…I Heart You

Happy Thursday, everyone!  We’re expecting more snow here in Georgia, so I’m gearing up for the boys to be home for the rest of this week…that’s usually how it works around here!  LOL!  So needless to say I’ll be busy with them over the next couple of days, but I wanted to share this scrapbook page I made of my youngest son and his girlfriend.

This is actually a picture from last year, but after being friends for several years they made the decision to take the next step in their relationship.  Aren’t they the sweetness things??? :)  The elements used in this creation were from the For The Love of a Boy digital kit by Traci Reed and the Bad Sewing Machine XXIII: Doodle Me Square by Traci Reed.  Both of these kits are available at Sweet Shoppe Designs.  I ADORE their website, their designers, their kits, and their prices.  You should go check them out!

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you all back here soon!  Until then…

…Pieces of Me

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MY MTSC102 FAVES FOR THIS WEEK

Happy Sunday, everyone!  Just wanted to stop in real quick to give you a little peek at some of digital scrapbook pages that I’ve created over the last month or so.  I have to admit that I am totally addicted…thanks to my enabling friend, Jen Tapler!  She introduced me to the crazy world of digital scrapbooking, and also led me to my favorite digi store, Sweet Shoppe Designs.  Jen has been such a HUGE help to me, and she’s always so encouraging and uplifting {and as I mentioned before…enabling!  LOL}  Thanks for all of your help and your fabulous friendship, Jen! :)

Now for the layouts:

(All elements from Sweet Shoppe Designs unless otherwise noted)
Digital SB Kits: Pieces of Me~Traci Reed, Simply Stamped Alpha~Zoe Pearn, Punchy Edges~Julie Billingsley, "WS Joyce" digi image (The Greeting Farm)
Fonts: DJB Angel Baby~Darcy Baldwin, Scriptina (Word Processor)

(All elements from Sweet Shoppe Designs unless otherwise noted)
Template: Susanna Boyd for Scrappy Sunday Challenge~November @ Paper Craft Planet
Digital SB Kits: Wondrous~Julie Billingsley, Simply Stamped Alpha~Zoe Pearn, Bad Sewing Machine I-The Basics~Traci Reed, Bliss~Fee Jardine
Fonts: DJB Angel Baby~Darcy Baldwin

That’s it for now!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow with a card for By LORi Designs as one of their new design team members!  Until later…

…Farm Fresh Digi-Style

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MY SPARKLE CREATIONS RUBBER STAMPS’ PREVIEW FOR TODAY

Happy Friday, everyone!  It’s time for another Farm Fresh Friday Challenge over at The Greeting Farm Blog, and this week we have a SCRAPBOOK SKETCH CHALLENGE By Melyssa.  I’m not a huge fan of paper scrapbooking, but I absolutely LOVE digital scrapbooking.  So I begged Jessica to let me make some digital layouts using the TGF digital images to show how versatile they can be.  It is easy as pie to create simple outlined images, but it is also a cinch to color the images in Photoshop (I opted to leave mine outlines in this instance).  ***I will have a tutorial soon on how to create custom digital images.

I used “WS-Jeremy” and “WS-Odette” on this page beside the title.    I paired the photo of my son and his best friend with digi patterned papers from the Sweet Shoppe Design’s Day One SB Kit by Lauren Grier (the black frame around their names was also from this kit).  The torn spiral edges and scalloped strip were created using the Sweet Shoppe Designs’ Punchy Edges Kit by Julie Billingsley, and the stitching was from the Bad Sewing Machine I Kit by Traci Reed.  The star embellishments, folded paper medallion, and splattered Kraft paper were all from the Wondrous Kit by Julie Billingsley.  VIOLA…a digital scrapbook page using Melyssa’s sketch! :)

Now let's see what the other Farmers and Critter Crew have up their sleeves for today's challenge:

• Jessica Diedrich
• Melyssa Connolly
• Randi Wall
• Tammy Maxvill
• Emma Eads (November Guest Designer for TGF)

(Critter Crew)

• Shaela Odd
• Jacquie Nordaune
• Jennifer Royal
• Sammi Betbeder
• Kristine Reynolds
• Linda Muhr
• Tangii Crain
• Margie Cortina

