FDFF Challenge Black & White + Another Color

Hi friends! I have so enjoyed catching up on all my blog reading and commenting today. It makes me realize just how much talent and inspiration there is out there..from my friends here and all over the globe. Scrapping and being creative really makes me happy, as I've said before it's my outlet. So that leads me to my latest layout for Frosted Designs. I chose a few pictures that really inspire me from everyday and a pic of myself in the middle as the 'artist at heart'. I am really happy with how this turned out. For the Fabulous Friday Challenge, our rules this time were to use black & white plus one other color for our layout or project. I first thought I would use purple, but then I found these photos and I thought one of my favorite colors, teal, would go perfectly! All you have to do to play along is link up your project or layout to the Frosted Designs blog no later than Wednesday, May 22nd and you will be entered to win our fabulous prize from  SpeigelMom's Scrap Shop ! So get to it! Good luck and don't forget you also could be in the Design Team's pick for Top 3!!

Here is my layout:

I started my layout with basic white cardstock. I used Smooch Spritz in River Mossy and Silver foil to spray my background. I also smudged some of it with my fingers. I originally wanted to do a textured background using gesso or some other medium but this paper wasn't thick enough to take it so I just went with it. I added my main strip of black and white chevron paper and went from there. I knew what photos I wanted to use so I matted them then heat embossed the black picture frame I had from another kit with UTEE to bring out my main photo.  Then I started adding my embellishments and stamping.

Here are some other shots:

  I distressed the edges of all my papers and sanded some of the chipboard embellishments before misting them. For finishing touches, I added some Prima flowers, buttons from BoBunny, some Tim Holtz sentiment stickers and vial labels. Also the large manila tag was leftover from my last experiment with Tim's Tags of 2013, it was a little too blueish for what I was going for on the Patina look so I cut it down and added it to this layout for more texture. I also mixed 2 different packs of Thickers for my title, which I seem to be doing alot these days! LOL! And a few close ups:

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I really enjoy reading all my comments and visiting all your blogs. It's so inspirational! One day I will have all the time in the world to create which is what I would really love to do. Only about 19 or so days until the move then I get to travel with my sis and have 3 weeks off!! 

I can't wait to have some free brain time and not have to worry about doing all this stuff!!! Trust me...there is sOO much to do between now and then, just hoping I can get motivated to get it all done!

Don't forget to link up your project to the Frosted Designs sidebar linky by May 22nd to be entered to win our fabulous prize from SpeigelMom's Scrap Shop!!! We can't wait to see what you create!!

{QUENCH} @ the I.P.

Hi friends! I feel like I have been on hiatus for entirely too long...well no actually I have just been really busy! Started my sabbatical from work on Oct 14, got married on Oct 19, went to Costa Rica for our honeymoon on Oct 27 and we just got back yesterday!!! So there are LOTSSS more pics and layouts and posts to share for the next few months... I will be attempting to start scrapping all these photos as well as make lots of  crafty/photo gifts for family for the holidays! So it's gonna be crazy around here, but the good kind of crazy- the creative kind! I am even going to start posting on my fb page a few items I will be selling for the holidays, so stay tuned for that! I am so excited things will kind of be 'back to normal' except that.... I am now Mrs. James L. Hollister!!!!! :) soooo happy:))

Ok. so enough newlywed mushy stuff. I was able to do 3 layouts last week after the wedding and this is the first one I will share up today. These photos are from my scrapping girls weekend in Biloxi, MS with 2 of my very favorite ladies...Carmen and Leanne. We went to an all weekend crop retreat and spent the next day at the spa and pool all day at the casino...it was fabulous!!! Here's my layout:

 Here is another photo of the whole thing:

A close up of one of the clusters. I used one of the Tim Holtz fragments that Monica and I made/ played with at convention. They are so fun to make, will have to share up a tutorial on how to make those on here soon maybe...or maybe we'll have a class on them at Scrapping Frenzy! Also I used a large yellow fabric rose, some raffia ribbon underneath, tickets, paper flowers and a button and resin rose.

I don't know why but I have this thing with taking pictures of my feet lately :) lol

  And for my journaling, i used a basic shipping tag that i inked and then tied a bit of teal colored tulle on.

A close up of the stamping near my title and the cool fiber piece i used to underline it.

