Let's Get Sketchy #13 - too big

It took me a while to decide how to do this week's sketch.  I didn't want to use one of my fancy-cut papers because the ones I have didn't go great with the picture(s) I wanted to scrapbook.  I thought about stitching a shape (Like a doily tutorial I saw this week), but as I started it, I realized it wouldn't be the right size.  Then I was looking at a "steal" on ScrapbookSteals.  I was drawn to how they had the 6x6 papers photographed.  I thought this "star" pattern would work wonderfully as a background shape.  I decided to go with 4x4 squares.  After I sketched it out in my Silhouette Studio software, I realized I could save paper and use 2x4 rectangles.  I decided to use one of my MME 6x6 pages for this - Everyday Flair.  The yellows went well with my daughter's outfit, and I liked that it had some girly papers without being overly girly.  Other than the 6x6 papers, I used some solid white cardstock for the base, a scrap of kraft for my matting, some AC Thickers, random buttons and brads, Twinery Twine, and some chipboard to finish the page.

Close up of the big flowers.  There were done using my Creative Memories punch, some tearing, and folding.  A button and twine int he middle finished them up.

Chipboard flowers.  The Paper Girls Challenge #8 is to use your chipboard.  The smaller flowers were plain chipboard that I inked and then added some glitter glue to.  I finished off both sets of flowers with a brad in the middle for more dimension.

 Here is the original sketch:

I also used a bunch of hoarded supplies (although I am getting better at using them) as part of the Use It Tuesday Challenge:

- Buttons (over a year old)

- Brads (also over a year old)

- 6x6 papers (only about 3-4 months old, but I have a TON of 6x6 pads that I need to use)

- Chipboard (about 1.5 years old).

And if you are saying that isn't a lot of hoarding, remember that I didn't start "really" scrapbooking until July 2010.  Before that I just had paper (which I have used most of), solid cardstock, "fancy" scissors, a paper cutter, and glue mostly.  So anything over a year old is pretty old for me ;)

Round Up

First, today I have a How To on the ScrapbookSteals blog.  It is on how to make the corner bookmarks like I made for the SS Blog Hop in April.  I have also had two other tutorials on their page, so here are the links to all three.

• Corner Bookmarks
• Picasa Collages
• Silhouete Trace Tool

Also, I was selected a a Fav 3 on Let's Get Sketchy last week for my hard! layout.  Yay!  I really loved the sketch and how my layout turned, so it is nice to get acknowledged as well.  I need to get to work on the newest sketch - I got the pictures today so I can get scrappy soon!

Let's Get Sketchy #11 - hard!

 

This is my take on the Let's Get Sketchy Sketch #11.  I used Fancy Pants Little Sprout for this layout of my first born.  I add some twine (twinery), buttons (mix of Little Sprout and other random ones from my stash), brads (again random from my stash), solid brown card stock for mattering, and AC Thickers.  

The circle is made out of flowers that I cut with the silhouette.  I used I used the paper with the journalling cards on it, so I got quite a few patterns out of one piece of paper.  I then stitched them to the layout and added the buttons and brads for a little dimension.

Here is the sketch and the the journalling (with a name or two changed/shortened).

December 20, 2007 was one of the hardest mornings in my life. I got up early because Daddy had to take Uncle to the airport. We decided they would drop me off at the hospital on the way so I could spend extra time with you.

I called before we left just to see how you were doing and to let them know we were on the way. They told me they put you back on oxygen. My heart was broken.

My mind raced and yet I had no idea what it really meant. When I got to the hospital I let you nurse and just held you until 6:30 when I had to leave you for shift change.

I called Daddy while I waited, and through tears, asked him to come and help me figure out what was going on. Friend also called and asked if she could come and bring me breakfast.

Around 7:30 I was able to see you again, and before too long Daddy and Friend were there.  Daddy was able to talk to the doctor and nurses and make a plan.  We would try one more time to get you off oxygen before coming home.

But, either way, you were going to come home the next day. You failed the car seat test without oxygen (maybe cause of a bad sensor), but you did just fine with the oxygen (and a new sensor).

The day ended well with you meeting Grandma and Grandpa for the first time, but the morning is one I wish I had never had.

Turquoise 2 - "cousins"

 

Here is my interpretation of Kristy Lee's Turquoise 2 over at Scrapbook Steals.  I used Jillibean Soup for this, and I think the result is okay,  I wish I had kept the green patterned paper a little longer (probably about an inch), but other than that, I don't know if I would have changed anything.  I am glad I got these pictures scrapped because it was a cute moment between my oldest and my husband's youngest cousins at a birthday party.  Since our kids don't have cousins on that side of the family (at least yet), these are the closest things to cousins for them

The Paper Girls Challenge #7 - dedication

 

The newest challenge over at The Paper Girls Challenge Blog is a sketch by the wonder Charity.  I really liked the sketch, and decided because of its simplicity to scrap the picture of my youngest's baby dedication.  I created the bottom paper using a homemade mist (as well as a little bit of two purchased mists - OA in a pink and aqua).  I made the pattern by cutting flowers out of shelf liner with my Silhouette.  I then used MME Lime Twist for the top paper and tag for journalling.  The Thickers and ribbons are AC, the twine is Twinery, and the brads for the flowers are MME Lush.  I just used solid cardstock that worked with the Lime Twist paper for the flowers themselves (cut on the SIlhouette again).

