MME Sleigh Bells Ring Cards

Hello everyone and happy Christmas Eve!

I wanted to pop in before the festivities of Christmas to share two cards I created using My Mind's Eye "Sleigh Bells Ring" collection.  I received it free from MME for winning their sketch drawing in October for my layout This Kid is the Best.  Such fun!!

And I got the SBR collection just in time to use it for some fun Christmas projects, such as the Joy Banner here.

Today I wanted to show two ways to use the collection.  The first is the "typical" Christmas card:

I cut the red reindeer and wood grain papers for the card face and inked the edges in black.  I cut a tag with the mistletoe image and then backed the tag with the green and red paper from the collection.  I added a bit of sparkle using my Gelly Roll pen, tied a gold knot on the tag, and stamped a simple "Merry Christmas" (CTMH, retired set).

But you can use this collection for masculine cards, too, like this birthday card I created to send to my brother:

I cut two pieces from the SBR collection again, this time going for less "Christmas-y" paper (the black plaid and the brown deer) to use as the card face.  I inked the edges again in black and cut a tag using the light wood grain paper.  I cut a strip of the plaid paper to go across the tag and used a circle punch to get one of the deer heads to pop up off the tag.  I used a dark brown wood dot from the collection on the top of the tag, and then used the satin, less glittery side of the same gold ribbon to frame the card.

Well, that's it from me until after Christmas!  I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing holiday filled with family, fun, food, happiness, and of course, chocolate.  :)

Best wishes,
Majken

Joy Banner | Graham & Brown

Hello everyone-

Did you miss me??  Between a 10 day Thanksgiving roadtrip to Walt Disney World and then trying to get caught back up on life, laundry, and Christmas, it's been fun.

But...it's great to be back!  The day after we returned from WDW, I got some GORGEOUS Graham & Brown "Desire" wallpaper to play with.  It's high quality paper and really fun to work with!  Once I cut the paper from the roll, it felt similar to cardstock, but smoother.  

The project I wanted to share with you today is a JOY banner with Desire as the background.  I created 5 pennants, cutting the triangles using my Cricut Imagine.  It cut wonderfully.  I used Mod Podge to adhere the Desire paper to chipboard pennants.

Below are the close-ups first and then the full banner hanging from our mantel.  I complemented the banners using materials from My Mind's Eye "Sleigh Bells Ring".

I created the letters for the banner by cutting them on my Cameo and then using chunky glitter to make them sparkle and complement the gold sheen of the wallpaper.

Isn't this cardinal beautiful against the Desire paper?

Here is the banner hung along our mantel.  I used two snowflake stocking hangers to tie the ends.  I'm really pleased with how this turned out, and I plan to make a few cards with the wallpaper as well - Christmas cards, if time permits!

Thanks for stopping by!  Don't forget to visit Graham & Brown to view their full line of wallpaper and other contemporary wall decoration.

See you soon,

Majken

Two Peas

Hello scrappy friends!

I love to use sketches for my layouts, or at least get inspiration from them if I'm stuck. Today I'm sharing a layout using the My Scraps & More Sketch #93 created by Audrey Yeager.  I love her work!  Here's a look at the sketch:

And here's my take on it showing my sweet kids sitting on a caterpillar at the Houston Butterfly Center earlier this year.  We had so much fun!

I mostly used the BasicGrey Vivienne collection.  Everything about this collection makes me happy: the colors, the patterns, the ephemera, the adorable chipboard circle alphas -- all of it!  You may recognize the collection from my updated blog header.  :)  And I know I'll be using this a lot more, including some cards soon!

I stuck pretty close to the sketch, starting with the chevron patterned paper that I fussycut into the pinking pattern.  I also sewed along the pattern to highlight the chevrons, which you can see below along with a journaling spot and some flower embellishments.

For the photo area, I also messy-sewed along the side to create some additional interest and added a couple of sequins.

Finally, I used the circle chipboard alphas to create my title, "Two Peas".  This is a play on words for me because their names both start with the letter "P".  I almost used "Two Ps", but it wasn't going to work for the layout.

Do you like to use sketches, and what is your favorite way to use them?   

