Just a quick card...

So...with some friends getting married and the Scraps of Elegance kit, Renea's Charm, I came up with this quick little wedding card.  I have to say that my favorite part about making this card was knowing ahead of time that I didn't have enough white feathers to make the dress.  Luckily for me, we (my work crew) had a frame that needed to be picked up from Hobby Lobby.  Unfortunately, once we got to Hobby Lobby I realized that I had forgotten my wallet, and one of my more "manly-man" friends offered to pick up the "oh-so-girly" feathers...Army uniform and all! 

 

This card was relatively simple.  I used thick plain card stock and a stencil from my stash.  I used the pink Inka Gold paint that came with the kit to create a romantic, yet, simple background for my "wedding dress".  The dress is Blue Fern Studio chipboard (the clutch comes in the same package).  I covered the chipboard in gesso and some pearly white paint (which I believe was also included in the kit).  After the paint layers had dried, I used adhesive pearls to establish the horizontal lines of my dress.  I glittered the top of the dress and lined the neckline with glass seed beads that came in the SOE kit.  Using the "horizontal line guides) I had made with the pears I layered several types of ribbon, fiber, and lace over the skirt of the dress to enhance the look of it.  Two tiny pearls on the clutch, as well as some glitter, finished the overall look of the wedding outfit!  :)

 

 

The look I was going for with the dress was flowing and romantic.  I feel like I got pretty close.  I began with a base layer of the white feathers.  I had to clip some of them, and shape a few others, but the end result was fairly close to the softness I was looking for.  Most of the feathers were glued down to the card itself, but I attached a few others to the back of the dress as well.   Here you can see a close up of some of the ribbon and lace I used for the skirt as well as the pearls.  



Below is a short of the inside of the card.  I used some of the paper from the kit to cover all of the insides, then used various scraps of paper from the kit to layer the right side of the inside of the card.  After distressing and inking the papers to create a timeless and aged look, I glued them down randomly.  I have to admit...I forgot to remember the size of my card and had already distressed and dyed some of the papers before I had to "randomize" them a little more.  LOL.  I then cut the "Laughter and Love" phrase from one of the papers as a final touch to the inside. 

 

Here is a top view showing some of the distressing, dying, and layering.  

 

And that's that!!!  This kit was absolutely perfect for the overall motif I was looking for with this wedding card!!!  :)  Thanks for looking in!

 

Love,

mel

Take it to the limit...

 

Yes, just sing some Eagles in the back of your head while you read this post. Some time back I blogged about how shocked I was to be able to use Scraps of Elegance on a layout JUST FOR ME!!! I figured when I began buying these kits that I would find much more personal use with the Scraps of Darkness and use the Elegance kits more for LOs for other folks and what not. But now, not only have I used SOE for myself, but I made my HUSBAND a gift with the SOE kit from December!!! I actually started this project with every intention of giving it to him as a Christmas gift, but finished somewhere around New Year's Eve...given my difficulties with my blog the past month or so, I'm just now getting caught up to the point where I can tell you all about it! 

 

The December SOE kit "Ever True" featured lots of Prima and Graphic 45 elements to play with!  Included in the Creativity Add On was the above pictured FANTASTIC Cigar Box.  I had done some things with the Prima Cigar Box Secrets prior to getting this kit, and I was absolutely beyond excited to see what was coming in my kit.  Here are a few quick notes about my most wonderful husband:  he smokes the occasional cigar, he takes his watch off every night before bed (I can't...I forget it the next morning...every.single.time.), and he almost never wears his wedding ring (don't worry, he still loves me...it's more job related).  So I thought, what better to give him than a cigar box to keep next to the bed and store things in, such as his wedding ring?

 

 

I started by cutting some of the Prima paper to fit the inside of the cigar box.  Although you can't see it very well, there are wooden "inserts" in the bottom part of the cigar box that reinforce the sides.  I pulled all four pieces out and colored with some Tim Holtz Distress Ink.  Even though I love the smell of the cedar wood inside the cigar box, the color wasn't quite going to mesh with the Prima papers exactly like I wanted it to!  Then I took a stamp, included with the kit I believe, and "dirtied up" my main background paper with a Houndstooth pattern.  

