Haven's Haven

Childs play Domineos

2012-02-29T16:30:00.000-08:00

I'm playing along with Team A at child's play. You can join us too.
All you have to do is create a layout incorporating dominoes. I choose black and white with lots of dots

title block- Jessica's 8th
after a weekend at camp Jessica had a small party with grandma & grandpa and siblings

flags are Cm paper ribbon

My Dad -Joseph John

2012-02-27T11:25:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad for creative accents L.O.V.E. ( Layers, Oval,Vintage,Embellishment) challenge, otherwise my dad's baby photos would probably still be in the pile of stuff to do. I love these chubby baby picture of him. I'm not sure how old he is, but am guessing they are from late 1944 as he was born in August of that year.

Simple flower embellishments with brad centers

I used creative scrappers sketch #197

I'm also going to enter this at Sketches in Thyme open challenge

Celebrations and Milestones at Lasting Memories

2012-02-26T05:00:00.001-08:00

We are celebrating in style over at Lasting memories and would love it if you would join us for this challenge.

All you have to do is create a new layout featuring a celebration or milestone
and link it here by Saturday March 3rd.

If you want an extra challenge try incorperating this weeks sketch into your layout.
As always the sketch is for inspiration and not required.

Here's what I did with the rest of my birthday present:

My oldest and youngest daughter's birthdays are only 4 days apart so having back to back B-day parties is quit common in our house. I just combined photos from both of their birthdays into one LO.

I used CM cheerful green for the background paper and pieced together some the cakes and candles addition for this layout. If you recall I used the same addition for my recipe challenge LO.

I just love the bright cheerful colors

Left side of LO. The title was cut using the celebrations Cartridge

I fussy cut the cupcakes and then posted on yellow card stock and recut with a little bit of the yellow as a border around the image. The "Let's party" card stock sticker is also from the addition

right side of the layout

and now for this weeks prize by artchix studio

take a look at these cute little tags

Childs Play crayon challenge

2012-02-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to post my first layout as a team member for child's play challenge. This week the inspiration item is crayons and here is what I came up with:

I had this awesome paper in my stash that looks like purple crayon markings, so I had to use it.

The green paper is from CM primary school addition as is the crayon card stock sticker. I only had one so I made two color copies. ( they are slightly off the color of the center on, but close enough)

Close up of title. Cut from CM stork delivery cart ( snips and snails font at 1.25 inches)

and then the journaling to complete the Layout.

I adapted this layout from Creative scrappers sketch #194

love you even when

2012-02-20T17:46:00.000-08:00

When I saw this LO at sketch inspiration I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

Make a layout about how much I love my son even when he misbehaves.

So here it is:

And here's the sketch

flipped the sketch

journaling

close up of circle element. I decided to add a photo there too

cosmic bowling with a twist

2012-02-20T11:16:00.000-08:00

I just finished my entry for this months sketch with a twist.

The twist is to use green on the LO

Here's what I did:

Here's the sketch:

right side of LO based on the sketch.

I opted to do just a semi circle element instead of the pennants and flags ( kind of like a bowling ball)
I also replaced the flags at the bottom with a bowling pin.

hand cut the pin

Close up of title. I started with the g and worked backwards to make it fit.

Left side of LO for the additional photos

Lasting Memories wrapped up in ribbon Ribbon

2012-02-20T08:41:00.000-08:00

If you missed yesterdays post at Lasting Memories it's all about ribbon.

To keep from being all wrapped up in ribbon I thought I'd take a moment and share how I store mine.

When I started scrap booking I didn't really use ribbon so when I did get ribbon it was always on the mini spools and fit in here perfectly.

Take a peek inside and you'll also see that I use it to keep my paper ribbon from being crushed and it's also a great place for the smaller bits and scraps

However to store my larger spools I use a dowel hanging from the underside of my desk to store them

And for the ribbon from creating keepsakes, I just clipped them together right on the tabs they come on and hung them from a pushpin next to all of my spools.

Kennedy's Birthday

2012-02-20T07:57:00.000-08:00

I've used Sketches in Thyme #70 for this Layout

and will also be entering it over at Use it Tuesday- birthday/blogiversary

to play along at Use it Tuesday you have to use mostly stuff from your stash.
piece of cake for me: All paper is from my stash as well as the embossing folder. It's the first one that I ever bought. The only new thing is the white chalk ink and that's because my other pad is almost dried up.

So here the 2 pages together

Left side

right side

Journaling- Instead of the usual where the party was and who was there
I journaled about why I did this LO when Kennedy is not my daughter

I used 3 circle instead of the 4 on the sketch. Also rubbed the emboss with white chalk ink

Lasting Memories ribbon giveaway and challenge

2012-02-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks for joining me for another challenge at Lasting Memories. This week we have a fantastic ribbon giveaway sponsored by Marie at Ethan's Imprints.

http://www.mayarts.com/blog/

sent the design team ribbon and asked us to incorporate ribbon t in our Layout.

Of course we all had a lot of fun trying to guess what each of us would get as each designer received a different color,style and texture. Here's what I did with mine.

To start with I created the back ground with a beer bottle. I traced around the bottle with white gel pen and then stamped with the bottom of the bottle using yellow acrylic paint.

I used almost all of my ribbon on this LO, by doing multiple stripes I got the thin ribbon to really stand out. I also tried to off set the circles so that the silver and black alternated on the ribbons.

The journaling- I swear our family is not a bunch of alcoholics that contribute to the delinquency of minors. For some reason my children just have an affinity to bottles. Especially around wonderful Aunt Diane.

Close up of the ribbon embellishment that I made.

I used this weeks inspiration sketch for my LO. Why don't you give it a go too.

this fab layout is by Ashley Horton at http://ashleyspaperdoll.blogspot.com/

If you link your ribbon Layout before Saturday Feb 25th you have a chance to win these cute ribbons from Marie at Ethan's Imprints

Thanks for joining us and I can't wait to see what you create

Ashley's jog-a-thon

2012-02-17T16:13:00.000-08:00

The last LO I got done today is based on Creative Scrapper # 195
here is what I did:

lots of fussy cutting on the butterflies and bottom flower border

Eric

2012-02-17T16:03:00.000-08:00

I have another layout of my son Eric dressed in his sisters clothes

I used Sketches in Thyme #69 for my inspiration

I made the frame with coredinate paper (black and light blue) and then sanded it to get the distressed look

close up of card stock sticker flourish and paper flowers and doodling

I wrapped the journaling around the photo and frame- my sweet beautiful boy...why do you let your sisters dress you like a little girl May 2010

Eric's 2nd birthday

2012-02-17T15:50:00.000-08:00

We've been having an ongoing discussion on one of my design teams message boards about organization and it got me motivated to put the challenges that I have to do and the ones I want to do on a calendar. Now that I have a visual reminder of what's out there and when it's due I've been able to push myself a little more.

Here's a LO of my son's 2nd birthday:

I used a mixture of Creative memories papers sticker and dies on this layout.

The solid is cheerful palette from my stash as well as the light blue behind my photos.

The pennat paper is new from cakes and candles addition that I got for my b-day back in January.

the stickers and dies are older Cm supplies from my stash as well.

I cut the photos to mimic the shape of the flags on the background paper.

I'm entering this layout at Sketches in Thyme #68 using this sketch

and

Use it Tuesday- Birthday/ Blogiversary

Hollywood at Camp Cleawox

2012-02-15T12:08:00.000-08:00

Just getting caught up with girl scout photos from our last service unit camporee. I wanted to show the new girls in the troop what we did with our cookie money last year. Of course we did do more than camp, but we'll save that for another time.

Friday nights autograph book making. I used the actual cover of one of the books for the journal box

Kitchen station. The girls preparing fruit for the chocolate fountain and Saturday nights premiere

Camp food and the lyrics for Bug Juice

canoe station

Fire building station

2 page LO for Studio B squared. My husband Ben and his Cousin Barry ran the videography station and helped produce a camp video which was a mixture of interviews about camp and still shots in between

The premiere. I used bits and pieces from the camp flier/ invite for embellishments

Page 2 of the premiere.

