i have a project featured on the Clearsnap website this month!
it is a scrapbook page entitled “fashionistas” and was designed around a great vintage photo of my aunt and two friends.
the layout uses ColorBox® Graphic45 Decades Dye Inks and G45 stamps from Hampton Art as well as some trinkets from my vintage stash. if you are a G45 paper lover, you are going to LOVE the Decades Dye Inks as they are made to match some of the major colors in G45 papers!
here is a snippet of the layout…
my very stylish aunt ruby is on the right.
you can see the whole layout and get the instructions and supply list for it here: FASHIONISTAS SCRAPBOOK PAGE
now back to work! i have to get ready for my “by the sea” classes this saturday!
oh’ please stop back by on monday, july 7, Clearsnap is having a hop with it’s CT to show off the NEW! summer releases! LOTS of projects with LOTS of new goodies!
my monthly design team project just posted on the CLEARSNAP BLOG…
it’s an everyday card that you could send to a friend just because. i used Stephanie Barnard ColorBox Premium Dye Inks like watercolors to fill in the sassy lady design – stamp by Hampton Art. if you’d like the supply list or directions, just head on over to the blog and check them out!
i’ve been busy finishing up the sample for the second christmas-themed book in my series of altered books…
i’d received numerous requests to do another christmas book by those who missed out on the first book or who wanted to do another christmas book – so i HOPE all of you who asked for this class, like the design and will SIGN UP! LOL!
a date has not yet been set, but i’ll be adding that info to my blog and sending out an e-mail as soon as its available.
here’s a quick look at some of the design elements…
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i added a lot of new and different elements to this book, so if you have taken one or more of my altered book classes, you’ll be able to build onto your repertoire of tricks and techniques in creating your own altered books.
there are lots of little pockets and flaps to slip little notes and such in; wish lists, shopping lists, receipts – things that might be fun to look back on after a few years. and of course there are places for christmas photos – under the tree, christmas morning, visits with santa, christmas decorations – all would be great.
the papers used are all from Graphic 45’s new Christmas Emporium line. also used are lots of Clearsnap products: Smooch Spritz, Smooch Accent Ink, Chalk Inks and Fairy Dust Glitter. stamps and inks are from Hampton Art, the matching G45 Christmas Emporium Cling Stamps and the brand new ColorBox Decades Antiquing Inks.
and LOTS, and LOTS of vintage and not-so-vintage goodies from my stash! baker’s twine, velvet flowers and leaves, ribbons, pine brances, garland, mini ornaments, tiny bells and safety pins, holly and MORE!
i’d like to share my montly design team project for the CLEARSNAP BLOG with you…
I love school supplies, well, now I call them “office” supplies, but it’s the same thing: notebook paper, pens, paper clips, staplers, hole punches, and all the other little doo-dads you can find at the office supply stores. I also collect vintage supplies, those are my favorites!
So, when Hampton Art released their new stamp sets for Graphic 45’s ABC Primer collection, I just had to have them. My son’s 4th grade school photos gave me the perfect chance to use them. But the photo was a little on the “bright” side to say the least, so it was a bit of a challenge to bring in the vintage touches I like but balance them with the crisp, primary colors in the photo.
The first thing I reached for was my ColorBox Premium Dye Inks by Stephanie Barnard; they are bright, vivid and clear and would work well with the colors in the photo. The next things I gathered up were some school themed stamps; including the ABC Primer stamps. Black and kraft cardstocks would serve as a base; black to set off the photo and kraft to lend a vintage feel. Then I found a few patterned papers that would fit in with the layout. For embellishments, I noticed that some felt flowers by Epiphany Crafts matched perfectly with the background color of the photo. Baker’s twine in red and brown worked with the theme and colors as well.
Here’s how all these supplies came together…
The colors coordinate with the photo, but their style along with the stamps used, embellishment choices and the distressing, make it a little vintage too.
here are a few closeups of all the little details…
If you’d like all the directions on how you can create this layout yourself, just hop on over to the CLEARSNAP BLOG!
thanks for letting me share this project with you!
