Comments & Links

I enjoy reading the many comments that are posted on my blog. I know there are a lot of talented people that visit and leave comments. Sometimes, a viewer will leave a comment with a link to their blog. Because I'm an avid blog addict like the many of you out there, I visit these links whenever I get a chance. Yesterday, Aida Haron left a sweet comment for my last post. I went and checked out her blog and immediately fell in love with her work. I also noticed she designs for Luxe Designs & Cocoa Daisy Kits (and a few other companies). Why is it I didn't notice her sooner? She's another layer & detail scrapbooker. Thank you Aida for leaving me a comment. I'm so glad to have found your blog. Your work is beautiful! So, if you're leaving a comment and you have a blog or a gallery, I'd love to see it. Leave me a link and I'll be sure to visit..In the coming months, I'm going to be sharing other scrapbook blogs I enjoy reading. There's a lot of inspiration to be had and stories being told that I visit on a regular basis. I want to share some of those here..

If you would like to share a blog that inspires you creatively, please post the link in the comment section. Maybe it's your own site or someone who lives on the other side of the world. Whoever it is, share it here below.

From Aida's blog, I navigated my way to a Singapore scrapbook store called "Made With Love". They have a blog and they update it with photos of new, incoming product (by the way, the store looks sooo inviting). While checking out the photos, I noticed a photo of wood mounted stamps. I hadn't seen them before (and maybe it's because I live a sheltered life..laugh.), but the manufacturers name was familiar to me - "Memory Box". They're a stamp/paper manufacturer and their stamps are adorable. I realized after much thought that the reason I may not of remembered this company is because I'm not a "big stamper". I don't do a lot of stamping (even though I enjoy collecting them) and Minnesota doesn't have a lot of stamp stores. When I saw the photo of stamps, I immediately went searching for the company. I also found a great online store to buy them from called "Stamping Cottage". My fave so far our their "swirl" style stamps. Very pretty. I think I might get a few of them. I also noticed a few more lines coming out from K & Company. You can see photos of the product at "Made With Love". It's a fun place. Go visit.

This is what I've been working on for the last week. I created the three layouts using the "All Moments Remembered" May Kit. I believe it's sold out already. I was late on turning in my layouts, so that would explain the delay and "sold out" part. I had a wonderful time putting these layouts together. I really pushed myself to do some different things here, including using Tim Holtz Crackle Paint, which I've not used before (and now I'm addicted).

The large newsprint scallop circles were sent to me as part of the kit. I distressed and layered with them to create the large circle flowers above. First, I crumpled each of the scallop circle into a ball. I opened them up and used a Ranger Distress Ink Pad to distress them (pad to paper and swipe). When I glued each of the scallop circles to the layout, I left the edges unglued. I didn't want the edges lying flat on the page. I like the dimension of them coming "off" the page. I freehand cut imperfect orange cardstock circles. I curled the edges of them and distressed them with ink. I then adhered them to the scallop circles as shown. I cut out more circles from various kinds of paper and used Creative Imaginations circle frame cardstock stickers to further embellish the flowers. I added glitter using Diamond Glaze and Martha Stewart glitter to finish the flowers off.

Crackle Paint. I had to prepaint the oval chipboard and let it dry for a few hours (if you have a heat gun, you can get it dry and crack faster). I distressed it with Ranger Distress Ink (Walnut). I attached a Making Memories white metal tag to the chipboard, which was distressed with Ranger Distress Ink and Making Memories Chocolate acrylic paint, using a brad. I punched a 1.5" scallop circle using Marvy's Scallop Circle Punch from a pattern piece of paper. I distressed it, cut it in half, and glued it behind the chipboard Oval as shown above. These are some of the simple details that are a part of this layout.

The cut-out butterfly and twig was adhered to the page using Foam Core Pop Dots, providing depth to the layout.

This is a very simple layout for me. Only a few small details and the photo says the rest. The black flowers are a Bo Bunny rub-on that I used on a cream color pattern paper. I placed the rub-on on  paper first and then I trimmed it to size to fit on the page as shown.

Can you tell that I love the Uchida Scallop Circle Punches? They're an economical way to decorate and embellish flowers. They're also great for doodling on and using as frames for plain circles and buttons.

That's all for today!

Comments

[Elinjanne]

I loved the picture of your kitten in the first place. And, WOW, -how beautiful the LO turned out. I just love the beauty of it.
-elin-

[naomi]

So is there any chance that you are going to adopt one of those precious kittens?

[Holly]

I love reading and totally get inspired by my sister's site-she is a great scrapbooker with a fun new kit club. www.freehandscraps.com-her blog is full of cute ideas that always make me jealous. I love seeing your work-keep it up!

