Before I get to the projects, I just have to pause to say I am doing the happy dance!!! Woohoo!! Wanna know why? 'Cause I just found out that I made Buzz and Bloom's 2010 design team!!!! I know I used this word a lot, but I am so EXCITED!!! Click here if you want to see the announcement and get to know the other lucky ladies!

OK, now that I've gotten that out of my system, I can show you some of my recent projects. (I have more to come this weekend).

This week, it was my turn to guest blog for Purple Cows. I created the following layout using partner product from Imaginisce, Hambly, Clear Scraps, Clearsnaps, along with Purple Cows Ultimate Trimmer II.

I really love how this turned out--the background is the perfect match for the photos. I've had a couple of crafters ask me how I created the background. I simply incorporated one of my favorite techniques when it comes to working with acrylic. I like to mount some of the papers to the back of the acrylic and the photos, embellishments and smaller pieces of paper to the front. I think this process helps to create depth as if you were creating with just paper.

I added black acrylic paint to the edges to give the layout a strong sense of definition and helps drive the "grungy" look home. I just had to add the little apples because although my Donnie is standing against a brick wall, rockin' a mohawk and a skull short, I can't help but notice his sweet smile...which looks a little like the apple! LOL!

I bought the die cut from the Scrappy Shack.

I went digging through my Pink Paislee stash again to come up with the perfect papers for my family photo. The ribbon here was originally yellow, but I used Shimmerz Spritz to change the color. I'm actually thinking about finding a 12x12 shadow box so I can hang this up. This was one of my favorite pictures from our family photo shoot!

I created this next layout for the new Dream Girls challenge.

Prompt: "List It!" Use a 1-10 list on your layout, could be your favourite films, or reasons you love someone, or ten facts...

Technique: "Clearly yours" - using a clear scrapping element - like punched overlay etc...

Product: "Mix It Up" Mix up alphabets - use multi alpha stickers/ dies/ fonts etc etc

remember taking this photo like it was yesterday...but alas, it was 3 years ago! My friends and I were going out one night during our girl's getaway weekend. I decided to break out in this booty twisting and shaking dance and my friend Yvonne decided to take pictures! Being as goofy as I am, she caught me in the middle of a gut wrenching laugh! Well at least I can laugh at myself...right?!

Thanks for taking a peek!

Flash Back

I've found myself often revisiting the past here lately. I've added the little "link within" widget to my blog, which has allowed me to go back and check out some of my older blog posts that I had forgotten about. I've even scrolled way back to the beginning of my online gallery at scrapbook.com to check out some of the scrapbooking layouts that I did years ago. Oooh, I was really infatuated with the doodling phase back in 2006...I'll have to share those layouts another time...maybe even scraplift some ideas. These little trips down memory lane were fun, but you know what I discovered? I was a much better writer back then...well at least better at communicating my thoughts, since I don't think of myself as a writer.

My scrapbooking pages had more meaningful and thoughtful journaling, my blog posts had more details about the things going on in my life and I had to stop and wonder...what happened? Has life become so busy that now I just scrawl down the basics? Am I more into product usage and the artistic expression of scrapbooking now than I was back then. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there certainly has been a shift.

You know, I often hear people make jokes about having more than one child. They say the first child has all of the photos and the more children you have, the less photos you take of the younger ones...well such is certainly not the case with my boys (Xander has a katrillion pictures...yes I made that word up...you now how I do). I can, however say that Donovan's scrapbook pages, although simpler is design (I cringe at some of the really early ones), contain more emotional value.

Here's a prime example...I took this picture of the 2 of us sitting in front of our home back in November 2005. I scrapped this page sometime in early 2006; although it's different than the way I scrap now, I like it because the photo is the main focus and ties in really well with the journaling.

journaling reads: One of these days you will be too big for me to hold you on my lap and comfort you like this. One of these days you will realize that it takes more than a hug and kiss to take the pain away. I'm glad today is not that day. One of these days, my hugs and kisses may embarrass you in front of your friends and you may not want them as often as you need them now, but I'm certainly glad today is not that day. One of these days, you will grow up to be a strong man with a family of your own and you will understand the value of spending moments like this. I'm glad today is not that day. Today is the day that I get to sit in front of our home, on a warm autumn day, and comfort my son. Today is the day that I get to give you all the hugs and kisses that you could ever want or need. I know the day will come when you will grow up to become an independent adult, but I must say I am so glad that today is not that day.

