Tuesday, June 25, 2019

My Heart Scrapbook Layout

Finally carved out some scrapbooking time recently and got a layout of the girls when they were wee littles in foster care still. Our foster mom Angela takes the most amazing photos of the babes she takes in ๐Ÿ’•๐Ÿ’•๐Ÿ’•

Used an inspiration layout from over Scrapbook Nerds Facebook community and combined it with last months corrugated cardboard technique and the new Butterfly Wishes stamp set from Stampin' Up! 

They are just so adorable and their coloring begs for the use of gold, crumb cake and black color palette! 

I was pleased that the corrugated cardboard was easily cut using the Big Shot and heart dies from Stampin' Up! I brushed it with gold Nuvo mousse to give the raised corrugation a shimmer effect.

Accents of gold were added using gold foil and the Be Mine Stitched Heart die from Stampin' Up! 

 
Love how the corrugated cardboard offers so much dimension to the project!


Happy Scrapbooking
Margaret
Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much
Be Totallyawake4-life

Thursday, May 23, 2019

May technique class was the Tarnished Foil technique - a fan favorite of mine as I love the rustic vintage type card looks!

 

Start by using direct to paper technique gently swipe your foil cardstock with Staz On to create streaks. Allow to dry. Optional Stamp images onto the foil sheet using a Versamark Ink Pad and heat emboss with gold/bronze/copper. Next place the prepared foil sheet into an embossing folder. Since the foil is one sided choose whether you want to emboss (push up) or deboss (push in) the embossing image onto the foil. Using a VersaMark ink pad, rub the edge or corner of the pad lightly over the raised portions of the dry embossed foil sheet. Pour gold embossing powder over the surface. Tap off the excess. Repeat if desired with copper/bronze/pewter.



Make sure the embossing powder is not covering too much of the stamped images in the background and that you are leaving portions of the silver foil showing. Repeat until happy. Next use the Direct-To-Paper technique to add some Jet Black StazOn to the panel gently rubbing over raised areas and framing edge. This will create more contrast between the raised and recessed areas and add an old, rustic, tarnished look. The black also allows you to bring out the interesting textures created by the foil and by the melted embossing powder. Once stratified with your tarnished look complete card as desired.

At the class we make 3 projects - the first one is a reference card for future reflections at home. It gives cardmakers a chance to practice the technque before moving on to the next projects. For the reference card we played with the Tin Tile 3D embossing folder. 


 Card Two made use the the new Button Button embossing folder and the Well Written dies and Well Said stamp bundle

Final card we played with the Woodland embossing folder and an encore of a prior peekaboo embossing technique with the Geared Up Garage stamp set and the A Good Man stamp set.


Happy Stampin'

Margaret
Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much
Be Totallyawake4-life.com 

Day 25 Epic Life recap

Breakfast ... rationing out my coconut lime seasoning from Epicure because they retired it. Why is it that you fall in love with something and than boom its gone on you? I am hoping I have found a good replacement option with a splash of fresh lime and squirt of the Torani Sugar Free Coconut syrup



Lunch .... struggling with carb cravings a lot lately but trying very hard to stay on plan. Grilled cheese is definitely a comfort food and I love the Chia Seed Loaf by Promise Gluten Free Bread  paired with ranch dip made with greek dressing and Epicure creamy ranch.

 

Dinner was Turkey Taco Salad ... quick and easy and low sodium with the Epicure Taco seasoning.I prefer the jar so I can control how much I add but they also have the no think package option as well.

My back has been barking this week but I am still trying hard with the 30 day challenge - almost to the end!
Have an Epic Day
Margaret

Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much

Be Totallyawake4-life

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Day 24 Epic Life recap

Breakfast Apple nachos with chocolate truffle yogurt ... this is a fan favorite snack for the children too! 

Lunch grilled cheese with cold veggies and dip ... cravings for carbs really getting the best of me the past week or so! Trying hard to maintain portion control to remain on plan.

Dinner Pesto chicken for dinner ... not shown protein bar and grapes after the gym.
Move more challenge plus 60 minutes in the pool at the gym


Have an Epic Day

Margaret
Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much
Be Totallyawake4-life

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Day 23 Epic Life recap

Breakfast on the Go .... weathers warming up and that means spending more time outside in the forest or park with the kiddies so more picnic style breakfast options!

I love deviled eggs both traditionally spiced as well as I like to swap out the spice palette and make them unique - today I tried Mango Curry seasoning in the eggs with some Greek yogurt a wee bit of pickle relish and fresh ground pepper on top.


Lunch ... I was so sad when Epicure retired the Pho broth I stocked up with several jars to carry me over until something just as tasty is released to replace it!
Dinner .... caved to the craving for real pasta instead of using butternut or spaghetti squash but used my Epicure scoop to make sure I measured out the pasta and topped up with loads of veggies with the meatballs.
Move More Challenge day 21

Have an Epic Day!
 
Margaret
Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much
Be Totallyawake4-life