Days Like This Make Me So Happy

As I was typing this post I  realized that I haven't posted anything in almost two weeks . . . yikes!  Between being sick and dealing with day to day issues, time passes by too quickly.  I broke into my July kit from Artful Delight and created this layout using their July sketch.  I love the challenge #19, Patchwork Effect at Scrap Africa which I incorporated into my layout along with Bird Is The Word's newest word challenge - Celebrate.

I love the bright vibrant colors in the papers!

Here are a few closeups:

Believe it or not I will be back tomorrow to share another layout with you!

Thanks for stopping by!

. . . Debbie

Holiday Sweets

Where has the month gone?  I'm looking at my calendar and can't believe that is is already December 19th.  The days are going by too fast, next thing you know it will be Christmas.  I finished up a layout this morning, and enjoyed working on it. So many memories came to my mind most of which are of my mom.  As you all know my mom was diagnosed with alzheimers.  So much of her is gone and I cherish and hold close to my heart the memories I have of Christmas past.  A tradition in my family as long back I  can remember is the annual baking of rolled sugar cookies.  As a child my siblings and I decorated the cookies my mom rolled out.  The tradition continues with myself and my sister and our children.   As the holiday approaches I find myself in the kitchen making these delicious cookies and remembering the times I spent with my mom and how much fun we had.  Oh how I would give anything to have that moment again of making these cookies with my mom.  I dedicate my layout to my mom and all that made her so special.  I am entering this in a couple of challenges.  The first one is the Waiting For Santa Challenge at Indiko. The second challenge is Bird is the Word word challenge, "Holiday".

A few closeups:

I accented the My Minds Eye paper with some stickles:

Some jewels, modeling paste:

Thanks for stopping by!

. . . Debbie

Taking Baby Steps Into The World Of Mixed Media

I've long admired many a blogger who uses varies mixed media techniques on their layouts.  I told myself that I wanted to give it a try, and take baby steps into this new adventure.  I started working on this layout last night and was pleasantly surprised at how easily it came together.  I used the September Challenge #4 at Once Upon A Sketch/CSI, the New Challenge Word "Touch" at Bird Is The Word, and Keren's Mixed Media Challenge at Berry71Bleu.

For the month of September Once Upon A Sketch joined forces with CSI and here is the 4th Challenge:

This is how I solved the case:
Evidence: Birds, Leaves, Little bits and pieces, Rub-Ons, Book Page
Testimony: Journaling on my photograph

I will admit that I was a little intimidated with the whole prompt at first, but everything fell into place quite easily.  It does make you really think about what you are doing! 

Here are a few close ups:

Journaling on my photograph:

I brushed some gesso on the flowers and added some clusters of rub-ons. I also added stitching rub-ons all around my page.

Mixed Media:

Texture paste, stamping and painting!

And the final touch, some Prima Resistable Canvases which I inked and then stamped:

Now that I've got one under my belt, I think I will give it a try again soon.

Thanks for stopping by!

. . . Debbie

Supplies Used:

Bo Bunny Country Garden

Martha Stweart Double Loops Punch

Rub-Ons:  Polar Bear Press and DCVW

Prima Zephyr Alphabet Stickers

Prima Resistable Canvases

Recollection Flowers

Crafter's Workshop Punchinella

Stamps:  Prima, Cocoa Daisy, Tim Holtz & Recollections

Ink:  SEI and Tsukineko

Gesso, Modeling Paste, Blue Paint

Me And My Shadow - BITW Challenge

I had started this layout and then put it aside to work on something else and then noticed this morning that the deadline was nearing for the "shadow" challenge at Bird Is The Word.  For some reason I thought the challenge ended at the end of the month.  I fell in love with the picture of Julina's little girl Zoey discovering her shadow.  It's such a sweet photo and just perfect for BITW.

I used some more of Webster's Pages Everyday Poetry collection and a few bits and pieces from some other collections.

Lots of fussy cutting and layering!

 A beautiful crochet doily by SEI and an Amy Tangerine brad.

And a closeup up of the picture:

Love, love, love this picture!!!!

The September kit reveal is up at Artful Delight! 
You can check out both the scrapbook and card kits here!
Can't wait until I get mine!!!

Hope everyone has a good weekend!  

Thanks for stopping by!

. . . Debbie

Remember Just Smile

I'm getting this one in by the skin of my teeth  for my first try over at Bird Is The Word.

Their current challenge is to use the word SMILE.  My son has always been know for his goofy smiles.  It's one thing about him that has not changed in all these years.

This picture was taken on his fifth birthday.  I'm famous for saying "Remember Just Smile" before snapping a picture.

  

I used Amy Tangerine's Sketchbook collection for my layout along with a  bunch of rub ons from my stash. 

Before printing out my picture I uploaded it to Photoshop and added the cute digital frame by Jenna Desai that I purchased awhile ago at thelilypod.com.

Hard to believe this was taken almost 20 years ago.

Thanks for stopping by!

. . . Debbie

Supplies Used:

Amy Tangerine Sketchbook Collection

Pink Paislee London Market Jumbo Number

Scenic Route Rub Ons

Quickutz Balloon die