Star Wars Han & Leia Card

My son asked me to make a card to accompany his gift for his "girlfriend" (he's too young to date, hence the quotes!), so since he's giving her Han Solo and Princess Leia plushies, I thought a Star Wars card would be appropriate. I found Han and Leia images in Cricut Design Space, and I ended up buying the whole "The Force is With Us" cartridge, because you never know when you might need a Star Wars image, right? The pattern is from Sketch-n-Scrap, but I turned it sideways to fit the Leia image, and made my star border extend over the Leia image.

Here's the outside:

And the inside:

Recipe:
Perfect Fit - Birthday stamp set
Cranberry, Black & White cardstock
Black ink
Gold Stickles (Ranger)
Cricut The Force is With Us cartridge: Princess Leia, Han Solo
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: star border

Home Away From Home Layout

When most people go to London, they probably wouldn't even notice this building (The Institution of Civil Engineers), but my civil engineer husband stopped right in front of it and insisted I take his picture! Gotta love the things that make my man happy, right? I started with Sketch 338 from Sketches in Thyme, cut a few engineering die-cuts like the bridge and the road to go with the theme, and then dug through my stash and found a scrap piece of paper that looks like blue prints, which I used to anchor the other elements. In case you can't read it, the label under the bridge is actually from the photo of the building sign, and I trimmed it to say civil engineers.

Recipe:
Unlimited Text paper (Bella Blvd's Molly collection)
Blue Prints Reversed paper (Karen Foster Designs)
Cranberry, Slate, Sky, Whisper, White Daisy & Black cardstock
Cranberry, Slate, Sky & Black ink
Black marker
My Crush Best Day Ever Assortment journaling card
Metal paperclip (from an old CTMH Connections Club Reward that I never though I'd use!)
Metal heart brads (from my stash)
Black & White Ribbon Rounds
Cricut You Are Here cartridge: title, banner, plane, bridge, road
Cricut Artistry cartridge: globe
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: pennant
Challenges: Lasting Memories Transportation - airplanes; Heart 2 Heart Heavy Metal challenge (I didn't use tons of metal, but those paperclips are pretty darn heavy - LOL!);  The Studio Challenges Happy layouts (because this moment made my hubby so happy)

Biking Yosemite Layout

I was debating what sketch to use for these last photos from Yosemite 2012 when I noticed that the circle in the background of the sketch from The Studio Challenges reminded me of a bicycle wheel. That clinched it, of course, and I was able to find a wheel die-cut on one of my Cricut cartidges, so there was the basis of my layout. The little bicycle die-cut from the Cricut You Are Here cartridge is super cute, but I added some Red Stickles on the handles and chain guard for a shiny look. Since I'm not an real outdoorsy person, I had to include the "enjoy the ride" stamp to remind me that sometimes, when you're in the right place with the right people, the ride can be enjoyable!

Recipe:
Neighborhood & It's Your Day stamp sets
Twitterpated papers
Dutch Blue, Whisper, Grey Wool, Chocolate, Colonial White, Cashmere, Tulip & Black cardstock
Dutch Blue, Chocolate, Greg Wool & Black ink
Silver mini-brad
Xmas Red Stickles (Ranger)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: hearts, banners
Cricut Artiste cartridge: wheel (trimmed some of the inner sections off the Ferris wheel cut)
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: hearts
Cricut You Are Here cartridge: bike, trail marker
Cricut Design Space: title using Cricut Alphabet
Challenges: Lasting Memories Transportation - bikes

River View Layout

My final Hampton Court Layout - sorta. I do have another partially completed layout that I didn't like the look of, so if I decide to rip everything off the layout and start over, you may see one more layout. But for now, say goodbye to Hampton Court! These pictures were taken as we walked to the station, and I love the serene look of the river, with Hampton Court on the other bank. I adapted Sketch #158 from Sketch-n-Scrap for my larger size photos, and added some Cricut cuts and a stamped title.

