Real Sunshine

This layout was created as an entry in CSI's Challenge 144. I always enjoy visiting with people from around the world who are also scrapbookers. We share our work and enjoy getting to know each other. 

Techniques used for this layout were stamping, inking, painting, 3-D work, misting and sewing.   

I love to layer, can you tell? The butterflies were found on a reproducable at Pinterest. I inked them, used a bit of Stickles and added artificial flower stamen. Also in the photo above, you can see one of the Prima Say it in Crystals Self Adhesive Jewels. 

In this photo can be seen a couple of Prima flowers and flowers that I fussy cut, popped up and added Stickles. I also used Prima Color Blooms Mist and Liquitex Modeling Paste. 

Here, you can see the results of a lot of fun techniques. 

All embellishments in the photo above are by Prima. I painted the metal medallion with gesso to make it white. 

You can see a bit of the chipboard at the top left. I painted it with gesso, then, I used Ranger Crackle Accents to give the branch a crackle effect. I added tiny little beads to the branch. and added one more coat of gesso before inking to get a touch of turquoise. The pen nib is by Prima. 

At the top of the layout I tucked the journaling between two layers. The tag reads: "Elizabeth, you are the sunshine in my life and in the lives of many others. Whether they be family, friends, the people you work with, or mere acquaintances, you bring light, cheerfulness and real joy to those you touch. When you were only two years old, you charmed the audience at a fashion show where you modeled a dress that I made for you. You had ringlets in your hair and you reminded me of that most noted little charmer, Shirley Temple. As you bounced down the runway, the audience of two or three hundred people went wild with applause. When I hear the song, 'Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone', I think of you, my sweet, beautiful daughter. Come home often and bring that real sunshine with you!"

Brother and Sister

This layout was created with a mixed media background. The patterned paper is by Kaisercraft and the musical stamp is by Heidi Swapp. I used Prima Blooms Spray Mist and inked in areas needing a little color. I admit that I got carried away with the color on this one, but I just couldn't stop! Last, using a Prima stencil and Liquitex modeling paste, I added the lovely checked texture and dimension. 

For those of you who follow my blog, you have probably determined that I am addicted to Color Stories Inspiration, AKA: CSI. What a treat it has been to play along there since March. 

I have some really great news: During the month of October it has been my privilege to be one of one of the Guest Detectives! That is the same as a Guest Designer. 

Using another piece of Kaisercraft paper, I fussycut the frame and popped it up over the photo of my two adult children. 

Embellishments for this layout are Prima flowers and Petaloo butterflies. The journaling tag is tucked behind one of the layers. 

Lee and Liz bring more joy and happiness to our lives than we ever imagined they would! They color our world. 

The journaling reads: "Our two children are as different as day and night. Both of them have an excellent sense of humor, are bright and tender hearted. They are also wonderful adult children. This is where the similarities end. Lee's characteristics are more "Left Brained". He loves science and does very well in his college science classes. He is analytical and is a computer whiz. He is musically talented and has played the drums for more than half of his life. He enjoys a small circle of friends. Liz is more "Right Brained". She loves to cook and entertain her friends. She enjoyed acting and choir during her public school years. Liz has never met a stranger and has a wide circle of friends."

Dr. Who, the Eternal Optimist

This layout has been so much fun to create! One of the journaling prompts at CSI this week was the inspiration word, "optimist". I instantly thought of Dr. Who. The program on PBS is considered to be in the science fiction genre. Dr. Who is always the optimist....

My dear friend, Shawn Johnson,  told me about   Dr. Who on PBS. 

If you haven't joined CSI, but are interested in scrapbooking, you would enjoy playing along there. It is my favorite place to participate in weekly challenges. 

What a treat it has been to be honored as 
Special Investigator during the month of October. AKA: Guest Designer. Thank you, Debbi!

This week is sketch week at CSI, and the very talented Em Stafrace creates the best designs. You can use them as is, or turn them 90, 180 or 270 degrees. 

I always enjoy doing a mixed media background, and never tire of the texture, dimension and fun of playing with paint, inks, modeling paste and mists. 

The two sides of this layout symbolize optimism versus pessimism. The left side shows dark clouds and raindrops, and the right side exhibits the hope of good outcomes with an umbrella, birds and flowers.  

The journaling is done on vellum and reads: 

"Just like Dr. Who, I am an optimist. I believe that we have to take action to remedy a bad situation as much as possible. When circumstances cannot be turned around, then it is better to focus on the positive rather than dwell on the negative."

The Ongoing Story of My Life

This layout was a delight to create. The colors over at CSI (Color Stories Inspiration) are stunning this week.

If you are a scrapbooker, you would really enjoy playing along in the weekly challenge. Everyone is so nice there as well. I am pretty much addicted to that website!



Here is the title which is a Technique Tuesday clear stamp. The large chipboard is by Blue Fern Studios and the gears are by Leaky Shed Studios.

I love the Frantage Embossing powders by Stampendous! You can see in the photo above, just how much they add texture to a page. They are so much fun to play with.

My friend, Renea Harrison AKA Reneabouquets has opened her own business and sells lovely embellishments from her website. Be sure to check it out. Shipping was very fast....thank you Renea!  She made the little butterfly I used in this layout.

All of the chipboard pieces were painted with gesso. When that dried I spread a coat of Glossy Accents by Tim Holtz, and then sprinkled seed beads on top. When that layer was dry I put a coat of gesso on it, and let it try. The last step was to ink the tops of the beads in the color of choice.

Here is a close-up of the finished chippies. You can see the masking and inking that I did behind the chipboard pieces.

This hardware embellishment and the resin pocket watch are both by Prima. All paper and most of the flower embellies are by Prima. Some of the flowers are by Petaloo.

Techniques used are punching, tearing, painting, 3-D work, embossing, stamping, machine stitching and inking.



I like to tuck a tag close to the top of a layout with journaling on it, so the story about the photo will be saved.

Thank you for stopping by....see you next time!