Paradise revisited...

Last summer I rented a house on Anna Maria Island (Holmes Beach), FL and spent two relaxing weeks vacationing there with no schedule, no plans, nothing but visions of sand and peace...And that was exactly what it was.

I invited my mom, and my little niece Katie along for the adventure and we had so much fun hanging out by the pool.  (I was even able to bring my pooches along!)

I'm revisiting that vacation by going through photos that I printed and had not done anything with.  I decided to take one of my favorites and complete a scrapbook layout.  If you know me, you know I don't scrapbook.  I prefer the almost-instant gratification of card-making---and sending!  On rare occasions, I create a scrapbook page that I will place in a frame as that is how I prefer to see pages displayed.  I think in my lifetime, I've created no more than five pages.  LOL...Anyway, I love embellishing and playing with paper, so this was my opportunity to play and THAT I DID!  It'll work for this weeks challenge-to create a scrapbook layout!  WOO!  Thanks Rose, for encouraging me to step out of my box.

So here's my page. I used many FSJ products to create this layout.

The Flower and palm fronds were created to mimic the scenery in the photo.  I tend to do that when I'm scrapbooking for some reason.  The palm fronds were hand cut and scored with my Journey Crease Tool.  I love that tool!  So sturdy and creates some crisp score lines!  I created the flowers from the Spring Blooms and the Spring Blooms Minis.  I created the tag freehand, and stamped the "Please Note" and "Wish You Were Here" on it using the Wish in a Bottle set (I cut my sentiment out of the big bottle in that set so it would be more versatile.) 

I'm sure you will notice that I added some distressing to the flowers.  That was achieved by using Butter Cream ink and Sweet Berry ink.  

 The Pink panel was stamped with Sweet Berry ink and the image in the Elegant Borders.

 Here's a closer peek at the tag.  I even added a timestamp in Sweet Berry ink.

I have a few more special photos that will accompany this page.  I hope to have them finished before my Spring Break is over!   

Supplies Used:  

Wish in a Bottle (Not yet available)

Elegant Borders

Spring Blooms 

Spring Bloom Minis

Ink:  Coffee Bean (retired), Sweet Berry, Butter Cream

Paper:  Watermelon Fusion, Lemon Grass, Butter Cream, Lemon Drop

Twine-Natural

Sparkle Drops

Foam Squares

Glaze

Sparkle Dust

Non FSJ product:  Kraft cardstock, Black Micron pen.

See you soon!

Only a few days left...

Only a few days left to submit your cards/projects inspired by this month's COLOR and/or sketch challenge at CREATIVE BLOOMS JOURNEY

I've been trying to use the WAY OUT THERE color combo (What was I thinking?) and I came up with a design that I think works...WITH the kit of the month!  WOO HOO double points, right?!?

Anyway, here it is:

So, it's a little bottle of wish sparkles.  Uncork that baby, make a wish and sprinkle it all over you...It's sure to make your wish come true!  

I stamped the lavender panel with the Potion Shelf background stamp (I bought this background set specifically to coordinate with the Wish in a Bottle set) using Lavender Fusion ink.  I then distressed the paper a bit with Butter Cream ink and Lavender Fusion ink so it would soften up a bit.  

After that panel was done, I stamped the Stitched Borders stamp using Orange Creamsicle ink.  To align the stamped images, I stamped one strip on the edge of Butter Cream cardstock and then aligned my Lavender Fusion strip against the stitching.  Then I drew a light pencil line above the top of the other side.  That allowed me to stamp the perfect distance away from the other image...and created the border for my panel.  When finished, I assembled the panel onto Kiwi Slice cardstock and sewed black straight stitches along the edges for an added touch.  

The bottle was stamped with Black Licorice ink and "sprinkled" with Copic dots (RV11; FBG2; B0000, 000; V04, 06; YR68; E21, 31, 33, 35, 87 and Copic Multiliner .35).  Then I added a bit of Crystal Stickles dots to finish the effect.  I tied the bottle tag (Stamped with the Wish sentiment from Bezel Block) onto the bottle with some black thread and popped it up on the stamped panel with a pop dot.  

So come on friends, don't be shy...Use those crazy colors and post a link to your creation HERE. You just might win a fabulous FSJ prize package especially selected for you!  

Here's an inspiration sheet I created for this card.  Enjoy!  

Wish in a Bottle Card 3...

Hello friends, I'm back to share another kit card with you.  This is card #3.  I took some creative liberties with the design a bit but used everything they provided in the card making package.  I added a bit of distressing and background stamping (with Oatmeal Cookie ink) to the papers by using the netting stamp in the SS-0008 Background Basics set.

I also added some additional sand lines/dots using my Black Micron pen.

Adding a bit of machine stitching didn't do much to the piece as it pretty much got covered up by all the layering.  Oh well, it's there and that makes me happy.  I also added some staples and some black seam binding.  I love staples on my non-girly cards!  

If you're interested in beginning your Kit of The Month 6 month journey, here's a link to go shopping:

March Kit of the Month

I'll be back tomorrow to share my rendition of the final card in the kit (And a "use up the extra scraps" card too!)  See you soon!

Wish in a Bottle...Part 2

I took a bit more liberty with this card in the kit.  I literally cut the "Please Note" section out of the bottle stamp (Now I have two stamps instead of one!) and added some graph paper.  I turned the card layout around and added a little bottle label using some extra oatmeal paper stapled to the bottle.  The card base was stamped with the Postage stamp die and Oatmeal Cookie ink.  Crumpling the papers up again...Yes, I like that effect.  I also used a bit of some white ink to "milk" the bottle.  

 I added a little white pen to give some highlights here and there and also used a black Micron pen to create some stitches on the "label".

So...That's card 2 of 4 in the kit.  I'll be back tomorrow to show you how I tweaked card 3... Remember, after these cards are done, I'll be back with some of my own projects using this set.  I'll include inspiration pages that you can use if you wish.  See you soon!  

Wish in a Bottle...Part 1

I got my kit!  I got my kit!!!

I tore that envelope apart and got started playing with the newest set "Wish in a Bottle".  I diverged a bit from the original design, but the layout design and materials from the kit were unchanged.  I did add a few elements too.

I incorporated a little shaker action to the card by using some sand in a little treat bag.  I also heated up the glossy accents on the bottle to give it a bit more of a "aged in the water" effect.  Adding a little abalone shell button finished it off.  

I did create a little inspiration/tutorial page for my binder but because this card is not that different than the original created by Richard, I don't think it's appropriate for me to share it.  After I create my kit cards, I'll be out of supplies and will have to use my own imagination.  LOL...So watch for my tutorials/inspiration pages later in the month!

March Kit of the Month Is HERE!!!

Yipee!!! The wait is OVER!!! Today is the day we can spill the beans, toss the bottle, and let it float away...It'll have a fabulous journey!

Introducing the newest Kit of The Month:  

Wish in a Bottle!  

(original photo edited with permission from Richard Garay)

I'm sooo excited to get my kit in the mail!  I can't wait to fill those yummy bottles and play with texture!!! This will be an amazing kit to play with and I'm so looking forward to this bottle journey!!!
If you're interested in signing up for the Kit of the Month, please contact me or click the sidebar image to the right---->

Join me throughout the month for my adventures with this kit.  Grab some extra FREE inspiration sheets and get stamping!