Life's Trivialities

OK Bowtie - Stash Bash

Sigh... So, I haven't been very good about keeping up here... It's been tough to be in many places at once. This whole social media world can be ever so time consuming. But, I do want to share my work with all of you too! As such, my latest layout that I created for this month's Stash Bash YouTube hop. Yes, there is a process video to accompany it. If you are so inclined.

My Stash Bash peeps and I are busting through our ribbon and/or twine this month. I was lucky to have designed for The Twinery and they weren't kidding when they said they would send you a life time supply of twine! I barely put a dent in this spool of Blue Shimmer! And there is a TON of twine on that layout!

If you are the video watching kind, there are some useful tips on handstitching on your page and how to get that pesky thick twine through the eye of a needle in the video. The actual stitching was rather time consuming, I don't subject you to that whole lengthy process, promise!

Not only did I dig deep into my twine stash but my patterned papers and collections as well! This Fancy Pants Swagger collection from WAY back when was put to good use! A funky title for a layout but it speaks to the reluctance of Nikolas to go with a bow tie over a tie. He had worn ties to Cotillion and his first communion, there was comfort in the known. OK, I'll wear a bow tie... Living in Richmond, Virginia, there is a preference for the bow tie. And as he is close to earning a time that means getting gussied up for swimming travel, he needs to have a bow tie in his arsenal. And thus, the introduction to the bow tie!

I was suprised at how well this stitched heart turned out. I wasn't sure how well the paper would hold up to the 13 passes of needle and double thread into that center hole of the heart but it took it remarkably well! There weren't the tears and frustration that I had steeled myself for.

That my friends is it from me today. If you are a YouTube, be sure to head over to my channel and subscribe.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6wRdBnTBM4gYqz-NN-jZOA

There you will find links to the other gals channels and you can see how they are putting a dent in there ribbon and/or twine! Thanks for stopping in today!

 

Sketch Inspired / Cocoa Daisy

Hey there! Yup, it's summer and I'm stuck in the throes of summer league swimming AND long course season. All while working. All while the kids are home on summer break and I feel obligated to come home and spend time with them. So, not much blogging going on. There isn't much time for scrapping, let along blogging. But I have managed to get a weekend of fun stuff in - the calm before the storm.

I have long been a fan of sketches. As long as I have been a fan, I have been a fan of Scrapbook Generation sketches. When Debbie and the ladies stopped creating the SG magazine, they continued the fun via their Scrapbook Generation Scrap Squad on FaceBook. It's a closed group but if you request an invite and are a sound person, I'm sure the ladies of SG will approve you. There are lots of fun crops, challenges and SKETCHES!

This month Debbie has a grid like, project life inspired layout sketch. I loved it so much, I made not one but TWO layouts. Both using Cocoa Daisy kits. The kits are so full of a mix of manufacturers and goodies that there is always plenty for a plethora of layouts.

My first sketch inspired layout I created using the March Cocoa Daisy kits and some pictures of Nikolas.

The week before states (Virginia Age Group Swimming Championships) and Nikolas develops a raging ear infection... Fortunately we caught it before the big weekend and aren't dealing with it in the throes of hotel stays out of town and away from our pediatrician.

The sketch calls for three pictures, which I didn't have of the event so I used the "Snippets of Life" block instead. Otherwise, I rather literally played by the lay of the land, I mean, sketch.

The second layout is based on the same sketch and the most recent (July) Cocoa Daisy kits with pictures of Mia.

I have hoarded the top center and bottom right Day In the Life cards from the minute that I opened the Cocoa Daisy kit. I have avid readers and just had to use the pocket scrapping cards on the right layout. This child and her books... There just aren't enough of them that are fit for her fresh, young mind. She asked me the other day if I had ever had a hangover and did it feel as bad as the author described it. My 10 year old!! Asking about a hangover! Her father may need to be a bit better about filtering and censoring books...

The bright colors of the Cocoa Daisy kit and the Day In the Life cards are just perfect for this sketch! Both layouts between the sketch and the kits came together in no time flat! Lots of options and lots of fun!! Thanks Cocoa Daisy and Scrapbook Generations for all the inspiration!

 

 

 

You're Beautiful / The Project Bin / Fancy Pants

Hey! Hey! It's looking like I just might get to the blog this week! Today I have a layout that I created for The Project Bin with a newer stamp set called #bff. I just knew exactly which pictures I wanted to use and the Millie and June collection from Fancy Pants is the perfect compliment to both sentiment and subject!

What you cannot really appreciate from this photo or any of the close ups is that background isn't as "messy" as it looks. I used gold shine mist "smooshed" onto the white cardstock and it truly adds a lovely subtle sheen to the background. The pink with gold pineapple and pink "hello sunshine" with gold flower washi's from Michael's compliment the gold found in the patterned paper that is the header of the page. Lots of subtle shimmer and sparkle that reflects the subtle shimmer and sparkle of my Miss Mia!

My original intent had been to stamp this sentiment three times across the width of the page with the word "beautiful" being stamped in three different colors. It was too busy and rather redundant. Once is just perfect! Beautiful! Just like this free spirit with her Dollar Spot fedora!

The contrast of the black and white photo and the color pics on either side of it really played nicely with the stark contrast of the colors in this Fancy Pant's collection. The emotion conveyed in a black and white picture is different from that of a color picture. It has a different volume, per se. Do you like it?

That heart patterned paper was what drew me to this collection in the first place. It grabbed me, sucked me in and made me look at the whole collection. I would have overlooked it otherwise. And I would have regretted it. This is a superb collection! I just ordered a small sampling and wish I had more! Lots more!

Be The Good in the World / Pink Paislee

Do you have children, grown or growing? Do you ever worry about the state of the world that they live in and it's impact upon them? Then this layout will speak to you.

I used a picture of Nikolas that I took while they were taking the team picture at swim camp for this layout. I used an action to convert the whole picture to black and white then used a brush on the black and white mask to preserve the color of Nikolas. I wanted to make a statement with the picture and the play with colored enabled me to add to the theme of the layout.

The orangey-red journal spot that is peeking out from behind the picture and embellishments is removable. It contains my message of concern and words of encouragement to Nikolas to choose the good and be a positive force in the world. That it might be the tougher path but it's a battle worth fighting.

So many great embellishments in this collection from Pink Paislee. I love the colors and the travel theme but limited my purchase as we haven't traveled much lately. I love that I was able to use this travel themed collection for a non travel related layout. It was a great way to tie in "the world" and use a themed collection for something slightly different.

And that my friends, is my share for the day. Thanks for popping in and have a wonderful day!

Blanketed Layout

Better late than never? That's what we said when the snow finally fell. And then fell a week later. The third week was more like, alright already! Enough! I know it's Spring (woot!!) and we are finished with this stuff but I was super pleased with this large photo layout and had to share.

This layout is a hodge podge of manufacturer's. I began with the Carta Bella forest paper and kept adding and subtracting from there. My original plan had been to use the Carta Bella "Warm & Cozy" collection but the white of the snow on the house didn't stand out with all the darker colors and creme based lights. The white in the background patterned paper from Close to My Heart did the trick though. And it really pops Michael's red coat too as he works to clear the driveway and cars - while Mia and I play!!

It's difficult to capture but this smaller picture of the front of the house is printed on Red River Polar Pearl Metallic paper. It really lends well to the snow picture, adding a really nifty effect! LOVE it. If you print at home and are looking for some great photo papers, I definitely recommend Red River Paper! They are amazing!

A scattering of snowflakes adorn this page, moving the top corner down to the bottom; vellum, metallic cardstock and wood veneer.

Those textured letters from Pebbles are the perfect compliment to this layout! The little dots look just like the snow falling from the sky!

Aren't you glad the snow is here, on paper and not on the ground?! While beautiful as it's falling and just afterwards, the after math is always so blah!... The white turns to grey and the fun ends there.

2x2x2 layouts with Simple Stories

Hey there! It's retreat weekend for 100+ ladies here in Glen Allen, Virginia and I'm teaching today! My friend's Cheryl, Michelle and Tessa host 2-3 retreats a year. You can find more information on Doodle Crew Retreats HERE if you are interested.

Each of the layouts features a Simple Stories Simple Set and is used to created a double page layout. There are TONS of extra stickers, Element pieces and left overs that you could create additional projects with.

Hugs & Kisses for my girl who LOVEs reading! There's quite a bit of fussy cutting on this layout and lots of little embellishments are pop dotted for some dimension. You could very easily turn this layout created using a Valentine's themed collection into a Valentine's layout if you wanted.

A little close up peek of the layers and title work.

When creating this class, we hadn't had much snow yet here in Virginia so these are some of last years' pictures of Mia sledding. Not that this years pictures look much different! Add a few inches to her height and some glasses and she is still the spunky gal we all know and love. The Snow Fun Simple Set by Simple Stories was used for this double page layout.

There are so many fun coordinating stickers that come with both collections! I can't wait to use the extras for this years sledding and snow person pages!

