"A New Day" SEM Challenge #28 ~ All Things Have Become New

It's the first Monday of the month and my turn to create the Scrapping Everyday Miracles Main Challenge. This page is of our daughter, Elizabeth, and myself before her wedding.

Spring is my favorite time of the year with new life springing up all around. A verse I learned many years ago at vacation bible school is 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” It’s a verse I often reflect and meditate on. I find that my life is constantly changing, and our Lord wants me to put away the old things and embrace the new. 

For this month’s main challenge we would like you to share a project that represents something new in your life. You can reflect on a new relationship, a new phase of life, an event that brought change into your life, a new job, hobby, volunteer opportunity, or even a book or Scripture verse that has given you new insight. God blesses us with everyday miracles sometimes big and sometimes small that bring change and new opportunities to our lives. Your project doesn’t need to be about a recent event, but needs to represent something new in your life.

SCRAP TWIST: USE SOMETHING ON YOUR PROJECT THAT IS MORE THAN A YEAR OLD - THE OLDER THE BETTER, "AND" SOMETHING NEW TO YOU IN 2013. These supplies may be purchased, given to you, or even found objects. Be sure to tell us in your project blog post what these supplies are. 

"A New Day"

Two of our four children have married recently. This layout is of our daughter, Elizabeth, and me on her wedding day. We often think about the new relationship between a man and a woman when they marry, however, a marriage also brings about a new relationship between a parent and child. My role changed that day from one of loving authority to that of encouraging advisor. It is important for me to understand the dynamics of our changing and new relationship now that Elizabeth is married. Genesis 2:24 says, for this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” To have a healthy and vibrant relationship with Elizabeth, I must see our relationship in a new light. This new relationship didn’t just happen the moment her and Andrew were pronounced husband and wife, but is one that is lived out in our everyday lives as we grow together as a family. It's a miracle that the Lord guides and changes us so that we can nurture this new relationship. 

Something old ~ Distress Inks ~ 2 years in my stash
Something New ~ Blue Fern Chipboard and Ruby Rock-It paper and tags I was blessed to receive in blog hops this year. The poppy stencil, I just bought and received in the mail last week. 

There are so many different things that change and become new in our lives every day. I can’t wait to see how you interpret this challenge.  

Our May Sponsor is:

We started BlueMoonscrapbooking.com 7 years ago hoping we could create a platform that our whole family could participate in. In addition, we wanted to do business the old fashioned way with an emphasis on those things that would let a customer know, "we value your choice to shop with us, thank you". Finally, we wanted to add perspective to the buying decision with video. As online shoppers, we knew it was sometimes hard to tell from the picture, what the product looked like. So we started posting scrapbooking product videos so you could "see" what you were buying. With almost 1,000 YouTube videos, we have been able to feature great scrapbooking companies like Graphic 45, Prima, Crate Paper and Memory Box. An online store located in sunny Tucson, Arizona we ship to customers in the US and all over the world. $50.00 Orders that are shipped in the US receive Free shipping everyday!  Our family at BlueMoon looks forward to you stopping in and shopping with us!

Lisa and Scott Shaw

Our latest BlueMoon Video featuring Bo Bunny Trail Mix 

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Lisa and Scott have generously provided two $20 gift certificates. You can win one of these fabulous gift certificates by linking your project(s) to one of our May challenges. 

**NOTE: You may submit the project you create for Scrapping Everyday Miracles to other challenge blogs but your project must be mainly created for the Scrapping Everyday Miracles challenge in order to win the sponsor prize and/or be one of Top 3**

 All entries must be linked HERE by May 31th, 11:59pm PST.

*Important: Make sure your link is to the blog post with your project & not just your blog in general...and be sure to remember the SCRAP TWIST!

I used this lovely May Cest Magnifique Sketch for inspiration:

Tips and Techniques:

Chipboard ~ This Blue Fern chipboard is just gorgeous. I love all the details and the variety of leaves, berries and blossoms. I painted the chipboard with a light grey paint, allowed to dry, then colored with Distress markers pulling colors I had used on the background paper. I added details to the leaves and blossoms as well. These Prima blossoms, dry brushed with gesso worked perfectly to cluster in the center of the chipboard floral flourish. 

Painted Background ~ The only color on the background paper was the blue strip across the top. I used a Tim Holts water brush and Distress Inks to color the gorgeous images printed on this Ruby Rock-It paper. 

Stenciled Molding Paste ~ I used two of my newer Prima stencils to add texture to the background with molding paste. 

Bling ~ With the color work on my background paper and gorgeous chipboard piece, I wanted to keep the rest of the page light to allow these features and the photo to shine. I did want a little bling so scattered the large clear dew drops and small clear rhinestones across the two corners. 

Layered Tags ~ I received a bits and pieces prize from Cest Magnifique earlier this year which included the Ruby Rock-It paper collection and a package of tags and journal blocks. I layered some of these around my photo mat. 

Distressing ~ What would a page be without using my Donna Salazar Distrezz-It-All? Here it's used on my photo mat. 

I've entered this page at:
Cest Magnifique May Sketch Challenge

Word Art Wednesday ~ Challenge #78 Anything Goes

If you missed yesterday's post, I've been published at Scrapbooking.com Magazine. You can scroll down for all the details and links.

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments. 

~ Blessings ~

"Flower Girl" details for ScrapThat!

You may remember another flower girl page with my sweet niece, Abby. She was the flower girl in Joseph's wedding and again here for Elizabeth. It is obvious by her charming smile that she greatly enjoyed the honor!!

I used the April ScrapThat! Kit featuring Donna Salazar's Natural Beauty Collection and add-on kits to created this page.

"Flower Girl"

MK, EAO, FAO

Tips and Techniques:

Handcrafted Flowers ~ The two flowers in the top left of cluster were created using thick mulberry paper and Donna Salazar's Grand Peony and Bitty Blossoms dies. It's hard to see here, but the larger of the two also is edged with white puffy paint for added texture and dimension.

Kit flowers ~ The FAO is loaded with gorgeous flowers. The large focal flower is by Petaloo and the canvas flower is Prima. The tiny white roses are in the main kit. The main kit leaves were gold and green which didn't quite work with the colors on this page, so I painted them with gesso, stamped with a large font script, then inked the veins and edges. I also tucked in one of the EAO metal roses. The flourish is from my stash.

Fussy Cutting ~ I fussy cut the bird and cage to tuck into my cluster.

Flowers ~ More of my Bitty Blossoms mulberry paper flowers and little white MK roses. The larger rose here is by Zva and in the MK. 

Chipboard ~ This gorgeous Fabscrap sign is included in the MK. The post was painted with a thick coat of antique gold metallic paint. While still wet, I used my heat tool to bubble the paint to achieve this lovely texture. I also rubbed on a little black soot distress ink to highlight the texture. The sign piece was painted. When dry, I inked the edges then covered with Crackle Accents. (Crackle Accents acts as a resist, so ink first, then cover with this medium.) I allowed the sign to dry overnight, allowing these lovely cracks to form. The title letters were cut using my Tim Holtz Typeset die and a scrap of kit paper. I inked the edges to help them pop.

Distressing ~ I used my all time favorite scrapbooking tool, my Donna Salazar Distrezz-It-All. I love how quick it is to get this lovely distressing on my straight edges!! 

Stenciling ~ I stenciled this flower using my Plaid Summer Floral stencil and Golden Light Molding Paste. I have found that my local craft stores carry quite a selection of beautiful stencils in their paint department, so if this is a technique you've been wanting to try check out your paint department for stencils. When using molding or texture paste, it is important to used "flexible" texture paste or "light molding paste. Paper has a lot of give and the regular versions of these mediums can crack on paper. (Ask me how I know. lol) I also used my Donna Salazar Houndstooth stencil along the bottom of the page. After the molding paste dried, I spritzed with Tattered Angels Moonlight Glimmer Mist and just a little water, then held the paper up and tapped it to achieve the drips. 

Corded frame ~ I just adore the cording in the MK. It is not regular Jute, but covered in a soft, natural wrapping and it looks solid rather than twisted. It looped beautifully for my photo frame. I got a little happy with the glue and it was visible in a couple places, so I added a few of the little MK white roses in strategic places. 

Punched Doily ~ It was so easy to create my blue punched doily. I cut a circle from the kit paper, then used my Martha Stewart French Scroll punch on the edges. Leave the side wings closed for this technique and turn the punch upside down so you can see the design as you are punching. Make your first punch, then line up the next cut with the edge of the punch just barely touching the previous cut and make sure the top of the punch is even with the edge of your circle. Most likely your punches with not match up when you get back to the first punch, but that is OK since part of the doily edge is under the flower clusters. I put one of the tiny MK pearls in the center of each visible scallop. The layered white doilies are from my personal stash. 

Peek-A-Boo ~ I wet the edge of the paper and pushed it up. Once dry, I decorated it with more of these sweet MK roses and the EAO Maya Road Metal Roses. Some of the metal roses were a little squished in the package, but easily reshaped to form these little beauties. 

I am hosting the ScrapThat! DT Challenge this month to use fibers other than lace and ribbon on your project such as cording, thread, fabric . . . Stop by the ScrapThat! Forum to check out the details and enter your project. 

While you are there be sure to check out Amy's Sketch Challenge as well. 

If you are looking to purchase high quality scrapbook kits, stop by the ScrapThat! Store to do some shopping. 

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Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments. 

~ Blessings ~ 

"Best of Days" and "Hope Is the Thing" Guest Designer for Zeus and Zoe

I was so excited when Marivic invited me to be Zeus and Zoe's first Guest Designer. It was delightful to create with the amazing package of gorgeous trims, embellishments and paper crafting products from her Zeus and Zoe Etsy Shop. If you haven't been to Marivic's Etsy shop, you are missing out. Because of the nature of her products including vintage finds, her inventory changes and is and a place to frequent so you don't miss out!! 

My first project to share with you is for the Zeus and Zoe April challenge, "Life as it Is Now," about me as an individual. One more thing - buttons are a requirement. Be sure to check out the Zeus and Zoe Etsy Shop for fabulous buttons and more. For all the challenge details and rules check out Sandi's challenge here.

