Life's Trivialities

Core'dinations and CSI; CaseFile 127

Hi there! Back again with the latest (and greatest) CSI case file to share with you! Core'dinations is teaming up with CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration all month. This is the second file we were given to solve, case file 127.

Colors scheme, evidence, testimony AND a sketch?! All with cardstock!! Now THAT is a challenge, let me tell you.

Let's see it goes something quite like this as far as solving the case;

• Evidence: camera, lace, birds, ruggles, wood and a pair of something (pair of scrolly thingys)
• Testimony; hidden journaling; hidden on the Core'dinations tag with Twinery twine behind the picture.

Here's a closer look at the pull out tag with journaling;

I just loved the color scheme! Not one I would have put together on my own but perfect for this picture of Mia and Michael at Sea World on a special experience. Last year Nikolas and I went on this behind the scenes tour while Michael and Mia did a different one. Mia wasn't old enough for this one but she was definitely envious of the increased opporutnity for animal interaction. We were able to get last minute tickets for them both on our latest trip!

There are so many amazing textures you can create with Core'dinations cardstock! The ability to sand and emboss really add so much more variety than "regular old" cardstock!

I hope you're having a great weekend! Can't believe it's almost over... Again! Thanks for stopping in!

 

 

Core'dinations and CSI

Yesterday was reveal day over at the challenge site CSI and Core'dinations is one of the sponsors this month! Some of the Core ladies and I are priveleged to be guest designers for CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration. Case File 126 is up and it's bright, fresh and fun! If you haven't ever checked it out or played along, join the detectives and solve a case file, you will have fun, I promise.

So here is the latest case file;

And here is what I did with it;

Core! That's all Core'dinations cardstock and not a lick of patterned paper on there. I did have to use some embellishements for support but more of the texture there is cardstock! A few clicks of pastels in the background too.

Evidence: Chevrons (embossed in a heart), Polka dots (also embossed in a heart), flowers, numbers/ampersand, hearts, transparent items (banner and the flowers), textured paper

Testimony: Journaling spot with decorative edges.

The testimony is easy with Core'dinations tags with embossed edges! No brainer there!

It's a challenge alright! One of the many great things about CSI challenges is that it really makes you look at your stash and use some things you might have "forgotten" about! Join us! Play along!  I challenge you!

 

CSI Case File #59

I haven't had a chance to play along over at CSI for a L O N G time now... I love the challenges, I just haven't had the time. But I found some recently and this is what I came up with! It's not often that I scrap pictures of Michael and myself. Partly because there aren't many... But now that I have an iPhone and it has that nifty flip option, there are a few more. Likely even more to come now that I have PhotoBooth (my latest favorite photography app!).

Case File No. 59

Evidence used includes; something transparent, curls/flourishes

Testimony includes; documenting Valentine's day. Ah hem... More like documenting that we don't celebrate Valentine's Day. I told Michael ages ago that I don't expect flowers or chocolate or anything else on Febuary 14th. Just randonly through out the year!!

Some new Elle's Studio goodness mixed in with a diverse range of manufacturers. It's interesting after you've designed for a manufacturer and use exclusivity for that company how difficult it is to widen the horizons again. I love mixing and matching and creating my own kits for layouts. But I love the design team work and thrill of encouraging people to see how product can be used too! I'm lucky to have the opportunity to do both!

Happy! The alterable chipboard (from various companies) and wood veneer shapes from Studio Calico make me happy!

Sigh... Still lovin' my Cameo! Not an ounce of regret in regards to that purchase!!

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend! Stay tuned next week for some fun craftsy inspiration from Imaginisce!! Lots coming up in the next few weeks!

CSI Case File No. 49

I haven't posted one of these in a while!! I couldn't resist the brightness of the color palate in this case file (no.49) at CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration.

Evidence used includes;

• stickers
• punches
• rhinestones
• buttons
• baker's Twine
• make a semi-circle notch, like in the little boxes

This collection by Pebbles, Inc was just the thing for this color palate, don't you think? Fit the bill sublimely!

Testimony used was journaling inside something that can be opened, the envelope.

Thanks for stopping by! I'm off to see Rise of the Guardian with the kids! Nikolas couldn't possibly throw a bigger tantrum for me to get off the computer....

CSI Case File #48

I didn't get this one done on time for my Special Investigator spot at CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration but I played along anyhow! The colors of this case file (#48) are right up my alley with both of the kids swimming. It's the team colors of the summer neighborhood league they swim for. How could I not participate in this challenge?!

The file (Case File #48);

My interpretation;

It was HOT at the pool this summer... There were many an afternoon that we literally sat there, not daring to move as every little movement taxed you of what little gumption one possessed... And yet, look at that smile!!

I received another order from Elle's Studio the other day!! This was amongst the goodies I received! I also got the Christmas stamps! I can't wait to print some Christmas pictures and use them. I am not making a December Daily this year. Every year for 4 years I began one and never finished. Though we are in town this year, I just can't face another incomplete year. Perhaps I'll do it retrospectively...

One of the evidence challenges was to use Glossy Accents. There it is. I enhanced the waves that the Basic Grey paper had with the Glossy Accents. Some transparency is there in the vellum too! Other evidence used are border punch or lace cardstock (I used the border punch), plain brads and silver metallic accent (the textured paper is silver!).

I used my Caran Dache crayons to splatter color for a bit of interest to the white background. It worked well with the circles and stars. Also very "watery".

Evidence used was the Inspiration Words; eat, create and time. Made for some interesting journaling... Not what I would have said had the prompt not existed.

I can't believe it's December!! This weekend was the first of many celebratory, festive weekends this month. On Saturday, after Nikolas' first basketball game of the season, we went to see the Grinch. Unfortunately, the power went out on the block that the theater was on. After waiting for about half an hour, we were told that the show couldn't go on. Not to be dashed, we went to the Bethlehem Walk. It is this amazing, touching outdoor production that leads you through an amazing journey from the markets of Bethlehem to the stable, a visit with the shephards, kings and Jesus and experience the sights, sounds and tastes even of the times! Though cold and the waits long, it was unbelievable. You cannot put into words this experience. It truly was experiencing the true meaning of Christmas! A new tradition for our family. Nikolas told us he really enjoyed it and wanted to go back next year before we had even left!

 

CSI Case File #46

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ck share before I head out to my monthly crop with the gals! Yesterday a new case file went up at CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration, file number 46! Be sure to check it out and play along. It features the color purple!! Not many color palates include this color. Not many manufacturers use this color, my favorite. It was a tad difficult to find purples that matched and worked, I must say.

First things first, the case file;

Secondly, my layout;

Apparently the journaling got washed out in the picture taking process... Hmm... I really need to take my camera in and get it checked. The little swim at Great Wolf Lodge hasn't helped matters...

My die from Papertrey Ink has come in very handy! Packed and in the bags of goodies to take today!

That top left corner ends up looking like stugg clumped up there. It doesn't thrill me... But, it is what it is.

Will come back later and share the evidence and testimony tomorrow. Really want to head out the door now!

Happy cropping! Hope you get something done today!

Twig House

Another week of November means another new Case File up at CSI:Color, Stories, Inspiration, Case File #45. I know that I tell you every time post about CSI I love the color palate and this week is no exception. Though I usually prefer the bright and vibrant colors, this layout with a more neutral color palate is really speaking to me right now.

This is a better representation of my layout than that seen on the CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration blog. It looks horrid over there... Not sure what happened in the uploading, loading process. I think the white balance got changed and it has a warmer tone.

Evidence used includes; wood/woodgrain, book pages, buttons, silver metal, windows, vintage text and textured paper.

The base of the layout is ivory/cream part of the layout is actually something remnant from a class I took a long time ago at the LSS that no longer exists. It may even have been from bookclub... Not sure what exactly. There were patterned papers that were supposed to go underneath the circles with some of them being pictures. Maybe... I don't know, clearly. So I re-purposed it for this layout!

Testimony includes; document a favorite room (a bit of a stretch really) and add a button to your journal spot.

I hope you are inspired! I would love to see what you can piece together, you have two weeks before these challenges are due!

Wow! Special Investigator and a Winner!!

What a day!! I was invited to be a Special Investigator (like a guest designer) over at CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration this month and my first layout is up AND I was one of two winners chosen for the Bella Blvd color challenge this month!! I will receive the latest release Kiss Me and some other fabulous goodies!! I've been waiting for this release so to win it is special bonus!

The latest case file, file number 44, posted this evening. The color palate, as always, is amazing. I am a bright color kind of gal so these colors were particularly appealing to me. I began with the City Park collection from American Crafts and things fell into place from there. A package from Elle's Studio had just arrived and elements from "The Sweet Life" collection worked perfectly!

Evidence used includes; stripes, flowers, swirls, frame, something woven and doily pattern (inspired by pillows). Stripes are in the teal paper and the chevrons (they're made of stripes, right?). Flowers and swirls speak for themselves. Frames abound if you think about it. Each rectangle is framed, the picture is framed with patterned paper, Mia's drawings are framed with patterned paper and the whole layout is framed with the yellow cardstock. Very loosely, the something woven is the teal paper... I didn't weave it, but it sure has that look don't you think? Doilies are self explanatory too.

Testimony used includes; Write your journaling in a swirling shape (inspired by those swirls on the framed print) and frame your journaling. The journaling is about the little love notes that Mia leaves under our pillows to surprise us. This particular night, Michael had the picture of me and I had the picture of Dad. Not in the story is about how upset she got that Michael came to bed late that night and didn't see her drawing. It is lost somewhere... She had to make another to replace it and complete the pair!

Thanks for sharing in my little joys these evening! The Midget (Mia) and I are home alone tomorrow as the boys are heading north to Maryland for a big swim meet. We'll be living vicariously through texts from Michael updating us as to his progress! I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Party

Back in June, while in Chicago, Mia and I met up with friends of ours (from Virginia) and had a bit of a girls day out. We met at the American Girl place and saw the boys off on their merry way to the Lego store and other places while we oogled dolly's, pint size apparel (with not so pint size price tags) and had lunch in the black, white and hot pink glory of the American Girl restaurant.

The color palatte in the latest CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration case file (case file #40) was perfect for the occasion!! I had a lot of pictures that I wanted to use so opted for a two page spread. One of Allison Davis' sketches suited the papers, colors and pictures perfectly!

EVIDENCE used includes;   polka dots and stripes, ribbons, scallops, circular elements, labels, banners, a big flower, transparent elements and cupcake accent. Circles and scallops abound! I have two transparent elements thanks to Basic Grey and Maya Road. The misted flowers are from a TaDa laser cut that I used as a mask.

This layout took forever!! The better part of the day yesterday and this morning. The bulk of the layout, patterned papers and pictures came together quickly. It was the bric a brac that consumed my time... Needing some of this and being distracted by that. The whole stash was in disarray!

TESTIMONY used include * add ribbon to your journaling spot and * Inspiration Words: -- wish, special, happy

A very girlie layout for my girlie girl! Who, unfortunately is sick. Got a call from school on Thursday to come pick her up and we've been home ever since! Doctor says it's not strep, thank goodness. Lungs are clear. Tomorrow is another day, hopefully, a healthy day!

 

The Game of Life

There was a period where "The Game of Life" was a big hit with Nikolas! He bought it from Target and we played and played and played. He goes through phases with games, we all do. It was interesting from a sociological viewpoint to watch what he took away from "life". Some lessons good, some not.

Another layout inspired by a CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration case file. Case File #39. I haven't played along in a while. The colors haven't worked for me lately. Nor have the sketches. There was just too much confining the creativity when you through in colors, elements, journaling and sketch. I made this one work!

EVIDENCE used includes;  rub-ons,leaves,star,little bits and pieces,use chalk or pastels (chalk ink to make the star paper from Scenic Route stand out a bit), globe or map print (both), frame (the picture is framed with green mat)

TESTIMONY includes; put your journaling in a little booklet, journal about a lesson learned

I love that little book! I tried using the little tabby thingy (technical term!) to weight the paper enough that the cover would stay down - no such luck... I just decided to leave it. It adds some dimension to the page.

Journaling reads;

 A lot more than fun can be had from the game of life! There are lessons to be learned here. Hopefully you will learn these lessons with paper money and a short term, insignificant loss before the stakes get higher. The choices you make early in the Game of Life shape the rest of your life. My hope for you Nikolas is that you learn good morals and values that will guide you in life enabling you to make wise choices.

I had a difficult time finding papers that combined all of the colors in the color palate. I prefer to use combo patterened papers along with single colors. Frustrated, I began rummaging through my stash. I stumbled across some OLD Scenic Route paper that I'd been hoarding. It is funny too how you begin to look at paper in different ways when you have a "mission" in mind too. For example, that chevrom up top is a piece of Echo Park that had lots of other colors in it. I just cut out what I wanted!

Speaking of OLD, I spy some Sassafrass stickers in there to! Mix it with some new and you have the infamous "something old, something new and something borrowed and something blue". You can't miss the blue. And just to make the rhyme work, the star is borrowed from the outside part of a Sassafrass sticker, the innards long gone and on a layout somewhere!

Happy Card Making Day BTW!! Have you made a card today? I'm off to play Life with Nikolas!! Too-da-loo!