Be Inspired #30

This week's challenge over at the Cuttlebug blog was to make something with a wedding themed. At first, I was stumped. I didn't have any bright ideas for this challenge but just today, an idea came and this is what I created...

Happily Ever After card

I used three different kinds of cuttlebug embossing templates to make my "fondant" looking cake. Used my new fiskars apron lace punch for added embellishment and finished it off with a handwritten sentiment and a punched heart. I just realized that I used a lot of tools in this card. It's good to know that I'm using my stuff.


I used a flocked pattern paper from the Paris Nights of GCD studios for the background. A perfect match to my elegant looking cake.

Thank you for looking and till next time,
Grace

Weekend ramblings

ok so this week went way too fast! I couldn't believe it's Saturday already!

First off in my ramblings today......Woohooo! I won the ad challenge at American Crafts blog. So flippin' excited about that. Read the announcement here. They have a new one up too and I can't wait to try it out. Those stamps looks awesome.

Next on the agenda is a little update on the kitchen remodeling "saga". Yes, I called it saga cause I feel like it's been in construction way too long and that there's so many other stories connected to said construction that it merits the word "saga". And also that word (to me) denotes that it hasn't ended yet, therefore again, it should have that word in it.

Ok so much for that corny introduction.... So far, Mitch has accomplished....
1. getting all the pipes changed to copper
2. changed our water heater
3. finished all the electrical rewiring for the kitchen

oh plus in the middle of the rewiring we found out that we had termite problems so we got that taken cared of as well.

As of today we have purchased the following...
1. cabinets
2. granite countertop (woohoo!)
3. dishwasher
all just waiting to be put in place.

Now he's working on putting dry wall. He had to open up a space between the kitchen and the bathroom where we will put the refrigerator, he made just a few adjustments on it and now he's closing it up again. Everything's going ok (I think) and slowly! Yes I promised myself I won't make this a whining post again so I'd leave it to that. I have to say though that I'm so grateful for a husband that would give up all of his free time to work on our kitchen. My man is looking a little lighter lately and it's not because I'm not feeding him. We're all just pluggin along. I promise I'll take pictures soon.

and finally to all my mother blog readers....

Happy Mother's day. May you all feel the great appreciation we all have for you. To all my mothers (mother, mother in law, aunts, sisters, grandmother, girlfriends, and all the women who have been a mother to me) thank you, thank you, thank you.

Now I leave you with this quote that I stumbled upon while going through my old blog posts yesterday....
Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president:
“Female roles did not begin on earth, and they do not end here. A woman who treasures motherhood on earth will treasure motherhood in the world to come, and ‘where [her] treasure is, there will [her] heart be also’ (Matthew 6:21).
Read the whole post here.

Have a great weekend everyone and till next time,
Grace

Ad Inspiration

I went to the American Crafts blog last week and came upon this challenge. I couldn't pass it up, it had two of my fave things in it- ad inspirations and American crafts products. I can never get enough of that two! So I digged through my torn magazine clippings and came across this.....

Then made this.....

[date night]

I lifted the design and used that bracket part from the ad to highlight my title. I know these pictures are pretty bad, but I've been wanting to scrap these pictures which was from Dec. 07 file so I went and scrapped it anyways.


One of the striped pattern paper gave me the inspiration to create my title using three different sets of thickers.


I copied the colors from my title to create my flower. I layered felt embellishments, then wrapped some paper thread around it, added a die cut flower and finished it off with a brad.

Supplies used:
Cardstock- Bazzill; *Pattern papers- (black) Tiara, The Goods, (pink and brown scallop) Salut, Everyday, (Stripe) Train ticket, Travel, (green) French Onion, Ala Carte; *Foam letters- (red) Subway, (White) Daquiri, (Blue) Giggles, Thickers; *Felt flowers- Holiday House; *Rubon- Accents book two, Mini marks; Brad- Making Memories; die cut flower- Plantin Schoolbook, Cricut, Provo Craft; Journaling font- LD Vanilla, Letter delights.com; Others- Paper thread, source unknown
*products from American Crafts

and if you're looking for more inspiration, head on over the GCD studios blog all week. We're sharing some great Mother's Day projects. Mine's up today.

Thank you for looking and till next time,
Grace

bike parade plus a layout

Last Thursday, Maddie's preschool class went on a bike parade at Cerritos Park East. She had a lot of fun. She got to parade, or more like race, her bike plus play on the sand box at the playground.

It's funny cause when the parade started she was at the back of the line. But by the middle of the parade, she was all the way in the front. You can tell the older kids with the younger ones. The young ones can't even pedal their own bikes and then we have the older ones that thinks this is a race. It's amazing how a year or two makes a big difference with kids.

After three laps around the park, the kids got popsicles as their reward. Maddie enjoyed her's on the bench.


