Mixed Media and Miracles Momma

Hi everyone!  I hope you are having a great day.  It is supposed to be super hot here today so we are planning on lots of water play.  But, before we do, I wanted to sneak in and share with you a mixed media piece I made using my good friend Heather's sketch for inspiration.

Here is her sketch.

And here is my piece.

I used my April kit from the Sampler.  And of course lots of paints, inks, gesso, and stamps.  I even used the letter template from the kit for the background and bits of the flocking.

Be sure and hop over to Heather's blog to see what some of the other designers did with the sketch.

Hugs.

Nancy

Your Memories Here - Songbird

Hi everyone!  Today I wanted to share with you the layout I made using the photos from our Ruby Violet jewelry making  session.  This time I chose to use the gorgeous Songbird collection from Prima Marketing to feature the photo of Mackenzie.  (sorry the layout looks crooked.  I promise, it isn't that way IRL)  The colors in this collection are so soft and lovely.

A bit of distressing with my Comfort Craft Distress Tool and a bit of ink added quite a bit of texture.  I have really been enjoying the effects I can create with the tool.

I used quite a few different Prima flowers to create my floral clusters, accenting some of the flat flowers with pearls.  And a bit of Prima lace under my title. And yep....I did this page while visiting Prima.  hee hee

You too can find a great selection of Prima products at Your Memories Here in the grab bags.  The bags come in three different sizes and offer you a great selection of products to play with.  I love the selection I get in mine and am already looking forward to what may be in store for Summer 2012.  Eeek...guess I best get busy using what I already have.

Hope you're having a great day.

Hugs.

Nancy

Tuesday - Blast Off

Hi everyone!  I hope those of you here, in the US enjoyed your Memorial Day.  I love a three day weekend and this one was much needed as we begin cabana swim season.  Today I have a post up over on the Sampler blog.  So be sure to check it out.

I really wanted to share with you a project I did for my good friend Sue.  Her grandson is soon to celebrate his fifth birthday so I helped out by making a few decorations for his party.  I used the super fun Blast Off paper crafting kit from Hydrangea Hippo.

A cute banner, a few pinwheels, cupcake toppers and a gift bag were all made using this kit and just a few items I am sure you have around the house (toothpicks, straws and adhesive).

 I know he can't wait to share these goodies with his friends.

The weather here has been so gorgeous these last few weeks that I am sure these decorations will be perfect outside.

 I am not quite sure what goodies Grandma is going to stash in the gift bag, but I am sure it will be great.

Well, we have a busy day around here so I best get back to work.

Hugs.

Nancy

Oops.....

I did it again.  And now that song is going to be stuck in my head.  I guess it is payback for not stopping in earlier today.  I don't know why, but I was just so tired that I slept in till 9:00.  Well, kinda.  I woke up at 6:00 and then at 7:00 and then at 8:00...but I got up at 9:00, so I guess I slept in till then.  lol

Maybe I was procrastinating on sharing this project because I knew I was going to have to blur the photos? They were taken Easter Sunday and Mackenzie was still fairly swollen from having her wisdom teeth pulled.  Needless to say she was not happy with me and I told her I wouldn't post the photos of her swollen on the blog.  I am going with blurring her out makes it ok...shhhh.

I used lots of the American Crafts Dear Lizzy, Neapolitan line for these Easter photos.  The papers, some of the trims, the crepe paper,chipboard and pinwheels.  And of course I could resist mixing in a bit of Prima.

 The colors in the Dear Lizzy line are so full of spring.

 Oh, and that little bit of green Prima lace?  sigh...I think I need a whole spool.

OK, I think I hear Mackenzie home from the pool.  Better get this done before she sees what I am doing.

Hugs.

Nancy

Artist at Work - YMH

Hi everyone! Today I want to share with you a project I made with lots of yummy Prima goodies, as a matter of fact...everything on the page except my kraft cardstock is from Prima.   And yes, I made this while at the Prima NSD crop and all the Prima goodies came from the sharing table.

You may recognize the photo as it is one of Ainsley making Ruby Violet jewelry.   I started with a base of papers from the Recollections collection that I distressed with a fairly heavy hand and my Prima Distress Tool.  Then I layered on gorgeous blooms, laces, and bling.

I love all the different shades of colors that the Prima flowers offer...and all the gorgeous texture.  Definitely running low on my Prima alphabets as I have now begun flipping letters to make new.

Well, it is a busy day here today.  Off to get my hair cut.  Probably not a lot of time to play.  That said, I was able to finish up a kit from Hydrangea Hippo last night...so at lease I am getting caught up.  And I am really hoping for some quality play time over the long weekend.

Hugs.

Nancy

Graduation Advice - the Sampler and Zutter

Hi everyone!  Today I want to share with you a little mini album I made using my April kit from the Sampler and my Zutter Bind-it-All.  One of my son's best friends is graduating next month so I made this little mini album for him.  It is full of advice that is most often attributed to Bill Gates.  (I found the list here)


I love the neutral colors in this kit and the mix of alphabets in the kit made for great title work.

 Oh, and the gorgeous fabric tape.....

 and brads....

