"I am no bird...."

"...and no net ensnares me...I am a free human being with an independent will"....

Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

So reads the gut wrenching book Jane Eyre, from which I have borrowed a still from the movie released in 2011.

This is my latest project for Pion Design using the beautiful collection 'Alma's Sewing Room'.

I cut out small pieces of the paper 'Ladies' and glued them down to the paper 'Sewing Room', then I applied gesso, stamping and some purple and cream colored Lindy's Stamp Gang mists.

To visit the Pion Design blog please go here...

To find a list of where to purchase Pion Design papers in the US please go here....

I added a piece of Blue Fern Studios chipboard painted white and then layered on some Prima flowers and a piece of a vintage hanker chief that I found at an estate sale.

I adore period films and this version of 'Jane Eyre' is one of my favourites.

Thanks so much for looking! Have a lovely weekend,

Lisa xo

embrace the past....Words & Painterly

Hello crafty friends....

I am dropping in to invite you to the brand new February challenge at Words & Painterly.

This month's color challenge is a bright fun palette of green, yellow, and orange....

'embrace the past'

Here is the challenge...

For more info about how to enter and the amazing prizes this month please go here...

Here are a few close ups...

I took the saying of this month's challenge 'embrace the past' literally and went looking for an old photograph of my past adventures. I found this one of me in 1997 visiting my best friend who had moved to New York City...

what a time we had together....

I had a few scraps of paper on my desk after creating a layout for Pion Design, and just thought a piece of the paper 'Alma's Sewing Room' here on my layout would give a great contrast to my modern looking photo...

I tucked in a couple of pieces of Blue Fern Studios chipboard that I painted black, and used some Lindy's Stamp Gang mists in Yellow Rose of Texas, Glory of the Seas Gold and Curiouser Chartreuse.

I hope you'll join us!

hugs, Lisa xo

'love story'

Hello girls...

Happy Valentine's Day to all my friends...

 I hope you are all spending a wonderful day today with loved ones...

I sat down last night to create a layout about my husband and I, (our 15th Wedding Anniversary is coming up) to express how much I love him...but...as I am always the one behind the camera, there just aren't that many good photos of us together! So I found this super sweet photo of my two guys, the bond they have is so amazing...and I just love them both to pieces....

'love story'

I created this with the beautiful Scraps of Elegance kit called 'Lisa's Love Letters'. for more info on how to buy our kits, please go here....and to see all the wonderful work from the design team please go here...

Here are a few close ups...

I decided to challenge myself in three ways this time...The first challenge.... use as much from the kit and the add-ons as I could in one layout, here I think I did good with that! I have used the beautiful black paper 'Romance Novel Ch. 2' by Marion Smith as my background, I used the red Silks acrylic glaze in 'Love Struck', the Crafter's Workshop stencil, the Blue Fern Studios stamp, the Blue Fern Studios heart chipboard piece, the white Prima resin frame, the black tulle, and the sweet butterflies and tiny key by 'Renea's Bouquets'.

My second challenge was to do something really different from my usual style...

as soon as I saw this gorgeous sketch on one of the blogs I love to visit I knew I had to give it a go as it had the most perfect way to use the black tulle that came in the kit...to sew it to the page!

The blog is called Scrapkopilka, and I really really loved all the beautiful work here...talk about a huge dose of inspiration! For more details on this challenge please go here...

My third challenge in this 'boy' layout was to not use flowers...well, here I failed...but I tried! I wanted to make something really arty and kind of abstract, but it was just missing something....so I added two flowers, at least they were black and gray, and not too girly :)...

That's all for now....BIG hugs...Lisa xo

'daydreaming' a new layout for Scraps of Elegance

Hello lovely ladies....

I was in heaven opening my box of goodies from Scraps of Elegance with February's kit, full of one of my favourite collections by Prima, 'Epiphany'. Dreaming of lazy beach days...

'daydreaming'

So I started with the paper 'Striking Appearance' and then layered on pieces of 'Words to Live By'. I really loved the written sayings from the paper 'Manifestation of Love' so I cut a few of them out and glued them all around my page.

Almost everything I used is from the beautiful February kit called 'Lisa's Love Letters' and the February Add-Ons. I used the Epiphany papers, Epiphany flowers, Prima black and white string, and the Prima wooden charm. 

Here is the kit for February...

So romantic...perfect for this month! We have a treat for you this time...Lisa, our Design Team Coordinator prepared a video of the kit! To watch the video please go here...

To purchase the kits please visit the store here...

And for a few close ups...

I created this background using a gorgeous new stamp from Blue Fern Studios, and then added some of the Lindy's Stamp Gang mist in 'Glory of the Seas Gold' that comes in the Color Add-On, lots of masking and stamping and some turquoise mist. 

I wish you a wonderful creative weekend..

Lisa xo

'Daphne'

Hello girls! 

I am dropping in to share my latest creation with the January 

Scraps of Elegance kit. I love vintage photos with a passion and I found this

beautiful photo of one of my favourite ladies...the English author Daphne du Maurier.

'Daphne'

To read more about Ms du Maurier please go here. My favourite book by her is Jamaica Inn...it's one of those stories that stays with you long after you have read it.....

The papers in this kit are so gorgeous,

this one is called 'Euphoria' from the Rustic Harmony collection by Kaisercraft.

Here is the January kit...

Fo more info on where to buy these kits please go here...

To see all the amazing design team work please go here...

Here are some close ups...

From the kit I used the papers, the pink burlap, the wire heart, the Prima white resin, and one of the butterflies. From my stash I used some Prima flowers, string, and some Lindy's Stamp Gang mists.

A long time ago I found an old string of pearls that I had been saving for just the right project, as I was creating this layout I noticed the pearl necklace in the photo and I knew I had found the perfect spot for my vintage pearl beads :)

I also want to share the brand new kit for February called 'Lisa's Love Letters' in honor of Lisa Novogrodski, the DT Coordinator for Scraps of Elegance...please check out her beautiful blog here.

I just received this kit with all the add-ons and I can't wait to start playing with it...The paper add-on with this kit comes with the complete set of the new Blue Fern Studios collection 'Love Story'...yum! 

One more thing before I go...

Scraps of Darkness and Scraps of Elegance Kit Clubs are looking for one or more Educators to join our Design Teams!

Do you enjoy working with the newest "quality" scrapbook products on the market, making your own embellishments and flowers, altered items, and/or exploring mixed media - and sharing your knowledge? If so, you don’t want to miss out on this call!

As an Educator at Scraps of Darkness or Scraps of Elegance, you will be working with our Main kit, as well as two of our kit add ons each month.  We want to offer our club members a wide variety of tutorials, perhaps a new style of flower you've created, or some fun techniques with mixed media, how you created your latest layout or off the page item, etc.

Responsibilities Include:

2 completed projects utilizing our Main Kit and/or our kit Add-Ons each month, to be uploaded to specified online galleries, as well as your blog/facebook/etc.

2 video tutorials to accompany the projects which are to be available for viewing on YouTube.

Be an active presence in our Facebook Community Group – our club members want to get to know you!

Check in daily in our design team group.

What you will receive in return for your commitment:

Our Main Monthly Kit

Our exclusive Creativity Add-On, and one other kit add on of your choosing.

A generous discount on any additional add-ons you may want, as well as items in our store.

A Design Team/Educator Badge with your photo and a link to your blog on our site.

You will work alongside our other amazing, talented designers, and be part of a design team that is appreciated and valued by management.

This call is open to US and International Applicants

How to Apply:

Please send all applications to lisa@scrapsofdarkness.com with your name and Educator Call in the subject line.

Include your full name, address, email, phone number

Include links to your blog, on line galleries, resume if you have one

Provide links to three of your video tutorials

Submit photos of 3 projects that demonstrate your style

Please list all current design team commitments that you have

Note: Our designers are exclusive to us. You are permitted to design for manufacturers, challenge sites, etc., but no other kit clubs are to be promoted or advertised please.

Applications must be received by February 24th, 2015.

You will be contacted via email if you are selected for our team. 

That's it - Good Luck!!!

That's all for now...see you soon!

Hugs, Lisa xox