Life's Trivialities

Let's Party / Echo Park Paper / Digital Cut File

Hey there scrappy peeps! Have I got a party for you today! Echo Park Paper recently released THE primo birthday collection! There are lots of greater tone on tone B sides, patterned papers that aren't too busy and overpower the photos and story! Fun, bright colors! I mean, what more could you want for a birthday collection!

Three photos and lots of goodies, all on one, bright page! That's birthday happiness right there!

There is even journaling on the page that I was able to sneak onto the body of the letter "R", see it ther? The pops of black stamping scattered through out the layout give some "grounding" to the layout and a solid place for your eye to rest. They provide that weight that balances out the darkness in the photos.

Constructing the layout is easier said than done as you get not only the body of the letters to cut out of your main piece of paper, the background, but I have also color coded the "bits" of the letters. You just drop them on your cutting mat, load the paper into the machine and hit cut. Then all you have to do is adhere them to the body to complete the letter! Easy, eh? I've done the hard work for you!

You can watch the whole process of backing the cut file, piecing the "bits" of the letters and stamping here;

If you are interested in the cut file I used to create this layout, you may download that for free (and personal use only) HERE. You will be taken to DropBox. If you create something with it, I'd love for you to share what you created. You can leave a photo on my scrappy FaceBook page, Suzanna Scraps.

Thanks for stopping in today!

Chillin on the James / Sketch / Simple Stories

Sorry for the delay in getting the blog post up even though the video went up a couple of hours ago. Juggling dinner, YouTube and figuring the week ahead out can be a daunting task at times. No one ever told me that as the kids get older it gets more complicated. I mean, yes, it's easier, in some regards. But the scheduling and coordinating gets more complex.

Today I shared my first double page process video and the sketch that I created of that layout. Strangely, the layout came first and the sketch came as a result of the sketch. And, in actuality, it's a scraplift of myself. Problem being, I don't have the original layout to share with you. I created the original layout about nine years ago for Nikolas' Kindergarten teacher as part of a year end gift. I scrapped the whole year and had each kid send me a picture and answer a few questions so that I could do a page on each student. It was quite the undertaking!

I create a fair number of double page layouts, I have never filmed the creative process before. There are a number of things I have yet to figure out, like the voice over. This video is 20 minutes long. I'm not one to talk so the thought alone was daunting, never mind the execution of it. There are a fair number of pauses and "um's", for which I apologize. I can only hope it improves as the learning curve diminishes. Hang in there with me!

The "summer" sun cut file is a free download over on Facebook. Paige Evans has her own group page that if you join, you gain access to free downloads of her amazing digital cut files! That sun fills the "white" space in the photo perfectly, don't you think?

I used some Shimmerz paints on the large, central space reserved for the title. I was pleased with the way that the ombre effect worked and looks like the river water. Which also happens to compliment the patterned paper from Simple Stories' "Hello Summer" collection perfectly as well!

And, if you are of the process video ilk, this is for you;

If you like double page process videos, please leave me a comment and tell me if this is an acceptable length? How long is too long for a double page process video? I tried to eliminate the unnecessary bits and speed up other bits. It's a balancing act I tell you!

Thanks for stopping in today!

New Smile Goals / The ScrapRoom

Phew... It's been a while. You know if you are looking for my scrappy creations, the best place to look is over on my YouTube channel, right? And if you aren't a YouTube watcher (don't worry, I get that. Generally speaking, nor am I), then I need to you to let me know so I can be better about updating the blog. From what I see on the back end, not many people come here so I don't want to spend unnecessary time here. But if enough of you tell me you like reading the blog or scrolling through the blog, I'm happy to accommodate.

And so! I am honored to be a Guest designer this month over at The ScrapRoom! The ScrapRoom is "come as you please" kit club, ie non commitment, that allows you to skip kits at any time. The "main" kit is called the Flavors of the Month kit and comes with four different page kits; there are 3 patterned papers and a sampling of embellishments. It is a great way to get a flavor of a collection! I have loved guesting for this kit company!

Today I'm sharing with you a layout that I created using the February Crate Paper, Good Vibes collection Flavor of the Month as well as some embellishments that are in the Embellishment Add On kit and a digital cut file that I created to help stretch the kit a little more!

This picture is of my daughter on the day that she began her orthodontic journey, with an expander. This idea to create this layout came from the selection of phrases that were included in my kit; goals. I had seen the "smile" sticker from the add on kit and decided that paired with "new" I had the perfect title; New Smile Goals. Perhaps not the most succinct title or best English but hey! It worked for story telling purposes!

