Ocean View ~Papertrey Ink February Blog Hop~

Ocean View

I certainly don't think I can keep up with this every month but 2 in a row isn't too bad! I have joined February's blog hop for Papertrey Ink. This months challenge is all about the scallop (the crafting kind, not the seafood, though that could have gone well with my page! LOL!). They wanted to see all kinda of projects with scallops, circles, punches, etc.

You can find all the hopping details here.

I have to say that I did have a ton of ideas for this challenge, maybe the first time I did have a few ideas to choose from but once I came across these photos...I got an immediate idea to do this punched border piece. The idea came from a cross between the stripe in my son's shirt and the idea of making my own sea. I chose the colors from the photo, the blue's like my son's shirt, the kraft like the sand and threw in a bit of pink from the sunrise sky and my little girl's shirt!

I had purchased the sampler pack of PTI papers so I was able to choose just the right colors for this. Sweet Blush, Kraft, Spring Rain, Enchanted Evening are the colors.

My little cuts are from Create a Critter Cricut cartridge. Too cute!

And of course, let's get to the stamping! Starting with the pink, it was stamped with Polka Dot Basics 2, the kraft with Background Basics Text Style, the light blue with Background Basics Hearts and lastly, but my favorite for how it turned out is the dark blue stamped with Library Ledger. I stamped everything in Versamark Frost except for the text which I stamped in Antique Linen distress ink and by the time it dried its really hard to see. So I learned from that and used Vintage Photo to stamp the text again on the background of the title and the sandcastle. The white layering for the die cuts were stamped in the same Library Ledger with Antique Linen. I did some doodling with a white gel pen and some inking with a white chalk ink on the scallops.

I try really hard to keep it short for the blog hops because there is so much to see and read. I know this time that I will try and get to as many blogs as I can during the hop but may not be able to comment as much as I have tried to before...but I'll try hard to come and visit you lovely stampers and PTI fans!

Thanks for visiting! And I'd like to wish my OLDER sister who is turning 35 today a Happy Birthday and wish my niece good luck at the talent show tonight!!!! Love you guys!!!!

Love My Friend ~She's a Sassy Lady~

Hey ladies! This is my post today for She's a Sassy Lady, you can find this tutorial running there as well today. Hope you like! I had made this card for Nanne when I sent her a little gift awhile ago, so luckily she's seen this and received it before I had to run this tutorial!

Here is a photo of the virtual cutting mat for the Imagine showing exactly what will print and cut, I chose images from Imagine More Cards.

Now this tutorial is really about building interest for your cards. I know many of us are used to layering and detail in our scrapbook pages but you can indeed add the same to cards. So let me show you step by step some layering...

Here is a basic, but cute card! The image is certainly sweet enough to stand on its own, the blue piece (matted in dark brown to stand out even more) is embossed with hearts and the fibers all add texture to the card.

Now I've added a sentiment to the card and also a layer of the rose, popped for detail.

I have found a great new love, the Sakura Gelly Roll Clear Star, glitter pen. Here I've used it to highlight the sentiment writing, the leaves and bird. I've used this pen a ton of times to write over sentiments or any writing..its just so pretty in person! I've even used the pen to highlight areas on stickers to make them a bit more interesting.

Now the last step is going a little farther for adding detail...this is also such a great chance for you to raid your stash. Go through all those little drawers or divided holders and see what little goodies might go with your project. You'd be surprised what you can add and it's a great way to actually use all the teeny finds you've collected.

I've added the feathers, 2 layered hearts which were printed/cut with the Imagine, 3 small roses and small bird stick pin. Some more inking (to the hearts and directly from ink pad to roses) and some glitter to the larger rose. Here you can also see the embossing on the blue background and all the other parts shining. This card is so full of texture that it makes you want to reach out and touch it!

Okay I'll see you all tomorrow as I'll be joining in with Papertrey Ink's blog hop again this month..see you manana then!

Cards ~Scrap with V~

Okay well...this is a first but probably not a last, I gave the cards away before taking photos! Ahhhh!

Well I did take this ONE photo with my Iphone so I could send it to my girlfriend so at least I have something!

I did these 2 cards following a couple sketches for Scrap With V for the month of February. They post sketches on the 1st and 15th of each month. The butterfly card is for the first sketch and the Hippo card for the 2nd sketch.

Again, I am so sorry about the awful photo but here we go...

The butterfly card was for my friend's daughter's 1st birthday! She is a biggest butterfly nut I have met so when I saw this on one of my Imagine cartridges I just knew I had to do it! It didn't turn out like I wanted because the cutting was off so the card doesn't have the dimension I wanted. Oh well..still cute with lots of shimmer and shine! I used both stickles and a glitter pen to accent both cards.

My cute hippo birthday card is using a mix of Mrs Grossman's sticker and DCWV papers. I had a best time converting the scrapbook sketches into card sketches. You can't always do that I don't but it worked this time and they really are both sweet in person!

(And that card in the background was my Valentine from my husband. He made it from the Apple store and it has the cutest photo of my baby Cody inside...really thoughtful as only he is!)

