Scuba Dive Mini-Book

I made this mini-book last summer for the DT at Scrapbooks Plus. I used a set of cardboard coasters for the base, and covered the front with this cool blue sparkle-y paper and some die cut dimensional stickers.Instead of leaving the binder ring bare, I stitched a sleeve for it out of a bright green ribbon that matched the die cut flippers on the front cover. I searched through my stash because I remembered buying these cute ocean themed charms some time ago. I had initially intended to use them for wine glass charms, but I absolutely love them here!

I won't bore you with a page by page narration, but I will tell you that the papers are from the Crafters Workshop Flourishes, Dots and Circles line. The letter stickers are Making Memories.

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I traced the wings from the Tim Holtz Elements Grungeboard pack, which is where I also got the little crown for the Queen Angelfish!

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The crown was treated with some paint and Pearl Ex.

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Here you can see that I echoed the circle patterns by creating dimensional elements - basically popping up detail pictures on stacks of cardstock - actually varying the height for a little more visual interest.

I think this green moray eel was smiling at me...

Yes, that really is (or was) a shark! I am not usually nervous about them, but we were actually passing through a "feeding arena" where they have a shark feeding show, and this guy swam straight towards me. I guess he realized that I had nothing for him, because he did veer off, but I must admit he had my full and complete attention!

I had a little fun with the back of the book. I created a flap using a Grungeboard hinge, which I painted and secured with brads.

Lift up on the tab, and you get one last peek at the shy Queen Angelfish hiding in the reef!

Challenge Layout - Art Inspiration MDCSB31 and Glittered Embellies!

Do NOT adjust the color on your monitor! The colors on this layout are definitely wild!
This layout is the product of challenges from (2) blogs - Mothers & Daughters Creations and Method Playground.

I started with the challenge from Mothers and Daughters Creations:"Art Inspiration- MDCSB31." - I decided to be inspired by Andy Warhol and the prints he made of Marilyn Monroe in the 1960's. I took a recent picture of me into Photoshop and played with some of the settings and adjustment layers. The wild colors I ended up with were perfect with the Love Shack line from Bo Bunny. I have been wanting to do this for some time, with a picture of one of my kids instead of me, but never got around to it.

I actually used (2) challenges from Method Playground: Challenge 44 - Use decorative tape and Challenge 45 - Glittered Embellies.

The decorative tape challenge was actually from a couple of weeks ago, but the idea kept knocking around in my head. I had pulled out several reels of clear tape with designs on it (IOD and Scotch) and when I was working on this layout they turned out to be exactly what I needed.

The finishing touch on this layout was the Glittered "48" (Martha Stewart Glitter on chipboard). I think it really holds its own against all the bright colors.

Quote: "You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream." Les Brown

Journaling: "My goal - to start taking care of me - mentally, spiritually and physically! I'm a work in progress, but I have taken up reading again, I find tremendous joy in scrapbooking, and I have lost almost 50 pounds! I'm definitely no Marilyn Monroe but it is nice to know my husband thinks I'm cute @ 48."

I really love how this layout turned out - and that is the result of all 3 of these challenges - thanks for the inspiration!

Graduation Explosion Box Classes a Success!

I knew when I designed my Graduation Explosion Box that it was going to be a big hit - but I had no idea how much I was going to enjoy teaching all you fun and talented ladies!

We created LOTS of boxes:

for local high schools...

...Westfield, Centreville, Chantilly, Heritage, Paul VI...

... and colleges and universities around the country: Miami (of Ohio) and Virginia Tech to name a few!

I know that red line tape is now your new favorite product!

I know there was a lot of detail - but you guys stuck with it and ended up with some great gifts!


I think you all deserved a graduation cap of your own at the end of the day!

We even had one gal making one of these boxes for her high school reunion - I won't tell you how many years ago she graduated...

Many thanks to Jenni, Esther, Sandy, Sara, Laure, Deb, Mary Ann, Natalie and everyone else for taking my class!

(especially to Jenni for her constant feedback which helped me improve my directions for this advanced class!)

I hope you all enjoyed learning how to use one of my new favorite tools - the ScorPal!

It was great to see your creative ideas being used to personalize your boxes.
If you didn't happen to have a Graduation this year, be sure to check the schedule at Scrapbooks Plus next spring, because I will definitely be making the Graduation Explosion Box class an annual event!

Batter Up!

Scrapbooks Plus got some cool new die cut sports papers from Creative Imaginations. The baseball themed one prompted me to make this layout of my oldest son in his first season of umpire-ing for girls softball:I used white gel pen to accent the letters across the top - the baseball mitt was already highlighted. The paper comes with a white background inside the black frame - I just used a craft knife to trim it out and put the whole piece on top of some Bazzill cardstock that matched my son's shirt. I created the collage in Photoshop and dropped it right in - the softball shirt in the middle is a die cut sticker that I turned into a journaling block - it opens up for concealed journaling. The visor and baseball on the top are stickers and the bat is a die cut.

...with love

I still need to decide if I am going to keep this layout for myself, or give it as a gift - that will have an affect on how I journal...but basically it will say something about how my beautiful niece is looking at me...with love! (probably going to keep it! :)

Just to the left of the large photo, you might be able to see...something...LOL...it is a smaller picture I am going to have behind the photo matte which can be accessed with a pull tag.

This was also inspired by a challenge over at Method Playground, where you were supposed to use a monochromatic color scheme - basically neutrals (black & white in this case) and one color - I chose Pink!

I got to play with Core'dinations ColorCore cardstock from the Black Magic line. I also used some Cuttlebug embossing folders for this one. The paper is from Bo Bunny - the Alissa Collection. Martha Stewart Double Scallop edge punch.

Oh Brother!

This is the first time I used my Printing Press cartridge and I loved it!

I had to use all of those pictures of P~ because the expressions were so funny. Of course, B~ reaction to it is even better... Daddy was reading bedtime stories (Dr. Seuss, of course!) and P~ was playing with an action figure. You can see that better when you lift the flap:

I am not much into buttons, but I managed to find a way to use them all on this layout.

Paper: MME, Bazzill

Graduation Exploding Box

Looking for the perfect Graduation Gift for your son, daughter, grandchild or BFF? Look no further! I am teaching a class over at Scrapbooks Plus to create this really cool box.
Yes! Another Exploding Box!

This one is full of pockets that will let you personalize your gift with pictures, mementos, and memories. It even has a place to hold gift cards! The box lid looks just like a graduation cap – including a tassel with a customizable date – and just when you think you have seen it all, the center medallion pops open to reveal a hidden mini-photo album!

This is one unique gift that will be remembered and enjoyed for years to come.The sample at the store is for Westfield High School, but any school (colleges, elementary) is available - just ask! Make one for yourself to remember your high school days - or to celebrate a reunion - lots of possibilities! The next (and last) class is scheduled for Thursday, May 28 10:30a -1:30p.

Our Little Girl - Isabella Grace

This 2 page layout was a challenge. It was for the DT call, and I was not crazy about the paper (pretty - just not my style), but I really ended up liking the way it turned out! I cut the name with Opposites Attract on my Cricut and I painted the letters in "ISABELLA" with acrylic paint, adding small amounts of white to vary the shades on the different letters. I used the actual













wording from the e-mail Jonathan sent out to provide the journaling. I liked being able to include several pictures without the layout becoming crowded. The clear acrylic frame and the tiny close up of their faces - just precious!

Fairy Princess

I used all kinds of fun stuff on this layout! This paper (from The Crafters Workshop)had me stumped at first, but the beautiful swirls reminded me of the path of a butterfly...or maybe a fairy...and then I was off & running!
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MC is wearing mom's wedding dress in 2003 and 2008. For details on the "how to" go to the Scrapbooks Plus DT blog.
Cricut: Base Camp, Jasmine
Tim Holtz Grungeboard (wings) & Crackle Paint (letter "f" and 5x7 photo)
Pearl Ex & Glimmer Mist (wings & crown)

Iron Orchid "crowns" tape

Martha Stewart edge punch

Prima Flowers

2 Cute!

This is a layout I entered for the Design Team call at the local scrapbook store. Sadly, the only picture I have of it has a glare in the detail picture of Isabella! I used my Cricut on this one to cut the title (although I forget which font cart I used) and all of the cute little tags from TBBM. This was actually the first time I ever sewed on a layout - it was fun and easy! I loved turning the chipboard element and ribbon into a little flower...and adding yet another little tag as a leaf. I gave this layout to MJ to take to Jonathan & Laura...I may have to reproduce it for me!