CropChocolate Design Team June Layout

This month's theme is 'All About Me'. I needed that since this is the one person I rarely focus on in my pages. Here is my take shown on this two page layout. I decided to go with the musical notes and took liberty with the ME.

All papers and alphas are from Fancy Pants.  The music notes are Recollections and the flowers --I can't recall.

This is the base paper used and I tried to mimic the lines of a staff although they get buried under the photos. I used the Martha Stewart Crown border punch.

Next, I added the photos after matting them to white card embossed with the TH Music Texture Fade Folder.

Both of the larger photos are cards with space underneath for hidden journaling and/or personal photos. I die cut the center and turned it around and glued it back into place to add a decorative element. The butterflies and leaves are from Mrs. Elizabeth's line. One opens to the left and the other to the right.

The remaining elements were added. The 'All About' are Making Memories flat sticker alphas and I matted them to black to bring them out a bit. Wanted to use my white Thickers but had packed them away. 

These are photos of me over the years. Many taken at school and I never know quite what to do with the leftovers. Well, here they are!!! There are more small ones that will go inside the card...So how many looks can one person have? If you are judging by me....MANY!!! I love changing my look. The most recent photo is the one under the word Smart. It was taken in Feb/March of this year.


Thanks for stopping by. Remember to keep inking in the name of LOVE.
Until then.

CropChocolate Design Team May Layout

Hello everyone. I wanted to share with you the project I created for CropChocolate. I had purchased one of their Basic Grey grab bags and grabbed the Obscure Collection. Can I say that this is the one I did NOT want? I had to find a way to be creative with it and make the collection work for me. This is what resulted.

I started by preparing my photos and their mats. I cut using the largest label and then drew around the outside of the die to get the layering mat. I roughed up the edges and used Walnut Stain Distress ink.

Three different Martha Stewart punches were used to add accents to the layout.

This is what it looked like prior to adding in the torn black cardstock. All of the other paper is Basic Grey.

The photos were layered on top of the black. I used a white pen to add stitch lines around the bottom of the photos and to write the date.

The letters are also from the collection and I added dots to one side of them just for a little bit of pizazz since it was sitting on the black and looking a bit dull.

I used the arrow on the right with the dots on the opposite side to push your eye back to the finished design.

This was definitely work for me on this one. I wanted to only feature the collection. On that note Mission Possible and Accomplished. I was so jazzed that I pulled five more photos that I plan to use for 2 two-page layouts using Obscure. 


Until then.

CropChocolate Online Weekend Crop

As if there were not already enough chocolately goodness going on at CropChocolate.com, the deal has been sweetened by a weekend with fun filled challenges, games, and chatting with old friends and making new ones.

Here's the official announcement:

What could be better than spending a weekend creating with a group of friends plus chances to win awesome prizes? We can’t think of anything better than that, so CropChocolate.com will be hosting its first ever 48 hour Online Crop on Saturday and Sunday, November 6th and 7th, 2010! Here are some details:


WHO: This crop is for everyone–CropChocolate.com addicts, errr…I mean, regulars, the newly introduced, or those who have never even heard of the site until now. All you need to participate in the Online Crop and to be eligible for the prizes is to have an active CC account with a valid e-mail address.

WHAT: An Online Crop–It will be part shopping, part crafting, part challenges, and completely fun! We will be doing virtually what you would do at a physical crop…Getting together, since we cannot be in the same place, at least at the same time, to socialize and participate in some challenges, win some prizes, complete some projects (layouts, cards, altered items–you know finally use up some of those beautiful CC goodies you have been hoarding), and have some fun!

WHERE: On www.cropchocolate.com, of course! Spread the word! The main challenges will be featured on the main page of the site throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday in between some SWEET deals on the “treat” page! Worried that you missed a challenge? Don’t be! All you have to do is look under the “past deals” section of the website to see the previous challenges. There will also be some fun mini-games and activities going on under the Sweet Talk section of the website throughout the weekend, so make sure to stop by Sweet Talk and check them out too.

WHEN: The BIG dates to mark off on your calendar are Sat. & Sun., November 6-7, 2010! Can’t make it for the whole weekend? No worries! The main challenges will be posted beginning on Saturday November 6th at 10:00 AM on the main page and it will alternate a challenge, then a SWEET deal, then another challenge, etc. If you miss a challenge on the main page they are always accessible under the “past deals” section of the website. The deadline for the submission of projects to be considered for prizes for the challenges is MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8th, 2010 11:59 PM MST (CC time) unless an earlier deadline is stated. That is approximately 24 hours after the crop ends. The challenges will be posted between 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM on Saturday Nov 6th and 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM on Sunday Nov 7th.

