Another Day, Another Challenge!

I am really getting into this challenge blog thing- may have taken a while, but it's finally caught on in my craft room and I am scrapping like crazy. I just love all the amazing ideas everyone out in the land of blogs has and is willing to share with little old me! Did 3 pages yesterday, all while enjoying a few new DVDs Santa brought for me, I really have been enjoying the lazy days of xmas break! Try out a challenge (or 2 or 3) for yourself and see how it feels! =) T

All I Want for Xmas Is Santa
-Studio Challenge sketch
-The Creative Type all i want for xmas is...

Memorial Day Camping
-Get Picky sketch

My 5 High School Memories
-All About Me my 5

A New Sketch at Sketches in Thyme!

There's a new sketch up at Sketches in Thyme, another fabulous creation from Jana Eubank. Below is my take on the sketch...but be sure to pop on over to Sketches in Thyme to see other delightful takes from the talented design team! So...ready to get started? Be sure to post your layout on Mr Linky for a chance to win a wonderful prize from Lucky Girl Crafts! =) T

Time to Scrap Those Holiday Photos!

The December challenge over at Scrap That Poetry has to January 14th, so it's time to sort through all those holiday photos and get scrapping! There are 2 poems to inspire you:

Mistletoe a Christmas poem
by Walter de la Mare

Make it Snow !
Sitting under the mistletoe
(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
One last candle burning low,
All the sleepy dancers gone,
Just one candle burning on,
Shadows lurking everywhere:
Some one came, and kissed me there.
Tired I was; my head would go
Nodding under the mistletoe
(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
No footsteps came, no voice, but only,
Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely,
Stooped in the still and shadowy air
Lips unseen - and kissed me there.

and...

written by: Marinela Reka

A

Shiny

Little star

Burned bright

Full of glowing light

Spreading joy to the night

Christmas time!

A time that fills us with desire

And slowly sets our hearts on fire

We pray, we love and listen to the choir

A jolly Christmas time

The Christmas tree stands so tall and so proud

Takes a seat on the presents as they become a crowd

Looks over the treasured presents like a hovering cloud

Everybody loves Christmas time

It’s decorated merrily with colours and materials of all kinds

It created a place of pleasure and joy for our eyes, and our minds

And many years of pleasure and memories it always unwinds

Christmas

Is slowly

On its

Way

To

Us

Don't forget to pop on over to Scrap That Poetry to see all the great inspiration from the design team, and then post your project by January 14th either the comment section or on Mr. Linky. Oh...and I know I've posted this already, but here's the layout that I created as inspired by the "Shiny Little Star" poem. =)T

who doesn't love free stuff???

Another quiet relaxing day at my house and I am enjoying hours of fun blog hopping. Just came across a fabulous little blog, Artful Delight, and she's giving away a little goody right now, just for being a follower! Well, it's not so little, how's this for a great giveaway, an American Crafts Zap! heat gun!! So, go on over and check out the wonderful inspiration at Artful Delight and don't forget to become a follower for your chance to win! =) T

A Few Snowy Day Challenges

Yesterday was a glorious snowy day in our home, after a few days of running and wrapping and unwrapping and celebrating, we were rewarded with a day of NOTHING! My husband spent the day watching football and doing a 1000 piece puzzle. My son sorted legos and built a few new sets, and my daughter worked on a knitting project. Me? I am proud to say I stayed in my PJs until 7:30pm, watched the entire 3rd season of Felicity (a xmas gift from my husband), all while in my craft room creating! Long lazy days like these are a special treat we all deserve once in while, I hope you get a day like this soon! =) T

Here are 2 layouts I created for challenges:

Mia Turns Eight:
-Scrapbookers Anonymous Rubons
-Scrap Your Stash Birthday Layout

Popsicle Smile:
-Sketches in Thyme Sketch
-Scrap It With a Song Smile

Challenge #2 at Punky Scraps!