 Ok, well that is all for today, short and sweet! Stop back in tomorrow for another fun layout and keep checking in with me this month as I share up new projects, layouts, and handmade items I will be selling for the holidays on my fb page...thanks friends! Until next time, Peace Y'all~ VV

Supplies Used:

royal blue wave paper- Basic Grey 'lime rickey'

teal/white polka dot paper-unknown from stash

yellow cardstock- Bazzil

Smooch Spritz in 'river mossy'

raffia ribbon

paper/felt flowers, mini pearls and bling- Michael's

yellow tickets- Purple Pumpkin

Thickers- Amy Tangerine "Goodness"

Tim Holtz paper distresser

Tim Holtz distress marker- bundled sage

manila shipping tag- The Paper Studio

Colorbox chalk ink-mint

light colored teal tulle

Tim Holtz 'fragments'- decorated @ SF covention

A Girl and Her Coffee... {Graphic 45 LOVE}

Hello friends! Can you believe it's already September? Fall is probably my most favorite season, there are lots of things coming up to be excited about (besides football) ! First is Scrapping Frenzy's annual convention coming up at the end of the month! There are going to be fun classes to take and of course little goodies and inspiration from the Design Team, I hope to see you there!

Okay, well on with my post for today. I did a layout today using some new papers from Graphic 45. At first I thought it might be difficult to pick which ones to use because the patterns on them are so intricate but I mixed some of the same color palettes and threw in another color so my photos would pop off the page. I also used some instagram-sized 3x3 prints that I recently ordered and I love them cause they are perfect for putting more than one picture on a page! They are the perfect size! So here is my layout:

 

So I came up with the idea for this layout because well... I LOVE COFFEE! I have to have at least one cup every single day. Sometimes I think it's really important to scrap the little everyday things in your life, because years from now when you look back it will be fun to remember some of those random moments! Here are a few close ups:

I used some Smooch first to add texture to my background, two different colors- pralines and cream and caramel mocha. On top of thatI started layering my Graphic 45 papers and my leftover Starbucks bag. I also backed all my photos in kraft paper and some teal colored cardstock and placed them on the page in the arrangement I liked. After that, I started building my clusters. I knew I wanted room for a fun title at the top, so made my clusters work around that.

For a fun twist on my clusters I fussy cut some of the little 'girl' from one side of the Graphic 45 papers and decorated her a bit. I colored in her dress in coffee bean brown to make it go with my title. I also added some stickles in gold glitz.

I also added to the bottom a piece of vintage lace, some tulle, a strip of basic grey paper (out of print my fav!!) and some resin embellishements. The little coffee girl was my inspiration for the color palette of the page, I pulled the teal and blue and yellow/gold from her and put it all over the page.

 Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope I have inspired you to scrap some of your 'everyday moments'. Until next time my scrappy friends, Peace Y'all~VV

Supplies Used: Graphic 45 "Malt Shop Collection" 'On the boardwalk' (I used both sides) , Graphic 45 "Le Romantique Collection" 'My Beloved' (swirly side of paper), cream, teal, kraft, and chocolate cardstock- Bazzil, cardstock cutouts by Crate paper- blue roses, & sign, circle. Colorbox cat's eye inks in blush, mint, and chestnut, Smooch Spritz by Clearsnap sprays in pralines n' cream and caramel mocha, Queen& Co twine, Stickles in gold glitz, Glossy accents, sticky thumb pop dots, Brown Zig marker, Cricut Cartridge in 'Don Juan'. paper and felt flowers, stick on pearls, tulle, chipboard circle and flourish-Prima, vintage lace, leftover Starbucks bakery bag, felt circle, spotty button and resin elements-Purple Pumpkin crafts

Mt.Hood SNOW!

Hi crafty friends! Just sharing a layout I  finished 2 nights ago using some  brand new Authentique winter collection papers that I got at my LSS, Scrapping Frenzy. They are a winter-holiday themed set but I was trying to use them for something non-christmassy, and I think it turned out pretty well. Also I did a 2 page layout which I haven't been doing a lot of lately and I am really happy with how it looks. The soft color palette really let the awesome pictures shine as the 'stars' of my pages! So here are a few peeks. Sorry about  the not-so great pics. I was trying to get some mid-morning in my crafts room window before the sun faded, and the clouds were going in and out. 

