Summer of Creative Chemistry

I can't believe how completely neglected this blog has been. :-(  It's not that I haven't been creative, I have.  I have gotten rather skittish about posting pictures of my daughter on the internet.  The overwhelming majority of my scrapbooking has her as the focal point, so nothing has been posted.

Bringing me back to the blog-a-sphere, is none other than Tim Holtz!!  If you've every been lucky enough to meet him, you know that he is the most down to earth likeable guy you ever want to meet.  If you've ever been lucky enough to take a class with him, then you know he gives you basic knowledge and truly encourages you to find your own path and experiment.  Personally, I was lucky enough to meet Tim, (and Mario - let's not forget Mario) Summer 2014 at my LSS, and take a class.



If you haven't been lucky enough to meet Tim or take a class with Tim, then you should march right over to Online Card Classes and sign up for Summer of Creative Chemistry!!!  Even if you have met Tim and taken a class with Tim, you should march right on over and sign up because the content is AH-MAH-ZING!! 

It's already Week 5 of Summer of Creative Chemistry, and while I've been following along on the weekends (due to my absolutely crazy work schedule), I haven't been able to create anything just for the weekly challenge  - until now.

The Week 5 challenge is to create a tag, card, or other project using three of more colors of distress paint, using any three (or more) Distress Paint colors and any technique from class.

Using Tim's Colored Crackle technique, I created the following tag using Barn Door, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, and Broken China Distress Paint.




Each chipboard butterfly is painted using exactly the same colors of Distress Paint - the difference is the Crackle Paint.  The top butterfly has Black Soot Distress Crackle Paint, the middle has Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint, and the bottom has Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint.  Only the Rock Candy is current in the distress line of products from Ranger, but I had purchased the 3 colors together, so I used them all.  The tag itself has Broken China Distress Stain as a background, with Ground Espresso Distress Ink on the edges.  I flicked water on the background to add interest.  Hope you like it!!

 

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-:¦:- ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                  `v´ Darlene

Link Up For Pink

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  From October 1 -  October 14 some very talented ladies will be sharing their stories and/or showcasing some very special projects.  A few months ago I was fortunate enough to cyber-meet Lynne of Her Craftiness.  As a result of that meeting I participated as a designer on my very first blog hop, and have created projects just for Lynne's blog.  Now, as a result of this meeting, I am participating in this very special Link Up For Pink event.  

Cancer touches us all in one way or another.  For me, I lost my mother to lung cancer 19 months ago.  My father-in-law succumbed to cancer before I ever had the privilege of meeting him.  My brother was diagnosed with liver cancer 4 months ago, and on September 19, 2011 my grandmother died of stomach cancer.


This a layout is a tribute a colleague who is a survivor, and the colleagues who participate in the Race For a Cure event in New York City's Central Park.  In the scroll is a “Motion to Make a Difference,” a “legal motion” on behalf of Team Legally Pink against “the defendant,” Breast Cancer. Originally printed on pink paper, and distributed to all staff it provides information on why staffers should join the team and how to do so. It also encourages staff members to “serve” their friends and family members with the “Motion.”

 
Here is a close-up of the motion:

I made a copy of the original, and shrunk it on the office copy machine.  I found the scroll image online, and fit the motion into it to create the image for the layout.  I used Spun Sugar and Vintage Photo distress ink on white cardstock.   The base of the layout is pink parchment cardstock from AC Moore.

I purchased the scales from my local scrapbooking store.  She has a Pazzles, and cut the image at 3 inches at my request.  I also purchased a single sheet of the paper it is cut from.  I don't know what brand it is.  The team name "Legally Pink" is cut from the same paper using Tim Holtz' Vintage Market on my Cuttlebug.  The ribbon is from my stash.

I'm happy to say that this layout is framed and hanging in my office.  I have been asked to create another one.  I hope to have it finished and posted before the Link Up For Pink event is over.  Don't forget to visit the Link Up For Pink hostesses:

Celeste - http://touchedbyabutterfly.blogspot.com/
Gaby - http://www.gabycreates.com/
Yolie - http://www.justyolie.com/

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      ((¸¸.·´  ..·´   -:¦:-
     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                        `v´  Darlene 

Susan's Anything Goes Festive Birthday Blog Hop

Happy, happy, happy birthday to Sue!!!!!!!!!

Hello and welcome to Day 2 of Susan's Anything Goes Festive Birthday Blog Hop!  You should have arrived here from the very talented Amy at Love To Crop.  If you just happened across this blog and want to start at the beginning, please head on over to the birthday girl's blog by clicking HERE!

