Treat for you

The colors for this are beautiful for winter....so I broke out some inks and paints and had some fun creating a layout for CSI.

 Chhallenge 243, for December, is here: http://csichallenge.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2017-12-09T07:59:00-08:00&max-results=1&start=1&by-date=false

For this challenge, I used all 5 colors, and the sketch. For evidence I used Christmas/winter elements: sleigh, reindeer, snowflakes; circular elements (frame around photo), and glitter (in background and on the tree).  I documented a winter tradition: every Christmas our family gets together and decorates cookies I created the background using inks and paints. (Inspired by Missy Whidden--I used her packaging technique). I fussy cut some of the elements (tree, sleigh, reindeer) from Bo Bunny paper.
And I die cut the top border.


Here is my layout:

     

CSI 242: Red Wine

For CSI 242
The challenge can be found here:
http://csichallenge.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2017-11-28T15:37:00-08:00&max-results=1&reverse-paginate=true

My layout:

                           

I used leaves, birds text (on background paper.) and journaled on a tag about red wine.
Had lots of fun creating this. Hope you can join at CSI: color, stories and inspiration.

CSI 241: EPIC

November has been a busy month, between fighting off a nasty cold and family celebrations over Thanksgiving. I finished this layout a while ago, but just got it blogged. Never the less, I did squeeze in a layout or two....



My layout was inspired by a layout on Scrapbook.com by Nathalie DeSousa's layout here:
https://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/image/layout/5837441.html. I love her use of hexagons.
I adapted it for CSI and added a few of my own touches.
The CSI challenge:
                                   
                                         

My layout used I used a hexagon die to create a strip and created faux stitching bordering the hexagons. For testimony I used leaves, vellum and wood. For testimoney I journaled about autumn colors and flowers.
                             

Sweet

Time for another challenge at CSI. For csi 240 we have a dessert themed challenge, with pretty pinks and mint green. Dessert is one of my favorite subjects....Life is uncertain, eat dessert first! Hope everyone is having a sweet Halloween!

                                       

Here is my layout for csi 240:

I used some pretty Sizzix papers from their mini celebrations collection, I incorporated all 5 colors, plus stripes, polka dots, and hearts (on the papers), flowers, borders (punched from a Martha Stewart deep edge punch). For testimony I journaled about something sweet - a chocolate covered strawberry, a delicious treat we enjoyed at a chocolate fest. I also decorated the journaling spot with flowers and arrows.
Another fun CSI challenge...come join the fun over at CSI: Color, Stories and Inspiration.
http://csichallenge.blogspot.com/

Adventure awaits

I loved this color scheme. It's perfect for some photos I have been wanting to scrapbook of our trip to Columbus, OH and our visit to the Center of Science and Industry(COSI) museum there. The museum had lots of interesting exhibits and fun for all ages.
Here is the current CSI challenge for October:

And here is my layout for CSI 239:

I used all 5 colors. For evidence I used wood pieces, (heart, button, and "hello" phrase, polka dot washi tap, circles, and a decorative (scalloped) border.
For testimony I used handwritten journaling reads: A taste of yesterday, a taste of today. Bicycles played a part of the past, and also today. Hannah tries one out. Weary at first, Hannah is soon having fun.

Red Tailed Hawk

I loved the outdoor them for CSI 238. I love taking walks in the local forest preserves...and I have the opportunity to observe many animals and birds. I was particularly lucky one day to see a red tailed hawk out looking for a meal.I find it interesting that the survive in both the natural lands, grasslands, and how some have even adapted to living in New York City. I have never been, but red an interesting story online about a hawk living in the city named Pale Male.

This is my layout: I used leaves, enamel dots, animals (birds), flowers and journaled on two spots peaking out of the brick wall. I made the brick wall with a brick stencil and used gelatos to create a watercolor background. Then spritzed a little with some ink and fussy cut the feathers, and added some color. Thanks for looking!

Join us over at Csi: Colors, Stories and Inspiration for more fun!
http://csichallenge.blogspot.com/2017/09/case-file-no-238-deadline-september-30.html

Meow

For csi 237. I had some pictures sitting around of my niece's birthday party. The house was decked out with balloons, streamers, and ribbons; which of course caught the cat's eye. Her cats are particularly photogenic. These papers worked nicely with the color scheme.
The challenge.

