Use That Ribbon!

Time for another Use It Tuesday challenge!  This time it is to use your ribbon.  Now, the ribbon doesn't have to be hoarded, but something in your project does.  And let's be honest - who doesn't have some hoarded ribbon out there?  I know you do.  So use it!

I decided to create an 8x8 layout this time.  I got the idea of weaving the ribbon, but I didn't know what else to do.  So, I turned to a card sketch actually (ScrapbookSteals MCM #98).  The brown and green ribbon I got for Christmas 2010, and I had used very little of it.  The multi-color polka dot ribbon is actually recycled from MOPS name tags last year.  At the last meeting, I unstrung the name tags that were being tossed just for the ribbon and a few beads.

I had originally had the ribbon on top, but I didn't know what to put on the bottom.  Then I got the idea of the clouds.  I stamped them on some hoarded self-adhesive paper and then cut them out.  The ribbon of course is made out of more ribbon and a hoarded button (most likely from pre-2000).  It is a simple layout, but there isn't much room for things with a photo that size...

So play along!  Once you have your project done, link up on the Use It Tuesday blog.  Make sure you state what is hoarded and get your projects in before Friday, September 7!

There is always room for one more (LGS #25)

I got this week's Let's Get Sketchy sketch done.  The papers and most of the embellishments are Crate Paper.  I got a RAK from Scrap-Friendzy last week with these in them, and I really like the colors and design.  The two blue brads are MME (Lush), but everything else is from Crate Paper.  I tried for the first time to really work on the visual triangle with color on this one.  First, there is the brown triangle from the bird to the swirl to the banner/title.  And then there is the yellow triangle that is almost the same as well (flower, yellow border,a nd then title).  So, hopefully that draws the attention to the picture.

Here is the sketch it is based off of:

Let's Get Sketchy Design Team Call

If you have been following my blog, you probably have noticed I tend to love sketches from two sites - Let's Get Sketchy and ScrapbookSteals.  Well, Let's Get Sketchy is currently looking for two more designers, so I thought I would throw my hat in the mix and try out.  The biggest part of the application was to make a layout based off of a sketch.  I had these two photos "waiting" to be scrapped for a sketch like this, so I had a place to start.  Since the layout is about trains, I used my Piggy Tales Tin Soldier papers on this one.  Along with the embellishments from the kit, I used some twine, random star buttons from my stash, and some Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type to finish off the layout (as well as the "usual" brown ink for the edges of the page).

You will notice a glare on the photos.  This is actually the photo and not from taking a picture of the layout.  My son crawled up the ramp on the last hole at an indoor miniature golf course to get to the train (that is runs when a ball makes it into the "hole").  The train area is surrounded by plexiglass, so the photos aren't great.  Plus, I was trying to get the pictures taken quickly, as well, he was breaking the rules!  It clearly states on the sign that you aren't to climb the ramp.  Unfortunately my two year old can't read, and I was busy getting his big sister a new ball when he crawled up...

So, if you haven't already checked out Let's Get Sketchy, you should!  They have a sketch the first four Mondays of the month, and if there is a fifth Monday, then they have a non-sketch challenge.

Here is the sketch my layout is based off of:

And here is this week's sketch (which I am about to tackle):

A Birthday Card

Here is a quick card I threw together for my FIL.  He is a part-time farmer, so this MLS paper worked well.  I started with the ScrapbookSteals MCM 97 sketch, but it didn't turn out much like that in the end.

This card is based off of a scrapbook layout in Scrap-Friendzy.  I decided to use it as a base for a card.  I used Authentique Uncommon for this one, and it will be for my sister's birthday.  It is more pink than I normally do, but I think the kraft tones it down a tiny bit.

These cards will be for The Paper Girls challenge (birthdays).

Ready, Set, FLY

This is my take on the Let's Get Sketchy #24 sketch.  I had these two pictures of my husband and daughter that I wanted to scrap.  And this sketch was perfect for them.  While flipping through my stash, I saw these papers (WRMK Out and About) and decided they would go perfect with the pictures as well.  If you look closely at the right picture, there is an AR Drone flying towards my daughter.  My husband has the controls.

