2S4Y - Kazan's Sketch #40

I was cleaning out my old mini books the other day - the ones I did for specific assignments or really old classes during cyber-crops and found that most of them I seriously do not like anymore. So, I took of the pictures, salvaged embellies I could reuse and put it all in one "to be done again" pile.


Sometimes I find this "scrap-cleansing" process to be really inspirational because while I was doing it, I found some little bits and pieces which prompted me to play along for Kazan's newest Sketch on {2s4u}.

I found this paperflower on one of my earlier projects together with a circle die-cut which spelled "enjoy life and life to the fullest". I cut into the flower petals, to divide and raise some of them and used half of the circle element in the top right corner.

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Papermill
Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs
Embellishments: Brad - Upsy Daisy Designs; Digi Stamps - Hero Arts; Glimmer Mist - Cosmic Shimmer; Liquid Pearls; Ribbon; Embroidery Floss

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Caardvarks, Gutter Girlz and more

While the U.K. is hit by some severe gales, rain and floods, there is no better excuse for me to stay in an scrap my little heart out. Even Lyndon is not tempted right now to bug me with his usual "let's go out for a walk..."

So, I pulled out my scissors, glue at the ready, challenge blogs sourced and got stuck in.

First of is the recent challenge at {caardvarks}. I haven't played along there for donkeys, which is a shame as their challenges (and their DT, in particular {natalia}) are wonderful.

So, this week they have the {colour it} challenge going. It is pretty much a free for all, as long as you colour in a stamped image. You see, I still need LOTS of practise with the colouring, so this was a good excuse for me to join in.

Both the flowers and the butterfly were stamped and coloured. The flowers being from a Stampin' Up set and the butterfly a digital stamp from Hero Arts. How I managed to get the colour of of the butterfly to almost totally match the MME die-cut paper is beyond me.

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Bazzill; Papermill; Stampin' Up
Embellishments: Die cuts - My Mind's Eye; Liquid pearls
Tools: Border Punch - Fiskars; Edge scraper, tracing wheel - Making Memories; Punches - Stampin' Up; Markers - Promarker; Ink - Stampin' Up, Ranger
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Then there is a new challenge blog I discovered. Well, ok they are not new as in just started, but as in new to me. One of my {scrapmuse} teamies {kristy} is on the DT for {gutter girlz} and quite frankly, with a name like that you just know it HAS to be up my alley...

The current {challenge #31} is so cool - go hop on their blog to find out what prompted me to create this layout.

Is my glass half full or half empty? Honestly my glass is always filled right up to the top - there is no half either way. I try to enjoy each day as it comes, crying over things that have happened in the past or worrying about things that may happen (or not) in the future, is a waste of energy. So here is to full glasses all around!

For the title I used the line "Thank You Clarity" from the Alanis Morrisette song "Thank You" when Lyndon pointed out - "why don't you call it, thank you Claret? After all you ARE holding a glass of red wine". Who can argue with a logic like that? I have also used quite a bit of my new love {cosmic shimmer} on the layout. It is like Glimmer Mist - only 50% cheaper...at this moment in time Cosmic Shimmer is only available in the UK though.

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers: My Mind's Eye
Embellishments: Pearls - Papercellar, Katycards, Kaisercraft; Embroidery Floss; stamp -  Kat Queen by Anam Stubbington
Tools: Glimmer Mist - Cosmic Shimmer; Edge distresser - Making Memories
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But there is still more...oh yes.
Over at the {scrapmuse forum}, some girls are doing the {december daily}. Meaning you take a picture every day in December up until (and including) December 25. You also scrap a page every day, so by the end of the year you can look back at the days leading up to Christmas. Sounds do-able and I figured if I keep the pages kinda small it will not stress me out.

So I prepared my book and my day numbers already. The most difficult part is now to wait until December to get started...he he

The book is a Kraft ringbound 10 x 10 which I got from {paperchase} and I quickly spritzed the cover with some Cosmic Shimmer before I got some gorgeous MME papers stuck on. These papers by the way are an EXCLUSIVE to the UK. That makes a nice change, and I already have the whole collection of wood stamps and other bits and bobs on my wishlist...before long they will so jump into my shopping cart.

