Clear Scraps You & Me Birch Wood Frame

Hello! Today on the Clear Scraps blog I  have one of the new Birch Wood Frames that were debuted at Creativation last month! I'm always amazed on the ideas Susan has and these Wood Frames don't disappoint!  I  used the You & Me Birch Wood Frame which holds a horizontal 4x6 photo.  

I    started by painting the frame in dark grey but it looked too flat to me. So, I    decided to try a technique Susan had taught me at the show! After my grey paint was dry, I    used an old candle to rub wax onto the surface of the frame. I    then applied white chalk paint in sections using a spatula to  scrape off the paint before it dries. Your end result is a distressed look with the grey showing through the white.  I    did go in and add a little more white chalk paint to cover some of my scrape marks. Its definitely a learning curve! 

I    covered the frame portion with a black plaid print and adhere with my Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive.  Taking different patterns, I  cut these rolled flowers by Paige Evans found in the Silhouette shop! I    adhered buttons from my stash to some of the centers as well as added chipboard leaves.

I  finished by using my hot glue gun to adhere ribbon to the top of the frame as well as added a bow!  I  love how it turned out!  

Thanks for looking! Check out the new Clear Scraps products by clicking HERE!

Have a great day!

First Day with Maggie Holmes' Gather

Hello...I'm not sure where the last few weeks have gone. All I know is that I've been busy and haven't had enough time to scrap.  Now that the weather is turning more fall-like maybe I'll get a chance to do some creating.

Today, I'm sharing a layout I created just for myself! I used a sketch from Creative Scrappers and Maggie Holmes' Gather collection. I am a big fan of Kristine's sketches and have been wanting to play along for some time.  So, here is the sketch:

And here is my layout! I scrapped some photos of my daughter on her first day of school this year! I can't believe she is in 8th grade!  Last year of junior high!  

I love grid layouts...they are fun and easy!  I used different patterns from Gather for my squares...but mixed it up a bit so I could add the vertical photo of my daughter.  

How cute are these ribbon embellishments?  I love the colors of this collection! 

Thanks for looking! Be sure to check out the Creative Scrappers blog to see more great sketches! 

Clear Scraps: Dreaming of Sunshine Layout

Hello...so happy its Friday!  Today, our family adopted two kittens and we've been busy playing and cuddling!  This past spring, we lost our sweet Sadie who was almost 16...I think my husband wanted to be cat-less for awhile but I kept begging LOL So, for Mother's Day he surprised me with a note saying that I could have one kitten after we got back from our vacation in August.  So, somehow we adopted two kittens in June! LOL

Today, I'm sharing a layout I have up on the Clear Scraps blog using the Chipboard Butterfly Embellishment and 12 Inch Cloud Mascil. 

I started first with white card stock and my 12 Inch Cloud Mascil.  Using Heidi Swapp Color Shine, I lightly sprayed my background.  You can use as much or little as you prefer!  Don't be afraid to experiment with the ink...and it doesn't have to be perfect!

I added in some enamel dots and a cute wood veneer heart from my stash to accent the clouds. 

I also used some of the epoxy stickers from Maggie Holmes' Bloom collection as well as adhered a doily behind my photo.  I used strips of different patterns to create my own sunshine rays and stitched through with my sewing machine. 

My title is also from the Bloom Epoxy Sticker Sheet!  

A close up of my butterfly...I'm going to show you how a simple way to embellish your chipboard! 

I first applied a light coat of white acrylic paint to the surface and allowed to dry.

Next, I covered the painted surface with clear embossing ink (turning the pad upside down and applying directly works best!).   Then using embossing enamel I applied an ample amount to the chipboard.  I tapped the chipboard on my craft sheet a few times to remove the excess powder and applied heat. The one thing I love about the embossing enamel is that it has bits of metal that melt!  It creates a beautiful effect!  

Thanks for stopping by! Check out the Clear Scraps shop to see the huge selection of chipboard shapes as well as Mascils!

The Cut Shoppe: Feel The Love Blog Hop

Welcome to The Cut Shoppe's Feel The Love Blog Hop!  If you are following the blog roll, you've come from Allie's blog!  Be sure to comment on each DT member's blog to be entered to win 14 FREE cut files from the shop!  I will be giving away a cut file as well...winners will be announced February 16th!  

The Cut Shoppe - http://thecutshoppe.blogspot.com/

Katrina Hunt - http://paperscissorsandglue.blogspot.com/

Aimee Maddern - http://aimeesarmoire.typepad.com/

Allie Stewart - http://www.magicalmesses.com/

Jennifer Haggerty - http://livethemoment-jen.blogspot.com/

Missy Whidden - http://littlenuggetcreations.blogspot.com/

Michelle Wedertz - http://michellewedertz.blogspot.com/

Laura Mooney - http://happinessequalscreation.blogspot.com/

Madeline Fox - http://bayoubytes.blogspot.com/

I cut the "love is always a good idea" sentiment from my wood grain pattern and backed with a lighter pattern. I love the way it turned out! 

Showing some of the stickers from the Bloom collection that I layered at the top of my page. 

More of the ephemera from the collection!  

Thank you for hopping with us! I hope this inspires you to do some creating with a cut file or two from The Cut Shoppe!  Now through the end of the hop use code LOVEYOU30 for a 30% discount on your purchase!

Leave me a comment and I'll be giving away the "Love Letters" cut file to a lucky participant!  

Thanks and good luck!!  Next, on the list is is the very talented Missy!

