Mixed Media - All About Spring

Hello everyone! Here is my Spring project for 2022. I wanted this to display the riot of colors that a lovely spring garden can hold. Especially if garden was tended by me  . . . cause I'm not much of a gardener.

Sprapaholics has the best spring garden boots in their chipboard stash and I just loved using it here. Imitating spring, I used several types of textures from various places in my stash, including Renea Bouquets beautiful board, 49 and market flowers, spongy moss, and more!

Thanks for stopping by today!!

The base is a corkboard cutting board I found in Home Goods. The texture and design is perfect to use in MM projects (I found it on sale).

The paper leaves were embossed using Sunrise Salmon Gold and Beaucoup Mint. I'm not sure why I felt the need to stick a time piece on this project, but there it is.

The chipboard boots were embossed with Bratwurst Brown and Stampendous' Seasonings. I added a little extra distressing using gesso.

There are hints of molds in this piece that have a more "watercolor" look. I wanted the texture, but knew the boots were the main attraction. So the moulds add dimension and interest without taking your eyes away from the main attraction.

I've been saving this spongy moss in my stash for a spring project. I thought it really made a wonderful barrier between the two sides of the piece.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY TODAY!

Supplies:

COLORS

Lindy's Embossing Powders:

1. Sunrise Salmon Gold
2. Merci Beaucoup Mint
3. Bratwurst Brown
4. Orange Creamsicle

Lindy's Sprays:'

1. Mission Bells Brown
2. Wild Honeysuckle Coral
3. Orange Creamsicle

Stampendous Chunky Metallic "Seasonings"

Finnabair Opal Magic Coral-Green

Tim Holtz Distressed Powder Vintage Photo

Acrylic Paint:

1. Brown
2. Burnst Sienna
3. Brilliant Yellow-Green

TEXTURES

Scrapaholics chipboard

ReneaBouquet chipboard

Creative expressions chipboard

Spring moss

Art pebbles

49 and Market flowers

Finnabair moulds

Die cut leaves and fillers

Metal embellishment

Scrap The Boys: Summer

Hello and welcome to 2019!!!!! I'm happy to say that I will be continuing my journey with Scrap The Boys for the next 6 months. Without further ado, here is the challenge.

Scrap The Boys is based out of Australia and right now it is experiencing summer. I was hugely inspired by "HeyElsie" work on her Instagram page.

The large sun in the background can be found at the Silhouette store. I made "summer" using SCAL4 and lots of cursing and yelling at my computer to "just do it". LOL . . . it's a learning curve.

I used a combination of Echo Park and Lori Whitlock paper (a few years old) for this layout.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY TODAY!!!

Give a Crafter a Cookie: Sweet Baby Boy

Hello! It's time for a new challenge at 'Give a Crafter a Cookie'.

Here is the theme.

I chose to go with a paper pieced bear by Treasure Box Designs.

Paper is Echo Park: Bundle of Joy.

Thanks for stopping by today!!!

SaveSave

Studio Challenges: Explore

Today is new challenge week with Studio Challenges: Scrap about anything but a person.

First, let me just say that I'm aware that my photo editing is not all that great. I've updated my computer, etc etc etc . . . so I have a new program that I am learning. The first pic is about my fourth attempt to get it right. The following pics have entirely too much blue . . . but I'm hoping you get the idea.

This layout is about "signs" even though I used the title "explore". We were exploring Europe so . . . *shrugs*.

Imagine a time where 98% of the population could not read. So how would you communicate your business? With symbols or "picture" signs!!!! We found this cute little town in Germany called Dinkelsbuhl. Although modern, the town tried hard to show the history of Germany and Bavaria with small touches like these signs.

I found the large floral flower file from JustNick. I LOVE how it all turned out!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by today!

The flower was getting lost in the layout so I stitched all around it with blue
thread to outline the flower.

The blue mist is Color Bloom Summer Sky spray mist. It's not
actually "teal blue". Bad photo editing, sorry.

