I Doodle, Do You?

I took the funnest online class called, "I Doodle, Do You?" Sandi Tygar is the instructor and she guides you through 4 lessons to get you on your doodling way! My creative juices have opened, and the ideas are crowding my mind! All I want to do is doodle all day! HA--reminds me of the song; "....I don't want to work, I just wanna bang on my drum all day."
Anyway--here are some of the "mosaic" style doodles we did.

 It was so much fun combining Sandi's doodles with the

lettering I learned from Joanne Sharps "Letter Love" class.

There are lots of changes happening in the Fowler household, and "follow your heart's desire" is a phrase that has been heavy on my mind. (I'll fill ya'll in on the changes soon)

 Do you want to get your doodle juices going? Then go to My Brave Soul, Sandi's blog. This link is a post of the supplies for the class. Browse her blog and see some of the fabulous doodles Sandi has, then go to the top of her side bar to join the class.

Studio J Sunday

Have you tried Close To My Heart's digital scrapbooking yet? My first priority is to have that beautiful paper in my hands and have fun with placing embellishments, but Studio J is a great way to get caught up if your feeling overwhelmed. My favorite part of Studio J is being able to size pictures as you are creating. I was going through some albums the other day and stopped at a layout that I just love- it was one that was done in Studio J. I really encourage you to try it out sometime!
Here is a quick video to show you just how easy it is to start and finish a layout in Studio J.

Friday Funny

I think this video is hilarious!

Mixed Media Canvas

I'm having so much fun making these. I'm learning as I create and it makes me so happy!

I made the one above for a friend of mine. She is an amazing person and I wanted to give her something for her birthday that conveyed that.

On my next piece, I added texture/color to the background which gives it more interest.

Mixed Media is so much fun, I just love getting out tons of stuff to see what works!

 

Here is a list of everything that went into this:

Acrylic paint

Water Color Crayons

Pitt Pen

Close To My Heart Legacy Writers

Close To My Heart Reinkers (sprayed on)

Close To My Heart stamp pads

Close To My Heart stamps

Stencils

Pages torn from an old Hymnal

Close To My Heart cardstock and pattern paper

Napkins

Buttons

embroidery thread

Close To My Heart Rub-Ons

Golden's Regular Gel

Now off to clean up my mess!

Hope your day is fantastically lovely!

(yep--I just made up a word)

Banners!

Banners are all the rage! Close To My Heart makes it super easy to help you create a custom banner for any occasion.

My Creations Mini Banner (Z1736)
Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686)
Just click on the Idea Book at the top of my sidebar if you would like to order.
Hope your finding time to get crafty!
Thanks for stopping by today.

NSD Challenge #7

Well--I didn't get my last two Frosted Design challenges posted in time. The cut off was midnight on Monday--but I didn't look to find out midnight where? LOL Oh well, that is ok, I'm just having fun getting layouts done in a fast way!

This one was Jennifer's Recipe Challenge. I loved what she wrote for her guidelines:

begin with1 piece of patterned paper as your recipe base

add some texture and character to your recipe with some distressing of any kind

  add in 2 piece's of cardstock for good measure

 everybody loves something sweet, add 1-2 photo's

add a secret ingredient (hidden journaling)

no need to measure just grab a handful of flowers to taste and toss them onto your recipe

spice it up with a little bling 

stir in your choice(s) of lace, ribbon or a doilie or 2

before serving, top it off with a special title to make your creation extra memorable

let it set, and serve on our Frosted Designs blog in the correct challenge link up!!

It's prettier in-real-life (IRL). I had trouble taking a picture that made the paper flowers show better.

 I spent awhile trying to figure out how to make a sliding piece that would stop and not come out all the way, then I remembered that CTMH's 

Magic- Interactive Scrapbook Program had instructions on how to do it.

I just love the little bobble I have for the tab of the hidden journaling, it is from Close To My Heart's Heirloom Assortment. I'll cut a slit in the page protector and have the tab sticking out.

Ok--so not the most exciting hidden journaling, but it was getting late, and I was hoping to get the layout entered for the challenge. I may go back and put something different.

The glittery leaves, hearts and "love" sticker are things I have had in my stash for years! 

Now I hope to complete some of the challenges for Scrapbook and Cards Today, their challenges aren't due until midnight Thursday.

This time I'm going to find out what time zone that midnight is! 

Thank you for surfing through today!

Hope your day is a beautiful one.

NSD Challenge #6

This one is for Debbie's Pattern Paper Challenge on Frosted Designs. Use only pattern paper, no cardstock allowed!

It's hard to tell, but the base page IS a pattern paper--I even tried to take a close-up, but it still didn't show. There are three different pattern papers in this layout. 

I am now done with Easter 2009!

NSD Challenge #5

Thank goodness some of the NSD challenges gave you a few days to get things done!

This one is for one of Frosted Designs challenges. In this challenge you were to use strips of paper in your layout. Since I had the Easter 2009 pictures out for the last challenge, I continued with the same papers and more Easter pictures.

