Fun in the Sun

I been wanting to scrap some pictures from a trip a small group of us went on in the summer of 2006, but I thought I'd lost them all when our computer crashed about a year ago...and with it went many of my photos. Then a few days ago, I was sorting through some photos on my friend's computer, when I came across the trip pictures!!! Apparently I had given them to her as well...and totally forgot about it!!! But man was I impressed!!! :) I printed about 50+ of them right away...and now I'm having a blast scrapping some layouts!!! :)

Here's the first one I made.

We had a two day online crop at Fiskateers.com and one of the challenges was to lift a layout from the gallery. This layout was my lift. I had such a blast -- but then my excitement over finding the photos at all just makes it all the more fun!!! LOL :) TFL.

A New Look

A few scrapper friends and I went to see a lady who's been a distributor for Creative Memories scrapping products. Honestly, I wasn't too impressed with the line -- my #1 reason being that the papers are a strange size -- 10 x 12 instead of the common 12 x 12 (which is the size I scrap). So if I really liked a certain paper, I had to take at least two sheets, just so I could create a 12 x 12 paper!!! But I ended up bying quite a lot of papers, simply because right now I haven't been able to get to the city...and I have so many photos waiting to be scrapped!!!!

While we were there, we asked to look at a scrapbook she had made -- just for ideas. I love looking at other people's books -- it's amazing how many different styles are out there! And while I may not love the style, there are always little things you can learn or take from the different styles. :) So anyways, this lady did a lot with border designs. It was the first time I had ever seen these -- and I liked it! She had a few paper sets (apparently the border designs are pre-cut)...and I bought one.

This is the first layout I've put together using the papers. This is a pretty simple one -- and yes, she did have more than plain papers, but for this layout I wanted it pretty basic. I absolutely love the border design on the outsides -- it makes the page leap out! I may have seen these pages so often...but everytime I page though my album...I stop and take a second look!!! LOL I guess that says something...

The letters are also from the Creative Memories line. They're great to work with -- not too sticky...and if you place it wrong, you can take it off and set it right...without tearing up your layout! That's the best thing I've seen from this line -- if I ever have another chance, I'd buy more letters...they rock!!! :)

I still want to add some journaling -- in the center of the second page. :) TFL

** I found a challenge to enter into -- Create a layout with NO PATTERNED PAPERS. Perfect for this layout!  >>Noel Mignon's Challenge Blog<<

Fancy Edges

Dry embossing just adds a little extra flair to a card -- somehow I find myself reaching for the Fiskars ShapeBoss before any stamps. That's probably a shocker to many of you out there -- especially since stamping and colouring is such a big part of card making. But I like the other means and ideas too. And dry embossing -- there's so much you can do with it!! :)

This card is pretty basic (kind of my style), but I love the tulip embossing in the background! It's the first time I've attempted to use these shapes, and I'm loving the look!!!

I've noticed a lot of cards out there have layers of punched borders --- and I've always loved it! I just never got around to actually trying it. So I guess this card is me trying a few new ideas -- and I'm so happy with how it turned out! :) TFL


Crafty Sentiments -- Embossing (Wet/Dry)
Creative Cottage -- Touchy Feely (Embossing)

Whimsical Stamps Blog Hop

If you have time today -- join in an absolutely amazing blog hop. Whimsical Stamps is putting out some new stamps -- and they DT are showcasing their works. Check it out -- it's fun...inspirational...and there are lots of prizes up for grabs as a bonus! :)

A Softer Side

I was going through the challenge blogs I follow when I came across the CRAFT Challenge -- Babies/Children. I've been meaning to make some more baby cards for the past week now, but things have been either too hectic...or I just didn't find any mojo!

Today I decided enough is enough! I absolutely need a few baby cards made -- and I wasn't giving up until I came up with something!!!

The last set of baby cards I made featured a baby wagon I put together myself. I absolutely love that little wagon! So I made a couple cards basically the same as last time.

My sister found an absolutely awesome stampin' up babies theme rubber stamp set at a garage sale a few months ago...and I've been meaning to use it forever! I made a few cards with the set -- and I absolutely LOVE THEM!!! I love working with inks and embossing powders -- somehow they make the cards seem more perfessional...or maybe I'm just paranoid!!! LOL

Anyways, here are a few cards I created with the set. (I think the colour combo alone makes me love these cards...and add the sentiment...and they are just awesome!!!!!!!) :) TFL

I've rediscovered my love for extra-wide ribbons! :)

A Splash of Red

If there's one colour I don't scrap or use a whole lot it's red. Somehow the truly bold colours aren't my thing -- and they tend to be left behind in my stash. I've had this checkered ribbon lying around for a long time now...not to mention a whole pack of red raindrops -- just waiting for the chance to be used and seen. But instead I reached for the other colours.

