Another Scrap Weekend

You'll probably notice that even though I have a craft room at home, I tend to get more done when I'm gone at a retreat for the weekend.  Yep, that's when I POWER SCRAPBOOK!  I was super excited this time because I actually had time to do "kits".  My kits save me a TON of design time (and frustration) at the retreat, plus I can pack WAY WAY less stuff...a bonus when it comes time to load and unload.  First, I go through my inspiration books or Pinterest and find a layout that works with the pictures I have. Next, I pack up the kit; contents include any patterned paper, cardstock, and embellishments I plan to use.  I usually over-stock the kit to ensure I have enough variety and choice (and in case I change direction once I start the page later).  I'll even pack up any tools or at least make a "do not forget to bring" list for inks, stamps, punches, etc.  I have some oversized 12x12 baggies I ordered from ClearBags that I pack up everything in and then stash my kits in some Iris storage boxes to make sure the contents stay secure and edges won't get bent.

If you live in the Midwest and want to visit a cozy scrapbook retreat, I'd recommend the place we stayed at, White's Wildwood Retreat.  They have two different retreat buildings set in Chippewa apple orchard country.  It's downright gorgeous in the fall!  The rates are reasonable too!

I got 14 pages (including some double page spreads...I can count each as TWO, right?!) done during the weekend.  Some ladies cranked out 20-30 pages, but I was pretty proud of the 14.  I tend to include a lot more detail than most so it takes me a bit longer.  Some of my pictures didn't turn out so hot, but you'll get the idea.  I'll try to take some better pictures when the sun cooperates...

One thing I was really proud of is that I finally used up some "old" products that I've had forever!  You know, those things you bought but never actually used.  I have too many of those!

"Ella Bean" by Laura Nesvacil

Inspired by Lisa Dickinson

"Eat" by Laura Nesvacil

Inspired by DesignerDigitals

"Squeaks" by Laura Nesvacil

Inspired by Diane Paine

"Ella bean" by Laura Nesvacil

Inspired by Gillian Nelson

"Chowder" by Laura Nesvacil

Inspired by Jennifer de Castro

"@ the movies" by Laura Nesvacil

Inspired by lifelovepaper

"Badgers" by Laura Nesvacil

Inspired by Jen Chapin

P.S. I designed the overlay background on the left side and then shrunk it down to fit inside a 4x4 square in my project life page protector on the right.  It's a Silhouette Studio design and I think it's pretty nifty!  If you're a Chippewa Valley resident and would like an overlay of your own, I'll sell one to you - $2.00 for the 12x12 sheet, just add your own pattern paper or cardstock behind.  

"enjoy Duluth MN" by Laura Nesvacil

Inspired by gluestickgirl (left side) and 

Ali Edwards (right side)

There were four other pages I finished, but didn't include here.  The photographs were just too blurry and didn't do the pages justice.  Watch for them to come later.

I'd love to hear what you think about my creations!  Is there something you love?  A product or technique you want to learn more about? Comment on the post or email me.  I'd love to hear from you!  As always, thanks for stopping and happy crafting!

Hi! I'm back.

Yes, I am fully aware I have left all my fans desperately alone.  (Both of you. Wink.)  Sorry about that.  I had an immensely busy summer and while that's no excuse for not crafting, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.  Busy with what, you may ask...  Moving.  Preparing for a wedding.  Looking for a job.   Getting married.  Continuing to look for a job.  (Desperate for a job.  Seriously.)  But, no matter.  I will be creating again soon.  My craft room is finally getting organized.  Sort of.  In the meantime, I wanted to share some pages I did this past Mother's Day.  A friend, Patti, is the former owner of a local scrapbook retreat and we have a holiday tradition of going on Mother's Day weekend.  This year I had pages to do for her (she paid me to create them for display at the retreat), so that's what I worked on.  Below are what I got done other the course of the weekend - Friday afternoon until Sunday morning.  Plus one...unfortunately an iPhone doesn't have the best camera so one was just too blurry.

