The Waiting Game

This is the first time I've made a layout to enter into two different challenges. I really liked the sketch from The Scrappiest, and I loved the Tic Tac Toe challenge at The Paper Variety, so I combined them!

Here is the sketch. The challenge was to choose three things to include on your layout from a Tic Tac Toe board. I chose the top row: stitching, multi-photo layout & journaling strips.


Here is my layout. These are pictures of Paige & me waiting to see her pediatrician last year. I cut the background scalloped circle using the Lite Lacey Labels cartridge, and my flowers are from the Bloom cartridge. I stitched around the scalloped circle. My title was a pain...but the "waiting" letters were what inspired my color scheme, actually. I found a big stack of OLD papers, stickers & rub-ons that I hadn't gone through in years. I loved these rub-ons...however, they were so old that they were really sticky and half of them were ruined because they were already stuck to something. I had to be careful...and I had to make the two "i" letters from "j" and my "g" is actually part "q" and "y"...talk about cut & paste! But I loved the colors, so that is where my papers' colors came from :)




Thanks for looking! See you on Monday with the latest ScrapFIT workout!

Paper Thrills Reveal - Movie Ad Inspiration

The current challenge at Paper Thrills is an old movie ad. It's a really neat one...check it out!


Here is what I came up with. I immediately knew I wanted to make big flourishes in the background to mimic the octopus tentacles (or whatever they are!). I cut a few with my Cricut and misted over them. I also liked the big title up top with the ... after, and more the title below the big picture. I also used two smaller pictures down at the bottom.



Thanks for stopping by! Be sure check out what the other DT members did with this cool ad :)

Sketch #2 @ Sweet Peach :)

If you haven't already, be sure to head over to the Sweet Peach Crop Shop and check out our 2nd sketch for July! It's awesome!!

I created this layout using the July Sweet Kit...my 4th layout from the same package of materials! It sure goes a long way.

I love making lollipop flowers! They are so cool on any layout.

The chipboard alphas that come with this kit are a lighter turquoise blue, and I wanted mine a little darker. I inked them to match.


Thanks for stopping by!

The Paper Variety

I knew I had to do the latest Paper Variety challenge once I saw it. I LOVE rainbow layouts...and the challenge was either to use a rainbow OR a grid on your layout. I decided to do both!

Here is what I came up with. I misted half my background and then created a grid on the other half. I really just printed out the picturs and started spraying, cutting & gluing...I didn't have a plan when I started. Funny how some of my favorite layouts come from no planning at all!




This one was so much fun! Thanks for stopping by. Tomorrow I will share a bit more with you :)

Goin' Green

Hi, Scrappers! Just wanted to let you know about the Weekend Warm-Up #10 at ScrapFIT...this one is all about border punches. Create a layout, card or other project using border punches in a way other than just a border.

I used the big shell-like scallops to create flowers to match Paige's outfit.

I also used what I call the "notebook" punch for these edges.

I added some rhinestones for my flower centers. It's not the exact same flower on her outfit, but you get the idea :)

Head on over to the BLOG now and enter your layout to Mr. Linky by August 5th. The winner will be our guest FitGIRL Spotlight!

Sweet Peach July Kit...& a Mist tutorial

I'm still getting use out of this amazing kit from Sweet Peach Crop Shop! If you haven't gotten yours yet, head over there now :) Here is another layout I created using the beautiful goodies included in the kit.

The majority of this layout was created using the Lime Twist collection from My Mind's Eye. I especially love the list card...perfect for this kind of layout :)

Aren't these flowers so pretty? I sprayed a little bit of mist on this one to make the orange color a little darker.

I pleated this strip of paper to resemble some ribbon.


The possibilities with this kit are endless! Hop on over to the BLOG and check out my tutorial on how I make my own mists. There are lots of different ways to make it, but this is how I do it, and it works well for me. I hope you find it fun & easy, too :)

Artful Delight Layout & Sketchy Thursdays disaster!

I really loved the sketch at Artful Delight this month! I have been wanting to scrap this amazing picture of my oldest daughter and her grandma from last February. I love the expressions of happiness on their faces!

Here is what I came up with. I used the Echo Park collection Life is Good.