Anything goes for this hop, but we all know Susan's favorite colors are purple and pink!  Hope you enjoy our hop while you stop by the various blogs as we celebrate Susan's birthday with our usual creativity and craftiness!!! So, please stop by and make sure to wish Susan a very Happy Birthday along with some bloggy love!! 

Karber Digital Images will offer blog candy to a random commenter of the blog hop :)
Jen's Digi Designs is offering a $15 gift card for liking her Face Book page and commenting on Susan's page with a winner being chosen randomly :) Link to Facebook

Please be sure to stop by Staci McD's site (http://preciousmem.blogspot.com) as there will be a $20 gift card to Designs on Cloud 9 to one commenter on her blog.

Some of the ladies have blog candy.  Hop along to find out which ones, and make sure to leave a comment for everyone!

Now, for my project.  Susan asked for this:

 

I wish I had the time to make such a cake, but alas, given the nature of blog hops and my distance from Susan, I was unable to do so!  ;-)  But, I did create this card for her!

The patterned card stock is Karen Neuburger Chesapeake Collection in Dainty Floral.  It's a few years old, but I thought the purple flowers were perfect!  The sentiment and scroll stamp are from Waltzingmouse Say it With Style.  I used Labels 10 from Nestabilities for the tag, and adhered the bling with my I-Rock.  I used purple embossing powder over the purple ink for the scroll to give it some pop.  The real pop however comes when you open the card!!

I borrowed Aurora from my 3 year old to take the picture!!  The castle is from Once Upon a Princess.  The paper for the castle is Core'dinations Whitewash Collection.    For the shadow image on the back of the card I flipped the image before cutting it, so it was on the reverse side of the paper.  I did the same thing when I cut the peaks on the castle towers.  All the edges are inked with Dusty Concord distress ink.  The windows on the castle are filled with glossy accents.  Here is a close up of the castle:

I am giving away blog candy.  Please leave a comment on this blog to be eligible to win a set of three handcrafted flowers.  I would love it if you became a follower but that is not a requirement.  However, if this blog makes it to 100 followers by 6:00PM Monday, I will give away two sets of flowers.   Make sure you leave a comment letting me know you are a new follower (or a follower already!)   I will use random.org to pick a winner.  Results will be posted on Wednesday.  The winner will have until Friday to provide me with contact information.  International posters are eligible to win, if willing to pay postage.

Your next stop is Faith.  Here is the entire list in case you get lost along the way!

Susan: http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/
Amy: http://www.lovetocrop.com/
Darlene: http://twoscrappinlawyers.blogspot.com/      <---- You are here
Faith:http://faithfulecreations.com/
Heather: http://blessed2cre8.blogspot.com/
Indira: http://craftyhomemade.blogspot.com/
Janet: http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/
Jearise: http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/
Linda: http://www.lindascreativity.blogspot.com/
Lori: http://www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/
Maria: http://justgetscraphappy.blogspot.com/
Nicole: http://crashingcreatively.blogspot.com/
Theresa: http://www.thescrapbookingqueen.com/

To increase your chances to win the digital giveaways, make sure you go back to all the Day One Blogs to leave a comment.  Here is that line-up.


Lynne: http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/
Amber: http://pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com/
Angie: http://atuttletime.blogspot.com/
Becky: http://squirlygirlcreations.blogspot.com/
Berenice: http://karbersweetescape.blogspot.com/
Brenda: http://createbyburffrau.blogspot.com/
Christel: http://onescrappinsista.blogspot.com/
Cindy: http://www.cindys-greencricut.blogspot.com/
Deborah: http://www.scrappingmamma.net/
Erin: http://comfyonmycloud.blogspot.com/
Faith: http://faithfulecreations.com/
Gina: http://californiascrappin-gcinderella21.blogspot.com/
Kari: http://purplefuntastickcreations.blogspot.com/
Staci: http://preciousmem.blogspot.com/

Happy hopping!!!!

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Me Monday #75

Here is my project for the most recent Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Me Monday.  Found here.  The only requirement for this challenge was to use the color yellow.

 I followed the instructions for creating the flower posted by Elizabeth at 217 Creations.  Since I don't own Walk in My Garden, I used Mother's Day Bouquet.  I don't remember the sizing on the layers, but each is inked with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  All cardstock is scraps from my stash.  The patterned paper is K & Company: Best of Brenda Walton stack.  I cut the tag from Spellbinders Fancy Tags.  The sentiment is from My Creative Time's So Grateful For You.  Found Here.


Hope you like my card!  Just a reminder, Day 2 of Susan's Anything Goes Birthday Bash Blog Hop is Sunday, September 4, 2011.  My project will be up at 6:00AM so long as blogger cooperates!!  There is blog candy to be won!!!

