Monday, May 2, 2011

Family ~ Showers of Blessings ~ ScrapFIT Workout #41/MME Blog Challenge #

I have combined 2 challenges for this LO. 

I have entered the My Minds Eye Blog Challenge #22 using their  wonderful  sketch and the theme April Showers.

I also entered ScrapFIT Workout #41 - Stop and See the Flowers, where the challenge is to use homemade flowers on a layout.  I was so excited to see this challenge since I enjoy making flowers.

Be sure to stop by both of these wonderful blogs to see the fabulous work by their design teams and the entries that have been submitted.

I have to give a plug here for Scrap-Friendzy ~ April Challenge #1 is Spring Flowers. If you're looking for loads of wonderful challenges, a fabulous community of scrapbookers and paper crafters, and a chance to earn and accumulate points each month for a fabulous prize stop on over and join.  I'm so glad I did!

This is an older photo taken in 1992 when we lived in North Carolina.  One of the perks of living in an older home included the gorgeous, established trees and plants. A favorite of mine was the wonderful pink dogwood.  When I came across this photo, I thought it would be fun to create a dogwood tree on the layout.  I drew and cut the tree and created 30 blossoms to embellish.  These papers from My Mind's Eye were so perfect for the effect I wanted for this page.



I made each of the dogwood blossoms by taking a small scrap of white cardstock, and cutting the petals on my Gazelle.  I inked each petal and used a shaping tool to mark veins.  Each of the four petals was curled to shape and glued to a small cardstock circle.  Once dry, I put a drop of Glossy Accents in the center of each and covered with gold microbeads.   I was thrilled at how realistic these flowers turned out.  Blossoms need branches!  The color and texture of this MME paper was exactly what I needed to create the tree to hang my blossoms on.

Here's a close-up:

Here is the beautiful sketch for the challenge:

I used the tree trunk in place of the vertical paper strips and put a border punch on my photo mat instead of the separate strips in the sketch and of course I use the dogwood flowers for the diecut element and way more than two.  :-)

To create this layout I used:
My Mind's Eye Papers:
    Focal paper ~ Bella Bella - "Bellezo" French Botique
    Photo mat ~ Bella Bella - "French Flea Market"
    Tree trunk/stems, title/phrase ~ Lost & Found - Union Square "Moments" 
        Seamstress 
Scrap of white cardstock
Martha Steward Microbeads ~ gold
Ribbon and gems from my stash

Tools:
Glossy Accents
Distress Inks ~ Walnut stain, worn lipstick, victorian velvet, fired brick
EK Success ~ 3/8 in. Ribbon Border Punch
Bosskut Gazelle
Dogwood cutting file - I used only the 4 flower petals ~ you can visit Cozycomfycouch for the free download.

I've also entered this LO in the following:
Allsorts Challenge Week 100 ~ April Showers (Showers of Blessings) **
Shannon's Sentiments DT Challenge #23 ~ Anything but a card **
Lexi's Creations Challenge #38~ Anything but a card **


Thanks for dropping by!

~ Blessings ~

54 comments:

  1. What a beautiful page! Your flowers are fantastic.

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  2. This is gorgeous! What a wonderful layout! You did an extraoridnary job with those flowers!

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  3. My goodness! The tree is so impressive, I can only imagine how fabulous it looks in person!!

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  4. This is such a beautiful LO!! Love the flowers. I am a new follower of your blog. Have a great weekend!

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  5. Wow, Tracey, this is incredible!! Gorgeous LO!

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  6. Hi Tracey. This layout is gorgeous! I never heard of the Gazelle and I've pretty much heard of everything! Yep, I need to get a life, LOL!!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm a new follower!

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  7. Beautiful layout. I love these flowers! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I'm excited to return the favor and start following you to!
    Tiffany - http://sparkledmemories.blogspot.com/

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  8. Isn't this lovely! Great blossoms.

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  9. This looks gorgeous! Thanks for explaining how to make the flowers! I love it!

    Thank you for visiting my blog :-) I am happy to follow you too :-)

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  10. Your layout is beautiful. Love the dogwood tree.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving comments. I am following you now as well.

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  11. Love the dogwood blossoms! Sooo pretty.

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  12. this is gorgeous and so creative...Happy Easter!

    enjoy *~*

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  13. Very nice layoutn thanks for sharing!!!

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  14. What a fantastic family photo. I love all the flowers on the tree. You did a great job on the sketch!

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  15. That is so creative. I would have never thought about doing that. It is beautiful. I want to thank you for stoping by my blog and following.
    I am now your newest follower. Have a great day.
    http://countryladydesigns.blogspot.com/

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  16. What a beautiful layout! So creative. I was sent by Momo and am now following you. I hope you will stop by and visit me too!
    http://smilin2.blogspot.com

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  17. Your layout is AMAZING....thanks for visiting my blog....i'm following you.....

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  18. Thanks for stopping by my blog and the sweet comments. I have to say your layout is out of this world and the blossoms you put together are absolutely beautiful.
    TFS!
    Cindy Lou

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  19. Beautiful layout. found your blog from Momo's site. I am a follower now. I am very new at blogging and only have one project posted on my blog but feel free to check it out. There will be more posted.

