Baby's First Birthday Layout

Today, I am showcasing the final layout I created for Baby Sawyer's album. 

Eek! Isn't it cute?! I have been saving those monkey die-cuts for probably 10 years or better. The price tag on the back of the package is to a store that is no longer in our area. 

Recipe:
Paper: Skylark (retired), Footloose (retired), Sweet Leaf CS, Kraft CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Perfect Fit Birthday, Friendship Alphabet-small (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Flaxen, Lagoon (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Stitch Guide Ruler (CTMH)
Other: Lagoon, Antique Copper, White Daisy Brads (retired), Chocolate Embroidery Floss (retired), Chocolate Washi Tape (retired), Cork Alphabet (retired), Monkey Die-Cuts (Jolene's)

I was talking with a friend about this layout and, more to the point, this entire baby album and how I am having trouble parting with it. My son's first year album is no where near this cute, but it also showcases a time when I scrapbooked without sketches. I didn't even know there was such a thing. So Jack's album shows how I have evolved in my scrapbooking. 

Let's discuss WASHI: Washi tape is something that leaves me baffled. How do I use it? Do I place it on cardstock or not? Do I make the ends even, or do I make it look like I ripped it on a tape dispenser? Ack! I overthink washi. I deliberately made myself just cut random pieces (no measuring, breathe, Casandra, breathe) and place it down willy-nilly. Have you guessed yet that I am a perfectionist? Yup...with a touch of OCD thrown in for good measure (great pun, eh?). My dad is this way, and guess what? I passed these traits along to my son Jack. Poor kid. 

Well, this is the end of my baby album postings for Baby Sawyer. Hope he loves it as much as I do.

Casandra.

Mixed Media Blitz UYSB Hop

What is mixed media, you ask? 

noun

1. 1.

   the use of a variety of media in an entertainment or work of art.

I chose to interpret it as different combinations of embellishments. 

If you have come here from Shirley's blog, you are on the right track. 

Last month, I held my Skylark Workshop. I showcased the following two layouts along with the three that you may have seen previously posted on my blog. It was a perfect time to play around with mixing different left over embellishments I had accumulated since I was in the process of reorganizing my craft room anyway. 

Imagine Timeline Sketch

Scrapbook Generation Sketch

As you can see, I used retired Skylark paper, along with retired Footloose and Free To Be Me papers. I added in various buttons, lagoon mini medley, new chalk it up assortment, milepost shapes, and aqua dots. Great way to use up your stash!

My goal with these two layouts was to show a variety of uses for our Picture My Life cards. They can be used for more than just pocket pages. You may even notice that I cut the "good stuff" pml card down to 2x3. The sketch called for a journal piece of that size and I thought it would be a great teaching tool to showcase for you. I have previously fussy cut them to use as embellishments, too.

Another thing I want to point out is that I used liquid glass to completely cover the "vacation" title piece. I thought it looked a little flat, and since my pictures were water-themed, I immediately thought of my liquid glass. You could use a background stamp before applying liquid glass to give it yet another cool effect. Liquid glass is more than just a great adhesive!

One more thing: I use my glue pen when adhering small or skinny paper pieces to help give it extra hold. Seems to be less messy than my tombow, and provides a sturdy bond.

Products Used:

Paper: Skylark, Footloose, Free To Be Me, Kraft CS, White Daisy CS, Skylark PML Cards (CTMH)

Stamps: Skylark WOTG, Hello Summer (CTMH)

Inks: Black, Creme Brulee, Lagoon (CTMH)

Tools: Embossing Powder, Craft Tray, Craft Heater, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Cricut Artbooking, Corner Rounder, Liquid Glass, Glue Pen (CTMH)

Other: White Embroidery Floss, Chalk It Up, Lagoon Mini-Medley, Milepost Shapes, Aqua Dots, White Daisy Brad, Foam Tape, Glue Dots (CTMH), Misc. Buttons (Other)

If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below.  

Your next stop on the hop will be Theresa Morrow's blog. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Casandra

Skylark Workshop Layouts

Last night, we drove 2 hours to pick up our new puppy. Meet Jagger.

He is a Blue Heeler, otherwise known as an Australian Cattle Dog. 

Of course, the title of my post brought you here to see my Skylark Workshop Layouts. You may have seen my Freedom layout in a previous post. Here are the other two I designed for my workshop.

