Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Bloom

I'm so excited to share with you today my first DT project for Berry71Bleu!

I enjoyed working with a beautiful tag Berry71Bleu  Marivic sent me.  It coordinates perfectly with the papers in the Frosted Life Collection by 13 Arts, our sponsor this month.


I used some gesso, masking, stitching and rub ons on the background paper from the Frosted Life collection.



I've surrounded my picture and tag with flowers,  as I love to garden and enjoy the beauty in flowers.  I printed out a couple of pictures of flowers from my garden, cut them out and added them to my layout.  Here you can see where I've added a purple flower.
I hope I have inspired you to join in on our January challenge:

 This challenge is no-holds-barred...talk about your new year's resolution, your dreams, your childhood, your best and worst moments, what makes you laugh, cry, mad...what makes you feel beautiful...your best physical feature, what you wish you can change about yourself...your pet peeves, your frustrations, your favorite food, color...maybe a secret? whatever you want to talk about as long as it's all about you.Since we are talking about you...(the queen!). Here is our January theme that you need to follow.

Our generous Sponsor is  13 ARTS.  They are sponsoring the winner and our DT this month with their gorgeous paper collection Frosted Life.
 


 

Random Winner will receive a Vintage-style Skeleton Key Collection from 


Rules of the Challenge:

1. You are allowed to make a card, layout or altered/off the page project as long as you follow the challenge specifications.
2. Projects must be linked up to our linky tool in the 
sidebar, using the URL of the ACTUAL POST not your entire blog.
3. You may submit as many entries as you like for each challenge and combine your entry with up to 2 other challenges.
4. It is required that you mention in your blog post that you are playing along at Berry71 Bleu TOGETHER with a link back to our blog. 
5. All entries must be received by MIDNIGHT EST on the last day of the month the challenge was posted.
6. Entries to be submitted via the linky tool at the top of the
sidebar ONLY,not by email and not by linking up in the comments section please.

There are still a few days left to join in on the challenge.

Thanks for stopping by!
. . . Debbie

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Somebody That I Used To Know

Good morning from a chilly (26 degrees) Maryland.  We had a little bit of snow last night as well as the day before.  Nothing major thank goodness.  We've had below freezing temps for several days now and we are due for a warm up the middle of next week.  Chilly days are perfect for staying indoors and crafting.  I finished up a layout last night for Challenge #38 at Challenge Me Happy:

This fortnight we are challenging you with a SONG CHALLENGE. We give you a song – you create with whatever comes to mind for you. You might be inspired by the title, or the lyrics. You might be inspired by the song’s music video, the artist or the cover for the CD. There might be a memory you have, connected to the song, that you’d like to scrap about. The possibilities are endless, and that’s what’s so exciting with this challenge.

The song we have chosen for you this fortnight, happens to be the ringtone for Annelie, our blog owner and DT leader. A very popular song in 2012 by Gotye & Kimbra: SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW.

 I chose to use a picture of me and my mom on my wedding day.  When I look at this picture of the two of us together this is how I want to remember her, happy and smiling, a mother daughter moment.  Back then she was the somebody I used to know, long before Alzheimers robbed her of her memories and everything that made her my mom.
I used papers and embellishments from several Webster's Pages collections.
Here I used a Crafters Workshop template on the background.
Lots of stickles to highlight the flowers I fussy cut from the Webster's Pages papers:

Most special of all is this little girl (me) pointing at my mom, the somebody I used to know.
I'll be back in a few days to share my first DT project for Berry71Bleu.
Thanks for stopping by!
 . .  Debbie

 

 

Monday, January 21, 2013

My Favorite

I was truly drawn to the January 15th sketch at Get Creative along with all of the inspiration from the talented DT.  In keeping up with my goal to use up some of my stash, I came across some paper and embellishments from October Afternoon's Farmhouse collection that were a perfect match for an old photo of my mom with her doll.

I enjoy working with old pictures and especially this one of my mom which I have surrounded with some modeling paste using Christy Tomlinson's She Art Mask Vintage Doily and some stamping with  My Mind's Eye The Sweetest Thing stamps.


Here I've added a doily, a little gesso, stamping and used a numbers template from Crafters Workshop.

A little cluster using some embellishments from Purple Pumpkin, Webster's Pages,
Prima and October Afternoon.

And some beautiful buttons and my newest addiction, thread!

I'm working on a couple of projects that I will be sharing with you later on this week .
Until then . . .
Thanks for stopping by!
. . . Debbie

Thursday, January 17, 2013

13 Arts Giveaway - New Collection "All Is Love"

This new All Is Love collection by 13 Arts is beautiful!  Love the colors.
  Enter here for a chance to win!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

New Year, New Start, New Me

I have a lot of goals for the new year.  The year 2012 was a difficult  for me.  So much loss and heartache.  I spent last year taking care of my mom.  Most of you know that she was diagnosed with Alzheimers.  It's been heartbreaking for me to lose my mom little by little.  I miss her terribly as the part of her that use to be the caring and loving mom is gone.  I miss those moments of talking to her about my day, my children and life in general.  I've experienced emotions that I never knew I had and have struggled with depression.  I know that changes have to be made for me personally.  When I saw the January sketch challenge at Once Upon A Sketch I knew it was the perfect challenge for me:
The new year is among us. What better way to celebrate change, renewed hope and having a positive attitude than with a brand new year? A new start...a new horizon and the start of something new! A new year is full of possibilities. So in honor of the start of 2013, we would like you to create a layout and interpret the theme "The start of something new..." however you like. Whatever that sentence inspires you to scrap then go for it.
I am also entering my layout in the February Challenge black and white photo at Inkido.

 I have to mention that my son criticized the picture of me on this layout.  He questioned why I had to use a picture of me that was so serious, yet so sad.  I told him that I wanted to use a picture of how I am now,  and hopefully down the road will do another layout of myself with a cheery smiling picture.
I loved working with Nadia's sketch:
My favorite part of the layout is the bottom right hand corner.  I used a large fabric button from Purple Pumpkin which symbolizes me caring for my mom. I surrounded her picture with flowers as she loved to tend to her flowers.

The boots and umbrella symbolize the rain, which Mom always said, "I never mind a little rain, as it saves me watering".  

My title, so important to me:

Here tucked beneath the paper is a green journaling tag.  A personal and private note from daughter to mother.
A lovely cluster of flowers a reminder of the gift of gardening that my mom taught me.
Last of all I dug into my rub on stash and used lots on my layout:

I shed a few tears working on this layout. I reminded myself that I need to start taking care of me. One day at a time Debbie, one day at a time. . .

And yes I can smile . . . here is the proof:

Thanks for stopping by!
. . . Debbie

Monday, January 7, 2013

Snow Days

The January sketch challenge is up at Purple Pumpkin and here is my layout: 

Love this old picture of my mom and her brothers!  While organizing my scrapbook (still an ongoing project) I came across the Pink Paislee Snow Days collection which I had forgotten I purchased.  Love how the papers match the Purple Pumpkin embellishments!

Here I used a red corduroy fabric button which you can find here in the store:


Here I tucked in a white ticket, also from Purple Pumpkin. 

And a touch of red heart washi tape which you can find here.

The January sketch was designed by Crece and what a fun sketch it is!
You have until the end of the month to complete this Sketch Challenge and link it up the sidebar at Purple Pumpkin by midnight 31st of January 2013. There will be two fabulous Purple Pumpkin prize packs to give away - one winner will be chosen by the design team, and the second will be a random prize draw.
 
Can't wait to see what you create!
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 . . . Debbie


Sunday, January 6, 2013

I've got some news to share. . .


Happy Sunday everyone!  Hope you all are enjoying your weekend.  I've got some exciting news to share with you today.  I am the new DT Coordinator at Berry71bleu!  I'm over the top excited to be a part of the talented design team and can't wait to  create  projects using the beautiful and unique handmade tags designed by the owner Marivic Clifton


Announcing the new Design Team at Berry71Bleu
Debbie Burns - DT Coordinator
 January's challenge is 'All About Me'.  Marivic is doing the first challenge of the year & here it is in her own words as well as her example, prize & rules to play along.

This challenge is no-holds-barred...talk about your new year's resolution, your dreams, your childhood, your best and worst moments, what makes you laugh, cry, mad...what makes you feel beautiful...your best physical feature, what you wish you can change about yourself...your pet peeves, your frustrations, your favorite food, color...maybe a secret? whatever you want to talk about as long as it's all about you.

Since we are talking about you...(the queen!). Here is our January theme that you need to follow.
 
 The sponsor for the January challenge is 13 Arts
They are sponsoring the winner and the DT this month with this gorgeous paper collection, Frosted Life.
 
Random Winner will receive a Vintage-style Skeleton Key Collection from 
Here's what Marivic made using Frosted Life Collection
I stenciled the background using crackle paste. I misted it as well. Used glass beads in some portions. Just a random mix of everything.
One of my Tags..Marie Antoinette is part of the theme..
(Berry71bleu Etsy Shop will re-open this week)
Metal charm from my Zeus and Zoe Etsy Shop.

 
Rules of the Challenge:
1. You are allowed to make a card, layout or altered/off the page 
project as long as you follow the challenge specifications.
 2.   Projects must be linked up to our linky tool in the 
sidebar, using the URL of the ACTUAL POST not your entire blog.
 3.  You may submit as many entries as you like for each challenge
and combine your entry with up to 2 other challenges.
 4.  It is required that you mention in your blog post that you are playing 
along at Berry 71 Bleu TOGETHER with a link back to our blog. 
 5. All entries must be received by MIDNIGHT EST on the
 last day of the month the challenge was posted.
6.  Entries to be submitted via the linky tool at the top of the
sidebar ONLY, not by e mail and not by linking up in the 
comments section please.
Information about our Challenges:-
1.  Berry71Bleu Challenges are open to anyone, 
anywhere in the world.
2.  Our Design Team do their best to comment 
on all entries, you can make their job easier by turning OFF 
your word verification.  Try it and if spam is a problem 
you can always enable comment moderation.
3,  Challenges are held monthly and each month TWO winners are
chosen.  One winner is chosen by our design team, who all vote for
the project they consider to be the best, while another winner is
chosen by random draw.
4.  Challenge winners will always be announced within a week
of the challenge closing and winners are then required to
contact our Sponsor Co-ordinator, Agnieszka at starhorse@onet.eu
5.  Prizes not claimed within 2 weeks of the challenge closing 
will be forfeited.
6.  The Merit winner will have an image of their project featured in 
the winners post, together with a link back to the homepage
of their blog.
7.  Merit winners will be awarded a Winner's Badge to post
on their blog - full bragging rights included!
 
You have to till the end of the month to enter the challenge and enter it here at Berry71bleu.

Thanks for stopping by!
. . . Debbie