Vibrant Layout

Wow, it's good to be back!  I explained a little in my last post about why I've been away for so long but it seems I am back now (and hope to stay back)!  Yay!  I have missed crafting so much.  Last night my husband came home and saw me working away in my craft room and commented on the fact that I was actually crafting.  He was happy to see me feeling much better and able to do what I love to do.

So this past Tuesday was my DT day for Trendy Twine but unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to work on a project.  I felt HORRIBLE but the awesome owner and DT were very accomodating toward my situation and I was given a free pass.  Well, I thank them for that but I felt bad about it so I made up my day!


I have actually been working on this layout for almost two months now.  Yea, crazy right?  Well, since I haven't been feeling well it just kind of sat on my craft table for most of that time collecting dust and waiting for me to finish it.  Finally last night I was able to.

 

 

I used Trendy Twine's Valentine's Cherry Cupcake twine to "hang" the little banner.  I also used the same twine in the center of the flower.  I felt the flower was naked so I decided to dress it up by adding some twirled Cherry Cupcake twine.  As you can see, this is not a Valentine's project so just keep in mind that the Cherry Cupcake twine can be used for ANY occasion. 

I used Unity Stamp's Time for Travel stamps and Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio tools to make the epoxy embellishments on the banner.  I also used the Unity Stamps itty bitty collection of Echo Park Banners stamps for the three sentiment banners.

Ooh, I am entering this layout in DCWV's Stack-a-holic Template Challenge.  Wish me luck...I saw some serious competition on their FB page!!!  The layout template is from Sketch Savvy.  

Before I let you go I wanted to let you know that Trendy Twine has two new colors available now!  You can get them in spools and also in a mini pack.    

Stay tuned....Trendy Twine has more colors debuting this year!

DCWV's November Stack-a-holic Template Challenge

I came across DCWV's website post the other day about their November template challenge.  I have been getting more and more into scrapbooking my pictures so this was a perfect opportunity to get a picture scrapped. 

For the challenge you just need to use DCWV stacks and make a layout based on the template posted.  Since I mainly buy DCWV stacks I was all set to get going on this.

Here's the template I had to base my page off:

Template by Susan from Sketch Savvy

Not too difficult and really pretty.

Here's what I came up with:

I used the Rustic Stack for this layout.  I love that paper.   

Umm, one thing I learned while making this layout.  Never, ever use the Sew Easy tool while you are distracted.  My husband came in and was talking to me as I was piercing my paper with the Sew Easy and as you can see, my top stitch line is totally crooked!  Boo to that!  He actually kept laughing at it after that.  Meanie!  Good news is my daughter decided she wanted to stitch the thread in so I let her do about half of it.  Whew, less work for me!  It's not thread but I can't think of the name for it at the moment.

Another oopsie I made was nt paying attention to the fact that this layout was for an over size picture.  OOPS!  Oh well, I adjusted and adapted it to a smaller picture.    

One new tool I used is the Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio scallop circle 25.  I made the puprle epoxy scallops shown in the second picture.  It works just like a punch but it sticks the epoxy to it at the same time.  Genius right!?

And of course another one of my favorite tools was used in this.  I used the Crop-a-dile to set the brads on either side of the title.

Well, off to submit my layout and go on a bike ride.  Hope you all enjoy your weekend.  Join in on DCWV's challenge if you have time!  It ends the 28th. 

SVG Attic Design Team Project

I have been so excited all week about the news of me being selected for the SVG Attic design team (DT).  I couldn't wait to get started on my project.  This is my very first venture into the DT world.  I am now apart of a growing company and working with some amazing and super crafty ladies.  Let me tell you a little about SVG Attic.  It's a new company that specializes in SVG files.  The creative genius behind it is Jessica of Jessica's Crop Corner.  She creates the most adorable SVGs.  Go take a look for yourself.  I promise you won't be disappointed.

For my design team project I used quite a few of the SVG collections available so you get to see them in action (not literally...I'm not THAT good).  I have been on a paper doll kick lately.  In fact, when I first saw the files I wasn't sure what I could make out of them but then all of a sudden it dawned on me and now I can't get enough of them.  I just keep dressing them up in different clothes!  Oh, there's more up my sleeve with them (in a Santa suit maybe) but umm, I think Jessica would like me to steer clear of the dolls and try something new!  Haha!  OK, I promise I will for the next project.  I just needed one last hoorah with the dolls before I say my temporary goodbye's.  Hear that?  Temporary goodbye.  They will be back!

My project today features four sets from SVG Attic (list & links below) and staying true to summer, I made it colorful and fun like I did with my beach card that you can see HERE.  My inspiration?  Nope not my home state of California...think somewhere tropical with clear blue water (CA definitely does NOT have that...water yes, clear and blue?  No) keep thinking.  OK I'll tell ya....Hawaii!  And why is Hawaii my inspiration?  Because I want to be there at least 8 months out of the year.  That's not much to ask out of life.

Aside from me wanting to live there, this year is the first in three years that we are not vacationing in Hawaii.  I am so sad about it.  Oh if only money ran rampant in my household!  No luau's for me this year *sigh*.  I wish the stamp had an "I" instead of a "we" in it.  You'll see what I mean in a moment.  I guess for now I will just stare at pictures and my card and imagine I was there.  You can too....  

Luau...

 

I sure do wish I was there....

....drinking that pina colada....

...and watching her hula dance...

...while playing the ukelele...

....maybe even catch some waves the next morning.

I sure do wish I was there.

Can you hear the music?  Can you taste that pina colada (alcoholic or virgin, whichever your preference) or better yet, my favorite drink, the Lava Flow?  Can you feel the warm water on your toes?

I think that's enough.  I'm going to depress myself! 

On a non-depressing note, wouldn't it be cruel if I sent this to someone while I was in Hawaii and they were stuck at home?!  Haha....my sister better watch out...she may be getting this one day!

SVG Attic SVG Collections used:
 
I used the wide middle step card from the Step Cards SVG Collection.

The tiki bar, luau sign, drinks, torch, palm tree, ukelele, hula skirt, coconut bra, lei, and lanterns are all from the Luau SVG Collection.

The girl is from the Paper Dolls SVG Collection.

The surf board is from the Just Beachy SVG Collection

Measurements:

Base - 7.5" x 10" (7.5" x 5" folded)
Tiki bar - 4.5" x 5"
Luau sign - 2.5" x .75"
Girl - 2" x 4" her hula clothes were sized down to fit using MTC
Palm tree - 4.5" x 7.5" (this one is triple reinforced to stay up!)
Ukelele - 2" x .66P
Surf board - 3.8" x 1.08"


I embossed the trunk of the tree to add texture.  The yellow umbrella in the back left is actually a toothpick umbrella I had laying around from a party I had awhile back.  The lanterns are held up using pop up squares and strung using twine from Trendy Twine.  I stamped the sentiment in orange to match the paper it's stamped on.  In the background you can see a hint of the ocean.  If I had the embossing folders I received the day after I made this card I could have embossed the roof of the tiki bar.  I slightly inked and distressed the tiki bar to give it more character.  You can see an orange strip on the bottom of the card.  I glued that there so the card would stay folded up a little closer.  The "Surf" sign was cut from a pack of paper that I bought from Target's dollar bins.  Actually all the patterned paper used on this card came from the same stack with the exception of the tiki bar.  That paper where the lanterns are hung are from DCWV's Linen Closet stack.  I think that's all.  I hope you enjoyed my project!

You know you wish you were there too!  We can dream together.

Wait....one last look/dream!

It feels like summer!

Summer feels like it's here and what better way than to show you something that makes you think beach?!

I made this awesomely cute Hawaiian themed card for a friend of mine back in January.  I started out with one idea but it all changed once I started making the card.

I started out with making Hawaiian looking flowers like I made for a scrapbook page and the hula girl.  I put it all together and it just didn't look right.  The hula girl needed an environment.  She looked off just there with nothing but flowers next to her.  I scrapped the idea of flowers and decided to create a scene for her.

Hawaii anyone?

The sky is actually the base of the card.  For the ocean I dry embossed using my Cuttlebug and then inked it to give it two shades of blue rather than the one.  On top of the ocean I place a shiny tan colored cardstock that I also embossed.  I tried to ink it but the ink just slid right off.  Note to self: glossy paper = no good with ink.

Next came the palm tree or is it a coconut tree?  The palm trees here don't grow coconuts so there's my confusion!  Anyway, isn't it cute?!  I traced the image from a jpeg I found on the internet.  I embossed the tree using the Cuttlebug and a Sizzix embossing folder that I got for 60% off at Joann's.  I inked it to make the textured look give it a more real look.  The coconuts were actually scraps form another card that I had laying on the table.  Score!

I love how the coconut tree turned out

Little miss hula girl is precious.  I cut her out and pieced her together giving her skirt and hair flower double layers.  I drew in her face with pencil.  Let me tell you...that is hula girl #2.  Number 1 looked like the wicked witch of the west (that's the ugly witch right?).  I had her all ready to go and then drew in her face....umm, she looked so horrible!!  I had to take all the pieces off and redo her body/face.  Oh, and her leg foot off!  Hahaha.  The one I ended up with is perfect.  No funky face and she has two feet!

I used a hand punch for the flowers (Martha Stewart I think)

The Sentiment is stamped and embossed

A lot of work went into this card but it was fun to make and I love the end result!