Monday Monday

Mondays are always so busy, or at least they seem that way after relaxing weekends.  I was able to get a little scrappy time in over the weekend, yay!  My Scraps and More Sketches has a fantastic sketch up right now.  Tammi puts up a sketch every Friday and they are always such a great inspiration.  Here's what I did with her latest sketch:

(Products used: Bazzill cardstock;  Basic Grey, Lily Bee Design and My Mind's Eye patterned paper; Bella Blvd and Lily Bee Design cardstock stickers; Bella Blvd crochet flowers; Basic Grey Candy Buttons; Simple Stories journaling card; misc Burlap Bow)

It's an older photo of my daughter "shaving", my kids love doing that with their Daddy.  I really happy with how this layout turned out and I'm sure I'll be using this sketch again. I like all the layers of paper, might have to do another page and add even more layers! Thanks for stopping by today, and go check out My Scraps and More Sketches for this and other sketches, you won't be disappointed!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July to everyone!  We live in such a blessed country, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.  Today my wonderful husband is taking our kids to the pool so I can have a little scrappy time to myself.  Then we are going over to my sister's house to cookout and go see some fireworks this evening.  Sounds like a perfect day to me!

Last night I finally had some time to scrap a page--it's been awhile.  This page was from a My Scraps and More Got Talent III Challenge to use black cardstock as your background and bright colors on the rest.  I also decided to use one of Tammi's fabulous sketches from her My Scraps and More Sketches blog, I used sketch 34 which I just love.  

(Products used:  Pebbles patterned paper and cardstock stickers;  Bazzill cardstock; American Crafts Thickers; My Mind's Eye enamel dots; My Scraps and More sketch)

I've only ever used black cardstock background for more formal picture layouts, but I really like how the colors popped on this page!  Go check out My Scraps and More for not only their Got Talent III challenges, but also for great sketches.  Not to mention just a great group of scrappers and lots of inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by today! 

I Made a Card!

So I am still playing along at My Scraps and More  Got Talent III.  The latest mini challenge was released on Tuesday, they provided a sketch to make a card with.  I haven't made a card in along time, probably a good couple of years.  But that didn't mean I wasn't going to try!  Here's the birthday card I made using October Afternoon's Cakewalk line with a little Jillibean Soup thrown in.

I have to admit I like how it turned out, I should probably make cards more often.  It sure is less expensive than buying them, and really doesn't take all that long.  Thanks for stopping by today!

 

Sketch with Stash #4

The Sketch for Stash challenge for June is going on now at Scrap our Stash.  We used the following sketch and the challenge was to use only scraps along with a premade tag or journaling card AND twine or jute.  

 
Here's how my take on the sketch turned out. 

 (Supplies used:  Bazzill cardstock; Echo Park patterned paper, cardstock stickers and journaling card; The Twinery twine; misc. buttons)  

 I have a little secret to share with y'all, I do not keep most scraps anymore.  When we moved last summer and I was packing up my scrappy stuff I realized I had a lot of scraps and I never used them.  Nowadays I just give my leftovers to my kids to make stuff with.  Luckily I found some scraps in my Echo Park collection pack that survived my purge.  So check out Scrap our Stash, you have until June 29th to link up your creation for a great prize.  Thanks for stopping by today!

Mini Challenge #1

I am still playing along with My Scraps and More's Got Talent III and I'm having a blast!  Last Tuesday they issued Mini Challenge #1 which was to use at least 3 stamps on your layout.  I have a ton of stamps, but it has been forever and a day since I've even looked at them.  I found some cute little bug stamps and came up with this layout of my youngest daughter.

 (Supplies used:  DCWV cardstock;  Echo Park patterned paper and cardstock stickers; Bella Blvd cardstock stickers, flowers and flag; misc. stamps)

I really love this summertime paper line from Echo Park, and the cute little buggy stamps seemed to fit right into the summery feel of the layout.  Thanks for stopping by today, and don't forget to go check out My Scraps and More!

(ETA: I used a sketch from Scrapbook Generation by Debbie Sanders for inspiration!)

My Scraps Got Talent III!

