A Little Bit of Jenni Bowlin Red, Black and Beige

I LOVE JENNI BOWLIN PAPERS.....and I don't always know quite how I am going to use them. So this layout was originally inspired by Shimelle, who had posted on her blog a layout with the little 4x4 papers. Well guess what????? Yep, I actually had some of those little papers lying around, and was determined to use them. The other thing that I love, is getting to use some of the product that I have purchased previously, and which has been sitting for a while. I have to say it is kind of cathartic to use up scrapbooking stuff, especially because we all have soooooo much.

For this layout I pulled out my box of red and black embellishments (all my embellishments are sorted in lovely ikea boxes, by colour), and got to use some little things just lying around, waiting to grace a page. That is also the beauty of sorting little goodies by colour....you get to see what you really have, and use up some of the older pieces that you may have forgotten about.

Lately I have been working very hard on finishing a quilt for my daughter, so I have not had much time to work on layouts. I am hoping to get some time to do that in the next couple of weeks. In fact, I have also been thinking of some of my scrapbooking goals for 2011. One of them being, is that I would like to do a monthly layout highlighting and documenting that month. Now, we all know finding time for creativity can be a little difficult, so I will settle then on doing it every couple of months....BUT, I will start it. The other thing that I hope to do is Ali Edwards big picture class on "one little word"for 2011. I love the idea that at the end of the year, I will have an entire book dedicated to that one little word, which I had picked for myself.

What about all of you? Do you have anything on your scrapbooking horizon? I would love to hear if you do.

To all who read my blog....I wish for you and your families a Healthy and Happy Holiday Season, and a year ahead filled with creativity and good things.

My Mexico Mini Book

It is finally done.....needless to say that it was started about 18 months ago.

Last Summer Making Memories put out this little mini book, which I just loved and had to have. I knew that there would be pictures from a trip sometime in the future that would move themselves onto the pages. Well shortly thereafter, one of my fave (amongst many) bloggers, Shimelle, featured the same little mini book online. So I got it together and embellished all the tab pages that came within. Can't tell you how cute and tempting it looked after it was done. JUST RIGHT for some trip pictures.

Then last September, I went on a trip to Australia and even packed the mini book in my bag with me, thinking that I would kinda start it and gather souvenirs and goodies from the trip and start it then. Well, the mini book followed me home, still bare with tales to tell.....Went straight back on the book shelf.

THEN.....

Our family Summer vacation was booked for Mexico, so down came the mini book, and this time I was determined to fill the pages......So here are just a few of them to see, filled with lots of memories of a time and place.

So want to get comfy with Spritz on a layout

Everywhere I look for inspiration, I see spritz, spray, and mist on a layout. Sometimes just in a little corner, sometimes all over the place....and I sit and I stare. I wish to myself that I had the confidence to spritz on my layouts as well, other than just covering chipboard with the stuff.

I also noticed that alot of the time, the negative image of the spritz really looks quite amazing as part of the layout, as opposed to fine misting all over the place. So Emily gave me this great idea, why don't I use tags to create the effect I wanted. VERY GOOD IDEA from da bella.

There was NOT so much thought when and where I placed the shipping tags, partly because this was all going to be an experiment, rather than a finished product. Normally after some experimentation at "Bella HeadQuarters", these things find themselves laying on the back table, until such time a cleanup is in order....and then they make way into the garbage. However, I did take this little experimentation home, and was determined to turn it into a layout.....and you know what....I LIKE IT!

The other great thing that I like about this, is that I purchased NOTHING NEW for it. I simply went home, put the paper on my table, pulled out my box housing "brown" embellishments, and remembered I had some older Sassafras paper that I liked. I also ended up using paper from My little Yellow Bicycle (ruler on edge), embellishments from Crate Paper (Restoration Chipboard), Wooden Flowers (Kaisercraft), Maya Road Kraft Envelope (of course, stamped with "SCRIPT" stamp, from Stamping Bella, and various little alphas.

Sometimes, I am all about the "SKETCH", and just when I think I need to depend on one for ideas, I surprise myself....because, there really is NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY for a layout to look. So if you have a few bottles of spritz lying around (AND I KNOW YOU DO), just get going and see what you come up with.

HAPPY SPRITZING, SPRAYING, MISTING.....

Sew Easy....and So Many Possibilities

Have to say, "much excitement" over the new sew easy tool, and all the associated goodies.

Now, I also have to be honest in admitting that I don't usually go bonkers over new tools and stuff...you know, coz' they tend to be a little more costly, and my mentality dictates that I would rather have "LOTS" of things (like paper), than one thing. Sometimes, there is an exception to this rule. The sew easy, I did want. What a great tool, let me tell you. Options allow for six different heads....all very reasonably priced...and I LOVE the coordinating spools of floss that you can purchase. Just all so incredibly yummy.

This is the cross stitch head that I used at the top of my layout.

The zig-zag stitch that I used a little on the bottom

AND THE LAYOUT

BTW...the layout looks a little crooked...so for this I apologize...my picture taking skills need a little improvement. Now you might be thinking if you got a sewing machine, who needs a sew easy? The stitches look so very different....it's a whole different look. Floss vs thread. Thick needle vs thin needle. I really like it.....and I think you will to.

