Scrapping Ease Using Kits and Sketches Together!!!

Hello,  How are you this week? Hope you feel a scrappy mojo burst of energy! Lately, I have been learning tips I've picked up from Shimelle's class, "The Scrapbook Process", class has allowed me more freedom to get busy into the scrapping and less into the decision process. By the way I encourage you to check out her online classes. If your like me, you can easily get distracted by a number of things. My brain will easily side track by the pretty things, things I need to clean or organize or cool techniques I want to try. However, the way she explained putting it all together was actually very helpful. 

Here is the sketch shown on Shimelle's blog. Here! 

Here is my interpretation of the blog sketch. When I came across my pre-made kit I put together a while back. I was so thrilled to discover I had the perfect vintage style birthday papers Cartabella- "Its a Celebration" for actual vintage photos of me and during that era of the 60's.  Don't you love it when papers come together so well with what you planned? (pg. created for my Childhood album).

    Don't be afraid to mix old and new product together. Here you will notice some older style bling title. Did you know you can change the color of rhinestones with permanent markers or Copics?  I also found some very old RED Lined style adhesive numbers from Stampin Up from 10yrs ago. I added some guilding with gold leaf on the number "6", and a few circles.

Sometime you find the best titles are on the journal cards and tags. Here I cut apart a journal card, inked and of course if you know me, one of the things I love is adding glossing accents, ink and bling.

      Don't be afraid to cut up the journal cards and create your own embellishments with them. I         adored   the expressions on the journal card and fussy cut it as embellishment, below...

    Above you will notice more inking, bling and using some layering techniques with the round stickers and circle punches more glossy accents along with a banner label from the collection. Yes, that is me a little more 40 plus years ago as the birthday girl.

If your like me you grab this or that, then decide not to use it. Before long you have to climb out of your scrapping area.. Or is that just me? lol. Shimelles class showed me techniques for getting the most out of my precious allotted scrapbook times.  For years, I have been putting kits together with old and new items, but never utilized them before now. Having a plan really does help! I'm Not a planner by all means. So having something to follow makes a HUGE difference and helps to get you going on a page. Limiting yourself to using mostly whats in the kit might help keep you from getting buried alive at your scrapbook table.. I hope you can spend a few extra minutes to get to know this technique of kitting, (is that a word)?  Pairing your supplies, both old/new, along with sketches really helps me get out of my rut, use more of what I have and feel good about it again.  I hope you will try this. Bring on your old and new products and mix it up.. Lets see what you can do!!!

Make sure you link back here to let me see your pages.

With Love,
Lana Jo.

Tearing it up; Using Paper Scraps and bits.

While taking Shimelle's class "The Scrapbook Process" we were challenged to use our scraps.. The other day viewing her blog at Shimelle.com,  I noticed feature designer; " May Flam" of http://mayflaum.com/ showed ideas for making a card using torn paper. I thought how cute..I haven't done a page with torn paper for quite some time. I was inspired to just play.. So I went through stacks of left over bits of papers, velum's, glitter card stock, foiled paper and card stock  and tore, tucked and glued. I think on some of the torn papers I used bits of lace, paper edged lace punch, cheese cloth...I just played.  Now I came up with three backgrounds. what was I going to do with them. Die Cut? Background Paper? Card? Then Shimelle.com gave us the challenge in class and then Voila...I knew where I was going with it.

 Papers in 3 samples above include scraps from Doodlebug glitter card stock, Sei Foiled Estrada,  Stampin up, Paper studio and so many others. I even used the product backing from October afternoon and pink paislee.

Here is a sample I used for the background to my Layout title..2015 Halloween of Boo-Tweens.

 To mist the background I used both Stampin Up Markers and the Misting tool, as well as Heidi Swapp color Shine. I found some old Making Memories black Halloween stickers (stars) and word- fettie.  I also used a spiderweb doily from Stampin Up which I added stickles to. I added sequins and more tickles. and various thickers.  Some of the stampin up stickers were outline stars..of course I filled it with stickles.. lol.. In addition I found some old Heidi Grace Rub-ons that were begging me to use them. Of course I added stickles to that too. Halloween pages are more fun with bling and shine.

 I wished i used some cheese cloth tucked in..maybe later. Sometimes you have to just let things set for a while then decide. I'm OK with this either way. I was very happy when I discovered this photo of the grandkids and how well it matched the torn background paper I created.
















Thank You to Shimelle Laine, and May
Flam for bringing inspiration to me.

I hope you will try and use up those scraps.. Don't forget to tuck in layers of vellum, lace, cheese cloth for added interest.

I would love to see your torn papers.
Happy Scrapping.

