Circle journal - 4 unusual things I've done...

Hi!

I have been busy finishing up a swap and working on circle journal layouts!  My layout for Serene's is a little late (sorry ladies).. I had such a time with her topic!  It was fun trying to think up unusual things that I have done, however challenging it was.  Here's my layout... (click to see larger photos)

Page 1:

Page 2:

I used lots of yummy blue-ness for Serene!  Lucky for you, Serene, blue is one of my favorite colors! ;)

The little journaling spot was created with Whisper White cardstock, the Spiral Punch, and the Regal Rose and Bashful Blue markers.  I just love creating "notebook paper"!  The flower below that was created using punched out circles.  I used the faux suede technique (ask me if you'd like a demonstration), so the flowers have a little fuzzy texture to them.  And of course, I couldn't not use the Scallop Trim Border punch!

I'm not really that unusual!  I'm not a huge risk-taker either.  Here are the things I chose:
-  I earned a full-tuition scholarship!  I'm pretty proud of that, and this definitely helped me through my undergraduate studies, as I was also living in my own apartment.  I can tell you that it definitely wasn't easy financially though, but it was certainly worth it to me.  Also, I was the first person in my (immediate) family to graduate from college.
-  I flew across the country about a year and a half ago for stamping.  :)  This was to attend my first Stampin' Up! convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Definitely an experience I wouldn't forget, and I hope to attend again sometime soon!
-  I achieved "Platinum Artist" standing in the game "Rock Band 2", doing the vocals on expert difficulty.  Yes, I do play video games!  We have the Wii, Playstation 3, and XBOX360 (my favorite).  Not many can say that they completed the Endless Setlist in RB2, which consists of 84 songs...especially on expert vocals!  :)
-  Last month I drove (by myself) approximately 4 hours to attend a scrapbook convention with someone I had never met in person.  Susan is so fun, and I can't wait to meet up with her again!  Sorry, I forgot to get a picture with her, so you'll just have to trust me.  LOL

Serene requested that we make a tag for her sign-in page that showcases one of our unusual things.  Well, since again I suppose I'm not that unusual, I just drew a microphone and cut it out...

Hope you like it all, Serene!

Circle journal layout (8"x8") supplies:

Stamps:  Inspired by Nature, Taffy Alphabet

Ink:  VersaMark ink, Not Quite Navy Classic ink

Paper:  Not Quite Navy, Kraft, Old Olive, So Saffron, and Whisper White cardstock, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper

Accessories/Tools:  Beautiful Wings Embosslits die, Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler, Regal Rose, Bermuda Bay and Bashful Blue Stampin' Write markers, Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, Kraft Corduroy Button, Linen Thread, Hemp Twine, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, and Scallop Trim Border, Spiral, 1-3/8" Circle, and 1-1/4" Circle Punches, Crop-a-dile

Sign-in tag supplies:
Stamps:  Define Your Life, Flight of the Butterfly
Ink:  Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue Classic
Paper:  Not Quite Navy and Whisper White cardstock, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper
Accessories/Tools:  Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler, Scallop Trim Border Punch, and Basic Gray and Going Gray Stampin' Write Markers

Embossed Thank You card

Hello!

Here is another simple card.. the layout is actually similar to that of the card I posted yesterday!  I used this past week's sketch challenge over at Stampin' Addicts.

The embossed polka dots from the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions folder gives the card such an elegant look.  And I just love the peacock image from the Very Thankful stamp set!  Did you know that this set of 4 is one of the Idea Book & Catalog selections for Sale-a-bration?  That's right!  You can earn this set for free, and Stampin' Up! will still donate $2 for each set to Ronald McDonald House Charities!  How awesome is that!  :)

I toned the elegance down a bit with Linen Thread tied around the focal panel.  I created the multi-colored image by first inking up the stamp in Tempting Turquoise, then used a Blender Pen to remove the ink from the flower vine flourish and the sentiment.  I then colored those parts with the Stampin' Write markers before stamping.  Such an easy and pretty card!

Don't forget that there is less than a week left of Sale-a-bration!

