Ladybug Set

This gift was for one of the staff wives at our church. She loves ladybugs so I had to make her a set of ladybug cards. The paper is Bazzill and Nana's Kids. The ladybug stamp is Papertrey and I think the sentiments are Inkadinkado. The paper is glittered so I added a little more the the ladybug stamp with a clear glitter Spica pen. and of course I added a rhinestone on the ladybugs back on the folder.

My Christmas Cards

These are my Christmas cards for this year. I did not make too many because I did not receive many. Last year I made so many I ran out of paper. I guess people are cutting back. I tried several new techniques - new to me at least. This is my first card to heat emboss. I used the Illuminations set and Baroque Motifs from SU! I used SU brilliant blue and glorious green card stock. This is my first time to use SU card stock except for the white. It is so much richer looking than the card stock from my LSS. I am hooked! The two large brads on the corners were white. I heated each one and dipped it in embossing powder. Then it just takes a second or two more of heating to finish them in silver. The mirrored card stock is from Stampinscrapin.com . I looked all over for this. Lastly, I embellished each card with Swarovski crystal rhinestones. They are not really much more expensive than those acrylic stones for cards and scrapping and they make a big difference.

Gift Card Holder

I needed a few gift card holders this year so I started with this great technique from Becca Feeken's blog. She has a video tutorial here. Her blog is called Amazing Paper Grace and it is amazing. For the circle I used some sparking paper from Paper Adventures. The center is also from Paper Adventures. I did not actually stamp anything on this card. I embellished the center with some rhinestones. The white background paper was embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder. Inside I used my Cuttlebug to cut and emboss an oval and them used the computer for my sentiment. I am almost finished with my Christmas shopping and finished the gifts I am making this year last night. 3 more days!

Christmas Coffee Tag

My dh brought coffee back from Columbia for gifts for Christmas. I decided I wanted to make tags for the gifts so I used some Basic Gray paper from the Fruitcake line, kraft paper, Stazon Brown ink, Chestnut Roan Colorbox ink, Fancy Pants stamps and What's Brewin set by Stampin Up! I used the slot punch for the opening at the top. I used some really cute twill ribbon with coffee beans, some sheer swirl ribbon and some two-sided blue/brown satin ribbon.

Monogrammed Sets

I am working on some early gifts. The closer it gets to Christmas the more I want to do other things besides working on gifts and decorations. I know this about myself so I try to get everything done before November. Of course I always think of someone I forgot so...

I love PSX. They went out of business before I even started stamping. I have tried to collect this botanical alphabet but still need a few more. This is a card set with a folder to hold the cards and envelopes. I used my nestibilities to cut and emboss the letter and Stampin Up! markers to color the letter. In my first attempt last year I learned that Stampin Up black ink is permanent but the chocolate chip is not so you need to use Stazon brown if you are going to "paint" on the images. The paper here is Anna Griffin and the solid blue is Bazzill. I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder on the pink paper and punched the border on the print paper with the Treading Water punch by Fiskars. I so want a Scor-Pal. It would make the folder much easier.

Blessing Card

Here is another set of cards for next year's encourager conference. I used my Nestabilities again. I used the ovals and the ribbon slider tag that also embosses. The patterned paper is by CTMH and the stamp is by All Night Media. I used Marvy markers this time for the image. The white paper was punched with a Martha Stewart punch. Did you know Walmart has started selling some of her papercrafting supplies? Now it is just a little easier to buy more card/scraping stuff!

Both Way Blossoms Card

I just got this Stampin Up set on Ebay and I love it. I also got the Stampin Up markers that I used on the flowers. They are great to work with. I think easier than Copic markers. The paper is Paper Adventures and Bazzill. I used the Nestabilities to emboss and cut the ovals. I am hooked on using their embossing on almost all my cards. I can't wait until the labels set comes out. It is a new shape that comes out next month. The last thing I added was 2 clear Dew Drops.

Sympathy Card

I always have trouble making and buying sympathy cards. It is hard for me to decide what looks appropriate. Here is one of my first sympathy cards using my newest stamp set., Close As A Memory from Stampin Up. I used my Nestabilities to cat and emboss the ovals. The stamp was inked using Stampin Up markers - my first time to use them. Plaid paper is Creative Memories and other print is Paper Adventures. I would love more ideas for sympathy cards. I want to start sending them for our church prayer ministry.

Brothers Scrapbook Layout

Here is another Layout using Basic Grey. I believe this is Skate Shoppe. Scrapbook layouts today seem to have so many elements on each page. I started out with very plain layouts because I think the photos stand out more but the more I see the ornate layouts the more I like them. This layout only has a few elements on the pages but I want to start adding more. I looked back today at some of the layouts I have posted and already want to add to them.

