SCRAPBOOK SATURDAY - First Year Patchwork

Drumroll please...........

Today's post was a labor of love. I have spent more time on this 2-page scrapbook layout than I have ever spent on a layout before. I love how it turned out. (Half of the time was probably spent admiring my baby, who is now a high school senior!) I used miscellaneous baby face photos from baby's first year.

Color selection was important for this layout - I chose 4 colors to compliment my photos & cut small same-sized squares for the "patches" in this patchwork layout. Arrange the squares on the base cardstock. Choose a neutral color for the base - I have used Creamy Caramel.

Photos are cropped smaller than the squares so the cs squares form a mat for the photo. I added photos to every other square & added embellishments such as ribbon, eyelets, complimentary patterned papers & brads to empty squares.

I added titles at an angle, some of it on a ribbon, to add interest.

A few people have asked me why most of my Scrapbook Saturday posts are of one particular child when I have more than one child. Well, that particular child will be graduating from high school soon, and I am attempting to create a scrapbook of his life. So, his pics & pages are more relevant for the next few months. No, I do not have a favorite child! lol

Linda :)

FAST FRIDAY - 3 apples

I just love paper punches for making quick cards! Here I've paired the Summer Picnic dsp (retired) with the little apples in the One Smart Cookie stamp set. The message stamp in the same stamp set, "sweeter than apple pie", would look terrific on this card too!

Though today is not Think About Color Thursday, take note of this color combination too! Bashful Blue, Real Red & Old Olive

Linda :)

THINK ABOUT COLOR THURSDAY - Pacific Point, Rose Red, Going Gray, Whisper White

Believe it or not, college and then high school graduations are only a few months away. Why not get a head start in making your own graduation cards?

Today I felt like putting together a card that was something absolutely different - including some colors that most of us wouldn't ever think of putting together!

Pacific Point, Rose Red,

Going Gray, Whisper White

Supplies:

cs: Pacific Point, Whisper White, Going Gray

dsp: Cutie Pie

ink: Classic Stampin' Pad - Basic Gray, Pacific Point

stamp sets: Great Grads, Itty Bitty Buds , non S U

punches: corner rounder

I used the corner rounder punch (take the guard off before punching) to make the scalloped edges on this card. Stampin' Dimensionals add dimension to the flower and graduation cap.

Linda :)

WHATEVER WEDNESDAY - SNEAK PEEK

SNEAK PEEK AT TOMORROW EVENING'S CAMP!!!!
Here are 3 of the 6 cards that we'll be creating!

Nothing else for today - have a great day!

Linda :)

TUESDAY TIPS - Top Note Baby Blessings

Today's Tuesday Tip:

Try the Top Note Die for cardmaking!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Top Note Sizzix Bigz die that Stampin' Up is selling. Today's darling card is made by running Certainly Celery cs & the Top Note die through a diecutting machine. The Top Note die is meant to fit in the Stampin' Up Big Shot diecutting/ embossing machine by Sizzix, but I already have a Cuttlebug diecutting/embossing machine, so I played with the "sandwich" recipe until I found what works for my particular diecutting system. If you've never used a diecutting machine, you may not know what I'm talking about. I would be happy to let you in on the big secret - just ask.

Anyway, score one of the top note cuts about an inch from the top edge & adhere the two top notes together by applying adhesive just above the score line & press the two pieces together.

The background is scrapbook paper that I had on hand. Run the paper & Top Note die through your diecutting machine, & then cut all the way around on the scored line that the die creates on the diecut paper. Doing this creates a slightly smaller version of the Top Note shape!

I stamped my baby angel image, colored it with Stampin' Up Certainly Celery & Mellow Moss markers, tucked some folded ribbon undermeath, & then adhered it to the card front with dimensionals.

The diecutting only takes a few minutes, so this card actually was a quick one. If you don't have a diecutting/embossing machine, check this out!

Linda :)

MAP IT MONDAY - Sale-a-Bration swirly

I used the stamp set called Live Like You Mean It and the flower from the Sale-a-Bration stamp set called Polka Dot Punches. Instead of pairing the flower stamp with a Stampin' Up scallop circle punch, I just cut it into a square.

Stamping: The flower is made with the faux silk stamping technique and Mellow Moss ink. Punch a hole in the center of the flower. "Life" is stamped with Mellow Moss & punched with the curly label punch.

Swirly: Run the Bravo Burgundy cs through your diecutting/embossing machine for a swirly dry embossed look. Then, use a corner rounder punch.

Ribbon: Bravo Burgundy grosgrain ribbon is knotted at one end & threaded through the flower. The flower is matted in Mellow Moss cs, then the ribbon is adhered underneath the Burgundy cs.

Just a few days until Stamp Camp!!!!!! Can't wait!

Linda :)

WHATEVER WEDNESDAY - Breezy Thoughts

Cs: Whisper White, Yoyo Yellow
Inks: Brocade Blue inkpad, Stampin’ Write markers – Yoyo Yellow, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Brocade Blue
Stamp sets: Thoughts & Prayers, Life’s a Breeze
Other: Old Olive Ribbon, Diecutting Machine, Top Note die

Here I’ve used a Yoyo Yellow Top note negative “frame” & tied some ribbon onto it.

The flowering branch from the Thoughts & Prayers stamp set was inked up using Stampin’ Up markers. I colored directly onto the rubber. Begin with yellow, then move on to darker colors. Dab the brush end of a Brocade Blue marker into the middle of each flower.

Linda :)