Looking back at 2009 in layouts

Hi all! I was looking through my blog reading list this morning when I came across a few people who did a blog showcasing their favourite cards or layouts for the year 2009. See Kim's and Pinky's. I thought it a great idea....so I'm doing the same.


I really got into scrapbooking this year -- and it's been fun! It was hard to pick just five...so I put in one extra, 'cause five just wasn't enough!! Here are my top 6 layouts:

 This was is pretty basic, but I like the overall look! :)

This was my first ever layout with different picture sizes. Plus...a two page layout, which for someone who really knew nothing much about scrapbooking was a bit complicated. But it was fun to see it come together and create a wonderful memorial to some great moments in time! :)

I really liked what I saw at  http://www.scrapbooksetc.com. Their various collage scrapbook pages in the gallery really inspired me. I totally love the way these two pages turned out -- a great way to put together multiple pictures...and have the layout look spectacular! :) And I like that it doesn't need a lot of extras to make the page look good.

Tried something new here: tearing some paper...and rub-ons. For some reason this page jumps out of the scrapbook whenever I look through it. :)

Of course I can't forget this page. I don't know why...but it quickly became my favourite as I was creating it! Usually pages get a little bit "old" after you look at them too often...but this one doesn't! I think it's the orange or something!!! LOL Or perhaps it's just the cat who stole my heart! :)

And finally at number 6 I have this one. Totally adorable -- and I love the way I managed to bring the colours of her dress out so perfectly with the background paper! She is my little cutie pie! :)

Anyways, that's it for this year! I could see myself growing through the layouts I made this year -- just think of what next year will hold!!! LOL

Blessings to all... :)

Square Card

Well, I just finished my first-ever square card!!! I never thought I'd go there...but after viewing so many other blogger's various cards (most of whom are square) I actually grew to like the over all look. LOL -- It's kind of like scrapbooking...you start out with 81/2 X 12 pages...but then you try ONE 12 X 12 page...and you never go back! There's so much more you can do with the bigger card. People...I may be hooked!!!

HUGE GIVEAWAY!!!

Hi 'all!!! I just read on Pinky's blog that there's an absolutely HUGE giveaway you could win!!! Yup -- imagine a wheel barrow of items!!!! Now that's what I call HUGE PRIZE!!! So head on over to Pinky's blog...and read how you can enter...and don't forget...you must mention that PINKY SENT YOU!!! Have fun...and good luck!!! 

>>>>>>>>> Pinky's Blog  <<<<<<<<<<<<

Repetition

When I got this baby picture...I was determined to create an amazing scrap page with it. My mom had just found me a bag of the little silver letters in a thrift store...and the clothes pins were lying on my scrapping table just dying to be pasted somewhere! This page came together so fast!

 I loved the overall look so much, that when I set out to put together a scrapbook for my parents, the layout idea just would not go away! I ended up creating a feminine version -- and I love it!

Sometimes repetition can be a good thing after all -- why use a good idea only once, right???

My Cutie Pie

Here's my latest layout. I lifted the strip-journaling idea off the gallery at www.fiskateers.com. When I first saw the layout in the gallery, I immediately thought of my little princess...and how it would totally fit with a picture of her! She is and always will by my little Honey Bunch...Cutie Pie...Sugar Plum...Sweetheart...One in a Million!!!! :)

Some highlights:

Strip-Journaling Idea I lifted:

 

Candy Jar

Hi 'all!!! I've been working on updating my blog look. Now that Christmas is over...I had to change the blog theme. (Out with the old...in with the new!)  If you want to add a great background and other great fixings to your blog...just visit: http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com. They have some spectacular backgrounds!!! Give them a visit today. :) Back to my blog...let me know what you think of it. I love getting feedback!!! :)

Also, I've updated the Candy Jar. Just click on the links and go join the hunt for some amazing candy!!! You don't have a chance unless you try...so take the time...and enter today! You just might be the lucky winner!!! :)

Wishing you all a very

Merry Christmas

...rich with blessings

and lots of great memories.

May your New Year be

bright with hope, love, joy

and the peace of our Savior.

God bless you all!!!

