Thursday, August 30, 2012

The Empty Bag.....

Hi there!
The weekend is just around the corner.  Yay!
Do you have any special plans or things you need to do this weekend?
Are you setting some time aside for crafting?

I'm a member of Colorful Creations http://colorfulcreations.ning.com/.  They have
lots of fun challenges, so click on their link above and check it out!

The challenge I entered was the "See through challenge" (clearaug) and the deadline is 
August 31, 2012.  All I had to do was create a layout using something transparent, 
such as transparency or vellum.

Here is the sketch I chose by Brenshevia at Colorful Creations.  Here's the direct link to her sketch: http://colorfulcreations.ning.com/forum/topics/national-scrapbooking-day
She has the most wonderful collection of sketches!



And here's my take on her sketch.  I rotated the sketch counter-clockwise.

Our funniest animals ever!  Andrew opened a present and placed the empty bag in the middle
of the floor and Tom and Zoe just sat there looking inside it.  It was truly the funniest
thing!  So, I came up with this journaling of what I interpreted while they were
just sitting there:

Tom:  Should I go inside?
Zoe:  Will you fit?
Tom:  I dont know, but it sure looks inviting.
Zoe:  Just give it a try... go on.
Tom:  No, Ill just sit here with you and we can keep looking inside.


Supplies used: 
Paper: DCWV
Vellum (unknown brand)
Transparency: Paper Pizzazz
Sanding Block
Flowers, Leaves
Gem Brads
Ribbon
Computer Font: Ammys Handwriting
Title Font: Cricut Stamped
Cricut
Glue Dots Vellum Adhesive


The flower colors were chosen from the photo, trying to incorporate all the
colors shown.  Thought it would add a bit of color to all the neutral colors I used.
I layered several different colors and used a gem brad to attach them.  I used
some leaves from my stash and placed them under the flowers.


The edges of the tan strip of cardstock and the circle were sanded. 

The vellum was attached by vellum adhesive.

This photo shows the transparency I used, which was placed on top of vellum for added
interest.  I had this transparency for years (I won't say how many) and never found
a use for it.  So I was happy to participate in this challenge to finally use up
some misc. products in my stash.

A close up of my title and font used with my Cricut.

The ribbon was added to "spruce up" my layout a bit.  :)

Here's another view of my flowers and you can also see the sanding
I did along the edges of the tan paper.

Thanks for looking!
Have a wonderful day!
Libby  :)

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

My Layout was Featured!!

Hi,
Just HAD to pass along my wonderful news!

My layout entitled "Daddy" (see post directly below this post) was FEATURED on Soul Scrappers! 
Here is the link to the all the featured layouts (including mine):  http://soul-scrappers.ning.com/photo

So totally thrilled!  I worked so hard on this layout and I'm so PROUD that it was
noticed and also chosen to be featured!

Libby  :)

Welcoming the Rain... Sort of

Hi there,
We finally got some much needed rain and it was nice to see my garden
come "back to life!"  
Rainy weather, for me, also means crafting!  :)

Soul Scrappers http://soul-scrappers.ning.com/  is having a Quest 13 Vintage Challenge (SSQ13). 
The deadline is August 31st.
The same vintage items were mailed to every participant.  It took nearly three weeks for me to receive my goodies and I was so excited to have a little time to spare to work on my layout.  I knew exactly which photo I was going to use and couldn't wait to get started!

Challenge requirements:  
1.  To use all of the items mailed to us, or as much as you possibly can.  
2.  Background cardstock or patterned paper is allowed.
3.  Letters can be added for the title.
4.  You can use a pen for journaling.
5.  The photo much be black and white and over 40 years old.
6.  The layout MUST be vintage style.

The sketch I chose is from Splitcoast Stampers (SBSC227) http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/.

And here's my vintage layout.

This is a photo of "daddy" as a baby.  Nothing was written on the back (like everyone used
to do) so I have no idea which year or how old he was.
I love this photo!  He looks like such a happy little cheeky baby!

