Thrifty Thursday: The Day time stood Still

I decided in the beginning of this year not to buy any more papers and embellishments until I downsize my studio. I had way too many papers from old collections that I love and just couldn't part with them. So I am using them. It has been a breath of fresh air to find new ways to use them. I have been incorporating them to more artistic and free style scrapbooking and it has been so much fun.

Here is a layout I just finished last week.

All the papers used are old... maybe 5 to 6 years old. Some are from Walmart and some from a QVC kit I purchased. could you tell??

I drew some flowers on a brick colored paper and then cut it out. I then stamped some white prima flowers I had on hand and added some orange brads for color. There!! My own customized flowers. I talked about how to customize your letters HERE or how to distress brads and eyelets HERE. 

Some plain old white acrylic paint brushed on the background and then sprinkled on it made for a sure artistic and shabby look. 

So here is my Thrifty Thursday tip: use your old papers to their advantage. For example, if the paper is vintagy and has vintage image on them, cut them out and use them as embellishments. If the papers are colorful use strips or small pieces of it to bring color to your layout. Are the papers too busy?? cut them into strips and make flowers out of them or punch out circles and create your own background.




There is so much out there and I just can't afford it all. So I am revamping my old papers. How about you? What do you do with old collections?

For more Thirfty Thursdays come HERE.


Be blessed,

Tereza

Thrifty Thursday: customizing your letters!

Thrifty Thursday was born to boost my creativity using what I had in hand. Like most crafters I have way too many supplies that I don't really put to good use. So instead of purchasing a new tool or an embellishment I am using what I have at home. So share your insights.... here is my tip for this week.

Last week I created a layout for my DD3 on a whim. As I was laying out the papers, flowers and photos I realized that the chipboard letters I had were not going to work. So I customized them.

I used white chipboard letters and with a black pen I doodled on them. Then I used the markers I had on hand, nothing fancy or expensive like Copics (hey, if you got them, use them!) and colored my doodles.

Then to make it look funkier and thrown together, I used an old book as the background for more letters. I used a permanent markers and drew my own letters, cut then out and adhered to the layout.

I don't usually make resolutions in the beginning of the year, but in an informal way, I have decided not purchase any more papers or embellishments until I cut my supplies in half. I have found that this decision has forced me to become more creative and I have found new uses for old supplies.

How do you use your old supplies? Do you have a favorite supply that you haven't used in a while? Did you like this week's tip? For more check out all Thrifty Thursday's posts here.

Be blessed,

Tereza

The Thrifty Scrapper: How to make a Scrapbook Wedding Album

A while back I shared about the Scrapbook Wedding Album that I made on a budget. We used a Martha Stewart Wedding kit that my sister in law had previously purchased at Walmart. I think she paid less than $20.00 for it. It was on sale. On that previous post, on the link above, I shared some of the pages with the bride's wedding photos on them.

As promised, below you can see the video where I share all 20 pages before they were delivered to the bride. In the video, I share what I used and how we cut corners and used what we had on hand. Please excuse my fidgeting with the camera, blinds and pages, as well as the children's noise in the background. I have a busy household. :)

I hope to inspire you to think outside the box and that even if you don't have the money, you can still make beautiful creations and memorable keepsakes! Enjoy!




How have you creatively used your own resources lately?

Have a blessed week, :)

Tereza

Martha Stewart Wedding Album Kit

Three years ago I made my Sister-in-law a Scrapbook Wedding album from scratch. Her best friend saw it and wanted one. So when my sis-in-law visited last summer, she helped me put together a Scrapbook album for her best friend.

Our budget was small, our time was short. So we used a Martha Stewart Wedding Kit that my SIL had previously purchased. It was a real challenge for me because the kit has pretty clean lines and a very soft palette. It was sooo not my style.
Here is a video of me showing the kit.



I just got the pictures of a few pages with the wedding photos in it. Oh, my!! They turned out gorgeous!!


So here a few pages without the photos and and a few pages with the photos in them. The BEFORE pages are what we call premade pages. They are scrapbook pages that you just add your photos to it. All you have to do is glue your photos to them. Pretty easy, huh?

BEFORE

BEFORE

 

Would love to hear your comments...


Blessings,
Tereza

A new route.

I have decided to devote more time to my children. Besides my husband, I am their only caregiver and spend 24 hours with them. We homeschool and I truly enjoy having them at home but....

I have recently noticed that I was getting stressed and sidetracked with my scrapping and it was not doing our relationship any good. So, I am, once again, prioritizing. :) If you have followed my blog you know I have done this in the past.

I am re-organizing my blogs and I will keep everything here. I will be posting Thrifty Thursday here, Unschooling posts, useful daily tips, as well as my bridal cards and any other treasured creations here. I think keeping everything in one blog will help me.

If you are coming over from my other blogs I hope you will keep coming back. :) I have some new cards I made for Operation Write Home that I want to share with you as well as some layouts and techniques, so do come back. :)

Now, if you would like a custom order of something. Just email me. I will be happy to work with you. :)

Have a great week and blessings,

PS Sweet baby on the above layout is my niece. This was one of the many layouts I got to make for her when my parents were here last. :)


Tereza

Laura's scrapbook pages

Hi everyone,

My parents leave tomorrow back to Brazil after 2 months here visiting us. We are going to miss them. The days before they leave our home is mayhem. It's a mix of sadness and looking forward to getting back into our routine. As always I am at the last minute getting some scrapbook pages or other handmade keepsakes finished that will go back with them.

Below are a few pages I made for my niece.











I apologize for the glare and graininess in some of the photos.

I got lots more to share, so do stop by again. :)

Be blessed,

Tereza

Custom Made Fall Premade Layout

I just received some AWESOME albums in the mail. They are not acrylic, they are chipboard. I won't tell you yet what they are YET, but I am soooo excited about working with them. I have a fantastic custom order to make some Word Albums for a Bride and these albums are perfect for that. So do come back to see what I come up with. :)

In the meantime, I just wanted to quickly share a custom layout I finished last night.



No you are not seeing double, or better triplets!! LOL This is the THIRD time I make this layout. If you would like to see the other 2 before this one as well as some of the techniques I used please got to MY OTHER BLOG.

LEt me go play with my new albums now. :)

Have a great week. :)

Tereza

Custom Made WEDDING premade layout!

I just finished my first Custom made Wedding premade pages. I thought the process of bringing it together was pretty interesting. It took me about 4 hours of work divided in 2 days.

I spent about an hour or so deciding on what background papers and colors I was going to use. Once I decided on that. I worked on the first layer of embellishments: stamping with acrylic paint and stitching. Below you will see the first page. This is a double page spread.



Then I had to decide on the embellishments. The colors of the wedding were David Bridal's pool color, silver and white. SO I used different shades of blue and the black to make the other colors stand out.

Years ago when I did drama I learned that using triangles make for a more interesting picture. So I usually try the same approach on my layouts. If you look closely you will see that many of my embellishments will form a triangle. Sometimes I do that without even thinking of it. I realized when I finished that all the elements: stamping, flowers, bows form triangles. Here is the complete layout!



The layout does not come with mats. I did that on purpose so that the customer has the liberty to choose the size and direction of the photos. I did place some mats on the first page just to show what size of photos would be perfect here and how they would look. the mats are 4x6". There is room enough on the second page to hold a 5x7" picture or a slightly cropped 8x10".

After I placed the flowers, I began working on the title placement. I began the layout knowing the title. As I worked to fill the empty spaces I thought of placing the numbers on top of hearts and the ruffles were then the natural way to finish them off. When I begin working on layout I DO NOT have all the elements I am going to use. They come about as I create the layout. I keep on adding until I feel the layout is done.

Here are some close ups.






I made this layout without the actual wedding photos and I am so looking forward to see it with the photos!

When I was done, I noticed that on the first page there are 2 flowers placed apart and there is the number 2 of the title. Then on the second page the word "become" and the number 1 and I have 2 flowers of different sizes placed TOGETHER at the top. I thought the symbolism was perfect and it came to be completely unexpected and unplanned. I saw it AFTER the layout was DONE. Isn't that cool!??!! Here is the complete layout again for you to see what I am talking about. Click on the photo to enlarge and see the details.




Thanks for looking and I hope you enjoyed me sharing my creative process. What is yours?

PS. If you would like custom work please contact me through the email me link!

Have a beautiful week,

Tereza

New designs and Unschooling.

OH, Gosh!! I am soooo busy!! I have just listed 2 new cards that I made the other night when I had some thoughts running through my head!! They are one of a kind and are the result of my meditation time. :) They can be found in my Etsy shop.

I have just finished a couple of Bridesmaids custom orders and have a few more to go. I also have a journal custom order that I will post photos here when I am done. I love all these challenging custom orders. they are a lot of fun! So if you are looking for something unique bring it on! Use the link on the side to email me.

I am also working on a Wedding 2 page spread layout and 12x12 premade pages that I will be listing on Ebay on the next couple of weeks. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter or to follow the blog if you are interested to be notified when I list them. I think I will do BUY IT NOWs and they will be pretty affordable to all!! :)

In the midst of all that, I am also home educating or homeschooling. My oldest is reading and also carries her Math workbook around as she practices her addition and subtraction. She loves it so much that she works on it all the time. :) We practice Unschooling which is a way of life really!

ok...here are the cards...

Sneak Peek of new layout going on Ebay!!

hi everyone,

I finished last night a 12x12 page layout. Here is a sneak peek. I will be posting it tonight on Ebay and later on here with all the close up photos. Enjoy!!



see you soon!!

Tereza

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

ok..here is the Diva layout!!




I am going to start listing again on Ebay after the first of January. so be sure to sign up for my newsletter or follow the blog to know when I list my Premade pages on Ebay.

After Christmas I want to share photos of a special place...so please be sure to be back on the weekend after Christmas. :)

As for the layout, I used a transparency that I made myself with StazOn ink and Fancy Pants stamps. I finally got a hold of a couple 12x12 Fancy Pants Stamps for a great price on Ebay... what is that saying that goes "Great things come to those that wait"?

Last year at this time, each of those 12x12 acrylic sets were going for over $38.00. I got each for $14.00 shipping included.

So next time you want something you might want to search Ebay. Also it's always good to wait a while before you get a brand new released gadget or item. If you are not the first one to buy, you end up paying a better price and finding out all the glitches and problems with it without having to go through the hassle.

So Great things DO come to those that wait. Now, if you are impatient, then go ahead and do all the testing for me.!! HA!! anyway, LOL

Merry Christmas!!

Of course, I am NOT getting anything for Christmas. I will wait until Spring time. :)

Tereza

A sneak peek of my DIVA 12x12 layout!

It's still raining....it has been the whole week!! I am beginning to get a little depressed with all this grayness. :( I have found a little refuge in making colorful designs lately.

Here is a sneak peek of a 12x12 layout I just finished. I will post the layout at my Scrapbook.com gallery later tonight. Like I said in my last post, I will list it on Ebay after the first of the year. Or if you are interested, make me an offer. :)




I really enjoy hearing from you lurkers out there. :) So, don't be shy, leave me a comment. :)

Sending you some sunshine,

Tereza

NEW 12x12 Premade layouts on Ebay!!!

I was going to list a NEW layout called DIVA that I just finished this past weekend on Ebay. Unfortunately the weather is really ugly today: rainy and cloudy; and just horrible for picture taking. Since it's so close to Christmas and we are all busy, I decided I will list it after the first of the year.

However, as soon as the weather permits I will be taking photos and I will post the layout here as well as on my Scrapbook.com gallery. So be sure to check back!!

I also made some last minute Christmas cards but I won't be listing those either. I will share them later this week. :)

Have a beautiful week!! :)

Tereza

the JOYS of WINTER - 12x12 Layout on Ebay

hi everyone, it has been raining for the past 2 days in my neck of the woods. We are shut indoors with lots to do!! :)

This is a quick post just to let you know what I am listing tonight.

The last Ebay layout I listed sold AFTER the auction was over. I had 2 people email me about it AFTER the auction is over. Due to limited time I am NOT relisting my layouts. If they don't sell, I am using them. I am putting my own pictures on them and filing them in my scrapbooks. I wonder how many Ebay scrappers do that? How many layouts with Tear Bears can one have? ;)

Anyway, here is the layout I am listing tonight. And I am re-listing another layout just because I could not find the perfect photos for it. :( I will be looking for them though, because I am NOT re-listing it again. :)





I have used 2 vintage prints to demonstrate how to use the layout. The first one is one a 4x6" mat and the second is a print that is almost 5x7". There is enough room on the layout to hold 2 4x6" photos, or more than 3 photos cropped to 4x4" or 3x5".

Make sure you click on the images to see them enlarged and all the details. On the listing tonight on Ebay there will be many photos with details. thanks for looking. :)

enjoy!! :) Got to go make banana muffins with my daughter. :)

tereza

Bridesmaids' Cards, Handmade Christmas card and a vintage 12x12 layout on Ebay!

Hi everyone,

Winter is already driving me nuts! I am tropical girl and I just cannot stand being cold and trapped inside a house because of winter. So my children and I have been crafting away since there isn't much to do outside: cloudy, rainy and cold!! :(

Here are a few things I made this past week:







Aren't these cute?!! They are available on Ebay and as always if you would like a custom order, just email me through the link on the right side, or go to my Etsy shop. :)

OH, yes, the sun is coming out from behind the clouds! Aleluia! thank you Jesus!

I will post later tonight a tutorial on using doilies. I bought some 12" doilies and my children and I did some pretty things to them. :)

See you tonight. :)
Tereza

Custom 12x12 layouts, Cards, Bridesmaids' Cards and Digital Scrapbooking!!

Ok...did you see that huge title?? I am super busy with all that!!

I got custom orders for 12x12 layouts, bridesmaids cards, wedding tags, save the date invitations, place cards, Custom orders for Cards and yesterday I made my first Digital layout. Oh, man, I am sooooo excited about that!!

I will post it tomorrow for you all to see. In the meantime, here are some of the projects that are finished...






Also I decided AGAIN that I will clean up my studio some more and will list lots on Ebay and items on Etsy. So be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you know when I list if you are interested.

Here is the last of Thanksgiving cards that are ready to ship and available at my Etsy shop:



The background for those photos is a collage my DD made using the leaves of our front yard tree. It was the perfect background colors for my cards. :)

Got to go now!!

Blessings,
Tereza

How do you scrapbook?

How do you scrapbook? Do you use sketches? How do you begin?

For me to create a layout I have to begin from scratch. I usually have a paper, or an embellishment, a photo that I want to use and then I create the layout. I like to look at sketches and other layouts for ideas but I rarely follow a sketch. Actually I get pretty aggravated trying to copy a sketch. I think that is one of the reasons that I haven't participated in any Card challenges yet. :)

So anyway, this past week I put together 2 layouts. The first one is called "Babies are such a nice way to start people". The trigger for this layout was the stamped Sarah Kay image that I water colored. I just fell in love with that little girl. She was my starting point. From there, I decided I wanted to make a layout for babies, maybe sleepy babies, or a baby in pjs. So next I picked the quote and then the vintage K&C0. papers. I played with the mats for hours. Yes, I actually put all the main components of a page on top of it and move them around until I find the "perfect" look.

I cut the flower and the heart by hand. I doodled the border of both mats and added the rub ons. I love the look of stitching, so I added that, as well as the tearing and distressing.

I also hand cut the half scalloped circle under the mats from my own template. When I began assembling the flower I was looking for something different to use as the center. So I picked some of the little balls that made up the trimmings I used on the mats, and circled them with some of the raffia I was using. I realized it looked like a chickadee's nest. Now, how unexpected was that!!! Without premeditation I got a bird's nest on my layout. And I thought: how perfect!! :)





The second one is called Home Goodness. I think it would be perfect for cooking with the children or family dinners, even Thanksgiving!

this one began with leftover papers from the Family Album I made last month. The black paper with the flowers were cut out from a 12x12 page and I saved it to use on a layout. So again, this piece was the starting point for this page. I felt the whole layout needed to be balanced, so I added another black "piece" to the other side of the layout. I then added die cut stickers to balance the colors and create a title.

I incorporated the stitching to the mats this time, instead of the background of the layout. I used the papers left from the Family Album to create the mats and added journaling tags and other embellishments. I really like how this layout turned out.






I would love to hear your comments and how you scrapbook. :)

Don't forget to go vote. Tomorrow is a big day here in the USA!!!

Tereza