Altered Christmas Tree

I saw an "altered" Christmas Tree on Two Peas and decided that it would make the perfect Christmas gift for my oldest son's teacher. This tree took about 2.5 hours from start to finish. You can coordinate any type of paper or ribbon with the design to make this tree.

Directions:
1. Take one sheet of cardstock and create a large circle and cut the circle out.
(I used a big plate to trace around)
2. Cut the circle straight up the middle and then twist the circle to create a cone.
3. Cut 1 inch stripes out of patterned paper (or cardstock).
4. Loop the 1 inch stripes and secure it to the cone using staples or adhesive.
5. Work your way around the cone placing the 1 inches stripes on the cone until it is full.
6. Get a large flower and place it on the top (to look like snow and to cover any staples) and secure it to the cone with adhesive.
7. Take ribbon and make bows and secure them onto the tree using brads.
8. Top the tree with a cut out of your choice.

Black and white photos

There are some layouts that just call for black and white photos. Bright colored paper and busy designs on paper make it quite easy to use black and white photos. Not only does it make the photos stand out but the look is timeless.

I created this layout for the 2 Scrappy Chicks DT submission.

Made another DT

Great news! I have made another Design Team...on 2 Scrappy Chicks.com. I am just super excited to have been choosen amoung the many applicants.

Sketchz by Ingrid

I have found a fabulous website for fresh and funky sketches- Sketchez by Ingrid . The layout "Mr. Hobbes" was created from sketch # 022 and was an October challenge from 2 Scrappy Chicks.

In this layout, Scenic Route Capetown paper was used along with coordinating Bazzill cardstock. The Alpha stickers on the tags are American Crafts. I really love using green, brown and red together. It just makes the black and white photo really pop out of the page.

Simple Pleasures

Share at 2 Scrappy Chicks gave us a blog challenge to think about the Simple Pleasures in life.

Here is my list of my "Simple Pleasures":
1. Baby cooing
2. Hearing "Mommy" from your child
3. Finding more than 2 hours in a day to scrapbook
4. Feeling your hubby's hands in your hands
5. Cat purring
6. Playing in leaves
7. Pumpkins
8. Halloween
9. Having someone praise you for a job "well done!"
10. Hearing "you are pretty" from your child
11. The smell of freshly baked cookies

Accomplishments for the rest of 2006

The "Ralphie" layout was inspired by the Amazing Scrapping Race challenge on 2 Scrappy Chicks. We were challenged to create a layout using something that we don't normally use. So I decided to use fiber since I don't use it that often. I really like the softness that it adds to the circle.

I have been challenged by Share from 2ScrappyChicks
to list five accomplishment I was to achieve before the end of 2006. So here goes:

Scrap previous years Christmas events

Make Halloween costume

Make everyone Thanksgiving cards

Make my dh a card each week and hiding them in places that he will never expect.

Help Colton make Christmas gifts for everyone this year

Sweet Simple Love

The site Two Scrappy Chicks is having an Amazing Crop Race contest. It is really a lot of fun. The challenge for last week was to alter a photo and then use it in a layout. "Sweet Simple Love" was created for this challenge. In Photoshop, I changed the intensity of the various colors to make it appear black and white yet still bringing out the "Blue" in the photo. Next, I had to find the perfect paper for the photo. Deciding to use My Mind's Eye Blue Bird Bohemia was relatively easy because of the exact match of the blues in the paper to the blues in the photo. Journaling was done on blue vellum and secured with bronze brads. The title was created by using a tag from the Blue Bird collection along with Heidi Swapp She Letters. The letters were sanded and then inked brown to make them appear worn.

Cosmo Cricket...

This layout was inspired by two locations
2 Scrappy Chicks and The School of Scrap. For 2 Scrappy Chicks, it was the for the Amazing Scrap Race challenge. The challenge was to use a specific sketch from Sketchez by Ingrid. From The School of Scrap, I incorporated Donna's Economics assignment and Kerri's Definition assignment on Laughter. Don't you just LOVE multitasking? LOL!

I have just fallen in love with Cosmo Cricket...Love the paper..Just LOVE IT!! I especially like the Storytime collection. I thought the sketch lended itself to work fabulous with this collection.

I've been tagged!!
Have You Ever...

Worn braces? Yes but only for six months
Broken a bone? Yes, this past year.. my wrist
Had stitches? Yes...
Gone SCUBA diving? No but really want to learn
Been stung by a bee? Oh yes many times! EEK!
Thrown up in public? Unfortunately yes to this one too
Been to overnight camp? Absolutely!!
Written a letter to Santa Claus? As a child yes
Been sent to the principal's office? NO WAY!! I am too perfect ..HE HE

Who/What was the last...

Person to call you? my MIL
Last person you hugged? my oldest son
Thing you touched (before your keyboard!!)? my glasses
Thing you ate? chicken fingers (lunch)
Thing you said? Love you
Website you visited (before this one !!) School of Scrap / 2 Scrappy Chicks

Pieces of Me

This layout was inspired by Marci's BOM (Book of Me) assignment at The School of Scrap. This was my first layout in which I actually cut up a photo. I have doodled on a photo before but never cut one up...until now. It was quite liberating and I felt so creative. The swirls on the page were created using embossing powder and adhesive glue. For more information on this technique, go to my Shop class. For the title I used Heidi Swapp chipboard "She" letters that I colored with Stampin Up markers. The new Storybook paper line from Cosmo Cricket was just too awesome to not use it in this "Pieces of Me" layout.

9-11.....Remember Michael Selves

To Michael Selves' family.....
It is now five years later and I still remember 9-11 and the impact it had on me. I can't imagine the impact 9-11 had on your family. I hope that this small memorial on this day, 9-11, is a testimony to his life and those he left behind.

Michael Selves worked at the Pentagon and was a resident of Fairfax, Virginia.

Michael....You are remembered. Rest in peace!!!!

Embossing The Night Away

Last night, I decided to do a technique that I do not frequently try...embossing. I embossed the flowers on the cardstock. Then I embossed the flower on the metal tag...and then I embossed the edges of the tag for a antique look. Waala! An entire card created by embossing and stamps.

There were two important lessons that I learned last night:

• After using the heating gun, the embossing liquid is hot. (Never had the "pleasure" of touching hot embossing liquid until last night..LOL!)
• The Versimark ink really does not come off of the paper....even if you want it to.

I've been tagged

Liza from The School of Scrap tagged everyone there, so here goes...

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be? Chicago
2. What's your favorite article of clothing? Burkenstock shoes
3. Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex? eyes
4. What's the last CD that you bought? Imogen Heap
5. Where's your favorite place to be? In my husband's arms
6. Where's your least favorite place to be? Work
7. What's your favorite place to be massaged? neck and back and shoulders
8. Strong in mind or strong in body? mind
9. What time do you wake up in the morning? between 6 and 6:30 am
10. What is your favourite kitchen appliance? blender
11. What makes you really angry? lying and cheating
12. If you could play any instrument what would it be? I can already play the flute.
13. Favourite colour? blue
14. Sports car or SUV? sports car
15. Do you believe in an afterlife? Yup
16. Favorite children's book? Green Eggs and Ham
17. What's your favorite season? Fall/Autumn
18. What is your least favorite household chore? laundry
19. If you could have one super-power, what would it be? To be invisible
20. If you have a tattoo what is it? Nope
21. Can you juggle? Definately..not..no
22. The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to? My best friend from grade school...Dawn
23. What's your favorite day? Saturday
24. What's in the trunk of your car? Hummm...jumper cables..and I think that is it
25. Which do you prefer-sushi or hamburger? Hamburger

Tag goes to anyone who reads this blog (and hasn't already been tagged)!

Design Team Member

I have some fantastic news! I am a Design Team member for the School of Scrap. This is so exciting for me and I am thrilled that Lisa picked me along with several other outstanding scrappers. Can't wait to get started!!

Last Scrapper Standing Round 2- Update

Well, it appears that my layout was not creative enough to allow me to move on to Round 3 of the Last Scrapper Standing. It was a great opportunity and I feel great that I at least made it this far. A BIG congratulations to all those scrappers who made it to Round 3.

YEAHOOOO.....I am still standing...

