Thursday, November 22, 2012

Outside Of The Box

Happy Turkey Day to my American readers.  I hope this day finds you well, full of turkey and pie and wanting to escape the family mayhem for a minutes and read my blog.  As if?!

No holiday here, but I will celebrate tomorrow with family and my little guy's birthday party.  Two birds with one stone.  I am that lazy or that efficient?  Hehehe...

I put a few layouts together that I was...well...uncomfortable with.  I looked at these layouts and struggled to finish thinking, "Does it look like I just upchucked this out or is there some real artistic merit here?"  I am always trying to challenge myself.  Always trying to think outside of the bun.  Perhaps my efforts are a little too obvious?  Hmmm...

I suppose you might say this is my crazy side.  (You are now asking yourself, she only thinks she has one?  Hehehe...)  It's fun to jump out of ourselves.  Go over the border.  Cross that sea of conformity!  This might be all just a blogging nightmare or it might be an inspiration booster.  An eye opener.  Releasing the silent, creative beast that lies within!  Hahahaaaa!!!!

Go free my artistic beings!  Be who you want to be.  Create how you want to create.  Do what feels right and most importantly enjoy the process.







Monday, November 19, 2012

It Don't Mean A Thing If Ain't Got That Bling!

It's just another manic Monday!

With a super busy week ahead, I have to find the time for a blog entry, but this one is totally worth your reading pleasure.  I am crazy about bling and pimping up my layouts and paper craft projects.  Here are several way to make your projects stand out and grab your attention and as usual, they are cheap or even free methods.

Below is that cute, little dress. It's been pimped up by adding tiny, stranded pearls, a gorgeous satin bow (that came with a card making set) and that hanger with the crazy string is just the icing on the cake.

In the second example, I used some adhesive pearls for the butterfly and the cards or tags, but for the background paper I used liquid pearl.  It really makes this layout pop and adds amazing glamour with out spending a lot of cash.


It's almost embarrassing how cheap this next crafty treasure was.  Some awesome Graphic 45 stuff I picked up on sale for 70% off, glammed up with simple, cheap glitter glue, leaves from outside and some old buttons from an out of date sweater.


More pearls to add luxury to a bright and cheery layout.  I added that little blue one for a burst of fun and cohesion.  The pink pearls were a part of a gorgeous set that I received from a workshop.  I snipped out just the pieces I wanted and made it spread over several projects.


You may have seen this one with old thrift store buttons.  So glamorous.  LOVE!


Here is some more glitter glue and pink adhesive pearls,  Old buttons and a tiny piece of ribbon.  Now we have texture, warmth and bling.  Super!


These borders add depth and color and they are just cut out from a 6x6 and glued on to some black scrap paper.  The red lace adds warmth, texture and luxury.  Yes!!!



OK, how about a digital touch of bling?  Awesome!  Fancy borders and digital bling, too!  My favorite old button or broche is simply stunning.  Of course, money was no issue here.  You can use as much as you want when it comes to digital embellishing.  Ya gotta love that!


What makes this layout stand out is the black background.  It totally pops now!  POW!!!


Granny looks extra special surrounded by all of these cheery digital ellies, a homemade border for more detail and of course, that bow adding texture, depth and softness.  Score!!!


My favorite way to add bling is by doing exactly that.  Bling!  This sparkly embellishment and word art speaks for itself.  Love it!!!


More free bling with this FREE kit.  Forever is blinged out already, then you add the self made border with metallic bam and the studs at the button.  BOOM!  Fantastic!


Another pimping method is embellishing with tags and layers.  Layers are so lavish.  It looks like you spent a ton.  Serious blingage add drama.  Satin bows, antique buttons and lace.  My goodness, the epitome of bling!!!

Yeah, this G45 layout is pretty amazing if I do say so, myself.  That feather frame took me forever to create, but holy crap!!!  It is awesome!  The tags are such  great enhancers, too.  Not to mention that splash of blue.  It really stands out.


More totally terrific tags that totally rock out the blingage and poppage.  Super duper!  All done digital, so no big cost.  Most of this stuff was free anyway.  Follow my FP Page, The Cherry On Top and get your drive full of fabulous freebies.  I have at least one every day.

 If you are going to go antique chic, this is the route to take.  Lace, high fashion, black and white, metallic ellies with serious character and just a touch of colour to make it peak.  Divine!!!


This last example is the prima example of bling and pop.  Crazy animal prints say, "Grrr".  Pink pop with rhinestones grab your attention, fancy borders, layering and groovy glitter edging brings it all together in this totally terrific layout.


Happy scrapping my friends!!!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Clusters A Bust?


Welcoming you to another edition of The Cherry On Top!

Clusters?  Ya know those digital elements all grouped together, often given as freebies and add ons.  I started a stock pile of these and wasn't really sure what to do with them.  I didn't realise they were a blessing in disguise.  They make digital scrapbooking so much easier, faster and provide if not dictate, the inspiration needed to finish the layout.




Above, the cluster is more than obviously, the frame with elements on it.  I went through my papers and  chose the ones that coordinated with it.  Then took the theme of the cluster frame into mind when choosing the other ellies.  It looked a bit shabby chic to me.  Towards the end, it looked like a work top, hence the pencil.  I wanted a scissors, but didn't have an image.  (Remedied that!)


This is a really great way to use all kinds of downloads you might have that are not a part of a set or kit.  My first example is from all over the place.  The second is also a little bit of everything.  A ribbon that I changed the color of and stars from another freebie from a while ago.  The background is my own from Powerpoint.



Layouts are done in a snap!  Design your cluster to just the right size, insert your background or backgrounds and add any other elements you might want to further enhance your layout.  Above, I designed my own little border using one of the embellishments from the cluster, by simply ditching the background.


Above is actually a quick page.  They are probably even faster than cluster frames and clusters.  Of course, you don't have to add anything.  The whole purpose is that you are just to add pictures, but you know me, I always have to change stuff.  It makes it a little more original.  A little more me.  Pull out colors and textures from your sample and go to town!

Next time you see a free cluster frame, cluster or quick page, you will know what to do with it.

Have a great week!  Tot de volgende keer!  (Until next time!)