scrap sketch Challenge

I've recently discovered scrap sketch, and I really like their unique designs. This page was fun to do! I took some pictures from last summer up at Birch Lake (where my sister Patti has a site), and I pulled out some Laundry Line sugar-coated paper. I love sugar-coated paper - so much fun! Be sure to click on the picture to make it larger if you'd like to see more detail. Along with the paper, I used Bazzil flowers, Making Memories brads, We R Memory Keepers eyelets, and phrases from K&I. My husband likes this layout, and that's exactly what I was going for!

Page Maps Challenge

I may be late for this challenge at Page Maps (that's what vacation does - you have to catch up!), but I love this layout of my ever cute and smiley niece and nephews. They belong to my sister Patti, and they are all the nicest, sweetest kids. Jerry and I spent some time at my sister's campsite last year (aren't they lucky - they have the space all summer!) and we took these fun pictures down by the lake. Paper is from the Roam collection from K&I, embellishments are from Laundry Line, Prima Flowers, Making Memories, and rub-on letters are from CTMH.

Back From Vacation - I Missed You!

Hello! We are back from our week long vacation at Quarterdeck Resort in Brainerd. Oh, my goodness! What a heavenly week - truly a blessing from God at this particular time! I thought I'd share some pictures of our adventures with you.

This first picture is my handsome husband looking over Mille Lacs Lake. It was a beautiful drive to Brainerd, and I am quite certain that he was thinking fishing as he pondered over the lake. he has fished Mille Lacs several times insearch of the elusive walleye.

This was our view right from our cabin picture window. How wonderful to wake up in the morning, watch the sun rise, and look over the lake! Jerry told me we have one more move in our married life, and it will be to a house by a lake. I am all for it! What a peaceful and serene way to live!

Yes, this is a big pot of baked beans! They are not any beans, though. They were roasted in the ground overnight and served free to thousands of people at Beanhole Days. I'll confess that we went on vacation during this time just for Beanhole Days. Jerry heard about this on talk radio, and he had to experience it. There are 50 gallons in this one pot, and they raised 5 pots. Can you imagine all those beans? It was really a fun experience being in a small town with all those thousands of people for the raising of the beans!

We were on a boat ride (12-mile of exploring Gull Lake), and I saw a huge patch of water lilies. They were so beautiful that I couldn't help but picked one. Jerry had a tough time navigating the boat into the patch, but I'll never forget what he said when I told him that if it was too hard, we could let it go. "What my honey wants, my honey gets," he said. What a sweetie - and I picked a water lily that had the most fragrant smell in the world!

I am giong on crop day to Archiver's today, so you'll start seeing some work in the next few days. I sent my pictures to Shutterfly, so you won't see vacation pics for awhile, but nevertheless you'll see artwork! I've missed chatting with you, and I hope your days have been good!

1 Picture, Many Pages Contest

Kristine over at Creative Scrappers was having a contest. The idea was that she would post the picture we had to use in the layout. You might think that wouldn't be fun - or you might even think that you have enough of your own scrapping to do. However, this is a GREAT challenge! It opened a door WIDE with possibility. I absolutely loved it!

The first picture I showed is part of the bird on this beautiful Penny Lane paper. When I finished the layout, the bird was chirping to be covered with Liquid Glass, and so he was! I also gave him a gem for his eye.

In the second picture you get a little bit of the picture we were given. SO cute! What is better than two kids walking hand in hand without a care in the world? And I wanted to make that expression of love and caring the focus. It was easy to do with a matching Penny Lane frame, a Square Window Charm, and a covered chipboard arrow.

Finally, here is the complete layout. I used Penny Lane paper to double mat the picture, and then I gave it a two-sided scalloped edge. The bird was not complete without gems all through his tail. The other accessories to this page are buttons (felt & craft) with waxy flax through them (one also has a safety pin), ribbon, big brads, and edge anchors to hold the ribbon in place. I cut the tag "beauty" in a shape that I felt really matched that proud & beautiful bird on the bottom.

