SCRAPBOOK SATURDAY

Good morning all! I have decided that every Saturday I will share a scrapbook page - sometimes 12x12, sometimes 6x6, sometimes maybe a mini-album but something dealing with scrapbooking (well, yes, and stamps because ya know I love my stamps!) This will accomplish two things for me: make me scrapbook (yeah, that's hard, lol!) and maybe inspire some of you to get some pages done as well *wink* - I know how it is, TONS of pics needing to be scrapped and never enough time! So, today will be my first one. Now, I will tell ya, not all my pages will be 100% Stampin' Up! because I have loads of scrapbook stuff and I like to use it in my albums but there will always be SOMETHING SU! on there, no worries! (I saw you looking worried!) So, in keeping with this, my page today is a very special page for me - it is one that reflects four generations of fabulous ladies (one is still little but IS a lady!) in my family starting with my Grandmother who we lost six years ago. She is the beautiful lady in the large photo - then left to right: my mom, age 4 - me, age 3, and my daughter, age 4. Can you see the resemblance? I love these pictures because they are a part of who I am and that is why I do this craft. So, on to the deets: I used the BRAND NEW paper line from Black Market Society that the scrappin' world is all in a tither about....they have no website, they give very few sneak peeks, and their stuff is FABULOUS! Well, Jen at Coconut Scrapshop has ALL their new paper and embellies and it was the June kit so I made sure to get one and I am so glad I did! I just love this gorgeous line and see me using every last piece for family pics like these! So, what did I do? Well, I sponged my chipboard butterflies, inked the edges with with my stamp pads to match the shades of brown and turquoise in the papers, and added rhinestone brads and build-a-brads to the centers. On the journaling tag, I added some yummy chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon and the title is spelled out in Stampin' Up! Lots of Letters. I took these letters and stamped on them with my Doodle This stamp set at different angles to get different pieces of the image on the letters and I love the way this turned out. I also took a piece of the dp, and, using my slit punch, made some nice scallops along the bottom edge. On the card stock, I used my corner rounder and inked the edges as well with Chocolate Chip classic ink. The turquoise and white ribbon is from my stash. I used the heart from my Always stamp set and stamped it on Naturals Ivory card stock in Chocolate Chip classic stamp ink and heat embossed using Stampin' Up! clear embossing powder. Here is a close-up of it although it is still hard to see in the photo but it looks really beautiful on this paper! I just cut it out and popped it up on dimensionals. I am happy with how this page came out. And, I would like to give credit to Pamela Young for the awesome sketch that I used for this layout, she is uber talented and you should check out her blog! Thanks for stopping by - you know I appreciate all of you and your wonderful comments, you make my day EVERYDAY! Have a fabulous weekend and stay cool - it will be a 100 degrees here and windy which is NOT good for the fires, uugggghhhhh!!!

IT'S FRIDAY AND TIME FOR ANOTHER CHALLENGE - WHOOHOO!!

Hey all - Happy Friday! I love Fridays because you all get to see the next fabulous challenge from Stamp Something of which I am honored to be a DT member for because let me tell ya, I am in some very talented company! So, today the challenge is to do something Monochromatic - any color as long as they are all shades of the SAME color - can be anything, does not have to be a card! Okay? So, make sure you pop on over to Stamp Something and check out what all the DT gals did - it will blow your socks off!!! So, on to my card - I decided I wanted to make a card for one of my friends who I don't get to see very often but miss everyday and think about all the time! We have known each other a long time so we will always be close - in fact, my oldest son is staying at their house because he is doing his Summer Cruise for Annapolis and pulled into port in Norfolk where she is stationed right now! But, I digress....Liz is my sister of the heart, and I love her!! We have not seen each other since my retirement ceremony and we are hoping to plan something soon - our husbands are also best buddies as are our kids, so it works out well, and we have taken many a vacation together. I hope she likes this card - I just wanted to let her know that I was thinking of her! I will leave you with the recipe for mine and as always, any questions, just ask! I will tell ya this: I embossed my little hedgehog and I think he came out pretty stinkin' cute! That is why I posted the close-up, ya have to enjoy him with me - LOL! Can you believe this is the first time I have used Fun and Fast Notes - I know, SHAME ON ME!!! But, I will show it some love over the next few days to make up for it *wink* Make sure to give the DT gals a shout out and upload your take on the challenge, I am sure there is some goodie at stake for a lucky partaker! Besides, I want to see what you do!! Personal note: the fire has moved away from all of us because the wind has shifted but it is really spreading and fast! I have TONS of my scrappin' friends that live in the areas that have been evacuated and so many houses and businesses have burned, it is just so very sad! No end in sight yet - and I am having breathing problems because the air quality is so very bad! So, wherever you are, I hope your weekend goes well - please keep my neighbors and friends in your thoughts!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Handsome Hunter, Garden Green, Mellow Moss card stock, Old Olive Designer Series Prints
Inks - Handome Hunter Craft Ink, Handsome Hunter and Glorious Green Stampin' Write markers
Stamp sets - Fun as Fast Notes
Accessories - Mat Stack and paper piercer, Wild Wasabi Double stitched grosgrain ribbon, Photo frames punch, Stampin' Sponge, Old Olive brads, 5-Petal Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Circle Rhinestones, Stampin' Dimensionals, Clear embossing powder, Stampin' Up! heat embossing tool

IT'S THURSDAY - TIME FOR ANOTHER FAB SKETCH CHALLENGE!

