Love & Laughter

Just a little something to start your week off on a good note! Happy Monday!

Materials:

Border Punch: EK Success
Edge Distresser: Making Memories
Flowers: Classic K Bailey Floral Embossed Stickers (K & Co)
Flowers: Nursery Tales Collection (Prima)
Patterned Paper: "Sweet Little One", Innocent Stripes (My Mind's Eye)
Patterned Paper: "Fresh Brothers", Sidewalk Chalk Paper (My Mind's Eye)
Patterned Paper: 8x8 Paper Pad, Fleuriste (Cosmo Cricket)
Patterned Paper: Designer Paper Pad, Cut 'N' Paste (K & Co)
Pearls
Vintage Tag: Myki

Creative Scrappers Sketch #67 is Up!

Creative Scrappers has posted Sketch 67!! The Design Team has created some gorgeous inspiration for you so be sure to check out their takes on the sketch for this week.

The Sketch:

My take:
My sister and I (people say we look a little alike??) about a month ago just playing around and acting silly!

Some stitching with twine (harder than it looks - LOL), a little burlap, cut out butterflies were from the K & Co. Designer paper pad - Wild Saffron Collection.

More stitching (this is a LOT from me as I've really never done much of it in previous layouts - however... I think I'm hooked!)

Prima letters - so yummy!! Love their nursery tales collection!

Materials Used:
Alphas: Nursery Tales Collection (Prima)
Burlap
Cardstock: Bazzill
Edge Distresser: Making Memories
Ink: Jet black (StazOn)
Patterned paper: Designer paper pad, Wild Saffron (K & Co)
Pearls
Twine

Just Me and My Shadow

Welcome back to "Don't Quote Me" Thursdays where inspiration is taken from QUOTATIONS inspired from song lyrics, ancient proverbs, famous sayings and more.

This week, your inspiration will come from the brilliant Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, famously known for his abstract paintings and artwork.

QUOTE: Everything you can imagine is real.

The photo was taken this past weekend while at the park. There was a huge grassy area where the kids were all running around and all of a sudden, my daughter discovered her shadow!

Some Kaiser Pearls always dress up an otherwise plain embellie!

Used the Wild Saffron paper pad from K & Co to make the swirls - nice cut out options and always a reasonable price for the 12x12 pads.

Ohhh my new border punch from EK Success - love it. The alphas were actually quite bright and shiny so I just sanded them and inked to get more of a worn look to match with the rest of the layout. Chipboard letters are so versatile!

Close up of some yummy prima that I inked to match the papers... originally they were white.

Interpret the quote however you like and post your projects back here or email them to me at Tara Orr BEFORE next Thursday to be eligible to win a fantastic RAK!

*BONUS!!!* WANNA WINNA RAK?????????

Complete all 4 of my weekly challenges to be eligible to win a fantastic RAK!!





Materials Used:
patterned paper: designer paper pad, wild saffron collection (K & Co)
patterned paper: signature suite, 'little girls are' coll., sweet dots (My Mind's Eye)
patterned paper: weathervane, cozy home (October Afternoon)
paper punch: EK Success
Ink: walnut stain, tim holtz
flowers: Prima
Pearls: KaiserCraft
Alpha Chipboard: Anna Griffin
Alpha Stickers: Basic Grey

Lift with a Twist Contest

Creative Scrappers has an awesome contest about to take place. Come join me in a Twisting Event!

Monday September 7th starting at 9pm est

"Lift with a Twist"

I will provide you with a layout and you will have 24 hrs to create your best 'lift' of the project.

Cards, ATCs and layouts are all welcome.

BUT

There will be a * TWIST *

You will need to incorporate a specific technique on your layout - to be disclosed at the beginning of the contest.

Our Sponsor for this contest will be Riff Raff Designs

See you then!

Canadian Scrapbooker

The fall issue is in stores now! Take a peek at Page 94...

So excited - my first 'print' publication for them.

Still kinda neat to see it in stores ya know?? Thanks for letting me gush ;>

So Busy!

Hi everyone!

Wowzers, I am a busy lady - although you'd never know it by the amount of layouts I have posted lately!! I just finished my layouts for the September Kit at Scrapbook Star and am finally ready to move on to my next adventure. While I can't show you any of these layouts just yet, maybe a sneak peek will peak your interest.

