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

December Memories

Now that Thanksgiving is over, it's time to start thinking about Christmas (at least for me).  I have already done some shopping and have all my Christmas cards made.

Using Christmas paper to create layouts really helps me get in the spirit of Christmas.  This time of year I love to look through photos from the past and select a few to use for layouts.  When our granddaughter, Eryn, was young, it was our tradition to visit the Franklin Park Conservatory each year.  We would always take a photo of her in front of this beautiful display of poinsettias. 

 

I created this layout using the December Kit from C'est Magnifique Kits.   The kit is very appropriately titled Holiday Magic.  I love the beautiful paper in the kit from Inkido and KaiserCraft.  Here's a look at the kit.  It's a beautiful collection of Christmas and winter goodies!

Enjoy what's left of your weekend!  Today was filled with college football and thankfully our Ohio State Buckeyes beat the team up north.  A win is a win........even if it's only by 1 point.  But honestly, that's just too close for me.  

~~~Valerie

It's not too late - 2 sketch challenges for you

It's not too late in the month to participate in a couple of sketch challenges.  Both sketches were created by Michele Singh and she creates the most amazing sketches.

Here's the sketch that is posted on the C'est Magnifique Kits Blog.  

You can find all the details HERE.

And here is the layout I created using this sketch and the November Kit and a photo of my niece, Callie, on her second birthday:

Blue Fern Studios also has a sketch posted on their blog.  You can get all the details HERE.

 

Both sketch challenges are open through midnight, November 31st.

~~~Valerie

December Kit from C'est Magnifique

I've been creating my design team projects with the upcoming December Kit from C'est Magnifique.  It's the perfect kit for your Christmas or holiday photos.  You will have to wait until the end of the month for the full kit reveal, but I can show you the paper that will be in the kit.  It's a combination of Inkido (Swedish) and KaiserCraft (Australian).  

Kit Paper

You can see all the details HERE on the C'est Magnifique blog, along with descriptions of the add-ons.  Here's a peek at them:

Flower Add-On

 

Embellishment Add-On

The Design Team has been giving you a peek at their layouts on the C'est Magnifique Kits Blog. I hope you'll stop by and take a look at them.  There's lots of good stuff there.

~~~Valerie

Happy Birthday Boys!

Today I want to wish a Happy Birthday to 3 special Cavaliers - yes they all 3 celebrate birthdays on Nov. 18th.  First is Chester, a beautiful tri-color who is celebrating his 7th birthday today.  Chester was our foster for 6 wonderful months and we loved every minute spent with him.  He is now living in his forever home in Kentucky with a wonderful family who loves him very much.  They sent me a video of Chester today, and it brought tears to my eyes.  He looks so cute and very happy.  We miss him every day, but are so thrilled that he brings so much joy to his new family.

How could you not fall in love with this beautiful face?

Also celebrating their 5th birthday today is our sweet Cavalier, Kiefer (on the left)

 and his brother, Henley (on the right). 

Kiefer is having a good day so far, and loves that he gets to be at home with his mama today.  That makes me happy, too!  I'm sure we will spoil him just a little today. 

Here's Kiefer when he was just a puppy.  It's hard to believe we've had him for almost 5 years. 

I hope happy puppy photos make you smile today.

~~~Valerie

Autumn Colors!

I love the rich tones of Autumn and the November kit from C'est Magnifique is filled with these colors!  Here's a look at the kit appropriately called Falling Leaves.  I love everything about this kit. There are kits available for purchase in the Store. 

 Close-ups of the kit:

For this layout, I used the November kit along with a Homecoming photo of my granddaughter Eryn and her boyfriend.  The combination of blue and orange is really beautiful.

Other than the November Kit, Embellishment Add-on and Flower Add-on, 

I used these items from my stash:

Doily

Distress Ink (Tea Dye and Faded Jeans)

Prima Stitches Stamp

Security Envelope (I have quite a collection of these!)

My Little Shoebox mini alphabet

Martha Stewart border punch

Sure hope you're having a great week.  I seem to be cold all the time.  I think my body just hasn't adjusted to the colder temperatures.

~~~Valerie

Memories

My (darling) niece Callie is so photogenic, just like her sister.  I absolutely love a series of photos that were taken at the beach.  This is another layout I created using the October kit from C'est Magnifique.  For the background, I began with a sheet of paper from the 7 Dots Studio's 9th Wave Collection.  Both the kit and paper are available for purchase in the C'est Magnifique Kits store.

 

There's a beautiful stencil in the kit that I used with mist to add some 

texture to the background.  The Embellishment add-on includes the Blue Fern 

Studios Marrakesh Panel.  It's a great piece of chipboard that can be cut 

and used on multiple layouts.

I'm looking forward to the November kit reveal on the 30th!   See you then.  ~~~Valerie

Autumn Colors

I absolutely love autumn colors.  They aren't necessarily the colors I use year-round, but once the leaves start to change and the weather gets cooler, I want to scrap with those warm colors we associate with autumn. 

The upcoming November kit from C'est Magnifique is filled with those colors and I love it!  Although I can't post any of my layouts yet, I can give you look at the paper in the kit.  It's the beautiful "Walking in the Forest" collection from Maja Design (Sweden).  This photo doesn't even begin to show the beautiful detail of the paper, but you can see colors:

I can also tell you that there are 2 add-ons available now that go with the kit.  You can see everything including the paper and add-ons in the November Kit section of the store.  Hope you'll take a peek! 

~~Valerie

C'est Magnifique Giveaway

Just a quick post today to let you know that C'est Magnfique Kits has posted the October Bits & Pieces Giveaway.  That's when you get a chance to win the bits and pieces left over from Leslie's kit and add-ons.  All you have to do is be a follower of the blog, and enter your name to win.  It doesn't get much easier that that.  So head over to THIS blog post and enter to win!  Here's a look at what they're giving away:

Good Luck!  The deadline for entries is midnight October 13th.

~~~Valerie

A Little Sweetie and Some Blue Fern

Hi all.  I wanted to share with you a layout I made recently using some Blue Fern Studios chipboard and paper from 7 Dots Studio, whose design team was teamed up with Blue Fern in September.  I love 7 Dots paper so it was a great joy to get to work with it in September.  I used the Messy Head collection for this layout

For this layout I used a photo of my nephew Keegan.  Isn't he just the sweetest!  He just turned 2 and when they have birthdays, it always makes me want to look back at their infant photos.

I used the Blue Fern Organic Vine in my flower cluster.  

I cut it apart into small sections and colored it using Gelatos.

The Blue Fern Bordeaux Frame is used with the photo.  It has several layers (this chipboard stands up to much abuse), and I just kept going until I achieved the effect I wanted.  Here I used gesso, Distress Stain, Distress Ink, and two shades of Inka Gold (Old Silver and Platinum).

 

For the little butterfly from the Gabrielle Butterfly Set, I primed it with Gesso, then colored it with Pitt Artist Big Brush Pens in a couple of shades.  I wiped some of it off while it was still wet to get a distressed look.
 

I love using Blue Fern Chipboard and finding new and creative ways to alter it.  Of course you also have the option of using it raw which looks really nice, too.

I also wanted to let you know that Blue Fern Studios has posted the October Sketch Challenge on their blog.  Here's a look at the sketch:

You can find all the details HERE on their blog.  You have the entire month of October to participate.

Have a great week, everyone!  ~~~Valerie

A Sketch Challenge for October

C'est Magnifique Kits has posted their sketch challenge on the blog.  A link to all the information can be found in the left sidebar of their blog.  Here's the sketch we're working with in October.  It's one of my favorites:

I created this layout using the sketch, the October Kit, and a photo my niece, Callie.  You can't help but be happy when you see her smile!  

 I used the She Art stencil that is in the kit, along with some texture paste.  I colored it a light pink using the spray that is in the kit.  Just put some texture paste on a craft sheet, add a little mist, and stir it up well, until you don't see any white.  If you want it darker, add a little more mist.  If you got it too dark, just add a little more texture paste.

I hope you will find time to participate in the sketch challenge.  There is an awesome prize available to the winner, chosen by a random draw.  

~~~Valerie