Saturday, June 2, 2012

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #160

Well, here we are again - time for another fabulous Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! This week is a really fun sketch - check it out:

 

Sadly, this is my final week as a member of the Sweet Sunday Stampers Design Team. With Summer Break in full swing, several home improvement projects on the horizon, and feeling like I just need to take another little step back from so much time spent in my craft room - it's time to let a few things go. I've been on this team since September of 2009 and it's really hard for me to leave. I consider each of these DT girls a close friend - they've seen me through some pretty serious ups and down in my life and we've had some HILARIOUS e-mail exchanges. I'm going to miss those crazy e-mails! Anyway, enough blah blah about all that. Let's move on to my final sample card (and then I'm going to take a trip down memory lane and share 5 of my favorite-ist Sweet Sunday Sketch cards with you at the end of this post)...


Yep, it's another no-stamping hybrid card and you're right. I got a little scrap-happy again with the over-embellished vibe. I used the new Play Ball Like a Girl digi kit by Libby Pritchett (Sweet Shoppe) for all of the paper and those fun digital elements and I added all kinds of extra crap. It's so unlike me. I can't seem to stop using those wood veneer stars from Studio Calico, and well I guess that pom pom trim is totally like me, and for some reason I tried to do some glitter splatter again, but I just can't seem to get that right. How do people do that splattered look? Anyway, I think the card as a whole works. I added a few extra layers that aren't on the sketch but overall I think the sketch is there.

Be sure to stop by the other Sweet Sunday Stampers' blogs to see what they've done with the sketch:

AND...we have another fabulous Guest Sweet Sunday Stamper, Tracy Clemente! Be sure to stop by and see what she's created with this week's sketch too!

Then play along with us and post your own creation using InLinkz over on today's post on Karen's Blog!

And now, just because I'm feeling all sentimental, here's a look at 5 of my favorite cards I ever created for the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge (and no, I'm not including links to the sketch. This post is already late enough as it is. You'll just have to figure that out for yourself. Or, if you really want to know, e-mail me and I'll figure it out for you). 



 


 

And that's it. Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

June 2012 SFYTT

 

Well, it's that time again already - first Saturday of the month and time for another fabulous Sketch For You to Try!! I hope you all had a chance to play along with us last month - Lots of exciting things in store for participants of the monthly SFYTT this year, including a chance to win another fabulous huge prize package at the end of the year!! All of the details can be found on today's post over on Jen's blog, with some of the details outlined in the "In a Nutshell" graphic at the end of this post. We have another amazing sponsor this month  - Lil' Inker Designs!

First, here's a look at this month's awesome sketch:

 

Unfortunately I was on vacation and didn't have a chance to get my order placed in time to play along with any Lil' Inker stamps for my sample card today, but I definitely have several sets on my wish list! Instead, I created a very out-of-my-comfort-zone overly-embellished hybrid card. Check it out:

 

I used the new Cannon Ball digi kit by Traci Reed (Sweet Shoppe Designs) for all of the printed digi papers and lots of the embellishments - the slippers (or "flip flops" as you folks on the mainland call them), the fish, the sentiment strip. I kept pulling out lots of neglected stuff from my embellishment stash and just kept adding crap to this card until I forced myself to stop. I think I need a little practice with the Mister Huey's sprays to make it look less messy, but other than that I was happy with the way it turned out. I added some old American Crafts flair, some of my beloved pom pom trim, some chunky glass glitter in random splatters, and some Studio Calico wood veneer stars. It's a very scrappy card.


Be sure to stop by the rest of the SFYTT Sisters' blogs to see what they've done with this month's sketch! And a very warm welcome to our Designer of the Month, Julie Elak! Don't forget to stop by her blog to see what she's created as well.

Jen del Muro
Amber Hight
Amy Sheffer
Becky Carafa
Carole Burrage
Jodi Collins
Kerry Johnson
Megan Lock
Susan Liles
Tracy Schultz

 

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

May SFYTT Reminder


Just a reminder that there are just a few days left to play along with the May Sketch For You To Try! And don't forget about our fabulous sponsor this month, Skipping Stones Designs. Here's a final look at this month's sketch:

And a look back at my May SFYTT creations with links to my original blog posts for product details. First this fun Hybrid Baby Card:


And next this cheerful Everyday Verve Card:


All details and upload information can be found on THIS POST on Jen's blog. I hope you find time to play along this month!

