Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Organized?

Hi everyone....

As you may remember, I have been trying to get more organized this year...maybe put away that huge stack of layouts I had lying around.  lol  Another thing I am trying to do is organize my supplies.  So today I wanted to share with you how that was going.

A few weeks ago, I had Kristina at Your Memories Here order some supplies for me (if you need something like this, just shoot her an email, she can do a special order for you as well.)  And I have been busy putting them to good use.
When moving all my Distress Inks into the case, I realized that I don't even really know what half the colors are (other than the obvious...blue, brown, pink).  So, I decided to make myself a little swatch book.
I stamped with each color, inked one edge with a foam applicator and the bottom edge straight from the ink pad.  Then, if I had the crackle paint or stain I added a bit of that to the top.  A few colors I even had the Distress Stickles for so I added those as well.  Now I know exactly what colors I have and what they look like (and what colors I still need...hee hee).  In a few weeks, when I get my Distress Ink Pens, I will add a bit of writing on each of the tags as well.  I am really hoping this helps me not buy any more duplicates and reminds me to use all the colors I have.

Speaking of what I have, it looks like I am soon to have my Prima Winter 2012 CHA Grab Bag.  As per the YMH Facebook page....

"Great news! new CHA products are going to be arriving this week!!! I received shipping confirmation from Prima Marketing Flowers and they should be here as early as Thursday!! Those who pre-ordered, watch your emails for tracking numbers Thursday or Friday!"

If you haven't ordered a grab bag, it isn't too late.  Pop over today and grab one while they are still available.

Hugs.

Nancy

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Tuesday - The Sampler


Hi everyone!  Today I want to share with you a layout of Brighton and Mackenzie hanging out together.  It makes me so happy to know that they are close...good friends....as well as siblings.  I made this using the Oh Penlope kit from The Sampler Kit Club.
Brother friend
I love the gorgeous Hambly rub ons in the kit.  They go on so easily....They are so smooth you can even use your fingernail to apply them (which you know I did because I couldn't be bothered to look for my rub on tool).  The patterned papers have such great designs that I couldn't wait to mix them all up.
Be sure and hop over to check out the sketch and card challenges on The Sampler blog for your chance to win a great prize.

Hugs.

Nancy

Monday, February 27, 2012

Hooray for Monday?

Monday's aren't really my favorite day, I think most of us feel the same...however, this Monday is special because with it comes the announcement that I am joining the Hydrangea Hippo design team!  I am thrilled to be working with Jennifer Priest and the other girls on the team.  You can check out the full announcement here.


Well, still haven't been doing much in the way of paper crafting, but I think I found a new hobby....jewelry! Remember I told you that I had taken a class with Christy Tomlinson?  A Gilded Valentines?  Well, the Gilded Girls offered this beautiful bracelet kit...and I just had to have it!  I had so much fun learning to wire wrap....well, it started out frustrating, but in the end...
I love it!  I haven't really had the chance to wear it since I have spent most days working around the house in my yoga pants, but....

And speaking of yoga pants, I guess I should go hop on my elliptical machine for a quick run before I start running children to the pool.

Hugs.

Nancy

Thursday, February 23, 2012

More Mojo

So, yesterday I mentioned that I had been having a lack of mojo when it came to making goodies with my photos.  Which didn't mean I was totally lacking in mojo...just that I was lacking in the desire to play with my photos.  I took an online class with Christy Tomlinson.  This one featured the Gilded Girls and was all about Valentine's day.

Day 4 was all about the messy, mixed media play...

 
 I used bits and pieces from my Sampler Kit Club kit, "oh, Penelope."
 My canvas varied from the original as I chose to go a different way with some of the hearts.  For instance....using tons of flowers to complete a heart.
 I also chose to not add words.
 I really love the way this canvas turned out.
 Ainsley was thrilled to hang it on her wall.

Well, gotta get back to work.

Hugs.

Nancy

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Mojo?

Did you ever have one of those days...you know...where you have stacks of photos, tons of lovely papers, time to play...and no desire to pick up a photo and do something with it?  Well, that was me the other day.  I really felt like creating, but not doing layouts.  I guess sometimes it just happens.  So, what do I do?


 I create little doo dads....hee hee

I am always in need of little boxes to hold miscellaneous supplies and left overs.  I have used this Sizzix die many times for just that as well as gift boxes.  This time I used a sheet of Romance Prima paper from the Annalee collection.
I embellished the box with lots of Prima Resist canvas that I colored with my Distress Stains.  I also used the stains to lightly color some mini roses to match.  I love having white flowers around as I can die them to match my projects.  I topped it all with a gorgeous Prima vine and a little birdhouse from my summer CHA Prima grab bag.