Also used a s.w.a.p. ( special, whatcha-ma-call-it, affectionately, pinned) as an embellishment.

Random photos from around camp

Close up of journaling and numbered stars that corresponded to the photos.

Not your average lincoln logs

2012-02-13T21:39:00.000-08:00

I'm playing along with Child's play challenge blog. The current inspiration toy is lincoln logs.

Here's what I came up with:

For the base I used the colors of the lincoln log pieces. Green card stock and the brown stripped paper.

I cut the title with CM storks delivery ( snip and snails font) at 1 inch. I have additional photos under the red flap that I created to hide two photos

And here they are. My husbands best friend Leonard and our good (contractor) neighbor from up the street. I wanted to include them, but not make them the focus. I just think they are funny because Leonard doesn't drink at all and there he is holding Mike's beer.

Side view of the flap. Super easy to make and I love how the embossing looks on the brown card stock

I made the team at Child's Play

2012-02-13T11:57:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to have made team C over at Child's play challenge blog.

You'll have to join me and the other designers for the weekly challenges.

The first challenge Lincoln Logs is up and runs till the 29th .

All you need is Love at Lasting Memories

2012-02-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

All you need is love for the latest challenge at Lasting memories. Create a new layout featuring the word love somewhere on the page. That's it. So what do you love? Let us know and you may win this cute little prize pack from Michele

I'll share one of my loves with you:

Yes I love my scrap desk almost as much as I love my wonderful husband for remodeling it for me.

I went away for a long weekend scrap camp and came home to new shelves that wrapped around the corner. Of course in the two years since the remodel we have yet again lenghten the shelves.

Remember I'm still getting caught up with my photo's and have just got into 2010. So you'll have to wait till 2014 to see the latest updates.

Cut the title with gypsy font at 1.5 inches and then covered with glitter glue

I used a sketch from pagemaps for this layout and you can find more ideas at pagemaps.com as well as the sketch below. AS always the sketch is for inspiration and can be used for the current challenge as long as you stick with the love theme.

Jessica's first communion

2012-02-06T14:54:00.000-08:00

It's been a week since my Uncle Bob's funeral and I thought it's time to get back in the grove of being creative. Nothing like a little glitter to brighten the sprite. And what more appropriate LO then being in church for a happy occasion.

Sorry the lighting is funky. Should know better then to take photos at noon. I usual spot just didn't want to work and the wind kept knocking the display over. The paper really is white with silver embossing.

Left side of LO

Title was cut at 1.25 with CM Stork delivery 9(sugar and Spice font)

The paper flower is the backside of the CM black and white flower that I colored with chalk. The center of the flower is silver paper with a page pebble adhered to it.

Right side of LO

Journaling is blue gel pen on silver paper

Scrap retreat

2012-02-06T14:21:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share a few LO's from the McKenzie River Resort Scrap retreat I went to Jan 28-29th.

The next two LO's are of pictures from 2009.

This one is of a trip to Lone Pine Farm.

Aside from trying to get caught up with pictures I'm also trying to use up my stash. The Windmill and weather vane dies are from an old set of creative memories dies. The sheep sticker is from the same set too. I still have a few animal stickers, but will use them eventually as we will have many more trips to the farm.

Close up of title and windmill. I added the white outline to the die to make it stand out more.

Close up of journal box and sheep sticker

The next LO is of our back yard paver project. I had so many pictures that it took more time to figure out which ones to use then it did to do the LO.

Super simply with just some ink twine and little paper flags

Stapled the twine in place at the top middle and bottom.

I had a great time scrapping, but the staying up late and getting up early did me in. Oh well at least I'm up to 2010 and only two years behind.

Digi Darla at Lasting memories

2012-02-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

I've had a rough week so I'm opting out of this weeks scrapbook challenge post and hop.

However I did want to show my support for the Design team and made this cute little card using

Digi_Darlas_Birds_in_Tree

I colored the trunk of the tree with walnut distress ink applied with a q-tip. I also used a brown pen on the branch and to add a second layer of brown to the trunk. I covered the flowers on the tree with paper flowers and brads from my stash.

CTMH sentiment square was inked with walnut distress ink to match the tree. And the lone yellow bird is framed by the sentiment which is adhered with foam squares for extra dimension. I messed up a little with the q-tip and decided to hide the mistake with the pink ribbon knot.

Now that I have it all done and posted I need to get this to my Aunt.

Tuesday Tutorial at Lasting Memiores

2012-01-31T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to my Tuesday Tutorial for Lasting Memories. Today I'm sharing the painting technique I used in this week's "trash it" layout. I kept my old worn out toothbrush to paint and splatter on my layout. I started by drawing several circles on my card stock with brown ink, and then went over it with the toothbrush and yellow acrylic paint.

Warning this technique is messy so protect your work surface.

To get a fine splatter hold the toothbrush so that the bristles are up and drag your thumb across them from front to back as seen in the photos below.

For larger splatter and drips turn the brush so that the bristles are facing down and repeat the above mentioned thumb drag.

For the larger splatter I used a mixture of yellow, white and black paint.

And here's a close up of what it looks like before the photos are added.

Lasting Memories #73- Trash it

2012-01-29T05:00:00.000-08:00

Yep, you heard it right we are trashing our layouts at Lasting Memories

by using stuff we might normally throw away.

I had a lot of fun doing this layout with my old toothbrush and some acrylic paint.
You'll have to come back on Tuesday for the Tuesday tutorial to see how I did it.
Until then I hope I have inspired you to trash your layout.

I also peeled the label from a beer bottle and adhered it to my layout.

I won't get me 5 cents back (oregon bottle return) but it definately was worth it.

The design team has come up with some interesting layouts too, so don't forget to check them out.

For this layout I used Sketches in thyme #66 and will be posting it there as well.

And of course we have another fabulious give away.
This ones from a2z scrapbooking stop by and check them out

Saturday's Sketch at Lasting memories

2012-01-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

I'm so happy that Becky ( the owner of pagemaps) has agreed to let us borrow this sketch from the archives at pagemaps.com. Head on over and check out January's printable pagemaps too.

As always the sketch is for inspiration and can be used in conjunction with the current challenge. You'll have to check back on Sunday to see what the challenge theme is. But you might be able to guess if you take a close look at mine.

Hope you enjoyed my take on the sketch

McKenzie River Resort Scrapbook retreat

2012-01-26T21:54:00.000-08:00

Well I just finished packing for the McKenzie River retreat. I'll be gone Friday afternoon till Sunday afternoon and this is only my scrap supplies. I find that I like having just about everything plus the kitchen sink with me.

I'll give you the full report when I get back.

I have a few post scheduled for when I'm away so hopefully you won't miss me.

Prizes from Creative Accents

2012-01-26T19:27:00.000-08:00

Just got my prize for being the a December winner at Creative accents.

Super cool page map calendar filled with great layouts, helpful tips and techniques.

I also received the cutest stamping bella stamp as well.

Can't wait to ink her up

Eric

2012-01-26T12:03:00.000-08:00

Tip for getting the most out of your paper

2012-01-25T12:32:00.000-08:00

I've been getting caught up on Girl scout pictures and did 2 more LO's. I'm using K and Company Brownie paper pad. My problem making it look christmasy. This is what the paper looked like before I started

and here is my 2 Page LO

I placed the photos to cover up the word Journey

I used red glitter glue to trace over the brown details on the paper

I also used red ink pen to add detailing to the flowers

right side

left side

Here's the other layout

right side

left side

resolutions week 4

2012-01-25T09:39:00.000-08:00

Been a hard week to get motivated, my husbands Uncle died. Last week Ran 3, cardio for 2 no weights.
This week ran on Monday and cardio on Tuesday only because I had to teach class. Next week

Lasting Memories Sketch 1-21-12

2012-01-22T13:23:00.000-08:00

I used the the sketch posted at Lasting Memories, but didn't do it as a recipe. I'm actually using it for my entry at seriously creative challenge- Let it snow.

Here's the sketch:

I flipped it:

The title was cut from winter frolic cart @ 3 inches.

