Inspired Blueprints Meets Lasting Memories....Easter

So, my kiddo has been recovering from a cold that knocked him on his rear this week and I took advantage of the situation to do nothing but goof off!  The house is a disaster and he's not done much other than watch t.v., but, I did get two layouts done! ;O)  

The first one is a combined challenge.  Lasting Memories has a photo inspiration challenge this week.  I'm so excited to finally be able to participate in one of their challenges and submit my layout on time!  The colors of their photo were perfect for this paper by Best Creations Inc. and tulips always mean Easter/spring to me, so, this was an easy one!

I hadn't played with an Inspired Blueprints sketch in a while, but, came across this one from way back in February and knew it would be perfect.

I try really hard not to get caught up in the trends of the here and now because they seem to date your layouts faster.  I was really good with the whole pennant craze until Close to My Heart came out with this stamp set...how cute are my little alphabet flags! ;O)  Sorry about this photo, I can't seem to get a good one of this layout for some reason!

Paper: Best Creation Inc Bunny Love line
Cardstock:  Sunkiss Yellow, Citrus Leaf, Sky, and White Daisy
Ink: Sky
Stamps: Pennant Alpha and Eastertime (texture on basket)
Other: Recollections Pearls, Stickles, Martha Stewart border and butterfly punch, Cricut Stretch Your Imagination (basket) and Plantin Schoolbook (grass) cartridges, and Zig Pen

Happy Mother's Day...A Little Late! ;O)

So, every year, I try to find a card that's not just your average card to make for Mother's Day.  Last year I did a tri-fold card that you can see here and the year prior I did a criss-cross card which you can view here.  (Forgive the formatting of my older posts, when I redid my blog design, it messed up all the older posts.)  This year, I was reminded by Bryan of Scrap Guy's PaperCrafting Adventure of the flower pot card that was all the rage a year or so ago.  His is super cute and clean using the Cricut to cut his flowers.  But, I decided to make things difficult on myself and cut all the flowers out by hand!!  Brilliant decision on my part...I had 6 of these to make!  These are all I accomplished on my scrapbooking weekend, but, I think it was worth it.  

They were lots of fun and I think they turned out pretty cute...although, this wasn't a stellar example...I'm not sure why the flowers are all off to one side and I moved the butterflies up to the top of the big flower before I mailed them off.  But, hopefully, you get the picture! ;O)

If you'd like to try making your own flower pot pocket card, you can find the tutorial here on SplitcoastStampers website.  This would be a great one to stick a gift card to the back side of the insert!

Paper:  Boom-di-ada (butterfly punch)

Cardstock:  Colonial White and Craft

Stamps:  Cottage Floral, Flutter, Promise of Spring (foliage) and Simple Beauty (sentiment

Ink:  Sunset, Hollyhock, Blush, Honey, and Cocoa (shading on pot and sentiment)

Other:  Hollyhock Twill ribbon, Sparkles from Recollections, Martha Stewart Border and Butterfly punches, Recollections Sparkles, Twine from my stash, and Blue Moon Bead

Happy 90th!

My grandmother celebrated her 90th birthday this weekend.  I'm so proud of her!  She still lives on her own and is as feisty as ever.  I wanted to make her an extra special card and fell in love with one that Betsy Veldman had published in Paper Crafts Special How To Issue...Winter 2011 Stamp It! Techniques magazine on page 54.  I tried to find a picture of Betsy's card online without any luck and I'm not sure scanning the magazine photo would technically be legal.  So, I guess, you'll just have to take my word for it that they're similar...besides, I probably wouldn't want to have mine right beside hers! ;O)  

I wish I had made the chip board flower a different color now, but, all in all, I was happy with the results.  This was way outside my box, so, it was a lot of fun to try!

I've got a sick kiddo at home today, so, I'm hoping to sneak in some scrapbooking time while he's resting.  It is after all National Scrapbooking Month! ;O)

Paper:  Emporium, Tickled Pink, and Best Friends Forever (all retired)

Cardstock:  Colonial White

Ink:  Hollyhock, Blush, Goldrush, Sweet Leaf, Olive, Sky, and Sunset

Stamps: Tickled Pink, Smiles, Friendship Blessings, Heartthrob, Cottage Floral, and Say It in Style

Other:  Recollections sparkles, CTMH Just Blooms Summer Posies, Twinkle Brad, and Dimensional Elements Flower, Favorite Findings Button (JoAnns), EKSuccess Corner Rounder, and Crop a Dile Corner Chomper 

Sketchy Thursdays...Man With a Plan

I printed this picture with a different sketch in mind, but, decided it worked better for this week's Sketchy Thursdays sketch if I rotated it.  The challenge at Lasting Memories was to do a spring layout.  We don't really get spring here, we have winter, break-up, and then summer...but, with spring does come dirt, so, I thought this was still fitting!  I just went to link up my layouts to Lasting Memories and realized the DT challenge closed at noon, not midnight!  Oops!! Next time I guess, I should pay closer attention next time! ;O)

