Manly Man Cards

Do you like the new look? I've been working on this for a while!

I guess you knew this was coming, didn't you?  The cards are made using the Graphic 45 "A Proper Gentleman" collection. I did use a few scraps from the 12x12 paper, but for the most part used papers from 8x8 paper pad.  I generally like 8x8 paper better for card making as the images are a better proportion for cards!  Two have been left without sayings, as the cards are versatile enough to be anything from Thanks, to birthday to thinking of you! I hope you enjoy these! My next project the March Recipe Cards for the Hilltop recipe swap!

I'm Challenged

Yesterday, my world was rocked a little when I found a new, at least new to me, blog!  What a talented, "BRAVE" woman this person is!  She has gone through some exceptionally difficult times and yet, when we walk into many a scrapbook store, we are reminded that she is a winner! I read, I cried, and I couldn't help thinking about the life lessons she has to share! I hope that you will give her blog a read and learn more about the woman who started and later sold Chatterbox and is now behind the very hot "Chip Art" tools.  I am of course speaking about Melody Ross. When you read her March 1st entry, you will see what I mean!

In my efforts to be more actively creative, I did finish another Graphic 45 project.  I made the frame using their new "On The Boardwalk" collection. I love this photo of my mother as a young girl going to the beach, not because it is a happy picture, but because it isn't! It is a "real" moment, one of the ones we so often fail to capture! My grandmother's choice of dress for a beach outing is another interesting item in the picture, as are the shovel and pail my mom is holding.

This is not a layout, though this shot might make it look like one.  It is a frame I found when foraging for items to alter! Other than the frame, all I've used is some paper from the Graphic 45 "On the Boardwalk" collection and a yard or less of ribbon!  I've added a second picture, just because I think the colours are truer and the project does look more like a frame and less like a layout on it!

Another Graphic 45 Project

Yes I know there is more out there than Graphic 45, but I'm on a mission to create/alter a number of things using their paper.  Why?  Because I've admired it forever and I've been collecting it...that's right, collecting and not really using!  If I were to say that I've decided to stop buying and just work out of my stash, I'd be lying, a big, big lie that!  I've been to the local scrapbook store twice this week and sorry to say bought some cute paper both times!

Does it give me a pass if I have people in mind to gift what I am doing to?  Well at any rate, here is my latest project, finished last night! Hope you enjoy it and if you do, please take a moment to let me know what you would use it for!  Thanks for looking and reading!

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I got the box itself, which was originally white,  at Homegoods.  After adding the paper to the inside and the outside drawer, I thought the box needed something more so I applied some paint and smeared it till it was dry. That done, I felt the outsides were too plain for the look from the front so I added paper, lace, flowers and some bling.  With just the paper and lace on the back, the left over space looked like a giant sky in need of flying birds and butterflies, my friend Charlene gave me the stickers and I handpainted the smaller birds with Smooch Ink to fill in the sky a little more.  I also used the Smooch ink to outline each layer of the paper flowers.

The materials used are: 

Paper is Tudor Rose from the Graphic 45 Renaissance Faire Collection

Melody Ross stickers

Kaiser flowers'

Smooch Ink

JoAnn bling

Lace from Hobby Lobby.

Spellbindder Nestability die

Bazzill cardstock .

A Very Manly Box - Graphic 45

I love Graphic 45 paper and decided to make my next few projects using it.  So after getting the paper, I went on a hunt for just the right items to alter.  The first was a black laquered box I found at Homegoods. I think it looks manly and is just perfect to place in my guest room, which just happens to have the same color scheme!

I can't wait to see if it is accepted into the Grahic 45 Gallery!

5 Things you DREAM of Accomplishing...Contest!

The first day of March heralds a bit of a change on the Friendship Corner. Instead of giving out blog candy to a random poster, you will now have to work to qualify! I thought we'd start with a one page challenge that describes 5 things that you DREAM of accomplishing. The operative word here is dream... While this can be weight loss, it can also be being the first woman to open a scrapbook store off world... and for the record, that one is taken, by me, LOL!

Your layout can be digital or traditional, but must include 3 or 5 pictures or drawing that come from your library or that can be staged by you just for the layout! I hope you can have fun with this. I am sure that we will all be better for thinking of and sharing our dreams!

In addition to posting your name and link in the Mister Linky box below, you must also leave a comment in the blog comment area.  This distinguishes between people just leaving a quick link and those who are serious about this contest! Deadline is 12:00am Eastern, March 31st, 2010.

The winner will not be dissapointed in the prize that he/she will receive, promise!


Latest Entries: (posted 03/16/2010) Some people are having a bit of a hard time getting their links to work so here are two layouts we've gotten so far:

Kate I: (Kate did a digital LO)

Janie's LO: (Janie's LO is a traditional layout)