WHY? Because we are sooo SWEET on YOU! CropChocolate.com has a strong and vibrant community and we want to share that community with more of our current and potential customers. We think YOU are what makes CropChocolate.com unique, and we like that.

Sweetly,
Megan Ann

If many of your tools and supplies are collecting dust like some of mine, now is a great time to get them out. Make sure you stop in and try some of the awesome challenges that will posted.

Fancy Pants Spooky Halloween Layout

Crop Chocolate and Halloween!!! One of my all time favorite holidays for which to go all out. Christmas is the FIRST. I guess I like the late summer early autumn days because they signal the end of summer and the beginning of Fall. Life renewing itself by going into a restful state. I told my son that if I don't get out soon with my camera, we will miss the changing of the leaves. Everything seems to be happening much faster. I am a Chocolatier and wanted to share with you the project I posted to Sweet Talk using the Fancy Pants Trick or Treat Paper Kit.

This picture did not come out as bright as I wanted, but I was also trying to avoid having light reflect from the pictures. The background paper is the Skulls sheet. I used the stars on the reverse.

I started out by creating the tree for the project. I drew this freehand and then used a Fiskars texture plate, Black Distress Ink and some of the Pebbles pearlescent chalks to bring it to life.

I cut the tree larger than I needed it to be so that it could be trimmed. Next time I think I will leave a bit more trunk width.

I used foam dots to lift the branches. The moon was stamped with a Foam Stamp from Martha Stewart. I used the Spiced Marmalade and Mustard Seed Distress Inks and clear embossing powder.

Again, blogger will not allow me to turn the photo.

I cut the frames using Spellbinder dies. Instead of using paper to mat the photos, I thought I would create a frame to go over the top. The sign was cut from one piece, I used the reverse solid side of the Candy Corn on which to stamp.

I will most likely incorporate the leftover pieces into a card or a companion layout.




Now on to the title. I cut one of the strips from the Trick or Treat Strips sheet. EEKS! was perfect.

 

I achieved this look by using Ranger's Glossy Accents and a variety of Martha Stewart Beads. They really make the page shimmer.

The border strip was created in sections using the Martha Stewart Pumpkin punch and emboss.

After stamping them, I used ink to bring out the embossing and glued them together. The hats and the black cat are from Spellbinders. The fall leaves are from a swap.

The bats are from a Making Memories Foam Stamp Set. I stamped onto the back of some American Crafts glossy paper, cut them out and used the scoreboard to create bones for the bat's wings.

The remaining embellishements were either from a swap or my stash. I used rhinestones on the spider's eyes and the cat's to make them just a wee bit spookier.

Hope you have a lot of fun getting ready for Halloween, for those who celebrate. I love driving by the homes and seeing what people have done. Did you know that Halloween is the most celebrated holiday and really brings in the big bucks? Kidding, I made that up. Seriously, it is true.

As you decorate and prepare, think of what might look a little more frightening with a bit of glitter, sparkle or even ink.

Until then.

Crop Chocolate Designs: Artsy Tag/Lady

It seems like I have Chocolate on the brain. If something must be there, Chocolate is not a bad thing, especially if it is CropChocolate.

This one is a project that I did not submit to

www.CropChocolate.com.  I was feeling a bit adventurous when I tried this project and had no idea where it was headed when I started, but I like where it arrived. I created two tags but this post focuses on the Lady.

As you can see this is some of the leftover cardstock from the Green Calendar project--5th Ave Sophia Harlequin. The lady is inked with the Radiant Rain Dauber.

This is how she looked once inked and embossed. I used a SeeD's swirl stamp to add some additional fun to the card.

I then used my

standard and scalloped Spellbinder 
rectangular dies to trim the Lady and the green backing piece.

After a bit of thinking I decided to stamp the green piece, and then realized the swirls would not be visible. So I edged the scallops with more of the Radiant Rain. I added a layer of foam dots to the back of the Lady and secured some Basic Grey fibers using a bit of scotch tape while allowing the extra bits to hang from the bottom and the top to form a loop.

I went back and inked the Lady card in green and added some embellishments: rhinestones and a glittered butterfly.

I again took the Flirty Alpha's that are quite bright, and gave them a wash with some Radiant Rain in Key Lime. Her quote simply says, Hi. Might go back and cut a green piece and then wash with the RR for a more cohesive look. Would provide a better contrast for the sentiment. I did go back and add a piece of green fiber to the card. Nice tag to hang from a cabinet or small knob.

