Kiss Kiss

I originally printed this photo for my 2014 December daily, but decided to make it it's own layout because of the story behind it.  I've obviously been holding onto it for some time, but I needed to have the perfect paper, since most of my sash is boy themed, and a great sketch.  That finally happened when I received my October creative kit from My Creative Scrapbook and say the November week 2 sketch over at Let's Get Sketchy.  

The papers are from the Echo Park Story of Our Family Collection that came in the kit. I added some modeling paste mixed with Heidi Shine, and put through a Heidi Swapp stencil as well.  The title is an old pack of Thickers that I've had for ages.

Now for the story behind the layout.  Last year our son, who was four at the time, started getting camera obsessed.  Rather than be in the pictures he always wanted to take them.  While I was taking pictures of us putting up the Christmas tree he asked if he could take some.  With digital pictures I figured it didn't hurt to say yes.  He says...I want to take a picture of you and Daddy kissing...umm ok...I figured we'd end up with chopped off heads to be out of focus - etc.  Nope - he got a perfect shot.  I know adults who have had trouble getting us in the same photo since there is a foot difference between us!  Needless to say...a camera was on his Christmas list last year!

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Let's Ride - New Bicycle Layout

     Hi everyone - time for another reveal for Child's Play Challenge.  This time we were asked to create a layout based on the toy hot wheels.  I have loads of pictures of my son playing with his hot wheels, and even one of him trying to share his apple slices with every truck he owns, but what really hit me was him getting his new balance bike...graduating from a tricycle to two wheels. 

     I worked with the week one sketch from Let's Get Sketchy as the three photos inspired me, as well as the simplicity of the rest of the sketch.  I really allowed me to embellish as I chose.

I have had the Boy Crazy collection from My Minds Eye in my stash since maybe April waiting for just the right layout to cut it up.  With the large bicycle sticker...it was just the time.  I chose the star paper for the focus piece since the circles mimicked wheels.  I just layered everything from there.

     A little tip...don't always think of 3x4 or 4x6 project life cards as just for pocket pages.  My title of Lets Ride was cut from a 4x6 card.  Also, don't think of 6x6 pads as just for cards either.  My banner and squares behind the photos are from a 6x6 pad.  If cut strategically they are great layering pieces.                                                              I hope you enjoyed my take on the challenge, and let me knows what Hot Wheels makes you think of. Until next time...Keep Scrappin.

Child's Play Challenge - Christmas Tree Hunting

     Hi everyone - welcome to this month's Child's Play Challenge 1st of the month reveal.  This month we teamed with Pixels and Paper to offer a super fun challenge with two chances to win.  We had to use both a photo and a recipe (both at the end of this post).  
    I choose to use photos from our Christmas tree hunt in 2012...they fit the recipe well and the awesome sketch I saw at Creative Scrappers. All of the papers are from older Stampin' Up lines, as is the red card stock.  One tip I have for you...color your photo mats with ink.  I love Stampin' Up's Cherry Cobbler, but a pack is expensive...especially with the cost of shipping.  To make my mats I took white card stock, an ink dauber and used the Cherry Cobbler ink pad.  After a few minutes of drying time, just to be certain, they ere ready to go.  Perfect solution to keep costs lower.  
   As I was creating this I kept thinking it was too busy, but when done, and I took a step back I love it.  It's actually one of my favorite layouts I've made recently...along with my son's pre-school one (which can be found here).
   Thank you all for reading, and I hope you'll play along.  Until next time...Keep Scrapping!
  

Recipe:
Gold - Washi tape and the stars on the tree
3 patterned papers - green/red stripe, green stars, red gingham
something 1 year or older - the green strip of trees as well as the pictures
animal - my hubby...lol
bling - the gold stars and red bling as tree toppers

Photo - the red and green color and the tree on the tin.

Challenges:
Pixels and Paper
Let's Get Sketchy Magazine - Mood board
Craft Galore - Anything Goes

Christmas Morning Layout

     Hi all - Thanks for visiting me today as I share a layout I created based on the Week 2 sketch from Let's Get Sketchy.  When I saw the three photos on the sketch I knew it was perfect for these photos from our son's second Christmas. He was just about a year old and absolutely loved the train table we purchased.  He'll be four next month and still plays with it daily.
     My papers are from an older Stampin Up collection, and I unfortunately don't remember the name.  The tag at the top is a very light matching green, but didn't photograph well from a distance so I did a close up to show the shape.
    Thanks for joining me today and until next time...Keep Scrapping!

Challenges:
Let's Get Sketchy - October Week 2

Let's Get Sketchy Magazine

I am so excited to announce that my Auntie Loves Me layout from my March SSIB reveal, and Child's Play Challenge win has been chosen for publication in the edition of the Let's Get Sketchy "Get Inspired" Magazine that was released today.  

There is so much inspiration in their free publication...you have to go check it out!  This is my first time being published, and I certainly hope it won't be my last.  Check out the magazine, the great challenges they have, and until next time...Keep Scrapping!

How Sweet It Is...

     My employer was closed today and boy did I get to have some fun.  In between spending loads of time playing legos, painting, puzzles, stories and snow play I got do a layout with a TON of different inspirations.  

     I used the February Week One sketch over at Let's Get Sketchy for the layout. I chose shimmer paper, and a glitter brad, to go with the bling challenge over at Cards Galore Encore Challenge Blog. My photo choice was inspired by two different blogs.  Craft Your Passion is having a love challenge which paired well with Use Your Stuff's Song Inspiration challenge.  I chose my photo because love reminded me of our wedding (a topic I've really been trying to do more scrapping on) and the song inspiration reminded me of How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You by James Taylor…our wedding song.

    Except for the solid card stock all the papers are from Doodlebug Designs.  If I was to do the layout again I would leave the journalling spot off…it just doesn't add what I wanted it to, but I had already glued it down.  Sounds like I need to get some of that undu my friend Stacia told me about!