"Best of Days"

I used the April OUAS Sketch:

The journaling theme this month at Once Upon A Sketch is "Best Day of Your Life." I've had many best days and certainly Elizabeth and Andrew's wedding was one of those days. We've been praying for Elizabeth's future husband forever and to see her marry a Godly young man, the man of her dreams was one of those best days. To see such a wonderful answer to our years of prayer makes it a special day indeed.

It's also a special day because it represents where I'm at today in my life. My roles have changed dramatically over the past couple years. I home educated for 19 years until our youngest entered our local high school for her final two years ~ she graduates next month. Our children are stepping out and creating lives of their own. Although it hasn't always been easy, I've chosen to embrace the change. No moping empty nester here. I've hand written my thoughts about this day and these changes on a tag attached to the back of my layout. The photo was taken at our daughter's wedding last October, and the butterflies represent the wings of change.

A package of Prima Ruby Violet trinkets including a flower was included in my package. The star, focal flower of this layout was created by pulling that flower apart. I painted the fabric portion and tucked a smaller Prima flower into the center. I rubbed with distress ink to achieve the vintage look. I placed Zeus and Zoe buttons here and there into my clusters. The other smaller flowers are from my stash. 

Moving to the other corner of the photo you can see the fabulous battenburg lace doily is the one thing I left untouched, allowing this gorgeous white lace to frame my photo. One of my goodies was a selection of vintage lace pieces. These two sweet butterflies were bright orange. I simply gessoed and inked them and adore how sweet they look "fluttering" on both ends of this cluster. The background leaves were stenciled using molding paste tinted with Lumiere paint and a Dylusions stencil. 

When I saw this gorgeous medallion, it begged a prominent place on my page. Of course I did a bit of altering. It started out with a glittery hot pink resin center and coordinating heart dangle. I adored the large clear crystal and left it in place. The heart was replaced with the butterfly while the center was painted with Lumiere paint and dotted with little beads from my stash. 

I happened to have a perfect stencil in my stash used to add molding paste behind the medallion. Once dry, I misted with the Lindsy's Stamp Gang Aloha Avocado mist from Zeus and Zoe. I let it pool and drip down the page. Finally, I inked the molding paste with distress inks for more depth. 

Aren't these lace pieces simply gorgeous?? They started life in bold bright colors which masked the gorgeous design. A couple coats of gesso and some inking brought out their amazing beauty. I also touched the brown lace and daisy with a bit of gesso. The little metal butterfly beads were alcohol inked with several shades of green and gold. The two chipboard butterflies are from my stash and brushed with Lumiere paints. 

One more close-up of the clusters around this photo of "Me." The larger metal butterfly charm in the top corner is also from Zeus and Zoe.

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My second project to share with you is a card I created for my sister. She has been dreaming of owning her own home and has held on to her hope and faith as she saw several deals fall through after being told her offers had been accepted. This time it looks like the deal will go through and this will be the card included with her house warming gift. 

"Hope Is the Thing"

Close-Ups:

I deconstructed the May Arts Velvet Ribbon with Crochet Lace. The velvet created a gorgeous base for my layered flower, and the lace looks so pretty here. The pink resin rose and chandelier beads came glued and wired together as a single flower. Now separated, I used the wire to attach and dangle the beads and placed the resin piece in my flower cluster after highlighting the edges with a bit of metallic brown paint.

This view shows off the gorgeous lace flower. In addition to the gesso and inking, I added some sparkly seed beads to the center.

The gold cording had been woven into a lace with blue sequins. You guessed it. I pulled it apart and tied on these sweet tree charms that I altered by dabbing on brown metallic paint. The daisy stick pin was also dabbed with paint. The layered flower was created with a variety of Zeus and Zoe pieces - all but the inked paper daisy layer.

My package included this fabulous TPC Vintage Birdcage stamp set. The sentiment couldn't be more perfect to describe the enduring hope my sister has embraced on this journey to find a home. I used Truffle Mix'd Media Inx to stamp and heat emboss with clear embossing powder, then fussy cut around the image. I colored by spritzing with the Lindsy's Stamp Gang mist and a bit of distress ink on the edges. The bird and cage were also part of this set. I stamped and heat embossed these images onto watercolor paper then lightly inked over the white background and fussy cut.

Nearly all the products used on this card are from Zeus and Zoe, such a great source of gorgeous and unique products!

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Here are the amazing prizes up for grabs when you link your project at the Zeus and Zoe blog. Don't forget to read the "Life as it Is Now" Challenge details and rules here.

The winner of this challenge will receive this fabulous prize package sponsored by Zeus and Zoe. As  you can see it is full of amazing products from an entire set of Lindsey's Stamp Gang Magicals to flowers, buttons, stick pins, stamps and more.

And a random winner will be selected to win this lovely May Arts lace and ribbon:

I hope I've inspired you to take on the challenge of creating a project about yourself. I know we're usually the ones behind the cameras, but each of us has a special story to tell about where we are in life.

This layout was entered at:
Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #75

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~ Blessings ~