Let's Catch Up!

Hey everyone! Long time, no see. I know. 

Lots and lots going on in my world...always. That never changes. I've lately withdrawn from social media for various reasons and also from blogging. As many of you know, I also have a homesteading blog where I share a lot of our real life home practices which includes a from-scratch lifestyle, raising a variety of animals for different purposes, and striving to maintain simplicity- all the while raising 3 young kids and being a "stay at home mom" who works multiple part-time jobs both inside and outside of the home. So I've realized the need to disconnect a bit more from my online life and focus more of my available energy toward the everyday demands of my actual life. Get what I mean?

So in an effort to maintain that balance, blogging has become rather secondary. I didn't mean to take this big of a break and I apologize. And I wanted to take the opportunity today to catch up on some Prima projects that I've done in the past couple months. I hope you enjoy :)

"Hello" Tag

This tag was created using my favorite of the new releases from Prima, the "Butterfly" Collection designed by Jodie Lee. To say I love this range would be an understatement.The patterns, images, and color palette are a dream come true. I'm really into purple at the moment, so this one is right up my alley.

I've paired the papers with flowers new and old, as well as some gorgeous embellishments. The frame seen here is from the new "Timeless Memories" trinkets packs.

"Fall in Love" Card

Another new release from Prima is Frank Garcia's "The Archivist" collection. In Frank's true style, you will find lots of neutral colors and awesome patterns. This is one of those collections that you just have to have as it is so versatile. 

I've used one of the new Prima Mixed Media stamps here to create the messy butterfly background. And the brown egg carton flowers are amazing- they are super thick and durable which makes them perfect for mixed media!

"Love is Beauty" Tag

The "Bella Rouge" collection is bold and gorgeous. I've paired the papers here with new flowers and new Finnabair Art Ingredients. Microbeads, glass beads, and new Color Bloom sprays add to the textured mixed media background here.

"Happy Moment" Tag

 Another project featuring the "Butterfly" collection. A bit of fussy cutting here brought this tag to life :).

Bedtime Story Mini Album

If you've got little kids, you've got to have the "Bedtime Story" collection! The vintage children's book theme offers diversity and so much interest to an album like this one. 

Lots of new flowers, brads, wood icons, crystals, and other embellishments helped me out along the way.

There you have it, folks! I hope I didn't overwhelm you too much- I know there's a lot of images in this post today. :)

And as the week enters the weekend, I hope life is treating you well. We've had some unusually nice weather around here- a week ago it was -20 F and now we're in the 40's. Although we have several feet of snow yet and March typically shows us our biggest snow storms, it's a welcome break from our always-too-long winter. I'm starting my seeds inside this weekend and have been anxiously planning for our biggest garden yet with so many dreams and plans to be fulfilled.

I wish you all the best. And I hope to see you soon!

xErin

NEW Prima Winter CHA 2015: Bella Rouge Collection {Layout}

Good morning everyone!

As most scrappers know, Winter CHA is just around the corner. Which means all of our favorite companies are showing us their latest must-have collections and goodies! Prima, as always, has a fabulous lineup of products for us. They've been previewing over the last few weeks, and today I'd like to share with you a layout that I created featuring the new "Bella Rouge" Collection.

"Natural Beauty"

Not only is this collection absolutely classy and beautiful, but it's incredibly versatile too. And I am in love with the rich, warm color palette! On this layout, I started by toning down the background just a bit with some gesso. I then watered down some gesso a bit and used a paintbrush along with some very high tech flinging motions {insert sarcasm here} to create the random splatters. There are some new Color Bloom sprays released this time around as well, one for each collection. I've used {2} of them here: Empres Gold and Deep Teal.

Each collection offers a range of new flowers too- including these roses. I LOVE roses- they are always my favorites of the Prima flowers- and you get such a great selection of them here. I've dressed these ones up a bit with some of the new Prima Art Ingredients: micro beads, seed beads, and glitter. 

I may have mentioned in the past how much I love that the new wood icons are printed. This mirror piece here was great for adding my own touches to :) Behind the lovely lady you see one of Jamie Dougherty's new Bloom Collection stencils- isn't it awesome?! And some "Empress Gold" Color Bloom spray.