 

 

 

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Bazzill, Stampin' Up, Papermill
Papers: My Mind's Eye
Embellishments: Stickers - Rusty Pickle, Jenni Bowlin; Chipboard - Rusty Pickle
Other: Glimmer Mist - Cosmic Shimmer; Glitter Glue; Button; Twine; Holly Punch - XCut; Sewing Machine

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myStampBox/Upsy Daisy Designs - DT Work November, Pt IV

For my final {mystampbox} project this month, I took the liberty to combine this with my {upsy daisy designs} assignment. After all, why not showcase how fabulous these two Canadian manufacturers compliment each other.

The other day, Lyndon' step dad had an accident on his bike, when a speeding motorist ran him over (I am sure you won't be surprised to hear that it was the motorists fault....). Thankfully, other than a lot of bruises, Ed suffered no makjor injuries - it could have been so much worse. Once he was a bit over the initial shock and pain, I decided to create this little card.

I have always wanted to find a real good use for the {vroom vroom line} and this was perfect! Team the papers with the flower from the {happy birthday} set, the letters from the {funky alphabet}set and the journaling lines from the {just add notes} set, and you have yourself a get well card of a different kind :)

 

Ingridients:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs - #UDD0139. Over the line
Rub Ons: Upsy Daisy Designs - #UDD194. Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Stamps: myStampBox
Tools: Cricut Cartridge

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Kissed by the MUSE....and 2S4Y

I am BEYOND excited because I have been as good as snogged by the Muse....I am proud to say that as of December 1st if will be part of the {scrapmuse} Design Team. Can I get a WOOT WOOT??

Having been part of the community since my dear friend {nat} introduced me in 2006 to those wonderful Kits, I subbed to their Kits for some time. Then the ownership changed and I somehow drifted away from the Kits and forum. But when I found out that long standing Member Missy took over the shop and had a DT call, I did not hesitate to return and throw my hat in the ring.

Imagine my sheer delight when Missy invited me to join her wonderful Design Team - myself and five other wonderful ladies will be showcasing the brand new smaller sized Kits. They will retail at $25.00, which enables those on a budget to grab themselves a little piece of yummieness. These Specialty Kits will differ totally with their content from the Mega Muse and Mini Muse but brimming with awesome product.

You can check out the current {newsletter} which will give you some peeks of the two new Kits. If you let me know at least two Manufacturers that you spot in the sneaks and leave a comment underneath this post you will be eligible to get your name in the hat for a Stamp RAK...yay!

I also have two cards from the last two {2 sketches 4 you} challenges to share. The first one is for {kazan's sketch #39} in combination with an earlier challenge from {bitten by the bug}.

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Bazzill; Papermill
Papers: My Minds Eye
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Tools: Cricut Storybook Cartridge; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder; Stampin' Up Punches; Making Memories Edge Scraper
Other: Emrboidery Floss; Acetate crown - Heidi Swapp; Ribbon; Pearls - Kaisercraft

The second one for the recent {laura's sketch #39}.When I cleaned out my stamps I found so many I forgotten I had, that I could not wait to use some of them, like the cute bear from {purple onion designs}.

Ingredients:

Cardstock: Bazzill; Papermill; Stampin' Up
Stamps: Purple Onion Designs; Flourishes (greeting)
Tools: Fiskars Border Punch; Cuttlebug Embossing Folder;s Stampin' Up Punches;
Other: Emrboidery Floss;

I stamped the image three times on different coloured cardstock, which allowed me to cut out specific parts of the image and adhere them to the background image with pop dots. I love the way how you can create dimension in such an easy way.

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My Minds Eye - Layouts and cards galore

Well, now that I started creating with {mme} again - I just cannot stop...

First of are two layouts which I created specifically for the {scrapmuse} design team call. The pictures were taken during our recent holiday in Germany and I thought it fun to have some sort of HIS and HER layouts. We both pulled some weird and stupid faces/poses during the holiday so what better way to embarrass the two of us but to plaster it over the net *giggles*

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers, Die Cuts: My Minds Eye
Embellishments: Stickers - Making Memories; Chipboard Alpha - Heidi Swapp; Pearls - Queen & Co
Other: Glimmer Mist; Punchinella; Alpha Beads; Embroidery Floss

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers, Die Cuts: My Minds Eye
Embellishments: Stickers - Making Memories; Chipboard Alpha - Heidi Swapp;
Other: Glimmer Mist; Punchinella; Alpha Beads; Embroidery Floss
Tools: Border Punch - Fiskars; Edge Scraper - Making Memories


And then I started getting those cards going...oh yes.

