My Core’dinations Creative Frenzy

Hello all!!!

Welcome to my little world of scrapbooking heaven!

I am an avid scrapbooker of 81/2×11 size pages. My passion is to create LOs that preserve our memories and tell our story to the public.

I started to scrap several years ago, when my sister-in-law introduced it to me. I tried it but found I did not have time to get involved sooooooo scrappin’ took a back seat. Six years ago, a whole farm planner  told us to start taking more photos of what we do and why. Now, I had many photos…….to many! I stuck them into a photo album with a few words about them…………..this album was just ok! The public would glance at the photos but not really look. So I decided to “kick it up a notch” and actually scrap my photos and memories. I was serious this time………….I made the time to scrap!  WHOA…………..I actually fell in love with scrappin’ this time around. I made the time to scrap. Now, when our photo albums go out into the public, the people actually take the time to go through my album and comment on it or the photos inside.

I have to admit………………I really have not used much core’dination paper until the past four months or so. Before then I only used single sheets. I did not use the paper to its fullest extent. I looked at the paper packs but refused to purchase it as I did not want to pay for paper I would not use. You see, I have purchased paper packs, in the past, and only was able to use half it. I ended giving the other half away. Just before Christmas, A large chain store had the Tim Holtz Core’finations paper packs 50% off…………………I decided to take a chance on it. WOW…………….I did not know what I had been missing out on!!!!! I can tear, crumple, sand, ink and distress to my heart’s content! Hey, I love this paper………………..the final results ar right up my alley!

I am not one to define my style as I love to try “new” things or develope as a scrapbooker. I have developed a beautiful signature leaning towards the “distressed elegance” look. I love to combine feminine products with my “guy”…………very masculine LOs.

So……….without further chitchat…………here are my LO examples:

BANANAS 4 YOU

This LO was craeted using a combination of paper………..I love to mix and match to come up with a finished product. The chicken wire was created using a stencil, place on the corners and black distressing ink. I rubbed over the stencil with the distressing tool to create theat uneven look. I also added droplets of mist to give it dimension. I created the title with my Cricut(Create a Critter 2) from Core’dinations then added stickles. The “4″ was created using the stencil and black ink.

Paper: kraft, Tim Holtz distressing paper in green, pink, white and yellow, Cardstock in green and some scraps of paper.

Stickles in crystal and worn lipstick, white gel pen, burlap, doilly, journal spot from a friend, tags from a friend in Canada, pink & white twine, fabric flowers,  butterflies by Pebbles and chipboard, gelatos in blue and yellow, chicken wire stencil, ink in black soot and mustard seed, Coffee shop mist from Tattered Angels.

Letters: title cut with my Cricut and Lara’s Craft alpha wood tags.

HOWL -OHA

 

A celebration of the craziness around our house. We recently returned home from a 4-H awards banquet with these fun Hawiian leis. The younger son placed them around Abbie’s neck……….she actually put up with them!

Some unusual steps in this LO:

I embossed the banners, arrows and flowers then sanded them to give a distressed feel.  I also crumpled up tightly all the Core’dinations paper then sanded the top. I also sanded the edges of the back paper to frame it. I misted the muslin then used Stickles on the flower. The red and yellow flowers were cut out using my cricut and the Storybook cartridge.

Paper: Cardstock in green, Tim Holtz Core’dinations in vintage in orange, green, pink and purple.

Pink & white twine, arrows by friend from Canada, muslin, fabric flowers, distressing ink in tattered rose and black soot, black gel pen, black Accent Enamel, Stickles in crystal, red and eucalyptus, embossing folders by Tim Holtz in honeycomb, mist in Dylusions – squeezed orange and Ditto in red.

Letters: light pink glitter by Recollections and Tim Holtz idea-ology chit chat verbalages.

AIM HIGH

 

This LO celebrates our son’s fabulous show season and the quality of our sheep. He placed really well even bringing home Champion ewe and ram many times. We brought home reserve Champion over all breeds pair of ewe lambs. Our hard work is starting to pay off.

Some different steps taken to accomplish this LO:

The fabulous paper lends itself to tearing and rolling………it is soo easy! I embossed the green paper with a bubbles folder then I sanded the raised elements to achieve the look. The circles are cut out a little larger than I wanted then I used a pair of zigzag scissors to give me the jagged edges. I pen stitched everything.

Paper: Sugartree, Tim Holtz Core’dinations in vintage red, green, blue……….Cre’finations in scralet and black.

Letters by Recollections.

Marthe Stewart doilly border punch, Dr. Seuss quote from internet, black gel pen, American Crafts ditto black stamp marker, sanding block, tweezers to achieve distressing, tearing and rolling, pop dots,  2″ & 21/2″ circles cut with Cricut then edged with zigzag scissors, Sizzix stars #2, Embossing folders: Cuttlebug tiny bubbles and Tim Holtz bubble.

