Mediation Monday

Good evening blogland friends! I hope you enjoyed your weekend. I know I sure did. I just got back late Thursday night from a trip home to New Orleans &Mobile. It was a great trip and I was sad to leave, so many people to see and things to do while I was home! Hubby wasn't able to make the trip with me, we have been really focusing on our finances this year to try and get in the right position to buy a house in the next 10-16 months. So when we got our tax money back, paying off some bills was top prority and getting an extra plane ticket wasn't. He was sad to not be able to go with me, and visit my parents, but he also would have exhausted all his vacation time for the rest of the year. Here are just a few photos from the days in New Orleans, for my best friends wedding, and then some from home. When I got back hubby and I had two great days enjoying the fabulous weather here, Fleet Week in Downtown Portland then a drive out to the coast to meet a contracter at the beachhouse, we are trying to get the renovations done and his mom moved out there asap!! Enjoy the pics:

Fairhope, Alabama :

Amos my parent's cat

Fleet week:

Oceanside, Oregon:

During vacation I did have alot of time to myself, on the plane rides and such and I was able to think about somethings. An upcoming promotion that I will hopefully be getting by the end of the summer, which is ideally bringing more hours on my plate than I already work but more $$ as well which we need. Also I thought alot about my creative journey and how I would LOVE to one day have it soley as my job. But it takes alot of hard work to get there. I have been on an international design team for over a year now and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on it. Not to mention the inspiration from other ladies, and the exposure it has given my blog. But the more I thought about it, with what lies ahead, I think it may be time for me to take a break. I have so many creative things in the works and I barely get free time to myself in between work, trying to stay fit by planning heathly meals for us for the week, walking as much as possible, and all the other responsiblities of life. So I have decided to take a leave next term from this team, and regroup and refocus and see where I am in 6 months. I had so many people from the wedding (bridesmaids and family members) tell me that I should be selling my custom guest book and wedding signs etsy. Well that is another story. I have alot of ideas and have listed etsy items before, but I guess now with renewed interest I should try again. I hope to head in that direction and at least have a few things listed by next month. That is the goal! Pics to come soon from the wedding of the signs I did, just waiting for the photos to come to me from the bride ;)

 Enjoy your week and I hope you get some creative time to yourself this week! I will be spending the next few hours in my studio and I hope to have lots more to share with you soon!! Until next time, Peace Y'all~

Creativity with Texture: FD challenge

Hi friends and followers! I am popping in today to share my latest project for the new challenge over at Frosted Designs! This time we are challenging you to create any off the page project, mini album, layout or canvas using texture as part of your background elements. Mixed media is so hot right now in scrapbooking, and we wanted to inspire you to get messy with inks, mists, paints, molding  paste, or gesso! So break out your tools and join us this week, the lucky winner chosen by the DT gets a $30 voucher for chipboard and bling from our lovely sponsor, Molossi. We can't wait to see what you create!

Here is my project ( excuse the unedited photos, my laptop died last week and I'm still getting used to this tablet :)

I really enjoyed creating lots of texture on my project background using stamping, a gesso layer first, then mists, and leftover product packaging as well as heat embossing some areas and stamping/ doodling. It's always fun to get messy! We hope you will join us and link up your project to the Frosted Designs blog no later than Oct 10th for a chance to win our fabulous prize from Molossi !!!

Wishing you happy scrapping and a great weekend~ VV


Products used from the New Frosted Designs store:
Melissa Frances paper- Bits and Pieces
Fab Scraps- shabby chairs and shabby mix
MME Cut n Paste chipboard stickers
Faber Castel Gesso
Dylusions Inks by Ranger- Calypso Teal, White Linen

Other product used:
Tim Holtz- distress ink antique linen, distress stickies bundled sage, tumbled glass; distress markers broken China, antique linen, bundled sage, paper distress tool
 Product packaging, prima flowers, Patina metal inks by Ranger, UTEE, heat embossing ink, jet black ink, Hero Arts shadow ink in apricot, Tattered angels glimmering chalkboard inks in apricot nectar and London fog, black doodle pen, vintage button, resin roses, Thickets chipboard stickers alphas and Amy Tangerine thickets, misc stamps, mint lace and tags from stash.

