Happy Days Ahead!

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend - I know I am and its about to get even better! (more on that at the end of this post)

I have been uber busy these past few weeks working as a Guest Designer for Tally Scrapper and also with a ton of manufactureres from Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. I managed to complete just shy of 12 layouts and 2 altered projects - phew (and I'm only half way done)! Of course I can't show any of them to you just yet (isn't that always the way)... Soon - promise!

In the meantime, a few things to share.

Scrapbook Star is having an online crop this weekend and its already been so fabulous. The theme is "Something New" to celebrate the start of 2010. If you're pressed for ideas or have lost your scrappy mojo, head on over and check out some of the fun challenges the design team has come up with for you.


I completed this layout for the crop - my challenge was to use a new line of products (embellies, paper or whatever you like) OR to try a new scrappy technique.

When I first completed this layout, it was the first time I tried those yummy paper flowers and ever since then I've been more than a little addicted...I even have to restrain from adding these beauties to ALL of my projects now...

Papers are from the (relatively) new KaiserCraft line - Lilac Avenue.

Secondly, Scrapbook News and Review Magazine has their double feature available tomorrow! It will be packed full of amazing projects, layouts, ATCs, mini albums, hints and tutorials so its a must read for sure! You may even see a few of my projects in there too!

Lastly, I am off to Hawaii for the week! I can't believe I'm actually going! My mom and sister booked a trip back in November and begged for me to come too. I declined and said it wasn't a good time with the whole H1N1 thing, my eldest son having just gotten over pneumonia (for the second time in less than 2 months), my baby still nursing, etc! These are all actually quite legitimate 'excuses' but after much debating I decided to book my ticket as well. I bought cancellation insurance and figured if anyone gets horribly sick or anything horrible happens before I'm to leave, I'll simply cancel! Well, knock on wood.... we're all good to go!

My sister and mom have no clue!

I'm hoping to hide from them in the airport until its time to board the plane and then just walk right past them to my seat!! Will update you all next week!

Lil' Poser

My little peanut. Every time I get the camera out now - she automatically goes "CHEEEEEZZZZEEE"!! At least she's not camera shy!

Did this layout with the January Kit from Tally Scrapper. I think I used up almost every single piece of paper - so fantastic! I used the mask that's included at the bottom as a little bit of a border.

Materials Added to Kit:
burlap
leaves
Walnut Ink (went a little - ok, a lot - overboard and ended up misting the photos - UGH! had to touch up a little but will have to replace them in real life!)

Wanted to thank all the gals at Tally for such a warm welcome and a special thanks to Brandy for the opportunity to design with them this month - had a blast!!

Ahhh.... My Life, in a Nutshell....

So Concerned

Here is another layout I managed to complete for Tally Scrapper using their gorgeous January Kit.

My youngest son with genuine concern after acting naughty. Was very worried that mommy was going to tell Santa of his misdeeds! So sweet...

The papers are Jenni Bowlin - just love the richness in these colours. I added a doily that I purchased from the dollar store, painted it black and misted a little walnut ink and shimmerz spray on the background cardstock for a more neutral tone.

The die cut was actually a LOT larger and I found it a little difficult to work with. I ended up trimming it down and using part of it as flourishes.

Tally Scrapper January Kit

Oh my, oh my! The January Kit from Tally Scrapper is just too beautiful for words! Jenni Bowlin, 7 Gypsies and so many gorgeous elements - it just screams shabby chic to the max!

I only received my kit a few days ago but have managed to create a few layouts thus far. The first is based on Sketch #2 over at the Tally blog.


Here's my take:
My dear daughter in her glory! LOVES to dance and can't help but get up and go crazy once she hears any kind of music!

Extra Materials Added to Kit:
Cardboard
Cardstock
Burlap

I actually used the box that the kit was shipped to me in and painted around the edges to match the cream stripes in the patterned paper.

I just loved how the 2 sides of this paper were so different from one another. I HAD to show both sides so just curled up the edges a little here and there to reveal the gorgeous red polka dots!



My beloved paper roses - I think they will be here to stay! I just can't get away from them - an especially great idea if you are in need of more matching embellies for your projects.


My second layout features a gorgeously elegant die cut from Jenni Bowlin.

I wanted to jazz up the edges of the die cut a little so I punched strips of cardstock with my martha doily punch and then just folded around the edge and inked afterwards. I used the Jenni Bowlin packaging that the buttons came in and just painted over the writing.

OOOHHH - Just look at that gorgeous Prima bling!!!

In the kit there is a gorgeous mask but I couldn't find a way for it to fit without overpowering the daintyness of the layout. I decided to cut it out and use it as flourishes on my flowers.



Materials Added to Kit:
Cardstock (bazzill)
Ink (tim holtz)
2 large flowers (prima)
3 butterflies (gcd)

Stay tuned this weekend for the rest of my projects from Tally and don't forget to have a peek at their Cyber Crop taking place - RIGHT NOW!

Tally Scrapper Cyber Crop!

Are you READY to start 2010 out with a Creative BANG!!!!!

Then join the Tally gang this weekend, starting on Friday, January 15 for a weekend of FUN at Tallyscrapper's "Ring in the NEW YEAR" January Cyber Crop!!

The Design Team and I have come up with some FUN challenges, games and chats for YOU so grab those scissors, paper and glue and LET'S SCRAP!!!

