A Permanent Remembrance

Gee wiz... it seems lately the only posts I make here are for my Stuck On U Sketches challenge weeks.  Things should soon start slowing down for me here in the weeks ahead, so hopefully I will then have some time freed up to get more crafty and bloggy, lol!  At least that's what I'm a hopin' for!

So yes, it is SOUS sketch reveal Friday here and that makes me sooo happy!  Also kinda makes me sad though too, because it's my last sketch as a SOUS designer.  I hate to give up my spot on the team, but I know there are so many other talented ladies waiting for their chance to shine their creative lights there too!  So with that, I do hope you like my interpretation of Leah Shaeffer's sketch this week...

I really love the split imagery design of this sketch and it was easy for me to roll with it!  I had the perfect photo to scrap about and I knew I wanted to use the cool tattoo heart imagery to compliment the photo, using the Indie Art Cricut cartridge. 

"A Permanent Remembrance", is about my brother's tattoo that he's gotten in memory of his son (my nephew), Isaac.  Later after we had lost our Ava and Amelia, my brother went and had hearts added to his tattoo for both of them with their initials as well.  Probably one of the most touching gestures of love that a brother can do... I still am beyond touched and I think it looks just lovely! 

All the papers and stickers here are from the most recent "Carefree" collection by Authentique!  I thought the collection was perfect for adding just the right amount of masculinity to this page, especially with that muted gray woodgrain pattern!  I also used some Core'dinations Core Essentials cardstock.  The wing diecut is also cut from the Indie Art cartridge.  I tied on the sticker tag embellies with some Papertrey Ink natural twine.

Hope you've enjoyed this sketch and my page.  Please don't forget to go to the SOUS blog and see what all the other ladies have created this week as well.  Before I go I'd like to express to the girls how much I've enjoyed sharing my work over on the blog and how fun it's been getting to know each and everyone them.  They are a special group of ladies and I've been totally inspired by them all!  Thanks for having welcomed me there at Stuck On U Sketches! 

Happy Friday!

Ohh, am I ever glad it's Friday!  Another work week scratched off the calendar, also means it's PAY-DAY and SOUS sketch reveal day at the Stuck On You Sketches challenge blog!  Ohhh HAPPY Day indeed! 

Today's sketch was created by our own SOUS designer and co-creator, Leah Shaeffer.

I adore her sketches and this one was definitely fun to create from...

And, here's what I did using some lovely Fall pix from 2010...

Please click on photo to view the details better!  These pretty petals in a pumpkin were delivered to me from my hubby for our 10th Anniversary... he knows how much I love Fall, so he couldn't have put had a more perfect arrangement sent!  I used Glitz Designs paper, accents and woodgrain tiny alphas here.  The Pretty Petals title piece was cut using the Cricut Country Life cartridge and the decorative flower and leaf accents were all cut using Picturesque.  The frame surrounding the title was cut with Elegant Edges.  Other paper flowers here are from Petaloo and I added orange rhinestone centers from doodlebug design.  All cardstock is Core'dinations.

So there ya have it!  Please don't forget to come visit us over at SOUS and try out the sketch yourself!  We'd love to see what you do!  Hope everyone has a beautiful and enjoyable weekend!

Quiet Moments

Hmm, quiet moments are something of a rarity around here lately, but that's what my page today is all about!  I thought that it would be the perfect title for my layout that I created for the Stuck On U Sketches challenge blog today.  Sometimes the quiet moments are all you need!  Isn't that the truth?  Anyway, this page features one of my favorite photos that I took last summer of the hubster and our doggie niece, Jenna who we were doggie-sittin' for one weekend. But if you procede further on and take a look at my page, you will notice that I have titled my "QUIET" Moments page "QUITE" Moments instead!  Lol... major spelling error!  I will be fixing that, however I guess that's what I get for staying up late to scrap!  I seriously can't believe that I didn't even notice that while I was cutting out the letters and placing them... silly me! 
First of all, here is the cool sketch we got to play with this week...

And this is my page...

Remember, you can click on the picture to view my page is closer detail!  And again, so sorry for my spelling error! 

I love the blues and greens that I used here to reflect upon the serenity of the picture.  All of these papers are from the Pink Paislee Nantucket collection, and the embossed Core'dinations cardstock is all from the matching Pink Paislee Core Impressions line of Modern Prints, which happens to be some of my all time favorite Core cardstock!  For my page I also used the Cricut Picturesque cartridge to cut the dragonfly embellishment.  The "quite" in my title was the Paper Lace 2 font as well.  Other product here includes some baby blue chevron ribbon by May Arts, some green tinsil fiber from Darice, some decorative brads from Basic Grey, green paper flowers from Petaloo, pink alpha stickers from Pink Paislee and mini alphas from Glitz! 

So sorry to be so short today, but I've got a busy Friday ahead and must be running!  Like I said, where are my quite moments, lol!  I hope you all have a great weekend and be sure to stop by the SOUS challenge blog and have a look around to be inspired!  ;) Take care, friends!

Stuck On U Sketch's Blog Hop... Get to Know Me!

Yes, today is the perfect time to be stopping by the SOUS blog for inspiration, because it's not just the normal Friday reveal of a sketch, but today is full of extra fun because we are hopping too to share some pages "all about" the designers and some fun facts as well along each stop.  In addition, there may also be some special blog candy  here and there along the way so you'll want to visit each member!

Sooo, about the hop...

Hello and thanks for visiting Stuck on U Sketches today! We are happy to have you to join us for our "Get to Know Me" Blog Hop! Our design team has been working hard to create layouts about themselves to share with you & we hope you enjoy them! They will also be answering 10 fun questions about themselves. We are including this bonus sketch today, so we hope that you will get an opportunity to use it this week.

The Blog Hop begins here at SOUS, so just follow along the blog path. We are linking to one of the SOUS designers and that designer is linking to the next and so on. In case there is a glitch along the way, here is a complete list of all the participating blogs:

                                                            Agnieszka Bellaidea

Andrea Amu

Annette Gearside

Beatriz Guzman

Charlotte Brochu

Elizabeth Currie-Matsko

Faith-Abigail

Fern Riley

Leah Schaeffer

Lisa Norris

Nanné Harry

Sandi Clarkson

Sandi Smith

Shona Keehn

Stine Ursin

Theresa Kelly
Tracey Kelly

Stuck On U Sketches

Of course we are offering some yummy blog candy! And here it is:

A winner will be randomly chosen after the hop is over. it is important to leave a comment on each blog. Many of them are also offering a small blog candy of their own.

The Blog Hop starts today, 7:00 AM EDT USA March 30th and runs through 11:59pm USA EDT on Sunday April 1st .

The SOUS winner will be announced on Monday April 2nd. You must leave a comment on each of the designers blogs as well as become a follower to be eligible to win the SOUS blog candy.

Thanks again for joining us! Have a great time!

So let's begin... 

First off, here are the "get to know me" questions followed with my own answers...

1.  If I was a crayon, what color would I be?  Okay, I'm not sick or feeling green in the tummy, but I would be green... my favorite color!

2.  What would people be surprised to learn about me?  Ohh gosh, I have been trying so hard to come up with a creative answer for this but I feel as though I would be pondering on this forever.  I'm not good at talking about myself sooo, would you be surprised if I were to say I don't know how to answer questions about myself, lol?

3.  What 5 things are always on my crafting table?  Now that's an easier question!  1. Core'dinations cardstock  2. Pounce Wheel tool  3. Paper trimmer  4. Cricut Expression  5. Zig Glue Pen

4.  What is my go-to embellishment?  Currently I would say ribbon or twine. 

5.  What is my ALL-TIME favorite crafting tool?  Can you guess?  Come on!!  Oh yea... definitely my Cricut!

6.  Tell about my family... first in one word.  Then in a sentence or two. 

My family... HEAVENLY! 

