Saturday, January 17, 2015

Observations


 I came across a cool Sketch Blog this week called Stuck?! Sketches

I love working from a sketch as it makes scrapping so easy!

I whipped this layout up as I was waiting for my Vintage Layout Students to arrive.

I had some extra packages of Bo Bunny Somewhere in time Noteworthy, so I thought it would be perfect to create the layers in the Sketch, which you can find


I showed Jon my layout, of which I was proud. I love this picture of he and Dad, working on a project together. It looked to me as if they were observing something, thus the title.

Jon indicates that it was the day he was learning to use the cement saw and that they weren't observing anything at all. Observations, he said, is not a good title. When I asked him what I could title it, he indicated  a "time when Jon and Grandpa were working together and not at each other's throats"...hmmmm that would be a long title and besides, I don't have rub on's that reflect that! lol

I'm going to stick with observations....me observing the two of them working together cooperatively and just happening to capture the moment.

to add a little extra dimension the to craft cardstock, I sponged over with a stencil.
To finish off the page. I used some vintage metal embellies from Prima Marketing.
I thinkg the "timeless" metal is from CTMH

I've been in a bit of a scrapping mood lately........well actually, just in creative mode in general. It's wonderful to have my mojo back!

It's pretty chilly here today. I've been flat out on my back since Wed night,  so my first venture out into the cold weather to take Syd for a brief walk was crispy to say the least!

Looking forward to some indoor recreation tomorrow at Yoga Class

Happy Scrappin' and enjoy the rest of your weekend~

-Vicki~~

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Impression Obsession Thursday Challenge-Sparkle and Shine


How are you all today! We're back after last weeks HUGE Blog hop with our regular Thursday Challenge. This week, your challenge is to Sparkle and Shine!

My card is Very Simple, but it is sparkly~ I love this sweet sentiment and wanted it to really be the focal point on this card, so rather than having it as an add on to a main image, it IS the main image. What do you think? My sparkle was to add some Rhinestone Hearts to imitate the hearts in the sentiment. I didn't really want ribbon as I felt that the Bakers Twine would keep the card CAS


You can find this fun Sentiment  here:


Be sure to head on over to the IO Blog to find out who's playing today and to add your project!

Don't forget that if you don't play, you can't win!

Happy Stamping~

-Vicki~~

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

That memory becomes a Treasure-Prima January BAP Challenge



Good Morning! 

This morning I'm sharing my Prima BAP challenge. A small page indeed as it is a 6x6 card.

Our lovely neighbour lost her husband suddenly last week and I wanted to create a special card for her. I loved the look of the sketch and thought that it had elements that would work perfectly with my card. I started with a base of Designer paper from the Time Traveller Collection. I then used a stencil and some Tim Holtz distress ink in Vintage Photo to create the Chevrons.

I misted the paper with Antique Gold colour Bloom Spray and "spot stamped" here and there with a couple of Prima Stamps that I had, using dark ink to reconstruct the shape in the bottom right hand corner of the sketch.

I stamped the sentiment in Espresso Ink using the Treasured Memories set from
Impression Obsession. I love this sentiment. When we lose someone, the memories that we have certainly do become treasures, because that is all that remains. The treasured memories give us a sense of closeness to those that have gone before us as well as a reminder that as long as we have our loved one in our heart, they will never truly be far away.

Lastly, I added some floral , metal and wooden embellies, all from Prima Marketing

I really like the way the card turned out and I hope that it will bring our neighbour a little bit of comfort at this sad, sad time in her life

Remember the importance of treasuring each moment while you're in it; memories are treasures, but moments are meant to be enjoyed in the present.

Blessings,

-Vicki~~



Monday, January 12, 2015

I {Heart} Snow Days


Most of you are well aware of the fact that I'm NOT a fan of Winter and Cold!

I am however, a fan of sweet snow scenes and Snow Days!

Snow day's give us the perfect opportunity to stay in where it's warm and create.

That being said, an odd romp in the snow is acceptable. I've been known to Cross Country Ski on occasion as well as engage in the odd snowball fight and snow man build! I didn't mind some chilly play when Jonathon was a young lad, but it's not much fun out in the cold by oneself!


I created this sweet card for The Cats Pajama's Inspiration Challenge

I coloured the sweet Bun with my Touch Twin Markers!




Going to take 8 snow days to have some Beach Play in Jamaica!!! 
I think making a sand castle is more conducive to my aging bones!!!!

Have a WONDERFUL Monday!