Wishing you all a weekend filled with sunshine and some time to do something crafty.

When you just don't want to think on your own....

.....think SCRAPLIFT!

Well, let me tell you how grateful I am that some other people have put together layouts, with products that I have loved and purchased. I remember when American Crafts Abode line came out....I just had to have it. Every time I looked at the paper, at the thickers, at the cute little house and button embellishments, some kind of layout would spring to mind. However, since I bought all that stuff, there has been way to much NEW to concentrate on the old. So today, as I was cleaning and organizing a little of my scrap space, I came across an older AC catalogue, and was thrilled, I mean really thrilled to see the reason that I must have saved it. Yep, the layout that you see below. I would love to give credit to the person who did it. I can't because there was no name attached, so therefore, whoever you are, that designed this for American Crafts, thank you. It was so enjoyable just sitting there doing this layout, without having to think about where anything was going to go....I had it all in front of me. The only thing that I changed from the original layout was maybe the colour of the chipboard button, more thicker words above and an additional circle, so that I could add some journaling.....and VOILA! I mean, c'mon, how easy is that. So, to you my peeps, if you ever just want to sit down and do a layout....SCRAPLIFT one.

The other thing that I did this weekend, was begin another quilt. I am doing this one in a class, which I am really excited about. I will now get to learn how to go about doing certain things properly....like being able to use a rotary cutter as a left handed person. Yep, up until now, I did not know the blades on those things rotated to the other side to accommodate a leftie. I just walked around my dining room table a million times to cut fabric. NOW... I don't.

Could not help but take a picture of the fabrics that I have chosen for this new quilt. I really have to say....I LOVE THEM. Fabric is beginning to remind me alot like scrapbook paper, and a quilt, the finished page. I hope that my colour combo makes you as happy as it makes me.

So my friends....give yourselves permission this week to sit down and just SCRAPLIFT.

Wishing you all a week filled with everything wonderful.

We all have a little bit of chipboard pieces.....NOW DON'T WE

I know you guys have some chipboard pieces, just hanging around, waiting to occupy space on a page. I was just simply waiting for the right time to use the maya road pieces from the baking set. We all have lots....lots and lots and lots of chipboard. Now it's time to use it.

Sometimes, I find we just don't use what we have, because we are not quite sure HOW to use it or WHAT to do with it. You know what, peeps? There doesn't have to be instruction. Just use it the way you want to. All I did was spray my Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists, which by the way absorb into the chipboard just beautifully. AND VOILA, thats it. I know that you will not be able to necessarily see that it comes shimmery, but trust me it does. So, I encourage you to use some chipboard on your next layout. Stamp on it, gesso it, spray it, paint it......OR JUST LEAVE IT. Wishing you all a wonderful first week of November, filled with something that makes you all happy.

AND.....if you still don't know what to do with a polaroid stamp

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the polaroid stamp! How can you not NEED this stamp?

I have to admit, that sometimes, I find it quite difficult and challenging for me to use stamps on a layout. In fact, I get stressed about it, and am never quite sure where, why and how I should incorporate stamping with scrapbooking (I feel the same about spritzing and spraying). However, this stamp, I could use in so many ways, and I guarantee, that on every single layout it would look different.

I decided to use the polaroid stamp to highlight and show some of the pictures from the Summer. As I sit here blogging, looking at the layout, several other things come to mind.

How much fun would it be to stamp on patterned paper, use the centre as a journaling block or use pattern paper on the inside. Really, the ideas are endless.

This week I encourage you to use a stamp on your layout, or use something that you maybe "scared" of or not so comfortable using or doing. You will be glad you did.

Wishing you all a very Happy Halloweenish week ahead, filled with chocolates, smiles and sunshine.

When some kind of wonderful comes along.....

YEP....I AM TALKING ABOUT SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL STAMP!!!

Look closely at my layout..

LOOK EVEN CLOSER

Ok, so you get what I am saying about the stamp? Look at that Polaroid Frame! Is it not outfreakingstanding? How do you live without a stamp like that? When I saw it, I have to admit that a million different ideas came flooding into the scrapping area of my brain. In fact this is one of two layouts that I did in the same week using the new Stamping Bella, Polaroid Frame stamp. Certainly a match made in heaven....the stamp and October Afternoon Seaside Paper.

I guarantee that the stamp, will turn your not so great pics taken from miles away, into a wonderful showcase of memories on a scrapbook page. Don't forget that the stamp also allows room to journal for each photo. For this layout, I simply stamped with stazon on the remaining photo paper that I had used to print my pics.....I then pulled out my "handy dandy" exacto knife and cut the middle section of the paper, so that I could place it however I wanted it over the photograph. Like I said, peeps....every now and then some kind of wonderful comes along!

This stamp sure is my wonderful for right now......

Wishing you all, a happy scrappy some kind of wonderful week!

Did I ever say how much I LOVE SC

Well, if you not quite sure what SC stands for.... I will say it LOUD and CLEAR.

STUDIO CALICO!

You have no idea how much I LOVE that paper. You also have no idea how much I LOVE using that paper.

My entire layout was done with just a couple of different sheets from the documentary line, including the outstanding letters with which I did the title. So often we buy STUFF....lots and lots of STUFF, and then some more STUFF. Every bit of STUFF that goes with an entire paper line. C'mon, you know what I mean. We start with the paper, and then, of course, you know every pack of embellishments that match the line. Well, look carefully! This layout has got no stuff on it. That's one of the reasons WHY I love Studio Calico paper. There is just so much on the paper, that one can actually cut around, pop-dot and use as an embellishment. The cameras, the arrows, the letters.....all just cut out. And take one little guess where you can get all this yummy, scrummy stuff.....yep....Stamping Bella! Which reminds me....something GOOD is gonna be happening there! Like a fantasticus stamp release....so make sure you keep your eyes wide open.

To all of you.....I wish a wonderful long "Thanksgiving" Weekend....surrounded by good food, family and friends.

Stranded in the UK and no funds...but got Crate Layout

Well, until this morning I always thought of myself as a fairly intelligent person, until around 11.00 a.m, when Helen called me to tell me, if I knew that an email was sent out, saying that I was stranded in the UK and needed money. Mmmm, got me thinking. Yep my totally unintelligent side stepped right forward and reminded me of the email that I replied to yesterday. An email that asked me to reply to "yahoo' with my login name and password, to ensure continuation of my account. Well, as I was doing so, I actually questioned myself, knowing that I was STUPIDLY responding to this....and continued to do so! So peeps, don't do what I did....and freely give out some personal information....

Much of the day was then spent correcting, panicking, stressing, testing, emailing, facebooking, retesting and re emailing. THE END RESULT....a new gmail account, and starting my face book....ALL OVER AGAIN. But, the good thing is that I am not stranded in the UK, waiting for money....and just to prove it, here is a layout that I LOVE.

I believe that it is quite fine to stand back from ones own work, and admit to liking it. Kinda the same way, we should be able to accept complements. I did this layout using the "Restoration" papers and all the goodies that went along with it. If I have not already mentioned ten thousand million times..."I LOVE CRATE PAPER"!!!!!!!

DID YOU HEAR ME????

JUST IN CASE YOU DIDN'T....

I SAID...I LOVE CRATE PAPER

So to all of you, I wish a week, filled with song, dance, laughter and everything wonderful

This weekend marks the beginning of a new quilt

Like I have said before....I am very unclear about when and how I started to quilt, and I never believed that I would ever say the words, "I quilt"......

FIRST LESSON

never say never

So this is the beginning of my second quilt. I found the pattern in a magazine and headed off to buy the fabrics....WELL, the lady at the store advised that the pattern might be a little more than I was able to do as a second project, without ever having done a quilting class.

SECOND LESSON

the more someone tells me I can't do something, the more motivated I am to do it.

(why doesn't someone tell me I will NEVER lose weight?)

I guess that one could say a pattern is much like a recipe, so I followed directions with cutting my fabric.....easy peasy! Then came the little challenge, of what quilters call "half square triangles". After practicing on a few scraps, determined to do it....I DID IT. Yep, half square triangles, with no lesson.

THIRD LESSON

if you really want to do something.....YOU CAN!

Yesterday, I decided to start sewing my squares together.....I sewed and I sewed and I sewed, and the next thing I knew, I sewed the entire quilt top. AND I LOVE IT!

I just wanted to share the beginning of this project with you, and look forward to showing you my second complete quilt. Don't worry, I have already started gathering fabric for my third one.

Just looking at all the colours together makes me happy, reminds me of patterned scrapbook papers that I love. I am happy for all the hobbies that occupy my time.

Wishing you all a wonderful week filled with time for you to enjoy YOUR hobbies.

Why wait....when there is Crate?

What I really mean by that title is...Why wait to do a winter or Christmas layout, when Crate Paper is in my favorite store (Stamping Bella), right now?

So, looking at all this STUNNING paper, I could not resist the urge to pull up some of last Winters pictures. I mean isn't that what scrapbooking is all about....we eventually have just the right picture to match just the right paper. Let me tell you people.....YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING, I MEAN NOTHING, AS FABULOUS AS THIS CRATE PAPER RELEASE.

I have to say this line is outfreakingstanding....really all three of there new lines.

Please NOTE....so proud of myself. I used the Stamping Bella Stamp "Capture the Moment", and stamped it on the back of one of the papers, FROSTY (to be exact). C'mon, doesn't it look like it was part of the paper and was supposed to be there?

I urge you all to get really scrap happy with the new Crate Paper, and start creating.

Enjoy your week, and don't forget to make a little time for yourself.

Sometimes you just know....

And for this, I knew exactly that I wanted to use the "Believe Tree" stamp, from Stamping Bella.

I absolutely love this stamp, along with the "I am Script" stamp.

I am also very proud to say, that for this layout, I used everything that I had at home, and DID NOT, I repeat, DID NOT.....run out and buy anything new. I pulled out some of my big maya road chipboard letters, and used the script stamp with tattered angels mist, to stamp over them.

I really like the way that it looks, and have not done that before. I was kind of not wanting the letters to have a solid look of paint or spritz.

