Stuff for Monday........

Hello.  I hope you are having a productive Monday (if you want to be productive, that is).  I have been addressing my Christmas cards today.  They have been completed for a couple of weeks, thanks to my friend Susan, who is a Stampin' Up demonstrator.  She designed a collection of beautiful of Christmas cards, cut out most of the pieces (some of which were very tedious), and we all got together at her house to assemble our cards.  I love creating my Christmas cards, but I was very happy to let Susan do the design work this year.  

I am excited to have my December C'est Magnifique Kits design team projects featured on the Inkido Blog today, along with fellow designers Sandi Clarkson and Vicky Alberto.  What a honor to be featured with these two awesome ladies who I admire so much.  You can see the post HERE.  This awesome Christmas inspired kit has sold out, but you can still purchase the December paper and add-ons in the Store and make your own kit!

C'est Magnifique has posted a preview of the January kit, and I think you're going to love it!  The paper will be the Shabbylicious collection from FabScraps (Africa). 

Kit Paper

FabScraps: Shabbylicious: Shabby Birds
FabScraps: Shabbylicious: Shabby Blues
FabScraps: Shabbylicious: Shabby Chairs
FabScraps: Shabbylicious: Shabby Mix
FabScraps: Shabbylicious: Chic Mix
FabScraps: Shabbylicious: Chic Chairs
FabScraps: Shabbylicious: Chic Pinks
FabScraps: Shabbylicious: Little Darlings

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Flower Add-on

Manor House Creations: Glitz: Mixed
Prima: Valentina
Manor House Creations: Ballerina: Classic Mix
Prima: Le Mia: Black/Grey
Manor House Creations: Shimmers: Snow
Manor House Creations: Ashlee: White/Blue

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Embellishment Add-on

Blue Fern Studios: Chipboard: Bohemian Butterflies
Heidi Swapp: Color Magic Frames
The Crafters Workshop: 6x6 Template: Mini Microbial
Prima: Junkyard Findings: Rose Heart Corners
Glitz: Teeny Alphas: Gray
Dreaming in Color: Silks Acrylic Glaze: Azure
Maya Road: Ribbon Roses: Pink

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Mixed Media Kit Contents (sorry, this has sold out)

Luminarte Primary Elements – Bolivian Blue
Luminarte Primary Elements – Chiffon Pink
Luminarte Primary Elements – Tahitian Blue
Silks – African Jade
Silks - Raspberry Wine
Silks Clear Acrylic Glazing Medium
Canvas Corp Stretched Canvas 5x7
Prima: Vintage Mechanicals: Flowers Medium

Prima: Mechanicals: Pendant

Prima: Sunrise Sunset: Mini Roses: Silver
Prima: Le Mia: Cotton Candy
Prima: Delight Collection: Tags & Tickets
Blue Fern Doily

*some embellishments are partial packages

That's it for today.  I hope your Christmas preparations are going as planned (wait a minute, is that even possible?).  

~~~Valerie

Fall and Shine Layouts

I don't know how I forgot to post these two layouts using the November Kit from C'est Magnifique.  It was one of my favorite kits.  I really enjoyed working with these beautiful colors of autumn.  

This is my niece who is absolutely adorable!  Gotta love those sweet little pony-tails of hers.

 

I used The Tim Holtz Tattered Leaves die and several colors of Distress Ink to create the leaves. 

And to be fair to the nephews in my life, I created this layout using a photo of one special little boy.  I love more than anything to see him smile and come out of his shell as he gets older.

I also made some leaves to use on this layout

Thanks for stopping by today!  ~~~Valerie

Sweet Dreams

This is the time of year (the weeks leading up to Christmas) that I love creating Christmas layouts.  It really makes me look forward to Christmas when I look at photos from prior years and remember how much fun it was.  I've loved creating with the December kit from C'est Magnifique and used it to create this layout.  This photo was taken several years ago when my nephew somehow fell sound asleep during our family Christmas gathering.  I think there is nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby.

 

I stamped on some masking tape using the ink in the kit and added it the layout.  The gold flower was made using a 5-petal punch, a couple of coffee filters, and the beautiful gold Heidi Swapp Colorshine mist in the kit. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!  ~~~ Valerie

First Competition

Before my granddaughter, Eryn, moved up to High School (I still can't believe it), she had time to ride horses.  Things are a lot different now as she is so busy with other things.  This photo is one that was taken at her very first competition.  We loved watching her ride and I'm sure she misses it as much as we do.  But I don't miss the very hot summer days and very cold winter days in the barn!

Here are a few close-ups: 

I created this layout using the October Kit from C'est Magnifique.  It featured paper from 7 Dots Studios, which is one of my very favorite manufacturers!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day.  ~~~Valerie

Queen Bee

I most affectionately refer to my niece, Makenzie, as "Queen Bee".  She likes to be in charge.  She is also the most loveable little girl I know.  She was so full of hugs and kisses on Thanksgiving!  I love to be around her because you can't help but smile and be happy.  

I used several pieces of chipboard from Blue Fern Studios on this layout including The Graduated Circles (I love this set), Vintage Keys, Pretty Weeds, and The Latest Buzz.  Three U.S. companies that carry a huge assortment of Blue Fern Chipboard are A Cherry on Top, Blue Moon Scrapbooking, and C'est Magnifique Kits.  A full list of retailers who carry Blue Fern Studios products can be found here on their website.

To alter the chipboard I first covered all pieces with gesso.  I always like to start with a primed surface.  I then used the following products: Shimmerz Enamelz in Sparkliscious and Gold Digger, Lindy's MoonShadow ink in Silhouette Silver, Inka Gold in Old silver and Old Gold, Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Picket Fence, and Ink (any kind will work).   Achieving the color I want is never an exact science.  I just add little bits of color until I get something that I like. 

Thanks for stopping by!  ~~~ Valerie

Sketch Challenges

Today I would like to share with you a couple of sketch challenges that will be going on the entire month of December.  So whether you get to them early in the month, or fit them in at the end of the month, we sure hope you will participate.

The first sketch challenge is from Blue Fern Studios.  Here is a link to the challenge on the Blue Fern Blog.

The second sketch challenge is from C'est Magnifique Kits. Both sketches are designed by the amazing Michele Singh!  Here is a link that will take you to challenge on the C'est Magnifique blog.

 

I know that December is a crazy month when we all try to do way more than is humanly possible in our effort to create the perfect Christmas.  But I'm determined to take some time for myself to create, and I hope you will, too.  It's the only thing that keeps me sane sometimes!

~~~Valerie