Here she is in all of her splendor. I hope she brings a smile to your face. She certainly brings one to mine everytime I see her. The pose and the expression brings to mind an inner longing. I think of things that have been and things that could become--the past and the future merging as one.  I dream of limitless possibilites. Of course, each is delicately inked with love.
Until then.

Crop Chocolate Designs: Card

You know when I received the email from Crop Chocolate saying that I had a package on the way, I was thrilled; then I panicked. I thought what in the world will I create. After my box arrived I just stared at the contents for a few days until I bonded with the items. One by one they started to speak to me. My first project was this lovely card. I happened upon the quote by chance and the Granola heart was perfect for it. I love the natural look of the chipboard and it went well with the Noteworthy Hillary Lace paper that came in my kit. During the material gathering process, I selected some items that I thought would complement the chipboard.

I went into my stash and pulled the perfect color of textured Bazzill paper that I used for the card base. I rounded the edges and inked them with blue pigment ink and then embossed it using clear embossing ink. I then cut the
two remaining pieces of paper--pattern and the solid using Spellbinders curved rectangles. I inked all of the edges with brown pigment ink. The quote and it's layer were cut with Spellbinders  Labels 4 and did the same inking technique.

I stamped the quote using brown pigment ink and clear embossing powder. A quick blast with the heat gun and I was ready to begin assembling the card. As you can see from the photo, I narrowed my selection of embellishments. I decided not to add the fibers Basic Grey (Scarlet Letter).

I placed the solid green piece onto the base card and then layered the flowered piece on top. The final two pieces, the quote and the green die cut piece were assembled and then raised a bit on foam dots.

The Granola chipboard appears to frame the quote and guides your eye. The line is completed on the other side with the smaller embellishment. As a final touch I adhered various sizes and colors of Queen&Co pearls to the rounded end of each stalk. This card has a very organic feel to it and I like that.

It is hard for me to create a project that does not include stamping and inking. I took this one a step further and used my technique of embossing the inked edges. It adds umph without taking center stage.

Thanks again for stopping by and always continue to ink in the name of love.
Until then.

Crop Chocolate Designs: Masterpiece

I am sorry to say that I have been quite lazy as of late. Have several projects to video and post, but I have been catching up on my reading instead. Just finished Corpse Suzette. I will be back in the saddle soon. To ease my conscience I am sharing another of my designs for www.CropChocolate.com.

This posed the greatest challenge. I was using the papers that were sent in my kit and wanted to incorporate some of the fibers. After staring at it for a bit, I pulled out my stamps and some ink. I know, shocked aren't you? I cut down this 12x12 piece to create an 8x8 page. These polka dots are on back side of the 5th Avenue Sophia Harlequin paper used on the Green Calendar. The extra bits were used on another project. Waste not want not.

I used a small stamp to create a border around the polka paper. I tried to center each flower over one of the polka dots. Those flowers in the center were my test flowers. I knew the center would be covered by the photo. This gave me an idea of how the ink would react and how much pressure to use to get the look I desired.

The flowers from a glitter kit offered by CropChoc were used to add a border to the right. My own fine pee wee glitters were used on the transfers. I also cut a piece of Bazzill card (leftover from the Greeting Card) to use for my journaling and inked the edges in blue.

This is a photo of the glittered flowers and the quote added to the bottom of the page. It is a Heidi Swapp quote that I cut apart to make it work on my blue strip. My camera catches great detail, but the cut lines are not obvious to the naked eye.

I finished the flowers by adding a dot of liquid pearls to the center of each one. These small dots help each flower make an impact individually and collectively. You are also seeing a sneak peak of the Basic Grey fiber that was used. The color was perfect for the cardstock.

 

 When I created the mat for the photo using the Making Memories Kids collection Ethan Plaid, I inked the edges in blue. I then adhered the fiber and secured it with a glue dot.

The entire piece is raised on two sets of foam dots so that the journaling can be hidden behind the photo. When you are doing smaller pages with larger photos, it is sometimes difficult to find a place for the journaling.

 This is a nice close up of how all of the elements came together. I am not usually the subject of my scrapbook pages. Once I saw the colors of the papers, I knew I had the perfect photo.  Although the design is very simple, I am loving the non-cluttered look of the elements. Everything has texture, but it is soft and fitting for the photo. This one did not make the CropChoc page, but I am pleased with it. My journaling for this was about how I used myself as the focal point in a design and how freeing I felt after doing so.

My inking was kept to a minimum but, it is there nontheless. Each page for me does not have to be over the top. If I like it, then it is a winner.

Keep inking in the name of love.

Until then.