Scrap FX monochrome page and some truth

Now that my DT term with Scrap FX is coming to an end,
I find myself wondering what will I do next.

Design Teams are great for inspiration, networking and motivation.
They can also be stressful if you have an already packed schedule.

No matter how much I try,
between editing the text and struggling with my slow computer,
it usually takes 2 hours to post an article.
I can import a finished post from Word but loading photos takes up the rest of the time.
And linking all the products used on a project?
The most frustrating part of all.

I'm not complaining.
I signed on knowing exactly what the requirements for each team where.
My Scrap FX term has been the happiest and most positive team-work experience I've ever had.
But I am finally admitting a reality to myself.
Which you get to read. Yay?
This hobby takes the majority of my time. Not my "spare time".
Most of my time.
A night out on the town with a friend who was turning 40 last week required all kinds of schedule jumbling.
I was almost too tired to go when I finished all the negotiations!

I'm finally using all the Instax photos I took last year.
I hated that most were over exposed.
That white on white look is very "in" right now so I get to look like this was done on purpose.
I used Scrap FX arrows stencil and chipboard arrows on this piece.
Sorry no links- it takes too long to look them up!

My family has been sending out very clear signals that I'm not exactly present,

even though my body is in the room.

So I either develop crack scheduling skills (never my forte) or I keep the blogging, Facebooking, Pinning, Tweeting, Instagraming to 30 minutes a night. 

Because staying up till midnight 

or trying to make and shoot all my projects on sundays 

is really not sustainable anymore.

The good news for our crafty friendship is that I can see your work on Instagram or Facebook.

I can leave a comment without having to enter numbers to prove I'm not a robot. 

Just try to overlook my crazed spelling. 

I can spell. 

My fingers on the teeny iTouch screen cannot.

Enlarging this photo to "original size" keeps it clear.
Sizing it down to "medium" makes it fussy.
Blogger what's going on?

MuChoS SmOoChEs!
Michelle

My Scrap FX Design Team Audition

Have you checked out the Graphic 45 finalist auditions?
I just couldn't get over the level of talent! So many amazing details! The altered projects are incredible!
I suggest you swing by and see for yourself.
Paper Crafters Corner Industry Scoop- Graphic 45 Finalists
I only meant to take a quick peek and got totally sucked in.

In the spirit of the totally inspiring blogs I quickly visited- here is my Scrap FX Audition for the Spring 2012 term:

Altered Project:
Shabby Chic Curio.
This will be a gift for my Mom who's been wanting something like this for a very long while. I remember she had several large curio trays full of Holly Hobby dolls when I was little.

Made with Scrap FX Flutterby, Chicken Wire and Swallow chipboard, Gauche Alchemy Knick-Knack Paddy Whack Kit and Wedding Night White Mixed Media Color kit 

Buttons from Crate Paper and October Afternoon
Pins from Maya Road, Flowers from Petaloo

Clear embellishments and Platinum inked flower

Embossed Flutterby

Chalk Ink, glass powder and gloss glue Swallow

Key to my Heart card:

Made with Scrap FX Gear Key chipboard, Gauche Alchemy red punchinella and
corrugated board, Tim Holtz kraft paper and metal gears.

Scrapbook pages:

I love these scrolls. I tend to use chipboard naked as I like the neutral tones and here
I wanted to provide some contrast to the lace and florals already on the page. 

This page for the March 2012 True Xoxo Girls Challenge quickly came together once
I though to layer and sew the chipboard and vellum butterflies to the blank Instax print.

Tone on tone- this page almost didn't happen because I was so annoyed with
the slap dash look of the white paint- turns out it was the perfect foil for the title.
I wish I had 5 more of those! They are FABULOUS!

Fun with Instagram:

When I get "stuck" I stage mini tableaus that only exists as photos.
This is one of my all time favorites using Swallows Scrap FX chipboard,
Tattered Angels Sunflower mist and a Sunburst stencil from Crafter's Workshop.

Imagine my surprise when scrappy friend Amy told me my
New York Project had made the Two Peas Most Liked List!
To quote Sally Fields: You LIKE me! You REALLY like me!

What do you think? I'm hoping my eclectic style will stand out a bit.
I'd like to think I would bring a modernist design vibe to their beautiful products. We'll see how it goes.
I would not have applied if I didn't really love the products and it's been incredibly exciting (and educational!) to try to exceed the higher standards a DT application requires.
Fingers (and toes) crossed.

What I'm Working On RIGHT NOW:

Dreamer page for an upcoming Guest Spot at Do More With Less.

MuChoS SmOoChEs!
Michelle

My Little Shoebox projects

First things first- CONGRATULATIONS fellow Paper Issues team mate Mandy Starner for making the design team over at My Little Shoebox!! YAAAY! Please go by her blog and ogle the paper eye candy!   MLS + Mandy = Fabulosity

I've been ITCHING to post my entries for the DT application. I didn't make the team but now that I see who's in and how fantastic their work is I COMPLETELY understand I need more seasoning.

For what it's worth- here they are:

Monster Box altered project. I used a baby shoebox for the base and just cut out the great details from the Imaginary Friends line:

Back view- spring garden

I was proud I made some furniture for them in their little house-
now I wish I had taken some additional shots...

 Now for the card using the "Just Add Butter" line (Thanks Gretchen)

Gave this card to a family friend- love those cupcakes!

Inside view

Page Number 1:

Uh Oh
Love the colors on this page- turquoise and fuchsia are a fave combo.

And Page Number 2:

Thrilled to the MAX!
Fiskars cloud punch and all MLS paper.
This is my first pregnancy page. Now that I look at this I think I needed a larger font for the title.

MuChoS SmOoChEs!

Michelle