80's flashback.

aaaahhh....the 80's. possibly my favourite decade EVER. the music, the hair, the tv shows...it definitely was a memorable time.  it was also the year that i was born.

to celebrate this decade and some of my memories i chose the Heidi Swapp Vintage Chic collection to help me do just that.  such a timeless and beautiful collection of patterns and embellishments. i instantly knew that i would be able to tell my story and share my memory just the way i wanted too.

because i was using a photo of my mom and me when i was baby, i wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on our relationship and how we have grown.  both together in our relationship, and as separate individuals.  i wanted to honour the memory and celebrate the journey we have shared and continue to embark on.  i thought writing a letter to my mom would be the perfect way.

I used the Heidi Swapp Vintage Chic 12 x 12 patterned paper in Beautiful Songs as my background page.  I added some simple stitching to the edges, rounded the corners and added some walnut stain distress ink. I chose my photo and used one of the vintage chic mini memory files to mat it on (seriously how cute are those polka-dots?).  I then used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out the words 'dear' and 'mom' from the Heidi Swapp Digital Mothers Day kit from her online shop.  Once I had that all glued down I added edges and a butterfly that I cut out with my Silhouette Cameo for additional embellishments using Heidi Swapp Vintage Chic patterned paper.  I also layered the Heidi Swapp mini tags and some stamping using the Heidi Swapp memory file stamps. I also used a Heidi Swapp mini memory file label and a Heidi Swapp butterfly mask.

Inside the mini memory file I placed a recent photo of my mom and I as well as my letter to her.  I wanted to take a moment to recognize her and all that she has and continues to do for me.  As similar as we can be, we are very different individuals which sometimes can make things difficult.  We work very hard to not allow those traits to stand in our way and no matter the differences, what we share is truly priceless. I am eternally grateful to have been blessed with a mother like her and I just really wanted to acknowledge that and say thank you.

I hope that this layout has inspired you to want to look at some of your older photos differently and maybe has sparked some inspiration to scrapbook a few.  Of course we will never be able to scrapbook every single photo we take and print, but celebrating those that stand out a little more for whatever reason is a great place to start.

No matter the time, season, year or memory one thing is for sure.  The Heidi Swapp Vintage Chic collection is a perfect way to get started on celebrating your treasured memories and is truly awesome for making pretty stuff!

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i heart {mini} instagram.

it is no secret that i am OBSESSED with instagram. i am sure many many many others out there can relate to how much they love capturing and documenting their everyday with the convenience of their iphones. 

one of my favourite parts of instagram (aside from taking the photos and using the fun filters) is thinking about ways i can print out my images and the projects i can make with them.  i find that the projects i make with my instagram photos are very sentimental to me for so many ways.  the pictures take me back to the moments, thoughts and experiences i was having at that moment and i really love that.  i guess i just love the "in the moment", "real life", "candid" feel that the pictures have.  i just adore the visual art.

this layout not only celebrates my obsession for documenting my everyday, but it also has the cutest teeny tiny instagram images scattered throughout the page.  now that I look at it, and that i mounted the grid layout on a piece of 12 x 12 cardstock i find that the whole layout sort of takes on a giant instagram/vintage polaroid feel. i love it, and i think it looks really cute.

i used various collections of Heidi Swapp products to create my layout.  first, i collected and gathered all of my instagram images on my computer. from there, i chose the ones i wanted to print simply using my canon printer software that came with my printer.  in order to make my instagrams so tiny i simply uploaded 20 images into the printing software, chose to have 20 printed onto one 4 x 6 piece of photo paper.  the option that i chose to do that is the one that you would use if you were wanting to print an index print of your photos.  once that was done, i simply hit print and voila! teeny tiny instagram images that are really really cute. ;)

to create my layout i used patterned paper from Heidi Swapp Sugar Chic and Heidi Swapp Vintage Chic collections.  I then ran the Adore pattern paper from Heidi Swapp Sugar Chic through my Silhouette Cameo using a grid die cut that I purchased (this may just be my new fav!). Once I had it cut out, I then mounted the die cut onto the Heidi Swapp Beautiful Songs paper from Vintage Chic.  I randomly chose where I wanted the Vintage Chic paper to show and where I wanted the Adore paper to show.  Once I had my places chosen I trimmed my mini instagrams and added them in no particular order to the layout.  I could have done it perfectly even, but I am not that type. I love random, so random it was!

