Vanessa & Lorena's First Birthday 1976 - layouts

 Lorena's First Birthday

T-h-i-r-t-y F-i-v-e, there I said it, I turned 35 this week, and I was feeling a wee bit nostalgic.  I pulled up an old photo that my Mom had of me on my first birthday; scanned it and reprinted it for a layout.

I used Bo Bunny's Jasmyne line.  I'm really liking the combination of purples, and greens with ivory.  There is some pink in this line took, but I didn't use it this time... maybe for a layout of my daughter :o)

So, I started with a huge #1 for my focal point, cut it with my Cricut - using Schoolbook font. Then I triple mounted the photo to give it depth.  I made a pretty little ribbon border with some Cosmo Cricut Halloween velvet ribbon and some Basic Grey (not sure what line, but old) ribbon on a scalloped edged piece of double dot cardstock.  Put together several Prima flowers with a bling-y brad.  I used one of my hand-made flowers as well; this time using some scrap purple cardstock (not sure what line) and some pages from the dictionary (I think I used the C pages :o)  Some basic Grey - Eva line - brads and a simple little tag for journaling.  Some pop-up's and there you have it!

Vanessa

Using more of my favorite Basic Grey - Origin's line (not sure if I will ever get tired of these colours) I put together a very simple layout of my daughter.  I about a third of a doilie, and several different pieces to mount and make a flower.  I used some old Basic Grey ribbon, simply tied nots in it, and used the Cricut (Schoolbook font again ) for a title.  Added a clip and some journaling and a very quick layout completed.

The journaling reads:  "my little girl is growing up so fast ... every day she surprises me with  new words or an action.  April 2010"

Scrapbook.com

Well I posted 18 layouts to Scrapbook.com.  It started out innocently enough, I went to make a comment on someone else's layout, and realized that I had never signed up to Scrapbook.com in order to leave comments.  So, when I did... it asked me if I wanted to upload layouts... so I did!  As easy as that. 

Within seconds my layouts had comments coming in... good exposure, now if I can get that kind of response with my blog :o)

I'm happy to say that I have had over 100 hits to the blog already, that's unique visitors! 

I welcome your comments !

Memories - layout

I started with two photo of my husband and I that really weren't all that old, 8 years actually.  I wanted to make them look very old and vintage, so I used a program called Picnik to alter them. 

I used Tim Holtz distress inks to age up a black on white toile imaged paper.  I did the same for the Jenni Bowlin music paper.  The black and white damask-like piece at the bottom is Basic Grey - Origins and I didn't have to antique that up.  I used some Bo Bunny double dot for the border.

The die cut clock and lamp post are both cut on my Cricut from the cartridge Graphically Speaking, the word love is from Home Decor.  The clock I had painted with copper paint then used crackle paint over it.  I used clear embossing powder on the clock hands several times to give a fantastic thick glossy finish. The key is Tim Holtz grunge board that I inked up and added a touch of metallic paint.  The keyhole beside it is a brad! The pin at the top is a Karen Foster "Page Pin-Up" 

Last but not least, I have an old Dymo tape machine from my late father - man they used to have labels on EVERYthing! I had never used this before and thought that it would be fitting for this layout. 

I had so much fun with this layout! 

Please post your comments, I love to hear your feedback!

Green tip (nothing to do with scrapbooking)

I was asked to come up with some Green Tips by a local radio station.  I use to be HUGE into the whole Green movement when I was a teenager and into my 20's.  I've realized I've fallen off that bandwagon a little (regretfully).  I think it has to do with having children.  I tried - half heartedly - to do the washable diapers - I found that I was on the go too much and didn't want to be toting soiled diapers with me for hours.  I did (do) breastfeed, I buy second hand clothes, I bathe the kids together.  So, I guess there are a few things that I do for the better of the environment.  But I certainly could be better.

So... that being said, here is what my response was to the question asked of - What are your Green Tips?

Keep those Green shopping bags in the car rather than your kitchen. You are more likely to use them if you have them with you at all times. Use a ca lander to your advantage. Since I live out in the country, I try to plan my shopping around appointments and other reasons that I need to go into the city anyway. Hang dry your heavy laundry items. Lets face it, we can't or don't hang our underwear out on the line for the neighbourhood to see; but we could hang our towels and jeans. Those are the items that the dryer has to work harder at drying anyway. Things like undergarments and blouses are quicker in the dryer.

Life's Little Moments Together - double page layout

What started out as a single page layout, quickly progressed to two pages when I couldn't include both the buckle that I purchased at a fabric store and the circle that I had stitched... alas it's pretty good if you ask me.



I made my own flower (on the "Together" page) and will post a tutorial on how to make the rose soon. So, stay tuned!


Making your own flowers is fun and cost effective, you can match your layout perfectly with the left over scraps and a bit of glue!


I used more of my current favourite Basic Grey - Origins line. I used my sewing machine to stitch around the circle and the title block. I loved the ornate buckle that I picked up at the fabric store and wanted to tie the two photos of my DH and DD walking along the stone wall. I used Cricut cartridge; Graphically Speaking for the titles (loving that cartridge right now, probably one of my smarter Cricut purchases).


The journaling reads "Hold my hand Daddy, and don't ever let me go!"

Red Friday & Sweet Dreams - layouts

                                 

Red Friday

Every Friday we all wear red to show our support for our troops. My husband was in the Canadian Forces for 21 years, my sister is a member as well. So it is important for us to do this, as little as it may be, we remember every Friday.


This LO was my first real attempt at using Glimmer Mist. I loved how it turned out - using as a relief for the word "and" and the flourish. I used some older supply of Basic Grey's Stella Ruby that I thought would be perfect for the colouring with this photo. Prima flowers and a Dollar Store rose that I stamped on. I used a Support Our Troops zipper pull as an embellishment and Basic Grey buttons.


