14 Layout

For his 14th birthday, my son just wanted to go video gaming with four friends, so I only have a couple of photos of the event, but it made a nice change from the 200 photos we took at my other kiddo's birthday party! I'm still taking photos of my layouts because I don't have a new scanner yet, so that's why half of the layout looks a lot darker than the other. I'm sure there's a technique to photographing layouts, but I haven't figured it out yet.

The file folder opens up to display a journaling spot. I haven't written my journaling yet because my son needs to give me more information about his memories of the event, but I would probably have to cover up all the names anyways, so I decided to go ahead and show what it looks like with just the blank card. I also included a embossed piece of cardstock that I sanded so the words show up better; haven't tried that in a while, but I like how it turned out.

Recipe:
Vicki Boutin Mixed Media patterned paper (American Crafts)
Glacier & Lagoon cardstock
Glacier ink
Vicki Boutin Old Soul ephemera & stickers (American Crafts)
Birdsong Ephemera Bits (49 and Market)
Washi tape (Recollections)
Happy Birthday embossing folder (Cuttlebug)
Cricut Design Space: file folder
Pattern: scraplift from Lisa at Scrapbook.com
Challenges: Heart's Quest Celebration of Love #2 BEWAS themes - birthday; Can You Handle the Pressure? Anything goes with an embossing folder - I used a birthday themed one; NBUS Challenge #83 - my never before used schtuff is the washi tape; Crafter’s Café Anything goes with optional twist: one for the boys; Little Red Wagon #844 Picturing Love - I couldn't resist adding this layout to the challenge since my son not only invited his current girlfriend to his birthday celebration, but also the girl he knew was interested in him and whom he subsequently ended up dating!

EMS Sketch Challenge #127 + B-Day Breakfast Layout

I hadn't created a new sketch yet this year, but Sharon over at Splitcoast Stampers asked for one for the virtual crop (VSBN) they are having this month over there, so here's what I came up with. After I finished it, I realized it features 4 vertical photos just like my last sketch, but hopefully the simplicity will  appeal to those who didn't want to add all the banners next to the photos! Feel free to rotate it, flip it, use different sized photos, or just use it as is, but be sure to share your layout in the comments below. And we would love to have you play along with the crop at Splitcoast; it's easy and free to sign up for an account, and there are 7 love-inspired challenges to help you get some scrapping done.

Here's the sketch:

And here's my layout:

Recipe:
Noted Backgrounds, Hodgepodge Alphabet, You & Me, Love Life & Whooo's Your Valentine stamp sets
Field Trip papers (American Crafts)
Pet Shoppe Cat paper (Simple Stories)
Candy Apple, Toffee & White Daisy cardstock
Candy Apple, Capri, Outdoor Denim & Honey ink
Prussian Blue fineliner pen (iBayam)
Monograms 2 Chippies (Mintay Papers)
My Happy Place Shape Sprinkles (Doodlebug Designs)
Cool Summer Night enamel dots (Altenew)
Red Dot Essentials washi tape (Echo Park)
Seagull decorative scissors (Fiskars)
Cricut Artiste cartridge: hearts
Challenges: Heart’s Quest Challenge Blog #82 Red and/or gold hearts; Crafter’s Café #326 Anything goes with optional twist: one for the boys; The Outlawz Anything But a Card Anything goes.