Then I ran out of plain pink(s) cardstock...

I had already dry embossed the flowers on the left-side...and I'd pasted on the pinkish background paper, so I was kind of stuck! Just for kicks I reached for the red checkered ribbon -- and realized it looked great! Add some red paper highlights, some red embossing powder...and finally open the red dew drops and wah-lah!!! A red card I didn't know I had in me to create!!! LOL

I guess sometimes bold and flashy isn't such a bad thing -- and I can even say in all honesty -- I like it! :) TFL

Challenges:
Creative Inspirations Challenge - # 38 Use oldest thing in stash
   >> I've had the checkered ribbon &  red cardstock around for a really long time! Definitely was time to use it!
Ann's Creative Nook -- #96 Anything Goes
KLSNS -- #39 Use Ribbon
Pollycraft -- #52 Bold & Bright

Let's Get Going with a Little Fun!

Wow-eee!!! I received another blog award!!! :) Thanks Corry!!

This is a fun one -- I'm to tell one lie & six truths...and you can do the guessing as to which is which. So here goes...

1. I milk a cow every morning.
2. I direct a choir.
3. My favourite colour is purple.
4. I have one brother & two sisters who are all younger than me.
5. Chinese food is my favourite.
6. I have very curly hair...but straighten it.
7. I play the piano.

LOL This was actually a little more time consuming than I originally thought it would be! Leave me a comment if you can guess the one FALSE statement! :)

Butterfly Bliss

I've been loving adding my butterflies to my cards -- now all I need to find are some awesome butterfly stamps or punches....to save time when I want them added to my projects.  But for now, I'm happy with the ones I print and then cut out by hand -- they work...and they look good as well. :)

Here's a recent card I made for a friend of mine who wanted some birthday cards. I love this card sketch -- it's simple and easy (and fast) to create...and yet looks wonderful!! :)

I've found a challenge to enter:
Challenge #99 -- Butterfly Bliss

Sew-Sew

 I absolutely LOVE the Material Girl line from Cosmo Girl. :) This layout is a lift I did of a layout I saw online...not sure where I found it exactly. I had had the picture lying around for months now...but sometime it's hard to find layout I like with only one photo. I borrowed some Fiskar crafting items from a friend...and fell in love with the corner punch -- this particular one punches and embosses at the same time!!! The rest of the layout came together fairly quickly. :) I also decided to try some faux stitching along the edges of the papers -- and I love it! It just gives the page a little something extra!! :) TFL

Celebrate With Some Cake

I was looking through my cards for a birthday card for my sister. I quickly realized just how low my birthday card stash had become -- it's definitely time to start making some cards again. I've been doing a lot of scrap booking lately -- and my stash is lacking cards!!! Last minute creations aren't always fun! Especially during the summer months when it's especially busy around here!

I was looking through my following list...and came across quite a few birthday challenges to enter my card into. TFL :)

Fairy Fun Fridays -- Anything Goes
365 Cards -- At Least 3 Shades of Blue
Stamp With Fun -- Birthday (STAMP!)
Quirky Crafts -- Ribbon
Everybody Art Challenge -- Birthday
Crafts & Me -- Birthdays
 Shelly's Images -- Anything Goes with a Celebration!
 Paper Play -- Card for a Child or Teenager

Sweetie Pie

I've had these photos on my camera for the last few weeks. Last time my bff's baby girl came to visit, I let her raid one of our cupboards -- apparently tea is her thing!!! She had a blast -- and I got some cute pictures! :)

I won these papers on a blog somewhere -- not sure exactly where...as I won a lot that month! LOL :) But I do know the paper is My Mind's Ey. I love absolutely everything about this line!!!! Love the fact that the edge of the paper wasn't straight -- that'll give my scrapbook another bit of diversity! :) TFL

Challenge: The Crazy Challenge: Make It In An Hour

Blooming Beauties

I was going through the pictures I have to scrap on the computer when I came across the file containing pictures I'd taken of the greenhouse in full bloom. Definitely scrap-worthy!!! :) By the time I had selected all the flowers I wanted to showcase I had a two page display!!! But that's ok! They're all too gorgeous not to be seen...and what better way to show off the blooms than in a scrapbook!!! :) My mom and I had a blast with these flowers -- although she did like 90% of the work -- I did help!!! Transplanting, watering, etc. It's a busy time of the year, but I love it! Just hanging out in the greenhouse during those cold winter days makes spring seem so much closer!! And who can resist these gorgeous blooms!!!

I was gonna add some embellishments, but by the time I had all the photos lined up, there wasn't much room for anything else! But the flowers are so bright and cheerful -- the pages really don't need anything!

I absolutely love the big top photo! :)

The only little bit of "extra" I added to the page...lifted the title to make it 2D.

Happy Canada Day everyone!!!