What's In A Name?

Do you ever wonder how you ended up with your name?  Or even if it has a certain meaning? Or where it originated from?  I did!  

Lasting Memories' challenge this week provides a perfect opportunity to do a little research and find out what your name represents!  Now do not be intimated - your work can include your first or last name and can even be focused on a nickname that stuck.  

I chose to focus on my first name and I also journaled a funny story that I am often told about my middle name.  In summary, the nurse at the hospital stopped my mother from giving me a bizarre middle name!  Whew!

I hope you find the time to join us in this fun challenge!  You have until the end of the month to link up your work!  I'm looking forward to what you create!

Materials Used: Kaisercraft - Lady Rose Collection papers, Thickers - Serenade alphabet (some of the letters were altered to fit my need), cotton fiber paper, Close To My Heart cocoa ink, and Prima Marketing - Shabby Chic Treasures/resin butterfly.

Sketch N Scrap Sketch

I simply love sketches.  They really help me put together my pages with style!  Sketch N Scrap offers simple but great sketches a few times a month.  This layout was completed for their NSD 2016 Sketch, which follows.

I fussy cut the flower swirly thingy, matted the badge, and put the badge on pop dots.  I should have made the title bigger but time ran out on me to play with it any longer.  To play along, be sure to link up by May 31st!

Materials Used: Bazzill cardstock, Authentique - Favorite Collection (papers, alphabet/block, and embellishment), and Cricut Alphabet font.

OOPS!

I don't know if I should be pleased with myself or completely afraid of myself!  I participated in a challenge at Paper Issues, where a cut file was offered.  Unable to make the cut file work on my system, I did not use the cut file.  The host of the challenge was gracious enough to help me figure it out.  However, I did not get a chance to play with the file and a layout until two weeks later.

With my new cut file, I went to grab a sketch and went to Sketch N Scrap.  After I completed my page, I realized that I combined the SAME two challenges earlier in the month.  Seriously - the same two challenges.  What are the odds of that?

Well - I can't enter the page in the challenges again but I can post it hear to share with you.  *sigh*

Materials Used: cardstock, Sew-n-Easy Fancy Floss - Sunrise and Meadow, Paper Trunk Benny Alphabet (small), cut file from Paper Issues (flowers), scrap paper, and unknown manufacturer of large alphabet.

Pocket Pages To The Rescue!

I have found an appreciation for pocket pages.  They are relatively easy to put together - with a focus on a small piece or two of paper.  They also come in handy when there are a lot of pictures you want to include in your album without taking a ton of pages.  The next two layouts represent what I mean.

For our special guest at one of our Brownie meetings, I had already scrapped two pages.  However, I also wanted to include more pictures without taking up too many additional pages.  Hence - my handy dandy pocket page!

The second layout, I was encouraged to pull out some flair for the Pocket Page challenge at Paper Issues.  Check out the challenge here and be sure to link up your work by June 1st.

Materials Used: Pocket Page by Becky Higgins, ribbon, Sassafras - Kelly Green Glitter alphabet, scrap paper, cardstock, Prima Marketing - Say It In Crystals, We R Memory Keepers - Teen Angst die cut journal card, unknown manufacturer of quote, Findingnana flair, and Anna Griffin 3-D Title Sticker.

How Many Pictures Can You Put On A Page?

I managed to put 32 - yes - that's right 32 pictures on a 12x12 page.  I have seen many pages following a mosaic format and I have always wanted to give it a try.  Creating a title page for an album was the perfect opportunity - along with the new challenge at Lasting Memories!  The challenge - to use as many photos as possible.  This was a super fun challenge and I would love to see what you create.  Hurry though - the link closes on May 27th.

Materials Used: cardstock, Doodlebug Design Inc - Jack & Jill alphabet, and Creative Memories Square Punch.

Can You Do It?

Can you use just one photo on your layout?  I used to not be able to do so.  It was too difficult for me to limit myself to one photo for one page.  Now, I think I went the opposite direction and love putting one photo on a page.  Funny how times change!

In any case, the current challenge at Lasting Memories is to use just one photo (any size) on your layout.  I find using an 8x10 on a layout is a great way to start the mojo flowing again.  This is what I created:

A little layering in the bottom left corner and this page was a wrap!  I can't wait to see your one photo layouts on the blog!  Please link up your work by May 27th to be eligible for a prize!

Materials Used: Simple Stories - 24/7 collection (papers, alphabet, sticker elements) and brads.

Cleaning Up...

I love crops.  Not only do you have the opportunity to interact with others who share the same hobby but - at least for me - I get pages done!  I participated in two crops on NSD and well let's just say my work space needs some attention.  One crop was a private group on Facebook called, Project Life Card Swaps.  I'm relatively new to the PL style and this event was a great way to jump in with both feet first!  There were many challenges to create your own PL cards.  As a result, I used two of them in the following layouts.

The card above was completed following a sketch.

The card above followed a challenge to use something that you normally do not use.  I used twist ties!

For those who may be wondering, the pocket style pages are going to be mixed in with my traditional pages within my albums.  I like the combination - especially when I have a ton of pictures!  It keeps things interesting!

Now - back to putting things away!  *sigh*

Thanks for stopping by!

Being Bold...

I have a friend named Kerry.  Kerry is a scrapbooker and I love her style - her attention to detail is impressive.  I also have to add that she is the queen of fussy cutting.  For some time now, Kerry has been having a friend join her for a monthly challenge.  Kerry will then post both of their interpretations on her blog.  It is fun, in my opinion, to see two different takes on the same challenge.

Last month, Kerry posted their next challenge.  I, being bold, invited myself to play along.  Kerry was gracious and welcomed me.  The new challenge was to follow this mood board:

I inspired by the quote and the incredible ocean photo.  It reminded me of a trip that my husband and I took to the beach for our anniversary.  I also used the colors of the mood board.  This is what I created:

I can't wait to see what Kerry and Helen create!  Thank you ladies for allowing me to jump in!

Materials Used: cardstock, Craft Smith embossed paper, ribbon, brads, scrap paper, Sizzix file die, Cricut H2O font (title), and Paper Trunk - Carson alphabet.

Last Echo Park Project For The Day

The day is winding down and the week looks to be a bit insane.  With that said, I must end my craftiness and get my head in the game.  My last project for NSD is with Echo Park.  Their challenge #6, is to use one of their collections in a two page spread!  This is what I created:

Using their Capture Life collection and a PageMap from March 2016, the page came together easily despite all the interruptions from the kiddos!

If you want to join me in this challenge, the links are due in just a few hours (Sunday.)

Materials Used: Echo Park - Capture Life collection (papers ,sticker embellishments), brads, cardstock, Basic Grey - Bling It (stars), Cricut - Keystone font, Comic Sans font, and PageMap/March 2016.

Another Echo Park Project!

I just completed the 3rd NSD challenge for the event over at Echo Park.  The challenge is to use one of their holiday collections for a layout.  Easy - right!

I used the Love Story collection to create a page from a anniversary weekend away.  This is what I created:

The top photo is not a favorite of mine - I look like I have no chin.  Once I am past that, I actually enjoy the picture.  It puts a smile on my face!

If you would like to join me on this challenge, hurry the links close at the end of the day (Sunday).

Materials Used: Echo Park - Love Story collection (papers, sticker embellishments), cardstock, and Stampin' Up - Passion Pink ink.

National Scrapbooking Day

WOW - there are a ton of events going on for National Scrapbooking Day.  It can be a bit overwhelming.  I want to participate in so many activities - just too many to choose from!  However, I did manage to stumble on Echo Park's celebration with 10 challenges and great giveaways.

The first challenge is to be inspired by the posted layout.  I was inspired by the colors, the layout, and of course the girly element.  This is what I created:

This is the layout that Echo Park posted for the challenge:

The prize is the Petticoats & Pinstripes Collection Kit!  To join me in this challenge, hurry, links are due by this evening (Sunday).

Materials Used: Echo Park - Capture Life papers, cardstock, Cricut - Alphalicious font, ribbon, Thickers - Patchwork alphabet (dots & asterisk), Chic Tags - Autumn Days, Bo Bunny - Blush Daisy, Findingnana flair, stickpins, and Stampin' Up - Pink Passion ink.

Vintage...

This month at Lasting Memories, the theme is all about our photos.  This week the challenge is to use vintage photos, to use a current photo in sepia or black & white, or simply have a layout design follow a vintage style.

I found a picture of my parents having a picnic (circa 1940/1950's) and I knew immediately that I wanted to scrap it.  This is what I created:

Forgive the photo quality, it has been a dark and dreary day here in the "burgh."  I had this Kaiser Craft collection in my stash and thought it was perfect for this challenge.  I almost feel guilty when the paper works so perfectly that there is hardly anything else to add.  I put the die cut paper on a solid cardstock and inked the edges.  Next, I layered the photo on several pieces of patterned paper.  Finally, I added the title.  Easy.  Too easy that I keep thinking I need to do something else.  Time to walk away... (lol.)

I hope you can join us this week and share your vintage layouts with us!  Links are due by May 27th.

Materials Used: Bazzill cardstock, Kaiser Craft - Lady Rose papers, Cricut - Jasmine font, and Close To My Heart - cocoa ink.

When You Run Out Of Letters...

I feel like I never ever have the right letters on hand for the title I want.  I have learned to become very creative with finding solutions.  In this layout, I did not have enough "s's."  I resorted to trimming the sticker sheet to give me an outline of an "s."

This page was completed following two challenges.  The first is a sketch challenge over at Sketch N Scrap.  Here is the sketch (To play along, be sure to link up by May 31st.):

The second challenge is with Paper Issues.  The "Mixed It Up Monday" challenge is to include stitching.  I really do like how stitching adds just the right feel to pages.  To play along, links are due on their Facebook page by June 6th.

Materials Used: cardstock, Echo Park - Paradise Beach alphabet, Echo Park - Capture Life Collection (paper, alphabet, embellishments), Tim Holtz's Distress Ink - Stormy Blue, buttons, baker's twine, and embroidery thread.

Scrap Much?

I decided to participate in Sketchy Friday challenge over at Scrap Much?.  However, my work seemed to take a life of its own.  You can see how I was influenced by the sketch but... it is not quite a match.

I apologize for the glare on the photo.  I didn't notice it until now and of course it is dark out!  Here is the sketch I used:

This was a fun sketch and (with some minor adjustments) it is flexible to accommodate additional pictures.  To play along, make sure you link up by May 29th.

Materials Used: Echo Park - Capture Life Collection (paper, alphabet, embellishments), Paper Trunk - Benny alphabet, brads, cardstock, Coredinations embossed cardstock, Smooch Spray - black.

Anything Goes

The current challenge at Little Red Wagon (#340) is titled, "Anything But A Card" and it is to simply show your latest work (except cards).  I created this layout for the challenge:

To participate in this challenge, be sure to link up by May 10th!

Materials Used: Coredinations - Whitewash Collection, Simple Stories - Yearography collection (papers, alphabet, and embellishments), ribbon, and a brad.

Getting Grungy....

I decided to play along two challenges today.  First up, was the current sketch challenge at Sketch-N-Scrap.  It is another easy sketch to follow but truly allows for creativity.  The second challenge was hosted by 1-2-3 Challenge Blog.  The challenge there is to use three set things: 1) grey, 2) the word "great," and 3) grunge.  That was truly a great challenge for me - I hardly use grey - let alone have much of it and I am typically not a grungy scrapper.  So, what did I come up with.....

Here is the sketch from Sketch-N-Scrap and the challenge board from 1-2-3 Challenge:

This was a fun layout to create and surprisingly faster to put together than I thought it would.  You have plenty of time to join me in this duo of a challenge - both challenges are due at the end of the month.

Materials Used: cardstock, Core-dinations cardstock (sanded), Heidi Floss edge distressor, DCWV paper, brads, Cricut Jasmine & Keystone fonts, Stampin' Up Basic Black ink pad, Liquitex flexible modeling paste, and Tattered Angels - Glimmer Mist/Dazzling Diamonds.

Little Letters Require Patience

I have no idea why I thought I could breeze through placing little letters on this layout: maybe a moment of irrational thinking.  I really like how those little letters look but I am not sure I will be using them again anytime soon.  The patience to trim, put adhesive on, and place these buggers is great and something that, I really do not have.  A weakness of mine I must admit.

In any case, this layout was created to help reveal the new challenge at Lasting Memories!  The challenge is to use just 4 (no more/no less) photos on your layout.  Inspired by Pinterest (aka a blackhole of time), this is what I created:

I hope that you can join us in this challenge - you have tons of time: the end of May to be exact - to join us.

Materials Used: Bazzill cardstock, Authentique - Favorite Collection papers & embellishments, buttons, embroidery thread, Cricut images (vines & family) and Cricut Alphabet font.