January Calendar page

Hello and Happy New Year's Eve! It's hard to believe that 2018 is coming to an end! It has been an eventful year and I am looking forward to what 2019 will bring! I have my January calendar page ready, using photos from January 2018. I started with this sketch from Stick It Down:

I added some extra photos to the layout, but kept the large "T" element. I kept the embellishments pretty simple since there are so many photos; a few stickers and rub ons are all I added. I did attach some of the stickers with foam tape for some dimension.

I am also entering this in the Lasting Memories patterned paper challenge: use at least 3 patterned papers. I used exactly 3, the mittens snowflakes and the red that I die cut the title from.

Fall Alcohol Ink Lift Off Cards

Hello again! I have another couple of cards to share. I played with the alcohol lift ink again. I started by inking up some glossy cardstock with fall colors of alcohol ink. Once that was dry, I used the Lift Off ink and some leaf stamps and transferred the ink to some kraft cardstock. I stacked the two pieces, stacked them and cut them at an angle in my trimmer. The sentiment was stamped and heat embossed on a strip of patterned paper and mounted on the card with foam tape. I finished off the cards with glitter cardstock and gold spray ink splatters. 

Watercolor Background Cards

Hello! I have another couple of cards I made last couple months to share! I was inspired by this image from The Card Concept:

I loved the color scheme and wanted to try this watercolor background technique again. I didn't have ink to match, but I had gelatos, so I tried those. I scribbled the colors into my acrylic block, sprayed them with water, and used my finger to work the pigments loose and into the water. I then pressed the block into my watercolor paper. This first card was for my daughter's 10th birthday, so I stamped and heat embossed the numbers onto vellum and fussy cut them out.

I did the same for the background if this card as I did above. I added gold tape to frame it. The sentiment and flowers were stamped and heat embossed. I first cut the flowers and leaves and added them with foam tape.

November and December Calendar Pages

Hello! I'm still alive! I had a crazy busy fall with photos. I got a few cards and layouts done, but never had a chance to post them. I will be working on that in the next week or so! Today I am sharing my calendar layouts for November and December.

My November page is based on the double sketch from October at Stick It Down.

I stuck pretty close to this sketch as it worked well to get lots of photos on my page. I stuck my patterned paper down and then used the smooshing technique to add the ink in the corners. I then splattered some gold ink for some added interest. I embellished with some stickers from the collection kit.

Next is my December page using the November double sketch at Stick It Down.

I started by spraying my cardstock with green ink. I then took a evergreen branch stamp and added tat in the corners of where my photos would be. I layered on the photos. I cut the ornambents using the Holiday Cakes Cricut Cartridge. I cut them in a couple of sizes and from a couple of different papers and then put them together. I popped a couple up on foam adhesive for some dimension. I made bows from thin ribbon and floss. 

October Calendar Page

Now that the month is almost over, I thought I better share my October calendar page. I was inspired by last month's sketch at Stick It Down:

Since I was making a page about October, I decided to make a "mosiac" of leaves. I grabbed a bunch of patterned paper scraps and set my Cricut to work, cutting different leaf shapes in several different sizes. Then I laid them all out over my two pages before sticking them down. I added a few stickers and enamel dots for embellishment. I also cut my title with my Cricut.

Thanks for stopping by to check out my layout!

Birthday Cards- Stick it Down

 Hello! I have a couple of cards to share today! I played some more with the alcohol ink lift off technique for these cards. I was inspired by the current card sketch at Stick It Down:

I started by making my background using alcohol inks on yupo paper. I just dropped the inks on and tried to create the diagonal with the colors. Once the ink was dry, I used a Simon Says Stamp background stamp to lift off the ink. I stamped it onto light purple cardstock (which I used for the second card in this post). I used a scalloped circle punch for the center piece. For the sentiment, I lifted off color from the center of this panel and stamped it onto my punched piece. I then attached the circle with foam tape over where I lifted the ink. To finish off the card, I glued on some coordinating sequins.

For my second card, I used the panel that I had stamped with the ink from the card above. I cut it downn to size. I then took the center section of the background stamp (which pops out) and stamped with Versamark ink and heat embossed it with glitter embossing powder. I took one off the scraps that were trimmed of the above panel and picked up the ink for the cupcake. I finished it if with some glitter glue.

I am really loving using the lift off ink and the beautiful results it provides!

CAS(E) this Sketch- Birthday Card

Hello again, I have another card to share today! This time I was ispired by the current sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch:

I've had these splatter stamps for a while and I thought this was a great way to use them. I wasn't able to stick with just three splotches though. After I did the stamping, I stamped and heat embossed the sentiment, inked the edges and added some coordinating sequins.

