Good 'Ol Card Making!

Hey everyone!  I'm back with some cards to share!  Sorry if I've got some repeats but I figure if I can't remember what I've shared....you may not either...lol!  I'm pretty sure these weren't shared on my blog though.

These cards were featured in the April 2012 issue of Scrapbook News and Review.  I love creating cards this way...real easy with only patterned paper, trim, stickers, and good old alphabet stickers!  They come together so easy!

If you pick ONE thing that really stands out and will steal the show, you're good to go.  Here on each card I've chosen a bright color trim, a beautiful pre-made flower, or a fun greeting to showcase on the card.

Click on each photo for supply lists.



This card was created with only Webster's Pages goodies!  I love me some Webster's Pages!




I love the colors on this card and my "love bug" sentiment.  Do you have a bunch of those Maya Road acetate doilies?  I've got a BUNCH of em in black AND white!  LOL!  They must have been on sale because I can't seem to get rid of my stash of them!




This card was created with some REAL OLD stash from my craft room!  But what I looooove the most is my trusty DYMO label maker!  Just pull that sucker out and you've got a quick sentiment or some fun journaling!  I stock it the same way I do adhesive...I ALWAYS buy more when I'm out and about at the craft store.  I GOT to make sure I've got some on hand because if I were to run out...it would TOTALLY spoil my crafty day!

Do you find that you create more with patterned paper and embellishments?  Do you gravitate more to stamps?  What DO you seem to be drawn to when creating cards?

A Winner and Eye Candy!

Hi Folks!  I have a winner of the free seat to my online class Scrapbooking with Punches and Die-Cuts!  Barb Turpin, if you don't already know, you won!  Thanks so much to everyone for your interest!  Class starts August 3rd if you'd like to sign up!  You don't have to be there the first day or any of the days I actually post the class.  I'll be there for questions and feedback and for at least a couple weeks after the class  finishes up!  You will have access to the class material for an unlimited time so it doesn't go away after the class ends, it will be there hanging out for you!  :)

And because I haven't posted anything to look at for awhile, here is some creations full of love.  The first layout was created for one of my bestest buddies ever!  Oh how I love this girl!  She and her Hubby have continually inspired me to strive and work at my marriage.  For those married, it's not that easy at times, it takes lots of work!  Am I right?  These two serve as a constant reminder of how to stay thoughtful, how to understand each other, and an example of immense loyalty.  I love these two with all my heart.

My dear S and T if you're reading this, I love you guys so much!  Thank you for bringing both of those beautiful babies into this world.  I love your two rug-rats with all my heart and am so honored I am blessed with you all in my life.

I Wish You Love by Maureen Esquillo-Kao Supplies Patterned Paper: Luxe Designs, My Mind’s Eye; Overlay: Luxe Designs; Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts; Journaling Card, Tab: My Mind’s Eye; Flowers: Petaloo; Button: Nikki Sivils; Mists: Lindy’s Stamp Gang, Maya Road; Label Maker: Dymo; Other: Felt hearts, rhinestones, flowers, ribbon

And this next card was very fun to create.  I think my favorite part is the dotting of liquid pearls behind that glittered fairly.  Such a fabulously textured card!  For supply lists of the next two creations, just click on the photos and you will be brought to my Flickr account which has supplies listed!

This third project is actually a hybrid layout.  Most of it is digitally created and I went in and added buttons and bling, liquid pearl smatterings and some fun flower trim!  If you don't want bulky pages, this is the way to go!  And in this day and age of skimping and saving, digital creating is a viable option.  Buy a digital kit and you can use it over and over and over.  Think of all the moolah you can save!  Create hybrid or fully digital layouts.  I'm so happy I explored Digi!

All three projects were created for the March 2012 issue of Scrapbook News and Review.

Have you tried digital creating?  If you've been intrigued and haven't started learning, what's stopped you?

I hope you are all having a fabulous week.

The newest issue of Scrapbook News and Review is available!

My class is starting this Friday and I am beyond excited...but nervous as well!  Wish me luck!  Wish me more students while you're at it (wink wink)!

Hello Love Bugs!

Okay, I have somewhat of a breather.  But still crazy busy...April was a tough one!  But then again, it's just about June so I think I've recovered enough to just realize this!  Where did May go????

The next issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine will be publishing any day.  Due to the tornadoes in MI which delayed some things, we've got a double issue publishing and that is April/May 2012 issue.  It's full of tons of fun!

The projects I'm sharing below were featured in the January 2012 issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine scrapbooknewsandreview.com/

All projects are tied to my Flickr account so if you'd like to peek at any supply lists, they are there for your viewing pleasure!  Just click on the actual photo you want to look closely at!


Here's some fun with burlap and felt!



I'm delving more into Hybrid creations.  It sure does come in handy and It really can save you a few bucks!  I'm serious!

I used Photoshop Elements to design the large photo inside with the look of paint splatter, stamping, and washi tape!  I just added some fun embellishments on top of that for some texture!



This was a fun Hybrid creation as well!  The call was for Funny Faces and BOY does the Kao family make em!  If you peek into pretty much any family member's Facebook page, you'll see SOMEONE making a face like this!

I love my cooky family!




And, of course, I can't forget a card creation!  This one was easy.  I just stamped onto some patterned paper and called it good!  No coloring necessary because the pattern and color provided enough visual interest!

I hope you all had a wonderful week and a BELATED Happy Mother's Day to you!  I hope that was a fun day!  I spent the morning with my DD at the Seattle Color Run 2012 and it was AMAZING!  Hopefully we'll get there next year as well!  I'll be sure to share the photos REAL soon!

Land Ho!

Hello again!  As predicted, I HAVE been busy with many many things!  I'll share when the time comes!  Let see, the big news will have to wait until at least mid June!  Trust me, it's a fun secret I've been keeping!

I've been also very busy with planning classes for the soon to arrive The Art Studio over at Scrapbook News and Review!  I'm one of the MANY instructors there who will be sharing our fun classes with you!  I'm so excited to have embarked on such a journey!  I'm currently planning new classes, shooting videos, and brainstorming ideas for future classes to offer!

Stay tuned for more info on class start dates!

And I've got some fun projects to share!

 

Land Ho is a layout I had lots of fun with!  I thoroughly enjoyed playing with twine here!  I used stickers to glue my twine loops securely to my layout.  These photos were taken out at a pirate ship playground.  So much fun for kiddie imaginations!

 

And these next two projects use lots of fun tickets!  Use up your stash to create borders and strips on layouts and cards.  Write on them like journaling cards!

 

On this card, I used a crepe paper strip and a large adhesive circle made by Cosmo Cricket.  All you do is add fabric, strips, or anything you can think of!  They're great when you need to create fun flowers!

 

And of course I have to share some digital fun!  My kids have the cutest cousins EVER!  I created this adorable layout of Hudson/Huddie!  Such an adorable kid!

Well, I hope you've been finding some time for some crafty goodness!  I'll have more fun to share real soon!

 

Here we go now!

Okay, I SERIOUSLY need to do more posts...I KNOW!

But spring is right around the corner and that means more sunshine and softball for my girl!

My little boy rascal is also asking to take some sort of "HI-ya" class AKA Martial Arts.  LOL!  Lord knows, that kid could use some serenity and focus!  I HAVE NO IDEA who he get's his personality from!  He he....

Well, I've got some long overdue shares!  Ready for some eye candy?

I've been dabbling in different things ever since I've become a part of Scrapbook News and Review.  One thing I see myself doing more of are ATCs.  They're small, quick, and can pack a punch when you do it right!  I like practicing my techniques and use leftover embellishments when I make a hoard of fun stuff.  Last year I made a bunch of buttons and butterflies, painted them with acryclic paint and decorated them.  I added a layer of clear lacquer for that shiny epoxy look.

You could also use UTEE but I find that it tends to crack, so if that's not a look that you want, then I'd stick with clear lacquer.

The next few projects below have been featured in Scrapbook News and Review's September 2011 Issue.

