Birthday Milestones

 

In July 2012, we celebrated my Dad's 70th and my brother's 40th birthday's at Bucci's J. Bella's restaurant.  My sister and I flew in from out-of-town too (no, Deb's family and my Mike did not attend the celebration).  Both my Dad and Dave were completely surprised -- they thought the surprise party was for the other one.

We had a lovely time getting together.

Thanks for looking!

With the background paper.... I recolored the "To The Nines" DSP to Basic Gray and changed the opacity to 50%, so that it was lighter.

Supplies Used: My Digital Studio software, Stampin' Up!

Background paper - To the Nines DSP #9 (recolored Basic Gray and 50% opacity to lighten the paper

Embellishment - Taffeta Ribbon (Basic Black); Piece of Cake (balloons - recolored Basic Black); Candy Cane Lane (presents - recolored Basic Black)

Punch - Flag (filled w/Basic Black); Square (filled w/ To the Nines DSP #10 and Whisper White at 40% opacity)

Stamp Brush Set - Glimmer Kit (chevrons - Sage Shadow)

Font - Pickwick (Basic Black)

Sedona

 

We had such a wonderful time seeing the red rocks of Sedona, AZ.... a beautiful place!  These photos really don't do them justice... you need to see them for yourself.

In order to get all my photos, embellishments and words at the same angle.... I simply created my page how I wanted it without an angle, selected all the elements (start off the page and click, hold and drag the mouse over the entire page.... it'll select everything), then grouped them together.  After grouping them, rotate to the angle you want by clicking on the gray box in one corner.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Supplies Used:  My Digital Studio software, Stampin' Up!

Background paper - Textured Cardstock - More Mustard

Embellishments - Brads (Early Espresso)

Stamp Brush Sets - Ink Splatter (Cajun Craze); Autumn Harvest (leaf border - Early Espresso); Autumn Days (leaf and pheasant - Early Espresso)

Freeform Tool - Cajun Craze behind pheasant 

Font - Lavanderia (Early Espresso)

Fire Museum

 

Moving along on our 2012 photobook, but still in June 2012.  I've got a ways to go yet to get caught up! 

I was excited to create this background.... I wanted it to look like a burnt brick building.  I used the 'Well Worn' DSP.... yes, this is what it looks like before I manipulated it:

I achieved the look on my pages by first making my background Basic Black.  I place a photo box over the entire area, and added this Well Worn DSP (#11).  Then, I recolored it Sahara Sand. But....that wasn't all! I changed the opacity to 40%, so that the Black background could show through the paper.  Now isn't that cool!  

On another note, that I got excited about was my smoky cloud!  I used the cloud punch, made it whisper white and changed the opacity to 50%.  I then copied and pasted another cloud...but flipped the image, so that I could create a cloudy box with it! FUN!

Supplies Used: My Digital Studio software, Stampin' Up!

Background paper - Basic Black

Stamp Brush Set - The Great Outdoors (fire - Basic Black); Man's Best Friend (hydrant - Basic Black and Real Red); Oh Whale (splash - Soft Sky)

Freeform Tool - coloring in of fire w/Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie and Real Red

Punch - Flag (filled w/Whisper White); Cloud (filled w/Whisper White at 50% opacity)

Photo box (filled w/Well Worn DSP #11 recolored Sahara Sand at 40% opacity)

Font - Broadway (Real Red); Herald (Basic Black)

AZ Sealife Aquarium - DGSC116

 

Continuing my work on our 2012 photobook, with our trip with Mike's parents to the Arizona Sealife Aquarium.  We had a lovely time.... and it was great to see our favorites -- the jellyfish and seahorses!

In creating these pages, I wanted to incorporate the Digi-Scrap Challenge (DGSC116) found on the Splitcoaststampers website.  It can be found here:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/digital-scrapbooking-tuesdays-f253/dgsc116-%96-spring-into-change-april-1-a-t586126.html

The challenge asked us to use a template and change it up, adding layers and masks.  I chose a sketch template from Scrapbooks Etc (SE292).  This is the sketch:

It was a little rough in creating these pages.... as I wanted the sun, clam, whale and starfish to 'look' like they were punched out of each colored paper. I achieved it by utilizing the drop shadow feature on the opposite sides of where I wanted to 'punch out' the stamp. I added a Basic Gray stamp underneath the Coastal Cabana stamp to add depth to the 'punched out' stamps too.  