Saturday, May 19, 2012

May SFYTT, Post #2

 

It's the 3rd Saturday of May and that means it's time for some more Sketch For You To Try Inspiration from a few of the SFYTT Sisters! Have you had a chance to play along with this month's sketch yet? You've got until March 31st at midnight, so there's still plenty of time to create something and it's a SUPER fun sketch this month! And don't forget we have another amazing sponsor this month - Skipping Stones Designs!



Today, half of the SFYTT Sisters are posting another sample on their blogs using this month's sketch. I decided to play with some fun new digi papers and a mix of old and new Verve Stamps to create an everyday card for my stash. My old hand-made photo-taking set-up bit the dust this week, so I had to take this picture without any type of setup and it's pretty blurry and you can see my messy room in the background. But for a little while at least, this is just how it's going to be.
 

All of those patterned papers are from the Quilting Bee Paper Pack by Robyn Meierotto (Design House Digital). As for all the Verve goodies, I went with my trusty Love Notes label stand-by along with the matching Classy Label Die with a sentiment from All About You layered on top. And those yummy flowers? They're from the new Joyful Blooms stamp set and cut out using the coordinating Joyful Blooms Die Set. I LOVE how well all of my Verve stamps and dies mix and match together - it's so fun digging into my massive stash of Verve and using a little of this and a little of that to create something truly unique.

Be sure to stop by these other SFYTT Sisters' blogs to see what they're sharing today with this month's sketch!

Jen del Muro
Carole Burrage
Jodi Collins
Kerry Johnson
Megan Lock
Susan Liles

OK, that's it from me. Enjoy your weekend everyone! Aloha!

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Project Life 2012 - Week 6

Thank you so much for the positive feedback about Project Life. Over the next few weeks I'll try to get caught up with sharing my PL Album pages here on the blog. When I'm feeling ambitious I'll include product links, but sometimes I won't. If there's ever anything you want to know about, just leave a comment and I'll mention the product with a link in my next Project Life post.

Week 6 - February 5 - February 11, 2012:


 This was another busy week and I really liked the way the two pages came together - lots of bright colors and lots of the "everyday" documented". Above is a photo of both pages together with the 6x12 journaling insert (it's a Cathy Zielske template from Designer Digitals). Below is a closer look at that (I'm not sure if you can actually read it, but if you click on the photo you might be able to if you care about the nitty gritty of our week). The highlights of the week were the Superbowl and booking our Disneyland vacation package (which actually happens next week!! YAY!).

 

This week I chose to document some of our current favorite TV shows and what we seem to be watching a lot of right now. I also included a calendar of February, a Superbowl graphic, a photo of Dean at drop-off at school as well as with a hat he made for the 100th day of school which was that week (I included a 3x4 journaling card with some extra journaling about the activities they did for the 100th day of school too). And finally a photo of Dean doing some artwork on his easel in his underwear. This kid is most comfortable in his underwear! And his "artwork" was actually just a list of alternate names for his cat - so cute!


The right side of the layout includes a Disneyland graphic - I chose something sort of retro-ish because I just liked it. I also journaled about a funny story from Joel taking Dean to get his haircut. If you can see that journaling card, you should read it. It's classic. There are also photos of Dean's library books from the week, some flowers Joel picked up from a roadside stand, Dean and I working on his Periodic Table puzzle, this month's book club pick (which I read in one sitting), and a collage of pictures from a trip to the Maui Tropical Plantation to feed the ducks and fish.


And that's about it. It was a good week and so many bits and pieces of life I would have already forgotten if not for Project Life!

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Sweet Sunday Sketch #158

It's Sunday again and that means it's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Karen has a fun sketch for us this week (and YAY for no tilted panels!!):

I made a hybrid card to give my son Dean. It's just an everyday card that I plan to give him next week before our vacation with a little note inside telling him how excited I am to make some really fun memories with him.


Are you guys tired of the whole space theme yet? Well, too bad! ;-) Dean's *slightly* obsessed with all things space, so get used to it. I used some fun printed digi papers from the Rocketman kit by Deena Rutter (Design House Digital). And I finally used my PTI Out of this World stamp set for the very first time!

Be sure to stop by the other Sweet Sunday Stampers' blogs to see what they've done with the sketch:
AND...we have another fabulous Guest Sweet Sunday Stamper, Erica Cerwin! Be sure to stop by and see what she's created with this week's sketch too!