For the first layout, I followed the workshop on the go guide pretty close. I used Whisper ink instead of Slate. I also used embossed cardstock sheets from our Basic Fundamentals pack. It really adds a nice texture to this layout. I wanted to use the "suggested" pattern paper (or B&T) elsewhere. Another change I made to stretch the pretty lagoon paper from this kit was to cut the large pieces at 8x10 instead of 10x10. I was then able to use the extra scraps elsewhere (Freedom layout, for example).

I also incorporated a Skylark Picture My Life card into the second layout. It serves as a title for this layout.

Recipe:
Paper: Skylark, Free To Be Me, White Daisy CS, Sunset CS, Lagoon CS, Sweet Leaf CS, Paper Fundamentals Bamboo CS, Whisper CS, Skylark PML (CTMH)
Stamps: Skylark WOTG, Lifting Spirits, True To Life (CTMH)
Inks: Lagoon, Sunset, Chocolate, Whisper (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Sanding Kit (CTMH)
Other: Aqua Dots, Pearls (retired), Paradise Flowers (retired), Slate Twist Ties (CTMH)

Hope you can get outside to play in the sunshine today.

Casandra

H2H Freedom Layout

Good morning. This is just a quick post today before I head to work.

I made the following layout with Skylark papers and added in some cranberry and creme brulee cardstock for a fun twist. This was part of my Skylark workshop this past Sunday, and it was a big hit.

I used an older Scrapbook Generation sketch. Where you see my embellishment clusters, the sketch used stars. There are so many ways to interpret a sketch. The pennant banners worked perfectly as stripes on our flag. 

I have to point out that the embroidery floss I used to stitch with comes from a floss box I have had since I was 12 years old and used to make friendship bracelets. Each floss bobbin was neatly wrapped and labelled even back then, and only the best embroidery floss was ever purchased. :)

Recipe:
Paper: Skylark, Cranberry CS, Creme Brulee CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Kaboom (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Cranberry, Lagoon, Creme Brulee (CTMH)
Tools: Cricut Art Philosophy, Cricut Artbooking, Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer (CTMH)
Other: Grey Twist Ties, Foam Tape (CTMH), Yellow Embroidery Floss (DMC)

I am entering this into Heart 2 Heart Challenge "Up, Up and Away".

Have a great day, my friends!

Casandra

SSSC213 Easter Card

Hello. I'm back again today with my second card for the day. I didn't want to miss the deadline for a couple of challenges.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:
1) Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #213
2) The Paper Players Challenge #189

Recipe:
Paper: Skylark, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Sugar, Sugar (The Cat's Pajamas)
Ink: Black (VersaFine), Sweet Leaf, Heavenly Blue (CTMH)
Tools: Circle Stax Die (MFT), Micro-Tip Scissors, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Craft Heater, Blush Alcohol Markers, Honey Alcohol Markers, Crystal Blue Alcohol Markers, Sweet Leaf Alcohol Markers, Whisper Alcohol Markers, Sponge
Other: Olive Buttons (MFT), Neutral Baker's Twine (retired) (CTMH)

The card size is 4x8. I chose Paper-Piecing, Patterned Paper and Ribbon or Twine for my Tic-Tac-Toe. And someone has really upset Mother Nature today because we've had rain, hail and then snow. Yup...must have more sugar. ;)

Casandra

MOJO339 Special Delivery Card

One of my first cousins just had a baby girl. She was born 5 weeks premature and had to spend a week in NICU, but she is now doing well and ready to go home. Angela reports that baby just wants to sleep; she's so tired. I made this card with Baby Amelia in mind. (Isn't that a precious name?)

Recipe:
Paper: Skylark, Splendor (retired), Sky CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Lifting Spirits, Petite Perks (CTMH)
Ink: Black (VersaFine)
Tools: Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Craft Heater, Honey Alcohol Markers, Sweet Leaf Alcohol Markers, Crystal Blue Alcohol Markers, Paper-Piercer, Watercolor Pencil, Corner Rounder (CTMH), Oval Die & Scallop Oval Die (Spellbinders), Cloudy Sky Embossing Folder (Darice)
Other: Honey Brads (retired)

I love this color combo from Color Throwdown. And I would like to thank Mojo Monday for another great sketch. What was even better was that they included some suggested card sizes with their sketch to take the guesswork out of it. I chose the 3.5 x 5.5 size. It still fits beautifully in a standard A2 envelope. Yay!

