Guest DT Julie Tucker-Wolek: Funny Story

Today I wanted to share another layout I made using Crate Paper’s Portrait collection! I just love this collection it’s not just for weddings! I recently found some old photos of my Mom, when her and my Dad visited Niagara Falls. I thought the photos would look awesome on this paper…then I made a discovery when I turned over the photo with my Mom in it, for she had written something on the back that struck me as very funny! So, my layout took a turn and I turned this into a “Funny Story!”

From Flamingo Scraps: Crate Paper Portrait Collection patterned papers, accent cuts and chipboard accents

My journaling: “She will kill me of telling this story! On the back of this photo, my Mom wrote – “Me with a wig – when you’re camping, you have to resort to something to look good!” I LOVE this story! Must have worked – I was born at the end of the year this photo was taken!” ~~1971 Niagara Falls

Thanks again to Flamingo Scraps for having me this month!

Want to see more of Julie's cute layouts and adorble pictures of her daughter Brookie?!  Go check out Julie's blog!

Guest DT Jen Unger: Cards

From Flamingo Scraps: Pink Paislee Sweetness patterned papers and Element Stickers (pink ticket); Prima mini roses and Fairy Tale roses; Graphic 45 Once Upon a Springtime die cut tag sheet

Other Supplies: Bazzill and Stampin Up Cardstock; Spellbinders nestibility die Labels

One thing I like to always have on hand are cards. You never know when you will need one at a moments notice. I was looking through my paper and came across this line from Pink Paislee called Sweetness. The two papers I used were Sweetest Day and Pretty Lace and I used them on both cards.

For the first card, I adhered the lace paper onto cream colored cardstock, then from the floral paper I fussy cut a portion of the flowers, trimmed it to fit the side of the card and raised the one side (towards the center) on 3D dots and glued the bottom and side edge to the card. The frame was cut from the same cardstock with the Labels Nestability die. I stamped a greeting on the pink part of the floral paper, adhered it to the backside of the floral paper (yellow and brown damask) and placed my frame on top. The finishing touches were roses on the top of the frame and a little bow on the bottom.

The second card I used the trimmed off portion of my fussy cut flowers and adhered it to the edge of my card. I then fussy cut the pink lace from the Pretty Lace paper and covered the inside and opposite edge of the card. The picture I used is from Graphic 45 Once Upon a Springtime die cut tag sheet that I colored a bit to match my card and raised on 3D dots. Again, to finish it I added roses, a small bow and a ticket.

Jen's blog showcases her beautiful work and you can also catch up with her youtube channel!

Layout Challenge

I participated in a layout challenge with some of my friends and wanted to share with you what I created.

We had 1 hour to complete the challenge. So I was limited to supplies that I had on hand, and photos that were printed. This layout didn’t work with anything I had on hand. But there was no way I was passing up on a challenge. I bring this up because I want to give you another perspective to this drawing, and show you how you can take inspiration from one, and with a few changes, make it your own.

Prima Layout Challenge Drawing from their blog

Notice how the photo is landscape and the elements on the page work around that landscaped photo. This layout was just not going to work with the supplies I had. My photo was Portrait, and my paper design didn't allow for some of the layering in the same places. So I improvised.

From Flamingo Scraps: Prima: Pistachio and Parfait from the Madeline Paper Collection; Monarch Collection - Bling - Flower Center Diamond, Say It In Pearls Collection - Fairy Wings with Flowers - Cream; Glimmer Mist tutty fruity.
Other: Ribbon, Doily, Cricut Home Accents Cartridge "family", EK Success Punches, Martha Stewart Punches for the borders and small paper butterflies, Rosette Trim for the Large Butterflies, and feathers. Sizzix Butterfly die cut.

By taking the same drawing and flipping it I was able to incorporate the elements and still maintain the integrity of the drawing.

When you look at layout drawings don't immediately dismiss them. Try flipping the drawing, or turning it 90 degrees. Looking at it from a different perspective may inspire you and give you more layout possibilities.

Geocaching Evangelists

As I've mentioned before, geocaching is one of our family's favorite hobbies.  We love searching for hidden treasures, getting out in nature, and exploring new places.  Since we started geocaching last fall, we've brought 32 people with us for their first geocaching experience.  Rather than scrap each and every trip with friends and family, I put the photos in a folder as I took them, then set them aside. 

