Joann's Little Things

Labadee

2010-03-09T19:51:00.003-06:00

Our first stop on the cruise - a beautiful day in Labadee, Haiti. I used a sketch from Let's Scrap to put this together. I also put my Silhoutte to work on the title & palm trees.

Dragon's Tail coaster

2010-03-08T15:32:00.003-06:00

The second page I accomplished this weekend.

I've decided to do the entire cruise album in blues, greens & browns. I went through many of my supplies and pulled stuff into a bin and hid everything else. I'm thinking it will speed up the process for me as I won't have as many decisions to make as to what supplies/colors to use. It should also give the album a uniform look. We'll see if it works..........

This layout is based on sketch #93 at Creative Scrappers. My DH and kids rode on a coaster at the cruise's private beach. Unfortunately, it was impossible to get any good photos.

I'm back......finally a new page done!!

2010-03-08T15:06:00.004-06:00

You know how sometimes life throws you a little more than you can handle at once??? Well, something had to give for me, and unfortunately it was my crafting time. I haven't been in my scraproom for over 5 months!!! I have SO been missing it!

This weekend I was able to make some time for scrapping and it felt SO good. Here's my first page, based on Sketch #54 at the Scrappiest.

In addition to all of the usual, everyday stuff to keep us busy, our family went on an AMAZING cruise to Caribbean/Central America in January. I have decided to push aside all of the other photos that need scrapping and concentrate on getting the trip documented. These are couple of misc. photos from our stop in Costa Rica:

Fun @ the farm

2009-09-15T12:55:00.002-06:00

Some old photos of DS at my parents farm. Two weeks later a tornado hit the farm destroying everything except their home. That's the reason for the trees in the layout - there aren't any there anymore. I used a challenge from al a carte to come up with this one. They asked you to choose 3 items from the following menu ( I chose #1, 2 & 4):
Menu:
1. Use an ampersand, dollar sign, or other symbol in your title.
2. Use three shades of green.
3. Use a silver, gold, or brass embellishment.
4. Use a tree.
5. Use stamping as your background.
6. Use book print or an actual page from a book.

Nurture your Mind

2009-09-10T15:31:00.003-06:00

Oldest DS's first day of school a couple of weeks ago. He's in gr. 7 and it's scary how time has flown! I did this page for this week's challenge at Scrapping Out Loud where they asked you to use a quote for your title, and in addition to your quote to use only one part of speech in your journaling. Your journaling needs to be all nouns, all adjectives, all verbs, all interjections, all adverbs, all prepositions, or all pronouns. Now that is a challenge!

While looking through my journalling spots, I saw this and thought it would be great for a back to school page and lo and behold, I've had this Colorbok page kit for awhile and it matched perfectly. Too bad the colors look even more muted in this post than in real life.

I also used this week's sketch at Creative Scrappers, I just replaced the circle with a star and flipped the title & the journalling around.

S-T-R-E-T-C-H

2009-09-08T10:22:00.003-06:00

DD during gymnastics class. It didn't take us long to realize this wasn't the sport for her. She loved the social aspect of it, but she's not a gymnast!! I used a sketch from Let's Scrap for this one and a bunch of really old supplies.

Free stamps again

2009-09-04T09:29:00.002-06:00

Ally is doing it again this month - offering a free set of myStampBox clear stamps - check out her blog, Your Memories, for all the details here.

Hollywood Studios

2009-09-01T21:45:00.003-06:00

A double pager of various photos from Hollywood Studios. I used a sketch from Let's Scrap and the current combo from Color Combos Galore. I got 13 photos on here and a ton of journalling!

page 1:

page 2:

Easter Fun

2009-08-31T14:02:00.002-06:00

Fun page for my DD's album of her with her cousins & brothers. I used a color combo challenge at Scrapbooker's Clubhouse, this week's Practical Scrappers challenge to use stamps & Pile It On's challenge to use circles.

And speaking of Practical scrapper's, last week my layout was chosen as Christine's Pick of the week. Thank so much!!! If interested you can find it here.

80's Day

2009-08-30T12:35:00.002-06:00

I still can't believe my kids had 80's day at school this spring. The 80's weren't too long ago!!

I used some bright old papers that seemed a bit 80'ish to me, and used lots of doodling which is the current challenge at Method Playground. I also used a sketch from Capture these Sketches.

Indiana Jones

2009-08-30T12:33:00.003-06:00

A very simple one of the Indiana Jones show in Hollywood Studios. I used a sketch from 52 sketches, 52 weeks just omitted a few photos on it.

Birthday Cake

2009-08-30T09:23:00.003-06:00

A fun, bright layout of my DD when she turned 5. The picture of her isn't the best, the glass tabletop reflected the b'day candles so there are some weird shadows, but the look is just SO her that I had to use this photo anyway.

I used sketch #64 at Creative Scrappers.

the Happiest Place on Earth

2009-08-27T11:07:00.002-06:00

Photo of two of the kids at DisneyWorld (the oldest was too busy riding the Rock n Roller Coaster to pose for a pic).

I used the color challenge at Mix It Up, a sketch from Inspired blueprints, and this week's challenge at Practical Scrappers to use up some of your vellum stash. I didn't realize how much vellum I had!! I used my Silhouette to cut the circles & flowers - it worked really well on the vellum so I plan on doing this some more.

