It's been a while....

It's definitely been a long, LONG time since I made a 12 by 12 layout. So long, that I can't even remember which was the last layout I created...well, I thought it had been long enough (over 2 years), and I decided to give it a try and start doing layouts again to fill out the few albums that still have page protectors waiting for something nice to go in them lol.

 I used the Jack and Jil Collection by Prima, some Prima trim, several Prima sprays, some Maya Road chipboard letters and some flowers from my stash.

I did some layering, distressing and fussy cutting around the images on this particular designer paper.

To watch a video featuring this layout, please click HERE.
I think it came out pretty cute, and considering I haven't done a 12 by 12 layout in so long, I think is was a good start. What do you think?
I'll be starting random giveaways right here on my blog, so if you leave comments on my posts, you might be a lucky winner at any time. Cool, huh? I love giving stuff away!
Thanks for stopping by my little corner on the web. Have a great week!

Embossing on Dark Backgrounds

Something I love about Lindy's Stamp Gang's embossing powders is that they are not your usual embossing powders. The mica in them make them shimmer so beautifully, and depending on how the light shines on them, you see a difference in their look on your project.  I just think that's pretty neat, and one way I like to use them and get a really cool effect on my projects, is by using them on dark backgrounds. 

This is a card I made for my husband using Lindy's Stamp Gang's embossing powder in the color Spring Leaf Chartreuse, with a Hero Arts background stamp on black card stock. I love the texture the embossing brings to the card, as well as the subtle shimmer.

The flower accents you see are handmade by me using needlepoint fabric, cork, Stickles and some Petaloo petals. For the leaves I used some skeleton leaves and regular green leaves from iamroses.com. I've promised a tutorial of these on my YT Channel, and I'm working to get that uploaded there soon. If you are interested in learning how to make these, which are not bulky, and are a great accent for your cards, scrapbooking projects and altered items, subscribe to my YT Channel so you don't miss the tutorial video. They are simple to make, but they entail a few steps.

I used some metal accents which I stained using my alcohol inks, and added some flat back pearls, as well as some adhesive "brad-looking" accents in the corners to finish the card off. Hope you enjoyed and thanks for stopping by!

I'm drooling!!!

I could not help but continue on my search of what's going to be released at CHA this July, and boy have I found wonderful stuff! I really wish one day I'm able to go, and participate in all the goodness! But in the meantime, I can't help but indulge from afar LOL.

It seems like just when I think I won't like anything else, I keep finding more gorgeous stuff! Take a look at these gorgeous new collections by October Afternoon...

Maya Road is definitely stepping up and creating some more gorgeous trim as well as many other wonderful products...

Pink Paislee is including some great colors in this fun collection called Nantucket...as I said on my previous post, Teal/Aqua/Turquoise is definitely trending on the releases I've seen so far...

Ok, so I dare ask...are you drooling with me?

Holy toledo!

Have you seen the previews of all the new stuff coming out at CHA??? I've been trying not to look and focus on working on things over here, but it's been quite difficult. I just had to take a peak... 

Look at this yumminess from Webster's Pages...

And these fabulous flowers and collections from Prima Marketing. WARNING: you might drool a little bit after looking at these LOL

I am loving all the teal that I'm seeing in many of the new releases...this in particular...

 It's like everything is calling my name!

Can you say fabulous? Just wanted to share a few of the things I'm liking so far...I'll post more as I keep falling in love LOL. Hope you have a nice weekend!

Baby Bib Mini Album

I finally completed my Baby Bib album! Can you believe it? It took me long enough, right? LOL I'll give you the warning that this is a very picture loaded post. I hope you enjoy the close look at the mini album.
This is a chipboard mini album, made with Accucut's Baby Bib die. I love the shape and all the real estate in this album. I put in a lot of pictures and lots of places for journaling, and there is still a lot more space for more, if in the future I decided to add more to it.

I used the Watercolor Bouquet collection from K & Company, and I loved using most the of the embellishments that came with the collection. On the cover I used a Sizzix Frame die cut, which I glittered up using some of my Crystal Stickles to match some of the 3D stickers of the collection. I used some Iamroses and Recollections flowers, as well as Prima Pearls and Studio24 bling. Love all the dimension on the cover.