I cropped each stamp, so that it would fit perfectly in the corner or sides of each colored block.

Thanks for looking!

Supplies Used: My Digital Studio software, Stampin' Up!

Background paper - Coastal Cabana

Embellishments - Baker's Twine (Whisper White cropped)

Stamp Brush Sets - A Split Second (splatter - Soft Sky cropped in some areas); Anchors Away (starfish and clam shell- Basic Gray and Coastal Cabana); Oh Whale (whale - Coastal Cabana; wave - Whisper White and Bermuda Bay); All Time Fave (sun - Basic Gray and Coastal Cabana)

Punch - Square (filled w/ Kiwi Kiss, Calypso Coral, Soft Sky, Summer Sun and Whisper White)

Font - CK Teen Scene (Whisper White and Bermuda Bay)

CAF Museum

 

I'm working my way through designing our 2012 photobook.... I'm on June! Yay....halfway done.

I had some fun creating these two pages.... We took Mike's parents to the Arizona Wing CAF Museum. CAF - stands for 'Commemorative Air Force'.  My Dad is a veteran of the Air Force, so seeing the planes that he used to work on was neat.

Within my software... it was hard to find elements that went with my theme.  I found two planes: the one in black is from 'All Time Fave' Digital Kit and the gray plane is from the 'World Tour' stamp brush set (I cropped this to only show the plane and not the words).

Thanks for looking!

Supplies Used - My Digital Studio software, Stampin' Up!

Background paper - Textured Cardstock (Midnight Muse)

Embellishments - Spring to Life (wheat -recolored Daffodil Delight); Staples and Stitching (zigzag - Whisper White)

Stamp Brush Sets - All Time Fave (plane - Basic Black); World Tour (plane cropped to show only the plane - Smoky Slate); Notes (curly cue - Smoky Slate)

Punch - Square (filled w/Daffodil Delight)

Font - Arial Block (Whisper White)

Sunshine Thanks - MDSM60

I was a bit nervous about creating something with this sketch I found on the MDS Monday blog (MDSM60).  You may view the challenge, and all the cards created with it here: 

http://mdsmonday.blogspot.com/2014/03/mdsm60-card-sketch.html

But, after I started playing with it, changing colors and papers and such! I had some fun with it!  I really like the end result too.

Along with the sketch, the challenge asked us to re-color some embellishments on your page/card.  I chose to re-color the circle embellishment (inside the sunburst)...the decorative edge was green....and I changed it to Black.  Also, the sentiment itself is an embellishment (in the Hooray of Parties Kit)... it was gray with the flowers being different colors -- and I changed it all to be white.

Thanks ladies for an exciting challenge!

Supplies Used - My Digital Studio software, Stampin' Up!

Background - Textured Cardstock (Daffodil Delight)

Punch - Square (filled w/Sunshine and Sprinkles DSP #4); Flag (filled w/ Whisper White and Basic Black); Sunburst (filled w/Daffodil Delight); Circle (filled w/ Basic Black)

Embellishment - Christmas Jingle (circle label - recolored Basic Black); Hooray for Parties (sentiment - recolored Whisper White)

Prayerful Flourish

It's always sad to hear when someone's loved one has passed away.  This one was a bit difficult for me.... as she passed away from pancreatic cancer (the same cancer that took my Mom). 

I cannot take credit for this lovely card.... I found Wanda Pettijohn's card on Pinterest.  Here's her card, on her blog: 

http://www.starlightstamper.com/2013/06/flowering-flourishes-anniversary-card.html

And, I see from her blog, she had inspiration from Deena Boos' card. Here's her card and blog:

http://www.myhomegrownart.blogspot.jp/2013/06/flowering-flourishes-wedding.html

Thanks so much ladies for your inspiration and your lovely cards!