Easter

2009-08-25T20:36:00.003-06:00

Another quick layout of some Easter photos from 3 yrs ago (seems like just a few months ago). This week's challenge at Scrap and Stamp Saturday was to use at least one stamped image and create a non-Christmas, holiday themed layout. I used a CTMH stamp set to create the title, eggs and the wasket weave on the green c/s.
I used a sketch from Inspired Blueprints, just flipped it on it's side.

Pumpkin Patch

2009-08-19T20:30:00.003-06:00

A layout for my son's album of our annual visit to the Pumpkin patch.

I used sketch #65 at Creative Scrappers along with a couple of challenges:

- Scrapping Out Loud - use tissue paper and a bow - the tissue paper is stitched onto the layout to create the circle and the bow is on the post of the sign.

- al a Carte - Challenge to choose at least 3 items (I did 4) from the current 'menu' which consisted of :

1. doodling around the edge of layout - Did that

2. hand or machine stitching - Did that

3. craft or turquoise cardstock -

4. 4 different patterned papers - Did that

5. buttons...must be threaded! - Did that

6. handmade embellishment -

7. mixed alpha title

8. journaling strips...preferably DYMO

Lost in TV land

2009-08-19T20:12:00.004-06:00

Another simple one I did with some old photos. I used sketch #13 at So Sketchy. Alison has some great sketches there and a very talented Design Team too. If you are interested in winning a set of myStamp box stamps, you'll also want to check out her personal blog, Your Memories.

Precious

2009-08-19T19:54:00.003-06:00

A simple one of an old Christmas photo of my boys. I used this week's sketch at 52 sketches, 52 weeks, the challenges to use up scraps at Practical Scrappers, and to make a masculine project at Pile It On.

1st photos

2009-08-17T18:37:00.003-06:00

This was my DDs 1st attempt at photography. It was so cute how proud she was of herself. This week's challenge at Practical Scrappers is to use up some scraps, which I used a lot of. Based on my scrap pile I could do this challenge a lot!! I also used a sketch from Let's Scrap, a 'new to me' challenge site. The sketch was a 12x12 one, but I 'scrunched' it up a bit for this page.

Summer Lovin'

2009-08-16T12:15:00.003-06:00

My son and his Great Grandma, who we only see every summer for far too brief of a visit. She is now 94 and one amazing lady. The kids love her to bits, and I think it's obvious in this photo that the feeling is mutual.

Scrapping Out Loud had quite the challenge this week:
Use these (listed below) different sized papers and embellishments on your layout, *the only other thing you can add is a journaling block and alphas*....
Cardstock or Patterned paper for your base
(1) 9 x 10 piece of paper
(1) 8 x 8 piece of paper
(2) 3 inch x 11 pieces of paper;
1 piece of ribbon size of your choice;
a scrap of fabric;
3 layered flowers (or other embellishments);
and a hand sewn flourish.....

I wasn't sure how to pull it together, but then I saw a sketch at Creative Scrappers and it all worked perfectly. I've never used one of their sketches before but think I'll start checking them out more often.

You're a Hoot

2009-08-16T11:54:00.003-06:00

My boys with their cousins. They usually only see each other once a year, but they always have a ton of fun when they are together.

Yesterday's challenge at Scrap and Stamp Saturday was to do something whimsical, and I immediately thought of these CTMH owl stamps. I also used a few other stamps sets to create all of the circles along the border. I used this week's sketch at 52 sketches, 52 weeks, and I guess this also would work for Pile It On's request for boy/manly projects.

Home for a Week

2009-08-12T10:45:00.007-06:00

A quick page about where we stayed when we were in DisneyWorld. This uses a color scheme challenge at If the Shoe Fits.....Scrap It and it also works for challenge #2 at Practical scrappers, use up some stickers. In addition to the letter stickers, I also used some circle stickers including the two I made into trees. All of the supplies are from a CTMH paper pack.

Practical scrappers will be having a giveaway of the Aug. SOTM from CTMH once their number of followers reaches 200 - go sign up for a chance to win!

Anyway you slice it........

2009-08-10T14:03:00.002-06:00

Here's a quick layout of my son and his love of food. I was inspired by the colors in the inspiration photo of Mixer #26 at Mix It Up and also used ripping which was this week's challenge at Scrapping Out Loud. It also works for this month's theme of food at Scrap the Boys.

Our friends, the K's

2009-08-03T22:30:00.004-06:00

Some photos of good friends of ours. The kids couldn't pronounce their last name (which starts with a K) when they were younger so they became "the K's". I used stamps to create the border & the embellishments, except for the K's, which is some Grungeboard. This one works for 2 challenges: Sisterhood of Scrap's which was to use at least 2 stamps in a layout and Scrap & Stamp Saturday theme of Friendship this week. I also used a Page Maps sketch.

Sorry about the poor photo.

Cruisin' in the Jaguar

2009-08-03T18:53:00.005-06:00

Some more older photos. Practical Scrapper's first challenge is to use eyelets and I certainly have a lot of those. It's not real obvious in the photo, but that's a row of them along the border. I also used 3 "menu items" from al a carte's current challenge - a border, an automobile and a travel word in the title. I love the concepts for both of these challenge sites. Be sure to check out Practical scrappers as they have some blog candy to give away once they reach 200 followers.