The snowflakes are from CM cheerful seasons about 1 1/2 and 2 inches. I tried smaller, but it's too detailed

The snow flakes on the journal area are CM snowflake punch. I also sanded a white snowflake brad to get the silver to show through and dull the white that was left.

getting caught up with GS pictures

2012-01-22T12:39:00.000-08:00

I'm a little behind with my troops scrapbook. I just finished their dedication ceremony pages and food drive. Now to do the christmas caroling, christmas troop meeting and cookie rally. have to go get the prints first.

Lasting Memories #72 - Fudgy Pudgy cake

2012-01-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

This weeks challenge at Lasting Memories is all about recipes. I'm still in Birthday mode, so I broke out my Birthday presents ( Cakes and Candles CM addition and This and That cart) to make this weeks
Fudgy Pudgy Cake LO.

For this Layout I used sketch # 303 at Sketch Inspiration

Love the font from CM "This and That" cart. Anywhere font at 1 1/2 inches.
I have Pudgy on foam square pieces to pop it out and make it feel pudgy.

Here's the recipe for Fudgy Pudgy Cake taken from "Taste of Home- Fun food" magazine

Close up of the raised card stock stickers from the Creative Memories cakes and candles addition. The large blue circle with red wave is a sticker that I cut down, added the blue dot paper to the center, then adhered the cup cake with foam square. All of which just barely covers the candles peaking out of the top
Side shot to see some of the dimensional details

We have another fabulious giveaway this week from Stacia all you have to do is enter
a recipe layout by Sat Jan 28th 9pm EST .

If you need a little inspiration/ challenge try incorporating this weeks sketch as well

Fustrated with blogger

2012-01-20T15:03:00.000-08:00

I've wanted to leave comments and view projects and stupid blogger is having issues. I've changed my comment settings to help other leave comments on my post, but that doesn't get me access to theirs. Hopefully this will resolve itself soon.

Skethces in Thyme #67

2012-01-20T11:31:00.000-08:00

I'm playing along over at Sketches in thyme and have done the two page LO challenge.

Here's the sketch:

And here is what I did with it:

I've got to come up with a better indoor lighting solution. It's rained for almost a week straight and will probably contiue for another week. Got to love the Pacific Northwest winter.

I did alot of doodling with my white gel pen.

The section in the blue was supposed to look like dragon scales

I also did a little highlighting and journaling with a dark pink pen

Close up of journal box

Made the banner with Celebration cart a 2 inches and some fun pink and purple fibers

You can almost see the doodle details on the lettering. White dashes and pink dots.

Come join me over at sketches in thyme. I've done all the sketches this month and will post #66 towards the end of the month as I'm using the sketch for a Lasting Memories DT layout

Sneak peak

2012-01-19T12:37:00.001-08:00

Okay as promised here's a sneak peak of what I did with my birthday present. I can't show you the whole thing because it's for challenge #72 at Lasting memories that goes up on Sunday. be sure to stop back by then.

Got my Birthday present

2012-01-19T06:47:00.000-08:00

Got my Birthday present in the mail yesterday; Creative Memories This and That cartridge, another album, pages, protectors and 2 of the cakes and candles addition. Don't forget you can when one of the sets by entering the New Years challenge at lasting memories by Saturday the 21st

Of course I've already used some of the cakes and candles for a layout. I might give you a sneak peak, but then you'll have to come back for the rest of it on Sunday when the Lasting memories challenge goes live.

Resolutions

2012-01-17T06:49:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that lasting memories challenge this week is all about new years. Be it a resolution, goal, word or how you spent it. If you've seen my LO you'll know I'm all about the fitness this year. So to keep

me accountable and inspire you to reach for your goal I'm going to update you on how I'm doing. I'll be honest this last week was hard with my mom visiting. I only ran 3days, cardio 2 and no weights. I also ate way to much and too many sweets, but then I'm not sure what I was expecting with and extended Birthday celebration. Off to a much better start this week as I've run 2 n a row, taught 2 hrs of water ex on Monday and have class today. Now to squeeze in the weights.

Also don't miss a chance at my birthday themed prize at lasting memories. Do a layout and link it by Sat for your chance to win.

Scrappin away my Birthday

2012-01-15T14:41:00.000-08:00

I got another 3 LO's done for my B-day. Slowing working my way to the end of 2009.

here's two of my creations:

You'll have to wait for the third one as it's a DT project for Jan 29th.

Happy birthday to me

2012-01-15T05:00:00.001-08:00

I honor of my birthday I'm supplying a birthday themed prize over at lasting Memories Challenge Blog.

All you have to do is make a layout featuring your resolutions for the new year or maybe a page with how you welcomed in 2012. The choice is yours but please submit your layout by Sat Jan 21st to be eligible for the prize.

Lasting Memories - I resolve

2012-01-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

Over at lasting memories we would like to know what your new years resolutions are. If you didn't make any resolutions then you could share how you ushered in the new year. The choice is yours, but don't forget to link up by Jan 21st. I'd love to see what you come up with.

Here's my fitness resolutions:

Two weeks in and I'm still on track even with this stupid head cold.

Don't forget to link up at lasting memories for a chance to win my Birthday themed prize.

Sharing and passing the "Liebster" Award

2012-01-12T22:06:00.000-08:00

I have a blog award I want to share with you thanks to Hattie over at Hattie's Haven

“Liebster” is a German word meaning dearest, beloved or favorite, and the Liebster Award is sort of a chain letter among bloggers that’s intended to showcase exceptional up-and-coming blogs (typically, those with 200 or fewer followers). Now, there’s no evaluation committee or formal award process for the Liebster, but in a way it’s even nicer – it’s recognition that a peer has noticed and appreciated your hard work.

Here are the rules:

Choose 5 up and coming blogs of fewer than 200 followers to award the Liebster to.
Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
Post the award on your blog. Link back to the blogs you have given the Liebster to so everyone else can pay them a visit.

So in no particular order here are my 5:

Anna at Love this Girl
Cherie at one heart scrapper
Heather at Scrapping runner creation
Sonya at Sonya's paper trail
Kimberly at Paper Munch

UIT- Winter challenge

2012-01-12T21:32:00.000-08:00

With snow fore casted for this week I thought it was time to join UIT for the winter challenge.I have to admit that I miss being a apart of the Use It Tuesday design team, but I have managed to still get a Layout done to play along with the challenge. The object is to create a LO, card or altered art item with things from your stash. I used nothing but stash for my sledding layout. I actually deconstructed a pre-made border to re-use the images. Here's what I started with:

I cut it apart so I could get the sled and the sign. I built the color palette around the images.

I used sketch #211 from sketch inspiration

I typed the journaling so that it would fit inside the the existing sign.

Finished it of with some doodles to match the border pieces and some snowflake punches and red gem brads from my stash.

Sketches in thyme #65- Santa

2012-01-11T08:45:00.000-08:00

Getting back into the swing of things with a quick and easy sketch from sketches in thyme.

So here my LO:

Sorry about the poor lighting it's super foggy this morning

You can almost see the displeasure on my oldest face.

She thinks she too old (12yrs) for sitting on Santa's lap, but she still wants presents from him.

Close up of journaling. Mostly about my oldest

Girl scout cookie rally

2012-01-09T20:08:00.000-08:00

So here is what has been consuming my time of late:

Can almost see the gird lines I draw

Rotary cutter

About 96 12 x 6 foam core boards

My youngest daughter Danielle with her board

Finished clip board

Lasting Memories getting to know you " Me @ 39"

2012-01-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

I'm super excited to announce that I was selected to Lasting Memories Challenge Blog Design team.

Our first assingment is a getting to know you layout so here it is:

Me at 39 (well almost, my b-day is the 15th)

I received this gaint @ as a promotion from Oh my crafts. It's grunge board that I covered with paper. I started off with just painting it with and distressing with ink, but wasn't happy with it.

Journal strips:
Mother of 4, wife,friend
Girl scout leader, treasurer
water ex. instructor, lifeguard
designer, crafter
but most of all a happy scrap addict

photo of me

Please Join me over at Lasting Memories with a LO about you.
Layouts are due Saturday the 14th at 9pm EST

Lasting Memories DT

2012-01-06T09:21:00.000-08:00

Well I was going to wait to tell everyone that I made it on the team, but Karen was too excited to wait till Sunday. So how about a sneak peak at my first LO for Lasting memories.

Super Busy

2012-01-05T06:43:00.001-08:00

I'll try to get a real post up soon. Been crazy trying to plan a Girl scout cookie rally for about 80 girls and my mom is coming to visit plus I'm back at work. So bear with me for a few more days it'll be worth it. I promise.

your crafting friend Haven

Box car children

2012-01-01T16:15:00.000-08:00

I made this LO with #253 from Sketch Inspiration.

Jan 1 - Jan 7:

I turned the sketch on it's side and replaced the large photo with the engine. Not sure I like how the matting turned out under the journal area. probably should have extended it more.

Sanded coordinates paper black and green. Train and car are from Create a critter. I used spots and dots, distressed wood, script and clockworks embossing folders and lots of ink to highlight the emboss.

Heat embossed with silver of the script texture. Hand cut around the gauge from clockworks.

Fourth of July in December

2011-12-30T16:20:00.000-08:00

I know it's supposed to be the other way around with Christmas in July. I'm just backwards I guess. Actually I'm still plowing through the 2009 photos. I got inspired by Anna's LO for scraptastic challenge. Craft paper/card stock, blue and red.

Right side of Layout

I used brown chalk ink on the ribbon to tone down the brightness and make it better match with the background paper

Left side

Also used chalk ink on the main photo mat and walnut distress ink on the edges of the punched stars

Foster Lake

2011-12-30T11:51:00.000-08:00

Okay I'm up to July 2009 and have a few LOs done for months in between, but I don't think I'll get all of 2009 done before the end of the year. Nice goal, but with all the kids home and trying to get the house together for a New Years eve party, I just don't see it happening. At least I'll get it all done by the end of next month as I'm going on a scrap retreat to McKenzie River Resort.

Here's what I got done late last night:

stopped raining long enough to get an outdoor photo. Still really overcast, but better light then inside

Close up of journal and clear sticker

Title- I thought about doing "riding the wake at Foster Lake" but it was too much to fit in. I like how the abbreviated title turned out and you still get the same idea.

last of colorado vacation day 13 and 14

2011-12-29T20:12:00.000-08:00

Well I've finished up the last two days of our family vacation to Colorado in 2009. Now to finish up the 2009 photos before the new year. My goal is to be only two years behind, hopefully less.

Day 13

No sketch for this one. I used more of CM travel addition papers and stickers

closeup of the page center with title journaling and clear sticker

Day 14

Super simple. Wanted to focus on the journaling with a few photos to round out the last day

Close up of journal box

the only embellishment on the page is this sticker and how fitting it is.

day 12

2011-12-28T15:57:00.000-08:00

It's been a very wet, rainy and gloomy day, so I've been sneaking in some scrapping in between dishes and laundry. Really need to start putting away Christmas, but just not motivated to do it.

Here's my latest creation:

The true colors aren't coming through very well as I've had to take the photos inside due to the rain

Hope you enjoy it anyway

2 watt

2011-12-28T12:30:00.000-08:00

Another vacation page another sketch.

This one is from my creative sketches.

Used more of the CM travle addition in primary

Cm cheerful seasons basic font at 1.7 inches

Journal close up. Sticker from primary additions- I cut it to fit and to get the only the dark blue.

Go Team - Use it Tuesday # 22

2011-12-26T22:00:00.000-08:00

Go Ducks. I know I still have a few days to wait till my

Oregon Ducks

make their Rose Bowl appearance.

So in the mean time I'd like to share a Duck inspired Layout with you and invite you to

play along with the team challenge at Use it Tuesday.

If you're not familiar with Use it Tuesday their mission is to get crafty people using what they already have.

So cheer on your favorite team or use your teams colors for a scrapbook layout, card or altered art item using mostly items from your stash and don't forget to mention what you used.

Please link your creation using Inlinkz by Friday Jan 6th. No blog? No problem! Just use keyword USE022 when uploading to an online gallery and leave us a direct link so we can find your creation.
Please make sure to mention you are playing along with a Use It Tuesday challenge (a link is great too!)
As always, one lucky participant will be randomly chosen to be a featured guest designer in an upcoming challenge!

I bought my husband and son matching Oregon Duck jerseys for Christmas,
so now I just need a photo of them wearing the new shirts during the bowl game.

I cut small footballs with Boys will be boys cartridge, then crumpled them to get the leathery texture.
A couple of hand drawn dashes to make the flight path and this boarder is on its way to a touch down.

Football is all layers from Boys will be boys cartridge

I left plenty of room to journal about the shirts, the game, and being avid Duck fans.

All the paper and ink is from my stash .

This is my last post for Use it Tuesday as my term ends with this post.

I'll still be playing along and trying to use up my hoard of paper, just not as a designer.

playing with uncle mike

2011-12-26T18:28:00.000-08:00

Still working on getting 2009 done. Here's another vacatin page using a sketch from sketch inspiration

I used CM primary vacation paper mixed with primary tone on tone

white gel pen to journal and sticker title

recovered the bigger piece of chip board with coordinating paper

Christmas gifts with stuff from my stash

2011-12-24T10:23:00.000-08:00

So glad to use some more of my stash to decorate gifts for the family. We are doing an assortment of loose leaf teas, so I did up the bags to make them more festive.

I used a stamp I inherited from my wonderful Aunt Diane then did some free hand tracing over the word wonderful and Christmas to add some color.

Ribbon and brad I've had for awhile too. Glad to finally use them

Almost forgot to get a pic of the bamboo strainers that go with the tea.

I like how the Gifts for the family turned out.

Day9 without a sketch

2011-12-23T10:47:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it I've completed a couple of pages without sketches. I most admit I've become something of a sketch addict. I love that when I don't have a lot of time to create I have an instant jumping off point.

So here they are:

Day 9- Father's Day and the last morning with my Uncle Bill. So we did the family photo minus me on the back deck at my mom's house. If we thought about it we could have set the timer and I could have been in it too. The other photo is of Bill and Eric (E had to check out the carry on bag and my uncle joked about putting Eric in it to take him home)

Close up of family

Title tab and journaling

2 page LO of washing the van

Right side of Layout

Left side of Layout

journal box

Day 10 Colorado Vacation

2011-12-22T16:03:00.000-08:00

Sketches in thyme #64- Day 10 of our Colorado family vacation 2009 found use at Cotton Creek Swim center for an afternoon of swimming with the cousins. The kids loved the whirlpool and enjoyed the lazy river and wave pool, but thought it would be more fun with inner tubes. Below is the 2 page sketch for December.

Right side of LO

Hand cut the bubbles from matching designer paper

Left side of Lay out

1 inch basic font on cheerful seasons CM cartridge.

Out lined the letters with white gel pen to mimic the bubbles on the opposite page.

New blog and Dt call at Child's Play

2011-12-21T10:51:00.000-08:00

Child's Play Challenge blog is a new blog by Tiffany

who was inspired by time in toy stores doing Christmas shopping.

Tiffany's looking for a few talented and creative scrapbookers to join her in this adventure.

If you would like to be considered, here's what you need to do:

1-Create a new layout just for this call based on the toy below.

2-Post about the DT call on your blog, along with your take on the challenge.

3-Leave a comment here telling us that you would like to be considered for the DT, along with a link to your blog post, and be sure to include your email address!
4-Become a new follower and spread the word about this playful new challenge blog

Today's toy- Skwish

This lovely smooth wooden rattle/teether/busy toy mesmerizes babies with bright colors and soft clinking sounds from the wooden beads. Constructed of elastic strings, wooden rods, and wooden beads, the Skwish is a fascinating toy.

Here is what I did:

I used sketch #140 from the scrappiest for this layout.

To get the overall feel of the Skwish I used some of the paint colors as well as embroidery floss to mimic the elastic bands and page pebbles in place of beads.

Close up of journal tag with floss and page pebble.

more stitching and faux bead

Hope I inspired you to try for the design team too.

Grandma Frances' Angels and DT submission

2011-12-19T11:57:00.000-08:00

This week it's all about Holiday Cheer at Lasting Memories Scrapbook Challenge. The desing team is using the photo below to inspires us. We can choose to use colors, children, Angels , ect. from this photo.

