Stuck?! Sketches: Live Laugh Love

Is it June already?? It's time for another reveal at Stuck?! Sketches.

It's been long overdue that I work on updating my wedding photos into "modern" layouts. Believe me, my original scrapbook pages were SO BAD.

Not even remotely close to what I make now.

Part of the wait was holding out for the right paper to come along. I did not want the typical black, white, gold and silver paper. My wedding colors were lavender and white so I wanted my page to reflect that.

Thanks for stopping by today!!!

I hope you join us the next two weeks and show us your version of this awesome sketch!!

The background is a large flower cut from the Silhouette
online store.

I bought these flowers from "More Paper than Shoes"
a few years ago. I've been waiting for the right paper.

I didn't want a "wedding" or "bride" title.

Supplies:
Paper:
--BoBunny - Secret Garden
--AC Green Cardstock (leaves)
Handmade flowers from More Paper Than Shoes
Title - Michael's
Lace - Michael's dollar bin
Handmade pearls using Liquid Pearls - Petal Pink

From Santa

 I have a confession to make . . . .

Making handmade gifts for family and friends brings me a lot of joy. I do get a rush of pride seeing their reactions to my creations. It is this "fuel" I use to keep going . . . to keep making things that are lovely and have meaning.

But I don't just make these ideas up in my head. There are many crafters out there that do . . . and I am in awe of their wonderful talent. So thank you to everyone who has ever inspired me. You don't know who you are but I am grateful anyway.

Thanks for stopping by today! Merry Christmas!

I am figuring out how to not overthink layering flower clusters. Just
gather what you want to use and start gluing. The key is to know what should be the
bottom layer and what should be the top layer.

This cute (and very easy) box is from SVGCuts.

I used Graphic 45's "12 days of Christmas" for the box. It just required
one sheet of paper!!

Supplies:

Paper:

--Graphic 45 "12 Days of Christmas" (box)

--Christmas red (roses)

--Christmas green (leaves)

SVGCuts file

Ribbon

Candy Cane embellishment

Flower punch (bottom layer)

Leaf punches

Tiny bells

My Craft Spot Tiny "Christmas" stamp

Merry Christmas with red roses

A lot of creative people I know can randomly make something just from the pretty thoughts in their heads.

Me . . . sometimes my most creative moments are when I'm commissioned for a project.

A recent patron asked for a Christmas card for a relative that will be doing a lot of international traveling. In general, that's what she wanted the theme of the card to be. Different, right?!

Hmm . . . . in my research to come up with something I went many different routes, including cute bears and large die cut pieces. That just wasn't working for me.

So I backtracked and asked myself, "Does it have to be Christmas themed paper or a bear?" 

Well, no it doesn't.

After that thought process I quickly became inspired by two different cards on my Pinterest board. It didn't take me too long to find the right paper either. I used Echo Park's Recollection with the postcard patterned paper = traveling theme!

I wanted flowers and went back and forth between deciding on a large red flower or black flower.

In the end, I chose to make small Christmas red roses!

I hope you are inspired! Thanks for stopping by today!

It's not very often that I use rhinestones. Love them!

Many layers to this bouquet. I really did have fun putting it together.

Supplies:
Paper:
--Echo Park Recollections
--Black Cardstock
--AC Christmas red (roses)
AC ribbon
Recollections Rhinestones
Leaf punch
Black Twine
Silver Christmas Ribbon (craft section at HL)
Vanilla Shimmer Spritz (on the roses)
My Craft Spot Tiny Stamps (Holiday theme)
Low Heat glue gun

Cassie

Hello there! Recently I have been in "let's make something girly" phase for several projects in a row. I wanted to partake of My Scraps and More sketch #77 for the month of April and decided to make a layout about my dog, Cassie.

"I found this little dog on the side of the road. She was hungry, skinny and filthy. It took 20 minutes to catch her and she screamed when I picked her up. Within hours though, she had forged a bond with our other dog, Sky." February 2012

I don't normally scrap about my pets, but I realized I have not made anything talking about Cassie. I was happy to have to chance to dig thru all my saved flower tutorials to come up with something pretty and pink for this layout.

Thanks for stopping by today!!

The white gel pen really came to the rescue for that
added touch of embellishment to this layout.

The two larger flowers are handmade.

