Saturday, April 30, 2011

A Card for Mom

This week's challenge at 2 Sisters is to create a card/project for a MOTHER. This week we are being sponsored by Tracey Malnofeski of  The Stamping Boutique. I used a cute little bunny image from the Stamping Boutique, here's what I came up with:


Now it's your turn! Pop on over to 2 Sisters to see what the rest of the DT has created, and then link up your own Mother card/project by Friday May 6th for a chance to win the Stamping Boutique sponsor prize! =) T

"Hi Mom" card is being entered in the following challenges:
-City Crafter Mother May I
-Party Time Tuesday anything goes

Friday, April 29, 2011

Flashback Friday Challenge!

There's a fun challenge blog called Flashback Friday. They have such a cool idea over there, each week the challenge is to search back in your archives for an OLD project that fits the challenge. Maybe revisit a technique you've forgotten about, or be reminded of a project that's a bit out-dated.

So this week their challenge is stitching (real or faux), and I came across my holiday card from 2007 that I think has stood the test of time (not all projects do). That year my card concept was to create a mini scrapbook page. I trimmed my cardstock to 6x6, printed a wallet sized pic of the kiddos, a bit of ribbon and a single photo corner, hand-drawn title and a machine stitched circle. Very simple and sweet. =) T

Thursday, April 28, 2011

A New Sketch is up at Sketches in Thyme!

It's Thursday, and that means a new sketch is up at Sketches in Thyme. This week is particularly exciting for me as it's my first time in the driver's seat over there. I have just recently been "promoted" to challenge coordinator, and this is my first posting in that new position. I really hope you'll pop on over there and check out the fabulous examples from the SIT Mavens, and give the sketch a try! =) T

here's the sketch:
and here's my take:

"One Sweet Neice" is being entered in the following challenges:
-The Paper Variety polka dots
-XOXO scraplifted Lisa


Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Guess Who's a new DT Member at Triplicate Trials Tuesday??

yup, you guessed it...IT'S ME!!! I'm a new Design Team member over at Triplicate Trials Tuesday! So excited to finally share the news, it's hard to keep all that new DT excitement quite for so long!! This is a new challenge blog that is going to be a TON OF FUN, here's how it will work:

The Triplicate Trials Tuesday Challenge is a three part challenge that includes a theme, colors and a sketch. The challenge will occur every other Tuesday. There are no limits to who can participate or how many entries you can submit. This is strictly about having fun and enjoying expanding your crafty horizons. We encourage you to submit cards, tags or scrapbook layouts. All skill levels are encouraged to play.

Sounds fun, doesn't it??? I'll be back soon with news on the 1st challenge, but in the meantime...why don't you pay a visit to the lovely DT members over at Triplicate Trials Tuesday and pass along the blog love! The talented ladies I'll be working with are AlbertaCaryn, Debbie, and our fearless leader, Rochelle. =)T

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Does a Snowbunny Qualify as "Easter"???

This week at Lasting Memories we're working with an Easter theme. It can be an Easter layout, easter colors, even bunnies and duckies. Whatever you have on hand that signifies Easter to you!! And you can see form my layout, I am definitely S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G that theme!!

Here's my story: I was working last weekend at a scrapbooking event my SIL and I were running- so busy busy busy... And now I'm on vaca with my family and am scrambling to get all my DT assignments turned in. (oh i know, poooor me, a scrapbooking weekend followed by a week's vacation, oh boo-hoo!!) Unfortunately we are in the Poconos in Pennsylavania and the internet is crawling ever so slowly. Long story not so short, I was unable to upload my adorable Easter layout created for this week's challenge, but luckily my DH's laptop had photos of some layouts of days past, and I pulled this little gem out for you:

so it's not "technically" Easter, but my title is "Sweetest Snowbunny" and my background pattern paper is an assortment of adorable little bunnies, so I think it counts!! =) T

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Smeared and Smudged and Punky Too!!

It's that time again!  Time for the Smeared and Smudged member blog hop!!! If you've just stumbled across my little blog today, welcome! You can start the hop here. If you're playing along with the hop, hopefully you have come from Lisa. Fun stuff huh?

So...about this hop. Want to know what our theme is? How about a using METAL?  There is metal to be found somewhere on all of the projects here in this fabulous blog hop. Simple enough, but brads and eyelets DO NOT count!!!!!   No special rules except to follow the Smeared and Smudged standard rule to include a stamp in your project. I'm so excited to show you what I've created for this hop, and hope you stop by all the other creative girls to see what they've come up with (scroll down to the bottom of this post for the master list of all the stops on the hop)!

Oh, and you know how my title says "Smeared and Smudged and Punky Too"? Well I've combined 2 assignments into one for this post, 1-the metal for S and S, and 2-a fabulous sketch from this week's challenge at Punky Scraps. I was so very happy with the sketch our talented Jodi came up with, so versatile and fun, I hope you'll give it a try and link up this month for your chance to win something special from this month's sponsor, The Crafters Workshop.

here's the sketch:


and here's my layout:


Can you spot the metal? I used it in 3 different ways: 1-embossing my "hello" stamp in silver embossing powder for a metallic shine. I also added a bit of embossing powder in the top right as a messy sort of photo corner. 2- the beaded fringe across the top left corner has silver beads incorporated in the strand. 3-the circles across the bottom of the photos are punched out of aluminum foil, scrunched up for texture, inked a bit, and then layered with cardstock, buttons and embroidery floss. A very fun and cheap way to make and handmade flower-ish embellie! Enjoy! =) T

The Smeared and Smudged Master List:
Terra
Kelli
Lady Brayton
Black Dragon
Alison
Kapree
Alex
Sugar
Jane
Kymberly
Helen
Paula
Tori
Lisa
Tiffany You Are Here!
Dianne
Steph
Judi

Monday, April 11, 2011

Its All About the Journaling at Lasting Memories!

This week's challenge at Lasting Memories is all about the journaling. whether you are always sure to tell a fabulous story, or if you're like me and just cover the "who, what, and when"...this is a great challenge! It's your chance to pull out some lovely pictures and really tell a story, share the meaning behind them, or explain just how you feel when you look at the photos. Here's my take on the challenge:

I was excited to finally get this picture scrapped; I've been hanging on to it for a while, and even had the journaling all written out on a scrap of paper since June of 2009! Like I said, I generally just do the "who, what, when". But there are some cases when the "why" needs to be told. When this happens, I always make sure to get it down on paper as soon as I can, ensuring the feelings and the moments are fresh in my mind. I'll stash it away in my idea binder until I'm ready to scrap it, but at least I know what I need to say is patiently waiting for me.

Also in most case I handwrite my journaling, as I think it's one of those things that will be soooo valuable to future generations- seeing their great-grandmother's handwriting will hopefully be special to some future "Call Girls". However, in situations like this when I have a lot to say, I turn to the computer and type it out. This way I can cover plenty of story in a much smaller space than had I used my sharpie!

Here's what I had to say on this layout about my son's love for "High School Musical":

Wesley, ever since HSM #1 came out, you have been in love. It was your first time really showing interest in a trend. You would sing, “What time is it, it’s party time” over and over again. I had NO IDEA what it was all about until I talked to Auntie Sarah- this HSM thing was all the rage!!

Since then you have received the DVD for xmas from Mammy (“are you SURE he really wants this?” she asked), we watched the premier of HSM #2 on Disney, got a Troy doll from Auntie Sarah for your birthday and saw HSM #3 in the theater.

It’s been 3 years since it all started. You’re finishing 2nd grade, 8 years old and still in love. Today at the book fair, you chose to spend your money on a HSM poster- how cute. But you must have realized that it’s not a “typical” choice for boys your age as you told the kids after school it was a poster of a Lamborghini. I hope you’re able to stay true to who you are, have your own interests no matter what the norm is and be proud of your choices!!

I hope you'll have a chance to share your story with us at Lasting Memories this week! =) T

"High School Musical" is being entered in the following challenges:
-Lasting Memories journaling
-Scrapbookers Anonymous 23 eyelets
-Chicken Soup aqua, yellow & kraft
-Scrap and Stamp tags
-Etsy Inspired inspired by Think Fast Designs
-Craetive Type eat pray love
-Sketchy Thursdays sketch

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Spring Time Greetings!

It's time for a Spring Card challenge at 2 Sisters! Grab that pretty pastel cardstock, those adorable springtime stamps and cute little floral embellies and get crafting!! us Design Team girls were able to use some super cute images from our sponsor, Pattie Boop, here's what I created using her adorable easter basket with eggs:
I printed the easter basket image along with my "Easter Greetings" on 4 different colors of cardstock, punched out in 1 1/2" squares, and then rounded 2 corners of each to create a kind of petal shape. I of course inked up each of the petals, I just can't do anything WITHOUT inking! Added a sweet floral with a chocolate brad, adhered over a torn piece of ledger paper and dressed up with my latest obsession, pompom fringe! I hope you'll have a  chance to visit the rest of the DT at 2 Sisters and see the fabulous greetings they've created, and don't forget to link up your own springtime card! =) T

"Easter Greetings" is qualifies for the following challenges:
-2 Sisters spring
-The ABC Challenge r is for ribbon
-Sparkles Forum Challenges easter


Friday, April 8, 2011

Feeling Springy?

There's a new challenge up at Punky Scraps, create a project using Orange, Yellow & Green....but wait, there is a twist! You can only use ONE patterned paper!! So, I got the memo about the yellow and green, and only 1 PP, but apparently I missed the boat on the orange....Oops!! either way...here's my layout:


There is also a funny little picture as inspiration:
Now you see where I got the idea for the goofy smiley faces on my layout, these are SO not me, but a little bit of goofy whimsy never hurt anyone, right???

