Pencil Lines: Sweet

This week's Pencil Lines' sketch was so much fun to work with. I just might keep it in my inspiration journal to go back to over and over again. It left so much freedom to work the layers in.

I used Paislee Press' Sweet + Tart kit. I love it. More than I can explain...

Journaling: You sat there mocking me. Laughing. Knowing my goal to not drink pop. Why are you not kind? You smile at me as if you know something I don't. You are right. I didn't know you would taste so good. That I would love it. That tea would be a new favorite of mine. January 2010.

Create Well: Keep your favorite sketches in an inspiration journal to keep when you have scrappers block. Have a favorite sketch? Who says you can't use it again and again?

New Home

I promised photos of our new home and here are a few. This is the view from the front door. This mobile home was built in the late 70s but it doesn't seem like it (outside of the kitchen) because most of the wood paneling is painted. Thankfully we didn't have that job to do. ;) I love the white walls in the living room and the three windows. We have never had new furniture in our life and we are OK with that. We make it our own by our art and photographs.

This view is looking toward the door from the picture above. We have a lot of books and so many book shelves. Ethan and I love being able to just get a book and sit and read in the living room now. This collection is mostly children's and classics.

Ha! My IKEA cabinet door is still off! There is a bracket that has to be ordered still since we stripped that one during our building process. But, it is great otherwise! Inside is all of my art supplies, Ethan's art supplies, and Ethan's school supplies. The laptop fits perfectly in the slide-out keyboard drawer in the computer desk. I am not use to such a small desk to work at and I was all over the place when I worked at the new space earlier in the week. But, I am sure it will do fine once I get use to it.

The view into the living room from the kitchen hallway.

The kitchen is really outdated but I don't seem to mind while in it. I am not including the photo of the 70s yellow/green stove to the left. ;) We added our IKEA kitchen racks to help with space and you are not going to believe it - we have extra room in this kitchen! Not sure how that happened. Ha! I guess we realized we don't need four sets of china! This kitchen doesn't have a dishwasher and for the first time since the third grade I am washing dishes by hand. All is well now though because my dear friend Sarah heard that my portable CD player broke in the move and bought me a new one. Now I listen to The Chronicles of Narnia radio broadcast by Focus on the Family and it is like listening to a movie! It is so wonderful and helps the time go by faster. It takes me a good hour to an hour and a half washing up after dinner.

I will have to share more soon. I just finished cleaning up the last room. I still have those three boxes to unpack and then I will be done. Have to do it tomorrow since Ethan's birthday is on Sunday!

Create Well: Does your space make you feel at peace?

Craft Warehouse: Celebrate 18

My last Craft Warehouse project for this term is this Artist Trading Card. Becca got me hooked on the Texture Boutique by Sizzex. So, my hubbie got me one for Valentines Day. I knew my Swiss Dots Cuttlebug textured plate it would be the perfect background for all the beauties in the K&Company Ephemera Pack. I wanted simple, clean, modern, with a little hint of vintage.

Supplies - Diecuts: K&Company Ephemera Pack Handmade; Border Punch: Martha Stewart Doily Lace Trim; Texture Boutique: Sizzex; Swiss Dots Texture Plate: Cuttlebug; Other: thread and cardstock

Craft Warehouse: Do What You Love

I had a blast making this colorful layout for Craft Warehouse. I totally love the new adhesive backed paper pad. I was able to cut the bunting out and they were like little stickers so I could easily sew across the page.

I used watered down red paint in a spritz bottle and sprayed the cardstock before adding my layers.

I used the packaging again for this layout and cut the little bird out to add under the flower. The diecuts are great! It is an easy way to layer and loads of fun!

Supplies - Adhesive Back Handmade Paper: K&Company Paper Pad Adhesive Handmade Cara Marie; Diecuts: K&Company Paper Pad Cara Marie; Chipboard flowers: K&Company Chipboard Alphabet Handmade Lofty Next; Border Punch: Martha Stewart Doily Lace Trim; Rhinestones: K&Company Adhesive Gems Handmade; Tiny Attacher: Tim Holtz Ideology, Other: thread, acrylic paint, packaging, & cardstock

Create Well: Make sure your acrylic paint is watered down enough to go through the spritz bottle. Then, spray to your heart's content!