Supplies Used: Stampin' Up products

Stamp Sets - Flowering Flourishes, Thoughts and Prayers

Paper - Sahara Sand, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink - Staz-on Black

Accessories - stamp-a-ma-jig, ruler (non-SU)

Grateful Kindness

Not sure you can tell the colors on this card from my photo.  They are Soft Sky, Smoky Slate and Night of Navy.  I'm not even sure I LOVE this card, but I do like the softness of the colors together.

Okay, so I took another look at this card.... and I figured rhinestones would make this card more lovely!  So here's the new card:

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used: Stampin' Up products, unless otherwise noted

Stamp Sets - So Very Grateful, Blooming with Kindness

Paper - Soft Sky, Smoky Slate, Whisper White

Ink - Soft Sky, Smoky Slate and Night of Navy

Accessories - Blender Pen, ruler (non-SU), Rhinestones

Peaceful One - CTS71

 

I saw this sketch on the CAS(e) This Sketch blog (CTS71).  Not sure I followed it completely, but it is where I got the inspiration to create my card.  You may view the challenge here (as well as all the cards created with it here): http://casethissketch.blogspot.com/2014/04/case-this-sketch-71.html?showComment=1396542833780#c4590177769555153625

Now, I do have to say that I got frustrated with this card.... after several attempts at creating a ribbon banner with the sentiment, I finally just made the ends to go off the page.  LOL! How's that for making the card my own! =)

Thanks for taking a peek!

Supplies Used: Stampin' Up! products

Stamp sets - Peaceful Petals, Million & One

Paper - Pistachio Pudding, Garden Green, Whisper White

Ink - Garden Green

Accessories - scissors

Having Fun!

 

Yeah! Finally finished scrapbooking our May 2012 trip to Orlando with my two brother's and their families.  Wow! What an exciting trip!

The top two pages just reflect us having fun posing throughout the parks.  Things to note:  There is an ice cream shop in Islands of Adventure called 'Schwab's'.... since my brother's and family ARE indeed Schwab's -- we couldn't miss that photo-op!  My brother, Doug, is called 'Squidward' at work by a few co-workers -- so he got a photo with him! And last, my niece, Sam.... got a photo with Sam I Am! Totally cute!

The bottom two pages show our one day trip to Wet 'n Wild Waterpark and our dinner/show at Arabian Nights. 

I'm so happy to have re-lived this vacation again while I've scrapbooked it!  I so wanna go back now!

Or, at least, plan another trip with some family members!

Thanks for looking!

Supplies Used: My Digital Studio software, Stampin' Up!

Background paper - Whisper White

Punch - Square (filled w/Pink Flamingo DSP #1); Flag (filled w/Melon Mambo Dotted Stripe DSP and Coastal Island Dots DSP); Large Photo Corner (filled w/Coastal Island Dots DSP)

Embellishments - Ruffled Ribbon (Island Indigo); Printed Brads (Island Indigo)

Stamp Brush Sets - Earth Laughs (Island Indigo and Coastal Cabana); Blossoms Abound (swirl - Melon Mambo

Font - Aurora (Island Indigo)

Harry Potter World

 

Continuing our photobook for May 2012 with our Orlando trip, with our visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Wow!  I thoroughly enjoyed the books.... then the movies... and now with the Wizarding World in Universal -- it makes it all complete!

Thanks for looking!

Supplies Used: My Digital Studio, Stampin' Up!
Background paper - Whisper White
Punch - Square (filled w/Pink Flamingo DSP #1); Flag (filled w/Melon Mambo Dotted Stripe DSP and Coastal Island Dots DSP); Large Photo Corner (filled w/Coastal Island Dots DSP)
Embellishments- Ruffled Ribbon (Island Indigo); Printed Brads (Island Indigo)
Stamp Brush Sets - Earth Laughs (Island Indigo and Coastal Cabana); Blossoms Abound (swirl- Melon Mambo)
Font - Aurora (Island Indigo)

The Rides

 

Still working on our vacation trip to Orlando in May 2012....wow...we have a ton of photos!  That said, I was surprised we had so many with us on the rides.  I wanted to keep the theme going with the flags and such on previous pages (to tie them all together), so I just rotated the flags on the side by grouping them together. <---So easy in My Digital Studio.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Supplies Used - My Digital Studio software, Stampin' Up!