Now for a layout. Got this one done, inspired by Scrap Scheme's #19 challenge.

On Target

This page documents the day when Mitch bought his bow. I loved how the circles created a fun border/interest point on the page.


I used all sorts of circles (paper, chipboard and epoxy). It was fun putting all these circles together.

I continued the circle theme with a target market for my O in my title.

Supplies- Paper, chipboard and epoxy- GCD Studios; Letter stickers- American Crafts; Journaling font- Garamond, MS word

Till next time,
Grace

belated NSBD....

For my non scrappy blog readers NSBD stands for- National Scrapbooking day. Yes there's actually a day designated for this crazy passion that we have and no you cannot laugh!!! Just kidding.

So yesterday (May 2nd) was the official day and unfortunately, my schedule (or better termed- lack of it) didn't permit me to celebrate. It's okay though cause any day that I can scrap, is my national scrapbooking time, so it's all good. I did, however, had some girlfriends over Friday night to scrap. None of us finished a page but we had fun talking and playing with the Cricut.

If you did celebrate, what did you do? did you get a lot of projects done? what special event did you participate in? I wanna know, I wanna know!!! I'll live the day through your experiences.

So since I had to work an 8 hour shift at work yesterday, I will opt to share two pages I did last week. Yes, a part of me is feeling ashamed that I only did two pages last week and yet a part of me is trying to let go of self expectations and moving forward.

So here's my share....

Time- a most precious commodity




this page actually started with the negative spots for "time". I had to cut out a bunch of these words for a class that I did and thought that it would be fun to paint/color them over kinda like masks and that's what I did. I started painting them onto white cardstock without any real idea/theme/pictures to go with them.


and then I thought about the word more and how it relates to my life right now and the phrase "a most precious commodity" instantly gave me the inspiration that I needed. It helped me jumpstart the journaling of which I write about how there's so many things that consumes me and how I'm always lacking time. I documented how my time is spent and how I would want it to be spent then goes back to who I should spend it with and that's my family.


then I remembered that I had a few leftovers from my Christmas card pictures, got one of that on there and started building the page up.


I usually sketch out pages that I wanted to do but with this one, it was all about what I'd do next to it. I think I'll call it blind scrapbooking. Never really knowing what the outcome is and just going with your creative instinct. I have to say, after this process, I like it! I know I won't do it often cause I still like the fact of visualizing the end part before you begin, but once in a while I'll definitely do some blind crafting cause it's FUN!

No other can compare

this one was made with my Use it up challenge over at SoCalScrap.us in mind. I decided to work with itty bitty scraps of pattern paper here. I'm such a paper hoarder, even the itty bitty ones I keep. What's wrong with me?! Anyways, I grabbed a bunch here and used them to create a border around the page.


I used up some more of my leftover family pics and sewn around the block (both picture and paper block) for added texture and interest


I love the glitter letter stickers from GCD studios. Can you see the shine? I just can't get enough of them!


Used up some of my 7gyspies labels for the journaling.

So there you have it. I hope that when you read this, you'd go pass the whining and complaining that I do (cause I do it alot) and see somethings that inspire and encourage you to get that page you've been thinking/planning/doing done.

Till next time,
Grace

happy friday and OLW page

Well this week is almost over and all I can say is...... FINALLY! It seemed like nothing was going right for me this week. On Monday, I had high hopes of a great and productive week but alas my luck, I felt ill. Not to worry, nothing scary or anything like the swine flu that we've all been hearing about, just was overtired and no room for resting.

After about a couple of days of feeling under the weather, I was on a mission to get back on track but whatever I do, I seemed to not be able to keep up with it. Oh well, not going to beat that bush. It's a good thing retail therapy always works for me. *wink*

Another thing that put a smile on my face....

Wow I can't believe I actually won this week. I love their challenges and getting it done was a prize in itself but to actually get to wear this "blog badge", WOW! what an honor. Oh it was for my home frame in this post.

So with some new buys and a prize, I move on.....

How about a scrapbook share....

The Journey to my Happiness

This one was inspired by the word for OLW blog which is JOURNEY. I thought about the word a lot this week and decided to focus on an intangible type of journey. The theme of the page is documenting the "crossroads" in my life which have led me to a state of pure happiness right now. Don't get me wrong, life is not perfect and I still have my struggles but I can really say that I'm happy despite of it because of these major milestones in my life.


-Since the theme was about "journey", I used my travel papers to emphasize the topic. I also added the butterfly for the "emotional" side of the journey.

-Even though this photo is not the greatest, I still chose it cause first, my son took it and he's only five years old and second, I had all my hiking gear on which relates to the "journey" theme of the whole page.
Journaling:
1.

Being baptized in the LDS church.

I was eleven when my family converted to the LDS faith. I was very active but didn’t really gain my own testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel till I was 19. And now I know without a shadow of a doubt that I receive the blessings that are given to me because of my faithfulness to the Gospel.

