Live Laugh Love Layout

Hello again fellow scrappers!  Today I bring you my very first DT page for Berry71Bleu.

The Berry71Bleu challenge for January is to scrap yourself--the owner of Berry71Bleu--Marivic--described the challenge as scrapping the 'queen' within us.    Scrapping ourselves can be a bit intimidating for many scrappers--I've done several challenges in the past where the subject was ourselves & I'm constantly hearing how this seems to be a tough one for us.  As scrappers, we will consistently document those around us--but we will hardly ever take the time to scrap ourselves.

However, I'm one of those few that actually very much enjoys scrapping myself.  I feel that the most wonderful gift, memory & legacy that we can leave our loved ones behind or pass onto them is ourselves.  Who we are, what we represent.  Our likes & dislikes, our guilty pleasures.  What makes us happy--what makes us sad.  What are our beliefs?  What mottos do we live by?  What defines us?

This layout is me on paper.  I carefully hand picked embellishments that represent me in some shape or form.  The papers I used which is the "Frosted" collection by 13 Arts & who are also sponsoring the winner for this challenge--worked perfectly with my approach.

My background was made with the use of one of Clear Scraps newest releases called Mascils.  It's a mask & stencil all in one.  For this layout, I've used the 12" Numbers Mascil.  All I did was place the mascil against my paper & spritzed a bit of Granite Glimmer Mist & voila!  Instant shimmery background...

I randomly placed words onto my page that define me.  Here you'll see 'imagine' & 'spirit'.

I love butterflies & therefore included them on my page.  Those who know a little about me are aware that butterflies are my fave of embellishments.  They represent change--the start of something new.  They are also so very beautiful & graceful.

The cameo seen here was included because I consider myself an 'old soul'.  I enjoy classic black & white movies...give me a good Humphrey Bogart or Bette Davis movie & I'm good.  When it comes to music--my passion is jazz & swing...we're talking Glenn Miller, Billie Holiday, Etta James etc...sure I enjoy music from today as well--but late at night while scrapping, nothing puts me more at ease than listening to Billie Holiday sing about her latest heart break...

The light bulb speaks for itself.  'CREATE'!  Create indeed!! How I love to create...anything involving art is so very much me!  Not only do I love to create myself--but I also enjoy seeing works of art by others.  Once in a while I'll hop on a train & take a ride into NYC simply because I want to spend the day strolling through the Metropolitan museum.  To me, that's a great way to spend the day.

This tag is just one of many by Berry71Bleu.  They are made with much TLC by Marivic herself.  She made this one with the concept of the 'queen' within us all.  As little girls we are all princesses right?  Well those princesses grow up to be queens!  As women we are someone's daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, mom or grandmother.  We are unique in our own way & touch the lives of those around us simply by being us.

You can find more of Marivic's lovely tags in her Etsy shop here.

Flowers!  What woman doesn't love flowers eh?  Well, I'm no exception...I love them & include them in just about all my work.  I also love the real thing & have a garden full of different flowers that I enjoy tending to--not to mention all the plants that I have inside my home--my home is my little jungle full of plants!  :-)

These bold flowers are actually stamps.  These are the 'Organic Fabric Flourish' stamps by Inkadinkado.  I stamped the images onto a transparency with black Staz On--cut the images out & then adhered them onto my page with clear dry adhesive.  Stamping images onto a transparency ensures that you can place your images anywhere on your page.

Birds is another pleasure of mine.   But I especially love & admire the wise owl.  Therefore, I have him perched right next to me.

The pen nib is there because I love to write.  I started writing short stories when I was in high school simply because I just felt like writing!  I got ideas in my head & put them to paper.  I still tend to write now-a-days although not as much as I'd like since I hardly ever find the time.  But I do enjoy it...

This tag that is part of the 13 Arts "Frosted" collection begged to be included on this page.  It's exactly what I believe in.  Life is indeed so very beautiful--look around, take it in--live, love & just be happy!

I included the 'smile' because those that are close to me know that I'm just a big goofy clown that consistently loves to laugh & is always looking to make others laugh as well.  Laughter is the cure for many things...hey--according to some doctors, laughing even helps you lose weight!  lol  I think we burn about 3 calories with every good hearty laugh.  So laugh it up guys!!

