Family Ties

Every November my very talented photog friend, Allison Avenue, takes our amazing family photos and this last set was no exception. We hit several locations, one of which was a set of abandoned railroad tracks. I couldn't wait to scrap these and when I saw this week's Sketchy Thursdays sketch I knew it would be PERFECT. Speaking of Sketchy Thursdays, this is my last reveal as their Dec./Jan. guest designer.  Thanks Heidi and Diana for having me!

Supplies: 7 gypsies Lille Paper: Abundance; TPC Studio Grandma's Attic, Vintage Stripe; canvas circles; Basic Grey Oliver: Tate, Wander: Lost Luggage

I have since filled in the headers in the ledger- Company Name: Leopard - Date: November 2010, Sheet No.: 5 (since we're a party of Five). Oh and did you get my play on words - Family Ties? I also wanted to add that I used a canvas circle up in the left corner.  It came stitched together with another one so I pulled apart the edges of it, applied some fabric stiffener to make the top portion stand up. Then I painted the bottom portion red to make it pop against the green and cream. 
Now, head over to Sketchy Thursdays to see the sketch and play along for your chance to win this week's sponsor giveaway from The Sampler.

Reading is a HOOT

January is proving to be a very busy month, between almost daily blog posts, scrappin nights with friends, changing career, a birthday tucked in and a trip to CHA. Wow! To de-stress from it all I have been crafting away 'til the wee hours of the morning, which leads into this week's Sketchy Thursdays GDT reveal.  I feel so lucky to be guest designing for them. ;)

Supplies: Adorn it Pink Owl Dots, Pink Owls All Around, Pink Pop, Paper Studio ribbon, Imaginisce i-top, October Afternoon Mini Market Alphas, Girls' Paperie On Market Journal sticker; Thickers Tiara letter stickers.

This LO is of my oldest daughter many years ago. I journaled on the back of the layout, which reads, "Rheagan, you sure do love to read and you seem to have a passion for it even at 2 1/2 years old. On this particular day, you gathered all your furry friends and "read" them Dr. Seuss' ABC book. Much love, Mommy"

Now, head on over to Sketchy Thursdays to see the sketch I used for this layout. You'll want to play along this week for your chance to win the awesome giveaway.

BINGO was his name-oh

It's Day 3 of the Animal Crackers release party!  I am just loving this collection.  It's so versatile.  I was hanging at home this weekend with the family and we were having so much fun playing board games. I retired to my craft room that night after the kids went to bed and BINGO just popped into my head.  So, without further ado, here's the game set I created.

Supplies: Imaginisce Animal Crackers - Step Right Up, Pixie Sticks, Sticker Stackers, i-rocks; White Cardstock, Black embossing powder, ZIG Millennium .05

 I altered a baby food jar, which holds the calling cards and chips. For the cards, I cut out each ticket, assigned a BINGO letter to each one and then heat embossed them. The chips are punched out of a coordinating paper and then I blinged them out with my i-rock tool.

 
I can't wait to play this with my family!

Sweet Treats

Today is Day 2 of the Imaginisce Animal Crackers Release Party and I made this yummy little layout for today's reveal. I wanted to make the page resemble cotton candy so I splattered paint on the background and over the border strips. I splattered in "strings" because when you pull cotton candy apart it gets a little stringy. I also splattered paint over some blue tulle that I ruffled and tucked under the strips to give it the appearance of cotton candy as well. 

Make sure to hop over to the Imaginisce blog to see the rest of the layouts made with this new collection and to enter to win a wonderful little prize giveaway.

Altered Muffin Pan & Imaginisce Animal Crackers Release Party

By now you probably know I was selected to serve on the 2011 Imaginisce design team.  I got the news at like 12:30 a.m. about a week before Christmas.  I was dealing with insomnia and checking my email when I saw a subject line that said "A Great Big Gift from Imaginisce". I opened it up and read it probably 100 times before it sank in.  I really couldn't sleep after that and no one was awake to share the news with. Bummer.

Lori wasn't exaggerating when she said it was a great big box. Check this out:

I've been dying to post this picture but I couldn't until today's Animal Crackers Collection release.  I'm not even sure you can see everything because some of it just ended up piled on top of each other, there was so much.  Anyway, while waiting for the release, I've been just getting to know all the other AWESOME, incredibly TALENTED gals and creating projects.  Let me tell you, there are some really great ideas for what you can do with this new line.  Check out one of mine below and then head over to the Imaginisce blog to see even more ideas and to enter to win some of the incredible prizes they are giving away ALL.WEEK.LONG.