Supplies:
PP: Riddersholm (UK paper purchased thru the Flying Unicorn)
White Gel Pen
SCAL3 and silhouette for title
Border punch
Flower punches and spellbinder roses
Wooden fence
Pearls
Leaf punches (two different kinds)

SOUS: Die Cut Challenge - SPRING

Hello and welcome to this week's challenge at SOUS. Our theme for this week is Spring!!!

I actually really loved this theme cause it got me thinking about all kinds of cool home decor that I never get around to doing. Especially "girly" stuff!! Our team came up with a whole range of wonderful themed ideas so be sure to hop on over to the SOUS blog for inspiration.

This project is from SVGCUTS. I really enjoy this site's wide range of collections to choose from as well as it's polished and professional look. I don't normally get so picture heavy in my posts but I couldn't resist.

Join us this month at any of the SOUS challenges for a chance to win $30 gift certificate from Scrapbook Circle!!

Thanks for stopping by today!!! Supplies listed below.

Supplies:
SVGCUTS file
Echo Park: Reflections PP (need two sheets with same print for vase)
AC Vanilla - 6 sheets!!
3/16" dowel rods
floral tape
Die Cut butterflies
brads (on handles)
Lots of glue

Happy Birthday Cards

Hello! Today I'm here to share with you some birthday cards I made for three girls in our foreign exchange student group. We are celebrating actual birthdays and "half-way" birthdays for the some of the teens. My teen gets a birthday cake (made by me) instead! I didn't think he would want a girly card.

I was greatly inspired by this card here. I was going to make cards with cute die cut bears on them but one of the young ladies was so enamored with my hand made flowers I decided to go a different route.

I did an "assembly" line thing and made three identical cards with different patterned paper. I really attacked my leftover paper stash for all the flags and triangles on these cards.

For the first time in AGES I used ribbon. Aren't you proud?!

MME: The Sweetest Thing*Tangerine 6x6

MME: Reunion 6x6 

MME: Follow Your Heart*Be Amazing 6x6

Yes, the flowers are handmade.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Precious Little Baby

TREASURE BOX DESIGNS

Yep, you guessed it . . . another bear card. I LOVE making bears!!!

OH - the flower is handmade by me!!!  I followed Mojo Monday's sketch #254.

Thanks for stopping by today!!!

Supplies:
MME: Follow Your Heart (background paper)
Scrap paper for rest of card
TBD: Freebie Bear
Pearls
Leaf Punches
My Craft Spot Tiny Tags
Handmade flower (by me!)

SOUS Die Cut Challenge: Use the word "Mom"

Hello SOUS fans!! It's Friday and time for our die cut challenge! For this challenge, we are to use a die cut with the word 'Mom' or the silhouette of a woman/mom.

I personally found this challenge easy cause I had the perfect picture of my mother to use for this challenge. The great thing about challenges is that they "force" me to work on photos and events that I keep putting off. If you have been following me for a while, you'll know this is my first frilly LO in quite a while.

Now, for the word . . . what to use?? Well, I went hunting! It didn't take much effort to find the PERFECT lettering at SVGCUTS. I was also GREATLY inspired by Melinda Sparks LO at 'the scrap farm'.  I fell in love with the brick background! I did have to fussy cut the bricks - not my favorite thing to do - but it all worked out.

I personally handmade all the flowers except the top pink flower. It came from a woman who talent I greatly admire. You can find her here.

I tried to make this LO with my mother in mind with just a touch of my personal style. My mom is a music teacher (the bricks are music notes), she loves flowers, bling, pink, and furniture that has curves and swirls built into it (hence the swirly frame). My personal touch is that I LOVE negative space on LO's and use stitching on nearly every LO and card I make.

Well I guess that about sums it up!! Thanks for stopping by today!

This photo of my mom was taken by me in May 2012.
This day was the first step of my budding photograph skills.

I used Liquid Pearls' White Opal on the die cut for extra pizazz!

Handmade flowers, bling, stitching, leaves
and a dragonfly charm make up this cluster.

The frame is a die cut from Cricut: Sentimentals.
Again I used Liquid Pearls on the frame to give it more beauty.

Supplies:

Riddersholmdesign.dk paper

     Tuquoise Hill's

         -Tatiana

         -Thirza-2

         -Thea

         -Tegwen

Cricut: Sentimentals

www.svgcuts.com

Pink Pearls

Liquid Pearls: White Opal

Dragonfly charms

AC Cardstock: Chestnut

MME PP - music background from scraps

Leaf punch

Spellbinder leaves

Flower punches

Border Punch

Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LITTLE SISTER!!

