ADVENTURE

It seems as though we just got through with a very hot summer here in Texas, but I needed to do a LO for my son's album, and haven't finished using the photos from his trip to the Gulf of Mexico, so I dove into this LO with a great deal of pleasure, paint, ink and mists! 

Canvas is always good for masculine pages and I used some of my Maya Road chipboard alphabets as a mask, then traced around the shape of the letters for definition. I frayed the edges for a tattered look.

From my stash I used netting, shells and a Mother of Pearl button.

Products used:

     Advantus / Cropper Hopper / Tim Holtz: 

          Grungeboard Elements, Dots

          Idea-ology Collection, Journaling Tickets

          Idea-ology Collection, Memo Pins

          Mini Mask, Compass

          Vintage Metal Accents

     Color Box: Petal Point Archival Dye Inkpad, 

           Circus

     Creative Imaginations: 

          Oceana Collections paper 

          Oceana Collections clear stamps

     Gotta Mesh: Islander

     Maya Road: Mini Alphabet chipboard set,    

          Caroline

     Mudpuddles: Malibu

     Ranger Ink: Inkssentials Glossy Accents

     Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist: Frozen Lake

Hope this added a little sunshine for you on a cold winter day! 

REMEMBERING

This is a LO that I did using some papers and embellies from my stash that I'm trying to use up. Techniques used are distressing, inking, machine stitching and layering. The photos are of my living room and dining room decorated for Christmas.

BEST FRUITCAKE COOKIES EVER!

I don't know about you, but I really do NOT like fruitcake! I always felt like the individual ingredients would be good if they were prepared a little differently. I've modified a recipe that was given to me in 1993 for fruitcake cookies, and hope you can use this in your collection of Christmas recipes. It only takes about 30 minutes prep time plus cooking time. 

FRUITCAKE COOKIES

In a large bowl, combine a 16 oz. mixture of candied fruit (cherries, citron, pineapple, raisins) that is already chopped with 3 cups of chopped pecans. 

Sprinkle 2 tablespoons milk over this mixture and stir well. 

Combine the following ingredients to make the flour mixture: 

     1 1/2 cup flour

     1 1/2 teaspoon soda

     1/2 teaspoon allspice

     1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

     1/2 teaspoon cloves

Combine half of the flour mixture into the fruit and nuts and stir until mixed well. 

Cream: 

     1/2 cup margarine (one stick)

     2 eggs

Then, add to the creamed mixture:

     1/4 cup whiskey....this is the really GOOD part! 

Combine the creamed mixture with the fruit and nut mixture. 

Last, add the remaining flour mixture and stir until combined. 

Drop by rounded teaspoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet.  

Bake at 250 degrees for 25-35 minutes. 

Yield: Approximately 5 dozen cookies 

The most important thig to remember is to share them with the people you love! 

SYMPATHY CARD

One of my family's dearest friends passed away over the weekend. We are all saddened and pray that His light and love will get them through the difficult days to come. My father and this dear man were in first grade together and remained fast friends throughout their lives. I can just picture both of them up in heaven having a grand time being together again! God BLESS them both! 

PROM

This is a mini album that I made for the Crafty Scrapper design team. 

A little background information about this album is that Liz had been to prom the previous year with a dear friend of hers. She discovered that prom didn't exactly live up to her expectations, so by the time she was a senior, she was a little jaded about the event. She didn't want to wear a real girly formal like she had the year before and had seen photos of female stars wearing tuxes for women in a magazine. She was inspired to wear a tux, which she thought was tres chic! We found a pant suit that looked very much like a tux and I sewed on the rhinestones.....just the perfect touch for a girl who rarely does whatever "they" are doing!  

Products used: 

AUTHENTIQUE Uncommon Collection paper

BASIC GREY Little Black Dress Collection paper

BAZZILL BASICS: Cardstock, Raven

ECHO PARK: Be Mine CollectionAlpha Stickers

MAYA ROAD: 

     Chipboard Dress Form Book

     Christmas Words Keychain Set

     Gingham Pointe Blossoms, Black

     Mini Alphabet Chipboard Set: Jonathan 

     Ornate Botanical Blooms: Bright Pink

     Small Organza Roses Ribbon, Black, White

          and Hot Pink

     Trinket Pins, Hearts and Crystals

     Trinket Pins, Flower, White Pearl

     Wire Flower Clips

     Vintage Embellishment Bits Pack

MAY ARTS ribbon and netting

MY MIND'S EYE Lost & Found Two Collection 

     paper

PRIMA Cartier Collection Ribbon Flower 

     Embellishments: Smoke

RANGER: 

     Archival Ink, Jet Black

     Stickles, Magenta

     Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Tissue Wrap

WE R MEMORY KEEPERS, Sew Easy, Fancy 

      Floss, Baker's Twine, Tertiary

ZIG 2 Way Glue

ZIP DRY Paper Glue

ZVA CREATIVE: Self Adhesive Pearls

The lyrics to "Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better" from the musical, Annie Get Your Gun, came to mind when journaling this mini album. The original lyrics are by Irving Berlin. I used a little poetic license and changed the words to fit the occasion. 

