"About a Boy" challenge layout

Hello!

It's been a little while, but I've been busy trying to prepare for the holidays!  :)  My Dad and my stepmom will be coming down here tomorrow and spending Thanksgiving with us.  I'll try to make this a fairly quick post, as I need to get back to getting ready!

I finally finished my layout for the About a Boy challenge over at one of my favorite hangouts, the Memory Makers forum.  There's still time to play (needs to be uploaded by the end of today), so you should give it a try! Check the thread out here for details.

So, many of you know that my fiancé Seth and I have been together for quite a while.. it'll be 9 years in February.  My, how time flies!  I've never actually done a layout like this before, just about him.

The challenge included using a technique from the new PageMaps book by Becky Fleck - creating a faux notebook edge.  It took a little time, but I like how it turned out!

I created my background with the En Français retired background stamp, with VersaMark on Early Espresso textured cardstock, then sewed around the page with my sewing machine and white thread.  After creating the notebook edge at the top, I stamped the image from Lovely as a Tree (stamped off on scratch paper first to make it a shade lighter) with Crumb Cake on the textured Whisper White cardstock.

Here's a close-up of the journaling:  (it's a little mushy!)

I really love how that little border under the photo looks!  It was easy to create using just four punch-outs from the Decorative Label Punch (which is on sale as part of the Handmade Holiday bundles at SU!).. I trimmed the side edges and taped them together on the back.

The tag on the side is from the Table Setting Bigz XL die (which is also on sale!).  I punched a hole in it and threaded some Linen Thread through.  I did leave my chipboard letters raw, as I felt it added to the overall look of the page.  What do you think?

Here are a couple more close-up shots...

Well, I must go.. don't forget to check out the challenge!  And don't forget about the items on sale in the Stampin' Up! store.  They would all make great gifts!  :)

Happy Thanksgiving!  I'm grateful that you stopped by my blog!

"heart" layout supplies:
Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree, French Foliage, En Français (retired)
Ink:  Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, VersaMark
Paper:  Early Espresso, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, and Soft Suede cardstock, Green Tea Designer Series Paper (retired)
Accessories/Tools:  Antique Brads, Neutrals Designer Button, Antique Trinkets (safety pin), Timeless Type On Board Chipboard Letters, Old Olive 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Linen Thread, Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker, Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler, Stampin' Sponges, Decorative Label and Heart-to-Heart Punches, Crop-a-dile, Table Setting Bigz XL die, sewing machine and thread, Big Shot

Hey Buh-dy! scrapbook page

Happy Saturday!

Friends of Seth's brother have a daughter named Zailee.  We've known her all her life, and she's always been so adorable and such a joy to be around.  She's 2-1/2, and we had the pleasure of seeing her when we went back to VA last month.  She wanted me to take her picture numerous times, asking after each photo, "can I please see it?"  I'd tell her how cute the photo is, and she'd reply, "yes, it sure is!"

Zailee just adored our Shih Tzu, Fluffy.  She spent as much time as she could around her, petting and hugging her and saying "hey buh-dy" and "hey puppy-dog".  I couldn't wait to scrapbook these photos. :)  The larger photo is the result of me saying "smile!" and the second one is of her giving Fluffy a hug.  I used a sketch from August's PageMaps, and colors inspired by this top at Anthropologie:

Sigh, another article of clothing from that store to add to my long wish list. ;)  Anyway, here's my page...

The journaling reads:  "Adam and Whitney's daughter Zailee is so adorable.  She loves posing for pictures and just adores Fluffy - calling her "buh-dy" ("buddy") & "puppy-dog".  So cute!"

So there's my favorite Presto Patterns Specialty DSP again, using the toile piece.  I brayered Early Espresso over it, then spritzed it with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz to give it some sparkle.  I created my pleating to separate the panels by first breaking down the fibers a little in a strip of Poppy Parade (actually two strips to make it long enough), then folding it into pleats.  I then sewed down with my sewing machine.  I also sewed around the white cardstock, and did some hand-stitching on the buttons.  The Presto Patterns DSP also shows up on both of the flowers, colored with Cherry Cobbler and Poppy Parade.  Tip:  I don't have the Poppy Parade ink pad yet, but the brush tip on the marker worked just great at coloring that DSP!

