Everyone has a story to tell, here's mine sprinkled with some creative projects along the way.
Thank you for stopping by and I hope you come back again.



Friday, October 30, 2015

Learning from the past layout

Happy Friday friends. Today I'm sharing a double page spread inspired by a sketch from Stick it down blog.

I have a process video with this one too but I haven't gotten around to editing it. Once I get it uploaded to my YT channel, I will update this blog.

I used my October homemade scrapbook kit with this layout. I don't have doubles of pattern papers in this kit (I only put one) so I used two different papers but added a grey honeycomb pattern in the center to connect both papers. I also picked the patterns with some coordinating colors so it will work side by side.
 
Here are some more close ups of the layout....


I finally used up some of the Scenic route arrows that I've been hoarding for years now.

Thank you for stopping by and have a great weekend.

Till next time,
Grace

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Favorite Moment Ever layout

Once in a while, I find a sketch that I really like and then I add my spin to it and it makes it even better than what I originally had in mind. This layout is an example of that. The sketch is from the Scrapbook challenges blog. 

I loved the linear design for the photos and I even had a pattern paper that matched the polka dot on the background of the sketch. I used my October homemade kit for this layout and used some cut out words and designs from a Crate Paper pattern paper. 

I loved all the cut aparts that I used most of them here, creating a cross line between the horizontal pictures and the vertical strip of accents.

I initially wanted "shine" to be my title but the project life card with favorite moments ever stood out better so I went with that.

I also had cut some ice cream design from a Bella Blvd. paper.

Thanks for stopping by.

Till next time,
Grace

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Hello Adventure layout

It's me again. With another layout and a sketch from which I based it from. 

This one from Stick it down blog helped me organize this layout where I had a few smaller photos to use. 

I used this background paper from the Solstice line of Pink Paislee. I loved the geometric style on the right side and used that to lead the eye to my 4x6 project life card title.

Because my page was already looking busy with photos and large title, I opted for smaller embellishments like the wood circles from Dear Lizzy as well as enamel hearts and arrows.


thank you for stopping by.

till next time,
Grace

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Channeling Mary Poppins layout

Hi there friends. I'm sharing another layout inspired by another sketch. Can you tell I'm being very predictable lately? I have found that when I start off with a sketch and my homemade kit, I become more successful in documenting my family's stories. 

This latest one is from the Scrap Our Stash blog.

I actually have a process video for this but I haven't had the chance to edit it and I know that the deadline for the challenge is coming up. When I get a chance to edit my video, I will add it to my blog post. You can also go to my You Tube channel (link on the side bar of this blog) to get emails of when I upload a new video.

This page is so fitting since we are going to have Halloween this weekend. This picture was actually taken two years ago. I love dressing up but I also don't like to stress too much about costumes so I try to find one that is easily put together with stuff I already have or anything that I can purchase at the thrift store. 

I made an October homemade scrapbook kit and the items used in this layout is from that. Many new (to me) items and a few things that have been sitting in my stash for a few years. You can view my homemade kit in my YT channel as well.

Thanks for stopping by.

Till next time,
Grace

Monday, October 26, 2015

Glue Dots and Stampendous Blog Hop


Happy Monday friends. Today I'm sharing a project I created for the Glue Dots and Stampendous blog hop. For more info about this inspiration train, please check the Glue Dots blog here. There's a fun giveaway in store. 

If You’ve got it, Haunt it card
Designed by: Grace Tolman
Time: Approximately 25 minutes
Level: Beginner
Size: 4 ¼ x 5 ½ 
I used a few combinations of Glue Dots® adhesive to make this fun Halloween inspired card. 

Materials
Cardstock- (textured) Bazzill; (Black, Purple, White) Worldwin Papers
Stamp- Witch legs, Stampendous!
Glitter- Fall Micro Glitter, Stampendous!
Ink- Denim, American Crafts
Watercolor- Michael’s Craft store
Fun Foam- craft supply
Tools:
Advanced Strength, Glue Dots®
Stitch Glue Squares, Glue Dots®
1”, Glue Dots®
Paper Trimmer
Scissors
Ruler
Bone Folder
.

1. Cut out a white textured cardstock in half, cross wise. Fold the papers in half to create the cardstock base.
2. On a white plain cardstock, measuring 4 x 5”, adhere a 1”, Glue Dots® adhesive.  Pour some glitter over the adhesive. Tap or brush off the excess. Rub the glitter onto the adhesive to keep it from falling off later on. Clean up the excess glitter.
3. Repeat the process till you’ve created your background glittered paper using different glitters.
4. Stamp the witch legs, skirt and sentiment onto white cardstock pieces. Trim the pieces with the legs and sentiment into rectangular papers. Fussy cut the skirt image.
5. Color the witch legs and skirt using various watercolors. Set aside to dry.
6. Mat the witch legs and sentiment blocks with black cardstock using some Stitch Glue Squares, Glue Dots® adhesive.
7. Trim the glittered paper to 3 ½ x 4 7/8”. Mat the glittered pattern paper onto purple cardstock using some Stitch Glue Squares, Glue Dots® adhesive. Adhere to the card base with more Stitch Glue Squares, Glue Dots®.
8. Cut out a small piece of fun foam to fit the back side of the skirt image. Adhere to the paper using some Advanced Strength, Glue Dots®. Add some more Advanced Strength, Glue Dots® adhesive to adhere the skirt onto the card. *This technique allowed you to create dimension to the card.


