Friday, December 31, 2010

Some Webster's Pages Projects

......for a Design Team submission....actually 2 because I am applying for both the paper team and the digital team :)  I just hit send for both...wish me luck!  What a dream it would be to be on either of the teams.  I love love love the quality of Webster's Pages products, the papers are so thick and nice, the graphics so rich in color, the ribbons and trims so unique, along with the the buttons and sparkles....to die for I tell ya!!!  I had a blast working with both the papers and embellies and the digital files for the past few days.  I have met the owners at the CHA  shows and I have to say that they are definitely one big family and actually enjoy each other, now thats what I am talking about!

So let me share with you the projects I created for this call.  The first project is an antique oak printers tray that I got a while back on ebay.  It measures about 16 x 12 or so.  I did nothing to it before altering it, I love the rustic old look of it.  I used a combination of papers from the Garden collection and the Seaside collection.
 I call it Live, Love, Laugh and I included my grandkids photos because they make me smile...and live, love laugh!  I framed their little pictures with mini little chipboard frames and dressed the little chipboard people in Webster's Pages clothes after I glimmer misted them.

 I created the little yo yo flower on the right and added lots of trim, I really love the little button stacks!
 A couple of Epiphany Crafts Epoxy hearts and an old old thread bobbin (its wood) are the perfect additions to the little squares.
 I added the kids names with my favorite mini letters of the moment from October Afternoon.
 I made a little distressed circle flower on the left and the title in various different alpha's, I just love the corrugated cardboard on from Rusty Pickle!
 And here is a side view so you can see the character the antique printer tray has, I just love it!  I added lots of trims on the top and bottom and even on the edge of some of the dividers.
And now I have a great altered antique printers tray that I will cherish for years to come!

I decided to do two layouts for the call as that is my strong suit, gotta stick with what you do best, right?  Again I used papers from the Garden collection and the Seaside collection.  The first layout is called Oh! The Possibilities and features my grandson Trevor.  I captured this photo at the park about a week before Christmas and I just love the look in his eyes!
 I used burlap to mat the photo along with some Bazzill cardstock and then stitched it down.  I added a little ink to the burlap as well.

 Along with the various trims and Webster's Pages Quote cards I added some custom buttons made with my Epiphany Crafts Button Studio using the same Bazzill cardstock I used to mat the photo with.  I also did alot of layering and added flowers and buttons for dimension.
I love how this came out!

My next layout features my grand daughter Jenna....acting silly for the camera, which she does alot.  I love this photo because it really captured her spirit of the moment!!  This layout is called Our Crazy Woman....because that is what she is!!
 I created the little paper roses and added the Webster's Pages sparkles to the center.  I love how they fit right in on the strip of paper that I edge punched.
 I cut the little banner triangle so that I could bend them up like they were flying and added a pearl trim as the string holding the banner flags.  Lots of trims and punched butterflies give lots of texture and I used lots of pop dots and Liquid Scrap Dots from Helmar for added dimension.
Lots of sparkle and shine make this project a total stunner!!

Since I am both a paper and digital scrapper, but not a hybrid scrapper, I decided to apply for both teams...hopefully I will get a spot on the team one way or another, lol!!  For all three of my layouts I used the Hollywood Vogue digital collection.

This first layout called 6 yr old smile features my grand daughter Jenna, in a photo taken right after she lost her two front teeth.  It didnt last long so I am glad I captured this look!  I copied the background paper onto the top layer and then changed the opacity and blending, I think it gave it a great effect.  The title was created using the Problem Secretary font, giving it a different color stroke and embossing it a bit, I love how it looks like chipboard!
 This next layout is a fun multiphoto layout featuring my family at various times during the year.  I turned all the photos sepia and love how it coordinated with the colors of the papers and embellishments.  I burned the edges of the blue strip of paper to give it the inked look.

 As soon as I saw the herringbone pattern on this paper I knew it had to have a black and white photo and one of my daughter Katy.  Its just her.  I did some extracting from other papers for the strip on the left side.  I burned the edges of the paper strips and mat and behind the photo.  The journaling block was created from a different sheet of paper, cropped and resized.  The font there is Fashion Victim and was a perfect match.


Happy New Year to all!!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Best Creation Inc - CHA - W - 2011 Sneak Peak!!

You can see it on the blog - here - but I couldnt wait to share it as well.....these papers look awesome!!!!
Cant wait to work with these papers!!!!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Scrapping Spot for January!!

