Ouch Layout

Taking a break from Christmas layouts to do a quasi-Christmas layout. My younger son Elliot received a skateboard for Christmas in 2011, and hadn't been on it for five minutes when he fell and skinned his knee. In retrospect, the skateboard has been a poor investment, because Elliot also broke the bottoms off his two (permanent) front teeth while riding his skateboard this year. Sigh . . . So, something to contemplate as we usher in the new year: if you had a do-over for 2013, what would it be? And what would you like to do better in 2014? Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe (i.e. skateboard-free) New Year!

Update: I was a winner at Paper Secrets for this layout!

Recipe:
Later Sk8r, Express Postage & Make It Count stamp sets
Later Sk8r Level 2 paper & My Stickease
Slate, Whisper, Lagoon, Outdoor Denim & White Daisy cardstock
Slate, Whisper, Lagoon, Outdoor Denim & Pear ink
Outdoor Denim marker
Later Sk8r Assortment
Green & Blue epoxy bubbles
Swiss Dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug)
Cricut Artiste cartridge: gears, title
Pattern: Paper Secrets December 15 Sketch (twist = include clock or calendar)

Christmas Eve Layout

Another Christmas 2011 layout down. I got the basic idea for this one from a layout done by the uber-talent Wendy on Splitcoast Stampers. I was participating in a scraplift challenge, and since she was the person ahead of me in the list, I went searching through her gallery to find the perfect page. On her Ice Skating layout, I loved how she created a grid but let some elements break out, so I went with that concept. She also had a little scene, so I added a scene, and I outlined my title letters as she did. Because she was digi-scrapping, she could easily add many layers of paper, while I had to limit myself to three, but I loved the inspiration. Thanks Wendy!

Recipe:
A Timber & Pear & Partridge stamp sets
Mistletoe Level 2 & Creative Basics papers
White Daisy cardstock
New England Ivy, Cocoa, Garden Green & Cranberry ink
England Ivy, Cocoa & Cranberry markers
Red Glitz Glitter Gel
Woodgrain washi tape
Challenges: Sketch 'n Scrap Color challenge (the challenge is long over but I loved the colors so I decided to use them on my layout anyway!)

Gifts Layout

I'm determined to finish scrapping my Christmas photos from 2011 before the end of this year. Can I make it? Not sure, but here's another Christmas layout with photos of my boy's new train set from Grandma. Enjoy!

Recipe:
Animal Cookies Level 2 papers & My Stickease
Animal Cookies Level 1 My Stickease
White Daisy, Chocolate & Tulip cardstock
Chocolate, Dutch Blue, Clover Meadow, and Sunflower ink
Chocolate marker
Tulip brad
3-D foam tape
Cricut Artiste cartridge: bow
Pattern: Sketch 'n Scrap #46
Challenges: Lasting Memories Here Comes Santa Claus challenge (my journaling tells how Santa came early to our house this year)

Precious Layout

I love these pictures of my boys sleeping with all their stuffed animals, and once I found a cute sketch from Sketch 'n Scrap, I knew exactly what papers I wanted to use. CTMH's Magic Moments papers may be long retired, but they were perfect for remembering this magic moment in my life as a parent! The Sketch 'n Scrap sketch had a twist, so I needed to use two border punches and one other punch on my layout. I don't actually own 2 border punches, so I used the scalloped one I had, and then cut a border using my Cricut. I also used a circle punch to create the title.

Recipe:
Vintage Type & Whooo's Your Valentine stamp sets
Magic Moments Level 2 papers
Cocoa, Sunflower, Bamboo & White Daisy cardstock
Cocoa, Sunflower, Hollyhock, Indian Corn Blue & Sweet Leaf ink
Dutch Blue marker
Staples
Scalloped border punch (Fiskars)
Cricut Artiste cartridge: hearts
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: star border, stars, arrows
Pattern: Sketch n' Scrap #47
Challenges: Splitcoast Stamper's VSBN Music Appreciation challenge (use lyrics from Just Give Me a Reason by Pink); 1 2 3 Get Scrappy board (I used the color green, scalloped edges, and staples)

Stash Busters December Week 4

If you have tons more scrapbooking supplies than you could use in the next ten years, I have a Stash Busters challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers just for you. Just create a layout using the listed items and then link up at SCS using the link below.