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers: My Minds Eye
Embellishments: Flowers - Prima, Hero Arts
Other: Glimmer Mist; Ribbons; Alpha Beads; Embroidery Floss; Buttons; Pin



Actually, I made up a little Card-Kit which includes everything I used to make the above cards (and more!). Here is a picture and some close ups. The Kit is £7.99, which includes 2nd class postage to any address in the UK. Overseas orders will be charged postage at cost - please email me for a quote.

 

The Kit includes: 6 sheets of MME papers; 4 greeting cards with envelopes; 4 yards of ribbon; 1 yard of light twine, 1/2 yard each of pearl string, cotton string, dark twine; 6 flat backed pearls; 3 pins; 1 skein embroidery floss; 4 flowers; various die cuts; alpha beads.

If you are interested you can purchase your Kit here:

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MME - Blog Challenge #5

Ok - so surely everyone who knows me, will (should) know by now that I am a total and utter {my minds eye} fan/groupie/ho...I just love everything they do and no one will ever convince me otherwise.

Those of you who don't know about my love story with MME, well let me tell (and show) you about it. In 2005 I saw and advert about this line Wild Asparagus on QVC in the States, but of course us in the U.K. were unable to order it. So I got a friend from the States to order on my behalf and forward it to me. I am not quite sure anymore how many papers, die cuts and stuff I got but I certainly remember how much I LOVED this paper...cardstock, double-sided with a white core - what more does a scrapper need??? Since then I was concerted. Without any disrespect to any of the manufacturers I have worked for/still work with - no one will ever EVAHHHHH can take the No. 1 spot that MME have in my heart.

But I ramble - I have been stalking the {mme blog} for some time now, even more so since my buddy {anam} has become a member of their DT. Imagine my delight when their {newest challenge} included a sketch by Anam - surely I simply HAD to play along...especially considering that I just bought the complete two lines of Life  Stories from {a trip down memory lane}...man, I just NEEDED to cut into that stuff so badly :)

Without further ado - here is Anam's sketch:

And this is what I did - yeppers, all you Eagle-eyes, I DID scrap this picture before (twice) but I was never 100% happy with the outcome. Thanks to MME I am done with this picture now - Love how it turned out :)

 

 

Ingredients:
Papers, Die Cuts: My Minds Eye - Life Stories "Journaling Sheets #2" DAY224; "Frequency Grid" DAY204; Accessory Sheet #2 DAY256; Accessory Sheet #1 DAY255; Wild Asparagus 4 "Grandpa Floral" WA4083; Wild Asparagus 3 " Me & My Sister" WA3140;
Rub Ons : Making Memories
Beads : unknown


Ok, so I promised I also show you my MME obsession, right? There are so many bits and bobs I created with their stuff over the years that I had to combine it all in this slide.

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myStampBox - DT Work November, Pt III

Another week for one of my {mystampbox} projects. It is actually my turn on the mSB blog as well, so for further info on this layout, you better hop on over {there}.

I have actually scrapped this picture for the third time now....I was never happy with how it turned out but this time is for keeps (I think...)

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers: Collage Press; Upsy Daisy Designs
Stamps: myStampBox - Tree For All Seasons Set, Just Add Notes Set

Embellishments: Puffy Stickers - American Crafts; Flowers - Hero Arts, Prima;  Buttons - SEI; Pearls - KatyCards; Embroidery Floss, Journaling Pens


Here is my very first version...really early Fancy Pants papers and I even used this layout to apply all those years ago to apply for their DT call then (no wonder they didn't care for me....that layout sucks big time)

Ingredients

Papers: Fancy Pants
Tag: Rusty Pickle
Embellishments: Sticker - Fancy Pants; Rub Ons - Making Memories; Ribbon - May Arts
Other: Fibres; Ink

And then, in 2008 I decided that Layout needed a re-vamp and I created this one.
As I said before, initially I liked it but I was never convinced - and the more often I looked at it, the more I thought "this sucks too"

Ingridients:
Papers: Crate; Danyeela
Embellishments: Puffy Stickers - American Crafts; Flowers - Hero Arts, Prima; Pearls - KatyCard
Other: Buttons; Twine; Ink; Edge Scraper


So, whaddaya think? The newest version is the best of the three, isn't it?

