Soul Scrap Quest #10 - There's Something About Christmas!!

SSQ#10 Martin Christmas

Over at Soul Scrappers I am participating in a scrap challenge and here were the rules:

This Quest allows you to create anything you want......

What makes this a QUEST unique..... is that until you open your envelope you are really not going to know what is in it, and what you are expected to use.   Some of the embellies could be shop bought, painted items,  stickers,  stamped images,  polymer clay items,  metal items,  hand pieced images,  handmade flowers, sewn items,  felt items etc......... the list goes on!! I will post a list of the goodies here, once all envelopes have been received.

Well, when I received the envelope it was FULL of items to use on my project.  And I managed to use it all.  I also got to use a new Stampin' Up! Big Shot die that will be coming out on January 4th in the new Occasions Mini Catalog. See the large Rosette on the background?  That new die really made this rosette or lollie easy as pie to make.  So here are some more pictures with details.  I believe that I have more stuff on this page than ever before.  Come join us over at Soul Scrappers and have fun scrapping with us.  I have a button on the right to take you there.

Soul Scrappers - SENSE-ational Summer contest # 1 - the SMELLS of SUMMER

The Sweet Smell of Honeysuckle

I belong to Soul Scrappers, a fun bunch of ladies who like to scrapbook.  They have several challenges for us each month, by the way, you don't have to be a demonstrator to join, just click on my link on the right for Soul Scrappers and tell them I invited you and you can be a part of the fun over there.
This challenge is about the SENSE-ational Summer contest # 1 - the SMELLS of SUMMER.  I'll be honest with you, living in HOT So. Illinois with all of my allergies to everything outside, including GRASS, there aren't too many smells that I really enjoy.  My journal tag says it all:  I love to walk around the corner of my house and be blown away by the sweet and bold scent of the honeysuckle growing on my back fence.  The bees, butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy it also.  If you want to see the page closer, just click on the photo.
One of the challenge requirements was that there be sewing on the page.  Last time my daughter was home, I pulled out my 25 year old sewing machine and we tried to get it working, but it is destined for the trash.  Last week I decided to check out Joanne's online sewing machines and found one that I thought might fit my needs and it was 1/3 off and free shipping.  Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!(LOL you can tell I watch too much Drive-Ins, Dinners and Dives).  Sewing is not a craft that I have ever enjoyed, but I have been intrigued by the sewing I have seen on cards and scrapbook pages.  So when my machine got here, it sat in the box for FOUR days until I got the taxes sent off to the IRS! YEA!  Then, I allowed myself time to actually READ the directions(something that I do rarely) for the new sewing machine.  It is supposed to do 59 different stitches, but I only see a possibility of 25.  Luella, my daughter, is coming for a visit tonight and maybe she can help me find the other 34 stitches. LOL!!!  But, I was proud of myself that I figured out how to use the leaf stitch around the boarder of my page.  I also attempted to make my own honeysuckle flower out of paper.
I placed yellow ribbon(SU retired) behind the punched Lace Ribbon Border and it really made it pop off of the page.  I used DSP(SU retired) for the title and glued it to a cereal box before cutting it out with the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Medium Sizzlits Dies.  If you try this at home, crank the die through the big shot three times to get it to cut through this thicker material.  Just crank until you see the die go past, stop, crank the other direction, etc.  If you let it get too far through before reversing, static electricity will move your paper and ruin your image.

Recipe:

Paper: Retired SU cardstock and DSP, More Mustard, Whisper White and So Saffron Card Stock

Ink:  Old Olive

Stamp:  French Foliage

Accessories:  Big Shot, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Medium Sizzlits Die, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Crop-a-Dile, Stampin' Write Journal, Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die, Retired SU Ribbon, Brother Sewing Machine, Smashed Pop Bottle Cap

Soul Scrap Quest # 9 - Eastern Delights WITH A TWIST!!!!

Sometimes I have trouble with the MOJO!  So I joined this great group of ladies over at Soul Scrappers.
They have wonderful challenges that really get my creative juices flowing.  One of my favorite challenges is Soul Scrap Quest, here it is in their words:
What is Soul Scrap Quest?