In order to tell the story and have the photo not compete with the colors in the collection, I converted the photo to black and white. After all, who really needs "in living color" of the inside of Mia's mouth?! LOL! Not many of us, I'm sure of that. The days of the week stickers worked perfectly as part of the story telling in order to convey that we had to crank the expander every day of the week that she had it. Not once but twice actually.

You can find the FREE Download HERE for the digital cut file that I used for the vellum flowers. They are a fun way to extend the use of the kit, especially if you don't get the embellishment add on or want to fussy cut too many of the flowers from the patterned paper.

If interested, my process video;

 

Thanks for stopping in today! If you are looking for a new adventure, a new kit club or perhaps another kit club, this is a great option. You can swing by the website HERE for more details, pricing and options. If you mention my name in the comments Rochelle might add a little extra something for you!

Toast House / Elf Antics Travelers Notebook

Yup, yup... I did well for a while and then things dropped off. But, I'm back again! AND, I have a free download for you for your December Daily and/or Christmas Travelers Notebook. It would be great just for winter memory keeping too. Read on to find it!

I have a confession to make; I never used a Travelers Notebook before. NEVER! Not a once. But I have remedied that with this particular little album. Spurred on by and Instagram hop for SpiegelMom Scraps, I decided that another Elf Antics mini album was in order and that a TN would be perfect place for that under taking. Each double page spread will be the story of the day, or, more appropriately, the antic of the evening. I am HOPING this is the last year that Henry will be visiting us and what better way to remember?

I used Shimmerz goodies from the SpiegelMom Scraps store to created a mixed media background that spreads across both pages. Many of the goodies are from Pretty Little Studios but the lovely thing about a TN is that there really isn't much. Lots of washi from my stash. AND, my free download; those black and green trees. I was inspired by some wrapping paper that I bought. Knowing that this is the center of the album, I wanted to comment a bit about Henry's time with us this holiday season. This 3x8 insert is a perfect way to add additional journal. There is so much you could do with this! I think it will look fantastic in a December Daily album! You could cut out the black outlined tree and make an acetate window, or just a window of the picture behind it!

Download available here.

Those houses from PLS are just the perfect house accompaniment to the toast house, don't you think? Naughty, naughty elf... 6 pieces of toast! And a lot of patience! The first thing Mia does every morning is look for Henry! And we hear all about his latest antic. I can't figure out what's going on in that brain of hers. Am I being foiled and she knows what's going on or does she truly still hold the magic? I should enjoy it and her joy in this while I can, I try to remind myself of that at 10pm at night when I'm crawling into bed and suddenly remember a task must be finished!

 

I hope you enjoy my TN process video as much as you do my memory keeping or scrapbooking process videos! I hope to have more of this mini album to share with you in days to come! Thanks for stopping in and I hope you are enjoying a joyous December to date! Take care!

 

Back To School / YouTube Collaborative Series / Download

I know, I know... I have failed miserably and putting my projects here as well... The intent is there, the time is sorely lacking. BUT I have had requests for downloads for a cut file from this layout I am sharing today so I will fulfill that promise.

My scrappy friend Christine Meyer invited me to participate in her Back To School collaborative series concluding tomorrow and the above layout is what I created. I have a million back to school pictures that I have yet to do something with... Sound familiar? If so, be sure to hop over to her YT channel HERE and find inspiration not only from Christine but some other creatives!

My kids aren't back to school yet so these are pictures from the just completed school year; my daughter on her way to 5th grade. Her final year of elementary school. I did write in on that Pebbles Inc clipboard; I wrote the grade, school and teacher. Short and sweet. That's all it needed!

I used the Amy Tan collection Hustle and Heart for this layout (with the exception of that aforementioned Pebbles sticker). I love that the collection is so diverse yet I was able to find lots of bits perfectly suited to the Back to School theme. The "Back to School" title on my layout is a combination of a font I stretched in Silhouette Design Studio and a purchased cut file. I have to apologize as I don't know who the "school" file deserves credit for.

I did machine stitch on the very edge of that upper piece. It just added a touch of dimension to the layout that is otherwise rather clean. I did rip paper! Something I have noticed I'm doing increasingly.

Digital Download | Paperclip Background

I created this paper clip background in Design Studio for Silhouette and have converted to both a PNG and SVG file for you to download for FREE! Click on the above image title for the link. This digital file is available in SVG, PNG and Studio formats and you may download this digital cut file for FREE for your own personal use.