My Sweet Samuel

This layout is a redo but I think I forgot to take pictures of the old layout. This paper was bought at Michaels with one of those 40% off coupons. I think it is by K & CO. and the whole pad of 12 x 12 paper was about $6.00 on sale. The journaling is done on those big clear labels from Office Depot. It looks more like velum but it is already sticky! I love taking pictures of sleeping people. They look so quiet and innocent. My favorite part of this layout is the little strips of patterned paper backed with solid paper and attached with brads. The photos on the bottom layout were taken when Samuel was watching Belle in Beauty and the Beast. It was his favorite Disney movie. He loved the song "Bonjour."

Dragonfly Card

This card was made using the Stampin Up! Measure of Life Set. I stamped the image in black Stazon and used a blender pen and ink pads to color the image. The Dragonfly paper is by Dee Groenig and the swirl paper is from Paper Adventures. I got this Making Memories ribbon in a set with other striped ribbon on sale at Joanns for $1.99. Solid colors are Bazzill.

Light the Way Card

Today I am finally back to making cards. This is one of the cards I made for an encourager conference my church is having next month. I used the Lighthouse stamp set from Stampin Up! and the word stamp from a CTMH lighthouse set. The paper is from Paper Crate. This is one of the first cards I made using my nestabilities die cuts. They are great! If you have been contemplating a set they are definately worth the money. I use them in my Cuttlebug. To cut I use A+B+C. To emboss I use A+B+B+Embossing Mat and a piece of cardboard.

Baby Page Scrapbook Page Redo

BEFORE

This was a sad scrapbook page. It was actually two matching pages but I tore one apart

before I remembered to take a picture. The only thing I liked about the old one was the heart border. I guess I used the oval and circle cutters too much back in these days. I paid enough for the set so I thought I had better use it. So it was somewhat of a challenge to incorporate the oval and circle-cut photos.

AFTER

I used Anna Griffin and Bazzill paper on these. I used my clear labels for journaling on the computer and the Aphrodite die cuts for the titles. These were easy but I liked the way the turned out.

Dedicated to God Scrapbook Layout Redo

BEFORE

This layout has so much white space the pictures look lost on the page. The hardest thing about this redo is the oval were already cut in the photos. I guess I went crazy using the Creative Memories cutting system when I first bought it.

AFTER

This paper is Basic Grey Skate Shoppe. I inked all the edges and cut some of the patterns from the paisley paper. The chipboard arrow is also Basic Grey. The alphabet is Cuttlebug Curls and Swirls. The jewels are from Hobby Lobby.

Back to Scrapbooking

BEFORE

This week I started redoing some layouts from one of my sons baby album. I did this album when I first started scrapbooking. The lady who led the crops I went to liked minimal embellishments so that is what she taught. Since then I have gradually added embellishments and more paper until I am happy with my style. Now when I look at those first layouts I am sad that I wasted so much time and paper on these stark layouts. For the next few weeks I will share my redos.

AFTER

Today is the birth of my second son. The BEFORE layout used Creative memories paper and stickers with no background paper. The updated layout uses Rusty Pickle printed vellum, Anna Griffin and Bazzill paper. The clear flowers are from Making Memories. I bought a Cosmo Cricket paper pack on eBay and the seller sent a huge sample baggie full of cute embellishments as a thank you gift. Needless to say I will watch for her other auctions. Her user ID is scrappin_penguin. The buttons I used were also included in the freebies. The ribbon charm is also by Making Memories.

Bronzite Necklace and Bracelet Set

The first time I saw a bronzite necklace I had to have some. It is really beautiful. It has metallic flecks in a deep brown stone. I made a set for my mother for a special occasion and then I had to have one myself. This set has 3 sizes of bronzite round beads, sterling bali beads and findings and vintage dark topaz AB crystals. The best price I found for bronzite was from one of my favorite eBay sellers - gigasuperdeal. He has a lot of Buy It Now items so you don't have to wait for the auction to end.

Lampwork and Crystal Necklace Set

The set today is made with sterling silver. I love to use sterling silver. It is ashamed that the price has more than doubled in the last few years. The back of this necklace was made with wire-wrapped links. The bracelet dangles are also wire wrapped. The larger blue beads are handmade lampwork beads purchased at the Grapevine bead show. The brown beads are vintage glass, crystal and cathedral beads. Also used were some silver bali beads and dark sapphire Swarovsli crystals. I made this a year or so age and I am thinking is reworking the front of the necklace. I want to change the bead caps. That is one of the great things about beading. If you get tired of something or the styles change you can just cut the necklace up and reuse the beads.

