Fall anniversary card

It's about to be that time of year again. My other SIL is about to celebrate her anniversary and I need to make her a card. So...I'll post the card I made for her last year. (I know, blogging hasn't been a priority lately, but hoping to change that.)

Back to the card....

It's been a year since I made this card, so I'll try to remember what I did. I know I used SU leaf stamp and coordinating Sizzix die, woodgrain embossing folder and a piece of burlap. The background was created from leftover Distress Ink on my craft surface. I just used paper to mop up the ink and then sprayed it with gold Glimmer Mist.

I wish I could pick up the sparkle, but at least you can see the texture.

Thanks for looking!

Welcome Baby Girl card

I'm finally an aunt!! My brand new niece was born 9/13 and I wanted to make an extra special card just for her. I found inspiration in "100 Fresh and Fun Handmade Cards" by Kimber McGray. I used the New Arrival cartridge for the image cuts. I inked edges and used the Wink of Stella clear pen (love this!!) to add some sparkle. (Unfortunately, this didn't show up in the photo.)

For the inside: This is the real WOW factor. Each image is inked and stickled and suspended from the pop out with invisible thread.

Supplies:

patterned paper-stars (Martha Stewart Modern Festive), blue stripe (3 Bugs in a Rug)

cardstock-pink (Blush, Colonial White and Buttercup from CTMH), white (Office Max, 110lb.)

inks-CTMH

stickles

twine

brad

Wink of Stella clear

I hope they like it!

Tryscrapbooking,

Lara

Autumn Fairy

I saw that Practical Scrappers was looking for several types of layouts and one call was for layouts featuring the color brown. I immediately thought of Kenna wearing her fairy costume! I'm really trying to improve my picture taking skills. This is so much richer IRL. It's a pretty simple layout, but I cut the kraft cardstock out 3 times for the flourish to imitate chipboard and to give it more dimension.

Cricut Die-cuts: autumn-Stretch Your Imagination; fairy-Gypsy font (welded); flourish-? (can't find it); leaves-Gypsy Wanderings, Doodlecharms, Stretch Your Imagination
Background paper: DCWV-The Fall Stack
Bling Flourish: clearance from Michaels
Kraft cardstock--sprayed with Maya Mist-Bronze Metallic

Tryscrapbooking,
Lara

Rock Star

The butterfly paper is DCWV? cut using Elegant Edges cart-butterfly frame and stretched on my Gypsy to get the size I wanted. I used Cuttlebug-Distressed Stripes on a strip of pink metallic paper all mounted on DCWV black cardstock background. The guitar is cut using the Rock Princess cart and the bling is a DCWV adhesive gems sticker word. I matted the pictures with pink metallic (big) and lt. blue cardstock (2 smaller).

What I really want to highlight about this page is the paper saving, or as I call it --too lazy to get another sheet of paper. haha

The photo on the right is showing what's missing. The photo on the left is showing how my patterned paper ended up on the finished layout. This is where I cut my guitar pieces! Then I just covered it up with my patterned paper and no one is the wiser! Except you blog readers!

So call it frugal scrapping or laziness, but use your paper wisely and you too can be wise in the way of paper saving, or just creatively lazy :)

Tryscrapbooking,

Lara

New scrapbooking blog to visit!

My friend Joanne just jumped on the blog wagon!! She's challenging herself to really use her Cricut carts, but a side challenge-using her scraps up and other paper scrapping supplies. Way to go, Joanne! You've inspired me! Check out her blog: http://stilespowerscrapping.blogspot.com/

Tryscrapbooking,
Lara

Back for another scrapbooking challenge

I finished this layout in time to post it to the "Getting Scrappy Challenge..#9 use a stamp".

I used 3 SU background stamps and a CTMH flower stem stamp on the title. I cut the title with my Cricut-and welded it with my Gypsy. Then I inked each letter with TH Distress Ink-Milled Lavender, stamped the design with versamark, and covered with clear embossing powder and heat set. Once it cooled, I covered each letter with TH Distress Ink-Dusty Concord. Alot of trouble for a title, but I love the emboss resist technique.

I finally used my Doodlebug glitter paper and gems that I've been holding on to for years! My Cricut cuts are the scalloped circle border from Elegant Edges and the title from Mickey Font. I also got to use my newest MS punch--I don't know what's its called but I love this vine. My favorite SU corner punch accented the photos.

