More GA Circle Journal Goodness!

Oh, how I love Gauche Alchemy! I am still so glad that I stumbled upon them while visiting Callista's site - especially since I am part of GA's circle journal group! I have done several posts about the circle journal, including making mine and altering Callista's. This time I got to work on a journal that had listening and dancing as a theme, which was totally fun! I do want to say a big thank you to Maggie though. She is who I mail off to every month and this month I am definitely late! I am still playing catch up due to everything that happened in November - mom going into the hospital, family getting sick, me getting sick, going to a convention for work, and everything else that seemed to happen. Please forgive me girl!

So, this is definitely not my usual scrappy style, but that is what I love about GA! I feel challenged to step outside of my box and not be afraid to do anything because I know I won't be judged negatively. That is definitely freeing...especially artistically speaking. So I really branched out here and did several things I don't normally do like using drywall plaster (yep, i really did!) and a masking technique, as well doing a transparent page.

The first page features some punk music greats such as the Sex Pistols and Patti Smith. I wanted to add in The Ramones and The Clash, but just didn't have enough room on the page. As I said earlier I used some plaster on the background page and then covered it in some acrylic paint. I used DCWV & Bazzill cardstock for the mats and the crinkly, slightly sparkly, yellowish square I got from Joyce, who is also in this CJ group with me! I loved its look and feel and she totally has to let me know how she made the piece! The chipboard letters are by K&Co. and I painted a couple coats of white acrylic on them and while they were still wet, I pressed some glitter embossing powder on them. I sprayed them with good old hairspray to set the glitter. The mask is just various letters I cut with my Cricut (OA, George, Mini Monograms) and used red acrylic paint over top of them. The other letters I trimmed out of my Sunday circular.

The second page is obviously dedicated to Elvis and all his rockin' moves! I used SU cardstock for the mats and the rub ons are by DCWV, ColorBok, and American Tradition Designs. The little rhinestone flowers are by Petaloo, I believe. The flower is one I made a while back using scraps of paper around my craft room, some Stickles, distressing ink, buttons and thread. Super easy and super fun to make too!

I have really enjoyed stepping outside of my creative comfort zone and really exploring my mixed media art side. I have already received the next journal and can't wait to get started on it so that yes, I can make sure it gets out on time to the fabulous Maggie at the first of December! I also should be back with another post tomorrow as I should have some cards to show you that I have been working on for The Lime Light DT. Like I said earlier, I am still playing catch up from last month but it looks like I won't be behind much longer! Yay! Happy Scrapping!


"A Proud member of The Lime Light. Click on over to see what we are doing."

Gauche Alchemy Circle Journal

Another last minute completion for me tonight! I just finished the outer back cover for my vintage circle journal I am doing over at Gauche Alchemy. We put them in the mail tomorrow and I am so excited about this fun little adventure!

I posted the front cover previously on my blog and have now finished altering the vintage book of my grandmother's. I bound the covers using some of the antique rings from Making Memories Vintage Inspiration line. I used some of my fav ribbon in my stash such as several types of crushed velvet from Basic Grey, as well as some grey sheer organza type ribbon, Making Memories and some from Michael's.

On the inside front cover I used a Seven Gypsies library pocket and tag, paper by K&Co., the pearl ribbon is by Offray, the birds are a Studio G stamp that I inked with Staz On and then glazed with Aileen's Tacky Glue. I used coffee ink by StampCraft for distressing and the smaller stamps such as the clock, wings, hand, etc. are all by Making Memories. On the inside back cover I used some Basic Grey ribbon, buttons from my stash, paper by The Paper Studio, SU stamps, and made the flower by hand using an old page from the book, a stamp, an adhesive pearl and again glazing it.

The back cover is a collage of some various postage labels from some mail I received from a pal in England. The paper is by K&Co. and I just love it. The cameo is a printable from The Graphics Fairy that I colored with my watercolor pencils.

I have just loved stepping outside of my comfort zone by creating this project! And, the best part is that all the product came from my stash - a challenge unto itself! I absolutely love Gauche Alchemy and so glad I found the site! If you get a chance, stop on by over there for some terrific inspiration and fabulous mixed media projects. I am so excited to start on this little adventure and look forward to doing a different page in everyone's journal for the rest of the year! My little journal will see more places in its lifetime than I have! Which is why I have the pocket on the inside of the back cover...for everyone to sign, date, and include a little something if they wish to do so! The inside front cover pocket and card are for me to journal on later about the year of adventures my little journal encountered! Can't wait to share all the pages as they are created! Happy Scrapping!

