Sketch Savvy and CSI...Love

I was so excited to get to enter a CSI challenge, but, although my layout was almost done, everything went downhill...I dropped my letter "V" stamp and ripped it in two while I was trying to peel it off the photo.  Of course, the stamp itself peeled up the color off the photo anyway forcing me to place one of the journaling spots over top that specific spot.  Then, if that weren't bad enough, I'd messed with my rubons until they were stuck to the wrong side of the plastic and I made one heck of a mess of the other photo trying to use them anyway.  I guess since it's taken me an additional two weeks to get a picture and post it on my own blog, it obviously just wasn't meant to be!! ;O)  

Oh well, if you haven't tried a CSI challenge (Color, Stories, Inspiration) yet, what are you waiting for!!!  I can't believe how much fun they are and how much I've stepped out of my box and used product/ color challenges I never would have thought of without them!

Here's the Case File for this one...

Evidence: I used doilies and flowers (the doilies being the stretch for me!)

Testimony: I used both 3 different size journaling spots as well as 3 perspectives...each journaling spot is each one of us telling Olivia about our thoughts the day she arrived.  Owen wasn't so cooperative, so, I just told about what he was thinking/doing in the days leading up to her arrival. 

Now that I look at the case file and layout side by side, I was off on the color scheme some...the pinks aren't quite right are they!  Well, I tried anyway!

Paper: Basic Grey Urban Prairie and DCWV Green Stack
Cardstock: CTMH Colonial White, Hollyhock, and Sweet Leaf
Stamps:  Friendship Alpha
Ink: Hollyhock
Other:  Bazzil Basics flowers, Doilies from my stash, K&Company rubons, Butterfly sticker from Walmart, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, Stickles, EKSuccess corner Rounder, Cricut, and Spellbineders/Cuttlebug

The sketch I used for the layout was this one from Sketch Savvy.  I'm so loving her sketches and am so thankful, I wasn't sure I'd find another I loved as much as Sketchy Thursdays!!

Pagemaps and Little Beauty...

Paper:  Basic Grey Wisteria

Cardstock:  Smokey Plum

Stamps: Vintage Type and Bohemian Alpha

Ink: Amethyst and Gypsy

Other:  Recollections Butterfly and flowers, various adhesive gems, CTMH Bitty Sparkles colored with Copic Markers, Dollar Butterfly Punch from Michael's, Fiskars circle and border punch, EKSucces corner rounder, and Making Memories embroidery floss

This layout is pretty simple, but, it took FOREVER and clearly does not resemble the Page Maps sketch posted on their blog here.  This one was so frustrating because of the way I insisted on printing the pictures and by the time I decided it wouldn't work, I'd wasted to much time/supplies.  So, I powered through and a month later, this is what you get! ;O)

Love...

Paper:  Basic Grey Urban Prairie

Cardstock: Blush, Creme Brulee, Hollyhock, and White Daisy

Stamps: Key to My Heart, Bohemian Alphabet, Hope, and Can't remember the "joy of life" stamp set

Ink:  Blush, Hollyhock

Other:  Spellbinders and Memory Box Dies, CTMH Clear Buttons, Making Memories Embroidery Floss, CTMH Bitty Pearls and Brads, Martha Stewart and Michael's Dollar Butterfly Punches, Recollections Pearls, Joann Essentials heart brads, Fiskars border punch, CTMH ribbon, Sizzix embossing envelope, Marvy and Zig pens.

I started this layout shortly after I found out I was having a girl and will use it as a cover page for her baby book.  The layout was on the cover of one of CTMH's catalogs with a paper I didn't like and I've been dying to recreate it.  I wish I'd done the stitching differently, but, I still like it overall!  

Freshly Made Sketches Baby Girl Card...

I was blog surfing a little today and came across this super fun card sketch blog called Freshly Made Sketches!  They are doing a special blog hop for one of their DT members who is expecting a new baby in the near future.  I loved the sketch and decided to keep with the theme and get a jump on the cards for all the new little ones my friends are expecting this year! ;O) 

I love this bear image, he's one of my two go-to baby images.  But, I think he's a little big for this standard sized card...I may have to rethink him in the future!  I also had to laugh because I've spent five years focused on little boy scrapbook supplies and have practically nothing in pink.  This stack from Basic Grey is about all I've got!  Olivia has a little outfit that is brown with, dark/light pink and grey spots on it and I thought I'd use that for my own little color challenge.  I like how it turned out, but, definitely not my typical colors!

Paper:  Basic Grey Urban Prairie
Cardstock:  Blush, Hollyhock, Grey Wool
Stamps:  Beary Much and New Arrival
Ink:  Grey Wool and Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa
Other: CTMH flowers and Clear button, Making Memories embroidery floss, Fiskars border punch, EK Success corner rounder, and Prisma Water Color pencils

Got Sketch 113 (Again)...Birthday Birdie!

Because I was still so pressed for time, I used the same sketch as the cards in my previous post, but, used my new Doodle Pantry Birthday Birdie digi stamp for our neice's 4th Birthday card.  Seriously, how cute is this bird!!  I had planned to use the Twitterpated paper from Imaginisce that I've been hoarding for years when I colored this little bird orange.  But, the patterns are kind of big and just not ideal for a card.  So, I switched to Basic Grey's Lime Rickey...I seriously LOVE this paper which is not like me at all...I don't typically love bright colors!!

Paper:  Basic Grey Lime Rickey

Stamps: Doodle Pantry Birthday Birdie with Hat and Card Chatter-Birthday

Cardstock:  Citrus Leaf (retired), Sunny Yellow, and White Daisy

Ink:  Citrus Leaf and Tsukineko Memento ink in Tuxedo Black

Other:  Martha Stewart border punch, Cuttlebug and Nestabilities, Crop-a-dile corner punches, Copic Markers, and Recollections adhesive gems 

Sketchy Thursdays...My Funny Valentine

I got SO tired of making cards during my last minute race to get my Valentine's done that I started not one, but THREE different layouts!  I absolutely loved this sketch from Sketchy Thursdays along with this sketch they posted on 2/10.  I missed the deadline for the 2/10 sketch, but, I'm managing to get this one entered at the last minute.  The third layout is a 2-pager out of CTMHs Magic book, so, no deadline obligation there!  I've had two sickos at home with me since Thursday and am supposed to be working from home as well as cleaning house for my dad's arrival next week....but, I'm hoping to finish up the other Sketchy Thursday layout tonight and get it posted tomorrow!  Priorities, right? ;O)

In addition to the sketch, Heidi at Sketchy Thursdays, added three additional requirements to include on our layouts:
                                      -Pink/green or red/turquoise
                                      -Hearts
                                      -A list about something/someone you love

I don't often use bright colors, but, I was absolutely in LOVE with Basic Grey's Lime Rickey collection when it was first released and even pre-ordered the 12x12 collection pack.  Of course, I love it so much, this is only the second layout I've managed to bring myself to use it on!  Why do I get such an attachment to paper!!  Anyway, where else was I going to find paper to create a Red and Turquoise layout! ;O)

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and staying healthy!

Paper: Basic Grey Lime Rickey

Ink: Tsukineko Memento in Tuxedo Black, Cranberry, and Ocean (retired)

Cardstock: Cranberry and White Daisy

Stamps:  Doodle and Bohemian Alphabet

Other:  CTMH Clear Buttons, Copic Markers, Accent Essentials Cricut Cartridge, and Zig pen

Sketchy Thursdays...A Perfect Fall Day

I heard about the Sketchy Thursdays blog a while back while on another scrappers blog, but, haven't had much time to stop and check out their sketches.  I finally got around to taking a  peek last week and absolutely couldn't resist this sketch!!!  This was so out of the box for me, but, SO much fun!!  It all just kind of fell in place...that never happens for me! 

I had big plans to put the pictures in a circle using Photoshop, but, it turns out I'm not that good!  I can't figure out how to do the wedges.  So, I did what I could and opted for five pictures instead of six.  I'm pretty happy with the results regardless and look forward to trying more Sketchy Thursday sketches!!

I've actually had this layout completed for almost a week now.  But, with very little daylight these days, I'm having trouble getting a good picture.  I will make another attempt tomorrow and see if I can improve it.  In the meantime, I should mention that the leaves are edged with gold glitter (they came that way) and I added gold Stickles between the scallops on the circle for the "sparkle" part of the challenge.

Paper:  Memory Box Blackbird and Basic Grey Ambrosia
Cardstock: CTMH Colonial White
Stamps:  Field Trip Alpha and Many Thanks
Ink: Autumn Terracotta, Brown Bag, Honey, and Cocoa
Other:  Recollections Mulberry Paper Holly Leaves (Michaels), Martha Stewart Punches, EKSuccess Corner Rounder (scallops), Champagne Stickles, Funky Ribbon from LSS (it was by the yard don't have manufacturer info), and Zig Pen

Do It Your Way!