Thanks for your comments! 

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS!

The front entrance to our home is decorated and ready to welcome visitors, so come on in and have a cup of hot mulled cider! 

Our formal dining room table is decorated with this quaint little snowy village and golden twig place mats. 

In our formal living room, our tree is decorated and lit for some late night reflection on the reason for the season. The shape of an angel can be seen in the foreground as she stands on the coffee table. Still on my "To Do List" is a little more shopping, wrapping presents and mailing Christmas Cards. Last, there will be lots of time spent cooking in the kitchen!

Hope you are having a very busy and meaningful holiday season! 

EXTREME

Last Christmas, my brother in law left his hat and
cigarettes here at our home and Lee let me take some pictures of him as he was clowning around with the hat and cigarettes. The pictures made me think of the "Rat Pack".....Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop.

Just FYI: Cigarettes are harmful to your health! 

Products used in this layout are:

7 GYPSIES Watch Face

FAB SCRAPS 

     Burlesque Collection patterned paper

     Single Swirl

     Musician Playing Trumpet

IMPRESSION OBSESSION Cover a Card 

      Distressed Brick

MAYA ROAD:

     Organza Roses Ribbon (hot pink)

     Journey Accent Photo Edges 

     Vintage Embellishment Bits Pack

RANGER / TIM HOLTZ: 

     Philosophy Tags

     Ruler Ribbon 

     Light Bulbs

     Key Holes

     Long Fasteners

     Muse Tokens

     Time Pieces

     Adage Tickets

     Crackle Paint (Black Soot)

SAKURA Jelly Roll Pen (white) 

RANGER Archival Ink (Jet Black)

VIVA Precious Metal Colour (Rose Pink) 

From my stash: 

     laser cut gears

     old watch lens

     corrugated cardboard

     metalic letters

HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY TO "POETRY IN A POT OF TEA"

My dear friend, Shawn, is celebrating the first anniversary of her blog, "Poetry in a Pot of Tea" ....so, LET'S HAVE TEA!

Although  Shawn and I have never met in real life, she is a sister in my heart. We first met at Scrapbook.com and share our lives over the Internet. Every month we have lots of fun exchanging goodie boxes filled with scrapbooking supplies, tea, beautiful cards and dark chocolate! We have a lot in common and love to share with each other. Please stop by Shawn's blog and help her celebrate one year of blogging happiness! She is having a wonderful GIVEWAY for following her blog! Check it out! 

http://poetryinapotoftea.blogspot.com/

HAPPY TEA SIPPING....especially to "Micupoftea"! 

HOW SWEET IT IS

This mini album was created for the Crafty Scrapper Design Team and is on display at the store in Waxahachie, Texas. 

Where has the time gone in the past ten years? So many serious, life changing events have come our way since the terrible tragedies of September 11, 2001.  Our country and the world hardly seem to be the same, and  I guess everyone on this planet who was more than eight years old on that day can remember where they were and what they were doing when the horrific events unfolded. I was teaching a class of second graders in Arlington, Texas and the words from Alan Jackson’s song will ever reverberate in my mind, “Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day? Teaching a class full of innocent children…” Within only three days after September 11, 2001, my sweet daughter was crowned Homecoming Queen of her high school. It seems a very insignificant event compared to the thousands of lives lost or forever changed. Students, teachers and parents were still reeling from the horror of that day, yet somehow, life had to go on. So, that sweet girl held her head high and helped everyone at Maverick Stadium remember that LIFE DOES GO ON. The culmination of Elizabeth’s senior year in high school is the subject of this sweet mini album.  Although I have done larger album pages to chronicle the highlights of her high school days, this 6”X6” mini album  is by far, my favorite scrapbooking project that I have created to honor her achievements. My baby girl is now twenty-seven and is a college graduate living on her own with the responsibilities of an adult woman. I still scrapbook  her everyday experiences and important events, and always will, but until she marries and has children of her own, there will not be a subject as near and dear to my heart as the honors Liz achieved in high school. It was a difficult time in all of our lives, but LIFE STILL GOES ON…..AND HOW SWEET IT IS!    

Please come along  with me  for some "Senior Moments".