Then play along with us and post your own creation using InLinkz over on today's post on Karen's Blog!

Project Life 2012 - Week 5

OK, so I really am totally caught up on my Project Life album through Week 17, but I've totally slacked with sharing it here on my blog. Mostly because it's just a pain. And I'm not really sure if anyone cares? I have to say that I absolutely LOVE this project. I think I've said that before, but now that I'm 1/3 of the way through the year I know without a doubt that I will continue doing this beyond 2012. Not only has it completely changed the way I scrapbook, but (and I know this might sound silly) it's kind of changed my life. For real. It's made me slow down and really enjoy the day to day. I appreciate all those little moments a bit more. Before when I was just scrapping the big events it felt like I was kind of missing the little stuff, sort of just floating through my daily life, waiting for the next big event, and not really appreciating the little things. But now that I'm forcing myself to really document all of those little moments I'm appreciating them so much more and find that I also appreciate my family more and am spending more quality time with them. I really think this project has helped me prioritize my time and I'm so thankful my friend Sarah convinced me to do this (even though she totally bailed on me before the year even started!). So thanks Sarah! :-)

Anyway, I'm going to share a few more weeks, starting with where I left off the last time I shared - with Week 5 - and see if anyone cares. If nobody comments or seems to give a crap, I'm not going to waste my time sharing this stuff. Initially I'm not going to post product links either because that's a lot of work. But if you want to know about specific product, leave a comment and I'll add that info. If there seems to be any interest in this, then I'll continue sharing and start adding product links.

So anyway, Week 5. January 29 - February 4, 2012. Here's a look at the 2-page spread with inserts:


It was a fun and busy week. It started out with a Birthday Party at one of Dean's friend's houses on Sunday morning followed by a trip to the Maui Pops Orchestra Sunday afternoon. A journaling card on the left-hand page told about that trip. It turned out Dean was getting sick and ended up missing school and gymnastics on Monday. I included an e-mail from Uncle Jeff at Valley Isle Gymnastics, a photo of Dean sleeping off a fever on the couch, and a photo of meds and a thermometer to document Dean's illness. There's also a picture of Dean doing some homework on the left side of the layout.


I tried something new this week as it was the end of the month of January. I burned all of my January photos onto a CD and created a little folder to hold the CD in my Project Life album. I back up my photos several ways (External Hard Drive, online backup, and burning them onto CDs) and I thought this would be a convenient way to store those CDs. Unfortunately, we're now into May and I haven't done this since January. It's on my list of to-do's. The other insert was Dean's Runner Number for the Run for the Whales. He ran in the Keiki Run (a 2k race) on Saturday and I wanted to keep his number.



And here's a look at the right-side page with the inserts removed. I documented about returning to my old tried and true self-care / beauty products that I've used since High School but can't get on Maui, Origins. (I had stopped using them because I didn't like having to order them online, but had been unable to find another natural beauty product that I was happy with, so during Week 5 I went back to Origins). There are several pictures from Dean's race in the Run for the Whales as well as a funny conversation we had on our way to the race. A filler card, a Facebook status update, some yogurtland eating, and a Week in Review finished up Week 5.


So what do you think? Do you want to see more of my Project Life? Do you want me to share the rest of it? I have 17 weeks of 2012 done and plan to continue. Please leave a comment and let me know. Thanks for stopping by!

May 2012 SFYTT

Well, it's that time again already - first Saturday of the month and time for another fabulous Sketch For You to Try!! I hope you all had a chance to play along with us last month - Lots of exciting things in store for participants of the monthly SFYTT this year, including a chance to win another fabulous huge prize package at the end of the year!! All of the details can be found on today's post over on Jen's blog, with some of the details outlined in the "In a Nutshell" graphic at the end of this post. We have another amazing sponsor this month - Skipping Stones Designs!

First, how about a look at this month's fabulous sketch:


 For my sample card this week I created a fun hybrid baby boy card using a new digital kit from Libby Pritchett and a stamped sentiment from Verve Stamps. I did *slightly* change a few things with the sketch - I smooshed the two horizontal strips together a bit, and I changed the top rectangle layer to an oval (I just couldn't get the rectangle to look right with the main image I chose to use).


