Monday, August 29, 2011

PPC-CC #70 - Wish You Were Here (Card)

Is it really Monday again??  Gosh... is all I can say. 
Today's Color Combo challenge over at Picture Perfect Creations is a FUN and Happy one!!  Sure to lift any Monday duldrums out there!!   So come on over and give this one a try!!  Creations are due next Monday, September 5th @ 10:00am EST.  Go HERE to link up and check out what the wonderful DT has to share with you!!!

Here is my card...


Another card for my Hubby.  The kids and I hightailed it out of here for 3 days to my Parent's summer place this weekend while my hard working Husband worked!!  The kites remind me of our Ocean trip last week.  Just wanted him to know that we are thinking of him.

Here is the color combo...


Hope to see you try this!! 
Have a great week!!

Supplies:
Stamps:  A-Muse Studio - Vintage A Muse and Life's a Breeze.
Cardstock:  Stampin' Up Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Melon Mambo DSP and Concord Crush DSP
Embellies:  White baker's twine (SU), Designer Brights Buttons (SU) Stitched Poly Ribbon (SU)
Ink:  Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Concord Crush



Sunday, August 28, 2011

Lasting Memories Challenge 53 - Who or What Inspires you???

Happy Sunday all!  It's time for another challenge at Lasting Memories Layout Challenges.  This is also the last challenge for the month of August if you are trying to qualify for the DESIGN TEAM.  Lots of entries so far and lots of different and unique styles out there.  So give it a TRY.  Karen is looking for 6 to 8 new DT members!  That is how I got on.  It's fun!  I've gotten more scrap layouts done than I probably would have otherwise.  Just join each challenge for the month of August and have all 4 entries linked up by Friday, September 2nd at NOON EST.  Good Luck!  You can see all the details HERE.

For this weeks LMCH 53, we are asking you to create a layout that shows WHO or WHAT inspires you most?

For me... my family and friends ALWAYS inspire me.  But as far as scrapbooking... I tend to be inspired by the "Together Memories" for my scrap layouts.  I have a ZILLION Christmas and Birthday pictures to scrap, because I tend to want to document those times that may only happen once and that not necessarily everyone in the world experiences.  It's our own memory.  So here on my layout... are photos of a five day snow storm that turned into an ice storm 3 years ago.  It's not every day that the kids miss 3 days of school in a row... the snow kept coming down and that a 7 foot snowman was built....AND that My Hubby just happened to have one of those days off of work.  He can drive in anything!  Even if it takes him 4 hours.  But this day.. .he got to stay home.  So as you can see... the left page is us playing at night... and the right page is continuing our snow fun during the day.  
We are curretnly enjoying 85 plus temps here... so SNOW is hard to imagine.  But I hope I cooled some of you off!  :-)

Karen also provided a SKETCH to help you get started.  But not required to use.

Come on over to Lasting Memories and show us who or what inspires you. Have a great day!!

Supplies:  Stampin' Up Simply Scrappin' Kit and Embellies from JOLEE's.  I have so many of these from before the Cricut was invented.  Not sure where my letter stickers are from... they were ones I had left over.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

PPC Specialty Ch. 9 - SUMMER TIME FUN

Hi all fellow bloggy friends!!  First I need to apologize for my PPC Challenge post being a few days late.  We did another quick family trip to Ocean Shores and just got home late Tuesday.  We had such a great time.  Fog, Wind, Rain and then SUNNY and 78 degrees.  Talk about all kinds of weather.  We are really hanging onto summer.  School starts sooner than I am ready for. 

The theme for this weeks challenge is "SUMMER TIME FUN."    Let's see a project with flipflops, sunglasses, ice cream, beaches, SUN... anything to do with summer!!  Go Here to link up your summer time creation!!!  You have until Monday 8/29 10:00am EST to join us!!

First... here is a photo of all of us at the Ocean.  Our most recent Summer Time Fun!!




I am sharing a scrap layout that I actually did a while ago of our family of just 3 at the time hanging at my parent's vacation place.  It was the first time that I ever did "Shaker" embellies.  The beach chair and the fruity drink in the corners are behind plastic with fun little crystals that move.  I stamped flipflops all along the top to tie the 2 pages together.. .and then simply the bright colors scream summer.  This is a picture heavy layout.  I think I was looking for every bit of paper to stick a photo.