{Twin Falls} for the NEW FD Store!

Hi everyone! Today is my first day to host our re-vamped, new and improved challenge blog + scrapbooking supply and kit store here at Frosted Designs! I am so excited to tell you a little bit about myself! I am a newlywed of only 10 months and  recently moved across the country

 from Mobile, Alabama to Portland, Oregon. 

From a very young age, I was constantly doing something crafty/artsy. For Christmas when I was 6, I didn't ask for Barbie dolls or a My Little Pony, I asked for a complete arts set of pencils, watercolor paints, you name it! I was very serious about my art! In high school, I was involved in arts classes and music, and when I got to college I attempted graphic design for 2 semesters. Needless to say the classes were really hard and I finished with another degree, but I never lost my love for art! Now I pour all my time into scrapbooking and making cards, mini albums and mixed media for my friends and fam. It's been 12 years now since my first scrapbook my senior year of high school, and what can I say, I'm completely hooked! If you want to know more about 'me' and follow my crazy creative journey, please visit my blog and become a follower at www.vintagevixencrafts.blogspot.com

Here are some photos of my project using the 'Cut and Paste' collection from MME available at the store.

 For the banners in the corner, I used the  UM WOW layered chipboard banners and actually colored them a bit using Tim Holtz distress markers then heat drying them. I love how it adds dimension to the page.

 Here are a few close ups- I used some chipboard stickers from the Cut n' Paste collection (which I plan on getting more of! I love the colors!!) along with some more UM WOW chipboard- chevron confetti. To spice it up I added distress stickles on top of the chevrons after they were glued down.

I really like how the plain chipboard looks like wood veneers too. The great thing about these UM WOW pieces is that the edges are already darkened, almost like they are pre-inked so you really don't have to do anything to them. I just love to experiment when I get brand new stuff! 

 I used more chipboard stickers from the collection to frame my journal block, and added mini pearls for the flower centers for added dimension.

                                 
My title letters are cork thickers by American Crafts.

 And one last look: 

Thank you so much for stopping by today, I hope you enjoyed my share. I really loved working with this collection by MME, I plan on buying more of coordinating embellies because I really like the colors and they are perfect for a lot of different photos. If you haven't checked out our store, have a look! There's lots of great stuff in there and don't forget to sign up for the newsletter too so you can get coupons!!! Happy shopping! 

Katie

 

     
   
   

FDFF Challenge: Embossing + CSI Case File #82

Hello friends! It's time for some more inspiration and fun over at Frosted Designs for our Fabulous Friday Challenge! This time we are asking you to create any OTP project, layout, or card using any type of embossing! I happen to love embossing...actually heat embossing in particular is my favorite, so I couldn't wait to get going on this challenge! I  was very pleased with my result, and I hope it inspires you to create! Our wonderful sponsor this time is Molossi! They have some awesome stuff !!

I used the palette and inspiration over at CSI...it's my first time incorporating one of their challenges. I just really liked the color palette, it made me think outside the box and get the creative mojo going. I knew I was going to do heat embossing for my background and some paper elements, but when I saw Case File #82 I knew it would work! I used all of the colors for the scheme. I used the following Evidence: stamps, hearts, doodling, cursive, funky scallops, masking, wet medium (gesso). I used the following Testimony: I heart 8 things, prompt words play and fun, handwrite in cursive

This was the CSI case file:

I hope you will join us over at FD for the Fabulous Friday challenge! It's a great prize from our sponsor, there are quite a few stamps they are carrying that I'd like to get my hands on myself! Good luck and we can't wait to see what you create! Until next time, Peace Y'all~VV

Welcome to the Frosted Designs 'Quote' Blog Hop~ July 26- July 31

Welcome to the Frosted Designs Quote Blog Hop!

We are so glad you could join us!!!

You should have joined me from Sandee's blog, don't worry, there's a list at the end in case you get lost along your way! There are 7 wonderful and incredibly talented hosts 

that will inspire you, along with

2 awesome sponsors!!!!

 Our first sponsor is Artful Delight.

