Art helps me breathe

Carmel Mission

2009-04-14T09:46:00.000-07:00

My DD would probably not approve of these photos of her. She calls this her awkward phase. But I love them. They show what a sweet, sweet child she was. When we studied California history in 4th grade, I really loved the missions. Probably went a little overboard with the teaching there, but it's the whole "if I'm stuck on it, you're stuck with it" scenario. Since we lived in San Jose, it was just a hop, skip and a jump to several of the missions. And since we had family in Pacific Grove, well we made several trips to Monterey. One was to the Carmel Mission and another was to the Adobe Tour (layout coming up soon for that trip).

I wanted a quick, easy layout since it was a holiday and weekend and lots going on. This one was a perfect fit for the season and for the time. The layout features 11 photos. I used 2 12x12 Bo Bunny dots for the background and 2 dfferent 12x12 Heidi Grace Designs from the "Love Bug" collection. I've also used a sheet of mulberry paper for mats behind the journaling and the main photo on the left side. The title is mounted on a 2 x 12 piece of beige Bazzill. I used a 2-way glue pen and some chunky glitter for the first word in the title and some more Heidi Swapp "Invisibles" stickers for the second word. There's a little hardware, some Bo Bunny brads, ric-rak and a little ribbon. I colored some clear buttons with alcohol ink and then adhered them with Diamond Glaze to the Heidi Grace Designs paper.

I think my favorite part of this layout was the journaling. This was taken from a year-end report my daughter wrote about Father Serra. I just love her line, "He liked bells alot." And, of course, her concluding sentence, "Don't you wish everyone had faith like Father Serra?" Like a said, what a sweet, sweet child.

Heidi Swapp Invisibiles

2009-04-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

Three cards I created last week for the weekly Thursday demo. This time the product was the new Heidi Swapp Invisibles and Versamagic Chalk Ink. I had already made a layout using the Invisibles (see Family Shower). This time we made some cards. A really fun product, and the creamy Versamagic inks were perfect for the ink application, although you could use just about anything you want - distress inks, acrylic paints - but these were easy and smooth to apply and rub off the white resist very nicely.

Family Shower

2009-04-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

Last week I did a layout of the first of two bridal showers I was fortunate to attend down in LA the weekend of the 14/15th of March. Today's layout is the second one put on by Josh's family. I was a bit nervous about meeting "the fam" but they were all so nice. I was super glad to have had the chance and I feel so good about Allison's soon to be new family.

I was gone for a good part of the day, so I got started on this late. I seem to do my best work under pressure!! This week's layout features the new Heidi Swapp "Invisibles." Try them and find out for yourself what the excitement is all about. These are really fun to color and watch the invisible images pop out. For a complimentary page I used one of the new "Sew Cute" by Prima Marketing. The circles are cut from one 12x12 BoBunny Love Shack Shake, one 12x12 Heidi Grace Designs Sweetest Bug Charming Cottage, and one 12x12 solid Bazzill. Embellishments include BoBunny Swirls & Brackets Chipboard stikers, Prima Flowers, and an adorable wooden laser cut "Flutterby" by Scrap FX. Some ribbon and crystals finish off the pages. The title is some 7 Gypsies rub-ons and Heidi's "Invisible" alpha stickers. Don't you just love all the dots on this layout combined with all those circles?

Allie and Josh

2009-04-03T08:59:00.000-07:00

When she said, "Mom, do you think you could make these for my cake topper?" I said, "Sure, no problem." Wow, what was I thinking? Hats off to you, Ann Wood. Your birds are so adorable and so wonderfully made. No one can copy you. But after months of trial and error (at least 4 in the trash I think), I did finally come up with what I would call "The Best Imitation Ann Wood Birds" I've seen. We actually ended up ordering one of her non-sweetheart birds just to be sure we were on the right track. And I would also recommend this hilarious article. It seemed like we'd never have a chance to order one of the cake topper pairs; they sell out almost immediately. So I am grateful I was able to make these. Allison would have been crushed if I had not been successful. Her cake lady is doubting their ability to remain upright on the sea of frosting but there is something wonderfully expressive about these little stuffed creatures. And yes, Josh does have a top hat now.

Here they are from the back:

Getting so excited for the wedding now. Only 2 1/2 weeks to go. Glad this one BIG task is done.

