Staying Creative

Here are a few cards and a layout that I've been working on recently.

The story behind the layout it that I don't know a THING about Harry Potter - not a dang thing, and when I started working with this lovely collection of Harry Potter papers and embellishments, I had no clue what to do with it.  Don't get me wrong, the paper is lovely - all antique like and my colours too.  The only thing I know that is associated with Harry Potter is the word "Muggles".  You see my husband and I Geocache - that is, we use a GPS to plug in latitude and longitude co-ordinates and play a game of "hide and seek" looking for a 'cache' that is filled with trade able trinkets and a log book.  It is a great outdoor adventure that takes you to places that you likely wouldn't have traveled to if not for hunting for 'tuperware in the woods'.  That being said; a Muggle is a person who is not a Geocacher who happens to stumble upon either the cache or you scouring the woods.  There you go ... there's the link!

Watch Out for Muggles

So, I used three different papers from the collection for this, and printed my story out on ivory cardstock with the font Kristen using my computer. Then distressed the paper and inked with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Vintage Photo, and used two Glimmer mists; Coffee Shop and Wheatfields. I stitched the one paper with my sewing machine, and distressed the edges with Tim Holtz Distressing ink in Vintage Photo. I The title is Basic Grey Chip letters. The button is a vintage military button from my husband's sewing box. The ribbon trim I'm not sure about the brand.

The journaling reads:

"As soon as we introduced Geocaching to you, you were hooked.  The idea of hide and seek and treasure hunting all together  was terrific. Being outside in the woods looking for Tupperware was such a concept.  Watch out for Muggles - those are people who are not familiar with Geocaching - you don't want them to be aware of what you are doing; so they won't accidentally find the Cache"

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The Cards
 
Using the Sew Easy tool from We R Memory Keepers I put together the following 3 cards.
 
For the first card I used an Asian themed background paper (unknown) and Chinese Lanterns stamp (Inkadoo) and kept it simple without a a sentiment. I used Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Vintage Photo, and Glimmer Mist in Wheatfields. Finished off with two butterfly stamps (Martha Stewart)

The second card I used a snowflake patterned paper (unknown) and two different Bo Bunny double dot cardstocks and some white Bazzil. I used the "Burst" wheel on this card and instead of rolling it in a row, I used the burst in the form of snowflakes. I cut a snowflake with the Cricut (Potpourri cartridge) out of vellum and some hemp string. I use the I-rock gem setting tool for the bling on the snowflake.

For the final card - Happy Birthday - I used October Afternoon's Thrift Shop collection patterned papers and red Bazzil cardstock. I used the Cricut to cut the Happy Birthday (Potpourri) and a piece of salvaged ribbon from a box of chocolates.

March Monthly Inspiration Challenge at Auntie Em's Scrapbooking

In like a lamb ... man it was a beautiful day out there today!  Just below freezing, full sunshine, no wind to speak of ... a gentle lamb. I guess we will be in for a Lion in 30 short days!

Well, since March is here now, I will give you the reveal of my March project for Auntie Em's Scrapbooking.  We got to use some wonderful items from Webster's Pages this month.  Mellisa and I used the March sketch from the Scrapbook & Cards Today Page Maps calendar as inspiration.  It never ceases to amaze me that we can use the same sketch and the same papers and end up with such different ideas.

This month again I was stumped at how to use three photos.  This whole multiple photo thing is going to either make me snap or make me a better scrapbooker.  I hope it's the later, not the former!

I call this layout - Innocence of Youth 

I wanted to go on the March theme, and made a calendar out of a journaling card.  I chose the date that the photo was taken last year - which really has no significance.  I am really starting to love my I-rock tool, and moreover using a Sharpie to colour the gems. I loved the butterflies on this page I wanted to enhance them even more - so I stamped various butterflies with a Martha Stewart stamp in Staz On ink all over.  I used some Bloomers (ribbon trim) and Sparklers (buttons) to finish off the project. I made one of my signature handmade Cabbage Roses

Be sure to check out Auntie Em's Scrapbooking Blog here, and Mellisa's blog here for further details and if you comment here you will have a chance to win some Blog Candy that I'm putting together ... and check out Auntie Em's page, there might even be some Blog Candy over there too!