I just can't manage to get a good photo of my scrapbook pages. IRL, the purples are much richer and there is lots of bling! Thanks for looking! Now go to the link above to see the other challenge layouts!!

Tryscrapbooking,
Lara

Scrappy Saturday's Challenge #2

I'm back! Another challenge--this time "Something Lovey". This was actually difficult for me. I had NO idea what I was going to use. Then I found some pictures I had printed and hadn't been scrapped. What better way to enter a "lovey" challenge than to scrap pictures taken at Boldt Castle on Heart Island!! It's a beautiful place and if you're ever in Alexandria Bay, NY, then please take a boat tour or taxi and visit. It's a true love story and a beautiful location. Hey, I should know. I worked there for 3 summers and hoped to get married there one day. (check that one off the list, lol!)

Back to businees--the cartridges I used:

• Hearts--Gypsy Wanderings, hiding the highlight. The one on the left I took off the proportion link and stretched to get as big as would fit in approx. 6 in wide and not be too tall for the page.
• Boldt Castle--Creative Memories Cheerful Seasons, with a shadow.
• Heart Island--Gypsy Font, welded using my gypsy.

Let's take a closer look. I'm still working on how to take a good picture of a 2 page layout.

Base cardstock is DCWV. I have so much of this! I'm trying to use it as much as possible because I don't like it. The textured surface really makes it difficult to get things to stick. The patterned paper is from CM. Have I ever mentioned before just how much scrapbooking stuff I have?? Let's put it this way, I would never have to buy another thing again and still have plenty for my grandkids to leave their wills. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with all the choices I have and wind up not getting anything accomplished.

Anyway, this was fun. Glad to be scrapping again! Maybe I'll even do another layout before the next challenge is announced!!

Tryscrapbooking,
Lara

Jumping into the Challenge Ring!!

I finally found a Cricut -Scrapbooking Challenge--Scrappy Saturday with the Bug. I'm hoping to be inspired to use what I have--too many cricut carts!!! Thanks to Amanda and Melissa for getting this started!!

This was the first challenge issued--Anything Goes.

• Must be a new layout for this challenge
• Must link directly to the project and not just your blog or gallery
• Please use a Cricut or SVG cut somewhere on your layout
• You will have one week to submit your page

Here's my layout:

I used 5 different cartridges on this layout.

• tree-Stretch Your Imagination
• alligator-Animal Kingdom
• Miss.-50 States
• look closely & scenic route-Graphically Speaking
• shrub border-Everyday Paper Dolls

I embossed the tree with my Cuttlebug and Distressed Stripes, inked a little with Colorbox Chalk ink. The ribbon is CTMH Chocolate Collection. Most of the cardstock is from DCWV, the rest out of my scraps. Due to my poor photography skills and the snow storm outside, I couldn't get a decent picture. What's really not showing up is the 2 layer shrub border, (pg 77-headwear and accessory 2). I guess I should have inked it, but it was already stuck down when I realized it.

Well, that's it for my first challenge. Hope I followed all the rules. If anything, I was inspired to create, used scrapbook stuff I already had and had fun!!

Tryscrapbooking,
Lara

Fall cards

Here are some fall cards I recently created. I had two birthdays and an anniversary in October, so I got to use 2 of my favorite stamp sets-Lovely as a Tree (SU) and Nature's Vein (CTMH).

The anniversary card was made using Lovely as a Tree (SU). I inked up the leaf part with distress inks in three colors, then added clear embossing powder while the ink was still wet and heat embossed. The trunks were inked with a brown dye ink marker. That ink dried as soon as it touched the paper and didn't get any powder. I Cuttlebugged the card base and layered a darker orange scrap with distressed edges. The stamped image was matted with brown cardstock. Tied a brown satin ribbon over the corner and presto!! a beautiful card. The card design was cased from http://www.kerinstamps.com/stampin_with_kerin/2009/09/lovely-as-a-tree.html

The second card was used as a Fall birthday card. I used Nature's Vein (CTMH) and did the rock and roll technique to get 2 colors of ink on the stamp. The background on this card has also been Cuttlebugged, but I added ink over the raised design. The twill was already distressed, from my stash. This card was cased from: http://didyoustamptoday.blogspot.com/2010/10/vintage-autumn-with-brayering.html

Hope you like these fall cards. They were both pretty quick and easy to make.