[Shaun]

Christine, I sooooo love to see your layouts. You inspire me so. I do have a blog; it is not all scrapbooking. It covers my new house, my kids and my MS. I don't always have the energy to scrap so that is why it is not all scrapbooking. I hope you will stop by some day.
Shaun

[Nicole N.]

so glad I happened upon your blog...love all the details in your work!

from one detailer to another!

[Savitri]

I have a blog, but what I want to share with you today is this: http://melissagoodsell.typepad.com. You're my scrapbooking idol and Melissa's my Martha Stewart. She's just all around talented with the most adorable and as crafty kids. I think her site is worth your time; she scrapbooks too.

I love your style and I love to layer too but I think my problem is that I'm too stingy. I need to learn to be more ok about using all the pretty papers and elements. I mean, what's the point of not using them right?

[Savitri]

I have a blog, but what I want to share with you today is this: http://melissagoodsell.typepad.com. You're my scrapbooking idol and Melissa's my Martha Stewart. She's just all around talented with the most adorable and as crafty kids. I think her site is worth your time; she scrapbooks too.

I love your style and I love to layer too but I think my problem is that I'm too stingy. I need to learn to be more ok about using all the pretty papers and elements. I mean, what's the point of not using them right?

[Kirsty]

Aaaaaw beautiful LO's and gorgeous kitties, they are growing so fast! I love your scrapping:-)

[Sandrine alias Didine]

Hi ;-) I try to come and visit your blog each day ! Even if I'm not a scrapbooker scrapbookers like you inspire my work ! You are one the artists I admire sooo much ;-) American style is so wonderful ! I wish you a wonderful sunny weekend ! Smooches from Belgium ! And please if you have few minutes, come and visit my blog too ;-)

[Jill]

Love the layouts...as usual. You never fail to inspire :)

Love my set of scalloped punches too!

[Colleen]

I'm not a new reader to your amazing blog, but I just wanted to let you know again how inspiring it is! Love the layering on the flowers in the first layout! I always love how you cluster embellishments and ften group them with your title!

I'll be back for more inspiration!
Cheers,
Colleen

[Dee Pounds]

love what you did with the AMR kit . . . as always, your creations are spectacular & inspirational!!

[Irene]

Love these layouts. I really admire how you placed everything together.

[Melissa]

Christine, it was nice to see such lovely work! Your layouts are beautiful. I'm not a blog fanatic, but I do like to treat myself to yours often to see your lovely creations!

[Karen Latham (Scraper 25)]

Hi Christine, this is the first time that I have commented on you blog but I just wanted to let you know that I check it regularly. Your work is refreshing and totally inspiring, and I love visiting here. I thought I would also share with you an Aussie scrapbooker whose blog I also enjoy visiting.
http://lusi-austin.blogspot.com/
Lusi's work is also published regularly in Aussie scrapbooking magaines. Her work is different but also wonderfully refreshing and inspiring, but not only that is such a wonderful lady as well.

[Mel Nunn]

Ahh Christine... I love when you have a layout up on your blog and you explain all the pieces of it...

One question I do have: What is in the centre of the big flower on the last layout? Is it a green button with a crystal on it? I have noticed a few of your layouts with these intriguing flower centres. They are all gorgeous layouts by the way...

[Mary]

WOW!! I love your layout! BEAUTIFUL!! I wouldl ove for you to visit my blog and give me some advice. I am just starting out and have just also created my blog. I would love to have your opinions on how I can improve it!!

Mary

[jenn emch]

Christine, I love what you did with the kit! Your layouts are beautiful! Thanks so much for being our May Guest Designer and hope to see you around the boards.

[Dina]

I adore Aida, we were on a DT together a year or two ago. Love your work, too!

[tonya boone]

inspiration blogs one of my favorites is this blog from australia http://www.aussiescrapsource.typepad.com/ it is my secret but i guess now it is everyones secret..they always have great ideas..

[All Moments Remembered]

Christine, Beautiful!! You make our kit just shine!! Thank you for creating with it.

I am thinking of you daily as I am caring for my FIL who is on his last days or as I am hoping weeks of life. Suffering from Als. I just keep reminding myself of things you wrote while you went through things with your husband. Thanks for helping me without even knowing you are.
Hugs,
Stacey

[Anne-Marie]

Hi Christine.. your layouts are gorgeous! So much detail.. love them! :)

[felicia]

wow... i love your layouts! love especially the 1st one cos i love distressing too! you are an inspiration christine! :)

[Julia Sandvoss]

I love my scallop punches too! I'd tell you to peek into my blog at www.buzybunny.blogspot.com and then go to the Pursuit of Craftyness blog to see an amazing group of gals that I am somehow wonderfully apart of! ;-)

[Debbie]

Gorgeous Christine! Love what you did with the AMR kit!!!