Project Life Week 1

So the first week of project life is done...only 51 more weeks to go! :) I figured that I would make a collage for my blog instead of posting each picture individually.

I gotta tell you, even though I captured a lot of great moments, I didn't get great quality. One thing I did this year is buy a calendar that had enough space in each day to keep track of my project. I mark down the subject of the picture and whether I edited it and ordered it. It really helps to keep track of my pics. I also am taking extra pictures when I can and I write the subjects on a post it note in my calendar. There will be days that you are missing pics and its nice to have some extra shots. Like this...

My pup Maui wears the same thing everyday, you can't tell when this was taken, lol. She has these super long back legs and I just love to capture them on pics :)
Another piece of advice I can give is to keep a camera phone or small camera by you at all times. I really wish I had an iphone, that would help a ton. Also, get the family involved. Give the camera to your kids, tell you spouse to take pics...ask for help! On my next post I'll include a list of picture ideas for you. But for now I'll leave you with two layouts I did...

Aydan with his first grade teacher. We just love her to pieces. She was also Kendall's first grade teacher. I included a picture of both kids with her two years ago! So cute that she's known Aydan since he was four. I included a pocket from KI to include some post cards that she's sent and some extra pics of the classroom.And one from Thanksgiving. I don't usually scrap holidays...well, I'm not a huge fan. But when I do, I like to change it up and use non-traditional colors. I LOVE this gray text paper from JBS, I could use it for everything! I paired it up with some fushia paper from Amy Tangerine's line...such fun colors.

Layouts

Hi, just a quick stop to share some layouts. The first one below was for a Bella Blvd Mother's Day contest...totally forgot to post this. All the PPs and Chipboard letters are bella. Used some AC and Jenni Bowlin Letter stickers, lawn fawn stamps, and my typewriter. Loved how this one came out!

Been dying forever to make a "You are my Sunshine" layout This one took FOREVER to make. Used my silhouette for the title (American Crafts PP) and the sun. The sun was cut on Bo-bunny paper. I cropped it because I was going to put it in a corner. Then I changed my mind and put it in the center. I layered it with another piece in orange cardstock.

Echo Park Paper was used for the strip of houses paper and the letter stickers. PTI die cuts and felt for the clouds. And a badge to finish (AC?).

The next two were inspired by Nichol Magourik. I loved how she used the silhouette die cuts as the base of her layout to make into quadrants! You can see that layout here.

Used a lot of October Afternoon papers...worked so well with the back to school theme!

For the title, I cut out my letter shapes that I created in the silhouette and then used my studio calico stamps. Also used some studio wooden shapes on both layouts that were misted with blue.

Had some leftover KI memories red circle lace paper and I used that to layer a pattered paper in a quad. The calendar was made with a unity stamp for Bella Blvd right over the patterned paper.

The last one was made for a My Minds Eye sketch contest...I never turned this in on time. Pretty simple page...I created the leaves with some grunge paper, my old fashioned sizzix dies, and some embossing powder. Hard to see but the leaves curled a bit with the embossing gun...love the way they turned out! I usually don't like dark colored PP like this, so I added some yellows to brighten it up. thanks for looking!

Layouts and some digi stuff :)

Wow, I pretty much gave up on blogging...just so busy with life in general. I was noticing that my stack of layouts were getting pretty big. Usually I take a pic of my finished product and put it away in the album so I'm slacking! Aydan's birthday was about 6 weeks ago. I wanted to give the kids a favor but not a bag of plastic junk. I purchased giant candy bars and created my own label for it in photoshop using some digital element.
And I made this thank you card in photoshop and had it printed on notecards through Walgreens. I had Aydan write a thank you note for 3 different shots. Unfortunately he doesn't like to pose very well for the camera, but this was the best I could get.

Last month as you know was the 10th anniversary of 9-11. I wasn't involved in it directly but I'm a health care worker at a trauma hospital in Chicago. We were on stand-by in case there was an attack here. Used my silhouette to make the skyline twice, in silver and black. Its very dark and simple and I almost typed it, but thought that the handwriting would make it more personal.

And just a few more random layouts that I did months ago...I told you I was way behind.

