Memories Preserved - Friendship Lasts Forever

It's bonus sketch Friday! If you have hopped over from BoBunny thank you for coming by. My sketch is shared at the bottom of this post.

"Moments with Marv" is one of the most dear layouts I have done in months - a lot of emotion went into creating it.

Even when cancer threatens to break up a dear friendship, we can preserve the memories of our friendship before the person is taken away. Today's layout just does that...hidden journaling has allowed me to pour my heart out, vent against cancer, revisit the wonderful moments shared with Marv...preserving our friendship archivally for many years. I had so much I wanted to say, my form of therapy, that I decided to make a pocket to hold a small four-panel booklet. Primarily I used BoBunny's Persuasion collection, along with other products you can see in my list shared further down. 

I created this layout thoughtfully and slowly, adding in many details, loving it as I went, just like I love our dear friend. I ran the cardstock for the title area through my Cuttlebug, embossing with a wildflower pattern. I then used markers, smidges of Shimmerz paint, etc., to add color to the raised design. It was also misted with turquoise Glimmer Mist. Olive Shimmerz was painted onto the die-cut flourishes, which were cut with BoB Sweet Pear Double Dot cardstock.

The photo frame itself is a negative from BoBunnys Chunky Chipboard Brackets and Swirls - covered with patterned paper. I cut out the center, using the opening of the negative as my guide, and used mod podge to adhere the paper to the frame. My craft knife and chak ink came into play to distress the edges.

I used Magistical Memories Awesome Blossom chipboard, painted it pink and topped with pink Stickles. It looks beautiful layered on top of BoBunny's flowers. I punched a circle for the center and stamped "Love"  with Bobunny's acrylic stamp set - "Cherished".

BoBunny's "Circle This Date" Stamp & Store set allowed me to note the exact day on which this photo was taken of myself and Marv. You might also see the hint of turquoise Shimmerz paint brushed upon the flowers, and Stickles added to the large merlot colored flower. The red ribbon I used is actually from a Christmas gift that Marv's wife had used on a present for Abby this past Christmas.

A button is used on my journaling booklet, to serve as the "handle" to open it. I used a Circa 18 pt. stamp to create my own itty bitty alphas for "journal".

BoBunny supplies used: Persuasion Collection: Forever Die-Cut, Love Notes (red heart pattern), Blooms, Stripe; SWAK iCandy Brads, Flowers, Buttons and Bling, Combo Sticker; Cherished Stamp (word LOVE) in upper circle)

Cardstock: Frost Dot, Seafoam, Coffee Dot

Stamp & Store Circle this Date Double stamp set, Cherished Stamp from Persuasion Collection

Tis the Season Stripe (turquoise side)

Other Supplies:

Cardstock: The Paper Co.

Chipboard flowers: Magistical Memories Awesome Blossom

Stamps: Inkadinkadoo (bird), BoBunny Cherished Stamp (Love), Hampton Art G Studio (Friends forever and quote behind journal insert); ProvoCraft Circa 18 Pt. (journal letters)

Inks: Staz-on Tsukineko in olive green, black cherry red, teal; Rubber Stampede Coffee Bean; Memento Ink markers by Tsukineko in olive green

Glimmer and Glitter mediums: Shimmerz paint pots in Olive Green and Tickle-Me-Turquoise; Glimmer Mist Spray – Turquoise, Stickles by Ranger in Fruit Punch

Cross charm: Crossed Paths (Faith)

Bling: Heidi Swapp pink frame, Kaise Craft pearl sticker in latte

Paints: Liquitex, Folk Art

Ribbons: Offray (turquoise), red (salvaged from holiday gift wrapping)

Pen: EK Success brown

Thread: Coats & Clark

Tools: Cuttlebug with Sizzix Flourish, and Cuttlebug floral embossing folder

 

I hope you have enjoyed this project today, and if you enjoy sketches, I am providing it below. You can also see the different takes other BoBunny designers have done based on my sketch by visiting the BoB blog today.