I also had in mind that I was going to use the pink paislee paper, simply because I loved the colour combinations of the browns and yellows. I started the layout by simply stamping the tree, right where you see it, and went from there. Just some pretty patterned paper, a bunch of butterfly punches, a shipping tag (btw...everyone needs to have these), and some ink.

YOU SEE....nothing fancy here!

I got to say, I really enjoyed doing this layout, partly because I just sat and did it....no sketch, no idea, no lifting. I also realized that I did not agonize over it, where every butterfly should be placed, and where every scrap of paper should be stuck. It felt liberating to just do a layout.

I hope that you all have a wonderful labour day...For those of you whose children are going back to school, I wish for them a great start to a great school year. I wish for YOU, a labour day filled with family, friends, fun....and a little creativity.

To Whom I have Never Met

Of course, one must keep their moleskin (or other journal) with them at all times....you never know when inspiration may hit. Or when, simply, someone else's words make you just want to write and write and write.

Well, this was exactly where and how this journal page came about.

The words of someone else, whom I have never met, but just exchanged conversation with....was the prompt for this page.

I had this picture saved away in my stash for quite awhile, waiting for the right time or journal page on which to use it....after looking at it for so long, I decided that there is no such thing as "the right time". It's all about the "here" and "now".

So there I went, just sticking it in the middle of a page, knowing that the "right" words and the "right" time would find there way onto this journal page, and sure enough, they did. There are so many things I would like to say to the woman who inspired this page. She will know who she is, if she ever reads this....and for now, all I can say is "thank you". You have made me look a little deeper, think a little harder and question everything a little more.

I do know that, had I not been carrying my moleskin around with me, these words, feelings and emotions would have never been put on paper....I would have moved past her words, that moment, that day....I would have never remembered the way her words made me feel.

Moments, memories and feelings are fleeting....capture them, all of them.

One day, you will be glad you did.

Waiting for the right layout to use the stuff

August 29, 2010

Last Summer I decided I wanted to go into one of those little photo booths in the mall, you know, the one where you sit down, close the little curtain, and hope that NO ONE saw you going in on your own. C'mon, you know exactly which ones I am referring to. Either because you did what I did, or you saw some lonely person going in there alone, to smile at there reflection. Well those little pics were my intention for a layout last summer....guess what?

They sat in my wallet for a whole year.....just waiting, hanging out and waiting.

Well little did I know, but those photobooth pictures were actually waiting to meet American Crafts chipboard frames. FYI, those frames were also just waiting to get the lucky position on a layout. My point.....we, as scrapbookers have so much STUFF, which of course we justify, and have every intention of using......AND WE DO......even if it's a year later.

So, this week pull out something that you really could NOT wait to use and enjoy.

Have a wonderful week filled with something creative.

Just a little journaling (and don't it feel GOOD)

August 22, 2010

Well, it certainly has been a while since I posted a journal page, so here it is!

And my inspiration for this page.....a quote that I ripped out of a magazine. However, let me NOT forget to mention that LOTS of journal pages are sprouted out of quotes. I have to say that quotes found in books, magazines or overheard are definately some of the best journal prompts. They make us think and write about things that we may not have thought to write about on our own.

Some people have asked me if I ever worry about what I journal, is being read by others....well, my take on that is, sometimes WHAT or HOW we may write is interpreted different ways by different people, who have NO idea what was running through my mind, or what I was thinking whilst journaling. I also feel that there is so much on an art journal page, that others are fairly distracted by the colours and images.....It is also okay to do a page that remains 100% private, that others need not see.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend full of something creative.....

a DOODLEBUG kinda day

August 11, 2010

THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT DOODLEBUG

THAT JUST MAKES ME WANNA SMILE

How could one NOT love all the colours, patterns, stickers and die cuts from this line. It also just so happens that blue and green is definately one of my very favorite colour combinations.

For those of you who may have received the last issue of "Scrapbook and Cards Today", look on the back cover. Look familiar? Yep! There advertisement was definately the inspiration for this layout. How many times do you find yourself taking a particular picture, just so that you can use the papers you have just bought to match a layout you have just found to lift? Well, sometimes, our little kidlets don't always co-operate to strike a pose to please the paper.

No worries....coz' I know that you also have boxes and albums of older pictures. This is where I found this picture of my now 14.5 year old.....tucked away with the pics from before I started this crazy, insane addiction.

Remember....never be stressed about something that you are supposed to enjoy doing!

Find the time....a little bit of it each day, to put towards your creativity.

Well...can't wait! Just two more sleeps and then MEXICO here I come.

Who says it needs to be in order.....and some exciting news

August 4, 2010

So if any of you have ever found yourself thinking...."better scrapbook in order", "can't do this layout, before I do that layout"....THINK AGAIN, MY FRIENDS.

Look carefully at my layout....picture taken the day the kids went back to school last fall, scrapbooked and journalled August 2011. Yep, almost a full year later. AND GUESS WHAT???There are NO scrapbook police (contrary to what you may believe). I am not a firm believer in too much structure....one should always have the freedom to pick and choose what makes one happy. Who said, that as as scrapbookers, we have to do layouts in chronological order. We don't......it is just the pressure that we put upon ourselves. So, around sometime last fall, I put this picture, along with the papers and embellishments in my favourite zip a file pockets, knowing that the time would come, that I would work on the layout. Here it is....I like it, and I hope that you do to.

