Monday, March 31, 2014

Laugh.

Happy Monday, friends!  Today I'm sharing a layout I created for March's sketch challenge at Once Upon a Sketch.  Just squeezing this in in the nick of time, since today is the deadline!  Here is the sketch and the journaling inspiration:




And here is my layout.


I used my Faber Castell gelatos (the Tropical set) and applied them with a paint brush in a watercolor fashion.  Then I doodled underneath the photo and layered up some papers and jute.  My journaling says:

True friends make life worth living.  Watching your friendship with Addison grow, as each of you grow, has been a joy. I hope that when you are both adults, you will have a friendship as special and as strong as my friendship with Addi's mom.  Love you girls so much.

Here are a few closeups:




Thank you for visiting.  Stop back tonight when a special Scrap 365-CSI challenge is revealed!


xoxo,


Shawna

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Sketchabilities and CSI post!

My whirlwind of a weekend is coming to an end, and I finally am able to sit down for 2 seconds to share a couple of layouts I created for Sketchabilities and CSI!   Here they are.

Sketchabilities is back with another fabulous sketch...for some reason I really struggled with this one, but can't win em all right? ;-)  Here's the sketch and my layout.  CLICK HERE to see the rest of the awesome design team reveal and to play along!








Then we have a wonderful casefile for you over at CSI.  CLICK HERE to see the reveal!  Here is the case file and my take on it.





For my evidence, I chose circles and a solid black background.  Then I used the inspiration word "process" to document my daughter's first attempt at sewing! :)

Thank you for visiting!


xoxo,


Shawna

Friday, March 21, 2014

Hope

I never thought I would put these colors together, but I've learned through CSI to never say never to a color palette!  And I'm pretty happy with the way it came together!  You can see what the rest of the design team came up with by CLICKING HERE.

 And here's my take on it.


For my evidence I chose grid/mesh, pen work and mixed media background.

Love this photo taken by my very talented photographer friend, Heather Vavra.  You can check out more of her work by CLICKING HERE. 


For "mesh" I painted a piece of burlap white, and then I used black acrylic paint and crisscrossed a grid design onto the paper with a rubber fringe-like tool thingy that I got with a Making Memories distressing kit years ago. (I'm so good at explaining things.  LOL)  I colored some glass bead gel gray and filled in some of the circles with that.


I started out with my primrose and blush Heidi Swapp mists, and then I added some Tattered Angel Plain Jane mist in baseboard (a semi-opaque mist).  The dark red is also Plain Jane mist. Then I scraped some modeling paste across the page.  To add a different texture behind the photo I layered brown jute twine and embroidery floss behind there.


The other circles modeling paste and black sharpie that I wet a bit to blend.  It was never meant to be that thick of a black border, but I had some issues...


For my journaling, I used the inspiration word "imagine."  It got pretty lengthy, so it's secured to the back of the layout on a full piece of paper.  But it all ties in to my title word "hope."  Here is what it says:

When I look at you, I often find myself trying to imagine what the world will look like when you are a grown woman, and maybe even a mom yourself.  What it will look like for your children.  There's no denying how quickly the world is changing…and although everyone seems to think it's changing more quickly than ever, I think that change has always come at warp speed.   And I truly embrace some of it.   But there are things about the direction the world is moving that I don't love; in fact there are quite a few things that terrify me and make me worry about the fate of future generations, including your generation.  There are so many children growing up without core values, without respect for themselves, the earth, and each other.  Morality has become an afterthought.  We have forgotten the beauty of interacting with one another as human beings; instead more often interacting with electronics and other inanimate objects.  We, as a people, have become detached.  Disconnected.  We've stopped caring. 

At the same time, despite the direction we have been moving, I know that we can reverse the route and take our change in a more positive direction.  And it starts with the you.  I used the Maria Montessori quote for this layout because she fundamentally believed in the ability of the child.  While many in her day saw children as empty canvases to be molded into "productive citizens," she saw children as intelligent and capable little beings from birth.  Just the way I have always seen you.  This belief, among others, is one of the reasons why we enrolled you in Montessori School.  Maria Montessori's method supports the education of the whole child, and fosters fulfillment to the highest potential – spiritually, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.  The greatest teaching that Montessori gives you is a deep understanding of the fact that we are all connected; to each other, and to our earth.  Nothing we do is without purpose and nothing is without effect.  From your youngest years we have supported what you naturally have known to do: to love, respect and take responsibility for yourself, for your community, and for this earth.  And I know that those very things are deeply ingrained in you already…right down to the deepest depths of your soul.  And that, my sweet little munchkin, gives me hope for the future.

