WOW, IT'S FRIENDS WITH FLAIR FRIDAY!

When I was making cards the other day, I wanted to make some sympathy cards.  I always struggle with making sympathy cards.  I had the background paper by Basic Grey that I wanted to use, but then the challenge was to find some paper that coordinated with it since it was a weird color.  This paper from last year's winter collection by Fancy Pants coordinated beautifully with it.  I used some of my favorite crinkled crepe ribbon by Creative Impressions ( I think that is the brand) to give it even more color.  The stamp is from Bevy of Butterflies and I used my Creative Memories circle punch.  The ink I used is a Powder Puff chalk ink.

I also made some cards that could be sympathy or get well cards.  This card used one of the BEAUTIFUL big butterfly stamps from the Butterfly Beauty stamp set.  The background paper is from a baby collection by Little Yellow Bicycle, I think.  I bought a bunch of this paper when Cat was having a big sale since the colors are fantastic, it is a varnished paper with lots of texture, plus it works for travel, ocean, and lots of things--LOVE IT!  The rose paper is by My Minds Eye and the cardstock is by Bazzill.  The butterfly is stamped on a scrap of paper that I had.  I used a punch by Stampin Up to punch out the sentiment, which is from the My Thoughts are With You  set.  I love those sentiment collections since they are wonderful to grab when you want to make a bunch of cards.

I'm going to link this to the Friends with Flair hop as well as Cat's WOW Wednesday hop.  Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win from Cat or Unity.  Two chances to win--FUN!!!!  Go back to Cat's blog and Unity's blog to check out everyone else's creations and leave more comments for even more chances to win.  

FRIENDS WITH FLAIR FRIDAY

I can't believe I'm finally participating in Friends With Flair Friday.  It has been too long!  I spent a few days creating cards to replenish my mom's and my stash.  Of course, I had to use some of the fantastic stamps that Unity has for cardmaking.  To speed things along, I used sketches (card maps) by Becky Fleck - LOVE using her sketches for cards and scrapbook layouts.  I made the card pictured above using a stamp from the "My Thoughts are With You" kit.  I love the vertical sentiment!  The papers are from Bella Blvd., My Minds Eye, and Jillibean Soup, with carstock by Wausau.  The ribbon is by Offray.  This card is simple and fun.

This card features a stamp from one of my favorite series of stamps, "Wit and Wisdom" by Joslyn  I LOVE these stamps and couldn't wait to make a card featuring one of them.  The paper I used is by American Crafts, with cardstock by Bazzill and Wausau.  The ribbon is by Offray  The candle paper is embossed and adds some fun texture to the card.  I used Archival Ink by Ranger on both cards

My local scrapbook store, Cat's Creations Scrapbook in Mineral Wells, Texas, is where the majority of my supplies were purchased.  The birthday papers were actually purchased when she had some sale bins full of paper.  We are so blessed to have a great scrapbook store in our small town.  Lots of people from the Dallas-Fort Worth area drive over to visit our wonderful store.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win some Unity goodness.  Go back to the Unity blog and check out the creations by everyone else.  Visit their blogs and leave comments for more chances to win.  

WOW, IT'S FINISHED !

This is the lapbook album that I've been working on for the past several weeks.  This album was inspired by an album designed by Kathy Orta, aka Paper Phenomenon.  I also used Rachel's modification of adding a chipboard cover and one inch spines.  I definitely want to give credit to these ladies for coming up with the design of the structure of this album.  I used a Tim Holtz die to create the cupid and heart on the front of the album  I used Viva Decor "Ferro" on the heart and arrow.

When you open the album, you see this page  It has space for a large photograph  The scrolls above and below the photo mat were made using the Viva Decor mother-of-pearl modelling paste and a stencil.  The two "folders" you see peeking out of the side pocket on the left are actually mini albums:

I made these using a Coluzzle template and blade set that I have had forever.  The bottom mini album has a cascade album inside to hold lots of photos.

As you "turn" the page, you come to this page, which has a place for another large photo and two more of the folder mini-albums peeking out of the pocket on the right.

These mini albums were made the same way the other two mini albums were made.

The back side of the page has another flap and some tags slid inside a pocket.  The flap has a spot for another photo on it, and the tags will hold three to six photos.

As you flip that page you see this flap with room for another vertical photo and it then another cascade album is revealed, as well as a spot for a "landscape" photo - there are two of these, one on each side of the album.

That flap also opens up to show more places for you to put photos.

This is what it opens up to on the opposite side.  

