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.

Lasting memories Spring Challenge

Finally got back in the craft room aka guest room/ oldest daughters room.  I had it all to myself from New Years till SanFrancisco shuttered the Job Corp site where Ashley is studying advanced culinary skills.  Getting back in here required a chocolate bribe but I’m in and crafting again.

Today I’m using a sketch by Cheryl over at even more scrapping and have combined it with lasting memories Spring challenge 

For the letters in Spring I used:

S-splattered ink

P- punch plaid tag

R- round cutting system by CM

I- inked edges

N- numbers

G- grid layout

Still making progress on my son’s Scout album currently up to February 2017.

Pinewood Derby 2017

I’m cursing my way into 2017 in my son’s Scout album.

I used the following sketch from Cheryl at Even more scrapping

I really enjoyed changing the theme to make it work with my photos.  I even cut the back ground paper to get the blueprint images in the right spots.

Also did a bit of hand stitching to pull the layout together color scheme wise.  Otherwise the title would have been too bold

Christmas light parade

Last night  I finished another layout using sketch #cmvirtualcrop4.

I flipped the sketch and add a journal box instead of a photo but it still has the same basic feel.

Still making progress on my son’s scout album 

Creative Memories virtual crop

I had grand plans for participating in CM virtual crop the weekend before last.  Was going to FaceTime with my friend Mary and knock out some layouts but life had other plans.  I ended up driving to San Francisco and back to retrieve my eldest from the Job Corp campus on Monday 3/16 and was back by late evening on 3/17.  With my new scrap room re occupied I curtailed my plans to scrap just on Saturday and not the Friday before.  Then Saturday morning I got the call/ text that Mary had past.  She finally succumbed to to her long battle with breast cancer.  So I still scraped but only one layout during the virtual crop.

I used “A year to remember” collection for this layout of my husband and son making art to better understand physical disabilities.  Added an extra photo to the layout but still has the overall feel of the sketch 

TSR throwback sketch challenge

I’m on a creative roll this weekend.  It helps to have amazing inspiration from the scrap room Facebook group.  I’m using the throwback challenge sketch for this layout.

The awesome thing about this layout is that all the larger pieces of paper were scraps 

that I pieced together then hid the seems with embellishments.  

All that’s left is to get my husband to do the journaling.  

TSR March color challenge

I’m playing along with the scrap rooms March color challenge. 

I used a black card stock base and mixed in orange and a slightly lighter blue than the one in the palette to create another layout for my son’s Boy Scout album.

Now to get in a few more challenges before the end of the month.  I should have plenty of time with an early start to Spring vacation 

Knights of the round table w/ SID sketch

I just finished a PL style album of my son and husbands trip to World Jamboree using the Imagine that line from CM.  Since it was still out and I some great castle and star embellishments left I thought I'd make a layout documenting my sons Knights of the round table cub camp

I based the layout on the following sketch from Stick it down

I loosely followed the layout as my original intent was to have the 3 photos clustered in a heart-ish shape.  but I couldn't work in the castle embellishment that way.  I also have additional photos on the right side of the layout but they are placed higher on the page like the sketch. Now all that needs to happen is for my husband to finish the journaling.