 If you have someone who is terminally ill, I would like to encourage you to scrap about the loss you already may be feeling, even though your loved one is still here, fighting the disease. I do know that although cancer can end a person's life, friendships live on forever in the hearts of those who cherish the memories, the moments shared.

 

Happy creating, even in pain and sorrow,

Rita S

Do You Have a Word for 2010?

Less.  This word came to me near the end of 2009. I think with all the hub bub of creating Christmas gifts, doing, doing, doing - and not getting to relax and relish the holiness of the season - I realized I needed to do less. Too much busy time does not allow for God time, and not only does that wear on my heart, I am sure God misses me as well.

Less. Less stuff. Our house is small, yet certain areas are packed with STUFF. Stuff that can go - the fooz ball table that is never played with and takes considerable space in the basement. Closets overly filled. Set aside an hour or two...and work on one small area. That is the game plan I proposed to my husband - attack it, chuck it, give it, reorganize what remains. (We've made some progress on this in 2010 - it feels good!) Clothes that I have stored, hoping that I will one day fit into them again. Well, if I do lose weight -I deserve the reward of new! And speaking of weight loss...yes, less, in that respect as well. Less of me, physically.I want to share a close up of my title letters. I used a stamp set you may not expect...BoBunny's Old St. Nicholas (santa) acrylic stamp. Surrounding Santa is a fine scroll writing style. I love the look of script writing in patterned papers, and backgrounds, and wanted to apply that design to my title letters. It is subtle, but there. I lined the letters up side by side and simply stamped across all my red chipboard letters at once, using black Staz-On. I then covered with gloss dimensional adhesive.

Perhaps even less stash. Yes, now that I am designing for BoBunny I hardly ever get a chance to dabble into my stash - although much is earmarked and even set aside to go with certain photos. This photos uses Pink Paisley product I have probably had set aside for two years now, waiting for me to scrap that photo of myself - which happens to be an all-time favorite.

Never, however, less bling. I have been on my sparkle and bling kick for a couple years now - and honestly, do not see that going away. Sparkle Mod Podge sits as near my immediate work space as does my craft knife and metal ruler. I use it often! I found these Prima Fleurs at Michaels last week - loved the chunks of "frost" on the petals. Pretty, aren't they? I wonder...could I use sea salt and get the same look? (LOL)

BoBunny's chiffon chipboard alphabets and shapes have become a favorite as the color is so easy to colorize with a variety of mediums. Here I simply misted with turquoise Glimmer Mist.  I also used Licorice Shimmer Mist on the background kraft cardstock.

Of course I have to share my journaling for my chosen word for 2010. It is going to take a lot of discipline, which is my "first trimester" word. (LOL)
Discipline came into my head a couple of weeks ago, realizing how much discipline it will take for less to come about.
It will take discipline to let God take control and let go of control, which I hang on to fervently. It will take discipline to not pop corn or other foods after a certain hour of the evening. Right now, as I type this, I am developing a craving...which means I need to go scrap as I absolutely have no desire to eat when I am creating.

Less of me, more of Him.  John 3:30 reads, "He must become greater, I must become less." 
Less is not only my word for 2010, but my prayer. I can see God working in my life. I am receiving affirmation of my gifts from several people and I have no idea how I am to find time to allow these gifts to be used for Him. I struggle with time, and lack there of to accomplish all that I want. And maybe that is where I need to step back, reconsider what I want, and allow God's wants for my life to be considered. I stamped a bird design I have used often - only this time embossed with white embossing powder, to create a "dove" for my page. I know that the only way there can be less of me, is to let the Spirit grow inside me, and allow for more of Him.

Have you scrapped your word for 2010? I have seen some great pages out there. I encourage you, if you have put off this project, to get 'er done. Now that it is on my paper it serves as a reminder of my 2010 goal.

Happy creating,

Rita S.

