MyMadkow

Cello Deux

Well, it's here, finally!! It seems like it's been forever since I bought my plane ticket to go to ElPaso, to visit my DD, SIL & DGS!! I'm off in the morning!! Yea!!! I can't wait to see them!! I'm sure that Mason has grown a lot in the last year!! Anyways.....I'm gone for a week, and then I'll still have a few more days off before returning to work! Did I tell you that I'm excited?? Well.......I AM!!!!!!!!!!!

Cello Deux

Another gorgeous pic of Arelys, also taken by my son Kevin!!

Papers are Prima and BoBunny. Love both of these collections! The cardstock mat, is Coredinations Graphic 45 Collection. Love that houndstooth pattern, which I sanded back!! The doily is from Wilton, spritzed with Lindy's Stamp Gang Azure Sea Asters & Tibetan Poppy Teal.

Flowers are from Flights of Fancy, I Am Roses and Kaisercraft. I used some Tim Holtz Ideaology wings as leaves. As well as some I Am Roses green leaves that I embossed with LSG embossing powder in Twilight Bronze Slate. The little white frame is from Tattered Angels.....my last one! I loved those frames, and I don't think I can get them anymore! 

More Tim Ideaology pieces. A large metal leaf from LSG, embossed with a mix of Midnight Teal, Twilight Bronze Slate and King Midas Gold. I also used some black ribbon/tulle that was in one of my Swirlydoos kits. The trim is from Flights of Fancy.

Ugh, not the best pic......I was having a hard time, getting this one to come out right. Probably cause I have black on black, here. Anyways, the alphas are from Heidi Swapp.

I'm sure that you're wondering what happened to Cello One......it's one of the projects that I submitted for a Design Team. So you have to wait to see it. I'll know by next week. Anyways, I really love how this LO turned out. It definitely has a darker edge to it, but is still very girlie!

Okay, I'm off to post on Scrapbook.com and then to bed......gotta get up at 2:30 am!!! See you next week.

Lynne

Java

How do you like your coffee? Black? With cream? With milk? With sugar? With both? Maybe you use another type of sweetener, like honey, sweet 'n low, etc.? For me it depends, at home, I use a quarter of a teaspoon of sugar, and some half 'n half. At work we have powdered creamer.....and that's just enough, cause the first ingredient on the list is sugar! No surprise there. I cannot drink it black, I find it too strong.

But maybe you prefer your coffee cold. Like Starbucks' Frappucino? McD's Frappes? Or maybe you like Dunkin Donuts' Coolattas? My preference is Tim Hortons!!! Yeah if you don't live in Canada, or the northeast, you won't know what I'm talking about! Love, love, love their coffee, hot or cold!! But, I live in Florida, so, I drink McD's at work, but splurge on Starbucks when I go out shopping, etc.

Speaking of, today is shopping day........hair cut, RX pick up, printer ink pick up, summer clothing shopping spree, post office to drop off a box for my DD, Starbucks!! And then there's Joanns! Today is their Grand Opening in Vero Beach. It's only about a 20 minute drive, and guess what? It's NOT Michaels!!!!!!! Now, don't get me wrong, I like Michaels, but, it's been the only scrap/craft store around for 2 years now. I can probably tell you everything they carry, that I would use. And as far as scrappy products go, NOT much has changed in those 2 years! So, I'm making Joanns, my last stop, cause I plan on being in there for a while!!!!! Definitely need fabric to make a little curtain, and some lace, and I need to look at all of their scrappy stuff, and alterable products! Yeah, I could spend some big $$ in there!!

So, why all of the shopping, you ask? Vacation in 5 days!!!!!!!!!! Going to EL Paso!! Whoo Hoo!!!!!!! Can't wait to see my daughter, son-in-law, and Mason, my grand-son!!!!!!!!!!! It will be a surprise for him, cause he'll be in pre-school when I arrive!!! Yea!!!

Okay, enough of my blabbing.............

Java

Meet Arelys. Well, okay, you saw her in the last post! Anyways, Arelys, is my oldest son, Kevin's, long-time girlfriend! I was going to say that she's the newest member of the family, but that's not quite correct. It just so happens that it's really only recently, that I've been able to get pics of her....and that's cause I nabbed them off of her FB!!! So, she's new to you!

Okay, gorgeous Graphic 45 papers, from Steampunk Debutante, Le Cirque and Halloween in Wonderland! Of course I distressed, using both, Tim's and Zutter's distressers. A Martha Stewart punch, was used on the gold paper. And I did tons of fussy cutting!!

See the pic......I printed it on watercolor paper. My DIL keeps telling me that doing this, doesn't do justice to the pics or the LO's. What do you think? I'd really like to know!

The large metal flower is G45 and I embossed it with Lindy's Stamp Gang in Aurora Amethyst! Gorgeous color! Then I added a gold bead cap, turned upside down, and a little resin flower by Recollections. Hinges are also G45, and I left them alone, cause they match so perfectly! The cherry blossoms are from I Am Roses.

My title is from DCWV, and old as the hills! Bling flourish is from ZVA.

The little sign holder is a portion of a chippy from Kaisercraft. I inked it up with StazOn in Royal Purple, then layered Crackle Accents over top. Can you see the shimmer on the Wilton doily? Yep, LSG's Starburst Spray in Glory of The Seas Gold!

I think that's it for now......gotta get ready to go!

Lynne

Wonderful For Scrapbudz

Hi everyone!! I'm a little late in putting up my DT post for the June Sketch Challenge at Scrapbudz .....I'm sorry.....it's been a trying couple of weeks! Anyways......here we go.

Our challenge this month is this gorgeous sketch by Vanessa

Love, love, love her sketches!!! And here's my take on it.......

 
I know, it's completely different!! But the essence of the sketch is there!! I just moved the elements around!! Plus, I only had one pic to work with for this LO, so I had to make the best of it!!

Papers are Graphic 45 & BoBunny. I circle cut the pink gingham paper, and then used my Martha Stewart corner punch on the edge. I got this idea from Lisa G at What A Beautiful Mess (do check out her blog for more great ideas, and tutorials). Next I layered 2 postcards from K & Co, which I promptly distressed with Tim's inks & tools. Here's a closeup.....

 
In between, and over the postcards, I added some Webster's Pages Bloomers, a die cut, a Tim Holtz charm and a whole lot of fussy cut flowers (G45 pp). I added some Ranger Liquid Pearls to the centers of the flowers.

 
Sorry, bad pic of the left side. I used Lindy's Stamp Gang Starburst Sprays over some TH Distress Ink on the Tattered Angels frame. It's too bad that you can't see the shimmer, cause there's a lot of it!!! I love LSG products!!! So I layered a fussy cut fairy over the frame and just touching my pic, and then added a few more flowers.

 
More LSG Sprays & Magical Micas, were used on the Kaisercraft birdhouse. I also added a piece of cream cardstock to the back of the cage......cause it was getting lost. I stamped over it with my all time fave script stamp from Hampton Arts & brown StazOn. A few pearls pn the bottom edge & a Timmy dangly bit (not the actual name). I fussy cut the fairy, and added Glossy Accents (Ranger) to her wings. I know, you can't see that either!

 
And here's my title....a K & Co diecut!! I used Lisa G's technique for adding ribbon & brads (MME).

So that's my project. I hoe you enjoy it as much as I do.

Happy Scrapping

Lynne

Moulin Rouge

I just realized that it's been over 2 weeks, since I last posted!! Time just got away from me. Not that I haven't been scrapping, cause I've got lots to show you!! Right now, I have 3 mini albums that are nearly complete, they just need a few more embellies. I've also made some projects for a DT call at Black With 2, which I'm so excited about!!! Confining yourself to black & 2 colors, was a definite challenge!! But a lot of fun!!!

And I've been working on organizing!! Yep, that means purging, moving stuff, re-locating, purging, and purging some more!! So I've got a bag full of stuff for my DIL, the seasonal stuff has been moved to less desirable real estate. And I'm cataloging my stamps, and nestabilities, etc. I've even made a StazOn & Distress Ink flip book. Much easier to figure out what the actual colors are!

Speaking of cataloging, and yes, I'm still working on this......here's the album I'm using to catalog my wood-mount stamps. It's easier to see what I own, instead of digging through drawers looking for what I have, before I can even use it. It doesn't solve the 'where do I store these' issue, but at least I can tell at a glance, what I actually own.

I used an older 8 1/2'' by 11'' album, which I covered. I made divider inserts, then I made my own 'cardstock' sheets with watercolor paper. Unfortunately, you won't see this part...it just didn't occur to me to take pics of the inside!!  Anyways, here we go.......

 
I used Graphic 45's Curtain Call papers, Tim Holtz Ideology pieces and some flowers & embellies from the last few Swirlydoos kits. Then I threw in some 'vintage' (not really, it just sounds better than 'older than the hills') lace & flowers, just for good measure.  BTW, I do know that 'Moulin Rouge' (title) is Prima...... but the bits of paper, embellies & colors I used, are very 'oh la la', so the name stuck.

Every bit of paper is glued down with Mod Podge. Originally, I was planning on super-imposing & lifting the figures over the background paper, so I had actually stuck each figure onto Bazzill cardstock and trimmed around the edges, to give them a bit more stability. And then it occured to me, that using Pop Dots on a LO is much different that putting it on a book that's going to be moved around a lot!! So, I glued everything down....in some areas I have about 8 layers of paper!! I even used the Podge over top of everything! BTW, this was a fabric album and it's holding very well!!

 
The black flowers are Petaloo, the creamy gold ones are Prima, which I glimmer misted, and the red velvets........a small faux stem of flowers, that I bought a couple of years ago. Love those flowers!! The centers are beads, with black rhinestones. The fancy bead trim is from Flights of Fancy Boutique.

 
The scalloped circles on the right, are part of my dividers. Oh, and I did use a Prima Moulin Rouge journal spot....you can see it right behind the blades of the windmill. Overall, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out!!

Oh yeah, and the colors.......black with burgundy & creams.....that was just a bonus! I actually realized that it fit right in with the DT Call, after I'd made 2 LOs and was starting a third. And nope, it's not part of my projects for the call.

So....that's my story, and ......you know the rest!!

Love ya,

Lynne

 

 

Graphic 45 Projects

 
Hi everyone!! I'm sure that it's no secret that I'm applying for the Graphic 45 Design Team!! Definitely something that I could not pass up. Why? I love their papers! There bold and subdued, wild and sweet. You name it they got it!! Love that I can use them for any type of layout or project, from clean & simple to retro romantic chic, and everything in between!!

So here, are my submissions, in no particular order:

Graphic 45 Card

 
A Proper Gentleman Frame

 
Steampunk SpellBinders Die Holder

 
A big Thank You to Arlene at My Butterfly Kisses for this awesome idea!!

Unique

 
Le Romantique

 
 Lil Men

 
Spools

 

 Beach Babe

 
Love Wall Decor

 
Goddess With A Smile Box

 
Grand-mere & Gilles

 
Domestic Goddess Card

 
Life Deconstructed

 
I Wish

 
Precious Mason

 

That's all 15 of them!! Well if you count the spools as one, that is!! I had so much fun making these projects. It's easy when you have such gorgeous papers! And making the Graphic 45 Design Team would be the bomb!! And a dream come true!!!

Love ya,

Lynne

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

For The Birds

Well, my guest design spot at Graphic 45 has passed. Unfortunately, one of my projects never made it on their blog. I did send it off in the middle of the month...my bad!! And, precedence went to projects made from all of the new products, that they have coming out. Understandable!!

I had promised that G45 was going to get first stab at any projects that I sent them, and that I would post those only after they did. But, this one didn't make it, so, I have decided to share it with you!!!

I purchased the birdhouse & candleholder at Michaels. I used E6000 to glue the two pieces together. That stuff will bond anything!!! See my Easel on the Home Dec Photo Album.

Once glued together, I used TH Distress Ink, in Walnut on all of the edges of the house, as well as small sections of the candleholder. Next, I painted the base & edges of roof with acrylic Metallic Copper paint. I didn't want to ruin those beautiful papers, so I made templates from inexpensive cardstock, for each side of the house, and then cut it from the Botanicabella collection. Then, I distressed the paper edges and inked them with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Walnut Stain.

I used a Martha Stewart punch on the edges of each roof section, which I overlapped, as well as for the skirting on the bottom of the house. This gave a more finished look.

Here's a closeup......

The flowers (Teeters), and the birds were purchased at Wal-Mart. I used some Copper Mixative from TH, over the Philosophy Tag, it was originally gold in color and didn't look right. The pink pearls are by Martha Stewart. The beautiful faucet knobs and the flourish were in my stash, and the maker is unkown, as I have thrown away the packaging. Ugh!!! I wanted to get more of those!!! The ribbon is from my stash.

Here's the right side.....

 The back......

 And the left side..........

The green flower is handmade from Cricut & Plantin Schoolbook cartridge, a la Tim Holtz. Buttons are from my stash. Butterflies are punched (Martha Stewart) from more G45 papers. Die Cuts are by G45 as well. To finish it off, I added bits of moss to the holes.

I had so much fun decorating this home 'For The Birds', that I may do more!!! I've added these pics and several more to the Home Dec Photo Album.

Love ya, 

Lynne
  
 

 

Sunshine Award & Comments

Be prepared...since I have been MIA, this is going to be a long post!! And I have temporarily removed the "Blog Treasures" post...you'll see why!!

A few days ago, I actually checked my site, to view the comments (yep, I do that....you have to when you have a RAK going on), and found a comment from Denise at Pages In Time. It was very short, "I left you a little sunshine on my blog!!" Okay, I was stumped!! Here's what she left......

 

She made my day!!! It's been a very rough last couple of weeks at work, and I have not been handling it well....not sleeping, eating, etc, and then there's the stress!! So, I have not spent much time blogging, scrapping, etc. as I normally do, because on my days off, I have been sleeping, and trying to de-stress!

Denise, you are such a sweetheart!! I am totally honored to receive this award, and will proudly pass it on!! Thank you!!

Here's the rules of the Sunshine Award!!

~ Put the logo on your blog, or within your post

~ Pass the award to 6 bloggers who are followers of your blog

~ Link the nominees within your post

~ Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog

~ Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award

Okay, so I can do most of that!! But....the 'followers' part is going to be an issue. Soooo.........

1. Marilyn 

2. Dyan

3. Carol

4. Wendy

Okay...I'm cheating!! The few followers that I have, have already received the award, or they don't have a blog. So.......I have chosen my top 4 inspiring blogs, and have left them a little note that I am giving them the award. Hopefully, they will not receive it as spam or some annoying stalker!!!   For the next 2, well...

If you are a creative/blogging fan of MyMadkow....please feel free to receive this award, and pass it on!!

As I mentioned above, it's been a rough few weeks, and receiving the award from Denise, helped me very much!!

Marilyn....A faithful fan and hopefully, vice versa!! I love her art works!! Beautiful portraits and altered art! Very inspiring to watch her pieces grow with confidence!! Every time that she leaves me a comment, she makes my day!! Marilyn, the last one you left, shook me deep in my soul...I sooo needed that!! Thank you for visiting my little blog and leaving such sweet comments!!

Dyan...her blog is my go to fave!!! Wonderful sense of humor, I find myself ROTFLMAO everytime I read her blog!!!! Love her work and her genuine & unique style!!

Carol, another with a quirky sense of humor!! Gorgeous LOs!! I visit for the LOs, and am always surprised to find myself LOL!!!

Wendy, is def one of my fave scrappers!! I am never disappointed when I visit her blog....her LOs are stunning!!!

Okay, there it is.......yep, I cheated!! Oh well!! 

Besides the sleeping & de-stressing, what else have I done? Well, I did manage to do some LOs....though I was not up to posting at the time!! Here's one that pretty much sums up my life last week!!!

With a heavy accent on the 'deconstructed'!! I won't go into a lot of boring stuff, but suffice it to say that every so often, I find that my being is going through a tearing down. I suppose that, that would mean, it will be rebuilt!! But let me tell you, deconstruction is NOT FUN!!!

Do you find it odd that I have used beautiful flowers & feathers & bling on something so profound. It never occured to me at the time...but now that I am posting, it seems very weird!

My son Kevin, was doing major cleaning in his room the other day and he found a bunch of pics that he took years ago!! This particular one, he shot the rear view mirror, with my face in it!! I love this, plus it just spoke to me about what I was feeling. Unfortunately, you could also see bits of the car's interior and other vehicles on the road. So, I decided that I wanted those parts to go away, but I also wanted some kind of frame around my face.

A while back, I saw this technique on another blog...I think it was on Ingvild's blog? You actually sand off the parts that you don't want to see. Pretty cool technique...and if you want to achieve this look, you will be doing lots of sanding!! It's amazing how much ink is actually on there!! Here's a closeup......

 
I used a fine grit sandpaper to do this, yep, regular sandpaper!! Now, of course, the pic looked too naked, so I added the rubon on the right side. Here's more closeups.....

 
Love those K&Co alphas, I've been saving them for something special!! LOL...who knew! And the flowers.....

These are from Teeters...go to your local Wal-Mart, and buy them by the bunch!!! They are gorgeous, and not expensive!! Fussy cutting on G45 papers, with a bit of collage work. Here's a closeup of title....

I have a couple more LOs in the works...just couldn't get any to look right (except Life), last week. So, I need to regroup and finish them soon!! I have also been spring cleaning my scrap space!! I've got after pics...didn't think to do before pics!!! I guess that's what happens when you do stuff in the middle of the night!!

Graphic 45's Le' Romantique papers...gorgeous aren't they!! Ribbon & lace SEI & stash. Rubon by BoBunny, Chipboard leaves by Tattered Angels. Alphas by K&Co. Bling by Prima. Accents by Tim Holtz, K&Co, Pink Paislee, Martha Stewart, Sticko & stash.

So that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!! BTW, things are much better right now!! Whatever it is that I was going through, it seems to be either, over or in remission!! I'm hoping for the over & done part!!

Love ya,

Lynne

PS   Don't forget to read the Graphic 45 Guest Designer post....you only have 2 days left to answer my intriguing question, and be entered to win a 22 page paperpack of Graphic 45's Le' Romantique papers!!!!