Craft Warehouse: Three In One

I had packed all my recent pictures when I got Craft Warehouse's last assignment. Then, I found this picture of my sweet sister, Deborah on her wedding day. Dave took this picture of her and it is one of my favorites. Deb and Matt had their first kiss on their wedding day. I was so thankful that God gave her the man of her dreams!

Journaling reads: You waited and your prince came. On your wedding day, you and Matt became one with God. Then, lived happily ever after."

Those asking what I use for my paint, I usually use regular spray paint from the can. Sometimes I like to mix it up a bit. For this layout, I added purple watercolor with water into a spritz bottle and sprayed over the packaging of the alpha set as a mask. It was a really cute bird cage. It is hard to see in the photo the effect. But... very cool in person. I also added the black spray paint too (just incase its feelings got hurt that I used watercolors instead).

Supplies - Adhesive Back Handmade Paper: K&Company Paper Pad Adhesive Handmade Cara Marie; Diecuts: K&Company Paper Pad Cara Marie and K&Company Ephemera Pack Handmade; Chipboard flowers, Alpha, and Little Bird: K&Company Chipboard Alphabet Handmade Lofty Next; Border Punch: Martha Stewart Doily Lace Trim; Rhinestones: K&Company Adhesive Gems Handmade; Lace Frame: K&Company Fabric Art Lace Frame; Ink: Colorbox; Other: thread, watercolor, packaging, & black spray paint

Create Well: Recycle your package and use it as a mask.

Craft Warehouse: Soar

This is our last assignment for this year's Craft Warhouse Design Team term. What a blast I had using this product this month. K&Company really out did themselves with this Handmade Collection! Finally a line that you can use with both modern and vintage design.

I made this ATC card with and it was so much fun! I don't usally make ATC cards but I think this won't be my last. It's like a little mini canvas! ;) 

Supplies - Adhesive Back Handmade Paper: K&Company Paper Pad Adhesive Handmade Cara Marie; Diecuts: K&Company Paper Pad Cara Marie and K&Company Ephemera Pack Handmade; Tag: K&Company Ephemera Pack Handmade; Butterflies: K&Company Chipboard Alphabet Handmade Lofty Next; Border Punch: Martha Stewart Doily Lace Trim; Ink: Colorbox; Other: cardstock & black spray paint

Spring Has Sprung!

The weather was so beautiful that we had to get outside yesterday and walk around camp. Look! The first sign of spring here has sprung! Dave shouldn't of given me the camera cause I kept on stopping Becca and telling her, "Hurry, hurry! Get over there so I can take a picture!" ;)

Isn't the view breathtaking?

Precious Moments

On our walk yesterday, I was able to capture Ethan running down the hill into Becca's arms (with Dad and Uncle Josh watching). So sweet and precious.

I think I am going to use this last photo for my Develop Friday assignment. Although it isn't in color I think it captures that emotion that I was looking for. It makes my heart soar and that's what matters... 

Create Well: This week remember to capture the emotion and love your children share with other family members.

At Home

I am going to have to make several posts of my favorite photos of the week. We have been exploring our new home. The view is amazing! To have a camp ground as your daily playground is such a blessing! This is one of my new favorites of Ethan running across the parking lot to go on our walk. My husband took this shot and I don't know if he even realized the reflection. It's lovely. Making it black and white made all the difference in the world!

Create Well: Take advantage of your wet weather, light, and a good black and white filter.

Family

Sigh! That felt good. It has been a busy week of moving and unpacking. Now, I am trying to relax while sitting in my cozy little living room enjoying Debee's gift to her blog readers. This is exactly what a girl like me needed today. I haven't had time to get out my paints and supplies to begin working again. But, during Ethan's rest time I was able to quickly put this together. For a girl who has had a artistic itch for the last few days it was perfect. 

Finished planting the front garden this week as well and every muscle in my body is sore. It will be worth it when everything starts to bloom. Then, I will forget the pain and be thankful that I moved the plants the same time as the house. ;)

Create Well: Take some time to relax, put your feet up, and enjoy a little quiet. Even if it is only for half and hour before the toddler starts going again.