I even managed to use ALL of the vintage items sent to me!  I was pretty happy to
have worked in all of the items onto my layout.
It was certainly a challenge.  Once I received the supplies, I simply didn't even know
where to begin!  I don't work with vintage, so I knew it would be a bit hard.  
Having the photo right there, while the sketch was chosen certainly made it easier.

Supplies used:
Paper: DCWV
Vintage Embellies: Mailed to each participant (I used them ALL)
Font: Cricut Stamped
Cricut
Ink: A la mode Brown
Sanding Block


The sketch called for this strip along the left edge and was so excited to utilize
more of the vintage supplies.  The edges of each piece was inked.  Since I didn't really care
to have both of the "admit one" tickets, I left a portion showing and just the tip of the other
ticket above the photo.  I crumpled many of the pieces.  I snipped a piece of the ric rac, shredding
the edges slightly before adhering the button on top of it.


Two photos of my cluster.  The edges of everything were inked.  The flower is a layered
combination of supplies, including the milk ticket and button.  For the circle piece of paper under the
button, I scrunched up the paper before attaching the button.  The tiny strips under the flower are the
strips that were cut off the cardstock I needed for another portion of the layout, which I 
just folded in half and placed underneath.  I didn't like one piece of flowered paper, so 
I rolled it up and tied it with the string.



Have a wonderful day!
Libby  :)

Monday, August 27, 2012

Let's Scrap Sketch Challenge

Hello,
This is a late post, mostly because I was working on several layouts and managed to
get two of the challenge layouts done!  Yay!

Let's Scrap http://letsscrap.ning.com/ is having a sketch challenge (8-22-12) and
the deadline is August 28, 2012.  Below is their sketch:



And here's my take on the sketch.  I tweaked a few things.  Instead of adding
journaling on the lower right, I added several snowflakes and rather than add the title
in the center block, I placed my journaling block.

Boy Scouts Winterama held annually.

Supplies used:
Paper: DCWV
Stampin' Up! Border Punch
Fiskars Border Punch
Mesh Ribbon
Sanding Block
Icicles Stickers: Mrs. Grossman's
Sharpie Marker (for journaling and sub-title)
EK Success Label Punch
Metal Snowflakes
String
Plastic Letter Tiles
Clear Plastic Snowflakes
Diamond Stickles


Left side of my layout.

This photo shows the different border punches used and the mesh ribbon.  The yellow strip of
paper was crumpled and sanded.

A better look.

Here's the clear plastic snowflakes which I covered with Stickles and they
look so much better!

My sub-title, which is on two punched labels with my handwriting.
Also my title page using tiles and my journaling block.

 My journaling block.

After punching the labels the edges were sanded, metal snowflakes were added
and I finished the sub-title by adding "Boy Scouts" in my handwriting.

Trying to get a better view of my tiles.  I simply hot glued the tiles
onto the string and strung them across my layout.

Right side of my layout.

More snowflakes.  I believe these were strung on string when I purchased them
and cut them all apart in hopes of using them "someday!"  The Stickles also covered
up the string which ran through the middle of each snowflake.

These icicles are the cutest!  They wouldn't stick very well on the raised, embossed
paper so I glued them in place.  I think this adds so much to the layout!

The tiles were yet another item in my stash.  Amazing what I discover when I dig
through what I've had for years!  They're suddenly all NEW items again!  :)

Have a wonderful day!
Libby  :)

Sunday, August 26, 2012

I Finally Made a CARD!

Hi there,

It sure is a hot one in our area today!  Too hot to even be outside.  I tried, but it was just
too warm!  And besides, I needed to "catch up" on my challenges!  :)

I made a CARD!  It's been so long since I made a card.  It took me awhile to 
get the idea gathered in my head.  I had to think "smaller" because I am so used
to making scrapbook layouts!

Soul Scrappers http://soul-scrappers.ning.com/ was having a card "cluster" challenge
in which I submitted a similar card, but not this one.
I decided to be brave and make another one, shown below!

