Scraps Of Darkness Round Robin Go!!

Jennifer (JRABS) our host for the Round Robin over at Scraps Of Darkness is kicking off another fun filled round and offering up a RAK to any new players, plus a RAK to the winner,  so grab your scrappy stash and come play along!! I am kicking off for Team 1 with my partners in crime being:
Courtney (newtoscrapping)
Monique (RubyMillerand), and
Sonja (SonjaC)
Way to go Team 1 !!

Here is my layout titled "Play In The Sun." It features a photo of me and my son, Draven sitting on the beach in Destin, Florida, and was created with the gorgeous Scraps Of Darkness January Kit-Escape.

I started with some of the Authentique paper from this month's paper add on, and then made the border and the picture border from some of the Graphic 45 paper in the kit.

In the upper right hand corner, I cut out a corner with my Cricut Expression and then embossed it with some of the Lindy's Embossing Powder from this month's color add on, and added some of the Prima Bling from the kit. I then glittered up a butterfly and popped it in the corner over the lace piece I ran down the side. If you would like a copy of these butterflies on this layout, feel free to help yourself to them on my butterfly page on this blog.

To frame the photo, I cut out a rectangle of paper, cut slits into it with my scissors and rolled the ends.

I built a flower spray, by stamping and cutting out some Heartfelt Creations Rose Leaves, and stacking on some Prima flowers from my stash, a seashell that I filled with beads and some fussy cut flamingos from the G45 paper, some of the netting from the kit, one of the Tim Holtz charms from the Romance add on, another butterfly, and then tied some of the G45 chipboard pieces from the kit, onto the net.

I created a bottom left hand corner piece using the same technique as at the top.

Distressed and inked one of the Authentique Tabloids, popped on some sea shells, and another butterfly and attached it to the bottom, and that completed my layout.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you get a chance to play along! ~Renea

SCRAPS OF DARKNESS REVEALS IT'S JANUARY KIT-ESCAPE

 It's Reveal Day again, and there is a lot going on at Scraps of Darkness! Before I get started with the reveal of our January kit and a few new tutorials, I want to share some news that I am really excited about.

On February 1st, we will reveal a new line of kits, Scraps of Elegance. These kits will be a little different from what you are used to seeing from Scraps of Darkness, and we are honored to have a very talented surprise guest designer who will be helping us to show off our first Scraps of Elegance kit. In addition to that (as if that isn't a lot!), we'll be having a blog hop to kick it all off, so set your calenders to stop back on February 1, 2012!

Today we are revealing the Scraps Of Darkness January Kit-Escape, and that is exactly what it is-a sweet escape. Through this kit, we are escaping the cold throws of winter, and turning time back to days of summer's gone by. This kit is so amazingly beautiful and offers up every opportunity to capture those memories of family vacations, dreamy places and magical moments. I loved pulling out my photo albums, sifting through them and collecting those special memories of the freedom and fun that summer days bring. Thank you Mel, for pulling us out of reality, if only through our imaginations, such a wonderful reprieve to get us through the next few months of Winter's embrace.

When you sign up for a Scraps of Darkness kit you not only get the chance to create with one of the most amazing, versatile and totally different kits out there, you get the chance to work with the most talented Charlotte's (aka Suepup) sketches.  The following is her lovely Escape Sketch:

And this is my interpretation of that sketch, titled "Tropical Paradise". It features a photo of my God Daughter Michelle and her family on vacation. I loved the colors in the photo, so perfect for the Graphics 45 papers in the kit.

 I started by creating a Textured Tissue Paper Background using the January Color Add On featuring Lindy's products. If you would like to view how to create this background for yourself, check out the tutorial on the Scraps Of Darkness Blog, or follow the You Tube link on my blog. I then took a Dusty Attic chipboard frame and misted it using the Lindy's mist in this month's Color add on, and painted accents on it using the Color Shots from the add on.

Next I took layers layers of paper from the kit and card stock add on, cut them to graduating sizes, distressed and inked the layers and then staked them at an off angle and popped my photo on top.

I then fussy cut one of the images out of the Graphic 45 paper,accented it with Stickles,  added a flower from the Flora and Fauna A.O.  to her hair, and (o.k. I am really excited about this!) I popped one of the Lemonade Crush Butterflies from my Etsy Store that Mel, included in the Flora & Fauna A.O.  this month onto the cut out flowers!! I took a piece of the Graphic 45 chipboard from the kit and ran it across the bottom of the layout as a border, then created a flower piece using some of the Prima flowers from the Flora & Fauna A.O.

