Fun with Distress

I love my distress inks. One of my favorite ways to use them is sponging them onto cardstock to give it an aged look. They also work really well to color cardstock too. The thin darker brown cardstock strips are a perfect example of that. I used kraft cardstock as the base and then layered one Vintage Photo, Antique Linen, and a touch of Walnut Stain. It really gave the c/s a leather look to it; perfect for a western layout. Another use of Distress Inks is to color plain chipboard. The color goes on so smoothly and by layering them it added shadows and highlights with ease. Be sure you check out YMH for their Distress Ink collection, including the newest limited edition fall colors.

Always and forever, a honeymoon

I created this layout for a LOAD assignment over at BPS but had ya'll in mind. I used LOTS of prima paper goodies and even some Tattered Angles Glimmer Mist. The picture itself is from our honeymoon to Disneyworld (a place we want to take the boys to in 3-4 years). I have scrapped only ONE other honeymoon picture and though it was high time to scrap another one. I love how this looks in real life as the photo so isn't doing much. The paper is all Prima; however, the piece with the brown scroll work towards the top is really a Prima notecard. I love how perfect it went with the layout, so I just cut the piece I wanted. I sprayed my base of the layout with some TA Glimmer Mist in gold for a subtle effect and then roughed up the edges and sponged some vintage photo along the edges. The title is from WMS and I really like how it seem to fit perfectly.

OLW Blog Hop

It's time for another OLW blog hop. This month was kept rather simple as a chance to catch our breath and reflect on our word in our life. This month is usually a rather hetic month with the start of a new school year and trying to get back into a school/groove. This year is even busier as my oldest has started Kinder and our test has decided to impliment a new state test and it goes live in the level I teach. Usually at this time I am starting to freak out. However, this year it feels different, a good different. I am not as stressed (granted it is only the second week of school) and have been doing pretty good with leaving work at school. There are things I need to work on balance-wise once I get home, but I really feel like I am on the right path. The picture I took this year isn't complete. In fact, it will most likely get redone as my DH couldn't get the flash to work right and it isn't too flattering. What I like about the picture is that it is on the first day of school. This weekend I've set some time aside to work on this (and of course take some fun pictures of the rest of my family. Enjoy the rest of the hop.

Blog Hop List:
Margie
Monica B
Julie Ann
Jill
Cheri
Melissa
Kathryn
Amanda
Sam
Chrissy
Lynn
Lisa
Jen
Nikki
Cassie THAT'S ME :)
Jamie
Cindy

Yummy, yummy cupcake

Ok, so this cupcake isn't for eating, but it sure can help a sweet tooth. It is a cupcake giftcard holder. Cute, right?! The wrapper is pleated Prima paper. The icing is a combo of white ribbon and white Prima flowers I sprayed with TA's Glimmer Mist to match the pattern paper. I hope to make more of these and I am sure that with practice, perfection will come. I will taking this sweet little thing with me when I meet with someone this Sat (I hope) about selling some of my crafts. Wish me luck :)

On a personal note, my oldest has started Kinder and is loving it. I have started another school year too. I am praying that it goes well for us both, but my biggest prayer is to get out of debt. I hope everyone who has gone back to school/work will have a good one.