PageMaps Sketch Contest

So I happened to stumble on the blog of paremaps - One of my fav places to get sketch ideas for layouts - they are awesome! - And they are having a challenge based on a REALLY cute sketch.
Both are below...
The picture was from this past Saturday - Yep Sammy got 8-9 inches cut off - but is still as cute as ever!!

Project Life

So I am getting a late start on this one - but I am hoping it will be easy to catch up - only Feb right? 
I was atually inspired by my good friend Karen - she scraps the year all at once, and I could never remember to keep stuff that long - so I am thinking once a week or few times a month to catch some of the bigger milestones??? 

If you are not familiar PL was created by Becky Higgins - she packs everything you need in a kit and what is great is that each page is divided - you can just slip in the photo and or add a journal card, etc... totally customizable but simple... everything color coordinates - I got the turquoise version.  I willlet you know how simple it is -
should be here next week - yay!!

Resist Distress Sample

My creative Classroom has a free class - Everyday Moodlings - check it out here...
For the next few months she is exploring embossing.
Here is my sample below - with the steps.  Hope they are easy to follow!

It's so simple.  And it is on Tim Holtz blog under the 12 tas of Christmas 2010 if you want to see another step by step...
I hope this helps...Bear with me - I tried to really simplify it...

1st select your paper and stamps... I like doing this on pattern paper - you will see why in a bit... but plain works too.  (also stamps with thin lines - you dont see the resist as much - so I use this with solid pictures or thicker letters)
 

Next I stamp my pic using versa mark watermark ink.

Then I cover the paper where it is stamped with clear embossing powder.

Next break out the heat tool and heat the stamped image until it is shiny

(some people like the shine and stop - but I like adding the distress inks to it - after I apply the distress ink over and around the image - It really makes it pop and you save the pattern underneath.)

.The image below is after I added drops of water around it and heat dried it -
If you are a tim holtz fan - you probly have tried this one before - I love how it looks...
 

 If you have any questions - email me!!

I CANT WAIT!!!!!

You have to take a gander at 2 blogs I have been following - the product comming out soon is amazing.
(I am sure there are more blogs I should find - or will find - these happen to be two of my favorites..)
tim holtz (no suprise there) He is so talented and he is sneak peaking some of his new dies and such... while you are there you still need to check out the tags and techniques he did last year - wow!!
http://www.timholtz.typepad.com/

And Graphic45 - the paper people - they are just making amazing paper this next season - I can not get overit - checjk out this sample - wouldnt that make the best banner???  so much fun!!  but there is more - this is from a few days ago... check them out,  (OMG - you have to see the stamps that match too!)

http://g45papers.typepad.com/

"Bohemian Floral"

"Greatest Show on Earth"

Catching up on Posts

Here are a few things I have been working on - Sorry for the delay in posting - I have been having some technical errors...

1st is a banner I made for Sammy and 1 for her friend Morgan (Morgan has one of the best moms ever and Sammy and Morgan spent about 3 consecutive days going back and forth from our house and Morgans over Christmas break - the girls helped with the folding and picking out of their colors of course!)

Paper is from Hobby Lobby - safari I think itis called "The paper Studio".  There is lots of glitter and glitter stickers -
just a fun banner for her.

This next is something I created before Turkey day - We are big Black riday Shoppers and were in need of a planner for our holiday shopping lists - gotta check them twice (or more, if you are old like me...).
there are many tabbed sections for lists, grab bags, do not forget, etc..., pockets for receipts, and extra pages for notes.  I made one for mom and 1 for sis-in-law... here is a small sneak of mine.

 (Ok more techie errors - maybe I will get pics up at another time)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I have a week off - and I have been so excited to work on something new.  I have been stalking the simon says stamp blog and challenges for a while now - and I am really excited to enter my first ever online challenge.  Simon Says Stamp & Show holds weekly challenges (this time over Christmas it is 2 weeks) and it is a "Something from Yesteryear" theme.  How fun...  I love making banners for my front window, so here is my vintage "Believe" banner.  I hope you like it... Merry Christmas everyone.

12 Days of Christmas

So many websites are doing fun things for Christmas - If you own a cricut and if you have not checed our Sure Cuts a Lot yet - well shame, shame....
Now's your time.... and why not try to win a copy for free!!
http://svgcuts.com/blog/?p=7798

Check it OUT!