Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Simple Moments Twisted Sketch #140 Twist White

Is it Wednesday already!! Time for another Twisted Sketches reveal. Head over to Twisted Sketches and grab sketch #140 with the twist of white, for a sure cure to any lack of mojo you may have. Such an inspiring sketch, and here is my take on it:



I took the sketch and turned it 90 degrees counter clock wise, and then started scrapping away. I used my gorgeous Scraps of Elegance February Kit-Vintage Elegance to create this layout.  It features a photo of my 2 nieces, Haley and Megan, who are sisters. They are at Megan's wedding where Haley was the flower girl. I have actually scrapped this photo before, but at Christmas all the girls made their way into my scrap room, and had fun picking out which layouts they wanted for their own. The layout that I had done of Haley & Megan was one of the one's that Meg took, so I just had to rescrap the photo.

Here are some close ups:

 The Webster's Pages and Kaisercraft papers from the kit had so many beautiful pieces that I fussy cut from them. The sweet foliage was a gift from Vija (Kobe2256). Thank you Vija-they found the perfect home on this layout!


 The Scraps Of Elegance had these sweet little vintage tags, and I tucked this one behind my flower layer.



 My Dark Sister, Karen (LostCoastScrapper) shared this lace with me-isn't it beautiful??! I used some Dusty Attic Columns that I layered in Tim Holtz Stains at the bottom corner and top corner. The small roses are Prima and came in the SOE kit. The large flowers are also Prima flowers, and were from my stash.

The flourish is also Dusty Attic that I painted in Tim Holtz Picket Fence Crackle Paint (my twist-white). I left some of the sides, with the raw chipboard color showing, in order to get some contrast against the light colored papers, and then popped on one of those sweet Webster's Pages Sparklers from the SOE kit.

Don't tell Megan, but I actually like this redo better than the original. I think I will hide it so she doesn't find it-lol!! Thanks for the visit! ~Renea

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Rubber Cafe Design Team Announcement



Hi everybody!! I am letting out a loud WHOOT, because I made the Design Team over at The Rubber Cafe!! I have wanted to try something new, and decided that I would try out for a team that does work with stamps, and The Rubber Cafe, makes some really beautiful, high quality ones, as well as some really cool products, like Scrap Happy Glue, One And Only Tape, and Stick Um Up adhesive for gems, sequins and the oh so cool Jellie Dots, a product exclusive to The Rubber Cafe. They also have their own line of Puffies (puff paint) which I am in love with and You're So Fine Glitters that are just perfect for my glitter coated life!! I am being featured, today February 21st on The Rubber Cafe Blog, and would love to have my friends drop by and give me some hugs! See you there! I can't wait to create my first project using some of the goodies they sent me!! Big Hugs, ~Renea

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

SCRAPS OF DARKNESS REVEALS IT'S FEBRUARY KIT-VICTORIANA

Today Scraps of Darkness unveils it's February Kit-Victoriana! This kit is packed full of so much gorgeousness, you better grab one fast, because they will disappear quickly!

  
The main kit includes:
The following papers
Prima- Printery, Emperor, Signature, Page 4, Love Ledger, Monogram
Kaisercraft- Lingerie, Camisole Petticoat, Blouse
Hambly- On edge screen print
And Embellishments
Prima- Resist Canvas
Prima- Parchment Petals Vintage
Zva- Blue Pearl Flourish
Kaisercraft- Madame boutique rub ons
May Arts ribbon
Vintaj metal flower and bay leave
Metal Cameo

The Main Kit also comes with one of the always inspiring sketches by Sue Pup:



The following is my interpretation of the sketch, titled "Believe", and features a photo of one of my son, Draven's best friends since they were in 1st grade, Katie. Katie is such a sweetie and this layout will be going to her Mom, Pam. We have both watched each others children grow up, and I know I have enjoyed having Katie be a part of my extended family. We have spent many hours, hanging out at the house, laughing and chatting it up, and I know that Pam treasures memories of Katie as much as I treasure mine of Draven, and will love having one of them captured in a layout.

If you would like to see how I put this layout together, plus the flocking technique on both the dress from and the Dusty Attic Cameo slides, please check out my Pandora's Box Tutorial on the Scraps of Darkness Website. Each month one of the Design Team Members put together one of these videos showcasing how they put together a layout, so check them all out for loads of inspiration!!

