This Week's AC Challenge...

When I saw that this week's American Crafts Challenge was to create a LO with a red, white, and blue color scheme, I grabbed my fourth of July pics and started scrapping. It was a great motivation to get the pics from my last post scrapped! Here is my take on the challenge...I used some corrugated cardboard to frame out my pics after painting it white and then did a collage underneath of AC pattern papers. I just love AC polka dot papers! I also used some of my AC rub-ons stash with the title and stars in the clear metal tag. I added some shine to the stars to make them stand out....
The journaling reads, "The Fourth of July…a day spent with family. Lots of smiles, picnic foods, swimming, and a game of tag in the backyard with the kids. A perfect day. "

Oh, and something completely random that I forgot to share with my last post about our fourth of July picnic.....This may look like just an old washing machine but it's not! ....We use this as a cooler for beverages for all of our outdoor get togethers. This was my grandma and grandpa's old wash tub that was sitting in their basement forever. I really wanted it because I love vintage/antique stuff but I didn't want to take it until I thought of a way to recycle it and make it useful. I came up with this idea and thanks to my hubby for cleaning it up and putting in an acrylic piece at the bottom that will let the water drain after all the ice melts..he is super handy like that! Anyway, I think it's fun and wanted to share.

Have a good night!

4th of July Pictures

Hi! Hope everyone celebrating 4th of July had a wonderful weekend. It rained all day here (Cincinnati) yesterday so we had a BBQ at our house today. Thought I would share some pics from the day. Here is my hubby and son....

Me and Alex....

My dad and my niece, Lydia...My niece, Taylor (Lydia's big sister)...My nephew, Brennan (Lydia and Taylor's Brother)...My nephew (and Godson) J.T. ....I think the kids had so much fun. This is one of my favorite shots. All the kids decided to play tag in the backyard after swimming....Be back soon with some creative shares. Thanks for stopping by!

Rasberry Suite Color Challenge #11

Back today with my card for Dawn's color challenge. Here are the colors....

and my card...Love that photo of my niece Lydia. I immediately thought of using the sending smiles sentiment when I saw this photo.

I'll be back soon with LOTS to share. Just taking a small break to do some much needed R&R!

Thinking Inking

Hi everyone! I've been playing in my studio and wanted to share. I remember Jennifer telling me on our scrapbooking trip last month about her upcoming Thinking Inking class. I couldn't wait to check it out and I FINALLY had some time to play and wanted to tackle some of her techniques that she showed during week one of her class. Here is the set I made: Card #1:

For this card, I inked the tag with Peeled Paint Distress Ink and then wicked it with water. I inked the white flowers with red ink and then attached some HA buttons in the center. I tied a bow and added a sentiment to finish the tag and attached it to a HA kraft card after embossing it with the cuttlebug.

Card #2:

For this card, I inked the tag with Broken China Distress Ink and then stamped with VersaMark and water to create a watermark look. I used a white gel pen to give it a little more definition, then I added orange brads and a sentiment. I attached the tag to a HA kraft card after embossing it with the cuttlebug.

Card #3:

For this card, I applied a flower mask then heavily inked the bottom with black ink and worked my way up the tag with less ink to create a lighter look on the top. Then I removed the mask, added a sentiment and a few pearls. I attached the tag to a HA kraft card after embossing it with the cuttlebug.

Card #4:

For this card, I inked the polka dot patterned paper with Purple Distress Ink changing the look completely. Here is the paper before I inked it...Then I tied some purple string around the patterned paper and added a sentiment. Then I inked the tag with yellow ink and then stamped with a HA flourish stamp in purple. Finally, I inked the tag edges with purple and attached it to a HA kraft card after embossing it with the cuttlebug.

Supply List for all cards:
Flower Mask- Heidi Swapp
Stamps, Notecards, Buttons, Flowers, Pearls-Hero Arts
Patterned Paper-Bo Bunny
Brads-Li'l Davis
Ink: Ranger (Tim Holtz-Distress Ink), VersaMark, Memories Ink
Other: Tags and String

Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to check out Jennifer's blog HERE for more info on her Thinking Inking Class. I promise you will have so much fun and your inky fingers will be worth it! lol

Rasberry Suite Color Challenge #10

I apologize for the lack of posts. Feeling kinda blah lately and didn't have anything blogworthy until I played in the studio today and made TWO cards for Dawn's color challenge! Here are the gorgeous colors I worked with... Here is the first one...and the second one...That's all I got for now. Have a good night!

Brad Paisley Fan...

Yep. I'm a Brad Paisley Fan. Ted and I went to see him in concert last night here in Cincinnati. (It was a Mother's Day gift from Ted) What a great show! The yummy Dierks Bentley opened for him. He rocked it out too. Such a fun night and a great break from the stressful week I had. THIS song is my favorite from Brad. It reminds me of me and my hubby.

Just popping on to say hi and hope you are having a great weekend. We celebrated my dad's 60th birthday today. It was fun but I am TIRED. I'll be back soon after some much needed rest. Thanks for stopping by!

Almost Forgot...

I'm back. :) Almost forgot to show you what I worked on for Lisa's challenge. She has AWESOME photography challenges on her blog. They are so helpful.

Here is my card before...

and here is my card after learning her tutorial...

I was NEVER happy with the auto levels on Photoshop. Now I know this simple trick that makes SO much difference. Thanks Lisa! I need all the help I can get with photography. lol