Celestial Chatter

Sketch Challenge

2012-01-28T09:16:00.002-05:00

This week's challenge at the Scrapbook {Express}ions blog is a sketch challenge. I chose this sketch from Page Maps.

Here's my layout using the sketch.

Hope you'll join us in the challenge.

6x6 for 12x12

2012-01-17T18:24:00.002-05:00

Have you seen the Authentique Free Bird 6x6 Papers? In this layout, I cut the squares that I used as a large photo mat and the banners from 4 different pieces of the Authentique Free Bird Collection. I still have about a half sheet of each piece of paper left after making this layout, so that's pretty economical too. See the complete post about this layout and the 6x6 papers on the Scrapbook {Express}ions blog.

Challenge at Scrapbook {Express}ions Blog

2012-01-05T17:17:00.004-05:00

This week's challenge on the Scrapbook {Express}ions blog is to create a layout....any theme, any papers, any products.....then create a card with the scraps and same embellishments used on your layout. You can add other embellishments or papers to your card but it must be obvious you used some of the same products as you did on your layout. This is an easy way to stock up on some cards since you already have coordinating papers and embellishments out on your scrap table.

I first created a layout with the Bo Bunny Et Cetera Collection.

I then used some paper scraps, the same letter stickers, and a heart from the buttons pack to create this card. I used the sketch from Bo Bunny blog's current card challenge (so if you decide to use some Bo Bunny you can also use this sketch and enter your card in their challenge contest...just add it to the linked post).

See all the details of the challenge here.

Top 11 Layouts of 2011

2012-01-03T16:17:00.005-05:00

It's that time of the year ago to go through my layouts made in 2011 and pick my favorites. I created more than 150 layouts, so this was not easy narrowing it down to only 11. There are more I would have chosen, but they are out for publication so that helped a little. Here are my favorites, at least at this moment, in no particular order.

I don't do that many two page layouts, but thought I should include a favorite as a bonus here. These layouts are tougher for me to create but they do work well for vacation photos where I have a lot of photos of one place or day. I love the way this one came together.

SRM Stickers

2011-12-28T09:12:00.002-05:00

A couple months ago I won a great prize package of stickers on the SRM Stickers blog. Like the Webster's Pages, they have just been sitting in my scrap room. Yesterday I pulled them out and created some cards. I love the clear background of these stickers and they are great for card sentiments.

Webster's Pages

2011-12-27T13:13:00.002-05:00

A few months ago Webster's Pages had a warehouse box sale and I couldn't resist. Of course, the box has been sitting on the floor of my scrap room since then but I decided to actually use some of the product last week. I used the "b" sides of the papers (because those front sides just scare me :)) along with a few embellishments from the box to make these simple layouts.

Pocket Page

2011-12-26T08:39:00.002-05:00

Hate to throw away all those holiday cards you receive? Save them in a pocket page layout. See the details on the Scrapbook {Express}ions blog.

Bo Bunny and Circles

2011-12-24T08:56:00.004-05:00

After a short sabatical, I am back and blogging. It's been a busy couple months but I am back creating and posting on my blog.

I created this layout for Bo Bunny's Layout Challenge to be inspired by circles. I used a couple of photos of my cute boy Saffron (who just happens to match the Forever Fall paper line perfectly) and some die cut circles, buttons and jewels.

Layout Challenges

2011-10-10T13:56:00.003-04:00

I have been working on challenges at My Scraps & More, Birds of a Feather Kit Club, and We Scrap. Here are some of my layouts from these challenges.

WCMD Cards

2011-10-08T10:01:00.004-04:00

Last Saturday was World Card Making Day and I spent it making cards for challenges on some different sites. Here are some of my favorites from the day.

Bo Bunny Layout Challenge

2011-10-04T08:01:00.007-04:00

The current Bo Bunny Layout Challenge is to use Noteworthy. I will say I have taken these larger Noteworthy pieces out a few times and tried to use them but they seemed so large. They worked perfectly on this layout though as sort of a photo mat.

I also used the Starting Points Challenge on the Sweet Peach Crop Shop blog.

Basic Grey and Sweet Peach Crop Shop Blog Challenges

2011-10-02T09:29:00.005-04:00

The September 30th Basic Grey blog challenge is to create a layout with 3 photos, 3 pattern papers, and 3 brads. I created this layout with Life is a Party papers and letter stickers. I also used some Basic Grey Basics stickers and Marrakech brads.

This layout is also for the Sweet Peach Crop Shop crop office supply challenge. I used a library card to hold the title and the Basics sticker in the upper right corner is lined like school paper.

You can click on the photo to see a larger image.

Sassy Lil Sketches

2011-09-23T11:49:00.003-04:00

Here are a couple more projects using sketches from Sassy Lil Sketches.

This layout was created with September Week 2 sketch.

This cards was created with September Week 1 card sketch.

September Scrapdango Reveal

2011-09-23T08:17:00.005-04:00

This month I worked with the Scrapdango Sugar Kit featuring Crate Farmhouse mixed with a couple sheets of Little Yellow Bicycle Finally Fall. The complete design team reveal can be seen here.

For this layout, I used sketch 56 from Sketches in Thyme.

For this layout, I used Sassy Lil Sketches September Week 1 sketch.

Scrapbook {Express}ions Challenge

2011-09-22T12:10:00.004-04:00

This week's challenge at Scrapbook {Express}ions blog is to create a layout that contains yellow (at least 30%). Hope you will come by and join us in the challenge.

I used some of the new My Mind's Eye Lost & Found 2 Sunshine Collection for this layout.

I used sketch 172 from Creative Scrappers. This also qualifies for September Open Challenge at Sketches in Thyme.

Christmas Cards

2011-09-17T08:38:00.007-04:00

Along with the cute tags below made with Bella Blvd.'s Christmas Wishes line, I made a couple of cards.

This card is for the sticker challenge at The Paper Variety. The "Joy" banner letters are stickers. It is also for the L challenge at My Sketch World's ABC Crop to make a card with little banners.

This card for the Moxie Fab Vertical Sketch Challenge (although maybe I failed because the card isn't vertical)

using this sketch.