    Happy Crafting,
    Kim
    http://mycraftingcreations.com

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  20. Amazing layout!This is soo Beautiful,I love the tree with all the pretty flowers!Have a super Easter day! =:)

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  21. oh, the flowers are awesome! Thank you for dropping by my blog and followed. Thanks to Momo for bringing us together in the blogland. I am following you now.
    happy crafting,
    heaney
    paperpapier.blogspot.com

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  22. Wonderful layout, that tree with those gorgeous flowers is perfect for the picture, wow! Thanks for joining the challenge at Lexi's Creations this fortnight.

    Happy Easter!

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  23. Your layouts are incredibly creative and inspiring. Thanks for popping by my blog - I'm excited to share ideas with you! New follower :)

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  24. This is gorgeous. Thanks for following me, I am your new follower. :)
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  25. That is one of the most beautiful layout I have ever seen!
    Hummer Hugs,
    Misty
    http://deliteful-gifts.blogspot.com/
    hummingbird204 at comcast dot net

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  26. Thank you so much for the follow and comment! I have come over to follow you as well!
    Sarah
    www.designsbysarahs.com/blog

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  27. Beautiful layout...love the over hanging tree with blossoms...Thanks for stopping by my blog and becoming a follower i'm your newest follower too. Momo had a great idea eh??? I gained at least 75-85 new followers.

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  28. Lovly lo! I love the flowers in the tree :)

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  29. What a pretty layout, just beautiful! Thank you for your comments and visiting my blog. I am now a follower of yours.

    callahancountrybugs.blogspot.com

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  30. Absolutely amazing with all those dimensional dogwood flowers. Too Beautiful

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  31. Your layout is lovely-Thanks for following my blog, I'm part of your gang now too! God BLess-Raquel @ raquelsdesigns.blogspot.com

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  32. This layout is gorgeous. I can't believe you cut out each petal for the dogwood flowers. I love pink dogwood trees and the one you have created looks so real. Great job. Thanks for following my blog and if you stop by again you'll see I have an award for you.

    www.pvcreations2010.blogspot.com

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  33. Beautiful layout, ty for stopping by my lil corner an leaving such a nice comment..Momo sent me to..
    http://opaladicreativecorner.blogspot.com

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  34. This is so beautiful! I love it! I am now a follower as well! Can't wait to see more!

    Tisha
    http://tishascraftcove.blogspot.com

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  35. Oh WOW! you made those dogwood flowers perfectly! I have to say that dogwoods are my absolute favorite tree in the world. Your picture is so nice and the layout fabulous!

    Thank you for coming by and following my blog :o) Momo is super sweet for doing this for us!

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  36. Tracey, Congrats on the April sketch WE WON!!!
    This layout is awesome I love the flowers it really brings the LO to life. Traci
    Cricutjunkie@gmail.com

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  37. Love your layout =) Thank you so much for your comment, Momo is so kind to have done this for us =) I am now one of your newest followers =)

    Hugs from Lilli =)

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  38. your pages are beautiful!!!!!! Love it!!!!

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  39. WOW!! Thats gorgeous!! I am your new follower!!
    cecy

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  40. Beautiful Layout. I am a new follower!

    Kate

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  41. Absolutely gorgeous!

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  42. Amazing!!! Those flower are fabulous! So happy to have you with us at ScrapFIT!

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  43. Great layout! make's me want to scrapbook at this very moment. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving some love!

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  44. My goodness, now that took alot of time, and ya you blossoms look sooo good. great page.

    http://sillyp4jc.blogspot.com/

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  45. absolutley gorgeous !
    Thanks for leaving a comment and following my blog :)
    Hugs,
    Mindy

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  46. Hello thanks for following us over at Serenity Scrappers, I am a new follower!

    This page is absolutely amazing. Just gorgeous. Wow!! The tree is fantastic and the ribbon below the picture,love them both.

    What is a Gazelle??

    Laurie

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  47. Tracey! Those dogwood flowers are breath-taking! Such a beautiful page! Thank you for stopping by my blog and for following. Momo is great! Happy Day!

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  48. LOVE the LO
    I'm already a follower
    Tuesday was my birthday
    I have blog candy you can win
    Become a follower today
    http://buzzybeedesigns.blogspot.com
    Rebecca Minor
    buzzybeedesigns(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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  49. Saw you on momo, already a follower of course but thought I'd pop by and say hi. This is an inspiring layout...awe inspiring too. Lovely work. Hugs lin

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  50. What a wonderful layout -- thank you for following me and I have started following you -- so glad I found your site.
    www.diecutdiva.com

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  51. Gorgeous layouts!!!! This is just darling.. I love those flower blossoms are looking awesome. This family photo is lovely..This frame work is great. Those flowers you've made beautifully.
    Thanks for this great post.Magento Themes

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  52. This LO is amazingly beautiful! I love the dogwood tree and the blooms are extraordinary! TFS!
    Jen H
    theholtonshome.blogspot.com

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Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a message! I treasure your comments.