Whoohoo - Tamara's sketch this week is fabulous - I had a blast making this card! I decided to go beachy and summery since that is the season we are finding ourselves in here! So, I broke out my stamp set Life's a Breeze since it had not seen ink yet (shame on me!!) I love this set, it will be perfect for some of my beach layouts I want to get done! So, here is the link to the sketch - please make sure you go over and see what all the other talented DT members came up with, I tell ya, their talent knocks my socks off! On a personal note, the fires have gotten really bad here. There are now five of them and none have been controlled yet due to the heavy winds we are having. The wind has shifted and my MIL, SIL, and myself are not in the path of any of the fires right now, but we are being very vigilant about keeping up with the news! So many people have lost their homes and all their possessions - not things, but precious items like photos, and historical items. It is so very sad to see my neighbors suffering - 28 homes were lost about 10 miles from where I live! Thankfully, nobody has lost their lives and there have been very few injuries, that in itself is a blessing! However, many of the schools have had to close, and traveling around right now is difficult - my car is covered in soot and the sky is black from the smoke. Does not make for pleasant breathing and my eyes are burning! But, we are all safe! With that said, I will leave you the recipe for my sketch card and I challenge you all to go over to Tamara's site and upload your version of the sketch - we would all love to see them! Toodles!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Tempting Turquoise card stock, Whisper White card stock, So Saffron card stock, Bali Breeze Designer Series Paper
Stamp Set - Lifes a Breeze
Inks - Only Orange Classic Stampin' pad, Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pad, Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Write , Only Orange, and Tempting Turquoise Narrow grosgrain ribbon, Ticket Corner Punch, Mat Stack and paper piercer, 1 1/4 inch Circle Punch, 1 inch Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini glue dots

IN THE STARS!

Happy Hump day!! It is going to be sooooo very hot here today - 100 degrees, YIKES!! We also have a huge fire burning near town that we are keeping an eye on - it has already burned close to 2000 acres and they have not gotten it under control yet...I really hope they do today since my SIL and MIL live right in the path of the fires direction! So anyway, on to the page! Notice the background of this page - yep, I made it with my In the Stars Stamp set and a ruler! I have not made my own patterned paper in a while and it was fun to do it again! I really like they way this turned out! The pics are from when when the kids and I went to Busch Gardens - the Bald Eagle was on public display and so I had the boys pose in front of it - isn't he a beautiful bird?? I have one of my daughter and I as well that I will be scrappin' later. I love this pic of my boys but it also really makes me miss my oldest who will be home for a visit in 10 days - whoohoo!! I cannot wait to see him! Anyway, not everything on this page is Stampin' Up! as I used the new patriotic paper line from Adorn it...I love any and all things red, white, and blue! The stars are chipboard that I sponged with my stamp pads and then stamped on them as well. Then, I added dazzling diamonds to the edges and the small stars. The large star I used for my journaling. I will leave you with a complete recipe. I hope everyone has a fabulous day!

Page Recipe:

Paper - Stampin' Up! White card stock, Adorn it patriotic line

Stamp Sets - In the Stars

Inks - Nearly Navy Classic Stampin' Pad, Ruby Red Classic Stampin' pad, Nearly Navy Stampin' Write Marker

Accessories - Bazzill Chipboard stars, Ribbon (from my stash, sorry, not sure who from), Dazzling Diamonds and two-way glue

ANOTHER SKETCH CARD - I AM ON A ROLL!

Hi all! Well, first I want to tell you that I had a fabulous time yesterday with my scrapbook group - what a fun bunch of gals!! Nope, did not get tons done, but boy, I sure enjoyed the social interaction! But, I do have a card to share that I did for Jen's Saturday sketch - and I totally love this sketch and will use it again! She always offers a fabulous sketch challenge on Saturdays and I try and do them as often as I can. So, for this one I decided to go monochromatic because I love the look. I used all the shades of brown I could get my hands on and stamped with my One of a Kind Stamp set - one of my favorites because I just love the sentiments it comes with! I also used my Boho Blossoms punch which fits the stamp for this set perfectly (well, it was designed to do that, teehee!) Love, love, love that punch! I made this card with a special person in mind so I hope she likes it! I will leave you with the recipe for this one since it is pretty self-explanatory and as always, if you have any questions, just drop me a line! Now, I also want to update you on some exciting news I shared with you all a few days ago in this post: remember I told you I was selected to design the July kit for Jen over at Coconuts?? Well, it is all done and it is FABULOUS if I do say so myself (well, and Jen said so too, LOL!) And, she is going to offer preorders for those interested....so I will be giving you some sneak peeks over the next few days just to get those juices flowing - just don't drool on my blog - teehee!! Seriously gals, this is a FUN kit and it is so versatile you can do TONS with it! And, if you are a big scrapper like me, you will LOVE playing with the goodies in this kit! And yep, I did include stamps....I mean, really, did you have to ask??!! So, here is the hint: the name of the Kit is "Lovin' Liberty"......and it is totally ROCKIN'! So, head on over there and tell her I sent ya! And, stay tuned for some sneak peeks over the next week or so! Toodles!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Chocolate Chip card stock, Close to Cocoa card stock, Naturals Ivory card stock, Close to Cocoa Prints Designer Series paper
Stamp Set - One of a Kind
Inks - Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad, Close to Cocoa Classic Stampin' Pad, Close to Cocoa Stampin' Write Marker
Accessories - Circle Scallop Punch, Crop-a-Dile, Photo Frames Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, 1/2 inch Circle Punch, 1/8 Circle Punch, Build-Brad, Vintage brads, Vintage eyelets, Boho Blossoms Punch, Chocolate Chip 5/8 inch grosgrain ribbon, Mat Stack and paper piercer

HERE IT IS - MONDAY AGAIN

Good Monday morning everyone! I am off to my monthly scrapbook club - we meet the second Monday of every month at the LSS (read, 45 min one way for me!) from 10-5. This is a by-invitation group and I was asked two months ago to join but this will be the first time I have actually gotten to go! I am looking forward to it although I have stamping projects to do and probably won't get to my scrappin' - oh well! I love to stamp too *wink* So, today I want to share with you the card I made for the Sheetload of cards sketch challenge....of course, after I was done, I went back to the site and realized that I was supposed to use $1 stamps...ugggghhhhh!!! So, this one will use the sketch but I won't post it there since I did not follow the directions - LOL! Oh well, maybe I can make another one! I used the Free and the Brave set - I just love it! And, even though it has a western theme, I used the dp from the Western Sky paper pack because I love the stars and thought they were great for this project! I am trying to get a bunch of cards done to send overseas and I am planning a Cards for the Troops day that I think this set will be great for! So, I will leave you with the recipe and a reminder to check out my sketch and post a link on that post so I can see your creations! Have a wonderful day!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Kraft card stock, Nearly Navy card stock, Ruby Red card stock, Naturals Ivory card stock, Western Sky Designer Series Paper
Stamp Sets - Free and the Brave
Inks - Nearly Navy Classic Stampin' pad, Ruby Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Nearly Navy Stampin' Write marker, More Mustard Stampin' Write marker
Accessories - Build-a-brad, Antique eyelets, Antique brads, Mat Stack and paper Piercer, Large Star Punch, 1/2 inch Circle Punch, Stampin Dimensionals, Stampin' Sponge

BEATE'S WEEKEND SKETCH CHALLENGE - 51

Good Sunday morning everyone! I had some time to stamp yesterday - whoohoo! I love when my afternoon is open with the kids busy doing their thing and Tony is occupied (helping FIL out) because then I don't feel so guilty hiding out in my scrap room - LOL! So, I made doing Beate's weekend sketch challenge a priority because I ADORE Beate and her fabulous sketches! You know, I have to say a few things here: I have only been stamping for a little over a year now and it is people like Beate who have made me love and enjoy this craft as much as I do! I remember when I first started out as a demo, and I would see something on her blog that I liked but had questions about - I could email her and she would answer me back with great tips and advice. And, she does wonderful tutorials - for FREE!!!! She epitomizes the Heart of Stampin' Up! by sharing her fantastic talent and creativity with all of use through both her blog and through SCS. In fact, I joined the Fan Club because of her! Why am I telling you all this? Well, because every now and then ugliness reaches into our sublime stamping world and interrupts what we love and so I wanted to remind us of some of the reasons we do what we do! And, people like Beate have made it that much better! So, off my soapbox and onto the card! I used my Mr. Crabby pants for this one (stamp set is actually called Crab and Company!) because he makes me smile, and I wanted to smile today! I popped up the crab claws and the starfish, then added a little bit of dazzling diamonds to both. And, I added some tiny googlie eyes (yes, I know they aren't SU! but they are soooo stinkin' cute!) I actually flipped Beate's sketch - I know she won't mind, she is the one who told me a sketch is just a great place to start! :-) I did this so I could put my scallops across the bottom, which I made with my slit punch. Isn't he a happy dude?? I just love this set, and will never tire of it! I hope he sticks around in the catty for a little while longer.....so anyway, I will leave you with the recipe and this thought: The kindest word in all the world is the unkind word, unsaid. ~Author Unknown
Card Recipe:
Paper - Kraft card stock, Ruby Red card stock, Bashful Blue card stock, Naturals Ivory card stock, Cutie Pie Designer Series Paper
Stamp Set - Crab and Company
Inks - Black Stazon, Ruby Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Ruby Red and Creamy Caramel Stampin' Write markers
Accessories - Dazzling Diamonds, Two-Way glue, googlies eyes (non-SU!), Mat Stack and Paper Piercer, Small Tag Punch, Jumbo Pewter eyelet, Old Olive narrow grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Slit Punch