QUEEN FOR A DAY - A SCRAPBOOKING LAYOUT

A variation on the "Happy Says It All" layout I posted earlier.  Lucy pictures are getting all of my attention this week but watch out Madison and Liam, I have a new picture of you two!  The flower technique here is something I have been mucking around with.  Simple circles cut out with pinking shears, the edges are inked and mostly pushed up to give some dimension.  Try a few combinations on your own layouts to get the right look. 

I haven't found the Maya mini chipboard banners in my travels yet so I've taken an easy approach.  Cut a two inch strip of paper (or squares) and using my acrylic grided ruler and grided healing mat, I've cut the banner pieces with a craft knife.  I've used ink, faux stitching and letters to give some dimension but taking the extra steps of mounting these on chipboard would also be good.

The background and title papers are from the Abbey Road line (My Mind's Eye) orange and turquoise have long been a fav combination of mine so it was easy for me to pounce on these!  The banner and flowers include bits from Sassafrass.  The acrylic butterflys are from JBS, the buttons American Craft, pearls and ric rac are FTI, the brads Creative Imaginations and the frog punch is McGill (thanks Laine!).

Do you love the frog?  Princess didn't really work on how I wanted to do this layout - besides why start small just go to the top!

"GO CANADA" - A SCRAPBOOKING LAYOUT

McLean's occupational therapist was the Torch Bearer for Sechelt - didn't that make the party all that much more fun!  I will get there on more scenes of this group celebrating Canada's party.

Co'ordinations cardstock in blue and green, large white tag (can't remember!), red journal lined paper by JBS, red labels Scenic route, FTI brads, white Opaque pen by Inkssentials (my fav) for journaling and Milky Way White,  Galaxy Marker from American Crafts for borders.

HAPPY, SAYS IT ALL! - A SCRAPBOOKING LAYOUT

I adore this picture of our Lucy, messy hair, all toothy smiles and big eyes.  The layout I "scraplifted" from the JBS Inspiration Blog.  You know how I love garlands, banners and swags of all manner - how could I not have done a layout incorportating one?  The patterned papers are from the Cosmo Cricket "Girl Friday" line, the bingo cards are JBS, pink Kaiser gems fill the flower centers which I cut out on my Cricut.  The butterfly is pink and mirrored from Heidi Swapp (go big or go home!), buttons are American Craft, rick rack is FTI and the leaves and back ground are Co'ordinations cardstock.

NEW BABY SISTER - A SCRAPBOOKING LAYOUT

Here is my version of Basic Grey's Spring Flowers page-of-the-month kit for the Kioshi paperline.  It is great that BG is producing more double sided paper lines now.  A whole set of alpha stickers in the kit means you can change up the title to suit yourself.  How about those cozy pipecleaner flowers - also included!  With the three rolls of  "ribbon doilies", left over papers and alpha, I have enough for another page or two.  Good value in this program which includes an album!  I am doing this with (my LSS - local scrapbook store) Scrapers' Anonymous - give them or your local scrapbook store a call to join in.  

ATC A CASTLE THEME

A man's home is his castle work!  I used;   Crafty Secrets stamp set "Greetings from Wonderland" for both the king and the quote which I altered, the background image is Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria (see vintage postcard posted earlier), dusty pink cardstock for the backing and corner which not only matches the roof of the castle but plays to the perspective of the themes' author.  I mean the corner to give the impression of a stage curtain.   The stamp I've used on the back is from Pink Cat Studio.  Both stamp sets are available through Scrapper's Anonymous for those of you in Victoria. 

1910 EDWARDIAN IMAGE - ATC INSPIRATION!

Of course I couldn't resist purchasing this one!  I think you can tell from the picture that the green dress is actually flocked!  What were they thinking?  Yes flocked and the spots you see are bits of gold leaf, her jewelry is also highlighted with gold leaf.  See what I mean though?  This image is screaming out to be used!  I found this in a box of post cards which were all addressed to a Miss Sophie Engen, Sundial Alberta, with quite a few from Minnesota.  I was surprised to see so many of them were "flirty" and appeared to be from young men who variously declared themselves to be missing her company but signed off as "cousin so and so".  It was an interesting hour, sifting through this young woman's mail and imagining her life.

 

COLORIZED VINTAGE POSTCARD - CIRCA 1925 VICTORIA BC

This is one of a few postcards I picked up in Kamloops this week.  I was able to get a few different scenes of Victoria all from this same series, I think they will make a great background for journal pages.

I've always loved the castle -  who wouldn't be enchanted with a real castle in the center of town!  I think the house in the foreground also still exists, will have to go check it out.   I've used just the castle portion as the background of some ATCs I'm also working on. 

TAGS! AND YES, EVERY ELEMENT WAS SOMETHING I HAD!

Once in awhile I get a great need to just dig into my scrap file, to actually start with scraps, see where that leads and then  USE WHAT I HAVE!     

