Saturday, January 26, 2008

Christmas Eve LO


I'm so happy to report that I've started scrapping my Christmas photos. I'm guessing I'll have 2 facing LO's when I'm finished ~ the one I've done here for Christmas eve, and a second one for Christmas Day.

This LO was a lot of fun to do. The word "Christmas" on the first page was cut with the TearDrop cartridge and I used Design Studio and the George cartridge, with the meld feature to cut "Eve". I used some Stickles to make eve stand out. "2007" is stamped with Doodle Alphabet (Stampin Up) and then cut with a circle punch. The square steps corner punch was used for the photo strip, but the background still looked a little plain to me, so I stamped some trees from the "Loads of Love" set onto the BG, masking around everything that I had already glued down.

Photo corners are from Oriental Trading, as are the large brads and the buttons, and other words are from SU's "So very" set.

Monday, January 21, 2008

A Little Bit of Magic Mesh



A few weeks ago, I went to a used scrapbooking supply sale and thought I'd scored a huge hit when I got a ziploc full of packages of SU's magic mesh. When I opened the bag, though, I discovered that each piece was only about an inch or so wide. What to do with it?

At first, I was upset that the lady hadn't mentioned that these were only *very tiny* pieces, 'cuz you couldn't tell from the way she had it arranged. Then I decided to look at this as a challenge, and here's the result of my first attempt to use it somewhere.

My hubby's brother and sister-in-law share the same birthday, so I decided to use some scraps to make them a card. The darker green CS is Stampin Up, along with the inks (Baroque Burgundy and Mint Melody). The 2 lighter green CS's are from Michaels, and I stamped the linen BG stamp onto the base CS to give it just a little more definition. I'm quite pleased with the way it all came together, and the card is now on its way to Ron & Bev in London, ON.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Designer Prints Paper ~ oh my!



Stampin Up had a deal in November where you got a free package of their designer paper if you bought 3. I have never purchased their paper, as the small swatches of it in the catalog didn't really do anything for me, and I thought it was pricey. But I couldn't resist a sale, so I took the plunge and ordered some paper.


All I can say is, "Oh my" ~ I *love* this paper. It's double sided, which makes it versatile and you feel like you are getting two sheets for the price of one. Plus, it exactly matches the ink colors AND the stamp sets.

For this card, I used the SU set All Wrapped Up ~ one of the first sets I purchased. Ink colors are Pretty in Pink, Lavender Lace, Mellow Moss and Tempting Turquoise, along with Basic Black. Used a watercolor brush to fill in the flowers and outline the jar. Papers used are from the Flowers for You set and the Tempting Turquoise prints set. Ribbon is some that was donated to me and it matches the lavender lace ink to a T.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Kickstand Card

Although this was supposed to be a sketch challenge on SCS (Splitcoast Stampers), I think it really qualifies as a "technique" challenge instead, as the sketch was for a kickstand card, which I have never made before.

What is a kickstand card, you ask? I had the same question.....it's hard to tell from the photo, but the front of the card is cut shorter than the back, then the scallopped square is used to make up the rest of the front. Clear as mud, huh?

To make this card, I cut a piece of CS 4 1/4 x 11", then scored it in the middle of the length. After doing that, I cut off a piece of the bottom front of the card, then made the scallopped square to fit evenly with the bottom of the back, so the card would stand up on the square (the kickstand).

I'm going to give this card to my son Kris for his 17th birthday, coming up Feb. 5. Stamps used are from Birthday Frame and Favorite Teddy bear. Square was cut with the Cricut (Mini Monograms cartridge). Patterned paper was generously donated by Jimmi....love it!

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Beautiful RAK from Jimmi



I was sitting around doing pretty much nothing when my friendly UPS man showed up at my door with an RAK (random act of kindness) from an extremely talented fellow blogger named Jimmi. This kind soul sent me a package of designer paper from Stampin Up, along with some ribbon. This paper is to die for ~ I'm absolutely drooling over it, trying to decide what to make first.

And, as if the paper and ribbon wasn't enough, she enclosed the card you see here. I wish you could see it in person; the photo doesn't do it justice....it's exquisite! To see more of Jimmi's work, check out her blog at The Stamping Shopper

Thank you, Jimmi!

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Alesha's baby thank you



My friend and Canadian SU demo, Alesha, had her first child in late October. A beautiful baby girl (to see how beautiful, check out Alesha's blog link). I love the baby's name, too...Rachel Amelia.

I sent little Rachel a scrapbook kit (of course), and Alesha sent me this thank you card.....isn't it sweet! She says she's almost finished the kit,too ~ I can hardly wait to see what she has done with it.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

The 3 of Us



Woohoo ~ I am finally scrapping again!!!!! This is the second page I have completed since our fire, 3 1/2 months ago, and I think I'm back in the groove!

I read directions on another blog about how to use outline stamps and then color them in to get this awesome border all around the photo. I do have to admit it was a lot of work, though, but I love the finished effect. I can't remember whose blog the directions were on, so if anyone reading this recognizes the technique, could you please LMK so I can give the mystery blogger credit? Thanks!

Notice the lacy paper border crossing the bottom of the photo? I used the 3 snowflakes key on the Doodlecharms Cricut cartridge, along with the "Border" button on the Cricut. I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

Stamp set I used for this is called "Doodle This", and the colors I selected (with lots of help from Debbie Moczek, since I am totally color challenged) were Always Artichoke, Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie and Brocade Blue. Paper was donated by Janice Muri of Sarasota.....thanks, Janice!