Enjoy! And be Awesome

I was challenged to use some word stamps on my scrapbook layout. We often overlook those stamps and use them strictly for card making. This page utilizes lots of words and I applied a couple of my favorite techniques for adding them to scrapbooking.

Love the challenges at “Lasting Memories Scrapbook Challenges Blog” this month. We have had some interesting challenges for using our stamps so far. Hope you have been playing along, too!

I often do not have many, if any, of the pre-packaged cutouts of cute words, so this challenge was for me since what I do have is lots of stamps! I even used some swirly stamps on the base. After using my Fiskars circle cutter and templates for the circles, I used some spatters before pasting down the photos. That’s a nice plus for me since I usually forget to do the spatters BEFORE and have to cover the photos with some scrap paper.

Did you notice the techniques I used for the stamped words? Some are simply cut to shape or a punch was used. I’m kinda fond of the pen work idea where I make a loose ring and then fussy cut it out. Recently I discovered the line work where the word is boxed that I think is fun.

These are some older photos of my princess taken by a friend of her mother’s. I thought it was so nice of the young woman to take the series of shots for her friend, and, to share them with me too. It’s just proof that doing something loving for each other is always worth the effort. Kat may never know how much enjoyment her time has brought to me and others. Seems that has been the ‘message’ this weekend – “Love others as Jesus loves us”. So, my love to you for stopping by; do something creative and loving!

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“The Wait” Scrapbook Layout

This is my first Guest Designer layout for Lasting Memories Scrapbook Challenge. I was doubly excited. First to be offered this for the month of May and then when I learned it was all about stamping I was over the top with delight.

“Wait” created with white embossing powder using Stampin’ Up! alphabet stamps and hand cut out. I used to do this all the time until I got my first little Cricut. I had forgotten how fun it was to do this technique, and a lot less trouble than Cricut. Of course the variety is a lot less than with Cricut, but good to get the stamps in my hands again. The rest of the words are stamps as well as the gold embossed arrow. The butterfly was stamped and gold embossed before hand cutting out. The bottom right flowers are from the same paper pad as the floral print that I fussy cut and coated with some ivory pearl Nuvo drops, I think you can easily see what else happened here on my page.

This is my precious granddaughter ready to deliver child number three. I doubt the 2 and a half year old sweet boy had any idea what was in store, but after his baby sister arrived he fell in love with her.

Thanks for taking a look. Hope you have a chance to scrap your own memories. Making a scrapbook album with real paper is so much better than storing pics on a cell phone.

Have a wonderful rest of your day! I wish you love and happy memories.

Hugs, Joyce Ann

Impala Layout

Today I have my scrapbook page based on the sketch offered on the Sketches In Thyme blog. This is a delightful sketch full of potential for turning a photo into a memory page just as you see it. I loved this sketch and feel sure it will be one of my favorites to go to again.

This was a fun one to play with layers. I have admired pages with layers for a while now, so I am spreading my wings of imagination and taking a go at it. Funny thing how something left out on my workstation often inspires. In this case it was the softly patterned background paper from Heartfelt Creations. It seems right for my base since it speaks of nature in a gentle pattern. Impala are such gentle creatures and coming upon them at the zoo offered me this opportunity to take their picture. To give the base a little extra texture I used some Versamark ink through a KaiserCraft stencil, then heat embossed with some Nuvo detail powder. With a patterned paper for the base I chose solids for my layers. The title was cut with Cricut. See the stamping? I love to add bits of stamping when ever I can. The flower was stamped directly to the background, the camera stamped on gray card and fussy cut out, and I stamped a layer of gray with an interesting pattern for a layer.

Thanks for taking a look at what I have made. Do try this sketch, won’t you?

Have a beautiful day filled with love and art.

A Day of Fun

My challenge from “Lasting Memories Layout Challenge” #441 was titled No Housework Day. I grabbed these photos of my daughter and me at the zoo enjoying our day and taking a train ride.

The title and train image I made with Cricut Explore Air. Lots of stamping, die cutting and work to make the flowers. Also DD cut the insert under the photo of us with a Tim Holtz die in chipboard, then rubbed it with Distress paints and stains. Strips from a catalogue of Lionel trains were pasted down. The entire page got a good washing of paints, inks and stains some areas over stencils. Hemp twine and Nuvo Drops added to among the flowers with Stickles in the centers.

Easter Card from Challenge Scraps

Finishing up the RTS Youtube challenge got me thinking about just what I could do with the left-over pieces and I knew I wanted to play with the Sketch N Scrap sketch.

I had fun with this. The particular Heartfelt Creations paper scraps I needed to work with seemed suitable for an Easter card. I’ve had this small cross stamp for years and it is just perfect for the center medallion. I used gold embossing powder for the cross and even edged the green scallop with it that I used for it’s base. Can you guess what the rosette is made with? I sliced strips and made the accordion folds myself. It was not easy for me to hold the folds together and plop the pasted punched circle of card stock on top to lock it down. I had sponged edges of the papers with Ranger Oxide Frayed Burlap so this color worked for me. The answer: unbleached coffee pot filter. The sentiment, from an old Stampin’ Up! set, is stamped on a Spellbinders die cut strip and popped up. No other embellishments since the features of the sketch were designed so well. I thought about adding sequins, which I almost always add to my projects, but took another look and decided they weren’t needed.

The Scripture readings at mass now are getting more sad, adding to a heavy heart as I think about the disbelief that plagued the people during that time leading up to the Crucifixion. They claimed to believe in God, the Father, but failed to recognize the Son of God standing in the flesh before them, perhaps because they were all about the material consequences for them if they had to change the order of their ‘religion’ and beliefs.

The end of our time of the Lent draws closer. And searching my pledge to study my faith more deeply and contemplate the Scriptures more often, have fallen short. Would I, too, have been one of those who rejected Jesus back then? I have a couple of centuries of knowledge at my fingertips, all the words spoken to the “Chosen People of God” and meticulously handed down over the ages, and I don’t always take seriously the teachings Jesus gave his disciples for us to follow.

Hopefully this card will reflect the happiness of the Resurrection we all will experience on Easter Sunday!

A Zoo Visit

This is one of my favorite stops at the zoo. This particular cat hasn’t been with them very long, but I remember the two cubs born here from a few years ago. This section of my zoo is getting a major renovation; can’t wait to see it finished.

For now I am sharing this page using the April Sketch N Scrap design #174.

The teal and lavender paper spoke to me because of the ‘spots’. I added some teal and turquoise solids. Added a border punch and washi. Using letter stamps I made the title.The accents were added and then a little journaling. Seems ‘done’ with the busy photos that are on the dark side and the busy paper. Need to let this beautiful wild animal be the spotlight.

My thought for you today: May our faith in the one God of all be strong enough so we follow His Holy Son, and all He has taught us, more closely.

Thanks for popping over. Hope you are in the mood to scrap this lovely sketch. Have a blessed day!

Fun at Fall Festival

A beautiful day and the kids had fun! Loved these photos my family sent, just perfect for this sketch.

I printed the two base photos so less showed on the outsides and would start with more of the kids. That way I wouldn’t have to hide too much of my beautiful babies. This is for a most delightful sketch at Sketches in Thyme challenge blog.

Here is the sketch.

Here is what I did with the sketch

I used a small leaf stamp on the base. Also stamped the larger leaves that I cut out for embellishment. Using a stamp platform I stamped with various colors of ink to make them look more like fall. I changed up the sketch idea a bit by layering a solid piece of patterned paper instead of just the stripes. I used a border punch on that piece, then added the 3 ribbons.

The tabs were punched and hand written, using some of the activities the kids enjoyed that day. There really wasn’t much in the way of journaling needed. The title was simple and cut with the Cricut Explore. I also added a few Nuvo Drops.

Hope you like this sketch and will try it out. I would enjoy seeing what you do with it!

Thanks for stopping in!

Screech Owl at the Zoo

Such a beautiful little bird!

One day as we visited the zoo we were fortunate to catch this precious fine feathered fluffy fellow out with a handler. Nice to have a closer view.

My layout was created using this sketch from Sketch-N-Scrap #173.

The foliage collection is a stamp by RG Avenue, the owl is by Rubbernecker. They are colored with pencils and fussy cut out by hand. I was also trying to get creative with the ribbons and hemp twine.

Do go check out this inspiring sketch blog, you are sure to love it! Hope you enjoy this little bird photo. Thanks for stopping in.

At One Year Random Pics

While looking to find 4 photos to work on a layout for a challenge, I decided on these 4 random shots taken in the month our little sweet boy was one year old. It was a scraplift of a scrapper from Splitcoaststampers.

Using this grid format and keeping the space clean and simple the randomness works for me. But then, looking at any photos of our little ones always makes me happy.

I used the computer for the title, sub title and the journaling strips. Once the title was printed I drew lines with a Micon pen and added a little marker for color. The “Apr 2017” are in a typewriter keys font and I pasted them on some white card stock before using a circle punch.

The globe is a Fun Stampers Journey stamp and I fussy cut it out, popped up the globe part and added a USA postage stamp recycled from the mail. The row of small flowers is made with a stamp from a Hampton Art set for G45. (One of my favorite sets that I use a stamp from often.) The strips on the sides are from an old Stampin’ Up! pack that I sponged Distress Black Soot on the edges.

I’m planning a busy month of scrapping. I want to make a major dent in all my prints from the last couple of years in preparation for a plethora of new photos from my daughter’s latest trip to visit our precious babies.

May your March be marvelous and filled with many blessings.

Footed Box with Tags – G45

A friend told me about a class she was signed up for with Annette Green to make a box with Graphic 45 Flutter pack. Sounded great!

The class was a week ago and it was thrilling to make!

So fun to play with all the pieces. We had instructions to follow and I only made one minor change – I did not put the image of the bee on one of the tags since my DD has a very real problem with such insects. We had drawings during the class and near the end my ticket was drawn to approach the table is choose from the prizes remaining. I picked the beach cards pack.

And here I am with our dear teacher, Annette, showing off my grand prize! Wow, so surprised and so happy – I love that pack “Botanical Tea”!