This morning that led to tags.  I file my scraps by color, I pulled out all of the blues.  I sorted out a pile of "My Minds Eye", dug through my stamps and pulled out some vintage sheet music.

These are 4 3/4" x 3 1/2".  The ribbons, flowers, brads and ink were all influenced  by the base papers.  I've done another one that pulls in some green and orange (yep) - my camera needs charging so I will post that one later.

SCRAPBOOKING IN PEACE RIVER!

Can't believe I left my camera behind!  The drive between Dawson Creek and Fort St John (on the Alaska Highway!) was of course quite different from what I am used to in the Pacific Northwest.  Even in this period between winter snow and spring green there is beauty to be found.  Maybe I will find a postcard before I leave this morning.  For those of you unfamiliar this northern (very!) area of  BC is referred to as Peace River.

Besides the great scenery each location has a scrapbook store worth hunting out.  Since shopping is pretty limited this far north - these stores do it all and successfully.  In Dawson Creek it is B&T -  a combination home decor, gift and craft store.  I spent an hour in there and I didn't even get to the paper racks.  Work called!  Check them out at http://www.bandt.ca/

Fort St John's Unforgettable Memories is just that.  They try to stock something of everything and it is all there!  This includes 1hr photo, cake decorating supplies, wedding invitations and enough scrapbooking everything to keep you shopping for hours.  They do lots of classes with all of the samples out on display and most of those have kits available so that those of us from out of town can take 'em away.  This is a really talented crew.  A layout kit I purchased a couple of years ago has become one that I use over and over.  Check them out at http://www.unforgettablescrapbook.blogspot.com/

ATCs "WELCOME TO LUCY'S WORLD"

Maybe I have had a brilliant idea - maybe not!  These two pictures are part of a folding house from Crafty Secrets that I am working on.  I scanned these two bits to send to Lucy's mom and it occurred to me I can double duty this project as ATCs.

The "L" is from a puffy alpha set which I gilded with my trusty Krylon pen and is on a "starlight candy" embellishment from Martha Stewart in a frame included with the house kit.  The "cat with hat" are from Crafty Secrets Scraps.   The green vine is May Arts ribbon, the flower brads are Making Memories.  The papers are from Sassafrass - I've used the border to make a flower bed.  Don't you love their borders?  I have also used a white paint dauber behind the figures so they stand out.

I've replaced the head of the little cupid from Crafty Secrets Scraps with Lucy's.  I think it is cute and maybe not too weird for a grandma to do?

When I have both the ATCs figured out and the house completed of course I will share with you.

Monday I arrived in Dawson Creek, tonight I will be in Fort St. John.  I'm "on the road" all week so thinking about what I might post next.

VINTAGE BABY ANNOUNCEMENT - 1911

I just recently picked this one up.  Everytime I get a different "new baby" idea - I do another round of "first pages" for the grandkids.  One day someone will be looking back and wondering why GG (great-grandma) went nuts on the first pages!   Hope there is someone out there who will download and use this little sweetie as an announcement!  Do let me know.  Remember to click on the image and then save the larger version for the best resolution.

"EXPECT MIRACLES" - A SCRAPBOOKING SHADOW BOX

Another take on the Crafty Secrets Shadow Box - I did tell you how I loved them!.  I kept this one soft and sweet , I had an old fashioned layette in mind as the effect I was going for.  The bird, title, frame and stars are also from Crafty Secrets.  The flowered branches are K&Co and the aged velvet brads are Making Memories.I used a soft white silky ribbon to make the ruffled edges in keeping with the idea of a layette.  A glittery gell pen for the faux stitching and soft blue and yellow pigment inks from VersaColor finish it off. 

The subject here is baby Olivia - the 8th grandchild and number 5 grandgirl!

TODAY WAS THE BEST - A SCRAPBOOKING LAYOUT

First of the Basic Grey page-of-the-month kits I've done.  Lots of paper, die-cuts, journaling spots and epoxy clips - great value.  The original layout suggested was quite neutral both gender and color wise which can be so hard to find for those with all boys.  I flipped the papers to the other side for more color and replaced the star shapes with flowers.  These are family pics so they can take a few flowers:)   A very different style for me but I can change it up once in awhile!

If you are in the Victoria area you can get these kits through Scrapers' Anonymous.

WALLPAPER SAMPLE AND ADVERTISEMENT - EATON'S CANADA 1945

Here are a couple of scans from a sample book I found "Eaton's Wallpapers for 1945".  It includes everything you would have wanted to know about wallpaper at that time.  I will continue to share samples with you and wouldn't you love to paying these prices!  Don't forget to click on the image and then save the larger image for better resolution.

VINTAGE POST CARD BACK - SO BRITISH!

Well I have gone through my entire collection of vintage postcards to discover that I really hadn't been missing the art on the back!  While a number have a little fancier heading this was the only one I had, out of a few hundred older than 1950, that was even close to the Canadian example I last posted.   Hope these two inspire some creative ideas for you - feel free to share! 

VINTAGE POST CARD BACK- PURELY CANADIAN!

Do you love this!  I purchased several of Crafty Secrets' Vintage Postcard kits which include a themed stamp set for doing the backs of the kit cards.  Now I'm searching out and looking at the backs of vintage postcards and not just the fronts.  (Ok so there are many who collect vintage postcards and find the messages interesting - frankly I haven't found too many that are much more than "miss you" or "wish you were here" even at the turn of the century when written correspondence was actually done!)  I need a small beaver stamp now to  create my own version.   Once I'm home long enough to go through them, I will look through my stash for an American card back to share.

Bob and I spent an afternoon at a local antique and collectible show last weekend which is where I found this postcard.  The front of the card is of Hatley Castle which is in my neighborhood.

"DREAM BANNER" - Clear Scraps Acrylic Banner

I mentioned a bit ago that I had signed up for a video tutorial and kit by Laura McCollough (see links).  We all can learn more about "embellishment" from Laura!  Do go have a look at her site "Kiss on the Chic" as she is doing monthly videos which I thought were reasonably priced.  I didn't vary much from the instructions - different for me, never did like taking direction - but this was so sweet.  The structure is an acrylic banner from Clear Scraps embellished with Glimmer Mist, Prima Pearls, Websters' Pages paper, flowers made with vintage dictionary pages, crepe and bling, ribbon and vintage seam binding, key charms hung from ball chain and punches from vintage sheet music.

ATCs - 'TEA GARDEN"

I have a vintage program from the stage production of "Tea House of the August Moon" which inspired me to start thinking about this theme.  This image is from my favorite (!) TwistedPapers - their Victorian Scrap cd.  This scan doesn't do the vibrant colors justice.  The background is stamped with a set from Hero Arts "Tea Garden".   The moons are hammered metal (vintage of course!) buttons in pewter and brass - I cut the shanks off and adhered them with Glossy Accents.   Been carrying those buttons around for awhile anxious to find the right project.  I'm going to miss the ATC Social this week at Scrapers' - save some trades for me!

HAPPY EASTER! MY FAVORITE TWO PICTURES!

EASTER PAPERCRAFTING PROJECT - 'TIFFANY WE LOVE YOU TOO!"

I've got lots of room across the mantle for these 8" x 8" boards.  I've used glossy card stock for the backing so they will still fit into an album after the holidays.  The "Cotton Scraps" chick and the chipboard frame are Crafty Secrets, the rubons are by Heather Bailey for Autumn Leaves, the ribbons and paper all scraps from my stash.  The ceramic button is one of a set I've hung on to (hoarded!) for many years.  Another of the "grandgirls", Tiffany is signing "I love you"!

VINTAGE PHOTO - THE POOR EASTER CHICKS!

On the back of the photo "see him getting close (to the) chicks - he had so much fun with them".   Behind him you can see the open box they likely came out of and next to that are a couple of Easter Baskets.  Love the laundry line overhead.   This photo is from one of a couple of large albums which clearly belonged to the same family in New York city.  I'm sure the chicks weren't kept for eggs in this Brooklyn neighborhood.  Hey I had chicks at Easter too..colored ones.  Some things change for the good!

MAC'S EGG HUNT - AN EASTER PAPERCRAFTING PROJECT

Yet another look for the 8" x 8" project board.  I first tryed this (see previous posts) for Valentine's Day, then St. Patrick's Day and now Easter - all three are quite different but with the same general structure and approach.  Maybe I shouldn't post after midnight!  I've changed the background for the photo - much better and while I was at it added a couple of blue bunny buttons which I have had for a number of years.  Snip off the shanks and use Glossy Accents to glue them down. The stickers are from Rusty Pickle and the brown papers are Upsy Daisy Designs.  The chocolate drink cap is vintage wax paper and cardboard love that I had one that was chocolate!  And the orange color draws your eye back to the picture ( Mac's pants) perfect! 

VINTAGE PHARMACY PRICE TAGS

I was happy to find these vintage tags at the Vancouver Flea Market last Sunday - then almost giddy when I saw the "multiple" tags at the end of the box.  I'm not sure of the dates of these tags but obviously a single cent was worth something.  I mounted these on letter sized paper to scan so a full page print will give you the actual size.  I think you may be able to print out a full page then scan so that each one is an individual file.  I'm going to have fun using these on projects!

A SPRING BANNER - A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT EGGSTRAVAGANZA

1.  Out of town working for most of the month.  2.  Old laptop burnt out - new laptop doesn't like my lack of skill!   Headstart on next year?   Here's a second take on the Easter banner I posted earlier with a couple of close ups.  I like the frilly "easter grass" but think the first one is my favorite so far.