It's time for challenge #2 over at Punky Scraps. We were asked to create a layout answering the question, "what's so special about you?". Well, not sure that it's really a "special" talent, but I spend an awful lot of time in the kitchen (in fact, I've been in there all morning, just made 5 batches of chocolate creme cookies!). I wanted to make a layout about my "kitchen duties" for my Book of Me, so this was perfect!

So the question is, what's so special about YOU???? Head on over to your crafting area and get creating! Don't foget to post what you've come up with on Punky Scraps by Dec 31st and you'll be entered in a drawing for a mystery box of scrapping goodies!!! =) T

Time for a Sketch at Sketches In Thyme!

Are you finding yourself a bit busy in preperations for all those holiday events? Still want to sneak in a little crafting time for yourself? Why not give a sketch a try, its just the thing to give you a quick start on your next scrapping project! And as luck would have it, there's a new challenge up at Sketches in Thyme. They've posted this little beauty of a sketch by Jana Eubank...just play along with us Design Team girls by posting your take on the sketch by Dec 22. You'll be entered for a chance to win a scrumptious package of buttons from Charlene's Button Box! Here's the sketch and my take on it, can't wait to see what you come up with! =) T

How good are you at following a recipe???

Challenge #1 is up and running at Punky Scraps, a recipe challenge! Here's the dish: there are 5 ingredients and you must use at least 3 in your layout, Here are your ingredients and you must use 3 or more of them:

1-Buttons
2-White Cardstock
3-Cardboard
4-Ribbon
5-Paint

Because I am a packrat, I had a lovely piece of corrugated cardboard packaging I had been saving. I pulled that out and brushed the edges with a bit of vanilla paint before layering over a piece of white cardstock and presto- my recipe was complete!

Now it's your turn! Head on over to Punky Scraps and see what the rest of the crafty design team girls came up with, and then be sure to link up your recipe challenge project by December 31st. One lucky punk will win a mystery scrap box filled with goodies!!! =) T

A Shiny Little Star- and maybe an RAK for you!!!

All of us on the Scrap That Poetry Design Team have been finding inspiration in the following lovely holiday poem by Marinela Reka:

So sweet, isn't it? I was inspired to pull out my xmas tree pics from last year and make a layout dedicated to my tree. I made a collage of the photos and printed with a grey mat, and then mounted over a collage of pattern paper scraps- you know how I just love to make good use of my scraps! My journaling was written on a library card and then cut into strips, and my "tree" letters were handcut from another scrap of pattern paper. I included my fav 2 lines of the poem by writing them on a scalloped strip that I layered along the side.

Now- if you read closely, you'll learn that we do a theme for our tree each year, and last years theme was "sports and beer"- something very near and dear to those in our family!! In past holiday seasons we have had various themes such as snowmen, santas, toys and candy. Now there are some of you (I'm not naming names) who might think us a bit crazy to do a different "theme" each year, but that's just how we tick here! What about you, does your tree have a theme, color scheme, or do you have an assortment of decos on there? Become a follower of my blog and leave me a comment about how you decorate for the holidays. One lucky commenter (selected at random) will receive a little RAK from me- a collection of my hand drawn titles, tags and journal cards to use in your own projects!

Thanks for stopping by and have a happy holiday season!!! =)T

Ho Ho Ho Hop starts tomorrow!!!

There's a "Ho Ho Ho" Blog Hop happening this weekend at Scrap That Poetry, and since I am lucky enough to be one of the design team members, I'll be hopping along with them! So...be sure to hop in Dec 10th, 11th and 12th to see what all of the talented DT members have created and hopefully you'll be inspired to do a little crafting yourself. My post will be up here at 8am tomorrow, but until then, here's a sneak peek at the poem we're all using to get our creative juices flowing. =) T

I am giddy with design team excitement!!

So excited to share some wonderful news, I've been chosen to play along on another design team, Sketches in Thyme! I just received my first "asignment", so I'll be heading down to my craft room in just a moment to get started. But before I do, I wanted to let you know about the challenge they have going on right now. Below is their sketch of the week from Creative Scrappers. You have till Nov 17th to give this great sketch a try. Link it up on their site for your chance to win a $25 Michaels Gift Card-woohoo!!! Good luck to everyone, and I'll be back soon with a report on my first completed layout! =)T

You've Got a Friend in Me

There's a new song challenge up at Scrap it with a Song. In honor of Toy Story 3 coming out on DVD (just LOVED that movie, didn't you?), their song suggestion is "You've Got a Friend In Me". I combined that challenge with a great scrap that's over at Paper Poppy Kit Co- their November sketch is so fun to play with, give it a try!! =) T

Nuts About this 2-Page Sketch!

Like many of you, I tend to be a 1-page layout kinda gal. I  am EXTREMELY editorial with my pictures, picking 1-4 of my favorite layouts that best represent the event or moment I'm wanting to scrap. I find it so much easier to scrap just a few photos on a single 12x12 canvas. But....sometimes you just can't choose, you have 6-8 photos that just HAVE to be scrapped, and that means a 2-page spread! I've had these fishing photos hanging around for a while- since 2006 *GULP*! Shawn, the creative genious over at Nuts About Sketches came up with a 2-page skecth that was perfect for these photos. And even better- Al-Marie (a NAS DT Member) has graciously offered one of her September Kits from My Paper Treehouse! I was also able to incorporate the challenge over at Practical Scrappers to create a title that made a statement. I like to create a title that has a bit of variety in the font, so for this I used vinyl Thickers for the word "fish" and then wrote "go" using my white gel pen. I think it does the trick to make a statement in a simple way. =) T

Star of the Day

Since I'm in still in full-blown challenge-mode, I decided to keep going and cross a few more challenges off the list. Below is a greeting card I made last night. I started with dimensions from Papercraft Star. Their challenge, "Simon Says make a Card" called for Base 4.5 x 5.5, Double Mat #1: cut at 3 3/8 x 4 5/8, with another color cut at 3 1/4 x 4 1/4, Double Mat #2: cut at 2 3/4 x 4, with another color cut at 2 3/4 x 2 1/2, Add Ribbon, Add Button(s), & Add Punch or Die Cut. WOW- that's a lot of elements. I then looked to Color Throwdown for color suggestions- this card needs to be in shades of Kraft, Tangerine, Red and Marine.

I started with the marine as my base, and then layered rectangles of the kraft, tangerine and red, inking up each edge with chocolate ink before it was adhered. I also "dressed up" the edge of the red piece with my spiral punch (use a punch- check!). I ran some orange ribbon down the left side, pleating a bit as I went (ribbon-check!). I heat-embossed a fillagree star in black on the red cardstock, cut out and adhered with pop dots, and then added the "make a wish" saying on the marine label. I still needed to add buttons, but everwhere I placed them just ended up looking like an afterthought. Then I had the idea to fill the star with glitter glue and place random-sided buttons inside (buttons-check!).

These colors are not ones I would ever put together without coaxing from a challenge blog, but overall I'm pleased with the card, and especially the new button/glitter glue technique. I will definitely be trying that again on a layout! =)T

A Red, Red Rose

There's a new poem up at Scrap That Poetry, and that means a new challenge for you! Read the poem "red, Red Rose" by Robert Burns and see if you're not inspired to create a lovely layout. Most of us on the design team when romantic with our projects, what will the poem inspire in you? =) T

Oh my luve is like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June:
Oh my luve is like the melodie,
That's sweetly play'd in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only luve!
And fare thee weel a while!
And I will come again, my luve,
Tho' it were ten thousand mile!

-Robert Burns

here's my layout:

SIX Challenges in Just ONE Layout!!

If you ever find yourself in a bit of a rut, or if you're a scrapbook like a maniac like me, and just get stumped for new ideas, give a challenge a try. Yesterday I spent some time hopping through some of my favorite blogs (look over to the right for a list of a few) and wrote down all the challenges I came across that struck my fancy. It was a long list, but I was willing to give it a try. Based on the suggestions of 6 (yes SIX!!) different blogs, I created a sports-themed layout (suggested by These Are a Few of My Favorite Things) that starts with a sketch from Sketchabilities. I used a base of fabric as my background as asked by My Partner In Crafting Crime, and combined with holiday papers on a non-holiday layout per Scrapbookers Anonymous. I then embellished like crazy, adding glitter to my title fulfilling the glitter requirement from ABC Challenge, and checked off ALL required embellies as listed on "The Office" challenge at How Much Is Too Much (10 staples, 3 paper clips, ruled paper, office stickers, pen, hole punch, tape, numbers & typing-whew!!).

It was a fun way to scrapbook, and the most challenging was knowing when to stop- I still have a long list of other blogs challenging us to try their ideas this month, but I had to set a limit somewhere right? =) T

Mixing up those pattern papers!

Everyone has their "trademark" style of paper crafting...maybe you ALWAYS have ribbon on your layout, or perhaps you're a stampaholic, or you just HAVE to have stickers galore. Me? I'm a pattern paper nut, most pages I creat will have 2-3 patterns workong together. I love to mix colors, polka dots and stripes, and just play until they layer together and work well with my photos. To help in this direction, I store my papers in 2 different ways- some by theme like "vintage", "winter" and "travel". Others that don't fit into themed categories are simply sorted by color. It makes it easy when I'm, scrapping, I grap my photos and a few sheets of cardstock, and then I hit the pattern paper files, searching for anything that might coordinated.

I was excited to see the October challenge over at Scrapbookers Anonymous. This month they are looking for pages that combine 3 pattern papers, all from different manufacturers. I pulled out an old photo of my daughter and my niece (hello 2003!!)and printed it 3 times wallet size- rather than enlarge the photo, I wanted to go tiny to emphasize the "tinyness" of the 2 little girls.

Starting with the black and white polka dot paper as my background, I searched through my scraps for 2 other PPs that would work. Loved the green for something unexpected, and wanted red to go with the photo-but not TOO red. The maroon scrap was the right color I was looking for, but the pattern was too much for me. To resolve this issue, I crumpled the scrap, flattened it out, and then ran over the wrinkles with a sanding block to take the edge off! Try the challenge yourself, grab a bold pattern and a couple of scraps, and see what kind of layering you can do with the unexpected! =) T

Gettin Sketchy!

Love using sketches as a jump start for my scrapping! Here's this week's sketch challenge from Sketchy Thursdays and below that is my "Summer School" layout as interpretation of the sketch.

Sketches are a great way to break through that "scrappers block", but don't feel like you have to follow every detail exactly. You can see I sort of tweaked it a bit. Their sketch called for 2 horizontal pics, but I was working with was 2 verticals. To accomodate my photos I simply flipped the sketch on its side. I also pulled the scallop in and pushed the title to the outside edge. Next time your hung up on how to get started, why not start with a sketch? =)T

inspired by lyrics...

I often create projects based off of a great song- I'll be listening to my ipod, signing along and all of a sudden it hits me, "this line would make a great title for a layout". On a good day I'll have a chance to jot down my ideas, and maybe even add a sketch to a scrap of paper. On a REALLY good day I'll be able to get into my craft room and file the sketch in my ideas binder. On a SUPER-FABULOUS day I'll be able to head straight into the craft room and let that song play over and over as I create!

The creative minds over at Scrapping the Music know just what I mean. They come up with some fantastic challenges, all inspired by the lyrics! Here's my layout for their latest lyrical challenge, "Bubbly" by Colbie Caillat.  As soon as I read the lyrics I knew I had the perfect picture- my adorable 10 year old still cherishes his bubble baths! =) T 

Oooh- a giveaway of scrapping goodies!

Who doesn’t like free stuff, especially if it’s free scrapbooking stuff right? Samantha at Me and the Little Rascals has a great giveaway going on right now, in fact it’s her biggest giveaway EVER!!! Over at Carsons Cricut Creations she’s giving away a Halloween bag of tick-or-treats that I’m sure are even better than candy! At Life Love and Scrap she’s giving away an adorable Halloween Kit from Bo Bunny. So hop on over, take a peak at these fabulous blogs, they really have some beautiful projects to share- and maybe you could be a lucky winner!! =) T

Poetic License

I am very excited to be creating for another design team,
Scrap That Poetry! It’s a different direction in scrapbooking for me, but I’m really enjoying the challenge of drawing inspiration from the beautiful poetry that is suggested twice a month. Below is my first “assignment”, to create a layout as inspired by the poem There is Another Sky by Emily Dickenson. Inspired to create too? Be sure to add your link to the Scrap That Poetry blog by Oct 31st to be included in the challenge! =) T

There is Another Sky
by Emily Dickenson

There is another sky,
Ever serene and fair,
And there is another sunshine,
Though it be darkness there;
Never mind faded forests, Austin,
Never mind silent fields—
Here is a little forest,
Whose leaf is ever green;
Here is a brighter garden,
Where not a frost has been;
In its unfading flowers
I hear the bright bee hum:
Prithee, my brother,
Into my garden come!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

I am what you might call a “pack rat” scrapper- I save…save…save! Scraps of pattern papers, cardstock pieces, the packaging from stickers- I just never know when or how that little scrap can be transformed into something beautiful, but I know I WILL need it, and therefore I MUST save it!

I keep 2 files of paper scraps- 1 cardstock sorted by colors (great when you’re in need of a strip of paper to use as a border, or a small piece for your journaling or a photo mat) Another file houses all of my of patterns sorted by colors. I am a big fan of layering many pieces of pattern papers together on one layout, and rarely use a full 12x12 sheet, so I always have a TON of good-sized scraps.

Now, every once in a while my pack-rat nature pays off and I’m able to find a use for something long before it’s spent 5-years sitting in my craft room, and today was just one of those days! A few weeks ago I made a layout using a 2” strip of torn blue sky pattern, leaving me with 10” of blue sky to file for another project. And then along comes another layout that I had planned to layer with various reds, but when they all stacked up it was just too much red, and needed a bit to break it up…so out came the blue sky and it fit perfectly for me, didn’t even have to trim the paper! Had these 2 layouts been headed for the same album, I probably wouldn’t have duplicated the patterns like this. Fortunately, my 1st layout is going in my 2009 album, and the 2nd is going in 2007. THIS is the beauty of working out-of-order!

Try it for yourself, save a scrap and use it for another project, you’ll get more bang for your buck every time! Not into reusing? Why not swap large scraps with another crafty friend? One girl’s trash is another girl’s next scrapbook layout!! =)T

“Out of the Box” Embellies

We all know there are a ton of amazing scrapbooking embellishments out there that we can spend a TON of $$$$ on, but did you ever try adding items to your page that DIDN’T come from the craft store? I’m always scrounging though the hardware aisles, odds-n-ends from recycle bins, and even sifting through trinkets in my kiddos’ bedrooms. Here’s a layout I created based on a sketch posted at Scrappin’ Silhouettes. Can you spot the non-scrapbooking items I’ve used to embellish the page below? (hint: there are 3)



Find them? Let's see if you're correct:

1-The big red button was "borrowed" from my daughter's stash, it came in a set of jumbo sorting buttons from Oriental Trading.
2-The cardboard photo mat was cut from a sheet of cardboard that was inserted in a calendar. I brushed the edges with cream and red acrylic paints.
3-The ribbon laced through the button holes was actually tied on to a gift I received a while back.

Now it's your turn- head to a Good Will store, dig through your recycle bin and save those scraps of ribbons, tassles and bows, you never know when they'll come in handy! =)T

Playing with Patterns

Every scrapper has their own style, their own characteristic way of placing their photos together, and their distinctive embellishments they use. My “trademark” supplies are pattern papers. I used to be so afraid of pattern, and my layouts would be stark landscapes with a few photos and an embellishment or 2 placed on top of a single color of cardstock. My layouts were very clean and simple, but they just weren’t me. I’m a messy kinda gal, not matchy-matchy, not clean and simple-more like funky, playful and artsy. Experimenting with patterns really helped me to express myself and I am much happier with my layouts now.

Mixing plaids, stripes and polka dots all on one layout can be a very daunting task for some, so take it slow and let the “professionals” do the dirty work for you! Grab a pack of paper from one manufacturer, choose 2 or 3 patterns from the kit, combine in small quantities on your page and you have just created a masterpiece of patterns. By choosing papers from one kit, you can be reassured that they coordinate in just the right way- your project can be fun and playful with out being a hot mess!

Southern Girls Challenge has a design team call going on right now, looking for scrappers to submit a project showcasing their favorite embellishments, so I submitted my “Bunny Breakfast” layout (below) showing how I’ve combined patterns to create may background. It might seem busy to you, but I like the crazy fun background it creates! Try it out for yourself, grab those polka dots and plaids and give it a whirl! =) T

It’s All About Me (or you)!

I consider myself a scrapbooking fanatic, creating about 150 layouts each year of our family’s birthdays, accomplishments and everyday moments. I’ve made countless mini albums chronicling amazing vacations or just adorable sayings of my kiddos. But there is one thing missing from all of my scrapbooks-ME!! I am always behind the camera, and seem to come up missing from our trip to Disney, Christmas morning and even my own birthday party- I am NOT KIDDING about this one, I do not have a single picture of myself from last year’s bday, it’s sad really!

If your albums are suffering from the same affliction, why not try what I’ve been working on, a Book of Me (or BOM as I like to call mine)? My BOM is an ongoing project, acting as sort of an artistic journal where I can scrapbook about my thoughts, goals and reminisce about my childhood. I don’t have any particular format; I just add layouts as I am inspired, with the ultimate goal being to leave behind a piece of me, a bit of my story that hasn’t been told in our family scrapbooks.

Below I’ve posted 2 layouts from my BOM- the layout I did this week for my Scrap Play assignment; I pulled out a staff photo from a summer job at a Cub Scout Camp- the kids got a kick out of this one! Another layout I did was just a quick list of my favorite songs at the time- a great time-capsule kind of page!

It feels great to express myself this way, and I encourage you to give it a try! Here’s a few ideas to get you started… =)T
•Why I scrapbook
The meaning of my name
•Daily life/itinerary
•My dresses at HS dances
•I am (all the different titles I have ie: mother, daughter, sister, wife etc)

Design Team Calls

It’s something I do on regular basis; submit my layouts for Design Team consideration. This week I’m submitting to Nuts About Sketches, a blog that posts a weekly sketch for you to try. I have served on this design team before, and am hoping to be able to give it another shot. But whether I’m accepted or not, I love submitting my layouts for the sheer fact that it encourages me to create more and challenges me to try new techniques! I check out Scrapbook Calls weekly for page calls, and then create, create, create! Why not take your scrapbooking to the next level and submit to online blogs, magazines and design teams too! I encourage you to give it a try, and if nothing else it will get you creating even more layouts for those scrapbooks! Here’s the sketch I had to use for the NAS submission, and below that is the layout I submitted. =) T

Shapely Scrapbook Pages!

I love adding big shapes as backgrounds or borders on my layouts. Giant circles, jumbo scallops, zig-zagged edged ledger paper…I am drawn to it all, but watch those prices. Those die-cut papers do not come cheap & I am still learning this the hard way! Last Friday I bought my sister an adorable scallop circle with pink and orange polka dots. It was so fun and just her style, but you can imagine my surprise when it rang up at $2.49!! Really how cute could ONE piece of paper be????

Want a trick to make your scrapping money go further? Cut that die-cut in half, use one piece on your layout as a border, and stash the other half in your scraps for use on a future layout. You can also trace each shape onto chipboard and save as a template for future use. Then you can always make your own out of paper you already have, rather than spending a few dollars each time you'd like to add a jumbo shape.

My assignment for Scrap Play this week was to create a layout using a jumbo shape. Below is my “Smile” layout which has a jumbo circle. I traced and cut out the circle from a sheet of pattern paper using a dinner plate, and then sanded the edges to "rough it up" a bit before adhering to the page. I also ran it through my sewing machine, adding a texture to the outside edge as well.

My “Anna’s First” is an example of making that pricey die-cut go further. By cutting it in half and using only a portion as a boarder, you can save the other half for other layout- 2 fun die-cuts for the price of 1!!! =)T

Good Old Red White and Blue!

My challenge for Scrap Play this week was to make a Red, White and Blue layout. Not having any patriotic pictures to scrap (how is it possible that I'm actually CAUGHT UP on something?) I pulled three pics of myself and my niece that fit the color scheme and presto- challenge fullfilled! Since I tend to work with muted over bright colors, my red white and blue assigment was translated into maroon and denim, with a notebook page ripped out and added for the white addition. I also came across a package of "hello my name is" stickers while digging through my stash, and decided this would be a perfect way to create my title block. I drew the letters for my title on chipboard, trimmed and added to the nametag for a little bit of the unexpected. Whether it's Independence Day, Memorial Day, or just another crazy day in the life of your family, red white and blue can be used all year long. Here's my assignment, along with another more patriotic RW&B layout.

Happy 4th!! =) T

Are You up for a Challenge?

There’s a sketch challenge going on over at the Scrap Play
Blog. I love sketches to jump start my creativity when I’m feeling stuck; whenever I see a sketch I love I jot it down in my “ideas binder” or I save the photo in a sketch folder on my PC. The sketch for Scrap Play's challenge is below, along with my version. You can see I changed the number of photos by replacing the 2 horizontals with 1 vertical. I think that’s the best part of sketches, there’s always room for your own interpretation! Ready to give it a try? Submit your layout to scrapplay@gmail.com by Friday, July 2nd and you could win a set of Autumn Leaves alphabet stamps! (Open to US residents only)

Scrapping Daddy!!

My first assignment with Scrap Play is to create a father-themed layout/project, and I had the PERFECT photo waiting to be played with! Last year my little E was a flower girl in a friend's wedding, and I got this wonderful photo of my daughter and husband together, both dressed up and looking so sweet together! (and if you know my husband, you know that capturing a photo of him dressed up is a very rare opportunity!) I can’t post the layout I created just yet, but you can go here to check it out once it is posted on the Scrap Play blog!

And speaking of father-themed pages, I have created a few other layouts that capture those feelings about just how great my husband is as a dad, here are a couple of my favs! =)T

Playing with “Scrap Play”!

Just got the word that I’ve been chosen to be a design team member for Scrap Play, a blog that features affordable layouts with prominent color photos! My design team “term” will run from June 15-September 15, 2010 and I’ll be designing one layout each week in response to an assigned topic, sketch, etc. So excited for my first assignment, here are 2 of the layouts that I submitted for the design team call, I’ll be sure to post updates on my assignments soon! =) T

Woah- 2 days in a row!

Having re-visited my little blog last night, I am ambitious to post again. In the spirit of “2 days in a row”…I’m going to talk about the 2-page layout.

When I started scrapbooking 10 years ago, I was all about the 1-pagers; the idea of anything more was just overwhelming! Once I got the hang of it, I became addicted and somehow got it in my head that EVERY PHOTO of the event must be included. If I took the kiddos to the playground and took 15 adorable photos of them swinging, sliding and jumping, ALL 15 photos would be included in the scrapbook. There was no regard for whether the layout was balanced or appealing to the eye, it was just “must squeeze every Kodak moment onto this layout”. Thus, the 2-pager was born in my scrapbooks.

Nowadays I’m choosier with my layouts, selecting the pics that best capture the moment. If there are 8 fabulous playground photos, then 8 it will be. But if there’s just one pic that really says it all, then 1 it is! Most days I’ll do single page layouts, I can fit all that I want to in one 12x12 space. But here and there I have more to show, and you get those 2-page spreads. Here’s a couple I’ve done lately. =) T