Come to Me Layout

Although I've frequently played along with the Scrappy Friends challenges separately, this was the first time I did all the challenges for one layout. I started with this sketch challenge from Brenda Ragsdale, but I used one large photo instead of two small ones.

Then I used Kelly's color challenge and managed to use all five colors!

Finally, I incorporated Rochelle's tic-tac-toe challenge by adding a tag, thread, and handmade flowers to my layout!

This really forced me to think in order to get all the required elements on my layout, but I'm glad I did it since it was lots of fun! I also played along with a couple of other challenge blogs, so check out the links below to see what else I added.

Recipe:
Finding the Words stamp set
Basics Paper Fundamentals cardstock
Black, Juniper & Kraft cardstock
Juniper, Cocoa, Desert Sand, Bamboo & Versamark ink
Cocoa & Juniper markers
White gel pen (Unibal)
White embossing powder
Jackson PML journaling card
Cork Color Ready Alphabet stickers
Milepost Shapes tag
Embossed metal badge buttons
Aqua Dots
Mocha Opaques pearl
Black label tape (Dymo)
Tan embroidery floss (Making Memories)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: pennant, flowers
Pattern: GrandDiva's Creative Corner December sketch
Challenges: Picture This December 15 challenge (1 picture + green + flower cluster + butterfly); Scrap Our Stash DIECUTS challenge (I used D - die cuts, I - ink, E - embroidery floss + embossed metal badge buttons, C - cork alphabet stickers, U - Unibal pen, T - tag, S - stamping)

Homemade Christmas Gifts!

Every year, my hubby pulls out the baking stuff and whips up several batches of banana bread to give to our neighbors and miscellaneous friends. My contribution to the gift is to make and attach gift tags to each loaf. This year, I chose to combine the Year Round Cheer and Frame It Up stamp sets with a die-cut from the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge to create my tags. I love using clear stamps because I can do fun things like stamp the image in one color ink and the sentiment in another color without having to mask or clean the stamp between usages!

Recipe: 

Year Round Cheer & Frame It Up stamp sets
White Daisy cardstock
Cranberry, Ponderosa Pine & Chocolate ink
Red Glitz glitter gel
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: tag
Challenges: Heart to Heart Gifts from the Heart challenge

The Three Pastors Layout

For week 2 of the December Lasting Memories challenges, we celebrated National Ding-a-ling Day (December 12) by scrapbooking about funny people or comedic things. Well, it doesn't get much funnier than the Three Stooges, so I created a layout memorializing the day our church threw a Three Stooges party for our three pastors as a thank you for another year of hard work and love!

Recipe:
Jackson Level 2 papers
Glacier, Cocoa & Colonial White cardstock
Barn Red & Twilight markers
Glacier, Barn Red & Cocoa ink
Jackson Picture My Life cards
Colonial White, Barn Red & Cocoa brads
Milepost Shapes (arrow, star, bracket)
Adornaments Fibers (EK Success)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: scalloped border
Cricut Artistry cartridge: title
Pattern: Savvy Scallops from StudioJ.com
Challenges: Heart 2 Heart Rewind challenge (I chose to re-visit the Give Thanks challenge, since this layout was all about thanking some special people)

Smell of Christmas Layout

I am so excited to have been chosen as a guest designer for Lasting Memories challenge blog this month. Lasting Memories posts challenges every Sunday, and this month, their theme is Funny Holidays. I have to admit, I hadn't heard of most of the holidays on the list, but it's fun to have the inspiration! For today's challenge, the inspiration is National Brownie Day, celebrated on December 8th. Although I love to eat brownies, I'm not much of a baker and didn't have any brownie pictures, but I did have a photo of the banana bread I made as Christmas gifts in 2013, so that became the centerpiece of my layout. Combined with the creative sketch from Stick It Down, and the White Pines scrapbooking kit from CTMH, it added up to a fun layout of a yummy memory!

