February CKC Members' Blog Hop

Welcome to my little corner of the world!  We hope the kit you have created using "Across the Miles" as your inspiration has kept you busily scrapping this month.  We offered 3 challenges to keep you motivated:

• Using Clear or transparent elements
• Using a date stamp
• Using an unexpected title

We also welcome any project or page you've created this month.  We're cool like that!  We just want you scrapping with that kit you've created.

For my share today, I used the vellum map paper (clear or transparent elements) I forged as seen HERE.  I wanted to reserve this paper for something really, really special and what better occasion than when I had the opportunity to meet my fellow Master Forger, Lisa!

Take a look:

It is a bit tricky to use this sort of paper as I couldn't imagine cutting it apart and I wouldn't want to cover too much of its beauty.  Utilizing a narrow band through the middle seemed to be the best compromise.

So thankful that Pam captured this moment.  It truly makes me smile.

Some heartfelt journaling about our friendship.  I know many may not understand how an online friend could be "real", but this one is the real deal.  I am blessed to have such a wonderful friend in my life.  

Here is the entire list for the hop just in case you get lost, but your next stop will be Gemma.  Be sure to visit her and all the talented scrappers in our line-up.   We would love to know you've dropped by!

Thank you!

CKCB   http://www.counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com

Jemma   http://just-jimjams.blogspot.co.uk

Tina   http://tinasscrapcorner.blogspot.com/

Lisa Harris   http://mykreativepursuits.com

Lynette   http://sassyscrapper2010.blogspot.com

Gemma   http://thesteelenook.blogspot.co.uk

Margie   http://scrappinmargie.blogspot.com

Virginia   http://celtichouse.blogspot.co.uk

Julene   http://julenebydesign.blogspot.com.au

Janine   http://rachauscratchpad.blogspot.com

Lisa   http://lisahausmann.blogspot.de

Using a date stamp in a BIG way!

Challenge #2 over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog had us digging out those date stamps we have in our stash.  Whether it's one of the SMASH ones, an Amy Tan version or just one from an office supply store, they certainly can be used for more than documenting the date.

Challenge #2:  Use a date stamp in a fun and creative way!

Here's my take:

I stamped my date stamp and then enlarged it on the copier (by almost 400%) to make this super-sized banner noting the date of our special anniversary.

Distressed with some Tim Holtz distress ink (Old Paper) and curled with my pen gives the banner a little character.   Nestled in with some ribbons and there's an award-style ribbon to mark

 20 Blessed Years!  We earned it as marriage isn't always easy :)

And just to mimic the large ribbon, I stamped the stamp regular size, turning the wheel to show the different phrases.

So pleased to have this documented in such a timely manner!

Thanks for stopping by!

Vellum Map Tags

I needed to make some Valentine tags for a tag swap for my ScrapHappy community and my "Across the Miles" kit came to the rescue!

Vellum placed over the map paper softens the background and provides a great canvas for embossing the compass rose in gold.  So ON-TREND!

Take a look...

All ready to be sent to some special scrappy friends all across the globe!

Thanks for stopping by!

We're Golden!

A Poor Scrapper's Version of the Vellum Map Paper

I know you saw it in the kit...the gold vellum map paper!  How could you miss it?  If you happened to look for it to purchase online, you probably quickly discovered that it is OUT OF STOCK. 

What is a scrapper to do? 

 Forge it, of course!  

Gold is all the rage right now and I've seen various tutorials out there for gold leafing using a laser printer and laminator and it usually starts with cutting out an image from a Silhouette.  I don't own any of those machines and by the time I'd invest in all of them, the gold trend will be done!   LOL!  I do often think about getting a Silhouette, though, as I know they can do such fabulous things.  Maybe one of these days!  In the meantime, here's a tutorial on how I created my own version of the vellum paper with very simple tools and a little bit of patience.

Here's the elusive, exclusive version from Chic Tags no one can get their hands on...



And here's mine...

An exact replica?  No, but pretty close!

I used a piece of map paper to trace a template of the countries using a piece of vellum.  I cut that out to make a tracer and then traced on the back side of the gold specialty paper.  Used my Cutter Bees for some fussy cutting and the continents started to take shape.  I decided I liked the map paper behind the vellum, so it stayed.  A gold pen and straight edge created the latitude and longitude and the embossed compass rose was my own addition to make this exclusively mine!

So, no fancy tools or machines required!

Try it!  I think you'll like the results.

Thanks for stopping by!

February Counterfeit Kit Reveal and Blog Hop

Hello again.  It's been a while, but I'm back to my old counterfeiting and staging my kit ways!  The holiday hustle and bustle kept me hopping so I decided to take a little hiatus, but it feels good to be back.   I'm looking forward to getting some more creative time into my weekly schedule and working my kits harder than I have in the past.  I hope to purchase at least 6 Iris boxes (you know, the 12x12 plastic cases) so that I can keep the kits in tact.  I know Master Forger Lisa keeps hers together long after the counterfeiting month has passed and she is exceptionally good at "killing" them, too.  I'm hoping this will also cut down on the turn around time spent on putting unused kits away each month. However, I do think I will need to be prepared to dip into those kits to get frequently used items like favorite washi or flair.  Oh...the woes of a counterfeit kit maker!  If I can get some more layouts made and memories documented, then it's all good.

Enough about that.  Let's talk about this month's inspiration kit.  In an attempt to assist our fearless leader, Bethany at Counterfeit Kit Challenge, I suggested this lovely kit from Scrapbook.com.  Take a look...

There are 2 reasons I was drawn to this kit.

1. The vellum gold map paper that I know fellow Master Forger, Lisa had been searching for (yes, the Lisa who is so great about using past kits).
2. The title..."Across the Miles".  Lisa always signs her cards or emails..."Sending Love Across the Miles".

Serendipity, if you ask me!  Bethany and the rest of the group were game and I was delighted to see that Lisa fell in love with it, too!

So here are my 2 takes on this month's kit!  YES, TWO!  The main kit...

The Main Kit, "Sending Love" was inspired by the deep reds and golds found in the inspiration.  A perfect February Kit for Valentine's Day or any regal and rich layout.

And the Add-on...

A travel inspired kit, but doesn't necessarily have to be used that way.

I'm so excited to share that the miles won't stretch as far as usual as Lisa is making her way to New York City in February!  We are planning a meet-up for lunch and shopping for the day.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to meet this sweet woman and scrapper extraordinaire in real life.  I'm sure there will be many photos of our rendezvous to scrap using this kit.

So, now it's time for you to think about your take on the inspiration.  Remember, it can be a literal interpretation, drawn from the color palette or even just the patterns.  Make a kit you will LOVE and scrap away.  Whatever you create, be sure to share with us on February's Mr. Linky!

Be sure to hop along to all of the Master Forgers' blogs to see their unique interpretation of the kit.  It's always fascinating to see how creative and varied they can be.
 First up is our fabulous guest designer, Doris.  Welcome!

Doris: http://dorissander.blogspot.com

Margie:http://scrappinmargie.blogspot.com

Lisa: http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com

Julene: http://julenebydesign.blogspot.com

Stephanie: http://skylinepaperie.blogspot.com

Jemma: http://just-jimjams.blogspot.co.uk

Susanne: http://snapsandsnippets.blogspot.com

Lesley: http://ohblogitifyoucantbeatthem.blogspot.co.uk

Angela: http://colestoucan.blogspot.co.uk

Lynnette: http://www.sassyscrapper2010.blogspot.com

Leslie: http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by!