The Bo Bunny blog hop!

Welcome to day one of the Bo Bunny blog hop. Yes you read that right. There will be not one, but three blog hops this May! There will be fun, prizes and lots and lots of inspiration along the way.

The Bo Bunny designers have put together some amazing work to share on their blogs. Today we have eight featured designers to inspire you to create. Their work is simply gorgeous and I was in awe by each and every project.

Today's designers include:

Agniezska

Sarah - that's me!

Christiane

Michele

Frances

Mahlin

Janis

Irene

You should have come here from Agniezska's blog, but if you are just joining us you can start at the Bo Bunny Blog.
If you would like to play along, just follow along the blog path. Agnieska is linking to Sarah and she is linking to the next and so on. Just keep hopping until you reach the end! All the blogs are linked above just in case too.

Here is the project I created for the hop using the Bo Bunny Gabrielle line. This is my sweet girl Frances playing on the beach last summer. I can just watch her playing all day long. She is just the cutest!

(Supplies: Gabrielle papers, 12 x 12 chipboard, stickers, dimensional stickers, Icandy chipboard, jewels)

And now for the Blog Hop prizes! Leave a comment on each designer's blog. A commet will be chosen on  one designer's blog. You don't know who's blog that is so leave a comment on each one to be eligible! To be eligible for the second prize leave a comment on the Bo Bunny blog after hopping through all the blogs and one will be chosen at random.

The winners will be announced next Wenesday on Bo Bunny blog.

The ScrapRoom Challenges

Hi there! A few things to share tonight before I go to bed. I am exhausted and it is only 8:15!

First- I have a winner for the Pink Paislee rubons and stickers. Congrats to Shirley who said-

Shirley said...



What a beautiful layout, and your little girl is so precious...what a smile!!! I would love to know what white gel pen you used to journal around the page. It is so vivid!

Thanks for stopping by my blog Shirley! Email your address to scrapcetera@aol.com and I will send those out to you.

Second- there are some fun challenges going on at the ScrapRoom right now!

There is a word challenge and the secret word is "party". Well I guess it isn't so secret because then you wouldn't know what the challenge is! For this challenge you have to use the word "party" on your layout somewhere. I chose to use it in the title on my "First Tea Party" layout. I used The ScrapRoom May Double Shot Daily Junque kit for my layout. I tried to do something a little different so I used some inks and mists on my layout. I think it looks a little funky and cool! All my pages were looking exactly alike so I thought it was time to experiment. Everything is included in the kit except the thickers I used in the title.

There is also a sketch challenge going on too. Here is the sketch from The ScrapRoom's very own Frances Syliva:

If you want to play along with the challengs you can find all the details HERE on The ScrapRoom blog. Both are due by May 30th.

Third- There is a Bo Bunny blog hop tomorrow! The action all starts at the Bo Bunny blog. I can't show my project just yet, but here is a sneak peak of what you will see tomorrow: 

Spread the word about the blog hop! There will be prizes and lots of great projects!

Have a great night!



Bind your own books!

Happy Saturday and Happy Mother's Day to all the moms! I hope everyone has a great day!

I was the blogger on the Bo Bunny blog yesterday and posted a very easy tutorial to bind your own books. It is so fun! I can't wait to make more. Since mother's day is coming up I felt a little sentimental and wanted to create something special for the pictures of Isabel on the day she is born. I can't believe she is almost 6 months old now - sniff, sniff. I chose to make a glue bound book because I have 30 pictures of her that I want to include in the book. I knew chipboard wouldn't work and since it was going to be so big I wanted it to be really sturdy. And sturdy it is! I flipped through that thing so many times and pressed on the pages while decorating the inside pages and the pages didn't even budge! The cover is  little flimsy because I just used pattern paper. Next time I think I will used chipboard for the covers and pattered paper for the inside pages.

I have so many ideas for books I want to make now though. I want to bind all Frances's artwork from school, a book with blank pages inside for Frances to draw in (then I won't have to bind the artwork- hehe!) and an abc book, and on and on and on.

Here is the book I created and the spine is actually glue bound like an actual book.