Embossed Thank You card supplies:
Stamps:  Very Thankful
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pad
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip and Kraft cardstock, Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper
Accessories/Tools:  Chocolate Chip and Old Olive Stampin' Write markers, Old Olive 5/8" satin ribbon, Linen Thread, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions folder, Blender Pen

Vintage Country Morning

Hello!

A quick and simple card to show you today.  Seems like I'm always just writing a "quick post"!

I wanted to create a card for someone I'm sending something in the mail to tomorrow.  I had the perfect stamp set for her - Country Morning, a level 1 hostess stamp set.  I hope she likes it!

I spent a lot of time on the image, which I stamped with Jet Black StazOn ink on Watercolor Paper.  I added color directly onto the image using our wonderful Watercolor Wonder Crayons, and blended them in with an Aqua Painter.  I love our watercolor paper.. I did a LOT of blending on the rooster (not sure if you can tell from the picture!), and this watercolor paper absorbs so much water without buckling at all!  A little Crystal Effects was added to the tail feathers to make them shiny and stand out from the rest of the image.  I also added some highlights with the Signo White Gel Pen to the tail feathers, then colored in the sky and a shadow using the crayons as well.  I felt the Very Vintage wheel image went nicely with the Country Morning image.. what do you think?

Thanks for stopping by!  Hopefully I will have my next circle journal layout finished tomorrow.. I'm having such a time with the topic!

Oh... if you'd like to see this fabulous video that Stampin' Up! has put out using the Watercolor Wonder Crayons, check it out at the bottom of this post!

Vintage Country Morning card supplies:
Stamps:  Country Morning
Ink:  Chocolate Chip Classic ink, Jet Black StazOn
Paper:  Kraft, Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip cardstock, The Write Stuff Specialty Designer Series Paper, Watercolor Paper
Accessories/Tools:  Neutrals, Bold Brights and Earth Elements Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Aqua Painter, Very Vintage jumbo wheel, Old Olive 5/8" satin ribbon, Signo White Gel Pen, Crystal Effects

Hearts For You card

Hi!

Just a quick post today as I've got dinner on the stove!  :)

It's been a long time since I've done a Mojo Monday challenge, so here we go!  I also used Arielle's colourQ challenge for this week.

It's a fairly simple card!  The finished size of the card is 6-1/2" x 3-1/4", which will fit in SU!'s Small Open-End Envelopes.  I stamped the Dot, Dot, Dot image repeatedly to create a background on my card base - super simple to line up using the Stamp-a-ma-jig!

Hope you're having a great week so far!

Hearts For You card supplies:
Stamps:  I {Heart} Hearts, Great Friend, and Dot, Dot, Dot
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  Scallop Oval and Large Oval Punches, Chocolate Chip 5/8" satin ribbon

An Engaging Hike scrapbook page

Happy Sunday!

I'm finally back, and with a scrapbook page!  Thanks for hanging in there with me.. I'm finally almost 100% better.  Still coughing and have a runny nose, but let me tell you how much better that is than what I had!

Anyway, I used a sketch posted on one of my favorite hangouts, the Memory Makers Magazine forum.  (Magazine went out, but the forum is still there!)  The sketch was found on the Stuck on Us Sketches blog.  Here's my layout:

I was so excited about the little flower embellishment I made!  hehe

I created it using these retired Canvas Cuts die-cuts (I think it was from a couple catalogs ago).  When I first saw them in the catalog, I had to have them, but of course didn't use them until now!  I used two of the die-cut flowers in the package, which actually coordinate perfectly with the Scallop Circle Punch (the Soft Suede layer).  Stamping was a dream on the canvas.. I used the Dot, Dot, Dot stamp on the larger one, and the vine stamp from Vintage Vogue on the smaller flower.  Finished it off with an Old Olive button tied with some Linen Thread.. such a cute flower, if I do say so myself.  :)

Do you recognize the paper on the right side?  It's Stampin' Up!'s (like all things I used), and it's actually from the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper pad.  It's originally part of a full 12x12 sheet, so it has an Old Olive border around the shaped part.  I carefully cut out the shaped part, and used it as a layer on my page.  I also layered a retired rub-on from the Eastern Elegance pack over the photo, and stamped the flowers from Pocket Silhouettes stamp set on the side of the Taken with Teal DSP.  The heart on the top right is chipboard from the On Board Essentials pack, inked with Old Olive Craft ink and heat embossed with clear powder.

