Expressing from my Heart and Soul

Graphic 45 Design Team 2012 Audition

2012-02-21T19:55:00.000-05:00

I decided to apply for the Graphic 45 Design Team because I've used their beautiful papers in many different occasions and I truly love how versatile they are. I love that you can create so many different projects with them from Shabby Chic to Grungy and use so many cool images. Graphic 45 has a very unique style and I'd love to be part of it!!!

Here are 6 different projects using Graphic 45 Papers.

First up is a beautiful altered box made for my Mother in law's birthday. I used the Once Upon a Springtime Collection!!

Here is a mini-album I made about my daughter. She loves making silly faces and I captured it completely in this book using the Le Cirque paper line. It just fit the theme perfectly, if you know what I mean. I also used Fashionista, The Magic of Oz and Curtain call papers. All these lines go so well together and blended perfectly in the book.

Here is a beautiful Jewelry box I made for my daughter's room with the Once Upon a Spring time collection. My daughter loves fairies and princess and it fit her room perfectly!!

For this grungy layout, I used Curtain Call papers. I loved how the theme and colors matched perfectly with my son's serious face. As a kid, my favourite clown was a Pierot and I used to collect them. I love how they peek at you from behind the background. My favourite part of this layout is the bottom corner. I used film strip over the mini-prints of my son's other posed faces.

I made this layout using the Steam Punk paper collection. One of my favourite things are butterflies. I include them in many of my layouts because I have a connection with them. I loved using these butterflies because they were so bold and beautiful.

Finally I'm showcasing a layout of my daughter using the Once Upon a Springtime collection which is obviously one of my favourites. I love the Shabby Chic feel and the beautiful flowers and fairies. It reminds me of the new Graphic 45 collection Little Darlings because of the pastel colors.

Thank you for visiting my blog,
Take care and enjoy life!!
Keren

SCRAP THAT- NEW DESIGN TEAM MEMBER

2012-02-20T18:58:00.000-05:00

I'm really thrilled to finally announce a secret that I've been holding onto for quite some time!!

I was asked to be a part of the SCRAP THAT Design Team. I've admired their kits for a long time and participated in their blog hops and challenges. I was so happy when the owner Lori Brown, who has now passed on the business to a new talented scrapbooker Kaitlyn Eves, asked me to be on the Scrap That Team
Check out their ning site and blog!!

Visit SCRAP THAT!

and.....
Stay tuned for their reveal at the end of March. Its going to be a good one!!
Keren

Featured Guest Designer at Meg's Garden

2012-02-18T20:55:00.001-05:00

I was really happy when the owner of Meg's Garden decided to feature me as a Guest Designer on her blog. I truly love her papers and I loved working with them on this layout. You can see the post on her blog here. She used the layout I made for my BITW DT "You'll be in my heart always...." which features her papers "Le Belle Jardin", if you're interested in buying some of her beautiful papers go to her store.

Thanks for visiting my blog
Keren

XOX- ScrapFit workout #62 and Altered box

2012-02-15T04:00:00.009-05:00

Here is the layout I made for my reveal at ScrapFit Workout #62. Since its February the month of love, it was fitting that you had to include in your workout "XOX". I decided to make a layout about my daughter and I used XOX as the title.

The sponsor for this workout is: K Studio http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopKStudio
and this is what you could win if you participate:

I used these beautiful MME papers. One of them even had xoxo printed all over it. I used it as a background. I rotated and shrunk the sketch so it can fit on my page below the birdie banner without covering it. I really wanted to showcase this banner because its so beautiful.Of course following my style I added lots of flowers, doilies and a white bird. The sketch I used was from the MME blog challenge #32: layout. The theme of the layout is "you". I wrote many different messages above the bird banner to fit the "you" theme. It says: "you are so beautiful to me..." and "I love you" and "you are special". I also journaled about my daughter and tucked it under one of the photo mats.

The other project I want to show you today is an altered box I made with the beautiful papers from Graphic 45 Once Upon a Springtime. I used some doilies, flowers, leaves and I cut some fairies out of the papers. I'm quite happy with how it turned out being my first time making a box. I hope you like it!!

thank you for visiting my blog
Keren

Dare to Dream and Giveaway winner

2012-02-14T11:42:00.001-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I like a holiday that celebrates love but truthfully I believe love should be celebrated each and every day not only on Feb 14th.
However what better day than to choose a winner for my giveaway for the e-book Creating with Sketches by Kristine Davidson.
I didn't get too many responses as my blog is not as popular. However I did receive beautiful comments from some amazing ladies who I know follow my blog regularly and always send love my way. It was hard to pick between you guys because you are all so special and your comments were so touching. I finally just wrote your names down on a piece of paper and asked my son to pick a winner.

The lucky person is Lizzy H.

Lizzy H. please email me withing the next 7 days at kerentamir@sympatico.ca so I can send your info to Kristine Davidson.

Now about my layout!!
I used the color Palette #97 from The Color Room. It was a manly palette so I used a picture of my son. I used Prima papers, Petaloo flowers and vines, Letters are Thickers and WP's and I can't remember where the chipboard swirls are from. I think they are AtoZ Scraplets.
One of the techniques I used was stamping the 2 large burgundy paper flowers with a Tim Holtz stamp and with StazOn brown ink to give the flowers some texture. I'm not sure what company made those flowers but it was so easy to stamp on them.

Thank you for visiting my blog
Keren

Bird is the Word DT reveal and Graphic 45- mini-album

2012-02-13T10:52:00.001-05:00

This is a long post so please scroll all the way down if you dare!!!

This is my Bird is the Word reveal and the word to use today is HEART; just in time for Valentine's day!!
For the layout I used the Feb 1st sketch from Once Upon a Sketch. The journaling criteria of course was about Love:

February 14th is Valentines Day in many parts of the world. For this challenge they would like you to create a project about the one MALE you love. And we do not mean just your partner or spouse. We mean any male in your life.

Ideas for journaling: You could journal about the love you have for your son, father, grandfather or a special person in your life or any pet.

For this layout, I used these beautiful papers I bought from Meg's Garden. I absolutely love her papers. They have a beautiful Shabby chic look to them. I combined these papers with some Webster's pages papers and digital elements that I downloaded for free from their blog. Finally I used a WP's flower silhouette, a beautiful metal birdcage and two birds from Prima. I also used a flowery tag for my journaling and hid it behind the photo mat.

Graphic 45 mini-album Funny Faces

I've been working on this album for the past few days. I've had these really silly pictures of my daughter for a while. They are from the day she lost her first tooth, well actually from the day the dentist pulled her first tooth because it had an abscess. I wanted to take a picture of her and instead she started making funny faces and I got quite a few pictures of her. I thought they would be perfect for a mini-album and what better papers than the Graphic 45 Le Cirque. I love the colors of these papers and all the clowns fit the theme perfectly. I used the U-turn mini album from Clear Scraps that has lots of arrows pointing in different directions. I'm quite happy with how it turned out!!

Here are the close-ups.

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

ScrapFit Challenges

2012-02-11T13:37:00.000-05:00

For all of you that might be interested, there are 3 currently running challenges over at ScrapFIT right now. If you love our challenge blog or if you have never tried it out, just hop on over to get a workout.

Challenge #61---Blank Canvas, due 2/29
Weekend Warm-Up #24---Use clusters, due 2/19
Step Class #1---How to cover or emboss chipboard with fabric, due 2/21

I hope you will come on over and join us. You could win some great prizes or a guest spotlight on the ScrapFIT blog!

Family

2012-02-07T16:07:00.000-05:00

For my giveaway press here:

This is the layout I made for Kaisercraft's February Saturday Sketch #1 using the Palette # 96 from The Color Room.
I used the beautiful Bonjour papers from Kaisercraft because they had these 4 colors from the palette on them. I love pastel colors. They look so soft and delicate on layouts. I'm especially in love with this collection which I've already used many times.
the sketch I used was full of flowers at the bottom of the page so I cut lots of Hydrangeas from the papers and use some butterflies too.

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Creating with Sketches e-book- Unforgettable

2012-02-06T08:00:00.018-05:00

Hi Everyone,
I have very exciting news. Kristine Davidson, owner of Creative Scrappers has published a new e-book "Creating with Sketches" with over 100 sketches and layouts from designers from all over the world.
I was really honored that she gave me the opportunity to create a layout with one of her sketches and get published in her book.

In order to commemorate this happy occasion and to celebrate the month of Love, I want to send some love your way!!
One lucky winner will receive a Digital copy of this e-book for free!! all you have to do is:

1. Be a follower of my blog
2. Leave a comment at the bottom of this post telling me why you would love to win this book. I will pick a winner's comment that truly expresses from the heart.

I will be announcing that winner on my blog, on February 14th.

If you would like to buy a copy of this book please contact Kristine here and she'll be happy to send you one. I've seen the book and its amazing!! There are so many good sketches and some amazing layouts made by some very talented designers.

Here is the layout that I made for the book:

Good luck to you all
Keren

My Wish for you

2012-02-05T18:37:00.000-05:00

I designed this layout for the BoBunny Layout Challenge Friday. In this challenge they asked us to include journaling in the layout. We could journal about anything we wanted so I journaled about some of the things I wish for my son as he grows up. We also had to include sewing on our layout. I sew a zig-zag frame around the picture. I used the Home collection by BoBunny along with some flowers from Petaloo and a beautiful Dusty Attic chandelier.
For this layout I used a sketch from a challenge at Get Creative I flipped and inverted the sketch to make it more interesting.

Thank you for visiting my blog
Keren

Beautiful Girl- New Design Team

2012-02-02T15:22:00.000-05:00

I'm very happy to announce that I've been asked to be part of the Scrap for Help Design Team. I was very happy when Cynthia messaged me to ask me to join. I love this blog and what it stands for and I'm honoured that they have asked me to join. If you don't know much about this blog please check it out here. SFH challenges involve using recycled materials. This month's challenge was to use Gauze or Muslin on your layout or project. I decided to use gauze as a layer for my layout. I used it as a background under my daughter's photo. I love the soft look it gives it. I opened up and cut the gauze roughly to eliminate the straight edges. I also opened up the threads a bit too.

I used Authentique papers which I cut out and layered under the photo. I also used a large Prima bouquet and two Dusty Attic flourishes which I inked in black and covered with glaze. Finally I sewed around the edges of my papers in a zig-zag pattern.

The colours of my design are from The Color Room Palette #95. Their sponsor this month is Meg's Garden which has an amazing paper line. I've already ordered some amazing papers from her but they are in transit so I resorted to use a different line of paper this time to match the colors of the palette.

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Mother- Scrap Fit Workout #61

2012-02-01T07:24:00.002-05:00

This is my first DT reveal for ScrapFit Workout #61:

Every good layout starts out as a blank canvas! For this workout we want you to start out with a WHITE background paper and build your layout from there! This leaves your opportunity for creativity wide open!

I used these beautiful Hollywood papers by Webster's Pages along with some beautiful tulle flowers from WP. I also used Prima and Recollections flowers to decorate at the top. I used some DA chipboard vines and covered them in puffy black medium. I love how shiny they are.

The Sponsor for this workout is K Studio. Check out their Etsy shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopKStudio

Some close-ups of my layout:

Thank you for visiting my blog
Keren

Journey

2012-01-29T21:51:00.000-05:00

This is my DT reveal for Bird is the Word. The word today is JOURNEY. People always associate journey with travel but I always associate journey with life. So I designed a page about my son and wrote about my wishes for his journey in life.
I used 2 of BoBunny's winter collections. However I didn't want to make the layout about winter so I used the papers in a way that I could avoid all the snowflakes. The sketch I used was from Swirlydoos January Swirlyhues Challenge. The colour template was using blue, white and brown. One part of the challenge is that you must use one of the tutorials from the DT at Swirlydoos. I used the Lydia's Deep Distressing tutorial shown here. I even used the same orange Fiskar scissors that she used to make the distress marks on the edges of the page. I used a large Dusty Attic flourish and some Prima flowers as embellishments.

Thank you for visiting my blog
Keren

Beauty

2012-01-25T13:00:00.000-05:00

Here is my new layout for Kaisercraft Saturday Sketch #3. I've used these gorgeous Bonjour papers. I love their soft tones. As a kid, my favourite colour combination was always pastel pink and gray. I really think they go so beautiful together. I used this beautiful picture of my daughter at the wedding we went to this summer. I love her in this pink dress. I cut out the column and the flowers from one of the papers and raised it above the framed Bonjour paper. I didn't have any Paris pictures (since I've never been) so I decided to cover the Eiffel Tower to fit it into my design.

Thank you for visiting my blog
Keren

Hopes & Dreams

2012-01-23T20:20:00.000-05:00

I designed this layout for 2 great challenges. One is for the sketch at Once Upon a Sketch and the second is for Palette #94 at The Color Room. I used these gorgeous papers by Authentique. I love the combination of gray, beige, yellow and green. I used a large DA clock chipboard and some Recollections flowers. I misted with some green Aridondak spray for added effect. The journaling criteria was to write about our hopes and dreams for 2012. I stuck my journaling card behind the photo. I'm not sharing my journaling this time. I want it to be private. However you can see a sneak peek on the top.

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

My Father

2012-01-22T11:26:00.000-05:00

I made this layout for the January Prima BAP and PPP, meaning I used their January sketch and their January Product Palette to make this layout. I took a very elegant photo of my husband and son at a wedding we attended this summer and using the Prima Printery collection and some silver and black flowers, made this layout. I even used as matting for the picture some Prima black packaging in the form of a tag. I added a black bow for elegance.

Below is the sketch and the palette:

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

The Scrap Cake Collections

2012-01-21T14:53:00.000-05:00

Look at these 2 beautiful new collections from The Scrap Cake!! I think they are fantastic!!

I truly believe these lines are amazing!!

It's a brand new day

2012-01-17T14:00:00.001-05:00

This is a layout I made for The Color Room palette #93. I was able to use some of my Kaisercraft Chanteus paper and some great embellishments by Prima and Dusty attic. The sketch provided by TCR is really nice. I really liked using it for my design.
I"m also using this layout for challenge #15 at Challenge Me Happy. The challenge is to use the word "New", which I have used in the title.
Another cool challenge is a challenge hosted by EFI at Get creative. You can use any sketch you want but you must use chipboard. I love using chipboard on my layouts all the time.

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Fairy Princess- Jewelry Box

2012-01-16T23:59:00.000-05:00

I'm really excited to have created this beautiful jewelry box for my daughter. I bough this Kaisercraft wooden fairy castle kit and put it all together to create this beautiful jewelry box. I used Pink Paisley papers: Butterfly garden which I love, love, love. It was a lot of work but rewarding at the end. I used some Imaginarium design chipboard oval frames and framed two fairys in them from the Graphic 45 collection. Then I used a chipboard from AtoZ Scraplets with the wording Fairy Princess. I covered it with stickles to make it look like pixie dust. For the final touch I used lots of butterflies and birds.

I took pictures of all sides to show you!!

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Family

2012-01-16T11:41:00.001-05:00

Here is my DT reveal for Bird is the word. The Birdie word is REMEMBER. I used these beautiful "Madame Boutique" papers by Kaisercraft. I love the combination of colours in these papers. I also used the January Saturday Sketch #1 from Kaisercraft for the challenge. Some of the embellishments are really cool on this layout. I used this clay window I got from Recollections and some clay birds I got in an Etsy shop, I also use some Prima and Petaloo flowers. Finally I inked and glittered a beautiful Dusty Attic chipboard rose. I used the word remember in the journaling over the flowers. It says: "remember this"

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Prima Product Palette

2012-01-15T17:25:00.002-05:00

January Prima Product Pick and Color Palette

January's Prima Product Picks & Palette brings you a whole new batch of inspiration. What better way to boost your creativity than this sophisticated blend of texture and color. (And check out the new Winter CHA products!)

Sweet

2012-01-11T20:20:00.000-05:00

This is my new soft, pastel layout I made for the Bobunny layout challenge and for Sketch #190 at Creative Scrappers. I really liked this sketch because it has a big circle, a doily and lots of flowers which are 3 of my favourite things. Bobunny gave us an inspirational room challenge (picture below). You could get inspired in any way or form. I got inspired from the colours of the room, the banner, the butterfly mobile and the little girl sitting in the room (you can hardly tell she's there). Therefore, I thought it would be perfect to make this layout about my daughter. I used the Gabrielle papers by Bobunny. I took 2 of the same papers and combined them to make a full piece blue flourished circle behind the doily. Believe it or not it didn't come that way. I also cut the big blue butterflies in the centre of the paper and stacked them on top of each other with pop-dots to give it depth. If you look back at your Gabrielle papers you will see that such full circled flourish does not exist but you must build it from two separate pieces. Finally I added some lace, Dusty attic chipboard, strings of pearls and lots of flowers. I'm absolutely in love with this layout!!. I love working with white and pastel colours, I love the soft look it gives the layout.

Some close-ups of my layout:

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Reflections

2012-01-10T16:06:00.006-05:00

This is my layout for the January 1st sketch at "Once Upon a sketch" and the inspiration challenge at "Get Picky"

The journaling criteria at OUAS was to write about New Year's eve. It didn't have to include a photo specifically from New Years but to journal about your thoughts or reflections regarding this holiday. I love this beautiful sketch Nadia designed this time!!
At Get picky, the inspiration challenge was also about New Year's eve. So I combined the two challenges together. I used 2 similar photos of me looking out into the lake and called the layout Reflections. Which has a double meaning if you ask me!!
I used these gorgeous "Bonjour" papers by Kaisercraft along with a strip I had left from my Pion Design kit. I printed some Webster Pages digital flourishes which I downloaded from their website. I used Dusty Attic chipboard and some flowers and gemstones by Recollections and Prima. Finally I used some cheese cloth and Prima packaging to mat the picture.
The journaling says:

"When I was younger, celebrating new years was the hype. I loved going out, celebrating with friends and family. Nowadays I don’t understand the hype at all. Either I’m getting older or I’m getting wiser, maybe both. I much rather spend my new years at home with my husband and my kids as if its’ like any other night of the year. This year that’s exactly what I did!! I even fell asleep watching T.V. at 10 o’clock. I don’t know why people get so excited about this night. I get more excited at the beginning of a school year when my kids start a new phase in their lives. That’s a true new year for us. I wish people would celebrate each and every day, the way they celebrate New Year’s and to be happy every day not only on December 31^st. How about that as a resolution?"

And going along with the theme of happiness, being happy each in every day fits great with the theme for the challenge at Scrap for help. So I'm entering this layout also for the SFH January challenge. The recycled materials are: flower packaging from Prima and cheese cloth that I found in my grandmother's drawer after she passed away. I love the soft look it gave the picture.

Thank you for visiting my blog Keren

Manor House Creation Giveaway!!

2012-01-10T15:10:00.000-05:00

Yep, Manor House Creations is having a flower giveaway !

Here’s what you can win….

…a bag FULL of flowers! There are 3 to win!

(I quickly counted and there are about 50 in one pack and 25 in the other 2).

Wish me luck I hopeI win!! these flowers are gorgeous!!

Apologies

2012-01-09T17:50:00.000-05:00

I wanted to apologize to all my followers because I did promise to draw another winner for my giveaway if I reached 100 followers. I'm very happy to announce that I did reach 100 so here is the winner of the a surprise RAK!!

I asked my son to quickly pick a number from 1 to 41 and he picked 18.

which is:

18.	Edilza Teixeira - Brasil

Edilza please send me your address so I can send you your prize

thank you for visiting my blog
Keren

Blessed- Mini album

2012-01-07T16:52:00.000-05:00

Here is another mini album I've recently finished. I love how it turned out but its just too much work. I love the way mini albums look but I rather make layouts because its faster. I spent hours embelishing this album. A few months ago I attended a class to learn how to work with metal. Although I knew some of the tecniques, its always good to learn new tricks from someone else. During the class I assembled the pages for this mini- album and left it blank for a while. I used papers from Bo-Bunny Timepiece and Gabrielle, Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden and some old looking papers. I love the colors and theme of this layout.

I wanted to make a mini-album about a party I had 2 years ago in which I celebrated LIFE with most of my family and close friends. In the year 2000 I had a liver transplant and got a second chance at life. In the summer of 2010 I decided to have a party and thank G-d for giving me another chance at LIFE and thank all the people close to me for being in my life. This album represents that event. It took me this whole past week to embellish it (hence I haven't posted any layouts) however I'm quite pleased with the results. Unfortunately you will not be able to see it fully because I'm not including pictures of other people (to protect their privacy) I only included pictures of my immediate family and of my grandmother (Z.L). So if you see blank cardstock, its where the pictures ought to be. One of my favourite embellishments is the metal flower in the front. It is embossed and painted with alcohol inks. Then I added feathered leaves behind it. The message in the book is obvious: I'm thankful, blessed, grateful for everything that has been given to me in my life by both G-d and the close people in my life.

I'm using this mini-album for a challenge for Scrap for help. I used a lot of recycled materials for this layout: I used packaging material for matting, I used and old doily of my grandmother's crochet. I used music sheets and finally I used old necklace charms as decorations on the outside. The theme for SFH is something that makes you happy. This album fits this theme perfectly because Life makes me happy and blessed and grateful!!

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

ScrapFit Design Team

2012-01-06T12:18:00.000-05:00

I'm so happy to announce that I have joined a new Design Team. I'm very happy to design along side many talented ladies for the ScrapFit blog.
Stay tuned for our first reveal on February 1st.

