC social is this week!  Another yoo hoo, I can hardly wait!

ATCs - "BIRDS OF A FEATHER"

I've put these "shabby collaged" ATCs together using a mini kit by Emily Adams that I bought on Etsy sometime ago.  Library cards form the background structures which are embellished with bits of scrapbooking paper, covered chipboard birds with silk flower petals for wings, googly eyes and quotes!  The last step was to poke my Krylon gold leafing pen around the sides - keeping with the shabbified look.

Do go and check out Emily Adams at http://www.emilyhadams.blogspot.com/