I used my Silhouette again for the title, and I tried to use a clipart image from the internet to cut out the Jaguar - obviously I need to learn how to do that better - I ended up having to cut it all out by hand! Oh well.

Soccer Stars

2009-08-03T16:37:00.003-06:00

Finally, back in my scraproom. We have a cold day here, so I took some time to create and it felt so good. I used this week's challenge at Scrapping Out Loud - Black, White & READ all over (use newsprint in a layout). I also used their sketch for this week. I used up so OLD supplies and used my Silhouette for the first time. I think I'm going to make lots of use of it!!

I. need. to. scrap. more.

2009-07-28T11:11:00.003-06:00

This month has just been so busy I haven't made it into my craft room much and it's driving me crazy. We've been trying to do our landscaping ourselves, been trying to have some summer fun with the kids, and on top of that we've been getting lots of company.
Next month I will lock myself in my craftroom if I have to in order to get some ME time. I think I've found a great new challenge site, The Practical Scrappers and can't wait to see what they come up with. Their goal is to help us use up our stash of scrapping goodies, this should help me get back at it.

new product

2009-07-20T17:19:00.001-06:00

Isn't this time of the year fun, when you get sneak peeks at the new product lines being released? Check out the new stuff from Bella Blvd. It looks SO fun!!

Chef Scott

2009-07-13T16:59:00.002-06:00

A quick layout of my son's first time cooking a meal completely on his own. This is for Scrapping Out Loud's challenge this week to create a layout about a favorite recipe.

This also works for Sisterhood of Scraps challenge to use at least one photo cropped in a circle. I was VERY happy to learn that I won the drawing for June's challenges at Sisterhood of Scrap - I can't wait to play with the goodies from last month's sponsor.

Baby Cheeks

2009-07-12T21:23:00.005-06:00

We've been on vacation for a week and it felt so good to get back in the scraproom.

I used sketch #27 at 52 sketches and color combo #128 at Color Combos Galore. I also used the challenge at Method Playground to create the circles. The challenge was to stitch around a chipboard shape. I used a set of concentric circles, stitched around them and then took them off the layout.

Birdcage for Aunt

2009-07-01T21:26:00.004-06:00

Another card for my Aunt who is fighting cancer, just to let her know I'm thinking of her.

I used the Card Patterns sketch for this week, pictured below. This also works for Splitcoast Stampers color challenge CC225 - kraft, saffron & night navy. And since it has 4 buttons, it works for this week's Pile It On.

Bright Cupcake card

2009-06-26T14:06:00.003-06:00

A quick card for a little friend. This one works for the following challenges:
- Splitcoast stampers WT224- use bright & bold colors
- Pile it on - uses purple & at least one other challenge
- Paper Play - include something sweet (cupcake)
- Pink Persimmon - include a cupcake
- I also used this week's sketch #121 at Card Positioning System

Be the change

2009-06-24T15:21:00.002-06:00

Last one for today. We are off tonight to help friends celebrate a move and other big changes in their life. I didn't want the usual good luck card, so I made this for them. I used the Sketch Saturday, sketch below.

Angel tag

2009-06-24T14:44:00.006-06:00

Since today is the last day before the kids are home for summer, I decided to take a bit of time to play. I haven't done any embossing for awhile and I and also wanted to try something new and this tag is the result. The little squares of gold are made using my glue gun loaded with a gold glitter glue stick. I squirted some onto waxed paper, sandwiched it with another piece of waxed paper, then used a rolling pin to flatten it out. After the 'blob' cooled, I cut a few squares out of it. I'm sure it would also work in diecutting machine (but I don't have one). It's hard to see in the photo, but it looks pretty neat IRL.

The tag also qualifies for quite a few challenges:
- If the Shoe Fits asked for burgandy, gold & cream
- Paper play asked for Christmas in June
- Cute Card Thursday asked for a tag
- All sorts wanted you to use something with wings (angel)
- AND, since burgandy is a shade of purple, this works again for Pile It On

Simple thanks

2009-06-24T14:37:00.003-06:00

The last card for the teacher's gift set, using Dawn McVey's Raspberry Suite color challenge #10. All supplies are Close To My Heart. I found a stout square ceramic vase that the cards & evelopes fit perfectly into, I think it made a nice gift.
I finished this up last night, along with a few other cards. Today was the last day I can't believe I was still doing this last night!!

Another simple card

2009-06-23T13:18:00.002-06:00

I'm still finishing up my gift sets for the teachers - tomorrow is the last day! Hopefully I won't be up too late!!

This one works for a few challenges:
- 365 cards asked for lavender prominently - I know my white is more prominent, but maybe this will work
- Splitcoast's CAS challenge was for a simple card with paper piercing
- 2 Red Bananas asked for something that reminds you of summer and popsicles do that for me!
- Stamp something asked for black, white & another color - I used 3 shades of purple
- and since I used purple that qualifies for Pile It On

Tree for Dad

2009-06-23T11:15:00.004-06:00

Here is a card for my dad. I used the C.R.A.F.T. challenge sketch below and since it's a masculine card, it works for Anne's challenge at Anne's Creative Nook. I was excited to see that I had won the random drawing from Anne's challenge last week.

Soccer

2009-06-21T15:14:00.003-06:00

Today's is DD's soccer windup tournament (in the pouring rain), so I needed a card for her coach. Since I can't seem to make a card anymore without a sketch or some challenges, here's the ones I used:
- Stamps & Smiles sketch #20
- Cafe Mojo - use distressing
- Our Creative Corner - use stars
- Pile it On - use purple & at least one other challenge

Stamps are Unity (stars) and CTMH (soccer ones)

Baby girl card

2009-06-18T22:55:00.002-06:00

A baby girl congratulations card using a cute lil elephant stamp from Cornish heritage Farms, Zooper set. I received this set from Kim Hughes in a give away on her blog - so lucky!! There are lots of other cute critters in the set also.

I covered lots of challenges with this one:
- Used the sketch below at Card patterns
- used border punches so works for Our Creative Corner
- it's a Celebration card for If the Shoe Fits, Scrap It
- 365 cards wanted something girly with the word girl on it
- Ann's Creative Nook wanted a baby card
- and again, Pile It On since it uses 2 ribbons & at least one other challenge.

Card for Father in Law

2009-06-18T22:40:00.003-06:00

My FIL's birthday is June 22, and since Father's day is June 21st this year, he's only getting one card for both!
I used this week's sketch at Card Positioning System who partnered with 2 Red Bananas this week so this card fits their challenge as well. It also works for Corosive Challenges and Fun-frilled since they were both looking for Father's day cards. AND since it has two ribbons and at least one other challenge it works for Pile It On, as well.

Soccer

2009-06-17T16:31:00.004-06:00

Here's a simple card which works for a few challenges:
365 cards - create a card for a boy
The Fresh batch - used their sketch below
If the Shoe Fits Scrap It - create a card using blue, green & yellow

Favorite things

2009-06-17T16:21:00.003-06:00

I asked each of the kids what their favorite things about this year at school were and this is their responses. I did a terrible job at taking the photo, but you get the idea.
This works for a couple of challenges:
-Sisterhood of Scrap - create a layout about you or your childs favorite things
- Mix it Up - use at least 5 stars created out of different materials - I have sequins, buttons, eyelets, felt, stickers & paper.
- Pile it On - use two different ribbons & at least one other challenge from another site/blog.

California

2009-06-17T16:16:00.002-06:00

These are some of the photos from a trip DH and I took to California last spring. I will include the others in a simple 4x6 album.
Sisterhood of Scrap asked you to create a layout about a memorable event, and this trip was definitely memorable so I'd say the layout works for the challenge.

Son's Invite

2009-06-14T13:33:00.004-06:00

My son is having a b'day party next weekend - boating, weiner roast & a sleepover in our camper in the backyard. This morning we made one invite using today's sketch at 365 cards. He's 9 and loves crafting. This card also works for Scrappy Frogs challenge for a fun in the sun card.

Top 3

2009-06-14T08:46:00.001-06:00

It's going to be gorgeous day here today, so not a scrapping day - hopefully a boating day. I just thought I'd share that this layout made the top 3 at Pile it on. thanks ladies!

Mother's day Tea

2009-06-13T18:01:00.003-06:00

My son's gr. 6 class put on a performance and a tea party for all of the mom's. It was wonderful, they had a few songs, a dance number & a slide show. My son was also asked to play the guitar for the first 20 minutes as all of the mom's were arriving.

Method Playground's current challenge is to use envelopes on a layout. I've included the DVD of the performance. The photos on the right are popped up to make room for the DVD underneath it's just not obvious in the photo. I used a sketch from The Scrappiest and the current combo at Color Combos Galore.

Thanks for the Band Teacher

2009-06-11T16:02:00.002-06:00

This will be from a group of parents for our kid's band teacher. They were all first year band kids and she did a great job with them. We chipped in to get her a gift certificate at the spa and I offered to make the card.
The quote is "The pause is as important as the note." When I gave my son a list of possible quotes I was thinking of using, this is one that he's sure he heard her use. On the inside I've written "We hope you have a chance to pause this summer."
I used this weeks sketch at Card Patterns, and the card also fits into the following challenges: Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge (use patterned paper); 2 Red Bananas (use at least 3 patterned papers; Cute Card Thursday (use a quote) and again Pile It on (don't stamp your sentiment - mine is computer generated and use at least one other challenge).

paper: My Minds Eye

Taste of Summer

2009-06-10T14:42:00.002-06:00

A Clean & Simple layout for "anything goes" week at The Buck Stamps Here. It also works for Scrapper's Block - scrap about your senses, and incorporate a sense into a layout. The sketch I used is #60 from Triple the sketch, I just flipped it on it's side. This one also works for Pile It On since I didn't use stamping in my title and I used at least one other challenge.
This was my son in 2002 - I just loved the pics and still hadn't gotten around to scrapping them!

Bright summery card

2009-06-09T22:30:00.003-06:00

This is one color combo that always feels summery to me. The card is based on a sketch at Stamps & Smiles. I also thinks it will fit as a summer card for Fun-frilled and Ann's creative Nook challenges. AND the card challenge at the online crop today at Scrapbooker's clubhouse was to use ribbon on a card.

Fun in the Sun

2009-06-09T16:46:00.003-06:00

There's a new challenge blog - Stamp & Scrap. I was happy to find one that gets me using my stamps in my scrapbooking not just my card making. This week's challenge was to do anything summer themed using two stamps & the following sketch. I flipped & turned the sketch to make it work for these photos, but I think it's obvious I still used the sketch :)
The layout also works for Cafe Mojo this week - create a layout with the theme Summer Fun.
AND, it works for the first challenge at this week's online crop at Scrapbooker's Clubhouse (a great place to hangout). We were to use either blue or yellow waves somehow in a layout. The online crop will be going on all week if anyone else is interested in joining.

mini Thank yous

2009-06-09T16:32:00.002-06:00

Here are a few of the 3x3 thank you cards to go in the little bag I posted yesterday. I think I'll make another set of 3, include some stamps & maybe some chocolate to round out the gift.
The layout for these little cards, as well as the designs came from the talented ladies at Clean & Simple Stamping - thank you!! I just love their blog.
The color ideas came from a few different challenge blogs::
Black, White & a punch of color (in my case pink) from KJs Stamp pad
Pink & Green from If the Shoe Fits Scrap It
Pink & Orange from Pink Persimmon.

3x3 card holder

2009-06-08T17:03:00.006-06:00

This is a little gift bag that will soon hold some 3x3 gift cards for a teacher thank you gift. The colors pink & brown work for both the Pink Elephant and Charisma Cardz challenge blogs.
I plan on working on the cards this evening and will post soon.

Lazy Days

2009-06-07T17:06:00.005-06:00

Another quick layout today.
I used this sketch from If the Shoe Fits.....Scrap it, a new-to-me challenge blog, this week's challenge at Scrapping Out Loud to use rub-ons directly on your photo, and a new challenge blog Pile-it-On who challenges you to use their weekly challenge combined with at least one other challenge blog. This week they challenged you to use a non-stamped sentiment or title (mine is a sticker).

Inspector

2009-06-05T14:26:00.004-06:00

A very simple layout of my son at Halloween when he was 6 (3 yrs ago). He LOVED the Pink Panther movie and was very insistant this is who he wanted to be for Halloween. Not much of a costume, but he was super happy. For months after watching the movie, he'd ask to go for a hamburger just so he could have the honor of ordering it as Steve Martin did. The serving staff thought he was awfully cute (and a bit crazy).

For this layout I used Jennifer Buck's Clean & Simple sketch # 9 and also used the current a la Carte challenge, a new challenge blog which presents a menu, and you choose three of the courses to create your layout. The current menu includes:
1. Use something French.
2. Use six embellishments in a row.
3. Use blue, yellow, and white.
4. Use zig zag (doodling, stitching, etc.).
5. Use three patterned papers.
6. Use one photo
I chose #1, 4, 5 & 6.
Sorry the photo is so crooked.

Sympathy cards

2009-06-04T18:36:00.002-06:00

Unfortunately, I needed to make sympathy cards for a neighbor who lost her brief battle with cancer, at the age of 50. Not only did we know her husband well, but I am also friends with her sister, so I needed two cards. The first one uses the Sketch For You To Try at I Heart 2 Stamp and the second, this week's Card Patterns sketch.

Butterfly dream

2009-06-03T17:47:00.004-06:00

Another of today's cards using a sketch at stamps & smiles.

Card #2 Thanks

2009-06-03T17:40:00.004-06:00

I doubt if DS's 30 yr old guitar instructor cares if he gets a card at the end of the year, so didn't put a ton of time into this one. Used a color combo from SCS and some new to me Unity stamps.

simple card with a better picture!

2009-06-03T17:18:00.002-06:00

Here's one of the 4 cards I made this afternoon. This one works for quite a few challenges:
- Fun Frilled - make a card for a teacher
- KJ's color combo - Black, White, Honey & Cranberry
- Used the sketch at Stamp something
- simple & clean card for Ann's Creative Nook
AND, finally I used this card to take part in Lisa's challenge/tutorial at Sideoats & Scribbles. She has a terrific tutorial on how to set the white balance on your camera and use this to make your colors pop on a card. This photo was taken after I had set the white balance, the next was what it looked like without making this change. Doesn't it look a LOT better. I definitely will be doing this in the future. Thanks Lisa!

Let's Party

2009-05-29T17:14:00.004-06:00

A card for my niece's birthday, using this sketch from Card Positioning Systems. The stamps is from CTMH and the paper is some old stuff in my stash.

Masculine Birthday

2009-05-28T22:11:00.002-06:00

Here's a VERY simple masculine b'day card. Fun-frilled & Cafe Mojo both had challenges this week to use eyelets, so I've added 5 to this card. The eyelets don't seem to stand out as much in the pic as they actually do.

More Owls

2009-05-28T10:57:00.004-06:00

Here's another one for my husband to have on hand for his employees. I used Saturday's Sketch For You To Try. Not to fancy, but since they will be coming from my DH, I wanted to keep them masculine and simple.

Casserole Casualty

2009-05-27T16:59:00.003-06:00

One day I was reaching into my upper cabinets to get a casserole dish and some how it slipped out of my hand and hit my daughter. I was able to catch the lid, but not the dish. She is such a tough kid, she didn't cry much and it didn't bleed much at all, but I was worried so took her in to the medi-clinic and sure enough, she needed 4 stitches. I felt just horrible!! Everyone else in the family loves to tell the story.
I used a combo from Color Combos galore, and a sketch from So Sketchy. I also added glitter to all of the flowers since this week's challenge at Method Playground was to create some glittered embellishments. Scrapping Out Loud's challenge this week was to layer embellishments, so this works for that too.