You will be sent a pack of embellishments to use on your page. Everyone
receives the same items (color and size may vary). The concept is to
scrap a page using all or most of these items. You can add anything you
like but you must use all or most of your FREE STUFF!

By adding you name to the list you agree to use all or most of the FREE STUFF
supplied, make a card, layout, OTP, sewn item or a mixed media
item.......and then upload to the gallery using the code SSQ9 in the
title. This Quest allows you to create anything you want......

What makes this a QUEST unique..... is that until you open your
envelope you are really not going to know what is in it, and what you
are expected to use. Some of the embellies could be shop bought,
painted items, stickers, stamped images, polymer clay items, metal
items, hand pieced images, handmade flowers, sewn items, felt items
etc......... the list goes on!!

The only hint you will get is the theme, so for this challenge we will scrap to the theme 'Eastern Delights'
Now! I understand we are all not going to have Oriental/Asian photos in our collections...so, think outside the box IE, garden photos, water features, mountains, or don't even use a photo, instead paint or draw a scene.
Use a 'Confucious Quote' on your page :)

So the quote that I chose is: 
If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.

I went to the Kumakura Garden at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, IL to take the pictures used on my pages.  This was such a fun challenge, join us over at Soul Scrappers and get challenged yourself.

Page 1 Kumakura Garden

Page 2 Kumakura Garden

SSQ9

Sail Away Scrapbook Page

This scrapbook page was part of the Soul Scrappers SSQ8 challenge.  They sent me an envelope of embellishments and I had to use all of them on the page.  Several items on this page are retiring on June 30th, so you still have an opportunity to purchase them before they are gone.  For instance, I used the Presto Patterns Specialty paper as my background page.  I used the Direct to Paper Technique for this page.  The Presto Patterns comes white with an embossed image on it.  I added ink by taking the ink pad and rubbing it all over the paper and the white lines were reveled.  I cut out old blue jeans with the Top Note Die.  Isn't it cool how the Top Note fits into the Presto Patterns?  The other tools that will be retiring are the Cogs Extra-Large Double punch and the Star Extra-Large Punch.
There are also two preview items from the new 2011-2012  Idea Book and Catalog.  See the banner?  It was made with the new Petite Pennants Builder Punch, isn't it too cute?  See the two circles under the globe?  They were made with the new Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die.
If you don't have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator of your own, please consider letting me be yours.  Drop me a note and I'll explain my online club to you.

Sail Away Scrapbook Page

Details

Details

Recipe:

Stamp:  The Open Sea

Paper:  Presto Patterns Specialty DSP(Retiring 6/30), Nautical Expedition DSP, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand and Soft Suede Card Stock

Ink:  Soft Suede, Basic Grey, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories:  2 1/2" Circle Punch, Cogs Extra-Large Double punch, Star Extra-Large Punch, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Stars #2 Originals Die, Big Shot, Retired Brads, tag, metal circle tag(Retired), Timeless Type Junior Alphabet, Top Note, Blue Jeans, Petite Pennants Builder Punch, Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die

Build a Blossom Scrapbook Pages

First I want to let you know that I was inspired by Peggy Finney's cute scrapbook page you can find here.  I just fell in love with this page and had to make my own.  We will be making this in class in June.  I used my garden for the subject, but it could be used for many different other subjects.  This was so much fun to create and thanks Peggy for meditating and coming up with this wonderful creation.

Page 1 My Garden

Page 2 My Garden

My Garden

Recipe:

Stamps:  

Build a Blossom(Occasions Mini)

Paper:  

Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, Whisper White

Ink:

  More Mustard, Cherry Cobbler, Bravo Burgundy, Tempting Turquoise, Always Artichoke

Accessories:

Big Shot, Swirly Sizzlets Decorative Strip Die(which I purchased just to make this card), Blossom Petals Punch

It's all about You!

Crop night is right around the corner, March 18th from 5:30-10pm.  I wanted to share a preview of the scrap page we will be working on that night. 

It's all about You, Luella

Luella, is my daughter, and I just wanted her to know how much I admire her!  So ladies, think ahead who you would like to scrap about, you, your child or husband, best friend...  We will come up with a design to match your picture.
This scrap page was also about a challenge over on Soul Scrappers and this was the challenge:

Sketch Challenge 31

I find that sometimes it helps to have a little inspiration and the challenges help with that.  Hope you join us for the crop night.

