My very own She Art girl

I have the best friends in the whole wide world! Before Christmas I hosted a Secret Sister swap over at PAO. Everyone received a name to shop for. Also included in the package there needed to be a handmade item.

Pam C. made this for me. I smile every time I look at it. You can bet it will be hanging in my craft room.

Happy New Year all!

Peace

My girlfriend asked me to make a present for her MIL using a photo of the kids.

Latest kit from Swirlydoos in hand I went to work.

All patterned paper is from BoBunny. I used Vintage Photo ink from Ranger to distress all the papers. Layered a bit of Prima packaging under the photo. Ribbon strips and Prima flowers to finish.

Sisters

One of my favorite pictures of the 2 older ones. Taken on the coast of Maine.

The background is a piece of Bazzill card stock, sprayed with Tattered Angels Glimmer mist over a Tim Holtz mask and then splattered with Watercolor Paints.

The tag is from a swap several years back, but was perfect for this.

The letters are fabric covered with Watercolor Paints.

This layout was featured in the Sept issue of Scrapbook News and Review.

As always have a great day.

Christmas Proclamation

Gothic Arch I created for SNR 12 Days of Christmas. The step by step instructions are down the page.

This is a super easy one to do using up those scraps you have lying around. Add a layer of watered down gesso and a layer of ink and you have the perfect background.

Piece of muslin and image cut from Graphic 45 paper. Final touch of a ribbon and you have a beautiful tag to tie to a gift .

Have an awesome day.

God Jul

Scrapbook News and Review is having a 12 Days of Christmas Tags.

This was my day one.

Want to learn how to copy this?

Head on over to SNR for step by step directions.

Have a great day!

The eyes....

are Windows to the Soul.

My oldest daughter has a tendency to take extreme close ups of her eyes. They are fascinating in that the color seems to change on an almost daily basis. I had to scrap this one, you can see 3 colors in one picture.

I used Prima paper. Fussy cut some butterflies from a second piece and glued down only 1 wing to give a more 3d appearance.

The letters are American Crafts Thickers. Bits of lace and ribbon to finish it off.

This layout was featured in September's issue of Scrapbook News and Review.

Thanks for looking and have a great day

Prom 2011

So I am just getting to Prom.

Oldest DD on her way.

I used patterned paper from Creative Imaginations and My Mind's Eye.

Taking a square piece of paper I turned it into a circle matte using a Martha Stewart Corner Punch.

Ranger Perfect Pearls Mist and Tattered Angels Glimmer mist were sprtzed randomly on the background. Kaisercraft chipboard covered with Shimmerz to make it sparkly.

The flowers and flourish are both from Prima.

Thanks for looking. Have a great day

Right Now

This is one of my favorite photos.

My middle daughter and her Dad looking out over the Musee' D'Orsay's wide expanse.

I used paper from ANW Crestwood, My Mind's Eye and Bo Bunny.

The big letters are all from Tattered Angels.

Layout was featured in the September issue of Scrapbook News and Review.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Free To Be

Sometimes it is fun to pull out the paints and mists with no particular plan in place.

That kind of play led to this layout.

A piece of cream Bazzill card stock as my base I started adding color. Sprayed with several Starburst Sprays from Lindy's Stamp Gang. The shots of color they instantly give just takes me to a happy place.

Then I pulled out some stamps from Inkadinkadoo, Clearsnap, and Club Scrap. Instead of using a regular stamp pad with them I dug through my collection of Pitt Big Brush Artist Pens. I colored and stamped with them .

A frame made with Golden Fluid Acrylics and a few rub ons in the corner and I was done.

The photo (one that I surprisingly like of me) was taken by my then 4 year old. She has a knack for getting the just right ones....or maybe it's because she snaps a gazillion pics every time she gets the camera. Either way I'm not complaining.

The layout was featured in the September issue of Scrapbook News and Review.

Thanks for stopping by and as always have a great day.

November 2011 issue of Scrapbook News and Review us Now Available

The November 2011 issue is now available!!!