My family IS heavenly, for it is through my family and because of my family where I find strength!  I have always wanted to be a mom and I have 3 little angels in heaven.  They are 3 of my proudest accomplishments and I can't wait to one day be reunited with them forever! 

7.  What is my dream vacation?  A never ending vacation, lol!  Perfect, right?

8.  Who is my favorite crafty company?  I would say Core'dinations!  Can't go without cardstock, and Core is thee best! ;)

9.  Tell a little about my crafty style!  I love, love, love layers!!  Layering is my thing!

10.  Where do I live?  I live in a home that I'm so very blessed to have and share with the love of my life! 

Okay... that wasn't too hard.  Now we can get onto something more interesting... this week's sketch... It's a cute one...

I really enjoyed this, and I really was excited to finally scrap this photo of myself from last Fall...

(Please click on photos to view them larger.)

I also used one of my favorite Fancy Pants collections here, Summer's End!  Here are two more close-up detail shots...

I also used some of the fun Hambly Studios washi tapes here... such a fun product to layer with.  All the embossed cardstock is from Core'dinations.  The floral printed blue cardstock mat is a piece from the Fancy Pants Core Impressions line and I used and inked over the reverse side with a brown inkpad.  Lovin' the look!  I do hope you've enjoyed my portion of the hop.  Please let a comment here on my blog to let me know what you've enjoyed here and I'd love to put your name in for the chance to win a litttle package of goodies from me in return!  Please include an email in your comment so I can get back to you if you are chosen! 

Your next stop along the way is... Annette Gearside!

Enjoy... and again, thanks for hopping by!

SOUS Sketch Reveal for March 16th!

Today is Friday, Yay! So excited because the long-awaited scrappy weekend with my friends has finally arrived! I've taken off work for the day, and I couldn't be any happier that I can get away for a few days with the girls! Now let's just see how much craftiness I can actually get accomplished! ;)

Also for today there's a SOUS sketch reveal up, with yet another sweet sketch to create with!  For my page today I broke out some older My Mind's Eye from their Meadow Lark collection to create this layout about my niece.  Such a terrific black and white line! 

Here's the sketch by SOUS's own Sandi Clarkson...

and this is what I did with it...

I also used the Cricut Elegant Edges cartridge for my cuts here and the flowers are Petaloo paper flowers in Marine Blue, designed to specifically match up to Core'dinations cardstock colors!  Fun!  I love the look of the Marine blue paired with the black and white combo!

Okay... sorry to be short and sweet this morning, but I really do have a bit more packing to get back to.  Everytime I tell myself not to pack eveything I own... afterall, I'm not taking a U-Haul of my scraproom!  Always so hard to narrow down though.  Enjoy the weekend you all, and please don't forget to join in on our sketch challenge at Stuck On U Sketches!  Bye!

Is It Spring Yet?

Well, I know it's not Spring yet, but I think I am wanting it to get here more and more every day!  Arghh, I just need some nice beautiful weather to get me out of my gloomy lil' slump I've been in.  I'm really wanting to be not so cold... and I really want to see some gorgeous green grass with pretty pops of flowers scattered here and there! Yes, hurry up and get here Spring!

I know I took one look at this week's new SOUS sketch and I was immediately thinking Spring too! 

Sandi's sketch depicts florals, a butterfly and even the word Spring, so how could I resist wanting to create something with the long-awaited seasonal theme myself?! So for today I threw together a happy I {heart}You card! 

I used the basic elements of the sketch but I decided to use a clustering of three Studio Calico chipboard clouds at the bottom of my card in place of Sandi's trio of oval shapes, and instead of using a photo or rectangular element on the large floral accent, I opted to use a chipboard butterfly over my floral doily accent.  The floral doily shape by the way, I cut out using the exclusive Cricut Expression 2 Cricut Alphabet cartridge.  That cart has so many great doily shapes included on there, and I'm sure I'll be playing around with those images quite alot! The chipboard butterflies I colorized with some Smooch Spritz sprays and then I also embellished them and the doily accent with some Glam Rocks using the Imaginisce I-Rock tool.  Fun stuff!  Ohh, and do you love that teal chevron ribbon?? I sure do... it's from the fabulous May Arts company!

