Sweet Shop! I want to go there ;-)

Here's CSI case file number 29, and it's delightful! This is such a fun case file, and I wanted to capture that in my layout.

Here's my layout: "Sweets" 

Journaling says:
"Sweets"
follow the trail
of treats and toys
and there you will find
one happy kid
we call Charlie.
(there is also a stamp that says "fabulous day")

Evidence: stripes, labels, wood, something transparent, sanded paint, angles, weathered look.
Testimony: long thin strips, write about labels

Stuff:
Sweet shop constructed from several elements from various kits and stock images:
Holliewood studios, sweet shop
Marta vanEck: desperate green kit
Lorie Davison: Love Stories From The Red Flower Shop
Rhonna Farrer: Lace it up kit, Roughed Up 2 Tool Kit, honeycomb pieces, Punk Junque
and one cute, happy kid in silly socks.


If you like this case file, be sure to download the printables I created for this CSI case file, here's the link, and here's the preview of what's inside:

thanks for looking!

Poor, neglected blog

It's hard to believe that it's been since the end of April that I have posted to this blog, but let's face the truth. Time to catch up!  This week I have two layouts to share so far; one for each of my favorite challenge sites.

CSI (http://csicolorstoriesinspiration.ning.com/)
Here's case file number 28:

Here's my layout: Get Silly

 

This was such a fun case file, and I was lucky enough to dig up a funny photo for it…

Journaling says:
• Get Silly
• squawk, squeak, jump, juggle, rattle, shake, flip, flop, burp. Oh the funny things you do, my sweet, silly girl!
• "Hey, there is no 'off' button on this model"
• Quote from Dr. Seuss: From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere.

Evidence: robots, circles, metal, create shadows, tone-on-tone pattern.
Testimony: Document something silly, something related to technology
Stuff:  CSI coordinates, some CU items, plus one stock image.

If you like these images, you can download the printable coordinates I created by following this link: (coordinates are at the end of the post). Here's a preview of what's included:

____________________________________________________________________________

The Color Room (http://thecolorroom.ning.com/)
Palette number #119

Here's my layout: First Day

My kiddo on the day she was born. I've been waiting to scrap this for a long time, finally found the perfect palette!

Journaling: Sweet Charlotte
Charlotte on her first day, perfect in every way.

Stuff:
Lorie Davison Kits: Love Stories From The Red Flower Shop, Under The Dogwood Blossoms
studiogirls: Studio Mix #23: Heartfelt Secret
pink Lotty: Mode De Paris

Thanks for looking!

First time challenge at Colorful Creations

This is my first time playing at Colorful Creations, it was fun! I decided to do the "tic tac toe" challenge. The idea for this challenge is to select a winning combination on the board below. I used the winning combination of "banners, ribbon and stitching" for this layout.

Here's my layout; 16 Weeks

Journaling says:
16 Weeks
Here’s our precious Charlotte at just 16 weeks old. She’s sweet as pie, and look at those cute cheeks! How blessed we all are to finally have such an adorable baby in our lives. She has quickly become our whole world.

Digital items include:
Lorie Davison "Love Stories From The Red Flower Shop "
CU stitching, and one ribbon from Dianne Rigdon designs

Thanks for looking!

the Archers

Well, I never thought I'd scrap a page about an astrological sign, but Thanks to Debbi at CSI for the fantastic idea, now I have!


Here's the case file:

Here's my layout; the Archers

Evidence: circles, stars, branches/leaves (in the background), map (globe), translucent elements.
Testimony: Write about an astrological sign.

Journaling says:
Sagittarius, Ruled by Jupiter, Nov23—Dec21
Our beloved Sagittarians Grandpa was born on December 11th, 1942. Charlotte was born on December 15th, 2003. They share many traits, but most of all they share a deep love
for one another.

Lucky Number : 1 • Lucky Color : Royal Blue • Lucky Flower: Carnation, wallflower, clove-pink Lucky Gemstone: Turquoise, Yellow Sapphire • Lucky Day: Wednesday

A typical Sagittarius has a bright, sunny disposition and an almost incurable sense of optimism regarding the future. They are good-natured, and have an irrepressible sense of fun and inspiring spiritual side. The Sagittarius carries the sense of being in a state of divine grace, at one with the universe. Those born under this sign are characterized by optimism, aspiration, inspiration, enthusiasm and expansiveness.

Stuff:
some items made by me, some CU stuff
Kitschy digitals frame
"Equinox" by by Ildi Geist
"Celestial" by Tumble Fish Studios
"Symphony of Angels" by Eanas Creation

Thanks for looking!

Magic 8

This week I decided to get inspired by a sketch over at creative scrappers. I chose #202, here's the sketch:

Here's my layout; Magic 8

Journaling says:
Magic 8
Who’s this gorgeous 16 year old? What? She’s just turned eight? That’s crazy! No one looks like that when they are only eight years old. It must be the magic of being eight that makes her look so cute. What a great kid Charlotte is. She’s sweet and smart, and so much fun! She loves animals, music, flowers, pretty things, playing video games, and brownies. She’s a neat kid, and loved by everyone. December 2011


Stuff:
Spring morning by Thaty Borges Designs
Truly You by Danielle Engebretson Designs


Thanks for looking!

Sneak!

Hi Everyone!
Here's something fun to look forward to, a sneak peek of the case file to be revealed this Friday at CSI. Here it is:

you'll want to visit CSI for all the details on Friday at: http://csicolorstoriesinspiration.ning.com/

;-)
Michele

Sweet Serenade

Here's CSI's case file #16!

There are gorgeous layouts in the gallery this week, be sure to check them out at http://csicolorstoriesinspiration.ning.com/photo

Here's mine:

I've been wanting to scrap this photo for a long time, and this case file was just perfect for it!

evidence: sparkly things (glitter) shiny things (metallic silver items) stacked elements (plates!) musical elements and something sweet (the kid and her goodies)
Testimony: I used the inspiration words sweet and sing

Journaling says:
Sweet Serenade
Well, here’s a sweet two year old. Looks like she’s in her own world again. What’s she doing this time? She’s dressed herself up, but she’s doing something else cute and silly. She’s singing and playing a drum. Where does this kid get these ideas from? I guess goofiness just runs in the family. What a sweet voice she has, and what delightful music she’s making with that drum. Well, at least her Mommy thinks so!
02.20.2006

stuff:
some items from the CSI coordiantes
Holliewood studios: sweet shoppe
The Sweetest Kingdom by Sussie M


If you like this case file and are in the mood for some inspiration; you can download the CSI coordinates I have been designing by clicking here.

Thanks for looking!

99%

Here's case file number 14 for Color… Stories… Inspiration… (CSI)  csicolorstoriesinspiration.ning.com

Here's my layout:  99%

I drew some animals and applied a paper texture to each section to give them a cut paper look. I was pretty impressed with myself since illustration is not my usual job. In the end, this layout took me completely by surprise. Ever start with one direction, and end up somewhere totally different? Bet that happens a lot! It makes for a nice surprise.

Testimony: I focused on the inspiration word “innocence”

Evidence: ruffles, animal accent, something sand-like

Journaling says:
99% innocent as a lamb
Owl: “Whoo is that little kid? She looks innocent, but I bet she’s a trouble maker.”
Bird: “I heard she can be mischievous, but she’s actually really tweet.”
Deer: “That’s Charlotte, she’s a dear.”
Lamb: “She’s like me!”

Stuff is made by me, some CU items, plus some items from the “re-creations” kit by Createwings Designs

Thanks for looking!

Backyard Explorer

Here's another fantastic case file from CSI!

Well I just love the colors for this case file. I'm always happy when I can make a blue sky and there's a green to use for grass or leaves!

Here's my layout:
Backyard Explorer

Evidence: make a pinwheel, string, map print, jewels, tuck a little surprise

Testimony: I decided to go with one central idea "Backyard Explorer" and make four tabs with the supporting details. The details are:
1. finding bugs, collecting rocks
2. climbing, jumping
3. hugging trees, enjoying nature
4. in her element.

I like this journaling concept, it's very simple and hits all the details in a concise way.

stuff:
Holliewood "Whos my gnome"
Kitschy digitals paper flowers
and some creative use stuff

Thanks for looking!

Bookmark challenge

Over at scrapbookgraphics.com they are having a bookmark challenge! The challenge is to use 100% Viva Artistry products. I looked through my stash and found a kit I had bought awhile ago called "Chakra." This was a fun little project!

The quote says:
Art is harmony parallel with nature. Paul Cezanne

Thanks for looking!

Great Expectations

Here's another fantastic case file from CSI! 

 When I saw this week’s case file, one thing came to mind instantly… my ultrasound image of my daughter.  I had not scrapped it yet, and she’s eight now!

Here's my layout:

 

Evidence: flowers, clouds, something fluffy, stars

Testimony: Document a journey; Inspiration words: magic, mystery

Journaling says:

Great Expectations

At the first ultrasound, they only saw the tiniest speck of a blinking light. The doctor told me not to get my hopes up. Waiting for the next doctor’s visit was agonizing. At the next ultrasound, the mystery was revealed.  Against the odds, that tiny blinking speck of light was your heartbeat. You were just a little peanut, hanging out… growing more every day. And this is the picture they took of you on that day. What a cute little profile you had even then.

Hope renewed, but anxiety was high. The doctors gave me a lot of medication to make sure you would stay in there. For the months that followed, the doctors watched you very closely. We spent a lot of time together in the doctor’s office; listening to your heartbeat, making sure you were okay.

We didn’t know until the day you were born if you were a boy or a girl. You were a mystery, and I wanted to be surprised! 

I was so hopeful that my dreams would come true. In the end, they did. What a blessing and miracle you are little girl!

Stuff!
Lorie Davison, “Baby bee garden”

Tumble Fish Studios, “odd magic”

Thanks for looking!

Good Eats!

Well, it's another Friday, and that means a new release at CSI! Here's case file No. 11, and it's fantastic!  I love the colors for this case file, I had a great time working with them.

Here's my layout: Good Eats!

Journaling says:

It was Mother’s day and we had brunch at our house to celebrate. You were just two years old. All eyes were on you! You had a plate of fruit, and you explored every piece as if you had never seen it before. Your sense of wonder made us all appreciate our own meals in a new way. If we ever want inspiration, all we have to do is look to you, Charlotte. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to see the world through your eyes.

Evidence: patterned paper with vintage elements, sprinkle letters, tearing

Testimony: scatter your journaling (I used my title), inspiration word: wonder

Stuff!
Several CU items, some stuff made by me.
Tumble Fish Studios, household items and household kit

Sherriejd, kitschy kitchen, altered states

Marta van Eck: Le Kitchen

Thanks for looking! I hope you all have fun with this case file, too!

Kid not included!

I've been wanting to create a storefront window for awhile, so here's little miss in her "spiffy" raincoat for TCR palette #101. 

Here's my layout:

Journaling says:
Raincoats on sale!
kid not included.
Here’s Charlotte at nine months, modeling her new raincoat. Doesn’t she look spiffy? She’s ready for any adventure the day may bring; be it shopping at the general store, or just splashing around in the rain!

Stuff:
Lorie Davison: window box from her "window to my heart" kit
Holliewood Studios "Where's my gnome?" and "Knock on wood"
Studio Manu: "Village Square"
Some stuff made by me!

Thanks for looking!

M-F

Here's CSI case file #10, I had lots of fun with this page!

Her's my layout:
M-F, a Mother’s morning ritual

Journaling is scattered throughout the page, here it is:
Kid gets up before me, I hear munching, I hear video gaming, I hear a loud kid! Let’s go! Out goes Max, throw some waffles in the toaster, throw some waffles at the kid, come get your hair brushed, go brush your teeth and wash your face, what are you going to wear today? Get your shoes on! Did your feet grow again? Do you have socks on? Stop playing that video game! Do you have your homework? Here’s your lunch money; grab a snack, put that video game down honey, where’s your coat? Get your backpack! Get out the door, get in the car, do it fast! We are off to school (I hear non-stop chatter from the kid) I get into the drop-off lane, have a great day kiddo! I love you Mama, I love you too bay-ba! Wash, rinse, repeat

Evidence: Fabric, metal, glass, create light and shadow, use contrasting textures

Testimony: Document a story about motherhood.

Stuff!
Several CU items, some stuff made by me.
Holliewood studios, Wish Upon A Star
Cosmo Cricket, honey pie
Pattie Knox, Acrylic clockworks
Tumble Fish Studios, Happy Place
Sherriejd, kitschy kitchen

Thanks for looking!

Design Team Call

CSI is looking for Designers! 
CSI is a friendly and fun place to be; I'm having a great time being on the DT. Check out the details by clicking here.

http://csicolorstoriesinspiration.ning.com/forum/topics/design-team-call

Magical dreams

Here's a steampunk-inspired girl layout using cues from CSI's case file #9.

Here's my layout; Magical dreams of adventure and flight

Evidence: Text pattern, stripes, bird accent, hot-air balloon, something translucent

Testimony: Write a six-word memoir (title, "Magical dreams of adventure and flight." And, four lines from the song "Wind Beneath My Wings" Plus, I tucked the word "Roam" into the graphics.

Journaling:
Magical dreams of adventure and flight
In Charlie’s world, reality, fantasy and dreams live in the same place. With a rich imagination, this makes for a fantastical life. It’s a glorious existence. She is always acting as if she is in some sort of storybook. She’s a cowgirl, or a bus driver, or a dancer, or whatever else strikes her fancy. Dressing up is almost always part of her adventure. She loves animals of all kinds, so they roam freely in her world. She has a special affinity for flight. Wings, airplanes, balloons, all are superb in Charlie’s eyes. I hope she can hold on to this charming place she’s created forever. We are trying not to muck it up for her… it’s a wonderful place to be!

Select lyrics are:
I could fly higher than an eagle
so high I almost touch the sky
You're everything I wish I could be
you are the wind beneath my wings

Detail of cute kid:

Stuff:
• Maya steampunk kit
• Finecrafted Designs "Wild rides"
• Holliewood Studios "Wish Upon A Star"
• Tumble Fish Studio "Winged Splendor" kit
• Lorie Davison "A Pioneer Story" kit (modified background paper
• D Rigdon "I dream of shabby" patio garden (flowers on balloon)
Everything recolored, warped, grunged up, and twisted into submission for this case file.

Thanks for looking!

Country girl at heart

Here’s a country-inspired layout featuring my sweet nature baby for The Color Room Palette #99.

TCR #99

Country girl at heart

Journaling says:
Charlotte may have been born in the city, but she’s a country girl at heart. She loves animals, and gardening with Grandma. She would stay outside all day if we’d let her. Sticks, rocks and dirt are wonderful things to play with. She would have loved to be born on a farm. I can imagine her making best friends with the farm animals and being quite in her element! She will always be a good friend to nature.

Digital bits from many sources:
Cosmo cricket odds and ends paper (re-colored and canvas texture applied)
Elements from Lorie Davison kits: “Rough to the touch,” “Window to my heart,” “A pioneer story,” and “Before the first snow”
Holliewood studios: “Knock on wood,” “Queen Bee”
Creative Victorian Designs: “summer wings” (fence)
K Pertiet Collageables No 4
Everything re-colored, flipped, shaded, highlighted, distressed, scaled and twisted into submission for this palette.

The Color Room is at palette #99, I can't wait to see what palette #100 will be!
Thanks for looking!

Squeaky Clean!

Here's little miss making a mess for CSI #8. I had so much fun with this case file!

Here's the case file:

Here's my layout; Squeaky Clean

Evidence: transparent elements, something that sparkles, embellishment slice (bubbles on the edge of the bath in two places)
Testimony: Inspiration words as a starting point: effervescent and indulge; I started with a paragraph that uses these two words and then twisted the story into the opposite direction. I think it worked out great!

Journaling says:
Indulge yourself in an effervescently induced tub of water from the Swiss Alps. Relax in peaceful bliss as your cares melt away…

No! That’s not the way to enjoy a bath! Jump in; splash all around… make a big mess! Slurp up some of the water in your mouth and then spit it out through your teeth with as much force as you can… make sure to get a bunch on the floor. Dump a load of toys and stuff from the kitchen into the bath water and get them all soap scummy. Then giggle and laugh at Mommy when she tells you not to drink that bath water. Funny lady, doesn’t she know this is a great two-in-one way to get your teeth clean?

Stuff:
Several handmade items, some CU stuff, plus Miss Mint bubble bath kit from pepermintcreative.com, everything recolored, skewed, flipped, twisted and warped into submission for this case file.

Thanks for looking!

Color Love

I know that a lot of scrappers use sketches, and I’ve only used them once or twice I think. But since I usually scrap color challenges, I thought it would be fun to try something different. So I decided to try a sketch from Creative Scrappers this week. I chose to work with #195.

Here’s the sketch: Creative Scrappers #195

Here’s my layout: Color Love

Close up of cute face:

I wanted to use a boatload of colors and not to be restricted by that, so I went a bit crazy with the rainbow. But if you read the journaling, you’ll see why that was appropriate for this page.

Journaling says:

For as long as I can remember, when I would ask Charlie her favorite color, she would say, “rainbow.” She just loves color, and not just one or two, she wants an entire rainbow. Don’t give her just a couple crayons; give her a gigantic box. Then she’s happy.

To understand this fully, you need to know another aspect of Charlotte’s personality. She is such a sweetie; she wouldn’t want to hurt any of the colors feelings by saying that she likes them less than others.

In these photos she is coloring at a local restaurant called “Dish.” Having a handful of crayons and a page to color just kept her happy as any kid could be.

Three years old • Feb 23, 2007

Stuff:
Holiewood  “Art Box” #1 and #2
Tumble Fish Studio “Random Favorites” kit
Kitschy digitals paper flowers, butterfly and two frames
Crowabout Studio “Dirty Words”
Beth Rimmer “Printers Blocks” alpha
Tangie Baxter Designs “Studio Remnants—The Portfolio” and “Quickity Split Snippets”

Thanks for looking!

My dress-up dolly

Here's a fun layout for
The Color Room Palette #98

This layout is about my daughter who is the best dress up doll ever.
My Dress-Up Dolly

Journaling says:

My Dress-up Dolly
Most little girls would delight in having a doll they could dress up in fancy clothes. Well how lucky I am to have a real live dolly girl of my own. She has a perfect little figure and abundant, bouncy hair… what a cutie! I told Charlotte she is my dress up doll, and she seemed to like that idea. At six years old she would say, “Here’s your dolly!” when she needed help with her clothes. My Mom and I both love to shop for fancy dresses and sweet girl things for her to wear.

I suppose my fascination with this has nurtured the little fashionista in her. She has always had a preference for dresses and skirts. And as she gets older, she expresses opinions on how she wants to look. When she was six years old, she would say, “Mommy, I don’t want to look cute, I want to look stylish!” At seven years old she would play school with her invisible friends. She told me there is a rule that you can only wear dresses and skirts at her pretend school, or you have to go home. Now at eight years old she says it’s okay to be both “cute” and “stylish,” and she has really developed an eye for fashion when we go shopping.

Stuff:
Kitchy digitals "Grandma's sewing basket"
Pretty little studio "Polly paper doll" (one dress and one flash card)
Marta Van Eck "Le Kitchen" (paper)
Tumble Fish Studio "Girl Whimsy" kit
Holliewood "Toy Box"
some CU items as well

Thanks for looking!

I Design For CSI!

I am thrilled to announce that I now design for CSI: Colors, Stories, Inspiration!

If you haven't checked out this new challenge site, please click here and see what
all the excitement is about! CSI is a weekly scrapbooking challenge that inspires
you to try new colors schemes and to tell your stories. Case Files provide inspiration
that will get you thinking about scrapbooking in a whole new way. CSI is all about
inspiration and sharing and, most important, fun!

Check it out and join me for all the fun!

Michele :-)

Let's Jump!

Well, here's little miss taking "jumping lesson's" from Mr. Bunny for CSI #7.

CSI #7

Let's Jump!

Journaling says:
Mr. Bunny’s jumping lesson
One day Charlotte decided that she was determined to learn how to jump. Well how much would it cost to take jumping lessons from Mr. Bunny? Looks like it’s ten cents. Here she is at almost two years old following Mr. Bunny’s instruction. Try as she might, she never
left the floor; she still looks cute as a bunny trying.
1. Let's Jump! Put both feet firmly on the floor.
2. Bend your knees and push up off the floor.
3. Your feet will leave the floor; if not, repeat steps #1 and #2.

Testimony: Grocery list (steps #1-3), The roots
Evidence: stripes, metals (springs), wood/woodgrain, cluster similar things, distressing.

Stuff:
Several CU items and some handmade by me, plus:
Emeto: "Independent spirit" kit (cones, lolly, two flowers)
Echo Park: "happy days" (paper)
Studio Baers Garten: "a little bunny told me"
Holiewood "Queen Bee" two butterflies

Thanks for looking!

Million Dollar Smile

Here's another layout for the color room!

TCR #97

 Million Dollar Smile

Here's little miss with an award-winning smile; she's only three years old here.

Stuff:
Holliewood "Queen Bee"
Lorie Davison "A Pioneer Story"
Hoots & Tweets by Laurie Ann
Sherrie JD basic journal spots
EmKa Have a nice day
Some CU stuff… and one gigantic photo of my kid

Thanks for looking!

She was Smart, Strong, and Brave

Here's a page for CSI challenge #6  (http://csicolorstoriesinspiration.ning.com/). When I first saw the colors, I really had no ideas. But when I started to work with them, they really came to life. So thank you Debbi for another fantastic palette that caught me by surprise!

CSI #6

Evidence: Transparent accents, wood, metals
Testimony: Tell three things, Transparent container to hold journaling, Illuminate your subject.

Smart, Strong, and Brave

Merging two photos:

My daughter had a sour look on her face in one photo (she was tired of picture taking as she hates the flash). But in the photo where she has a sweet face, you couldn't see her feet, which I wanted to show. So I merged the two photos.

Journaling says:
She was Smart, Strong, and Brave
Princess Radha was sent on a mission for the King. He enlisted her to find his magical lost treasure. Preparing for her quest; she practiced her fencing, read her books, and did thirty jumping jacks. In the morning she would set off on her journey, accompanied by her woodland creature friends. They would certainly show her the way deep into the forest. Many obstacles were in her future, but she knew she could do it. After all; she did have six-pack abs and buns of steel.

My daughter helped to write this little snippet of a story.

Digital items include:
Items from Lorie Davison kits: "Greymouse manor winter ball," "Before The First Snow," "falling leaves autumn tea." "feathers and mittens," "the artists' faeries"
Studio Ztampf: "nocturnal delights"
PinkLotty Designs: "Romeo and Juliet"
Holiewood Studios: "Knock on wood" and "Queen Bee"
Finecrafted Designs: "Medieval Paper Dolls"

Thanks for looking!