For the binding I used a one inch binding ring, some pink seam binding, and a charm that matched the colors of the collection. I made the charm using some fishing gear which I alcohol inked, and pieces of a Christmas ornament I bought a few years ago on clearance at Michael's. After having it for several years, it finally made it to a project (well, some parts of it anyway LOL).

I really liked all the different textures I managed to put into the cover. It's definitely 3D.

This is how the book looks from the side while standing up. It's a chunky mini, and I love that I can display it standing up.

When you open the first page this is what you see. This mini album (which now that I think about it, is not so mini ---it's about 10 inches by 8 inches), has a lot of interactive pages. I tried to capture this in the pictures, but for a better look at how all the pages and pockets work, please watch the entire video of all the details by clicking HERE.

When you flip to the next page this is what you see...

This is the next set of pages...

And the next set...

Ans this is how the pocket on the right page works:

As you can see, lots of room for journaling and pictures...

These are the final two pages...

Here's how the page on the right works...

And again, another secret place for more journaling...

This is the back of the album, with just my information stamp on the back.

Hope you enjoyed this mini. Remember to follow my blog by clicking on the "FOLLOW" button at the top right of the screen...I'll also be doing a giveaway once I hit 2000 subscribers on my YouTube Channel, so subscribe to it HERE and don't miss out on all the fun!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember, I truly appreciate you and all your comments. Until next time!

Sweet!

Today I noticed I received this from the lovely Jeanette.

Go check out her super cute blog. She is super sweet as well. Thanks so much Jeanette for picking me as one of your winners. Per the award, I'm supposed to write 7 things about myself here, and pass this award on to 7 other people.
Here ya go!
1. I'm completely in love with paper crafting. I find myself forgetting all the problems in the world because of it. Yay!
2. I don't like cleaning at all, but I LOVE cleanliness and organization. Go figure! LOL
3. The dog I have now, is my first pet dog ever. I love her.
4. I'd love to go to Paris one day. Crossing my fingers :o)
5. When you ask me, "what food are you in the mood to eat?", 99% of the time I'll say good chinese food, yet my favorite food is Meat Lasagna. Interesting, huh?
6. I majored in Child Psychology.
7. When I was younger I wanted to have 7 children like the people from that 7th Heaven show. LOL

Alright, now you know a few little things about me. I'm going to pass this award to the following 7 people:
1. Damaris @ Scrapbook Designs Unlimited
2. Ady @ Live love Laugh Scrap
3. Vanessa @ The Bunny Diaries
4. Marlene @ Uniquely Ella
5. Jil @ Stampyra
6. Lisa @ Gobeagirl
7. Teri @ Teri Beri's Creations

Hope you enjoyed the 7 things about me. Next post  I will finally share the mini I've been working on, for what seems like forever LOL.  Praying for a sunny day so I can take nice pictures of it. Until then!

Summer of '89

The day has come, and Lindy's Stamp Gang has released it's new Starburst Stains Color Set: Summer of '89! I altered this cute frame using some of the new colors.They brought out the accents in the picture inside the frame. Unfortunately, I cannot show that picture, because this is a gift for someone, and I want it to be a surprise... she watches my videos and follows my blog, so I had to make sure I covered my tracks. No peeking, right? LOL. I hope she likes it when she receives it.

It took me some time to figure this baby out (this is my first altered frame ever), because believe it or not, my mojo has left me. I think the mini album that I'm currently working on (and have yet to finish!) has sucked all the inspiration and creativity out of me! Crazy, I know, but I tell you, it has been hard to get anything crafty accomplished lately...just to let you know, I ruined a wood frame before I started this one...I had to literally put it away (close to a trash can lol) and start over. Thank God, this one turned out way better  on my first attempt!

I used three of the colors of the new Summer of '89 Set, and I only wish you could see the picture inside the frame, so you would know how perfect these colors were for this project. I guess you're going to have to just take my word for it! LOL

This is the first time I've done any of the crackle paint too, and I love the look, without any contrasting colors, like it's usually done. It's a different distressed look.

I colored the metal word with my Copic Markers and gave it some texture with the coloring too.
As usual, I made a tutorial on how I got the wood so shimmery and crackled, and you can check that out HERE.
I hope you are excited about these colors, and give them a try.
WARNING: you'll get hooked on them LOL!
Oh, I forgot to ask, how do you like the new look of the blog? I'd love to hear what you think!