Winter's Song with BoBunny Winter Serenade

It's was -10 degrees fahrenheit when I decided to wake up early one Saturday this past January, to go out and photograph God's glorious winter landscape. I captured a number of photos that I just love, but then what to do with them? Some will be enlarged and framed, they make great items for mission silent auctions. But I also am inspired by the photos...inspired to write a poem, inspired by BoBunny papers, and inspired to bring it all together into a layout.

The result is Winter's Song, and BoBunny's Winter Serenade could not be any more perfect for these photos. Now, I will be the first to admit that I had to rush this layout - I fully acknowledge that I missed the deadline. I began this layout at 12:30 in the  morning...and was in bed by 2:45 a.m. Hmmm, I think it is going to be a LOOONG day at work!! Even without the stitching that I so much wanted to add, but dared not pull an all nighter, this layout turned out beautiful. Beautiful because of Winter's Serenade...I truly do not think there is another winter line out there as beautiful. With all its glitter and gorgeous designs, it stands on its own with little need for embellishment. The snowflake stickers in the combo sticker sheet are SO intricate...you may not realize it until you start popping out all those little inner pieces on your own. For the flake on the lower right I removed the long pieces to shorten the overall width of the flake, so it would fit in the space by my journaling.

As I need to get to work - I am going to quickly show some photos this morning with little explanation. I will say that the Chiffon chipboard letters and shapes are quickly becoming a favorite. A little Glimmer Mist and inked edges and they are SO pretty!  Be sure to pick some up today!
Supplies Used:


BoBunny Winters Serenade Collection: Papers – Prelude Die-Cut, Winter Night, Stripe, Concerto, Combo Sticker, Ensemble iCandy Brads, Slate and Chiffon Dot Cardstock; Calypso brown alpha stickers

Other:

Gem Stickers: Kaiser Craft
Shimmer: Glimmer Mist Rouge

Ink: Colorbox Chalk Inks

Happy creating!

Rita S.

Valentine Gifts with BoBunny

Did you all have a sweet Valentine's Day? Our day was busy as we also celebrated the Korean New Year in our efforts to have Abby be aware of  some of the traditions in her Korean culture. But of course we also celebrated Valentine's.

A couple of years ago I noticed my husband was keeping a file folder of the cards myself and the kids had given him. I decided to create a box, and when BoBunny Persuasion arrived I knew I had the perfect line to follow through with this idea. The "Moments" paper from Persuasion, with its many sentiments, is a perfect choice for a box that is to hold greeting cards. From a previous project, I already had a piece of red, from "Love Notes", in a bracket shape and it made for a great center backdrop for embellishments.  I used a BoBunny bracket frame in Chiffon, and lightly spot inked it with VersaMagic Sea Breeze. I then misted with Latte Glimmer Mist, which I also used on the "Moments" paper. Once dry, I added a little more Sea Breeze ink for a little more intense aqua here and there. The frame is quite pretty in real life, distress with shimmer, which I love!

Some tips for the sides...  Using a large scallop border punch allowed me to match up the scallops. I made sure that all strips wrapped around corners, this simply makes the corners more durable. As you can see from this close up of a seam, choosing a paper with a subtle pattern allows me to match up ends, slightly overlaps, for an almost invisible seam.

For this project all stitching was done prior to adhering to the box. I used Mod Podge by plaid for large surface areas, but espcially on top, where the edges would not lie flat because of the Glimmer Mist process, I used Zip Dry, and although that glue smells a bit, it certainly cements down edges and you won't ever have to worry about your project coming apart. I had wide, sheer ribbon in aquamarine on hand, and twisted it before adhering to the inside of the box lid. You could simply use a really strong tape to do this, covering all ends so as not to catch or fray as the box is used. BoBunny's aquamarine double dot ribbon layered on top provided a beautiful finishing touch.

Children Love Valentine Gifts Too!

For the kids I altered mini M&M tubes that they had received as stocking stuffers a number of Christmas ago. They make handy small treat carriers for car trips, and we have hung on to them.