Head on over and check it out SNR.

And even better...

There is subscription sale ---- $19.99 for the ENTIRE YEAR

How cool is that!

Ich Liebe Dich

My turn for the sketch relay over at Swirlydoos.

My Oldest dd and my German dd while in Krefeld Germany this summer.

Paper is Prima and Printery. Some Smooch Candleglow mist across the background.

Flowers are Prima and Kaisercraft.

as always Have a great day!

Surfing the Spillway

Surfing the Spillway in Munich. The Eisbach runs through the English Garden in Munich. At one point it creates a Stationary Wave. Which means if you can keep your balance you'll always have a wave to surf.

Even though it was about 55 degrees F while there the place was packed with surfers all lined up waiting their turns. And spectators lined the bridge over it watching them. Lucky for the little one there were openings in the wall just her height so she had a great view.

Bazzill cardstock, Glimmer Mist, Starburst Sprays and Tattered Angels stamp.

Thanks for visiting. Have a great day.

It's Fall

A quick card I did up for a friend.

I used the sketch from Let's Capture These Sketches. Paper is all from old Swirlydoos kits. The rub ons are some found in my stash.

Happy Fall everyone. Have a great day.

2 Girls in Germany

2 Girls in Germany.

My oldest and youngest standing on the balcony of Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria.

I used all Prima paper this time around. Glimmer mist and Starburst Stains spritzed across my background.

The fabric flowers are from an Etsy shop owned by Funtoolas. Her flowers are out of this world.

Have a great day and thanks for visiting.

Why????

The folks at Once Upon a Sketch have a great challenge this month. A 2 parter, involving the sketch and JOURNALING (gasp I know right? lol)

Anyway this was my take. I mostly used my Oct Swirlydoos kit. Lots of Smooch Mist (I love how it dries so quick) and a Kaisercraft Script stamp.

My journaling took a few tries, and I printed it out on card stock with the computer (someday I'll get over my handwriting fear).

I think this is one of my favorite layouts to date. Oh for those of you wondering--me and the littlest one riding the train through the German countryside. :)

As always have a great day and thanks for visiting

Possibilities

Yet another layout done for the Scraplifting Challenge at PaperArtistsOnline. This time I was person number 4.

It's always fun to see how the sketch progresses from the 1st to last person.

I copied from Nancy Y this time. My layout uses a piece of Bazzill card stock with the Chicken Wire mask and Starburts Spray from Lindy's Stamp Gang.

Then it was just my photos and a die cut from Bo Bunny. The journaling is hidden under the large photo.

My girls and the horses again lol

As always have a great day and thanks for visiting.

Remembering Germany

Remembering Germany.

Night time in Dussledorf ,Germany. I used a Swirlydoos kit with a few additional pieces.

The sketch is this weeks Sketchy Thursday sketch. Background is the Brick stencil from Crafter's Workshop and Smooch mist is Candle Glow & Log Cabin.

My little banner is made from wood veneer pieces by Studio Calico.

Thanks for looking and as always have a great day

Dream

This is my middle sitting on the beach in Kiawah at sunset.

I wanted a bit of a more arty page just because the picture was so dreamy.

The background is card stock covered with several colors of acrylic paint. Splattered with Glimmer Mist and dry brushed with Gesso.

Transparency layered under the photo, along with a bit of black tulle (hard to see in the photo).

The Chipboard flourish is Dusty Attic painted black. To finish it off a bit of Ultra Fine glitter was sprinkle over and the word Dream stenciled.

Layout featured in the August issue of Scrapbook News and Review.

Have a great day

Cousins

Layout done of my youngest and my nephew. Poor little man, only boy in a sea of girls. He holds his own though lol.

Layout done for the sketch challenge at Stuck On You Sketches. Used the September kit from Swirlydoos.

More Bo Bunny and Prima, I'm telling you I love these 2 lines.

I sanded the background of the pic to edit out a hand, ugly mattress and a shoulder. Brush off the dust and applied a layer of Golden glaze.

The background is spritzed with more Smooch mist and then using my Chicken Wire stencil from Crafter's Workshop added a bit more pattern.

Embellished with a bit of Prima flowers and bling.

Thanks for looking and have a great weekend.

Little Moments Big Memories

My middle daughter is an animal lover. All shapes all sizes, but what makes her the happiest are horses. We are lucky enough to have friends who own so that she can ride when she wants.

Layout done for monthly scrap challenge at PaperArtistsOnline. You needed to have odd number of pictures, 3 circles and cloud shapes. Now I really really don't like the whole cloud trend so my clouds are tucked behind the polka dot paper lol.

I used the September kit from Swirlydoos and a sketch from Sketchy Thursdays. The patterned papers are from Prima Printery and Bo Bunny Et Cetra. 2 lines I am in love with right now.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

If

My middle one at her 5th grade graduation.

Easy layout using one piece of White Bazzill Cardstock. Drybrushed over with Black Acrylic.

Once dry Stamped over using a Prima stamped painted with Silver Jacquard paint. I also pushed some paint through sequin waste to create the circles.

Painted a frame with Gesso and sprinkled extra fine glitter into the wet paint.

Painted a spot for journaling with Gesso. Journaling is done with a mix of letter stickers and Pitt Pen.

Layout featured in August issue of Scrapbook News and Review.

Thanks for stopping by.

ersten Tag der Schule

First day of school.

The little one goes to a German kindergarten. This is her third year there. It's amazing how she can flip back and forth between the 2 languages without even thinking about it.

I used a sketch from Sketchy Thursdays that I had been saving.

Used the July kit from The Treasure Box Club.

Painted over the Creative Imaginations background paper with Gesso then watered down Golden acrylic paint and splattered it about.

Bit of machine stitching and Rub on letters and it was done.

As always thanks for visiting and have a great day.

Always Dream

Layout done for a sketch relay challenge at PaperArtistsOnline. Littlest one walking the horse back to his stall after riding him.

All the patterned paper is from Bo Bunny. The gate is Dusty Attic colored with Chalk ink and spritzed with Smooch Mist.

Used my newest kit from The Treasure Box

Thanks for looking and as always have a great day

Heart You

My oldest DD loves to do photo shoots with the youngest. I love it in that I always get photos to work with that usually aren't what I normally take.

Prima Flowers and Bling. The chipboard heart and letters were first painted and then while slightly tacky run through the embossing folder. Doing this distressed them a bit and pulled paint off in spots (though makes cleaning you folder a pain-live and learn). StazOn ink was then rubbed over to highlight the embossing.

That's it for today. A simple layout showcasing my little one who is growing up way to fast.

Layout was seen in Aug issue of Scrapbook News and Review.

have a great day and as always thanks for stopping by.

Bliss

Bliss...pretty much describes this photo.

I did this layout for the sketch relay over at Swirlydoos.

The background is BoBunny paper that I dry brushed Gesso over. Once dry I sprayed with Smooch Mist in Candle Glow and used my new Chicken Wire stencil from Crafter's Workshop (love it!) with some Prima ink.

The photo is matted on corrugated paper from Creative Imaginations and layered over twine, flowers and vintage lace from my Grandmother's collection.

As always...thanks for looking and have a great day.

Courage

It's not often that I get pics of my niece and nephew to scrap. This one is from a few years back and I had been holding on until just the right inspiration struck.

The background is done using Pan Pastels and a Crafter's Workshop stencil. I love that you can blend over on the Pan Pastels and they never get muddy.

Keeping it simple I sprayed some book text with Glimmer Mist and then tore into strips for a photo matte.

Little Prima flowers sprayed with Glimmer Mist and a bunch of Prima flourishes to add some bling.

Finished it off with a stamp from Oxford Impressions.

This layout was featured in Scrapbook News and Review Aug issue.

As always---Have a great day!

Leave Your Mark ATC

Here is an ATC I did up for a swap at ATCsForALL.

The background is sewing pattern paper collaged onto a watercolor base.