If you asked me what I struggle with the most in crafting, it would
have to be titles. I could have a layout nearly done but still spend so
many more hours coming up with a title.

Supplies:

Paper:

~~AC White Yardstick

~~Pretty Little Studio: Let's Go Collection

Die cuts by Pretty Little Studio 

Floral Flower Die Cut (background) - JustNick Files

Color Bloom Summer Sky Spray Mist

Sewing Machine - blue thread

Silhouette Machine - flower and title

Cork Stars

JOYS OF CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas!

If you stopped by a couple days ago, you already know that I worked on die cut cards from www.svgcuts.com using their Merry & Bright collection.

So . . .

May all the JOYS of Christmas be yours!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies:

American Craft PP Merrymint and Christmas line
Merry & Bright "svg" Collection from www.svgcuts.com
Wood Stamp - probably from HL
Bling
Stickles Gold, Silver and Christmas Red
Small Swiss Dots embossing folder

NOEL

It's almost Christmas!! Are you excited yet? I know I am! I recently spent a relaxing Saturday playing with paper and making cards. I scrolled thru my stash of "svg" files and came across the Merry & Bright Collection by www.svgcuts.com

Except for the paper, I followed the site pretty closely in the making of this card. I just love how the poinsettia turned out, don't you!?

In a couple days I'll be showing you another card from that very same collection. I'm even more thrilled with that one so come back soon!!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies:
"Noel" stamp - there are many out there.
American Crafts Merry Mint and Christmas line PP
Ribbon from HL
Bling
Entire card cut out with SCAL
File by: www.svgcuts.com

SOUS: Die Cut Challenge - Ornament

Dear Santa: I can explain

I am thrilled to return to SOUS die cut team. Since I LOVE making die cuts this team fits me like a glove! The team is filled with a LOT of wonderful talent so hop on over there and see what are die cut team has for you this week.

For my first challenge with the team, we are to make and use a die cut ornament on our project. Well, if you are into Christmas and its decorations AT ALL this one is easy!

I followed this sketch from Pinterest.

I do want to apologize that the photos of my lay out aren't all that great. I was too lazy to retake them.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Ornament from MissKateCuttables

The title is cut from SCAL. I've wanted to use this title for years!
Just love the little kid "feel" of it!

Supplies:

Echo Park - Merry Christmas PP and stickers

MissKateCuttables (NOEL die cuts)

Stamp and black embossing supplies

Stickles (on the ornament)

Tiny Letter stickers

Heal

Treasure Box Designs

Hello there! Today I have a quick and easy card for you that was made for a special order. I followed mojo sketch 269 from Mojo Monday.

Thanks for stopping by today!!

Supplies:

MME 6x6: Follow Your Heart: Be Amazing

Pearls

SVG letters

TBD: The Dog Collection

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

SOUS: Stroller

SOUS: Die cut challenge - stroller
www.svgcuts.com

Welcome die cut fans!!! This Friday at SOUS the challenge is to use a die cut stroller.  For this project, I knew I wanted to do something different. So I went hunting and came up with these CUTE 3-D baby buggies from svgcuts. They were really quite easy to make. The hardest part was coming up with baby paper, which I had to go shopping for them. Oh darn!

I made three versions in different colors. They would make such cute baby shower gifts, don't ya' think?

Thanks for stopping by! Head on over to the SOUS website to see what the rest of our die cut team has come up with for this challenge!!

Supplies:

Recollections baby PP paper - Michael's

Pearls

Glue

Cricut/SCAL

svgcuts file

SOUS: Die Cut Wreath

Treasure Box Designs

Hello and welcome to this week's die cut challenge by SOUS!  The challenge is to use die cut(s) to make a wreath.  I swatted away some cobwebs to come up with a Valentine's Day card using hearts, flowers and snowflake (greenery) die cuts in the shape of a heart.  (P.S. There is a die cut heart underneath all the small hearts and flowers.) 

I used Treasure Box Designs' "Best Friends Forever" file and just didn't use the second bear.  I embossed and glittered the heart for extra effect to also enter the challenge at My Craft Spot.  I added a tiny bow to the tiny tag for a final touch.  Stop by the blog SOUS for some more yummy ideas from my fellow DT members!  Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:

MME 6x6 PP Union Square
TBD Cutting File: Best Friends Forever
Tiny Tags Stamps from My Craft Spot
Embossing Folder
Stickles
Ribbon
Various punches for the wreath
Bling

SOUS: Switch-a-roo Die Cut Challenge

Hello there! It's Friday again and time for a SOUS die cut challenge!!  This week is "switch-a-roo"!!  That means to switch a letter in your title for a die cut. Simple really . . . 

For this challenge I chose to scrap a LO with a picture of my dad.  There are actually several simple die cuts on this LO but the one that counts is in my title. I followed a sketch by myscrapsandmoresketches that I had pinned on Pinterest.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Go on the the SOUS blog and get more awesome inspiring ideas for die cuts on your layouts!!

I love layering on my LO's.  Just makes you want to go "poking" to see what all you can find huh?

I used the chicken wire template here for some background stenciling.

Here is a close up of my title. I used SCAL to create it.

Supplies:

EP: This & That paper line (various PP)

Stitching with sewing machine

Chicken Wire template

TH Distress ink: Frayed Burlap

Embellishment from my stash

Burlap from my stash

Various Stickers from the same EP line

Buttons

Alpha Stickers

2" Triangle/Flag Punch

SCAL

Santa's Workshop: Diecut Challenge

SOUS Die Cut Challenge: Toys Toys Toys!!!

Santa's Workshop

Welcome back to Friday's SOUS die cut challenge: toys toys toys!!  I was lucky - I had the perfect picture to scrap of my son posing with Santa in his toy workshop!!  But, I did have to do some "research" to get the right die cut toys for this LO.  I ended up at www.svgcuts.com and fell in love with one of their files featuring nothing but "old time" toys.  The file has a good mixture of dies for both boys and girls.

And of course I'm overrun with AC Christmas paper and yes, used a lot of scraps!!  Also I scraplifted this LO from one of my pins on Pinterest. 

Thank you for stopping by and hope you feel inspired to make your own LO with toys!!! 

Dog, tricycle and car are all from svgcuts.com  The glittery chipboard items are from my stash.

The die and Santa nesting doll are also from svgcuts.com The flower is handmade by me.  I also used Spellbinders to accent the photo.

The title is from CC: Winter Frolic.  I used the xmas red Stickles on the word "workshop".

Supplies:

PP: AC Christmas Paper front and back

White ink gel pen

Stickles: Xmas Red

CC: Winter Frolic

www.svgcuts.com

Glitter chipboard diecuts from stash

Bow is from stash

Gemstones by . . . somebody.

Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Circles (small)

Thank You

Hello there!

I made this card for a special client at my work who provided a holiday dinner for all of us today.  What a treat!!!  She loves and cares for many animals and has been a huge supporter of our animal hospital.

So naturally, I asked to make her a special "thank you" card instead of getting her a store-bought card!!

Our client loves cats plus she provided a holiday meal so  . . . . I came up with this adorable cat from Treasure Box Designs plus I included a Santa hat from another file.  I followed a sketch by Mojo Monday.

Supplies:

MME: Sweater Weather 6x6 paper pad
Die Cut - Treasure Box Designs
Stamp: www.craftspotbykimberly.blogspot.com
Poinsetta 3D embellishments
Spellbinders: Label seventeen

SOUS Project: Die Cut Owls

Hello friends!! Here we are with another project for SOUS.  This Friday our project was to include a die cut owl.

Lately my brain has been on overload and I simply could not come up with a layout that included owls.  So I tried a different approach and made Christmas tags with these cute snow owls from TreasureBoxDesigns.

Sweet and simple this week I know . . . but hopefully inspiring all the same. Thanks for stopping by!!

P.S. I REALLY need to get a set up made for taking pictures of my crafty projects.

