Saturday, December 24, 2011

Happy Holidays

It just wouldn't be right if I didn't take a moment to wish everyone the very Happiest of Holidays!  The most blessed of Christmases!  This time is about giving and loving one another.  I want to sincerely thank everyone who has given me such wonderful inspiration as I journey through the crafty world - you have been a blessing beyond measure.  My your hearts be filled with love, my your homes be filled with warmth of those you love and may you continue to be a blessing!

Monday, December 12, 2011

10 things about me

On her blog (iclassygirl.com), Tiare challenged us to write 10 things about ourselves.
So, never to be one to back away from a challenge, here are my 10 things.


1) There are so many words that could describe me - Christian, saved, daughter, wife, sister, mother, friend, cousin, working professional etc.  But when people think of me I hope they remember my smile and that I tried be a good person.


2) By birthday falls of the cusps of two Zodiac signs - Aquarius and Pisces.  I identify with being an Aquarius,


3) My son's name is from a movie, called "The Holiday".


4) I've always had some crafty pursuits but scrapbooking is my latest calling and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE me some paper and bling!  Yes, I need a 12-step program for my 12 x 12 habit!


5)  I grew up in a rural community and at times when my unreliable transportation broke down, my Amish neighbor would give me a ride to school.  How many people can say that they got dropped off in a horse and buggy?


6) In the B.C.days, I was a professional book reviewer.  (B.C.  = before child) Now, the only books I read have Muppets, Dragons, and Veggies in them with lots of colors and pictures.


7) I find joy in doing for others.  I like sharing smiles and good times. I'm allergic to drama.  At-choo!


8)  One day, I'd like to sky dive.  I'd also like to learn to ride a motorcycle.


9)  I'm an animal lover.  I WOULD love to welcome a new pet into our home!  IT's just going to take some convincing from my husband.


10) Heart is where home is - as the saying go.  In my younger days, I'd relocate at the drop of a dime for my career, but as my family has evolved and needs have changed, I'm firmly rooted in the ground surrounded by these 3 rivers (Pittsburgh).

Sunday, November 27, 2011

AnyTime, AnyWhere Scrapbook Experience, Week 3

Tiare has done it again!  She is pushing us (in a loving manner) to do more layouts and do it efficiently.  


This is week #3 of the AASE.   The sketch layout for this week is below:


  

This week's photo feature my Little Man at a friend's birthday party.  The party was held at a local Burger King and he was really digging the BK crown.  My personal challenge continues to be to use materials from my stash.  I've had this background paper for forever and a day.  I don't remember the name of the manufacturer.  I've also had the star brads forever.  I was on a brad buying spree awhile ago.  It's nice to be able to do layouts and do them quickly (but nicely).  I appreciate the AASE.

Although it wasn't his birthday, I choose to do this layout of my son at a birthday party.  This was his first play date at a birthday party.  He had fun playing with the other kids and he loved the sliding board.
Typically, I shy away from busy printed paper but with the AASE sketch Tiare provided, the two 8x10 sheets helped to calm the busy-ness of the paper.  I used a Martha Stewart punch to create the present border on top of the page.



Friday, November 25, 2011

A Love Feast!

Every year, we travel home to spend the holidays with my Parents.  Mom is a great cook and makes a feast every year.  We tend to invite other family members over and enjoy spending time together.


This layout features our Thanksgiving feast from 2010.  Every food item was lovingly created by Mom.


Two Page Layout featuring the Thanksgiving Dinner prepared by my Mom

Page 1

Page 2

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

SOC November 2011 I'm Thankful Layout Challenge!

Over at SOC, we were challenged to make a Thankful LO.
I choose to do my son, nephew and Mother.
You see, both my son and nephew are Medical Miracles of the natural kind.  Do to "issues" and complications, Mom never thought she would be a Grand Mother.  I was told I'd never be a Mommy and my sister had all but given up hope.  Yet, we know God is a god favor and blessings.  We know Doctors practice medicine but God is the ultimate physician!  When my husband and I received the news that we'd never be Parents, my reply was "if it is God's will, I'll be a Mommy."  


