Christmas Party Layout

I'm plugging away to get my Christmas layouts done. This one is from Christmas Eve, so I only have a few left. Enjoy!



Recipe:
December Word Puzzle, Alphabet Solos J, Alphabet Solos U & Tiny Typewriter stamp sets
Cranberry, Olive, Ponderosa Pine, Barn Red, Desert Sand, Bamboo & Colonial White cardstock
Cranberry, Olive & Ponderosa Pine ink
Ponderosa Pine marker
Dimensional Elements "P", "A", "R", "T", & "Y"

Pattern: A New Perspective from Cherish

Even More Scrapping (EMS) Sketch Challenge 1 - Deck the Halls Layout

I have a few people who are interested in a weekly sketch challenge, so here goes! I will make up a sketch every week, and post it on Monday. You can use it as is, or revise it as needed. It's not a contest (there are no prizes), just a challenge to help you get some scrapbooking done. You can post your layout anywhere online, and then leave a link in the comments under that week's sketch post so we can check it out. There are no deadlines, but if you get it posted within the week, I will post a notification so people know to go check it out. Have fun! Here is the first sketch and the layout I created using it. As you can see, I didn't even adhere strictly to my own sketch, since my layout morphed as I was creating it.

EMS Sketch 1

My layout

Recipe: Jingle Level 2 papers
Tulip, Olive & White Daisy cardstock
Tulip & Olive ink
Juniper marker
Clear Sparkles
Title cut out using Wishblade (Xyron)
Gold cord (unknown source)

Owl Always Love You Layout

I have subscriptions to two scrapbooking magazines, and I usually read them avidly when I first receive them, but then I put them aside and forget about them. I was feeling a little guilty about that, so I took out my January issue of Creating Keepsakes Magazine and browsed the pages, looking for inspiration. I found it in Jennifer McGuire's Tools & Techniques column: a darling paper owl created using various punches. I loved her title (owl always love you), so I decided to scraplift that, too. My owl is bigger than the one Jennifer made, so I couldn't use punches, but my circle and oval cutters worked fine. Jennifer also used googly eyes, which I didn't have, but I made do with some black brads. I didn't use any patterned paper on this layout. All the patterning is done using cardstock, stamps, and ink. I gotta admit, I'm loving this layout!



Recipe:
Tiny Typewriter Alphabet, Love Tags, Spot On Backgrounds & Felicity stamp sets
Cocoa, Dutch Blue, White Daisy, Bamboo, Desert Sand, Cranberry, Clover Meadow & Autumn Terracotta cardstock
Dutch Blue, Desert Sand, Cranberry, Clover Meadow & Autumn Terracotta ink
Black marker
Black brads
Cranberry grosgrain ribbon
Heart punches (Marvy Uchida & EK Success)

Pattern: Open Forum (Imagine)

Our Little Angels Layout

Anyone else busy watching the Winter Olympics? I confess, I've been sucked into it, but I still found time to scrapbook this little layout. Even after the most irritating days with my kids, my heart always melts when I see the little guys asleep in bed! I used a circle to represent a halo, and the pattern is a revised version of Double Take (the left page only) from Imagine.



Recipe:
February Word Puzzle & Extreme Caps stamp sets
Free Spirit Level 2 papers
Indian Corn Blue & Desert Sand cardstock
Indian Corn Blue, Desert Sand & Cocoa ink
Indian Corn Blue & Cocoa markers
Twill
Clear buttons

Priceless Memories Layout

I really like the Grace paper pack, but with two boys, I don't take many pictures that would coordinate with it. That's why I jumped at the chance to scrapbook these pictures of a family visit to San Diego using Grace papers. I love using paper flowers, too. I colored these to match the papers using a sponge dauber and various colors of ink. Hope you like it!



Recipe:
Priceless Love Word Puzzle & Friendship Word Puzzle stamp sets
Grace Level 2 papers
Cocoa, Bamboo & Indian Corn Blue cardstock
Cocoa, Sunflower & Barn Red ink
Cocoa & Barn Red markers
Love Always Journaling Spots
Antique Copper Photo hangers
Antique Copper brads
White Daisy & Big Pinks Just Blooms
Sunflower embroidery floss
Neutral craft button
Creme Brulee ribbon

Pattern: Winning Layout (Cherish)

Who is interested in a sketch challenge?

I really enjoyed doing LOAD in January, partly because I got lots of layouts scrapped, but mostly because I had a group of ladies who were scrapping with me. It was almost like attending a month-long crop! I know most of you don't have time to do LOAD every month, but would anyone be interested in a weekly challenge? I was thinking about posting a sketch and anyone who wants to participate can create a layout and post a link to it. I still haven't decided where I will get the sketches (I can either create some myself or use other sources), but they will probably be multi-photo since that's what I usually scrap. Anyone interested? Please let me know ASAP by posting a comment. Thanks.

U6 Layout

Since my goal in having this blog is to showcase CTMH, I don't usually post layouts made with lots of non-CTMH products, but I couldn't resist posting this one. I know, it's another soccer layout, but I am pretty sure this is the last one for a while. The kids' season doesn't start until mid-March, so I'll get to scrap non-soccer themed photos for a while! I found a sketch on Split Coast Stampers that went well with these photos, so I just modified it a bit to fit the extra photo. As I mentioned, most of the product is non- CTMH, but I cleared some stuff out of my stash (I think the soccer ball die cut is older than my 8 year old son!), so I am happy. :)





Recipe:
Black & Clover Meadow cardstock
Black marker
Diecut (Diecuts with a View)
Magic Mesh (creative Imaginations)
Label tape (Dymo)
Ribbon (source unknown)
Staples

Just Hanging Out Layout

I love the Animal Cookie paper pack and My Stickease, especially this little hippo. Isn't she cute? Her mischievous look is adorable! This layout is the last of my vacation ones from November 2009. There are a few mistakes on it, but I will use them as teachable moments for all of you! I got the idea for threading the ribbon through the paper from a layout in Creating Keepsakes magazine. My word of advice? Be sure you calculate how many holes you need to punch so your ribbon ends are either both on top or both hidden under the layout. The top photo is done correctly, the bottom one is not. Another tip: when embossing, make sure the ink on items you don't want embossed is totally dry before stamping and embossing adjoining areas. Even non-pigment ink can stay slightly damp for a long time, and it will pick up stray bits of embossing powder even when you don't want it to!



Recipe:
Field Trip Alphabet & April Word Puzzle stamp sets
Animal Cookie Level 2 paper & My Stickease
Dutch Blue, Tulip & Sunflower cardstock
Dutch Blue, Sunflower & Versamark ink
Dutch Blue marker
White embossing powder
White gel pen (Sakura)
Natural hemp
Sunflower ribbon & metal charm

3 Months Layout

I'm still working on my youngest son's baby album, and I've gotten quite a bit done. Here's my latest layout, using the studio pictures we had taken when he was three months old. I love looking at these pictures because they remind me what a sweet, happy baby he was. Then he hit the terrible twos! I've been scrapping a lot of red, white, and blue lately, which isn't my forte, but I'm feeling more comfortable with it. Hopefully practice makes perfect. Have I ever mentioned how much I love my Alphabet Solos stamps? They are so perfect for adding little descriptive words or phrases to layouts and cards, like I've done here.



Recipe:
Alphabet Solos "A", "C", "D", "H", "M", "O", "P" & "S", Chocolate Alphabet Large & Rustic Flowers stamp sets
Majestic Blue & Blue Ribbon Level 2 papers
Outdoor Denim cardstock
Cranberry & Indian Corn Blue ink
Cranberry marker
Outdoor Denim My Accents
Cranberry grosgrain ribbon
Chipboard number (source unknown)

Anniversary Card

I made this for our anniversary last month, but I was thinking it would be a cute Valentine's Day card, too. Too bad I can't just give my hubby the same card twice. I wonder if he'd notice . . . I used Sketch Challenge 262 from SCS, the first time I've tried one of these. I also did a little paper piecing on the dress and the tie.



Recipe:
Family Ties Adults, Say It In Style, & Tiny Typewriter Alphabet stamp set
Animal Cookies Level 2 papers
Evensong Level 2 papers
White Daisy & Black cardstock
Black, Tulip & Sorbet ink
Tulip & Chocolate markers
Sorbet Ribbon Rounds
3-D foam tape

True Friends Card

In between all the scrapping I did last month, I managed to squeeze out some cards, so I thought I would share them with you all. The one was a farewell card for a lady who has attended my church for years and is now moving to another city. I thought the sentiment went perfectly, since she will always be a friend even though I won't be seeing her very often now.



Recipe:
True Friends & Felicity stamp sets
Perfect Day Level 2 papers
Tulip & White Daisy cardstock
Juniper, Sorbet & Cocoa ink
Cocoa marker
Sorbet brads
Creme Brulee Ribbon Rounds
3-D foam tape

LOAD is over, but I can't stop!

Yes, that's right. I am so in the habit of scrapbooking daily that I sat down and started working on a layout this morning, even though I thought I was exhausted from scrapbooking and swore I would take a break! I guess it's true that it takes 30 days to establish a habit. I was going to post some cards I made last month, but I think I'll just post this one layout of my mom making caramel corn with my boys. The pattern is Sampler - Pieced from Reflections, but I turned it upside down. I used a stamp from Stampin' Up for the popcorn, and the other stamps are from CTMH. I had to create a mask for the kernel of popcorn so that I could stamp a whole bunch of popcorn, but that was the hardest part of the layout. I'll try to post some cards tomorrow unless I get carried away and scrap another layout!!!




Recipe:
Treat Yourself (Stampin' Up), Hodgepodge Alphabet, Friendship Alphabet Small, Classmate Alphabet & Spot On Backgrounds stamp sets
Chocolate, Goldrush, Star Spangled Blue & Bamboo cardstock
Chocolate, Goldrush & Star Spangled Blue ink
Chocolate marker
3-D foam tape