live laugh LOVE scrapbook

"love reminds you"

Just a quick post on this beautiful day!

"love reminds you"
"love reminds you that nothing else matters"
~Amy Bushell

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!

     Blessings and hugs!
               

 

"precious baby" Deconstructed

Back in early December I had put together a blog post for Anna Aspnes . . . ArtsyTraditional | Layout Deconstructed . . . showing, step by step, how a scrapbooker with traditional roots spins on her ArtPlay Palettes. If you'd like, you can view the original post on her blog here (wording is just a little bit different) . . . ArtsyTraditional | Layout Deconstructed. 

I typically work all my digital layouts in a 12 x 12 format with a white canvas (or background) and after I had selected the base (digital paper) for this particular layout, pulled it in onto my canvas . . .

And though I would typically pull my photo(s) onto my base now and work/embellish around it/them, for the sake of detail, will go layer by layer from the bottom of my layout up so that you can actually see how each layer looks, one on top of the other.

Once I had brought my base in, I added one of the transfers in the ArtPlay Palette just to make the fleur de lis a little more prominent (just because it's so darn GORGEOUS!) . . . 

If you'll notice, I lined the transfer up with the digital paper exactly so that they blended seamlessly together.

Next, I added a Love WordTransfer (I so LOVE the look of text as an embellishment!) . . .

I reduced the opacity of the WordTransfer to 42% and then added some dot splatter . . .

. . . and a couple of Anna's LoopDaLoops . . .

And truly, I've come to the conclusion that I am in serious need of a Twelve Step Program for Anna's LoopDaLoops! SooOOoo stinking addicted to those!

Next, I added a GoldPaint overlay . . .

The opacity of the GoldPaint overlay was reduced to 26% to give it a more subtle look.

Now comes my photo mask which I re-colored using the paint bucket tool (the masks typically come in black so I changed the color so that it would blend with the color and tone of my layout better . . . the color of the mask was sampled from the digital paper) . . .

I duplicated the mask so that it became a little more prominent . . .

Again, the mask was re-colored using the paint bucket tool so that it would blend better with the color and tone of my layout.

Then I brought my photo in . . . 

It's important to note that after I had converted my photo to black and white (this is my grandson by the way . . . he is such a cutie! if I can say so myself!) I added a filter that was made by sampling the digital paper and then blending it into my photo.

Next, a frame was added . . .

The frame was altered by clipping a Solids Paperie to it.

And finally, my title . . .

Aannnndd, to complete the layout . . . I added a few coordinating embellishments . . .

And that's it. Layout complete. And, truly . . . not a whole lot of effort required. Really. Anna's products do all the work so that even the most traditionalist at heart can add a little ArtPlay to her and her family's memories.

Supplied used . . . ArtPlay Palette Gather, ArtPlay Solids Gather Paperie, ArtPlay Palette Autumnal No. 2, ArtPlay Palette Autumn Haze, ArtPlay Palette Sophistica, Abstract FotoBlendz No. 1, GoldPaint Overlays No. 1, and Love WordTransfers No. 1.

You can view the full list of supplies used with links to the products in Anna's ArtStore at OScraps (including what was used from each ArtPlay Palette) . . . HERE!

     Blessings and hugs!
                 

P.S. I've got a layout on the BasicGrey blog today too! You can view it . . . HERE! 

"hope lingers"

"hope lingers"


"while the heart beats, hope lingers."  ~Alice Croggin

So much power in those six little words.

Supplies used include: (background is simply a layer filled with the color F6F7F2). Anna Aspnes Designs (ArtPlay Palette No. 4, ArtPlay Palette Find My Way, ArtPlay Palette Pumpkin Patch, LoopDaLoop ArtStrokes No. 6, and Distressed Toolset No. 3). Fonts: 1942 Report and P22 Cezanne.

     Blessings and Hugs!
               

"WINTER beautiful"

Living in northeastern Indiana we get our fair share of Winter every year. Year after year. After year. And ooOoh how I HATE it. I hate that it is so cooOold. And that it lingers on and on. And on. And on.

And on.

