Sorry I have been away

I want to let all my wonderful scrapbooking friends know that I have not forgotten them! We are in the process of selling our home & trying to find another! It is fun, exciting, chaotic, and a pain all at the same time! I have not been able to be as active in forums, blogs & sites as I have been in the past. Please hang with me!! When this is all said & done I will be back looking & admiring all your wonderful work & having fun chatting to all my scrappy friends!!! Miss ya!!
Thanks mates!
Lynn :D

UGGGGG Blog not opening

UGGGG I know the last few days many people have had problems (me included) with blogs not opening due to a hic cup in the Friends Follow widget.. Here is a quick explanation & fix. Many people are deleting their followers...this in not necessary! Just follow this great tip until Google fixes this known issue. Your followers will not be lost!
http://speedcathollydale.blogspot.com/2009/05/blogger-blog-not-opening-with-internet.html

Duet

The inspiration for this layout is this great pic of my son Nick & dear daughter -in-law Stephanie & the beautiful Graphic 45 papers from the "Botanicabella Collection". I fell in love with this line of papers! The background sheet music is from the same collection called "Dragonfly Duet"... thus the Duet title!! I did this layout for the "National Scrapbooking Day Lift the Design Team Challenge" at My Creative Scrapbook. I chose to lift the talented Susan Goetter's "My Girl" layout. She is a true inspiration & I thank her for an awesome design!
I punched the background paper with the Fiskar's Lace border punch. I then inked all edges with Tim Holtz Distress ink.. Shabby Shutters & Black Soot. I made the same border trim for under the matted pic & inked. The decorative accent photo corner was cut using a Cuttlebug die. This too was inked with both colors. I left the name of the paper peeking at the top!

I adhered a black ribbon that across bottom & attached the leafy ribbon on top. The ribbon had white stitching that really did not fit in with the rest of the layout, so I ran the Shabby Shutters ink across the ribbon to bring the green from the papers ... I was happy with the results! The large flower was made with various punches & dies, using card stock & the printed papers used in the layout. The small flowers was made using two punches. All flowers were attached with a brad that was dotted with Lime Green Stickles. I think I have used the same flower die in my last few layouts...I need to move on LOL!!

The title work is Basic Grey's BonBon chipboard letters that I painted with Ranger black alcohol ink.

The flourish is a BossKut die that I cut using my BigShot. All raw edges of the layout was inked with the Shabby Shutters & Black Soot. I then added Lime Green Stickles to highlight the movement of the layout! This layout came together fast! Thanks Susan for such a great designed layout to lift!! I hope nobody tires of wedding layouts... I still have more pics!!

Thanks so much my friends for taking a peek!!

Swirlydoo Guest DT- Curly Girly

The inspiration for this layout is this wonderful picture of my sister, Elaine!! Isn't she a cute???

I am not sure she would appreciate me saying how old the pic is...so lets just call it "retro" instead of "vintage'...LOL. The papers are both 7 Gypsies & Websters Pages. It was made with the wonderful May "Vintage Chic" kit from Swirlydoos . Everything was kit included with exception of punches & dies.

I used lace to mat the wonderful sepia tone pic that was matted with chocolate brown card stock.
I did ink the edges of the photo with Adirondack Pool ink & a bit of vintage photo Distress Ink. The border was done using a Martha Stewart border punched & inked to highlight.

The Thickers Platform letters came in the kit & I inked them using Ranger Espresso Alchohol ink. The swirly's on the circle are a punch made by Paper Shapers. They seemed to fit the retro look I was going for! The butterfly was made with a Bosskut die & my Big Shot Machine & the butterfly body was made using a pearl kit included hat pin.

I made the flowers using various punches & dies from papers used in layout, I then inked the edges with Pool ink. Blingy Prima pearls were added to highlight & continue the "round theme".

This was a super fun layout!! I just LOVE MY SISTER!!!!! She is my best friend!!! This is my last layout as Guest Designer for Swirlydoos. I want to thank Krissy for this wonderful opportunity!! You have got a great kit club & I am very grateful!! Thanks for taking a peek! :D

Swirlydoos Guest DT- Timeless Beauty

The inspiration for this layout is a beautiful picture taken of my mother as a young girl in her teens. As many of you know my Mom has been very sick this last few weeks, so this layout was a joy to do, a reminder of her beauty in her youth! My mom was born in 1922, to a working class family, so I can only imagine what it took to get this photo taken.

The beautiful "Vintage Chic" kit from Swirlydoos was the perfect answer for this photo!! The rich 7 Gypsies papers were a joy to work with. The border trim & printed mat paper is from Creative Imaginations. I cut the border from the paper & adhered it to the rich earthy 7 Gypsies paper. I also cut the mat from the same piece of paper. I inked the edges with Distress Spiced Marmalade & Black Soot ink. The lettering was included in the kit, Thickers (platform). They were originally white, however I inked them with Ranger black Alcohol ink.