Here are some of the inside pages. Since the spine doesn't give at all (unlike rings or other chipboard albums) I had to to keep the pages relatively flat. I think this was the first time I haven't used foam tape on a layout- lol! I didn't mind keeping the pages plain though because I really wanted the focus on these pictures of Isabel on the day she was born. Plus I had a ton of photos so plain was fast!

I used the Bo Bunny Gabrielle, Olivia and Timepiece collections for this project. You can check out the tutorial HERE and create some of your own books!

Thanks for coming by!

Be a guest designer for Nikki Sivils!

That's right! There's a guest designer call going on right now. You can design with the newest Nikki Sivils products and be featured on her blog. Nikki is the absolute best and the nicest so it would be tons of fun.

If you are interested all the details can be found HERE on her blog.

The Scraproom Blog Hop!

It's May!! I am in such a good mood looking at all this green grass and the spring flowers! And today is reveal day at The ScrapRoom. The May kit is filled with lots and lots of fun papers and embellishments that are perfect for spring.

In celebration of our May kit, we are having another BLOG HOP!! You know the way this works, right? Here is a list of the places you will be visiting...

Lan Amphone

Melanie Call

Sarah Eclavea -that's me!

Jenny Moore

Aphra Bolyer

Kim Arledge

Frances Sylvia

TSR Facebook Page

The hop begins at Lan's blog, but all of the blogs are linked in case you get lost along the way. Just follow along the blog path, and keep hopping until you reach your last destination which is The ScrapRoom Facebook Fan Page!! Make sure you become a follower and leave a comment at each blog telling our wonderful designers what you liked about their project! When you reach The ScrapRoom Facebook Fan Page, leave a comment letting us know that you finished the hop.

One blog hop participant who follows the rules, will be chosen at random to win a $5 gift certificate to The ScrapRoom Store! Whoot! Whoot! Check out the blog Wednesday, April 6th for our winner!

As the double shot designer I worked with May Pink Paislee Daily Junque Double Shot kit. Whoo, that's a mouth full!

Here is just one of the projects I created with that great kit.

This is my amazing little girlie Frances. I got the idea for the title from the tag in the upper left that says "be amazing". I saw that little tag and thought instantly of my little Frannie and the amazing girl she is. I love her so much and am just darn proud of her everyday. She is seriously the sweetest and it makes me so proud how nice and caring she is to everyone. All the supplies for this layout came from the kit except for the thickers I used for the title.

And speaking of Pink Paislee- I was cleaning up my scrap space yesterday and found some Pink Paislee in my stash that I had never used! So I will do a little give away for some pink paislee stickers and rubons (they are older, from their first collection, but still way cute!) to one random comment left on this post.

Thanks for coming by and enjoy the hop! Now you are will be visiting the ever so talented Jenny Moore!

Flash Back Friday

Things have gotten a little away from me this week. Posting a flash back Friday post on a Saturday is just one of the many things I am behind on! It always happens when the husband goes out of town, but he's back now and things are back to normal!

Yesterday it was flash back Friday on the Bo Bunny blog. I chose to create a page about my sweet, sweet dear Bacon who passed away last August. We adopted Bacon when he was 5 from dachshund rescue. He cme to us in very poor shape and the worst thing was that his foster mom said he was much better from when they first found him. Him and lots of other dogs were confiscated from a bad breeder and the dachshunds in the bunch were given to the doxie rescue. He was a little guy (just about 7 pounds) and loved to sit in any lap he could find. He had such a cute personality and he would keep us laughing with all his funny behaviors. When he finally passed in August he was almost 18 years old. It's kind of amazing that he lived that long after such a bad start in life. It was our goal to make sure he always had a happy life after having such a bad one for so long so he just may have been the world's most spoiled dachshund!

I used the Bo Bunny Timepiece for this layout and the sizzix Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die.

I still volunteer for dauschund rescue and unfortunately there are lots more dogs like Bacon who just need someone to love them. You can visit the rescue's site HERE.

You can also see more flash back layouts created using Timepiece on the Bo Bunny blog HERE.

I'll be back Monday with The ScrapRoom blog hop and a little giveaway. Hope to see you then!

