Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Embellished With Lots Of Love

. . . and with lots and lots of lovely embellishments. Is there a point where too much becomes great! I sure hope so, since that was my goal for this particular page. I was going for a gushy amount of love and sentiment. There are over fifty embellishments if you count each rhinestone, ribbon, paper, rub-on, silk flower, card, saying, brad, tulle, and metal do-dad that made it's way onto this page. OXOX



Scrapping is so much fun!!!!
Do you have a favorite over the top page you have done?


Friday, January 18, 2013

More Random Pages


I have some of the strangest people in my family. Could the strangeness be genetic?
I appreciated how the rub-ons I used actually fit the personality and theme of my pictures.
Chad is definitely an 'unforgettable' guy. Love him!

Sam is a mischievous little guy whom I am privileged to be his Grandma.
I smiled the whole time I was creating this page.  The varied patterns and colors
in this paper collection inspired the use of several extra details. I love using
multiple embellishments and techniques on one page. Here I was able to add die cutting,
flocking, epiphany bubble caps, rosettes, fibers, banners, metal, fussy cutting
and fan folding all on one cheerful lay out. On the back of the paper
I have noted the things Sam likes to do at this age.  

Jon is my oldest grandson. He has many awesome qualities
which I have documented on the reverse side of this fun layout.
 The bright designs and patterns match his bright personality.

This page was so much fun for me to do. It was one of those projects
 I had out for several days as the inspiration came and I played with the paper
 and tools on hand.  I love creating with paper and art mediums.  Here I used inks,
paint, glaze, mist, floss, brads, lace, die cuts and little pointy scissors. The creativity
and process makes me very happy. I absolutely LOVE playing with paper! 

What products inspire creativity in you? What tools and mediums make you happiest?
Share your link, I would love to see the masterpieces you are making!

Love Karen

Happy Colors!

How could I resist the adorably cute "Family Ties" paper collection from Pebbles? Well, I didn't resist. Plain and simple. I purchased several papers and the package of 'chips' and dashed home and made these two cards in about 15 minutes. Now all I need to do is write some happy sentiments and get them sent off in the mail. And I have the perfect shade of green envelopes to put them in. Now wouldn't that brighten your day to receive a cheerful note in the mail? It would mine!


I challenge you to take a few minutes today and write
something nice to a friend or family member.
 Let's see who's life we can brighten today. :)

Happy Thoughts! Love Karen

Pretty, Pretty Crate Paper

I just want to share really fast this beautiful card I designed using paper and cardstock embellishments from the 'Paper Heart' Crate Paper collection. Who will be the lucky recipient of this pretty card?


. . . and the inside is so sweet. I even left some space for a personal love note.

Smashing Good Times Link

http://deckerdorks.blogspot.com/2012/09/smashing-good-times.html click on this link to see some of our smashed pages. :)

I have two daughters who are 19 and 23 (Happy birthday today to Andi!). For years I tried to get them to share my love of scrapbooking with me. They successfully refrained from starting that hobby until SMASHING was reinvented. They are hooked now!!!!! I am so happy that my girls now share in my joy of collecting stickers, paper, embellishments and all that stuff. They now smash and they have both been very successful at sharing this form of scrapbook art with many of their friends. Best part is is that we can smash together!

Do you SMASH?

Gonna Send Some Love

The adorably cute and simple 'February' paper designed by Crate Paper inspired some Valentine card making at my house. I think the XOXO paper is very charming. Notice that I emphasised a few hugs and kisses with glitter? I would love to see what creative ways you find to use this February 14th collection.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Happy Anniversary Matt and Marissa

In honor of Matt and Marissa's first wedding anniversary I thought I should scrapbook some photos from their wedding day. The Paper Heart Collection by Crate Paper fit the photos wonderfully. I also used the border stickers from the same collection and Pebbles ABC stickers. This was a fun and easy page to do. The Crate Paper cardstock stickers were especially fun and I love the 'Love Meter' embellishment.



Notice the 'Love Meter'

On the steps of the Temple

Gotta have some bling!


Congratulations Matt and Marissa!
Happy Anniversary from Aunt Karen.

(Paddle) Boating With The Hunny

This page uses several of my favorite simple techniques. I usually pen the journaling freehand and I don't feel comfortable with paper crafting unless the edges are inked. Inking the edges of paper is like adding mascara and eyeliner to a face . . . the makeup isn't complete without it. I like bits of blurb on a page- it just helps tell the story and creates a more personal touch by evoking sentiment. I am happy with the little subtle elements I was able to add such as cut out and inked clouds on top of the background paper which already had clouds. A bit of scalloped velvet ribbon on top of paper the same color. Yellow gems attached to yellow paper, wavy journaling following the curves of ric-rac. A string of banners the same color as the sky they flutter against. The photo itself was taken by moi with my trusty Sony Cyber-shot. I have told myself that I don't deserve to upgrade my camera until I have learned to utilize the features my current camera offers. Maybe by the year 2015 I will have earned that upgrade.   

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Oh How I Love 2 Scrap!

Sing that to the tune of "I love to laugh".
I really truly do LOVE to scrap. Here are a few more pages which bring smiles to my face. Sure hope they evoke happy sentiments for you, too.


Amanda and Andi at our annual family Christmas Eve sledding.
Wonderful memories of a perfect day!


Colty and Amanda have been great friends their whole lives.
This double page lay out was made using some cute pirate stamps by Stampin' Up.

I am grateful for my beautiful girls.
They truly are beautiful from the inside out.
I am blessed to have them in my life.

This page was easy to create with so many fun elements to choose from.
If anyone recalls the name of this collection please let me know.
I think it is Little Yellow Bicycle. (the name will come to me, I know)  


Pages Past

1984
 What I used to create this page: An old Polaroid photograph of my three oldest boys. Adorable red, white, and blue papers, Epiphany banner punch, embroidery floss for the stitching and banner, my favorite Sizzix rosette die, Epiphany circle punch, white gel pen, and gems for some added sparkle.

I Treasure You
 Ingredients for this lay out: A 5x7 photo of one blessed mom sandwiched by two adorable girls, gorgeous papers, a beautiful chip board bird on a branch, some stitching, sheer ribbons pleated by staples, vintage looking papers edges cut from more gorgeous papers and edged with ink.

Chip
 I love this page because it focuses on Amanda's award winning oil painting. An orange pen was chosen for the hand journaling to compliment the beautiful elements of the orange glass and it's reflection in the other glass pieces. The black and white patterned papers add to the simplicity while still imposing some artsy style to the page.

Derek & Andi Wedding
 Such a simple, yet elegant page using a bit of grosgrain ribbon, some tulle, a doily, a button, a pink pearl, a gold staple, a rub-on element and a few scattered gems. Hand journaling, a smidgen of doodling and fussy cutting add to the charm of this romantic memory.

I Love You, Bruce
 I love when I finish a page and the message is exactly what I meant to say from the beginning.

Real Life Happiness
 This is truly a 'hand made' page. Chalking, inking, hand journaling and doodles, rub-ons, hand cut paper and photo. The important elements are from the heart.

What memories of the past do you have which always brings a smile to your face?

It's a good day to scrap!
Love Karen