Saturday, June 30, 2012

Scraps Of Elegance July Kit-Isn't She Lovely

Today, Scraps Of Elegance is revealing it's July Kit-Isn't She Lovely, and oh is it ever so lovely!! Before I head off to some much needed vacation time, I would love to share some of my projects that I created with this month's kit with you.


The Main Kit includes the following papers:
Graphic 45- A Ladies Diary Stickers, Focal Point, Moment in Time, Picture Perfect, Delicate Details
The Paper Loft- Gentler Times, Vintage, Garden Stroll
Bo Bunny- Little Miss-Little Miss Lizzie, Little Miss Maree, Little Miss Brenna

And the following embellishments:
ZVA Elegant Rose Buds - Peach
Melissa Frances- Keyholes-Dorchester, Organza Pouf Ribbon-Cream, Cream Pearl Embellishments
Reneas Paris Market Butterflies
Kaisercraft Wood Flourishes & Mini Alpha
Bo Bunny- Rub ons Little Miss
Prima- Cherise
The Paper Loft- Gentler Times Accessory Sheet -Friends
 

Team all this yumminess up with the Embellishment Add On and the Floral Add On, and you will be creating project after project with so many wonderful details.

My first layout is one that I based on the wonderful sketch by SuePup:


It features an old photo of my husband David's Grandparents, Catherine and JC Haddock. Theirs was a sweet love story, that ended to soon, when JC passed away from lung cancer. Although Catherine was still in her late 40's she never remarried or even dated. There was just no one who could take the place of  what she had with JC. I was very close to Catherine and spent lots of time laying on her bed and listening to stories about her and JC and the family they created together. Catherine passed a few years ago, and I miss her deeply. She was a very tough, but very fair woman, who played a very vital role in David's life and I respected her immensley.


There are 4 different layers of Graphic 45 paper that make up the base of this layout. Some I punched, some I water distress, some I fussy cut,  and the corner is a fold down.


Here you can see the corner fold down I created with some of the flowers from the Floral Add On, and the little clock is from the G45 stickers from the main kit, that I pleated some lace and adhered to the edging and then tied some yarn through the button holes.

 The Chipboard Scroll is two pieces of Dusty Attic that you can find in the SOD/SOE store , that I sprayed with some Lindy's mist and then accented with some of the Melissa Francis Pearls from the kit. I layered on more flowers from the Floral add on, and that beautiful die cut piece was a gift from Lisa N (Raining) that I added some more of the Melissa Francis pearls to. Thank you Lisa!



I used some of the Bo Bunny Rub Ons from the kit to accent the photo and the polka dot paper below the punching. I created the tag using a Spellbinders Die, one of the G45 stickers, the mini alphas and some of the sweet little yellow flowers that came in the kit.

The butterflies are Paris Market butterflies that were created by me, especially for this kit and can be found in my Etsy Shop. (Although I will be closed until July 9th for vacation) All the clocks, layered into the push back with the Vintage Crochet Lace were fussy cut from the G45 paper.

Here is another layout that features a photo of one of my friend Debra's granddaughter Isabella. I just loved all the little pearls and Vintage trinkets and resin pieces from the kit, so perfect for those super feminine layouts.


I started with a layer of G45 paper and then layered on some Bo Bunny paper, then punched some accents and added Crochet Lace on top. I then distressed and inked a couple more layers to create the photo mat.


I fussy cut out one of the bird cages and tucked some of the Melissa Francis trim from the kit under the bottom edge to create a ruffle, and then added some Prima Ribbon from my stash across the top, adding some of the Melissa Francis pearls from the kit for accents. I added lots of baby roses from my stash to detail it out.


At the bottom punched layer, I added one of the Prima Trinkets from the Embellishment add on, a flower from the Floral A.O. and some Shabby White Texture Roses from my Etsy. I then used some of the Bo Bunny Rub Ons from the kit to add sweet images to my layout.


I created a huge floral layer using, a Victorian Velvet Glitter Glass flower and some Shabby White Texture Roses from my Etsy layered in with the yellow flowers from the kit, the crochet flowers from the floral add on and lost of baby roses and leaves from my stash. The tag at the top of the layer was created using one of the Bo Bunny Stickers and one of the Mellissa Francis Resin pieces from the kit.

To finish everything off, I did some stamping with a Prima Clear Stamp, added some more pearl accents, and popped on a set of Paper Wishes Butterflies from my Etsy Shop.