Sketch Saturday- Brithday Card

Hello! I have a new card to share today! I was inspired by this week's sketch at Sketch Saturday:

I decided to use some scraps on this card, so I dug through my scrap folder. I started with the "Happy Birthday" paper and found other papers that coordinated. I stamped and heat embossed the bear before using watercolor pencils and a water brush to color it. I used foam tape to attach it to my card front and finished it off with some buttons.

School Girl

Hi all! I have a new layout to share today! I made this one quick last night between editing photo sessions. I felt the need to play with paper and photos and this was the result! I started with these photos of my oldest from her first and last day of kindergarten (she's now in 6th grade- yikes!). I pulled out the sticker sheet and some scraps of patterned paper from an old Bo Bunny line. I just started sticking everything down. 

When I went to embellish my layout, I was inspired by the either/or challenge at Lasting Memories:

stripes or polka dots

circles or squares

wood veneer or washi tape

enamel dots or sequins

hearts or stars

The challenge was to use one item from each pair. I used stripes, circles, washi tape, enamel dots and stars.

Thanks for stopping by to check out my layout!

Happy Birthday with More Alcohol Inks

Hello again! I have another card using alcohol inks to share today. I started with this sketch from Sketch Saturday:

For this card, I dropped alcohol inks on a sheet of shiny cardstock and let them run down. I used blending solution too to make them move and gives some shade variation. Once I was satisfied with the colors, I attached a piece of white cardstock to the top and stamped and heat embossed my sentiment on it. I finished off the card with some twine and sequins. 

I was inspired by the stripes of rainbow colors in the inspiration photo for The Card Concept:

Finally, I was inspired by the current CAS-ual Fridays challenge which it to use sequins.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my card!

Playing with Alcohol Lift Off

Hello! I have a new card to share and I used a new product on it! I started with this sketch from Stick It Down:

I just got my hands on some Alcohol Lift Off ink, so I needed to try it on this card. I started by inking up  a sheet of Yupo paper with blue and turquoise alcohol inks. I then inked up my bible stamp with Alcohol Lift Off ink and stamped it onto the Yupo. I then stamped it onto the teal cardstock, transferring the alcohol ink. I used a paper towel to reveal the image on the Yupo paper. I don't have a stamp positioner, but I have a stamp press with a grid on it that I used to make sure that both images were in the exact same position on both panels. Then I cut them in half and matched them up for my card fronts. I finished them off with stamped and heat embossed sentiments.

September Calendar Page

Hello! It's been a while! I wish I could say that it will get better, but we are entering busy photography season, so I don't think it will! I have my calendar page to share today! As usual, I starrted with the double page sketch from Stick It Down:

Since I wanted to get lots of photos on my layout, I split the photo spots, making collages for the right hand page. Otherwise, I stuck pretty close to the sketch. I pulled some random pieces of October Afternoon patterned paper that worked together and got cutting. The plastic owls and wings are several years old and from a Scrapfest class I took. For my title, I used my Cricut and Sure Cuts a Lot to cut some fonts from my computer. I finished off my page with some flowers and gems.

Birth Announcement

Hello all! I teased all of you for long enough, here is the newest addition to our family! He is an absolute joy and his siblings adore him!

I was inspired by a couple of things for this layout. First is the sketch at The Studio:

I swapped the location of the embellishments and used two vertical "images" but otherwise stuck pretty close to the sketch. I was also inspired by the scraplift challenge at Paper Issues. This layout came together pretty quickly. I had recently picked up the papers and die cuts from my local scrapbook store and was excited to use them on a layout.

Thanks for stopping by!

August Calendar Page

Hello all! I finally have my August calendar page ready to share! I started with last month's double sketch from Stick It Down:

I was also inspired by the Get Messy challenge at Paper Issues.  For my background, I spread gesso over the white cardstock. I sprayed some Distress Resist Spray on the background to add some texture. Then I smooshed yellow and pink spray inks onto the background. I finished it off with some splatters of navy spray ink. The papers and many of the embellishments were from a Scrap Room kit. I popped up various die cuts to add dimension as well as adding a badge, brad, flowers and pearls.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my page!

Hope Your Birthday is a Splash- Sketch Saturday

Hello! I have a new card to share today! I started with this week's sketch from Sketch Saturday:

I was also inspired by the technique and cards in this post by Jennifer McGuire. While I didn't use any Distress Oxide inks, I did use Distress Inks and Stains to create my pool on glossy cardstock. I stamped and heat embossed the girl and then colored her in with watercolor pencils. For the background, I used versamark and a plaid background stamp on purple cardstock. I handwrote my sentiment with gel pen. To finish off the card, I outlined the pool with dark blue Stickles and added some sequins..

Happy Birthday Will!

Hello! It's been a while but I have a new layout to share! I was inspired by the Blend a Sketch challenge at Scrap Our Stash:

I decided to create a two page layout for this challenge. I pulled the color blocking on the background and the photo arrangement from the first sketch and the banner with the repeated shapes from the second. 