I love to scrap. I love teaching others about my methods or techniques of scrappin’. I am not one to push anything on anyone but will give them a complete overview.  I feel I can benefit the team with my teaching ability, ability to talk and demonstrate in public, love of the  craft and ability to keep up with new techniques and tips. Video cameras do not scare me………….I love cameras but do not get the chance to be in front of them as I take most of the photos in our house. I would love to help make videos.

As you can see…………..I love to distress and the Core’dinations paper fits in terrifically! I only wish I had tried it earlier.

Thank you for taking the time to check out my scrappy world! I enjoyed presenting it to you………………sure hope I can get to know you all better!

I am not able to add your blinkie as I have not been able to access our email since last evening. I am sorry

 

 

Chattering Robin’s DT Application

Hi and welcome to my blog! I hope you enjoy your visit………………

Recently, I came upon the Design Team call for Chattering Robin’s. I kinda did not really give it any  mind as I have tried before…………to other sites……….and never made it. I then got to thinking……………….why not give it a try???? I can provide inspiration to others through my LOs and crafty frugal ideas. My inspiration was lifted from page 58 of the Nov./Dec. Creating Keepsakes magazine title “Home Wall Hanging” by Jenn Luce. This project will also end up on our wall as I enlarged the photo to make more of an impact. In order to make the photo larger I had to encompass a double page LO.  I scrap 81/2×11 size pages. My husband will be making a shadow box to mount the LO in. Over half of this LO is composed of scrappy goodies that came from your terrific store(the paper and dew drops). I enjoy distressing and using denim, burlap, muslin and cardboard as my style revolves around our life, what we do and nature. I love to wrap twine………..a free flowing effect is created. The tab on the right of the photo is attached to my journalling………..it pulls out.

So here is my creation.   It is titled “Breathtaking”!!!

Paper: The Robin’s Nest in Jeanand glitter leaf, cardstock in chili, hunter green and tan.

Burlap, muslin strip, cardboard, felt leaves, distressing ink in mustard seed, frayed burlap, wild honey and peeled paint, flame dew drops,  yellow brads, buttercup Liquid Pearls, white and green gel pen, tiny clothes pins, glitter paint and the title is computer generated from “Chalkdust” font.

I hope you enjoyed taking a peek into my life! But before you leave please ponder this question for awhile.

COLOR…………….

The other day, I was asked if my wardrobe and scrappin goodies were the same colors??? I replyed…………..”OF COURSE”! Then I got to thinking…………

Why do we scrap with the colors we use????????????

I am not sure how you would reply………………but I do know that I scrap with the colors that is found in my favorite thhings! I love sunflowers, pumpkins, fall leaves, drying hay, animals and just nature , in general.

Thank you for stopping by and viewing my project. I hope you like what you see!!!

I am also to post a logo but was unable to download it from the email soooooooo here is the logo from Chattering Robin’s Blog:

I contacted Terri by email but it was not until Friday evening…………..when I opened the original email. I am so sorry and hope this does not affect my chances!

Hello & Update Around the Farm!

Hi all!!!

It has been a long busy summer!  What a crazy one, too. Our hay field dried up…………..no hay…………fortunatelyrain came in August. Not alot but enough to get the field growing. The dry summer kept me busy moving the sheep and goats around, from pasture to pasture. I was glad that the pasture grass kept growing but I would not let the sheep graze it tooo low. We sawed out lumber, with our portable mill, during the every spare minute we had. We ended up sawing out nearly 8,000 board feet of lumber. The fairs started, in August. Our luck or quality of sheep proved to be great! We took many Grand Champion and Reserve Champion ram and ewe and all of the fairs. Our older ram(boy sheep) took Grand Champion Any Other Breeds Wool at larger fair. We also “almost” received Champion Over All Breeds Pair of Ewe(girl sheep) Lambs Bred and Owned at our county fair. Yea, that does not sound like we won but in a way we did. Our breed of sheep are not very common. They are not “the meat breed” type sooooooo judges tend not to consider them…………when it comes to champion over all breeds competitions. So, to even be in the top two……….we feel blessed.

After the fairs, we spent the next month getting the farm ready for winter. Dennis had surgery on Sept. 25th to fuse three dics, in his neck. All the farm and house work was now on my shoulders. I also tended to his needs. Before Hurricane Sandy hit, we spent many hours prepping. Our sheep & goats were still out to pasture soooo we had to get them secured, inside. After the hurricane, I put the sheep back out to pasture. Before this last bout of weather, the NorEaster, the sheep came home and I took down all the portable fencing…………..so it would not get ruined. I did not get to spend much time on the computer as Tim’s girlfriend left for college, out of state, and he is on it all evening talking to her. That will change!