I just love how feminine this layout turned out!!

This next project is one that I have not ever attempted before. When I saw all the amazing little treasures in this kit, I just couldn't help but try my hand at an altered printer tray, and I am so glad I did, because it was so much fun and I just love how it turned out!! If you haven't ever tried one of these, I encourage you to do so, because it is so worth the time it takes to do one!! I used to do these shadow boxes when I was a little girl, and this project reminded me so much of those. I just thought about all the little things we "ladies" tend to collect, and started adding those thoughts into the little cubbys.


First, I took the printer tray and applied a layer of gesso, then I started layering on stains, mists, inks, and glams. After I got the look I wanted with the layers of color, I stamped the front and sides using some Donna Salazar Color Box Ink, and it turned out so yummy!


 Here are some of the details of the left side. I used a Dusty Attic Corner Flourish with one of the flowers from the Floral add on and some of the pearls from the kit to set the corner off. Some fo the cubbys have paper layers, and some I just stamped into, and then layered the little trinkets in. The Pearls, Paris Market Butterfly, Little Chippie Mirror are from the main kit, the ATC frames, Melissa Francis Keyhole, Paris Market Butterfly,  G45 Chipboard pieces, Prima Trinket, and Bo Bunny Stickers,  are from the Embellishment Add On. All the flowers are from the Flower Add On.



 Here is a close up of the right side.



 Here you can see the detail of the color layers and stamping.



This shot allows you to see the dimension and the stamping in some of the cubbys.




This last layout is one that features a photo of my friend Jo Jo's daughter, Jordan when she was about 9 years old. So hard to believe she is now almost 17!! I love her look here, leaning against the fence, with her little beret on and that daydreamer look on her face.


 I used Lisa's (Raining) Sketch #2 to create this layout. If you haven't seen Lisa's sketches that she has been created, I urge you to check them out. They are so full of inspiration and a great go to for when your mojo is on the down low.



If you look close you will see that I misted the doillies, inked the edges and then stamped them.

I created the flower layer, using lots of those gorgeous flowers from the Floral Add On. I tucked in one of the Bo Bunny Rub ons for detail.


Here you can see the Dusty Attic Column that I used as the base of my flower layer, and the different stitching patterns I used.



The butterflies are Pink Lemonade Glitter Glass Butterflies from my Etsy Shop.

I just loved creating all these different, feminine projects with this month's kit! If you get a chance, be sure to check out the rest of the Scraps Of Elegance Design Team projects. I feel so lucky to be a part of such a talented team, and their work is always inspiring.

Well, I am off to start my vacation, and take a little much needed down time with my family!! I hope you have a wonderful week, and I will catch in a few days!! Hugs till then, ~Renea

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Special Delivery Card

Hi everybody! I am working double time this week, trying to get ready to go on vacation next week, but before I close up shop, I would like to share a card I created using some Scraps Of Elegance past kit pieces and some items from The Rubber Cafe.


I started with 3, distressed  layers of Webster's Pages paper from a past Scraps Of Elegance Kit. I stained the edges using some of the Tim Holtz Victorian Velvet Distress Stain from The Rubber Cafe store.


I then added a layer of Vintage look lace, die cut two different shapes using a Spellbinder's Iron Motiff die, one from pink card stock and the other from cream. I then used The Rubber Cafe's Vaticane Post Stamp and stamped the image onto the cream layer.



I made slits in the cream layer and ran some sheer pink ribbon through it like a slider and then accented it at the ends with some Pearl Jellie Dots. I added a sheer pink ribbon bow and a handcrafted flower to the bottom of the die cut.


I then used a sweet little Pink Paislee Rub On from a past Scraps Of Elegance kit to add detail to the top right hand corner.

Well, hopefully I will get everything caught up so that I can take some much needed down time, and to spend some time with my family!! Hope you have a great weekend! ~Renea
The Rubber Cafe Products Used:
Vaticane Post Stamp
Pearl Jellie Dots
Tim Holtz Victorian Velvet Distress Stain

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Scraps Of Darkness Unveils The June Kit - White Rabbit!!

If you have never purchased a kit from Scraps Of Darkness before, but have been thinking about it, this is THE ONE you just have to have!! OMG, Melinda has totally outdone herself on this one! It is a total jaw dropper with a mix of 7 Dots Wonderland and Bo Bunny Papers, and all the yummy goodies that come along with it, you will not be disappointed!!

The thing I love about the Scraps Of Darkness Kits is their versatility and this one is definitly no exception. Just check out the following layouts showing all the different styles you can create with this one amazing kit.

The first layout is my take on the most inspiring Sue Pup sketch that is included with each kit, and shows off the girlie grunge side of the kit. It features a photo of me and our little Jack Russel, "Jack", that my son took of us one morning. I love this photo. I am so in my element, no makeup, yoga paints, a t-shirt and bare feet, and there is sweet, little Jack looking up at me. I have always had a connection with animals, all my friends and family actually call me an animal whisperer. I just love the bond that I share with Jack, and the journaling "My dog is not spoiled, I am just well trained" fits Jack and me perfectly-lol!



I started with a layer of the 7Dots paper from the kit, and then created a second layer out of corrugated board. I grunge punched the board randomly, used some stash rub ons randomly, and then misted the surface with some Maya Mist from a past color add on, and some of the Dylusions, London Blue Mist from this month's color add on.



I took some seed beads and crushed glitter glass and made clumps around the edges of the corrugated board.




I cut the center out of some different sized doillies and placed them on the corrugated board, and then took another layer of the kit paper, distressed the edges and mounted my photo onto it. I used one of the Bo Bunny Noteworthy pieces from the kit and added some of the ZVA pearls from the Romance add on for accent. I then took some Dusty Attic Chicken Wire from the SOD store, misted it with some of the Dylusions Pixie Sunshine Mist from this month's color add on, and placed a piece in the upper left hand corner of the photo, and attached some of the Prima flowers from the Flora & Fauna Add on onto the wire.





In the bottom righ hand corner of the photo, I created a flower layer using a stash Prima flourish, some more of the chicken wire, a stash, large Prima flower, and some more of the Prima flowers from the Flora and Fauna.


I then took a strip of card stock, covered it in cheesecloth and misted it with the Dylusions Mist from the CAO and then ran a strip of thefibers from the Romance add on across it. I added my sentiment, and then topped the layout off with a set of my Turquoise Crush Glitter Glass Butterflies from my Etsy Shop, and by tucking in some doillie pieces behind the punched areas of the corrugated board.

This next layout was sooooo much fun to create! I love cutting loose and getting my mad muse on sometimes. Something about creating something artsy that is so freeing. I loved Tim Burton's version of Alice In Wonderland, and the 7Dots Wonderland papers in this kit were so perfect for a trip to "Wonderland". I just couldn't resist!!


I started with a layer of plain, white card stock then took a piece of the kit paper and heavily water distressed the edges, then took my big bite and chomped through the hole impressions along the edges of the paper. I then sewed around the edges for added texture.


I took a second sheet of the paper and cut out the card pieces, slit the first piece of paper and tucked the pieces in, adhering them with foam tape to add dimension. I then slit the paper again and tucked in lace and then sewed along the bottom of the slit. I wish you could see this in real life, because it creates a really cool visual effect!


 I then took layers of water distressed paper and Doillies and layered them in, and then took a photo of The Alice In Wonderland movie poster, featuring the White Queen and the Mad Hatter that I found on Google, and printed it out in it's panoramic format and layered it on top.

Next to the Mad Hatter, I formed a layer of hand crafted flowers, foliage and some of the little Fabscraps chipboard playing cards from the Romance Add On,  that I texture painted.



I repeated the layer on the White Queen's side and then gave her a crown, using the Blue Moon Metal Crown from the kit. You can see another one of those playing card and lace peek outs that I created below the flower layer.


I strung some stash pearls across the bottom of the photo, added another handcrafted flower, and then popped on a metal clock trinket from the Romance A.O. and created a little "Drink Me" bottle by filling one of the Mini Bottles from the Romance with some of the Dylusions London Blue Mist, and tying on a little hand crafted tag.  I then added some lace pieces to the layout and that was a wrap. I just love how this one turned out!!

For this next layout, I used the kit to get a Vintage, feminine look. The Vintage image is one that I purchased from online.


I started with some of the yummy Bo Bunny paper as a base layer, punched another layer and added it on, and then added in one of the Bo Bunny Noteworthy pieces and 3 more different sized layers of paper that was, distressed, inked and sewn.


