"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

You Are Loved!

Hi Friends! The inspiration for this layout is my awesome nephew Dan! It was brought to my attention at a family get together that I had not scrapped Dan. How could that be?? Dan is a great guy with a fantastic sense of humor & is smart as can be... and is basically an ole teddy bear! I probably do not let him know enough has much he is loved! This one is for you Dan.... next time I promise not as much pink!!!
I used the fantastic Feb 2010 main kit from My Creative Scrapbook that is full of Valentine goodies! The kit features Making Memories Love Struck line & Adorn it Lapreal Collection.

I cut a circle from the center of the printed background paper & placed it on the shield (which was cut using Crafters Workshop template). This is great way to save paper & to have it for other areas in a layout. All edges were inked with Distress Worn Lipstick & Adirondack Earthtones Espresso ink. I punched hearts from both pink printed paper & brown card stock. I then layered the brown behind the pink... kinda giving it a shadowed effect. I inked all edges of the hearts with the above mentioned inks. I adhered the hearts around the circle...placing bottom tip of brown heart UNDER the circle & bottom tip of pink heart OVER the circle. This helped to hold the hearts in place really good!
The title work is Heida Swapp chipboard alphabet that I painted with Ranger watermelon alcohol ink. The chip hearts are from Making Memories & also came with the kit.

I wanted to do some different flowers & was playing around with some old chipboard flowers and came up with these! I covered old chipboard with papers from the layout & the brown card stock. I then inked the edges, wrapped with contrasting floss & added some buttons as the flower centers! I think I may do a post in the next couple days showing a quick tutorial on how to do them ...they were fun & cheap!! I then added a couple brads to the shield for some added detail!

That's it! A fun, quick & easy layout! Plus I now have one of Dan!! Thanks friends for taking a peek! :)

Sparkle & Shine

Hi Friends! Since old man winter is here I decided to do a winter layout! I used this awesome photo of my son Nick & his sweet wife Stephanie! The photo was part of a Happy 2010 photo greeting card they mailed to friends & family! Stephanie is a photographer so the quality of photo was a joy to work with compared to photos taken by me!! I knew when I seen the photo that I was going to use the Swirlydoo's Jan 2010 "Winter Wonderland" kit that features BoBunny Snowy Serenade papers. They are BEEEEEAUTIFUL papers!!!

I cut a large circle from the Snowy Serenade papers & inked the edges with Distress Broken China & Black Soot ink. I adhered it to background paper also inked along the edges . The background paper was then backed with black card stock for contrast.

I painted the raw chip flourishes with white craft paint, making sure to get the edges! ( The flourishes are from Rusty Pickle.... the company has recently closed its doors-so sorry to see them go). I attached the flourishes with Tombow mono glue.... they are never coming off!!

I doubled matted the photo after I inked the photo's edges. (again with the Broken China & Black Soot) The snowflakes under the photo lace paper is from Little Yellow Bicycle. It is a 12x12 sheet that I cut & slipped under the photo.

The lettering is also from the kit included BoBunny Snowy Serenade combo sticker sheet. I was not happy with the color, so I inked them with Ranger Stream alcohol ink & added a small amount of Distress Broken China Stickles.

I needed something for the lower empty corner, so I pulled out a raw chip Melissa Francis bird & covered it using cover raw chip method, inked edges, added a wing using a petal shape chip, & a gem for the eye. I set him atop a small end of flourish... now my corner is not so empty!!!

Well everyone knows I love flowers & a winter layout can have them too!! Only they are SnowFlowers!! I have 2 layers that are flowers dies.. the rest in Sizzix Sizzlets snowflake dies. The edges are inked & a top layer from a Prima flower was adhered as the center.

I scattered a few snowflake sequence throughout the layout & added some gems to the flourish!

This was a fun layout to do!! I love love love the papers & so happy to have the perfect photo for them!!

Thanks so much for taking a peek & taking the time to make a comment!! You guys are the best!!!

{{HUGS}}

Lynn

Hello friends! Ohh so nice to have beaten the "scrappers block bug"!! ! The inspiration for this layout is a photo of my daughter in law Stephanie, me , & my nephews wife -Eli at her wedding reception! Isn't she a pretty bride?? We were all smiles!! The reception was on the rooftop of the Four Seasons downtown St Louis overlooking the Arch & riverfront... beautiful!! The day had been so ugly rainy... but cleared up in time for a perfect night!
I used the yummy July 2009 LE kit from My Creative Scrapbook that featured Graphic 45 "Fashionista Collection". Mmmm Mmmm so wonderful! The background doily was from a previous MCS kit that seemed to work perfectly! I also was inspired by Liz Qualman's Sunday Jan 31 Sketch! Thanks Liz!

