I began this adventure documenting via picture and words the daily going ons of Suzanna, Michael, Nikolas and Mia so we could share our lives with family and friends afar. However, as time has passed and my obsession with all things scrappy has changed my world, so too has the purpose of this blog. Our journey continues and as my scrapbooking takes flight I have been sharing our stories via my layouts. A BIG part of my life.
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!
Hey there! Welcome to the Top Ten of 2017 Blog Hop!! You should have arrived here by way of my friend Monique's blog, if not, be sure to begin over at Christine's blog and hop your way back here. There is a plethora of beautiful papercrafting projects to ooh and ahh over on your way back here and I know many of the ladies are hosting giveaways too!
Choosing is never very easy... It's kind of like having to choose a favorite child - you would never do that! And, I often compile my list and remember I've forgotten about this layout and that layout. Each layout is a special in it's own right. What you the observer don't realize is that, often times, not only is there a story being told on the page, but there is a story to the making of the layout as well. That's where the process videos come in; the story behind the story! Kind of a fun way of thinking of them, really.
Anyway, so, I chose ten layouts that I loved for their designs. Coincidently, all ten of my layouts are 12x12 layouts. I have created a good number of letter sized and pocket layouts this year but none of them really rocked my world. Well, that's not true. I do have a number of letter sized layouts that I loved, they just couldn't stand to the proportions of the 12x12's, if I'm honest. Like the series of our house through the seasons (okay, only spring and summer are finished... I have the photos for fall and winter!), I love those layouts but they didn't make the list. Anyway, yes, the layouts. So, in no particular order, here goes;
Every month the SpiegelMom Scraps social media sites has a theme. One month, Jody set mixed media as the theme. I was far from thrilled with this at the time. And yet this, the Waterlilies layout and the sequins layout below were the result of her pushing my boundaries. I have certainly incorporated a lot more mixed media into my work since. I even did a mixed media series with Christine! Crazy, I know!
This sequins mosaic was created using a Paige Evans cut file that is available at the Silhouette Design store. It was incredibly time consuming, I was seeing teal sequins by the end and my fingers HURT! But it was well worth the effort and time involved.
This one is a bit of a mix between SpiegelMom Scraps and Cocoa Daisy; it was created using my November Cocoa Daisy kits using a SpiegelMom Scraps sketch and sequins! The best of both world. I am a lover of bright colors. Bright colors work for me. And white. Given the choice between white and ecru, I'm always going to go with a crisp, clean white. It's why companies like Pebbles, Bella Blvd, Elle's Studio, etc work so well for me. You will sense a theme to many of many of these top ten layouts; white, bright colors and structure; clean lines.
In addition to really putting a lot of emphasis on process videos and growing my YouTube channel, sketches featured highly in my life. Both creating them and using them. I used a Cocoa Daisy kit with one of my own sketches to create the above layout. Back when Cocoa Daisy kits were a mix of exclusive and other manufacturer goodies. The ice cream stacks are also a creation of my own; I have created a few digital cut files for Cocoa Daisy and others are available here, on my blog for free download.
Large photo layouts are probably my favorite of all. I had fun creating a scene from the large birch trees and using modeling paste to create snow amongst the trees and falling onto the photo. It was fun to incorporate a letter sized photo into the 12x12 patterned paper.
Another Cocoa Daisy favorite, this one was created with the March kits. The border of this layout was created using scraps left over from other projects. The letters are fussy cut from a Shimelle patterned paper. Another element of papercrafting that features highly in my work; fussy cutting. Inevitably, there is either a digital cut file and/or something that has been fussy cut. It's such a great way of getting more out of your stash.
I made the cut file that is the foundation of this layout. I had been browsing Pinterest and seen a quilt that looked just like this. I thought it would make a really cool design for a layout. So, I created a cut file. And sewed lots and LOTS of lines on my page. And did some more fussy cutting!
Number eight! Lucky number eight! There are so few opportunities to be published these days. I chose this one because I thought the technique was pretty cool and because it was published. The digital cut file is backed with torn washi to create the leaf veins. You get a better sense of what I mean when you watch the process video. Fall is my favorite season and Simple Stories always puts out the best Fall collections. Or Autumn.
Sigh.... This is just about my all time favorite. I converted the pictures to a sepia in order to have them work with the brown of the striped paper and the outline of the flowers. I then combined some OLD goodies from my stash with the 1Canoe2 fussy cut flowers to bring fresh life to my stash. The sparkle of the gold thread and letters really adds a pop to an already sharp layout, don't you think?
Last but not least, this beauty created for the June 1st Stuck Sketches reveal. I don't often use square photos so this was different for me. The die cut cork shapes really made this layout stand out. And the mixed media "water" helped add some blue back into the layout. Just a happy, happy layout.
