Return to Bloggerland...

I'll admit, I've been a horrible blogger. I haven't shared much since the year started. Sorry! Life has gotten in the way. I actually have been creating, but have been doing so in kind of a vacuum.  I just haven't been sharing. So, I've actually snapped pics of the ten (so far!) layouts that I have created since last November/December... And I'm going to share them about three or four a week. Once they are all shared, I'm going to go through my stash and do a giveaway. Just for fun. So, here's my return to sharing once again. For this first project, I used my November Shop Your Stash Kit (list of contents on the original post).

This was actually a really great sketch by my friend Brenda Smith for ScrapbookSteals' Mid-Week Mojo's. She's pretty fantastic. You should really check her out. I kind of love this picture. It's my classroom on the last day of school. I had actually vowed not to return until September started... And for once in my life, actually kept that vow. I really needed summer. So did my girls. Here's the sketch if you'd like. Enjoy!

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Celebrating 100 Posts for Creating Us!!!

My lovely (and über-talented) friend Jill Keller is celebrating her 100th Blog Post on her blog today! I met her through the Gossamer Blue community, and she has recently started to design for them. She does a fabulous job and is one of the reasons that I decided to re-sub starting next month!! Make sure that you check out her blog today, as I know that she is having a super-fabulous giveaway! Pin It

Using my August "Faux-Kit"...

I've been making some fun stuff lately. It's almost a relief "shopping" my stash sometimes. I like seeing things leave my studio, without the receipts entering it. Here are my first three layouts using my "kit", and I'm sure that I'll have a handful of cards to finish it off. 

This first layout was pretty fun. I loved these two pic, but hadn't found the right papers or anything to use with them. I really loved pulling the pinks together with the blues, as it complemented the photos well. I also really loved this Gossamer Blue pie chart from the July 2014 Life Pages kit. Sadly, it's the only thing I've used from that month so far... The paper edge is a Silhouette cut, and the banner was just hand cut. To be honest however, the back of that pie chart is a hot mess. Thankfully you cannot see it. I totally broke out my Xyron 9" Creative Station on it though. Seriously, those intricate die cuts are killer to try to glue down all the little bits... This way, it's glued in one pass. Simple.

This layout was inspired by one of the PageMaps sketches from the August 2014 set that worked with Scrapbook Circle DT. I really loved the pie chart shape, and had to include it! I have to admit however, this layout kicked my butt. I had to put it aside and come back later to complete it. I added the title die cut and stitching the next morning. I think it came out okay in the end.

The next layout used quite a bit of the patterned papers from Authentique, My Mind's Eye, Stampin' Up and a little bit of the leftovers of that Crate Paper woodgrain. I will seriously use every last scrap of that stuff! I also used my DIY Simple Stories envelope to place a die cut with hidden journaling. And, if you want the recipe to the most amazing (gluten free) chocolate molten lava cake... It's here. You can thank me later!

I used the ScrapbookSteals Mid-Week-Mojo Pansy 4 Sketch by Brenda Smith. Brenda always does amazing work. I'm always in awe of all of the fun details she uses in her work.

Sometimes you have that one picture that doesn't go with anything else... This pic was just that. I had previously gotten my hair bayalage'd by my lovely hair stylist who works at The Parlor. This place is adorable. Like, all industrial and woodgrain and aqua. LOVE! I really wanted to "highlight" the highlights, so the woodgrain follows the streaks in my hair, along with the streaks in the sky Sass paper, and the dark cloud chipboard pieces. And those chipboard buggers, pull out your Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker on those bad boys and BAM! Done. I'm a much lazier scrapper than I appear, I promise.

I used the ScrapbookSteals Mid-Week-Mojo Pansy 5a Sketch by Brenda Smith.

Hope you enjoyed seeing a few of my latest creations. I swear I will be caught up with the Pansy Series before #10.

If you want more details on the specific papers and embellishements I used, I listed them all out on the previous post. Thanks!

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I Think It's Time For Cake (Pansy #1: ScrapbookSteals Sketch)

I saw this fun sketch by my friend Brenda on the ScrapbookSteals' blog and I just had to play along today. I tried this fun technique with blending fun ink colors over a sketch from watching a few of Kristina Werner's videos (the video for her version). While I didn't exactly do her trick with the kraft paper and white ink... I did combine the white paper and kraft. 

To get the fun background, I took all of these AMAZING pigment inks from Tsukineko/ImagineCrafts called Radiant Neon. I have the entire set and L-O-V-E them.

I took the entire set, and blended them on top of a stencil. This way, they were able to mix together and keep the fun triangle shapes. To make them truly blend, I used a my InkBlushers (also by Tsukineko/ImagineCrafts) to blend the colors together.  

The journaling was created with my Silhouette. I finally got to use my Elle's Studio birthday kit and some of those amazing Freckled Fawn Neon enamel dots. Make sure that you check out today's sketch and play along!

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For a Lovely Friend

I created today. Which is big, because we've been complete sickies in our house. Finally, I and the little Miss are okay. The Big Miss was still out today. Although she's started arguing with me today, which I'm going to take as a good sign that she's feeling better.

Here is the lovely little card that I made for my lovely friend Melissa. It's her birthday today, and I know that she'd LOVE some well wishes!! I used the August Gossamer Blue kit that I won last year, some October Afternoon Sprinklers in Hopscotch and a Stella & Rose sticker. I just love those kits, especially when I get to the ends and get to start using them as card kits.

PS. Melissa... This is going to be a little late :) Pin It

Month of Gratitude: Days 10-21

We moved over the weekend. We're about 80% moved in. There are still just a few boxes that haven't been unpacked. I'm a few days behind... Only a few.

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A Month of Gratitude: Days 5-9

Days 5-9 of my Month of Gratitude project. For Days 1-4, click here.

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A Month of Gratitude: Days 1-4

November has always been an interesting month. This year, I want to focus on the great things that I am thankful for. A few friends of mine have created Gratitude Journals (Van's, Melissa's, I'll add more if they blog them). Rather than a conventional mini, I'm going digital for this one. I am going to use Positively Present's 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude 2011 and 2012. The photos are created using the Hipstamatic App that I love dearly. I've added my journaling via Picasa photo editing. I'm not going to necessarily stick to the same order however. The photos are going to be taken as I see opportunities.

Here are the first four days.

I have a lot to be thankful for. Pin It

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: Fall Decor and 3L Adhesives

Here's a little sneak peek for you to go visit the Authentique blog today. I create a fun Fall "Pinspired" decor item using both Authentique Paper and 3L Adhesives.

I LOVE the new Thankful Collection! It's just the prettiest thing ever. And that gorgeous little crocheted flower from my lovely friend Cathryn... Swoon!! Pin It

Just a Few Cards...

I had some happy/congratulatory/consolatory mail to send out. Here are a few of the lovely cards. I used my Peachy Keen kit from American Crafts.

 

Somehow there were twelve cards, but I only took ten photos... Oh well. 

100 Count Challenge: 17/100

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Cancer Sucks, Unless You Kicks it's @SS!

One of my favorite people has been fighting cancer this year, and looked fantastic doing it. Earlier in the year I made her a mini-book. She completed her chemo and radiation. We all are waiting for the positive news of no more cancer from her doctor. In congratulations (because that's how I roll!) of her upcoming fantastic news... I made her a card. WHY??? Because Hallmark doesn't have a "You Kicked Cancer's Ass!" card!!!

I'm so proud of her <3 Pin It

Pieces of Scrap: Anyone for a Giveaway?!?

Pieces of Scrap: Anyone for a Giveaway?!?:
My dear friend Chloe over at Pieces of Scrap is giving away THICKERS!!! Guess how many flowered charms are in the cup!!!

LOVE IT!

I guessed 72. Who knows! I may be right... Pin It