That's it for now! Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to head over to the TGF Blog for the official challenge rules and to play along with us!  THIS WEEK’S WINNER WILL RECEIVE THE “I {HEART} SWEATERS” SET!  I'll see you back here tomorrow with an SCRS Release Day Post!  Until then…

…Team

Happy Saturday, everyone!  I have something a little different to share with you all today…a digital scrapbook layout that I created using one of Jen Tapler’s sketches for the Scrappy Sunday Challenge over at Paper Craft Planet.  All of the components are from the digital scrapbooking kit called “1st and 10” by Libby Weifenbach, except for the stitching which is from the kit “Bad Sewing Machine IV: Don’t Be A Square” by Traci Reed.  The journaling was done using the font DejaVu Sans Mono.

We are a football-loving household, and we really had fun going to our oldest son’s games.  He played on both the junior varsity and varsity teams, so we were at the ball field twice a week as a family.  Unfortunately, those days are over.  A month ago, Christian sustained a major concussion (his fourth one in four years) and can no longer be involved in any contact sports whatsoever.  It was quite a blow for him since he’s always been so athletic, and he has been suffering from horrible headaches and neck pain since the day of the injury.  He has been in and out of doctors’ offices.  He’s had x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and C-spine films done, and we have an appointment with a neurologist in January (but I’m trying to get him in sooner).  Needless to say, it’s been a struggle watching him miss out on sports since it’s his junior year of high school…but it’s even worse seeing him in such physical pain.  Please lift him up in prayer as we wait to hear the neurologist’s conclusions and recommendations.

That’s it for today!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow with another Mercy’s Magnificent Musings post!  Until then…

…Momma’s Little Bakers

Happy Friday, everyone!  It’s time for another Farm Fresh Friday Challenge over at The Greeting Farm Blog, and this week we have a FALL-THEMED SCRAPBOOK CHALLENGE.  I’m using the new Amelia image from the “OA-Just For You” set to create my page.  Amelia was stamped in Black Ink, then colored with Copic Sketch Markers.  This page also includes several of my favorite fall colors that we’re beginning to see here in the hills of northwest Georgia.  I paired the image with some patterned papers from BasicGrey’s Sublime paper pack, then dry embossed the vertical panel with a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder.  I also added the three stars from the “Spotlight  Kit” set.  After adding some Stitching, Sponging, Corduroy Thickers, and tons of Dimensionals the scrapbook layout was complete!

Now let's see what the other Farmers and Critter Crew have up their sleeves for today's challenge:

• Jessica Diedrich
• Melyssa Connolly
• Randi Wall
• Kim Nath
• Tammy Maxvill
• Tanya Tahir (October Guest Designer for TGF)

(Critter Crew)

• Shaela Odd
• Jacquie Nordaune
• Jennifer Royal
• Kristine Reynolds
• Linda Muhr
• Tangii Crain

That's it for now! Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to head over to the TGF Blog for the official challenge rules and to play along with us!  I'll see you back here in a few with another Verve Fall Release Sneak Peek and Blog Hop!  Until then…

…Scrappy Sunday August Challenges

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MERCY’S MAGNIFICENT MUSINGS FOR THIS WEEK!

It’s Sunday again…so that means church, dinner with the family, lazy afternoons, and Mercy’s Magnificent Musings.  Now it also means Digital Scrapbooking Day every now and then each month.  My sweet friend, Jen Tapler, has introduced me to the wonderful world of digital scrapbooking…and I’m totally addicted!  Every month Jen hosts a scrapbook sketch challenge as part of the Scrappy Sunday Challenge Group over at Papercraft Planet.  Each month you get 4 new sketches (4 FREE layered templates for digital scrappers) to play with, and at the end of the month a random winner is chosen from all of the participants who completed all 4 layouts before the end of the month to win a fabulous prize!

Here are my entries for the August Sketch Challenges (click on the images to see them larger and/or read the journaling):

Summer Days by Zoe Pearn (Sweet Shoppe Designs), Bad Sewing Machine I- The Basics by Traci Reed (Sweet Shoppe Designs), Punchy Edges by Julie Billingsley (Sweet Shoppe Designs); Template by Jen Tapler for August’s Scrappy Sunday Challenge (Papercraft Planet)

Splendid by Kristin Cronin-Barrow (Sweet Shoppe Designs), Bad Sewing Machine I-The Basics by Traci Reed (Sweet Shoppe Designs); Template by Jen Tapler for August’s Scrappy Sunday Challenge (Papercraft Planet)

We’re All Waiting For Something by Lauren Grear and Shawn Clingerman (Sweet Shoppe Designs); Template by Jen Tapler for August’s Scrappy Sunday Challenge (Papercraft Planet)

Bliss by Fee Jardine (Sweet Shoppe Designs); Template by Jen Tapler for August’s Scrappy Sunday Challenge (Papercraft Planet)

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some of my “other” designs.  LOL!  I’ll see you all back here tomorrow with another TSG Monday Challenge, so until then…

…TGF Monthly Scrapbook Challenge

Hello there, TGF fans!  We have some exciting news for you!  We will start having monthly Scrapbook Challenges in addition to normal challenge format over at The Greeting Farm Blog.  On the second Thursday of every month the Farmers will be issuing and playing along with a plethora of fun and inventive challenges geared towards getting your “scrap on”!  :)

 

Today we have a Scrapbook Sketch (or layout) Challenge designed by…ME!  You’ll see me using the abbreviations “SB L/O” (scrapbook layout) quite a bit when these challenge days roll around, so don’t flip out!  LOL!  Speaking of flipping, I flipped this week’s sketch 90 degrees to the left so that the ribbon would be in the lower left-hand corner…as you can see I interpreted the sketch very loosely.

As soon as I remembered that I had a SB L/O to do, I knew that I wanted to use one of my favorite pictures from my CHA stash!  I had been dying to meet Sankari Wegman for a LONG time, and I was over-the-moon when I finally got the opportunity to actually hug her and carry on a face-to-face conversation.  She has the prettiest smile and the warmest personality of anyone you will ever meet, and she love to hear this crazy southern girl’s drawl!  LOL!  I used one of my numerous digital scrapbook kits to create the layout, then added the “HG Classy Digi” after I altered the colors of her hair, dress, and skin using Adobe Photoshop Elements 8.

Now let’s see what the other Farmers have in store for you today:

• Jessica Diedrich
• Cindy Haffner
• Kadie Ensley
• Mary Giles
• Melyssa Connolly
• Randi Wall
• Kim Nath

That’s it for now!  Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you back here shortly with a SPECIAL BLOG HOP…you will NOT want to miss it!  Until then…

...Circle Piercing Tutorial and Challenge

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  Can you handle a tutorial today?  You all know how much I adore paper piercing, and I have received a plethera of emails inquiring about my Circle Piercing.  I thought I would take this opportunity to share the secret with you all.

CIRCLE PIERCING TUTORIAL

Here's what you'll need to get started:

Paper Piercer

Piercing Mat

Plastic Canvas Mesh Shape- Round 

(you can find these at your local craft store in the needlework section in several different shapes)

An Assembled Card Front

Step One: Place card front onto piercing mat.

Step Two:  Using grid on the center of the plastic mesh, line up the outside of your patterned paper circles or other circular element.  Pierce around the entire element using the mesh shape as a guide.  You can pierce the circular element, or pierce around the outside of it as I did.

Step Three:  Remove mesh shape guide to reveal your piercing.

Step Four:  Pierce around all the patterned paper circles, and attach the card front to the card base to complete your card.

STAMPS USED: Spring Fever (There She Goes)

***I also made a scrapbook layout inspired by the card above!  Aren't my fellas gorgeous?!?***

STAMPS USED: Chemistry (There She Goes)

That's it for me!  I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  Give this technique a try, then come back here to link your project that incorporates Circle Piercing below.  Thanks for stopping by, and I can't wait to see your creations!

