Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Riggly

I'm loving the neutral backgrounds and choosing my own pops of color to create layers and add tidbits here and there.  I'm loving my embellies, hehe. 


Here's the full layout.  Layers behind my lovely little Riggly in the window with a brad, enamel dot, some veneer, a chipboard heart and some more scraps along the border.


I stitched over this little heart sticker from the Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm Sticker Book.  I added my own cut out heart over the middle pink heart because the shade wasn't matching the rest of my layout.  It's fun when you make something your own :)


A close up of the brad, my journaling and some layers.  I fold the edges up a little so the page has more dimension.


Here's another angle with the wood veneer.


I have to say that with this layout, my kitty is a boy not a girl but I still used a floral layer under the picture.  This isn't a pattern or paper I ever thought I would use but since my background was so neutral it worked and I really like how it looks.  I really do love this layout but after doing it and looking at it again and again, I'm not seeing where I could have added more little bits.  I probably should have added a title of some sort but there is something about the simpleness that I do enjoy.  I really loved the picture of my kitty sitting in the window, he was so happy.  I'm going to leave it as is and just remember for the future.  Do you ever finish a page and then a different day go back and add to it?  I have taken an entire page apart before and started over because something wasn't working for me.  <<< My friends think I'm crazy :)

Thanks for following along <3

Christine

Monday, April 29, 2013

Siblings

This was one of those layouts that I loved everything about it.  Everything just felt perfect and I loved the colors too.  Yes, I've been scrapbooking for years now but this layout, something about it, just made me feel like I found the design style I truly LOVE every detail about.  I love the tone on tone of my title work with the chipboard thickers, the neutral background, all the subtle details, the pops of black that pull out from the journaling card...I could go on and on...


Here is the full shot of the layout.  This was such a cheesy picture I took with my older brother as we were leaving my Aunt's house on Easter.  I really do love the way he's looking down at m though like, yep...that's my sister.  At least that's the way I'm looking at it, maybe he's really looking at me thinking, yep...she's craZy. Hehe.


So I don't know what the problem is with me and my sewing machine but it hates me.  You can see I did some sewing up top and it's very messy and broken, I like it anyway.  I try to sew through paper, one layer like this background and it jams, gets stuck, breaks the needle.  I've broken 3 needles in a matter of minutes...I don't know what the problem is and I'm no expert on sewing machines.  It's a Bernina so it's not even a cheapo machine but I'm really considering buying a new cheaper one because everyone seems to use those just fine for crafting :/ Any recommendations???  I absolutely love stitching on my layouts!


So sorry for all my stitching babbling up there ^^^  I'm clearly upset about my stitching problems still...

I stamped the date a couple times for that messy look on a label.  I seem to like that a lot more when it comes to stamping dates and what not.  Added another little label on top of the starburst looking label from October Afternoon and finished it off with a stamp from Ali Edwards (Technique Tuesday.)
  

I used some Dear Lizzy ribbon and a washi tape from Bella Blvd. along the left side of the layout.  I loved pulling all the blues and grees in this layout with the neutral background.  I started with green as it was in my brother's shirt and just kept going from there.  I love adding little enamel dots and wood veneers when I need a little something to give that finishing detail.

Thanks for following along.  Let me know what you think and if anyone has any ideas what is wrong with my sewing machine that would be greatly appreciated :)

Christine <3

Friday, April 26, 2013

Life. Paper. Scrapbook.

I know it's probably not that big of a deal but I was extremely excited when I received my first email ever saying someone liked my layout I submitted for a call.  It's an online magazine called Life. Paper. Scrapbook.  I'm on page 68 of their first issue and I'm still proud :)  Has anyone else had these great feelings even if to others it's not that big of a deal or accomplishment?

Thanks for following along <3

Christine

Mini Album - Florida Keys

When you get back from vacation are you as crazy as me?? Do you want to just look at all the pictures and memories you captured and then get them into a book? I DO! I just finished up a family vacation to the Florida Keys and couldn't wait to do a mini album capturing all the little details I wanted to remember. For this project I used a lot of new collections, bits and pieces from each. I knew I wanted to use Studio Calico's Sundrifter collection as the colors and well, the name of the line are just perfect for a Florida vacation. The new Yes, Please by American Crafts (Amy Tangerine) was also a must for the fun bright colors. I used a few bits and pieces from the Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm collection as well and then hit up my scrap bin and a few of my everyday favorites I always fall back on.  

For embellishments, I always love to fall back on washi tapes, enamel dots and wood veneers.  I tend to have a weakness for wood veneers and always seem to add them to anything I'm working on.  Does anyone else have any product that they can't live without in their works??  


I used a Studio Calico Handbook for this mini album and kept the intro page simple with just a title and a Yes, Please die cut embellishment.


Feel the breeze...sometimes the picture speaks for itself.  Such a beautiful view with a little breeze to keep you relaxed.  I cut the "breeze" with my Silhouette Cameo and used neon purple Zing embossing powder to make it pop!  The cut is by Ali Edwards, Words of the Sea collection.  