I actually managed to complete 5 layouts using this kit (and had enough stuff left over for 2 cards!). VERY different layouts came out of this kit - you'd actually never know they were from the same one by the look of my layouts...

You'll have to wait until Sept before you can see the WHOLE layout, but here is a little sneak...

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

October Calls Are Up!

Would you like to be published in Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. Here's your chance. Take a look at the October 2009 Issue calls and submit by the deadline. It really is that easy.

October 2009 Issue

Scrapbooking:
By Style* (see special call below)
Birthdays & Celebrations
Family Routines, Rituals & Traditions
Observations/Signs of the Times (differences between decades, generations, etc.)
Unusual Seasonal Colors (Using spring colors for Christmas, Fall colors for spring, etc.)
Halloween & Dia de los Muertos
Fall & Thanksgiving

Digital Scrapbooking:
Tweaking contrast and color (must show original picture)
Photomerging (merging two photos together, must show individual photos)

Deadline: September 19, 2009

Send submissions to subs@scrapbooknewsandreview.com

-----------------------------

Three for All - Fall Photos
Send us a group of three photos and the digital staff will create fabulous digital layouts starring your photos! The photos should be digital or scanned and not violate any copyrights. Add a short description about the group of photos (event, name(s), date(s), place(s), etc.) in the body of the email so we may include that information on the layouts.

Send photos to mbackues@scrapbooknewsandreview.com

------------------------------

Cards:
Birthday, Journaling Cards, Stamps & Tickets
Thanksgiving
Eyelets
3 Papers, 3 Cards (Use 3 papers from any line and make 3 cards using nothing else except stamps and embellishments)
ABC: Fall Over Me (anything fall related)
Flap Cards
Gatefold Cards
Gifties (sucker holders, soup pouches, etc.)

------------------------

Stamping*:
Leaf Stamps
Masking
Stamping on Fabric
Coloring Techniques
Paper Piecing
Glossy Paper (glossy, metallic, acetate, etc.)
* can be cards, layouts or projects as long as they feature stamps

Deadline: September 19, 2009

Please send CARDS & STAMPING projects to ahouse@scrapbooknewsandreview.com

-------------------------

Something Different

Good morning! Just wanted to share a new project with you all! I am so excited about it as I've never done anything besides traditional, 12x12 scrapbook pages.

Well, to start, the other day I discovered that the teeny, tiny, craft store in town carries GRAPHIC 45 papers!! I was shocked! Of course I stocked up!!! Love their stuff - so vintage! Anyhow, I had picked up a few nic nacks, crafts for the kids and a wooden frame the last time I was at Michaels. I decided to pimp up the frame and give it a vintage face lift using my new papers.

I added a few prima flowers, added some distress crackle paint to the grungeboard and that's about it! The chipboard letters are from Anna Griffin - so velvetty!

I traced the bottom of one of my patterned papers from Sassafrass Lass to make the border along the roof.

Gorgeous vintage tag and butterflies - all Graphic 45!

I totally love the way it turned out - would make a nice gift don't you think?? I may try my hand at these altered projects a little more often!!

Sweet Child of Mine

Its reveal day over at Creative Scrappers, Sketch #65 has been posted and the Design Team has some amazing layouts to show off!

Here was our sketch this week, designed by the wonderfully talented Deb Harter.

Here is my take on the sketch! Soft and vintage and rustic - my new favourite style!!

Close up of journaling which reads: Always looking so pensive. What are you thinking in that pretty little head of yours.

Did a lot of cut out work for this one - love the result of paper flowers with the papers!

Loving the Prima chipboard letters!!

There is an amazing sponsor monScrapbook.com this month with a 25$ gift certificate to their online store! To Win all you need to do is complete a layout and post it in the gallery! A random draw will be held at the end of the month.

There are also a ton of other challenges in the forum and a contest on September 7th hosted by yours truely!!

Materials Used:
Alphas: tiny alphas, black on white (Making Memories)
Alphas: nursury tales collection (Prima)
Patterned Paper: 29th St Market Collection, fresh brothers, sidewalk chalk (My Mind's Eye)
Patterned Paper: 29th St Market Collection, fresh beauty, greenery paper (My Mind's Eye)
Patterned Paper: write out collection, explore - meadow (We R Memory Keepers)
Patterned Paper: grandma's kitchen collection, rich ribbon (We R Memory Keepers)
Patterned Paper: grandma's kitchen collection, flower frenzy (We R Memory Keepers)
Patterned Paper: grandma's kitchen collection, pretty pinwheel (We R Memory Keepers)
Paper Trimmer: 12 inch portable trimmer (Fiskars)
Edge Distresser: Making Memories
Ink: Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz)

Butterfly Crafts Challenge #18

Its a busy weekend and we're on a roll - lets keep it going!!

Challenge #18 has been posted at Butterfly Crafts and its all about your best friend(s). What makes them special, how did you meet, what things do you do together? Show off your awesome bff(s) to the scrappy world!! Please upload your LO's to the gallery, leave a link in the comments or e-mail them to EMAIL by the 30th of August to be eligible for a chance of becoming the September guest designer. The winner will also receive a gorgeous ribbon Kit from Angel Crafts.

I had to scrap my mom for this challenge - a hands down winner by far! She is so much more than my best friend - words cannot describe! This photo was taken while we were in Hawaii about 2 yrs ago and while I was about 7 months pregnant with my daughter!

A few close ups of the Myki ticket, Build a Brad from Stampin' Up! and blingy butterfly!

Gorgeous vellum butterfly from Myki!

Don't know if you can see, but in the photo we are both wearing these sandal necklaces - one of those cheap souvenirs that we HAD to have - and had to match! I used the sandal on my layout to remind me of how special it was!


Materials Used:
Patterned Paper: Iron Orchid Designs, Rue 88 Collection, Cafe Diamant (Prima)
Die Cut Paper: Knave of Hearts Collection (Collage Press)
Patterned Paper: Decor Stripe (Heidi Grace Designs)
Alpha Letters: Offbeat, nanoset (Basic Grey)
Butterflies: Ambrosia collection, Winsome (Basic Grey)
Swirls: Wild Saffron Collection (K & Co)
Grungeboard: Tim Holtz
Butterfly, Ticket: Myki
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn)
Edge Distresser: Making Memories
Tiny Alphas: Black on White (Making Memories)
Cardboard
Bling
Burlap

Its Started!

The online crops for Butterfly Crafts and Scrapbook Star HAVE BEGUN!!!

Scrapbook Star's Crop Theme is Grease...
Butterfly Crafts' Crop Theme is Movies...
Guess which movie I chose to do for Butterfly Crafts?!?! Did I luck out on that one or what?!

So... Here are two TOTALLY different takes on the movie.

For Scrapbook Star, I decided to do my layout with a 1950s flair. The one area I focused on in my layout was "Pop Art" which was a movement started in the mid 1950s where popular subjects could be part of the artist's palette and was made famous by Andy Warhol.

I thought it would be pretty neat to use an actual record as the base of my layout (purchased at the local thrift store for $0.50) considering the whole juke box thing... Hoola Hoops were also super popular WAY back then which is why I am holding one in the photo - the reason why I look like such a dork - ?? (LOL)!

I used the cardboard from an old shipping box and painted in white and spattered coloured paint everywhere to match the playful feel in the layout.

Close up of photo. I basically made it a black and white photo and coloured the top left image. From there, I copied the image to make a 2 by 2 grid and adjusted the contrast to get the different colours in the other 3 photos. All work was done in Microsoft Picture It.

Ok, on to Butterfly Crafts. My layout was inspired by the wonderfully talented Robin Schelin. Love her stuff!

For this crop, I chose to do a layout more directly related to the movie - John Travolta, the colour black, The Title...

LETS HAVE A CHALLENGE!!!!

I challenge you to create a layout where the Title has to be a song from the movie Grease!

Upload your projects here or EMAIL them to me for a chance to win the fabulous RAK shown below.

Deadline is Sunday, August 16th at 6pm (PST)!!

Lil' Cowpoke

Welcome back to "Don't Quote Me" Thursdays where inspiration is taken from QUOTATIONS inspired from song lyrics, ancient proverbs, famous sayings and more.

This week, your inspiration will come from a Major English Romantic Poet - William Wordsworth.

QUOTE:
Soft is the music that would charm forever;
The flower of sweetest smell is shy and lowly.


This is a layout I did of my youngest son. He LOVES music and dancing and playing his guitar, but is just getting to that shy phase where he wants you to watch, but he doesn't... I LOVE the photo of him - so serious. Journaling reads: "Mommy, I don't want you to watch me. Can you turn around" UGH - Could just EAT him!!

Close up of journaling tag from Myki.

Some stitching, burlap, distressed edges - very cowboy! Had to include his guitar pic as well!

I rolled up some paper and tied with strips of burlap twine to add some dimension.

Interpret the quote however you like and post your projects back here or email them to me at Tara Orr BEFORE next Thursday to be eligible to win a fantastic RAK!

Materials Used:

Will update later today!

Sneaky Little Me!!

Ok, you've deserved it! Here are 2 sneak peeks to tide you over until the weekend...

This peek is for the Online Crop over at Scrapbook Star taking place this weekend. August's crop is peachy keen, and Grease themed! Join in for some great challenges inspired by the classic movie, as we crop and give away prizes all weekend long! Remember, "It doesn't matter if you win or lose, it's what you do with your dancin' shoes." Starts August 14th at 7:30pm (EST) and ends August 16th at midnight in the Online Crop Forum! Scrapbook Star

This peek is for Butterfly Crafts' very first Cyber Crop - happening this weekend as well! Starts August 14th and ends August 16th! The theme is Movies and there are some fantastic challenges, games and a great prize from a fantastic sponsor so make sure you come check it out over at their forum - Butterfly Crafts

Featured This Week at Creative Scrappers!

Head on over to Creative Scrappers sometime this week and check out who their featured Designer is!

Some Exciting News to Share

Hi everyone!

I know its been awhile since I last posted some substance to my site - aka - a layout!! And I promise that I have been super busy creating, just unable to share just yet! Beginning Friday, I will have 2 new layouts to share with you for online crops over at Butterfly Crafts and Scrapbook Star. On Saturday, a new challenge will be posted at Butterfly Crafts and with that, another layout to show you. On Sunday, Sketch #65 will be posted at Creative Scrappers and I will have yet another layout to show so please bear with me and be patient... the wait will be worthwhile! (perhaps a few sneak peeks tomorrow?????)

Oh, and on to my exciting news!! Receieved an email yesterday from Canadian Scrapbooker and they have requested 2 of my designs. One will appear in Volume 5 of Canadian Scrapbooker Basics and the other will be featured in their upcoming Winter issue, both out this December! How wonderful hey!? Always fun to see your stuff in print!! (Oh yea, be sure to check out their fall issue - in stores Sept 1st - one of my layouts is in it!!)

ATC Call for Scrapbook News & Review

Love to make ATC's? Would you like to be featured in an upcoming issue of Scrapbook News & Review? If so, follow our simple guidelines and send in your handmade creations.

October 2009 Issue - Deadline is September 5, 2009
Things that go Bump in the Night ATC's -- Go spooky, whimsical or even humorous with this theme.

Black and White ATC's -- Use any theme to showcase this classic color combination.

November 2009 Issue - Deadline is October 3, 2009
Falling Leaves ATC's -- Let nature's fall splendor inspire you.

Orange ATC's -- Showcase orange as the dominant color for your ATC.

December 2009 Issue - Deadline is November 7, 2009
A Jolly Old Elf -- Show us your Santa inspired ATC.

Heavy Metal ATC's --Break out the metallic colors such as bronze, copper, silver and gold.

Submission Guidelines:

* Please send image(s) as large as possible and we'll scale them down to size
* Please NAME your image with the title of the layout or project
* Call name must be specified in subject line
* No restrictions on whether it has been posted to an online gallery, blog or other site, but we respectfully request that you take them down when requested for publication.

Important Note: Please register on our site before sending in your submissions. This will ensure that we're able to properly contact you as well as authorize you to view the magazine should your artwork be accepted for publication. All submissions must include a SNR username.

Send submissions to Tami Bayer

I Won!!!!!!!