 More new flowers and leaves, as well as one of the new collection brads. Perfect for that extra special little touch!

Prima Products used:

847111- Bella Rouge Collection "Les Amours"

847319- Bella Rouge A4 Paper Pad

579487- Bella Rouge Tag Me

579357- Bella Rouge Say it in Crystals

579296- Bella Rouge Brads

578930- Bella Rouge 3x4 Journaling Note Cards

579111- Bella Rouge Cling Stamps

580582- Bella Rouge Flowers

580537- Bella Rouge Flowers

580575- Bella Rouge Flowers

580513- Bella Rouge Leaves

579548- Bella Rouge Wood Icons

580315- Color Bloom Spray Mist- Empress Gold***NEW

580322- Color Bloom Spray Mist- Deep Teal***NEW

962579- Art Ingredients Micro Beads- Copper

962586- Art Ingredients Micro Beads- Bronze

962623- Art Ingredients Micro Beads- Grass

961596- Art Extravagance Glitter Set- Luminous

980429- Bloom Collection 6x12 Stencil- Circles

573584- Trim

Thank-you for visiting today! I hope your weekend is off to a great start :)

Life is Full of Wonderful: A New Layout for Webster's Pages

Good morning! It's been a busy behind-the-scenes month of creating for me as CHA is just around the corner, but I am here today to share with you a layout and a card that I made for Webster's Pages using the "Nest" Collection. This collection has rapidly become one of my all time faves! Bold colors, an array of patterns, motifs, etc- all come together for one versatile collection that easily suits every style!

First up, I have my layout which features my sweetheart of a daughter:

"Life is Full of Wonderful"

I wanted a sugary, frosted feel for this layout :). A bit of gesso toned down the background before I applied some masking with modeling paste and a sprinkling of microbeads and Prima glitters. Layers of cards cut from the "Nest" collection created the base for my photo.

I've used some of the collection cardstock stickers like the vintage telephone one here, as well as a jewel from a Webster's Pages bookmark.

I love the variety of paper straws- such cute, fun additions to any project!

This resin cameo is perfect for accenting a sweet little girl layout :)

Another resin piece from a Webster's Pages cameo set, I love the pennant shape and cute font :)

A Blue Fern Studios chipboard frame pulled the whole photo grouping together. I painted it white and sprinkled on some Prima glitter to give it some shine.

Webster's Pages Products Used:

Nest Collection Paper: Home With You

Nest Collection Paper: Special Places

Nest Collection Paper: Tickled

Nest Word 4x8 Sticker

Nest Memory Pockets & Labels

Love Bundle of Straws

Party Time Bundle of Straws

Chipboard Sticker Board- Our Travels

Cameo: Pink Party Gift

Charm: Camera

I also have a card that I would like to share with you, also using the Nest Collection. This one is a bit more tame :)

"She Follows Her Heart"

As mentioned, I just love the diversity available in this collection. I love the chevrons, feathers, bold colors, etc and lots of white too! I tried to contrast them here with just enough layers to create a simple yet fab card :)

I'm a bit obsessed with tulle lately :) I've tucked in a classic Webster's Pages ruffle ribbon trim to pull together the pinks. 

Webster's Pages Products Used:

Nest Collection Papers

Ruffle Trim

I hope that you are all doing good and that life is treating you as it should ;)

Take care,

The April PPP from Prima!

Good morning! This post is coming to you via autopost as we are finally getting a new roof put on our house- and since we have satellite internet transmitted through a satellite on our roof- that means our satellite will be out of commission for a few days! But it's good- gives me a chance to really disconnect for a few days. But I shall return :)

Over the next few days I will have some posts for you that I've prearranged, just as this one is. Today I have my sample for the April PPP challenge from Prima! It's a beauty- so I hope you have a chance to play along :)

"Enjoy Life"

This month's PPP:

This color palette goes perfectly with the "Princess" collection, which I definitely put to use!

Plenty of Princess Collection flowers were used here, and layer upon layer was added beneath and arround my photos. I LOVE the crochet icons and trims that came with the Winter 2014 release, and who doesn't love the gorgeous array of colors in this collection??

Trims, flowers, pearls, embelllishments...it's all here. With such a great palette and suggested products- who can stop with just one?? ;)

Prima Products Used:

951016 Princess Collection "Sophia"
846596 Free Spirit Collection "Enlightened"
573263 Princess Collection Tag Me
572716 Princess Collection Flair Buttons & Clear Stamp
971250 InstaScrap ATC Cards
573676 Crochet Icons
573607 Trim
574451 Princess- Glass Slippers
574390 Princess- Rags to Riches
574314 Princess- Whimsical

Thanks for coming over. I pray you are doing well- have a wonderful week and see you soon!

A Layout, a Card, and a Tag~!

Hello :) 

I know, I know...I've been a bad blogger. I will try to fix that, but I make no promises ;)~ life is busy, as it is for us all. And I've just been trying to be okay with not getting everything done...so it's not that I'm not around, just...busy. Good news is other than having some strep throat in the house this week, we're good. It's spring break and I've got my oldest home from school all week so I'm remembering what it's like to be a SAHM to three kids on a full-time basis. It's good, though. I think I realize so much more how much I miss him when I get to have him around more like I have this week.

They grow far too fast, don't they?

But let's get down to business. I have three Blue Fern Studios projects to share :)

I'm going to start out today with my youngest, who is growing like a weed like her brothers. She's such a little "cute cute" as I call her. My princess. I wanted to create something fun and sweet as candy- just like her. I had so much fun creating with this adorable "Hello World" line from Webster's Pages, a new release from Winter CHA. I think you will love it :)

"Always"

The large panels available from Blue Fern Studios like this "Number Grid" one are so great for working with 12" x 12" layouts. I like to cut mine up and make them suit my design. 

I painted the panel white before randomly dabbing it with embossing ink, sprinkling with Stampendous "Shabby Pink Embossing Enamel", and setting with a heat gun. I love the pretty pink and textured bits splattered throughout the chipboard to mimic my background.

Blue Fern Studios Products Used:

Number Grid

"Different" Card

As like anyone who has ever used chipboard before, sometimes the raw look just suits the project best. Here I've used a few various pieces and have simply dabbed them randomly with a Prima white chalk edger pad before adding them to my project. Combined with some of the more subtle Blue Fern Studios papers, I created a neutral, monochromatic look which I love.

Blue Fern Studios Products Used:

Blue Fern Garden "Love Letters"

Blue Fern Garden "Calling Cards"

Checker Bits

Film Strips

Eclectic Hearts

"Love" Tag

 Sometimes downsizing a chipboard piece can give you exactly what you need for a particular project. Here I've taken the middle out of the "Helen's Doily" to beautifully accent this tag. Primed with gesso, covered with a Prima "Shabby Tote" chalk edger pad, and adorned with pearls :) The Blue Fern Garden "Picnic" paper was whitewashed with gesso to make it a little bit more subtle in order to achieve the look I was going for.

Blue Fern Studios Products Used:

Blue Fern Garden "Picnic"

Blue Fern Garden "Calling Cards"

Helen's Doily

That's it for me! I hope you enjoyed :)

Don't forget about our March Sketch Challenge- still plenty of time to play along!

Prima Marketing: Flower Focus & Free Spirit

Good morning :)

I thought I would share with you today a layout that I created a little while back for Prima Marketing for Winter CHA 2014. This one ended up being one of my favorites; I was able to combine the Free Spirit Collection {one of my faves of the new releases} as well as a bunch of the new flowers from this release- and we all know how much I love my flowers!

"You're My Sunshine"

I felt that the fun, retro imagery worked really nicely with this adorable photo of my daughter. She truly is my sweet sunshine :)

Lots of layers have been added beneath my photos; transparencies, a wood ATC, pages from the new ATC pads, and printed chipboard. I love to give plenty of dimension to boost my photo above and over my flower clusters.