I got brave and used my own lettering for part of the title!
It feels so good to actually be doing some layouts!
Let's see if I can get another one done.
Thanks for stopping by today.

NSD Challenge #4

I really got to go spend time with the family!

This challenge is for Big Picture Classes Challenge #10.

In this challenge we were to use any cast-off object on a layout--to upcycle. 

Funny story here. I've saved a Kleenex box for awhile now because I liked the design on it so much, I thought I would find a good use for it. When I saw this challenge, I went to look for that box and guess what I found? Easter candy that I had bought and couldn't remember where I had hidden! LOL--please tell me I'm not the only person who does this! But oh boy--finding chocolate when you think there is none in the house makes me very happy! I immediately unwrap the little chocolate bunny, pop it into my mouth and admire the cute picture on the bright colored foil---and an idea pops into my head!

Why not use this for the challenge!

PageMaps helped me put together this layout. 

OK--I think I'm done for the day!

Thanks for looking in.

NSD Challenge #3 Complete!

I'm back! I'm having so much fun, another layout done! 

This is another one for Big Picture Classes; it is Challenge #12. For this particular challenge you were to use Kraft paper in two different ways.

I love Close To My Heart's Kraft paper; it takes ink color so nicely. For my layout I tore strips of paper, inked the edges with Chocolate, sprayed them with a Ranger Color Wash, and layered them to try to get a mountain look. (click on picture to see more detail) On the base piece of Kraft, I sprayed with Sapphire Glimmer Mist and stamped it with white acrylic paint and bubble-wrap. The pictures are tucked into the layers and brads were added to hold down the paper and/or to appear like rocks!
The second piece of Kraft I used in this layout is the black chevron strip at the bottom of the page. These are from Close To My Heart's Kraft Color-Ready Border collection. I used a brayer to roll black ink on them. I think they are the perfect touch to the page.

It feels so good getting this layout done: one, because they are pictures from 2007 and two, I've had those stickers you see on the layout for probably 7 years or more!

NSD Challenge No. 2

WooHoo! I completed another challenge given on NSD! What has gotten into me? I'm completing things WAY faster than I normally do! 

This layout was done for Big Picture Classes Challenge #1. The challenge was to emphasize a photo with a fanciful frame. In my layout I put a circle of bling around the heart shaped snowball. I'm still debating on whether it helps pull the eye to it or not, but I like the way it looks.

Yesterday I was also following Scrapbook & Cards Today, where they used a sketch from PageMaps. I followed a link in the post and found this sketch.

 

OK--now I'm going to try to get something else from the NSD challenges done.

(who needs a clean house?)

Happy National Scrapbooking Day

Happy National Scrapbooking Day everyone!
I've been having fun trying to follow along in some NSD celebrations on a few web sites. (I say try--because I had to go out and do a bit of yard work!)

The first challenge I went for was on Scrapbook dot com. They are having hourly challenges over there and the first one was to do a card. Well--I didn't join in until half the hour had passed--but I thought, "what the heck, let's see what I can do!". Well--I didn't get it done in time to turn it in for the challenge--but I was pretty darn happy with how fast I DID complete it.

I used this sketch from I {Heart} 2 Stamp.

 And here is my card.

Supplies usded:

Paper from Prima-the Fairy Belle Collection

Close To My Heart cardstock in Colonial White, Baby Pink, and Grey Wool

Close To My Heart Ink pads in Chocolate, Baby Pink and Ponderosa Pine

Happy Birthday stamp set (retired), Ribbon, Button, Paper Flowers, Pin Clip, Pearl Opaque, and pink Sparkles all from Close To My Heart. 

Die-Cut Cardstock from K&Company

We'll see if I get anything else done and posted today!
I hope you all are able to find some time to do some crafting on National Scrapbooking Day!

A New Mini

I love creating mini albums--and I'm always on the lookout for different ways to create them. While surfing my favorite blogs last week, I saw a super cute mini on Terry Ann Diak's blog. I set out right away to create it, but changed it up a little--because I couldn't quite figure out what she did! LOL, I do like my end result though. It is super fast and easy to put together.

{GASP} That first album isn't made with Close To My Heart paper! Yep--sometime I do venture outside of the CTMH world! I know there are a few CTMH consultants that follow here; who knows the name of the paper in the mini shown below? I'm such a hoarder, I loved that paper so much, it was hard to use!

 I'm going to call this mini the "Gatefold Mini," because it is kind of like a Gatefold card. The album is held shut by a "latch" holding down the title piece (the gate). The "latch" was simply made by covering a chipboard tag with paper and a brad holds it in place yet lets it move.

 Above is a picture of the first left flap opened.

Next a picture of the first right flap open.

Then it just keeps unfolding until you have four flat pages and three pockets, that stick out like pages in a book, with cards in them for journaling and pictures. In all, there are 18 spots for pictures and/or journaling.

Here is a real quick tutorial on the cuts and scores for the mini.


1. You need 3 pieces cut 6 x 12 and one piece cut 9-7/8 x12.
2.  Score that shorter piece at 4".
3.  Score 2 of the 6 x 12 pieces at 2" and 8".
4.  Score the last 6 x 12 piece at 2", 8-1/8, and 8-3/8.


The shortest piece is at the far right of your album and we are going to build on that piece. The piece on the far left is the piece that has three score lines on it, so make sure you glue that one on last.





5. Glue along short edges and bottom fold of the 2"section and adhere to 4" side of that shortest piece.

 This forms a pocket for a card (mine are 5-1/4"  x 5") to put a picture on one side and journal on the other.

Oh---I know --horrible pictures--I hope you get the idea.

6. Continue with step 5. Decorate with all your pretty paper.

Super quick tute--let me know if you have any questions, I'd be happy to explain more if needed!

Thanks for stopping by today!
OH--the name of the paper pack is "Let's Get Together" and I don't even know how many years ago it came out!

Scrapbook Page Pops with Flowers

Here is a quick little video from Close To My Heart that shows you how easy it is to pop your page with flowers.

Cricut Art Philosophy (Z1686)
Hooray Bouquet stamp set (D1491)
Can be ordered here!
As always--thanks for looking in today!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

The May Challenge over at Scrap It Girl is "May Flowers". Use flowers on your creations, cards, layouts, home decor--just pile on the flowers! Make sure you stop by Scrap It Girl and link up your creation! The prize package will be from me and it is shown at the bottom of this post.

I've been so anxious to share my project that I made for this challenge. 

It is a Mixed Media Canvas piece.  

(click on picture to see larger)

All supplies are from Close To My Heart unless otherwise stated:

Simple Pleasures Paper Pack (retired)

Twilight, Desert Sand, Cocoa, Creme Brulee, Olive and Vanilla Cream cardstock

Flowers, leaves, flourish, letters, "lace" looking piece under family,

and the diamonds were all cut with the 

Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge (Z1686)

Glitz Glitter Gel, Bronze (Z1485) and Stardust (Z1313)

Timeless Charms (Z1689)

Chocolate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad (Z2111)

Garnet Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad (Z2121)

Sponge (Z697)

Edge Distresser (Z1297)

Embroidery Floss Neutral Assortment (Z1096)

Ruler, (Z1471) this ruler has guided holes for evenly spaced stiching.

Perfect Pearls Mist by Ranger

The red sprigs are from Joanne's floral department.

A small flower paper punch from Michaels that I have had forEVER--and had never used!!

The butterfly is a free download from Lisa Nazario-Gregory's blog What a Beautiful Mess. I've been a follower of Lisa's for quite sometime. Make sure you browse her blog, she has tons of flower tutorials and loads of inspiration!

Here is a close up of the floral cluster with butterfly.

Heart 2 Heart Challenges also has the flower theme for their May Challenge so I'm entering this over there. If you are using Close To My Heart product in your creation, you can enter over there too!

I also made a 4x4 card--just to show ya that your flowers don't have to be huge! These flowers were made with a regular hole punch and that little flower paper punch I mentioned above. Just add some bling to the centers and you have a real cute little flower!

 Supplies used for card:

Close To My Heart's Dotty For You Paper Pack

A Garden stamp set (A1119)

Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad (Z2105)

Tulip Exclusive Inks Marker (Z2366)

Heavenly Blue Exclusive Inks Marker (Z2326)

Lagoon Cardstock (X5762 or (X5904)

White Daisy Cardstock (1385)

Sparkles, Bitty (Z1263) and Red, Pink, Purple assortment (Z1326)
This card was CASED from a talented card maker at Inking Idaho.

Now for the prize package:

Prize package includes:

Close To My Heart’s May Special, the Dotty For You paper pack

Filigree Charms set

Soft Suede Pinwheels

Sparkles

An assortment of paper and crochet flowers

Nine sheets of Die Cuts

Close To My Heart’s May Stamp of the Month (not shown)

WoW--a lot of information!
If you want to go shopping click here!
Thanks for stopping by today,
hope you can make it a crafty one!

May is National Scrapbooking Month!

May 5th is National Scrapbooking Day!
I'm hoping to find some time on Saturday to do a layout or two. It seems as if I haven't done an actual layout for a long time!
There are a lot of online events to join on the 5th to help you get more done that day. I signed up for a free online class at Big Picture called Creative Crop. There will be creative challenges all day and giveaways!
Little Yellow Bicycle is also having an all day, online event. Visit their blog to find out how to win a $75 prize package!
Scrapbook dot com is also having an all day event--with 105 prizes to giveaway!

Close To My Heart celebrates all month. The bright, fun paper packet Dotty For You is only available this month. Visit this post that has all the information about Dotty For You. Here is a short video with more information about this special promotion.



Stay tuned, throughout the month, I'll be posting short videos from Close To My Heart to help inspire!
Thanks for stopping in today.