LOC Vintage Altered Album

I started this album at my Scrapbooking Night a couple of months ago and have played with it here and there, but decided it is time to get it finished and in the post to my Aunty.  As soon as I decided the colours I thought of her and knew that I would be using lace and Layers of Color - for me the two often go together.  Ann, who runs the Scrapbooking Night is such an inspiration, she is an art teacher who inspires me every week.  I love it that it is more about the people and encouraging us all to create something that reflects us and we are happy with, it is not all about the dollar, as it can become - it is the best night, only once a month - which certainly gives us time to get our projects finished.  Thank you Ann for being such a great BIG heart - you are so generous, not just wirh product, but with your time and yourself - you have certainly become a mentor and dear friend to me - I appreciate you!!

I have used the Stampin' Up DP, it wasn't hard to choose as I have two packs that I absolutely adore and this is one of them.  One of me friends, who attends the night loves the same DP and we work off each others scraps and torn DP - it makes it so much quicker...we have a laugh about it!  I have alternated the DP's for each page, adding to the eclectic vintage feel I wanted to achieve.  We added pockets and tags, which I love as they add so much interest and give more opportunity for photos.

I used my Layers of Color images starting with the Royal Birds on the front cover, which has been stamped, cut out, coloured with chalks and popped up on foam dots,  I have also added a strip of blue lace along with some narrow gingham ribbon.  This is all layered onto blue CS embossed with the Stylised Flowers folder which I have lightly sponged with Distressing Ink and added those  gorgeous Vintage Corners that I have rubbed across the Distressing Ink Pad for colour. 

For the pages I have used cream CS that has been sponged around the edges and each page has a sentiment or embellishment , I have tried not to overcrowd the pages as somewhere inside it there needs to be room for photos.  It always amazes me how just the smallest extra detail can add so much, just a stamped corner or added image tucked away quietly can bring a page to life!  Here I have used an image from the Granny's Jewelry art stamp set, they are fabulous for using bling with and can look like costume jewellery - I used Kindy Gitz to try and keep the 'bulkiness' of this album low, but I FAILED! LOL!

 What did I do before stamping - I never saw myself as an 'off the page' person, but call it 'Altered Art' and I am off and running with it!! Seriously though, I think it is one of these things we grow into as we evolve in our art. and get more confident!

The Tags are rounded at the corners and sponged with a stamped image or embellishment added, the one on the left has one of the smaller crosses from Gothic Crosses, which has been chalked and sponged, popped up on foam tape.  I have used these gorgeous little hearts from the Flower Child set to frame the sentiment and finished with the spiral edge.

While the next one has a Kaiser flower and none of the smaller images from the Architectural Blocks art stamp set as the centre, this is also popped up - I love the dimension this gives.  I have used these elegant corner stamps from the Touch of Elegance art stamp set, they brought this tag to life, framing the RubOn from Kaiser.

I am really looking forward to sending this to my Aunty, she is such a loving lady and LOVES the family...I know this will be a treasure for her and that makes ME happy.

Here is a view of it from the tops so you can see that both the back and the front of the pages have been done, I didn't show you all of them as there are 10 pages not including the covers - so I am just showing you the main pages so you can get the idea!!  I am interested to hear what you think.

I appreciate you taking the time to come and visit, thank you so much for the comments you leave for me - you are always so lovely and make my heart smile!  Have a great day!! God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC In my Heart

I am so loving scrapbooking at the moment, funny how we go on runs and I am loving this one....I was so inspired by the Inspiration Challenge on SCS, you can see what inspired me here and had to bring out the Layers of Colour images, which I LOVE using with Scrapbooking.

The DP with the circle cut out is leftover from the page I did for my DH's birthday, I saved it from our Scrapbooking Class (thanks Ann), which worked well for this layout!  My DD1 is not a 'girly girl' but definitely feminine, so my challenge was to use flowers but no to go 'frilly' and horrify her - what do you think!?!  I used a page from one of the old Hymnals that I was given by 'our friend Jack' and distressed it with a light touch of sponging, this was layered onto a small piece of DP that has had an adorable fence added, using the Martha Stewart Fence Punch (thanks Pat)and some of the fabulous wood grain from McMahon Five Designs.

