100114 October Archi-scraps Challenge

Well, I have some  BIG news!

Archi-scraps OCTOBER 2014 CHALLENGE

Announcing Archi-scraps newest 

Design Team member, Leslie Smith! (That's me)

So excited to be joining in at Archi-scraps :~)

Their unique monthly challenge presents amazing architecture from around the 

world with an extra criteria based on the structure. This month? BLING

I found this great piece on Pinterest for an unusual twist on bling.

I noticed that there is a heart shape in the top few rows.

I made a little template so that I could fit my photo into that heart.
I must admit it was a little hard to cut into my babies' faces!

The "SHINE" letters are glittered & the star insert in the "sparkle" card has shiny silver stars.
My silver elements from my August CKC kit were given a little extra sparkle with some gems.
All other papers & products used were from my September CKC kit.

Let me know you were here!

092914 Whimsical Musings Challenge #138

Absolutely loved the challenge last week at Whimsical Musings #138 to be inspired by a neutral textural fall mood board seen here.

I could just frame this and hang it up for the next three months!

We are currently in the middle of purchasing a piece of woodland property about 90 minutes away 

for a place to get away to after Greg retires next spring. Just the idea is a refreshment to us!

When we were there last I collected a few leaves & needles to try to identify some of the plants.

The feather is actually from our yard at home & is a dove feather.

The bird of peace - just what we are looking for.

 Our logo is going to be made from some birch logs from there into R+R as seen below.

I constructed this little mock-up from woodgrain drinking straws as the title block.

Can't wait until the deal is done & we can do a little clearing before winter sets in!

092414 CKC September Members Showcase Blog Hop

Welcome to this stop on the CKC Challenge Showcase hop.

I chose Challenge #2: Selfie LOVE
 Take a selfie and add it to your layout or even card 
Now I am easily the world's worst selfie taker!
This was taken to show off my new hat, lol...

Then I ran across this circa 1978 selfie taken with my first SLR.

Ahhh...the bygone days of actual film processing at the local drugstore...
you would never know this was taken with a "good" camera.

Perfect for using my CKC Bittersweet Summer kit.

I was inspired by this page by Sasha Farina:

I hope we have inspired you to have a go at the challenges this month!

CKCB   http://www.counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com

Lisa      http://lisahausmann.blogspot.de

Tina      http://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com
YOU ARE HERE:  Leslie    http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com
GO HERE NOW:   Binty     http://scrappingpluv.blogspot.com

Margie  http://scrappinmargie.blogspot.com

Jemma  http://just-jimjams.blogspot.co.uk

Let me know you were here!

091914 This Evening...

Felt good to get the big camera out...

Summer's on the wane.

The last butterfly bush bloom.

Food for the stragglers, I guess.

Breaking ground.

New privacy hedge.

 A few interested observers.

Poor Barbara! She's molting...

091614 CKC September Challenge #3

Hi, there! Here I am getting ready to make a mess - yes, you read that right!
But all for a good & hopefully creative reason :~)

September Counterfeit Kit Challenge #3: Make your own mixed-media embellishment

Bethany has given us a biggie this go-round. I decided to just plunge right in, using this as inspiration!
 

Archi-Scraps challenge this month: Use texture paste.

Since I was already attempting this challenge I doubled up & combined it with this mixed-media prompt.
As I studied this photo a vague idea formed in my mind to use torn corrugated cardboard & glitter/beads
to capture that rich color in the walls & windows...so I gathered up a few things

I had tucked this photo of Kitty in my September CKC computer folder - perfect colors for my kit.

My page is titled "Kitty Daydream".

I wanted some circles to go above her head
and the watercolor paper should stand up to gesso.

I used three stencils to represent what a kitty might daydream about.
Butterflies, fish & birds lol! I used gesso with the stencils,
and added glitter to each while the gesso was still wet.

The butterflies needed no enhancement, but
the birds & the fish needed another layer of treatment.

The fish got a nice watercolor ocean to swim in, complete with tiny fishy bubbles!
The birds got some pen work to make them a little more interesting.

Then I added some dreamy ColorShine stars...

All that yummy leftover glitter!

Perfect for the DIY adhesive alphas and
dressing up the cardboard & banner.

Time for YOU to get messy! Be sure to add your project to Mr. Linky over at CKC.

I think I did pretty well with the Archi-Scraps challenge, too!

Leave me a note & thanks for stopping by.

090814 CKC September Tutorials

Our Counterfeit Kit Challenge September inspiration kit:

Scrapbook Circle's August Island Paradise kit

This is the first kit that I was able to stock almost exclusively from my stash.
I did like this paper, though, as a potential forgery...

Echo Park Allison Kreft Love Script

I chose the closest font I had (Albura) but changed the sentiment
to "all you need is Jesus" and printed out an 8-1/2 x11" sheet,
making sure to stagger the words at the beginning of each line.

Right click & save to download

The other product that I knew I could forge were
the Scrapbook Circle exclusive cork accents.

May be purchased HERE

I have a roll of actual thin cork but also a backup sheet of
cork patterned paper if things went terribly wrong!

The vintage word stamps were purchased from the lovely
Jenny Bowlin herself at Novi Megameet Expo last May.
They sit on my scrapdesk to remind me to tell the whole story.

Not bad!

090114 CKC September Kit Reveal

Yes! It is already the beginning of another month & you know
that means a new kit to forge at Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog.

That also means we get to welcome a new September face,
namely Guest Designer Tina from Tina's Scrap Corner blog! You will enjoy her kit
forgery & creative pages this month - be sure to give her a warm welcome.

Scrapbook Circle August Kit: Island Paradise

My first look at the inspiration kit is always the papers.

Here are mine:

My anchor paper was the Basic Gray Soleil "Bikini" B-side:

which toned down the teals to blue.

My only counterfeit paper this month was the brushstroke sentiment.
Tune into the tutorial post on the 8th for a free download of my version!

Let's open the Magic Blue Box for my version
of Scrapbook Circle's scrappy goodness.

 

September signals the start of school & the end of the lazy
days of summer in my part of the world, hence the name.

 So happy to have a girlie kit to work from this month.
I unearthed some older product, too.
The "Embellish It! Definitions" stickers are 2004.
That's what it's all about at CKC!

Now hop on to the next bit of inspiration,
and be sure to show us your version!

Guest Designer:  Tina:  http://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com

Susanne: http://snapsandsnippets.blogspot.com

Lisa H.:  http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com/

Leslie:  http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com/  You are here

Julene: http://julenebydesign.blogspot.com.au  Go here NOW

Stephanie: http://skylinepaperie.blogspot.ca

Jemma: http://just-jimjams.blogspot.com/

Sherri:  http://sherrithompson.blogspot.com

Margie: http://scrappinmargie.blogspot.com

Lynnette http://sassyscrapper2010.blogspot.com/

Angela Toucan Scraps and News

 Thanks for stopping by!

Leave me a note, will ya?