Reading this now makes me want to cry and I wrote it 3 years ago! I want this blog post to serve as my little reminder... I started this blog because I wanted to share my scrapbook layouts and in essence, my photos...my family...and my life. I started scrapbooking (in 2005) because I wanted to RECORD memories and I wanted my children to have something to REMEMBER me by if something happened to me. So although yes, I am more into the art of scrapbooking, I just have to remember to incorporate my HE{ART} into scrapbooking. I'm definitely going to use this layout as a guide to creating a similar one for my Xander. Looking over what I have created for him already, definitely shows how much he is loved...but I want for him, something with more depth and thought. Know what I mean?


Anyway, thanks for listening to me blabber... have a great one!

Shimmerz DT Call

ATTENTION!!! Shimmerz Paints is having a Design Team Call!

Shimmerz is a cutting edge manufacturer, and looking for individuals who are not afraid to think outside of the box. Get Messy! Shimmerz is looking for artists and designers who can create a variety of projects such as layouts, cards, altered art, and whatever else you can do!

Design Team Responsibilities:
3 required projects each month, posted on your personal blog and the Shimmerz blog. More is great! One must be Shimmerz specific.

1 tutorial with photos during your Design Team tenure.

Willing to promote Shimmerz on blogs, forums, Facebook, and anywhere else possible.

We are looking for Team Players!

Benefits:

Name and blog link added to the Shimmerz blog.

A Design Team kit to start creating Amazing projects.Publication Incentives.

A Design Team Discount

New Product Releases!

Chance to be part of a Wonderful Design Team!

What To Send:

Submit 2-3 projects (Does not have to feature Shimmerz, but we want to see the sparkle and shine); Good Photography is a MUST!

Name and Contact Information.

Blog Address.

Previous Design Team Experience and/or Publications.

A few sentences on why you want to be a part of Shimmerz.

If interested in being a part of Shimmerz, please apply by emailing photos of your projects, and other information to mcelyea@q.com by December 28, 2009. The new Design Team will be announced on January 1, 2010.

Blog: shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com

Website: shimmerzpaints.com

Email: mcelyea@q.com

Gift Card Holder From Start To Finish

Hey there, it's Tanisha here! I created this Shimmery project for the Holiday Bazaar at Serendipity Scrapbooks that I participated in this weekend. I totally adore Shimmerz and literally use it on nearly every one of my projects! I wanted to show you how easy it is to use Shimmerz products, so here are step by step instructions for a few quick techniques that you could incorporate into your projects to help take them over the top!

It may look like it takes a long time to recreate the look, but trust me, it doesn't. Shimmerz dries very quickly!

I started by scoring and folding a 4 1/2 x 12 cardstock to create the 4 1/2 x 6" card base.

Next I used the border punch to create a scalloped edge on the bottom of a 4 1/4 x 5 3/4 piece of patterned paper and set aside.

I spritzed a die cut with Baby's Breath Shimmerz and dried with the heat gun and set aside.

I then took my ribbon, originally cream, and placed it on my work surface.

Next, I saturated it with Barn Door Shimmerz Spritz. Don't worry about getting messy, Shimmerz cleans up easily with soap and water!

I took a Prima rose, originally white...

and rubbed it in the over spray on my work surface.

I could have easily sprayed the flower, but by rubbing it, I still maintain some of the original white in between the petals.

I took a thin paint brush and painted Ruby Red Shimmerz on some of the petals. I think the different tones of color really add dimension to the flower.

I then took my ribbon, which is still wet and wrapped one end around the handle of my craft knife (a pencil or similar tool would work, too). To create the ribbon curls, I used the heat gun to dry it in this position. Watch out for your fingers because the heat gun gets hot!!! (make sure to move the heat gun back and forth frequently so it doesn't scorch the ribbon). Repeat on the other end.

Now that all of the elements are dry, everything comes together pretty fast. I adhered the pattern paper to the cardstock. I ended up cutting a little more off the top so a larger portion of blue could show at the bottom. I centered the die cut and adhered it 2 1/8" from the top of the card. I used glue dots to adhere the holly berries to the left side of the card and then added the curled ribbon. I removed the green leaves from the flower and then adhered it above the knot in the ribbon. I added the rub-on sentiment and here's the result...

Here's a close-up of the flower...you can really see the shimmerz!

Here's what the inside looks like. I used 4 photo corners to hold the gift card in place and then added another rub on sentiment.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial!