The flourish is from a pack I picked up from 'Hot Dollar' I painted it with Tattered Angela Glimmer Mist in Sand - painting it is less messy when I am being lazy (LOL) and sponged the edges with Distressing Ink and added a Chickadee from the Layeres of Color art stamp set Backyard Birds.  The Chickadee and all other images, have been coloured with Chalks and had Kindy Glitz added, it is popped up onto foam dots to sit on the swirl.

This sweet little sparrow has also been popped up on foam dots and layered onto the DP and music.

The layered flowers have been sponged with Distressing Ink and attached to the DP, I have added butterflies from the Butterfly Collector art stamp set and popped their wings up with foam tape, which is not as high as the dots.  The sentiment is from Autumn Leaves, I love the ticketed look and am going to be adding sentiments to my layouts more - I just love Ingvild'sBlog and have been inspired by her art - FABULOUS!!

This sentiment is also from the Butterfly Collector set, I have sponged around the edges.

Phew - there you go!  Thank you for making your way down to the end of this longer post, but I wanted to show you all of the details - I did try to keep the chatter down though - do you know how hard that is for me!! LOL!

I am also linking this to the following challenges:

Pile It On - Flowers

Cute Card Thursday - All you Need is Love

Creative Inspiration Challenge - Leftovers

Stampin' Sisters In Christ - God Loves You - I would love this layout to be a reminder to my DD1 of her heart for God at this tender age and His love for her, as she grows up and finds her way in life, it is my hope that as she looks back to her childhood, she would be reminded of her faith, our faith and the Love God has for her, that it never changes and is new every morning...and that it is real for her each day and will always remain - 'in her heart!'

Thanks you for looking and for your fabulous comments - I love seeing that you have been - you make my day and make me smile!  Love it!  Weekends go past too fast, I hope you are enjoying yours, it is Valentine's Day here and WET - perfect!  Happy Valentine's Day to you all - make sure you tell those you love how important they are to you - if they are nearby, give them a big hug - don't be shy!  LOL!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}

LOC Wings of Love for Shannan

ai everyone, thanks for coming to see this card that I have created for the Twisted Sister Challenge on SCS.  One of my Twisted Sisters has challenged us to make a card using black and white with a touch of lavender.  I have used my Layers of Color images,  I love to combine the sets to help with an eclectic feel! 

The background is Whitewash CS what has been embossed with the Paisley embossing folder and then sanded to bring the purple out - I just love this stuff, anything that gets my fingers inky and 'hands on' gets my complete attention!!  It has been distressed around the edges and layered onto black CS.

I have made my flower - I love these flowers and need to make some more, it has been sprayed with Pearl Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist which does not show up too well here.  I have added it to a border of black lace and also added these gorgeous wings from the Layers of Color  art stamp set Beloved Wings.  The wings have been lightly coloured with SU Chalks/Pastels and had Kindy Glitz added, I love the effect it has on the Layers of Color images - I never saw myself as a Kindy Glitz person, but I love it!!  The end half of the wings have been popped up on foam dots to add dimension. 

The main image is from the Garden Borders art stamp set and is another favourite, I know - I say they are all favourites, but hello - have you seen them - how could I not! LOL!!  I have also coloured this with chalks but this time have used some Martha Stewart Glitter that was sent to me  by Laura from Layers of Color. along with some other treasures...you will see more of them in time....thanks Laura - I love them all!  This border has been layered onto black CS and popped up on foam dots as well.

This card is for one of our stamping sisters Shannan Teubner, who lost her much loved husband unexpectedly this past week, it touched me deeply to read her story here.  Many of you may know Shannon or follow her through her Blog or SCS, or you may be like me and just seen her fabulous work  and recognise that gorgeous smile of hers.  I was so touched when I read the story that I wanted to send her a card.  I know that at these times we can't take away the pain, but we can certainly let Shannan know she is not alone - I have thought about her since I heard - I too married by best friend and admire the strength Shannan is showing by sharing on her Blog - I do not know how you would take your next breath.  I do know that she would appreciate your prayers for herself and her two boys 7 and 9 years.