Christmas Tags and Twine

2011-09-13T08:50:00.002-04:00

These cute tags were made using the Bella Blvd. Christmas Wishes line...don't you just love those cute penguins? I made these for The Paper Variety's favorite embellishment challenge. I love baker's twine and seem to have been using it on a lot of my layouts and cards lately.

You Are My Sunshine

2011-09-13T08:28:00.004-04:00

I recently bought a lot of the new My Mind's Eye Lost & Found 2 Collections. I especially love the black and yellow in the Sunshine Collection. I created this card using this month's sketch on the My Mind's Eye blog. This card is also for the favorite manufacturer challenge at The Paper Variety.
If you would like to see how I created my banner, check out this post on the Scrapbook {Express}ions blog.

Saffron at 9

2011-09-11T09:33:00.002-04:00

I created this layout of my cute boy, Saffron, with photos from his 9th birthday last March.

This layout qualifies for the
September Blocks Challenge at Burlap & Buttercups and Margy's Number Challenge at Back Porch Memories.

Authentique Paper Sketch

2011-09-09T17:11:00.003-04:00

Authentique Paper has posted their first challenge on their blog. I still had some scraps left from my Scrapdango July Spice Kit which featured Authentique's Journey Collection, so I decided to use the card sketch.

Here is my card:

Need a Bookmark?

2011-09-07T08:15:00.003-04:00

Check out my tutorial at Scrapbook {Express}ions.

Scrapbook {Express}ions Challenge

2011-08-19T10:18:00.005-04:00

This week’s challenge at the Scrapbook {Express}ions blog is a recipe challenge. Since a lot of you are busy with kids back to school, I’ll make this easy and let you decide if you want to make a card or a layout. Your project must contain: (1) a rubon (I know you all have them hiding in the depths of your stash….dig one out), (2) bling or pearls, and (3) ribbon, twine or string. You may use as many other items as you like. I hope you will join us in this challenge.

This card also qualifies for this week's challenge at The Paper Variety to use thread.

Creative Scrappers Sketch

2011-08-19T10:07:00.002-04:00

I haven't been getting many challenges done lately, but did do this layout of Sketch #167 at Creative Scrappers.

August Scrapdango Reveal

2011-08-16T12:16:00.002-04:00

This month I worked with Scrapdango's Spice Kit which features the Authentique Journey line. Here are some of my favorite projects. You can see all the design team's reveals
here.

Margarita Time!!!

2011-07-23T10:05:00.006-04:00

No, not my favorite south of the border beverage, but this bright and cheery American Crafts Margarita collection. I was at a crop recently and Margarita was one of the sale specials, so I decided it was the perfect time to stock up on some of this fun, bright and cheery collection.

July Scrapdango Reveal

2011-07-21T13:35:00.003-04:00

This month I worked with Scrapdango's Sugar kit which features Little Yellow Bicycle Sweet Summertime and Simple Stories 100 Day of Summer. Here are some of my favorite projects. You can see all the design team's reveals
here.

Award Banner Tutorial

2011-07-03T09:37:00.004-04:00

Learn how to make this award banner on the Scrapbook {Express}ions blog.

Scrappy Weekend

2011-06-27T16:43:00.003-04:00

This weekend I worked on some layouts of our Washington DC trip. It was fun having new photos plus lots of new red, white and blue paper collections.

I used the June sketch from
Sweet Peach Crop Shop blog for these Capitol photos.

I used Sketch #124 from The Scrappiest Blog for these Washington Monument photos. I'm also combining this with the June Sketches in Thyme Open Challenge.

I used Sketch #50 at Sketches in Thyme for more Capitol photos.

Scrapbook {Express}ions Challenge

2011-06-23T08:59:00.003-04:00

I am hosting this week's challenge on the Scrapbook {Express}ions Blog. I hope you'll come by and join us in thsi challenge.

We're changing it up here on the blog with another new type of challenge....use a movie title as the title of your layout. I used the title "Achors Aweigh", a 1945 american musical comedy, as the title for my layout of this photo of my grandfather when he was in the Navy.

Bo Bunny Liberty Collection
Dot
Stripe
United
12x12 Combo Stickers
Brads
Jewels
Noteworthy
American Crafts This to That Foam Tab Circles
Cricut Expression
Cricut Life Is A Beach Cartridge

YOUR CHALLENGE: Create a scrapbook page (8×8 or larger) that uses a movie title as the title of your layout.

Scrapbook Express will be giving a $25 gift certificate to one lucky participant from this month’s challenges. This is the fourth challenge for the month of June. There will be 4 challenges this month. Members can submit one entry per challenge giving them up to four chances to win the $25 gift certificate. The winner will be announced on Friday, July 1st, 2011. Projects must be new for this challenge. Projects cannot be combined with any other Scrapbook Express forum challenge or Scrapbook Express Design team assignment. By submitting to the challenge, participants give the right to the Scrapbook Express Blog team to post pictures of their entries on the winning announcement post.

Participants must have a Flickr.com account (it’s free) and will need to join the Scrapbook Express Flickr group. Participants should upload their projects and tag them with the corresponding challenge date seJune23. (It’s important that it is tagged). View the projects, chose “Send to Group” then “Scrapbook Express.”

Participants will have until the following Wednesday at midnight MST (June 29th for this challenge) to upload entries for the current week. In order for a gift certificate to be given, there must be at least 15 different entries for the month. Happy scrapping!

Scrapdango June Spice Kit Reveal

2011-06-20T16:23:00.003-04:00

This month I worked with Scrapdango's Spice kit which features Fancy Pants Beach Bum and Webster's Pages Yacht Club. While these are both "beachy" collections, as you can see, they are not just for beach layouts.

Scrapdango Online Crop

2011-06-01T12:18:00.000-04:00

Join us on June 10th at Scrapdango for a totally radical online crop. The challenges will be posted over the weekend and you'll have all week to complete them. Come on by and join the fun.

Torchlight Procession

2011-05-19T13:31:00.002-04:00

I've combined a bunch of challenges for this layout. I used sketch no. 11 from For the Love of Sketches, this week's challenge at The Paper Variety to use stars, and the challenge on the Lily Bee Blog to use memorabilia.

