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!

CSI/Archi-scraps Collaboration!

Great news!  We have an extra case file for you this month at CSI!  This month we have teamed up with Archi-scraps, a very cool challenge blog that takes inspiration from architectural images and challenges you to create layouts inspired by those images.  CLICK HERE to check out their blog!  This month, CSI has taken the Archi-scraps image and added the traditional "evidence and testimony" categories and come up with a special case file for you all to solve...the best part is you have the entire month to put your layout together.  Here is the case.

Be sure to upload your take on the challenge HERE as well!  Here is mine.  I used a decorative border and clouds as my evidence, and for the testimony I used the sun rays as borders for my journaling.  I hope you will play along!

Enjoy the rest of your Monday!

xoxo,

Shawna

Coffee, anyone? ;)

Late night post to share my layout I created for the current sketch and journaling challenge at Once Upon a Sketch.  This is my first time playing along with the girls over at OUAS but I have been seeing their name all over blog posts so I had to go over and check it out.  I love it!  Although you are given a sketch and a journaling theme, there is so much room for interpretation.  Definitely check them out if you haven't already.  Here is the sketch.  The journaling prompt is "Totally addicted to _____."  And yeah.  Lattes.  Sweet, delicious, lattes.  Yummmmmmo!

This layout is another "a little bit of everything" layout.  I started out with black cardstock, and misted the Heidi Swapp sunburst stencil with Plain Jane Baseboard semi-matte mist in Ivory.  Then I just started layering a bunch of scraps-paper, cardboard, burlap.  The heart and arrow wooden piece is a Citrus Twist Kit exclusive, and there is some random Studio Calico ephemera, and two Recollections buttons.  I LOVE thew chalkboard one with the cardboard circle around it.  I stamped one of my favorite Citrus Twist Kits stamps (cutest little steaming cup of joe ever!) on the chalkboard circle and wrote "Latte Love" using a white gel pen (also used for journaling).  Up at the top, the cork board exclamation point is Studio Calico and the "Ultimate" is Heidi Swapp.  And I think that's it!  I hope you enjoy the closeups below.  Thanks so much for stopping by!


xoxo,

Shawna

Fierce...

What can I say?  It's been a productive couple of days in the scrapbooking department!  LOL  I'm double-posting again today...I hope that you checked out my mixed media layout!

For this post, I'm sharing a layout I made for my first try on one of the awesome challenges over at Scrap Around the World.  I love that they give you a mood board that you can interpret in any way you wish.  The only requirement?  Be inspired by something on the board.  Here is the board I worked off of.

I was inspired by the awesome paint/gelato look in the chevron image on the top left, and the quote on the bottom left.  Had a blast putting this one together.  The great thing about working with gelatos and wet backgrounds is that you don't have to pile on the embellishments.  Here is what I came up with.

As always, I am appreciative of the feedback and comments.  Thanks for stopping by!!

xoxo,

Shawna

CF#109 - The Book Adventure

If you like vibrant colors and books, you're going to LOVE this week's case file over at CSI.  CLICK HERE to play along!  Gorgeous red and blue and yellow and green....and journaling prompts and a scene that challenge you to talk about books...glorious books. :)

Here's the case file:

And here's my take on it.  The good old gelatos and some green acrylic paint set the backdrop for this page, which once again features a good amount of Citrus Twist Kits product.

For my evidence, I used a book page (behind the photo) and heat...and here's where I reveal a little gelato secret.  If you use gelatos, you're probably familiar with the little chunky flecks you get when you try to smush the gelatos and mix them with water to use in liquid/pour form.  Well, if you stick your chunk o'gelato in the microwave with some water for about 5-10 seconds, you get silky smooth, perfectly pourable, paintable sprayable gelato.  (NOTE:  stand watch...I left mine in a bit too long - like 5 SECONDS too long - and bam.  It exploded and I had a lovely blue gelato covered microwave to clean.)  You're welcome. ;-)

For my testimony, used a Roald Dahl quote about books.  I love this quote so much...it is truth.

Here are some closeups:

And there you have it.  Now come play along! :)

xoxo,

Shawna

Special CSI Case File with Scrap365!