The Scrapping Spot kit for January features the Fancy Pants Hot Chocolate line!!!!  I love love love the color combo!!!  Lots of fun embellishments...including the cutest felt cup of hot chocolate and some cute little chocolate bars....yum yum!!!!  So let me share the kit with you:
Featuring the Fancy Pants Hot Chocolate line (all papers are double sided except the Hot Chocolate Flower). 1-Chocolate Swirl, 1-January, 1-Chocolate Ice, 1-Glistening Snow, 1-Strips, 1-Flower Die Cut, 1-Bazzill Chili, 1-Bazzill Rain. Handful of Dew Drops, 1-Handmade Hot Chocolate Felt Cup, 2 ea. Jillibean Red/Brown Sugar Picks, 1/2 pkg. Basic Grey Max & Whiskers Alpha, 20" Red Rick Rack, 1-Jolee's By You Chocolate Bars, 1 set Tim Holtz Sign and Post, 1 yd. BoBunny Double Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, 1 ea. Kaiser Snowflake Wood Flourish, 1-Kaiser Chocolate Pearl Flourish, 1/2 pkg. Crystal Stickers Elements Strips Round Crystals, 1-Memento Lady Bug Dew Drop Ink, 1-Aqua Block Teeny Alphas, 3 ea. Ruby Slipper Glitter Dots, 1 ea. Basic Grey Manila Basics Tab

And as far as I know there are only 4 kits left....just 4!!!!  So if you want one, I wouldnt wait...they have sold out the last 3 months in a row!!!  Go HERE now to pick one up :)

I have been able to complete 3 layouts with a 4th laying on my counter almost done.  It has been raining for 5 straight days here in California so its been rather difficult to get good pics of the layouts so you will just have to bear with me and my so so photos (I couldnt wait any longer...its not suppose to stop till Friday)
 Thanks for coming by to visit!!!
Have a very Merry Christmas....see ya before the New Year :)
Hugs!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Epiphany Crafts Holiday Ornament Blog Hop!!!

Welcome to the Epiphany Crafts Design Team Holiday Ornament Blog Hop 2010!! 

Our lovely Design Team has created some wonderful holiday projects, brimming with inspiration and of course, Epiphany Crafts epoxies, buttons, and tools! Visit each Design Team members blog to see what inspiring projects they have to share. Leave a comment on each blog. When you reach the last blog, you'll receive the final instructions on how to enter to win a fabulous prize pack filled with Epiphany Crafts goodies, straight from Santa!!

Today I am sharing with you how to create a .....Snowflake Ornament....made from a TOILET PAPER ROLL!!!  I got this great idea from my friend Sonda and thought it would be perfect with an Epiphany Crafts custom button in the middle.  This is also a perfect craft to make with your kiddos too!

So Let me share how I made this one so that you can make your own!
Supplies needed:
1 toilet paper roll
Glimmer mist (any kind)
Patterned Paper ( two  1 1/2 inch x 12 inch strips) and scraps
Buttons (large)
Epiphany Crafts Large Button Studio tool and buttons
Tulle
Floss/Twine
Hole Punch
Adhesive - I used Helmar 450 Quick Dry and Liquid Scrap Dots

Directions
Cut toilet paper roll in 5 continuous strips - you will have 5 circles
Fold the loops flat, pinch one end and glue together to form a circle (I used paper clips to hold them together until they dried)
Spray the snowflake/flower with your choice of glimmer mist.  I sprayed until I had complete coverage.
Take your 2 strips of paper adhere them so you have one continuous strip (24 inches) and then fold accordian style. (I used one of my favorite paper lines, Best Creation Inc)
Glue the ends of the folded paper together to form a circle.  Push the circle into a tight circle shape and glue.  I used a large Glue dot in the middle of a small square of scrap paper and then used the Helmar 450 Quick Dry to help it stay adhered.  
Roll the edges of the circle in glue and sprinkle on some glitter.
Find a scrap of paper you would like to make into a custom matching button and using the Epiphany Crafts Button Maker in the large size round button, create your button.  I used a large plain button and stacked the custom button on top.
Stitch through both buttons and the folded circle through the scrap piece of paper below.
Adhere the circle embellishment to your flower/snowflake shape you created from the toilet paper roll.
Punch one of the petals/flakes and string some tulle through it to hang.


