Hello Sunshine!

CSI Case File #82 is up and ready to be solved!  This is my last contribution as a Special Investigator.  I had a blast solving these case files and am so grateful for the opportunity.  The color scheme for this case file was vibrant and fun and just screamed summer.  Again, my Citrus Twist kit goodies came in handy and besides a couple of detail embellishments, I used the June kit for just about everything.  Here is my finished layout:

And here is the case file, and some closeups of how I solved it.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Your visits and comments are much appreciated!  Have a great weekend!

Tiny Dancer

Anybody out there experienced in watercolors?  If so, I'd love some pointers, tips and tricks, please and thank you!  This was my first real go-round with them and I'm hooked. I've diluted my mists a couple of times, and worked with watered down acrylics here and there, but watercolors are so different. And sooo soft and lovely.  This month's color sketch at life.paper.scrapbook provided the inspiration for this layout.  Hope you enjoy!

CSI Case File #81 Special Investigator Reveal

Hey everyone!  Case File #81 has just been unveiled over at CSI!  This is my third reveal for my July Special Investigator gig over there.  My last contribution will be revealed next Friday the 26th.  I will be sad for this little assignment to end, but at the same time, I am looking forward to participating in the challenges again and enjoying the anticipation of a new case file every Friday!  Anyway, here is this week's challenge:

I chose the "6 word memoir" for my testimony prompt and journaled "far from where I once was" on the right side of the photo.  I really enjoyed creating this visual representation of my particular journey of how I got to where I am today.  Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!  Now head over and see how the other investigators interpreted this week's file.  Have a great weekend!

Nail polish doing double duty.

So I pulled out my latest Citrus Twist  goodies (June's Boardwalk kit) today and started working on the latest sketch challenge over at Scrap Friends.  I started with grays, blues and greens but it felt washy. (Washy, people.  Not washi.  Washi is good.  Washy not so much.).  Anyway, I needed a bold color to brighten it up.  Didn't have any good bright thickers for title work, and none of my peachy tones seemed to work...started tapping my fingernails on the table thinking "hmmmm...what can I use?"  The answer was right in front of me my friends.  Literally on my hands.  Well, on my nails. Nailpolish! Really pleased with the final product.  I'll be pulling out my bucket of nail polish more often!  LOL  Here is the sketch I was working off of. (This layout totally morphed into something not very closely resembling the sketch, but the thought was there and that counts for something right?)

And here is my layout.  I polished my thickers with some Cover Girl nailpolish in a really fun lipstick pink and then splashed a little on here and there for dimension.

And here are some close-ups.  This was too much fun.  Thanks for stopping by! :)

Comfort...AAG mid-month challenge!

It's time for About a Girl's mid-month challenge!  The July 15th challenge is off and running and this time we are challenging you to use torn paper techniques and flowers on your layouts.  There is also a sketch included for inspiration, which you will see  below.

These 2...CSI Case File #80

Happy Friday!  The team over at CSI has just revealed another fabulous case file!  This week is also the reveal of my second Special Investigator layout for the month.  Still feeling so honored to be featured with such amazing artists and having way too much fun with these challenges!  Stop over and see what the other Special Investigators and the Design Team have created by clicking here!  This week the challenge incorporates an absolutely gorgeous color palette to work with...perfect for scrapping my summer mini-vacation pics from our trip up North!  Here is how I cracked the case:

And here is the awesome scene I had to work with:

A few close-ups:

Thanks for stopping by - I truly appreciate your visits! xoxo

This is Bliss

Good morning!  Sharing a layout today based on this sketch at Life.Paper.Scrapbook.  When I saw the sketch I knew exactly what photos to use...this is the third time I have attempted to scrap this trio of photos of my daughter on her first carnival ride.  Previously, I had attempted several bold primary color schemes, but nothing quite fit.  However, the papers in my June Citrus Twist kit proved to be perfect, with a slightly softer edge that better complimented the photos. Thank you for stopping by and visiting!

The chipboard frame was a lighter blue so I misted it with Heidi Swapp Color Mist
to give it some sparkle and a deeper blue

Materials

Paper:

Cosmo Cricket Summer Love-Sno Cone

Crate Paper - Popcorn

My Mind's Eye - Find Your Wings and Fly (fussy cut tickets)

Embellishments:

Studio Calico die cuts

Studio Calico cork chevron stickers

Chipboard frame

Citrus Twist silver sparkly ribbon

Heidi Swapp word stickers

Heidi Swapp Color Mist in teal

Heidi Swapp mistable banner

Black and white fabric Thickers

July Special Investigator gig at CSI!

Posting from my phone (vacation-woo hoo!) so I apologize for the lack of links (I will update later), but I have been DYING to share that I was selected to be a special investigator over at the ah-mazing challenge blog CSI (Color Stories Inspiration) this month! My debut layout for the "assignment" has just been revealed so come check it out here and play along!

Note: 7/7/13: Updated with links! :-)

AAG July 1st challenge!

It's challenge time again! The July 1st challenge at About a Girl is to use the word "New" in your layout. Stop by and see what the rest of the design team came up with and show us your "new" layouts! And while you're at it, enjoy your 4th of July holiday! ;-)

*Edited 7/7/13 to add links (previously posted from my phone).