But, one thing is for sure . . . you are completely unable to deny its beauty. And beautiful it is. Especially after a winter storm. When the snow that has fallen is completely untouched. Unspoiled. Something about how pristine it looks. Peaceful. And then I remember how cold it is. And well, I get over it. Quick. And begin counting the days until Spring. And warmer weather.
 
"WINTER beautiful"
Finger Pointing ~ Gallery Standouts December 20, 2011

My youngest daughter, Brookelynn Amanda. And yes, I know, she looks JUST like me. ;D ;D And that little snowman . . . isn't he one of the cutest things you've ever seen (speaking solely of scrapbooking supplies that is)?! LoOoovVeeee him!

"There is nothing in the world more beautiful than the forest clothed to its very hollows in snow. It is the still ecstasy of nature, wherein every spray, every blade of grass, every spire of reed, every intricacy of twig is clad with radiance."  ~William Sharp

Supplies used include . . . Anna Aspnes . . . ArtPlay Palette Sophistica, ArtPlay Palette Retro Holiday, ArtPlay Palette Pumpkin Patch, ArtPlay Palette No. 8, Snowy Overlays No. 1, GoldPaint Overlays No. 1, Abstract FotoBlendz No. 1, MultiMedia Snowmen No. 1, Stitched by Anna Snowflakes No. 1, LoopDaLoop ArtStrokes No. 3, ScriptTease Winter No. 1, and MagicSprinklez No. 1. Other elements used . . . Megan Farrow. Fonts . . . CK True Type (journaling) and P22 Cezanne (beautiful - stickerized).

And one more thing . . . 

My sister, Debbie . . . the pixel artist behind MyDoodles (and the one who made me the doll in my sidebar), made me these tags (original artwork by Hearts Enchanted) . . .

     

Are they stinking gorgeous or what?! I've asked her to make me a couple of dolls that I can use in my Art Journal. Ones without faces. Can't wait to see them.

     Blessings and hugs!
               

"NEW beginnings"

My one little word two little words for 2012 . . .

"New Beginnings"

I realize that I am breaking the rules making my own rules as it relates to the whole "one little word" thing, but I can do that. Right? Right. And the whole "NEW beginnings" just . . . fits. I mean really . . . fits. 

Art Journal (8.5 x 8.5 digital) format.

Supplies used include . . . Anna Aspnes . . . ArtPlay Palette Gather, ArtPlay Solids Gather Paperie, FloralART No. 3, FloralART No. 4, ScriptTease Time No. 1, Distressed Toolset No. 3, Dripped Stains Toolset No. 3, and ArtsyBlendz Snow Elements. Other elements used . . . Megan Farrow and Katie Pertiet. Fonts . . . BIRTH OF A HERO and Kaliagraphia Galana TRES.

     Blessings and hugs!
               

I've been keeping a HUGE secret . . .

. . . and now that it is officially OFFICIAL . . . and I can actually tell others . . . I'm having a hard time believing that it's real. I keep thinking that I'm going to wake up and realize it was all just a dream!

Especially since I had found their call LATE . . . like the day OF deadline late . . . and after wrestling with the decision to submit or not . . . decided NOT . . . only to change my mind last minute and then had to literally rush to get my submission in (I only had just over an hour to spare before deadline) . . . to getting a phone call from Melanie . . . thinking she was "punking" me! . . . to the OFFICIAL announcement just a little bit ago . . .

. . . to actually being able to breathe again!

I have no doubt that the reality of it all will begin to sink in once I actually get to "work." If you can call "playing" with some of the most AMAZING scrapbooking products . . . WORK!   Seriously.

Now . . . those who are joining me on the DIGITAL DESIGN TEAM . . .
Ann Costen
Mary Rogers
Kathleen Summers and
Tiffany Tillman

Give me a few days and I will link the entire Design Team here (in my sidebar). If you want to check out their blogs until then you can link to them through the official announcement on BasicGrey's blog (link provided below my signature!).

SooOOoo looking forward to working with them! AND BasicGrey!

Blessings and hugs!
                        

Oh, and if you want to read the OFFICIAL Official Announcement . . . you can read it  . . . HERE!

"enamored"

"enamored"

"enamored" is a layout that I created as part of a DigiMORPH challenge over at Design House Digital. I was the last in line out of twenty-two. You can view the MORPH . . . HERE.

It absolutely AMAZES me how the design MORPHS from start to finish. Absolutely LOVE this challenge for that reason alone.

Supplies used include . . . (background is simply a layer filled with the color F6F7F2). ALL digital elements are Anna Aspnes . . . ArtPlay Palette 4, ArtPlay Palette 8, ArtPlay Palette Magic, ArtPlay Palette Obsession, FotoGlows No. 4, Hipster Plume Korners N Edges No. 2, LoopDaLoop Artstrokes No. 3, ScriptTease Time No. 1, SprayPaint No. 1, and fonts: Bookman Old Style.

**Note** This layout was created using only digital brushes (with the exception of the photo mask and frame). NO digital papers were used (same as "hope") . . . at all . . . cRazY huh?!

     Blessings and hugs!
              

"love demonstrated"

"love demonstrated"
Art Journal (8.5 x 8.5 Digital Format)

"But GOD demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, CHRIST died for us."    ~Romans 5:8 NKJV

"I have been crucified with CHRIST, it is no longer I who live, but CHRIST lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of GOD, who LOVED me and gave Himself for me."    ~Galatians 2:20 NKJV

My second art journaling page. Created as part of an art journaling challenge over at Two Peas in a Bucket . . . Scrap Therapy. Really . . . truly . . . loving all the freedom that the art journaling provides.

A full list of supplies used will be loaded once I track them down.

     Blessings and hugs!
              

"fall beautiful" for PageMaps

"fall beautiful"
for Becky Fleck
PageMaps September 2011

"It is beauty that captures your attention; personality which captures your heart."

An all digital layout based on this 12 x 12 PageMap . . .

Supplies used include . . . digital papers: Jen Allyson; circular accent, circular stitches, butterfly, flower splatter, paint splatter, epoxy splatter, and alpha (fall): Megan Farrow; stitching (Stitched by Anna Borders No. 1) and text accent (ScriptTease Happiness No. 1): Anna Aspnes; word art (beautiful): Ali Edwards; and fonts: Bookman Old Style.

     Blessings and hugs!
              

"hope"

My first official layout for Anna Aspnes Designs (AnnaTeam) over at OScraps! And, yes Anna's store is finally OPEN!

"hope"

The photo that I used for this layout is the same photo that I used for "today" (with a few additional actions applied). Absolutely LOVE this photo and it is, hands down, one of my FAVORITES! And if you are wondering . . . her eyes really are that blue!

Supplies used include: (background is simply a layer filled with the color F6F7F2) ALL brushes (dot splatter, script splatter, script, butterfly): Anna Aspnes (Hipster Plume FotoBlendz No.4, ScriptTease Happiness No.1, Dotted Korners and Edges No.1, and Sketchy LoopdaLoop ArtStrokes No.2); hope word art: Amanda Taylor (TaylorMade Designs also at OScraps); and fonts: CK True Type Slim. **ALL of Anna's products have been linked and are clickable (with the exception of ScriptTease Happiness No.1).

Now . . . I'm off to organize some kits that I downloaded from Anna's store yesterday. Looking forward to spending the holiday weekend scrapbooking (even though I have to work Saturday, Sunday, AND Monday)!

**Edited**
I JUST received notice that "hope" has been featured over on the Gallery Standouts blog for Finger Pointing (September 2)! You can view the post . . . HERE! SooOOoo EXCITED! And such an honor!

**Edited** . . . one more time!
Two Peas in a Bucket's newsletter hit my inbox just a short bit ago.
Imagine my surprise  when I opened it up and found this . . .
 
"User Lift: Katherine B" . . . my jaw about hit the ground!
SooOOoo cRazY honored that Erica chose my layout for the challenge this week!

     Blessings and hugs!
              

"ME" and some really BIG news!

I confess . . . I'm not the most dedicated blogger (even though I truly do love it). I threw the "presently under Construction" up, made a few tweaks, and then . . . NOTHING! And though I am still in the process of making some adjustments, I figured I'd go ahead and start posting again anyway. Especially since I have some rreeaaaallyyyy BIG news to share! Keep reading!

