SYS Challenge # 16... Making Waves!

Happy Friday gang!!! Another week has passed us by and we FINALLY had some sunshine here in Florida!!! I didn't think the rain would EVER let up!!! Just to give you an idea of a view outside my Townhome the past two weeks, I took a pic:

This is literally ALL I've seen for TWO WEEKS!!!! Are you serious?!?  Jeez... Can't a girl get some rays around here?!?!?

Any who, the rain has let up and the sun has undoubtedly come out to play again :-)  And that, my friends, makes me one very happy girl!!! :-)

"Explore Shamu"

Well, being that it is Friday, that means we have another wonderful challenge over at Scrap Your Story!!!  This week, following tradition, is a sketch:

I printed some beautiful photos I took on a recent trip to Sea World and brought them to the table!  Here's what I've come up with:

LOVE this page!!! These K&Company pattern papers were a perfect fit!!! I layered them up as usual, inked all the edges with various distress inks, and stayed pretty true to the sketch.  I hand-cut some flourishes and inked them with "Peacock Feathers" distress ink, then went over them with white liquid pearls.  The "Explore" title was stamped on white cardstock, inked, cut, then pop-dotted (have we made this a word?!?!) to the page.  I also used my circle punch to cut some circles from coordinating paper and added them.  The chipboard letters are by The Girls Paperie and were colored using a "True Black" Spectrum Noir alcohol marker.  I also added some liquid pearls (I keep wanting to call them perfect pearls so if you see that in a post, know that my mind will return shortly!! Hahahaha!!!) to them for added effect!  I made a "bubble" border using a punched border and some distress ink.  Simple, but sweet :-)

"Best of Times Tim Holtz style Birthday Card"

My husband's birthday was on the ninth and I decided to make him a "Tim Holtz" style birthday card.  This is also used for my monthly Card Challenge over at Colorful Creations and my Twisted Thursday Challenge over at Sketches4All.  This month's challenge is to use the "Resist" technique somewhere on your project.  There are many different ways to do this and I will include a link below for my curious visitors!!! Here is the card:

I started by misting, distressing, and inking some kraft cardstock.  Here's a look:

Then I embossed and sanded a piece of Coordinations cardstock using the Cuttlebug Hexagon embossing folder.  For the "resist" part of my card, I stamped a "clocks" image on Ranger Glossy Paper, then clear embossed it.  I then used various distress inks to go over it until I achieved the desired effect.  I also stamped the Tim Holtz "man with the umbrella" on kraft cardstock, and 7Gypsies "Best of Times" quote.  I added various metal gears (also by Tim Holtz) and a wooded piece by The Little Yellow Bicycle.  There you have it!!! A "manly" card for the "manly" man... Hahahaha!!!!  

Well gang, thanks for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

Birthday Bash Winner!!!!!

And the winner for the Sketch N Scrap Birthday Bash Challenge (by default) is....
Kirsty Vittetoe!!!!!
Please email me at Brandimatos@gmail.com to claim your prize!!!!
Thanks for playing :-)

Basic Grey "Fact or Fiction" Put to Work and Graduation Congratulations Overload!!!

Hello again my crafty neighbors!!! I've been super busy lately making tons of cards for people, challenges, family, and clients.  I thought I'd take a moment to share some of them with you.  Sit back and relax for a minute... And hopefully you will enjoy the show :-)

"Thank You Sincerely" and "Stitched With Love" using Basic Grey "Fact or Fiction"

Well, first on my list is a card I made for Sketch N Scrap's FIRST ever card challenge.. which was May 10th of LAST month!!! How did I miss that?!?!  Who knows but I figured I let you see it anyway :-)

Here is the sketch to follow:

Here is my card:

I have tons of papers and embellies from Basic Grey's "Fact or Ficiton" paper line and hardly ever use it.    So I pulled it out and went to work!!! 

I followed the sketch quite literally being that it was the first... usually I dissect them, flip them, and make them my own!! I distressed all the edges with my distressing tool and left the edges bare, rather than ink them as I usually do.  I added some chipboard stickers, punched a butterfly from an EK Success butterfly punch, and added a couple of pearls just like the sketch.  I also stamped the sentiment, then stamped the word "sincerely" on coordinating paper and used mod podge to adhere it to some scrap grungeboard I had lying around.  Just to add some depth I suppose.  Or maybe I just wanted to play!!! Hahaha!!! Lastly, I tied some hemp cord around the sentiments and made a bow to finish it off!!! 

