Sundays With Lorraine

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you amazing moms out there – I hope you’re being treated like the queen you are!  I just returned home from the Stamp & Scrapbook Expo held in St Paul, MN, and boy those people are amazing; they really share the love of paper crafting. I’m happy to report that all had a great time in the Creativity Center; hugs to all of you all for making it such a wonderful weekend.

Photo Booth Fun designed by Gail Lindner

When you’re scrapping with black and white photos, you can pretty much choose whatever colors make you happy at the moment. I have a soft spot for yellow used as a highlight with black and white photos, so this fun layout really jumped out at me and I knew I had to share the love.

Check out how yellow conveys the fun and festive mood of the pictures.  My eye was automatically drawn to them, after all, shouldn’t your priceless photos take center stage? This layout has it all – great photos, journaling telling the story and, of course, all those perfectly placed embellishments and fine details. “Ya gotta love it!” Happy scrapping, my friends!

Thinking Of You Card Set designed by Mona Pendleton

We’ve all been there when we need several cards all at the same time. I love Mona’s way of thinking. Rather than getting overwhelmed with the thought of making five unique cards, she made five clean and simple ones. I’m in love with the simple elegance of these beautiful cards. Who says you have to choose between quality or quantity? When you do things Mona’s way you can have it all. 😉

I highly recommend stopping by Mona’s blog Cupcakes Creations to see just how easily these sweet cards came together. Thanks, Mona, for being such an inspiration to your fellow paper crafters. I feel so empowered when I have a nice stash of cards complete and ready to go. When I’m on a card making roll, I like to create several general cards, leaving the sentiments off until I know what the occasion is. That way I’m ready for anything!

Bleeding Tissue Technique by Anja

Have you played with bleeding tissue paper before? This coloring technique requires bleeding art tissue instead of regular wrapping tissue. This specialty tissue can be found in many craft stores. The background of this gorgeous card was done using bleeding art tissue then stamped using the eye from Visible Image and drop from Design by Ryn. I hope you’ve been inspired to give this fun and oh-so-easy technique a try. Click here and I will take you over to spend some time with Anja as she shares just how easily this work of art comes together.

Just a reminder, not all tissue paper is the same. Some are non-bleeding, especially those made for wrapping gifts. Bleeding tissue paper is available at craft and school supply stores as well as some discount stores. You’re just a few simple supplies away from creating your own work of art. This technique is so simple it would be a fun project to get the little ones involved. Have fun, my artsy friends!

Sizzix Paper Leather Train Case

Would you believe that this adorable train case is made out of paper? But not just any paper! Shelly used the new Sizzix Paper Leather. At first glance it appears to be made of tooled leather, right?  Paper Leather is a durable material that can do it all! It’s made to simulate the look and feel of real leather. Paper Leather Sheets can be die-cut, embossed, inked, stitched, painted, and distressed, just to name a few techniques. You can also print on them. As you can see, the possibles are endless!

Now that your head is spinning with all the fun things you can do with this oh-so-versatile paper, click here and I will lead the way over to the Sizzix site so you can follow along while Shelly walks you through the process of recreating this gorgeous keepsake. Have fun because you’re going to love this! I’d like to send a big shout out to Shelly for sharing her darling project with us.

30-Minute Mongolian Beef

Craving Chinese, but don’t want to leave the house? No worries, thanks to Kelly now you don’t have to! 🙂  Kelly Senyei is the founder of the amazing food blog “Just A Taste.” Her blog offers yummy step-by-step photo tutorials along with easy-to-follow weekly videos featuring tips and tricks which are sure to seriously up your game in the kitchen.

Thanks for stopping by! This week I’m off to the Denver Stamp & Scrapbook Expo so if you’re in the neighborhood (Denver Mart 451 East 58th Ave., Denver, CO) on May 13th or 14th stop in and say hello –  I’ll meet you at the Creativity Center. Hope to see you there!