May Arts Ink It Contest Voting

Hi everyone. The May Arts Ink It Submissions have been posted over on the May Arts Blog. If you go vote for your favorite, you will have the chance to win some May Arts Ribbon for yourself. While the winner will NOT be selected by votes, I'd sure appreciate your support. My entry is the last one at the bottom of the page. Place your vote by Thursday, Oct 18 to be eligible to win the ribbon. Thanks so much!! For project details and close-ups please stop by my blog post for this page.

Thanks for dropping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Layered, Embossed Butterfly Tutorial ~ ScrapThat!

I hope you are having a lovely weekend!! I had the chance to go scrapbook with friends Saturday and had a lovely time.

I would like to share a tutorial with you for the Layered Embossed Butterfly I created to use on the Love of My Life layout I created with my October ScrapThat! Kit.

The stamp included in the kit is gorgeous, but wasn't quite a fit with the photos I was planning to scrap, so I thought I'd use the butterfly on the stamp to create a sweet little embellishment for my page. Here's how I created it:

1. Gather Supplies

Embossing Powder - Copper and Gold

Kit Stamp

Kit Ink Pad
One larger or two small paper scraps from kit (only one small scrap pictured)
Scissors - my favorite fussy cutting scissor are any of the EK Success "Scissors.

2. Ink up the butterfly portion of the stamp. If you have embossing ink in your stash, it will give a more crisp image, but the Prima ink pad worked just fine.

3. I mixed two colors of embossing powder together - copper and gold. You can use any color or combination of colors that work with your page, or if you want your ink color to shine through, you can use clear embossing powder. The prima ink dries quickly, so have your embossing powder open and ready to pour onto the stamped image immediately. If you are working with embossing ink or other slow drying ink you will have more time to work with.  Don't worry if you have complete coverage with the powder - that will add to the charm of your butterfly. You will need to stamp and emboss the  butterfly portion of the stamp twice.

4. Heat emboss ~ while the powder is still hot and melted, quickly add another layer of embossing power, tap off any excess and heat again. You can do this several times to build up the embossed image. I used three layers of embossing powder on these butterflies. 

5. Fussy cut around the embossed butterflies using sharp scissors or craft knife. 

6. Trim off the antennae from one of the butterflies. Take the one with the best embossed image and bend the wings forward and curl the wings with your fingers. I find that a small paintbrush can be helpful to curl the wings. Using super sticky tape or glue of your choice, adhere the bodies of the two butterflies together. Here is the finished embellishment:

And my layout using the

Layered Embossed Butterfly:

These butterflies are super easy to make.

I hope you'll give them a try!

If you are looking for innovative tutorials to try in your scrapbooking,
I encourage you to come join us at the ScrapThat! Forum.

The ScrapThat! October Tip Toe Through Fall Kit
is now available in the ScrapThat! Store
ScrapThat! is currently accepting Subscribers.

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments. 
~ Blessings ~

You Mean the World to Me ~ May Arts/Helmar September Challenge - Ink It!

I hope each of you is having a lovely week. It is fall here in Ohio, and I am enjoying the lovely trees as the leaves turn brilliant hues of yellow, red, and orange. Gary and I took a drive this afternoon to take in the gorgeous colors. 

I had such a wonderful time working with my May Arts ribbons and Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. I started out with an assortment of gorgeous May Arts ribbons all in white/ivory. The challenge was to color them to use in a project. Their products take color beautifully!! Here is my take on the challenge with a layout featuring a photo of Elizabeth and Andrew in front of the church where their reception was held on their wedding day. I used the remainder of my October ScrapThat! Kit with some additional Prima flowers and architectural metal frame. 

The May Arts products I selected to use include: Frayed Flowers - white, Faux Suede Leaves - ivory, Solid Canvas Ribbon - ivory, and Net Ribbon - ivory. And of course I used the Helmar 450 glue. I have always preferred tape over glue for most of my scrapbooking, but in this project I used mostly the glue. I also used some Helmar V2 Vellum Adhesive to adhere the Net Ribbon and Helmar Scrap Dots under some of the flowers where part of the flower was on the raised cardboard and I needed some extra height under the rest of the flower.

When I saw this sketch posted on Sketches With A Twist, I knew it would be perfect for the Ink It Challenge with all the flowers and ribbons. The twist is to include stars in one way or another. Mine are stamped below the long grey paper strip. 

Techniques:

Frayed Flowers ~ I fussy cut the flowers which came stitched to a length of sheer ribbon. I then misted the pink with Tattered Angels glimmer mist and the blue with some home made glimmer mist I had in my stash. I then went back with a darker mist for the centers, but rather than spritzing it on, I put a few drops into a small bowl and painted the flower centers to darken them up. When dry, I brushed on some gesso to give a more shabby feel. Finally I added some jeweled flower brads to the center of each Frayed Flower. I alcohol inked the gem centers to coordinate with the misted flowers.  

Canvas Ribbon ~ For the title ribbon, I cut a piece long enough for my title and misted with Tattered Angels glimmer mist. I crinkled it into a ball and let it sit until dry to get the wrinkled, distressed look. Once dry, I laid my template across the ribbon and smoothed flexible modeling paste over the stencil. The brown ribbons were colored and crinkled in the same manner, but no modeling paste. 

Faux Suede Leaves ~ These leaves took the misted color so beautifully. I then went back with distress ink to darken the edges and center of each leaf for added visual interest. 

Net Ribbon ~ I dyed this ribbon by spritzing with a color mist. Using a piece of scalloped edge paper as a template, I fussy cut the net ribbon into scallops. 

Hand Stitching ~ done around the center mat.

Distressing ~ I distressed all the edges using my Donna Salazar Distrezz-It-All. 

Modeling Paste ~ In addition to using modeling paste for the title, I used a stencil and modeling paste on the top mat. 

Corrugated Board ~ I tore a scrap from a cardboard box for my photo mat. I used a foam brush to apply gesso to the board. 

Fussy Cutting ~ The Prima paper had a lovely corner that I cut and tucked the photo into.

Stamping ~ I used the lighter Pumice Stone Distress Ink to stamp the words Hand in Hand at the bottom corner and for the strip of stars. 

Glue ~ This Helmar 450 glue was amazing. I used it to glue everything from paper and flowers to ribbon. The only thing that wasn't quite successful was using the glue on the doily which was a bit delicate for the glue. Where the glue showed through the doily paper, I placed the title ribbon over top. Problem averted!! This glue worked perfectly to adhere the metal frame to the photo!!

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments

~ Blessings ~ 

Tenderhearted Canvas - GDT at Word Art Wednesday

I hope you all have had a wonderful week!! Mine was filled with the joy of a precious wedding with Elizabeth adding Andrew to our fold. 

This is my second week as a Guest Designer at Word Art Wednesday working with the lovely Word Art of the week. This verse shares attributes of God that I want to be reminded to incorporate into my life each day, kindness, tenderheartedness, forgiveness, and God's amazing gift of forgiveness towards me. When I saw this precious Scripture, I thought it was something I wanted to display rather than include on a scrapbook page or card, so I thought I would try creating my first canvas. Let me know what you think. 

Be sure to head on over to Word Art Wednesday

to get your free copy of this fabulous Scripture. 

Techniques:

Paper Pieced Ballerina ~ One of my favorite scrap artists is Gabriella Pollacco. I receive so much inspiration from her work. I've seen a fair number of she art canvases, but when I saw hers, I just ooohed and aaaawed over it. She provided a pattern, which I used, and video tutorial. I thought with this help, I would try my hand at it. The details and shoes were added with a fine tip marker. If you look closely you will see the words kind and forgiven taken from the verse and added to the edges of her skirt. 

Doodling ~ I always love doodling, but rarely use it. With the doodled details on her dress, I thought the doodling around the Word Art and the vine edge would be nice details. 

Mixed Media ~ I painted the edges of the canvas to coordinate with the colors of my girl, then Mod Podged torn pieces of paper to my canvas. I swiped some pale green paint across the center of the canvas then spritzed with water and dabbed with a paper towel to soften the color. I brushed white paint onto some bubble wrap and used it to stamp across the piece, then spritzed on some mist through some square holed punchinella. 

I lightly laid some inexpensive sticker letters down the side to form the word tenderhearted, again from the verse, then spritzed two different shades of mist over them. Once dry, I removed the stickers and edged the letters with marker. I then created my girl as above. The white script was added last. I recently purchased Donna Salazar's Mixed Media Inx. I have to say the white "Jasmine" really showed up nicely. I've tried a number of different white inks only to be disappointed with the lack of coverage. Not the case with "Jasmine". 

Butterflies ~ I received these charming little butterflies from Elena Olinevich last week. I painted them with alcohol ink, then sanded to bring out the details of the raised edges. 

Be sure to head over to Word Art Wednesday

to see what the talented DT has created

with this week's fabulous Word Art.

I thought I'd end with a photo of Elizabeth and Andrew in front of the

Greek church where their reception was held. 

Photography by Rachel Adkins.

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Wedding Card ~ Word Art Wednesday GDT Reveal

I hope you are having a lovely week!! It's a busy one here with Elizabeth and Andrew's wedding only three days away!!

As I shared yesterday, I am delighted to be guest designing this month for Word Art Wednesday!! When I saw this Word Art for I Corinthians 13:4-7, I knew it would be perfect to use for Elizabeth and Andrew's wedding card. Charity is another word for love, and I pray that they will keep these verses at the center of their marriage always. 

It is a DOUBLE PRIZE WEEK at Word Art Wednesday, so you have the opportunity to win a lovely prize by  one of these two sponsors: My Craft Spot by Kimberly and My Heart Pieces.

Techniques

Tri-Shutter Fold ~ I modified a tutorial by Bonnie Szwalkiewicz posted at Split Coast Stampers. Because I wanted more space to place the Word Art, I adjusted the top and bottom strips to 1 inch rather than 1 1/2 inches, giving me the extra needed space in the center of the card. 

Handcrafted Flower ~ I used my Donna Salazar Rose Creations Dies to create this rose. I brushed on some Art Glitter Clear Adhesive, then sprinkled on some diamond dust for sparkle. This is the best glue I have found for adhering glitter and diamond dust. It really holds the glitter in place, so I don't have sparkle all over my project. 

Word Art ~ Since this is a verse about love for a wedding card, I found this lovely free SVG heart bordered mat, which I cut on my Gazelle. I cut the mat first. I then printed the Word Art onto a sheet of printer paper. Finally I adhered the cut mat on the printer paper over the Word Art image with removable tape. You can use a sunny window or light box to center the mat over your Word Art. Finally, I ran the paper through my printer again with the adhered mat for a perfectly centered, matted Word Art. A speck of printer ink got on the mat edge, so I brushed white gesso onto the edges and covered the unwanted black spot in the process. I placed rhinestones into the mat holes for just the right touch of bling. 

Heat Embossing ~ I wanted the love image in the center of the card to be subtle, so I heat embossed it with silver embossing powder, giving almost a watermark effect (It photographed darker than it looks in real life). 

Edging ~ Each of the patterned paper pieces were cut to fit the tri-shutter pieces as in the tri-shutter tutorial. Each piece was lightly distressed using my Prima distress tool. The pieces cut to fit the 1 inch strips were then machine stitched and the center piece has dry embossed lines at the edges. 

Be sure to stop by Word Art Wednesday to download

your free copy of this week's gorgeous Word Art

and to see what the talented DT have created. 

I hope you will enter the Word Art Wednesday Challenge this week. Don't forget, if you aren't working on a project that is suitable for this week's Word Art, you may enter any project with Scripture or an encouraging message. 

I have entered this card at:

Frosted Designs ~ Fabulous Friday Challenge - Embossing (10/4)••

Stampin' for the Weekend ~ Challenge 18 -Feeling Floral (10/12)

Platypus Creek Digitals ~ Challenge 13 Pears and Lace (10/10)

Sentimental Sundays ~ Challenge #122: 3-2-1 Recipe (10/9)**

Lollipop Crafts ~ Challenge # 91 Something Old, Something New, My paper is over 2 years in my stash & the love stamp is new - purchased for this project. (10/15)

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge Blog ~ Let's Play Bingo (10/9)**

Paper Expressions ~ Tuesday's Testimonial Linky Party - Use Scripture on project.**

Use It Tuesday ~ Challenge #40: Use Your Scraps!!(10/7)**

Divas by Design ~ Challenge 55 Use some texture (10/11)**

My Mums Craft Shop Challenges ~ Challenge 78 - Love is all around (10/11)**

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

October Guest Designer at Word Art Wednesday

I was so delighted when Karen asked me to guest design for Word Art Wednesday this month. It is such an uplifting challenge site with the most amazing Scripture/Word Art provided each week ~ so wonderful for cards, scrapbook pages, art journals and altered projects. If the Word Art of the week doesn't fit with the project you are working on, you may enter any project that includes Scripture or an encouraging message in their weekly challenge. 