This was a fun challenge!! These layouts were kept secret until today and Kristine will post them for the participants of the challenge to vote on. I really like that we can't vote for ourselves. It is good to see beyond our own work and really critique someone else's! I am anxious to see all the others so I can take my time to look and vote.

If you are a scrapper and are not familiar with Creative Scrappers, you should really check out their blog. I have so much looking at others work and learning from them. I also love how they challenge us with new ideas and new products!

Little Bit of Disappointment, So Glad I'm Headed to Vacation

I received a little bit of disappointing news from my doctor's office this morning. If you've been following me, you know that I have been spending this time in my life making some medicine changes and praying for wellness from these persistent "electrical storms" in my brain. I was blessed to start a brand new medication that was just approved by the FDA. As I've gone down on one of my other medicines, I've noticed that I don't need to sleep nearly as much, my dreams are coming back - and in color, and I've started to think a bit more clearly. Our goal was for me to be completely off the old medicine, and on the new. However, I found out this morning that I just am not going to be totally off that other medicine. The new medicine is just not totally helping me. I am very sad about this and so disappointed. That leaves me with 5 medications and an implant to try to control this pesky condition.
Now I don't want you to get me wrong. I am so wildly blessed in my life. I consider my life rich with wonderful family and friends. An adoring husband and fabulous son. I get to play with my pets, craft every day, and cook for my family at night. God has looked down on me and given me the best of all things at this time in my life.
However (oh there's that word), I get a little tired and nauseated from all the medicines, this has altered my life, and I have been forced to make so many changes. The biggest of all not being able to drive!
Still and all, I will do nothing but count my blessings. God is so faithful and true.

So Jerry and I are leaving on Saturday morning to go on vacation for a week. What perfect timing! The picture at the top is a view of Gull Lake at the Quarterdeck Resort. I am so looking forward to listening to the waves lap on the shore, being out in the boat while the sun shines (and catching more fish than my husband - SHHH!), and hearing the loons in the morning.
We are leaving Shane in control of the house and my sweet cat, and Chanel is going on vacation to Stone Mountain Lodge for pets. I think Shane is quite happy about this week and having the house to himself.

I am not certain if I will have wireless up there, so you probably won't see me post for a week or so. I'm bringing some supplies up there for the quiet times, so I will be creating while I'm gone. I'll have much to post when I get back. The day after we come back, I'll be going to Archiver's for a crop with my MIL. Life is just so much fun!

Have a good week, everyone! And if you think of it, I covet your prayers for my medical issues. Enjoy the summer sun, and treat yourself well!

Cuttlebug Challenge #39

What a silly, silly card! I loved the exceptional challenge for this week from Cuttlebug Challenges. It's not often that I sit down to make a masculine card, and this one feels rustic and fun. Certainly a card my husband would love. I say this ne was exceptional because we needed to used shades of orange, blue, and green. I am not a fan of the color orange, but I found a way to sneak it in!
The images are from Back Country Stickease. I've used two folders from Cuttlebug to make the background and the sentiment.
To go on a little further, HSN is showing Cuttlebug today. I love this handy tool! Be sure to check out Cuttlebug Challenges, and you will learn much about how you can use it. There are fabulous tips, tutorials, and artwork samples.

Creative Scrappers #59

I wanted a complimentary page for the layout I did the other day. Lo and behold, Creative Scrappers had a great layout for the one picture I wanted to use.

I have used quite a few elements on this page. This is the Key To My Heart paper. The Fancy Cut Botanicals match this paper beautifully, so that is how I created the layered flowers. The tulip corners are the felt Heartfelt Whimsy die-cuts, and the Creme Brulee metal corners are from the Mini medley Collections. I've used three different designer ribbons and borders from Fancy Cut Borders. The alphabet is Typewriter Keys (love this one!). I've put Cirecle Window Charms on the word cruise, and I also put one over me and Jerry in the photo. Lots of little bits and piece, but I sure do like the versatility of all the matching accessories for this paper!

You Hold the Key To My Heart

This is a great color combination in this paper packet. It is the Key To My Heart packet along with the matching stamp set. This is the pattern from Mojo Monday. I've chosen to make a 5x7 card with sanded Tulip cardstock. The piece of Creme Brulee to layer that is stamped with the images from the Key To My Heart stamp set. I've used Circle Window Charms, Sparkles, and a variety of designer ribbon to complete the card.