Stash13Dec4
This month, I am challenging you to use up certain items from your stash and then link your completed layout here so we can all get excited over it! I'll post a new list each Thursday this month, and you have until December 31st to scrap your layouts using the products. If you complete all four layouts, you will get an honorable mention for the month! Sound fun? Let's get started.

Please use:
• 3 patterned papers that are at least one year old
• Baker's twine
• At least 3 pieces of bling
• Felt or fabric

You can use additional products, but you must use at least one of each of the items listed. If you don't have an item in your stash, please don't rush out and buy it! Just substitute a similar item from your stash. Happy hunting!

Recipe:
Friendship Alphabet Large & Moments in Time stamp sets
Silhouette Level 2 papers
Cranberry & Colonial White cardstock
Cranberry, Olive & Black ink
Heartfelt Wonder felt die-cuts
Cranberry baker's twine
Cranberry dot ribbon
Red Sparkles
Gold wire (Artistic Wire Ltd)
Winter Defined Sticker (Making Memories)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: tag
Pattern: Title Topper - Heading & Sidebar - Layers from Reflections
Challenges: Sketch-n-Scrap Bingo (I used the fourth row down - twine, 3 patterns, tag, 2 alphas, inking); 1 2 3 Get Scrappy board (I used the middle row down - ornaments, baker's twine, lots of white); Creative Belli Christmas challenge; Lil' Red Wagon Anything Christmas; Southern Girls Christmas challenge

Stash Buster December Week 3

If you have tons more scrapbooking supplies than you could use in the next ten years, I have a Stash Busters challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers just for you. Just create a layout using the listed items and then link up at SCS using the link below.

Stash13Dec3
This month, I am challenging you to use up certain items from your stash and then link your completed layout here so we can all get excited over it! I'll post a new list each Thursday this month, and you have until December 31st to scrap your layouts using the products. If you complete all four layouts, you will get an honorable mention for the month! Sound fun? Let's get started. This week, you have two options.

Option 1
Please use:
• Metallic or glitter paper
• A charm
• Fibers
• Staples

Option 2
• Use 4 red, green and/or Christmas themed products from your stash.

You can use additional products, but you must use at least one of each of the items listed. If you don't have an item in your stash, please don't rush out and buy it! Just substitute a similar item from your stash. Happy hunting!

I used three green products (tea cup die-cut, buttons, and sparkles) and a red/green product (patterned papers).

Recipe:
Vogue Alphabet stamp set
Evensong Level 2 papers
Cashmere, Cranberry, Sorbet & Black cardstock
Black & Topiary ink
Green sparkles
Topiary craft buttons
Teacup die-cut (from my stash)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: poinsettias, scalloped border
Pattern: EMS Sketch 30

Rainy Ride Layout

I had fun combining a couple of challenges for this layout. First, I am the hostess for the Scrapbook Variety Challenge on Splitcoast Stampers, so I challenged everyone (including myself) to create a layout that celebrates weather, either by journaling about the weather or adding a weather related product to the layout. I actually did both by telling the story of a rainstorm that hit while my family was riding a roller coaster at Epcot, then adding some die-cut rain clouds and Liquid Glass rain.

My next challenge was from Sketch 'n Scrap's online crop, the Fruitcake recipe challenge. We had to use four "ingredients" from the recipe, and I chose red candied cherries (use the color red), sugar (sprinkles of round ornaments - I used the red button nail heads), eggs (ribbon as a binding agent), vanilla (any type of liquid medium - I used Liquid Glass to make raindrops), and flour (white embellishments - clouds). The crop goes until Saturday, so feel free to play along.

The final challenge I entered was the Moving On challenge from Heart 2 Heart. Even thought there are no actual moving parts on my layout, the journaling certainly talks a lot about movement!