xoxo

**side note I saw something on Facebook this afternoon about the direction our earth is going because of human greed and disregard each other and for nature, etc. Timely, because I had just finished the journaling for this layout this morning.   Let's hope that future generations do a better job of caring for this earth and for each other than we and the generations before us have. Stepping off my soapbox now!  LOL

xoxo,


Shawna


Thursday, March 20, 2014

Play!

Good morning!  Sketchabilities is back with another fabulous sketch for you all!  Come play along with sketch #11 by clicking HERE!  On another note, Sketchabilities is having a design team call!  These girls are super talented and lovely to work with and I hope that some of you will check it out and apply!  You can click HERE for all of the details.  Now back to the sketch:


And here's my take on it.


 I wanted the layout to feel as fun and playful as the photo, so I went mixed media crazy on this one...the background contains paints, mists, gelatos, gesso....it's all on there.  Then I added a sunburst stencil with a slightly transparent white mist, and scribbled some yellow gelato in the rays, outlining it all with black sharpie.


I painted some fabric Thickers for the first "play", the second is an embossed stamp, and the third is a Heidi Swapp sticker that I covered with white acrylic paint.


The circle was just cut from cardboard, and then covered with paints and acrylics.  The white parts were embossed with white embossing powder, then the whole thing was outlined with black ink.  I love the way this circle turned out!


I layered frames over and under the photo and added a bit of a paper strip at the end.


The clouds were great dimensional stickers, which I covered with modeling paste to make them "fluffy." Then I added some pink glass beads just to pull in some of the pink from Neighbor Joe's shirt.



And that's it!  This sketch is seriously awesome so please do come play along with us!

xoxo,


Shawna


Friday, March 14, 2014

CSI CF# 114 - How Many?

TGIF!!  No, seriously...T.G.I.F.  OMG not a moment too soon.  It's been a crazy couple of weeks around here and I am ready for the weekend!  But first, it's time to reveal CSI's latest case file, complete with an amazing and inspirational sketch from none other than Em Straface of Page Drafts!  CLICK HERE to see the full reveal and the rest of the design team's amazing layouts! Here's the case file and sketch:



And here's my take on it.


I switched up the "v" and put it left to right vs. up and down.  Other than that, I stayed pretty true to the sketch.  The photo was edited with Aviary and then I covered it with a layer of All Night Media's Liquid Embossing in Antique Photo.  I have had this stuff in my stash since I started scrapbooking about 8 years ago!  My evidence is circles and...crap I just realized I only have one piece of evidence. Sometimes I get carried away working on a layout and completely forget to follow the prompts! Can we take the "numbers" piece of evidence and count that since I journaled about "how many?'  Please?  :)


I started out with a layer of teal Heidi Swapp Color Shine spray behind the photo and then added some drops of black here and there.  The "Je T'aime" stamp is a great little $1 Michael's find and the gorgeous butterflies on the jute twine are a handmade item from a prior month's Citrus Twist Kit.


For the arrows, I alternated vellum floral arrows with stenciled arrows that were covered with modeling paste and then colored with another circular stencil.  I've done this on a few layouts (made arrows from stencils and modeling paste) and I really like the dimension it gives.  Man I love modeling paste. <3

Finally, for the journaling, I used International Question Day as my inspiration.  My journaling touches on something I find myself wondering more and more every day as I watch my daughter grow...she has so quickly gone from being a baby to a big girl and I am holding tight to the little moments of toddler-hood that we have left.  I think that most moms can relate to these musings...

Anyway, come play along with us at CSI!  I can't wait to see what you create!  Have a FABULOUS weekend!

xoxo,


Shawna

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Remember...

Hey all, hope you are all enjoying the homestretch to Friday!  We are digging out of some serious snow here in NY...we got walloped with almost 2 feet yesterday! That alone is enough to justify the sharing of this sweet summer layout of the hubs and our little lady, but I also want to share because this is the 2nd layout for my reveal over at The Memory Nest.  All of the papers used are all from this month's Feathers Color Kit. CLICK HERE to stop by and check it out!  Even better, if you decide to purchase, I have a special code for you to save 17% off any purchase of $17 or more.  Just put in code "Shawna17" at checkout!