The kit also included some awesome ATCs from the Cigar Box Secrets collection.  I already knew that I wanted to include a picture of me and my husband in the bottom of the box, so I cut the card in half so that all of the wording and most of the vintage-looking style of the ATC would show from behind the photo. 

 

Below you can see the work I did on the inside of the lid of the cigar box.  I love the brickwork looking chipboard, but I have yet to purchase any, so instead I cut some off of a Blue Fern Studios chipboard flourish.  I used a little gesso on the pieces of gesso and then coated them in some Lumiere paint (Metallic Rust).  I smudged a little bit of gesso back onto the top of the Lumiere paint once it had dried.  I used another small scrap of Cigar Box Secrets paper in the bottom left hand corner and applied some flowers.  Please note...this may be the ONE and ONLY time my husband lets me make him something with flowers on/in it.  :)

 



 

 

For the finishing touches, I add the picture of us from my husband's police academy graduation and added another Prima flower from my stash.  Also check out the small piece of Tim Holtz vellum paper I applied to the back inside of the box.  I had thought about using all around the inside, but wanted to keep quite a bit of the wood visible. 

 

So there you have it!!!  Flowers and SOE on my HUSBAND!!!  Thanks, Scraps of Elegance for creating such versatile kits!!!  Thanks for looking, friends! 

Love,
mel

2 Days in a Row (Playing Catch Up)

Okay, since I was having trouble with my blog for a few weeks there, I am now ahead on projects and behind on blogging.  I did this next layout for the Blue Fern Studios Sketch Challenge.  You can view the sketch here.  (Sorry, still having trouble linking some pictures.)  I found this awesome photo while tooling around facebook one day.  This is a picture of my lovely friend Denise's step daughter.  As soon as I saw the picture, I downloaded and tucked it away for a rainy day.  Enter the Scraps of Darkness November kit: "Serenade".  I loved the mix of paper, elements, and colors in this kit.  For this layout I used some BFS paper, Bo Bunny Paper, and the BFS chipboard word "adore".

Here is the finished product:

 

I started with some of the Blue Fern Studios paper included in the kit for the background, then layered a mixture of Blue Fern and Bo Bunny paper.  I also used some of the Bo Bunny Noteworthy elements (Rose Cafe) that came with the kit.  My favorite part about this photo (outside of the sheer beauty of the main subject) was the colors and the natural earthy feel of the photo.  The papers from BFS (Sanctuary Collection, I believe) really gave me the same vibe.  This is also the VERY FIRST time I have done a layout using the same photo twice.  Pure accident this time as the original printout came landscape and wanted  a portrait printout.  No harm, no foul though because I really enjoyed using the same picture twice.

 

Below you can see some of my flower cluster and layering including a paper doily and some ribbon (included in the kit).  The yellow roses came with the kit, but the yellow fabric flower and the blue roses came from that magical flower drawer hoard that I speak of frequently. 

 

Also in the picture above you can see some of the random glittering and inking that I did.

 

To alter the chipboard piece, I covered it in gesso then hosed it down with Heidi Swapp Color Shine Mist in Navy.  I didn't like the finished look of it (and knew I was also going to use glitter) so I toned the Color Shine down with a little navy acrylic paint as well.  Some Distress Glitter in Scattered Straw later and I was very satisfied with the chipboard's final look. 

 

Below you can see some of the great layers.  I actually inked the entire "news print" layer with Tim Holtz Distress ink in Vintage Photo so that the layer would be a little more muted and blend into the background better.  You can also see one of my random sequins in the photo!  :)

 

I had an absolute blast working on this layout.  Very rarely am I satisfied with a layout after completing it.  Normally, I set my LOs to the side and wait a few days until I'm positive they aren't "missing" anything.  However, with this one, I was satisfied as soon as the glue was dry (okay, while the glue was still wet) and packaged it up to give to Denise right away! 

 

Thanks for looking! 

