Hey everyone, it’s Lu! On Monday’s we try to bring you something to start off your week from the world of beauty or fashion. This week, I thought we’d get a little personal. Okay, not too personal, lol… but I thought it would be inspirational and fun to create a layout all about our favorite thing(s). I did try to limit myself to just one, but if you’re like me, you’re likely to have many things that would round out a top 100 list! Seriously, I considered all kinds of differents things that I just love… and truly, some of my dearest loved items are my most well~worn (i.e. ratty looking) belongings. However, I decided against scrapping those… wasn’t quite so sure how inspirational they would be to anyone else! But I do have one particular item that I have loved from the moment I saw it. It was one of those spontaneous purchases… and that, these days, is a rare event for me. A few years ago, I was strolling along in a quaint little town, basically just window shopping. I walked into a vintage~style boutique and spotted this adorable little hat. The truth is, when I bought this hat, I had intended it for a gift… but I could just never part with it, as selfish as that may sound (I did find a replacement gift, if that redeems me in any way). I could just visualize myself in this hat on Easter Sundays, tea parties, brunches… and I actually did wear it at a baby shower. It was for my little Chick-to-be & that hat will always be a part of that sweet memory. So, I thought this would be a very special belonging to scrap as a “Favorite Thing”.

If there is that one particular dearly loved item that you feel needs to be documented, why don’t you show us? Think of it as a little “getting to know you” exercise!

Don’t miss SP’s new desktop for AUGUST (below), and tomorrow, Denise will be back with a new product spotlight :o)

LuBeauty & Fashion, Inspiration, Uncategorized 5 Comments

Hey everyone, it’s Lu! I am super excited to be “revealing” our Thursday Thievery scraplift layout! This truly was a challenge for me to select, as there are literally dozens of layouts I’d like to lift! But this layout is one that I’ve remember from the first time I saw it… and it’s just stuck with me, you know? To be honest, I feel my style is one that evolves constantly, as I love to experiment. So when considering a layout to lift, I thought about “stretching” myself to try a style different from my own (whatever that may be, lol!) I chose Trish’s May 20 for this week’s inspiration.

Gosh, what’s not to love, right? But I have to tell you what caught my attention right away… it was the scrolly, doodle border that she scaled down to draw the eye into her picture. And yep, that’s what I saw right afterwards… the photo itself! I love how she did something a bit unpredictable here  and showed the back of her little girl. Don’t you just love shots from unexpected angles or perspectives?  It makes me wonder, “what was she looking for”?  Trish didn’t way a word about the moment, other than the date, to leave you to your own imagination. And boy, do I have a vivid one…but that’s neither here nor there. Maybe it was just a very wonderful, typical moment that needed no explanation. Or perhaps it was a case of it’s what you don’t say, rather than what you do? Very intriquing, you know? I also really liked how she used the damask stamp under all those layers, to provide a central “anchor”.  Then at the perimeter of the layout, she used just a whisper of a border technique, a glitter border overlay from the Sprout kit. I am just entirely inspired by this beautiful layout & am sure you all will be, too. But for a bit more inspiration, here are some layouts from some of the Shabby Artists.

from SP

from Beckie

from Kylie

from Mariquita

And here’s my take on it

Well, that wraps it up for me today! Sure hope you’ll be inspired to lift this layout in the very near future… we’ll be looking for all the thieves in the gallery! Happy Scrappin’!

PLEASE SEE BELOW for the ANNOUNCEMENT of our TEMPLATE CHALLENGE (three) WINNER :o)  We do not generally have two posts in the same day – but it’s a special day – so don’t miss the post below!

LuInspiration, Uncategorized 11 Comments

Hey ya’ll, it’s Lu again, and this week I wanted to share some inspiration from interior design. My favorite (residential) design style is a  relaxed eclectic or “collected” look. With interiors, that may mean years of patiently waiting until you come upon the exact piece of whatever (furniture, rugs, accessories, etc.) that you envision to complete a room (who hasn’t done that??).  Although in my personal experience, a space is never complete, lol!  I get a great deal of inspiration from “home” magazine features. The image below particulary caught my attention for a few key reasons, the mix-n-match aspect and the composition. My eye was immediatley drawn to the bold wallcovering as the room’s “theme”, contrasted with the crisp white quilt & accented by the small-scale supporting fabrics. And although it’s a “formula” that I have often practiced, I thought it might be fun to dissect the image & use it for inspiration on a layout!

