Last layout of photos from 2019

 

Yes, I've finally finished my 2019 album.  

I scrap mostly chronologically and keep my pages in chronological order too.

So I can now say I'm officially done with 2019 with this last fall layout.

I'm trying to force myself to work without a sketch and see what I can come up with on my own.   I'm also on a buying freeze after a Creative memories splurge for the 12 days of Christmas.  My consultant Linda had some great deals during her personal sale that she bundled with CM promo, so I got a lot of product without spending a fortune.

My scrappy goal for the New Year is to work my way through my stash and not buy anything but adhesive.  I might make an exception for mixed media supplies as I have just started dabbling in paints and inks from shimmerz paints and have my eye on a kit at spiegelmom scraps

This layout was made using Echo park "family and Autumn" papers and embellishments.

I love how the two lines have similar color schemes that work so well together and really compliment my photos. 

Simply adorable.  I'm totally into owls.

Great dimension from the chipboard animals

This next layout is for my son's scout album.

The photos are from a "wild west" themed blue and gold awards banquet for cub scouts

not the greatest quality pictures as the ceremony was in the cafeteria with the lights dimmed

Almost used up the last of my CM Red, White and Blue paper pack.  

Had to create my own embellishments as there weren't any in the pack that weren't forth of July oriented.  Punched stars, old gemstone brads and sequence

Now to get my husband to do the Journaling.  I started my son's scout albums back in 2014, so he's got some work to do.

Closing in on the end of 2019

As we get ready to close out 2020...

I'm ever so close to having my 2019 album finished.

I've jumped around a little as I had the opportunity to take a few online classes

This one is a first for me as I tried a new technique of triangle paper folding to make the wreath

 I used festive plaid, merry little Christmas paper, and embellishments 

along with dollies and gold cardstock from my stash

the snowflake on the bottom is a recycled gift tag that works in nicely with the addition of a gemstone

This next one is another online class using a quilt patch design.

I thought about aligning the red and blue striped squares but didn't like how it looked

I used CM North Pole magic and rhinestones from my stash

For this two page spread, I used Scrap our stash challenge

I didn't play along with all the rules though as I used all of my 2019 holiday photos prior to this layout

Simple Stories "Crafty Girl"

This last one was actually the first layout of the day.

I finally opened up my clear gesso to try my hand at mixed media

White acrylic paint, shimmerz spray, and paint from my October order.

I love how the layout turned out even though I'm not a fan of the paper kit.

So I shared what was left with my little friend Aurora. 

 She didn't waste any time getting crafty too.

Birthday paper embellishments mixed with so Disney paper I gave her

 

Scrapping during a virtual crop

This past Friday and Saturday I participated in the CM sister's Holiday crop.

The weekend was packed with different workshops, most of which I enjoyed. 

 

I wish I could share the layouts I created during the event but they are the intellectual property of the designers.

This layout is loosely based on the mad for mats workshop as I used several mats on the page.  I'm sharing it here on my blog as it is different enough from the designer's work to not violate the agreement not to share and also because I also couldn't share this layout with the event group as the paper pack is not from creative memories.  Pretty sure it's photoplay

  I loved the format of the virtual crop with its nicely spaced and paced workshops.  I did take advantage of the breaks to finish projects, replenish drinks, and bathroom breaks.  Couldn't imagine pushing straight through.  I did listen to but did not follow along with the border making workshop as I'm not much of a border maker, however, I'll probably use the snowflake/ flower technique to make some embellishments. So I made this layout instead.

 I even managed to squeeze in this last layout after skipping the Truck project in favor of having a sit-down dinner with the family.  Again, paper piecing is something I will most likely never do.  

With these layouts added to the ones I completed and the pre-made pages waiting for pictures, I got 16 pages done.  Not bad for a 14-hour event.

 

November 2020 creations

I'm so bad about keeping my blog current.  I feel like between the Facebook groups I post to and the Youtube channels I follow that blogging is becoming a thing of the past.  However, it's time for me to get back at it if nothing else to force me to craft more and to share and inspire.

Earlier this month I participated in the Creative memories virtual crop and even posted my layouts to the group only to have them deleted as none of the layouts used purely CM products.  Card stock,  tools, techniques and sketches but not 100% their product.  I get it but I'm trying to use all my stash not just CM. So here goes my take on 5 of the 6 sketches

#CMVIRTUALCROP1NOVEMBER2020

I turned a single page spread into two using MME "happy camper"

#CMVIRTUALCROP2NOVEMBER2020

I did make all the chevrons by hand with 1/2 inch strips.

  I like how they turned out but will probably never do it that way again.

I also added a few extra photos to the sketch because I wanted to showcase the whole evening for Ana's 16th

#CMVIRTUALCROP3NOVEMBER2020

I actually used CM paper on this one.  The camera pp is from "picture this" and the navy cardstock is CM as well, Just threw in some of the leftovers from  MME  "gal meets Glam" on the previous layout to tie it all together.  Love the individual photos of my daughter taken during the party photoshoot.

#CMVIRTUALCROP4NOVEMBER2020

No CM products here at all just the sketch.

