Marivic

.....a little something that I haven't done in awhile

Hello..Long time no see. So how've you been?

Well me, just doing the same 'ole, same 'ole.

Just want to share a quick post here. I made these 2 projects for our sponsors from last month and this month at Berry71bleu.

This first one I made with The Scrap Cake Collection. They sponsored our challenge last month and I am so grateful to Karola for sponsoring our challenge.

I used one of my tags from Berry71bleu Etsy shop. And the collection called "My Private Happiness" from The Scrap Cake.

For this month of May, we have a new challenge, as May is known for Mother's Day among other special holidays. But this month we want to honor the moms in our lives..

You still have time to join the challenge and CLICK this LINK for more information.

Here are the prizes these month:

From our Sponsor, Les Papiers de Pandore from France. The winner will receive a beautiful collection called, The Scent of Camelias.

And a prize from Berry71bleu and Zeus and Zoe Etsy Shop..

You will receive a tag and abunch of rubber stamps.

Since I  subscribe to C'est Magnifique Kit Club, I was able to get these beautiful papers from the Scent of Camelias Collection..

So here is my inspiration using papers from Les Papiers de Pandore..

I cut the butterflies from the paper and used magenta stickles. The flowers are all vintage millinery, except for the berry picks which I saved from last year Spring Sprigs.

And that pretty girl is my dear, Zoe.

Well..have fun..until we see each other again, I hope it will be sooner than later..

Hugs..

My Blog feels neglected

It had been a busy few weeks for me. How can I live up to my blog if I called "A paper's purpose?" But yet I am not following the paper's journey...

As most of you know I've opened another etsy shop called Zeus and Zoe. I had been so busy creating kits for you craft and paper lovers out there..Not to mention the vintage lovers too..

Have a look at what I've put together lately..

These kits are still available HERE..

This is what is keeping me busy lately. Though I have a few pictures I want to scrap, I can't find the time to do it. So I will just share a few photos that we took lately.

We went for a walk in the woods. Next to our house is a nature reserve. I will not go back there without deet. Since it rained a few days before, mosquitoes were everywhere.

This is what it looks like..

Oh they looked so cute wearing their rain boots..

It is now pretty warm in this part of Texas. During the afternoon, it is in the mid-80's. So the kids decided it's time for water fun.

When it comes to water, this one is a fish..Fearless..just love the water, in any size, shape, or form.

This one too..

And of course, nothing beats the love between a brother and a sister (when they're not fighting, that is)

Next time you come back, there will be a project here...I hope.

See you soon..Be well.

Marivic

Talk about "ME"?.........It's not easy..

How are you?

This month we are sponsoring Once upon a Sketch. This is what the challenge is all about.

 

 

 March 1st Challenge

Journalling Criteria/Theme:

All About Me!

The focus of your journalling and the theme of your layout has to be based on YOU and something/s that you are really good at. Don't be shy! We are all good at something as small or as big as it might be.

Ideas for journalling: being a good mum, cooking, talking, understanding people, organising, cleaning, gardening, studying, computers, fashion, exercising, scrapbooking, good at my job, maths, languages, writing , drawing, painting, photography, running, craft, sewing. Maybe you can talk about an aspect of your personality..your sensitivity, your 6th sense, your patience, your strength or bravery, your ability to stay positive. 

Remember that you are allowed to also create a card or altered project based on this sketch and theme and instead of the journalling criteria you need to use a quote.

You MUST combine our journalling criteria with this sketch..

 

The winner will win a kit from my new upcoming etsy store that is opening in a few weeks. Plus you will have a chance to be a Guest Designer next month at Once Upon a Sketch.

Nadia Cannizzo, owner of OUAS invited us to do a project for them using the sketch and the tags.  Big thanks to Nadia for inviting Berry71bleu DTs to be a part of this month's challenge.

Here is what I made using the sketch. 

Prima just came out with this new paper called "Meadow Lark" collection. That's what I used on the background. Tag from Berry71bleu Etsy Shop. Which I will sell later on at my shop.

I don't like talking about me, so I ended up using Meredith Brook's Song..The title is not who I am trying to portray, but the lyrics itself..

"I hate the world today
You're so good to me
I know but I can't change
Tried to tell you
But you look at me like maybe
I'm an angel underneath
Innocent and sweet
Yesterday I cried
Must have been relieved to see
The softer side
I can understand how you'd be so confused
I don't envy you
I'm a little bit of everything
All rolled into one

I'm a Bitch, I'm a lover
I'm a child, I'm a mother
I'm a sinner, I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I'm your hell, I'm your dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way."

 

Yes..I'm all that. But I don't consider myself a bitch (only when provoked). I can tell you that I am very passionate in what I do. And whatever I can do and whatever I can share, I will. I am a good friend to a lot. If only I can put a flashing light on my email, it will say "OPEN 24 HRS A DAY, COME ON IN". I am often misunderstood only because I am being judged. 

I can't force you to like me and I make mistakes like everyone else. But I always mean well. I'd rather have a few friends that care than have plenty that don't give a damn. And once I am your friend, I am a friend for life.
~Marivic 

 

 The chipboard frame was from an old stash. I painted with Distress Crackle paint in tattered rose. I used a lace trim to frame around it. And just added a few embellishments here and there. I used new Prima flowers on the corner of the picture, the stick pin and the wooden clock face was from the new collection too.

I also want to share a gift from a friend..

Normally, I make these projects as gifts or as custom orders. I was surprised one day to get this LO and other goodies in my mail..This was from Agnieszka of Bellaidea. 

She made a LO of my daughter...Thank you so much Agnieszka!! I will forever treasure this!

Thanks for stopping by and please join OUAS this month and every 2 weeks if you're up for a sketch challenge.

 

Discover...Bird is the Word

I am seriously behind everything these days. I want to share with you my project for Bird is the Word. The word is "DISCOVER".  To join make sure that you use this word on your title or journaling. Post your projects on the sidebar of the blog.

And then check out the DTs project this week. You will discover that you will definitely "love" their work.

Mine is this one:

I used Kaisercraft Sweet Nothings Collection on this project. To give it a contrasting color I stencilled a chicken wire using Color Box Cat's Eye Fluid chalk and a few cotton balls.

Honestly, I don't know the little girl. But the picture definitely went well with my project. So thank you, sweet, little girl!

The flowers were from Prima and some silk flowers from Hobby Lobby.

Since I had been glued to my desk the past few days. I thought I'd share with you my tiny work space. I can't work if it's tidy, the messier it is, the better chance for me finding what I am looking for.

So, I work on a less than 12x12 spot. Hey, I get more work done..One of these days I will have a neat desk and it will only take me less than 60 sec to make a complete mess of it.

Okay, I admit. I am a button hoarder. Yeah, you can even call me buttonaholic. I just love it..My tags will not be the way they are without these amazing buttons.

And yes, I am a paper hoarder too..

I have more in a basket under my desk. I had been collecting papers for years and they are arranged per manufacturer and specialty papers. Can you tell which manufacturer I love the most? I have a lot of WP and Prima.

One of these days I will share with you what my studio looks like. It is a complete disaster right now. I am getting ready to announce our new DT at berry71bleu. I promise to share more of my favorite place later on.

I have more news to share tomorrow. Pls come back! Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs,

Marivic

Thank you to my Great Friends...Liebster Award but to me you are Awesome!

Once upon a time I had received a Liebster Award from 2 of my awesome online buddy friends. I know I am a day late and a dollar short, but I can't go on without thanking 2 of my best buddies online.

Bellaidea- We talk constantly. We have so many things in common, she could've been my sister! She is such a great person with such a big heart.

Helen Tilbury- Truly a great friend indeed..She is a rainbow after the rain. She puts things in perspective for me..

Thank you guys!! Love you both!!

"Liebster"  is German for 'dearest' or 'beloved'...or in my language "awesomeness".

Now the rules:

“The rules are that the winners have to pay forward to other people whose sites are worth the recognition. If they accept the award, they should: thank the person who nominated them; nominate five other favorite blogs with fewer than 200 followers, and copy/paste the Liebster Blog Icon into their post.”

1. Denise van Deventer- I met Denise through MME Challenge. She is truly a sweet person with honest opinion and she makes pretty stuff too. I am so glad to have met her!

2. Emma Stafrace- Emma is a fellow DT member over at BITW.  She did a GDT spot for Berry71bleu a month ago and she is amazing..She is truly talented! She can make something out-of-this-world out of anything..Give her a cardboard box and she will make a masterpiece out of it.

3. Jing van Opstal- My friend Jing, the jetsetter!! She is a DT for Berry71bleu and she is so creative, you wish you were her..I wish I could be Jing!!

4. Cathy Cafun- All I can say about Cathy..is that she is one superb artist. Truly love her work!

5. Jolanda- I know she has more than 200 followers. I had a pleasure of working with Jolanda..She was Berry71bleu DT from my first B71B Design Team. She is such a great friend, she never forgets...And of course her work is incredible!!

Thank you to all my online friends and of course I don't want to forget my DT members..Lisa, Renea, Michelle, Aymee and Iris. They've inspired me to create beautiful things and so happy to have met them!

Perfect time to thank everyone, it feels like getting an Oscar, without the expensive gown, spanx, and jewels and I don't have to be a drama queen! Yet it feels great to be awarded the Liebster award..Now I feel so glamorous!

In the meantime.....I wanna share some photos from our trip to San Antonio last weekend.

The Alamo during the day

The Alamo at night

Taking photos as I walked along the Riverwalk

 

 

Dinner at The tower of the Americas..with this view..

chocolate pit stop..

And a beautiful pose from my daughter...Joshie was cranky that day, didn't want to have his photo taken.

Thanks for stopping by!! Have a great weekend!

 

Love...a day late

I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day..I just want to share a quick post for Bird is the Word. This challenge is now open and the word to use is "HEART". Check the link for more information  and how to join the challenge. Check out the other girls' work too..amazing!

Here's mine.  A card I made using Berry71bleu tag.

See you soon..

xo,

Marivic

Berry71bleu Design Team and Guest Designer CALL

Design Team Call and Guest Designers Call for Berry71bleu (April 2012-September 2012)

Berry71bleu and Etsy shop is looking for enthusiastic, new DT members and Guest Designers.

As a DT member you will be required to do 1 monthly project (Layout, cards, altered project or any creative form you can add the tags to) with Berry71bleu tags. This term will start in April 2012 and will end in September 2012. You will be assigned a certain day of the week every month in which you will post your completed project on our blog. During your term, you are required to do 1 tutorial and host 1 monthly challenge. You are allowed to combine all projects for this. When you host a challenge, you will also be featured as Designer of the month.

You must have a blog where you can post your projects. You will also help us promote Berry71bleu Tags and Etsy shop any way you can, as long as it is allowed, either on Facebook or scrapbook galleries.

As a compensation, you will receive 2 large kits and handmade tags during your 6 month term.

We have a laid back team. We respect and support each other. We follow the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". No drama and no back stabbing. We treat each other like family.

If you are interested, email your application with 3 photos of your best projects. DT commitments past and present. Tell me something about yourself and why you would want to be considered for our design team. This call is open to anyone, international applicants are encouraged to apply.
DT experience is not required. I believe in giving chances, we all have to start somewhere. Pls. email me (Marivic) at berry71bleu@gmail.com with all the information requested with the subject DT CALL. If you also have any further question, pls. don't hesitate to email me.

Have a look around the blog and check out our DT and GDT projects to give you an idea on what you will be working with.

Submission must be received by 2/25/2012.

Thank you.

Below are samples of the tags similar to what you will be recieving as a DT and GDT.

Visit this link for more information:

Berry71bleu

Journey is the word for Bird is the Word

New challenge word is Journey at Bird is the Word.  Remember you can make any project as long as you include that word as a title or journaling.  You can follow the sketch done by Mary Thomas. It is not required to win the challenge, this is to inspire you.

Here is my take on it...

This picture was taken during a trip to Australia a couple of years ago. My husband and I went on a cruise to Australia and New Zealand. Well..it was absolutely a journey of a lifetime...No kids for 2 weeks, sleeping in, and just visiting 2 beautiful countries was just beyond my imagination..Love both countries, love the people more. If you get a chance, come see it for yourself then you will know what I mean of having a journey of a lifetime.

The papers I used here were from Pink Paislee Daily Junque, HOTP, and old Daisy D's paper. I used one of Prima's mask and used as a stencil using crackle paint. I also handstitched the edge of scalopped paper using sew easy tool..(easy to sew but can take hours to do).  The flolurish  chipboards, I painted with dimensional paint and accidentally put too much black glitter on it..I just ended up covering the whole thing with glitter.

Come stop by Bird is the Word and be inspired by the work of the other DT members. Join us in this challenge as we would love to see your incredible JOURNEY.

Thanks for stopping by and see you soon..

 

Snow Day for Glitz Design and Lisa's Altered Book

I made 2 projects for 2 manufacturer's challenges for January. The MME and this "Snow" Project for Glitz. It may be awhile before I can join another challenge as I am getting ready for a new DT call coming up in a couple of weeks for Berry71bleu. Back to making tags again.

Again, my thank you goes to Agnieszka of Bellaidea, a truly great friend of mine for sharing the links to the challenges. You should come check out her blog, she is amazing!