I love Monday's because we're four days closer to Friday~

-Vicki~~

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Gratitude


In the spirit of remaining positive and taking action to ensure that 2015 is a wonderful year, I created a Gratitude Jar. At the end of each day, I record at least one thing I am grateful for, happy about; something that touched my heart or made me smile. A record of a kindness bestowed upon me, or a reminder of something I did for someone else that made me feel good. A reminder to count my blessings and something tangible to review in circumstance perhaps where the road gets rocky, I'm feeling discouraged or engaging in a full out pity party!

Because I'm going to redo my bedroom in a serene beach theme this year (I have discovered that the most peaceful place for me is in, on or around the ocean), I wanted to create my jar as an accent piece to my decor. I have a few pieces made, a lamp, my bedding and some accessories. Now I need to take ACTION and paint the damn room~ I even have the paint picked out... I just need to get my butt in gear and get at it!

I painted the bottom half of the jar with Martha Stewart Opaque Glass Paint. I was looking for a more frosted glass look and should have chosen transparent (DUH Opaque SHOULD have been my first clue...but not going to beat myself up about it!). Anyway, I covered the mid section with a strip of burlap that I had to act as a base for all my Embellishments. I LOVE Prima goodness and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Seashore Collection~ Lots of delicious flowers, ribbons and those yummy gems-to DIE for...I loaded up on most things Seashore and should be able to create a LOT more with this.



Rather than doing single slips of paper for each note, I've decided to use shipping tags and i'm going to attempt to get a weeks worth of gratitude on them~ That way, they won't get all tangled and I'll only have 52 pieces of paper to sift through when I need that inspiration.

This week I'm grateful for

Having the strength and courage to move forward in my life.

Gifting a friend with something small that evoked a smile

 Taking ACTION and following through on most of my intended plans

My gift of Creativity.

The Tanning Bed-Giving me a healthy glow and warming my bones in this Frigid weather.

What are you grateful for?

-Vicki~~



Saturday, January 10, 2015

Believe


Good Morning!

I hope that you thoroughly enjoyed the Blog Hop this week! There were some smashing samples for sure!!! And now onto some Scrapbooking.

I've made more me time and so with that, I have some time to read blogs and see what's happening out there in the paper crafting world. I came across this fabulous sketch challenge on the Bo Bunny site and I just happened to have a couple of collections on hand! Bo Bunny is one of the lines I follow and tend to be attracted to! 

You can find the Sketch Challenge HERE

I have some Altitude on order and can't wait for the new collections to come available at Scrappin' Great Deals!

For this layout, I used a photograph from 2000. For all of you that know Jonathon, you might remember him as a sweet little sprite. Mischievous, yet so endearing. I remember that he used to like to crawl under the table during my card classes, much to the Chagrin of one of my stampers. Don't think she was a "kid" person! That Christmas, Jon was SO excited for Santa to come. This was also a time that he was quite happy to pose for me and ham it up for the camera. Those days are long gone and Christmas is just not quite the same, but I have the beautiful memory and am hopeful that although Jon says he's not bringing more children in the world, that he'll have a change of heart one day and I'll have a Grand to spoil!!!!

I made use of the Stickers in the Candy Cane Lane Collection as some of the strips in the sketch
As well, I used the Layered Chipboard and Regular Chipboard for my title

I love the heritage feel of the designs in this paper. Photo's of me as a child are pretty scarce, but I think there is one or two of me by the Christmas Tree. I hope to find them so I can make use of all the Candy Cane Lane yumminess!!!

Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday! Any big plans? I plan to work on some Art Journalling, enjoy a long walk with Syd, weather permitting and just stay cozy and warm inside!

Happy Scrappin'

-Vicki~~

Friday, January 9, 2015

IO Stamps WInter CHA Blog Hop Final Day!





Welcome to the 2015 Impression Obsession Spring/CHA Release Blog Hop!
We have som e beautiful new stamps to share AND Gift Certificates to give away!
 The hop will start each day with a list of participants on the Impression Obsession Blog at 6am EST. Each day pay us a visit here and then head over and see our fabulous IO Design Team’s projects with our new stamps on their blogs (only one comment per blog per day please). Comment as you hop. Each comment that you leave gives you a chance to win!!!
The more blogs you visit each day… the better chance you will have to win a $25 Impression Obsession Gift Certificate!!!
Every day (Monday Jan 5th – Jan 9th), one of the IO designer blogs will be chosen randomly and a winner will be selected from comments on that blog at 10pm CT. The winner will be announced the following day along with the participat ing blogs for that day.
Two prizes will be awarded on the last day of the hop!


This is one of my favourite creations for this release. I like the unusual colour Combination~

Stamps:

Sketched Label Heart
Just Love { I cut the words love never fails from the background stamp)
Love Song Collage 

One winner will be for Friday’s comments and another will be chosen from all the comments left throughout the week. Both winners will be announced on Saturday January 10th.
So….if you miss a day or time deadline your comments will still count for a chance to win a $25 Impression Obsession Gift Certificate!
Both Friday winners will be announced on the IO Blog on Saturday, January 10th.
If you have any questions please email Jeanne.
All of the new stamps you'll be seeing on the hop are available N OW!
*** Please note***
Winner's will be chosen from the Designer's blogs listed above. You are not required to comment on the IO Blog to win. Good luck!
Today's hop list!


Thursday, January 8, 2015

IO Stamps Winter CHA Blog Hop Day 4





Welcome to the 2015 Impression Obsession Spring/CHA Release Blog Hop Day 4!
We have som e beautiful new stamps to share AND Gift Certificates to give away!
 The hop will start each day with a list of participants on the Impression Obsession Blog at 6am EST. Each day pay us a visit here and then head over and see our fabulous IO Design Team’s projects with our new stamps on their blogs (only one comment per blog per day please). Comment as you hop. Each comment that you leave gives you a chance to win!!!
The more blogs you visit each day… the better chance you will have to win a $25 Impression Obsession Gift Certificate!!!


Here's the recipe for the cute froggy card

Feels Like Spring

Recipes Background
Small Butterfly Trio

I coloured the image with my Touch Twi Markers!


Outhouse
Happy Trails
Crinkle Paper

I coloured the image with my Touch Twin Markers


Every day (Monday Jan 5th – Jan 9th), one of the IO designer blogs will be chosen randomly and a winner will be selected from comments on that blog at 10pm CT. The winner will be announced the following day along with the participat ing blogs for that day.
Two prizes will be awarded on the last day of the hop!






One winner will be for Friday’s comments and another will be chosen from all the comments left throughout the week. Both winners will be announced on Saturday January 10th.
So….if you miss a day or time deadline your comments will still count for a chance to win a $25 Impression Obsession Gift Certificate!
Both Friday winners will be announced on the IO Blog on Saturday, January 10th.
If you have any questions please email Jeanne.
All of the new stamps you'll be seeing on the hop are available N OW!
*** Please note***
Winner's will be chosen from the Designer's blogs listed above. You are not required to comment on the IO Blog to win. Good luck!
Today's hop list!

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

IO Stamps CHA Blog Hop Day 3














Welcome to the 2015 Impression Obsession Spring/CHA Release Blog Hop Day 3!
We have som e beautiful new stamps to share AND Gift Certificates to give away!
 The hop will start each day with a list of participants on the Impression Obsession Blog at 6am EST. Each day pay us a visit here and then head over and see our fabulous IO Design Team’s projects with our new stamps on their blogs (only one comment per blog per day please). Comment as you hop. Each comment that you leave gives you a chance to win!!!
The more blogs you visit each day… the better chance you will have to win a $25 Impression Obsession Gift Certificate!!!
Every day (Monday Jan 5th – Jan 9th), one of the IO designer blogs will be chosen randomly and a winner will be selected from comments on that blog at 10pm CT. The winner will be announced the following day along with the participat ing blogs for that day.
Two prizes will be awarded on the last day of the hop!












One winner will be for Friday’s comments and another will be chosen from all the comments left throughout the week. Both winners will be announced on Saturday January 10th.
So….if you miss a day or time deadline your comments will still count for a chance to win a $25 Impression Obsession Gift Certificate!
Both Friday winners will be announced on the IO Blog on Saturday, January 10th.
If you have any questions please email Jeanne.
All of the new stamps you'll be seeing on the hop are available N OW!
*** Please note***
Winner's will be chosen from the Designer's blogs listed above. You are not required to comment on the IO Blog to win. Good luck!
Today's hop list!

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Impression Obsession CHA Winter Blog Hop Day Two




Welcome to the 2015 Impression Obsession Spring/CHA Release Blog Hop!
We have som e beautiful new stamps to share AND Gift Certificates to give away!
 The hop will start each day with a list of participants on the Impression Obsession Blog at 6am EST. Each day pay us a visit here and then head over and see our fabulous IO Design Team’s projects with our new stamps on their blogs (only one comment per blog per day please). Comment as you hop. Each comment that you leave gives you a chance to win!!!
The more blogs you visit each day… the better chance you will have to win a $25 Impression Obsession Gift Certificate!!!

For todays creation, I used the following stamps and dies:

Reading Silhouette

Double Heart Border
Do you know
Borders  Duo 2 Die

I embossed the main image onto the Kraft Tag with White embossing Powder
A very quick yet elegant card!

Every day (Monday Jan 5th – Jan 9th), one of the IO designer blogs will be chosen randomly and a winner will be selected from comments on that blog at 10pm CT. The winner will be announced the following day along with the participat ing blogs for that day.
Two prizes will be awarded on the last day of the hop!
One winner will be for Friday’s comments and another will be chosen from all the comments left throughout the week. Both winners will be announced on Saturday January 10th.
So….if you miss a day or time deadline your comments will still count for a chance to win a $25 Impression Obsession Gift Certificate!
Both Friday winners will be announced on the IO Blog on Saturday, January 10th.
If you have any questions please email Jeanne.
All of the new stamps you'll be seeing on the hop are available N OW!
*** Please note***
Winner's will be chosen from the Designer's blogs listed above. You are not required to comment on the IO Blog to win. Good luck!
Today's hop list!

Monday, January 5, 2015

Impression Obsession Winter Sneak Peek Blog Hop-Day 1







Welcome to the 2015 Impression Obsession Spring/CHA Release Blog Hop!
We have some beautiful new stamps to share AND Gift Certificates to give away!
 The hop will start each day with a list of participants on the Impression Obsession Blog at 6am EST. Each day pay us a visit here and then head over and see our fabulous IO Design Team’s projects with our new stamps on their blogs (only one comment per blog per day please). Comment as you hop. Each comment that you leave gives you a chance to win!!!
The more blogs you visit each day… the better chance you will have to win a $25 Impression Obsession Gift Certificate!!!

For my first card above, My central focus is this wonderful quote from the very Inspiration Maya Angelou. The Good Lord called this phenomenal woman home last year, however her spirit and words will impact upon people, particularly women for years to come.
The bright back ground is created with the Paint Splatter stamp

Here are the links to both:



For my second share, I kept it clean and simple

I stamped the image in two different colours (Cherry Cobbler and Melon Mambo) for some variation


You can get both the image and the sentiment, along with some other sweet stamps in this cute set!



Every day (Monday Jan 5th – Jan 9th), one of the IO designer blogs will be chosen randomly and a winner will be selected from comments on that blog at 10pm CT. The winner will be announced the following day along with the participat ing blogs for that day.
Two prizes will be awarded on the last day of the hop!
One winner will be for Friday’s comments and another will be chosen from all the comments left throughout the week. Both winners will be announced on Saturday January 10th.
So….if you miss a day or time deadline your comments will still count for a chance to win a $25 Impression Obsession Gift Certificate!
Both Friday winners will be announced on the IO Blog on Saturday, January 10th.
If you have any questions please email Jeanne.
All of the new stamps you'll be seeing on the hop are available N OW!
*** Please note***
Winner's will be chosen from the Designer's blogs listed above. You are not required to comment on the IO Blog to win. Good luck!


Today's hop list!

Sunday, January 4, 2015

I am my own Goal keeper-Documented Life Project 2015



In taking Action to be more creative this year, I've decided to join the Documented Life Project


With weekly challenges abound, I will be prompted and motivated to create specifically for me.

The challenge for January is "The Blank Page and how to face it.

The art Challenge: Using Book Paper in your creation {Can you see it all peeking out under the paint? I even used an old envelope that mom had stashed in her desk. Can you find the Lady Di Stamps" {geez, this could be the start of a where's Waldo type of game-grin}. Was it a bad thing to pain over Lady Di? I tried to keep her image a little cleaner than some of the others, so I'll award myself an "A" for effort!

The Journal Prompt: Be your own goal keeper.  Who else knows you better than you and know one else is going to achieve your goals for you!

I got a little ambitious with regard to doing a two page thread and in hindsight, perhaps should have stuck to one page, but hindsights 20/20 and I met my goal to create, so that's the main thing.

I created  little flap for my page to keep my goals personal....the word Action, of course is highlighted as it's my word for 2015. So far I'm holding to my vow to take action toward one goal or another each day. For example, I have a bad habit of leaving the dinner dishes to sit in the sink until I accumulate a bigger pile, or until I know I have company coming {ohhhh Candid Confession-I'm not a neatnik!}
This year, I will do the damn dishes before I retire {at least get them washed and into the drainer}.
So far, so good. I know, for most a small task, but for me-the need to feel more in control and organized. I figure if I can keep my personal space organized, I have a better chance of effecting self control, follow through and organization in other areas of my life.

Here's to bringing my goals into fruition in 2015. I had a few people inquire about the turquoise spirals on my page. I created them by stamping  the Grunge Circle Stamp with Ti Holtz distress Paint. I also used the Spatter Stamp also by Impression Obsession and stamped it in not quite Navy Ink by Stampin Up!.

Have a wonderful day! Be sure to stop by all week to see some CHA peeks from Impression Obsession. There is a daily Hop and prizes to be won!

Happy Stamping!

-Vick~

Saturday, January 3, 2015

One Little Word-2015




My one little word for 2015

Action
ac·tion
ˈakSH(ə)n/
noun
  1. 1.
    the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim.
  2. 2.  a thing done; an act.


I chose action because it will remind me that despite all the dreams I dream, the goals I establish, the objectives I plan to effect to reach my goal will not surface without action.


Over the past few months, I've reflected on my actions, as well as the actions of others around me. I think this quote sums it up quite nicely:




I can say that I'm going to eat better, get more exercise, be kinder to myself. I can tell you that I love  and respect you. I can vow to make choices that will allow me to evolve both emotionally and spiritually, but unless I take action, all my words are empty, my intentions meaningless. 

If nothing changes, nothing changes.

Accountability goes hand and hand with action. This year I intend to be accountable for my actions  and to monitor my follow through. I'll aim for 100% , but remain mindful that I can't do it all. If I can put forth an effort each day to take action in one way or another, I'll be content.

What word will inspire you this year?

The distance between your dreams and reality is called action


-Vicki~


Friday, January 2, 2015

1 Corinthians 13



Good Morning!

I wanted to share a card that I created for the upcoming CHA release!

Next week, we're doing a week long blog hop to showcase all the new designs that will be released.
These Love themed stamps will be available on the IO stamps website very soon.

This particular card was inspired by the 1 Corinthians Stamp

This is such a beautiful writing in the Bible; a wonderful passage by which to measure the validity of your intimate relationships.  We can speak the words "I Love you" so easily, but if we can't live up to those words, it's a rather moot point isn't it? I understand that all relationships are not perfect and the road can be rocky at times, but Love can only persevere if all the other principles stated above are practiced. If there is no trust, there is no love. If one is presented with the truth and can perhaps rejoice with it, then perhaps love will never fail. Is it Love that fails, or rather the people who carry a misconstrued idea of what Love actually is?

This year I will open my heart to the Universe and rejoice in the truths that I am presented and I will truly Love with all my heart and soul.




Card Supplies


F13275 Rose Collage
H13274 Just Love
B9525 I Love you
{ I have no direct links to the stamps as they aren't currently on the site, but will be very soon}

Leaves and Gemstones-Prima Marketing

The flower is coloured with Tim Holtz Distress Inks and Ranger Blending Stump pen


Live the Life you Love, Love the Life you Live

-Vicki~


Thursday, January 1, 2015

Winter Chill-Impression Obsession's first Challenge for 2015


Happy New Year!

I'm starting off the New Year by sharing a pretty clean and simple Scrapbook Page that I created for the Impression Obsession Winter Chill Challenge.

I started with a base Paper from the Paper Loft Great Outdoors Collection (Dusty Roads). I used the darker side as a base and the other side of the double sided paper to cut the snowflakes from the following Impression Obsession Dies:


I Drybrushed some white paint to act as a bit of a frame for my picture of Sweet Sydney!!!
She is just the cutest little Fur Baby EVER!!!!  {Especially with that nose full of snow!}

To add a little more texture, I stamped some Snowflakes onto the page using these two stamps
(note: I stamped off before stamping on the page, to get a lighter image)


I was inspired by the Prima December Sketch, however I kept it a little cleaner

The Damask Snowflake acts as a base for this gorgeous sentiment!

I don't have a link for the Sentiment as it's a sneak peek of what's coming in the January CHA release. I just LOVE that sentiment!

I couldn't resist but add that touch of drybrusing under the sentiment as well. It gives an "in motion" feeling to that section of the page.

Finally I completed the page by adding a few Prima Flowers to fill, along with some Prima Crystals.

I'm quite pleased with how the page turned out. It's been awhile since I scrapped!

Make sure you visit the IO Blog to post your challenge project and to get the details of the prize. You will also get direct links to our talented DT blogs! I think all the girls are playing today, so you're in for a treat!