I will be sharing a variety of projects with you this month. My first project will be revealed tomorrow; however, I thought I would share a sneak peek with you. Here's a close-up of the front of the card I created for Elizabeth and Andrew's wedding this Saturday. Only four more days, but who's counting?? 

Be sure to drop by tomorrow for the reveal.

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~ 

ScrapThat! October Kit Reveal and Blog Hop

Welcome to the ScrapThat! October Kit Reveal and Blog Hop!!

If you have arrived here from Patti Hamil's blog you are in the right spot. If not, head back to ScrapThat!

We are so excited to show you our SPECTACULAR October kit featuring the gorgeous "Tea Thyme" Collection from Prima.

We have a very talented Guest Designer joining us this month!! We are most delighted to introduce to you, Patti Hamil. ScrapThat! is so pleased that she has joined us this month!!

So, without further ado . . .  introducing our 

~ October Kit Reveal ~

"Tip Toe Through Fall" 

This kit is full of amazing products including gorgeous ribbon, flowers by IAMROSES, Wild Orchid Crafts, Prima and Petaloo, Prima wood embellishments and trinkets, Kaisercraft wood flowers, alphabet set, and pearls, and much much more!

Main Kit: $39.99

 NOTE: The Main Kit cost for non-members is $44.99

1 ea, Charmuse

1 ea, Marcella

1 ea, Charmante

1 ea, Linsey

1 ea, Kersey

1 ea, Cypress Rose

1 ea, Cloque

1 ea, Challis

1 ea, Bazzille cardstock, celery

1 ea, Bazzille cardstock, gunshot

1 ea, Bazzille cardstock, sienna

1 ea, Kaisercraft, Alphabet set, chocolate

1 ea, Prima, Wood Embellishments, Craftsman

1 ea, Prima, Fluid Chalk Ink, Dry Sand

1 ea, IAMROSES, Soft Brown Paper Spray with 3 brown leaves

2 ea, Wild Orchid, small green leaves

2 ea, Prima, velvet rainbow leaves, naturals

3 ea, WOC, earth tone mulberry paper carnation flowers.

2 ea, WOC coffee brown hybrid mulberry paper tea roses, 1”

1 ea, WOC, Coffee Brown Hybrid mulberry paper tea rose 1.5”

1 ea, WOC, 2-tone old gold hybrid mulberry paper tea rose 1.5”

1 ea, IAMROSES, Mulberry leaf, brown

1 ea, Kaisercraft, Self-adhesive pearls

1 ea, Hot of the Press, Postage Stamp, stamp

1 length, Satin ribbon, chocolate brown

1 length, Satin ribbon, peach

Embellishment Add-On $14.99

 NOTE: The Embellishment Add-On cost for non-members is $17.99

1 Pkg, Kaisercraft, Wood Flourishes
1 Pkg, Prima, Vintage Trinkets
1 Pkg, Petaloo, Mixed Blooms, Sienna

Flower Add-On $12.99

NOTE: The Flower Add-On cost for non-members is $14.99

1 Pkg, Prima flowers, Allegra Dove
1 Pkg, Prima flowers, Lucerne Almanac
1 Pkg, Petaloo flowers, Velvet Mini Blossoms, White

Paper Add-On $9.99

NOTE: The Paper Add-On cost for non-members is $12.99 

1 ea, Charmuse
1 ea, Marcella
1 ea, Charmante
1 ea, Linsey
1 ea, Kersey
1 ea, Cypress Rose
1 ea, Cloque
1 ea, Challis
1 ea, Bazzille cardstock, celery
1 ea, Bazzille cardstock, gunshot
1 ea, Bazzille cardstock, sienna

We are currently accepting new Kit Club Members.

