The Best GIFT Under The Tree is YOU - Layout

I can't say enough about the Basic Grey's Jovial line ... there is so much going on with it!  So, for this layout of my daughter's first Christmas shot, I used a few different pieces of the Jovial line.

I cut out some of the Christmas tree balls and gifts from "Christmas Tree" and "Nipping", as well as used my Cricut (Christmas Cheer cartridge) for the tree itself.  I used a Martha Stewart punch and "Nipping" again for the borders.  I used my paper crimper to run the wire through for the garland.  I used my Cricut again for the star (George font) and folded it to give it some dimension and used some red and gold Stickles.   For the frame I did some water distressing on "Nordic".  My title a hand wrote mostly and used the Cricut (Blackletter font) with "Coal" and "Flannel Pajamas" I did some heat embossing for the swirls, used a Scrap FX wooden cutout of the dove, and a Prima butterfly.  One of my handmade corsage pins, a vintage button, and some ribbon trim.

I hope you enjoy this!  It sure was alot of fun!

Let me know what you think, leave a comment.  Become a follower (it's the 'IN' thing)!


Thanks for looking.

Joy To My World - Layout

Ah ... finally get to scrap with Jovial from Basic Grey - have I mentioned how much I love Christmas? I start thinking about Christmas in about August. I just love it! I drive my husband crazy with the fact that the Christmas tree has to be up BY DECEMBER FIRST!

I used the Jovial collection from Basic Grey along with Holiday Poinsettia from Prima, Jovial glazed brads, a Prima pebble, the Christmas Cheer cartridge on the Cricut for the holly leaves, a Prima stamp for the embossed tassels. I used the sheet music from Joy to the World from a vintage hymn book. Some Kaiser bling and red stickles.

The photo is my son when he was almost two months old in 2009.

Enjoy! And, thanks for looking!

Ma Petite Fille - layout

I used Bo Bunny's Kitchen Spice line for this entire layout. The larger flower in the corner I hand made and used Bo Bunny's iCandy Epoxy brads for the centres of the other flowers. A few Prima flowers and some ribbon I had hanging around.  I did alot of stitching and distressing on this one, and I think it tuned out just about right.

Now I know what you are going to say ... Lorena; you have used this photo before!  I know I have, but I love it that much!  This line is perfect for an autumn photo too!  Love Kitchen Spice!

Birthday Favors

I'm still in the planning mode for my son's first birthday ... here is a sample of what I may use for the loot bag.  It's a little small for my liking but I think it will work.  This would be the perfect size for gift cards or for Christmas - it will hold a small handmade card just perfectly!


I used my Cricut cartridge Plantain Schoolbook and used the basket die cut at 7 1/4 inches.  Martha Stewart helped me out with the fringed edge.  Some Tim Holtz distress ink in Broken China.  Finally some letters cut at 1 1/2 inches for the "LOOT"


Quick and easy ... the way I like it!

Tourist Style & Signature Lounge - Chicago trip 8x8 album

So, I decided to dedicate an entire album to my Chicago Trip ... crazy I know, but I decided it was time for me to try my hand at doing an 8x8 album.  Thinking this would be easier than doing 12x12 ... let me tell you, after you put a 4x6 photo on there their ain't much left of the page to scrapbook ... not sure if this makes for easier scrapbooking or not.  I also found that there wasn't a whole lot of room for titles... so I've been doing something that I'm not a big fan of - journal strips - let me tell you IT WORKS in this case!  I'm actually beginning to enjoy the 8x8.

Doing It Tourist Style
First of all... this photo turned out really dark ... sorry about that... its so much better in 'real life'.

I used some Basic Grey Capella line for the half frame and handmade flower. A little left over Nook & Pantry for the strips on the right.  I used a Fancy Pants rub-on in the corner (the floral one) and a couple of Bo Bunny bracket rub-ons.  Basic Grey's Chocolate Chip Chipboard Stickers for the lettering.  I used some Coffee Shop Glimmer Mist for the matting behind the photo - SO LOVING that colour right now!

Signature Lounge
Using some OLD cardstock that I got in a package from Costco of all places (the striped paper) and some regular craft paper all distressed up (used my new favorite tool the Zutter Distrezz-It-All) and some Bo Bunny double dot in Curry. Did all the journaling on the same Bo Bunny Curry - just used the back of it and ran it through my printer.

Simple as that ... and going to be a pretty quick album I tell ya!

On another note... I picked up some Basic Grey Jovial papers ... is it too early to be getting excited about Christmas?  I think not :o)

Enjoy, and let me know what you think :o)  I value your comments.

Unforgettable - Layout

I was so taken by this photo of a friend's daughter that I asked her if I could scrapbook her.  What a darling she is - this photo shows the pure innocence of her - of children in general ... but the black and off-white was just incredible!  I had alot of fun doing this one up.  I included one of my home-made corsage pins again!

I started with plain crafting paper and gave it a few spritzes of Glimmer mist in Coffee colour.  I used my Cricut to cut out the chandelier.  I used some paper that I've had for a while for the music notes and the polka dots - not sure on the brands.  I used Basic Grey's Nook & Pantry for the frame around the photo and did some water distressing.  I used October Afternoon's Thrift Shop collection for the handmade flower as well as a Prima center.  Some Liquid Pearls as accents for the candles and in a few other spots.  Some crystal accents.  The title - Unforgettable - is a rubon from Cosmo Cricut - Lil Man line.  Also a Basic Grey rubon at the bottom - not sure what line.

So much fun.  I can't wait for my friend to see it in person ... Brianna was such a fun model!

Let me know what you think, your comments are always welcome!

Chicago trip

Normally I link my Blog to my Facebook becasue I have more contacts on my Facebook.  But today I'm going to link my Facebook to my Blog because of the way you can view an album without having to upload all the files.

This is my trip to Chicago IL to see the Oprah Winfrey Show.  My sister was lucky enough to have won tickets to the show in Oprah's 25th season, and concequently her farewell season.

Chicago is a photographer's dream to visit.  I'm glad I went with my best friend and one my the best photographer's in the world, Jenn!  I had a great time learning from her and getting her perspective behind the lense.  I can't wait to do an album of all my Chicago photos!  I'll keep you posted!

Here is the link Facebook Album - Chicago Trip

Sour Dill & Garlic Pickles

Last year I tried my hand at making pickled beats.  They turned out great.  This year when a friend gave me a dozen cucumbers from her father's garden I thought I would try making dill pickles.  The recipe was really quite easy, and I won't know how they turned out until a minimum of four weeks; but they look good!

My recipe:

12 Sliced cucumbers
4 Cups of apple cider vinegar
3 Table spoons coarse salt
1 onion sliced
12 heads of fresh dill
6 cloves of garlic chopped
4 Table spoons of pickling spice

Corsage Pins

Something I've been working on has been corsage pins.  You see them turning up everywhere in scrapbooking and card making.  So I pulled out my collection of beads and some pearl headed pins that Mom had kicking around from their former small business.  I used a little metal glue to hold them on, and the results are pretty fantastic.

I'm thinking of setting up an etsy account and selling these.  If you are interested in purchasing some, let me know and I'll ship some off to you!

Last chance to get in on the Scrapper's Corner first contest - let me know your ideas for a boy's first birthday party.  First Contest link

Steampunk - cards

Steampunk - how do I describe Steampunk.  Other than being one of the hottest new trends in scrapbooking (and other medias including science fiction, film, fashion)  The premise behind it is combining elements from the 19th century and elements from either science fiction or technology, in a manor that would have been perceived by the people of that time if the technology were available.  In art most often you see items made of polished brass, wood or leather added to Victorian figures. Probably the best definition I've seen on the web is from ehow.com see this link for their definition.  I've always liked the look of anything that has been done in a Steampunk style.  I've been eagerly collection (and consequently not using) several papers from Graphic 45, in hopes that someday I will do something Steampunk with them.

Well today I tried my hand at a couple of steampunk style cards.  Now, keep in mind these are my very first attempts... I will get better :o)

I picked up a couple of canvas prints of Victorian style figures on them and am looking forward to doing them up Steampunk.

Until then, check these cards out.

OK, not very Steampunk, but still pretty cool.

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree - Layout

Aside from all the Cricut cutting this was one of the quickest layouts I've ever done!  But trust me, I used the Cricut ALOT on this one.


This is my husband and my son.  There is a little bit more to the title than just the similarities between them.  This photo was taken at an apple orchard :o)

I used Basic Grey's Archaic line paper for the background, and some Blitzen (yes Christmas) for some of the leaves on the tree, some other scraps that I had for the rest of the tree and apple.  I love my Dymo Tape machine... quite the find in my parent's basement I might say.  Dad really was a collector he has every colour of dymo tape that they ever made, and no less than four machines! This is the first time I have ever distressed the sides of a photo or inked it, I like it!  I tried my hand at some calligraphy - I'll keep practicing! Loving the corrugated paper that I picked up at the dollar store.  I think I might try making some letters out of it next! I used some stickles on the apple as well to highlight the seeds.

My husband loved this layout so much that he asked me to do an identical layout of him and his first son ... I'm nearly done it, and he is still scouring over all the photos that he has to choose from for the perfect one.  I love it when he gets into my work - warm fuzzy feeling!


Let me know what you think!

From Her Nose To Her Toes, she is my Doppelganger - Layout

One night while trying to fall asleep I came up with the idea for this layout.  My daughter is always asking me to paint her toenails so I thought I would do mine at the same time and take a photo of it.  I did edit the photo as I wanted to highlight the colour of the polish; so I used sepia and kept the colour of the nails. The larger photo is actually a shot of her begging for ice cream at a chip stand.  Hence the little spot on her top lip... but I loved this shot as neither of us were looking directly at the camera.

I used Basic Grey's Bitterweet collection for this.  I've had that particular collection kicking around for quite some time, it's not often you can use something that is intended for Valentines Day that's not "love" related, but I love the rich pinks in this line.  I used Basic Grey's Milk Chocolate chip alphas, a couple of Prima blooms and some Bo Bunny brads.  I used the alpha stickers that came with the collection pack for on the photos.  I also used Doodlebug rub-ons for on the photos too.  I used my Cricut and the Storybook cartridge for the scrolling at the corners of the album.  Martha Stewart's lace punch and some Ranger ink and that's it!

I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think.  Become a follower of this blog on Facebook and you will get a notification every time I post something new.  It's easy just click on "Follow" on the right hand side under Networked Blogs!!