Thanks for visiting!  Do take the time to stop by the Berry71Bleu blog & participate in this month's challenge.  Document something about yourself that you'd enjoy passing down to your loved ones--they'll appreciate it more than you'll ever know...

Recipe For Making Love Layout

Hello fellow scrappers!  With Valentines Day just around the corner (can you believe it?) I'm digging out my wedding photos and/or re-doing wedding pages that I've done in the past & just wasn't 100% happy with.  This one is actually a re-do.

The current challenge going on over at Colors...Stories...Inspiration (C.S.I) triggered this re-do. I found the color palette to be just right for this page.

So here is me & my hubby over 5 years ago on our wedding day.  Yes, it's been 5 years already!  I know for those of you who have been married 10, 15 or 20+ years 5 is probably not such a biggie.  However, I'm more surprised not by the number but by how fast these 5 years have flown by!  It just feels like yesterday that we were exchanging vows & here we are going on our 6th year together.  I'm sure pretty soon I'll be talking about our 10th anniversary--sigh...tick tock tick tock...

Here's the C.S.I challenge I based my page on.

For my evidence I have: tickets, swirls & music pattern

For my testimony I've used the song title & lyrics from a song

I've also based my design on the provided sketch.

The 'Love' part of the title is an Acrylic Expression by Clear Scraps.  I kept the texture of the title simple.  All I did was highlight the edges of the letters with a red Sharpie Oil based Paint pen.  This gave my title the simple & perfect effect I wanted.

The Love tickets are by Tim Holtz.  The lyrics are from Harry Connick Jr.'s song "Recipe For Making Love"--which is also the title for my layout.

We also played this song at our wedding:  A little bit of me & a whole lot of you.  Add a dash of starlight & a dozen roses too.  Then let it rise for a hundred years or two.  And that's the recipe for making love.

We found this to be a very cute song to be part of our wedding--it also helps that I'm a huge jazz fan!  :-)

The light blue pearl string I've had in my stash for ages.  In fact I have various pearl strings in my stash that I really need to use up. So you'll be seeing these trims on several of my projects.

The little glass vial is filled with tiny little red hearts that I had in my stash.  I knew those little hearts would come in handy one day!

The large handmade flower I bought from an Etsy store called More Paper Than Shoes.  Anna the owner, creates various handmade flowers that add a perfect touch to layouts, projects & even weddings!

The little paper rolls are just scraps of left over patterned paper from other projects that I've rolled up & glued to my page.

The floral frame that surrounds my photos is actually a stamp.  It's the large cameo frame stamp by Stampendous.  The stamp itself is much smaller than what you see here--however you can make any stamp to be any size for your needs with the use of a scanner.  So if you have a scanner at home--just do the following.

TIP: If you have a stamp that you wish to use on your project but it's too small or too big--stamp the image with black ink onto a sheet of plain white card stock.  I use Staz On for this step because Staz On tends to provide a very sharp stamped image. Scan your image & import the image to your computer.  Then with a photo/image editing tool like Photoshop or even Picasa resize your image to the size you need.  Then just print the image out & you're done!  For my page, I needed the frame to be transparent.  So I printed it onto a printable transparency sheet--cut the image out & then adhered it to my page.  Voila!  Instant frame!

The wedding couple I cut out from my original page.  If interested you can see my original take on this page here.  I decided to keep this image from my original page & use it here.  You can also see how much my scrapping style has evolved through the years.

I've created the veil for the bride by adhering a bit of black tulle to a decorative brad & then attaching it to her head.

Thanks for stopping by & enjoy the rest of the week!

My Promise Layout

Hello once again fellow scrappers!  Today I bring you a page I made with a couple of new releases by Clear Scraps.  I kept the design of this page fairly simple by utilizing white space & letting the elements of the page shine through.

This would be my newborn son when he was about 2 days old.  It's amazing how they change from when they're first born.  He's currently a little over 2 months & I can't say he looks the same as in this picture.