Altered Art: Wall Hanging / Organizer
I recently replaced my old muffin pan with a silicon one but I just couldn't throw the old one away. So, I had this idea to make it into an embellishment organizer for my new craft room.  While I was altering it I realized it could also serve another purpose, as a piece of art. I painted it, punched out circles and sealed it. Here's what the front looks like with nothing in it.

I decided it could be used to hold numerous things, like change, jewelry, i-top accessories, brads, i-rocks, buttons and so much more. My daughter even wants to make one to plant flowers in. I chose to sort my collection of buttons in it.

Even then, I still couldn't decide whether to use it or hang it, so I took the buttons out and made this on the flip side. I am so glad I did! 

I have to say that it looks 100 million times better in person. While I was making it I recorded a how-to video tutorial thingy so I will post that video ASAP. 

Let me tell you a little bit about my magnets - I got out my i-top and Magnet Daddies and made some adorable little magnets that "spoke" to me. Here's how each one played out:

• I cut an "h" out for my name and made a butterfly that I added some i-rocks to. The butterfly is perched in a medium sized magnet daddy. 
• I took a banners border strip and added some twine to it. It hangs on by two small magnet daddies cut from the matching banner paper (Pixie Sticks) and twine bows. 
• To make the flower I used my petal roller.  I really wanted to make it out of the tickets paper (Step Right Up) so I used a pre-cut flower made for the petal roller and used it as a template to cut this one out. It required a little bit of fussy cutting but it worked out marvelously.
• The koala bear was punched from the Step Right Up tickets paper as well. I added some black bling for his eyes using the i-rock, topped him over a magnet daddy and then I placed it over a green mesh fashion flower and a smaller punched flower. I love this little koala! Just look at that little top hat and 'stache.
• Last but not least I cut out two of the same butterflies from 2 different papers.  I used the green as the background because I wanted it to look like an extension of the green circle he is perched upon.  I glued the top butterfly down, added some crystal i-rocks and then used pop dots to give it dimension, like he is flying away.  It's hard to see but I used a small magnet daddy in the same green paper to hold it to the pan. I didn't want it to be noticeable.

I hope you have enjoyed my little artsy fartsy project here that I have hanging right above my desk now. Check back again this week to see more of my projects I created using this FUN, new collection. Now hop over to the Imaginisce blog to see some of the other AMAZING projects made with this collection and be sure to enter their giveaway!

10 Things You May Not Know About Me

Imaginisce is introducing the new designers and returning designers by having us blog "Ten Things You Didn't Know About Me". Today is my turn and I must say, it was a blast blogging about myself. I mean who doesn't like talking about themself?? LOL. If you came here from the Imaginisce blog, welcome to my little scrappy world. If you are a loyal follower already and you want to learn a few things about me that you probably don't know, head over to the Imaginisce blog. Either way, make sure to follow my blog and leave a comment here AND on the Imaginisce blog for a chance to win some yummy goodies. 

I'm including the projects I submitted in my application to join the team, along with why I wanted to be a part of the Imaginisce team. These are mostly holiday related BUT we're debuting a new line on Monday so I will have some fun, new, fresh projects to show you then. Now, sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

Merry & Bright Christmas Card using Cottage Christmas.

More details can be viewed on the original blog post.

 Christmas Tree Trio & Tutorial 

Wouldn't it be cute to do something like this for Valentine's Days or Easter?

Make a Wish using Birthday Bash

So, why did I want to be a part of the Imaginisce team?  Why would I not want to be a part of the team is a better question. I enjoy being part of something bigger - to contribute, offer ideas, inspire others and be inspired! Why Imaginisce? Because I love their products...I pure and simple love their playful designs and what their product geniuses come up with. I have a passion for crafty things and I love to take something in it's raw form and turn it into something amazing and inspiring for myself, my family and all you scrappers out there in the online world to help you tell your story!

Thanks for visiting.  If you liked what you saw, follow me and leave a comment here and back on the Imaginisce blog to be eligible to win the great prize they are giving away.

Cherish You & Cardabilities Blog Hop

Note: This Hop is now over. A winner for my RAK will be announced soon.

How exciting!!! It's a Sketchabilities DT reveal and a Cardabilities Blog Hop all rolled into one!

First, I want to show you this sweet layout I did using the Imaginisce Garden Party collection. I used this week's Sketchabilities sketch and you should too for a chance to win some yummy sponsor goodies!

When they sent me this collection I immediately knew that it was made for this dress. :) Seriously, what a perfect match. I am so loving that I can create so many different things with the i-top and then bling it out with the i-rock tool!

Supplies: Imaginisce Garden Party Collection - Row of Posies, Darling Dahlias, Blossoms of Blues, Brambleberry Blossoms, Poppin Petal Tags Sticker Stackers, May Flowers Chipboard, Daisy Chain Ribbons, Blossom Tags die cuts, Johhny Jump-ups Sticker Stackers, Floral Flourish - Bright Blowers, i-top and i-rock with pink and clear hot rocks.

Now, you are on your way to a really fun blog hop.  If you are new to my blog and just hopped over from Karan's blog, welcome to my little scrappy world. If you are a follower, make sure to start with Karan because this blog hop is run a bit differently then others...there is an order to the hop.  Details:

1. To be considered for the final Sponsor Giveaway, you need to hop to all the Designers blog participating in the hop in the order listed at the bottom of each blog you hop to. On those blogs, you will find a highlighted word in BLUE. All these highlighted words, form a catch phrase about Cardabilities.
2. Leave some blog love on each Designer's blog to be considered for each individual RAK they are offering.
3.  You will need to put that “catch” phrase together and leave it as your final comment on the Cardabilities blog at the end of the hop to be considered for the Sponsor Giveaway.

Winners of each DT Blog RAK and the Final Sponsor Giveaway prize will be posted Jan 20.

I am giving away a fun little stamp set. For your chance to win it, become a follower of my blog and leave me a comment about what this New Year means to you. Maybe it's your One Little Word, maybe it's a resolution or maybe it's as simple as one more birthday to celebrate. I want to hear it. Winner will be selected by random draw.

Now on with the hop, your next stop is Shawn. Good luck and you BETTER have fun!

Happy Ever After

It's Thursday again so that means a new sketch reveal over at Sketchy Thursdays. My daughter was a flower girl almost a year ago in my cousin Kim's wedding. If you're reading this Kim, Happy Anniversary! There were 3 - 4 flower girls in total but Rheagan was the oldest and this was her 2nd turn at this important job - she was flower girl for my other cousin, Veronica (Kim's sister), when she was only 2 years old. She was so excited to show the littler girls how to do it. The only thing is, when she walked down the aisle she had this swagger and smirk to her, like "yeah, I'm so cool". Anyway, here she is walking down the aisle, looking oh so pretty, smirk and all.

Supplies: Imaginisce Enchanted Collection - Fairy Trails, Princess Posies and If the Crown Fits Paper, Roly Posies - Pinks, Chipboard stickers, Sticker Stackers, Die-cuts; CTMH Cocoa Cardstock, May Arts Ribbon

Have I told you yet how much I love playing with these incredible Imaginisce products?

Now, head over to Sketchy Thursdays to see the sketch and play along for your chance to win this week's yummy prize. Oh and if you want a chance to be voted February's guest designer, make sure to participate in the GDT challenge. I have loved my GDT term with them and I know you will too.

Expectation of Life

This is a picture story about the 9 month wait (or maybe I should say weight gain) for our little expectation of life. This is one of the first LO's I've created in quite a while that wasn't for a design team reveal. I did create it for a e-pub call but I had free will with it. The only thing that it needed to incorporate was "real world print".

I got a page from the dictionary in a recent Scrapbook Circle kit and it couldn't have been more appropriate for me.  It's like they hand-picked it for me. Granted, I'm talking about the pregnant me from 2008 but regardless, I hadn't scrapped the photos yet and now I know why. 

Supplies: October Afternoon Thrift Shop and Schoolhouse Collection Paper; 7 Gypsies Numbers Rub-ons; Pink Paislee Artisan Elements Borders; Tattered Angels Charcoal Mist "Peacock"; Girl's Paperie Tinsel & Twig vintage button; CTMH Cranberry Ink; misc. bling and thread.

I really goofed up on this page.  I meant to do more of a tic tac toe grid and while I was just stitching away, I realized I sewed a top border that I wasn't supposed to stitch. My option was to rip it out and have holes in my paper or keep on going and add a bottom border. I actually like how it turned out.

If you look at the close-ups below you can see that the defined words on one of the circles are expectant, expectant mother, and expectation of life and the words on the other circle are expand and expanded. I also whipped out my new i-top tool to add a little punch to some of the patterned circles. Then I fussy cut 3 of the same red flowers from the patterned paper and cut them in various sizes according to the pattern and then rolled them to make a dimensional flower.

I used a Pink Paislee border that absorbs the mist, which I then inked in red to add a bit more texture. What I love the most is all the symbolism in the layout - the measuring tape for the expanding belly, No. 2 for baby #2, pic of a girl since I was expecting a girl, 9 months of pregnancy and lastly the due date (but not the actual birth date) on the full body photo (see above).

Oh and now you know the story behind me and my tiara in my avatar. Thanks for looking.

Long {BEAUTIFUL} Hair

I feel so lucky! I get to be the guest designer for Sketchy Thursdays two years in a row. Does it count if it's because I was the last GDT of 2010 and the first of 2011? I think so.  Check out my reveal below and then head over to Sketchy Thursdays to see this week's sketch and what their fabulous design team did with it. Then play along for your chance to win this week's prize, or for a chance to sport your very own Sketchy Thursdays Fave badge! 

My daughter has the most gorgeous hair EVER!  With that comes a lot of fussing when it's time for brushing but it's a small price to pay, right?  She's actually gotten really good about it after 7 years.  These pics were taken in February and now it's several inches shorter thanks to the damage that was done due to swimming every day this summer.

Supplies: My Mind's Eye Fine & Dandy Collection - Tinkled Pink "Charming", "Wonderful", "Radient", "Lovely" and "Adorned" from Tickled Pink 6x6 paper pad, Tickled Pink decorative brads, Tickled Pink chipboard; Imaginisce i-Top tools and brad daddies (small, medium, large), d-stress tool, petal roller, i-bond tool; CTMH Autumn Terracotta embroidery floss; Glossy Accents; Glitter; Tattered Angels Mist (Walnut Gold & Tattered Leather

I received a huge box from Imaginisce while in the middle of this layout so I immeditely I whipped out the i-top and petal roller tools to make the coordinating brads and flower. It was sooo easy and I love that I was able to use scraps to make these cute embelly accents.

Holding the Future in our Hands

I LOVE the January challenge over at Crop Suey. Mia provided an ad as inspiration for us.  I used a sketch from the Design Dollies December sketch challenge. At first I was going to play off of the retro vibe and the tv and do a layout on my favorite classic Christmas cartoons but then I realized I'd be posting this well after the holidays so I switched gears. I looked at the ad more closely and had an A-HA moment.  I had the perfect picture and the title was right there in front of me.  So, here's the ad and my layout.

I wanted to keep this layout as clutter-free as possible because of the delicate nature of it. I found some really pretty black lace to help soften up the layout, added some flowers, including one hand-made from ruffled ribbon and added a little pearly bling.  I usually shy away from stickers but they were in the kit and I am so glad they were.  These are 12" border stickers that I cut up.  I applied them to the upper right of the layout. There are two there - one symbolizes the newness of bringing baby home and getting settled in to a routine.  I applied the second one to a darker cream colored scalloped border sticker which has a nice little design on it and says "November", which is when this photo was taken.  Thanks for looking.

Supplies: Scrapbook Circle Kit - Pink Paislee Amber Road Collection: Autumn Blossom, Apple Cider and Paislee Postcard pattern papers, Borderline Stickers; Jenni Bowlin Border Stickers Black; Cosmo Cricket Tiny Alphas; Handmade: ribbon flower at top; Tattered Angels Mist - brick & charcoal; CTMH: Pearls, Stocking Style stamp, white crocheted flowers, Garden Green & White Daisy ink; Glossy Accents; Other: black lace, flowers, journal blocks

Dash on over to Crop Suey to play along for a chance to win a mitten weather kit from Cosmo Cricket!!!

Happy 2011 {and Imaginisce Giveaways}

I hope you all had an AWESOME 2010 and are looking forward to starting a fresh, new decade in 2011.
To kick it off in a scrappy way, Imaginisce is doing a challenge AND a blog hop.  I am not showcasing anything during these because I am still waiting for the 16 lb box of goodies they shipped me.  It's due to arrive next Tuesday and yes, I am stalking the Fedex guy (or gal).  I did want to make sure you all know about these great chances to win though because we are giving away some amazing goodies.  Here's your two chances to win:

First Chance = Altered Item Challenge
It's the first of the month so that means there's a new challenge up on the Imaginisce blog. The challenge is to alter a "found" item. So, go "find" an old item that can serve a new purpose for you in 2011. Alter it using a minimum of 75% Imaginisce product and post it at the bottom of this Imaginisce blog post before January 25th. You could have a chance at wining a $75.00 package full of Imaginisce goodness!

Second Chance = Blog Hop
Those team members who participated in the altered item challenge are showing off their creations on their blogs so Imaginisce is doing a blog hop.  Your second chance to win is super easy.  All you have to do is participate in the BLOG HOP by hopping along to the blogs listed HERE and leaving a comment on each blog AND the Imaginisce blog for a chance to win this set plus more (not pictured), valued at over $50. In case your're wondering, I'm not participating in this hop for the reason explained above but I will in the future!

What a great way to start the year off, right?  Good Luck.