Quick Pages and some Easter Pictures

Happy Monday morning. I hope everyone had a great Easter! Mine was great. I cooked a great big dinner and my whole family came over. It is so nice to have us all together. My girls were dressed up like little princesses and they looked so cute. No one could help but going "awwww" when they saw them. I tried very unsuccessfully to take pictures of them so I am a little disappointed about that. They looked so cute matching though! Here's a few of my favorites all thouh they are straight from the camera and still need some editing...

The girls' Easter baskets

Isabel with her basket. Frances wouldn't sit for a picture. She just wanted to rip everything right out of it.

Isabel in her Easter dress.

The only picture of the two girls wthere they are both looking at the camera.

The cake I decorated. I got the idea from a Rachael Ray magazine, but that cake looked very different.

Frances on her egg hunt. She would not look at the camera!! 

And now for some Bo Bunny! Blast Off is one of my new favorite lines. I just can't get enough of it. This is the second layout I created with it and I still have two more planned. It is just sooo fun! And who said Blast Off is for boys only? I couldn't resist using it for this picture of Frances meeting George at the children's museum. She was so excited I was only able to get one picture that wasn't blurry due to her moving and jumping around!

The focus on the Bo Bunny blog is quick and easy scrapbook pages today. To make this "George" page fast I used all premade embellishements, chipboard and stickers. So once I had my papers and photo glued down, I could just peel and stick to add embellishments. The dimensional stickers and Icandy chipboard are perfect for quick pages because they already come glittered and jeweled up. I then added some doodling and hand written journaling to save some more time.

You can check out the Bo Bunny blog for some more quick and easy scrapbooking tips. Thanks for coming by today!

Paper Flower Tutorial

Hello, hello! It seems more like winter here then spring right now. Only 37 degrees today! Brrrrr!

To make it start feeling a little more like spring here is a spring card that I created with the April Double Shot Kit from The ScrapRoom. 

And if you like the flower I made there is a tutorial on the ScrapRoom blog HERE.

Have a great night!

Some new Nikki Sivils projects

Hi all! I hope everyone is having a great day and great start to the week!

I am so slow to everything. Last to get a cell phone, DVD player, DVR, etc. I actually still have one of those big bulky tv's in my family room. Everyone always asks when I am getting the flat screen! So it didn't surprise anyone that I just discovered the Twilight books! Yes, I know they have been out for sooo long now. The advantage to waiting though is that I can read all four with no waiting. I bought the first book when it first came out and it just sat on my shelf. Last week I was looking for something easy to read. Something I could read with Dora on the backgroung (hehe) so I dusted it off and started reading. My sister has the whole set and she told me she would bring the other three on Easter. Well..... I am now starting the 4th book!I couldn't wait so I bundled up the girls (yes, it's April, but still only 38 degrees in Chicago) and went straight to the library to check out all the books.  I have been neglecting all my responsibilities to read these books! So as soon as I am done with this post off to start reading again- lol!

Besides reading, I did manage to get a few Nikki Sivils layouts done for her blog today. You can see the rest of the DT's work HERE.

I used "Beatrice" for this layout of Frances picking apples two falls ago.

This one was created with "Summer". Look how chunky my girl was!

And a birthday card using "It's your day".

Thanks for coming by!

A little preview

Hello everyone! Happy Friday to all! As I mentioned before I will be teaching a class for Miss Art's Papercrafting School, yay!! My class starts on May 1st and I would love to "see" everyone there!

Here's the info on how to subscribe to my class- On May 1st, head to http://www.missartspapercrafting.com/ and subscribe to the 101 class program. Here is some info about the 101 classes:

$10 101 Subscription: Miss Art's 101 classes are posted every 10 days, and are designed for the crafter who loves having a constant flow of new ideas, fun tips, and techniques. These classes are video based, and range in length from 2-6 videos. As a 101 student, you will have access to live online chats with some of your favorite designers and teachers, as well as personal email responses every time you have a question.