I hope you enjoy making these, they look great on a mirror or a window and can even be hung on your tree!!  And dont forget they are fairly easy to do and the kids would enjoy helping you make some!!

You got here from Kelly's blog
and

Your next stop on the Hop is:

where you will leave a comment for a chance to win a fabulous prize package!!!

If you arrived on the blog hop in the middle of the order you can go back to the first blog to start at the beginning...and that blog was Lisa's!!

 I hope that the team has inspired you with all of their great ornaments and decorations using the Epiphany Crafts Button and Shape Studio.  Now head on over to Facebook, to Epiphany Crafts page  to leave your comment.  If you arent a fan be sure to like the page and become a fan!!!
 
Thanks for hopping with us!!!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Welcome to Best Creations' First Blog Hop!

We have all been on blog hops, but I promise you that this one by Best Creation Inc. will be one of the best in terms of inspiration and in giveaways and prizes!!  So let the Blog Hop commence!!!

This Blog Hop will have you hopping along 13 Design Team Members blogs where they will share with you some inspiration by sharing projects created with Best Creation products AND where they will share with you one letter of the alphabet that when you put them all together will give you a phrase.
One lucky person will win $100 worth of Best Creation products:





A second person will win Best Creation's Valentine collection of papers and stickers:





And I hear tell that if you follow the Best Creation Blog that there will be random drawings for every 10 followers added and the winners will receive a paper collection of their choice!

My project that I want to share with you is my December Daily!  I used the FaLaLa Christmas Line and the Winter Wonderful line for my mini album. For the front and back of my album I used some Teresa Collins Bind it All covers and then cut the Best Creation papers to size.  Best Creation papers are double sided and a perfect thickness to be able to use as pages.  I chose to do 25 days, dedicating two pages to each day, and used the Glitter Cardstock as mats for the 2x3 photos that I will add.  I used some rub ons that I had in my stash from Rusty Pickle for the numerals and then rubbed them onto coordinating papers and made my own epoxys using my Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio 14 Round......perfect!!!  I did some embellishing on the pages adding some fussy cut designs from the Best Creation papers, Best Creation Chipboard and stickers and other trims and flowers from my stash.  I will do additional embellishing as I add the photos daily, things that will be inspired by the photos themselves.  So I will quit talking about it and just share it now........

My December Daily 2010













I know that this mini album will be cherished for many more years  to come by all!!

Now on to the details:  You will be collecting letters of the secret phrase on each of the 13 stops and when you have the phrase you will send that entry to teresa@bestcreation.us . The winners will will be announced on Friday Dec 3rd so good luck and have fun hopping!

You have come from Natalie's blog and will be continuing to Ann-Katerina's blog.  Your letter from my blog is: "i".  Don't forget to leave comments along the way, become a follower of the Best Creation Blog , and comment on the Best Creation Blog.  If you enter the blog hop in the middle you can always go to the Best Creation Blog for a complete list of all the stops in order.

Good luck and thanks for visiting!!!!

 

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Thoughts

Today I have been writing and preparing for a booklet we want to make to Celebrate my Papa's journey here on earth.  Remembering times with him, things he said and did, what a character he was.  We were blessed to have been part of his life and now he watches over us, cant ask for more.  Everyone has their own stories and the stories bring smiles to all of our faces.  What a great life he had and what a great family he had surrounding him....all the way to the end.  Facebook was a great resource to us as we shared his journey for 23 days.  Many kept up with the journey via Facebook and we appreciate all of the words of support that we received during that time and continuing even now.  We are in preparation for a Celebration of Life which will take place on December 4th.  We hold him in our hearts free and strong now that he has no ailments to hold him back.  I love you Papa!

During this journey I asked for prayers to help me get past something that was done to me towards the end of this journey so that I could focus only on Papa and have only him in my heart.  I received this comfort from all of you and I thank you for it.  The hurt that was done to me is something I want to share with you in the hopes that someone may learn sensitivity, to think before they speak and to know that something done as a result of drama will only make you sink to the level of the person creating the drama.  I wont name names but I will tell you that it concerned a Design Team I was on and am no longer.  They no longer appear on my blog or in my resume but I know it wouldn't take much to figure out the kit club if you so desired.  And the reason for it can be seen in who took my place on that Design Team.  I am not one to sink to the levels of those that feed on drama but I felt in this situation that people should know the source of the blemish on the journey for which I asked for support.  Now I can put it behind me and rise above.

