Our Vacation Layout

Just finished another challenge for VSBN over at Splitcoast Stampers. Lela wanted us to use lots of layers on our layouts, so I tried to comply! I probably needed more embellishments to really go with the theme of her challenge, but I couldn't figure out where to put them so I stopped.

Recipe:
Zippidee Level 2 papers & My Stickease
Indian Corn Blue, Cranberry & Honey cardstock
Indian Corn Blue, Cranberry & Honey ink
Black marker
Cranberry grosgrain ribbon
Cranberry spiral clip & brads
3-D foam tape
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: stars
Pattern: Stuck Sketches 9-1-13

Chilling at the Beach Layout

I still have many challenges to play over at Splitcoast Stampers Virtual Scrapbook Night, but I posted one that will let me play even more challenges! This one involves going back and doing any of the incomplete challenges from the mini-VSBN that was held in August as a prelude to this weekend. I was really busy at the time of the Mini-VSBN, so I only completed my own challenge, so now I am going to try to go back and do them all! For my first one, I loved Wendy's Washi What??? challenge. She included several links for making faux washi tape, and I picked the one featuring a Xyron, since I own a Xyron! It wasn't quite as easy as the tutorial made it sound, but I liked being able to stamp on the tape and match it to the theme of my layout. I paired it up with the only roll of Washi tape I own, and I really like the result.

Recipe:
A Typeface & Surf's Up stamp sets
Surf's Up Level 2 papers
Kraft & Slate cardstock
Slate, Crystal Blue & Desert Sand ink
DE Monograms "B", "E", "A". "C" & "H"
Foundry Pin Clips
3-D foam tape
White tissue paper
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: banner
Pattern: EMS Sketch Challenge 48

Ink & Die Backgrounds Tutorial - Floral Beauty Layout

Welcome to my second challenge for Virtual Scrapbook Night over at Splitcoast Stampers. The fun is going on all week, so be sure to join us to learn some new techniques or re-discover one you haven't tried in a while.

Tech VSBN 06
1. For this technique, you will need stamping ink, a sponge, cardstock, and the die-cut of your choice.

2. Decide where on your cardstock you want to create a background. You can either create a background using your whole piece of cardstock, or you can pick a smaller section or two that you want to use. Using a pencil, I lightly marked the section of cardstock that I wanted to use to insure that I got good coverage. Once you've decided, place the die-cut on your cardstock, ink up your sponge, and start sponging around the die-cut.

3. When you've inked around the die-cut, move it to another, overlapping spot and ink around it again. Repeat the process until you've completely covered the section of cardstock you wanted. Notice that some areas will be darker and others lighter based on how much they are covered by the die-cut.

 

4. Remove the die-cut, take a moment to admire what you've done, then pull out whatever other stamps or embellishments you want to finish the look. You can even use your very-inky die-cut as an embellishment!

And here's my sample layout with all the pictures and embellishments added. I think you can tell the three rectangles of cardstock on which I used this technique. Hope you come play along with this challenge so I can see your beautiful layouts!

Recipe:
In the Background, Distressed Backgrounds, Universal Backgrounds, Felicity & Baroque Borders stamp sets
Ruby, Sweet Leaf, Desert Sand, Buttercup, Smokey Plum, Gypsy & White Daisy cardstock
Ruby, Sweet Leaf, Desert Sand, Creme Brulee Twilight, Sky & Smokey Plum ink
Black marker
Sweet Leaf Craft button
Window charms (JoAnn's Scrap Essentials)
Liquid Glass
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: flowers, flourish, butterfly
Pattern: Allison Davis August 1 sketch for Simple Stories

Stamping Textures Tutorial - Let's Ride Layout

It's time for Virtual Scrapbook Night over at Splitcoast Stampers, and we're focusing on techniques. You can play along until next Saturday, so let's get started! Here's a fun technique using a stamp and any textured item you choose.

Tech VSBN 05
1. Pick out a clear stamp that has a large, smooth surface area on the back. Place the stamp, design side down, on an acrylic block, and ink up the smooth back of the stamp with the ink of your choice.

2. Press the inked stamp onto a textured surface (one that's easily cleaned or disposable). I chose bubble wrap.

 3. Next stamp the image onto your cardstock.

 4. Repeat the above until the surface of the cardstock is covered.

 5. Use the resulting patterned cardstock on your layout or card.

For my layout and sample above, I chose to use bubblewrap, which resulted in a slightly different image each time I stamped it, since the bubblewrap gives under pressure. For a crisper impression, choose a more solid textured surface. I used one of my son's Lego blocks and a rectangular stamp to create the Lego pieces, and you can almost see the Lego logo on the image. Since Lego are rather slick, I had to hold my hand very steady when pressing against them so the stamp wouldn't skid around!

I'll be posting another technique later today for VSBN, so don't forget to check back here and play along!

Recipe:
Hodgepodge Alphabet, Vintage Type, A Typeface, Urban Alphabet, Flyin' High, Picture Perfect, My Game & Ticket to Ride stamp sets
Cranberry, Sunny Yellow & White Daisy cardstock
Sunkiss Yellow textured cardstock
Cranberry, Sunny Yellow, Moonstruck, Clover Meadow & Chocolate ink
Cranberry craft buttons & conchos
Natural hemp
3-D foam tape
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: title
Cuttlebug: Wicker Weave embossing folder
Pattern: 4x6 Photo Sketch Blog
Challenges: Frosted Designs Creativity With Texture challenge; Heart 2 Heart Alphabet Soup challenge
Technique inspired by Jeanette Lynton's Wishes book

Thanks Pastors Layout

This layout exercised my creativity big time! I wanted to re-create the Las Vegas sign using die-cuts, but it took me a while to find the right cut. I settled on a shape from page 33 of the Cricut Artiste booklet, and even though it doesn't look exactly like the original sign, it was the closest I could come. If anyone is wondering why our church had a Vegas theme for our Pastor Appreciation celebration, it's not because we won big at the slots! Our head pastor suffers from debilitating migraines and has to travel to Vegas every other week to go to a headache clinic there, so we thought we'd remind him of his favorite place - not!

Recipe:

Zippidee Level 2 papers

Black, Honey, Cranberry, Indian Corn Blue & White Daisy cardstock

Indian Corn Blue ink

Cranberry marker

Cricut Artiste cartridge: oval shape, title letters

Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: stars

Pattern: Let's Scrap 1-12-11

Believe Card Workshop Layout

This was a fun layout to do because I was able to use the paper pack that I originally used for the card workshop, and I just added pre-stamped pieces left over from the workshop and incorporated a tiny picture of one of the cards I made.

Recipe:
Holiday Wishes, Happy Holidays & Tiny Typewriter stamp sets
Believe Level 2 papers
Topiary, Holiday Red, Desert Sand & White Daisy cardstock
Topiary, Holiday Red, Desert Sand & Sky ink
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: star, circles, ticket, scalloped border
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: title
Pattern: Sketch 'n Scrap #40

Hyper Martial Arts Layout

One more Scrap Your Stash challenge from Let's Scrap! This time, we were asked to use the following:
• 3 patterned papers (I used papers from 3 different packs, too)
• 2 different washi tape (I only own one, so I used it plus some shimmer trim)
• rub-ons (no-pain, no gain)
• 1 die-cut (arrow, arrow border, tag, banner)
• 3 brads
This three month-challenge ends September 30, but feel free to join us for the October - December challenge round!

Recipe:
ProPlayer, For Always & Dakota Level 2 papers
Pacifica, Ruby, Slate & Colonial White cardstock
Pacifica, Ruby, Slate & Black ink
Slate washi tape
Black Shimmer Trim
Black hemp
Pewter Bigger Brads
To Go Sentiments rub-ons (K & Company)
Black label tape (Dymo)
Pattern: Let's Scrap 5-23-11
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: arrow, arrow border, banner

ProPlayer Thanks for Everything Card

Finally done with the cards for my ProPlayer card workshop. I finished off with a fun shaped card that I cut using the Artiste cartridge. It's pretty simple but my hubby really liked it, so hopefully my workshop ladies will, too!

Recipe:

Distressed Backgrounds & A Little Thanks stamp sets

ProPlayer Level 2 papers

Ruby, Black & Colonial White cardstock

Ruby, Black & Pacifica ink

Black shimmer trim

Colonial White grosgrain ribbon

Cricut Artist cartridge: Thanks card base

Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: flower

Cricut Artbooking cartridge: hexagons

ProPlayer Thanks Card

For this card using the ProPlayer papers, I thought I'd switch things up and try for a more sophisticated color palette, so I omitted the Pacifica and added Desert Sand. The top flower is sponged (I tried cutting in out in Ruby but it just blended into the background), and I embossed and sanded swirls onto the Black cardstock.

Recipe:
Love Life & For Every Occasion stamp sets
ProPlayer Level 2 papers
Black, Ruby, Desert Sand & Colonial White cardstock
Black, Ruby & Slate ink
Colonial White craft button
Black embroidery floss
Colonial White grosgrain ribbon
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: flower, tab
Cuttlebug embossing folder: D'vine Swirls
Pattern: Gallery from Wishes
Challenges: Twist of Faith buttons challenge (another new challenge site I found this week - I'm on a roll!)