I'll be honest the photos and papers I'm working through we pulled for a weekend retreat back in October.  I didn't get as far as I thought I would as the kid's school albums were not even close to up to date like I thought.  Closer now but still need to go back and add a few things. At least this year won't have as many school things to add with virtual classes.

So still plugging away.  

The process is definitely faster when everything is together and all I have to do is grab a collection keeper

#CMVIRTUALCROP5NOVEMBER2020

 The collection I used just screamed sweet treats and I thought it would be perfect to showcase my daughter in her chef garb.  Her first gig cooking as a volunteer for Troop 182 and the Irving grange during the annual pancake feed and car show.

For this last layout I used a sketch from creative scrapbooker magazine November 2020 sketch

quick and simple as I used scraps from a previous layout as I wanted the connection to the event but also showcase his character

 

Smokey Day creations

It feels like the entire West Coast is on fire.  Yesterday the smoke was in the hazardous range with AQI at 464.

So instead of constantly monitoring the sad situation, I prepared what I could, sent out messages to friends that we have space for evacuees and then got crafty.

I recently joined two new facebook groups and used sketches from both to make the following layouts.

The first one is from  Creative Memories layout ideas (unofficial).  I used the #CMvirtualcrop3August2020 sketch even though the crop was 3 weeks ago

 

I used CM Merry little Christmas paper and embellishments with White Script alpha's

The next two layouts come from sketches over at FB

Creative Scrapbooker Magazine's sketchy group

This is the September 2020 Sketch

I mirror flipped and rotated the sketch

For the August sketch I did a single photo mounted on the three segments instead of using three photos but the basic idea is there.  I used a combination of Simple Stories fall lines.

 

Sketches in thyme #424

Got another layout done tonight using sketches in thyme #424

The basic layout is there but I added some embellishments to add a few punches of turquoise to a rather drab color scheme.  Turned out well and I was able to use more Creative memories paper from my stash.  I’m on a buying freeze for now until I know how the work share/ under employment payments are going to workout.  3 more days of distance learning but I’m contracted through June 17th so we’ll see what I’m doing next week.  Still delivering meals to students but tutoring via zoom will probably slow to a trickle. Hopefully I can get in a few more layouts.

This weeks goal and a layout

I started the week with setting three goals. Our middle school track team just finished up its virtual season with a healthy rhythms challenge and every Monday I try to post something motivational.

Motivation Monday:  What’s your goal for the week?  Monday’s are a good day to set a new weekly goal.  Set the bar high and go for it.  Remember it doesn’t have to be fitness based.

I have three goals this week

1. Cut down the time I spend playing mindless games on my phone.
2. Create some art at least twice a week
3. Every time I hit the road for a run it has to be at least 3 miles.

So what are your goals?  Sharing them helps you be more accountable.

Progress report/check in:

I set three goal for the week this past Monday and have managed to get 2 of the 3 accomplished.

Today my run was a 1.6 miles but did do speed work so still feel good about it.

How’s everyone else doing?  Did you set some goals?  If not join me this Monday for a new set of goals.

The layout I shared was the second of two I did this week.  The first one can be found here.

I used last month’s sketch from  scrap our stash.  I changed it up a little with two photos and since the challenge has past I didn’t adhere to all the requirements. Also the bottom embellishments are larger than the ske as I was trying to cover up som pre printed text on the paper.

Sketches in thyme #423

I used the June sketch from Sketches in thyme #423

I was pretty close to the sketch but couldn’t find the right large embellishment to replace the camera.

The title is super large and long as I hand wrote the in the park under the chip board letters.

Up to July 2017 in the scout album getting closer.  I might actually get caught up as the troop has been meeting virtually and is just now getting back to in person meetings.

NSD #CM3

Got a third sketch completed for the virtual crop before the deadline.  Will probably work my way through the rest of them but not use CM products as stipulated by the crop.

This last one is a combo of primary color paper and a year to remember paper and embellishments.

I was close to the sketch but added my own spin as I thought the arrow paper reinforced the theme so I moved the journal area.  

NSD #CM2

I’m so excited that it’s raining hard enough not to have to work in the garden so I get to hang out in the craft room and play with another Creative Memories sketch. #CM2

I stuck fairly close to the sketch subbing in circles for flowers.  I used some older papers from CM again, this time it was discover and delight mixed with rugged. The bear, paw prints and white title are not CM products.

I even used the circle cutting system to cut and as a tracing template for the brown pen lines on the circles.  So fun to use tools I haven’t used in a while.

NSD World wide virtual crop #CM1

I just finished the first creative memories sketch challenge at #NSDWWVC2020

I flipped the sketch right to left sides to make it work for my photos.  I used some older CM paper from 2007 “Cottage” collection.  Finally finished of all but a few bits of the paper.

 

Work weekend with CM sketch

I totally missed playing along with Creative Memories World wise virtual crop.  Finally made time tonight since it’s raining and the garden is pretty muddy.  I used Sketch #CM11 #WWVC2020.

I flipped the layout so that right side is now on the left and I added embellishment clusters but other than that it’s pretty close to the original. I didn’t use CM products for the layout as I’m trying to use up kits that I have.  This is 2018 Simple Stories “Happy trails”

Totally in love with this cluster as the owl is speaking to me.  I feel like I need to escape from the here and now of this pandemic and hide out in nature.