Happy Labor Day!!

Hi Friends and Family!

It appears as if the last time I blogged was on Memorial Day!!!  Wowee!!!  WAY too long!

I have still been creating, just not been blogging.  To be truthful, I have been discouraged about my blog, discouraged, trying for design teams.  I questioned if it was worth all the extra effort.  I love creating, and it just seemed like I was not having any success with my blog, or getting any further in my beloved scrapbook world.  I was asking, (even paying) for advice on how to get to the next level in my craft, and not getting a bit further.  My daughter has even offered to help me build a new and improved blog.  I have been on the fence about what to do.

Here are a couple of recent projects:

Here is my latest paper doll.  I have joined a paper doll swap since I last blogged.  This month the swap was to make a vintage doll.  

Here is a card I created trying a new line from Blue Fern Studios.  They have really nice paper...extra thick.  

Well the good news, is I have decided to keep trying and not give up!!  I saw another design team call for Dear Lizzy.  It was very inviting and encouraging, so I thought I would try.  Please wish me luck and cross your fingers.  Here is a link to their blog if you would like to check them out.  P. S.  SUPER cutest alert!!!!     http://elizabethkartchner.com/

Well I am off to get creating.  Have a happy week...hugs to everyone!!  xo

Happy Three Day Creative Weekend!

Howdy Friends and Family!

I know I have been missing in action the last few weeks.  I have been busy, (for me) and have not been creating too much. But my social life has calmed down a bit, so I am back at being creative.

My last post, I told you we were going to go see my daughter Melodie, in Mary Poppins.  She was awesome, and stole the show on many occasions.  She played Mrs. Brill, and I could not have more proud and in awe of  her.

My son Justin came home for Mother's Day weekend.  It was SO nice to have the whole family together.  We had a great visit, and it went way too fast.  He got me a Fit Bit, so I have been walking up a storm.  He always makes sure I have so much fun, and spoils me way more than I deserve.  My daughter got me my happy girly stuff...scrapbook supplies and good smelling creams, sprays and lotions.  I LOVE Mother's Day!!  :o)

So this week I have been working on a tag that my friend Rita sent me.  She is always coming up with interesting things for me to check out.  This tag was a challenge with Swirlydoos.  They had a tutorial making a tag using aluminum foil.  I honestly did not think I would be able to make this, but decided, for my friend Rita's sake, (who thinks I can do anything) I would give it a try.

                         This tutorial was GREAT fun.  I was pretty happy with the results also.

                            Embossing on aluminum foil, inking, spraying, gesso, molding paste....
                                                            oh my gosh, SO much fun!!!

                                        I have more pictures of this if you would like to see.
          I am going to see how much I can create this weekend.  I wish you all fun and happiness.

Hugs,
Rhonda

Happy Friday!!

Howdy Friends and Family!

I know that today is going to be a GREAT day!!!!

My daughter is in a production of  Mary Poppins, and tonight is opening night.  I just know she will be wonderful (as always) and we are all going to be in for a real treat.

Also, I am submitting some creations to Maya Road, to try for their design team.  I know you must think I am silly...always trying to get on a design team.  But scrapping really is my passion, and I have been told by some pretty wonderful people to NEVER GIVE UP!!  :o)

Here are a couple of my submissions.

Here is my honey.  He can surprise us and be silly too!!  I love him so much

Here is a card using Maya Road Chipboard.

Have a happy Friday and a creative Weekend!!!

HUGS.  

Let's Get Sketchy

Howdy Friends and Family!

I had fun creating this weekend.  :o)

I worked on a layout to apply for a design team position on the blog, "Let's Get Sketchy".  They are a great blog that provides sketches for inspiration, especially when you are getting scrapper's block. :o) A scrappy friend of mine sent me their link, thinking I would enjoy being part of their team.
(  I would LOVE to be!)

Here is a link to their blog:

http://www.letsgetsketchy.blogspot.com/


Here is their Design Team call:

Design Team Call

Hello everyone!

Lets Get Sketchy is looking to add 2-4 more members to our already fabulous Design Team.  The DT term will run from April 15 through July 15 and  could very well be extended after that time. You will be responsible for at least 2 layouts a month as well as commenting on entries each week.  I am only looking for dedicated members.  If you are interested and would like to be considered for a position then here is what you need to do:

Why apply for our team? 