Supplies:

PP - BG Eskimo Kisses (starry night)
AC ribbon
Textured cardstock for the owls
Candy Rock Stickles

Border Collie

A repeat patron of mine asked for a "Heal" card with a border collie.  So, I went digging . . . deep.  I did end up using a Treasure Box Designs file I already had.  Instead of making the dog a various shade of brown, I made him black and white and voila!!

I had two days to make this card.  Now, that's not unusual in itself except the request came on a Tuesday.  *chuckles* I almost never scrap or do anything crafty during the week.

The feedback from my patron was the card was well received by everyone who signed it and by the recipient (none of whom I know).

Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:

PP:  LilyBeeDesign Buttercup 6x6 pad
Treasure Box Designs cutting file
Navy Blue stitching thread
SpellBinder's Labels Seventeen
Buttons from stash
Fiskar's Punch
Tiny Alpha Letters

Tag Swap

For November, I signed up for a tag swap at Treasure Box Designs.  I am super excited about seeing what other crafters come up with and how they use their talents with paper piecing.  The rules are three tags 3x4 each and of course use TBD files.

Here are mine!! I am so pleased with how these turned out!!  I am also just a little bit sad to have to let them go . . . but that's just inspiration to make more right?

Supplies:

Dimension = 3x4
PP:  BoBunny Scraps
Various Solid colors for the birds
Snowflake stamp, versamark ink and Perfect Pearls for the patterns on clothes
Twine
McGill Leaf Punch

Thanks for stopping by!!

SOUS DieCut Challenge

Hey there Peeps!! The SOUS diecut challenge for this week is to use the words Fall or Autumn on your project.  

So for myself, I had two things I really wanted to use.  This adorable bear and title from Treasure Box Designs AND a photo of my son and husband at our first traditional outing to local Huber's Farm.

I used a sketch from a pin on Pinterest.

I'm having a LOT of fun trying to learn how to make "eyes".  I could have gone all out - you know - with eyelashes and more extreme shading but I wanted to stick with a more boyish looking bear.

Thanks for stopping by!!!  What are you gonna make?

A closer look at the shading and placement of the die cut bear.

Supplies:
PP: Scraps!
Honeycomb template
Distress Ink: Walnut Stain
Treasure Box Designs Die Cuts
Buttons and Brads by Bobunny
Wood Die Cuts stained with Distress Stains
This list does not include the supplies I used for the bear, leaves, flowers and crow.

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

Cutest Pumpkin . . .

Today's diecut challenge from SOUS is to use pumpkin or vegetable.  Well . . . I used pumpkins!!!

By the way, I LOVE being on the SOUS diecut team.  It's suits me very well.  I get to play with die cuts (which I love) AND make layouts, which I prefer over cards.  Not that I'm giving up on cards, but lay outs are my first and favorite passion.

I've dabbled in watercolor pencils, stamping, embossing, and even drawing and painting.  But I truly LOVE working with paper.  I have not gotten bored with making "die cuts" or even paper flowers.

There are many times in this hobby that I'll make a LO and think "it's cute . . . it's alright . . . it'll do".  I'm not particularly in love with what I've done, but I just don't know how to fix it.  Maybe I picked the wrong paper or picture?  Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood to really blend it all together?  Who knows, right?

But there are other times that I've fall in love with this hobby all over again. Everything comes together and just looks so fabulous, adorable, or just cute!!

That's how I feel about this layout . . . I just love it and hope it inspires you in some way.

I couldn't find the right 3 picture sketch so I just made one myself.   Many years of scrapbooking have taught me numerous things, including "if you can't find it, make it yourself!"

Many die cut layers here.  I also added some store bought wood die cuts.  The number 4 symbolizes my son's age.  The faces are from Peach Keen Stamps.

Up close of some stitching.

Closer look at my die cut title.

Supplies:

PP:  BoBunny "Apple Cider Collection"

Title: Treasure Box Designs

Sunflowers: Treasure Box Designs

Pumpkins: CC Simply Charmed
Face Stamps from Peachy Keen Stamps
White Gel Pen

Brad:  Bo Bunny Apple Cider Collection

Punch: Fiskers

Stitching