The pelicans' down in the Florida Keys are everywhere.  Such a beautiful bird and a great shot!  I added a few Yes, Please die cut embellishments here.


The page on the right is more about the photos.  I added a digital Ali Edwards word file and a few stickers to finish this page off.  


The ocean is such a big amazing thing and we had to capture lots of photos in here.  The water is so clear but yes, being only March it was a little cold but that didn't stop us from getting in.  For these pages I added lots of blues and greens with stickers and papers.  More of the Yes, Please collection here and some Amy Tangerine, American Crafts thickers.


I love these photos captured while swimming.  My little brother still loves throwing on a mask and a snorkel and swimming around the pool, we all do.  More Amy Tangerine stickers from her sticker books and a little flair.


Again, I love these vellum polaroids from Studio Calico.  They bring such attention right where you need it.  The right side is Grumpy Blue, the crab that was big and bright blue in spots that hung out right in our area of the ocean.  We named him Grumpy Blue because he ran away very easily and clearly didn't want any visitors not that it would be advised to attempt to touch a crab, ouch!


I kept the left side simple and plain on this set of pages.  I did so because I love how the grey background pops since the right side has see-through areas.  I love that contrast!


Here is a more detailed shot so you can see that I used the 4 3x4 page protector and sewed my own box around the vellum polaroids to keep them in place. 


Here is the backside of the vellum polaroids with pictures placed on the back as well.  I added a quick stamp to the pink 3x4 card (Sundrifter Collection.)  The Weekdays stamp was from the Studio Calico Neverland, Project Life Kit.  On the right side you can see I printed a larger 5x7 photo, sewed it in place and then I added confetti all along the edges.  I printed my journaling directly on the photo here using Photoshop Elements.


Here's a detailed shot of the confetti and sewing (of course I added wood veneers to my confetti as well!)


On the backside of the confetti page I added another 5x7 photo of my husband and I (love him.)  The right side is a die cut from the Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm collection.  I added a picture of my dad in the upper right corner bordered by another beautiful vellum polaroid.  I love mint and that makes this simple page one of my favorites!


I thought it was more fun to throw in one of these shots so you could see the dimension a little better (oh those beautiful mint and aqua colors!)


For these pages I used another Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm die cut, hello sunshine...how perfect is that?!? I love the ombre of the pink paper and didn't want to cover anymore of it so left it as is.  I decided to add on quick little pop dot to the heart speech bubble (Yes, Please die cut pack)


On the left I added a beautiful picture of the ocean at one of my happiest places.  The Salty Sea was a perfect fit in my eyes.  I used Aqua Zing embossing powder and cut the "salty" with my Silhouette Cameo.  The cut is by Ali Edwards, Words of the Sea collection.  I added a few wood veneer arrows, some more papers from Yes, Please and mini letter stickers from the Sundrifter collection.


Here is a great picture of me and my family in front of the boat in Key West that we've taken pictures in front of for years and years.  It's really great when some things don't change...I used the glitter stickers from the Maggie Holmes collection.  As for the right side, pelicans!  Need I say more?  I added a few more stickers from the Yes, Please sticker book, a vellum polaroid and enjoyed the simpleness.  


And to finish it all off, a day in Key West.  I used Yes, Please products for these pages mostly, some wood veneers and enamel dots!  The last page will be something more personal just an ending to a great trip!

What do you love to scrap the most?  I personally tend to love the vacation layouts and mini albums.

Thanks for looking and I hope I inspired some of you to go make a mini album of your own!  

Christine

Thursday, April 25, 2013

I think I found it!

I had the best scrapping night in my scraproom last night.  I don't know what came over me but I felt so inspired and started with a neutral background and added layers and tidbits and stitching and think I have found my design. I have two layouts that I did last night, TWO!  I'm amazed as I would usually sit in front of a layout and stare at it forever, not feeling inspired or anything.  Unfortunately it was dark when I finished so I couldn't take a picture, wish I would of snapped a little sneak for you today but I didn't. 

So tomorrow, I have a layout coming for you and hope you all love it as much as I do. 

So as for now, here are some of my favorite embellies to use on my layouts, ones I seem to have the most fun with and I always go for when I'm looking for a little something to finish a page...








Stay tuned...

Christine <3

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Loving the "warmer" weather!

So spring is kind of here, it has it's moments and I'm hoping it will start to stick.  Made it outside one day after work when it was very nice out and Riggly was in Heaven.  I was taking pictures of him and captured this one as he jumped up to catch a fly in the air...priceless.  I was so happy with it that when we went inside I started scrapping it immediately and came up with this layout.


I love, love, l.o.v.e. this layout.  Am I allowed to say that about my own layout??  It's so springy and airy, I just love that feeling, ya know?!  I created a lot of dimension with this layout using pop dots, curling the edges of the words from the Maggie Holmes Collection, Embossing a border stamp on the background, adding corrugated paper.  I had fun with all the different elements in this one.


Here's a close up of the clouds, you can see I layered the stickers with veneers and added pop dots as well to some to create dimension.

I'm mad at myself because I took several other pictures of different angles and close up shots but forgot to e-mail them to myself.  I promise I'll add them later but I couldn't wait to get this layout up for you to see. 

Has anyone else felt more inspired lately by the "better" weather??  I'm in New York and it's been hit and miss with a good day here and a bad day there but hoping that it will start to more good days.  Here's to sunshine!

Thanks for visiting and following along.

Christine <3

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Out Loud...Live Life

Here's another layout I wanted to share with you all today.  I had fun creating a washi tape background and adding little bits and pieces for embellishing.


Here's the full layout, washi tape background inspired by Core Jones at Two Peas.


I added some mist splatters on my background for added interest using Mr. Huey's from the Studio Calico Kit and a color shine by Heidi Swapp.


I added this little wood clip to help balance the cork cameras I added in the top and bottom corners, all from the Studio Calico Spencer Scrapbook Kit.


Little cluster of embellishments in the top right.


I created my first arrow using the Amy Tangerine Stencil Kit.


A close up of my little corner of embellishing.  I added a pop dot to the center of the camera so it stood out and added an enamel dot on top of that too!  A little bling from Maggie Holmes and a tag from Elle's Studio.

Thanks for following along <3

Christine

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Love the Sea

I love the ocean, the sea, whatever you would like to call it, I love a big body of water.  There's something about the big blue that looks amazing and peaceful in every which way.  I put together a layout with more of the Trendsetter Collection by Fancy Pants to capture the blues and some black for a POP!

Here's a full view of the layout.  Lots of squares cut at about 2x2 to create a fun background.  I added a few different embellishements to most of the squares for added dimension.


Another angled view to see a few little touches of pins, tags, enamel dots, and clips.



I cut the title with my cameo from Words of the Sea by Ali Edwards.  I embossed it with the lovely Aqua Zing!

Monday, April 8, 2013

I love aquas!

I clearly have a love for the aqua family as I'm sure lots of you can tell from my layouts recently.  There's something about aqua with beach pictures though and I still have a ton to scrap from vacations.  Does anyone else have a weakness for aqua or any other color in their layouts?



Here's the full layout.  Lots of strips of different papers from the new Trendsetter Collection by Fancy Pants.


I love these colorful clothespins but decided to lay them flat instead of actually clipping them to the page.  I like the dimension it gives the page with the pop of color too.


Close up of of the stamping I did on some labels.  I think labels are one of my favorite things to use too!


I created the fun background circle with a stamp from the Mama Elephant, basic border set.  I didn't press down that well in the middle as you can see but I like the look of it anyway.  I added a few enamel dots for some interest.


I added a cute mini paper clip onto the love sticker to add some creative interest.  Another strip of the lovely corrugated paper adds some texture.

Thanks for following along <3

Christine 

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Guest Blog!

Happy Wednesday everybody.  Head on over to Kristin's blog for a special handbook.  I'm very excited to be guest blogging for Kristin and to be sharing this mini album with you all :)

Thanks for following,
Christine <3

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

::What's catching my eye::

First off, sorry for my shortage of posts lately.  I just finished my medicine for bronchitis on top of birthday celebrations and holiday family time, a lot going on and very little time and energy for scrapbooking unfortunately.  So anyway, I'm FINALLY really back this time. 

I have a layout to share but only have one photo that I took with my iPhone so I really don't like the quality.  I'm sitting here debating wether or not I should really post it today...okay, sorry I think I'll wait so I can give you some better angles and crisper images.

I thought I would share a new collection that I love.  The new Serendipity Collection by Elle's Studio is beautiful.  The soft colors remind me of warmer weather and that spring is hopefully around the corner.


This is what today looks likes so it's hard to be optimistic but I'm trying...

You can of course get the new items from Two Peas In a Bucket here

Elle's collections. 

Pendant's by Elle's Studio.  You can make your own banners, flags or add these directly to a project and they look beautiful.
 The circle tidbits are always another favorite.  I love the dimension you can create with these with pop dots, or layering them over a sheet of carstock or other embellishments. 

 I have used these labels from many other collections as well so many times.  They are so versatile and I love that. 

Oh, and of course you can't forget the tiny tags.  All these pastel, springy colors are just perfect.

Everything about this collection makes me happy and excited to scrap some (hopefully sunny) pictures.  Everything in this collection can be used in so many different ways.  All of these embellishments are small enough that you can use them in project life or your scrapbook layouts or mini's.  There are so many different ways to to accomplish a beautiful project such as layering, creating a banner style, or lining the tags and tidbits in a line down the side of a layout for an interesting look.

What do you love using these products on??

<3 Christine