 

I then created floral layers on the opposite side by cutting out more foliage, flowers and leaves from the G45 pps, accenting them with Stickles and layering them in with more of the Prima Flowers, another Lemonade Crush Butterfly, and a chipboard tag from the kit that I created a ribbon for and tied onto it.

I loved how colorful and happy this layout turned out! Makes me hear Caribbean music, and long for a quick dip into the ocean! 

This next layout is titled "Footprints", and features a photo of my son walking on the beach. He is walking away from the camera and you can see the footprints he is leaving as he walks away. I actually Photoshopped this photo and gave it a canvas textured feel and then added the sentiment "Our Memories Of The Ocean Will Linger On, Long After His Footprints In The Sand Are Gone", so appropriate for that sweet photo.

I started out with a piece of the card stock from this month's add on, then layered on a piece of the Authentique paper from coordinating paper add on.

I grunge punched some place randomly, inked and distressed the edges, then took some stash glass beads and adhered them in the corners.

I cut and punched another piece of pp with the same punch  and ran it down the middle of my layout. I then took and tore out a piece of corrugated board in the size I needed, and did my Grunged Up Corrugated Board Technique using gel medium, stips of cheesecloth, and some of the Lindy's Mists, Color Shots and Embossing Powders from this month's color add on. If you would like to view the tutorial for this technique just head over to the Scraps Of Darkness Blog, or follow my YouTube link on this blog.

I then attached my photo and began building on the details.

I cut out a Tim Holtz Weathered Clock, misted it with some Tattered Angels and tucked it into the upper, left hand corner. I added on some of the Kaisercraft Flowers from the Flora and Fauna add on, cut apart the Prima Crystal and Stars piece and tucked a piece of it behind the flowers, inked some Dusty Attic Chicken Wire and tucked it in the flowers. I then took a Graphic 45 Chipboard Tag and tucked it in. I gussied up a chipboard Sea Turtle from the Romance add on using some Lindy's Micas and adhered him on.

I used the same technique and layering in the bottom right hand corner.

I used one of the Graphic 45 envelope tags from the kit that I inked up to hold some journaling about the photo, and tucked it behind the photo, leaving it loose so that it can be pulled out to reveal the journaling.

I took some of the Fish Net from the kit and added it to the bottom corner of the photo, then layered on some more D.A. chicken wire, the super fragile and sweet, real sanddollar  from the kit and popped one of the Nantucket Chipboard pieces from the Romance Add on top of it. I then adhered some of the little sea shells from the kit onto my corrugated board piece, and tucked some corrugated board pieces behind the grunge punched places for interest and texture.

I love this kit, and the memories that it is helping me to preserve. Time has a way of letting memories slip from your mind, but scrapping them always brings them back to life. Don't forget you are not just pursuing a hobby, you are a Memory Keeper. 

This next layout has turned out to be one of my all time favs. It features a photo, that no,  is not perfectly shot, in fact it is a bit grainy and old, but it captures one of those precious memories that brings tears to this mother's eyes. It shows me and my son, at the sweet age of 5 on the beach. We are collecting shells, and I am holding one up for him to see. You can see the anticipation in his body language and his hurry to get to where I am. What seems like a simple moment in time, is actually a precious moment in time, me making memories with my son, and my sweet husband who had the sense to capture it with that one click. I titled this one "Fragile", because that is how I feel when I look at it. Like time is a fragile thing that each of us must "handle with care".

I started with a piece of the Pink Paislee paper from the kit, and then layered on a background that I created using the same Grunged Up Corrugated Board Technique that I used on the previous layout. If you would like to view the tutorial for that technique, please check it out at the Scraps Of Darkness Blog or through the YouTube link on this blog.

Close up view of that technique. Created with this month's Color Add On.

I then took some more layers of the Pink Paislee papers, distressed, water distressed inked and staked together, and then put the precious photo on top of them. I took one of the Nantucket Chipboard pieces from the Romance Add On, left it raw and added it to the bottom of the photo.