Thanks for visiting, and I'd love to read your comments! Stay warm with some hot chocolate today, my friends!

Majken

Cherish This

Hi everyone!  I'm so excited it's Friday.  We've fallen back, there's a feeling of winter in the air (even in Texas), and doesn't the time just go so quickly?  I found a couple of photos from Easter last year that I hadn't yet scrapped, and decided they would work well with the My Scraps & More Sketch #92.  Alas, I finished it on Nov. 1st so I didn't get my link in before the deadline, but such is life.  :)

Here's my layout:

And here is the sketch by Tracy Rhodes:

This was one tough layout to photograph!  The foam stickers that make the title kept throwing shadows and the die cut transparencies reflect the light.  I did the best I could!  I love, LOVE, L-O-V-E the Basic Grey Highline collection.  It's so vibrant!  It's certainly not a collection that screams "Easter", but it worked really well for my two photos.  :)

I started off with textured white cardstock from American Crafts and splattered a mix of two Heidi Swapp Color Shines, black Glitter Mist, and my own homemade ink mixing red and orange reinkers.  Next I created the bottom border area mixing a couple of the patterned paper from Highline.  To help it stand out, I added black machine stitching.

Next I chose the paper to mat my photos and inked the edges with black ink.  Once I had the placement right, I adhered the back middle square and stitched around it just past where I knew the photos would cover it.  Here's what it looked like before I added the matted photos:

Here's a close-up of the photo area with a foam heart sticker from the Amy Tangerine Plus One Twins Thickers.  I backed the heart with contrasting paper to help it pop even more.

The title came together quickly, inspired by the Thickers!

And the top left corner seemed a little bare to me, so I added a triangle corner and stitched along the long side.  And I knew I had to use the "Love this" transparency!  So I added it and stitched along the top and bottom there, too.  I love how the splatters show through!

I hope you are inspired by the bold - it's okay to scrap non-Thanksgiving, non-autumn, or non-Christmas things even in November!

Here's another layout using Highline for more inspiration.

Make it a chocolaty, happy, scrappy day!

Majken

Blog Hop Winner!

Hello all!  So sorry I'm a day late posting the winner - thanks to everyone who hopped along with us and leaving your comments about "So Blessed".  

There were some awesome projects in the hop, so if you missed it, go here.

Today's winner was chosen using random.org, and today #9 is the winner! 

Janis is #9 scrolling down on the list...thanks Janis for tweeting about the blog hop!

Please email me at majkenmarie at yahoo dot com to claim your e-gift certificate!  You have until midnight Central time on Saturday, November 8, 2014 to claim your prize.

Thank you to each of you who participated in the hop, commented on projects, and joined my blog!

Majken

{So blessed} | Practical Scrappers Scrapping Our Stash Blog Hop

Hello fellow papercraft-y people!!  Welcome to the October blog hop for craft hoarders!  :)  I adore using up my stash, and this month's hop is all about fall or Halloween.  You should have arrived here from Bobbi's blog.  Her tag is amazing!!  For this hop I'm sharing a fall layout called "so blessed" -- and I have a giveaway!  First up, the project:

I used Little Yellow Bicycle "Acorn Hollow" stash.  I started with the light brown paper with the striped edges and misted it with Heidi Swapp Bronzer Color Shine.  I fussy cut my own large tree in the style of the collection, inked the edges of the treetop, and sewed along the tree trunk.  I then stamped "give thanks" in the tree.  

I fussy cut a small tree and heart for the bottom part of the large tree.

Next I matted my 5x7 photo with canvas and distressed paper and framed it with a few border pieces including "Today is a gift...be ever thankful".  I tied bronze and hemp twine around my photo and included a button and wood heart.

***GIVEAWAY TIME!***

I'm giving away one $15 e-gift certificate to My Scraps & More online store!  All you have to do is:

• Be or become a member of my blog with Google Friend Connect (I think I figured out how to fix the widget if you had issues last month!) or on Bloglovin AND
• Leave a comment on this blog post

Share this post on Facebook or Twitter or refer a friend who joins my blog for an extra chance (please note it in a 2nd comment or have the referral tell who referred them in a comment).

Easy!  You have until Monday, November 3rd, 2014 at noon CT to enter for your chance to win. International entries are fine.  I'll ask random.com to choose one lucky winner and announce it here on my blog on Tuesday, November 4th.  Good luck, and thanks so much for hopping along with us!

Next up is Lyne, and I know you'll enjoy her super-cute Halloween chipboard album.  If you lost your way or want to start from the beginning, here's the full list:

Practical Scrappers http://practicalscrappers.blogspot.com

Monica http://scrapinspired.com/

Wendy C www.stampingrules.com

Wendi http://scrappydayinparadise.blogspot.com/2014/10/hallows-eve-practical-scrappers-use.html

Laura http://scrapaddict4life.blogspot.com/

Christine http://scrappingwithchristine.blogspot.com/

Suzanna  http://lifestrivialities.typepad.com/

Bobbi http://vintagemusedesigns.blogspot.com/

Majken  http://chocoscrapaholic.blogspot.com/  *****YOU ARE HERE*****

Lyne http://lynnseverydayideas.blogspot.com/  ***GO HERE NEXT*****

Jennifer http://livethemoment-jen.blogspot.com

Cheryl http://patchesandscraps.blogspot.com

LeeAnne http://lee-annelovethejourney.blogspot.com

This Kid is the Best | My Mind's Eye October Sketch Challenge

Happy Saturday everyone!  It's the **weekend**....I love them.  I find they are over just all too quickly, though.  NO FAIR!!!  This weekend we are celebrating my son's 6th birthday with a party, and he is SO EXCITED.  My daughter has several invitations to various things, and my mother-in-law is visiting.  I will blink and it will be Monday again!

Sigh.

Well, before it flashes to Monday, I wanted to share a layout I created as part of the My Mind's Eye October sketch challenge.  Of course, you have to use MME for it.  Uh...no problem!!!  Did I mention I'm a hoarder of their collections from waaaay back?  Going through my papers to reorganize some of my crafty goodies recently, I found 2 pieces from Bohemia copyright 2007.  And a few from Abbey Road copyright 2009.  And while I can clean out some collections easy-peasy, I Just. Don't. Get Rid. Of MME.  Instead, I hoard it.  It will get its day...

Which brings me to a layout of my daughter and a snapshot I took of her on her 12th birthday before she left for school.

She's a sweetie...well, most of the time.  :)  And here is the sketch:

Materials used:

• Cardstock for base -> Cut & Paste "Flair"
• Patterned paper, chipboard button, enamel dots, label stickers -> Market Street "Ashbury Heights"
• Gold triangle foiled vellum paper; gold washi tape -> Necessities "Metallics"

Here are some close-ups.

Title close up -> I used the label stickers and cut "best" using my Cameo.  Some messy stitching underneath using black thread:

Patterned paper close-up with messy stitching.  I used vellum to mat the photo, with stitching.  I also cut some triangles from the gold metallic washi tape:

I misted the base paper with black before placing my arrow, circles, photo and fussy cut flower:

You can see my journaling strips and some enamel dots:

Thanks so much for stopping by during your weekend.  Have a wonderful, scrappy weekend!  :)

Majken

{Be Happy} with Fancy Pants September Sketch

Hello, hello scrappy friends!  

I have a layout to share with you today based on the Fancy Pants "Sketch This" for September.  I'm actually sharing with you my 2nd attempt for this sketch.  If you've ever worked on a layout that just didn't seem "right", you know what I mean by "2nd attempt". Maybe I'll be able to use the other base another time!  For now, I set it aside.  :)

I visited Washington DC early September for work and had the chance to do a little sightseeing the morning of Sept. 11th before I left.  While I took a lot of scenic photos, I also took a few selfies...and I decided to focus on the subject of "me" for this layout.  I don't do that enough!  And I wanted to capture the beauty, serenity, and sense of peace that I felt in DC on the anniversary of Sept. 11th -- I'll scrapbook the sights another day, though.  The top photo was taken along the National Mall.  In the bottom photo, I was struck by the beauty of the ceiling in the Lincoln Memorial - not sure how many visitors actually look at the ceiling, but I was smitten.

I began with the black corrugate paper borrowed from Burlap & Bouquets as my base, and I chose various papers from the Fancy Pants Me-ology collection.  The papers are so fun and feminine without being girly.

I inked the edges of each strip using black ink and then layed them out until I got the combination I liked.  I matted the two photos and then layered them over stamped Fancy Pants Artist Edition Filter Paper embellishments, Me-ology small decorative tags,and Me-ology stickers with a few gems.  Here's the top photo area:

And here's the bottom photo area:

For the title, I used the hot pink alpha stickers from Me-ology and Fancy Pants black Large Alpha Stickers.

To create a journaling spot, I used the orange library card with white polka dots from the collection.

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you are scrapping a bit about yourself too.  It's fun to scrapbook about your family, friends, vacations, etc., but to have something just about you is a must!

Enjoy a little chocolate today,

Majken

Winner, Winner! Practical Scrappers September Blog Hop Giveaway

Hello everyone!

Thanks so much for hopping along with Practical Scrappers as well as the lovely comments for my "Sweet Taste of Summer" layout!

Today is winner announcement day! There were some awesome projects in the hop, so if you missed it, go here.

Today's winner was chosen using random.org once again, and this time #12 is the winner! 

Scrolling down to the 12th comment, the winner of the $20 e-gift certificate to My Scraps & More is Angela.

Congratulations to Angela!  Please email me at majkenmarie at yahoo dot com to claim your e-gift certificate!  You have until midnight Central time on Friday, October 3, 2014 to claim your prize.

Thank you to all who participated in the hop, commented on projects, and joined my blog...it's a joy to scrapbook and share in the fun blog hops!

Majken

Giveaway with Scrapping Our Stash Blog Hop with Practical Scrappers! {Sweet Taste of Summer}

Hi everyone...I'm back today to participate in the Practical Scrappers monthly Scrapping Our Stash blog hop.  I love these hops!  You should have arrived from Bobbi's blog.  Isn't her fall card amazing?

Today I'm sharing a layout of my son enjoying some watermelon this summer...he was so cute eating it while it dripped down his belly!  This is why he got to eat it outside.  :) Take a look and then scroll down to enter for your chance at a $20 e-gift certificate!

For my layout, I used the Simple Stories Summer Fresh collection and kept it simple.

I used the denim sheet as my base and then trimmed the sunshine rays just above the sentiment because I wanted the rays and an area for journaling.  I cut the green polka dot paper at an angle to create a pocket look.  I used the yellow polka dot paper to anchor the photos, and included a chevron border trimmed from another sheet of the collection.

I sewed along the top of the sunshine ray paper to help frame the page.

For my title, I sewed several lines along the top left to create a "mat" for the "Sweet", which I die cut using my Mama Elephant alpha dies.

For the bottom part of the title, I used the same die cut alphas to create "Summer" and then punched some banners out for each letter.  Then I sewed along the bottom of the yellow polka dot paper to help tie the banner in.  I used green Simple Stories alpha stickers for the middle part of the title.  I used the red gingham check paper to mat the photos...what a fun pattern!

To create interest along the top, I created a small embellishment area using ribbon, a yellow sticker, and a button.  Then I journaled in the sun area in curved writing to mimic the curve of the sun.

On the bottom, I included a red sticker and some Studio Calico cork arrows...they are so cute!

I know soon enough we'll be missing summer and those sticky days of eating watermelon in the back yard.  :)

***GIVEAWAY TIME!***

  

I'm giving away one $20 e-gift certificate to My Scraps & More online store!  All you have to do is:

1. Be or become a member of my blog with Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin AND
2. Leave a comment on this blog post

Refer a friend who joins my blog for an extra chance (please note it in a 2nd comment or have the referral tell who referred them in a comment).

Easy!  You have until Monday, September 29, 2014 at noon CT to enter for your chance to win. International entries are fine.  I'll randomly choose one lucky winner and announce it here on my blog on Tuesday, September 30th.  Good luck, and thanks so much for joining my blog and referring your scrappy friends!

Next up is Ruth sharing some Basic Grey, and I know you'll enjoy her project.  If you lost your way or want to start from the beginning, here's the full list:

Practical Scrappers http://practicalscrappers.blogspot.com

Wendi http://scrappydayinparadise.blogspot.com/2014/09/love-practical-scrappers-use-your-stash.html

Cathy http://alteredplayground.blogspot.com

Christine http://scrappingwithchristine.blogspot.com/2014/09/scrapping-our-stash-blog-hop-september.html

Suzanna  http://lifestrivialities.typepad.com/

Bobbi http://vintagemusedesigns.blogspot.com/
Majken  http://chocoscrapaholic.blogspot.com/  ***YOU ARE HERE***
Ruth http://paperandmusings.wordpress.com/  <-----GO HERE NEXT
Kristy http://alwaysworldaway.blogspot.com
Jennifer http://livethemoment-jen.blogspot.com 

Cheryl http://patchesandscraps.blogspot.com

Sandy http://itsafamilyaffairwithscrappynana.blogspot.ca/

Laura http://scrapaddict4life.blogspot.com/

Alison http://alisondaydesigns.com/

Ninety Years Young! #TBT

Happy Thursday everyone-

Earlier this week I shared a fun photobomb layout and promised to post another project today in my #TBT series.

Today's Throwback Thursday project is of my grandmother "Mommo" at 90 years - we drove down to celebrate with her, and it meant so much to me to scrapbook that weekend with the whole family.  She's been gone only about 2 1/2 years, and I really, really miss her.  Here's my lovely grandmother.

I chose to use the My Mind's Eye So Sofie "Graceful" papers because not only did the colors match her outfit nicely, but my grandmother was truly a graceful woman.  She danced from a young age and owned a successful ballet studio most of her life.  She taught/choreographed ballet, tap, jazz and even had a musical theater class (yes, I participated. :)  I can still recite all the songs from Annie!).  

Anyway, I included only some light embellishments with CTMH organdy ribbon along with a maroon brad and heart pin from Maya Road because I wanted the lovely photo to really stand out.

Here's one of her baby photos, and she was precious!

Don't forget to see some of my previous TBT posts, and have a wonderful day!

Chocolate and scrappy hugs,
Majken

The Best Photobomb *Ever*

Hello everyone!  I hope you enjoyed the long Labor Day weekend.  I definitely did not "labor"...in fact, I got crafty.  It feels like I just don't get as much time as I want in the ol' scrap room, so this was extra fun knowing there was an extra day to enjoy it.

So, today I am sharing a layout I made using the Creative Scrappers Sketch # 275 (though I missed their August deadline) and Simple Stories Summer Paradise.  It features my husband's two lovely cousins, but hidden in the background is my daughter in the swimming pool with the most fabulous photobomb I've ever seen.  :)  Check it out:

I decided to try some mixed media with this layout (top left and bottom right corners), so using a sheet of textured white cardstock I scribbled some blue Faber Castell Gelato and brushed it with water.  Next I rolled the dotted American Crafts brayer in gesso and rolled it over the two areas.  After they dried somewhat, I spritzed the corners with red, teal, and mustard inks.  I like how some of the inks spread and mixed).  I added shimmer to one of the inks that you can see below.

I inked the edges of all the Simple Stories paper in retired CTMH Moonstruck ink and adhered them to the page after it had dried.  

For the title, I used Jillibean Soup Alphabeans - Roma Red for "the best" and Blueberry teal for the "ever".  I cut "photobomb" out using my Cameo and retired CTMH Moonstruck cardstock as well as white textured cardstock, which I used as a shadow effect to help the word "photobomb" stand out.

I inked part of the zig zag stamp (from CTMH D1516 "Have a Happy Day") in red ink and used it to emphasize the "ever".  I added the journal spot, some Doodlebug Designs Sprinkles (swimming pool assortment), and some sticker elements from Simple Stories.  I stamped the "love it!" in Moonstruck ink (stamp is from CTMH D1555 "All the Details").

Have you scrapbooked some fun photobombs?  Share them with us if you have.

Stay tuned for another #TBT layout that I'll share later this week.  Enjoy your short week, hopefully with some chocolate.

Scrappy wishes,
Majken