Here is the sketch:

Take 12 August and Other Camp-Friendzy Challenges

Thanks to Scrap-Friendzy's Camp Friendzy, ScrapbookSteals MWM, and Let's Get Sketchy sketches, I have gotten more done this summer than I expected!  I often combined he sketches from SS and LGS with the challenges in CF, but still I did on average 3 projects a week - which is pretty good!  These are four of my most recent projects.

This first one is my Take 12 layout for August.  I used some Echo Park For the Record that I won from their Facebook page.  I love the blues, yellows, and greens in the collection!  Some black AC Thickers, Twinery twine,a nd some solid cardstock finished the page off.  I used a sketch that was a challenge in CF (by Valerie Salmon), and it worked out well to include the twelve photos and all of the journalling.

This next layout was also a sketch from CF (by Tabitha Triplett).  It is an 8x8 layout made with kraft cardstock and MME Paris and Co 6x6 paper.  I finished it off with a piece of ribbon for Webster's Pages and a piece of chipboard I covered in paper (as well as a small amount of ink around some edges).

This layout is one of the SS Pearl 5 sketches.  I used PiggyTales paper (Steadfast Tin Soldier) as well as some stashed stickers from Target and Thickers for this.  The Camp Friendzy challenge was Under the Stars - use stars and something sparkly.  For the sparkle, I put some glitter nail polish on the big blue star as well as teh strip of red paper at the top.

Finally, this one was a SS MWM sketch form way back.  I had done a layout with it for a friend, but I hadn't done one for myself.  So, I used the CF Ghost challenge (black background, something light, and something white) and the sketch to make another 8x8 alyout from our dating "years."  The papers are MME Six by Six and the trims are Webster's Pages.  And of course I finished it off with Thickers and a button.

I hope you enjoy these layouts!

Use It Tuesday #37 - All About School

It is time for another Use It Tuesday Challenge!  Since most kids go back to school in August or September (a few went back in July here), the first challenge for this month is All About School.

We started homeschool kindergarten with my oldest back in April/May.  We have been SLOWLY working through her phonics and arithmetic books over the summer, but we are about to really get going with "school" now that public schools are back in session.  Lately, I have been "bribing" her with a computer game after she finishes a phonics lesson.  But, I wanted to have other options for fun things to do when she got her lessons completed.  So, I decided to make a box with cards.  Each card has an activity on it, and when she is done with a lesson, she can pick a card.  So far I have eight cards, but I can easily create more and change them out if needed (or just hide one when she isn't looking if need be).

Here is the box and the eight cards:

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

I use some My Mind's Eye Hip Hooray and Alphabet Soup papers that I have had for about a year or more.    I bought two of each collection, and I think I still have one unopened collection of each.  Needless to say I have been hoarding it a bit.  But the most hoarded thing - that ribbon on the box!  I have had that since Christmas 2010.  I think I put a tiny bit on a card once, but otherwise I haven't touched it in almost two years.  

To make the box, I used a criss-cross pattern I found online.  There are a bunch of them out there, but this is the first one I found I think.  It is just some scoring and cutting of an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper.  I slipped a piece of coordinating stripped paper in mine to add some extra interest.  

So, now it is time for you to create something related to school.  It could be a layout about your child's first day of school.  Or a card for the new teacher.  Or how about a gift for your child?  

Are your kids too little for school?  How about a page about your school days?  Or a layout about them learning something?  Or even Vacation Bible School if they got to attend that?

Make sure to link up over at Use It Tuesday and tell us what hoarded supplies you used!

Three Recent Layouts

This one is Pearl 4b over at ScrapbookSteals.  I am continuing my love of My Little Shoebox on this one.  It is also part of a Camp-Friendzy challenge (Mess Hall).  There was a list of 16 items, and I was able to include 12 of those in this layout.

This is another ScrapbookSteals sketch (I think Garnet 5).  I hadn't done a layout for myself using the sketch, so I put it to work with another Camp-Friendzy challenge (Ghost Stories).  I used some MME 6x6 papers as well as some Webster Pagers trim and AC Thickers for this one.

This last one is based off of a PageMaps sketch that was also a challenge sketch at Camp-Friendzy.  I also included the "netting" for the Paper Girls Challenge Blog challenge.  I want to add something with the yellow netting, but I haven't found the right "trinkets" for it yet.

This summer I have been able to average about 3 layouts a week - so I am happy with that!  If I can keep the rate up, maybe I can catch up on my kids' albums at some points too...