23 February 2013

199 sketches but a blog ain't one.

Turns out I took a little longer on my blog hiatus than I had originally planned.  Sorry 'bout that!

All is well - can't believe I am at 31 weeks already!  Hubs has been saint-like in doing projects non-stop.  Since I've last blogged we have started and finished our basement construction into a livable space, all office furniture is now in said-basement.  The nursery has been painted, rugs have been steam cleaned.  Nursery furniture has arrived, glider and crib have been assembled. 

Just a few short weeks left!  And the To Do List still has a lot on it.  Slowly we are checking things off.  Today is an exciting task of steam cleaning the rest of the upstairs. 

Here's something a little bit crafty for your Saturday morning:



 
Made primarily with scraps.  I can't tell you how long I've had that vellum, but it seemed to work nicely with this masculine sympathy card.  Sentiment and flowers are from the {Stamps} of Life.  Ink is Vintage Photo by Tim Holtz Distress Inks.

17 November 2012

185

Always look on the bright side of life. :)
 
This card is for a coworker who is taking a huge step in his life.  Congratulations, I'm really proud of you.  Just keep smiling!
 

 
Ingredients
Tim Holtz: Idea-ology - Sprocket Gears (die and embellishments)
Tim Holtz: Embossing - Steam Punk
Tim Holtz: Distress Ink - Vintage Photo
Memento Ink - Tuxedo Black
Tools: Fiskars Paper Trimmer, Cuttlebug, Xyron

10 November 2012

thirty-eight

It's a huge understatement to say that my mom and my dad have made the biggest impression on my life.  Their guidance as a child though teens has moulded me into the woman that I am today.  I hope that my marriage exudes the same love and respect that I see between my parents.
 
Happy 38th Wedding Anniversary, Mom and Dad!
 
 
As time goes on, I realize
Just what you mean to me.
And now, now that you're near,
Promise your love that I've waited to share
And dreams of our moments together.
Color my world with hopes of loving you
-Chicago
 
 

 
All products SEI and 3M Adhesive Transfer Tape.
 
Come visit Unscripted Sketches and show us what you've got! 

26 October 2012

oh boy! ...or girl :)

So I've been keeping a secret from the blogosphere for the last, well, 13 weeks.  I'm pregnant!

We are beyond ecstatic and this happiness has gotten me through the first trimester even when I was feeling neaseous, on-a-boat and super tired.  To my family and friends, thank you for your continued support and love.  And thanks to my husband for not saying anything when all I want (and have been able) to eat for the last several weeks has been mac and cheese.  Can't wait to see where this start to our new life takes us!

Being an avid scrapbooker and picture taker, I've decided to take photos once a week and document the baby's growth.  Right now the baby is something the size of a big lemon.


 
Come visit Unscripted Sketches for this week's sketch #182!

 
Ingredients
Paper: My Mind's Eye Indie Chic Citron Party and Measure
Ink: Tim Holtz StazOn - Timber Brown
Embellishments: Home Basics - Burlap Flower (AC Moore), MME Indie Chic Brads, Scrap Burlap Ribbon for the bow
Cricut: Jasmine 3.5" numbers in Real Dial Size
Tools: Fiskars Edge Distresser, GlueDots, PopDots, CutterBee Precision Scissors

21 October 2012

key west krazy.

Sketch #181 for Unscripted Sketches has a piggy back challenge of one of my all-time favorite crafting activities - motion.  What drew me to scrapbooking initially ws the pretty colors and the way to tell a story by photos.  When I started getting braver in my scrapbooking techniques, I started making interavtive pages.  As much as we love to show our scrapbooks to our friends and family, why not add a little element of surprise?  Make the page flip, turn, rotate, make noise...or waterfall.
 
On this page, notices how in the first picture it just looks like the photos are cascading and you can flip through them one by one.

 
If you pull the green ribbon down towards the bottom on the page, the slide show creates itself! 



One picture after another takes centerstage.  And most importantly, it's interactive for the reader.

 
The process is actually more simple than it looks!
 
The Ingredients:
(4) 4x6" photos, preferably in a sequence from an event (number 1-4)
12x12 Cardstock: (1ea) of Teal, White, Coral, Citrus
12x12 Striped Pattern Paper (Studio Calico)
(2) Eyelets (We R Memork Keepers, Sherbet)
(1) Ribbon Scrap
Letters: Thickers - Wonder (American Crafts)
Ink: StazOn - Jet Black
Tools: Fiskars Paper Trimmer, ScorePal, Scotch ATG Gun and 1/4" Transfer Tape, Fiskars Anywhere Eyelet Punch, Bone Folder. Marvy Uchida 2.25" Circle Punch, Cropadile
 
The Recipe:
Cut White Cardstock to 4.25x12"
Score White Cardstock at .5, 1.5, 2.25, 3, 3.75"
Use Bone Folder to make edges crisp
Tear Striped Paper to be approx 12x7", ink white edge
Cut (2) Coral and (2) Citrus to 4.25x6.25" and ink all edges
Cut (1) Coral 1.75x7.25" and ink edges
Cut (1) Teal 1.5x7" and ink edges
Punch Teal with 2.25" circle punch.
Hint: Since you're covering 7" of Teal 12x12 with Striped paper, cut small pieces from it first!
Adhere small Teal to small Coral
Adhere photos to Coral and Citrus
Alternate colors from the photo sequence for more visual appeal.
Adherere Striped to Teal
***For the waterfall***
Fold White Cardstock at 3.75" yielding "new 4.25x8.25" cardstock (waterfall leader), keeping scored lines on top
Run line of ADH Transfer tape just below the 1.5" score line and adhere photo #4
Repeat previous step at 2.25" score line with photo #3
Then 3" score line with photo #2
Lastly 3.75" score line with photo #1
Put each photo just below each score line because it makes it easier to fold and flip through.
Flip waterfall over.  Tape BACK of the .5" score line as you did the photos on the front. 
The BACK of the white will be taped to the FRONT of the teal small strip.
The 4.25x8.25" will rest BEHIND the teal/coral strip of paper without any adhesive.
Position waterfall onto Teal and Striped background.  Pound eyelets through small strip into background -- making sure you leave enough room for the title above and so that the photos don't hang off the layout. 
Fold Teal circle in half, adhere to waterfall leader
Punch small hole through circle, thread ribbon through.
Pull ribbon and the photos will start to waterfall!
Add title.
Amaze friends. 
Post to Unscripted Sketches #181 and leave a comment here!
 
 
 
 

31 August 2012

Get Smashed.

When Unscripted Sketches #173 came about for some reason it screamed "Smashbook" to me.  A few months ago we went to a concert with some friends.  I had just downloaded an app on my iPhone (Instagram) that has some really cool filters that make for interesting pictures.   
 
When working with sketches, remember to look at it from all angles.  The "white space" on the sketch reminded me of a second page - perfect for concert tickets and other memorabilia. 
 

 
Happy Scrapping!

19 August 2012

Learn to pause....

It's funny that I chose this sentiment on a card after I have taken a brief pause from my blog.  We got our puppy, Pepper, and she's amazing.  The house training is going amazingly and she truly is a great dog.  The catch is that she's got some digestive issues that we are trying to resolve, and it's definitely comanding our time.  I've been taking a few weeks to focus on my new little family, and I couldn't be happier with our addition.

Three weeks ago I went to CKC Lancaster with my momma.  We took a few great classes, bought more than our fair share, and most importantly we had some mother/daughter time.  I love how close we are and how we share the same hobbies. 

This past weekend we had some great friends visit, and it really got me thinking about how in our busy lives, it's important to stop and look around.  Work has been more than stressful and this weekend let me decompress, breathe and just relax with some great people. 

Learn to puase...or nothing worthwhile will catch up to you.



The Ingredients
Club SEI kit, July - Lexington
Adhesive: ATG Adhesive Transfer Tape, Pop Dots
Stamp: Stampers Anonymous - Just Thoughts
Ink: Tim Holtz - Vintage Photo

The Recipe
Cut 7x10" Kraft paper - score in half
Cut teal patterned paper to 4.5x6" and ink edges
Ink doily with brown to distress
Cut ribbon to 5" and wrap around card approx 2/3 from top, adhere.
Stamp sentiment on bottom of card
Adhere doiley, flower.
Use pop dots on dragonfly.
Post to Unscripted Sketches, leave a comment and create you own!

Thanks for stopping by!