The sketch:

And my layout:

Recipe:
Bingo stamp set
Splendor papers
White Daisy & Slate cardstock
Goldrush & Black ink
Steel Grey marker (Zig)
PML Tabbed Journaling Cards
Round Durables - Pewter
Cricut Wall Decor & More cartridge: sailboats, compass
Challenges: Lasting Memories Boats challenge

Unicorn Birthday Card

My daughter was invited to a unicorn-themed birthday party this week, so I whipped up a quick card to put on the gift. I have purchased a few cute and girly paper packs over the years, but because I did not have a daughter for so long, I haven't used very many of them, so I pulled out magical looking papers from the Daydream pack. I didn't have a unicorn die-cut in any of my Cricut cartridges (something that will have to be remedied immediately!), so I used a horse and added a horn using Diamond Stickles. The horn didn't show up well on my photo of the whole card, so I added a close-up shot.

Recipe:
Chantilly Cardmaking Workshop stamp set
Daydream papers
Blush, Pansy & White Daisy cardstock
Blush, Lilac Mist & Black ink
Black marker
Diamond Stickles (Ranger)
Cricut Noah's ABC Animals cartridge: horse
Pattern: Atlantic Hearts Sketch 278

Challenges: Heart 2 Heart Cuteness Overload challenge (What could be cuter than unicorns and glitter, right? Okay, maybe children and cats, but it's a close call!)

The Mute Swan Layout

Visiting the Mute Swan Pub for dinner was a really nice finish to our time at Hampton Court, and the food was quite good, so I would recommend it if you're ever in the area. You might want to make a reservation, though; we didn't and were fortunate they could squeeze us in! I used Rochelle Spear's August sketch again for this layout since the last time I forgot to use graph paper. Since these photos were taken five years and a continent away from the other photos, I figured no one would notice as they looked through my scrapbooks. My photos were bigger than the ones on the sketch, so I had to overlap a little and remove some of the elements that would have made the page look too crowded.

The sketch:

My layout:

Recipe:
Heartstrings & Memo Fundamentals papers
Heartstrings Complements stickers
Black, Whisper & Cranberry cardstock
Cranberry& Whisper ink
Black marker
Cranberry baker's twine
Polka dot washi tape
Pearl Opaques
Fiskars scalloped border punch (Fiskars)
Small heart punch (EK Success)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: banners, tag, large hearts
Cricut Design Space: title (Wall Decor & More for monogram letter and Art Philosophy for other letters)
Pattern: Rochelle Spears Paper/Sketch Challenge + use graph paper
Challenges: Bimini Moose scrapbook layouts

The Wilderness Layout

Done with Yosemite for now, so it's back to Hampton Court to finish up the last layout of the gardens. This layout is super simple because the wilderness garden was so beautiful, I didn't want to distract from its loveliness.

In the finished album between these two pages, I will insert a pocket page with more of the lovely plants from the wilderness garden. I added those photos below so everyone can enjoy the loveliness.

Recipe:
Floral Kit papers (KI Memories)
Petal cardstock
Petal ink
Petal marker
Mini ABC stickers (CM)
Potpourri Border stickers & journaling block (CM)

Mirror Lake Layout

Anyone else experiencing the lazy days of summer? This is the last week before my kids go back to school, and I haven't felt like doing much except some reading and lounging around. Unfortunately, I had to do all that lovely back to school shopping, which hopefully is complete (unless I forgot something, which could definitely happen). Anyway, for today I'm posting one of my last Yosemite 2012 pages. In honor of National Coloring Book Day on August 2, I stamped and colored all the little square images on each page. Thanks to Deanna over at Scrapbook.com for the fun idea!

Recipe:
Solos 1, 4, 8, 9, H, K, N, U, V & April Word Puzzle stamp sets

Rustic Trail papers

Dutch Blue, Sky & Colonial White cardstock

Dutch Blue, Oliver, Goldrush & Cocoa ink

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (Tsukineko)

ShinHan Touch Twin markers

Olive marker
Green epoxy bubbles

Cricut You Are Here cartridge: title, wave

Pattern: EMS Sketch 29
Challenges: Use Your Stuff Summer Fun challenge (I used lots of old supplies to document a fun time on vacation in July 2012).

EMS Sketch Challenge 67 - Friday Fun Layout

It's been a few months since I did a sketch challenge, so here's another one for you all to enjoy! I changed it up a bit in my completed layout, so feel free to adapt it to work with your pictures, and don't forget to link up below once you've finished and posted your layout. Since I've been scrapping a lot of earth tones for my Yosemite photos, it was fun to add a little red to this layout to reflect the lava in the upper left photo. Plus it worked well with the hearts, and I definitely loved seeing my dear friends who had just completed the back country hike through Yosemite and were able to meet up with us for breakfast at the Ahwahnee Hotel.

The Sketch:

My Layout:

Recipe:

Animal Cookies & Basics Paper Fundamentals paper

Kraft, Tulip, Bamboo & Colonial White cardstock

Tulip & Bamboo ink

Brown marker (Zig)

Hopscotch Assortment badge button

Bamboo brad

Cricut Artistry cartridge: title, hearts
Challenges: Bitten By the Bug vacation / travel theme; Bimini Moose scrapbook layouts

An InLinkz Link-up

Waiting to Dine Layout

Today was a banner day for me as a scrapbooker because I finally got to use an unfinished layout that has been sitting in my stash since February of 2009! Yes, that's right, I've been storing this layout for nine years, but today was the day I got it out, stuck photos, a title, and journaling on it, and can now place it in my scrapbook. It's a good feeling, so I encourage all of you to dig through your stash of unfinished projects and get just one done. You'll be glad you did.

Recipe:
That's Amore papers & My Stickease
Garden Green & Chocolate cardstock
Brown marker (Zig)
Love Always journaling card
Colonial White brads
3-D foam tape
Cricut Design Space: title (using Cookie font)
Pattern: Up the Tempo from Jeanette Lynton's Imagine

Parking Lot Pals Layout

Lasting Memories Blog will be hosting challenges about transportation all month, and I've been racking my brains to figure out how to play along using my Yosemite pictures. When I came to these photos of deer grazing in the parking lot at Curry Village, I knew I was onto something! I die-cut the deer and cars to create little scenes reflecting our encounter with nature in the midst of civilization.

The sketch I used didn't have much space for journaling, so I included some hidden journaling in a pocket under the deer pictures on the right hand page. For a music challenge at Scrapbook.com, I used lyrics from the song Big Yellow Taxi on my journaling ("they paved paradise and put up a parking lot"), so it seemed appropriate to make one of the cars in my parking lot a taxi! Also in keeping with this theme, the horizontal lines in the title represent parking spaces.

Recipe:
Love Right Now, It's Your Day & This & That stamp sets
Mayberry papers
Cocoa, Desert Sand, Sky, Olive, Cashmere, Black & Colonial White cardstock
White Daisy textured cardstock
Cocoa, Desert Sand, Honey, Smoothie, Cashmere & Olive ink
Olive marker
Honey Triangles washi tape
Licorice Opaques pearls
Cocoa grosgrain ribbon
Small heart punch (EK Success)
Cricut You Are Here cartridge: deer, taxi, car
Cricut Artiste cartridge: title
Cricut Artistry cartridge: pocket
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: large hearts, scalloped border
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: arrows
Pattern: Scrapbook.com August 2018 2 Page sketch challenge
Challenges: Lasting Memories cars challenge; Fantabulous Cricut Challenge anything goes (used quite a few cartridges on this layout!); Use Your Stuff triangles challenge (the triangles are on the yellow washi tape - you may have to click on the picture because they're kinda hard to see)

Parson's Lodge Layout

I was playing along with an interesting challenge from Scrapbook.com to use 92% pink and/or green on your layout. I know 92% sounds like a weird number, but it's because August 3rd was Watermelon Day, and watermelons contain 92% water, ergo the challenge. Obviously I went with the green part of the challenge for these Yosemite pictures. I'm not sure I used exactly 92%, but if not, it's close!

And here's the facing page with a pull-out journaling card to contain my memories of this hike:

And here's the journaling card (based on sketch 107 from Sketches in Thyme PL Style):

And finally, a couple of pictures from the other side of the pocket page, showing Parson's Lodge and my son near the trout-filled lake:

Recipe:
Pen Pal Alphabet & Pack Your Bags stamp sets
Back Country, Lucky, Mistletoe & Rustic Trail papers
Garden Green, New England Ivy & Bamboo cardstock
Olive & New England Ivy ink
Olive marker
Back Country & Rustic Trail My Stickease
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: scalloped border
Pattern: Sketch Savvy #60
Challenges: Heart 2 Heart Lovely Layers ( I had a great time layering all these ancient CTMH papers and My Stickease - I counted 5 layers under the tree sticker!)

Wild & Scenic River Ranger Walk Layout

When looking at this group of pictures, I felt like I had too many for one layout but too few for two layouts, so I compromised by creating a layout featuring a few pictures and putting the rest into a pocket page. This allowed me to use quite a few of my Jackson journaling cards, and it challenged my brain with how to lay them out and add journaling! I posted the finished layout first and then the pocket page, but in my scrapbook, the pocket page will actually be inserted between the two layout pages.

Recipe:
Jackson papers & PML journaling cards
Glacier & Barn Red cardstock
Glacier, Juniper, Barn Red & Cocoa ink
Barn Red marker
My Crush Wildwood Assortment journaling cards & stickers
Timberline Assortment wooden shapes (ranger, bear)
Trinkets Wooden shapes (heart, butterfly, bird, flower)
Lagoon check & woodgrain washi tape
Pattern: Stick It Down August double sketch
Challenges: Heart 2 Heart Duly Noted challenge (I had taken lots of notes about our hike at the time, so I was able to include lots of journaling on the PML cards and a little on the right hand page.)

Hot Fun in the Summertime Layout

I’m hosting the monthly Variety Challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers and asked everyone to be inspired by s’mores in honor of my recent trip to Yosemite. Although there are a variety of ways you could be inspired (color scheme, family fun, sweet memories), I went literal and scrapbooked pictures of my family eating s’mores. Feel free to join us at SCS for this challenge!

Recipe:
Surf's Up, August Word Puzzle & Party Invitation stamp sets
Felicity & Twitterpated papers
Sorbet, Chocolate, Crystal Blue & Colonial White cardstock
Sorbet, Chocolate, Crystal Blue & Desert Sand ink
Colonial White ric-rac
Cricut You Are Here cartridge: chocolate, marshmallows
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: postage stamp frame
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: arrow frame
Pattern: Pagemaps April 2008 double page sketch
Challenges: Bitten By the Bug Frames challenge (I included two, one over a picture and one to frame the title); Scrap with Stacy song inspiration: Hot Fun in the Summertime

Soak Layout

I had these pictures siting on my desk for a few days and couldn't quite decide how to scrapbook them, I think because the 8" x 10" intimidated me a little! When I checked out the new sketch challenges that were posted today for August, I was glad I hadn't figured it out previously because the sketch from Rochelle Spears was just what I needed for this layout.

I love the circles and the arrangement of the three photos, so I used that idea for the right hand page (reversed to work better with my photos) and let it spill over onto my left page. I wanted to go minimalist for this layout, so I used only one patterned paper (she wanted us to use graph paper, but I couldn't find any in my stash) and eliminated some of the elements to achieve a cleaner look.

Recipe:
Basics Fundamentals paper - Whisper
Ponderosa Pine, Barn Red, Sky & White Daisy cardstock
Ponderosa Pine, Barn Red & Sky ink
Barn Red marker
Cricut You Are Here cartridge: title, This is the Life, Rest & Relax, and waves
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: trees, rings
Cricut Artistry cartridge: clouds