ANNA ASPNES (formerly of Designer Digitals) has asked me to join her Creative Team at her  new store . . . OScraps! Of course I said YES! And have been COMPLETELY beside myself with excitement ever since! Anna's designs have, over the last few months, become some of my favorite "go to" digital products. Particularly her BRUSHES! Being as I am such a HUGE BRUSH NUT! And I mean . . . HUGE . like you've never seen HUGE before . B.R.U.S.H . NUT!

Joining me on Anna's team is . . . Chris Asbury, Eszter Baranyi, Adryane Driscoll, Donna Goar, Kendra Grande (CT Administrator), Kerry Halasz, Barb Hogan, Fiona Kinnear, Phylis Kovaly, Tracy Little, Janaina Oliveira, Amber Ries, Deb Rymer, and Vicki Walters. Truly . . . to be amongst such talent is quite humbling. **Please note that not all CT members are linked yet. I'm still working on that. =]

Oh, and if you are wondering . . . Anna's store at OScraps opens Thursday September 1st (just FOUR days from now!).

And finally . . . a little something that I created just a few weeks ago . . . aanndddd a new found LOVE of mine . . . Art Journaling!

"ME"
Art Journal (8.5 x 8.5 Digital Format)

"Today I am more ME than I was yesterday but not as much as I will be tomorrow."

Art Journaling . . . for me . . . is creativity on STEROIDS! Seriously! And I am wholly in LOVE with the freedom of it all!

Supplies used include . . . feminine profile, corner flourishes, borders, and splatters: Anna Aspnes; aged overlay, timepieces, "Beautiful Life" word art, and small quotation marks: ***** *******; "Today" word art: Amanda Taylor; butterfly: Vinnie Pearce; large flourish and brad: Jen Wilson; flower: Jenna Beam; and fonts: Birth of a Hero and P22 Cezanne.

     Blessings and hugs!
              

"today" . . . (again)

"today"
Originally blogged November 2010


No, you're not seeing double! I promise!   I've re-done the layout that I created for Becky Fleck, November 2010 PageMaps, in a 12 x 12 format (it was done for her in an 8.5 x 11 vertical format because the PageMap was an 8.5 x 11 vertical sketch) because I typically scrapbook in a 12 x 12 format.

Supplies used include . . . digital papers: Jen Wilson (background and dot) and ***** ******* (grid); frame: MaryAnn Wise; TODAY word art: Amanda Taylor; butterfly: Vinnie Pearce; flourish: Jen Wilson; brad: Jen Wilson; quotation marks: ***** *******; glitter: Megan Farrow; paint splatter: Vinnie Pearce; and fonts: Bookman Old Style and Hurricane.

     Blessings and hugs!
              

"today"

"today"
Originally blogged November 2010
for Becky Fleck
PageMaps November 2010

An all digital layout based on this 8.5 x 11 Vertical PageMap . . .


Supplies used include . . . digital papers: Jen Wilson (background and dot) and ***** ******* (grid); frame: MaryAnn Wise; TODAY word art: Amanda Taylor; butterfly: Vinnie Pearce; flourish: Jen Wilson; brad: Jen Wilson; quotation marks: ***** *******; glitter: Megan Farrow; paint splatter: Vinnie Pearce; and fonts: Bookman Old Style and Hurricane.

     Blessings and hugs!
              

(another) Altered Gift Box

Originally blogged 2010


A box nearly identical to the one below with one MAJOR exception . . . DIGITAL scrapbooking papers were used (printed onto white cardstock) instead of TRADITIONAL scrapbooking papers.

These are the digital papers . . .
 
. . . created by Jen Allyson for Design House Digital (Jen also designs for My Mind's Eye).

Supplies used: Paper-Mache Box: Hobby Lobby; DIGITAL Papers: Jen Allyson for Design House Digital (Vanity Fair Persimmon); Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper; Monogram: Cosmo Cricket; Chipboard Flowers and Tag: Maya Road; Acrylic (Ghost) Flower: Heidi Swapp; Die Cut Flower: Sizzix; Paper Flowers: Prima Marketing; Metal Photo Corner: Unknown (sorry); Lace and Rope Ribbon: Craft Supply; Large and Medium Brads: Bazzill Basics Paper; Gem Brads: Making Memories; Ink: Tsukineko.

     Blessings and hugs!
              
     

~ Bubble Beautiful ~

Just a quick post of some photos that I had taken of my granddaughter, Kaylee Grace last June when the weather became favorable enough that we could actually go outside and play.

June 2010




I sooOOoo love, Love, LOVE those fat little cheeks of hers!!

     Blessings and hugs!
              

"Cherished"

I've heard it said that "grandchildren are your reward for letting your teenage children live" and, well . . . I'd say whoever said that was absolutely right. ;D

"Cherished"
Originally blogged June 2010
"Cherished" was an all DIGITAL layout that I created for the PageMaps 4th Anniversary Layout Contest. It is the same PageMap that I used for my layout "Where There is Love," April PageMaps, April 2010.

This is the PageMap . . .

I had originally selected this Map from the January 2009 PageMaps archive for my layout entry. Really loved all the layering. But after struggling with it for two days . . . the deadline for entry was looming . . . I ended up scratching it and going with the Map that I had used for April PageMaps 2010. Aannnndd. . . if you are wondering . . . no, my entry didn't win. If you would like to see the layout that did win you can view it here . . . PageMaps June Newsletter (you'll need to scroll down to page TWO).

Anyway . . . back to "Cherished" . . . the photo that I selected for this layout is of my reward . . . er, I mean . . . granddaughter, Kaylee Grace from Spring 2009. And though the photo may look like a "standard" black and white photo (in the actual layout), it's not. I had been working a lot with actions and filters and this particular photo had both. And if you are wondering what an "action" is . . . an "action" is simply "a means to record all the commands used to generate an effect in Photoshop for re-application later." Like this . . .
   
This is my photo SOOC (straight out of the camera . . . on the LEFT) and my photo with the Photoshop action applied (on the RIGHT). With this particular photo there are actually TWO actions applied . . . a black and white action and then a boosting action which increased the overall contrast in the photo. The black and white action with the boost that I used on this photo isn't for every photo though. With some photos it's just too "powerful." If that makes any sense (has to do with the levels of contrast). Once the actions were applied I then added a filter . . .
   
The filter was simply a color that I sampled out from the actual color(s) in my layout and then put on its own layer (I used the rectangular marquee tool to make my selection . . . same size as the photo . . . and then filled that selection using the paint bucket tool). The filter layer was then "clipped" (CTRL ALT command) to the photo and the blending mode changed (I used soft light for this particular filter). The opacity of the filter was reduced a tad bit and that's it. Easy peasy. Seriously. And the overall effect . . . much, MUCH better than had I used a "standard" black and white. Or even a sepia toned photo (which I did try at first).

Supplies used include . . . Digital papers: BasicGrey (Scarlet's Letter); Flourish: Rhonna Farrer (Color my World); Border brush: BasicGrey (Black Tie); Distressed grid (behind title): Vinnie Pearce (Distress It Brush Set 01); Flower: Manuela Zimmermann (Moment's of Joy); Button(s): Anna Aspnes (Vint{age} Button Set); Fonts: Bleeding Cowboys and Batang.

     Blessings and hugs!
              

                

Altered Gift Box

        
Originally blogged February 2010
Featured at Scrapstreet.com Magazine. The feature can be viewed . . . here.

An altered gift box that I had created for my sister's forty-fifth birthday. It contained forty-five pieces of her favorite chocolates . . . Hershey Kisses and Hugs.


This is the box that caused me to re-think the way that I alter my boxes . . . or, rather . . . the way that I embellish them (this is the very first box that I created with this much embellishment).

And, yes . . . my sister absolutely LOVED it!!

Supplies used: Paper-Mache Box: Hobby Lobby; Paper: BasicGrey (Scarlett's Letter Confession and Desire); Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper; Monogram: Cosmo Cricket; Chipboard Flowers and Tag: Maya Road; Acrylic (Ghost) Flower: Heidi Swapp; Die Cut Flower and Photo Corner: Sizzix; Paper Flower: Prima Marketing; Lace and Rope RIbbon: Craft Supply; Large Polka Dot Brad: Bazzill Basics Paper; Gem Brads: Making Memories; Gems: Doodlebug Designs; Paint: Making Memories; Ink: Tsukineko.

     Blessings and hugs!
              

   
TEN "essentials" that I cannot scrapbook without (digitally AND hybrid)
1. my DELL XPS laptop (yep! I'm a PC girl!) 
2. Adobe CS3/PSE6 (I am currently trialing PSE9 and do NOT like it!)
3. ACDSee Photo Manager (I have version 10 and use it for my digital supplies NOT my photos)
4. my BIGkick (I have a red and white one) and TONS of various dies (love Love LOVE my BIGkick!)
5. paper trimmer . . . I have THREE in my "arsenal" . . . a Small Base and Large Base guillotine trimmer by Tonic Studios and a Cutterpede by EK Sucess
6. patterned paper (BasicGrey is my absolute FAVORITE and the one I typically go to first!)
7. cardstock (I use Bazzill exclusively)
8. florals/flowers (my favorite(s) . . . ?? . . . Prima Marketing and THIS)
9. ribbon  . . . tons and TONS . . . of . . . ribbon!
10. adhesive (I use the MONO Adhesive Roller by TOMBO and craft, mini, and pop up Glue Dots)

Oh, and number 11. (my post, I can add an extra one if I want to ;D) . . . UN-DU (for all those times when I need to . . . UN-DU something)

NINE words/phrases I love
FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, "I love you Gramma," believe, blessing(s), family, freedom, kindness

EIGHT things that make me smile
1. my grandchildren (my husband and children too)
2. days off (especially when I have SEVERAL off all in a row!)
3. a clean house
4. blue skies and BUNCHES of sunshine
5. a kind gesture or word
6. sincerity
7. simplicity
8. chocolate (doesn't chocolate make EVERYONE smile?)

SEVEN things I love about my "every day" life
1. being able to rely on a GOD who loves me and gave His Son for me
2. being married to the most intelligent (and outrageously handsome) man in the whole wide world
3. my children
4. my grandchildren
5. having the freedom to with do with it what I want . . . when I want
6. the simplicity of it
7. being able to do something creative nearly every day 

SIX places I would love to visit before I die
1. my "old stomping ground" (I dream of this every . single . day)
2. San Francisco (I grew up in San Diego)
3. both North and South Carolina
4. the Grand Canyon
5. PARIS
6. Ireland

FIVE things I do every day without fail (in no particular order)
1. breathe (even on purpose at times)
2. brush my teeth
3. check my e-mail (s.e.v.e.r.a.l times a day)
4. pray
5. drink a cup of sugar free Double Mocha Cappuccino (or two)

FOUR stores/websites that I frequent (NOT in preferential order)
1. BasicGrey
2. Facebook
3. OScraps
4. Two Peas in a Bucket

THREE photos I love (even though the lighting is horrendous)
my youngest daughter, Brookelynn Amanda
Summer 2010

TWO decisions I've never regretted
1. getting married (my husband and I recently celebrated our 25th anniversary)
2. having my three children

aannnndd . . . ONE additional and very important thing you should know about me
"I am a terribly HUGE chocoholic!" ;D ;D

     Blessings and Hugs!
              

"My Top Ten" was adapted from Big Picture Scrapbooking

WELCOME (back) to . my . BLOG!!

                         . . . again!! . . .  


Have you ever heard that old saying . . . you know . . . the one that says . . . "when life gives you lemons . . . make lemonade?" Wwwweeeeeellllll . . . since late last summer/early fall I've been cRazY busy making . . . LOTS and LOTS and LOTS and . . . LOTS of lemonade! And now . . . since things have settled down and have begun to resemble "normal" again . . . I figured I'd go ahead and give this whole blogging thing one more go.

Soooo . . . over the next several weeks or so I'll be adding back some of the content that I had previously removed (some with edits and tweaks) all while adding in new content . . . new layouts . . . both digital AND traditional (yeah, that one took me by surprise too), some altered projects (boxes, birdhouses, etc), and LOTS of photography! And you never know . . . I just may throw in a favorite recipe or two . . . or three . . . while I'm at it (who doesn't LOVE a good recipe right?)!

In the meantime . . . go and grab your favorite drink (I've got some extra lemonade if you'd like something sourly sweet), kick your feet up, and with mouse in hand enjoy some of the links that you'll find here!

     Blessings and hugs!