Five Reasons I Enjoy Downton Abbey

This layout was a joy to create for the Color, Stories, Inspiration (CSI) Design team. I really do love the colors this week at CSI. Not being much of a T.V. watcher, I decided to do a layout about one of the few series I enjoy following, 'Downton Abbey'. 

The sponsor this month is a2z Scrapbooking. You can check out their Etsy Store here and their blog here. They are donating three gift certificates for prizes this month at CSI! You have to join and play along in the challenge to be eligible to win. 

                                         

You can see the stained glass window I created behind the chipboard. I used a clear sheet of transparency film from Office Depot and used two colors of Alcohol Ink by Ranger / Tim Holtz and a blending tool to achieve this effect. I placed a piece of white cardstock behind the plastic and trimmed them to be the same size as the window.

Most of the brick design was created with Prima modeling paste and one of their masks. Here is an example of a few bricks that I cut out of paper, inked, then glued it onto the layout in order to incorporate all five colors from the scheme.

I also used Stampendous Frantage over the brick work to give an aged feeling and to highlight areas behind major embellishments such as the chipboard pieces. 

Products:

Bo Bunny paper

Color Box ink

Crafter's Workshop mask

Dusty Attic chipboard

Fab Scraps chipboard

Heidi Swapp spray

Martha Stewart border punch

May Arts ribbon

Office Depot transparency

Paper Studio paper

Prima flowers, mask, modeling paste,

     resin embellishment

Ranger / Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink

Stampendous Frantage embossing

The tag is tucked in a library pocket behind the layout and reads, "I am not a big watcher of T.V. but Downton Abbey is one series that I never miss. It is great fun to dream about having a title, tiara, castle and beautiful clothes. The top five reasons I enjoy Downton Abbey are:

     1. scenery
     2. costumes
     3. historical events
     4. Edwardian era manners
     5. romance of the Edwardian era in England

In reality, being born to nobility is most likely not all that it is cracked up to be. Can you imagine having to live your entire life in the public eye? I would be miserable!"

Thanks for taking a peek and doing a little dreaming with me about a romantic age gone by. Until next time....

Wit's and Gracie's Best Gift Ever

Here is a layout that I created for the CSI Design Team. The challenge is running now until January 25th, so if you enjoy challenges and are looking to strengthen your scrapbooking skills, you might have some fun getting to know the nice people there while working on your techniques.

Aren't these colors wonderful? During the cold weather we have had in the U.S. this winter, they make me think of summertime and help me to ignore the gloomy, cold and wet weather!  

Our sponsor throughout January is a2z Scrapbooking. Be sure to check out their website! You can find it here. 

The miniature dachshund in the photo is dapple, so I had to add some dots and bling to the doxie chippie ! 

Here is how it looks close up. The paper underneath him has been painted and textured. 

Other techniques used on this LO are layering, machine stitching, inking, fanning, and die cutting. 

Product list:

Bazzill Basics cardstock
Colorbox ink
Hero Arts / Basic Grey stencil
Leaky Shed Studio chipboard
Liquitex modeling paste
Petaloo flowers
Prima mistsQueen and Co. blingRanger ink
Sizzix die
The Paper Studio embossing folder

  I always appreciate your comments. See you next time! 

You'll Always Be Mine

Here is my latest creation for the CSI Design Team. It is about a recent trip my daughter took to California. 

Over at CSI this week is a challenge with beautiful colors and a sketch by Emma Straface to help you ease back into scrapbooking after the busy holiday season. Our sponsor for January is a2z Scrapbooking! Be sure to check out their website. 

When our two grown children were little, we took them to Disneyland as part of a vacation to "The Golden State". All four of us remember that trip with great fondness. When Elizabeth traveled to California on a business trip recently, she decided to go to Disneyland during her off hours. 

The journaling says, " Dear Mickey, I tried to call you but your number had changed. Then I wrote you a letter and it came back, "return to sender"
So, I had to come out to Disneyland to see for myself! Love, Liz" I guess you're never too old for Disney!

Products used:

Bazzil Basics cardstock
Cratepaper chipboard pieces, epherema and heart       rhinestone
Kaisercraft paper
Liquitex modeling paste
Prima paper and template
From my stash: 
     string and sequins

Thanks for taking a peek....I always appreciate your comments!