It's my life

Simon Says Stamp Challenge Day- February Anything Goes

I am a little late in posting my challenge card today.  Somehow I thought that I had already posted it but alas I did not!  So let me tell you a little bit about our Simon Says Stamp challenge this week and my card.

This week we have our favorite challenge, Anything Goes!  So all you have to do is create something new and post in on your blog and link it up to our challenge post here.  It's so easy and so fun so why don't you give it a try!!

Now a little bit about my card.  First off, I want to tell you that the design of my card came from some sketch inspiration in the May/June 2011 Paper Crafts Magazine.  I really loved the sketch and thought it was the perfect backdrop for my stamp and paper choice.  The design team is using My Mind's Eye paper this week and I picked a new 6x6 pad called Dilly Dally!!  This paper reminds me of old barns and country flowers beside the roadside.  I also had to include some twine to complete the country feel.

To create the window for the flowers I cut two rectangles and then using my circle punch I punched a half circle in each and adhered them in the opposite directions.  Then I colored my Hero Arts flowers with Copic markers, cut them out and then pop dotted them onto my card.

My sentiment was also stamped onto My Mind's Eye paper with a Hero Arts stamp.  Originally the letters were open but I colored them in with a black Copic Multiliner to make them stand out more.

So don't forget that we have an awesome prize each week!!  A $50 gift certificate to the best lil' craft store on the internet, Simon Says Stamp!  So get your crafting mojo going and create something for our Anything Goes Challenge this week!!

All of the tools and supplies that I used on my card can be found at Simon Says Stamp's Online store by following the links below.

Hero Arts Clear Stamps Layered Flowers	Hero Arts Clear Stamp set Find Joy	My Mind's Eye Dilly Dally 6x6 paper pad	Doodlebug Doodle Twine Ladybug
Fiskars Round N Round X-Large circle punch	Copic Markers	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad and Refill	Copic Multiliner SP0.03 Black

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Imaginisce Monthly Challenge- Sketch

Today I'm posting my entry for the Monthly Challenge on the Imaginisce blog.  Each month they post a challenge and you can win great prizes.  This month the prize is their new Ribbon Cutter.  I saw a video of it being demonstrated at CHA and it looks very amazing.

 The challenge this month was to use this fabulous sketch. As you can see I followed it fairly closely.  You also had to include at least 3 patterned papers and 3 types of embellishments.  I sure do hope that embellishments can include dry embossed paper. :)  If not, that's ok.  I still have a beautiful layout that I love. 

For this layout I used Imaginisce's newest Spring Line Hippity Hop!  I love that you use this for Easter but that they also have a bunch of beautiful papers and embellishments that you can use for more than that too.

I popped up my title and embellishments for added dimension.  The picture is of my daughter.  She was only about 7 at the time.  I just can't believe that she is 19 and that it was such a long time ago that I took this picture.  In so many ways it seems like only yesterday.

Thanks for stopping by.  I'll be back to share some more layouts that I have been working on tomorrow.

Simon Says Stamp Challenge Day- Card Recipe

Welcome to Simon Says Stamp's weekly Wednesday Challenge.  Each week we have fabulous challenges and prizes on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog.  I hope you will join us this week because we have a fun new challenge for you.  Create a card using

3 Different Papers

The design team are also featuring stamps from either C.C. Designs or The Greeting Farm.  Please play along with us if you have any.  I had a lot of fun with some faux stitching on this card.  I recently got a white gelly roll pen from Sakura and I love it.  It goes on so smooth and easy.

This week I chose to use this little cutie from C.C. Designs.  My papers are from My Mind's Eye.  I also used my new Ephihany tool.  Love this.  It's a simple concept and so fun to use to make custom, matching embellishments.  I can't wait to get some of the other sizes and shapes.

Here she is all colored and popped off the page.  I colored her with my Copic Markers and the cut her out.  I love the dimension that this creates. 

 

So let's see what you can do with our challenge this week.  One lucky person will win the prize but aren't we all winners just by having fun!

 

C.C. Designs Cupcake Kiki La Rue	Epiphany Round 25 Tool	Epiphany Shape Studio 25 Bubble Caps	Sew Easy Fancy Floss
Copic Markers	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad and Refill

InLinkz.com

Got Sketch #139 Miracle and Wonder

There is truly no more wonderful time as a baby's first year.  Watching Garrett grow and discover his world has been such a gift and joy each day.  I love seeing his determination, his smiles, and amazement that he shows to everything he encounters.

This layout shows him hanging out in his little rocking chair watching me photographing some cards, on my front porch, that I created.  He was just so content checking out everything that was going on outside.

For this layout I used Valerie Salmon's latest sketch #139.  You can view it and the design teams layouts on her blog here.