Soccer Party Layout

I took a break from cardmaking to create a soccer layout for the Let's Scrap Our Stash challenge over at Let's Scrap. The requirements from our stash included:
• 1 patterned paper
• 1 cardstock (I used 3)
• Rub-ons (there's one on the large photo mat and one on the big brad)
• Alphabet stickers (I re-discovered a stash of letter stickers, including an ancient set from CM)
• Glimmer mist (this was a problem since I've never had it, so instead I used Create-a-Shade Paint on the soccer ball and title to give it a more textured, pearly look - hard to see in my scan but it looks great IRL)
• 6 eyelets or brads ( do you think my brads are big enough? LOL!)

Recipe:
Congratulations paper (DCWV)
Black, Cashmere & White Daisy cardstock
Rub-on phrase (Innovative)
Rub-on letter (K & Company)
Cream alphabet stickers (CM)
Create-a-Shade Paint
Pattern: Let's Scrap sketch 9-11-13 (turned upside down and pages reversed!)
Challenges: Clear It Out Challenges Let's Hear It for the Boys (thought this was perfect since my patterned paper says "congratulations!"

ProPlayer Happy Birthday Card

As I mentioned yesterday, my card club ladies requested ProPlayer for this month's workshop. I am really struggling with using it for cards, since it's very masculine and I typically design cards for women, but here's another try! I think this one could work for guys or gals. What do you think? I started with this sketch from 4 Crafty Chicks, and ended up adding the pennant and some faux Washi tape.

Recipe:
Joyful Birthday, Washi Wonder & You Are My Happy stamp sets
ProPlayer Level 2 papers
Sky & Colonial White cardstock
Ruby, Pacifica & Slate ink
Ruby & Black markers
Pewter/Slate badge button
Artbooking cartridge: twirly border
Art Philosophy cartridge: pennant

ProPlayer Hugs Card

So the ladies from my card club chose which CTMH paper packs they wanted to use during this catalog cycle, and to my surprise, they wanted to use the very masculine ProPlayer papers. I've been struggling a bit as I design cards for this workshop since a couple of ladies also told me this week that they need sentiments like "Thinking of you" and sympathy. Anyway, this is my stab at a sweet card using not very sweet paper. I wish I could think of something to make it more warm and fuzzy, but inspiration fails me. Any ideas? Is it okay as is?

Recipe:
Whoo's Your Valentine stamp set
ProPlayer Level 2 papers
Ruby, Slate & Colonial White cardstock
Ruby, Slate, Pacifica & Black ink
Ruby Chevron ribbon
3-D foam tape
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: hugs frame
Cricut Artiste cartridge: heart
Pattern: Sunday Sketch & Stamp Sketch 174 (just discovered this challenge site. Whoohoo!)
Challenges: Little Red Wagon Polaroid Frame Challenge

Adrian @ Legoland Layout

I just love this sketch that Susan created over at Sketch Savvy. She included lots of little pieces, perfect for using up many scraps of paper. I rotated it to fit my photo sizes, and went to work clearing out my stash of scraps from the retired Animal Cookies paper pack. Just a word of advice if you use this sketch: once you've cut out all your pieces, use your phone to take a snapshot of where each piece goes before you start adhering them. That way, if your scraps of paper get out of order, you can still figure out how to piece them together!

Recipe:
Take Note & My Life Cricut stamp sets
Animal Cookies Level 2 & Creative Basics papers
Chocolate, Tulip & White Daisy cardstock
Chocolate, Tulip, Dutch Blue, Clover Meadow ink
Dutch Blue marker
Irresistibles Lots of Dots alphabet stickers
White Daisy embroidery floss
White Daisy brads
Tulip photo clips & brads
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: arrows, banner
Pattern: Sketch Savvy #108
Challenges: Frosted Design's 3x3 challenge (I chose arrows, hearts, and pennants)

Mini Land Layout

I am participating in a scraplift challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers this month, and, after getting inspiration for my page here, I then took it in a totally different direction. I loved Mary Pat's striped paper, and how she had strips of paper going up the side of her layout, so I lifted that, plus the bracket on a smaller size, and I used two of them. I also thought her sunburst was an interesting touch, but when I added that, it took over the page, making me decide to create a tiny neighborhood scene that reflected the subject of the layout. If you're interested in signing up for the scraplift challenge, you have until the 15th to do so. Come join us!

Recipe:
Neighborhood, It's Your Day & Whoo's Your Valentine stamp sets
Striped paper (KI Memories)
Bamboo, Sky, Barn Red, Saddle, Buttercup & White Daisy cardstock
Sky, Barn Red, Saddle & Indian Corn Blue ink
Blue grosgrain ribbon (JoAnn's)
Foundry Pin Clip
3-D foam tape
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: overlay, title
Cricut Artiste cartridge: hot air balloon, brackets, sun

SCS Variety Challenge 196 - Think Grow Learn

Once again it's Variety Challenge time for Splitcoast Stampers. Starting this month, the challenge will only be posted on the second Wednesday of the month, which means you have a whole month to play with the challenge before I post a new one. Please join in by clicking on the link below!

SBVC196 - Die-Cut Backgrounds
It seems like everyone has a die-cut machine these days, so put yours to use by creating a die-cut background for your layout! It can be made of a single piece laid over cardstock or patterned paper, or you can combine several die-cuts to get the look you want.

I cut a bunch of shapes using my new Cricut Artbooking cartridge, and then used some as background and others as embellishments.

Recipe:
Kraft, Sunset, Barn Red, Cocoa, Honey & White Daisy cardstock
Sunset Baker's Twine
My Crush Besties Assortment
Milepost Shapes
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: all die-cut shapes
Pattern: Let's Scrap 9-4-13 (heavily modified!)
Challenges: Rose Blossom Garden School Theme,  CAS-ual Fridays Back to School, Frosted Designs Numbers, Heart 2 Heart Brown paper packages tied up with strings, Scrap It Girl Back to School

Celebrate Layout

Since I didn't factor in my brother's out of town wedding and the start of a new responsibility for the fall, I am way behind on the LOAD challenge. I'm on my second layout and this is the 8th of September. Oh well, I'll get done what I can. Here's my final layout from the pirate wedding. Enjoy, me hearties!

Recipe:
Silhouette Level 2 papers
Black, Cranberry, Bamboo & Colonial White cardstock
Black ink
Black marker
White Daisy & Spring Blossom Just Blooms
Black & Cranberry craft buttons
Cranberry Baker's Twine
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: title, doily, scalloped border
Pattern: EMS Sketch 20
Challenges: Stampin' Royalty Patterned Paper challenge (I used three different designs)

August Sketch Winners!

No, that's not a typo. There are two winners for the August sketch challenge! I had such a hard time deciding which layout to choose that I finally decided to pick two. The first winner is Michelle, with her lovely Paris layout. I enjoyed her clean yet elegant style, perfect for scrapping photos of this beautiful city.

And our other winner is Marg, with her darling Babycakes layout. I loved how she toned down the busy prints with the solid yellow cardstock, and those embellishments are to die for!

Michelle and Marg, I would also like to invite both of you to be guest designers for next month's sketch, so please contact me to get the details. Thanks to all who participated this month! Don't forget to check out this month's sketch and post a link to your interpretation of it by September 30th for your chance to be featured.

Mr. & Mrs. Layout

Let's Scrap has a LOAD (Layout a Day) challenge going on right now, so I'm going to try to crank out 30 layouts this month. I finished one yesterday but didn't post it because I posted the monthly sketch, so here it is. I showed you the first in this series (Ye Olde Pirate Wedding) last month, and here is the layout for the actual ceremony, complete with wench bridesmaids and the groom wearing a tricorn hat. We were kinda bummed the bride didn't have a sword strapped on her waist, but you can't have everything!

Recipe:
Happy Valentines stamp set
For Always Level 2 papers
Black, Cranberry & White Daisy cardstock
Black, Cranberry & Versamark ink
White embossing powder
Licorice Opaques
Just Blooms Flutter (butterflies)
Red ribbon (Costco)
Cricut Artiste cartridge: title, flourishes, journal box
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: scalloped circles, hearts
Pattern: EMS Sketch 30

EMS Sketch Challenge 48 with Guest Designer Wendy

This month, we have a guest designer for our sketch. I invited our featured scrapper for the July sketch to provide the rest of us with some inspiration using the brand new September sketch. Please welcome Wendy, one of the wonderful scrappers from Splitcoast Stampers. This month's sketch is a single pager, but you can see that Wendy went to town and created a double page spread by rotating the sketch for the second page, and she even changed up some picture sizes. So don't be shy, be creative and please share what you come up with using this sketch! You have until September 30th to post your version and link it to this post. I will choose one scrapper's layout to be featured on my blog on September 5th, and that person will be invited to be a guest designer for the following month's sketch.

Click on Wendy's layout for a close-up view. It really deserves it!

Please link your completed layout here by 9/30/13 at 11:59 pm PST!