Apple Pie, Freedom, and Monochrome

Hello, all! Today, I have a mish mash of layouts to share with you. I have been busy working on some challenges lately and the resulting pages are quite varied in theme. Lol.

American as Apple Pie Layout. I created this layout for the Steampunk Challenge I host over at scrapbook.com. The theme for July was Steampunk Americana. And when I thought of that, I thought of the saying "As American as apple pie". I added the usual gears (cut out with my Vagabond, Sizzix gear die, and some American flag paper), some images from the Internet that said "American" to me, a Tim Holz ticket, and some Thickers that I colored with Ranger Alcohol Inks in Denim and Cranberry. The photo is of an apple pie I made and the recipe has become one of my family's favorites. Head over to October Farm if you'd like to see the recipe for this Caramel Apple Pie.

Creative Scrapper Sketch #165.

I Wanna Be Free Layout. This page was created as an example for the Darker Side Challenge I host over at scrapbook.com. The theme for July was Freedom. I used Creative Scrappers Sketch #165 for this page because I thought it was fresh and funky and perfect for some photos of my eldest daughter. The paper is from Echo Park's Be Mine Collection and the mist is Tattered Angel's Scarlet. The title letters are also from Echo Park and the flowers are from Prima. I splattered paints; red, white, black, and grey, on the paper and used my Cricut Expression with the Indie Art cartridge to cut out the butterflies. The flourishes were made with acrylic and liquid pearls.

Home Sweet Home Layout. This layout is for the Monochrome and ABC Challenges at scrapbook.com. The Monochrome Challenge for week 3 is Kiwi with a twist of using cactus flowers. The ABC Challenge (JKL) was to use Jute (at least 3 feet), Kiwi, and Lace (at least 1 foot). The papers are from my special edition Over the Rainbow Scraps of Darkness kit. I handmade the lace and cactus flowers, and fussy cut the papers. I used some Forest Moss Distress Stain to darken up the paper behind some of the elements.

Big Sis Layout. This page is for the Monochrome Challenge and the Heritage Challenge over at scrapbook.com. The Monochrome Challenge for week 4 was to use Mauve with the twist of 5 fibers. I did not do the twist since my stash is not well-stocked in the mauve category. The heritage challenge was to use photos from 1960 or before and to scraplift one of you favorite layouts. I chose {Puppet}'s Just Me layout. I used about the only page of mauve paper I had which is embossed and misted the paper with Lindy's Stamp Gang Mist in Ghouly Gargoyle White and Tattered Angels' Slate. The flowers were misted with the same mists with the addition of some Distress Ink Worn Lipstick mist I made myself. The photo is of my Aunt Esmeralda with my Uncle Joe (late 50's). She was and is such a good big sister.

Punky Scraps Challenge 23

Hello, all! As you know, I am a GDT member for Punky Scraps this month. Here is my take on Punky Scraps' Challenge #23.

Below is the description of the challenge:

The Team B gurlies have picked random techniques, products, etc. for you to combine and create something fun and The Team A gurlies are scrapping with them......are you confused? :) . Here is what the Team B rebels have picked:

Michelle - Use photos of items, no people.
Camilla - 3 circles
Elin - Use Turquoise
Mandy - Stitching (real or doodled)
Nat - Use Red.
Jess - Use 1 or more staples

Don't Make Me Get My Flying Monkeys Layout.  I used my Special Edition Scraps of Darkness - Over the Rainbow kit for this and I used all the "ingredients" set by Team B at Punky Scraps. I also combined a couple other challenges in with Punky Scraps Challenge #23, including the Technique Challenge over at scrapbook.com (use border punches, color blending, and chipboard), and the Skeletons in the Closet Challenge over at Scraps of Darkness (photo of inanimate object, a famous saying to combine with the photo, journaling to explain the connection to your life). I used my We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy Tool for the stitching, a bat border punch from EK Success, my Cricut Expression to cut out the circles, Distress Inks in Fired Brick, Dusty Concord, and Broken China to create the ink blending effect, and fussy cut the witch's legs and flying monkeys. The papers are Graphic 45 Magic of Oz papers and the background paper is from the DCWV Blossom Song Stack. I also covered the chipboard shoes in Glitz Stickles (Ruby Slippers). The photo is of a new stuffed toy that I could not pass up. I love the Wicked Witch of the West, and other villainous characters. I identify with them and always feel like they may not have been all bad but might have experienced things that made them so. We are all shaped by our decisions and experiences. I imagine villains are, too. And I look back on my life and am glad that even though I've experienced some awful things and made bad decisions that I have not turned into a villain.

Scraps of Darkness~Over The Rainbow Kit

Hello, all! I wanted to share a couple of layouts with you today. One of these was created using the fabulous special edition kit from Scraps of Darkness. Here is a description of the kit from the Scraps of Darkness blog:

This month, we also did a Limited Edition special kit, Over The Rainbow, featuring paper and embellishments from Graphic 45's brand new Magic of OZ line. I am really looking forward to seeing all the layouts done with this kit. I love the Wizard of Oz, and was so thrilled when G45 came out with this line, that I couldn't resist doing a special kit for it:

Over the Rainbow Kit - Special Edition - Scraps of Darkness

Sketch from Sketch Savvy.

Who's That Guy? Layout. I created this page using my Special Edition Scraps of Darkness Kit - Over the Rainbow. I used the above sketch by Sketch Savvy and am going to enter this page in a the Lyric Chalelnge over at scrapbook.com. I used the We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy tool to stitch the hearts on two sides, used a Martha Stewart Border Punch, some ribbon from my stash, some silver paper from my stash, and my Cricut Expression to cut the hearts. I also fussy cut the tin man and the flowes, added a Silver Stickled title, Christmas Red Stickles, and silver brackets.

Sketch by Sketch Savvy.

Fubaby Layout. This layout is for the Die Cuts With a View's July Satckaholic Template Challenge. I used the Sketch Savvy Sketch above as required by the challenge and used DCWV's The Blossom Song Stack, some foam Thickers, liquid pearls, and pearl embellishments.

One Word

Hello, all! Today I wanted to share a few layouts that all have one word titles. I didn't plan it that way; it just happened that way. Sometimes one word is enough, I suppose.

Flower layout. This is my beautiful niece, Norah, when she was born. I think she looks so rosy in this photo and so I kept with a flowery theme. I created this for the Monochrome Challenge - Week 2 - Adobe with a twist of modeling clay or paste. The papers are from GCD Studios Spring in Bloom Collection. The flowers are Prima and I used a liberal amount of Stickles. The puffy stickers and Thickers are from my stash.

Flower Close Up.  I spread modeling paste over some glimmer screens then painted it all with Mountain Rose Alcohol Ink.

Graduate layout. This is my mother in her graduation gown. I was lucky to find this laser cut blue paper in one of those assortment packs that you can buy at some craft stores. I created this one for the Parts to the Whole Challenge and the Subject Challenge over at scrapbook.com.

Sleep layout. This is my son when he was a couple of months old. I created this page using Scraps of Darkness' July Marrakesh Express kit. I cut out the shapes from different papers, layered them and glued them down in this pattern. I made the pearl flourishes using liquid pearls and acetate. The flowers and mists are from the kit as well. I made this page for the Round Robin Challenge over at Scraps of Darkness and for the July Old Glory Colour Challenge with a twist of using red, white, and blue without a patriotic theme.

Scraps of Darkness July Release & 12 Layouts of Alice #5 & Punky Scraps Challenge 22

Hello, all! It's the 15th of the month today and you know what that means! The release of this month's Scraps of Darkness Kit. This month's kit takes us to an exotic destination and is called Marrakesh Express. The kit is full of Christine Adolph papers and rich jewel tones. The kit is filled with luscious colors and textures. It will certainly inspire creative pages. The second layout that I completed for this release is also number 5 in my 12 Layouts of Alice series (I know it's taking me a long time to finish these up but I have a lot more on my plate this year than I did last year). Here is Marrakesh Express, including all of the optional add-ons and this month's sketch:

Scraps of Darkness July Kit - Marrakesh Express.

Marrakesh Express Paper Add On.

Marrakesh Express Card stock Add On.

Marrakesh Express Romance Add On.

Marrakesh Express Color Add On.

Marrakesh Express Flora and Fauna Add On.

Marrakesh Express Sketch by Suepup aka Charlotte.

Natural Beauty. Here is my take on July's Scraps of Darkness Sketch. This photo is one I was lucky enough to shoot from my backyard. I love the way the sunset plays off the shadows of the tree branches. Everything but the Thickers title, gold embossing, and the liquid pearls are from the Marrakesh Express Kit.

Natural Beauty Close Up 1. This is a close up of what will be my journaling spot on this layout. I wanted to show how the liquid pearls look close up.

Natural Beauty Close Up 2. Here is a close up of some of the gold embossing I did on the background paper with Lindy's Stamp Gang gold embossing powder.

Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas Tag #5.

2 Sides 2 Everything - 12 Layouts of Alice #5. When I saw these exotic papers the Caterpillar's Hookah came to mind. So I used the Caterpillar for my inspiration for this page. I used the Sparkling H2O watercolors from the Color Add On to add color to a stamp that I used on a die cut tag. I used Distress Inks in Dusty Concord and Broken China. I also used some Ranger Gold Embossing Powder on the edges of the page and on the numerals. The die cut shape behind the photos and the title letters are grunge board coated with Broken China Distress Crackle Paint. The photos are of my dog before and after he had a run in with a major amount of burrs and had to be shaved.

The leaves are covered in Lime Green Stickles and the tag is edged with Adirondack Gold Paint.

Paradise Found Layout. This page was inspired by the beach. I tried to simulate the sand, water, and sun with the shapes I cut out of the Marrakesh Express Kit papers. I also added some Thickers and Liquid Pearls to this page. I fussy cut some flowers and the bottom border, and used my Cricut Expression and the Mother's Day Bouquet Cartridge to cut out the sun.

Punky Scraps Challenge 22: Use the above sketch.

Spice of Life Layout. Okay, I went a little crazy with the stitching on this one! Lol! I even stitched the title. I created this page with the Scraps of Darkness Marrakesh Express July Kit and using the sketch for Punk Scraps Challenge #22. This has to be my favorite paper from this kit! The photos are of my kids playing around. I host a challenge over at Scraps of Darkness  called the Darkest Side Challenge and this month the topic is to scrap what puts spice in your life. My family are what do it for me!

Bird Watching & Happy Birthday to Me!

Hello, all! Today is my birthday! I'm 34 years old today! And I have some wonderful news to share! I have been chosen to guest design for Punky Scraps for the month of July! I've been a follower of Punky Scraps for a while now; ever since I found them and saw what fun challenges they hosted and the inspirational projects they share! Today is the first time I am sharing a layout for Punky Scraps. Punky Scraps is hosting Challenge #21, which is to use tissue paper on your pages. Here is my take on this challenge.

Bird Watching layout. The photo is of two of my cats. They always rushed to the back door to look out at the birds that would stop by and eat at my birdfeeder. The first step I took for this page was to decide how I wanted to use tissue paper on my page. I had left over tissue paper from gift wrapping and so I decided to fold different colors of it a few times and run them through my Vagabond. I used my Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die and put about 7 layers of tissue paper for each flower. I stuck the layers together with brads. I added some stitched flourishes and layers of papers from K and Company's Lofty Nest Collection.

Bird Watching Close Up 1. For the chipboard birds and cage, I decoupaged some chipboard (an old cereal box) using Modge Podge and white tissue paper. I misted the piece of chipboard with some of the same mists I used for the flowers (listed below) and I let it dry. I then ran the piece through my Vagabond with the Tim Holtz Caged Bird Sizzix die. I added rhinestones, liquid pearls, and pearl embellishments as well.

Bird Watching Close Up 2. I misted the flowers with various mists from Lindy's Stamp Gang. These mists are phenomenal! I used Tibetan Poppy Teal, Witch's Potion Purple, Alpine Ice Rose, Yellow Rose of Texas, and Ponderosa Pines Olive Starburst Mists.

Mad Tea Party Giveaway Winner

Hello, all! Using random.org, I chose a winner for the giveaway of craft and scrapbooking goodies I was givign away to celebrate my Mad Tea Party! And the winner is.......

 jjocarlson

who wrote:  Wow what fun! Looks like you guys had some yummy eats! I am a new follower! Love what I see and look forward to seeing more!

Congratulations! Please email me your mailing address at forevervampress@aol.com. You have until July 31, 2011 to contact me about your winnings.