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CP# 40 and Scrapmuse Contest & SALE

It has been some time since I played along at Card Patterns but somehow {sketch #40} appealed to me a lot this week and I got crafty...

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Papermill; Stampin' Up
Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs - #ED012. Fantasy, #MT2-013. Martin, #UDD0161. Thanks
Stamps: Purple Onion Designs - #PF05; myStampBox - A Tree For All Seasons
Other: Twine; Ink; Pearls

But wait...there is more! I made a layout for the current November contest over at {scrapmuse}. The requirements were to create a page about something you are thankful for and to include something altered. Of course that is something which is totally UP my alley and altering, yep I can do THAT :)

I scrapped this picture of the Lyndomeister and I before, but was never really happy the outcome, so what better way to redo it. It was taken last year in November during our 10 year anniversary pub-crawl.

Firstly I altered the picture in PSE, by sharpening the edges a wee bit, then put a diffuse filter on it. After printing, it got a heavy dose of "edge-sanding". The clear letter, spelling the word 'us' where also altered by running them through my Cuttlebug with the Argyle embossing folder.

 

That was only the start though - now I had gotten into altering mode and took the lid of one of my metal tins. This was painted, a couple of helpings of glitter from a {pixee stick} and there you have some form of a shaker box (if the hearts inside the lid would have not been glued to the bottom...)

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Stampin' Up
Papers: Making Memories; Collage Press; Upsy Daisy Designs
Overlay: Teresa Collins
Embellishments: Stickers - Rusty Pickle; Metal Rim - Making Memories; Clear letters - Heidi Swapp; beads; embroidery floss; ink; staples
Tools: Cuttlebug embossing folder




But wait....there is still more. I finally got the last one of my Def Leppard "Rock Files" done. I was only missing {vivian campbell} for my set, but now it's done and I can start on Led Zep.

Ingredients:

Cardstock: Bazzill
Papers: Making Memories; Collage Press; My Minds Eye
Embellishments: Stickers - American Crafts, Making Memories; pearl trim; paint; Glimmer Mist





And I almost forgot - there is a 50% SALE going on at {scrapmuse} right now - fantastic deals on everything (bar Monthly Kit and add-ons) in stock. When you are done shopping check out with the code SALE50 and you will see the reduced amount before you proceed to checkout. 
I just nabbed myself two complete collection packs from {cosmo cricket} for a song! So, watcha waiting for??

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Upsy Daisy Designs - DT November, Pt II

Have you had enough of my Christmas cards already? Hopefully not because there are more to come.

Today I like to show you another {upsy daisy designs} assignment. You may have noticed by now that I am a serial "cutter-upper"...it is somehow that I feel I don't do paper designs justice if I simply take them as they are. I just NEED to cut out images, shapes and make up new designs and embellishments with them...it's an urge and I CANNOT stop it. The bolder the pattern the better - bold patterns scare the crap out of me because I would not even know HOW to use such a sheet of paper "as is".

So, out come the scissors and I cut like there is no tomorrow. Take this sheet of paper from the {hot chocolate} line. Not that easy looking, right?

But this is what you get when you let your scissors to the talking - a quick, elegant card. Believe it or not but I actually enjoyed cutting out the snowflakes the most (even though it did give me blisters....why? Because I cut ALL of them as you will see on next weeks project)

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myStampBox - DT November, Pt II

For my second {mystampbox} project this month, I decided to start on some Christmas cards for my German family/friends. I am so excited that mSB have {german stamps}, because that makes life so much easier for me.

Over the last years I had to write and print my own messages and sentiments if I felt a German phrase was needed for a card or layout. But now I just get my stamps out..yay!

This is a real quick card, made entirely from scraps - a little cut-off from a sheet of 12 x 12 cardstock, which I trimmed down to my usual 8.5 x 11 size. I never throw those cut-offs away as they are perfect for a wee card. Afterwards, I ran it through my Cuttlebug and wrapped a strip of left over paper around it.
Add stamped image, sentiment some snowflake die cuts and ribbon and there you have your card.

I love that sledge image from the {ho ho ho} set and the sentiment from the {gelegentliches} set. Once again, the colouring could be better...but my parents won't mind, I am sure :)

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Bazzill; Papermill
Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs
Stamps: myStampBox
Embellishments: Die Cuts - Making Memories; Ribbon; Pearltrim; Pin; Brads
Tools: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Promarker pens

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