All of the papers and that cute little giraffe image are printed digital goodies from the new A Blue Elephant In The Room kit by Libby and Jeff Pritchett (Sweet Shoppe). I added a small sentiment from the Small Phrases stamp set by Verve.

Be sure to stop by the rest of the SFYTT Sisters' blogs to see what they've done with this month's sketch! And a very warm welcome to our Designer of the Month, Dawn Barghorn! Don't forget to stop by her blog to see what she's created as well.

Jen del Muro and Guest Designs Annie Rosentiel
Amber Hight
Amy Sheffer
Becky Carafa
Carole Burrage
Jodi Collins
Kerry Johnson
Megan Lock
Susan Liles

And a very special welcome to NEW SFYTT Sister, Tracy Schultz!! 


Verve Diva Inspirations May 2012 Blog Hop

It's May 5th and that means it's time for another Verve Divas Inspirations Blog Hop! On the 5th of each month, the Verve Divas Inspirations Team will be sharing creations using some of our favorite Verve sets from both past and present, and as always, there are PRIZES!!

You can start the hop at the beginning on the Verve Blog and continue on through each fabulous blog - be sure to leave a little comment love along the way and you just might win some Verve goodies of your own! If you arrived here from the talented Jen d's blog, then you're on the right track! (I can't seem to get the graphic for the entire hop list to work, but the entire list should be posted on the Verve Blog or on someone else's blog along the hop).

I was in need of one last Mother's Day card, so I dug into my digital files and printed out some paper and pulled out some of my favorite Verve stamps and got to work.


First, all of that fun paper is printed digi paper from the Sweet Life Digital Paper Pack by Robyn Meierotto (Design House Digitals). The orange scalloped oval label is from the Sweet On You stamp set, a super versatile stamp that I often forget about using (and I still think Julee needs to add this to the Die List!!). The bright pink flower is from the Meditations set while the sentiment is from the gigantic Love Deepens set. I'm really happy with how this card turned out - honestly it's probably one of my favorites I've made in a long time. I love the mix of stamps, colors and patterns. Here's a closer look:


OK, that's it from me. Julee is next on the Hop List and I can't wait to see what fabulousness she's created! Head on over to her blog and check it out. Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

April SFYTT Reminder

Just a reminder that there are just a few days left to play along with the April Sketch For You To Try! And don't forget about our fabulous sponsor this month, There She Goes! They have some pretty awesome stuff in their store and I've been itching to play with my Just For You set again!


Here's a final look at this month's sketch:


All details and upload links can be found on the original April SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY post HERE.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Sweet Sunday Sketch #157

It's Sunday and that means it's time for another fabulous Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! That sneaky Karen got a darn tilted panel in there this week!! ugh.


I *really* don't like tilted panels - AS KAREN KNOWS - I never know quite what angle to set the panel at and always end up feeling like I either tilt it too much (as was the case with this one) or not enough. Most of the time I end up just skipping the tilting altogether and make it straight, but I thought I'd comply this week since I've been late with post pretty much this entire year! ;-)


Not my favorite card ever, but it'll do. I made it for a friend who will be starting a fun new job soon. I pulled some old October Afternoon papers out of my stash and used some neglected PTI stamp sets - Modern Wood Mats and Simple Sentiments, added a die cut felt flower and some buttons and called it done.

Be sure to stop by the other Sweet Sunday Stampers' blogs to see what they've done with the sketch:
AND...we have another fabulous Guest Sweet Sunday Stamper, Tarynne Wise! Be sure to stop by and see what she's created with this week's sketch too!

Then play along with us and post your own creation using InLinkz over on today's post on Karen's Blog!

April 2012 SFYTT, Post #2


It's the 3rd Saturday of April and that means it's time for some more Sketch For You To Try Inspiration from a few of the SFYTT Sisters! Have you had a chance to play along with this month's sketch yet? You've got until March 31st at midnight, so there's still plenty of time to create something and it's a SUPER fun sketch this month! And don't forget we have another amazing sponsor this month - There She Goes!


Today, half of the SFYTT Sisters are posting another sample on their blogs using this month's sketch. I decided to play with some new paper pads and a mix of old and new Verve Stamps to create the first of this year's Mother's Day Cards!


I used the new Celebrate Collection paper pad from Authentique along with some of my favorite older Verve sets. On first glance it has a sort of masculine feel to it, but I know my Mom will love the surfer-vibe achieved with the papers and the circle frame thing from the Happy Days set along with the Hibiscus Plain Jane. And how about that sentiment!? That's from the brand new Joyful Blooms set. I love it!

Be sure to stop by these other SFYTT Sisters' blogs to see what they're sharing today with this month's sketch!

Jen del Muro
Carole Burrage
Jodi Collins
Kerry Johnson
Megan Lock
Susan Liles

OK, that's it from me. Enjoy your weekend everyone! Aloha!

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Sweet Sunday Sketch #156

Well, it's Sunday again and that means it's time for another fun Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! This week's fabulous sketch was designed by the talented Lynn Put! Check it out:


I created a hybrid birthday card to add to my stash this week:


Once again, I couldn't resist using one of Karen Lewis' amazing digital kits for my printed digi papers - this time I went with the Having a Laugh paper pack. I just love all those bright colors! As for the stamps, I used my new Tremendous Treats: Birthday set as well as my older Mat Stack 3 Collection, both from PTI.

Be sure to stop by the other Sweet Sunday Stampers' blogs to see what they've done with the sketch:
AND...we have another fabulous Guest Sweet Sunday Stamper, Denise Marzec! Be sure to stop by and see what she's created with this week's sketch too!

Then play along with us and post your own creation using InLinkz over on today's post on Karen's Blog!

April 2012 SFYTT


Well, it's that time again already - first Saturday of the month and time for another fabulous Sketch For You to Try!! I hope you all had a chance to play along with us last month - Lots of exciting things in store for participants of the monthly SFYTT this year, including a chance to win another fabulous huge prize package at the end of the year!! All of the details can be found on today's post over on Jen's blog, with some of the details outlined in the "In a Nutshell" graphic at the end of this post. We have another amazing sponsor this month - There She Goes!


First, how about a look at this month's fabulous sketch:


For my sample card this week I created a fun hybrid birthday card with the amazing Just For You stamp set.


All of the papers on this card are printed digi papers from the Just Another Day kit by Karen Lewis (Scrapbook Graphics). I had a genius moment when I thought to paper piece the inside of the stamped label from the Just For You set. I also used the cute little 2-part cupcake stamp and the Happy Birthday sentiment included in the set. So many different options with this fun stamp set - I'll definitely be using it again for many different occasions!

Be sure to stop by the rest of the SFYTT Sisters' blogs to see what they've done with this month's sketch! And a very warm welcome to our Designer of the Month, Dawn Barghorn! Don't forget to stop by her blog to see what she's created as well.

Jen del Muro
Amber Hight
Amy Sheffer
Becky Carafa
Carole Burrage
Jodi Collins
Kerry Johnson
Megan Lock
Susan Liles


Thursday, April 5, 2012

Verve Diva Inspirations April 2012 Blog Hop

It's April 5th and that means it's time for another Verve Divas Inspirations Blog Hop! On the 5th of each month, the Verve Divas Inspirations Team will be sharing creations using some of our favorite Verve sets from both past and present, and as always, there are PRIZES!!

You can start the hop at the beginning on the Verve Blog and continue on through each fabulous blog - be sure to leave a little comment love along the way and you just might win some Verve goodies of your own! If you arrived here from the talented Jen d's blog, then you're on the right track!

Unfortunately, I was in need of a sympathy card this week. Our tight-knit island community was hit hard last weekend when 5 young lives were tragically lost in a head-on collision on Kula Highway. Needless to say, an accident of this magnitude has been devastating for so many families on our little island, and my husband knows one of these families quite well. It's my least favorite type of card to make, but sometimes it's just necessary.


I used the Viva La Verve April Week 1 sketch for my card and pulled out two older Verve sets for the card. All of the papers are printed digi papers from the Moment in Time kit by Karen Lewis (Scrapbook Graphics). The sentiment is from a beautiful go-to set for sympathy cards, Forever in Our Hearts. And those flowers? I'm actually pretty proud of my Copic coloring on those (not my best skill). They're from the One Person stamp set.

OK, that's it from me. Julee is next on the official Hop List, but I'm not sure if she's back to card-making or blogging form just yet? Of course it would fabulous to leave her some love on her blog anyway. If she doesn't have anything posted, just head on over to the next blogger on the list, which is the fabulous Lynda!

Thanks for stopping by today!