Even More Scrapping!

La Boca Layout

2012-02-04T10:44:00.000-08:00

This is another layout I designed in Studio J and then created using my paper and supplies. I adapted it a bit to fit the supplies I had on hand, and I added the embroidery floss to the left page after seeing this cute card at CASE Study. I love how the layout turned out, but I kinda wish I had waited to start my Chile/Argentina vacation album until this month. CTMH is having a great Studio J special right now (buy a five pack of layouts and get another five pack for free), so I could have completed the whole album and been able to move on to other things. Oh well, I may have to think of another vacation that I want to scrap, so I can take advantage of the special!

Recipe:
Trinity stamp set
Elemental Level 2 papers
White Daisy, Craft, Pacifica, Cranberry & Creme Brulee cardstock
Pacifica, Cranberry Creme Brulle & Desert Sand ink
Craft buttons
Embroidery floss
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge
Pattern: Creative Rhythm from Cherish

Bus Tour Layout

2012-01-25T11:03:00.000-08:00

I had lots of fun with this layout. I wanted to participate in the Scrap It Girl challenge from 1/11: use items that start with C, H & A on your layout (in honor of CHA). I chose chipboard, hemp, and arrows. Frosted Designs had a challenge to add vellum, acrylic, or a transparency to your layout, so I added vellum. And finally, for the Split Coast Stampers variety challenge to stack something up, I stacked my chipboard letters. The letters actually have a lot of layers: I started with paint, then I added some texture by pressing a piece of twill ribbon onto the paint while it was still wet, then I lightly sponged Outdoor Denim ink onto the dry letters, and finally I stamped a design using Desert Sand ink. I then stacked the letters over vellum and over themselves so they overlap. Fun!

Recipe:
Live Inspired stamp set
Majestic Blue Level 2 papers
Desert Sand, Outdoor Denim, Bamboo & Colonial White cardstock
Desert Sand & Outdoor Denim ink
Natural hemp
Outdoor Denim brads
Vellum (The Paper Company)
Chipboard letters & shape (unknown source)
Create-a-Shade paint
3-D foam tape
Pattern: Understudy from Imagine

Buenos Aires Layout

2012-01-20T18:38:00.000-08:00

My mojo has not been flowing much this year, so I decided to sit down and force myself to scrap today! I'm glad I did, because this layout is the result. I was able to participate in two challenges; for the one from Heart 2 Heart, I used a stamp set I've had for quite a while but had never used before (Live Inspired), and for the Split Coast Stamping Inspiration Challenge, I added buttons to the page. I was also inspired by a couple of cards, one from Helen Onulak (stamping on a paper flower) and one from Cibele Glazer (the explore element).

Recipe:
Live Inspired & A Typeface stamp sets
Passages Level 2 papers
Colonial White, Cocoa, Bamboo & Desert Sand cardstock
Cocoa, Desert Sand & Cranberry ink
White Daisy Just Blooms
Craft buttons
Natural hemp
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge
Pattern: Winning Layout from Cherish

Heart 2 Heart Sketch Challenge 12

2012-01-15T08:52:00.000-08:00

Time for another Heart 2 Heart scrapbooking sketch! I recently had a request for more white space on my next sketch. In general, I have a ton of photos to scrap, so I have a hard time "wasting" space on my layouts, but here is my humble attempt to leave some empty space for you! I know, it's not much, but see what you can do with it. Enjoy, and don't forget to show us what you did with the sketch.

The sketch:

My layout:

Recipe:
That's Amore Level 2 papers
Black, Barn Red & Buttercup cardstock
Black ink
Black brads
White Daisy organdy ribbon
Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge
Title cut out on my Wishblade

Zoo Layouts

2012-01-07T09:15:00.000-08:00

Here is my last layout of 2011 and my first of 2012. I decided to post them together since they are on the same subject. I pre-designed both layouts using Studio J, and then used the papers I had to recreate the layouts. My hubby thought it was a lot of extra work, but it was worth it to be able to see what the layout would look like before I even cut a piece of paper!

Recipe:
Expedition Level 2 papers
Olive, Autumn Terracotta, Bamboo & Colonial White cardstock
Olive & Autumn Terracotta ink
Olive marker
Title cut out using my Wishblade
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge
Pattern: Sidebar - Original & Sampler - Nine Photo Quilt from Reflections

Recipe:
Field Trip Alphabet stamp set
Lucky Level 2 papers & Chipboard Assortment
Cocoa, Outdoor Denim, Desert Sand & Colonial White cardstock
Outdoor Denim & Versamark ink
Cocoa marker
White embossing powder
Olive brads
Pattern: Stars Above from Imagine

Happy New Year!

2012-01-06T09:28:00.001-08:00

Good morning, everyone, and a happy belated new year to you. I've been out of town with my family since Saturday, and have had little to no internet access - life was tough! Hope you all are having a great year so far. I thought I'd start by telling everyone that the new Heart 2 Heart design team members have been selected and are preparing their artwork to show you! If you scroll down to the bottom of my blog, you can see the two teams that will (on alternate weeks) be bringing you fabulous challenges using Close to My Heart products. Click on any of the names to check out their blogs. Mary has asked me to continue to bring you a scrapbooking sketch on the 15th of every month, and I would love to see lots of people playing along. If you have any thoughts on what type of sketches you want (multi-photo, more vs. less white space, shaped pictures, etc.), please let me know. I've also set my scrapbooking goal for the year (150 layouts), and I'm going to try to get off to a good start by completing 20 layouts this month. I want to use up a bunch of old CTMH paper kits before I purchase a lots of new stuff from the new CTMH idea book (released on February 1st). Wish me luck!

All Aboard Layout

2011-12-28T20:32:00.000-08:00

My boys love trains, so I always seem to have lots of train pictures to scrap. I tried to be creative this time by paper-piecing the little train. Hope you like!

Recipe:
Cherry-O Level 2 papers
Crystal Blue, Chocolate & Colonial White cardstock
Chocolate ink
Wooden craft buttons
Chocolate embroidery floss
DE Monograms "a", "l", "b", "o" & "d"
Chipboard letters "a" & "r" (Doodlebug Designs)
Nutmeg Brown acrylic paint (Plaid Enterprises)
Scalloped border punch (Fiskars)
Pattern: Understudy from Imagine

Time to Relax Layout

2011-12-25T16:35:00.000-08:00

Simple layout that I predesigned in Studio J and then created using supplies on hand.

Recipe:
Classmate Alphabet stamp set
Magic Moments Level 2 papers
Chocolate, Indian Corn Blue & Colonial White cardstock
Magic Moments Scrapbooking Kit My Stickease
Versamark ink
White embossing powder
Heart punch (EK Success)
Pattern: Dramatic Fashion from Cherish

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T09:14:00.000-08:00

From a poem by G.K. Chesterton, I think this sums up the Christmas story!

"And our peace is put in impossible things
Where clashed and thundered unthinkable wings
Round an incredible star."

Benihanas Layout

2011-12-24T11:30:00.000-08:00

For this layout, I got to combine an old and a new favorite. The old is my Wishblade, which I used to cut the title. After my computer crashed in October, I never re-installed the software for my Wishblade, and then I had to figure out how to make it work with Windows 7 - ouch! Finally got it up and running, so you can expect to see some more Wishbalde-cut titles from me in the near future. The new is the Art Philosophy cartridge for my Cricut, which I used to cut all the dragonflies. I then stamped the dragonflies using images from the "This Way" stamp set. Love that look. It's Christmas Eve and my hubby took our boys out for the day, so I'm off to create some more layouts. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Recipe:
This Way stamp set
Fanfare & Felicity Level 2 papers
Sky, Chocolate, Bamboo & Colonial White cardstock
Pacifica & Sky ink
Pacifica marker
Colonial White ric-rac
Chocolate craft buttons
Waxy Flax
Pattern: Creative Rhythm from Cherish

Heart 2 Heart Sketch Challenge 11

2011-12-16T08:08:00.000-08:00

I finally climbed out from under my mountain of Christmas cards long enough to create this sketch and layout for the Heart 2 Heart challenge blog. It's simple, featuring only three photos, but you could always replace the long photo at the bottom with a series of 3" x 3" photos. It also uses some pennants, something I haven't experimented with much yet. I cut the shortest pennant out using the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, and then, since you can't cut longer pennants using the cartridge without also having them wider, I used it as a template to cut the longer pennants. The title and snowflakes were also cut out using the AP cartridge. There are so many fun shapes on that cartridge that you could use to fill in the asterisks from the sketch. Have fun creating, and don't forget to link your artwork to the Heart 2 Heart blog so everyone can see it!

The Sketch:

My Layout:

Recipe:
Wonderland papers
Bamboo & Colonial White cardstock
Twilight, Crystal Blue, Chocolate & Bamboo ink
Twilight marker
Pearl Opaques
Stickles (Ranger)

Life is crazy but wonderful!

2011-12-09T13:12:00.000-08:00

Okay, I haven't signed into my blog in so long I had to look up my password! How sad is that? Life has really been crazy lately, so I haven't had a chance to scrapbook yet this month. I am in the midst of a Christmas card making frenzy. I'm making our family Christmas cards that need to be done, addressed, and sent by Monday, and I am making cards to sell at a Christmas boutique tomorrow. Just wanted to take a moment in the midst of all the busyness to check in with my scrappy friends. The next Heart 2 Heart sketch will be posted on the 15th, so I'll complete at least one layout this month! If you haven't had a chance to try out last month's sketch, you can see it on my November 15th post. In the meantime, hope you are having a wonderful holiday season, and don't forget to take time to experience the wonder of Christmas.

Believe Christmas Card Workshop

2011-11-18T11:56:00.000-08:00

I have a workshop planned for tonight and one for tomorrow in which we'll be creating these cards. I really love the Believe paper pack but it was harder to work with than I expected, maybe because it's so busy. After several weeks of experimenting, during which I created and discarded a whole set of cards because I wasn't satisfied with them, I came up with these cards. They are based on the Just Because card workshop found in Jeanette Lynton's book Wishes.

Each customer will make two each of five patterns. There are six cards pictured below because the tree and joy cards are actually two different options using the same patterns but two different sides of the same paper, plus different stamps. The ladies will pick which one they prefer, or they can make one of each style.

Like what you see? If you're in the Los Angeles area and want to book a card workshop with me, please contact me using the contact tab on the sidebar of my blog.

Recipe:
AP Seasons, Christmas Love, Say It In Style, December Word Puzzle, Holiday Magic, Shining Star & Holiday Wishes stamp sets
Believe Level 2 papers
Holiday Red, Topiary, Desert Sand & White Daisy cardstock
Holiday Red, Topiary & Chocolate ink
Olive Mini-Medley
3-D foam tape
Xmas Red Stickles (Ranger)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge
Paper crimper

Week 46 Layout Linky - San Cristobal

2011-11-16T10:43:00.000-08:00

Another layout from our visit to Chile. I used the Sweet Symphony pattern from Imagine for this layout. For some reason, the layout looks unfinished to me, but I'm not sure what to add that won't clutter it up, so I'm leaving it for now. Hopefully inspiration will strike someday!

Recipe:
Chocolate Alphabet Small & Triple Play stamp sets
Magnolia papers (MME)
Bamboo, Desert Sand, Cocoa & White Daisy cardstock
Vellum paper
Indian Corn Blue, Sorbet & Desert Sand ink
Sorbet craft buttons
Tan embroidery floss (Making Memories)
Edge distressor

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 46 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory!

Heart 2 Heart Sketch Challenge 10

2011-11-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

I know we all have one: the bulk pack of paper that was too good to pass up but has now been sitting in our scraproom for two years. Consultants, what about the B&T Duos that we used for a workshop but we still have 10 sheets left? Now is the time to pull those out and use a big chunk. This sketch features an 11.5" x 6.5" piece of paper (I used patterned paper, but you could use cardstock) along the bottom of each page, plus a 6" x 4.75" piece at the top of each page. Depending on your pictures and the paper you're using, you could use two sides of the same paper to do the top and bottom pieces. I listed the smaller photos on the sketch as 4" x 3", but you could crop them to whatever size suits your pictures. Have fun creating, and let me see what you come up with!

The Sketch:

My Layout:

Recipe:
Rustic Alphabet stamp set
Emporium & Stardust Level 2 papers
Buttercup & Colonial White cardstock
Sweet Leaf, Garden Green, Desert Sand, Buttercup & Vineyard Berry ink
Twilight marker
Just Blooms Paper Shapes - Flutter
Liquid Glass

Week 45 Layout Linky

2011-11-11T16:36:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I did it again. It's Friday already and I'm just getting this link posted! Apologies to my scrappy friends who are doing the 52 week challenge. I'll extend the deadline to Tuesday, and I'll make sure I get a layout done for next week so I can get that posted earlier.

*************************************************************************
Update at 11:20 PM
I finished my layout before midnight, so I thought I'd post it! I decided to scrapbook our 2007 vacation to Chile since I finished the rest of 2007 already. The layout uses the Creative Rhythm pattern from Cherish, plus some really old patterned paper from DCWV and CTMH. The blank white space will eventually hold journaling.

Recipe:
A Typeface, Trinity Alphabet & Flyin' High stamp sets
The Summer Stack (DCWV) & Summer Celebration B&T Combo pack
Watermelon, Clover Meadow & White Daisy cardstock
Topiary & Black ink
White grosgrain ribbon
Craft buttons
White Daisy embroidery floss
3-D foam tape

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 45 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory!

EMS Sketch Challenge 34 - The Looong Flight Home

2011-11-05T13:39:00.000-07:00

Anyone up for a sketch challenge? I haven't done one for a few weeks, so here's one I came up with this morning! It's pretty simple, but I threw a couple variations into my layout. First, I rounded the corners of the large paper and the right hand photo so I wouldn't have as many straight angles. I also replaced the stars with clocks to reflect my theme. Since my journaling was way too long for the space I had designated, I cut an opening in the paper that holds the photo collage, and I inserted a journaling strip behind it. You pull up on the tab in order to reveal a little bit of the journaling at a time. Fun idea I got from Jeanette Lynton's latest pattern book, Magic. Except for a vacation that I will scrap separately, this is the last of my photos from 2007. Yay!

The Sketch:

My Layout:

Recipe:
Trinity Alphabet, Flyin' High, Make It Count & Notice the Details stamp sets
Animal Cookies Creative Basics papers
White Daisy & Sunflower cardstock
Chocolate & Dutch Blue ink
Tulip brads
3-D foam tape

Week 44 Layout Linky

2011-11-04T20:21:00.000-07:00

Ooops, I forgot to post a layout linky this week for the 52 Weeks Challenge. Since I'm doing this soooo late, I'll leave it open until next Wednesday. Maybe I can even get a layout finished and linked by then!

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 43 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory!

32 Card Worshop Using Elemental

2011-10-30T23:48:00.000-07:00

My mom recently asked me to create a bunch of cards to use for a business event, so I used a template designed by talented CTMH consultant Amber Hanson to come up with the following card set! I combined papers from the Elemental Level 2 pack with some random stamped paper, and threw in a bunch of shapes cut from the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge. I used a lot of different stamp sets and tried to list them all, but I may have missed a few.

Recipe:
Hooray Bouquet, Say It In Style, A Little Everything, AP Seasons, You and Me, It's Your Day, Jingle Borders & Holiday Hoopla stamp sets
Elemental Level 2 papers
Desert Sand, Pacifica, Sorbet, Cranberry, Craft & Colonial White cardstock
Cranberry, Pacifica, Sorbet, Creme Brulee & Desert Sand ink
Sorbet ribbon
Creme Brulee grosgrain ribbon
Natural hemp
Colonial White ric-rac
Twill ribbon
Chocolate buttons
Liquid Glass

LOAD #16 + Week 43 Layout Linky - Evening Playtime

2011-10-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't noticed, I haven't been able to keep up with my Layout a Day Challenge this month. I guess I underestimated our commitments for October. I am still trying to complete some more layouts, however, so here is layout #16. I'll call it my daily LOAD just to keep it simple. I used a revised version of Stars Above from Imagine for the pattern. One of the October challenges from the Heart 2 Heart blog was to create a layout with a story on it. This is mine!

Did you know there is no patterned paper on this layout? That's right, I created all the "patterned paper" using a few supplies. First, I stamped trees and snow using Versamark ink and an embossing pen, then I embossed it with White embossing powder. I brayered Sky ink over it. Next, I stamped more trees using the Versamark ink, embossed them with clear powder, and brayered over them with Outdoor Denim ink. I ended up with multiple shades of ink showing through, and I love the effect. Hope you can use it on a layout.

Recipe:
White Daisy, Outdoor Denim & Kraft cardstock
Versamark, Sky, Outdoor Denim & Desert Sand ink
White & Clear embossing powder
Outdoor Denim brads
Embossing stylus
Sanding block

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 43 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory!

LOAD #15 - 5 Daredevils

2011-10-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

Michele at Split Coast Stampers challenged us to go pink in honor of breast cancer awareness, and I think this layout definitely qualifies! I was also going to use it for the Heart 2 Heart weekly challenge (use a number in your artwork), but I realized it contains non-CTMH product, so I will have to do another layout for that challenge. The pattern is Conclusion Combo from Imagine. I wanted to include a Vineyard Berry button on the layout, but I didn't have any, so I used Liquid Glass to attach cardstock to the back of a clear button, a great way to make a button coordinate with any color combo.

Recipe:
Playful Caps, Playful Lowercase & Playful Numbers stamp sets
Traditional Christmas papers (KI Memories)
Vineyard Berry & White DAisy cardstock
Vineyard Berry & Grey Wool ink
Grey Wool marker
Bubblegum embroidery floss
Craft buttons
Liquid Glass

LOAD #14 - Field Notes

2011-10-18T00:04:00.000-07:00

I'm still a few days behind on this LOAD thing, and I may never catch up, but I'm gonna crank out as many layouts as I can before the month is over. Here's a tongue-in-cheek one featuring my brother and his girlfriend. The journaling reads: If I were to compare my brother and his girlfriend to bears, I would have to say that Joel is a grizzly and Erika is a teddy bear! In keeping with the theme, I turned the spinner to Wildlife Sighting, and I added a bear sticker. The pattern is the right hand page of Three Part Harmony from Imagine.

Recipe:
Back Country Level 2 papers and My Stickease
Outdoor Denim, Barn Red & Goldrush cardstock
Outdoor Denim ink
Outdoor Denim marker
DE In Color - Adventure
Natural hemp
Edge distressor

LOAD #13 - 4 Generations

2011-10-16T20:59:00.000-07:00

Two posts in one day? What is the world coming to? LOL! As I mentioned on my previous post, I am trying to catch up on my LOAD, so here's another layout I cranked out this week but didn't post because of computer issues. For this one, I went back and used EMS Sketch 29. I also pulled out the stamp of the month from September (Limited Edition), and had some fun using it to create the tag and journaling box. Love that it only cost me $5. BTW, you really have to click on the picture and enlarge it to see the cute faces from the Family Ties stamp sets. Adorable!

Recipe:
Family Ties Adult, Family Ties Children, Hodge Podge Alphabet, Chocolate Alphabet Small & Limited Edition stamp sets
Evensong Level 2 papers
Vanilla Cream cardstock
Olive, Vineyard Berry, Tulip & Sorbet ink
Vineyard Berry marker
Sorbet ric-rac
Staple

LOAD #12 + Week 42 Layout Linky - Make It Merry

2011-10-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to catch up with my LOAD for the month. We'll see if I can make it with all I have going on the next two weeks! Here's another Christmas layout, this time using a sketch from the Nuts About Sketches blog. I chose some more of my non- CTMH stash of Christmas papers that I'm trying to use up. After seeing them for the past three years, I'm getting a little tired of these papers, so thankfully they are almost gone.

Recipe:Jolly Dot papers (Creative Imaginations)
Desert Sand, Sky & White Daisy cardstock
Holiday Red ink
Clover Meadow marker
Jolly Elements stickers (Creative Imaginations)
3-D foam tape

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 42 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory!

Heart 2 Heart Sketch Challenge 9 + LOAD #11 - Hot Springs

2011-10-15T16:04:00.000-07:00

Due to major computer problems the past two weeks, getting this sketch and layout to the point where I can post it has been a challenge, so hooray that it's finally here! I designed the sketch with the idea in mind that the large photo collages can consist of any size photo combination you choose, all neatly contained within the box except for one break out. For example, I used mostly 4" x 6" and 3" x 4" photos, but you could place a large 8" x 10" on the left hand page and a combo of smaller photos on the right hand page. Have fun creating and let me see what you come up with.

The Sketch:

My layout:

Recipe:
Stardust Level 2 papers
Moonstruck, Bamboo & White Daisy cardstock
Desert Sand and Heavenly Blue ink
Cork Color-Ready Alphabet stickers
White Daisy Dazzling Diecuts
White gel pen (Marvy)

Why no LOAD?

2011-10-14T19:34:00.001-07:00

Did you notice the lack of layouts on my blog this week? Well, I was working on doing a layout every day, but I was getting bogged down by the computer problems my primary computer was experiencing, plus I had a deadline for the Heart 2 Heart sketch challenge looming and I couldn't figure out a way to create a sketch with my regular program not accessible. The problem is finally solved, and I am trying to finish my layout for H2H in time to get it posted tomorrow! Then I will try to get back on track with posting my LOAD, although I don't promise to catch up with the days I missed. Check out my blog tomorrow to (hopefully) see the new sketch and layout.

LOAD #10 - Jingle

2011-10-10T22:26:00.000-07:00

I think I went a little crazy with the bows on this layout! I started with one, and it just took off from there. Does anyone recognize the pattern I used? It's Sketch #32 that I posted last month. I'm building up a big enough library of sketches that I can refer to them and reuse them without it seeming like I'm using the same ones over and over. Love that! The layout has a space for journaling, but since it's all personal family stuff, I'm going to finish it later. By the way, still no fix for my computer, so you may be seeing very low-quality photographs of my layouts for a while. Bummer.

Recipe:
Holiday Jingle stamp sets
Caboodle & Lucky Level 2 papers
Outdoor Denim & White Daisy cardstock
Sorbet & Pacifica ink
Sorbet marker
White Daisy organdy ribbon
3-D foam tape

LOAD # 9 - A Few of My Favorite Things

2011-10-09T20:59:00.000-07:00

When searching for a title for this layout, I was caught by the look of delight on my sister's face as she opened her present. Obviously, she received something she really loved, so I felt the title would be perfect. The layout uses two sketches from my prior sketch challenges: #26 and #30. It's always fun to reuse sketches in a new way! I didn't have a stamp set that I just thought went just right with this layout, so I fussy cut the Christmas presents from the B&T paper with all the presents.

Recipe:
Trinity Alphabet
Jingle Level 2 papers
Olive cardstock
Tulip & Desert Sand ink
Cork Color-Ready Alphabet
Kraft Color-Ready Borders
Heartfelt Wonder & Heartfelt Whimsy die-cuts
Sparkles

LOAD #8 + Week 41 Layout Linky - December 25th

2011-10-08T21:59:00.000-07:00

I sometimes struggle with titles for layouts, especially with subjects that I scrapbook a lot (birthdays, holidays, soccer games, etc.), so I was really happy when the inspiration for this title landed in my lap. I pulled out a set of Christmas stamps and the one I decided to use had December 25th on it. I've never used that as the title of a Christmas layout, so problem solved!

Recipe:
Just for the Holidays, Today's Date, Friendship Alphabet Small & Friendship Alphabet Large stamp sets
Outdoor Denim & White Daisy cardstock
Barn Red, Desert Sand & Topiary ink
Honey marker
Gold gel pen (Sakura)
3-D foam tape

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 41 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

LOAD #7 - Little Gifts

2011-10-07T19:36:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I had to photograph a layout in order to post it to my blog. Can I say that I really miss my scanner?! Hopefully my hubby can get the other computer fixed before he leaves on a trip this Sunday, or I will be one sad mama. Well, at least you can still see the layout okay, and you can always click on it to see more detail. The pictures are of various members of my family of origin as we opened stockings on Christmas Day 2007. I'm almost done scrapping 2007, so most of the layouts I'll be posting for the next week will be family Christmas. Hope it gives you some ideas as you head into this year's Christmas season.

Recipe:
Traditional Christmas papers (KI Memories)
Topiary, Sweet Leaf & White Daisy cardstock
Vineyard Berry ink
Watermelon & Vineyard Berry markers
White grosgrain ribbon
Red ribbon (Offray)
Red ric-rac (Craft Essentials)
Edge distressor

Computer Malfunction

2011-10-07T14:04:00.000-07:00

Although I have today's layout finished, I am holding off posting it because the computer to which my scanner is hooked up has crashed - again! Hopefully I can either get the scanner hooked up to my hubby's laptop, or I will use my camera to photograph my layout. Look for my LOAD # 7 post later today.

LOAD # 6 - Go Train Go

2011-10-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

I got the idea for this layout from the October 2011 issue of Scrapbooks Etc, page 104. The original layout was 8 1/2 x 11, but I just adapted it for my 12 x 12 scrapbook size. I cut the train out using a friend's Cricut cartridge but can't remember which cartridge.

Recipe:
Traditional Christmas Papers (KI Memories)
Black & Tulip cardstock
Pear ink
White gel pen (Marvy)
DE Stars
Irresistibles Lots of Dots

LOAD #5 - Party for Mom

2011-10-05T10:02:00.000-07:00

My mom has the misfortune to have a birthday right before Christmas, so our family has to make a special effort to be sure her birthday isn;t lost in the bustle of Christmas. Here she got her special cake, but in the spirit of the season, it's a Christmas-themed cake. Poor mom!

Recipe:
It's Your Day & A Typeface stamp sets
Fanfare Level 2 paper
Honey, Pacifica, Cranberry & White Daisy cardstock
Honey, Pacifica & Cranberry ink
Pacifica marker
Cranberry & Pacifica brads

LOAD #4 - Marionette Show

2011-10-04T11:00:00.000-07:00

Another clean and simple layout, although I did emboss the stars on this one.

Recipe:
Charm Uppercase Alphabet, Charm Lowercase Alphabet, Christmas Story & Shining Star stamp sets
Bamboo & White Daisy cardstock
Cranberry, Black, Bamboo & Versamark ink
Cranberry & Black markers
Gold embossing powder

LOAD #3 + EMS Sketch Challenge 33 - Deck the Halls

2011-10-03T12:58:00.000-07:00

Anybody interested in a sketch? This one has spots for 8 photos, 5 standard size 4" x 6" and three 3" x 4", but you could probably replace the smaller photos with two cropped 4" x6" photos if you wanted to. If you use the sketch, please let me know how your layout turns out. I realized I forgot to add the fancy border across the lower section of the page, but you can see it looks okay without it.

The sketch:

My layout:

Recipe:
Adorn-able stamp set
Mistletoe papers
New England Ivy & Cranberry cardstock
New England Ivy ink
Black marker
Stickles (ranger)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: title, ornament, holly

LOAD # 2 + Week 40 Layout Linky

2011-10-02T11:58:00.000-07:00

Can you believe we're already at the 40th week of the month? Wow! the older I get, the quicker the years seem to fly by. Today's layout is clean and simple, but I love the photos of my son enjoying the snow. Sometimes I like to let the photos shine without much in the way of accessories. Hope the pictures make you smile.

Recipe:
Chocolate Alphabet Large & Chocolate Alphabet Small stamp sets
Kraft & White Daisy cardstock
Moonstruck ink
Moonstruck marker
Milepost Shapes
Cricut AP cartridge: brackets

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 40 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

LOAD #1 - Sledding

2011-10-01T11:30:00.000-07:00

It's the first day of the month, and I am in the mountains at a scrapbook retreat! I'm getting quite a lot done, so here is my first layout for the month. For the background, I cut out some snowflakes on a Cricut using the Art Philosophy cartridge from CTMH, and I used them as masks around which I sponged Lilac Mist ink. I placed a snowflake border and a few individual snowflakes on the page as well. Off to a good start on my LOAD, and I hope a few people want to play along with me. If so, I'll check out your blog daily for your latest layout, and please do the same for me. This will be a hard challenge considering how busy I have been lately, but I think I can, I think I can!

Recipe:Cocktail Alphabet & Notice the Details stamp setsMistletoe paperWhite Daisy & Indian Corn Blue cardstockIndian Corn Blue, Lilac Mist, Cranberry & Desert Sand inkSparkles

Week 39 Layout Linky - Airport Santa

2011-09-30T08:58:00.001-07:00

It's Friday already and I haven't posted my 52 Weeks Challenge layout linky yet! I'm sorry. I had a layout sitting on my scrapdesk all week, and I know it needs some finishing touches, but I can't figure out what else to do with it. I decided to call it done for now and just post it. Maybe I'll revisit it in the future and be struck with some brilliant idea on how to polish it up. Anyway, here it is, featuring a picture we snapped in the airport McDonalds. I guess even Santa gets Big Mac Attacks! The pattern is Performance from Magic.

By the way, I am going to attempt to do a layout a day (LOAD) for October. Anyone want to join me? If so, let me know and I'll be sure to check your blog and comment on your layouts. Please do the same for me so we can encourage each other to keep going!

Recipe:
Share the Magic & Friendship Alphabet Small stamp sets
Believe Level 2 papers
White Daisy & Sky cardstock
White Daisy textured cardstock
Holiday Red, Black, Bamboo, Sweet Leaf, Sky & Versamark ink
Holiday Red, Sweet Leaf & Bamboo markers
Black embossing powder
DE Monograms "S", "A", "N" & "T"
3-D foam tape

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 39 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Week 38 Layout Linky + EMS Sketch Challenge #32

2011-09-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

Now that my Elemental card workshop is completed, I can get back to my favorite thing: scrapbooking! I pulled out some non-CTMH papers to use with this layout. I have a huge box of Christmas papers from a KI Memories kit, papers that I have been trying to use up for years, so I felt obligated to use some for this Christmas layout. The title, present, tree, and star were cut out using my new Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge. I also came up with a sketch to fit my many photos. As always, feel free to tweak the sketch as needed, and show me your results!