The journaling reads: "On our last day of vacation in Salt Lake City, we decided to hike nearby.  When we reached the top of Ensign Peak, Seth proposed!"  -  yes, this is where Seth proposed to me.  :)  We went hiking on our last day there, in Ensign Nature Park.  At the top of one of the small mountains, Seth proposed!

If you look at my scrapbook pages, I guess 2010 might be known as "the year Melissa got her Scallop Trim Border punch"!  LOL

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you've been having a good weekend!

An Engaging Hike 12x12" scrapbook page supplies:
Stamps:  Vintage Vogue, Pocket Silhouettes, Things I Love, Whimsical Words, and Dot, Dot, Dot
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, So Saffron, and Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pads, Old Olive Craft Stampin' Pad
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Soft Suede, and So Saffron cardstock, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper pad
Accessories/Tools:  Canvas Cuts (retired), Eastern Elegance rub-ons (retired), Signo White Gel Pen, Simple Letters Bigz dies, Old Olive 5/8" satin ribbon, On Board Long Board and Essentials chipboard, Old Olive button from Playground Designer Buttons, Linen Thread, Clear Embossing Powder, and Scallop Trim Border, Scallop Circle, and 1-3/8" Circle punches

Still alive :)

Hello!

Sorry to have dropped off the radar for a bit.  I just came to let you all know that I've been wanting to stamp and create, but it just hasn't been possible.  Long story short, I have been very sick since Monday afternoon.  I wish I could say now that I'm feeling better, but that's not the case.  :(  Anyway, I appreciate you all sticking with me and I hope things get back to normal soon!

Hope everyone is well where you are!

Caught!

Hello!

This weekend I had been working on Brandi's Stampin' Addicts scrapbook challenge.  She worked up a lovely sketch for the challenge, and I just love working with sketches.  Sketches are especially awesome when you're trying to get back into scrapping, like me!  They make it a lot less overwhelming, at least for me it does.  Anyway, here's my page..

I love, love, love that sheet of Designer Series Paper with the butterflies from the Sweet Pea paper pad (psst.. there are actually two different colors of this design!).  I love girly things, and since I don't have a daughter yet.. well, I have a female furbaby, so why not use it for her pages?  I plan on buying at least a couple more Sweet Pea paper pads before the Occasions Mini ends!

I created the butterfly in the center using the "kissing" technique again, this time it's a little different because it's more like a faux marble effect.  I used the Butterfly Accent and Fine Flourish stamps again, inking them in So Saffron and Rose Red.  They were then "kissed", rotating one stamp slightly (I suppose about 45 degrees?).  The effect is so beautiful and so different.  On the journaling panel, I inked the dandelion stamp using the Rose Red and Old Olive markers.  The journaling reads:  "Fluffy always looks so sweet sleeping like this with her paws in the air.  I tried to secretly snap some photos and was CAUGHT!"  You have to know that she's such a character.  She sighs very often to let you know her discontent (like if you stop rubbing her belly), and this moment was no different.  It was like she was saying "I know I look so cute that you wanna take photos, Mom, but really??  I'm sleeping!!"  :)

Oh and those clouds?  Aren't they cute?  I cut them out of another one of the sheets in the Sweet Pea paper pad.  I also pleated the Old Olive satin ribbon under the title, which was cut using the Simple Letters Bigz dies.  I simply adore those dies, especially since you can cut both the chipboard and the cardstock and adhere them together.. no sanding at all!

Thanks for stopping by!