Light Alcohol demo

2009-04-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

For the demo, we played with Ranger's new "light" alcohol inks. I also wanted to show how to use the new smaller masks from Tim Holtz and his wonderful hardware. It's not quite super apparent in the photo, but those daffodils (stamp set by Hero Arts) stamped with Brilliance yellow look fanastic. They shimmer and shine just like spring coming into our lives after a long winter. The Happy Spring is an old Stampa Rosa stamp. Sorry, they are no longer in business. Just one more reminder that when you see a stamp you like, you should get it then, because they won't be making them forever.

I really did not like this background at all when I first made it, but after putting it together as a card, well I love it now. The "Amen" verse is a stamp by Limited Edition and the cool metal frame is one of Tim's.
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This last card is just another example of how with alittle something extra these polished stone backgrounds really make a nice collagey card.

Happy spring!

True Friends

2009-03-27T21:46:00.001-07:00

I'm loving tomorrow's layout with some fun new Tim Holtz products that just arrived at Creating Lasting Memories including sprockets, spinners, journaling tickets and salvage stickers. The fun has just begun because I also picked up his corners, foliage, long fasteners, trinket pins and ornate plates. You can be sure I will be using them on some of my upcoming layouts. I asked Marti to wait and not put this stuff out for sale until after my class tomorrow so you guys can be first to purchase. After tomorrow, it will be out in the shop for sale. The background paper I used is 2 12x12 of some real elegant glittter and embossed designs by Best Creation Inc. I also used 2 different colors of solid Bazzill one of which is bling. I have used rubons by Kaiser Craft and 7 Gypsies, tiny alphas by Making Memories, a glasine envelope, a metal edged vellum tag and a small amount of fiber. As you can see, it takes quite a few photos. The large one is appromiately 5x8. Wouldn't you love to come play with me tomorrow? If you live near Brookings, Oregon, stop by and create this layout. Class begins at 10:30am.

New fun with chalk

2009-03-26T21:34:00.000-07:00

My demo this Thursday is showing some of the many uses of chalk. This first card was all about using chalk to color a solid image. I glammed it up a bit with lots of little crystals at the end of the flower petals. The ribbon was colored with chalk to match the background paper.

This second card shows how easy it is to color inchies using chalk. Soft and effective. It is best to try and use the same 3-4 colors.

Light of Love

2009-03-22T21:12:00.000-07:00

I am back from a wonderful time attending bridal showers for my DD. The layout is more engagement photos. I found this 7 Gypsies paper 2 weeks ago that was perfect for these pictures taken at a Pasadena park in the setting sun. Layout uses 2 matching 12x12 pattern papers plus 2 12x12 coordinating patterns or solid for the mat behind the photos and the journaling block inside the frame. Since this paper was not card stock weight, I also mounted mine on some solid Bazzill. The angel was cut out from one sheet then mounted dimensionally on the other side. My favorite part is the Bo Bunny swirls; mine are clear but they also come in colors. I LOVE the clear!!. The title is some shimmer stickers by Making Memories. I stamped and embossed with holigraphic powder underneath that title. There is also a nice clear metal edged tag which I stamped and added a flower and glitter heart button. A couple of pieces of ribbon finishes off the page. The photo on the left is 6x10; the two are the right are 4x6 and 5x7.

Thursday Demo - Rubber Stamp Tapestry

2009-03-19T20:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a card I made for a demo at Creating Lasting Memories on Thursday.

And here is another card. I really like the way this one came out

These cards were made using Rubber Stamp Tapestry stamp sets. They have a great website with tons of samples and quite a few how-to videos.

