Altered Bottle plus a Ta Da Creative Studios Project

When I was perusing one of the message boards I frequent for inspiration Majo had posted a link to a GORGEOUS bottle that Ingvild Bolme had created. I couldn't get her bottle out of my mind, I wanted to create one of my own and I knew just where I would display it. I have a ledge above my cabinets that is perfect so I also knew the colors that I would use. Know I just needed a bottle. We have a local antique store that I KNEW I would be able to find a bottle. So I made a shopping trip to the store and found a lovely old half gallon bottle that only cost a couple of dollars. The Paper Variety is also having a challenge this week sponsored by home, which was to use the word home or a house or make a home decor item. Obviously I chose to make a home decor item.

Now its time to decorate, I started with the INSIDE of the bottle and I drizzled several colors of Alcohol Inks. The colors I used were Cool Perl (which was very light and didn't show up well), Stream and Butterscotch. I wanted to add a touch of white to it and I had a Stazon Opaque Inker in Cotton White. Then while the Inks were still wet I sprinkled in some Glitter from Pink Paislee Pixie Stix colors (Licorice & Silver Berry).

Now that the inside is colored I turn to the outside of the bottle. I love using doily's and I love adding colors to them. So I misted the doily with Smooch Spritz in a turquoise color, and topped the doily with a Ticket from Webster's Pages. Now the Prima Say it in Crystals are the perfect touch of bling. I love the little lock from My Minds Eye and added it to the bling. The gold trinket on the top of the ticket is also from My Minds Eye and I topped it with this large pearl which I have had sitting in my collection for YEARS. I never use clothespins with my scrapping but I thought it was a great touch on this bottle. The finishing touch was putting the blue beads around the neck of the bottle. The beads were from a kit from Scrapdango over a year ago.

The Full finished bottle.

Tada Creative Studios I saw the Week 1 Switch it Up Sketch over at Sassy Lil' Sketches

and just knew it would work for this photo. The photo is the Restaurant sign of Roast in Downtown Detroit taken on my cellphone when the sun was starting to set, but I really like the look of the photo. The restaurant is from Iron Chef Michael Symon. My mom and I love watching all the food shows on tv and when we discovered this restaurant was so close we knew we had to go check it out. So for my birthday this year my mom and I went. It was yummy and we even tried the Brussel Sprouts, which Chef Symon had made on an episode of Iron Chef, soooo cool!!!

I felt the downtown edgeness of the photo went sooo well with Ta Da's Just Chillin' line. The distressing was the perfect gritty feel that I wanted for this layout. I had so much fun distressing everything. I used just about all the papers in the Just Chillin' collection plus one of the stickers and the oh la la layers above the title.

Close up detail shot of distressing.

Closeup of the Journaling block and more distressing.

For the title I pulled out some Thickers that had a very similar font to the restuarant but they were brown and I didn't like that, since they were a chipboard font I ripped off the top layer and added some Ranger Liquid Pearls in Pewter, while still wet I flipped them upside down which removed the excess and added a fantastic texture to the title.

Sassy Lil' Sketches

Sassy Lil' Sketches Week 3 Layout Sketch

Dressed Up for St. Patty's Day. The background paper is Moxxie, and the other strips are pieces from my Scraps. I fussy cut the banners from October Afternoon Seaside paper. The journaling reads " All in green including holiday beads & Shamrock headband to celebrate the Irish holiday of St. Patty's Day 2011".

September Sponsor:

Layouts must be uploaded to Sassy Lil' Sketches by October 5th, 11:59 P.M. EST to be eligible for the September random prize drawing*.
Specific rules for both Sassy Lil' Sketches site can be found on our Sassy Lil' Sketches "Rules" page.

Get Picky Blog
The Get Picky Sept 12 Challenge is sponsored by Best Creations. So I created the Picking the Perfect Pumpkin layout using Best Creations Hello Fall line. These photos are my little guy from last year, which I recently found when looking for some other photos. I also used it for the Home Ec Challenge at Scrapdango which was to use stitching (orange stitches by the top photo), use fabric (burlap ribbon behind top photo), use diecut (spellbinders die behind the chipboard title), and extra credit: use food in photo and embellishment.

I'm enjoying the kids being in school

because I'm able to get some stuff accomplished. I used the Week 2 card sketch from Sassy Lil' Sketches to create this Bo Bunny card. One of my all time favorite collections from Bo Bunny was the Sophie Collection. I was trying to use up an old kit from Scrapdango. I created this card plus the Smile card and the budding photog layout and still have plenty more scraps to create more. Crop Stop is also having a challenge to use buttons, so I added them to the card. Also, Paper Variety's challenge was to use stickers, so I used a clear sticker from SRM Stickers.