Every Sunday after church we hang around to chat with friends. The kids can become restless without something to do, and Abby always loves to color. To simplify the process of gathering up some crayons I decided to alter an M&M tube as a crayon case. I chose Persuasion for the multiple colors, and the dotted paper - our girl loves polka dots - she considers them "artsy". (LOL) My pink Crop-o-dile did a nice clean job of punching holes in the sides. By feeding the ribbon from the inside out, it is smooth inside and does not hinder crayons from sliding in and out, nor does it take up space. The ribbon coming out through the top of the tube, easily allows the cap to snap shut (although I see I did not push it down tightly in my photo - sorry about that!). Of course, being for Abby, I had to bling it! Regular gloss Mod Podge was used to adhere the papers to the tubes, but I used Sparkle Mod Podge over Abby's crayon case, which also helps keep the sticker border from the Persuasion Combo Sticker sheet from coming off.

Crayon Case:
BoBunny Supplies Used: Persuasion Dot, Love notes, Combo Stickers; Love Bandit “Love Bandit”; Pink Punch Double Dot 3/8” ribbon

Other:

Sparkle Mod Podge

Alpha Stickers: American Crafts Rock-A-Bye

Kyle loves all critters - and I knew he would enjoy the "Love Bandit" collection. The critters are so cute!

Treat Tube:Love Bandit “Love You Deerly”, “Love Bandit”, Cut Outs, Wild Berry Double Dot Ribbon

The top features a sticker from the Love Bandit and Persuasion Combo Sticker sheets that I thought each child would like.  While I have the Love Bandit still on my table, I need to alter a keepsake box for Kyle as well. As my sentimental kid, I see he is just like his dad as I find his cards stuffed into his dresser drawers among his clothes.

And of course I just have to share a drawing Abby made for me over the weekend.  Note the tree on the right - an apple tree. Apparently Bo Bunny tried eating an apple (note the one with a bite out of it), but then decided he would prefer the carrots found in the garden. Note the bow on the bunny? Way cute, and I love that she is drawing us pictures all the time. Who knows...she just may grow up to be a BoBunny designer!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I have more layouts to share this week so stay tuned.  Meanwhile, enjoy the creative process and be true to yourself.

Happy creating,
Rita S.

Purseful of Chocolates!!

I work for a company that is all about taking care of our clients. My boss and I enjoy great relationships with many of our clients, and some are extra special to us. For Valentine's day my boss and his wife are taking a group of widowed clients out for lunch - as he felt everyone deserves a special lunch or dinner out for Valentine's day.

We wanted to make a special Valentine for each of them. I have a friend who has a die-cut business, and ordered adorable purse-shaped boxes. I decorated each with BoBunny papers from the Love Bandit and Persuasion collections. I thought the ladies might get a kick out of seeing buttons on the purses - no doubt they have a stash of buttons in their own home. We are filling the purses with Dove chocolates and other Valentine candies, and using them instead of placecards around the table.

I should let you know that the back side is the same as the front. I created a template to trace and cut out the shape for each purse, front and back. I then used a border punch on a 1.25" x 12" strip, cut to 6". Adhering the 6" strip in position, I used a micro-tip scissors to trim the excess border, following the shape of the purse.

One could easily write someone's name on the front flap of the purse if you want to use these as flap and use as placecards, and how cute would they be as party favors? I think girls, whether in their 80's or age 8, would find these adorable!

Adorable little purse boxes can be had in a number of shapes. And of course there are so many die-cut boxes one could use to hold little treats...whether as party favors, bunko night, wedding reception table decorations...the ideas for using shaped little boxes is endless! My friend, Donna, recently shipped out 300 purses for an all female convention - no order is too big, or too small. Contact her if you are interested in checking out what she offers. Her web-site is brand new and shows only a fraction of the boxes and die-cuts she offers.

Be sure to swing by BoBunny's blog today to see what the other designers have come up with for table top Valentine decor. You WILL be amazed - promise!!

Happy Creating,
Rita S.