 I used lots of fussy cutting to embellish my pages.  I really love how I can make anything into a mini album with the help of my Bind-it-All.

Don't forget, yesterday we posted the new sketch and card challenges on the Sampler blog.  You don't want to miss your chance to win some fabulous prizes.  Be sure and check it out.  


And, before I go....How about another sneak at the June kit from the Sampler...

I know I can't wait for mine.


And check out my project over on the Bind-it-All blog.  A fun little wine journal.


Hugs.


Nancy

The Sampler - Sketch Challenge

Hi everyone!  Sorry I have been MIA the last few days, but life just got in the way.  My darling littles had a swim meet this weekend which seemed to drag on forever.

Today I wanted to let you know that their is a new sketch and card challenge up over at The Sampler.  Here is the sketch

And my take

A photo of Mackenzie on her birthday, with her birthday cupcake.  She had just had her wisdom teeth out, so she is looking a little puffy.  And I am sure she would be horrified if she saw this on my blog, so shhhhh.

 I really love all the interesting little bits in this month's Sampler kit.  So many fun goodies to play with.

Be sure and hop over to the Sampler to check out the other girls work and see the card challenge and find out how you can win a great prize from the Sampler.

And I promise to try and be a better blogger this week.

Hugs.

Nancy

Tried & True

Hi everyone!  I hope you are having a great day.  Me....not so bad.  Having a bit of a problem with Photoshop...but nothing new there.  lol  DH is home today as he hopes to get the chance to do some work on his climbing wall and outdoor kitchen.  Of course, that isn't happening as he is sitting playing on his computer.  lol

Today I wanted to share with you a project I made using more of the Genuine Collection from Authentique and lots of gorgeous blooms from Prima.  (yep...all these pretty much came from the boxes we were allowed to dig in while at the NSD crop.

I took Ainsley and her friend to an Earth Day celebration at our Whole Foods Market.  They had an amazing petting zoo....goats, rabbits, chickens, lambs, alpacas...yep...alpacas.  Of course, I didn't get a good shot...but I promise there were two of them.....

I am really loving the blue and yellow combination in this line from Authentique.  Works so well for many subjects.

Well, I have bunches of things to get done and while dh is busy sitting on his computer, I can't have him thinking this is all I do all day.  hee hee

Hugs.

Nancy

Just Lovely - Prima and Pink Paislee

Hi everyone!  Today I wanted to share with you one of the projects I made on National Scrapbook Day while at Prima Marketing.  I had such a great time cropping there.  They provided us with lots of goodies to play with...and I took full advantage.

I used the lovely Spring Jubilee papers from the Your Memories Here store and lots of yummy Prima flowers and trims with these fun photos of Ainsley.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs.

Nancy

The Sampler - Dye It

Hi everyone!  Sorry I missed you yesterday, but it was crazy around here.  We got my scrap room painted on Mother's Day, but that meant yesterday I spent the day putting everything back in its place.  I think I may make too many things.  lol  Well, more about my scrap room in a bit.....

Today I wanted to share with you a project I made using this month's kit from the Sampler, Two Scoops.  I love, love, love the colors in this kit.  So bright and springy.  

The Hambly transparency was just perfect to add a bit of depth and texture to my layout.  And I used a bit of baker's twine left over from my April kit.

Wood buttons, gorgeous colors and cute decorated brads were just perfect for the sketch I received from my good friend Heather.  There is still time to enter the April sketch and card challenges at the Sampler.  And later this week we will have the May challenges up.

OK, so onto my scraproom and our winner.....

Last Thursday, I stopped at the Ace Hardware next to the pool because they carry my favorite Benjamin Moore Paint; and found a lovely, bright summery yellow called Sundance.  Well, the Ace next to my house has a different display unit, so I couldn't find the color I was looking for.  I picked up the phone and called Phil, who unfortunately remembered the name of the color as Sunburst.  Well, needless to say, the Sunburst was just a bit too bright, almost like a yellow highlighter....so we had to start over.  At least we had only painted one wall.  lol

So, now the room is a bright, but not too bright, sunny yellow and everything is back in place.  I think I need to open an etsy shop or something to share all the goodies (mini books and off the page projects) I have been making.

So, our winner of the 52 Challenges book is....

Heather.  So, Heather....send me your mailing information and I will get your book out to you.

Hugs.

Nancy

A Gift to Give - The Sampler & Bind it All

Hi everyone.  I wanted to pop in really quick and say "hi" and share a quick project I made using my Two Scoops from the Sampler and my Bind it All.

The colors and patterns in the May kit are super cute.  My favorite though has to be the Be Amazing paper from My Minds Eye.  The hexagons are just so fun to play with.

The kit came with a cute little gift bag that was just begging for embellishment.  Hexagons, glitter paper and my Bind it All to the rescue.

After folding the top of the bag, I punched with my Bind it All allowing me the holes I needed to thread my ribbon.

So quick and so easy.

Hope you have a great weekend.  Back to looking for paint colors.

Hugs.

