Who is interested in a sketch challenge?

I really enjoyed doing LOAD in January, partly because I got lots of layouts scrapped, but mostly because I had a group of ladies who were scrapping with me. It was almost like attending a month-long crop! I know most of you don't have time to do LOAD every month, but would anyone be interested in a weekly challenge? I was thinking about posting a sketch and anyone who wants to participate can create a layout and post a link to it. I still haven't decided where I will get the sketches (I can either create some myself or use other sources), but they will probably be multi-photo since that's what I usually scrap. Anyone interested? Please let me know ASAP by posting a comment. Thanks.

U6 Layout

Since my goal in having this blog is to showcase CTMH, I don't usually post layouts made with lots of non-CTMH products, but I couldn't resist posting this one. I know, it's another soccer layout, but I am pretty sure this is the last one for a while. The kids' season doesn't start until mid-March, so I'll get to scrap non-soccer themed photos for a while! I found a sketch on Split Coast Stampers that went well with these photos, so I just modified it a bit to fit the extra photo. As I mentioned, most of the product is non- CTMH, but I cleared some stuff out of my stash (I think the soccer ball die cut is older than my 8 year old son!), so I am happy. :)





Recipe:
Black & Clover Meadow cardstock
Black marker
Diecut (Diecuts with a View)
Magic Mesh (creative Imaginations)
Label tape (Dymo)
Ribbon (source unknown)
Staples

Just Hanging Out Layout

I love the Animal Cookie paper pack and My Stickease, especially this little hippo. Isn't she cute? Her mischievous look is adorable! This layout is the last of my vacation ones from November 2009. There are a few mistakes on it, but I will use them as teachable moments for all of you! I got the idea for threading the ribbon through the paper from a layout in Creating Keepsakes magazine. My word of advice? Be sure you calculate how many holes you need to punch so your ribbon ends are either both on top or both hidden under the layout. The top photo is done correctly, the bottom one is not. Another tip: when embossing, make sure the ink on items you don't want embossed is totally dry before stamping and embossing adjoining areas. Even non-pigment ink can stay slightly damp for a long time, and it will pick up stray bits of embossing powder even when you don't want it to!



Recipe:
Field Trip Alphabet & April Word Puzzle stamp sets
Animal Cookie Level 2 paper & My Stickease
Dutch Blue, Tulip & Sunflower cardstock
Dutch Blue, Sunflower & Versamark ink
Dutch Blue marker
White embossing powder
White gel pen (Sakura)
Natural hemp
Sunflower ribbon & metal charm

3 Months Layout

I'm still working on my youngest son's baby album, and I've gotten quite a bit done. Here's my latest layout, using the studio pictures we had taken when he was three months old. I love looking at these pictures because they remind me what a sweet, happy baby he was. Then he hit the terrible twos! I've been scrapping a lot of red, white, and blue lately, which isn't my forte, but I'm feeling more comfortable with it. Hopefully practice makes perfect. Have I ever mentioned how much I love my Alphabet Solos stamps? They are so perfect for adding little descriptive words or phrases to layouts and cards, like I've done here.



Recipe:
Alphabet Solos "A", "C", "D", "H", "M", "O", "P" & "S", Chocolate Alphabet Large & Rustic Flowers stamp sets
Majestic Blue & Blue Ribbon Level 2 papers
Outdoor Denim cardstock
Cranberry & Indian Corn Blue ink
Cranberry marker
Outdoor Denim My Accents
Cranberry grosgrain ribbon
Chipboard number (source unknown)

Anniversary Card

I made this for our anniversary last month, but I was thinking it would be a cute Valentine's Day card, too. Too bad I can't just give my hubby the same card twice. I wonder if he'd notice . . . I used Sketch Challenge 262 from SCS, the first time I've tried one of these. I also did a little paper piecing on the dress and the tie.



Recipe:
Family Ties Adults, Say It In Style, & Tiny Typewriter Alphabet stamp set
Animal Cookies Level 2 papers
Evensong Level 2 papers
White Daisy & Black cardstock
Black, Tulip & Sorbet ink
Tulip & Chocolate markers
Sorbet Ribbon Rounds
3-D foam tape

True Friends Card

In between all the scrapping I did last month, I managed to squeeze out some cards, so I thought I would share them with you all. The one was a farewell card for a lady who has attended my church for years and is now moving to another city. I thought the sentiment went perfectly, since she will always be a friend even though I won't be seeing her very often now.



