A challenge for your weekend scrapbooking...

It's almost the weekend.  And, if you're anything like me, this is when you get most of your scrapbooking done.  So, here's a little challenge for you.  Try making your own embellishments.  

All of our kits come with some really cute fabrics.  Use part of yours to make a yoyo flower.  Don't know how?  Follow this tutorial.

 

Want to try your hand at making a rolled flower?  Watch this wonderful tutorial to see how.

 

 Are you as obsessed with butterflies as I am?  My Martha Stewart punches are my fave tools right now.  Don't have one of those awesome punches?  Simply trace around a chipboard shape and cut it out by hand.  (It's easy, I promise! ;)  To give your punches, die cuts, and cut outs dimension, ink the edges, layer them, and "pop" the top butterfly's wings.  Add gems, buttons, or pearls to finish your new little creations!

Happy crafting!

 *hugs*

Michelle

A little inspiration to start the week!

Hi, All! I'll be posting a couple of more times this week, but I wanted to start off with a few projects that I fell in love with recently on the American Crafts blog.

Emery Kate by Alisha Gordon

Eat Your Heart Out by Amy Tan

Pumpkin Fairy by Becky Williams

Embellished Hat and Gloves by Jennifer Gallacher

*hugs*

Michelle

my little inspirational mug

Here is the card that I created using my new owl, Ollie.  I think that he and his friends will be making an appearance or two on some future projects. =)

And, as promised, here are some better pictures of the layout that I posted earlier this week.

*hugs*

Michelle

Here is the picture of my little owl mug.  Isn't he just the cutest?  I found him at TJ Maxx this last week for a mere $2.99!  How could I resist?!  I named him Oliver.  I'll be posting the project he inspired later tonight.

*hugs*

Michelle

As promised...

As promised, here are some pics of the layout I created using the picture featured in Tuesday's post.

  I'll try to  take some better ones later.  I'll also need to take a new picture of my little mug.  I'll post that picture on Friday, and the layout will be posted either late late tomorrow or on Saturday.

*hugs*

Michelle

It's coming...I promise!

Let me start by saying a big "Sorry!" for not getting my layout posted.  It's done, but I still need to take a picture of it.  I promise to post it tonight along with another piece of inspiration that I'm using for the layout that I'll be posting tomorrow.  (hint:  the inspiration is the cute little mug that I referred to in Tuesday's post.)  So, in the meantime, here are some yummy pieces of eye candy to get your creative juices flowing! =)

Liz Kartchner's collection of vintage pins - pretty pretty flowers...

This adorable camera strap cover by *Shey* {B} - *love* the rufflies!

And, I gotta try to make this beautiful headwrap!

*hugs*

Michelle

What inspires you?

Where do you look for inspiration for your pages?  I often find my inspiration in some unconventional places.  Do I read scrapbooking magazines?  Sure.  Surf the popular scrapbooking websites?  Absolutely.  But sometimes I find inspiration in the color scheme of a print ad in a magazine.  Or, it might be a logo or emblem on a piece of clothing.  Or a cute little mug I found at a discount store.  Then there are times that it is simply the photo itself.

I *love* this photo of my bestie and her daughter.  Is it a perfect picture?  Absolutely not.  It has some pretty severe shadows that I wish would magically disappear.  My love for this photo is more about its subject than its technical perfection.  It's the way that it helps me remember that one moment in time - and the warm, fuzzy feeling it evokes.  (I'll post the layout that I created around this picture tomorrow.)  

And, throughout the week, I'll be posting more little pieces of inspiration and the projects that they inspired.  Please feel free to share some of yours, too! 

*hugs*

Michelle 

And the winner is ...

And the winner is . . .  #18!  Aubree, e-mail your contact information to me at michelle{dot}burry{at}sbcglobal{dot}net, and I'll get your goodies in the mail for you.  Congrats!!  =)

*hugs*
Michelle

Happy 4th, Everyone!

I hope that everyone is enjoying a fun, safe holiday with your family and friends.

Today was the deadline for the sketch contest, and it looks like we have some super busy fans following our blog.  I was so looking forward to seeing everyone's beautiful creations, but maybe next time. ;)  I'd still like to give away a mini kit chock-full of MR goodies - and a few original creations by me, too!  So, this is what we'll do.  Between now and Wednesday, leave a comment here with your favorite summer memory.  I'll pick a number at random and post the winner's name Wednesday night.  Good luck!  =)  

*hugs*

Michelle

One last sketch for the week

Here is one last sketch for the week.  This is one of the June PageMaps by Becky Fleck.

I changed it up a bit. Here's how:  I flipped it upside-down, turned an 8.5x11 2-pager into a 12x12 1-pager, changed the sizes and layouts of the photos, and moved the title toward the bottom of the layout.

 

I took these pictures while travelling in Scotland in May 1997.  This little statue immediately caught my attention.  The story is even more incredible.  You can read a more complete account here.  I didn't include any journaling on the layout, since the sign does a good job of summing it up:

John Gray

Master of "Greyfriars' Bobby"

In 1858, John Gray, master of

"Greyfriars' Bobby," was buried in the

grave marked with a red granite stone

on the left-hand side of this walk. -->

"Greyfriar's Bobby," after 14 years

of faithfull devoition died on the grave

(and) was buried nearby."

Here are some close-ups of the embellishments on the left side of the page.

As promised, there will be a giveaway as part of this post.  The contest will actually span the entire week.  Here's what you need to do:  Create a layout or card based on one of the two sketches posted this week.  Then, come back to this post and leave a comment which includes a link to your project.  I will pick a winner next Sunday.  And the prize?  All the products needed to recreate both of the projects that I posted this week.  (There might be some other goodies thrown-in, too. ;)

Good luck!  I'm looking forward to seeing your creations!!

*hugs*

Michelle 

Where has this week gone?!

Oh my goodness!  Where has this week gone?!  I've been a day behind all week.  I was convinced that yesterday was Wednesday the 23rd.  Holy crow!  I blame it on all of the storms we've had this week.  Yeah, that sounds good - it's Mother Nature's fault.  Right? ;)  Anywho, I didn't get my layout done last night so that I could take a picture of it and post it by the end of the day. :(  I'm going to work on getting everything wrapped up tonight.  If I can't get everything posted tonight, I'll do it first thing tomorrow after I get home from work (early afternoon).  And, to entice you to come back, I'll even post 2 layouts this weekend - one tonight/tomorrow and one on Sunday.  How does that sound?  Great!  It's a date!! =)

*hugs*
Michelle

P.S.   There *might* be a surprise giveaway on Sunday, so you *might* want to stay tuned...  ;)

As promised...

As promised, here is that super cute sketch.  It is one of the new card sketches from PageMaps.  I *love* Becky Fleck's sketches - for layouts and cards! 

And here's a close-up of the butterfly piece and gathered ribbon.

I will be posting a layout tomorrow night using one of the June layout sketches, so stay tuned! =)

*hugs*

Michelle

a little piece of inspiration

I will be posting a fun sketch tomorrow night. But, in the meantime, I wanted to share a couple of items from my book of scraps.

I *love* these pillows by Pottery Barn Teen.  I especially like the tone-on-tone of the layered flowers and scallop frames. 

And, I absolutely *adore* this headpiece by thehoneycomb.  Wouldn't it be just perfect for a bride?

Have a great night!

*hugs*

Michelle