"Caught" 12x12 scrapbook page supplies:
Stamps:  A Happy Heart, Butterfly Accent, Fine Flourish
Ink:  So Saffron, Rose Red
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, So Saffron, Rose Red, Kraft, and Old Olive cardstock, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper pad
Accessories/Tools:  Rose Red and Old Olive Stampin' Write markers, Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler, Simple Letters Bigz dies, Beautiful Wings Embosslits die, On Board Long Board chipboard, Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon, Old Olive 5/8" satin ribbon, Linen Thread, Chocolate Chip flower buttons and Pretty in Pink button from Button Latte and Sherbet Designer Buttons (respectively), Chocolate Chip corduroy brad, and Scallop Trim Corner and Border punches

Stitched Friend card

Hello!

I wanted to participate in Marie's inspiration challenge again, especially after missing last week's!  Things have been a little busy here, so I haven't been creating as much as I'd like.  Anyway, here's her inspiration photo, courtesy of Crate and Barrel:

Here's my card:

I'm not entirely happy with it, but oh well.  Maybe it will grow on me. :)  I wanted to keep the design of the card fairly simple, because the items in the photo are simply designed as well.  The heart is embossed with clear powder - I don't have the Craft pad of Pumpkin Pie, so I first inked my stamp with VersaMark, then Pumpkin Pie Classic ink.  I then stamped it and embossed with clear powder, then cut it out and layered it onto the Full Heart punch-out with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I added a bit of faux stitching with my Signo White Gel Pen and Chocolate Chip marker.  Not sure what's up with me and the wavy-ness down at the bottom.. I will say that in my defense, my contact lenses are drying out.  ;)

Well, I'm off to bed, as it's a little after midnight here.  See you later!

Stitched Friend card:
Stamps:  I {Heart} Hearts
Ink:  Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad, VersaMark ink
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Whisper White, and Rich Razzleberry cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  Full Heart and Corner Rounder punches, Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker, Signo White Gel Pen, Old Olive 5/8" satin ribbon, Chocolate Chip corduroy brads, Clear Embossing Powder, Circle Scissors Plus

Butterfly Kisses!

Good morning!

I thought that was a cute name for my card, which I made last night with my stamp club members.  The card shows the technique "kissing", which involves a detail and solid stamps.  You ink up both with different colors, and "kiss" them together.  You can get a really cool effect on both the detail stamp and the solid stamp.  There are different variations on the kissing technique, but this one is represented on my card.

Such a gorgeous effect, don't you think?  I used the Butterfly Accent solid stamp, and the Fine Flourish detailed stamp.  You can see that I inked up the butterfly with Rich Razzleberry, and the Fine Flourish stamp with Crushed Curry, then kissed them together before stamping the Fine Flourish on the cardstock.  When you use such a large stamp as the new larger "à la carte" stamps, it makes a quick and easy focal point for your card.  I finished off the butterfly with some black brads from the Vintage Brads pack to create a butterfly body.

Try this technique!  You get different looks depending on what colors you put together, and some are more subtle than others.

Thanks for stopping by!

Butterfly Kisses card supplies:
Stamps:  Butterfly Accent, Fine Flourish, Whimsical Words
Ink:  Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry
Paper:  Soft Suede, Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry, and Old Olive cardstock, Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper
Accessories/Tools:  Old Olive 5/8" satin ribbon, Vintage Brads, and Scallop Oval, Large Oval and Scallop Trim Border Punches

Circle journal - Elaine's sign-in tag

Hello!  Here is my sign-in tag for Elaine's circle journal.  She requested that we make a door hanger, like you would see at a hotel.

I just love this picture of myself with my furbaby, Fluffy.. not sure why!  She really takes some funny pictures.

I first cut the Kraft cardstock down to a rectangle, then punched out a circle using a punch.  Next I cut out a section to the side of the circle, and rounded all of the edges - some with my corner rounder punch, and some freehand with scissors.  I used my Very Vintage wheel again, this time with Rich Razzleberry ink.  I created the little tag with my name by punching with the Word Window punch, then inserting that back into the punch to make it shorter.

The ladies are making their pages for mine next :)  Can't wait to see them!

Supplies:
Ink:  Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede
Paper:  Kraft, Old Olive and Whisper White cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  1-1/4" Circle, Heart-to-Heart, Corner Rounder, and Word Window Punches, Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler, Stampin' Sponges, Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel

Spring Friendship

Hi!  I thought I'd do some Stampin' Addicts challenges from the past week.  Well, I combined them all into this card...

The challenges were the accessories challenge, sketch challenge, and color challenge.  Whew!  :)

First I watercolored the bird on the branch on our lovely Watercolor Paper.  I love using my Aqua Painter on Watercolor Paper, as it's sooo forgiving and it really gives you a chance to blend your colors.  And yes, I do love my new Very Vintage jumbo wheel, so I used it again!  I think it goes wonderfully with this stamp set... which by the way can be earned FREE as part of Sale-a-bration!

I created the faux stitching with my White Gel Pen, and topped it all off with a butterfly from the Beautiful Wings Embosslits die.  Did you notice the new Old Olive satin ribbon?  I just love that SU! came out with some new colors in this ribbon.  It's so thick, yet so easy to tie!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great rest of the night/early morning.

Spring Friendship Supplies:
Stamps:  Spring Song
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, Dusty Durango, and Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pads, Jet Black StazOn, VersaMark ink
Paper:  Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Taken with Teal, and Dusty Durango cardstock, Watercolor Paper
Accessories/Tools:  Aqua Painter, Old Olive 5/8" satin ribbon, Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel, Beautiful Wings Embosslits die, Linen Thread, Signo White Gel Pen

Circle journal - 4 things that would be on my "welcome" sign

Hello!

Here is my next circle journal layout.  This one is for Elaine, who wants to know what 4 things would be on our "welcome" sign at our home.  It was a tough one for me!  I included mostly pictures of our furbaby Fluffy, because she is definitely a big part of our home and lives. :)

Here are the two pages separately for a better look:

As you can see, I did a lot of stamping and sponging with ink.  I rolled the Very Vintage jumbo wheel across the left side of the layout, and colored in the images with a Blender Pen and ink pads.  Watercoloring works beautifully on the Kraft cardstock!  I love also how the image is not as bold on the Kraft, creating an even more vintage-y look.

I do have the best recipe for blueberry muffins.. yum!  :)

Elaine, your door hanger tag is coming up soon.

Supplies:  (8" x 8" 2-page layout)

Stamps:  Vintage Vogue, Good Neighbors, I {Heart} Hearts

Ink:  Soft Suede, Old Olive, Taken with Teal, Rose Red, So Saffron

Paper:  Kraft, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla cardstock, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper pad

Accessories/Tools:  Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel, Old Olive Jumbo Wheel Cartridge, Taken with Teal, Soft Suede and Old Olive Stampin' Write markers, Blender Pen, Old Olive 5/8" satin ribbon, Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, Vintage Brads, Pewter Mini Library Clip, Kraft Corduroy Brads, Lots of Tags Sizzlits die, Stampin' Sponges, Color Spritzer, and Spiral, Large Oval, Scallop Oval, Corner Rounder, and Eyelet Border Punches

Susan's name tag!

Hi there!

I went to a scrapbook convention this weekend in Louisville.  I met one of my scrappy friends, Susan, there, and we cropped and shopped. :)  It was a lot of fun!  I have learned, though, for next time I go to a crop that I really need to make the effort to plan ahead more, and bring a lot less!

I made this for Susan.  It's not anywhere near as big as the pretty one she made me, or as flowery, lol... I figured she could put it somewhere in her scrap area, or even punch a hole in it and hang it from her crop bag or something.

I used the SU! exclusive Top Note Bigz die to cut the shape out of On Board Long Board Chipboard (whew, that's a lot of "boards"!), Crushed Curry cardstock, and Medium Window Sheets.  I stamped the Window Sheet with stamps from the Vintage Vogue set and White StazOn ink, adding a couple of Clear Rhinestone Brads.  I also cut some Long Board chipboard with the Simple Letters Bigz dies and cardstock to create her name.  The little flower on the side is from the Pretties Kit, with a little half-back pearl from the kit as well.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Vintage Vogue
Ink:  Cotton White StazOn
Paper:  Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, and Melon Mambo cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  On Board Long Board Chipboard, Medium Window Sheets, Simple Letters and Top Note Bigz dies, Pretties Kit, Clear Rhinestone Brads, White taffeta ribbon