 

xoxo,

Mel

Finally Catching a Break

This past weekend I finally had a chance to settle in with my Scraps of Darkness and Scraps of Elegance December and January kits.  I was so excited before I left work Friday about getting home to work with these kits.  My awesome friend, Kara, had asked me what the colors in the kits were like, so I showed her via the above linked blog.  She then sent me a picture of the two of us that fit right in!  I have so far edited one to be more "cool" and the other "warm.  Here is what happened with the "cool" one and the SOD December Kit "Northern Lights":

 

I remembered the amazing swirl stencil that came with the October SOD kit...and given the inspiration board that the wonderfully talented ladies at SOD came up with I was inspired to do some "swirling" with this layout.  I laid the stencil (check this link out and click on the "mosaic swirl" stencil) down on my page and went to town with modeling paste.   While I waited for the paste to dry, I started mixing various colors of paint.  My original plan was going to include some gelatos color in this swirls, but ended up just using paint.  (You can see some of the gelatos "mess" to the far left side of the swirls).  I went with several shades of purple and blue with my paint so that I could slowly "swirl" them all in together.  Prior to receiving the kit from SOD, I already had a 6 x 6 paper pack that matched several of the papers included, so I picked out a couple of 6 x 6 papers that matched the background paper and my picture, distressed them, and inked the edges with some blue, purple, and grey ink.  I love getting to ink the edges of my papers with what I consider "different" hues since I'm usually inking to get a vintage look!  :)  Here is a close up of the edges of the papers:

 

 

Once the modeling paste had dried, I started painting my mosaic swirls in randomly.  I kept the colors in the same family so that there were no issues with mixing and matching as I went.  When I was done I used the rest of my mixed paint, along with some regular white paint, and splattered them across my background paper, and the smaller squares of paper from my 6 x 6 pack.  (*Disclaimer:  Safety first...I totally splattered paint right into my eye...*)  After I finished splattering with my paint, I took the stencil from the kit along with the awesome textured "snow" paste and made a few snowflakes on my background paper.  This is a little wishful thinking because even though the day Kara and I took this picture was super cold, we have had only a few (1 1/2) "dustings" of white stuff that we are pretty sure was snow, but couldn't verify before it disappeared here in Arkansas this year!  :(

 

 

For finishing touches, I applied some flowers from the kit, a few from my stash (including the sparkly blue butterfly up top), some ribbon (also from the kit), and the "smile" lettering at the bottom of the page.  A few random buttons and color coordinated brads later and I was completely done!  

Thanks for looking!  My apologies for this blog post taking so long to get here.  I'm having issues with uploading pictures directly to my work computer so I'm bouncing back and forth between my phone, my iPad, and my computer.  I'm sure I'll get things worked out fairly quickly!!  Till next time, friends!

Love,
Mel

Merry Christmas Eve!

A few weeks ago I was asked to make a hollow book for my friend to give his girlfriend for Christmas.  In my haste to deliver the product to him I forgot to take pictures, but it turns out the pictures Lisa took are even better!  She currently has the box sitting on a beautiful cedar chest in her home.  I made this project using the Scraps of Darkness/Scraps of Elegance inspiration board.  You can view their blog here. 

Once again, I loved the collaboration of items in the SOD/SOE kits and made two hollow books back to back mixing and matching from the two current kits:  "Ever-True" and "Serenade".

 

I started by layering Tim Holtz vellum paper and Tim Holtz tissue paper around the book.  Then I began layering papers and embellishments from the kits.  I was able to use some flowers from a previous SOD kit and used quite a few embellishments from the Prima Engraver collection.  

 

Although I covered it most of the navy paper up, you can see some of it on the picture above.  This dark blue colors in the birdcage/clock picture from the December Scraps of Darkness/Elegance Inspiration Board were my catalyst for this project.  Also, take note of the clock piece as part of my inspiration.  I also used quite a few stickers from a Tim Holtz pack that I had been hoarding for awhile, as well as some leftovers from an ephemera pack.

 



I used a vintage frame and cut some of the paper included in the kit with a rose on it to frame.  I used crackle glaze over the rose in the frame to create a more aged look.   Lots of flowers and butterflies later, you have the finished product!