With Love,
Lana Jo. :)

My Cup of Happy

I have been so excited this week. I am in the process of taking Shimelles Scrapbook Process class at Shimelle.com As a scrapbook artist,  I am really learning more about pulling my albums together with more purpose..Before my albums where filled with pretty pictures and some bits of journeling  However, all my albums felt choppy and lacked flow. With that in mind, I am going to start an album about our new upcoming adventure-The Next Chapter of our life together. I want to journal/scrapbook a album about buying 150 year old house in Kentucky and flipping it. We have been flipping houses for a while, however this is unlike all the others..

In my early adult years, I was into the country look back in the 80s. I always dreamt of a big white Victorian beauty, with rambling front porches suggesting a time of simplicity and beauty.  At the time, the dream seemed too far beyond grasp.

My husband and I have been talking for years about moving to Kentucky close to my family. Living in Texas has its ups and downs like anywhere. The heat is unbearable at times. One day a cousin put post on facebook about a house for sale.. It was so grand with elegance and details that you don't ever see on  new house.  We decided to go for it. We put a bid on the house and drove up to Kentucky.  When we got there, it was nothing like it was advertised and would need so much work.  The same cousin told us about another house that was a historical home. She knew the lady well that once lived there. Since she passed the family was going to part everything out and put it up for auction. This broke my cousins heart. So we agreed to go see it... We pulled up and first thing I saw was 2 really old Victorian style homes, one more finished looking- at least on the outside.. The one we looked at was a big white Victorian home. It was full of antiques and in very good condition considering it was 150 years old.  We decided almost within that day we were going to buy it..I didn't even know it had a Gazebo on the side.. I always wanted one of those...Now I have one. I have my dreams come true. I go outside and take my coffee and think about all the things I want to do when we retire and live there full time.  So here's to my cup of happy.. I feel very blessed.

Products used: Shimelle collections, Doodlebug rhinestones, Heidi Swapp Chipboard alpha stickers, Stickers, Stickles, Ranger Crackle accents (on cup and heart) and Distress ink for edges.  Older Heidi Swapp chipboard alphas are altered with stickles.

As I was thinking about my title and journal. I was remembering how I didn't even see the gazebo before we decided to buy it. The next day the owner allowed us to spend the night and get a feel for the place. The first thing I did the next morning was make a pot of coffee and go out to the gazebo and just soak in and dream.. That's how I came up with the title, "My Cup Of Happy", it references to more than the wonderful aroma of coffee.

I hope you enjoy this layout. Some of my favorite things to add to a layout are Translucent items such as Ranger glossy accents or Crackle accents, acetates, translucent acrylic items, stickles, rhinestones and anything shiny like epoxy. I love to take older items and jazz them up to fit my layout.  I would love to see how you mix up or  the items above or jazz up older product and mix with new product.  Let me know what you think.

Happy Scrapping
Lana Jo

Time is Precious

My tribute to a beautiful soul

 ...Joey Feek...

I remember when I first saw the couple Joey and Rory Feek on, "Can YOU Duet". I fell in love

with them and their genuine charm. When they looked at each other you could just see the love pour out of them. 

August 1, 2009. I got a call from my hubby while he was working at the fire station in Temple, Tx. He said: "Honey, Joey and Rory are going to be in Troy Texas tonight giving a concert." The kids and I drove from Killeen, Tx to see them. We were able to get up close. The concert was amazing. They were so genuine and once again you could see the love pour out of them. I was so excited that I was able to get to meet them after the concert and they gave me a hug, They met, took pics with fans even though it began to rain a little. 

    I watched them the past few years, listening to their music and following their journey. What beautiful news to find out that they were expecting a baby girl, later named Indiana. God chose a very special couple to become the parents of such a sweet little girl.

     Not long after, Joey was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. She fought so strong and so long. She was courageous and fearless knowing her father in heaven had a plan. Finding out that there was nothing more could be done and hospice was called in was heart-wrenching at times as I followed their blog. Even through the tears and I'm sure sometimes anger at the thought of missing out, their faith and love still shined through and was genuine as when I first saw them.
   

Many prayers nationwide were said. Gods plan is something we cannot fathom. He can see our path with a bigger view than we can see for ourselves. Sometimes its so hard to understand, why the good people are taken from us, while others are not. That is where faith comes in. Trusting the plan. Trusting where your final destiny is. Trusting that when God calls us to seek him out, to let him handle it and have faith that even though we don't get the answers we want, that its OK.
     When I lost my daughter Rachel at nearly 4 months of age back in Jan 1987, I had no idea how much my faith would be tested.  I smile when I think of the day that I will be re-united with all the love and family, Rejoicing in our fathers presence.
Picture of Rory in front of Joeys grave.