I cut a large scalloped die cut using the spool method . I then cut an inner circle & attached some lace to the back & adhered to scalloped die cut. I inked all edges with Adirondack cranberry & Distress black soot.
I doubled matted the pic & inked all edges. The larger black flourishes are made with a Sizzix "decorative accents #10" die & my Big Shot machine. The title work is Websters Pages StoryTellers & were originally red. I inked them with Ranger black alcohol ink & adhered them to layout using a zig glue pen... great for those teeny tiny places!

The large flower was made using various punches & dies. I cut a piece of ephemera from the G45 papers & inked the edges & adhered it behind the flower.


Smaller flowers were punched & scattered about the layout. I also added a couple more pieces of ephemera from the G45 collection to the flourish for some added detail.

What a fun layout to do & I love Graphic45 !!

Thanks so much for taking a peek & commenting! You guys are the best!

Preciouis Memories

Hello Friends~ Wow I have been suffering from the dreaded "Scrappers Block" as of late... it was a struggle to finish a layout!! I wanted to ... just could not do it~ scary!! However after encouragement from my hubby I decided to pull out a photo of my Grandma... she always inspires me ! She left us far too soon in 1977 when I was just out of high school. I feel she was a great influence on who I am today... so thanks Grandma (and hubby) for helping me scrap with ease!!

I believe the photo was taken in the 1940's due to her clothes & I wanted to bring that aspect of the photo into the layout. This is definitely a pot-luck layout! Made with scraps from 3 very different lines of paper! The papers are as follows - Background: Basic Greys " Stella Ruby" line, Round Circle: Dream Street Papers "Secret Garden" line, & solid paper is From My Minds Eye" Bella Bella line. It felt good using papers left over from assorted kits & putting supplies to good use!

I used 3 shades of inks. Distress "Frayed Burlap" & Black Soot, & Adirondacks "Cranberry". All edges were inked with all 3 colors. The Black Soot was applied last to give definition to the edges.

The photo was inked & adhered to the card stock mats. I love double matting photos as it really helps the photo! The large flower was made with various punches & dies & papers uses in the layout. The edges were inked & held together with a brad. I then used gold Liquid Pearls on the brad top as a flower center. The tile work is from Basic Grey "Wassail" line & was originally burgundy. I inked it with Ranger Alcohol ink to make it black.. it only takes a quick coat of ink & wahhla..all new letters!

The edges are punched with a Martha Stewart punch & inked with all 3 colors. I then dotted the edging with gold Liquid Pearls. The butterfly is also a Martha Stewart punch.

I dotted the circle paper with black fabric paint... it almost looks like black beads when it dries! The leafy viney flourishes are made using a Sizzix decorative strip die cut in sections. As a final touch, I added some Bo Bunny rub-ons to the photo. Bo Bunny makes the best rub-ons!!

This layout was fun to do & I feel like my "scrappers block" may have left the room!!

Thanks so much for taking a peek.. you guys are the best!
Lynn :D

CELEBRATE SPECIAL TIMES

Hello Friends! So nice to be scrapbooking again!
The inspiration for this layout is a fantastic photo of my dear hubby & sweet daughter in law. The photo was taken at my nephews reception. He married overseas & had the party a few months later. It was on the rooftop of the 4 Seasons in downtown St Louis overlooking the arch & riverfront... beautiful! We were all celebrating special times!!!
I used the November 15 sketch by Liz Qualman & the Oct 2009 Limited Edition Kit from My Creative Scrapbook. The kit features 7Gypsies "Victoria" papers. Liz's sketch showed 2 pics & i decided I like the pic so much that I would use it twice !!!


I cut the background shield from the paper using a die cut that I bought just to use as a template. I always look for shapes in the clearance sections both online & in store & use them as templates at a later date. The flowers were easy & quick. I made them using various punches & dies, & inked the edges with Distress Black Soot & Distress Worn Lipstick. I also mounted the finished flower on a round piece of chipboard to give it more depth. I used to mount with foam squares... but recently have started using scrap chip board. The corner decor is cut using a CuttleBug die.

I doubled matted the photos to bring out the colors & make the photo pop! The scalloped paper was punched with the Fiskars Threading Water punch. I then placed small round punched circles behind the hole to bring the black into the scallops!

The letters in the title work are Webster Pages Storytellers & originally were pink! I inked them with Ranger black alcohol ink. The flourish is a large Sizzix die cut from black card stock & dotted with yellow Liquid Pearls. The ferny leaf is a Martha Stewart punch that I love! I then dotted around the shield border with pink & yellow Liquid Pearls .

I loved doing this layout~ It was quick , easy & fun!!!

Thanks again for taking a peek~ and also for your comments!

You guys are the best!!! :D

Artist Trading Cards #2

Hi Friends! Just a quick post of some ATC's that I made from leftovers of the My Creative Scrapbook November Main Kit. The images are from Lunagirl ( I LOVE her image cd's & have several of them). I also used that awesome EK Success Parisian Edger punch for the border! Simple & Easy!
Thanks for taking a peek!
Lynn :)