Page Maps Blog Contest Layout

I've been a huge fan of Page Maps, but just recently checked out their blog and found this sketch challenge from Freehand Scraps.
So, of course I had to check out what this Freehand Scraps was all about and it is a really cool site. I love, love the monthly kits that they have put together. I guess I will add another thing to my growing wish list.

Check out the blog, contest and Freehand scraps.

For my layout I used Paper from Creative Imaginations and Senic Route. Embellishments by K&Company: Americana

Do Nothing

TESC 80

September for our family means Birthdays. My two kids, 5 other family members and 3 kids on our block. I wish I could DO NOTHING, but I will be making lots of cards. Hopefully, everyone likes cards.

Not sure who will be the lucky recipient of this card, but I think it's a cute one. I made it also for Taylored Expression sketch challenge. I'm sure I will be using more of her sketches, because they are all fun. It's also great to see all the other creations for inspiration.

All supplies are Close To My Heart

Supplies:

stamp: Do Nothing

Markers: CTMH: Hollyhock, Baby Pink, Buttercup, Desert sand, Lilac Mist, Grey flannel, Vanilla Cream and Taffy.

Accessories: Ribbon Rounds from Hollyhock

Just blooms, buckle from Winter Cozy Mini-Medley collection

Liquid Glass

Paper: My Reflection: Notebook

My Reflection: Groovy

"How Beautiful it is to do nothing and then to rest afterward."

the quote came from the stamp set, but I wanted it in a circle format, so I just typed and printed it out on the printed paper.

One of a Kind

I find a product that I like, and then it seems like I have to put it on everything. These little rhinestone frames from Close to My Heart, just seem to belong on everything, lol. The circle needed something, and well, I had one more of these frames....Perfect!

I made the card for Taylor's Expresion cupcake challenge. Her cards are always so beautiful, it's hard not to want to try out the sketch yourself. Cardstock: CTMH in Hollyhock and black, Stamps: CTMH - Spot on Backgrounds and Be Yourself. Other: black brads, hollyhock ribbon and rhinestone frame. Pattern Paper: CTMH- Stylin'. I liked how Taylor used vellum, so I stamped the girl on some clear overhead projection sheets using Staz-On ink. My ink is running out, I think, because it didn't completely stamp solid, but I thought It gave her a little highlight. No mistakes in crafting...right?? Then I put that image on top of the polka-dot background. Check out Taylor's Blog to see her creation and all the others that have created something from the same sketch. They are wonderful!!

Then, try it for yourself. Have fun!

Wyoming Vacation Album

This summer we took the kids to see their Grandpa up in Cheyenne, WY. We drove through New Mexico and Colorado going up and then came home through Colorado and Utah. The kids did great in car. Curtis really enjoyed just looking out at the new scenery. Beautiful country in all states.

Of course as a scrapbooker, I was already planning my scrapbook. I found a scrapbooking store near the Rodeo grounds called: Life's Journey Scrapbooking. The ladies there were very helpful and showed me this little Denim covered chipboard album. I bought it, but it would be very easy to make. Just cut up some old jeans around the pocket and adhere to a chipboard album. I also found some Wyoming word stickers and western looking brads by BoBunny. Added some flowers and ribbon to complete the cover.

We were there during Cheyenne Frontier Days. Such a fun time to go. The weather was perfect, much better then the 115 back home in Phoenix. I used the Sarsaparilla paper pack from Close To My Heart, accompanied with some of the Creative basics Silhouette collection. I distressed the edges with Cocoa. More CTMH products: Dimensional Elements shipboard circles, chocolate ribbon rounds and clear sparkles.

Our Frontier Days trip wouldn't be complete with out a Parade, Rodeo and fishing. The Cowboy stickers from Creative Imaginations and some phrase stickers from K&Company were the perfect compliments to my pics and to the paper. For the Fish on the line, I stamped the fish from Beauty Seen by CTMH on some patterned paper with Cocoa Ink and then distressed the edges. The eye is a copper eyelet and then used Liquid Glass from CTMH to cover the fish and give him a shiny finish. Next, I just tied him to some natural hemp. The background paper is cardstock stamped with some images from the Beauty Seen stamp set.