Paper from numerous manufacturers was used in this album.  One of the things I enjoy most about scrapbooking is mixing and matching paper collections.  The main collection I used was an older collection from SEI.  I supplemented it with paper from My Minds Eye, Echo Park, Bazzill, Little Yellow Bicycle, Pebbles, Heidi Grace, and BoBunny.  I used washi tape on the hinges inside the album and some cloth tape on the outside from Oriental Trading Company (it is similar to 7 Gypsies Gaffer tape).  I used punches by McGill, EK Success, Fiskars, WeR Memory Keepers, and Martha Stewart to create some of the embellishments.  There are not very many embellishments because this is a gift to a non-scrapbooker and I wanted to make it easy for them to adhere their photos.  Plus, the addition of the photos will significantly increase the thickness of this album and if there are very many embellishments it would be too fat.  

Several people asked me about teaching this as a class at Cat's.  Cat and I talked about it and the class will be on Saturday, August 24th.  I will begin working on the sample album this weekend using a current paper collection at the store.  Stay tuned for more details about the class as the sample is created so that we can share photos of it and will be able to give you a price.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment.  This post is linked to Cat's Creations WOW Wednesday and you will be eligible for a prize just by commenting  

WOW, IT'S MY GROWING IN UNITY WEEK!

This is a two page layout I did of some photos my son took of John Glenn at the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, at the fiftieth anniversary of John Glenn's orbit around the earth.  NASA hosts Tweet-Ups (socials) and draws names from those who enter and my son was fortunate enough to have his name drawn. 

I used the sketch #02 from the Unity Stamp Challenge for this layout, but made it into a two page layout.  My photos were bigger than the photos on the layout, so I just used two photos.  The paper is from Carolee's Creations and was in a goody bag that I received at one of Cat's retreats.  It was perfect for this layout!  I used washi tape from Teresa Collins and My Minds Eye.  The ink I used was from Stampin Up.  The quote on the tag is from the "Birdie Inspiration" set of stamps and the "now and then", arrow/chevron, and number stamps are from the May 2012 SMAK kit, and the stars are from the "Stylin' Stars" kit.  The title is made using some silver glitter Thickers by American Crafts.  The ribbon on the tag is from my stash and I used glossy accents on the rocket to make it stand out.  The cardstock is by Bazzill. 

I am also going to link this up to the WOW Wednesday linky party on the Cat's Creations blog.  We have a linky party twice a month, on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month and you have two weeks to enter for a chance to win a prize (no international winners).  Since I barely made it in by the deadline for the Unity Stamp Challenge, I will also enter this in that challenge as well.

Be sure you comment for a chance to win  two itty bitties (your choice) from Unity and a chance to win a prize from Cat's Creations.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope you love Unity as much as I do!

 

GROWING IN UNITY WITH SOME CAT'S SKETCH FEVER!

I am really excited to have the opportunity to share some of my creations using one of my favorite products, Unity stamps.  I have joked with Angela that it is pretty sad when she has a sale and there is nothing for me to purchase since I already own it all.  I may not own all Unity stamps, but I do have a vast collection.  So, this week I am excited to be featuring these wonderful stamps on my projects.

Today, I am using sketches from my local scrapbook store (lss), Cat's Creations Scrapbooks, and participating in "Cat's Sketch Fever".

This is a layout featuring my son on his 29th birthday.  The patterned paper is from the Lost and Found collection by My Minds Eye.  I used Tim Holtz distress inks and the tiny attacher by Tim Holtz.  The washi tape is by Teresa Collins and My Minds Eye and the glitter ribbon is by American Crafts.  The shimmery paper is by WorldWin.  The dotted mesh across the top is by magic mesh and the brad is by My Minds Eye.  I used stamps from lots of kits:  the number background and @ sign- December 2011 SMAK; airplane from October 2009 KOM; tag from the March 2012 SMAK; son of our heart from June 2012 SMAK; banner from "The Best" kit; the letters are from "Frame this Alphabet"; the number 29 from January 2012 SMAK.  Bryan was deep in thought in this photo, and when I mentioned that he posed like "The Thinker" for the photos on the facing page.

The paper, washi tape, and ribbons are the same as used on the other page.  For the epoxy words, I used my Epiphany Crafts punch and epoxy stickers to make the custom embellishments for my page.  The words are from the November 2011 SMAK kit.  The journaling tag is from "The Best" kit and the months of the year are from the Simple Stories Yearography Itty Bitty.  The calendar stamp is from the new IOD kit "Welcome to my Life" and the clock stamp is from the IOD kit "Time Well Spent".  The words background stamp are from the December 2011 SMAK kit.  I really enjoyed making these layouts. 

