whatever means a party

Just to clarify from the start,
THERE IS NOT A PARTY AT OUR HOUSE!
Repeat...THERE IS NOT A PARTY AT OUR HOUSE!

I made this card for a challenge and knew that I had this cute Unity house stamp...it just made me think of a party. 

Repeat...THERE IS NOT A PARTY AT OUR HOUSE!

I colored this house "funky" with my Copic markers and used another Unity stamp (argyle pattern) with white ink for the background.

One last time...THERE IS NOT A PARTY AT OUR HOUSE!

However, when there is a party at our house, I already have an invite ready, and I will be sure to let you know.

Oh, and if you are looking for my house, it's not really neon blue and green.

~kelly

Whatever is read...

The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you'll go.~ Dr. Seuss

Books are great not only for learning, but for inspiration too! For the next issue of Scrapstreet, Graffiti is looking for your creations based on a book cover.

The cover of Dr. Seuss' book, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" was the motivation for this layout, both in color and shape. Using paper from October Afternoon (Schoolhouse) and patterned paper from Colorbok, I re-created the swirly patterns found on Dr. Seuss' book--which also happens to be a popular read around Graduation time--a perfect match! One only gets to wear a graduation gown so many times in their life (unless you are my husband, he's worn one a few more times than the average).

Now it's your turn, "grab your jacket". A book jacket that is! I'm looking for your projects inspired by book cover art and there is a whole load of other submission calls for the next issue of Scrapstreet, just click right here to check them out. You, yes you (well, actually, your project) could be in the next issue coming out July 1st. Get going! Deadline for submission is May 19th.


~Kelly

whatever is out of this world...

Another bright layout...this time with my new Spellbinders Lotus Pendant dies.  A fabulous find ($10) at the Scrapbook Expo that was in Milwaukee a couple of weeks ago.  I love these dies--so elegant and delicate...they will be great on cards too.   The layout design comes from Scrapbook Challenges, sketch 292.  I used hot glue to create those  multiple circles.

I find the dies and this sketch--OUT OF THIS WORLD!

~Kelly

whatever is resourceful...

Strawberries are sweet and around our house we can't wait for strawberry pickin'-time!  Until then, we'll just have to be satisifed creating cards with strawberries on them.  This sweet stamp and the sentiment are from Unity.

But, hidden in the background, beneath the lace and ribbon is my homemade attempt at "washi" tape.  I have seen some really fabulous patterns on washi tape, tissue tape, whatever you want to call it, but I have not felt "called" to buy some.  I wanted to try and be "resourceful" and create my own (and to see what all the excitement is about). 

So, I adhered a strip of  Duck brand painters tape (it's thinner than masking tape and I found it in a clearance spot at Target) to a strip of parchment paper. I stamped a repeating pattern using this small Hero Arts stamp and black StazOn ink.  The ink dried quickly and did not smudge off, even on this tape which has a slight sheen to it.

I used the tape to adhere the large, black, scalloped circle onto the base of my card.  I'll admit, there is a benefit to the self-stick characteristic of the tape.  I like the different texture it gives to the card too.  I rolled up the leftovers (still on the parchment paper) and can save it for another project.  I have not investigated if this tape is acid-free, so I don't advise using it on your precious scrapbook layouts, but it is a fun change as a card embellishment.

I'll give this tape trial a thumbs up--

I think I'm going to experiment with different inks and patterns. 

Stay tuned for the GREAT HOME-MADE WASHI TAPE EXPERIMENT Part 2, coming soon to a blog near you.

~Kelly

whatever is a secret...

I have a secret...actually, it's more of a tip.  I'll share it  at the end (this is really my way of  making sure you look at my whole post--hee hee). 

Quick and easy layout here... I used the other We R Memory Keepers Lucky 8 punch that I received for my birthday...this one creates a large circle shape and the punch is called Tatted Doily (it's my favorite). I love being able to create large, shaped, die-cut paper out of any paper I own. These Lucky 8 punches are so cool!  If you missed my first post about the other shape I have, click here.




There is a secret journaling tag behind the top photo, but that is still not my secret.






Here is the secret...the blue, pink, orange plaid paper that I used for my background frame.  I didn't "waste" the whole sheet of paper as my background.

Here is my tip...
as you can see in this photo above, using a ruler, I framed out the edge of the paper (1 inch on all sides).  I cut out the center square and just used the frame as my background.  This way I still have a 10" x 10" sheet of this paper. 

Here is what the layout looks like from the back.

This a great "trick" for paper you love dearly and don't want to part with. Do you have any of those?

Here is another secret...I do.

~ Kelly

whatever screams spring....

I was late to Lead Fiskateer Rebecca's spontaneous Seasons

On-line Crop and was working on this card (Challenge #1, use a Fiskars border punch to make a spring card or layout).  By the time I finished and tried to post it on the thread, it was too late and the challenge was over...oops...I should read ALL of the directions and deadlines next time.  But, I still have a nice card. 

To me, pink and lime green just SCREAM 

 “spring”

I stamped a bunch of images last week and while I waited in the hospital for my mom to come out of her knee surgery, I colored them with my Copic markers.  It was a great use of time for a lot of waiting.  Now, I have lots of designs I can pop onto card fronts and be efficient! (yeah, right)

~ kelly

whatever is bright...

Neon colors are HOT right now!  They remind me of the 80's...banana clips, pin-stripe jeans, friendship pins, and a neon "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" t-shirt...all owned by me!

I created this "chalk artista" layout with my new Stitched Together stamps from Close to My Heart.  I'm letting these bright colors and simple shapes lead this simple scrapbook page-and they match perfectly with the "chalk artista's" drive-way creation!

I don't have my neon Wham t-shirt anymore. I remember reading somewhere that you should only wear the same fashion fad once in your lifetime, so I think I will let the neon pass me by this time.  I'll just scrap the colors instead of wearing them.

What is your favorite 80's fashion memory?

~Kelly