LOAD #11 - Oceans Pacific

Today's layout is another one I pre-designed in Studio J and copied using items from my stash. One of my blog readers asked me to elaborate on how I do the Studio J layout first and then recreate the layout, so here goes. If you're not interested, feel free to skip right down to today's layout! First, let me mention that I use Close to My Heart products almost exclusively. If you are using other products, Studio J is not so helpful as a design tool. I log onto Studio J, pick a pattern based on the number of photos I want to scrap, and then scroll through all the paper packs until I find one that I think coordinates well and that I know I have at least a portion of the pack on hand. The people at CTMH have already put together six paper combos based on the pattern I've chosen, and I select the one that best showcases my photos. At that point, I also verify that I have enough of the particular papers they use, so I can recreate the layout using traditional methods. I then drag my photos into the suggested photo wells, decide if I like the layout as is or if it needs to be rotated or any papers switched out. There are also suggested embellishments and title and journaling areas I can test-run. Basically, I end up with a completed layout that only took me a short time to design, I haven't spent any money, and I can order my photos and start scrapping, knowing that my end product will be something I really like. You could do this in other programs (like Photoshop Elements), but it would be a lot more work because you would have to scan all your papers and embellishments in order to test them out. My husband doesn't get this; he thinks it adds a lot more time to the process, but I love seeing the full picture before I even cut into my papers, plus the CTMH designers are so clever that I get great ideas from seeing what they came up with. It's like the ultimate in scrap-lifting!

Recipe:
The Works Alphabet & Live inspired stamp sets
Majestic Blue Level 2 papers
Desert Sand, Outdoor Denim, Chocolate & Crystal Blue cardstock
Outdoor Denim & Chocolate ink
Outdoor Denim marker
Chocolate grosgrain ribbon
Outdoor Denim spiral clips
Craft buttons
White Daisy embroidery floss
Pattern: Conclusion Combo from Imagine

Roxie Wedding Card

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 5 Layout Linky - Climb into History Layout

Does anyone else have a hard time believing it is already February? Where did the first four weeks of 2011 go? Kudos to the scrappers who are participating in this layout a week challenge with me. You're doing a great job and I'm enjoying your layouts. So far, Michelle and Valerie are leading the pack; they have completed a layout every week - woohoo! For anyone who still wants to participate, it's not to late to join in!

Here's my layout for the week. I found a new sketch blog, and I thought I would try one of the sketches. This is Sketch Support 2-page sketch #5 (whew, that's a mouthful)!



Recipe:
Treasure Life & The Works Alphabet stamp sets
Bella Level 2 papers
Bamboo & Colonial White cardstock
Amethyst textured cardstock
Amethyst, Smokey Plum & Desert Sand ink
Purple sparkles

***If you are participating in the challenge, please use the link below to link your layout to this post. You have until Friday at 11:59PM PST to post your fifth 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 8 + LOAD #13 - Morning at Golden Gate Park Layout

I figured out a sketch for today, so here it is along with my layout.

The sketch:

My layout:

Recipe:

The Works Alphabet & Treasure Life stamp sets
Bella Level 2 papers
Garden Green, Petal, Olive & Bamboo cardstock
Olive, Smokey Plum & Petal ink
3-D foam square

Update: Here's a stepped up version of the sketch for those who like a little more drama!

April LOAD #1 - Kody

Welcome to the first LOAD of the month. I am so excited that we have several people joining in this time. Here is my first layout. The design is scraplifted from page 25 of the February 2010 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazines.



Recipe:
Checklist, The Works Alphabet, Extreme Caps & Moments in Time stamp sets
Black & White Daisy cardstock
Black, Ocean, Crystal Blue ink
White embroidery floss
3-D foam tape

EMS Sketch Challenge 5 - Here We Go a Caroling Layout

The sketch this week is a single page one, since that's what I needed to scrap. I was inspired by a layout in Creating Keepsakes magazine, but I can't remember which issue, much less which layout, so I can't give credit. Sorry. Once again, this is not a contest: it's a tool to help you get your pages done, so if you are blog surfing and you haven't scrapped yet today, put the mouse down and go create a page!

The Sketch:

My Layout:

Recipe:
Encore, Just for the Holidays, December Word Puzzle, Shining Star & The Works Alphabets stamp sets
Evensong Level 2 papers
Bamboo & White Daisy cardstock
Vineyard Berry, New England Ivy & Sorbet ink
Vineyard Berry & New England Ivy markers
3-D foam tape

Big Island Layouts

I haven't posted for a few days, but that doesn't mean I haven't been scrapping. I have completed several more layouts from our Hawaii vacation, but I was procrastinating on posting them because it's such a pain to scan and stitch them together. Oh, for a 12" x 12" scanner! Maybe if I start hinting to the hubby now, one will be forthcoming for Christmas. In the meantime, I limp along with the standard size one we have. I decided to scan the remaining three layouts that I have completed with photos taken on our day excursion to the Big Island, so here they are. I finally busted out my package of Fancy Cuts Botanicals that I ordered a while back. They were such fun to play with that I made a few cards, too. What an easy way to add beautiful touches to a project.

Halema'uma'u Crater

Recipe:
The Works Alphabet stamp set
Lilac Mist & Moonstruck cardstock
Moonstruck ink
Fancy Cuts Botanicals
Clear Craft Buttons
Creme Brulee Ribbon Rounds
Moonstruck marker

Thurston Lava Tube

Recipe:
Hodge Podge Alphabet stamp set
Expedition Level 2 papers
Olive, Autumn Terracotta, Chocolate & Bamboo cardstock
Key Lime textured cardstock
Olive & Autumn Terracotta ink
Pewter brads
Basic Craft Buttons
Twill ribbon
Olive marker

Lili'uokalani Gardens Park

Recipe:
Perfect Day Level 2 papers
Garden Green cardstock
Creme Brulee ink
Fancy Cuts Botanicals
Love Letters Rub-Ons
Spring Blossom Mini-Medley Bigger Brads & Photo Hangers
Autumn Craft Buttons
Embroidery Floss
Creme Brulee Ribbon Rounds