Tim Holtz paper tape and is the second layer. The ruler is from a collage sheet. Stamp from Club Scrap and the beautiful woman is my Mom way back in the day :).

Just a little bit of art for the day.

As always have a great one and thanks for visiting

Happiness

A card I made up for a good friend.

The book text was colored with several Glimmer Mist colors.

The Sunflowers are an Inkadinkadoo stamp. Stamped with StazOn, colored with Pitt Pens. To finish it off I put several layers of UTEE over it to make it all shiny.

Thanks for looking and have a great day

Beach Feet

One of my favorite bases for layouts is canvas cloth.

For this one I cut a piece 12x12" and then painted with Gelatos. I love how they smooth and blend so easily.

Stamped on the canvas using Staz On black with Artistic Outpost and Tattered Angels stamps.

The shells were stamped on card stock and fussy cut. Flourish by Prima.

Toes courtesy of the little one :)

Layout featured in Aug issue of Scrapbook News and Review

Shimmerz Event at SNR

New event this week at Scrapbook News and Review.

SHIMMERZ!!!!!

Lots of eye candy and tutorials all for your viewing pleasure.

Stop on by and check it out!

You I Love

This is a bit different that what I usually do. Boy was it a challenge--I kept wanting to add "stuff". In the end though, sometimes simple really is better.

All I did was mist a piece of Bazzill card stock with Glimmer Mist for the background, and distress the edges. 2 pieces of card stock scraps to matte the photo and a few Prima flowers (got to have my flowers). The sketch was from the archives at Sketchy Thursday.

Thanks as always for looking and have a great day

The Cat's Pajamas Stamps and Dies Event at SNR

Tonight's event over at Scrapbook News and Review features The Cat's Pajamas Stamps and Dies.

Head on over to see some great artwork and a bunch of cool tutorials. Leave some love for all the talented ladies who created for this.

Have a Voice

Here is a quick ATC I did up tonight.

I joined an ATC swap hosted by Roni over on her blog Inkstains. And while I have some already made up I wanted to make more.

This one came about from a paper towel I had on my desk that I use to clean up paint. Once it dried I stamped on it with a script stamp from Kaisercraft using Staz On ink. The flower and vine stamp is from Club Scrap and I added a few highlights with Shimmerz glitter paint.

The collage image is from Ten Two Studios. The stickers come from sheets of words I have--I wish I knew who made them because they are my favorite thing to use right now. I put a tiny bit of pink watercolor paint over the white on them to help them fit in more with my card.

Thanks as always for looking and commenting.

In the Alps

Me and the girls in the Alps. It was a bit chilly but seeing as my husband made us hike up to the castle we didn't mind much.

All paper is Bo Bunny. The flourishes were made by painting a stamp with Shimmerz Glitter paint. My chipboard was painted with Magical Micas from Lindy's Stamp Gang.

Climbing the Stairs

This is the littlest one climbing the stairs in our hotel in Amsterdam. All I can say is thank goodness for elevators.

I did this page up for a challenge over at Swirlydoos called emerging color.

Taking the butterfly stamps from Pink Paislee I stamped in color on the right sided paper. Over stamped with Kaisercraft script stamp and embossed with clear EP. Rubbed several shades of Distress inks over and the embossed script resists the ink showing the cool underneath.

The hinges are from Dusty Attic. Sprayed with Glimmer mist and embossed with UTEE.

All the patterned paper is from the BoBunny Gabrielle line

Korea

My FIL was an Air Force pilot during the Korean War. Stationed in Japan and running missions into the battle zone. It was a time he rarely talked about. Not until his funeral did we hear the true scope of how dangerous his missions were and the obstacles he had to overcome on a daily basis as an African American Pilot in the fifties.

The background was a piece of Kraft card stock crumpled and smoothed. Distress Stain and Ink run over the peaks and Shimmerz Glitter Paint rubbed in as well. Just a few scraps of patterned paper and lots of gears from Tim Holtz to round it out.

