living in color

February challenge at Berry Bleu!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:09:00 +0000

Aymee is hosting this months challenge over at Berry Bleu!!!

It's called: "In The Mood For Love"

February is the month of love! It's the time to snuggle up with your sweetie and share decadent chocolate treats as you romance the night away. This love filled month can provide ample inspiration for your crafting projects. Take a moment to look around you as Cupid spears your heart with his arrow and take note of all of the Valentine's decor'. Let all this lovey dovey art inspire you. For the challenge, we want to see a project centered around love. Your project can be a layout, card, altered art, home decor', etc. Your project must include the color 'pink' and at least one of the following: lace, buttons, bling, and/or glitter. Make us fall head over heels in love with your artwork! Hugs & Kisses! XOXO!

This is open to anyone around the world. Entries must be linked up to the sidebar of the Berry Bleu Blog using Linky tools. We must received your entries by 2/29/12.

Here is a peek at what you can win!

Marivic always put together the best goodies! Have fun everyone and good luck!

Little CHA Toot!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

I think every design team girls dream is to have her work shown at CHA. It really is cool to know that people viewed your work in real life at such a big show.

This isn't really a toot but wanted to document that I spied a couple of my layouts on the Heartfelt Creations Boards at CHA. :)

My good friend and mentor Lisa Gregorys work is on there too. Heres are all the middle row! I was so tickled to see us up there together! :)

HEARTFELT CREATIONS WEDNESDAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:13:00 +0000

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN! A NEW RELEASE FROM HEARTFELT CREATIONS!

Heartfelt Creations is pleased to release the Floral Cross Collection.

This collection is as fresh as a blooming yellow lily on a sunny spring day: intricate flowers compliment the typographical, linear, and wooden crosses.

There are 6 new PreCut Stamp Sets and one beautiful new exclusive Spellbinders die designed for Heartfelt Creations.

Leave a comment on the HC blog by February 14 to be eligible to win the entire release valued at $125.93. The winner will be announced on February 15 on the HC Blog.

This my layout for this weeks new release titled Blessed.

This new set of dies of stamps are absolutely gorgeous. I am really getting into coloring and my preference is watercolor markers. I love the effect.

This is a close up of the lilies. On the large lilies I use ink and glimmer mist on the small ones with the vines I colored them with pencils.

This is a close up of the cross. Really beautiful and I colored it with pencils and markers.

The photo is of my oldest daughter when she was little. I made that Easter dress for her!

HFC Supplies:

HCPC-3450 Cross and Lilies Precut Set

HCPC-3323 Large Elegant Word Background Precut Set

HCPC-3434 Book Frame 2 Precut Set

HCPC-3453 Malabar Clematis Precut Set

HCPC-3454 Twining Clematis Precut Set

472123- Spellbinders Foliage Shapeabilites Die

9 BRN- Brown Gala Glitz

HCPC-3434 Book Frame 2 Precut Set

HCD-719 Cross and Lillies

Other Supplies:

Cardstock, Pattern Paper- Pink Paislee, Basic Grey, Bo Bunny Martha Stewart Corner & Border Punch, Thread, Distress Ink, Chalk Ink, Glimmer Mist, Markers, Websters Alphabet stickers

Instructions:

Select a die cut paper to trace on a piece of pattern paper and cut out. Ink the edges and sew twice around the edge of paper. Adhere the pattern paper to the cardstock. Ink the cardstock edges. Cut a circle from pattern paper and use a corner punch to punch around the circle. Ink the edges of the circle and adhere to page center. Cut out a mat for the photo and adhere to center of page. Cut an image from the pattern paper, ink edges and tuck inside photo on the left. Cie cut and stamp the Cross and Lilies. Color image with markers and chalk ink and adhere with foam squares to upper corner of photo. Cut two sizes of the Book Frame, stamp with the Elegant Word Background set and ink edges. Adhere smaller over larger and attach to page. Glue the smaller cross to the center of the book. Die cut the lilies and stamp with the Cross and Lilies Precut Set.

Die cut and stamp as many layers as you would like to make 5 flowers. Spray with glimmer mist and crinkle flowers. Ink creases and edges with chalk ink. Die cut Foliage leaves, crinkle and ink edges and wrinkles. Adhere leaves and flowers on page as shown. Stamp, fussy cut and color with the markers the Twining Clematis Precut Set. Tuck Twining Clematis Precut Set and tuck into large flower and book. Adhere title to lower right corner.

DRUMROLL..........

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:35:00 +0000

All of us at Scraps of Elegance would like to shout out a big "THANK YOU" for your participation in our blog hop and helping us make it such a success!!!! We all appreciate each and every follower and your sweet comments!!!

Now for the fun part!

The winner of the big prize on the Scraps of Elegance blog is............. here

AND
The winner of my blog candy ( a 10.00 gift certificate to the Scraps of Darkness Shoppe) is.....

Caroleanne

who said

"Hi these are just beautiful as are the goodies. Wow."

Big Congratulations Caroleanne!!!!

I thank each one of you for participating and I truly appreciate your kind comments.

Caroleanne please email me at Lisa@scrapsofdarkness.com so I can get the info I need to get your gift certificate to you!

Graphic 45 2012 Design Team Audition

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:58:00 +0000

Graphic 45 is having their 2012 design team call and I am throwing my hat in the ring! Wish me luck!

Scraps of Elegance Blog Hop and Design Team Reveal!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

You may know Scraps of Darkness already-
she is on the edgy and daring side and is always the "pushing the envelope" kit of diversity.

Now we would like to introduce you to her new sister---
"Scraps of Elegance" is the alter ego of her sister club.
Her style is more on the sweet and romantic side... a true classic beauty

Today is the reveal of our very first "Scraps of Elegance" kit!

VINTAGE ELEGANCE

We've carefully chosen these beautiful papers from Kaisercraft Sweet Nothings, Websters Pages Western Romance and Melissa Frances 5th Avenue Collection. We have also added some wonderful embellishments and unique vintage items
for you to create something beautiful to compliment your most treasured photos.
You can see the full list of kit ingredients on our Scraps of Elegance website

We are proud and honored to introduce one of the most coveted designers in the industry helping us show off our new line of kits.

