Flair button love! A Flair For Buttons blog hop.

Good Friday morning folks!!

Welcome to the A Flair For Buttons blog hop!!!

Shelley's designs keep getting cooler!

Swing by the A Flair For Buttons Etsy shop to see the variety.

You can use the ILOVESUMMER13 coupon code to get 10% off your next order.

If you leave a comment on each blog you will also be entered to win a free pack of flair. 
I just completed the hop- the projects will make it worth your while- promise!

It's been a fun week for me.

I stayed up all Wednesday night reading a modern sequel to Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" called "Mr. Darcy's Daughters" by Elizabeth Aston- it was a page turner.

Then last night I saw Erica Badu totally blow up her usual smooth jazz hits on stage and a long held regret of mine was finally put to rest.

Back in 2004 I had tickets to her show but bailed because "Who was Erica Badu?" Who indeed.
I kicked myself for the following 10 years or so.

But there you have it- proof.

Life is full of second chances.

In honor of a good lesson learned, I decided to give my paper stash a second chance.

I also finally let go of flair I was hoarding for my dead as a door nail Project Life album.

Here's my project for the hop:

I had a hard time with this concept! I wanted to play with layers. The page got remade several times before I decided this was the final. I love the idea of frames and paper strips so I may try this concept out a few more times.
I used the following flair for this page:
 My Life Words 3 pack (turquoise so you)
My Life Words 2 pack (turquoise today)
Phrases 2 pack (royal blue totally rad)

Some close ups:

I didn't bring my typewriter or sewing machine with me for the move and I've sorely missed both. Here I was just going back to basics- fussy cutting and bending the items so they gave depth to the page.

I wish I had gotten the yellow "today instead". Next time I'll just get that phrase in all colors-
it's so versatile. Charity race we walked (ha!) was named "Color Me Rad". This button was
perfect for the theme page.

Please take a few moments to swing by the all the blogs participating. 

The level of creativity and innovation exhibited by this team is truly inspiring.

Diane Payne

Michelle Hernandez

Mary Ann Maldonado

Leslie Ashe

Ashley Harris

Ashli Oliver

Erica Weinstock

I hope you have a fantastic creative weekend.

Get out there and kick regret's butt!

Kicking life's butt is a family affair.

Michelle

Let's Get Trendy Now- NEON

Happy monday folks!

Today I'm sharing my page for the Let's Get Trendy workshop.
The scrapbook trend I'm covering is a definite favorite- NEON! Woo hoooo!

There are other fantastic projects (including gorgeous cards and two sketches) on the Let's Get Trendy blog please swing by and check those out.

I love neon and I tend to go overboard when using it.
I make no apologies for this.
But it leads to pages that are certainly out there even for me.

I know the going wisdom is that you should use neon sparingly.
I've seen many gorgeous pages and cards made with just a hint- a touch - a zing- of neon.
I'm not part of that party.
I say slap it on, slather it all over and have fun with excess.
Viva the Las Vegas GLITZ of it all!

Materials: Paper Source Navy blue cardstock, MT pink washi tape, pricing stickers from the dollar store,
Sakura gelli roll pen in white, Crafter's Workshop pie chart stencil, vellum from Paper Source, Studio Calico
paper clip, Crate Paper tags, neon pink tag from Lawn Fawn, raindrop stencil from Scrap FX, Liquitex
neon pink acrylic spray paint, Mister Huey in black.

Neon items I highly recommend:
sequins
washi tapes (especially since they can be layered)
glitter (go. all. the. way!)
embroidery thread
chalk bistro markers (these are how Starbuck's gets perfect chalkboard menus)
stamp pads
acrylic paints- there are so many of these- you can go with high end Guache water color or a kid's set from Ikea

Two of my current favorites:

Sakura Gelli Roll and Souffle pens.
Souffle is so awesome- you get pure gorgeous neon PLUS a funky embossed effect. You can also use embossing powder on these because they dry slowly.
Molotow is a graffiti art brand.
These are paint marker refills with open droppers so you can either drip directly on the page or squeeze out and use a brush- the colors are pure energy- great for using on unfinished chipboard.  

Liquitex acrylic spray paint. Expensive and has a tendency to clog but still AWESOOOME!!!
Micheals' carries it.
It's usually locked in a cage to keep crafty teens from defacing the world with it. (snicker, snicker)

You can always layer over whatever bits you don't like.
Whenever something makes you uncomfortable I say WORK IT
Get out of that comfort zone!

You might just like swinging through the jungle growing outside.

Have a GREAT (colorful) week!
Michelle

Time to get Trendy!

Hello!
I am excited to share that I'm a guest designer for this year's "Let's Get Trendy" workshop series put together by Amy Tsuruta, Julie Tucker- Wolek and Yvonne Yam.

There are 32 unique projects lined up to inspire you to get trendy on your scrapbooking.

The list of collaborators is really diverse:
Alice Wertz, Angi Barrs, Ashley Horton, Chantal Vandenberg, Erum Tasneem, Helen Tilbury, Jinny Newlin, Keren Tamir, Kirsty Vittetoe, Lauren Bergold, Laurie LaRiviere, Miae Rowe, Michelle Hernandez, Shahrul Niza, Ujjwal Gupta and Virginia Lu

Sign up to win the fun rak pictures below

Sign up at the Let's Get Trendy Now blog.

P/s: You can also  join along on the Lets' Get Trendy Now! 3 Facebook Page!

The trend I made a page for is up first- see you Monday!

Michelle

Fun with neon washi tape!

I was perusing Pinterest yesterday and a bunch of JBS Design Team pages jumped out at me.

Apparently the March Papercrafting kit includes a B side print that looks like it was covered in yellowing masking tape.

Then I saw this page by Amanda Jones and immediately ran to my scrap desk.
This was the result.

I used the sun from the Scrap FX  travel embellishment pack model #2012190
and the urban stencil model # 2012348

This didn't require a lot of my prized, out-of-production MT neon pink washi tape.
I mixed in a few of my other pink tapes to give the page a little texture.

I got this materials photo idea from Yvonne Yam who also has a
GREAT tutorial over on her blog Do More With Less.
I used the following apps for this: Hipstamatic, PicTapGo for the dreamy
 exposure, Camera+ for the border and Phonto for the words.

I also used a tiny bit of Zing! neon yellow embossing powder.
I still have their old version which is more mustard than neon and I rarely use it.
This new one is bright and very pretty.

Funny thing about neon- it's really hard to photograph.
The scanner couldn't handle this page at all- it made everything almost white.

A few weeks ago I was asked to participate in Noelle Hyman's Paperclipping Roundtable.

My nervousness got the best of me and I spent more time telling rambling stories than discussing the subject at hand- challenges in everyday scrapbooking.

I now have an answer for Noelle's very perplexing question-
How to scrap everyday moments if your routine stays the same or if your family spends a lot of time in front of a computer?

Used with permission- sort of.  ;)

One of my answers clearly should have been: "follow" your family members and take a screen shot when they post something funny, cute or memorable.

Thanks for swinging by!
Michelle

Loving the NEON! (again)

Good sunday morning!
I've been scrapbooking like crazy lately but it's all under publishing embargo so no posts lately.
EEK!
Here's one page I can show you since it's on the Die Scrapperin Magazine promo link HERE and up for public online consumption:

Materials: American Crafts Amy Tangerine paper, Thickers and fabric stickers, Scrap FX dingbat chipboard, Maya Road wood veneer butterflies, Prima roses, Hambly transparency banners, American Crafts glitter brads, doilies from Etsy. Fancy Pants pinked edge coffee filter.

It took me 45 minutes to make this page and I FORCED myself to use those GORGEOUS neon colored doiles.

Some detail shots:

Lola and I chased lady bugs this summer- it was awesome.
Tiny Scrap FX ding bat and the AWESOME
Maya Road veneer butterflies- love them both!

I wish this stamp was part of the American Crafts
Amy Tangerine set- it's so PRETTY!

Happy Sunday!
Good luck to all of you who applied to the Jenni Bowlin Ambassador DT.
The opportunity was too exciting to pass up.
 I love Jenni Bowlin products to distraction so I looked at the requirements and double checked my schedule and thought:
Yes I can DO THAT!
Keeping my fingers crossed!

Detail from one of the pages I submitted for consideration.

Good luck everyone!

Smooches! Many! Lots!
Michelle

Neon Love- the color dipping trend and scrapbooking

Happy Fourth of July!
Today I want to buck the trending topic and share a page I made for Scrap FX featuring a design element I have seen all over the place lately- dye color dipping.
"What is 'dye dipping', crazy lady?" You might say.

It's literally dipping the legs, arms or other part of an object in neon or metallic paint (or dye) for some added color without the blinding rays a whole neon green couch would let off.

So this woodgrain embossed paper- I must find bulk packs of it because it's my favorite stash item right now.
I found the 8 by 11 size at my LSS but SC has it 12 by 12. GET SOME- it's freaking GORG!
MATERIALS: vellum, Fiskars XL star squeeze punch, Scrap FX telegraph wire chipboard, Hambly trannys, MT washi tape, Maya Road ledger trannys, Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type alphas, American Crafts mini glitter brads, Staedtler water color paint

Check out Etsy to see what I mean (don't want to use photos here without permission):
Dipped neon
I thought I would give it a whirl in a scrapbook page.
Here's the thing- I'm kinda nuts about wasting my expensive magenta water color paint so I didn't just fill up a bowl and dip away.

I painted the paper and tried my best to make it look "dipped".
This was hella fun!
I suggest you run out to Benjamin Moore and get one of their 4 dollar "sample" paints and try "dipping" your own house wares- you just might LOVE IT!

lovely delicate layers- vellum is DA BOMB!

I'm coveting a set of neon pink hand thrown porcelain bowls- they are so SO pretty but Lola would use them for floor target practice so I will just stare at the photos and dream.

Scrap Fx telegraph poles- delightfully RANDOM-
who needs matchy-matchy themey pages? "Not I!" said the cat!

Have a SAFE 4th of July holiday folks!
PLEASE don't get your drink on and take to the wheel!
And PLEASE don't dare each other to hold the fireworks.
Your local ER staff would appreciate one less client and I like my readers to be happy and whole.

GRATUITOUS FLAG RELATED PHOTO!!!!

MuChOS SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Funny story. WHY HAMBLY??? WHY? And also, SWAG!

A card made with Gauche Alchemy's Neon Color Kit.

Happy Monday folks!
The plan was to get all emo with my latest dramz but all that has to be pushed aside because frankly- who the heck wants to hear all that nonsense, right?
We ALL have trials and tribulations.
I was in the subway yesterday and this dude was asking for money and his story reached "The Iliad"proportions so I gave him a dollar and a smile.

I usually avoid the smiles when I had over the duckets (that's a link to the Urban dictionary- read definition number 5 and laugh yer tail right off)
Smiling signifies an approachable nature and before you know it, you are listening to a smelly dude talk about space aliens zapping people to make them compliant.
TRUE. STORY.

By the way- were you one of the lucky ones who got to see the partial solar eclipse yesterday?
LUCKY YOU!!!!!!
Am I gonna get to see a photo?
LINK IT UUUUP, YO!

Nasa' s "projection" of what you got to see if you lived in
the western part of the US. I won't hate on you TOO much.

Anyway, back to my story...
So about a year ago, this smelly homeless guy sits next to me as Lola and I rode the subway to Central Park. He talks very closely and  intensely about aliens and their culinary particulars for 4 entire stations. (The equivalent of an eternity in terms of nasal comfort).
All because MISS LOLA was all cute and cuddly and smiled at him and said "GOOO!"
BETRAYED by my toddler!
I managed a hasty: excusemeIgottagothanksfortheveryinterestinginformationbutthisismystop...
as I got up and rammed our cheap 35 dollar Chicco stroller into a random pair of ankles in my NEED to expeditiously extricate myself from said conversation.
BING BONG! Slam! went the subway car doors behind me.
Whew! SAFE!
MISS LOLA! NO MORE STARING AT DUDES ON THE SUBWAY!

