Run, Play, Splash by Kristie Taylor

Kristie's description:

This page was super easy to put together with these colorful papers by 7 Dots Studio! I started with the background, but I wanted to tone it down just a tad so I dry-brushed it with gesso.

I then cut a circle from one of the other sheets and sprayed on some mists in a concentrated fashion, allowing it to drip down the paper. Then I started building layers, distressing the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

The paper directly behind the photos is the packaging from the Prima flowers, which is in the add-ons. I also added the Dusty Attic cogs and the title.

Add-Ons Used:
Dusty Attic Cogs - SOLD OUT

7 Dots Studio: Dreamer: Stickers

This week's challenge update

Happy Monday everyone! The rush to get things done is over. I sure hope you had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed spending time with your family and friends. If you have some time to scrap this week, our "Holiday Layout" challenge is going on through Sunday, Jan. 1st. You can read all the details in this post.

Now it's time to announce the winner of our Christmas cards and tags challenge. I'm sure glad we choose our winners from a random draw, because we had so many wonderful cards and tags submitted for this challenge. I would have been thrilled to receive any one of these cards in the mail, or any one of the tags on a gift! The winner, from a random draw, was the 2nd card uploaded in our forum, which was created by Heather, known as Scrappin_in_AK to all of us.

Heather used paper from The Scrap Cake, which was featured in our December kit. Congratulations Heather, and thanks for being such an active participant!

Lastly, we'd like to announce our new challenge, which is to use a stamp on your layout. If you're like many of us, you probably have several stamps, but don't use them often on your layouts. Well, this is a reason to get them out and start stamping. It can be any kind of stamp, including alphabet stamps. Let us see how you incorporate stamping in your scrapbook design.

Please upload an image of your layout here in our forum and also post it in our gallery. There will be a folder in the gallery designated for this challenge. Our challenges are designed to inspire you, so we ask that only newly created projects be submitted.

Deadline for submissions is Sunday, January 8th at midnight EST (New York City time zone). Anyone is eligible to participate. The winner, chosen by a random draw, will receive a RAK from C'est Magnifique!

~~~Valerie Serfozo

New Baby by Leslie Kammerdiener

This layout was created by me and it is a photo of my wonderful daughter and grandson - just minutes after he was born. I was pleased to be able to witness his birth, but admit that I only saw it through the lens of my camera and missed it in real life. This is so often the case with me, lol.

Anyway, I just adore these paper designed by Finnabair for 7 Dots Studio. At first glance, you may not see all of the details of each sheet, but I have never seen such digital layering and everyone should really get a good look if they can - stunning design!

So I wanted to kinda keep this layout simple. I did use some of the Starbursts from Lindy's Stamp Gang and I must say I LOVE THOSE STARBURSTS!! The color is awesome and when they say that the nozzles don't clog - they mean it!

Anyway, I just spritzed a little bit and then went wild. I have been noticing that most folks are using more and more flowers for boy layouts and I decided to jump on the bandwagon. I really like the bird nest too - it's signaling new life!

Add-Ons Used:

7 Dots Studio Dreamer Stickers
Wild Orchid Flowers - SOLD OUT
Prima Bird's Nest - SOLD OUT
Petaloo Yellow Roses - SOLD OUT

Hangin' Out by Beverly Sams

Here's what Beverly has to say about her gorgeous layout:

"These papers from 7 Dots are so unique, the longer I looked at them, the more I could see happening within the designs themselves....this kit lends itself to practically any type of layout you can imagine! I had something completely different in mind when I began, but then, as often happens, the layout took on a life of it's own and I pretty much just had to follow where it led! I used the Prima resist canvas foliage as a mask first, then sprayed it with a mix of the Lindy's Stamp Gang "Bucket o' Blood" and Starburst "Lucky Shamrock Green" included in the kit.

The saturated colors of the papers contrast so nicely with each other and reminded me of layers of rock or even a sunset. I finished it off with a Prima bird's nest and the" jillibean soup" chipboard letters. This is my son doing the one of the things that makes his mother's hair turn gray!"

Add-Ons Used:

7 Dots Studio: Dreamer: Stickers
Prima Bird Nests - SOLD OUT
Prima Resist Canvas - SOLD OUT

Challenge Update

Are you ready for Christmas? With 5 days until the big day how much shopping, wrapping, and cookie baking do you still have to do? Don't worry, it will all get done. It always does!

First, I'd like to announce that Giselle is the winner of our "Wonder" Challenge. Our winners are chosen by a random draw, and this is the second week in a row Giselle's entry has been selected. Here's her layout:



I just love the way she's used the brads. Thanks Giselle, and we hope you'll continue entering our contests.

We've had some amazing entries to our 'Holiday Cards & Tags' challenge. It's not too late to enter. You have until December 25th to show us your cards and tags.

Now it's time to announce our new challenge. It's very much like the last challenge, but on a larger scale. This week we challenge you to create a holiday layout. You'll have two weeks to complete this challenge, so pull out some photos from prior years, or print some photos from this year.

There aren't many rules for this one. As long as it's a holiday layout, it qualifies. Well, maybe we don't want to see Easter layouts right now, so let's call it a winter-holiday layout. All you have to do is post an image here in our forum, and in our gallery.

This challenge will end at midnight, Sunday, January 1st (EST-New York City time zone). I sure hope you will share your holiday layouts with us. The winner, chosen by a random draw, will receive a RAK from C'est Magnifique. Our challenges are designed to motivate you, so we ask that you upload newly created projects for our challenges.