It was a super fun project to create, and while it didn't make me want to scrapbook photos, I had a lot of fun making it.  As a matter of fact, I made two other non photo projects that I will be back to share tomorrow.

Until then.

Hugs.

Nancy

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Technical Difficulties


Hi everyone.  Today I wanted to share a few cards I made with this month's Sampler Kit, Oh Penelope.  

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Due to technical difficulties, my third card.... well, it didn't make it into the photo and is now living at the Memories Live On store.  lol  And of course that was the one for the card challenge...the one you can see here.  Oh well...I guess it is just one of those days.

Speaking of technical difficulties....the layout I shared with you yesterday did not make it onto the inspiration board for the sketch challenge....but you for sure want to check the post out!
Well, be sure and check out the other inspiration photos and try your hand at the above sketch.  We have now added Mr. Linky to make it easier for you to share your projects.  
Hugs.

Nancy

Monday, February 20, 2012

President's Day and a Challenge

Hi everyone!  and for those of you in the US Happy President's Day.  I hope that many of you are enjoying the long holiday weekend here in the US.  Me?  We have my niece over today playing, so there are lots of squeals of laughter in the background while Ainsley and Lili play.

I wanted to pop in ad share a layout I did for this month's sketch challenge at The Sampler.  You know I had to use my Oh Penelope kit from Scrapbooking Supplies r Us.

Here is the sketch....
And my take
Kids were goofing off, having a great time playing with the mustaches.  hee hee

I can't believe how many projects I have been able to complete using this month's kit.  Be sure and come back tomorrow to see more....Check out the Sampler blog; and try the sketch (you can link up using Mr. Linky now to make it easier) for your chance at a great prize.

Hugs.

Nancy

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Hooray for the day before...

A long weekend!!!!!

HI everyone!  Hope you are having a great day.  Things here are about the same as usual, but I wanted to pop in and share a project I made using a sketch from February Page Maps and some older paper from Bo Bunny.

 A photo of my darling boy!  Can't believe  how quickly his is growing.
 I needed to pop lots of the stickers and chipboard to give the page more depth.
Loved adding in some older Prima bling flourishes....Feels so good to use some older product....get it out of my stash.

OK, well...back to work.

Hugs.

Nancy

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Happy Wednesday


Hi everyone, today I wanted to share a layout I made with more products from my Your Memories Here grab bag.  I purchased the large grab bag and have been scrapping up a storm with it for these last few months.  I still can't believe how many projects I have completed using the goodies that came in this box and while not all the yummy goodies came from the box....it really was the base of my project.
 I used a sketch I found by Melinda Spinks to complete this project.  I loved all the little blocks of color.
I used my Tim Holtz Distress Stains to color the birdcage, bird, and butterfly chipboard from Maya Road and then accented the bird with some Glimmer Glam.  I colored my seam binding in the same way.  I also used the Distress Stain to color my canvas resist pieces.
Kristina has placed the Prima order, but there is still a few grab bags left if you would like to order one for yourself.

Hugs.

Nancy

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day


Hi everyone, I wanted to pop in to share a project I made using the Oh, Penelope Kit.  

In celebration of this special holiday, I decided to scrap a photo of my husband and I.   I loved the fabric hexagons, which are all the rage in scrapbooking right now, and my friend Heather had the cutest sketch/template that I just had to try.   (she also has an svg file if you want to cut your own hexagons)Happiness is
The Lily Bee alphabet was perfect for my long title and the wood banner really finished the page.   Finally, I punched some small hears from Victorian paper (Crate Paper) and popped them for interest.

I hope you are enjoying this day with someone you love. And be sure and check out the Sampler blog's card challenge (I am still working on mine).

Hugs.

Nancy

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Rainy, Swimmy Saturday

Hi everyone!  A bit crazy busy here today, but I wanted to stop in and say hi.  It is totally overcast and a bit drizzly here.  Phil is out in the back yard building our new outdoor kitchen and the children are at a swim meet.  I am trying to get a few things done and wishing the weather was more like Thursday.  I took this photo with my phone while enjoying the sun that day.....
The sky was just so incredibly blue.  And the my fruitless pear was so pretty in bloom.  Anyway, not anything like that today so I am doing a few chores and hoping to get some scrappy play time.

I definitely plan on making a card for the card challenge over at The Sampler.  Here is the inspiration photo...
There is some great inspiration on the Sampler blog, so be sure to check it out...and check out this month's great kit, Oh Penelope.

Hugs.

Nancy

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

It's Wednesday

Hi everyone, today I wanted to share a project I made for Valentines Day.  Ainsley is always leaving me sweet little notes and I had this old mailbox from the dollar spot at target lying around so....

I used an older scrap of paper from the Pink Paislee Sweetness collection to cover the mailbox and then added lots of fun little bits.  I made the roses from Kraft Core Cardstock.  I cut them using the Sizzix Pinecone die from Tim Holtz.  I special ordered this die from Kristina at Your Memories Here after watching the 12 tags of Christmas this year.  Did you know Kristina can place special orders for you?  Just shoot her an email and ask.  She has great prices on lots of yummy goodies.

I accented the roses with some diamond stickles and then added some bits of bling that I cut up and a few butterflies.
I tied a bit of seam binding that I dyed with Distress Stain in Tattered Rose and a bauble to the flag for interest. 

I hope you like my little mailbox.  Thanks for stopping by.  And don't forget that there are still a few more Winter 2012 Prima Grab Bags available from Your Memories Here.

Hugs.

Nancy

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Happy Tuesday and a Tutorial


Hi everyone, Nancy here today to share with you a project from the new Oh Penelope kit and a quick tutorial on fan fold butterflies.

There are so many soft, pretty colors in this kit and I knew I had the perfect photo for a fun layout.  I made quite a few rosettes and then decided to try something new to coordinate with the beautiful brass butterfly in the kit.

Cousins
I began with two 2 1/2 inch squares
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I scored and folded on the diagonal at 1/4 inch
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folded each in half and glued the centers together
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then added some glue on the underside to keep my folds together.
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and I had my butterfly.
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I added a little wire for antenae to finish off my butterfly.
Thanks for dropping by, and don't forget to come back and check out all the other great design team inspiration on the blog.
Hugs.
Nancy

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Your Memories Saturday

Hi everyone.  Sorry for the delayed post today, but I forgot that I was going to post today since I had shared the Your Memories Here dt announcement on Wednesday.

I have been having a great time playing with the Ruby Violet collection from Prima.  I have found the products to be so versatile.  Here I mixed them with some Crate Paper to create a more whimsical look.
There are so many beautiful layers to these products; metal, jewels, resin, chipboard.
I also added some Prima canvas resist pieces that I sprayed with a bit of Glimmer Mist.

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Hugs.

Nancy

Thursday, February 2, 2012

It's almost here....

No, not the Superbowl, a weekend when dh and ds are away with the scouts.  So looking forward to some serious girl time with my daughters.  Chick flicks, crafty play, pj time!  Oh, I can't wait.

Until then, let me share another project I recently made.  Another layout with my January kit from Scraptastic.  This is Brighton baking and eating cookies.  I based this on a sketch from Creative Sketches.  Boy pages are always so hard for me.  sigh
Well, gotta go run and start dinner before my swim team meeting tonight.

Hugs.

Nancy

Oh Penelope

Hi everyone!  I wanted to stop in real quick and share with you the February release from The Sampler.  The kit is so fabulously gorgeous!  I have been having so much fun playing and can't wait to share with you all the goodies I am making.....

Anyway, without further ado....

Penelope
Just enough pink and red to make it a little Valentines-ey....but perfect for so many other occasions as well.  And be still my heart....look at those fabulous rub ons and hexagons!  Oh my!!!!

Be sure and grab your kit and check out the Sampler Blog for inspiration.

Hugs.

Nancy

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

YMH New DT

Hi everyone!  Well, I don't have a project today for you from Your Memories Here...instead, of a project, I have the DT announcement!  You know how much I love YMH and I am just thrilled to be part of the team.  And today we welcome a new member and welcome back an old one!

First off, our newest member, Dana Tartar!  You can see her blog here....

And after a break, Kimberly is back with us!  You can see her blog here....

Be sure and check out both their blogs.

Since I can't leave without sharing something, how about a project I did using my good friend Heather's sketch for Ideas for Scrapbookers. (she also has a digi template available)

Here is her sketch

And here is my take.
I used my Scraptastic January kit for this one.  Such fun colors.  The photos were taken with my cell phone, love me some photo apps.  hee hee

If you want to see more of the IFS design team takes on the sketch, you can check them out here....

Well, I have to get back to work.

Hugs.

Nancy