The flowers add a nice bit of texture.  I punched out three pieces of paper for each one, using cardstock and Presto Patterns DSP.  Each layer was crumpled, folded and inked with Early Espresso.  I used a Stampin' Sponge and Early Espresso ink to color some Crumb Cake Corduroy Brads.  And BTW, the Early Espresso cardstock behind the photo was stamped with the single stamp Dot, Dot, Dot in Early Espresso.

One more story about Zailee - she has a new baby brother, who is named after their father Adam.  She calls him "Baby Adam".  Seth's mom, Gina, asked her what her mommy brought back from the hospital, and she replied, "Baby Adam".  Gina asked her then if she wanted baby Adam to stay, or if she wanted him to go back to the hospital.  Zailee said she wanted him to stay, and that she loved him.  Aww.  ♥

Well, have a fabulous day, and thanks for stopping by!

hey buh-dy! scrapbook page supplies (12x12):
Stamps:  Dot, Dot, Dot
Ink:  Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler
Paper:  Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizazz, Poppy Parade, and Cherry Cobbler cardstock, Whisper White textured cardstock, Presto Patterns Specialty Designer Series Paper
Accessories/Tools:  Sweet Pea Stitched Felt (retired), Whisper White buttons (retired), Crumb Cake Corduroy Brads (retired), Loads of Letters On Board Chipboard (retired), Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, Poppy Parade Stampin' Write Marker, Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler, Stampin' Sponges, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border and Fancy Flower XL Punches, sewing machine and thread

Inspired Stitched Florals card

Hello!

For the card I have to share today, I was inspired by this gorgeous cardigan from Anthropologie:

Isn't it pretty?  I love the fun look and feel of it!  On my card, I tried to replicate the flower outlines with stamping and stitching...

I also used Stamping 411's sketch this week.  I think it fit perfectly with what I wanted to do with the card!

Well, I have to run.  Thanks for stopping by!

Card supplies:
Stamps:  Petal Pizzazz, Fifth Avenue Floral
Ink:  Cameo Coral (retired), Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, and Basic Black
Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White and Sahara Sand cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  Tempting Turquoise 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Filigree Designer brads, Basic Black Brads (Neutrals), 1/2" Circle, Scallop Circle and Fancy Flower Punches, sewing machine and thread

Because I Care Hearts card

Hello!

I hope you have been enjoying your week so far!  Seth's parents may be driving down tomorrow and staying through the weekend.  If they do end up coming, I may not get much time to craft at all. :)

Anyway, I created today's card for the Memory Makers forum color challenge this week.  Here are the colors, found on a pretty hair clip from Anthropologie:

And here's my card...

I loved the black and white striped "petal" on the hair clip, and decided to duplicate it on my card.  To create this, I cut thin strips of Whisper White, and adhered it to a piece of Basic Black cardstock.  I then punched out a heart using the Full Heart punch.  The little ruffles at the bottom were just layers of scallop-punched cardstock, and the sentiment is from a new stamp set in the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog, called Because I Care.

By the way... the base green cardstock is a new In Color for this coming catalog, called Pear Pizzazz.  Isn't that name cute?  I love greens, and this one is so yummy!  Makes me crave a fresh, juicy pear!

Well, thanks for stopping by!  I need to get the apartment cleaned up!

Because I Care Hearts card:
Stamps:  I {Heart} Hearts, Because I Care
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss (retired) and Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad
Paper:  Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black, Pacific Point, and Whisper White cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  Whisper White 1/2" Library Clip, Kiwi Kiss Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, and Full Heart, Scallop Edge, Scallop Oval, and Large Oval Punches

Chocolate Orange Amour!

Haha!  I always have so much trouble coming up with names for my cards.  I've been hosting color inspiration challenges over at the Memory Makers forum, and this past week our challenge consisted of the following colors:

Pretty, right?  I don't know if you've ever had chocolate and orange flavors together, but I love 'em myself!  And ohh, guess what?  I was pleasantly surprised to see that the MM forum site owners chose to feature my color challenge in the newsletter!  How awesome is that?