• To be inspired and to inspire others 
• To be on the ground floor of an up and coming blog 
• You will be a part of an amazing group of women and develop lifelong friendships with women from all over the world. 
• Your work will be featured on Facebook and Pinterest. 

What is expected of our Design Team? 

• You MUST be a follower of our blog
• Complete 2 projects a month (you will be given challenges at least a month in advance). 
• Comment on participants entries (THIS IS A MUST!).  Any team member not adhering to this rule will be promptly removed from the team so please make sure you can do this before applying. 
• Commit to a 3 month term (Beginning  April 15th thru July 15th.) 
• Keep an active blog that is updated frequently 
• Post our challenge and your project on your blog on reveal day and link back to the LGS blog.

How to apply:

• Leave a comment below indicating you would like to apply 
• Add our link and DT call to your blog
• Provide links to your blog and any online galleries. 
• Create a layout from either of the the sketches below
• Place our DT call on your blog to help get the word out.
• You MUST have a Facebook account as we will have a private DT group on Facebook

Design Team Call Sketch

Anyone interested in applying please send your application to letsgetsketchy@gmail.com. Make sure you put DT call in the subject line.

We are accepting applications through April 8th.  New design team members will be notified by April 9th.    This is an open call, what that means is, I have the right to close this call at any time if I feel all the positions have been filled.    The first reveal will be April 15th. . I know this is a short turn around however; the first challenge will be easy. I promise you!

No previous DT experience needed.

I can't wait to see what you come up with!  International members ARE welcome to apply!

I used the first sketch for my entry.  I enjoyed using the sketch very much.  

I used the new Marion Smith "Gypsy" line on this layout of my husband and myself on one of our dates.  Love the Vintage feel of this line.  I did some distressing and inking.  Love this sketch!

Wish me luck...and go take a look at the "Let's get Sketchy" Blog.

Hugs.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Friends and Family!!!

I hope everyone is having a super wonderful day.  :o)

I had a good week.  I was very surprised to find out I won a challenge with the layout I shared with you in the challenge with Paper Issues.  I was very excited about that, which only spurred me on to creating more!  Hooray!!  

Paper Issues has a "Sketchy Saturday" challenge, which was such a lot of fun to make.  Here is the copy of the sketch.  I would encourage everyone that can, take a look at their blog...they have some AMAZING layouts over there!   http://www.paperissues.blogspot.com/

Here is my take on the sketch, which I am entering in the challenge.  This is a picture of when I went to see my son Justin, when he picked me up at the airport.  I was so happy to see him.  As soon as we get together it is like we have never been apart.  :o)
I used the  Kaisercraft "Bonjour" Collection.  I covered some chipboard, and did a little distressing.  VERY FUN!

They also had a bonus card sketch, which I did too!  I used scraps from the same collection.

Again, I encourage everyone to take a look at Paper Issues.  They have some great products, the crew is super encouraging, and everyone in general is just friendly and nice.

Happy Easter to one and all.
Hugs!

Create, Create!!!

Howdy Friends and Family!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend...I know I did!  I had a lot of fun this past week and TWO weekends creating for a special Paper Issues Online Crop.  Oh my gosh, did I get inspired!  They have the greatest group of ladies who are all very encouraging.  The challenges were great fun, and I got a lot created.

One of the challenges was to make a creation with sparkle.  Well I thought it was the perfect chance to combine two challenges.  I ordered some chipboard embellishments from a company called "Creative Embellishments".  I have to say, they have some of the most intricate chipboard pieces I have seen.  They have their March challenge going so I thought I would play along and "Sparkle" up some of the chipboard pieces I had purchased for their challenge.  http://creativeembellishments.com/blog/?p=4432  this is the link to their challenge.

  Here is the layout I made for both of the challenges.

I love my honey!!!  Anyway, I was inspired by the butterflies on the Creative Embellishment's  challenge, and bought some Butterfly Flourishes from them.  I also purchased some intricate Butterflies, but decided not to use them on this particular layout.  I used some circle chipboard, (up in the upper left hand corner) that they sent me for placing an order.  What a great treat!

I painted the Butterfly Flourishes with gold crackle paint and then sprinkled them with gold glitter.  Isn't glitter fun?  I think they look just right with the Prima "Princess" line.

If you are looking for some fun chipboard pieces, I would recommend Creative Embellishments.

Have a happy week!!
Hugs.

