Scrap That! July Kit Reveal "Summer in my Garden"

Has this been a great Hop or what? You should have arrived here from Helen's blog.  By now you have seen the fabulous July kit "Summer in my Garden" ... and seen what our DT has done with all that scrappy goodness. Kaitlyn put together one incredibly awesome kit this month! 

Just in case you got lost along the way, here is the complete list for the Hop:

ScrapThat! - http://www.scrapthatchat.blogspot.ca/

Jenifer Evans - http://heldscraptive.blogspot.ca

Keren Tamir - http://kerentamir.blogspot.ca

Amarilys Doria - http://amadrian8.blogspot.com/
Marilyn Rivera - http://marilynrivera.blogspot.com/

ScrapThat! Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/ScrapThat-Kit-Club/111009852256498

Sandi Smith - http://sandi-smith.blogspot.ca

Alissa Wells - http://willrunforstamps.blogspot.com/
Helen Tilbury - http://helentilbury.blogspot.com/

Sandi Clarkson - http://softsideofsandi.blogspot.com/ you're here! 

ScrapThat! Forum - http://scrapthat.ning.com/forum/categories/kit-reveal-and-blog-hop/...

Wow!! This kit seriously turned the mojo on full tilt! I had so many ideas flowing that it made it hard to decide what to work on first! So, I had multiple pages going on at once. Let me show you some of what I have done.

"Sunshine"

For this page, I have used the sketch provided by the lovely Amarilys Doria. It made for tons of possibilities. The photo is of my daughter Danielle on a recent vacation. I thought the rust tones of the Organic Lace and Organic Kitchen were perfect for this photo taken of her on the beach. I've used florals from both the main kit (the large green Zva bloom) as well as from the Flower Add-on (the Prima vine and the white fabric Prima blooms.) Everything else is from the kit except the paper doily, some ribbon and my Dusty Attic butterflies which I left untreated to look more natural. I've done lots of distressing as well as used my some of my favorite Martha Stewart punches. I loved the buttons that were in the kit and added my favorite one to my floral cluster strung with a bit of jute. The quote reads "In Summer the Song sings itself."

"Family Trust"

This one is my favorite of all my pages this time! I simply adore the colors in the Organic Herbs and Herbs 2! I just love the mix of aqua, purple, blue and grey. Here I've used some items from the Embellsihment Add-on .. the Prima resin window frame pieces and the Prima Crystal Palace vine. I took the Zva flower from the main kit and Glimmer Misted it to get the dark blue shade. The outer doily effect was achieved with my Tim Holtz alteration die. Love that thing! I inked my white IAMROSES cherry blossoms to make the edges a rosy-pink. Then I tucked in a bit of lace from the kit. From my own stash I did add the white crochet doily, A Dusty Attic flourish and a few small rosebuds. I painted some white Gesso around the edges of the layout for a very cool look. Like I said, a favorite for sure! 

"Organic"

This page was a real labor of love and took a full day to complete. (I love this photo of my mother picking cherries.) I got really artsy with this one and did some spattering of white gesso on the Organic Tree paper, misting with my Prima masks on the Organic Script, treating my chipboard with a tie-die look and made the large paper flowers with the Organic Strawberry papers and my Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die. Around the edge I've used my MS Cherish punch. Everything on this page is from the Main Kit only. I used the craft sticks as journaling strips and the floral picks (aka green fence posts) were twisted to make curliques for my blooms!  The burlap flower was inked and snipped to give it a petalled look with a button from the kit sewed to the center. I did add in some gauze from my stash. I'll be doing a Build a Page on this layout in mid-July, so there will be close-ups and more details at that time. 

"Kenz"

This is another favorite! Again, I've used the Organic Strawberry and Script paper along with some light and dark purple Bazzill cardstock along with another of the Prima Crystal Palace vines from the Embellishment Add-on. The large green flower is from the Flower Add-on and is a muslin flower that I have Glimmer Misted to this luscious green color with Ivy Green GM. The 3 purple blooms were made from card stock using my Spellbinders Donna Salazar Rose Creations dies.  My flourishes were cut using my Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish die with my Vagabond. Again I've turned to my favorite Martha Stewart punches. For the edges my Wild Flowers punch and in the middle of the page, my Scroll Hearts punch and Floral Vine punch. I've used a paper doily from my stash as well as a few small rosebuds. You can see that my photo was matted with Prima floral packaging. 