Recipe:
White Pines stamp set
White Pines Level 2 papers
Chocolate, Cranberry, & Colonial White cardstock
Cranberry & Fern ink
Cranberry & Black markers
Red enamel gems
White Pines badge buttons
Cranberry ribbon
Cricut Artistry cartridge: title shape
Pattern: Stick It Down December sketch
Challenges: Heart 2 Heart 'Tis the Season: Seasonal Expressions challenge (I used the White Pines WOTG kit)

Rancho Simi Layout + November Single Sketch

Even though I posted the single page sketch on Splitcoast Stampers three weeks ago, I hadn't gotten around to creating a layout to go with it, so today I sat down and powered one out. Since all the photos are matted, this seemed like a good layout for a patterned paper background, so I pulled a full sheet from the Pathfinder packet and went to work. I was playing along with a Scrapbook.com stamping challenge to stamp a bird on your layout, and I can't believe I actually had a chicken stamp! I've been doing this way too long, right?

The sketch:

My layout:

Recipe:
Bingo Alphabet, Catch You Later & Today's Date stamp sets
Pathfinder Level 2 papers
Glacier, Chocolate, Barn Red, Champagne & Colonial White cardstock
Glacier, Chocolate, Barn Red & Olive ink
Olive marker
Chocolate baker's twine
Chocolate embroidery floss
Chocolate brads
Scalloped border punch (Fiskars)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: tag, hearts
Pattern: Splitcoast Stampers Sketch15Nov1
Challenges: Lasting Memories Bingo / Thankful challenge - I used the diagonal row with brads, multiple photos, tag, and 2 alphas. I didn't actually use the word thankful on my layout, but I was truly thankful to sit down and rest for a while, so hopefully that counts!

Awards Layout + November Double Sketch

The pictures for this layout have been sitting on my desk for three weeks because I was busy with another project and couldn't find a sketch that worked for them. I finally finished my project and decided to create my own sketch, so here's the sketch and my layout. Feel free to pop on over to Splitcoast Stampers and see my other sketch for the month, too.

The sketch:

My layout:

Recipe:
Alphabet Solos "A," "W," R," "D," "S," "I" & "T" stamp sets
DCWV Summer Stack papers
Pear, Buttercup, Sky & White Daisy cardstock
Pear, Buttercup, Sky, Clover Meadow & Creme Brulee ink
Black marker (Zig)
Craft buttons
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: banner, stars, circles, rounded squares, "U"
Pattern: Splitcoast Stampers Sketch15Nov3
Challenges: Picture This November 1 (your choice of photos, scraps, die-cuts, buttons); Scrap Our Stash ALBUMS challenge (I chose A - Alphabet Solos stamp sets, L - layers, B- buttons & banner, U - die-cut u, M - marker, S - stars & sketch)

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.

Mug & Muffin 2013 Layout

I'm finally getting around to using the double page sketch I created for Splitcoast Stampers last month, just in time for a new one to be posted! Oh well, enjoy this one until I get a layout done for the next one, or you can check out the new sketch here. I tried a new technique for this layout: ink splats. The results weren't outstanding, but at least I figured out how to use the CTMH spray pen I bought over a year ago but never took out of the package. I had stamped flowers on some White Daisy cardstock, but the white seemed too stark compared to the geometric patterned paper I was using, so I sprayed some Cocoa ink onto the cardstock, and then decided to do the same for my title box. Probably should have sprayed ink onto other parts of the layout, but I was afraid of ruining it, so that will have to wait for another layout when I'm feeling braver! Off to watch some Youtube videos on the topic. . .

The August double sketch:

My Layout:

Recipe:
Rustic Flowers, Frame It Up & Hodgepodge Alphabet stamp sets
Elemental Level 2 papers
Honey, Sky, Pacifica & White Daisy cardstock
Honey, Sky, Pacifica, Pear & Cocoa ink
Pacifica marker
White Daisy grosgrain ribbon
Green epoxy bubbles
Pear craft button
White Daisy embroidery floss
Art Philosophy cartridge: scalloped border, title box, &
Pattern: Splitcoast Stampers Sketch15Aug3
Challenges: Lasting Memories ink splatters with mixed alpha/fonts; Heart to Heart ink or paint splats (I used ink); Scrap Our Stash LAYERS challenge (I used L - leaves, A - alphabet stamps, Y - yellow cardstock, E - epoxy bubbles + embroidery floss + Elemental paper, R - ribbon, S - scalloped border)

Boys vs. Girls Layout

It's been super hot here in Southern California (over 100 degrees most of last week), so I haven't felt like scrapping (or moving at all!) much this month, but we just had some rain come through and cool it down a little so I sat down at my desk to get creative. Here's the result, a fun comparison of the boys' vs. girls' apparel at church on Easter Sunday.