~~~Valerie Serfozo

7 Dots Studio - "Elise Rebel"

I'm not sure if we are the only company in the US that is carrying 7 Dots Studio, but I wanted to make a quick post telling y'all that we are offering the new "Elise Rebel" collection in the store for those that love bright and bold colors! Here's a preview of the entire line:

If you haven't seen these papers up close, head over to the 7 Dots Studio's website and click on each one. BEAUTIFUL!! And even more so in real life!!

7 Dots Studio Website

And speaking of 7 Dots, the January kit is already SOLD OUT! At this time, I believe we only have 4 spots/kits left for February and those are going fast! If you are thinking about joining our club, now's the time - kits are flying out the door!

Butterfly by Valerie Serfozo

Some notes from Valerie:

This is my 4 year old niece, Makenzie. My husband took this photo in October of this year. We were visiting her and she wanted to show us her Halloween costume. After that, she proceeded to model just about every costume she owns, including this butterfly costume. I love the way she is looking at me, off to the side, instead of the camera. It's one of those photos that allowed me to pull in all the colors of her butterfly wings. So that the background would not compete with the photo and embellishments, I added some Picket Fence Distress Stain. I then sprayed some blue Starburst spray, which reacted with the distress stain, and tinted the background. On top of that I stamped using a piece of bubble wrap and white acrylic paint. The paint also reacted with the spray and took on some of the color. So much better than a stark white wash behind the photo.

Add-Ons Used:
Prima: Resist Canvas: Romantique
7 Dots Studio: Dreamer: Stickers
Prima: Parfait Collection: Peach
Wild Orchid: Cherry Blossoms - SOLD OUT
KaiserCraft: Stickers: Sea Breeze Alpha

Changes By Kay Rogers

Kay says:

I love this picture of Jenna, and wanted to create a more artistic feel to the page. I started by building up the background with the rectangle of patterned papers and the border sticker. I tucked the photo into one of the Maya Road envelopes and when I went to put it on the page I felt I needed one more layer of separation. The tissue paper was PERFECT for that layer! I ripped the paper using my ruler as an edge, but not trying to make it square. For the leaves I sprayed them with both mists and LOVED the effect!

Add-Ons Used:
Prima Romantique Resist Canvas
7 Dots Studio Dreamer Stickers

January 2012 Papers and Add-Ons

We are so excited to bring you the new 7 Dots Studio's Dreamer line in January! These papers are grungy and cool on one side and the total opposite on the other - all soft and dreamy.

I am anxious to show you all some of the layouts the DT has been designing - you will be amazed! Come back often over the next couple of weeks for some sneaks. In the meantime though, enjoy the previews:

And here are the add-ons:

And as an added bonus - here is a sneak peak at a layout designed by DT member Kristie Taylor:

Please Welcome Nadia Cannizzo!

I am so pleased to announce that Nadia Cannizzo has accepted my offer of a position on our fabulous design team!! I strongly feel she will bring yet another style of design to our already diverse team and I look forward to seeing her projects with our kits! Please welcome her with open arms and make her feel at home!




My name is Nadia Cannizzo, and I live in Sydney Australia. I was born and raised in Greece and moved to Australia when I was 11. I am a mummy to 2, much loved and much wanted little girls and I have been married to my husband for the last 12 years. I am a Primary School teacher and have been teaching for about 11 years. I have been scrapping/paper-crafting officially for just under 2 years now and in March of 2011 I started my own challenge blog called Once Upon A...Sketch. At present I am on the Design Team for an Australian online store called Handmade By Suzanne.I am incredibly excited that Leslie has asked me to join this Design Team. I took one look at the kits and I was hooked! I will enjoy this SO very much and cannot wait!

Use Your Stash Challenge Winner

Congratulations to Giselle for being selected the winner of our 'Use Your Stash' challenge. In her stash she found an old Hambly Screen Print, embossed chipboard shapes, and a stick pin. Here's Giselle's layout titled "That Camera Face". Isn't that photo great!



Thanks for entering the challenge, Giselle, and for being a part of C'est Magnifique. Leslie will be sending you a RAK.

~~~Valerie Serfozo

Holiday Cards and Tags Challenge

I hope your holiday shopping is going well, and that you have been finding exactly the right gift for everyone on your shopping list. I am also hopeful that you're finding some "me" time, and are able to fit in a little scrapbooking along the way.

Well, we have a quick and easy challenge for you this week and I'm hoping to see a lot of entries. I know many of you have been making holiday cards (and are still making them), as well as gift tags. Maybe you've been inspired by following Tim Holtz's 12 days of tags. Whatever you've been working on, we want to see them! So take a photo or scan them, and post an image in this thread, and in the gallery (under the challenges section). You can submit up to 5 entries for this challenge (cards and tags, only).

You will have 2 weeks, until midnight EST (New York City time zone) Sunday, December 25 to complete your project. The more you enter, the greater your chance of being chosen the winner (which will be selected by a random draw). The winner will receive a RAK from C'est Magnifique. I can't wait to see your cards and tags!

Since no blog post is complete without a photo, I went to the gallery in search of a Christmas card. I found this one, created by Heather, using paper from The Scrap Cake. This paper is featured in the December kit, and individual sheets can be purchased in the store.




~~~Valerie Serfozo

A Few Layouts from the DT!

Here are a few more layouts from the design team using "Winter's Whisper"! I love the diverse projects they all came up with!

Kristie Taylor
A Letter To Santa

Kay Rogers
Christmas Greetings

Valerie Serfozo
Together

Look for more in a couple days!!

Winner Announced

Based on a random draw, it's time to announce the winner of our 'Music Challenge". Congratulations goes to Heather (aka scrappin_in_ak) for this great wrestling layout where she used the song title "Let's Get Physical" as the title for her layout.



We can count on Heather to participate in each challenge we have. For being chosen the winner of this challenge, she will received a RAK from C'est Magnifique. It's great to have around, Heather!

~~~Valerie Serfozo

I "'Wonder" what this week's challenge will be......

Here we are with the very first challenge of December, which we're calling the "Wonder" Challenge. Do you wonder what it's all about? It's simple. We want to see you use the word "wonder" in your layout title, or a sentiment for a card. Why? This month's kit includes a package of Prima transparent mirrors, and it contains the word "wonder". If you have the kit, you will already have this word, but you are not required to use the one in the kit.

What do you have to do? - create a layout or card and post it in THIS thread in our forum and the December "Wonder" challenge folder in our gallery. You will have 2 weeks, until midnight EST (New York City time zone) Sunday, December 18 to complete your project. The winner, chosen by a random draw, will be announced in both the forum and the Blog. The winner will receive a RAK from C'est Magnifique!

Our challenges are designed to help you with your scrapbooking and card making, so we ask that you upload only newly created layouts for this challenge.

I 'wonder' what you'll create? Here's how design team member, Kristie, used the word from this month's kit:



~~~Valerie Serfozo

December Guest Designers

We have two fabulously talented women as guest designers this month. Please welcome Raissa Costa and Martica Gonzalez! Martica is a project designer - meaning she doesn't create layouts - she creates mini albums, home decor and other gorgeous items. Raissa has a style individual to her. I don't really have the words to describe her work as it's an eclectic style (although romantic comes to mind), but it sure is fantastic!

Raissa Costa

Well I'm Raissa. I live in Brazil, more specifically in the capital, Brasilia. I am completely in love with the arts since I can bore me as a person, always have to mess with papers, paints, color pencil, watercolor and many others. The only scrapbooking brought together great passions: art and photography. I believe that scrapbooking is much more than keep my memories, is where I can express myself. Besides being an artist in his spare time, I am a biology student at the University of Brasilia. And I am immensely happy to be here at C'est Magnifique!

Martica Gonzalez

Hi my name is Martica Gonzalez and I live in sunny Southeast Florida. I have been happily married , on Jan 2, 2012 will be 31 years. I have 2 adult sons and one grandson who lives in Germany which I miss greatly.

I am so thrilled to be invited as a guest designer in C’est Magnifique it is such an honor. I want to thank Leslie and the rest of the team for this privilege.

As of right now I am unemployed. But meantime I am creating, creating, creating. I love to alter anything I can get my hands on. I am most happy when I am in my scrapbook room working on a project. I love to do mini albums and tags. But have done alter cigar boxes, shadowboxes and many dress forms. I am always ready to alter something new and different. My style I have been told is shabby chic, even though I also love and do vintage and steampunk styles too.

I hope you enjoy browsing throughout my gallery as much as I enjoy creating it . And thanks again ladies for letting me be part of the team at least for a little while…..







Please head over to our gallery to see even more from these talented women!

Introducing...Winter's Whisper

We are such huge fans of The Scrap Cake papers out of Poland that when we first lay eyes on the new Cozy Christmas line, we knew we HAD to have it!! I think what's so wonderful about these papers (besides the design, the colors, the weight, lol...) is that they are the easiest papers I have ever used to create Christmas cards with!

Anyway, I know I'm rambling when all you really want to see is the kit so here it is (all images are click-able for even larger viewing):








For even more images and the chance to purchase one of these beautiful kits, visit our store! You are going to love this one!

Congratulations to our Challenge Winner!

Our photo challenge ended yesterday and congratulations go out to Aggie for this adorable layout! Isn't it great? - and she used the November kit from C'est Magnifique.

Aggie, thanks for being such an active member of C'est Magnifique! Leslie will be sending you a RAK.

Use Your Stash Challenge

I know it's difficult to believe, but it's the last Sunday of the month, and that means we're ready for another 'Use Your Stash' challenge. This challenge is designed to get you to use some of your older paper and embellishments. You loved these items when you purchased them, and it's never too late to use them. You'll feel much better scrapping with these long forgotten supplies. So what do you have? - some old Basic Grey, October Afternoon, Prima, Pink Paislee, or Crate Paper? Whatever it is, we want to see it! The only restriction for this challenge is that you must use supplies that you've had for a while. You may create a layout or card.

You will have 2 weeks, until midnight EST (New York City time zone) Sunday, December 11 to complete your project. Please upload it to the November "Use Your Stash" folder in the gallery, post an image in this thread, and don't forget to tell us what you used from your stash. The winner, chosen by a random draw, will be announced in both the forum and here on the blog. The winner will receive a RAK from C'est Magnifique!

Our challenges are designed to help you with your scrapbooking and card making, so we ask that you upload only newly created layouts for this challenge. Have fun, and we look forward to seeing what you've got in your stash!

I also realized earlier this week that I failed announce the winner of our October 'Use Your Stash" challenge............Sandi Pressley! Here's her amazing layout using some of her stash:

Thanks for entering our challenge, Sandi. We're glad you're a part of C'est Magnifique!

~~~Valerie Serfozo

Cyber Monday Sale and Facebook Too!

We have two very exciting things to mention today!

First, we are finally on Facebook! To celebrate the fact, we are offering a randomly drawn prize to one of the first 100 people to "LIKE" us!

Click Here to access our Facebook page!

Just click 'LIKE' and you are automatically entered to win!

And even better news:

Click Here to visit our store!

Yay!! We are celebrating both "Small Business Day" and "Cyber Monday"!

Callie Jane by Valerie Serfozo

Here's Valerie's description:

I love pink, and squealed when I saw this 7x12-inch piece of paper (yes this kit has both 12x12 paper and 7x12 paper). I knew it would be perfect to use with this photo of my sweet niece, Callie Jane. I distressed the edges of the patterned paper with some tattered rose Distress Ink to created a defined edge. I wanted to add some hand stitching around the edges so I poked holes, and used floss and a back-stitch to create a border. My plan was to keep the layout pink and white as much as possible, so I punched two strips of white paper using a Martha Stewart punch to get an eyelet look.

Then, using the beautiful flowers from Prima and Basic Grey, I created a few clusters at opposite corners of the photo. The large pink Basic Grey flower is made from fabric and can be found in this month's add on. The large white Prima flower is from the November add-ons and is currently available in the store. The small roses that I tucked in are also from Prima and available as an add-on this month. Other add-ons include the beautiful pink cameo from Webster's Pages, and the strip along the bottom of the photo that is part of the Prima North Country chipboard pieces. There are a lot of really cute designs in that set of chipboard. This is just one of the many looks you can achieve from this month's kit!

Have A Great Thanksgiving!!

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving today! May your day be filled with good food, great friends and lots of family!!

Merry by Kay Rogers

Kay writes:

When I found these old Christmas Card photos, the memories came flooding back. Where does the time go?

I used the main kit, as I always do. I inked the edges with the Prima Ink, which I LOVE! It works so well, and I love how it separates the layers! I also inked the wood piece, which was a 5-second makeover. I love a quick fix, as time is always what I fight against.

Memories came flooding back for me too! Some of you may know that I owned a kit club many years ago and Kay was on my original design team then. When I saw these photos of her girls it brought it all back to me too! Thank you, Kay!!

Add-ons used:

Melissa Frances Flash Cards "Deck the Halls" collection - 'Snow'
Kaisercraft Wood Holly Swirls

This Week's Challenge Winner

Congratulations to Heather (scrappin_in_ak), the winner of our Journaling Prompt Challenge. Heather created this beautiful layout about her son. In her journaling, hidden in the pocket, she tells of how thankful she is for this first step in a journey.

Heather, thanks for participating in the challenge, and thanks for being a part of C'est Magnifique. Leslie will be sending you a RAK!



~~~Valerie Serfozo

Music Challenge

I hope you've enjoyed seeing all the December kit sneak peeks that Leslie has been posting this week. Keep checking back, because she will be posting more this week.

But since it's Sunday, C'est Magnifique has a new challenge for you. This week we challenge you to use a song title or lyrics as inspiration for a card or layout. It can be any song you choose. Use the title or lyrics in your journaling, as a title for your layout, or a sentiment for your card (or any other way you can think of). The song could also be the subject of your layout!