Best Friends

2009-03-07T08:16:00.000-08:00

This week's layout uses some beautiful flocked paper from 7 Gypsies. I've been wanting to do a black/white page of my daughter's black and white engagement photos for awhile now. You, of course, can make this page your own by using any colors you want! But I love the classic look of these colors. Anyway, I used one 12x12 of the flocked paper, 2 different patterns of 12x12 by Graphics 45 that Marti also just got in, and 2 solid Bazzill for the background. I also used 5 shades of black to grey for the circles. Note that you do not necessarily have to have large photos for these circles. Mine are mounted on circles. So you can mount one or several on each of the three circles. The swirls are a new package of Bazzill chips; these are sprayed with Memories Mist for easy coloring. I also sprayed some white flowers by KaiserCraft. If you have chipboard swirls by someone else you could use those. These sprays come in several colors, so check out how fun this technique is. I used a variety of brads, jewels and buttons for the flower centers: jewels by Heidi Swapp, buttons by Foof-a-la, and brads by KaiserCraft. The title letters were from a sticker sheet by Creative Imaginations that I've had for quite some time. Bring some smallish letter stickers or cut some with the Cricket. They need to fit on 1" (or there about) punched circles. A happy scrapbooking morning to all of you!

SOCC Class

2009-03-03T11:11:00.001-08:00

Ira Tozer with Butch the dog, teacher extraordinaire of the internet sales class in Brookings, OR.

Hope

2009-02-24T21:44:00.000-08:00

I LOVE this layout. I am using one of my favorite companies, Basic Grey, and their "Granola" line of papers with a sheet of the matching element stickers. In my class Saturday, we will be making some polished stone for two of the grid squares; one is stamped. There is also a "tile" for the title. And I love the little squares under the title - so cute. Underneath, I used a song quote printed on velum, but you could put a one or two photos here.

Blankie

2009-02-14T09:03:00.000-08:00

My daughter says I'm stuck in 1987. Actually, it's October, 1987, to be precise. I've had these photos and been wanting to scrap them for quite some time. I also had my DD tattered yet beloved blankie that I wanted to incorporate into the page. In honor of Valentine's Day I scrapped these pictures finally. The blanket was very loved. And I love the way this came out because now she can actually feel the blanket in all its softness. The touch may bring back some memories. I even put a bit of the satin binding on there. The paper is Graphics 45 (love their stuff). The mat behind the left page photo is a Fancy Felt Mattie from KaiserCraft (those Aussies are doing some amazing things with scrapbooks). The right side opens to reveal the journaling and some photos of the blanket in all its shredded wonder. Yes, I did actually cut the blanket up but when you see the photos you will know why. It was literally hanging together by a thread. Funny though, even now I am stressed to toss it. Can't really read the journaling in the photo because I wrote it by hand with a light pink marker. But how precious to remember those days and those feelings.

Always Singing, Loving Life

2009-02-06T18:32:00.000-08:00

This layout was so precious to create. I have had these photos laying around for awhile. They are some that I took out of my old magnetic albums. When I first started scrapbooking there were not any scrapbooking stores, and no one new about "archival safe." I used to cut out embellishments from ads, magazines, whatever I could find. A while ago I removed all these photos and have been scrapbooking them. That's where these came from. The paper is Basic Grey "Sugared." I used 3 different pattern papers, plus their die cut sticker letters. I absolute love their papers for backgrounds. I also used the matching fibers and found some brads by Kaiser Craft that matched real well. The layout was inpsired by Allie Edwards. There will be journaling under the right hand photos later. It was wonderful to remember those special days when I was a mother of a two year 0ld.

Perfect Beach Weather

2009-01-24T08:39:00.000-08:00

I really loved working with these old photos. And the snow paper was great for a winter beach layout. I had someone request that I do a layout using "inchies" so this was my offering. I thought maybe the class would find it tiresome but everyone really enjoyed the process of creating these miniature works of art. Kind of unusual for a scrapbook page, as we usually think BIG. But it works, I think.

Chetco River

2009-01-16T23:13:00.000-08:00

It's a "guy" page for this week's class. The paper is Stamping Station. The circles are tranparencies that were colored using alcohol inks. This techinque is very adaptable to any color scheme. The title is a very cool laser cut from a a company called Northwest Memories located in Lynnwood, WA. And I've wanted to use one of these license plates from Karen Foster for a while now. They are just so cute. I've stuck with my resolution to do more journaling. This time, I interviewed my husband about this fishing experience. I think he was pretty pleased to be able to tell his story.

