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!)

Victoria Layout

This layout took itself off in a totally different direction than I had originally envisioned, but I love the result! I was hunting through my stash for a blue patterned paper to go with the cloud paper and brown felt circle I had already pulled out when I happened across this gorgeous background paper from Basic Grey. It made me think about the fact that Victoria was Empress of India, which is why her monument is engraved with the title "Regina Imperatrix" (Queen / Empress). It didn't really match the blue in the pictures, so I left it on my desk overnight and, when I saw it this morning,I finally decided it was the right one! I ditched the cloud paper in favor of a purple one, and the rest of the layout came together over the course of the morning, with the finishing touch being the quote from Mark Twain, "In her the public saw the English Empire itself."

Recipe:
Universal Backgrounds, Victory WOTG & Vogue Alphabet stamp sets
Karma paper (Basic Grey)
Purple paper (from my stash)
Bamboo & Colonial White cardstock
Gypsy & Chocolate ink
Gypsy marker
Heartfelt Wonder felt circle
Greenhouse paper flowers (American Crafts)
Mocha Opaques pearls
DE Mixed Shapes chipboard
"V" chipboard (from my stash)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: scalloped shapes
Pattern: Sketches in Thyme #347 (rotated to work with my vertical photos)

If It Ain't Baroque . . . Layout

The title for this layout is a play on words based on the saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." William III and Mary II evidently decided to ignore this advice when they planned to demolish Henry VIII's Tudor style palace at Hampton Court and replace it with a Baroque palace inspired by Versailles. Lucky for us history lovers, they ran out of money and had to settle for adding two Baroque-style wings and only tearing down Henry's state rooms and private apartments. As with most of my Hampton Court layouts, I took way too many pictures to scrapbook, so I added some extra ones to a pocket page.

Here's my hidden journaling card, front and back:

And here are the pictures for the pocket page:

The building material is pink brick and pale Portland stone.

View of the Privy Garden from the South Front

Looking across the Privy Garden towards the South Front

Recipe:
Baroque Borders, Vogue Alphabet, Friendship Alphabet Small & Key to My Heart stamp sets
Back Country level 2 papers
Kraft & White Daisy cardstock
Barn Red, Autumn Terracotta & Desert Sand ink
Barn Red marker
Autumn Terracotta brads
3-D foam tape
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: title block
Pattern: SCS Sketch17Apr

Mission Inn Layout

This layout has been on my desk for weeks, and I haven't had the energy or mojo to finish it. Today the weather is a little cooler, so my energy level is a little higher, plus my hubby is taking care of the kids, so I was determined to crank this thing out! The stamped title didn't come out as well as I had hoped, so I added some white highlights to accentuate it a bit.

Recipe:
Vogue Alphabet stamp set
Olivia Level 2 papers & My Stickease
Olive & New England Ivy cardstock
New England Ivy & Sunset ink
White gel pen (Sakura)
Green Sparkles
Sparkle Flourishes, clear
Pattern: EMS Sketch 47

Stash Busters April Week 2 - Old Town San Diego

Another Stash Busters Challenge coming your way! Click on the link below to play!

Stash14Apr2
This month, I am challenging you to use up certain items from your stash and then link your completed layout at Splitcoast Stampers so we can all get excited over it! I'll post a new list each Thursday this month, and you have until April 30th to scrap your layout using the products. If you complete all four layouts, you will get an honorable mention for the month!

Please use:
• 2 pieces of patterned paper
• 3 different types of 3-D items

You can use more than one of a certain type of item, but you must use at least three types. For example, I used 4 wood flourishes (1 type of item), 2 photo hangers (2nd type of item), and 2 pieces of twill ribbon (3rd type of item).

The reason my journaling square is empty is because I have to research to
remember the details of our visit! Can anyone relate?

Recipe:
Vogue Alphabet stamp set
Emporium Level 2 papers
Cashmere, Barn Red, Buttercup & Colonial White cardstock
Barn Red, Cashmere & Cocoa ink
Cocoa marker
Wood Flourishes (Kaiser Scrapbook)
Antique copper photo hangers
Twill ribbon
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: scalloped box
Pattern: I copied the photo and paper placement of Lela's Florida - Aah layout and then went a totally different direction for the rest!
Challenges: Little Red Wagon - use a wood veneer

Stash Buster December Week 3

If you have tons more scrapbooking supplies than you could use in the next ten years, I have a Stash Busters challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers just for you. Just create a layout using the listed items and then link up at SCS using the link below.

Stash13Dec3
This month, I am challenging you to use up certain items from your stash and then link your completed layout here so we can all get excited over it! I'll post a new list each Thursday this month, and you have until December 31st to scrap your layouts using the products. If you complete all four layouts, you will get an honorable mention for the month! Sound fun? Let's get started. This week, you have two options.

Option 1
Please use:
• Metallic or glitter paper
• A charm
• Fibers
• Staples

Option 2
• Use 4 red, green and/or Christmas themed products from your stash.

You can use additional products, but you must use at least one of each of the items listed. If you don't have an item in your stash, please don't rush out and buy it! Just substitute a similar item from your stash. Happy hunting!

I used three green products (tea cup die-cut, buttons, and sparkles) and a red/green product (patterned papers).

Recipe:
Vogue Alphabet stamp set
Evensong Level 2 papers
Cashmere, Cranberry, Sorbet & Black cardstock
Black & Topiary ink
Green sparkles
Topiary craft buttons
Teacup die-cut (from my stash)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge: poinsettias, scalloped border
Pattern: EMS Sketch 30