Fast forward almost a year, I'm at the bus stop when my phone rings.  It was my Sister who is six years older than me.  She had been experiencing some health issues and went into the doctor.  She came out of his office with news that she was expecting!  The call went something like this - My Sister:  "Guess what?"  Me:  "Your Pregnant!?!"  My Sister:  "Yup, I can't believe it!  My baby wants a play mate."  Me:  "Congrats!  Call your brother for a playmate."   Well, I think it was a set up because shortly after, I found out I was pregnant!  The boys are exactly three months apart.  They are truly our blessings for so many reasons.


Papers from a Best Occasions paper pack were used as well as brads from my stash


The boys are always in motion.  Even when they are sitting down.  This is just one of their usual silly moments.   Notice that Hunter is holding "Ducky" in the top photo.  He is the resident mascot.
Mom and the boys were investigating the newly fallen snow. 
They've formed their own neighborhood watch group.  
The living room window is a favorite attraction at Nana's house.  

These are the journaling tags used on the layout.  

Sunday, November 20, 2011

AnyTime, AnyWhere Scrapbook Experience

Tiare Smith is such a great inspiration!  Not only is she the founder of the Scraps of Color site, she has accomplished so much in her personal efforts and continues to give back to the creative community.

Over at iclassygirl.com, Tiare is hosting the AnyTime, AnyWhere Sketch challenge.  This isn't just about sketches, she challenges us to get organized, taught us how to make page kits and each Monday, Tiare posts a new sketch for us to try.  This is week two and it's been fantastic!

Most of my scrapbook layouts are of my family.  I can't think of any better subjects!!  Thanks for checking out my creations!



This is Week #1 Sketch Layout



This is my creation based off of the sketch.  
I always do two page layouts, but the first page using the sketch pattern.
I altered the sketch by including an additional photo.
I also challenged myself NOT to use my Cricut which is typically my "go to" tool.  
This is one of my first times using stamps on a layout. 
The circle spots were created using my Creative Memories Shape Makers.
This is the 2nd page of my layout.



 This is Week #2 Sketch Layout

 This is my creation based off of the Week #2 Sketch.
The photos are me, my son and my Mother at Kraynak's Christmas Tree Lane.
Although it was October, the place was decked out for the holidays.
It is seldom that we get out for an afternoon of fun so this was a good time by all.
The paper is by Cloud 9 Designs.
The embellishments are by Jolee's and Darice.
Journaling is by me!  :)


 Page 2 of my layout.


 Thanks for looking!




SOC: Embellished Candle Swap

A friend over on at SOC hosted an embellished candle swap.  I must admit, I'm a girl that loves her candles!  Here's a peek at the candles that I created for the swap. I ended up with two partners, which is great!  I hope they enjoy their candles!


The candles were purchased from Ikea.
I wrapped a wide printed Chrismas ribbon around the base of the candle.  The ribbon has a light-weight wire in it to allow it to keep its shape.  I used glue dots and pins to keep the ribbon in place.  I don't know why I thought hot glue would work - DUH!
Next, I used a silver ribbon with snowflake charms on top of the wired ribbon.  It doesn't show up so well in the picture but take my word for it!  :)
Then, I loaded some miniature glass ornaments on the silver pearl strand - this was probably the hardest part.  Also, the glass balls are not showing in the picture, but once again, trust me!
Last, I wrapped the silver pearls around the candle and tied it to itself.
A red ribbon is laced through the poinsetta strand to keep it snug to the base of the candle.  
There you have it, Festive Holiday candles!  




Happy holidays to you!

SOC: Altered Composition Books

You know I can't let a good swap go by!  And I'm here to tell you that on SOC, there is always a good swap goin' on!  This swap featured altered composition books.  I had to create three composition books as close to being alike as possible.  Easy, right?  


In addition to these instructions, I challenged myself to use layers and detail my details.  Why?  The work the SOC folks pull together is truly amazingly beautiful and abound in details.  I am trying to be like them when I grow up. Truly, I am!  :)


So, here's a peek at my altered composition books.  I used a paper pack from the Recollections line that caught my eye.  I liked the big, graphic turquoise flowers on the white background.  The complementing papers in the pack were also great and lent themselves to helping create this great project.  I had alot of fun trying to pull this together.  


The flowers on the front are Color Me Flowers (I believe).  I glimmer misted them pink and gray and added pearl centers as well as diamond dust to the gray flowers.  The center is embossed with the Cuttlebug spots folder as well as a Butterly folder by Darice.  I pop dotted the layers to give it some dimension and put photo corners on the edges.  I broke out my Prismacolor pencils once again (see prior post) and colored some of the embossed images just to give it a little more detail.  The top layer of the embossed edges are bordered by a shimmery ribbon gifted to me from Princess Jones (thanks Princess!)  Then the flowers were layered on top.  


The books were required to be decorated on the inside and outside covers as well.  For each of the books, I tried to incorporate pockets on the side flaps.  A few examples of the pockets are below:



I hope my swap partners enjoy their new composition books even half as much as I enjoyed making them.  This swap challenge was so much fun!


Thanks for stopping by!





Trying Something New

This year for my birthday, I gifted myself with Prismacolor Pencils.  I mean, if you don't treat yourself nicely, who will?  :)  So, it's been said that scrapbookers have hoarding tendencies.  I am offended by this comment, since it was directed right at me, BUT I must admit it got me to thinking.  So, after about 8 months of sitting on my shelf in its open box with unsharpened points, I decided to practice using my pencils.  


The ladies and gent over at SOC make some wonderful creations using this colored images.  Most use Copic markers but I really haven't graduated to that level and honestly, I don't think I every will! Until the purchase of my Prismacolor pencils, I've been using the same Crayola pencils that I had since college, if not before and I was ok with that!  I love the look of the Copics but I'm not sure I have the patience to create the masterpieces that my SOC family has created!   


When I finally dusted off my pencils, I choose three stamped images to shade and color.  I used Gamosol (mineral spirits) to help with the shading.  Now, I feel better that I'm one step closer to being a consumer of scrapbook products versus a hoarder! Thank you very much!  :-)



Friday, November 4, 2011

Just some random thoughts  -  


It's official!  We are rounding out the year with the entrance into November.  It is always during this time of year that I become reflective.  Is it because Thanksgiving is around the corner and it remind us to be thankful for the things that are important to us?  Is it because in just about 50 days, the Christmas holidays will be beckoning at our door causing us to remember the reason for the season?  During these fall days, please take time to pause and reflect on what is important on a long-term basis and also look back over the days of your life.  I've been thinking about my ancestors and wish I had the opportunity to spend time with them, to hold their hand and have a glimpse into their lives.  "If only" I could bake with my Grandmother or sit at the piano bench with my other Grandmother and what was their mothers like?  "If only" there was more time to spend time with each and every person that is still with us.  Oh, what a better person I'd be!

Sunday, October 16, 2011


First and foremost, I'd like to thank everyone that came out to support us during the SOC Blog hop!
The love you showed to us was truly appreciated.
The hop may be over, but the battle continues.   Please remember to take care of yourself.
Now, time to announce the winner of my blog candy. 
Drum roll please!



Wait for it!!!



Are you ready?!?!?

CONGRATULATIONS TO
Kristin

She wrote:

Kristin said...
I love the pink camo and the silhouette's dress. Very cute!!! SOC rocks!!
Mediation. . .what is this?  For me, it is a time to think, reflect and renew.  In life there is so much upon us and upon those that surround us.  My constant prayer is for my steps to be ordered and my actions reflect all that is good and holy.  Let's be honest - sometimes I meet this challenge.  We're all human.

Here's my scripture thought for today:


“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 KJV

Friday, October 7, 2011

Welcome to the SOC Blog Hop for Breast Cancer!



October is Breast Cancer awareness month!  
So in honor of this event -- I, along with some talented crafters, have teamed up to honor and celebrate the men and women in our lives that inspire us with their strength in the battle against Breast Cancer.  
If you wondered here from Qadirah's blog, you're in the right place!
If you just dropped in, why don't you join us for the whole blog?


Of course, a blog hop isn't complete without blog candy!
There will be giveaways on various blogs throughout the hop!  PLUS, there will be an SOC blog hop gift awaiting one visitor!!   To be eligible for that prize, you must comment on ALL blogs by Monday, Oct. 10 @ 11pm EST.  From all who are eligible, one lucky reader will be randomly drawn.  The winner will be posted on all participating blogs on Friday, October 14.  


