Weekly Inspiration

Enjoy this week's inspiration, and thank you to the ladies who were willing to share their awesome creations with us! :)

Those toes by Laura Carter:
Starting Second Grade by Kim Weiss:

This Guy by Kate Thaete:

Moonshine by Sandi Peiffer:

Love of My Life card by Betsy Veldman:

I have finally regained all the living area of my house!

That's right! The last boxes hit the post office yesterday! And I hit the bed at 8:50 p.m. last night! Good thing too since all the kids decided to wake up BEFORE 6 a.m. this morning! We tried explaining that it was still dark outside and therefore it was still night-night time, but to no avail... I wish I had their energy!
Of course the corrected MME order arrived Tuesday and I couldn't get anyone to help this week, so I've been up until the wee hours every morning packing and packing and packing. The post office was so glad when I came in yesterday and told them it was the last shipment that they actually brought out a bottle of wine! HA!
Perhaps I should explain that I use a contract unit that is also a wine shoppe :)
Anyway, they're all out and on the way!!! If you haven't received your box yet, it will be there soon!!!!!
Now I can start getting ready for September...

Fancy Pants Free Spirit Photos

Wouldn't let me add them to the last post, so here is the addendum! :)

Still waiting?

Still waiting for those Fall Line-Up reveals???? Okay, happy TGIF to you - here is what you've been waiting for! And since I am still two reveals behind because I've been so busy packing boxes...today you get three for the price of one!
That's right - the October Trilogy reveal I hinted at, the final September Trilogy reveal, and the November Hybrid reveal - all today!
First things first!

I mentioned a circle stamp - and boy is it great! Your October Hybrid will contain one of the FANTASTIC new 7gypsies 97% Certifiable Round Seal stamps! If you haven't seen these, you're missing out because they are sooooo yummy! (Yes, we have ordered other varieties for the BAP section!) And OF COURSE you will need the new 7gypsies Capri paper to go along with them! And maybe a portfolio... Oh! And some of those adorable 97% complete tags... Okay I really must stop or I'm going to give away the WHOLE KIT!


So we've already divulged the first two paper lines for the September Trilogy, and while you may not have noticed this, and now it's time for number three! Perfect for back to school, and perfect to add a little fun to your Fall projects, this third paper line is going to put you in a very creative mood...
Announcing Making Memories Cheeky - Emery!!!


Flowers and dots and words, Oh my! These papers are SO much fun - you will be instantly inspired! And to go along with them, we have the new Heidi Swapp 3" Lemonade Stand Ghost Alphabet in RED! Wait until you see these gi-normous red ghost letters - they are to die for!


And if you have giant letters, you also HAVE to have giant puzzle pieces to alter - let's say about 5 inches or so??? Sound good? Then you're in luck - we have those too! I bet you can't wait!!! :)
If you think September is far away, what about November? That's three MONTHS away! But here is something for you to look forward to... Fancy Pants Free Spirit! Oh, and if these GORGEOUS papers aren't enough to get you excited, have you seen their new Biggest Board chipboard shapes? They are 12 inches square - 1 whole square foot - of scrapbooking bliss!
Still not convinced? Perhaps you'd like the matching primas? Okay! We'll do that too! :)
Okay I will give you the weekend to think all of that over... Sweet Dreams!!!

Grrr... Blogger is not letting me upload photos - I'll try again soon! :)

Two more reveals - September and October Trilogies

For the September Trilogy, we have chosen 3 great lines - very fun and flirty! I am going to post images, though I really do hate to do so as they do not even begin to do justice to the actual papers. They don't even appear 25% os lovely as they do in person, not to mention the fact that you can't touch them - interaction really is the key to this line!
Perhaps the most tactile of these paper lines is the new In Bloom II Wildflowers line from Heidi Grace.



We've chosen gorgeous shimmer papers that are glittered and flocked, as well as some of those signature Heidi Grace unique embellishments to complement them.
And with that, Delainey has awakened and I must go. But check back later for that October Trilogy reveal!