So Flippin' Thrilled

OK, so the other day, I posted some Pink Paislee projects that I created and then I did my normal posting rounds to online galleries and social networking sites. When I tweeted my blog post, I included @PinkPaislee in the tweet ('cause of course I follow them on Twitter to get all the latest and greatest news) and guess what...I was asked if one of my projects could be shared!!!! Talk about floored and excited! So I went the site late last night to post this new layout (see below) and check out what I found on the blog...my layout, with some pretty awesome and blush causing compliments! This so completely made my week!! Awww yeah baby, I'm doing the happy dance all up in here!!

Check out my little man in these photos! We recently cut his hair for the first time and I think he looks super cute! When we first cut it, I almost cried...but I've gotten over it now...as a matter of fact, he's due for another trim, soon!

I mixed papers from Captivating, Enchanting and Office Lingo here. I think the raw Rusty Pickle chipboard and twine were just the perfect "boyish" elements I was looking for for this layout. Those wood grain chipboard letters from Cosmo Cricket really brought out the colors in the paper.

Thanks so much for taking a peek!!

Wordless Wednesday Featuring Xander

Shimmerz And Projects Using Pink Paislee Products

Hey there...happy Tuesday! I have been busy, busy in my craft room creating projects for different things... you should see the mess! LOL! I've been promoting Purple Cows' HUGE Design Contest lately and I haven't posted as many projects but I've got some goodies to share today, though... 2 layouts using papers from one of my favorite companies...Pink Paislee!

I love how Pink Paislee papers coordinate allowing me to mix and match newer lines with previously released lines and still maintain a cohesive look!! To create this LO, I used papers from Spring Fling, Tinsel Town, Enchanting and Office Lingo. The alpha stickers are from Fetching and work very well with these papers, too!

I took this photo a couple years ago at the mall just before Christmas...my favorite time to go to the mall and decided now was a perfect time to scrap it, especially with Christmas being right around the corner! Can you believe it?

journaling: Nothing puts me in a better mood during the holiday season than taking in all of the holiday hoopla at the mall. I don't know if it's the gigantic Christmas tree and decorations, the fake snow, watching the kiddies wait patiently in line for Santa, or watching shoppers go to and fro in search of that perfect gift. I love it all and for me, the season isn't complete without a few trips to the mall.

I popped my paper pierced tree up on pop dots and used one of my favorite products on the market, Shimmerz Paints, to spruce it up. I painted the centers of the circles with Hottie Pink Blingz and painted the tree trunk with Antique Lace Shimmerz (new Fall release).

I couldn't wait to scrap the photos on this next layout; I took them at Donovan's graduation, but needed the right inspiration to really pull it off. I purchased the new Expressions chipboard alphabet from Scrapbook Expo and knew I had to use them...the color was too perfect! I went stash digging and found a great mix of Pink Paislee papers from Sweet Cakes and Fascinating to compliment my photo. I used the swoops to highlight the first part of my title and also to mimic a gust of breath. The dymo labels were used to help add journaling from the story of the 3 Little Pigs. How perfect is that mini Jenni Bowlin bingo card? It was the right color and everything! Love it when that happens!

journaling: Donnie, you are a natural! On the day of your pre-school graduation, you stood up in front of all the parents and performed your lines without fear or hesitation. My favorite part was watching you play the role of the Big Bad Wolf...you really got into the character. Just check out that sneer, you look scarier than the wolf!

I scraplifted one of my older layouts to create this one.

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I also have another RAK winner to announce!

NITASHA...congratulations, you are the lucky winner of the bottle of Shimmerz Spritz, and the My Little Shoebox chipboard alpha and glazed alpha!!! Thanks so much for becoming a fan/blog follower of Purple Cows and for telling them I sent you!!!

Email your addy to me @ tanisharenee74@hotmail.com and I will send your package to you ASAP!

Have a great day everyone!!!

Purple Cows Motherload Contest...Under 2 Months Left To Enter

Just some quick reminders about the Purple Cows Design Contest!

We want to make sure as many people as possible enter and everyone understand just how easy it is to enter!

Here is how it is done:

Step #1 Take a picture using any of the Purple Cows Products, it could be the most budget conscious product Purple Cows makes, or the most expensive! It does not matter, any Purple Cows Product! No, you don't have to show your face if you do not want, just show your Purple Cows Product in action!

Step #2 Get down with your crafty self and make a project using your Purple Cows Tool/Product. Take a picture of your super fabulous art.