So that, my friends, is my what I feel to be some of my best of 2017. I have a prize that I am giving away over on my YouTube channel so be sure to head over to my YouTube channel and watch the video to find out how you can enter to win a $10 giftcard to Scrapbook.com You can access my YouTube channel via the sidebar to the right or just search for Suzanna Lee. Or click HERE. Or http://www.youtube.com/c/SuzannaLee
THANK YOU!! Thank you to all of you who visited me this year and left comments. Thank you to those of you who have just found me and I look forward to seeing you again! May each and every one of you have a safe and happy new year! See you again in 2018! From here, it's on to Marcia Dehn-Nix 's blog and all the goodness she has to share with you! Happy hopping my friend!
Hi friends! I hope my American friends had a lovely time with family and friends for Thanksgiving! We certainly has a lot to be thankful for! I enjoyed a delicious meal with my sister and her family and my parents. It was a blessing to have my Mum and Dad here as usually they are home in Indy with my brother and his family.
Today I'm sharing with you a layout inspired by a quilt pattern that I saw while browsing Pinterest recently. I actually think I was pinning my layouts as I don't really use Pinterest much these days. Either way, I loved the pattern and thought it would make a stunning layout! So, I set to work in Silhouette Studio and created myself a digital cut file.
I have grand ideas of how I can use the negative of this same file! There are so many possibilities! The stitching is a tad wonky as I didn't draw the lines ahead of time. It doesn't bother me, surprisingly. I might have to do a part 2 to this video and show you how I use the same cut file multiple ways.
The Heart of Home collection from Pebbles Inc was just perfect for this layout! The flowers fussy cut and poking out from a trio of diamonds are like flowers growing in the cracks of a garden wall to me! They are just lovely! And really, other than the fussy cut flowers and paper layers behind the photo, there isn't much more to this layout. The patterned papers are decoration themselves used this way in the windows of the cut file.
The Thickers are from yet another Pebbles collection. I wanted something darker than the accompanying Thickers. The photo is very soft and needed something bolder that would pop the picture. These foam words from the Girl Squad collection and do just the trick!
The dimension on this page just makes me happy! I was tickled pink with the way this one turned out! I hope you are too!
The initial process of this layout is missing as it was too dark to record but I do talk you through what I did to get the ball rolling. Be sure to come back and see how I use this file again. I know at least once more, possibly as third time! Take care scrappy friends!
Today over on the Cocoa Daisy blog and InstaGram we are introducing the latest Memory Keeping team, getting to know a little bit about everybody and hosting an IG hop where there is a chance at one random winner winning $50 worth of memory keeping goodies. Be sure to join us there for more fun!
I used mostly the pocket kit to create this grid layout. Fortunately for me, this layout wasn't as challenging as it could have been given the very Christmasy, wintery theme of the kits. I was born in the month of December and red is one of my favorite colors. It made it very easy for me to choose these pocket cards. I also love symmetry and straight lines so the grid layout was automatic for me.
I think I have used almost all of the labels that came between the two memory keeping kits! The reds and blacks are here on this pocket card and create a great spot for a list. I have left this blank for now but will go in later and add things about myself. The other colors are on a layout I shared for the first SpiegelMom Scraps sketch challenge layout that I created.
A little bit of fussy cutting and hand stitching, both things I frequently do on layouts! All little Suzanna signature's! LOL!
There really wasn't much involved in putting this layout together. The coordinated Cocoa Daisy kits really made it come together effortlessly! Thanks for stopping in today and I hope to see you over on InstaGram. If you aren't sure where to find me, check out the right sidebar and it links you to my IG account and you can work your way to CD then loop back to the beginning!
Anybody else miss Basic Grey? I was a HUGE Basic Grey fan. I think I have just about every collection they released while I was scrapping. I would buy the collection pack and supplement with a lot of extras of the patterned papers. Persimmon was/is just about my favorite collection EVER; it has the perfect colors of my favorite season, it has Asian looking influence in the flowers... There is so much to love about this collection. So you know it's a special layout when I pull out my favorite collection of all time.
Yet another sketch inspired layout! The themes this month over at SpiegelMom Scraps is sketches and circles so it's only fitting that I have yet another sketch layout and that layout also happens to be laden with circles. Sequins are circles too so they compliment perfectly!
I used that journal card with the oval in place of one of the circles on the sketch and added an extra circle for balance on the page. I also used two 4x3 photos instead of the single square picture. These pictures are of Mia at Cotillion. It's tough being taller than the boys and really does take grace to gracefully accept the situation and make the most of it.
