My Studio

Hello wonderful 7 Dots fans! It’s my turn to share ’my studio’ with everyone this month!

There are so many things from which I take inspiration. I am naturally drawn to rustic, cozy, shabby chic styles of clothing, furniture, fabrics, etc. I LOVE to scour thrift shops, looking for treasures which can be transformed into beautiful keepsakes. I actually get a rush in finding things for $1.00 and $2.00!! I love vintage pieces of lace and crochet doilies which I love adding to my projects to give them more of a softer feel.

I spend far too much time browsing Online galleries. Google and Pinterest have tons of inspiring photos and project ideas like the ones I’ve shown below (all from Pinterest).

I am also inspired by the photos I take – mostly of my kids. Since I started scrapping in 2008 I find that when I take a photo now, I am instantly thinking of how it could be incorporated into one of my layouts.

When creating, I find that I am the most productive at night, once my little ones are in their beds and sweetly dreaming. Rather than watching T.V. or reading a book to unwind at the end of each day, I scrap. It’s my outlet from the world – so relaxing. I mostly scrap in silence as I wouldn’t dare wake up the kiddos – but when I do have a chance to grab an hour here or there, I love listening to soft, instrumental pieces – my current faves are by Yiruma (I’m sure you’ve all heard this piece…)

Here is a project I have created for today’s post. As you can see, I have included many layers of shabby chic goodness using the beautifully feminine Elise Rebel Collection.

Can you see the crochet doily peeking through as well (can’t resist!) with subtle distressing everywhere. I tend to stay within the same colour family found in the patterned papers I am using. Normally, I will have three colours max. on my layouts. Not sure why that is? Just can’t seem to stray outside the monochromatic colour theme on my projects – LOL.

I hope that I’ve offered some inspiration to you all today. Thank you so much for your visit today!! Hope to see you again soon!

7 Dots Supplies
Elise Rebel Collection
Patterned Paper: Overemotional, Sensitive, Superstitious, Imperfect
12×12 Stickers
6×12 Stickers

Zva Creative January DT Blog Hop!

Zva Creative and our talented Design Team welcome you to join us for our first Design Team Blog Hop of the New Year! We are happy to have you join us today and wish you the best for 2012!

The Blog Hop begins at Zva Creative's NEW blog! Be sure head on over to check it out! Leave a comment there for a chance to win an extra prize package just for visiting the blog and telling us that you stopped by! You will also find a complete list of all the participating blogs there (in case there is a glitch along the way).

As you know, Zva offers many beautiful color groupings for pearls, flowers and crystals. We want to make sure that they shine bright for you, so each designer was asked to share a creation using a specific color or color combination on their blog hop project. If you like what you see you can find a list of stores and online retailers that sell Zva HERE.

I decided to create something a little different for this blog hop.  I altered an old flower tin with some wintery patterned papers from Bo Bunny and adorned with some beautiful self adhesive flourishes, blooms and leaves from ZVA!

If you would like to play along with our design team, just follow along the blog path. I am linking to one of the Zva designers and that designer is linking to the next and so on. Be prepared to be inspired along the way!

Hidden on FIVE of the designer's blogs is a Zva Creative prize package! Winners will be randomly chosen after the hop is over, so it's important to leave a comment on as many blogs as you can along the way.

The Blog Hop starts today, January 30th and runs through midnight US Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, January 31st. 

The 5 winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 1st on each of the five winning blogs. The full list will be found on Zva's blog as well. We will do our best to notify each winner, but it's best if you can pop in to all of the blogs once again on Wednesday... plus, you never know what kind of inspirational creation that you may find there.

All you need to do is leave a comment on this Blog Hop post... you do not need to leave a comment on each and every designer's blog post to qualify. However, the more times you comment along the blog hop path, the more chances you will have to win.

We also thought it would be more fun to add even more chances to win our blog hop prize! To increase your chances of winning:
* Comment to let us know that you posted on your Facebook page about our hop (link to any of the blog hop posts)
* Comment to let us know that you "tweeted" about our hop (link to any of the blog hop posts)
* Comment to let us know that you asked your local store to carry Zva creative products. If they already do, that's fantastic, maybe you can suggest other products that they don't carry.
*Hop over to Zva's NEW blog and leave a comment there to tell us that you made it there!

The blog hop begins here at Zva Creative's NEW blog. Your next stop is with the wonderfully talented Robin Shakoor.

Enjoy!
Thank you for joining us!

P.S. Mark your calendar to join us again on February 27th for our next Zva blog hop!

Lots of Layers!

Today on the 7 Dots Blog, the designers were asked to focus on adding lots and lots of layers to their projects. I had to jump at this challenge - it had my name written all over it! I LOVE using lots and lots of layers on my pages!! I often like to mix textures as well – crochet doilies, paper doilies, patterned paper, chipboard, flowers, etc. to add more dimension and texture to my pages.

This layout of my two youngest children is overflowing with layers of patterned papers, doilies, stickers, flowers, crystals, paint and more!

I love how the crystal flourishes, from ZVA Creative, compliment the papers and tones in the project.  Here I've added more paint to my page and even on my flowers.  I think I may have started a new addition - LOL!

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I love reading your comments!