Simple Owls

2009-05-26T20:18:00.003-06:00

I needed a card for my husband to use for a co-worker, so thought this was masculine enough to come from him. I used the Stamps & Smiles sketch # 16. The owls are a Unity stamp set I recently purchased but hadn't inked up yet.

Great Grandma

2009-05-25T13:30:00.003-06:00

Another quick one. This is my son & Great Grandma, who is one AMAZING lady. She rode in the tube behind our boat when she was 92 and plans on doing it again this summer at age 94! I used sketch #13 from the Scrappiest and today's challenge at Daily Inspiration to use at least 3 diecuts. My picture isn't the best (again), a used pop dots with a few of the diecuts for dimension, but you can't tell in the photo.

At the beach 2001

2009-05-25T13:24:00.002-06:00

A super-super quick layout using this week's sketch #58 from Triple the sketch. This is from 2001 - I'm trying really hard to fill in some of the 'holes' in old albums so I can get them out of my craft room & enjoyed by the family.

2001 Scrap goodies

2009-05-24T21:19:00.002-06:00

I may have broke my own record of combining a number of challenges on this layout - and a little 8 1/2 x 11 one at that! This is an old photo (2001) of a box of goodies I received when I was on the scrapbooking.com design team. I was completely overwhelmed by all that I received. I was living where there were no scrapbooking stores, and there was no internet shopping that I was aware of. I really hate to admit it, but looking at the photo now I realize that I used only a small portion of what I got. I dug some of it up to use on the layout - the Mustard Moon paper and the letter stickers. I may have to try to use a bit more of it!!

Today's challenge on Daily Inspirations was to scrap some scrapbooking related photos and this week's Scrapping Out Loud challenge was to scrap some crappy photos so I new instantly I could combine the two with this photo. I used the cut-out leaves to cover the high chair with the dirty tray, which covered Nicole's technique challenge on Scrapbooker's Clubhouse to do some cut work with a utility knife and Carla's challenge at Sisterhood of Scrap to add some embellishments or title directly on the photo. The colors and the bird came from Mix It Up's inspiration piece which is pictured below. And finally, I used Sketch #4 from So Sketchy, but I couldn't seem to link it here.

Matchy set

2009-05-22T12:42:00.004-06:00

Today's challenge at 365 cards was to make a card with matching envelope. I used Card patterns sketch #15 for the card.
This will be another card for my MILs gift set.

Simple thinking of you

2009-05-22T12:38:00.003-06:00

Another for my simple card set. This one uses Kj's Color Chef Challenge for this week. CTMH colors white, sweet leaf & topiary.

simple Celebrate

2009-05-21T10:21:00.004-06:00

Both Paper Blooms and Fun-Frilled have challenges this week to make a red, white & blue card so I made another for my card kit I'm putting together for a gift. Very simple.

New Challenge blog

2009-05-19T17:12:00.001-06:00

There's a new challenge block starting up - The Next Level. It looks interesting, here it is if you'd like to check it out:

http://thenextlevelchallenge.blogspot.com/

Just Because

2009-05-19T15:40:00.002-06:00

Here's the first card of a set I'm making as a gift. Will post a few more later.
I used Dawn McVey's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #6, but you'd never know it based on my poor picture. The challenge was to use Aqua blue, brown, white & a coral pink.

Bright Birthday card

2009-05-19T15:25:00.003-06:00

A birthday card using Color combo CC219 at Splitcoast Stampers, and a sketch from GCD Studios. It's pretty bright!

Crazy Faces

2009-05-17T12:49:00.003-06:00

More old photos, more old supplies.
I used this week's sketch at 52sketches, 52 weeks, and combined it with a challenge at Scrapper's block to use metallic accents. I dug up some old letters, eyelets, staples & added some wired embellishments to the pumpkins.

Triple the Sketch

2009-05-17T11:20:00.003-06:00

Last week I played along with Triple the Sketch and I found out yesterday, that I won the RAK. The prize looks absolutely terrific. I will post pics once I receive it, but it is a package from Elle's Studio and looks so fun.

I made this tag last night based on this week's sketch. I haven't used a sketch for a tag before, but I know I will do it again in the future. It looked great on the gift basket I took over to a friend.

Just because for Mrs. M

2009-05-17T11:11:00.003-06:00

Just a quick card for my son's school music teacher. They put on a spring musical this past week which was just incredible. She goes to so much work and does such a terrific job, I just wanted to send her an appreciation card.
I used Card Positioning sketch #116 and Cafe Mojo's challenge to "Bling the things". I used jewels, stickles & a bit of glitter.

Sleeping Under the Christmas Tree

2009-05-17T10:52:00.003-06:00

Call me strange, but whenever I'm scrapping old photos to fill in the holes in the old albums, I like to use up some of my old supplies. It just seems to 'fit'. These were photos of the boys and I sleeping under the Christmas tree the night we decorated it in 2000. The tree is a felt Paper Bliss tree that I'm sure I've had for 8 or 9 years!
I used a sketch at Beary Box and a challenge at Method Playground to use decorative tape. I've had this tape for years, and have never used it so this was a nice push to get it out.
Once again the photo is terrible, but the decorative tape was glossy so I couldn't use a flash. Pretty soon it will nice enough to take some photos outdoors.

