scrapologie

Vintage Beauties

It's been awhile since I posted some vintage images; I'm hoping to do more of that again, soon.

These are by the Spanish illustrator Francisca Gallarda Garos. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage Card Set - 7 Gypsies Summer 2011

I have always loved 7 Gypsies products and I am really blessed to have been designing for them for a few years now. They really stay true to their aesthetic and they are a wonderful company with good people and great products. If you've ever been to a CHA tradeshow and experienced their tradeshow booth, it's a feast for the eyes. They are masters of display, and they are the Anthropologie of the papercrafts industry, with such cool, quirky and original displays. Janelle, Debbie and Paula are the minds behind the magic. While 7 Gypsies wasn't at CHA this past July, I recall from prior tradeshows how amazing their booths always were. You may be able to find photos on the internet and on You Tube by searching 7 Gypsies. Here's a great video that shows the thought that goes into setting up the booth behind the scenes.

I created these vintage style cards for 7 Gypsies' 2011 Summer Release last month. The first, second and fourth cards all feature new rub-ons from 7 Gypsies. The first card features the new Apothecary Rubbings, which I used to create this valentine/love card. The little apothecary dome is also from the new 7 Gypsies release.

The second card features the stunning Butterflies Rubbings and yes, the color is every bit as vivid as you see in the photo. The rubbings were so lovely I had to use them en masse on one card for maximum effect.

The third card gives you a peek at some of the new patterned paper from 7 Gypsies. I don't see it on the website yet but there are a series of map themed papers which are lovely!

The last card features the Mini Ephemera Rubbings. I used my Banner Builder Die Collection and Double Ended Banner Die from Papertrey Ink to create the little vintage banner.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

bohemian babes

I recently stumbled upon Persnickety Clothing Company and I have been sighing and aahing and oohing over these ensembles (and these photos too). I'm probably alone on this, but I can't help but wish they made clothing like this for women. Must be the kid in me! I love the mix of vintage color, pattern and texture. And the little girls are all just adorable. I pinned a bunch of these to my Pinterest board for future inspiration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

JBS August Shares...and Copyright Philosophy

Thank you for your comments, it was nice to know I was missed! I am popping in quickly to share some layouts from the lovely August kit over at JBS. The kits are all sold out now, but I do believe they have a handful of the add-ons (Artisan and Antiquarian) still remaining and even a few of the project kits.  I received the Artisan add on that contained the chipboard pennants I used in this first layout below, and loved that add on! The caramel colored lace trim from the kit and the bank ledger paper was also hoard-worthy! Jenni is selling the bank ledger paper in sheets of three in the mercantile store here. Everyone on the team went gaga over the exclusive stamp in the kit (see the last layout on this post). Hopefully you got one, because that was an amazing stamp!

Also, if you haven't noticed, I updated the copyright language on my blog. I have re-thought my stance on the whole copyright issue (only as it relates to my work on this blog). I've been scrapbooking for many years now, and I have been on both sides of the scraplifting debate at one time or another. I came to the conclusion some time ago, but am even more a believer now, that it is the journey and not the destination that counts. And I believe that there are enough ideas in the world for all of us to participate in this craft we love without feeling threatened that someone stole or appropriated "my" style or ideas.

I said this in my copyright paragraph at left and will say it again here, I am a firm believer that generosity of spirit is greater than any personal pride or glory I could achieve from claiming to be the first or the best to do anything. Humble spirit, happy heart, and my soul is freed from being able to send this out into the universe. That's all I have to say today!

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

August Photos and PS Brushes

I know, I am a terrible blogger. So bad that I forgot my Typepad password. To boot, I didn't think I could retrieve it, as my account was linked to an old email that is now obsolete, which is probably why, if you tried to email me from the blog, it didn't work. I finally remembered the password thank goodness!  I then went and updated my account email, first thing. I was panicked there for ahwile, but I suppose I deserve it for ignoring my blog for so long!!

Some of you may have read that Bobby lost his job in February. It was devastating news given the uncertain economy and recession, but I have to say we have really been blessed. Both of our families provided us lots of support and in the process, Bobby got to do some introspective thinking about what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. He decided that after a long stint working for various insurance companies and companies in the private sector, he wanted to be his own boss. After a series of rigorous interviews, he was finally accepted by Nationwide Insurance into their agency training program in May, and we're very excited about what the future will hold. We're happy that he is going to be self-employed and since he's very motivated and a hard worker, I feel good about what the future holds knowing that he is the master of his own destiny.

I have also been dealing with some tough health issues in my family, both parents in and out of the hospital over late spring and summer. Mom has had several surgeries for diabetic retinopathy and has lost much of her vision, which has been very sad because she is such an independent person, and has hated being dependent on my father this last year. Even worse, she has been getting really tired and had to go to the hospital twice for a low red blood cell count. I was really scared after I researched the causes of a low RBC count on the internet but all of the tests so far have been negative, though they still haven't figured out what's going on. She is getting iron therapy intravenously until her hematologist determines what the cause is. She is so strong, never complains and always stays positive, no matter what. I owe so much to her and I am so glad and grateful that she has been a part of Alekha's life.

All these years both Mom and Dad have just been rock solid strong and truly God-given parents - they are just wonderful, good-hearted people that are the embodiment of kindness. Watching them age has been hard and I am doing what I can to spend extra time with them.

Apart from that, I've been taking lots of photos and papercrafting when I can to stay sane. I wanted to share some randomness -- a recent photo shoot at the Park of Roses again. I need to find a different venue, but I am trying to get as many outdoor shots as I can while we still have warm weather.

I used these Photoshop brushes from Rhonna's website and some older ones, I think the French themed ones are from Sande Krieger available at 2 peas. Love them and love the possibilities on my photos.

The dress is a French design from Eliane et Lena, which I purchased online from Zulily, which getting to be one of my favorite online boutiques for children's apparel. They have great deals on unique clothes, shoes, and accessories for kids, but offer a lot more for sizes 6x and under; I wish they would have been around when Alekha was younger. Maybe that's a good thing. Because if she were little again, I'd be spending way too much money there.

School starts Wednesday, so we're going to try and have one last enjoyable summer weekend before the school year starts. I hope your summer has been memorable and wonderful. And I'll try to keep in touch more often.