History Project Starting Soon

I have just signed up to follow along with Kerri Bradford to do her History Project beginning December 31, 2012 and each Monday after that for the year 2013. This scrapbooking project is all about "You". Telling the stories of YOUR life. You can read all about it on Kerri's blog at the link above. I'm excited to get started and appreciate that each Monday I will get an email in my mailbox that will be waiting for me when I can get to it. The project pace is your own. No deadlines, no pressure. Just a lot of fun.

Kerri has this priced at just $1 a week for a total of $52 dollars but if you purchase by December 31, 2012 the price is only $47.

I visit Kerri's blog all the time and she is very talented. I can hardly wait to see what she has in store for me each week. Which means you may be seeing some of the pages I create on the blog.

Just having fun!

Brenda

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! It's Christmas Eve day and I wanted to share a blog post from Kerri Bradford today. She is showing a scrapbook page made by Nichol Magouirk that I found just adorable. Here's a little sneak peek. I urge you to click on Kerri's link and have a look for yourself.

These little penguins are too cute. Nichol does such a great job on this layout and all her other layouts too. Have a peek at her blog if you get chance. Nothing but goodness from these two talented ladies.

Hope you all are taking time to enjoy your friends and family during this very special time of the year. Thanks for stopping by, till next time.

Brenda

Camera Time

A couple months ago I bought a Canon T3i dslr camera. I have to say, it's the best purchase I've made in a very long time. I love my new toy and I'm really enjoying myself while learning to work it. I've watched so many classes on photography lately that it's a wonder I'm retaining anything at all. Can anyone say "Information Overload". . . .

On Wednesday, my friend Rick and I went out to enjoy the sunshine and spend the day taking pictures. Rick with his Canon EOS Rebel and me with my Canon. Here are a few shots that I liked the best from the day.

The Charleston area certainly offers a wide range of photographic sites. As we toured the Charleston, Mt. Pleasant and Sullivan's Island locations we had so many beautiful sites to stop and enjoy with our cameras. I'm looking forward to some cooler days to spend a lot more time playing around with my new toy.

Thanks for visiting!

Brenda

Creative Live

Oh my gosh, I have been so engrossed in watching videos from this new site I found last weekend that I have GOT to share it before I bust. The site is called Creative Live and I have been watching the most amazing videos on photography. There are classes that last up to three days AND they are free. Yes, you heard it folks, I said FREE. If you watch the live broadcasts then there is no cost to you. However, they also offer DVD's at a nominal fee if you'd like all the class materials, videos and links that they provide during the show to watch at your leisure. Then during the down time in the schedule Creative Live rebroadcasts certain videos so there are always videos or live broadcasts happening.

I am so excited to find this site. I happened upon it when I was looking for some photography videos on YouTube. Let me just say . . . . I have found more interesting sites while searching through YouTube than any other site.

For those of you who need a bit of help touching up your photos in Photoshop, there is a three day class August 22nd - 24th called Photoshop for Photographers. I will be watching . . . maybe even interacting. Yep, you can also ask questions and make comments during the live show through Twitter, Facebook and Google +. Click here for their calendar of events and see if they have anything that interests you.

As always, no one has asked me to post these links, just sharing the stuff that I find interesting during my web surfing hours.The internet feeds my cravings for learning new things . . . heaven help me if I get bored (not a pretty site).

That's all for now. Thanks for visiting!

Brenda

Cool Camera Stuff

Was surfing the net today I found this very cool place called PhotoJoJo. This store has things like a USB Film Roll, Lens Cap Straps, Jelly Camera Phone Filters, Lenses for your IPhone and whole bunch more camera related items. I haven't bought anything from this site, so I can't say how I would rate them yet but I'm excited to try a few of their items. Take a look for yourself and see what you think. I immediately thought that this would be a smart gift card for many of my friends and family at holiday time. I'll order something soon and see if I'm as excited about their service.

'Till next time . . . .

Brenda

Remembering Family Mini Album

I made this mini album a few weeks ago and I'm just getting around to video taping it and posting. I really hate doing the videos. Don't like the sound of my own voice I suppose. But since it's the best way to show the book . . . . I gave it another try. Bear with me . . . you've been warned. LOL

There is so much real estate for photos and journaling in this album and with the binding system that Kathy Orta has developed, the book will close properly. Too many of the albums made are busting at the seams and won't close flat. This book doesn't have that problem. There is a full 1/4" separation between the pages.

Hope you liked the book.

Till next time . . . .

Brenda

Tag Swap Results

Here is the tag I posted on April 18th that I created for the tag swap organized by Laura Denison at Following the Paper Trail. Due to unforseen circumstances the swap part didn't happen until now. I received the following tags in the mail yesterday.

The style of swap that I joined was for "Grunge". Based on the tags I received, most people feel Grunge is more subdued colors and a lot of browns & tans. Well, I took a different path and went for brighter color but with worn edges and torn papers. So, my question to you is . . . .  . what is Grunge to you? I would love to hear your point of view in the comment section.

It's amazing to see all the different styles and workmanship of each of the people that made these tags. To my surprise, one of them is from a man. Not too many men involved in the paper crafting industry but it's good to see. Looks like Tim Holtz is grabbing the attention of the fella's out there.

Thank you to Laura Denison for hosting this swap and to my tag swap partners for their wonderful tags that I received. I look forward to doing another tag swap in the future.

Brenda

FREE Class

Hi everyone! Can't believe it's been almost a month since I posted anything here. I've been very busy learning a bunch of new things. I tend to get very bored if I'm not learning new stuff or changing things up on a regular basis. One of the things I did last week was to watch the FREE class being offered by Jessica Sprague on Photoshop/Photoshop Elements. I loved it and I really enjoyed the way she formats her classes. You can watch the same class for free - anytime you have a bit of time. It is a video taped class with downloadable class materials. I was able to pause the video and work right along with each technique being taught. If you'd like to see this class, click on the link here.

Back in April of this year I showed you a tag I had created for a tag swap. Well, I finally got the tags in the mail today. So tomorrow I will show you the tags I received.

Till then . . . . . thanks for visiting.

Brenda

New Stamps

Hello everyone. Hope you all are staying a float. Here in Charleston we've been getting a good bit of rain from tropical storm Beryl this past week but no one's under water. Thank goodness! Flowers are blooming and grass is greener than ever.

Here's a few of the stamps I found at the last stamp show I went to a couple of months ago and I'm just getting around to playing with them. These stamps are Lost Coast Design stamps I found in one of the booths at the show. These are not my style at all but I fell in love with them. I call them my "artsy-fartsy" stamps. Thought they would make great journaling cards for some of my albums.

I painted the animal people with Tim Holtz Distress Inks first and then coated them with Inkssentials™ Glue n' seal and was able to add the background with Tim Holtz Distress ink after the glue dried. The girls were masked off using Inkadinkado® Stamping Mask Paper and then Tim Holtz Distress Inks were layered on top and mask paper removed. Essentially doing the same thing for both projects in two different ways. I found it far less labor intensive to just paint on the Glue n' seal  vs. fussy cutting all the masks. The glue dries very quickly and there is not much if any down time.

I've got four bird people to play with next. Happy crafting everybody . . . . .

Brenda

Contessa Attache'

Here is the Contessa Attache' Case Mini Album that I put together using the template by Kathy Orta at Paper Phenomenon. Finished size is approx. 10" x 8.5" when closed. This project has so many little pockets and tags allowing for a lot of real estate for photographs and journaling. I put this attache' together using the paper pad "The Timeless Type Stack" by DCWV found at our local Michaels store. This paper pad has a ton of embellishments in the paper pad including postcards, labels, buttons, tags and much more.

While I am in love with this paper pad, it does have it's faults. In the construction of the attache' there were a few spots where the paper broke at the creases. Very disturbing although not totally unexpected. I've made the breaks look like a very well loved area of the book and I can live with it. However, if I were to do another attache' using any paper with a white core, I would limit the use to matting over a solid core paper. I attempted to do this attache' with a BoBunny paper and had the same problem with breaking at the top of the attache', at the creases near the D-rings. A solid core paper would work best at the hard folds. More photos below.

Left side is a flap that opens up to show several pages and pockets with tags inside. Right side has smaller version of the left side with the three small pockets along with Three long pocket flaps with tags inside them.

Left side at top has a tag that pulls out of it. Below on left is a flap that opens up to show pages, pockets and tags. Right side is very similar to the flap that opens up on first page.

I love this template and can see myself doing it again. The video tutorial for it can be found on Ustream here. However, with Ustreams new rules the video will only be there for approx. 2 months and then it gets bounced to make room for more videos. So, if you'd like to have the video for future use you'll need to download it soon.

I look forward to using all the embellishments and completing this project. Normally I give most of my projects away as gifts to family and friends but this one may find a permanent home with me.

Thanks for visiting!

Brenda

Distress Markers

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday so far. Just wanted to share a video I found on Jennifer McGuire's blog that she had filmed using the new Distress Markers. While I haven't been very excited to run out and purchase these markers, I am curious how people are using them. Since I own the Tombow watermarkers at a much lower cost, I am waiting patiently to see how everyone likes the distress markers.



I love, love, love the technique Jennifer uses in this video. Such an easy technique with a Big punch of color.

Enjoy your weekend. Thanks for visiting!

Brenda

Why Do I Scrapbook

Hello everyone! Hope your weekend is going great. I want to share a video I ran across today that embodies my thoughts on scrapbooking. 


Why do I do it?


Here's why . . . . .



As I look over all my pictures from my 20's and 30's, I feel a bit sad that I wasn't able to capture more of those memories on film. Yes, I said film. We didn't have all the digital advantages at that time. I suppose that's why scrapbooking is so important to me. I want to be able to put down on paper those memories that may be forgotten. Not only for review by me and my family now but for future generations to be able to know who we were and how we lived.


My parents are gone now and I think of all the things I didn't ask them. All the memories that they took with them in their passing. Funny tales of sibling rivalry or tender moments about their first loves, family recipes that are now lost forever and oh so many other things. I hope that I will answer these types of questions inside some of my scrapbooking and maybe NOT leave so much unsaid or unshared.


My hope is that you'll share a memory with someone today!
Thanks for visiting.


Brenda

Mojo Monday #238

Happy Tuesday everyone. Here's my take on this weeks Mojo Monday card sketch. Using Martha Stewarts Layered Arches corner punch on some 1.5" squares I was able to make the background. Love, love, love this punch. It's got to be my favorite punch so far. The butterfly and postcard are from Tim Holtz idea-ology "crowded attic" salvage stickers booklet. The silver bullets in each square are The Robins Nest "dew drops".


Here's the sketch . . . .

Enjoy your week. Thanks for visiting!


Brenda


SUPPLIES . . . . . 

Recollections 8.5 x 11 cardstock

MS Layered Arches Corner Punch

TH Crowded Attic Salvage Stickers

Metallic Silver/Black/White Robin's Nest Dew Drops

InLinkz.com

Tim Holtz Tickets

Ever wonder what to do with the strip of tickets after you've die cut them out using Tim Holtz ticket die? Well wonder no more. I found this very cool video that you must see. I am so inspired to try the methods shown in this video. Dianne at Art of Craft made this video and she makes it look so easy to be more creative. 





I'm always on the look out for new ideas, techniques and inspiration where ever I can find it. Not only is this video a must see but I went to her blog and was amazed all over again at Dianne's talent. So when you have a few minutes, I highly recommend her video and blog for some creative eye candy.


Thanks for visiting!


Brenda

Tag Swap

Hello everyone! Here's a tag that I created for a tag swap that I signed up for through Laura Denison at Following the Paper Trail. This is my first tag swap and these are the tags that I sent in today. I made 9 tags and sent 8 tags to Laura who in turn will send me 8 different tags back from the other eight people in my swap group. I'm so excited to see what everyone else has done and what creative masterpieces I'll find in my mailbox in another 10 days or so.

I hope the people that receive my tags will be inspired in some way. They were a lot of fun to make. Of course it's always fun to get all inked up. By the time I was finished, my hands were a very colorful tangerine color. But if I'm clean, I must not be doing something right. LOL


Thanks for visiting!


Brenda

Photography

One of my passions is photography. It's always been an interest but never really had the time or opportunity to learn. But recently I've taken a few classes and began a video subscription to help me learn more about the basics of photography. I feel that if I get those pictures that will "make" that perfect scrapbooking layout, then I'll be even more excited to scrap. I love being able to tell a story with a picture. My journaling needs a lot of improvement so the photos need to be the star of my layouts in most cases.

In my recent quest for information, I've found a wonderful blog that provides so many techniques for getting the best pictures along with photoshop and photoshop elements actions. The blog I'm talking about is Paint The Moon by Annie Manning. Her before and after photos are so wonderful. And the journey she takes you on using her family as her subjects for her photography shots is just delightful. I am excited each day to see what new photos she's taken and what I'm going to learn from her. I hope you'll take a few minutes to visit her blog. Her work is just beautiful.

Thanks for visiting.

Brenda

Mojo Monday #228

Well, it's Thursday and I'm finally getting around to posting my Mojo Monday challenge card. Glad no one sets their watch by my schedule. LOL


Using a Cuttlebug heart embossing folder on plain white card stock and dragging the Fire Brick Red Distress ink pad down the embossed paper gave the background this rough distressed look. I love it! So easy and quick to do and the outcome was exactly what I was hoping for to use as my background. For even more texture, I used some dot embossed white cardstock for the two large background areas of white. This card is all about the layers and textures and the mini pearls on the scallop was the finishing touch it needed.


Here's the sketch.

Thanks for visiting!


Brenda


SUPPLIES  . . . . .