Another Multi-page Layout

Another two page layout. I like looking at scrapbook layouts on the net...and then lifting a few of the ideas from different pages to create a masterpiece for my scrapbook! This is another example of that! LOL

I lifted this idea off a layout I found (not sure where anymore).

Here Kitty Kitty!

Here is a look at my latest scrapbook layout. I've had the "meow" paper lying around for months now...and finally had some great shots of my cat Pumpkin to scrapbook. Funny how scrapbooking makes new colours absolute favourites -- I've only used my orange-y shades of paper for two or three layouts...and I find that I love it! Orange is definitely my new purple! :)

I entered this layout into a challenge -- http://ifitsgroovy.blogspot.com/2009/12/contest-yep-another-one.html -- I guess we'll see how I do. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!! :)

Blog Candy

I'm not all too sure how many people actually come read/look at my blog...but hopefully there are a handful! Especially with all the linky's and comments I've been leaving on other people's blogs. I hope it's working!!!! Anyways, I just want to draw your attention to the sidebar >>>>>>>>>>>>> and all the blog candy! You really should check them out! They would be absolutely awesome to receive...not mention it helps get followers. ((I'm thinking of having one myself...now if only I could figure out how to find my "page hits" information!!! Can anyone help me out -- I'm at a total loss!!!))
Anyways, I have to give a special shout out to Craft's International. Go check out their birthday candy -- they are absolutely spectacular!!!  And have fun!!!! :)

Quick Collages

One of my favourite scrapbooking sites is http://www.scrapbooksetc.com . The site features a lot of "quick collages" layouts. I put together a two page layout spread for my brother's high school graduation. It's very simple, very fast...but I love the overall look! Plus, you get to put together multiple pictures...and the page still looks good and not overdone! Totally awesome! :)

I love the way you KNOW just from looking at one of the pages by itself that something is missing!

The second page is NEEDED to complete the layout. :)

Matting Styles

The way you mat your photos in a layout can make a big difference. Here are some basic scrapbook matting ideas:

Single Mat Variation 1:

Single Mat Variation 2:

Double Mat:

Triple Mat Variation 1:

Triple Mat Variation 2:

Broken Mat:

Wide Mat with Embellishments:

Single Mat with Multiple Photos:

No matting:

I don't use this very often as I like the whole matting look, but sometimes a layout doesn't need the pictures to be matted -- especially when you have multiple photos on a page.

Dry Embossing

I wanted to try adding dry embossing to one of my scrapbook pages. It's hard to see here...but it's the best shot I can get.

I know the embossing is hard to see here -- but the white squares DO feature flowers. Here's a close up:

Painted Glass

Here's another unique background. I think of a painted glass window whenever I see this page in my scrapbook. Definitely not my typical style, but I like it. It's a great way to show of multiple pictures...

Strip Background

I was looking at scrapbook layouts on the net, trying to come up with something unique for my valentine's party pictures. I finally found one that featured different strips side-by-side to make up the background. Totally different, totally unique! So I went for it.

I found that having the second page continue the alternating pattern (rather than just start with red again) gives the two page layout a "one big layout" feeling instead of just two pages side by side.

Picture Perfect!

One of my aunts put together a cross-stitch kit for a birthday present when I was a young teenager. I discovered my love for x-stitching with the first stitch! I just couldn't stop!!!

But beware: x-stitch is VERY time consuming. You think "I'll just finish this little patch"...and over an hour later you look at the clock and think, "Oh my goodness! Where did the time go!!!!! LOL It's a relaxing hobby though...and they're so cute! :)

I still have to frame this one. But I'm a little clueless as to what colours to use when matting. Can someone help me out -- I'm thinking a light colour...maybe off-white...or tan??? 

Table Runners

This year my mom decided she wanted to give her lady friends some patchwork crafts. I've been wanting a reason to sit down behind my sewing machine...and I was all too happy to help out. I found some awesome sites on the net that have great patterns for table runners. What better way to brighten a table than with a beautiful runner -- and a Christmas runner adds a lot of Christmas spirit during the holidays. Here are a few that I made so far -- I love the way they turned out! Especially since these were my FIRST runners EVER!!! :)

This one is paper pieced. It was my first runner...and I didn't exactly know what I was doing -- or even trying to do. I simply followed the instructions...and hoped and prayed it would turn out right! But I love it! Selfishly, I decided to keep it for our table -- I'll say I was being a bit sentimental (it being my first one)...and leave it at that! :)

I went with a pattern I found on the net -- no paper piecing (considering I had so many to make...I decided it would take too long to get them all done if I paper pieced them all). I love the orange/red fabric! I only had a small amount of it -- and just JUST had enough to complete the runner. Man was I glad!!!

