Do you remember Two Peas in a Bucket? You know…that awesome scrappy website that seemingly disappeared over night? Many of us were not only Two Peas customers, but we also subscribed to the Two Peas online community. After Two Peas closed up shop, the Two Peas online community was left with nowhere to go.

We needed a new home…

Well, a brave scrapper answered the call and Crafty Maven Getaway was born! Hannah Lemieux, fellow scrappy YouTuber, former Two Peas subbie, and an awesome scrappy friend of mine, came up with the idea to start a YouTube channel for those who enjoy weekly themed scrapbooking challenges and inspiration videos (once provided by the Two Peas design team). Hannah sought the help of several scrappy YouTubers, including myself, and launched the Crafty Maven Getaway.

Hannah…you are a scrappy saint!

Here’s the Crafty Maven Getaway line up:

Spotlight Sunday:  Each week we will feature a scrappy YouTuber who will share a bit about herself, how she got into scrappbooking, her unique scrappy style, etc. This is a fun way to learn about our fellow scrappers in the YouTube community.

Mix It Up Monday: This day is about mixing things up! We will feature a variety of projects to include cards, embellishments, mini albums, 12 X 12 layouts, and much more. Scrappers will demonstrate special techniques and scrappy tools as well. Anything goes!

In Your Pocket Tuesday: This day focuses on pocket style pages to include Project Life, Pocket Letters Pals, or any spread using pockets.

Free Flow Wednesday: This day focuses on more traditional layouts to include 12×12 and 8 1/2 x 11 style scrapbooking. The featured scrapper will also demonstrate her individual style!

Twerk It Thursday: This day focuses on using a sketch picked by the featured scrapper.

Art Party Friday: This day focuses on mixed media and art journaling. This is a great way to learn how to use mixed media products on a variety of paper crafting projects.

Scrap Lift Saturday: On this day the featured scrapper will scrap lift a layout of her choice.

This channel was started in June 2015 and we already have over 700 subscribers! Take a moment to check us out on YouTube. You don’t have to be a former Two Peas subbie to play along!

We are also on Facebook. Come play along and post your latest scrappy creation!

And don’t forget to visit our blog!

Come join us! We would love to have you!

Hello my friends! It’s been a few weeks since I’ve paid any attention to my blog. I swear I am going to get better! Life has taken a hold of me by way of “work” (the man is holding me down) and I would much rather spend all of my waking hours playing  with all of my scrappy friends! I am working hard to carve time out for myself (aren’t we all) and somehow I’ve failed many times this month.

Calgone…take me away!

So what’s been going on in the world of Victoria Marie? I have a million and one ideas and trying to figure out which idea to launch first. August will bring a lot of fun adventures to include:

• Weekly sketch challenge on the Victoria Marie Facebook Group…check it out!
• A Slackers Guide to December Daily
• Scrapbooking for Mortals series continues
• Kit shares, hauls, and my new scrappy space tour
• And of course…process videos!

Here’s what I’ve been working on toward the end of July – a couple of cute layouts using kits from the Scraptastic Kit Club!

   

Scrapbooking for Mortals…we explored mixed media techniques using mists and modeling paste:

 

I love this layout!!!

You can find the videos for all of the layouts and the tutorials on the Victoria Marie YouTube Channel and here and here on the blog!

Also, if you haven’t done so, don’t forget to check out the Victoria Marie Facebook Group! This group is growing everyday and I can’t be more thrilled to have the opportunity to connect with scrappers from all over the world!!  I hope you will join us!

Happy scrappin’!

Have you seen the new wood veneer frame by Maggie Holmes? Well, let me tell you…it’s amazing!!!! To be honest, I was a bit apprehensive about using such a large piece on my layout. After looking at a few layouts on the Scraptastic Blog, inspiration took hold.

This layout features goodies from the June Thinking Out Load kit from the Scraptastic Kit Club. This photo is of my little one writing in her field journal. Inspired by a book we read about a little girl who kept a field journal to document her summer adventures with her mom, my little sprite thought she would do the same! So she “writes” about her day-to-day activities, her stuff animal’s birthdays (there are a million of them and they have birthday’s every day), she draws pictures of mommy and daddy, creates poems and songs, and much more. All of her little scribbles are precious and certainly worth documenting! I love these little childhood moments. 🙂

 

I started this layout by using an awesome transparency called Confetti by Crate Paper. I overlaid the transparency on top of a piece of white card stock. From there I began to embellish my photo and add pattern paper to the frame. I fiddled with the positioning of my photo cluster and title, but eventually settled on this design. I added a few enamel dots and some journaling and called it good. This layout took me roughly an hour to complete.

Products used:

• Transparency – Confetti by Crate Paper
• White Card stock – from my stash
• Pattern papers: Fine and Dandy from the Dazzling Collection (Dear Lizzy); Craft Market by Crate Paper; Fine and Dandy from the Gleeful Collection (Deal Lizzy); Sparkling from the Confetti Collection by Crate Paper, Exclusive Scraptastic pattern papers – Yellow Dots, Floral
• Heart Wood Veneer by Maggie Holmes (Crate Paper)
• Cut A Parts – Scraptastic (exclusive)
• Die Cuts – Citrus Bliss by Pink Paiselee
• Doillies – The Paper Studio
• Flare – Scraptastic
• Gold Font – Hardcover by Thickers
• Navy Blue Font – Twilight by Thickers
• Denim Stickers – We R Memory Keepers Denim Blues Collection
• Yippee Enamel Dots and Shapes – Chickndiddy Crafts
• Journaling Pen (Black) – Staedtler Triplus Fineliner (0.3mm)

And here’s the process video for your viewing pleasure! Enjoy!

GUESS WHO’S BACK!!!! YAY!!!

Hello Wonderful Scrappy Friends!

I am back…finally! After what was nothing short of a moving debacle, I am back and ready to scrap. I’ve settled into my new scrappy space, which I love (look out for a scraproom tour soon) and I just finished another process video which will be posted today.

Thank you so much for your patience while I was away, trying not to slit my wrists after moving…seriously, I am NEVER moving again!!!!

(We all know that’s a lie.) 🙂

Happy Scrapping!

Victoria Marie

The Calvin Family has spent this weekend moving into our new place! Yay!! Which means I’ve been MIA for a few days.

Let me just say…I am exhausted!!!

All of my wonderful scrappy goodies are still packed away and are waiting to come out. I hope to get my scrap space in order by this upcoming weekend and start filming again starting Sunday.

Coming up on the Victoria Marie YouTube Channel and Blog:

• Tutorial #2 and #3 of Scrapbooking for Mortals
• New Process Video!
• First Ever Victoria Marie YouTube Giveaway!

Stay tuned and thanks so much for your patience as I get settled in! See you soon!

Victoria Marie

Layering is one of my favorite scrapbooking techniques! I love the way layering adds so much visual interest to a layout. I tend to layer a lot…it is truly my “go to” technique. Since I’ve received so many requests about my layering style, I thought it would be fun to create a layering tutorial.

Layering is very fun…all you need is a few coordinating papers and a basic design idea and you are good to go. Simply positioning layers of paper and embellishments in a creative way can add so much volume to a layout!

   

To start, I introduce the layering technique, followed by a demonstration of how to select layering and background papers as well as  selecting embellishments to be used as clusters around a layout. Of course, this is a very basic tutorial, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to layering!

Next, I provide step-by-step instructions on how to layer various elements on the layout. Viewers are encouraged to play along  while learning the technique. Ultimately, the tutorial concludes with the creation of a layered scrapbook layout – from start to finish. This technique can be applied to any layout size from 8.5 x 11 to 12×12.

For this tutorial you will need:

• Card stock (background/base)
• Pattern paper (3-5 pieces)
• A variety of embellishments – die cuts, wood veneers, flare, enamel dots, etc.
• Scissors
• Rotary paper cutter
• Adhesive
• Tiny attacher (optional)

Feel free to pause the video as you practice the layering technique! But most of all, relax and have fun!

So, without further ado…I present to you… Scrapbooking for Mortals Tutorial #1 – Layering!

Enjoy!

I am so excited to announce an addition to the Victoria Marie YouTube Channel!

“Scrapbooking for Mortals – Scrapbooking Tutorials for the Rest of Us!”

If you could hear me right now, I am squealing and jumping up and down! This has been a very, very, very long time coming. I’ve been thinking about the next direction for my YT channel and decided to combine my love of scrapbooking with my love and talent for training and teaching. So, I created Scrapbooking for Mortals for all of you scrapbooking mavens who are ready to take your scrapbooking skills to the next level or have a desire to learn something new or something that you have never tried before.

The tutorials are designed to be interactive meaning that you can play along while watching the tutorial. Here are a few tutorials that will be coming soon!

• Intro to Layering
• Mixed Media – Most Common Products Used in Scrapbooking
• Using Sketches
• Basic Layout Design and Planning
• Stamping for Scrapbookers
• And much, much more!

The tutorials will consist of an overview,  an easy to follow demonstration, and a layout featuring the products or techniques being highlighted in the tutorial. Experience level doesn’t really matter…you can be a very new scrapbooker or a more experienced scrapbooker.  The tutorials will range between 30 minutes to 1 hour…so get your drinks, snacks, and supplies and play along! Videos will be posted on Fridays starting June 12th!

If you have ideas for future tutorials, leave me a comment or shoot me an email at calvin.victoria@gmail.com. Who knows…maybe your idea will be a featured tutorial on the Victoria Marie YT Channel!

I am so excited about this new series on my channel! Be sure to check back regularly for more tutorials!

Happy scrappin’ my friends!