2.

Marrying Mitch

Part of the wonderful blessing I have received through the Gospel and my religion is meeting my husband, Mitch. We were blessed to be married for all time and eternity in the LA Temple. And because we have the same principles and goals, I can say that we are in a happy marriage.

3.

Having children

Nobody could’ve ever prepared me for Motherhood. It’s both the most rewarding and also the hardiest role I’ve ever had to take. I’m so blessed to have Marcus and Madelyn in my life. Being Amanda’s stepmother also has taught me so much about my strengths and weaknesses. They’ve truly made me a better person. I’m at my happiest when I can make my children happy.

4.

Discovering my passion for Papercrafts

Who knew I could be creative? Definitely not me! But I love it now. I’ve been blessed to have found success through it and the effects of memory preserving for me in my daily life have increased all my senses to be more observant, more grateful and be more present to the now.

Thank you for looking and till next time,
Grace

Home is where the heart is......

I think I might have just gotten my mojo back. I still lack sleep but I've managed to create here and there and I'm so happy about that!

I was able to make 1 page, 1 page in progress and 2 altered items. Plus I just ordered 76 pictures through Costco. If you get the costco coupon booklet in the mail, did you know that they have a coupon there for 9 cents on a regular 4x6 print? Yeah, I about fell over my chair when I saw it. That's why I was pretty much glued to my computer and photoshop all of last week trying to crop and prep pictures for printing. I think I'm set for the next three months. Woohoo. Can't wait to get crackin on those pics.

So onto the share today......

This was inspired by both my GCD studios items and the Be Inspired challenge #28 over at Cuttlebug blog.

House projects is very inspiring for me lately. After I was done with this easy frame, I already had another project in mind. Hopefully I can get to it soon.

"Home is where the heart is." frame

-PULLED OUT FOR PUBLICATION-

Almost everything in this project is from GCD Studios with the exception of the letter stamp, brad and rhinestones. Sorry they don't carry those (hopefully not yet, anyways).

-PULLED OUT FOR PUBLICATION-

I just love, love, love the glitter letters. Kinda sad that it doesn't photograph well. Made the epoxy heart pop out a little better with foam dots.

-PULLED OUT FOR PUBLICATION-

I love the beauty of GCD papers. They're double sided so there's much more options. Too much that it was actually hard to narrow it down with this project! Hehehehehehe. I also added some little details to some of the houses like the rubon bee above. I transfered it onto white cardstock, cut out the image and adhered with foam dot.

-PULLED OUT FOR PUBLICATION-

this chipboard star stood great alone so I didn't mess up with it.

-PULLED OUT FOR PUBLICATION-

I was trying to make a flower with this ribbon but now it looks more like a butterfly. Oh well it still works ok.

So that's my share for today, hope you liked it! Oh and the GCD blog is giving away a great "green" giveaway this weekend. Come on over the blog to check out the details.

Till next time,
Grace

Some GCD studios layouts

Lately I've been on and off with the creative mojo. Sometimes I'm very productive and other times I just run around going through stuff without anything accomplished. I think it has a lot to do with time. Oh how I wish there were an extra 2 hours in a day. Can you imagine the amount of things I can do with an extra 2 hours each day. Oh well a girl can wish right!?

Anyways, in those times that I had the spare time and mojo I was able to make these layouts. I just love, love, love GCD studios products. Did you know that their papers are double sided? double fun!

Holiday 2008

This is a page to recap the very busy Christmas season that we had last year. I know the pictures were small and it doesnt really say much about all the different events/activities we did but I think for now this will suffice me. I'm liking the "summary" idea for big events/trips/lots of picture activities. At least they're scrapped and not forgotten. It makes me feel better about being behind.


All the items in this page were non Christmas themed items. I love the fact that I can use my own stash to make a holiday page. Try it, it's refreshing. If you use traditional colors like red and green, nobody will know that you've used School or every day themed products. *wink*


This page was made easy with blocking, prepping the photos before hand and adding fun colorful items from my GCD pack. Oh how I love those big chipboard letters.

Items used: Pattern papers-(green)# 604 Coaster Circles - Carnival Ride Collection, (red)# 279 Happy Baby - Chic Bebe Collection (blue) # 266 On the Square - Canta Collection, (pink and brown) # 432 Tootsie Pop - Eye Candy Collection, (white and blue) # 277 Bebe Dots - Chic Bebe Collection; Chipboard letters, tab (ravishing red) and ribbon (Winter Wonderland)- GCD studios; Buttons and rubon words + arrow- Scenic Route; Journaling tab- Days, Heidi Swapp; Bling- Icons, Me and My big Ideas; Black pen- Millenium, Zig

Our Dear Lola

This one features the beautiful papers from this GCD line. I used it to feature the pink and brown colors in my daughter and mom's clothes in the picture.


I grabbed a shaped journaling block and traced it onto a cardstock to create my title and journaling block.


I punched out the circles from this paper and added stickles to them for some shine before adhering them in layers with pop up dots. I also spruced it up a little more with some flower rubons.

Supplies Used:
Pattern Papers- Eye Candy, GCD Studios; Ribbon- Rockets Red Glare- GCD Studios; Letters- (white) White Glittered; Others- Roly Poly, Plantin Schoolbook, Cricut, Provo Craft; Rubon- Sunkist Gold, GCD studios; Glitter- Frosted lace, Stickles, Ranger Industries; Black pen- Millenium,Zig; Others Thread and Sewing Machine

Halloween Party

Believe it or not some of these papers are from the Chic Bebe line of GCD Studios. Yes, it's a baby line, very far from the topic of the page but I thought the yellow with embossed circles was so much fun and it encompasses the feeling of this Halloween party that I just had to use it.


I stamped some spider images (from SEI), cut it out and sprayed with glimmer mist for added sparkle. Adhered them with pop up dots and stitched some lines going down to them to create the web effect.

Supplies used:
*GCD studios
Cardstock- Bazzill;*Pattern papers- (yellow)# 281 Loop Di Loo - Chic Bebe Collection (blue)# 266 On the Square - Canta Collection (Red)# 279 Happy Baby - Chic Bebe Collection;*ribbon- Plaines and Trains;*Glittered letter stickers- Orange glitter;Spider stamp- Eeire alley, SEI;Glimmer mist- Pearl, Tattered Angels;Border punch- Floral Lace, Martha Stewart;Die cut letters- Roly Poly, Plantin Schoolbook, Cricut;Others- Thread and Sewing Machine

Till next time,
Grace

Happy Earth Day!

Hi one and all. Happy mid week, Wednesday and Earth Day. Lots of things are making me smile today.....

-Marcus is no longer sick. He was sent home early on Monday because of being ill, later on we would find that he had a mild case of food poisoning, or so we think.

-I'm right on track with all the things that I have to do this week. If you know me, I always have a million things on my list and I'm so happy that I'm halfway done. Woohoo.

-Fumigation is over and hopefully no more "suprises" to come.

-It's Wednesday and for me that means a day off from my other job (retail associate). I don't have to work tonight. *jumping for joy*

-I was able to run this morning! Something that I haven't done in a whole week. Didn't do as fast as I usually do but slow and steady wins the race too, right?!

-We have a special reminder today to be kind to this wonderful Earth that we live in. Let's try to think "green" and repurpose stuff around us. And of course, BE CREATIVE at it! Check out this project that I did for GCD Studios.

Till next time,
Grace

My cards this week...

There's always a silver lining to things. Mine this week was that being away from home and staying with my inlaws gave me some time to create. My mother-in-law was so nice to take the kids to the park on Friday afternoon. She wanted me to rest since I had work the night before and I had to go back to work that night. I know I really needed that time to take a nap but you know me, as soon as I have free time, I run straight to my papers.

Luckily, I had my GCD studios stuff with me at my inlaws. With all the fun goodies in there, it was all that I needed to be creative away from my space.

I made these cards.....
"Age is just a number" birthday card

this one was made for Cuttlebug's Inspire #27- numbers. I had this number border cut out from Cricut (graphically speaking cartridge) and knew I wanted to use that as my "number" element. I run it through cuttlebug with the swiss dot embossing folder and adhered it with pop up dots to create dimension.


The GCD papers from the "carnival ride" collection was a no brainer to pick for this card. I loved the texture of these papers, not too heavy nor too light. Plus did I mention they were double sided! Woohoo!


I wrote a simple handwritten note inside to finish off this card.

Grateful for you card

love the elegant look of this card? It all started with the flocked black and white paper in the background. That's from the Paris Nights Collection.


complete source list: Papers- Paris Night, GCD Studios; Ribbon- Rocket's red glare- GCD Studios; Sentiment rubons- Ravishing Reds, GCD Studios; Flowers- Flora Doodles, Petaloo; Brads- Source unknown; Border punch- Lace, Martha Stewart Crafts; Scroll block- Home decor cartridge, Cricut, Provo Craft



{heart} Baby card

Source list:
Cardstock- The Paper Company; Yellow dot pattern paper- # 271 Yellow Polka Dot - Canta Collection; blue pattern paper and journaling block- Chic Bebe, GCD Studios; Ribbons- Striped- Winter Wonderland, GCD studios; Plain- Offray; Rhinestones- Icons, Me and my big Ideas; baby buggy die cut- Cricut, Provo Craft


I have to say I'm very impressed at the designs of the "chic bebe" line. It's very cute for all those baby projects but it has that hint of sophistication that it would totally work for any other themed projects.

till next time,
Grace