Supplies
Stamps:  Spring Fever, Chemistry (There She Goes)
Papers:  Bermuda Bay, Kraft, PTI White, Lil' Man DP (Cosmo Cricket)
Inks:  Bermuda Bay, Rich Cocoa, Sahara Sand
Accessories: dimensionals, circle punches, circle piercing guide, nesties, big shot, scissors, border punches, ribbon, sponge dauber, sewing machine, silver pearls

...Farm Fresh Friday Is Going Green

It's Farm Fresh Friday time at The Greeting Farm Blog, and this week we have...Going Green Challenge!  We were to either use something green, or recycle items to use on our cards...so I went with the color green.  I used one of the new digital images from Marina Neira called "Randy With Flower", then colored it with my Copic Sketch Markers. The patterned papers were from the BasicGrey's Offbeat paper pad, and after piercing the four edges of the large background panel, I added a Button and sentiment panel (from the "Anya Says" set) to complete the card.

I also wanted to share this scrapbook page that I made of my baby, Maggie using the "In The Spotlight Scrapbook Kit"...isn't she beautiful?!?  She was only 10 weeks old when I took this picture of her lounging in the tall grass of our backyard.  When she was a pup her eyes were bright green and absolutely gorgeous...so I thought I'd showcase her green eyes for the green challenge! :)

Now let's see what the Farmers and Critter Crew have up their sleeves for today's challenge:

• Jessica Diedrich
• Cindy Haffner
• Cheryl Walker
• Kadie Ensley
• Mary Giles
• Melyssa Connolly
• Randi Wall
• Kim Nath
• Heather Schlatter
• Jami Bova
• Sandra MacLean
• Sparkle Smith

That's it for me today! Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to head over to the TGF Blog for the official challenge rules and prizes!  I'll see you again tomorrow with a card for another C4C Challenge. Until then...

Supplies for Card

Stamps: Randy With Flower, Anya Says (The Greeting Farm)

Papers:  Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, PTI White, Offbeat DP (BasicGrey)

Inks:  Black

Accessories:  dimensionals, mat pack, paper piercer, button, linen thread, mini glue dot, word window punch, nesties, big shot, scissors, multi-liner, copics (0, Y32, 35, 38, YG93, 95, 97, BG73, 75, 78, E30, 31, 33, 95, 97, 99, W1, 3, 5)

Supplies for SB Layout

Stamps:  In The Spotlight SB Kit (The Greeting Farm)

Papers:  Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, PTI White, June Bug DP (BasicGrey)

Inks:  Rich Cocoa, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Real Red

Accessories:  sewing machine, distressing tool, dimensionals, border punch, butterflies punch, nesties, big shot, rhinestones, ribbon

...Picture This Farm Fresh Friday

Happy Friday, everyone! It's Farm Fresh Friday again at The Greeting Farm Blog, and Kim Nath has come up with a wonderful challenge...use a picture on your creation. I have to admit that I was terrified when I saw it, because I knew that a scrapbook layout was in my future! LOL! I don't think that I have ever shared a scrapbook page since I have started my blog, but I might have to start doing them more often...it was FUN!!! As you can already see, I used my oldest son, Christian, and his girlfriend as my subjects. I had taken this picture of them acting silly a few weeks ago, and I immediately knew that it was the one that I wanted to showcase here.

I stamped "Maggie Bunny" in black onto Watercolor Paper, then colored her with an Aquapainter. I paired her with some of my K & Company Ooh La La-For Her patterned paper. I stitched the green polka-dotted panel, and created a wavy edge on the striped panel with the EK Success Dotted Wave Slim Edger Punch. I created the sentiment with some of my retired Sizzix Alphabets, then added three Silver Brads above the photo. Maggie was attached to the lower right-hand portion of the page with Dimensionals.

Now let's see what the other design team members have come up with today:

• Jessica Diedrich
• Cindy Haffner
• Cheryl Walker
• Kadie Ensley
• Mary Giles
• Melyssa Connolly
• Randi Wall
• Kim Nath
• Sandra MacLean
• Sparkle Smith

That's it for me! I am heading out first thing this morning to spend the weekend with my girls to do a little stamping and laughing, so I have got to get some rest before then! LOL! Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you back here tomorrow with a Crazy 4 Challenges creation. Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Maggie Bunny (The Greeting Farm)

Papers: Kraft, Melon, Watercolor, Ooh La La-For Her DP (K & Company)

Inks: black, melon, pink, saffron, sahara

Accessories: brads, sponge dauber, border punch, distressing tool, sewing machine, dimensionals, big shot, sizzlets alphabet, xyron sticker maker