"Today"

Hello Everyone,

It was time to get this blog to become more productive than previous. I'm still dealing with some personal physical issues but I finally had an opportunity to get a scrappy stress relief while on bedrest.

I decided to combine a Swirlydoos Round Robin Challenge with Prima's May PPP listed below.

For the Round Robin Challenge, I had the pleasure of lifting Kim's beautiful Mother's Day layout of her mother, grandmother and her. I kept with the same basic design but flip the flower cluster to the other side. I did complete the twists of being included in the photo with my children. The 2nd and 3rd twists was to include distressing and many flowers. For my layout, I used the Prima Royal Menagerie & Garden fable paper and cards which I dry distressed. I also added modeling paste with Prima's doily#4 stencil. I altered a Tim holtz die cut chipboard with prima ginger coral bloom spray and white paint. The flowers and bling are also from different prima collections in my stash.

Prima Products: 

Paper: Royal Menagerie, Garden Fable
Cards: Royal Menagerie
Flowers: Audrey (#571580), Esperanza Generosa (#581893), Abbey (#571788)
Bling: Say it in Crystal Princess collection (#573195)
Stencil: Doily #4 (#582876)
Mixed media: Ginger Coral Bloom Spray

My first mixed media tag

This year, I have been intrigued by the monthly tag challenges at the Swirlydoos forum. I've been trying each month to participate. Well for the month of March 15-April 15 we were challenge to create a mixed media tag. Since I was inspired by the green Prima PPP color challenge this month. I used that color scheme for my tag.

In this tag, I have layers of textures which include tim holtz music tissue paper and gel medium as the base. I added Prima clear gesso and cheesecloth over the chipboard pieces and tag. I glued my prima wood embellies, flowers, and resin before adding color. I used a mixture of different mediums but my main color was the Prima soft teal color bloom. After my tag dried, I decided to add another prima fairy resin, glass beads and flowers. 

I actually enjoyed creating all the texture techniques on this tag. 

"Love her smile"

I love every opportunity I have to indulge in art and scrapbooking. Finally I was able to actually complete a layout. Life has truly given me a few obstacles that has somewhat tried to interfere in a love of mine... My creativity time.

I was inspired by the September Prima BAP and Swirlydoos September kit "Vintage Love" which contains the Prima Time Travelers paper line. Between this kit and my actual 12x12 paper pad. I had a nice time deciding which papers to play with.  

So based on this sketch, I have played with two prima masks, mica flakes, modeling paste and shimmer texturez sandy stone for my background. 

I love creating the flower and embellishment clusters with all the prima product. 

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog! 

Creative Bloggers Hop (updated)

I am so honored to have been nominated as a Creative Blogger by my dear scrappy pal and amazing friend, Kim Heard. We have been friends for quite some time, meeting on the forums on the Swirlydoos Kit Club. We are joining up as a chain of fun blog hop tours where so many of us will get to meet new bloggers, get new inspiration and connect with blogs that will open up our creativity. This hop is sure to get your mojo going! Here are the four questions I'm answering today.

1. What am I working on?

Right now, I am working on a layout for the Once Upon A Sketch Sept Challenge with the July kit from the Swirlydoos Kit Club! I also is working on a layout for the August Sketch Challenge at Swirlydoos Kit Club with the Aug kit. 

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I think my work differs because I love to focus my design based on color and the photos. I love the "Swirly" style with lots of embellishments with an addition of mixed media. I like to use layers, textures, and distressing. I love to alternate styles based on my mood and photo. Some layouts will be swirly, shabby chic, elegant or grungy with mixed media. .  

3. Why do I create what I do?

Scrapbooking is an important part of my creative outlet. I have always been involved with arts since I was a child. My favorite is oil painting and drawing. Scrapbooking give me an opportunity to branch into my art background but also document my children and family memories. I am constantly thinking of art and scrapbooking. I am very interested in branching out into art journaling and more altered projects. 

4. How does your creating process work?

It depends! I'm a "go-with-the-flow" and moody scrapper! I typically choose what inspires me, be it a picture or the paper and go from there. The best tip I ever received about your creating process is to take pictures of your project as you go, so you can decide on the best placement in your design. (Thank you, Kim Heard!)

And now for my nominations: The following two ladies who inspire me, all of whom I have met through the forums on the Swirlydoos Kit Club website.

Paula

Paula has a very interesting and beautiful style. I love how she use color behind her photos and her elegant embellishment clusters. She is an incredible source of inspiration. She has not been on the forum long but I have been very inspired by her layouts that she has posted. Her use of color amazes me. 