February Guest Designer

Ms. Gabrielle Pollacco

You won't want to miss the gorgeous work she's done with this kit!

We know how much you look forward to the sketches our ever talented artist Suepup creates each month for Scraps of Darkness. We are excited to announce she will be designing the sketches for each Scraps of Elegance kit as well!
Now we are sure you don't want to just hear about her sketches so we are pleased to share this months inspirational sketch with you.

We would also like to introduce you to some of the most talented designers in the scrapbooking community...
Our 2012 Scraps of Elegance design team:

Lisa Novogrodski- Lead Designer
Charlotte Jenkins- Sketch Artist and Designer
Jennifer Snyder-Designer
Mandy Harrell- Designer
Karen Zueger- Designer
Renea Harrison- Designer
Rachelle Sigurdson- Designer

And we are quite certain Escape Kitty will sometimes make off with some of Jennifers Scraps of Elegance goodies to create something beautiful!

We are kicking off the reveal of our first kit by way of a blog hop this month. You can enjoy not only the full reveal but a chance to win an incredible prize!
We will be awarding a THREE MONTH SUBSCRIPTION TO THE SCRAPS OF ELEGANCE KIT CLUB on this blog to one lucky winner!!!!
You win not one, not two but THREE SCRAPS OF ELEGANCE KITS!
The subscription will begin with our March kit and end with our May kit.
The winner will be announced on the Scraps of Elegance Blog on February 5th. You have until midnight February 4rd pacific time to post your comments.
Many of our designers are giving away their own prizes on their blogs so there are many chances to win.

All you need to do to win is become a follower of the Scraps of Elegance blog. Visit each designer and leave a comment on their blogs (if they have comments enabled). When you have completed the hop come back to Scraps of Elegance and leave a comment letting us know you have completed the hop and are a follower. (If you are already a follower, after commenting on the designers blog leave a comment here letting us know!)
International entries are welcome to participate. All international entries are responsible for shipping costs in excess of 15.00.
(The designers will address the eligibility of international participants individually on each of their blogs)

Now let's get started! We warmly welcome you to the first SCRAPS OF ELEGANCE BLOG HOP!

If you have arrived here from Gabrielle Pollacco's blog then you are on the right track. If you get lost along the way a full list can be found on the Scraps of Elegance blog

As part of our kickoff I am giving away a 10.00 gift certificate to the Scraps of Darkness Shoppe!
All you need to do is become a follower of my blog and leave me a comment letting me know you have done so. If you are already a follower just leave me a comment letting me know! A winner will be selected randomly an announced on my blog on February 5th. Please check back here to see if you have won and send me a pm at scrapbook.com so I can get your prize to you!

Now on with the reveal!

Love

My first layout is my interpretation of Suepups sketch for us this month! The photo is of my dear friend Melinda's grandparents! I'm so lucky she allowed me to scrap this gorgeous photo!

These papers are so soft and romantic. Perfect for a shabby chic style. I used a lot of my Heartfelt Creations stamps on here too. The book, love stamp, flowers and writing are all from HFC.

Goddess

I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite layout this month but I really love this vintage photo. I picked it up at an etsy shop. I'll be adding to my favorite etsy list on the sidebar to include my vintage photo sites. These papers were made for her. The beautiful little bird card and gorgeous crystal flourish were all in this months SOE kit! The flowers are another Heartfelt Creations die that I stamped with a flourish stamp and inked. The little gold roses were also a beauty included in our kits!

She

This photo is of my older daughter when she was a baby. I thought these soft sweet papers by Melissa Frances were the perfect fit for her sweet baby face!

That beautiful butterfly is made by own Renea and sold in her etsy. This one was included in our kits!

Beautiful

My layout for today is of my mother in law when she was a young woman. I think she was stunning and love this photo of her!

Love the Kaisercraft paper and the beautiful vintage tags! I took the cameo rub on and used it on a piece of cardstock and cut it out. Then I inked it and covered it in glossy accents and bling.

Just a close up-

Your next stop on the blog list is:
Jennifer Snyder

Heartfelt Creation Wednesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:55:00 +0000

When I joined Heartfelt Creations, Linda the owner, sent me some of her family photos to scrap if I wanted to. I thought this week I would take her up on that and selected a photo of one her daughters. This is a beautiful photo and was in color but I used a black and white action on it and love the effect!

I stamped around the page edge on this layout and colored my floral and leaves on the stamp with pencils and glimmer mist.

I will be doing a tutorial soon on the pleat around the circle. I use my score board for it as I do to make the pleated accordian flowers like the Tim Holtz die. The flowers on this layout were created with the Carnation die, glimmer misted and inked.

Heartfelt Creations Supplies:

HCPC 3394- Classic Bella Rose

HCPC 3354 -Classic Message

HCPC 3408- Woodland Fern

472185- Carnations Creations Shapabilities

472123- Foliage Shapebilities Die

376182- Spellbinders Labels 1

HCD 718- Decorative Chateau Gate Die

Other Supplies:

Cardstock, Pattern Paper, Watercolors Pencils, Deco edge scissors, Distress Ink, Chalk ink, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Martha Stewart Score Board, Thread, Sewing Machine, K & Co butterfly, Glimmer Mist, Distress stickles

Instructions:

Stamp around the edge of the page with a Classic Bella Rose stamp and color with watercolor pencils and dab with glimmer mist. Trim one sheet of pattern to appx. 10x10. Cut edges in scallop pattern and use distress ink along edges. Bend edges in and out to form a ruffle effect. Sew a double row of stitches around the edge. Use a Martha Stewart Punch, punch 4 edges and tuck under pattern paper edges. Adhere all to cardstock. Cut a circle appx 6 inches in diameter. Distress the edge and sew around the inside. Adhere to center of page. Cut half inch strips of pattern paper, trim edge with a deco edge scissor and ink the edges. Use a score board and score at one half inch and one quarter inch alternating. Fold on scores to form pleats and glue under folds to hold together. Tuck under circle edge and adhere. Cut mat for photo and adhere to center of circle. Die cut 2 of the Decorative Chateau Gate Die and trim the top off to be used on the top and bottom of photo. Adhere. Die cut 2 large, 6 medium and 4 small Carnation Creation Shapabilities. Spray with glimmer mist and dry. Ink edges and on the flower for variation. Use two large flowers for the base and roll petals under with a paintbrush end. Roll two medium flowers inward with a paintbrush end and place one inside the other. Glue the layers together for the inside of the flower. Repeat for all flowers and adhere to page as shown. Die cut the Foilage Shapebilities leaves and stamp. Trim the leaves down to size and place around flowers as shown. Die cut and emboss one Spellbinders label and stamp with Classic Message stamp. Ink around the stamping and adhere label in corner of photo. Outline butterfly with distress stickles and adhere to label.