I used sketch #39 from Cardabilities, it was a perfect sketch to use up more of the Bo Bunny Sophie scraps that I had lying on my table.

On this layout I used more of the Bo Bunny Sophie Collection and created this for a challenge at Scrapdango. Besides the Bo Bunny papers, I used the Tim Holtz photo strip ribbon, which I purchased because I knew I had this pick of my DD that I wanted to scrap. The challenge was to use a visual triangle (which is the 3 photo strips), use an actual triangle (the triangle border stickers) and use another shape (the title block).

On this layout I used sketch #173 from Creative Scrappers and I also used it for the Science challenge at Scrapdango. It was to use hexagons or octagons, use green as a main color, and use a botanical item - mine is the wood title letters. I created the "Bubbles" on the layout by watering down white paint and then adding a layer of Glimmer Glaze on top to add a touch of shimmer. Since it was a science challenge I thought the Atomic Soup papers from Jillibean Soup was the perfect collection for this challenge, plus it gave me an excuse to ACTUALLY use it.

I was looking through my pics when I saw this picture of me at dinner while on vacation and a title popped into my head and I knew I had to scrap it right away. I thought the Creative Scrappers sketch #172 fit this picture and I decided to pull out Webster's Pages Ladies & Gents collection and then added extra Webster's goodies like the Bloomers, the blingy ribbon, the pom pom flower, and other extra goodies.

I added a closeup of the journaling.

A Ta Da Creative Studios project Friendship is a gift, so let’s make your friend’s day and make a great card to celebrate your friendship! That’s what this card is all about. I used the wonderful colorful Sizzlin’ Summer line from Ta Da Creative Studios to create this friendship card. Wouldn’t you love to receive a card like this in the mail?

I used the Mini Mes paper, this one is PERFECT when making cards because the pattern is smaller than the full size paper. I also used the Snippets & Clippets paper (which I LOVE) and fussy cut the Pink flower and used the journaling block for the sentiment of the card. The butterfly punch was an easy and quick embellishment for this card. Add a sentiment, a touch of ribbon/trim and you have a card your friend will treasure. Have a great scrappy week!!

A number of new projects

I found this great sketch over at Sketches in Thyme #55. When searching for what photos to use with it I found these cute pics of my son making a pizza. So when deciding what papers to use I wanted some type of food collection and I thought why not look thru my Jillibean Soup stash and I found this older but still soooo cute collection. When I saw the pig paper my decision was made. Everything on this layout is from Jillibean Soup except the twine and the Happy Ticket at the top.

I also created this layout for a challenge at Scrapdango for the Computer class challenge. The challenge was to use a digital image (the Happy Ticket) and use numbers or type on the page other than the title.

It also worked for the Paper Variety's blogaversary which was to use stamps or digital stamps, Thanks Happy Ticket.


A close-up, I just love the little pig!!


I made this cute card based on the Sept Week 1 Sassy lil' Card Sketch. I used Sassafras papers and stickers, the sentiment is SRM Stickers. I created this card for the Create: Blog challenge which was to use Toothpick flags. I actually didn't have any so I created my own with toothpicks in my cupboard and Sassafras banners. It was sooo easy and quick.

I also used a Cheery Lynn Designs die on the card, Its the oh so yummy Carnivale border. They are having an anything goes challenge right now it ends on Sept 15. So if you have any Cheery Lynn Designs dies create a project with it and add it and you could win.


I saw the 9.8 sketch challenge over at Sketchy Thursdays and just loved it, and knew I wanted to create with it. I'm not completely thrilled with it but its done. I also created it for Paper Variety's blogaversary which was to use your favorite manufacturer. There are soooo many favorite's. I picked Fancy Pants and one of my favorite collections from them is the Beach Bum collection. I just love it!!


This layout is based on the sketch over at The Scrappiest #135. I pulled out scraps for this one. It is always soooo gratifying to use up some scraps. I HAD to take a pic on this day because both Tiffany and Tyler lost a tooth on the SAME day. When does that happen.


The colors are definitely not quite right on this one. SORRY! I used Creative Scrappers sketch #171 for this one and I created it for a Scrapdango PE Challenge. Its was to use an action photo, use a circle, and convey motion. So I put the title letters at all different heights to convey motion.