Stephanie Dinnell

Stephanie has a very multifaceted scrapbooking style. Her layouts can range from simple and sweet, swirly and elegant. She can take a few embellishments and make a layout so elegant. I also love her use of multiple photos on layouts. She does amazing work with cards and tags. 

Ginny Hickmott 

Ginny has a beautiful swirly scrapbooking style! I love the many layers, distressing and edging she uses to create some of her layouts! She also ventures into altered projects which looks like masterpieces to display. I also enjoyed the leap in mixed media she did this August at Swirlydoos. It's one of my favorite pieces of her work. 

Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog today! And, be sure to check out these ladies too!

"A day at the Detroit Zoo"

It's such a beautiful day today and it reminds me of a good day to visit the zoo. As I was speaking of the zoo, I remembered I never posted my layout of my daughter from the Detroit Zoo field trip a couple years ago.

This layout was created with the February kit from Swirlydoos. I love working with the beautiful Maja papers and all the embellishments from the kit and mediums add on. 

Just a quick post for today. Have a blessed day!

Another Tiffany layout!

Today I am posting another layout created with Swirlydoos Tiffany's Kit. I was inspired by the NSD activity posted by Tracey, Swirlydoos Design Team member. She given a recipe to use while creating our layout. Her recipe was the following:

1. 6 different papers (cardstock is ok)
2. Doily (paper or crochet)
3. Bling or pearls
4. Ribbon or lace
5. Some type of material (tulle,cheesecloth,burlap,etc.)
6. At least 7 flowers
7. A non-scrappy item
8. Gesso
9. Mist
10. Stamping
11. Ink
12. Alpha
13. Butterfly
14. Use a mask or emboss something
15. Chippie

I decided to use a black and white photo of my daughters preschool photos again. I used items from the main kit and the medium add on also. 

Here is how my recipe turned out. 

Have a blessed day!!

Tiffany's Butterfly layout - Swirlydoos

It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to blog due to my current medical conditions. But I am happy to start catching up with a few creations I was able to complete during this time. I would like to display the most recent layout that was created with April Swirlydoos Kit called "Tiffany's".

This kit includes the beautiful  Authentique's "Elegant"paper line, flowers and bling.  For some reason, I wanted the polka dot paper to stand out against the shades of blue. I've added modeling paste with the prima flourish mask to the background. I altered the chipboard with viva decor silver metallic paint and the embossing powder that came in the mediums add on. I've also added different flowers and embellies from previous kits. 

This is a photo of my daughter after the first day of preschool at age 3. 

Thank you for taking the time to review my post today!

"A special friend"

Good afternoon!

In order to keep some activity going as I deal with certain physical restrictions, I made sure I participated in the Swirlydoos Card Round Robin. I was so inspired with the March Maja Mood board because I knew the colors would create a challenge for me.  So my card represents both challenges. For my team, I decided to make a pocket card with a tag inside. Of course, a challenge wouldnt be right without twists to add to the mix of designing a card.

So for this challenge, I was able to complete 4 of the 5 twists for the Swirlydoos Card RR. So, here is my actual card:

I used Maja Crea paper line, baby blue Bazzill cardstock, prima packaging, packaging from a box, and cheesecloth. Also, I used something old from my stash, jenni bowlin labels and petaloo flower. I tried making quill flowers on the front for the homemade flower twist and a handwritten sentiment for the other twist.

For my tag, I created a resist background with an old tattered angel stamp set from an old kit with Lindy's magic moon pearls embossing powder and rockafella blue shimmer mist. I added a staple where I attached the ribbon. I was able to meet the staple and resist technique twists.

The resist was hard to photograph so I attached a close up picture also. Thank you for taking the time of of your day to visit my blog. Have a blessed day!

"Memories"

Good Evening!

I am very slow with posting a few layouts I have created. This layout I was inspired by the Sketchabilities sketch but unfortunately I did not enter into the challenge. Due to some changes in life, Im just thankful to find a few minutes to do something while on complete bedrest.

Keeping the mood positive, this has truly been one of my favorite kits in a long time. My favorite color is purple and all the papers were gorgeous. So this layout was made with the Swirlydoos Butterfly Challenge in mind. Most of my products are from the February kit except the 13arts black water ink. And it was a pleasure to work with real chicken wire too.

Thank you for looking. Have a blessed day!

Swirlydoos & 7 Dots Challenge

Its been a challenge to get things done lately due to some personal physical issues. So I will keep this post sweet and to the point. This layout was created for the Swirlydoos Round Robin Challenge. When I saw the layout I had to lift by Kimberly who created a completely masked background I knew I could combine this with 7 Dots. I have been dying to create with their paper lines which seems like Im hoarding. The 7 Dots challenge was to use geometrical shapes and I chose to use circles.

Well thank you for looking. Have a blessed day!

"Live for the moment"

Well, I am happy to have the opportunity to finally blog a layout for Once Upon A Sketch. I aim every month to attempt their monthly sketch challenge. This year I am trying to dedicate more time to my passion of art regardless of whats going on with life.

For this challenge, the topic was lessons learned. I decided to privately journal my thoughts to my daughter on the back of my layout. I choose a playful photo because during my hardest days lately she reminds me to the importance of living for the moment. So my journaling is actually written on the pink cardstock addressed to her.

I decided to use the current Swirlydoos kit for this challenge. I hate to admit that I still have alot of older kits barely touched so Im trying to use more of my stash this year instead of just buying. This forces me to create more during 2014 which is one of my personal goals.

This layout will also be entered into the Swirlydoos Butterfly challenge for January kit.

Thank you for looking.

"Flow" - Prima PPP

I am happy to blog this evening my second project for the Prima challenges for January. I was truly insprired by the colors in this palette. I just wanted to let out some creative energy and just create. This is what I came up with. I used different types of mediums and prima product.

Products:
Pattern Paper: Prima Rhondelle, Engraver
Mask: Prima Doily#3
Flowers: Prima Namazzi Charcoal flower, Prima black stem (#564414), Prima Romance Novel (#562298),  Prima Pankita Rose Summer Mix (#557591)
Embellishment: Prima Wood Clocks, Prima Mechanicals Vintage Trinkets Flowers, Prima Engraver Washi Tape, Prima Engraver sticker letters
Mists: Lindy's Stamp Gang Whale Watch Blue & Black Orchid Silver
Paint: Silk Bolivian Blue
Mediums: Gesso, Bead Gel, Gel Medium, Shimmerz texturez teal

Thank you for looking!

"Adore" - Prima BAP

Well, its a new year and I always make a goal of trying to complete the prima challenges. I was very inspired by the this months Prima BAP sketch. I couldnt wait to create a layout with my favorite prima paper line, Almanac.

For this layout, I used crushed coral texturez with a Prima damask mask for the background. I layered the prima Almanac paper under the photo. My flower cluster included some of my favorite prima flowers, bling, chipboard and lightbulbs.

Products:
Pattern Paper: Prima Almanac
Cardstock: Bazzil
Flowers: Prima Serenity (#571344), Romance Novel (# 562298), Pierott B (#562090), Tatiana Coral (#566357), Vinette Almanac (#556211)
Leaves: Tiatiana Coral (#566357)
Chipboard: Prima Alamanc, Dusty attic
Bling: Romance Novel (#560171)
Embellishments: Prima small typo bulbs (#891541)
Misc: Trim, Shimmerz texturez crushed coral

Thank you for looking.

"Love" - 13 arts Challenge

Good Evening!

I went on a scrappy retreat with some of my Swirly Sisters last weekend. I just noticed that the 13arts challenge post is about to close. I was unable to post my projects from the weekend to all the challenges I have completed. I have been wanting to try a 13arts challenge for a while now. I finally had the opportunity. For this challenge we had to use the sketch below, a medium, and reference time some how. 

For this challenge, I used a cute sleeping photo of our new grandbaby "Carter".  I used the current January kit from Swirlydoos and I used black gesso and teal texturez for this layout.

Do to the short amount of time, I must keep this blog post short. Here is my layout:

Thank you for looking.

January Swirlydoos Challenges

Happy New Year!!

I am very late this year with starting my blog posts but I had a few personal goals I needed accomplished at the beginning of the month. I have accomplished those goals so I am very very happy right now. Like always, even though I am not blogging much I am still scrapping behind the scene. I have quite a few projects that I havent blogged about.

So to start the year out right, I jumped right into both the round robin challenges at Swirlydoos. For the regular layout round robin challenge our topic was a new item you had to blog about. I choose to take a picture of the new doll that I received from my grandmother on christmas day. This doll was bought years before I was born for hir first granddaughter and she forgot to give it to me. It was definitely a special moment for me this holiday. I used the January 2014 Dusty Attic Sketch for the inspiration of my layout with two of their beautiful chipboard pieces.

For the card RR, we had to create a monochromatic card, with embossing (wet or dry) and a pin. I had the lovely opportunity to scraplift Sherri card for this challenge.

For both of my projects, I used older kits from Swirlydoos. Thanks for looking.

I cant believe its December

Wow... It seems like time is going so fast. I am blogging slower than I am creating right now so I feel very behind.  Swirlydoos has already started the 12 Days of Christmas Challenge. I was very excited when I saw the blog post and I had wanted to give the challenges a try. Unfortunately, they are on Day 5 right now and I was only able to complete days 1 and 2 so far. The challenges are posted every morning around 4am so its nice to see what the Design Team has created for the day.

For Day 1 challenge, we were required to create a tag that must include Santa, metal and the color red. I tend to run away from tag challenges so I decided to give this a try.  For my tag, I used the only christmas kit I own from December 2011. I was able to contain all the items needed just from this one kit. For my background I always try to use as much mixed medium as I can on a project. I used gel medium to attach the Tim Holtz tissue paper to the manilla number 8 size tag. I used my prima bubbles stencil to add viva decor modeling cream in pearl. Then I added the rest of the embellies that was included in the kit.


"Dear Santa" - Day 1

                                           
For Day 2 challenge, we were required to create a tag using the color white, silver and wings. For this challenge, I had the opportunity to use some mixed medium and some products I never opened. To create my background, I used gesso to paint the manilla number 8 size tag. I added modeling paste with the prima crackle stencil. I sprayed abdominable snow glimmermist over the background when everything was dried. For my dressform, I used a chipboard created from the tim holtz dress form die and altered it with brushed pewter distress stain. I love that distress stain. I do not know why I never used it. I took silver ribbon, silver stickles and part of the title bling to create the dress. Then I added a few embellies from my stash to finish the tag.



"Bringing Christmas Joy" - Day 2

 If you have time, please stop by the Swirlydoos blog for Day # 6 for the 12 Days of Christmas Challenge.  

"Birthday Girl" - Swirlydoos and Blue Fern Studios

Oops, I almost forgot to enter this layout in the Blue Fern Studios November Sketch Challenge. I created this layout for the Swirlydoos November Round Robin Challenge approximately three weeks ago for round 1. For the Swirlydoos challenge, we were required to use a photo that had food included. So for this challenge, I was inspired by the blue fern studios sketch and the chippy used for my daughter first birthday photo. 

For this layout, I used an older BoBunny Swirlydoos kit that had the Gabrielle papers and combined it with the October kit which included the BoBunny The Avenues papers. I altered the chipboard with aged teal stampendous enamel.

Supplies:

Papers: BoBunny Gabrielle and The Avenues

Flowers: Petaloo

Chipboard : Blue Fern Studios

Mixed Media: Shimmerz Teal Me No Lies, Tattered Angels Vintage Pink,

Tools: Crafters Workshop, Martha Stewart, 

Thank you for visiting my blog.  

Happy Birthday - Swirlydoos

Hi Everyone,

Here is a card that I am finally able to post that was created for my mom's birthday. It was also submitted for the Swirlydoos Card Round Robin for September. This card was also sent with a writing desk that I altered and I added homemade notecards, blank cards, and a couple store bought items I know that she would use... or at least set out as decoration. LOL.

For this card, I went to an very old Swirlydoos kit that contained the Prima Almanac paper line. I love this line alot. In a future post, I will show a few pictures of the homemade note cards in her writing desk.



Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a wonderful day!

Just for you - Swirlydoos

Hi Everyone,

Here is a card I created for last months October Card RR for Swirlydoos Kit Club. I had a wonderful team of Swirlygirls creations to lift for this card. We were required to make at least one homemade card and an embellishment. So I made my own ribbon flower with lace trim. For my homemade embellishment requirement I created a pin thats attached to the flower. This card has more sparkles than I can capture on the photo due to the fairy dust glitter on the dusty attic chipboard frame. For this card, I used the October Swirlydoos kit which inclued the Bo Bunny "The Avenues" paper line.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog.

Swirlydoos Nov Cards RR

Today, I am posting a creation I made for the first round of the CARDS Round Robin Challenge at the Swirlydoos Kit Club. This card is for Team 4 and I am very excited to see how my card will be lifted for the next 2 weeks. For this card, I used an older Swirlydoos kit called Brass Shilling which contained the Kaisercraft 75 Cents paper line. I also used a new product that I am falling in love with... the Shimmerz Tezturez in Patina.  For the twist, we had to add something metallic so I added the gold metallic ribbon.

Thank you for reviewing my blog today.