Heartfelt Creations Wednesday and Berry Bleu Reveal!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Heartfelt Creations Wednesday! This week I am combining my project for Heartfelt Creations along with my design team work for Berry Bleu Pages and Tags. I also have two video tutorials to share with you today.

This weeks project is an altered book box that you see in local craft stores or shopping centers. The box itself looks like a book and can be used for storage or trinkets or scrap supplies!

I used Kaisercraft papers to cover the front and back of the book. On the front I stamped the book background with the Bella Rose Vintage Background Set. The beautiful tag on the front of the book is a Berry Bleu tag that I altered slightly. These are the tags I am so lucky to get to work with each month. They add a special vintage touch to any project. I added a the Heartfelt Creations Decorative Chateau Gate die to frame the vintage photo on the tag. The leaves are of course one of my favorites- the Bella Rose Die.
The flower was created using the Flora Grande 2 Precut Set.

I created a video tutorial to demonstrate how to create the embossed flower using these stamps.

In addition to the embossed flower technique I also used a masking tape technique for the hinges and binding of the book. This is a close up of the book front cover and hinge.

This is a side view shot of the book showing the masking tape binding.

To demonstrate how to do this technique I created another video tutorial for you to view.

Here is a close up of the books back cover.

On the back cover I used several Heartfelt Creation stamps: The Feathergrass Flourish and Large Elegant Word Precut Set

Heartfelt Creation Supplies

767F- Crackle Background

HCPC 3397 Bella Rose Vintage Background Precut Set

HCD 712 Bella Rose Die

HCD 718 Decorative Chateau Gate Die

HCPC 3374 Flora Grande 2 Precut Set

472132 Blossoms 3 Nestabilities

HCPC 3435 Feather Grass Flourish Precut Set

HCPC 3323 Large Elegant Word Precut Set

Other Supplies: Vintage tag from Berry Bleu Tags, Silhouette SD cutter, Masking tape, Lindys mists, Martha Stewart punches, Tim Holtz Die, Lace, Metal flower, Metal key, Distress ink, Zutter Distress it all, Seam binding, Metal tab, Snowflake punch, Embossing powder, Kaisercraft paper, Cardboard book trinket box, embossing pad

Instructions:

Cut four coordinating pattern papers, 2 slightly larger than front and back cover of book and two appx. 1/2 inch smaller on all sides. Distress all 4 sheets with Distress it all. Using Distress Ink, Stamp top right corner of the smaller pattern paper for the front of book using the Bella Rose Vintage Background Stamp. Stamp the smaller paper for backside with the Feather Grass Flourish and Large Elegant Word Stamps in a random pattern. Adhere to book larger directly on the book and the smaller on top of that one.

Cut two hinges on the Silhouette Sd and using my (masking tape tutorial found on my blog lisas-livingincolor.blogspot) cover the hinges in tape and cut the tape to shape of hinge. Apply tape to binding of book and trim top and bottom. Adhere hinges to book cover as shown. Punch several strips of pattern paper and use them to frame the stamping on the book cover. Tuck a strip of punching in between the paper layers on the binding side. Adhere Vintage tag to book as shown. Diecut the Decorative Chateau Gate Die and adhere over the image. Die cut the Bella Rose leaves, ink with distress ink and adhere as shown. Die cut Tim Holtz Dress form. Glue lace and metal flower and adhere to cover as shown. Adhere the key with seam binding ribbon. Die cut flower using the Blossoms 3 dies and stamp with Flora Grande 2 set and embossing pad. Heat emboss, roll flower petals outward and layer and glue together. Punch several snowflakes and layer and pinch together to form flower stamen. Glue to center of flower. Attach small metal tab to top right corner of cover page.

I hope you enjoyed your visit today. Don't forget to stop by the Heartfelt Creations Blog to check out all the beautiful creations from the designers!

New Video Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:11:00 +0000

Every month Scraps of Darkness offers a "Color Add On" to go along with our kits. We always get the most current and beautiful selection of product to work with! My favorite being Lindy's Mists.

As promised I created a tutorial titled "COLOR and TEXTURE 101- A beginners guide" for those who are new to using color in their work and need to get their feet wet!

Happy Heartfelt Creations Wednesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:36:00 +0000

It's Wednesday again and I get to share my latest layout using the newest stamps and dies!

I used a variety of products from different collections and combined them on this layout. I did some embossing in the corners with the Bella Rosebud set.

I also did some coloring on the Dainty Blooms stamp with watercolor pencils. I used a bronze shade of Lindys mists on the Decorative Chateau Gate Die. That die is exquisite! I can't stop using it to frame my photos.

Be sure to stop by the Heartfelt Creations Blog today to see what the other fabulous designers have done with the beautiful stamps!

