A Year in Review

I've decided to join other bloggers who are doing a year in review of favorite projects/layouts/etc. for 2011.
The projects I've chosen are in no particular order! Here are my favorite 11 from 2011....

Last Card

This is my last card for the Cardabilities design team. I've enjoyed being on the team and using Karan's beautiful sketches!

Gecko Galz and Paper Issues

The theme at Paper Issues right now is Numbers. I made this birthday calendar using Gecko Galz papers, GG images and Thickers for the months and numbers. I also used the 7 Gypsies photo holder for this project. As our family grows, I need a monthly reminder so I don't forget birthdays!

Happy Holidays!

Wishing all my friends joyful holidays! These are some vintage postcards I want to share.

Special Day

Dec. 17 is a special day for me - it was my parents' anniversary. This is a layout with a photo of them young and in love - they were married 40+ years.

Christmas is coming....

and so is the end of my dt term at Cardabilities. Karan's sketches are so pretty - if you ever need a good card sketch, check out the blog!
This is my take on sketch # 45. Zip on over to Cardabilities and check out the super cards from the rest of the dt!!!

Sketch #44

Here is the card I created for sketch #44. Check out what the rest of the design team did at Cardabilities.

Christmas mini book

I made this mini book for my DT gallery on Gecko Galz. I love using these vintage Christmas images - you can purchase them already printed (cardstock copy) or as a digi file (which is what I do). This photo shows the cover of my book. I've used images from two collections: St. Nicholas & Vintage Christmas. The background paper is from the Christmas Past collection.

Sketch #43

The new sketch is up at Cardabilities and it's a fun one!!! This is my take on the sketch. Check out what the rest of the design team created - you'll love their cards!!

Discovered in Geneva, OH

The sidewalks in Geneva have grapes and leaves carved into the cement. Geneva is on Lake Erie and there are lots of vineyards and wineries there. This particular carving was near the "smallest covered bridge in Ohio". And it was small - just about a car length!

Snow Day @ Paper Issues!

Halloween is over and it's time to think about snow! The theme at Paper Issues right now is Snow Day, so link up with a snowy project of your own!
I am posting this layout for the PI theme, even though I've already had it on my blog before. I love this page of my daughter!!

Cardabilities - new sketch

The new sketch is up at Cardabilities - come visit us, see the great examples the design team did and use the sketch to link up a card of your own!!!
Here's mine:

Gecko Galz Tricks and Treats Blog Hop

Last week was the Gecko Galz blog hop. It was a lot of fun and these are the samples that I made for the hop.

I really enjoyed using the beautiful ladies from my collage sheet! I cut out the lady on this card and added bits and bobs that I had, such as the blue velvet trim, leaf and paper crown with added rhinestones.


I love using images from Gecko Galz to make ATC's! For this ATC, I cut out the lady, used Words and Music ATC paper (Gecko Galz) for the background, added pink German scrap wings, metal stars and German scrap border.


I like how the image of the lady with the umbrella goes with the theme of my scrapbook page about my daughter's rain boots. The black background paper is from September's Gothica papers (by Gecko Galz).


I added some snowflake paper, red ribbon and trim to this pretty lady to make a Christmas card. The words "Joyeux Noel" are printed on the image.


I bought this box with a herringbone pattern already painted on it. I decorated it by adding a doily, some Prima pearls, a feather, clock charm, button and a lovely Gecko Galz lady image to the lid and now have a pretty place to keep special treasures.


Come Visit us at
Gecko Galz

Steampunk

I tried my hand at a piece of Steampunk art and found that I really had fun making this!! I just love the images from Gecko Galz!
I used the October digi images (the large hand and the man - isn't he great?!!!). The background paper is from October's Words and Music pages. The hot air balloon, bird and the man driving the car are from Gecko Galz steampunk collage sheets.
I also added some brads, Tim Holtz gears and rub ons from Fancy Pants and 7 Gypsies.
Visit Gecko Galz to get your own steampunk images and Words and Music papers.

Cardabilities - new sketch

The new sketch is up at Cardabilities and it's the first for the new design team. My take on the sketch is above. I loved this sketch and all the upcoming ones too!!! Please check out Cardabilities and see the wonderful cards from the rest of the design team!!

Flashback to...

.... the very first scrapbooking crop I ever went to. Now mind you, this was many years ago. I had no idea what to take with me, not much knowledge about scrapbooking in general and as a result, found myself sitting at a table with nothing to do.
There was a die cutting machine available to use - the old Big Red Sizzix - and so I found myself happily cutting. I decided to make tags and that's what I did most of the weekend.
I put the tags into this small book, cleverly titled Tags, lol. The tags are very simple and over the years I've thought about throwing this book away. However, I'm glad I kept it and I think I will add some new tags to it. I know that my style has changed a lot since that first crop!
Link up over at Flashback Friday - the challenge is the first tag you ever made.

Halloween all month long

At Paper Issues, we are celebrating Halloween the whole month of October!!! Join the fun and link up your Halloween projects!!
I made this 7 Gypsies tray using lots of stuff from my stash.