Tryscrapbooking,
Lara

So Peyton

Here's another layout I did recently. I've had it 95% completed for a LOOONNNGGG time. I recently found my inspiration picture and decided to finish it off. I used my Cricut (Gypsy and 5 fonts) to create the subtitles.

So...dust off a layout that you've had sitting around and get to work!!

Tryscrapbooking,
Lara

Christmas in June

I've been rather lost in a muddle of scrapper's block. Not really creating much at all, other than a few cards. I haven't made a scrapbook page that I was really proud of it quite some time.

Well....Thursday night, inspiration struck! I had a sketch and some Basic Grey paper that I've had for years. I'm proud to say that I used what I had in my stash!! Yay me! Now I can buy some new stuff...hahaha.

The striped paper was wrinkled and distressed with TH inks, then tucked and folded into a circle shape around the middle circles and also used along the border on the left side. It really gives the paper a fabric appearance. I cut the circles, the scroll and the Santa face with my Cricut. The paper, tag and letter stickers were Basic Grey-Fruitcake. The scroll will be for my journaling. I also used CTMH stamps to add "December" and "Wish".

I'm pleased with this layout and hope the slump is over!

Tryscrapbooking,

Lara

Weddings

I was asked to make 2 cards for some co-workers that will be getting married soon. I didn't know any wedding details, so I did what I could. In a way, that was freeing and in another, very nerve wracking! Both cards fit in standard, A2 envelopes.

For the 1st card--I used SU Bella Blue DP. I cut 2 card bases and stacked them. I needed to make sure that everyone at work had room to sign the card. The inner pages were border punched with the SU Scallop punch. The front panel was cut out and vellum sandwiched between the layers. The church was cut using the Cricut. I added Prima flowers and pearl centers. Each page was stamped with a flourish corner, with another Prima flower.  I used some brown, polka dot ribbon to tie all the pages together. Ok, so here are the pics.....

For the next card, my inspiration was the CTMH Butterfly paper from the Life Delights pack. Then I cut butterflies using my Cricut and painted them with CTMH Shimmer paint!! Again, I had to make enough pages that people could sign, so this time I went with an accordian design. I cut bracket corners with the Cricut and put those on the corners. Here it is....

 

I'll try to get some actual scrapbooking on here next time....since my goal was to have a scrapbooking blog!!

Tryscrapbooking,

Lara

Flower Swap

Recently, I created some paper flowers for a swap I joined. The deadline is this Friday, so I haven't gotten my swaps back. (I'll share them as soon as they arrive.) Anyway, I thought I'd share the flowers I created. The rules were:

• 3 layers--one must be patterned paper
• must have a center (jewel, brad, button, etc.)

It was on the Memory Works consultant board, so I used as many MW products as I could. Here's what I came up with: {the photos just don't do the colors justice :( }

Memory Works products are in italics.

I cut the leaves, bottom layer and top layer with my Cricut. The middle layer was punched with a SU scallop circle punch.
For the leaves, I painted them with Tim Holtz Crackle Paint-Peeled Paint.
For the bottom layer, I tapped my TH Distress Inks-Frayed Burlap, Spiced Marmalade, Scattered Straw-on my nonstick craft mat. Used my Mini Mister and spritzed with water, patted my paper into this, blending all the colors, until the paper was covered. Let dry, spritz lightly with water again to create water droplet effect and cut with Cricut.
For the middle layer, I punched out the scallop circles and misted with Bronze Maya Mist. Let dry, then crumpled up and flattened out.
For the top layer, I cut another flower shape using my Cricut out of patterened paper from TLC.
For the brad, I used the big brads from American Crafts-yellow and inked them with Versamark ink and covered with Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Powder-Vintage Photo. Set with heat gun, let cool.
Poked a hole with paper piercer and layered all flowers together with brad. Used Tombow adhesive to attach leaves.

Hope you like them!!
Lara

April Fools!!

We're April Fools every year! We started this tradition when Kenna was 3 years old. I found the idea in a magazine. I liked the idea of playing an April Fools' Day trick, without being mean. So, I made a "cake" out of meatloaf and "hamburgers" out of cookies. My daughter thought this was a great way to trick Daddy. We've been doing it every year since.

Under the close-ups of the "cake" and "cookies" is a tab that you can lift up to reveal your family's recipe. This is so easy to make! Having small children in the house, it's dinner you can make it steps, so you're not in the kitchen for very long spots of time.