HFC Products

HCD 718- Decorative Chateau Gate Die

472185- Carnations Creations Shapabilities

HCPC 3438 Carnation Florals 2 Precut Set

HCPC 3448- Dainty Blooms and Birdies Precut Set

HCPC 3400- Bella Rosebud Precut Set

HCPC 3405 - Leaf Medley Precut Set

472123 Spellbinders Foliage Shapeabilities

Other Products:

Martha Stewart punches, embossing powder, seam binding, glimmer mist, distress ink, chalk ink, Lindys Starburst Mist, K & Co Alph, Kaisercraft paper, cardstock, Vintage Postcard image, pearls, embroidery floss, heat gun, hole punch, water color pencils, foam dots

Use Martha Stewart punch around the page on a piece of pattern paper and adhere to cardstock. Stamp Bella Rosebud Precut Set in the 4 corners and heat emboss. Cut out a circle out of contrasting pattern paper and using an edge punch, punch the circle for design as shown. Punch holes in circle appx. 1 inch apart. Cut a length of seam binding and spray with your choice of glimmer mist. Dry with heat gun. Weave ribbon through holes as shown and adhere circle to page. Cut a strip of pattern paper appx. 7 inches wide and punch along each edge with punch of your choice. Adhere to center of page.

Die cut Decorative Chateau Gate and spray with Lindys Mist. Place over a photo cut to match shape. Adhere photo off center in middle of page. Diecut and stamp Carnations Florals using the Carnation Creations for the diecutting. Cut enough varied shapes to make two large, 2 medium and two small flowers. Stamp, ink the edges with distress ink and spray with glimmer mist. Layer flowers gluing the smaller inside the larger and adhere to page as shown adding a pearl center. Die cut 6 leaves using the Spellbinders Foliage Shapabilities and Leaf Medley Precut Set. Adhere leaves under flowers as shown. Save two leaves, cut the larger stem off and place them under the two smallest flowers as shown. Punch holes with a pin around the vintage image and stitch with embroidery floss. Adhere under photo and flower as shown. Stamp image with the Dainty Blooms and Birdies Precut Set. Color image with water color pencils. Hand cut image leaving off the candles. Adhere with foam dots to bottom portion of the photo.

Scraps of Darkness Design Team Reveal!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 09:54:00 +0000

It's Reveal Day again, and there is a lot going on at Scraps of Darkness! Before I get started with the reveal of our January kit I wanted to share some news that we are really excited about.

We are expecting a new baby! No noone here is pregnant! As far as I know---but Scraps of Darkness is going to have a new little sister

On February 1st, we will reveal a new line of kits,
Scraps of Elegance.
These kits will be a little different from what you are used to seeing from Scraps of Darkness, and we are honored to have a very talented surprise guest designer who will be helping us to show off our first Scraps of Elegance kit. In addition to that (as if that isn't a lot!), we'll be having a blog hop to kick it all off, so set your calendar's to stop back on February 1, 2012!

And now on to the SOD reveal!

Scraps of Darkness January Design Team Reveal!!!

Introducing "Escape"
"Searching for my lost shaker of salt" ~Jimmy Buffet

Be sure to stop by the Scrap of Darkness blog today to see how you can win this months kit!!!

This months kit is like a breath of fresh air to brighten up those dull grey winter days. Beautiful Graphic 45, Pink Paislee and Authentique papers. This combined with Tim Holtz, Prima, Petaloo and our fabulous "Color Add On" are sure to bring sunshine into your life and chase away the winter blues.

My first layout is based, as always on our talented artist, Charlottes sketch for us this month.

Mermaid

I have a new passion for scrapping images that are not of my kids. My work is more about art and having fun than it is about documenting memories. This mermaid image I purchased from A Rose Without A Thorn.

I added some sparkle and whimsy to my cut out beach lady with stickles and shells that were included in the kit. I added a piece of acrylic with stamping and embossing. It give it a really cool sea splash look. The pin is one of Mandys always in our kits. I trimmed mine down and topped off the acrylic with it.

I used a beautiful Dusty Attic Chippee on this that can be found in the Scraps of Darkness Shoppe. I misted the chipboard with Lindys Starburst Mist. We also get an awesome selection of color in the color add on. I also used alcohol inks around the edge of my page to get that water splashed look. The flowers are Heartfelt Creations Stamps.

Beach Babe

My next project is an altered canvas. I used the reverse side of a regular stretched canvas purchased at Michaels. This canvas had a wide wood frame on the back. I used my Ranger distress stains to color the wood.

Here is a close up. I cut the fish out of one of the papers and used black glitter glue and glam to make them special. The blue flowers they are floating on are Inkadoo stamps that I also used stickles on.

There is a piece of Dusty Attic Chippee covered in acrylic paint and diamond dust. The Sea horse, Starfish and Sandollar were all in the kit!

This is just a look at the back of the canvas. I used acrylic paint and distress stain on it.

Postcard

This is a fun layout I did of my husband and I. We went to Hawaii a REALLY REALLY long time ago! I did a lot of fussy cutting and stamping on this layout.

Just a few close ups.

Lifes an Adventure

This is a photo of my oldest daughter when she was a youngster! I thought I would put the flowers in this kit to work this month. I combined them with some Tim Holtz Tattered florals and some flowers from last months kit.

The blue die cut vines are a new love from Cheery Lynn designs. The green ferns are a die cut from Heartfelt Creations. I used liquid pearls for my dots around the page edge. I also used stickle on the leaves and flourishes on the frame around the edge.

I hope you enjoyed this months reveal! Please be sure to stop by Scraps of Darkness to view this wonderful kit and see what the other designers have created this month!

Happy Heartfelt Creations Wednesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:45:00 +0000

Heartfelt Creation is introducing it's newest collection this week!

This Chateau Gate Collection is "magnificent" and the intricate detail in each of the designs is absolutely beautiful. This collection is very versatile and you will be able to create projects for the men in your life, invites, graduations, love, congrats and so many more! This collection features 9 PreCut Stamp Sets and one beautiful new exclusive Spellbinders die designed for Heartfelt Creations.

Leave a comment on the HC blog by January 17 to be eligible to win the entire release valued at $174.90. The winner will be announced on January 18 on the HC Blog.

This week I used Bo Bunny's "Welcome Home" papers and the new release from Heartfelt Creations to create my layout! These stamps are magical and are a great way to add whimsical embellishments to your pages.

I used watercolor pencils to color in the image of my stamps on the Mystic Hideaway, Palace Entry and Dainty Blooms and Birdies stamps.