For my contribution, I've created two layouts.


Layout #1
This layout is for a hometown girl who is also a co-worker that just battled Breast Cancer and won!  She was very candid and open with everyone about her experience.  I feel so honored to know someone who has such strength and grace.  She felt well enough to participate in the Race for the Cure and I'll add these photos to the layout and present the framed gift to her. Also, I know this blog hop is specific to breast cancer but so many family members have battled with cancer in general, and some are are still on the battlefield.  I dedicate this to them as well.  


The Layout was created using paper from Michael's, a jeweled BC ribbon and a borrowed embossing folder with dainty little hearts (I forget the name of the folder!) and the Cricut Breast Cancer cartridge.  I choose the pink camflouage paper to represent the fight that is needed to battle this terrible disease.  The pink represents everything girly.  
Remember to "fight like a girl" and never give up hope! 


Layout #1






This "Hope" Layout features papers from Me & My Big Ideas Mambi collection. It was purchased at my local Michael's.  
The title says "Finding joy in the journey."  
The layered butterfly is from my stash.  I choose it because of the careless freedom that a butterfly has as it dances on the flowers.  The butterfly's journey seems to be filled with Joy.
The layered heart is also from the Mambi collection as well as the lady's dress.  The paper is pre-printed with a journaling block.
The "It's a girl" embellishment is also from Michael's.
Thanks for looking!


Layout #2







I appreciate you stopping by to support the SOC Breast Cancer hop!
The Scraps of Color (SOC) group is very much like a family unit.   We've developed close friendships along the way while sharing our crafty creations.  
My way of saying "thanks for visiting" is posted below. 
One lucky visitor who lives a comment and is a follower will be eligible to win my blog candy.  Remember, if you comment on ALL the blogs within the hop, you'll be entered to win the grand prize!

Blog candy includes a stack of DCWV 8x8 paper, Glue Glider  pro tape runner and two refills, EK Success Paper Shaper BC punch and some chipboard letters.  



Here's our line-up.  Please every visit site.  






 Tina






Nedine   - you are here!
 Cheryl  - visit here next!
Thanks for your support!


Wednesday, September 28, 2011

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month! So in honor of this event--I, along with some talented crafters, have teamed up to honor and celebrate the men and women in our lives that inspire us with their strength in the battle against Breast Cancer. Of course, a blog hop isn't complete without blog candy! There will be giveaways on various blogs throughout the hop! Plus, there will be an SOC blog hop gift awaiting one visitor!! To be eligible for that prize, you must comment on all the blogs by Monday, Oct. 10 at 11:00pm EST. From all who are eligible, one lucky reader will be randomly drawn. The winner will be posted on all the participating blogs this Friday, Oct 14.


Monday, August 29, 2011

Ribbon Wreaths!

It's holiday time, well almost!  
I saw a recent post on the SOC boards and since I had a nice stash of ribbon, I decided to give the ribbon wreaths a try.  


I made both over the week-end and probably the longest time was spent cutting the ribbon.


I was pretty pleased with how the Thanksgiving wreath turned out and took it over my Mom's house to show her.  Mom is also pretty crafty.  She liked it so much that she put in an order for her own Christmas wreath.  :)



Someone asked me how much ribbon did I use?  For both wreaths, I used to full spools of the base colors, plus the wreath is wrapped in a coordinating think ribbon.  All in all, I think each wreath took about 3 hours.  All of my work was done in different sessions so it's hard to estimate.  I used straight pins versus hot glue to tie it all together.  These were fun to make and I might try to round up some friends for a little workshop to show them how to make them as well.



Thursday, August 18, 2011

Helping Out A Friend

Recently, I met some new scrapbook friends and they were asking be about inking, chalking, dry embossing, etc.  So while at the crop, I made two quick projects with them to demo some scrapbooking techniques. 

For the card front, we embossed it with the Cuttlebug.  We altered wedding flowers from Walmart with ink to give them color.  We set the flowers with eyelets on the card.  We inked the edges of the card.

On the bookmark, we used an acrylic block and clear stamps.  We inked the stamps with different colors and mounted a chalked flower with an eyelet to the bookmark.  We actually did two bookmarks and adhered them together to make it more pleasing to the eye.  To finish it off, we embellished with ribbon.  