The sketch I chose for my card is from 
Splitcoast Stampers (SC111) http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/

And here is what I created:
I cut two pieces out of the paper doily and placed them on each end of the card.
Under the flower is a cluster of netting, a feather, string pearls and a circle clip.  The flower was
traced from a die cut I had and crumpled with the edges inked.  On top of the flower is a
flower gem with a ribbon finishing off my card. 
The sentiment was inked onto twill ribbon and the slanted edge was shredded
with my finger. 

Supplies used:
Paper: DCWV, White Cardstock
Netting
Paper Lace Doily
Sentiment: Paper Company Clear Stamps
Ink: ColorBox Blue Lagoon
Paper Flower: Traced from die cut and hand cut
Blue Flower Gem
Ribbon
Silver Circle Clip
Twill Ribbon
Feather
String Pearls


Here are a few photos from different angles, getting a closer look at the cluster 
on my card.




Have a wonderful day!
Libby  :)

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Who Let the DOG Out?

Hi there,

Yesterday was my once-a-year baking spree (just kidding)!!
I decided to actually make something with what I pulled out of my garden and if I 
didn't bake something, then I would freeze it.  So, that's exactly what I did.  I usually
end up giving everything away because it's all ready at once and I get a little overwhelmed
with that plus everything else I might be doing at that same time.

I made cabbage rolls.  It's been "forever" since I made those and boy were they good!
I made coleslaw, and finally zucchini cake with cream cheese frosting.  They have
a lot of sugar in them but boy are they yummy!
Then I froze my rhubarb and broccoli and the leftover zucchini.
I think I did pretty good.  No wonder I was tired by 9 p.m.!  :)

Our cement was finished yesterday too!  Yipeee!  Here's what it 
looks like:



Soul Scrappers http://soul-scrappers.ning.com/ was having a song/lyric challenge (SLC12), which I was 
pretty excited to try out.  I really had no idea what I would use for photos and when I came
across these photos of Zoe, I knew this is what I would use for my layout!

The challenge was to use a word OR a couple of words OR a sentence OR even the 
song title on your layout and use this challenge to scrap your DOG, or any pet.  
The deadline is September 6, 2012.

Who remembers the popular song by the Baha Men from the 1990's called,
"Who let the dogs out?"

Good grief, all I had to do was read the words and that song stuck in my head for DAYS!
I remember this song well, because we heard it on the radio quite often.
So for fun, here are the lyrics to their song.  
Maybe the lyrics will stick in your head too.  Hee hee!  :)

Baha Men 

Who Let The Dogs Out Lyrics

Who let the dogs out
(woof, woof, woof, woof)
(woof, woof, woof, woof)
(woof, woof, woof, woof)
(woof, woof, woof, woof)

Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)

(woof, woof, woof, woof)

When the party was nice, the party was jumpin' (Hey, Yippie, Yi, Yo)
And everybody havin' a ball (Hah, ho, Yippie Yi Yo)
I tell the fellas "start the name callin'" (Yippie Yi Yo)
And the girls report to the call
The poor dog show down

Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)

I see ya' little speed boat head up our coast
She really want to skip town
Get back off me, beast off me
Get back you flea infested monger

Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)

I'm gonna tell {Hey, Yippie, Yi, Yo}
To any girls calling them canine {Yippie, Yi, Yo}
Tell the dummy "Hey Man, It's part of the Party!" {Yippie Yi, Yo}
You fetch a women in front and her mans behind {Yippie, Yi, Yo}
Her bone runs out now

Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)

Say, A doggy is nuttin' if he don't have a bone All dogy hold ya' bone, all doggy hold it
A doggy is nuttin' if he don't have a bone All dogy hold ya' bone, all doggy hold it

Wait for y'all my dogs, the party is on
I gotta get my girl I got my myind on
Do you see the rays comin' from my eye
What could you be friend
That Benji man that's breakin' them down?
Me and My white short shorts
And I can't seek a lot, any canine will do
I'm figurin' that's why they call me faithful
'Cause I'm the man of the land
When they see me they doah-ooooo(howl)

Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)


Using a sketch from www.stickersnfun.com Sept 2009, this is what I created.


This is our fun dog, Zoe.  She's hilarious in her antics to catch those snowballs in her mouth.