Paper:  Cosmo Cricket-Early Bird
Cardstock:  Sweet Leaf, Juniper, Goldrush, and Colonial White
Ink:  Goldrush, Sweet Leaf, Juniper, and Tsukineko Memento in Rich Cocoa
Stamps:  Field Trip Alpha, Friendship Alpha, Grown with Love, and Journaling Jots
Other:  Martha Stewart border punch, CTMH twill ribbon, Owl sticker from Recollections, and Zig pen

Sketchy Thursdays..."Egg"sperts

My first layout in FOREVER!  Yaay!  I had so much fun with this one, although, I did struggle to get it started.  I printed my pictures too big, or cut my paper too small...I'm not sure which way it went.  I'm happy with the final outcome though which is what counts!  I'm a day late to submit it on the Sketchy Thursdays blog, but, thought I'd post it anyway!

Leisa Hubley of Big Red Scraps is on the design team for Lasting Memories, a fun scrapbook challenge blog which I had just barely had the chance to check out prior to the madness that was the first part of my year.  Now that I am back, I noticed that they are looking for new Design Team members and all you have to do is submit a layout for each of their four challenges this month by the 29th.  I'm not sure I have a shot, but, thought it would be a blast to try and get all 4 done in a week.  I love that their challenges aren't just sketches, they make you stretch just a bit further...this layout is for Challenge #34, Easter Theme.

I stole the title from scrapbooks.com, how clever is that!  I love it!!

Paper:  Best Creation Inc Bunny Love line

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

Stamps: Bohemian Alpha

Ink:  Sky

Other:  Martha Stewart border punch, CTMH chalk (ears and cheeks on bunny), Egg Brads from my stash, Heart Brad JoAnne Essentials, and Bitty Brads (bunny eyes) from CTMH, Cricut Plantin Schoolbook (grass) and Stretch your Imagination (Bunny), Zig pen, and cotton off of a Qtip (bunny tail)

My First Sympathy Card...

O.k., so, this is my first and hopefully last Sympathy card I have to make!  I panicked a little as I had waited until the night before I needed it to start and I didn't have a clue where to begin.  So, I started blog surfing for ideas... and found this card that Lisa Stenz had created.  I'd bought some orange and yellow tulips to take to her, so, I changed the colors up, but, the idea was the same.

I wrapped the card up pretty late that night and then took the photos.  But, it wasn't until the next morning I realized how tippy the stripe on the inside was, don't worry, I fixed it before I gave it to her! ;O)

Cardstock: White Daisy, Gold Rush, and Sunkiss Yellow
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black
Stamp:  Say It in Style
Other:  Cuttlebug and Sizzix embossing folder, Martha Stewart Score Board, Prima Daisy Doodles, and CTMH Splendor Brad

Happy Easter!

Yes, I'm still alive, although, it has been a rough start to the year!!  My reports that I had spent every waking hour on during the first 3 months of the year were all submitted by 3/31 and then we took off for DISNEY WORLD immediately afterwards for 2 weeks!  So much fun, but, turns out, the crowds were out in full force thanks to a much later Spring Break season for all of you in the Lower 48!  That never crossed our minds, our spring break was all wrapped-up in mid-March here!  Anyway, it was worth it.  The weather was amazing and our little man had a blast. 

I'd like to say the drama at work has ended for me, but, unfortunately, yesterday the news broke that my boss' husband has been working for the state using a stolen identity (he's here illegally from Mexico) and was arrested last Friday.  We are bare bones staffed at the moment and if she ends up leaving, I have no idea what will happen...I definitely don't want that responsibility!!  Anyway, I don't know what to think or hope for on that subject, I am absolutely blown away...I never would have guessed.  Monday will be interesting needless to say...

Onto my first scrappy project since my return!  I was having trouble getting back into the swing of things, so, I wandered over to the queen of card's blog, Vicki Wizniuk.  If you haven't been to her blog, go!  She's amazingly talented and her cards are always simple but, knock down breath taking.  I'm not so sure I can say the same about this one, but, I do love how it turned out.  You can see the card I stole the idea from on Vicki's blog here.

I'm sure everyone's getting sick of seeing this Happy Bird image from Doodle Pantry, but, I needed a Thank You for the couple that watched my bird while we were out of town...so obviously, what better image to use, don't you think? ;O)  

Paper:  Splendor (Clouds-Retired)
Cardstock:  White Daisy, Gold Rush, and Sunkiss Yellow
Ink:  Black, Gold Rush, and Sunkiss Yellow
Stamps:  Digi Stamp-Happy Bird from Doodle Pantry, From Me To You (sentiment), Universal Backgrounds (music), and Playful Petals (polka-dot)
Other:  CTMH Bitty Sparkles, Ribbon and Buttons from JoAnns, Making Memories embroidery floss, EKSuccess border punch, Cuttlebug and Spellbinders, Cricut Accent Essentials, Stickles, and Copic markers

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 

Got Sketch 113...Happy Bird!

I'm finally finished with the worst of my reports!  Well, technically anyway, I still have lots to do.  But, I won't be spending all weekend in the office, so, that's something I guess!!  I need to catch up on what I've been up to now though!

In the meantime, I've been fighting with my blog design.  Is anyone else having issues?  I'm not sure if it's me, but, I'm trying to keep it simple until I figure it out!

I've been desperately trying to keep up with birthdays this month, it is just one after another!!  These cards were done for my MIL and her friend Barbara.  I sent them both the new Kraft Color Ready Borders from CTMH as part of their birthday gifts and wanted to demonstrate how great they were.  I still love them, but, won't be adding any more color to them unless its black or a shade of brown!!  I tried everything, but, the colors just don't come out right.  But, how CUTE is this little Happy Bird digi stamp from Doodle Pantry!!!!  And the best part is he's FREE!!!  I loved him so much, I bought a birthday image of him as well and have a few more I plan to get in the near future, he reminds me of my little bird and you just can't help but smile when you see him!

I've been super short on time so I used the Got Sketch? 113 sketch for inspiration for both cards and used scraps from my "Family Ties" layout that were still on my desk....I'm still trying to "think spring" despite the daily forecast of snow! ;O)

Paper:  My Mind's Eye Pretty Please

Cardstock:  Juniper, Tulip, and Colonial White

Stamps: Doodle Pantry Happy Bird and Card Chatter-Birthday 

Ink:  Sunset, Juniper, and Tulip 

Other:  CTMH brads in Juniper and Tulip, EKSuccess Corner Rounder (Scalloped border inside card), CTMH Kraft Color Ready Borders, Crop-A-Dile Corner punch, Copics, and Cuttlebug/Nestabilities.

Sketchy Thursdays...Family Ties

I follow a Russian blog that I really love, but, can't understand a thing that's said!  Anyway, I have had the beautiful layouts shown in this post stuck in my head for a year now where each layout includes a picture within a picture.  I loved the idea and was reminded of it when I saw this sketch at Sketchy Thursdays.  I found this picture of Owen with his grandparents at the glacier in Valdez and attempted to make the 3 of them pop by making the background a little more monochrome.  I actually printed two pictures with the intent of using foam tape to make the photo really stand out, but, changed my mind at the last minute and just glued it down.  The difference in the photos is a little more obvious in person, but, I still liked it.  I'm going to have to try this again and get out of the box a little more!!

I had so much fun with this one, it was SO nice to take a break from work...of course, it just set me back that much further!  

I didn't think I'd ever use this paper from My Mind's Eye because there was so much pink, but, I think it worked well and the colors make me happy regardless!!  I absolutely love these flowers too...they were on an example layout in the latest CTMH catalog and I thought they looked like "manly" flowers...;O).

Anyway, if you'd like to play along with this sketch, you have a couple more days!!  Make sure you use spring colors for the extra challenge!  I am dying for spring!!  I think we got about 6 more inches of snow this morning...it makes the already 40 minute commute that much LONGER let me tell you!!  

Paper:  My Mind's Eye Pretty Please
Cardstock:  Juniper and Colonial White
Stamps: Bohemian Alpha
Ink:  Sunset, Juniper, and Tulip 
Other:  Fiskar Circle Punches (flower petals), CTMH brads in Colonial White, Juniper, and Tulip, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Zig Pen, and of course, lots of Photoshop!

Just Monkeying Around...

It's been FOREVER since I got real time to play and even longer since I had time to post!!  Work has totally got me down and I've even spent every waking free minute at home on it!  I think I can see the light though.  I'm hoping to be done with the bulk of my work by Monday or Tuesday.  We'll see cross your fingers and say a little prayer for me!

Anyway, I started this layout weeks ago and finally wrapped it up last week some time.  Sorry for the off-color pictures.  The sun is just now out in full force and I don't have time to re-photograph these.  Hopefully, you get the idea!

The sketch for this one is in Close To My Heart's new Magic book.  Every time one of their new sketch books come out, I think, I don't need it and I tell myself I prefer pulling sketches off the web.  But, there's always a few layouts I can't resist!  This one is called Backstage.

I bought this Reminisce Monkey Business paper years ago and at the time, a friend that was with me, asked what in the world I'd use it on.  I remember telling her that I wasn't sure, but with this kid, I knew I needed it!  Who knew I'd have such a literal use for it! ;O)

Paper:  Reminisce Monkey Business

Cardstock: Cocoa and Buttercup

Ink: Cocoa and Grey Wool

Stamps:  Field Trip, The Works, and Sans Alpha and Journaling Jots

Other:  Reminisce Monkey Business Stickers, American Crafts glitter brads, CTMH Dimensional Elements On Target and Ribbon Accents (retired), CTMH Color Ready Kraft Boarders, Fiskars Circle Punch, Hemp from my stash, and Zig Pen