Hope to see you join the PPC Specialty Ch. #9 with us!!  Go check out what the creative Design Team did!  Always a joy to check out!!
Happy Week!!

Supplies:  All Stampin' Up... all of these items are retired.
 If you are curious to exactly what items I used... leave me a note and I will let ya know.  :-)

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Lasting Memories Ch. 52 - What's your secret???

Hi everyone!!  This week over at Lasting Memories Layout Challenges we want to know what your SECRET scrappin' trick is??  Do you hide photos under photos?  Do you journal in a hidden area?  Do you save momentos on the back of your layouts?  We want to know!!  And... don't forget... there is a DESIGN TEAM Call going on this whole month.  You have to complete all 4 challenges during the month of August to qualify. (All 4 Due Sept. 2nd)  You can see all the details HERE.  This is challenge number 3 for the DT call.  Challenge 52, if you are just simply participating in our weekly challenge with a chance of being "Featured" or to win the "Top 3".  We love having you!!

Here is my layout to share... and scroll to the bottom of my pics to see my SECRET.  :-)


Left Page...


Right Page...


Journaling SECRET...


We just celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary on July 26th.  We were with 25 Family members... so did not get a romantic evening for just US.  So... my Hubby surprised me with an overnight stay at Salish Lodge at Snoqualmie Falls just this past Thursday!!!  We had a wonderful dinner, was greeted with a bottle of champagne in our room, hit the local Casino until the wee hours of the morning (did not win big :-( )... and then wrapped it all up with Starbucks coffee and retrieved our kiddos by 11:00am.
It was a fun night!!!

My Hubby saved the ROOM KEY holder which works PERFECT for a hiding pocket for my journaling for this layout.  I also have a grocery store receipt, our dinner receipt and our actual key holder tucked behind. That is my SECRET.  Amazing things can be used with a little imagination.
I hope you find time to join us at LMCH52 this week!!
Have a great week!

Supplies: 
Stampin' Up Simply Scrappin' Kit "Love Sparkles" & Creamy Caramel for base of layout.
EK Success Letter Stickers for Title "Anniversary."
Embellies:  Jumbo Regal Rose Brads, White grosgrain 1/4" ribbon, random rose colored button,

Monday, August 15, 2011

PPC-CC #69 - Enjoy the Simple Things in Life (Card)

Another start to another week!!
I think I am going to get a kink in my neck watching these days fly by!!!
Which brings me to share with you another color combo challenge at Picture Perfect Creations #69!!  I think all of us need to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life.  Speaking for myself, as school nears, I am realizing that the kids will be absent from the house a few more hours of the day. While a part of me is looking forward to getting more done around here... a part of me is very sad.  Their little daily quarrels and wants and undivided attention needs are going to be missed.  I have many people in my life that DO enjoy the simple things on a daily basis and are always thinking of others before themselves.  This card is going to one of those very important individuals!!  Sometimes you gotta take the time to THANK those people and let them know how important they are.  I would tell you... but they might read this post.  :-)

Here is my card that I created...


And here is the color combo to use...Crumb Cake, Bravo Burgandy, Blushing Bride & Old Olive.



Won't you please come join us??  If anything... take a minute to check out what the FABULOUS DT members designed!  Go Here to see.
Happy Monday everyone.  Take a breather today!!  Enjoy!!

Supplies:  All Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.
Cardstock:  Crumb Cake, Bravo Burgandy, Blushing Bride, Old Olive DSP, Whisper White,
Stamps:  Wings of friendship, Touch of Kindness
Ink:  Old Olive, Blushing Bride, Bravo Burgandy
Embellies:  Basic Pearls, 1/4" white grosgrain ribbon, Large and Small Oval punch, 1" circle punch, Brad from brights collection, white gel pen, swirlies embossing folder, Creative Memories circle cutter, dimensionals (for bird, 2 flowers), 



Sunday, August 14, 2011

Lasting Memories Ch. 51 "Try something New" and DT Call!!!!