Background Paper - Whisper White

Punch - Square (filled w/Pink Flamingo DSP#1); Flag (filled w/Melon Mambo Dotted Stripe DSP and Coastal Island Dots); Large Photo Corner (filled w/Coastal Island Dots)

Embellishments - Ruffled Ribbon (Island Indigo); Printed Brads (Island Indigo)

Stamp Brush Set - Earth Laughs (Island Indigo and Coastal Cabana)

Font - Aurora (Island Indigo)

Vacation House

Continuing working on our vacation trip to Orlando in May 2012.  Here are photos of our vacation rental home and of our little photo shoot by the gatehouse of Doug's family and Mike &I! We enjoyed it!

I used a sketch I saw on the SweetShoppe website:

As you can see from my page, I left a lot of the embellishments off of it! 

Thanks for looking!

Supplies Used: My Digital Studio (Stampin' Up!)

Background - Whisper White

Punch - Square (filled w/Pink Flamingo DSP #1); Flag (filled w/Melon Mambo Dotted Stripe DSP and Coastal Island Dots DSP); Large Photo Corner (filled w/Coastal Island Dots DSP)

Embellishments - Ruffled Ribbon (Island Indigo); Printed Brads (Island Indigo)

Stamp Brush Set - Earth Laughs (flourish - Coastal Cabana and Island Indigo); Blossoms Abound (swirl- Melon Mambo)

Font - Aurora (Island Indigo)

Universal - MDSM59

 

Working on our 2012 photobook with our May trip to Florida with two of my brothers and their families.  We had a great time!

I used the sketch found on the MDS Monday Blog - MDSM59.  You may view the challenge here: http://mdsmonday.blogspot.com/2014/03/mdsm59-heidis-layering-trim.html

And decided to create a double page spread with it! Thanks Ladies!

My page is an 11x8.5 size....although, you can't really tell as the background is white. 

I created my own DSP in MDS for the 'blue' flags.... and I'd like to share how I did that.

I opened up a blank page, within MDS. I selected the background to be Coastal Cabana. Then I brought over the stamp 'Dots Dots Dots'....changing the color of the 'dots' to be Island Indigo. I selected 'share' (on the right-hand side of the design center) and chose 'export pages'. I saved it as a .jpg file and sent it to my desktop, so that I could find it easier. Name your new DSP (I called mine Coastal Island Dots).  Now.... all I needed to do was add it to my background papers within the MDS software, and I have my own DSP!  This is how I did that (using a PC...not a MAC):  follow this path on your computer: C drive/Program Files(x86)/My Digital Studio/Components/Backgrounds/Designer Series Paper  -- now add a new folder and name it whatever you want (Mine is 'MyDiane DSP').  Now, copy and paste your .jpg file into that folder you just created.  Now, when you open MDS again, and select DSP.... your folder (and all your own DSP) will be in there to choose from!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used: My Digital Studio (Stampin' Up!)

Background paper - Whisper White

Punch - Square (filled w/Pink Flamingo DSP #1); Flag (filled w/ Melon Mambo Dotted Stripe and Coastal Island Dots DSP)

Embellishments - Ruffled Ribbon (Island Indigo), Printed Brad (Island Indigo)

Font - Aurora (Island Indigo)

Marymoor

 

I had created a 12x12 calendar page of the image you see on the left....and wanted to use it in my 2012 photobook (so I converted it to a 8.5x11 page).  Also, I created a companion page to make it a double-page spread!  These pages reflect the joy in nature that both Mike and I have come to love!

One of the photos is of a tree.... where both Mike and I thought it looked a lot like the 'Whomping Willow' tree in the movies 'Harry Potter'.  So.... we couldn't miss the photo-op of the tree 'whomping' on me.  We have so much fun!

Thanks for taking a look!

Supplies Used: My Digital Studio (Stampin' Up!)