I'm Back!!

Hello Friends and Family!

I am sure you have been wondering where I have been and what I have been up to the last couple of weeks.

Well actually I was in a bit of a slump.  I was kind of having a bit of a pity party.  I felt my scrapping wasn't up to par.  Then I had a small car accident.  So really I was just a little down in the dumps.   Then I got an email from Paper Issues, telling me about their online crop. I thought, "what the heck I will give it a try!"  I have to tell you that was the most fun online crop that I have ever participated in.  Paper Issues, has a great group of talented ladies.  They are very supportive, and so many ladies participated in it...there was inspiration everywhere!

If you still want to participate, they have lots of challenges to get involved in, and they are not due until 3/29/15.  So there is still time to join in and have fun!

Here is one of the layouts I created.

This is a layout I made of the fun I had with my son Justin, when I went to visit last December.  I used Carta Bella's "It's a Celebration" line.  I made some tags, and cut my photos into the tag shapes.

Thank you Paper Issues for helping me to get my paper crafting mojo back.  I am back and creating.  :o)
Hugs  xo

My Friend Rita

Hello to all of my friends and family!

I hope you all had a relaxing weekend, and have a wonderful week ahead.  :o)

Friday night my husband and I were treated to a delicious dinner at 5th Street Steakhouse by my sweet friend Rita, and her equally sweet husband Milton.  As great as our dinner was, ( I love a good ribeye) the company was even better.  We have been trying to get together for years to do this, and we finally did.  We had an awesome evening, catching up on each other's families, and just having fun in general.

I met Rita at a scrapbook store of course.  We have been friends for 11 years now, but it seems like we have known each other forever.  Every time Rita and I get together, she always has presents for me and this evening was no exception. Holy Cow, did she have some cool things in her special bag this time.  She is just the best friend ever.

I was trying to get her something special this time, and I found the perfect present.  Julie Nutting recently came out with a paper doll named "Rita"!  That made me so happy.  Here is my version of Rita, dedicated to my dear friend.

I used the Prima "Princess" Collection for this tag.  The reason is because one of my gifts from Rita was the Princess Collection...one of my favorites ever!  I decided I was going to use it for this tag.

It was like Christmas for me on Friday night and I will show you why.

These are all of the surprises I had in the cutest bag ever....Olag!!!

So much scrappy goodness in one bag.  Thank you Rita!!!!

Happy Day to you all.  Hugs.  xo

Die-Namites Design Team Call

Good evening friends and family!

I am about ready to call it a day here, but I was checking my emails, and saw that a company called Die-Namites Cutting Dies had a call for their design team.  Because I love dies, and die-cutting machines so much I thought, "why not try"?

In case you have not heard of Die-Namites Cutting Dies, they are a company that makes in the USA...you know how happy that makes me...100 percent steel dies.  They are some of the cutest dies I have seen.

I thought I would share some of what I am submitting to them.  Wish me luck!  :o)

http://www.die-namites.com/     Here is a link to their store, if you would like to check them out.

Sweet dreams everyone.  Hugs.  xo

My Scraps & More Sketch #99

Good Morning Friends and Family!

I am off to work so I thought I would leave a look at the layout I created yesterday.  

I used sketch #99 from the sketch challenge at My Scraps & More.  They are an online site that provides  not only inspiration, but scrapbooking supplies too.  

Here is a copy of the sketch.

Here is my layout.  

I used the Prima "Engraver" Collection.  It is a lovely collection. I had a great time making it.  

Happy Monday!  Go out there and make it a wonderful week.  Hugs.  xxo

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 - February

Happy Sunday, friends and family!!

Yesterday I had a great day in the scrapbook room.  I made a couple of cards using up my scraps, and then thought I had better get cookin' on my Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015.  There is not much of February left!

At first I was a little stressed out about this tag, I have to admit.  I threw two of them in the making in the garbage.  I guess I was having a problem with the different types of layering/quilting.  I kind of tend to want things exact, and this project was so much simpler than I was trying to make it.  So, after I decided to relax and just start laying pieces on the tag (like Tim said in the tutorial), it all came together.  That was when the fun began.  There were so many fun layers, and tasks to do on this tag.  I look forward every month to see what Tim is going to bring to the table to help me stretch my horizons in papercrafting.  I truly believe it is about having an open mind in our craft.  You can't stay stuck in what worked back when you started out.  This hobby is always changing.  I love to bring what I know, and what I am learning to every project I am tackling.