This kit had some really beautiful vintage papers that took on a heritage feel and I had wanted to scrap this photo of my Aunt Annie for a long time and this kit offered up the perfect opportunity. As many of you know, I spent a lot of time living with my Granny, and my Granny had quite a few children of her own 7 to be exact. One of those children, was my Aunt Angela. I have always called her Aunt Annie. She is only 3 years older than me, and when we were growing up, she was my BFF, my sister, and my Aunt all rolled into one. We had some fun times. We spent many a day, dancing (we knew every version of The Bump), laughing, singing and running all over the mountain side. We were as wild as bucks, as silly as loons, and as giggly as two little girls could be. Even though I don't see her as much these days, when we get together, you hear nothing but laughter. It's as if we are still those two little girls laying under the quilts, and whispering secrets till all hours of the night. She holds a very special place in my heart, and I will never forget those sweetest of days.


 As you can see, I layered in lots of the kit papers. The kit also contained this beautiful die cut paper. I wanted to change it up a bit and make it my own, so I first cut away the outer edge with the design, inked it up with multiple layers of ink, and then took the leftover center and attached lace on top of the edge. I then misted some Prima Mistable Canvas from a past Color Add On and layered that in behind the lace. Next, I took the edge that I had cut off, and layered it behind the circle piece, and then tucked the edge under the distressed paper I had ran down the side.


 The top corner piece is made up of a gussied up Dusty Attic piece, some foliage I cut out of the Prima packaging and inked, some flowers from the kit and from the Flora & Fauna Add on, and some of the Prima Resist Canvas pieces from the kit that I inked up in multiple layers of color.

 The bottom left hand corner is made up of another piece of that Dusty Attic, some more foliage made from packaging, and flowers from the the Flora & Fauna add on. See that lace piece? That was some gifted lace from my DT sister Karen aka LostCoastScrapper. I actually hand dyed the lace to fit the colors of my layout. Thank you Karen!



 The sweet little birdacage is another piece of the Prima Resist Canvas from the kit, with more package foliage and flowers from the kit and F & F.

 The journaling piece was fussy cut out from a piece paper from this month's paper add on, as were the little alphas that make up the title. The pattern on the photo was created using the Kaisercraft Rub Ons from the kit.
I loved creating this layout of my Aunt and letting it take me back to those days so long ago. I found myself dancing, singing and laughing-I felt young again if only for a little while.


This kit was so full of vintage look pieces that I just had to create an altered memory box with it! This box is so perfect for storing old photos, treasures, and pieces of the past in.

  The top of the box features some of those beautiful Prima papers that have been distressed, inked and punched to create multiple layers.


 I rolled back one of the corners and tucked in an inked Doilie and a fussy cut tag from some of the papers that I inked and blinged up. The metal piece is part of a vintage look pin that one of my Dark Sisters, Bexta gifted me.



 The clock is one that I fussy cut from the kit papers, inked and pleated a Doilie behind it, and then popped on one of the brads from the Romance Add On. The foliage piece behind the clock is one of the Prima Resist Canvas Pieces from the Kit.  The Shabby Green Textured Roses are from my Etsy Shop.

 I had a small piece of  dark brown rose ribbon left over from some other project I had done, so I popped it on the bottom for visual interest and texture.  The Sweet Memories Butterflies are also from my Etsy Shop.

 I had painted the whole box with gesso to prime it for my other colors. I ran Tim Holtz tissue tape around the lip of the lid and inked it in multiple layers of color. I then stained the whole box, distress stamped it on all 4 sides with a Glitz Stamp from a previous color add on, and then distress crackle painted it in places to give it an aged look, and went over it with multiple layers of distress inks.


 I attached a Tim Holtz button to the front for a faux drawer pull look. I love the way this box turned out, the colors are some of my eyes favorites to look upon. I really encourage you to go off the page and try an altered project. They are so much fun, and give you a chance to create something unique and functional!

This next layout was inspired by a canvas piece that I saw in a Canvas Corp add. This layout looks nothing like the one in the add, but the bottom banner attached to the canvas comes from their design, and I wanted to be sure to give them credit for the inspiration. I loved the thought of the banner being a totally separate piece from the actual canvas. I created the canvas to go into my son, Draven's room and wanted it to be a piece that reflected him and his love of the Industrial Art look, as well as one that would inspire him. I chose the quote "In A World Where You Can Be Anything Be You" as the inspiration behind the piece, and I used a self portrait that he had done of himself as the center piece. It was really hard to get a good photo of this piece. I actually ended up taking it outside and hanging it on the side of my house, but it has been so overcast here and trying to capture the canvas and the banner, and have the photo turn out ended up being a little trying-lol.


 I started with a piece of canvas that I gesso'ed then painted brown with acrylic paint.



I did some brick work with a Prima Stencil from a past Color Add On, gel medium and lots of different paints and inks. The City Scape is my own design that I came up with for a past layout. I just changed the colors here with alcohol inks and smooch paint and then filled in the windows with Copper Mica Flakes. The barbed wire is Dusty Attic Chipboard that I treated with a layer of Mica and then some Tattered Angels Glam for accents.



 The gears are Chipboard pieces I cut out with my Sizzix and then cut out paper from the kit to layer on top with lots of inking. I also did some machine sewing to add even more texture and color in.


 The skeleton key was a piece that was gifted to me by one of my Dark Sisters Bexta-thanks Bex! I then laced some cheesecloth that I misted with different layers of mist, into the key hole and across the brick work. The Romance Add On came with these super cool steampunk look tiles that I layered onto Tim Holtz Acrylic Pieces that I had alcohol inked.


I nailed some Tim Holtz Metal  pins into the sides of the canvas, then braided some hemp rope and tied it on through the loops. I then took some Canvas Corp Burlap Pieces that my friend Shelly Anne gave me, did some machine sewing on them, then took some Thickers Letters and coated them with the Copper Mica Pieces and attached them to the burlap pieces. To hang the burlap pieces from the rope, I took some Tim Holtz Metal Clips and colored them with alcohol ink and then used them to hold the pieces on.

My son loved this piece and it will be going onto his wall as soon as I am finished using it! I love the Scraps Of Darkness Kits because of their unique ability to go in just about any direction, which allows me to scrap my mood, and to scrap uniquely. Thanks Melinda for giving us such amazing kits to work with!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Fresh Air And Sunshine - Created WithTwisted Sketch #138 Twist Fresh Using The Scraps Of Darkness January Kit-Escape

Looking for a great sketch with loads of inspiration? Well, look no further than Twisted Sketches! They have inspirational sketches with a little extra "twist" thrown in for good measure. This week, I used Sketch #138 with the Twist of "Fresh" anyway, anyhow along with my Scraps Of Darkness January Kit-Escape to create the following layout:

I used a photo of me that my DH took while I was on the beach in West Palm Beach Florida. I actually turned the sketch sideways and took my inspiration from it at that angle. For the Twist "Fresh", I journaled "A little fresh air and sunshine, does a girl a lot of good." I don't know about you but I could use a little bit of that fresh air and sunshine just about now! I have had my nose to the grindstone for so long now, I am craving an Escape!!

Here are some close ups of some of the details I created:

 Here I did some punching then folded down the corner and popped in my beautiful Craftysprinkles handcrafted pin, and some of the flowers from the January Flora and Fauna Add On.  If you look close you will see that I fussy cut out some of the fish from the paper and popped them onto the paper behind the photo.



 Here I fussy cut out a Beach Sign from the Graphic 45 paper and layered on some of the seashells from the kit and used some of the fun Pink Paislee Nantucket chipboard arrows from the Romance Add On. I also popped one of my Turquoise Crush Butterflies from my Etsy Shop to add some dimension.


 Here I layered a Graphic 45 Chipboard Frame from the kit onto a piece of the kit paper then added in flowers from the Flora & Fauna Add on, fussy cut leaves from the G45 papers and a G45 tag from the kit with a little ribbon bow tied on. ( Tip-I died white ribbon with the Lindy's Mist from the Color Add On to get a match to my layout).


 I created a floral layer at the bottom corner of the photo, by fussy cutting out flowers from the papers and then layering some on top of each other for dimension and creating a center piece and applying a bling center. I also layered in some copper skeleton leaves from my stash and then took another G45 Chipboard tag and did my journaling on it.



I used a stash die cut, masked and misted a piece of card stock with the Lindy's Mist from the color add on and layered it behind the die cut. I then fussy cut the lady with the umbrella from the G45 paper and tucked her in and then added on some more of those flowers from the Flora & Fauna Add on.

Thanks for Escaping with me and joining me for the Twisted Sketch reveal. I hope you take the time to catch a little fresh air and sunshine for yourself! Just remember it does a girl a lot of good!!! Ahhhhh, I can almost feel it, can you? ~Renea

Sunday, February 5, 2012

SCRAPS OF ELEGANCE BLOG HOP WINNER!!!! Plus My Blog Give Away Winner!!!

And the winner is...

Before we announce the winner from our Blog Hop, we would just like to thank everyone that participated in the hop!
We all had a great time, and we hope you did too, and maybe found a little inspiration on our Designers' blogs.

And now, what you've been waiting for...



Drumroll please...




The winner of a 3 month subscription to the Scraps of Elegance kits is...

Jennaroo!
This is what Jennaroo said:
"OMGosh I have eyed the SOD kits for a while, but wasn't sure as I don't feel like my style is grungy enough.....but still loved the kits BTW! BUT Scraps Of Elegance is right up my alley and I am def excited about this kit club! I visited and commented on each designers blog and LOVED what I saw by the way, so much so that I became a follower of each of their blogs as well! Thanks for the opportunity and I am crossing my fingers and toes that I am the lucky winner!!!!!"

Jennaroo, please email  (Melinda) at info@scrapsofdarkness.com so we can get you set up with your subscription!


And stay tuned... we'll be giving away another awesome prize a little later this month...
And NOW for the WINNER of my own personal Blog Giveaway:
 Miislucky!!!!!!
 miislucky said...Just gorgeous work!!! I'm a follower. Love the layouts! Great job!!! Mimi
   
Congratulations!!! Please e-mail me, Renea at with the e-mail address that you would like your $10.00 Scraps Of Elegance/ Scraps Of Darkness Store gift certificate sent to.


Friday, February 3, 2012

Altered Valentine Box -Berry Bleu Pages And Tags

Good morning everybody-TGIF!! It is my week for reveal over at Berry Bleu Pages and Tags, and I have created an Altered Valentine Box for my project.


I used some of my leftovers from my Scraps Of Darkness December Kit-Winter's Embrace, along with one of the beautiful Berry Bleu Valentine themed tags to create this box. I took a plain, paper mache heart box, coated it with gesso, let it dry, and then began layering everything on. First I took a piece of Bo Bunny paper and cut it to fit the top of the box, next I took some stash paper and cut it into an open heart and inked and distressed the edges. I then tore out a piece of corrugated cardboard and painted and inked it up, placed it onto the box, and then popped on the Valentine themed tag. These tags are so perfect for any project, they add instant beauty with all the work done for you.




I then popped on a few flowers, some inked up Bo Bunny chipboard pieces, a Dusty Attic Foliage piece that I painted and distress stamped, some metal charms, a button, and some Fushia Crush Butterflies from my Etsy Shop and the top was finished.


I inked the sides and lip of the lid, crackle painted the lip and then inked it pink. I then took some more corrugated board tore the edges, painted and inked it, then applied some Twinkle Trim randomly to add a little extra sparkle, and then glued the board around the box.

And there you have it! A beautiful box that is perfect for gift giving this Valentine's Day!!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Welcome To The Scraps Of Elegance Kit Introduction And Blog Hop!!!

You may know Scraps of Darkness already, she is on the edgy and daring side and is always the "pushing the envelope" kit of diversity. 
Now we would like to introduce you to her new sister---
 "Scraps of Elegance" is the alter ego of her sister club. 
Her style is more on the sweet and romantic side... a true classic beauty.

Today is the reveal of our very first "Scraps of Elegance" kit!
 VINTAGE ELEGANCE

We've carefully chosen these beautiful papers from Kaisercraft Sweet Nothings, Websters Pages Western Romance and Melissa Frances 5th Avenue Collection. We have also added some wonderful embellishments and unique vintage items for you to create something beautiful to compliment your most treasured photos. 
You can see the full list of kit ingredients on our website: http://scrapsofdarkness.com/ScrapsOfElegance.html
We are proud and honored to introduce one of the most coveted designers in the industry helping us show off our new line of kits.

February Guest Designer
Ms. Gabrielle Pollacco
You won't want to miss the gorgeous work she's done with this kit!

We know how much you look forward to the sketches our ever talented artist Suepup creates each month for Scraps of Darkness. We are excited to announce she will be designing the sketches for each Scraps of Elegance kit as well!
Now we are sure you don't want to just hear about her sketches so we are pleased to share this months inspirational sketch with you.


We would also like to introduce you to some of the most talented designers in the scrapbooking community...
Our 2012 Scraps of Elegance design team:
Lisa Novogrodski- Lead Designer
Charlotte Jenkins- Sketch Artist and Designer
Jennifer Snyder-Designer
Mandy Harrell- Designer
Karen Zueger- Designer
Renea Harrison- Designer
Rachelle Sigurdson- Designer
And we are quite certain Escape Kitty will sometimes make off with some of Jennifers Scraps of Elegance goodies to create something beautiful!
We are kicking off the reveal of our first kit by way of a blog hop this month. You can enjoy not only the full reveal but a chance to win an incredible prize!
We will be awarding a THREE MONTH SUBSCRIPTION TO THE SCRAPS OF ELEGANCE KIT CLUB on this blog to one lucky winner!!!!
You win not one, not two but THREE SCRAPS OF ELEGANCE KITS!
The subscription will begin with our March kit and end with our May kit.
Many of our designers are giving away their own prizes on their blogs so there are many chances to win.
Give Away!!!
I will be giving away a $10.00 Gift Certificate which will be good for anything in the Scraps Of Darkness Store!!!! Chipboard, paper, metal anything your heart desires from our wonderful sister store!!! All you have to do is follow the Scraps Of Elegance blog, and follow me here, then leave me a comment and you will be entered into the random drawing.
All you need to do to win is become a follower of the Scraps of Elegance blog. Visit each designer and leave a comment on their blogs. When you have completed the hop come back to Scraps of Elegance and leave a comment letting us know you have completed the hop and are a follower. (If you are already a follower, after commenting on the designers blog leave a comment here letting us know!)
You have until midnight (pacific time) on Feb 4th to leave a comment. The winner will be announced Feb 5th on the Scraps of Elegance blog
International entries are welcome to participate. All international entries are responsible for shipping costs in excess of 15.00.
(The designers will address the eligibility of international participants individually on each of their blogs)
Now let's get started! We warmly welcome you to the first SCRAPS OF ELEGANCE BLOG HOP!
Charlotte Jenkins - http://suepup.blogspot.com/.

And now, here is my first ever Scraps Of Elegance Layout, using the Super, Femininely Gorgeous Elegance Kit, and the always inspiring sketch by Suepup:



This kit is sheer heaven! I used one of my friend Debra's DGD's photo for this layout, her name is Isabella and she is just a doll. Items from the kit:
Kaisercraft and Webster's Pages
Webster's Pages Madallion Sparklers
Webster's Pages Western Romance Trim
Prima Pixi Glen Bling
Prima Avon Rose Flowers
Kaisercraft Sweet Nothings Colour Rub Ons
Reneabouquets Etsy-Pink Lemonade Crush Butterflies

Items from my Etsy Shop:
The Shabby Weathered Clock
Iced Burlap Flower
Pink Lemonade Butterflies

Thank you to Shelly Anne for the white lace, Prima Cream Say It In Crystals Flourish, and Teresa Collins Blingage Ali Pins!!! You are a doll!

Here are some close ups:

I loved the Webster's Pages Trim! Here you can see that I pleated it and held the pleats in place by pinning, the Teresa Collins Ali Pins through it.

Here I layered on a Iced Burlap Flower (that sports a Webster's Pages Sparkler from the kit) from my Etsy, cut the Prima Flourish from the kit into 2 pieces and used it in place of foliage for the sweet Prima Roses from the kit.


In the top left corner I pleated some more of that yummy trim and popped on a vintage heart pin that I got from a local children's charity shop onto it.





I am so excited that Melinda is going to be using butterflies from my Etsy Shop as a part of the Scraps Of  Elegance Kits! Melinda is such a sweetie and supports all of her Design Team girls in all that they do-Thank you Mel!!

Here is another layout, using the Kit:


This layout features a photo of my niece, Megan with their new Christmas puppy Eli. I titled it "Puppy Love", because it was love at first site!

I used the following Kit Items to create this layout:
Kaisercraft Paper
Webster's Pages Paper
Vintage Dictionary Papers
White Sparkle Tule
Melissa Frances Resin
Vintage German Playing Card

I used the following Items From My Etsy Shop:
Textured Shabby Chic Roses
Pale Pink Glitter Glass Butterflies




 I wrapped an open circle with the tulle and then tied a big bow at the bottom. I then fussy cut lots of pieces to create the flower layers, the title,  and the scalloped piece at the bottom.





 I layered in more flowers including the Prima Avon Roses from the kit, over a Prima Vine from my stash, and tucked in the sweet playing card that was also in the kit.




I topped my circle with the Melissa Francis Resin Swag, and fussy cut more flowers for the top.


I loved working with this vintage, shabby chic kit, and I am so proud to be a part of the new Scraps Of Elegance Design Team~

Have fun on the hop!! Your next stop is my sweet, little sister, Cheryl's blog:
http://www.cherylspassion.blogspot.com/
Give her a hug for me!!!