Cousins

2009-01-12T15:10:00.000-08:00

Couldn't believe I could finally take a picture outside Saturday. No rain and even sunshine so photo is in natural light (the best!). This layout was designed for a demo using Copic markers for my LSS. I used a Prima Marketing printables transparency. These are perfect if you have some photos with colors that are difficult to match to any scrapbooking papers. The markers can be blended to create just about any color you need. I then made a matching page for a 2-page layout using a transparency sheet that I stamped and colored and then attached to a tag kind of ala Tim Holtz. He shows you on his blog that the alcohol inks will also color glitter stickers. In keeping with one of my new year's resolution, this layout has a significant amount of journaling. And the "JOY" on the tag, well that is my one little word for 2009.

Precious Nativity

2009-01-02T14:23:00.000-08:00

One thing I want to do more of this year is journaling. I decided to make my first class layout for 2009 a little different. It's a Christmas layout, but this time it is about a Christmas item that means something special to me so I could write about it. All the swirls were fun to do and I really like the tree (or half a tree as the case may be). I even included the words to a song I wrote back in December 2002. The supplies were from all over the place, including Little Yellow Bicycle, Bo Bunny, KaiserScrapbook, and Prima Marketing. It felt good to use up some of the many extras I had laying around. The chipboard was from last year's Cosmo Cricket's JOY collection.

Xmas '86

2008-12-23T08:04:00.000-08:00

Such wonderful memories of this Christmas as I completed this layout. Lots of circles here and I love the flow, thanks to the vellum swirls. Embellishments, besides the punched circles, are Tim Holtz grunge board. Love his seasonal package. The paper and stickers are Little Yellow Bicycle. Merry Christmas to all as you make your own holiday memories this year. May they fill your heart with joy.

Good Time

2008-12-13T09:56:00.000-08:00

It's a case where a less-than-perfect photo could not be contained. Allie Edwards always stresses embracing imperfection and so I went for it this time. I'm glad to be in the big group photo, but it means someone else snapped it. I say, better to be in it. The layout was inspired by my new Bigz Top Note dye from Stampin Up. Love it. So I made my own larger template. The background paper is some lovely flocked poinsettas from Fiskar's Kimberly Polson line. The title is Felt Alphas from Making Memories. And the circles behind, well, that is from Allie Edwards and I just love the look.

Give Thanks to God

2008-12-06T08:22:00.000-08:00

I should have taken more picture on Thanksgiving. Somehow, being the chief chef and all, I only got a few. We even had special guests and I didn't capture a picture of them. Oh well, sometimes you just have to make do with what you have. I found these five to be acceptable and actually made a pretty nice layout. The paper is Sassafras Lass and I love the attached die cut borders. I copied their flower embellishments but made my own because I needed orange. The chipboard swirls were left over from a large package by Making Memories I think. The rubon title was some of the easiest rubons I have even used. They were by Arctic Frog. The inspiration for the title came from watching Rick Warren on Fox News the other night. He said lots of Americans give thanks, but not too many give thanks to God.

Very merry

2008-11-29T11:30:00.000-08:00

A Christmas layout for class this week. Most of the product is Making Memories' FaLaLa collection. Fun and easy layout that brought back lots of memories of our last Christmas with my dad (2006). Cherish your family times, they are precious.

Wild Animal Petting Park

2008-11-15T20:31:00.000-08:00

This layout holds 18 photos! Amazing. I wasn't happy with it until I added the flowers to the sticker on the journaling block. Speaking of the journaling block, loved using the new Allie Edwards acrylic offered by Techinque Tuesday.

brookings

2008-11-08T08:37:00.000-08:00

Today's layout for class. My students wanted a beach layout, which may seem strange this time of the year. But usually we are scrapping pictures from a few months ago. The stores don't seem to get this. Right now, everything is Christmas. But those pictures won't be taken or scrapped for two months. Anyway, this is nice thick glossy card stock by Stamping Station. This time, I actually used the matching sticker sheet - unusual for me. But I like the big 'Oregon Coast' lettering behind the Li'l Davis Design invisible letters. The chipboard swirls (I forget who made those) were painted with acrylics. Had fun mixing colors on those. Playing with paints is something I need to do more. This should be a quick easy page with five 4x6 photos, two of which were slightly cropped. For the first time, I did my journaling on an embossable laminate sheet. After printing on the computer, the ink is wet and I immediately sprinkled on black powder and heated. I like that. Sorry, it doesn't show. I took the photo before I added the journaling. But it is located to the left of the big swirl.

Autumn

2008-11-07T07:31:00.000-08:00

A layout for class two weeks ago - love the white overlay under the cut out leaves from Creative Imaginations. Was trying to show the techinique of "clumping" embellishments.

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T12:28:00.000-07:00

Cannot believe it has been 3 weeks since I last posted to my blog. I guess a lot has been happening. Here is a layout I made using those terrific engagement photos of my daughter and her beau Josh. Love how this one came out.

I've also been real busy making cards for my LSS Creating Lasting Memories. This week I did a demo on the Cuttlebug. These cards are some samples I made for it.

The machine is really quite amazing and using the new color core paper, as in the green scallop circle with bird, adds another fun dimension.

The turquoise card is made with a Dreamweaver stencil and Black Magic paper. Tried some gel pens designed for writing on black paper to add some pop to the outline of the stencil.

The treat bag is what everyone got to make. Filled with candy, it looks even better!

APU

2008-10-10T21:03:00.000-07:00

I struggled all afternoon with this layout trying to find pictures to match the pink and green paper and finally...ta-da. These photos from 2004 were just perfect. How was Allison to know that she would wear the perfect color shirt I needed her to be wearing 4 years later.
As can be seen, it's another grid layout. I'm really enjoying these.

And do I love these engagement photos that Allison just posted today. Yes, I do.

Time to Celebrate

2008-10-03T12:52:00.000-07:00

It's another Color Challenge from super talented (and busy) Kristina Werner, author of one of my favorite blogs.

The colors for this week's challenge were Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, and Very Vanilla.
Very autumn, which is my favorite season of the year. And for me (it's personal!) autumn is all about birthdays. So instead of leaves and pumpkins and the like, I decided to create a birthday card. Plus I was just dying to use these cute Bazzill Chips arrows. Love them. And anything with a bird is good with me.

First Grid

2008-09-28T20:06:00.000-07:00

I completed my first "grid" layout this weekend. I started it at the Scrap Pink crop on Friday evening and finished it up yesterday. The photos are from Christmas, 2001 and I've been wanting to scrap them for a long time. It was kind of a mini photo shoot of my daughter and seemed perfect for attempting Allie Edwards' weekend creative. I had so much fun with this. Definitely will have to try it again.

Rogue River

2008-09-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

Layout for a little outing we went on the first day of summer. And here it is: the first day of fall. Summer sure seemed to fly by. This is some really great paper by Graphic 45. And I was real pleased with the chipboard circles. I was playing around with the zoom on my digital camera all day (myhusband goes to fish; I go to take pictures!). The mother duck and her babies were actually all the way across the river from me. My SLR camera would have taken a better shot, but this was not too bad.

I actually got three more wedding layouts done last week and will post them tomorrow. I am hoping to finish up that album this week.....and get the Christmas cards done for World Card Making Day. My LSS has a great day planned and I can't wait. Plus it is Scrap Pink this Friday and that should be fun too. Looks like a great time coming up. One season ends, but the next is always good too.

Kind

2008-09-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

Its another color challenge from Kristina Werner. I needed a thank you card and this seemed just the ticket. I love fall and I love these fall colors. Decided to go with a really fun technique: dye inks dabbed on glossy paper.

Stand By Me

2008-09-11T08:05:00.000-07:00

I promised more layouts from the wedding scrapbook I'm currently working on. As I said, the color I'm working with is red. But I love how this one came out, and my favorite part is the title. But I was not happy when the girls were looking off the page (bottom layout). So I reversed image in Photoshop (top photo). Way better. I don't know how the program does it, but I think it's amazing.

I've started adding some journaling blocks to the layouts for the bride to record her memories. Her mom says she loves to write. Yeah!

We Remember

2008-09-09T18:19:00.000-07:00

Do we remember? I made this card for Stamp Club. It is amazing to think that Thursday it is 7 years since the attack on the Twin Towers. Many families will be hurting especially on this Thursday. Can we really say, "United we stand?" This country seems very divided and we seem to have lost sight of all that we have in common this election year as we focus on the campaign issues. This is still America, land that I love. I praise God I live here.

Leis

2008-09-05T17:13:00.001-07:00

I love how this layout came out. The paper is perfect. I tried to keep the embellishments to a minimum and the focus on the photos. The journaling came from some researching I did on the web. They knew the exchange of the leis was going to be a part of the Hawaiian ceremony (put together by the wedding planner). But the mother of the bride told me she, nor the bride and groom, didn't actually know what it all meant and they were all so pleased to read what I learned.

Kristina's Color Challenge

2008-09-04T08:51:00.000-07:00

Two little happy cards for this week's challenge. The challenge for me was to make four colors not look too busy. I did find I could mix and match the pieces using the different colors of card stock. Fun! Thanks for another great time, Kristine.

Seeing Red

2008-09-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

I've been doing a wedding scrapbook for a couple that chose red for their color. Here's a bunch of papers laid out for viewing and selecting for the next layout. I did two layouts this weekend but I haven't taken pictures of them yet so I will post that tomorrow. It has been a stretch for me to use that color. I usually go for pastels over primaries. But I am really pleased with how they are coming out and (most importantly) is the bride.

Engaged

2008-08-28T17:23:00.000-07:00

Layout for class this Saturday. I got a request to use the Tinkering Ink Al Fresco line of papers....very bright prints. Fortunately, on the back side of one of the patterns was this lovely soft blue. So I added some of the prints sparingly to come up with this. The layout makes me smile and ultimately, isn't that what this hobby is all about? I think they are one fantastic looking couple. And forgive me if I sound like a grandmother-to-be, but I can't wait to see how darn cute their kids will be. And don't you just love those Bo Bunny rubons? Anything with a bird is ok by me. But swirls and birds is just about perfect.

I am doing a demo at my LSS tomorrow, Creating Lasting Memories. It will be all about rubons and this page will be one of the samples.

I'm also teaching an acrylic album class Saturday using the same line of Tinkering Ink papers. For that mini-album I used photos of my daughter when she was much younger, actually when she celebrated her 7th birthday. Sometimes it seems like it was just yesterday.

The cake and the toast

2008-08-25T09:04:00.000-07:00

Here is a layout I forgot to post. This is my second a layout for Daina's wedding. This photo shows that I actually snap the photo outside on the deck. I like the weathered wood effect on the edges. Of course, usually I crop it before posting here but thought I'd show the way it looks beforehand. Natural lighting outside takes the best photo for true colors. Lots of photos on this layout but attaching them to the glitter paper is proving to be a problem. I even used redline double sided adhesive and they don't want to stick.

Bella Girl

2008-08-23T08:10:00.000-07:00

Wow, like it has been a while since I posted. I was very busy this week doing Vacation Bible School. If you've ever done it, you know how my week went. Crazy Busy. Anyway, this was such a fun layout to do, because the pictures are from the weekend we met Josh. Since they are now getting married, 6 years later, it was so special to reflect on that "first impression." I went back and read my journal entries for that week before writing the journaling for the page. I also made a mini-book with the second set of photos:

This is just photos and journaling, aka Allie Edwards.

Wedding layout No. 1

2008-08-05T22:40:00.000-07:00

I will be doing this layout in my scrapbook class Saturday. I am very excited because it is my first wedding layout - hopefully just the beginning of many more and one that will be available for choosing, when I get my website up for my business. I would call this "contemporary". Although it has some cool embellishments, it has plenty of free space where the eye can rest. I think the colors of this Little Yellow Bicycle paper is perfect for these photos of an Hawaiian wedding.

"Happy" color challenge additions

2008-07-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

Here's my layout for last Saturday's class. These are photos of our hometown parade. It really IS funky but I do love it. I used Cloud 9 Design paper and matching dimensional stickers which is unusual for me; I rarely use stickers. But I needed a fairly quick and easy page because I was heading out early to line dance at the county fair.

Two more cards I made the following morning using the same colors. I walked into my studio and saw all the stuff still out from my creative flurry of the day before and wanted to try something with the leftovers. I really like the little "happy" card. For the other, I switched around the background card stock and used the regal rose instead of rose red. As I suspected, the versamarked circles look more stunning on the darker paper.

Find Joy

2008-07-24T16:05:00.000-07:00

Card I designed for Kristina's latest Color Challenge. I am using the soon to be retired SU! Polka Dots and Petals and Polka Dots and Paisley sets. I think those little circles done with versamark are just soooo cute. At first I just had the Regal Rose ribbon but it really looked almost the same color as the Rose Red background so I matted the ribbon on a piece of the Regal Rose card stock and stamped it with the little flowers in craft whisper white. TFL.