This project is very special to me because it celebrates the life of my Grandmother, Merle Virginia focusing on my favorite picture of her, which was taken in the early 1920’s.
My Gram lived to be 101 years old and held on to her wish to be able to stay in her own home til the end, she was one tough lady.
She used to tell me stories about her mother playing the organ and piano to accompany the silent movies in the theatre, so that was the inspiration for the piece.
This altered frame incorporates papers from Graphic 45, stamps and Spritz Screens from Hampton Arts featuring G45 designs and LOTS of Clearsnap products. Also included are bits and pieces of vintage “junque” that I have accumulated through trips to flea markets and estate sales.
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The base of the project is an MDF frame which was flat on the front and resembled a shadowbox on the back. I thought the back was much more interesting than the front, so I used the backside of the frame to build this piece.
If you have someone who is close to your heart that you would like to honor with a similar project, here are s few tips:
start by listing things that were unique to them
gather memorabilia, cards or letters, and vintage bits that relate to them
decide on a color scheme and gather papers, inks and embellishments in those colors
select stamps to use as backgrounds and accents that will compliment your project
CREATE!
The “create” part should be the enjoyable part, give yourself permission to play and experiment. Relax and let the memories of your special someone inspire you.
Here is a list of Clearsnap products that were used to create my project:
Smooch Spritz: Log Cabin, Gold Glow, Caramel Latte, Tea Party and Vanilla Shimmer
i FINALLY have something so show you on the circus-themed altered book class that is scheduled for April 23rd at Stamp Antonio!
although i LOVED the papers, the subject of “circus” had me a bit stumped; i just couldn’t seem to wrap my head around it. i didn’t really think that crafters would want to create this book just to display photos of trips to the circus, although it could be used for that. my altered books usually have a definite use and purpose, practical whimsy i guess you could say. but “circus” was a topic that didn’t seem the least bit “practical”.
but, after much thought and contemplation {which requires just a FEW more brain cells than “thought”}, i finally had that AHAH! moment… my life was particularly chaotic one day, and i said to myself… “ my life is a CIRCUS!”, and there was my idea and inspiration. create an altered book that documents the three ring circus that is life!
once i had the concept in tow, the design flowed a lot quicker. i am going to add “circus” quotes to the book that deal with real life. i think it will be a fun way to “express our STRESS”! LOL!
photos can be added of REAL life events or scenes… i’m picturing kids making messes, laundry stacked up undone, maybe a to do list with dozens of things on it and nothing crossed off – i think you get the idea, all the things that make YOUR life a CIRCUS! i am hoping you will like the concept.
i should have the sample COMPLETELY done this weekend and IN Stamp Antonio by Tuesday. i was HOPING to have to done in time to take it in today, as i have classes scheduled, but i still have some parts to complete and little goodies to add.
in the meantime, since the class is only TWO weeks away, i thought i’d go ahead and give you a little teaser…
i’ll send out another e-mail with more photos when the book is all done.
please keep in mind that the photo just shows some snippets and nothing is complete yet – not even the cover. but i figured something was better thank nothing. i’ll post again once the sample is done with more photos.
the space for this class is VERY limited – about half the size of my other altered book classes – due to supplies on hand, so if you are interested, please sign up QUICKLY!
yes, it’s true… this morning saw the launching of a brand new, oh so exciting youtube video by your’s truly! LOL!
i can ASSURE you that making a video was the LAST thing i thought i’d ever do. i don’t consider myself very TECH-savvy, so the thought of trying to record myself doing a demo without making a mistake, or trying to figure out how to edit out the mistakes was a little daunting. but my dh bought me a great laptap for my birthday, and the “Create” button with a “Movie” mode has been staring at me for awhile now. it made it look so easy, just a few quick steps — click here, cut there — and viola! it’s a movie! of course, NOTHING is that easy, cute little buttons or not, and i did run into several problems along the way. but, i’m proud to say that i was able to figure them out all by myself and upload my finished product to youtube!
i will warn you that it is not the most “polished” video around, i have a LOT to learn about filming, lighting and editing, but i didn’t think it was too bad for a first attempt.
