June, currently

Listening to my Pandora Aerosmith station like it is going out of style.
Cleaning the house room by room.
Drinking Diet Coke way too much.
Organizing my studio and donating items.
Clearing out my daughter's room.
Sighing at what I found inside.
Looking at the birds outside, seeing new varieties daily.
Laughing at my dog's crazy antics.
Enjoying time playing in my studio being creative.
Skyping with Danielle and laughing loudly.
Making lists of things to do before vacation time.
Packing suitcases like it's my job, (which it kind of is.)  :-)
Washing and folding a never ending laundry pile.
Planning things for the upcoming month.
Organizing my planner and having a blast.
Smiling at my husband and just loving that man.
Hugging my girl extra tightly and so thankful to have her home.
Talking to the boy and excited to see him soon.
Eating Firebomb Posicles and reminiscing about childhood.
Watching Season 4 of Prison Break and loving it.
Feeling so excited about going to visit family and friends soon.
Loving the slowness of summer, despite lots to do.
Believing that summer really is a magical time for of possibilities.
Anticipating the moment I hug my parents at the airport for the first time.
Tearing up at the thought.
Thankful, so thankful, so very thankful.

xoxox

Toni

Scrapbook Layout: Life is Colorful

I am back again to share another Hybrid layout. I am loving including digital elements into my scrapbooking more and more these days. The possibilities really are endless with digital, but I will always love the tactile feel of playing with pretty paper and supplies. Hybrid is a great mix of both and has been a lot of fun to learn.

I hope this layout encourages you to download a free trial of Photoshop (if you don't already have it) and try your hand at a free template. You won't regret it. If you do give it a try I would love it if you would give me a link to your fabulous creations.

This is my third layout using the Studio Calico Hello, Hello Scrapbook Kit and I really love how this one turned out. *There are still some kits available if you are interested ( I receive no commission for this however, I just love my kits from Studio Calico.*

I used my favorite supplies; patterned paper, wood veneer, puffy stickers, enamel dots, small letter stickers, and gold embossing powder; (the paper and awesome label sticker is from the kit and other embellishments are from my stash.)  This digital template was designed by Catherine Davis for Studio Calico and unfortunately is no longer available, but I bet there is something similar out there. Hopefully, this will give you some ideas as to what is possible with hybrid scrapbooking.

• This is what my layout first looked like after arranging my photos in the template and printing it out. I have a standard sized printer so I could not print it at 6 x 12 inches as it was originally sized. Instead I changed the size. It ended up being about 5.5 x 11 inches.

• This is what the layout looks like once you print it out, trim the sides down, and adhere to patterned paper. Next, you just add embellishments to your hearts content.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I appreciate you being here. I hope y'all have a great weekend. Until next time....

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Creating a Hybrid Layout Using Leftover Bits and Pieces

Happy Thursday! I am back today with an idea for creating a fun hybrid layout, using your favorite digital template and bits of patterned paper. I hope you stay around, grab a cup of Joe, and enjoy. :-)

• I started with a digital template sized for 8.5 x11 pages. and used Photoshop Elements 9 to place my selected photos in the template. It uses one large photo across the top and has a smaller heart embellishment, ( I used another photo in that area.)  This is the digital template I used, it was designed by the fabulous Shanna Noel over at Studio Calico. *I believe this template is only available through the end of June 2014.* 

•  If you don't have this template you could also just print a large photo sized approximately 8.5 x 5 inches, then cut a smaller photo into a heart shape approximately 3 inches across. (See photo below.) I colored the bottom part in aqua so that it was easier to see.

• Now that your photos are printed and ready to go, it's time to get out some of your favorite patterned papers. I used some grid paper from my stash and assorted patterned papers from the Studio Calico Hello Hello Scrapbook Kit, but you could use any patterned papers that you like. Cut down all of your patterned papers to approximately 1 inch wide, (I did not measure this, but eyeballed it instead.)

• Glue down all of your patterned papers down once you find an arrangement you like

• If you like to journal, I recommend having one of the patterns be very plain ( I used a grid piece.) Add your journaling.

• Now it's time to gather your favorite embellishments. The super fun part. :-)  I used watercolor hearts, puffy gold heart stickers, sequins, gems, a transparent letter, wood veneer hearts, w round piece of wood, an October Afternoon date stamp, and my trusted tiny attacher.

