Sketchabilities #86 Reveal

 

 

 

 

Hello everyone! It's the end of the month and that means another sketch reveal from Sketchabilities!

Here is Sketch 86....

 

 

 

And here is my layout! I used Teresa Collins' new Memories collection (which is my favorite of her new releases!)

 

 

 

Loving all the embellishments!  Also, I used a Silhouette file to create the "remember this" file tab, as well as the title.

 

 

Layering some of the die cuts, brads, and enamel dots!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out the Sketchabilities blog to see more layouts with this sketch!  This is my last layout for the DT...it's been great working with Karan's sketches!

 



Practical Scrappers Frugal Finds-Coffee!

Those who know me, know I am not a coffee drinker. I wish I was..it smells great.  I get my caffeine fix from Diet Coke!  Today on Practical Scrappers, I created a layout using coffee filters.

 

I first sprayed them with Dylusions Postbox Red and Tattered Angels Marshmellow (to give it a glimmer).  I had the idea to use the filters like doilies. 

 

 

I used Teresa Collins' new collection Stationary Noted.  Love the red and blue of this line!

 

 

A close up of one of the filters. I also added some cute sequins!

 

My title is from the Silhouette Studio.

 

Adding a cute little wooden veneer arrow from Studio Calico.

 

Be sure to check out the what the other Practical Scrappers have done all in the name of coffee!

 

 

Clear Scraps Mascils Tutorial layout

I'm up on the Clear Scraps blog today sharing a fun layout I created using the 12x12 acrylic sheet and one of the many new Mascils! 

 

 

 

Here, I used the 6x6 Chicken Wire Mascil.  You should check out the Clear Scraps shop to see this and many more designs.  The great thing is that they this size as well as 12x12! 

 

I first started with my 12x12 acrylic sheet and placed it on my craft mat. I then lightly misted my Mascil with spray ink (I used Dylusions from Ranger) and layed it over the top left corner of the acrylic.  Taking a foam brush, I lightly applied a thin layer of acrylic paint.  I love how the color from the spray ink mixed in with the cream of the acrylic. (Reminds me of when you add food coloring to white frosting)

 

 

 

After washing and allowing my Mascil to dry, I used it on the bottom right corner of my patterned paper. I love how diverse this product is!  I've used it not only on acrylic, but canvas and chipboard as well. 

 

Here is a close up of the top left corner. The title is from the Silhouette Studio: one of my absolute favorite files!

 

 

I used the Memories collection from Teresa Collins.  Love the colors and embellishments! Of course, I had to add some Blingage! :)  Also, I used one of the new wooden veneer arrows from Studio Calico. 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by today!  Be sure to check out the Clear Scraps blog for more acrylic inspiration!

 

 

 



Chicaaaaaaaaaaaagoooo!

 

Well during Winter Storm Q or XYZ whatever, I am traveling to Chicago for a dental convention with the office I used to work with.  I always have an open invitation to go to Midwinter with them. I don't know if its really because Sheri needs a roommate or that I'm entertaining.  Maybe they are hedging bets that I will 1: break a bone (usually a foot), 2:  buy an expensive bottle of alcohol (a la Las Vegas December 2009), or 3: have too many libations and wonder around the bar screaming "Where's my coat?". 

Yikes, why does anyone hang out with me?  LOL

So, I'll be back hopefully Saturday evening full of lots of dental knowledge. I bet you can't wait for me to share! Honestly, I'd rather be going to a scrapbook convention. But, I'm sure you already knew that. 

Wish us luck we don't hit bad weather and that I don't break anything!

 



Teresa Collins' Far and Away Mini

 As promised, I'm back with a cute mini book I created using Teresa Collins' new Far and Away line.  I am in love with this collection...the color scheme is awesome and "so Teresa". As I've mentioned before its similar to a previous travel line:  World Traveler.  

 

 

I used the different sized file folders, as well as patterned paper for my book. Then, I bound it using my Cinch from We R Memory Keepers.   

 

The front cover is one of the file folders. I added the chipboard word "explore" for my title. The collection comes with a 12x12 sheet of coordinating chipboard pieces.  Of course, I had to add some bling! I also love the flag garland too! 

(*this post is photo heavy)

 

The collection also has a 12x12 sheet of die cuts as well.  This is where the sentiment came from.  You ask are there stickers? Of course! Washi tape, decorative brads, and enamel dots too!!

 

 

 

 

Here, I affixed one of the smaller file folders on top of a page to create a place to hide journaling and a picture.

 

Here is the inside: I cut one of the journaling cards to jot some memories.

 

This is the back of the page. I used a cut file from my Silhouette and added a journaling card and wooden veneer arrow from Studio Calico.  Loving the postal washi tape that comes with Far and Away!

 

 

 

For this page, I folded a piece of patterned paper and scored it. Then added some of the fun gold glitter border and a strip of patterned paper. The "travel log" is from one of the journaling cards. I simply cut it down and used it a tab. 

 

A peek of the inside. Another cut file from my  Silhouette along with some washi tape and journaling.  

 

 

Love this photo of me on the Champs-Elysee. Funny how you can look back and appreciate your youth and beauty. The "funny" thing is that I thought I was fat. Ha! I was 29 at the time..engaged to be married in the fall.  Whatever. Would love to be that size again.  But, as the French say: C'est la vie.

 

 

 

This was one of my favorite vacations with Chris. I love Paris! Here we are on the lawn near the Eiffel Tower enjoying the beautiful weather. 

 

 

 

Love the ticket border in this line!!

 

 

Inside of another file folder.  I added some of the fun enamel dots around my journaling as well as on the tab. I even used my clear stamps from the World Traveler collection. Love how you can use them with this line!

 

Running my 3rd and last marathon! This one hurt afterward.

 

Always love the hexagons! I mixed the cardstock stickers and Studio Calico wooden veneer hexagons.  I also used SC wooden veneer numbers as well. 

 

I got a bottle of Beaujolais wine at mile 25!  It came back home with us and we shared it at our rehearsal dinner.

 

I cut the flag garland apart and glued to the bottom of my photo to create a border. I also added some flair from {a flair for buttons}. 

 

 

I used one of the die cut tags for journaling and added some stamping from the clear stamp set.  Love the wooden veneer people too! 

 

I found all these supplies at my local scrapbook store The Scrapbooking Studio in Bloomington, IL .  Remember to support your local stores!  I will be back soon with more projects soon.  Thanks for reading!

 

 



 

 

 

 

 



Refocusing.....

 

 

 

 

Lately I've realized I've gotten off track with my focus on why I scrapbook. I love creating.....its more than a hobby. Its therapy. Telling a story and the whole process is what I love.  However, I feel like I've been putting too much pressure on worrying about what others will think and it was really messing up my creativity. 

 

And this time of year doesn't help either. I struggle with anxiety and depression more during February and March than any other time. I don't know why.....maybe its the lull between the holidays and arrival of spring.  March is triggering too because its the time of year my mom started to get sick.   I try to prepare myself every year and it still knocks me down.   She'll be gone 4 years in June. I feel like people expect me to be "over it" or just live with the fact that she's gone. My mom was my best friend and knew me better than anyone. And she was a wonderful grandma. Losing her has been the biggest trauma of  my life. And if you haven't gone through it, you won't know what I'm talking about.  My life is just different. And weird. I told my sister the other day I don't know how to navigate through life without Mom.

 

So please bear with me. Those who are close to me I'm sure get frustrated. I don't mean to be a pain in the ass. I wish I wasn't like this...I have been for years. I think I tend to push people away too when I'm hurting. Well, I know I do.  Most of the time its easier to push the grief and hurt down and not deal with it. I'm afraid of people seeing what's deep inside. 

 

I'm lucky in that I have a wonderful family and husband. They are there when I feel like opening up. Most of the time its them sitting there listening to me or just watching me cry.   

 

Ok I realized this is more like a diary entry than some fun crafty project I usually share. I promise to get back to that!  Sometimes its just good to get things out. 

I know my blog is mainly for scrapbooking, but I'm going to try to start sharing some of my everyday life too. 

 

I'll be back tomorrow with a fun mini book I created for when Teresa Collins came to
The Scrapbooking Studio to teach! 

PS-must give photo credit to the awesome Amy Coon
 who took some headshots of me for my blog!

Authentique's Renew

 

I know it's only February but I'm itching for spring. I really dislike this time of  year...the lull between after Christmas and the warmer weather starting.

To get me out of the winter blues (somewhat) I'm sharing a layout I created with Authentique's Renew collection.  I love the non-traditional colors!  Usually spring lines are too bright for my taste but I am loving the turquoise, yellow, and black!

 

I decorated one of the mini files with some wooden veneer letters from Studio Calico and letter stickers that coordinate with the collection.  I added a metal love bird from Maya Road, as well as the die cut circle adorned with bakers twine from Whisker Graphics. The cute "open here" stamp is an oldie but goodie I have from Catslife Press.

 

 

I hid my journaling underneath the file and held in in place with some yellow chevron washi tape from Bella Blvd. 

 

Adding more of the die cut circles plus some flair from {a flair for buttons}.

 

 

I cut this wooden veneer scallop circle to fit the edges of my photo and border.  

 

Ok..only 30 something more days til spring! Have a good weekend!

 

 

 

 



Inspired by Pinterest-Valentine edition!

 

Happy Valentine's Day! Today I also have a project up on Practical Scrappers in which we did an "Inspired by Pinterest" post. 

 

I saw this cute Valentine countdown frame on the Tater Tots and Jelly blog...

 

 

....which inspired me to make this!

 

 Using an empty frame, I added ATC cards done with Basic Grey's True Love line.  I adhered pink/white bakers twine from The Twinery to the back of the frame and used mini clothes pins from Canvas Corp to hang my cards.

 

Here is a close up of one of the cards:  I used a Silhouette file to cut the word bubble then added a wooden veneer arrow from Studio Calico, as well as a chipboard heart and enamel dot from Teresa Collins.

 

Here, I took patterned paper and affixed it at an angle and then stitched through.  The circle sentiment comes on the coordinating cardstock sticker sheet.

 

This card is a bit more simple. I love the ledger paper!  The stamped sentiment is from the

Elle's Studio  Hello Sweetheart clear stamp set. Then I added a chipboard heart and cardstock sticker pennant.

 

 

Another Silhouette cut! I actually had this left over from another project.  The heart pennant at the bottom is also a from the Silhouette studio (#37507).

For this card, I used some of my new chevron vellum that came in my Studio Calico kit yesterday! Its too good to not use! I overlayed the vellum on the patterned paper and stitched upper and lower pockets. I added little bits of the stickers and chipboard to free float inside the pockets. 

For this card, I used a Silhouette card file (#38753) and stitched it over patterned paper. I added a cute mini chipboard arrow and some washi tape from Freckled Fawn.  The stamped sentiment is from the same Elle's Studio clear stamp set above.  

 

Thank for stopping by! Hope you have a lovely heart day!