I love the CTMH rhinestone frames. They are the perfect size to highlight a picture or phrase.
Other stamps used: Giddy up Alphabet- CTMH and Vintage Postcard -CTMH.

We had a great trip with lots of fun memories. This little mini album captures some of the highlights of our trip and is the perfect size to display on a coffee table, so everyone can enjoy it.

Girl Talk

I'm so excited to get back to doing these challenges. I love Taylored Expressions sketches and her cards. I've been going through all my old paper packs and kits and found this oldie but goodie - Close To My Heart Level one kit, called: Between Friends. Yep, about 6 years old. Ok, yes I am a paper hoarder. I did not do any stamping. The images and words were a punch out from the kit and the paper is part of a 12 x 12 pre-designed. A great way to use up some of those pieces and parts of old kits. This has always been one of my favorite color combos. They don't even make that peachy pink color anymore, but girl time will never go out of style!

Check out Taylored Expressions and all the others who joined in on this sketch. Try it yourself, it's so much fun!

Back in the Saddle

Hello All,

Wow, really a year has gone by, that's crazy! I have been having problems on this blog. First, I was having problems with uploading pictures. I gave up and well, I'm trying it again. Today, I tried to add some things and Blogger kept giving me some error messages. I hope it's fixed.



I have been busy, but honestly, it hasn't been with much scrapbooking stuff. I have to confess to a little addiction I had starting in December...Twilight! I kept hearing about these darn books, and I really didn't think I would care for them, well I was wrong, lol. If you've read them, you probably understand what I mean. Anyway, now that I've read and reread them all several times and concluded another series (Outlander), I am ready to be back in the scrapbooking saddle again. My creative side it just itchin' to do something and Disney was the way to start.



I am doing three Disney World books. A 12 x 12 for the Family, 8 x 8 for Camryn and another for Curtis. The family one will be done in just Red, Black, White and Yellow, the kids will be any colors. I doing them all together, so we are all on the same page. Curtis is old enough where he can help me, so I've been letting go (some) of my control and letting him help me. I think I took over 700 pictures, so that gets a little pricey for double, triple prints. I have done up to day 2 and already my book is getting thick, eek! Right now, I'm planning some workshops and working on a few other projects, but then I will start back with the Disney albums. Until then, I hope you enjoy the pages so far.

Blog Cramp

Hey everyone,
Sorry, I had to take a little bit of a blog break and get caught up on some other stuff. I will be the first to admit that I get obsessed with things and then I can't concentrate on anything else, but that. I have been busy with some other things, but my obsession this month has been planning and more planning and list making and tip searching for our upcoming family vacation to Disney World. YEAH!!!

Other than that, I've been busy trying to finish up my nieces scrapbook, volunteering at my son's school with the Art Masterpiece program and working on some Disney stuff. When we get back I will be doing some more cupcake challenges over at Taylored Expressions blog, be sure to check it out she has created her own stamp cupcake stamp line. That is just so cool! and a dream. I wish her all the luck and much success.

Well, back to my projects. The count down is near. So, here are the things I've been working on.
1. Close To My Heart My Creation Display Album, paper is from the Giggles and Grins set. looks very Disney, but does not say Disney on it at all.
2. Autograph book I made for my daughter. I used misc. CTMH paper and Disney paper, the back of the book is plexi-glass, with some rub-ons, the pages are made from memory protects and then I taped on some trading card clear slips to hold the Disney Trading cards. My idea is that the characters can sign on top of the card. Then when I'm ready to make a scrapbook page I can cut out the autograph on the clear protector and then put it over a picture of my daughter with the character. Hopefully, it will work and the characters don't have a problem signing on it.
3. Hair bows for my daughter. All my ribbon and buttons came in handy.
4. outfit for my daughter to wear at Animal Kingdom. Found this black tank at Old Navy. It had the clear rhinestones around the collar, I just added the cheetah Mickey head and then the black gems around that. Then added some cheetah material around a jean skirt. I think it looks so cute. Thought about making one for me too. LOL





Lots of new stuff with Close To My Heart to. Please check out my website with new CTMH TV. love it.

Happy Fall! And I look forward to posting more in a few weeks.

Happy Haunting

Cupcake Challenge 30

Hello everyone! I've been busy this week trying to get some scrapbooking done, which I plan on posting on later this week. I just had to get my Cupcake challenge fix out before it's too late.
Yeah, and I'm not sure how I messed up the challenge order but last week I put challenge #30, but I guess this is week #30, sorry about that.

Is it too early to start thinking about fall??? I'm sick of this AZ 110 + degree heat. Just thinking of cooler weather makes me happy. I love anything Halloween, the colors the decorations the fun and yes the chocolate, lol. This is one of my favorite Haloween stamp sets too. Trick or Treating by Close To My Heart. I also used the Happy Haunting set for the web. The cute little trick or treaters are done with waterbrushing and inks. The pattern paper is, yikes...I don't know, they were just scraps I was trying to use up. I think the polka dot is from Rusty Pickly and the web might be from Making Memories.

Have fun and check out Taylors blog for all the rules:
Here is the sketch.

Cupcake 101

Cupcake Challenge #30
Wow! I can't believe that I was picked to be the featured Cupcake sampler this week for the Taylored Expressions Blog. It was such an honor and I really enjoyed doing this little number with all the circles. Great Design Taylor!

When I first saw the sketch, I stared at it for awhile and then it came to me... A cupcake study. My only problem was that I didn't have 8 little cupcake stamps. And once I have an idea in my head it's very hard to steer away from that idea. My philosophy is, if you don't have it then make it. That's just what I did for the cupcakes.

I wouldn't call myself a very good drawer and I prefer to use stamps when all possible, but these were very easy to draw. Simple and cute, that's about the extent of my drawing skills.

I hope you enjoy and have fun with yours.
To play along you can visit Taylor's blog for all the rules and details.

Here's the sketch ->



Thank you all who have stopped by this week and gave comments. They were all so nice and complimentary.

Supplies used:
Close To My Heart cardstock in Buttercup and Chocolate
Polka dot paper from the CTMH My Reflections Good Times paper pack
Prisma Glitter, Liquid Glass and red sparkles from CTMH
Waterbrush and ink colors: Buttercup and Twilight
Black satin ribbon

Love Your Life

Cupcake Challenge #29
I've been itching to use this set by Close To My Heart called: With Love. I've seen so many cute things done with the flowers and vase. I thought this sketch by Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge was perfect. I needed it to be long to fit the vase and flowers. I am so in love with the little circle placements she puts in her sketch.
Here is what I used:
All products but the dew drops are from Close To My Heart
Stamps: With Love, Cottage Floral and Adorable
Pattern Paper: More to Adore
Colors: Chocolate, Vanilla Cream, Vineyard Berry, Blush, Hollyhock, garden green, Olive and sweet leaf.
Other: Ribbon and Liquid glass
Card Size: 4 1/8 x 9 1/2



Check out more great ideas from this sketch on Taylored Expressions:
Here is the sketch and Rules:
.You're not required to use cupcakes for the challenge, but if you got 'em why not use 'em!? :)
2.You're welcome to create something other than a card, just stick as closely to the sketch as possible and you'll be eligible for the prize drawing!
3.If you're uploading to Splitcoast use keyword TECC28 (for Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge 28 or link your creation on this post.
4.Each week, I plan to have a Featured Cupcake Sampler! The cutest and most creative sample from the previous week will receive the featured cupcake sampler honors. The winner will receive the sketch ahead of time in order to create a card that will be featured along with a link to your blog on Cupcake Friday!
5.Featured Cupcake Sampler this week is Sarah from Scrampin' Mama!

Make It Count

Color Challenge # 30
This is a card I did for the Mommyscraps blogspot.
Colors used:
Cranberry, Bamboo, Grey wool, and Black
Stamps: Make it count from Close To My Heart
Pattern paper and ribbon; Silhouette Creative Basics from Close To My Heart.