Scrapdango May Sugar Kit Reveal

2011-05-18T08:43:00.003-04:00

This month I worked with Scrapdango's Sugar Kit. You can see the complete design team reveals of the Sugar and Spice kits here.

Here are a few of my favorite layouts and cards that I made with this kit.

Scrapdango Blog Hop

2011-05-12T09:39:00.002-04:00

Welcome to the Dango Girls' Blog Hop. I'm so glad you hopped on over to my pad. We have a lot of fun coming your way for the weekend and through the week. If you just happened to hop on over here and didn't know about this blog hop, then hop on over to the Scrapdango Blog where you should start this hopping good time. Okay, enough with all the hopping. Let's get down to scrappiness.

We have a brand new design team over at Scrapdango, and this blog hop is a way to introduce us. You will learn a little about each of us, and we will each post a challenge. You have until next Friday the 20th at midnight EST to post comments on each blog and to complete the design team challenges. There will also be other ways to earn draws, and one lucky person is going to win a fantastic prize of one of Scrapdango's fabulous kits chock full of scrappy goodness. Here is the breakdown of how you can earn draws.

--1 draw by posting comments on each design team member's blog (must comment on all blogs to get the draw)
--1 draw for each challenge that you complete. Please provide a link to your challenge in a comment
--1 draw for becoming or already being a Scrapdango Blog follower
--1 draw for becoming or already being a fan of Scrapdango on Facebook (include link to SD FB page)
--2 draws for correctly answering quiz questions on the DT members. The quiz can be found on the Scrapdango forum here.

A Little Bit About Me: I am happy to be returning for another design team term at Scrapdango. I began scrapbooking about 18 years ago after attending a Creative Memories party. It didn’t take long after that to become an obsessed scrapper.

My husband, Tom, and I have been married for 18 years. Our two adopted kids, I mean kittens, Saffron and Hailey, allow us to share their home. If you have seen my work, you know they are the subjects of a lot of my layouts. I was born and raised in Southern California, and have been living in the beautiful Midwestern state of Indiana for 18 years. I am a part-time SAH(cat)M and part-time paralegal. While scrapbooking consumes most of my time, I also enjoy traveling, cooking and reading.

My challenge: I am always collecting brochures, tickets, maps and other memorabilia on my travels. A lot of times they don't make it onto my layouts because they don't match the photos or papers or just don't fit, but they are still memories I want to remember. Maybe you have things your kids made, handmade cards, or other sentimental items you can't bear to throw away. Now is the time to pull out this memorabilia and use it on a layout. The layout can include photos or no photos, just make sure you show off your memorabilia on your layout.

Here are two recent layouts I made using just memorabilia. It was fun pulling out all these things and actually getting them on a layout.

This layout uses papers from the April Sugar Kit (Bella Blvd. For the Record) and buttons from the April Spice Kit.

This layout uses papers from the May Spice Kit (Simple Stories Destinations).

When you complete the challenges post a comment on the Scrapdango Blog with a link to your layout or post your layout in the Blog Hop forum. Once you get all your draws you're going to get, post how many you have with any pertinent links in a comment on the Scrapdango Blog or on the message board in the Blog Hop forum.

You have until Friday May 20th at midnight EST to complete all the blog hop activities and earn draws for the prize. Next you're going to hop on over to Megan's pad. Good luck and have fun.

Heather's Pad
Laura's Pad
Celeste's Pad
Megan's Pad ===>>You go here next
Ellen's Pad
Vanessa's Pad

March Project 12

2011-04-27T12:54:00.002-04:00

So far I have been keeping up with the Project 12 layouts. Here is this month's sketch by Becky Fleck.

Family

2011-04-23T08:58:00.002-04:00

The Sweet Peach Crop Shop Anniversary Challenge #3 is this sketch by Liz Chidester.
I used a photo taken at the Columbus Zoo a couple weeks ago.

Perfect

2011-04-21T14:20:00.002-04:00

I'm working on some more challenges today. Scrapbook Daisies is having a blog hop and challenge to lift one of the design team members. I chose to lift this layout by Seppa Gubler. As soon as I saw the layout, I knew exactly what photo to use for it. It just happened to match one of my newer acquisitions...the Crate Portrait Collection.

I also combined this challenge with the paint challenges at Sweet Peach Crop Shop and Scrapbook Express.

Love 2 Travel

2011-04-21T08:56:00.004-04:00

I dug deep in my stash of kits yesterday and found this Pink Paislee from a couple of years ago. It seemed to work perfect for this photo with the pink t-shirts. I used a sketch by Liz Chidester for anniversary sketch challenge #2 at Sweet Peach Crop Shop blog. I combined this with the challenge at The Paper Variety to use a number on your project and the weekly challenge at Scrapbook Express to use paint on your layout (when's the last time you pulled out some paint?).

2011-04-18T14:58:00.002-04:00

This is the sketch for the April Sketch Challenge on My Mind's Eye blog.

The theme this month is "April Showers". While my photos weren't taken in April, you can see the dark clouds and umbrellas some people are carrying. I used papers from the new Stella and Rose Collection, Fine and Dandy buttons, Lush blue rhinestones, and a Lost and Found brad. Of course, the edges needed a little ink and stitching to finish off the layout.

Crate Paper April Sketch

2011-04-17T14:15:00.003-04:00

Here is the sketch for this month's challenge at Crate Paper blog.

I'm getting tired of the winter themed papers for my snow photos, so was looking for something else to use. I thought these papers from the Restoration line picked up the colors in my hat and coat. I cut out a few of the doilies from my new Core'dinations Basic Grey Collection and sanded and inked them. I also tried a new technique of paint splatters...it was kind of fun.

April Scrapdango Spice Kit Cards

2011-04-17T08:47:00.005-04:00

After I finished with my layouts made with the April Spice kit at Scrapdango, I used my scraps to make these cards.

Scrapdango April Spice Kit

2011-04-16T09:54:00.005-04:00

The April Spice kit at Scrapdango features Cosmo Cricket Social Club. I had a great time working with this kit...I loved the colors in the papers.

Here are the layouts I made with the kit.