For your viewing pleasure (and for inquiring minds), I've included links to all of my inspirations for the layouts.  You can see how some designs take on a life of their own and some stay pretty true to their inspiration.

'Happy Birthday" page by Laura

Inspired by Paige Evans

"Evie" page by Laura

Okay, no outright inspiration on this one.  I just have done the border-thing before and it always looks darling.  Throw in some cute embellies and DONE.

"Family" by Laura

Inspired by ddobson

P.S. I've actually done this very same layout before.  Yep, copied it twice!  Different look each time.  

"Love You" by Laura

Here's my other "lift", a prior posting.

"Christmas Word Tree" by Laura

Inspired by Ali Edwards (my HERO!)

I didn't copy so much on this one, but I did like the "vibe" on her page and that's what I went for.

"Together" by Laura

Inspired by andreakuenzel 

"Adventure with Daddy" by Laura

Inspired by bluestardesign

"Hello Sunshine" by Laura

Inspired by Katie Rose

"Make me Happy" by Laura

Inspired by Kelly Purkey

Okay, so I basically COPIED this one.  But it was so cute!

"Life is Good" by Laura

Inspired by Marnel

"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Laura

Let me also say that very few of these are original designs.  I'm pretty sure only the "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" one, actually.  I'm what most would refer to as a master Scraplifter.  I'm kind of like one of those art forgers - good enough to me mistaken for an original, but sadly not creative enough to come up with designs on my own.  It's okay though.  That's why I simply LOVE Pinterest!  Seriously, follow my Scraplists board - it's pretty fabulous!  So, that's it for now.  Hope to be back soon with some more fun things.  Happy crafting!

Oldies but Goodies!

These designs are probably new to you, but are old to me.  It's okay though, 'cause I still think they look pretty great!  And, better yet, all products are still available!

This first one was created as a Make N Take for the 2013 Chippewa Falls Stampede.  It was quite a big hit at the event.  I love that the design is perfect for teenagers....girls OR boys.  What's better?  The card only takes about 3 minutes to create!

*All products used are A Muse Studio.

Stamps: Sunset Beach and Itty Bitty Birthday

Other Products Used: Splash! spray ink, Memento dye ink, signature pigment ink, Baker's Twine, and cardstock.

--------------------------------------------

This was one of my very FIRST A Muse Studio Creations.  I got my starter kit in the mail and wanted to play right away!  Needless to say, I discovered the signature inks are totally fabulous and stamp like a dream!  Bright and vibrant, but have a bit of a chalky finish - love it.  This design is also simple and perfect for a teen, especially a teen boy.

*All products used are A Muse Studio.

Stamps: Rock Star

Other Products Used: signature pigment ink, Memento dye ink, cardstock

Hope you enjoyed my oldies but goodies.  Have a great weekend and, as always, thanks for stopping!

One Stamp, Two Ways

I love showing the versatility of stamp sets.  Unlike paper and embellishments, stamps can be used virtually an infinite amount of times; this fact makes them pretty cost effective!  In the spirit of thriftiness then, I am showcasing one stamp, two ways.

Option 1:
This version is bright and fun.  It's perfect for a thank you, special occasion, birthday, or just because.  I used one of my favorite techniques, emboss resist, to create the honeycomb strip.

*All products used are A Muse Studio.

Stamps: Hexagon Background, Charming Gardeners, and Essential Sentiments

Other Products Used: Embossing Powder, Splash! spray ink, Memento dye ink, Copic markers, Twinkle stickers, Cardstock, and Patterned Cardstock.

Option 2:
This version is more subtle and perfect for a sympathy or get well card.  As you'll notice, I used similar techniques and products, but the end result is completely different!

*All products used are A Muse Studio.

Stamps: Hexagon Background, Charming Gardeners, and Friend to Friend

Other Products Used: Signature Pigment inks, Copic markers, Twinkle stickers, Cardstock, Baker's Cording, and Nestabilities die cut (with Grand Calibur machine).

