Where has the summer gone?

Wow... It is almost August.... where has the summer gone?
Hi friends! As some of you may or may not know.. I have been absent from scrapbooking & all the fun stuff that goes along with it for too long. My 88 year old mom under went colon surgery in early June & still has to recover. She is currently in a skilled nursing facility undergoing rehab, but after 40 plus days of laying in hospitals & rehab centers she is showing little spirit to get stronger at this time. She has wonderful nursing & staff that genuinely care, so that may help! Anyone who has been through this can relate to the non stop trips to hospital, insurance, social workers etc etc. It can make your heart ache & your head spin all at the same time! Plus our Mom is still very sharp & cannot understand why we can not bring her home. She needs the 24 hour care & we just cannot give her that. I know she has lived a full life- and would love to be whole, however she also says she is tired & ready to start the next journey. I just want want peace for her... is that too much? Her small frail body breaks my heart... I just want peace.
I miss you guys & have promised myself that I am going to make an attempt to answer & reply to comments, visit blogs & do forums. I need to do that....... I need all of you!! Thanks friends!

Love Blooms

Hi Friends!
I was so honored to be asked by Pam Callaghan to be her Friday June 04 featured artist on her site Ideas for Scrapbookers !! How fun is that- I am thrilled to be a teenie part of such an awesome site!! I have this great photo of my Mom & Dad on their wedding day & I thought it was perfect for the beautiful summery Basic Grey " Green at Heart" papers. I LOVE BASIC GREY!!

As I was strolling through Pam’s templates, I was instantly drawn to her “Wreath Template”. I love the look to circular designs & knew that I wanted to work with this! I guess all the yard work & gardening has me seeing flowers everywhere & this is the direction I decided to go using the template.

I wanted to layer the papers & chose to print the flower/wreath in two sizes. The smaller is the original size & printed directly on the reverse side of the printed paper & the larger one was enlarged in Photo Shop Elements. This can also be done in any word processing, photo editing or drawing program. Such a simple thing as layering a template made this a quick yet attractive base for the layout!
I cut the center of the smaller flower, following the template pattern & layered the photo between the 2 sizes! I think it is important to mention the inking. I inked all edges with same 3 contrasting colors to bring the same feel to each layer. (In this case the inks are all Ranger Distress – Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint & Worn Lipstick). I could see the layout coming together!!

Details were all that remained! The addition of a few flowers, title work & swirls completed the layout with ease!
I have made these flowers before! Here is a link on how to make the blooms!

It was such a pleasure working with this template! As one who has not yet leapt into the electronic cutting machine market it was perfect, plus easy to work with! Thanks Pam for sharing your templates & sketches & thanks to all my friends for dropping by to visit!

{{{HUGS}}}

Lynn :)

I Miss You

Hello friends! I want to thank everyone for stopping by & visiting! My latest layout was inspired by a photo of me & my Dad. He passed away 21 years in May and I guess I was just wanting to scrap him! I actually had another name planned & as I was adhering the title work I thought out loud " I miss you". I knew at that moment that was my title! Ohh it is so true!
I used the fantastic April 2010 Main Kit from My Creative Scrapbook that features the yummy "Life's Portrait" line from Websters Pages. This line is one of my fav's from Websters. This was a quick layout!! 4 hours is all it took. That is VERY fast for me!!! I am a sloooooooow scrapper!
I punched the top & bottom edges of the background paper with a Martha Stewart lattice punch & adhered to black card stock. The die cut shield was cut using a Crafters Workshop template ( I love them!). I thought the black & white papers really complimented the photo. I inked all raw edges with 2 colors- Adirondack Terra Cotta & Distress Broken China.

I double layered the lace, applying the black first & the peachy color behind the black trim. The flowers were kit included & worked perfect in a circle! I then used a Boss Kut Corner Flourish die & cut about 9 corner flourishes & adhered them in a circular pattern on the center circle. I dotted around the die cut shield using gold Liquid Pearls... they look coppery against the peach papers! I was hoping it would & it turned out that way!!

The photo was double matted & a lattice punch edge was attached. The journaling tag was made by covering a piece of raw chip board with paper, inking the edges & using some rub-ons as black accents. I dotted around the oval with the gold Liquid Pearls.

I was very happy with the way this turned out! It reflects how I was feeling & that is why we do this!!!

Thanks so much for taking a peek! I really appreciate it!

Special Friends

Hi Friends! I hope this finds everyone doing well! I really need to find some more time to scrap & I am sure many of you feel the same way! So when I was asked by Liz Qualman to be a featured artist for her Sunday May 09 sketch, I jumped at the chance! I was so happy to see the sketch... it was perfect for this great photo of my hubby, me , sister & brother-in-law having an awesome dinner at a great restaurant called Charlie Gitto's..... yummmmm. We have such fun together!!!

I used the March 2010 Main Kit from My Creative Scrapbook that features the fantastic Strawberry Kisses Collection by Prima.

I used dark brown & coral card stock to compliment the muted colors in the papers. The paper border, layers & mat were punched with a Fiskars scallop punch... still one of my all time favs!

The title work is Thickers raw chip letters that was inked with Adirondack Espresso Alcohol ink. The scalloped butterfly embellish is a "card stock sticker" also from Prima. The leafy flourish was cut with my Big Shot using a Sizzix BigZ Vine dine. I accented the leaf sections with coral Scribbles 3D paint!
I made the flowers using just a few layers & various punches & dies . The centers are something that I picked up at the St Louis CKC convention & are made by Queen & Co! The copper color worked great with the colors I was using! I inked all edges with 2 colors of Distress Ink- vintage photo & worn lipstick.

The last main part of my layout was the "turned up corner" Liz had on her sketch! I thought it was a fun touch! I cut 2 pieces of the paper, punched, inked & attached them to appear as if it was on the flip side & underneath. I small flourish was adhered for fun & another Queen & Co brad was added to hold the paper!

I really enjoyed working with the sketch & am so happy that I used our BEST FRIENDS on my layout!! Hats off to Liz & her great sketches! Thanks so much for stopping by!! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!

Lynn :D

A Young Woman

Hi Friends! I have not scrapped for a few weeks. It is springtime in the Midwest & that means yard work & spring cleaning. I love the change of seasons-but not the yard work or cleaning part!
The inspiration for this layout was a fantastic photo of my Mom in her youth. As I was scanning older photos to my hard drive and looking at the photo, I started thinking now that Mom is 88 years old, we forget that she was once young & vibrant with a whole life ahead of her to live & experience. The cycles of life really are just like the change of the seasons!
I used The October 2009 Main Kit from My Creative Scrapbook that featured Webster's Pages Nature's Storybook. I think Websters Pages are beautiful... that being said I have a terrible time working with them! I know that everyone loves them & I agree they are great. They just really are hard for me to work with! So I dug deep & came up with this. I am not totally happy with the layout & probably will re-scrap the photo... I just needed to work with papers for my own self satisfaction!!!

I matted the photo with a deep raisin color paper from Heidi Swapp & added a punched border using a Fiskars Lace Border punch. I cut a leaf from the papers, inked the edges with Colorbox Chestnut Roan & added a couple small kit included Prima flowers. The small cameo came from a little box of charms that I purchased at local craft store.

I stitched around the border with brown thread for a bit of added detail. The title work is Thickers that I have inked with Ranger Raisin Alcohol ink to take away the shine & warm up the shade.

I punched small flowers from a Retro punch & placed them around the circle as a border, with alternating gem centers. With the same shade I placed a flower layer behind the Prima flower to just give it a little more interest.

The time piece also was cut from the papers & inked up a bit. I slipped it behind the flower with it kinda "peeking" out! All paper edges & photo was inked with a combo of Adirondack Cranberry, Distress Peeled Paint & ColorBox Chestnut Roan. I usually always use 2 shades with one as an accent.

Well folks, that does my Webster Pages Phobia!! I am not sure how fast I will be working with them again!! I DO LOVE THEM... just would rather look at them LOL

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate your comments!!
Lynn :D

"Sweet Innocence" Featured Artist for My Little Sketch Blook

Hello Mates!! I was so excited when I was chosen to be the featured artist for Liz Qualman's Sunday March 14 sketch at My Little Sketch Blook. As many of you know, I frequently use her sketches & was thrilled to be asked alongside Sandie Vincent & Sandy Clarkson. I found the sketch to be a fantastic multi photo challenge that worked wonderful with these adorable photos of my niece Anna & the precious face of sweet innocence! I used the October 2009 Limited Edition Kit from My Creative Scrapbook that featured the 7gypsies Victoria papers.

I loved the colors of the papers & really wanted to accent them. I placed a circle in the middle of the layout & dotted it with Lemon Yellow Liquid Pearls for added detail. The edges were inked with Adirondack watermelon & Distress Scattered Straw ink. I added the date to the clear journaling tag with Making Memories rub-ons.

The blooms were simple layers made with the papers used in the layout. I inked the edges & attached with a brad. I have made this bloom for another layout in the past & have a tutorial here if you would like to take a look!

The title work was made using Websters Pages Storytellers & was originally pale pink. I inked them with Ranger black alcohol ink & adhered them with a Zig glue pen. I think the Zig glue pen is great for those thin tiny hard to glue places!

I doubled matted the photo & then added a punched border using the Martha Stewart loopy punch! The flourishes were made with my Sizzix Big shot & were scattered about the layout. A small Retro punch was used to make the tiny flourish flowers & then dotted with Liquid Pearls Emerald Green for the centers. I had so much fun with this layout & want to send my thanks to Liz for an awesome sketch & for selecting me as a featured artist! I feel very humbled!! Also I want to thank all my blogging friends!! You guys are the best!! :D

*HUG* Guest Designer for My Little Sketch Blook

Hello Friends~
I was so happy when I was selected to be one of Liz Qualman's Guest Designers for her Sunday March 07 sketch ! She does wonderful sketches & I use them on a regular basis! I find that sketches are a perfect way to get those creative juices flowing!
I was holding onto this photo of my DIL, Stephanie & sweet niece Anna, for a little bit. They were "playing" at a family get together inside a princess castle pop up tent & I stuck the camera in the top & snapped a photo!
I used the yummy September 2009 Limited Edition kit from My Creative Scrapbook that featured Prima Indeed Collection.

Liz's sketch has a ribbon across the bottom... I used this as a jumping off point for my title work. The lettering is Prima "Times Alphabets." It is distressed lettering that I inked with Adirondack Purple Twilight & dotted with Raspberry Liquid Pearls.

I matted the photo & punched layers of card stock using a Fiskar's Lacy Days of Summer punch. I inked all edges with Adirondack Purple Twilight & Distressed Peeled Paint ink. Again I dotted with the Liquid Pearls for some added detail! The butterflies are K&Co stickers that were dabbed with some ink to control some of the shine!

The flowers were made with various punches & dies that are inked, layered & attached to the card stock with a brad flower center. The smaller flowers are Prima & came with the kit. The flourish is made with a BossKut leaf flourish die that I cut using my Sizzix Big Shot.

What a wonderful fun layout to do! Thank you Liz for a great sketch & the honor of being one of your Guest Designers alongside these other great artists... Robbie Herring & Michelle Unruh . I am humbled to be in their company!

Be sure to check out Liz's blog! I know you will come away inspired!

Thanks again my friends! You guys are the best!! :D

It's not easy being CUTE!

Hi friends!! Well, I do not know about you guys...but I am soooo ready for spring that the inspiration for this layout is the papers color!!! I wanted to scrap the great shades of spring & found this cute pic of my sister- Elaine!! She was & is such a cutey!! I am usually inspired by the photo..but this time the papers led the way & the photo followed!!

I used the my May 2009 My Creative Scrapbook kit that featured Crate's Lillian collection. I have a stack of untouched kits from 2009 that I had not gotten a chance to use due to our move... now that we are all settled I am able to use them... it is like getting them delivered twice!!

I also used Liz Qualman's Sunday Feb 21 sketch. Check out her sketches..they are very inspiring!
I used the pink Crate shield & a duplicate one cut from the green papers-both included with the kit. I layered the shield to give it some extra detail. The pink layer was inked with Distress worn lipstick & a dab of Distress broken china, & the green was inked with Distress peeled paint & the broken china. I then "dotted" the outer green shield with black fabric paint! I love the shiny finish fabric paint has! I punched circles from a medium circle punch & inked the edges with both green & blues & adhered them under the ribbon as a scallop.

The small lettering is Pink Paislee Holly Doodle stickers that I inked with Black Ranger alcohol ink. The "cute" is Basic Grey Euphoria chip letters that were originally white. I also inked these with the Ranger black alcohol ink.

I used some Kaiser rub-ons for the photo & some Maya Road rub-ons for the little owl & bird. They were cut leaving a small edge around the outline that I inked to give it more of a finished appearance!

All flowers were made using various punches & dies that are layered, inked & attached with a brad. Smaller flowers were made using the same punches as the top layer of large flower. I scattered these with some small flourishes cut with my Sizzix Big Shot. The little stems are from one of my favorite punches made by EK Success.

I had a great time doing this layout! The papers were such a pleasure to work with & have me thinking of daffodils, birds chirping, warmer days & all things SPRING!!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I love your comments & appreciate your visits!!

How To Flower Blooms #2

I have had several emails asking how I made the flowers for my last layout so I thought I would share with you how EASY they are!!

Supplies are very basic. Just be sure that the chipboard flowers have an "EVEN" number of petals. I have used both 8 & 6 petaled chipboard.

Contrasting papers , matching floss , adhesive, 2 sided tape, ink, nail file & scissors are all that is needed.

Adhere card stock/papers to chip flowers.

Trim the papers as close as you can get to the chip flowers. It does not have to be perfect! We will take care of any messy edges in the next couple steps.

With downward strokes file the edges of the paper to conform to the edge of the chipboard.

Next ink the edges to smooth out any roughness & to cover the side of the chipboard. I used both shades of ink on the pink layer.

Now take 2 sided tape and attach it to the back of all layers.

Place end of floss to the 2 sided tape. Wrap around to the front & then to the back. I found it easier to go counterclockwise. Repeat & go around twice for added dimension!

Next tape the floss to the flower chip & trim. Almost there!!

Adhere smaller layer to base flower. ( you may also to use glue dots for this)

Add a button for the flower center & waaahhhlaaa .... Done!!! See how easy??

I think there is endless possibilities with this! You can add more layers, fibers, shapes etc etc!

I hope you have enjoyed this! Thanks for all the inquires!! You guys are the best!! :D