Supplies:

Rose Spellbinder Dies
Labels Three Spellbinder Dies
Pearls
Twine
MME PP 6x6 Reunion
Stitching
Border Punch
Platinum Liquid Pearls

Thinking of You

I made this card for a dear friend and coworker whose father recently passed away.  She's an avid pet lover, especially dogs, so I reached for a Treasure Box Design puppy.  I followed a sketch by Mojo Monday.

The flower is handmade by me using the CC Mother's Day Bouquet.

I was going to add stitching to the card, but before I knew it I had it all glued down! I did add glossy accents to the eyes for extra effect.

I apologize for the mediocre picture.  I took this picture in a hurry with my iPhone.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

PP: MME Reunion 6x6 pad
Stamp: My Craft Spot
Puppy: Treasure Box Designs
Pearls
Puppy Eyes: Glossy Accents
Flower: Cricut Cartridge Mother's Day Bouquet
Spellbinder's Labels Three

No Sweeter Kisses

No Sweeter Kisses:

I recently got some family shots done by CaptureMePhotos.  This particular photo was one of my favorites and just couldn't wait to scrap it.  I'm usually at least a year behind when it comes to scrapping events.

I followed a sketch by Sketch n Scrap that I pinned on Pinterest.  The PP are from Jillibean Soup.  The embellishment in the lower right corner is a verve stamp although the "I love you" is from another set of stamps that I have.  The flowers were all handmade by me.

Nothin' SweetEr than this boys Kiss

This flower was handmade by me and inspired from morepaperthanshoes.blogspot.com

SOUS DT Card Sketch

Hello and welcome to September's second card sketch design for SOUS.  This sketch was designed by Leah Schaeffer.

I have three coworkers this year who have had or are having a baby girl!! That's a lot of pinkness!!  I made this card with my coworker in mind.

The diecut bear and clouds was a weekly freebie by treasureboxdesigns.com  The "welcome baby" stamp is a new stamp from a set I purchased from vervestamps.com

I inked the clouds with chalk ink.  I also inked the bear with chalk ink and followed that with chalk for dimension.  The eyes were done with white gel roll pen, chalk, and micron pen.

Thank you for stopping by today!!

SOUS Project

It's that time of month again.  SOUS has a new card sketch challenge this week.  Here's what I came up with.

Happy Belated Birthday Mom!!

Yep, this card is for my mom and I'm VERY LATE getting it to her.  Invested in some Verve Stamps and Dies last week and am happy with their service and products.  I thought it was about time I had some sentiment stamps to work with on my cards.  Better late than never right??  Thank you for visiting!

Flowers are handmade using SCAL file.  Sentiment and die is a Verve stamp.  Embossing done with my cuttlebug.

SOUS sketch provided by Frank Garcia.

Good to be scrappin' again!

Hey there!!

I'm back - from a crazy few months of not getting to make handmade "anything".  We sold our former home, lived in an R.V. for 2 months (hence my disappearance) while we waited to get into our new home.

It was NOT an adventure.  It was miserable and that's ALL I'm going to say about it.

So now for the scrappy sharing . . . I've made four thank you cards this past weekend.  Three are nearly identical but I love them just the same.  They were made for three different women whom I owe some big THANKS YOU'S.  These cards were inspired from one of my pins on Pinterest.  All the large flowers were handmade by me.  "Merci" is from the Cricut Cartridge Sentimentals. The fun border shape is from Spellbinders Parisian Accents.

PP is from MME Madison Avenue.

Close up of the handmade flower using Cricut Mother's Day Bouquet.

This flower is handmade from retro punches, both large and small sizes.

PP is MME Union Square.

PP is MME Market Street.

Happy Birthday, Little Sis!!!  Hope it's a good one!!

My little sister - best friend anyone could ask for.  She is the more 'girly' of the two of us, but she would say she's more goofy.  That is true but . . . in this picture she's peaceful.  She's happy even though she's in the back seat with two little boys.  I don't scrap much girly LO's so I definitely reached for the flowers for this one.  Hope she likes!

My lovely sister, Alissa is featured today following a sketch by Beggahunna.  I used American Crafts Sunshine Collection for this LO.  The flowers are handmade from Cricut Mother's Day Bouquet and the dress and title are from Cricut Paislee.

