Thanks for Everything: Signing Off

Hello Blog Friends
They say that life is what happens while we are making other plans.
This will be the final post for paperinkme.

Right now, my creative life has been impacted by my dear husband's sudden health concerns. I need to turn my time and attention elsewhere for the time being.
I have so enjoyed being part of the scrap blog world, and sharing my creative efforts with you.  Most of all, I treasure the connections we have made and I thank you for being part of something that has had so much meaning for me.
My plan is to leave the blog up for at least a few weeks, and then it will be taken down.
Wishing all of us continued creative exploration and expansion.
With love and gratitude,

CSI Case File #6: Missed the Deadline

Hello Blog Friends
Somehow time got away from me and I missed the deadline for Case #6 at CSI.  Nonetheless, I'm going to post it and share it here:

To me, the colours called out for a retro photograph, so I chose this one which shows my husband when he was a member of a band called The Fantam Five back in the '60's.

I really love this photo with all the guys looking so very Route 66 with somebody's muscle car in the background.

The colour palette allowed me to use the Orange Wood pp from the new MME collection, On the Bright Side, and an old SEI paper (the one with the retro circles.) I used a Maya Road journalling spot balanced with a hinge from hubby's tool kit. I was happy with how well the hinge fitted the barnboard-design of the paper.

The journalling challenge was to shine a light on your subject, and say three things about it.  There were two Richards and two Dennis' in the group, and they played clubs and roadhouses from 1965-69.  They were a rock'n'roll band, playing the billboard hits of the day: Walk, Don't Run, Wipeout, Gloria, and anything by the Rolling Stones.

One of the group went on to become a career Country & Western singer, much loved to this day by his fans from Quebec to Louisiana.

And as you've probably guessed, the fifth member of the Fantam Five was just that - a phantom. Which is what this project is - a phantom case file #6!

Hope you're enjoying a creative weekend! 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

WHoot! I'm On the Most Wanted List at CSI!

Hello Blog Friends
Well, it's a great big Cirque du Soleil kind of day around here....my layout was chosen as one of the 5 Most Wanted for this week at CSI!!

Here's what the CSI Detectives had to say about my page:

Fran's layering and beautiful clusters and wonderful mix of patterns caught our eye! We love how the photo just seems made for the colors. The cut foliage and flowers and leaves is so lush and rich here. We were impressed by Fran's use of the gold photo corners to add interest to her star. Fran's layout is just brimming with rich and interesting details, and her page is both elegant and fanciful---just like the Cirque du Soleil!

Just wanted to share this good news with you!  (I would do a couple of trapeze flips Cirque-style if I could).
CSI is a fun place to play, and the community is world-wide, world-class and very friendly. Head on over to CSI for Case #6 - there's still lots of time to solve the case yourself!


You can see the 10 Most Wanted List and Under Surveillance here.
Thanks for looking!

Cirque de Soleil: CSI Case #5

Here's my project for this week's  CSI challenge:

The photo is of me and my DH at the Cirque de Soleil pre-party in Toronto a few years ago. Totally fun especially with the alien being in the background! 
It seemed the perfect choice, especially since this week's inspiration photo was so lighthearted:

I really shopped my stash for this one.  Background pp from a venerable K&Co. paper pad. I added light paint spatters with Glazed Currant glimmer glam. The green/eggplant striped piece is so old it does't even have a brand name.  It was living in my Bizarre Paper box. 

You see below some beautiful Dusty Attic chipboard foliage. After a base coat of Glue'n'Seal, and a primer of Picket Fence, I used Staz-On Cactus Green and PlumArchival Ink:

The small red and plum flowers are generic mulberry paper; Watermelon and Currant alcohol inks gave just the right colours. I created centres for the red flowers by knotting embroidery floss.  

There are resin roses in the cluster, plus Prima roses.  All the flowers got a coat of Glossy Accents to make them glossy and fresh, like an apple for teacher!

