Saying Goodbye Is Hard To Do...

Well...I guess since we're on the brink of a new year, it's only natural that changes are going to occur. Although I am looking forward to what the future holds, I am also sad to see a few things go.

First of all, one of my favorite online scrappy places is closing at the end of the month. I have been a member of scrap-diner since September 2007. I have served as a Guest Designer and Design Team Member for the site, gained a ton of inspiration, and loved chatting there. It was my daily hangout spot in cyberspace, but sadly Sher has decided to close and concentrate on her family. I certainly understand, but I'll miss those crazy ladies and I'm sad to see it go!

Secondly, DreamGirls Challenge blog has closed...again for family reasons. I love having had the opportunity to design for this challenge blog since the beginning! Such a talented group of women...I wish them all the best of everything!

Thirdly, I am stepping down from Shimmerz Education Team. This was an incredibly difficult decision; as you may know from visiting my blog, I loved being on this team and I truly believe in the product. The DT and EdT are truly amazing designers and I will miss working beside them. Life is funny...just when you are happily traveling one path, another one appears and you have a decision to make...well, I have been presented with an amazing opportunity (one that I'll reveal here later). I felt that although I was happy on my path, I would kick myself if I didn't travel the other one.

I wish everyone at Shimmerz all the best!!

By the way, did you see their feature on Scrapbook Trends' Blog? I was so happy to see that ST picked one of my projects to showcase!

So in ending this sad post...I leave you with the last of the projects that I created as a member of Shimmerz Education Team...



I used baby's breath shimmerz spritz on the journaling spot and concrete on the mat on this New Years Card

This card was super fun to make! I received a martini glass shaped invitation in the mail this past summer. Although I couldn't make the party, I saved the invitation because I knew I wanted to use it later down the line...

I cut apart all of the pieces, traced them onto cardstock and patterned paper and then pieced them back together...Watermelon Martini anyone?

I sprayed the glass with baby's breath spritz and then swiped under the sea blingz across it.

I painted the "drink" part with hottie pink blingz and used the same colors on the journaling spot. I loved the way this turned out!

Here's to new beginnings...

Stay tuned...

A Challenge and Some Great News

The new DreamGirls challenge is up, hop on by and play along with us! Check out this week's challenge:

Prompt: "First Impressions" - Using the first line of a book - eg: Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice "IT is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife
Product: Paper with words on it
Technique: Paint washing - watered down paint to create a subtle paint effect.

Don't you love it when you come across a scrapper whose work really inspires you? This was inspired by Stacy's use of ribbon, lace, and thread on her projects.

Here's my take...

I have some really fabulous news to share!!! Shimmerz Paints has a new education team and I've been asked to join! I am so freaking over the top happy! I can't wait to start vloggin different tips and techniques!

"We will be teaching classes locally and online, doing make-n-takes, creating videos for you and so much more! We are kicking off the fall color release with a Bang! So be sure to join us on Monday, September 21st for a fun Video Blog Hop that will start right here!"

DreamGirls Challenge #34 Using Shimmerz

DreamGirls challenge #34 is up! I have to say, I think this is one of my all time favorite challenges! I've created a few monochromatic layouts, but never and ALL WHITE one!

Here's the challenge:

Prompt: Create a monochromatic challenge using all white or cream

Technique: Stitching

Product: Lace

YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT THE OTHER DIVAS CAME UP WITH!


Not only was this my first all white layout, but only one of a few where I didn't use any patterned paper (GASP!) I've found that the secret to creating with all white is texture, texture, texture!!!

I started out by spraying an entire piece of texture American Crafts cardstock with Shimmerz Baby's Breath spritz and allowing to dry completely. I then took a 10x12 piece of glittery lace cardstock from Little Yellow Bicycle and adhered it to the cardstock with spray adhesive. I covered the seam with a piece of savvynsassy lace and then topped the lace with strips of tiny pearls. Next, I added pearls and clear rhinestones to the centers of the lace cardstock snowflakes to further add dimension to the layout.

I then added the title using a Heidi Swapp gems word and foam alphabet thickers from American Crafts. Since the rest of the layout is BLINGED OUT, I added stardust stickles to the thickers and then hand stitched a tiny halo above the "a" in "angel".

The final pièce de résistance is the adorable photo of my baby boy, Xander. I printed the photo on a transparency--no special technique behind this, I just ran out of photo paper (LOL). To continue with the snowflake theme, I cut the picture into a snowflake, adhered it to a piece of white cardstock, then trimmed it so there was a 1/8" border left. I mounted the photo using foam pop dots and then outlined with stardust stickles. Lastly, I added large rhinestones to the photo.

This layout is covered with so much bling, it'll make your eyes water--the photo doesn't do it justice.

Here, you can get a better idea of how much texture I created

Close up of the photo-- I sprayed the back of the transparency with spray adhesive and it created a "grainy" look to the photo...love that!

Here's a sneak peek of a layout that I'm teaching next month. I took a little hiatus and am now getting back in the classroom!

Date: Sept 20, 2009

Time: 12:30pm-2:30pm

Place: Scrapper's Cove Milltown, NJ

Title: Life's A Journey 2 page layout featuring Bo Bunny's new Flutter Butter line

For more information on the class go to scrapperscove.com

thanks for taking a peek!!

My Little Shoebox New Release. DreamGirls, and Shimmerz

It's that time again!!! CHA Summer is less than 2 weeks away and scrapbook companies all over are getting ready to release their new products. I am so excited, I can barely contain myself! As you may know My Little Shoebox is releasing 6 new lines!!! You can check them out in this post.

Here are my projects using the Whoo Loves You line. This paper has the cutest little owls and birdies all over it. I especially love the big prints that make great cut-out embellishments for cards...layouts...any project, really.

I created this LO for the latest DreamGirls challenge. These papers were so perfect for this adorable photo of my Xan discovering grass at the park.

OK, so I'm really starting to get into card making...a little bit! LOL! When I created this, I thought it would be great to give to someone who just purchased a new home or for someone just returning home from college or deployment.

This is an 11" scalloped circle, there's a different one for each of the 6 new lines!

Another card for new homeowners...

A layout about me and my baby boy. I softened the colors of the photo so it matched better with the papers. I used a lot of shimmerz spritz on this one. I love that I can just pick up a bottle and very easily give my layouts that extra oomph!

journaling: There's something to be said about becoming a mother for the second time around. For me, it was a more relaxing experience. I worried less about my competency as a mom and I didn't feel rushed to want to see him get to the next stage. Instead, I just took it all in and savored each moment. Time still flew by too fast, though!

I spritzed baby's breath shimmerz spritz on white cardstock to add a blast of shine. I really love how the photo pops against it, making me love it all the more!

And since I was spritzing with baby's breath anyway, I decided to add a little shine to the grosgrain bow. The felt flower was originally cream...not for long! I just spritzed it with Bed Of Roses spritz and not only does it match the papers perfectly, it's shimmery, too!

Want to see what the rest of the MLS design team created with the new releases? Just head over to My Little Shoebox blog and take a peek!

Shimmerz's Birthday Blog Hop

If you are participating in Shimmerz's blog hop and have arrived here from Stacy's blog, then you are well on your way. If you haven't and would like to participate in the blog hop for a chance to win approx. $80 in Shimmerz's product then you will want to go back and start at the Shimmerz blog then make your way to each Design Team member's blog, leaving comments and collecting all of the code words along the way.

We hope you have enjoyed celebrating with us!!!

In honor of this birthday celebration, I created a layout of my nephew blowing out the candles on his birthday cake. Don't you just love those animated cheeks?

I used Sea Foam Shimmerz Spritz on Heidi Swapp invisibles paper (see photo mat) and painted the polka dots on the ribbon with Shimmerz Blingz in Pixie Dust.

I created my own bling cardstock by spritzing Baby's Breath shimmering spritz on my cardstock. The foam thickers were painted with Pixie Dust Blingz.

close up of the paper folding technique


Now for the moment that you've been waiting for...your final code word is TEAM

Remember, to qualify for the grand prize, you have to visit all of the blogs starting at Shimmerz, leave comments on each blog along the hop, and then send the completed phrase to shimmerzpaints@live.com

As an added bonus, I am giving away a $15 gift certificate to Scrapbook.com!! Anyone who comments in this post between now and midnight (EDT) Friday, June 19th will be eligible for the random drawing. Good luck and most of all....have fun and be inspired by all of the eye candy you will be treated to along the way!!!

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DreamGirls Challenge is up! To see what the Divas came up with, hop on over to the blog!!

Thanks for hopping by!

Dream Girls Challenge & Shimmerz Spritz

The newest challenge is up at DreamGirls. "For this challenge we wanted to change things up a bit, and we also wanted to support our Card Designer Eva Dobilas. So we asked Kazan from 2Sketches4you to create an exclusive card sketch for our Divas to use."

Check out what the other Divas have done with the sketch!

Here's my take:

supplies: pp- MME; cs- Bazzill; transparency- Hambly; sentiment- Melissa Frances; pins- Maya Road; flowers- HS, Bazzill; shimmering spritz- Shimmerz; border punch-Martha Stewart, thread, ribbon

In the close-up, you can really see the blingy effect from the shimmering spritz. I sprayed the flowers with Concrete Shimmerz Spritz and the ribbon with Baby's Breath Shimmerz Spritz.

Thanks for taking a peek!

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I just wanted to give a shout-out to Christie and say thanks for inviting me to come on your show to talk about the Disney weekend, introduce myself and expose your listners to my scrapbooking blog!

Shimmerz Sneak/Giveaway and DreamGirls

**IF YOU FOUND YOUR WAY HERE BY WAY OF BO BUNNY'S BLOG HOP...WELCOME! SCROLL DOWN TO THE PREVIOUS POST FOR THE INFO AND GOOD LUCK IN THE DRAWING**

Dream Girls new challenge is up! As always, I had a ball with this challenge!

Prompt: the quote "Live, Love, Laugh" - use these words somewhere on your creation.

Products: We want to see a piece of fabric (at least 3x3 in size) AND the colors RED, TURQUOISE, BLACK & WHITE

Technique: Cut up some patterned paper and use that cutout to embellish your project

Here's what I created:


journaling: love like you're not afraid to get hurt
laugh everyday, even if at yourself
live life to the fullest

Here's a close-up of the layout! I used the soon to be released product, Shimmerz Spritz Shimmering Spritz. This product has some MAJOR shine to it as you can see here unlike anything else out there on the market!

Want a chance to win some? Well head on over to the blog for all of the info you need! Hurry though because you only have until 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on Tuesday, May 19th to get your entry in!
"We're getting ready for the re-introduction of an unbelievably fun product line: Shimmerz Spritz! Shimmering Spritz was the original shimmering sprayable coloring medium. Now 10 years later, Shimmerz Spritz is back and better than ever!You'll be wowed by the sheer amount of sparkle packed into each bottle. It's a great value, too. The price is surprisingly low.The product line will be re-released at midnight on May 20th. At that time, we'll announce all the details like the beautiful brand new colors. Of course, we'll also have plenty of samples from the Design Team to show you. (And, if you absolutely can't wait... check back here before then. We might have some sneak peeks for you!)"

Challenge #27

It's time for another DreamGirls challenge!

Prompt: create a layout about a mother/child relationship this could be you and your mom, or you and your children or just a relationship that you admire.
Product: Kraft Paper Background
Technique: folded / rouched ribbon

This week's challenge is sponsored by Graphic 45! The lucky winner will be able to choose a line of Graphic 45's gorgeous papers as their prize.
You gotta be in it to win it!

I always look forward to seeing what the rest of the Divas create and this week was no different! Take a look for yourself!

Here's my take using this gorgeous line b Making Memories--Bird Brocade Flower Pot:

This is a picture of my mom holding Xander when he was 2 days old. The journaling reads: journaling: Mom, truth be told, there are a lot of days in my life where I feel like a single parent. There are days when I feel like the weight of my entire family lies solely on me. Sometimes I am at my wits end and don’t know if I am coming or going. It’s on days like these where I think of you. You’ve raised twice as many kids with half the amount of resources all by yourself. When I think of your strength, I feel empowered…like I can do this. Thanks Marlena!

My mom's name is actually Marlene, but I call her Marlena (or mom) and have for as long as I can remember.

I outlined the butterflies in black ink; one was mounted with pop dots and I adhered the centers of the rest to the background.

I printed my journaling on self adhesive transparency then cut it into strips so I could place the journaling anywhere on the LO. I scrunched the rickrack by sewing it with a basting stitch and then gathering it up.

My newest border punch- swiss cheese. I couldn't wait to use it! I outline most of the elements of this LO in black to help the colors stand out against the background.

TFL!

DreamGirls Challenge Blog Has Moved

We are now at dreamgirlschallengeblog.blogspot.com

For this challenge I hd to use a movie quote for my title, use chipboard and visible journaling.


TFL!

Paper Trunk & Dream Girls

Dream Girls new challenge is up and it's our first anniversary! Time sure flies when you're having fun, which is what our challenge is all about!!

Prompt: Time After Time- Cyndi Lauper Create a project using part of the lyrics as your title or journaling
You can find the lyrics hereTime after time
Product: Must have a clock visible on your LO
Technique: Sewing or faux stitching

You just HAVE to see what the Divas came up with! It never ceases to amaze me how creative these ladies are!

Here's my take on the challenge:


Journaling: I feel like I just gave birth to you, but here you are at 11 months. You're funny and full of spunk. You just started crawling- you cruise around the house getting into everything! You love to play.

supplies: Paper: Jenni Bowlin Studios, October Afternoon, Teresa Collins, Transparency: Best Creations; Chipboard: Maya Road, BasicGrey, Alphabet Stickers: Making Memories, Acrylic Clocks: Heidi Swapp, Photo Turns: 7 gypsies, Brads: Junkitz, Pen: Sharpie, Ink: Clearsnap, Other: thread, staples.

Guess what else...this month Dream Girls will be featured in Scrap Street in the Blog Bay section! We are so very excited!

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Here's the link to Paper Trunk's blog with the guest designer post and my LO is also on the front page of their website!

Have a great day and thanks for checking in!!

It's That Time Again

The latest challenge from Dreamgirls is up and this time, it's an ad challenge! Here's the ad...we had to use a safety pin on the LO and something from outside of the scrap aisle. Click here to see what the rest of the Divas came up with!

Here's my take on the ad. I used the colors (brown, black, and trace of red), the distressed look, and the layering as inspiration.

I took this photo of Donovan last Summer and had no idea how to scrap it. I like the outcome, plus I finally had the opportunity to test out some Graphic 45 papers!! They work well with the Jenni Bowlin papers here!

Now for the deets! I took apart the lollipop flower and replaced one of the circles with a piece of red patterned paper. I then cut a piece of gauze (my non scrappy item) into a circle, spritzed it with glimmer mist and added it to the back of the flower. I coupled the safety pin with a piece of savvynsassy lace to finish off the center.

I added Kaiser pearls (can't get enough of these) to buttons and used them as centers for the smaller paper flowers.

I spritzed the JB die cut paper with sandy beach glimmer mist and outlined with a red pen, then added simple journaling and an acetate "D".

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There's still plenty of time to sign up for Croptopia workshops in Parsippany, NJ March 27-29th. Just click here for all of the info!

New DreamGirls Challenge

DreamGirls challenge #22 went up this morning and boy did we have a ball with this one! The challenge was to use 80% American Crafts products, at least one flourish and at least one heart on our LOs. Check out what the rest of the DreamGirls came with!

I created yet another LO about my babies, because I just love them so much and I adore these photos I took of them on Christmas (and just before). I changed the photos to b/w so the colors didn't clash with the papers (which I've been dying to use).

Who says you can't use pink on boy LOs? Certainly not me! I love crossing the "color barrier" and it was easy to do here because the page is about love, so the pink translated well.

journaling: Donovan & Xander, you two are the greatest gifts that God has blessed me with. I never knew I was capable of loving anyone as much as I love you!

close up of the flower: I cut some of the petals with my craft knife and curled them up to add dimension to the flower and then added some bling to dress up the centers. I cut the bird from a piece of AC patterned paper- originally, it was pink and facing the opposite direction, I just flipped it over to the orange side, covered it with stickles and added a gem to form the eye.

I also added Kaiser's pearls and pink rhinestones to some of the polka dots on the patterned paper covering the chipboard heart. I love adding as much detail as I can to all of the elements on my LOs. I think the stitching and the floss tied in a bow gives this a nice "homey" feel.

Thanks for taking a peek and I hope you play along and join in on the challenge. This weeks prize is going to be awesome (especially if you love American Crafts as much as we do)!

New Dream Girls Challenge

DreamGirls challenge #21 is up and this one was one of my faves!

Here's the challenge: "We challenge you to create a layout on a clear background, yes clear you can use acrylic, hambly, or transparency but we must be able to see through your layout. Our twists are simple use the word You, You're, Your etc. as part of your title, and we want to see journaling on your photo. Your journaling can be just names, a sentence or a quote." Click here to see the fabulous creations that the rest of the Divas came up with!

Here's my take: I used My Little Bicycle's Love Letters line- is this a great color combination or what? I used Hambly's heavy acrylic for the background and trimmed the edge to mimic the scalloped paper. I drew a frame on the photos and wrote "we love you", but it's a little hard to see in this photo. Can I just tell you how hard acrylics are to photograph? Ugh!


just a few details

I sprayed the red pom pom trim with silver glimmer mist to dim some of the brightness of it.

I hand cut the flowers and curled some for added dimension

thanks for stopping by!