After several months, I went through the pictures and printed six.  I chose a variety of posed vs. candid and single family vs. group.  Together, the photos tell a more complete story about us sharing our love of geocaching than the photos from any one trip could do.  

I refer to us as Geocaching Evangelists:

From Flamingo Scraps: Prima patterned paper

Other: Bazzill cardstock, BasicGrey letter stickers, Fiskars stamp, Colorbox ink

Anyone else want us to take you out geocaching for the first time?  As Geocaching Evangelists, we're more than happy to do so!

Weekend Whimsy: Do you pin?

Pinning is all the rage.... have you heard?!   I'm totally addicted.  If you haven't seen Pinterest yet... go check it out!

You'll find great stuff like this:

Source: scrapbookandcardstodaymag.typepad.com via Amanda on Pinterest

And this:

Source: kellypurkey.typepad.com via Amanda on Pinterest

And this:

Source: lovintheoven.com via Amanda on Pinterest

If you already are pinning... let me know, I'm always looking for more boards to follow!

If you haven't joined yet, just send me an e-mail and I'll send you an invite!! :)

Daily Junk and Daily Junque!!!

If you are on Facebook, you probably got one of these collages of your most frequently used status posting words!  When I saw mine, I immediately thought it would be fun to scrap!  And when I saw Pink Paislee's FABULOUS collection Daily Junque, I knew I had found the perfect paper!  The words and images on the paper like "Write," "Accumulated," and the vintage typewriter, even did my journaling for me!

Supplies used from Flamingo Scraps -- Pink Paislee Daily Junque paper collection, Thickers, Tim Holtz Distress Ink; other supplies -- black cardstock.

This is a very simple layout, but I wanted the focus to be on the status words.  The collage is mounted on black cardstock to make it pop.   The strip of Daily Junque on the left is scallop cut and inked with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Soot.  I used Thickers for the title.

Check out the Daily Junque Collection!  I know you will love it too!  (and pssssst!,  it is on sale at Flamingo Scraps!).

Thanks for looking!!!

Guest DT Julie Tucker-Wolek: His Photos Inspire Me

I wanted to share a layout today that I made using Crate Paper’s Portrait collection! I just love this collection and love that it can be used for more than just weddings!

From Flamingo Scraps:  Crate Paper Portrait Collection patterned papers, accent cuts, and vintage lace 

For my layout, I chose photos that my Dad took back in 1970! He is an amazing photographer, and I have always admired his work!

 My title reads: “His photos inspire me.” And my journaling reads: “No digital camera, no DSLR, no photoshop, no fancy editing programs – period. My Dad didn’t need any of that to make beautiful photos, he just made them. He has the eye for this – and for this I truly admire him. Eli Reeves – 10/1970”

 I also have recently loved making rolled paper flowers, like I have used on here! Real fun to make and they add some amazing dimension to your pages!

Thanks again to Flamingo Scraps for having me this month as their GDT!

Want to see more of Julie's cute layouts and adorble pictures of her daughter Brookie?!  Go check out Julie's blog!

50th Anniversary! Butterfly Garden Part Deux!

This photo of my dear great grandparents, Mamaw and Papaw, was taken on the occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1954.  John Earl Williams and Addie Lavinia Powell were married on August 14, 1904 and were the parents of six children.  I remember, as a small girl, visiting them in Chickasha, OK -- on one such visit the local paper published a picture of my great grandmother, my grandmother, my mother, and myself, with the caption Four Generations!

Pink Paislee's beautiful collection Butterfly Garden was once again my choice to highlight this treasured photo.  I used a Page Map from Becky Fleck as the inspiration for the design.

Supplies from Flamingo Scraps -- Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden Paper Collection, Butterfly Garden Metal Charm, Maya Road Crystal and Heart Trinket Pins, Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Ranger Stickles, Prima lace trim; other supplies -- miscellaneous bling and ephemera, cat's eye ink.

Butterflies cut and punched from the gorgeous patterned papers highlight the layout.  Bling, Black Diamond Stickles, and Dragonfly Black Ink were used to add texture and detail to the flutterers, which were also pop-taped for added depth.   The scallop cut strip and photo mat were inked with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Peeled Paint.   Maya Road crystal and heart stickpins, a Butterfly Garden metal butterfly charm, miscellaneous bling and ephemera from my stash, and Prima lace trim finish out the layout!