Well, the results for the Last Scrapper Standing are in....and I have made it to the next round. I am sooooo excited and happy. I was preparing myself to not be chosen ....but I was...so now I get to go to the next round! YEAHOOOOOOO!

Now to come up with something great for the next round. The next challenge I have to use 13 pictures in a layout. WOW! This one is going to get interesting!

Last Scrapper Standing....Round One

Well, I decided two weeks ago to participate in the Last Scrapper Standing by the Effers. For round one, we had to journal on our photograph. I finished my layout last night but didn't have time to scan it in...will do that tonight. I will post my layout here after I get it posted in 2peas and on the Effer blog for the competition. Wish me luck!

I wanted to wish Lisa, Liza, and Gina from School of Scrap the best of luck in this competition. We are all entering it ....It would be great if one of us would get to the final round. Good luck to all of you...BIG HUGS!

Creative Uses for Ribbon

Do you sit in your scrap room and look at your ribbon and wonder what to do with it? Want to use more than one type of ribbon and a layotu but can not quite figure out how to incorporate it in a layout? Well, this layout is example of a great way to use different ribbon in one layout. By using ribbon to frame a photo, you not only are adding depth to your layout but also a bunch of different possible combinations and colors.

This layout was today's pick for layout of the day on 2ScrappyChicks.com. If you haven't already done so, why not go to 2 Scrappy Chicks today to meet some awesome talented scrapbookers. You will be glad that you did..the site is friendly and they have really great challenges to inspire you.

Quilting in Layouts

To me, one of the best techniques to try on a heritage or recipe page is quilting. Quilting adds depth to a layout as well as creating a homemade look. Adding quilting to you page is an easy task. In this layout "Goodwin Chili", the sides of the layout were quilted.

How to add quilt patches to a layout
1. First, decide where on the page
you want to add the patches.
2. Decide the type of patterned paper you want for your patches.
3. Distress the whole page of the patterned paper. NOTE: Lightly dampen your
paper and then crumble the paper up and let dry. Carefully, pull the paper apart
and then use an iron to get all big crimples out. The paper will be very soft and
clothlike at this point.
4. Cut your patches in any shape that is desired for your layout. I usually do
rectangles, triangles, and squares but any shape will work.
5. Lay your patch in the exact position on the layout and use a paper piercer to put holes through the patch and the layout under it in pairs of two. So you will
have either 2,4,6,8, etc. holes on each side of the patch.
6. Using a needle and embroidery thread (number of strands depends on the desired thickness of the stitch) start to sew around the patch using the holes that you just pierced into the paper. NOTE: When you have just one side left to stitch, STOP!
7. Cut a tiny piece of quilting batting and stuff into the patch. The amount of
batting needed depends on how full you want the patch.
8. Sew up the final one side of the patch.
9. Repeat steps 1-8 for the rest of the patches.

Double Matting Photos

One of my favorite ways to ensure that a photo stands out against patterned paper is to double matte the photos. By using contrasting but coordinating cardstock for your photo mattes, the human eye will be naturally drawn to the picture.

The possibilities are endless with the combinations you can create when matting photos.

Basic Grey Challenge

Hello, My name is Kirstie and I am a Basic Grey addict. LOL! It certainly feels that way since the past week I have created two- two page layouts using nothing but Basic Grey paper. I would safely say I am over my "fear" of using too much patterned paper. LOL!

My challenge, if you choose to accept, is to use more than three different Basic Grey papers in one layout. Go wild. Have fun. Let the creative genius in you come out and play.

In love with Basic Grey...

Have you ever come across a paper line that just spoke to you when you first laid eyes on it? Well, that is what happened with me and Basic Grey. I am completely and totally NUTS about this brand. I love the paper and all the coordinating items. Basic Grey just feels different and looks different than other lines. Even the "girly" papers from Basic Grey have a certain "earthy" element to them. If you haven't tried to use Basic Grey, why not give it try?

This two page layout was created last night for my CJ group. The theme of this CJ was "Femininity" so I decided to use Basic Grey Lollipop for this layout. In this layout, I used six different types of patterned paper. I believe this is definately a record amount for me. The journaling is the song "I feel pretty" from the West Side Story. I just couldn't resist putting that in this layout. LOL!

Patterned Paper Titles

Yesterday, I was out sick with a sinus infection. Ughh! I can deal with just about anything but sinus headaches are the worst. But will a trip to the doctor and a few shots later, I am feeling pretty well today.

As I was thumbing through my layouts on Tuesday evening, I noticed a disturbing trend. I was using patterned paper in a lot of my layouts. But there was one area that had no patterned paper...My titles! My titles were always stamps, rub ons, cardstock, etc. So I thought this layout would be a perfect opportunity to use patterned paper for my title. It adds a nice "punch" to the page! Don't you agree?

Freestyle Fun

I have been in a fun and funky mood lately. On From Here to Scrapternity, this weeks journaling challenge was called "Writing on the Wall". Our mission, if we chose to accept it, was to write on the photo. Yes, I know, most scrapbookers would balk at this challenge and say "That's just crazy". But I LOVED the idea of it and welcomed the challenge with open arms. Too often, a great picture presents itself for a more artsy approach and majority of us just crop and mount tue picture to the paper without a second thought. Doing this challenge made me appreciate freestyle more and brought me further outside my "comfort" box.

Doodling Mania

Lately, I have been on a real doodling" kick" with my layouts. I just love the "personal" touch that doodling provides a layout. The layout "Sweetest Dreams" was created for a DT submission where the criteria was flowers, doodling, and stitching. I was fortunate enough to be in the "right place at the right time" to capture our youngest son smiling in his sleep.

In June, this same layout was "Layout of the Day" on 2 Scrappy Chicks. ( Love that website...great women who bring scrapbooking to a whole new level...awesome layouts...great inspiration and challenges). If you have visited, 2 Scrappy chicks (http://www.2scrappychicks.com) then go by and visit today. You will be glad that you did.

Using Multiple Pictures Creatively

Are you stuck in a multiple pictures layout rut? Do you seem to be using multiple pictures in the same way on your layouts? I have the solution to this ever present problem. Think of the smaller pictures as embellishments.

When you look at the smaller pictures as embellishments a world of possibilities open before your eyes. One possibility is to put the picture in a tiny decorated slide frame. Another possibility is to use paint or chalk to distress the picture and then put the picture in a title or other unique location.

In this two page layout, I wanted to incorporate a lot of pictures of my son smiling, laughing and having fun to go along with the "theme" of the layout. So rather than putting a bunch of pictures on the page, I put the smaller pictures (ones of just his facial expressions) in decorated slide frames. I used the frames as embellishments to enhance the page. The frames add to the mood of the page and do not distract the viewer from the main pictures in the layout.

Layout Simplicity

Too often in scrapbooking, I see layouts that are just overdone whether it be too much patterned paper or too many embellishments. This is often a common mistake amongst beginning scrapbookers as well as advanced scrapbookers alike. With some pictures, less is truly more. The pictures should do the "explaining" therefore adding a lot of embellishments or patterned paper to a page would just drawn the attention away from the picture. If you have a picture that speaks a thousand words to those who view it, try doing a more simplistic layout.

Freestyle Newbie

I really love the edgy,creative look of a Freestyle layout. It is so refreshing and for me, very challenging. Often I am so thinking "what will others think" that composing a layout in Freestyle form allows me to just create and have fun. On From Here to Scrapternity, we were each given a "kit" that included the same various items such as ribbon, cloth, rub on's, patterned paper, cardstock, etc. Our task was to create a one or two page layout that used as many of these items as we could. So I took this as an opportunity to make a freestyle type LO. Not too shabby for a first timer! LOL!

No Patterned Paper Allowed

Recently, I noticed nothing but patterned paper in all my new layouts. I chuckled to myself and thought "You, my dear, are in a creative 'rut' ". So I decided to challenge myself and create scrapbook layouts with no patterned paper allowed. EKKK! My poor Basic Grey, K I Memories, Junkitz, and Wild Asparugus paper will not be used for a couple of layouts.

This is one of my attempts at creating a layout with the "no patterned paper allowed" rule in effect.

I was pleased with this layout because the color not only match the picture but the color combination works well for the layout as a whole.

This is only a test

If this had been an actual post...it would be better. LOL!