Now, on to this month's card challenge at Sketch N Scrap...  This is the sketch for the first June card challenge:

And my creation:

As you can see, I used the same paper line and created another "girly" card!!!  Again, I followed the sketch quite literally,  making only minor adjustments.  I hand stitched some embroidery thread around the border, added some "sewing" themed ribbon, and stamped a dress form using Timber Brown Stazon ink.  I finished it off with a couple of pearls, ribbons, and a wooden button by Prima with a bow  tied to the front and back!!! 

Alright, now on to "Graduation".  Seriously, I was so busy making Graduation cards for family, as well as invites for different clients that I dreamt about graduating all over again!!! Hahaha!!! 

Formal Black and White Graduation Card

Here is a card I made for my cousin who is pretty girly in nature.  She's grown into such a beautiful and amazing young woman and I am sooooo very proud of her!!! 

I decided on a trifold card using formal black and white colors.  Here is the front:

The papers are by Recollections, aside from the background card which is black Bazzil Cardstock.  I rounded the corners and added some black ribbon tied in a bow for detail.  

Here is the inside... I had a LOT of fun with this one!!! I had some graduation embellies left over from making my sister's senior year album and was so happy to use them here!!! 

Isn't it soooo cute?!?! Look at the robe... I mean seriously... it's adorable!!!! I used coordinating cardstock by Recollections on the inside as well, and created the "wording" using Powerpoint.  I outlined all the papers with a thick black sharpie (one of my fav things to do!!!) and rounded the corners on the edges to match the outside.  Pretty easy right?!?!  

For the second card, I used the exact same concept as the first (even down to the wording, changing only the font to match the "theme" of this card) but changed the papers in the total opposite direction!!!

My other cousin is an avid hunter and sportsman, so formal black and white seemed just a tad out of character!!! Hahaha!!!!  He also graduated top of his class and we couldn't be prouder of him!!! 

Camo Graduation Card

I had some camouflage paper left over from a frame I made for my father back in March and decided to use it up for the front.  I also added a buckle (also by Tim Holtz) to the outside cover.  I dyed some Tim Holtz "crinkle" ribbon using distress stain in Bundled Saige and Peeled Paint.  I was actually able to add a small eyelet to the ribbon as well so it could stay put in the buckle.  Sort of like a belt!!! 

For the inside, I pulled out some scraps from a Tim Holtz paper pad that matched the theme perfectly!  Lastly, I printed the wording again using Powerpoint and Voila!!!! Another fabulous, yet easy, graduation card!!! 

I also have some graduation invites to share, but must photograph them first!! I'll be sure to post them as soon as we get some sun around here!!! Tropical Storm Andrea has hit Tampa pretty hard and we've had TONS of rain this last week.  Can't wait for the sun to come out again!!!!

Well gang, as usual, thanks for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

Soooo Much to Do... and Say!!!!

WOW!!! So I haven;t been around much the last couple of weeks... I fell ill and was literally out of commission for a bit... but I am BACK!!!!! And I have soooo much to share with you!!! I hope you'll stay for a bit and enjoy the show :-)

Enjoy the Journey

First on the list is a layout for this week's "Journey" Challenge over at Scrap your Story.  The challenge is to create a layout of a journey, mine being a recent trip to Grand Cayman with some of my family.  This is a picture of my father and I at a local beach.  This is my first out-of-country vacation EVER with my father and a treasured one at that!!! I also used this month's first sketch and color challenge from Sketches With Color.  Here is the sketch and color combo:

And here is my layout:

We haven't had much sun this week with Tropical Storm Andrea over our shoulders so the quality isn't fantastic but it will work :-)

I flipped the sketch 180 degrees to accomodate my photo.  Papers are by Cloud9 Design, SEI, and DCWV.  I also used real seashells from a trip to Picnic Island last year to dress up the layout!!! I added a piece of burlap for the trunk of the tree and stamped the sentiment from a Tim Holtz pack.  Oh, I wish were there again :-) Hahaha!!!! 

Father's Day Card Tim Holtz Style

Speaking of my father, I also created a Father's Day card for my NEW monthly Card Challenge over at 2 Broke Girls Challenges.  My challenge this month is to create a card using metal ( We all know it's one of my all time fav embellies!!!).  My dad is an avid hunter and sportsman so this was very fitting!!! Here is what I came up with:

The papers, buckle, and brads are by Tim Holtz, as are all the inks I used to "distress" the edges!  The stamp is actually a dollar stamp I purchased from Joann's quite some time ago.  I also used this card as my entry for the "Honor a Guy in Your Life" Challenge over at Sketches4All.  You merely need to create a card, layout, altered, or any other paper craft project that honors a guy in your life!! Easy, right?!?  

Fly Tag

Another challenge I host over at Sketches4All is my monthly Tag Challenge.  This month, you need to create a tag with some sort of pocket on it.  I had some "funky" papers lying around by DCWV that I couldn't wait to play with so I put them to good use :-)

Here is my tag :

Isn't this adorable?!?!?  I used several different papers and alphas, as well as stamps, flowers, and liquid pearls.  I mailed this to a friend that I haven't seen in some time to put a smile on her face :-) I included ten "tickets" in which I stamped the backs of with a "quote" or word, then filled in the front with details from our past!!! 

And lastly, I added a quote to the back which was perfect for our "relationship"!!! 

Very sweet!!!

She Dances to the Beat of Her Own Drum

Another of my challenges is my "Technique" Challenge over at 2 Broke Girls Challenges.  This month, your challenge is to create a project using mixed alphas.  I used SEVERAL different colors and fonts to really dress this up!!! Here is my page:

These papers are from a Recollections paper pack I've had for forever and never seem to be able to use.    This is my youngest daughter on a recent trip to Sea World where she used the drums as a resting spot while the rest of the family played them!!! Just like her mother, I swear!!!! Hahahaha!!!!! 

The alphas are from various brands, including K&Company, MME, The Girls Paperie, and Thickers.  I colored some of them to match the theme.  She's just so rotten!!! Hahaha!!!!

Dream Big

I also have my monthly challenge over at Colorful Creations where this month's challenge is to create a project using shapes.  That's right... Your basic elementary shapes... Circles, squares, hexagons, etc...  And really use them!!! I chose to stick with circles, and use the first June Sketch from 2 Broke Girls Challenges to complete my layout.  Here is the sketch:

And here is my creation:

I used papers by Cloud9 Design and punched several different circles out of them using various size circle punches.  Then I added several circle stickers with words, adding liquid pearls around them so they would "stand out".  The paper was actually plain and I added all the rub-on flowers on the corners for detail.  A strand of pearls also frames the photo but it is very hard to see here.  I was also excited to use my new MS punch to create the die-cut behind the photo, for which I also added liquid pearls around the leave "stems".  This is my oldest daughter when she was three years old.  Lovely isn't she?!?!?  

Sweet Fun using Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Collection

Okay... This is one of my MOST favorite layouts of all time!!!! I mean, that I've made anyway!!! I just LOVE playing with the Dear Lizzy paper line because it's just so sweet and, well, fun!!! 

I created this for my sketch over at Colorful Creation's Sketch A Thon last month.  I used an original sketch by Tabitha Triplett.. also one of my MOST favorite sketch "makers"!!! Any who, here is her sketch:

And here is my take on it:

Isn't it just too stinkin cute?!?!  I mean, not to toot my own horn but I LOVE how this turned out!!!! 

I flipped the sketch a quarter turn clockwise, then fussy cut a picture of my daughter from our recent trip to Jamaica and "placed" her inside the jar.  

I also used my mini heart punch and punched several hearts out from different papers from the collection.  I folded them in half and adhered them to the paper.  

I cut a sunburst using various papers from the collection, added coordinating ribbon, chipboard, and Polaroids.  The "fun" chipboard is by Heidi Swapp and the burlap flower from The Little Yellow Bicycle.  Finally, I added a few 3/16ths eyelets and threaded some paper string by Tim Holtz through the holes.  Voila!!! There you have it!! All my little secrets revealed... Hahahaha!!!!   

Well gang, I want to thank you sooo very much for stopping in... Stay tuned for a follow up post with tons of inspiration for card making!!! I've been super busy lately and still have so much to share with you!!! Have a LUCKY day :-)

Don't Forget!!!!!

Just a quick reminder to get your entries in for the Sketch N Scrap Birthday Bash!!!! Deadline is tomorrow evening at 11:59 p.m.  Remember, ANY paper craft project is acceptable as long as I can see you've tried the challenge!!! Good luck :-)

 

Sketch N Scrap Birthday Bash!!!

Hello and welcome to Lucky Flutterby Creations!!! My name is Brandi and I am honored to be a member of Sketch N Scrap's NEW card design team!!! 

I hope you're enjoying Sketch N Scrap's month long birthday bash!!! There are soooo many different challenges to spark your creativity and tons of opportunities to win some fabulous prizes along the way!!! 