Since this was a layout for Punky Scraps, I had to get messy, which is something I LOVE to do! Here are my messy techniques: 1-hand-cut the scallop border after stamping those goofy smiley faces. 2-added white paint around the green edges and under my photo mat. 3- added a torn piece of cardboard behind my title, dressed up with a bit of paint. 4-used puffy paint to outline the edge of the cut-out and to hand-draw my title. Puffy paint is such a fun medium to add to your projects, but quite often comes out in globs rather than pretty lines, so be sure to practice on scrap!

Be sure to hop on over to Punky Scraps and see what the rest of the DT has created. There are some fabulous layouts over there, and NONE of them forgot the orange! =)T

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Sharing the Love at a Link Up Party!!

There's a Love Link Up Party going on today at Getting Cricky. If you love checking out other creative minds in blogland, and want to share the love, then be sure to head on over and check it out!! =) T


Sketches in Thyme- a New Sketch and a DT Call!!

There's a new sketch at Sketches in Thyme this week, and I have a confession....I struggled with this sketch. I hemmed and hawed over it for a few weeks, and kept pushing it aside for other sketches I liked better. See, I'm a very "symmetrical" kind of scrapper, and the sketch was not working for me. But, that just goes to show that I know nothing....I made the layout and was really pleased with how everything came together! This was definitely one that sent me out of my comfort zone and it was totally worth it!!
and here's the sketch:

A few fun challenges I incorporated into the layout: 1-The cluster of ribbon over a stamp in the top right was scrapjacked from Vicki. 2-I also used the color scheme of navy and yellow from The Paper Variety. 3-I created my butterflies our of a scrap of chipboard, embroidery floss and a little navy ink for handmade embellies challenge at Crop Suey. 4-and my spring themed layout+critters will be entered in the challenges at Whimsical WednesdayFlutter-By-Wednesday and Dream Valley.

I really really really hope you'll pop on over to Sketches in Thyme this week. You can see the rest of the fabulous DT's take on this sketch (I'm thinking none of them struggeld as I did, their projects are fabulous!!), take part in the challenge for your chance to win this fabulous kit from our DT member Fern:

oh and ONE MORE THING....we're having a Design Team Call at Sketches in Thyme and I would LOVE for you to give it a try!! You can go here for all the details!! =) T

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Spring is in the Air at Lasting Memories!

This weeks challenge at Lasting Memories is all about spring! We want to see how you incorporate "spring" into your layouts! Maybe it's using spring time colors or maybe it's using butterflies, bees and flowers! We're also being sponsored this week by Leeanne of Artful Delight! With another snow day here on April Fools Day, I was more than happy to at least be thinking spring in my craft room! Here's what I came up with for this spring assignment:
Few fun things to note about this layout: 1-I'm sort of stuck in a 1-page layout rut, I simply have no idea how to go back to my old ways of 2-page spreads anymore. Of course with so many photos, it's nearly impossible to keep it to 1 page, UNLESS you make a cute photo collage like I did here! I made mine through Walgreens, but I'm sure lots of photo programs on your computer could do the same thing.

2-My color combo was inspired by the challenge going on this week at Our Bright Star. The challenge is to use LIME GREEN, the word "REALLY" (see my title) and FABRIC (my butterflies). To make these fabric butterflies, I punched the little winged things out of chipboard, covered with adhesive, covered with fabric and then trimmed around edges. I added a lime green button tied with a little embroidery floss to the center of each butterfly. These adorable little butterflies also count for the challenge over at Flutterby Wednesdays.

I hope you'll have a chance to visit the DT over at Lasting Memories and see the fabulous springtime layouts they have t share with you. get inspired to create your own layout and link up this week for your chance to win the fabulous kit from Artful Delight!! Oh, and we're having a DT call too, wouldn't you like to join us for some great challenges? =) T

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Hope You're Feeling Ducky!

This week's challenge at 2 Sisters is to make a get well card. Us DT ladies were able to choose from some adorable images from our sponsor, Stitchy Bear Stamps , here's my little ducky get well card:


Isn't that little duck just the cutest? I love the vintage look- so this was PERFECT for me! I started my card with this sketch from The Outlawz:

As usual, I combined a few other challenges in creating the card: 1-used the spiral punch and brown ink to dress up my edges for the Feeling Edgey challenge at Stamp Insanity. 2-used pastel colors from the challenge at Colour Create. 3-based my title off of the inspiration at CASE Study. and finally 4-my digi stamp for the challenge at Paper Playtime. =) T

Friday, April 1, 2011

My First Challenge at the Craft Garden!

It's the first challenge at The Craft Garden, and my first challenge there as a new DT member!! Your challenge is straightforward this month. April is the fourth month of the year so your challenge is FOUR however you choose to interpret it. Here's how I interpreted it:



See...my last name is Call.....so YES I am a Call Girl!! Everyone in the family always gets a kick out of this, we have "Call Girl Parties" and "Call Girl Craft Nights", and when my daughter was born the label on her basinett in the hospital even said "Call,Girl". (they always list last name, sex of baby so it worked out PERFECTLY!!) So here is my layout to go in my Book of Me, a little tribute to my last name!

I hope you'll hop on over to The Craft Garden and see all the fabulous FOUR-Inspired projects the DT has come up with, and join in our first challenge too!! =) T