Check out more challenges from Mommyscraps

Hoppy Birthday

Cupcake Challenge 28
Here is my entry for Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge. I finally got to use a new cupcake stamp: Birthday Cupcake by Inkadinkado. I thought this cute little bunny was perfect too. If you haven't already, you have to check out Taylor's site. She is so talented and I just fall in love with her artwork and the color combos are so eye catching. Feel free to play along, the rules are all up on her blog.
TECC28 Sketch:

My supplies:
Cardstock and pattern paper from Close To My Heart Colors: Spring Iris, Heavenly Blue, Sunflower and Sweet leaf Stamps; Birthday Cupcake by Inkadinkado, Birthday Wish by Close To My Heart
Waterbush and liquid Glass from Close To My Heart
Pop dots, and satin ribbon

Mommy Scraps Color Challenge #29

Thanks A Latte!
This Challenge comes from Mommyscraps.blogspot.com. I was a little nervous about the colors at first, but then I found my CTMH Coffee Shop stamp set and thought these nice warm tones would be perfect. Thanks for another great challenge! Colors: Barn Red, Olive, Cocoa and or Chocolate and Honey.



I know, I'm really liking all these challenges. I normally don't make lots of cards, I much prefer scrapbooking, but I do have to say that these challenges have been letting me explore different techniques and layout designs. This card sketch is from Taylored Expressions blog. It was one she created for a Cupcake challenge a few weeks ago. I've done several cards with this sketch and they all have turned out so cute and clean looking.

I've also noticed on a lot of blogs and forums that Copic Markers are the big thing now. Well, I don't have any, but I've seen a few techniques with shading that I thought that the CTMH markers would work well too. I used Taffy and Barn Red markers for the coffee mug. I just used the water brush for blending in some of the harder lines.

Buried Treasure Challenge #02

SHOP TIL YOU DROP!
I liked the sketch when I made it up and then I really struggled with what stamps and papers to use. I was trying to use something else shiny than the sparkles, but they just needed to be used again :) I went digging through my scrap paper and found this oldie but goodie paper from Close To My Heart - Stylin'. It was perfect to "bling" up. I stamped the shoes in black ink and then used liquid glass and black glitter to add more glitz.
Stamps: CTMH Let's Shop
Glitter: doodlebug designs, sugar coating

The sketch:


Here's how to play:
Buried Treasure Challenge: Dig out all those scraps and some bling to create a little treasure to share.

Here are the details:
1. Create a card or a scrapbook page using scraps and some kind of "bling". Shiny paper, metallic paper, glitter, gems, cequins, window charms or liquid glass.
2. Follow the sketch as close as possible.
3. Post your Buried Treasure on your blog, gallery or email me a picture as an attachment (dnmchone@cox.net)
4. Leave a comment on this post with a link to your blog post or gallery.
5. All entries must be posted by Thursday and the winner will be posted on Friday.
6. HAVE FUN!

Cupcake Challenge #26

This is Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #26. This is my second time participating in her challenge. I love her sketches and I love to see all the cards that come out of this challenge.

I did go buy some cupcake stamps, but I decided to use this stamp set from Autumn Leaves: Birthdays. The set is more of a "hand drawn" look. Very Fun!
Paper is from Close To My Heart Silhouette Creative Basics. Cardstock in Black, Watermelon and Ocean. Ribbon: CTMH designer ribbon rounds Black collection. I used the water brush and coordinating ink colors to color in the cake. Liquid glass for the cake plate and sparkles for accents on cake and flowers.

You can play along too;)
Here are the details.

1.You're not required to use cupcakes for the challenge, but if you got 'em why not use 'em!? :)
2.You're welcome to create something other than a card, just stick as closely to the sketch as possible and you'll be eligible for the prize drawing!
3.If you're uploading to Splitcoast use keyword TECC26 (for Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge 26 or link your creation on this post.
4.Each week, I plan to have a Featured Cupcake Sampler! The cutest and most creative sample from the previous week will receive the featured cupcake sampler honors. The winner will receive the sketch ahead of time in order to create a card that will be featured along with a link to your blog on Cupcake Friday!
5.Featured Cupcake Sampler this week is Denise from The Paper Landscaper!

Buried Treasure Challenge #01

I'm starting a Monday card making challenge. The point of a challenge is to get you motivated and inspired and maybe to step out of the box and use something new. I will try to come up with some creative sketches or I will give credit to another sketch artist. I will post the challenge on Monday mornings and then the winner will be revealed on Friday.
I made this special card for my beautiful Aunt who is recovering from a mastectomy. She has been battling breast cancer for almost 2 years. Aunt Diane...I wish you a fast recovery we are thinking of you and we love you.

Products used:
CTMH Life Delights paper pack
CTMH Blush cardstock
Stamps: Butterflies and Say it in Style
other: liquid glass, just blooms and sparkles

Buried Treasure Challenge: Dig out all those scraps and some bling to create a little treasure to share.

Here are the details:
1. Create a card or a scrapbook page using scraps and some kind of "bling". Shiny paper, metallic paper, glitter, gems, cequins, window charms or liquid glass.
2. Follow the sketch as close as possible.
3. Post your Buried Treasure on your blog, gallery or email me a picture as an attachment (dnmchone@cox.net)
4. Leave a comment on this post with a link to your blog post or gallery.
5. All entries must be posted by Thursday and the winner will be posted on Friday.
6. HAVE FUN!

This is a layout I did for my daughter's birthday party. See, I did use my scraps :)

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #25

I've been looking at this blog Taylored Expressions for several weeks now and I just love the idea of this Cupcake Challenge. Just to say cupcake is fun. It makes me want to go out and buy all different kinds of cupcake stamps. The rules state, that you do not have to use cupcakes, so for the time being that is what it will have to be until I can get my hands on some cute cupcake stamps. Thanks Taylor, for letting me play along. I love it and your work and all the fellow Cupcake challengers are great artists! I enjoy seeing all the different cards and it has inspired me to keep creating cards.


Here is my creation. I used Close To My Heart Cocoa Cardstock, My Reflections Stickease from the School Zone, polka dot paper is from the My Reflections Route 66 paper pack, Cranberry designer ribbon rounds, and then I used some liquid glass on the apple just to add a little shine.


So if you want to play along here are all the details you need to know.
1.You're not required to use cupcakes for the challenge, but if you got 'em why not use 'em!? :)
2.You're welcome to create something other than a card, just stick as closely to the sketch as possible and you'll be eligible for the prize drawing!
3.If you're uploading to Splitcoast use keyword TECC25 (for Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge 24 or link your creation on this post.
4.Each week, I plan to have a Featured Cupcake Sampler! The cutest and most creative sample from the previous week will receive the featured cupcake sampler honors. The winner will receive the sketch ahead of time in order to create a card that will be featured along with a link to your blog on Cupcake Friday!

If you like the idea of challenges check out this site:
mommyscraps.

I am also in the process of creating a weekly card challenge called Burried Treasure Challenge. Be on the look out on Monday for that one.

New York Album Part 2

Alright, here is the 2nd part of the New York album. I'm playing around with different slides. This one is pretty cool. One of my favorite layouts is the Architecture page. Lovin' those chip board letters! Leave a comment or a question on any technique or product that I used, I would love to hear from you.

I'm Hired!

I have to thank my awesome sister n' law Heather, that hired me to do a few albums for them. This is the first album I've ever done for someone else and got paid to do it! Yippee! Her and my brother n' law went to New York for their ten year anniversary, so I wanted to make it extra special. I love the way it turned out and so did they. I have a ton of pictures, so I will do a few this week and then finish up the rest of the post next week. Most all products were Close To My Heart. I did find a cute album at Hobby Lobby and some New York stickers and papers from a local scrapbooking store: Scrapbook Barn in Gilbert. This is an 8 x 8 album. I like the size, but it would have been nice if it was a 9 x 9. I had to cut some brochures and cards down just to make them fit. But, I really liked the album, so I had to work around that. Leave a comment or email me on any of the products used or if you have a question on any technique you want to learn more about.
Thanks.