Here is the sketch:

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The Paper Girls are searching for new fans!  They are giving away a Xyron X (which I LOVE) once they reach 200 followers of their blog.  If you don't already, you should follow their blog.  I am really enjoying their twice-monthly challenges, and it is a fun group of ladies involved!

ScrapbookSteals PM Power Team

I decided to "throw my hat" into the design team call for ScrapbookSteals.  Since the call is super easy (email in 5 of your favorite projects and your blog url), I thought it wouldn't hurt to try.  I am not holding my breathe because I know a lot of talented ladies are applying, and there are only three spots open.  If I don't get selected this time, I will just try again next time!

I emailed in my five projects over a week ago, but I thought I would share them with everyone as well.

Card using Authentique Uncommon

Altered picture frame using MME Alphabet Soup

Tag mini album using MME Miss Caroline

8x8 layout using Fancy Pants Little Sprout and black matting

12x12 layout using MME Fine and Dandy, Stella and Rose, and Ooh La La

Let's Get Sketchy #10

I recently found a new sketch blog - Let's Get Sketchy.  I found it through one of their design team members - Kerys - who is also a regular MWM contributor at  ScrapbookSteals.  Since I had some time to scrap this morning, I thought I would take on their newest sketch - #10.

I used MME Alphabet Soup and Hip Hooray for this layout - two lines I almost always combine.  I added some AC Thickers for the title, two buttons from my stash, and a little twine to finish it off.  The page was so quick and easy to complete once I had it sketched in Silhouette Studio (to get the sizes set).  If all of their sketches are this fun and easy to complete, they will have me hooked!

ScrapbookSteals NSD Challenges

With National Scrapbooking Day yesterday, ScrapbookSteals had four challenges to keep us busy!

This card was for the fourth challenge - Stitch it up!  I used MME Miss Caroline and MME Fine and Dandy 6x6 papers as well as the MCM #81 sketch.  I stitched around the "sun" at the top to create a border.  

This layout was for the second challenge - Turn back time.  I used more MME on this - Stella and Rose in this case.  I got a lot of the inspiration for the layout from two of my scrapbooking friends - Misty and Charity.  It is definitely one of my favorite layouts that I have done so far.

And this layout is for the other two challenges - Turquoise 1 and Sassy Springtime.  I once again used some MME - Lime Twist in this case.  The flowers at the bottom right are a transparency from the kit.  I added some washi for the yellow (as well as the flower center).  I am glad I remembered to do a little stitching early on for this one - stitching down the half circle around the "border" line.  I find one of my major failures in scrapping is to remember to do things like that until it is too late.  You can add some embellishments later on, but some things you have to do as you go!

Spring 2012 ATCs

So, my scrapping friends (including the ladies at The Paper Girls Challenge Blog) and I are about to trade another set of ATCs.  This time, the theme is "Spring."  And the idea for these took a lot longer than my others!  I thought of doing a two sided card with "April showers" and an umbrella on one side and "Bring May Flowers" on the other side.  But, my trial for those didn't turn out great.  Then I thought about a rainbow of flowers.  And again the trial wasn't what I wanted.  Then I had an image of butterflies and flowers in my head.  But, the thought of stamping and cutting a bunch of butterflies didn't sound like fun.  So, I decided to turn to another ScrapbookSteals MCM sketch.  I decided to use some random paper my MIL had given me with a bunch of punch outs.  I had more than enough flowers from the punch outs to use (inspired by Use It Tuesday), so I looked for a sketch with a large flower spot and then a sentiment spot for the Spring stamp I knew I wanted to use.  MCM #47 turned out to be the answer.  From there, it was easy!  I added some green ribbon I had and ink, and it came together quickly.  Here are all 28 cards plus two of my favorites:

 

 

 

 

Another Mother's Day Card

 

This one is based off of the ScrapbookSteals MCM #40 sketch.  It started with the Challenge Me Tuesday challenge on Practical Scrappers - use a word puzzle.  I decided to make a word search-type block for the sentiment.  From there, I searched through the MCM sketches for one I thought would work well with my size sentiment block.  I had the Silhouette sketch the letters (using black and purple sketch pens).  Then I filled in the purple letters with pink pen to make the pop.  I then trimmed the block, rounded the corners with my corner comper, and inked the edges with ColorBox charcoal chalk.  I decided to use Bo Bunny Jazmyne for the papers.  I don't love how the sentiment block color came out (card stock), but I love the colors in Jazmyne!  I cut the waves with my Creative Memories trimmer and inked the edges with the same ink as the sentiment block.  I then added the flowers from the Jazmyne kit to finish it off.  Now I just need to finish the inside of the card and mail it!