Victoria Marie

I love, love, lovvvveeee Tina Fey and Amy Poehler! They are two of my favorite comedic actors, producers, and writers. And of course, they are also Saturday Night Live alumni! It just so happen that I was cruising Facebook one night (being oh so productive) and found an ad for this t-shirt, which reads:

Poehler Fey 2016 “Bitches Get Stuff Done”

YES, YES, YES!!! Click and order! I HAD to have this t-shirt…it was meant to be!!!!!

I often imagine myself hanging out with them, laughing, drinking, commiserating about something profound that only we also find hysterical. I am sure they wouldn’t mind adding me to their Poehler Fey inner circle. I am okay with being a groupie!

My Girls! – Tina and Amy

(Photo from Communitytable.com)

As soon as my t-shirt came in the mail, I quickly put it on and had my mama take a picture of me!

BAM!

And of course I had to make this awesome layout using the I Lived Kit from Scraptastic Kit Club.

Materials Used:

• Paper – Exclusive Scraptastic Pattern Paper, Gray paper is from Recollections (scored the paper with a Martha Stewart Score Board)
• Stickers by Oh Snap, Life Documented
• Enamel Dots by My Minds Eye
• 3×4 Card and tabs by Scraptastic Kit Club (exclusive)
• Emoticon by Scraptastic Kit Club (exclusive)
• Font Stickers (from my stash) by October Afternoon Mini Market (Cream and Red, Peppermint)
• Wood Veneer Stars by American Crafts

 

As a finishing touch, I added faux stitching around the layout for visual interest using a white Gelly Roll pen (yep, Gelly with a “G”). 🙂 Additionally, I love how the score lines on the gray cardstock really adds texture to the background and doesn’t compete with the overall design of the layout.

I love simple and clean designs – uncomplicated yet beautiful.

And here’s the process video! Enjoy!

Victoria Marie!

Every week on the Victoria Marie Facebook Group, I host two scrappy challenges. And while I love creating fun challenges for my group members, I also enjoy the ideas and talents of other scrappers…many of whom are ten times more creative than I am! So, I decided to create the first ever Victoria Marie Challenge Design Team!

The teams consist of two groups: 2015 Summer/Fall and 2016 Winter/Spring. (I will introduce the 2016 team in January :). )

Starting June 2015, the Victoria Marie Challenge Design team will create awesome scrappy challenges each week that will inspire and challenge you to scrap “outside the box”!

Here is the 2015 Summer/Fall Victoria Marie Challenge Design Team!!!

Welcome Jennifer Dein, Colleen Bradek O’Keefe, Jen Stokes, DeAnna Yaritz, Kelly Theder Oblak, Lisa Hidy, and Hannah Lemieux!! Yay!! This so exciting!!!

These ladies are so talented and creative!!! I cannot wait to see what they come up with! Please stop by and join us! We would love for you to play along!!!

Every Wednesday I host a Wednesday Hump Day Challenge on the Victoria Marie Facebook Group page. We have so much fun with these challenges. There are no deadlines (unless there is a giveaway) and members can play along whenever they want.  Sketch challenges are always popular with this group! Here’s the sketch that we are using this week:

Sketch by Basic Grey (2012)

The layout I created is called “Cupcake”. This past weekend we went to lunch at a local steak restaurant and upon leaving, my little one lost her tiny black flower clip on earring somewhere in the restaurant parking lot. Now, anyone who has been around little kids knows that lost items, no matter how big or small, can literally mean the end of the world!  So, I frantically searched for this little earring…no success. 😦

 

After revealing the bad news (and wiping tiny tears from rosey cheeks), we set off to the mall in search of a suitable replacement. Claire’s jewelry store never fails when one is looking for cheap and happy earrings. Corinne picked out the cutest little cupcake clip on earrings! Her ears are not pierced yet…she will make that decision when she is ready. So, we are sticking to clip ons for now.

For this layout I used the last remaining items from my April Scraptastic Darlene Kit. The items include:

• Pattern Paper by Scraptastic, My Minds Eye, and Jen Hadfield
• Die cuts, chip board embellies, and a tab from the “I Am” Collection by Simple Stories
• Wood veneer circles by Scraptastic (exclusive)
• Flare by Scraptastic (exclusive)
• Acrylic Arrow by Scraptastic (exclusive)
• Enamel dots by Simple Stories
• “Imprint” (font) by Thickers
• Flowers by Jen Hadfield

To be honest, I had a very difficult time trying to decide how I wanted to use this background paper (“Home Made” by Jen Hadfield). Its so bold…I love it! I decided to give it a try. After adding the vertical layers of patterned paper, I felt that the layout was starting to come together and I felt good about the overall designed. I stayed true to the sketch. Of course, nothing says you have to follow a sketch exactly as it’s designed!

(The blue, brushed white stripe, and black and white stripe papers are by Scraptastic; the pink and white stripe paper is from the “On Trend” Collection by My Mind’s Eye.)

And here’s the process video for this layout! Enjoy!

Happy scrappin’!