  In the Bible, Jesus says: John Chapt14;1-8
 Jesus Comforts His Disciples
1. Do not let your hearts be troubled. You bleieve in God; believe also in me. 2. My Fathers house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I hav told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4. You know the way to the place where I am going. 
Jesus the Way to the Father 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really know me, you will know^b my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 

John 3:15 "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

 If you dont know Jesus, if your not sure that God is real, search your heart..Do you feel that little tugging at your heart? An internal whisper, despite any anger or doubt that says maybe. the Holy Spirit tugs at our heart to open up and allow God to fill us up.  I encourage you to sit where your at and ask Jesus for help. Ask Jesus to come into your heart. Ask for forgiveness for any bitterness, hate or confusion you feel and ask that he wash you clean of all these bad feelings or doubt. 

I pray that if you are not saved that the Holy Spirit will tug at your heart and move you closer to receiving salvation through Christ Jesus.  

If you need someone to pray with you you can contact me via email then phone. firemanswife.lana@yahoo.com or facebook message me.  Lana Steele Bisson.  I would be happy to pray with you. 

(Picture of me with Joey an Rory on lower right side of scrapbook page opens up to journal about meeting them.)

Thank You for stopping by my blog and I pray that you are touched by Joey and Rorys story. 

OUR HAPPY ACCIDENTAL ADVENTURE IN WAXAHACHIE TEXAS

Our happy accidental adventure took us to The crafty scrapper  in Waxahatchie Tx. http://www.thecraftyscrapper.com

About 6 months ago, my husband and I bought a 150 year old home in Kentucky. With retirement soon approaching, we have tried to go up to Kentucky to get as much work done as we can on the house while spending time with my parents who live in nearby area.
     Our plan was to go up Easter weekend. Celebrating the memorial and life of my dear Aunt Pat who   passed away as well as spend time with family and get some work done on the house. Debbie, one of my dearest and closest friends wanted to follow us up there, see my house then travel on to her part of Kentucky to see her family. As we are approaching as sign that said Waxahachie 12 miles away, She said to be in a joking way, "We oughta just make a detour and pop in and find that big scrapbook store we have been wanting to see.". I laughed,  "I wish we could but we already got a late start". A few minutes later, a man on a motorcycle motioned my hubby ahead of us pulling a trailer with materials , to pull over. The men got out of the car and inspected the tire.. we weren't sure what was going on and at the time we thought it was a motorcycle cop.  We pulled back onto the road and within minutes the back tire of the trailer billowed smoke. So, not realizing where we were yet,  we followed behind to the nearest town and pulled off into a Napa auto store. Just for kicks I pulled out my phone and joked and said, " Might take a while, might as well look for scrappy stores or thrift shops..". My next words went something like this.. "Oh my gosh..NO WAY... DEBBIE WE ARE right NEXT TO A SCRAPBOOK STORE"! We got out, phone in hand, began walking  and following map. She said, "Where is Rogers Street"?  We both looked up and said...Right there in front of us. As we turned the corner, There it was.. I think I might have squealed for joy. I don't remember in all the excitement. As we approached we were in AWE of how beautiful and all the vintage yummy displays and how well it was stocked with current trends, and supplies. It was so beautifully staged and propped and so well organized. They had just about everything you could imagine. Its probably good we don't live close by. I surely think I would spend my whole paycheck there or try to anyway. They offer classes and there was so many wonderful examples of how to use the many various products.  The staff is so nice and helpful and make you feel so much at home. I know the brick and mortar stores are struggling. I just hope this one continues its success. Thank you "The Crafty Scrapper for your hospitality and having a store that is so fun to look at.

    This store is merchandised so beautifully with rustic shabby chic appeal and vintage treasures everywhere the eyes could see. The samples made using various products were exceptional quality and craftsmanship.  If you live in Central Texas, it is definitely worth a day trip. The town has so much historical appeal as well.

This is the page I created to capture the day. Our excitement was off the charts. I am the darker hair on the right and Debbie is to my left. My daughter Erica was there as well. She thought we were nuts. "She Inst a scrapbooker-yet"!
    I used various Amy Tangerine papers, as well as distressing the edges. I incorporated Simple stores pattern paper using a circle punch and then added some Simple Stories card stock stickers. other items used were Dear Lizzy enamel dots, Gold Glitter thickers,  Gold Dazzlers by hot of the press, Pebbles peppercorn alphas for the yr date.  I stamped on acetate with stazon ink and punched the butterfly out. I made my own ribbon flower at bottom left and the aqua/green flowers with punches.

You can see I also used some gold dots that looked more like studs. (i don't remember the name) and I used Heidi Swapp colorshine sprays for coloring cheesecloth bits I added around clusters.  You cant tell from this very much but I also used pearlescent watercolor to add drips to the background paper.

 More hand made flowers, and circles cut from simple stories, bit of Amy Tangerine papers...(I LOVE THIS ENVELOPE SILVER FOIL PAPER) so much prettier in person. I also used Simple Stories card stock sticker, Tag and heart.. and Simple Stories, (I think Carpe Diem brads).

