tag art

I created this canvas after seeing a project by Tim Holtz. He and another crafter created canvases using the same materials but their completed projects were so different. I was inspired to create my own canvas using manilla tags. I colored and inked and spritzed and embellished and came up with this. Each tag is unique and has something on it that inspires me. I used a lot of Tim Holtz/Ranger/idea'ology products as well as Wendi Vecchi stamps, Distress Inks and bits and pieces from my stash. I love how it turned out.

date with the hubs

This two page layout features a day out with my husband. I am very thankful for the wonderful man God put into my life. We had a rare Saturday free together, blew off the household chores and went to Pennsbury Manor for a tour. It was the end of the growing season and the gardens weren't in bloom but the grounds were lovely to walk around anyway. I like going to historical sites and John is good enough to humor me.
I made the flowers using lace I dyed with glimmer mist, gathered and made into a circle. I layered on store bought flowers. I hand-sewed the patterned paper and even added a few french knots. The paper reminded me of a colonial pattern which is why I chose it. This layout will go in my SDU album to be used for a sample of colors and the rule of threes.

scrappy products

I really need to update this blog with some of the cool projects I have been working on. Meanwhile, I want to give a shout out to Donna Salazar who has some really cool scrappy products. First, the Distrezz-it-all, a new distressing tool that she developed with Zutter. If you have seen Donna's projects you know she likes shabby, distressed edges. I can't wait to get my hands on one of these babies. Then there is her paper line. She has teamed with Pinecone Press to distribute some vintage feeling papers and stamps. Her papers make me feel all comfy and cozy and this post is actually one way to get my hands on some. She has also come up with her Crafty Chronicle, made of paper that is perfect for altering. You can die cut it and make some of her signature flowers or use it to collage or cover a book or box, anything you come up with. It takes inks and sprays well, at least in the videos I have seen it does. So check out Donna's products and make something special today.

scrapping with jax

I enjoy spending time with my niece Jackie. She is sweet, at least she is when she is hanging out with me. I am sure she lets her 13yo-ness out at home with her parents. She has discovered scrapbooking and is eager to try out new techniques and ideas with the photos she has collected of her family and friends. She asked to spend a few days between camps and the beginning of school with me scrapping and I immediately agreed. We are working with Copic markers here, another Jacque teaching us how to use their color chart and blend when coloring with the markers. I've used some Basic Grey Lemonade paper, flowers I cut with a Sizzex die and bling from I don't remember where. I call her Jax and I am glad to have a family member keeping the scrapping going as none of my own three daughters seem interested.

cruising...

They layouts feature photos I took at our Labor Day Picnic at my sister's. Sue and Dave live near Lake Nockamixon and we enjoy going to their home for family celebrations...especially in the summer when we can go out on their pontoon boat. We all enjoyed the cruise Dave took us on. As usual during our family celebrations everyone brought something to the table and we feasted and played games. It was a lovely day and a delightful way to say goodbye to summer and get ready for school and the fall.
I used October Afternoon patterned papers and Bazzill solids. The alphas are also October Afternoon. I used my Nestabilities label dies and punched flowers from matching cardstock. If you work them with a stylus on a cork or foam pad you can make them resembles Prima flowers.
Enjoy!

fishes

I am having a great time with my class at ACMoore in South Philly. The ladies are so much fun to hang round with and we're teasing each other like old friends already. They inspire me as well to challenge them and myself. Color theory isn't easy, yet as we went through the process they seemed to get it pretty quickly and we had fun deciding the colors for stack of photos I brought. Next up: Journaling. It can be tricky figuring out what to say, how to say it, and how much you want everyone to see. I'm looking forward to seeing what the ladies come up with this week. It should be fun. If you're interested in scrapbooking classes at whatever level, check out the SDU program in an ACMoore or Joann's near you (preferably the ACM's in South Philly or Bensalem!).On to the layout: I made this layout to specifically showcase color theory and how to use color in a layout, as well as how to use design basics. Papers are K & Co., Bazzill; alphas K & Co. and Gin-x rub-ons. Enjoy!

fall

Here's a cute layout with photos from last year. It will be on the sample board at ACMoore in Bensalem. I was going for the monochromatic look using Basic Grey and Bazzill papers, Thickers alphas and some faux stitching using a brown-glitter Spica pen.
SDU classes start in the Bensalem ACMoore in October: Tuesday evenings from 6-8pm and Friday mornings from 10am-12pm. Check out the store calendar for more details.

http://www.acmoore.com/classschedule.aspx?sid=6