Looks like I have been really scrappy lately

I loved getting several challenges out of one layout. I started by doing the open challenge at Sketches in Thyme. The challenge was to pick a sketch from anywhere and upload it. When looking thru what the DT picked I just loved all the white space in the sketch that Tiffany used from Once upon a Sketch.
I ended up filling up a lot of the white space compared to the sketch but there is still plenty of white space. I also was able to complete this layout for a challenge at Scrapdango which was to use the colors blue and white and NOT scrap winter photos. Plus I used it for Cindy's challenge at My Sketch World which was to use a photo at least 5 years old, so I picked this photo of my DH at age 4 over 30 years ago.

I used a combination of Bella Blvd papers and embellishments for this layout. I just love how the different collections all coordinate together.

Creative Scrappers #169


This photo was taken AT the dentist office. They take photos of all the kids who have NO cavities. They let me have it at his last appointment when they took a new picture of him when he still had no cavities.

I just loved the smiley robots in this My Mind's Eye Paper Collection, plus the maroon color matched his shirt.


The Scrappiest #131

I think I need to take a closeup of this photo because you can't see the funny expression on his little face, and all his hair sticking up. That's why I created the title because it was definitely more than just a trip down the slide.

I used Little Yellow Bicycle's Twig line for the papers and embellies on this one.


OK, I just had to take a closeup of the pic. At least now you can see his eyes and his hair sticking up, LOL!



Memorable Seasons

I loved the mix of buttons and flags on this sketch so I got to work on this right away.


I also completed this layout for the challenge at Paper Variety which was create a travel or transportation project. This layout was from a Spring Weekend Getaway, this resort in Ohio features a HUGE indoor water park.

I used an older kit from Scrapdango it featured papers from Lily Bee and We R Memory Keepers. I picked the orangy/yellow Thickers for the title because they match the color in the photo on the hotel.

Sassy Lil' Sketches Aug Reveal

Check out the Awesome sketch I got to design with this month.


I'm so proud of Tiffany and her friends because they participated in Girls on the Run and Ran a 5k on this day! Great job Girls!!! This photo was taken moments before the start of the race.

I used Bella Blvd papers for this layout, a Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, and Thickers.


Paper Sponsor this month


Layouts must be uploaded on Sassy Lil' Sketches by September 5th, 11:59 P.M. EST to be eligible for the August random prize drawing*.

Specific rules for both Sassy Lil' Sketches site can be found on our Sassy Lil' Sketches "Rules" page.

Crate Paper - Toy box Collection
I decided when I was playing with these papers that I just HAD to pull out the stapler. I'm not sure what about this collection made me want to use the stapler but I like what it added to the layout. I did add a closeup shot of some of the staples so you could see the detail better.

TaDa Creative Studios New line plus a couple other challenges also

TaDa Creative Studios New line
I so LOVE the NEW Just Chillin’ line. It is sooooo perfect for the boys, teens, men in our lives. I used these photo’s of my son dressed up in Dad’s sweater, cap and major oversized shoes to work with the Just Chillin’ papers.




Lately, I don’t think a layout is complete without some fussy cutting and there is plenty of that on this layout. I first fussy cut the borders that are going down the green paper and across the orange paper from the backside of the Snippets & Clippets.
Then I took the Geared Up La La Layers

and used the middle gear as a template which I cut out of the Mini Mes Plaid paper. I finally cut a smaller gear out of the So Stoked paper.

Wow I’m tired just thinking about all the cutting I did, LOL! Holy smokes, I actually used a couple of eyelets on this layout, but they just seemed to work. I haven’t used eyelets in ages.

I actually used all 6 papers in the collection for this layout, plus the Geared Up La La Layers and even included the BRAND New Stickies too. Did I say that I LOVED this collection, yep I did but that’s ok! I think this collection is a MUST for anyone who has boys in their life.


My Scraps and More had a sketch challenge on their blog this week. So I thought I would give it a try. I liked that the sketch featured 3 photos. I started using Lily Bee Designs paper, but I did add other embellishments to it. The title is a little hard to read online its "Balloon Doggy".


My Sketch World has a challenge this month to create a get well card and after looking thru my stash of cards I discovered that I didn't have any. So I decided that I needed to create two cards. I also used the Paper Variety challenge blog which had a color challenge going on which was to use the colors Green, Orange, and Yellow. The sentiments are stickers from SRM Stickers.



Scrappiest Blog Sketch #132


For this layout I used the Scrappiest sketch and an inspiration challenge going on at Memorable Seasons including the quote which reads "Be kind & Be truthful, and your life will be fruitful" plus I used a stamping challenge at Back Porch Memories. The tree is a chipboard piece I have had for several years from Riff Raff designs, very sad that they are no longer in business.