Evidence:
Cutting tools - paper foliage was cut on my Vagaband using a Spellbinders die. I used Christmas paper from Echo Park Season's Greetings collection;  The Apple Flesh colour requirement was fulfilled by a TH Distress paper stamped then punched and layered as the vertical underlay.
Leaves - the leaves are Recollections;
Photo Corners - Two gorgeous metal photo corners were cut them into thirds and adhered to the points of my cardboard star:

I loved being able to finally use the masked lady (see her above L) - a Prima Moulin Rouge rub-on.
Testimony:  I chose to journal about what's hidden - or what you don't see in the photo.  
What you do not see here is the master plan my DH launched to encourage me to go to the circus.  You also don't see the esteem my DH feels for clowns, or what happened when the owner of a Yul Brunner hairdo sat in the front row of a room full of clowns ...well...let's just say, he met a lot of clowns that day. Click to enlarge the journaling card to see for yourself:

I also journaled some details around the edge, which you can see below ( L).

The stamped image is a LaBlanche stamp with Archival Plum ink.

Attending Cirque de Soleil was such a memorable occasion; very fun and over the top gorgeous.  The funny thing about the photo is that I didn't know there was an alien behind me until I got the photo in the mail.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Made of Light:CSI Case #4

Hello Blog Friends, 

The inspiration image for Case #4 at CSI was an underwater photograph, a trompe l'oeil effect, where you're not really sure what it is you are seeing.

Here's my project:

I chose this photo of my DGD because at this age, everything is new to her.  In the photo she is observing light, as if for the first time, and reaching her hand toward the sunbeam that is falling across her car seat.   To see her trying to understand what she is seeing  (the light) by reaching her little hand toward it was an exquisite moment for me.

This is the inspiration photo:

Design Process

Oy. The good part is that I've started to journal from the prompts and inspiration photo to come up with my key concept.  This is a process recommended by Sylvia Mellander.  As a writer, this suits me beautifully and gets the creative ideas flowing.

However, this week again, I had three project attempts that ended up in the trash!  This must have something to do with finding one's authentic style.  I do love the graphic, negative space, and random splatters/multi-media approaches....but they just don't work for me.  Lesson learned. (I hope.)

My title comes from my belief that babies are pure light.  The pattern papers and chipboard tree accent are from the October Afternoon Farmhouse collection. I followed the CSI colours and used a sketch by Charlotte Jenkins (Suepup).

My Evidence:

Wet Medium - I misted a Pink Paislee Mistable sheet with Dragonfly glimmer mist; then wiped some of the mist away to reveal the surface pattern in some spots. I also misted the paper doily with Butterscotch (Adirondack). 

Tulle - I misted a piece of tulle and adhered in the top L to give softness and a slightly shadowy, translucent effect like being underwater

Frame & Something Reflective/Shiny: I combined these two details.  I coated a Dusty Attic frame with black enamel accents to give it a high gloss, in honour of the patent leather black colour of the colour palette. 

I also used some rhinestone swirls.

I painted mulberry flowers with Stream alcohol ink and some with Butterscotch spray and gave them centers with a Viva pearl pen.   I let the knitted hat and cable knit sweater carry the buoyant beige colour.

Testimony:

I wrote in a reflective fashion about my thoughts as I look at this picture.

Also, I arranged the journaling on paper strips arranged as steps:

The journaling reads: "The moment you saw the sunbeam, you reached for it. Light knows itself. You are a constant ray of light in our lives."

Here's the lovely sketch I used by Charlotte Jenkins:

Wishing you a creative weekend!

Liebster Blogs UPDATE

It is my absolute pleasure to pass the Liebster torch forward. 

These ladies are all multi- talented, warm-hearted, and they are all artists dedicated to their scrapping passions. It's paper & ink love!   I have learned a lot from these ladies, and really appreciate their mastery. I've enjoyed spending time with them in their blog spaces for a long time, and I am sure you will too!  

