Friday, September 30, 2016

Give Thanks

Happy Friday!

October Retreat is getting closer and my excitement is ramping up! I can't wait to see my crafty friends, learn new techniques and make some great memories!

I joined a holiday card swap for the October Retreaters. You pick a holiday and make 10 cards to be swapped with other crafters who've picked different holidays. The end result is having one card for 10 different holidays! What a neat idea! Since Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, this was an easy one for me. Since I'm making 10 cards I try to keep the theme and embellishing simple.
 
 
First I stamped the pumpkins in brown ink and heat embossed with copper powder. 
 
 
 Next I used Color Bursts on the bottom edge to color the stamping.
 
 
 I don't have any Thanksgiving stamps or greetings (gasp) so I had to create my own sentiment here using font stamps.
Wrap in twine and call it good. It's a great card for making multiples.
 
I'm looking forward to seeing what the other ladies have come up with!
 
4 more days until I get to see my crafting buddies!
 

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Roman Forum

What a magnificent sight the Roman Forum is! Being able to walk around the Forum and through the ruins is unbelievable. We were awe-inspired by the architecture and feats of strength accomplished without modern technology.
 
Our first trip to the Rome didn't allow us the opportunity to see the Forum up close and personal so we made it a point for this vacation. We used the Rick Steves Audio Guide app to guide our way through the ruins. If you ever go to Europe, see what audio guides he has available. We used them everywhere, they're free and invaluable!

Club Scrap papers. Martha Stewart punch and circle cutter. Sizzix alphabet. Karen Foster paper brads.
 
This layout was created for the  Lasting Memories LM 312 All Around Challenge.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Garden Shed Blog Hop


Welcome to the Club Scrap Garden Shed Blog Hop. Join us on the hop to see what this gifted group of ladies have created using this beautiful collection.  If you've arrived here from the very talented Tina's blog you're in the right spot. If not, make sure you start at the beginning to see what Karen has created for you.
 
I came across a cute gift set on Pinterest while searching for Garden Shed ideas. I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to create a birthday gift for a friend who's moving into a new home.

First thing I did was break out the envelope punch board and created 3 seed packets.


 
Stamp the front of the packets. Fill with seeds and seal.
 

Next, create three small bags. Trim the top of bags with fun edged scissors.
I actually took apart a small bag I had to create my own template.
 
 
Stamp front of bags. Stencil words onto plant stakes.
Wrap with twine and tie.  


I lined the pockets with trimmed dictionary pages of plants or bugs to hold small thyme sprigs.




Fill pot with seeds, bags and sprigs. Wrap with ribbon.


Thank you for joining us today. Please continue on to see what spectacular project Donna has created for you.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Lake Tahoe

My husband and I had the opportunity to get away. Leave the hustle and bustle of city life and breathe in the fresh air. Since we really only had 48 hours to get away, we drove up to Lake Tahoe in the Tahoe National Forest. We found the most adorable lodge to stay in and unwind. The lodge has it's own beach access to the lake where we took a stroll at sunset. I took some amazing photos of our small day trip and hope to share more soon. It was exactly what we needed!
 
Club Scrap paper, stamp. American Craft letters. Woodpile birch discs.
 
I couldn't resist using these birch discs on the layout!
 
 
This layout was created using the Let's Get Sketchy September Sketch in mind.
 
 


Monday, September 26, 2016

Faux Wood

Happy Monday!
 
 
I hope you enjoyed the Artist Team Blog Hop last Friday. Since I love being outdoors I tend to find myself using lots of wood and natural embellishments. Today I wanted to share how I made my faux wood paper.
 
 
Create hot glue lines and "V"s on a cardstock mat. 
 
 
Turn paper over and score every 1/4 inch.
 
 
Turn paper back over with glue side up and begin rubbing distress inks.
 
 
 I used three different browns.
Spritz with water to blend.
 
 
Finished panel
 
 
I like to make several panels at once since I'm making a mess anyways.
You can make the browns as dark or light as you want. You're the boss!
 
Club Scrap papers, tags. Want 2 Scrap pearls. Tim Holtz distress inks. 


Friday, September 23, 2016

Into the Woods

Welcome to the Club Scrap Artist Team Blog Hop.  We're finally reaching one of my favorite times of the year! I love being outdoors when the air is cool and crisp! So what a better way to help convey the outdoor theme than a wood challenge. Join us on the hop to see what this gifted team has created for this event.  If you've arrived here from the very talented Donna's blog you're in the right spot. If you'd like to start at the beginning head over to Club Scrap see what Karen has created for you. 