Well enough rambling from me!  Here's my card...

I really wanted to use my pre-order goodies from the new Idea Book & Catalog.  I had made another card using this set during my crop earlier this week, but I'll have to show you that later. :)

How scrumptious is that embossing folder?  Love it!!

Chocolate Orange Amour:
Stamps:  Artistic Etchings
Ink:  Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Basic Gray, Dusty Durango, and Whisper White cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  Curly Label and Scallop Trim Border Punches, Basic Gray Corduroy Brads, Dusty Durango 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Folder, Signo White Gel Pen, Big Shot

cherish scrapbook page

Hello!

I created this layout yesterday and finished it up today.  It uses Arielle's gorgeous colourQ challenge this week, and a sketch from PageMaps.  I love how it turned out!

I plan to make this into a 2-page layout, as I have a bunch of pictures I wanted to include here.  I added a lot to this page, yet I feel the white background really balances everything.

Journaling reads: "Fluffy always sleeps in our bed with us.  Whenever we tell her 'it's time to go to sleep,' she runs into the bedroom and puts her paws up on the side of the bed, waiting to be placed on top.  Too precious!"

Well, I have to make this short, as I have a lot of things to get done.  Hope you have a wonderful day!

cherish 12" x 12" scrapbook layout supplies:
Stamps:  Simply Said
Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, Cameo Coral and Ruby Red Classic Stampin' Pads
Paper:  Whisper White, Ruby Red and Cameo Coral textured cardstock, Always Artichoke and Apricot Appeal cardstock, Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper (retired), The Write Stuff Specialty Designer Series Paper
Accessories/Tools:  Ruby Red buttons (retired), Linen Thread, Always Artichoke 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Cherished Memories Rub-ons (retired), Aqua Painter, Round Tab and Eyelet Border Punches, Beautiful Wings Embosslits die, Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler, Vintage Brads, Paper Piercing Tool, Big Shot

SCIC03 - Elegant Thanks card

Hi!  Happy Friday!

I'm so excited (and a little nervous) to be going to a crop tomorrow!  It's a fairly small crop, with a local scrapbooking group I found on Meetup.com.  My first one with them!  I don't go to crops very often, and I'm such a last-minute planner.. let's just say that I need to get going on getting a few things together!

Krystal's fabulous Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge this week just took my breath away!  For some reason I've really taken a liking to purple in the past year or so, and I've always loved rich colors.  Take a look!

And here's my take on it:

I actually used a sketch challenge from one of my favorite online hangouts, the Memory Makers Magazine Forum.  My friend Kathi found a layout sketch created by Becky Fleck (PageMaps), and I turned it into a card.

Isn't that sheet with the white flowers just gorgeous??  It's one of the sheets from the Presto Patterns DSP in the Summer Mini.  I just love how many different looks you can get using these papers.  I applied Elegant Eggplant ink across the sheet with a brayer, then sprayed it with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz.  Then I took a piece of Vellum Cardstock and embossed the sentiment with VersaMark and White Stampin' Emboss Powder.  *Tip - attach vellum easily by using choice placement!  I attached my piece by using the silver brads on the flowers, some Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue along the right side under the ribbon, and a Mini Glue Dot under the bow.

I created the card base using a piece of folded Naturals White cardstock, lining it up on the Scallop Circle Bigz die so that the fold is "inside" the die-cut.  The Soft Suede circle is approximately 3-7/8", and there is a So Saffron circle of the same size inside.  I love being able to quickly and easily create any size circle I need (up to 6") with the Circle Scissors Plus!

Well, I need to get packing!  Hope you have a fabulous rest of the day!