And of course I can't forget, Core'dinations!  I gotta have my Core cardstock... the Jillian Spotted Core really puts me in a Spring mood.  I just love it... esp. in that aqua shade! 

Okay... that's all I've got for this post, but I do hope you will go check out the rest of the designers creations on the SOUS blog.  Those girls can all seriously rock a sketch!  Have a wonderful Friday you all!  ;) 

Sous Sketch for February 17th!

Hey there!  Yes, it is time for another SOUS sketch reveal, and I myself am a day late getting mine posted here, but all excuses aside, the 16th was my Birthday and I guess I was in party mode, lol!  Sorry to be tardy!  Anywho, we had a cool sketch to play around with this week, designed by our very own, Leah Schaeffer!

 

So, here is what I came up with...

I wish I could've captured a better photo of this page, because it certainly does no justice for the richness and texture of these gorgeous papers from Teresa Collin's, Christmas Home collection!  And I just loved these photos of my husband stringing the lights on our Christmas tree this past holiday.  The  TC line was perfect for creating this page with them! The background base for this page is a sheet of the black Tim Holtz Kraft cardstock from Core'dinations... a definite favorite in my cardstock stash.  If you haven't gotten yourself some Kraft Core yet, you really need to.  I'm tellin' ya, it's the best!  Here I debossed a Cuttlebug border along the bottom edge and sanded over it all to reveal the Kraft core.  I also scored along the other three edges and sanded them as well.

 (Ohh, and a side note, I believe this is the first project in a long time that I have NOT used my Cricut cutting on it in some way, shape or form! Are you all gasping, lol?? I really just may go cut some bits and pieces to add to this down the road. I do believe I need some Cricut flair on this somewhere!)

That's all I have to share for now, but I do hope you'll join us over at Stuck On U Sketches and show us how you can work the sketch too!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Getting Patriotic With A Sous Sketch and BoBunny Card Challenge!

For today I have some red, white and blue!  I know... it is a bit early to break out with the 4th of July cards, but it is never really out of date to celebrate patriotically, and besides, this Bo Bunny Liberty collection is a wonderful classic line that I just had to cut into for this week's SOUS sketch and the latest BoBunny card challenge!  

First up, it is Friday so that means it's time yet again for another terrific sketch at Stuck On U Sketches!

Our sketch for the week is brought to you all from Nanné, and we also have a wonderful guest designer in our midst this week, Debbie Burns. For this sketch, I totally envisioned a card using Nanné's fun block design!  I did flip the direction of the sketch around and upside down for my interpretation.  I used Core'dinations cardstock and a tag and I cut up 1" squares from the BoBunny Liberty collection.  The middle piece I stamp embossed the flourished star, also from the Liberty line, onto a piece of Cambridge patterned paper, also from BoBunny. 

(Please click on image to show enlarged !)

I also included some BoBunny stickers, a denim strip and pearl accents on here.  The flocked flowers are all Maya Road, the Baker's Twine from The Twinery and the tiny type alpha stickers are Cosmo Cricket and Carolee's Creations.

 

Be sure to take a look at all the other designer's creations over on the SOUS blog... it's always a feast for the eyes.  You can also play along with us and share what you create using the sketch... we'd love to see you there! 

Next up is my card that I did for the Tuesday Card Challenge at BoBunny.  For the challenge which is due on Jan. 24th, you need to use the following items on a card:  Ribbon, at least 2 buttons, patterned paper with dots, and chipboard.  Easy and fun enough! 

Again, I used the Liberty collection pattened paper, rub-on and pearl accents.  I also used a strip of denim and some ivory buttons from other BoBunny lines.  The chipboard stars from Fancy Pants I misted with Sapphire Glimmer Mist. That fabulous twill ribbon is from May Arts and my diecuts were cut using the Cricut Stand and Salute and Jasmine cartridges.  I also love the Vintage blue Core cardstock with this Liberty line... a perfect match-up! 

Okay, that's all I have for today.  I think I will no doubt be snowed in for a good part of my weekend, so I think that might be beneficial to me... crafty-wise, lol!  We shall see!  Have a great weekend, my friends!  Enjoy :) 

A Page for SOUS,Jan. 6th and Jan. Core Color Challenge!

It's Friday... time for another reveal of projects done with the latest sketch over at Stuck On U Sketches (SOUS)!  I really loved all the opportunity for layering with today's sketch by our own SOUS designer and co-creator, Nanne Harry!  You too can play along with this challenge... just make sure to link your project to the inlinkz tool at the end of the Jan. 6th posting.  You have 2 weeks, so go get scrappin!

I also went with the snowflake embellishing for my page.  I had a stack of new papers from the latest Winterland and Saint Nick collections at Fancy Pants that I bought last weekend and I just had to cut into them! Now here's what I came up with...

And for whatever reason, these photos here aren't reading clear... everything looks so much prettier IRL!  I also used Cricut cutting for the blue-grey lettering on the Take Note piece (Paper Lace 2 font) and the coral color snowflakes were cut from the Wrap It Up cartridge.  I layered those with some clear glass micro-beads.  The other felt snowflake embellies are also from Fancy Pants... I painted on some Glimmer Glaze and Glimmer Glam to those to make them "sparkle" some! 

Also the colors I chose to work into this page were inspired by the latest January Color Challenge at the Core'dinations blog...

So play along with us on this color challenge and you could have a chance at winning some fabulous Core product...  All entries are due by January 31st either link to this post or post your entry on Core'dination's Facebook page. Please note: due to CHA falling at this time, we may be delayed in posting a winner until the 2nd week in February.

Have a terrific weekend!! :)

A Winter Wonderland and a Winner!

Hello, and good Friday before the big Christmas Day!  I'm sure everyone is frantic getting all those last minute preparations done right about now... I know I am!  I sure am looking forward to all the good food and family time to be had though!  I am also anxious for more time to relax after all the holiday festivities come to a close as well! ;) 

However, today I wanted to first announce the winner of my giveaway that was up for grabs for the Advent Calendar day I hosted at The Nook! Thanks to everyone who left their wonderful comments... I really appreciated them!  And the winner is...

Sherri said...

oh wow, that looks just like real wood. how cool is that!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 5:50:00 PM

Yay, Sherri!  You won my card kit with the Tim Holtz Alterations Brick and Woodgrain Texture Fades!  Please pm me your address and I will get them off to you real soon!

Now who's ready for a Winter Wonderland?  I'm not really wanting any significant amount of snow right now, but I wouldn't mind a few flurries for Christmas Day.  Right this minute though, I will stay warm and enjoy the beauty of a previous snowfall from earlier in the year on my latest SOUS sketch layout.  Here's this week's sketch from SOUS designer, Sandi Clarkson...

And here's my interpretation, which I rotated...

(Please click on pictures to view larger)

I still used 3 photos, only I adjusted the placement and of course used larger pictures.  All cardstock used here is Core'dinations... even that vibrant glittered blue which is Core's line of "Glitter Silk" cardstock... perfect for Wintery pages and projects like this.  I have to say that it cuts wonderfully in the Cricut Expression too! The beautiful and intricate snowflake imagery here is cut using Cricut's Damask Decor cartridge.  I know I always seem to have a new favorite Cricut cart, lol... but this one totally IS a favorite! I also used the Martha Stewart pine needles deep edge punch again and I love the look of the design punched from white cardstock.  It really pops off that blue Glitter Silk!  The BG Nordic Holiday line was a pefect fit for a Winter page paired off with some really cool gray plaid May Arts ribbon.  Yes... I really love to look at the beauty of a Wintery scene like this! If only snow wasn't so cold!