I love how the large pieces of patterned paper give such a playful feel to this layout. I put my Cricut to work, cutting out the presents, party hats and the word "Will" for my title. I embellished with several stickers from the same collection and various sized sequins. I also used a roller stamp to add the date and some phrases around the page.

Thanks for stopping by to check out my layout!

More Cards with Clematis Stamps!

Hello again! I played a bit more with the Clematis stamp set I recently bought and made a couple of birthday cards.

I spent the bulk of my time stamping the flowers. I stamped the sentiment and finished them off with a splatter of pink ink and some Liquid Pearl drops. Thanks for stopping by to check out my cards!

Happy Birthday card- Stick it Down

Hi all! I'm back with some more cards to share. This time I used the card sketch from Stick It Down:

I started by stamping the plaid background with Versamark on watercolor paper and heat embossing it. I then misted it with water and added Distress Stains. I let those soak in and dry a bit before wiping off the excess. I then found some coordinating cardstock and cut the sentiment with my Cricut. Once the backgrounds were dry, I glued the sentiment down. I then measured and cut the "v" out of both and then swapped them and attached them to the card fronts. I added some enamel dots in coordinating colors to finish it off.

Have a Whale of a Day- CAS(E) This Sketch

Hello! I have some cards to share over the next few days. First up, a birthday card for my animal-loving son based on this sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch:

I started by making the panel for my whale. I used alcohol inks and tried some techniques suggested in this post.  I started with blue and turqoise alcohol inks and spread them over glossy cardstock. I then took a paintbrush and rubbing alcohol and made some waves and drops on the background. I finished it off with tiny drops of pearl mixative applied with a toothpick. My 8-year-old son wanted to know how I made the background, so I think he was impressed! I stamped and heat embossed the sentiment. For the whale, I stamped him and then colored him in with watercolor pencils that I then blended with a water pen. I attached the whale with foam adhesive and covered him with Glossy Accents. For the card base, I used an ombre ink pad and inked up an embossing folder ber for running it through my embossing machine.

Anniversary Card with NEW Stamps

Hello again! I have a new card to share using some new products. In one of Altenew's latest releases there was a beautiful clematis layered stamp set.  As soon as I saw it, I really wanted to have it! I finally got it this past week and had to play with it immediately. For this card, I decided to make blue flowers. I found some coordinating inks and started stamping the flowers into a wreath. The layers of this set a pretty easy to line up, which is great! After I had completed the wreath, I stamped and heat embossed the sentiment. To finish off the card, I scattered some sequins around the card front. The sequins were also from the order I recieved. They are from a 28 Lilac Lane set.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my card!

July Calendar Page

Hello! I finally have my calendar layout for the month ready to share. I started with the June sketch from Stick It Down:

I moved things around a little bit, but stuck pretty close to the sketch. I started with the striped paper across the top and added my photos. Then I cut the stars from glitter cardstock and made the clusters. I then decided to use a combination of stamped and punched banners to run across the middle of the page. To add to the embellishment clusters, I splattered some blue and red spray inks. For the title, I used a compination of die cut letters and rub ons. I finished the page off with silver glitter enamel dots and dots of platinum Stickles. 

Friendship card

Hello! I have a new card to share that was inspired by a new stamp. I am also entering it in the current challenge at Cas-ual Fridays:

A friend of mine gave me the striped background stamp I used for this card. That same friend is moving away, so I needed to make a card for her. I used an ombre ink pad to ink up the stamp. Then I stamped the silhouette of the little girls on vellum using black ink. I sprinkled that with glitter embossing powder and heated it. I love the irridescent shine that gave to simple black stamping. I finished off this card with some white and blue liquid pearls. 

Thinking of You- The Card Concept

Happy Monday to you! I have a new card to share today! This one is based on the inspiration at The Card Concept:

Isn't it beautiful?! I was looking through some cards I made last year and came across the second card in this post and decided I wanted to use the same technique again. For this mixed media elegant card design, I used different shades of pink and red inks and smooshed them on my stamping block. I sprayed it with water and pressed it onto my water color paper. Once it was dry, I stamped and heat embossed my sentiment. I layered that over a piece of gold foiled patterned paper. Then I stamped and heat embossed my rose and attached that with foam tape. I am loving how this one turned out and I love how simple it is to get a beautiful background with this technique.

Enjoy Your Day

Hello! I have a new card to share today! It is a masculine birthday card based off of this sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch:

I stamped and heat embossed all three of the circles and attached them with foam adhesive. Since my sentiment was on the circles, I just added some washi tape where the sketch suggests a sentiment.

I was also inspired by this fireworks picture from CAS-UAL Fridays. I don't have any specific firework stamps, but I have a tie-dye mask that looks kind of like fireworks that I used for the background. I used a blending tool and Distress Inks to make the "fireworks" on my background.