Artful Delight is a monthly scrapbooking and card kit club designed to bring you the latest and greatest scrapbook products.  Our kits are jammed packed with fabulous pattern paper, coordinating cardstock, chipboard shapes, ribbon, buttons, stickers, and so much more from manufacturers like Pink Paislee, Fancy Pants, Crate Paper, American Crafts, Basic Grey, Tim Holtz, and Graphic 45, just to name a few. We try to keep scrappers and card makers in mind when creating our kits.  Allowing our kits to have to most versatility.  Our scrapbook kits will allow you to create at least 4-5 layouts.

Artful Delight monthly kits are offered at an amazing single monthly price , and  at 3 and 6 month subscriptions, our 6 month subscription will give you the best value. We offer shipping to the US, Canada and Internationally.  (For Canadian and International orders please email leeanne@artfuldelight.com)

One lucky winner will receive their choice of Artful Delight's August Scrapbook kit or card kit.

Our second sponsor is Words or Whatever.

 Words or Whatever was created as a subsidiary company to NEIL'S TIMBER SIGNS after purchasing a laser engraving machine.  Words or Whatever is run by Suzanne and Neil Webster on the lovely Central Coast of NSW.

We can cut chipboard in both 1.2mm and 1.8mm, MDF from 3mm to 25mm thick, acrylic, felt and cardstock.  We specialise in custom orders that have no minimum quantities.  Please don't hesitate to contact us with your requests.  We can also provide custom made items exclusive to individual stores at no extra charge.  Do you want something in particular?  Well just ask us!!  This means you can offer this service to your customers so they can order their children's names or individual titles for their pages.

One lucky winner will receive their choice of 15 pieces of chipboard.

So without further ado, here are the details of the blog hop!!!!

1. You need to hop to every blog on the list.

2. Leave a comment on the Frosted Designs blog telling us that you completed the hop.

3. Complete a Quote project and link it up to the inlinkz on this post!  

Your project must contain all or part of this quote:

"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."  Author:  Laura Ingalls Wilder

For my project using this amazing quote, I decided to step out of my regular project of layouts and do a chipboard mini album! I had some fantastic pictures from our first trip to Cannon Beach, Oregon last month and it just reminded me of this quote. The simple things in life- sun, sand, waves crashing, salt water taffy, good local seafood. That is why I decided to take on this project! It took me a little longer than I had planned but I am really happy with the way it turned out! Check out my photos here! WARNING: THERE ARE ALOT! LOL

If I had the time I would sit here and list all the products and items I used, maybe one day I will go back and add them all! It was so much fun jumping back into making minis! I feel some major mojo going on right now!;) And as a thank you to my loyal followers and new friends, I am giving away a little rak of my own...check it out:

Lots of fun embellishments in here, even some homemade tags and also a few things I put together myself. I realize its kind of a girly color palette so sorry if you have boys :( 

All you have to do to be entered to win this fun stuff (plus a few more things not pictured- like paper!!!) is

#1 leave a comment on this post about whether you are a faithful reader or new friend, also with your email included so I may contact you afterwards

#2 be a follower of my blog on blogger or google plus

#3 Please go "LIKE' my fb page: https://www.facebook.com/vvcrafts

The winner will be drawn by Random.org on August 1st! Good Luck and Happy Hopping!!

Your next stop on the hop is Joni: http://www.joniparkerstuff.blogspot.com/

 If you get lost on the way here is the order of the blog hop:

Debbie  http://lovelifeslittlepleasures.blogspot.com/

Sandee  http://inthehillsofnorthcarolina.blogspot.com/

Katie http://www.vintagevixencrafts.blogspot.com/- you are here

Joni  http://www.joniparkerstuff.blogspot.com/

Tamra   http://www.tamrascraftypapercreations.blogspot.com/

Lydia  http://www.kiwimumscraps.blogspot.com/

Anita  http://theflamingochronicals.blogspot.com/

Artful Delight  http://artfuldelight.blogspot.com

Words of Whatever Facebook Page(pleaselike) 

http://www.facebook.com/messages/1449051252#!/wordsorwhatever?fref=ts