I used three different color sequins', each from a different sequins mix to get the colors that compliment this Basic Grey collection; I used the orange from Puppy Dog Tails, the aqua/blue form Road Trips & Sunshine and the wood grain is the Mahogany. The sequins really pop against the stark white background! I am still blown away that wood grain sequins are an option! If you haven't seen them, be sure to check out the store - https://spiegelmom-scraps.myshopify.com Use code SUZANNA15 for 15% while you are there!
It's difficult to tell but I machine stitched gold crosses through the center of each circle other than the orange one. The orange circle was an after thought for balance and I really ought to drag my lazy behind up the stairs to finish off the layout...
Do you watch the process videos I create? What do you think? If you have an opinion, I'd love to hear them! Change the music? Don't talk so fast? Have something you would like to see? I'd love constructive feedback.
Back in the Spring, I used a Cocoa Daisy kit to create a layout using the front of our house. I mentioned during the video that I thought it would be a neat idea to try and do the same for each season. Today, I'm sharing the summer edition of that "series"! I had just received the Elle's Studio "Family Fun" collection that I had ordered and was thrilled to find that there was a "Home Sweet Home" die cut that allowed me to carry over that tradition. Now I need for a manufacturer to create a fall and winter collection with the same sentiment for the next two layouts! Think you can make that happen for me?
I tried to copy as many elements as from the Spring layout as I could without forcing things. I was really lucky to find the top tag and sentiment that worked in a similar manner. The header and footers were easy enough to reproduce in a similar fashion as the original. A house subbed for the planter and I was able to easy create a tag for the summer layout.
It's easier to see the similarities and differences with each layout side by side. The toughest part of this wasn't the layout construction but rather, the picture. Matching roof colors and keeping the white balance was a challenge, one or the other had to be altered. You get the idea, more or less. I was able to preserve the proportions of the picture. That branch that comes down in the spring picture has been trimmed from the tree.
I changed the color scheme up to better enhance the colors of summer and reflect the difference in the seasons. I started with the blues and grey then added in the green. I liked the way the green tied in the lush greens of the picture.
The blue banner behind the top tag really popped the blue "sweet" in the title. I had to add a second strip below the black phrase in order to give more weight to the header and have this huge floating element on the page.
A little bit of white cardstock behind the phrase puffy sticker allowed me to use it without it getting lost on the page as that crisp, white edge gave a little pop and delineated the edges.
I hope you enjoy the process video! At the end of this video, I link you to the Spring edition in case you missed out on that! Thanks for popping in today! Stay tuned for the fall and winter editions!
I have a fun technique to share with you today using a large digital cut file (or hand cut shape) and washi!
I used washi to fill in the backing of the leaves! I put strips of washi side by side on an angle on white cardstock then traced the shape of each side of each leaf and fussy cut the half. Each half was then glued to the back of the digital cut file and wham! A colorful fall leaf! Or apple, or Christmas tree or black bat for Halloween? How cool would that be?
This close up gives you a close look at the torn washi ends that add a fun organic feel to the layout. Even the distressed Core'dinations cardstock with the "veins" in it really add to the look, don't you think? And the wonderful Twinery twine!
Also adding to the organic, Fall feeling are mist splatters and some SpiegelMom Scraps sequins!! Love me my SMS sequins mixes! Jody makes the best mixes! Speaking of which, be sure to check out her November releases! There are a million new AWESOME mixes!! Can I just tell you; wood grain sequins!
I am not adverse to handwriting on a layout but I really wanted more of a camouflaged look for my journaling and something that stood out against all those leaves on that Simple Stories patterned paper. So many fun little embellies to add to the story I'm telling!
I think it's easier to see how the washi technique came together on my process video! Enjoy! Thanks for stopping in today! I hope you had a chance to subscribe to my YouTube, if not, join me! It's been a fun ride with lots of fun things to come in 2018! AND when I get to 1,500 subscribers, I am going to a a giveaway!!
I have been really enjoying the arrival of Fall here in our neck of the woods and it has made for SO many wonderful memories! I have worked hard to preserve the story of those memories this season and thus, have another Fall themed layout to share with you.
I used yet another Paige Taylor Evans cut file (shocking, I know! LOL!) and used it as a mask to create a more organic background for the layout. Additionally, I flipped over the mask and fussy cut out a few of the leaves to use to embellish the layout thus tying in the background to the embellishment clusters. The fine spray of mist was supplemented with larger droplets to add additional color and more visual interest.
There is a mix of Fall embellishments from Cocoa Daisy, Simple Stories, Carta Bella, anything fall to build up the three clusters. The blue foam of the gold Thicker letters from 1Canoe2 worked perfectly with the bluey-green fleece Mia is wearing as well as the more teal hues in the sequins and patterned papers I chose to use.