Thanks for checking these out!

Also check out this for your chance to win a little bling bling!!! =o)

And Scrap With V has a store wide SALE! Yay baby! look here!

Hungrin? ~SOUS February 18~

Hungrin? She is!

Today is a B I G day for Stuck on U Sketches! So many things to announce! Well today marks the last day for Debbie Burns and Lisa McIntyre. We have so enjoyed having both lovely ladies on our team but understand that life has taken them else where.

With the sad news of loosing some we have also the good news of announcing 4 new people to our team! So that is very exciting! Welcome Wanda, Ness, Bonnie and Dawn! (you can find links to their personal blog over at SOUS if you'd like to check them out! You'll be happy you did!) We also have a great new sponsor as well, Scrap with V~ thank you Ness!!!!! And onto my project for today....

This may seem like a silly title..well it is but "hungrin" is the way my daughter would say "hungry." Its also a word that has caught on in our family and is said by everyone. These great photos were taken one morning we were staying over at my Mom's and everyone was at the table having breakfast together. Jordyn got a hold of the serving bowl of scrambled eggs and serving spoon and decided to eat! LOL! I am so not kidding that I laugh out loud EVERY time I look at that first photo! That little girl cracks me up!

The paper line is Cosmo Cricket, Material Girl but mostly My Garden and all the cuts are from, From My Kitchen cartridge.

The tabbed card was cut as well with that cartridge and the lines were added with a Papertrey Ink stamp set (as well as the 2 tabs on each photo). Sticker letters are Basic Grey.

I welded the all the images together in their shadow feature and cut in cream cardstock. Then cut all the layers of each piece and popped those. All are inked and some with some gold pearl details.

So I know most of you will...but head to SOUS and see our new team and please leave them some love, and also for Lisa and Debbie!!!!

Bloom and Grow ~Generations Crafting~

Bloom and Grow

So my kids have both rode on the backyard tricycle together, for as long as they could fit together! LOL! This picture warms my heart more then I can explain...I just can't believe I had 2 babies sometimes (not twins but a year and a half apart).

This sweet, lovely line comes just in time for warmer weather...or the dreams of it and more importantly, its on sale!!! You can find those goodies here!!! This is Green at Heart by Basic Grey.

The frame is cut from Cindy Loo and backed with cereal box chipboard, paper is Grasshopper.

I've layered the floral print Recycle, with white cardstock and Vert.

All these gorgeous embellishments are the coordinating Element Stickers.

I'm a little bummed that the shine doesn't show up but allllll the stickers have a great dose of Stickles...its gorgeous in person!!!!

Sorry this is so short but its a project I had saved and forgot to post so I'm popping it on....

Smile ~SOUS Tutorial~

Smile

This little tutorial is for Stuck on U Sketches!

It was brought to my attention that some people do not use their Cuttlebug (or other

embossing machines) as much as they would like. It really is such a neat tool

and can add so much detail to papercrafting projects that I decided to show you

how much it can add to die cuts.

The layout above is really cute, really simple and shows you what a bit of embossing

can do, the small flower and scallop border for example.

Here is a list of basic tools:

Cuttlebug (or any embossing machine)

inks, chalks, etc

sanding tool (keep in mind that these

will really add more dimension and bring the embossing to life)

shimmer sprays (mine was made with mini misters

and Perfect Pearls)

I also wanted to show you what you can do when die cuts do not fit, like in the example below....

Since this piece was the background, I just cut the branches off and then carefully taped

it back together. For the trunk, I rotated the die cut to make sure I embossed

the entire shape. Now keep in mind how the embossing folder and the die cut

hanging off the edges will fit into the machine.

Now here is the layout completed but without any embossing...

you can really see the tremendous difference the embossing details make!

And now all the elements embossed and inked!

For the little worms body, I only put the body instead the folder and

kept the head out. But be careful what folder you use because this

one tore so I needed an itty bitty piece of tape to secure it back together.

The flowers were embossed by choosing a embossing folder with a flower on it (like Floral Fantasy), I then centered the die cut right in the middle of the flower and got a

flower design embossed on the flower die cut (those are for

the two smaller tulip flowers).

And lastly, some details of the completed project...

I truly hope this gives you some ideas and will help you to

incorporate embossing with your die cuts as well as just into

layouts in general!

Valentine Challenges

I've posted the last few days so make sure to scroll on down and see some other projects!

Valentine

I had a little time one morning and also knew I needed to bring a card for my son's teacher for Teacher Appreciation Week (someone should have warned me how many "activities" schools have!) So I thought while I was at it I would try and follow some challenges and did so with the help of the site, Pile It On! Thanks Dalis!

So this is for the following challenge sites, which I was so happy to join in on! Hope you enjoy my little project!

Pile It On~ Punches (my teeny tiny hearts and butterflies)

ABC Challenge~ Nesties

The Paper Variety~ inspiration from candy Sweethearts (all that pink! LOL!)