Pencil Lines: Once Upon A Time

This week's Pencil Line's sketch was fun to work with. I love to take a sketch and put my own little twist on it. Paislee Press' kit was just perfect.

With all my supplies packed I have been just doing digital layouts. But I am anxious to get my hands dirty again. Maybe this week? Can't wait!

Create Well: Take a sketch with one element and multiply it for a dramatic effect.

Right Where We Belong

Well... this has been a very productive week. Dave called from work on Tuesday and said, "Well, I traded my vacation for this week! Wanna move tomorrow?"

Thursday was our first night in our new home even though we hadn't moved everything yet. After stubbing my toe three times on the same box I decided to start unpacking. It was the same night that Dave and I stayed up until 2:30am trying to build the IKEA cabinet for my art supplies. Let me say that building things together isn't marriage strengthening. You know, "Pray together, stay together." "Play together, stay together." You know them all. Building is not one of those things that you can do to strengthen your marriage. In fact, I learned something new that night. If we want to stay together to never build together. ;) We couldn't get those stubborn doors on. We built the whole cabinet together using a word-less instruction booklet with over 30 steps and couldn't get the doors on! It's OK though. It is good to find those things out early in your marriage and then work on them. That's what love is all about...

We had Josh, Becca, and Sarah come over Friday night to help with our stubborn doors. Josh wasn't here five minutes before he had all the doors installed. Sigh! Becca helped me unpack all my art supplies. Now our living room is done and beautifully cozy. But, if I can't find something in the cabinet, I am going to have to call Becca to tell me where it is!

My loving husband got me a Texture Boutique (by Sizzex) for Valentine's Day and I love it. I got to play with Becca's and loved it. Now we can swap embossing folders! Today has been a relaxing day. I didn't unpack one box! This afternoon Ethan and I played outside. Ethan drove his big Tonka trucks and stomped in mud puddles. I started clearing the garden to get ready to transplant my perennials.

I love living here. I am five minutes from Becca and my other best friend, Joanne, is only three minutes away!

This house use to be Joanne's home. In the front of her garden she had this beautiful Spanish lavender. Since she moved out, someone moved the lavender to the back of the house. So, when Dave told me that he invited Joanne and Eric to dinner I made sure I cleared the front of the garden. Then, I went out back and moved that lavender right back where it belongs.

Create Well: What is the IKEA cabinet in your life? 

Guest Designer: Ronda Palazzari

If you have been scrapbooking for any length of time you would have seen this week's guest designer's work. Ronda Palazzari's work is bold, colorful, and passionate. She's not afraid to tell her story and she does an amazing job doing it. Ronda designs for Cocoa Daisy, Fancy Pants Designs, and Purple Onion Designs.

How would you describe your scrapbooking style?

Uptown Antique Brie is what I like to call my style. Funny name I know but it’s kind of cheesy like me. You see I love the new, flashy stuff but have an appreciation for vintage items. I love to push the edge of products and use them in unconventional ways. I love breaking the rules and changing the way you would use products. Most of my layouts are cheesy, scrapping the emotions and every day moments. I love using bold colors and combing colors that surprise people.

What inspires you to be creative?

A photograph. A new technique. A new product. An Advertisement. A Fashion Magazine. A story to tell. Life. I find inspiration everywhere.

Who are your favorite scrapbook designers and why?

Dina Wakley for her use of paints, mists, and crazy stitches. Jennifer McGuire for being such a technique girl and willingness to share all kinds of story. Iris Baboa Uy…she rocks layers hard, love her inkiness. Julie Fei-Fen Balzer for her artsy approach. Kerry Lynn Yearly…for things just dropping off the page & her out of the box thinking. Vee Jennings…I have paint envy. I think I could keep going and going. I love scrappers.

What are your favorite color combinations to design with right now?

Hmm, probably Kraft, Aqua, Yellow, & Orange. I love bright colors.

What is your creative process?

Sometimes it starts with a story &/or Photography and builds from there. I usually tend to build foundations/textures with spray inks, paint, etc. I love textures. I add in layers of pattern paper & stitches. Scattered embellishments. I like randomness so you will often see the embellishments scatters. I am bad about leaving the title & journaling for last. It’s something I am working on but then again my layouts probably wouldn’t be the same.