Two of the leaves which I cut apart from the digital cut file were backed with vellum and stitched down the center vein to add an opaque look to the leaves. You can see in that close up the lovely simmer of the Puppy Dog Tails sequins mix from SpiegelMom Scraps. These sequins tie the bottom of the layout to the top as the colors are repeated top and bottom.
To add to the organic feel of the layout, the edges of each square have been "quilted" and distressed a little bit. You can see one of the two quilted shaker pockets I created using SpiegelMom Scraps sequins mixes. They add a fun element to the page and mimic the movement of falling leaves.
Sometimes it is easier to watch the process come together than it is read it, especially for those of you who are more visual! Enjoy the video!
Today I have my bi-monthly Stuck?! Sketches layout to share with you! I has been such fun playing and designing with Laura's sketches! I hope you get a chance to play along this month as summer slowly winds down and it begins to feel more and more like fall (or autumn)!
There is a lot going on in that sketch this month! I love all the strips and the way that the ampersand is tucked into the title!
I have a small pencil holder type cup from Ikea that I store all of my branding strips in. I riffled through that and pull all the colors that coordinated with the multi-colored "V" strip from Fancy Pants; purpley blue, pink, peach and aqua. I also happened to have a washi collection from Recollections that coordinated. I then set about laying down strips of various lengths, heights and ends to create some visual interest and variety.
A tag was used, just as the sketch called for. The tag contains my journaling as, by expanding the size of my pictures, I had to expand the width of my strips and thus not leaving much room to journal directly on the layout. The journaling speaks to how I have been at my job for 10 years and how it has been a blessing to create my own happiness, balancing a job I love part time with the ability to be home with the kids.
My embellishment clusters aren't quite a trio, nor are they placed as they are in the sketch. Because the tag can be slid behind the photo, I didn't really have room for an embellishment cluster to the top, right of the picture. I did use mixed media behind the strips, though mostly covered up by the breadth of the strips. Enough pokes out from the edges for you to see.
The title for this layout was supposed to say "Create Your Own Happiness", as I referenced the content of my journaling to be about, however I ran out of room. The implication of that exists however.
Should you be so inspired, you can watch the above process video and see how this layout came together based on the Stuck?! Sketches sketch. We would love to have you play along! There are always prizes and the opportunity to be selected as a guest designer! Link us up!
Thanks for popping in today! Have a wonderful Labor weekend if you are here State side and celebrating! Be safe!
Hey scrappy peeps!! Welcome to my blog if you are new and welcome back if you are a familiar with my scrappy antics! If you didn't come here from Sheryl's blog, be sure to go HERE to the SpiegelMom Scraps blog and work you way back here! Trust me when I hint (poke, prod) that you want to do this! The grand prize for this hop is a complete set of this month's sequins releases; they are stunning!
We are showcasing this month's new sequins releases so be sure to head over to the store and see what new treats Jody has! If you find that you put goodies (and they are amazing goodies!) in your shopping cart and want a coupon code, be sure to use SUZANNA15 and earn 15% off! Including the new goodies!
I used two of the new sequins collections for this layout; Peachy Keeny and Morning Glow. The peachy pink and bluey grey colored sequins from the Peachy Keeny mix were the color drivers of this layout with the softer hues in Morning Glow being a great compliment. Based on these sequins colors, I chose the papers and embellishments that would compliment the sequins. Not my usual started point!
The way the sequins cascade down the page from the flower in the upper, left corner and lead your eye to the picture against the gold studded vellum is beautiful. It makes me think of the sparkle on the water around the fort we were visiting.
If you know me, you know I'm a bit of a fussy cutting nut. The way these flowers from 1Canoe2 two tie the colors together as a uniting element make me happy. As does the PL card from Maggie Holmes poking out of the back of the top of the pictures!
Should you be of the process video watching ilk, you might enjoy watching the video come together!
And now for the prize!!! Best part of these hops along with all the inspiration! Jody is giving away all of the September releases to one lucky winner. Be sure to comment at each blog as you hop and let us know what you think of the new sequins mixes and each of the designers projects! We love reading your comments!
The blog hop is open through Saturday night and after that Jody will pick a random winner from the comments on the blogs.
I hope you enjoyed my layout and process video! From here you are off to see what greatness Hannah has in store for you! Thanks for popping in today and be sure to come back and visit soon!
I began this adventure documenting via picture and words the daily going ons of Suzanna, Michael, Nikolas and Mia so we could share our lives with family and friends afar. However, as time has passed and my obsession with all things scrappy has changed my world, so too has the purpose of this blog. Our journey continues and as my scrapbooking takes flight I have been sharing our stories via my layouts. A BIG part of my life.
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