Nancy

Genuine and a Giveaway

Hi everyone!  Hope you are having a great day.  Me?  not so sure as I am actually typing this up the night before it goes live.  Tomorrow I am getting canned lights put into the ceiling in my scrap/office/guest room. So, since I may not have a computer I thought I would jump ahead....just in case.  hee hee

Well, other than sharing that bit of information, I wanted to share with you a project I made at the Prima NSD crop.  Did I mention that we had access to tons of flowers and trims...well, and paper?  I am saving some of those for another day.

But for today....here is Brighton.  I have had the Genuine collection from Authentique sitting in my stash for quite a while and was really excited to get a chance to play with it.

I did quite a bit of distressing with my Prima distress tool and the Prima chalk inks.  I really like the chalks, but I think I may still be a Distress Ink girl.  And I am so digging the chevron pattern.

I found lots of gorgeous flowers in the bins available to us at Prima...and the lace trims...to dye for.  This time I used pan pastels.  Maybe I do need to invest in a set?  hmmmmm

Love the Prima bling I found, and the metal flowers.  Just yummy.

Well, time for bed.  I am going to be dreaming of what color to paint my room when it is done.  I have some toile pattern in the room and a denim futon.  I am thinking a bright, sunny yellow, but then I saw a beautiful Tiffany blue.  What do you think?  Maybe pink?  hmmmmm Leave me a comment on what color you think I should paint and become a follower.  I will pick a winner to receive this older, but brand new book.  (US and Canada please).

Hugs.

Nancy

Messy Play

Hi everyone!  Today I wanted to share with you a quick little project I made using a piece of canvas left over from my Sampler kit.

I used one of the Prima Marketing masks and some fun Pan Pastels to make the background.  I used some Fabri Tac to hold it together, then, I added some Prima Lace and flowers.  So quick and simple.

I loved playing with these colors.  They aren't usually something I do, but they seemed so bright and cheery.

Finally I used a Crate Paper brad to hold it all together and keep the little clutch closed.

I am really pleased with how this project turned out and look forward to playing with pastels more in the future.

Well, gotta run.

Hugs.

Nancy

If I Knew You Were Coming - The Sampler

Hi everyone!  As I mentioned yesterday I have tons of new projects to share.  Gotta love a weekend away when there is lots of time to crop.

Today I am sharing a project I made with this months kit from the Sampler, Two Scoops.  As usual, Holly has come up with a great mix of colors and textures for us to play with, and when I saw the sketch from Lisa Dickinson I knew I this would work perfectly.

Ainsley was so proud to make her first cake from scratch all by herself.  Quite the budding little chef.

And I just love all the beautiful colors and textures in the Sampler kit.

Super cute little wood buttons from Prima Marketing.

And fun brads from Echo Park.

This months kit is just packed full of fun.  So be sure to pop in and pick up your Sampler kit soon.  And don't forget there is still time to play along with us at the sketch and card challenges as well.  You can find them here.

Well, back to work for me.

Hugs.

Nancy

Busy Weekend

Hi everyone!  I hope you are having a great day and that your weekend was amazing!  I know mine was...National Scrapbook Day and all.

This year, I decided to attend Prima Marketing's first NSD crop in Chino, California.  It was such a good time.  I got to meet so many fun people and get my scrap on.  I haven't had a chance to photo anything yet, but be prepared.  Prima gave us access to lots of goodies and I took full advantage.  (note:  we were allowed to take what we needed, no stockpiling to take home...and believe me...it was tempting, I need so much! hee hee).

In other news....
I had some fun birthday party decorations up at Hydrangea Hippo yesterday.  You should totally check them out here.

And today I have a mini album, Advice for the New Grad, up at Bind it All, here.

Well, I still have school to teach, and to get these layouts and other projects from the weekend finished and photoed....

Hugs.

Nancy

A Box Full of Ballerinas and A Winner

Hi everyone!  Happy Friday.  I hope you have great plans for the weekend.  For me?  Celebrating one of my favorite holidays....National Scrapbook Day!  hee hee

First, let's pick a winner from The Sampler blog hop.....

Number 1 is Cheryl!  Cheryl...send me your mailing info and I will get your package out.


Today I want to share an exploding box I made with some gorgeous goodies from the Hydrangea Hippo etsy store.  I knew as soon as I saw these cute little ballerinas in the store I just had to have them, especially after all the years of ballet the girls have taken.

And I love the little sprays, and the beads, and the roses, and the.....oh goodness, this was such a fun project to make.

I know Mackenzie will enjoy looking at the little photos from her years of dance.

Well...hope you have a great weekend.

Hugs.

Nancy

Older Prima and a Sketch

Hi everyone!  Hope you are having a great day.  Me?  busy as usual.  Getting ready for National Scrapbook Day.  One of my favorite holidays!  lol

Today I wanted to share a layout I made using a super fun sketch from my good friend, Heather.

 Lots of older Prima, which seems to forever be piling up around here...not that I have an addiction or anything.  hee hee

Older mulberry paper with beautiful trims already added....

 Blingy birdhouses (is that even a word?)

 And of course a sweet little bird.

Thanks for dropping by today.

Hugs.

Nancy