Both ladies were pleased with their projects and the new techniques they learned.




Monday, August 15, 2011

Altered Notebook - my first!



Hello, this will be a quick post.  I just wanted to share an altered notebook that I created for a crafty friend.
I found really pretty ColorBok paper at Big Lots, I used Michael's ribbon from my stash.  I chalked white flowers from my stash that came from Walmart's wedding department.  The butterflies are from the scraps of the project and punched with the M.S. butterfly punch.  The inside cover is also decorated.  It was a pretty quick project and I'm pretty pleased with the results.  I hope my friend likes it!
This is the before picture.




This is the front cover
This is the inside cover
This is the back cover


My first ATC

Over at Scraps of Color, I decided to join the fun in an ATC Swap.  The swap had a twist - we had to "rep our state".  In other words, the ATC had to be about the state you live in.  I thought this was a great idea!  
Being that I live in Pennsylvania - a.k.a.  Penn's Woods. Oneof the first original 13 states known for the Liberty Bell and the Declaration of Independence, my ATC features these things.  Also, I wanted to showcase the state colors of blue and gold so I used a playing card with a blue back as my base.  I trimmed the area with a gold paint pen.  


I hope you like my creation!  :)


Thanks for looking!


Be blessed and be a blessing!
Before




After - front and back sides



Sunday, August 14, 2011

Holiday project for JoAnn's!

For the months of November & December, we will be featuring this papercrafting project at my local JoAnn's store.  I thought it would be fun to give it a try before the classes actually kicked off.  


This holiday ball was created using a foam ball and several different paper punches.  It was fun, but time consuming to make.

This shows the details of the punch.  I used an EK Success border punch , layered it twice and then rolled it.  

The red flower is another example using an EK Success punched that was double layered and then rolled.
I also used a Fisker's scalloped punch for the flower creations.  

Corsage pins were used to hold everything together.

Sheer red and white ribbon was doubled up to create a bit of pizzazz!

This is the final product.
Thanks for looking!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

It's Official!!!

Yay!!!  100 Followers!  Thank you all so much!!!
Also, I was a winner on the blog hop I told you about this weekend.  Thank you Georgiana!!!  Woo Hoo!!

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Awesome Blog Candy Alert!!

Hey Everyone!  Hope you're having a great weekend!  This is my hubby's birthday weekend and we are enjoying family time with our little busy body.  I'm working on my first ATC.  Depending on the results, I'll share it with you!!  haha


If you have a moment, why don't you head over to Bella Scrapbook Designs?  She is trying to get 500 followers and has offered up some wonderful (and very generous) blog candy!  The link to her blog is http://bellascrapbookdesigns.blogspot.com/


Happy Crafting!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Too much ribbon - Need your help!

Hello, In the spirit of organization, I've decided I have too much ribbon!  What's a girl to do but share it with her friends?  So, this is going to be an unpublicized give-a-way.  If 10 people respond to this post by Thursday of this week, 7/28, I'll select a winner to receive the ribbon.  Most are unused rolls of ribbon, not tiny little scraps.


Thanks!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Tag Swap

 Most of my swaps are on the SOC boards - there are so ultra talented folks there.  We had a theme tag swap.  I am not much of a stamper in comparision to the folks on the board, but I decided to challenge myself.  In the long run, I'm pretty pleased with how the birthday tags turned out.  It was the first time I used my Spellbinders dies - the scalloped rectangle was created using the Spellbinders.  I stamped the balloons, cake and numbers on the rectangle with different colored inks.  I inked the edges of the scalloped rectangle with a light blue ink.  I used Stickles to add bling to the candles and to the cake.  I used fibers from my stash to add some additional color.  The little birthday hats or stars were the final touches to make the tags look more festive.  I hope my swap partners like it!




The Christmas Tags were created using my Cricut Expression and my Gypsy.  I used the Tags, Bags Boxes and More cartridge along with one of the Christmas cartridges.  The tree is the negative cut trimmed in Cricut markers and overlayed with Stickles. I wasn't sure if I liked outlining the tree with the green Stickles so I just added the red "balls" instead to the other tags.  Which one do you like better?