That's it from me today. Except for my Secret Word .. July 6th .. guess you'll be wanting that! 

The next and last step on the hop is back to Scrap That!  Hope you had fun! 

July Scrap That! Sneak Peeks!

Hello there, fellow scrappers! I'm here today with a few of my sneak peaks from the Scrap That! July Kit "Summer in my Garden." This kit is beyond gorgeous and I was so happy with the way all my pages turned out. 

Don't forget that the Scrap That! Blog Hop will be this Friday June 29 at 9:30 AM CDT. Until then, here are a few sneaky peeks to tide you over! See you Friday! 

So hard to choose a favorite~ Loved all my pages~! See you Friday! 

July 22 Original Sketch ~ SOUS ~

Whew! Thank goodness it's Friday! I have had so much going on this month and into next that it's a little crazy! But the weekend is here and vacation is around the corner. First though, it is time for reveal day at Stuck on U Sketches and this week is "sketch week!"

So, are you ready for Christmas in June? Me neither .. but when I designed this sketch it was December and I already had this layout in my head .. sort of. Heehee! This is a much-loved photo of my Mom posing in her new sweater and slacks from Dad  .. outside  no less. Seems that her flash was never working quite right, so we often went outside to take photos .. even in the snow! She was a trooper! 

I've used the awesome Pion Waiting for Santa papers for this page. It didn't turn out quite like I wanted but it goes that way sometimes! However, the papers are gorgeous! And this is one of those "looks better in real life" pages! 

This also gave me the opportunity to use my Dusty Attic swirly Christmas tree which I first painted with white Gesso, then a mix of Glimmer Mist Ivy Green and Forest Green as well as Glimmer Glam Dirty Martini finishing with a few pearls. 

My banner was fussy cut using some of the die cuts from the paper collection, then strung with some jute. I used a yummy BoBunny petal under the photo as well as a mix of Prima and Petaloo poinsettias throughout the page. The large flower has been accented with a cream bow, yummy cream button and jute. 

There is an old rub-on in the lower left corner that I liked. I forget what a nice page accent they are. Then I've finished the page with some Prima Say it in Pearls and some butterflies made using my MS punch. 

I was running short of time, so I hope that you can click on the photo and get your close-up view! I've included the sketch below in case you have not downloaded it yet. I can't wait to see your designs using it! 

Okay, the  hubs and I are off to vacationland this next week, so time a-wastin' Lots to be done, so I will cut this a bit short! 

Have a great weekend .. and don't forget to upload your projects to the SOUS blog! And if you haven't seen what the rest of the DT has done, ya better head over that way ... there's some really good stuff! 

Sandi's June kit Creations ~ Life's Muse ~

"Friends"

Hello, scrappers! Sandi Clarkson posting here today for the Scrap That! blog and re-posting here on my personal blog. I wanted to share again my projects from the June kit "Life's Muse."  You've seen these but they got lost a bit in the blog hop detail.This was such a gorgeous kit and it was truly a pleasure to work with it.

The layout above above was actually the first page I worked on  .. after carefully going through my kit to get some idea what elements to put with which papers.  But here you can see some of the Webster's Pages Everyday Poetry papers paired with the ivory card stock. I have fussy cut my blue patterned paper using a template from an older favorite die cut paper.  Next, I did a ton of fussy cutting to get the dark rose blossoms to embellish with, as well as the birdcage. I've added flowers from the Embellishment add-on, as well as some from the main kit. Then from one of the papers, I've cut an exotic butterfly with my Cheery Lynn die. The leaves were cut using my Sizzix branches die.  There was some lovely Zva bling is in the main kit but I've used some Red Alcohol Ink to darken it somewhat. And don't you love that Prima gem I've dangled from the birdcage? I'd love to have more of those! I computer-generated my journaling. Everything here was from the main kit and the embellishment add-on except for the aqua and pink pearls which are from my stash.