The layout I created used all 5 colors, followed the sketch as closely as I could, and used labels (K and Co), animals (cat stickers), and washi tape (striped). I also used stripes and speech ballons (stamped)  on label. I took one of the prompts (and wrote from the cat's point of view) I wish I had a million....

Family

CSI challenge 236:
Finally got this one done (a little late, but completed all the same. For this challenge, I used gold, polka dots, wood, and buttons. I journaled about a family adventure.

Layout:

Shared Moments

For Csi 235, I made a layout about family time. I loved this color palate with the purple and the green.

I used bling, white space, flowers,polka dots, and wet medium (modeling paste)
I journaled in a circle and based the design off of the CSI sketch (above). Used up some older papers and ribbons on this one. Journaling reads: Hannah spends some quality time with grandparents during the holidays. Here, she proudly presents oreo balls she helped make.

Come join the fun and the challenges over at CSI Color Stories and Inspiration,

http://csichallenge.blogspot.com/

3 Little Fish

After what has been a very busy July, its been nice to finally get a little scrapbooking done.
The case file for CSI 234 is:
                               

And this is my layout created for csi 234.
I used all the colors and checkers, something transparent (transparency that says hello), and scallops (border under the checkered strip of paper. I journaled about a family get away. After a long day of sightseeing, some family members went swimming. Pictured here is my cousin, niece and myself.

I used paint with stencils to create the checkers, as well as some ink splatters. Then layered some different stickers and embellishments.
                                           
                                         

Come join the fun over at CSI:

http://csichallenge.blogspot.com/

Mocha

The new CSI case file for July:

                                             

I decided to pull out some older papers on this one (background is a HOTP paper which I have had in my stash for a while). And added some stenciling to the background. And then layered in some other sitckers and elements. For evidence I used stripes (on background paper), decorative border, and wood (hearts and arrow). For testimony, I decided to journal about something that relaxes me. And that something is having a cup of mocha with friends. The layout was designed using the sketch that was provided.
Pictured here, my friends and I visited the All Chocolate Kitchen, that makes awesome desserts and Mocha's.

                                       

Join us over at CSI for fun and challenges!

http://csichallenge.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2017-07-15T02:30:00-07:00&max-results=1

Lovely

CSI 232

One of my favorite parts of summer is the flowers. Whether its taking a walk through a forest preserve and seeing all the wild flowers, seeing someone's personal garden or visiting the Chicago Botanic Garden. The expanse of flowers in nature is breath-taking. For this layout, since there is sort of a red white and blue theme and the Fourth of July is coming, I thought it would be nice to highlight some of the red, white and blue flowers I have seen. The baby's breath was seen in a forest preserve, and the roses and roses and hydrangea where seen at a city park.

For this challenge, I used all 5 colors.
For evidence, I used wood background and wood accents (wood butterfly, wood word "lovely"),
trees and foliage, enamel dots (on tree) and netting


Journaled about the outdoors: "Summer is a season lit by plentiful flowers. Roses, Baby's Breath and
Hydrangea: Summer's beauty is all around."
                                       

For this layout, I used a wood paper background and then added some paint and ink splatters.
Colored some white rose flowers blue with paint and red with ink.
Printed and cut out digital stamps of leaves, and painted them with a green paint.
Inked some larger white flowers with blue and red ink.
Used some netting and red burlap in the background for some added texture.

                             

Dance Force

I liked the colors and theme for CSI 231, thought they fit nicely for some photos of my niece, so here's my second go around on 231. My niece takes dance classes and has periodic recitals.
I have some pictures of her spring recital, where one of the routines she performed was called
"Lunch Monday."

For this I created multi-sized layered stars (some are glittered),striped paper, white background and a heart. I journaled about Hannah's awesome performance. I layered some Echo Park Beautiful life papers and stickers. And added some punching. (Loosely followed the sketch, with my own take).

Loved these colors.  So many options. You can join the fun over here:

http://csichallenge.blogspot.com/2017/06/major-case-file-no-231-deadline-june-30.html

Happy Creating!

.

Dad and His Brothers

In honor of Father's Day, I thought it might be nice to do a layout about my dad. So, pictured below is my dad with his 2 brothers. These 3 love discussing everything from politics, to religion, to philosophy.One of their favorite places to do it was in my grandparents basement. These pictures were taken around 1985.

