BBTB2 Blog Hop, Blog Candy & a Challenge

Wecome to BBTB2's Weekly Challenge and end of the month Blog Hop.  This week was Penny's week to select the challenge cut and she chose the apron cut on the cartridge From My Kitchen.  Penny is also hosting this week's challenge at Bitten By the Bug 2 and it just so happens that she is the person right in front of me for the hop, so if you didn't arrive here from Penny's blog, then you should start at the beginning at BBTB2 so you don't miss a single stop (or chance to win the blog hop goodies) along the way.

Since I recently did a card using this exact cut, I decided instead to use the apron on the new Country Life cartridge (it is my new favorite by the way!...cute, cute images all of them!).  I also used the new Kitschy Kitchen 6 x 6 patterned papers from Melissa Frances to complete this card.

Now before you run off to the next stop... let me tell you about what you can win right here at Runs with Scraps.  This week I am giving away a $17.50 gift certificate to one of my favorite places to buy stamps... My Favorite Things.  To have a chance to win, all you need to do is sign up to be a follower of this blog (if you aren't already....but umm, you are, right??!!) :-) and leave me a comment right here telling me what your favorite Cricut Cartridge or Die Cut is.  It is THAT easy to enter to win... I'll draw and announce the winner on Sunday September 4! 

Now after you do those things, go ahead and hop on over to Jeri's blog - as she is the next stop along the way!

Enjoy the hop and don't forget to join us for challenge!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  Kraft, Pure Poppy, Stampers Select (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Kitschy Kitchen (Melissa Frances)
Stamps: Classic Messages (Hero Arts)
Ink: Antique Linen Distress Ink, Archival Coffee Ink (Ranger)
Fiber: Fresh Snow 3/8 inch Twill (Papertrey Ink), Button Twine (Studio Calico)
Embellishments: Pearl Stick Pin (JBS) 4 inch white Doilies (Wilton)
Other Tools: Medium Scallop die cut (Papertrey Ink), Cricut Expression, Country Life cartridge (ProvoCraft)

Better Living Through Scrapbooking September Challenge 1

I absolutely love being a Design Team member at Better Living Through Scrapbooking.  The challenges are so clever and really make you look at scrapbooking in a whole new light.  I love that they make you think outside the box as well. This week's challenge is no exception.  I hope you'll join us...

“Inspirational Quote challenge”

Create a layout that is based on your favorite inspirational quote. Need some ideas? Visit http://www.inspirational-quotes.info/ for a great searchable collection of quotes.

Choose at least 2 of the following:

1. Use one 5×7 photo of a place or thing that inspires you.
2. Use a palette similar to this one:
http://www.colourlovers.com/palette/1254702/BetterScrap_Ch53
Make this a double 12×12 or double 8 1/2 x 11 layout, with at least 2 photos per page.
4. Place your title on a circular or wavy path.
5. Use a transparency of some sort on your page, whether an actual transparency sheet (Hambly Screen Prints, Fancy Pants) or transparent embellishment (Heidi Swapp Ghost Shapes, Making Memories) that you purchased, or a handmade transparency made by hand or with your computer printer.

"History is a kind of introduction to more interesting people than we can possibly meet in our restricted lives; let us not neglect the opportunity." -- Dexter Perkins

History, especially local history has interested me for as long as I can remember. So the quote by Dexter Perkins sums up my feelings about meeting people you would not have otherwise met by learning the history of times gone by. One of my favorite places (and thus a place that inspires me) in my town is the Blanchard House which is now owned by the Ionia Historical Society and serves as Ionia County's museum. I have spent a lot of time learning the history of the Blanchard house and the people who lived there.

Along with the inspirational quote I also decided to use 2 prompts from this challenge; transparencies that I created myself by stamping butterflies on transparencies and cutting them out as well as a 5 x 7 photo.

In this layout I also featured not only a photograph of the Blanchard House but also flowers made using Pink Ice Parchment paper from Discount Cardstock, a sponsor at Better Living Through Scrapbooking as well mini Poinsettia paper flowers (Bazzill) that can be purchased at Discount Cardstock. I also incorporated their Midnight Black cardstock by creating a frame for my photograph using my Gypsy and the Heritage cartridge. Graphic 45 is a sponsor at Better Scrap this month as well and so I used paper from the Le"Romantique Colletion as well as scraps from their Steampunk Debutante collection.


Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Midnight Black #80 (Discount Cardstock), Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Speciality Papers: Pink Ice Parchment (Discount Cardstock), Crystal Clear Plastic Sheets (Ellen Hutson)
Patterned Paper: Le' Romantique Collection and Steampunk Debutante Collection (Graphic 45)
Stamps: Antique Engravings (Hero Arts)
Ink: Distress Ink in Antique Linen (Ranger), Staz On Jet Black (Tsukineko)
Embellishments: Mini Poinsettia paper flowers (by Bazzill Basics available for purchase at Discount Cardstock), Crystal Sticker Pearls (Mark Richards),
Other Tools: Gyspy and Cricut with Heritage Cartridge (ProvoCraft), 2 inch scallop punch (EK Success), Old Lace Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Flower Die Cut and Leaf Ribbon (Papertrey Ink)

White Cardstock for Saturday

There are so many things that you can do with white cardstock, the ideas are limitless. Perhaps you need a card and suddenly, ut oh, you have run outta patterned paper (ummm, yeah right)... anyhow...this week, I decided to shove my Cricut aside AND my patterned paper (eek!) and use only one single scrap of dark chocolate cardstock just to mat my stamped design. (gasp). The rest is pure unadulterated white cardstock (well, if you don't count the dark chocolate ink stamped on it anyhow). I usually love to use patterned paper, so this kind of card doesn't happen often for me anyhow.

But ah, it was actually great fun to create my own printed paper with the Damask Designs stamps and Dark Chocolate Ink from Papertrey Ink!  I think we (most likely) ALL have a little bit (or a LOT) of white cardstock in our stash...so, there is no excuse not to get crafting a card anytime, all you need is white cardstock, some ink, a stamp, a little scrap of colored cardstock and wha-laaa a CARD....ta-da!



Supplies Used:
All products are Papertrey Ink except where noted.

Cardstock: Stampers Select
Stamp: Damask Designs
Ink: Hybrid Dark Chocolate
Fibers: Ribbon (Offray)
Embellishments: Pearls (Hero Arts)
Other tools: Crest Border Punch (Fiskars), Corner Chomper

Just for Fun Color Challenge 26

Get your paper, glue and scissors out and join us at Just for Fun Rubber Stamps for your chance to win a $50.00 gift certificate to the Just for Fun Rubber Stamps online store! Link your project up at the JFF blog and visit all the Design Team Color Challenge projects for inspiration Designer links are at the JFF blog and on the left sidebar here at Runs with Scraps! Remember, you don't need JFF stamps to play along, just use these colors for your project inspiration!

I just love this masculine stamp from Just for Fun Rubber stamps for creating a card suitable for your favorite guy!  The cardstock, twine, buttons and scallop dies used to create this card are all from Papertrey Ink.

The Cutest Golf Shoes....EVAH!

We've been up north golfing at a resort... and we did a little shopping. I needed some new golf shoes in the worst way... AND I found the cutest golf shoes EVAH!  (they were on sale too!!) I have wide feet and typically golf shoes run a bit narrow, thus it's hard for me to find shoes that fit nice and that I can stand wearing for an entire round of golf... these babies did the trick, so comfy... love them DAWGS! (avoiding sand traps in these shoes is a must lest you get sand in the holes...ewww) LOL.

BBTB2 Life is a Beach Flamingo Cut Challenge

Wow, it's been awhile since I designed for the BBTB2 challenges, so I'm pleased as punch to have this card to show you today! The challenge this week is to use the flamingo cut from the Life is a Beach cartridge.  But there is a CATCH.  You must use any color for your flamingo EXCEPT... PINK!  gasp! LOL.  I can't wait until you see all the fun flamingo colors that are sprouting up over at BBTB2 by our Design Team!

So... as soon as you take a gander at my lemon yellow flamingo, flock on over to BBTB2 and join in this challenge "with a catch" too.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: Making Memories

Ink: Archival (Coffee) and Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Old Paper)

Stamp: Hero Arts

Twine: Purchased at Walmart

Buttons: Basic Grey

Better Living Through Scrapbooking Ugly Paper Challenge

Here is an, errr, ummm... "fun" challenge.... using UGLY paper (oh, yuck!!).  LOL  Seriously, this week at Better Living Through Scrapbooking the challenge is to use ugly paper (you know you got it .... we ALL do, don't we?) and I actually did have a great time trying to make ugly paper not quite so ugly.  It's a fantastic way to bust that stash too! Here are the full details for the challenge.

“The ugly paper challenge”

Search your stash for sheets or scraps of paper that aren’t your favorites and that you might not reach for first, and use them on a layout!

Choose at least 2 of the following:

1. Use a 12×12 sheet of “ugly” paper as your layout background.

2. Use at least 3 scraps of “ugly” paper somewhere on the page where they can be seen.

3. Use 2 4×6 photos, any orientation.

4. Use “stitching” somewhere on the page. It can be actual sewn stitches, or your stitches can be hand drawn, created with a template, or stamped.

5. Use color mist (such as Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, or a homemade ink or paint mist) anywhere on your page.

If you need inspiration be sure to visit the Better Scrap blog and check out all the Design Team reveals too... (the finished products show you that ugly isn't really always ugly in the end... more like the Ugly Duckling turned Swan thing!)

Deadline to enter Challenge #4 (and all other August challenges) is midnight EST August 31st, 2010.

and now for my reveal...

Believe it or not I actually had to turn the pretty printed side of this 12 x 12 background piece to the “ugly” side. It's okay actually though as I had two sheets of this particular paper and I already used the flip side for a different layout of my youngest grandson Seth (the one also featured in this layout!).

As if using ugly paper wasn't challenging enough, I decided to just go for it and incorporate all 5 items to choose from for the challenge. I used the ugly 12 x 12 background paper, at least three additional scraps of ugly paper, two photographs, stitching and glimmer mist. Despite the use of ugly paper on this layout, I personally feel that you just can’t help but find the project to be cute… given the photographs of my youngest grandson and all… I mean, just look at that FACE! Is it not one of the most adorable things you've ever seen (just nod in agreement).
 
Okay, so now it's time to step outside of your comfort zone and use that ugly paper in a layout of your own!  Like I said, it's a great way to bust the stash, and it helps to realize that you can use ANYTHING and still end up with a layout you will gladly add to your album. (adding cute photos helps...trust me! LOL).  Head on over to Better Living Through Scrapbooking now!

  
Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Apple Jack Wee Bundle and Paper Collection (Sassafras)
Cardstock: Pure Poppy and Kraft (Papertrey Ink)
Other Tools: Cricut Gypsy, Expression and Gypsy Wanderings cart (ProvoCraft), Thrift Shop Label Stickers (October Afternoon), Navy Candy Dots (Pebbles Inc.) Carribbean Blue Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Rustic Button Twine (Studio Calico)Vintage Button (Papertrey Ink) Stick Pin (Tim Holtz), Sewing Machine (Singer) White Thread (from Stash)

Better Scrap Newsletter and Sketch Layout

Today I want to share a layout I created for the very first Better Living Through Scrapbooking Newsletter.  You can subscribe to the newsletter by going right here.  This is the sketch, I hope it inspires you to create something wonderful...it just might be featured in the next newsletter if you email your creation to betterscrap.info@gmail.com!  

I created this layout featuring Bo Bunny's A Gift of Love patterned paper collection. I layered 2 inch scallop, and 1 3/4 round punches with flowers cut from the Accent Essentials Cricut cartridge to create the flowers for this layout and then topped each flower with a vintage button tied up with twine.  For a bit of added interest I cut felt leaves for the blooms using die cuts and my Cuttlebug. I also created a mini album using the same patterned paper. For my journaling, I wrote ten "facts" about myself and printed them from the computer. Then I cut them out and adhered them to the pages of the mini.

Here are the facts written inside the mini...

My pet peeves include chairs not pushed in under a table, crooked window blinds and people who drive with their arm hanging out the window.

I’m a cat lover at heart and have seven, but I somehow also ended up with four dogs and two goats (not to mention those little raccoons I rehab). I don’t know how this all happened but I suspect at least part of it has to do with my children.

I have three drama queens daughters, who I love very much, but I can’t tell you how happy I was when my first two grandchildren were BOYS!

Yes, I can predict the future. I’ve proved it. Whenever I say to my family, “don’t do that because you will … (i.e. choke, fall down, hurt yourself) they never believe me until it happens…and it ALWAYS happens. Just ask them.

I prefer yard work over housework any day. I prefer papercrafting over yard work. I prefer ANYTHING over doing laundry. In fact, I’d rather gouge my eyes out than put clean clothes away.

Even though they often make me want to pull my hair right out of my head, I love my family more than anything in the world and would do anything for them. I hope they never forget that.

I love a clean house and wish these people I live with would clean up after themselves all the time (not just when I ask beg. And yes mother, I am well aware of the fact I failed at training my children as well as you trained me.

No matter how soft I speak, if I am saying something my kids don’t want to hear they tell me I am “yelling” at them. Sometimes I just have to show them the difference.

I love John with all my heart. In my opinion he is a Saint… a very SLOW moving Saint, but a Saint none-the-less. (I mean, he puts up with me doesn’t he?).

Yes, I know that I can be am very bossy and controlling. I prove this frequently by making To-Do Lists for my family. My daughters say that when I am on my death bed I will say, “Hold on just a second, I gotta leave my family a list first.” They are probably correct.

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: A Gift of Love collection (Bo Bunny)
Cardstock: White (American Crafts), Guidelines II Grid Sheets (Papertrey Ink)
Fibers: Chartreuse Felt (Papertrey Ink), Rustic Cream Button Twine (Papertrey Ink)
Embellishments: Thickers Niki Riki Glitter Letter Stickers (American Crafts), Laundry Line Glitter Chipboard (My Mind's Eye) Vintage Buttons (Papertrey Ink)
Other Tools, Leaf Die Cuts (Papertrey Ink), 2 inch Scallop Punch and 1 3/4 inch Round Punck (EK Success) Holiday Gift Set Die Cuts (Quick Kutz) Cricut, Accent Essentials and George cartridges (ProvoCraft)

Just for Fun Color Challenge 25

Get your paper, glue and scissors out and join us at Just for Fun Rubber Stamps for your chance to win a $50.00 gift certificate to the Just for Fun Rubber Stamps online store! Link your project up at the JFF blog and visit all the Design Team Color Challenge projects for inspiration Designer links are at the JFF blog and on the left sidebar here at Runs with Scraps! Remember, you don't need JFF stamps to play along, just use these colors for your project inspiration!

Some brand new Just for Fun Rubber Stamps, Copic Markers, Chalk, Nestabilities circle die cut, a Fiskars Crest Border Punch, along with cardstock and ribbon from Papertrey Ink came together for this quick and easy card. This week's color combination is perfect for creating a fall project.  I can't wait to see your creations linked up at the JFF blog!

Practical Scrappers Stitching Challenge

Dust off your sewing machine or get out your needle and thread and stitch your way through this week's Practical Scrappers Challenge. The challenge is to use stitching on your project and so to help inspire you to sew too,  I revved up my Singer and got stitchin' like a mad woman!  I actually whipped this card up for a young couple that eloped.  Their parents then threw them a reception at the home of the Bride several weeks later.  Since they eloped and had already been married for a few weeks I decided that I wanted to have a some fun with the card and do something a little less traditional (while also including some cash for the happy couple...young couples always appreciate cash!). 

I combined some Webster's Pages patterned paper with a kraft envelop (for the cash) and a journaling card from the Webster's Pages journaling card set.  I sewed a straight stitch around the paper, card and envelope and then inked up the edges with some white opaque ink to give it a clean but slightly vintage feel.  A brad to close the envelop, some crisp white ribbon, a couple of flowers die cut from a vintage book page and a stick pen from JBS finished off this pretty, non-traditional wedding card.

I hope you join us for this week's Practical Scrappers challenge and don't forget to check out all the other Design Team inspiration pieces at the PS blog right here.


Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper:  Petite Papers Collection Triple Pack (Webster's Pages)
Cardstock: Kraft (Papertrey Ink)
Fibers: White Twill (Papertrey Ink) Rustic Cream Button Twine (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Opaque Cotton White (StazOn)
Embellishments: Brad (American Crafts), Pearl Stick Pin (JBS), Kraft Envelope (Maya Road), Vintage Book Print Flower Die Cuts (Stash), Journaling Card Set (Webster's Pages)
Other tools: Singer Sewing Machine, White Thread

Lawn Fawn Cards for Kids Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the Lawn Fawn Hearts Cards for Kids Blog Hop! We have all come together today to make cards for a wonderful cause, Cards for Kids! We hope to encourage you to also make cards for this great cause and have fun along the way as well. So please hop along with us, and make sure to leave comments as there will be prizes for commenters and participants! So let's get going! Also, if you are lost in the hop, you can always start at the beginning at the Lawn Fawn blog. Thank you so much for hopping with us today!

I made the same card for all the boys on the Cards for Kids list. I put this card together using cardstock from Papertrey Ink, as well as the Just Because Cards cartridge and my Cricut Expression.

For the girls I created cat and dog cards (only the dog card is pictured) from the Going Places cartridge.  I made a similar card for a Bitten By the Bug 2 Design Challenge and it was cute, quick, easy and lacked the bulky embellishments that are difficult to mail, so it was a perfect card to make enough for all the girls on the Cards for Kids list.

I really enjoyed making these cards for the children who are struggling with life-threatening illnesses. My next project is to make enough cards for all of the siblings of these great kids.  I really hope that today's blog hop has inspired you to join in the fun of creating these cards for such a worthy cause! 

Now, just to remind you of where you are at in the blog hop. You are on the right path if you arrived here from Laurie's blog.  Your next stop in the hop is Michelle.

Enjoy!

Better Scrap - The Photoless Layout Challenge

Better Living Through Scrapbooking Challenge 3

Today is the exciting reveal of Challenge #3 and the Designer inspirations pieces at the Better Living Through Scrapbooking challenge blog.   Which means it is also time for you to put your creative thinking hats on and get ready for some scrapping.  This week's challenge is going to be great fun, especially if YOU participate too.  And heck, even if you don't decide to play along with us this week (but ummm, you will, right?) I still hop on over to Better Scrap and check what the Designer did this week.

Create a layout about a happy memory or event in your life that you have no photos of. This could be a childhood memory, an event that did not allow cameras, or perhaps you just forgot to take pictures that day!

Choose at least 2 of the following:

1. Use memorabilia in lieu of photos. If you have a map, brochure, flyer, receipts, or other paperwork from that day or event, use them on the layout.

2. Create your own photos of the memory or event. Take photos of favorite souvenirs from the day or event. Use your kids or grandkids, pets, or even dolls or stuffed animals to recreate a photo to represent the memory.

3. Use your favorite die-cut machine to create your page title.

4. Use at least two metallic elements on the layout.

5. Distress some element of your page – fray, tear, or crumple paper, or use distress ink or other distressing techniques on your page.

To create this layout I selected items, 2., Create your own photos of the memory or event, 4., Use at least two metallic elements, and 5., Distress some element of your page.
As far as I am concerned a very important chapter in my life started when I met my friend Sandi for the first time back in October 1998. At the time, I had no idea just how important Sandi would be in my life so naturally I didn’t think to snap a photograph of our meeting nor do I have memorabillia from this event either. Instead I decided to photograph Sandi today to document the event from almost 12 years ago.

If you look closely at the layout you will notice that I used the circular part of a metal stick pen to highlight the “10″ on the mettallic time piece, to signify that we met in October. I also used a mask and rubbed ink over the it to create a crown which I then embellished with pewter pearls. Among our friends Sandi is referred to as, “My Queen” and well, every queen needs a crown.
Supplies Used:
Patterned Paper: Thrift Shop Collection (October Afternoon), Old World Cabbage Stew (Jillibean)
Cardstock: Kraft (Bazzill), Navy (American Crafts)
Ink/Mists: Antique Linen Distress Ink
Fibers: Rustic Cream Button Twine (Papertrey Ink) Lace (Ellen Hutson)Stamps: Fancy Flourishes (Papertrey Ink)
Embellishments: Pearl Brads (American Craft Elements), Regal Mini Mask (Tim Holtz), Thickers(American Crafts), Bingo Wild Cards (October Afternoon), Vintage Button(Papertrey Ink) Idealogy Stick Pins (Tim Holtz), Outdoor Bingo Boards and Calling Cards (Tattered Angels), Clever Pretty Girl Alphabet Stickers (So Sophie), Thrift Shop Archival Rub-ons (October Afternoon), Ideology Time Piece (Tim Holtz)
Other Tools: Brackets “On the Edge” Alterations (Tim Holtz), Pewter Pearls (from stash), Tickets (Tim Holtz)

Just for Fun Color Challenge 24

Get your paper, glue and scissors out and join us at Just for Fun Rubber Stamps for your chance to win a $50.00 gift certificate to the Just for Fun Rubber Stamps online store! Link your project up at the JFF blog and visit all the Design Team Color Challenge projects for inspiration.  All the Designer links are at the JFF blog and on the left sidebar right here at Runs with Scraps! Remember, you don't need JFF stamps to play along, just use these colors for your project inspiration!

For this week's color challenge I created this Wedding card using less than traditional wedding colors but it turned out to be such a fun card.  I created the patterned paper by stamping with Just for Fun Rubber Stamps on cardstock by Papertrey Ink.  The stick pen is from JBS. 

Bella: The Convalescing Raccoon

We are well into our third week of Bella's convalescence after the injuries she sustained a couple of weeks into her the release part of her rehab.  The first week her injuries were bad enough that she was hardly able to get around and was content to spend most of her "exercise time" outside of her recovery cage laying on a pillow in the chair next to me as I worked at my computer. 

The second week of her recovery she hobbled about the house, played with a couple of toys we provided, largely ignored the cats and learned that when the refrigerator opened she could con food off someone.  She was typically okay with being put back into her recovery cage and usually just curled up with with her stuffed lamb to sleep.