My flowers were inked with distress ink and then sprayed with Lindy's Mists. I started off stamping on a blue cardstock then inked the edges and misted for sheen and sparkle.

HFC products:

HCPC 3443-Palace Entry Precut Set

HCPC 3445-Mystic Hideaway Precut Set

HCPC 3448-Dainty Blooms and Birdies Precut Set

HCD 718- Decorative Chateau Gate

472185 - Carnation Creations Shapeabilities

HCPC 3438 Carnation Florals2 Precut Set

472123- Foliage Shapeabilities

Other Supplies: Bo Bunny Home Sweet Home Pattern Paper, Cardstock, Websters tag, Martha Stewart & EK Success punches, Distress Ink, Chalk Ink, Metallic Pens, Watercolor Pencils, Sakura Pens, Thread, Lace, Pearls, Lindys Mist, small flower punch

Instructions: Punch top and bottom of pattern paper with edge punch, cut hole out of center of paper, stitch around outside edge of circle and adhere to background sheet of pattern paper. Punch strips and snip every inch and adhere to inside edge of circle as shown. Punch top and bottom of photo and adhere to right inside of circle. Edge punch strips and ink the edges, adhere to underside of photo. Die cut Decorative Chateau Gate (the smaller die) and cut apart top and sides. Adhere the top portion of die under top of photo. Stamp with the Palace Entry Pre Cut Set and cut the inside gates off. Ink with distress ink and adhere with mounting squares to left bottom of page. Stamp the Mystic Hideaway Precut Set and color with watercolor pencils and detail with metallic pens. Ink edges of tag and attach to left of page. Stamp Dainty Blooms and Birdies Precut Set and color with stamps and detail with metallic pens. Adhere to page as shown. Stamp Carnation florals, enough to make one large flower and several small ones and mist with Lindys in your choice of color. Glue flowers together in layers of two and three bending and shaping petals. Punch several small flowers with a tiny flower punch and attach to inside of smaller flowers. Finish off inside of flowers with a pearl. Attach a title as shown. Adhere some lace and thread as a banner beneath title

GIVEAWAY FROM MANOR HOUSE CREATIONS

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:02:00 +0000

Manor House Creations is giving away this GORGEOUS box of flowers!!!

Check out the Manor House Blog for more details to win this box of awesomeness!

January Challenge At Berry Bleu

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 11:49:00 +0000

A new month- new challenge over at Berry Bleu!
Here is a peek at the prize you can win if you play along~

The January Challenge is to alter anything. You can do a LO, card, tag, box, or anything your heart desire that you think is alterable. You can add any elements you wish and use any media to alter your project.

In the sample challenge picture, an old chocolate box was used. It was covered with paper; the top cover was also embossed in gold then covered with lace fabric. Decorated with Berry71bleu tag, vintage rhinestone necklace, antique brooch, old chandelier crystal piece, and handmade flowers.

This challenge is open to anyone around the world and you can submit as many projects as you wish. Projects must be downloaded by February 5th on the blog's sidebar using Linky Tool. Good luck!!!!

Winter's Song

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:54:00 +0000

I am going to be providing on going color tutorials to go along with the Scraps of Darkness Color Add Ons that are part of our monthly kits! We always have such a great selections of mists, stamps and embossing etc. and want to give some help to our gals who are afraid to get their hands down and dirty with these techniques!

Here is a peek at the layout I created for this tutorial.

This layout was created with the beautiful Winter's Song Papers from Christine Adolph over at Creative Imaginations. Texture Paste, Lindys's Mists, Prima Mistables, Fussy Cutting, Stitching and Photoshop were all involved in the techniques for this layout.

The video tutorial will be added sometime next week along with close ups and details.
Stay tuned.... :)

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Happy Heartfelt Creations Wednesday!!!

This week I have another vintage photo layout to share with you using the beautiful Posy Patch Stamps from Heartfelt Creations. These are some of my favorite stamps and look beautiful individually as well as layered. I heavily misted them with Lindy's mists and the sheen and sparkle on them is outstanding!

Heartfelt Creations has the greatest flower stamps for scrappers. They are just the perfect addition to any layout and you take one flower stamp and use it to create a dozen different styled flowers!

Heartfelt Creations Supplies:

HCPC 3305- Posy Patch Clusters Precut Set

HCPC 3303- Posy Patch Flowers Precut Set

HCD 701- Posy Patch Die

HCD 710 - Decorative Oval Window Die

HCPC 3367- Vintage Life Background Precut Set

472123- Foliage Shapeabilities Die

HCPC 3407 - Botanical Floral 2 Precut Set

Other Supplies: Cardstock, Pattern Paper, Lindys Mists, Distress Ink, Thread, Pearls, Crafters Workshop Templates, Ribbon, Snowflake Punch, Vintage Image, Scallop Edge Deco Scissors, Heat Gun, Metal key

Instructions:

Using a crafters workshop template, trace outside shape and inner shape onto one piece of pattern paper and cut out. Machine stitch along inner and outer edge as shown.

Use a lighter coordinating cardstock and ink your Vintage Life Background in random spots on the stamp. Stamp onto cardstock in random sections. Adhere this piece to a dark color cardstock background. Adhere pattern paper over it. Distress the edges of vintage photo using the blades of scissors. Cut a piece of cardstock slightly larger than photo and use deco edge scissors to give it a fancy edge. Adhere photo to cardstock matt and glue down on the center of the page. Die cut the Decorative Oval Window and cut in half. Attach each to sides of photo tucking edges under. Stamp 4 tiny Posy Patch Clusters, Spray with Lindys Mist your choice of color and dry with heat gun. Cut out flowers leaving off leaves and attach to inner corners of cut out. Die cut and stamp various sizes of Posy Patch flowers. Using only one layer to complete the flowers. Spray with a different color of Lindys mist in your choice. Heat dry. Punch snowflake centers (6 total for larger flowers) trim off the longer stems of snowflakes on 4 of the flowers from smaller centers. Attach to flower centers and add a pearl to the centers. Adhere flowers around the photo as shown. Complete by attaching a ribbon to the upper left corner of photo and a metal key to the lower right corner.

