Broke out the cookie cutter die cuts again

I'm loving my dies.

I have gotten so lazy about using them so

in order to not be so lazy, I break them out - and use

whatever scrap paper I got going on

and die cut away until

I decide enough is enough and my

die cut box overfloweth.

 The cookie cutters are fun - love using the outlines
because I think they can create movement
and also allow the gorgeous paper to shine especially
since this is 8x8 size.
Those stars totally pack a punch.

 And don't they go perfect with the paper??

Using more new Studio Calico papers in order to be ready
for next month's kit.

And that's momma peeking out in the background - 

hence the title.
They have the same pretty eyes.

Have a great weekend!

#scrapbooking

Remember those little EK Success word stickers?

I love them.

Well.... they quit manufacturing them but

Tim Holtz has some going on - so I tend to mix them around.

Of course they don't have every word I neeeeeed

so I get to blend my handwriting in there, 

beause the cool thing about EK is that they used a bunch

of fonts - so no one will ever know.

Shhh.....

 I am also diggin' the Shimelle stickers more and more.

There are some I'm having issues with in trying to apply, such as,

I'm just not feeling the love on the one that says "oh rubbish". 

LOL.
I just need to get the whimsey going on.

 But the records, radios and glitter and shine stickers are perfect for girlie pages.

Of which I have a girlie page going on.

I also used my cookie cutter die cuts here as well!!

Love the circles for movement.
Used the rolling triangle stamp in the background - I think
it gives it an extra umpfh.
And the cluster....oh my.....
I adore my feather die cut and leaves.
And tthen there are those little EK/TH word stickers
and my handwriting amongst them.
Annie is so dainty and tiny and is getting ready to practice
her dance lessons.
I love the flirty look on her face.

Some more Studio Calico going on with lots of diecuts

and stickers and sequins.

And my homemade enamel dots.

There is a dog in the photo

Truly.

Which is why the title is "these 4".

Thought I'd lay that out right out of the gate.

Love that they're all piled up.

 Therefore I piled all my embellies up.

 Using paper from my new Studio Calico kit.

 Along with some stash.

Is that clock not adorable?

And its 8x8 page.

Using a transparency

Transparencies can be tricky because adhering them down

is tricky and that is why layering up is a good thing

in order to hide the adhesive.

Which can be tricky.

 I also practiced my random flinging.

I really need to learn how to use that Shimelle date stamp.

For some reason I can't get it right.

So I kept going......

 I also edged the transparency with a branding strip.

It keeps it from flopping about and curling-
although since its in a page protector one doesn't really need to do that.
I just liked the look of the branding strip.

I really like the grungey feel with the pink and b&w photo.

I also love it because with this transparency - less is more.

Studio Calico. Shimelle, Homemade Enamal dots and

that cute little arrow punch I picked up at Hobby Lobby - a total impulse purchase.
Love that punch.

 - And the strip on the transparency is long gone. - if you

have a clue let me know.  Hambly??? Its really really old stash.

#scrapbooking

I don't think they missed a ride - Venice Italian festival

And we didn't miss a food booth.

The Italian American club eggplant parmagian was soooo delish-

I wanted to lick the paper plate.

Seriously.

Nick would be proud.

I played around with these photos in lightroom.

Alot of hoop jumping - it took me awhile to get this posted.

It was a beautiful sunny day - the temperature was just right 

and the layout was perfect - lots of places to sit and eat

and lots of room to move around in.

I need to practice with my camera more 

 because there's only so much photoshopping one can do to improve things.

Sun and shade...... although when one is being

flung around on a ride - these action shots aren't so bad.

In case you missed the February mood board at OTR

The colors are beautiful and everyone is doing an excellent

job with it.

There's still time for you to join in the fun

over at OTR.

It was a challenge for me - I really didn't have a lot of these colors.

But I managed.

 And I really love the result.

It didn't start that way I must admit.

This paper from Studio Calico was quite daunting.

I really have issues with pages with scenes.

Therefore, I practiced "minimal" which is tough to do.

Watercolors helped.

Very fun.

Give it awhirl and post over at OTR - there's an amazing prize involved.

Studio Calico.

#scrapbooking

DIY - Washi Tape In case you missed it on OTR

Last month I kicked the tires on making your own enamel dots.

I loved doing that and decided that maybe I'd

test drive making your own washi tape.

Again - there are a bunch of tutorials out there and I thought I'd narrow it down.

You'll need parchment paper and I used a 1 inch roll of masking tape.

I did  pick out some paints and stamps and then decided to change things up a bit.

 Lay out strips on your parchment paper - which allows you to remove

the finished product without losing the sticky.

 I used a craft smart mustard yellow enamel paint and slapped it on the tape end-to-end.

 The next I wanted to try a Ranger dauber - green - but all it says on the label is earthtones.

 I also tried an ink pad - that has chalk in it.

  It does take the chalk ink a bit longer to dry.

 And depending how much color you want you have to dab a few extra times.

 Since there was a lot going on I decided that StazOn ink would be best.

 I'm not the greatest stamper in the world - but I really liked the outcome on each.

 I liked the swirly texture from the dauber and used another chalk ink-Studio G 

to stamp the adorable "prima looking" flower stamp from Studio G.

 So far so good.

 Went back to StazOn because I wasn't sure of chalk ink on chalk in.

And the stamp is from Creative Cafe. A total blast from the past.

 And wa-la used the heat gun to get them dry and left them under the lamp for good measure.

As you can see the "washi" tape lifts right up.

 I used pincher clothes pins to wrap the "washi" around.

You are good to go as long as the front and back don't meet. 

So wrap the first little bit around one of the pins.

 From there you can wrap around both pins and it won't hurt the "washi"

doing that. It pulls off rather nicely and rips off easy.

There you have it - 3 varieties of "washi" of which I used one for a page.

Guess?

 The green worked out so perfect on this page.

Blending in nicely with the watercolors and embellishments.

 Used it in 3 places and love how it turned out.

 Can't see much of the flower but it works.

The finished product.

I'm not concerned about the tape per se, as I kept it from the photo.

Also I really don't get overly concerned anymore about items not acid and lingen free.

I found a scrapbook my mom made back in high school with

all the things they tell you NOT to use - and after 60 years it was practically

pristine. It was kept in a cedar lined chest for some time but,

I have been a rebel for about 12 years and never had issues with using

shall we say, non sanctioned scrapbook supplies.

Paper Studio, Kaiser Craft and Bo bunny papers.

#scrapbooking

Last kit - not done at the crop

And this one as well I kept to the script.

It was fun.

Pinks and greys and black.

Simple Stories - 

I'm almost done with my 6x6 pack.

The teal with arrow cut out was used on another page

and that's a fairly new punch and its sooooo adorable.

You'll be seeing it around.

 Broke out the Paper Issues swag bag and a Shimelle sticker.

It is a perfect fit and makes a great subtitle.

I don't use subtitles as much as I probably should as
they do bring a bit more insight and can also add to the journaling.

 Used my last pink and grey bow - more stash gone.

Yes there's more stash - no worries there.

One day when the mojo's low - I'll die cut and assemble some more
of those sweet bows.

Love having them pre-done.

 Love this photo and Amelia is quite the fashion diva.

And there is her sidekick keeping her company.

I made some fishtail banners, still using some layers and mats behind the photo
and I love that it gives a different edge to the page.

I didn't weave them because no one would see since it
would be behind the photo
and I'm not really good at the weaving thing.

I love how they look on the page.

Studio Calico, Simple Stories round it out.