Recipe:

Stamps:

None

Ink:

Regal Rose, Soft Suede, Stampin' Write Journaler

Paper:

Nursery Suite, Specialty Sweet & Sour Specialty, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose

Accessories:

Basic Pearls, Fleurettes, Retired Ribbon, Stamping Sponges, Doily, Big Shot, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet

Very Vintage Nature Walk CD Folder Album

Very Vintage Nature Walk CD Folder Album

I am so excited to share this album with you.  I am giving a class on this album on March 27th.  Stampin' Up! has done an excellent job on the Nature Walk stamp set and the matching DSP Botanical Gazette.  I believe that this combination is my all-time favorite since I became a demonstrator in August 2009.
When I first became a new demonstrator, Patty Bennett had a free tutorial on her blog for a CD Folder Album.  I have since modified that tutorial to fit my CD Folders and customized it to my own tastes.  Thanks to Patty for helping me along my way.  Here are more pictures:

Just love butterflies, birds and especially bees since we have eleven bee hives at our house.  Now if they would just come out with a hosta stamp I would be in seventh heaven since we have a hosta business with almost 100 varieties of hosta.
I forgot on the Watercolor Wonder Crayon Wall Art to mention that my favorite daughter, Luella (also my only daughter, LOL) taught me the techniques I used to make the wall art.  She is a very talented young lady and I am waiting for her to get moved permanently so that she can join my team...I need to start thinking of a team name...do you have any suggestions?  I would love to have you as a member of my team also, and now is the perfect time to join our Stampin' Up! team of Independent Demonstrators.  Through March 31st the New Demonstrator Starter Kit is 15% off and you also receive a Bonus Bundle worth $50 for FREE!  If you have been thinking about this, now is the time.  My team members will be trained by me and I will be happy to help you get started in this terrific career.  Stamping is my happy place and I would like to share that with you!  Click HERE to start your own business!

Recipe:

Stamps:

Nature Walk, Notes & Details, En Francais, Sanded, French Filigree

Paper:

Botanical Gazette, Naturals Ivory, Crumb Cake, Old Olive

Ink:

Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, Bashful Blue, Basic Black

Accessories:

Manila Tags, Kraft CD Folders, Stampin' Sponge, Tombow Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Cutter

Always Scrapbook Page

I am getting ready for Saturday's crop and decided to also do the Color Combo Challenge 177.

Always Scrapbook Page

This is my first time entering this challenge: 

Once again I choose one of my pictures from my wedding 30 years ago.  If you come to my crop, you will get to choose your own title and flowers that you would like to include with your subject matter.  This would make a great layout for your garden.

Recipe:

Paper:

Retired DSP, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke, First Edition DSP

Ink:

Soft Suede, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, Daffodil Delight Marker

Accessories:

Big Shot, Flower- Daisies #2 Bigz Die, Fun Flowers Bigz L Die, Table Setting Bigz xl Die, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Medium Sizzlets Die, Sweetest Stem Embosslits Die, Basic Pearls, Clips Assortment, Victoria Crochet Trim, Ice Cream Parlor Button, Linen Thread, Pinking Hearts Corner Punch

Come join me Saturday and crop to your hearts content.

Watercolor Wonder Crayon Wall Art Collage

My favorite daughter, Luella (my only daughter, Ha!), came to visit this last weekend.  Our favorite thing to do together is create!  She walked me through using watercolor crayons on tags and I took off from there.  We will be having this class on February 15th & 16th.  The first night we will make the tags and the second night, stamp on them, cut them out and glue to our 12x12 card stock.  Check out my pictures of this fun project:

Watercolor Wonder Crayon Wall Art Collage

 

Recipe:

Stamps:

Bliss ( Sale-a-Bration stamp set)

Clearly For You - Clear-Mount Stamp  

You're A Gem - Clear-Mount Stamp  

Sanded  

Upsy Daisy  

Extreme Elements 

Baroque Motifs  

En Francais  

Charming  

Paper:

Basic Black 12 x 12 Card Stock 

Whisper White 12 x 12 Card Stock

Inks:

Watercolor Wonder Crayons - Regals Collection  

Crumb Cake Classic Stampin Pad 

Soft Suede Classic Stampin Pad 

Early Espresso Classic Stampin Pad 

Soft Suede Classic Stampin Ink Refill  

Accessories:

Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint  

Stamping Sponges  

Elegant Trio Décor Stencils

 

Artistic Etchings Flip Album

Here it is finally and I thank sassy laurie on Stampin' Addicts for her idea that I cased.  I have a class on this flip album on Sunday and ladies are we going to have fun!

Artistic Etchings Flip Album Cover

Artistic Etchings Flip Album Open

Artistic Etchings First Page

Artistic Etchings Second Page

Artistic Etchings Center of Album

Artistic Etchings Center with two Fold-Out Pages

Artistic Etchings Page 3

Artistic Etchings Page 4

Artistic Etchings Pages 3 & 4 Open Together

If you look closely in the pictures you will see bling on all of the add-on pages.  This is a special shimmer paint that I will show you how to make on a video soon.

Recipe:

Stamps:  Artistic Etchings, Friends 24-7, Vintage Vogue, SAB Bliss(available 1/25) and En Francais
Ink:  Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Early Expresso, Champaign Mist Shimmer Paint
Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Naturals Ivory, Early Expresso
Accessories: Purchased tag, 1/2" Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim, Linen Thread, Stamping Sponges, 1 3/4" Circle Extra-Large Punch, 1" Circle Medium Punch, Decorative Label Punch, 3/16" Corner Small Punch, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Scallop Envelope Die, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Elegant Trio Stencil Set

Love Scrapbook Page

One of my customers asked me last night to design a valentine's page for our crop on Saturday.  I recently removed our wedding pictures from a cling photo album, unfortunately some were ruined by acid.  I could not resist adding a wedding picture to my scrap page.  I believe that thirty years of marriage is to be celebrated!
This is the scrapbook page I am entering into two challenges.

Love Scrapbook Page

 Pretty in Pink is hard to capture in the photo, but looks great in real-life. Recipe for this page:

Stamps:  Love You Much
Ink:  Pretty in Pink
Paper:  Blushing Bride, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, DSP
Accessories:  Big Shot, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet, Heart to Heart Extra-Large Punch, Photo Corners Extra-Large Punch, Two-Step Owl Extra-Large Punch, uni-ball Signo Gel Pen White

The first is a new challenge started by Maria over at Scrap Love Create

Sketch #1

The second challenge is a color challenge over at Friday Mashup! Challenge #25 :

Christmas Scrap Page

On Monday, December 27th, I will be having an all day(9-5) scrap at my home.  I always provide one page to scrap on that day.
Here is our page we will be scrapping on Monday.  Two other demonstrators inspired this page.  First I was inspired by Ann Schach's card that you can see here:  http://www.stampinchic.com/ and the ruching on the ribbon was inspired by Christena Bagne's video you can see here: http://www.gettincrafty.com/ .
Recipe as follows:
Stamps:  Serene Snowflakes
Ink:  Classic Cherry Cobbler and Soft Suede
Paper:  Presto Patterns Specialty DSP #117175, Glimmer Paper #121790(available 1/4/11), cherry cobbler, Deck the Halls #120810 (only available until 1/3/11), Always Artichoke, Waffle Paper (Assortment 1) #120984
Accessories:  Northern Frost Decorative Strip #120901, Champagne Glass Glitter #120997, 1/2" Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding #120992, Color Spritzer Tool #107066, Basic Pearls #119247, Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755, Sticky Strip #104294, Snail Adhesive #104332, Stampin Dimensionals #104430, Gold Brads #104337, Paper-Piercing Tool #116631, Mat Pack #105826, 1 3/4" Circle Extra-Large Punch #119850, 1 3/8" Circle Large Punch #119860, Circles #2 Die #114526, Top Note Die #113463, Scallop Circle Die #113468, 2-1/2" Circle Punch #120906, 3/16" Corner Small Punch #119871

Christmas Scrap Page