NOW FOR SOME BIG NEWS

I am so super excited....I mean REALLY excited.....very, very excited. Like, I can't believe it excited. STUDIO CALICO PAPER IS ON THE WAY TO STAMPING BELLA.

You got to be excited about this too. It is definately one of my very favourite papers in the world. Never looked forward to a Monday as much as I am looking forward to this coming Monday.

Enjoy the rest of the week.....

Just working on a few things.....

July 25, 2010

It's a beautiful Sunday afternoon, I am sitting in my backyard, enjoying the fact that I CAN sit outside and BLOG. This post is also one to celebrate ALL that I am currently working on.

So, as you can see from the above picture, there are just a few projects on the go right now. I also adamantly refuse to sit inside and craft, when the sun is shining outside. With that philosophy of mine, I have come to accept that I do lose some precious crafting hours in honour of Summer, sunshine and good weather. Well, at this point in time, my crafting goals for the weekend have definately NOT been met. On Friday afternoon, I did write in my little handy dandy notebook, (which just happens to be a moleskin) what projects I wanted to accomplish on the weekend. Don't ask me how I just became a quilter, but it kinda just happened. I think my good ole' friend Agnes, printed out a "how to do your first quilt" from Susan Weinroths Blog, which also happened to be on the same day as Emily, Agnes, Dianne and I went on a little field trip to a fabric store. So, after looking at all the BEEUTIFUL fabrics, I decided that I definately needed to quilt, because fabric was NOW scrapbook paper. In and amongst spending some fabulous time with Zoe (my eight year old youngest, but most mature), I managed to get some quilting done....actually more than I expected. I was clearly NOT going to sleep until all these rows down and rows across were joined. AND NOT, I might add, as easy peasy as I expected. Helen, if you are reading this, I pulled out row 4 about 4 times.

Looking at the above picture, I am grateful for all these wonderful hobbies, that bring me so much enjoyment and fulfillment, but that will also leave behind a story with every single piece, page, layout, picture and quilt. I never allow myself to believe that I am to busy for some time to craft.....it can be as short a time as the five minutes it may take to glue things down......but it's my time.

I wish you a week of enjoying all the unfinished, and soon to be finished projects on your desks.

Remember, don't stress about it.....take a few moments each day to enjoy your time.

Time to Fly a Kite

July 18, 2010

I got to say.....I LOVE OCTOBER AFTERNOON!!!!!!!!

I don't know about all of you, but....how can I find more hours in my day?

I thought that I had my crafty schedule all figured out....Wednesday was supposed to be for inspiration journal, Monday for other forms of art journaling, and maybe a couple other days were designated for scrapbooking. NO SIRREEEEE.......does not quite work that way. As you can see from my last post, it's been a while since my last layout.

This one was inspired by one of the Studio Calico Sunday Sketches from a couple of weeks ago. I have been hoarding and holding onto the October Afternoon papers, and decided that this layout would be just perfect from the "Fly a Kite" collection.....

By the way, look carefully at the top of the layout....the "today" and "remember" memory block stamps, from Stamping Bella..It was the first time that I have used them this way with coloured ink. The idea came from one of the Scrapping Bella Babes (Jill Sprott). If you have not checked out her blog....you really should....her layouts are super fantastic.

Well, just off to see "Despicable Me" with the family.....and to all of you.......

WISHES FOR A WONDERFUL, HAPPY AND CREATIVE WEEK AHEAD.

Tales from the Scale

July 7, 2010

So here I go again.....back to Weight Watchers, and celebrating my return with a layout.

Don't be fooled with the term "lifetime" member....it simply means, come back and get weighed at any time....so long as you are within your two pounds of goal weight, you don't pay. "LIFETIME" member DOES NOT mean.....once you reach your goal weight, you will necessarily maintain it for a lifetime.

Now, if I am not mistaken, several blog entries ago, I recall doing a journal page, called "Accountabily and Goals"....remember? Well, that too, was a celebration of a Weight Watchers return. However, the celebration went on, and I never returned.

This time, I had it all figured out....I was going back to the scales, simply because I had a layout in mind, which incorporated the October Afternoon Paper, which I have been saving for just the right time. Not to mention the Tim Holtz ruler ribbon. I mean really, how many times have we dressed for an occasion, just so that we could get the picture, to use the product. Yep, that's EXACTLY why I crusaded myself back on this journey (NOT).

Got to say....look closely at the left hand side of the page.....just LOVE using the little manila tags. Guess where they came from? Yep, none other than my favorite scrapbook store in the entire world.....in fact, that's where everything came from.....STAMPING BELLA.

Hope that you too, are all working on a layout, that you specially took pictures for, in order to use that paper that you bought.

I AM

June 30, 2010

The "I am" stamp.....

Well let me start by saying that I could hardly contain my excitement at the i am stamp.

I mean really, that stamp is a must....and I knew immediately just what I wanted to do with it.

As mothers, as women, as crafters.....how many many times have you quietly said the words to yourself "who am I"?

Well this stamp says SO very much in just two LITTLE words.....