Good morning Sunday to you!!  I feel like the days are just flying by.  I felt like it should have been about Tuesday yesterday.  I guess... we just need to make the most of it and it is what it is.  Summer is still here until that first alarm clock for school sounds!!  :-) (We still have about 3 weeks)
So... it is time for another layout challenge over at Lasting Memories Layout Challenges.  AND there is a DESIGN TEAM CALL!!
All of the details about the DT call are on the LM BLOG.  But to summarize... the DT call lasts the entire month of August... and you need to enter ALL challenges for the month.  This would be challenge number 2!!  Each weekly challenge remains open for you to link to until September 3rd!!  There will be/are 4 total.

Whether you are interested in the DT call or not... each weekly challenge is still happening... and we are looking for wonderful scrappers to award our fun badges to!!  So for this weeks challenge... the theme is to TRY SOMETHING NEW.  Meaning... try a new technique on your layout.  Link your layout by Saturday 8-20-11 6:00pm EST and tell us about what you thought of the new technique in your blogpost or in our comment section. We can all enjoy a mini tutorial.
Here is my layout that I created.

The new technique that I tried was STITCHING.  I know this is not new to most... but it is to ME!!  After I completed the stitched circles... I ended up loving the result.  I am not a seamstress.  And to just stitch a button on a shirt is a time consuming thing for me.  Sort of ironic... because my Mom did sew for us.  I even had a play sewing machine.  But I never mastered the art of making clothes.  So to summarize, I stitched 4 circles using a "Back Stitch" with red/white Baker's Twine. 
I simply just grabbed a mouse pad, needle, scotch tape, pencil and a few different sized circle shapes.
I traced my circles on the layout with a pencil.  Using a needle with the mouse pad behind the paper, I pierced holes evenly around.  I threaded my baker's twine through the first hole, starting up through the back of the paper so I could TAPE the end of the string to the back of the paper.  A knot would come through the hole too easily and provide more bulkiness.  I completed my "Back Stitch" all the way around... and VOILA.  4 fun stitched circles. 


One other QUICK technique that I did that I normally don't do... I cut out that Bon Jovi photo with the Title and all from a brown paper shopping bag that I actually purchased from the concert.  So... I RECYCLED an item smack dab in the middle of my layout.  Easy Peasy.

This is a layout of my Husband and I attending the BON JOVI concert last year.  He bought tickets for me for a Christmas present.  I really wasn't expecting it at all.  I had told him one day before hand that I would travel to New Jersey sometime in my lifetime to see them in person.  I was so HAPPY.  He even got tickets down on the floor row 12.  It was SPECTACULAR.  Mr. Jon Bon himself ages so well.  He is a sight for sore eyes!!  :-)  Left with a hoarse voice and ringing ears!! 

Thanks so much for visiting.  I hope you enjoyed my ramblings, tutorial and you will take a chance at the challenge.  Go check out what the other wonderful DT members created this week HERE.  Lots of good things to see!!

Have a great day!!

Supplies:  Mostly Stampin' Up.. unless otherwise noted.
Cardstock:  More Mustard, Ballet Blue, Riding Hood Red, Basic Black
Embellies: Red/White Baker's twine, recycled shopping bag front, Bling from EK Success, Random guitar stickers that I backed with cardstock.
Ink:  Basic Black Marker

Monday, August 8, 2011

PPC #68 - "Thank You" Card... for Mary. ;-)

Happy beginning of the week everyone!!  Today is another color combo challenge over at Picture Perfect Creations... crafty challenges.  The colors to use are More Mustard, Bashful Blue and Peach Parfait.  I gathered these hues together to make this card.


In my photo... I feel like Peach Parfait and More Mustard look exactly alike.  They ended up blending together.  Peach Parfait is my background strip under the ribbon and the flowers are stamped in that color ink as well.  Either way.. I am happy with how my card turned out. 



This is a card I made for a Customer of my Hubby's.  Her name is Mary, she is in her Elder years and she brings my hubby special cookies from a fine confectioner's bakery about 3 times a week and she crochets dishcloths (for me)... that I seriously have about 70 of them now.  If you follow my blog... I typed up a similar post about 4 months ago about this wonderful person named Mary.  So.. no... you are not experiencing Deja Vu.  I know this little Thank You card will probably earn me about 40 to 50 more dishcloths in the coming months.  :-)
I love them!!  I just have a TON of them! 
So look out Family and Friends... you just might receive one of these as a gift topper.  Name your color...I bet I have it!!
On a completely serious note... what would we do in this world without people like Mary??
It's people like this that make you stop and cherish life a bit more.  She is sweet as can be, and I know my Hubby looks forward to her visits. 

