Going Topless

This is my last thing for the 3 Bug DT submission. The scan washed the colors out. I'm wondering if that's a sign it will be dying soon or if it just doesn't like shades of orange. I had already done a layout about my car but this floral paper was so happy and fun that I had to do another one.

The title is written with a Liquid Paper pen. I couldn't find a white pen of any kind at Newport today and my old one was dead. It worked pretty well once I go the squeeze thing down. The stuff at the bottom about autos came from WM. It's by Wrights and I found it in the fabric dept. with all the trim.

An Altered Photo Frame

I bought the frame that I used for this several years ago at Big Lots. I got a few of them because I liked the shape and that there was so much flat surface to work with. It originally had cat stuff painted on it. I like it much better now.

Almost all the stuff is 3 bugs. The only exceptions are the narrow light blue ribbon tape (Heidi Swapp) thats on the mitered corners of the pattern paper and the letters that are Making Memories. The photo of Alec is from the end of last summer. He was up fairly high in one of Mom's trees. I'll have to take this to school and put it on my desk.

I think I might have to make another, but girly this time for Hannah.

My Distraction

My sister Sue bought me a new sewing machine a couple of weeks ago and I've been trying it out this week. First I made a purse for myself. I saw the pattern in a quilt magazine and i just had to have one. The scraps of fabric left over from that project made the little set of clothes that Hannah is wearing here in this layout. The only thing I bought specifically for this is the lime green trim.So far I've made her 2 different capri outfits and I have a sundress
picked out to be the next
project.

Also I had ordered lots of 3 Bugs stuff thinking I'd have plenty of time to get an entry ready for their DT call. Today's the last day and I have 2/3 of my things ready. This layout, and an altered picture frame that's drying (I'll share later). My last layout is planned out in my head but nothing is done on paper. I'll get to work on it as soon as I've run some errands. If I get done, I'll send them off, if I don't, that's OK too. I like what I've done so far and that's what really matters the most.

I really love this layout. Hannah looks so cute. She loves pretty, girly things so she's a joy to sew for. Getting her to slow down long enough to take a photo is another story. I took 40 something shots with my digital, several were out of focus, more were of the side of her head because she took off so I'd chase her down again. I love the photo of her chasing after Mom's chickies.

Day 2 of the 21 Day Challenge

I've let myself get behind on something I've committed myself to yet again. It seems like the story of my life. I really want to do this though so I'm going to try to get myself caught up. It may take a couple of days though.

Here's my Day 2 post. Again, I used Rhonna's image in my entry. It's in the top left corner. The rest is just my doodling. Pattern papers are from DCWV's retro collection. All inkwork is with a brown Pitt fine tip and I tried out some new pencils that I bought a couple years back. Yeah, I know that sounds stupid. I'm an art supply hoarder. I bought these because of the cool leather zipper case they come in. It's so nice! It's a pack of 48 and they are from a company in Holland called Bruynzeal. I really like them but maybe not as much as my Prismacolors. The lead is a bit drier and sounds scratchier on the paper than P's does. They seem to keep a sharp tip a bit longer so that's one definite advantage. I didn't have to resharpen a single time while working on this.

My Matchbook Quote Album

I made this matchbook album recently to be a place to collect all the feminine words of wisdom that I've been collecting for years. The papers and most of the embellishments are from the Rob & Bob series. I just love the mini file folders that they make. Inside the one on the cover I write about this being the place that I'm gathering the quotes that inspire me. Some of the quotes will be art related like the first one that's shown here. Some will just be for fun - I love some of the things that Mae West said so I know she'll turn up inside my book.

My plan is to keep the pages inside fairly flat and simple like the first page here.
I had fun practicing my calligraphy (I can really tell I haven't done any for a while) and my doodling. The lettering was done with a Zig Calligraphy pen and all the rest was done with a mixture of Pitt brush pens and fine tip markers. The paper is more Rob & Bob.

This quote just had to be the first one. I love practically everything Maya Angelou has ever written but this quote seemed perfect because of it's creative nature.

My pattern for this book along with the complete directions will soon appear at www.scrapjazz.com.

Day 1 of the 21 Day Challenge

I decided to use one a spiral bound book for my challenge journal. It measures around 5.5 x 8.5 and I'm working with it in the landscape position. I haven't decided how to decorate my cover and title page yet but I didn't let that stop me from getting started on the Day 1 topic. The quote box comes straight from Rhonna Farrer's site but the rest is my doing. After scanning it I think I may go back and add something to the center of the black/white polka dot flower. I'm going to use this project as an opportunity to work on my hand lettering/calligraphy skills along with drawing. Sometimes I tend to be too much into the product and leave the "ME" part out of my layouts.

The {21} Challenge

I ran across this challenge today while I was browsing at 2Peas. I have given some thought to starting a blog and this seemed the perfect time. I'm out of school for Spring Break so I have time to learn how to do this right and to get myself started on Rhonna's challenge. Information about it can be found here http://rhonnafarrer.typepad.com/dreamy/.

I'm getting a late in the day start to this so I'll post Day 1's assignment tomorrow.