The Cut Shoppe: Wish

Hello! So sorry I haven't blogged since the blog hop! The holidays were busy and I've been working on some projects for upcoming DT assignments!

Also, I accepted a position as social media coordinator for Teresa Collins!  I have been a huge fan of Teresa's for over ten years so I'm excited and honored to help promote her company.  I love her as a person as well as admires how she inspires others to craft and tell their life stories!  

Today, I have a layout up on The Cut Shoppe blog using a cute, new birthday themed cut file set! When I saw this, I knew I wanted to scrap this photo of my adorable niece! I took this at her birthday party in November...she was so excited to blow out her candles!  I love the look on her face! 

Here is the cut file set I used:  Party On. As you can see you have many shapes/phrases to choose from.  I love the circle/star wish file as well as the cute banners. 

I used the "wish" file as my title and layered it on top of the ephemera from Maggie Holmes' Confetti collection. 

Using the banner file,  I made multiple cuts from different patterns and layered across the bottom of my page. I then stitched through with my sewing machine.  

Showing some of the many embellishments that coordinate with Confetti...including chipboard, stickers, and ephemera pieces.  

I created another banner across the top of my page as well...I am a big fan of using them!  

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you'll check out The Cut Shoppe on Etsy to see this and many more great cut files!

2015 Top Ten Blog Hop

It's the end of another year and time for another Top Ten Blog Hop! Not only am I doing a giveaway, but many other designers are as well!  The biggest prize for the entire hop is an $80 gift card to your favorite online scrap shop of your choosing! To be entered, you must leave a comment on each blog by 11:59pm January 3rd, 2016.  So I hope you'll join us for lots of inspiration from this past year!  I'm honored to be part of a hop with such talent! Here is the blog list if you are following along!  

Christine Meyer http://scrappingwithchristine.blogspot.com

Mendi Yoshikawa http://snippets-of-mendi.blogspot.com/

Cathy Harper http://alteredplayground.blogspot.com

Nicole Nowosad http://justnicks.blogspot.com

Chantalle McDaniel http://copasetique.blogspot.com/

Becki Adams http://beckiadams.blogspot.com/

Wendy Antenucci http://antenucci.blogspot.com/

Jen Matott http://arttalk-sigmagirl.blogspot.com/

Katrina Hunt http://paperscissorsandglue.blogspot.com/

Michele Kovack http://chelemom.blogspot.com/

Kelly Holbrook http://kellyrholbrook.blogspot.com/

Rhonda Van Ginkel http://snapwhiz.blogspot.com/

Jennie McGarvey http://jenniemcgarvey.typepad.com/

Suzanna Lee http://lifestrivialities.typepad.com/

Monique Liedtke http://moniquesscrapbook.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Haggerty http://livethemoment-jen.blogspot.com/ *you are here

Marcia Dehn Nix http://onescrapatatime-bymumsie.blogspot.com/

Rebecca Keppel http://www.myclutteredcorner.com/

Kelly Jean Guzlas http://www.kelsterjean.com/

Melissa Elsner http://www.theprofoundbrunette.com/

Shannon Morgan http://designsofapaddymack.typepad.com/

Juliana Michaels http://www.17turtles.com/

Audrey Yeager http://audreysreflection.blogspot.com/

10.  My Scraps and More: Capture This Moment:  Layout created with Basic Grey's Typeset (which is fabulous) I was inspired to scrap a favorite, yet sad moment by a fellow MSAM member!  

9.  My Scraps and More: Darling:    Cute photo of my daughter at the age of 4 after getting her hair done for my sister's wedding. I love this photo....Hailey looks like me in this picture. Plus, I love Maggie Holmes' Shine collection!! 

8.  Paper Camellia-Wish:  layout created with the  October Main kit using Dear Lizzy's Documentary and My Mind's Eye.  I just love how this layout turned out as well as the photo of my cute niece.

7. Clear Scraps: 2 Cool 4 School:  One of my favorite Simple Stories' collections is So Rad...a great boy collection! And I love the Clear Scraps acrylic borders!  Not to mention, my nephew is adorable!

6. My Scraps and More: Remember:   This is another great collection released this year...Dear Lizzy's Documentary. I created this for a daily challenge at My Scraps and More.

5.  My Scraps and More: Handsome:  Cocoa Vanilla's Made of Awesome is another great boy line!  I used this for a layout for MSAM and a cute star cut file from The Cut Shoppe!  

4. My Scraps and More:  The Best Day Ever:  I chose this layout because of the fun chevron print of this pattern from the Simple Stories Life Documented line. I cut out a portion of the print and used it as my background.  And Simple Stories' rocks.  

3.  My Scraps and More:  Hello Winter:  This collection has great colors and I love how it turned out with the 17Turtles cut file at the bottom!

2.  Paper Camellia: Love:  I picked this layout because of the photo (so cute!!) and the paper (Crate Paper's Kiss Kiss).  I just love the banner and little embellishments. I used the PC February Main Kit for this page.

1.  Paper Camellia: Currently:  Another one of my favorite Simple Stories collections is I Am; beautiful colors and I love that you are encouraged to scrap about yourself.  I created this page with the PC March Main Kit.  

I'm doing a prize pack giveaway in addition to the gift certificate!  

To enter:

1.  follow my blog 

2.  tell me your favorite memory from 2015! 

Winners will be announced on January 4th!  Thanks for stopping by!  Next up is Marcia's blog!  Happy hopping and wishing you a Happy New Year!