Happy New Year! - Imaginisce

Hello blogging friends! I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas.

Wow, where did the year go? I cannot believe 2015 is coming to an end already ... as is my time designing for Imaginisce! But, after three years, it is time to say goodbye. I will always have a special place in my heart for my Imaginisce papers and tools. My very first publication was an Imaginisce layout in Scrapbook and Cards Today! 

Do you all have your New Year's plans made? Hubby and I like to spend a quiet New Year's at home now. Oh, there will still be champagne ... just not all the noise from party goers. Some of my favorite New Year's Eve gatherings were with our neighbors who moved south this year to escape the cold Minnesota winter. Hopefully, sending them a Happy New Year card instead of a Christmas card will remind them of those happy times too. My box card base makes use of a SVGcuts digital file. But I modified the inside pieces to make it more suitable for New Year's. 

Box cards fold flat for mailing, but I really love how they can be displayed for enjoyment by the receiver. You can see I used my i-Rock to add some gemstones to bling it up. I love how it turned out.

 

 

Supplies:

Imaginisce : Pattern Papers (Happy Traveler, Family Fun), i-Rock, Clear Gemstones

American Crafts: Cardstock

SVGcuts Summer Box Card digital file

Xyron adhesive

Pink Stamper stamp "CHEER"

Silhouette "Happy New Year" and "Champagne glasses" are available in their library

 

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Marcia

XOXO Mailbox Valentine Box Card - Imaginisce

Hello blogging friends. I promised last week that I would share another Valentine box card. This one I decorated with the Imaginisce My Baby collection and my i-Rock. I love making Valentines for my kids and husband. It's one small way I can convey just how much I LOVE them. This Mailbox Valentine box card is a cut file from SVGcuts. 

I made a coordinating envelope for it. What's nice about box cards is that they easily fold flat for mailing. 

There is a white heart writing space on the back of the box so you can let the receiver know who sent them the card. (I think my kids and husband would know anyway without me having to sign it, lol)  

I used pattern papers from the My Baby collection to decorate the outside of the mailbox. Before assembling the inside of the mailbox, I used my Imaginisce i_Rock to add metallic hearts to seal the tiny letters shut and decorate the outside of the mailbox. Those metallic hearts make it so much more festive. 

 

 Here is a close up look at those letters and hearts in the assembled card.

I think my Valentine is going to like this....

Supplies:

Imaginisce : Pattern Papers (My Baby), i-Rock, Heart Metallics

American Crafts: Cardstock

Xyron: 9" Creative Station, Mega Tape Runner, Adhesive Eraser
SVGcuts: Hearts Aflame Kit
Silhouette Cameo

 

Thanks for stopping by

~Marcia

April and May Pubs! For Real!!

Hello blogging friends! Wahooo its Friday! I thought it would never come. My kids are going camping without me, so I am planning a relaxing weekend of cleaning and scrapping. Maybe I can talk hubby into going to a movie :)

I realized I had not yet shared my April pub so here it is ...

I first made this Christmas ornament when guest designing for Little Yellow Bicycle for their Once Upon a Christmas collection. Cricut Magazine published it for a Butterfly and Birds call. The body of this bird is an ornament shape turned sideways. I cut sixteen of them, scored them down the middle and adhered them together to make it 3-dimensional. The feather trim is my favorite part :)

This Imaginisce layout using the Childhood Memories collection appeared in the May Scrapbook Trends Magazine. I love these pics of my daughter. Boy, did she love to swing. Do you think?

This anniversary card I made for my hubby (our 30th anniversary!) appeared in the May Cards Magazine. I used the Quick Quotes Dusty Rose collection and Cheery Lynn dies. That gorgeous ribbon is from an Etsy shop call Prairie Bird Boutique and the bling is from Want2Scrap.

I kind-of stole this card back from my hubby after I gave it to him, Shhhh.

Hope you have a greate weekend!
~Marcia

Scrap Your Stash - Practical Scrappers

Hello blogging friends. We are Scrapping our Stash with Practical Scrappers today! You should have arrived here from the awesome Majken's blog. If not, and you want to start at the beginning, head to the Practical Scrappers blog. Here is the entire blog hop order if you get lost ...

 Practical Scrappers

 Christine

 Lee-Anne

Melissa 

 Bobbi

Majken  

Marcia  <----- You are here!

Suzanna  

Cheryl 

Krissy 

Wendi R  

Erin 

Kelly 

Monica 

Laura 

Deborah 

Wendy C 

I decided to use the Good Dog collection from Imaginisce to make a graduation gift for my daughter Colette. She earned her undergrad degree this Spring when she finished her first year of Vet school. (She was accepted a year early!) Only 3 more years to go now!!

I used a photo of her with one of her favorite foster dogs we kept until we found a furever home. She has her own dog now, a Great Pryenees name Sue. So this photo will be replaced soon with this one of her dog Sue.

See why I used the red on my frame :) I first painted this wood frame white and then used Mod Podge to adhere the papers and give it a nice protective coating. Ribbon tied around the entire frame gives it a girly feel.

Supplies:
Imaginisce Good Dog Pattern Papers, Die Cuts, i-Rock Hearts, i-Rock, i-Magicut Ribbon Cutter (love this tool so much!), i-Top, Large Brad Daddy
Organza Ribbon, Quick Quotes ink, white acrylic paint, Mod Podge.

Thanks for stopping by, you need to hop to my friend Suzanna's blog next lifestrivialities
~Marcia

Wee Little One - Cardabilities Reveal

Hello blogging friends. Its the end of the month already and that means its time for another Cardabilities reveal. Here is the awesome sketch by Karan Gerber...

I used some Imaginisce My Baby collection and lots of Cheery Lynn dies and created this...

I just love the My Baby collection. It has the cutest die cuts. Just look at those adorable elephants. I used some American Crafts glitter tape around the edge and under my punched out hearts. I love this stuff. I also added lots of bling with my i-Rock. Here are a few more pics...

Supplies:

Imaginisce: Pattern Paper, Die Cuts (My Baby). i-Rock, crystal gems, hearts

Cheery Lynn Designs: Daisy Strip, French Pastry Doily, Lace Corner Deco B, Anastasia Border, 

                                  Mini Fanciful Flourish, Fanciful Flourish,

Bazzill: cardstock,

Maya Road: heart stick pin,

Recollections: brads,

Ribbon: Prairie Bird Boutique (Etsy)

ClearSnap Donna Salazar: Mixed Media Ink

vellum, baby charm

Linking up to the Cheery Lynn Challenge - Bling It Up.

Have a great week,

~Marcia

Always Kiss Me Goodnight - Imaginisce

Hello blogging friends. I hope you are staying warm. At the moment, my hubby is attempting to fix our furnace. Yep, what a time for the furnace to act up when temps are below 0! I am typing this huddled in a blanket with a heating pad on my back. I am keeping my fingers crossed that he is successful because the repairman said he couldn't come til Monday. Send some warm thoughts my way :)

I have a canvas that I made for Imaginisce up on the blog today. It's Valentine gift week. I thought some wall decor would make for a fabulous gift. I used the My Baby collection. This collection is just so adorable. Definitely a fav of mine.

I mixed up the fonts for some interest and kept the wording large so you could see it from across the room. Those wooden hearts from Creative Embellishments added the perfect touch, especially with some i-Rock bling.

I wanted to maintain the texture of the canvas, but see the pattern paper hearts on my background as well. To do this, I transferred the image from the paper to the canvas using Mod Podge. I've been wanting to try a canvas image transfer ever since my former DT member Wendy Price from over at Quick Quotes made one last fall.  Let me show you how...

1. Apply a coat of Mod Podge to the entire surface of the canvas. (I went a little crazy with it here, lol. You don't need to use quite this much.)

2. Cut your pattern paper to the size of the canvas and place paper face down over the Mod Podge. The backside of the paper will be facing you. Smooth paper to make sure it is adhered to the entire canvas.

3. Let dry at least 24 hours.

4. Spritz with water and start to rub the paper off with your fingertips. You can see the hearts on the right side of the canvas where I had already rubbed the paper off.

5. Its ok if it's not perfect. A distressed look is beautiful!

6. Finish your edge with paint or gesso.

Here is a close-up of what the canvas will look like. 

Supplies:

Imaginisce : Pattern Papers (My Baby), Die Cuts (My Baby), Buttons (My Baby), i-Rock, Hot Rock Crystals, Foam Adhesive, MagiCut Ribbon cutter

American Crafts: cardstock, 

Creative Embellishments: wood hearts, 

9x12" canvas, 

Epiphany Crafts heart punch

Spellbinders die,

Sewing machine, Coats and Clark thread.

Mod Podge, Gesso

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will give this canvas technique a try.
I am linking up with Paper Issues Fill 'Er Up Issue.
~Marcia

XOXO - Imaginisce Valentine

Hello, I am back with one more Valentine, this time with Imaginisce papers....

It's simple, but I like it.

Supplies:
Pattern Paper: Imaginisce My Baby collection
Cardstock: American Crafts
Wood Veneer Hearts : Creative Embellishments
Jewels: i-Rock hot rocks and hearts
Dies: Cheery Lynn French Pastry Doily die
Silhouette
Coats and Clark thread.

I am linking up with the Cheery Lynn Tickled Pink challenge.

It's super cold today. Wishing I could stay home from work like all the school kids here. Stay Warm.
~Marcia

Kiss Me Valentine

Hello blogging friends. I am working on some Valentines today. This one I thought I would enter in Cheery Lynn's 116 Sweetheart challenge.

I used the new Doodlebug Sweetheart collection. Sweetheart paper for a Sweetheart challenge :)  That Kiss Me wood veneer is from Creative Embellishments. I am really loving these on my Valentines. Cheery Lynn dies used: Anastasia Border, Shasta Daisy, and the Mini Fanciful Flourish.

Ok, I am going to bake some cookies for my son now. He was hoping to come home from college this weekend but got snowed in. I think some cookies will make him feel better.

Thanks for stopping by,
~Marcia

Snow Much Fun ( Imaginisce ) - Free Download

Hello blogging friends. I have an Imaginisce layout to share today. This week Imaginisce is focusing on Winter Fun. Well in Minnesota there is lots of fun to be had! I decided on these pics of my kids cross country skiing. Being a working Mom is tough when the kids have school holidays. I could always count on my Dad to take the kids skiing in the winter and the kids really looked forward to these outings.

I wanted to convey a feeling of being outdoors in my layout so I decided to use the Outdoor Adventure papers. I created my snowflake background and my title using my Silhouette machine. I am embracing technology this year. That background took me the better part of a day to construct! I am going to learn how to use my Cameo for more than just cutting studio files! I had to weld these circles together and then add my snowflakes. Sounds easy right .... Well I figured out how handy that little eraser tool is :)  Then I thought it would be fun to add a vellum pocket filled with sequins for some sparkle and interest. This may be the last time I stitch in a circle... very tedious... but I love the result. My i-Rock came in handy too for more sparkle :) A girl can't have too much bling.

Here is how I constructed those vellum pockets filled with sequins ...

1. Take 2 pieces of vellum (scraps or pieces just cut down in size)
2. Sprinkle your sequins on one of the pieces, keeping them mostly in the middle.
3. Add the top piece of vellum over the sequins, then your circle die-cut piece over the vellum.
4. Carefully stitch around the circle.
5. Trim away the excess vellum after its stitched.

I am sharing my .studio file with you. You can download it here, SnowflakeBackground. Personal use only please and give me credit if you use it. Rather than share the file directly with others, please direct them to this site.

Supplies:

Imaginisce : Pattern Papers (Outdoor Adventure, Colors of Christmas), Die Cut (Colors of Christmas), Bling (Colors of Christmas), Stickers (Outdoor Adventure), i-Rock, Hot Rock Crystals, Foam Adhesive

American Crafts: cardstock

Thanks for stopping by. Stay Warm!

~Marcia

Imaginisce Introduction and Blog Hop WINNER!!!

Happy 2014 to you all. I have a winner from my blog hop ......

OlesyaKDecember 30, 2013 at 3:32 PM

gorgeous layouts all especially the fall Thankful one - sooo terrific!

OlesyaK can you send your mailing address to me at nixshaus@comcast.net and I will get your Outdoor Adventure collection mailed out to you.


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I have added a few more bells and whistles to my blog. One of my New Year's resolutions is to promote my designs on more social media outlets. I now have buttons in the side bar so you can find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter! Another one of my resolutions is to delve more into digital scrapbooking. I upgraded my computer recently and have new photo editing software. It's taking a little while to learn where everything is. I've also been playing around with Kerri Bradford's digital 12 Days of Christmas freebies. My scrapbook room is undergoing a reorganization. I took the futon out, since none of my kids sleep in there anymore when they are home, and moved the computer in. I'll post pics soon. I still have some things to find places for and some things are being purged.

I am so thrilled to be designing for Imaginisce another year! I loved all of the collections last year and I can tell you that you are going to love the new collections being released at CHA. Sneak peeks will be released shortly. Here are my projects I submitted for my design team application ....

This layout was created with the Bushel O'Fall collection and features my sister-in-law's family . I added a strip of burlap for texture. I love the burlap with the fall colors. I used my Silhouette to cut out the flowers from the pattern paper. Let me show you some close-ups...

Here is the card I created ....

and my altered piece was a frame featuring my kiddos when they were little....

I was so glad to be able to spend some time with my kids over their Winter breaks. Not a lot of crafting time for me. Now my son is heading to Texas with the NDSU Marching Band to play drums in the upcoming bowl game. I am going to have to see if I can find it on TV somewhere. Hopefully they will show the half-time show.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope 2014 brings you health and happiness.
~Marcia

Cheers - Happy New Year!

Hello blogging friends. I hope you are enjoying your holidays. I am so thankful for this time off of work so I can spend it with my kids home from college... Even if it means my house is overrun with animals. I feel like a crazy cat lady, lol. 8 cats/kittens in residence at the moment. Only 3 of the 8 are mine. My oldest daughter brought her 2 cats home. My daughter in vet school is fostering 3 kittens at the moment (who will be going to a PetSmart soon so they can be adopted). Only my son came home without pets and that's because his girlfriend has their cat. My pooch is not too happy with all the felines around.

My daughter announced her engagement on Christmas Eve!! Here is a pic of the happy couple...

Anyway, I have a Happy New Years card to share. I didn't have time to send out all my  Christmas cards. I am going to be sending a few Happy New Years cards instead. I finally am trying out my Silhouette pens and I am loving them!! I used it for my sentiment on this card. It looks just like I stamped it. This has whole new possibilities for me now.... I may not buy sentiment stamps again :)  The Imaginisce Black Ice collection works perfectly for an elegant card. Some i-Rock bling helps make the card more festive too.

Imaginisce Supplies: Pattern paper: Black Ice; Stickers: Love You More; i-Rock; Metallic Hot Rocks;

My Favorite Things Die-namics Star Stax and Fishtail Flags, Gold shimmer cardstock, Silhouette studio file, Gold Silhouette sketch pen, Lavanderia Delicate font.

Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve celebration.

~Marcia

Colors of Christmas - Imaginisce

Happy Thanksgiving my blogging friends! I hope you all have a fabulous day celebrating with friends and family. I have a quick share today. Imaginisce is having a release party for the Colors of Christmas collection. This is a bright, whimsical collection that I fell in love with. Here is what I created...

I created a North Pole scene for this photo of my daughter Naomi visiting with Santa Claus at an employee party of mine years ago. I used my I-Rock to add some magic sparkle.

These die cuts are fabulous for adding a little journaling.I hung this one to look like an ornament using foam adhesive to give it some dimesion. Notice the jewels... they are new for this collection too.

I also wanted to make a card I can use this Holiday season as a way of saying thanks for the hospitality. It would be great paired with a bottle of wine, don't you think. These wood buttons from Imaginisce are a great embellishment.

Be sure to stop by the Imaginisce blog to see the fabulous projects the other designers have created. You can even win a Colors of Christmas collection for yourself!

Thanks for stopping by.

~Marcia

Gone But Not Forgotten - Imaginisce

This past July, my husband and I were fortunate enough to be in our Capital City to celebrate the 4th of July. It was my first trip there. My husband, a former Marine, has been there numerous times. It's very moving to see our countries artifacts and to visit all the memorials. The Vietnam War Memorial is one of the most moving. Perhaps because as a child I remember seeing the Vietnam war footage on TV. My Dad was a bit old to be drafted at the time, and with little kids, he was probably not at the top of the draft so I did not know anyone who fought there. My uncles too are older and served in Korea. When you see all those names etched in stone and the expanse of the wall, you begin to grasp just how many fathers, brothers, and sons, did not come home. But they still have family that visit the wall, so my title of this layout is 'Gone, But Not Forgotten'. 

Imaginisce papers are so versatile. Take another look at the B side of the papers, at the bright solid colors and subtle patterns that you can use for vacation or everyday scrapbooking. I used my i-Rock to draw attention to my title. It's amazing how with an i_Rock and a little bling you can turn a project from so so, into wow!

Imaginisce Supplies: Pattern paper: Childhood Memories; i-Rock; Metallic Hot Rocks; Foam Adhesive;

Core'dinations cardstock, Silhouette studio file

Imaginisce is paying homage to veterans all week in honor of Veterans Day. Be sure to stop by their blog and check out all the other designer's projects.      Almost Friday! Wahoooo!

~Marcia

It's a Boo-tiful Wreath - Imaginisce style

Hello blogging friends! I love decorating for Halloween. It's such a fun holiday. My kids are too old, but I love seeing my neighbor kids dressed up in their costumes. This year my dog Satchel is going to be dressed as a bug. The kids get such a kick out of seeing him all dressed up too. He likes to help me answer the door so he can say Hi. :) 

I was dying to make a Halloween wreath this year after seeing some really spooktacular ones last year. Here is what I came up with ....

I just love how it turned out!  This picture doesn't do it justice. Let me show you some close-ups ...

Imaginisce tools make it so easy. I used my CutBright rotary cutter to cut the tulle into strips. and the i-Bond cordless glue gun to make sure everything was secure.

The tulle strips were cut 6" x 15" and then folded lengthwise in half, then folded in half again. The strips are then tied around a styrofoam wreath that I painted black. Then it was ready for embellishing. I attached my bow and picks using wire, but to make sure they wouldn't slide, I used my i_Bond cordless glue gun. The raven and skull were also glued on with the i_Bond. I love that this glue gun is cordless! 

I created my Boo Banner using papers from the Black Ice and Bushel O' Fall collections and some cardstock and strung it together using some Twinery bakers twine.  My i-Rock and some metallic hot rocks give my Boo banner some elegance. 

It really helped to tie it together with the bow and picks I selected. They matched perfectly! i_Rock hot rocks and gems come in so many different colors that there is sure to be one to coordinate with your projects.

Imaginisce Supplies: Pattern paper: Black Ice and Bushel O' Fall; i-Rock; Metallic Hot Rocks; i-Bond; CutBright Rotary Cutter and Mat

The Twinery: bakers twine in charcoal; 12" styrofoam wreath; black spray paint; Celebrate It: Halloween Wired Ribbon and picks; Raven and Skull; Cricut Expression; Art Philosophy and Paper Doll Dress Up cartridges; wire
Xyron 2.5" Create-A-Sticker Maker.

Happy Halloween!

~Marcia