Thank you for visiting my blog
Keren

Las Vegas Mini Album

2012-01-05T21:04:00.000-05:00

Although I've scrapbooked quite a few mini-albums over the years, I've never posted them on my blog. I decided today to photograph this mini album I made about our trip to Las Vegas in 2010. I apologize for the quality of the photos in advance. I've been trying to photograph this album during the day but with the kids at home on holidays the only time left for me is at night and therefore nighttime quality pictures are a little blurry. I'm sure you get he gist of my trip though. I used this amazing chipboard album by 7 Gypsies along with many different red, black and white papers. What I like about this 7 Gypsies album is that it has different sized pages; some are narrow and some are wide, some are tabs and its all bound in coil. I only photographed some of the pages because some of the photos in the album are of our friends. I usually don't like to post pictures of someone else on my blog as to protect their privacy. So I only photographed the pages with my husband and I. This trip to Vegas was our first trip alone without our kids. It was weird not to have them around but it was also relaxing. Vegas is not one of my favourite cities in the world. There is too much hustle and bustle and I love quietness. I rather be relaxing on a beach in Mexico. However it was a fun trip to go with another couple and enjoy some time away.

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Generations

2012-01-03T21:38:00.000-05:00

I designed this layout to commemorate, remember and honor an amazing woman: My Grandmother (Z'L). My Grandmother passed away 3 weeks ago and she is truly missed by our whole family. She was a vivacious woman who at her age read 2 books a week, learned how to use email, Internet, facebook and kindle. She loved to cook, bake and most of all go to the Casino. She was a pioneer, a soldier, a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a great-grandmother.
This picture was taken a month before she passed away. I debated whether or not to print this picture in Sepia to match it to these Bo-Bunny papers. However I wanted to keep the picture as it was and to remember the colour and complexion of her skin. I wrote in the corner "Always remembering you, wishing you were here with us, missing you so much, you were an amazing woman"
It still feels odd that she's not here. She was a strong presence in our lives and sometimes I forget she's gone.
I hope that with this layout generations to come will be able to see her and remember her even if they didn't know her. Her legacy lives on.
I used a sketch from the Bo Bunny Blog and the Bo Bunny Timepiece papers. I love that family tree in the background. I love trees in general with lots of branches the way this one is. I thought these papers fit the theme perfectly. I also used a beautiful vintage frame from Dusty Attic and a flourished chipboard from AtoZ Scraplets. The flourish has 3 little birds on it. I thought it was beautiful. As a finishing touch, I used a piece of a crocheted doily that my grandmother gave me a couple of months ago when she was cleaning up her closet. I cut out a border and a doily out of it and used it on this layout as a memory.

May you never feel sorrow in your lives,
Wishing you health and happiness always

Keren

Here are my 3 layout entries for My Creative Sketches.

2012-01-02T23:06:00.003-05:00

October

November

December

Thank you for visiting my blog and wish me luck!!

Keren

Promise to Behave

2012-01-01T22:09:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

This is my first post for 2012. Its for the Bird is the Word design team reveal. The word this month is PROMISE and I used this really cute picture of my daughter with her winning smile. How can you say no! to this cute face!!. She loves to bother her brother all the time and if she doesn't get what she wants she misbehaves. However she always promises she will behave. and hence the irony of this picture, she has this cute little face and the personality of a firecracker!!

I want to wish all my family and friends a very happy and healthy 2012 filled with wishes come true and peace.

Wishing you all the best!!
Keren

New Year's Winner

2012-01-01T11:30:00.000-05:00

Its time to announce the winner of my blog candy................. and the winner is:

22.	Tracey Sabella

Tracey please email me your address so I can send you your prize kerentamir@sympatico.ca

Happy New Year to you and yours!!!
Keren

Always and Forever

2011-12-30T09:00:00.014-05:00

One more day for my giveaway press here if you want to win some Blog candy.

This is my last Design Team reveal for Sketchabilities. I've designed for 2 terms with them which is what's allowed and now I will take a break for 3 months until I can apply again.

For this layout I used Sketch #62 with two different Bo Bunny paper lines. I used ETC and Timeless which are very similar in colours. My favourite part of this layout is all the lace I used around the chipboard and under the pictures. The lace that's surrounding the brown circled chipboard I cut from an old crocheted doily that my grandmother gave me. I cut out the outer circle and used it to surround the edges of the chipboard. I also love the big chipboard clocks I used as a background. I realize that I truly love working with beige and browns. I find them neutral and so they match almost every picture. Those are also the colours I have in my home on the walls, furniture and kitchen. I believe its my favourite colours to decorate with.

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Winter Wonderland

2011-12-18T22:16:00.012-05:00

For my GIVEAWAY please press here

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Here is my new Design Team reveal for Bird is the Word. The new word we needed to use this time is WONDER. I made this layout using the new BoBunny papers Snowfall and the title is Winter Wonderland. I love these Bobunny papers because they are so glittery. I took a clear scrap snowflake and painted its edges with white gesso. Then I added clear glitter on the ends to make it look like snow. I used some old chipboard blue snowflakes. to make them look more realistic, I scratched them with sand paper to make the white come out. Finally I added some gemstone's swirls and flourishes.

Thank you for visiting my blog

Enjoy your holidays!!!

Keren

Sweet Blessing

2011-12-15T09:00:00.011-05:00

For my giveaway press here.
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This is my new Sketchabilities DT reveal for December 15th Sketch #61.

Well I've never done such a glittery layout until now. The picture doesn't even do it justice. I recently won these gorgeous papers from BoBunny. The Snowfall paper collection is so beautiful with blues and browns and lots and lots of glitter. I used a Clear Scraps snow flake acrylic shaped embellishment and brushed the edges with white gesso to give it a snow-like effect. Then I put white glitter on it to make it sparkle. I put my kids picture under the snowflake. I love that effect because it looks as if the kids are in actual snow. Instead of using circles as the sketch suggests, I used snowflakes and flowers. I used these very sparkly brown and gold Prima flowers and added a Dusty Attic snowflake on each one. I painted each snowflake with white crackled paint and then added glitter on

each one. I used a picture of my kids taken last winter after a beautiful snowfall. We've been lucky this year and snow has been on hold for a while. I'm happy there's no snow but my kids are waiting....no offence to my kids but I hope they wait for a long time!! Don't let them hear me say that!!!

Thank you for visiting my blog,

Keren

My Love

2011-12-13T22:51:00.002-05:00

For my Giveaway press here

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Here is a layout I made for the Bo Bunny Layout Challenge Friday. The challenge is to use circles on the page. I used many large circles and doilies underneath the picture and some flowers and gems that were shaped like a circle. The sketch I used was from Creative Scrappers Sketch # 185. I inverted the sketch 180 degrees like a mirror so the DA chipboard would fit the layout. I love this piece of chipboard because it has a shadow. I sprayed the shadow piece in black and painted the top piece in white. I used the Bo Bunny Enchanted paper line. How gorgeous are they? I love the black and white. Its so elegant. I used a picture of my husband and I at his brother's wedding this past summer. Formal pictures go so elegantly with these papers. Finally I used a Prima transparency frame with lots of flourishes and the title "My Love" on it. I painted the back around the frame with white gesso to make the printed frame stand out.

I especially wanted to apologise for the blurriness of the pictures because I had to photograph them at night. I haven't been home during the day because my Grandmother passed away this week (may she rest in peace). I did not want to post the bad news first because I wasn't even sure I was going to post them at all. We were very close and although what I'm writing seems short, I'm just keeping my emotions private.

On another note, we are going on holidays on Friday and when I come back I'm planning to make a layout about my grandmother and me of a picture I took a month before she passed.

I have all my other DT posts scheduled but I will be signing off for a couple of weeks as of Friday. I wish you all Happy Holidays no matter what you celebrate. May you have love, happiness, health and peace in your hearts.

Happy Holidays

Keren

You are the song in my heart

2011-12-09T20:40:00.000-05:00

For my Giveaway (Dec 31st) please press here.

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Here is my layout for the 3rd sketch contest at My Creative Sketches. I used these gorgeous papers that I won at the last BoBunny contest. I love these shabby chic Enchanted papers.The black and white are so elegant and I love all the flourishes and script writing. I used two different chipboard and applied the same technique to both of them. I used a flourished frame from Dusty Attic and a flourished swirl from Imaginarium Designs that I won in a challenge. I painted them both white and then I stamped images with black ink on the white flourishes to give them a Shabby chic look. Then I inked the edges in black as a distress. It looks as if the chipboard is part of the design. It actually matches the papers perfectly. Finally I added a silver embellishment in the middle of the bottom swirl and decorated the frame with silver gemstones.

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

MY FIRST GIVEAWAY!!!

2011-12-07T21:18:00.000-05:00

I'm having a giveaway to thank all my followers and also to give thanks to all the amazing people, companies and blogs that have sent me scrapbooking products this past month. I am so grateful that I've decided to pay it forward and send someone else a great surprise. There is a little bit of everything in this giveaway: papers, flowers, chipboard, a chipboard album and lots of embellishments.

Here are the details:
1. Be a follower of my blog (if you aren't already)
2. Post my giveaway on your blog or on your Facebook page (you can make a new post or put it in the sidebar)
3. Link your post back to me with your FULL NAME by midnight December 31st, 2011 (Canadian Eastern Standard time).

Giveaway is open internationally (yes I will cover the postage). I will choose a winner on January 1st, 2012. I will choose a number randomly through random.org. What a great New Years present it will be, eh?

For an added bonus, I will choose a second winner and send them a surprise prize if I reach 100 followers.

Have a fantastic holiday,
enjoy the time with your family and friends,

Thank you for visiting my blog
Keren

Blog Candy

2011-12-06T23:40:00.001-05:00

This new company is having a giveaway!! check it out!!

here is another blog candy!!

Remembering Good Times

2011-12-04T21:04:00.000-05:00

Here is my DT reveal for Bird is the Word. Today's word is "TIME".

I used these pictures we took with the Hipstamatic camera on my mom's Ipad. We were just fooling around and having fun after downloading that application. These pictures were taken at my Grandmother's house right before my mom and uncle took her on her first cruise. When they came back, my grandmother needed a surgery and although we thought she was going to recover, things turned for the worse and she is now in the hospital hanging onto her life. I was going to make a layout of a picture I took that day of my grandmother and me, however I thought it was inappropriate because she looked so vivacious in the picture and now she looks so worn out. I decided instead to use these 3 pictures I took at her house and wait to use the other picture for another layout.

I used lots of prima goodies and some other beautiful embellishments I had. The banner is dusty attic and the flower flourish is from A to Z scraplets. I used gold crackled paint on the flourish to give it a distressed look. Look at the close-ups.

I also used the Prima BAP sketch for the month of December as an inspiration for my layout.

I know my post is a bit melancholic today but that is how I feel right now while my grandmother is in the hospital. I'm there all the time and don't have that much time for myself. The only things I am trying to do is finish all my DT's for the month because we are going away on vacation in two weeks.

I want to wish all my followers health and peace in their hearts!! G-d bless you all!!!

Thank you so much for visiting my blog

G-d Bless

Keren

Look at December's Prima Palette

2011-12-03T09:29:00.000-05:00

December's Prima product and color palette choices this month bring wonderful inspiration for the holiday season--take a look at this regal collection.

Go check out their blog
Keren

Remembering this moment

2011-11-30T09:00:00.003-05:00

Here is my Sketchabilities DT reveal for November 30th. I used another picture in Turquoise form our trip to Bahamas last year. I love the way the Alla Prima papers match so well with our clothes that I had to do another one of these pictures with those papers. I also used some other Prima turquoise flowers to go along with the design.

Thank you for visiting my blog
Keren

Ten Favourite Layouts

2011-11-29T22:11:00.000-05:00

I'm applying to the DT position at Imaginarium Designs. I'm really glad they are looking for people to design for them because I'm a big chipboard fanatic!! I love using it on my layouts and distressing it in many ways. I think I use chipboard on 80% of my layouts. We were asked to post 10 of our most favourite layouts using chipboard. I recently won a some Imaginarium Design chipboard but I'm still waiting for it. However I'm posting my ten favourite layouts with other chipboard manufacturers with the hope that Imaginarium Design sees the potential in my designs and techniques.
Here are my top 10 although it was really hard to choose I chose 8 of the Shabby Chic ones because I do believe its one of my favourite ways to design and the last 2 are more grungy and distressed to show the other side of me that sometimes peeks out of my soul!!
I really believe that in order to get the full effect of these layouts and in order to see the details, you have to visit my posts to see close-up pictures.

Here I used a chipboard frame and a flourish. I painted the chipboard white and then inked it lightly with pink to give it a soft effect to match my layout. This layout won first place at Once Upon a Sketch this past October.

On this layout I also painted the clock chipboard white but inked it in black.

On this layout I used clear crackle paint on the white frames and glossy accents on the music notes. This layout won the challenge at Scrap That and Get Picky.

On this layout I used green chalk ink on the chipboard and then added small jewels on it. This layout won the challenge at Bo Bunny.

On this chipboard frame I used silver ink to distress over the white painted background

As you can see my favourite chipboard technique is painting and inking and I continue to do that in the next three layouts. This layout was featured at Lets Get Shabby.

This layout won the challenge at Scrap for Help

This layout won the challenge at Kaisercraft

This layout is more grungy and distressed. I used gesso on the paper and the chipboard flourish and letters.

I included this layout because although its less embellished than my other ones, it shows one of my favourite chipboard techniques. I added clear crackle paint on the big key and then inked it in dark brown. The key holder and hinges are painted with bronze crackled paint which gives it an amazing effect.

Please with me luck and I hope I make it, for all of you who are applying, good luck to you too!!

Thanks for visiting my blog

Keren

Journey

2011-11-28T21:03:00.000-05:00

This is my layout for the Saturday Sketch #2 for Kaisercraft (shown below). I used these beautiful orange and teal papers for the background. I also used some Dusty Attic flourishes and inked them in green and some prima flowers. I also realized that the Kaisercraft sketch was similar to the Dusty Attic November sketch, also below. So for lack of time and so I don't repeat a similar layout I am using this layout for both challenges.

My favourite part of this layout is the quote from my favourite Robert Frost Poem: "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less travelled by. And that has made all the difference."

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Trust & Faith

2011-11-20T22:07:00.001-05:00

This is my Design Team Reveal for Bird is the Word. The word this time was TRUST. I used these two pictures of my daughter and I holding hands. I thought these were the perfect pictures for this layout. I used the "Alla Prima" papers from Prima along with some of their flowers, chipboard and gemstones. I also used the flower flourish from Dusty Attic. I painted it green and added turquoise stickles highlights. The journaling says: "I hope you trust me as we go through life's journey together. I hope you have faith in me that I will guide in the right direction. I hope..."
I also used the November BAP sketch from Prima. I had lots of flowers and flourishes which are two of my favourite things!!

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

You

2011-11-17T14:07:00.000-05:00

I made this layout for a challenge at Lets Get Shabby. November's challenge was to make a monochromatic layout. Meaning: TONES/SHADING OF ONLY ONE COLOUR. That means - no adding in white or black as an extra colour or any other colour no matter how small it may be..... except for the photo. For this challenge I used beige/brown tones for the layout. I inked the papers light brown and used an old crochet doily that my grandmother gave me recently. Then I took the big flowered flourish from Dusty Attic and I painted it in cream colour. I then inked the edges in light brown and added thin brown lines. For the title I used white chipboard letters and inked them in brown too. I also used 2 different clocks as layers. The smaller one is light brown with dark brown numbers. Finally I used some brown flowers and a tag for journaling. I hid the tag under the picture (see close-up below). It has a dark brown Treble on it. I do believe I meet the criteria on this layout. I love doing monochromatic layouts. They always look so delicate.

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Hold My Hand

2011-11-16T00:00:00.001-05:00

I made this layout for the sketch challenge at My Creative Sketches. I flipped the sketch around to fit my picture and added a lot of layers. It has tags, doilies, flowers, gemstones and a dusty attic squared frame. I made the two flowers out of the EK success flower maker. Its such an amazing tool because you can make flowers out of the paper you are using and match it to the layout. I used white, beige, grey and blueish silvery tones. I painted the dusty attic frame in silver crackle paint. The papers are used are Pion Designs and are one of my favourites thus far. I've used them in so many layouts that I only have scraps left. I've never used all of my papers out of the same line until now. I included a hidden journaling tag that you can see in a close-up picture. I was going to display it out in the layout but the black ink in the writing did not match the monochromatic feel of this layout. So I hid it.

The journaling says: "As you go through life I want you to always hold each other's hands and help each other in the goods and in the bads. Be there for each other always. That is my wish for you"

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Best Friend

2011-11-15T09:00:00.002-05:00

Here is my DT reveal for Sketchabilities Sketch #59. So I was excited to use these cute pictures of my daughter with her new bunny, they were the perfect size for this sketch because you could use small pictures for it. However I find it very hard to scrapbook with lots of pictures. I used to do it in a blink of an eye, but nowadays, I usually only scrapbook one picture at a time. Needless to say I struggled a little. My idea was to rip the page and protrude the pictures through the holes. However once I did that, the page looked too blank and I didn't know what else to add. I decided to cut some flowers and fairies from the Graphic 45 line "Once upon a springtime". I love the graphics in that paper line so much. I can't decide if I'm happy or not with the result. I need an outsiders honest opinion on the matter because I've been staring at the page for far too long and I can't figure out if it came out the way I imagined it.
I do like how the two fairies are holding the page as if they are looking in and telling a story. I also like the scattered flowers flowing up and down. I guess I like the layout more than I think. Sometimes I'm too hard on myself!! I'm determined to have a positive outlook from now on!! LOL

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

I am woman

2011-11-14T19:07:00.000-05:00

This is my second Guest Design Team layout for Once Upon a Sketch. This is the November 15th sketch and the journaling criteria focuses on YOU as a woman OR ANY female in your life. What is the best thing about being a woman? Motherhood? Shopping? Make Up? Girls nights? Gossip? Your journalling can be as long as you wish and in any language, but you must journal at least 2 sentences on the best part of being a woman. I chose to write about myself and I what are my favourite things about being a woman. My journaling says: "What I love about being a woman is that I'm always in touch with my emotions.I wear my emotions on my sleeve and I feel everything deeply. However what I love most about being a woman is that I get to experience the love of motherhood. Its a love that has no boundaries and breaks all barriers. I don't know how I could live if I couldn't feel that love"

I used my Pion Design Papers from the September Scrap That Kit and some Dusty attic pieces along with prima flowers. I love this line of paper!!

So why don't you hop on over to their blog and play along with us!!

Thank you for visiting my blog
Keren

I Adore You

2011-11-06T11:08:00.000-05:00

This is my Bird is the Word DT reveal for November 6th. The word we had to use is ADORE. I use this beautiful picture of my daughter and combined it with My Mind's Eye-Lost and Found papers. I inverted the MME monthly challenge sketch in which you also had to use brown. I used pieces of the different MME papers and distressed them in brown to help them blend in. I love these brown flowers from Petaloo, they come in different earthly colours and I just love them.

I'm really happy to be a part of the Bird is the Word Team. Its a team of talented ladies who are passionate about scrapbooking like I am. Please check their designs on the BITW blog.

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Believe

2011-11-02T22:37:00.001-04:00

I made this layout for the Bo Bunny sketch designed by Gabrielle Pollaco. I love this sketch because I love incorporating circles, flowers and dusty attic chipboard. I was able to do this all in one page. This sketch really helps me to design a layout that is my style. I love shabby chic!!
I used the Bo Bunny Home paper collection. I love the greens and blues together. I could make a boy page even using flowers because the colours were blueish.
The quote says: " Believe in yourself. Believe that anything is possible if you try! Dreams are made when people try"

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Pixie Dust Giveaway

2011-11-01T23:19:00.000-04:00

Are you ready for our November GIVEAWAY?

Pixie Dust has one:

Instead of giving away their prize to one lucky winner every month, they decided to share the goodies with 4 lucky winners instead.

Theu would like to offer you a chance to win for helping them spread the words about Pixie Dust Paperie!!!

Because of You

2011-10-31T22:04:00.000-04:00

I'm really excited to announce my Guest Design Team reveal for Once Upon a Sketch for November 1st. I was really happy when they announced that I had won the challenge for October. I was even happier to hear that I was going to be their Guest Designer for November. Below is my layout based on Nadia Cannizzo's sketch. The journaling criteria this time you need to journal at least 2 SENTENCES on WHEN you started scrapping and WHY?
My journaling says:
" I started scrapping in the year 2003. Two years after my son was born. I scrap because of you. I scrap because I want to keep my memories and yours in our heart. I love to scrap and I can't see myself not doing it"

On this layout I combined Basic Grey papers with Webster's pages. It has a garden feel to it all the way through.

One of my new treasure finds is a EK success dimensional flower punch. You cut a couple of the border strips, roll it up and then open the petals to get a beautiful paper flower. The flower I made here is a Daliah. I used two different coloured strips to make it. You can see the close-up below.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog

Keren

Cherish

2011-10-30T09:00:00.002-04:00

Sketchabilities DT-Sketch #58
Here is my take on the October 30th Sketch from Sketchabilities. It was a really fun sketch to work with because you could use many strips of paper in the background and that helps get rid of scraps from your stash. I used these pastel coloured papers by Crate Paper to give it a soft and calm feel. I used this picture of my hubby and me at the beach in the Bahamas. I cut the picture in the shape of a circle, which I haven't done in a really long time. I don't usually like to cut pictures in different shapes because it takes away from the whole picture. I usually try to match the papers to the colours in my picture and this is pretty close. So go on over to Sketchabilites to see some of the other sketches designed by Karan you will love them all!!

