Saturday, May 25, 2013

A Couple of Layouts

Happy Saturday!  Today I'm sharing a couple of layouts I did last weekend when I had some crafting time.  I had hoped to share them sooner, but you know how the week days go...

First up:

I found this layout on my Pinterest board and thought it looked like fun.  This layout kind of took on a life of it's own.  I had the chipboard circle and covered it with Daffodil craft ink, but I didn't like the coloring.  I added some Crystal Effects but was too impatient for it to dry, so I took out some Champagne glitter and sparkled it up...still not sure if I like it.  I also did some sewing on it-hard to see I know!  I always get nervous after I put so much work onto a layout to stitch on it in fear that I'll mess it up, but it worked out well.

Next up:

I have stacks of leftover Christmas cards that I haven't scrapped so I pulled out 2011's and made a simple layout...have to have 2!

I love the vintage feel of the page.  Between the patterns, the colors, and the embellishments, this turned out to be one of my favorite layouts I've done lately!

Thanks for stopping and taking a peek, I hope to get in some crafting this long weekend. 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Cabana Boots

(Not to be confused with a Cabana Boy.)  It's sketch week over at Hand Stamped Sentiments and after the color curve ball I threw at you a couple of weeks ago, I've gone for a simple sketch:



I have to admit I had some trouble, took some random paths, but ended up liking my card.  Take a look:

I pulled this stamp set, because I think I've used it twice and thought it needed some inking.  I love this boot image, and on my desk was the new Coastal Cabana color and I knew the two were a match made in heaven. 

I paired the color with the new Baked Brown Sugar.  These new In Colors are by far my most favorite as a group, there's not one that will be neglected! 

I stamped and punched it but thought it was too naked.  I covered up my image and mixed up Sugar and alcohol in a Spritzer bottle.  Instead of spraying I pulled out the spray end and flicked it a few times.  (Highly technical...not!) I also added some sponging and some Dazzling Details (which kind of made my ink bleed, not sure why).  I stamped the sentiment on a banner and did the same detailing.

This is where I got lost!  I pulled out the Woodgrain emboss folder and ran some Sugar ink on it.  I carefully added my paper, but somehow my ink is on the indented part...  (again, I'm not sure of the "technical" wordage.)  ...but I like it, just not that much of it.  So I cut it down and made a 4.25" square card.  I added some burlap and a wood button with twine and I think it's not too shabby at all!

I'd love for you to play along with my sketch!  Remember it's just a start point!  Turn it, swap out a shape, make it yours and link it up with us!

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Mom's Helper

Sometimes I'm quite thankful that I'm (SO) behind in my scrapbooking.  Especially when I find a sheet of paper that makes me giddy because I have a photo at home perfect for it.  Such is the case with today's layout:

I had good intentions of just picking up an album at my scrapbooking store, but the "new" sign drew me over and I'm glad it did!  As soon as I saw this shopping cart paper, I knew I needed it!

Kendall loves grocery shopping and our store has these little carts.  On this day she kept taking items from my cart and putting them in hers, and then I noticed she had brought in her purse too!  Let's just say I was glad to have had a camera on my phone!

I pinned this layout some time ago, as I loved the tags down the side.  I found some old papers to recreate the look, added a title and some journaling, and ta-da, done! Super simple, but full of memories!

Monday, May 13, 2013

Broken Rules

If you follow my blog, you know I scrap a book for both girls.  Which means if they are in the same photo, I scrap two layouts.  SO...typically I stick to simple layouts, but I broke my rule big time!  I'm thinking it was worth it though, what do you think?

I loved the colors at Colour Q and wanted to play along:



I did some color swapping though.  I didn't have any Blush or Sage so I pulled out Blushing Bride and the new Pistachio color (swooning over these new In Colors) and I thought Coral was a bit bright so I used Cantaloupe (also a new In Color).  (I'm not sure why So Saffron looks so bright in the photo, I swear I have more problems with yellow looking true in photos.

I die cut a bunch of doilies and then embossed them with the small doily from the Delicate Doilies set. A few more details and done!


Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Big Sister

So I was going through some Dynamic Duo withdrawals, and thought I'd do some photo box digging in hopes of finding the perfect photo for this week's colors.


If you have enough pictures like me, you're bound to find the right one for the challenge and I think I did!  Take a look at my layout:

I do feel like I did the "subtle" version though.