Teacher thanks

2009-05-13T23:11:00.003-06:00

A very quick thank you card for a teacher. I used the CPS115 card sketch found here.

Preschool portraits

2009-05-13T20:50:00.004-06:00

Another layout inspired by a few challenges:
- Sketch # 56 at Triple the Sketch
- May 11th challenge at Sisterhood of scrap - stitch stem & leaves on a flower
- Cafe mojo challenge to use stamps
- Color combo #122 at Color Combos Galore

As soon as I saw this week's color combo I new exactly which photos to use. These were my daughter's portraits taken at preschool a few years ago. When I found the little proofs, I knew it would work well for this sketch. The flowers are created by using 8 different circle stamps. My stitching of the leaves is pretty poor, but I like the rest of the layout. There will be a facing page with the class photo.

Friend card for Debbie

2009-05-12T21:29:00.004-06:00

So I kind of went a bit "challenge crazy" on this card! I needed a card for a friend and decided to combine a few challenges:

- Fun-Frilled - make a card for a friend
- Card Patterns, sketch #14 pictured below (I just turned it on it's side)
- Kelly Jo's Color Chef Challenge #6 - I didn't have the colors of ink she suggested but I believe the patterned paper was a perfect fit.
- 365 cards challenge # 73 - use scallops, a circle & some bling (there's a circle under the flower)

Adam's 10th Birthday

2009-05-07T13:15:00.002-06:00

I used sketch #25 posted on the Beary Box blog this morning to come up with this quick card for my nephew's b'day. I was very happy to see that I won their challenge last week - thanks so much, Beary Box!

simple trees

2009-05-07T13:09:00.002-06:00

A very simple card for my DH to give to his assistant. He is leaving the company after 20 yrs tomorrow so he wanted to give her a little goodbye/thank you. I got the color idea from Kelly Jo's Color Chef challenge #5. I didn't have any creme brulee paper, but this Mind's Eye paper seemed pretty close based on my stamp pad.

Connor Easter 06

2009-05-06T23:07:00.003-06:00

Still trying to work my way through some of my 2006 photos. For this one I used sketch #11 (below) at The Scrappiest. I added another picture, but otherwise stuck to the sketch fairly well. I can't believe how little he's changed in 3 years - these pics don't look much different than this Easter!

Mother's Day

2009-05-06T22:57:00.003-06:00

You know how somethings look much better in your mind? This card fits that category, I'm not happy with it but if I have any chance of getting it to my mom in time for Mother's day I have to get it in the mail tomorrow morning. I tried to create a 3 layer butterfly using vellum and doing some embossing, but it just didn't turn out as I had hoped. Hopefully mothers still love their children's artwork, even when they are 40!!
I used this week's sketch at Card Patterns and a call for Mother's day cards at Cafe Mojo.

Mother's Day card for Mother in law

2009-05-06T22:48:00.003-06:00

I combined a call at Fun-Frilled for Mother's day cards and Stamps & Smiles sketch #13 found here, to come up with this card for my Mother in law. Also, the challenge at 365 cards was to think pink and create a pink card.

Buds

2009-05-05T17:57:00.005-06:00

I think this has to be one of the quickest layouts I've ever done. I used Clean & Simple sketch #7 by Jenifer Buck, found here. This is my husband and oldest - they get along so well.

Back to School

2009-05-03T12:50:00.003-06:00

This was the last layout I did on NSD, just didn't get it uploaded yesterday. This was first day of School in 2006. I used a sketch at Inspired blueprints and an ad challenge at Ad this, to come up with the page. The ad had lots of circles on it so I went with that.

Smile

2009-05-02T16:17:00.004-06:00

Another one of my so darn cute DD. I saw flowers created like this out of felt this week on someone's else's blog and for the life of me can't remember where. I hate not giving someone credit when I steal their idea. I'll update my post later when it comes to me.

I got the fun color combo at Color Combinations Galore. It's nice to try something different for a change. I also used last Monday's sketch at Beary Box.

Fashion Sense

2009-05-02T15:59:00.005-06:00

Second layout of the day. This is my DD's fashion sense!!! She was asked to get ready for her brother's b'day party (in January) and she came down wearing this bathing suit and her striped tights! I just love the photo.
Method Playground had a challenge to use clippings from magazines which worked perfectly for this photo. I clipped a variety of article titles and designer labels to create the frame around the photo. Also, added a stamp to break it up a bit.
I also found a new challenge blog, Scrapper's Block (perfect name, isn't it?) and this week's challenge was to do a layout without patterned paper, so this should work for that also. I never used to use patterned paper, but now do all the time.

Kickin' It

2009-05-02T15:45:00.002-06:00

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!
I locked myself in my room and got a bit done this afternoon, and hope to get a little more done this evening.
My first was this soccer layout for my oldest DS. I combined two challenges. The first was at Scrapping Out Loud to use a color that you generally shy away from. My color is purple. I didn't use a lot of it on this layout, but I felt this was as much I could get away with my son's album :) His jerseys were a very bright purple & he didn't like that much! The next was a challenge at Mix It Up, to use a variety of fonts in your title. I used some diecuts letters, stickers, thickers, stamps & tag.
Once again, my photo is way too dark UGH!

Happy Birthday Bev

2009-05-01T19:22:00.003-06:00

This is a birthday card for my mother-in-law. I combined Dawn McVey's color challenge and sketch #24 at the Beary Box.

Danielle's b'day

2009-04-29T13:11:00.003-06:00

I created this card with my 6 yo DD for her bff's birthday on Friday. It remained pretty simple, and I would have added more black, but she wouldn't go for that! We used Kelly Jo's color chef challenge #4 and this weeks card Patterns sketch.

I usually don't help the kids with creating their friends cards, but I wanted to join in on my friend Ali's challenge for Sisterhood of Scrap, and one of the options in the challenge was to create a project with a 7 on it. Since this was a perfect opportunity I had to help her.

Unity flowers

2009-04-28T13:02:00.003-06:00

Today's card is one I made for color inspiration #50 at kwernerdesigns.com

My coloring is so off here, but really that is brown not black!

I think I'll keep this one to send to my Aunt while she undergoes her chemo treatments, hopefully it will brighten her day.

Fishing Thanks

2009-04-27T22:38:00.004-06:00

I rec'd this set of stamps from Unity today in the mail. It's actually a winter themed set and this little guy was ice fishing, but I covered the part of the stamp that had the hole in the ice. Hopefully with these colors it looks summery enough. We frequently visit friends cottages during the summer, so thought it would be nice card to have on hand for that. I placed an order from Unity stamps and spent enough to get a freebie, so this set was a nice little surprise.

Today's challenge at 365 cards was to use a fish on a card, so getting this in the mail today was perfect. I also used the sketch found here, by Jen del Muro, and the color combination came from Jennifer Buck for challenge #1 at Unity's birthday party celebration.

baby Congrats

2009-04-27T22:30:00.003-06:00

Friends just became grandparents this weekend, so this card is for them.
I combined 2 challenges, yesterday's sketch at 365 cards and challenge #10 at Sisterhood of Scrap to use this poster as inspiration for a card or layout.

I tried to brighten the picture, but it's now too bright, the colors are much softer.

more generous crafters

2009-04-27T13:51:00.002-06:00

I was just alerted to some more generous ladies giving away some blog candy, so passing on the info:

http://mycardz.wordpress.com/2009/04/14/blog-candy-2/
http://tammysplace-tammy.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-first-blog-candy-to-celebrate-100.html
http://kadoodlestamps.wordpress.com/2009/04/25/last-blog-candy/
http://stephmuchadoaboutnothing.blogspot.com
http://craftmaiden.blogspot.com/2009/04/blog-candy-time.html
http://tinkernco.blogspot.com/2009/04/blog-candy.html
http://desiref.blogspot.com/

Quick Easter page

2009-04-27T13:48:00.003-06:00

Just a quick page of some Easter pics from 06 for Scott's album. He is 'much' too old for the typical Easter colors and such, so went more masculine on this one. I used sketch #8 from The Scrappiest, a new sketch blog I just found.

Blog candy alerts

2009-04-24T16:21:00.003-06:00

Here are some generous ladies offering up some candy, if you're interested:

http://shannonssentiments.blogspot.com/

http://passionforcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/04/blogoversary-candy.html

http://meganklauerdesign.blogspot.com/

Yakety Yak

2009-04-24T15:02:00.002-06:00

I decided it was time for a girly page. I get tired of working on the boys stuff!
My daughter is a talker, she talks constantly, CONSTANTLY. It's ironic since her speech development was a bit delayed. Just shows they will do it when they are ready.

Those of you who visit my blog know that I like challenges. It gets me creating pages that don't all look alike. This time, this page incorportates 5 challenges. I didn't really intend for that, but that's how it turned out.

1. This week's color challenge at Color Combos Galore - a new place I just found that has some amazing color combos and helps me out of my rut.
2. Sketch # 16 at Inspired blueprints, even though my page looks very different since I made it 8.5 x 11 and switched the journalling & photo around.
3. Challenge # 4 for Sisterhood of Scraps birthday bash, to use a title of a 50's song as the title of a layout, and use 5 circle elements (my buttons)
4. Mix It Ups challenge this week to use rub-ons in an unusual fashion. I used them the usual way and then also used them on two buttons, a plastic one & a fabric one.
5. Jennifer's challenge at SBCH to use flowers on a layout.

Phew!

Thanks Coach Roger

2009-04-24T12:01:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow is our son's hockey windup party so I need a thank you card for the coach. Unfortunately, the picture coloring is terrible again, but here it is anyway. I used this week's sketch from Card Patterns.

Blog award

2009-04-23T21:37:00.003-06:00

Look what Rose @ www.roseshappyplace.blogspot.com awarded me:

Thank you so much Rose!
I'm so new to this blogging thing so this was a nice surprise. I have just started popping into other's blogs and have yet to really start following many, but some of my fave's include:

Jennifer @ The Buck Stamps Here

maren @ Zany not Crazy

Vicki Boutin

Dawn @ My Favorite Things

Megan Klauer Designs

I sure plan on looking in at Rose's other favorites for some inspiration.

1 Cool Dude

2009-04-23T20:26:00.004-06:00

Pics from summer 03. Used Jennifer Buck's Clean & Simple sketch #5 so it came together fairly quickly.