Happy Birthday card
Designed by: Grace Tolman
Time: Approximately 25 minutes
Level: Beginner
Size: 4 ¼ x 5 ½
I used the same technique as my Halloween card but used a Mini, Glue Dots® adhesive instead.

Materials
Cardstock- (textured) White, Bazill
Vellum- WorldWin papers
Watercolor paper- Canson
Stamp- Witch legs, Stampendous!
Glitter- Fall Micro Glitter, Stampendous!
Ink- Denim and Mustard, American Crafts
Watercolor- Michael’s Craft store
Fun Foam- craft supply
Tools:
Advanced Strength, Glue Dots®
Stitch Glue Squares, Glue Dots®
Mini, Glue Dots®
Removable,  Glue Dots®
Black pen- Sharpie
Paper Trimmer
Scissors
Ruler
Bone Folder

Directions:
1. Make the card base using the textured white cardstock.
2. Cut a piece of watercolor paper measuring 3 ¾ x 5 ½
3. Stamp one cupcake design on a scrap paper. Fussy cut the design.
4. Stamp a cupcake design on the center of the watercolor paper. Adhere the cupcake design (stamped on scrap) right over the one you just created on the watercolor paper with Removable, Glue Dots®. Stamp two more cupcakes (one on the top and another on the bottom) of the center cupcake.
5. Color the design using some watercolors.
6. Add some Mini, Glue Dots® adhesive over the frosting side of the cupcakes. Add some glitter over it, tap and brush off excess. Rub the glitter onto the adhesive to make sure the glitter doesn’t come off in the future.
7. Add some mustard ink around the image using some sponge or blending tool.
8. Cut a 1” width vellum piece. Handwrite the sentiment using black marker. Add to the watercolor paper, fold the ends and adhere to the back of the paper using some Stitch Glue Squares, Glue Dots® adhesive.
9. Cut out fun foam measuring a little smaller than the water color paper. Adhere to the paper using some Advanced Strength, Glue Dots® adhesive. Add more Advanced Strength, Glue Dots® adhesive to the foam and adhere to the center of the card base.


Thank you for stopping by.

Till next time,
Grace

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Pumpkin Creations layout

One of my favorite things about sketches is how it helps me come out of my comfort zone as far as design. I never really thought of trying a triangle type of background till I saw this sketch from Stuck?! blog. 

I entered this layout for a sticker challenge over at Scrapbook.com as well. The challenge helped me go through some stickers and use them up!

I had stickers from different manufacturers here like Jenni Bowlin, Amy Tangerine, SEI, Basic Grey, BoBunny and Heidi Swapp. I even used some letter stickers that I got from the dollar spot in Target. 

I used some washi to create the triangle background but my photos and layering were pretty big that it covered the tips of it. I still love how the washi leads the eye to the photos though.

I loved how the label stickers gave my journaling an instant place to live in. That orange chipboard sticker is from My Mind's Eye.

Thank you for stopping by.

Till next time,
Grace

Monday, October 19, 2015

Happy and Hungry

Happy Monday friends. Today's layout was inspired by this sketch from Sketch N Scrap blog. 

I gotta say that my layout seemed busy even after basing it off of a sketch. I think the issue I have sometimes is that I like to add lots of photos in my layouts and sometimes sketches don't really lend well with that. Anyways, I still like this page and now that the story is documented, I'm fine to move on to the next thing.


With the business of the layout, I didn't know how to add the title so I just worked with the text that I already had which was the statement "This makes me happy". I added the ampersand and the word "hungry" so my title can be "happy and hungry".

What do you do when you have tons of pictures to add to your page? Do you immediately do a double page spread, try to cram it in in one page, or create multiples?

Till next time,
Grace

Friday, October 16, 2015

Go Somewhere Lovely layout

Three layouts in a row you say? Yup, I got my groove back recently and was able to produce 6 pages in one day. Thanks a lot to sketches. This latest one is from Scrap Much? blog



I didn't put much pattern paper in my latest homemade kit (don't know why) so I took the background paper and the white cardstock from my stash. Since it's my own kit,I can pretty much have my own rules with it. Won't you agree?

Here's the quick video of the process for this layout...


And here are some more close ups....



I have a few double page layouts that needs to be addressed (because they are from trips or holidays and I have a ton of pictures with the stories). Would you be interested in a special series in my YT channel and in this blog for it? I think I need some kind of accountability so I can get them done. Do you feel that way sometimes?

Till next time,
Grace

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Celebrate layout

Have I told you how much I love sketches. I think I can live with just having my scrap supplies and sketches and I will be able to continually get inspired to create. Something about a structure/foundation in place where I can make my own, gives me a good place to start but at the same time doesn't stop me from experimenting. Do you feel that way too?

This one was based off of a sketch from Let's Get Sketchy blog. 

I also submitted this for a scraps challenge at Scrapbook.com. The sketch went really well with using bits and pieces of paper and accents.

Here's a start to finish video for this page...

And here are some more close ups...


Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a fantastic crafty day.

Till next time,
Grace