In no particular order, here are my 5 Leibsters:

1. Sandi  at   http://scrappingasigo.blogspot.com/  By now it is no secret that I love all things vintage and retro.  Sandi has such a wonderful hand with vintage mixed with a  multi-mediums and techniques. Her blog is warm, friendly and beautiful spot to hang out.
2. Anna-Karin at http://layersofink.blogspot.com  With Anna-Karin's storytelling and her willingness to share new techniques in a user- friendly way, her beautiful blog will transport you to another world.
3. Fi at http://allthingscreativescrapbooking.blogspot.com/  Fi's blog will take you Down Under to Australia.  Fi works magic with all sorts of techniques, including black backgrounds and gorgeous photographs and colours.
4. Shaunery at Creative Chaos  I love Shaunery's approach, and you will too!  She sees through a photographer's eye, and her work is always out-of-the box, layered with meaning and a dollop of playfulness too.
5. Michelle at Special Paper Projects has a long-standing commitment to vintage paper arts, and to being the keeper of the family stories.  I have saved some of her blog posts to read again and again - they are just delightful and warm my heart.

Here are the rules:
 Choose 5 up and coming blogs of fewer than 200 followers to award the Liebster to.
 Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
 Post the award on your blog. Link back to the blogs you have given the Liebster to so everyone else can pay them a visit.


The Liebster family is growing -
Enjoy your visits to these up and coming blogs - I'm sure you will want to drop by and say hi.

Happiness is... Being a Liebster!!

Hello Blog Friends,

I have just received the Liebster Blog award, and I am over-the-moon happy!  
I received this award courtesy of fellow blogger and CSI detective Michele. Michele is from sunny California and her work is stunning - just check her blog Design Honey and you will see what I mean!
About the award: 
“Liebster” is a German word meaning dearest, beloved or favorite, and the Liebster Award is sort of a chain letter among bloggers that’s intended to showcase exceptional up-and-coming blogs (typically, those with 200 or fewer followers). There’s no evaluation committee or formal award process for the Liebster, but in a way it’s even nicer – it’s recognition that a peer has noticed and appreciated your hard work.
Neighbourhood of Blogs
To say that receiving this award has made me happy is an understatement!  
Finding one's creative voice/expression and can be a daunting process. The day you go public with your blog is like letting your children cross the street by themselves for the first time - it's scary, and you just gotta trust that they will make it to the other side.
For me, the best part about scrapping and blogging is the connections.  Each of us gets to make new friends all over the world - it's a global neighbourhood.  We create community with each post  while putting our work and our selves "out there".  Leaving supportive comments on others' blog is another way of nourishing the community.
I am so glad I decided to take the blog plunge last April because I have met so many lovely people (that would be you! :) and I've learned so much from each one of you, dear blog friends.
Over the next little while it will be my happy task to surprise 5 others with the Leibster award! I look forward to completing that task and sharing it with you!
Wishing you some happy scrap time this weekend.  Be sure to drop by  Michele's place at Design Honey for awesome inspiration.

Dream On: CSI Case #3

Here is my take on CSI Case #3:

The picture is not the best quality, but it captured the moment at which my long, cherished career as a yoga teacher was beginning to draw to a close; you can see all the white drawstring back-support bags on the studio floor behind me.
My Testimony:
I could have called this "The Goodbye Girl", b/c the journaling refers to the ending of an era in my  personal evolution.  The title "Dream On" comes from the 1973 Aerosmith Song (I know, I know, I am a child of the 70's forever - those songs are branded into my consciousness:) )

• repetition ("Dream On repeated 6 times on tags on the L side border)
• journaling in the form of directions ("Dream On" is the direction I am giving, & taking)
• Journaling on a series of tags: 

I wrote out two of the verses that were most relevant to my process for this project.  
Question: Did we enter warp speed with the new year?  I don't know about you, but time sure feels very fast these days! Some key phrases from the song for me were:

"the past is gone/it went by like dusk to dawn", and 

"Sing with me, sing for the years/Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears"