I set eyelets and laced the photo mat and side piece together with some of the Fibers from The Romance Add On, added on my photo, and popped on one of the Bo Bunny Trinkets from the Romance at the top of the lacing.  The large, so gorgeous ZVA flower was included in the main kit and really didn't need to much else around it to create drama. I just layered a piece of stash, crochet lace across the bottom and then added a Bo Bunny Noteworthy ruler.




At the side of the photo, I added the ZVA flourish from the kit and then topped it with a door lock and key trinket from the Bo Bunny set in the Romance A.O. tying the ket to the lock with some of the fibers from the Romance. I then created a title using a Spellbinder's Die, one of the Bo Bunny Stickers from the kit and some stash Prima bling.

 In the top right hand corner I rolled the paper down tucked in some more crochet lace and some Shabby Terra Cotta Texture Roses from My Etsy Shop. and then topped the roll down with a Prima Wooden Clock from the Romance A.O. I then topped the layout off with a set of Hazlenut Cream Butterflies from My Etsy Shop.

And last but not least, here is a layout showing the masculine side of the kit. It features some photos of my son, Draven when he was around 4 years old playing at the Atlanta Water Park, Whitewater. He loved that place and these photos are just "Priceless Treasures" to me.


I used lots of layers of the 7Dots papers from the kit, distressing, and punching the edges, as well as cutting some into strips and blocks. The die cut piece in the background is one of the Bo Bunny Noteworthy pieces from the kit, and all the journaling stickers are the Bo Bunny Stickers from the main kit.

I inked the edges of some stash Tim Holtz acrylic pieces and layered them in, using one as the base of the journaling. I also used some Tim Holtz gears, ball chain, clasps, and pins from my stash.


The Wooden Clock pieces were from the Romance Add On. and the ZVA pearls are from the main kit. Here you can see one of the photos that I cut out of my son- I don't usually cut out photos, but this one was perfect for this layout!


I love lots of texture and visual interest so I did some grunge stamping on the background layer.


Thank you so much for dropping by for the Scraps Of Darkness June Kit reveal!! I just love reveal day, and that you took the time out of your day to join us!! ~Renea


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Joy Card

Is it Friday yet??! I don't know about you, but I am already ready for the weekend-lol! Speaking of the weekend, we all need a little fun and joy in our lives, and what is more fun than a day at an amusement park and at least one carousel ride? I created the following card while dreaming of one of those rides, with the beautiful horses, ticket, and wood grain that is a staple of any carousel design. I used some of the  Donna Salazar, Fab Scraps, and Prima products from a mix of Scraps Of Elegance Kits, along with some of the wonderful stamps and products that you can find right here at The Rubber Cafe to create this day dreamy card.


 I took some June kit Donna Salazar paper and punched the edges, then took a piece of June Kit Fab Scraps paper, distressed and stained the edges with some Tim Holtz Victorian Velvet Stain and layered it on.


I created the carousel horse using The Rubber Cafe's Carousel Horse Stamp . I colored it in using Tim Holtz Distress Markers, Smooch Paint, and then accented it with the following items from The Rubber Cafe; Your So Fine Glitters in Bronze Medal, Princess Pink, and Terrifically Teal, as well as Cotton Candy Jellie Dots.



 Here, I created a base using lots of sweet flowers from past SOE kits, as well as some Prima Wooden Tickets from a past SOE kit and a little handcrafted stick pin. The Sentiment was created by taking one of The Rubber Cafe's Friends Stamp, and just using the "Joy" part of the stamp to stamp on some white card stock, and then I distressed and stained the edges with some Tim Holtz Victorian Velvet Stain.

I created some banners, by cutting out two layers for each stamp and putting them together with The Rubber Cafe's One And Only Tape and foam for dimension, and then adding on some buttons for visual interest.


 The backside features the back of the Donna Salazar Paper and I then created a blank space to write on using a Spellbinder's Fancy Tags 2 Die, inking the edges and accenting it with Crystal Clear Jellie Dots.


Thank you for stopping by and taking a peek at my card! I hope you have a great weekend! ~Renea


The Rubber Cafe Products Used:


Carousel Horse Stamp 
Friends Stamp Set
Spellbinder's Fancy Tags 2 Die
Tim Holtz Victorian Velvet Stain
Your So Fine Glitters in Bronze Medal, Princess Pink, and Terrifically Teal
Cotton Candy Jellie Dots
Crystal Clear Jellie Dots
One And Only Tape
Scrap Happy Glue
Lil' Inkerz