SOURCES:  Patterned Paper: Authentique; Cardstock Diecuts: Authentique; Flowers: Petaloo; Diecuts: Silhouette; Diecut Machine: Silhouette; Sketch: Valerie Salmon-Got Sketch

I know that you will love sketch #139 that was just released today  The picture size Valerie used is a little different than most sketches that she creates, but if you take a look at some of the layouts that the Got Sketch design team put together you can see how simple or complex it can be.  I opted to use the whole 3.5" x 9.5" space for my picture but others chose to split it up into 3 sections for their pictures.  That is what I love about sketches.  You can change them and stretch them to fit your needs.

This will be the last sketch on the Got Sketch blog while Got Sketch 107 is in session. It is starting soon so head over here to register at the pre-register rate and save $5.  You can also put your name in a hat to win a free spot in the class.  There will lots of extras for this class.  Valerie and the team have been cooking up some great things for class members as well as chances to win extra sketches for those who upload their layouts during the class time period.  I would love to see your work in the gallery!

Here are a few more closeup pictures that I took.  I just loved how the Authentique paper matched my Petaloo flowers.  It was like they were made for each other.  I used the Authentique cardstock die cuts as the centers.

The title for my layout was cut with my Silhouette.  I was pleasantly surprised how well it cut the small part of the title out on the thick Authentique cardstock paper.  I'll be getting my Cameo soon and I can't wait to try it out.

Don't forget I offer Silhouette classes on a request basis.  If you ever wanted to learn more than just the basics about using your Silhouette and live in the Birmingham, Alabama area please email me at christineousley@mac.com

Thanks for stopping by.  I'll be back on Wednesday with my Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog post for the week. 

Simon Says Stamp Challenge Day- Tag It

We've got a different sort of challenge for you this week on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog.  We want to see some tags.  You can just make a tag, or incorporate a tag on your project or card.  It's up to you.  But after you are done creating, just link up your card to the challenge blog and be in the running for a fantastic prize from Simon Says Stamp.

For this week's challenge I decided to work on a tag.  I love tags and really don't make enough of them.  They are the perfect companion to a gift and card.  The design team is spot lighting Tim Holtz products this week and my tag uses a lot of them.  I love working with Tim Holtz inks and stamps.  The look that you get is sort of grungy cool and so easy to do.  I think that because you don't want everything perfect to achieve the grungy look that it kind of takes the pressure off.  You can kind of just play and that's exactly what I did.

I used an ordinary manilla shipping tag in my project.  First I die cut the bottom with Tim Holtz's On the Edge dies.  Then I placed a Tim Holtz mask on the shipping tag and rubbed Distress Inks on it.  When I pulled back the masks the manilla color of the shipping tag will show through.  Then I rubbed some Shabby Shutters on the masked areas to give it a hint of green.  Then I used Vintage Distress Ink to stamp the sentiment and flower image which are from one of Tim's stamp images.  I also stamped the butterfly in Broken China and cut it out and then popped it up with foam dots.

The last component of my tag is the rosette.  I took a piece of white paper and ran it through my Big Shot with the Tim Holtz large rosette die.  Then I took Shabby Shutters and rubbed it all over the die cut paper.  I also rubbed some Vintage ink on the creases and all over the tag.  After the ink dried I assembled the rosette and attached a epoxy shape center that I created using my new Epiphany Craft tool.  This is a very cool tool and so much fun to use.  Simon Says Stamp carries all of the different tool shapes and sizes to make epoxy shapes and custom buttons.

Don't forget that one lucky participant will win a $50 gift voucher for the Simon Says Stamp Online store!!  Simon Says Stamp carries thousands of paper crafting goodies so there is sure to be something that you need!!

Manilla Tags #2	Tim Holtz Nature's Elements Set	Tim Holtz Broken China Distress Ink	Tim Holtz Spun Sugar Distress Inks
Tim Holtz Shabby Shutters Distress Inks	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Mini Mask Florets Stencil Tool Flower Leaves	Epiphany Round 25 Tool	Epiphany Shape Studio 25 Bubble Caps
Tim Holtz Die Scallops On the Edge Sizzix Die	Sizzix Big Shot Die Cut Machine

InLinkz.com

Happy Valentine's Day

I want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day today and share with you a little Valentine's Day project that I created.  I created this coupon book and tin for an article for ScrapJazz.com, so you can read the details here.  

But let me show you a couple of pictures here on my blog.  There are a lot of others in the article and a couple pictorial instructions on how I made the accordian book.

I used Jillibean paper and embellishments which I LOVE and a old tin from Maya Road.

Don't forget to go see more about my Valentine coupon book here!  ScrapJazz has tons of theme based articles.  Lots of great inspiration to be found on their site.

I hope you are have a wonderful Valentine's day today and I'll be back tomorrow with my Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog post!

 

Sketch Class this Saturday

Don't forget that my Sketch Class is this Saturday. There is still time to sign up.  Here are the details.

(This is not the sketch or layout that we will be creating.  It will be something brand new.)

Scrapbook sketches started to become popular a few years ago and now can be found in Scrapbook magazines and books, online blogs and challenges.  When I first saw them I instantly understood their value and was hooked. I got involved in sketch classes at GotSketch.com to learn more.  Not too long after that I was honored to be asked to be on the GotSketch design team as a master sketch artist.  

 

If you have seen layout sketches but never really understood how they could help you create your scrapbook pages easier and faster then this class is for you.  Even if you have used sketches before, this class can help you "stretch" your sketch even further by learning how to break down a sketch, pick papers, and to adapt sketches to your pictures and your supplies. 

Please come join me to learn more about sketches and have fun creating a double page layout.  Bring your class tool kit, including a paper trimmer, adhesive, foam dots, black journaling pen, small pair of scissors, pencil and ruler.  It is also important to bring about 5-8 pictures from an event that you would like to scrap and a few papers that you think you would like to use on your layout with those pictures.  We will use these to talk about how to use them with a sketch for a more personal instructional experience. 

Details:  February 11, 2011  11:00 am - 1:00 pm  $20 @ My Scrapbook Room

Please call me at 205-960-0837 or email me at christineousley@mac.com to reserve your space.

 

Simon Says Stamp Challenge Day- Love is in the Air

Oh, it's almost Valentine's Day and we have a lovely challenge for you this week on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog.  

But first I want to celebrate my wedding anniversary!  My husband and I have been married for 20 years today.  It's been an unbelievable adventure, full of fun, surprises, and wonderful memories. I love you honey and can't wait for the next 20 years!

 

So back to our challenge.  The theme this week is Love in in the Air!  So get your pretty lovey dovey stamps out and get stampin!  This week I used Throwing Rice Tilda.  It's from the Wedding collection but I think it looks like more of a Valentine stamp.  

The dt girls are also using Prima products today so I used a 6x6 paper pad called Annalee and pretty paper flowers from Prima called Cameo Roses in Aqua.  The small white flowers are from Maya Road, (link on bottom of page) and they are the best little accent flowers ever.  They are so tiny and they fit anywhere.  It is a great must have embellishment.  The felt hearts are from Martha Stewart.  They are last years collection but Simon Says Stamp has the new 2012 collection. I truly have used them all year.  Again another wonderful got to embellishment.

I colored by image with Copic markers and added a sweet seam binding ribbon.  The doily is one that I picked up in the Wilton isle and my local craft store.

I hope you have time to join us this week at Simon Says Stamp.  The challenges are always fun and the prize is fantastic.  Get a chance to win a $50 gift certificate with every entry that you link up.  No back linking please and make sure that you mention our challenge with a link to the challenge post in your entry. 

I look forward to seeing all of your wonderful creations!

 

 

Magnolia Tilda throwing Rice	Prima Annalee 6x6 paper pad	Prima Cameo Roses Aqua	Maya Road Vintage paper posies
Martha Stewart Felt Heart Collection 2012	Copic Markers	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad and Refill

InLinkz.com

ScrapJazz Articles

A couple new ScrapJazz articles that I wrote were posted last week.  I've been writing for them for awhile now and I have had articles published on Scrapbooking, Copic markers, and other Papercrafts.

ScrapJazz is a fantastic site with tons of theme based paper crafting articles.  You can find information on about any theme that you want.  Here are a few of the highlights from my articles. Click on the titles to read the full articles.  

 

Basketball Themed Titles & Phrases

 

Basketball Themed Layouts and Embellishments

 

Garden Themed Birthday Parties 

I encourage you to check out the many other articles that they have on site. You will be amazed by the variety and wealth of information.

Almost 7 months

Hmm.... Who doesn't just love seeing baby toes, feet,hands, soft skin, ears, rolls, and of course big beautiful grins.  

I truly love taking pictures of babies in all stages and aren't I just the luckiest mom in the world to have a new baby to photograph every day.

So here we are this morning, I had just changed Garrett's diapers and it was warmer than normal in the house, so instead of all of the fighting and carrying on about how awful it is to put his little arms through sleeves and to lay still enough for Mommy to snap all the snaps, I decided to just go a la diaper for awhile.  

Then I saw this....

and I had to take a picture of that bald little head and those cute little ears that, yes, seem to stick out a little more than my other two children's did.

And then, I saw this...

and I loved how he stretched his arms out to grab, feel, learn and experience the sense of touch.

And thank God I had my camera in my lap because even then I barely caught this next move.

Wait... here we go!

Not the best pictures in the world but at least I got it. Recorded it. There is absolutely no way of denying it.  I call him my little monkey and Go Go Garrett, but really... Give your old mom's heart a break.  At just shy a couple of days from 7 seven months, I am not ready for this.