Thank you for the blog visit today! Be sure to stop by the Heartfelt Blog and see what the other designers have created this week.

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 23:57:00 +0000

Scraps of Darkness Winters Eve

I have another layout to share using the beautiful Winters Eve kit for December at Scraps of Darkness.

I combined some of the papers in our kit : Bo Bunny and Creative Imaginations. Love the purple and black combo! I dressed my dress form and colored my leaves with Lindys. The Lindys mists we get in our color add on are perfect to color leaves and flowers.

The flowers were in the kit with the exception of the tiny white roses I added. I added wings to my daughter in photoshop and also used a snowflake texture to get that effect on the photo.

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Happy Heartfelt Creations Wednesday!

I have discovered a fondness for working with vintage style photos and acquired this beauty recently. She is gorgeous, the photo is gorgeous and I loved using it on my Heartfelt Creations page this week.

I used the beautiful Limited Edition Aztec Gold Sunflowers Precut Set for my flowers, the Large Elegant Word Background Precut Set for the background and the Layered Elegant Swirl Die. Many of the Limited Edition Stamps are being retired and will not be available come the first of the year. You won't want to miss them so be sure to pick up the ones you have been eyeing.

The Layered Elegant Swirl Die is just beautiful. I love using it on my layouts to frame photos.

For these flowers I used pattern paper and distress ink. I like to use pattern paper for my flowers. It gives the flowers color and personality. Then I use the distress ink applicator and go over the petals for more detail.

Be sure to stop by the Heartfelt Creations Blog today to see what the other designers have done with the stamps. There is so much inspiration there you won't want to miss it!

Heartfelt Creations Supplies:

HCD 716- Layered Elegant Swirl Die

HCPC-2294 Aztec Gold Sunflowers Precut Set 1

HCPC - 2293 Aztec Gold Sunflowers Precut Set 2

HCPC- 3323 Large Elegant Word Background Precut Set

Other Supplies: TPC Studios Paper and Embellishments, Martha Stewart Punch around the page, EK success punch, Martha Stewart Deep Edge punch, Sizzix Die, Distress Ink, Liquid Pearls, ribbon, Vintage Image, Cardstock, Glimmer Mist, small flower punch

Instructions:

Using a Martha Stewart Punch around the page, punch edges of light color cardstock, adhere to dark background cardstock. Use distress ink and press down in random spots on Large Elegant Word Background Stamp. Stamp randomly on light colored cardstock edges as shown. Ink edges of that cardstock with distress ink. Cut a piece of pattern paper down to size according to Martha Stewart Punch instructions and punch around the page. Cut a circle appox. 6 “ in diameter out of the paper. Adhere to background cardstock paper. Adhere photo off center to right of circle. Punch one large border approx. 2” shorter than pattern paper and adhere slightly tucked under photo. Punch 4 strips from EK success punch and trim out to edge photo. Die cut Layered Elegant Swirl die as shown and ink with distress ink. Place over and on sides of photo tucked under punched strips as shown. Adhere embellishment to lower right corner and attach ribbon.

Stamp Aztec Gold Sunflowers in various sizes. Ink flowers with distress ink.Cut out including separating each petal. Use a paintbrush end to bend and shape petals. Spray with glimmer mist. Glue each flower, large to small as shown. Punch center from a small flower punch. Use a paintbrush handle to roll centers inward, glueing one inside the other and attach to inside of flowers. Die Cut a flourish and ink edges. Use liquid pearls to detail the flourishes.

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:06:00 +0000

Happy Heartfelt Creations Wednesday!!!
12/21/11
"May your days be merry and bright
and may all your Christmas's be white..."
-Irving Berlin

As a thank you to all of Heartfelt Creations loyal customers they are giving away 50- $50.00 gift certificates today 12-21-11 ! Please visit the blog for more details!

This photo is of my now 16 year daughter old and I when she was about 9 months old!

I used some of the absolutely gorgeous Limited Edition Stamps from Heartfelt Creations! My favorites

are the Leafy Swirls Precut Set and the Aztec Gold Sunflowers Precut Set. I used smooch spritz on the sunflowers for lots of shimmer! I also used gold stickles on the leafy swirls leaves.

Heartfelt Creations has some of the most beautiful collections of stamps and their Limited Editions are spectacular! If you have not taken a look at them stop by now and grab some for your Xmas stocking! They are limited so time is running out and you wouldn't want to be left behind. :)

Be sure to stop by the blog to see all of our talented designers beautiful creations.

HCPC 2254 Leafy Swirls Precut Set

HCD-702 Decorative Butterfly Border Die

HCPC 2293 Aztec Gold Sunflowers 2 Precut Set

HCPC 3440 Vintage Doors Precut Set

Other Supplies: Cardstock, Recollections Pattern Paper, Vellum Paper, Misc Flocked Pattern Paper, Green bling, Gold Stickles, Kaisercraft Santa image, Gold braid, Martha Stewart punches, Snowflake punch, EK success edge punch, pearls, smooch mist, black ink, Merry Sizzix Die

Instructions

Using a Martha Stewart punch around the page, punch the pattern paper and adhere to cardstock. Trim a piece of vellum approx. 6” x 6” and adhere to pattern paper. Center photo over vellum and adhere. Using an EK success edge punch, punch strips of flocked paper and adhere around photo. Stamp one HCPC 3340 Vintage Door and tuck in under photo on left. Adhere on Santa Image under photo in upper right corner.

Punch two srips of coordinating pattern paper, one appox. 8” long and one appox. 6”.

Adhere to bottom of page, layered one over the other and tucked under photo as shown. Die cut two shapes from the HCD-702 Decorative Butterfly Border Die and adhere to each side of photo. Adhere the gold trim to upper edge of punched border.