It is currently raining here today, but that means the temperatures are above freezing. Happy Friday!

Casandra

FMS129 Masculine Birthday Card

Hello and Happy Sunday to you. I have been enjoying some warmer temps here for the past 2 days, as well as lots of gorgeous sunshine. In what appears to be our first true sign of Spring, my son is finally sporting a new smile. Since last August, he has been missing his two front teeth. Even the dentist thought they would come in by Christmas, but it wasn't to be. I was beginning to wonder if we'd be singing "All I want for Christmas...." again this year. LOL One stubborn tooth finally dropped down and we praised the Lord for it today at lunch. :)

Isn't he cute? 

Now, onto crafty news....

Yesterday, I had my first card workshop since November. It was so nice to visit with my crafty friends and just enjoy the day. Today, I couldn't resist creating another card. I have really been on a masculine card kick lately. I think it's that awesome chicken wire embossing folder. It makes these cards so easy.

Recipe:
Paper: Skylark, Black CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Perfect Fit - Birthday, Perfect Fit - Frames 2
Inks: Lagoon Pigment (CTMH), Black (VersaFine)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Gun (CTMH), Chicken Wire Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)
Other: Black Brads (American Crafts)

I have been wanting to do one of these Tic-Tac-Toe Challenges for some time. Just like the game, you get to choose "3 boxes" down, across, or diagonally. I obviously chose diagonally (such a rebel, LOL) - Birthday, Patterned Paper, Any Shade of Blue.

So, I would like to enter this card into Freshly Made Sketches FMS129 Challenge, as well as The Paper Players PP189 Challenge.

I wish you all a wonderful day and I would like to leave you with something to ponder, since I had such a wonderful, inspired morning at church today. "Go in peace...." James 2:16

Your friend, 
Casandra

CMCC#12 Sympathy Card

Hello and good morning. I hope you are well on this Sunday. I spent the weekend preparing for my card workshop, but I managed to sneak a little creative time in just for me, too.

Sympathy cards are my least favorite theme to make; I'm sure that I am not alone in that. As I was putting the final touches on this card, it wasn't my first thought, but the soft, subtle tones inspired me. 

I used the current Atlantic Hearts Sketch and combined it with the Colour Me CMCC#12 Challenge.

Recipe:
Paper: Miracle (retired), Skylark, Heavenly Blue CS (retired), Lagoon CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Lovely As A Tree (SU!), Card Chatter-Sympathy (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Lagoon Pigment, Lagoon, Garden Green (retired), Heavenly Blue (retired), VersaMark (CTMH)
Tools: White Embossing Powder, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Sponges, Paper-Piercer, Scallop Border Punch (CTMH)
Other: White Baker's Twine, Heavenly Blue Brads (both retired) (CTMH)

I must admit that I am loving the emboss resist effect. I wish I had more scenery stamps in my collection. Have a great week!

Casandra

FMS127 Birthday Card

I'm back this morning with a quick post because I have to get the kids off to school. 

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #127 inspired me with this next card.

Recipe:
Paper: Skylark, Ivy Lane, Lagoon CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Chantilly Cardmaking WOTG, You Are My Happy (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Lagoon (CTMH), Black (VersaFine)
Tools: Heat Gun, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Sweet Leaf Alcohol Marker, Crystal Blue Alcohol Marker, Honey Alcohol Marker, Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer (CTMH)
Other: Mocha Pearls (retired) (CTMH)

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope you have a wonderful Monday.

Casandra

MOJO336 A Tree Card

I mixed a little Skylark together with Ivy Lane for this next card. I have really been enjoying coloring in cards with my alcohol markers. It provides quick, vivid color like nothing else I've ever used.

Recipe:
Paper: Skylark, Ivy Lane, Bamboo CS, Lagoon CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: A Tree, Card Word Puzzle (CTMH)
Inks: Lagoon, Sweet Leaf, Bamboo (CTMH), Vintage Sepia (VersaFine)
Tools: Heat Gun, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Sweet Leaf Alcohol Marker, Crystal Blue Alcohol Marker Set, Honey Alcohol Marker (CTMH), Butterfly Embosslit Die (SU!), Circle Stax Die (MFT)
Other: Olive Taffeta Ribbon (SU!), Clear Sparkles (CTMH)

I am trying to make more cards with a generic theme, so that they could be used for anything in a pinch. I would like to enter this card into the current Mojo Monday #336 Challenge. Thanks for stopping by.

Casandra

CTS#66 Skylark Thank You

Good morning to you. I think we are all doing well enough here today so the kids will be heading off to school and I guess I have to go to my day job. LOL

I made another card yesterday and played with it a bit, left it for several hours and came back to it. You ever have a project where you just feel like something is missing? That's how this card was for me, but I'm hoping I didn't take it too far the other way and make it too fussy.

Recipe:
Paper: Skylark, Skylark PML, Sweet Leaf CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Lifting Spirits, Casual Expressions (CTMH)
Ink: Lagoon, Sweet Leaf (CTMH), Vintage Sepia (Versa Fine)
Tools: Hexagon Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Heat Gun, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Sweet Leaf Alcohol Marker, Crystal Blue Alcohol Marker, Honey Alcohol Marker (CTMH)
Other: White Daisy Brads (retired), Stardust Glitz Glue (retired), Foam Tape (CTMH)

I tried out a technique one of my sister consultants, Karen Pedersen, posted on her blog where you swipe your ink pad to the inside of your embossing folder on the negative side. Then you run your paper through the embossing machine. What you are left with is a subtle shading of tone on tone ink in the negative spaces of your embossed paper. It may be a bit hard to notice from my photo. 

I liked the way the PML card had a blank space that was perfect for stamping my sentiment in. From there, I saw the chevron zip strip from my Skylark paper pack and knew I'd use that for the bottom border. After looking at the lacy part of the PML paper, I decided that it resembled clouds and that's when I made the decision to stamp the plane. Like I said, I hope I didn't overdo it by adding the clouds. It just felt too flat. 

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
1) CAS(E) this Sketch CTS #66 Challenge
2) Color My Heart Color Dare #83 Challenge
3) Moxie Fab Happy For Hexagons Challenge

So what do you think? Too fussy, or just right? Wait, where's Goldilocks? :)

Casandra

Saying Goodbye to Bowwow

Of course, my day wouldn't be complete without a second card post. I am sad to see this stamp set retire. It was definitely a favorite of mine. That little word bubble with Hello, that sweet puppy dog, and then you have the inside sentiment "Wishing You A Doggone Good Day". 

Recipe:

Paper: Skylark, Ivy Lane, White Daisy CS (CTMH), Kraft CS (MFT)

Stamp: A Bowwow (CTMH)

Inks: Chocolate, Sweet Leaf, Lagoon (CTMH)

Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Watercolor Pencils (CTMH), Picket Fence Die (MFT)

Other: Bitty Sparkles (CTMH)

I kept looking at my scraps of Skylark and those birds on a wire are actually part of the print. They reminded me of my childhood when I was about my daughter's age. I used to get up every morning quite early and greet the sunshine and the birds in my yard. I remember sitting in a lawn chair watching the sunrise, and listening to the birds on the telephone lines twittering and chirping. I still think that is a lovely sound, even on a Sunday morning as I try to sleep in.

So, about the stamp set...it is retiring on January 31st. If you are at all interested in purchasing this adorable stamp set, you may visit my website here. It's a crazy low price of just $6.95!

Enjoy your Friday!

Casandra

CTS#61 A Tree Card

I couldn't resist making another card today using our pretty new Skylark paper. This one may be my favorite. A funny little side note. When I finished making this card, my husband noted that the sparkles looked like "the butterfly was pooping sparkles". I love his sick humor. Hehe.

I was inspired by this week's sketch challenge over at CAS(E) this Sketch! I would also like to enter this into H2H Challenge "Two-Faced Challenge".

Recipe:
Paper: Skylark, Scholastic (retired), White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: A Tree (CTMH)
Inks: Lagoon, Chocolate (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Watercolor Pencils (CTMH)
Other: Bitty Sparkles (CTMH)

So, I have a confession to make. I've owned this tree stamp for nearly 2 years now, and this is the first time it has seen ink. *Gasp* I know, right?

Casandra