My Evidence:
tags:  I cut the pink tags using my Cricut; the journalling tags are Prima
sheer ribbon: on the tags

circular elements: the typewriter keys of the background paper (Webster's); used a circle cutter for the background circle, outlined with a circle of pink pearls placed around it.  Then I used a square pattern paper punch for contrast.
gold metallic elements - I heat- embossed gold crowns around the circle using Ancient Gold; as well as the edge of the circle. I outlined the pp and my photo in gold metallic ink
a doily: tucked under the photo

I also did some personal journaling on the back of the project, using a transparency.  Once I started, I could not stop.  It just poured out and it felt as if I could have written a book on this topic!
I'm pretty sure that this was a case of "scrap therapy" - very healing, and thank you CSI for providing the wonderful clues to solve the case!

Every time when I look in the mirror
All these lines on my face getting clearer
The past is goneIt went by, like dusk to dawn
Isn't that the way/Everybody's got the dues in life to pay

 Dream on/Dream on/Dream on/Dream until your dreams come true.

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a look.

Papers used:  Wesbter's, Crate Paper

Prima Tags
EK Success punch
Chipboard embellies: Bo Bunny Gabrielle, Crate Paper
Prima flower
Alphas: Bo Bunny Snowfall, American Crafts

3 Mothers, 3 Generations PLUS Bo Bunny CHA Sneak Peek

Hello Blog Friends
Today I have a heritage layout linking three generations of mothers in my family, all of them pictured with their babies.  I'm quite happy with how this turned out.  I love how each one of us has that same look on her face, all of us gazing adoringly upon our baby daughters:

The first photo (top) is my mother holding yours truly (me!) 'way 'way back, long time ago in Montreal - back when men wore fedoras and women wore shirtwaist dresses and peplum jackets. 

Second photo (centre R) shows me as a new mother with my daughter in 1979.  Third photo (bottom L) shows that same beautiful daughter of mine with her new baby this autumn.

I thought this quotation summed it all up" "Flowers have the sun, babies have their mothers."

I used the silken, soft-hued Pion papers here (Studio of Memories collection) and added a glimmer-misted doily, some Glitz What-nots, and some Webster's Pages trims. The blue flower and the mirrored bird-cage are from Prima:

This layout was a gift to my daughter at Christmas. Even though my daughter never got to meet her grandmother, I believe that connection can be made through looking at the heritage photos in our possession.
Shining a light on the generations was my whole motivation for scrapbooking in the first place. I am the "keeper of the story" in our family.  These heritage layouts are important to me to help keep those generational links alive for the future.

Now - for all my fellow-paper addicts: the CHA sneak peeks continue with the new Bo Bunny winter releases at Stop and Scrap.  These new Bo Bunny lines are totally beautiful - I know b/c I'm placing my order today!

Get 12% off anything you order from Stop and Scrap  - just use this code: PAPERINKME.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I do enjoy the sweet comments from my lovely blog friends, so feel free to leave a note if you have time.

Sneak Peeks & Your Special Code: American Crafts & Pebbles

There are 3 new American Crafts collections and 2 new Pebbles collections available for pre-order at Stop and Scrap, including Amy Tangerine Sketchbook and Dear Lizzy Neapolitan.




The prices at Stop and Scrap are already great, but you can get an extra 12% off your order.  
Just use this code when ordering:

PAPERINKME

This code entitles you to 12% off everything you order, including other in-stock and pre-order items.
For me, this makes shopping on-line very worthwhile, and gets me to all the new goodies sooner.  The next best thing to attending CHA!

Here are the links that will take you right there:
American Crafts 
Pebbles

Happy Shopping!

Memo to Self: CSI Case #2

Design process? What design process? For some reason, this l/o for CSI did not come together easily.
Two designs ended up in the garbage before I could settle on something I was happy with.  I can say it's been an obsessive week!
Here's my layout:

using a sketch by Baggahuna:

The l/o came from recent dream content, advice from my younger self to my "now" self. I like the waydreams bring information from deep in the unconscious to the surface - like memos from me to me.
The stream of consciousness journalling is written on a yellow tag (Prima), and basically "nets out" to my younger self telling me to listen to my own heart song. 

