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Saturday, December 15, 2012

Scraps Of Darkness Reveals The December Kit- A Long December


Hello everybody, and Happy Holidays! Time for this month's Scraps Of Darkness Reveal, and the December Kit-A Long December is just so very Winterlicious!! If you are looking for something to do while staying warm inside, paper crafting is the perfect hobby to turn to, and the Scraps of Darkness Kits come right to your door, so you don't even have to get out to go shopping~so right up my alley as the cold weather kicks in ;)



Each kit comes with a FAB sketch created just for our kits, by our very own Charlotte Jenkins (Suepup). Here is this month's sketch:




And here is my take on the sketch. It features a Faux Vintage Tin Background that I came up with using this month's Color Add On and Aluminum Foil. If you would like to check out the tutorial for it, you can find it on the Scraps Of Darkness  website, under the tutorials section, or here on my blog.


The photo is one that I took in 2010 when we had a White Christmas. I was so excited, because we don't get that much snow here in the South, and this was the first one that I could remember ever happening on Christmas Day. It was just so heavenly and peaceful.  I topped it with the Craftysprinkles pin from the Romance Add On that I threaded some of the silver trim from the kit onto. The photo matt is corrugated board that I misted then sprinkled with glitter.



I also included a poem that I wrote about Winter that I printed out onto transparency and attached to one of the note cards from the Romance Add On. It is hard to see it in the photo so here it is:
Frozen
Winter rears her weary head
Woes Earth into her bed
Frozen
Winter is a cold-hearted lover
with not a lot to say
She pulls her covers over Earth's head
and everything fades to gray
Frozen
Earth succumbs to Winter's embrace,
into her iciness she presses
Afterwards, she drifts to sleep
and dreams of Spring's warm caresses
Frozen



The icicle pieces at the top left, and bottom right hand corners were from the kit, the flowers are a mix of flowers from the kit and the Flora & Fauna Add On. The small snowflakes are from the kit, and the large ones are Dusty Attic pieces from my stash. The butterflies are Vintage Patina Butterflies from my Reneabouquets Etsy Shop.


Here you can see some of the technique detail, although it was very hard to capture it with the camera. The tutorial shows much more detail.


Here you can see all the dimension that I put into my work.


This next project is a canvas piece that I created using this month's Creativity Add On. I did use a 12 x 12 canvas that I had, because I had some Dusty Attic Pieces that I wanted to use and they were too large for the smaller canvas. The Creativity Kit had these crazy cool Angelina Fibers in it, and as soon as I saw them, I knew what I wanted to do with them. I am a huge Chronicles of Narnia Fan. I have loved the books since I was around 11 years old, and have read them all numerous times. When they came out with the first movie "The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe" I had to go see it, and it was so amazing to watch one of my favorite books brought to life. I chose to scrap Jadis, the wicked Queen of Narnia, because those fibers reminded me so much of how it would be "Forever Winter In Her Heart".


I took my canvas and layered and mixed the fibers and then ironed them down with the bonding agent to get this frothy, shiny, Wintry background. I then took modeling paste and a stencil and created the edging. 



The lamp post is a Dusty Attic piece that I crackle painted then went over with smooch paint and stickled up to give it an icy look.


 I used some stash lace and the silver trim from the kit across the bottom, and then added on past kit flowers with some of the ones from the Flora & Fauna Add On, that I misted and glittered. The bling florish is a ZVA piece from the romance add on, and the small snowflakes are from the kit and the Romance add on.


 I used one of the Little Yellow Bicycle Clear Cuts from the kit and Stickled it up for part of my title, then used some stash letter stickers that I also outlined in Stickles to complete the title.



I added Stickle accents to my modeling paste work, inked a Dusty Attic gate from my stash, and added Stickles and Prima Pearls to it for accents. I added another one of the Clear Cuts from the kit to the photo. The butterflies are Serenity Butterflies from my Reneabouquets Etsy Shop.


Here you can see some of the details I added to the photo by using Stickles to accent Jadis' hair and dress. It is so hard to show all that glittery detail with my photography skills, which are limited-lol!

I wish you could see this piece IRL~those Angelina Fibers look so yummy and the texture is amazing~

This next layout is one that I created using a photo of my friend JoJo's daughter Jordan. I love that Jordan is like me, she can be very girlie girl, but also has a down to Earth, tomboy side. These papers were perfect for capturing that tomboy side of her.