PRODUCTS USED:

ADIRONDAC

            Acrylic Paint Dabber, Snow Cap

BASIC GREY Little Black Dress Collection

BAZZILL BASICS Cardstock, Raven

CREATIVE IMAGINATIONS Signature Collection Epoxy Sheet

DRITZ Fray Check

FAB SCRAPS Music Swirl

GIRLS PAPERIE Jubilee Fabric Brads

HEART OF TEXAS 6”X6” Circulation Chipboard Album

MAYA ROAD

            Birds With Cages Mini Chipboard Set

            Button Rose Ribbon Jewels

            Christmas Words Keychain Set

    Crowns Mini Chipboard Set

    Jonathan Bold White Rubons

            Kraft Envelopes Rectangular

            Microchips Scallops Neutrals Chipboard

    Noah Mini Alphabet Chipboard Set

            Organza Roses: white, cream and black

            Ornate Botanical Blooms: Bright Pink and Black

            Scallop Frames Chipboard Set

            Snapshot Words Keychain Set

            Velvet Pleats, black and white, cream and red

            Vintage Trinkets Antique Button Jewels

            Wings and Hearts Mini Chipboard Set

MORE PRODUCTS USED:

PRIMA:

        Aglow Mica Leaves

Avon Rose Printery

Architecture Collection Resin Embellishments, Ceiling Ornaments

Flower Market Printery

RANGER:

Archival Ink, Jet Black

Stickles, Platinum and Diamond

SAKURA Jelly Roll Pen, white

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Tissue Wrap

TPC Studio Stamps Vintage Birdcage

I loved working with a new product out by Tim Holtz Ide-ology. It is called "Tissue Wrap" and it is lovely to work with. In this project I either gathered it, using needle and thread or pleated it, as seen in the above photo. 

STILL MORE PRODUCTS USED: 

TATTERED ANGELS Glimmer Mist, gunmetal 

       and sand

THE CRAFTER’S WORKSHOP 6X6” Doodling Templates- Mini Birds of a Feather

ZIG 2 Way Glue

ZIP DRY Paper Glue

ZVA  CREATIVE Self Adhesive Pearls

OTHER ITEMS USED:

Buttons from my stash

Daughter’s earring that she wore in high school. It is on the front cover, attached to the bottom striped ribbon! 

Inside the little Maya Road envelope is a list of Elizabeth's activities throughout high school. 

Thanks for taking a little trip with me down "Memory Lane". 

I appreciate your comments! 

MOTHER'S WEDDING PORTRAIT

This layout was created for my mother's ninetieth birthday celebration  this past  August. Paper used includes  Creative Imaginations Devotion Collection and 7 Gypsies Paddington Collection. The flourish was first masked and sprayed with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Graphite, then hand stitched. The edges of the Creative Imaginations paper was fussy cut, then lined with black cardstock and popped up using a solid piece of foam. Flowers are by Prima and Petaloo. Lace is by Prima

Thanks, everyone, for taking a peek! 

CHRISTMAS COTTAGE

As a project for THE CRAFTY SCRAPPER design team, each designer is making a  little holiday cottage by the  HEART OF TEXAS STUDIO. There are five little houses in this set called, "The Village", that are each a different size and design. This one is 5" tall and 4"X 4".  For paper, I chose the "Simple Stories 25 Days of Christmas" Collection by MEMORY WORKS, and loved the way it can be an excellent background for showing off details. 

The little balls decorating this cottage are "Vintage Raspberry Beads" (clear) by MAYA ROAD, and are hung with cranberry and white baker's twine by THE TWINERY. The two white trims are by WEBSTERS PAGES and were perfect for this little project! Don't they give a lovely, snowy look? For the roof I used a flat white acrylic paint by CRAFTSMART over the paper, then sprinkled "Diamond Dust" by TWINKLETS for an icy finish. Inside the tiny house is an artificial tea light that is battery operated. These can be found in most stores that sell Christmas ornaments. 

Thoughts of my childhood days, playing with dolls in their doll house inspired me to decorate the inside of this little house. Not attaching the roof permanently allows the viewer to look inside the house easily. Most of the "decor" incorporates the Cardstock Stickers of the "Simple Stories 25 Days of Christmas" Collection by Memory Works. For just a little additional home-like comfort I added a chair and a grandfather clock using my Cricut by PROVO CRAFT and the "Heritage" cartridge. Both were cut from Advantus Ideology TIM HOLTZ Grungeboard (plain). They were both painted black with Ranger Ink Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint (Black Soot).

The hearth was created by building up layers of foam from a craft store, then adhering the hand drawn brick surface. Cardstock used for this was BAZZILL BASICS PAPER (Rosey/ canvas texture). The white opaque pen is by INKSSENTIALS. 

The sweet holly trim is by MAY ARTS and the tiny rose trim is "Organza Roses" (red) by Maya Road. Topping off this lovely little cottage is the gorgeous "Vintage Lace Mum" (Apple), also by Maya Road. The depth of the layers is strikingly rich and draw plenty of attention to whatever this poinsettia adorns! 

Thanks, everyone for taking a peek at my latest creation. If you're in the area, be sure to stop by THE CRAFTY SCRAPPER in Waxahachie, Texas to see all of the little houses on display for the holiday season!