I follow this blog that I believe is written all in Russian, so I have no idea what they're saying, but, I guess that's what is great about scrapbooking...it speaks for itself! ;O)  The layouts, that I believe belong to their DT, are absolutely amazing.  I come across this post and had to try the layout, it was definitely a challenge!

These are not my colors and I had a really time wrapping-up this layout.  But, I LOVE this Lime Rickey paper from Basic Grey for some reason!!  In fact, I've been hoarding it for almost a year, or maybe, just avoiding actually using it! ;O)  I also truly appreciate that it doesn't matter what crazy colors other scrapbook companies put out there, CTMH has a color that corresponds!  The title is a bit muted in this photo, but matches the paper in real life.  I had a really hard time embellishing this one and decided just to let it go and leave it as is.

Paper: Basic Grey Lime Rickey
Cardstock: Sunny Yellow and Citrus Lime
Ink:  Citrus Lime and Crystal Blue
Stamps:  The Works and Typewriter Alphas
Other:  Basic Grey Brads and Chipboard Stickers and Zig Pen

Got Sketch? #91...All Boy

I had these two pictures printed for some time now.  They're the only shots I took of my munchkin the entire month of January 2008, with the exception, of course, of the hundreds I took of him while we were in Hawaii earlier that month.  Anyway, I was dying to try a Got Sketch? challenge and while I was scrolling through their blog, I came across this perfect sketch posted on October 22nd.  

I broke into my Basic Grey Ambrosia paper that I've been hoarding for this one.  I just LOOOOVE this paper!  I ordered the whole pack which comes with both a sticker sheet and alphas.  It made this layout super easy.  The only down side was that the paper is so busy, my title kind of disappears.  I covered the letter stickers in Stickles hoping that would help and then backed them with some Colonial White Cardstock.  I'm not sure it is right still, but its going to have to be enough for now! ;O)

Paper:  Basic Grey Ambrosia
Cardstock:  Autumn Terracotta and Cocoa
Stamp Sets: Fun Times (Lizard)
Other:  Basic Grey Ambrosia Element Stickers, Robins Nest Dew Drops, Recollections Sparkles, CTMH White Daisy embossing powder (lizards), Stickles, and Zig pen.

Christmas Pics 2009

I printed these pictures with the the intention of using them for Sketch #37 from Inspired Blueprints.  But, I just wasn't loving the way it looked and opted to print others for this particular layout.  However, I hated to waste the originals and ended up using the same sketch idea, just moved the pictures around some to make it work.  

For the title, I stamped it all out using Field Trip Alpha and Cranberry Ink.  After cutting them all out, I sent them the wrong way through my Xyron machine so that the red part was sticky and covered with red glitter.  I had hoped to stop there, but, it seemed the glitter didn't intend to hold very long.  So, I then coated each letter with Liquid Glass, let it dry, and tada...glittery epoxy type stickers!  I was pretty pleased with myself, but by the time all of that was done, I was tired of looking at the layout!!!  The rest of the embellishments are pretty simple and minimal for that reason.

Don't you love that sled picture of my little man? ;O)  He cracked me up...the photographer suggested he scream like he was going down a hill on the sled and he thought it was a great idea!  Such a little ham.

Paper:  Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses

Cardstock: Cranberry

Ink: Cranberry

Other:  Jolee's Boutique Stickers, Liquid Glass, red glitter (don't know brand), vellum paper, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, Cricut When It's Cold Outside Cartridge, and Zig pen. 

Mojo Monday #113

I made this card weeks ago when Sketch #113 was still current, but kept forgetting to take a picture of it on the few days with actual daylight we've had!! I really love how it turned out though! This bear always melts my heart! ;O) I just took a quick peek at Angels Landing's new stamps, OH MY GOSH!! The cutest penguins, bears, and even some adorable Christmas Cardinals. I haven't been over to their website in FAR too long obviously...hmm, don't tell my husband, Paypal may soon be getting a workout! ;O)

Please forgive the photos, you have no idea how much doctoring I'm having to do in Photoshop. I am starting to think its the photographer and not the lack of natural light that's causing some of the problems! I'll be glad when we get some actual sunshine here soon...

Paper: Baisic Grey Wisteria

Cardstock: Smokey Plum, Sweet Leaf, and Colonial White

Ink: Smokey Plum and Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black

Stamp Set: Western Flourishes and Angels Landing Mini Bears and Birds Digital Stamps

Other: Robin's Nest Dew Drops, Martha Stewart Double Loop Corner Punch, Cricut Cartridge Accent Essentials (circle and scalloped circle)

Mojo Monday #110

I am so behind on my posts, I don't know if I'll ever catch up with my Mojo cards!!! This one was for Auntie Shawn Day...it went together in just a few minutes...which was necessary since I was down to the wire on this one. I spent so much time at the hospital with my grandmother the weekend of this particular holiday, I didn't have a chance to get the card done to go with Shawnie's Hawaii pages. I ended up scrambling and throwing it together just before she got home from work!
Paper: Basic Grey Ambrosia collection

Cardstock: CTMH White Daisy (card base), Twighlight, Black, Autumn Terracotta

Flowers: Bazzil Basics, CTMH, Prima

Ribbon: Casa Collection (JoAnns)

Brad: Basic Grey

Punches: Martha Stewart and Fiskars??? ($1 punch from Michaels)

Sparkles: K&Company

Loved

I've been blog surfing lately, checking out other peoples work to try and help me break out of my Close To My Heart rut! ;O) I love CTMH's style, but I started scrapping with their supplies and sketches and feel like I never really came up with my own style. So, I made it my mission to start branching out and I started with this layout. O.k., so mostly I lifted this one from the Scrapperlicious blog created by a woman named Irene in Malaysia. I came across her blog about the time she posted a layout entitled, "Cute" and I totally fell in love! Her work is amazing and I hope to incorporate a little of her style into my work in the future. She seems to love layering both with paper and embellishments/inks which really makes her work stand out.

Above is the sketch she posted on the Scrap in Japan blog (in a post titled "Challenge 11") when she was a guest designer. The blog is mainly in Japanese and even the blog address is misspelled, but they have amazing sketches and examples to go with them!!

So, here's my version. This was so much fun and so out of my box!! I believe that Irene used a masking technique with alcohol inks and a Heidi Swapp mask to create the flower background. I have never used alcohol inks and didn't want to add yet another thing to buy to my list. So, instead, I used the emboss resist technique using Versa Mark, clear embossing powder, Treasure Life and Treasures stamp sets, and finished it off by sponging Cocoa ink over top. I also used the Cocoa Ink to distress the scalloped circle as well. The patterned paper is from Basic Grey's Wisteria line, I so love it!!! I also used Cocoa and Pansy Purple cardstock, embroidery floss from Making Memories, Pewter Designer Brads, Bitty Brads, and pearls from the CTMH Connections Club. The flowers are from Prima (purple), Bazzil Basics (brown), and CTMH (white). The lace was a by the yard purchase at JoAnns.

I have to say, we don't have much sunshine these days and the colors are off a little in the picture. I swear, in person, the purples are much more complimentary!!

My family thinks this is a little girly for my little boy. But, I had fun doing it and I've given up on trying to only make manly layouts, its more fun to use flowers!!! ;O)

Mojo Monday On Time!

I can't believe it, I managed to complete a Mojo Monday sketch in the same week it was posted! This is only my second time ever!! ;O) This one uses the "Bearly Adequate Daffodil" image from Angel's Landing digi set called Mini Bears and Birds. I absolutely love this set and have even wore out one of my brown copic markers coloring them!!! I started out planning to use the Wisteria paper from Basic Grey that are beautiful purples and pastel colors. But...while I was digging it out, I saw my Lime Rickey paper!!! I have been hoarding both sets and was excited to actually pull it out and use it. This card is for my aunt and she is just crazy enough to love it! ;O)

Besides the Basic Grey paper pack, I used DCWV pink cardstock, CTMH Sunkiss Yellow cardstock, Citrus Leaf and Hollyhock ink pads, Tender Tags and Today's Date stamps, Prima flowers, and Hero Arts adhesive pearls.

Grandma's Birthday....

Cardstock-Colonial White, Black, and Sunflower
Paper-Basic Grey Ambrosia
Stamps-Birthday Invitation (retired) and Western Flourishes
Basic Grey Brads, Ribbon from JoAnns, Big Pinks Blooms and Autumn Sunflower Just Blooms

My Grandmother is turning 88 on the 6th and I wanted to make sure I had a card ready for her. We're very close and I go to her for everything, so I wanted to make this card special. I decided to break open my Basic Grey Ambrosia paper that I have been hoarding for the past few months. I absolutely love it and hate to use it for fear of running out! Kind of defeats the purpose of having it though doesn't it!! ;O) For a change, I used the current week's Mojo Monday sketch! Can you believe it, I am so proud of myself!!