FEBRUARY TAG

I encourage you all to take a look at Tim Holtz's blog when you have a chance to look at all the wonderful tags that have been created from Tim's tutorial.  They are all beautiful...truly inspirational.
Well, I better go, I have a layout almost completed for next time!
Have a happy Sunday.  Hugs  xoxo

Bella BLVD 2015 Creative Team Call

Howdy Friends and Family!

I have been working hard on some submissions for a spot on the Bella BLVD 2015 Creative Team Call.  I LOVE Bella BLVD with their bright and happy papers and themes.  Take a peek and let  me know what you think.  :o)

This is a layout from when I went to visit my son Justin in December.  I had so much fun on that trip, and I am sure I will have lots more pictures to share of this trip in the future.

This is a layout with one of my favorite things...cupcakes!!

This is a layout with my sweet honey.  We just celebrated out 38th anniversary yesterday, and I love him more than any layout could ever show.

Here is one of the cards I created, and following this one, there is one more.  :o)

Thanks for looking.  Cross your fingers and wish me luck!  Have a creative weekend.  Hugs  xo

Julie Nutting Paper Doll Day

Happy President's Day everyone!

I have the day off today...HOORAY!!!!  I love having an extra day off.  I get to play and create today.  :o)

With that said, I decided to work on something I love.  Paper Dolls!  :o)  I saw that Julie Nutting had come out with some new paper dolls.  I would love to get them all, especially the new decade ones.  But for now, I have to placate myself with one.  Julie has come out with some that I consider the "Barbie" and "Ken" of the paper dolls.  The dolls and clothes are separate stamps, which leads me to believe there are more outfits to come.  Yeah!!  Anyway, the girl's real name is Marisol, and if you get the boy, his name is Adam.  These dolls are named after actual people who work at Prima.

 I really love working on the paper dolls.

I used modeling paste and inks on this one.

Here are what the stamps look like.  As you can see, the outfits are very versatile.

And last, these are Julie's Watercolor Pencils, and waterbrush.  I used them on the dolls skin, and hair on one of the dolls.  They work very smoothly, and I would recommend them if you love working with watercolors.  Julie has four different sets of pencils.  This set is the Hair and Skin Tone set.

If you have any questions on these products or projects, I would be happy to answer them for you.

I hope you all have a very happy day.  Thanks for looking today. Hugs  :o)

Valentine Mode

Howdy Friends and Family!

I truly have been in Valentine mode (heaven) this week.  I love Valentine's Day!  I have loved it since I was a girl making valentines for my brothers and sisters.  This new Authentique line "Crush", with it's old vintage feel, has made me think of Valentine's Day when I was a little younger.  :o)  I am really enjoying this line.

Here are a few more cards using this line.

(You know how I love pink)

One last one.

I hope you had some fun making your own Valentines.

Hugs...Rhonda

Valentines!

Hi there friends and family!

I have had a fun creative day today.  :o)  I decided I had better get working on my Valentine's Day Cards.  Valentine's Day is Saturday, so you still have a few days left to make some cards for everyone you love.

I have made these cards using Authentique's "Crush" line.  Love it!  It is cute, vintage and the colors are great!  I have a million ideas in my head for this collection.

What do you think?

Here is another similar, with a little different colors.

The last one for today...

I hope you all have a wonderful week.  Get those Valentine's done!  :o)
xoxox  Rhonda

It's Saturday!!!!

Howdy Friends and Family!!

It's Saturday, and I am still in my pajamas, and creating up a storm!  Hooray!  What a great day I have had.  After a very hard week at work, it has been nice to do what makes me the happiest...hanging out at home in my scrapbook area with my honey and my kitties.  :o)

Today I created a layout with a picture of my dad when he was a boy  I used the Prima "Printery" Collection.  I thought it was a good collection for this vintage photo.

 

If I was to say what my signature style is, I would definitely veer towards layering and distressing. They are some of my most fun to work on.

 Here is a close up of some of the layering and distressing

 I also was able to do some stitching on this page.  My honey got me a new PINK sewing machine and had it all hooked up for me to play with.  I am going to give it a try on some cards today.  :o) What a sweet supportive husband I have!

 Thanks for taking a peek.  Have a super rest of your weekend.  Hugs.  xo