Elegant Thanks card supplies:
Stamps:  Thank You Kindly
Ink:  Elegant Eggplant, VersaMark
Paper:  Naturals White, Soft Suede and So Saffron cardstock, Vellum cardstock, Presto Patterns Designer Series Paper
Accessories/Tools:  Vintage Brads, Old Olive satin ribbon, White Stampin' Emboss Powder, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, Brayer, Trio Flower Punch, Circle Scissors Plus, Scallop Circle Bigz Die, Scallop Trim Border Punch (available July 1), Big Shot

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

Honest Scrap Award, scrapped

Hi there!

Those of you who know me, know that I don't actually scrapbook much.  I originally started out by scrapbooking, and I intend to do a lot more scrapping in the future.  When I was first brainstorming for the Honest Scrap Award that Lora had given me the other day, I wanted to make a page about these little truths.  I thought it'd make a great page, and I normally have trouble scrapping myself!  I didn't have a chance to make a page at the time though, so I had gone ahead and posted just the list.

Anyway, I used this week's sketch challenge over at the Memory Makers Magazine forum.  The sketch is originally one of Becky Fleck's PageMaps.  Here's my layout..

I flipped the sketch sideways to accommodate my picture.  I didn't actually do any stamping on this, I'm just realizing.  It is, as always though, all SU! stuff!  I love how my journaling "page" turned out.. can you guess that I made that?  Yes, I took a piece of Whisper White cardstock, drew horizontal lines with my Old Olive marker, then drew vertical lines with my Rose Red marker.  Perfect coordination!  I used the Spiral punch to finish off the edges, and curled up the ends a little with the bone folder.  The cute little Old Olive clip just adds so much more to it as well.

Here's a close-up of the journaling (keep in mind I don't normally reveal these things about me!):

These are the same things I listed in my Honest Scrap Award post.  Next, I have a view of the right side, to show you the dimension:

I just love that butterfly die!  You can give it a really great finished look by tying some Linen Thread around to create a body.  The letters were created using the Simple Letters Bigz dies, cut with both Chocolate Chip cardstock and our chipboard.

Have a great night!  I'm off to bed!

Scrapbook page supplies:  Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, and Whisper White cardstock; Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper pad; Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler; Rose Red and Old Olive Stampin' Write markers; Rose Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon; Whisper White organza ribbon; Linen Thread; Old Olive 1/2" Library Clip; Sweet Pea Stitched Felt; Scallop Trim Corner and Border punches; Spiral punch; Beautiful Wings Embosslits die; Little Leaves Sizzlits die; Simple Letters Bigz dies

Fox & Friends Small Wonder card

Hi again!

At one of my favorite hangouts, the Memory Makers magazine forum, we've started a weekly sketch challenge.  The first one was actually last week, but I didn't get a chance to create a layout or card with that sketch.  I love the sketch this week.. it's so versatile and I can see many different ways of using it.  I don't have any pictures printed out though that I wanted to use, so I challenged myself to create a card using the sketch.

Here's the sketch.. it's from Pencil Lines.  I discovered that it's sketch #166 (might I say that they do have some fantastic sketches there!  I've never been there before).

And here's my card!

The stamp set is soo cute!  It's the new Fox & Friends set from the Occasions Mini.  The set contains 4 other cuties - a lion, a turtle, an owl, and a whale.  As soon as I saw the set in the catalog, I knew I had to have it!  :)

I created the circle in the top right corner by first punching a 1-3/8" circle out of Old Olive cardstock, then lining up the 1-3/4" Circle punch up to create an outline.  The Slit punch made a perfect opening for the Whisper White satin ribbon to slip through.  And that Designer Series Paper in the back?  It's from the gorgeous new Sweet Pea 12x12" Designer Series Paper pad.  There are fabulous papers in this pack for both masculine and feminine projects!

Small Wonder card:  Fox & Friends and Whimsical Words (SAB freebie) stamp sets; Dusty Durango, Chocolate Chip and So Saffron Classic Stampin' Pads; Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Old Olive, and Taken with Teal cardstock; Sweet Pea 12x12" Designer Series Paper pad; Whisper White Jumbo Grommet (Designer Hardware); Whisper White satin ribbon; Star Designer Brads; 1-3/8" Circle punch; 1-3/4" Circle punch, Slit punch