I had my 2006 box out and quick did a look though and found this picture of Linnea holding Kendall about a week and a half after her arrival.  Their jams were the perfect match!

I also have been busy trying to clean the craft room.  With the new SU color refresh, I've been taking out the old and putting in the new.  As I was rearranging, I found some (contraband) 6 X 6 paper packs that I've picked up along the way.  This one was filled with fun patterns that fit the bill!

This page is full of details! Lets start from the top:

Pool Party was a close match to the blue in the paper pack.  I made a banner, but didn't know how to span it across the letters.  I ended up burying each end into the letter.  Buttons are always needed also! Sister is heat embossed with Pool Party EP.  I love the Family Reunion stamp set!  I was shocked to see it on the retiring list, so be sure to get yours before it's gone-a great scrapbooking set.  While I love journaling, sometimes I don't want it to stick out, I used my Crumb Cake marker on my Crumb Cake paper.  The story is there, but not overshadowing the photo. 

I used a section of the stripe pattern from the Neutrals pack.  I then took some Natural Cotton ribbon and dyed it with my Soft Saffron reinker and alcohol.  Next I added some of the Natural Ribbon Trim and stitched it all together.  I then took a piece of the grid design paper from the pack and cut it with the Window framelits.  I had an old Rotary stamp with 2006 on it so I had to use that one--I actually used it when I make Linnea's baptism invites in 2004, must have been a head of the times!  Some spattering with my Crumb Cake mix, some dyed Saffron pearls, a new button and a heart...but it was missing something.  I spritzed a doily and stuck it behind and I liked the cluster much better.  I did some more stitching, and some white splatters and done!  A bit crazy and chaotic, but defiantly cute...in my opinion!

Thanks for looking!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Bold Banners

Are you ready for a bold color palette from yours truly and Hand Stamped Sentiments



I'm up for the month of May, and when I had to come up with challenge colors, I headed straight to my color inspiration board on Pinterest and found this:

I pinned these colors mostly because I tend to not mix color families, and Summer Starfruit isn't a color I've played with (I know some of my HSS designers think I'm crazy!)

So here is my card:

It's an October Afternoon sketch, which I loved and had to put on my board in my room.  (Yes, the good ones get printed and hung up!)

The new Show and Tell 2 Photopolymer set is on it's way to my room and I can hardly wait to play with it!  Take a look, its made for this card.

Show & Tell 2 Photopolymer Stamp Set

So instead, I took a bunch of scraps and got busy with my square punch.

The sentiment is from an upcoming set.

I thought I'd also quick share my card I made for the last sketch challenge.  Unfortunately, I had major technology problems that week and wasn't able to get it linked up. 

I made it for my daughter who just won't stop having birthdays :/  Not sure how she can be nine! 
Again, you can see I'm a big fun of that chalkboard technique.

Now be sure to head over and see what the others have done with the colors, I got to peek at a few and I'm amazed!  So creative. So talented!

Friday, May 3, 2013

Bad Day, Great Results

So it's been one of those days, heck- one of those weeks!  There's snow flurries coming down which really has topped it all off.  I'm so done with this kind of weather, we all need to get outside!  I decided to take my frustration to my craft room and see if I could make myself in a better mood by being creative.  I'm so, so happy with this layout-I may have to be crabby more often.

Loving it!  Chevron always makes me happy.  I found this paper in my local craft store.  I totally dug it and thought I could see some SU colors...and I was right!  Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, and Smoky Slate all worked perfectly! (Don't recognize these colors?  The first two are old In Colors coming back, and Slate is a new color being introduced in this year's catty.)

This is an oldie, but a goodie.  In fact, I have this photo framed on my ledge in my craft room.  I've never found paper that I really have liked...until now!  I can't tell you how easy this all came together.  I used the ticket set from the Spring catty and punched 3 tickets from each color (hard to see.)  On one I wrote the date, and on the others just a couple of small notes.  The twine is also non-SU but a perfect match to Bermuda.  The letters used on the title is from a new set coming in the new catty.

Love how being creative can change your day!

Was so excited to post I forgot to give credit for the sketch!  Bella Blvd had a great sketch on there blog by Becky Fleck.  So great I stuck to it!  Thanks for the inspiration!

April_Sketch2