I hope you enjoy the video and I would love for you to subscribe to my YouTube Channel and of course feel free to leave any comments you have about the video. I'd love to hear your feedback!

Thanks for stopping in today! If you use my cut file and have a means of linking me up, I'd love to see what you do with it!

Take care scrappy peeps! And, as always, thanks for popping in!

 

Ride On / Cocoa Daisy / Digital Cut File Included

Hey there! And you thought you were going to see more of my December Daily! LOL! Sorry to disappoint. Since receiving my December Cocoa Daisy kit and seeing this paper from Pink Paislee, I have been obsessed with creating a cut file that would reveal and highlight both sides of the paper.

Having the weekend to play, I was finally able to realize that vision and create a layout around the paper and cut file! Not the way I usually create but fun nonetheless! And with the support goodies from the rest of the Cocoa Daisy kits, it was easy to put together as everything is so well coordinated.

My plan was to be able to show each of the squares of patterned paper on the reverse side of the paper by being able to fold out the half of a heart. That way your would see both sides of the paper. The above cut file is what ensued. There are 5 rows of hearts; each row has two hearts cut out, one of which is removed and overlaps the two. The whole paper was then backed with a Cocoa Daisy exclusive from Mommyish.

You can see the effect created from the cut files better in the above picture. A few of the hearts I anchored down with a cross stitch "x". Bits and pieces of the coordinating embellishments played support to the picture and added pops of additional color. You can download this file for your personal use, it is only available in Studio format.

Free Digital Cut File Download / Folded Hearts / Suzanna Lee

The rows of hearts gave me the option of using either a larger photo on the right hand side or several, smaller photos. I went with several smaller photos that told a story and showed my daughters love for this horse, Lucky. A trimmed down 3x4 pocket card from the Day In The Life kit provided the perfect housing for my journaling.

If you use my cut file, I would love to see what you created with it. Be sure to attach a link in the comments of tag me in Facebook or Instagram! Happy crafting!

 

 

Thanksgiving Planning / Simple Stories Carpe Diem

Do you get overwhelmed when it comes to planning Thanksgiving week? I do... There are so many moving parts, even though there are only 4 of us, then throw in 3 days no school, altered swim training schedules, abnormal grocery shopping list, menu planning, etc and, well! Need I say more?! My Carpe Diem planner and goodies have been lifesaving in helping with the organizational side of things.

While I keep a monthly calendar, I like the week by week pages for more specific details. Especially when things are out of the norm, like next week. The BIG event of the week is, of course, Thanksgiving. To highlight that day, I used some Faber Castell Gelatos directly on the page and swiped my water brush over them to blend the colors. A splash of mist added a nice golden touch!

The picture above is of my work in progress. The planning of the planner, per se.

A close up of our week. You will see NOVA swimming sessions with stars, Thanksgiving prep work in aqua pen and other misc events in our week.

The front side of the shopping list page is this, our Thanksgiving menu. You can't really create the shopping list until you know what's on the menu! I trimmed down one of the "notes" pages from the A5 Basic Inserts pack and adhered it to the 5x8 cardstock which has my shopping list on the back. Some letter stickers and stamps to indicate it's purpose, nothing fancy. The "meat" of the matter are the meal dishes.

The shopping list is something I created using a 5x8 index card sized file in Word. Feel free to download that for your own use. You can link to it Download SHOPPING LIST_SuzannaLee. Trim some cardstock down to 5x8 size and you're good to go!

I hope these small suggestions improve the ease and efficiency with which you approach your Thanksgiving! If you use my shopping list, I would like to see it! Link me up in the comments!

Back to School / Pocket Scrapping

Today is marks the beginning of the 2014-2015 school for my kidlets! And to celebrate, I have a current, yes, shock, I know!, layout to share with you of my youngest on "Meet the Teacher" day. This is a Project Life style layout as I have decided that I will create a pocket page for each year.

Inspired by Kerri Bradford and a recent post she had on her blog about using numbers, I created the Grade 3 cut file myself. There is a similar file for Nikolas for Grade 6. I actually intended to attach Grades K through 6 today for download but I have to figure out a better way of getting the files labeled and condensed.

There is a the primary color paletes here as well as banners and Core'dinations! I really just used up scraps for this layout and random bits and pieces that I had laying around.

I did create two other digital files for this spread as well; the "handwriting" 4x3 card in which Mia wrote her name as well as the "all about me" card that you see most of on the right hand side of the picture above. Like the grade, I used these on Nikolas' page as well. I just haven't had a chance to edit the pics and insert them into his page.