This is a 2 page layout and I based it on a layout from Kelly Purkey in a special issue of CK. She did a Chicago layout of the skyline. I just loved that idea so I used my Silhouette to make these trees of our visit to the nearby Morton Arboreteum. Its museum created by the founder of Morton Salt. Its 1500 acres of trees from around the world and it has a lot of bike trails and things for kids. We had a great time!

had a ton of fun making this and I apologize for the terrible pics. I got some great pics from this trip though.

Layouts

Still behind again in life...made these layouts this summer and I'm a bit behind on posting.

Just a quick post here with a few layouts. This is for Jen Gallacher's August's stretch your sketch class. I saw the challenge on Laura's blog and was definately inspired by her take on the sketch. The empty circles are a great way to play with some fun embellies.

This layout and the next two were made with 3-4 pieces of Bella Blvd patterned paper and I still have some left over. The placement of the pics on this layout is another inspiration by Laura on her Oreo Cookie layout. I loved the way she staggered the pics on the bottom and is one that I have used a few times. You can't tell in the pic but I put some Ranger Glossy accents on the baseballs after I punched them out from the paper strip.

I made the baseball from my Silhouette. For the word "Chicago", I opened my Chicago skyline file in my silhouette. It had the word Chicago across the buildings, so I just removed the word and cut it out. Perfect.

Used Bella Blvds "Making the Team" papers and was able to get 3 sport themed layouts. Both kids are in baseball and we went to the Sox game this summer. This line is perfect!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hey, just wanted to share some projects I made this summer. I keep thinking that I haven't done much but then I find pics of my projects that I totally forgot about. I made this care using my silhouette, scraps, and stamps...that's it.
The sun shape was made using my Silhouette. It was a single piece (white cardstock) but I wanted to layer it. I need to do a tutorial (someday!) on some tricks I use but basically I duplicated the sun, then erased the inner lines on the second so I had just a solid background. I scanned my Studio Calico letter stamps and made a shadow cut so I could stamp my letters right on the cut pieces. Such a great way to use your letter stamps for titles and cards.
This album is to hold Aydan's birthday cards...not only for one year, but for as many that will fit. Used chipboard from Ranger to make the covers. It was too narrow so i added a 2" strip to each side, painted it, then covered up the seams with the cheveron paper strips. Those and the title were made using my Silhouette as well. I took of those brown buttons, just seemed too small.
Added some holes on the sides for the rings and there you go, a quick album that only takes a short time to make and all your cards are filed away. This would be a great idea for showers and weddings as well.

This layout above and below were make from CKC St Louis. My friend Laura was teaching some CK courses and these are just two examples of the layouts. When I came home I added pics and some other embellies. Super quick way to get some pages done!

Love to watch him sleep

So I saw THIS LAYOUT by Jamie Warren on pinterest this morning. I knew right then and there that I had to lift it for this picture of Aydan. Took this picture of him right in the middle of the night and was crossing my fingers that the flash wouldn't wake him. I knew I was going to go with a monochromatic theme and was planing on using white. Was rummaging through some old basic grey (which I have a TON of and hardly use) and decided to put a bit of a shabby look to it.

I used a Heidi Swapp mask with some distress inks on the patterned paper (BG Marjolaine line). Love the way it turned out. I kept the bottom border of the paper like Jamie did and was nervous at first because it can look very sloppy if not done correctly. But I gotta say that I'm pretty happy how it turned out.

Well thanks for looking. Anyone else a pinterest fan???

Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill

Patterned Paper, Chipboard Letters, Letter Stickers, and Journaling Stickers: Basic Grey

Butterflies: Making Memories

Gafer Tape: 7 gypsies

Folder: Rusty Pickle

Border Strip, Jute, and Index Tab: Creative Imaginations

Stamps: Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday

Mask: Heidi Swapp

Distress Ink and Staples: Ranger

Rub Ons: 7 gypsies and KI Memories

Wood Circles: Maya Road

Metal Button (Making Memories?)

Out of it!!

Whew, I've been busy and tired. No particular reason. I guess with summer here, we are busier and when I get free time, I just want to lounge and watch some TV, I've been scrapbooking here and there, just haven't posted in a super long time. I started an Maya Road mini album, got particially through that and just wanted to put that to the side and get some pages done. When it comes to creativity, you have to do what you feel like and not what's an order (unless you are a designer and have a deadline, lol). So first up is my most recent creation, photobooth pics from my (sssh, 25th) HS reunion:

Had so much fun with these pics! My reunion committee got this photobooth, props and all, and it was the hit of the party. I couldn't wait to scrap them! But placing strips of photos like that was something I've never done before. I wanted to make it school-like so thats why I used the cork, typewriter, and binder clips. I had no problem choosing the papers, since we have a lot of color in the pics that go perfect with this JBS paper.

Used my lawn fawn poloroid camera stamp on that blue AC paper (its Christmas paper but it worked perfetly!) and colored in spots with pencils. My friend Wes, who's in the pics on the right strip, LOVES polaroids so it worked out perfectly. Originally I had it stamped on a yellow circle and I just couldn't find a good place for it since its a large stamp. Tossed that idea. After I stamped it on the blue paper, I thought of the idea to make it look like a poloroid pic. So I placed it on the white CS and used my thin sharpie pen and ruler. FYI, yes there is a polaroid picture stamp in the stamp kit but it was much too big.

I had so much fun using my stamps on my page, and they are so popular right now with scrappers...I really want to use stamps more on my pages.

Oh, and get this...I was going to use black embossing powder on my page and I didn't have any! Ran out a while ago and never purchased it. I literally have a dozen colors of embossing but no black...hanging my head in shame. LOL!

Creative Scrappers Sketch 161

So today is my last day of my term with Creative Scrappers. I'm so happy that I got such a great chance to work with a group of talented gals and I got a ton of scrapping done ;) So here is the sketch:

Awesome sketch! And here's my take on it!

Love this because you could use those squares for pics, papers and embellies, or both! Had a blast with this one.

For the small squares, I used a photomat file from my Silhouette Library. When I opened the file I "ungrouped" the shapes and selected one square to measure the opening. Then I adjusted the size to make each square roughly 2.25". My pics came out a wee bit smaller than that so I mounted each pic on a piece of white cardstock after I rounded the corners to match the frame. Easy Peasy. Then I searched my scraproom for the perfect embellies. I love using stars but in all honesty, I've used a lot of my stash. Found these old AC chipboard ones in a small container hidden in my room. I added a few corduroy buttons from Stampin Up and some twine to give them more life. The background paper(sassafrass lass) is quite busy and it can be hard to use paper like that. Decided to give it a try since its so cute, using the solid cardstock really tones it down....well, a little bit at least.

So thank you to Kristine at Creative Scrappers for letting me join your team! Please check out their blog for the other designers take on the sketch!

Creative Scrappers Sketch 157

Hi Everyone! Its time for another Creative Scrappers Sketch! And what a cute one we have this week:)

Its not very often that I have layout without a title. After I complete the page, I felt like it was already wordy with the phrases and definitions so I left it as it. Had fun playing with some new products on had on my desk...and also used some previously cut-out products that I had laying around. And I'm having fun with yellow these days! Such a fun color to play with!
I used AC mustard Zing to create the butterfly with a Jenni Bowlin stamp. The pink postage stamp and the "beautiful" definition were print and cuts from my silhouette that I had laying around.

The numbers cut out was also from my silhouette that I had already cut out previously, intended for another project. The pink paper that is under the MM rim tag was a from a circle that was cut out years ago from one of my favorite SEI papers. It fit perfectly! When I added the postage stamp border above, I was stuck on which color to use, so I flipped over the AC cherry paper...voila.

So please visit Creative Scrappers and check out all the other sketches that the other designers have created :)

I have a lot of other projects going on as well, hopefully I can blog again this week and share.

Supplies: Cardstock: Hobby Lobby & Recollections; Patterned Papers: Bo Bunny, American Crafts, Doodlebug, SEI; Die Cut Machine: Silhouette; Journaling Tag, Trim, Embossing Powder, Chipboard Cherry: American Crafts; Stamp: Jenni Bowlin; Ink: Versamark; Twine: Martha Stewart; Brad: MME; Yellow (punched) tag: Pink Paislee; Chipboard Index Tab: Bella Blvd; Banner Pin: Girls Paperie; Circle Cutter & Border Punch: Fiskars; Clear Doilee: Maya Road; Button: Creative Imaginations: Staples: Ranger; Rim Tag, Ticket, and Clear Button: Making Memories.

Creative Scrappers~Sketch 155

Hey again, I can't believe its time again for another Creative Scrappers sketch!!! Look how much fun it is!! I love sketches like this because there are so many ways to interpret it!

you could have paper or photos in those little squares..I chose to go with some circles since I cut the 4x6 photo at the bottom into 3 sections.

I used the silhouette to make the circles and circles with the arrows. Then I took some twine to sew up the holes that were on the outside. The journaling is pretty simple since the pics speak for themselves.

I put some super old EK Success tiny letter stickers on all the photos. They all say "boing", lol!! The "good times" stamps at the bottom is from Ali Edwards...so in love with those stamps...perfect for scrapbookers!

Use my silhouette to back a honeycomb background, tore up the edges a bit, and used it for a mask for my mist. I have a ton a "lace" type paper for my silhouette and I plan and using this technique more. The honeycomb shape came to me because it looks like the netting that surronds the trampoline. Its funny because I messed up the first time I used it. I misted the entire background shape, which is in a square, and it looked so silly. I just redid it and tore off some of the ends of the paper in a random fashion.

Used the silhouette again to make the orange banner for the title. And I'm SO into yellow these days...just really makes a lot of brightness to a layout. Now I need some yellow mist!

Well thanks for stopping by and make sure that you check the Creative Scrappers blog for the other takes on this sketch by our DT. and Happy Mother's Day!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Hobby Lobby, American Crafts; Patterned Paper: Echo Park, Cosmo Cricket; Transperancy: Hambly Studio; Journaling Card: Echo Park; Twine: Martha Stewart; Mist: Tattered Angels; Die Cut Machine: Silhouette; Stamps: Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday; Ink: Versamar; Embossing Powder: Ranger; Border CS: Bazzill;Stickers: American Crafts, Jenni Bowlin, and EK Success; Brads: Making Memories;

Creative Scrappers 3rd Anniversary!

Good Morning Creative Scrappers!
Welcome to Birthday Blog Hop!
We are celebrating 3 years of Creativity at Creative Scrappers this weekend and glad you could join us. Our Creative Team members each have a Unique Sketch from our Sketch Designers to showcase on their blogs. Visit their blogs for inspiration and please visit our Creative Scrappers blog and add your name to our Mr. Linky list to be entered to win 1 of 4 prizes from Let's Capture Our Memories, Scrap Attack Scrapbooking and Nicole Lombardo as well as My Little Bit of Whimsy.

Here's my take on the sketch:

Click the links below which will take you to the other blogs.
Amélie Jutras
Ana Castro
Carla Tarabus
Caroline Parent
Christiane Müller
Elizabeth Carney
Jenny Linden
Jody Rogers
Kim Jeffress
Mija Comstad
Natalia Danilina
Nicole Nowosad
Pamella Brown
Sarah Webb
Shannon Morgan
Vicky Alberto
Yukiko Ochi
Yuko Tanaka

(some close ups)

Creative Scrappers Sketch 151

Hello again...yesterday, sketch 151 was revealed at Creative Scrappers. And here is my take on it:

I used the Silhouette to make the frames. To ensure that they would be the correct size, I imported my pics into the silhouette and just measured the frames from there...

In the above picture you can see where I layered the frame over the picture. I grabbed the corner and dragged it until it fit where I wanted it.

You could then ungroup the frame, remove the picture, and the inside part cut of the frame to cut your picture out. I tried it and for some reason it didn't quite work. I'll have to try that again in the future.

And just a close up of the layers. So check out everyone else's take on the sketch and even try it yourself :)

Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill and Recollections

Patterned Paper: KI Memories (pink and brown) and Stampin Up (green)

Border Punch: Stampin Up

Felt Embellishments: AC

Doily Embellishments Bird, and Envelope: Maya Road

Ink: Papertry Ink

Pins: Fiskars

Ribbon: Michaels

Stamps: Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday

Letter Stickers: Cosmo Cricket

Clear Letters: Bo bunny

Staples: Making Memories

String