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Ever have those times when you start and finish a project and what you had in mind does not translate to paper?  Then, you tear it apart and start all over again?  That happened to me on this layout.  Sometimes things come naturally, other times, its forced.  Well, you should have see the "dirty" part of my layout before.  NOT pretty!  This rendition is much better and I would love to share my labor intensive layout with you:o)

I sprayed three different color inks to get my desired look on my cardstock base.

Then I totally stole an idea from a fellow blogger from A Flair for Buttons, Ashli Oliver and spread Gesso over my patterned paper at the bottom of my layout.  It helped soften the darker colors.  I hand drew in some of the arrows that I wanted to stand out.  

Layered my October Afternoon papers, stickers, A Flair for Buttons flair, My Mind's Eye enamels and October Afternoon brads.  You will see below on the completed layout that I used the same spray ink to add color to my title from Fancy Pants and wood veneers from Basic Grey.

This end result is a much more pulled together layout than the last!  Blue, gray and pink make me happy when they are together.  This photo is celebrating my 8th Mother's day because of that beautiful boy with me.  I am blessed.

Mary-Ann

Below you will find a link to all the items you can purchase over at Eclectic Paperie.  

October Afternoon - Travel Girl 8x8 Paper Pad	Fancy Pants - 5x3 Life Stencil Set	Wplus9 Design Studio - Quite Like You Stamp Set	Basic Grey - Hipster - Wood Veneer Die Cuts	Archival Ink - Jet Black Ink Pad
Dylusions Ink Spray - Bubblegum Pink	Dylusions Ink Spray - After Midnight	Claudine Hellmuth Studio Gesso	Idea-ology Tiny Attacher Refills	Idea-ology Tiny Attacher
Tim Holtz� Distress� Markers - Black Soot	Mono Adhesive Tape Runner - Permanent	Glue Dots� Permanent 1/2" 60 pc	Scotch Foam Mounting Tape

Here is where you can find the Flair!

Chalk Family Words Flair

DCWV and A Flair for Buttons Blog Hop

A Flair for Buttons has teamed up with DCWV for an amazing blog hop!  Be sure to stop by and comment on your favorite creations.  Also, stop by A Flair For Buttons store and enter DCWVHOP13 for a 10% discount!

I was sent a big package of paper goodies and flair.  Included was this massive paper pad from DCWV.

I fished through my new paper pad to find papers that would blend well with the photo that I knew I wanted to scrap.  Many of the pages were contained silver and gold accents.  I chose these to papers as my main base and accented with others.

Then I decided I wanted gold letters to help accent the already accented GOLD papers that I chose.  Of course I had to make my own because I did not have any in my stash.  I started with raw chipboard letters from American Crafts - Sunrise.  I dug out my old Versa-mark embossing pad, gold embossing powder and my heating tool and went to work.  

Here is what they looked like when finished.  Not bad and they definitely the right color choice.

I then decided to add some embossing to a tag!  More gold of course!

Gold Studio Calico stars and gold Stickles were added to help tie in the whole gold theme, cause there wasn't already enough!

How about that orange star flair!  Perfect for my boy in orange and the already existing stars on the page.

I hope that you have enjoyed the hop.  Please jump on to the next girl and give them some love.

Erica Weinstock

Michelle Hernandez

Mary Ann Maldonado  <<<You are here!

Diane Payne

Ashli Oliver

Here are the Flair sets that I used in my layout:

Back to School 2 Flair

My Guy Flair

Summertime Flair 1

Now, make your way to the shop and use that discount code!

Mary-Ann

Mantel decor

With the crisp air approaching, apple picking season in full force and the colors of the leaves changing into a fall colored rainbow, I have decorated my home.  This is my favorite season of all time.  I long for hot chocolate, sweaters and a burning fireplace to take away the chill in the mornings.  I just wanted to share with you a touch of my decor.  My husband says that my house is like the mall.  I take things away to put out my decorations.  I have 4 large bins dedicated to fall goodness.  I have many many more than that for Christmas.

This mantel is above my couch.  The automatic candles create a beautiful glow in the evenings now that it is getting dark by 7:30.  The witches are the only Halloween items that remain in my collection.  I have put more effort into pumpkins, owls and birds.  Things that can last all through the season and are not specific to Halloween.  Why decorate for a short time when you can drag it out just a little longer!

I have had the pumpkins under my TV for more than 15 years.  They have decorated my home from early on in our marriage.  The newest addition to my collection is the black cat to the left of the TV.  It comes from Yankee Candle.  I walked into the store and this just jumped into my cart.  Funny how that happens.  I LOVE this banner made from last years MME paper collection.  Truly one of the best fall paper lines out there.  There is just a splash of baby blue.  It works!

Happy Haunting and thanks for looking.

Mary-Ann

The Button Farm Kit Club

Ok, I haven't been around my blog much lately because I have been all over the east coast.  As a family we went to North Carolina for a USMC reunion and then I packed and went to New Jersey.  I thought for sure I spotted a Jersey Shore cast member but all the guys wear their hair the same way.  I have not had much of a chance to just play in my scrap-space, but ensure you that this weekend is going to be busy.  I have deadlines and hops and classes........ oh my!  

Since I do not have anything of my own to inspire you, I thought I would share with you probably one of my top 5 picks from The Button Farm kit club.  I always adore them, but this month's kit just makes me happy.  Can you believe you get instructions and everything you need to create everything you see?  Including a mini album, cupcake decor, gift bag tags and a uber cute party hat!  I wonder if it comes with the cupcakes:o)  I'll take two please!!

I can see this for my sisters birthday party, my mom's or even my own!  Go the the below link to get yours.  I have a feeling they won't be around long!

The Button Farm Kit Club 

Mary-Ann