The theme of my page is 'My Promise' to him as his mom.  My journaling consists of items that I pledge to provide as his mom throughout his life time & as one of the main influential persons in his life.  The journaling is meant for his eyes only.  Once he's old enough to comprehend I'll let him read it.  Maybe by then he'll also let me know if I'm keeping some of my promises or not!  :-)

Here is a sample of one of Clear Scraps brand new releases--Acrylic Borders.  I used the Square Acrylic Border on this page.

To give the border it's texture, I first highlighted the edges of a couple of the squares with a black Sharpie.  I then painted the border with orange & yellow alcohol inks.  Finally, I dressed up the squares by adding dots of Bisque Liquid Pearls on the corners of each square.  A couple of mosaic pieces (some by Prima some from my own stash) were adhered to a few of the square boxes.

This lovely large flower is by Manor House Creations.

I'm loving these very cute velvet teddy bears that I found at my local craft store A.C. Moore.  They're perfect for baby/children themed pages!

For my background I sprayed a couple of quick bursts of RipTide glimmer mist & randomly added dots of Star Dust Stickles.

This square frame is also part of a new release by Clear Scraps--the 'Clearly Framed' collection.  I've used the Small Rectangle Frame which I've covered with patterned paper, inked the edges with Vintage Photo distress ink & dressed up the corners with a couple of Black Diamond Stickles dots.  A small corner from a paper white doily was cut & adhered to the inside of the frame.

I've tucked a bit of light blue & yellow tulle underneath the large Manor House flower.  I feel that tulle tends to add a soft & delicate touch to a page.

Here's the bottom half of the Square Acrylic Border.  You just can't go wrong with alcohol inks when it comes to acrylic--it adds a fabulous texture to it!

As usual, a big thank you to all of you who stop by for a visit.

Enjoy the rest of the week!

Clear Scraps Blog Hop

Welcome to the Clear Scraps new release BLOG HOP & fabulous GIVEAWAY!

If you just came from Elena Olinevich's blog--then you're right on target!  If not, please scroll down to the end of this post to see the blog hop design team order.

We are celebrating 140+ brand new designs & the Clear Scraps design team has come together to showcase a few of these brand new designs with inspirational & innovative projects!

Here's my project--I decided to showcase the Clear Scraps Build It Your Way Album.

I've used S.E.I's Vanilla Sunshine paper collection for this binder.

I decorated the cover as if I were doing a layout--just without any photos.  I had the opportunity to use several large flowers, trims & embellies that I had in my stash that were too bulky for layouts--but were just right for this binder!

Here are a couple of close ups.

The bottom right hand corner photo shows the ribbon I attached that keeps the binder tied closed.  I'm not exactly sure yet what I'll be using this binder for.  It may be for special photos or maybe as a journal or some kind of memory book or keepsake.  All I know is that all of my memory books or journals usually end up bulky!  So that's why I adhered the white ribbon that I can tie in order to keep my binder from flying open.

These butterflies are items from my Etsy shop.  I created them with this binder's color scheme in mind--I wanted a black and coral butterfly--this was the end result.

Now onto the inside of the binder.

All of the acrylic pages I've decorated with stamps.  I used black Staz On ink to stamp random images on the acrylic pages.  TIP: Always remember, that when stamping on acrylic to use a permanent ink such as Staz On.  Using any other kind of ink will cause your image to smear.

The chipboard pages I've covered with different pattern paper.  I've kept the pages fairly simple since--as mentioned previously--I haven't decided yet what I'm going to be using this binder for.

More pages from the binder.  I'm enjoying how it's all coming together--best of all, I get to utilize my large stamps!  :-)

On a couple of the chipboard pages, I've outlined the outer border with sharpie pens & added dots of Star Dust Stickles.

For the chipboard pages that have a more intricate outer border, I've decided to paint the borders with acrylic paint & then heat emboss them with Star Dust transparent embossing powder by Stampendous.  In person these edges have a fabulous shimmer to them.

Below is the list of the design team members participating in the blog hop.  Be sure to visit & comment on EVERY blog for a chance to win an amazing prize package filled with Clear Scraps goodies retailed over $30.00! 

Your next stop is Irene Tan's blog!  Don't forget to leave your comment here before moving on.  NOTE: You do not need to become a follower of my blog in order to qualify for the prize...but if you like what you see--new followers are ALWAYS welcome!  Enjoy the blog hop...