What is your story that you are trying to tell?

How can this inspire others? My story. I guess that is all I am trying to tell. I write the stories from my perspective. I want talk about the feelings behind the story, the emotions. It is therapeutic for me. I try to keep a balance between my family stories and my personal (meaning me) stories. I am always trying to share the real me, the one who experiences all kinds of emotions. I let them spill on my page even the not so pretty ones.

How can you inspire others to "create well"?

Just keep playing. Try sharing the emotions behind the events. What strikes you about a photograph or a story. Tell it from your perspective. Take risks and just keep creating often.

You can follow Ronda on her blog, Help Me Ronda, [insert Beach Boy's tune here]. There you can be encouraged to stretch yourself as an artist. You will be moved by her photographs and inspired!
 
Create Well: Take risks and just keep creating often.

Right Now

I just can't get enough of the New Leaf digital kit from Paislee Press and Audacious Designs. I am in love with pink right now. I am sure I will get over it some time after the fifteenth of this month, but until then, I am using it! Maybe I have just been deprived of pink for the last three years and now it is back firing on me. No matter. I am sure there is an unwritten rule out there that says that any pink goes during the month of February... right?

Journaling reads:

1. You run into Dad’s arms when he comes home.

2. Play as much as you can with Dad in the evenings.
3. Will sit on Dad’s shoulders as much as you can.
4. Wear Dad’s shoes around the house.
5. Climb into bed with Dad just to snuggle for a minute.

Create Well: Want to use pink? Go ahead! It's February. Anything goes!

Guest Desginer: Iris Babao Uy

This week's guest designer is the very talented artist, Iris Babao Uy. Her layouts always make me gasp out loud! They are more than gorgeous! They are stunning! I love her layering techniques and use of Prima flowers...  *sigh*

I got into this craft because of my daughter Nicole, and now that I have two children, I have double the reason to create. I am most inspired by pictures and memories. To make sure that I always find inspiration to scrapbook, I not only take many pictures of my children and family - I make sure that I also create many wonderful memories for them.

I am a scrapper from The Philippines, a wife and a mother to two sweet girls Nicole who is five years old, and Cheska who just turned one. I rarely plan my pages – I let a photo or a patterned paper inspire me and I take it from there.

I love the shabby chic and romantic style but I also enjoy working with bold patterns and striking colors. I’m an ink and paint type of person. I just have to get it a little messy to consider my page done. If I don’t have ink and paint on hand, then I just tear little bits of elements and stick it randomly for the sheer fun of it!

I am fortunate to be designing for Prima Marketing, Webster’s Pages, and October Afternoon. I am also part of two scrapbook inspiration sites: Pencil Lines, and Creative Therapy. One of the things I consider to be among my accomplishments in crafting industry have been named as one of the 2008 Memory Makers Magazine Masters and I am thankful for the blessings which have come my way as an artist and will continue to be thankful for the happiness and fulfillment that I get from this craft.

You can follow Iris Babao Uy at her blog, My White Space and Twitter.

Create Well: Let a photo or patterned paper inspire you and take it from there!

E & Pure Bliss

Yesterday we had a great time at Ikea getting all the things we needed for our move. I was excited to find what I wanted for my scrap space. Now, all we need to do is paint a bit in the new home before we can start moving boxes over! I wish I had my camera with me. It would of been perfect for my second assignment for Develop Fridays. Dave was running with Sarah on the flat bed. Quite out of character for Sarah. It was perfect. Becca forgot her camera too. You would think one of us might remember... ;)

Here's a couple of digital layouts I have been working on. This first one is with the new calab kit from Paislee Press and Audacious Designs called A New Leaf. Some elements are from The Daily Digi's January Kit.

This one is with the new templates from Designs by Leora.

While I was packing I found a huge box of loose photos! Ahhh! I can't believe it. So, photo albums are on my shopping list. Do you have a box like that? ;)

Create Well: Have a box in the attic or closet that is filled with photos haunting you to get them scrapbooked? Don't worry. Get them in acid free photo albums and leave the stress behind. If you feel like scrapbooking them later, you can.