By the end of the second week, she was less thrilled to go into her recovery cage (kept in the living room area so she didn't feel alone) so I purchased a big stuffed otter (the closest thing I could find to her size), so she had "someone" bigger to cuddle up with when it was time to rest.  That satisfied her for a number days...  Going into the third week, she is getting around much better, but still not putting all the weight on her back leg and when taken outside for exercise she still is unable to climb a tree (a dangerous situation for a raccoon who uses trees to escape whatever may cause them harm - and she obviously wasn't too good at that to begin with even with a good leg since she was injured in the first place).  Never the less, we are anxious for her to maintain her relationships with the rest of her litter and reunited her with her big brother Diego on two different occasions earlier this week when he came in to eat. (Although all of them are able to come and go from the release cage as they please, everyone continues to return once or twice a day for food)  We left Bella outside unsupervised to play with Diego in the woods most of each of those days, but I called (begged actually) her in from the woods before nightfall and returned her to the recovery cage for the night to protect her from threats, most of which occur in the night.

As our third week of recovery comes to a close, Bella is now getting around much better, at least when she is exercising in the house.  Still unable to climb a tree, she is able to climb on the end tables, coffee table and is attempting to figure out how lamps work (grrr). She loves to play in the computer cords and thus I spend much of her exercise time pulling her out from behind my computer.  I finally came up with the idea to give her some old computer cords that we no longer use, but for whatever reason I can't seem to throw away (and now I am glad I didn't). I tied them up on the blind next to my desk and entice her to play with them, rather than the ones I need. (If you can't beat 'em join 'em right?) they work.. most of the time.  She is no longer as thrilled to be returned to the recovery cage, even if it is in the livingroom and despite the lamb and the otter, a toy car, a ball, a bowl full of food, a bottle full of water, a nice big litter box and a fan blowing on the cage to cool her. (What more could a girl want I ask her?)... she just chatters and yells to get out until she finally gives up and takes a nap.

When she is out of the cage, she now runs to the refrigerator when someone even stands near it and well, if they happen to open it, you can be sure she'll pile in grabbing for anything that looks yummy to her (which is just about everything, except cucumbers in vinegar).  She also knows how to open all of the cupboards and we've had to resort to Bella-proofing before she is allowed out for exercise inside the house, or provide her with constant supervision and I mean CONSTANT.  

In other words Bella's recovery is moving along well, and she is now officially well enough to be into mischief as often as she can fit it in, but to my chagrin, she is not well enough to be outside on her own day and night yet.

I hardly waited for one or more of her brothers to show up at the enclosure today so I could "hand her over" for a couple of hours, but they must have sensed I wanted them to babysit as none of them turned up to eat... of course it was so hot today that the lazy bums were probably treed up somewhere snoozing the humid day away. So today Bella has been INSIDE with me ALL DAY and other than a few hours nap, she's been out of the cage as well... driving me just a tad bit batty!  If her brother's don't show up tomorrow, she just might have to play outside by herself for awhile!  At any rate... right now I have her occupied (for the moment anyhow) with one of her favorite treats, raw hamburger with Froot Loops.... yum. I just hope no one lets on to her that she won't be finding that snack out in the wild, or she just might consider staying inside forever! Oh the Horror!

Tutorial - Summer and Altered Clothespins

This week at Practical Scrappers the challenge is to create a summer-themed project.  Besides, sun, sand and Michigan's Great Lakes, few things scream summer to me like clothes hanging on the line to dry.  It may sound odd, but the fact remains that clothespins remind me of my childhood days.  They bring back thoughts of spending time with my grandmother and helping her take in the laundry after hanging on the clothesline to dry in the sun.  So when I saw these plain jumbo clothespins at a recent trip to Hobby Lobby (for only a bit more than a couple bucks a piece), I purchased two to create my own variation of a summer-themed project. 

These Jumbo clothes pins are fun and so quick and easy to alter, and they are perfect for displaying your favorite summertime photographs or clipping up a note or memo.  Here's a quick tutorial to help you make your own.

To begin, I removed the packaging from the clothespins and then took the pins apart by removing the spring in order to paint and paper the bare wood.

I used the packaging from the pins to mix some white acrylic paint with a few sprays of water from my Mini Mister to thin the paint because I wanted the wood grain of the pin to show through the coat of paint. I then painted the wooden pins with a thin coat of paint and let them dry.

For this tutorial I used the Cosmos Cricut Delovely collection of patterned papers and the Ready-Set-Chip for a quick way to embellish the clothespin as well.  (I papered and embellished the second pin with items from Girls Paperie.)

To ensure that I got an exact fit for the paper, I laid the pin upside down on the back side of the patterned paper and traced the outline of the wood.  I then cut just inside the lines with my paper trimmer while also leaving the long end about 1/8 of inch longer at the bottom.

Then I used my bone folder to score the paper in the groove where the spring will be reattached.  Once you score the paper, that extra 1/8 of an inch will be taken up and the paper fits perfectly from end to end.

I then used Mod Podge to adhere the paper to the wood by first spreading a thin layer on the wood and then on top of the paper as well.

I repeated the process for both sides of the pin and allowed them to dry.

I then selected the embellishments I wanted for each side of the pin and replaced the spring that holds the two sides together.

I had two photographs that I wanted to display using this wooden pin, so I also matted each of the photographs with coordinating cardstock by Papertrey Ink.

I didn't want the clothespin to be too "fussy" since I wanted to display photograhps of my grandsons (one with my mother) so I used some chipboard from the Delovely collection by Cosmo Cricut and added some pearls from Hero Arts as well.

This photograph shows one side of the finished clothespin (the opposite side was displayed at the top of this post)

For this second clothespin I used Girls Paperie On Holiday Collection and vintage pieces from that collection as well. I also decided to paper the inside of the clothespin with red and white polka dot paper from that collection.

Okay, that's it for today, just remember to stop by Practical Scrappers for more inspiration and don't forget to enter your summer-themed project by uploading on the blog!

Clean and Simple Celebrate Card

Our year-old niece was baptised yesterday and naturally I wanted to create a special card for her to mark this very special occasion, however I realized I really didn't have any stamps or papers that were appropriate to the event.  (gasp.)  Luckily I have Webster's Petite Papers in my stash...they are perfect for creating quick, simple and very pretty little cards for special occasions that you might not have other papers to fit.  (I made a wedding card just before I made this one for our niece, but I can't share that until it is revealed at Practical Scrappers later this month). 

I used my new Tim Holtz On the Edge Brackets die cut (I just love it) to create the two yummy layers at the top of the card. The sentiment is from the Damask Designs Stamp set by Papertrey Ink as well as the Sweet Blush and Vintage Cream cardstock I used for the base of the card and the mat.  That pretty ribbon is Papertrey Ink as well.  I tied the perfect little bow using my Ultimate Crafters Companion, the pegs they have on the top of the box with varied widths is perfect for tying just the right size bow.  I adhered the bow to the ribbon with a glue dot. The sentiment is stamped onto cardstock cut from Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Nine die.  Some sweet little Hero Arts pearls were the finishing touch to this clean and simple card. I did a couple things to the inside of the card too...but by the time I finished the project is was seriously 2 in the morning and I was just too dang lazy to photograph the inside by then! :-).

Enjoy your day!

Better Scrap Challenge - Most Influential Person

I hope you've had a chance to visit the Better Living Through Scrapbooking challenge blog. If not, well then by golly there is no time like the present!  We've got an exciting new challenge this week, so get out your photographs, paper and glue and get ready to scrap!

To enter this week's challenge at Better Living Through Scrapbooking all you need to do is chose a person, living or dead, whether you know them personally or not, that has had a big influence on your life, and create a layout about them. This person can be a friend, relative, historical figure, celebrity – anyone at all.

You also need to choose at least 2 of the following items and incorporate them in your layout:

1. The photo must be black & white. If you don’t have a black & white version, change the photo to black & white in Photoshop, or take the photo to your local 1-hour photo and have them do it for you. You can also make a black & white copy of the photo at your local office store. If you do not have a photo of the person (if they are a historical figure or celebrity) find one on the internet and print it out.

2. Use at least one major circular element on your page – whether it’s the photo, photo mat, or other noticeable circular element.

3. Use paint or ink in a fun and unusual way.

4. Hand make your own flowers and use them on the layout.

5. Include hand written journaling.
 
When you finish your project link it up over at the Better Scrap blog to play along with us this week!  Whether you decide to play along or not however, I just know you are going to love what all of the Creative Team at Better Scrap has created to inspire you, so stop by the blog and check it out.  You can also visit the Creative Team at their personal blogs, the links are posted here at Runs With Scraps on the sidebar.
 
For this challenge I chose to create a layout featuring my close friend Kristina. I also chose to incorporate element 1., a black and white photograph and element 4., handmade flowers.  I created the pretty handmade blossoms using the Accent Essentials Cricut cartridge and assembled the flowers using a Grunge Rose techinque influenced by Tim Holtz.
 
 

The journaling states, ” Though I haven’t known Kristina long she is already a large influence in my life. With her friendship I have found the younger sister I always longed for, the friend I can trust and the scrapping partner I hoped for. I am lucky to have her in my life for so many reasons and I look forward to a lifelong kinship with my sweet friend Kristina.”