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Spring is Here!

Spring is finally here...or maybe I should say WAS here.  At least that's the case for us up here in Western Wisconsin.  50's over the weekend and a spring snow storm in the forecast for Friday.  Figures.  Regardless, the warm temperatures have got us in the mood for being outdoors!  And around here, spring means getting your bike out of storage and going on a ride.  I created this card with that feeling in mind.

I absolutely love playing with Splash! products.  As you've seen, the emboss resist technique is one of my favorite and I used it here.  

To create the card, I first cut a card base from Pistachio cardstock and a layering base from Sugar cardstock.  Then, using the "Chevrons" stamp set, I added two images in Versamark ink.  I coated the images with Sugar embossing powder, removed excess, and heat embossed.  The next step is the FUN part - Splash! time.  I picked out a few colors I thought would be fun together....these colors are so trendy right now: pistachio, lemon whip, and grapefruit.  There's no good way to describe how I achieved the effect, except that you spray from about 5-6 inches away and aim at the paper - I did these randomly with all three colors, leaving a little white showing at the top.  The ink will not adhere to the embossed portions, so I used a baby wipe to remove it.  It's best to wait until the ink has settled and dried on the paper a bit so as not to smudge the "sprayed" effect.  I love gold with these colors so I used it as my other ink color.  I stamped the sentiment from the "Birthday Greetings" set in Versamark and embossed with gold powder; this was done directly on the layer base.  Next, I stamped the bike image from "Enjoy the Ride" on vellum cardstock using the same ink and powder.  I handcut the image and adhered it to the base using a dot runner.  Finally, I stamped a saying from the "Enjoy the Ride" set on an extra piece of Sugar cardstock and trimmed the edges to create a banner effect, placing it just below the main sentiment at an angle.  

Voila.  Cute, don't you think?!  Thanks for stopping!

Mini Card Madness

I'm a total sucker for all things miniature - cards being no exception.  There is just something completely adorable about a 2x2 or 3x3 card.  Plus, if you like instant gratification, cranking out a number of cards that size means you'll have a lot to show for yourself in very little time.  A Muse Studio offers a variety of sets that lend themselves to creating matching cards and so I took the opportunity to create a set of world traveler mini cards using only cardstock, washi tape, stamps, copic markers and black ink.

I think these cards turned out pretty darn cute, don't you?  Plus, I like the idea that their smallness means you can give them as small token for multiple occasions.  Who's day wouldn't be brighter by receiving a mini card?  Mine sure would!

Remember, all these products can be purchased anytime from my A Muse Studio website.  Or if these cards spark your creativity, consider hosting a party and earn FREE* stuff!  Thanks for visiting!

*Free product with qualifying $150+ party - see website for details

Back in Business!

After an extended hiatus (sorry about that) I'm back with some new card ideas.  All these cards feature the amazingly awesome new word dies from A Muse Studio.  Yes, adorable.  And only $5.99 each!  What?!  Click here to buy one or all of them NOW!

My favorite technique is to cut them, stamp them with Versamark ink and then emboss with silver or gold powder.  They look fab!

Okay, I'm so into heat embossing right now.  Old technique - brand new look.  BTW, aren't these colors awesome?  Who'd have thought that orange and light blue would look this great?!

I'm loving the new 6x6 paper available from A Muse Studio too. Such fun patterns in coordinating colors so matching is easy.  Gotta love that!

Do you know how OBSESSED I am with mint right now?!  Totally.  And mint with gold - that's a match made in heaven.  Plus, who doesn't love polka dots...big. fat. gold ones.

Can't get enough chevron!  And here's another one of my favorite techniques - embossing then Splash! ink over the top.  Teal fabulousness.

---------------------------------------------

Don't forget, I send out a monthly A Muse Studio newsletter so if you'd like to get added to the list and receive notice of sales and specials, email me at laura.leland@gmail.com with your name and contact information.  As always, feel free to contact me with questions or comments.  I love to hear from you!  Thanks for stopping.