The school bus pictures were a stroke of luck; we were walking into school and happened to be entering via the bus loop where this school bus sat to introduce Kindergartner's to the big yellow bus. I had Mia pose quickly beside it while little one's were touring the inside of the bus.

Download the 4x6 green topper "All About Me" file HERE

Download the 4x6 blue topper "All About Me" file HERE

Insert the 4x3 Handwriting card HERE

You will surely see more "back to school" pics of my two in future layouts. There are still pictures to be taken! Like those of the "actual" first day, the first day of school cake (which is cooling in the kitchen, awaiting icing), and first day of school homework.

Thanks for peeking in today! I hope you enjoy the PL cards I created! If you use them, please give credit where credit is due and be sure to share your projects! You could link up in the comments or on my FaceBook page! Be sure to come back soon for my free downloadable cut files!

December Project Life / Christmas Confetti Pocket Tutorial / Pebbles Inc

During this crazy, busy time of year, it's easy to get hung up in the hub-a-bub of activities and forget the little details of the Christmas season and transition into a new year. I always get overwhelmed by the number of pictures I have from the Christmas season and they just end up sitting there because I don't know what to do with them. Nor do I want yet another Christmas layout. Solution: PL style layouts! You can incorportate a ton of pictures.

Add some of the magic of Christmas to your pocket memory keeping with a magical Christmas confetti pocket! Here's how you can create one of your own:

*  Gather your ingredients for magical Christmas dust: gold glitter, American Crafts red and green Spark!, Stampendous Shaved Ice, confetti (round and tree shaped) and star punches from the American Crafts border punch. Add a pinch of love and swirl with your finger!

*  Sprinkle your magic concoction into a pocket of your pocket pages and sew along the top edge ensuring that no magic dust is left behind.

* Create a punched border using the American Crafts Knock Out star border punch with rounded corners and use your Xyron high tack tape to camouflage some of the imperfection in your stitching!

 

* Using stickers from the Pebbles Thirty-One collection, add the year ON TOP of the page pocket. It's okay to have embellishments and elements NOT in the pocket!

 

Not all things must be Christmas when you're creating Christmas themed pages. The red banners are from the Pebbles birthday/celebration collection Hip, Hip Hooray. Make it more festive by folding notched ribbon on top and adhering that down with some Xyron 5mm dots.

This photo overlay comes from the From Me to You collection by Pebbles - it's just PERFECT for a splash of Christmas red! A complimentary green page tab adhered with Xyron 1/4" double sided tape is the perfect way to secure the overlay with minimal visibility.

Another element that I adhered using Xyron dots on the outside of the page protector. Doing so preserved the dimension of the Christmas star which would have been flattened in the pocket.

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas if there weren't presents and gift giving! I have a present for you this holiday season! I posted earlier on my blog a link to a free cut file download of this Deck the Halls tag that is perfect for your 3x4 pocket. It is available in both a vertical and horizontal orientation!

May peace, prosperity, and happiness be yours throughout the holidays and new year!

Supplies

From Me to You Photo Overlay

From Me to You Black Rub Ons

From Me to You Chips Chipboard Pieces

From Me to You Cardstock Stickers
Welcome Christmas double sided cardstock
Basics Washi Tape Black
Basics double sided cardstock Leaf Chevron
Front Porch double sided cardstock Home
Front Porch Phrase Cards
Hip, Hip Hooray Banners
Party Super Hero Glassine Bag
American Crafts Ribbon
American Crafts Spark Tinsel Rouge
American Crafts Spark Tinsel Grass
American Crafts Pow Glitter Paper Silver
American Crafts Pow Glitter Paper Large Dots/Evergreen
Knock Outs Border Punch Mini Stars

Holiday Inspired Project Life with Pebbles / Deck the Halls Cut File Download

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! I can't speak for you but things are all glitter and glam in the Lee-Bishop household! There's a lot of twinkle and magic under our roof!

 

In keeping with that holiday magic, I have a little Christmas magic confetti pocket tutorial up on the Pebbles Inc blog today. Be sure to visit the blog and learn the magic ingredients for your December Daily or Project Life Christmas pages.

I also have a gift for you as Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a little pressie or two! You can download (for free - my gift to you) both horizontal and vertical tags HERE. Merry Christmas! I'd love to see how you use it - link me up! It would be perfect in your December Daily!

May peace, prosperity, and happiness be yours throughout the holidays and new year!