Prima: Forever Green Garden Journal

It seems fitting that today's post features a garden journal, as it is my gardening and foraging that has kept me so busy and away from my blog :)

If you haven't yet checked out the amazing Prima collection "Forever Green", you must do so! It is stunning- and absolutely perfect for this bountiful time of year...and just what I needed to record my gardening escapades this year. 

"Garden Journal 2014"

Prima has a ton of new gorgeous trims, which I've incorporated here and throughout. I love the natural, raw texture of these neutral trims for my nature-based project.

Here I've used the Forever Green cling mount stamp set, crochet icons, and bling from the 3-D stickers set.

So many fussy cut details from this beautiful collection!...

Prima Products Used:

Prima Products: 846817 Forever Green Collection "Garden Talk", 846800 Forever Green Collection "Orchard Fresh", 846794 Forever Green Collection "Nature's Bounty", 846787 Forever Green Collection "Botanical Garden", 846770 Forever Green Collection "Spread Your Wings", 846763 Forever Green Collection "Watch Them Grow", 575755 Forever Green Cling Stamps, 576233 Forever Green 3D Stickers, 576370 Forever Green Crochet Icons, 578701 Forever Green "Succulent", 578732 Forever Green "Grow", 578749 Forever Green "Sprout", 572808 Metal Die-Cuts, 572815 Metal Die-Cuts, 577117 Weave Trim "Flower", 577025 Lace Trim "Almond", 577049 Lace Trim "Champagne", 576875 Jute Trim "Wheat"

 I hope you have a wonderful day!

Thanks for stopping by :)

One Final Look @ the February MMM Kit!

Good morning :)

I'm here with you today for one more final look at our {SOLD OUT} February Magnifique Mixed Media Kit from C'est Magnifique!

"This Makes Me Smile" Journal Cover

Collage work is so much fun...and easy. This kit provided so many fun paper embellishments that were simply perfect for this type of project. Most of the Prima cards seen here were cut in two or more pieces and layered throughout the cover.

I've used the stencil included in the kit and some chalk ink to create the flourished masked areas seen here. I've also applied both the Shimmerz paint and Twinkling H20s along the edges, touched by a dab of the Tim Holtz Distress Paint for depth. {I use my fingertip to apply}.

I love ready-made titles :). And this Prima Paintables card was perfect for titling a journal cover.

There really isn't a science behind the layers. Just do what feels right- I've said it before and I'll say it again: there's no wrong way to collage. Really. Just try it!

Thanks for joining me today for one more look at our February MMM kit. Stay tuned for the reveal of our March MMM kit coming up SOON.

Take care!

February Magnifique Mixed Media Kit~!

Good morning!

I'm so excited that I can finally share with you my first project using the {SOLD OUT} February Magnifique Mixed Media Kit from C'est Magnifique! It's such a joy putting these together each month, and just as much so creating with them. 

Today I have a special canvas to share with you; a reminder to myself to cultivate the fruits of the spirit. For me, visual reminders are a must and creating something about which I feel passionate makes for a great project. I really loved putting this together :)

"Fruits of the Spirit" Canvas

This kit had so many fun things to choose from, and the color palette is simply awesome :)

I used book pages to create the distressed, torn layers like you see on the bottom of the canvas here. I highlighted them with the Magenta Shimmerz and Pink Azalea Twinkling H20's.

 The fussy cut flowers were trimmed from one of the Prima Paintables cards. 

My title was cut from one of the Prima Chalkboard cards, with details cut from the We R Memory Keepers cards and the backdrop from one of the Manor House Creations papers included in the main kit. Underneath you can see just a hint of the Pink Azalea Twinkling H2O's. I've added jute twine and gold thread from my stash.

Fussy cut butterfly courtesy the Prima Paintables.

I've used the KaiserCraft clear stamp along with some distress ink and stamped it randomly throughout my canvas.

Finally, the Splash of Color Modeling Cream and ColorBox stencil worked together to add some beautiful detail. The Ranger "Scattered Straw" Distress Paint was easy to dab on for additional color.

Here's another look at the complete February Magnifique Mixed Media Kit:

Magnifique Mixed Media Kit:

Ranger: Distress Paint: Scattered Straw
Shimmerz: Magenta
Shimmerz: Texturez; Gold Mine: 1/2 jar
LuminArte: Twinkling H2O's: Pink Azalea
Splash of Color: Viva Colour: Modeling Cream Dimensional Paint: Pearl: 1/3 jar
Clearsnap: Donna Salazar: Mixd Media Inx: CHOX: Pomegranate
Prima: Assorted Flowers
Assorted Prima Paintables/Chalkboard Pocket Cards
KaiserCraft: Texture Clear Stamp: Dictionary Meanings
We R Memory Keepers: Albums Made Easy: Captured: Die Cut Cards and Envelopes
General Pencil Co.: All Surface Pencils: Black & White
ColorBox: Art Screens: 6 x 6 Stencil: Mandala
* Some embellishments are partial packages

Thanks for coming by and letting me share with you!

Prima Marketing: Introducing "The Optimist" + Your Chance to WIN!

Good morning! If you haven't seen it yet, Prima has unveiled yet another great collection for you- and for you chalkboard trend lovers, this one is right up your alley!

So many colors, patterns, papers, and embellishments to choose from, all featuring fun, etched sayings, sweet florals, and cutesy elements to boot!

I've created a tag with this collection for you today:

"Today" Tag

I've discovered through playing with "The Optimist" that gesso creates a white-washed chalkboard effect, which set up the backdrop of my tag. I love the bright colors available in this collection- makes for a classy yet bold project!

 

 

Prima Products Used:
846497- The Optimist Collection "Bloom"
846541- The Optimist Collection "You and Me"
572389- The Optimist Brads
572655- The Optimist Rose 8 pcs

How would you like to win a bit of this gorgeous line?

Just post a photo or spread the word about our Optimist Collection on your blog, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or Twitter and then leave a comment HERE on the Prima Blog! (Use the hastag #OptimistCollection please so we can find YOU!)

We will pick a random winner on Friday, October 5th! Good luck!

Prima ArtZine {August Issue} Projects

Hello everybody :). It's been a little quiet around here, yes I know. We're still busy, busy at home- new animals, hunting season, canning, the works- but I thought I'd pop in here and share the two projects that I had published in the August issue of the Prima ArtZine.

First up, a layout that I created for CHA using the popular Anna-Marie Collection:

"Daydream"

The color palette was inspired by the August PPP which was perfect for using this collection. I loved how the black and white photos looked against these bright colors. All of the papers, flowers, stamps, mask, embellishments {except the title stickers}- they are all from the Summer CHA 2013 release.

Products Used:

846299- Anna Marie Collection "Eloise"

846305- Anna Marie Collection "Anna Marie"

846343- Anna Marie Collection "Jelly Roll"

846367- Anna Marie Collection "Nightingale"

570071- Anna Marie 2.5" x 3" Clear Stamp Set

570088- Anna Marie 2.5" x 3" Clear Stamp Set

563305- Anna Marie Tag Me Ticket and Tags Set

570040- Anna Marie 1" Flair Buttons
570514- 4"x6" Cling Stamps Stitches "Lines"
960988- Vintage Vanity 3"x4" Clear Stamps
960476- Elementals 12"x12.75" Stencil
569884- Wood Icons Keys & Locks
570262- Say it in Crystals Pearl: Multi
570668- Anna Marie Flowers
571436- Layla
571337- Serenity
571580- Audrey
571313- Olivia
571696- Lil' Missy
571719- Lil' Missy
571535- Le Mia
562984- Canvas Alphabet Stickers- Sunrise Sunset
563288- Tiny Alphabet Stickers- Lyric

I also created a summer-themed tag :)

"Summer Discoveries"

I don't generally use photos on my tags, but I decided to try something different and have some fun here :). My daughter is fearless when it comes to creepy, crawly things. Here she is holding a crayfish we found out at the lake and thought it was just the coolest thing. 

 I've combined a variety of papers, flowers, wood icons, and other embellishments to create a large cluster for my photo to settle into...

Products Used:

950729- Delight Collection "Delicate"

845476- Lifetime Collection "Blue Bayou"

950927- Delight Sugar Dots

890834- Shabby Chic Resin Treasures "Bird Houses"

569921- Wood Icons Birds & Butterflies

569853- Wood Icons Clocks

569860- Wood Icons Flower & Leaves

891619- Liquid Chalk Edgers "White"

891336- Liquid Chalk Edgers "Worn Jeans"

566371- Tatiana Oceana

561345- Encore- Pink

566593- Avante White

565299- Divine Vines

565527- Lifetime Roses

 

I sure hope you all have a wonderful weekend!~ 

Two More for Blue Fern Studios

Hello :) I'm back again today with my other two projects for Blue Fern Studios, so let's get started!

"Natural Beauty"

Many of you probably recognize this gorgeous little girl as my sister's daughter Lilah. She truly is a natural beauty- lucky thing! :) This layout was inspired by the photo and title piece and I went from there.

Wanting to keep the chipboard at least partially raw, I went for a brown and pink color scheme, which I love. My background paper was just what I needed- a sheet from the 7 Dots Studio "Messy Head" collection. From there I mixed and matched some Prima papers & canvas, as well as some sheets from the Messy Head 6x6 Designer Pad.

For the Graduated Circles piece, I applied a bit of gesso before sprinkling on some Shimmerz Enamelz in Fake Bake. This is my first time using this stuff (Leslie did a special order for us over at C'est Magnifique) and I really love it. 

My title piece is from the All Natural Set. Just a little bit of gesso was all it needed! 

And aren't these new Berry Stems just adorable? I love them :) Perfect for sticking into your clusters! And with 6 in a package, they are easy to stretch out over a few different projects.

Products Used:

Graduated Circles

All Natural Set

Berry Stems

For my second project, I have a tag:

"Friends" Tag

Do you ever start out on a project and decide Hey, I'm going to do something different. And then you immediately say Oh, now WHY did I do that?! That is what happened here. I thought it would be a good idea to use some red...with black...and gold...which is just not my go-to color combo. At first, I was not happy with that decision. Immediately I wanted to toss it and go for a color scheme more inside my comfort zone. But I stuck to it and I'm okay with it now ;)

I again used some Enamelz here because I was really having fun with the stuff. I've also used a transparency from the Webster's Pages "Royal Christmas" collection to back my Ironwork Accents chipboard piece. It made adding my title SO easy :)

I think I mentioned at one time my Prima Corine stash. Well, I've started using them again...I'm learning to let go ;). I don't often use red, so this red Corine came in handy! And isn't that Prima flair button just perfect? I love it. It's from the new Everyday Vintage collection.

Products Used:

Ironwork Accents

That completes my post today! I just wanted to thank those of you who always take the time to come over and see what I've been up to. I cannot even express to you HOW busy I've been- between the kids, the garden, the berries, the canning, the bear baiting, the extra jobs I've taken in the past two weeks to cover for a friend, the preparing for my first Kindergartener to go to school, preparing for my daughter's 2nd birthday, the HEAT...I could go on and on....I'm just a bit swamped and haven't had much time at all to return the kindness I've been shown by those of you who have left the nicest comments for me...seriously, SERIOUSLY...THANK you! I truly enjoy reading each and every one.

Bless you all :) Take care...

PaperHaus: Mini Album~!

Hello, my awesome friends! I've been so busy creating "behind the scenes" that I feel my blog has been a little bit negelcted by way of projects- I apologize for that :). Just a busy time! 

But today I have a mini album to share with you that I created for the PaperHaus Magazine Blog. I hope you enjoy it!

"Mother-in-Law Mini Album"

**Chipboard frame from Blue Fern Studios and paper/flowers/embellishments from Prima Marketing**

I call this my "Mother-in-Law Mini Album" because, well- I created it for my MIL, ha! This is actually the first gift that I have hand crafted for her and being someone who truly cherishes her family and especially her children/grandchildren- I just know she'll love it :). After a recent visit, I discovered that many of the photos displayed in her home were taken by phone- from my Facebook page. Seriously sad. And I needed to remedy that! So I took some of the photos taken at our vacation there and put them together in this album.

Here's a look at what's inside:

On one of the last days there, we got all of the kids together for pictures. We did photos of just my kids, of just the boys, just the girls, and all of them. So I tried to include one of each in this album for her.

With the help of the Prima "Lyric" paper collection, Prima flowers & embellishments, as well as chipboard from Blue Fern Studios, I created a cohesive flow to my album. What I love about minis is once you get a "pace" going in the book, it's really easy to move from one page to the next.

 With each page, I started by doing a little bit of stamping. Then I misted, masked with modeling paste, and added some watercolor paints.

I wanted each page to be different, yet follow the same guidelines: stamping, masking, misting, watercolors, and then photo/flowers/chipboard.

I also make sure that any page that would be facing eachother when closed did not have clusters that would meet. That way, it reduces the bulk when the book is closed.

Products Used:

Patterned Papers: Prima Marketing
Flowers: Prima Marketing
Chipboard: Blue Fern Studios
Embellishments: Prima Marketing (trinkets & wood button), Pink Paislee (stars)
Stickers: Prima Marketing
Stamps: Prima Marketing, 7 Gypsies, & Bo Bunny
Masks: Prima Marketing, Heidi Swapp, & The Crafter's Workshop
Mists: Tattered Angels
Other: gesso, modeling paste, watercolor paints

I'm so happy you came by here today! I hope your week is off to a great start :)- see you again soon,