Thank you for visiting with me, I appreciate your support and those fabulous comments you leave me - you are such a blessing to me!  I hope you are having a great day!  God bless you

{{{HUGS}}}

LOC One Heart

Hi everyone - it is Friday here already - the week has just flown by! I wanted to take a minute to thank those of you who sent birthday wishes my my DH, he appreciated each and everyone of them and had a great day - he asked me to pass on his thanks!!

This card is made with my favourite stamp companies, Layers of Color, I have used their Fleur Heart art stamp set - isn't it just gorgeous!!  I have kept the card fairly simple as I felt too ,much more would make it cluttered - what do you think!?!?

I have made it for a couple of challenges, the first being the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge where we are to be inspired by this scripture:

Mark 10: 7-9 "7. 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8. and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. 9. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." (NASB)

We have been challenged by Randi to create a card/project/layout that reflects the sentiment of this scripture by following this formula: Use whatever supplies/stamps you like to create whatever kind of card or project that you like BUT use must use TWO kinds of each item to make your ONE creation, for example. An example would be as follows: 2 different colors of cardstock, 2 different pieces of patterned paper, 2 pieces of ribbon, 2 brads.....

I have used two of everything, or used things in multiples of two - do you see the gold heart in the centre of the Fleur Heart?  The exception to this is the one black and gold button that I have used singularly, as a symbol of the two becoming one!

I have also made this for this weeks Our Daily Bread Designs Challenge where we are to use hearts...I have also used the fabulous scripture from ODBD, perfect for this occassion - who doesn't rejoice at LOVE!  Marriage is not only a commitment before God, where we exchange vows,  but also a time of celebration at this blessed union.....at our wedding my DH was playing drums with the band towards the end of the reception and our Wedding reception became one big CELEBRATION and time of rejoicing - infact we had such a great time, we were amongst the last to leave!! LOL!

I am also linking this to:

Die Cuts R US - Love Challenge

Thank you for looking and for all of the encouragment you give me, it mean so much to me -  God bless you!!   {{{hugs}}}

Happy Birthday Love!

This card is for some one very special - it is my husbands birthday today and I wanted it be to special...he L-O-V-E-S Elvis and when I won this stamp I knew just what I was going to use it for...I have also made my very first easel card - aren't they the best!! 

I stamped Elvis on some glossy paper and am so happy with the result, he is layered onto black CS and then popped up onto a Nestibilities (thank you Sabrina aka okimom2girlz), which I have also popped on on foam dots 

On the inside I have used the music sheet and distressed the edges, also layering it onto back CS and instead of using a button I decied to use a crown from the DP, only fitting for 'The King'!! LOL - and no card from me is complete without a BIG KISS!!

This next photo is not great but I tried a couple of times and it is UGLY lighting - I guess taking it at 7am outside didn't help, but I wanted you to have an idea of the side view.

I have decided that every birthday I am going to do a layout for the birthday person - so last night at my Scrapbook Class I did this page, I love these photos, they are just so perfect and show my DH just as he is.  My kids are blessed to have a Dad that loves them so much and is so-o-o involved in their lives.  

I am so grateful for Ron, who through some terrible accidents lives each day in a terrible amount of pain, which always comes as such a surprise to those who know him as he is always laughing or smiling.  People like Ron are very few and far between in life, he doesn't just feel the rain, he stops to get wet....makes the moments count and teaches our kids that it is not enough to live your life, but also to experience it and treasure every blessing - like the smell after the rain, thunder storms, flowers and any detail that gets missed by the rest of us!  So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE, we celebrate you - you are worth celebrating - if you should live to be 100, then I would wish to live until 100 minus one, so I would never have to live without you!!  We love you!!