It can describe an emotion, an age, a feeling, as well as all the roles we play.....and heaven knows, we are many things to many people.

Take time....reflect....think about who you are?

Think about the layout you can can do with the "i am" stamp.

Just do it......get the stamp, and do the layout....

By the way....FYI....I know exactly just where you can get this stamp.

Inspiration Everywhere

June 28, 2010

I saw this quote in a magazine, and could not help myself from cutting it out....and using it for my inspiration in this art journal page. I also have a rule with myself, that I generally like to write the words out, as opposed to just cutting and pasting them. I always feel that part of the art is the actual writing itself.....BUT, here, I decided to break the rule. I mean which voice inside my head said that I was NOT supposed to cut and paste words. I made that rule myself....and in the world of art journaling....RULES JUST DO NOT APPLY.

So in terms of inspiration, I have found myself ripping up adverts in magazines, which I sometimes file and put away, because in some way, they have inspired me, whether it be because of colour or design. As I have said before, allow yourselves to be inspired and to use an idea on a scrapbook page, journal page or card. Sometimes even just a colour scheme is enough to take the guesswork away and just get started.

Enjoy the week.....and enjoy Inspiration Everywhere.

Buzz and Bloom Bubbles

June 21, 2010

YAY......to the first official day of Summer! and to a Buzz and Bloom layout complete.

So when this big piece of bubble chipboard came into the store....I just knew that I had to have it. I also knew immediately that the circles would be filled with paper that made me happy and pictures to go with it. As you all know, we excitedly buy a new goodie and immediately think that we are going to use it ASAP....in fact, we sometimes buy two of that goodie for the "just in case". Yep, and that's exactly what I did with this. As I have said before, the Buzz and Bloom Chipboard is totally fun to play with.

I first applied a layer of gesso and then some paint.....and then I arranged and re-arranged paper and pictures over quite a few days....y'know, till you get it just the way you want it.

So here it is....my layout celebrating a wonderful weekend playing, creating, learning and being inspired with Donna Downey.

Have a great week filled with sunshine and laughter.

A Little Bit of 7 Gypsies meets October Afternoon

June 13, 2010

Can't tell you how many times I kept picking up the 7 gypsies vintage receipt holder.....not sure if it was because I loved it, or because I proclaim myself a "gypsy girl", and must LOVE everything the gypsies come out with. Well, after the deliberation of "should I, or shouldn't I"..., and having looked at the example at the back of the box...I decided to pair my two fave brands right now.....

INTRODUCING

7 GYPSIES

TO

OCTOBER AFTERNOON

FEATURING

THE VINTAGE RECEIPT HOLDER

So, here it is......and I got to say, I LOVED doing it. It really was a fun project. I have to confess though, that I did draw my inspiration from the back of the box of the receipt holder. The wonderful thing about doing this project is that, I got to use alot of product that I already had, and would not necessarily have used.

So for those of you who have the receipt holder, and are not sure what to do with it.....JUST DO IT.

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead, filled with sunshine, laughter......and some time to create.

C'MON GET HAPPY NOW (and one more sleep)

June 3, 2010

HAPPY....did someone say "happy".....just doing the "happy dance"......around and around.

One more sleep......for what? THE FINAL COUNTDOWN......the final countdown to what?

...............DONNA DOWNEY...................

So here it is, an art journal page to celebrate the way I feel right now.

I really can't wait for this weekend, starting tomorrow, especially that the excitement has been building and building. I mean ridiculously so. Starting from when boxes arrived in the store, which had a sent from Donna Downey address. Just thinking about this weekend, makes me smile all over. Three days of classes filled with everything I could possibly dream of doing and being with people that all have the same excitement for the event that I do.

So here's to me, to you, to paint, to spritz, to canvas, to colour......but more importantly....

Here's to the person who made this all possible, the same person who makes my everyday wonderful and fills it with laughter, and makes me wish the journey will never end. Here's to you Emily!

"If you want a rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain"

May 27, 2010

I just loved the Kioshi paper when I saw it....and knew exactly which layout I wanted to use it for. The soft gentle colours...a palette of pastels reminded me of my rainbow pictures from last Summer. However, I will say, that the pics of the rainbow are NOT exactly wonderful. I remember being in such a rush to just quickly take them. I LOVE rainbows, and have never had a camera with me when I have previously seen one. I was determined that no matter how bad the pictures were....come hell or high water, they were going on a layout with this soft, pretty and dainty looking paper. I was inspired to do this layout by one that I had seen in the Spring Edition of "Scrapbook and Cards Today", by Lisa Dickenson, where she too, used rainbow pictures. My placement and size of the pictures was definately scraplifted, along with the idea of different pattern paper behind.

Now, scroll down and look closer.....much closer...

THIS CLOSE.........

See the stamps??????????

I love them and was able to incorporate them into part of this layout for expressive journalling purposes. I used "beautiful" definition block, as well as label memory block. These stamps are a must. Never underestimate the use of stamps in a layout, especially all the definition stamps. They are expressive and can sometimes be all that you need, if you don't like the journalling part. Go ahead, try something new....something that you wouldn't usually do.