The word "GIRLS" is sponged with Cotton Candy ink and then covered with Diamond Stickles, which looks great in real life but very washed out in my scan, so here is another shot where you can see how pretty it turned out!

Recipe:
Season of Thanks stamp set
Brushed Level 2 papers
Pear, Sky, Pixie & White Daisy cardstock
Cotton Candy, Sky, Dutch Blue, Pear & Saddle ink
Sky marker
DE Monograms chipboard letters
Diamond Stickles (Ranger)
Blush ribbon
Green baker's twine
Cotton Candy polka dot washi tape
White Daisy rub-on circles
Pearl Opaques
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: arrows, flags, circles
Pattern: Splitcoast Stampers's Sketch15Sep1
Challenges: Lasting Memories Mixed Media + bold title challenge (not sure I did this right, but I did mix it up with chipboard, glitter, ink, ribbon, baker's twine, and pearls!)

Fontana Speedway Layout

Squeezing in a last minute layout for August! I had lots of fun using the Later Sk8r Picture My Life cards on this. They make great photo mats and can even be altered if something on them does not quite work on your layout. For example, I loved the look of the journaling card, but there was a sentiment on it that totally didn't fit with my layout, so I covered it with a die-cut arrow. Easy-peasy!

Recipe:
Flyin' High, Later Sk8r, Distressed Backgrounds & Ticket to Ride stamp sets
Later Sk8r Level 2 papers & PML cards
Whisper, Cranberry, White Daisy cardstock
Whisper, Slate, Cranberry, Lagoon & Outdoor Denim ink
Pear & Outdoor Denim markers
Lagoon & Slate washi tape
Cranberry concho
Round Durables - Pewter
3-D foam tape
Cricut Artiste cartridge: title
Pattern: Simple Stories
Challenges: Heart 2 Heart Ticket to Ride

Remember Howard Layout

When the father of a dear friend passed away two years ago, the family asked me to create the artwork for his memorial service program, and they sent me a picture for the cover. I saved the picture and also used it for this tribute page for a wonderful man who is sorely missed by friends and family alike. The hearts seemed an appropriate topper for this page, and, after cutting out the overlay, I backed it with different colors of cardstock for a stained glass window effect.

Recipe:
Silhouette & Believe Level 2 papers
Black, Sweet Leaf, Pacifica, Kraft & Colonial White cardstock
Pacifica & Sweet Leaf ink
Sweet Leaf grograin ribbon
Blue epoxy bubbles
Silver heart brads (from my stash)
3-D foam tape
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: hearts border, remember
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: Howard, swirl, title box, heart, scalloped circle, banners
Cuttlebug folder: D'vine Swirls
Pattern: Sketch-n-Scrap #87
Challenges; Color My Heart Color Dare 157 (Pacifica, Sweet Leaf, Black, Colonial White & Kraft); Picture This August 1 challenge (1 photo, 2 patterned papers, black background); Frosted Designs metal/metallics (I used 8 metal heart brads to accent the die-cut heart border)

Easter Egg Hunt 2013 Layout

Over at Lasting Memories, they challenged us to use the provided sketch plus include something with wings; I wanted to add some baby chicks in honor of our Easter egg hunt, but I didn't own a single stamp or sticker that had chicks on it! (Guess I know what to put on my wish list for next Easter). Instead, I added some butterflies that a German exchange student who stayed with us in 2013 gave me. I used my black marker a lot on this layout in order to mimic the look of the stamped Easter eggs and to tie the whole page together. BTW: there isn't actually a black strip on top of the layout; I wanted to show the sunburst extending off the page, so I didn't crop off the Versamat that was under the layout when I photographed it. Not sure whether to keep the sunburst as is or trim it off since it will stick out of the page protector. What do you think?

Recipe:

My Peeps & Bingo Alphabet stamp sets

Brushed Level 2 papers

Sky, Canary, Pixie, Pear, Topiary & White Daisy cardstock

Creme Brulee, Blush, Juniper, Pear & Black ink

Black marker

Watercolor markers (Prismacolor)

Butterfly stickers (Rossler Papier)

Sky & White Daisy brads

3-D foam tape

Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: flowers, stems, title box

Cricut Artbooking cartridge: title, sunburst

Challenges: Heart 2 Heart Good Day, Sunshine

Easter Drama Layout

After a several week scrapping hiatus due to the Costco photo printing center being offline, I finally manged to get some photos printed and scrapped! I used my August single page sketch for Splitcoast Stampers. I stayed pretty close to the sketch except I substituted tags for the smaller pieces on the sketch. If you decide to play along with the sketch, please click on the link at the bottom of the page to post your completed layout so I can admire it!

The sketch:

My layout:

Just in case you're wondering, the bee/insect theme springs from John the Baptist eating locusts and honey!

Recipe:
Buzz & Bumble stamp set
Buzz & Bumble Level 2 papers
Kraft & Champagne cardstock
Vellum
Cocoa, Goldrush & Black ink
Cocoa & Goldrush markers
Buzz & Bumble Assortment embellishments
Burlap ribbon
Natural hemp
Pattern: SCS Sketch15Aug1

Birthday Gifts Layout

I'm still working on my obsessive need to make everything match in my layouts, so for this one, I tried picking out some not very featured colors from my photos (the red and yellow) and adding colors that weren't found anywhere in my photos (the teal and orange). Hope it came out as well as I think it did! The little envelope will eventually contain a list of which presents my son received from which friends for his birthday, which will serve as a fun reminder of who was part of his life at this point in time.

Recipe:
Free To Be Me Level 2 papers
Free To Be Me embossed cardstock
Honey & Grey Wool cardstock
Cranberry & Creme Brulee ink
Ocean marker
My Crush Besties Assortment
My Crush Best Day Ever Assortment
Creme Brulee paper clip
Cranberry ribbon
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: stars
Pattern: Sketch-n-Scrap Sketch 86
Challenges: Heart 2 Heart Birthday Bash challenge; Scrap Our Stash "paper" challenge; I used Photo corners, Arrows & Alphabet stickers, Paper clip, Envelope & Embossed cardstock, Ribbon

The Game's Afoot! Layout

My family went to the Sherlock Holmes exhibit at the Discovery Cube recently, so when I was thinking up a title for this layout about the games we played at my son's birthday party, I couldn't resist using one of Sherlock's favorite sayings! I used some old products from my stash plus the July single page sketch I designed for Splitcoast Stampers. Check back on Friday to see an all new sketch!

Recipe:
Patterned paper from my stash, source unknown
Holiday Red, Sky, Sweet Leaf, Autumn Terracotta, Pacifica & White Daisy cardstock
Holiday Red, Sky, Sweet Leaf & Autumn Terracotta ink
Pacifica marker
Best Day Ever Assortment stickers
White Daisy grograin ribbon
Red Glitter Gems
Turquoise ric-rac (Craft Essentials)
Cricut Artiste cartridge: asterisk, "the," "afoot!"
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: clip, "game's"
Cuttlebug embossing folder: Spots & Dots
Pattern: SCS Sketch15Jul1

SCS July Sketch + Go Ahead & Jump Layout

I haven't been very good about posting the sketches and layouts I create for Splitcoast Stampers on my blog, but I'm trying to do better. Here's the single page sketch for July, featuring three 4" x 6" photos. Hope this inspires you to get out your supplies and start scrapping. If you want to share your layout, you can either add your URL in the comments below or go to Splitcoast Stampers and post it in the gallery with the keyword Sketch15Jul1 so I can check it out. I love to see how people interpret my sketches!