Thank you for visiting today, you make my day -  I wish you could be here to celebrate with us - just quickly, Ron has asked me to make mini Lemon Meringue pies as his birthday cake, they are his favourite thing that I make....but the funny thing is that he has also jokingly told us that when he dies he doesn't want penny's on his eyes like they used to, to pay the ferryman, he would like mini Lemon Meringue Pies - for the trip, as he might get hungry! LOL!  What a guy!

God bless you!

I will be back to link this a challenge or two later....C U then!

EDIT - Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge - Easel Card

MMSC40 You've Got Mail

I hope you are all having a great week - it is about to get better - it is Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge time - who doesn't love that!!  I would like to thank those of you who stopped by and commented on my card last week - I was staggered to see that there were so many comments...thank you so  much - I could not do this without your support and the fact that Sketch Challenges always inspire me and get me motivated, Priscilla's sketches are among the best out there, and now she is even giving you a choice - you can go CAS if that suits you...makes it even  better for some of you!!  I have done two cards for this week, using images from both our Monthly and Weekly sponsors.

My first card is using one of our the stamps from our Weekly sponsor, Lacey from Create and Stamp.  Isn't this little girl adorable!!  I stamped her twice and coloured her with chalks, cut her our, popping her up on foam dots, I also popped up the bow on the letterbox.  You know, I am a 'vintage' type girl (that is nothing to do with my age!! LOL) but I am discovering a love for whimsical......and I have to say with images like this Lacey makes it ever easier to 'go there!'

The background DP has been embossed with the Stylised Flowers embossing folder and the edges sponged with distressing ink.  This adorable little face reminds me of my daughters when they were little, what a gift Lacey has to be able to capture that innocence with her images - they are adorable Lacey!

 I handcut the scallops for the border and inked it, adding two layers of ribbon and used my Bow Easy with the Martha Stewart ribbon, finishing it off with a gorgeous pearl brad that is encased in silver - this qualifies me for the Wag & Whiskers Challenge this week - yay!  The vintage corners are part of a RAK from my MUM, Lesley aka SuperNan...I love these corners and definitely have to get this DieCut, they finish a card so beautifully.  Pearls have been added!

 

I am linking this card to the Wag'n Whiskers Challenge - Charms -

The Pink Elephant - Valentine -  I am sure they are 'mushy' cards she is holding!

Crazy4Challenges - Be myValentine - it's in the letter!
Frosted Design - Valentine Challenge

Stampin' for the Weekend - Love is in the Air

Pile It On - To the One I Love

Creative Card Crew - Valentine

Penny's Challenges - Valentine/Love

Charisma Cardz - I Love You

Stampin' for the Weekend - Valentine

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Floral Frenzy - on DP and bow

 

 Now it is your turn - here is this weeks sketch, you can find the CAS one by clicking here with YOUR CHOICE.

Congratulations to our Gold Star Winner:

#56 Darsie

and

Our Midnight Madness Remarkables:

#23 An

# 61 America

A special Thank you to our monthly sponsor Cornish Heritage Farm, CHF is owned Richard & Liz Pomeroy, who have been so genenrous and supplied the DT with a wonderful variety of images, they also have a great prize for this month's winner - thank you so much for you generosity!!

Cornish Heritage Farms

and to our weekly sponsor Wags & Whiskers, and you know how I feel about those!

Stamp & Create

My next card is using one of the Cornish Heritage Farms images, from their Critters Range - this was too irresistible for me, especiall when caleed' Skunky Hair'  some days I can so-o-o  relate to that!!

I embossed the image with black embossing powder and then coloured the porcupine with my dauber and distressing ink, I also used the same technique on the grass - this made it show so much more than chalking would have with the dark image.  I then used chalks to add the detail and a glitter pen for the mirror.  Very quick but oh so cute!  What a great card for a hairdresser - I might have to put this one away for mine!

I am linking this card to:

Crafty Calendar Challenge - Love and Friendship

Thank you for visiting today and for your lovely comment - you are so encouraging and make this Ol' Stamper's day!!  Now, check out the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge and see what you can do - you know I will be there to see!   We will be having another one of our "HUGE" giveaways in a few weeks. More details to follow, but as you know from our past giveaways, it will be 'HUGE' -   HOW EXCITING - you won't want to miss out!!

LOC Isla's Art

This Layout is very special to me, the chicks were drawn by my beautiful Nana, Isla Annie Labone, this was given to me after she had 'gone home'.  Nana's drawing skills were well loved by ALL of the family, and we are many,  we are blessed that she has written a song for each of her 'grandchildren' and had written out the words in beautiful calligraphy and finished it with a pencil sketch of us - possibly NOT the photo we would have chosen to be sketched, but a treasure all the same!  When I have shown you the sketch I will tell you a little story - that will both horrify you and make you smile.....

I have used my favourite stamps - yes, Layers of Color!!  The Rise & Shine art stamp set is perfect - how those darling little chicks are just 'itching' to get in on the 'tug-o-war' for the worm.  I distressed the edges of Nana's sketch, the paper she used was perfect and just about distressed itself.  The picket fence is made with the Martha Stewart Punch, a gift from one of my very dear Twisted Sisters, and friend, Pat Smethers and has been distressed with Tim Holtz Distressing Ink and added to both the top and bottom of the image.

  The flourish is chipboard, I picked it up in a Thift Shop and sprayed it with Tattered Angel Glimmer Mist in Tattered Leather (my favourite)   I stamped the flowers from the Nature Walk art stamp set, coloured them with Chalks and popped the smaller ones up on foam dots and then added the chick to the flowers and two along the fence line.

Her Majesty's Urns are the obvious choice to add to the lower edge with the chicks.  The sentiment is written by my Nana, I wanted to keep everything I could from the original sketch.  I added a brad at each end and added a small section of fence either side of the chicks and urn.  Recycled crochet lace has been inked and layered onto the fence and a small flower from the Nature Walk art stamp set popped by at the side,.  The finishing touch is the gorgeous recycled crochet lace in the bottom corner - I love the whole feel of this page and am hoping the rest of the family do!

There is a story about chickens that has followed me all of my life....when I was about 3 years old I was staying with Nana, who had been a hard working farm girl...she had chickens and as children we loved them and just adored the chicks as they hatched and wandered.  one day I was heard to come to Nana and had one of the chicks in my hands, with a big smile on my face and said 'look Nana, chickie sleeping!'  you can imagine my Nana's look of horror as she realised it was not sleeping at all, but was infact dead - I had actually 'loved it to death' by patting it too enthusiastically.......as if that wasn't enough my older brother happened to hold some chicks by the neck and told them to 'eat' and their poor little necks were not up to the task - Nana's little helpers were given time off that day! LOL!  As you can imagine this tale has been brought up at many a family function....and probably will be again....so you can see why this sketch is special to me....as I was putting this layout together and saw Nana's writing, I remembered the many letters I have from her, handwritten and often with the words 'good girl Pet!'  What beautiful memories...but I am sure I was anything but 'Pet' that day, although Nana never showed it!  God bless her!

I am linking this to the:

Crafty Creations Challenge - Wings

PollyCraft Challenge - Things with Wings

 Belli Challenge Blog - Ribbon (I used lace ribbon) 

Thank you for visiting today, you know you make my day!!  God bless you!

Welcome to our New Designer for Layers of Color

I am thrilled to take this opportunity to welcome Kristine Breach to the Layers of Color Design Team.

Many of you will know Kristine from the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge, as well as a few other DT's - I know you are going to LOVE her work for Layers of Color ! Welcome Kristine - you know how thrilled I am to be working alongside you - your work inspires me! Why not pop over to see Kristine's Layers of Color Gallery - be prepared to be inspired, her gallery is impressive already!

There are exciting things ahead for Layers of Color this year we are growing in so many ways, you can see the changes to the roles in the Design Team here, I am thrilled to say that Heather, Patter and myself have all become Senior Designers, with my role also including Design Team Co-ordinator.

I have had many comments on my work for Layers of Color, I appreciate you support and the encouragement you give me on such a constant basis.  Each one of you inspire me and I am so grateful for this opportunity.  I am looking forward to the future and am grateful that you are part of it with me  thank you!!  God bless you!

There is a Door

I am late for the Twisted Sister Challenge which was due on Friday, but these girls are very forgiving and the day is very flexible, as we all know - life happens.  It was our kids first week back at school  last week after 8 weeks holidays - we all had to adjust! LOL!  My youngest started High School - what a reality check for me...they are growing so fast.  My DH took some great photos that I am going to scrapbook, so you will get to see them soon!  But in the meantime...here is my card for the Twisted Sister Challenge - the theme was inspired by one of the Sisters' cat going missing, thankfully after a couple of days she was back 'Home Sweet Home' which is our theme!

I have finally managed to use this stamp set from Darkroom Door that my DH got me for Christmas....it just appeals to me on so many levels...every image in the set was made with me in mind! LOL! I just love the sentiment and what it says to me....I am grateful that the door I have chosen in my life gives me a known future both here and eternity....The known and the unknown are there for all of us - I am s-o-o relieved that it is God that opens and shuts each doors for me - I could not trust myself to choose wisely - it is not as though life is a game show and we get to go home afterwards - these are decisions that determine our future!

The fabulous DP is Cork Paper from McMahon Five Designs - I love this stuff - it is amazing to use...nothing like the name 'Wood Paper' makes you think - this cork DP is soft and has a lot of give, bends like Grungeboard, but a lot thinner - there is such a variety - you can check it out here.  I have also used DP that I have torn and inked, it has stones on it, this reminds me of a path leading to the house.

I finished this card last night, but it just wasn't 'popping' for me - if it doesn't 'pop' then I am not happy with it and asked my DH what he thought - he said it needs to 'pop' ( he knows all of the terminology - God bless that man!!) you need to add dimension to the door!!  Hel-l-o-o - why did I know think of that - you know I LOVE layers and dimension...so once I had done that it added so much to the card... I am loving the slightly 'grungy' look that I have here, it's a bit different for me, but it is great for a change - I am going to have to learn to do 'grunge' properly - it is a look I really like on scrpabooking - especially masculine pages....

Thank you for stopping in and taking the time to leave me a comment - I have realised that I am a COMMENT JUNKIE - I love making them and L-U-V getting them - they make my day!  It is Sunday afternoon here and drizzling -  just right for us - I hope your weekend is a rlaxing and fun one - maybe you might even get into your craft room/area!  God bless you!

LOC Picture Perfect

What a day I have had - if there was something that could go wrong - it did!  But nothing that a bit of 'Craft Therapy' wouldn't fix - well, apart from the Vacuum Cleaner with the cord that is not attached properly anymore and the lamp with the matching non functional cord - followed closely by the PlayStation that 'accidentially' fell over and now has lost it's programming....and the list goes on - add to that three teenagers and all of hormones - .it can get pretty 'interesting'....but you don't want to hear my woes do you...so I will get on with showing you my card!

I have used the Layers of Color art stamp sets Backyard Birds, Beaded Frames and Nature Walk. The flourish from Nature Walk is such a great image and I just L-O-V-E to use it...this time it is stamped onto the DP in distressing Ink and coloured with chalks.

 I have cut out the Beaded Frame and backed it with white CS and hughlighted the individual beads with Kindy Gliz.  this has the been popped up with foam tape.

The Backyard Bird has been cut out and coloured with chalks then popped up into the frame.  I did use Pearlised Chalks but could not capture the shimmer - you know how it goes, it the stampers demise! LOL!!  The sentiment is stamped onto the DP and then cut out ,distressed and layered onto white CS.

This was another really easy card to make and only took 20 minutes from beginning to end - do you find it can take longer to choose the imges than to actually make the card - or is that just me! LOL!

I am linking this card to the following challenges:

Crafty Creations Challenge - Wings

Pollycraft Monday - Things with Wings

ABC Challenge - N is for New - this is one of the Layers of Color New Release art stamp sets

Thank you for stopping by and all of the suppport you give me -  I am always happy to see you have been - imagine if we could catch up in person - I would love that!  Have a great weekend!  God bless you!