"See My Garden, See My Soul"

May 25, 2010

I know that by looking at the above pictures, you may be asking yourselves, "where is the scrapbook layout?"...."Is this an art journalling entry?".....NO SIREEEEE!

This is a whole other part of me.....my garden. This was the most wonderful weekend....I spent so many hours planning, arranging, re-arranging and planting my garden. In my eyes, gardening is yet another creative outlet, we are able to express ourselves even more, in the plants that we buy, and how we arrange them. Do you like your flower beds and pots symmetrical, neat and tidy? OR a little, you know....wild, wooly and all over the place. Well....I have to have pots on my patio.....EVERYWHERE, grown and overgrown. In my opinion, one can never be surrounded by too many plants and flowers. There is nothing more relaxing to me, than coming home at the end of day, going into my garden, and gathering my thoughts.

For those of you who love this too, I wish you a warm, green and colourful Summer, and for those that are NOT too green thumb inclined, just start off with a small window box or planter. You will feel happy watching the fruit of your labour grow, flower and flourish.

There is a BUZZ and BLOOM over at the BELLA BOO-TIQUE

May 18, 2010

Well there is chipboard and there is chipboard.....and then along came BUZZ and BLOOM, which definately gives new meaning to the word "chipboard".....it is nothing like what I have ever seen, touched, spritzed, painted and played with before. It is nothing short of outstanding. Not only is it fabulous to use, but it comes in shapes, fonts, words, flowers.....name it? Where, o, where can you get it.....TONS OF IT? None other than my favorite place in the whole wide world....STAMPING BELLA. You see, one thing, amongst many, that I love about Emily, is that when she see's something she likes....she goes full steam ahead....and we usually have just about everything.

For this layout, I used the "celebrate life" stamp the new Basic Grey Elements Paper and trims, Tim Holtz filmstrip, and Buzz and Bloom Fonts.....shelby, tubby, vette (upper and lower case), as well as Up the Garden Path and On Cloud Nine. I also spritzed the chipboard with Tattered Angels Marshmallow, which just gave such a pretty sheen. Right now, I got to say, that this Buzz and Bloom stuff is really Buzzin' and Bloomin' all around my head....can't think of much else.

Hope you get to experience this chipboard stuff.....you'll love it....I guarantee.

K.I.S.S

May 12, 2010

What does K.I.S.S stand for.....you may ask?

KEEP IT SUPER SIMPLE

I have to say, that this is definately one of MY very favorite layouts. Not quite sure what makes it so....but if I look at it, I think it is the simplicity of it....just some pattern paper, some pictures and minimal embellishments. We scrapbookers are hoarders, collectors and gatherers...we complain about the amount of paper we have, AND YET, we are unable to stop ourselves from buying more....so really that is another reason why I love this layout. I can take any paper from my favorite collections and easily apply them to this layout. I bet it would look totally different if I did....not only that, but I would also use some of the older stuff to make room for the new. We are inclined to want to put everything on a page...just because it is all soooooo beautiful, we have bought it all to match, and we MUST use it. NO SIRREEEE! don't always be tempted to empty out your stash and attach it to every spare space on the page. I guarantee you that the embellishments you bought to match a certain collection, you will land up using elsewhere where you least expected to. I encourage you to make something simple and using something a little older in your stash. We all LOVE the new stuff, but DON'T FORGET the old. And now, my countdown begins.....can't wait for the Donna Downey classes over at Stamping Bella....I am sooooo super excited and have already put my name down for all of them. Can't wait.....if you have not checked out these classes, you should, you REALLY should.

Accountability and Goals

May 6, 2010

How many times have I heard myself say "the diet starts on Monday?" You know how super skinny I would be if I actually lived what I said. You know how many Mondays I have eaten my way through.....just justifying it and saying to myself..."Thank God, there is a Monday every week." I can not tell you how many times I have walked up those stairs, telling myself " I can't believe I am here again." Yep....good ole' Weight Watchers. The journey through that door is way too much of a familiar one. Even becoming a lifetime member a number of years ago, here I go again....

I have learnt that losing weight is NOT only about the exercise (what...did someone say exercise), and healthy food choices, BUT also about accountability. For those of you who are lucky enough to NOT be familiar with Weight Watchers (GRRRRR), one is supposed to write down what one eats....yep ACCOUNTABILITY, and that I believe helps one achieve goals. Hence, my above journal page....by doing and posting this page even makes me more accountable....I have announced and journaled my intentions. I am accountable by way of anyone asking how I am doing at WW.....(but please don't ask....just in case). Every week I am now accountable to that damn blinking scale and the little Weight Watchers patrol that stands behind it. If any of you have a goal...no matter how big or how small, write it down, somewhere, anywhere. You are more likely to achieve it that way.

But no matter what the diet is of the week....I can guarantee, that at around 4pm, every afternoon, you will always hear Emily or I yell across the store "what's for SUPPAH?"

So here's to me, you, accountability and reaching for our goals.