So here is my layout:


The frames are made with modeling paste, which I love to use on beach/summer layouts because it reminds me of the foamy waves of the ocean.  I just took some standard frames and covered them with modeling paste using a small spreading spatula, which I kind of spread around to make some peaks and valleys.  Feels wave-like to me. ;-)  The "Remember" script is actually silver Heidi Swapp lettering, which I covered with navy ink, and the tag and the "captured" button are just randoms from my stash.

Anyway, hope you enjoy and that you will stop by the Memory Nest and check out the kits!  Don't forget to take advantage of the extra 17% off by using my code! :)


xoxo,


Shawna

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Waiting

Good morning and happy Saturday!  Sharing a layout today that I created for Scrap Around The World's March mood board challenge. CLICK HERE to see the design team inspiration! My quest to conquer mixed media continues. :-)

Here is the mood board:



And here is my layout (sorry - had a heck of a time getting the reflection off the photo...this is why I hate working with glossy photos!):


I started this layout much like my last mixed media attempt, using the techniques Sanna Lippert used in her art journal tutorial.  You can see the tutorial and my attempt at it HERE.  Lots of scraps laid down and secured with Mod Podge, then stamps, stencils, sprays and ink.  I had this going in a completely different direction originally - a totally different design that had no place for flowers.  But, after modifying these flowers a little bit with liquid pearls and some ink and spray, I changed my mind and did a complete overhaul of the page.  I hope you like what you see!  Enjoy the rest of your day!




Friday, March 7, 2014

So Pissed!

No, not me...my spunky little lady!  Haha!

Hi everyone!  It's Friday and as usual CSI has revealed a fabulous case file for you all!  CLICK HERE to see what the rest of the fabulous design team and special investigators did with this file!  I had a blast working with this color scheme and the evidence requirements were easy because my stash was full of lots of goodies that fit the bill.  (Love when that happens!)

Here's the case file:



And here's my take on it.



This kid had me in stitches over her absolute disdain for the seagulls. She's an animal lover, but NO ONE messes with her chips.  When she wasn't screaming at the scavengers, she was chasing them a way, full speed down the beach.  My journaling reads:  "This is you at 3 1/2 telling off the sneaky seagulls that kept stealing your chips. I love that you made it your personal mission to safeguard the food and chase away the seagulls for the rest of our beach trip (all the while screaming at them to "shoo!") Love your spunk, kiddo."

Here are a couple of closeups.




I hope to see some of your creations in the CSI Gallery this week!  Enjoy the weekend!

xoxo,


Shawna

Keep calm and...

Happy Friday everyone!  It's been a crazy week for me...I became an aunty Wednesday, threw a baby shower Thursday for a friend, and have had a gazillion other things going on all at once.  Time flies!

Speaking of time, it's time for the latest challenge reveal over at Challenge YOUrself.  CLICK HERE for details and to see what the rest of the talented design team has come up with!

As you know, this challenge blog is all about challenging you all to include yourself in your scrapbook layouts.  This month we are asking what drives you?  What completes you? What makes you happy? The kicker is that it cannot be scrapbook related! For me, it's hanging with my girlfriends.  We can get together, let the kids play, and get silly and enjoy each other's company.  This photo shows us in action.  Sadly, Meagen is no longer with us.  I miss her terribly.  We will continue to keep calm and party on in her honor. :)  On that note, here's my layout.






Thursday, March 6, 2014

Debut Layout for The Memory Nest Design Team!

Hello there!  I have some exciting news to share...I've landed on another design team!  Effective this month, I have the pleasure of working with some very talented ladies and designing with all of the goodies available over at The Memory Nest's online store.  CLICK HERE to check out the blog and link on over to the store to see the current fabulous deals and specials running on scrappy supplies!  Even better, The Memory Nest is putting together color kits to take some of the guesswork out of putting together your layout elements.  For this layout, I am working with the Feathers Color Kit.  Here's a photo of the inspiration for the kit.



Hope you enjoy and that you will stop by the "Nest" to check things out!  There are some great challenges each month on the blog as well!

Enjoy your Thursday!

xoxo,


Shawna