Ring Ceremony Layout

Using the photo I edited in my previous post, along with some others, I made this layout for my son's book. This past weekend was when he received his class ring during a ring ceremony that is a school tradition. He is officially a senior now, and I wanted these memories to be captured on paper! :)

Material List

CTMH Emporium Paper Pack

CTMH Cranberry Brads

EK Success Tiny Flower Punch & 1" Circle Punch

Paper Piercing Tool

SVGCuts.com Scalloped Shapes Digicart

A little PSE fun today!

This weekend was my son's last weekend for school. every year there is a "Junior Ring Ceremony" held at St. James Chapel on the campus. This ceremony is when the Juniors receive their class ring. A senior presents the junior with his ring, and then the junior turns his ring around to signify the end of his senior year and the beginning of the senior year for the current juniors. So........Kyle is now "officially" a senior!

After the ceremony was over there was completed, several of the juniors hurried to "Senior Circle". This is the lawn area in front of the barracks buildings. There is a gazebo in the center of the circle, and there have been stone paths laid from four different directions to the center. Underclassmen are, under NO circumstances, allowed in this circle; it is for seniors only, and something that each and every underclassmen understands from the first day they set foot on campus.

I clicked a photo of Kyle at the gazebo that I just love - it shows his beautiful smile, and his face is beaming with happiness. It is as if I managed to catch the true feeling he had of becoming an "official" senior. I'm certainly not a pro photographer, so when I come home and see that shot that captured him best, I am thrilled!!

Because of the hype of the circle, others were present taking photos and I had to do some editing to make my pride and joy the focal point of this picture. I used Photoshop Elements 8 to work some magic. I outlined Kyle using my Polygonal Lasso Tool, and then "copied via layer" under the Layers Menu. I then hid the other layer and clicked over to the "Quick Edit" mode to brighten his cutout image a little bit.
Back to "Full Edit" mode, I showed all layers again, making sure that the cutout highlighted image was the top layer. I then hid the cutout image, went back to "Quick Edit" and darkened the bottom layer a little. (The goal for me here was to create more of a contrast between the background and Kyle). Once the layer was darkened to my liking, I went back to full edit, and while still working on the background layer, I chose the Gaussian Blur effect. This created a blurred, darker image for the background. I then flattened my image to the photo you see here! I can't wait to work on the scrapbook layout with this. I think I'll make it a 5x7, and after adding it to the other pictures, this will make a nice double page layout. :)

Vinyl on a Mirror

I made this for one of the barracks at my son's school. Their mascot is the eagle, and they have a large wall in their lounge that needed "something". My original plac was to etch the images on the glass, but the Armour Etch cream says not to use on large areas, and I did not want to chance the eagle image not working out and ruin the mirror. The mirror measures approx 60" x 30".  I still have a few air bubbles to work out of the eagle's body, and their are still retail stickers on the mirror to remove. I am leaving the cardboard "box" on it until I make it to the school. :)

Hope you like!

Prom Layout

This is crazy - I had some of this pink zebra stripe paper in my stash - leftover pieces of a 12 x 12 page froma previous project - and when I opened these photos to work on them and saw the dress....well...WOW! How cool is that?!

Material List

Stampin Up Cardstock - Groom (Specialty), Going Grey, Pink Passion

Paper Studio - Holographic Self-Adhesive 

Paper Company - Zebra Striped Pink

Pink Rhinestone Brads

SVGCuts.com My Big Day DigiCartridge  (limo)

King & Queen

For this layout, I tried something I've wanted to do for a long time with my journaling: I actually printed the type out on a piece of my DP, and then cut each word out individually. Each word was then inked on the edges before I pasted them in order to do the journaling.

Material List

CTMH Papers - That's Amore

Ink - Stampin' Up Soft Suede

Sponge Dauber

Fancy Brads

EK Success Border Punch

SVGCuts Freebie - Annies Edge

Fonts -  Bradley Hand, Old Script

Review Parade Layout

Today I worked on a traditional layout for one of the "donation" albums. I had no idea where this page was headed when I started working on it, and I am pleased with the way it turned out; especially, because I had no final goal for it! :)

The photo doesn't really do the colors much justice. I used some older papers and colors that I have had in my stash for a long time.

Material List

Stampin Up Card Stock - Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Kiwi Kiss

Cuttlebug Embossing Folders - Spots & Dots, Swiss Dots, Tiny Bubbles

SCAL Shapes File - Circle, Square

1/4" Brads

Misc Craft ribbon from my stash

MME Magnolia DP

Stampin Up ink - Tempting Turquoise, Kiwi Kiss

Sponge Daubers

Cuttlebug

Cricut Expression
Photoshop Elements 8

For the photo in the lower right corner I used a Gradient Map to make the photo black & white. Then I used a brush tool to "erase" the b & w on the areas where I wanted full color. 

Thanks for looking at my blog! Enjoy!

Battalion Picture

Battalion Staff as a Junior! I'm so PROUD!
This is the annual Battalion Staff picture for HMS. Kyle, as a junior, was appointed the Command Sgt Major (unheard of for a junior to hold a Battalion Staff position!). He looks so handsome! (All of them do!). I couldn't be more proud!

(He is the one on the far right of the photo).

Boars Head Dinner Dbl Layout

These are some pages I completed for an album for another HMS cadet's mom. I pulled the photos from the Howe Herald online blog - being the Battalion Commander makes Jake a "high profile" photo figure at the school, so I copied some of the school pics (with permission, of course) to use in the book I'm making for his mom. :) She wants to be surprised, so I think this layout will be a nice surprise for her.

This page shows Jake and Anna as the "Lord & Lady of the Manor", aka the dinner "hosts". Donned in their Renaissance garb, they look darling!!! 

This page has photos of the choir, wisemen, feast and jester. All of the kids partake in the event in one way or another, including the lower school cadets (as you can see by the jester outfit!).

Materials

Stampin Up Cardstock - Elegant Eggplant, Real Red, Glorious Green, Summer Sun, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White, Basic Black, Blush Blossom

Karen Foster Designer Paper

Font - Blackmoor LET (on the iMac)

Stampin Up Vintage Brads (retired)

Stickles

Sure Cuts A Lot Shapes File

SVGCuts.com files - A Royal Festival, 3D Birthday Cards (Argyle)

CTMH - Boutique Borders

Stampin Up Ink - Glorious Green

The second page of the Iron Guard

Today I wrapped up the second page of my sons Iron Guard Layout for his book. I used most of the same papers as on the first page, with the exception of the papers for banner layers that are checked and the diamond paper on the large banner. (I had to sand this one down to make it distressed to match it closer to the shields paper).

Again, in PSE, I used a gradient map layer on my photo.  The banners on this page were all made on my SCAL program, using basic shapes and banners a lot of welding.

The ribbons on the banners are from JoAnn - it's actually a Christmas ribbon, but it matched! :) The silver thread is embroidery floss.  The brads on this are from Stampin' Up's retired Vintage Brads.  The Font is called Black Castle, and can be found on many free font websites. The Cricut cut this one nicely, I think!

Thanks for checking out my page!

Iron Guard Layout

Now that he is a junior, my son is on the Iron Guard at school. This is typically comprised of the junior cadets that hold positions within the corps. The ceremony they perform is a traditional ceremony on Founders Day Weekend, and again on Mothers Day Weekend.
During one of the practices this past fall, the school Commandant approached Kyle and appointed him as the Iron Guard Commander. He was the cadet calling the commands during each ceremony, and he did a fantastic job! This was the first year, since we've been present anyhow, that the commander could be heard clearly across the hall. :) Way to go, Kyle! Your parents are very proud of you. :)
For this layout, I did some more work on my PSE program: I created a gradient map layer to remove the busy background color to focus on Kyle in the photo. In addition to this, I worked in my SCAL program to create the shield photo frame by using the Trace Image option and a jpg of a shield and some leafy decoration clipart that I found for free on the web. I also created the swords on this page by using the shapes file in the SCAL program. Basically, I used an oval and stretched it out to create the blades. I layered a brushed silver cardstock and a shiny mirror cardstock to make the blade look like it has a sharp edge.  The grips are wrapped with embroidery floss.  The paper I used here is by Karen Foster. On the creamy paper, I added some paper glaze over the little dots to give it some dimension.

I'm not good at using any of the file sharing sites, yet, so my SCUT2 files for htis are on the repository at www.svgcuts.com if you're interested in using them. I ask that you please make note of origin on anything you publish using my files, please. :)

Material List

SCAL

Embroidery Floss

Paper Glaze

Stampin' Up Not quite Navy Cardstock

Karen Foster Designer Paper

Finally!

I have finally completed a complete demo scrapbook for the auction! Woohoo!
I am happy with the way it turned out, and think there is a good assortment of ideas and techniques that I use for people to look at.
Now I think I need to concentrate on going back to my card making. I want to start making cards to send to Operation Write Home - it's right up my alley for "causes", and what better excuse to spend time in the craft room?! lol!
Today marks the beginning of a loooong month ahead - Chris starts working midnights tomorrow night, so we will be like two passing ships for a long time. He'll be on his way to work before I am home from my work, so I will see him on Fridays when I'm off. He's working seven days, so it will only be for a few hours. :(
Today he is home, though, so we are going to see a movie together, and then do some grocery shopping. Not exactly exciting, but it's time together! :)

School Layout

Todays efforts at scrapping haven't left me with the most pride, but they'll do! :)
I had a little glue mishap with my title on this one. It was difficult to get the paper to cut this font, and I'm pretty sure I won't be using it again!

The SVGCuts collection I used on this was Back to School. I made a bank of lockers using the locker file, and I added a tiny lock from the same file. This is the base for my "HMS" title. (Font used here is "Collegiate Varsity", a freebie from www.fontspace,com). The yellow graphic paper is by K & Company (Danny'O collection). The strip with circled letters I had picked up at my scrap store locally a few years ago (sorry - no idea the designer on this one).
Thanks for checking it out! Have a great weekend!