You will have 2 weeks until midnight EST (New York City time zone) Sunday, December 5th to complete your layout. Please upload it to the November "Music Challenge" folder in the gallery and post an image in our forum here. The winner, chosen by a random draw, will be announced on the blog and in the forum. The winner will receive a RAK from C'est Magnifique!

Our challenges are designed to help you with your scrapbooking, so we ask that you upload only newly created layouts for this challenge. We can't wait to find out which tunes inspire you!

~~~Valerie Serfozo

Snow by Beverly Sams

Beverly has this to say about her layout:

This is one of my favorite photos from my son's childhood and I keep a copy of it above my desk. When I saw the beautiful C'est Magnifique December kit papers from The Scrapcake, I knew immediately that they would be perfect to further showcase one of my precious memories! I chose the oval format to slightly offset the circles I wanted to include. The rosettes were made from a Tim Holtz die and red card stock to echo the beautiful medallion at the top of the page. In the center of those are pieces of the gold and crystal rhinestone trim included in the main kit.

The Prima chipboard snowflakes were given a bit of sparkle with Crystal Stickles and the chipboard branches were generously treated to a coat of Martha Stewart's aquamarine crystal fine glitter.

The snowman melted and the child grew up, but in this way I have frozen a wonderful moment in time!

Add ons used:

Melissa Frances Flash Cards "Deck the Halls" collection- 'Snow'
Prima North Country Chipboard Stickers

Introducing Kristie Taylor!!

I am so excited to announce a fabulous addition to our design team! Kristie is her name and here is a photo, a short bio and an example of her work with the stunning December kit. She brings a new style to the team and I am looking forward to working with her!

Kristie Taylor

"Hi I am Kristie, and I presently live in Wisconsin, but I am a southern girl from North carolina through and through. I am mom to four amazing kids, ages 27,14,11 and 11.Who are often the subject of my scrapbooking pages. I love scrapbooking and working with the paper arts, I have served on several design teams, and have taught classes as well. I love adding texture and dimension to my projects, and love "found" objects too. When not playing with paper, or planning my next page, I also love to do mixed media art and some art journaling. I find that creating something.. anything soothes my soul and renews my spirit. I am honored and excited to be asked to join the Cest magnifique team and I hope that I can do these amazing kits justice!"

Here also is a little sneak of the December kit created by Kristie! Can you say GORGEOUS?!!



Here is Kristie's description of her layout:

I started with some white cardstock, and rubbed on some distress ink and glimmer mists. I cut the first layer and used fringe scissors to add some texture. Then I started building layers. The heavy paper from "The Scrapcake" just LOVES distressing because it is so thick. Each layer of paper was distressed and inked using distress inks as well as the awesome little brick red ink pad that comes in the kit. I used a lot of the add-ons including the beautiful flowers by Prima. The kit is just gorgeous and the photos just don't do it justice, everything is color coordinated and matches PERFECTLY! The pages just flow together, the only problem I had was that I didn't want to cut the gorgeous papers :)

Add-ons used:

Prima's North Country Chipboard
Prima's Innoscence 546014
Prima's Romantique Roses - SOLD OUT

Welcome to C'est Magnifique Kits, Kristie!

Store Sale!!!

Yay! In observance of Black Friday - we are having our first sale! Enjoy!!

December 2011 Papers and Add-Ons

December's kit is quickly becoming my favorite! The colors in this line of paper from The Scrap Cake out of Poland are superb!!! I love that these papers make Christmas Card making so easy too! Take a look:



Here are the add-ons for the month too:




Both the embellie and flower add-on packages are already sold out, but some of the items are available individually IN THE STORE. For first dibs on the add-ons, you may want to sign up for our email newsletter at the top left of the blog - it's where you learn first of the kit and add-on images.

And don't forget - as a monthly member you receive an additional discount on all add-ons for the month.