Of course, I am having a wonderful challenge for you as well!!! Ever done any "paper piecing"?!?!  Want to give it a try?!?!  Well, here's your chance!!!!  It's easy, peasy... Promise!!! You can use regular stamps, digi stamps, paper punches, or anything else that floats your boat!!! 

The simple explanation is to stamp (or print, cut, punch, etc...) the same image on several pieces of paper  and then "piece" it together any way you please :-)  Here's a quick video because if you're anything like me, you need to see it to get it!!! Hahaha!!!! 

Since we are celebrating a birthday here, I decided to create a birthday card using Simple Stories 24/seven paper line and this week's sketch #101 from Deconstructing Jen.  I kept it very simple, merely stamping the image on two pieces of paper, then putting it together!!! Here's a little inspiration for you:

As you can see, this is something very simple and can be used on any paper or craft project!!! I stamped the "gift" on two pieces of paper, then cut out the base and glued it atop the other.  Here's a close-up:

You can do as much, or as little as you like... As long as I can see it, you're in it to win it!!!  I will provide a fabulous prize to one randomly drawn person at the end of the challenge!!!

As usual, there are some housekeeping rules...

1.  All projects must be NEWLY created as of today, May 21, 2013.  

2. You must become a follower and leave a comment below.

3. Your entry for this challenge can be a card, layout, altered, or ANY other craft project your heart desires!!!

4.  You can not combine this with any other challenges here on Sketch N Scrap.  Combining with challenges outside of the site is fine.  

5.  Post a link to your project from any online gallery below.

6. And most importantly, HAVE FUN!!! After all, that's what this is all about :-)

Scrap Your Story Challenge #12

Scrap Your Story Challenge #12

Happy Friday gang!!! Ready for another exciting challenge from Scrap Your Story?!?!  This week's challenge is stamping and boy, did I have fun with it!!!!  I combined this challenge with Janet's NSD Sketch #8 over at 2 Broke Girls.  Here is the sketch:

And here is my take on it:

I  started by using some gesso, distress stain, and various flourish stamps to create my background.   Then I layered it up with papers by MME and Bo Bunny Mamarazzi 2 paper collection.  I also used Heidi Swapp stamps to make "words" around the page: "Fabulous", "Hello", "Remember Today" and "Having a Great Time" were all stamped with Stazon ink in random places.   The embellies are also from the Bo Bunny collection, aside from the bigger stars next to the word "Smile" which are grungeboard that I embossed and inked with distress inks.  There's a lot going on here but I think it turned out wonderfully!!!!!  

2 Broke Girls Sketch #5

I also made another page with a picture from our recent cruise vacation!! This was taken at the port of call in Ochos Rios Jamaica.  This is my Aunt, Uncle, Father, Step Mom, Husband, and daughter, respectively.  I also created this for Sketch #5 at 2 Broke Girls.  Here is that sketch:

And my page:

I used papers by Momenta, and the top one by K&Company.  I cut the cardstock stickers into banners for a little more detail.  The die-cuts are from The Girls Paperie, "silver anchor" by Jolees, and wooden ticket by Tim Holtz.  This truly was "The Great Escape".  Actually, the greatest of them all!!!!! 

This page was also entered for Stephanie's "Nautical Challenge" at the Skyline Paperie.  

Sketch N Scrap May 15th Card Sketch Challenge

And last, but not least, is a card I made for my Mother In Law for Mother's Day this past weekend using the May 15th Card Sketch from Sketch N Scrap.  I received some papers and embellies by Pink Paislee Cottage Farms collection and they were perfect for the "type" of card I was trying to make!!! Here is the sketch:

Staying true to the sketch, I merely added some detail with layering (one of my fav things to do!!!) and embellies.  Here's my creation:

Pretty?!?  I put one of my Martha Stewart punches to work, added some ribbon, pins, and button by Prima.  Easy enough!!!! And I LOVE the look!!! 

Well gang, that's all for today!!! Don't for get our month long BIRTHDAY BASH over at Sketch N Scrap and month long SKETCH A THON over at Colorful Creations!!! Plenty of inspiration to get those juices flowin' and bring home some prizes while your at it!!!!

Thanks soooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

Let's Get Sketchy in Paradise!!!!

Hey there and Happy Friday (again!!!).  I just have a quick layout to share that I made for a sketch over at Let's Get Sketchy!!!

Here is the 1st May sketch:

I flipped the sketch a quarter turn clockwise to accomodate my photo and began to play!!! Here is my layout:

I started by laying down cut up strips of paper in the starburst design, and removed every other one.  Then I used Blue Glimmer Mist and sprayed all over!!! I LOVE how it came out!!! After adding my photo, I just went to work on embellishing!!!!