I don't think I'll get tired of these colors. They are so warm and pretty. I seem to pull this stamp set out often.

Those Tattered Angels

Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist that is! I picked up another color last weekend. I just love this spray! I was inspired to do this layout because one of the designers, Patti, over at Creative Scrappers is having a chllenge to use two Glimmer Mists as a background. Let me tell you a bit about what I did.

I took a piece of textured cardstock and spritzed it with Pearl Glimmer Mist. Then I added Graphite Blue Gkimmer Mist. I'll give you a hint. When you use them, hold the mist about a foot away from your paper. You'll get a better spray that way. Also shake up your bottle really good!

Then I took some white Petaloo paper flowers and sprayed them. The largest and smallest are Graphite Blue and the middle flower is sprayed in Pearl. Another thing, your paper might get "wet." You can easily dry them with your embossing gun. If your paper seems to curl a little, I suggest putting it under something heavy. That's what I've always done and it looks great!

The other items are Paper Loft Back Country, Outdoor Denim cardstock, Bohemian twill, and Outdoor Denim accents. Oh, the big letters are die-cuts from CTMH.

I like looking back on pictures of our Coltie. He was with us for a little more than 13 years before he we had to put him down. Cancer had really ravaged his poor springer body. Sometimes I think he would have hung on a few more years just because he loved us so much, but it's just not fair to see your doggy in so much pain. So I'll start scrapping his days now. Now that we've got this bundle of energy Beagle, Miss Chanel #5, we can move on. Never a replacement for Coltie, but she sure has grown on us! Even if she does always sleep in the middle!

Well, It is Plain to See...

That I cannot decide on a background for my blog. You'd think it would drive me crazy! Maybe because I'm not constantly changing my living room around for club anymore, I've got to settle for blog changes!

I really like the fun backgounds created by Itkupilli at Cute and Cool Blogstuff. Perhaps I've grasped on to her work because she is a Finnish artist, and I am partial to my heritage. Her work is a little edgy, but oh, so much fun! I had a beautiful background of violets for a little bit that I loved. I also liked my "Marilyn Monroe" background. However, they were busy and took away from artwork. So it was back to the drawing board.

Right now you are looking at a background from Shabby Blogs. This one suits me. It is summery, but in warm colors. Well, at least for today, it suits me well! But what would happen if Itkupilli drew a new background that I love? So we'll just have to see what happens...

I admire you blogging friends of mine that can leave well enough alone. You pick a background and template, and you are good to go. Not me, though! I have to experiment, try new things, and change back and forth. Maybe I drink too much coffee. (I say this as I am drinking coffee!)

Well one thing is for certain and sure. I will always have good music on my blog. It's like my own personal iPod going while I work. Have you heard the new-old Adam Lambert songs on my Playlist? He recorded them some time ago, didn't like that they were released, but I love both songs. I put a couple of Michael Jackson songs on my playlist. It's now sad to hear him sing Childhood wondering if he ever had one.

If you've read through, you know by now that this post wasn't about artwork or techniques. In fact, it was pretty much about nothing important. Just the everyday ramblings of your blogging friend! ;)

So Happy...

I pulled out some of my Tinkled Pink paper & stamp set to make a bright, cheery card. This card is going in the Sweet Stop challenge this week. If you've never stopped by to check out their sketches, give them a look! They always have great patterns to create!

For the flowers, I simply cut them from a piece of patterned paper and curled the edges. You might not have a stamp that's just right for your card, but look to your paper. A lot of times there's a piece that you can use to create die-cuts. That's the joy of matching paper - a nicely balanced piece of artwork in the end. Not only with CTMH do you find this, but Basic Grey, Little Yellow Bicycle, and Cosmo Cricket on understaning the great concept of paper that can be used for more than just paper!

Now, as I tell you about this, one other thing comes to mind. Don't be a hoarder!! If you cut into a sheet of paper, you can buy another sheet!! Remember that and freely cut into the beautiful fabric of papers that you own!