I hope you all get to know a "Mary" in your lifetime!! 
Come on over to PPC and check out what the other fabulous DT members created.  What I love about us all... is we all come up with such a different take on the colors.  It's fun and very inspiring!!
Hope to see you try this week.
Thanks for visiting!! 

Supplies:
All Stampin' Up Products

Cardstock:  Crumbcake, Bashful Blue, More Mustard, Peach Parfait, Whisper White
Stamps:  Printed Petals, Touch of Kindness
Embellies:  Brads - Earth Elements, DSP Buttons - Playground, 1/4" grosgrain bashful blue ribbon, white baker's twine
Ink:  Peach Parfait, Black

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Lasting Memories Ch. # 50 - A Sketch with a Twist!!

Good morning!  It's time for another challenge over at Lasting Memories.  And it's a GOOD one!!  This week we have a SKETCH with a Twist!  Use the sketch below and the "Twist" is to use BUTTONS (also) on your layout!! 


I will have my layout up a little later today.  My vacation and TIME in general have gotten the best of me.  I need another vacation.  :-)  So please check back later today to see my layout!  But in the mean time... check out what the other Design Team members have done.  Fabulous ideas as always!!

Also... if you have made this far in reading my post (Good Job)... Lasting Memories Layout Challenges is having a DT call.  Yay!!!  Karen, the owner of Lasting Memories, is looking for 6 to 8 new DT members.  She wants all kinds of talent.  Beginner to Advanced.  Simple styles to Heavily embellished.  Pretty much covering the rainbow of scrappers out there.  So don't be SHY.  Try out for the DT.  You will have to enter all challenges for the Month of August to qualify.  The challenges will remain open all month as well with a new one each Sunday. 
Hope to see you over there. I get to remain on the DT for another term... and I love it!  Fun Gals and No stress.  We are all here to have fun and get those photos on paper!!! :-)

Check out Lasting Memories to read more detailed info. about the DT call... and go get those layouts done!!  Happy Sunday... and see you a little later with my layout!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Where have I been?? And I found out I am a Top 3 Contender at Getting Scrappy! :-)

Hi everyone!!  Yes... you have seen some posts from me over the last few weeks... thanks to that wonderful "Schedule" option in Blogger... but I really have been on a wonderful vacation with my wonderful family.  (I'm likin' that word today)
Here is where we have been... Priest Lake (at dusk)

With all of these wonderful people...


and here was our 2nd stop... (Crescent Bar on the Columbia River)

With my Mom and Dad!  :-)


It's good to be home... lots of unpacking... kids a little cranky...but thank Gosh Summer is not over yet.

In the meantime... I also learned that one of my Layouts was chosen as a Top 3 Contender over at the Getting Scrappy Challenges for July.  Yay!!  They just started challenges for August.  Go take a stab at it!  Their first one is "Christmas in July."  You can see my chosen layout by clicking on the "Getting Scrappy" badge on my right sidebar. 



Good to be home... and I'll be back to my communicating with all of you again and checking out your creations!! 
Happy Wednesday!!

Monday, August 1, 2011

PPC Ch. #67 - "Love" is in the Air...

Happy Monday to you all once again!!  It's time for PPC Ch. 67!!  I thought of this color combo as a little "Monochromatic"... but ended up loving it once I finished.  I made this card for my Husband as a "Teaser" card for our 10th anniversary.  I have ANOTHER card that (sigh) that I actually bought at the store... but I am surprising him with a gift with that card.  So I ended up making another card to make him think he was JUST getting a card.  :-)  So sneaky... and hopefully... when all is said and done.. he loves both cards and he loves his gift.  We really don't do gifts for anniversaries... so I am going out on a limb with a little surprise.  :-)
Here is my teaser card I made for him...


Here is the color combo for this week.  I love it!!  Just stumped me at the beginning. 


Let's see what you got this week.  Come on over to PPC and join us.  The DT has some great stuff to check out!!

Thanks for stopping by!!