Still in TEXAS!

On July 20th I extended my Texas vacation.... In the interim I have had 2 job interviews. I will be returning with a host of new blog entries on Wednesday. I would say I would get one in on Tuesday but I arrive too late (9:30pm).

CHA favorites

These are some of my favorite new products being launched at CHA-Chicago. The first one is American Crafts FLAIR. The second one is Kaiser Craft acrylic stamps. The third one is Maya Road WINGS chipboard album. The last one is some gorgeous patterned paper by Scribble Scrabble.

Mini Book: Nurture Your Soul

My brother just started a new job and I thought since he was going through a little slump I would make him a mini book that would inspire him and act as a good luck charm. On this SU On Board Bitty Book I used Sandylion Patterned Paper (PIRATES TREASURE MAP), Frances Meyer PP (WILDWOOD BOUQUET), Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paint (MAGENTA Quinacridone), We R Memory Keepers PP (BOHO CHIC WHIMSY WILD), Sticko Label Lingo stickers (ZEN LABEL), Sticko Style Getaways (Travel Abroad), 7 Gypsies gaffer tape (BROWN double-stitched), Stampin Up rubons, and Fresh Cuts Accents (VINTAGE TRAVEL).

Mini Book: Love Struck

The Marah Johnson stickers and paper inspired me to create this mini book for my niece. She is in that GOTH stage that some teenagers are so fond of. I also loved the fact I could incorporate butterflies into the pages. Stampin Up's on board bitty book was the perfect size for this surprise gift.

Cards: Boho Buzz

I like using filigree stamps like this Technique Tuesday dragonfly from the BOHO BUZZ set. I used Prima flowers, brads, K&Co (Life's Journey domed word strips), SU Brilliant Blue craft ink spot (from Bold Brights), SU turquoise grosgrain ribbon, and embossing powder

Cards: Tres Chic - Celebrate

This is my attempt at a classier card with the same TRES CHIC stamp. I used StazOn Blazing Red ink, SU Kraft cardstock, Prima Flowers, frosted brads, K&Co (Life's Journey Domed Word Strips), Bazzill yellow cardstock, and 7Gypsies gaffer tape (Zanzibar Black).

Cards: Tres Chic - Brad Flower

I wanted to create a whimsical card.... I used some SU Kraft cardstock, TRES CHIC background stamp, patterned paper (Playing cards by two busy moms), StazOn Timber Brown ink, SU purely pomegranate double-stitched ribbon, the big brad i customized with a creative cafe rubon flower. The patterned paper was crumpled up and inked with a Tim Holtz blending pad and distress ink (tea dye).

Cards: Krafty Bride

As you can see I am still in love with the SU SHE'S ALL THAT stamp set. It is so versatile and detailed. For this card, I used SU chocolate chip craft ink spot so I could emboss the image. It gave it a wonderful stippled texture. The cardstock is SU Kraft 80 lb cardstock, and the patterned paper from my scraps. Again I used Marah Johnson epoxy stickers. Love them!

Cards: Tres Chic - Love

When I saw the new Stampin'Up TRES CHIC background stamp I knew I had to have it. This is one of the cards I created with it. I used SU kraft cardstock, chocolate chip craft ink spot, embossing powder, hodgepodge hardware buckle in aged copper, and turquoise grosgrain ribbon. The yellow cardstock is Bazzill, and the epoxy sticker is Creative Imaginations (Marah Johnson).

Challenge: Pagemaps layout

This was a layout challenge requiring the use of a PageMaps pattern. I used one of the June Pagemaps for 8.5x11 and modified it for 12x12 paper. I used Bo Bunny chipboard elements in brown and red, American Crafts Thickers foam letters (Rootbeer Float), Flavia fresco patterned paper, Creative Memories brown paper strip, Stampin'Up white rubons border (Eastern Elegance), and Walmart adhesive rhinestones. My journaling was printed because I wanted it to be a specific size to fit in the space i had.

Scrapbook: Lana's surprise

A special and lovely surprise gift for Lana. I asked her mommy what her favorite colors were, and from there I created this whimsical layout. I used a grungeboard letter "L" to enhance her name, and embellished it with WILD PLUM Tim Holtz alcohol ink and blending solution. The rest of the name is done with American Crafts Rootbeer float pink letters colored with a purple identipen. The patterned paper is KI Memories Beautiful go go boots. The cardstock is Stampin' Up and the flowers are Prima. I added a small Heidi Swapp "smile" writers block and a Mrs Grossman's sheer color bird sticker.

Scrapbook: Nate's birthday

This page came together so quickly once I chose these awesome grungeboard letters and crown. I used Tim Holtz OLD PAPER & FIRED BRICK distress crackle paint, Making Memories COUNTRY BLUE fresh anthology paint, Heidi Swapp PUMPKIN acrylic paint, Tim Holtz distress inks in TEA DYE & BRUSHED CORDUROY, and Colorbox warm violet chalk ink. My new favorite punch is the Stampin'Up star punch (1 and 3/4"). I used Stampin'Up patterned paper from Fall Flowers and Western Sky. The cardstock is from Bazzill.
This is my gift to my cousin Jenna's son Nate on his birthday. I hope he likes it. I will be traveling to Texas today to deliver it to him.

Trip: DFW here I come!!!

In a couple of hours I'll be heading to the Ft Lauderdale Airport and head to my long awaited family reunion in Ft Worth, Texas. Some people think I'm crazy to have chosen a 5:45 am flight but I wanted to spend as much time as I could with my family. Just in case anyone was wondering I was so excited I did not get any sleep and I am one of those people who does NOT sleep in planes (esp when traveling alone). I'm running on sheer adrenaline, no energy drinks! - The luggage tag was one of my creations (for my December cruise). See ya soon Jenna!!!

Scrapbook: First Birthday

Scrapbook: Year in Review

Stampin'Up cardstock and patterned paper, 7gypsies Zanzibar Black gaffer tape, Technique Tuesday letter stamps (may-december), American Crafts LAX letters, and Deja Views sticker letters (january-april).

Lana's sneak peek surprise

A little birdie told me what Lana's favorite colors were and I decided to create a little surprise for her. This is just a sneak peek at it. She is a very special doodlebug who I cannot wait to meet. Her smile is like a lovely ray of sunshine!

3 days and counting! ;)

Scrapbook:Baby's Firsts

Every baby album I've created I make sure has a place where the parents can easily document those memorable moments they want to save forever. I used Prima journaling strips as placeholders for photos. The Stampin'Up Berry Bliss Designer Series paper and Purely Pomegranate cardstock makes a colorful border.

Photo Shoot: My niece Camila

Today I treated my niece to a little photo shoot by the lake so that she could give a special personalized gift to her boyfriend on their anniversary (7/26). I have been photographing her since before she could walk and I feel a little nostalgic sometimes that she has grown so fast. She will be graduating from high school next year and she's very mature for her age (17). I don't even remember being that mature, or what I really wanted out of life, at her age. I am blessed to have her as my niece and I am proud to share her with my blog family.

Scrapbook:Baby Girl

When I started this layout I knew I wanted to give it an ethereal and whimsical feel. I embellished the clear Heidi Swapp butterflies with alcohol inks and acrylic paints. Once they dried I attached them (painted side down) and added Hambly butterfly white rubons. The color palette is all Stampin'Up Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery girl. I added some DCWV Pocket full of posies glitter paper, brads, sticker quote, and a few more Hambly rubons at the corners.

Scrapbook:Earth angel (Labor)

I searched high and low online for ideas on how to create a unique layout for the labor and delivery of Kiki's baby. I chose a layout I found on PageMaps, Stampin'Up cardstock & Berry Bliss DS paper, a Cloisonne Heart Michael Strong rubber stamp, Stampin'Up chipboard scalloped border, Bo Bunny chipboard letters, Technique Tuesday love stamp, canvas embellishments, and flowers. The letters are American Crafts thickers in white foam which i tinted with cats eye inks.

Cards: Partridge Puzzle

When I saw these Mrs Grossman's sheer color transparent bird stickers I was reminded of the opening credits for THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY. I knew I had to use them in a card inspired by that show. The cardstock is from Stampin Up (KRAFT)... The patterned paper is from We R Memory Keepers and it's double sided (BOHO CHIC WHIMSY WILD).... The puzzle pieces are from Scrapworks (CITRUS, BOTANIC, SEASIDE)... and the rubon is from Stampin' Up. In order to pop out the white rubon a little more I used Tim Holtz's color spreading tool with his distress ink (TEA DYE).