Using HCPC 2293 Aztec Gold Sunflowers stamp varying sizes large to small to make 3 flowers each with 3 layers. Cut out and cut each petal for movement. Spray with smooch. Scrunch the petals for dimension. Layer flowers large to small. Punch out a snowflake, attach to center and adhere a pearl. Stamp 4 HCPC 2254 Leafy Swirls. Outline in gold stickles. Scrunch leaves for dimension and attach to page as shown. Attach bling as show on page. Die cut Merry and attach to top right of page.

BIG TOOT FOR SCRAPS OF DARKNESS

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:29:00 +0000

AND MORE LAYOUTS WITH THE DECEMBER WINTERS EVE KIT!!!

Check out the Bo Bunny Blog today! Scraps of Darkness and the work the designers have done with their Enchanted line is being featured!!! Woot Woot!!!

I have been on a mojo roll these last few days and have a couple of new layouts to share using the GORGEOUS Enchanted papers from our Winters Eve kit.

Always

I used a piece of Clear Scraps XL deco shape that I had in my stash as a backdrop. I took one of my Prima Masks and the Lindys Black Orchid mist we received in our Color Add On. I covered the background with the misting. I also colored my Prima mistable canvas pieces in the Black Orichid. It looks gorgeous in real life. So shimmery and a silvery grey. This time I fussy cut those papers. They
were begging me to.

I inked the edges of all the cut pieces in black ink. I dissected Mandy's pin. You know you don't have to use things in the kit as they are. I decided to pull the pin apart. (Sorry Mandy) and I used the netting and the beads in different spots around the layout. I used the cap of the pin for the top of the cut out dress form shape. This photo of my husband and I was taken over this past summer. (Photography credit: Gina Coppollino)

Angelic

I am starting to get into using images for my artwork. Sometimes I have a vision in my head and I need something other than real life photos to play it out. I purchased this one through High Tea Design Etsy
and I love it.

I wanted to go soft and heavenly with the Bo Bunny Paper mixed with the Creative Imagination. I used a tattered rose distress ink around the edges and on the Basic Gray Little Black dress lace stickers.
I also used a subtle Lindys mist on the Kaisercraft gate.

I sewed around the photo and also distressed the edges with my zutter. Then I inked them in the tattered rose.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by. I appreciate your visiting me and leaving such nice comments.

Happy Holiday week!

Design Team Reveal Berry Bleu

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 09:55:00 +0000

It's time again to showcase another of Marivic's gorgeous tags! I chose to do a layout with this beautiful Christmas themed tag!

I love the vintage image on the tage and all the details Marivic includes. The tiny postcard, flowers, ribbon and holly!

This is a photo of my oldest daughter when she was a baby. I did some sewing on this layout and added a beautiful Prima vine. I used some tiny Glitz alphas on the Tattered Banners for my title.
Be sure to stop by the Berry Bleu blog and etsy for more creations and to see the full design team reveal!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Scraps of Darkness Design Team Reveal!!!!
Introducing "Winters Eve" our December Kit!

"Winter came down to our home for one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again" ~ Bill Morgan Jr.

Melinda has assembled another stunning kit! How she does it month after month is beyond me but I am so happy I get to design with them! This months kit features Bo Bunny, Creative Imaginations and Glitz!

In addition to the main kit, Scraps of Darkness has several add ons to enhance your creativity with these kits. Two must have's are the exclusive Color Add On and the beautiful coordinating paper add on! I love both of them. This months color features 6 Lindys Mist and Prima Canvas!!!!

My first layout this month was inspired by our sketch created by Charlotte!

I like to use new punches each month to go with my new kit and when I saw this new Martha Stewart Blooming Vines you know I had to have it!

I used Lindys Bougainvillea Fuchsia (one of the colors in the add on) and colored the Bo Bunny Enchanted paper design with it.

We always get a wonderful selection of the newest and most beautiful flowers in our kits from Petaloo and Prima. I like to make a lot of my flowers, especially now that I am designing for Heartfelt Creations. This month I really wanted to show how to use those flowers in the kit and get the most out of them.

I took my large Prima flower apart which was organza and satin and used just the organza petals on this layout. I used the Petaloo Color Me Crazy flowers in the center which I inked for a hint of color.

This layout is of my hubby and I about 25 years ago at my Sister in Laws wedding! Another item I wanted to show this month is how to mix the beautiful papers in the kit. I colored my Bo Bunny again to add the pink and mixed the Enchanted paper with the Glitz.

Again, I took apart my Prima flowers and created three flowers from the one. I added the Petaloo in the centers again with inked edges. I added the Dusty Attic frame around the photo from my stash. The chandelier was one of the beautiful goodies in this months kit.

I love this gorgeous Christine Adolph paper! Purple is one of my favorite colors and I love the wintery feel to this collection. I did a little photoshopping, adding some sparklies and purple tint to the photo.

I combined the gorgeous black glittery Prima vine with more flowers that I took apart and added centers to. This got me a ton of the same color flower to cluster on this page.

I added some diamond dust, Glimmer Mist in Pearl and used my new Martha Stewart Skyland Snowflake punch and of course...some butterflies.

I really love the tiny alpha Mel selected this month. They work beautifully with Tim Holt's Tattered Banner Die. I fussy cut the Bo Bunny Enchanted paper and painted on Lindys Frosted Forget Me Nots. I also inked the paper in walnut to give it a vintage look.

The leaves are a spellbinders die and I sprayed them in Lindys Black Orchid. The photo doesn't do it justice. The color is stunning. A very silvery shimmery color. Gorgeous!!!!

Thank you all for stopping by to see the reveal today! Please hop over to Scraps of Darkness and check out the kit in it's entirety. Don't forget to stop by Design Team sistas blog to see their stunning creations!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Happy Heartfelt Creations Wednesday!!!!

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
Just like the ones I used to know
Where tree tops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow..."
~ Irving Berlin

Heartfelt Creations Christmas Gift Card GiveAway: As a thank you to all our loyal HC customers, Heartfelt Creations will be giving away 50 - $50 Dollar Gift Certificates on December 21st at 9PM EST. On December 21st we will be providing you with the direct link to the giveaway page on our blog, Facebook and via email. Once the page goes live you submit your information and a $50 gift certificate will automatically be emailed. Once the 50 gift certificate limit has been reached it will be indicated on the page. Mark your calenders and make sure you are available at that time, they will be snatched up quickly!