Winners!!!!! Corinna and Em!

Thanks to everyone who has been visiting my blog - it was so much fun reading your comments, and I really do appreciate your hopping by.

Winner of the Love Bandit Collection is comment #40 (once I got past those duplicates ;-) - I do appreciate those of you who realized you did not leave contact info and took the time to come back and do it. It makes my life so much easier!

The winning comment was left by Summer Rose Scrapbooks, or Corinna. I just visited her blog and was saddened to learn she just had some bad news, and it makes me very happy to be sending Love Bandit to her. I hope it will cheer her up. Congratulations Corinna, and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

A few weeks ago I posted Em as the "blog follower" winner of the newest Paradise collection. Em, I hope to hear from you soon so I have a confirmed address to send product to once it arrives.

Again, thanks everyone. I have several projects coming up that will be appearing here in days to follow.

Last Day to Win Love Bandit and Sharing a Recipe We Love!!

It's February 10th - which means midnight is the cut off to leave a  comment on the Ribbon Rainbows thread to be included in the drawing for a collection of BoBunny's Love Bandit!  Be sure to leave a comment here.
If you are hopping over from the BoBunny blog today welcome! I want to share with you a recipe for Korean Bulgogi, which my family learned to make as a part of our culture education when we were in the process of adopting Abby.  The recipe has few ingredients, and is pretty quick to pull together. I cut and pasted the recipe from on-line, and left the intro paragraph since it is good info and right on.

BULGOGI (Korean BBQ)  Serves 4
One of the most popular Korean dishes, this thinly sliced meat has a smoky sweet flavor when broiled or cooked on the grill. It's even delicious stir-fried, and the tender beef can be used in anything from Korean “sushi” rolls (Kimbap) to Stir-fried Noodles (Chapchae). Bulgogi is usually accompanied with lettuce wraps and spicy red pepper paste (Kochujang) for wrapping and spicing up the meat.

Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Marinade Ingredients:3 Tbsp chopped garlic (about 2-3 cloves)
3 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp fresh squeezed juice from an Asian pear
    (it's great even without this!)
1 Tbsp Japanese rice wine (mirin)*
1 Tbsp sesame oil
3 green onions, finely chopped (including white part)
    (our family has used chives)
1 tsp pepper
Marinade Preparation:
1.Mix marinade together until sugar and honey are dissolved/distributed.
2.Can be stored in refrigerator or freezer for use on beef, pork, and chicken.
*If you don't have access to the rice wine, a splash of dry white wine will also work here.

Meat Preparation:
•Bulgogi marinade for 1 lb of meat (approx 1 cup)
•1 pound sliced beef *

1.Prepare Bulgogi marinade according to directions.
2.If beef is not sliced, slice into thin, finger-length strips (if you freeze the beef for 15 minutes, it will be easier to slice).
3.If you can, ask the butcher at the meat counter to slice for you in very thin strips. Korean and/or Asian grocery stores will often have meat for Bulgogi pre-sliced for sale.
4.Mix marinade into meat with hands or chopsticks, making sure all the meat is covered.
5.Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight. For tougher cuts, the more hours, the better. You can also freeze the uncooked marinated beef in small amounts for later use.
6.Grill, broil, or stir fry the beef until well-done and carmelized on the outside.
7.Serve with rice, lettuce leaves, and side dishes.


*Top sirloin or tenderloin work best, but almost any steak cut will do. The best quality meat will obviously taste the best.
 
If you try Bulgogi for the first time I would be interested to hear how you like it! Thanks for coming by. I had planned on sharing a new BoBunny layout today, but I am sure you will agree this post is long enough with the recipe. (LOL)

Happy cooking!
Rita S.

Homework. It's a part of our lives every weeknight. There have been several times over the years where the kids bring something home, usually from art class or creative time, and I think, "wow, that's cool - I should lift that idea for scrapbooking someday!"  I've had those thoughts plenty, but have yet to act upon my ideas.

Last week, however, I had to help Kyle with a math assignment, in which he had to create a crossword puzzle with words provided by the teacher. Using an on-line resource to create the puzzle was perfectly acceptable. As I was helping out, I had an "aha" moment. I had been kicking around several ideas for the BoBunny "14 Loves" assignment... a mini album of Abby with her 14 favorite stuffed animals, 14 qualities I love about my husband...pretty usual stuff. As I utilized an on-line puzzle making resource, I thought, "hey, wouldn't it be cool to createa  crossword puzzle of 14 things my family and I love"...and thus, the layout "US" was created.

To create your own personalized puzzle, visit Puzzle Source.  There are a number of puzzles you can make -  think of what fun you can have with page ideas! Print your puzzle onto acid free paper, to use on your layout as is, OR use it as a guide to recreate the puzzle on grid patterned paper. With many manufacturers offering grid papers in their collections, this is simply a fun way to utlize them with a twist.

The best part - family interaction! Have your family solve the puzzle as a team – ensuring the puzzle includes hints that everyone can answer.

To create the grid – use a pencil to chart your word placement on grid patterned paper. I used BoBunny's "My Sweet" in the Persuasion collection. For one down, I wrote the number 1 where the word starts, and a 1 on the last square the word uses. Don’t worry about the numbers – you can cover them up with letter stickers or letter tiles (which I created with an 18 pt. font stamp), or simply erase the pencil marks once your grid is drawn with a fine tip marker. Important tip: Determine your maximum grid square count – for example, the grid used in “Us” is 17 squares long, and 16 squares wide – use these numbers to determine where your squares will start and stop, ensuring you have enough room when a patterned paper has a design cover grid squares, as is the case in “My Sweet”. Print the puzzle hints on a transparency or solid-type paper and add to the page.
Designer Tip: Folded ribbon idea – use paper clips to hold ribbon in place, removing clips as you stitch. This avoids using adhesive that will eventually “gunk” up your needle.

 A few addtional close ups of details in this layout. I had a perfect matching 2.5" wide sheer ribbon in aqua that I really wanted to use. I knew it would be difficult, not to mention bulky, to thread all that ribbon through button-holes, so I used a scissors to cut about a 1/4" strip to thread through and knot.

Supplies Used:
BoBunny
Persuasion: Cardstock Patterned Paper - "My Sweet' Blooms (pink), Dot (green), Stripe (cream), Love Notes (red); Happily Ever After Rub-on; Love Is All Cardstock Sticker, Flowers, SWAK iCandy Brads; Buttons & Bling
Dot Cardstock: Coffee, Blush; Double Dot Ribbon: Wild Berry; Chunky Chipboard Alpha Blush; Chunky Chipboard Swirls & Brackets Wildberry

Other:
Ribbon - Michaels aqua sheet
Pearls: Hero Arts
Paint: Scribbles Iridiscent Blush by Duncan (on blush chip alpha)
Ink: Colorbox Fluid Chalk Inks, Staz-on by Tsukineko in Olive Green, Timber Brown, Black Cherry Red
Stamped Alpha: Circa 18pt by ProvoCraft (dial a letter)
Glitters: Sparkle Mod Podge (frame), Stickles (red) by Ranger on heart cut-outs

Transparency: 3M

Thread: Coats & Clark
Transparent Sticker Ticket: My Mind's Eye
Misc: cardstock - raspberry

Pen: EK Success Zig Writer brown fine point

Embossed “Love 14” embellishment – Cuttlebug

I hope you will consider utilizing an on line puzzle maker to create a fun embellishment, or idea, for your page. Or if you don't want to scrap it, consider making a Valentine puzzle for your family and use it as a Valentine's Day family fun game. It's a great way to see how 'in tune" family members are with one another. Thanks for stopping by Colorfully Creating.  And as always....

Happy Creating!

Rita S.

Giveaway Reminder...and "use a forgotten tool" challenge!