And here's some specific info about my class:

We all know that “a picture is worth 1,000 words,” but did you know capturing the perfect scene in paper is priceless? Grab your scissors, a mouse, and select a piece of wall that is screaming to be beautified, because Sarah Eclavea is going to walk you through planting a piece of paper perfection. In this 101 class, Sarah will use a variety of techniques in 2 videos showcasing paper piecing, word art, and hand stitching to teach you how to master dimension, perspective, and detail in an altered 8x10 frame.

And of course I have to give a little sneak of the class too!

How would you like to win a free subscription? Head on over to Alyssa's blog for your chance.

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you on May 1st!

Nursery Decor

Hi all! I hope everyone is having a great week and has some fun planned for this weekend! It was too nice to be on the computer yesterday so I decided to save this post for today.

This is an idea for nursery decor or decor for a young child's room. My idea for this came to me while shopping in Land of Nod. If you haven't been to that store before I'll describe it as really, really cute nursery decor, but really, really expensive nursery decor. I was actually shopping at the outlet store, but unfortunately the outlet is just really expensive, instead of really, really. So I saw a framed poster similiar to this, but in blues and greens, probably suitable or a boy or girl's room. I fell in love with it. I had to have it for the girls' room. But it was ripped a little (that's why it was at the outlet store I assume) and still just about $100! Well, I wasn't about to spend $100 for a ripped poster in a cheap looking frame. So here is my version. Mine is smaller (8x10) so I only did the numbers 1-5. The original was poster sized and included 1-10. I am going to do another with 6-10 and hang them next to each other. I used mostly pink colors too because that matches the girls' bedroom. So here it is....

I used only a few sheets of My Little Shoebox patterned paper and white cardstock for this. I cut the numbers with my cricut and everything else was cut out of the patterned paper. The walls in the girls' bedroom are pink so it looks really cute against the pink background. Including the frame my version cost about $6.00.

Thanks for coming by today! Have a great day!

New card challenge

Hello on this sunny Tuesday afternoon. It's finally sunny today! Frances and I made some kites out of construction paper this morning and she is all excited to "fly" them in the park this afternoon. I use the term "fly" loosely because I don't think they are really going anywhere! Mine at least looks like a kite (a very pathetic kit - lol), but she just taped some string to the back of a piece of construction paper for hers. I kept asking her is she wanted me to cut it for her, but she said no she liked it as is. I love how two year olds are satisfied by the simple things. If only us adults could be that happy about things :) I will try to take some pictures of our kite flying adventure and post them. I have some Nikki Sivils "We are Family" paper that would be perfect for them!

Now for the card challenge - Tuesdays are challenge day on the Bo Bunny blog and today's challenge is to use the new Bo Bunny wraps and trinkets on a card. I love the wraps and trinkets so much I hadn't even opened mine yet! I am "saving" them for this special layout, but alas no layout or project is ever special enough so I am glad this challenge forced me to open up my stash! It felt great to use them and they are just so pretty. Here's my card for the challenge:

I used the Timpiece card kit for this and I have to say I am falling IN LOVE with the card kits! They speed up my card making so much. I have never made a card from the directions (although those are fabulous) and still my cards come together in no time. Since the bases are all cut and prescored in the kit all I have to do is pick out the shape I want and start adding stuff. I cut the the flowers with my sizzix Tim Holtz die (Tattered Florals) and then added some paper from the mini 6 x 6 paper pads and chipboard, diecuts, and rubons from the card kit. And then of course I had to add the wraps and trinket for the challenge. I used the wraps behind my flower (the brown and twin) and for the center of my flowers (black and white). I even tried misting for the first time too! I think I got a little too excited and sprayed a little too much, but now I know for next time right?

If you want to play along you just may win some Bo Bunny goods! Go to this POST for details.

Have a great day!

Bo Bunny Sketch Challenge

It's time for a sketch challenge and this is a good one! Juliana Michaels created this fantastic sketch for the Bo Bunny sketch challenge this month.

I had so much fun creating with this sketch. I decided to stray from my normal style and use lots of flowers in this layout. Now I am not as good as clustering all the flowers as some girls, but I really like how it turned out. I handcut most of the flowers from the Vicki B patterned papers and the rest are from the chipobard and Bo Bunny petals. I also handcut around swirls. I have to say I love it, but it took a LONG time!