The smile that attracts thousands- not MINE! Hers!

So I don't smile.
I wear the dog face.
Luckily, the new and improved terrible Twos Lola (or LOLZ 2.0) is more interested in screaming at the top of her lungs that she MUST walk around the subway car and impersonate a human pin ball right this very SECOND! NOW! NOW!! NOW!!!
Which does WONDERS for magically rendering subway seats empty and cancels out the yammering of alien tale-tellers (but not the smell- alas).

So I give up the goods if someone impresses me with their personal version of Paul Bunyan's flap jacks.
Some people would say I'm a fool to encourage that behavior.
Well, I love me a good story and this guy had a major brain disease, Iraq War veteran status, 3 hungry kids (WHY always 3? ALWAYS!) and an electric bill to pay. (electric bill? POINTS FOR RANDOM!)
But WAIT that's NOT all!
He had gotten stabbed several times and was showing the wounds to anyone interested.
HELLO! Positively Homer-rific!
So I paid up.
It's what you do when you live in the city.

By now you are all "I've lost 10 minutes of my scrap blog reading time! WTG MICHELLE!"
Sorry guys.
Maybe you are all: "Why all the emo, Chellster?"
(You can call me that- it would make me happy)

Hambly has decided to call it quits.
If I can't get emo about that I don't know WHAT is worth a good cry.
I've heard rumors that Art Director Allison Kreft Abad is now teaming up with Echo Park so it's not ALL ruin and devastation.
If you can confirm this piece of news for me I would GREATLY appreciate it.
AS IF Echo Park could possibly get MORE awesome!

Also this (which cancels most of the regularly scheduled emo):

I KNOW! Right?
Totes SWAGADOCIOUS!
(NOPE! I did NOT make that up- you can look it up in the Urban Dictionary- my source of choice)

I went to the Keith Haring exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum last weekend.
If you have the chance you should go. 

MuChoS SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Scrapping with unusual colors and funnies from the blogging front

I'm Googling like a mad woman trying to figure out why some of my teamies over at Scrap FX have new blog formats they can't "follow" people on.
Do you know what I mean?
Have you updated your Blogger blog lately and found your "follow" button now reads "share"?
What's THAT all about???
If you know, share please!
Google is NO HELP.
I can't  find articles no matter how many search terms I put into the search bar.
Which made me wonder- what search terms are landing people here?
These:

• 3 people found me by using: "fly story with stencil": That. Right there. Is awesome! FLY story? YES PLEASE! I luuurv me some FLY stories! 
• 3 with: "Puerto Rican Pride":  Ok. I got the pride. I have a digi Puerto Rican Flag permanently flying in my Pinterest account and it only gets pinned by other Puerto Ricans. Abrazos a todos! This is a scrapbook blog- if you can roll with that, we are main buds. Hey, do you mind sharing your flan recipe? Please?
• 3 with: "Scrap FX": WHAT? ONLY 3? MUST correct that! ASAP!
• 3 with: "stencil of Puerto Rican flag for": FOR WHAT? Guys, you've totally left me hanging! For baking? For rinsing beets with? What already?
• 2 with: "Billy drinking pop + red fern"- HUH? How are Billy's pop drinking habits connected to scrapbooking? RAAAANDOM! Red Fern? That's a book. I know from my searching Ebay for live ferns to buy. Yes I used to buy ferns, ON EBAY.
• 2 with "EK Success punches with settings": So cool! Now what are these settings you are looking for? You KNOW I'm going to be looking that up! I'll be finding myself next!

DOH!!!
I never posted my May True Xoxo Scrapbooking challenge page!!!
Swing by and play along!
Here it is:

I used Gauche Alchemy's limited edition Neon color kit to make this page.
You'll also spot some embossed lines I made with a score board and bone folder-
thanks to Melissa Mann for that idea. The chipboard alphas and flourish are from Scrap FX.
I used gel pens and neon pastel crayons to finish them.

And this? Apparently, I forgot I submitted a page a month in advance

Cosmo Cricket Heart in The Dark alphas and blackboard chippies, bling from Kaiser Kraft
Crafter's Workshop basket weave stencil, Tattered Angels Mermaid Glimmer glam, Smash tape and
some AWESOME EK Success stamps.

So swing by True Xoxo Girls are get to scraplifting!
I fully give you permission to STEAL THESE PAGES!
(Can I get a small mention though? Come on- you love me! Admit it!!!! )

Well hello there, gorgeous! (summer 2010)

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
And a digi PR flag waving! I'm a PROUD Boricua!

Pie charts RULE!!!! A Studio Calico challenge page

So I've always had a "thing" for graphics, pie charts and other office related graphics meant to keep you awake during snoozefest meetings.
I just never thought to use them in a layout!
TOTAL lack of imagination!!!
Must correct ASAP!!
Here ya go:

So my LOVE of neon and washi is in full effect here. I used a while bunch of techniques I have learned from other crafters- SoapHouseMama and Miae to be specific. More on that below.
 Materials: Studio Calico Classic Calico paper, washi tape from Hambly, Smash and MT, vellum title from DCWV, Awesome word bubble from A Life Handmade on Big Cartel, Smash date stamp, gel pens from Sakura Martha Stewart multi butterfly punch and pin from American Crafts.

The layout is from a sketch by Vee Jennings for Studio Calico for their latest Sunday challenge which I encourage you to try!

My idea of a good scrappy time? Throw the paint on the page and watch it spread out or drip down, SHOVE the vellum into the sewing machine and hope a general circle shape emerges from my tugging and pulling.
My husband absolutely FREAKS when he sees me work.
He gets all itchy looking at the crooked lines, paint splatters all over the work table or the sewing machine wrestling (mostly because I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SEW.)

Some detail shots:

I bought this random travel themed DCWV pack at TJ Maxx
and I really like this vellum material. Some of the phrases
are a bit cheesy but this one has a great font and size.
Love that word bubble! I really wish I could afford a Silhouette!

Silver gel pen for the journaling. The butterfly was
colored using pastels I bought at the dime store. 

Ok so here is where I credit my scrappy friends.
SoaphouseMama (Ashli Oliver) gets credit for the stacked lines. I see this motif in her
work and I just like how it adds visual interest without distracting from the main design.
Miae of  Making Scrap Up gets credit for the wheels because I see her doodle these all
over the place!!!  Using the sewing machine was time consuming but I love the effect.
The hanging ends were something I saw  a french blogger do and it just made my jaw
drop.  I don't remember who it was (it was before I learned about Pinterest)
but if you recognize who I'm talking about lemme know ok?

I encourage you to let loose today.
Just slap some paper onto other paper, dash that paint on, take your favorite stamp and go hog wild- whatever.
If you hate the final result it's ok- go back to your regular work style!
But maybe you'll discover a new technique.

NEW PHOTO SEGMENT!!
What I learned from my two year old TODAY:
A fool and her washi are soon parted or
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH WASHI.

I used this page to get my engines ready for some design team assignments I really want to get right. So keep your eyes peeled over at Gauche And Scrap FX- you'll see iterations of things I learned making this page.

GRATUITOUS TODDLER SHOT!!!!!

Cute right? She pulled the ugliest 30 minute tantrum when it was time to go.
This is at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. GO! TODAY!
The Cherries are blooming!

MuChoS SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Last call for neon challenge!

Not sure why I'm so obsessed with it but I LOVE Neon.
Maybe it's because I was just a kiddo in the 80's and depended on my parents getting it for me.
This time I am in the driver's seat and I am determined to incorporate it into as many projects as possible!

A card:

Hi! card
Materials: Mulberry paper, Amy Tan Sketchbook paper (cameras and chevron print),
neon price sticker backing, Sticko puffy retro alphas and
heart felt ribbon from Sabrina Alery of Honor Roll.

The hearts ribbon is officially a favorite- Thanks Sabrina!

A couple of neon(ish) Hipstamatic shots:

Neon chevron (ish) socks from Target

Neon Koi at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden

Neon Graffiti

A sneak! This is part of something you will see over at Gauche Alchemy later this month!

Grey, washi tape, punchinella and embroidery floss!
What's not to love?

Talking Gauche.. there is a new special edition neon mixed media color kit in the store! SO AWESOME! I just got mine a few days ago and I LOVE IT!

Last call to post your project over at Do More With Less.
You have until Friday the 6th. Come on and give it a try will ya?

Oh and one more thing- there IS a crafty products prize! (I've been known to sneak ALL KINDS of extra stuff in my give-aways!!!)

Now get going- the project doesn't have to be new!
MuChoS SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Scrapliftin' FOOL!- A True Xoxo Girls Challenge

Ah the Scraplift.
That venerable tradition where you STEAL (OOPS! LIFT! I meant lift!) an admired scrapper's work and make it your own.
Some would say you should give credit where due.
Others reply "It's JUST PAPER AND GLUE!"
As usual, my opinion lies somewhere in the middle.

BEHOLD!!! The April True Xoxo Scraplift another team member design challenge!
I chose Kimmie Jaster's Pancakes page and used DCWV Snapshot for this.  My final scraplifted page didn't look like "me".  I was so annoyed! I hit the side of the paper with my elbow by mistake and cue angel chorus- I had my page.

There are so many people working, so many sources for inspiration and so many similar themes, trends and pre-designed products, it's inevitable that eventually something you make takes after someone else's project you dug and stuffed away in your lizard hind brain.
And there it lay. Waiting to come out at some later point.

Kimmie's original page- sorry the photo is so small.
http://lostinadreamofjosh.blogspot.com/

I know because it's happened to me.
I've never been accused of copying (OMG that sounds SO 4th grade!) but I've seen replicas of "my" pages in other people's galleries that were made BEFORE mine was and my question has always been:
Where the heck did I get that idea from anyway? I've never seen this page before.... have I?
TUN TUN TUUUUUUUUUUN!

If the page was made AFTER mine I think:
Am I REALLY so awesome that this random person would "steal" from me?
And my lizard hind brain answers:
 "YEZZZZZ! YEZZZZ!!!! Zat izzz yourzzzzz!
BE HAPPY!!!"

Because I always have another ace up my sleeve. No, it's not an actual ace!
It's a state of mind.

That comic book word bubble deserved it's own page!

You will ALWAYS have more ideas and there will ALWAYS be more opportunities.
There is a giant sky-wide PIE of creativity so vast that there is plenty to share.
PLENTY TO SHARE.
So scrap lift away amigos!
If you mention me- awesome! I'll get over it if you don't.
Like this:
GET OVER IT CHELLS!

But not if you're a retailer.
If I saw one of my pages or photos on an advert I'd be hella PISSED.
(AC Moore recently grabbed some Easter projects they spotted on Pinterest, smashed them onto one of their sales flyers then tried to say it was ok because they were "just for inspiration")
Shame on you retailer! SHAME!
Don't you have a creative services department?
GET ONE!
Pay those crafty folks!!! They deserve it!

LOVING the white lines on black Polaroid!!!

This month's True Xoxo challenge is too juicy to ignore.
There are so many fantastic designers on the team and the styles differ so greatly it would be a SHAME to pass this chance up.
So swing on by and have FUN!
http://truexoxoscrapbooking.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/challenge-28-were-scraplifting-too/

OH! And before I forget! True Xoxo is also running a Blog Header design contest! It's a great way to showcase your work! After all, it's the first thing any visitor sees!
Swing by and check out the details!
http://truexoxoscrapbooking.wordpress.com/2012/03/24/blog-header-contest/

Neon- it's SO COOL!!!

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle