12 Days of Christmas Card Challenge from Prima!

Good morning! Have you had a chance to check out the 12 Days of Christmas Card Challenge from Prima? Play along and win! The rules are simple:

1. Just make a Prima-based card or tag inspired by one of our 12 Days of Christmas Cards. Pick anything you want that inspires you: the product, a technique, layout of card, or a color scheme.

2. Add your project to that day's post (use the blue button at the bottom.)

3. After the features are over we will pick 12 lucky winners to get a Prima prize in December!

(Contest entry deadline is Dec 1st! Open to all countries. Void where prohibited by law.)

Here is a tag that I created for Day 11, featuring crystals/gems/sugar dots:

"Holly Jolly" Tag

A handmade gift tag for the holidays demands something with a little "extra" to it. I wanted to create something elegant, beautiful, and full of BLING!

I layered different SIIP flourishes amid the lower layers of my tag, while adding bits of sparkle to my flower clusters, my centerpiece, and the bow treatment at the top.

 Prima Products Used:
846428 Holiday Jubilee "Holiday Memories" Paper
846442 Holiday Jubilee "Nostalgia" Paper
570569 Holiday Jubilee Flair Buttons
569976 Holiday Jubilee Resins
535896 SIIP&SIIC Branch Brown
535582 SIIP Swirls and Fimo Cream
565107 Crystal Sheet
570972 Bellas Brown
555993 Vinetta En Francais
556013 Charme Rose En Francais

I hope you can play along and that you're having a great weekend :)

Take care,

November Projects for Blue Fern Studios!

Good morning! I'm here with you today to share a few projects using some of the newer Blue Fern Studios products. I started out with a layout and then decided to clean up my scrap space and create next a card and tag using paper and chipboard scraps. What a way to get organized and creative at the same time ;)!

"What a Wonderful Day!"

I was looking back on some older photos and found this precious set of my middle child from the summer of 2012. I remember clearly this day- and it truly was wonderful :). I wanted to create something happy, conveying that through my fun color scheme and accompanying chipboard elements. Using one of the Film Strips pieces, I was able to include a few extra little photos from that day :)

 I love these adorable, contemporary Memory Frames! I simply dabbed this one with a chalk edger pad.

A simple coat of yellow acrylic paint dressed up these Shabby Bricks Bits pieces, which added to my layering with fun texture and interest :)

Blue Fern Studios Products Used:

Memory Frames

Film Strips

Shabby Bricks Bits

Next up, I have my "scrap" projects:

"Love"

Since I had the Memory Frames out, I decided to create a sweet tag. After priming with gesso, I applied some clear embossing ink, mist, and white sparkly embossing powder and set it with a heat gun.

 Blue Fern Studios Products Used:

Memory Frames

Swirly Doodle

"Reach & Wander"

 For my final project, I took some of the Tattered Diamond Bits and a partial Film Strips piece to accent this simple scrap card using up some leftover papers from my layout. Sometimes all you need is a little gesso and maybe some stamping and you're set!

Blue Fern Studios Products Used:

Tattered Diamond Bits

Film Strips

Thank-you for stopping by!

Have you had a chance to play along with this month's sketch challenge over at Blue Fern? Check it out- there's still some time :)!

"Big Moment" Mini Album Cover: December MMM Kit!

Good morning! I'm here with you today to share a project that I created using the December Magnifique Mixed Media Kit from C'est Magnifique. This kit is packed with a pleasant variety of medias and supporting embellishments making it a strong, stand-alone kit as well as one that beautifully coordinates with this month's main kit. 

Here is a first look at what I've done this month:

"Big Moment" Mini Album Cover

This kit allows for deep, rich colors and textures which I tried to emphasize on my project today. 

My background was first primed with gesso before using the Shimmerz mist. I like to work in threes, so I spritzed the top, right, and lower right of the album cover. On top of that I used modeling paste and a mask to add texture over these same spritzed areas. The Lindy's Stamp Gang embossing powder was sprinkled randomly on the masked areas before setting with a heat gun.

Using my finger, I applied both the Viva Decor crackle paint and Tattered Angels Glimmer Glam to the edges and corners of the album. I hit those areas with the heat gun as well. Some stamping with the Prima chalk edger and stamp was added randomly throughout.

For the chipboard, I used the TCW Balzer Bits mask from the kit along with some clear embossing ink and stamped over top the mask with the ink before sprinkling on the LSG embossing powder and setting with the heat gun. That way I got the scattered design with just a hint of script from the mask. 

December Magnifique Mixed Media Kit

Kit Contents:

Deco Art Crafter's Acrylic "Leaf Green" Paint

Prima Chalk Edger "Knotted Wood"
Lindy's Stamp Gang "Midnight Copper Obsidian" embossing powder
Splash of Color- Viva Gold Crackle Paint
Tattered Angels Glimmer Glam "Golden Goddess"
Shimmerz "Mama Sings the Blues"
Prima School Memories
Prima: Akran: Taj Blue
Prima: Bellas: Brown
Prima: La Tela: Vintage Eyelet
Webster's Pages Postcards from Paris: Bronze Woman
Prima IOD: Flair Buttons
Prima Natural Bark: Stars
Blue Fern Studios Chipboard: Winter Page Dangles
Blue Fern Studios Chipboard: Tattered Diamond Bits
Blue Fern Studios Chipboard: Ever After Frame Set 
Prima: Sunrise Sunset Clear Stamp 3
The Crafter's Workshop: Balzer Bits Doodling Template
Script Star
(some items will be partial packages whose items may vary from kit to kit)

This kit sold out quickly. I sure hope you had the opportunity to get one yourself! To subscribe to the MMM kit, see how to join HERE so that you don't miss out in the future :)

Thanks for stopping by!

"Creative Memories" {Webster's Pages "Recorded" Collection}

Hi everyone! It's been a long time since I've blogged; a whole week! Sorry for my absence :) Just been busy and I have been creating behind the scenes as always- many things to share, but not quite yet.

I do have a layout to show you today that I created for Webster's Pages using Allison Kreft's "Recorded" Collection. I was inspired to get a little messy and have some fun with this sweet picture of my daughter lost in her painting project. I tried not to think too much about what I was doing {difficult for me- I'm a control freak}, and it probably shows, lol. 

"Creative Memories"

Hmm. Still not sure what to think about my horrible gesso background LOL. I had intended to cover a lot more of it up, but it just didn't happen. Let's just pretend it isn't quite so chaotic, okay? ;) I struggle with busy backgrounds and heavily patterned papers, so I had to do what I could to cover it up a little. Hopefully the other business going on can distract a little...or one can hope, ha!

A couple new chipboard pieces from Blue Fern Studios, both the film strip and the title frame. Aren't they awesome? I applied embossing powder and gesso to the frame.

I hung one of these sweet little camera charms in each of my bows. They are simply adorable! 

All of the flowers used in this layout are from Prima Marketing, primarily from the Summer CHA 2013 release.

My journaling, which reads:

Today we made finger puppets out of styrofoam balls which first needed to be painted. Your brothers were done painting after 10-15 minutes, but you continued to perfect your work for another half hour or more. I kept asking, "Aspen, are you done yet?" to which I received a soft, simple {yet serious}, "No." 10-31-13

 Products Used:

Patterned Paper:

Recorded Collection "Sunset" Paper

Recorded Collection 6x6 Pad

Embellishments:

Perfect Accents: Recorded

Charm Bulk Pack: Mini Camera

Postcards from Paris II Collection Mini File Folders

Trims:

Best Friends Collection Trim Card

OTHER PRODUCTS USED:

Prima Marketing: Flowers

Blue Fern Studios: Chipboard

Webster's Pages Blog Hop!

Good morning and welcome to the Webster's Pages Blog Hop!

We're getting into the spirit of the holiday season and giving away cards and goodies :)

Each of the design team members has created a card for the designer following them in the hop, and Webster's Pages has prizes hidden along the way- but we're not telling you where- so make sure you visit each of the stops to make sure you have a chance at one of them!!

If you arrived at my blog from the Webster's Pages blog, you are right on track. If not, head back to the beginning HERE.

A complete list of the hop is as follows:

Webster’s Pages

Erin

Jill

Emma

Candice

Jaz

Stacey

Larissa

Kay

Jamie

Iris

Piradee

I have the pleasure of creating a card for Jill Cornell, who is one of our beautifully talented Clean & Simple Designers! I hope you enjoy this, Jill!

"The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

 I have officially fallen in love with the "It's Christmas!" collection designed by Allison Kreft. I went ultra-classic with the red and white here, adding just a hint of textured layers.

 Here is another card I created using this collection, featured on the Webster's Pages blog earlier this week:

"Happy Holidays"

 There is so much more to see along the way!

Your next stop is Jill :)

"Extraordinary You": Magnifique Mixed Media "Autumnal Bliss" Kit~!

Good morning everybody! I'm here with you today to give you one last look at the Magnifique Mixed Media November Kit "Autumnal Bliss", released by C'est Magnifique Kits. My sister Kelly Foster and I have really enjoyed our time with this kit, from the very first planning stages to putting the final touches on our projects. We've appreciated the excitement and feedback received as well! And we look forward to continuing to offer inspiring, media-filled unique kits that will help you to grow in your mixed media knowledge and love :)

Today, I created a layout using this beautiful kit. 

"Extraordinary You"

I really wanted to use as many of the mediums available in this kit, which meant combing all of the warm, rich colors in a balanced way. I used the "Mini Ceiling Tile" mask and Gelatos as the starting point in my project by basically "coloring" with them (over the mask) and then spritzing over top before blending with a wipe. This helps the Gelatos spread a little easier. 

For my background paper, I used the "Dreamer" Collection from 7 Dots Studio. It had the perfect hint of color to compliment the color scheme of my layout.

After zapping the masked area with a heat gun, I used some light modeling paste along with the mask and some embossing powder and created additional texture in that way. Then I'm ready to add the Twinkling H2Os, in just a small amount so as not to overpower the rest of the layout. I simply pour a drop on top of the embossed area and use my spatula to carefully spread it around. Allow to dry on its own in order to keep the vibrancy of the colors (the heat tool can cause the watercolor to spread, thin out, and fade). In contrast, if you're wanting to tone down the color, you can spritz with water and/or pull up some of the color by dabbing with a wipe.

Thank-you for visiting today! Stay tuned for the first look at our upcoming December MMM Kit! :)

"Farm Girl": A Layout for 7 Dots Studio

Good morning!! It's a brand new week, and I'd like to start it off with a project :) I'm up on the 7 Dots Studio blog today with a sweet layout created for my daughter:

"Farm Girl"

love that the Messy Head and Domestic Goddess collections came together here for a super girly layout of my daughter. Fun imagery from Domestic Goddess was paired with the urban elements of Messy Head, making for a truly enjoyable creative experience!

We were also given the opportunity to create with VLV Stamps this month. I had fun scattering the Hearts and Dots background stamp, and using the Film Strip stamp to accentuate the center strip that runs through my layout. Thank-you to VLV for the opportunity to use these amazing stamps!!

7 Dots Studio Products Used:
Messy Head Collection "Love Letter"
Messy Head Collection "Big Words"
Messy Head Collection Elements 6x12
Messy Head Collection Alpha Stickers 6x12
Domestic Goddess "White Apron"
Domestic Goddess "Collage Fashionista"

VLV Stamps used:
Hearts and Dots Background
Film Strip

 

 Thanks for letting me share with you today!

"She's 2!": October Prima ArtZine Layout

Good morning and welcome to the weekend! I hope it's a good one for you- we're supposed to get snow and normally I would complain, but it is rifle season opener for deer hunting and snow is just what we need to get the deer moving :). So that is what I will be up to this weekend!

I thought I would drop in and share with you a layout that I created for the October ArtZine from Prima! I hope you all had the chance to check out the entire issue, but if not, here's a look at the layout that I made as a sample for last month's BAP sketch.

"She's 2!"

This is a photo of course of my cutie pie daughter Aspen on her 2nd birthday. What a fun sketch for this fun picture! I really enjoyed creating with this one. I used a bowl turned upside down to create the half-circles on either side of my layout, traced simply with a pencil. I then used gesso, watercolors, and some stamping to create the details along the edges.

Here's a reminder of the BAP sketch from October:

 And a little bit of a closer look at my layout:

I have a bit of a pink and brown fetish. I just love combining warm shades of those colors!

The beautiful "Delight" collection was perfect for my little girl. I've used the daylights out of this collection- and I love it still! A timeless range; Jodie Lee sure knows how to design the best!!

Products Used:

950705- Delight Collection "Darling"

950743- Delight Collection "Delightful"

843618- Printery Collection 6x6 Paper Stack

559335- Cling Mount Stamps Romance Novel

910228- Mixed Media Background Stamp

544232- Alphabet Stickers

555153- Cling Mount Stamps Songbird

565787- Frost Frappe VII

566647- Avante Cedar

567156- Pageant Peach Pastel

565763- Frost Mini Sachet

571511- Le Mia- Desert Sand Flower

571429- Layla

565527- Lifetime Roses

 

 Thank-you for stopping by! I know- I have not been around to visit blogs lately. Just when I think things are slowing down, they pick right back up! But thanks for your support and encouragement! :)

Prima's November BAP~!

Hi there everyone! Today I am sharing with you a sample created for this month's BAP sketch from Prima! This is such a popular challenge, and I'm sure you will be inspired to create with this sketch. Take a look :)

"Glory"

This canvas was created as a partnering piece to my "Autumn" canvas in my previous post. This time I used a 12"x12" canvas to create a little contrast to my 8"x10" canvas. I loved capturing the beauty of this short-lived season :)

The BAP sketch this month:

And some closeups too:

Products Used:

844363- Almanac Collection 6"x6" Paper Stack
845643- Engraver Collection 6"x6" Paper Pad
562984- Sunrise Sunset Alphabet Stickers
961046- Finnabair Mechanicals Leaves 2
564278- 6x6 Stencil- Flourish
571528- Le Mia Cotton Candy Flower
571009- Valentina
571726- Lucido
565763- Frost Mini Sachet
565787- Frost Frappe VII

Have a great day!