Living an Inspired Life: May 2020

May 25, 2020

HOORAY, LET"S CELEBRATE! - Simple Stories

Hello Simple Stories Friends!
Nathalie with you today to share a colorful and fun page with the new BIRTHDAY BLAST collection. This new collection is filled with fun designs, colors and sentiments that are perfect to record those special celebrations.

I love the masculine tones in the collection, and all the galactic designs were just ideal to document this picture of my nephew a few years ago ( his party was all about spaceships).

The new Color Vibe collection Basic cardstock are amazing, and provide an amazing background for any layout. For this page, i used the Buttercup paper from the Sn@P Color Vibe Light pack, and added a bit of sparkle to the background using glitter paste and the 6x6 CONFETTI stencil. While the glitter dries, i cut a few stars from the 6x8 paper pad and papers from the collection and hand stitched them to a white cardstock offset of the shape.

I used a bit of foam adhesive to attach clusters of the handstitched stars to the page, making sure that i had a combination of the colors of patterns. I added a few small embellishments to each of the clusters. To create the title, i used a combination of ephemera and stickers from the collection. Once, i set the title down, then i used a few papers to back the picture and attach it to the right of the title.

To finish this page, i used the BIRTHDAY BLAST stamps to add a few sentiments to some of the stars, and to help tell my story. A few silver stars from the Sticker tablet and ephemera packs complete the page.

I hope this inspires you to mix color and design on your next celebration page. The new BIRTHDAY BLAST is so perfect to document those happy moments.

XO

MATERIALS USED:
12800 Collection Kit
12801 Sticker combo
12802 Wish Big paper
12803 Have A Blast
12807 YAY!
12811 3x4 elements
12813 4x6 elements
12814 Paper pad
12815 Chipboard
12816 Ephemera icons
12817 Journaling spots
12818 sticker tablet
12821 stamps
12825 brads
12923 MAGICAL BIRTHDAY Confetti Stencil
13426 COLOR VIBE Ligths - Buttercup

May 23, 2020

MOTHER'S DAY IN COVIND TIMES - Scrapbook Nerd

Hi there!

This month the CT at Scrapbook Nerd has been creating projects inspired by Mom and mother figures. Since we are living chaotic times, i thought i focus my page on the good side of that day while staying at home.

I started by adding a bit of VIcki Boutin Metallic Acrylic paint to the background, and then used VIcki Boutin Metallic inks and a Carta Bella background stamp to add the details on the background, then added a bit of Molding paste through a Echo Park stencil and set it all to dry.

I pulled the Oh Happy Day collection from Carta Bella to create my page. First, I fussy cut the large floral that i am using on my page. I cut a few of the papers, and used them to create the layers behind the picture.

I used the tags and ephemera from the collection and a few more pieces from the Pinkfresh Studio - My Favorite Story Collection - to embellish my page. I used the vertical line of the paint application to add my lines of journal, so that they become part of the background,

I mixed stickers from Doodlebug design with old Pink Paislee alphas to create my title, then used a large stamp set from Citrus Twist Kits to add my date ( i wanted to make it part of the title)

I love how this turned out, it was so easy and fun to put together. The new Oh Happy collection is the perfect to bring happiness in this time!

Remember to stop by the Scrapbook Nerd shop to check all the materials used here!

XO

May 22, 2020

Altenew Paint-A-Flower: Anemone Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hi there!
Welcome to the ALTENEW PAINT-A-FLOWER: ANEMONE RELEASE BLOG HOP + GIVEAWAY. You are arriving from Altenew Card Blog - a list of all the participants is available at the bottom of this pos-, and i hope you have already seen the beautiful new addition to the PAINT-A-FLOWER Collection.

This month's new PAF: ANEMONE is delicate, detailed and the perfect size for all types of paper crafting projects. I love the small cluster of flowers in the stamp, and decided to use it to create a new entry in my Family Album....

I chose to use the stamp to create a pocket page for my album. First, i stamped the flowers at the bottom of the page with Obsidian ink, and took the page to my typewriter to add the lines of journal.

I wanted to play with pinks and violets so that they match the color of my daughter's shirt. For this, i chose to use the Altenew Watercolor Pan set. The detailed, but simple design was so easy to color, and oh so relaxing.

In addition, i added a small piece of the flower cluster to a small 3x4 card, and used watercolor to detail it. I added a small sentiment from the stamp set to create the title for the page, and then decided to add a small tab to the top of the journal page ( using the Tabbed die set and the PAF stamp set) . Just love how easy this came together with the stamp set and watercolor!

In addition to the beautiful PAF stamp set, Altenew is also releasing reinkers for the Artist Marker set D and E.

Since my markers are still pretty new, i decided to use the reinkers as alcohol inks to create a few simple cards.

For my first card, i used Puffy Heart, Cosmic Berry, Rose Quartz, and Sand Dunes to add the color to a piece of Yupo paper. Along the way, i added a few drops of alchohol ink mixative and Antique Gold Metallic Ink spray to add the shine to the page.

I used the Bold Numerals Die set and Handwritten Hello Die Set to create the sentiment for the card, and simply glued it the bottom of the color application.

For my next card, i used Limestone, Pure Graphite and Minty Mountain to create the background on a piece of Yupo paper. This time, i used a bit of Isopropyl Alcohol to help move the ink on the paper and create the card panel.

I added a simple sentiment to the card using the For You Die set (cut from white cardstock and metallic teal kraft stock) to the front of the panel, and attached it to the card. LOVE how easy and quickly these two cards came together.

Of course every one of our Blog Hops always have a fun element... GIVEAWAY!

To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 5 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog for a chance to win. We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew blogs on 05/30/2020.

Good luck everyone!
Now it is time for you to continue being inspired by the beautiful stamp set and Alcohol Marker refills. You are off to check NORINE's amazing designs. Remember you can always return to the Altenew Card Blog to start the loop. Here is the list of all the participants -for your convenience-:

Altenew Card Blog

Nathalie DeSousa <<< YOU ARE HERE

Thank you all for stopping by!

May 19, 2020

Altenew May 2020 Washi Tapes Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hi there!
Welcome to the Altenew May 2020 Washi Tapes Release Blog Hop + Giveaway. You are arriving from Altenew Card Blog - a list of all the participants is available at the bottom of this post for your convenience-. Today, Altenew is releasing a brand new set of colorful and super fun new washi tapes, "YAY!"

The new washi tapes are the perfect combination of color ( who doesn't love a rainbow!) and beautiful more neutral designs that can easily be used in all types of paper crafting. Let me show you what i have created...

After over two months at home, I am in desperate need of a haircut, and since i am keeping a detailed journal of my days, i thought i will bring my favorite combination onto this entry, Black and white with a hint of rainbow.. So i started by typing my journal lines, and then added a strip of the new MANY DOTS washi Tape to the top and bottom of the page.

I wanted the title to stand out, so i attached a piece of INSTANT RAINBOW washi to white cardstock and used the Bold Alpha die to cut the title out. I used small pieces of the same washi to create a strip of rainbow on vellum, and add it to the bottom of the page. To finish, i added a strip of the GRADIENT RAINBOW washi tape to the side of the picture. Love how easy this came together.

Washi tapes are easy and fast way to add interest to a journal page. This time, i used the GRAND STREAM washi tape to create the background for my journal. I simply attached a strip of the wide washi along the page, then printed my lines of journal on vellum, and attached it to the top of the page.

Next, i used the CONCRETE WALL washi tape to create the background for my picture. This time, i attached it to a piece of paper and then punched the holes to fit in my album. Then used the left over piece to cut the title for this page using the Fine Alphabet Die set. A few other embellishments complete the entry. Simple and quick!

I think out of all the new releases the GEO RAINBOW Washi Tape is probably a new favorite. I love linear designs, and decided to highlight the small colorful squares in this layout for my doggie's album.

I covered half the page with the BRUSHED GRID Washi Tape. I used the GEO RAINBOW washi to cover a piece of cardstock, and decided to cut away a few of the color squares and replace them with colorful puffy hearts. The cut apart squares were then attached to the page with a bit of foam adhesive to add some dimension to the page.

I used the GRADIENT STREAM washi tape to create the mat for my picture and then used the Script words die to create the title. Just love how the color combination along with the dimension on the grid make the simple page stand out.

I am sure that we all have missed many celebrations while in quarantine, however, i was able to ship presents around, and here is one of the packages that went out (for my sister's bday). Once i wrapped the box, i simply added the BLOCK RAINBOW washi along the center of the box.

To avoid adding bulk to the shipment box, i chose to create a small tag, and added the INSTANT RAINBOW WASHI TAPE to the center of the tag, then added a small sentiment -created using the Handwritten Hello Die Set- . I know this present was a hit! and actually my little sister saved the wrapping paper!

Now, onto the last project of this post. This time, i created a card using the new GOLD SPLATTER BLUSH Washi Tape. I covered a card panel with the washi and decided to glue it onto the card on a slight slant. I used the left over piece of the panel to cut the sentiment using the Script Words die set.

I had a few extra white embossed kraft paper Watercolor Roses, and created a small cluster on the card front. I used a bit of foam adhesive to attach the title, then added a dew of the Antique Gold sequins to complete the card!

As you can see i love working with washi tape, it is probably one of the most versatile products you can have in your stash.

This is all for me! but before you go, it is time for the fun part of this hop: GIVEAWAY time!!!

To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 3 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog by 5/23/2020 for a chance to win.

We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew Card Blog on 5/26/2020.

Good luck everyone!

Now it is time to hop onto Laurie's blog to see her amazing projects. Remember you can always return to the Altenew Card blog to start the hop. Here is the list of all the participants -for your convenience-:

Altenew Card Blog

Nathalie DeSousa <<< YOU ARE HERE

Take care everyone,

May 12, 2020

Altenew May 2020 Stamps/Dies/Stencils Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hi there!
Welcome to the Altenew May 2020 Stamps/Dies/Stencils Release Blog Hop + Giveaway. You are arriving from Maryam's blog - a list of all the participants is available at the bottom of this post for your convenience-.

Today, Altenew is releasing a new set of products that you are going to love! As it is a norm each month, i am in love with pretty much the entire release, and got a chance to play with most of it. So let me show you what i have created...

Who can resist the beautiful Altenew florals. I love the Delicate Bouquet stamp set, and used it to create a card. With so much time spent at home, it was nice to practice some no line watercolor -Artist Watercolor Palette- to create the card panel.

All the soft floral details are just perfect for all types of coloring mediums. Once i finished detailing the flowers, i added a wash of grey watercolor to the background and heat embossed one of the new Shine Like A Diamond Stamp set. A few sequin add pops of shine to the card.

Just like most of the world, we are under quarantine here in Toronto, too. I have been documenting all our days in my family album, and used the new Inked Lotus and Mega Brush Alpha stamp sets to create this entry about all the hand washing and the toll is taking on the hands.

I used a bit of Essential watercolor palette to bring the watercolor look to the background, Once it dried, i used Antique Gold ink to stamp a few of the new Inked Lotus stamp around the layout. My title was then created with the new Brush Alpha stamp set. Easy peasy!

This month's sentiments are just so perfect for our new normal, that it made it so easy to create this pocket page layout. I started by creating the frame for the picture page with the new Blossom Wreath stamp set and light color inks.

The style in the fonts in the Whimsical Flowers and Quotes are just the perfect complement . I used two of the sentiments to add the title and substitle to the page.

Now onto the last project for today:

I combined a few products in this scrapbook page. I started with a bit of watercolor on the background. Then heat embossed -with Pure White embossing powder - the grid background of the Shine Like a Diamond onto the center of the page.

I used the new Flowering Cistus stamp set to create all the flowers that are decorating the page. These are so easy to work with and create beautiful flowers. I just clustered a few along the diagonal line of the project.

All that was left to add was the title; i used the Mega Brush stamp set to create the title at the bottom of the page! LOVE how this turned out, and the process of creating the page from white cardstock, stamps, inks and watercolor.

I am sure that it is so hard to chose a favorite product. There is so much to love this month.

Of course that every blog hop needs a GIVEAWAY Time:

To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 6 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or Altenew Mixed Media Blog by 5/17/2020 for a chance to win.

We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $20 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew blogs on 5/20/2020.

GOOD LUCK everyone!

Now, it is time for you to hop onto Nicole's blog to see her creations. Remember you can always hop onto the Altenew Card blog to start the blog hop. Here is a list of all the participants for your convenience.

Altenew Mixed Media Blog

Kymona Tracey

Laurie Willison

Lilith Eeckels

Lydia EvansMaryam Perez

Nathalie DeSousa <<< YOU ARE HERE