The Sketch:

My Layout:

Recipe:
Traditional Christmas papers (KI Memories)
Kraft, Topiary & White Daisy cardstock
Topiary, Pear & Blush ink
Topiary marker
3-D foam tape

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 38 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Elemental Card Class

2011-09-17T22:05:00.000-07:00

I was recently asked to created a card workshop using the papers from the Elemental paper pack. Although I was initially hesitant because this was not one of my favorite packs, I started working with it and ended up enjoying the creative process. I love the cards I dreamed up. My CMTH upline loaned me her Cricut machine so I could try out the new Art Philosophy cartridge from CTMH, and I couldn't stop cutting! Every card features one or more (in some cases several) die-cuts from the cartridge. Here are my cards, which also meet the weekly challenge from the Heart2Heart challenge blog: show off artwork featuring die-cuts.

The whole set:

A detail from my favorite card.I cut out a dragonfly in a frame first, then an empty frame. Using the empty frame, we masked the frame part of the frame/dragonfly combo and sponged the dragonfly's wings with Sorbet ink. We then sponged a second dragonfly of the same size, and colored the body black using a marker. We glued the second dragonfly over the first, leaving the wings free, and applied Liquid Glass to the body to make it shiny. Love that look!

For this one, we masked the bottom of the cupcake and stamped the frosting portion first, and then adhered the cupcake liner to the image.We then sponged Pacifica ink onto the frosting, and added Liquid Glass to the swirls. We also dry embossed a line around the Cranberry rectangle, flipped it over, and sanded the cardstock to reveal the white core along the embossed line.

Heart 2 Heart Sketch Challenge #8 - 1st Grade

2011-09-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's the 15th, so time for another Heart 2 Heart Sketch. I was thinking about back to school when I designed this sketch, so I made it just the right size for a child's school picture, but you could also use the large photo space for a collage of smaller photos. I also swapped out the small 2"x2" photo for an embellishment. Have fun with the sketch, change it up as you need to, and let me see what you come up with.

The Sketch:

My Layout:

Recipe:
Friendship Alphabet Small, Tiny Typewriter Alphabet & Typeset WOTG stamp sets
Typeset Level 2 papers
Indian Corn Blue & White Daisy cardstock
Black ink
Milepost Shapes
Lucky Level 2 Chipboard Assortment
3-D foam tape

Week 37 Layout Linky

2011-09-12T21:10:00.000-07:00

I've been stalling on my layout linky for this week, hoping that I would have a chance to get a layout finished, but alas, it is not going to happen! I have a card workshop to finish, and for some reason it's taking me forever. The cards aren't complicated, but the paper pack is not one of my favorites, so I'm finding it harder to get inspired. If I can get the cards done and all my prep work finished by Wednesday, I may be able to squeeze out a layout this week. Think positive thoughts, Cheryl!

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 37 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Week 36 Layout Linky - Southern California Snowstorm

2011-09-03T22:28:00.000-07:00

This layout is pretty simple, and I used some non-CTMH patterned paper and stamps, but I love the story behind it. Please click on the picture to enlarge it so you can read the journaling. I'm sure all you moms out there have a similar naughty child story to tell! I used two sketches from Stickersnfun.com for the design.

Recipe:
Ice Crystals (CTMH) & Simple Type Alphabet (SU) stamp sets
Snowflake paper (unknown source)
Chocolate,Lilac Mist & Craft cardstock
Chocolate, Lilac Mist & Versamark ink
Chocolate marker
Blue sparkles
White embossing powder

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 36 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Christmas Luncheon Layout

2011-09-02T20:32:00.000-07:00

This layout started out with a sketch by Becky Higgins, but it soon mutated into something else entirely! I used to love Becky's sketches a lot, but for some reason I now find myself frustrated when I use them. This was my third and final attempt at pulling photos off the page and moving everything around, but at least now I'm done and can move on to a new layout

Recipe:
Thoughful Seasons & Just for the Holidays stamp sets
Evensong Level 2 papers
Black & Colonial White cardstock
Cranberry, New England Ivy, Honey & Bamboo ink
New England Ivy marker
Cranberry Button Nail Heads
Cranberrry grosgrain ribbon
Colored Sparkles
Liquid Glass
3-D foam tape

Knott's Berry Farm Layout

2011-09-01T22:38:00.000-07:00

I have been subscribing to Scrapbooks, Etc. for many years now, but I usually read the articles, look at the samples, think "I should try some of those great ideas," and file each issue away. Today I decided to challenge myself to pull out a recent issue and actually use it! I picked up the August issue and flipped through until I found a layout that I liked (page 16). I scraplifted the large circle and small circles, the strips of patterned paper, and the general arrangement of the layout. Love how this one turned out, so I may keep this magazine out and try to get inspired some more.

Recipe:
Zippidee Level 2 papers & My Stickease
Bamboo, Cranberry, Indian Corn Blue, Honey & Colonial White cardstock
Cranberry ink
Indian Corn Blue marker
Mileposts Shapes
Indian Corn Blue embroidery floss
Sunflower Bigger Brads
Title: cut out on my Wishblade using Berlin Sans FB Demi font

Week 35 Layout Linky - Shower

2011-08-28T06:55:00.000-07:00

The monthly challenge from the Chicas Gettin Crafty blog is to create a wedding themed layout, so here is my entry. It is from a bridal shower, not a wedding, but hopefully it counts! I had a bunch of Life Delights Level 1 paper packs that I had purchased on clearance, and the colors matched my photos perfectly, but not the pattern, so I cut up one of the papers (Front and Center - Blocks from Reflections) and used the pieces on my layout. The pattern I ended up using was one of my favorites - Conclusion Combo from Imagine. I also ran out of room for my journaling, so I used the journaling space to add a subtitle, and then I popped up a picture on the right hand page and slid a journaling tag behind it.

Recipe:
Friendship Alphabet Small & Felicity stamp sets
Life Delights Level 1 papers & My Stickease
Colonial White, Blush & Chocolate cardstock
Lilac Mist, Blush, Chocolate & Sweet Leaf ink
Blush craft buttons
Lilac Mist embroidery thread
3-D foam tape

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 35 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Roxie Wedding Card

2011-08-27T21:54:00.000-07:00

When my hubby asked me to create a card for a co-worker's wedding we're attending tomorrow, I immediately thought of the beautiful floral paper from the Roxie kit. This card is a variation on the Circle Collection card from Wishes. I didn't want to cover up too much of the floral paper, so I eliminated the two smaller circles. I used Barn Red ink instead of Tulip in order to bring a richer, more elegant feel to the paper. The curves of the "&" from the Chocolate Alphabet Large seemed to coordinate well with the flourishes on the Roxie paper, so I used it to tie together the initials of the bride and groom's first names. I printed our wishes for the happy couple on a piece of vellum and sandwiched it between the cover pieces. I also stamped on the inside of the back cover, and I really like how the vellum softens the image.

Recipe:
The Works Alphabet, Chocolate Alphabet Large, Tiny Typewriter Alphabet, Alphabet Solos "C' & The Present stamp sets
Roxie Level 2 papers
Colonial White cardstock
Vellum
Barn Red, Smoothie & Garden Green ink
Smoothie marker
Garden Green brads & spiral clip

Week 34 Layout Linky - Toasty Toes

2011-08-22T15:28:00.000-07:00

The Heart 2 Heart challenge for August 8 was "to show us 'HOT' in your artwork". I started working on this layout for the challenge a week and a half ago, and just finished it today, but better late than never, right? Instead of a sunny beach scene, my idea of hot was a roaring fire, with me and the kids toasting our toes in front of it. Not something I would want to do today, with the temperature soaring up into the 80s, but a lot of fun in the middle of winter! I used 2 Page Sketch #12 from the Sketch Support blog for the design.

Recipe:
Star Power & Trinity Alphabet stamp sets
Back Country & Free Spirit Level 2 papers
Barn Red, Autumn Terracotta, Outdoor Denim & Colonial White cardstock
Barn Red, Autumn Terracotta & Honey ink
Barn Red marker
Outdoor Denim grosgrain ribbon
Colonial White Edge Anchor
DE Stars
DE Monograms "T", "O", "E" & "S"
3-D foam tape
Fiskars border punch

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 34 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Week 33 Layout Linky

2011-08-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

I've been away on vacation for a few days, and I never got the chance to post the Linky for the 52 Weeks challenge. Here it is. I have several layouts in the works, but haven't finished any of them, so I won't be posting a layout. My kids go back to school next week, so hopefully I will have time to do some more scrapping.

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 33 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Heart 2 Heart Sketch Challenge #7 - Take 2

2011-08-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's the 15th of the month, so that means another Heart 2 Heart Sketch Challenge. Feel free to play along, and please post your creation on the Heart 2 Heart blog. I'll be excited to see what you do with this sketch. Here's the layout I created using this sketch. This is my tribute to the family photo shoot. I'm sure you all have them, the not-quite-right family photos, the rejects that you snapped on your way to finding the perfect family portrait. The cheesy grin, the distracted kids, the wild-eyed look, we captured 'em all during this family photo shoot for our 2007 Christmas card! I loved using the beautiful Roxie papers for this, but I had a hard time choosing which side of the paper to showcase. I can tell this is going to be an on-going dilemna for me!

The sketch:

My layout:

Recipe:
Star Power stamp set
Roxie Level 2 papers
Desert Sand cardstock
Desert Sand & Black ink
Black marker
Cork Color-Ready Alphabet
Pearls
Bling Assortment
Twill ribbon

What a Difference Layout

2011-08-08T19:00:00.000-07:00

I was having a hard time figuring out what to title this layout - I've used "Family" and "Together" so many times! - when I remembered Patti's Thursday challenge from Split Coast Stampers. Okay, it was Patti's challenge from last month, but she wanted us to build a layout around the theme "What a Difference." I thought it would make a great title starter, so I stamped it large and then added "family makes" to the journaling box. Thanks for a great idea, Patti. She also wanted us to use three different patterned papers and stars somewhere on the layout. My stars are on the ticket; kinda small, but they're there! I also used a sketch from Nuts About Sketches.

Recipe:
Trinity Alphabet, You & Me & Spot On Backgrounds stamp sets
Emporium Level 2 papers & My Stickease
Crystal Blue, Buttercup & Colonial White cardstock
Crystal Blue, Cocoa, Vineyard Berry & Buttercup ink
Cocoa marker
Spring Blossom Just Blooms
Pearls
Sweet Leaf fabric brad
Decorative metal brad (unknown source)

Heart 2 Heart Birthday Challenge - Celebrate Layout

2011-08-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

The Heart 2 Heart Challenge for this week was to create a project involving a kid's birthday. It could be a card, altered art, layout, whatever. I chose to do a layout from my son's 6th birthday party. It was just a family affair, with left-over cake from my mom's birthday the week before, but we still had a great time celebrating. I used Nuts About Sketches Week 172 for the design.

Recipe:
A Little Everything stamp set
Felicity & Zippidee Level 2
White Daisy, Desert Sand & Tulip cardstock
Tulip & Desert Sand ink
Cocoa marker
Kraft Color Ready Borders
Cocoa grosgrain ribbon
Red & Blue Sparkles

Week 32 Layout Linky - Tiny Trains

2011-08-06T09:07:00.000-07:00

This is one of those layouts that start out with great inspiration but then get bogged down halfway through! I was really excited about my train tracks, but then I couldn't figure out how to finish the layout. After it sat on my desk for three days, I finally ended up by adding some directional stamps from the Boys at Play stamp set.

Recipe:
Boys at Play stamp set
Honey, Cocoa & White Daisy cardstock
Clover Meadow, Cranberry & Bamboo ink
Clover Meadow & Black markers
3-D foam tape

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 32 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

EMS Sketch Challenge #31 - Round & Round

2011-08-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted a sketch challenge in a while, so here's one to enjoy. I used some discontinued product along with some brand new, just available to the public today items. The Milepost corrugated shapes are found on page 128 of the new Autumn / Winter idea book. Cute, aren't they? The horse and the tickets were cut out using my Wishblade.

The sketch:

My layout:

Recipe:
Classmate Alphabet & Priceless Love Word Puzzle stamp sets
Tinkering Level 2 papers
Clover Meadow & Desert Sand cardstock
Clover Meadow, Twilight, Sunflower, Bamboo & Desert Sand ink
Black marker
Milepost Shapes

So Happy Layout

2011-07-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

I'm working on some layouts featuring the little girl we fostered a few years back. She's the closest we got to having a daughter, so I decided to scrapbook the few months she was with us. It gave me an opportunity to relive some of the memories while using up some older supplies, plus I got to use glitter on a layout! It looks so pretty, but let me tell you, I hate cleaning up the mess afterwords. It doesn't show up well in my scan, but the center of the large flower is glittered, plus the whole yellow flower. Now I'm off to clean glitter off my scanner. LOL!

Recipe:
I Am stamp set
Tickled Pink Scrapbooking kit
Blush, Sweet Leaf & White Daisy cardstock
Crystal Blue textured cardstock
Hollyhock, Blush, Crystal Blue, Sweet Leaf & Sunny Yellow ink
Blush Ribbon Rounds
White photo hanger
Sweet Leaf & Blush Bigger Brads
Sweet Leaf & Crystal Blue brads
Prisma glitter
White Daisy Just Blooms

Week 31 Layout Linky - Video Pals

2011-07-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

Another one of those "not sure I'm loving it" layouts, but I do love the photos, plus I used up more discontinued supplies, so I'm leaving it as is!

Recipe:
This Way stamp set
Tinkering Level 2 papers
Clover Meadow & Sunflower cardstock
Clover Meadow & Holiday Red ink
Kraft Color Ready Border
3-D foam tape

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 31 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Grateful Layout

2011-07-28T18:38:00.000-07:00

I sometimes think my blog should be called Even More Photos, because I have a hard time restraining myself from piling lots of photos onto my layouts, but here I managed to hold back and only scrap one photo! I used the Juggling Act pattern from Magic, and finally broke out my Eclectic Alphabet Irresistibles, inked them up with desert Sand ink, and added them to the layout. I inked up the centers of the "g" and "a" plus one extra center and used them as design elements on the circles. The tag contains hidden journaling about why I was grateful that particular Thanksgiving.

Recipe:
You & Me stamp set
Grace Level 2 papers
Twilight, Barn Red, Bamboo & White Daisy cardstock
Twilight, Barn Red, Honey, Cocoa & Desert Sand ink
Twilight marker
Eclectic Alphabet Irresistibles
Spring Blossom Just Blooms
Craft buttons
Barn Red Bigger Brad
Cocoa grosgrain ribbon
Natural hemp

Week 30 Layout Linky - Sweet Fun

2011-07-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

I just finished this fun layout that uses a pattern from Magic (the right hand page of Juggling Act) but with a twist: I added a 12" x 4" Flip-Flap panel to the layout. I included both views so you can get an idea of what it would look like closed and open. I added a word cloud (fun) that is only visible when the Flip-Flap is open.

Here it is with the Flip-Flap closed:

And here's what it looks like open:

Recipe:
Pennant Alphabet, Field Trip Alphabet, Hodge Podge Alphabet, Polka Dot Alphabet, Chocolate Alphabet Small & Alphabet Solo "F" stamp sets
Cherry-O Level 2 papers
Barn Red , Sweet Leaf & Colonial White cardstock
Barn Red, Chocolate, Sweet Leaf, Crystal Blue & Blush ink
Crystal Blue marker
Blush, Chocolate, Sweet Leaf, Crystal Blue & Colonial White craft buttons
Natural hemp
Barn Red Bigger Brads
Prisma Glitter
Liquid Glass

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 30 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Diana's Stamping Challenge #4 - Tradition Layout

2011-07-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

On her blog, Diana's Stamping Challenges, fellow CTMH Consultant Diana challenged us to celebrate Christmas in July by making a Christmas themed project, so here is my layout. The design uses a sketch from the Nuts About Sketches blog. I cut out the title using my Wishblade. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Recipe:
Spot On Backgrounds stamp set
Jingle Level 2 papers
White Daisy & Creme Brulee cardstock
Juniper & Tulip ink
Tulip marker
Heartfelt Wonder & Heartfelt Whimsy felt shapes
Pearls
Sparkles
Juniper Photo corners
3-D foam tape
Creme Brulee ribbon

Got Water Layout

2011-07-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Another tidbit I learned at CTMH Convention was the slogan "Consume it, don't collect it." This layout is a perfect case in point. I finally used some paper that has been sitting in my paper stash since Spring 2007! Don't get me wrong, it's still cute paper and I think it looks great on this layout, but I'm glad to get it out of my stash so I can feel less guilty buying new paper. With CTMH's new, smaller (and less expensive) paper kits, you'll still get great paper with beautiful designs and colors, but you'll have a chance of using it all up before you're ready to move on to another kit. Enjoy the layout!

Recipe:
Down By the Sea stamp set
Ocean, Barn Red & Desert Sand ink
Desert Sand & White Daisy cardstock
DE Booksmart & Framed Fun
DE Monograms "G", "O", "T", "W", "A", "E" & "R"
Tan hemp
Barn Red Bigger Brads
Liquid Glass
Sketch 166 from Nuts About Sketches

Week 29 Linky - Sea World Layout

2011-07-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

I learned so many cool thing at CTMH Convention, but one disappointing thing to me as a scrapper was to learn that CTMH will no longer be carrying all the colors of cardstock in bulk packs. At first, I was really upset since I use a lot of cardstock, but then I decided to see this as a challenge instead of a roadblock. This layout is a result of some creative thinking plus a technique I've used many times before: brayering. I created the background paper using White Daisy cardstock with Grey Flannel ink and touches of Lagoon ink brayered over it. The photo mat, paper strip, and all the bubbles were created using three layers of ink: Crystal Blue, then Lagoon, then touches of Pacifica. Don't you love how the brayering allows different layers of ink to show through, reflecting the shades of blue in the water? This is one layout that you will want to click on the image to enlarge so you can see the detail of the brayering!

Recipe:
Down By the Sea & Field Trip Alphabet stamp set
White Daisy cardstock
Crystal Blue, Lagoon, Pacifica, Greg Flannel, Black & Versamark ink
Clear embossing powder
Craft Color-Ready Borders
Blue Sparkles
3-D foam tape

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 29 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book

2011-07-17T23:36:00.000-07:00

I'm back home from the annual Close to my Heart Convention for consultants in Anaheim, and I have brand new Autumn/Winter Idea Books to share! They feature larger print so it's easier to read, larger photos of the artwork so you can see more of the details, and - you guessed it - larger images of the stamp sets. The stamps will be shown at their actual size, so no more guessing on what size your stamps will be.

Some of our exciting new products:
* The NEW "Art Philosophy" Cricut cartridge that boasts 700 shapes, including stars, hearts, tags, banners, flowers, boxes, card bases, 3-D items, and much, much more! For just $99, this CTMH-exclusive collection also includes 3 D-size stamp sets as well as 3 sheets of dimensional elements that work with it (a total retail value of $124.69 for just $99!) Plus many of the other new stamp set images in our Idea Book coordinate and can also be used with it.
* NEW lower stamp set pricing (D sets went from $22.95 to $17.95, C sets from $18.65 to $13.95, B sets from $13.95 to $9.95, and A sets from $7.95 to $6.95)!
* 8 NEW re-configured paper packs include 2 sheets each of 3 B&T duos designs, with each side featuring a unique design, and 6 sheets of cardstock for $9.95.
* A large variety of NEW embellishments in felt, metal, corrugated chipboard, and more.
* 6 NEW Stamps of the Month that you can now purchase for just $5 with a $50 purchase or purchase alone at their new retail price of just $17.95.

All products from the NEW Idea Book will be available for you to start ordering from me on August 1st, 2011!!

Heart 2 Heart Sketch Challenge #6 - Car Wash

2011-07-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've had this layout done for a while, but I had to wait until today to post it because it's for the Heart 2 Heart blog sketch challenge for this month. Mary very kindly invited me to join the design team as the sketch challenge gal, so here's my first sketch! Featuring four uncropped 4" X 6" photos and three 3" x 4" photos, this sketch is great for photos that you already have printed or for times when you can't print out odd size photos. You can also add a Flip-Flap to one or both of the bottom photos on the right hand page if you need to include more photos. I cut my wavy border using the curvy cutter from CM, but you could combine several Color Ready Borders for a similar look. Hope you get a chance to try out the sketch. Remember, it's a starting place, so feel free to play with it until it fits your needs.

The sketch:

My Layout:

Recipe:
A Tulip & Notice the Details stamp sets
Fanfare Level 2 papers
Sky & Sunny Yellow cardstock
Pacifica, Cranberry & Black ink
Pacifica marker
DE Monograms "C", "A", "R", "W", "S" & "H"
Blue & Red sparkles
Cranberry ribbon
Liquid Glass

Close to My Heart Convention

2011-07-13T18:18:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning I am heading down to Anaheim for the Close to My Heart Convention. The convention will be held at the Disneyland Hotel, so my hubby and kids get to go play at Disneyland while I learn about all the exciting new products that CTMH has in store for us! I don't know if I will be able to post anything until I arrive home on Sunday, so have a great weekend. I know I will!

Thinking of You Card

2011-07-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

I needed to make a card that would hold 4" x 6" pictures, so I decided to use the "Ribbon Closure" pattern from Originals. The pattern actually shows the ribbon being tied above the top flap, but I realized the recipient would have to unthread the ribbon from the flap before opening the card. Therefore, I put my ribbon tie on the lower portion of the card. I'm still trying to use up the rest of my Perfect Day Level 2 paper pack, so I chose that plus a couple of older stamp sets.

Recipe:
Comforting Thoughts & Treasures stamp sets
Perfect Day Level 2 papers
Sorbet & Colonial White cardstock
Cocoa ink
Cocoa grosgrain ribbon
Spring Blossom Just Blooms
Tulip craft buttons
Colonial White embroidery floss

Week 28 Layout Linky - Play Time

2011-07-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

Patti over at Split Coast Stampers posted this Thursday challenge, and I thought it would be fun to incorporate it into my layout:

"I love the summer time! I have a mile long list of what I enjoy about summer but for this challenge we will go with 3 of my favorites. I would like you to design your page around the following list.
• Lemonade....I love lemonade so lets make YELLOW the main color used in the page.
• Splashing in the pool what fun that is....so lets add some BLUE somewhere on the page too.
• and my favorite outfit for summer....a bathing suit, flip flops and sunglasses!
• If your bathing suit is one piece use one decorative edge, if your suit is a two piece use two decorative edges.
• Flip flops...use at least two pictures
• Sunglasses.. use ribbon someplace on the page.
Not too hard of a challenge but sounds like fun! Your page DOES NOT have to be a summer page just follow the recipe and make any type of page!"

I also used Got Sketch 118 for the design. If you are interested in doing Patti's challenge, just follow the Split Coast Stampers link and post your layout in the gallery.

Recipe:
Zippidee Level 2 papers & My Stickease
Black, Honey, Indian Corn Blue & Bamboo cardstock
Cranberry, Indian Corn Blue & Honey ink
Indian Corn Blue marker
Kraft Color Ready Borders
Cranberry grosgrain ribbon
Staple
Stickles (Ranger)

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 28 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Let's Get Peachy Challenge - Carnival Layout

2011-07-07T05:18:00.000-07:00

The gals over at Let's Get Peachy issued a recipe challenge this month. We were supposed to pick at least four ingredients from a list and incorporate them into our layout. I chose 1. use a punch, 2. use bling, 3. do some tearing, and 4. use paint or mist. I kept going back and forth between bling and buttons, but the bling won! I almost always stamp on my layouts, but I decided to paint my title instead this time. I also painted the edges of the two large photos. The layout design is based on a sketch from the Nuts About Sketches blog.

Recipe:
DCWV Summer Stack
Sky, Honey & White Daisy cardstock
Blue Sparkles
Ocean Reef Blue paint (Delta Ceramcoat)
Star punch (unknown source)

Heart 2 Heart Color Challenge - Dino Days

2011-07-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

Heart 2 Heart blog is having a color challenge this week, and the required colors seemed to go pretty well with these photos. Love it when that happens! For my blue, I chose Outdoor Denim. The layout design is based on two different patterns from Imagine: the left hand pages from Understudy and Rhapsody. Since CTMH doesn't have any dinosaur stamps right now, I found some dinosaur images on the internet and traced and cut them out using my Wishblade. I saved the file for future use, but hopefully CTMH will come out with a dinosaur stamp set soon - pretty please!!!

Recipe:
Lucky stamp set
Lucky Level 2 papers
Bamboo, Barn Red & Colonial White cardstock
Barn Red, Outdoor Denim & Desert Sand ink
Outdoor Denim marker
Tan hemp
Outdoor Denim Bigger Brads

Week 27 Layout Linky - Discovery Science Center

2011-07-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

Wow, two posts in one day! That may be a first for me. I finished up two layouts today, so I want to share at least one. This layout uses the Small Packages pattern from Imagine. I cut out the "Discovery" part of my title using my Wishblade - love that machine!

Recipe:
Atomic Caps Alphabet & Gear Up stamp sets
Tinkerin' Level 2 papers
Sunny Yellow, Sunflower & Colonial White cardstock
Clover Meadow, Holiday Red, Sunflower, Twilight & Grey Wool ink
Sunflower Bigger Brads
3-D foam tape

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 27 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Mayberry Card Workshop

2011-07-02T06:55:00.000-07:00

I don't have my layout ready, so I thought I'd share the Mayberry card workshop that I did in June. Using five different card patterns from Jeanette Lynton's books, I created ten cards. Hope you like!

Down the Middle and Winning Combination:

Sweet & Simple and Top Band (revised):

Medallion (revised):

Week 26 Layout Linky

2011-06-29T23:12:00.000-07:00

Here's the link for this week's layout. I scrapped a lot last week so I kinda took this week off. If I complete a layout tomorrow, I will add it to this post. If not, I'm still happy that I completed 15 layouts this month!

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 26 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Kindred Layout

2011-06-24T14:45:00.000-07:00

I'm almost done with the challenges from VIrtual Scrapbook Night on Split Coast Stampers. Here's another one; we had to use the site ABCya! Word Clouds for Kids! to create a word cloud, and then use it on our layout. Unfortunately, I couldn't print mine out since my color printer wasn't working, so I improvised using stamps. I also used 2 Page Sketch #1 from the Sketch Support Blog.

Recipe:
Mayberry Level 2 papers
Jubilation, Hodge Podge Alphabet, Bingo Alphabet, Polkadot Alphabet & Classmate Alphabet stamp sets
Colonial White cardstock
Olive, Honey, Smoothie, Cocoa & Sky ink
Olive & Honey markers
Olive, Cocoa & Sky brads

EMS Sketch Challenge 30 Part 4 - Lil' Bikers

2011-06-23T16:04:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share one last variation on Sketch 30. For this one, I only used the left hand page of the sketch, and, after reversing it, I replaced the top 3"x3" photos with three 3"x4" photos. I deleted two of the 3"x3" photos and added a 5"x4" photo to the bottom. Chantal from Split Coast Stampers posted a challenge to Spice Up Your Life by using the colors of Indian cuisine on your layout. I chose mustard (Sunflower), turmeric (Goldrush), tomato (Tulip), black pepper (Black) & chili green (New England Ivy). I love how this challenge made me think outside the box for my color combo! Thanks, Chantal.

The Sketch:

My Layout:

Recipe:
Friendship Alphabet Large, Friendship Alphabet Small & Neighborhood stamp sets
Animal Cookies Level 2 papers
Goldrush & New England Ivy cardstock
Black, New England Ivy, Tulip & Sunflower ink
Black marker

EMS Sketch Challenge 30 Part 3 - Pastor Appreciation Party

2011-06-20T22:54:00.001-07:00

For this take on Sketch Challenge 30, I simply swapped the left and right hand pages. Instead of the large circle, I used lots of little circles, and the journaling started lower on the page. I'm still working on some challenges from Splitcoast Stampers virtual scrapbook night, and one was to find inspiration from a Pampered Chef recipe. I picked the Red, White & Blueberry Pie recipe, with the pie-crust being my Bamboo background, the strawberries and blueberries represented by the red and blue circles, and the white chocolate squares (anyone hungry yet?) being - you guessed it - white squares! I also had to use the word party in my title, and use a "go-to" embellishment, in my case, brads. That's quite a few requirements, so I'm happy I got them all in.

Recipe:
Friendship Alphabet Large, Friendship Alphabet Small, Spot On Backgrounds & Gear Up stamp sets
Blue Ribbon Level 2 papers
Bamboo, Cranberry, Outdoor Denim & White Daisy cardstock
Bamboo, Cranberry, Outdoor Denim & Indian Corn Blue ink
Cranberry & Outdoor Denim marker
Cranberry brads

Week 25 Layout Linky - Pumpkin Pickin'

2011-06-19T19:10:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a great week while I was away on vacation. I returned home last night and Split Coast Stampers was holding a virtual scrapbook night, so I decided to do some scrapping using one of the challenges. We were supposed to find inspiration from the cooking.com website, so I found this Pfaltzgraff dinnerware. The color palate reminded me of CTMH's Boom-Di-Ada papers, and it worked perfectly for some pumpkin patch pictures from 2007. I also found some ric-rac and a flourish that mimic the dinnerware. I used the pattern Ensemble Piece from Imagine. Hope you like!

Recipe:
Polka Dot Alphabet stamp set
Boom-Di-Ada Level 2 papers
Olive, Buttercup & Honey cardstock
Olive & Cocoa ink
Olive marker
Olive Heartfelt Wonder die-cut
Autumn Terracotta brads
Autumn Terracotta Ribbon Rounds
Orange ric-rac (JoAnns)

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 25 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Week 24 Layout Linky

2011-06-11T19:45:00.000-07:00

I don't have a layout to post for this week yet, but since we are leaving on vacation tomorrow and I'm not done packing, chances are I won't get one done. Bummer! Oh well, go ahead and post your layouts for the 52 Weeks Challenge, and if I get a chance to play with Studio J while I'm on vacation, I may be able to share a digital layout. By the way, did you know you can get a free .jpg file just by trying out Studio J this month? Design your layout, get the file, and you can either have it printed out later or you can post it on your blog. Cool, huh? Go to StudioJ.com if you want to check it out.

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 24 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Week 23 Layout Linky + EMS Sketch Challenge 30 Part 2 - Make a Wish

2011-06-09T17:07:00.000-07:00

As promised, here is an alternate look at EMS Sketch Challenge 30. The changes I made include the following:
1. I rotated the right hand page 180 degrees.
2. I reversed the pages.
3. I moved the journaling from the bottom of the page into a column next to the two smaller photos. This allowed me to add an additional 6x4 photo.
4. I moved the title to the bottom and added some embellishments to the place where the title previously was.
5. Instead of a large circle element, I have several smaller circles scattered around the layout.
I have more ideas for changing up this layout, so I'll try to get some more scrapped. Now, consider yourself challenged!

The (revised) sketch:

My Layout:

Recipe:
Fanfare, Pennant Alphabet & Picture Perfect stamp sets
Fanfare Level 2 papers
Kraft, Sky, Sunny Yellow & White Daisy cardstock
Cranberry, Sky, Pacifica, Sunny Yellow, Black & Chocolate ink
Pacifica marker
White Daisy embroidery floss & ric-rac
Staples

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 23 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Teacher Cards

2011-06-08T23:00:00.000-07:00

Well, scrapping time has been scarce in our household, so I don't have a layout to show you, but I did get a few cards done for my sons' teachers. Both are pretty simple, but hopefully they demonstrate to the teachers how much they are appreciated! For the first one, the inside says, "The school year would not have been complete without U!" If you look closely, you'll notice I stamped the alphabets without a U in them.

Recipe:
Classmate Alphabet, Building Block Alphabet & Pennant Alphabet stamp sets
Fanfare Level 2 papers
White Daisy & Sunny Yellow cardstock
Dutch Blue, Cranberry, Honey, Topiary, Gypsy, Pacifica & Creme Brulee ink
Cranberry grosgrain ribbon
Natural hemp
Staples
3-D foam tape

EMS Sketch Challenge 30 - Zoo Time

2011-06-03T12:05:00.000-07:00

Good Friday afternoon, everyone. Here's another fun sketch challenge coming your way for this weekend. I put this sketch together last week, but as I was looking at it this morning, I saw all kinds of possibilities for using it. If I can get some scrapping time this week, I may post some different ways to use this sketch. I'm really trying to deplete my stash, so for this layout, I combined CTMH paper and ink with some older products from other companies. Does that make it a hybrid layout? LOL!

The Sketch:

My Layout:

Recipe:
Expedition Level 2 papers
Bamboo & Chocolate cardstock
Chocolate ink
Chocolate marker
Autumn Terracotta brads & spiral clip
Wild things & Safari Font stickers (Karen Foster Designs)
Magic Mesh (Creative Imaginations)
Vegetation fibers (EK Success)

Week 22 Layout Linky - The Story Layout

2011-06-02T23:14:00.000-07:00

I guess I ran out of mojo and photos to scrap at the same time, because I never got back to scrapping the rest of my LOAD for May. Oh well, I still got a lot done, so I can be thankful for that. Inspiration found me today, and I was able to complete this layout from the zoo. It uses Sketch 121 from The Scrappiest blog. I had quite a bit of journaling that I wanted to include, and the sketch didn't show any journaling space, so I improvised. Since the picture on the right was going to be raised up anyway by the chipboard frame underneath it, I decided to make it into a journaling pocket. Using 3-D foam tape, I raised the bottom and right side of the photo, and a journaling tag slides in easily.

The journaling tag:

* I removed the name of the friends who went with us in order to protect their privacy.

Recipe:
He Said She Said, Noted Backgrounds & Life's a Jungle stamp sets
Expedition & Grace Level 2 papers
Outdoor Denim, Desert Sand & Bamboo cardstock
Outdoor Denim, Desert Sand, Bamboo, Olive, Chocolate & Greg Wool ink
Outdoor Denim & Olive markers
DE Framed Fun & Hearts
Outdoor Denim brads
3-D foam tape

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 22 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

Hey dude, where's my LOAD?

2011-05-29T16:41:00.000-07:00

I was going to use this evening to catch up on my LOAD challenges after going to Costco to get more photos printed, but discovered I can't pick up my prints until Tuesday. Woe is me!!! Turns out Costco is closed on Memorial Day, and I ordered my prints too late in the day to make their 2-hours-before-closing deadline. Bummer. I guess I will be working on my upcoming card workshop instead, and I hope to get back on track Tuesday.

LOAD #27 - Take Time to Play

2011-05-28T20:32:00.000-07:00

Time for confession: I did not complete a layout yesterday! Time just got away from me, and before I knew it, it was bedtime and my layout was not even close to done. Kinda makes me laugh since the title of my layout was "Take Time to Play." Oh well, it's done now, so here it is. I used EMS Sketch 10, some old paper from DCWV, and quite a few stamp sets (including the discontinued but still much loved Word Puzzles).

Recipe:
March Word Puzzle, April Word Puzzle, September Word Puzzle, Just Be You, Boom & Hodge Podge Alphabet stamp sets
Patterned papers (DCWV)
Sorbet & Cranberry cardstock
Cranberry ink
Black marker
Connections Club Rewards brad

LOAD #26 - Live, Laugh, Love Life

2011-05-26T21:11:00.000-07:00

Simple but fun layout for today. This is another one from the fair. The pattern is Front and Center - Focal from Reflections. Hope it makes you smile!

Recipe:
Hodge Podge Alphabet stamp set
Colorful papers (KI Memories)
Tulip & Bamboo cardstock
Dutch Blue & Black ink
Dutch Blue marker
Craft buttons
Smiley faces & chipboard (source unknown)
Paint (Delta)

LOAD # 25 - Take Me to the Fair

2011-05-25T22:16:00.000-07:00

The whole time I was scrapping this layout, the song Guenevere sings in Camelot kept running through my mind, so when the time came to add a title, it had to be "You May Take Me to the Fair." I used a combination of the old (stickers) and the new (sketch from Sketch Support blog) on this layout, but I altered the stickers a little by backing some of them with white cardstock so they didn't take on the color of the background, plus I popped up part of the prize ribbon with 3-D foam tape. I also totally altered the sketch, but at least it gave me a starting point. No journaling yet on this layout, because my husband took the boys and a friend's daughter to the fair, so I want him to journal. We'll see if he agrees to do so!

Recipe:
Homestead Alphabet stamp set
Blue paper (unknown)
Pear & White Daisy cardstock
Tulip & Pear ink
Black marker
County Fair stickers (Me & My Big Ideas)
3-D foam tape

LOAD #24 - Picnic

2011-05-24T22:20:00.000-07:00

Only one week left of my LOAD challenge! For today's layout, I started with a sketch from the Nuts About Sketches blog and combined it with an idea from the June 2011 issue of Scrapbooks, Etc.: use paper strips on your page. The title was cut out using my Wishblade and White Daisy cardstock, which I then sponged with Goldrush ink to get a muted effect.

Recipe:
Summer Wishes & Hot Diggity stamp sets
Splendor Level 2 papers
White Daisy & Topiary cardstock
Goldrush, Moonstruck, Topiary, Heavenly Blue & Chocolate ink
Moonstruck marker
White ric-rac
White Daisy Bigger Brads
Liquid Glass
Paper crimper

LOAD #23 - Happy Birthday Kaden

2011-05-23T22:04:00.000-07:00

I couldn't find the perfect papers for this layout, so I decided to create my own. In the process, I also used the Variety Challenge from Split Coast Stampers: to create a monochromatic page. Mine uses shades of brown. This is harder than it sounds; I kept wanting to add red or blue to the mix! Hopefully the browns tone down the bright colors in the pictures. The layout didn't turn out quite how I hoped, but it will have to do! The pattern is Beauty in Repetition from Cherish.

Recipe:
Cocktail Alphabet, Friendship Alphabet Small, Fanfare, Holiday Hoopla, Thoughtful Seasons, A Little Everything, Boom, Happy Birthday & Celebrate the Everyday stamp sets
Kraft, Bamboo & White Daisy cardstock
Chocolate, Cocoa, Desert Sand & Bamboo ink
Chocolate & Desert Sand markers
Metal-rimmed circle tags
Chocolate brads

Layout Linky #21 + LOAD #22 - Pool Party

2011-05-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

The June issue of Scrapbooks Etc. had the cutest little banner on the cover, and I tried to scraplift it. Unfortunately, my letter stickers on the banner didn't show up well when I scanned the layout, but trust me, they look cute in real life! I created the sun using a cardstock circle that I stamped with a pattern, then I put the title and window charm on top, and finally I trimmed the outer edge into rays. Fun and not too difficult. The layout pattern is Mesmerize from Magic.

Recipe:
Charm Upper Alphabet, Charm Lowercase Alphabet, Hot Diggity, Dream Big, A Little Everything & Spot On Backgrounds stamp sets
Summer Fun papers & Stickers (KI Memories)
Chocolate, Crystal Blue & White Daisy cardstock
Chocolate, Crystal Blue & Creme Brulee ink
Chocolate Grosgrain ribbon
Embroidery floss (Making Memories)
Window Charms - Circles

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your week 21 layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

LOAD #21 - Welcome Baby

2011-05-21T18:24:00.000-07:00

Today's layout features photos from a friend's baby shower, and I loved being able to use the new Sweethearts B&T paper. I confess, I actually bought the paper because the reverse side of three of the papers features designs in black, and I needed something to use for Elliot's karate photos, but I am very excited I got a chance to use the pretty front side! For the design, I used the Nuts About Sketches Week 117 sketch. Just an FYI, the baby in the picture is not the friend's baby; she's a little girl named Chloe whom we fostered for three months. You'll probably see her in future layouts, too.

Recipe:
Friendship Alphabet Small stamp set
Sweetheart Level 2 papers
Tulip & Black cardstock
Vellum
Black ink
Black marker
Tulip brads
Metal tag

LOAD #20 - On the Road Again

2011-05-20T22:10:00.000-07:00

Last layout for the Arizona vacation album - yay! It feels great to have this done at last. I used some old supplies on this one, so I'm not sure what everything is, but I identified what I could. The pattern is Transfigure from Magic.

Recipe:
Patterned paper (DCWV)
Dutch Blue, Sunset & Black cardstock
Dutch Blue & Sunset ink
Black marker
White gel pen (Marvy)
Stickers (Creative Memories)

LOAD #19 - Splash

2011-05-19T22:59:00.001-07:00

I'm still finishing up my Arizona vacation scrapbook, so here's a layout with photos from Slide Rock State Park. I used the pattern Conclusion Combo from Jeanette Lynton's book Imagine. I also used a couple of stamps from the You & Me stamp set, only available in the You & Me kit this month. (Click on the layout for a closer look). The swirls and "tickets" are just two of the cute images found in this set, plus there are cardstock-weight patterned papers and embossed chipboard (among other great items). If you want to know how to get this kit at a substantial price reduction, check it out here and I will be happy to help you place an order!

A detail of one of the You & Me stamps:

Recipe:
Extreme Caps & You and Me stamp sets
Caboodle & Twitterpated Level 2 papers
Desert Sand & White Daisy cardstock
Vellum
Desert Sand, Crystal Blue, Chocolate & Versamark ink
Chocolate marker
Clear embossing powder
Chocolate craft buttons
Sorbet ribbon

EMS Sketch Challenge 29 + LOAD #18 - Family Fun in Sedona

2011-05-18T22:59:00.000-07:00

I know, my second sketch challenge in a week! Didn't plan it that way, but now you have two different layout plans you can use this week (or when ever). Don't forget, if you use one of my sketches, leave me a comment and I'll give you a shout-out on my blog.

These pictures almost drove me nuts figuring out how to scrapbook them. What was I thinking, dressing my family in red to go see Sedona? I went through all my paper twice, and none of my patterned papers really worked. I finally pulled cardstock for the predominate colors from the pictures, and this is the color combo I came up with. I am not a fan of Taffy (the color, not the candy), but it seems to work for this layout. What do you think? I used the Connections stamp set to create some random stamped paper on the Tulip cardstock. Hope you like it.

The sketch:

My layout:

Recipe:
Connections & Felicity stamp sets
Taffy, Tulip, Pacifica & Sky cardstock
Tulip, Pacifica & Sky ink
Pacifica marker
Tulip brads

LOAD #17 - Sedona

2011-05-18T22:21:00.000-07:00

Oops, I can't believe I forgot to post a layout yesterday. My only excuse is that I got really busy creating some cards from a Olivia Level 1 kit, and so I never got around to scanning my layout. Sorry! Anyway, here it is in all its extremely simple glory. It's very picture-heavy, so I decided to leave embellishments to the barest minimum.

Recipe:
Friendship Alphabet Large, The Present & Something Splendid stamp sets
Passages Level 2 papers
Kraft & Colonial White cardstock
Barn Red, Garden Green & Sunset ink
Cocoa marker

LOAD #16 - Coconino National Forest

2011-05-16T21:45:00.000-07:00

I had a few pictures left from our Arizona vacation that I had not yet scrapped, so I thought it was time to finish that album. For this layout, I used the Lucky Level 2 paper pack, which features earth tones that are great for scrapping nature pictures (as well as all those boy pictures I have)! I love the main colors of Desert Sand, Outdoor Denim, and Olive with a dash of Sunset thrown in for contrast.

Recipe:
Bingo Alphabet stamp set
Lucky Level 2 papers & Die Cut Assortment
Desert Sand & Bamboo cardstock
Outdoor Denim ink
Olive marker
3-D foam squares

Layout Linky #20 + LOAD #15 - Presents for Adrian

2011-05-16T12:26:00.000-07:00

I think I can, I think I can! I'm almost all caught up on my posting, and as soon as I post today's layout, I will be half way through the month. I'm really enjoying this push to get my layouts done. How are my challenge gals doing? Several of you keep posting layouts, so hopefully this challenge is helpful to you.

Today's layout is my last one from 2010. Woohoo! I used the right hand page from Parlor Trick (from Magic), and I added a title/journaling block based on the cover of the Spring/Summer idea book. The one in the idea book is very girly, so I took it in a more boyish direction, but several of the elements are very similar (the ribbon, circle, geometric shape, etc.) The patterned paper buttons are made from clear buttons with patterned paper adhered to the back using Liquid Glass, a great way to coordinate buttons with any layout.

Recipe:
Playful Caps, Lowercase & Number stamp sets
Fanfare Level 2 papers
Sunny Yellow, Pacifica & White Daisy cardstock
Pacifica ink
Pacifica marker
Pacifica, Sky, Cranberry & Clear craft buttons
Cranberry grosgrain ribbon
White gel pen (Marvy)
Liquid Glass

***If you are participating in the 52 Layouts Challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your twentieth week's layout. The link will allow you to post a title and thumbnail that link to your site, where we can see the layout in all its glory! Note: please do not post from a password protected site that will require us to input a password before viewing.

EMS Sketch Challenge 28 + LOAD #14 - Gifts

2011-05-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

Almost caught up with posting my LOAD for this week - yay! This layout comes with a sketch, so feel free to try it out. I realized I list the photo sizes on my sketches, but not the paper sizes, so let me know if you want to know the dimensions of the papers. There's a fun little element that I added to the layout: an envelope to hold my journaling. The journaling required more space than I had designated, so I wrote it on both sides of the insert that goes in the envelope. The envelope template is one of the many included on the DVD that comes with Jeanette Lynton's Magic book. Cool bonus!

The sketch:

My layout:

The envelope with journaling insert:

Recipe:
Celebrate the Everyday, Good Times, Holiday Hoopla, Spot On Backgrounds & Alphabet Solos "R" stamp sets
Traditional Christmas papers & Stickers (KI Memories)
Cotton Candy, Tulip, Bamboo & White Daisy cardstock
Topiary, Pear, Tulip, Cotton Candy & Vineyard Berry ink
Topiary marker
DE Framed Fun
Pear brad

LOAD #13 - The Stocking Were Hung

2011-05-14T19:33:00.001-07:00

Still trying to catch up with my LOAD posts! I used a Pagemaps sketch from September 2010 for the design of this layout, but rotated it to the right.

Recipe:
Polka Dot Alphabet, Stocking Style, Shining Star & Jingle Borders stamp sets
Jingle Level 2 papers
Juniper & White Daisy cardstock
Juniper, Tulip, Creme Brulee, Twilight & Versamark ink
Tulip marker
White embossing powder
Gold photo hanger
Creme Brulee ribbon

LOAD # 12 - Christmas Eve

2011-05-14T19:23:00.000-07:00

I had this layout completed on Thursday, but Blogger wasn't letting me post, so I kinda fell off the wagon about posting my LOADs. Sorry! This layout uses a sketch from the Stickers 'n Fun site. I cut out the title font using my Wishblade, and I hand cut the flowers from the Evensong patterned paper. The only stamping on the layout is in the corners, where I stamped a decorative element from the Lucky set.

Recipe:
Lucky stamp set
Evensong Level 2 papers
New England Ivy, Olive, Vineyard Berry & White Daisy cardstock
New England Icy, Vineyard Berry & Sorbet ink
Vineyard Berry marker
Garden Green & Cranberry brads
Colonial White ric-rac

LOAD #11 - K Concert

2011-05-11T23:11:00.000-07:00

The lighting was too dark in the auditorium for me to get pictures of the actual concert, so I had to make do with these photos of my boys posing next to the bulletin boards. At least I got Elliot's gloves and hat that he wore for the concert! The layout pattern is Trap Door (the right side) from Magic.

Recipe:
Ice Crystals & Tiny Typewriter Alphabet stamp sets
Mistletoe Level 2 papers
New England Ivy, Bamboo & White Daisy cardstock
New England Ivy, Garden Green, Cranberry & Versamark ink
New England Ivy & Cranberry markers
DE Monograms "K"
White embossing powder
Photo hanger
Cranberry grosgrain ribbon

LOAD #10 - Sharing the Magic

2011-05-11T13:42:00.000-07:00

My day got really busy yesterday, so I didn't manage to complete my layout. I had the images stamped and all I needed to do was color them in to finish the layout, but I confess - I was too tired! Oh well, they're done, so I'm off to work on today's layout. See you in a while.

Recipe:
Share the Magic stamp set
Traditional Christmas papers (KI Memories)
Clover Meadow, Pear & White Daisy cardstock
Cocoa, Clover Meadow & Versamark ink
Cocoa, Bamboo & Black markers
Versamarker
Kraft Color-Ready borders
Gold embossing powder
Stickles (Ranger)
Watercolor pencils (Prismacolor)
Decorative scissors (Fiskars)

LOAD #9 - Even the Animals Came

2011-05-09T21:12:00.001-07:00

This layout was a lot more work than I expected, mostly because I couldn't come up with a color scheme that worked with the photos. The bright green shirt, pink scarf, and red/black striped sweater all made it tough to coordinate! I finally decided to just create a background that focused on the theme. I created the star paper by stamping the text image first, then stamped the stars using Versamark ink, which I embossed with clear embossing powder. I then brayered the Dutch Blue ink over it all. The embossed portions stayed clear, leaving me with a starry background and the text for a bit of interest. To see another layout using this technique, check out my Aquarium layout. The layout pattern is "On With the Show" from Magic.

Recipe:
Christmas Story & Shining Star stamp sets
Zippidee Level 2 paper & sticker
Kraft, Dutch Blue & White Daisy cardstock
Chocolate, Desert Sand, Creme Brulee & Versamark ink
Chocolate, Desert Sand, Bamboo, Brown Bag, Dutch Blue, Sky, Honey & Baby Pink marker
Clear, Black & Gold embossing powder
3-D foam tape