Stash-Busting Challenge 2018

This past year has been pretty hard on my creativity. With the addition of several new volunteering roles/responsibilities, my free time/energy took a dive. Like a nose dive. Yikes. Now a year has past and hopefully I have learned a few lessons about volunteering and setting boundaries.

One of the things I missed this past year was participating in this wonderful crafting community. I still did my design team work and checked in on IG, but that just wasn't enough. I recognized a long time ago that this community is good for me and I need to get back to being an active part of it.

So today, my first day blogging since 2017, I want to share a super fun challenge that has me really excited! The challenge is Jill Sprott's "Stash-Busting Challenge 2018!"  The basic run down of the challenge is that you create a kit based off of a list of contents and create at least 3 projects with it. The challenge runs from June through July and we are encouraged to share our kits, projects, and enthusiasm wherever we can. Like Jill, I am going to be sharing my energy for this project here at the blog and on IG (my username is @michellewedertz.)

Now that I've got the basics out of the way, here's the kit that I pulled together:

This kit is full of my faves: the colors, manufactures, textures...I love it! It felt so nice to pull out my Iris boxes from under my bed and sift through all of the product. I am pretty regular about purging my stash, so what I still have I absolutely love for one reason or another and I felt like I was in crafty heaven looking through it all.

 Here's the list of contents:

1. Eight pieces of patterned paper scraps, four specialty paper/"other" paper scraps, and two complete/unused sheets of patterned paper.  I went with a mix of Crate Paper, Pink Fresh Studio, and Dear Lizzy for my papers. My specialty papers are from Echo Park, Crate Paper, and Studio Calico and include vellum and gold/silver foil.
2. No more than one yard of ribbon/trim. I pulled out a white pompom trim from a past Felicity Jane Kit. It is not pictured because I forgot to pull it back from the side when I was setting up my photo. 
3. One sticker sheet or set, with a catch: at least on sticker must be missing from the sheet. I went with a chipboard Thicker set from Dear Lizzy that I have been slowly using.
4. A pre-2016 alphabet set. This is where I had to fudge a bit, because I could not find a set any older than 2016. When I said I destash regularly, I meant it--the hoarding gene is not that strong in this one! I ended up picking out my favorite Thicker set for this one--a gold sparkly Thicker set-from 2016.
5. One opened package of scrappy product. I chose a package of ephemera from Pink Fresh Studio that I had hanging around. One of the reasons that I still have it is that it has quite a few labels that I like to use for journaling and thought it would be a good option to have.
6. One unopened package of scrappy product. I chose another package of ephemera for this one. I like to have lots of ephemera to choose from and felt like this Dear Lizzy set would be a good match for my papers.
7. One roll of tape or pad of sticky notes. I went with a washi with gold foiled hearts. In all honesty, most of my washi tape is used to tape down my stitching on the backside of my projects or used by my daughters to tape their artwork to their walls, so it will be interesting to see if I actually use it for scrapping.
8. One item or package from a company that no longer makes scrappy products. Again, I had no such thing, so I improvised with an opened package of bowtie clips/sequins from an older Crate Paper collection called "Cute Girl."
9. Up to ten journaling and/or PL cards/tags. Since I had them in my Iris boxes, I pulled out left over journaling cards that were also from Crate's "Cute Girl" collection. I adored this line from Crate and I will be really happy to put them to use. I also plan on pulling PL cards from my card box as I work through projects.
10. Three "wild card" items. Include anything you've been wanting to use. I chose a set of chipboard embellishments from Pink Fresh Studio, a sheet of stickers from one of Maggie Holmes' lines, and a new set of sparkly blue Thickers that are not in the picture because I forgot to grab them for the photo.
11. A nearby item. This was easy. I picked a small container of heart shaped paper clips that I love from a Felicity Jane Kit. They are gold and tiny and cute and I already had them sitting out waiting to be used.

And that's a wrap! My kit is ready to go! Woohoo! Thank you Jill--this was pretty darn fun! 

If you plan on or are already playing along with Jill's Stash-Busting Challenge, I would love to see what you have going! If you are on IG, use the tag #stashbustingchallenge2018 and I will find you! Lol! If you are more of a blogger, drop a link to your post(s) in the comments and I will stop by and see what you have. 

Happy scrapping!

Michelle

Right Now

Hello! Today I am sharing a layout that I created with the October "Waverly" Scrapbook Kit from Citrus Twist Kits that documents a knee injury from when I tripped on a baby gate. Yes, I trip on things pretty routinely, but this was the first time I really hurt myself. My husband warned me pretty frequently not to step over the gate, but I obviously did not listen! Ha ha.

This fall actually hurt really bad. I tripped on the gate that goes into the garage from the backyard and the garage floor is cement.  I have fallen once before (slipped on the kitchen counter) and thought I was going to die, but I was able to get up after a few moments and move on with my day. And in full disclosure, I often trip, fall, and run into things-according to my husband I am a walking danger to all those I am around and I can't entirely deny that! This one though, was different. Instead of getting up and walking it off, the tightness/pain just got worse and when I woke up the next morning I couldn't bend my knee or walk. Pretty pathetic. 

Luckily after all was said and done, I only had a badly bruised bone and fluid in my knee. It all healed with time and patience and I am so incredibly thankful that I didn't tear anything. I think the worse wound though was the fact that I did this to myself. It was totally preventable. Do not step over baby gates, they are dangerous ;).

Wishing you a great day!

Michelle a.k.a. "The Klutzy One"

The Cut Shoppe: Crazy Hair Day

Hello! Michelle back with you again and today I am showcasing the super fun background cut file Quirky Quads from The Cut Shoppe!

Recently I have been playing around with more mixed media, spray inks to be more exact, and when I went searching through the cut files I was looking specifically for something that would allow for the color from my inks to peak through. The Quirky Quads cut file, which is avaialbe in both and 12x12 and 8.5x11, was just perfect!

For my layout I didn't need the entire background, so I cut just a few rows out to layer underneath the photos. To adhere the quads to the cardstock I used just a little bit of glue and then machine stitched through them.

Wishing you the best day!

Michelle

Citrus Twist Kits: April

March for me was a whirl wind of travel and activities and as the end of the month wore down, I was super happy to slow down and play with my new kit from Citrus Twist Kits!

This month, I worked with the April "Citron" Add-On Kit and I had a blast :). My projects came together so easily thanks to the fresh and inspiring colors. Here's a look at the kit:

Awesome, isn't it? Now as much as the bright blue had me excited, it was the yellow and green that really hit the spot and you'll notice the lemon patterned paper shows up in each layout along with the die cuts from We R Memory Keepers.

Now, I am not entirely too sure if lemons go with cacti, but I went with it! The lemon paper is layered underneath the photo, so that just the colors show through.

This next project is a 6x8 layout and when I set out to put it together, I really wanted to feature the green and yellow. The blue sparkely letters added a bright shot of contrast. I also suprised myself with the combination of Thickers AND a stamp (included in the kit) to make the title. 

Finally, I challenged myself to stick strictly to two colors only (plus a neutral) as I put this layout together. Really loved the result!

Now as much as the kit really speaks of spring and sunshine, I didn't scrap a single spring photo! What?! The photos are from Christmas, a February snow day, and a trip to the Feline Conversation Compound near my home--not the typical photos you would think of when you see the kit. I think this really speaks to the versatility of a kit and how you can make a kit work for what you have and for someone (me!) who likes to scrap chronologically this is GREAT. 

For more inspiration, please head on over to the CTK Gallery where the design team has been busy uploading there projects! 

Wishing you a great day!

Michelle

Gossamer Blue: March Reveal

Happy March!  Today is reveal day at Gossamer Blue and I am super excited to share my projects with you this morning!

The March Kits are full of all new releases from Crate Paper, Pink Paislee, and MME! This kit was incredibly motivating and my layouts came together with ease--a sure sign that the kits are great :).

This first layout is a combination of the Main Scrapbook Kit, Add-On #2, and the Main Life Pages Add-On:

If I had to choose a favorite layout from my projects this month, this would be it.  So many things that I love about this layout--the color scheme is just so spring;  the cut file, which is included in March's batch of printables and cut files, is so pretty and delicate; I totally surprised myself by not using any cardstock; and it features my dog Rincon whom I believe to be the coolest dog out there ;).  

For my second layout, I pulled products from both the Main SB Kit and Main Add-On:

I had been hoping that MME's new collection On Trend 2 would make it into the kits and I was not let down! The word "Smile" is a beautiful glassy gold and had me wishing that I several packages of the word phrases and shapes (also from MME.)  

The last project I am sharing today is a match up of the Main SB Kit, the Life Pages Add-On #3, and Add-On #2:

This colors in this kits, as I am sure you can tell, are very springy, but they work well with all subjects including these very wintery pictures of my daughters.

Well have you seen anything that you like?  Personally, I think I hit the jackpot with these kits! It's almost as if I handed Lori (owner of GB) my wish list from CHA and she put it all together for March!

If you have the time, please head on over to the gallery--the projects created by the Design Team are pretty terrific!

Happy crafting!

Michelle

  

The Cut Shoppe: Hooray

Hello! Today I want to share with you my latest layout using some of the new cut files from The Cut Shoppe!

Scrapbooking my teenager can be a little tricky sometimes--he's definitely no longer in the cute little boy stage and I struggle a little when it comes to finding both products and designs that are more reflective of his present age. When the Boys Rule cut file was released, I was so happy to have some super cool designs to use for layouts about my son. The set is definitely versatile and I love that the motifs aren't too age specific.

Here is what I did:

One technique that I haven't really done too much with is backing my cut files with patterned paper and that was something I wanted to try with this layout. I used three circles, backed them with a bright yellow patterned paper, and placed them around the layout in a classic triangle configuration-one by the photo, one by the title, and one by the journaling. The fun cut files move the eye around to all the important elements on my page.

As I was finishing this layout, I thought of another way I could use these on page and I am already itching to get this idea down on paper! Love it when inspiration comes so quickly :).  Now, if I can just get this guy to stop being so busy and let me take some more pictures!

Michelle

I Love Today

Hello! My daughter turned six this month and I thought it would be fun to end her "Five" album with a layout sharing a few of my favorite pictures that I took throughout the year and today I want to share that with you!

When I sat down to make this, I had the idea that I wanted to do something on the slant and it ended up being a good choice because it gave me lots of room for the five pictures I wanted to use. Originally, I had imagined that I would use two or more different pattern paper strips to make the slant, but it ended up making the page way too busy. To simplify the layout, I settled on just on piece of paper (which is from Shimelle's new line that I totally love!). Since I had so many striaght lines going on in the layout, I chose to make my title with some messy/curvy Thickers. The nice, solid black color allowed the title to really stand out on the busy background. 

I am pretty excited that I did this layout. I have an evergrowing list of layout ideas and this type of "review" layout is on it. Sometimes I get pretty caught up in keeping up and this project let me stop for a bit and look back at the whole year as opposed to one single day or moment and I liked it. Definitely see myself incorporating more these types of layouts into my album!

Thanks for stopping by!

Michelle  

The Cut Shoppe: Feel the Love Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to my stop on The Cut Shoppe's Feel the Love Blog Hop!

The Cut Shoppe is starting off this Valentine's Day Weekend with a fun blog hop full of heartfelt inspiration from the Design Team! In celebration of this lovely holiday, The Cut Shoppe is holding 2 giveaways, giving away a free cut file on The Cut Shoppe Blog, and we also have a discount code for you! That's a whole lot of love going on!

For my project, I chose the love themed Feel the Love cut file and put it to work on an layout documenting my daughter, the artist!

Often times I find myself looking for a bigger element to stand out as the "main" embellishment and thought the heart would work just perfectly.

I really liked how the heart brings the attention straight to my smiling daughter and her work of art.

Now earlier, I mentioned 2 giveaways and here are the details: 

GIVEAWAY #1:  Each Designer participating in the Hop, is giving away one Cut File.  Make sure you visit each Blog and leave a comment for the chance to win.  Winners will be announced on the Designer's Blog on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16th, so make sure you check back on their Blogs to see if you're a Winner!  

GIVEAWAY #2:  You can win 14 of your favorite cut files, just by commenting throughout the Hop.  Leave a comment on each Blog, starting with The Cut Shoppe Blog, for the chance to win.  One Winner will be chosen from all of the Blog comments, and announced on The Cut Shoppe Blog on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16th.  The Winner will be able to choose 14 cut file sets from The Cut Shoppe Etsy store! 

**For my stop on the Hop, I am giving away the Feel the Love cut file, so make sure and leave me a comment telling me who your valentine is!

Here is a list of the designers (with links!) participating in today's fun:

The Cut Shoppe

Katrina Hunt

Amy Madern

Allie Stewart

Jennifer Haggerty

Missy Whidden

Michelle Wedertz<---You are here.

Laura Mooney

Madeline Fox

Finally, here is the discount code that you can use on your purchase from The Cut Shoppe:

Wishing you the sweetest of days!

Michelle

Citrus Twist Kits: November Reveal

This past weekend the November Kits at Citrus Twist Kits were revealed and they are beautiful! Here's what the November Main "Happy Lane" Kit looks like:

The color scheme in this kit was right up my alley with the neutrals and pops of yellow and blue. The surprise hit with me this month was the pack of ephemera from Basic Grey's Sunkissed collection--loved every piece of it!

I also worked with the Sprinkles, Embellishment, and Patterned Play #1 Kits--I like having options!  Here are two of my projects that I have created this month:

For more inspiration, make sure and stop by the both the Gallery and the CTK Blog--our design team is a busy one and there is always something new for you to see! 

Have a great day!

Michelle

Gossamer Blue: November Sneaks

Hi all! Wanted to jump in here today and share some sneaks of my projects featuring the upcoming November Kits from Gossamer Blue!

This month I worked with both the Main Scrapbook and Life Pages Kits, along with the Life Pages Main Add-On and Add-On #3. Here's a little look at what I did:

Will be back on Sunday with the full reveal of my projects!

Michelle

Old and New: Priorities

I love watching new scrapbooking supplies role out--nothing gets me more excited than seeing the new releases and then finally getting some of them. The side effect though is that some of my not-so-new supplies get pushed to the back of my mind and they get buried as my brain processes the new "hot" stuff. 

Lately this has been bothering me quite a bit because a lot of my older stuff is still totally awesome and I want to use it. This past week I decided that I needed to do something about this and brainstormed a bit on how I could go about using my older stash more efficiently.

As I was thinking about possible solutions, I kept coming back to the fact to a few things. First, nothing motivates me more than receiving a box of new goodies--just being honest here. And second, I prefer mixing my products up-it is very rare that I make a layout with only one collection.

One solution I came up with-a solution that is in no way mind blowing-is to mix in my new products with my older ones. Wow. I'm a real genious, right?? Ha ha. Well, this is at least something I haven't done in a really long time, so I committed to the idea and hit my stash.

My first move was to hit my older products. This made sense for me because I really didn't remember all that I had and figured it would be easier to find some newer products to co-ordinate with them because they are more fresh in mind.

What I picked out were some papers and products from what I believe is this past Winter's release. I had a mix of Pink Paislee's Bella Rouge, Pink Fresh Studios' Cloud Nine, Fancy Pants's Flutter, Maggie Holmes, and My Mind's Eye. The new items that I added were the sticker sheet and diecuts from Dear Lizzy's Documentary collection. Here is what I came up with:

Putting this layout together was lots of fun! I could not believe I had been hiding away the super cool plus sign paper! And the floral sticker from Dear Lizzy really pulled my layout together as well as added in some of that beautiful blue color. 

How about you-do you have any stash busting strategies??  Another idea that I have is to add some more hours to my day ;). Or how about goal setting or challenges? Lots to think about....

Wishing you a great day and as always, thanks for stopping by!

Michelle

The Cut Shoppe: Today

Holding on to scrapbook supplies and waiting for just the right project to use them with seems to be pretty common place. For me, this even extends to digital cut files and this next layout that I am going to share features a cut file that I have been patiently waiting to use.

The Little Letter's cut file appeared at The Cut Shoppe a few months ago in anticipation of all the back to school stories that were going to be recorded and I have finally found the time to use it! Yay!

The Little Letter's cut file is an alphabet background and that is exactly how I chose to use it to tell my daughter's own story about how she rocked the first day of kindergarten!

I worked on a 9x12 background and I sized the cut file to be even smaller than that with the idea that I would layer my papers and photo on top of it while leaving some white space. Since I thought that using an additional alphabet for my title would compete with an already busy background, I made sure to layer in a tag with a small title word.

It felt really great to finally get a chance to use this fun background on my layout-almost as fun as listening to my daughter tell me all about her first day of school! Wishing you a great day!

Michelle

Citrus Twist: October Reveal

This month at Citrus Twist Kits, I had the opportunity to work with the Main, Embellishment, and Pattern Play Add Ons. The kits are a mix of Pink Paislee's Memorandum, the latest from Dear Lizzy, and B Side from Basic Grey. Today I want to share two of my projects with you!

I went super crazy for the pieces of lavender in the kit! I know I am in the minority in this, but I really like purple and this shade is just so pretty.  I had a really fun time mixing it with the black and woodgrain in this layout. 

For this next layout I introduced more colors from the kits by cutting apart the patterned paper from Pink Paislee's Memorandum that features labels and paired them with the fun floral and some black diecuts from the package of Basic Grey frames.

To make the labels a little bit more interesting I added in washi shapes from the Memorandum collection. The "#lovethis" is actually a strip of washi that I layered over the label. 

I am also super excited to say that I have also contributed to the newest class over at Citrus Twist!

I really went to town when I created my project for this class--major layers going on! And the best part was that I did it all with my left overs from my September Kit. If you're looking for ideas on how to use up your scraps and/or kill a kit, this technique is perfect! 

Wishing you a great week!

Michelle