Upcoming

Hi everyone. Its been too long since my last post so I'll give you an update as to what I'm currently working on (so you don't think I'm slacking away - LOL)

Scrapbook News & Review Magazine has been keeping me busy with 5 different manufacturers and 9 lines!! EEK! Thankfully they are not all due at once. I can tell you that I'll be sharing some Karen Foster, Core'dinations and possibly GCD Studios in the next few weeks. SEI and Jenni Bowlin will be upcoming for February and March so stay tuned and stay plugged into the magazine for some fantastic inspiration.

I'm also delighted to announce that Tally Scrapper has asked me to be their Guest Designer for this month. I just received my January Kit in the mail today and let me tell you - its nothing short of GORGEOUS - Jenni Bowlin, 7 Gypsies, Prima - YUM!! I think it was made for me personally!!

I'm off to work on my projects right now but if you're looking for some inspiration, the rest of the Tally Design Team has already posted some of their amazing layouts in their forum - go have a peek! I'll be posting my layouts on my blog as I complete them so be sure to check back for some Jenni Bowlin LOVE! Enjoy your Tuesday night - I can hear DH watching American Idol in the background and am ALMOST tempted to join him.... Almost.

Featured at Lily Bee!

How cool is that? My "Pout" layout was featured at the Lily Bee blog (they got my layout mixed up with Amanda's jar - oh well).

Take a peek: Lily Bee

Glitter Leaf Tutorial

Here is a quick and easy tutorial to make your own glitter leaves using some cardstock and a LOT of glitter glue. A great accent to your flourishes with just a hint of shimmer.

Supplies needed: leaf (stamp, real, fake, etc), ink, glitter glue, white cardstock, precision scissors

Take your leaf and ink completely (much easier if using a 'stamped image' but works completely fine with a faux leaf or real leaf - must not be 'dry' if real.

Press your inked leaf onto your cardstock firmly - ensuring all edges and middle areas are detailed. (note: I lightly inked my cardstock with a rubber makeup sponge for a darker looking leaf)

Your stamped leaf should look like this.

Next step is to fussy cut your leaf. The more jagged edges you do, the more 'real' your leaf will look. Don't rush this step.

Here is your cut out leaf stem ready to be pimped up!

I added veins with a journaling pen before adding the glitter glue. Apply your glitter glue with your finger first - smudging into the whole surface.

Next GENEROUSLY apply again all over the leaf.

This is my leaf stem just saturated with the glitter. Leave to dry for at least a few hours. Once completely dry the leaves will be hard - great to work with.

You can ink your leaves any colour to match your project. As a final touch, you can hand curl your leaves for a more realistic look. Enjoy!!

Here is a close up of my leaves from my Mozart in the Making layout.

January Main Kit from MCS

On to part 2 of my reveal! The January Main Kit from My Creative Scrapbook is just jammed full of amazing papers from Lily Bee (Audrey line), tons of Prima goodness, Tattered Angels Bingo Cards, Maya Road Chipboard Letters and SO much more!!






I will post a tutorial a little later on today about how you can create these gorgeous glitter leaves yourself!

Its REVEAL Day!

Oh my goodness - I've been waiting for so long to show you all of these yummy creations! I have so many to share - too many for one post actually so I'll split my reveal into two days.

Today I'd like to share with you the creations I made using My Creative Scrapbook's Album Kit. This has so many wonderful elements!! Prima Bloomin' Retro papers, Fancy Pants Mixed Media Album, Die Cuts from Crate and Collage Press, ETC, ETC!

Without further adieu...

This album was simply amazing!! 3 cardstock pages, 2 felt pages and 3 transparency pages! Just an amazing mix of mediums - so neat to try them altogether!


I adored the die cut from Crate but had already used up all the brown/green papers and was like hmm... would look better black so I just inked it around the edges. The 'pink' paper is actually white cardstock sprayed with shimmers spray. I hand cut some butterflies and then misted them on the page as it looked a little bare in the corner. I went over them with a white marker. The prima papers were actually brown so I hand traced (yea, I know!) the flowers in black to match my layout colour scheme. I also sprayed this paper with the shimmers spray and the 'cream' flowers included in the kit. I then cut out a few of the black flowers and black stems from the other patterned paper and added any of the black rub ons I could find! The "Precious" title included in the kit was too long to fit properly so I cut out each letter. The 'l' was made from the 'i' and the 'r'. I just cut the top off the r and glued them together.

Just love these altered stars! You can get them for next to nothing at Michaels!!

A LOT of glossy accents!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the MAIN KIT reveals!!

Deep Thoughts

Here is my latest using some really neato swirl paper that I had in my stash for the longest time. It was actually orange so I flipped it over and used the back to mist on some walnut ink as well as shimmers paint and a little Tim Holtz ink as well. The papers were also left from my stash - KaiserCraft and the blooms are from Petaloo.

My Creative Scrapbook PEEKS!

Its the Sunday before everyone retuns back to school and although I'll miss having the little ones around all day, it'll be nice to have my schedule back. I'm trying to finish up one last 'me' layout before the next week begins and my dh is trying to install some ceiling fans in our bathrooms with the assistance of my dad. Lets just say it didn't take the hour that it was promised to take...

As I mentioned, I had the pleasure of Guest Designing for My Creative Scrapbook for the month of January as well. Reveal day is January 5th so be sure to check back then for all my projects in detail. You can also check out the Design Team Gallery on the MCS site for the other Designers' wonderful projects.

Until then, I'll leave you with some sneak peeks from the Main Kit and Album Kit - both of which I was able to work with - SO amazing!!












LOTS of peeks eh? What can I say - lots of peeks for LOTS of projects!

Stay tuned!!