Awana Layout

For Virtual Scrapbook Night over at Splitcoast Stampers, I issued a challenge based on the old game of Twister. In honor of the level of physical fitness you had to exert in order to play the game, I asked everyone to see how many times they could touch their toes. If they ended up on an odd number, they had to use bright primary colors on their layout; an even number meant they had to use repeating circles. I won't tell you what my count was, but I decided to use both elements on my layout anyway.

Recipe:
Animal Cookies Level 2 papers
Clover Meadow, Tulip, Dutch Blue, Sunflower & White Daisy cardstock
Clover Meadow, Tulip, Dutch Blue & Sunflower ink
Irresistibles Lots of Dots stickers
Embroidery floss (DMC)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: circles, arrows
Pattern: Splitcoast Stampers Sketch15Oct
Challenges: Splitcoast Stampers Twister challenge; Use Your Stuff die cuts and punches (used electronic die-cutting machine plus star punch); Heart 2 Heart Cricut Capers

Happy Father's Day 2013 Layout

I've been MIA on my blog this past week, but scrapbooking actually has been happening! Here's a layout I finished for another Splitcoast Stampers VSBN challenge. In keeping with the Toy Story theme, this challenge was inspired by the Etch-a-Sketch, so I asked everybody to use a sketch as a starting point for their layout. I love designing sketches, but for this layout, I chose one from Stick It Down challenge blog. The cut out corners didn't seem to work for my pictures, so I switched it to photo corners for a bolder look, and of course I didn't use flowers for Father's Day!

The sketch:

My layout:

Recipe:
Glamour Uppercase, Playful Caps, Vintage Type, June Word Puzzle & World's Best Dad stamp sets
Kraft, Chocolate, Crystal Blue & White Daisy cardstock
Desert Sand, Chocolate, Crystal Blue & Star Spangled Blue ink
Moonstruck marker
Pewter eyelets
Chocolate baker's twine
Design Shop Father Stickers (MM)
Cricut Artiste cartridge: title, tie
Challenges: Scrap Our Stash INKS challenge ( I used Ink, Number 1, Kraft cardstock & Stamping - the "patterned paper" is actually stamped using a variety of alphabet stamps)

Recipe for a Happy Mother's Day Layout

Wednesday is here, and I posted three new challenges on the Splitcoast Stampers Virtual Scrapbook Night forum for any scrapper daring enough to participate! Here's my layout for the Tic-tac-toe challenge. I used the middle column with die-cuts, a sketch, and a stamped item (several, in fact).

Here's the board, just in case you want to play along:

And my layout:

Recipe:
Say It in Style, All the Details, Whooo's Your Valentine & Have a Happy Day stamp sets
Laughing Lola level 2 papers
Laughing Lola Yellow, black, Crystal Blue & White Daisy cardstock
Black, Thistle & Flaxen ink
Black marker
Durables Artisan Studs
White ric-rac (Wrights)
White Daisy embroidery floss
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: title box
Cricut Artiste cartridge: hearts
Pattern: Splitcoast Stampers Sketch15Sep3

Pure Joy Layout

I promised you yesterday I would be sharing layouts all week long based on the challenges I wrote for the Splitcoast Stampers Toy Story VSBN, so here's another one. For the Barbie Dream House challenge, I asked participants to show us how they built their dream layout from the ground up, something I don't usually think much about, so it was fun to figure out what my process was for this layout!

My layout:

The process;
1. I started with a sketch, which strongly influenced the elements I added to the layout.
2. I had originally picked some cardstock that matched my photo colors, but when I decided to use Washi tape instead for the diagonals, I just went with the assortment I had, so my color scheme totally changed.
3. In order to add a pop of brightness to my mellow color scheme, I searched through my paper stash for a bright patterned paper to accent my photo.
4. I found a journaling card to use in place of the notepaper on the sketch, and that led me to the stickers that coordinated with the journaling card - score!
5. The black stripe on the journaling card influenced me to make the banner and journaling black.
6. I couldn't find a star on my Cricut cartridges that had just an outline, so I had to learn how to use the center point function on my Cricut to get the star cut-out. Another score!
7. I wanted a title that reflected the excitement my dogs feel when they tear around the yard full speed, so "Pure Joy" seemed appropriate.
8. My final touch was a bit of journaling, just in case others didn't get the title!

Don't forget, the challenges will all be posted this week, but you have until the end of October to complete them, so jump in any time and play along!

Recipe:
Caboodle level 2 paper
Cashmere, Black, Slate & Honey cardstock
Sorbet ink
Juniper and Slate Washi tape
My Crush Besties Assortment stickers and journaling card
3-D foam tape
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge; banner, stars
Pattern: Stuck Sketches October 1

Love Birds Layout

Good Monday morning! For those of you who are unexcited about heading back to work this morning, here's some happy news: I have the privilege of hosting Splitcoast Stamper's Toy Story Virtual Scrapbook Night (VSBN), a week full of fun scrapbooking challenges based on childhood toys and games! I will be posting three challenges a day today through Thursday on SCS, so don't forget to check back to see a new challenge and the corresponding layout every day. Here's my first layout, inspired by the toy Fashion Plates.

To check out the challenge requirements and play along, click on this link. Not a member of Splitcoast? No problem. It's free and easy to join, and includes a personal gallery where you can post all your creations. Hope to see you there!

Recipe:
You Are My Happy & Notice the Details stamp sets
Sweethearts level 2 papers
Black cardstock
Baby Pink & Black ink
Black pigment ink
Black marker
Vellum
Clear embossing powder
DE chipboard Quotes & Hearts
Diamond Stickles (Ranger)
Baby Pink organdy ribbon
Pearl Opaques
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: lovebirds
Challenges: Clear It Out things with wings + glitter; Rochelle Spears tic-tac-toe board (I chose the row with overlay, date stamp, pearls)

SCS October Sketch + Elliot Layout

In between helping the kids clean their rooms, taking them to the dentist, and getting them haircuts, I managed to finish a layout for the Splitcoast Stampers' sketch I created earlier this week. I wanted something bold and bright to go with my son's personality, but I didn't want to overwhelm the photos, so this sketch provided a nice compromise: bold patterned paper around the edge of the layout but a single color cardstock in the center to back the photos. Feel free to play along with the sketch and post a link in the comments below so I can check it out!

The sketch:

My layout:

Recipe:
In the Background, Diverse Backgrounds & Spot On Backgrounds stamp sets
Free to Be Me level 2 papers
Red & Mint embossed cardstock
Creme Brulee, Flaxen, Glacier, Key Lime & Versamark ink
Black marker
Clear embossing powder
Irresistibles Frames & DE Signage chipboard
Nutmeg Memories chipboard (MME)
Juniper craft buttons
Cricut Artiste cartridge: title
Pattern: Splitcoast Stampers Sketch15Oct1
Challenges: Picture This October 1 challenge - 3 photos + chipboard + stamps (I stamped three chipboard pieces with Versamark ink and then used clear embossing ink to create a resist pattern - can you tell which ones?); Splitcoast Stampers Stash Buster's October week 1 challenge (I used patterned paper as my base, buttons & chipboard)

Virtual Scrapbook Night on Splitcoast Stampers!

Hi fellow scrappers. I haven't gotten many chances to scrapbook the past few weeks because of other events in my life, but I am sure looking forward to hosting a big challenge on Splitcoast Stampers! Starting Monday, I'll be posting challenges in the Virtual Scrapbook Night forum for everyone to complete. There is a common theme that I hope you'll really enjoy playing with (okay, that was a subtle hint). If you don't have a SCS membership, it's free to join, so come on over on Monday and see a bunch of fun challenges.