Clear Scraps

Leah Crowe

Jennifer Haggerty

Tonya Dirk

Jessica Griffin

KC Eddy

Rita Barakat

Wendy Price

Adora Concepcion

Elena Olinevich

Karla Fatula ----> you are here

Irene Tan

Pinky Hobbs

Don't forget to leave a comment on the Clear Scraps post letting us know you commented on all the blogs & which new release is your favorite! For an extra chance to win you can 'LIKE' the Clear Scraps Facebook page & share this post on your Facebook.  Then leave a comment on the Clear Scraps post letting us know that you 'liked' Clear Scraps on Facebook & shared the post!

A winner will be posted Friday, January 18th in the morning.  You have until January 17th 12:00am Eastern standard time to complete the blog hop.

Berry71Bleu DT & First Challenge Of The Year

Happy New Year fellow scrappers! 2013 is upon us & with a New Year comes new endeavors. So I'll start off this New Year with an announcement. I've been asked to join the Berry71Bleu design team & I've agreed to jump on board!

Marivic--the owner is quite the creative gal.  As the owner of two Etsy shops--Zeus & Zoe & Berry71Bleu--there's something for all types of scrappers.  Berry71Bleu which is scheduled to re-open soon, carries a variety of lovely handmade tags that add a lovely touch to any crafty project.  The corresponding challenge blog is designed to stimulate your creativity.  Tune in every month for a new challenge & the opportunity to win some goodies.

On this note, let me take the opportunity to introduce January's challenge which is 'All About Me'.  Marivic is doing the first challenge of the year & here it is in her own words as well as her example, prize & rules to play along.

This challenge is no-holds-barred...talk about your new year's resolution, your dreams, your childhood, your best and worst moments, what makes you laugh, cry, mad...what makes you feel beautiful...your best physical feature, what you wish you can change about yourself...your pet peeves, your frustrations, your favorite food, color...maybe a secret? whatever you want to talk about as long as it's all about you.

Since we are talking about you...(the queen!). Here is our January theme that you need to follow.

I followed our generous Sponsor 13 ARTS Frosted Life Collection...They are sponsoring the winner and our DT this month with this gorgeous paper collection.

Random Winner will receive a Vintage-style Skeleton Key Collection from 

Zeus and Zoe Etsy Shop

Here's what I made using Frosted Life Collection

I stenciled the background using crackle paste. I misted it as well. Used glass beads in some portions. Just a random mix of everything.

One of my Tags..Marie Antoinette is part of the theme..

(Berry71bleu Etsy Shop will re-open this week)

Metal charm from my Zeus and Zoe Etsy Shop.

Rules of the Challenge:

1. You are allowed to make a card, layout or altered/off the page project as long as you follow the challenge specifications.

2. Projects must be linked up to our linky tool in the 

sidebar, using the URL of the ACTUAL POST not your entire blog.

3. You may submit as many entries as you like for each challenge and combine your entry with up to 2 other challenges.

4. It is required that you mention in your blog post that you are playing along at Berry71 Bleu TOGETHER with a link back to our blog. 

5. All entries must be received by MIDNIGHT EST on the last day of the month the challenge was posted.

6. Entries to be submitted via the linky tool at the top of the

sidebar ONLY,not by email and not by linking up in the comments section please.

Information

about our Challenges:-

1. Berry71Bleu Challenges are open to anyone, 

anywhere in the world.

2. Our Design Team do their best to comment on all entries, you can make their job easier by turning OFF your word verification.  Try it and if spam is a problem you can always enable comment moderation.

3. Challenges are held monthly and each month TWO winners are

chosen. One winner is chosen by our design team, who all vote for the project they consider to be the best, while another winner is chosen by random draw.

4. Challenge winners will always be announced within a week

of the challenge closing and winners are then required to

contact our Sponsor Co-ordinator, Agnieszka at starhorse@onet.eu

5. Prizes not claimed within 2 weeks of the challenge closing 

will be forfeited.

6. The Merit winner will have an image of their project featured in the winners post, together with a link back to the homepage

of their blog.

7. Merit winners will be awarded a Winner's Badge to post

on their blog - full bragging rights included!

So head on over to the Berry71Bleu blog & play along!  Thanks to all of you who stop by for a visit...