Little Red Wagon~ kraft

Southern Girls~ dry emboss

Simon Says Stamp~ "Love is in the air" (I thought this image from A Child's Year Cricut cartridge was about as sweet and lovely as you can get!)

Papertrey Ink kraft cardstock, Nesties, pink bazzill cardstock, Joanne kraft cardstock, Stickles, fiskars punches.

Oh and I just thought I'd say....GO STEELERS! ;o)

Hopscotch Layouts ~Generations Crafting~

Day of Wonder

Well I am pretty sure that you can see why this is such an important project for me, the photo says it all! My little Cody was born only minutes before midnight and this photo was taken the following day. I just couldn't believe how perfect he looked! But that may have to do something with the 2 minute delivery! Crazy but true! LOL!

I've saved this photo for some time but when I came across these papers and this soft blue, well it was perfect! Basic Grey Hopscotch is the line and it can be found at Generations Crafting.

I needed a little something to help the blue stand out against the floral background so I die cut another shape using glitter paper from DCWV. Turns out that the color was a great match for the oranges in the embellishments. These are chipboard, stickers, letters and buttons all from the Hopscotch line. Accents with some Stickles, thread and brads.

I had the best time layering the matching stickers, chipboard and die cuts from the line!!! And the buttons for this line are my FAVORITE so far!!!!

I did the little with 2 different sticker lines (brown is Hopscotch) and a clear button from the button pack. I also did a chunkier clear Stickles on the letters and they just look amazing IRL!

...........................................................................................................................................................................

Scotti, I Love You!

This layout is also showing off some wonderful photos, these from my son's last day of school from last year! Just adore these photos of him! So sweet! Now, though this is print heavy, the colors are soft enough that it isn't overwhelming (at least, not to me! LOL!)

What I like about Hopscotch is that I feel like the prints leave many avenues of themes. Boy, girl, baby, school, etc.

I used a die cut for the tag, fussy cut the letters from the Four Square pattern paper for his name and used the chipboard (already adhesive backed) and cut "you" from the pattern paper as well! I thought this was a great way to use my scraps for that paper!

All the circles are from the Sticker Elements sheet. It came with a ton of circles so I had the greatest time figuring out how to use them!!!

And that finished off my week! Lots to post, lots to share!

I also want to let you guys know that it is worth your while to head over to Generations Crafting and sign up to follow the store blog or check them out on Facebook. Floren does a ton of deals and give aways so you can visit, see some projects and maybe get a goody! Okay...how about THIS line??? Check them out here, leave a comment and you could get some Hopscotch for your own!!! Go HERE!!!

Whale of a Memory ~SOUS February 4th~

Whale of a Memory

Well January was something else! With the weather feeling totally like Spring, I'm left feeling a little confused! LOL! But with that warm weather, I was crafting my butt off and reorganizing in the house. I'm curious to see what February brings!

It's my month to host at Stuck on U Sketches and I found this nice little sketch from Scrapbooks, Etc magazine. Check it out over at the SOUS blog!

Too bad my photos aren't that nice...any of you totally grossed out? Have you even really looked yet? Maybe you shouldn't! LOL!

Last October we visited our favorite local beaches for our Fall camping trip and we happened to be staying right down the road from a whale that washed ashore. This was for sure a once in a life time experience! The photo of Scotti and Jordyn is pretty awesome because it was windy and really stinky...hence, their faces! LOL!

This project is full of distressing, inking, sprays, glitter and such...it really was a fun one to put together!

Oh no, I totally forget which cart this cutie whale came from, maybe Just Because Cards? He was cut using the Imagine and choosing their pattern paper, as well as the waves from Zoobaloo. Both showing that you can cut from old carts but use their prints and colors. My title was 3 fonts from my cart collection and cut from the Expression.

My beautiful shells were also cut from the Imagine. I almost find the machine worth using just because you can skip searching for coordinating colors. I just choose 3 colors for my 3 different shells and I was done! No searching through my scraps! I did some inking with several distress ink shades on these, sprayed with Perfect Pearls and rubbed on Liquid Pearls also. You can see the water marks well on this shell....they really turned out neat IRL!

I also implore you to go visit Stuck on U Sketches because we have a bit of an announcement...though I think I'll let you read it there as its too sad to have to post twice....

Shine ~Generations Crafting~

Shine

Good morning ladies!

I am going to keep this pretty short for this morning but I have a little layout done with the new line by Bo Bunny, Crazy Love for Generations Crafting.

The background with these whimsy little flowers is just too cute and done in holiday colors over the chocolate brown, I thought just wonderful!

Flowers are a die cut by Tim Holtz. Tickets were fussy cut from the paper line.

This is the program and online tickets for the daughters dance recital. One round of dance classes was more then enough for her! LOL!

And an Imaginisce Snag Em stamp. Stamped over printed paper and accented with a glitter pen.

Again short and sweet for today but I've actually had this done for some time and realized this morning I've not posted it...oops!

See you friday for the SOUS reveal and also some special layouts on saturday as well! Been doing so much so I have a lot to share!!!!