"Elias"

Isn't he a dumpling? This is my new ggs Elias and I really wanted to make him the focus of the page. So I did some misting and stamping (Donna Salazar) as well as more fussy cutting to make an adorable page using nothing but product from the main  kit. You may think I've added in a store-bought doily but it was cut from one of the papers using my Cheery Lynn french pastry doily die. The white leaves are again Sizzix. Of course, there is more fussy cutting of some birdcages which are popped on foam squares. 

"Home"

This is my submission using the awesome sketch provided by team member Amarilys Doria.  You may remember this layout from my tutorial earlier this month.  Check out that gorgeous Green Tara lace and the Zva flowers, especially the tulle one .. be still my heart! A little more fussy cutting, distressing and inking finish off the page. I have only added my own paper doily and a few pearls from my stash. Otherwise, everything is from the main kit except the smallest pink Prima from the embellishment add-on. I worked really hard on using very little of my own product just so  you can see how far the kit really does go! 

"Tell Me Your Thoughts"

Here is one last page that I've done. For this one, I have added a large Webster's Pages Die Cut (split in two) from my own stash. But the remainder of the paper, as well as the lace and flowers are from the main kit and embellishment add-on. I've also used a couple of Dusty Attic pieces, the ornate corner #6 and the birdcage #5 from my stash. They were painted a warm winter color. Then I added a bit of pink to the birdcage along with some pearls.  Here you'll also see my first experimentation with molding paste in the swirls in the middle of the page. Love the effect and I'll be doing more of that soon! I am still in love with the Martha Stewart Wild Flowers punch that I got for Christmas. It was perfect for this girly page! This layout is based on a sketch by Leah Schaeffer from Stuck on U Sketches. Here is that sketch: 

I hope you have enjoyed seeing these again. Thanks for coming by! 

All About Fathers ~ SOUS ~

This week at Stuck on U Sketches we are posting our new Die Cut challenge. The challenge this time around is to post a project using Die Cuts that relates to the theme "All About Fathers."  This can be a card, layout or altered item. It must be a new project as of today and you must use a Die or Die Cutting tool of some kind. 

I hope you will visit us and see what the DT has done this time around! There is some great stuff! 

Have a fun and safe weekend! 

June 8th Sketch challenge ~ SOUS ~

Hi, everybody! I am back today with my DT post for Stuck on U Sketches. We have another fun sketch for you today ... designed by yours truly! And I must say that I really love the design although I sure did deviate from it once I got started. LOL

This is dgd Marianne who thinks that one needs to dress for going to town in your nightgown covered up a bit with a fun T-shirt and sweater; then just add the necklace and bracelet of your choosing along with some strappy sandals. Get your princess wave going and you're all done. Isn't she a hoot? Or alternatively, wear your ski cap with a favorite little diva outfit. I'm telling you: this girl is funny!

I had trouble photographing this one to my liking and photo-editing didn't seem to do the trick. (Maybe it is just the paper as it has a bit of a faded look.) So, I will just have to report that it looks so much better in person. Maybe not my most favorite page ... but that's how it goes sometimes.

I did try my molding paste once again in the upper left corner and then colored it with Distress inks until I got a mix I liked. I've added a couple of pieces of Dusty Attic, the wire dress form as well as the chandelier. I love altering chipboard! They painted, then glimmer misted and have some glimmer glam on them as well. My doilies were cut with my Vagabond using my French Pastry doily die from Cheery Lynn. There is a gorgeous light blue Websters Pages lace running across the page but you can barely see after all the embellishments were added. Lots of pearls, buttons, flowers and ribbon finish the look.

My journaling was computer generated and reads "Divas are not made, they are born."

I think that is about it for today. I hope that you will check out what the other DT members have done. And moreover, that you will find time to play along. We have a  couple of new designers  introduced today and I hope that you will give them a warm welcome. Waving Hi to you, Tracey and Jane!