 

Another one with the same pattern as above -- this time I alternated the red/green fabric with the center block...just to give a different look. I love the green Christmas-y fabric!

This is my favourite! I'm gonna make a few of these -- at least using this particular pattern and the green material. I KNEW I had saved it over two years ago...for just such a Christmas project...but couldn't remember where I'd put it. Man was I ever glad to FINALLY find it -- and my initial reaction to the material proved true -- IT'S PERFECT for patchworking! I love it!!! :)

So my mom figured the yellow on my "favourite" runner was too bright -- so I made one with a lighter patterned yellow. As you can see, it's not NEARLY as awesome! It's ok, but just ok. I love it when I'm right! LOL

Craft Corner

Just a shot of what my scrapping area looks like (at least this is what it looks like when it's cleaned up -- which is like 20% of the time) LOL

Non-traditional Christmas

 I found a video for a cute Christmas card how-to http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Make-a-Cute-Christmas-Card-77391643
and set out to try it. I totally loved the idea of having the card opening...and still seeing the little picture on top. So I set out to see if I could follow directions... LOL


I don't have a scallop circle punch out...so I had to cut out the scallops. It wasn't very fun -- but the card did turn out ok. :)



But I wasn't that overly pleased with the look, so I decided to make one without the cutout. This time I used a scalloping scissor to make the circle...and it turned out sooooooo much better! And I just LOVE the snowmen! :)

This card has quickly become my favourite Christmas card this year. I've always associated Christmas with the colours red and green...but this year, this card changed it for me. Blue may be non-traditional -- but the cards look awesome!!! (and yes...I did make quite a few with this layout! I just love it!)

Lacing it up!

Ribbon has a way of making a card stand out -- or so it seems to me. I saw a card at: http://www.debbimoore.co.uk that had ribbon LACED instead of simply tied off into a bow. I was like "WOW! That is so cool!!!" So I tried my hand at lifting the card.

It was definitely NOT as simple as it appeared! I must have sat for hours trying to make the laces the right length -- and because I used lined paper, I had to make sure the paper was straight! (Definitely would be a good idea to work with floral or plain paper with the first try, 'cause then mistakes would not be so noticeable -- and you would actually get a general idea of what you have to do).

I'm completely happy with the final result though -- it may have taken some time, but it was worth it! :)

Rugs in Style

My mom has been crocheting since I can remember. I tried various crocheting projects, but I never got into it...until I started making rugs. Now I'm hooked!!! There's so many different things you can do -- patterns, whatever you want! Just let your creative juices start flowing...and watch the creation appear.

Here are a few I made last winter (like I said, I'm hooked! I had to force myself to get into other things 'cause too much of this project is NOT a good thing! It can be back-breaking!)

I tried this new technique where you take two rounds at a time. This is what I got -- candy cane rug...but I love it! LOL

This one I made for some friends' housewarming gift. When they saw it, they said it was "too beautiful to use"!!! Like duh!!! That's the whole point! Nobody wants ugly stuff...

And this one -- I love blue and yellow combinations! It reminds me of a sunny day. :) I used the same pattern as above...with a few twists to make it my own. I love it! Definitely one of my all-time favourites!

Baby Quilt

This was my first-ever quilt. I made it for a friend's new baby. The hearts in the center are all paper pieced (foundation-paper-pieced). I love how it turned out! Especially since I was basically on my own trying to figure everything out. What do you think???

Showcase

Hi! Check back from time to time as I plan to use this blog to showcase my creations. Whether it's made with paper (cards, scrapbooking, etc.), cloth (sewing, patchwork quilting), or requires a needle and a thread (x-stitch or crocheting), I'm a big fan! I enjoy working with my creative side...and watching new projects take shape. The ideas keep coming...and so do the projects....and I'm only too glad to let them. Crafting is so much fun! LOL