Spellbinders Labels One

Spellbinders Big Scalloped Circle SM

Cuttlebug Heart Squares Folder

Fiskars Paper Trimmer

Scotch ATG 714

Barn Door Distress Ink

InLinkz.com

Mojo Monday #227

Here's a Mojo Monday Challenge card to share with you today. Yep, finally getting around to posting it (very, very early this Thursday morning). I love this layout. It reminds me of some of the pocket pages in my mini scrapbook albums.While this card doesn't actually have a pocket, it renders itself to looking like one.


The paper pad used is the Pink Paislee Queen Bee (6x6 pad). Add a few Prima flowers, some ribbon, pearls and a bit of distress ink and my card is complete.


Here's the sketch.

Thanks for visiting. Have a great day!


Brenda

CHA Turns Up The Imagination

Check out this wonderful project that Kathy Orta made for the Tim Holtz Booth at the winter CHA 2012. I love this gas pump. Kathy did such a fantastic job with this creation. Needless to say, I'm a huge fan of her creative talent. CHA or Craft & Hobby Association is held twice a year and has the most amazing projects shown at each of the booths and previews the new product lines coming out for each vendor. Tim Holtz booth is always filled with the most creative ideas. In addition to the projects made by Kathy at Paper Phenomenon, there are also some amazing projects created by Laura Denison at The Paper Trail for the Tim Holtz booth and the Graphic 45 booth. You can see all their projects if you visit their blogs at the links provided. I've also gotten a chance to see many more craft projects through the videos posted on YouTube for the winter CHA 2012. I am in awe of the talent shown at these shows each year. Congratulations to all those who participated for a job well done.

Hey Kathy, sure hope this pump will be a tutorial you will sell. Did I say "I love this pump"?!

Brenda

Madison - Beautiful View

Here's my first Digital Scrapbook Page using the Kitchen Window digital package by Laurie Ann at After Five Designs. With a little bit of a learning curve, I managed to get this done relatively quickly. Much to my surprise, I am thrilled with how easy it was to complete. While it won't take over for my "hands on" dirty work with paper and ink, it certainly has a place in my creative world. I'm sure to get more scrapbook pages done using the digital embellishments and papers. And this may widen my ability to do hybrid pages as well. 


This little darling is my granddaughter, Madison. She's just one year old and already has her first cast on her right arm. And that's exactly how my son advised me of the cast. The "First Cast". So now she is sporting a bright neon pink cast from her wrist to just below the elbow. Watch out world, Madison is here to make her mark.


Thanks for visiting!


Brenda

Digital Scrapbooking

Hey Folks! Are any of you into digital scrapbooking? I am just getting interested in it and found this really cool site called After Five Designs. They have the most fabulous FREEBIE! Yes, I said Free. This picture is the digital freebie and if you go to this link, you can see how they used it in so many ways. They have done all the work for you but you still get to have creative input. The best of both worlds. Hurry over and see what else they have. There is a whole section of freebies for you to try it out. The art that actually has a cost is so inexpensive, it's crazy not to try it. Good luck everyone!

I will be attempting to work with this digital over the weekend and see how I manage with it. All my scrapbooking has been the old fashioned paper and glue. And while I so love working with paper, I love my computer too. So, we'll see if this is as enjoyable as working with my hands and getting dirty. Yep, always dirty with all kinds of glue and inks on my fingers and sometimes my clothes. You'd think I'd get smart and start wearing a smock or apron. Nope, never think about it until it's too late. My mind is always on the crafting ideas instead. Anyone else have that problem? LOL


Even if you're not interested in digital scrapbooking, the site is beautiful. I encourage you to take a peek at the artwork available at After Five Designs.


Have a great day!


Brenda

Sophia Grace & Rosie on Ellen

Just a quick post to share an absolutely adorable video. This video is sure to put a smile on your face. I found the link to these girls on another craft blog and thought it was the cutest thing. These girls haven't a shy bone in their body. Enjoy!



Have a great weekend everyone.

Brenda

Same Stamp, Two Looks

Sometimes I wonder how many different looks you can get with just one stamp. Well, here is a stamp I used on two cards that look totally different. I imagine that you could get 50 people to use the same stamp and get 50 different looks. I can think of at least 3 more ways I'd use this stamp and that's just off the cuff. 

One of these days I'll have to challenge myself and see just how many different looks I can get. Have any of you ever tried to get multiple looks with one stamp? If so, how many did you manage to get done?

Both cards are done using Distress Inks for all the shading and the stamp used is from Magenta Style. I'm sure I'll revisit this topic again but until then . . . . . . .  Happy Crafting!

Brenda