Wednesday 27 February 2013

Creative Inspirations #2 - Place In Time Pocket Album

Happy Day to all of you!
I'm back with another fun project for Creative Inspirations!
 I made an entire album using only two of the sheets from the Graphic 45 Place in Time Collection, and some neutral cardstock. Here are the two pages I used:




 I decided to use the back of each of these pages and challenged myself to make a book using only the colors on these pages...which is no color at all! lol I used cardstock in black, kraft, and manilla. It was fun to add interest and texture without bright and happy colors!

Originally I had thought to use this book for keeping track of my year. I don't do any of the Project Life albums, so this was going to be my version. When it was finished I realized it would be a really great album to keep track of all the birthdays I have to remember. The pocket would be a great place for cards that are ready to send. The tags could be used for listing parties, gifts given, or anything else.
So here's the cover of my album:

The cover is made from naked chipboard. I've stamped and embossed it using a Tim Holtz stamp. 
I had lots of fun making all the embellishments. I made the big flower myself, and layered it up with some swirls and leaves. Then I flattened a bottle cap and used some Glossy Accents to adhere the stamped image to it. I added a Swivel Clasp and Time Word Stick to the binding. 
Here's a close-up of the embellishments:


On the inside front and back cover I added a border strip to hold some extra tags. 
These tags are ready to be added to the book wherever they are needed.
Each of the six pocket pages are made using one 12 X 12 sheet of black paper. 
It is folded to form a pocket on the front and back page, as well as a large pocket at the top for a #10 tag.


Each calendar month is matted on black and then on a folded piece of kraft cardstock.
The kraft is lined for you to add whatever you want. Here it is with the calendar open:


The rest of the pages are going to be rather repetitive! 
Each one holds the small calender that opens up, a pocket with a die-cut tag in it.
The black photo mat behind each calendar is also a pocket. There is a small journaling tag in each one of these pockets. 
Also, on each page I've added the month and whatever other words from the collection work for that particular month. 
February is "Be Mine" for Valentine's Day. March is "Birthday Girl" and "Make a Wish" because it's my birthday month. I took the tag out and tucked it in the side of the photo so you could see all the words. 



The next page is made the same way. The pocket tags are all stamped.


I used only two dies for the pocket tags.


These pages have a couple of extra images from the page.




Again, the last page and inside back cover follow along the same lines as the rest:


I made only six different tags but multiples of each. 
The book holds six #10 tags, and 12 of the die-cut tags, plus the six #8 tags that are tucked into the covers. That's a total of 24 larger tags, and then the 11 smaller tags behind the little calendars. 


So there's my album! It's another long post but I wanted you to know that I did include every month! lol 
Whether I fill it with photos of my life, or cards for my family and friends; it's going to be a really fun album to fill up! If you have any questions about how it's put together just let me know! :o)

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Materials used are all available at Creative Inspirations.
Here's a link to the complete list in the store itself:


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Linking Up To:

Tuesday 26 February 2013

Hymn and Scripture Challenge #3 - My Faith Looks Up to Thee

Hello, my lovely friends!
I'm back today with my next challenge page...and I'm only a few days late! :o)
This is a wonderful hymn that I really enjoy singing! Did you notice I'm trying to word things a bit differently? You must be getting bored with me always saying "this is my favorite hymn". lol  As soon as Patter posted this challenge I had an idea of what I was going to create. However, as I was looking for a Scripture verse before I began, the Lord led me in a totally different different direction with my page. I love it when that happens!
My page comes from the third verse of the song, which says:

"While life's dark maze I tread, and griefs around me spread,
be Thou my guide;
bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow's tears away,
nor let me ever stray from Thee aside."

Isn't that beautiful? 
So many of us are dealing with pain on a daily basis! Whether it is physical or emotional, or a matter of circumstances of loss...pain hurts! Sometimes it overwhelms us and all we can do is let the tears flow! 
Did you know that God understands and cares? What a blessing that is! We can take all our pain and sorrow and lay it at His feet! He will not ever leave us to suffer alone. Not only that, but one day there will be no more pain of any kind! Revelation 21:4 says:

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. 
There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things has passed away."

Isn't that beautiful too?
What a day of rejoicing that will be! :o)

Now, on to my page.
I've created a scene page. This sweet little girl, with the tear on her cheek, is a digi from Jellypark. I've had fun with a new stamp & die set from Sizzix/Hero Arts. Even though there are clouds in this sky, the flowers are blooming brightly! :o)


I added a drop of Glossy Accents to the tear on her cheek. Here's a close-up:


Materials Used:
Papers: K & Company - Watercolor Bouquet;
Image: Jellypark
Dies: Memory Box - Puffy Clouds,
Sizzix Framelits - Label, Ornate #3,
MM Slice Design Card - Baby (gift from Friday),
Sizzix/Hero Arts Stamp and Die Set - Flowers and Butterflies;
Punch: Fiskars - Grass;
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black, Distress Ink - Walnut Stain;
Pearls: My Stash.