Snow:

I loved making this LO!!  I didn't care, flowers were going on this boy LO.  All the diecuts, flowers and bling were handmade.  Only the word 'snow', the 'bracket', and the border are pre-made chipboard/sticker.  (I had them, might as well have used them). These days, my LO's tend to have a LOT of negative space.  I resisted doing LO's like that for most of my scrappy career. I just didn't "get it" why someone would leave all that space?  But this past year, I tried it and have been hooked ever since. It tends to keep your eye on the photo (to me the most important part) as well as taking in all the fun stuff.

Taking 'snow' pictures can be a lot of fun, especially if the flash is turned off.  If you aren't familiar with your manual settings, put your camera on a auto-macro setting, turn off flash and HAVE FUN!! Although these photos were taken last winter, I have been learning a great deal more about my SLR camera. It's a challenge, but I believe worth it! The macro setting and photos with small DOF (depth of field) I understand.  It's the "bigger shots" and moving target shots that are eluding me.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by!!

The snowflakes are punches with a touch of ink for dimension.  The roses in the top left corner are handmade.

Handmade flowers were created for this LO.  To learn how to make the crumpled carnation flower, go here to this video tutorial.  The other flower I will post a "how to", someday.

An up-close photo of the diecuts, all from Cricut Winter Woodland.  The bling is handmade using dimensional pearl paint.

Miniature Shabby Ruffled Flower:

Last, but certainly not least.  I made a bunch of handmade flowers for my mom and sister's Christmas stockings.  This beauty is a smaller version of the ruffled flower I posted previously.  You can find the tutorial here.  I added my own bit of glamour to the flower with puffy dimensional paint and stickles.  This flower is a little bit more time consuming, but oh! so worth it!

Creating flowers is very satisfying for me.  It's appeals to the girl in me to make something beautiful and delicate.  It also satisfies that quirk of mine with needing to complete a task.  They don't particularly take very long to make, not like LO's do.  Also, my LO's tend to be mostly about my son, so this is such a nice outlet for that feminine side of me.  Giving them away to my sister is also rewarding because she compliments me when she adds them to her own gorgeous cards and tags.

Making all these flowers has taught me a few tricks as well.  The part of making flowers that bums me out the most is the "cutting" part.  Whether it is from my Cricut or punches, it feels like a drag of a step!  So, I've improvised.  I decide what I what to make and cut out a whole bunch of the shapes I need in one sitting.  Later, when I actually have the energy and time, I make the flowers.  It is nice to have the "cutting" phase over with and get on with the creative phase.  Hope that little bit of advice helps you get started with making your own flowers.

Dear Santa:

This LO has machine stitching (my all time favorite embellishment).  All the paper, except the background, is from American Craft Collection Christmas and Merrymint.

I almost didn't have fun making this LO.  The reason being is 'cause Santa's chair color bothered me.  But, obviously I made peace with this by using a very dark chocolate brown cs.  The "Dear Santa: Define Good" showed up everywhere in Christmas 2010.  This year it's "Dear Santa: I can explain." These quotes are perfect for any pre-schooler and all those little rascals out there who have way too much energy and imagination.

Once I got past the chair color, this LO was fun to make.  I decided which die cuts I was going to use and got them all ready.  Next, I knew I needed stitching to go somewhere on the LO.  That hurt my brain just a little bit figuring that one out.  Had to walk away from this project overnight then it all came to me by morning (my favorite and best time of day to scrap).  I do LOVE stitching on just about every project I make.  TFL!!!

"Dear Santa" is from Cricut Winter Frolic.  The flower is handmade by Anna Fearer.  I have since made my own version of this flower, but I still have some left by Anna herself.

The candy cane is an svg file from myscrapchick.  The bow was bought at M's.  The ticket is a stamp from the Inkadinkado collection.

More close up of my LO.  The star and holly are svg files from myscrapchick.  Used the polka dot embossing folder on the green star to give it more character.  I used lots of pop-dots on this LO for more dimension.

Rose within a Rose:

In case you haven't noticed, I have featured flowers this month stretched out over several days.  A couple of lucky ladies in my life will be receiving handmade flowers in their stockings this year.  Everything you have seen so far is a sample of what they will be getting.  Now I know your wondering if they are watching this blog and if I'm spoiling it for them?  Well, one of them is for sure!  Hi, Alissa!! Anyway, I'm just posting samples.  They don't know which ones they are actually getting!!  MUHAHAHA!!!!

Cream and Sugar:

I do love to make flowers!!  This one is an imitation of Anna Fearer's flower. She makes such beautiful roses as well as other flowers to compliment her roses.  I have recently bought her "pillow talk" collection and hope to use it on a LO featuring my wedding photo.