I started with a background piece of paper from the kit, then took a second piece of paper and heavily distressed it, and then water distressed the opposing sides and pleated them down, using some of the chipboard snowflakes from the kit, topped with some of the ZVA corduroy brads from the kit. I tucked in some stash burlap pieces and then inked the edges heavily and using a stencil and some of the Art Anthology mist from this month's Color Add On accented some of the edges.  I used a 3rd piece of paper (this one from this month's paper add on), and some more burlap to matte out my photo of Jordan.  I used a stipple brush and white paint to soften the background of the photo.



The Prima doors were from a past kit, and I used some of the flowers from the kit, a stash flower, lots of the clear cuts from the kit, and a piece of the ZVA bling from the kit to create a nice flower layer. I added two of the corduroy brads from the kit to the paper at the side of the photo and wrapped it with strings from where I frayed the burlap.



Here you can see the pleat detail, and the title was created using one of the Little Yellow Bicycle Card Stock Stickers from the Romance Add On and some ZVA pearls from a past kit.



I created another flower piece at the top of the photo using the flowers in the kit and another one of the Card Stock Stickers from the Romance Add on. I tucked the other Prima door in for symmetry, and then popped on one of my handcrafted Secret Garden Butterflies from my Etsy Shop for dimension.

I hope you have enjoyed all my Winter themed work from this month's kit. I appreciate you stopping by, and  hope that you and yours have a wonderful Holiday Season! Find something warm to do, grab a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy life!  Hugs till the New Year! ~Renea

Thursday, December 13, 2012

ScrapMatts

I am so happy to announce that I will be joining the super talented Scrapmatts Design Team for the 2013 term!! 

~Thank you Sofie & Andrew Rossides for honoring me with a spot on such an amazing team~




Thursday, December 6, 2012

Joy Christmas Card- Scraps Of Elegance December Kit-Winter Wishes

I have been in a bit of a card making mood these past few days, and the Scraps Of Elegance December Kit-Winter Wishes had some gorgeous elements that were just perfect for creating that Vintage look that I love so much, so here is a card that I created with it, along with my cracked glass technique that you can find the tutorial for here on my blog,  or on the Scraps Of Elegance blog. I love the way it givesan old, broken glass look to your photos~


I used layers of papers from the kit and coordinating paper add on that I distressed, tore, curled and punched to create the base layers. I also took a paper Doily and stamped and inked it up with the Ingvild Bolme Ink from the kit and Vintage Photo Ink from my stash.


Here you can see a close up of the Cracked Glass look that I created, so yummy and Vintage perfect!

 The little tin snowflakes are some that I found as I was getting Christmas decorations out this year. I just inked them up with the Brick Wall Ink from the kit and topped them with some stash e-pearls. The flowers are from the kit and this month's floral add on. The tag and photo corner are pieces that I hand crafted and stamped from paper clay then inked up with the same inks I used throughout the card.




The little buttons are pieces from the embellishment add on that I pulled twine through for texture.

Even if you don't have a lot of time to scrap this Holiday Season, a card can be a piece that you can put together fairly quickly and give to someone special to let them know that you are thinking about them. Hope you are enjoying all the fun stuff surrounding this Holiday Season, and that you make time to create!! Hugs, ~Renea

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Happiness Card

I just loved some of the Asian themed papers and elements in the Scraps of Darkness November Kit -Karma. When I saw the kit and some of the cutouts, I just knew that I had to get a few cards out of it. I took a design that I had used before that I had learned from one of my SB.com friends Shelly Anne, and created this wonderful, Asian/Friendship inspired card:


For the front of the card I used layers of the Bo Bunny Serenade papers, cut outs and one of the Graphic 45 chipboard pieces from the embellishment add on.  I attached some of the layers with foam tape to give my card wonderful dimension. I then added some stash Prima e-pearls to the chipboard, some of the Prima flourishes from the Embellishment add on, and then used flowers from the Flora & Fauna Add On along with some pieces from past kits and created a floral piece. To complete the front, I popped on one of the Petaloo butterflies from the Flora & Fauna A.O.

 For the back of the card I layered a piece of Bo Bunny paper on, then created the bottom part of the design from another piece of BB paper, set eyelets, laced it up with some stash sheer ribbon,  and attached it with foam tape to accommodate  the tag.