So I found an awesome place of scrappy inspiration called My Scraps and More.   I am so glad I found them!  They have a great blog, forum, gallery and store!  Last week they started their "Got Talent III" event which runs through August 20th.  Each week they post a couple of challenges that will surely get your scrappy mojo flowing!  The first challenge was to create a layout using no patterned paper.  WHAT????  NO PATTERNED PAPER?  I don't think I've done that since I started scrapbooking 9+ years ago, lol!  Anyway, after almost giving up I remembered a layout I saw in a scrapbooking magazine a few years ago, I wish I could remember the designer so I could give her credit but I can't.  She had scrapped an awesome grid layout, so I decided to give it a try and came up with this:

  (Products used:  Cardstock--Bazzill and Coredinations; bling--My Mind's Eye; chipboard--Prima and Bella Blvd; puffies--Sassafras Lass; cardstock stickers--Echo Park and Bella Blvd; misc. butons, butterfly and epoxy letters)

I think it turned out pretty good for no patterned paper, just a lot of embellishments to make if cute and fun.  So go check out My Scraps and More, it's not too late to join in!

Scrap Our Stash Challenge #4--All About Our Guys!

Scrap Our Stash has their first challenge for June up, and it's All About Our Guys!  The challenge is to scrap a male layout and use 5 or more brads on that layout.  Here's my take on the challenge:

 (Products used:  cardstock--Bazzill; patterned paper, cardstock stickers, brads--Basic Grey Lime Rickey collection; journaling spot--October Afternoon; sketch for inspiration--Scrapbook Generation)

For this challenge I used my completely unopened Basic Grey Lime Rickey collection with matching brads.  I just had to have that collection when it came out and then I never even opened it until this challenge, lol!  The colors of the collection worked perfectly with the colors in the photo of my son.  I used the brads in the center of the cardstock stickers and then used pop dots to add dimension to the page.


You're playing for a fantastic prize this month, the Authentique "Glory" Collection, perfect for those 4th of July photos you'll be taking next month!

So go check out Scrap Our Stash and get working on those guy pages, I can't wait to see what you create.  Thanks for stopping by today!

Scrapbook Generation Blog Hop!

Welcome to the very first Scrapbook Generation Blog Hop! I am such a fan of SG and their sketches I just had to be a part of the inaugural blog hop, and I hope you are having fun too!  If this is your first stop, you might want to start back at the Scrapbook Generation blog and then hop through each link. Here is the list in case you get lost:

Scrapbook Generation blog - http://scrapbookgeneration.blogspot.com/

Ruth - http://scrapmachine.com/

Alisha - http://layoutaday.blogspot.com/

Michelle - http://ownerofchanel.blogspot.com/

Manda - http://mandalikadesigns.blogspot.com/

Sheree - http://www.sheree412.blogspot.com/

Nicole - http://nicolesscrapbook.blogspot.com/

Tammy - http://www.tammygrant.blogspot.com/ You are here

Steffanie - http://steffanies.blogspot.com/

Cécil - http://isbahashome.blogspot.fr/

Stephanie - http://craftyholidaygirl.blogspot.com/

Nicole - http://lovemesomepaper.blogspot.com/

Brenda - http://roseblossomlegacies.com/

Kelley - http://www.kelleykreates.blogspot.com/

Lindsey - http://www.scrapping-by-the-sea.com/ 
Wanda - http://sketch-lovers.blogspot.com/

Mandi - http://mjskraze.blogspot.com/

Laureen - http://mybusyscrapbookinghands.blogspot.ca/

Corrina - http://anotherthingoffthelist.blogspot.ca/

Cicily - http://www.pinkdalmationscrapper.blogspot.com/

Michele - http://michelesscrapycreations.blogspot.com/

Tessa - http://www.scrapwithtessa.blogspot.com/

Sherri - http://www.sherripriest.blogspot.com/

Devra - http://mycreativeview.blogspot.com/

Tina - http://tiggersscrapplace.blogspot.com/

Deborah - http://scrappingmycrazylife.blogspot.com/

As you know each blog will share a project using one of the SG sketches as a starting point. You can find the sketches in their books and downloads in the SG store, and there is a free one every month in case you wanted to try it out.  Here's the layout I've created:

  (Products used: Pebbles patterned paper and cardstock stickers, October Afternoon journaling label, and My Mind's Eye Enamel Dots)

For my layout I used Sketch #2 from the new One on One Sketch Book by the fabulous Debbie Sanders.  It seems like I take a lot of single photos of my kidlets so when I saw that SG was coming out with the One on One sketch book I knew I had to have it, and it does not disappoint!  It has 24 fantastic sketches of single photo layouts along with color examples.  I love love love this sketch book and it has quickly become my fave of all the SG sketch books.  Anyhoo, the photo is of my son several years ago with his garbage truck collection--he was obsessed with garbage trucks and actually accumulated several more after the photo was taken!  The colors in the photo matched perfectly with the Pebbles Love You More Line, and I love the whimsical feel of the sketch.

Thanks for stopping by, next on the hop is Steffanie.  Leave a comment on each blog and one lucky commenter will receive a free sketch bundle of their choice from the store, totally worth it in my opinion! The winner will be drawn on June 10th, so you have one week to leave a comment.  Good luck, and happy hopping! 

New SOS Sketch with Stash Challenge

Happy Monday!  We had a very crazy, hectic weekend here with baseball games, soccer games, dance recital photos and practice, I was praying for Monday to get here!  Now that things have slowed down, albeit temporarily, maybe I can get some scrapping done.

Scrap Our Stash has a new challenge out, Sketch with Stash Challenge.  The sketch is fantastic, it was designed by SOS's very own Rochelle Spears!

 The challenge is to use this sketch as inspiration, but also use at least 3 flowers from your stash--not homemade, but premade flowers.  Remember, the goal is to use up your stash!  Here is what I created for the challenge:

(Products used:  Webster's Pages papers, flowers, trim, rhinestone chain, stickpins, and letter stickers;  Prima flowers)

I knew when I saw this challenge I wanted to use some of my Webster's Pages and Prima flowers.  I absolutely love this photo of my daughter, it's one of my favorites!  I kept the layout pretty simple because I did not want to this picture to get lost in too many embellishments.  

Head on over to Scrap Our Stash and give this or our other May challenge a try, the prize is awesome this month, the Fancy Pants Trendsetter collection! 

 

My Last SG NSD Challenge

It's almost midnight CST and I'm just getting my last NSD Challenge in under the wire! 

Challenge 8--Manufacturer Challenge In this challenge we were to use one of our favorite MME lines.  I used the Lil Robots collection, I forgot I had it and it was so nice to get it out and use it!

(Products used:  Bazzill cardstock, MME patterned papers and diecuts, American Crafts Thickers)

The only bad thing about taking photos so late is I have to use a flash, darn that glare!  I had a blast with the SG challenges, I hope you were able to check them out and get your scrap on!

More SG Challenges

Well I've been busy today scrapping, although I did fit in my youngest daughter's soccer game--how cute are 5 year olds playing soccer??

Here are are couple more layouts I've done for challenges at Scrapbook Generation.

Challenge 1--Star Challenge.  I made some cardstock stars from Bazzill cardstock and used pop dots to give some dimension to the page.  The picture is if my son after he snagged some homemade chocolate chip cookies at his Grandma Pam's house!

(Products used--Bazzill cardstock, Bella Blvd. patterned paper and chipboard stickers; Simple Stories Sn@p journaling card; American Crafts Thickers; Allison Davis for Scrapbook Generations sketch.)

Challenge 2--Project Life.  In this challenge we were to make a traditional layout using project life materials.  For my layout I used some Simple Stories Sn@p cards as well as a picture that my youngest daughter made of herself this year in preschool. It was a pretty simple layout to make but it sure turned out cute, I love incorporating my children's art into my layouts!

Products used:  Bazzill cardstock; Bella Blvd. patterned paper, flower and chipboard; Simple Stories Sn@p cards; Doodlebug Designs alphabet stickers, Allison Davis for Scrapbook Generations sketch.)

Make sure you check out their blog for the challenges, you still have time!

NSD Challenges at SG

I hope you have been able to take part in some scrappy challenges this weekend for NSD!  There's a great one going on at Scrap Our Stash so check it out, your layouts need to be posted by 11:59pm PST tonight, May 5th!

I have been playing along with the ladies at Scrapbook Generation, scrapping some challenges  and, well mostly so far just participating in their online chats, lol!  I love SG and have so many of their sketch products, I use them all the time for inspiration.  Anyway, so far I've completed one of their challenges, the One-page sketch challenge.  Luckily for me it also worked for my Scrap our Stash May Stash Challenge!  Here's my layout:

 (Patterned papers were from Elle's Studio, Basic Grey, and Webster's Pages, as well as Luxe Rub-ons, My Mind's Eye decorative buttons and twine from The Twinery. I also used Debbie Sanders for Scrapbook Generation sketch for inspiration.)

 
I have to admit the SOS Challenge was a little challenging (lol) for me because although I love to use patterned papers, I don't usually mix manufacturers.  It was a lot of fun and turned out pretty good, or I think so.  :)    So check out SOS for the May Stash Challenge, as well as Scrapbook Generation for all of their challenges, they'll definitely keep you busy for today!

NSD at SOS!

Scrap Our Stash will be hosting a stash challenge for National Scrapbook Day!

The challenge will be posted on May 4th at 6:00 AM (EST) and you will have until Sunday, May 5th 11:59 PM (PST) to link up your entries!!!!

They will be giving away (2) prizes, yay!  Good Luck!!! 

Snow in May, new Stash challenge at SOS!

I can't believe that it is May 2nd and I am watching snow fall from the sky.  The weather here has been so weird since we moved from Raleigh, NC, we are getting all the extremes!  All I want are a few good thunderstorms.  My son says we need to move back to Raleigh, although I suspect that has more to do than with just the weather, poor little guy.

Not sure how the weather is in your neck of the woods, but maybe it's a great time to scrap.  And with the beginning of May there's a new stash challenge at Scrap Our Stash.  It's a Patterned Paper Party! 

The Challenge is to create a LAYOUT using 3 or more patterned papers, and you MUST use papers from

3 or more different collections. Of course there's a twist! 

you also need to dig further into your stash and pull out some RUBONS!  

NOTE:  When posting your layout on your blog or gallery, please comment with the 3 collections you used for your 3 patterned papers.  The collections can be by the same or different manufacturers.

The prize this month is a great one, the Fancy Pants Trendsetter collection!

Good luck, you have until May 29th to post your layout at Scrap Our Stash



Anyway, April seemed to speed by with Easter, First Communion, and just an overall busy family life.  I totally flaked and didn't write a single blog post!  Here are the layouts I did for the April Scrap Our Stash challenges. 

Products used:  Fancy Pants Beach Bum collection along with a Maya Road bird paper clip, American Crafts Thickers, and Bazzill cardstock.

Products used: Basic Grey (patterned paper, cardstock stickers and alpha), Bazzill cardstock, MME layered sticker and buttons, Heidi Swapp Color Shine, and misc. doily and flower

You can tell when I took both of the pictures of my layouts it was overcast and rainy.  Here's to much sunnier weather in May!! 

Scrap Our Stash Sketch #1 Challenge

 Today on the Scrap Our Stash blog is the layout I made for the March Sketch #1 Challenge.  The challenge is to use the sketch as well as used mixed alphas in your title and/or journaling.  In my layout I decided to spritz the base cardstock, a technique that is new to me, and I think it turned out pretty good for a first attempt!  The photos are from my youngest daughter's first Easter back in 2008.  

 

(Products used-- Bazzill cardstock with Heidi Swapp Color Shine spritz; WRMK patterned paper; October Afternoon mini market and American Crafts Thickers alphas; Crate Paper journaling spot; American Crafts glitter tape; misc. flower, bling, brad, and bottle cap)

So go check out Scrap Our Stash for the details on the challenge and some great inspiration from the DT!

The Groundhog Lied

Last week we had a couple of days of really nice weather, then bam--winter is back!  We had sleet and cold rain yesterday, and possible snow showers later this week.  That is just wrong!  The kids are on spring break and they are hunkered down inside because it's yucky cold.  Guess that's KC weather for ya!

Scrap our Stash has a new challenge going on right now based on the following sketch:

It's a really fun sketch, my take on it will post on the blog tomorrow, March 19.  You can get all the deets on the sketch challenge here:  Scrap Our Stash Sketch #1 Challenge  Check it out and post by March 29th at SOS to be eligible for a great Heidi Swapp prize!

Scrap Our Stash Kraft Challenge

Hi everyone!  Today the weather is finally sunny but cold and windy so unfortunately none of our snow is melting.  However it is going to be 60 degrees this weekend which I am really looking forward to--it'll remind me of being down south!

Today the Scrap Our Stash blog features the layout I created for the Kraft it Up Challenge. 

 (CS:  The Paper Company kraft, PP: DCWV Playtime stack, American Crafts Thickers, MME brad and pennant, Jillibean Soup Sugar Picks, Fancy Pants Kraft Kuts journaling spot, and a yellow flower. I was inspired by an Allison Davis sketch for my layout.)

The photo is of my kids and two of their cousins from last summer.  I have a very large stash of kraft paper because I went through a kraft phase a couple years ago.  I haven't used any lately so the challenge was a fun way to get my back into it, not to mention use some of it up. Make sure you check out the Scrap Our Stash blog for details on the challenge.  There's a great prize as well--Heidi Swapp "Sugar Chic" goodies!  Get your layout in by March 29th to be eligible for the prize, can't wait to see what y'all create!

Stash Challenge #1--Kraft it Up!

Scrap Our Stash has posted it's first stash challenge for March, Kraft it Up!

THE CHALLENGE:

Create a LAYOUT and at least 50% of the products you use on your layout must be Kraft paper and/or embellies.   

Oh, and that's not it!  

You will have to dig further into your stash because...

you must include 3+ metal embellishments..  You can mix or match the metal embellishments as long as there are 3 or more on you layout.

Go check it out, there's a great prize too!  My layout posts later this week and I'm really happy how it turned out.  I hadn't done a lot of scrapping lately because my kids were home for four days because of snow.  Contrary to popular belief, a snow day for kids is not a snow day for mommy, lol!  So it was fun to finally be able to sit down and scrap once they went back to school.

Go check out SOS and get to work scrapping for a great prize!

Scrap our Stash Giveaway a Day

Yay, today the Scrap Our Stash Giveaway a Day event begins!  Head on over to the blog to meet some of the very talented Design Team members, learn about the new challenge format, and leave a comment for a chance to win a great prize!

Fun Things are Happening at SOS!

We have some exciting things going on at SOS next week!
You do not want to miss it!  


To celebrate the launch of the merge with IIG, new look and challenge format, Scrap Our Stash is hosting a Giveaway A Day!
Please visit SOS each day starting February 25th for details on entering the daily drawings!

And while you're there, don't forget to check out this month's Pagerize This challenge!

Anything Fuzzy

Here is my layout for the  Scrap our Stash February challenge, Anything Fuzzy!  I used a kit I had from Noel Mignon to create the layout so I'm not sure of the products I used (shame on me), but I'll keep better note of that next time!  Anyway, my fuzzy item was this really cute crochet ribbon in the kit that I just love.  Of course I didn't journal before I posted the layout, the photos are of my oldest daughter when she was just a couple of years old and she's discovered the joys of "decorating" with toilet paper.  I just love the pink hearts in the layout too!

Go check out the Scrap our Stash blog to read more about the Anything Fuzzy challenge and get to scrapping.  Don't forget to post your layout, you could be chosen as a guest designer for April.  I can't wait to see what you create!!

Crazy Busy Life!

Things have been really crazy around here since I broke my ankle at the beginning of the year.  Luckily I avoided surgery but still have a really heavy boot on it and have to use crutches.  I have a follow-up appointment with my orthopedist in a couple of weeks for more x-rays, and if all still looks good I (hopefully) will loose this boot and move onto the next phase.  Not sure what that is, but I know PT is involved! 

Anyway, there are some great changes going on at Scrap Our Stash.  Our fearless leader Deb has stepped down, she will be missed for sure.  But two great people have taken over, current DT member Brenda Ragsdale and Rochelle Spears.  Make sure you check out the blog to read about them, see some of the changes, plus check out the newest challenge for February, "Anything Fuzzy".  My layout will post tomorrow there, and here as well.

Other exciting changes is that Inspired Blueprints is now back after a brief hiatus to give us great sketches each month!  I missed their inspiration so much and am glad to see them back.

And since I haven't posted in awhile, here are some cute pics of my kids!  Here's Matthew and Lauren ready for Dress like a Saint Day.  I sewed the costumes the day before (eek!), Lauren is Mary and Matthew is St. Michael the Archangel.

Of course not to be outdone, Catherine wanted to pose too!

Have a blessed day!