One of my good friends got married on the beach in a small ceremony. She had some beautiful and special photos that I wanted to display.  Knowing that this layout was going into a shadow box frame allowed me to use some larger embellishments.  Driftwood was an ah-ha moment for me when I was going through the photos for inspiration. I even found a piece flat enough to stamp "LOVE" on it.

 Club Scrap papers, stamps, leaves and stencil. Thrift shop denim. Recollections burlap.
 Hobby Lobby driftwood. Queen&Co pearls. Sizzix die. EK Success punch.
Wedding photographs by Tammie Gilchrist.
 

I'm loving the stencil for this month. I love how the words interlock by just shifting the stencil a bit. Here's a tutorial for using it.  I figured out a way to stencil without stray inking. I use washi tape to cover holes and spaces I don't want to ink and use scratch paper on the edges. It takes me a little bit longer, but I've been really happy with the results.


I couldn't just stop with this layout but didn't want to be a blog hog ;).
Please join me next week for two more wood projects.
Thank you for joining us today. Please continue on to see what spectacular project Tina has created for you.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Grow Love

One of my dear friends was married in a small ceremony on the coast. She shared some amazing photos by her photographer Tammie Gilchrist. The colors and softness of the photos work perfect with the Garden Shed collection.
 
The layout design is part of the ALSB (Assembly Line Scrapbooking) instructions provided with the kit with some minor adjustments. These designs allow for creative interpretation and personal embellishing.
CS papers, tags, stamps, stakes, buttons and stencil. Unknown twine.
 
 
Check back tomorrow for the Club Scrap Artist Team Challenge Blog Hop!
 


Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Garden of Friendship

Ah...Washi tape...how do I love thee?! Yep, I'm an addict. I can't resist a cute washi tape. I love the fact that you can add it to a layout or card like ribbon without it adding much bulk. But it has many other great values. Just Pinterest it. You'll see. Here I used the tape to cover some bright purple buttons. This wood washi tape is one of my favorites since I love being outdoors. I honestly don't know the makers of many of these tapes. I recently learned of an awesome idea from Arlene P: Write on the inside of the roll who makes it or from what collection its from. You should join the Stash Challenge over on the Club Scrap Forum and share your projects using washi.

Club Scrap papers, tag, ribbon and buttons. Darice embossing folder. Unknown Washi.
 
Tear washi into two pieces if one doesn't fit.
Fold over sides and trim closely to the back.
This keeps the washi tape from bunching at the sides.
Poke holes if you want to keep the button appearance.
 
 



Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Recycled ATCs

Every so often I like to just create art panels. Sometimes I'll just break out the Color Bursts or the Gelli plates and get messy! When I do make a mess with these art mediums, I tend to make lots and lots of panels. Some good, some not so good. Unfortunately those panels start to pile up and I have to do something with them. I decided to let go of formalities and just start using up items being neglected. That led me to creating ATCs with these orphans. Sometimes art work looks better in a 2.5 x 3.5 format!
 
This first set was created using Color Burst panels that didn't make it into a project.
I simply added some rub-ons or stamp, sequins, charms and staples.
This second set was created with Gelli print panels I originally created for the Boardwalk collection but didn't make the cut.
I was able to use up remaining tags with just a simple ribbon behind them. 
 
Don't be surprised if you see these floating around Retreat next month!
 

Monday, September 19, 2016

Matt & Haley's Wedding

Here's a sweet digital layout using a Monthly Freebie template by Fiddle-Dee-Dee Designs. She just happens to be one of my favorite template makers ever and I love that she now offers a "Dressed Down" version. I seriously have over 200 of her templates! I usually do some sort of altering with most templates to make my photos the highlight of the page.
 
This layout is using her September free template. That combined with the Garden Shed digital collection and a little tweaking of colors I came up with this wonderful layout documenting Matthew and Haley's wedding that I was unable to attend. I'm sure you've noticed that I'm not much into journaling (gasp) so I am very thankful for tags!



Friday, September 16, 2016

Serenity

Happy Friday!
 
September's technique challenge over at Club Scrap is to use a sketch as inspiration for a different project. For example, use a card sketch to create a layout or layout sketch for a card. That's double the inspiration!
 
 
For this layout I used the above sketch with some minor adjustments. Instead of a large mat I stamped a border around the edges with the thyme stamp, using a post-it note to mask the edges.
 
 
I colored the wooden plant stakes with distress ink and stamped my title with Stazon ink.

 
With a craft knife I cut the garden trowel so the tag would slide in underneath.
Stamped, colored and cut a water can. Adhered with dimensional squares.
 
 
The layout wasn't complete without these adorable little bees!
 

Have a fabulous weekend!
 



Thursday, September 15, 2016

Garden Shed Love

Yes...you've seen this stencil recently but I actually wanted to use some ink with it this time. I have to admit, I'm not very good at using my stencils but I think I'm getting the hang of it. It's only taken me like 10 years!
 
This card was created for the Retro Sketches newest challenge. It ended up being a win-win situation for everyone.  I'm desperately trying to use up the last of these K&Co. embellishments so I can buy some different ones. ;-) This sketch allowed me to add a few more than I normally would have. 
 
Club Scrap papers, stencil, ink and border. K&Co. flowers and butterfly. Queen & Co. pearls.
 
 


Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Kindness

I was playing with the background stamps from Garden Shed and scrap-lifted Julie's idea for the background of this card. I used a very light green ink instead of a watermark ink to keep the focus on the elements. I think this adorable little snail is my favorite from this collection.  I was inspired by Fusion's card challenge for the sketch of this card and hit the jackpot as the colors match perfectly!
 
Club Scrap papers, tags, stamps and fiber. Copic markers. Martha Stewart punch.
 

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Let's Get Outdoorsy

Don't you just love it when you discover something by accident?! I had these horrendously neon green doilies in my stash that I just couldn't throw away. I dropped one on the floor with it landing upside down. The backside color matched almost exactly with the mint green in this month's Garden Shed collection! 
 
Paper Smooches is hosting an "Everything Goes" Challenge and thought this card would be perfect.
 

Club Scrap papers, ribbon, tag, wired stamp and charm. Paper Smooches quote.
 


Club Scrap September Card Sketch challenge


Monday, September 12, 2016

Friendship Swap


One of the things I enjoy about October Retreat is the Friendship Swap. I love getting these 6x6 pages of fellow retreaters. Getting a glimpse into their lives. Before attending retreat I'll go through last year's pages and reacquaint myself with names and faces. So far our swap group is nearing 25 with one layout made for Club Scrap.

I try to keep my swap pages simple since I'm making anywhere from 25-50 6x6 pages. I start with seeing which color cardstock I have the most of and go from there. I try to add my favorite embellishments or art medium. Here I have cork (duh), paint and washi tape.


Looking forward to seeing all my fellow retreaters in one month!

What's the Buzz?

 Last month I did a blog post for Club Scrap on using your stencils to emboss paper.
I forgot to share that technique here as well. 
 
Club Scrap papers, stamp, ribbon, charm, tag and stencil. Copics.
 
I wanted a honeycomb background for this card but don't have an embossing folder or stamp that come close.
I do however have a honeycomb stencil from Club Scrap.
 
Here's the layering order:
Clear plate
Two rubber mats
Paper
Stencil
Clear Plate
 
 
 
Now you have another use for your stencils!
Enjoy!

Friday, September 9, 2016

Firenze

With the beginning of September we start new challenges on the forum at Club Scrap. I couldn't wait to tackle some of these and get some inspiration from my fellow crafters. The Idea Deck challenge for this month is to use the King of Diamonds. There were five different Idea Decks but only one left for sale. Here I used the King of Diamonds from the ALSB Vol. II.
 
These photos were from our day in Florence, Italy. I used the Italian name for Florence, it sounds way cooler. We ate like queens and kings and giggled when I came across the stamp "Vacation calories don't' count." This was our second visit to Florence and decided to go to the Accademia Gallery to view the original David. I want to pass on a tip I received prior to going...buy your ticket on-line. We did and saved ourselves a three hour wait! Yeah, you pay a 4$ fee, but well worth it. More time to eat, drink the fabulous wine and people watch.

Club Scrap papers, stamps and metal embellishments. Scrabble tiles.
 
If you'd like to join us for this challenge but don't have an Idea Deck, you can check out the Club Scrap blog posting on Tearable Cards. It has the instructions for the Vol. 5 King of Diamonds.