The caption reads: Red Friday! Showing our support for our troops May 2010

Sweet Dreams


I used Bo Bunny - Love Shack line - papers for the background and the circles. I used some Bo Bunny clear swirls on the right, and bit of Basic Grey for some of the flowers - the one on the right is handmade, the others are Prima. The bling, butterflies and little flowers are Creative Charms (one of the Crafty Steal deals that I got)


Soon I will be experimenting outside of my box - I've bought some Graphic 45 papers and some Tim Holtz crackle paint, lets see what I can do!


Let me know what you think, and leave me a comment. Show your support - follow my blog :o)


Happy crafting!

The end of something that was wonderful

"Three days left".... that was what appeared on my Facebook page today regarding Rosa's online Scrapbooking store "The Paper Passion"

Such a fantastic store... alas she is closing it down... everything is now 40% off, so I do urge you all to take a look and see if there are any goodies that you want.

Here is her link  http://www.thepaperpassion.com/

Absolutly the best prices on the web in Canada!  Check her out today!

Inspiration & Information - on the web

I have been asked where I get my inspiration from and where do I buy my products for scrapbooking.

So, below are a few websites that I have bookmarked and view frequently for inspiration.

• Scrapbook.com is a fantastic site.  You can search by photo size, by style, by technique or by designer.
• Scrapbook.com
• A Cherry On Top, is another fantastic site which I like because I can search by Brand (ie. Bo Bunny or Basic Grey) for layouts that others have created with their product lines.
• A Cherry On Top
• Two Peas In A Bucket.  Very well organized site that is extremely searchable by photo size, company, technique etc.
• Two Peas In A Bucket
• Scrap Jazz.  Again well organized into searchable categories.
• Scrap Jazz

You will find that most of these four sites have alot of overlap.  If a good designer posts their work to one site they will likely post it to all of these sites.  I generally look at them at least weekly to keep up with the new trends and techniques.

Most of the Brand sites also have galleries too.  However I find that they are very narrow in their scope; and by that I mean that if you go to the Bo Bunny site, the layouts are using strictly Bo Bunny products and wouldn't incorporate a competitor's products into the layouts.  And for good reason, they are selling their stuff and not the guy down the road's stuff.

As for where do I buy my product from.  I'm fortunate enough to live in an area that has a few scrapbooking stores around.  There are two in Cornwall, and a few in Ottawa.

Here are a few links to the local stores and some Canadian stores that I have ordered from as well.

• Auntie Em's.  My favorite local store.  Emma has all kinds of wonderful treats in there.  She carries quite a variety of lines and companies. 
• Auntie Em's
• Scrap City.  On Cornwall Island.  Little bit smaller store.  These guys don't have a website, but here is a google link for address and phone number.
• Scrap City
• Scrap That.  An online retailer in Alberta with fantastic shipping rates.
• Scrap That!
• The Paper Passion.  Another local store to me; Ottawa.  However Rosa will be closing this store soon, so she is liquidating all of her product, good time to stock up on what she may have left in store.
• Paper Passion
• Tina's Scrapbooking Creations.  Another local to me store. Tina is in Winchester ON. 
• Tina's Scrapbooking Creations

That about does it for the Canadian retailers... but I have a few American ones that have pretty good rates to Canada.

• What We Found.  I've ordered a few times from this one, out of Oregon USA.  They are very quick with the shipping too; reasonably price.  Just remember that when you order from the states you may end up paying duty, and don't forget the exchange rate!
• What We Found
• Custom Crops.  Probably the best site I've found for Cricut products.
• Custom Crops
• Crafty Steals.  A good one to subscribe to; these guys have one item for sale every day, and shipping to Canada is CHEAP!  I do find they tend to repeat their 'steals' a bit, but keep an eye on it, they switch it up every so often.
• Crafty Steals

Well there you have it folks, that's pretty much where I get all my STUFF.

Happy crafting, and if you have a favorite site that I should know about, leave me a comment.  Ah heck leave me a comment anyway, I'd love to hear where you get your stuff from too :o)

Ooohhh check this out!

Fantastic opportunity!  Chance to win some really great treats from Sherry!  Check out her blog here http://sherryscreations.typepad.com/sherrys-creations/2010/06/twiddleybitz-giveaway-blog-candy.html

Photography lesson needed

OK, after reviewing my own blog, I have realized I need a lesson (or more) on how to become a better photographer.

I am forever making my layouts look all shadowy and dark. Not to mention I can never get a good straight shot.

Maybe I need a tripod. Maybe I need a "lighting studio" or some sort of semi-permanent backdrop in which to photograph against.


Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.
Hey I have a significant milestone birthday coming up, maybe to go along with my beautiful Canon SX120 that I bought myself, I should ask for a tri-pod... light weight and collapsible :o)

Been a busy few weeks

Wow, it's been a busy two weeks in our house here. My husband's son came for a visit from Germany, so we have been on the go go go... but I did get some time in to put together a layout with him. He is 11 and a pretty good crafter I might add. I had a basic plan in my head and I let him choose colours and papers. I tried to incorporate as many different techniques as possible to show him what all you can do with scrapbooking. So, we heat embossed; stamped; used paper; ribbon; buttons; glimmer mist; brads and even stamped his hand prints onto the page all that mixed with a little distressing ink and blamo you have a very colourful yet rudimentary layout. I managed to get a photo of it before mounting it into a frame so he could give it to his Mother as a gift. I also included a Thank You card that I had made.
I think he did a fine job for his first layout if I may say so!