Stay tuned for a post with the cards I made from the kit with my scraps.

My Core’dinations Creative Frenzy

2011-04-15T13:21:00.002-04:00

I’ve been working on some projects with Core’dinations cardstock. I have had some of the Core Impressions for a while now (plus I just received one of the new Basic Grey Collections), but haven’t used them much. Guess I’m worried I will use them up and they’ll be gone? I know it doesn’t make sense, but I’m pretty sure a lot of you know the feeling.

My first project is Continental Divide with a photo from our recent trip to Breckenridge, Colorado. This layout features papers from the Core Essentials, Chocolate Box (I love seeing the color core when you tear this paper), and Gemstones Collections (if you haven’t seen this pretty shiny paper before you must find some…it’s beautiful). The snowflakes were die cut or punched and embossed with a snowflake embossing folder. I decided to add in a couple corrugated cardboard snowflakes for some extra added dimension. As a finishing touch, I added a little machine sewing.

The next layout is of my sweet Hailey using papers from the Jenni Bowlin Vintage Brights Collection. I love that these papers are already embossed and just waiting for a big piece of sandpaper.

This card may be my favorite of the three projects. I scored a piece of paper from the Black Magic Collection then sanded along the scored lines and edges. The punched heart is from the same paper with the edges sanded so you can see the pink core.

Lily Bee Sketch Challenge

2011-03-30T15:01:00.004-04:00

Lily Bee has a new sketch challenge on their blog. I have just a little bit of Christmas Town and Catching Fall left, so I used them for this layout of our snowmobiling in Colorado.

I also combined this with the open sketch challenge at Sketches in Time and the 1,2,3 Challenge at The Paper Variety (I used one photo, two alphabet fonts, and three snowflakes).

Here's the sketch:

And my layout:

Lily Bee

2011-03-28T15:06:00.004-04:00

Some people might think I'm crazy, but I'm giving it a go and trying out for the Lily Bee design team. This is a very intimidating process, but you can't get asked if you don't try out. Here are the two layouts I made for my submission.

While I had the scraps on my table, I went ahead and made two cards with the Catching Fall line. I really love the colors in this line.

Sketch 111 at The Scrappiest

2011-03-26T13:12:00.002-04:00

I'm back to working on some sketch challenges. I used Liz's sketch 111 for this layout.

This Way Down

2011-03-19T15:21:00.003-04:00

I recently won a January Juicy Kit from Sweet Peach Crop Shop with one of my challenge entries at The Scrappiest Blog. I used the kit to create a layout for this week's challenge at The Paper Variety. I also combined it with a challenge at Scrapbook Express to use something from your recycling bin (I die cut the corrugated snowflake from some packaging to match the Maya Road arrows).

Here's a closeup of the snowflake

Scrapdango March Kit Reveal

2011-03-15T08:48:00.002-04:00

Today is the day for the Scrapdango kit reveal. I worked with the beautiful Sugar Kit featuring Little Yellow Bicycle Twig. I have completed two layouts so far but will share more in the next couple days. You can see the other design team members' work in this message board thread.

Sketchy Thursdays

2011-03-01T09:35:00.003-05:00

I used the Feb. 24th sketch from Sketchy Thursdays for these photos in Edinburgh.

More Challenges

2011-02-28T15:11:00.004-05:00

As you can see, I worked on a lot of challenges at a weekend crop.

For Let's Capture the Sketches, I used the sketch to make a two page layout.

This week's challenge at The Paper Variety was to use stitching. I took my sewing machine with me to the crop, so quite a few of my layouts had stitching. Here's one I haven't posted yet.

Lily Bee Punch Challenge

2011-02-28T11:17:00.004-05:00

Lily Bee is having a challenge on their blog to create a layout using punches. I thought these pretty Christmas town papers and diecut were perfect for the photos of Hailey out in the snow on Christmas day. I used a large Marvy snowflake punch and a small snowflake cut from a Martha Stewart border punch. I also cut some snowflakes with my Cricut. The layout is based on a sketch from Lucy Chesna at
My Sketch World.

February Sweet Peach Crop Shop Sketch

2011-02-28T11:09:00.004-05:00

February's sketch challenge at Sweet Peach Crop Shop was perfect for my layout of some photos of air balloons flying (or looking like they were almost going to land) on the golf course last summer. I used some new Echo Park For The Record for the layout. They even had a cute air balloon sticker that was perfect for the layout. Total coincidence.

Stuck Sketches

2011-02-24T12:33:00.000-05:00

I used the February 1st sketch from Stuck Sketches for my Winter Wonderland layout.

Christmas Kitten

2011-02-22T07:37:00.002-05:00

For this layout, I used Sketch No. 103 at The Scrappiest blog.

The Paper Variety Challenge

2011-02-21T16:15:00.002-05:00

This week's challenge at The Paper Variety is to create a card using this sketch.

Enjoy

2011-02-20T09:03:00.002-05:00

I've been trying to use my Gypsy and Cricut lately. I had this photo from Hawaii last year that I hadn't scrapped yet. It seemed to be perfect with the October Afternoon Seaside papers. Makes me wish I was somewhere warm.

Scrapdango February Design Team Reveal

2011-02-16T08:26:00.002-05:00

I worked with the Scrapdango Sugar Kit this month which features Glitz Hoopla and a little bit of Ruby Rock-It Upstairs Downstairs. The kit had lots of fun colors to play with.

This is my favorite of all my projects this month.

The accordion flower is from the Jan. Sugar kit...it was perfect with these papers.

You can see more projects here and the Spice Kit reveal featuring American Crafts The Classics here. These threads will probably be updated with more projects over the next couple days too.

New Challenge at Scrapbook {Express}ions Blog

2011-02-04T09:37:00.003-05:00

You can visit Scrapbook {Express}ions blog to see the complete details of the challenge. I would love to see your layouts with banners/pennants.

One trend that is still hot is using banners or pennants on your projects. These are fun to add to your projects and easy to make. You can see my banner tutorial from a couple weeks ago for an idea on how to make your own banners or cut them with dies like the Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Pennants orLifestyle Crafts 4" Pennant Dies. A lot of manufacturers also make banner stickers like the My Mind's Eye Stickers I used on my layout.

