Friday, August 29, 2014

Doodlebug Designs: Inspired by Project

Hi Everyone...I have a Doodlebug "Inspired by:" project today.  The ladies of the Doodlebug DT were asked to find a project done by a past or present Doodlebug DT member and to create a project inspired by it.  Honestly this was a tough task...there have been so many inspiring projects!  After pouring through my Doodlebug pins I found a beautiful layout by current DT member Melinda Spinks.  It truly is one of my all time favorite layouts!  First, here is my "inspired" layoutR

 

( I LOVE this quote from the book Mathilda by Roald Dahl! ) And here is Melinda's Original....just lovely!!!!

I love the Lily White background and the use of washi for color,  along with the black and white photo on Melinda's layout . And I must say the stitching on the Washi Tape is inspired!  I chose to use all of these elements on my layout.  Below is my stitching on the Swiss Dot Washi using some white Doodle Twine.


In place of Melinda's flower brads, I created some flowers using Doodlebug Sequins and some White Sprinkles.


That's it for me ...be sure to check out the Doodlebug Blog to see what the other DT members have created.  I'm sure you will be doubly inspired!  Thanks for stopping by today!

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Creative Scrappers & The Cut Shoppe Team Up!

Hi Everyone...I'm thrilled to be guest designing for The Cut Shoppe today!  If you're not familiar, you're going to want to check out this fun Etsy Shop full of great cut files designed by Ashley Horton!!
 
 
The Cut Shoppe teamed up with Creative Scrappers to create some fun layouts based on Sketch 276.  take a peek at the sketch....

 
and here is my layout...I love the grid design! It works perfectly with the cut files I chose... That Darn Cat and Borderlines.  The papers are from Amy Tangerine's Plus One collection.  I thought the black along with the bright, fun colors & patterns worked with the grid design of the sketch.
 

I tried to use as many of the cat cut-outs that I could!




The hearts are from the Borderlines files...



 
I finished it off with a definition of Cat-titude (thank you Urban Dictionary...), a cat clip from Studio Calico and some really cute kitty flair from A Flair for Buttons!
 

 Make sure to stop by both the Creative Scrappers Blog and the Cut Shoppe Blog to see the layouts created by the whole team!  That's it for me today, thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Doodlebug Designs: Baby Shower Gift

Hi Everyone, I wanted to share a cute baby gift I made recently for my cousin who is having a little boy in October! 

 
I started with a cut file by Echo Park that I found in the Silhouette Store (here).  Next, I chose some papers from my Doodlebug stash to coordinate with their nursery colors (mostly grays).  The grid background is from the Kraft in Color collection, and the Gray Dot paper is from the Patriotic Parade collection.  All other papers are from Doodlebug's Snips & Snails collection. 

 
I first cut the file from the background paper.  Using strips of the different papers, I backed the cut-out letters.  To give it a bit more dimension, I then cut some of the words out again from the colored papers and popped the letters up over the background.

 
To complete the frame, I added some ribbon from my stash, and a Doodlebug Button tied with some twine.  I was so happy with how it all came out, and I can't wait to meet Baby G!!!!  That's it for me today...I'm off to visit the fun folks at Doodlebug Designs this weekend in Salt Lake City!!!  I CAN NOT WAIT!!!  I'll be sure to take lots of pictures!  Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, August 18, 2014

Paper Issues: Admit One Issue

Hi Everyone...There's a new Issue at Paper Issues today...Admit One ... sponsored by Fancy Pants Designs!  We're looking for projects that: 
            • use a ticket stub or even memorabilia;
            • feature a favorite movie;
            • feature a circus, carnivals, concerts, fairs,
            • winning a ribbon/prize/award/diploma;
            • use the number one,
            • use "That's the Ticket" as a title
            • and/or use Fancy Pants products

Here's my project featuring Fancy Pants Everyday Circus Collection, I used Sketch 275 from Creative Scrappers for inspiration.

 
Last week my daughter and friends headed off to the One Direction concert at Gillette Stadium...they've had the tickets for months and were beyond excited!  They spent the day getting ready...painting themselves with all sorts of things "1D"!

 
I printed out one of the tickets on card stock to use on my layout.  The stickers and ephemera in the Everyday Circus collection are great...they can be used for so many things!
 
 
 
Be sure to link up your Admit One projects here by August 31st and you could win the Everyday Circus collection for your stash (be sure to link back to Paper Issues to be eligible)!  You also might see your projects featured on Paper Issues Blog, Facebook Page or Instagram!  I can't wait to see what you create!  That's it for me today, make sure to check out the other fab Admit one projects over on the Paper Issues Blog!
 

Friday, August 15, 2014

Creative Blog Hop

Hi Everyone,  I'm happy to be here as part of the on-going Creative Blog Hop.  I was asked by fellow designer Suzanna Lee to join in this fun hop.  Basically...instead of a product or project hop, it's a creative hop...a little about what I'm doing now.  Different crafters will be participating at different times.. .here are the questions I was given....


