Footloose Beach Layout

I worked on this layout on and off for a couple weeks in between all of the end of the school year activities.  My oldest daughter, just 10 months old in the layout, is graduating from high school this year.  They grow up so fast.  The left page is missing the large photo (a cropped 8x10) because somehow I lost the original photo that I was going to have enlarged.  We are creating a simple version (no seaside wooden shapes) of this layout in the June Asbury Scrapbooking class on the 16th.  We chose to make the layout featured on page 40 of the spring/summer idea book using stamped embellishments in place of the Complements Dimensional Elements.  I incorporated elements featured in the artwork on pages 41 and 42 as well. While the Footloose papers are perfect for water and beach themed photos, they are neutral enough to use for other occasions too.

A Bowwow

I love this little dog.

My very talented friend, Lisa, designed a 3x3 card using the A Bowwow stamp set and let me make one too. I made the card front with Lisa and designed a larger card around it using papers from the Cruisin' Paper Pack.  It doesn't show well in the picture, but the collar has a bit of Glitz glitter glue on it and then liquid glass to make it shine.  His nose and tongue also have a dab of liquid glass.  I added a small border of cranberry cardstock and popped it up off the card.

I used retired black textured cardstock for the base. The back of the carstock is grey which allowed me to write inside the card without adding extra paper.

Sending Warm Wishes

The Heart 2 Heart Challenge this week is to make something for Mom. While poking around the Scrapbook & Cards website, I stumbled upon the Create Today Video Series.  I watched the Just Because Card video and immediately thought of the Beautiful Friendship stamp set.  Wasting no time, I pulled out the Lucy paper packet and cut the pieces for my card.  It's the perfect card for Mom.  She'll just receive it a little late.

The card came together fairly quickly and, I must admit, the tag turned out stunning.  I curved the sentiment from the A Garden stamp set around the floral shape, popped up the layers, added a bit of ribbon for softness, and opaque pearls to dress it up.  These pictures really don't do it justice.

Owl be a Monkey's Uncle...

Sorry, I couldn't resist.  I can see my girls doing the face palm and hear the groans.  I haven't been feeling very creative lately, but over the weekend two very talented friends inspired me. Since we are in the midst of the Dotty For You promotion, I decided to make some dotty cards.  I created a sweet family of owls and an adorable sock monkey (hence the corny post title).

How cute are these owls?  They make me smile every time I look at them.  My friend Lisa made an owl card using the Elemental Paper Pack and the Wild Card Cricut cartridge.  I own that cartridge and knew as soon as I saw her owl that I needed to make some of my own.  Check out Lisa's Blog when you get a chance.  You won't be disappointed.

Ahhh, nostalgia.  Can you say Sock Monkey without smiling?  My mentor and up-line, Mary, designed a great sock monkey card using the Dotty For You papers and the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge.  I had a recipient in mind for this card before I even put it together.  Order the Dotty For You paper pack and I will send you the instructions to make your own sock monkey card.  I'm thinking about making a miniature version of him to use as an embellishment on a layout too.

Sock Monkey's arms and legs fold in so he will fit in the envelope.  Mary said opening the sock monkey card is like unwrapping a hug.  Sweet!  But, wait, there's more...

He comes complete with tail.  Can you say Awwwww?

Happy Day- Dotty for You Layout

The month of April is flying by for me.  I hoped to create more so I could post more, but time wasn't on my side.  Well, Happy Day... I found some time to put together a page using the Dotty for You papers.  The design for the layout came directly from the inspiration sheet included in the packet.  The layout would have come together in about 90 minutes if I hadn't run into issues with the photos.  I assumed the photos were printed on 4x6 rectangles (90 degree corners).  To the naked eye, the problem was not noticeable, but when I tried to line them up square with eachother they just wouldn't fit. After much frustration, I discovered the long sides of the photos were slightly askew creating parallelograms. I fixed the problem, finished the layout, and now I get to share it with you.


Supplies Used (All CTMH):
B1400 Beautiful Friendship
D1491 Hooray Bouquet
CC1017 Dotty for You Paper Packet
1388 Colonial White Cardstock
X5762 Lagoon Cardstock
X5911 Balck & Grey Cardstock Shade Pack
Z2168 Colonial White Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z2125 Grey Wool Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z2195 Lagoon Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z1696 Keepsake Felt Alphabet
Z1701 Bakers Twine Neutral Assortment
Z1466 Bling Assortment
Z1657 Dimensional Elements Monograms "D"
Z1654 Dimensional Elements Monograms "A"
Z1678 Dimensional Elements Monograms "Y"
Z1366 Brads Metal Assortment
Z553 Bonding Memories Glue Pen

Repurpose What You Have

In the quest to find the the perfect container for my supplies, I realized it was right in my hand.  I was sipping from my frappuccino bottle when I had that a-ha moment... this bottle would be perfect for button storage.  After that, I started looking at everything in a different way.  I tried to take decent pictures to share, but can't seem to get rid of the glare.  I think you'll get the idea though.

I discovered the CD rack sitting in the basement, empty and dusty, and decided to haul it up to my scrap room.  The canning jars fit perfectly at the top and the frapp bottles nestle nicely below.  The rack was also perfect for storing all of my bulk ribbon rolls.  Pretty and functional, could I ask for more?  Well.... yeah... :)

 A few years ago I found these shadow boxes on clearance and thought they would be perfect for displaying a current layout or set of cards.  Well, that lasted a little while before I would forget to switch them out or I would leave them empty.  One day I picked up a re-inker and wondered if it would fit inside. The fit was perfect... a few shelves later and another pretty and practical solution was born.  The back of the frames has a piece of plexi so I can put a decorative paper behind the bottles.

So, that's a glimpse into my crafty world.  I plan to get the rest of the room in order over the next few weeks.  I will share when I do.

Celebrate National Scrapbooking Month in May with the oh-so-cut Dotty for You paper packet.  There are three ways to get the Dotty for You paper packet valued at $19.95*:

• Place an order of $35 our more in products from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book between April 17 and May 31 and add the Dotty for You paper pack for just $5.
• Host a Gathering with a sales total of $400 or more (excluding tax, shipping/handling, and Operation Smile donations) between April 17 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.
• Join My Team between April 1 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.

*Taxes, shipping/handling may apply.  Offer good during above-specified dates while supplies last.

The Dotty for You paper packet includes 24 B&T Duos sheets (2 each of 12 patterns) and 1 artwork idea insert.  Visit my website and get your Dotty for You paper packet today.