Anyone recognize this tool as something in their stash? It's a ProvoCraft "dial a letter" stamp, featuring Circa type font in 18 pt. letter size.  I bought this tool YEARS ago thinking the small letter size would be oh so perfect and get lots of use. Well, guess what?
This tool has sat in a drawer for at least three years and I question if I have ever used it ONCE! Pathetic, I know.
However, I am showing it to you today as a little teaser of what is to come. Come back tomorrow to see how I put this tool to work for me, and ended up creating one of my most favorite projects of all time!
If you tend to gravitate towards papercrafting tools that you purchase on a whim, but have never used - I challenge you to get it out and use it. Maybe it is that Basic Grey notch tool (um, yeah, guilty there too...I think I have used it a couple of times at best), or the VersaTool, which Santa brought one year for myself to use in papercrafting, and of course "he" thought Jesse would burn initials into his woodworking projects...but it has not been used once....  I better stop before you realize how pathetic I am in the tool fetish category...
My challenge to you - find a tool you have never used, that you have had at least 6 months, or a tool you have used only a couple of times in the years you have had it. I challenge you to use it, and share a link to your project. I will give you until March 31st - plenty of time to psyche yourself up.  From those that take on the challenge I will purge some things to give away...could be BoBunny cardstock stickers, an acrylic stamp I have never used or bought multiples of... truly, it will be a mystery. I do know that my hubby will soon be done building me a new storage cabinet for my supplies, and when the time comes, I will be purging, and someone will receive a goody box.
To help me keep postage costs down, I am going to limit this giveaway to players in the U.S. and Canada. Sorry overseas crafters!

February 10 is SOON approaching! There are only a few more days to leave a comment here in order to be in a drawing for BoBunny's Love Bandit. Also, be sure I have a way to contact you.
I am hoping Em, a follower, will be contacting me soon from reading the announcement of the Paradise giveaway. Her link is not working and I want to be able to send her happy mail.

Happy Creating,
Rita S.

Simple, Beautiful Winter Serenade & Magistical Memories Snowflake

Today I thought I would share a fairly simple and quick layout I put together to showcase some of the photos I took on a recent winter photography shoot. Weeks ago I shared some of these photos the day I took them, and here I am giving you an idea of how I scrap them. Simply.

BoBunny's Dot cardstock in slate is a perfect shade of blue, almost seems like a teal to me  - it sets off the cool colors in the photos wonderfully. I used a strip of Winter Night, deco edged on one side with a lacy border punch.

Gray Thickers, foam letters, by American Crafts were painted a shade of maroon, and of course blinged with Sparkle Mod Podge by Plaid.  Sparkle was also added to the brackets found in Winter's Serenade combo stickers. To top off the strip of patterned paper, and soften the top edge, I had a scrap of purple ribbon remaining from a home decor wreath project created years ago.

My favorite element in this entire layout, however, is probably the bare treatment given to the Magistical Memories snowflake chipboard shape. For something different than my usual white, I coated a raw chipboard snowflake with a THICK coat of sparkle Mod Podge and generously sprinkle with a coarse glitter. I used Glitter Scintillement Brillow in Crystal, by Glitterex Corp. (found at Michaels a few years ago). The chunks of glitter look like real ice flakes - pretty cool.

Why scrap photos of winter scenery? Well, maybe you have a favorite quote that really works with a nature scene. Scripture often is beautifully set off with a photo of God's creation as well. But for "Frost" I chose to write a poem, inspired by the photos. All of which are pine needles covered in thick frost. The first photo shows a branch suspended above cold water, the second hangs in mid-air, and the last leads to a trail of footprints, or tracks, in the snow - giving evidence that someone, aka photographer, had passed by.

 "Frost"  is a layout where inspiration is definitely drawn from the photos themselves...from the simple choice of paper colors, to a frost-laden chip embellishment, and finally, to the journaling, which is an original poem, which I hope will give clues of who I am, to future generations.

Thanks for coming by.

Happy Creating,

Rita S.

Can I Persuade You to LOVE BoBunny Persuasion?