I actually used canvas behind the photo and frayed the edges for a "beachy" type look!!! The papers are by K&Company,  and flowers by The Paper House, Martha Stewart, and Recollections.  I had some glittered Thickers lying around and thought them perfect for the page!!!!   

As you know, my family and I went on vacation recently and explored the islands of Grand Cayman and Jamaica!!!! It truly was paradise :-)  This is a picture of my daughter taken in Grand Cayman.  Look at that water!!!!  

Well, thanks for stopping in my friends and have a LUCKY day :-)

Scrap Your Story Challenge #11~ Playing with Simple Stories, October Afternoon, and Pink Paislee!

Happy Friday gang!!! Yep, it's time again for another great challenge over at Scrap Your Story!!!! This week's challenge is a sketch challenge and here is the sketch:

I had some photos of my youngest daughter at my oldest daughter's birthday party last year that I've really been wanting to scrap.  I also received a fabulous prize pack of October Afternoon papers from Melinda over at Let's Get Sketchy that were absolutely PERFECT for this challenge!!!  Here is my "finished product":

She really is just too cute!!!! I told you the papers were perfect for the photos!!!! The collection is called "Fly A Kite" and really is great for "summer" type photos, even though this was taken in mid December!!! Gotta love Florida!!!! Hahaha!!!! I put my Martha Stewart punch to good use and added some embellies by Soft Spoken to finish this off.  Truly a beautiful girl :-)

Thanks to Fia over at Sketches4All I was also able to purchase the 24/Seven paper collection by Simple Stories and I just had to play!!! My oldest daughter was awarded Terrific Kid at her school so I figured to use this line for the pics!  This page was entered into Tabitha's Sketch challenge for the National Scrapbooking Day mini Sketch A Thon over at 2 Broke Girls.  Here is the sketch:

And here is my layout:

I flipped it to accommodate the photos and added random embellies from the kit.  I cut up some hexagons from a paper in the collection, then added them to various areas around the page.  I also used pop-dots on some to add depth!!! 

Another challenge this week is my Twisted Thursday weekly challenge over at Sketches4All where this week's challenge is to create something using only two colors and a stamp.  I decided on a card for my friend's wedding last weekend.  Here it is:

I made a standard A7 card and used a corner punch to accent it.  I pop-dotted the frame around the center for added detail.  I stamped the sentiment and images using Memento ink in Tuxedo Black, then cut out the champagne glasses, colored them in, and pop-dotted them for added effect.  I truly am happy with how this came out!!!

And last, but certainly not least.... For my monthly Tag Challenge over at Sketches4All, I decided to "Add A Tag" to a card!!! The challenge is to add a tag to anything... A card was perfect for this one though!!! 

I've been playing quite a bit with the Pink Paislee "Secret Crush" collection and made this beautiful tag/card combo with it!!! Here it is:

I made the tag first, adding various embellies from the paper kit, a Prima heart-shaped button, wooden clock by Recollections, ribbon, twine, and various flowers.  I then made a very simple card and added this to the cover with a mini "clothespin"!!!  Isn't it just lovely?!?!?

Well gang, hope you have a Happy Friday!!!! Thanks for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

Just a Reminder....

Hey gang!!! I just wanted to remind you of a few things....

First, Sketch N Scrap's Birthday Bash starts with a BANG on the 7th!!!  Lots of prizes and challenges stop in and check out all the fun that's going on!!!  Also, be sure to check out there monthly sketch challenges as this month's prize is a $25 gift certificate to The Scraproom: An AWESOME Kit Club that specializes in helping you get more pages done!!! Each monthly kit provides you with the latest and greatest in scrapbooking products with enough paper and supplies to get at least eight 12x12 pages done!!! Sounds good right?!?!

Sketches4All also has a FABULOUS sponsor for June's Father's Day challenge (details to come!).   Love Bug Creations will be donating a $15 gift certificate to one lucky winner!!!  They have so many different choices of ribbon to choose from that you can't just stop at one!!! Stay tuned for more details :-)

Don't forget about Colorful Creations MONTH LONG Sketch A Thon either!!!! There's a new sketch posted every weekday to help you get those photos scrapped!!! 

2 Broke Girls Challenges is also providing a $20 gift certificate to an online store of your choice!!! To be entered to win you must play along in the sketches this month and post them in the challenges!!! One lucky person will be drawn at random for the prize.  Stop over and say hello!!!!

Well gang, that's all for today!!! Thanks for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)