We're Going Places

Sketch relay over at PAO. I'm the leader for my group and this was my take on the sketch.

Our arrival at BMW Welt in Munich, Germany.

All the paper is Simple Stories. I bought this months ago and finally am able to pull it out and use it. I really like all the journaling tags included

Grow

I did up this little wall hanging for the July issue of Scrapbook News and Review.

The background is a recycled, distressed piece of corrugated cardboard. Covered with a bit of molding paste for texture, gesso and Glimmer Mist.

The stamps are from Club Scrap, and a few rub ons for accent.

I added some eyelets, wire and a few beads to hang it up.

Travel The World

I finally had a free minute to play along this with with Sketchy Thursdays sketch challenge. I love the different layouts they inspire each week.

I have over a thousand pictures from our trip to Germany this summer. This picture is the perfect way to start the album. Only 999 to go....

Patterned paper is Best Creations and We R Memory Keepers

What A Face!

Over at Swirlydoos I am one of this months challenge hostesses.

I created this layout as my sample of a Not Your Typical Scrapbook page. The base is corrugated cardboard covered with torn strips of Kaiser Craft paper and a layer of Gesso. Misted all over with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist and Stone Grey StazOn rubbed around the edges.

Children are Like FLowers

Scrapbook page done on a piece of canvas. Watered down Acrylic Paint to create a wash and drippings. I made some flowers using fabric and text, others are Prima. Ribbon for the stems and crumpled Bazzill for the leaves.

Published in July issue of Scrapbook News and Review

Treasure

A layout done on a piece of recycled cardboard. The background is layers of book text, covered with gesso.

I followed that with modeling paste applied in random spots with varying thickness.

Using acrylic paint and Glimmer mist I added color all over, then sprayed with water to make the colors run and drip.

The letters were painted with Lumiere and accents added with oil pastels.

The layout appeared in the July issue of Scrapbook News and Review

The Importance of Being Me!

Not often do I do a scrapbook page about, well ME. My 4 year old recently took this picture though and it just begged to be scrapped.

I had a piece of Prima canvas that I dripped and sprayed acrylic paint all over. Stamped the flowers with StazOn across the bottom and sewed a frame around my picture, using a loopy ribbon.

This appeared in the July issue of Scrapbook News and Review

Do What you Love.

My oldest DD is constantly taking self portraits. Now while her younger sisters all do this hers ACTUALLY turn out really good.

I was looking on her computer for a different picture she had when I found this one she had taken. It just begged to be scrapped.

Almost all the supplies used came from Swirlydoos kits. The layout was featured in the July issue of Scrapbook News and Review.

Changing up the Sizes

Upon occasion for Scrapbook News and Review I will do a layout that is 6x12 in size. The first time I about freaked--Not a Square EEEKKK.

Cutting my paper I began to work. This has quickly become one of my new favorite sizes to work with. Still lots of room to get your ideas down but the different size makes you look twice.

Next time you are in a rut why don't you try a different size. Who knows what it will spark.

Both layouts appeared in June issue of Scrapbook News and Review

Stamping with Gelatos

Donna Downey's Inspiration Wednesday this week involved stamping with Gelatos. Now I love love love my Geltaos but hadn't stamped with them before.

I let the 4 yr old help this time as she was practically squealing with delight every time Donna stamped a new image. Course she wasn't seeing flowers, she thought they looked like Mickey Mouse--Oh well in the eyes of a little one.

Because I had some ahem--help, most of the flowers were definitely a bit "smooshy". The stamps are from Club Scrap and my flower colors were whichever ones Ry chose.

Donna used watercolor pencils for her background and stems--For the life of me I couldn't find a single one in the house (I think they went on vacation with my oldest). So I used my Neocolor IIs.

I did learn that when stamping with the Gelatos there is a very fine line between just enough water and TOO MUCH WATER. And it's really easy to cross. That being said this is a really easy and fun technique to play with

Look Mom!!!!!

I wrote all our names!

