My First Old Page Maps Challenge

I joined the Weekly Old Page Maps Challenge on Scrapbook.com this month.  And then things got busy and the Layouts are due this week and I only got two done :(

But that's two more layouts than I had this time last month so that's good :)

I'd like to share those layouts with you.  The first one is from this page map

 I've been trying to use existing photos in an effort to clean out and organize the photo box under the bed.  So this is a 5x7 of my daughter when she was about 6 months old.

Sorry for the lousy photo!  For some reason, we couldn't get this one to scan right!

I used Sassafras Lass' Indie Girl papers.  They are so cute and each page has a border on the reverse side of the UPC - thanks for being value conscious Sassafras Lass!  Of course the edges are inked with Tim Holtz Distress Inks and the one paper edge is punched using Martha Stewart's Loopy Border Punch.  I added some pizzazz to the Bengali Bloom by Prima by adding some Stickles to the center and on the petals.

The second layout is from this page map

The photos are of my niece Katherine.  When she was a baby, she always had that pacifier in her mouth!  It seems like every photo I have of her, she has a pacifier.

I used Upsy Daisy's A New Day collection papers for this.  So cute!  I love the colors and the clean lines.  The patterned papers remind me of calico.  The flower centers are the fabric brads from A New Day collection.  There's a little Prima bling and some Navy Blue Velvet Mini Ric Rac.  The red alphas are from Pink Paislee's Starlight collection.

I have enjoyed participating in this challenge and my thanks to Nati Tristan for hosting it so capably each month!  I'm looking forward to the September challenge.

By the way, Upsy Daisy's A New Day collection (and London Blush!) is on clearance at Flamingo Scraps!

Christmas in July: Altered Picture Frame

I actually made this for my niece's housewarming gift but altered picture frames make wonderful Christmas gifts too!  When choosing papers and embellishments, be sure to color coordinate with at least one room in your gift recipient's home.  Of course it's easy enough to go with a theme too like Baby's First Christmas.

So I started with a Bare Essentials photo frame from Creative Imaginations:

These frames just happen to be 12" x 12"!





Convenient!  So you could cover the frame with one piece of 12" x 12" paper and cut out the 5" x 5" opening for the photo.  I wanted to use some coordinating papers from Upsy Daisy:

This is the London Blush Collection.






 I decided to do a sort of  Log Cabin layering around the photo opening.  I began on the left side with a 12" x 3.5" strip. I continued along the bottom with an 8.5" x 3.5" strip.  Next, I did the upper panel with a matching 8.5" x 3.5" strip; I could have easily continued along the right side but decided I liked the way this looked better. I finished up on the right side with a 5" x 3.5" strip:

Kind of like strip quilting!






So once you like your strip placement, just glue the strips down:

And then a little distressing doesn't hurt!  I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks and a cosmetic wedge to blend those white edges using Tattered Rose.

Once the distressing was done, here's what I had:

Now for some embellishment!

I pulled out a bunch of embellishments that coordinated with the colors in the London Blush papers.  In the end, I used one of those new Prima pearl and roses swirl in brown, some crocheted lace and a package of Prima's Holiday Lights platinum birds:

The finished frame!

Here's a close up!








Start to finish this took me about an hour and a half.   My niece has recently gotten engaged so I will be putting one of their engagement photos in the frame.  All in all, I'm happy with this project.  And by the way, Upsy Daisy's London Blush collection papers and rub-ons are available at Flamingo Scraps at a drastically reduced price!  Thanks for playing along with me!

On the 7th day of Christmas.....

  Flamingo Scraps Holiday Sale Week # 2

All Upsy Daisy Products are 20% off - one week only - December 8th -15th - At FLAMINGO SCRAPS !!

Look what Nancy was able to make with some of the Upsy Daisy papers, a few Prima flowers and some Kaisercraft bling.  This project was quick and easy and the papers coordinated with one another for a very classic look.

Upsy Daisy in the Store

Upsy Daisy Designs is a new, Canadian company owned by a couple of fun-lovin', stay at home Moms. Upsy Daisy Designs feature unique color combinations and patterns that appeal to graphic as well as whimsical tastes alike.

This 12"x12" Paper is printed on heavyweight paper with patterns on both sides for twice the fun.

We have two of the new lines, London Blush and A New Day in the store now!