NB - The colours were so tough to photograph - we are in a low-light stretch here.

EVIDENCE DETAILS:
flowers (some were detail-cut from Crate Paper pp in my stash)
architectural elements (resin window lower L.) (Recollections)
sheer elements: yellow netting from bag of lemons
swirls/flourishes (yellow pearl flourish by ZVA Creative) 

I can't explain why this was so "challenging" for me; I loved the colours and the concept of Case #2 - but it truly was a challenge in every sense.
My craft space looks like a whirlwind went through it - I really must get back in there and tidy up....because Case #3 has just been posted!
Thanks for stopping by today.

Reader Discounts on New Prima CHA Sneak Peeks UPDATED

Hello Blog Friends
Last week I told you about my new favourite place to shop: Stop and Scrap. 
I have partnered with Stop and Scrap. Readers of this blog can receive a full 12%  on their order!

Here's how:  When you place an order at Stop and Scrap, enter this code for 12% off:

PAPERINKME

This makes it simple for everyone. 
Larry at Scrap and Shop says: "It is for ALL items, including sale and clearance items :) It will lower every single item ordered by 12%." 
The new Prima lines are awesomely beautiful and are ready for pre-order - the details and ship dates are on the Stop and Scrap site.  
I placed my own pre-order early this morning. I am happy to be able to share this with you - happy shopping!

My New Favourite Place to Shop

Hello Blog Friends
Something special I can share with you: Thanks to a heads-up from my scrap friend Bente Fagerberg, I have discovered a wonderful new place to shop on line.  It's called Stop and Scrap. 
I have ordered from them a few times in the past months, and I've been impressed with the prices and the service.  
I have to do most of my shopping on line b/c, sadly, there isn't a scrapbook store near me.  (We have one big conglomerate craft store, but it doesn't carry the collections that I like.)
Living in Canada. shipping costs are always an issue for me.  I have found Stop and Scrap very reasonable and speedy.  They ship world-wide.
Stay tuned, b/c there will be some special price codes available here for regular readers early next week!
Until next time, 

Go Ask Alice: CSI Case #1

Happy news - the new CSI (Color, Stories. Inspiration) Site went live last week.
The first "case" was to "scrap something mad" within the colour palette of the challenge. Here's my entry:

I don't know about you, but now that we're in 2012, there's a lot going on that just seems...well, mad.  So I went with a Mad Hatter theme from Alice in Wonderland. 
Since Wonderland is a place where things are non-sense.  I decided to give myself permission to scrap without a photo - I scrapped a concept instead.
In Wonderland, Alice finds that the rules no longer apply, and nothing makes sense.  The caterpillar asks her, "Who are you?"

Alice replies:

"I...I hardly know, sir, just at present...at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."

I feel a kinship to Alice these days (!), and that was my concept for this piece.
Here's a close-up of the Mad Hatter image from the Graphic 45 Hallowe'en in Wonderland collection:

I gave him a tulle bow tie and a hat band made from crinkle seam binding, both of which were coloured with glimmer mist and Distress Stain.  The two hat pins were alcohol-inked, and I painted his top hat with a distress stain mix to make the gray more compatible with the palette.


On a red glimmer-misted a tag from Tattered Angels, I printed out the lyrics of the old Jefferson Starship song Go Ask Alice. (It used to sound surreal and odd back in the day, but now the words seem almost prophetic - how strange is that?)

The second tag I kept blank so that I could come back to it later and write about how the "madness" is working itself out. (which I am sure it will, eventually.)
The tag holder is one of my cardboard coffee sleeves. 
I did the journalling on a transparency next to the Mad Hatter:

Well, it's a wonderful world of change, isn't it?  Even if it does feel like we're at a mad tea party some times.  I'll close with these words from Go Ask Alice:

When the men on the chess board 

get up and tell you where to go

And you just had some kind of mushroom

And your mind is moving slow

Go ask Alice

I think she'll know

-Jefferson Airplane, 1967