Background paper - Ice Cream Parlor DSP #5

Embellishments - Dahlias (Midnight Muse, Daffodil Delight, Primrose Petals)

Stamp Brush Set - Cheerful Treat (flower spray - Whisper White)

Punch - Square (filled w/Ice Cream Parlor DSP #5; Calypso Coral); Fun Flower (filled w/Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals and Daffodil Delight); Flag (filled w/Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals and Daffodil Delight)

Font - Lavanderia and KG Eyes Wide Open(Whisper White)

Sammamish Park

 

We are so very fortunate to live where we do in Washington State.  There is so much beauty so close to where we live -- some, which in this case -- within waking distance.  Mike and I love to walk, so when improvements were made to the walking trails around Sammamish Lake.... we just had to try them out.

Now, remember I am way behind in my scrapbooking.... so I'm still working on 2012! HA!  I will get caught up-to-date! I will get caught up-to-date! I will get caught up-to-date! <--- Maybe if I keep saying that it'll happen.....someday. LOL

In creating these pages, I used the Urban Garden DSP.  Once I had the papers down how I wanted them.... I just selected add a duplicate mirrored page to get my second page!

Supplies Used - My Digital Studio (Stampin' Up!)
Background paper - Urban Garden DSP #11
Punch - Square (filled w/ Urban Garden DSP #3, #5, #6; Baja Breeze); Square and Circle (Not Quite Navy for underneath metal frame)
Embellishments - Hodgepodge Hardware (Vanilla Frame recolored Not Quite Navy); Timeless Taffeta Trimmings (Whisper White Ribbon); Brads (Not Quite Navy); Staples and Stitching (Very Vanilla)
Stamp Brush Sets - Autumn Days (Not Quite Navy and Whisper White); Presto Patterns Overlays (frame around photo - Not Quite Navy); Spring Fever (words -Enjoy Life - Very Vanilla and Not Quite Navy)
Font - Bernard MT Condensed (Whisper White)

Graduate Glimmer - FTL285

 

Another cute sketch from the Clean & Simple blog this week!  You may view the challenge and all the cards created with it here:

http://cleanandsimplestamping.blogspot.com/2014/03/285.html

I'm a bit disappointed with my lighting on my photo.... cause it doesn't reflect the true colors of Elegant Eggplant, Glimmer Gold and Whisper White on this card. Oh well..... imagine a deep purple with gold and crisp white! lol! Royal colors indeed!

I used My Digital Studio software to create this card.  The Glimmer Kit with it's gold trim created a lovely border around my piece. The hats....along with the sentiment is from the Stamp Brush Set - Go Graduate Plus.... isn't it great to be able to mirror stamps, as well as, make them bigger or smaller to fit your needs!  The font I used is called 'AtLastGreetings'.  I printed all this on Whisper White cardstock and then attached it to a piece of Elegant Eggplant.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Supplies Used - My Digital Studio software, Stampin' Up products

Paper - Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White

Stamp Brush Set - Go Graduate Plus (hats - Basic Black; sentiment - Elegant Eggplant)

Embellishments - Glimmer Kit (gold trim)

Font - AtLastGreetings (Elegant Eggplant)

Blossom Celebration

I cannot take credit for this lovely card.  Aside from the colors, I CASEd it! 

Thanks to Pinterest and the Stemplestern Blog for your lovely card, shown here:

Isn't it a beauty!  

Supplies Used:

Stamp sets - Fabulous Florets, Stippled Blossoms, Something to Celebrate

Paper - Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White

Ink - Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, Pear Pizzazz, Gumball Green

Accessories - scissors, stamp-a-ma-jig

Bitty Stars - FTL284

 

This sketch from the Clean & Simple blog, made me think about my little nephew (he's gonna be 4 soon!).  He loves stars, planets and everything space! lol  Well, I wanted to create a card that would remind him of the vast night sky with all it's pretty stars!

Not sure I achieved it with this card....as my background piece came out lighter than I expected. BUT.... I am happy how it turned out.  I created my own DSP (Designer Series Paper)!!!!  On Whisper White cardstock, I sponged Island Indigo, Pear Pizzazz and Smoky Slate.  After sponging, I spritzed it all over with water.  After letting it dry.... I assembled it how you see here.  

When I placed my silver glimmer stars on my background piece.... they kinda blended into the background, so I used black stars underneath to make them 'pop' more!

You may view the sketch challenge (FTL284) from the Clean & Simple blog here: http://cleanandsimplestamping.blogspot.com/2014/03/284.html

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets - Itty Bitty Banners, Perfect Pennants

Paper - Whisper White, Basic Black, Smoky Slate, Silver Glimmer

Ink - Black Staz-on, Smoky Slate, Pear Pizzazz, Island Indigo

Accessories - sponges, spritzer, Bitty Banners Framelits, Big Shot, Small Star Punch

Mom Moments

I'm working on a few Mother's Day cards today (for my Mother-in-law and my Grandma H).  It's a bit bittersweet, as last year I also had my Grandma S and my Mom to create a card for.... this year, I do not.  Give a hug to all nurturing figures out there.... whether it be a Mom, Grandma, Aunt, Sister!

I found this card on Pinterest through the Vera Stamps blog:

I really liked the graffiti look of this card! So.... working with My Digital Studio software, I tried to create something similar with 'Mom' words.  Although.... I didn't care for the look (on my card) of placing the words over 'Mother'..... so I just placed them over and under the word.  <--- I know I'm a bit 'OCD' in that it has to be uniform and perfect. lol!

Thanks for taking a look!

Supplies Used - My Digital Studio software (Stampin' Up!)

Stamp Brush Sets - Handpicked for Mom (blossoms - Crumb Cake); Million-Dollar Moments (flower spray - Calypso Coral)

Freeform Tool - colored in the three flowers with Calypso Coral

Fonts - Long Island (Calypso Coral); Duchess, Lavanderia, Majestic, Pristina, Celebrity (Crumb Cake)

God's Garden - March Progressive Challenge

It's been quite difficult these past few weeks with my Mom passing away last month.  She will be forever missed..... but, I have wonderful memories to draw upon.  My sister-in-law had given me this beautiful poem a year ago.... not sure where she got it from, but it was really lovely.  I wanted to create a scrapbook page using this poem..... to comfort me (and others).

I used a photo from a trip to the Kobuta Gardens here in Seattle.  It's a lovely place....calm and peaceful.

On the Splitcoaststampers website, I used their March Progressive Digi-Scrap Challenge.  With the progressive challenge, they give you several steps each week.  After the 4th week you have one completed scrapbook page!  You may see the start of the challenge here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/digital-scrapbooking-tuesdays-f253/march-2014-progressive-challenge-22-task1-03-04-14-a-t584974.html

Supplies Used - My Digital Studio software (Stampin' Up!)

Background: Blossoms Abound DSP #6
Punch: Square (filled w/Blossoms Abound #1); Scallop (filled w/Pistachio Pudding); Oval (filled w/Pistachio Pudding); Circle (Whisper White)
Embellishments: Ruffled Trim (Pistachio Pudding); Hodgepodge Hardware (frame); Brads (Early Espresso); Blossoms Abound (flowers)
Stamp Brush Set - Blossoms Abound (swirl on scallop edges - Whisper White, flower -So Saffron, leaf - color tool to match green on flower embellishment)
Font - Chaucer (Early Espresso)

Blossom Punch Expression - RS107

 

I saw this cute sketch and the lovely technique of using the negative space left by punches or dies.... that I just had to try my hand at creating something! What lovely inspiration and great cards from the design team at Retro Sketches.  You may view the challenge and all the cards created with it here: http://retrosketches.blogspot.com/2014/03/retrosketches-107.html

I used the Blossom Punch on Whisper White cardstock and placed the Sweet Sorbet DSP underneath it!  I wanted to use the colors within the DSP, so I matted it on Summer Starfruit and used Sahara Sand as the base of this 5.5x5.5 inch square card.

I sentiment is from 'Express Yourself' stamp set.  I finished this card by adding silver 1/8" ribbon.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Supplies Used: Stampin' Up! products, unless otherwise noted

Stamp set - Express Yourself

Paper - Sahara Sand, Summer Starfruit, Whisper White, Sweet Sorbet DSP

Ink - Black Staz-on

Accessories - Blossom Punch, glue dot