The metallic silver worked really nicely with these papers and against the bright pops of color. And the crochet icons- aren't they adorable?! Definitely must-haves!!

I layered in a bit of the new crocheted trim beneath my flower cluster, topping it off with some beads and bling. I've applied acrylic paint to my background (seen in blue) and then masked on top of it with modeling paste before giving it some dimension with white embossing powder.

Products Used:

846589 Free Spirit Collection "Dreaming"
846657 Free Spirit Collection "Groovy"
846633 Free Spirit Collection "Hippie"
846640 Free Spirit Collection "Artsy"
573645 Free Spirit Chipboard Pieces
573638 Free Spirit 3x4 ATC Pad
573621 Free Spirit 6x4 ATC Pad
572914 Free Spirit Wood Embellishments
573164 Free Spirit SIIC
572754 Free Spirit Brads
971229 InstaScrap Transparencies
573676 Crochet Icons
573993 Trim
572183 12"x12" Stencil "Stain"
575298 At the Altar
575212 Freshley Picked
575274 Mr. & Mrs.
575151 Hand Delivered
574826 Joyous
774802 Royal
574857 Bella
574604 Tailored
574703 Absolute
574611 Impulsive

I'm so glad you stopped by today. I hope you have a really great weekend and I'll see you again soon :)

Blue Fern Studios: A First Look @ "Blue Fern Garden" in Action!

Good morning!

I'm extra excited today because I get to share with you my very first project using the NEW  
"Blue Fern Garden" Paper Collection from Blue Fern Studios!

You will absolutely LOVE these papers :). They are incredibly detailed with crystal clear images printed on a nice heavyweight paper. I was impressed...and I'm confident that you will be too :)

{Psst...if you want to get your hands on these papers NOW, head on over to the C'est Magnifique store. They are in stock and ready to ship, along with all of their new chipboard designs, including those you see here!}

"Magical"

Today I'm sharing with you a girly girl layout to really show off the truly feminine side of this collection. Lots of pinks with just a hint of blue, paired with a few of my most favorite of the new chipboard designs...

This piece is one of the "Jeweled Page Baubles". I've dressed it up with glitter and various colors of microbeads.

The "Jeweled Trinkets" like this one are just as beautiful :)

I tore a section of the "Number Grid- Small" to create a textured photo mat. I used a sandy colored chalk ink and just a hint of mist/embossing powder to give it a little bit of color.

Blue Fern Studios Products Used:

Blue Fern Garden Collection Papers

Number Grid- Small

Jeweled Trinkets

Jeweled Page Baubles

Thank-you for coming over today :)
I have lots to show you this week, including my other 2 projects for Blue Fern, as well as a Magnifique Mixed Media project, some Webster's and some Prima. So don't stay away too long ;)

Take care,

NEW Webster's Pages "Growing Up Girl" {Winter CHA 2014}

Good morning, my friends :)

Today I'm sharing with you a layout that I created for Webster's Pages, using their NEW "Growing Up Girl" collection, designed by the amazingly sweet Brandin O'Neill. 

The day I received these papers was the same day we had a tragic incident at home where I lost all of my precious chickens. I needed to create a project for CHA and it was so difficult to do anything creative when I was so stricken. But let me tell you, working with this incredibly sweet collection was truly therapeutic. I took my time, fussy cutting away and thinking my thoughts, not really sure where I was going with it or if it would even turn out at all. But slowly, the scene came into place and I was able to create a layout of my very own little growing up girl :)

"Growing Up Girl" Layout

I am in love with the colors and motifs in this collection. So many fussy cutting opportunities, which is what I've always loved about Brandin's collections. She is a design diva, that's for sure! :)

I was able to layer and combine so many little details. I love a collection that gives you options :)

 I had to add a touch of the gold thread I've been so obsessed with lately...

 I loved combining the fabulous wardrobe motif with this photo of my daughter pulling some new clothes out of a gift bag. I might not be a girly girl, but she most certainly is- so this was fitting for her!

Products Used:

Growing Up Girl Collection Pack

Thank-you for stopping by!

Stop by the Webster's Pages blog all week for more projects featuring all 6 of the new collections!