I created this layout for the sketch that Trisha from Sketch Inspiration shared exclusively with Cat's customers.  This is a photo of my son and his dog, Sergei.  I was excited to get to use the picture wheel die from Tim Holtz/Sizzix and combine it with the stamp by Unity.  They have taken the stamp of the website since the wording on it is backwards, but I used it anyway since the print is so little and I wanted to use it on this layout.  Unity will replace the stamp for me.  The "Best Friend" stamp is from the May 2012 SMAK kit.  This paper collection is by Karen Foster.  The washi tape is by Glitz and the cardstock is from my stash.  The pawprint on the twill ribbon is from a stamp from the "I Ruff You" kit. 

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win one of two prizes.  You have a chance to win a prize from Unity and a prize from "Cat's Creations Scrapbooks" for Cat's Sketch Fever (no international winners, sorry!).   So, comment away and good luck. 

 

WOW WEDNESDAY

This is another of the cards I made using the card bases by My Minds Eye.  In addition, the paper is also by My Minds Eye.  I purchased the coordinating 6 x 6 paper pad at Cat's to use with these card bases.  The cake is made using a stamp by Unity.  I love this cake image with the crooked layers.  I paper pieced it using different sheets from the paper pad.  The lacy square in the middle of the card was made using a Spellbinders pendant die--I love those things.  Then I cut a strip of paper to make a "belly band" on the card.  The sentiment on this card is also a Unity stamp...and after all, your birthday is supposed to be "all about you!"

Thanks for stopping by.  Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win some blog candy from Cat.  Also, go back to Cat's blog and comment on everyone's blog posts for more chances to win.  Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!

WOW WEDNESDAY

 Today is WOW Wednesday over at Cat's Creations Scrapbooks' blog and I wanted to share an album I made for a dear friend of ours who turned 90 years old back in December.  I used one of the BoBunny word albums that I had in my stash for quite some time.  The paper I used is some that Cat gave us in a goody bag at the retreat (thanks, Cat!) and I combined it with some SEI paper.

There were some little party hat cut-outs, so I couldn't resist putting one on her!  The flower is by Petaloo, the button and bling is by My Minds Eye, and the sticker is by Imaginesce.

On the right is one of the little accordion albums that Lance Anderson taught us to make using duct tape for the hinges.  Embellishments are by Sassafrass Lass and SEI.  

 This is a folder album I made using a "Coluzzle" template that I've had for years.  Really loved how it turned out.  More paper from SEI with punch-outs.

This is the folder album opened up.  It held lots of photos!

This a little cascading album I made after being inspired by the Heidi Swapp product.  I used Tim Holtz dies for the shaped pages.  LOVED how it all came together just the way I wanted it to.  Fun when that happens!  The paper is by SEI and American Crafts, the bling and button are by My Minds Eye, the flower is by Petaloo and the sticker flower is by Sassafrass Lass.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win some blog candy from Cat! Be sure you visit everyone's blogs and leave comments for even more chances to win.

WOW WEDNESDAY

Today is WOW Wednesday over on Cat's Creations Scrapbooks' blog and I want to share a couple of cards I made.

This is the card I made for our friend up in Oklahoma City who turned ninety the weekend before Christmas.  We were so pleased to be able to attend a surprise party in her honor.  I used a card base by My Minds Eye and paper from a coordinating 6 x 6 pad.  The stamp is by Unity and I used a UniBall white pen for the faux stitching.  The scalloped square was made using a Spellbinders die.

This is another card I made using the other box of card bases from My Minds Eye that I purchased.  I used one of the fancy tags die from Spellbinders to create the sentiment tag and the sentiment is from a stamp by Unity.  The flowers are by Petaloo---I love the packs of the assorted sizes of flowers with the rhinestones in the middle.  The checked banners were made from some paper scraps and I put a row of rhinestones up at the top of them.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a prize from Cat.  If you go on over to Cat's blog, you will find links to everyone's blogs.  Comment on their blogs for more chances to win.

 

FRIENDS WITH FLAIR FRIDAY

Thanks for stopping by on this Friday before Christmas.  I made some cards to give as Christmas gifts this year.  I purchased some boxes of My Minds Eye card bases and then went to work dressing them up.  Of course, Unity Kit of the Month stamps are fabulous for using on cards.  I used some tag die from Spellbinders and a 6 x 6 paper pad from My Minds Eye to create the sentiment tag.  The sentiment stamp is from the September, 2011 kit of the month.  I love those little banner sentiments in the kit of the month.  The butterfly is from a kit of the month that is no longer available, but Unity has lots of butterflies on kits that are currently available for purchase.

This is another card that I made from another boxed set of My Minds Eye card bases.  The script paper is from Bazzill and I used a Fiskars border punch on each side.  I used another of the tag dies from Spellbinders to cut out the tag for the sentiment.  The stamp is August 2011 kit of the month--love it!.  I finished the card off with a couple of rhinestones. 

