I need a six month vacation twice a year

I recently purchased a couple packs of 4x4 page protectors

and this thin cardboard came with.

So after removing said protectors I noticed this

cardboard and it had flaps that I couldn't figure out

what to do with but 

I knew it would make a cute little book and

I happen to have one of those staplers that reach 

right in there.

Then I auditioned some premade papers I made and

wa-la

This fun paper was going to 

be made into a card,

and because

 it fit almost perfectly over the covers

and it brought in the fun.

Just enough for front and back, whew!

Love that butterfly. 

Color Box White Ink that I've had forever

and it's still going strong.

See how it kinda sticks out there the front of the card.

I thought it'd be cool and maybe add some protection

because it is sturdy and I really didn't

want to cut that part off.

And how random is the back.

These papers were made by sitting on my desk

and when I'd clean a stamp or brush I'd

just do it on the paper and

wa la homemade background paper and no waste.

I got that little tip from Suzanne Rose check her out..

Maybe the back should've been the front.

Then it required a snarky saying.

and Of course scrap papers for the insides.

Fun.

I did cover the inside of the cover and forgot

to take a picture, however, it's behind

that cool tag I just made specifically because 

it was like calling my name to make it.

I left the cardboard as a border of the cover but maybe

I need to do something with it.

Thoughts?

 

Stamping Frenzy

I believe I may have used them all. 

LOL.

Actually there are Studio Calico, Creative Cafe, Amy Tangerine,

Recollections and Dear Lizzy.

I actually love the chaos. 

Do you remember QK Stillettos alpha font??

I know it fits perfect in that space.

The hearts were stash from many kits ago and

they look great on the page.

Changed it up to 8.5x11 and mounted it on

black cardstock which makes it totally pop and I used

the reverse side of the paper to mat

the photo along with black cardstock - I thought

about layering more but I felt it

would detract from that lovely photo.

Of Sam.

And his blue eyes.

New challenge at Off the Rails Scrapbooking

And you too can join in the fun!!!

Here's the color pallette and the sketch.

Here's my version......

which was by the seat of my pants and you can read the

rest of the story here

which I hope you do because it was an adventure.

I sometimes have the strangest adventures in scrapbooking.

Also you'll get a look at my pal Erin's take!!!

Awesome!

Basket case

What a photo.

I love it.

Amelia's probably stuck in the basket.

Classic.

However if cats and kittens can curl up

in a wash basket well 

then why can't a little girl.

The title was just way too easy.

So....

Recollections cardstock, studio calico pp & alphas, basic grey film strip, simple stories, amy tangerine and thickers and twine.

Then there's Miss Amelia

and the princess wave. Seriously how fashionista can one little kidlet get. She is quite good with it though. I was never that put together as well....at any age. LOL!! So this kit and with another was assembled simultaneously.

I KNOW. I'm still flabbergasted.

I did use only a piece of the background papers and did some huting for the other supplies. I used gelatoes and when I found the Hello tag I needed to go back and add the yellow/gold hue to the background paper in order to bring in the other color and it did bust up the pink. Used my new viewfinder die cut, and the label was from Brooke - it worked perfectly - like totally.

Blue eyed Girl

I wanted baby on there but I used up all the B's from this thickers package for crabby bird. LOL!!!

This is Amelia and her eyes. Love it. And the page is a lift of Wilna over at 2-peas in the mood videos.

I learned to mix gesso and gel mediums to slap into the evil templates that I used reusable adhesive to keep it in place.

I broke out the gelatoes and smeared them around.

I used the entire sheet of star transfers from Studio Calico - because Wilna was all like why not. Which is cool because now I don't have a half a sheet flopping about getting in the way.

The a mix of Studio Calico; pattern papers, thickers & Tim Beck alphas from this months kit, vellum die cuts & star rubons, then some Dear Lizzy, Fancy Pants and Amy Tangerine going on.

You & Me

This page was a long time coming. The mojo just up and left for a bit. So glad it returned even if its a brief moment.

Therefore, I started just by picking the paper and letting it sit on my desk for a bit. Then I thought it needed some mist on it. I was leaning toward an aqua - and changed my mind, using Mr. Huey's metallic copper - and it was the second thing on the page and not the last.

oooooo I know!

My pal Holli and I had some retail therapy at Hobby Lobby yesterday and I picked up a pack of 6x6 Simple Stories that you see as mats, the wooden veneer people and the stamp.  The vellum title is from Studio Calico as is the base paper.

I love how it turned out and I must admit that I redesigned it several times. I was in one of those I can't decide or it really looks stupid that way. Another photo of me and the Mr.

oooooo I know.

Jumped right into my new kit--Labor day...

I KNOW. Another page with me and Tom in it.

I used some stuff from other kits as I couldn't bring myself to cut into virgin paper when I already had some cut up that matched.

Anyway, Labor Day this year was bittersweet as we lost Tom's sister and our reason for heading up this year was to say goodbye. Labor day had evolved into family get together time that we spent down at the shore, allowing for a time of relaxing and visiting. As you know, the shore was hit by Sandy so there are major renno's going on and there was no relaxing there.

Fortunately, we were able to hang out at Tom's sister's house in Red Bank and all the kidlets came and brought the littles with them. And littles have a way of making all things good again. It was good to tickle and cuddle. My new camera was passed about and played with - and that was a good thing, because my favorite SIL fixed the focus that was driving me nuts. AND they got pix of us. Total win-win.

Its good to be home, even with laundry and RV cleaning to do. Although we had a really great time. I'm dithering about what photos to print and do which is why I plunged in with the grands. Of course my dithering involves, do I do pages, albums, mini....what???? 

It was a start. And then another one - on scraps started. And hopefully more will flow.

Studio Calico- Sept KIT - on which I need to hurry and use as Oct is right around the corner.
AND DIDN'T THIS YEAR GO FAST. AND I have the Learn Something New from Shimelle waiting in the wings. I may wait and do it in November.

My Mind's Eye, Amy Tangerine thickers & rubons, American crafts labels and twine, Studio Calico paper and wooden embellies.

A What not to do tutorial.....that does end well

My Studio Calico kit came with an Amy

Tangerine embroidry/stencil kit.

It comes with a variety of items; i.e., words,

punctuation, corners etc.

a mat, a punch and needle and thread.

 I chose the ampersand because well - why not.

Chose some paper, laid it out on the mat 

and punched away.

And then I proceeded to sew.

Using a back stitch and following the holes

it wasn't hard to do, remembering

to pull tight but not too tight as paper

is a bit more delicate than fabric.

 And then I noticed I got lost in the sewing 
and forgot it was an ampersand.
Don't do that.

I was sewing an 'S' and it wasn't until I got

to the doohicky (for lack of better word)

that I knew I screwed up.

 No worries. 

I could have pitched it and started over again

but I decided to

  carefully pull out all the thread

I had stitched and begin again.

(backside)

And wa-la finished product.

I believe I'll be trying a couple more stencils. 

Later.

Came out pretty good.

The paper is light blue with brown thread

and now its sitting on my desk 

waiting for a home.

Stay tuned.

It may take awhile.

3 of us...

This was another page in a series of picking out the papers

and putting the page together and then picking

out the photo to go with.

And it has been a blast because I did what I wanted.

I'm very good at that. 

I got out some Anthropology spritz from Tim Holtz

and some cranberry glimmermist which

isn't quite red or pinky.

OH WELL.

I also broke out the pinking shears.

That's a photo of me, mom and brother Billy.

The decor slays me.

I think where are at friends of my parents (because I KNOW its not our house)

Don and Blanche Remaley on Berwick St.

except I did get confused by the lamp - it was popular.

Love how turned out. 

Another Heritage page bites the dust!!!

Although hmm...we still need to define heritage.

I mean come on. Moi???

Cheeky...

These 2 boys are adorable and funny and take the best pictures. They look like they up to trouble. Its what boys do.

And don't a scrapbooker just love that.

Studio Calico again - looks like sandpaper and isn't that cool. I used 6x6 honeycomb stencil by I can't remember who and I'm too lazy to get up and look :). Little bit of Basic Grey, Little Yellow Bicycle - love those burlap alphas. Crate paper button, Amy Tangerine stamp, some twine and a clothes pin.

I got a little carried away with the cluster. It just happened honest. I just kept piling on. Love that.