My creativity right now is being focused on creating some bulletin boards of Papa and writing a booklet to Celebrate his Life.

Thank you all for being such great friends and a great source of support and love during this time!  Love ya!!!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

RIP my Papa

The journey has ended for my Papa, it continues for those of us still here.  We had an experience that was a special as he was.  For 23 days my mom was at his side with only short little breaks.  For the last 8 days we surrounded Papa with love and family each and every minute save those that my mom had to sleep and the hospice nurse took over.  He took his time with his journey, he did it right and he did it his way, just like he lived life.  Though he was in a semi conscious state and then an unconscious state he still managed to ooze his charm for those around him.  We were told yesterday that it would happen last night.  I slept on the couch in the room next to where he was and I awoke at 3am sensing a change in his breathing.  I sat with him while the nurse cleaned his mouth and gave him a manicure.  His breathing was changing rapidly during this time.  Around 5am we woke my mom to come and say good bye.  She spent the next 12 minutes whispering to him and holding his hand as I held his other and his breathing slowed and slowed and slowed and stopped.  He finished his journey at 5:12 am and started his next journey at the same time.  Our plans are that he will be cremated and the close immediate family will spread his ashes at the beach where we spent so much time together, his favorite place.  There will be no viewing, he didnt like them when he was here so he certainly would not like having one for himself.  We will celebrate his life on Dec 4 at home with an Ice Cream Social, since he loved his ice cream.

We got this poem from one of our hospice nurses and my mom just loves it so thought I would share it:


I am standing upon the seashore.  A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.  She is an object of beauty and strength.  I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says:  "There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"

Gone from my sight.  That is all.  She is just as large in the mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her.  And just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!" there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!"

And that is dying.

Henry Van Dyke

Rest in peace my sweet Papa, you are forever in our hearts and we know you are in a better place free of the body that shut down way too soon.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The Scrapping Spot December Kit

Well the last two months have been sell outs for The Scrapping Spot monthly kit and judging by the preorders for December I am betting this one will sell out as well!  Take a look at the kit:
Featuring the LYB Christmas Delight line (all papers are double sided except the two foil accent pages).
 
1-Christmas Delight Lace Cut - Poinsettia
1-Season's Celebrations with Foil Accent
1-Very Merry Ornaments with Foil Accent
1-'Tis the Season Stripe/Starry Night
1-Christmas Morning/Gifts Galore
1-Delightful Dots/Merry Mint Brocade
1-Merry & Bright Bands/Chestnut Carols
2-Bazzill Rainforest
1-Bazzill String of Pearls
Handful Christmas Delight CB Shapes
1/2 pkg. Christmas Delight Jewel Stickers
1/2 pkg. Old School Vintage Tinsel Ribbon
1/3 pkg. Deck the Halls Metal & Epoxy brads
1/2 pkg. Rossetti Roses
1-Combo Noel Stickers
3 ea. Noel Noteworthy spiral bound die cut
1-Forest Moss Stickles

And of course I want to share my layouts with you!!!!  I did give you sneaks so I guess I should give you the full reveal too huh? The kit was so much fun to work with, really got me in the Christmas Spirit.



And so I hope that I have inspired you with my layouts from the latest The Scrapping Spot kit.....get yours now!

On another note an update on my dad is that he continues to be surrounded with love, he is comfortable and peaceful.   The nurse today thinks he may go tonight.  We all have closure and have enjoyed our time focusing fully on him, helping him on his journey to a new adventure.  No one or nothing can put a blemish on this time though they have tried, shame, shame.  I love you PaPa!!!!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The Scrapping Spot for November and December Sneaks!

The November The Scrapping Spot kit was so amazing that it sold out in a matter of hours!!  I know that the owners have upped the number of kits they are offering and if you visit the message board there is a place where you can preorder the December kit and I have to say, I just worked with the December kit this weekend and it is another awesome kit....sure to sell out!  Here are the sneaks of the December kit from The Scrapping Spot......


and here are some sneaks from the layouts I have done so far:



Reveal day for projects done with the December kit is Nov 25th on the message board and here.  The kit should go on sale shortly after that, dont miss it!

Here are the layouts from the sold out November kit that I did....another fun kit!







Again, thanks for visiting!!  I hope I have inspired you and I hope you will come back to visit again :)