OH SO SWEET - Single Page Layout (CSI DT - Case File 240 + SCRAP THE GIRLS October Challenge)

I'm getting really good at detective work, I must say!

I have yet another solved case under my belt, 

and this time it's a sweet one!

This is Case No. 240 from CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration.

Click HERE to find out how to play along and to see lots more

inspiration from all my fellow CSI DT detectives!

I love all CSI case files, but I have to say that this one is my fave so far!

Here's how I solved it:

Did you know that October 15th is National Cake Decorating Day?!

Who knew that such a day even existed?! Well, it does and this case's Scene 

is inspired by it.  And I got inspired by the yummy cakes in the image!

The Scheme consists of a very feminine palette which includes 

pale pink, pale turquoise blue, scarlet, black and white.

From the Evidence list, I chose: 

polka dots, stripes, a heart, cupcakes, flowers,

texture paste, pearls and a sprinkle of microbeads.

For the Testimony, I decided to journal about my love of eating,

and of course, that is where the cupcakes come into play,

and I decorated my journaling spot with some fancy 

pink parentheses and a sparkling jewel heart.

I decided to play along with another awesome challenge

in the creation of this layout and that is

Scrap The Girls' October 'Think Pink' challenge. 

Click HERE for more info!

Now let's take a closer look at my page!

I've had the wooden cupcake and word 'eat' in my stash for months,

and I knew that I wanted to use it somehow in a title 'If You Are What You Eat'.

This case file file seemed the perfect occasion!

The title was created with a combination of wooden word, chipboard word (Dusty Attic)

and alpha stickers from a vintage Carta Bella collection called Paris Girl.

The colours of the papers were perfect for the Scheme. I just added a little blue.

I decorated my cupcake with pearls and microbeads...

and the lovely flair is from Cuts2luv.

As described above, I decorated my journaling spot.

It's true... I love food a bit too much, but what's not to love, right?

I actually went and bought some cupcakes to take the photos for this layout.

And yes, of course, I had to eat them!  They were... 'oh so SWEET!' hehe

Thank you for dropping by!

CAMP FUN - Single Page Layout (CSI DT - Case File #232)

It's already time to share with you my 2nd case file solved

as part of the CSI: Color, Stores, Inspiration Design Detective Team!

To find out more about Case File No. 232

and see lots of fabulous DT inspiration, click HERE.

Now let's see how I solved this case!

The Scene is reminiscent of the fun of Summer camps.

And the little girl in the image actually reminds me of my niece Ella.

She just happened to spend one week at a very special camp in July 2016,

so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to document that experience.

I struggled with the Scheme a little bit as I had a lot of camp themed papers 

and embellishments that matched the photo, but they didn't quite respect the colour palette 

(celadon green, dark cadet blue, bright red, white and dark brown).  

But like a true detective, I kept on 'investigating' my extensive stash 

and I finally found a combination of products that worked quite well together.

From the Evidence, I used a wood background, wood accents,

animals, trees and foliage and a couple labels.

For the Testimony, I was expired by the word 'camp' to scrap this photo and 

journal about my niece's week stay at Camp Glenburn which she loved so much 

that she wants to return for a 2-week stay this year!  Doesn't she look a Happy Camper!?

Now, how will YOU solve case 232???

I can't wait to see!

YOU ARE AWESOME - Single Page Layout (CSI DT - Major Case File #231)

Yes!  You read right in my post title!

I am now a CSI detective! No, no, I will not be solving real crime mysteries 

(although I would probably enjoy that as I'm obsessed with crime mystery shows!!), 

but fabulous case files loaded with creative scheme, evidence 

and testimony, and sometimes, even a sketch!  

I have been a huge fan of  the CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration challenge blog 

for a few years now and I am beyond thrilled to now be part of its DT!

Here is how I solved my first major case:

To find out more about Major Case File No. 231 

and see lots more DT inspiration, click HERE.

Now let's start talking about the the Scene which represents a superhero

 theme (although you can scrap about any subject you want). I love all those fun 

cartoon images and the many buzzwords that we often love to use on kids' layouts.

So this was a no brainer for me... I knew that I would create a boy page.

I kept loyal to the Scheme by combining royal blue, turquoise, bright yellow 

and red over a mostly white background.

You have to choose at least 3 clues from the Evidence list (all elements taken 

from the inspiration image), but of course I can't help but choose more. 

On my page, you can find these clues: a solid white cardstock background, 

stripes, twine, speech bubble, punctuation marks and stars.

The Testimony is always the most challenging part for me as I normally

don't journal on my pages, but I always try to find a special quote or a few words

to tell the story.  For this layout, I used I added a quote about little boys 

being superheroes in a speech bubble and I used words like awesome, wow, cool!

And last but certainly not least, I used the fabulous Nifty Pixel Sketch as inspiration!

Let's take a look at some close-ups:

I have to admit that I searched long and hard through all my stash for the right papers,

the right embellishments, the right title for this page.  It was a real challenge!

But finally I am happy with how it all came together, respecting the colour scheme

and ending up such a fun, bright and eye-popping page (the good kind! hehe)

I used a royal blue Copic marker to color the wood elements used

like the stars and the speech bubble frames.  I then used acrylic paint on

other pieces and black distress stain on the larger chipboard stars.

On my background, I added some stenciled stars and splatters of red paint.

This superhero is Tristan, my friend's son!  What a handsome boy!

I used a special effect in Picasa to only highlight in colour the logo 

on his t-shirt while the rest of the photo is in black and white.

And that is how I solved my very first CSI case file as a DT member!

Now I cannot wait to see how you will solve it.

Click HERE to link up your project by the end of the month!

Those Blue Eyes (CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration Major Case File No. 228)

I am excited to have been able to solve not one but two case files

this month from the CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration challenge blog!

This is Case File No. 228 that was the main inspiration for my layout.

Click HERE to find out all you need to know about this fun challenge!

I was immediately attracted to the Scene of this Case File.  

What a lovely living room decor!

The Scheme held so many of my favorite colours:

 teal, blue, green and even though it was definitely a challenge

to try to get the right shades, I think I did a pretty good job!

I incorporated many clues from the Evidence list: a solid grey background, chevrons (going vertical on the grey and white patterned paper and on a brad), arabesque shape with the chipboard, flowers, embossing folders (I used 2 - polkadots on the alphas spelling 'blue' and leaves to create the white cardstock leaves), silver metal (several brad edges) and puffy stickers (white Thickers). 

My Testimony consisted of 2 clues: writing about 

my husband's beautiful blue eyes on an artisan-shaped label.

I am super pleased with how I solved this case

and am hoping that you enjoy my layout as well.

Until the next creative crime-solving challenge!

Livin' the Sweet & Good Life (CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration Major Case File No. 227)

Every month, I have a very extended list of different challenges in which 

I would love to participate if I can gather enough time, and every 

month CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration ends up on top of my list!  

Their challenges, aka case files, are always so inspiring and their whole 

concept is fabulous.  I don't always get the chance to play but this time around, 

I knew I couldn't pass it up.  Who doesn't like a good mystery to solve, 

especially when it involves some papers, scissors, embellishments... and CATS?  ;)

Here is Major Case File No. 227:

The first clue that caught my eye was indeed the Scene with that pretty image of a lady with her cats. Having a cat myself, I have quite a few cat photos to scrap so that was quite an easy clue to solve.

Major Case Files always includes a very 'nifty' sketch by The Nifty Pixel.

The Scheme took me out of my comfort zone a bit, but I think I was able to pull it off quite well.  

I found some very old striped paper from Basic Grey in my stash that basically incorporated 

all the colors in the palette, and I then proceeded to find other papers and embellishments to match.

I was able to produce several clues from the Evidence list.  As already mentioned above, 

I started off with some striped paper and then I found Sugar the cat (animal), lots of 

flowers, some metal brads, wooden circle shapes (2 in one) as well as wooden 

flowers and hearts, other circular elements are flair buttons, brads and doodled 

circles on the background, a little watercolour effect on the background and tags 

using mist and water, and some burlap covered blooms (fabric).  

8 clues total... not bad at all!

The Testimony is always more of a struggle for me as I don't often journal on my pages.  

I do love the concept of telling a story when scrapbooking though and so it is 

a challenge I always love to take.  I was inspired by the 'humor prompt' option 

although I didn't really use any particular prompt listed.  I did find a funny quote online 

that I found summed up my page pretty well and I added my own handwritten take on it.  

Sugar the cat sure is living the life of a goddess in our home... although she would beg 

to differ just because we do not let her go outside (for her own safety as we live

 on a fairly busy street) and we don't feed her as many treats as she'd like. 

But she definitely has got us wrapped around her paw, and she darn well knows it!

So what do you think?!  Did I solve the mystery?

Would I have what it takes to become an office CSI Detective?  I think so! :)

To learn more about the CSI challenges, click HERE!

Merry & Bright (SOE "Christmas Cheer" kit & CSI 220)

I'm back to share with you some more DT inspiration featuring the "Christmas Cheer" kit from Scraps of Elegance.

And this layout was inspired by Case File No. 220 from CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration!

What a fun challenge this was!  Click HERE to find out more!

The Scene: I loved this sweet image of yummy holiday treats.  I chose a Blue Fern Studios patterned paper from the kit that has clusters of bows, flowers, candy cane and bonbons that seemed perfect.

The Scheme: I used all the pretty pastel colours required.

Evidence: I chose to add use these clues - stripes, flowers, leaves, food accents (patterned paper), tag, and lots of holiday items.

Testimony: I used the word 'tradition' as inspiration in my journaling.  However, you can't see my journaling as it's written on the journaling card slipped behind the large photo, but this is what it reads: "One Christmas tradition I cherish the most from my childhood is to take a photo on Santa Claus' lap... and lo and behold, on our first Christmas together, Yves and I were lucky enough to get some pictures with the big jolly man himself (aka Uncle Euclide)!"

Here is a glimpse once again at the Scraps of Elegance 'Christmas Cheer' kit along with the Elements and the Floral Add-Ons!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas (Blue Fern Studios DT Reveal 2 & CSI 219)

My next project as part of my DT reveal for Blue Fern Studios is another layout using the gorgeous Vintage Christmas collections, this time documenting a very special Christmas wish.

This layout was inspired by Major Case File No. 219 from CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration.

Let's take a closer look at this Case File!  You can also see it HERE on the CSI blog.

The SCENE inspired me to scrapbook one of my favorite Christmas pictures, and quite obviously, make my page as festive as possible with holly, red gems and lots of gold, glitz and glitter. I incorporated the SCHEME and based myself on the SKETCH provided in the case file.  As for the EVIDENCE, I opted for : PLAID patterned paper, candy cane STRIPES, lots of HOLIDAY STUFF, TWINE, TAGS, STARS and a TREE on my photo.  My TESTIMONY consists of a bit of journaling in which I use the word WISH.

Before I met Yves, I had spent many a Holiday season surrounded by family and friends, but still somewhat lonely, wishing for true love, the kind of love that lasts a lifetime. My wish came true in 2006 and, since then, I get to spend every Christmas with my life partner, my soulmate, my best friend.  

This picture was taken on Christmas eve a couple years ago. That is why I chose the Blue Fern Studios title 'Twas the Night Before Christmas as the title, on which I used the new Santa's Suit embossing powder.  It's red and glittery and perfect for any Christmas project!

 On my background, I used the Weathered Doilies stamp with the Ebony powder. I added Holly Springs, covered with Sage and Santa's Suit, to my flower cluster and bits of Mixed Chains, covered in 14Karat, along the top and bottom of my picture.

Here you see a piece of the Holiday Vine, all decorated in gold.

And a final close-up of my Christmas wish come true!

Blue Fern Studios products used:

Patterned Papers: Vintage Christmas 1 (Magical, Greeting Cards)

Vintage Christmas 2 ('Twas the Night, Jolly)

Chipboard: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, Holiday Vine, Holly Sprigs, Mixed Chains

Flowers: Christmas Blooms, Soft Blossoms

Stamp: Weathered Doilies

Imagine Ink: Embossing Powders (14Karat, Ebony, Santa's Suit, Sage)