Thanks for looking!!!

Guest DT Jen Unger: Grandma

Going through my photos I found these two pictures of my Grandma Adrian. One of her in her younger years, surrounded by children and the last formal picture taken of her before she passed away. I imagine the younger picture of her was the way most people saw her with a child in one arm and several children around her as she had 16 children. She was a very creative person and did so many beautiful detailed crafts. I created this page in Basic Grey Curio with her creativity in mind as this style was very much what she loved, floral and lacy.

From Flamingo Scraps: Basic Grey Curio- Camelia paper; Prima Felt Gate; Prima Velvet Heirloom Rose Leaves, meadow; Prima mini roses and fairy tale roses; and Prima e-line pearls
Other Supplies:  Martha Stewart punch

Jen's blog showcases her beautiful work and you can also catch up with her youtube channel!

Getting to Know Jen & Julie!!!

Please join us in welcoming our July Guest Design Team -- Jen and Julie!!   Jen will be here on Tuesdays and Julie will be here on Thursdays this month.   So we asked them both to answer a few questions so we could all get to know them a little better...

Hi, my name's Jen Unger! I’m a fairly shy person although I have definitely come out of my shell in the last three years. I currently work part time at my LSS in Hague, Saskatchewan, Canada. I am best known to my family and friends as the creative one.

Why do you scrapbook?
I love to scrapbook mostly for the creativity it gives me in recording our memories, I’ve always been a creative person. And even though I have a hard time journaling, looking through scrapbook albums of the past, its so nice to read who the people are and what the picture meant.

What is the one scrappy item you just can't live without?
The one scrappy item that I can’t live without is my ink, I have to use it some way on every page whether its stamping an image or mostly just inking the edges to get an aged look.

If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
I think I would be a green crayon, its not necessarily my favorite color but it is natural and happy and I love being surrounded by the greenness of nature.

Do you like your handwriting and do you use it on your layouts?
When I take the time to write neatly I like my handwriting, but most of the time I don’t like my handwriting although I still use it on my layouts simply because one day someone like my kids or grandkids might find it interesting.

What is your favorite item in the Flamingo Scraps store today?
My favorite item in the Flamingo Scraps store right now is Pink Paislee’s Butterfly Garden paper.

Jen's blog showcases her beautiful work and you can also catch up with her youtube channel!

My name is Julie Tucker-Wolek, and out in the cyber world, I am known as the SMILEY girl as I leave a lot of SMILES everywhere I visit! :):):):):):) I have been scrapbooking for almost 14 years when my son was born, but really got 'serious' about 5 years ago! :) I don't really think I have a style, I can

be clean and simple, to all over the place, I feel that my style is ever changing, and I am okay with that as I am never afraid to try new things!  :):):):):):):):) I live in Phoenix, Arizona (home of the brown dirt and HOT temperatures!) and I am married to Brian and I have a son named Adam, and a daughter named Brooke!

Why do you scrapbook?

I scrapbook because I want to carry on my family legacy! :) I want my kids to remember the fun things we did, and also know their past family members, as I scrap a lot of my parents and grandparents photos. :):):)

What is the one scrappy item you just can't live without?
My paper trimmer! LOVE IT! :)

If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
PINK! :):):)

Do you like your handwriting and do you use it on your layouts?
I actually love my handwriting! :) I write on all of my layouts, either in full journaling, or at least writing the person who is on the layout and the date. :)

What is your favorite item in the Flamingo Scraps store today?
Anything CRATE PAPER! :) I am totally ADDICTED to Crate! :)

Want to see more of Julie's cute layouts and adorble pictures of her daughter Brookie?!  Go check out Julie's blog!

Please join us this month to see their fabulous work... we can't wait!! 


And please check back at noon today for Jen's first post!! 

Guest Design Team Summary: Monique & Celina

In June, we really enjoyed Monique & Celina's blog posts and we hope you did too!! Each month, we post a summary just in case you missed anything and to thank these talented ladies for all their fabulous work!! Up first this month is Monique:

During June, Monique made some "Fetching" projects, shared her beautiful family altered art, showed us some gorgeous fussy cutting using some Daisy Buckets paper, and for June's Flamingo Four she made a fantastic thank you card!

More of Monique's work can be seen here on her blog!