For an added challenge you can use the skecth below as well.

I turned the sketch on its side to make Grandma Frances' Angels

The photo is from Christmas Eve 2009 right before we left for church

I hand cut the border from CM Romance patterened paper

paper flowers from my stash mixed with chipboard disks, ribbon stickers and brads for the bottom element

Thicker glitter stickers for the title angel with flourish sticker and flower from CM pack.

I did a little cutting on them too.

I find myself following and playing along so much with Lasting Memories that I have decided to try for their design team. You can too. For more information and requirements click here

Tis the season at Use it Tuesday

2011-12-12T22:00:00.000-08:00

It's time for challenge #21 at Use it Tuesday.

If you're not familiar with Use it Tuesday their mission is to get crafty people using what they already have.

So create a holiday themed scrapbook layout, card or altered art item using mostly items from your stash and don't forget to mention what you used.

Please link your creation using Inlinkz by Friday Dec 23rd. No blog? No problem! Just use keyword USE021 when uploading to an online gallery and leave us a direct link so we can find your creation.
Please make sure to mention you are playing along with a Use It Tuesday challenge (a link is great too!) so we know you are participating.

As always, one lucky participant will be randomly chosen to be a featured guest designer in an upcoming challenge!

Here's what I came up with using a sketch from Sketch inspirations

I made this layout using CM holiday paper

that I received from my consultant as an open house gift back in 2009.

The die cut is from the same gift pack and the solid color circles were punched out of the scraps from the same kit. I also added a few diamond rhinestone stickers

The title is hand me down rub on from my wonderful Aunt Diane.

A couple more rhinestones and matching die tag to finish it all off.

Hope you enjoyed the layout.

Ice cream and Si #250

2011-12-12T13:53:00.000-08:00

Flipped this sketch on it's side for the latest addition to my 2009 vacation section.

Here's my take from Sketch Inspiration #250

These pictures where from the ren fest. but I thought they needed their own LO

I used mostly CM primary Vacation paper and stickers. Threw in a few rhinestones and some thickers

I colored the thicker letters with clover leaf green ink

the journal area I painted the area with acrylic paint then used pen on top of it

Sketches in thyme #62

2011-12-09T11:34:00.000-08:00

I'm soo excited to be the month of November winner at Sketches in thyme. It's the first time in awhile that I was able to do all three sketches. I'll have to post the goodies I won in a future post. For now here is my take on #62. I flipped it on it's side and did a 2 page LO.

Right side of LO

Close up of the title. I used a CM frame cut in half to make the brackets.

It was white so I colored it with Clover leaf pen from CTMH

hand cut the leaves then embossed with distressed bark folder

Left side of LO

journaling on the left side of LO. I moved it out of the bracket area so that the pages would follow together better and there's more room

Sketchy thursdays 12.1

2011-12-07T13:04:00.000-08:00

Time is almost up for this sketch

here's my take

I made a copy of the book cover instead of journaling in the space

Also did hand cut paper animals instead of the circle elements at the bottom- right side

left side- also added a little mat behind the smaller pictures

Day 7 and SI sketch

2011-12-03T18:58:00.000-08:00

I just joined an online scrapbook community and the sketch for this week is this 6 photo LO

I did 2 pages with a slight modification to the bottom and top borders.

right side

Left side

I wish I had something in the picture to give the fountain some prospective as it is huge. The coolest thing I've ever seen. The whole ring rotates on its base while raining down water from the underside of the ring

journaling

The hat is layered stickers. had to add the flower because it was too plain.

Day 6 and the scrappiest

2011-12-02T12:46:00.000-08:00

I saw this sketch over at the scrappiest

and thought I would never use it because of the house element. Then I saw Tiffany's take on the sketch and though why not just change the element to work for what I wanted to do. I also turned it into a two page LO by flipping the sketch upside down.

So here it is

right side of LO

left side of LO

I used Creative Memories Tea cup journal template to trace the cup and then hand cut the image.

Ribbon pieces are hiding were I had to use a scrap so the paper border

would be long enough. Love using up my scraps

Day 5 and lasting memories

2011-12-02T09:30:00.000-08:00

So I'm up to Day 5 of our trip to Colorado in 2009. I used the color challenge and sketch from Lasting Memories for this one.

Here's my take:

The colors for the challenge worked really well with the Creative memories primary paper I've been using to do my vacation photos. I did use a piece of mulberry red tissue paper.

Love how it feathered when I ripped it. You can really see it in the photo below.

Doodlecharm duck.

I used the cut lines as a guide for piercing and sewing.

Also had to add the button eye

Title was cut using CM cheerful seasons cartridge- cheerful font

Back to some hand written journaling. The last couple of LO's have been typed due the volume of stuff I wanted to write and the little space I had. Glad to be getting in a mix of both.

Day 4 and Sketches in thyme #60

2011-11-26T21:35:00.000-08:00

Another day another sketch. I'm getting a lot of the vacation scrapped thanks to the numerous sketches I've had to work with. Love the that they speed up the process as I'm trying to finish 2009 by the new year. We'll see if I can make it as I'm running out of the Creative memories travel addition papers that I have been using for my trip to Colorado. My consultant is working on it for me, but if anyone out there has some they are willing to part with let me know.

Can't even tell that I joined the two pieces of paper behind the ticket. Love being able to use up the bits and scraps especially since I'm low on this paper addition

Entering this over at sketches in thyme #60

Christmas tree

2011-11-26T19:56:00.000-08:00

This is the first time in 11years that we've had a full size tree, but we can't decorate it because of the kitten.

Day3 and Sketches in Thyme

2011-11-26T11:17:00.000-08:00

I used sketches in thyme #61 for my inspiration.

Here's my take on the sketch:

I used mostly Creative Memories primary vacation paper and stickers

Right side of LO

Left side of LO

I put 3 pictures on a photo mat to create the look of a 4X6 horizontal photo.

They are all pics from the rest stop in Wyoming. You can almost see the wind tribunes in the bottom photo.

More typed journaling- review of the day on the road

DAY 3- card stock stickers from a Halloween pack in my stash (3+yrs.- target dollar spot). The Y was green so I flipped it over and used the adhesive back to stick on the paper and then cut around it. All the letters are sanded, so they better match the colors on the layout

I copied the journaling that my husband did.

There isn't much of his handwriting in our albums so I had to do it.

We kept a travel notebook so I just colored copied it.

Ice Cream social

2011-11-26T09:52:00.000-08:00

More girl scout pages for the troop album

2 page LO

Right side. I used Divine swirl embossing folder on the pink

and tried to hide the joint with the ice cream cone sticker

Left side. All paper and stickers are from my stash.

I used the stickers as the base for the paper color choices

Summer vacaton Day 2 & Creative Scrapper #183

2011-11-24T19:28:00.000-08:00

Still plugging away at Summer 2009. Really trying hard to have 2009 done before the new year. I've been two years behind for a long time, but at least I'm consistent. I used Creative scrapper sketch #183.

Here's my take on the sketch:

It's a mix of pictures from the day and memorabilia from the hotel.

Close up of the title- lime green thickers.

Part of the place mat from the Outlaw Inn restaurant

I printed the journaling on plain paper then adhered the color paper to it so I could use a smaller scrap of paper and have the right placement.

Summer vacation?

2011-11-23T14:14:00.000-08:00

I'm a little backwards

or maybe I don't want to admit that winter is finally here,

but I've been working on pages for our family trip to Colorado back in 2009.

I used CM travel cartridge to cut the road, sign and luggage tag. The paper is CM primary travel addition

Close up of journaling

Cut the road sign to 6inches and the background red to 6.25

The brads on the tag are the only non-creative memories item on the page.

I found this sketch by Carl Locken on Anna's blog

I usually don't type my journaling,
but there was so much I wasn't sure I could make it fit in the space I wanted.

Used CM tag punch ( secret to make it long is to feed the 2 inch strip of paper through the opening so the tail end won't cut off. See bottom of post for visual.

Center Ribbon is paper cut to 1.5 inches and black chalk inked around the sides.

The middle portion is on foam squares

Upside down view of CM tag punch with paper threaded trough to make longer tag.