At Scrapbookers Anonymous there is another challenge going on. They call it the A-Z challenge and this month we have to use the letter "C". The point of the challenge is to use different things on your layout that start with the letter C. I used Crate Paper, Circles, Chipboard and my title starts with the letter C. I think I meet the criteria on this one!! Enjoy!!

Thank you for visiting my blog
Keren

2011-10-29T16:00:00.028-04:00

Here is my Guest Design Team Reveal for Get Picky!! Last month I won their inspiration challenge and I was very excited when they invited me to be their guest designer this month. The inspiration this time is a picture. The challenge was to use this picture as an inspiration in any way we want to interpret it. We also had to use fabric on our layouts. I immediately got drawn to the white tulle on this picture and I knew I wanted to add it to my layout. I used some of the tulle I got from Webster's pages. I cut the embroidered butterfly out of one of the tulle sheets and used it on my page. I used another plain piece of tulle and made it into a canopy around the embellished Dusty Attic flourished corner. I also got inspired by the pinks in this picture because they matched so well with my daughter's outfit. I used lots of pink flowers and flourishes around the picture. It was a fun pink layout to create!!

Here is the inpirational picture and the layout:

Thank you so much for visiting my blog

Keren

ETC....

2011-10-25T17:00:00.000-04:00

I just love these new papers by Bo Bunny. They are called ETC and its also the title i used for this layout. I used the October sketch challenge from the Dusty Attic blog as an inspiration. I really love DA products and use them on almost all my layouts. This sketch was very cool and I wanted to do something different with it. I ripped the page in the middle and sewed it with thick ribbon. Then I put a music sheet paper underneath to make it look antique. Finally I stuck a tag inside as hidden journaling (you can see below in one of the close-ups). You can pull out the tag and see what I wrote. I asked my son about his favourite things at 10 years old. I asked him about his favourite: colour, subject, movie, T.V show, video game etc, etc. I know this list may change but I was able to record his favourites at this age. I like the antique, vintage feel of this layout. I used two different chipboard pieces from DA: two decorative corners and one decorative flourish piece.

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Wish

2011-10-23T22:00:00.001-04:00

This is my second Bird is the Word Design Team Reveal. The word we had to use is WISH. I used these 2 pictures of my kids in the forest near our house. I took these pictures last week during our walk in the neighbourhood. It was the warmest day in October in record and we loved walking around in our t-shirts and shorts. As inspiration I used the BITW sketch provided. I liked the different elements of it and I added my own twist. The journaling says:

"My wish for you is that you live life to the fullest with no regrets and that you will be happy and healthy always"

I'm also using this layout for a challenge at Scrap for Help. They are a great blog and organization that raise money for a great cause. If you have time just pop on by their website to check it out. Their challenge this month was "Children". The theme could be anything related to children and of course to use scrap material. For this layout I used 2 different Prima packaging as scraps. I made 2 tags out of the green cardboard packaging and I cut out the plastic doilies from another package as an embellishment between papers. The Prima packaging are so versatile and are meant to be used for your projects if you wish to do so. Finally I used some old tulle fabric that I found to make the green flower. Yes you saw right I made, no actually I sew, that flower out of scratch. I can't even believe it my self but it is true. It is so easy to make is you have the right tools. This past Friday, I went to Scrapfest. Its a Canadian based scrapbooking market and crop. One of the make-and-takes was to make this flower. A very talented lady called Karen Ellis (check out her blog) showed us how to make it. The trick is to used these templates to make the flower and its as if you are sewing by number. Below is a picture of how the template looks like. (I will try to make a tutorial next time to show you how easy it is). At the end I glued a metal trinket on top as decoration. I'm quite excited on how it turned out.

I'm also using this layout for a Challenge me Happy creative challenge #9. This months challenge was to make your own embellishments. I made my own flower and I also embellished the chipboard with paint and stamps to give it that look. I used green paint and then stamped black flourishes on top.

Finally I'm also using this layout for a new Challenge blog I found called Stuff 2 Scrap . The challenge was a 4,3,2,1 Challenge!
You had to use:
4 different pattern papers
3 flowers
2 Tags
1 chipboard piece preferably from Stuff 2 Scrap (however I didn't have any so I used Dusty Attic)
I do feel I met all the requirements for this layout. (and then some)

This is the tool I used to make the green flower. Its called the Kanzashi flower maker by Clover. You can use any fabric to make the flower. It comes in different shapes and sizes to make different flowers.

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

OMG

2011-10-23T11:03:00.001-04:00

OMG I can't believe it!! I almost fell off my chair this time!!

Below is the "Scrap That" post that Shona posted this morning:

I would like to thanks everyone that participated in this months challenge.. make sure you all come back for the next one...I have it all ready to go with the next kit reveal! And now for the WINNER by DT choice....drum roll....

KEREN TAMIR with this gorgeous creation :)

Wow thank you sooooooooooo much!!

BoBunny Friday Challenge Winner

2011-10-21T16:27:00.000-04:00

Wow I can't believe it!! my hanging garden layout won at the BoBunny blog!! I'm again so honoured that they picked me. Thank you so much and go checkout the Gorgeous layouts from their DT's.

This was their post today!!

The winner of our last Layout Challenge Friday is:

Keren

Aren't those sunflowers just beautiful!

Congratulations Keren!!!

Beautiful

2011-10-20T23:57:00.001-04:00

Here is my layout for Saturday October Sketch #1 challenge from Kaisercraft. I used their Lush collection. It has a lot of greens and oranges as you can see, so I used a fall picture of my daughter from last week. The papers match the leaves on the ground but also match her beautiful red (orange) hair. I love this beautiful chipboard frame from Dusty Attic. I inked it green to match and added some gemstones. I used a string of leaves instead of a banner and some Prima flowers as embelishments.

I'm also entering this layout for a challenge at Scrapbookers Anonymous. I've just discovered this blog and it looks like a lot of fun because you have to use your stash. The challenge for October was to used die-cuts. I actually own a Cricut machine, however I can't remember the last time I used it. Well this challenge made me turn on my machine and I managed to cut out those beautiful tree branches with the flowers and the title "beautiful". After I cut the brunches I inked them in 3 different colours and doodled to make them look real. I then staggered 2 of them to make them look like a tree. The title was cut first in brown cardstock and then I cut the shadow in green. I forgot how cool this machine is and how much you can do with it. I really don't know why I don't use it more often. I especially love one of their cartridges called "Home Decor". Its actually fantastic because it has flowers, birds, flourishes, branches and more.

The last challenge for this layout is using recycled materials for the blog Scrap for Help. The theme of the month was children and I used recycled packaging from Prima for the tag and the border under the picture.

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Fall

2011-10-19T12:47:00.002-04:00

Today's layout is a fall themed layout again with the gorgeous papers from My Minds Eye: lost and found. I've used these papers in the past with their blue tones but I recently bought these yellow toned papers and I absolutely love them. I used MME Sketch Challenge #28 as an inspiration and here is the layout.
I only used two pictures on this layout instead of 3. I usually like to use 1 picture but that wasn't the case on this sketch. The banner at the bottom takes the space of the third picture. I was going to put the 2 pictures together side by side but my son who came in last night to watch me scrapbook suggested to put them at different heights so the fence matches in both pictures. I really loved the idea and designed it like he said. I used some beautiful Dusty Attic chipboard and some Prima flowers and butterflies. I especially like the pearl string leading up with all the butterflies on it.

Thank you so much for visitng my blog

Keren

I can't believe it!!!

2011-10-18T23:29:00.000-04:00

I was thrilled to see my name this week as the winner of two different challenges. My "Sweet Dreams" layout won at Once Upon a Sketch and my Heaven Sent layout won at Get Picky. It is a great honour to not only win but now I get to be November Guest Designer at both of those blogs.

Winner at Once Upon a Sketch

Winner at Get Picky

Welcome Autumn

2011-10-18T12:06:00.000-04:00

Here is a picture of my kids and I in the forest near our house on that warm and sunny October day last week. The warmth is long gone but the memory of that day will live on, with this Autumn layout!!

I based this layout on a Page Maps sketch (see below) and I used the October Prima Product Palette for the colours. I wish I would have all those gorgeous products on that palette (see below). Those flowers and embellishments look amazing. However I had to raid my stash for orange and purple Prima flowers to use on this layout. I realize now I don't use a lot of orange and/or purple on my layouts. My layouts tend to be neutral with pinks, blues and greens. It was fun to get out of my colour comfort zone and make this layout. I sprayed a Dusty attic border with purple mists and I love how it turned out.

Here is the Page Maps sketch:

And here is the gorgeous Prima products!! aren't those flowers gorgeous????

Here are some closeups:

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Imagine

2011-10-17T20:43:00.000-04:00

This is my first layout a the challenge at White With 1. The challenge at WW1 is to use white along with the challenge colour for that month. This month the other colour was black and you had to use mists as well. Although I do a lot of monochromatic layouts, I was worried that using just 2 colours might be difficult. I guess it wasn't so hard after all, although black is easy to work with too.

The journaling says:

"Imagine all the possibilities your life's journey holds ahead, just imagine..."

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Only Time Will Tell...

2011-10-17T10:29:00.000-04:00

This is my new layout for the Prima October BAP challenge (sketch below). I used the Prima Printery collection that I bought this weekend at Scrapfest. I love the vintage feel of this collection. You can use it in so many ways. I'm in love with this page especially all the embellishments. I love the Prima flowers, the Dusty attic clock and I especially love the hidden Tim Holtz key that says journey. You can see in the close-up how the word journey peeks out from underneath the clock.
The journaling says:
"Only time will tel if my soul fulfilled its journey on this earth and only time will tell if my heart loved infinitely. Many lives may pass but only time will tell...."

Well I think I said the word "Love" enough on this post so just enjoy my layout....

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Life's Journey Begins With You

2011-10-15T09:00:00.002-04:00

"Life's journey begins with You" is my new Sketchabilities layout. This design is based on Sketch # 57. This is my new Design Team reveal for the new DT at Sketchabilities. I used this amazing picture of my son looking over into the horizon. He climbed over some hay stacks in a barn and was looking over when I took this picture.
I'm using this layout for the 123 Challenge blog. The 3 criteria for this month's challenge were:
1. using the colour GOLD
2. using LEATHER/SUEDE and LACE
3. using the word YOU

I used gold crackle paint on a template to make the background line. Then I added an old leather gold headband that cut and crumpled. I used some golden lace ribbon to make these circled flowers. I used gubbers and twisted the lace around. Then I put a gold gemstone in the middle. Finally I used some prima gemstone swirls (one of them had black lace too). I accented the layout with gold gems and used black leather letters for the word YOU.

Thank you for visiting my blog
Keren

Heaven Sent

2011-10-12T22:41:00.000-04:00

I designed this layout with the Scrap That Pion Bird Song Kit. I truly love this kit. This is the second layout I made this week with these papers. As an inspiration, I used the sketch challenge from Scrap That itself. I thought it was a beautiful sketch which compliments my scrapbooking style. I used these two pictures of my daughter during the time we were adopting her. The title "Heaven Sent" truly describes how this beautiful girl came into our lives. My journaling for this layout says: "I celebrate everyday I can spend with you. You are.... heaven sent."
Over at Get Picky the inspirational challenge this month was to use the word "Celebrate" either in the title or in the journaling. I wanted to find a moment in time that we truly celebrated. Along with the adoption of my son, adopting our little girl was our second biggest celebration. Ok maybe the third biggest if you count our wedding!! but who's counting? LOL

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

The Wonders of Fall in your Memory Forever

2011-10-12T12:04:00.003-04:00

This is the Autumn picture we took this weekend. The trees are already changing colours in our neighbourhood and the forests look so beautiful. We've also had an abnormally warm weather in the middle of October so it was odd to see the leaves changing colours while we were wearing shorts and t-shirts. I love this picture of my kids on this white fence. The white gives the background a huge contrast.
I used a sketch from Stuck on you Sketches as an inspiration. When I inverted the sketch (as you can see below) it reminded me of a hanging garden. That's what I tried to simulate here with the yellow flowers. I attached each flower to a piece of floss and tied it to the top to make it look as if the flowers were hanging from the top. I added some dragonflies and butterflies because its not a garden without them. You can see the original sketch on the Stuck on you Sketches blog.
I'm also using this layout for a Scrap That challenge in their forum. The challenge is to make an autumn layout and this is perfect for it.
I'm also entering this layout to the Bo Bunny challenge. The challenge was to make a 3D- layout. I used 3D butterflies and dragonflies as well as used pop dots to raise the hanging flowers. Finally I used floss makes it look like actual vines hanging from the top which gives it the final 3D look.

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren

Sweet Dreams

2011-10-11T17:01:00.001-04:00

So this is one of my favourite layouts to date. I love these papers by Pion Designs that I got from Scrap That. Their soft colours fit perfectly with this beautiful picture of my daughter sleeping. I used the October 1st sketch from Once Upon a Sketch as an inspiration for this layout. The journaling criteria was to write about 2 noteworthy events of this past week. I wrote about my daughter needing to get a tooth pulled out by the dentist and her first visit by tooth fairy. I wrote:

"Every night when you go to sleep I wonder what you’re dreaming. This past week I know that you dreamt about the tooth fairy and how she came to visit you in the middle of the night after you lost your first tooth. Well actually the dentist had to remove your upper tooth because you had an abscess. You were so brave and I was so proud of you. Nevertheless that night the tooth fairy visited you and brought you a unicorn costume which you love so much. You even woke up in the middle of the night wondering if the tooth fairy had come already. Tomorrow you might have to get your other upper tooth remove too but don’t worry, the tooth fairy will visit you again. Sweet dream my little toothless fairy princess!! "

Today I took my daughter to the dentist again because I thought she needed her other tooth removed but luckly she didn't need to. I guess the tooth fairy is not visiting tonight!!

I also discovered a new blog called Let's get Shabby. Its an inspirational blog with a Shabby Chic romantic look. The challenge this month is the picture of the room in this post below. I loved the romantic feel of the picture I used the pink flowers as inspiration and the white and pink paint as background for my design. I really love how it turned out. You can see some of my close-ups below.

Thank you for visiting my blog

Keren