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Linking Up To:

(Patter's devotional on this hymn is there too)



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As I was working on this page, I was listening to my Galaxy Praise and Worship channel.
 A song came on and I knew I had to share it in this post. It's by Jars of Clay, and the chorus says this:

"I will sing of Your mercy
That leads me through valleys of sorrow
To rivers of JOY"

Yes, this is my favorite song at this moment, so I had to share it with you here!


Of course, I must add the Challenge Hymn too!  This is a wonderful quartet version:


There...my long post is finished! Thank you for allowing me to share it with you!
I hope you're all heading to those rivers of JOY! :o)

Friday 22 February 2013

Sushi Dolls #4 - Sushi Ballerina

Happy Friday, my friends!
Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments on my last projects! All of your sweet words sure do encourage me to keep posting! :o)
Today I have another card for you using a Sushi Doll image called Sushi Ballerina! These images are so fun to play with! The eyes offer many opportunities for unique creativity! This time I filled the eyes with some glittery blue Stickles! I don't know how unique or creative that is but it really seemed to work with my card!
Originally I was going to paper piece the tutu with the plaid paper...in the style of Highland Dancers...but then I decided I really wanted to do some coloring. I used the plaid in the background instead.

  
I cut out the fun swirls because this sweet girl is doing her twirls. I added my own sentiment using my little letter stamps. I made a flower out of some tulle and also added some tulle behind the image. I added more Stickles to her tiara, tutu and shoes.
Here's a close-up to show the glitter and the sparkly tulle:

Materials Used:
Papers: Basic Grey - Oxford;
Primacolor Pencils and OMS;
MM Slice Design Card - Wedding (gift from Friday);
Dies: Sizzix Flower, Layers,
Sizzix Framelits - Label, Ornament #2;
Ink: Stampin' Up - Soft Suede;
Stamps: Jazz It Up Alphabet Set;
Stickles: Diamond, Baby Blue;
Brad and Tulle: from My Stash.

* * * * *

So pop on over to Sushi Dolls and take a look at all the fun images!
The DT has just had a peek at the new releases for March and they're fabulous!
I'll have another Sushi Doll project for you soon!

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I hope you all have a weekend full of JOY and LAUGHTER!! :o)



Wednesday 20 February 2013

A Die for a Sketch - Challenge #9 Reminder

Hello, my friends!
Today I have another card to share with you using a super sweet image from Stamp Art Design by Kathryne! I'm also here to remind you that you have a little more time to join in the fun this month at A Die for a Sketch. Challenge #9 runs until March 4th. You could win FIVE wonderful digis of your own from our generous sponsor:


http://stampartdesignbykathryne.blogspot.ca/ 

Here is the fun sketch you need to use, along with at least one die:


http://adieforasketch.blogspot.ca/



Here is my card using the adorable "Little Bear Ready for Bed" image:



Materials Used:
Digi Image: Little Bear Ready for Bed - Stamp Art by Kathryne;
Prismacolor Pencils and OMS;
Dies: Spellbinders - Floral Doily Accents;
Punch: EK Success - Arrow Border Edger Punch;
Stamp: Just Rite - A Warm Hello;
Ink: Stampin' Up - Melon Mambo;
All Other Materials are from the Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit
(Card Kit Info HERE)


* * * * *
Linking Up To:


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I hope to see you join us over at A Die for a Sketch!

Thursday 14 February 2013

A Valentine Card

Hello, my dear friends!
I hope you're all enjoying a beautiful Valentine's Day! I have a quick little post for you today! This is the Valentine I made for my sweet husband. He doesn't like flowers...unless they're in the garden, and he doesn't like anything frilly or fussy. I saw this fun sketch over on Jennifer's blog and decided to use it to create this card.


Of course, the red didn't come out true to color once I uploaded it. The heart frame is much darker IRL, and matches the glitter paper very well! Really it does! lol I used my Paper Tagger to attach the heart charm through an eyelet! It's a bit of pizzazz on an otherwise simple card! I decorated the inside but you won't be seeing that since I took the photo after writing the message to my husband! ;o)


Materials Used:
Papers: Recollections - Love Letter, Cardstock;
Dies: MM Slice Design Card - Wedding (gift from Friday);
Punch: Martha Steward - Heartbeat;
Stamp: Gina K Designs;
Charm and Eyelet: From My Stash;
Tool: Paper Tagger.

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Linking Up To:


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Saturday 9 February 2013

Hymn and Scripture Challenge #2 - It Is Well With My Soul

Happy Saturday to you all!
Can you believe this is my third post in three days? That never happens! If you've missed my last two posts, please scroll down and take a peek when you're finished here.