More Fall Line-up Reveals

Well I came back from the weekend all ready to get posting some serious reveals, and I had no internet access!!! A day and a half later I finally got it back but then I was busy packing boxes!
The boxes are packed and ready to go and will start shipping today. I think it is safe to say that they will all be on the way by Friday at the latest.
Eli (my oldest child) started school this week too. Have you ever noticed how much it disrupts a toddler's schedule to change ANYTHING that they normally do? Well my middle child, Noah, has had all kinds of issues this week now that his big brother is gone. All I have heard is wailing every morning. "I want my ELI! I want my ELI!"
Apparently Eli is VERY excited too - it took him over 5 hours, yes, FIVE HOURS, to go to sleep last night! Geesh!
That's a little background to let you know what's going on here in the Homegrown Home! :)
Without further ado, I will reward you for reading this far with the info you're really looking for...
The September Hybrid will feature the new K-Ology line Addison by K & CO.! Now those of you who know what a huge Grey's Anatomy fan I am know that it was very hard for me to choose a line named Addison (fyi I am ordering a Team Meredith shirt to balance this out! :) ) but once you see the papers, you will know why!
They are BEAUTIFUL! Lovely blues and greens - typically K & Co fabulous all the way! We've chosen the coordinating chipboard alphabet, gem stick pins, and luxurious suede cobalt blue ribbon to complement all EIGHT of the gorgeous papers we chose! (I haven't received the image disk yet, but as soon as I do, I will post photos)
Oh, and did I mention the Doodle Genie????? Yes, that's right! This month's Hybrid Kit will feature a new Chatterbox Doodle Genie and just wait until you see this in person! It is as addicting as the glitter glaze - I promise! It even comes with a coordinating pen that matches your kit - how perfect is that?
(Once the addiction takes over, know that we will have the other Doodle Genies available for individual purchase in the Bits and Pieces section :)!
We only have a few of these to sell individually this month, so we are posting the content list with a purchase option now. Once these are sold out, we will NOT re-order. My last experience with re-ordering was enough stress to last a lifetime!
Also, we have ordered some of the GORGEOUS new Frappery Jewelry kits from K & Co. These will be in the Bits and Pieces section as well, and will of course have FREE SHIPPING with domestic kit orders. We've also ordered the punches to go with the jewelry - they punch your photo or paper in the exact size that you need for creating your bracelet, neclace or broach! These will also be going into the Bits and Pieces section this week.
Okay, so that's the September Hybrid. I'm going to go refill my coffee and then we will talk some more about the October Trilogy. Can you say Circle Stamp? oooohhhh la la!

8.5x11" Sketch Inspiration

This week I'm looking to fill a page layout with numerous images. Hence I came up with a design for multiple photos.

The smaller sqares can be used for either photos, embellishments or even journalling. Here's my LO of the sketch:

Materials
Fancy Pants Frou Frou papers
Wildflower stamps
Making Memories foam stamps
Heidi Swapp chipboard stars & tabs

Gin X rubons

twine

Card Sketch

Here's a card sketch to inspire you. We'd love to see how you interpret this sketch so don't forget to post your card to our gallery.

Your Weekly Inspiration

I hope these awesome creations get your creative juices flowing this week!

Beach by Celeste Smith:

Our Little Star by Alicia Geiss:


viscaya by Andie Smith:

play by Amy Farnsworth:

Wonderful World by Teresa Ferguson (digital):

Daisy D's Doodle Card by Toni Holoubek:

Fly Mini Album by Lisa M. Pace:

Some September Trilogy Reveals

Here's one line you'll see in September: The new Citrus Canvas line from Scrapworks!

And some of the embellishments too!

You'll find these in your October Hybrid and Trilogy Kits!

Fall Line-Up Reveal Day 1

Okay, let the Fall Line-Up Reveal begin! We should probably start with September because it is fabulous of course! But our favorite vendor from the CHA show was by far Imaginisce!
We have chosen their Sam and Abby line for the October Hybrid, and their Exotic East line as part of our October Trilogy!
If you haven't seen it yet, feast your eyes on this:




Here are some of our choices close up:

Fall Preview Starts TODAY!

Check back this afternoon - the Homegrown Scrapbooks FALL PREVIEW starts today! For the next two weeks we will be revealing the contents of our September, October and November kits - including the Special Edition kit designed by our Create A Kit Challenge Winner Anne Hall!
The big LINE-UP REVEAL starts today!

Just Add Color

Want to add some color to your stamping other than just the ink/paint? Why not color them in with colored pencils, water color pencils, fabric paint, etc. This is a fun way to really make your stamped images really stand out.