White Mother of Pearl Necklace Set

Yesterday I was saying that I found a bead shop in Marble Falls. This necklace pendant was bought there. This goes great with summer outfits. White mother of pearl beads and shell pendant is complemented by vintage glass beads and vintage crystal rondelle beads in a pale beige/champagne color. I use gold-filled spacers, findings and clasps in most of my gold jewelry. Gold-filled components wear better than plated. Gold filled is an actual layer of gold-pressure bonded to another metal. Gold filled is not to be confused with gold plating as filled literally has 100% more gold than gold plating.

Citrine and Pearl Necklace Set

Today's set is made from citrine nuggets and rondelles. It also has golden freshwater pearls and topaz Swarovski crystals along with gold-filled findings. The citrine nuggets came from Firemountaingems.com. The rondelles and ear wires are from beadaholique.com. The pearls were bought in the May Grapevine, Texas bead show. Ayla's Originals usually has a booth there and have amazing quality freshwater pearls. I usually try to stay monochromatic when I bead. I like clean lines and contemporary designs. I have been beading for about 5-6 years now. It is another addiction like scrapbooking, sewing and card making :-) Every time we take a vacation I have to find a scrapbook store or bead shop. They even have a great bead shop in Marble Falls, Texas! This was an easy set to make. There is only some minor wire-wrapping for the earrings and bracelet dangle.

Tiger's Eye Necklace Set

This is a double strand necklace made with tiger's eye, gold-filled and vintage glass beads. It also has a vintage clasp. The tiger's eye came from a really great bead seller on eBay - gigasuperdeal. I also bought the vintage beads on eBay in a lot. The necklace may have been from the '20s. It was really unusual. My favorite necklaces include vintage beads.

I made a watermark yesterday with photoshop elements 5. It was so easy. The more I use photoshop elements the more I like it.

Mother-of-Pearl Necklace

This is a necklace set I made to go with a winter white sweater I wore to a Christmas party. I used natural mother of pearl, gold-filled beads, vintage crystal beads, vintage spacers and clasp. I love vintage crystals and glass beads. Like many things that are vintage the craftmanship is amazing. I bought the mother of pearl beads at Friendze's. It went out of business a few months ago but you can get most any stone on eBay for a good price. There is a great beads show every year in Grapevine, Texas in May that has good deals and every store imaginable. Admission is free. You can go to beadshow.com for more info.

Christmas Scrapbook Layout

With this set of layouts I am all caught up with Christmas. I can't decide what to go to next in scrapbooking so I may take a small break and do some jewelry and cards. I am making my son's girlfriend a necklace using freshwater pearls and jonquil Swarovski crystals for Easter. My other jewelry project is a bracelet for my friend Lesa for her Bday. I gave her a necklace and earring set using Starshine Swarovski crystals and black onyx for Christmas. She told me she wanted a matching bracelet for her Bday. I also need to get back to making card for the Encourager Conference at my church.

Our pastor, John Meador, is carving a cross this year on Easter Sunday. It is a great inspiring service. If you are looking for somewhere to visit on Easter morning and live in the DFW area, come on by. You can visit the FBCE website at firsteuless.com for more information.

Back to scrapbooking! I used Basic Grey again (surprise:-) from the Fruitcake collection. The text is printed on clear labels and the paper edges are inked with brown and some black ink. The Solid paper is from the The Blush collection and Scralet Letter. The red had some pink distressing on it so I inked over it with dark brown. It really covered the pink and looked like it was brown in the first place. I am going to experiment with inking the solids more to see if I can make them coordinate with some prints I have.

Garden Scrapbook Layout

In this layout the flowers are so bright and busy I just used solid paper muted prints. The prints are Basic Grey Pheobe and O'Scrap dotted paper. I used my Sizzix Aphrodite Alphabet for the large letters. I just inked the very edge of the journaling for each photo so it has a cleaner look than usual. The sad thing about these pictures is that it got so cold the flowers died so I am going to have to replant more vigorous plants next time.

Another Christmas Layout

This layout was made with Basic Grey Fruitcake and red Karen Foster paper I bought from a website that has great bargains called Bargainpack.com. It was 25 cents a sheet! I inked all the papers since I am hooked on that at the moment and added some brad embellishments by making memories. I also used my new die from Sizzix in my Cuttlebug and made photo corners. The circles were cut using a mini circle punch from Creative Memories.

My First Digital Scrapbook Layout

My son Daniel and his friends Morgan and Matthew memorize scriptures for Bible Drill at our church. Sunday was the church Bible drill and they all got a score that was high enough to go to the Association drill at the end of March. I wanted to send some pics to Morgan and Matthew's mom so I decided to use my new PhotoShop Elements (PSE) that I got today along with some free kit papers and elements that my friend Kristi let me use. It only took a few minutes after I figured out that you have to click on the "move" icon in the top left corner to be able to resize your photo by dragging. I am glad I could find paper that looks good with the bright shirts the boys have.

