Once Upon a Sketch/CSI Challenge #36

This is my first time doing the CSI challenge and I hope I have done it right! There are so many details, I hope I don't overlook anything!!

This is the information provided for the case:

I used the beautiful sketch and the color scheme provided as my basis for this layout using C'est Magnifique Kit's beautiful September kit with Riddersholm Huntington Gardens papers.

Evidence Used: mesh (white netting) on tags as bows and as a layer under the banner and lace..., misting...

Testimony: I put journalling in three different areas...two under the photos...one describes the continents I have seen as part of my story is my great love of travel... the other is my roles right now: wife, mother, daughter, sister, crafter, traveller, friend... on the two tags I have more journalling about my family, getting as much done as I can with the limitation of (a thankfully non-agressive) multiple sclerosis diagnosis, my ever present obsession with crafting and with travel!

I am also entering this layout for the Bird is the Word challenge for the word "story".

Thanks so much for taking the time to look.

C'est Magnifique September Sketch Challenge

Here I am again this time with the beautiful September Kit, Fly Away by C'est Magnifique!! Look at all this goodness!! Beautiful Riddersholm Huntington Garden papers and beautiful embellishments as usual!

I decide to break right into the kit to work on the September Sketch Challenge...Nadia Canizzo sketch artist extraordinaire made this one...

Here is my take on the sketch using only the kit contents...I am really loving this one...I love the photo of my daughter running free on the beach in Oregon this summer! I flipped the sketch to the other side....

I also used the great tag sheet included in the collection to make these cards!

Swirlydoos Butterfly Challenge and Card Color Challenge!

I have been enjoying getting back the card making mojo this week, my stash of cards for sale at the local cafe had been seriously depleted and it has been fun making the vintage cards I usually stock for sale...Here is my last one I made using the Vintage Traditions August kit....

I also did another layout and included it for the butterfly challenge, it has been great to try out new sketches and use all my kit contents!

Yes, I am truly addicted to the beautiful kits available online for those of us far away from shops and classes! I have another post today of a layout and some cards I did using a different kit...they are all so beautiful!

Altered Domino Tutorial

The domino game pieces are great embellies on their dot-filled business side, but on the smooth back of a domino piece you can alter them with alcohol inks and stamping like the alpha embellies I did for my layout this month for the Paper Mixing Bowl. You can also add a bale onto the back of one of these embellishments to make a beautiful necklace!

The first thing you need is some domino pieces...you can find these sometimes in charity shops/thrift stores, but can also buy them inexpensively online or in shops... Then gather up alcohol inks you have in the colors you want to use for your project...I used yellows and greens for this layout...

You then take a Ranger distressing tool and some felt pads, add your colors and some blending solution and have fun pouncing the applicator and swirling it around the domino to blend the colors together...since my colors were similar it is a very subtle effect, but if you have a look at the necklaces I show at the bottom of the post you can see how lovely an effect you can get with a mix of contrasting colors...  Here are some of the dominos getting the alcohol ink treatment...they have gone from a cream color like the top domino in the photo to a more yellowish green look...

To embellish on the dominos you need to use permanent waterproof ink Archival ink or Staz-on are great  for this...

Stamp on the back of the dominos, let dry and you can cover with layer of glossy accents for a finishing touch!

Here are some examples of necklaces that I have made with this technique, you can choose any mixture of colors you have in the alcohol inks and any stamp images, although smaller ones will work best on the small game pieces!

A Brief Moment of Peace - Swirlydoos August Kit

I may have a few more cards I could make with more scraps caused from this latest layout!!

I used this sketch for the layout:

Here is my take on it using the Kaisercraft Magnolia Grove papers from the Swirlies August kit and a few flowers and embellies as well...

Autumn Memories - Sketches with a Twist

I found a new sketch site I wanted to try! Sketches with a Twist

Here is my take on the Sketch using an oldie but a goodie, a paper line I hadn't used yet: Websters Pages Wonderfall. Hidden journalling on the tag inside the pocket and dry embossing burlap texture behind the photo... Thanks for looking!!

Swirlydoos August Kit - SOUS Card Sketch

Here is my take on the card sketch at Stuck on U Sketches...I used more of my kit leftovers from Swirlydoos!