New at Amy Mattes Designs...

are these cute Halloween graphics!!! Love them!
I used BG papers for the background and strips and cut the haunted house, banner pieces and journaling block from Chocolate Sundae
at Amy Mattes Designs. I really like the bright pop of color the banner pieces add!!

Blog hop winner is...

kscraps1 !! Congrats!!!
Kelly, please email me at Collectitall676@aol.com with your full name and mailing address and I will mail your prize right out!!!

I'm so Excited....

I made the Cardabilities design team!!!
There are designers from all over the world on the team! Our term starts in October, the sketches are fantastic and I can hardly wait!!

Paper Issues blog hop is over...

It was lots of fun and inspiration, but the Paper Issues blog hop is officially over. The giveaways are closed and winners will be announced soon. Thanks for joining the design team on the hop!!!!

Another "Tree Hugger" layout

This page was done back in March, but never got posted. It fits with the new theme up at Paper Issues. This is a page featuring my great-nephew, Rocco, who loves to be outside!!

Paper Issues Blog Hop

Welcome to the Paper Issues Blog Hop!!
The theme for the hop is "Tree Hugger".
My layout is of my daughter at the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, Ohio. Isn't the candy gnome just the cutest?!! This is one of my favorite photos!
Supplies used: Doodlebug cardstock & surprise die cut, Stampin' Up paper, banner & flowers (made from vintage fabric circles) from Amy Mattes Designs


For a chance to win my Fall themed RAK, please leave a comment and become a follower. RAK winners will be posted on the PI blog on Monday, Sept. 29.

Continue hopping to Tiffany and have fun!!!
Also, check out the PI Etsy store and see all the wonderful items for sale!!

Remembering...

You can download your own poster here: http://eyecandyeventdetails.blogspot.com

Learning Curve

The new challenge up at Paper Issues is called "Learning Curve". This is my interpretation of the challenge - my sister learning how to make noodles from my grandmother.

Ridin' the Rails

Milo's first train ride - a small red train at the zoo and he loved it!!!
I used vintage train tags from Amy Mattes Designs on this layout. I printed them out on patterned paper, cut out the blue edged one and popped it up.
I punched a section of a tag and used it near the title.
Visit a boys life and get these tags for yourself. You'll love them!!
(They also come with red and yellow edges).

Snow, anyone????

Well, I will take snow over this heat and high humidity any day!!!
Actually, I found this photo while sorting pictures and I just received some new dies, so... My new dies are from Cheery Lynn Designs and are just gorgeous!
I got 6 doily dies, cut out three from the English Tea Party and one from the Canadian Kaleidoscope, and then decided to use them on this layout to give the illusion of snowflakes.
I am so glad to have found these dies!!! I love to use doilies on my layouts, but there is no variety in the stores - all white, all the same pattern. I'm so excited that now I can cut different shapes in different colors!!!!
BTW, these dies cut so beautifully, that I placed another order today for more designs!!!!!

At the Beach

I love this layout I did of Rocco on the beach in Cancun! I especially love the car digi stamp I used!!
I printed it out on some older paper I had in my stash. The digi stamp is from GeckoGalz
Check out the wonderful vintage images and digi stamps at Gecko Galz.

New layout

Today is my first post on the Amy Mattes Designs blog.
This layout of my great-niece, Aria Rose, uses the scalloped banner printables from Amy's etsy shop, Chocolate Sundae.
I used a scallop punch to add a white border, taped the circles in half, laid them out in my banner pattern and then pop dotted them up. I added rhinestones between and baker's twine at the ends.
I also used BoBunny cardstock and JilliBean paper.

Paper Issues - Sweet!!!

There's a new theme up at Paper Issues - check it out!!
"Life is Sweet"
Interpretation is up to you.
We want to see what you got!
Cards, Layouts, Altered Items...Anything!
If you used paper, you are in.
You can link as many projects as you want.
Link to your post, not to the main URL of your blog.
You have until July 30 to link up!

I made this owl card -
"Guess Whoo?" on the front of the card.
The inside says, "Thinks you're sweet - Me!"

Happy 4th of July!!!!!!!

I just love this holiday!! I love fireworks, picnics and the colors - red, white and blue - one of my favorite combos!!
I used Gecko Galz products to create this card and am planning on doing some scrapbook pages later this week. I think Gecko Galz background papers are just perfect for this holiday and their images are darling!!
Visit Gecko Galz to order your own 4th of July images and papers. ( I used the Liberty 8 x 10 paper pack digital and the star spangled digital collage set).
Have a safe and happy 4th of July!!!!

Paper Issues

Yes, it's true, I made the Paper Issues Design Team!!!! It's a great blog - chock full of projects, with 4th of July ideas being featured now.
You can also find Paper Issues on Facebook! Come join the fun!!!!

4th of July

One of my favorite holidays is 4th of July!! I love everything about it - fireworks, a picnic at my sister's and the colors: red, white and blue is one of my favorite combos! I'm posting a few patriotic projects of mine.