"A Proud member of The Lime Light. Click on over to see what we are doing."

Circle Journal Cover - Altered Vintage Book

This was a project I completed over the weekend. I am still in the middle of my scrapblock but hoping to get my mojo going again soon! This is the cover of a circle journal I am doing over at Gauche Alchemy. I altered one of my grandmother's antique books as I am really getting into the vintage stuff right now. There are so many projects that it is perfect for and I love the look, too!

I got the idea for the altered book from Beth over at Dirty Laundry. She is amazing and I love her style! Girl totally works it out! I still have quite a bit I want to do for it and am hoping to get my mojo going soon so I can finish it before we start shipping our journals out to each other. Most of the products on the cover are from Making Memories Vintage Inspirations line. It is absolutely fantastic and if you haven't seen it yet, you have got to check it out. Awesome, awesome product! The paper is Daisy D's & I distressed the edges, and the sheet music paper is from The Paper Studio. The envie stack and stamp are diecuts from my stash, and the buttons and cameo are actually stickers from my stash too. I just put them on some chipboard, cut them out, and inked them for better dimension. The handwriting in the upper right corner that I framed is actually my grandmother's; it is her initials that she wrote inside the book. I just had to have that little piece of her on the cover. The title of my altered vintage journal is "the random musings of an imperfect feminist."

As I get it bound and the rest of it done, I will get that posted as well. In the meantime, hop on over to Gauche Alchemy and Dirty Laundry if you get a chance. You will definitely be inspired!

"A Proud member of The Lime Light. Click on over to see what we are doing!

Goodies for Me!!

It arrived and I am so excited! Cindy, aka snoflake on the Cricut MB, sent me my Valentine Paint Can for the swap we participated in together. Not only was it absolutely the cutest can ever, as you can see in the photos, but was filled to the brim with all sorts of goodies!

Not only did she send me some of fav items, she also sent me some embellies I have never seen at my local stores. Plus, she sent me the absolute cutest Valentine socks, yummy lip balm and scrumptious smelling body butter! Also inside the can was the most gorgeous friendship card and an adorably wrapped candy bar!! She is so sweet, so kind and so talented. I am so blessed to call her my friend! Thanks, Cindy!!

Valentines Paint Can Swap

I can finally post the finished Valentine's paint can I did for Cindy since she received it! Sometimes the USPS takes so long!! I was so anxious for her to get it and am happy to say that she loved not only the can, but all the goodies inside too! Now, I can't wait for mine either and she said it is on its way. So, as soon as I get mine I will post some pics for you here too!

For the paint can I used the Beyond Birthdays Cricut cart for the title and the coffee mug. I used Swiss dots to emboss the title and I also used Home Accents to cut the swirls around the can, as well as the butterflys on the back. The quote is a rub-on and the paper is from a stack my sis-n-law got me for birthday last year. I know it came from Wal-Mart and was great paper, I just can' remember who made it! I also used tulle on the paint can handle. On the lid I glued clear skittles around the edges and then used several carts to cut the hearts for the tree - I believe I used George, Paper Pups, and Beyond Birthdays. Thanks for looking!

Happy Scrapping!

A Little Sneak Peak!

Here is a sneak peak of something that I have been very busy working on lately! I have actually been a busy little craftin' bee lately! Also swamped at home and work, too, but hey, who is not swamped these days!

This is a gift for Cindy, whom I am partnered with in a Valentine Paint Can swap on the Cricut MB. It is one of MANY things included inside her paint can. I just finished her can the other day, but can't quite post it yet! I absolutely love how it turned out and hope she does too. But, I needed to post so I thought I would give a little sneak peak for everyone!

As you can tell, this is a candy bar wrapper I made. Used my Cricut & Cuttlebug for the hearts, a chipboard button heart from DCWV, some Bazzill thread, generic button, and a little ribbon from American Crafts. Paper and stickers are from Target. Making some of these for each one of my son's teachers for Valentines Day, too!

Will soon have a lot to post. Been working on the new challenge for Whimsical Scraps & Bugs, as well as a very special layout and some cards. Whew! Like I said, very busy! LOL

Check back soon to see all that I have been up to! Happy Scrapping!!

2009 Calendar Swap Cover

This is a cover for a calendar swap I am in on the Cricut MB. I had a rough time trying to decide what to do and this is the end result. Not my fav work, but I like it okay.

I used a variety of papers for it including My Mind's Eye and Cloud Nine Designs. I also used stickles, skittles, ribbon, buttons, and the flowers are from some patterned paper I purchased and cut them out. For the numbers I used Making Memories paper and the Opposites Attract Cricut cartridge. I also used a friend definition stamp at the bottom of the page.

I wanted this cover to serve a dual purpose so that when the swappers are finished with the calendar next year, they can use it as a LO in their scrapbooks if they wish - which is why I included the photo mat! I hope everyone in the swap likes it!!

Happy Scrapping!

Christmas Paint Can Swap

I am always involved in swaps over on the Cricut MB and this one was so much fun. Similar to the Fall Can Swap I did, this was a Christmas Can Swap to send out to your can partner filled with scrapbooking goodies. I hope my can sister likes it as it goes in the mail Friday!!!

For the can I used the Beyond Birthdays Cricut cartridge, as well as the Opposites Attract cartridge. I also used the Divine Swirls Cuttlebug folder on the dove. For the top of the can, I used a Stampin' Up Christmas stamp that I cut out and used pop dots on. I also used pop dots on the dove embellishment too. Stickles are on the top of the can as well as on the top of the candle in the word, "Christmas." A ribbon on top finishes it off!

The small card that is attached to the can was made using the George cartridge template and I used Stampin' Up stamps for the outside Santa and the card sentiment, as well as stickles on Santa's hat.

Happy Scrapping!

Simple Season's Greetings LO

I am in a swap over on the Cricut MB that is a pick your theme swap. You get to decide what level and what theme you would like to do, and then make the coordinating 2-page LO. I decided to do the beginner level for the swap because I have not had a lot of time to spend on my scrapping lately and wanted to do something a bit simpler with all the other swaps I am in. And besides, sometimes simple is better! You get to accomplish more and your photos take the focus on the page and not all the elements.

Anyway, for this LO (which I hope my swap partners like!) I used the Cricut Beyond Birthdays cartridge for the title and the star embellishments, as well as George for the tag shape on the facing page. All the paper is by Cloud Nine Designs and the ribbon I picked up at Michael's.

I am really starting to get into the holiday spirit with all the Christmas swapping going on over at the MB! Plus, Cindy's idea for our latest blog challenge at www.whimsicalscrapsandbugs.blogspot.com was a terrific holiday project too! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

Happy Scrapping!

Strawberry Shortcake Recipe Layout

We do so many recipe swaps over on the Cricut Message Board and it is always so much fun! We always have new participants who have never created a recipe LO before or others who need ideas. This is the first one I ever did. Participating in a recipe swap is such a great way to meet new people, share ideas, and get great recipes to try. I used the Cricut Opposites Attract cartridge for the title, and I believe I used George for the heart, as well as silk flowers and skittles. Happy Scrapping!

Trick or Treat Candy Gift Box

I made this little Trick or Treat gift box for Cindy as well. I used an old Godiva Truffles box that I had saved. No Cricut or Cuttlebug here - just good old paper, glitter chipboard, ribbon, stickers, and dimensional paint! I also wrapped the Hershey's Nuggets inside the box with patterned paper.

Additional Fall Blessings Paint Can Photos

Here are two more views of the can: a close up of the tree, on which I used the Cuttlebug folders to emboss and then inked over the embossing; and also a view of the can from the top.

Fall Blessings Paint Can

I did this can for a Fall Paint Can Swap I was in on the Cricut MB. My friend, Cindy, was my can sister and I had so much fun decorating it for her - as well as buying all the fun goodies to stuff in side! I used a variety of items on the can, but the Cricut cartridges I used were Paper Pups, Opposites Attract, and Beyond Birthdays. I also used my Cuttlebug and the folders Swiss Dots and Divine Swirls.