Signs of the Season

Hi everyone!  If you know me, then you know how much I love to scrap photos of my flowers!  Another season of bloom for my beautiful Christmas Cactus that was my Dad’s.  I’ve had it for 4 years now and it has, at the very least, tripled in size.  It is truly an amazingly gorgeous plant that blooms from October (usually) through December.  This year, since it’s been so warm so late in the year, it started blooming just this month.  The whole plant is FULL of blooms with so many more buds that are fixing to burst into gorgeous flowers! 
These photographs were taken by me on November 27^th.

My original vision for this layout got scrapped – literally!  LOL!  This is what I ended up creating....glittery gaudy Christmassy goodness all over the page....like decorating a Christmas tree :)

I have always been very attracted to the paisley shape, so this gorgeous Memory Box die named Calypso Flourish was a must have!  It is very intricate with its delicate and fragile lines.  I definitely had to run this die through my Big Shot quite a bit because of the type of paper I was cutting.  So, because of the results with each cut, I came up with three different designs and I love them all!

Memory Box die - Calypso Flourish
 

 

I sprayed the green glitter paper used for two of the calypso flourish die cuts and some of the butterflies with Lindy’s Stamp Gang Starburst color Cathedral Pines because I didn’t care too much for the color of the original green of the paper.  Nice!  I pieced together a Christmas bead spray with grapevine and some leaves, then tied it off with natural jute.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day; week; month!  Lisa : )

 

 

Products used:

Recollections (Michael’s):

    ~Pearlized white card stock

    ~Red card stock   

    ~Gold glitter card stock

    ~Green glitter card stock

    ~Glitter dots – white & gold

    ~Christmas pick

    ~Grapevine

    ~Artificial leafy branches

    ~Brown Jute

    ~Christmas Ribbon

    ~Glitter Glue – Christmas Red

    ~Deco scissors

Memory Box die – Calypso Flourish

Martha Stewart punches – Monarch Butterfly & Large Monarch Butterfly

Lindy’s Stamp Gang Starburst – Cathedral Pines

Want2Scrap Pearls - Red

This Magical Moment

Hello and welcome!  Today I’m sharing a wintry photo of my daughter and her little family taken in December 2008.  This photo is framed and placed on my dresser because it is a VERY favorite of mine.  During this time, Brianne was living in the Chicago suburb of Naperville while earning a Masters Degree.  The apartments that she lived in were right next to one of the many nature preserves in the area.  Gorgeous Greta is only 1 yr-10 months and her new little sister, Marcy the Calico, is 9 months old.  They each have on velvet collars with a jingle bell and Brianne is wearing a Santa’s hat.  For me, this wonderful photo says it all…..purely magical.

 

I found the perfect Maja Design papers in their collection “It’s Christmas Time”! 

I’ve entered my layout for the Maja Design November 2015 Mood Board. 

My focus is on family, together, friends, rustic, red, green, white and dark brown.

 

I kept this design simple for two reasons.  Foremost, I wanted the focus to be on the photo. I also didn’t want to hide the beauty of this paper. The pine branches from a Christmas tree adorned with ornaments was a perfect setting for this adorable photo. The edge of the paper is a beautifully ornate frame.  Adding pearls really makes it “POP”!

 

The chipboard title was heat embossed in a deep forest green color and then topped in white to mimic snow. 

 

The Maja Design “Festive Season” paper, used for the photo underlay and the wreath die cuts, works great with the whole color scheme.  Finishing touches of glittered pine cone embellishments and wonderful berry stems by Prima were added for eye catching pops of interest. 

 

I added tiny gold pine cones to the berry stem. I really love the look!  Each berry stem, as well as the edges of the paper under the photo, were rubbed with gold wax for added shine.

 

Finally, the entire layout (photo covered for protection) was generously sprayed with Lindy's Stamp Gang Glitz Spritz Blazing Sun.  You can really see its beautiful glistening gold in bright light! 

Thanks so much for dropping by!  Have a great day!  Lisa : )  

Products used:

Maja Design “It’s Christmas Time” collection – pages: Deck the Halls & Festive Season

The Dusty Attic – Mini ABC UPPER

Want2Scrap chipboard word – Magical; mini cranberry pearls

Lindy’s Stamp Gang Embossing Powder – Tannebaum Green Gold

Lindy’s Stamp Gang Glitz Spritz – Blazing Sun

Stampendous Fran-táge Embossing Enamel – Shabby White

Prima – A Victorian Christmas collection – Midnight Kiss berries

Jolee’s Boutique – Glittered Edge Pine Cones

Cheery Lynn Designs – Wreath Strip B216

Viva Décor Inka Gold - Gold

 

Maja Design - Deck the Halls

Maja Design - Festive Season

 

endure

I was so drawn to this darling photo on Pinterest.  This vintage teddy bear has definitely persevered; enduring the test of time.  Whoever made this little beauty sure gave it personality.  I just LOVE the undying expression on his precious little face that seems to be beckoning ‘Give me a great big hug and I will love you back’. Awwww.

 

The Dusty Attic November 2015 Mood Board was the complete inspiration for this layout. 
The blues and plum-mauve colors, as well as the words ‘Imperfect’ and ‘Unbroken’ really set the ideal tone.

Looking closely at the photo, there is some cranberry colored flannel on the right pant leg.  I thought it would be so awesome to use flannel in this design.  So, off to the fabric store I went and when I walked in, there it was right in front of me…the almost identical color!  I couldn’t believe my eyes!  And to top it off, it even has a touch of baby blue in it like the Mood Board!  This really put me in gear with total excitement to get started!

 

 

A mixture of gesso and acrylic paint dry brushed on the page gave more focus to the photo area.  This same mixture was brushed on the burlap, the rustic olive green buttons and The DustyAttic chippie letters for the title.  Random edge punching in a plaid design with a plum color underlay, as well as embroidered “Xs” made by using the Sew Easy tool “Cross” really helped to tie in to the vintage country feel of the layout.  I also sponged the page with brown & blue inks to add some distress.  I really wanted this page to be rustic but also pretty at the same time – just like the teddy bear "star" of the page!

Pops of orange were inspired by the Mood Board colors.

Thanks so much for taking a look and hope you have a great day!  Lisa : )  

Products used:

Prima Timeless Memories collection – backside of page named Moments

The Dusty Attic – Mini ABC lowercase (#DA0862), Page Pebbles #9 (#DA1114), Heart Arrows #2 (#DA1026)

EK Success edge punch – Plaid

Wild Orchid Crafts mulberry flowers – Blue/Aqua mix Chrysanthemums (#QVR-006)

Prima Color Bloom spray – Gilded

Recollections – tiny ivory Burlap Bows

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink – Vintage Photo

VersaMagic chalk ink – Night Sky

Lindy’s Stamp Gang Moon Shadow Mist – Buccaneer Bay Blue  (used on the cardboard that the photo is mounted on); Embossing Powder Hydrangea Blue Mauve (title letters)