A Favorite Layout...

Rarely comes along a piece that I have such an emotional bond to as this scrapbook layout. I made it a couple years ago with the intent of selling it on eBay. I priced it higher than my market of buyers, tho' much lower than many of the well-known artists sell, so it was no surprise...it didn't sell! Yay! I don't make scrapbook layouts much anymore preferring to make cards since they are much more compact.
Oh, the joy! So now my youngest son who inspired me to make the layout is having his first child and if we're lucky we have a 50-50 shot it'll be a boy! We'll be thrilled with what we get but a grandson would be fun since we have two wonderful granddaughters. Anyway, new daddy2B, Justin, is a volunteer firefighter hence my attachment to this cute layout. I hope you enjoyed seeing my moldy oldie again, as much as I!

I used paperpiecing technique with my original illustrations of the "little hero" and his pedal car-driving dalamation friend. Please keep in mind, these are my original illustrations and may not be reproduced in any fashion without my written permission.

Fireman Jay, My Own Young Hero...

I believe this was the best scrapbook layout I ever created...or should I clarify...the best paper piecings I've created! Guess it stands to reason when your youngest son is an unsung hero, himself a firefighter, it gives you lots of inspiration. I often sell my layouts on eBay and Etsy.com but didn't have the heart to part with this...somehow I think it won't be too many years and my young firefighter and his wife may have a "little hero"...a gramma can hope at least!

The paper piecings took some doing on this layout. I had to research old pedal cars to come up with my dalmation's car and then a little refresher in what dalmations look like...all a lot of fun but so much time. First there are sketches, then patterns, then cut Bazzill, and assemble/attach. If you can, try to check out all the talent at Etsy & eBay by searching for cards & scrapbook layouts. What you see will be amazing!

Fun Halloween Altered-Art Craft

I've had this heart-shaped wooden bag around for a few years just waiting for this altered-art craft. My daughter is coming home from a Mediterrean cruise on Saturday and I was thinking about her upcoming Halloween lollipop-making and thought this would look cute on her desk at work full of pumpkin lollipops!
I hope she likes it...all made from things I didn't have to buy. If I live long enough to use up my stash, I'll be a very old lady!! This was so easy to make. I painted and distressed a $1 box from the unpainted wood deptartment in my ACMoore. Traced it and cut down 2 layers of papers I distressed and went to town with my box of Halloween embellies. I may yet go back and add some orange boa around the top for a little fun...we'll see. The distressed flowers were made with scalloped circles I cut, quarter folded, antiqued and glued to a kraft cardstock circle with a nifty epoxy button added. I just love the vintage Making Memories epoxy buttons and wish I had bought more way back when. I'll have to make myself something when I get to the last one. Remember those typewriter key alpha stickers? They make a perfect "BOO".

Our backdoor neighbors had a bad fire at their house yesterday. DH and I were moseying around the house with a birds eye view and didn't realize anything was going on until the first firetruck arrived, 4 came in total. The poor kids ended up running out of the house in their pjs, not warmly for the chilly weather. We heard today that the dryer shorted and melted the pvc waterpipe which caused further shorting and an electrical fire. They'll be out of the house for a couple months while the house is worked on but it could have been so much worse. The young woman came by to return the fleece I took to her and told DH if they hadn't been home to call it in, the result would have been catastrophic. We're so happy they are all safe.

My Mind's Eye Challenge #16

Here's a fun challenge with a great Anam Stubbington sketch from one of my favorite paper companies... My Mind's Eye!! The theme is "black" and must be 80% MME product. It doesn't have to be a Halloween layout and can be any theme.

The challenge ends October 21st and there are wonderful prizes! Oh, I sure hope I can do this one...who wouldn't want to win 3 full collections of MME paper? Sheesh...amazing for a paper addict like me :-)

Flutter By Birthday Greetings & Challenge #120!

HUGE birthday greetings to Danni at Flutter By Wednesday!! Danni's birthday blog candy is unbelievable so be sure to check it out.

My contribution is a surprise pop-up card. Photo 1 shows it closed, the others show it opened, which is done by pulling out the bow-tied tag:


This was a lot of fun and a feat of engineering that I am not accustomed to in cardmaking. I made it from a fun tutorial at Split Coast Stampers. The papers are from K & Co. with 2 vintage Wordsworth clear stamps, the inside greeting is by TPC. I haven't figured out yet how to get a good impression from TPC stamps. I paper pieced the cupcake bottom with Copic markers for the top. A scrap of irridescent blue ribbon was added to the pull-out tag at the top, a few pearls & a mulberry flower with Sultan center by Prima finish things of nicely. My card is a mirror image of the sketch below because of the orientation of the cupcake stamp!

Here's a peek at the cool sketch by Mercy Kerin provided by Flutter By for this special weekly challenge.

Song Inspired!

"Scrapbooks, Etc." is having a challenge! Bring on your favorite song and incorporate it into a scrapbook layout. If you post it by October 12 in their assignment gallery...you've got a shot of being published in their magazine. How cool would that be?? Check out the rules, etc. by clicking the title of this post and have lots of fun.

I'd love it if you add a comment here with a link to your blog where my visitors can see your entry!

Cardmaking Magic

Goodness papercrafting friends...have I ever found a terrific spot for you to visit! This blog is beautiful! I should be so talented. Anyway, you'll want to see Irina's blog and sign in for your stake at a chance to win this week's blog candy. Its a grab bag full of terrific goodies and a Tilda stamp...aren't you like me, dying for a Tilda stamp? Please be sure to visit and with any luck my blog will improve and I "pinch" ideas from Irina. Be sure to cut & paste into your browser if the link doesn't work here http://everythingpapercrafts.blogspot.com/.