First Ever Blog Hop!

Ok ladies here goes with my first ever blog hop!

Well actually it's Karen's blog hop but as part of the new DT for 'Lasting Memories Layouts' I get to participate in the hop. First let me share the deets with you all. There are 6 members on the new design team (and 1 guest designer for July/August) - all taking part in the blog hop to launch Karen's new scrap booking challenge blog .

PLUS there is blog candy up for grabs so you don't want to miss out!

Below is a list of all the other DT gals participating in the hop and if you are reading this then you should've come to me via Priscilla and the next stop on your hop after me is Lasting Memories so be sure to stop there and leave a comment for the blog candy entry. You gotta be in it to win it right! If you have lost your way (or have come here first) you can go back to the beginning at Kelli's blog.

PLUS if you leave a comment on each of the blogs in the hop you just might be the winner of some mystery blog candy too!

Kelli

Kristi (Guest DT)

Mandy

Melly

Nancy

Priscilla

Suezie (me)

Lasting Memories (Karen)

And finally here is my page design for the hop. We were challenged to create a layout using red, white and blue. My first thoughts turned to the American flag, 4th July and then finally pictures of Idaho since we have so many photos from over the years. Yes ladies - I too have a major backlog of unscrapped photos!

I couldn't narrow my photos down to just a couple so I decided to do a 2 page spread. When I think 'Americana' I always think 'patchwork' and 'folk art' so I decided to piece my photos and 'scraps' together in a technique known as 'blocking'. My title was spread out across the pages and reads 'Home is a Place in the Heart'.

I stitched around each 'scrap' for added detail and then used my scissors to distress up the edges - couldn't lay my hands on my distressing thingy so scissors worked just as well. I decided to use some WM stamps to add stars plus the heart stamp in the lower right corner too (see below).

These photos were taken a few years back around August time so the sky was an incredible blue every day of our visit and made for great photos. I take pictures of lots of weird stuff like road signs and even make hubby double back or park across the street so I can get a better shot. Good job he loves me!

The letters are made using good ol' fashioned Sizzix dies and the photo anchors using a Quickutz die. These days I use my Big Shot for nestabilities mostly but I try to drag it out now and then for other things too.

Be sure to stop by the other blogs to see what the new DT have come up with. Hopefully you'll be inspired to do a page yourself. Now I'm off to see what they've done too!

Late Entry!

I'm late, I'm late, for a very important post! Gottcha LOL. I really wanted to do another Waltzing Mouse challenge but just couldn't seem to find time - frustrating!!! - especially when I had the idea in my head. I had company today so I had to wait until this evening.

I decided I just had to make the time and I'm really pleased I did. I managed to get photos taken before losing all daylight, to play around editing them and now all I have to do is get this post done and go link over at WM sketch challenge blog. I won't delay a minute longer.

Here is this week's sketch and below is my take on it.

I knew it would be worth getting an arm ache to make these flowers. I made about a dozen the other day and then wondered why my right shoulder and arm felt kinda achy (did I spell that right?) this morning. The words 'little and often' come to mind so maybe I'll keep the hook and thread by the couch and do a bit now and then instead of all at one go. Now that I just learnt how to do them I don't want to forget.

OMG I am waffling and I haven't the time!!! Shut up Suezie!

I didn't have a full circle of flowers cos I thought this would make it OTT so instead my flowers run into leaves and then into gems to complete the full circle. I'm guessing this is allowed.

I used two sets of WM stamps - Words of Wisdom and Very Vintage Labels 10 (which was the only reason I purchased the labels 10 dies) and even added the swirls from the labels 10 set.

I used my Sizzix Texture Boutique with the only 1 embossing folder I own (must do something about that some time) to add more detail and used only two colours. My beige card stock had small white flecks in it so that led me to team it up nicely with white. I inked edges in white to soften them and add definition to my hand cut leaves too.

I apologise about the border - I've just drawn attention to it now! I couldn't make it piece up like I wanted so I gave in rather than start again - I am on a time frame here remember.

I miss matched the buttons deliberately - sometimes things DONT have to be all neat and perfectly matched - I like the eclectic mix of buttons. I think it adds charm and character.

Well that's about it. I am off to link this up and then to order the stamps for the ladies booked onto the upcoming WM workshop this month - almost there girls! I can't wait. I have sooooo got to go play with my WM stamps tomorrow for the follow on workshop.

A Little Help & Inspiration

I am always up for helping anyone craft even if they just have a one off craft project in mind and today I helped my daughter's friend with wedding invites. She knew what colours she wanted and had a few things in mind so I basically just lent her my equipment and helped her achieve what she was looking for.

I dragged stamps, dies and all kinds of craft bits out to play with but this is what she settled on and felt confident she could make.

We were trying to get as much as possible from a single sheet of A4 card stock since she had offered to do these as her gift to the happy couple. We managed to get one square pocket card, a place card and an RSVP card from one sheet and then one little favour box from a second sheet. She didn't actually ask for the box but I couldn't resist sharing the 'how to'. It's way too easy and for a few more sheets of card stock and an extra bit of ribbon she could make the bride really happy and offer to do these as well.

She was pretty sure the bride would like these so all that's left now is for her to pick up supplies and book a day to come use my equipment. She just needs to cut out the hearts and emboss on the card front and the rest she can do at home with the use of some of my daughter's equipment. Mine is in too much constant use to part with it for more than an afternoon I'm afraid.