I want to wish all my friends and followers a very Merry Christmas, and wonderful wishes for a very blessed and healthy New Year in 2012!  Love to ALL! 

My Friday Finale!

So excited that it is Friday, which makes me all the more excited to share some scrap-happy things today as well! 
First off, all week long on the Core'dinations blog, we've paired up with the most fabulous company, and a personal favorite of mine too... BASIC GREY!  I can never have enough BG collections, and the same goes for the awesome Core'dinations cardstock offered in Basic Grey patterns now too! 

If you haven’t heard, we have a BasicGrey Core Impressions line that we just LOVE! There are TWO Core Impression packs in this line that are fabulous. The Whimsy Collection is full of bright colors and whimsical patterns that match BasicGrey papers and embellishments. And the Ornate Collection has beautiful blues, greens and pinks that coordinate with BasicGrey papers and embellishments as well. You will be seeing both of these collections in action this week along with LOADS of BasicGrey goodies, too!

Each pack has FOUR embossed patterns in FIVE colors totaling 20 unique sheets and we sell certain sheets individually as well.

And you know it wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t have a giveaway! We are giving away one of EACH of our BasicGrey Core Impressions lines!!!

You have a few ways to win this week.

1.) Leave a comment here on the Core blog all week long! Leave a comment everyday for up to FIVE chances to win!

2.) Head over to our Facebook page for another chance to win!

3.) Make your way over the BasicGrey blog for additionial chances to win, too!

4.) And hurry over to the Facebook page, too! Tell them we sent you!

Now are you ready for some inspiration? Don’t forget to click HERE to get see the gorgeous projects over at the BG Blog and more chances to win win win!

Today was the final day of the swap, and I was pleased to have had two of my holiday layouts showcased using Basic Grey's super cool Nordic Holiday collection!

This first layout is pretty and festive... using some more traditional holiday prints included in the Nordic Holiday line, such as the red and green pointsettia pattern.  I paired it all with some floral embossed green cardstock from the Basic Grey Ornate Core Impressions line and green and white Core Essentials.  Punched border detailing really helps to define the backround texture of the cardstock! 

(Click on pictures to view larger)

Then, I also created the following page, which also leads me to another fun announcement! 

To create this page, I followed an awesome layout sketch for Dec. 9th from the Stuck On U Sketches (SOUS) challenge blog.  This sketch design was created by their own designer, Sandi Clarkson. 

And, I can now announce that I am a new design team member at SOUS!  I am very happy to be joining this fun site with such a great group of talented ladies!  Looking forward to designing with many, many more inspirational sketches in the weeks and months ahead!

Here are some more details of this holiday page...

 I used the BG Ornate Core Impressions in the Olive Cornbread pattern. I painted on some Tattered Angels Glimmer Glaze within the embossed areas to give the cardstock a different look and then I also sprayed on some Glimmer Mist.  This all gave the olive toned cardstock a more golden and glitzy, festive look. I also used May Arts ribbons here... that chevron patterned ribbon is thee coolest and the red really gives a cheerful punch.  The stitched brad and fun feltie ornament sticker embellies are also all part of the Nordic Holiday line!  Finally, I used the Paper Lace 2 Cricut cart to cut out the pretty ornate circular background diecut. I really do love this page and have decided to frame it and gift it to my mom this Christmas.  I know she'll love it just as much as I do!

Before I go, I just wanted to thank everyone who has voted for my cards in the Card Sharks challenge at the Nook!  I appreciate the votes and comments so much.  There is also a little more time left to vote if you can... I believe voting closes at 9am PST Saturday morning (Dec. 10th). 

Vote for me HERE, please! 

Have a terrific and fun-filled weekend!  ;)