UIT #20 -Thank you card

2011-11-22T06:18:00.000-08:00

It's time for challenge #20 at Use it Tuesday.

If you're not familiar with Use it Tuesday their mission is to get crafty people using what they already have.

So create a card using mostly items from your stash and don't forget to mention what you used.

Please link your creation using Inlinkz by Friday Dec2nd. No blog? No problem! Just use keyword USE020 when uploading to an online gallery and leave us a direct link so we can find your creation.
Please make sure to mention you are playing along with a Use It Tuesday challenge (a link is great too!) so we know you are participating.

As always, one lucky participant will be randomly chosen to be a featured guest designer in an upcoming challenge!

I made this thank you card for a former leader and mentor. His girls have mostly graduated or busy with other high school activities, so they have disbanded. I was the fortunate to receive various uniform piece, books and craft supplies from troop 20097 and thought I'd put together a nice little card.

I made a batch of paper clay Trefoils using a candy mold last April as part of a display board project.

To bling it up I pulled gold tensile embossing powder and colored chalk out of storage. Then set the whole thing with clear acrylic spray. Paper,a little bit of ribbon, two paper flowers and a brad from my stash to complete the project.

Thanksgiving card

2011-11-20T15:42:00.000-08:00

Just got the new pinking blade from creative memories and had to give it a try.

For that matter most of the card was done with CM shape punches.

Back ground is Forest branches cuttlebug embossing folder. Branches were rubbed with CM brown chalk ink then tapped with walnut distress ink. The edges were cut with my new pinking blade to 3.5 X 5.

The turkey was made with CM scalloped circle punch.

Yellow is a solid cut and Orange has the dot setting.

Body of the turkey was punched with CM Paisley shape maker.

Leaves for the flowers are 1" CM heart punch on corrugated green card stock cut in half and inked with walnut distress ink

The ribbons are from the dollar spot at target from a couple years back.

The paper flower and buttons are from my stash (not sure when or where)

more blog candy at Candy's Crafts

2011-11-18T09:39:00.000-08:00

On a roll looking for candy out there. Here's another I found 3 Christmas cartridges!!!
MAKE SURE YOU READ THE WHOLE POST TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN WIN ALL 3!!

Blog candy?

2011-11-18T08:52:00.000-08:00

I found this giveaway while commenting on some entries for Use it Tuesday. Thought I'd do a quick post to up my chance of winning. You can find more info and visit Sherrie's blog too.

How about the Once Upon a Princess Cartridge........ I am loving mine and thought this would be the perfect giveaway in celebration of Grandma's little princess!!! Let the celebrating begin:)

I was featured at lasting Memories

2011-11-14T12:27:00.000-08:00

lasting memories hidden journaling #64

2011-11-13T15:10:00.000-08:00

I'm not too proud to say that I scrap lifted a wonderful way to add extra pictures and journaling

from two of the Lasting Memories DT Marie and Suzanne. Thanks for the inspiration.

The son of a good friend graduated from high school and I wanted to do a layout with his announcement, senior photo and some from his grad BBQ. I just didn't know how I would mix the formal and casual photos on one Layout till I saw Marie's hidden photos of her son in super cute sun glasses and Suzanne's instructions how to make the mini book.

Here's my Layout with extra photos and hidden journaling:

Announcement and Senior portrait with more

casual elements hidden inside a mini book under the senior portrait.

I used 2- 4X8 stripes folded in half

view when completely opened

ribbon loop tab to show you were to turn the page.

Design team call for Use It Tuesday

2011-11-11T13:07:00.000-08:00

Sadly my time on the Use It Tuesday design team is coming to a close, with that said UIT is happy to announce an open call for their 2nd Design Team; they are looking for people with all experience levels.

Requirements:

- have an online gallery and/or a blog
- if you have a blog, you need to be a follower of Use It Tuesday to apply :)
- have a Facebook account or a willingness to make one
- be able to work with deadlines
- make and post 2 inspiration projects per month
- comment on players’ projects
- be a team player
- have a positive attitude

Term: January 1-June 30

Interested? Please email the following completed application to UseItTuesday@gmail.com by November 30th.

1. Name
2. Links to your online galleries and/or blog
3. Your previous DT experience, if any.
4. Please tell us a little about yourself.
5. How did you hear about our DT Call?
6. Have you played with us previously?
7. Please tell us why you would like to be on our team.
8. Please share one fun fact about yourself.

Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you!!

Birthday Buddies

2011-11-11T10:55:00.000-08:00

I'm on a creative roll right now. Got another layout done using another sketch.

This time it's from Sketches in Thyme #59.

Here's my take:

Close up of circle element and journaling. I fussy cut around Kennedy and Jessica and placed them in the circle surrounded by the words Birthday buddies and their birth dates.

Tittle

Productive night last night

2011-11-11T09:22:00.000-08:00

My husband has a long standing game night with friends on Thursdays, so I put the kids to bed and got to work. I used a sketches from creative scrappers and sketchy Thursdays.

Here's the Sketchy Thursdays 11.10:

Here's my take:

I had the word party in my stash and built the color palette around it as well as the cake picture

The frame was an all white embossed paper frame from creative memories which I colored with
bubblegum pink CTMH ink and backed with blue paper.

faux stitched with white gel pen on the title and used the same pen to journal

Here is the creative scrappers #181:

And here's my take:

The water melon and text was cut with CM cheerful seasons cartridge. I used my gypsy to hide the larger portion of the melon and only get the individual side piece. Added some black glitter glue for the seeds and coated the letters with it too.

First ribbon loop flower that I've made.

Horsey with CS #180

2011-11-09T09:31:00.000-08:00

I used the following sketch from creative scrappers:

Here's my take:

I flipped the sketch and moved the journal bar to below the photo.

The color palette was inspired by the ropes on the horse swing.

Close up of journal bar

Title was cut with Plantin Schoolbook (Roly Poly)

Added two photos to fill the vertical space.

Cooking up something with UIT

2011-11-08T06:06:00.000-08:00

It's time to cook something up for challenge #19 at Use it Tuesday.

If you're not familiar with Use it Tuesday their mission is to get crafty people using what they already have. So dig through your stash and join in on the fun.

Create a card, Layout or altered item with anything related to cooking; cookies, cupcakes, your thanksgiving feast, even an invite to a dinner party. (just don't forget to invite me).

Don't forget to mention what items are from your stash.

Please link your creation using Inlinkz by Friday Nov 18th. No blog? No problem! Just use keyword USE019 when uploading to an online gallery and leave us a direct link so we can find your creation.
Please make sure to mention you are playing along with a Use It Tuesday challenge (a link is great too!) so we know you are participating.

As always, one lucky participant will be randomly chosen to be a featured guest designer in an upcoming challenge!
We can't wait to see what you create! Now go Use It!!

For my cookie baking 2 page Layout I pulled out some pictures and stickers from 2006. My girl friend gave me the Jolee kitchen stickers for my birthday that year. Yep 5 years ago and they are just getting on a page. The background paper is all from my stash. I also used small scraps of matching paper to number my photos. that's about it. Quick and simple, but used more of my stash.

Right side

Left side

Close up of journaling

First communion

2011-11-07T10:48:00.000-08:00

I used Sketchy Thursdays 11.3 skecth to make a lay out for my daughter's first communion.

Here's the original:

And my take:

I moved the title and lost a circle element from the top

I also substituted a floral flourish for paint splatter

I ran out of sticker letters and hand cut the S and T in the title. They look just okay.

Close up of journal circle

something to brighten yourday

2011-10-30T17:41:00.000-07:00

I made this card for my uncle Bob.

He's in rehab after Brain surgery and has been feeling a little down.

The lighting isn't great on these. It's pouring out right now and we are headed out to deliver the card.

The sun was cut with Cm travel cartridge @4 inches then embossed with polka dot folder then rubbed with sunflower CTMH ink pad. The cloud is create a critter at 3 inches, embossed with Divine swirl and chalked with CTMH blue

The sentiment was stamped with mini letters. I haven't got the hang of using wood mounted stamps. I feel like I'm all over the place and then I get it on the edges of the stamps too. Oh well.

