Bright and Bold!

Greetings Friends!!  I'm here today to bring you my take on the most recent MFT sketch challenge.  As I've noted in previous posts, I'm now 6 weeks from expecting my third child and my other children are 8 and just about 7 respectively.  I've been working hard at getting through my 7 year old's first year album before baby boy #3 comes along!  And believe me, the clock is TICKING!!

Here is this month's sketch:

And here is my interpretation:

I've used the super popular and oh so fun chalkboard art technique that's so popular right now along with MFT's Behind The Camera Stamp Set, First Class Friend,  and Lovey Dovey Sentiments. 

My cardstock is from Bazzill.  The blue background is from SU! and the other patterned paper is from Basic Grey - Obscure.  I don't know about you but I have the HARDEST time photographing 12x12 pages.  No matter how perfect it seems to look through my camera lens there is always one spot that seems out of focus when I pull the pics off of my camera.  I think scanning it would be the best way but I feel that scanned images sometimes come out looking slightly off in some fashion.  Anyway - here are a few close up shots of the page.  I kept it relatively simple since it was so bright - but I love how the colors play and pop. 

As you can see, I used MFT's Photo Corner Die-namics as accents on the photo and on the 12x12 page itself. 

It's so hard to believe that my darling boy is going to be 7 in a few weeks and that I'll have another being THIS tiny in my arms! 

I used pre-cut cork alphabet stickers to spell out his name and a white gel pen to add faux stitching and dots on either side of his name. 

I used my circle Spellbinder Nestabilities to cut out the photos and corresponding mattes on the left hand side of the page.  The first two are of my son's first bath and the bottom photo is of my darling daughter - at all of 18 months old. 

I'm in the middle of taking Clean and Simple 2 card class with Jennifer McGuire and Friends right now so I'll be back to post some fun creations inspired by that class soon!!

Thanks for coming by!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Fabulous Saturated Canary Freebie!

Hey All!

I just had to pass the word on about THIS gorgeous freebie being given away by Krista Smith at Saturated Canary!! 

Hope you're all having a wonderful Saturday!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

You Have My Heart

Hi Friends!!  Happy New Year!!  I truly hope that you and yours had a marvelous holiday season and a wonderfully blissful start to winter. 

We've been very busy enjoying the holiday, the snow here in the Northeast and preparing for a fun, family vacation!  And let's not forget that we're expecting a new baby in early March!  10 weeks and counting!!  Unbelievable. 

Part of my "to do" plan before baby #3 comes along is to finish my darling son's first year album.  Ya...he's almost 7.  But...better late than never!!  I've been super inspired by the monthly scrap layouts issued by MFT.  Easy and fun.  That's what works for me!

Here's my most recent page:

You'll notice that it's not JUST my son in the pictures (he's 5 days old in the pictures on the left) but my daughter is all around as well.  I had my first two children 17 months apart so it was largely unlikely that we were taking pictures of them separately - or at different times.  So these all were snapped relatively at the same time and I decided to meld her into the book rather than make it just of him and pretend she wasn't around.  I know some scrappers would keep it super organic and have the album of the one child only.  But that wasn't our life and so it depicts the reality of the time. 

I am also heartily digging through my stash and using some new (to me) papers that my dear friends have handed down to me.  I am a hoarder.  There...I said it.  I buy beautiful new things, new and trendy supplies and I barely use them!!  I hate to cut into gorgeous new papers and I love how the embellishments look in the packages.  Weird?  Ya...probably but it's the truth.  So I TRY hard not to buy things that I don't truly need...like adhesive, white cardstock, etc.  The absolute basics.  So this paper is I *think* from 2006-7 SU!  It's OLD but I just love the sweet and muted tones that were perfect for these photos.  The papers pull the colors out of the photos but also allow the photos to simply JUMP off of the page because of the bright colors in them.  The photo in the lower left is to show how big my son was in relation to a notebook that I was using at the time to record all of the pertinent baby 'goings on'.  So sweet and so tiny.