I used mostly the Vicki B collection and some Gabrielle trinkets and Timepieces stickers. The photos are of my sweet Frances walking on the beach in Door County, Wisconsin. It was her first time on the beach and walking through sand. I love the thoughtful look on her face.

If you would like to create with this sketch too check out the Bo Bunny blog HERE. You can win some Bo Bunny goodies too! Good luck!

A new layout and a winner

I guess I should announce the winner of the Sassafras goods first huh? You would probably just scroll down to see the winner anyway - hehe.

Thanks so much for everyone's comments. I really appreciate everyone taking time to stop by my blog, especially the regulars :) It really makes my day to read your comments.

Now congrats to.....

Nati Tristan said...
Congrats on that very deserving invitation! The sneak peeks look fab! Thank you so much for the opportunity to win. One of the things I would like to learn is how in the world does your stitching come out so perfect?

Now how does my stitching come out so perfect? I will just say that is one of the things covered in my class, wink, wink ;) Congrats Nati Tristan! Send your mailing address to Scrapcetera@aol.com. If you getit  to me by tomorrow morning I will ship your prize out tomorrow afternoon.


Also I was Soup Spotted again today!! My "Things You Say" layout is featured on their blog today. You can see it HERE.

Soooo, now on to the layout. I try to create a layout of my girls every month until their first birthday. Then I start doing it every few months. I have been pretty good about getting Isabel's done. I still have to go back and finish some of Frances's though (ooppps!). Here is the cute, cute little girl at three months. I did add journaling to it at the bottom right. I think I was just in such a rush to take a picture of it that I forgot all about it until after I took the pic. Then I said-hey where's the journaling? I used the Lovey Dovey collection from Bella Blvd. for this one. Isn't it CA-UTE? I love the little critters. They were the inspiration for my title :)

Thanks for coming by!

Hello, hello, happy Tuesday

I keep thinking it is Wednesday today! I usually take Frances to music class on Wednesdays, but for this session I switched to Tuesdays and today was our first day. So now all day long it's Wednesday in my mind. Weird how we get so used to things and how hard it is to change. My little guy Bacon (our beloved mini-dachshund) passed away last August and I still call him for dinner or wait for him to come to the door when I get home. It happens much less frequently now and I can imagine it will go away all together one day, but I do it enough that I find Frances reminding me that, as she says it, "Bacon doesn't live hear anymore Mommy, he lives at the doctor now." She is such a little sweetie. Anyway I am remembering Bacon because I am in the middle of creatinng a layout about him that I have been putting off. I want something to remember him by and want it to be special so it is taking me a little longer than anticipated. I will share it soon though.

In the meantime, I have a card that I created with the April Double Shot Kit from The ScrapRoom. It is a little mixture of Prima Madeline and Cosmo Cricket Upcycle. All supplies are from the kit except the twine. It's very spring like and I will take all the spring I can get right now!

Thanks for coming by today and have a Happy Day!

Oh summer...

Where are you? Just when the weather starts to get warm it gets cold again. It's like a mean trick. Yesterday we were out all day playing and having fun in our t-shirts and today it was freezing. I just can't wait for warm weather!

So speaking of summer...

Here is another layout I created for the My Little Shoebox DT call. It is my sweet Frances doing what she loves best- going down the slide. Boy she can go up and down that slide a hundred times and isn't even the slightest bit tired. I love these photos because the smile on her face shows exactly how she feels about sliding.

There's still time to enter the Sassafras giveaway too. Just scroll down to yesterday's post and leave a comment.

Have a great night!

a new adventure (and a giveaway)

 Today I am very excited to share a secret that I have been keeping! I was invited to teach a class for Miss Art's Papercrafting School (formerly stash to treasure). So what is Miss Art's do you ask? Here is all the info from the website and facebook page....

Have you ever wished there was a school which only taught your favorite classes, that had the best teachers and where tuition was so affordable it left you plenty to buy the most stylish school supplies? Miss Art's Papercrafting School is a virtual academy for every student who wants to learn the latest techniques from the paper crafting industry's leading experts and it is opening its doors for the first time in 30 days.

Subscriptions to our monthly classes start at $5.00 and include live online chats and personal email responses from your favorite designers. Consisting of 2 - 12 videos with unlimited monthly access each class is the perfect blend of individualized crafting and supportive learning. You may purchase our reasonable kits to compliment your course or pull items from your own stash using our detailed supply lists.

I was so honored and flattered when I was invited to teach a class for Miss Art's. Here is a little preview of my class:

Now that's all I can show you for now... but there are some more sneaks of my class and other classes on the Miss Art's Facebook page. There's also lots of fun and giveaways that you don't want to miss. Please go on over and "like" the page.

To countdown to the grand opening select teachers and staff will be participating in a month long blog celebration starting tomorrow. Be sure to check out Alyssa's blog as she will be sharing information about the hop and Miss Art’s classes with you.

Here are the stops on our Blog Tour:

Monday: Bethany Kartchner
Bethany is the current teacher at Stash to Treasure, and her class (and your subscription if you are already an STT subscriber) will transfer to Miss Arts, so you'll be able to continue viewing her class after Miss Art's opens!)

Tuesday: Heidi Kelley
Heidi is our Program Director and is also one of our talented teachers. One of her classes is available at Stash to Treasure and will continue to be available at Miss Arts.

Wednesday: CarrieAnne Deloach
CarrieAnne is the Miss Art's Marketing Director. She is a fantastic addition to the team, and we are thrilled to have her on board.

Thursday: Stacy Cohen
Stacy will be teaching a class in May at Miss Art's. It's called "The Secret Garden" and is a gorgeous layout class. Keep your eye on her blog every Thursday in April for sneaks!

Friday: Alyssa McGrew

Also- Each week day (Monday-Friday) in the month of April Miss Art's will be giving away one free monthly all access Extra Credit (we'll be explaining what that means soon!) subscription to a lucky winner who leaves a comment on the staff member of the day’s post and posts our count down blinkie in their sidebar (see Alyssa's blog for details or snag it from my sidebar)! The winner will have access to Bethany Kartchner's class NOW at Stash to Treasure, and ALL 6 of the classes coming to Miss Art's in May!

Now if the giveways above weren't enough, I also have my own BIG giveaway to share with you! Just leave a comment on this post telling me a technique you would like to learn (because Miss Art's is all about learning something new!) and I will pick one comment at random to win ALL OF THIS....

A box of Sassafras including over 48 sheets of patterned paper, diecut sheets, chipboard, 12x12 and small sticker sheets, rubons, and 6x6 wee bundle.

(The winner of my Sassafras giveaway will be announced next week on Wednesdy)

And I can't end without sending a big Birthday shout out to the sweet, sweet Nikki Sivils. Happy Birthday Nikki! To celebrate her special day the DT divas created some bday cards for her that are on her blog HERE. You can't have a birthday without presents so there is also a special giveaway.

Thanks for coming by!

The ScrapRoom April Blog Hop

Welcome to the April ScrapRoom blog hop!

Hello everyone!! It is April 1st, and you know what that means...KIT REVEAL!! And it is a good one. Take a look...

As the double shot designer I got to work with the double shot kit that is filled with the new Prima Madeline. It was perfect for this sweet picture of my dear Frances. She is growing up into such a beautiful girl. I think all the traces of baby are gone now- sniff, sniff.
In celebration of our April kit, we are having another BLOG HOP!! You know the way this works, right? Here is a list of the places you will be visiting...

Lan Amphone
Melanie Call
Sarah Eclavea - that's me!
Jenny Moore
Aphra Bolyer
Frances Sylvia
TSR Facebook Page

The hop begins at Lan's blog, but all of the blogs are linked in case you get lost along the way. Just follow along the blog path, and keep hopping until you reach your last destination which is The ScrapRoom Facebook Fan Page!! Make sure you become a follower and leave a comment at each blog telling our wonderful designers what you liked about their project! When you reach The ScrapRoom Facebook Fan Page, leave a comment letting us know that you finished the hop.

One blog hop participant who follows the rules, will be chosen at random to win a $5 gift certificate to The ScrapRoom Store! Whoot! Whoot! Check out the blog Wednesday, April 6th for our winner!

Good Luck!