Scrapbook 8x8 Layouts

I am going back to my first love, which is Scrapbooking. I had a customer recently ask me how to incorporate stamping on to scrapbook pages. I first created a stamp embellishment so to speak. I used "Wonder and Joy" stamp set from our current issue of Serendipity on black cardstock. I added embellishments to the image and later decided whether to use it as the front of a card, scrapbook page or the front of a gift bag ect.. The idea is to stamp and decorate your image and use it now or later. Several of these can be made at a time and it does not have to be such a big project. I decided in this case to make an 8x8 layout using our Mia Cottage Designer Paper, which of course I become attached and decide to use the same designer paper until it is completely gone! I used Prisma Colored Pencils, which I love, but I hope soon to take the leap in using Copics!

My mom bought me a "Cricut" For Christmas and we have been die cutting images for days now and of course my daughter just told me she was "addicted to the Cricut". I used used a couple of die cuts (flower and present) behind my stamped image. I usually like drawing and cutting out my own die cut images, but this made it so easy. My plans are to go back to more scrapbooking to put my pics on to pages, but stamps are soooo versatile that you can use them for anything!

Remember scrapbook pages do not have to be so complicated, they can either be simple or really complex, regardless your pictures are the real showcase.

Until my next project, "Have a Blessed Day"

Cynthia:)

Valentine Card!

My Valentine's Card with "I Heart You" TAC stamp set from The Inspiration Avenue Magalogue. Mia's Cottage Designer Paper and Cardstock. Plus, I stamped on a paperbag for accent. I love using what I have around. This is a very simple card, just using one stamp set. As you can see I made my own background paper, using random stamping. My problem is that I overload everything I make, but I love that look! I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. From our Scrapgirlz home to yours, create with Love!

My Little Bug Book

Isn't Valentine's Day such a wonderful time to let everyone you know how much you love them. In thinking about my New Year I wanted to do projects more meaningful and to show how much I love my family. I made a little bug tag book (by the way if you haven't noticed I love little projects!!) about my Valentine Family and what I am most "thankful" for. Your probably thinking isn't that for "Thanks Giving" holiday. Actually it's not, being thankful and counting your blessing should be year around. Each tag I wrote on is about someone or something I am thankful for and I wanted to show them on Valentine's Day how much I love them. There are so many projects I am working on right now and so anxious to get done, I do not know if I will have enough time. Luckily, TAC products make things so much easier. I used "I heart you" stamps and Brighten Day from TAC, and Mia's Cottage (TAC) paper. Can I tell you I did not realize how beautiful this paper is. I am in love with it! So I just have to use it all up and order more:) As far as Ink I used Claret Pallete ink, plus TAC accessories. What's your plans for Valentine's Day? I suggest you take the time to spend time with the people you love...

Veterans Day!

Today has been very difficult for me, since my son left to Afghanistan last Tuesday. He called and said he was in Kuwait, but will be leaving to Afghanistan today. I am very proud of my son who had made an important decision to join the Navy, although I was against it at first. But I knew the decision was for him to make and I will always support him. This past week has been hard on my family especially Victoria and Isabella missing their brother already. Since today is Veterans Day I thought it would be wonderful to include these pictures on my blog. I also think about all of the families who have soldiers overseas taking care of our country! What a sacrifice everyone is making to keep us safe! Although it has only been a week, it has been very hard for me and can only imagine how I can make it through the next 10 months. But if my son is strong enough to be in Afghanistan, I can surely be strong for him here at home. So I ask this of everyone who reads this. Please pray for my son Christopher and for all of the military that are away for from their families.

How To Stamp & Scrapbook By The Scrapgirlz

Today was our first video presentation with The De La Torre Scrapgirlz. It was so much to record a How To Video with my daughters. My husband is wonderful and loves to work on projects, so basically it is a family affair. The video shows how you can involve your children and how we can spend more time together with our families and create memories with love ones. Recently, I learned to appreciate my family so much more, since my son will be leaving to Afghanistan in November. It makes you rethink what is really important and I had decided to dedicate more time with my family awhile back. Fortunately, becoming an angel demo with The Angel Company has truly been a blessing in my family. So I challenge you to create with your loved ones and continue to make those memories.....

Stamping Trash To Treasure!

Ok, I have to admit I am one of those people who loves to save everything hoping I will make something later down the road. What do I mean? Well, can you guess what I used as a box template? Yeah, your right a soap box! I love the size and thought hmmm, I can make something with this. I drew large flowers on cardboard and covered with TAC's beautiful Catelynne Fly With It Collection. The front flower was a scalloped punch and I decided to chalk the flowers to add a vintage look to them. Luckily my mother knits and has every color yarn you can think of. Great for embellishing a button from my mom's button collection. I used a tag from Catelynne Paper Pack Tags, TAC Ribbon from the same paper collection. The handle also has ribbon with Large Eyelets. The TAC stamp set I used for the Tag which says "Thanks" is from the "Circle Sampler" still can be purchased from our main catalogue. I found some packaging paper and decided to stamp circles and thanks from the stamp set. I also chalked the box and package paper. I am not sure if you can see it clearly. I just love creating from things you have already or find! I know I am not the only one who loves creating from trash! So if anyone would love to come forward and admit to creating art from their trash, please let me know so I can see your creations! Remember the first step is just admitting that you stamp your trash:)

My Mini Scrapbook album

Where have I been, well I just did a "Disappearing Act" from the blog world. Needed to time think, relax and take a break from everything in my life and spend quality time with my family. My girls start school next week and we have had a wonderful time together. Last summer I worked and I was away a lot, so this summer I decided to dedicate completely to my kids. Here is a mini album I created with extra school pics my girl's teacher had given me with their names. So I decided to make a flower out of a scalloped punch and added stickles "icicles", flower pattern from Catelynn FWIC (TAC) and DCWV Cardstock, used Black and White Ribbon (TAC) and butterfly stamp "Wild For You Stamp" (TAC). My girls cannot get enough from this stamp set. I can now carry this cute album everywhere with me to show off. Someone asked me recently, do you spend all of your time scrapping and stamping with your girls pictures? My answer is why "YES". I absolutely love and adore my daughters and son, so I hope no one is becoming tired of pics of my children, what can I say I am a proud mama. I hope you are enjoying TAC products as much as I am. The next time I decide to go MIA for a short while, I will make sure to give you a notice....but I will not be away for long.