One of my favorite parts of the page is these cork letters that I picked up at Jo-Ann Fabrics - this is an example of something new that I allow myself to buy but is considered a basic.  They are sticky-back cork which makes life so easy!  I love using my Big Shot but sometimes it's nice not to have to pull it out and fuss with it when you are trying to throw a page together. 

The snowflake is cut using an older Sizzix steel rule die.  I love it...super classic and fun.  I used corrugated cardboard that I buy from Gauche Alchemy.  I cut it twice and glued them together for some extra dimension.  I coated it with Picket Fence Distress Stain and coated it with Martha Stewart fine, white glitter.  I heat set it (because I'm impatient) with my heat gun, set it with a corduroy brad from SU! and and a piece of multi-colored baker's twine. 

I cut a large flag using my new MFT Fishtail Flag Layers Stax.  I have had the regular Fishtail Flag Stax and recently purchased the layers which are an ABSOLUTE necessity!  I sponged the edge of the flag with a bit of Antique Linen Distress Ink to make it pop, added a strip of sparkly cardstock for a bit of brightness and a chipboard T for my son's name. 

I used an edge punch that has teeny, tiny hearts that I punched a whole bunch out of Bazzill red cardstock.  I coated them in Glossy Accents and set them aside to dry overnight.  I adhered them scattered around the page to brighten it up but not to distract from the photos or the layout. 

I used my fingers to twist up the edges of the pages a bit to make it just the tiniest bit rustic.  As an added touch, I added a few silver brads from SU! to fill in some space that needed some love. 

I am thrilled with how this turned out and can't wait to start on my next page!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

MFT - Wednesday Stamp Club

This creation was inspired my my husband's darling Grandmother who turned 100 yesterday!!  Yes, I said 100!!!  She is simply beyond amazing and really...one to be marveled at.  There was a party in her honor at her home - just how she likes it!  Such a special lady.  I drew inspiration from this week's MFT sketch as my starting point:

I used my Snowflake Die-namics in lieu of the flower element and added resin flowers (my favorite) scattered sporadically but specifically in place of the top left element.

 I added a double doily for the background element sponged with Vintage Photo Distress ink.  I used Big Greetings to stamp my sentiment inside and out.  (love this set!)

I know that Grandmother had an amazing 100th!!

 

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Getting Scrappy With MFT!

Greetings!!!  The sketch challenge at MFT this month was so fabulous that I was compelled to create two more pages with it!  I am presently almost 23 weeks pregnant with my third child and while my daughter (my first) has two 12x12 albums totally completed within the first year of her life, my darling son's photos and supplies have been waiting patiently for, ahem...6.5 years - give or take a few weeks!  Shame on me!!  My first two are only 17 months apart, does that count for anything?  Needless to say, life got hectic when my my darling boy came along and then, well, I got sucked into card making and that was kind of that as far as scrapbooking went! 

But now that I have a third on the way, my goal is to complete my son's first year memories before I am due in March.  So with that said, I have created the first two pages of his album using this sketch:

Here is page one:

I kept my layout simple and sweet using the centers of the Perfect Pinwheel Die-namics for some custom button/twine embellishments and my favorite Fishtail Flag Die-namics for the top element.  I pulled my color scheme from my son's blue and green blanket pictured in the lower right hand photo.  And oh by the way...he still sleeps with it every night...love.

 

My second layout is a mirror of the original sketch - I figured having these two side by side in an album would flow better if I flipped the sketch.

You'll notice that I added an envelope pocket to the top left to hold both his and my hospital bracelets from that day in addition to a journaling notecard.  These pictures make me swoon as it was the first time brother and sister met and it just melts my heart.  Sighhhhhhh...

IMO there is nothing better than the red/turquoise combo.  It's just my favorite!!  So versatile!  I used my Stacking Star Die-namics as the main decorative focal point pulling in my Notched Tag Die-namics with an added sentiment. 

I can't wait to see what sketch the fabulous MFT team has in store for us next month!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

My Favorite Things Goes Scrap-Tastic!!!

Greetings Friends!!!