Not exactly what you want to hear from your 4 year old. Especially when upon investigating you discover that yes indeed she did write all of our names, but with a PERMANENT MARKER and ON HER SISTER'S DOOR.

Didn't know if I should punish or praise. Sigh

Mr Clean Eraser is my friend.

Puddle Love

What little one doesn't enjoy a good puddle? Mine sure does -LOL.

Layout featured in June issue of Scrapbook News and Review.

Enjoy The Moments

Donna Downey posted her Collage Monday piece this morning.

I love the design and wanted to play immediately. Squeezing time in today was a challenge but oh so worth it.

I used some We R Memory Keepers paper from 2007 (maybe I should clean my stash), various stamps and Rub Ons.

It was fun to sit and tear with not much thought or planning. A quick little piece, simple in design, but a good reminder to Enjoy the Moments.

It all Starts Aug 6

Some totally awesome and exciting news from Scrapbook News and Review !!!

What does the following list of 27 totally awesome scrapbooking and stamping companies have in common? Scrapbook News and Review Magazine, of course! To help us celebrate the last bits of summer and usher in fall with zip and zeal, SNR will be featuring weekly events that will truly blow your mind and each event will be chock full of amazing artwork and technique tutorials galore!

Treat yourself to a weekly dose of learning, inspiration and fun – not to mention the chance to win some seriously cool prizes and play with some seriously cool products.

Each Monday, we’ll release all the delightful details of the upcoming week’s schedule. This way, you’ll be ready to rock n’ roll your way through the week and have everything ready to go so you can get your creative groove on.

Each spectacular scrap or stamp company will have their own event (read absolutely fabulous chance to shine in the spotlight!) AND also have a huge article inside the magazine just bursting to the gills with fresh, fun, funky paper crafting projects that will get you creating and learning in brand spankin’ new directions as well as with tried-and-true methods -- with that infamous SNR tweak cause you know we’ve gotta put our special spin on everything we do and touch! Otherwise it wouldn’t be SNR worthy, right?

And get a gander at the list of participating scrap and stamp companies that the spectacular SNR staffers will be working with (listed in alphabetical order):

Artistic Outpost

Copic Markers

Cosmo Cricket

Crate Paper

Creative Inspirations Paint

Dog Gone Stamps

Donna Salazar

EK Success

Jenni Bowlin Studios

Lindy's Stamp Gang

My Favorite Things Stamps

Nikki Sivils

Pan Pastel

Petaloo

Prickley Pear Stamps

Prima

Rubbernecker

ScorPal

Serendipity Stamps

Shimmerz

SRM Press

Studio Calico

TaDa Creative Studios

Technique Tuesday Stamps

The Cat's Pajamas

Tsukineko

We R Memory Keepers

Stay tuned for more info! You won’t believe your eyes or your ears!

M is for Memories

M is for Memories....how true is that.

This photo was taken in 1955 of my Great Grandparents. The woman is my namesake. Now I know that to have photos of Great Grandparents is a plus but even better when they are in as good condition as the one I have. (ok it helps that a Great Uncle was a professional photographer but still)

When I did up the layout and added the title I wasn't thinking so much on what it REALLy meant-it just looked good. Then I began sharing with my family, and they all began thanking me for reminding them about the fun times that were had. They began sharing stories about memories had on the farm, remembering stories that hadn't been told in years and sharing them again.

This is why I scrapbook, why I share my photos and layouts and spend time and money. Years from now my girls will still know family, even if they never met. Their children will know the family and the stories and memories will continue to be passed on.

M truly is for Memories

layout featured in June issue of Scrapbook New and Review

Art Is an Adventure

Over at Paper Artists Online my friend is hosting a 4x6 challenge. You take a 4x6 piece of paper and cut it into pieces. Decorating each piece with a theme in mind.

For mine I pulled out a piece of paper I painted eons ago and stamped text (Club Scrap) embossing after. I used a piece of ribbon vine, metal flowers from Tim Holtz, and of course Prima flowers.

I cut a 4x4, a 2x2 and 4 inchies from my 4x6 sheet. This is my 4x4