Step #3 Write a short blurb, or paragraph letting us know why and how Purple Cows inspires you to be crafty!

Now take your 2 photos, and your blurb... and email them to Vennita at vennita@purplecows.net

Now for the "DID YOU KNOW?" part:

Did you know that Purple Cows makes products for every budget? You do not have to spend alot to get a Purple Cows Tool! We have products for every crafter!

Did you know that INTERNATIONAL Entries are welcomed!!! Yes, international entries are welcome -so go create and send your submissions in!

Did you know that the entries will be voted on in a blind poll? Purple Cows and the Purple Cows Staff/DT will take the top 15 entries from the blind poll, and pick out the five WINNERS! Did you know that even YOU, EVERYONE, ANYONE has a chance of winning as much as, $5000.00 in Purple Cows products? If you do not enter you don't have a chance, so what are you waiting for??

Did you know we are so excited to see what you make!

Have a great day, get yourself crafting!


(go to http://www.purplecows.net/, click on the create tab, and click on "Friends of Purple Cows" to get the printable version of the rules.)

Don't forget to stop by the Facebook fan page or the Blog and tell them Tanisha sent you!!

Purple Cow Projects AND RAK Winners!

Designing for Purple Cows is so amazing! Not only do I have the opportunity to work with top notch trimmers (and other great tools), I also get to work with some fabulous partner product!

For this layout, I used Cosmo Cricket's new Haunted line...it's not just for Halloween! The papers paired perfectly with the rub-ons from Hambly and the strip of magic mesh added just the right amount of texture to the top of my photo. I inked the edges of the background, which is actually a piece of thin chipboard that comes in paper packs, with clearsnaps chalk ink. I used Purple Cow's Ultimate trimmer II to trim the chipboard to 12x12. The low-profile safety guillotine cutter is safe for little fingers to use, but strong enough to cut thin chipboard!

You know just about every project I create has to have some shimmerz on it. I sprayed the background with mudpie spritz and then used Olive Branch spritz to change the chunky rickrack from a mushroom color to the green that you see here. I also painted the foam thickers and the center of the pumpkins' eyes with gold glimmer blingz for a fun look!

I lifted this layout from Leah, a very talented scrapbook artist.

This card was just to fun to make! I used partner product from Core'dinations, Imaginisce, and glue arts to create it!

I ran a piece of black magic cardstock through my epic six using cuttlebug's spots and dots embossing folder. I then sanded to embossing to reveal the core color (this is one of my favorite features of this brand of cardstock). I used the B-sides of the Spooky Town line from Imaginisce along with the cutest Halloween stickers to form my sentiment.


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I have 2 winners to announce! Remember in this post I offered up a few RAKS to get my readers motivate to follow Purple Cows blog of become a fan on facebook, well here are 2 lucky winners!

The winner of the Purple Cows Freestyle Trimmer is Shauna!!!

The winner of the My Little Shoebox 4 pack of new mini alphabet stickers is Ellen S.!!!!

I still have a few more prizes to giveaway, so remember to follow or become a fan and say "Tanisha sent me" then come back and let me know that you did it and you will be entered into the random drawing for the rest of the RAKs!

Congratulations Shauna and Ellen!!! Please email me your address at tanisharenee74@hotmail.com and I will get your RAK out to you ASAP!!

Purple Cows HUGE Design Contest Win Up To $5000 in PC Products!!!!

Purple Cows is giving everyone a chance to show us what you’ve got. In return, we’ll give you all of what we’ve got. LITERALLY!We are gonna give four lucky winners each a wheelbarrow full of Purple Cows Products, and one extremely lucky grand prize winner will have a Moo-vilous time with the truckload of Purple Cows Products!

Here’s the deal:

Step 1: Sign up to follow our blog, or sign up to be a Fan on our Facebook Fan Page (BE SURE TO SAY TANISHA SENT ME).

Step 2: Create a crafting project of ANY kind, as long as you use at least one of our MOO-riffic Purple Cows Tools.

Step 3: Send us photos of you using our product(s) in the creative process on your project, as well as the finished work. Type up a little paragraph about your Purple Cows Tool(s), and what you like about them. Then submit your entry to us via email/messaging on our Blogspot/FB Fan Page.

That’s all you have to do!


The contest runs from 12:01am, October 20, 2009, through 11:59pm, December 31, 2009. The contest is open to any crafter who follows the above rules. (Except our current employees or DT Members…sorry guys!)