Supplies used: 
Paper: DCWV, Autumn Leaves
Dog Print Twill Ribbon: Forever in Time
Folk Art Paint
Cotton Ball
Font: Cricut Stamped
Heart & Paw Print Die Cuts: From Patterned Paper
Pop Dots
Sharpie Marker (for journaling)
Cricut

So easy to already have these cute die cuts on the patterned paper!
I slid the edges through paint as a border and use pop dots to lift it off the page.

The lines were created by sliding a piece of cardstock first through paint and dabbing 
it where I wanted the lines.  They're a little crooked, but it still works for me!
And the dog print twill ribbon is the cutest!

I tried to get a side shot of the "snowballs" which were made with small
pieces of a cotton ball.  I rolled them around between my fingers before adhering 
them onto my layout.

Here's my title block.  The heart was dipped in paint as with the other die cut.
I also smudged paint onto a cotton ball and gently passed it along the edges.


Finally, I just have to leave you with several photos of my fun day shopping for
great deals on craft supplies..... all for "garage sale" prices.  Who wouldn't love that?



Stamps, ribbons, punches, rub ons, flowers and buttons!  Wow!  I got so excited to get such
great deals on products I know I will use!
It's been a fun day! 

Have a wonderful Saturday!
Libby  :)

Friday, August 24, 2012

Snow Cat?

Hello!
Busy "garden" day today.  Freezing rhubarb and broccoli and searching through my recipe books to 
find something to make with cabbage and zucchini.

The cement for our addition has been completed today.  
Looks so good.  I can't wait to actually walk on it but that won't be for a couple days yet.
Now we wait for the carpenter to begin working on the enclosure.  :)

Well, today I have a layout that I submitted at Soul Scrappers http://soul-scrappers.ning.com/
The challenge was creating a layout or card using the following "recipe" (CUCC6):

1.  A patterned background (no plain cardstock)
2.  Four small photos
3.  Embellishments inspired by nature (chipboard, die cut flowers, animals, trees, etc.)
4.  Two alphabets in the title

The sketch I chose is from Splitcoast Stampers (#154) http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/

Here's my layout:
Tom was the cat who would venture into anything.  He was so curious!
He would keep our house free of mice.  He would crawl into the worse places.... Like when
we were putting in a new chimney, he decided to get into the 24-inch space between our
floors and the masonry guy or Scott didn't see him, and the chimney got built up through that 
space.  And Tom decided he wanted to come out and the hole was blocked!  So, poor
cat, must have panicked and tried to get out through a very small space between the chimney
and the wall... and he got stuck!  Scott heard meowing and couldn't find him anywhere but kept
looking and finally located him, upside down, hyperventilating and totally freaking out!
Whenever Scott tried to pull him out he would growl and try to bite him!  Now that Scott
was panicking, he went to get his Roto-Zip to cut a hole in our wall and by the time he
got back in the house, Tom had wiggled his way out, his fur left in chunks all along the
rough chimney!  Scott said he walked to the middle of our living room and lay there breathing
hard, almost panting, until he calmed down.  
What an ordeal!  Everyone was all freaked out.  Of course, this all happened when I was out and
returned only shortly after to quite the commotion!  
There are many other "events" but this is the one story that I always remember!

In this photo, Tom wanted to go outside and walk around, following Andrew (mainly because he
couldn't go anywhere else... and simply because he loved being with people).
And he also loved being outside, except in the winter months when it was too cold for
his little feet!  Seeing all the snow, he really didn't know where to go and whenever he
tried to go somewhere else, there was a huge snowbank there!  He was such a funny cat!

He was trained to be tied out on a leash.  But that didn't stop him from catching and eating
grasshoppers, butterflies and even mice!  We still can't figure out how he managed to catch
a mouse while on his leash!  He even "let us know" when there was a garter snake
under our porch, in which Andrew gathered and relocated it to a nearby field.

Sadly, our Tommer-cat passed away in December of 2011 at the age of 13.
This left quite the hole in our family dynamics.