This ATC is actually more of a hybrid project.  I used some digital vintage prints, cut them out and pasted them to my ATC.  For some fun and softness, I wrapped some yarn around it.  I love the splash of color.  I love this butterfly!

I was feeling a bit clean and simple, and so out came this creation from my brain.  I wanted to use up some numbers...extra ones from my sticker stash.  To complete the card, I wrapped around some baker's twine.  So super dee dooper easy, right?

I may have shared this layout previously because I created it for a prompt over at Candy Shoppe Designs a few months ago.  Boy do I love these ladies.  We've seen each other live and grow since teenagers.  Now we've got kiddos of our own and I'm sure we will be comforting each other through some crazy times in the future!

And this week I'm featured as the Staffer of the Week at Scrapbook News and Review.  I get to share 6 of my favorite projects and a fun tutorial!

Some of those projects I'm not allowed to share on my blog just yet, but if you hop on over, you'll get to see them now!

I'm currently dabbling in sketch creating and used one of my sketches to create this layout.  If you go to SNR, you can save it to your sketch files for use in the future! (Click on Staffer of the Week above.)

And last but not least, SNR currently has a few calls out looking for:

1) Instructor Call

2) Writer Call

3) Staffer Call

4) Educator Call

For more info on these calls, go HERE.

It's truly an honor to be a part of this family and an amazing journey of spiritual, personal, and creative growth.  I really do love my SNR family!

AND...APRIL Artwork Calls are up as well!

A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That

I haven't blogged in so long I've got a growing collection of shares for you!

And with all the SNR creations underway for numberous manufacturers, I'll have TONS more to share in due time!

Fall is in full swing and that means craziness everywhere for me - work, home, crafting...

I've got numerous things still left to do on my summer to-do list!  How has it been going for you?

Today I've got a little bit of digi, a little bit of cardmaking and a little bit of traditional scrapping for your viewing pleasure!  All projects were published in Scrapbook News and Review's July 2011 issue.  Here we go...

My sisters and I taking some girl time out at Vin De Syrah in San Diego during our California family trip earlier this year.  I love my sisters!

And here's a fun acetate card made with stickers and some intersting cuts and folds.

I adore that playing card!

And during last years family Hawaii trip, I scrapped our triple date.  More sister fun here!  But I'm sad to say that two of the three couples are now defunct :(  Hubby and I are NOT one of those couples ;)  Oh how I miss those boys.....

We are getting our costumes ready for Halloween!  And, just like every year, I'm dressing up with the kiddos as well!  This year my sister is throwing an Alice In Wonderland themed Halloween party.  And at work I've got a Wizard of Oz theme going on.  And so, I'm both Alice and Dorothy...I so wanted to be other characters but....those costumes were taken :(

If you're dressing up, what are you going to be????

Oh!  Speaking of Halloween!  A VERY SPECIAL manufacturer will be featured this weekend on the Scrapbook News and Review forum (it is down now but will be up and running this weekend for sure!  I've been creating up a storm with the product and have come up with tons of projects to share.  I won't be able to share them on the blog for quite awile, so you best get over to the forum to see all the wonderful eye candy and tutorials featured on Saturday!  You will not be disappointed!  It will be so inpiring!  I have three tutorials to share as well!  Don't forget!  Leave us some love by commenting!

2Fer!

I know, I know...it sounded more exciting than it really is! Fooled you!

But now you're here, so stay and LOOK!

Today I have two cards pubbed in Scrapbook News and Review June 2011 issue.  I can share now!

A card I made for a dear co-worker who wised up and went to a different department.

I sure miss him :)

I hand drew a woodgrain pattern on that chipboard piece and went in and added some glitter to color it in.

I love this card ;)

I had some fun with stickers on this one!  Crate Paper rocks!  I love them!

Believe it or not, my favorite part of this card are the teeny clear pebbles!  Lol! Sigh.

In recent news, the Kao Family had a wonderful week!  We tired the kiddos out with various outings that knocked them out as soon as we got back home!

We watched "Up" outdoors at a park.  Hubby had to have his gummi bears.  Too funny.

Sher, I don't know if you're reading this but...remember when he wanted to stop by the store to get a bag of gummi bears to take to the Janet Jackson concert and I was like "Um, it's not like watching a movie..."...LOL! I'm still cracking up over that!

And my smart sis brought her air mattress.  Of course, the kids left my side to sneak in between my sisters!

I love my family!

There were face painters there.  So cute!

 

And my girl decided on that dog from the movie...whatever his name was....

The funny thing was, it was a "dog park"...people let their kids run around barefoot....um...what do you think is hiding in the grass at a dog park??????  Doggy doo!  Ew.  I'm such a bi*ch I kept on watching to see if the kids would step in it because I know exactly where a bunch of doo was!  I know, don't worry, Karma will get me!  It's little devlish things like this that make me the not-so-sweet-as-I-seem person I really am!

Muah..ha ha ha!!!!

 

Celebrate Team Spirit!

Celebrate Happiness by Maureen Esquillo-Kao Supplies Cardstock: Neenah Paper, Inc, Rhinestones: Kaisercraft, My Mind's Eye; Chipboard: K&Co.; Punch: EK Success; Sizzix for Stampin Up: Large Dots; Other: Printed cardstock, pink cardstock, metal button, hemp twine, fabric trim, mini buttons

More shares for you!

Both projects are featured in SNR's May issue :)

The card above was for a button challenge/call.  Buttons are always a fun addition to scrappy projects I say!

I love how you can create a card from chipboard and embellishments.  So easy!



Team Spirit by Maureen Esquillo-Kao Credits Digital Paper: Grungy Lined Papers and Grungy Grids by Carina Gardner, Kitschy Digitals by Danielle Thompson available at JessicaSprague.com; Word Art: SAS-y Doodles by SKrapper Digitals; Flower, Vintage Picture Frame: Kitschy Digitals by Danielle Thompson available at JessicaSprague.com; Studded Border: Popstar Kit by SKrapper Digitals; Glitter: Glitter Spills by iKari Designs; Fonts: Courier; Photo Effects: Instagram

And in celebration of TEAM SPIRIT, head over to SNR to check out the EVENT for CRATE PAPER! Our awesome staffers have lovingly created amazing projects to share and lots of tutorials!  It's only available for 1 week so check it out now!  Also, get some info on how you can win a $150 gift certificate to your fave scrapbooking store! 

Grab a cup of coffee and sit awhile! Say hello, look at all the beautiful eye candy and be inspired!  And this is just the beginning! There will be more more more throughout the rest of the Summer and into the Fall! GO TEAM!  GO HERE!

Fun times!

It was a month in the making.  My sister planned a surprise.

For Mother's Day, she flew in for the weekend.

We plotted and got Mom to come to The Purple Cafe in Seattle.

What a fun time :)

Loved all the windows and light.

Seattle is gorgeous!

(photo from Purple Cafe website)

Crab Cakes!

Bread Pudding!

And, of course, I made my Mommy a card:

My Dad was joking with Mom and said her Mother's Day lasted 5 days.  My sister flew in on Wednesday and so it was family fun every day until my sis went back home :(

Friday we whisked her away to The Alderbrook Spa Resort for an overnight trip.

Fun times!

We had so much girly fun!

Isabel made me something sweet at school. My heart melted....

And, I guess in the case of Oysters:  The third time's a charm!

I decided to try them one last time...and it was awesome!  Yummo.  I figured, I just need to drench it with tons of lemon and hot sauce!  My mouth is watering...

I am blessed with the gift of family, a loving and amazing mother, and children that never cease to amaze me.

stamps + scraps = CARDS!

With October, comes busy busy busy!  There's brithdays, babies, school functions, decorating...WOW!  No time!!!  But I managed to make some time for some fun cardmaking!

I love making chunky, busy cards!

Callista, can you see some goodies from that box of treasures you gave me?

I've got more things I've made...you'll see!!!!

I've got a new niece.  Stay tuned for photos!

I can't stop using grids in my creations.

Today I've designed two DT layouts for AAM and the Ninja's using a grid....

he he....but you can't see them yet!

Have you made any cards lately?

Hugs,

Mo