The Sketch:

My Layout:

Recipe:
Save the Date & Tiny Typewriter Alphabet stamp sets
Fanfare Level 2 papers
Pacifica, Outdoor Denim, Cranberry & White Daisy cardstock
Outdoor Denim & Cranberry ink
Outdoor Denim marker
White gel pen (Sakura)
Outdoor Denim bookplate, brads & buttons
White ric-rac (Wrights)
Trinkets wooden shapes
Blue Magic Mesh (Historical Imports)
Cricut Artiste cartridge:circle, Jump
Pattern: Splitcoast Stampers Sketch15Jul1
Challenges: Creating with Paper & More color challenge (I used all five colors, although my middle shade of blue looks a lot darker in my scan); Scrap Our Stash PHOTOS challenge (P = patterned paper, H = hemp, O = Outdoor Denim ink, T = Trinkets wooden shapes, O = Oval bookplate; S = stamping); Southern Girls Sticky Business challenge (I pulled out some really old Magic Mesh, and it actually still was sticky!)

Together Layout

With July 4th just past, there are a lot of red, white and blue crafting challenges floating around. I didn't have any July 4th photos so I grabbed a picture with those colors and started scrapping. The background of the photo was really distracting (can anyone say lawnmower?) so I tried a new-to-me technique; I converted the background to black and white while keeping the people in color. I also played along with a few other challenges, so be sure to check them out at the bottom of this post.

Recipe:
Just Be You stamp set
Ruby, Outdoor Denim, Kraft & Colonial White cardstock
Ruby, Outdoor Denim & Desert Sand ink
Outdoor Denim marker
Colonial White brads
Ruby chevron ribbon
Enamel stars
3-D foam tape
Cricut Artiste cartridge: title, stars
Cuttlebug embossing folders: CTMH Stripe, Swiss Dot
Pattern: Stick It Down July single page sketch
Challenges: Color My Heart Ruby, Outdoor Denim, Kraft & Colonial White color challenge; Frosted Designs Red, White & Blue with a Twist (my "something old" is all the product and my "something new" is the technique of recoloring a photo); Picture This Red, White, & Blue + 1-2 photos + stars; Rochelle Spears July tic-tac-toe (I chose the column with brads, stars & striped paper); Lasting Memories Together theme

Shower Layout

This layout has been sitting on my desk for weeks while I was busy with other things, so this morning I bit the bullet and got it finished! It was inspired by this layout, and I added a few embellishments to round it out.

Recipe:
You Are My Happy Alphabet, Chocolate Alphabet Small, Picture Perfect & Spot On Backgrounds stamp sets
Brushed Level 2 papers
Canary, Pixie & White Daisy cardstock
Lagoon, Creme Brulee, Blush & Pear ink
Lagoon baker's twine
White Daisy brads
White Daisy Photo hangers
White Daisy organdy ribbon
Flamingo Dots
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: banner, scalloped border, hearts, tags

Super Duper Dad Card

I've been making lots of cards this month but I forgot all about making a Father's Day card until this evening, so I had to wait until my hubby was in bed to start crafting! Thanks to a loosely interpreted sketch from Retro Sketches, I had a basic design. My husband loves to take the kids to the skate park, so I immediately thought of using the Later Sk8r papers for the card. Does anyone remember the scene in The Incredibles where Mr. Incredible asks his kids how they are doing after a wild car ride involving almost crashing the car, and his kids respond, "Super duper, Dad?" This Picture My Life card totally reminded me of that, so I built a Father's Day card around it!

Recipe:
Later Sk8r Level 2 papers & Picture My Life card
White Daisy cardstock
Whisper, Slate, Pear, Lagoon & Black ink
Black marker
Black hemp
Licorice Opaques - black
Dymo label - black
Cricut Artiste cartridge: dad
Challenges: Heart 2 Heart Man Oh Man challenge; Use Your Stuff Color Me Happy challenge (my hubby's relationship with my kids makes me happy, so I used a favorite color combo of blue and green to celebrate it)

Love These Moments Layout

In the days when we didn't have a reliable babysitter, it was usually easier for my hubby and I to take the kids with us when we went out. This layout demonstrates a funny case-in-point when we ended up having Valentine's dinner with our kids.

Recipe:
Love Life stamp set
Heartstrings Level 2 papers and My Complements stickers
Cranberry, Blush & Whisper cardstock
Cranberry, Blush & Whisper ink
Black marker
Slate washi tape
Blush brads
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: scalloped border, hearts
Pattern: Heart 2 Heart Sketch 7
Challenges: 1-2-3- Get Scrappy June tic-tac-toe board (I chose scalloped edge, washi tape, metallic element); Lasting Memories happiness theme (it inspired me to add the "happiness lives here" sentiment to express how happy my hubby and kids make me)

Mr. & Mrs.Wedding Card

Today I turned from making teacher appreciation cards to doing a wedding card for a couple from my church. Someone had given me a wedding themed paper pack, so I started with that, plus a card sketch from Sketch-n-Scrap. I switched up some of the layers on the sketch while keeping the general configuration the same. Since I have no idea what the couple's wedding colors are, I decided to go neutral and elegant.

Recipe:
Bonnie Bell Wedding papers (MAMBI)
For Always Level 2 papers
Black, White Daisy & Desert Sand cardstock
Vellum
Black & Desert Sand ink
Pearl Opaques
Cricut Artiste cartridge: bridge & groom, Mr. & Mrs., circle

Sketch-n-Scrap card sketch #51

Splendor Thank You Cards

I completed all my teacher cards yesterday (woohoo!) and am finishing up the support personnel cards today. I decided to make cards for my son's bus drivers who got him safely to and from school every day, plus I always thank the crossing guard who helps my other kids get across a busy street in front of the school. I started with a sketch from Retro Sketches, but I turned it upside down to create a little scene, and I made two variations of the same card. Can't decide which one I like more!

The bus driver card!

The crossing guard card!

Recipe:
School Rocks & Thank You stamp sets
Splendor Level 2 papers
Indian Corn Blue, Honey, Buttercup & White Daisy cardstock
Indian Corn Blue, Honey, Buttercup, Black, Cranberry, Topiary, Heavenly Blue & Bamboo ink
Honey, Black, Cranberry, Buttercup, Heavenly Blue & Bamboo markers
Silver Metallics marker
Black grosgrain ribbon
Woodgrain washi tape
3-D foam tape

Good Times Teacher Card

I am on a roll with end of year teacher thank you cards. Here's my second design, using really old patterned paper (it came in my consultant kit when I signed up for CTMH in 2008!) and a sketch from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenges. I took some liberties with the sketch by tilting the skinny pieces and adding a circle, but hopefully you can still see it's the same sketch.

The sketch:

My card:

Recipe;
School Rocks & Thank You stamp sets
Good Times Level 2 papers
Sweet Leaf, Buttercup & White Daisy cardstock
Twilight, Chocolate, Sweet Leaf, Buttercup, Sky & Black ink
Twilight, Buttercup, Chocolate, Bamboo & Cranberry markers
Yellow grosgrain ribbon (Offray)
3-D foam tape

Chalk It Up Teacher Card

I woke up this morning to the realization that tomorrow is the last day of school and I need to make ten cards for teachers, bus drivers, and the crossing guard! I managed to get one done already and I kept it simple since I have to duplicate it for three more teachers. Off to work on some more cards. . .

Recipe:
School Rocks & Teacher Appreciation stamp sets
Chalk It Up Level 2 papers & My Complements sticker
Sorbet, Lagoon, Black, Flaxen & White Daisy cardstock
Sorbet, Lagoon, Black & Flaxen ink
Lagoon & Creme Brulee markers
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: arrow, circle overlay, circle
Pattern: Stick It Down June card sketch
Challenges: Little Red Wagon Use It Up (To make my card, I grabbed the Chalk It Up papers and stickers that have been sitting in the box since they were delivered a while back!)

Diver Layout

Heart to Heart has a warm vs. cool challenge that we can interpret however we like. I decided to go with cool colors (blue & green) and a neutral (grey) for the bulk of my layout, with a little splash of warm (red) to keep things interesting!

Recipe:
Pennant Alphabet, Spot On Backgrounds & Under the Sea stamp sets
Later Sk8r Level 2 papers
Slate & White Daisy cardstock
Lagoon, Pear, Outdoor Denim, Cranberry, Slate & Whisper ink
Later Sk8r Picture My Life cards
Lagoon, Sweet Leaf, Outdoor Denim & Cranberry markers
Cranberry brads & spiral clip
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: pennants, frame
Pattern: EMS Sketch 55
Challenges: Sketch-n-Scrap & Kelly Holifield's 3 patterned papers challenge (there are only 3 patterned papers on this layout but it looks like lots more since I used the PML cards as well!); Use Your Stuff Dots & Stripes challenge