Holy Cow!! I am so excited to announce that my layout - "Tiny Dancer" has been named the FIRST place winner in the Traditional Layout Category for July 2009 from ScrapNwin!

IT.....

GETS.....

BETTER!!!

In addition to being named the 1st Place Winner, I was also named the Monthly GRAND PRIZE WINNER!

If you haven't visited ScrapNwin, you NEED to head over there! Its the easiest contest you'll ever enter!! Simply create your project (digital layout, traditional layout or card), submit to their site, and you are entered into their monthly draw for tons of awesome prizes!! How easy is that?!

Happy "Don't Quote Me" Thursday!

Welcome back to "Don't Quote Me" Thursdays where inspiration is taken from QUOTATIONS inspired from song lyrics, ancient proverbs, famous sayings and more.

This week, your inspiration will come from a quote that pulls hard at my heart strings.

QUOTE:

A mother's love for her child is like
nothing else in the world. It knows no
law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes
down remorselessly all that stands in its path.
~ Agatha Christie

Interpret the quote however you like and post your projects back here or email them to me at TARA ORR before the end of the month to qualify for a sweet RAK!

Complete all 4 of my weekly challenges and you'll be eligible to win a fantastic RAK!!

July Winner Announced!!

It is with GREAT pleasure that I announce the winner of a fabulous RAK (Cosmo Cricket paper pad, Kaisercraft Rub-Ons, Pressed Petals Chipboard pack) for the month of July for completing all 4 of my "Don't Quote Me Thursday" challenges... (there were others who qualified as well but the random number generator - aka, son pulling names from baseball cap)

JOE!!!!

CONGRATS my dear!!

Please PM me your address so I can send off your goodies!!

Be sure to check in Thursday, August 6th for the month's first challenge. Complete all 4 challenges this month and you'll be eligible to win my next RAK!!

Challenge 17 Is Posted at Butterfly Crafts!

For this challenge, we want you to create a LO about a favourite food or drink. We want to know what you can't resist, whether it be home cooked, a favourite restaurant or snack - what is yummy to you....

Please upload your LO's to Butterfly Crafts' gallery, leave us a link in the comments or e-mail them to Butterfly Crafts by August 30th to be eligible for a chance of becoming our September guest designer. This month the winner will also receive a gorgeous ribbon Kit from Angel Crafts.

Creative Scrappers Sketch #63 Revealed!

Happy Sunday to everyone!!

Hope you are having a fantastic weekend so far. Its a long weekend here out west so I'm hoping to get in some scrap time - dh permitting ;>

Here is my debut layout as a DT Member for Creative Scrappers. I am so excited and honoured to be a part of their uber talented team. Don't forget to take a peek at the other DT Creations for some fabulous inspiration!

Here is the sketch by Karan Gerber:


Close up of the flowers. The little ones are Prima - Nursery Tales Collection and the big one I made by taking apart a flower arrangement I had lying around the house.



Materials Used:

Flowers: Nursury tales collection (Prima)
Rub Ons: Cornucopia Flourishes (Me & My Big Ideas)
Grungeboard: Tim Holtz
Burlap
Patterned Paper: Brown Flower Tile (Jenni Bowlin)
Patterned Paper: 29th Street Market Collection, Fresh Outdoors - Sprout Paper (My Mind's Eye)
Patterned Paper: 29th Street Market Collection, Fresh Mother - Mama's Curtain (My Mind's Eye)
Patterned Paper: 29th Street Market Collection, Fresh Mother - Brunette Paper (My Mind's Eye)
Patterned Paper: Granola Collection, Brown Sugar (Basic Grey)
Patterned Paper: Ambrosia Collection, Rind (Basic Grey)
Brads: Recollections
Edge Distresser: Making Memories
Ink: Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz)

Can I Get A Toot Toot!

Just wanted to share some wonderful news! Scrapbooking.com Magazine has published 3 of my layouts - Age of Innocence, Cutest Little Baby Face and Laugh in their August issue!

Have you seen it? Join in on a journey of art, ideas, techniques, both traditional and digital scrapbooking, tips, tricks and muse-driven inspiration. Visit Scrapbooking.com Magazine and enter a world of beauty in presentation of heritage art. And keep returning to fill your life with creative extravagance.