The Winners: The winners of this contest will be announced live on the Diva Craft Lounge Radio Show at the CHA Winter Show 2010!

There will be five winners for this contest, four runners up, and one grand prize winner.

Runners Up - Each of the four will receive $1000.00 each in Purple Cows Products!!!!

Grand Prize - Will receive $5000.00 in Purple Cows Products!!!If you have questions, you can email them to: vennita@purplecows.net GOOD LUCK!

NOW IS THAT A CONTEST OR IS THAT A CONTEST???!!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE REMEMBER TO SAY "TANISHA SENT ME"! Help me get the word out by tweeting this, posting it to your blogs and facebook pages, post it to message boards, but remember to tell people to mention my name!

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Anyone who reads my blog on a regular basis know I like to give stuff away....well right now, I'm not above bribery!!! LOL! To help get you motivate and excited about the contest, I have some giveaways of my own!!!

There's a DT contest going on to and I have a chance to win some $$$...y'all know that'll go a long way for someone who recently lost her job...uh, yes, I just pulled the unemployed card. LOL!

Now I've heard a lot of people say they don't have any Purple Cows products...well that's a pity because their products ROCK!! I'm not saying that because I'm a DT meber, I've used a PC trimmer and freestyle mouse LONG before!! No worries though, 'cause I got ya covered!

If you don't have PC products, here are a few places where you can get them from:

Pat Catan's
www.benfranklinhawaii.com
Blick Art Materials
Robert's
www.scrapbook.com
AC Moore
www.joann.com
www.ritzcamera.com
Hobby Lobby
www.craftsetc.com
www.acherryontop.com
http://www.scrapbookingalley.com/

Being as generous as I am, I'm giving away a Purple Cow Freestyle Trimmer AND the circle AND oval templates to ONE (1) LUCKY WINNER who posts here between now and October 31st. You MUST either become a fan on Purple Cows Face book Page OR become a Purple Cows Blog Follower AND post here that you let them know that I sent you to be eligible!!! Is that clear as mud? LOL! I will ship this out to the lucky winner ASAP so they'll have plenty of time to use it for the contest!

Hold on to your hats kids, 'cause that's not all you can win!!! Post here that you became a fan or follower of Purple Cows and let them know that you "heard it from Tanisha" between now and November 2nd @ 11:59 pm EST and I will randomly draw a name to win FOUR (4) packs of My Little Shoebox mini alphabet stickers!!! These things are so hot right now, they can't keep them in stock!!!

Told you, I'll resort to bribery if necessary! Post here that you became a fan or follower of Purple Cows and you let them know that you "heard it from Tanisha" between now and November 9th @ 11:59 pm EST and I will randomly draw a name to win One (1) My Little Shoebox Chipboard alpha, One (1) My Little Shoebox Glazed Alpha, and One (1) bottle of Shimmerz Spritz!!!

Post here that you became a fan or follower of Purple Cows and that you let them know that you "heard it from Tanisha" between now and November 16th @ 11:59 pm EST and I will randomly draw a name to win My Little Shoebox Little Lady line seen here!!! The papers in this line was named after some of the DT members!

Purple Cows contest ends on December 31st.

As a way to show my appreciation to you, post here that you became a fan or follower of Purple Cows and let them know that you "heard it from Tanisha" between now and December 31st @ 11:59 pm EST, become a follower of my blog, and I will randomly draw ONE (1) name to win a $25 dollar gift certificate to Scrapbook.com.


Good luck to all who enter! Remember to follow the rules and have fun creating!!! Please remember to mention my name...Tanisha!

Happy Halloween From The Long Family

Can I just tell you...now that I have children, Halloween is becoming one of my favorite holidays again. Donovan becomes filled with this infectious excitement when I dress up with them...I just love it because I know these are the moments that his happy childhood memories will be made up of!

We went to the October Fest at his school last night...I tell you, I have even more respect for elementary school teachers. Lord knows I could not deal with a bunch of screaming kids on a day to day basis...the 2 I have have me on the borderline of insanity some days!

The night was even more special because Troy (AKA himself) took some time out of his busy schedule to join us. Xander (AKA Frankenstein) won the costume contest for his age group. Everyone adored his costume...funny thing is, it was Donovan's 2nd Halloween costume and he looked equally adorable in it!

Donovan (AKA Captain America) refused to wear the mask last night, but kept a tight hold onto the shield that I made for him!

Have a safe and happy Halloween!