Supplies used:
Paper: Momenta, White Textured Cardstock: Colorbok
Ribbon
Stampin' Up! Border Punch
Foam Die Cuts (unknown brand)
Fonts: Cricut Opposites Attract and Cricut Stamped
Cricut
Diamond Stickles
Sharpie Marker (for journaling)


Here's the two different fonts I used and my journaling.

This is a much better photo, showing the Stickles. 

I also added some Stickles to the igloo, to liven it up a bit. 

The foam snowflakes were a little "blah" so I added Stickles to each of them. 


In this photo you can see the snowflakes, border punch and ribbon.

Have a wonderful day!
Libby  :)

Thursday, August 23, 2012

You Gotta Check Out These Cool Photos!

Good mid-morning to ya!

Our addition is coming along really well.  So excited, especially now that we see progress!  
The cement will be poured today.... Yay!!  :)

It's so nice to see progress!  There will no longer be a "wind tunnel" between our house and the garage.
The wind whipping through this area was quite harsh, especially on a cold winter's day or a rainy day... basically every day it was wild weather walking through here. 

 
Thought I'd add a few photos of our grandson, the "wheelie-boy!"  
I thought he would be tired after soccer practice.  Not long after arriving, he was digging
out Andrew's bike and doing one wheelie after another.



Check out the concentration on this boy's face! 
He wanted me to take pictures, but then told me, "I have to concentrate."
I told him, "You concentrate and I'll take the pictures."    :)   



And I just HAD to add a few photos of the Veteran's Dedication that was held 
recently in our area.
We had eight boys from our Boy Scout Troop marching in the Parade and attending the
Veteran's Dedication that was held after the Parade.

My hubby at the Veteran's Dedication. 


These are sharp-looking dudes (and one lady) who hold re-enactments each year,
and today they were participating in the Veteran's Dedication.

Hope you enjoyed the photos!  :)

Now lets mosey on to my post for today.

Let's Scrap has a "Book About Me" Challenge.  I thought it was time to
scrap about myself and put these layouts in a special album.

This is my first layout for this Challenge #12, entitled "Siblings."  Hopefully there will
be many more about me pages to add to my album.

The sketch I used is from Let's Scrap (12-9-09) http://letsscrap.ning.com/
I only used the left side of the sketch.

12-9-09


And here's my layout.

Love this photo of my sister and I, laughing (as usual) and eating Brushetta.  
Oh my word, that stuff is SO GOOD!  My sis makes it and I always tell her
she NEVER makes enough!
This photo was taken during our two-week visit a few years ago.

Supplies used:
Paper: DCWV
Wire Ribbon
Ribbons
Gold wire (I removed from the ribbon)
Font: Cricut Stamped
Cricut
Flower
Rosette: Hand Made
Envelope: Hot Off the Press Mini File Folder
Sharpie Marker (for journaling)
Ink: A la mode Pink
Button
Circle Punch


Here's a close up of the wire ribbon, which no longer has wire on it.  I cut off the
wire from each side of the ribbon, then used that wire to gather the ribbon in
various spots.   


This is a better view of how the ribbon looked once gathered.


I added this envelope with the journaling tucked inside.  I love this gold and
pearl button! 


A better view of the wire that I cut off of the ribbon. 


And another use of the ribbon.  Once the wire was cut off, I ran my fingernail along
the edges to "rough" them up a bit. 


 Here's a great photo of the flower.  I started off using a random yellow flower then added 
the flower I made.  For this flower, I kept the wire along one side and cut off the outer
wire.  I just "gathered" the wired part towards the center while manipulating the
it to get it just right.  I didn't like how the center looked, so I looped the wire I cut off
and bunched it together, poking the ends through the center and adhering it while keeping the loops
raised above and creating some dimension to the flower.  I really love how this turned out.
So fun and easy!


While the envelope already had a notch in it, my strip of journaling did not, so I
used my circle punch and made a notch.  I also inked the envelope edges.


I tri-folded the paper for my journaling.  The edges were also inked.  


Another view of the ribbons and gold wire along the bottom portion of my layout.

Have a wonderful day!
Libby  :)