Christmas Luncheon 2015 Layout

Since it's December, I wanted to get a little Christmas themed scrapping done, so here is what I've been working on today. I adapted a sketch I had created back in 2016 but had never used; it felt good to finally create something with it!

Recipe:
Sparkle & Shine papers
Ruby & White Daisy cardstock
Ruby, Slate & Juniper ink
Grey marker (Zig)
Sparkle & Shine chipboard die-cuts
Ruby buttons & baker's twine
Clear Sparkles
Silver cord (from my stash)
3-D foam tape
Cricut Simply Sweet cartridge: title
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: tree
Pattern: Splitcoast Stampers Sketch16Feb1 (rotated right)

Challenges: Bitten By the Bug Any Holiday (I chose Christmas); Lasting Memories #577 Multi Photo Layout

Sherlocked Mug Layout

I've been MIA for the last two months here on my blog, just because life was too overwhelming for me to feel creative. Instead, I read a lot and completed a 3000 piece jigsaw puzzle! This morning, I actually woke up feeling creative, so I searched for a sketch and checked out some challenges so I could scrapbook a photo that's been sitting on my desk since October. For anyone who is a fan of the BBC show Sherlock, you will need no explanation of this layout, and here's a link to the clip from A Scandal In Belgravia to enjoy.

Recipe:
February Word Puzzle stamp set
Central Park, Animal Cookies, Fall 2019 Mix-In & March/April 2021 Mix-In papers
Tulip & Black cardstock
Glacier, Peacock, Tulip, Slate & Black ink
White gel pen (Sakura)
PML Tabbed Journaling Card
Love This wood title
Wood Hearts
Red Pearls
Pattern: Sketch-n-Scrap #238

Challenges: Heart 2 Heart Embellishments challenge (used wooden hearts & title and red pearls)

What a Relief Layout

I went back to the Assyrian exhibit at the British Museum for this layout featuring carved reliefs from various sites in Nimrud and Nineveh. The title is a play on the old jingle for Alka Seltzer, and I popped up the negative title to give a little additional dimension.

The journaling and additional photos are on a facing photo storage page:

And, since it's probably really hard to read the journaling, here are the journaling cards for any history nuts (like me) who want to read all about it!

Recipe:
Pen Pal Alphabet & Star Power stamp sets
Elemental, March-April 2021 Mix-in & Sweetheart papers
Sorbet, Sage & White Daisy cardstock
Sorbet, Creme Brulee, Sage & Black ink
Black marker
Creme Brulee baker's twine
Let's Wander Thickers (American Crafts)
Dymo label tape
3-D foam tape
Cricut Artiste cartridge: title, wing
Pattern: EMS Sketch Challenge 61

Challenges: Let's Craft & Create #176 Things with Wings; Tic Tac Toe Challenges #137 (used the middle column with Embossing + Green + Twine) 

Color My Heart #476 (I don't have anything in Papaya yet and very little in Sundance, so I used the old colors Sorbet and Creme Brulee as the closest matches. Also realized I messed up and used gold instead of silver, but I still wanted to share my layout!)

Team Party Memories Layout

I put together the bones of this project back in 2009 when CTMH came out with their Tickled Pink scrapbooking kit - anyone remember that? I had cut some papers and glued them down on white cardstock, but then they languished in my stash for 12 years because I almost never scrapbook the tiny pictures sizes required to fit the smaller mats I used. Silly me! Anyway, I had pulled out the kit and used some of the loose paper for a card last month, and I noticed that the papers coordinated pretty well with the photos I was scrapbooking, so I determined to make them work. The layout was extremely basic (just a few photo mats and patterned paper pieces), so, inspired by several challenges, I kept trying out and adding stuff until it reached its present form, a layout twelve years in the making. I think that's a record even for me!

Recipe:
I Am, Trinity Alphabet & It's Your Day stamp sets
Tickled Pink scrapbooking kit (patterned papers, textured cardstock, die-cut flowers)
White Daisy cardstock
Blush, Hollyhock, Crystal Blue, Twilight & Sunny Yellow ink
Black marker
Blush ribbon
Love This wood titles
Wood Hearts
Lacey Trims - white (49 & Market)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: tag, shaped title box
Pattern: Dynamic Duo from Jeanette Lynton's Imagine
Challenges: Cut It Up #236 Pink + a die-cut; Heart 2 Heart Terrific Tags; Lasting Memories #568 Inspired by Maggie Holmes (tried to imitate her style but don't know how successful I was!)

Trick or Treat 2016 Layout

I got to be the Crazy Cousin guest designer at Double Trouble this month, and their second challenge was right up my alley: they asked for cute Halloween projects. I loved scrapbooking pictures of my kids in their adorable Halloween costumes, plus a few fun photos of Halloween decorations from around the neighborhood. How awesome are those aliens?

THING 1: Trouble Maker 

says, "Let's skip the tricks and share the treats for Halloween.  Show us a cheerful and cute approach to Halloween or the Fall season, perhaps using cats, pumpkins, candy or cute ghosts and witches, etc. 

You can stop here... OR play along with Twisted Sister's optional twist below to earn another chance at our random draw.  

THING 3: Twisted Sister

says, "Well, I don't know why Thing 1 wants to skip tricks, because I'm all for tricks. You know what's tricky? I always say, 'Washi tape that is not sticky will be tricky.'

Search your washi tape stash and you'll be surprised when you find your perfect match... We know this match is somewhere hidden in your stash. Soooo... my optional twist? Include washi tape on your project."  

Optional Twist:  If you have included washi tape on your project you will earn another chance in our Random Draw.

THING 2:  Double Dare 

says, "If you have created Thing 1's requirement to create a Halloween project, whether you use the washi tape or not, you can add your project to Cupcake Inspirations #530 "Holiday Fun."  

If you have entered your card at Cupcake Inspirations then you have earned another chance at Double Trouble's Random Draw.

Come play along with the design team and their Crazy Cousin (yes, that's me) at Double Trouble between Monday, October 18th and Sunday, October 31st to create some Halloween Cuteness.

Recipe:
Jeepers Creepers papers
Black, Clover, Pansy, Nectarine & White Daisy cardstock
Black, Clover Meadow, Gypsy, Nectarine & Slate ink
Black marker
Jeepers Creepers Complements die-cut letters
Jeepers Creepers Assortment epoxy stickers
Jeepers Creepers washi tape
Lagoon ribbon
Licorice Opaques pearls
Teen Spirit Boy ephemera (Echo Park)
Challenges: Tic Tac Toe Challenges #135 (left diagonal with Black + Orange + Purple and middle column down with Moon + Orange + Cat)

Blood Moon Layout

I've been trying to finish scrapping the last photos from 2015, and I am almost there, although I am saving the Christmas photos to scrap in December. These are from a semi-failed family expedition to see the blood moon (total lunar eclipse), but it was too cold to sit outside for long and too cloudy to see much, so we ended up going home after about an hour. None of the pictures we took came out very well, so I found a really cool photo on the internet and used that to show what the blood moon should look like.

Recipe:
Jeepers Creepers & Stargazer papers
Black, Nectarine, Pewter & White Daisy cardstock
Lagoon & Pewter ink
White gel pen (Sakura)
Jeepers Creepers stickers
Field Trip ephemera (American Crafts)
Scalloped border punch (Fiskars)
Cricut Artiste cartridge: title
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: banner
Pattern: scraplift from Scrapbook.com
Challenges: Bitten by the Bug patterned paper + Cricut cut; Stinkin' Inkers Scrap Happy (all papers are scraps except the base cardstock and the grey piece that the photos are mounted on); Scrap With Stacy October Tic Tac Toeboard (used the left column with black + banner + stickers)

No Guts No Glowy Layout

I was thrilled to be asked to be a Crazy Cousin guest designer for Double Trouble Challenges this month, so here's the the layout I created for their first challenge, using pumpkins and a leafy garland with these photos of my kids getting messy for carving pumpkins.

And here is their fun challenge. Click on the link above to play along!

Thing 1: Trouble Maker
says, "Looking out my window there were leaves, nuts and pinecones that had fallen to the ground in my garden of gourds. It didn't take long to gather up these items of color to make a beautiful fresh fall garland for my banister.

Use my fall garland as inspiration for colors and/or fall items. Use Your Stuff... go through your stash for papers, stamps, stencils, inks, embellishments, etc. to create a Fall project.

You can stop here...
OR
play along with Twisted Sister's optional twist below to earn another chance at our random draw.

Thing 3: Twisted Sister
says, "Fall leaves were lots of fun when I was a kid, but now they mean work! I'd much prefer to be playing with pumpkins at my pumpkin carving party! Let's make pumpkins with paper using a die, punch, cutting machine, or scissors. "Carve your pumpkin" and include it in your project.

This is an Optional Twist and if you have included your paper pumpkin in your project you have earned a special treat, an extra chance at a random draw.

Thing 2: Double Dare
says, "If you have met Thing 1's requirement to create a fall project you are eligible to enter your project HERE at Use Your Stuff #432 and receive an extra chance at Double Trouble's Random Draw.

Recipe:
Geometric Backgrounds stamp set
I Love Halloween papers (Echo Park)
Paprika, Fern, Chocolate, Toffee, Creme Brulee & White Daisy cardstock
Paprika, Toffee & Black ink
Black marker
ShinHan Touch Twin markers
Irresistibles Lots of Dots alphabet stickers
Thistle ribbon
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: garland, leaves
Cricut You Are Here cartridge: pumpkin
Cricut Artiste cartridge: Jack o'lantern face
Cricut Something to Remember cartridge: basket
Pattern: Stick It Down October 2021 Double page sketch (slightly modified)

Challenges: Just Us Girls challenge #604 Halloween; Tic Tac Toe Challenges #133 (used the middle column with basket + stripes + alphabet letters)

50th Birthday Fun Fold Card

Double Trouble has a challenge to make a fun fold card, something that is far outside of my comfort zone. Fortunately, they also provided some tutorials for how to do this, so I started with the easiest one, and here is the resulting card I created. My friend Lori is turning 50, so I wanted a pretty card that didn't give her too hard of a time about her age. Hopefully she likes the one I came up with. The heart portion of the card was fun to design; I cut the hearts out using my Cricut and then used the negative piece on my card with a stamped piece of cardstock underneath it.

When the card is opened, you can see the rest of the flowers I stamped plus the sentiment. I know the sentiment looks a little high up on the card, but I wanted to leave space for my family to sign and personalize it.

Creating this was a fun experience, so I may get even braver and try out some of the more complicated fun fold tutorials on their list!

Recipe:
I Am, Intrinsic Backgrounds, Universal Backgrounds & Just a Number stamp sets
Tickled Pink papers & flower die-cut
Kraft, Blush, Crystal Blue & White Daisy cardstock
Hollyhock, Blush, Crystal Blue & Twilight ink
Gold Metallic marker
Black marker
Gold & white ribbon (Michaels)
Edge distressing tool
Cricut Design Studio: heart overlay
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: title shape
Cricut Artiste cartridge: 50
Challenges: Double Trouble #92 Fun Folds; Creative Creases #14 Anything Goes with a Fun Fold; Bitten By the Bug Anything Birthday using a Cricut cut; Let's Craft and Create #175 Anything Goes with lots of layers

Friend or Food? Layout

Our cat Thor wasn't quite sure what to make of the hamster, but it was fun to get these photos of him sitting on top of Humphrey's cage! This layout took me a long time to complete; I had put together the background using two patterned paper strips and the leftover die-cut chevrons from a layout I completed back in 2014 (I knew they would come in handy some day), but then it sat on my desk for a while. I was going to play along with last week's challenge from Tic Tac Toe Challenges, so I added the top tag and cut out the cat die-cut, but then inspiration deserted me. Finally pulled the layout out again this morning and added some heat embossing ("friend" and "the story") and enamel dots so I could play along with this week's Tic Tac Toe challenge. Thanks to TTT for giving me the push to get this one done at last!

The photo on the right lifts up to reveal two more photos of my kitty. Here' my favorite one. He's actually yawning but his face look ferocious.

Recipe:
Friendship Word Puzzle, A Typeface & He Said, She Said stamp sets
Dreamin' Big papers
Black, Cranberry, Topiary, Goldrush, Crystal Blue, Grey Wool & White Daisy cardstock
Goldrush, Cranberry & Crystal Blue ink
Goldrush & Black pigment ink
Black marker
Clear embossing powder
Black & White enamel dots
Cranberry ribbon
Flower punch (EK Success)
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: chevrons
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: tag
Cricut Artiste cartridge: cat, question mark
Pattern: EMS Sketch Challenge 75

Challenges: 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #55 Anything Goes with a critter; Let's Craft and Create #175 Lots of Layers (I have five layers on two sections of my layout); Tic Tac Toe Challenges #130 (I used the left column down)

Lamassu Layout

We saw these enormous statues during our visit to the Assyrian exhibit at the British museum. Part human with the torso and feet of either a bull or a lion, they once guarded the entrances to the palaces of Assyrian kings. My color scheme is based off of a typical Assyrian color scheme that was discovered by analyzing minute paint pigments discovered on some of their artwork.

Recipe:
Skylark and You & Me papers
Desert Sand, Flaxen, Smoothie, Lagoon & White Daisy cardstock
Desert Sand, Flaxen, Smoothie & Lagoon ink
Black marker
White enamel dots
Smoothie grosgrain ribbon
Lagoon washi tape
Buildings stencil (from my stash)
Cricut You Are Here cartridge: Discover the World, title
Pattern: The Studio Challenges August 2021 sketch

Challenges: Use Your Stuff #430 Anything Goes

Life Is Better Layout

***The countdown is almost over to participate in the prize drawing for using one of my scrapbook sketches. Layouts must be posted and linked up by 8/31/21, so pop on over to this post to find out how to play along!***

I love these pictures of my daughter goofing around with a couple of other kids from church! The photos were taken six years ago, so I am not even sure what they were doing, but it's nice to see them all having such a good time.

Recipe:
Oh Happy Day papers & stickers (Simple Stories)
Black & Cotton Candy cardstock
Raspberry & Juniper ink
Black marker
White gel pen (Sakura)
Oh Happy Day stickers & Thickers
Wood hearts
Emoji stickers (American Crafts)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: curvy square
Pattern: Scraplift from Scrapbook.com
Challenges: Let's Craft and Create #174 Polka dots and/or stripes; Lasting Memories #563 Polka dots

Summer Vibes Layout

***Quick reminder: time is running out to play along with my 100 Sketches Challenges. Submit your layout by 8/31/21 to be included in the prize drawing. See this post for details.***

We didn't take many photos on this day at the beach, but the sketch from Scrap Our Stash was perfect for the few I did have. I frequently change things up when using a sketch, but this time I kept pretty close to the sketch, and I love the result. Hope you do, too!

Recipe:
Summer Vibes papers and stickers
Glacier, Lemonade, Nectarine & Smoothie cardstock
Candy Apple, Nectarine, Smoothie, Glacier & Sunny Yellow ink
Black marker
Blue Enamel & Glitter Duos dots
Sunset baker's twine
Cuttlebug embossing folders: D'vine Swirl, CTMH Confetti
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: tag, banner
Cricut You Are Here cartridge: fish
Pattern: Scrap Our Stash August 2015 sketch challenge

Challenges: Bitten By the Bug Under the Sea (these photos were taken by the sea, not under it, but I added some fish die-cuts anyway!)

Our Day at the Zoo Layout

There is less than a week left of August, so time is running out to enter my 100 Sketches Challenge. This month only, you have an opportunity to win a prize if you participate in the challenge! See this post for more details.

I have so many photos of our trips to the zoo, and each time I scrapbook some it's a challenge trying to come up with a unique title. This time, however, Lasting Memories had a challenge to show a sequence of events in your photos, which led me to do a layout with an overarching title "Our Day at the Zoo" plus little labels showing the sequence of activities we did at the zoo. Thanks, LM, for the fun challenge!

Recipe:
Jennifer's Hand Alphabet stamp set
CTMH April/May 2021 Mix-In papers
Desert Rose, Peacock, Glacier, Cinnamon & White Daisy cardstock
Sorbet, Creme Brulee, Peacock, Glacier & Autumn Terracotta ink
Black marker
White gel pen (Sakura)
Zoo Animals stickers (Tumblebeasts)
Blue Enamel & Glitter Duos dots
Peacock grosgrain ribbon
Heart punch (EK Success)
Cricut Artistry cartridge: label, title letters, large heart
Cricut Artiste cartridge: banners
Pattern: EMS Sketch Challenge #59

Challenges: Lasting Memories #562 Sequence; Double Trouble #91 Scrappers Trail Mix (Thing 1 = used stripes & polka dots + Things 2 = played along with Color My Heart's Color Dare #458 + Thing 3 = used Sundance, Cinnamon, Desert Rose, Peacock & Glacier plus neutrals)

Summer Nights @ the Bowl Layout

***Just a reminder that there is still time to enter a layout based on one of my sketches so you're eligible for the prize drawing of a gift card to Scrapbook.com! See this post for details.***

One of my favorite things to do (that I haven't been able to do for a long time) is attend concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. My hubby and I usually invite a few friends and eat a picnic dinner in the cheap seats - not quite the nosebleed section but close to it - before the concert starts. For the layout, I used transparent texture paste to create a starry sky at the top of the page. It didn't come out quite like I intended (was hoping for a shinier look), but it was my first time using this product, so I guess I will learn with experience. At any rate, I love how the silhouette of Elliott and ET on the bicycle (created using Cricut Design Space) turned out.