I created the tag from some of the Bo Bunny Cut Outs and then added one of the Bo Bunny sentiment stickers to it, set an eyelet and added a matching hang tag out of the same sheer green ribbon that I used on the lacing.

I just love my Scraps Of Darkness Kits, they make creating beautiful and unique items so easy with almost everything I need right there in my box!! Hope you find the time to create something of your own this week! Hugs to you ~Renea

Blog Hop Winner!!!!!

I would like to thank everyone who hopped along with the Scraps Of Elegance and Scraps Of Darkness Blog Hop this month!! I appreciate everyone who took the time to leave me comments and wish you luck in all the prize give aways~

Now for the winner of my Winter themed give away that included:


This set of Snowflake Tags that were created by me using the Scraps Of Elegance December Kit-Winter Wishes, and


A Winter Themed Collection of Butterflies from my Reneabouquets Etsy Shop.

The winner is......... Andrea Slee!!!!  You have 5 days to contact me via e-mail with your mailing address to claim your prize!! Thank you for hopping along!! ~Renea

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Welcome To The Scraps of Elegance Blog Hop!!!




Welcome to the Scraps of Elegance December Blog Hop

And
Design Team Reveal





We are unveiling our December Kit

“Winter Wishes”
And is it ever an answer to my Winter Wishes!!!






Scraps of Elegance 
Is giving away our fabulous
December Kit
To one lucky winner!



Our Scraps of Darkness Designers
Are sharing their work with the November
“Karma kit”



We would also like you to meet our newest design team members!
Sara Onneby
Vivian Keh
Kristie Taylor
Agnieszka Bellaidea
Sarah Bargo
Evgenia Petzer

Welcome ladies!! So glad to have you talented women on the team!!



All you have to do is become a follower of the Scraps of Elegance blog and “like us” on Facebook. You must visit each participating blog and leave a comment on each blog in order to be eligible for the prize.
When you have visited and commented on all the blogs return to the Scraps of Elegance blog and leave us a comment letting us know how much fun you had.
If you post about this blog hop on your own blog you will be entered into the drawing twice for an extra chance to win!



We are sure you will be inspired by our talented design team.
The December kit is stunning and you won’t want to miss out on grabbing one for yourself!
**Open to international entries**
You have until
Monday December 3rd 1:00 AM PST to complete the hop.
The winner will be announced on the Scraps of Elegance blog on Tuesday December 4th.
Be sure to check back on that day to see if you have won…



Have fun!

Blogs to visit:

Scraps of Darkness- http://scrapsofdarkness.blogspot.com
Scraps of Elegance-http://scrapsofelegancekits.blogspot.com
Mandy Harrell- http://forscrappingoutloud.blogspot.com
Jennifer Snyder- http://scrap-escape.blogspot.com
Renea Harrison- http://myglittercoatedlife.blogspot.com
Karen Zueger-  http://lostcoastscrapper.blogspot.com
Lisa Novogrodski-  http://lisas-livingincolor.blogspot.com
Elena Olinevich- http://eleele-handmade.blogspot.com
Michelle Phillips-  http://fullmoonscrapping.blogspot.com
Karolina Stopyra-  http://drycha.blogspot.com
Escapekitty-  http://escapekitty.blogspot.com
Rachael Funnell-http://awindowtoomyworld.blogspot.com
Helena Johansson-http://willeasscrap.blogspot.com
Agnieszka Bellaidea-http://bellaideascrapology.blogspot.ca
Sarah Bargo-http://www.sarah-bargo.blogspot.com
Evgenia Petzer-http://evgeniapetzer.blogspot.com
Sara Onneby-http://www.pyssligasara.blogspot.com
Vivian Keh-http://contadinak.wordpress.com
Kristie Taylor-http://kristietaylor.blogspot.com
Charlotte Jenkins-http://www.suepup.blogspot.com

I would like to take this month's kit and add on's and show you how you can get lots of wonderful Christmas gifts from it. I know that sometimes you think, wow can I really afford a kit and all the add ons? Well, this month I say go for it, because where else can you spend less than $100.00, add a few stash pieces along with it,  and get more than 8 to 10 gifts out of it (maybe more if you don't scrap as "chunky" as me-lol).

Not only do you get a gorgeous kit in the mail each month, but along with it, you get a so inspiring sketch created just for the sketch. The sketch is created by our very own Charlotte Jenkins (Suepup), and is always inspiring. Here is this month's skecth:


And here is my take on the sketch:


A layout makes a perfect gift for anyone special in your life. You can give it as is, put it in a shadow box, or mount it onto canvas, and you have a personal, amazing gift to give to that someone special.

This layout  features a photo of my son, Draven, when he was 5 years old. We were getting ready to board the Polar Express here in Chattanooga, and my husband, David snapped this sweet closeup of him. He was so excited, but boy was it cold outside, so he was all bundled up for the Winter. I just love  Winter, and this kit is so perfect for capturing that Winter feel. I used lots of technique on this one. There is lots of inking, fussy cutting, tearing, painting with Snow Tex, paints, inks and stickles.
Scraps Of Elegance Items Used:
Main-Bo Bunny Powder Mountain Papers, Bo Bunny Chipboard, Bo Bunny Jewels,  Ingvild Bolme Ink,
Paper Add On- Bo Bunny Powder Mountain paper

The large snowflakes are Tin Snowflakes that I found when I was unpacking Christmas, and inked up with the Brick Wall ink from the kit, they created a yummy rustic feel, and then I topped them with Dusty Attic Snowflakes that I had gotten from Mandy's (Craftysprinkles) Etsy.



Do you have someone on your list that loves Vintage themed or totally girly girl items? Then here is  an example of a gift that will leave them oooohing and aaahing, and will be something they will treasure, because it was created with your own two hands.

This is an altered memory box project and it includes a sweet Vintage desk set tucked inside. I created all the little treasures for the tuck in from the kit and add ons. They include a January-December Calander, 3 Vintage tags, two postcard Notecards, a Doily tag and a Baby Renea Size set of Sweet Memories Butterflies from my Etsy Shop.

Items From this Month's Kit and Add Ons:
Main Kit-Kaisercraft Turtle Dove Papers, Pink Paislee Artisan Elements, White Frothy Trim
Paper Add On-Graphic 45 Place In Time Papers, and January Cut Aparts,
Embellishment Add On-Pink Paislee City Sidewalks Snowflakes, Prima shabby Chic Resin, Prima Rondelle Say It In Crystals





Here is a close up of the Box Top.


And here you can see the sides and all the inking distressing, and stamping that I did to create, texture, dimension, and layers of colors.

Do you have a total Diva on your Christmas Gift list? Then they would be utterly thrilled to receive a Winter Glam Gift like this one.


This is an Acrylic Mini Album, and matching storage box.   I used lots of froth and frill to create a beautiful place for someone to store their Winter memories.
Item used from this month's kit:
Main Kit-Bo Bunny Powder Mountain Papers, Bo Bunny Chipboard, Bo Bunny Jewels, Graphic 45 Cut Aparts, Prima Rosarian Beads, Reneabouets Baby's Got the Blues Butterflies, Pink Paislee Artisan Elements, Frothy White Trim
Paper Add On-Bo Bunny Powder Mountain Papers
Embellishment Add On- Pink Paislee Snowflakes
The Acrylic Mini Album was from the Scraps of Darkness/Scraps of Elegance store


Here some close ups of the Mini Album and pages. The acrylic pieces have been two tone Alcohol Inked and then I edged each page out in German Glitter Glass and Stickles.



Cover


Page 1 with pull out tag

Page 2 with Acrylic tag
Page 2 photo pull out

Page 3

Page 3 with Photo Pull Out

Page 4

Page 5 With Pull Out Tag

Hang Tag

Page 6

Page 6 With Photo Pull Out

Page 7 With Photo Pull Out

Page 8 With Journaling Spot

Back

  
Matching Mini Album Storage Box Top


Mini Album Storage Box Side


And last but not least,  I have a set of Rustic meets Vintage Snowflake tags:


Guess what?? This gift will  be for one of you!!!!   The winner of my blog hop prize will get this wonderful set of tags, plus a collection of Winter Butterflies from my Reneabouquets Etsy Shop.


~All you have to do to be entered into the drawing for the Winter Prize Pack is to be or  become a follower of my blog, and to follow the Scraps Of Elegance Blog~

Your next stop is my Scraps of Darkness sister's blog- Karen Zueger-  http://lostcoastscrapper.blogspot.com

Have fun hoping and don't forget to check back on Tuesday, December 4th to see if you won!! Happy Hopping!! ~Renea