Thanks for coming by. Have a great weekend!

June Scrap That! tutorial .. getting your ribbon or lace straight

Hello, scrappers! Sandi Clarkson here today with a small tutorial on how I get my ribbon straight on a page. I've used the gorgeous Scrap That!'s June kit Life's Muse for my example page. (Let me apologize now for the poor lighting on the photos. We were having thunderstorms the day I needed to work on this!) 

In the first photo, you can see that I have already adhered several paper layers to my page and it was time to adhere my ribbon.

First, I have placed the ribbon on the page to get  a general idea where I want it to go.  I have placed the layout on my work mat and lined my paper up straight with the lines on the mat being sure that the top of both ends of the ribbon are on the same inch marker. 

Before reaching for the tape, I place some additions items on the page without securing them to ensure that I am happy with where the ribbon is going. 

I generally use Tacky Tape to adhere my ribbons but here I have used a Recollections brand.   A good quality double-sided tape is the key. And placing it discreetly so that it does not show. Alternatively, I will use a glue such as Beacon's Fabri-tac. 

Then I put a ruler across the page .. lining up with the markers on the side. 

I moved the ruler down according to the width of the tape, in this instance it was 1/4 of an inch. If you like, you can run a pencil line along the top of your ruler although I generally do not. Please excuse my very old ruler. My good clear Tim Holtz ruler was misplaced the day I was preparing this. I'm sure this happens to you as well, right? 

Now it is time to adhere the tape to the page being sure to go beyond each edge and actually taped to the mat at this point.  This will allow you to wrap that extra length around the page when you want to wrap the ribbon or lace around your page and eliminate any frayed edges. For my project, however, I cut my ribbon plumb with the paper and used Fray check on the ends. Ususally, however, I wrap the ends around to the back. 

This simply shows lifting up the red protective liner to reveal the sticky tape. 

Next I carefully start placing the top of my lace or ribbon along the upper edge of the tape. I needed an extra hand to really photograph "in progress." But trust me, I do this part slowly and carefully usually work from left to right as I am right handed. 

Here I have trimmed the sides. Now my lace is running straight across the page! 

You can use this same principle to align your photos if you wish. I always hate when I've gotten a photo on my paper just a bit crooked and then cannot correct my mistake because I have embellished over it. 

Here is the completed page. This one was based on team member Amarilys' awesome June sketch. 

I hope this tutorial will help you  the next time you are trying to get your ribbons and lace looking nice. Feel free to leave me any questions that you may have. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

"I love Summer" Die Cut challenge

Woo-hoo! Here comes Summer!  And it's time for those shades and a sun bonnet! Well, maybe not the bonnet unless you're at the beach! LOL It's also reveal day over at Stuck on U Sketches. 

But anyway, I've been dying to use this new rainbow striped ribbon that I had picked up at JoAnn's and this seemed the perfect opportunity! I paired it with some cloud paper and red checked paper that I printed on my Cricut Imagine using my Best Friends cartridge. My top note is printed from there as well but cut using my Spellbinders. 

My sweet little sun-loving gal has been printed and cut using the same cart and elevated using multiple layers of foam squares. I wish my photo were better but the weather has not co-operated. At least not in synch with days off. 

I am thinking I will add the word birthday below Summer Sizzlin' and give it to one of my June birthday people. I have a whole slew of them! The cherries and sunbonnet were from my stash but finished the card off nicely. 

Seems I am short on words today but do hope that you will find time to play along with us at SOUS. You will have 2 weeks to upload your project. It can be a card, tag, layout or altered item. It simply must be new as of today, have a Die Cut on it and must be consistent with the Summer theme. 

Just a little heads up that this will probably be my last Die Cut submission while I concentrate on getting our new SOUS Card Challenges up and running. Those will debut in July but you will be hearing more about them shortly. 

Have a safe and happy weekend. I am hoping to relax some this weekend as last weekend was busy, busy. Got my scrapping plans all made! 

Thanks for coming by!