Thankfully, it takes comparatively little time to pull together a “mix-n-match” layout… just a little imagination to think outside of the “kit” so to speak! You might ask, with beautiful kits already perfectly coordinated, why would you want to mix and match? For me, the answer is two-fold: 1) sometimes, as wonderful as a kit may be, it may not have all the necessary pieces you desire for a layout, and 2) I personally feel that mixing & matching can add depth  and interest to a layout. I know that whenever I look in the gallery & I see how others have used a combination of kits, I am always very inspired by their creativity. So with that in mind, I used the above image for inspiration to create a layout. Although I chose another color palette to work with, I did try to use a few elements from the original photo. I used an allover pattern for my background, layered a paper to mimic the headboard shape, used a solid neutral to create a focal area and added an “accent” paper  (much like you would  throw pillows) to reinforce the color scheme. Then I threw on my “accessories” to complete the look! I challenged myself to use a different kit for every item and I’m sure that I could have done it, with some restraint (I struggle at times with that concept)! But there are just so many wonderful options, I ended up using a few things (okay, several) from quite a variety of different kits. Here is what I came up with:

 Here is my product (credit) list:

• Wild Love- background paper, accent paper behind photo, alpha
• Barefoot- green paper
• Clementine- black button, heart stitch
• Sweetie Pie- heart with safety pin
• Sprout- key, photo ribbon wrap, damask stamp, ivory lace (yeah, I have a hard time saying “no” to Sprout)
• Damask & Dots- aqua flower
• Modish Girl- floral swirl
• Gigglebox- greenery and phrase strip
• Yours Truly- lobster clip
• An Affair to Remember- aqua sequins
• Summer Cottage- red embroidery stitch
• Sandbox- aqua label tab

For me, it’s a bit like a treasure hunt (both for interiors & digi-scrapping). I enjoy the “thrill of the hunt” almost as much as the finished product! Software such a ACDsee can help organize your digi-supplies & make “mix-n-matching” almost effortless! If you’re interested in learning more about that program, here is the webpage focusing just on digital scrappers. Although I personally have not used that program, with a growing digi-stash & an aging recall ability, lol, I might just seriously consider it!

Above all- whether the eclectic style is yours or not- remember that inspiration can come from anywhere! Just a little confession… until SP’s post on Ad Inspiration, I  had not consciously considered ad layouts as a source of inspiration! Now, I truly scrutinize every page, lol! An open mind is the source of creativity, I believe. If I’ve inspired you today, please let us know… better yet, show us a layout with the challenge to use a different kit for every item! (Remember to credit the kits, as you just never know who you’ll inspire)! I think you’ll be pleased with the result… Until next time, Happy Scrappin’!

LuBeauty & Fashion, Inspiration, Uncategorized 5 Comments

Hi everyone, it’s Lu here, and today I’m bringing you a little color inspiration from the design world. When considering this post, I turned to Pantone, a “global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries”. In December 2009, they announced the 2010 “Color of the Year” as Turquoise.

 I was pleased to discover this, as I love this color! And I was really happy to bring this post to you during the summer, because for me, that’s when I most dream of turquoise. Of course, I’ll wear turquoise jewelry year round like pearls, but something about that cool color is such a welcome relief (visually) from the heat. It stands on its own, but I especially love it paired up with a few other “summery’ colors such as yellow & green. I think of sunshine and lemonade with yellow; with green, I can smell fresh cut grass & see grasshoppers jumping! And like most people, when I see striking color palettes, it gets my creativity stirring! Like SP and her magazine ads, I have a hard time seeing anything & wondering “how can I translate that in a digi-layout?”  Here are a few “beauty & home fashion” items that have caught my attention…  

  As my background is in interior design, one of the things I’ve spent a lot of time around is paint chips. Pouring through them to find just the right color… and oh yes, one shade makes a big difference! Personally, I’ve always been captivated by the names assigned to the colors… it can really transport me, you know? And the colors that are paired together… sometimes I’ll think “Wow, that is so unusual, I never would have thought to put that together.” Other times, I”ll think, “Wow, that’s is so unusual… I never would have put that together!” LOL! Anyway, I thought it would be fun to emulate those paint chips to support my turquoise color study and this is my combination! 

On the color “palette”, I assigned each color the kit name that I had pulled from for inspiration. I thought this might be a fun starting point to inspire ya’ll to create a layout utilizing these stimulating and oh-so-compatible colors. They play nicely together, don’t you think? You don’t have to necessarily use these kits, there were quite a few that I could have worked from, in varying shades. These kits just worked best for my layout, as you’ll see below: 

  If you’d like to learn more about Pantone and the full article of the 2010 Color of the Year, you’ll find it here. I found it to be very informational & interesting. Well, that’s it for me today, but if you’ve been “inspired by turquoise”, please let us see what you come up with… reply back in the comments with a link to your layout in the gallery. Happy Scrappin’!

LuBeauty & Fashion, Inspiration, Uncategorized 23 Comments

  Hey there, everyone! It’s Lu again, back with a hybrid project custom designed with this week’s Product Spotlight in mind, Summer Cottage. I just thought this would make such a fun project & is the perfect way to spend a lazy summer afternoon (say, right after eating too much barbecue on the 4th of July)!  It’s also a wonderful game that you can play with the family, and even young children can play!

  As I considered the many different ways to go about this project, I thought about…Did I want to create a side table? Or put it directly on a kid’s table? How would I store this? Shove it in my entertainment center like all the other games or would I want to hang it? Put it on a stand to display it? If I displayed it, how big is “too” big..? So, you see, there is a lot to consider initially. Once you determine those issues, though, you can move right on along to the design. And this is where the fun begins…

  Now, here is my first disclaimer: this is not a speedy quick project. It does stretch over a few days (depending on how you finish it or not). But it is not really difficult- it can be as simplistic or as elaborate as you want to make it! Given my nature, I opted for something a little more elaborate. Generally speaking, I  just have “visions of grandeur”, you know what I mean? Do they always materialize? Nope. But I am a dreamer & usually about halfway through a project, I’m reconsidering my motive in the first place. Fortunately, I have a very loving, patient husband (who will be reading this, I’m sure) that really steps in & helps out.  I decided that I wanted to display my little creation in my foyer, on a stand. Am I a proud peacock? Absolutely. I figured, “No one can help but notice this baby when they step through the door”! But since I decided I’d display it, that meant a little further consideration of what kind of material to use, how to finish…and of course, the checkerboard pattern!

  The first thing to determine is your overall size & what you will adhere your prints to. Also consider where you are printing, and if there are any bleed requirements prior to creating your document. I decided that I wanted an overall size of 17″ x 17″, which would call for (2) 8.5″ x 17″ top & bottom layouts, printed on 11″ x 17″ paper. This will allow for approximately a 1/2″ exterior border & 2″ square spaces. I created my first “working” document at 8.5″ x 8.5″.  The first thing I did was turn on my grid, as well as “snap to” grid.  On my layout, I drew out a square shape, inset 1/2″ from two sides. This left a “blank” document space on two sides. Creating a new layer, I drug out a 2″ square.  I copied this layer several times, placing the squares 2″ apart to create the alternating checkerboard pattern. Then I merged all the 2″ squares together.

 This document, I considered my “master file”.  Using my large rectangle & 2″ x 2″ squares as clipping masks, I clipped on the papers that I had chosen for my pattern, and added a solid paper as  my background border.  I then duplicated this document & flattened it. Creating a new document of 17″ x 17″, I drug over the first flattened “block” pattern, making sure it lined up in the bottom right corner. I then duplicated this layer & rotated it horizontally. I lined everything up & linked the two layers. Then I went back to the 8.5″ x 8.5″ working psd file (remember, duplicate this document, then flatten it. Don’t flatten the original!) Once back to the original, I switched the two papers, created a new document, flattened & repeated the process of dragging over to the 17″ x 17″ document. But this time, I rotated vertically, lined it up with the bottom  layout, copied that layer, rotated it horizontally…and voila! You have a checkerboard pattern. There are undoubtedly easier ways to create this…but this is the route I took. (Primarily because I was creating a checkerboard size larger than the typical 12 x 12 paper. If you opt to go with that size, then life will probably be much easier). Now, this is when you can really add some personality. I added red embroidery stitches to create a grid between the alternating patterns, for more definition, as well as slipped some green ric rac (from the Blossom kit) under my large rectangle for some added detail. But use your imagination with these areas, I even considered putting a poem or a quote around the perimeter. Just make sure you are considering the bleed area, so nothing gets cropped off in printing.  My final step here was to divide the 17″ x 17″ document into (2) 8.5″ x 17″  documents (much like you do a double spread), saving each portion as “top” and then “bottom”. These are the two “layouts” that you will print.  Also, I felt this was a good time to give a friendly reminder to save your master document & any flattened jpg’s. I do not discard any working psd’s/jpg’s until I am quite positive that I’m 100% satisfied, forever & ever. And even then, sometimes I don’t discard. (It’s called digital pack-ratting and I cope by using external hard drives).  Alrighty then, it’s much easier from here on… Are ya’ll still with me? Hello? Anybody there?

  About the checker pieces, this is the SWEET part of the Summer Cottage checkerboard theme. You know those cute little round word art embellishments? I used those for my checker pieces. Just resized them to fit the wood discs that I purchased at a craft store (1-1/2″ dia., unfinished), copied them 24 times (each color, you’ll need two different ones, as you know). I send all my projects like this to Fedex Kinko’s…they are awesome. Now we are ready to get our hands dirty! Not really, because you should wear gloves for some of this… Here’s a few things I used:

• small scissors
• sanding pad for board, large emory file for wood discs
• Wood Stain (I used Minwax brand this time, but I’ve used various others. I also went with a walnut but that’s a personal choice)
• Mod Podge
• foam brush(es)
• clean, lint free cloth
• protective gloves

  I’d suggest settling down in front of the TV to cut out the circles, you’ll be here awhile (unless you can find a circle punch to perfectly fit your circles/discs), lol! Once I was finished with that little time-consuming task, I then went on to the wood discs for the checkerboard pieces. I spray painted those a flat white. (The paint needs to be flat because I plan to “age” these pieces with a walnut stain & stain doesn’t “stick” to shiny surfaces that well). Once I gave my discs a couple of coats and allowed them to dry (remember the long drawn out process…? this is it), I followed with a quick sand to knock off  any “lumps” from uneven spraying. Entirely not my fault, those cans just spurt occasionally… Also, painting raw wood can bring out the grain & make for a rough finish. Personally, I like to get back down to the raw wood because this gives it that worn, distressed look. I then go back over the discs with a clean rag to remove any residual dust. Then it’s time to stain! A couple of words of caution: 1) A little goes a long way. It’s better to start with a small amount & add to the effect because once it’s on, it’s on. Unless you want to sand them & start all over. No thank you, this takes long enough as it is. 2) This stuff will dry quick, so work fast.  With all that said, the whole point of distressing/aging is to add character- it’s not supposed to look brand-spankin’ new or perfect…it’s supposed to look well used & loved. Like it’s sat for years on a back porch, overlooking the coastal dunes. I told you my imagination can really carry me away… the point is, don’t angst over imperfections. You’ll never notice anyway, cuz you’ll be having so much fun playing!  After the staining process, give the recommended dry time (okay, I gave it half an hour). Then I started Mod Podge-ing the cut out word art circles & sticking them on the discs- both sides! You can take a heavy emory board to sand the perimeter of the discs once you’re done & the Mod Podge dries. This will helps to smooth it all out.

  Now to tackle the board itself. Disclaimer number two: I am (I mean, my honey & I are) are not professional wood workers, lol!  As if I even need to say that, but just sayin’ anyway. We hack our way through projects & I’m reasonably happy with the results. The biggest thing to remember with this wood board is the old adage “Measure twice, cut once”. Um, we measure about a dozen times, but that’s just us. I purchased a large piece of plywood from a home improvement store-  and I’m sure I saw precut pieces 16″ and under. But I didn’t need 16″, I needed 17″. Ugh… Another note, I chose plywood because I felt it would be “okay”. And for me, it was. It actually added to that “rustic, weathered” feel. But if you want something that will finish out much more smoothly & cleanly, perhaps you better go with something solid (pine or oak or whatever else solid). If we had just gone with a straight edge, there would be little difference, I’m guessing. But I wanted a profile (of course), which involes a router. So this part is definitely for someone that knows their way around oscillating blades. Be careful!! Wear safety goggles! Watch your fingers! Unplug the cord! Get out of the way! Ooops, sorry, that’s my honey talkin’, not me!

  Alrighty, once cut out & sufficiently routered (is that a word?)… I gave another quick sand, removed residual dust (very important) & applied first a primer, then my spray paint. (Personally, I didn’t feel the primer was necessary but since we had to putty a few little divets ~he he~ it probably did help a bit). Once the paint dried, I applied my stain to the board. Gave it about 10 minutes to dry (seriously, you might want to wait it out a little longer, I’m just impatient. This sometimes bites me in the hiney).

  Finally, I Mod Podged the (2) 8.5″ x 17″ print outs onto the board… and lo & behold! I had the checkboard I had envisioned. I gave this several hours to dry (even stacked books on top of it), then applied one final coat as sealer. Now you could stop here & call it a day. I mean, I’m exhausted, already. But I did add a few more hybrid touches, by stitching buttons on silk daisies & glueing them on the corners. Just another opportunity to get creative! And here is my final product!

  I also created a little “coordinating” box to house the checker pieces. Perhaps I can “revisit” this in a future hybrid post, cuz I knew this would be overload as it is! One last thing…the rules! After all this effort, I realized I didn’t remember how to play the game, lol! So I visited this site for using standard U.S. rules.  Thanks to all of you who stuck it out to the end. You two are still with me, right? Hello? You there, SP??

LuHybrid Projects, Inspiration, Uncategorized 18 Comments