Super sorry for the short post, but it IS almost Christmas and I still have a few gifts to pick up and wrap!  :)  Much love, and Merry Christmas to all!

Love,
Mel

This is what happens when you have "too much stuff"...

So...several years ago during a reorganization of the my craft space, I hung a bulletin board over my work table to use for hanging pictures, embellishments, inspiration, etc.  I even bought funky and pretty push pins to hang these items up with.  Around the same time my beautiful friend Rae's son was about to get married.  She brought over some water margaritas and some digital pictures from the wedding/engagement photo shoot.  Somehow we managed to print these gorgeous pictures out using matte photo paper as opposed to glossy.  I didn't really want to do much with the matte photos at the time so I hung them on the bulletin board...

Fast forward a few years...The bulletin board is now slightly less accessible due to some more recent reorganization of the craft space.  However, when I got stuck last week I decided to "clear off" the bulletin board and came across the matte pictures.  Using the Blue Fern Studios December sketch and the Scraps of Darkness and Scraps of Elegance kits "Serenade" kit I was able to create this layout:

 

 

I loved the beautiful papers included in this kit.  Between the romantic feeling of the picture and the wonderful elements of flowers in the papers I was overwhelmed with the possibilities.  After trimming the green paper down for one of my layers, I fussy cut some of the yellow roses from the leftover trimmings.  I took those flowers and put them in random places around my layout.  

 

Below you can see the BFS sketch that inspired this.  I turned the rotated the sketch to the side and made my focal point slightly more off centered to the left.

 

Below you can see some of the chipboard work.  As I was covering the chipboard in gesso the bottom part (butterfly) was a little loose, so I tore it off to make two separate pieces of chipboard.  I coated both pieces in gesso and used some pain included in the SOD creativity kit to color most of the chipboard with a rust-bronze color.  I then used some Tim Holtz Distress Embossing powder and Distress Glitter in Vintage Photo and Antique Linen.  The sequins included in this kit were a nice touch in keeping with the bronze color scheme I was going for. 

 

For the other piece of the chipboard I decided to lighten things up a bit with some pink colored inks and distressing powder (again, Tim Holtz).  The finishing touches were some pearl accents and a little gold glitter.

 

Finally, here is a closeup of some of the flowers (and sequins) used in this layout.  I loved the overall soft feel that this layout has even though it uses more "rough" colors than "soft" colors.  

 I loved everything about this kit, and this is one of my all time favorite layouts.  I cannot wait to surprise Rae with it!  Cheers to cleaning your craft space and finding something old to make something new with!!!  Thanks for looking!

Love,
Mel

I'm BACK! :)

So...I took a three week hiatus from blogging.  While you were missing me I worked my tail off at work, worked my tail off at Crossfit (literally), and cooked up a mighty tasty Thanksgiving dinner!  :)  However, I missed out on getting to share some of my new pretties and after three weeks...

First up I made this awesome wreath/wall hanging/festive display:

 

For this project I used a Walnut Hollow Paneled Wood Clock surface.  For all those who think I have "too many" supplies, understand that almost nothing on this project came from my stash of hoarded supplies.  :(   I used some great papers from the Bo Bunny Gold and Silver collection to make the background, then used some great bling-y pieces to brighten and glitter the rest of the project up.  I guess if we are being technical...the glitter for the letters was NOT purchased for this project and had been sitting around in a drawer for quite some time!

 

 

 

My next project was a quick canvas project.  I've had this stencil for a long time and I absolutely love it!  I covered the canvas in some black gesso and used molding past with the stencil to create the letters.  I love the thought process behind all of these words (part of the reason it is one of my favorite stencils).  

 

I had some more fun with chipboard for this project!  A little painting, a little embossing, and a lot of blinging led to the finished project for the sweet butterfly.  This piece of "art" now hangs in my dear friend Dale's house!  



 

So there you have it!  Been working super hard through the holidays with only a little time to scrap.  I can say, however, that I am almost caught up with my 2014 journal...it is December and I am caught up to the second week in November (yay, me!). 

 

Stay tuned for more projects!  I've got some great things in progress right now!  Thanks for looking and have a great day!

 

Love,
mel