I embellished the layout with Heidi Swapp Vintage Chic letters, Heidi Swapp black and white buzz words stickers, and Heidi Swapp Instaframes.  My finishing touch was the Heidi Swapp Day Glow Neon Photo Corners...LOVE those!

I hope that this layout inspires you to celebrate some of your everyday images you capture with your iphone and dig into your stash of supplies to document and celebrate an everyday layout with memories that make you smile.  

For those of you that are maybe looking for even MORE inspiration, tips and tricks using your phone and instagram, Jessica Sprague and Heidi Swapp have teamed up to deliver what looks to be a FABULOUS class celebrating this amazing way of photographing your life.  it is called {mo}tography:rock your camera phone and i cannot wait for it so start! you can read all about the details and sign up here! there are endless ways to scrapbook your iphone memories and you know when Heidi and Jessica team up...it is gonna be GOOD! and FUN!  i cannot wait to see what these incredible talents have in store for us! :)

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colorshine bliss : my art journal.

i LOVED this project.

it was the perfect opportunity to play, get creative and have some fun experimenting, enjoying and indulging myself with the BEYOND FABULOUS Heidi Swapp Colorshine.  I really do not think it can get ANY better than this.  The stuff is pure magic, in more ways than one.

My intention and goal with this project was to simply celebrate art and creativity while simultaneously displaying just how many ways you can customize different elements and embellishments with colorshine. It is truly endless and I know that I have just skimmed the surface with it's potential when I created this project.  However, I think it is a great start!

I used the plain chipboard Heidi Swapp Memory File for the "base" of my project.  I simply just added Tropicana Teal Colorshine directly onto the chipboard and this is how brilliant it covered the chipboard.   It coated so evenly, so brightly that at first I was in shock.  The best part was that the chipboard was not even soggy or wet and dried quite quickly. I cannot get over how amazing the color is, and how shimmery the finish. Just beautiful. I LOVE this color.

I then embellished the outside with chipboard elements from Pink Paislee, and customized some die cuts that I had cut out with my Silhouette Cameo. I cut them out using Heidi Swapp Color Magic paper and then misted them with Heid Swapp Colorshine in Amethyst.  The banner is also a Heidi Swapp Digital file that I had also cut out with my Silhouette Cameo.  The flower embellishment is from the Pink Paislee Artisan elements collection and the rosette I handmade myself just by using colorshine on some satin polyester fabric and rolling it tight.

The inside of my album really had no direct plan. I just played and misted and played some more.  I added in Heidi Swapp Definition Sentiment Strips as well as her signature handwriting which were all cut out with my Silhouette Cameo.  I really cannot get enough of this machine either. :)  I also used Tropicana Teal, Amethyst and Primrose Colorshine on some seam binding ribbon throughout my album as well.

I binded my entire project together with my bind it all and I just love looking through it and seeing all of the fabulous elements that I created.  It makes the project so much more personal and one of a kind which I think is wonderful about the Heidi Swapp Colorshine.

Right now it sits in my studio as an inspiration piece, but I cannot wait to use this book to house some photographs, quotes and other random bits I love.  It also reignited some creative spark in me as well, which we can always use now and again.

This project is only the tip of the ice berg in showcasing what Heidi Swapp Colorshine is capable of or what it's creative possibilities are.

I cannot wait for the rest of the week as the other members of the Media Team inspire you with other colors from the collection and different projects.

Be prepared! It is going to want you to make pretty stuff! And get your hands on TONS of colorshine.

Bet you can't try just one! ;)

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for the love of cards.

today is WORLD CARD MAKING DAY!

i love that a day is dedicated to art and that people all over the world are taking a moment to be inspired, inspire others and most importantly CREATE.

when all of the ladies with the Heidi Swapp Media Team found out about this, we just HAD to be a part of this celebration.  all day on Heidi Swapp's Facebook Page our cards will be featured, along with some to-die-for card beauties by Heidi herself. i even hear of some sort of contest with some colorshine as the prize??? The details are all found on her facebook page. You all MUST check that out and get your hands on some...it is incredible stuff!

so take some time today to get a jump start on your card making and join the celebration!  whether it be a quick thank you, an early christmas card or a birthday is nearing soon it is always the perfect time to unleash some creative down time and make pretty stuff!

happy world card making day!

xoxo

Check out the collection of cards Heidi Swapp and the Media Team created in honour of this fabulous day!  So much inspiration and fabulous ideas.

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