The flowers & flourishes were made with papers used in layout & my Sizzix Big Shot, using various punches & dies. The flowers were attached with brads.

I used a Martha Stewart punch for punched photo mat. I find the they are the easiest border punches to work with!

This was a wonderful layout to do! It was done entirely with the kit, with exception of black card stock!! It was perfect way to see my Mom's Timeless Beauty! Thanks for taking a peek!

Swirlydoos Guest Dt "Wisdom begins in Wonder

The inspiration for this layout is an awesome picture of my father taken for his eighth grade graduation ( I believe around 1936). A very big deal was made about 8th grade graduation in that era. Many immigrant families were hard working & it was considered an achievement to graduate from the 8th grade & go off to work.

Wow, how wonderful are these 7 Gypsy papers from the Swirlydoos May"Vintage Chic" kit???

The kit looks as if it was made for this photo!

Very simple steps to this layout! I distressed all raw edges with 2 shades of Distress Ink: Aged Mahogany & Walnut Stain. The flower base was cut with my Big shot out of Prima Botanical paper & topped with Prima Artistry flowers. I adhered then to the very pretty crochet lace with Tombow Mono Glue.

The pic was matted using papers included ink the kit & punched with a Fiskars Lacy Daisy punch. The journaling ticket was included in the kit & inked with the aged mahogany. I punched a hole & added a jute hanger. The photo corners are Sizzix Sizzlets & were made with same paper as decorative accents & photo mat.

The decorative accents made with my Sizzix Big Shot & were inked with Aged Mahogany & Walnut Stain. The Thickers lettering came with kit & were white. I inked them with Ranger Latte Alcohol ink that was diluted with the Blending Solution!

I had so much fun with this layout!! Everything used in layout came from the kit with exception of ink & black card stock!! Thanks for taking a peek!

Swirlydoos May Guest DT " 1917 Fashion Chic "

The inspiration for this layout is a fantastic photo I ran across in a box of old pics that belonged to my Grandma & the yummy May kit "Vintage Chic" from Swirlydoos- featuring 7 Gypsies "Gypsy Market" papers! The photo was dated 1917 on the back! I thought the ladies were dressed very chic for the era!! I love the hats & the photo worked sooo well with the kit!! It was also done using the May Sketch provided by Beggahuna!

I used a Martha Stewart border punch & distress punched all edges & attached to green card stock. Distress punching is my way of saying "messy punching" to make it look tattered! I then used Walnut Stain Distress ink & ink the tattered edges. The ring the lettering is on is reverse side of printed paper stamped with a kit included Prima Collage music note stamp. The Thickers lettering (which also came in the kit ) was originally white. I inked them with the Ranger Latte Alcohol ink, then added metallic rub that I purchased at local scrapbook store for an antique effect. The fantastic hat wearing birdies , is a Lunagirl image that I printed, cut & edged with Walnut Stain ink.

The pic was matted on green card stock & then on the Royal Lace doily place mat. The place mat was white.. but with Distress Shabby Shutters, Scattered Straw & Walnut Stain ink I was able to get just the right look!

I made flowers using various punches & dies with the papers used in layout. The flourishes are green & yellow Liquid Pearls & were made using the faux crystal flourish technique! The Vintage Chic kit had those wonderful hat pins... they were the perfect touch! I had a wonderful time doing this layout! The kit worked sooooo wonderfully with this photo!! Thanks for taking a peek!!

Swirlydoos Guest Dt "Celebrate Family"

I was soooo happy to be selected as the May Guest Designer for Swirlydoos Kit club! This is my first layout using the May kit "Vintage Chic". The kit features 7 Gypsies "Gypsy Market" papers. Warm rich tones with a vintage feel to them make them wonderful to create with! the inspiration for this layout is a fantastic pic of my DIL Stephanie with my nephew Joseph enjoying a rare quiet moment at a fun family gathering! I just love the pic!

I used papers from the kit & my Fiskar's circle template to make the circle. It was inked with Distress Black Soot & Shabby Shutters ink. The paper edges were punched with a Fiskar's border punch & inked with Spiced Marmalade Distress ink.

I made the leafy flourish with my Sizzix big shot using black card stock. The same border punch that was used on the background paper edges was used under pic. I lightly distressed it with the Shabby Shutter ink to bring in the green from the paper.

A kit included Maya Road sheer was added in corner with a spinner attached via a brad. I placed some of the green paper used in the circle under the sheer!

Small flowers were made using various punches & dies from papers used in layout...I scattered them throughout layout. A Maya chipboard key & my own left over lettering was inked with Ranger black Alcohol ink. I really enjoyed this lo! The kit was fun to work with! I am so grateful for the opportunity. Thanks for taking a peek!

Swirlydoos Guest DT May Project Add-on Kit

I made this fantastic hanging frame using the May Project Add-on Kit from Swirlydoos! The kit includes this everything needed to make this Kaisercraft Hanging Flourish Frame & Bay Windows. It features the Crackle Technique posted in the technique section of Swirlydoos.

I did a "twist" with the crackle technique by using the darker paint as base coat & lighter coat as top coat! I was very happy with the results! The base coat is Decoart Dazzling Metallic Copper. I allowed each coat to dry an hour as I live in a very humid climate & humidity REALLY effects the crackle medium.

Next the FolkArt Crackle Medium was applied. I did apply it rather generously as I wanted to have larger crackle effects.
After an hour I then applied the top coat-Folk Art Linen acrylic paint & allowed it to dry. All of the paints are included in the kit & directions are on the Swirlydoos site.

I used the lace as connectors of each frame & adhered it to back with Tombow Mono glue... It is never coming ooff LOL!!

Last I took a bit of the copper paint & painted paper flowers & added them to kit included Prima flowers. A few leafy flourishesleft over from a layout, Kaisercraft pearls & a jute hanger are used to finish it off! I was very happy with the wonderful crackles.... It turned out just what I wanted! Thanks so much for taking a peek!!

Artist Trading Cards #1

I wanted to use the scraps from the May Vintage Chic kit from Swirlydoo's to make ATC's. They are made completely from scraps with exception of the images which are from Lunagirl. I have several of their image Cd's & highly recommend them.

I used distress inks & Stickles to add to some finishing touches. The leafy flourishes & paper flowers were made with my Big Shot & punches. So quick & easy!

Faux Crystal Flourish

This is a great way to make you own crystal flourishes & extend the ones that you have purchased! I have used Ranger Liquid Pearls, but you may also use Stickles & Puffy Paints.
Supplies:
*Blingy flourish still attached to clear/acrylic backing
*Liquid Pearls
*Clear Craft Plastic sheets
*Scanner or printer w/scanner

*Place the flourish face down on the scanner.
*Using the "copy" option, make a black & white copy of the flourish. You can copy more than 1 flourish at a time!

* Next place clear sheet of plastic over copied image & dot with Liquid Pearls.

* Try using more than 1 color!

*Trim around flourish & place on your project! You will not be able to see the plastic the flourish is on once it is placed in a photo album with a protective sheet!!

Thanks my friends for taking a look!! Have fun :D

SUGAR & SPICE

Hi friends! Thanks for visiting! The inspiration for this layout is my niece in law Eli & her awesome sugar & spice personality!!! Eli always has a smile on her face!! I was also inspired by Liz Qualman's Sunday April 05 sketch & the yummy April kit from My Creative Scrapbook. The kit features Bo Bunny Alissa papers! They are just sooo fun! I was thinking of endless possibilities with them. I made the entire layout from the kit except for a few things, inks punches, buttons & black card stock.

I inked raw edges of card stock with 3 colors of inks. Distress Inks Worn Lipstick & Black Soot, plus Adirondacks Pool Blue. I added a few buttons on the side & tied with white floss. The corner decor is a Cuttlebug Vintage Decor die that I cut with my Big Shot. A crystal was added to accent the die cut.
A large scalloped strip was hand cut from the Alissa papers & inked with the Worn Lipstick & Black Soot inks. I used Bo Bunny Alissa flowers layered with flowers made by using various punches & dies & papers used in layout. I distressed the edges & attached with a brad. The flower center is white Liquid Pearls. I placed the flowers atop the Bo Bunny Chunky Charms swirls. A few jewels was scattered & mini retro black flowers were added to fill. The journaling reads..."we are so happy that you are part of our family".

I had cut a large circle & inked the edges. The pic was matted with papers & I added a Lacy Days of Summer Fiskars punched border from black card stock. Inked med Retro flowers were placed in circle. The letters are Thickers Jewelry Box self adhesive letters. A Cuttlebug corner decor was cut from blue papers & placed in corner of pic!

I added a polka dot ribbon to border the scalloped paper. Melissa Frances Chipboard butterflies were covered with papers using cover chipboard technique & inked to cover raw edges. The butterfly body was a decor border that I cut to fit & then added jewels to livin it up!!

This was a fun layout to do! I enjoyed Liz's sketch & the great kit from My Creative Scrapbook!
Thanks so much for taking a look my friends!!

LET THE PARTY BEGIN!

Hi friends! The inspiration for this layout was this fantastic picture of my daughter in law, Stephanie. The pic was taken after the ceremony & prior to reception! Everyone had a sense of "lets have some fun"!! I thought this would work wonderful with the great April kit from Swirlydoos- called Urban Grunge!!!!! It is a great kit that features the Rebel line of papers from Glitz Design. I had a lot of fun with this, as I was trying to get a little "grungy" !! The entire layout was done with kit!
I used the Rebel Teal as the background card stock. I distressed the edges & inked with Distress Ink in the following colors: Black Soot, Fired Brick, & Broken China.

The kit included lettering are Thickers Sprinkles. The small font was the alphabet sticker from BasicGrey's Granola pack that were originally creme color. I painted them black with Ranger alcohol ink! It did the trick!

I distressed the photo edges with the Broken China & Fired Brick inks & matted on black card stock. I added a couple 7 Gypsies rub ons to the photo. Magic Mesh was placed under the photo. It was white, but I made it gold by using a metallic rub that can be purchased at a craft store. Ric rac was cut & adhered around pic.

I knew I did not want any flourishes with this layout, so I decided to use my Sizzix circle die & interconnect the links! I used black card stock & American Crafts Cherry. The Cherry was inked lightly with the broken china ink. I dotted the Cherry link with Black Diamond Stickles! I was happy with the effect the circles gave!

Flowers can be Grungy too!!!! I made the flowers using various punches & dies. The base layer & middle layer were made from cardboard & inked with the Broken China ink. The other layers were made from papers used in layout. The small flowers are made from 2 sizes Retro punch. I attached all flowers with a brad. I wanted to bring some white from the wedding gown into the layout so I painted the brad flower centers white with Ranger Liquid Pearls. A few pieces of ric rac were placed around edges as a filler!

I had a blast with this kit! Thanks so much for the blog visit my friends! So nice of you to stop by!

Various Punches & Dies

Hi Friends! As of late I have received a number of questions regarding the punches & dies I use for my flowers. When I post my layouts I usually just say "various punches & dies".... not very specific! So I thought I would post what "various" means!! I mix & match the layers & never really have a plan, just trial & error!

I have a Sizzix Big Shot die cutting machine & these are the dies I use with it.
1) Sizzix Hello Kitty Daisies
2) Sizzix Daisies #2
3) Sizzix Flower Layers #4
4) Sizzix Flower Daisies
5) Sizzix Flower Layers #3
6) Bosskut Wildflower cutout ( I have not used this yet! Just picked it up at CKConvention)

These are all made by EK Success PaperShapers
1) Retro Punch XL
2) Decorative Spangle Flourish
3) Double Sunflower
4) Retro Punch small
5) Retro punch x small

These are made by assorted manufacturers.
1) Martha Stewart Cornflower punch
2) Martha Stewart Daisy punch
3) Martha Stewart Cosmos punch
4) Marvy Uchida Jumbo Daisy
5) Fiskars Daisy

I hope this helps answering any questions!! I really just mix em up & have fun with it!!
Thanks so much my friends for taking a look! I appreciate it!

PIECES OF THE PAST

The inspiration for this layout is a wonderful photo of my Grandma & my mother as a toddler. I love this pic! Especially the babydoll my Mom is holding, & the old auto in the background. My mother was born in 1922, so I imagine the pic was taken around 1923-24. I wish I knew the story behind the photo, but I only have pieces of the past!
Thanks to the wonderful Sunday March 29 sketch by Liz Qualman & the beautiful March kit from My Creative Scrapbook , this was a really fun & easy layout! The kit featured beautiful My Minds Eye Bella Bella papers that screamed "Vintage"! With exception of a few brads & brown card stock the entire layout was done using the kit.
I punched the background papers edges using the Fiskars Lacy Days of Summer punch. I distressed the edges with Distress Walnut Stain & Distress Worn Lipstick Ink. I dotted the border with Ranger Liquid Pearls -gold.

I cut the flourishes from brown card stock & a Boss Kut flourish die using my Big Shot. I sparsely inked the flourishes with the Walnut Stain in. I then scattered lightly distressed Prima flowers about the flourishes & attached with an antiqued brad.

I matted & distressed the pic with pink papers used in layout. I then added a Lacy Day punched border. I dotted the punched border mat with Ranger Liquid Pearls-pink. A Prima Urban Cosmo rub on was just what I was looking for to fill in the corner of the photo!

The title is done with Thickers Daquiri letters. The Butterflies are older K & CO that were distressed with Worn Lipstick & Black Walnut ink. I hand cut the scalloped mat & accented scallops with the pink Liquid Pearls, and inked the raw edges.

The flowers were made from 2 Sizzix dies & 3 different hand punches from papers that were used in layout. I inked all the edges,layered & attached with an antiqued brad.

This was such a fun layout. I really enjoy vintage!

Thanks my friends for taking a look! So nice of you to take the time!