Our Family

My furnace has not been kicking on: I noticed a chill in the house this morning when I woke up. I didn't really think much of it - figured it was cold outside last night, so maybe it had just dropped a degree or two in the house. I went up to my craft room to work for  a while, and when one of my dogs came upstairs to see me, I noticed his fur was rather chilly, like he had just come in form being outside. I went downstairs to actually let him go out, and noticed it felt even colder than before! We keep the house at 67  or 68, and when I looked the thermostat had dropped to 61. Brrrrrrrr..........(My craft room has it's own heat source and is not hooked into the central system, so I had stayed nice and toasty while the rest of the house was growing colder and colder.
Well, I'm still waiting for the heating guy to come over (it will be a little while - they're pretty busy today), so I finished my page. :)
I used Stampin' Up Ruby Red for the background paper. Chocolate Chip, Whisper White and Night of Navy make up the other solid color papers that I've used for various mats and frames. The clocks, gears and title papers are Sahara Sand. The ribbon on the page is Stampin' Up Night of Navy. The printed paper is from Stampin' Up Autumn Traditions paper pack from the 2008/2009 catty.
For the clock and gears I used a CTMH stamp set called "Make It Count" (this is a retired set).
The colors I used for stamping are Sahara Sand, Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant and Chocolate Chip - all are from Stampin' Up.

For my chocolate chip leaf background page, I used SVGCuts Salimah's Square Cards Collection. I also used SVGCuts Christmas Cookie Party Collection and their My Mom's Attic Collection. I thought the 2008 Founders Day layout I did was my favorite, but this one has taken it's place. I like it, and I hope you do too, and that I've inspired you to create something you like just as much of your own! Thanks for looking at what I create!

Digital Scrapping

Deanna, a fellow online scrapper and info-sharer, was kind enough to send me a template that I saw on a post she had done on SVGCuts.com forum. I'm pretty "green" when it comes to all the digital programs, so it was a great way for me to learn a few things (working on new stuff that was free is the BEST way to learn!). Here is my digital version of the layout, using the wonderful template she had sent me. :)
I did end up adding additional photos and a title, to make it a hybrid scrapbook layout, which I will add to this post once I am done taking the photo.
I actually have this as a dbl layout; one page is done as a traditional scrapbook page (no digital work), and this is the second page. I wanted to match the background paper that I used on my traditional page, so I scanned a blank sheet of the paper into my computer, saved it as a .jpg and then pulled it into the template, sized accordingly......and presto! A matched color for the background! :)

Urban Kiwi Scrap Kit - Guarding the Guidon Page

Here's a digi layout I threw together tonight. All my papers are still in the basement, in the "old" craft room. I have not finished moving everything to the upstairs bonus room - my bright new room that I love! (Thank you, DH!!!), so the digi scrapping has taken precedence the last few days. :)

When we went to visit Kyle for Founders Weekend, we had to meet him at the soccer fields: it was bitter cold, and windy that day, too! He was guarding his company guidon at the bleachers, so I snapped a few quick photos. :) He's just so darned handsome, even in that goofy cap they wear! lol!

This page was made using the Urban Kiwi Digital Scrap Kit by Shabby Princess. The colors in this turned out perfect for this cold, fall day! Don't you think so, too?

Another digi layout I made!

This is another digital layout I made with the Happy Go Lucky file I downloaded from http://www.shabbyprincess.com/!
Still playing with my Adobe PE, and learning something new every time! I am loving this!!! I can not wait to move entirely into my new scrap room, hook up my monster printer (it's an Hp B8850 - the thing is awesome, but a beast!).

Thanks for taking a peek at my new page!

Picking Pumpkins Autumn Layout

This is a two-page layout I worked on this weekend. These pics are from my visit to HMS to see Kyle. We found this great roadside wagon at an Amish Farm, His pumpkins were $ .50 or $1.00, depending on the size. Super great deal!
Sporting his new hat in these pics, he chose seven of the dollar pumpkins to take back to the baracks for carving,

On these layouts I used SU cardstock for my base, and their Autumn Traditions for the background papers. The photos are matted on Elegant Eggplant CS, as are the Ruby Red letters. The letters were cut from Wild Monkeys Font and Jokerman font was used for the capital P's. Each 'branch' was cut from the SVGCuts.com Harvest Hill Collection and the pumpkin border was created by me using the pumpkin (top and bottom) file from the same collection. I welded each pumpkin together before cutting them. The top layer is covered in a coperry-orange glitter gel pen for some contrast and depth.
Thanks for checking out my latest project! I'll have more layouts posted soon!

Not much craft time

What a wonderful weekend I had with my son at Howe! This is the first time I've put together a slideshow with any of my pics (and there's a type-o! Did you see it??). I really wanted to post something about the weekend quickly, so the photos are all pre-editing. :) Turned out okay, I think!