7 Dots Supplies
Dreamer Collection - 7 Dots Studio:
Patterned Paper: Drive All Night, Daydreaming
12×12 Elements
12×12 Stickers
6×12 Stickers
Elise Rebel Collection - 7 Dots Studio:
Patterned Paper: Delightful, Sensitive
ZVA Creative Supplies:
Flower: FL 04CA 130
Leaves: FL 04CA 112
Self Adhesive Crystals: CR04CB 111

My Sweetie

Today, over at the Bo Bunny blog, the designers were asked to create a simple layout, and then Step it Up to a more advanced project. I always find it challenging to create layouts this way. When I design a page, I take AGES to figure out the right composition as well as deciding on where I want to place each and every single sheet of paper, embellishment, title and photo. Here are a few steps I've shown to take your layout from simple to crazy detailed!

I first shaped my background paper using a Fiskars edger and then distressed all the edges.  I then layered a second sheet of patterned paper, slightly smaller than the first, on top.

Before applying my die cut to my layout, I cut out the inner circle and set it aside to use after I had finished preparing some additional layers.

After distressing and applying my cut out circle to my page, I then punched out several scallop strips to tuck under the circle for extra texture and dimension.

Some more paper layers, cardboard and bits 'n' pieces are arranged to build my page before the finishing touches are added.

Here is what my final layout looks like with added doilies, flowers, rub ons, paint, ink and of course photos.

I love to include close up shots so you can really see the amount of texture the added layers give to this project.

Thanks so much for your visit today!

(I Can See) Clearly Now

The new 7 Dots Studio Cultural Extras Challenge has now been posted! This time we want to invite you into the world of music and dance. The design team was asked to create a project inspired by their favourite dancing song.

I have soooo many songs that I enjoy and so many different genres and artists that inspire me that it was hard for me to chose just one song. For this particular layout however, there was a song that I had in mind the entire time I was creating. As most of you know, I’ve had a little bit of a rough go the past few months (healthwise) but I can finally say that everything seems to be getting back to normal. I am so relieved that the doctors and specialists seem to be on the right track to ‘mending’ what was wrong with me. The song “I Can See Clearly Now” was such a perfect fit. I’m on the road to recovery, I know what I have to do to get there and everything is going to be just fine - thank goodness! :>

The gorgeous pearl bling is from ZVA Creative, as are the delicate leaves and flowers!!

I actually ended up painting my flowers a cream colour (they were originally white) and then I decided to splatter a little of the paint directly on my layout.  I love the effect and have to remind myself how much I enjoy adding different mediums like this.

Thanks so much for your visit today!! See you again soon with some more scrappy goodness!

Snow Day

IT SNOWED!! I love the snow (as long as I don't have to drive in it). This morning we were pleasantly surprised with a blanket of fluffy snow - just enough to enjoy for the day. This is the first (and probably last) snowfall of the year, so we made the absolute most of it while we could. What a great day we had!

NEW!

Hello all my beautiful blog readers! It seems as though all my blogging issues have been solved (yea!) so on with some exciting, scrappy news!

With Winter CHA 2012 fast approaching, there are so many fabulous NEW collections being released!
7 Dots Studio has released two NEW Collections!!

Graphic 45 will have three NEW Collections!

I also know that Bo Bunny has six NEW Collections to share...

ZVA Creative will have many new and gorgeous designs of crystal and pearl flourishes and they have also just debuted a NEW Blog! Check it out!

Slight Blog Issues...

Hi all!  For those of you who are using Google Chrome or a Higher version of Internet Explorer, my blog may appear a little messed up... we're working on the situation - hope to have it up and running properly in the next little bit.  Thank you for your patience!

Roses Are Red...

There's a new card challenge over at the Bo Bunny Blog today. The designers were asked to use the following items on their creations (any theme and any other products were also allowed); Ribbon, at least two buttons, patterned paper with dots, and chipboard.

Here is what I came up with using the beautiful Enchanted Collection mixed with some elements from Bo Bunny's Timepiece Collection as well.

Thanks so much for your visit today!!

Bo Bunny Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Dot, Enchanted, Rose/Enchanted Collection
Noteworthy: Enchanted Collection
Combo Stickers: Enchanted Collection
Chipboard: Enchanted Collection
Jewels: Enchanted Collection
Buttons: Timepiece Collection
Ribbon: Timepiece Collection

Been Awhile...

Hi gang! Sorry its been awhile since my last post. Working on some stuff for CHA and wrapping up a few other DT duties. I will have lots to show you a little later in the month - not to worry!
I do have some leftover Christmas projects that didn't get blogged however, so I thought I'd share those with you now.

I found this tray at the local thrift store for $1.00 - awesome!

It was easily transformed into a nice "Santa Tray" for cookies and milk on the Night Before Christmas. I used Bo Bunny's Blitzen collection to alter this tray. (also works perfectly as a Starbucks in bed tray...)

And here is a fun and colourful Christmas card using Bo Bunny's Blitzen collection as well.  Thanks for your visit today - be back soon with more scrappy goodness and other fun stuff!!

Happy 2012!

Wishing you all a wonderful New Year in 2012!

I don't normally make any resolutions but I am going to try my darndest to be much more calm and relaxed this year. No more stress! Have you made any promises to yourself for the upcoming year?

This layout was created with a combination of Bo Bunny's Enchanted collection and their Forever Fall collection. Love how the yellow just pops right off the page - such a 'happy' colour too - LOL!

Enjoy today - this first day of the New Year!