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)