 I was given 3 12x12 sheets of paper and half of an elements sticker sheet. I used 2 of the papers as my backgrounds and the other sheet I fussy cut some elements from and combined them with the stickers. To add some more subtle colors I used 2 other pieces of patterned paper from MME's 29th Street Market collection. Here are a few close ups of each page: 

 And some close ups of my clusters, sorry a few of the pics are blurry!

 This one for some reason is upside down! ARGH! stupid iphone. this one sits atop one picture that I layered  under it with a brown paper back, cheesecloth, some tickets from Purple Pumpkin, a resin embellishment, flowers, and vintage buttons. I really like the subtle color combo!

 Overview of 2nd page:

 Overview of page 1:

 Close up of shipping tag, a little blurry :( sorry!

 I really like this shot! It was a good detail one that turned out great with all the textures!

And that is all for today! I hope I inspired you to get scrapping this weekend! I really enjoyed scrapping these photos of my trip this past November to Portland, Oregon with my fiancee. It was one of the only times I've seen real snow on a mountain, since I've grown up in the South. I can't wait till we move there and I will get to have 'real season's all year round!!! I still have so many more from our trip but these were some of my favorite! Have a great day, until next time, PEACE Y'ALL~ VV

Supplies Used:

Authentique papers-'warmth' and solitude'

My Mind's Eye '29th Street Market'

Authentique sticker elements sheet winter collection

manila shipping tag

Tim Holtz paper distressing tool

Tim Holtz distress ink 'antique linen'

Tim Holtz distress stickles 'peeled paint' and 'pine needles'

Ranger stickles 'patina'

Smooch Spritz by Clearsnap 'emerald'

Colorbox fluid chalk inks- mint, ice blue, jade, and grey whale

flowers-Prima Marketing and Recollections roses

vintage buttons, paper bag, cheesecloth  and ribbon from stash

Resin elements by Jolee's boutique

sticky pearls and metal brads by Michael's

tickets by Purple Pumpkin Crafts

Thickers by American Crafts- 'Giggles'

hello there...i love you! {SF August Sketch Challenge}

Hi everyone! I am very excited to share a new layout I did recently for my LSS, Scrapping Frenzy. I have to admit, I wasn't a huge fan of the Halloween themed papers at first, thinking how am I going to use these in a non-Halloweenish way? But I really put on my thinking cap with this one, we also were provided with this sketch as our inspiration:

So here is my take on the sketch:

 I did make a butterfly like in the sketch, as my focal point, and there's not much else I didn't do except I added more paper strips to the middle and clusters of flowers instead of hearts and stars. Also I put my 'swirls' in different places too. I have to say, I am really proud of how this turned out! It's an unexpected color combo but it really works and I will definatley think about how I can repurpose my
old Halloween papers in the future!!!

Okay, so since my LO is currently on display at the store I don't have any closies of it for you today...but maybe I can snap a few when I get it back! Overall I am really really happy with this and couldn't be more surprised by this color combo!! I encourage you to think outside the box when digging through your paper stash... I was inspired originally by the orange and black 'eyeball' paper because it reminded me of a pattern on a butterfly's wings, so I turned it sideways and started from there...of course I had to glitter it up a bit and rough up the edges, but it turned out great! My second favorite thing on this LO is the Donna Salazar blank canvas that I misted with Smooch in River Mossy and Silver foil...it totally absorbed the color and was a piece of art just by itself!! Well I hope I have inspired you today to dig through your stash and get scrapping...pay attention to design and pattern, you never know what you can use holiday themed papers for!! Until next time, Peace y'all~VV

Supplies: Halloween Patterned papers by Reminisce, 6x12 sheet Halloween paper, 6x12 bracket die cut black cardstock, a black shipping tag, a square of Donna Salazar Blank Canvas, a strip of striped ribbon and a length of black and white twine by Queen &Co, Basic Grey papers- stripe and black flower strips, Smooch Spritz by Clearsnap in River Mossy and Silver Foil. Tim Holtz paper distresser, Colorbox chalk ink cat's eye in iced jade, grey whale, and toffee. Martha Stewart holiday glitter 'tinsel', American Crafts black vinyl embellishments townhouse', Purple Pumpkin resin rose, fabric button, black crochet doily, vintage buttons, Teal paper flower and black roseby Prima Marketing, Tim Holtz distress stickles 'milled lavender',  sticker sentiments-unknown.

