Let's Get Sketchy - March 15th Sketch Challenge

Nothing like a good sketch to get those creative juices flowin'!

Today, I'm sharing a layout completed with help from the March 15th sketch on the Let's Get Sketchy blog.

This page features photos taken at a family birthday party. Instead of cake, we had brownies with vanilla ice cream on top! It was delicious!!

How would you describe your approach to layouts? Personally, I'd say that most of the time I like to work quickly and with lots of layers and different patterns. This sketch worked perfectly with that approach.

For the page title, I turned to a set of chipboard stickers and then added a little "doodling" to help it stand out a bit. While I have a HUGE collection of markers and gel pens, this time the same ball point I used for journaling worked just fine. 

Until next time, happy scrap booking and paper crafting!

Making Valentines!

Ahoy! Cheerful greetings to All! 

Today, I’m assembling Valentine Cards. I still have not located my “Happy Valentines Day” stamp for the interior greeting, however, here is a peek at the process and the front of the cards!!

First, I created some “musical” hearts with embossing paste and a favorite scallop heart punch. 

Next, remembering my New Years Resolution to use stamps, I picked a cute circa 2006 image from Stampin’ Up!

Lately, I’m drawn to a “collage” approach to cards and scrapbook pages. Adding a few elements like “dew drops,” stickers and stickles is fun and I’m pleased with the overall look. 

Until next time, happy scrap booking and paper crafting!!

Let's Get Sketchy - February 1 Sketch Challenge

We recently adopted a dog named "Max!" The page I'm sharing today features photos taken the first time we met him. We knew immediately that we wanted to bring him home. He's a lovable guy for sure!

The February 1st Sketch from Let's Get Sketchy provided inspiration for this page! 

   

In addition to this page, I also made a couple cards today using "watercolor crayons" and a water brush. It's interesting to see the same basic card design can "feel" differently just by switching up the background colors!

Until next time, happy scrap booking and paper crafting!

Gingerbread House Cards

In this post, I’m sharing the final steps of embellishing and assembling my Gingerbread House cards. I featured the initial steps in my previous post. 

These cards are the first in my effort to work on Christmas cards throughout the year. The hope being to have cards made and ready to sent BEFORE December 25, 2018!!

After watercoloring the Gingerbread House image with Tim Holtz Distress inks, I added additional details by coloring with glitter gel pens! 

Next, I added some “sugar” to the gumdrops and some “shimmer” to the icicles using some clear and silver Stickles!

Recently, I found some adorable gingerbread embellishments for only $1 at Hobby Lobby. I thought they’d be perfect for these cards! 

For the greeting, I selected this cute greeting that was part of the Gingerbread House Stampin Up set...

And here is a look at the completed card! 

Next up...Valentines!! Until next time...Happy Scrapbooking and Paper Crafting!!

Hello 2018!

Happy New Year! Welcome 2018!

Last year around this time, I shared my 2017 Resolution which was “to use more paper than I purchased.” At first, I tried to keep a running tally of paper used and paper purchases. But, I soon found that hard to keep up with. Instead, I focused on avoiding purchases and digging into my paper stash!

As I reflect on these efforts, I’ve gotta say I kinda met this goal because I definitely curbed my paper purchases. Plus, I consistently used my stash and had a blast using papers that were collected 5, 10 even 15 years ago!

How did you do with your 2017 Resolution? Have you set any new goals for 2018?

My 2018 Resolution is to use the rubber stamps in my stash - especially those that have never been used. Here’s my first effort....

Several years ago, I was “into” anything with gingerbread men. I still love them and decided to finally use a cute gingerbread house stamp set in order to get a head start on this year's Christmas cards, too. Here is a peek at my progress so far....

To add color, I wanted to try watercolor. Did you know you can watercolor with Tim Holtz Distress Inks?! Just dab an ink pad onto an acrylic block to transfer some ink and add a water brush. 

The water coloring is finished so now I just need to decide how to make finishing touches and add a card base! I’ll share these steps in my next post! Stay tuned!

Until next time, happy scrap booking and paper crafting!