• Place your embellishments in a diagonal fashion across the page.

I hope you liked this tutorial and that it gives you some new ideas for your scrapbook pages. I will be back soon with another hybrid layout to share. Until then....

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Creating a Stamped Background for a Layout

Today I have a layout to share with you that is all about stamping. If you have been reading this blog for awhile, you have probably caught on that I am a huge fan of Studio Calico. I subscribe to their monthly Scrapbook and Project Life kit. I love that they come up with really fun exclusive items every month, and this month was no exception. I was so excited to find foam stamps and paint in this kit and immediately tried to come up with something fun I could create with them. 

What I am sharing with you today could be adapted for any stamps and acrylic paint you have really, just find a pattern that you love and that you want to use repeatedly. If you are curious about the foam stamps or paint that was included in the June Hello Hello Scrapbook Kit.  You can see an image of the Scrapbook Kit and stamps HERE if you are curious. :-) *I am not compensated by Studio Calico for this post, I just really love their products and customer service, and highly recommend them. *

The Hello Hello Scrapbook Kit came with a gorgeous yellow and blue acrylic paint. I started by stamping all of the yellow circles, then I stamped the blue, and lastly I combined the two colors and stamped green circles. I cleaned the foam stamp in between each color change by just running it under my kitchen faucet and wiping it down carefully with a rag. It worked brilliantly and I managed to make three backgrounds. I picked the one I liked best for the layout, and am saving the rest for another project.

Once the stamped background was dry ( I waited overnight,) I cut down my 8.5 x 11 piece of white stamped cardstock to 8 x 10.5 inches. This was to leave room for a patterned paper border for the background. I adhered the white stamped cardstock to my yellow patterned paper sized 8.5 x 11 inches. I then added a circular matted photo (approximately three inches) and began journaling around the circles using my favorite American Crafts Precision Pen in black. The journaling is all about life lessons I want to remind my daughter about. If you click on the image below you can see the journaling in a larger (and hopefully easier to read format.) I also stamped the title "always remember" at the top and bottom of the layout using Versafine Ink in Onyx Black.

I stepped away from the layout for awhile to do some laundry, and then came back and had so much fun adding embellishments to this layout. I first added the butterflies, to break up the linear quality to this layout. I then placed various wood veneer, buttons, puffy stickers, and a Geotag around the layout until I found an arrangement I liked. I use a lot of visual triangles in my designs. If you look closely you will see that the wood butterflies make a visual triangle (as do the puffy gold hearts, the puffy red stars and veneer starts, and what not.) This really makes your eye go around the page and notice all of the little details.

My last finishing touch was to stamp the expression I love you repeatedly in the bottom right corner. I used Versafine Onyx Black ink and an October Afternoon Roller Stamp.

I appreciate you being here and stopping by life, scrapbook, repeat. I hope you liked reading about how I put this layout together. It was a lot of fun to make, and a great excuse to get messy with stamping.

Let's talk stamping today. Anyone else trying any new stamping techniques or doing something out of the ordinary? I would love to hear about some of your favorite stamping techniques. What are you loving lately? What are you finding difficult about stamping? Let's chat.

Until next time,

xoxox

Toni

Project Life: Weeks 23 and 24

Today I have my final weeks of my first Project Life album for 2014 to share with you. I am ending the first album on Thursday June 12th (the last day of school for my kids this year.) I am still uncertain which album I will be using for the summer ( I keep debating between a Studio Calico handbook and a 12 x 12 album.) Tune in next week for this exciting decision. :-)

For this week of Project Life, I mixed things up a little and used the Design U page protector by Becky Higgins for the right side of this spread. I am loving this size and that really enables me to use up a lot of my fun 3 x 4 journal cards. You can find this page protector in the Small Variety Pack 5, but I am hoping you will soon be able to buy this design individually. :-)

Supplies Used:

• Studio Calico Hello, Hello Project Life Kit
• Studio Calico Camelot Project Life Kit (ampersand card I have been hoarding)
• Bonjour embellishment add-on (chipboard and exclusive Kai Barteski stickers)
• Twine & Ink Puffy Asterisks stickers (Copper Mountain Project Life Kit)
• Basic Supplies; American Crafts Precision Pen .03 nib, American Crafts Dot Roller Adhesive, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher, and foam dots.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I appreciate you being here. I hope y'all have a great weekend. I will be back next week with the back page for this Project Life album, and my cover and first pages for my next Project Life album. Hopefully I will have a little time to create a layout or two as well, but only time will tell. 

Until next time,

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Project Life: Weeks 21 and 22

Happy Tuesday! Today I have weeks 21 and 22 to share with you today. I was MIA last week due to a  really bad sinus infection and also I was working on something Hush Hush for the Studio Calico blog. It was so difficult to sit on this information for 2 weeks and not tell anyone, but I am thrilled to be able to tell you that I was picked to be the Spotlight Member at Studio Calico for the month of June! It was truly an honor to be picked because I absolutely adore Studio Calico and use their kits for most of my crafting. You can find the direct link to my feature HERE.

This Project Life spread below was made especially for the Member Spotlight over on the blog and I had to wait to share it over here until AFTER the announcement.

For this week of Project Life I used the Hello Hello Project Life Kit as well as some fun 

stamps and bits and pieces from the Bonjour embellishment add-on kit.

I used a digital template for the ceramic bowl picture above. It is a free template when you 

register for Beyond the Basics Digital Class taught by Shanna Noel over at Studio Calico.

I am in love with the wonky circle stamps in the Bonjour add-on kit. I used Memento Black Ink to stamp and colored them in randomly with watercolors.

Ali Edwards Game On Digital Stamps 

Thank you for stopping by life, scrapbook, repeat today, I appreciate you being here. I will be back later this week with another Project Life post, featuring weeks 23 and 24. This will be my last Project Life spread in this album and then I am planning something a little different for Project Life this summer. Check back all this week, I have lots to share with you my friends.

I have linked this week of Project Life over at The Mom Creative. Be sure to check out Jessica's blog for some great June Project Life inspiration.

xoxox

Toni

I was a Featured Member at Studio Calico

When I received an e-mail last month from Studio Calico telling me I was the Member Spotlighted for the month of June, I seriously almost fell out of my chair. I was so excited and just so honored to be picked. I had to keep it a secret which was super hard, but so worth it. Everyone was so sweet and excited for me, and for that I am truly thankful and appreciate for such great, supportive, crafty friends.

These are the three projects that were featured over on the Studio Calico Blog on Sneak Night. You can read the whole blog article here all about it if you are interested. Member Spotlight: Toni From.

Thank so much for stopping by life, scrapbook, repeat today, I appreciate you being here.

xoxox

Toni

Project Life 2014: Week 20

Happy Thursday. I am here today to share Project Life week 20 with you. This was the second full week of May and boy was it a busy week around here. Elliot turned fourteen, Isabelle broke her finger in multiple places, and her softball season abruptly ended (due to injury.)

The end of the school year is approaching next weeks and I can slowly see my to do lists dwindling. Very slowly, but still there is progress, and I see the end of the road.  I am hoping to have some time next week to catch up on a couple of weeks of Project Life and share those with you as well. Wish me luck!

Supplies Used:

• Studio Calico Camelot Project Life Kit
• Studio Calico Office Hours Project Life Kit
• Jillibean Soup chipboard navy letters
• Chic Tags wood veneer sequins
• October Afternoon Mini Market letter stickers
• Camera flair badge by Two Peas in a Bucket
• Digital templates by Paislee Press and free at The Lily Pad
• Digital brushes by Shanna Noel for Studio Calico, "You" and Heart/ Speech Bubble
• Google Images (for Star Wars III photo)
• Basic supplies: Tiny Attacher, dot runner, precision pen, Versafine in Onyx Black, Stayz-On in black, Navy Hero Arts Shadow Ink

I have linked up this Project Life spread over at The Mom Creative. This is a great place to check out what other Project Lifers are doing as well. Thank you for stopping by today. I appreciate you being her at life, scrapbook, repeat. Have a great day!

Until next time,

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni

Giveaway Winner

I am popping in this morning for a quick post to announce the winner of my giveaway.........drum roll please..........

The winner (randomly chosen) is Sarah. Congratulations! Sarah please contact me via e-mail washingtontransplant(at)gmail(dot)com and give me your address so I can get your prize package in the mail.

Thank you so much for all that entered my giveaway. Make sure you are following my blog, I will be doing at least one more giveaway later this month and it could be you next time.

I will be back soon with a Project Life post.

Until then,

Happy Scrappin'

xoxox

Toni