How a fish tale grows

My daughter went on a fishing trip with friends.  Here is their catch of the day.

  My Sweet Earth challenge for July is to use these friendly colors and asked what we would like to grow.  Well, besides a tall tale but also life long friendships. 

Here is the sketch I used from Sketchbook365. 

Today I decided to tryout a couple of techniques I have seen floating around the blogs.  I used color spritzing, color washing and chalking with a stencil.  I gessoed the cardboard frame and used it to add that white washed effect you see at the shore.  The tendrils of cheese clothe sea weed have been chalked.  Of course, I need to have my bit of whimsy which is the fish at the end of the rope.  Who could make up a story like that!

I added beads for added beach"y" effect on the sea weed and frame.  The fish and frame were hand made which is the DIY project over at  Scrap Your Story .

Thank you for stopping by to see what the papers are saying today.  I always enjoy your visit! 

Our story blossoms

I have begun to put some scrapbook pages together for my daughter's wedding book.  She requested family pictures of all of her relations on both sides to be included in this album.  What a wonderful family keepsake!  This family included their picture in a Christmas card.  I cut out their names which were embossed on the card and included it as a tag.  Here I show the reverse side of the tag.  I have also include a pic without the tag.
 
Use Your Words  is a new challenge site.  The challenge word for this month is "story". 

 I have been look for just the right photo to use this glorious green paper (Harmony).  Since the photo was taken out of doors I wanted to continue that theme in the paper choice.

 Mine is the poor girl's work shop.  In other words, I make use of what's on hand.  For distressing the paper I used the edge of my scissors.  Worked out pretty well!  lol!

 A view without the tag.  Red Carpet Studios challenge is to add flowers. Check!

 This is a view of the tag I create from the Christmas card.  The reverse side reveals the family names.

 I am a huge fan of Graphic 45.  Here I have incorporated this fabulous car from the "Proper Gentleman" Collection, A timely point of view paper. I wanted this layout to have a more masculine feel with a smattering of feminine touches.

 I used pop dots under the bird for dimension.

 Supplies:

Graphic 45;   Tropical Travelogue collection, Rainforest paper for the leaves.
                       Bird Song collection, Harmony and Longevity, Pearls of Wisdom for the background papers.
                       A Proper Gentleman collection,  Sporting Aristocrat, A Proper Gentleman, Timely Point of View as supporting papers.

                         Bird Song chipboard.

Baker's twine and buttons.
Spare Parts for the larger of the flowers.

Thanks for stopping by to see what the papers are saying today.  I always enjoy your visits!

Prague

My oldest daughter just graduated high school and where better to celebrate such a milestone than Europe.  We have family and friends in Germany so we spent a delightful time visiting and explore surrounding countries.  Here, we went to Prague.  Such a beautiful city.

 

 Inkido moodboard was my inspiration spring board.

 Archiscraps asked for something pointy for their inspirational element.  I used this pin.

 C'est Magnifique presented this awesome sketch. 

 Katie and I practice our sentry stance.  The yellow strip beside the picture is a pull out journaling card. 

I cut a strip of cheese clothe to create a bow and tucked the tails around the flowers and to flow down the bottom of the page to soften the layout.

Thank you for stopping by to see what the papers are saying today.  You are awesome!

Life is but a dream

Some of you maybe saying to yourselves, "this layout seems oddly familiar".  Yes, the large butterfly was taken off another layout and re-purposed.  Have you ever made a layout and later looked at it and said it just isn't working for you?  Now I am happy with how this butterfly plays in the garden.

Scrap Around the World inspired me with this mood board and sketch to create "life is but a dream".
I laid the sketch of its side.  I loved the cluster of flowers from the corset and made a garden for my butterfly.  The wooden frame was incorporated as my angles brackets.  And lace, for that light ethereal, whimsical feel in the layout.

 Back in the day before digital cameras one always took the chance that your image might not be the best but you also didn't want to take a ton of the same image because processing cost soooo much for pictures that may be duds.  I loved this picture of my baby girl but the back ground was dark and gloomy.  So, here is how I took a poor picture and made it into a work of art to be enjoyed for years to come. So I thought this would be a perfect challenge entry for Berry 71 blue where you are free to create anything you want.

 The ribbon is tied to a tag that reads, "seeds to grow" and attached to a butterfly in flight.  This is how I see the mother child connection. 

 I would like to wish everyone over at Challenge Me Happy a fond farewell and a big thank you.  They are closing their wonderful inspirational blog down after 2 1/2 years and 50 challenges. 
 Thank you for stopping by to see what the papers are saying today.  You are awesome. 

The Shore

A long, long time ago when we were teenagers my brother brought home a hitch hiker.  Life was different back then.  He was a Japanese National who had just complete his college degree in Hawaii.  Before taking on the rigors of a 9 to 5 job he decided to hitch hike all over the states and down into South America.  He was also an avid photographer.  This is a picture he took of my sister during his stay with us.  We still keep in even after all those years.

 Kewl Beans inspired me with this July sketch.


Scrap it girl challenge was to use red, white and blue.  Check!

 Scrap for help

I used bubble wrap to create some texture below the burlap for a watery effect.  I know it is difficult to see but it is there.  The bubbles are off white then sprayed with blue mist.



Thank you for stopping by to see what the papers are saying today. 

Stampede!

When in Texas ride the bull!  We use to a lot of volunteer work with AT&T Pioneers down in San Antonio, TX.  After working an event we were treated to a fun night out with good food and entertainment.  Here is my daughter having a turn on the bull..a very precious memory for me!
.

STAMPEDE!

 Do you ever have a ton of leftover punctuation signs on your alphabet sheets?  I do!  So I use them as bling to accentuate the bling I already have. 

 Scrapping Outback color challenge for July.  

 

Thanks for stopping by to hear what the papers are saying today.  I hope you will become a new follower of mine!  Til next time.

All grown up

Where do the years go?  It seems that just yesterday I was cradling my baby in my arms.  Now she is grown up and left the nest. 


This layout shows the jux position of a young woman balancing between tomboy and lady.

 

 Once Upon A Sketch
Here is the sketch I used for OUAS challenge plus the word "grow".

 I normally do a lot of fussy cutting and layering.  This time I wanted to keep it simple and elegant.  Teal vellum is the base paper for this layout to balance the heaviness of the Bo Bunny Enchantment paper of deep black.  The chipboard is also from the Bo Bunny Enchantment collection.

 In the center of the frame embellishment I set another piece of vellum with a music theme.  Then I set  beads along the edges  and white rose buds trail down the page.

ARTastic   challenge this month is to use black and white as the base of the project and just a splash of color.  Here is their inspiration piece.



Thank you for stopping by to see what the papers are saying today.

Gone fishing

Pixels and Paper is a new challenge blog that has posted its first challenge this month. 

Our July challenge ...

 

When I look at this photograph I see many different things:-

 A child (girl) alone or a child (girl) and her dog (pet),

Someone fishing,

A bridge,

A river or lake on a sunny day,

Hair in plaits,

Rolled up jeans and sneakers,

 

If I look more closely I might see ..

A hand knitted cardigan/sweater (made for love or necessity?),

Intense concentration,

Companionship and/or love,
 

You may well see other things. What story do you wish to tell using this inspiration piece as your starting point?  Please explain this link when you submit your entry.
 

Pretty neat huh!

So here is my take on this inspiration piece.

 

 

Gone fishing

We went to northern Georgia and rented a house on the lake for a week with my sister and her hubby.  I am more of a city girl but my hubby loves his fishing and even took our little girl out in the boat with him to fish.  So, from the inspiration piece I see companionship with a faithful friend.  I see solitude and reflection.  I see peace.  

I hope you find your way over to this new site and enjoy the inspiration!

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to see what the papers are saying today.

Sweet dream

  This is my daughter her senior year in high school. These are the days to dream longingly about one's future.

Sweet dream

This is my version of My Creative Sketches sketch challenge.

I wanted to keep the embellishments lite and airy since the papers have so much character.

Thank you for stopping by to see what the papers are saying today!