Happy Sunday (and Happy Super Bowl day for my US friends)!  I personally don't care much about the Super Bowl this year because our house is a Patriots House. ;-)  Anyway, today I am sharing a layout made for the latest collaboration between CSI and Scrap365...be sure to CLICK HERE and play along.  This challenge runs all month so you have plenty of time...AND one lucky winner will win a copy of the latest issue of Scrap365 magazine!

Here is the case file and the layout I created from it.

The scene is stunningly rich and gorgeous with its blues and browns and jewels and I thought it went really nicely with this photo taken in my backyard on Thanksgiving Day.  For my evidence, I used flowers, jewels, fabric (in the layers behind the photo), and textured paper.  I used the inspiration word "love" and added some words of the fabulous Lewis Carroll.

I started out with textured watercolor paper and added mists, masks with modeling paste, and more masking using a great tree stencil I have,.  Then I tore it and distressed the edges with sepia ink and black chalk.

I also added a splash of blue gelato to draw the eye to the Lewis Carroll lines.

Lots of layers of torn paper scraps under the photo and then framed my photo with one of the white Recollections photo frames.  I love these frames. $2 for 6 of them and they are fabulously useful, either white or colored or stamped.

Finally I added a Crate Paper (I think it is Crate Paper...I threw away the packaging!) jeweled pin, some $1 flowers from Michael's, and some glass beads scattered about.

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope to see your work in the CSI gallery in the coming weeks! :)

CF#108 - home.

I have been waiting so long for the perfect color scheme to scrap one of the most special photos I have. This week's CSI case file was finally the one!  This photo was taken towards the end of 2003 when my husband returned from Iraq.  If there was ever a picture that could sum up the emotion I was feeling when I finally saw him, this is the one.  And if ever there was a blog post to tell the story, this is the one...because TODAY IS OUR 10 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!  (Awwww!)  :)

Here is the scene this layout is based on, as well as a couple of closeups.  You can CLICK HERE to play along!

I've covered all of the colors in the scene, and for my evidence I used mixed media background, birds, newsprint, and stamps.  I used "tell a story you've never told before" for my testimony. Okay, so I have told this story before.  I confess.  But I haven't scrapped it. Plus this case file with its colors and evidence list was just too perfect for this photo for me to pass it by!  LOL

As luck would have it, when I grabbed a newspaper to use on my background, the World & Nation section just happened to have article headings that flowed perfectly into the layout like they were meant to be there.  Talk of budgets, peace, buses (seriously. what are the odds that day's paper would have an article on bus shut downs on the very page I opened up to?!), riots, conservative values...perfect.  I layered gesso over a piece of plain cardboard to get my foundation.  Then I just started tearing pieces out of the newspaper and adhering them to the page, layering them in some spots, then covering them with another layer of diluted gesso so some of the headlines would show through.  Then I added modeling paste, gelatos and Tim Holtz distress ink in spun sugar.  Tim Holtz got a lot of play on this page, actually.  I used his ink, his clock mask, and his birds in flight stamp.

I added the marine corps. insignia that I cut from an old pad of 6x6 paper, and then added my title, using white fabric Thickers inked with the Tim Holtz in spun sugar.

I finished the page off by adding my journaling strips, shaded with black chalk to look a little dirty/soot covered.  Lots of inking and chalking around the edges of the page as well, and then it was done!  I love this reminder of how far we've come in our 10 years of marriage (and 12 years together)...we were just kids in this photo - 23!  Ah, time flies. :)

Anyway, thanks for stopping by!  I love hearing from you!

xoxo,

Shawna

Blast Off!

Hello!  We have an awesome new case file up at CSI and ready to be solved! CLICK HERE to play along!  Since this is the 2nd week of the month, this week's file is accompanied by an awesome sketch by Page Drafts' sketch master, Em Straface!  Here is the file:

And here is my take on it.  I was inspired by the scene to pull out an old photo of the kiddo blasting off in her rocket costume. (Note:  you can stock up on the best dress up clothes on clearance right after Halloween for CHEAP!)

For my evidence I chose stars, circles and planets.  For my testimony I chose the inspiration word "away" and wrote: "Up, up and away! There are no limits on what you can accomplish when you reach for the stars!

I hope you will come play along with us.  Have a great weekend!!

xoxo,

Shawna

One Little Word....