Here are some of my scrappy projects:

“2012 Wins” is about this year’s show winnings. Besides the many Champions and Reserves, we also brought home three Shepherd’s Awards!

Paper: cardstock, Reminisce Making the Grade & Making Memories.

Metal tabs, brads, ditressing markers, tulle, metal buckle, yellow ribbon, black gel pen, purple & white twine, rosettes, sticker and letters by Recollections.

“Aroha” means love down in New Zealand. It is a dear friend’s One Little Word for the year. I chose to title this LO because it shows the love I have for my boys and the love they have for being outdoors and the woodsman sports. Daniel wants to follow in Tim’s footsteps!!!

Paper:cardstock, Authentique – Carefree collection, orange dot scraps.

Black lace, black gel pen, wool(from our sheep) grey felt, platinum Liquid Pearls, burlap, lighter to burn the edges, handstitching with Tim Holtz frayed burlpap marker, flourish sizzix die, letters by Recollections and Colorbox.

When prompted to use a camera on a LO, I came up with “Explore”. This camera is actually a paper version of mine.

Paper: Creative Memories, cardstock.

Letters by K&Company, butterflies by K&Company, felt flowers by Creatology, black gel pen, black ditto stamp, doillies, silver pearl Liquid Pearls, ink – black soot and antique linen and handmade stick pins.

I want to thank you for taking the time to visit our site and hope you come back soon!

Winner of Independence Day Blog Hop

What fun the hop was………………I even had the opportunity to hop along!  There was many fabulous projects………….some I will be lifting.

Yds randomly drew a number and guess who he chose????????

Carolyn Ewy (Csescrap13)……….you are the winner of my RAK!!!!!

I will email you to get your info and the color of innk you would like. Your RAK will be in the mail by Thursday!

Congrats Carolyn and enjoy !!!!

Independence Day Blog Hop

Welcome to the Independence Day Blog Hop! I am pleased to be part of this hop! If you are just joining……………please visit Amanda’s blog: http://www.lovejoypaper.com…………….to start from the beginning.

When I first seen the call to participate in this hop, I decided that it was not for me. I do not take Independence day  photos. I also am not into bright colors……….as I love earth tones. After asking if Americana colors were ok…………….I decided to join in on the fun.

This LO was constructed with three challenges in mind. This blog hop, a challenge using muffin liners and a Thanks Living challenge. I decide to utilize the photos of our “gals”. They are waiting not so patiently for their grain then milking. The journalling: “We are Thanful for having a abundant fresh supply of nutritious goat milk, during the summer and fall” says it all. We utilize their milk to the fullest extent. We use it as fluid milk to drink and on cereal. I make Chevre and hard cheeses to sell, but I also put some aside………….in the freezer………….for winter’s use. I also make yogurt.

I enjoyed putting this LO together……..even though it changed courses twice!

” ALL AMERICAN”

Paper: Cardstock in navy blue, white and flecked red. Pattern paper by Creative Imaginations.

Cricut cartridge: Birthday cakes used to cut out the circle/star borders.

Letters: red scarp metal by Pressed Petals.

Stars:  red/white and blue striped cut with Sizzix out of a muffin liner, red Puffies.

Lace border by Recollections, twine,red, white and blue zig zag border by Offray.

Distressing ink by Ranger Inks in Burlap and Tea Dye.

I distressed the whole LO to give it that Americana look.  The fabric pieces, of this LO, are dyed in coffee.

I hope you enjoyed my LO…………….I love sharing it with you!

You are now off to visit Devra’s blog http://www.mycreativeview.blogspot.com.

Enjoy the rest of your hop!!!!

There is a small RAK (distressing ink and a scrapbooking kit) for one lucky winner………………………just leave a comment and tell me what color of distressing ink you would love to have, in your stash!

Making your own Buttermilk

I am posting this recipe early…………..as I will be part of a Blog Hop Friday and Saturday. Today, we are going to learn to make Buttermilk. Yes, you can go out and buy it but do you know how old that bottle is?

Making BUTTERMILK is not hard. I use two ways…………depending upon how much of a hurry I am in.

#1.)  To make on cup buttermilk:

Use 3/4 of a cup of  milk………….add 1/4 cup lemon juice. Stir well, use immediately.

#2.)  To make cultured buttermilk:

1 qt. whole milk

2T. buttermilk

Warm the milk to 72 degrees. Stir in the cultured buttermilk(from a previous batch). Allow mixture to set, covered, at room temperature for 12 hours or more. When thick, refridgerate.

I use buttermilk in alot of recipes…………….next week, we will make Buttermilk Cornmeal Muffins. They are yummmy!

Join me the next couple of days for the Independence Day Blog Hop!

Goat Milk Vanilla Yogurt

Here is the recipe I use to make my own yogurt. I use fresh goat’s milk but you can substitute fresh cow’s milk. The consistancy will not be as thick as the yogurt you buy in the store but it is real creamy and you know what is in it.

1 qt. fresh milk

1/2c. powdered milk(optional but makes the yogurt thicker)

1t.  yogurt culture(I buy a small container of the freshest plain yogurt to get started…….then I use a teaspoon full from the yogurt I make)

1/3c. sugar

1/2t. vanilla

Warm the milk to 115 degrees, keep track of temp. witih a cooking thermometer. Rmove from the heat.

Stir in powdered milk, sugar and vanilla, mixing well.

Mix a small amount of milk with the yogurt culture to remove any lumps.

Stir the culture into the warm milk…….mix well.

Place the warm yogurt into a wide mouth mason jar………….screw on the lid. Place in a warm (112 degree) oven. I make yogurt when I dry food……………..using the dehydrater, I can regulate the temp. I place the jar/jars around the outlet then cover with a towel. The yogurt needs to incubate 6 to 8 hours.

I incubate for seven hours then place in the refridgerator, to cool.

Enjoy plain or with fresh fruit.

Updates on the home front

Well, summer is finally here…………..much of the spring farm work is done and now to let mother nature do her thing! The first cutting of hay is off……..babies are two months old now and half the size of momma. Daniel graduated from sixth grade……………..now on to middle school! I have also been busy scrapbooking. Here are a few LOs that I have been working on:

“Someday”

A LO I created  to show some of my hopes/dreams or goals in the future. Some of these goals are more long term then others. I created the window using recycled plastic, chipboard and leftover paper. I crackled the window frame with antique bronze Distressing paint.

” Black Gold”

This Lo is about our sustainable methods of adding nutrients to our soil. We still have a long way to go to be completely sustainable but we are well on our way.

“I am not Bambi”

A LO that shows how we protect our colored sheep and goats during deer hunting season. The orange paint is biodegradeable…………no need to worry.

“Milkin Time”

YEA…………I am finally able to milk and not irritate my wrists! Dennis came up with this simple idea after checking out the internet. With less than $50.00 into this unit……………..it is a real frugal find!

Keep an eye out on Friday……………I am starting up a recipe category on my blog. The recipes I will include will be made from “our” products.

 

Winner of Mother’s Day Blog Hop!!!

Sorry this has taken soo long to post but farm life has gotten in the way!
Now for the moment you all have been waiting for……………….the winner of the blog hop is Danamk! I will contact you via email to get your info!
Congrats to Dana!!!! Enjoy your new goodies.
I enjoyed participating in htis hop!

Mother’s Day Blog Hop – May 4&5

Welcome to this year’s Mother’s Day Blog Hop!

I am honored to be amongst the best scrapbookers around! You will find much inspiration during this hop!  You have arrived here from MANDI’S http:mjskraze.blogspot.com blog. If you get lost along the way or if you are just joining us please go back to  AMANDA’S 
http://lovejoypaper.comblog.

Amanda asked us to come up with something for Mother’s Day! We could choose to do a LO on our mom, us as a mom or a Mother’s Day gift. I knew intsantly I wanted to make my mom a scrappy photo mat including pictures. What a task to begin with! I needed to choose the paper………………what represents us, as a family????? I decided to use the black and wood pattern paper. You will see by the photos the paper choice was perfect. I decided to keep the embellishments to a minimum………………focus on the pohtos! I also knew I wanted to distress……………….giving the mat that vintage/ farmy look!

Paper: Hooked on Fishing “Driftwood Dock” by The Paper Loft and black cardstock.

The black and wood tone paper is distressed with burlap Distressing Ink, Versafine black onyx ink……………..I then added a few streaks of Malted Milk paint dauber by jenni bowling

Burlap, misc. orange plaid ribbon, white pearl bling by Want2Scrap, Making Memories gems and brads.

The wheat embellie was cut out with my cricut………………the Country Life cartridge. I used two shades of yellow…………….golden and lemon yellow. I used golden smooch, burlap Distressing Ink and black ink to complete to distressed/shimmery look.

The heart embellishment was give to me by???????? I received it in a swap. It was red, pink and white but I distressed it………………..so it would look right with the rest of my mat. I used Burlap Distressing and black ink.

Now…………………the moment you all have been waiting for! I am offering a RAK to those that leave me a comment and tell me your favorite method of distressing. Please also leave me a way to get ahold of you……………………….I  will draw a name on Monday May 7th and get the RAK right out to you! Here is the RAK……………….distressing goodies:

I hope you enjoyed visiting my blog……………………. you are now off to visit PHOTOCHIC’S http://craftyscrapbooker.blogspot.com blog. Thank you for joining us for this Mother’s Day Blog Hop!