Buddies Layout

Michelle from Sketch-n-Scrap's design team posted a challenge to use more than three groups of three on a layout. This sounded like fun, so I got to work and was pleased to be able to incorporate the following sets of threes:
• 3 patterned papers
• 3 colors of cardstock
• 3 colors of ink
• 3 brads
• 3 punched hearts on each page
• 3 stickers
• 3 die-cut arrows
• 3 lines of journaling

Recipe:
Heartstrings Level 2 papers and stickers
Chalk It Up Level 2 papers
Cranberry, Lagoon & White Daisy cardstock
Cranberry, Lagoon & Bamboo ink
Ocean marker
White gel pen (Sakura)
C'est La Vie Buddies die-cut (MME)
Cranberry brads
Heart punch (EK Success)
Cricut Accent Essentials cartridge: arrows
Pattern: Stick It Down May double page sketch
Challenges: Stuck on U Sketches die-cut arrows; Splitcoast Stampers Stash Busters (brads, per-printed die cut, punched item)

Smile Lexi Layout

Leah Burgett from Sketch-n-Scrap challenged everyone to use 3 Project Life cards on a layout, and she also provided a sketch to follow. I don't have any Project Life cards, so I used CTMH's Picture My Life cards, and I was really pleased with how quickly this layout came together. I may be using more of these on future layouts! This is my second layout in a row that has pink on it. For a girl who never seems to scrap pink, I'm on a roll this week!

Recipe:
Hopscotch Level 2 papers and stickers
Buttercup, Flaxen, Sunset, Smoothie, Pixie & Glacier cardstock
Flaxen, Blush & Glacier ink
Smoothie marker
Hopscotch Picture My Life cards
Hopscotch Assortment flair
Flamingo & Aqua Dots
Cricut cartridge Art Philosophy: flowers, title
Cricut cartridge Wall Decor & More: butterfly
Pattern: Sketch-n-Scrap 46
Challenges: Leah Burgett & Sketch-n-Scrap 3 Project Life cards + sketch; Clear It Out girls and die-cuts or punches; Use Your Stuff flowers; Splitcoast Stampers colors of spring

Rose Parade Layout

It's taken me several days to finish this layout. I'm not sure why, but it may be because pink frightens me! Yes, sad but true, I am so used to scrapping for boys that I feel out of my depth when faced with pink. However, I persevered and, thanks to a few challenges from out in Blogland, I managed to come up with a layout I liked. Hope you like it, too.

Pardon the picture quality; the thickness of the embellishments made it hard to get a good scan.

Recipe:
Flowers, Gingham & Stripe papers (DCWV Stack 4)
Lollydoodle Zip Strip
Green Daisies vellum (American Crafts)
Topiary, Pear, Cotton Candy, Blush & Chocolate cardstock
Cotton Candy, Pear, Cocoa & Buttercup ink
Big Pinks, White Daisy, Spring Blossom & Paradise Just Blooms paper flowers
Greenhouse paper flowers (American Crafts)
Chantilly assortment button
Pear craft buttons
Lollydoodle Assortment flair
Pear, Topiary, Cocoa, Sunkiss Yellow & White Daisy brads
Cricut Wall Decor and More cartridge: butterfly, title
Pattern: Let's Scrap Sketch 5-15-15
Challenges:Rochelle Spears May Tic-tac-toe (I chose the row with butterfly, flowers, and something pink); Creating with Paper and More color challenge (I managed to use all five colors!); Sketch-n-Scrap & Stamping with Lydia use the same color with three different patterns (mine are the stripe pink behind the white circle, the floral pink circle, and the gingham pink)

Teachers Give a Hoot Card

It's Teacher Appreciation week again, so I made a couple of cards using the darling Teacher Appreciation stamp set I bought a few months ago. My children's school mascot is an owl, so the owl image seemed especially appropriate!

Recipe:
Teacher Appreciation stamp set
Goldrush, Olive, Cashmere & Colonial White cardstock
Chocolate, Goldrush & Olive ink
Goldrush marker
Chocolate ribbon
Cuttlebug embossing folder: CTMH Chevrons
Challenges: Use Your Stuff chevrons challenge