I also really liked the sketch this week at Sketchy Thursdays. I had these cute photos of Paige in her cherry outfit...and I had this so-called "good" idea of making some really big cherries to go in place of the butterfly. Yeah....it looked really good in my head...not so good on paper! I really don't like this AT ALL...it looks cheesy to me and not put together at all. I tried to do some misting, but it didn't show up that well and then it just warped my paper...I tried to use matching embellies, but they looked tacky as well! And then I tried stitching as a cure for it, but it didn't really add anything. All I can say is UGH!! I'm still entering it, though, because at least I did it...even if it's my least favorite layout ever! I hate when a really good idea doesn't turn out that well...



I'll be posting a tutorial tomorrow over at the Sweet Peach Crop Shop on how I make my own glimmer mists! Be sure to check it out :) Thanks for stopping by!

ScrapFIT Reveal & I'm featured at IFS!!

Happy Friday, scrappy peeps! It's the 15th, which means it's ScrapFIT reveal day! This workout is awesome...and can be interpreted in so many ways. Our challenge was to create a layout, card or other project with a BIRD and a wise, old saying.

Here is what I made. I used a cheap doilie and cut it in half to use as a mask. You know me and my misting addiction :) I bought a pack of 25 or so for $1 at the Dollar Tree! Who would've thought such awesomeness could be so cheap?

I think I've just about worn out my Create a Critter cartridge...I think I use that one more than any other! These two birdies were just too adorable to pass up, and I couldn't pick between the two, so I cut them both.



Remember, you have until July 31st to upload your creation to Mr. Linky on the ScrapFIT blog for your chance to win an awesome prize pack from Endless Inkabilities!

Here is what the owner says:

I started the store as a way to support my crafting habit. I know I won't get rich doing it, which is why I like to keep my prices and shipping as low as possible. I live in an area where there is no scrapbook shop, so online is the best way for me to get my hands on the supplies I use. My business picked up when I began offering Divine Twine baker's twine. I have all 12 colors available I have since added jute twine in several colors, ribbons, hand dyed wrinkled rayon ribbon, kraft tags in 3 sizes, {ippity} Stamp kits, and various other odds and ends to create with. I also have some of my own handmade cards for sale in there.
I began selling {ippity} Stamps when the line was first offered, but could only sell them through my blog at that time. Just recently, we were able to sell them through our shops. These stamps kits are only available through a Unity Stamp Company endorsed individual and they limit the number of sellers to approximately 50 people.

Here is the fabulous prize pack that our lucky winner will receive!

Some EXCITING news to share this morning...I'm the featured artist today at Ideas for Scrapbookers!! I am sharing three of my layouts that feature different misting techniques. Head over there and check it out!! It's so exciting to be featured!!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day, scrappers!

Misting Technique & Pink Overload :)

I wanted to share with you a layout I created for Sweet Peach Crop Shop using the July Sweet Kit. Over on the blog, I posted a mini-"how to" on how I created my circle background using a mask & mist. Click HERE to see my tutorial.

Here is my layout:




I have also been working on these two layouts...just for me! It's sometimes nice to have a break in between design team assignments to just scrap whatever you want. I wanted to scrap some of the pictures of took of Paige from one of her 12-month photo shoots.

LOTS of pink here! I had to play off the pinks & yellows since her dress was full of it. I couldn't pick just a few pictures...each one depicts her to a tee, so I used six! I really like how the kraft paper background makes the pastels jump off the page.



Same thing here...lots of pink! Two more pics from the same photo shoot, and a lot of the same patterned papers. Can you tell I'm really into banners lately? Triangular ones & circular ones! They all rock! I used a Martha punch to go around the page, and I had to stictch through some of the holes. I'm sort of a hand-stitching addict, as well :)

I added tiny little pearls in between each pennant...love how that turned out!



Thanks for stopping by! I'll be back tomorrow with the ScrapFIT reveal! It's a great workout...you don't want to miss it!