This month Celina inspired us with her gorgeous wedding layout, made a sentimental layout of her husband for Father's Day, shared a beautiful layout about lucky ladybugs and, for June's Flamingo Four, she made a beautiful layout about her daughter!

More of Celina's work can be seen here on her blog!

So we really hope that you enjoyed what Monique and Celina shared with us during June as much as we do!  Please go leave them some love if you haven't already!!   Tomorrow, we will be back to introduce our July Guest Design Team and share their first post for the month!! :) 

Altered Cigar Boxes

Lately I have been participating in a monthly swap for altered cigar boxes, and I thought it would be fun to share them with you guys today. This is what the “naked” box looks like. This box is 8x8 and was in the unfinished wood section at your craft department stores. Flamingo Scraps has lots of yummy products for decorating them.


April - Shabby Chic

From Flamingo Scraps: Prima Annalee Poetry and Romance Papers, rose buds in peach, fairytale roses in aqua, monarch bling centers; Tim Holtz distress ink antique linen.

Other: Tim Holtz – Sewing Room die, Distress Crackle Paint Picket Fence; pearl floral springs, Cricut Cartridge Forever Young (mirror), String pearls, seam binding, vintage hymnal music paper and lace.

May – 1920’s Fashion Couture – color challenge jewel tones

From Flamingo Scraps: Webster’s Pages Hollywood Feather Fashion paper; Prima Alabaster Roses, Trellis Roses white, and pink rosebuds.

Other: Feathers, string pearls, bling, fabric, lace, Tim Holtz – Ornate Plate, Sewing Room Die and buttons.

June – Sewing Box – color challenge modern retro chic

From Flamingo Scraps: Tim Holtz distress ink Broken China, stick pins, Glimmer Mist Tutty Fruity, and trim

Other: Sewing kit, frame, felt, beads, sewing ephemera, buttons, frame, and fabric

These boxes are gorgeous keepsakes, and are great for storing mini albums, or fill them with goodies for a friend’s birthday or Christmas present. Christmas will be here before you know it. Start planning now to alter one of these cute boxes for a special someone this holiday season.

Guest DT Celina Matthews: Lady Luck

Hi, everyone! I wanted to share this page with you all because it reminds me of summer and all its glory. The photos are of some ladybugs my family and I saw in our flower beds and one that happened to choose my son's hand to land on. In my family we believe ladybugs are good luck and so this was a happy sight for us. I used Webster's Pages' Spring Market Collection for this page because the berry bushels, gingham patterns, and bright flowers remind me of summer.

From Flamingo Scraps:  Webster's Pages Spring Market Collection patterned papers, Bloomers, Flowers and Sparklers.

In this close up you can see the fabric bloomers, sparklers, and a flower from Webster's Pages, along with some Yellow stickles I used to dot around the die cut. Webster's Pages coordinates their papers and embellishments beautifully, so I love picking and choosing what I am going to do with their products.

 

More of Celina's work can be seen here on her blog!

JRR Hill Family -- Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden!

I am really fortunate to have lots of vintage photographs of my family.  And when I first saw the shabby elegant Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden Collection, I just knew it would be perfect to highlight some of my treasured old photos!

Supplies from Flamingo Scraps -- Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden patterned paper, Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden Metal Butterfly Charms (sold out), Graphic 45 Staples Stickers, Prima Bling, Prima Bronte Blooms in Powder Blue, Ranger Black Diamond and Cinnamon Stickles; other supplies -- miscellaneous bling, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, miscellaneous glittered alphabet

The elderly gentleman with the long beard is my great great grandfather, James R R Hill.  We haven't yet figured out what the two Rs stand for!  The man in the long tie and the woman with the braid on her blouse are my great grandparents, Arthur H. and Della Dutton Hill, and the little boy standing to the left of the pram is my grandfather, Arthur Milburn Hill!  James and his wife Nancy Knowles had 12 children!  Bless Nancy's heart, I have a portrait of her and she looks like she had 12 children -- she is nicknamed the Ugly Lady!

This detail shows the double mat, inked in Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Peeled Paint and a cluster of punched butterflies punctuated with the Metal Butterfly Garden Charm.

This detail shows one of the gorgeous images from the patterned paper that I cut out, inked in Peeled Paint Distress Ink, and highlighted with Prima Bling and stickles!


I loved working with the colors and patterns of the Butterfly Garden Collection and will be sharing another vintage layout in the collection soon!