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win some Unity goodness.  Merry Christmas to you and yours!

WOW WEDNESDAY

Today is WOW Wednesday over on Cat's Creations Scrapbooks blog and I actually have a project to share...YEAH!!

I am making cards to fill up the card boxes I made for my mother, mother-in-law, and myself.  I am using some printed card bases by My Minds Eye, which has posed a little bit of a challenge since it does limit how you use ribbon, etc.  This card uses a Spellbinders frame die, which I loved.  I am using a 6 x 6 pad by My Minds Eye that coordinates with these card bases.  I inked around the edges with a powder puff ink pad.  I used some tiny flower brads from my stash and bought some peach colored pearls by Glitz.  The stamps are by Unity.

This card uses another set of card bases from My Minds Eye.  I used a checked scrap of paper and some washi tape for trim, along with some bling.  The stamp is from Just Rite Stampers and the ink is Archival ink.  I used the coordinating die from Spellbinders to die cut the stamped image.  Simple, but loved the way it looks.  I'm finally learning that less can be more on cards.  They don't have to have so much on them and I'm much happier with the way they look.  Thanks, Valerie for the inspiration!

Leave a comment for a chance to win some wonderful blog candy from Cat's Creations Scrapbooks.  If you have a chance, link up your creation for another chance.  Visit Cat's blog and follow the links to everyone's blog and comment on their creations as well to get another chance.  We all love blog candy!  Good luck and thanks for stopping by.

WOW IT'S WEDNESDAY AND I USED SKETCH INSPIRATION FOR MY CSI

 

I made this layout for the case 42 over on the CSI, Color, Stories, Inspiration challenge site and used Sketch 343 from Sketch Inspiration.  I am also participating in WOW Wednesday over on the blog for my local scrapbook store, Cat's Creations Scrapbooks. 

 

I made this to go along with the page I did last Friday, using some My Minds Eye "All is Bright" paper.  Even though it is part of their Christmas collection, it doesn't look like it is Christmas paper.  The "scheme" in this case are:  rose red, buttercream frosting, spring green, bluems (navy blue), and aqua blossom.  My background paper has the buttercream frosting and aqua blossom in it, the polka dot paper, the swirl , and embellishments have the red, and the navy is in the banners up at the top, as well as the top brad in the embellishment cluster on the left.  My "evidence" is the polka dot paper strip, the circles, the textured paper for the photo mats, and the flowers on my banner/journaling spots up at the top.  My "testimony" is the flowers on the journaling spots up at the top of the page. 

 

I used things from numerous manufacturers:  My Minds Eye - the background paper, the polka dot paper, the piece of washi tape ast the bottom, the pearl swirls and banner; Basic Grey - the stiched brads; Glitz - the calendar tag; Cloud Nine - the square epoxy spot, the quote tag in the middle of the banners at the top; Reminisce - the circle sticker.  The photo mats are cardstock by Wausau and I used a Fiskars paper crimper. 

 

Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win some blog candy from Cat's Creations Scrapbooks.  Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog.

CSI FRIENDS WITH FLAIR

And, I'm back with a Friends with Flair post and my very first CSI (Colors, Stories, Inspiration) case file (#41).  CSI is a challenge site and they have wonderful challenges that really stretch your creativity.  I actually used a paper crimper that I've had for several years and never used...now I LOVE what it did and will probably use it quite often.  I also used Sketch Inspiration sketch #342.

For the background, I used paper from the All is Bright collection by My Minds Eye. The ticket, hexagons, journalling card, and flash card are from Teresa Collins Tell Your Story collection. I used washi tape from various collections. The Life bingo stamp and Live flag are by Unity. The flags on the side are cut from some old Creative Imaginations Creative Cafe paper. I used a Fiskars paper crimper to texture the cardstock mat for my photo. For my evidence, I used flags, ruffles (the washi tape), textured white on white (the photo mat), and layers - the doily, photo mat, bingo card, ticket, flash card, washi tape. My testimony was to list six things about my picture on the journaling card.

I'm planning to finally post on my blog more frequently.  I'm the blogger for my local scrapbook store, Cat's Creations Scrapbooks, and we have a weekly linky party/blog hop on Wednesdays and I'm planning to participate in that each week.  In addition, I plan to participate in the weekly challenges on CSI, use the sketch of the week from Sketch Inspiration, and participate in Friends with Flair with Unity.  I can combine several of these, but the minimum is two projects a week for Wednesday and Friday.  So excited about finally getting to be creative on a regular basis. 

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment for a chance at some Unity goodness.