Rengstoff Park

2008-07-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

This is my layout for class this Saturday. It is a great layout for LOTS of pictures. There are 16 photos here. The paper and matching accessories are from Prima Marketing, Inc. "Urban Cosmos". I really love the cute title letters; they are painted chipboard with diamond glaze. My LSS put all their Golden paint products on sale at 40% off so I grabbed up quite a collection of colors. This time, I really tried to mix my acrylic paint to match the colors in the photos. The Golden paints mix so well. It was super fun and I am pleased with how they came out.

So Much Fun

2008-07-11T07:52:00.001-07:00

Here is my layout for my class on Saturday. I love the clear flowers from Li'l Davis Designs. And adding the gem sparkles shaped like flowers by Hero Arts added just the right amount of bling. The pictures make me happy. They remind me of a wonderful Saturday I spent with my daughter in old town Los Gatos. First we went and painted pottery, then explored shops and ate ice cream. It was a beautiful May day, the weather bright and sunny but not too warm. We have so much fun together.

New Deck

2008-06-30T09:35:00.001-07:00

Layout for Saturday's class. I was a little less than satisfied with this layout. I like the design but the swirl/flower rubons seem out of place for the more or less manly theme. My friend, Cyndi, used some very cool black felt on her page and I like it so much more. Today, I am going to make a layout like hers using some brown felt I have.

Light Box Woes

2008-06-25T10:21:00.000-07:00

I spent the better part of yesterday afternoon creating this light box. The directions were on the web here. I thought I'd found a real bargain when I discoverd foam core board at the dollar store, a savings of $2 from Fred Meyer's price. I made a separate trip to the hardware store for the masking tape and clip-on lights. It went together easily, just like the instructions said. But sadly, my photos came out all yellow. So I read some more and I needed "full spectrum" light bulbs. So back to the store (third trip). But the photos were still yellow. Now this morning I'm thinking dismantle the whole thing? It takes up an awful lot of room to not work. Maybe the bargain foam core board wasn't such a bargain. It does seem to be just the foam core with no poster board. Anyway, I wanted it for taking pictures with my digital camera of scrapbook layouts and those come out way better if I just put them on the floor in front of a window (natural light) and take a picture standing on a chair.

Legacy

2008-06-19T17:17:00.001-07:00

This is a layout I started on National Scrapbooking day and finally had a chance to finish this morning. It was the journaling that I needed/wanted to get done. My dad's garden is unbelievably beautiful this spring. Sadly, since he died in September, he doesn't get to see it. But we are enjoying every new bloom. It is just a lush paradise that he left for us to enjoy. The journaling reads: The "Cole" house at 1108 Sandy Lane, so named for it's first owner, Jim Cole, originally stood alone at the end of the cul-de-sac. Jim had the foresight to purchase the lot next door. Perhaps he envisioned the homes to come; mainly, I think, he just loved to play golf. The lot was his personal putting green. By the time my parents purchased the home, the green had been replaced with a garden, designed by landscapers from the valley. The result was a virtual feast for the numerous deer that inhabit these bluffs. Needless to say, it was a sad, sparse garden. My dad, with love and passion for gardening, went to work with his ethic of hard effort and determination, mixed with high intellect. In the 8+ years he graced this place with his life, he turned the barren into a fruitful paradise. Never, dear dad, has it looked so lovely as it does this spring. It is your lasting legacy. At least, I hope it will be lasting. We have a great gardner in our neighbor, Ken. By the way, that is my darling dog, Snickers, at the bottom right.

Beauty

2008-06-18T14:39:00.000-07:00

I finished this layout yesterday. The photos are my DD; it was day 3 of Allie and mommy week. She had just gotten a haircut. Most of the supplies (designer paper, brads, flower, wood flourishes) are from Kaiser Craft. Those Aussies are doing great things in the scrapbooking world.

This is day 1 of my learning how to "blog". I have no idea what I am doing, if I will ever be able to get back to this screen to make another entry, or how to set up the rest of my layout. But since every one seems to be doing it, how hard can it be?