Lots of Buttons Scrapbook Layout

This Layout was done with Anna Griffin and Bazzill paper. The buttons are from my sewing stash. I sewed each one on the layout by hand while I was talking to my friend Kristi. That makes it easier. The computer journaling was done with a free harrison font and I inked the beige paper to make it look older. The red paper was cut with scalloping scissors. When I took this photo I had just gotten a 5 megapixel camera and I thought the picture were great. Now that I have my Fuji camera that is 7, I think, I look back and wish I could retake the older photos. I have a little bit of a perfectionist problem:-)

Another Christmas Scrapbook Layout

BEFORE

Here is another Before and After scrapbook layout. I liked the before OK but I just knew it could look more like my style.

Anyway, I hated throwing away the Anna Griffin and Bazzill paper but I did not have enough to fix it with this paper. This is last time I worked on Christmas layouts and I never got to journaling. I liked the way the pictures popped but I wanted the elements to blend better.

AFTER

So, back to Basic Grey Dasher collection but I still used Bazzill for the solid. This is the first layout I machine stiched. I didn't want to use my good machine so I used my old one. It skipped a lot so I need to get a second hand machine to just sew paper. I love the effect.

I inked all the patterned papers and used my Cuttlebug for the titles and photo turns. I used a Stampin Up punch to make the scalloped edge and some ribbon by American Crafts. I tried using my Cuttlebug to make felt flowers for another layout and it worked great. I will post them later in the week so check back.

Redoing Christmas Scrapbook Layouts

BEFORE

I started working on my Christmas album the other day and looked back to a few Christmases ago. I really have changed my scrapbooking style so I wanted to redo a few of the old ones. My first Creative Memories consultant did not believe in using embellishment in her scrapbooks and soo that is how I first learned to scrapbook. It took a few years to have my own style. I love distressed papers and nostalgia items so I have just started scrapbooking with a full background instead of white. Most of the time it is a distressed look - So Called Solid. I guess the most important thing to do when you scrapbook is make it something you love. Don't save paper or copy something exactly unless you love it because someday you will want books that communicate who you are and what you love. The change is a process and I am sure I will change more as time goes on. This is one of my first redos. I only remembered to take a picture of half of the double-page layout before I started taking it apart but the other side is pretty much the same flipped.

AFTER

I did take a picture out because I am not sure it is the same year :-) I used Basic Grey Dasher. I rounded one of the corners on each photo. I also added a green ribbon from Michaels and a ribbon slide by Making Memories. I inked all the edges. I like the way it looks when the journaling looks like part of the design instead of the box I did the first time.

On the matching page I added some snowflake brads and used a sizzix die in my cuttlebug to make a bookplate that was attached with white brads. I am happy with the change and will show more redos in the days to come. My only regret is wasting the solid paper from the first go round.

Another Birthday Scrapbook Layout

This layout was again made with Basic Grey Skate Shoppe. I love their So Called Solids. I love the distressed and inked look. The font is a free download from acidfonts.com. I used a Making Memories metal frame and some satin edged organdy ribbon for the small picture. I may go back and ink the paper edges a little more. Right now I am into distressing. I got a Tom Holtz video and some of his alcohol inks the other day. After I practice I will post some pics of my projects.

Daniel's 10th Birthday Scrapbook Layout

Today's layout was made with Basic Grey's Hang 10. All the paper had the edges inked. As you can see I am bad about remembering candles for birthdays. We used a scented votive on my son's cake when we celebrated on his birthday. We did have a real party later with real birthday candles. It was in the summer so the kids could swim. Hopefully I will get to scraping that party soon!

Thanksgiving Scrapbook Layout

Today's layout has more prints than I am used to combining unless they totally match. I am not sure I like it. Sometimes I go back later and love it and sometimes I take the layout apart and redo it. Some of the paper here is Creative Memories and some is from a Paper Stack. The little pewter leaf is Making Memories.

I used my Cuttlebug to cut the tag - one of paper, one of chipboard. I got a new die yesterday. It is the old-style Sizzix thick red die. I had to figure out the "sandwich" for the Cuttlebug. It was the hardest to use of all the dies I have tried so far because it is not flat on the bottom. I ended up with the "C" plate and a piece of cardboard. The cardboard was the kind that comes in a Creative Memories paper pack - sorta' like the back of a tablet.

Check out this BEAUTIFUL BASIC GREY Paper. I found a picture of the papers on Scrap Etc. Here is the link.

http://moniquemclean.typepad.com/scrap_etc/