Sunday, December 18, 2016

What Year Are You Working On?

I am several years behind on my scrapbook projects.  I am just to wrap up 2012 and so when the current challenge at Lasting Memories was announced .... I was truly challenged.  The challenge is "Anything Goes but you have to use 2016 photos!"  WHAT?!?!

Fortunately, the kids just received their school pictures and the envelope was sitting on my desk!  What a relief...  This is what I pulled together...


Let's see your 2016 pictures!  Be sure to link up by the end of the month!


Materials Used:  cardstock, Pink Paislee - Indigo Bleu papers, Cricut "7th Grade," brad, Recollections flower, unknown manufacturer of "smile" sticker, DCWV leaf, Heidi Floss Edge Distressor, My Mind's Eye - Chalk Studio garland, and layout lift from Cheryl Husmann.

Sunday, December 11, 2016

New Challenge at Lasting Memories

Can you use just four photos on your layout?  No more... No less?  Using only four photos is the new challenge at Lasting Memories.  This is what I created:


Let see what you can create with four photos!  Links are due at the end of December!

Materials Used:  Close To My Heart - Fundamentals Memo paper, Cricut - Cherry Limeade font, brads, and Simple Stories - Harvest Lane papers.

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Just One Photo....

The new challenge at Lasting Memories is to use just one - only one photo on your layout.  This is what I created for the challenge reveal:


The layout has some obvious layering.  I rolled the edges of the gray paper and the horizontal "strip of paper" is actually fussy cut from scrap.  I then added eyelets to the center of each circle.  Throw in a little doodling and a few embellishments and this page is a wrap!

I hope you can join us with this challenge at Lasting Memories - be sure to link up by the end of the month!


Materials Used:  Echo Park - Capture Life papers, Paper Trunk - Batik Divine paper & Benny alphabet, brads, eyelets, and Sizzix Original Die - photo corners.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

It Does Make Sense... Really...

So I am currently scrapping a weekend trip to DC.  The papers I chose to use - winter, snowflakes, Christmas, etc.  It makes sense to me since we were there during December!

I completed this layout using the sketch challenge over at Sketch N Scrap.  Here is the sketch and my work:



This sketch is perfect for these two photos that I simply stayed true to the plan!  If you would like to join me in this challenge, hurry the link close tomorrow (11/30)!


Materials Used:  Fancy Pants Design, Inc - Blissful Blizzard papers, American Crafts cardstock, buttons, Cricut cut of my system font, Captials, and crochet snowflake.

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Glitter & Glam

I am happy to help reveal the new challenge at Lasting Memories.  The challenge revisits a popular challenge that was held earlier in the year - Glitter & Glam/Oscar Theme Month.  I decided that the photo used for my daughter's school play was perfect for this challenge.  I also added some bling to the layout for a little more sparkle!


I hope that you are able to join us in this challenge - you have until the end of December to link up! I can't wait to see your work!

Materials Used:  DCWV paper, cardstock, Want 2 Scrap/Say It With Bling, Petaloo/Color Me Crazy flower, and Cricut Nursery Rhymes & Cricut Craft Room fonts.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Bright & Beautiful

Bright & Beautiful - that is what I think of when I look at the Mood Board at Off The Rails Scrapbooking.  Check it out!


I was inspired to use bright, bold colors on my layout.  Also the quote, "Be Inspired," is very fitting for my Girl Scout Troop to venture out and learn to cook at a local restaurant.   This is what I created:



The layout was completed with lots of layering and adding a few embellishments - including an up-cycled ribbon from a shopping bag.  I hope you can join me on this completely fun mood board.  Be sure to link up by November 30th.

I also added a simple second page to this layout:



Materials Used:  Echo Park - Capture Life papers & sticker embellishments, cardstock, Basic Grey - Basic Candy Buttons, Prima - Stationer's Desk Metal Clip, Recollection flowers, ribbon, rickrack, brads, and Cricut Nursery Rhyme font.

Blue....

Berry71Bleu has a beautiful Mood Board challenge this month.  Here it is:


I think this is stunning... perhaps because navy blue is one of my favorite colors.  The mood board inspired me to pull out and use my blue pattern papers.  I also used gray that was showcased.  In addition, I placed chevrons on the layout.  This is what I created:


Hurry - the links to join me on this challenge close on November 30th.

Materials Used: Echo Park - For The Record 2 papers, Life In A Snapshot - 10/16 sketch, Cricut Chalkboard & Cricut fonts, and chipboard chevrons.

Found A New Challenge Site!

I currently searched a page titled, "All Our Scrapbook Challenges Are Here" on Facebook.  This resulted in a new challenge blog for me, Mystical Scrapbooks.  The challenge for November is to be inspired by the following Mood Board:


I had a stack of photos from a Halloween Dance (theme was animals) and thought this was a great challenge to follow!  Not only was I inspired by the subject of the photos, but the colors as well - particularly orange, yellow, and black.  This is what I created:


This was a fun mood board to work with!  If you want to play along - hurry - links close on November 30th.

Materials Used: Sketch from Let's Scrap - 9/16, Core-dinations cardstock, Recollections flowers, Cricut - "Dance Party," Scenic Route chipboard/Hilarious, Imaginisce Fall Papers, Jillibean Soup Country Pumpkin Chowder & Cream Style Corn papers, and brads.



Hexagons....

OK - so I had a post already for this week's challenge and I just realized that I forgot to publish it and so the post - which is now outdated - sat in my draft pile!  Ugh.  Unfortunately, this challenge ended yesterday.

Well, I am going to share the page regardless.  The challenge was to use any shape and I chose hexagons. This layout is pretty straightforward - just lots of layering!



Materials Used:  cardstock, scrap paper, foam tabs, bling, brad (star), Cricut shapes and Christmas title, and Scenic Route Christmas Dreams rub-ons.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Triangles....

I'm pleased to help reveal the new challenge at Lasting Memories!  This week, the challenge is to use triangles.  I chose a triangle background from Cricut, filled in some triangles with scrap paper, added mulberry paper - photos - and embellishments.  And folks - it is another page done!  Woo Hoo!



I really would love to see how you incorporate triangles in your layout!  Please join us and link up your work by November 25th!


Materials Used:  DCWV paper, cardstock, Christmas scrap paper, mulberry paper, Paper Trunk - Benny alphabet, homemade embellishment (reindeer), and brads.

Saturday, November 12, 2016

OOPS! Missed My Deadline....

I was away last weekend and though I had finished my DT work for Lasting Memories, I missed my deadline.  Ugh.  So though it is too late to post with the rest of the DT, it is not too late to share the challenge and encourage you to participate.

At Lasting Memories, the theme for the month is shapes.  The current challenge is to use circles on your layout.  This is what I came up with....


OOO, my husband is going to love me for this post - not!  We were at my in-laws celebrating Thanksgiving and I found myself with my husband's camera and started to take pictures.  He then proceeded to provide me with a lot of material.  We made ourselves giggle.  Silly I know.

I hope to see how you incorporate circles in your layout at Lasting Memories!  Be sure to link up by November 25th!


Materials Used: cardstock, Doodlebug Design Inc. - Happy Harvest paper, buttons, eyelets (remember those?), Provocraft Scrapbook Black alphabet, Jillibean Soup - Soup Labels/Apple Cheddar Soup, American Crafts - Delight Spice embellishments, Cricut image (circle cuts), and unknown manufacturer of a Thanksgiving image from a scrapbook calendar (gosh - maybe 10 years ago).

It Is Beginning To Look Like Christmas...

I am one to wait for Christmas until after Thanksgiving.  However, I am really behind on my scrapbooking and just so happens that I am working on Christmas pages at the moment.  Ironic huh?!?!  So for me, the timing is perfect for a challenge at Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges.  The challenge (#78) is to craft about Christmas! (Link closes on November 24th.)

Here is a layout that I created for this challenge:


To help me pull together this page, I had a lot of help from the sketch challenge at GrandDiva's Creative Corner. (Link closes on November 29th.)



Thanks for stopping by!


Materials Used:  cardstock, Pebbles - Christmas layered embellishment, wire, My Mind's Eyes Winter Wonderland papers, Cricut Kate's ABC font, doily, and brads.

Clean, Simple, And Fantastic

There is nothing better than a clean, simple, and fantastic sketch!  Creative Scrappers currently is hosting a sketch challenge that meets the above description.  What is even more exciting is the DT work!  Each one is so creative and inspiring - seriously!  I just might have to revisit this post several times.  Do yourself a favor and check it out.

Here is the sketch I am referring to and my layout:



Though hard to tell in this photo, the grouping of nine squares is matted on black cardstock with distressed edges.  Then placed on foam tabs and again on a black piece of cardstock.  In person, it adds just a little more interest to the page.  In addition, the little red dots are the insides of sequins.  I  put those little buggers in my little Xyron and carefully transferred them to the layout.  I am pleased with the outcome, however, while working with those little plastic circles a few choice words slipped.   Oops.

Seriously my friends, check out the DT work at Creative Scrappers!


Materials Used: cardstock, Bo Bunny - Hazel & Ruby Candy Apple Sequins, and Cricut/Cricut Font and stars.

Friday, November 11, 2016

The Finishing Touches

When I created this layout, at first I did not ink the banners.  Though I liked the design of the page, the layout seemed to be missing something.  Finally, I decided to lift the banners (Sorry Lisa!  Every time I lift something off the page - I think of you cringing at me!  LOL) and ink the edges.  With that small finishing touch - the layout transformed into something so much better! Sometimes - it is in the details!


The fabulous sketch I followed for this layout is a current challenge at Sketch-N-Scrap.  Here is the sketch:

:

Join me on this fun sketch challenge!  Links close  on November 30th.


Materials Used:  Echo Park - Winter Park papers, cardstock, Cricut - Alphalicious font, buttons, ink, and embroidery floss.

Circles....

I am completely happy how this page turned out!  The sketch challenge over at My Creative Sketches provided me with the perfect framework to work with for this layout.  Here is the sketch and my work:



To accommodate my horizontal photo, I did flip the sketch. This was such a fun layout to do and a great way to use some scrap pieces of paper!  

To join me - hurry!  This challenge closes on November 14th.

Materials Used: cardstock, scrap paper (bonus), and Cricut Nursery Rhyme font.

Love This Face...

I took my Girl Scout Troop to a sleepover at our zoo and had some other parents join me in the fun! One mom simply did not like bugs - especially this gigantic cockroach!  The girls convinced/pressured her to touch it - she even used a girl as a shield!  Her face is priceless. So priceless, this memory needed its very own page.

I completed this page with a little help from my friends over at Sketches In Thyme.  Here is the sketch and my page:



The layout is pretty straight forward from the sketch.  However, I wanted to mention that the plastic circles are up-cycled.  I think they were intended for a game - perhaps bingo?  I left the packet intact and the group made a great embellishment for this page.  I also separated a few for the bottom right section of the page.  Great fun to up-cycle!

Join me on this fun sketch and be sure to link your work before November 30th.

Materials Used: Bo Bunny - Forever Young papers, Cricut - Craft Room Basic Bold font, Maya Road - Satin Posies/Bright Pink, and plastic game pieces.



Love This Tagline...

Gobble to you wobble....

Love it!  Makes me giggle!

This is the tagline I used on a PL-like card that I created for a challenge at Sketches in Thyme Project Life Style (#49).  Here is the sketch, my card, and the completed page....




Please forgive the photo quality, it is was a gray, rainy day when this photo was taken.  *sigh*

I am getting the hang of Project Life pages and love that they can come together somewhat quickly - especially when following great sketches at Sketches in Thyme Project Life Style! 

I hope you can join me in this challenge, the links close on November 30th.

Materials Used: Jillibean Soup - Country Pumpkin Chowder - papers, soup labels, sticker embellishments, Cricut - Autumn Celebrations/turkey image & Cricut Craft Room font, and brads.


Sunday, October 30, 2016

It's Hip To Be Square...

OK - I couldn't resist the title but it is a nice segue into this week's challenge at Lasting Memories!  The theme for the month is shapes and this week you are asked to use squares on your layouts!  There are soo many options here and I choose to use a mosaic pattern.  I followed a pinwheel pattern and came up with this....


The idea behind the pinwheel pattern is to start with a large center photo.  From there, add the same size photos on each side of that center photo and work your way out.  Since I did not have a large number of photos, I added in square pieces of paper to fill in the page.  I ended up with a long rectangular section in my pattern.  Fortunately, I found chipboard words that fit perfectly.  However, one of those words did not fit my color scheme so I altered it a little with ink.  

One last note is my continuous and never ending battle with the alphabets I have on hand.  My mission to use those alphabets is working but the stash doesn't seem to budge much!  I have become somewhat an expert on altering letters to make them work.  I did not have any of the letters I needed for my title - even when I changed the title a thousand times.  (OK that is a little exaggeration but you get the point.)  I settled on the "Too Cool" title and went to work.  The "t" was originally and "f" - just trimmed the top.  The "o's" were the inside sections left over from other letters like "g" and such.  The "C" was a "Q" - again trimmed.  Finally, the "l" was a "k" - again trimmed.   I have learned that the letters look better if they are trimmed instead of trying to add a section to complete the letter needed.

In any case, squares are a great shape to use on your work.  How creative can you be?  I would love to see!  Links are due at the end of November!


Materials Used:  cardstock, scrap paper, brads, Scenic Route chipboard words & Redmond Stencil chipboard alphabet, and Creative Memories square punch.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Using the Stash

Ever since I reorganized by stash as recommended by Totally Tiffany (though I use binders instead of racks), I can find the embellishments that fit my page so easily.  I love it!  If you get a chance - check out the website.

I followed a simple sketch from Sketch N Scrap and in my opinion - it is wonderful!  Here is the sketch and my layout:



Forgive the poor lighting - taking pictures inside, at night is not an easy task for me!  I find a small sense of pleasure knowing that every piece of material used on this page is old - like almost a decade old!  Most notably, the ladybugs.  They are up-cycled from a t-shirt by daughter wore as a toddler!

I hope you can join me in the sketch challenge - it is great for beginners to the pros!  Links close on October 31st!


Materials Used: unfortunately - the manufacturers are completely unknown on all the products.... sorry.  The alphabet and flowers are acrylic.  The ladybugs are from a t-shirt.

Fall Celebrations

The new challenge at Lasting Memories is titled, "Fall Celebrations."  With so many celebrations in the fall - this should be an easy challenge to participate in (links due 10/28).  I choose to scrap my son going "Trick or Treating" - of course celebrating Halloween.


This was also an opportunity for me to use something new.  A full sheet transparency.  I thought the title on this transparency fitted this two young, gruesome creatures.  

The first trick was to find what to attach it to and how.  I decided to use white paper since the design on the transparency showed better.  Next, I strategically used glue dots under the black images.  This worked well for me since I later decided to add journaling, graphics, and a tag under the transparency.  On top, I added a spider and photos and that wraps it up!  I am sure I could have done more creative things with this sheet but baby steps - right!

I can't wait to see your work over at Lasting Memories!

Materials Used: K&Company/Halloween stack transparency, cardstock, plastic spider, Teresa Collins paper (graphics, tag, and journaling card).

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Stuck?!

If you haven't figured it out - I truly enjoy working with sketch challenges.  It takes all the guess work of putting a page together.  The sketch I used to put this page together was a really fun challenge at Stuck?!


I adjusted the sketch to accommodate three photos instead of four.  Here is my page:


I hope you can join me on this challenge, the link closes on October 29th.


Materials Used: Lillybee Design - Buttercup Blossom paper, cardstock, Teresa Collins - Memorabilia enamel dots, Cricut Font - Cricut Craft Room font, Echo Park - For the Record paper & tag, up-cycled clothing tag twine, and brads.

Dusting Off My Dies

I don't know about you, but for myself, I love to re-discover old tools and use those items that have been in my stash for more years than I can remember.  The current challenge at Scrap Our Stash, helped me do both!

The challenge is called Sketch + (3).  The idea is to follow the sketch and include one item from each list showcased.  Here is the board to help understand the challenge.


I followed the sketch and included the follow items: from list 1 - diecut (crayons), list 2 - envelope, and list 3 - flowers.  Here is my work:



This was a great way to use your stash - at least for me!  I dusted off my original Sizzix die and found an envelope that has been sitting around for at least 10 years (*gasp*).  Join me and scrap your stash!  Links are due October 29th.


Materials Used: Bazzill cardstock, scrap paper (bonus!), Cricut - Alphalicious font, Recollections flowers, My Mind's Eye - Collectible Tiny Word stickers, Sizzix Original Die - crayon, and a Sticko vellum envelope.

Pretty In Pink

Girls and pink... goes together like peanut butter and jelly!  Well - at least for our family.  There is no shortage of either in this layout.

I completed another page and had a little help from the sketch challenge at Let's Get Sketchy.  Here is the sketch for Week 2 and my work:



I knew this paper was perfect for these photos but I was concerned about the pattern being too busy.  With that in mind, I used gesso to reduce the "noise" a little.  

This was a great sketch to follow and I hope you can join me on this challenge.  Links are due October 30th.

Materials Used: Scrappy Cat LLC/Stamp Effects - Retro Mania paper, Doodlebug Design Inc - Petite Prints paper, Making Memories - Garden Party Flower shimmer stickers, K & Company Smash List Pad - Blank cards, Liquitex gesso, and unknown manufacturer of chipboard flowers.

Monday, October 17, 2016

In Search Of...

I enjoy doing Project Life Style pages - especially when I want to include lots of photos.  However, there are few Project Life Style challenges that I have found.  (And challenges keep me motivated to keep working on my albums.) So I am taking the liberty and getting a little creative.  I decided to use a card sketch from Sketch N Scrap for my title card on this Project Life Style page.  Here is the sketch and my work:




I hope the folks at Sketch N Scrap do not mind I did this - but I appreciate the motivation to get this done!  To join me in this challenge, be sure to link up by October  31st.

Materials Used: Becky Higgins pocket page and Tropical pocket cards, paper clips, brads, scrap paper, My Mind's Eye - The Sweetest Thing Tiny Word Stickers, and Doodlebug Design Inc - Love Letter alphabet.

Lovin' The Mojo!

I have not scrapped all summer.  Now, I am finding myself searching for an opportunity to scrap.  I honestly think scrapping is a great form of therapy - not sure if it is cheaper than actual therapy - but I digress.  In any case, I am tickled pink to be making progress on my albums.

I completed this Project Life page with the help of the friendly folks at Sketches In Thyme Project Life Style (#47).  They had a great sketch challenge and I used it for my main card/title slot.  Here is the sketch and my work:




I rotated the sketch to fit my pocket and then I coordinated the other cards.  I even had my daughter journal about the experience (though a four years later...).  

Join me in this super sketch challenge - the links close on October 31st.

Materials Used: Becky Higgins Project Life page, Recollections washi tape and wood veneer banner, Paper Trunk - Benny alphabet, cardstock, Me & My Big Idea pocket cards, Smash date stamp, and brads.

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Favorite Fall Activity...

I have so many favorite fall activities -- it is hard to choose one.  Really.  However, for the new challenge at Lasting Memories I went to my "to scrap" pile to see what I had on hand.  I found a school paper where my then 8 year old was writing about our Thanksgiving traditions.  I truly enjoy seeing my kids school work and craft projects.  I particularly love reading about what they are thankful for.  So - I am declaring that my favorite fall activity - looking at my kids schoolwork (I never get as much stuff to look at in the spring - hmmmm).

Here is my example this week:


I have to mention that sometimes - you have to just stop and let it go.  What I mean is -- for some reason this piece of schoolwork would not let me punch the paper edge.  It kept getting caught and ripping.  I was determined to make it work and soon I realized that I was ruining the schoolwork!  ACCKK!  Obviously I can not replace it.  So, I just left it as it is as soon as I realized my error.  Hence the goofy edge.  Oh well.... what can I do?

I hope you can join us in this fun challenge - links are due October 28th.

Materials Used:  Simple Stories - Harvest Lane paper & alphabet, cardstock, Queen & Co. Felt Fusion - Leaves, Lawn Fawn/Lawn Ornaments - Into the Woods mixed sequins, Basic Grey - Woolies/felt stickers - Pyrus, and Krylon Make It Acid Free spray. 

Friday, October 14, 2016

Pink & Creepy...

Who would have thought that when doing a page of creepy, crawly things that make the hair on your arms stand straight up - would be designed in pretty pink papers, flowers, and a bow?  I wouldn't but I did.

If you are following me, you know that I am working on my Girl Scout's overnighter to the zoo.  Tons of pictures - perfect use of pocket pages.

I followed a pocket card sketch at Sketches In Thyme Project Life Style for this page (#46).  Here is the sketch:


Here is my card and the complete page:



Join in the fun - links are due October 31st.

Materials Used: Project Life pocket page, scrap paper, Thickers - Subway alphabet, ribbon, glitter brads, Stampin' Up paper ants from a very old collection, and Cricut - Cherry Limeade font.


Using Project Life A Little Differently

Most people that use Project Life (online or in person) use it as it is intended - to document a period of time - most often a week.  I am not that organized nor current enough to make that happen.  However, the concept is still brilliant.  I use my Project Life pages to quickly scrap an event that has a TON of photos that I just have to include for one reason or another.  One perfect example is a trip to the zoo with my Girl Scout troop.   To help me try to get a little creative with these pages - I use challenges.

One of my favorite places to check out first is Sketches In Thyme Project Life Style.  They post weekly sketch challenge.  Love it!  Here is the challenge for the first week of October:


This is what I created:


And the complete page:


Give Project Life/Pocket Pages and Sketches In Thyme Project Life Style a shot - you won't be disappointed.  Be sure to link your work by October 31st.

Materials Used: Project Life Pocket Page, scrap paper, glitter brads, unknown manufacturer of glitter do-dad & hearts (I do not know what to call that arrow looking thingy), Paper Trunk - Carson alphabet, and Me & My Big Ideas Pocket Pages themed cards.