Pop of Color

I'm not sure about you, but the weeks seem to be just flying by!  I can't believe this is my third up to bat with Simple Sketches.  It has been such a blast!-so happy I took the leap and auditioned.  Here is this week's sketch:



I have to admit, I was sort of scared of this one.  My mom teases me that all the photos of my layouts are straight.  Again, I've professed I'm bit of an OCD scrapper.  After digging to find three photos, this is what I created:

Totally loved it when it was done!  These pictures are from New Year's Day 2009-see what I mean when I said I dug!  Linnea had received ice skates for Christmas and couldn't wait to use them....thank goodness for Dad!  I didn't skate as a kid, don't skate as an adult.

I took out the Crumb Cake polka dot paper as I knew I wanted to use this...I could use an entire pack of this sheet! From there I just kept building.  I pulled out a sheet of Wisteria Wonder to play off her snow suit.  Found an ice skate stamp.  All of the white on here is heat embossed:  the splatters from Gorgeous Grunge, the skates, the snowflakes, the letters...let's discuss the "1st Time."  I took my Alpha and Number builder wheels and cut them...yep, pulled the rubber off the wheel and cut the individual letters/numbers.  An entire alpha and number set for $4.50 each!  I lined them up on my clear block and had part of my title!  To finish the page, I did a bit of "faux" stitching and a small amount of journaling.

I can't believe how intimidated I was looking back.  Now head over and see what the rest of them team has created!  Some of you are playing along, and I love seeing your pages---Keep It Up!!

Then and Now

Did you catch the new Simple Sketches sketch this past Saturday?  I was luckily enough to see it weeks ago and put it to use quickly, but the weekend was such a blur I'm only getting to post it now.  First take a look at the Sketch:



I flipped it so it would work better for me, and here is what I came up with:

Insert squealing from delight!  I've never scrapped a then and now page, but had to for these photos.  Our youngest loves, loves her baby.  I took the now photo one night as I loved how she was holding her with her very own blanket...then I remembered I had a photo from back in the day too!

I printed these photos with some distortion added to them.  My husband questions this, "why do you have a good camera and then make them look terrible?"  Well...I like it.  From the photos, I knew I wanted to use Pool Party, Real Red, and Pretty in Pink...love this combo!

I originally had taken out my  '&' mask to do some spritzing, but thought it may not stand out.  Instead, I traced it and then brayered my Embossing Folder and ran it through my Big Shot.  From there, I found some patterns of paper I liked, added some flags, and did some random "spritzing" using the Gorgeous Grunge set.  I added some little pearls among the speckling.

This is one of my favorites!!  Thanks for peeking, and be sure to check out what the designers have created.  I'll be back Saturday as I'm up with another fun sketch and a layout of the other daughter!

Six!

Yesterday I shared with you the layout I made using Kendall's three year photos.  Today I'm back with her six year shots.  I woke up and saw this sketch over at Stampin' Celebration:



Many of the designers did a scrapbook layout and it got my wheels-a-turning!  Take a look at my layout:

I loved her skirt and thought I'd use it as the background, a la Erica Cerwin, but without MDS.  I took out the circle from the bitty punch pack and some scraps of Pretty in Pink (retired, but it matched best),  Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Coastal Cabana, Pacific Point, and Daffodil Delight.

The Brights Candy Dots also came in great use for the title square!

Super simple, but I love how it turned out! Thanks for the sketch ladies!

Three!

I'm up again over at Simple Sketches.  Have you played along with us yet?  What are you waiting for?  Take a look at Sketch #3:



I was totally digging the 5 X 7 addition.  I rarely print my own photos larger than 4 X 6, but I did have some from when Kendall had her 3 year old photos taken...that I hadn't scrapped yet!  Here is my layout:

Isn't she so darn cute!?!?  I was owed these!  She was such a stinker at her 2 year photos, that I asked the photographer if we at least got one good one.  I'm one of those that if it isn't happening, I'm not going to torture everyone involved!

It worked out perfectly that I had this large photo and a few wallets.  I never journal on these pages.  I was sort of stuck on what to do on the right side of the page...until I thought why not copy her dress!  Out came the scraps!  Super simple, super fun...and my husband calling me a nerd.

For the top portion, I added some ribbon and buttons.  The lower portion uses SU's burlap ribbon and chevron border punch.

Some heat embossing on a Décor Framelit, a button, and done!

Now be sure to head over and see what the remaining team has created...and play along.  Again, a sketch is a great way to get those creative ebbs flowing!

Hold On!

Ever have a project get a way from you.  My card for this week's Hand Stamped Sentiments did just that!  Oy!  First, here are the colors for our newest color challenge:



I thought Christmas right away...and I was pleasantly surprised that others on the Design Team did too!

Okay, Hold ON:

Ready for the book?!?!  Here is my creative process:

Mind thinks use the new Snowflake set and framelits.

While reaching for those, I see the Deco Framelits, "ah, that would work."

Which color to use?  How about making your own gingham?  Check. Lets add some sponging and Gorgeous Grunge dots because that set is my go to!

Oh, I could use the new Expressions framelits too!  Check...after a few choice words while trying to get paper out of the die.

Okay, lets stamp those framelits.  Versamark on Brown Sugar with gold glitter.  OH NO!  I left my heat gun in WI! (ugh!)  Wonder if a hair dryer will work.  Gold Glitter.  Ah, I don't think so.  How about Dazzling Diamonds?  Ah, don't like that either.  How about white?  In the middle of trying to heat with the hair dryer, I notice I must have used clear powder.  Oh, well.  I like the look!, but the hair dryer is not working.  Sad face.

Now what?  Raspberry card base?  That works. Lots of empty space.  Burlap ribbon is on my desk.  What if I put some of that on there.  Now I need something to break up the similar colors.  How about a couple of strands of Raspberry and Gumball ribbon, tied with a button.  Like that.  Down the center?  Nah.  Off to the side.  Okay.  Still too much Raspberry.  How about a few more layers.  Works.  Okay, needs something.  How about some white spritzing? Okay, walk away!

So if you held on and read my novel, you should be sure to head over and get rewarded with some delightful eye candy.

Love, Love, Love!

Did you see the new Simple Sketches sketch yesterday?  I'm off this week, but I couldn't help myself, I had to play along!  I loved it the second I saw it!!



I love multi-photo sketches-mostly because I take a ton of photos-but I rarely print photos smaller than 4 X 6.  Because of this, my layouts with many photos end up being double (sometimes more) layouts.  I dug through my photos and found the perfect photos!, however I ended up sending them to my print place using a collage print in order to get 2-3 X 4's.  Luckily, I had some room to spare.  Okay, take a look at what I did:

If this isn't proof that a good sketch leads to a great (in my opinion) page, I don't know what will convince you!

This is where taking tons of photos in a moment worked to my advantage.  Though a couple of these photos look the same, they aren't!  L was feeding Prince oats and trying to sneak in some kisses, and I just sat back and snapped photos.

The rest of the page came together quickly.  I took out my sewing machine and ran my paper around a couple of times.  I can't sew a straight line to save my life so I purposely make it look messy!  The top journal spot I can't take credit for.  Somewhere in blog land I saw the Horseshoe from the set Horse Frontier used as a U.  *Luckily* my letters just fit!  The lower left journal spot I added a doily, heart, and a few buttons.  The image on the right spot is also from that set.  I added a banner using the Fabulous Phrases set.  (I did warn you last week that I love buttons and banners!)  The title is where I got stuck....until I remembered the new Expressions framelits.  I think it worked perfectly for the page!

Now head over and see what this week's team has created for your viewing pleasure!  ...and play along!