Close up of some scrap ribbon and bow.

Actually all the items used are from my stash.

The base was even left over from a layout that had waved edges. I like how the card gets wider where the sun and cloud hang over.

Pumpkin carving party and ribbons

2011-10-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

Quick post for the weekend. We hosted a pumpkin carving party last night and I'm still cleaning up, but wanted to share the ribbons I made for the carving awards. If I had been more on top of it I would have taken a picture of all the ribbons together.

3rd place pumpkin. Pattern is Root of all evil from Zombie pumpkins

2nd place. Lightning McQueen

1st place. Double head pumpkin. Before it was carved the Pumpkin looked like a persons rear end. Even the checker at the local store laughed and called it a butt head pumpkin

Top half of our flaming pumpkin

Bottom half

Full view of the flaming pumpkin. The pumpkins are two huge twenty pound pumpkins stacked with a roll of kerosene soaked toilet paper set ablaze.

Display stand with some of the pumpkins carved last night

Close up of Second place ribbon.

I made it with Tags bags and more for the base.

The pumpkin was cut with CM Cheerful Seasons as was the numerals

I chalked the edge of the ribbon with white and the pumpkin details with brown chalk ink.

Brrrr , Baby it's cold out there

2011-10-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

If you been following me for a while you'll know that I usually alter LO sketches to accommodate more then one photo. Well, I finally did it. I made a single photo LO using the sketch from creative scrapper. Funny thing is the sketch is designed for two photos. Oh well there I go again with altering.

Here's the original:

And here is my take:

Can you believe that this picture was taken in late April.

It was so cold out that my son had to be bundled up like it was the middle of winter.

Close up of the snow flakes I punched and adhered with gem brads. I pre punched the center of the snowflakes from the back ground paper so I wouldn't have to guess on the placement of the punched flakes.

Close up look at the metal snow flake I've had in my stash forever ( Joy too.)

Not a Christmas page, but definitely has that cold feeling to it.

Use it Tuesday #18

2011-10-24T22:00:00.000-07:00

It's time to get in the Halloween spirit for challenge #18 at Use it Tuesday. Well it doesn't have to be Halloween, but it does have to be Oragne, Purple and Black. If you're not familiar with Use it Tuesday their mission is to get crafty people using what they already have. So dig through your stash and join in on the fun.

For this challenge create a card, layout or altered art item using anything Oragne,Purple and Black.
Don't forget to mention what items are from your stash.

Please link your creation using Inlinkz by Friday Nov 4th. No blog? No problem! Just use keyword USE018 when uploading to an online gallery and leave us a direct link so we can find your creation. (Linking tips are at the bottom of the post!)

Please make sure to mention you are playing along with a Use It Tuesday challenge (a link is great too!) so we know you are participating.

As always, one lucky participant will be randomly chosen to be a featured guest designer in an upcoming challenge!
We can't wait to see what you create! Now go Use It!!

My first attempt at this challenge was a halloween LO, but it didn't scream UIT post worthy so I strecthed out side of the trick or treat bag and came up with this birthday card for my mom.

The floral paper is book paper that I picked up in San Fransisco this July.

The purple frame, paper flowers, cardstock and brads are all from my stash.

The tag frame I spray painted black. Don't forget when painting metal it is all ways best to rough up the surface with some sand paper so the paint will stick.

Here's the less than stellar LO I did first

If you follow my blog this tag will look familiar. I entered it in a MAG challenge.

Word stickers from my stash

close up of journaling

Hope the card and this post insipired you to join us

bringing on the bling

2011-10-24T15:34:00.000-07:00

Lasting memories is having a bling challenge over at their site this week. I thought it would be fun to play along so I made a LO using an older sketch from creative scrappers #73. I picked this one because I was born in 1973.

So here's my take:

The original sketch is for one photo, but I just can't seem to do single photos.

So I altered it to accommodate four

Cut the stars and letters with CM travel cartridge then coated with glitter glue.

Also added some leftover green epoxy dots. Proud to say I've finally used them up.

Hand cut the arrow and hid the joints with a coat of glitter glue.

tough guy

2011-10-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

It feels so good to get back to creating. I've had a busy couple of weeks working extra shifts at work

and lots of girl scout activities going too. I took the Sketches in Thyme #58 sketch as my inspiration for my tough guy layout. It worked perfectly and I was able to use the blurred action shoots and have it still look good. Hope you like my take on the sketch.

I am also entering this at Lasting memories dimension challenge. As I like to layer,ink,pop dot and embellish with ribbons and buttons to get some dimension on my page.

Tough guy cut with Boys will be boys cart, inked the edges and adhered with foam squares

Totally love this ribbon; girly, but not in green. Also had to have the buttons

Finally some scrapbook pages for Girl Scouts

2011-10-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

Finally caught up in my troop album. It has just been crazy busy here. Just got back from a girl scout leader weekend full of hiking and workshops. I did manage to slap together some pages before I left and did a bunch of journaling and doodling in my down time at camp this weekend. Super Basic pages

My troop 20397 my oldest daughters troop 20327 and their sister troop 20381 went to Camp Whispering winds in August for a joint troop camp out.

On the border stripe I cut out the existing oval because it wasn't the color I wanted, backed it with a scrap and added the W for Whispering Winds.

More shoots form around camp

Close up of the doodling

The girls did a polar bear swim and an afternoon swim, but I combined all of the pool photos to a two page LO. easier then trying to figure out which ones were from the Polar bear swim verses afternoon

second page of the LO and journaling

Random photos that I didn't know where else to put. Had to have the line of braiding girls in the pages. Just too cute.

Cadettes from 20381 did a Journey which culminated in there performing a skit about bullying.

Used a pre made journal prompt to capture the concepts the girls touched on.

The girls did four different stations through out the day. I did a LO of each station with 5 photos per station.

Close up of doodling and journaling for fire starter station

Same formula for LO as the above page Just flipped

Two page LO of the girls bridging ceremony

Night hike photos

Close up of Bumble bee patch that the girls are going to receive at their scouts own

Journaling page about the night hike. I still have to cut out a big bee for this page. When we were hiking one of the girls stepped on a ground hike. 10 of the 21 girls got stung

Close up of the border for the bee page

The girls prepared all of the meals for the weekend. I combined all of the cooking into a 2 page LO

second page of cooking

on the last day we had the girls pose on the back deck steps.

Totally love this view of the girls

Now to get back to the family album still working on 2009

Use it Tuesday Challenge #17

2011-10-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

It's time to announce that challenge #17 at Use it Tuesday is Metal. If you're not familiar with Use it Tuesday their mission is to get crafty people using what they already have. So dig through your stash and join in on the fun.

For this challenge create a card, layout or altered art item using anything metal.
Wire, brads,beads,strips or sheets of metal. It's up to you.
Don't forget to mention what items are from your stash.

Please link your creation using Inlinkz by Friday Oct 21st. No blog? No problem! Just use keyword USE017 when uploading to an online gallery and leave us a direct link so we can find your creation. (Linking tips are at the bottom of the post!)

Please make sure to mention you are playing along with a Use It Tuesday challenge (a link is great too!) so we know you are participating.

As always, one lucky participant will be randomly chosen to be a featured guest designer in an upcoming challenge!
We can't wait to see what you create! Now go Use It!!

I have a new found trick with Aluminum foil.
I'll let you in on the secret, but first check out this layout with metal.

Totally love how the diamond plating came out.
It's really easy to do.
I Used a 4X7 piece of card stock wrapped in foil and cuttle bug diamond plate embossing folder. The folder is an A2 so to get the extra lenght I flipped the card stock around, lined up the design and ran it through a second time. To hide where the two runs come together I put on the yellow border
and philips screw brads.

I bought the Boys will be boys cartridge a while back and am so glad I did.
This title Phrase is perfect. All cuts are 4 inches.

As I was flipping through my embellishment binder this cute little (metal) square tag caught my eye. I got it as part of a card making kit that I have never used. Most of the kits have been ripped apart for the elements, but at least they are finally getting used after sitting for more then 5 years.

Check out this border. I used yellow scraps pieced together to get the lenght I needed then cut with a decorative rotatory cutter, then topped with Cm black and white paper ribbon. The cast off from the left side I used as a border on the right.