I spent the weekend scrapbooking layouts with BoBunny's Persuasion line - this line is SO beautiful! I am loving every moment of it, and am happy to share one of the finished projects today. But before I do, I want to announce the winner of the new Paradise collection - EM!!! Thanks to everyone who signed up to follow my blog. Em, I will be contacting you soon - it is probably at least a month before happy mail shows up at my door from BoBunny - so hang tight, it will be worth the wait!

May I persuade you.... If you're like me, before covering up a beautiful sheet of 12x12 patterned paper with photos and such, you look to see what exactly is going to be covered up and what can be salvaged and used elsewhere, whether on the layout itself or on a card, etc. I could not resist the larger hummingbird in the design, and cut that bird outta there, so I could find him another home on the page. I recently obtained some paint pots of Shimmerz, including an olive color. It was perfect to color in the little bird in a shimmer of green - as their feathers really do glow in real life. I used a chalk pencil to add some rose to its chin, and topped that with a dab of sparkle Mod Podge.

Of couse a hummingbird's favorite flower are the trumphet shaped ones - their long, narrow beaks are made especially sip the nectar of these flowers. I was inspired by the design in the upper right of the paper - the pink lines forming a circle with the dotted pink ends. How, you might ask? The lines with dotted ends reminded me of a fuschia flower, and the tendrils that hang from the inside of the draping flower, adorned with a bubble of gold pollen on the end. The fuschia is a favorite food source for hummingbirds, so I attempted to recreate one by using my "folk art heart" shaped paper punch, and punching hearts from the blush Dot BoBunny cardstock. Here are the steps I took to piece the flower:

1. Punch heart shapes from pink double dot cardstock and side by side, adhere 5 together with mini glue dots.

2. Use thumb to shape into a cone, bending gently and bring together and secure with last glue dot.

3. On outside at bottom, add another glue dot and cover with small scrap piece of green ribbon.

4. If desired, on inside, place a glue dot down at bottom of cone, punch real small heart shapes and stick inside.

5. Use pink Stickles to add sparkle to the inside. I used Fruit Punch, which has a hint of gold sparkle - it reminds me of pollen! I also painted the outside with sparkle Mod Podge.

6. Use Chunky Chip clove scrolls for stems (blinged with Olive Shimmerz of course!), and tie bits of 3/8" Double Dot clover ribbon onto the stems to create "leaves".

I realize some of you may be intimidated by the large flower pattern in the "Bloom" Persuasion paper, but don't be!! The large flower patterns BEG to be cut up! Follow the outlines of several flowers and create a border. Cut out additional flowers from same colors and layer on top for extra dimension. Note the butterfly punched from BoBunny's Love Shack line...it was sitting on my table from a previous project - so I plopped it down. I love that BoBunny's collections so very often coordinate from line to line.

These photos of Abby make me smile - I love that first grader grin with all the missing teeth! I chose the "5 Ways You Make Me Smile" from the cut-outs sheet, and listed 5 things she does that makes me smile. First, the girl is big on knock knock jokes - if you have had little ones, or do, I am sure you can relate! (LOL) Of course, many times they don't even make sense, but just to hear her laugh at her funny joke makes laughing contagious. She is also a creative girl - gotta love that! She is constantly drawing and writing stories. She may be adopted, but oh my goodness, so much of what she does mirrors what I did at her age! Abby and I also have our special love actions - she doesn't like kisses, but loves to rub noses together, and recently she has developed the "bunny bye-bye" - creating the peace sign with your hand and waving with those two fingers, errr, I mean bunny ears.

Have you fallen in love with Persuasion yet? If you still need a little convincing, be sure to hop over to the BoBunny blog today - where the other super talented designers are sharing their Persuasion projects. I look forward to sharing more projects with you soon using this line - in the meantime...

Happy creating!

Rita S.

Don't forget to sign up in the "Ribbon Rainbows" thread for a chance to win BoBunny Love Bandit - you have until noon on February 10.