2 weeks ago my kids had snow day at school. In this part of Texas, it gets cold but we rarely get snow, I heard the last time it snowed in Houston was in 2004. So, the kids' school brought 10,000 pounds of snow so the kids can experience an "actual" winter. How cool was that? My kids were happy indeed.

I am also very thankful that I have friends that help me out with by sharing links to challenges, helping with photoshop, and other little things that mean the world to me.

Thank you Girls!! You inspire me to create and I'm very grateful for friends like you.

Anyway, here is the photo of Alyssa during snow day.

I love the photo but the background wasn't that great. So my friend and DT coordinator, PSE extraordinaire, Lisa Novogrodski helped me out by transforming this photo to this:

I truly loved what she made. So this is the picture I used for the Glitz Challenge.

Glitz Design January challenge is to use this photo for inspiration and make a layout, card, or any altered items.

The Prize:

 The Rules: 

• Please add a link to your new, never seen or posted before project, to the link list below.  Please make sure the link is a DIRECT LINK to the project, not just a general link to your blog.  All links that aren't direct links or aren't new links, will be deleted and ineligible for the challenge.
• All projects must use Glitz Design product on them.  You do not have to exclusively use Glitz Design product, but it must be present in order to qualify. 
• The challenge ends on January 26, 2012 at 11:59pm.  The top five, which includes the prize winner, will be highlighted on the blog on the Saturday following the contest end.  
• By linking your project, you are giving Glitz Design the permission to showcase the project image on our blog if picked to be in the Top 5. 
• And please....HAVE LOTS OF FUN!! We can't wait to see your creations!

Here is what I made for the challenge...

For the background paper I used the Vintage Blue Collection. I also used Paper Layers from Laced with Grace, Vintage Blue,  and VB What Nots. Made the banner using Teeny Alphas in Navy. Some Prima flowers for added embellishments.

I used a snow paint, which I purchased from Hobby Lobby and stenciled it throughout the page using a snowflake stencil. I dusted it with sugar glitter to make it look sparkly.

I stitched along the edges of the bird image using a silver thread. The rose image, I just added stickles to make it sparkly like the rest of the page.

If you can, join the Glitz Challenge by clicking HERE. You still have time.

Last but not the least, I want to share with you Lisa's project that she posted today on the Berry71bleu blog. Check it out, she made a couple of tutorials that is so easy and fun to do. Here is her project.

Isn't that gorgeous? Check out the blog, you will be inspired by my DT and GDTs work.

That's it for me tonight. Have a good night..Check back later for more info on the Berry71bleu DT Call, in less than 2 weeks.

 

 

New Beginnings for My Mind's Eye Challenge

I needed a change of pace. I don't normally do challenges, I am always busy making tags and doing other projects. I just wanted to do something different and thanks to my friend, Agnieszka of Bellaidea for sharing me MME challenge.

It was a lot of fun challenging myself to make something other than the usual stuff I make.

After we moved to our new house, I found a lot things that I thought had been thrown away..then I found my old wedding gown from my first marriage...Yes, I was married once at a young age of 18, it didn't work out..hey, but I get to keep the old 90's looking gown and repurpose it for crafting.

This also gave me inspiration for the My Mind's Eye challenge..Not my first marriage, just the wedding gown.

This is the sketch to follow..

The challenge: Design a layout based on this fabulous sketch and use the theme “NEW” on the layout (sketch by Anam Stubbington).

The rules: Use ANY My Mind’s Eye products (current or past) as long as your project has at least 80% My Mind’s Eye products.

The deadline: Add a link to your project to the bottom of this post using inlinkz by Sunday, January 22, 2012 (midnight, MST). Please include your first and last name and project name when uploading. (a photo of your layout or project will show directly in the post)

The PRIZE: The winner will receive three ENTIRE collections of their choice! We will also award an honorable mention winner with one collection of their choice! All winners will be featured in a blog post and have bragging rights!

This is what I made for the challenge.

For the papers used:

MME Lost & Found Union Square Perfect Damask Paper & Portobello Road Party Looking Glass . Stella and Rose Mabel (Damask) for the punched paper.

I also made my own flowers using the EK Success flower punch and MME Stella & Rose Mabel Love Letter and Hattie Boy Woven Stripe. I also used Lost & Found Madison Brads. Glitter to accent.

I also used some picks from my old wedding veil.                                                                                                       

I used "Lush" alphabet collection for the word "NEW".

That's it for me...You still have time to join and have fun.