1.What am I working on right now?
Currently I have about 3 projects in the works.  I have a baby shower card/project I'm creating for a friend.

 
I'm also "kitting" some projects to bring with me to Salt Lake City next week when I visit Doodlebug!!!  (squeal!!!) We have a fun weekend of scrapping planned and I'm getting ready!
 
          
 
2. How long does it take to create a project?
I am NOT a fast scrapper.  Projects generally take a day or two....I work on them a little, walk away, come back, add a sticker, walk away... I'm lucky I have a craft room where I can leave half finished projects out and ready to be completed!   If in a crunch, I can get them done fast.  Most I've ever done is 2 layouts and a card in one day.  It was exhausting.  And forget about going to crops...I love them, but I'm way too social to accomplish anything!  Last crop I think I created 3 layouts in 3 days....

This is what the craft room looks like now...pretty neat for me....

3. What are my fave things I love to create with at the moment?
I love my Silhouette ... the possibilities are endless.



 I love the new Doodlebug collections...especially the new Doilies!!!!! 


I love tags and flair.  They're perfect for embellishment clusters. 


I  like things that are glittery and sparkly!  I am also a true fan of the selfie.  I steal them from my daughter's phone frequently.

  4. How does my creative process work?
Right now, for the most part, my creative process starts with an assignment.  That sound so formal, but I don't mind it.  I'm on the design teams I'm on because I love what they do!!  For some of my teams I'm given a collection to work with, others, maybe a sketch or a theme.  From there, I decide what kind of project I want to create.  Usually it's a layout, but I also like to do some altered/3d art and cards as well.  It depends if I have pictures to go with what I'm working on at the time.  I then gather together everything I have to work with, and dive in. 


  5. How do I become inspired and stay inspired?
I'm all over the map.  Sometimes, I'm inspired by the product...papers, embellies.... Sometimes I have a photo that sparks an idea.  Sometimes I'm clueless and need to troll for ideas online...my favorite is Pinterest.  I like to look at mood boards, and I also get ideas from other designers. I also have a bunch of blogs I look at when I need a creative boost.   For layouts, I like sketches...they can get the creative juices flowing. 
 
  6. What is my signature style?
If I had to assign myself one style...I'd say playful. One of the ladies that often takes my classes at my LSS gave me the biggest compliment once by telling me my layouts made her happy. (I keep her around...she's good for my ego...)  I like bright, happy colors.  I like adding humor and a bit of whimsy to my projects.  Scrapbooking/papercrafting is therapy for me... keeps me sane so I try to keep it light and happy. 

That's a little about creative me.  Make sure to stop by Anita Mulcahey's blog for her creative process...she's planning continuing this hop on Next Friday, August 22nd!  Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Doodlebug Designs: Design by Color Challenge

Hi Everyone, I have a fun layout today for Doodlebug's Design by Color Challenge.  The Design Team was asked to pick one color from the Doodlebug palette and create a project that was at least 75% that color.  It was a hard choice (I love ALL Doodlebug colors...) but I chose Limeade.  And as luck would have it, I had the perfect picture to complement my color choice!
 

For those of you who are not sports fans, or familiar with Boston landmarks, the Green Monster (properly pronounced "Monstah" in Boston) is the left field wall of Fenway Park.  My husband and my daughter recently attended a concert at Fenway and were kind enough to get their photo snapped in front of the wall! (ok, let's be honest, I sent them with explicit instructions to do so...)  All I had to do was find all of the Limeade goodies in my Doodlebug Stash!
 
 
 
 
I love that Doodlebug uses the same color families in their collections.  I could mix and match with ease from a number of older and new lines!

 
This was a really fun layout to create...I had a great time figuring out how to make it all work!  That's it for me today, make sure to stop by the Doodlebug Blog to check out all of the Design Team inspiration!

Friday, August 8, 2014

Paper Issues: Mix Tape Issue

Hi Everyone...eek, it's been about two weeks since I last blogged!!!  I've been away on vacation and then trying to catch up with everything, my poor blog has been neglected!  I have been crafty during this time though, and one of the projects I created is a fun card for the Mix Tape Issue over at Paper Issues.   Take a peek:
 
 
I used a Lori Whitlock Silhouette file for my card...just changed it around a bit to be horizontal rather than a vertical design.  As for the Issue, I took the challenge pretty literally...and used a mix of Doodelbug Washi tapes to create a background for my cut-out hearts. 


 
Make sure to head over to the Paper Issues Blog to see how the Design Team interpreted this issue!  Link up your projects (and be sure to link back to Paper Issues!!) by August 17th and you could win a prize pack from our sponsor Hazel and Ruby!!!  You might also find your project featured on the Paper Issues Blog, Facebook or Instagram!!!  That's it for me today.  I 'll be back soon!  Thanks for stopping by!