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     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                     `v´  Darlene

What do you get the couple that has everything???

I was overjoyed when I received a wedding invitation in the mail a few weeks ago.    These two friends have been together for over 30 years.  They have traveled the world together, exploring such places as China and India.  They have collected antiques the world over.  They own multiple residences, and their own businesses.  However, the invitation forced me to ask myself: what exactly do you get the couple who truly has everything when finally they are allowed to get married - and are doing just that???

I decided on something personal, something handcrafted, something created just for them.  I dug through my own wedding photos and found the perfect black and white picture of the two of them together.  I headed to a local scrapbook store that I knew carried Graphic 45 paper - since these two scream "vintage" more than anyone I know.  I bought a 12x12 shadowbox on sale at Michael's - and viola - a layout mounted in a shadowbox was created.

 

Obviously, I edited some personal information from the layout before posting, as that is the invitation I received complete with names and RSVP information.  I used Tea Dye distress ink to tone down the ecru card stock the invite was printed on.  Additionally, as this has not yet been given, I do not have permission to post pictures of the recipients, so the photo has also been edited out.  (The happy couple does not know about this blog, so they won't see their gift in advance).


To create the layout I used paper from Graphic 45's A Proper Gentleman collection.  The background is Dressed to the Nines and A Proper Gentleman.  The invitation and photo are both double mounted.  First on Nightmist Bazzill, then on A Proper Gentleman and The Sophisticate, respectively.

The quote is one that I found in my stash from DCWV Wedding & Romance quote stack.  I adhered the vellum to the Bazzill with my zig two-way glue pen, and then covered the glue with antique brass squares I found in the clearance bin at Michaels.

This photo also shows the two different background papers I used.  The ruler along the bottom is cut from A Proper Gentleman.

My original intent was to make the Tim Holtz grunge roses for this layout, but they just didn't look right on the page.  I did some Google image searches and found flowers that I thought would fit in perfectly.  Using Mother's Day Bouquet and my brand new Art Philosophy cartridge I created the flowers for the lower left of the layout.  It didn't look complete without a vine or something to connect them, so I used Art Philosophy to cut the flourish.

The paper is from DCWV Life's Journey stack.  With a little bit of Tea Dye distress ink, it coordinated beautifully with the Graphic 45 paper.  I inked the edges of the flowers with Faded Jeans.  The pearls in the center are from Recollections.

The wedding is next week, and I hope they like their gift.  I would LOVE to hear what you think, so please leave me a comment.

As a reminder, on Sunday, September 4, I will be designing for Susan's Anything Goes Festive Birthday Blog Hop.  I will be giving away one set of 3 of the handmade flowers in this layout to one random person who comments on this blog during the hop.  I hope to see you there!

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     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                       `v´  Darlene

Another Two for One Challenge!

First up, Cricut Cardz Challenge, found HERE.  The theme was back to school, and the requirements were red, ribbon and rhinestones!  I lost track of time, so this might not actually make the time constraints for entry.

The second challenge was for Crazy About Cricut, found HERE.  Again the theme was back to school, and the only requirement was to make a note!!

This was my first time using the Lacy Labels cartridge.  I used the "Bliss" cut at 4 inches, and welded the shift and non-shift images together to create the card.  The patterned paper scalloped circle is a Spellbinders; paper from DCWV.  The little girl and her easel are from A Child's First Year cut at 3 inches.  If you look closely you can see the rhinestones in her hair!  I inked the card base with Tattered Rose and Firebrick Red Distress ink.  Tied on a ribbon and viola - a simple little card I will send to daycare with my little girl!  The solid cardstock is from my stash.


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     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                        `v´  Darlene

The Pink Stamper August 2011 Blog hop

One of the fun things about this hop is that after you have gotten to hop through the hop, Robyn invites the scrapping world to post back on her blog following along with the theme of the hop.    You can find that HERE.

This month she introduced her new design team members and asked them each to create a project to show off their style.  I never thought I had a style per se, but I have found myself being drawn more and more toward a vintage look of late.  So here is the card for this challenge.

  Not a very good photo I admit, so here is a close up of the quote:

I discovered this quote and have found it to be comforting when thinking of loved ones who have passed.  The card itself was quite simple.  I scored a 5x10 inch piece of cardstock to create a 5x5 card base.  Adhered ribbon to an inked 4x4 piece of patterned paper from DCWV.  The quote was printed on white cardstock which I cut with Labels 10 Nestabilities and inked with distress ink.  The small butterflies are an EK Success punch.


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      ((¸¸.·´  ..·´   -:¦:-
     -:¦:-   ((¸¸.· (¨`v´¨)
                        `v´  Darlene