July 4th card for the grands

Cardstock, a die, a stamp and a stencil

with some inks of course.

It was fun to do.

I whacked all the nesting stars and glued

them together.

As I was doing that I remembered I had a

"firework" stencil that would be

a great background for the star.

Since the background was white, I used blue jeans

and fired brick (distress inks).

WELL,

I didn't wait until the ink was dry and I got purple.

I like purple. It's flashy,

Sissix die, TH sentiment unknown stencil.

 

8x8 size for an everyday moment

Love how this turned out and the size.

I was going to use this paper for another photo and it 

didn't quite work out.
This photo really worked well for it.

Love the transparencies where I layered on two.

Anyone else have issues with the tiny attacher bending

the staples when they go in???

Raise your hand if that makes you crazy.

I can't figure out why it happens.

Anyhoo, love that an everyday moment was caught -

Ms Amelia playing with play doh.

Wordy background paper

I really loved this paper and it really rocks the photo I chose

 but its wordy.

So in looking at the photo which is adorable by the way,

I went through and squared (instead of circling LOL) phrases

that I loved and work with the photo 

down the left side of the page.

Because of the circled phrases to the left I put my cluster to the right.

 I wanted to use that "oh boy" because it just fit-especially the colors.

 I scattered some stars about and really kept things simple.

So when I finally got passed the adorable faces and really

looked at the photo - Sam and Lou have

paint brushes in the hands - and look like they're on a mission 

which should put fear in any adults heart LOL.

Studio Calico again- using the August and September kits up.

Handmade tag, Basic Grey and Pink Paisley.

Studio Calico, Basic Grey, Pink Paislee.

Really Big Banners

I have been wanting to use that "plot twist" since I first

laid eyes on it. It was a PL card I cut down and

its perfect for this photo.

 I layered some papers behind the photo and used my "ripped

paper" punch that I really love.

 See what I mean?

Perfect.

I really loved this gold paper and that blue

really goes well with it.

I know!

Surprised me too.

I did use some other colors to bring it all together

and since those banners are over the top

I really didn't want a lot more on the page- so a

few stars and homemade enamel dots 

were perfect.

And doodling around the page was fun.

Basic Grey, Studio Calico PL cards, the title is

 from M's $1.50 bin.

Seeing stars

I have not a clue about the mfg of this paper.

So if you know - give me a hint. LOL.

Love all the stars and it worked perfectly with the photo.

I printed 3 of them on a 4x6 and I like how it

turned out as it combines all the motions to tell a story.

 Lil Miss playing soccer. 

I wanted this to be inspirational because I could.

And I don't care that the sayings in gold on that green/blue

don't match.

Quite the rebel here.

I also had this silver paper that looked like a soccer ball 

and that I know is studio calico.

I cut the middle out - and decided it was really too cheesy
which I've already done cheesy soccer ball once LOL

so I  decided to cut it down a bit more and move the photo

and mat to the bottom of the page.

Since everything was soooooo busy I kept everything

at the bottom left. However in hindsight maybe a corner piece.
NAH.....

Using some magic mesh (like a net) to tone down the
  silver and a bit of washi tape, and as if there weren't enough,
 I added even more stars

and a little gold heart to match the gold lettering.

Amelia's sooooo young in this photo, running, and her
 chubby cheeks. She couldn't wait to play after watching her
brothers on the field for sooooo long.

Love it.

Titling your scrapbook page

Titles are important if you want to draw a reader in. You want them to gaze upon the photos and read the journaling and as every scrapper knows everyone loves a snappy title. 

You also know I have a love/hate relationship with that aspect of scrapbooking. 

There are too many times when the ole brain goes on vacation and a title is sooooo elusive, thereby prompting me to call on my "go to April",  or hubby (who is quite good) and as a last resort

 looking it up in a book.

Also, when one is dealing with CRS on daily basis (can't remember stuff) as one thinks of a great title one will promptly forget said title while hunting for the perfect alphabet/type to complement the wonderful title you now can't remember. So writing it down or telling someone else is a good backup to have in place when dealing with the elusive title.

Since I stamped happy birthday all over the page it seemed kind of redundant to say it again. Since by now you've scrapped a gazillion pages in an album and most of the players are pretty well known so alot of "spelling things out" can also be redundant. 

Therefore I cleverly used the first name initial of the birthday boy - and all who gaze raptly upon the page will a. identify the birthday boy or b. figure it out as again, this will be the millionth page in several albums of said kidlet.

I also added his age next to the initial - which answers the question of which birthday and takes away  the pressure of doing any subtracting on the fly. Especially when candles aren't helping.

Recollections is the patterned paper and totally old stash. I love the stars because well Q is the star of this show. Simple Stories for the title and if Jill is in the mood she can pick her spot to journal. 

Technique Tuesday stamps. And twine - it was quite easy. OHHH and some subtle washi tape.

So I challenge you to do a "cryptic" title. 

Roll on over to Off the Rails Scrapbooking and check out the beautiful tag tutorial by Rose.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this month's Studio Calico kit!

Marks & Co.

Usually I spread the kit out and inhale it all in.

Then I commence to fondling and caressing each piece.

Several times.

This time I pulled out each piece one-at-a-time.

Gazed fondly on it.

And commenced to scrapping.

Whoooo - Wheeeee

Found the perfect papers from the kit to highlight

Miss Amelia.

Actually the papers, sequins, and stars are from this month's kit.

The rest except for the doily, pinwheel and basic grey chipboard alphas came from

Studio Calico older kits and some I ordered from the store.

And the little bird tucked in there.

SC all the way and I need to get more!

I tried to match the "girl" to the everyday (you know b&w).

April says its kind of whimsical.

I can do whimsey.

And I'm working on more.

Celebrating the 4th

I found these two photos and printed them out at the same time.

One for me and one for them.

Both pages use a mix of Authentique and My Minds' Eye. The pinwheels were handcut from the papers on MME and glued on toothpicks.

Nothing tricky on either except I used all the BG stars from my Studio Calico Kit.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the photos. The first one -- 2 siblings and they are just showing the love and telling a secret.
So not posed or cheesy.

Secrets between the two of them. Would've loved to be a fly on the grass just to know what's going on in their little minds.  Or not.

The second one is mine all mine and are the 3 together 2 siblings and a cousing. I did a Shimelle as I was running out of paper and I happened to also like the B side. So I used the polka dot as the base and cut the ledger paper up and reversed to the B side for the middle. ooooooooo I did mix up white and beige but I really like the stickers. Couldn't help but throw on some twine and the rest of the stars. I wish I had more to journal on the page but alas I'm scrappin' from afar which is better than never scrapping at all.