This week at Heartfelt Creations we are working with our beautiful exclusive Limited Edition Stamp Sets. There are so many beautiful sets to choose from and many of them will be retiring. If you have been putting off grabbing these now would be the time! You wouldn't want to miss out on adding them to your collection.

I worked with the elegant Regal Poinsettia Collections I & II for this layout. I absolutely loved them!

To achieve the flexibility I wanted on these flowers I cut the under leaves off. I wanted to be able to shape each petal. I used a white embossing powder to create a raised effect with my stamping. I then covered the flowers in Pearl Glimmer Mist. This is my favorite mist. Although I adore all the actual colors the pearl adds a gorgeous shimmer without changing the color off your project.

I cut the holly leaves from the set too and embossed them with silver embossing powder, again using Pearl Glimmer Mist for shimmer!

I could do without using the new Artistic Gatefold Collection Die cut. The ones I used on this layout are the Layered Elegant Swirl Die and the Layered Elegant Posy Die. Just Beautiful!

I used a snowflake punch to create the centers of my flowers. Topping it off with pearls and rhinestones. Let's not forget my newest Martha Stewart punch---- Skyland Snowflake!

Make sure you stop by the Heartfelt Creations blog today. The designers have done so many inspirational and beautiful projects with the stamps this week.

Heartfelt Creations Supplies

HCD 716-Layered Elegant Swirl Die

HCD 717-Layered Scalloped Posy Die

HCPC 2291- Regal Poinsettia 2

HCPC 2292- Regal Poinsettia 1

Other Supplies: White and Silver Embossing Powder, Broken China Distress Ink, Skyland Snowflake Deep Edge Martha Stewart Punch, EK Success, snowflake punch, pearls, ribbon, gemstones, Glimmer Mist Pearl, Jolly Sizzix Die, Pattern Paper- K & Co. & My Minds Eye, Cardstock, Silver Distress Stickles, Distress it all

Instructions:

Cut 1/4 “ off all 4 sides of pattern paper and distress edges with distress it all, adhere to cardstock background. Cut a 6” strip of coordinating cardstock, punch edges with an EK Success punch, Trim length down to match pattern paper and adhere to center of page. Trim another piece of pattern paper slightly smaller than the 6” and punch both sides with the Skyland Snowflake punch. Trim top and bottom to same length as other papers and adhere to center of page. Cut two each of HCD 716 & 717- Layered Elegant Swirl die and Scalloped Posy die. Spray with Pearl Glimmer Mist and adhere them in the top left and bottom right corners as shown. Adhere photo to center of page. Cut reindeer out of pattern paper, ink edges with distress blue ink and spray with Pearl Glimmer Mist. Attach a ribbon to neck and adhere to bottom right of page near photo with foam adhesive dots. Stamp and emboss in white embossing powder varying sizes of poinsettias using HCPC 2291 & 2291. Hand cut and remove bottom filler petals to better manipulate and shape flowers. Ink edges with Broken China Distress ink and spray all the flowers with Pearl Glimmer Mist. Layer flowers and glue down as shown pinching the petals inward to shape them. Attach a punched snowflake to each flower center and finish with a pearl. Using 3 of the smallest Regal poinsettia stamps, stamp, emboss and cut out. Spray with Pearl Glimmer Mist and attach a snowflake center and jewel centers. Stamp and emboss in silver the holly leaves that are included int he Regal Poinsettia collection. Spray with Pearl Glimmer mist and outline is Silver Stickles. Adhere as shown. Add a pearl to the scallops of the layered scalloped posy dies. Die cut and attach “Jolly” title.

Decembers Guest Designer at Berry Bleu!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:17:00 +0000

Please join me in welcoming Decembers lovely and talented guest designers at Berry Bleu. These ladies have done a beautiful job showcasing the tags Marivic has given them to work with. We are so excited to have them with us this month and I have enjoyed looking at their beautiful creations.

Lisa Gregory
Diane Fisher
Rachel Funnel

Come by the Berry Bleu Blog to have a look at what they have done!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa aka Raining) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:25:00 +0000

***Simplify***
I'm lucky to have a friend who is a photographer and even luckier that I met her when she was still in school learning the skillz. I hire her a couple of times a year to do some photo shoots of my family. I love her "eye" and think she does a great job at delivering what I like.

This is one of the photos from the shoot. I try to get a few of me so my kids will have them someday.
I never know when she is actually taking the photo either so I am always surprised to see what I end up with.

I still have a lot of paper left from the beautiful November "Purple Haze" kit from Scraps of Darkness. Really don't let the name fool you. This kit is anything but dark.

I fussy cut the flower from one of the papers and used it in the corners of the layout. The leaves and vines are Heartfelt Creations Bella Rose Die

I used the mists and liquid pearls in the kit along with the rub ons and flowers.

There was also a wonderful technique add on using Vintaj metal and embossing folders. I made the little dragonfly with the embossing folder and then cut it out with metal cutting scissors that I have on hand.
(photography credit: Gina Coppolino)

living in color

February challenge at Berry Bleu!

Little CHA Toot!

HEARTFELT CREATIONS WEDNESDAY!

DRUMROLL..........

Graphic 45 2012 Design Team Audition

Scraps of Elegance Blog Hop and Design Team Reveal!!!

Heartfelt Creation Wednesday!

Heartfelt Creations Wednesday and Berry Bleu Reveal!!!!

New Video Tutorial

Happy Heartfelt Creations Wednesday!

Scraps of Darkness Design Team Reveal!!!

Happy Heartfelt Creations Wednesday!

***GIVEAWAY*** FROM MANOR HOUSE CREATIONS

January Challenge At Berry Bleu

Winter's Song

BIG TOOT FOR SCRAPS OF DARKNESS

Design Team Reveal Berry Bleu

Decembers Guest Designer at Berry Bleu!

GIVEAWAY FROM MANOR HOUSE CREATIONS