                                         

This layout is for CSI 231: I used stripes, twine and hearts. My journaling (hidden) takes inspiration from 1000 awesome things: specifically, dads! I used up some older papers on this, added a little gesso, stamping and doodling. I also added some die cuts and stickers, and then altered some thickers I have to better match the color scheme.
The design is based on the CSI sketch, here:  http://csichallenge.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2017-06-15T02:00:00-07:00&max-results=1


                               

Join us over at CSI: Colors, Stories, and Inspiration, and be inspired!

Birthday fun

For CSI 230, I did a layout about my niece's birthday.

For my layout I used flowers, wood, butterflies, and phrase stickers.
I made a mixed media background using acrylic paint, distress paint,Tim Holtz distress oxides, and a little modeling paste. I used photo play stickers to create the title
I journaled about a gathering: my nieces birthday. Journaling reads: For Hannah's birthday, we all got together, had dinner,a special cake and opened presents. But the cake was the best part. Pictured, Laura and Hannah play with noise makers.

Girl's Day

Just a quick layout for Csi 229, in celebration of National Scrapbook Day....

For my layout, I used, the sun, something loopy (background), flowers and banners.
For Journaling, I used "smile" as inspiration....we had a fun girls day with my niece, sister and friend.
We were all smiling....
And I used the sketch, as well.

   

Grand View Drive

This is for CSI 228:
The colors of this challenge are reminiscent of water, so this photo of my mom and grandfather taken at Grand View Park along the Illinois River/Peoria Lake.


                                                           

My layout:
I used all colors, a branch, flowers, puffy stickers, and something transparent stuff (the polka dot cloud is acetate.) I journaled on an artisan label. To make the layout, I used some older papers from my stash and created a mixed media background. I used some blue acrylic paint, stickles, and silver modeling paste. I used some dies (scalloped circles and flower) to create layered embellishments. Puffy stickers are from momenta. Artisan Label was also a die cut. I edged some of the circles with Prima edgers to make them stand out more.

Journaling reads: My Grandpa used to take us to his favorite park to picnic. My mom and Grandpa, 1980.

                                       

I had lots of fun playing with mixed media on this layout. Come join the fun over at the CSI blog:
http://csichallenge.blogspot.com/2017/04/case-file-no-228-deadline-april-30-2017.html

Tea Party Crasher

This is for csi 227:
Time for another CSI challenge.
The picture was taken of my sister's cat while visiting her. My niece threw my sister and I a tea party, with apple juice and cookies, but her cat, Tiger, just had to be a part of it, approved of the cookies, and helped herself.

The case file for 227:

For this layout, I used flowers (orange flower and the wood flower), stripes (scalloped circle), watercolors (the paper has a watercolor pattern to which I added some of my own watercolors in orange and green), and animals (owls). I journaled about a tea party that my niece gave to my sister and myself. The journaling reads (about a pet) Hannah decided to give my sister and I a tea party with apple juice and cookies.However, Tiger decided to crash the tea party and helped herself to some cookies. We all enjoyed the cookies to the last crumb, including tiger kitty.

I created a couple layered embellishments myself (layered tag and crepe paper accent.) based off a youtube video.

Come join the fun on the CSI blog here:
http://csichallenge.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2017-04-11T16:26:00-07:00&max-results=1&start=1&by-date=false

Cherish

Signs of spring are finally showing. Pussy willow buds and flower buds starting to show. So I thought it would be nice to do a spring themed layout. I used some older G45 Botanical Tea Party embellishments which fit the mood perfectly. I have some pictures of flowers from last spring, at the Chicago Botanic Garden. They had a beautiful display of tulips and other flowers.

CSI 226 can be found here: http://csichallenge.blogspot.com/
                                         

And I used sting, clouds, mushrooms and bugs (butterflies) as evidence.
Hidden Journaling says: (using "roots" as inspiration)

In spring, Roots that have lied dormant for the winter, finally start to come to life. The daffodil and tulips are finally coming to life again.

Here is my layout for csi 226:

                                     

A Christmas Gathering

Here I have CSI case 225...

                             

Thought the colors were reminiscent of Christmas past. So I scrapped a picture of my grandparents and mother at Christmas in Peoria, from 1970. For evidence, I used a key, washi tape, wood (circular ornaments at the top), and stripes (on the paper). For testimony, I journaled with handwriting on the background. Journaling reads: Christmas Dinner 1970. My Grandparents loved to entertain in their home in Peoria, for the holidays. Pictured here: Mom, Grandma and Grandpa. 1970. Had lots of fun solving this one. Come join the fun over at : http://csichallenge.blogspot.com/

My layout for this challenge:

Flight

What's the best part of any meal? Dessert of course. Anything chocolate is good! So this is a layout made for CSI 223 about my dessert: hot chocolate, marshmallows and truffles. I found the most delectable place for hot chocolate, marshmallows and truffles in Chicago, called Katherine Anne's Confections. The hot chocolate-marshmallow combination was my favorite.

The csi challenge (can be found here:
http://csichallenge.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2017-02-12T14:07:00-08:00&max-results=1)
                                                     

For the challenge evidence, I used: stripes, ribbon (blue) something transparent (transparency with script writing on it), and a scalloped border. For testimony, I journaled about a meal--that is-- about the best part of the meal: dessert. Journaling reads: My friends and I stopped for dessert at Katherine Anne's Confections. Such a delicious assortment of truffles, caramels, marshmallows and who can forget the  hot chocolate. Pictured, I am enjoying a trio of hot chocolate and marshmallows. I had never a salted caramel marshmallow, before walking in here, and what a delightful treat it was.


                                             

Flowered paper and heart paper is from Amy Tangerine's Oh Happy Life collection.
Large flowers are wood, I painted.
Small flowers I die cut with Sizzix dies
Scallop border was made with Sizzix border die
Script transparency: recollections.
Ribbon: from Michael's.

Tootles: Thanks for stopping by!

Birds of Winter

I thought, since January 5 is National Bird Day, it would be fun to do a layout about cardinals, since they are such regal birds and fun to watch. Along with that, it would be fun try a new technique in my scrapbooking/mixed media. I have seen videos on You tube (I really like the one that Shannon Green does on Youtube--please do check it out, I like her method, and used that as inspiration for my background.)

Along with that, it would be fun try a new technique in my scrapbooking/mixed media. I have seen videos on You tube (I really like the one that Shannon Green does on Youtube--please do check it out, I like her method, and used that as inspiration for my background.)

For CSI challenge 222, I used red gems (recollection), stamping, snowflakes (stamped and acrylic) and red glitter paper to frame the photo (though the in the picture it doesn't show up that much.) For journaling, added gems to the journal spot and wrote about how in Chicago, cardinals are notable birds of winter. (While we do see house sparrows and blackbirds, Cardinals are by far the most striking, in their bright red feathers.) I happened to see one the other day.

                                       

I made the background by crumpling tissue paper, and then gluing it down to paper, which creates ridges, and then used oil pastels and stazon ink, to highlight that. Added in some blue as well. Added some layers around the picture (which is of a female cardinal), with cardstock, mesh and vellum (which i edged with ink to give a little more dimension. I fussy cut some cardinals from G45 Time to Flourish paper.

Then embellished with gems (recollections), Tim Holtz acrylic snowflakes and finished with a few splatters of red acrylic paint to finish. This was time-consuming, but fun to create. Sighting birds, is always a treat, and scrapping them is even better!

Birthday

My latest layout for csi is called Birthday, also the first csi layout of the year:
For my sister's birthday, we took her for a delicious pasta dinner, chocolate fondue, shopping
and dancing.

For the csi challange, I used small dots (made with modeling paste and a stencil). Enamel dots--recollections-- (either side of the "Birthday" title) Leaves, and string. I used dies to create the pink and green border (sizzix), a die to create the banner for the title and a die to create the yellow flowers.
I stamped the green and pink swirls and used pink gelatos to create the pink watercolor effect.
Finally, I journaled about my sister's birthday. The leaves are color me crazy (and I did! with peerless watercolor, pink and blue).
I don't know the manufacture of the swirl stamp, only that is was one I picked up from a really nice dollar store in Lombard that was in business for a short time. It was a very cool dollar store though....one of the few I have seen with a superb collection of scraping goodies.
Had lots of fun creating this, lovely colors, and bits to create with...

The csi challenge: