June/July Guest Blogger - Karen Motz

Hello fellow paper crafters! My name is Karen Motz and I'm thrilled to be guest blogging for Christina. How lucky am I that she asked little 'ole me?!? Christina's invite came as a sweet surprise because I'm a card-maker, not a scrapbooker, but hey, it's all paper crafting, right? Actually I used to scrapbook a looooooong time ago (like back in my 20's) but one day in 2003 I was introduced to rubber stamping and card-making. Seriously, I think I heard angels sing after I made my very first card. I was hooked right from that moment and I've been a rubber stamper and card-maker ever since. I actually think it's an excuse for collecting and hoarding all the pretty papers,  ribbons, buttons, and embellishments, but let's keep that between us, ok? I'm very lucky and proud to be part of the design team for My Favorite Things...please don't pinch me if I'm dreaming! I love making cards because each of them is a little work of art that I can complete in an hour or two. It's satisfying because I'm never behind the 8 ball and I can actually work ahead. I've already started on my Christmas card stash. But the absolute best part about card-making is giving them away and making someone smile! It makes my heart happy to send happy mail. Which leads me to my project for today...

I created a very sweet card for a very sweet girl, Maddy. I've never met Maddy but I've read her story and she's such an inspiration. She's a brave young girl who is fighting leukemia, fighting for her life, for the second time. There'a a card drive going on over at Simon Says Stamp, to send a smile to Maddy, so I hope my card today does just that. 

I typically like to start out with a sketch, otherwise my cards would all look the same because I have no creativity in the layout department. LOL! For this card I used FMS91 because I love the simplicity of the layout, along with supplies from My Favorite Things. The image is Pure Innocence Believe in Magic. I stamped her with Memento Tuxedo Black then coloured her with copic markers. I like fussy cutting around these little girls because it makes them pop off the card (she's mounted with foam tape for dimension). I used the Sentiment Strips Die-namics to cut out the sentiment flag then stamped the sentiment with Black Licorice Ink.

Along the right edge of the card I paired Orange Fizz, Sour Apple and Razzle Berry card stocks for a pop of colour. I used the Darling Dots stamp set to create the dotted pattern using Orange Fizz ink and the Dainty Dots Border Die-namics was perfect for cutting out the Razzle Berry dot strip. I cut it out a second time from white and stitched the white centers in place. 

I love decorating the inside of cards too, and it only takes a few minutes to make it special. In this case I simply stamped another sentiment from Pure Innocence Believe in Magic then I stamped the girl again with Razzle Berry ink. 

Maybe after seeing my card you'll be inspired to create a little work of art and send it off to someone to make them smile. Trust me, it really is a lovely feeling! Thank you again Christina for inviting me to guest blog! If you're interested in learning more about my work, please visit my blog: www.paperplayhouse.blogspot.com

Happy Stamping!

Karen

**********

Hey Sweet Cheeks, You're So Mischievous!

 My daughter has always been mischievous, even as a baby. I really wanted to capture that with this layout. The Special Delivery paper worked perfectly! It's so flexiable, and can be used for girl or boy layouts. The layout is feminine thanks to all the beautiful floral papers, but it isn't overly girly thanks to the vibrant blues and greens.

I added the little strip of journaling in with all the pretty pieces of pattern paper. The journaling it's self is part of a little poem about a mischievous little girl. I cut out the title - "mischievous" with my Silhouette Cameo.

Supplies: GCD Studio's Paper - Special Delivery Collection, Black Colorbok cardstock, Bazzil Basics Kraft, Silhouette Cameo

Thanks for taking a peek!
 

Nature Walk PLS Sketch Layout

There is a fun little Sketch challenge going on over at the Pretty Little Studio blog! Check out the details/sketch here for a chance to win a $5.00 gift certificate to the store. I followed along with the sketch, and came up with this layout. I just love everything about the new Nature Walk collection!

Supplies Used: Pretty Little Studio's "Nature Walk" collection, Studio Calico "Here and There" Badges

Thanks for stopping by today!

Pups Layout - Pretty Little Studio

Pretty Little Studio challenged me to use this picture as inspiration. I just loved the way there were so many small pictures in one large image, so I decided to create my own similar collage. I fit 6 photos on one layout with no problem at all! Have I mentioned how much I am loving the fact that Pretty Little Studio is now doing 12x12 paper? Just check out that woodgrain!

I printed up the journaling on a tag, and decided to stick it under a little pennant banner shape I had created. Imagine how pleased I was when I realized it gave off the appearence of a tag in an envelope. I think this is a technique I will be using more often.

I cut that adorable little Amy Tangerine pyppy, and the layered banners out with my Silhouette Cameo.

Products Used: Pretty Little Studio Nature Walk collection, Pretty Little Studio Antique Store collection, Pretty Little Studio tag, EK Success Glitter Alphabet Stickers, American Crafts Dear Lizzy embellishments, Elle's Studio journaling card, Silhouette Cameo

Happy Crafting!

Snapshot Share

Last weekend, the hubby and I had our own little late night cook out, underneath the stars. 

Potty training is underway. It's not going as well as I had hoped, but we're taking baby steps.

Popsicles work wonders for bringing a fever down. I especially love these little slow melt mighty minis. They are perfect for little toddler hands.

 

We have four cats, but Kiki is our only girl kitty. Isn't she beautiful?

Thanks for taking a peek!

 

June Issue of The Paper Cut - "You're Story Begins Here" Layout

The newest issue of The Paper Cut is out, and our very own Heidi Sonboul is the covergirl. Inside you'll find a fun little Q&A that will allow you to get to know Heidi a little more. There are a ton of inspiring projects inside! Ideas for father's day, babies, weddings, and more!

I'm on page 19 with this fun little layout using Pure Bliss. This is the 'introductory' page to my daughter's baby book. To see the full write up about this layout - check out the magazine!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Friday!

He Said, She Said - Layout

My husband and I always have the funniest conversations. However, no matter how funny these conversations are, they could easily be forgotten. I wanted to find a way to incorporate some of our conversations into a layout. A "he said, she said" theme seemed perfect.

Using my Silhouette Cameo - I cut out two silhouettes. One of a boy, and one of a girl. I backed each of the silhouettes with pattern paper and added a scallop die cut to give the appearance of an actual Cameo.

I just love how perfectly the "typed" patterned paper worked for this layout!

So where does the journaling come in? The page is interactive! Under each grid with the silhouette is a little pull out tab. Each pull out tab has a few of our conversations we've had over the past year. If you look close enough - you might get a little giggle. ;)

Supplies:  GCD Studos: Paper - Special Delivery Collection, Silhouette Cameo, Glitz Designs Uncharted Waters Teeny Alphas - Aqua Stripe

Thanks for taking a peek at my project today!

 

Monthly Sketch - June

With the beginning of a new month, comes a new sketch. This particular sketch is one of my absolute favorite tools in scrapbooking. Every now and again I'll suffer from creativity block. This sketch always helps me get of my rut. It's a layout that can easily be thrown together with plenty of border strips, space for journaling, a title, and a main embellishment area. All the key ingredients to making a pretty page! Hopefully you'll find it just as useful as I have. Have fun with it. Feel free to put it to good use!

Happy crafting!

Big Changes

Big changes are happening to our family. For the past several months, my husband has been going through the process of enlisting into the Air Force. A few weeks ago, he went to MEPs (the Military Entrance Program), and was officially sworn in. Now all we're waiting on is date for when he will be going to Basic Training. I am so proud of him for what he is doing. He is finally following his dream. Our life is going to do a complete 180, but we're ready for the changes!