Your Challenge: Create a 6×6 or larger layout with banners or pennants. Scrapbook Express will be giving a $25 gift certificate to one lucky participant from this month’s challenges. This is the second challenge for the month of February. There will be 5 challenges this month. Members can submit one entry per challenge giving them up to five chances to win the $25 gift certificate. The winner will be announced on Friday, March 4, 2011. PROJECTS MUST BE NEWLY CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE and cannot be combined with any other Scrapbook Express forum challenge. By submitting to the challenge, participants give the right to the Scrapbook Express Blog team to post pictures of their entries on the winning announcement post.

Participants must have a Flickr.com account (it’s free) and will need to join the Scrapbook Express Flickr group. Participants should upload their projects and tag them with the corresponding challenge date seFEB3. (It’s important that it is tagged). View the projects, chose “Send to Group” then “Scrapbook Express”.

Participants will have until the following Wednesday at midnight MT (Feb. 9th for this challenge) to upload entries for the current week. In order for a gift certificate to be given, there must be at least 15 different entries for the month.

More Challenges

2011-02-02T15:54:00.004-05:00

All this snow and cold has inspired me to scrap some snow pictures.

This week's sketch at Sketchy Thursdays

I used some pics of Tom and Hailey from Michigan last January.

When I saw Sketch 141 at Creative Scrappers, I immediately thought of this white sticker from Echo Park.

Finally, I created this layout about 1.11.11 with this week's sketch from Sketch Inspiration.

Sketch 101 at The Scrappiest Blog

2011-02-01T09:40:00.002-05:00

I worked on another layout yesterday with Sketch 101 at The Scrappiest Blog. The background paper....I know some of you will appreciate this....is Basic Grey Motifica. How long do you think I've had that piece of paper? 10 years? This photo makes me want to go back to Italy.

Friendship Challenge

2011-01-31T08:21:00.003-05:00

I made this card using some new cat stamps for the frienship challenge at The Paper Variety. Each part of the cat's body is a different stamp so you can stamp him in all different poses.

The Scrappiest Sketch Challenges

2011-01-31T07:58:00.003-05:00

The Scrappiest was celebrating their 100th sketch last week with a new sketch each day. Here are a couple I have completed so far.
Sketch 103

Sketch 100

Silhouette Giveaway on Scrapbook Express Facebook

2011-01-26T14:55:00.002-05:00

I don't have a Facebook account, so forgive me if the terminology is incorrect here. If you do have a Facebook account, be sure to like Scrapbook Express to be entered to win a Silhouette!

Silhouette Give-away

Where: Scrapbook Express
When: Monday, February 28 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Scrapbook Express fan? Get a friend to like our page and mention you in a comment and you will receive an additional entry in our Silhouette Give-away!! We will randomly choose a winner from our Facebook Scrapbook Express Fans.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

2011-01-26T07:36:00.005-05:00

I was this week's winner at The Paper Variety.

This was my entry using their sketch.

Crowned Competition at Scrapdango

2011-01-25T07:19:00.006-05:00

More Challenges

2011-01-22T11:08:00.003-05:00

I have been scrapping challenges like crazy this month.

Here's a layout of Saffron with Sketch no. 139 at Creative Scrappers. I combined it with the Winter Wonderland challenge at Scrapbook Express.

I used sketch 17 at The Paper Variety for this layout.

Finally, I used the January 1st sketch at Stuck Sketches for this layout.

The Scrappiest Sketch 99

2011-01-21T08:43:00.001-05:00

I used sketch 99 from The Scrappiest Blog

for my layout about the Spanish Steps in Rome.

Banner Tutorial

2011-01-15T11:13:00.003-05:00

Here is my tutorial featured this week on the Scrapbook {Express}ions blog.

Banners are all the rage and, by the looks of some of the collections that will be revealed at CHA Winter 2011, they will continue to be a popular item to use on your scrapping projects. Here's one way you can make the banners yourself.

Determine how wide and how long you want your banners, then cut a rectangle of pattern paper the size of your width by double your length.

Fold the rectangle in half and mark the center of the width of the rectangle with a pen or pencil.

Place your scissors on this pen mark and cut to the right and left to form a triangle.

Place the banner pieces on a piece of twine, ribbon, floss, etc. (I decided to use the fabric ribbon from the Newsprint Wrap for my banner instead of pattern paper. This ribbon is already creased in half, so I just had to cut the width and cut into triangles) and glue the two sides together with Inkssentials Glossy Accents.

Here's what the banner looks like once all the pieces are attached to the twine.

Here is my card using the banner. I used a sketch by Agnieszka Piskorz from the Bo Bunny Blog.

Bo Bunny Cambridge Collection
Argyle
Post
Stripe
Newsprint Wrap
Rubons
Cutouts
Bo Bunny Chunky Charms Brackets & Swirls Chipboard: Dark Denim
Bo Bunny Paradise Jewels
Cosmo Cricket and Basic Grey letter stickers
Inkssentials Glossy Accents
Clearsnap Fluid Chalk Ink: Chestnut Roan

Check back tomorrow for Julie's challenge!

Circle Challenges

2011-01-13T12:27:00.008-05:00

I worked on a couple layouts for some different challenges yesterday and they both had circles.

The first layout, Cheers, is a photo of Tom in Quebec City with my favorite polar bear beer, and uses sketch #137 from Creative Scrappers.

The second layout, Printer Bed, with cute Saffron sleeping on the printer in the sun, is using this week's sketch at Sketch Inspiration. I also combined this with the Fuzzy Friends challenge at The Scrappy Tree and the Use Your Stash challenge at Scrapbook Daisies to use two pattern papers, 3 brads, 5 buttons, a border, letter stickers, sewing, and a couple embellishments. That's a lot of stuff!

Chillin'

2011-01-12T12:11:00.005-05:00

It's been a while since I participated in some challenges but thought it's about time to start again. This is a picture of me and Hailey on the deck on Christmas day. I used Sketch 97 at The Scrappiest Blog and combined it with the weekly challenge at Scrapbook Express to make a photo frame.

2010 Top Ten Cards

2011-01-07T09:00:00.003-05:00

Since I chose my favorite layouts, I thought I should share my favorite cards too.

Ad Challenge at Scrapbook {Express}ions Blog

2011-01-06T12:33:00.003-05:00

It's my turn to host this week's challenge at Scrapbook {Express}ions blog. I hope you'll join us in the challenge.

This week’s challenge is to be inspired by a page of an article from Food Network Magazine. When I saw this page, I thought it would be perfect for a scrapbook layout.

I liked the photo placement and used that on my layout.

Basic Grey Jovial 12×12 Paper Pack
Basic Grey Jovial Woolies
Circut Expression, Joys of the Season and Graphically Speaking Cartridges
My Mind’s Eye Lost & Found Collection: Princess Trims
American Crafts Black Cardstock
SEI Chalk Ink: Tiffany
Clearsnap Fluid Chalk Ink: Charcoal
Bo Bunny Mama-rzzi Buttons & Bling
Twine

Your Challenge: Create a 6×6 or larger layout inspired by the page of the article. Scrapbook Express will be giving a $25 gift certificate to one lucky participant from this month’s challenges. This is the second challenge for the month of January. There will be 4 challenges this month. Members can submit one entry per challenge giving them up to four chances to win the $25 gift certificate. The winner will be announced on Friday, January 28th, 2011. Projects must be new for this challenge. Projects cannot be combined with any other Scrapbook Express forum challenge. By submitting to the challenge, participants give the right to the Scrapbook Express Blog team to post pictures of their entries on the winning announcement post.

Participants must have a Flickr.com account (it’s free) and will need to join the Scrapbook Express Flickr group. Participants should upload their projects and tag them with the corresponding challenge date seJAN6. (It’s important that it is tagged). View the projects, chose “Send to Group” then “Scrapbook Express”.

Participants will have until the following Wednesday at midnight MT (Jan. 12th for this challenge) to upload entries for the current week. In order for a gift certificate to be given, there must be at least 15 different entries for the month.

2010 Top 10 Layouts

2011-01-05T08:44:00.003-05:00

It was hard to pick just 10 of my favorite layouts last year, but I think these are the ones . . . at least for the moment.

Scrapdango Cards

2010-12-20T07:58:00.003-05:00

These are two cards I made with the December Spice kit from Scrapdango. I have one more that is a gift card holder tutorial that will be in the newsletter that I'll share later.

More Scrapdango Projects

2010-12-18T11:23:00.003-05:00

Here are some more layouts done with the December Spice kit from Scrapdango.

Ornament Tutorial

2010-12-16T07:36:00.001-05:00

My tutorial this week at the Scrapbook {Express}ions blog is for this ornament.

Start with a chipboard circle (you can buy these in craft stores as coasters or pick one up for free next time you're out to dinner somewhere). Cut rectangles out of pattern paper 1-1/2" x 2-1/2".

Place the rectangles on your cutter and trim into rectangles.

Ink the edges of your rectangles (I used Creamy Brown Chalk Ink and Aged Mahogany Distress Ink). Put some Glossy Accents on your chipboard circle and start adhering the trianges with the centers slightly overlapping. Your rectangles will hang over the edge of the chipboard circle.

Roll over the rectangles with a brayer to make sure they are well adhered.

Trim the extra paper with a craft knife or your scissors (I am dangerous with a craft knife, so I just use my scissors).

Place a loop of ribbon on the back of the chipboard circle, adhering with Glossy Accents. Adhere another piece of pattern paper over the back of the chipboard circle and trim. Ink the edges on both sides of the circle and the chipboard edge itself.

Cut letters from corrugated paper (just an old box that I tore off one side of the cardboard) or cardstock. Ink the letters. I found it easiest to put some ink on my craft sheet and rub the letters into the ink.

Adhere the inked letters to a die cut circle of pattern paper. Add Glossy Accents to the letters (I "borrowed" this idea from one of Tim Holtz's Christmas Tags).

Put some Glossy Accents in a circle shape in the middle of the front of the ornament. Lay the gold trim down in a circle (I found it helped to snip between each section to get the trim to lay down flat).

Place some foam circles in the middle of the gold trim and adhere the "joy" circle once the Glossy Accents have dried.

Be sure to link up any projects you make inspired by this tutorial.

Scrapdango December Reveal

2010-12-15T07:55:00.003-05:00

It's time for the December kit reveal at Scrapdango. I worked with the Spice kit this month which contained papers from the WeRMemory Keeper's Merry January line. Although this line is a winter line, it is very versatile and can easily be used for non-winter projects.

Since it's a winter line, I'll show you my winter layouts first. I printed some photos from my polar bear trip that I hadn't scrapped yet.

Be sure to check out the gallery to see what the other designers have created with this kit and the Sugar kit.

Color Challenge

2010-12-13T07:32:00.002-05:00

I'm a little late posting this here, but last Thursday's challenge at the Scrapbook {Express}ions blog is to use blue on a layout or card. Your project does not have to be monochromatic, but it should be predominantly blue. I thought the Bo Bunny Midnight Frost Collection would be perfect for a blue challenge. I know a lot of us have received some snow recently so this is a perfect chance to use those new snow photos. Of course, if you’re still working on summer layouts, you’re sure to have some photos with blue water that would also work well with this challenge. Can’t wait to see all the blue projects filling the gallery.

Your Challenge: Create a traditional paper layout (8×8 or larger) or card (A2 or larger) that is predominantly blue.

Scrapbook Express will be giving a $25 gift certificate to one lucky participant from this month’s challenges. This is the second challenge for the month of December. There will be 4 challenges this month. Members can submit one entry per challenge giving them up to four chances to win the $25 gift certificate. The winner will be announced on Friday, December 31st, 2010 as a New Year’s surprise. Projects must be new for this challenge. Projects cannot be combined with any other Scrapbook Express forum challenge. By submitting to the challenge, participants give the right to the Scrapbook Express Blog team to post pictures of their entries on the winning announcement post.

Participants must have a Flickr.com account (it’s free) and will need to join the Scrapbook Express Flickr group. Participants should upload their projects and tag them with the corresponding challenge date seDEC9. (It’s important that it is tagged). View the projects, chose “Send to Group” then “Scrapbook Express”.

Participants will have until the following Wednesday at midnight MT (Dec. 15th for this challenge) to upload entries for the current week. In order for a gift certificate to be given, there must be at least 15 different entries for the month.

Paper Strip Flower Tutorial

2010-12-09T08:17:00.002-05:00

I posted this tutorial on the Scrapdango Blog but thought I would share it with you here too.

This fun flower is made from the paper strips on the Crate Paper Restoration papers in the Scrapdango November Sugar Kit. I thought it was so nice that the strips you cut off on these papers actually had patterns on them and it seemed a shame to throw them away.

Start with cutting off all the 1/4" strips from the pattern papers (I decided to do them all at once so I could save them all).

Cut the strips into 3" pieces and punch a circle from some scrap paper (this will be used as the base). This produced an approx. 3" flower. Not all the strips were the exact size so it gave it a less uniform look. You could make the strips whatever size you want your flower to be.

Start adhering the strips on the circle base forming into a flower-type shape. You can layer as many as you want. The middle where they all intersect gets a little thick if you use too many.

Punch a hole in the center with a Crop-A-Dile and insert a big brad (punching the hole takes down some of the depth in the center). Crumple your flower and ink a bit on the edges if desired. I decided to add another cricle cut from the Restoration papers to the flower before the brad for a layered look.

Now adhere to your project.

Scrapdango DT Revel

2010-11-17T09:32:00.004-05:00

It's the time of the month for the design team at Scrapdango to reveal their projects. I worked with the Sugar Kit featuring the Crate Paper Restoration line. Here are my projects:

I used the scraps on my table after making my other projects for these two mini cards.

You can see the rest of the design teams projects, including the projects made with the Spice Kit, here.

Scrapdango Blog Hop Crop

2010-11-12T08:13:00.004-05:00

The Scrapdango Blog Hop Crop has started. I am excited to be part of the new Design Team at Scrapdango, and we want to help you get to know all of the design team members and to get some great challenges along the way and have a chance to win a wonderful prize of one of Scrapdango's awesome kits.

How it works: Follow the order of the blogs of each design team member given below. At each blog you will find a list of that designer's favorite scrappy things and a few fun facts about them as well. Your challenge is to use 5 of those scrappy things in your layout and incorporate 2 of the fun facts as well. You get 1 draw for using the 5 favorites and 1 draw for using the fun facts. If you do this for everyone's blog...that is a total of 12 draws! International members welcome to play; however...a $7.50 shipping credit will be given. Any shipping above the $7.50 will be the member's responsibility.

You can earn extra draws by:
1. Posting comments on all 6 design team member blogs.
2. Inviting a friend that actively participates in the hop (they should leave a comment saying who invited them)
3. Posting on the Scrapdango forum something you learned about each DT member from their blog

Once you have completed the challenges, you can provide a link to your project by posting a comment here. Be sure to tell us how you interpreted the fun facts and what scrappy products you used. All projects are due by midnight EST on Friday, November 19th.

Some fun facts about me:
I used to teach cooking classes
I love to travel and do it often
I am a part-time SAH(cat)M
I am an avid reader
My favorite beverage of choice is wine

My Favorite Scrappy Things
Buttons
Sewing
Pattern Paper
Flowers
Jouraling Spots
Ribbon/Trim
Letter Stickers
Jewels/Bling
Kits
Ink

Here's my layout. I used a photo of me and my cat on vacation for my two facts and for scrappy supplies I used pattern paper, flowers, journal spot, trim, letter stickers

Here's how you should hop:
Scrapdango Blog

Audra
Celeste - You Are Here
Heather <<<-------------You Go Here Next
Laura
Lynn
Sandi

Scrapdango Blog Hop and Toot

2010-11-10T13:00:00.005-05:00

I am excited to say I was recently selected to be on the design team at Scrapdango. Come on by and check out the great kits and fun and friendly message board.

We're having a blog hop crop (try saying that quickly 10 times) starting on Friday, Novemeber 12. Hope you can join us and get to know the new design team plus participate in our crop.

Layouts

2010-10-28T08:47:00.002-04:00

While I've mostly been making cards this month, here are a few recent layouts that I haven't posted here yet.

Pocket Bookmark Card

2010-10-23T08:16:00.003-04:00

See the step by step instructions on the Scrapbook {Express}ions Blog

WCMD Cards

2010-10-16T07:15:00.003-04:00

My Sketch World and Scrapdango have been having card challenges for World Card Making Day. Here are some of my favorite cards that I have completed.

Scrapbook {Express}ions Challenge

2010-10-15T06:55:00.003-04:00

It's Thursday and that means time for another challenge at Scrapbook {Express}ions blog. This week that challenge is fussy cutting. While this is not a new technique, it is fun to look at your pattern papers and find something that can be cut out and used on a layout or card. If you are not familiar with fussy cutting, it means to cut shapes from paper that take into account the paper’s decoration or pattern. I cut the shape from My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Collection: Dictionary Glittered Paper and used it on a card.

My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Collection: Dictionary Glittered Paper
Making Memories Velvet Flower Findings, Mini Nature Collection Findings
Bo Bunny Seafoam Double Dot Cardstock
Clearsnap Fluid Chalk Ink: Dark Peony
Ribbon, Doily, Glimmer Mist

Challenge: Create a traditional paper layout (8×8 or larger) or card that contains at least one fussy cut element.

Scrapbook Express will be giving a $25 gift certificate to one lucky participant from this month’s challenges. This is the third challenge for the month of October. There will be 4 challenges this month. Members can submit one entry per challenge giving them up to four chances to win the $25 gift certificate. The winner will be announced on Friday, October 29, 2010. Projects must be new for this challenge. Projects cannot be combined with any other Scrapbook Express forum challenge. By submitting to the challenge, participants give the right to the Scrapbook Express Blog team to post pictures of their entries on the winning announcement post.

Participants must have a Flickr.com account (it’s free) and will need to join the Scrapbook Express Flickr group. Participants should upload their projects and tag them with the corresponding challenge date seOct14 (It’s important that it is tagged). View the projects, chose “Send to Group” then “Scrapbook Express”.