I'm back today with my next Hymn and Scripture Challenge page, and with this one I am all caught up!
This is one of my favorite hymns! It's one of those hymns that when I sing it I hear my Dad sing in my ear.  What a sweet blessing! My page was inspired by the first verse which says:

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul."

So, I was going to make my page with water and "sea billows" but when I looked at my Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit, I decided to use this beautiful cloud page. The colors and design of these materials really promote the feeling of peace that I was going for. The hearts represent the great love the Lord has for us. A love so great that He died on the cross just to save us:
"My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!"

Again, this verse brings peace to mind. What a wonderful peace we have knowing that we have complete forgiveness of our all our sins. A special gift of peace that we carry with us, as we deal with all the hardships and pains of life in this world. A peace that comes only from knowing our Lord.

One thing that I truly love about this song when singing it in Church, is the way everyone sings the last verse! There is an incredible excitement and JOY as soon as we hit this verse:

"And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul."

 What a day that will be! :o)


Materials Used:
Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit
(Kit info HERE)
Extra Materials:
WRMK Cloud Corner Chomper,
Spellbinders Nestabilities - Labels Six,
Stampin' Up - Soft Suede Ink,
MM Tiny Alpha Stickers.

* * * * *
Linking Up To:

(Patter's wonderful devotional is there too)

* * * * *

Since I mentioned my Dad I really must share this unique Barbershop version.
He doesn't sing all of the verses, so I have included them below.
I hope you read them all and find some wonderful encouragement and peace!




It Is Well With My Soul
Horatio G. Spafford, 1873

Friday 8 February 2013

My Latest Raggedy

Happy Friday, everyone!
I'm back today to share the Raggedy doll that I've mentioned. I LOVE to make dolls! Since I've gotten into the world of papercrafting I have neglected making my sweet little friends, but every once in a while I simply MUST!
After making my most recent A Die for a Sketch card (which you can see HERE) I knew I had to stitch one. Then I came across the pattern for this sweet bobbin version in the latest Create & Decorate magazine. Now, I haven't made one from a pattern since I started designing my own quite a few years ago. I have a number of these great antique bobbins, so I thought this design by Kim Grasso would be a quick and easy way to use one.
She was lots of fun to put together. I did it pretty much by the pattern. When she was finished, my husband said he didn't really like her nose. Since I used one thread to stitch on the nose, eyes, twig mouth and hair, I decided he would just have to learn to accept her with this nose! lol
Behind her is a peek of the table runner I just quilted. I was going to place the doll on top of the runner for the photo but it was a little too cushy for the bobbin base. I just draped it behind so you could still take a look at it.
I think I'll be popping in a few more sewing projects here and there, and I hope you don't mind. I have a bit of fabric that I need to start using up. I'm even including a photo with a peek of my sewing room. This is only one corner of it too...*gasp*...I know! lol  I better get to work if I want to put a dent in my collection! :o)




If you haven't seen my latest Hymn and Scripture Challenge page, please scroll down. I hope you'll come back tomorrow to see my next one. Wow...three posts in three days...how unusual! I hope your weekend is FULL of JOY!! :o)


Thursday 7 February 2013

Hymn and Scripture Challenge #1 - Lift High the Cross

Happy...what's left of Thursday, my friends!
I'm a little bit late in the day with this post in but I thought I better do it tonight because I have a couple more posts coming. I've decided to spread them out over three days rather than bombard you with them all at once!

Today I have my first Hymn and Scripture Challenge page to show you for the 2013 round. Tomorrow I'll be back with my finished Raggedy, and Saturday my second Hymn and Scripture Challenge page. Then I will be ALL caught up for when the next one is posted on Sunday! It's taken me FOREVER to get back on track, so I should be careful that this doesn't happen again! I've discovered I don't like being behind! I do hope you'll keep coming back to see them all! :o)

Okay, on to this years challenge pages. Last year I did 8 1/2 X 11 pages. My album is FULL! So this year's pages will be 8 1/2 " square. I have some covers that I can decorate for this size so I think it will be fun. The other thing I'm doing different is that I'm not putting the music sheet on the page. I may use some of them for the creating part but the full hymn page will be posted on the back of each page. You won't be seeing them like you have been. I think this option will be lots of fun for me, and I hope you'll enjoy it too.

The song "Lift High the Cross" is a beautiful hymn but I can't tell you it's my favorite. Aren't you surprised! lol The reason it's not is because it's not as familiar to me as all the others have been. I didn't think I even knew it but once I heard it I realized I have...just not very often. The refrain of the song says this:
"Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore His sacred Name."  
One of the verses is this: 
"O Lord, once lofted on the glorious tree,
As thou hast promised, draw the world to Thee."
Isn't that a beautiful description of the cross that Jesus died on. I've never thought of it as a "glorious tree" before. One more verse to share:
"So shall our song of triumph ever be:
Praise to the Crucified for victory."

Isn't that lovely? We have a song of triumph to sing! We have victory because of what Jesus did on the cross for us! This song is a beautiful reminder for us! :o)

Materials Used:
Papers: K & Company - Classic K - McKenna,
Recollection Cardstock;
Dies: Cheery Lynn Designs - English Tea Party,
MM Slice Design Card - Wedding (gift from Friday),
Spellbinders Nestabilities - Standard Circles (LG),
Memory Box - Cherry Blossom;
Stamps: Stampin' Up - Woodgrain,
Recollection Cling Script Stamp;
Punch: Martha Stewart - Rose Leaf,
Pearls: My stash.

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Linking Up To:


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There isn't a huge selection of videos of this song, and most of them are choirs.
I've picked one that has the words for you to see.



Tuesday 5 February 2013

A Die for a Sketch - Challenge #9

Hello, my friends!
We have a new challenge for you at A Die for a Sketch! Along with this new challenge comes a wonderful new sponsor with a very generous gift for our winner! Our sweet sponsor this month is Stamp Art Design by Kathryne and the winner will receive FIVE wonderful digital images.

http://stampartdesignbykathryne.blogspot.ca/ 

Here's a note from Kathryne:

Hello stamping friends! Thank you for welcoming me into your home and hearts.  My desire is to inspire hope and joy, with celebrations of love and inspiration at the heart of each drawing for you.  I am delighted to sponsor your challenge and I look forward to hearing from you.



Here is our fun new sketch:

http://adieforasketch.blogspot.ca/

Here is my card! I have to tell you that I had a really great time coloring this sweet little raggedy doll! Some of you know that I like to make dolls, and raggedies are a particular favorite. In fact, I've started a new one that I hope to finish soon. I felt the need to stitch one after I colored this digital one up! lol 


Here's what I came up with for the inside...isn't it fun? It's a Valentine for my daughter! :o)


Materials Used:
Papers: Cosmo Cricket - Odds & Ends Mini Deck,
Recollection Cardstock;
Stamp Art Design by Kathryne Digital Image: Raggedy Girl Peek-A-Boo 
Prismacolor Pencils and OMS;
Stamps: Jazz It Up - Alphabet Set, CTMH - Amore;
Ink: Stampin' Up - Basic Gray;
Brads and Pearls - My Stash;
Dies: Spellbinder Shapeabilities - Page Maps Potpourri,
Spellbinders Borderabilities - Eyelets Border,
Tim Holtz Alterations Die - Tattered Floral Garland,
Making Memories Slice Design Card - Je t'adore.

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So pop on over to A Die For A Sketch and take a look at what the rest of the Design Team has made!
 Then make a project: a card, a layout in any size, or a gift bag. Link it up by March 4th!
You have a wonderful opportunity to win Top 3 recognition, or to win a great prize!
The only rules are to use the sketch and a die...and have lots of fun! 

I hope you all have a wonderful week full of JOY and laughter! :o)



Friday 1 February 2013

Sushi Dolls #3

Hello, dear friends!
I'm back again with another Sushi Doll Design Team project. I was going to spread these posts out a bit but I was inspired to make this one right away! Also, since Susi released some brand new digis today, I thought it would be a good time for you to go over and take a peek! The image I used on my card is actually from her first release back in October. You can find all the digis in one spot HERE.
This sweet girl that I used on my card is called Sushi Choco. I knew just what I was going to do with her after receiving my January Simon Says Stamp Card Kit. I also knew what kind of sentiment I wanted to use,  and wouldn't you know that Paulette, at Create With TLC, posted this free Word Art right after the inspiration hit me!
Something that's really fun about this image is the eyes. They're all big and open, so it was easy to paper piece them. There are so many different things you could do to fill in these big eyes. It worked perfectly for me...it's what I feel my eyes look like before my morning coffee! lol I used my Sew Easy to pierce the holes around the edge of the card, and when I was finished stitching I added another row of piercing. For the buttons, I used the Card Kit stamp on cardstock and layered them up. I had lots of fun making this card! I hope you enjoy it!


Materials Used:
Papers, embroidery floss, brads and button image
all came from the Simon Says Stamp January Card Kit
( Kit information HERE )

Other Materials Used:
Image: Sushi Dolls - Sushi Choco;
Word Art: Create With TLC;
Ink: Stampin' Up - Lucky Limeade, Basic Gray,
Memento Tuxedo Black;
Prismacolor Pencils and OMS.

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Linking Up To:

Simon Says Stamp Blog - January Card Kit Gallery - HERE

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Hope you all have a wonderful weekend full of JOY and LAUGHTER!! :o)



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