It's Good to Be Queen

Oh my goodness what a great way to start a month and start a summer!  Look at these fabulous colors for this weeks Case File over at CSI!!!
When I originally saw the color swatches, I thought "military" and started digging out my husbands Navy pictures...but the more I dug, the more I didn't "feel" the vibe.  So, I just browsed thru my picture files and I came across this picture of my dd Erin.  This was take in November, but the colors of her shirt matched so well..and she's a bit of a Drama Queen.. sooooooo  LOL

 My journaling is hidden again this week.  I took two manila tags and covered each with patterned papers.  On one I used Michele Singh's digital creations, CSI Coordinates, that she creates for each and every casefile and are available to our CSI members for FREE..  One tag has my wish list for Erin.  The other, has some sentimental mom journaling.  Eeewww gushy stuff.

I was originally inspired by Susan Stringfellows sketch #84, but this is where thing went awry.  Folks, you can be inspired by a sketch and have your layout look NOTHING like the inspiration.  What's important is that YOU were inspired.  If you've taken a creative turn, it's okay.  I just wouldn't try to spin that in a contest or anything like that..  (folks will scratch their heads and say "Um, not seeing it!")  But do share when and who you receive inspiration from, it gives them a thrill and keeps us honest.

 I had fun playing with some Canvas Corp stitched tags, my rubber stamp and many of my Tim Holtz gadgets and trinkets.  I've been inspired by Tammy Tutterow again on the tag, she stitches, inks, stamps  and just makes wonderful things with tags.

 I hope you enjoy this weeks Case File.  I highly recommend playing along and seeing what YOU create!  We'd love see what you make!  Until next week!!

Thankful 185

Finishing up my "stint" over at How Much is Too Much this month and what better way to reflect on Thankful?  Since I started the month with non-traditional colors for the holiday themes, I wanted to finish on the same note.  This weeks challenge calls for the follow recipe:

A layout based on Thankfulness and..
3 foam embellishments
4 colors of cardstock
5 buttons
6 stickers (non-alphabet)

My four colors of cardstock came from the scrap box again.  I used three border punches and created a layered "embossed" look with my 10" x 2" strips.  I highlighted the edges with my white gel pen.  The three foam embellishments was a stretch for me.  I don't own any foam... or did I?  I found some foam craft blocks in my craft closet from ages ago.  I ran two thru my die cutter using my Sizzix Florish die.  The third piece, I painted in white gesso.  Then I stamped with Lime Chalk Ink and lastly touched up with my Copic brown marker.  The five buttons came from the button stash.  The 6 stickers are also from my age old stash.. two border stickers by Creative Imaginations, both since long retired.  Then some vellum hearts that I colored with Copics and enhanced with liquid pearls..

I shared my list of thankfulness on a small tag tucked in.  While I'm very thankful for many things, I'm also thankful for the friends I've met thru this creative journey called Scrapbooking.  I'm grateful to those fabulous friends and family who'll tease me for my inability to spell "Thankful", not once but TWICE on this layout. Thank YOU for viewing and sharing.  While we in America celebrate and share our thanks, I'd like to share my thanks with everyone around the globe for how you've inspired me and cheered me on.  I'm grateful to have you in my life, regardless of how.  :D