It's a New Year and the perfect time to hop on board and play along with us at Challenge YOUrself! Afterall, isn't that what we all resolve to do in January of each year?  Challenge ourselves.  To do better. To be better.  Or just to love ourselves more just the way we are?  I don't make a huge deal out of resolutions, because I have a hard time sticking to them, but I do have a couple biggies this year and I intend to put my all into incorporating them into my life.

On that note, here's our next challenge for YOU.  Choose a word that you will focus on and reflect upon throughout the year.  Your One Little Word.  Your mantra.  Your "I can do this" and "I will do this."  Pair it with a photograph of you.  Once again, you have an entire month to complete the challenge (deadline is February 5th), so plenty of time to think about your word and get your layout in.  All you have to do is link up your layout on the blog and you will then be eligible for these adorable Tim Holtz, Basic Grey, and Crate Paper button packs!

My One Little Word for 2014 is "present."  And not present like a gift under the tree.  Actually present..for life.  Less time plugged into electronic devices and behind the camera and more time spent actually living.  I want to be "all in" the moments of my life.  Be totally there -  hearing what is being said, doing what is being done.  This is a biggie for me and I will reflect on my word frequently.

What will your One Little Word be?

The splashes of color were done with the 50s Diner pack of Faber Castell gelatos...if you are a gelato fan like me,
this is an amazing color combo of gelatos worth checking out!

Enjoy your day!

xoxo,

Shawna

Mama Drama!

Hello friends!  I hope that 2014 finds you all ready for the awesome year ahead!  Today I have a layout for the most recent CSI reveal...the color scheme this week is so much fun!  I chose this photo of my little mini taking her babies for a walk...it totally cracks me up every time I look at it!

Here is the color scheme and case file that I worked with. CLICK HERE to play along!

The journaling tells the real story and reads as follows:

This photo cracks me up...truth be told you were just talking to your babies, but you totally look the part of a frazzled mom giving her babies a stern talking to...something along the lines of "don't make me pull this stroller over!"  hahaha!

Thanks for stopping by for a look!  Enjoy your Sunday!

xoxo,

Shawna

Challenge YOUrself - Behind the Lens

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, there's a new blog on the block!  It's a fabulous challenge blog that invites you to step out from behind the lens and step in front of the camera!  It's so difficult for many to scrap themselves, but it must be done!

I have the pleasure to be working on the design team for Challenge YOUrself and am here with a reveal of our very first challenge!  It's simple.  Create a layout of yourself - a selfie even - and list 3 random facts about yourself.  Easy peasy.  And good news. You have a MONTH to agonize over which photo to use (hehe) and to create your layout!  Even better news?  The PRIZE!  Not only will the top 3 layouts based on design team votes be featured on the blog for the month, but one lucky participant will be randomly chosen to win a $20 gift certificate from our December sponsor, Paper Issues!  So what are you waiting for?  Turn the lens around on that iphone and get to snappin'! :)

Here is my layout for the challenge.  Cannot wait to see what you all come up with!  

Hello Kitty...

I've been holding on to this photo of a lynx at our local zoo for ages waiting for the right color scheme to scrap it!  Finally, it's here! :)  This week's CSI case file has a drop dead gorgeous winter color scheme and was the perfect opportunity to scrap this magnificent animal and the story behind the photo.  Here is my reveal for CSI case file #101, and details on the case file scene, evidence and testimony prompts.

Here's the amazing case file I had to work with.

All of the colors are there, and for evidence I have ribbon, something shiny, silver accents and circles.  The black framing of the photos and the black ribbon on the top are cut from velvet and photos don't do the softness justice.  For testimony, I journaled about the day I took this photo, which earned honorable mention (3rd place) in our Winter at the Zoo photo contest a few years back.  The journaling is on the white tag behind the photos and reads:

"Sometimes you have to brave the elements to get the perfect shot.  A few years back, I entered the Winter at the Zoo photo contest, and spent a day wandering the zoo in low temps, as the snow fell around me.  I was surprised to find that the animals were all super active and seemed to be loving the zoo…or maybe it was the empty zoo free of most humans that made them so happy.  I was lucky enough to catch this shot of a lynx with a snow covered head, and got an honorable mention for the photo.  What a gorgeous animal…he stood there snow covered and perfectly posed while I photographed him, and then, as if he knew his photo shoot was over, he sauntered away as soon as I put the camera away."

   

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!  xoxo

Shawna