Recipe:
True Friends & Felicity stamp sets
Perfect Day Level 2 papers
Tulip & White Daisy cardstock
Juniper, Sorbet & Cocoa ink
Cocoa marker
Sorbet brads
Creme Brulee Ribbon Rounds
3-D foam tape

LOAD is over, but I can't stop!

Yes, that's right. I am so in the habit of scrapbooking daily that I sat down and started working on a layout this morning, even though I thought I was exhausted from scrapbooking and swore I would take a break! I guess it's true that it takes 30 days to establish a habit. I was going to post some cards I made last month, but I think I'll just post this one layout of my mom making caramel corn with my boys. The pattern is Sampler - Pieced from Reflections, but I turned it upside down. I used a stamp from Stampin' Up for the popcorn, and the other stamps are from CTMH. I had to create a mask for the kernel of popcorn so that I could stamp a whole bunch of popcorn, but that was the hardest part of the layout. I'll try to post some cards tomorrow unless I get carried away and scrap another layout!!!




Recipe:
Treat Yourself (Stampin' Up), Hodgepodge Alphabet, Friendship Alphabet Small, Classmate Alphabet & Spot On Backgrounds stamp sets
Chocolate, Goldrush, Star Spangled Blue & Bamboo cardstock
Chocolate, Goldrush & Star Spangled Blue ink
Chocolate marker
3-D foam tape

LOAD #31 - Hey Grandpa

This is it! My final layout of LOAD! I am so excited that I actually did this. Thanks to Monica, Linda, and Beth for participating in this challenge with me, and for pushing me to get my layouts posted so that they could post theirs. Even though I need a break for a while, I am actually looking forward to doing this again in April. Who's with me? Now, on to the layout. I'm really loved scrapbooking these photos of my dad with my younger son. It's a blessing to see their relationship developing like this, especially since they do not get to see each other very often. No exceptional techniques used here, but here's my tip of the day: altering stamped images. After I stamped the arrow, I realized it was a little too long for the spot where I wanted to place it, so I cut off part of the tail, re-inked just the bottom of my stamp, lined it up with my previous image, and stamped a new line of dots across the bottom. I love being able to see where I'm stamping. I opens up new worlds of possibilities for my artwork. This is just a little tip, but there is so much more you can do.



Recipe:
Star Struck stamp set
It's a Guy Thing Level 2 papers
It's a Guy Thing My Stickease
Bamboo & Colonial White cardstock
Cocoa, Desert Sand & Bamboo ink
Barn Red marker
Basic Craft Buttons
Hemp
New England Ivy Embroidery floss
3-D foam tape

LOAD #30 - Cat Tales

I didn't include any journaling on this layout since I will include it on the facing photo storage page, so here's Cat Tales in a nutshell. It's a wildlife rescue foundation outside Spokane, WA that focuses on saving big cats (i.e. lions, tigers, leopards, etc.) who are either being abused or whose owners realized they can't handle a wild animal in their living room! We got a guided tour and learned the stories behind many of the rescues. It was fascinating, and I highly recommend visiting if you're ever in the area. We only photographed the center picture on the layout; the other two (really great) shots are postcards we purchased on site. As far as the layout goes, simple was the order of the day. I tried various embellishments, but nothing seemed to fit, so I left it as is. The title block was inspired by my upline Jenni; she created the template by tracing around one of the Emporium My Stickease, and she generously made me a template, too. Great way to make the most of your purchases! Only one more day of challenge left. How are we doing, ladies?



Recipe:
Spot on Backgrounds & In the Wild (Stampin Up) stamp sets
Expedition Level 2 papers
Autumn Terracotta cardstock
Autumn Terracotta, Cocoa & Desert Sand ink
Silver brads
Staples

LOAD #29 - Together

I usually try to get a nice picture of our whole family around the holidays each year. These pictures were taken this Thanksgiving. Thanks to my upline Jenni for suggesting my title. I had used "Family" several times in the past week, so she helped me come up with something different. Tip of the day: if you want the look of twine threaded through clear buttons, be prepared for a long, frustrating session of trying to push the twine through the cardstock and into the buttonholes! I probably could have threaded the buttons before adhering them to the page with Liquid Glass, but I wasn't sure they would lie flat. Live and learn, I guess!

Monica, Linda, and Beth, could you each e-mail me using your personal (not Google) e-mail address? I have a question I want to ask all of you privately. Thanks.



Recipe:
Charm Upper Alphabet, Hodge Podge Alphabet & Felicity stamp sets
Felicity kit
Crystal Blue, Desert Sand & Bamboo cardstock
Twilight & Desert Sand ink
Clear Buttons
Twine
Liquid Glass