A Lil' Girlie OWL ART!!!

Happy Friday!! (the 13th OOH spooky!)  I am here to share with you a special project that I did this month for Scrapping Frenzy! I used some of my leftover scraps of patterned paper, a little paint, a canvas, and just a little creativity! I had originally thought it would be kind of challenging to come up with something to make, and then I just started browsing through my scrapbook magazines. In the newest issue of Scrapbooks, Etc. this project was featured in the back! So I can't take full credit for the idea, but I did totally make it my own and add a few things! This little art piece would make a great gift for a girl's birthday and that is what I plan on doing with it, for my little niece, Zoe!

To start, this is the page that inspired me in the magazine:

So I started sorting through my scraps and I mixed and matched several lines of paper to come up with quite a colorful palette. I first cut out all the circles, distressed and inked them, then hand drew the eyes, and the top of the head with ears. I glued the top piece down first to a thicker piece of cardstock, then started layering my circles. I moved them around quite a bit until I was happy with the color arrangement. Last I glued down the eye piece on top of the circles and added a small triangle for the nose. This is what it looked like before embellishments:

The last pieces I did were the wings, which I hand drew basing them on the thicker brown wings from the magazine page. I glued them on top of the circles, then started layering on some feathers. I thought it would be a nice addition of more texture so I picked maroon, cream, and natural looking feathers and mixed them together to come up with the 'wings'. I first tried using glossy accents to adhere them, which didn't work, then a tape runner, and in the end I figured out that large glue dots worked best!! This is how it turned out after I added everything!!

I really wanted it to be colorful, so I chose 2 different colors of blue for my canvas instead of grey or white. also I layered some large dew drops and xl brown buttons for eyes along with a tulle bow to the flower. I tied the bow by hand and used my fingers to smear some stickles in 'tropical tangerine' over it to add some sparkle!

To the otherside I added a grungeboard butterfly covered with stickles and a mini chalkboard. I used Tim Holtz distress markers in 'picket fence' to write on the chalkboard but it didn't come out too clearly so I went over it with some old school puff paint!! LOL

So here is another shot of the whole thing! I am really happy with the end result, even after all my stressing :D and I can't wait to give it to my little niece!!

So I hope I have inspired you today to step out of your scrapbooking comfort zone of layouts and cards and make something really special for your family or friends! Scrapbooking supplies can always be used for something great, like wall art!! I am taking a personal day today to get ready for a DT meeting and private crop at Scrapping Frenzy, can't wait to see my friends and get the creative mojo flowing again! I'll be back soon to share some more lovely LO's from tonite (depending on how much I get done, LOL)!! 

Until next time, Peace y'all~ VV

Supplies: cream, white, pink, orange, and brown cardstock- Bazzil, misc. patterned papers including; Basic Grey 'Out of Print', Bo Bunny 'a Gift of Love', American Crafts 'Neopolitan' line, and Crate paper. Clearsnap Smooch Spritz in 'caramel mocha'. Colorbox fluid chalk inks- creamy brown, pumpkin pie, Ranger Stickles 'tropical tangerine', paper doily- Crate paper, Tim Holtz distress markers 'picket fence' and 'antique linen'. Large clear dew drops by The Robin's Nest,Tim Holtz paper distressing tool, Tim Holtz grungeboard, turquoise-colored tulle, large brown antique buttons, mini chalkboard, misc. feathers-from stash. large pink  flower- purple pumpkin crafts, Modge Podge, Folk Art Acrylic paint in 'calypso blue' and 'turquoise', mint colored puff paint, foam brushes, and square canvas from art supply store.

how 'bout a 'STAYCATION' ???

Good afternoon blogland! I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend... I went to a family reunion that my parents were hosting Fri and Sat and today and Mon I am home trying to get some house cleaning done and hopefully wedding stuff done too. I can't believe it's only 110 days away! OMG!!

Okay, well on to my crafty share for the day. I was able to go to our monthly crop last Friday night at Scrapping Frenzy. I was 2 hours late but I still managed to do 2 layouts!! So proud that they are just fun ones and non-DT related stuff. I also got to meet some of the lovely ladies and regular customers of the store and had alot of fun!! This is one of the layouts I completed, titled 'staycation'. The pic is from last summer at fly creek cafe, it's my step brother, brother in law, and my niece and nephew chilling outside on the sand on a

late summer afternoon- I liked this picture of them so much I just had to steal it from facebook! I have lots of pics like that, and tons that I need to print too! :D maybe I can do that this weekend! Okay, here are the pics. I apologize for the crooked pics I couldn't get them to rotate for some reason!! 