I want to encourage you to find the adventure in the everyday things. We made lemonade- wait... Scratch that... we made margaritas with the lemon that life gave us that day...  So here's to a whole pitcher full of lemons..Please hold the salt and enjoy the everyday and sometimes accidental adventures and make sure you write it all down in a journal. because trust me, even though Debbie and I are a young set of 50+ year old, we do forget.



I want to thank you for stopping by my blog and please be patient as I try to fix some of the sizing ratios...Hopefully it will be easier to read soon.

Happy Scrappy Adventures.
As Always
With LOVE,
Lana Jo....

     

Social Media Inspiration and Scrapping the funny everyday moments!!!

My 7 kids are grown. We are 9 grandchildren into the grandparent phase of our life. We are still young. However I have teen grandsons ready to drive and new grand babies learning to walk. Even these moments go by so fast.  My grandson Kason is a funny little guy. He says the craziest random things and we shake our head wondering where he gets his phrases.. Then I look at both his mama and my husband and I need to wonder no more... Sometimes I have trouble getting started on what to scrapbook about. Lately I've been turning to Facebook posts to give me inspiration to scrap. My daughter posts quite often this thing called "Kasonisms"  apparently he has a small following of people who look to see what crazy thing he is going to say next. So if your in a Scrapbook Slump, look to your  Facebook, Twitter, or other social media and see if your inspired by posts. Even quotes that are often posted are a great way to start your creative inspiration.

I love to mix up old and not so old papers/products with new product. In "Born to Inspire Laughter/ My Favorite Kasonism" layout I've used American Crafts, Shimelle;true stories cardstock stickers and paper, Heidie Swapp; colorshine and mixed company glitter stickers, Thickers, and Dearl Lizzy; Lucky charm collection. Also included are Pink Paislee; Foil memorandum stickers, Doodlebug; sequins, Simple Stories Carpe Diem  and alpha stickers, and SEI foil Entrada collection, Pebbles harvest peppercorn alphas ,Craft Medley rhinestones, Hot off the Press; Dazzles stickers.



To the Left you will see close ups of the embellished areas. I try to keep embellishments flowing in somewhat of a triangle shape. Good tips I have learned from many of the scrapbooking Guru's  I think the main idea is to have fun and not worry if its not perfect. Tell the stories and share the memories.

Next layout: Remember Papa Dont water the Froggy and Fishys!!!
Here is a great example of my hoarding... I have held on to this Basic Grey Collection for years. I still love it. I think it was called skate shoppe. I have never been into cutesy, but I adored this, yet avoided cutting into it. Now I wish I had more. (ah the disease of a paper hoarder)... SSSh- don't judge me, lol... So when I decided to do this layout, I was reminded of the story of how Papa always killed fishy's and froggy's by watering them too much, or lack of remembering to turn off the water.  Here I used American Craft Shimelles light bulb paper as a water dripping feeling, also because he is bright and inquisitive

I used American Crafts Thickers, Shimelle cardstock stickers and true stories paper, Pebbles Peppercorn alphas, Basic Grey  3 different patterns (skateshop?) , Paper studio washi tapes, Craft Medley sequin's, Simple Stories Snap, Heidie Swapp Gold glittery stickers and Ranger Die cut (viewfinder).  and Jillibean Studios (arrow).  I would love to hear how you use Social Media Postings to inspire you into capturing a meaningful or funny memory...

Trying to balance it all and finding my scrappy mojo.

I know I know.... I havent blogged in forever. Getting used to being a full time Dental Assistant after being a full time mom forever has been so challenging, and my kids are grown!!! Finding time for me to do what I should, and what I love has been so hard to balance. Hats off to moms who can do it all. So here are some of my recent favorite scrapbook pages.. Ive really been trying to use my old stash up by putting kits together from my stash. Its really helped me as far as the spending half my time searching for things. Now most of what I need are together in 12x12 envelopes..

Love This Layout...

 The "Love this" was created for one of the PaperIssues crop challenge. most products are thegirlspaperie papers, and the arrows are actually old stampin up corner stickers, October afternoon journal cards, tim holtz die, and Heidie Swap Epoxy.

Grand Parents. I used Paper studio papers, thickers bulap chipboard,colorbox chalk ink. and Heidi Swap.

Let the sunshine in with a SMILE. Old Graphic 45 papers.and lots of textures. 

Duck Feeding is so much FUN.  Lots of background work on this one. 

The following page was created for a challenge on Paperissues.com online crop.  I used some old autumn leaves paper, Graphic 45 paper, old basic gray stickers. paper studio florals, and banner, some old bling I altered with copics markers. a lil bit of gesso for journal spot. bits of dyed cheesecloth and bling.  This pic was me and my dear hubby in the Ft Hood Dental Birthday Ball.