To finish it all off a bit of journaling in white pen. As always everything is from my stash except for the Aluminum foil that I got out of the kitchen

Sketches in Thyme #57

2011-10-07T10:24:00.000-07:00

My life has slowed down just a little and I was able to create a new layout for the first time in over a week. Got some LO inspiration over at Sketches in Thyme. Check out the sketch and what I did with it.

This is my take of #57.

I started my color palette choice with the candle die cut.

Close up of title and candle. I really liked the stickers that I used and have used up all the lower case I's and substituted an upper case. It gets the job done and is playful at the same time. As well as less stickers in my stash.

Quick tip to save paper. I love the layered look, but hate to waste paper under paper,so I cut an 8X8 square out of the middle of my 12X12 for use later. You can kind of see it on the backside here.

Hopefully I'll get more Layouts done, but probably not for a few days. Working on rearranging furniture as we are about to get some of my husbands grandparents furniture

New kitten

2011-09-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

We went to Thisthle down farm to take family photos and came home with a kitten.

Crazy I know, but it's so darn cute

Use it Tuesday Callenge #16 - Chocolate

2011-09-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

I Love chocolate. All kinds of chocolate for that matter. The only thing better then chocolate is cheese cake in my book. The ultimate being Chocolate cheese cake. So I'm excited to announce that challenge # 16 at Use it Tuesday is chocolate based. If you're not familiar with Use it Tuesday their mission is to get crafty people using what they already have. So dig through your stash and join in on the fun.

For this challenge create a card, layout or altered art item using anything chocolate.
Chocolate colored paper, images or even the word. It's up to you.
Don't forget to mention what items are from your stash.

Please link your creation using Inlinkz by Friday Oct 7th. No blog? No problem! Just use keyword USE016 when uploading to an online gallery and leave us a direct link so we can find your creation. (Linking tips are at the bottom of the post!)

Please make sure to mention you are playing along with a Use It Tuesday challenge (a link is great too!) so we know you are participating.

As always, one lucky participant will be randomly chosen to be a featured guest designer in an upcoming challenge!
We can't wait to see what you create! Now go Use It!!

I took this challenge quit literally as I used chocolate chip printed paper from my stash for the background. I found it fit the theme and the subjects of the photos well.

When all three litter mates are together they make a Hersey Chocolate Brownie.
We own Chocolate Bubble Gum Princess Biscuit Runner. I know it almost sounds pedigree, but she's a mute ( blue healer mom and neighbor sneaky dog? dad).

I hand cut chocolate chips from scrap piece of dark brown paper

The title bone was also hand cut from scrap paper. Never know when those little scraps will come in handy. I also used scrap to mount the photos. If you look closely you'll see that the 3x5 photo is only partly matted. I hid the ends of the matte with the circle cut outs to camouflage where the matte ends.

Fussy cut around Brownie and added the cast off ring from one of the other photo mattes to journal on and bring attention to Brownie

Hope you aren't craving too much chocolate or cheese cake after this and that I have inspired you.

Tips for linking:

- On your blog, once you publish your post, click on "View Blog". Then copy the URL and paste that into the inlinkz address field.

- No blog? Easy enough! Save your creation in your online gallery. Once it has been published, click on the exact project you want linked. Once it is up in your browser, copy the URL and paste that into the Inlinkz address field below. If you don't use any online galleries, you can use Sami's SP Gallery, registration is free and easy!

Rainbow Smile

2011-09-26T13:26:00.000-07:00

My Uncle is in the hospital with a brain tumor, so I made this card for him.

Hopefully he'll be able to see it clearly after surgery tomorrow. The tumor is exerting pressure on the brain so that his vision is blurred, he can't focus or concentrate and is nauseous.

Got the background idea from Jen's blog. She made the cutest Halloween card using the layered scales look

New display board for Girl scouts

2011-09-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

I made this display board back in March for service unit 67 display at GSOSW annual meeting.

I had been using it for other service unit events up until a month ago. I left it leaning against the van while I was unloading and forgot it. Well it rained that night and ruined it. So with the start of a new girl scout year and our first service unit event tonight I whipped together a replacement.

Not quit as colorful, but it gets the job done

Right side of display

Left side

Close up of the bumble bee I attached to a group of camping photos. Our troop and two others went on a summer camp out and all of my little brownies got stung by bees. Some one stepped on a ground hive during our night hike. So the bee has to be there

Sketches in Thyme #56

2011-09-22T16:14:00.000-07:00

Finally finished fixing the canoe and have it stored for the winter. The old cane seat ripped after 12 years of neglect (hand me down canoe from my brother in law.) Anyway got a vinyl mesh cloth that I stretched over the old seat and stapled in place and it's good as new.

So I was finally able to sit down and craft. I choose to do Sketches in Thyme #56 this afternoon. I love using sketches when I have little time to craft because it gives me a base to start from.

I used close to my heart paper from way back. I know it was a spring time/ bloom pack, but that's it.

had to add the cute green creative charms brad and some ribbon to the die cuts from the CTMH pack

Quick application of paint on the side of the pictures and background paper to make the darker pink letters stand out. And there you have it. Quick and easy, but another page done

Sketches in Thyme #55

2011-09-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

Sketch #55 for August at Sketches in Thyme

I followed the sketch as far as the background layout

but had to have all 6 of the pictures.

For the base I used dark blue card stock with white chalk ink on the edges

next layer up is light blue with white polka dot paper

followed by the photo mat of lighter blue patterned paper.

The scalloped background was cut from CM travel cart at 10 inches then cut down to fit behind the photos

close up of title. Circle was cut with CM circle cutting system doodle white gel pen circle then highlighted with blue glitter glue spots

close up of chalk distress, white ink doodle and glitter glue on edge of back ground scallop

Uninked stamps at Use it Tuesday

2011-09-12T22:00:00.000-07:00

Dig through your stash for those seldom used or uninked stamps for challenge #15 at Use it Tuesday. Use it Tuesday's mission is to get crafty people using what they already have. So create a card, layout or altered art item using stamps from your stash.

Please link your creation using Inlinkz by Friday September 23rd . No blog? No problem! Just use keyword USE015 when uploading to an online gallery and leave us a direct link so we can find your creation. (Linking tips are at the bottom of the post!)

Please make sure to mention you are playing along with a Use It Tuesday challenge (a link is great too!) and also mention what you used from your stash.

As always, one lucky participant will be randomly chosen to be a featured guest designer in an upcoming challenge!

I am so glad for this challenge. My poor stamps are hardly every used. I have 2 sets of stamps I bought 5 years ago that were uninked. I choose to use CTHM geometric thoughts. I still have sentiment squares uninked, but hopefully not for long.

My husband and I just celebrated our 16th anniversary with a camping trip earlier in the month so I'm just getting to making a card. For the background of the card I stamped Together Forever in Black ink and the hearts in Raspberry (wedding color). I cut the number 16( gypsy font @ 3in) from a scrap piece of dark pink card stock. Outlined with silver gel pen and embellished with a scrap piece of ribbon.

To finish it off I added a resin heart that I bought when working on our wedding album for our 10th anniversary. It was all white so I rubbed it across the same ink pad I used to stamp the hearts and then added some green for the leaves.

Sweet as Sugar

2011-09-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

I made this layout using Creative Scrapper skecth #172 and tried something new. Painting with a tooth brush. If you'd like to see what it looked like before I did my LO click here.

From the base I added three elements from the September 1,2,3 challenge at Creative Accents.

1.Ribbon- I substituted lace for the ribbon

2.Embellishments- orange jewel bling, circle frame and sticker numerals.

3. Patterned paper- black with white polka dots and orange with swirl border piece

Close up of title. I cut sweet as at 2in from stork delivery sugar and spice and it is adhered directly to the page .Sugar was cut at 3in and adhered with foam squares. All edges are inked with black chalk ink.

Top left tag is part of the bottle label some orange circles cut in half and a white strip sewn to the page.

close up of journal strips

I'll also enter this post at lasting memories "simply you" as of this week Eric is the only child home from school so he is my focus and my everything right now.