For more information, complete the form on the link below:

New Subscriber

 We also have our October Sketch Challenge Posted

HERE

Everyone is welcome to participate, all entries due by October 15^th

My first Layout is based on Amy's gorgeous sketch
designed for the October ScrapThat! kit.

Love of My Life

This layout features an engagement photo of our Elizabeth and Andrew. I used the Main Kit and Embellishment Add-On to create this page. I hand crafted some of the flowers and added some burlap, jute and mixed media products. The sweet butterfly was created with the kit stamp and embossing. I will be sharing a tutorial to show you this fun technique later this month. 

First Dance

Again I used the Main Kit and Embellishment Add-On to create this page. This paper has some wonderful images to fussy cut as you can see the layers around my photo and the roses added to my flower cluster. I misted and painted the fussy cut pieces around the photo. I added mixed media products to build the brick background and hand stitching around the edges.

Forever

This layout was created using only the Main Kit. The only items I added are a doily, and glimmer mist. The wooden Prima trinkets are so perfect to tuck into flower clusters or behind torn or distressed edges!! The kit pearls made fabulous flower centers and look so nice scattered on the misted splat! The larger flower was handcrafted from kit paper. 

I will be showcasing these layouts later this month with close-ups, tips and tutorials, so be sure to stop back for all the details. 

 Our Blog Hop features 6 fantastic blogs from our Design Team

To qualify for this month's Prize you must complete the following:

* Visit each blog listed on the hop to see what each Designer has created using this month's kit and sketch (comments are very much appreciated)

* Each Designer's blog hop post will feature a word, to make up a secret sentence, collect these words along the way and follow the directions provided in ScrapThat!'s forum when you are all finished.

* You must become a FOLLOWER of each blog along the way and LIKE us on our Facebook Page!

* Post the ScrapThat! Blinkie on your blog

* The last stop on our Blog Hop is our Forum, follow the link provided and complete the remainder of the Blog Hop Instructions

The Blog Hop ends September 30 at 12PM CST

Prize MUST be claimed within 3 days of the forum announcement which will also be made on the ScrapThat! Blog

If left unclaimed a NEW winner will be chosen ~

Please Note: for anything larger than an envelope, winner will be responsible for the cost of shipping.

Prizes won during the month will be mailed out the first week of the following month.

due to Customs clearance, International mailings sometimes take 30-75 days to receive.

My secret word is ~ Kit

Next hop over to:

Sandi Smith

Should you lose your way, come back here for the Blog Hop sequence:

Scrap That!

Patti Hamil  

Tracey Sabella ~ You are here

Sandi Smith

ScrapThat! Facebook Page

Amarilys Doria

Marilyn Rivera

Sandi Clarkson

ScrapThat! Forum

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.
~ Blessings ~

ScrapThat! October Sneak Peek

I'm busy in the midst of wedding preparations for Elizabeth and Andrew. The wedding is just over a week away. 

I've still managed to carve out some time to create this month and will get to show my pages to you on Friday for the ScrapThat! Kit Reveal and Blog Hop. This kit has been so amazing to work with. Until then I have a ScrapThat! Sneak Peek for our October Kit:

As you can see you are in for a treat, so be sure to stop back on Friday for my project reveal and to join in on the Blog Hop.

Thanks for dropping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

ScrapThat! Video Coordinator/Designer Call

If you enjoy creating video tutorials and have a scrappy style that's a good fit with ScrapThat!'s amazing kits, you will want to take a look at our call for a Video Coordinator. 

ScrapThat! is looking for a Video Coordinator

to join our Design Team!

ScrapThat! ~ Canada's Best Kit Club is looking for a Video Coordinator to join our Design Team!

Design Team members receive:

1. FREE PRODUCT - A full monthly kit plus the embellishment add-on kit, valued at well over $50 retail. 

2. GENEROUS DISCOUNT - A 30% discount on all product purchases that will fit in the box with your kit to ship free of charge!

3. FAME & GLORY - Your photo and bio on our Design Team page!

What we ask of you: 

•     A 6-month term

•   Exclusivity to ScrapThat! Product manufacturer sites are fine, but we must be the only online store/kit club that you design for
•    You must have a blog and Facebook account and update it regularly each week including posts about projects you’ve created from the kit, design tips etc. We ask that you also have links to our site on your blog and any other sites you are involved with where allowable 
•  Minimum of 3 projects created every month with the kit.  One layout must use the main kit contents only, (no items from the add on kits). 90% of each project must contain kit contents
• A video tutorial demonstrating step-by-step instructions on how to create one of your projects, including any design tips or techniques used in your project
•  Post your 3 kit designs plus an additional 2 projects of your choice (made with your stash) in our gallery every month as well as to one other large gallery site, either www.Scrapbook.com  or www.TwoPeasinaBucket.com.  Postings on these sites must include *ScrapThat! Kit* in the title line
•   Projects must be well photographed, cropped and ready to be uploaded on our site (and your blog) the last Friday of the month
•   Video tutorial must be ready to upload to the ScrapThat! You Tube account, our NING community, and Design Team blogs by the third Monday of each month
•   Participation in our monthly blog hops and contests is required
•   Community forum and gallery participation. This is quite possibly the most important thing! We have a terrific online community and our members are of the utmost importance to us, so this is huge!
•   Keep up-to-date on design and product trends in order to contribute product ideas to include in the monthly kit and ideas of how to generate more sales
•   Submit your kit design work for publication when applicable to open calls. Where possible, credit must always be given for projects created using our kits

Please submit a link to your blog, along with three of your favorite recent layouts, and a video sample to: kaitlyn@scrapthat.ca by September 24, 2012.  

This opportunity is open to applicants residing in North America.

Thanks for dropping by!

~ Blessings ~

May Arts / Helmar Craft Challenge – Ink it!

I was so excited when I opened my email this afternoon to find that

I am one of the 25 craft artists selected to participate in the

May Arts / Helmar Craft Challenge - Ink it!

Look at the gorgeous May Arts products I'll be working with:

Along with adhesive by Helmar:

I'll be stalking the mail carrier looking for this package to arrive, so I can start creating!! 

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Exciting News

I have some very exciting news to share with you this morning. 

I have been invited to come on board with ScrapThat! 

as their Design Team Coordinator. 

I was so excited when Kaitlyn extended the offer for me to join her team of talented designers.

ScrapThat! is an amazing monthly kit club out of Canada. Kaitlyn puts together the most wonderful kits, and I can't wait for the reveal on Friday, September 28, to show you my projects with the fabulous October kit. 

When you have a chance, be sure to stop by the ScrapThat! shop. We are currently accepting subscribers and have our current and some past kits available for sale as well. I hope you will come join the forum for a chance to get to know a sweet group of scrappers and join in our monthly Sketch and DT challenges. 

It is such an honor and blessing to be part of the ScrapThat! Team!!

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Summer Memories ~ Bo Bunny Layout Challege

It's been a busy couple weeks at the Sabella home. Last week I put together the bridal and bridesmaid bouquets for Elizabeth's upcoming wedding. I thought I was all done until we remembered the boutonnieres. I guess I'll be finishing those up next week. Her shower was this past Monday and we had a lovely time. I'm so grateful to my mom and sister who came and helped me with the last minute food preparation and then loaded it all up to take to the church. I haven't had a spare minute to get around and see all of your work this week, but hope to be by to catch up soon. 

My husband, Gary, and I went to the Jersey Shore and to Baltimore's Inner Harbor for our 30th anniversary back in July. Gary had a business trip planned for the week of our anniversary and invited me to go along and take an extra day to enjoy the sights. This shot was taken at the beach below the boardwalk at Atlantic City. I'm a simple girl and enjoy the beach much more than the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk. 

The challenge at Bo Bunny is to use some "Interview Journaling" on your page. I have a hidden journal tag where I wrote the discussion of Gary asking me to go with him on the trip. This Bo Bunny paper was so fabulous to work with, and the Paradise papers had just the feel I was looking for to showcase this photo. Here's my layout:

The Journal Tag is tucked in behind the mats on

the right side next to the looped twine:

Techniques:

Flowers ~ I used a large twine flower behind the focal flower in this cluster and another smaller one above the photo. My tutorial for these flowers can be found here. In the center of my large focal flower I gessoed one of the Bo Bunny Vicki B flower trinkets. The center didn't match, but a bit of gesso took care of that. :-) The middle layer of this flower was cut from Bo Bunny paper using Donna Salazar Grand Peony dies.

Hand Stitching ~ The Martha Stewart Cherish Punch Around the Page set I used for one of the layers in the photo mat has nice little holes, I hand stitched through the inner set of holes.

Texture ~ I used Martha Stewart Texture Effects through a stencil on the scalloped layer. This is the first time I used it and loved the gritty white texture for this beach page. 

Gesso ~ I dabbed, painted, and dripped gesso over much of my page, as well as using it to tone down the darker blues in some of the flowers.

Distrezzing ~ I used my Donna Salazar Distrezz-It-All to distress all of the straight edges including the photo. I don't know how I did it before I got this handy machine. 

Fibers ~ I layered burlap, cheese cloth and other fibers into my photo mat, and fishnet under my flower cluster. 

Coral/Seaweed Leaves ~ My Spellbinder Foliage die set has a fern leaf that when cut in cream and dabbed with gesso looks just like coral or seaweed. 

Twine Frame ~ I've done a couple twine frames, but recently saw some that looped across the page so I left long ends on my frame to swirl and loop across the page. 

Bo Bunny Products:

Paradise Sunset

Paradise Pier

Paradise Lingo

Roughin' It Happy Camper

Liberty United

Bo Bunny Double Dot - scrap of an off-white color

Bo Bunny Trinkets ~ Vicky B

Bo Bunny Jewels ~ Barefoot & Bliss

Other Products Used:

Embellishments:

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Grungeboard Dots Elements

Zva Pearl Flourish - PES-02CB-110

Prima Say it in Crystals #560577

Petaloo Flowers:

     Darjeeling Mini Mix blue/eggplant/green

     Hydrangea blue/eggplant/green

     Mini Rose all white

     Color Me Crazy Mini Rose Clusters

Cloud9Design Alpha Rain Dots - Black

Technique Products:

Martha Stewart Cherish PATP

Martha Stewart White Texture Effect

Liquitex Gesso

Cotton Crochet Thread - stash

Donna Salazar Spellbinder Grand Peony Dies

Spellbinder Foliage Dies

Ranger Distress Ink - Faded Jeans, Vintage Photo

Jute Craft Cord - Saint Louis Trimmings

Jute Twine - Stash

Cheese Cloth - Stash

Fish Net - Stash

Burlap - Stash

Other fabrics - Stash

TWC 12 x 12 Template - Tile Texture

Adhesives:

Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents

ATG

Darice Pop Dots

Zots - small, bling

Tools:

Donna Salazar Zutter Distrezz-It-All

EK Success Color Bee Scissors

Sizzix Big Shot

Fiskars Craft Knife & Self-Healing Mat

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Birthday Card for Bo Bunny Sketch Challenge/Donna Salazar Sept. Challenge

This is a busy month at the Sabella household with Elizabeth and Andrew's wedding just a month away now. I'm busy arranging bouquets for Elizabeth and the bridesmaids with some advice from the floral designers at my favorite craft store. Her wedding shower is coming up Monday, and I just finished creating their wedding card, but that is for an upcoming assignment and won't be posted for a while yet. 

The card challenge at Bo Bunny this month is a gorgeous sketch by my talented friend, Juliana Michaels. I couldn't wait to create a card with it. Elizabeth will be having a birthday later next month, and I knew right away that this sketch would be great for a feminine shabby chic card to celebrate her special day.

I used Donna Salazar's Rose Creation Dies to create these lovely roses and leaves. Her challenge this month is to create a gift for a special person.

I was so excited to find that my "Peaceful Day at the Sea" layout was named as a winner at Catered Crop. As a result, I was invited to be a guest designer in Sunday's Quickfire by creating a project for the current In the Pink Recipe Swap to use pink on your paper craft project. Be sure to drop on over to Catered Crop to check out their great challenges!! 

Here's my card:

Bo Bunny Sketch by Juliana:

Techniques:

Handcrafted Flowers ~ I wanted to showcase this fabulous Bo Bunny paper, so rather than using pre-made flowers I cut these using my Donna Salazar Rose Creation Dies. I love how Bo Bunny papers can be mixed and matched from different lines. I used two older papers for my flowers that coordinated perfectly with the Abrosia card base. For a little shimmer, I brushed on some Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive and sprinkled on Crystal Glitter Ritz Micro Fine Glitter. 

Bo Bunny Products Used:

Ambrosia Card Kit ~ Die Cut Card

Ambrosia Card Kit ~ Chipboard

Ambrosia Card Kit ~ Rub-on

Love Shack Shimmy

Eire Tartan

Other Products:

Zva Creative ~ Royalty Flourish - Rosy Pink #CR02CA102

Crystal Glitter Ritz Micro Fine Glitter - Cool Highlight

Donna Salazar Spellbinders Rose Creation Die Set

Net Ribbon ~ Stash

Ranger Distress Ink ~ Pine Needles, Forest Moss

Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive

Hercules Tape

Ranger Glossy Accents

Sizzix Big Shot

Basic Grey Rub-On Roller Tool

Thanks for all the kind comments you have left about Maria's drawing. She has been so excited to read your encouraging words!! 

This card has also been entered at

Word Art Wednesday - Use an encouraging sentiment **
My Crafting Channel - Fabric Friday Challenge - Used mesh ribbon (Sept 28)
Digi Doodle Shop Challenge #124 - Hand Made Flowers **
Darling Cardmakers September Colour Challenge **

Thanks for dropping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~

Our Daughter, the Artist

The rain of yesterday has left a sweet crispness in the air and a touch of fog for a beautiful morning as I look out across our yard to the surrounding woods. I hope you are having a blessed morning. I thought I'd create a quick post this morning sharing a bit of our daughter's work. 

As much as I enjoy the creative outlet of scrapbooking and view paper crafting as an art form, our daughter, Maria, has been blessed with the gift of the artist's touch by our Lord. Today, I thought I'd share a piece of her art work with you. A few months back, she was given an assignment in art class to sketch a male head shot. She selected country singer Brad Paisley. Doesn't it feel like you could reach out and touch him? 

I don't have the exact photo she worked off of, but here is a similar one

at a different angle and dark background:

I hope you have enjoyed her work! 

I will pass on your precious comments to her. 

Have a blessed Sunday!

Thanks for dropping by!

~ Blessings ~

Birthday Card ~ Bo Bunny Card Challenge

It's been a busy week here. Our son and his sweet bride have made the move to their new home after living with us for the past several weeks. It is just a bit quieter here this morning. I'm praying that they create many sweet memories in their new home.

I created this card for our son, who celebrates his birthday this month. The August Card Challenge over at Bo Bunny is "Chevron Patterns" perfect for a masculine card.

Techniques:

Chevrons ~ Most of the chevrons out there right now are whole rows of connected chevrons. For this card, however, I wanted to use a repeated single chevron. I created a template for the chevron and another for the shadow used to trace and cut.

Hand Stitching ~ The hand stitching was completed before the distressing. Stitching so close to the edge, I thought it would be easier that way. 

Embellishments ~ Once I did all the hand stitching and distressing, the rest was easy using a set of Bo Bunny buttons, stickers, and items from a card kit. On the inside of the card I used a Noteworthy tag as well. 

Bo Bunny Products:

Weekend Market ~ Postage

Weekend  Market ~ Tapestry

Card Kit, Weekend  Market ~ Card Base

Card Kit, Weekend  Market ~ Chipboard

Card Kit, Weekend  Market ~ Rub-on

Buttons, Weekend  Market

Cardstock Stickers, Weekend Market ~ Priceless

Note Worthy, Weekend  Market

Technique Products:

Ranger Distress Ink ~ Vintage Photo, Aged Mahogany

Cotton Crochet Thread ~ Stash

Adhesives:

Scotch ATG

Hercules Tape

Tools:

Donna Salazar ~ Zutter Distrezz-It-All

Prima Distress Tool

Basic Grey Rub-On Roller

EK Success ~ Cutter Bee Bugs

Bazzil In Stitch'z Mat and Piercing Tool

Fiskars Craft Knife and Self-Healing Mat

I have also entered this at:

Word Art Wednesday - Encouraging Sentiment

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~