AGH! Just think of it as abstract art! Some close ups:

Thanks for taking a look! This is my first non-DT related share in a few weeks, glad that I had the extra time in June to do a few new pages for my personal album. I think I was just feeling extra inspired! I hope it continues through July....cause it's gonna be a very busy month!! I hope to be back tomorrow with more non-DT related layouts to share and a sneak peek at my 'special project' for July!!! Ok, well enjoy the rest of your Sunday night :) Until next time, Peace~ VV

Supplies List:

kraft striped paper, background paper and chipboard birdies- Oriental Trading Companyyellow 

paper flowers (kraft and light teal)- Recollections

large circle paper- Basic Grey 'Lime Rickey'

vintage buttons, travel journal tag, arrows- from my stash

brown letters by Thickers

white and yellow cardstock by Bazzil

yellow/white and green/white baker's twine by Queen and Co.

Stick-on Summer Quotes by Me & My Big Ideas mat sticker stack

large dew drop and birdies eyes- dew drops by The Robin's Nest

Glimmermist by Tattered Angels in lily pad

Colorbox chalk ink by Clearsnap in chestnut roan, dark brown

denim flower, green spotty button, crochet doily and yellow cabachon by Purple Pumpkin Crafts

"Greetings from Delray Beach" ( I LOVE Authentique}

Good afternoon blogland! I am here today to share with you a quick project I did using the new Authentique  "Fresh" line available now at Scrapping Frenzy!! The mini cardboard travel case was given to me by a friend a while back as a gift at a crop we attended, and I have been waiting to do something fun with it! When I saw this paper, I instantly thought about these old photos I had of my 2 grandmothers back in the day..in their bathing suits! It was perfect and it will be a keepsake that I'll always have around to remind me of them. Okay, so on with the photos!!!

 For the inside of the case, there were several little compartments that I decorated differently. First I cut some plain white cardstock using the Cricut beach cartridge and made the sandollar border, which I then inked using Clearsnap's colorbox fluid chalk inks in grey whale, and azurite. After that I cut the border apart a bit and double-pop dotted it (is that an official scrapping term? LOL) with one sand dollar above the rest for dimension. Also I colored in the little sea stars with a gold paint pen.

 This is the inside top largest compartment. I covered the whole back with teal solid paper and then used some of the decorative tape to give it color. Then I layered another sand dollar, a vintage button from my stash, some red tickets, and an earring which I actually lost the other one to-tied with red baker's twine. I love using random things from around the house in scrapbooking! Then I put her initials next to a cute cabachon by Jolee's boutique.

This is a full view of all the compartments:

 Still my favorite shot, the front of the box which I did using the Authentique paper, an acetate frame by K&Co and some xmas red stickles. Of course I had to add textural elements, a paper flower, more sand dollars, some twine, and a button of course (i love buttons in case you haven't noticed)

 This is the side of the box which I did using the decorative tape and some stickles in Aqua.

 And the back of the case, I layered the Authentique paper and some red tickets.

 This is the case standing up!

 To go inside, I made this mini thing to keep beach things in, like little sea shells that you find walking along the beach. I used this magnet holder thing that I have been keeping cause I thought it was cool. 

 This is the back of the little case thingy.

 And the other compartment, using more Authentique paper and some baker's twine.

Okay, well that's it for today!!! Back tomorrow with some more fun stuff to share!! 

Until next time, peace y'all~ VV

Supplies List:

Authentique 'Fresh' line patterned paper

red/white and teal/white baker's twine by Queen & Company

white and turquoise cardstock

Clearsnap Colorbox fluid chalk ink- grey whale, dark brown, azurite

Tim Holtz distress ink-vintage photo, fired brick

Stickles by Ranger in Xmas red and Aqua

Cricut beach cartridge

red damask decorative tape-Micheal's

Tim Holtz paper distresser

K&Co clear acetate photo frame

Zig writer in brown

gold paint pen

red/teal cabachons by Jolee's Boutique

teal paper flower by Recollections

red tickets, leftover earring clear drop,& red vintage buttons from my stash