ScrapFIT's Weekend Warm-Up #9

Don't forget about the current Weekend Warm-Up going on over at ScrapFIT! There is even an extra week for you to participate this time around. You have until July 22nd to create a layout, card or other project using patterned paper to create your embellishments. You can cut them out and use them as is, like I did in my birthday layout. You can cut paper and create flowers, you can use punches to create specific shapes...the choices are endless!

Here is what I made for my sample:

I simply cut these out of patterned paper and used pop dots to raise them up for some dimension. Easy Peasy! (And super cheap!)


Head on over there and upload your layout. If your creation is chosen, you will be our next FitGIRL SPOTLIGHT! We'll feature your blog, your photo, some information about you, and your favorite layouts! Everyone will want to visit your blog and see your other fabulous work! So join us...it's a lot of fun!

You also have plenty of time to join in our current Workout as well! There is a great prize up for grabs for that challenge. Be sure to check it out while you're over there visiting!

Sketchy Thursdays & Scrapbookers Anonymous

I've been working on several layouts these days, but I just haven't had a chance to post them! I've got a few to share today. My first is my take on this week's Sketchy Thursdays sketch.

The adorable sketch:


I decided to work on some Valentine photos. I've been trying to get everything from last Februray (2010) scrapped. I loved this froggy in the photos, and I used some cute froggy love paper from last year's K & Company Valentine stack. LOVE all the cute little animals in it! I wanted a border around the froggy paper, so I got out my paints and just messy-painted a red & pink border. I've never done that before, but I'll definitely be doing it again :)


I LOVE the banner in the sketch! I've been inspired to do a lot of banners lately...I just love the look of them!



I also created this next layout for the current challenge at Scrapbookers Anonymous. It was to scrap a "hard to scrap" color. Obviously, I chose purple! I love the color, but it is hard to scrap. Since Paige was wearing a purple shirt, I went with it and tried to pull out as much of my purple stash as I could! I accented with a sky turquoise blue, which I love.

I have so many pre-made flowers that I need to use! I'm so happy some of my old Prima flowers went perfectly with this color & layout! They're such a pretty color.

I've really been into buttons lately, with a floss bow tied through. I love them!


Thanks for stopping by! I will have more to share with you throughout the week!

Sweet Peach Sketch #1 Reveal!

Yayyyyy! It is my very first reveal at Sweet Peach Crop Shop. We were given this awesome sketch by our new sketch artist, Keri. I loved it immediately...especially since you can use up to six photos!



Here is what I created using the Sweet Kit. There are SO many fantastic goodies in it...I almost didn't know where to start! I inked the chipboard stars and added some stitching along the side and top. I also used the packaging from the stars to create the bracket shapes. I absolutely love the buttons & arrows in this kit!



I have more layouts created from this kit coming soon, so stay tuned!

Be sure to head over there and see what the other DT members created, and enter your interpretation of the sketch to win a $10 gift certficate to the Sweet Peach Crop Shop!

Sassy Lil Sketches & Paper Thrills Reveal!

Wow! Two reveals for me in the same day! First up is the 7th Reveal at Sassy Lil' Sketches. Here is this week's sketch:


And here is my layout:

I used a Martha Stewart balloon punch to create these cute little balloons.

I cut out a cute "one" design using my Cricut and the Graphically Speaking cartridge and used it as a mask...such a cool & easy way to get a unique & funky background!



You can win prizes from these awesome companies!



Layouts must be uploaded with Mr. Linky on the Sassy Blog by August 5th, 11:59 P.M. EST to be eligible for the July random prize drawing*.

Specific rules for both Sassy Lil' Sketches site can be found on our Sassy Lil' Sketches "Rules" page.

*The paper prize is available to U.S. residents only

The digital prize is open to both U.S. and international residents.


Paper Thrills has a cool new challenge up. This one is all about summer songs. Create a layout with a title or journaling using the title or lyrics from your favorite summer song. I chose "Soak up the Sun" by Sheryl Crow. The title just popped into my head once I chose these cute pictures of Reese & her daddy :)

I hand cut the sun and used bubble wrap & craft paint to create the illusion of sky. I used a QTip and white paint to scribble on some clouds. I stitched a lot in this layout, which is one of my favorite things to add to a page!




Be sure to head over to both of these awesome blogs & check out what the other Design Team members created!