For those of you who follow along - you'll know why I haven't been blogging in forever and for those of you who don't - here's WHY!  =)  But I'm heading into that really good stage where my energy is pretty high as is my motivation.  I can feel the nesting coming on!!  I'm trying very hard to dive back into the scrapbooking world as I have so many projects that have been waiting so patiently for me for many MANY...(gulp)...years! 

And really - you all know how much I ADORE all things My Favorite Things related and couldn't contain myself when THIS was posted on the MFT blog. 

And I must be honest with you - I have THE hardest time photographing 12x12 pages.  I have a light box that works wonders with my cards and other small projects but when it comes to large scale projects I struggle so I hope that I did my page justice!

I so adore the simple and classic elements of this sketch.

 This page is, as you can see, of my darling daughter from this past summer.  I chose four of my very favorite pictures from a family trip to Vermont to capture the essence of her fun, sweet and wonderful nature.

I kept my colors light, summery and breezy using cardstock from Bazzill.  The majority of my patterned paper is from Amy Tangerine.

I've used some of my very favorite MFT products including Behind The Camera Die and Stamp set, Tag You're It Die and Stamp Set, Mini Pennants, and Botanical Beauty.

 

I love the earthy use of sticky back cork combined with the fun summery colors.  As you can see above, I took a light blue button, colored it with a turquoise hued Copic to create just the color I needed.  I then coated it in Matte Multi Medium and dunked it into crystal glitter so that it added a hint of sparkle.  I backwards tied my bow behind my button and anchored it down with a drop of hot glue.

I am hoping to have some time to create with the Project Life version that the crafty gals at MFT provided as well!  We'll see what the rest of the week brings my way!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Really Big News!!

Greetings my friends!!!  It's been a VERY long time since I've posted but as you can see I have a really good reason!  

I am now 22 weeks pregnant with my third child!!  My husband and I are beyond thrilled and our two children (Kendall who is 8 and Tyler who is 6.5) are both extremely excited to welcome a new family member in March.  And we are having a boy!! 

This is the reason that I stepped down from all of my design teams mid-summer as I was newly pregnant and simply oh so sick.  It unfortunately lasted well into the start of school season so it was virtually impossible for me to motivate to be within my crafty space.  I could barely lift my head let alone create!  But I am feeling wonderful these days.  Both of our children are in school full time and I am working two days a week at a private pre-school until the baby comes - which is simply beyond adorable, fun and wonderful.  

I have started to get back to my crafty roots working through my son, Tyler's baby book wanting to get it completed before baby comes and life gets a bit more complicated.  It's been a bit of a struggle getting back into the crafty world but I'm doing so at my own pace using what I have and picking up some fun things here and there.  I will be posting the pages that I've recently finished using the newest MFT Scrap Sketch starting with the basic scrap sketch and I will also try to incorporate the Project Life version as well into my ongoing PL projects. 

I hope you are all doing well my crafty friends - in general and in light of the most recent natural disaster - Hurricane Sandy.  My thoughts and blessings are with those in areas that have been devastated and destroyed. 

With Many Crafty Hugs-

Meredith

The Best Day - Part Two

Greetings Friends!!!  Popping in to share with you the card that I sent my sweet and darling son off to his first day of Kindergarten with.  It's the same layout that I used for my daughter's first day card here but I changed up the colors, papers and embellies a bit to be more suitable for a boy.

 I used one of my very favorites MFT Sentiments 6th Birthday Celebration Set to create this fun, simple and bright creation.

 

I used papers that I had laying around on my desk from another creation.  I used SU! Real Red ink for my main sentiment.  I punched a red cardstock star and coated it with Glossy Accents and let it dry overnight for a focal embellishment.  I added a tiny Tim Holtz paper clip and small silver brads to anchor the corners.  I used a tiny scrap of May Arts Chevron Ribbon to add a little loop on the left hand side of the main layer. 

I added a message to him on the interior and tucked it into his lunch box.  Sigh...he's just so so cute.  

My favorite was when he beamed coming off the bus because he had such a great day.  I'll be back soon with another creation for my darling daughter's upcoming 8th birthday!

Thanks for coming by!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

The Best Day - Part One

Hello Friends!  I told you that I'd pop in every now and again with a fun creation!  Technically, I am on a self imposed blog break but I clearly couldn't let the start of school come without a creation or two for my fabulous children. 

My darling daughter started second grade yesterday and I wanted something simple, bright and fun to tuck into her lunchbox on day one.  I recently purchased the MFT Sentiments 6th Birthday Celebration Set

I mean, really, talk about awesome!  I used Bazzill cardstock and Basic Grey patterned papers from the Konnichiwa collection.  (swoon)

I used my Fishtail Flag STAX and my Hearts-a-Plenty Die-namics to complete my project.  To achieve my super glossy and bubbly heart, I cut the smallest heart out in both red cardstock and a scrap of thin cardboard.  I Xyroned the two together to give it some stability and then added a generous layer of Glossy Accents over top.  I let it dry overnight and adhered it to my card using hot glue to ensure that it wouldn't fall off. 

I anchored the corners of my sentiment panel and my outer panel with self-adhesive bling for an added touch of texture.

I was happy and my daughter was beaming when she came home as she had a fantastic first day of school.

I am one super proud Mom. 

Until the next time!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

A Lovely Farewell...

Greetings my dear friends!!!  I'm here today with a bit of explaining, some fun and a few creations to bid you a bloggy farewell for a short while while I embark upon a new adventure, of sorts! 

My darling friends and teammates at DYSU have organized an amazing blog hop as way to say adieu as I am stepping down from the team.  (sniff, sniff)  I first and foremost want to thank them for this amazing send off as well as my wonderful time that I spent with them on the team.  It was one of the most organized, well thought out, kind, compassionate and caring group of women that I've ever had the pleasure of creating with.  I will miss you all GREATLY but as time goes on I promise to come back and create with y'all when I can!!  Hugs my friends and many, many thank yous to you all!!!

As some of my crafty friends have noticed...my blog has been VERY quiet and getting increasingly more so as the weeks have gone on.  I have resigned (albeit tearfully) from all of the fabulous teams that I was on.  While I cannot share the news ~ just yet (wink) ~ I will say that it has to do in a way with my health (I am TOTALLY fine) but require more time to spend with my darling husband and two amazing kiddies as well as time to care for myself.  With school starting less than two weeks away, I want to spend every single moment with my babies before my daughter heads off to second grade and my son to Kindergarten.  The time is precious and few. 

I am sure that once everyone is settled in school, I will have a little time to dabble creatively here and there but will be more focused on some mini albums for my kids as well as catching up on some scrappy projects that have been waiting for me very patiently.  I will post every now and again so please don't forget about me as I surely will not forget about you all.  I will definitely come by and visit and comment when I can and will for sure get back into the crafty world when it's my time.  But for now...it's farewell to my daily creating and blogging.  Be sure to keep me posted on anything fun and I will come by and say "hello!!" 

And so, without further ado, I am going to leave you with some of my favorite projects that I created while on the DYSU team. 

Thank you my friends for everything!!  See you soon!!

With Many Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Four Legged Friends

DYSU WK 84

Birdie Brown

* Winner's Choice of 3 Digital Stamps

The Paper Shelter

* $20 Gift Certificate

Bugaboo Stamps

* Winner's Choice of 7 Digis

 

Greetings DYSU friends!  Today we're hosting a super cute challenge at the DYSU challenge blog called Four Legged Friends.  Yep, that's right!  We want you to bust out all of your super cute animal images and share them with us!!

Today I've used the super sweet porcupine image from Bugaboo stamps.  I printed him onto Copic Xpress paper and colored him with my Copics.  I did this twice coloring and trimming out his adorable face so that I could pop it up on foam adhesive to give him added dimension.

I used lots of scraps including some from Bazzill, Basic Grey and SU!.  I used a sentiment from Loves Rubberstamps.  I added quite a bit of embellishments to create a fun little grouping using wooden buttons, twine and twill tape.  I also added some stitching and a tiny clothespin attached to the main image panel.

I hope you come play along with us at the DYSU challenge blog!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith