National Scrapbooking Day 2014

As you may or may not know, this past Saturday, May 3rd, was National Scrapbooking Day.  Now since I haven't really scrapped since January, I pretty much had to force myself to sit down and make a layout.  Since scrapbooking has never come easy for me, I had to find a sketch to work off of first.

Here is the sketch I used:

 

And this is what I made:

I think it turned out pretty cute for the most part.  It seems a little plain to me.  But for this being the second layout I have made in 7 months, I'll take it! 

That is all for now!  Until next time...

I've been Challenged...

If one thing is for sure, it's that there are MANY amazingly talented paper crafters in this world.  Luckily for me, I get to call many of them my friend.  The one and only Kristy Lee (formerly of Scrapbook Steals mojo-creating fame) was feeling creative enough to dish out challenges to some scrappy friends.  I decided I needed to be challenged, especially since I hadn't made a layout in what seems like forever.

This was the challenge Kristy gave me: 

• 1 page, three pictures (filmstrip style),
• manufacturer starting with "c" because your name does,
• misting
• chevrons

Well that was just the kick I needed to get scrapping again.  This is what I came up with:

I am in love with this layout.  I used Echo Park's Everyday Ecclectic collection, some MME washi and enamel dots, Mister Huey's mist and, most importantly, Bazzil cardstock with a core that was a bit lighter than the outside.  I used a doily mask below the paper, pressed hard on the paper, then sanded the impression it left.  I love that it turned out more subtle than using a white doily would.

Another friend, Venetia Holbrook, issued her own challenge.  This one was for anyone who wanted to do it.  I jumped on this one.

Here was her challenge:

This girl is on FIRE... 
This one's all about you. We all avoid it. Find that fabulous picture of you, not from 5 years ago, but of you now.  You are outstanding and unapologetic. You are awesome, you know it. You're living your best life. Now scrap that picture and celebrate you!
Journaling- must celebrate you as an individual.
Color- include your favorite color.
Embellishments- include one embellishment that represents something you love.

Scrapping about yourself is hard for some reason.  Raise your hand if I'm not alone.  :)  I had intended to scrap totally and completely about myself, but when I went to pick up the pictures I had printed for these layouts, the one I wanted wasn't there.  So, I chose another picture that depicts me as a mother.  This is what I came up with:

I hid my journaling because I really wanted the picture and the title to tell the bulk of the story. But if you pull out the tag, it talks about how I am human and I make mistakes.  I might bark at my girls too much or feel way too overwhelmed I get at times.  But what it really boils down to is that I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up other than knowing I wanted to be a mother.  I'm not perfect, but I'm trying the best I can.  And hopefully I'm not screwing up two gorgeous girls along the way.  :)

As for the rest of the challenge requirements, I dyed the seam binding my favorite color (any flavor of aqua, turqoise, etc.).  And for the embellishment, I chose some of my favorites:  flowers, flair buttons and enamel dots.  Oh, and the MME Collections paper is a fave, too.

If you are in a creative rut, ask a scrappy friend to challenge you.  You just might pop out of your creative coma to create something you're really proud of, like I did.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Until next time...

Growing In Unity, Day One

ME!!  :)

I am so excited to be the Growing in Unity gal this week!  I feel relatively new to the stamping world (within the last year or so), so this is kind of a big deal for me.  Every day this week I will be showing off a project I completed using Unity Stamps.  Make sure to leave me a comment because you will be entered to win your choice of 2 Itty Bitty stamp sets at the end of the week!  Sweet!

I'm not going to beg for followers.  But if you want to follow me, click over there --->  Just sayin'.  :)   

Here is the card I created for my first post:

Anyone who has been following me for a while knows that I am an aqua hoarder.  Can't. Get. ENOUGH of it.  Something I enjoy even more?  Doilies.  And burlap string.  Not necessarily in that order.  :)  I stamped the sentiment on vellum.  This card was getting a little too fancy for my taste, so I had to throw in some burlap twine to ground it a bit.  I think it turned out beautifully.  

For this card I used the stamp set Blossom Stackers. 

That's all for now!  Make sure you check back every day this week and comment for your chance to win!  Until next time...

Showing some Paper Smooches love...

I recently stated that Paper Smooches stamps were solely responsible for reigniting my love of card creating.  I reach for their sentiment stamps for almost every card I make lately.  The Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge Blog is looking for new design team members, so I thought I would throw my hat in the ring.

I created this first card on Tuesday for my daughter's birthday using the challenge from May 28th (and some Pinterest inspiration):



Here are some cards I've created from some past challenges:

 

Here are a few more cards that I recently created while attending the Scrapbook Steals retreat this past weekend:

And, because I am on a roll, how about a few more that I've created:

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I don't have much of a creative brain.  Heck, I don't have much of a brain left period after talking to short peeps all day for the last six years.  :)  I do much better when I have a sketch or some sort of inspiration to follow.  That is why the SPARKS Challenge Blog is right up my alley.

I hope you've enjoyed looking at my cards as much as I've enjoyed creating them!  

I've done a color challenge!

Why did that statement require an exclamation point? Because color challenges REALLY stump me. But this one was different...

I recently stumbled upon a challenge site called The Play Date Cafe. They were having a color challenge that completely spoke to me. Let's see if you can figure out why...

Ok, this color challenge just SCREAMS for Authentique's Blissful collection, right? And I'm not just saying that because I'm on the design team. These colors ARE Blissful. No doubt about it.

I was immediately inspired by a layout I made with the Blissful collection.

I have to admit...yellow is not one of my favorite colors. GASP!! But I also have to admit that this layout is one of my favorites that I've ever made. And it wasn't even for me! The picture of my friend's little girl just begged to be scrapped with Blissful and I was thrilled with the way it turned out.

Why am I telling you all this? Because this is the first time a layout has inspired me to create a card. Granted, my card turned out different than this, but the basic idea is still there...

This has to be one of the biggest cards I've ever made and probably the first square card I've made as well. I'm pleased with the way my layout translated into card form. Only thing that would have made it better? Actual stitching instead of faux stitching. My pink thread is disastrously low and I wouldn't have had enough to make it around the shape. :(

Thank you for stopping by today! I have more up my sleeves, so check back soon!

Have some Authentique!

Since I've created a couple projects using papers from Authentique, a brand-spanking new paper company, I thought I would post my creations. I used papers from their Uncommon line for both projects and I'm in LOVE with the way they turned out!

Here is the card I created to give my hubby for our 9th anniversary tomorrow:



Here is the layout I created:



And here is a close-up of the journaling on the hidden tag:



I can't wait to get my hands on more of Authentique's collections and create more beautiful projects with them!

Until next time...