See you over at Better Living Through Scrapbooking.



Supplies Used:

Papertrey Ink
Delightful Dahlia Die Cuts and Stamp Set
Smokey Shadow and Simply Chartreuse, Stampers Select Cardstock
Just the Ticket Stamp Set

Ranger
Archival Ink, Coffee
Liquid Pearls, Opal

The Girls’ Paperie
Paper Girl Patterned Paper Collection

Tattered Angels
Glimmer Mist, Dew Drop

ProvoCraft
Cricut Expression Machine
Storybook Cartridge
Accent Essentials

Hero Arts
Pearls

Just for Fun Color Challenge 23

Get your paper, glue and scissors out and join us at Just for Fun Rubber Stamps for your chance to win a $50.00 gift certificate to the Just for Fun Rubber Stamps online store! Link your project up at the JFF blog and visit all the Design Team Color Challenge projects for inspiration Designer links are at the JFF blog and on the left sidebar here at Runs with Scraps! Remember, you don't need JFF stamps to play along, just use these colors for your project inspiration!

Kraft, Red and White is in the list of my favorite color combinations so I had a lot of fun putting this card together using Just for Fun Rubber Stamps, Papertrey Ink cardstock and pearls from Hero Arts!

Papercraft Star and Raccoon Recovery

Two great reveals are going on over at Papercraft Star today and I hope you all have a chance to hop on over there to see for yourself.  First today is the Challenge 7 reveal. My BBF and Co-creator of Papercraft Star  Kristina selected this super cute photograph as inspiration for Papercraft Star's Challenge this week.  You've got until this Saturday at Noon (after that the voting begins) to enter your project for a chance to be selected as the People's Choice Award winner for this week. I'm really looking forward to seeing all the projects entered into this challenge right here.   For the next three days we'll also be revealing all of our Design Team creations for this challenge at Papercraft Star so I hope you check it out, they've worked hard to provide you with lots of fun inspiration!

The second reveal is our brand spankin' new Papercraft Star Blog look and we couldn't be happier with the way it turn out.  Kristina hired Jumping Jax Designs  to make our vision for a fun, yet sophisticated look come true and we're excited to hear what you think about our new presence on the web! 

Okay now, before I close I took a photograph yesterday (that I just know is going to find it's way into a layout) that I just had to share.  As some of you know, this is our first year as licensed Raccoon Rehabbers and I've spent the summer raising, loving and worrying about 11 babies that we have gotten ready to return back to the "wild".  We've had joys and sorrows as they have begun the process of release.  The release part is so very difficult (for them as well as us) as they must learn to navigate the dangers of living out in the world on their own without a mother to guide them.  They are all adolescents now however and release it what our goal is despite the fact that we know some will not grow to adulthood.  Sadly we had one of our babies attacked by what we believe was a coyote or large dog. She returned to our Raccoon enclosure (although I have no idea how she made it home)  Though we tried to treat her, her injuries were too severe and it was necessary to put her down.  Yesterday another of our babies died tragically when he was hit in the road about a quarter mile from our home. In between both of these incidents, Bella (the runt from our first litter that is still small for her age) was injured (we suspect she may have been with Bonnie the raccoon that was attacked by the canine).  She returned to the enclosure the day after Bonnie died.  We immediately brought her into the house and began treating what appear to be bite wounds on both feet.  One foot was very swollen and she is, although recovering nicely, still unable to use that foot very much.  Too lame to return back to the enclosure or allow to be out in the "wild" we have been caring for her in the house.  Navigating her and the dogs is interesting to say the least as both cannot be together for obvious reasons (cats and raccoons by the way basically ignore each other).  Never the less, when Bella is out of her recovery cage for exercise she has become my constant companion and I have even provided her with her own chair next to my computer desk.  After playing for an hour or so, I gave her an ear of corn and sat her up in the chair.  A bit later, I noticed she had fallen asleep...  apparently to Bella an ear of corn is not only yummy to munch on... it also makes a great pillow.  

This photograph makes my heart feel happy and yet I feel sad too because I long to keep all of them as safe as she looks sound asleep in the chair.  But I have to remind myself daily that we provide this haven for the raccoons as they grow to adolescents with the express purpose of giving them a chance to be free, a chance they would not have otherwise gotten after their mothers were killed and they were just little things that had to be bottle fed.  I have no idea if Bella will ever recover enough to be returned to the wild but it is my hope that the others that are still navigating the new world for them outside the enclosure will be safe and happy.  

Have a great day!