I took a piece of burlap, cut it into a triangle, pulled the edges, then cut it in half. I then laced it up using the Tim Holtz Pin Hinges from the kit, rolled back the edges and pinned them, then added a little stash, seashell metal charm. Where I rolled the edges back I formed a flower spray using one of the Prima flowers from the kit that I tucked some Prima leaves from my stash in, some foliage I created by stamping some of the paper with a Heartfelt Creations stamp then cutting it out with the matching die, and by misting some of the Petaloo Color Me Crazy Orchids from last month's kit with the Lindy's mist from this month's color add on ( I have now used almost the whole bottle of that stuff-absolutely love it).

I had tore out some huge gaps in my corrugated board, because when I saw the Pink Paislee paper with the fish on it, I had the idea to create little tide pools on my layout. So, I tucked in some pieces of the Fish Net from the kit, popped on some little stash sticker sea embellies that I inked up, and then fussy cut out those little fish, gave them some Prima pears for accent and then adhered them with foam into the "tide pools" for dimension. I love how they turned out. To finish out the layout I took a Graphic 45 Chipboard tag attached it to the net at the top with one of the Tim Holtz pins with a little metal seashell strung on it, and then added the stash Bo Bunny "fragile" piece to the top of the tag.

Oh, if I could only go back to that time and know what I know now. I would hold onto those moments forever, but unfortunately they are gone, but through the amazing art of scrapbooking and with fabulous kits like the one's Melinda puts together for us, I can hold on to a piece of those moments. I really appreciate you stopping by for reveal, and hope that you have some time this month to capture time onto a page, and create something you love! Hugs, ~Renea

Scraps Of Darkness Stalker Challenge January 15th-March 15th

Hi everybody! Time for another creative and fun Stalker Challenge over at Scraps of Darkness. This month's challenge is to Stalk the internet or the recesses of your mind for a quote that inspires you, and then bring it to life through a layout or any other type of project you wish to create. You do not have to use a photo, just use your imagination to convey what the quote means to you.

The Rules:
1. Use at least 50 % Scraps of Darkness product.
2. Use the actual quote on your layout or project.
3. Use some type of technique i.e. misting, painting, inking (can be stamping), gel medium
4. Have fun!

Entries will be taken until March 15th, then the votes will be p.m.'ed to our Mistress Of Mayhem, Cheryl (C Mom Go), the winner will be announced on the blog and in the forum on March 18th, and the winner will receive a $10.00 Gift Certificate to the Scraps Of Darkness Store, and a RAK from my Etsy Shop .

I hope you can join us!

Here is my example layout for the challenge. I chose the quote "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep", and brought it to life through the image in the photo that depicts beauty taking off her mask to reveal what is underneath. I used my Scraps of Darkness January Kit-Escape, along with some past kit pieces and stash items to create it, and for the technique, I used some of the Lindy's Mists from this month's color add on, sprayed onto cloth then dabbed onto the layout, then stamped into the mist,  using some Tim Holtz ink to get my girlie grunge look. And last, but not least, I had tons of fun creating this piece, it really was right up my grungy alley.

I started with some card stock, distressed and inked the edges. I then took some of the Graphic 45 paper from this month's kit punched the edge and cut it down to the size I needed, took a piece of card stock from this months card stock Add On, punched the edge and layered it behind the G45 strip.

I took a Dusty Attic Frame and randomly inked it and added some bling from a past kit, and placed my photo in it. I did not adhere anything at the time so I could mark where I wanted my technique work to go. I then removed the pieces, took a piece of cheesecloth and dampened it with the Lindy's mist from this month's color add on and then blotted it onto the areas I wanted to add color to. I then took a Prima stamp, and stamped my pattern on top of the misted areas.

I cut up a piece of Teresa Collins trim from a previous kit and rouched it and glued it in random places on my layout. In the upper left hand corner I created my title "Beauty" and then finished out my quote underneath it "is only skin deep". I then took a Prima flourish that my sweet friend, Shelly Anne sent me, cut it up and tucked a piece under the corner of my DA frame. I attached one of my Autumn Splendor Butterflies from my Etsy shop on for dimension.

I took a beautiful Craftysprinkles (Mandy Harrell)  pin, cut it down to size and added it to the corner of my DA piece and placed another Autumn Splendor Butterfly on.

I then built a large flower layer up the side by placing a Prima Vine from my stash down then layering in the Petaloo knotted Ribbon Flower from the Flora & Fauna add on, a flower from the Romance add on, all different kinds of flowers from past kits as well as some from my stash, a sea shell, a Autumn Splendor Butterfly, and the other piece from the Prima flourish that I had cut up earlier.

I love the colors in this layout! I am totally down with the brown! It is my one of my most favorite colors, and with those rusts, creams and terracottas, I was in visual heaven with this layout! I really hope you can come play along with the challenge, but if not, I urge you to try a challenge at some place and at some time. They push you to create out of your comfort zone and get you to try things you may not have done before. They really can help you to grow as an artist.  I wish you a happy scrappy week! ~Renea

Beautiful Using Twisted Sketch #134 Twist New And Scraps Of Darkness December Kit

Do you love a good sketch to kick you into high gear when your mojo has slid into reverse?? Then Twisted Sketches is a wonderful place to head to when you need a little inspiration, offering up some fabulously designed sketches and then throwing in a Twist to push you outside the box. The following layout was created using this weeks sketch #134 with the Twist being New. I encourage you to head over and play along!

I used my Scraps Of Darkness December Kit-Winter's Eve along with some stash pieces. I have vowed to use up some of my hoards of stash this year instead of giving in to my obsessive compulsive tendency to buy everything shiny that catches my eye and then throwing it in a drawer, where it's beauty can not even be admired. I am really bad about doing that with flowers, I love all the girlie pinks, but rarely have a chance to use them. So when one of my friends, who raises her 2 granddaughters asked if I would do her a new series of layouts using the girls new photos, I was game. She had just redone there room in a pink and black color scheme, so the December Kit, Bo Bunny papers where a perfect match. I will actually be doing 3 different layouts, but will have to stagger them in as I can, to incorporate that color scheme for her.

I started with a piece of the Bo Bunny Enchanted paper from the kit, and used a Prima Stencil, some modeling paste (gel medium), and acrylic paint to create the brick skeletons in the corners.  I then took a stash piece of Tim Holtz paper cut it down to size, distressed and inked the edges. I set eyelets in the TH pp and then took a chipboard boarder from my stash, set eyelets in it and laced it up with white ribbon. I then cut out another piece of BB pp from the kit, distressed and inked the edges, and ran it down the middle of the TH paper.

I punched out a mat for the larger photo of the girls from the same Tim Holtz paper, foam taped the photo on for dimension, then foam taped the smaller photo over the corner.

I created a small flower layer for the corner of the smaller photo, by using some stash Prima flowers and some Prima Sherwood flowers from the Flora and Fauna add on. I then tucked a small metal clock from my stash into it and placed a pieced of bling over the center hole.  I attached a crystal piece from a broken Christmas crystal ornament, onto my laced piece for some extra shine.

I used some of the Bo Bunny chipboard Flourishes at the sides of both photos, and on the bottom photo began layering some Prima Canvas pieces from the Color Add On, some stash Prima flowers, some Flora and Fauna flowers, a Bo Bunny Trinket from the Romance Add On and a larger metal clock from my stash, adding on that bling center to form the large flower cluster.

I topped off  the look with some Pink Lemonade Butterflies from my Etsy Shop, and created the title by digitally creating a banner and title, then inking and painting it to give it a vintage look.

I hope that Debra loves it, and considers it wall worthy!! I tried to keep it hip and fresh so that the girls will not mind it hanging in their room.  I will be mounting it on painted canvas for her, which by the way is a fabulous and inexpensive way to hang your layouts on your walls. Instead of gluing them down you can use velcro strips to attach the layout and when you are ready for a change, you can pull that one off and pop a new one on. Hope you have enjoyed your visit! Hugs, ~Renea

You Are My Sunshine Featuring Berry Bleu Pages And Tags Using Scraps Of Darkness December Kit-Winter's Eve

Today, I am revealing a layout that I created featuring one of those beautiful Berry Bleu Tags and a photo of my niece Haley. She was over at my house at Christmas just chilling on the coach and she actually let me snap some photos of her. Usually, she covers up her face or sticks her tongue out at me, but that day she actually let me get some good camera time with her.  I also used the uber gorgeous Scraps Of Darkness December Kit-Winter's Eve.

I used some of the Glitz Girl Beautiful Dreamer papers from the kit to start the layout out, then took another sheet of Paper to form the second layer.

I cut the paper at an angle and then water distressed one side and start scrunching and folding it back, After, I got it how I wanted it, I rounded the corners, popped on a piece of the Bo Bunny Chipboard from the kit and topped it with one of the Bo Bunny Trinkets from the Romance Add On. I then took some of the Glitz Girl Trims from the Romance add on and layered in the tulle piece and one of the lace pieces, then added in a pearl string from my stash for a super feminine look.

In the original photo Haley was wearing a red shirt so I Photoshopped her top to match the colors in my layout.

I layered on the Basic Grey Lace Sticker from the Romance Add On first then topped it with my photo. I then took the Dusty Attic Chandelier from the Romance Add On Crackle Painted it, then inked and puff painted it for texture. I then embossed the chain piece to give it a metal look, and then attached the piece at the top corner of the layout. I then layered on a piece of the BB chipboard from the kit, and then created some foliage using a Heartfelt Creations stamp, and popped on a Shabby White Texture Rose from My Etsy Shop.

 

I used a stash chipboard piece for my title work. I then created a flower layer by first laying down a  ZVA Pearl Flourish. Layering on some Victorian Velvet Glitter Glass Flowers and some White Shabby Texture Roses from my Etsy shop and tucking in some more foliage created with the H.F. stamps. I then popped on another BB chipboard piece from the kit. 

To finish out the layout, I used the Basic Grey Bling It On Rubons from the kit at the bottom and top right hand corners, then attached my Berry Bleu tag to the bottom right hand side of the layout, layered some more of the ZVA pearl flourishs at the corners of the tag, then tucked in a Sea Green Glitter Glass Butterfly from my Etsy Shop and popped two more from the set onto the layout.

I can't believe how feminine Haley looks surrounded by all those girlie layers. She is usually my camo wearing, gun toting tomboy. She is probably going to kill me when she sees this layout-she hates pink-lol! Oh well, I think she looks marvelous! Thanks for the visit! ~Renea

Love **Scraps Of Darkness-December Kit-Winter's Eve**

I think I am slowly getting back to normal and caught up after the Holidays, at least as caught up as I can ever hope to be-lol! I hope each of you had a wonderful Holiday season with your family and friends. I know I did! It just seems so hard to get back on schedule, but I must say I have been looking forward to a little scrappy time. I took over a week off, and it felt like forever! This month's Scraps Of Darkness kit was so incredibly gorgeous, I just feel like I didn't have the time to thoroughly enjoy it. I did manage to put this layout together yesterday and got it all glued down and ready to go today. I know my new kit is on it's way and wanted to get at least one or two more out of this one.

The following layout is one that features a photo of my sweet niece Megan when she was around 2 years old. Hard to believe she is now 22, and married. In our world of boys and tomboys, Megan was always my girlie girl. So adorable!!

I started with a piece of the Bo Bunny Enchanted paper from the kit. I then took a second piece of pp from that line and fussy cut it out for the bottom layer of my design. I layered a Dollie that I misted with some Tattered Angels mist on top. I took some white rose ribbon from my stash and ran it across the page.

I added Meg's precious photo in and then took the chipboard gate from the kit, inked it silver and popped on a stash Prima flower, a Shabby White Texture Rose from my Etsy Shop, sprayed some of the Prima canvas mistable pieces from the Color Add On and cut it apart tucking the leaves behind the rose, attached one of my Cranberry Ice Butterflies from my Etsy Shop, and then tucked in a feather for softness.

I Stickled popped a piece of the Bo Bunny chipboard from the kit onto the photo corner and then took a larger piece of the chipboard and attached it to the other side of the photo adding a Prima flower from the Flora And Fauna add on into the center, and then attached another Cranberry Ice Butterfly on.

I created a large floral collage using  some stash Prima flowers, some White Shabby Texture Roses from my Etsy, some of the misted Prima canvas from the C.A.O.  that I cut into pieces, and some more feathers at the bottom of the photo.

To complete the layout I layered on some Prima Say It In Crystals from the Romance add on, added a large Cranberry Ice Butterfly, and created the title with some of the Bo Bunny chipboard from the kit.


This kit made creating a beautiful layout seem easy. So many inspiring and wonderful papers and embellishments! Thank you Melinda for giving us such gorgeousness to work with, and thank you for letting me share it with you! Internet Hugs, ~Renea