Recipe:
For Always Level 2 papers
Slate & White Daisy cardstock
Black, Cranberry & Slate ink
Black marker
Cranberry button nail heads
Black & red ribbon (Costco)
Liquid Glass
Cricut Artiste cartridge: clouds, title
Pattern: EMS Sketch 10

December Stash Busters Week 2

If you have tons more scrapbooking supplies than you could use in the next 10 years, I have a Stash Busters challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers just for you! Just create a layout using the listed items and then link up at SCS using the link below.

Stash13Dec2
This month, I am challenging you to use up certain items from your stash and then link your completed layout here so we can all get excited over it! I'll post a new list each Thursday this month, and you have until December 31st to scrap your layouts using the products. If you complete all four layouts, you will get an honorable mention for the month! Sound fun? Let's get started.

Please use:
• 2 patterned papers that are at least one year old
• 2 stickers
• 2 brads
• 2 die-cuts

You can use additional products, but you must use at least one of each of the items listed. If you don't have an item in your stash, please don't rush out and buy it! Just substitute a similar item from your stash. Happy hunting!

My layout - I used my December sketch (slightly revised) plus some really old stickers!

Recipe:
Passages Level 2 papers
Brown Bag & Colonial White cardstock
Brown Bag, Bamboo & Cocoa ink
Pewter photo hangers & brads
Cocoa grosgrain ribbon
Airplane sticker (CM)
Door sticker (Stickopotamus)
Space Needle sticker (Mrs. Grossman)
Pattern: EMS Sketch 51

December Stash Busters Week 1 - Leu Gardens

If you have tons more scrapbooking supplies than you could use in the next 10 years, I have a Stash Busters challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers just for you! Just create a layout using the listed items and then link up at SCS using the link below.

Stash13Dec1
This month, I am challenging you to use up certain items from your stash and then link your completed layout here so we can all get excited over it! I'll post a new list each Thursday this month, and you have until December 31st to scrap your layouts using the products. If you complete all four layouts, you will get an honorable mention for the month! Sound fun? Let's get started.

Please use:
• 3 patterned papers that are at least one year old
• 3 or more flowers - paper, cloth, metal, or whatever you have in your stash
• Chipboard
• At least one circle (can be anything in your stash)

You can use additional products, but you must use at least one of each of the items listed. If you don't have an item in your stash, please don't rush out and buy it! Just substitute a similar item from your stash. Happy hunting!

Recipe:
Tiny Typewriter Alphabet stamp set
You & Me and Passages Level 2 papers
Brown Bag & Ponderosa Pine ink
Fiber (EK Success)
Just Blooms paper shapes - Floret & Paradise
Cocoa & Bamboo brads
Lucky Assortment chipboard dragonfly & brackets
Wrought Iron Fence sticker (Mrs. Grossman)
Wild Asparagus Beautiful Definition Circle (MME)
Metal-edged vellum tag (SU)
Garden Green spiral clip
3-D foam tape
Pattern: Paper Secrets 12-1-13 sketch (metal = tag edge, brads, and spiral clip)

EMS Sketch Challenge 51 - The Secret Garden

I am so late with this sketch (should have been posted on the 1st!), but here it finally is. Since everyone is probably pretty busy this month, I created a sketch that should be a snap to put together; there is very little photo cropping. Feel free to get creative with the sun element. I'm sure there are lots of shapes you can use to complement whatever you're scrapping.You have until December 31st to create a layout based on the sketch, post it online, and then link to this post. Let's see what you can do!

The sketch

My Layout

Recipe:
Chantilly Level 2 papers
Sky, Buttercup & Pear cardstock
Pear & Buttercup ink
Pear & Creme Brulee markers
Sorbet ribbon
Chantilly fabric buttons
Just Blooms Paper Shapes - Paradise & Floret
Sky & Pear brads
My Crush Besties Assortment
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: title
Challenges: Clear It Out anything goes challenge (my layout is a mix of old and newish product!); Ribbon Carousel anything goes challenge