I had such fun creating these layouts and hope that the ladies joining me today for this class enjoy them as much I do!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year / Craftwell Cut N Boss

December?! December... That final month of the year! That final month of the year?!... Crazy... But here we are! I had a layout up on the Craftwell blog earlier this week and I'd like to share here with you in case you didn't catch it.

I mixed some Lawn Fawn, Core'dinations and other little goodies to create this layout of Belle, sitting under the Christmas tree. It's her absolute favorite place to sit. The minute we had the tree up on Saturday, she was right back underneath. She doesn't claw in it or climb or bother any of the ornaments, she just loves to sit under the branches at the back.

Teresa's pocket dies are fantastic to incorporate into your titles of your pages (or the sentiment of a card). I backed the cut out of 'wonderful' on the tag with green and mixed all kinds of stamped, die cut and sticker letters/fonts/words to create my title. Fun and eye catching, isn't it?!

Core'dinations Chalkboard cardstock is THE best! I just love the smooth texture of the color pop behind the black. You must, of course, emboss it and sand it in order to get that look. And what better folder to use than a Craftwell/Teresa Collins folder?!

I just LOVE the little holly sprigs that are scattered around this layout. Die cut Core'dinations cardstock for the holly leaves and my Imaginisce Hot Rocks for the berries! Bling!  Bling!

Be sure to check out the Craftwell blog to find out how I created the chevron using 6x6 pads!

Take care and thanks for stopping in today!

 

A Thankful Heart

Post Thanksgiving coma has set in here and we're all still milling around in our PJs. We have left overs galore... That galore will quickly wear off at meal #2 repeat... It was a delicious feast!

I went to scrapbook retreat last weekend and put this together. Simple, with the blocking yet intricate. It's like pocket scrapping without the pockets. Each block is a little canvas of it's own. I picked up some Close to My Heart stamps from a vendor who was at the retreat and put them to immediate good use. Well, I think so any way!

A little smidge and flicking of Gelatos on the cardstock before stamping and a wrap and bow of Twinery twine to finish things off! A golden doily topped with Lawn Fawn flair too! So many little goodies to take in!

A simple block, the title block. I had orginally left that space below the stamping to journal but there is some much on the page already that the "white" space was needed. Do you agree?

Big Winner / Imaginisce

Have you seen the new collection, Family Fun, from Imaginisce?! It is bright and fun and makes us all winners! There are so many great embellishments that come with this collection too! New for Imaginisce and a great treat. Imaginisce just keeps changing!

The kids each invited a friend to go to Dave and Buster's with them where we had lunch and then spent some time (and a small fortune) at the arcade. What a great way to kick off the summer! The stamped tokens were so easy; just stamp on the "B" side and use your circle cutter to pop them out. Layer to appeal and sprinkle with various die cuts and stickers for added interest! Voila! Dead easy yet such fun on the layout!

Some of the patterned papers can be incredibly busy but if you use them in strips or smaller doses, they really set the scene for your layout as I did with the "topper" for the arcade theme. The layered stickers, once known as Sticker Stackers, make great title elements for your pages too!

There are many great themes to this collection! Not all might appeal to you but there is sure to be something that works for each and every individual! Be sure to check out the Imaginisce blog for other fun inspiration!

Possession is Nine Tenths / Paper Issues & Pink Paislee

Tuesday? Only Tuesday? Is it just me or is this week DRAGGING on?!... I think it's the anticipation of the retreat this weekend and a short {work} week next week that make it feel this weekend for me. I'm ready! Let's scrap the weekend away and eat some turkey!

Paper Issues has has a Sketch Saturday linky up and I played along using some Pink Paislee Bella Rouge. Here's the sketch, aka the inspiration;

Here is my take on the sketch;

I am not a pink gal. Pink is one of my absolute least favorite colors. Yet this collection completely appeals to me! Many of the Pink Paislee collections lately have appealed to me. I even used the embossing folder that was a part of this collection, mixed with my Core'dinations cardstock! A match made in heaven!

Mix in The Twinery Solid Blossom twine for the bow and Charcoal for the top edging and that match triples!

The title of this layout in many ways is also my journaling. Possession is nine tenths of the law. And she likes to be in possession of that chair. Many an afternoon when just she and I are home, that is where she resides. Until I tipple her out to scrap. The minute my behind leaves said chair, all warm and toasty, she's right back in it. She doesn't go anywhere near it unless I'm home and working in my scrappy space...

I love the layers in this sketch that are built in. I shifted a little bit and personalized by using a vertical picture instead of horizontal. It still works!

Thanks Jen and PI for a great sketch challenge and thanks Pink Paislee for another awesome collection!