Recipe:
Vogue Alphabet & Pen Pal Alphabet stamp sets
Dreamin' Big, Laughing Lola & Stargazer papers
Black, Juniper & Greg Wool cardstock
Black & Juniper ink
Black marker
Juniper & Silver washi tape
Transparent Gloss Texture Paste (Ranger)
Silver star brads (Creative Impressions)
Starry Night stencils (Simple Stories)
Pattern: EMS Sketch Challenge 2

Challenges: Heart 2 Heart Full Circle; Challenge YOUrself #92 Self Care (taking a night off from my kids to go out with friends!)

Hey Kitten Layout

***Have you heard that I am offering a prize this month in honor of my 100th sketch? See this post for details of how to enter the drawing!***

Love these funny pictures of my kitty when he was a kitten and learned a valuable lesson about the shower! Although he loves to snoop around when we are done showering, he has never voluntarily entered the shower while the water is going again.

Recipe:
Pet Shop papers (KI Memories)
Kraft, Glacier & Espresso, cardstock
Goldrush, Creme Brulee, Glacier, Toffee & Espresso ink
Brown marker (Zig)
Lagoon washi tape
Grey Wool baker's twine
Gold heart paper clip ((American Crafts)
Jackson PML card
Goldrush Bigger Brad
Pet Shop sticker & enamel sticker (KI Memories)
Escape the Ordinary Thickers (American Crafts)
White Lacey Trims (49 & Market)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: tags, title, banner
Cricut Artistry cartridge: cat
Cricut Artbooking cartrdige: scalloped frame, arrows
Cuttlebug embossing folder: Swiss Dot
Pattern: Sketch-n-Scrap #231

Challenges: Double Trouble #90 Are You Kitten Me (Thing 1 = baby animal + Thing 2 = entered into 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #53 Anything Goes with Baby Animal); Use Your Stuff #429 Water/Beach theme (probably not what they had in mind, but there was definitely water involved, so I'm going for it - LOL!)

H is for Happy Layout

***I am so happy to have reached the milestone of designing 100 sketches that I am offering a prize drawing for those who complete a layout based on one of my sketches! See this post for details.***

Here are some pictures from a family visit to Irvine Regional Park. We enjoyed the beautiful grounds, the paddleboat, and the train ride. The challenge from Tic-Tac-Toe's recent board inspired me to create the title; it's actually based on a CTMH pocket card that I re-created using slightly different colors to match my papers and photos.

Recipe:
Quotable Words & Card Word Puzzle stamp sets
The Stack 4 papers (DCWV)
Toffee, Carolina, Sunset, Sunflower, Black & White Daisy cardstock
Carolina, Sunset, Sunflower & Black ink
White gel pen (Sakura)
Color Kaleidoscope stickers & Thickers (American Crafts)
Illustrated Faith Go! die-cuts (Bella Blvd)
Junebug Puffies
Cricut Artbooking cartridge: heart banner
Cricut Artiste cartridge: Happy, small banner
Cricut Seasonal Sampler cartridge: train
Cricut Train Silhouettes cartridge: railway tunnel & tracks
Cuttlebug embossing folder
Pattern: Stick It Down August 2021 double page sketch

Challenges: Tic Tac Toe Challenges #126 (used the middle row across with die-cut + blue + ABCs)

Brothers and Sisters Layout

***For those who don't know, in honor of my 100th EMS Sketch challenge, I am offering a prize for using one of my sketches this month. See this post for details.***

Now on to my layout, which was so fun yet so challenging to put together. Designs that include diagonals look fabulous, but getting all the measurements correct and figuring out how to stretch 12" papers so they cover the extra length of the diagonal can be a puzzle! Another challenge was figuring out where to place my journaling; I settled on writing around the border of the circle photo because I didn't want to cover up any more of the great background paper, but I am not sure it was the best solution. Oh well, it's done now and the memory is scrapped!

Recipe:
You Warm My Heart stamp set
Molly papers & stickers (Bella Blvd)
Raspberry, Carolina, Slate & White Daisy cardstock
Raspberry, Carolina & Lagoon ink
Watermelon marker
White gel pen (Sakura)
Raspberry baker's twine
Color Kaleidoscope stickers (American Crafts)
White enamel dots
3-D foam tape
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: curved title shape
Cricut Artistry cartridge: pocket
Star punch (maker unknown)
Pattern: Scraplift from Scrapbook.com
Challenges: Lasting Memories #560 - stars; Use Your Stuff #428 - Inspired by Real Life (as these pictures from a visit with my oldest son's birth mom and two half-siblings show, they may not live together but the bond is real); Scrap With Stacy August 2021 Tic-Tac-Toe (used the middle column with twine + circles + stickers)