Participants will have until the following Wednesday at midnight MT (October 20th for this challenge) to upload entries for the current week. In order for a gift certificate to be given, there must be at least 15 different entries for the month.

I hope you will join us in the challenge.

Shaped Card Tutorial

2010-09-23T07:53:00.003-04:00

My tutorial for this week at the Scrapbook Express blog is how to make a shaped card.

I chose to use the Quickutz Cookie Cutter Mini Album: Sugarplum Page Insert but you could use this same technique with any shape cut with the Cricut Expression, Sizzix Big Shot, Slice, or Silhouette.

To start, cut two of the same shape.

Score about 1/2" from the top on one of the shapes (this will be the back). Fold towards you.

Place adhesive only on the small scored strip on the top of the back piece. Line up both shapes, and press together along the top where you have placed the adhesive strip.

Decorate the front of the card as desired.

Bo Bunny Block Party Collection: Good Times
Basic Grey Jovial Collection: Woolies
Basic Grey Oliver Buttons
My Mind's Eye Sophie Collection: Best Things Accessories Card
Bo Bunny Cranberry Ribbon Card
Quickutz Cookie Cutter Mini Album: Sugarplum Page Insert
WeRMemory Keepers Maple Grove Clear Stamps: Celebrate
Staz On Ink Pad Blazing Red

Cards

2010-09-17T07:40:00.003-04:00

Last month I participated in the ABC Summer Crop at My Sketch World. Every other day were card challenges so I managed to make quite a few cards. It's been a while since I was on a card making binge (not like I don't have enough already premade but they are fun).

New Layouts

2010-09-15T13:15:00.004-04:00

While I have not been posting on my blog, I have been creating lots of layouts. For some reason, I've started working with double page layouts recently....something I haven't done much of in a long time.

Travel

2010-07-30T08:58:00.003-04:00

I used these photos from Florence, Italy for this sketch at The Scrappiest Blog.

Stuck?! Sketches!

2010-07-12T08:01:00.004-04:00

I recently found out about another sketch blog -- Stuck ?!Sketches!. I decided to work with their current sketch for this layout.

Coordinates Collections Crop

2010-07-11T09:51:00.003-04:00

I received an email yesterday morning that Coordinates Collections was having a crop. I decided to check it out to get some inspiration for scrapping. I completed three of the challenges.|

#1 - create a layout about any vacation OR a layout about cars, trains, planes, etc. I made this cute layout of the kittens when we took them on vacation with us to Michigan last year.

#2 - complete a layout depicting an activity involving WATER!
For this layout I used this sketch by Liz Chidester at The Scrappiest Blog

#6 - Use a Coordinates Collections sketch

Mini Travel Journal

2010-06-30T09:00:00.003-04:00

I created this mini travel journaling using Teresa Collins travel ledger collection for the Scrapbook Express blog.

You can go to my blog post to see the rest of the pages and a step by step tutorial on how to make this travel journal.

More Hawaii Layouts

2010-06-25T09:39:00.002-04:00

Scrappin' Hawaii

2010-06-14T08:20:00.002-04:00

I started scrapping some of my Hawaii pics for some different challenges. These are some of my favorites.

Guest Designer at Crop Addict

2010-06-10T09:20:00.004-04:00

Debbie at Crop Addict asked me to be a guest designer this month. Here is the June Kit I worked with.
The June Loving Father monthly scrapbook kit features stunning brand papers from the 7 Gypsies, Creative Imaginations, and Websters Pages. Bazzill cardstock is included. Kit embellishments include an alphabet set, chipboard stickers, Scenic Route buttons, brads, felt, label holders and ribbon.
BONUS EXTRAS include a second set of alphabet, Heidi Swapp chipboard kit, stickers, more brads, and paint.
Value of this kit is $48.00, our price is only $32.00

And here is some of my work with the kit.

June Paperie Card Kit

2010-06-04T08:35:00.004-04:00

The June Paperie Card Kit is now available at The Little Shabby Box.

Kit Contents:
5 12x6 Girls Paperie Pattern Papers
1 12x6 Making Memories Pattern Papers
1 12x6 7gypsies Pattern Paper
3 8.5x11 Couture Cardstock
2 8.5x11 Kraft Cardstock
1 Jenni Bowlin Pink Butterfly Banner Stickers
3 Elle Studio B-day Scalloped Circle Tags(assorted)
3 Elle Studios Scalloped Circle tags
1 Elle Studios Vintage Sticker Label
1 Dream Street Sentiments Rub-ons
1/2 yard Vintage white lace
1/2 yard Vintage green/yellow lace
1/2 yard Yellow gingham ribbon
1/2 yard Blur ribbon
5 Making Memories sentiments (assorted)
Price: $18.00

I am waiting for some late arriving embellishments, but did make these two cards so far with the kit.

One thing I like about these kits is if you have bits and pieces left from previous kits, a lot of times they coordinate with the current kit. On this card I used the flocked paper, blue lace & red cardstock from Dec. Shabby Kit and yellow lace from May Spring Fling kit.

The Scrappiest Sketch 66

2010-05-30T09:19:00.001-04:00

This is the final sketch for the month at The Scrappiest blog.

The Scrappiest Sketch 65

2010-05-27T08:31:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I worked with this sketch:

And here's my layout:

2010-05-26T08:45:00.002-04:00

I recently received my Spring Fling Kit from
The Little Shabby Box. This kit is packed with tons of Prima goodies.

5 12x6 Prima Double sided pattern papers
2 12x6 Karen Foster pattern papers
1 12x6 Prima Pattern chipboard
4 8.5x11 Couture Cardstock
1 Prima e. Flower designer pearls
3 Prima Turquoise Cameo Roses
3 Prima Baby Pink Fairytale Roses
2 Winter Roses (assorted colors)
1/2 yard Vintage Pink lace
1/2 yard Vintage light Blue lace
1/2 yard Vintage scalloped white lace
1/2 yard Vintage yellow lace
Prima Chipboard assortment
$16.00 plus exact shipping with delivery confirmation.

Here are the cards I have made with the kit. I used some ribbon and bling from the January Be Mine Kit.