Card Keeper

If you find yourself always in need of a last minute gift this project is perfect for you! This card keeper is made with essential items you’re sure to have on hand.

Supply list:
1 sheet of 12x12 cardstock
2 sheets of coordinating patterned paper
medium or large blossom
medium or large button
A needle & thread
Adhesive
Paper trimmer
Bone folder
Scoring tool

Cut cardstock to measure 5.75 x 12 inches. With your paper laying length wise, use a scoring tool to create score marks at
3 inches
3.5 inches
8 inches
8.5 inches

Fold and smooth each “crease” using your bone folder.

Cut a piece of paper from each of the patterned paper you selected to cover the front flaps of your card keeper. One sheet should measure 3 x 5.75 inches and the other should measure approximately 3 7/16 inches.

Using the scraps left over from your cardstock, cut two strips of paper, one measuring 1 x 12 inches and the other measuring 1 x 5.75 inches.

Create score marks using your scoring tool on the longer strip of paper at the following points
3.5 inches
4 inches
9.75 inches
10.25 inches

Fold and smooth each “crease” using your bone folder. Adhere to the 1 x 5.75 inch strip of cardstock so that a “belt” is created. It should slip over your card keeper comfortably.

Attach blossom and button by sewing them to the “belt.”

This card keeper can hold 5 or more A2 cards (4.25 x 5.5 inches) and envelopes depending on how lumpy your cards are

Another Unique Embellishment

Ok so you've done a page and you just don't know what type of embellishment is gonna go with the page. You know you want to dress it up a bit but just can't decide what to do. Well what I do when I just can't find that right embellishment is I doodle. Here's some ideas on where to do this is:

1. On the photo itself



2. Around the photo frame



3. In the corners of the layout or as a border



Your possiblities are endless! Don't be afraid. Practice makes perfect. Use your imagination. Let's see some awesome doodling in the gallery!

Christmas card # 3

Supplies:

1 sheet of “Jack frost” patterned paper from BG’s Blitzen line
1 sheet of “Baby blue” bazzill
1 sheet of white cardstock
Sentiment stamp or computer font
1 White medium sized blossom
Making Memories pearl brad
light blue ink pad (I used Farbrico’s “sky mist”)
Sewing machine or needle & white thread

Cut cardstock sheet to measure 5.5 x 8.5 inches, score and fold in half to create your card base. It should measure 4.25 x 5x5 inches. Ink the edges of the cardbase using light blue ink.

Stamp sentiment on patterned paper strip measuring 2.5 x 4 inches. Ink the edges using light blue ink. Mat using baby blue cardstock then mat a second time using white cardstock.

If using a computer font for your sentiment, Cut a piece of patterned paper to measure 4.25 x 5.5 inches. Using word, change the page set up so that you have a .50 margin on all four sides. Also change your paper size to
5.5 x 4.25 inches. Print your sentiment on patterned paper then trim to measure 2.5 x 4 inches so that your sentiment is centered on the sheet. Mat using baby blue cardstock then mat a second time using white cardstock. I used Two Peas in a Bucket font “Mister Giggles” with a 30pt. font

*note* Depending on what font you use, you may have to use a different font size so you might want to practice printing on regular paper before printing on your patterned paper.

Handstitch or use a sewing machine to stitch along the edges of the sentiment block.

Adhere sentiment block to the card base at a slight angle on the left side of the card base.

Punch a hole on the right side of the sentiment block then attach blossom using the brad.

Printing On Canvas

When I saw this banner on the street advertising the "Pageant Of The Masters", I just knew I had to photograph it! But even more so, it was such a stunning image, I just knew I wouldn’t be satisfied with it as a plain old photo. I knew it would have to have a special treatment, so I decided to print it on canvas. But, to really give it the look I was looking for I knew it would have to undergo some changes first.
First, I cropped the image so all I was left with was the artwork. Then I used the Sharpen Filter to improve the photo. I then also applied the Dust & Scratches Filter to give it the aged appearance I was looking for. And finally to bring out the all over beauty of the image I enhanced it with Auto Levels. All of this was done in PhotoShop Elements 4.0.


I challenge you to print something you really love on canvas to achieve a new and fun look for your next scrapbook page! And don’t forget to look for those unique outdoor banners and signs to photograph....they really are so fun to use for instant titles or art. Most important, just have fun!!!