Another Sketch Layout

May 3, 2010

Here is another layout that I did based on a Studio Calico Sketch. I especially love when they post the sketch with no layout.....WHY????? you may ask! Simply said, it takes away the temptation to scraplift....there is NOTHING I can copy. I am therefore forced to use the products and imagination that I have. For this layout I used the Stamping Bella Scrappy Stamps...which are the Round memory block and Today memory block. I LOVE these stamps for journalling. Very often, I hear people say that they don't include journalling on there layouts, because they don't like there handwriting. Firstly, remember....your handwriting is UNIQUE....in years to come, someone will really love that it is authentic, it is real and it was a part of YOU. These stamps are great for journalling because they do not require alot of writing. It can be as simple as the date, the day and a thought.

I encourage YOU to do a layout based on the space in which you craft....I know it is an important part of our lives...it is where we hide out and spend all the spare time that we can. It is definately MY best spot in the house (besides my garden.)

Go ahead and do a layout.....don't just think about it!

The Agony and the Ecstasy of a sketch

April 28 2010

Does one really need to reinvent the wheel? How much easier it is to work from a sketch? Why I refer to it as the agony, is because, how many times do you arrange and re-arrange each piece of paper and element to make it look JUST like the sketch. I have spent countless hours agonizing, moving bits of paper and embellishments around on a page....never quite satisfied until I have tried every available option....BUT, the truth is, in years to come, no one will ever wander if the flower looked better on the left or the right....should it have been letter stickers or die cut alphabet? All that will matter is the beautiful page that told a story....and then the ecstasy (or satisfaction) follows.....THE FINISHED LAYOUT.

This layout was inspired by one of the Sunday Sketches from Studio Calico. I really love following these. They take the guess work out of getting started, and let you use, and enjoy all the paper that we so lovingly hoard and complain about never using. For my journaling on this layout I used the label memory block from Stamping Bella, as well as all the Dear Lizzy paper and embellishments. By the way, I really loved making the fabric flower.....wish I could make a whole garden full of them....fun to try, if you haven't already.

I urge and encourage you to take a sketch and JUST DO IT. I am already working on the next Sunday Sketch. Hope to post it soon.

"Please Sir....may I have some more"

April 25, 2010

Are we EVER satisfied with what we have? Is it human nature to always want MORE? Does it make us greedy for wanting more? And how much of the MORE, are we actually in charge of for ourselves? Sitting down to do this page, I realized that I spend alot of time complaining about how much more of this or that I want....but the truth is, I am capable of changing certain things and habits to actually accomplish some of the MORE that I am looking for. This week, I hope to keep in mind some of the things that I have journaled about, and be more responsible to myself and complain a little less....and accomplish alot more.

I will start working on putting together "my week in the life", as well as finishing a layout currently on my table, with some of my best American Crafts Dear Lizzy paper. Hopefully, will post it later this week.....

Enjoy your day, and think about what YOU want MORE off, that you CAN provide yourself.

What to do with WASHI

Washi (和紙^?) is a type ofpaper made in Japan. Washi is commonly made using fibers from the bark of the gampi tree.

Really who could not love washi tape.....it replaces ribbon in every way, shape and form. Not only does it replace.....it is actually so much better. WHY? you may ask. The answer......there is no dilemma on how to stick the stuff down....it is tape, so therefore, it is adhesive. Another advantage.....it is paper, so one can just tear it, as opposed to having to use a scissors. I mean c'mon, admit it....there is always that battle to get the ribbon to not unravel and have those tattered edges. Of course, with washi tape and all the different widths and colours it comes in, one can also layer it. Simply said..... I LOVE WASHI TAPE.

This layout was based on a sketch that Kelly Purkey had during her week of sketchbook. Wherever strips of patterned paper were used, I simply replaced them with washi tape. I also used the Jillibean white corrugated letters, and 7 gypsies 97% complete stickers.

BUT....best of all.....look.....look closely. Even closer now! Check out the stamp "information", which came from the new labels collection 1 set. I mean really, who could NOT want this set for journalling, and for those of you who don't love to journal, this set is great.....allows for just a matter of a few words. By the way.....you can also journal and stamp on WASHI.

Hope that you all get to use some soon....it's fun, you will like it and I promise you will want more of it.

Celebrating Eight

April 19, 2010


Well, I have to say, that I am a little late in celebrating eight....Zoe (my youngest) turned eight years old last November. I have been procrastinating in doing her birthday layout, partly because I did not LOVE the pictures I had, and I was not sure what paper to use. Now, I happen to be a fan of Jenni Bowlin Paper, which I love to buy, but I don't always seem to use. BINGO....Agnes, came in and showed me a layout which I kind of scraplifted.....I don't know where it came from or from whom it came....but I got the circle idea from it. So, thanks to whoever you are.....
For this layout I used Jenni Bowlin Afternoon Tea, Jenni Bowlin By the Yard, Jenni Bowlin Mercantile, Jenni Bowlin Saloon and Sheriffs Office.....all available from Stamping Bella.
BUT....I LOVE each and every definition stamp, and would like if every letter of the alphabet was represented with a word definition.... (now that's alot of rubbah). On this layout, I used the Birthday Definition Block, as well as the Scraplines tickets (which come with cake please, happy birthday and party animal.)

Also, this is Day one of the "Week in the Life"....hope you playing along too.

Here's a good week to all, and thanks for all the comments....it certaintly is very motivating and nice to read....