Hope you had a Happy April Fools' Day!!
Tryscrapbooking,
Lara

More titles to share...

Found some more examples of titles. Just pictures of different ways to use your fonts.

This title was cut using a Sizzix machine. It was one of those "happy accidents." I only had a small scrap of the cranberry CS to cut my letters. Anyway, while cutting the letters, my inexperience with the machine, I guess produced some cuts that didn't produce a clean cut. Trying to salvage my paper, I had to use my scissors to cut the letters. But to cut the letters out, I needed to be able to get into some tight areas, so I trimmed the letters that didn't cut so well into odd shapes. When I finally got the letters out, I liked the negative even better, so I went with that. This is actually the left page of a 2-page layout. The pictures were taken by holding the camera up and grabbing each daughter to capture a close up. Some of my favorite pictures.

This title was cut with my Cricut. I mixed upper and lowercase letters for a "random" look. I also cut out the shadow layer using solid pink cardstock and off-set the base letter, cut in Metallic pink paper. When you use the shadow layer, don't always line it up in the center, off-set it for a 3-D look.

This title was cut using the Coluzzle system. I used a light blue CS as the base, tore a strip of med. blue CS and adhered that to the lt. blue. Finally, tore a dk. blue CS and adhered that to the med. blue on the bottom third of the letter. I wanted an "ocean" feel to the title, since I was journaling about my in-laws reaching the other side of the country on their first cross-country trip.

Ruth, I wished I had taken a picture of the title you created on Saturday's New Year crop! She ran her die cut letters through her Cuttlebug embossing folder and then inked them!! Another fun way to get a new look out of your fonts!

Tryscrapbooking,

Lara

Christmas Thank you cards

Tonight's project was to get those Christmas Thank You cards completed....well, started AND completed :)

Simple card design--standard card size, tent-fold. Patterned paper is from 8x8 CK Scrap Pad (purchased from Big Lots for $2!!) and white CS. The green border strip was edged with my perforator tool on my Cutterpede trimmer. WRMK Corner Chomper at 1/2" for the bottom corners. I used my Cricut to cut out the snowflakes. The red shiny bling are some flat-backed buttons from Walmart. Thank you stamp and SU Basic Black ink.

Now to get them written and mailed. Have you sent your thank you cards yet? Within 2 weeks after Christmas is considered proper etiquette--that's this Friday!!

Tryscrapbooking,
Lara

What's in a name?

What to do when you only have one or two fonts for your favorite die-cut machine? Alter them!!
When I first started out, I used the Coluzzle system-plastic templates used to handcut your paper using a special swivel blade. A time-consuming process, but it was cheaper than a Sizzix. (**You can use these tips on any title you create, using any method to cut out your titles.)

This first sample is just a simple title that is using the base letter (yellow) and shadowed or matted (white).

2nd example uses the same font as the first one, I just emphasized the bubble theme by first punching a strip of blue CS with the CM bubble punch, then cutting out my letters. I tried to place bubbles near the natural letter openings so you could still read the letter, finally shadowed in white CS.

3rd example-again using the exact same font as the first two. This time, I took a cue from the photos. I wanted the title to look like what I was photographing. I used various colors of CS as the base letter, shadowed in yellow CS. Each letter was then "sprinkled" with the confetti from several small punches.

(Sorry for the rotated pictures, can't figure out why?)

4th example-once again, using the same font--I handcut a drippy icicle shape out of strip of white CS and ran it through my X-sticker maker. Then I layered the sticky white icicle strip on strips of CS (orange, green and pink) and cut out each letter, so that I got some of the colored CS and the wavy white. I wanted it to look snow-tipped on the top.

All simple techniques to alter a font. Using these suggestions, you can use the same font over and over in your scrapbooks and no one will be the wiser.

Tryscrapbooking,

Lara

Snowflake Card Trio

I know I wanted this blog to be about scrapbooking, but we're in the Christmas season and I've been inspired to make Christmas cards!! My inspiration for this card was found on Jan Tink's blog. I loved her card so much, I just had to break out of my rut and make one...I mean three!!

This is the first card I created using Jan's as inspiration. I used kraft CS as the base. I stamped the background with SU's Paisley background in Ranger's Distress Ink-Frayed Burlap, then sprayed with Gold Maya Mist to give it some shimmer. I matted that layer with CM's gold metallic paper. The layers are notched at the corner with SU's corner ticket punch (a favorite of mine!) For the snowflake, I cut that out with my favorite scrapbooking tool, my Cricut Expression-Winter Woodland cart, snowflake 4 (I used real dial size/layers option).

Next, the center design was created using:
SU's scallop circle punch-gold paper,
SU's 1 3/8 in circle punch-cream CS,
CM 1 1/4 in circle punch-gold paper,
CM 1 in-cream CS(stamped image is from SU Party Punch, same ink as above)

The bottom trim was cut 1 in wide, then punch with Fiskars Threading Water punch, wrapped with cream ribbon. I pop dotted both the snowflake and the center scallop.

After talking with some fellow crafters (Beck and Suzie), I just had to experiment with some different colors of metallic paper. I thought a pink snowflake card would be pretty and I'm pretty happy with the results. This card was made with the same basic design, with a few changes. The pink metallic paper came from a paper pack I bought at Walmart and white CS. The dotted background is actually CS from the Co'oredinations Whitewash collection, embossed using the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder, sanded slightly to bring out the pink color. (Co'oredinations CS is fun to use. I really liked the results on this card.) The center was created the same as the above card, but using CTMH Blush ink to stamp the image. The snowflake was sprayed with Elmer's Spray Adhesive, then sprinkled with Crystal Coarse (MS Frosty Gingerbread Glitter pack). OMG!! It's so sparkly IRL!! The picture just doesn't do it justice. Finished off with white satin ribbon.

I think the blue snowflake card is my favorite, although I think that whenever I look at each card! Same basic design as the first two, but this time the background was created using SU glossy CS and an alcohol ink technique. I have a few alcohol inks, but not a large variety of colors, so I borrowed a neat trick I learned from Juli P. and soaked my felt in rubbing alcohol and added a few drops of SU reinkers-Bashful Blue, Soft Sky and Night of Navy, mixed with a drop of TH Metallic Silver mixative. Randomly stamped on the glossy CS, the "alcohol inks" slowly bled together creating a marbled stone look. This time, the snowflake was stamped with Versamark ink and embossed with glittery, embossing powder!! Looovvve it!! Center image was stamped with Night of Navy. Finished with silver ribbon.

So, that's it. There are the 3 Christmas cards I've made. Guess I have some work ahead of me because I don't want to give these away! I've told you my favorite, now tell me which one you like!

Till next time!

TryScrapbooking,

Lara

SNOW time like the PRESENT!!

For those of you who have been patiently waiting for the next blog entry....I've decided to post 2 projects today! My computer is now up and running top speed!!-thanks to the tech-y husband.

SNOW TIME.....

I created this layout for a swap. It was a simple design  meant to use your 4x6 photos, no cropping required! I cut strips from a DCWV paper pack (can't remember exactly which one). The main technique I want to focus on for this page is the title. I cut the letters out in vellum using my Cricut- Mickey Font. I used Liquid Applique on each letter. **If you've never used this before, you should try it. It has a tip so you can really place it where you'd like and then get that heat gun out!! The Liquid Applique PUFFS up!! So cool. I've gotten more compliments on this layout just for that technique. When I was adding the photos to the layout, I thought it still needed something, so I used a white marker to draw a stitched outline on each of the letters. I thought it made them pop more. Be careful when heating....vellum is VERY easy to burn and it will turn brown. The pink rectangle is supposed to be the journaling box (notice the "blankness"). Hope you like it!

...THE PRESENT!!!

I signed up for a Christmas Thank You card swap in Dec. 2007. I had to create a card using "The 3 Wise Men" as my inspiration. So I thought a little pull-out insert would be cute. It was pretty simple to make. I used Basic Grey's Blitzen paper. A little stamped sentiment and Voila!! (BTW, tooting my own horn here....I was voted the best card! A total shock to me since there were some beautiful entries. Thanks, MW!)

Have fun, tell your friends!

Tryscrapbooking,

Lara

Apples!

I created this layout on my first scrapbook weekend retreat. Again, another hand-drawn tree that I just inked. I also used some Creative Memories pieces-the apple-filled crates. I used apple die cuts for the left side border accents and just red cardstock to mat a few key pictures. Pretty simple layout, but that's the direction I tend to lean. I chose the title, "Apple Pickin' Up" because all the apples had dropped from the trees about a week before we made it. Still perfectly good apples on the good and easier for the kids to get. Beautiful day, and although there aren't pictures to prove it, Salina and her kids were there too.