Swimming Lessons Layout

     I've had these pictures sitting on my desk for years, and finally found the perfect sketch to use to get them down.  The sketch is by Laura Whitaker for the ScrapMuch? challenge blog. She does the most awesome sketches.
     Despite the fact that I love how this came out, it got off to a VERY rough start.  Ask my friend Stacia...I tried a million combination before I pulled out my Studio Calico kits and started digging around.  When it finally came together it went down super fast.
      The papers and embellishments are all from various Studio Calico kits, and I got so into mixing and matching I couldn't even tell you which ones.  I know all of mine are a year old so it's all older collection stuff.
     The stamps are from a 2013 Heidi Swapp set I recently picked up on clearance at Michael's.  I stamped with my Avery Elle Pigment Ink Pad in AquaMarine. I liked the tone on tone effect so that the stamping added something, but wasn't "in your face." so to speak.  I bought this ink pad on a whim, knowing pigment inks take longer to dry, and I'm very happy with it.  It stamps very nice/even and the color stays try to what's on the pad.  I'll definitely be looking for more.
   The heart and wow triangles were transparencies in the kits, but I created the backgrounds for them with watercolors.  I've had my eye on this Artist Loft set and when it went 40% off at Michael's I picked it up.  Worked like a charm for this application, and I hope to try to incorporate it more often.
   Well, I think that's enough description for now...are you bored yet :-)  Even though this isn't my normal style I'm just in love with how it came out!  Until next time...Keep Scrapping!

Partners In Crime For Lasting Memories

If you following me on Instagram you've seen a sneak peak of my Partner's in Crime layout for the new Lasting Memories Challenge using the February 15th sketch over at Stuck? I wasn't able to submit this for the challenge, but I loved the sketch so much I wanted to it anyway.

I used products from the My Mind's Eye Remarkable collection for my paper choices.  I also used some of the collections embellishments along with wood veneers from Studio Calico and sprays from Heidi Swap and Tattered Angels.  I also used an Amy Tangerine roller stamp for stamping on my tags.

The photo is one from when our son was very under two and Daddy has just gotten home from work. They are so happy to see each other!  My journalling says..."You and Daddy have so much fun together, but also know exactly how to push each others buttons."

I'm just so happy with how this one turned out.  So who's your partner in crime?  Until next time...Keep Scrapping!

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Girly ATC Set

I've been creating so much for upcoming challenges lately that I feel like I'm neglecting my blogging!  I'm here today with my creation for the new challenge at Southern Girls...All thing girly.

If you've been following me for any length of time you know that girly really isn't my thing.  I agonized as I was making these, but in the end I'm really happy with how they came out.

I started with chipboard and covered in in shabby chic paper.  The heart enamels are from Tim Holtz. The stick pins are from a swap we did on my Facebook group - Scrapbooking Swap Til You Drop...look us up!

Ok - short and sweet post as I'm going back to working on the two page layout sitting in my desk.  Until next time...Keep Scrapping!

Birthday Cake Layout

     Welcome to my non-traditional birthday layout for the new challenge at Lasting Memories.  We had a sketch to follow this time, but also needed to use food on the project.

     The photo I chose to go with is the cake my SIL made for my DH's 32nd birthday.  It was the first year we had Easter at our home and his birthday was the same weekend so she made his cake for dessert.  

    Since this was for an adult I found many of my birthday papers too juvenile.  I also didn't want anything overly clean since the cake was about dirt bikes...out came my modeling paste and Tim Holtz Dot Fade stencil.  I mixed my modeling paste with some glimmer mist until I achieved a green that matched the papers I was using.  The dot fade stencil almost gives the impression of a dirt bike tire track running down the side of my page.

   The papers I choose were from Bella Blvd's Max collection.  My husband also plays guitar and drums so beyond the fact that the orange paper matched well it incorporated another one of his favorite things.  The grey paper was also chosen for it's tire like quality.  I kept the embellishments simple with some white sequins, white ink drops and matching stickles.  A man page can definitely have stickler, IMHO, if they are the right color.
   So - what do you think...did it turn out manly enough?  Will you being joining our sketch and food challenge?  Until next time...Keep scrapping!

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Hush Layout

     Wow - I'm here with a layout I did just for me...not for a team.  That feels awesome!  I really liked the inspiration from Stuck?! Sketches and ScrapMuch?.
     The ScrapMuch? color challenge asked you to use four of the six colors.  I choose the two shades of aqua and grey for my papers, and the green is in the outfit our son is wearing.  I guess in this case his puppy was the perfect pillow for afternoon nap.
     The paper, and stickers, are from the My Mind's Eye Sweetest Things: Bluebell collection.  I really love MME goodies.  I wish more was available locally.  The doily is a Tim Holtz on the dye die.  I had purchased a few doily's in the past and never seemed to have the right color.  With the die...problem solved.
    So what do your think of the challenges and my interpretation?  I'd love to have your comments.  Until next time...Keep Scrapping!

Stuck?! Sketch

ScrapMuch? Color Pallette

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Caffeinated Layout

     Happy SuperBowl Sunday ya'll!  My team didn't make the big game, but you can be sure I'll be watching anyway.  Are you watching? If you are, why don't you do a layout to join us at Lasting Memories with our newest challenge...favorite food or recipe!
     This one gave me pause for a moment because I don't usually scrap about food.  After some thinking I decided to scrap about one of my favorite pick-me ups...A Starbucks latte!  I broke out the My Mind's Eye Indie Chic Nutmeg collection and got to work.  I really liked the subtle colors of this collection to highlight my photos.
     I also pulled out my Stamps of Life Coffee 4 Two stamp set that accompanied my theme perfectly.  The large cup is stamped directly on the patterned paper and the logo was stamped, die cut and popped up for some dimension.  The small cups down the side are also from the same collection.  This really is my favorite stamp set.
     So do you scrap about food?  I'd love to hear about if you do and why.  Until next time...Happy Scrapping!

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Mother's Day Card

Hey Everyone - welcome to another reveal at Southern Girls Challenge. We were asked this time to create something with a little sparkle or shine.  I choose to create a sparkly Mother's Day card for my sister-in-law.  I know it's really early, but I don't usually use sparkle having a boy so I thought this was the perfect chance to make a card for a lady.

The paper is from My Mind's Eye called Indie Chic Nutmeg.  I used this paper to do a layout you'll be seeing in the near future and wanted to use the scraps for something as well.  The wave is cut with my Kiwi Lane templates.  Since the patterned papers were busy on their own I kept my embellishments rather simple.  The glitter washi tape is from Recollections if I remember correctly, and the bling is from Queen and Co.

So will you be joining us for the sparkle and shine challenge?  Do you mainly create one gender projects and struggle with the other?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Until next time...Keep Scrapping!

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