Playing With Paper!!

Same paper - 2 different layouts.

Yesterday I had to take the day off from work because my new washing machine & dryer were being delivered.  So, I had the opportunity to sit in my office and scrap.  I got 4 pages done!!  For 2 of the layouts, I used the same paper but 2 different outcomes.  Let me show you:

The patterned paper and embellishments are from October Afternoon.  This is a layout for my youngest son - the pictures are of my 2 boys & their best friends who happen to be brothers as well. Having my sons best friends be brothers makes play-dates super easy!!

I love the patterned paper (just love the stripes)- I wasn't tired of it so I decided to use it on another layout.  This one is for my daughter's school book:

My page design for this layout was inspired by a layout in The Big Book of Scrapbooking Pages (page 11 "Box of Love").  I used a coordinating piece of flowery paper and some washi tape to divide the two, then added some flowers.  I love this layout!  I usually try to pack as many pictures as I can on a layout but I love the way this one turned out with only 2 pictures.  And I didn't even mat the photos - going crazy over here!!!

Unfortunately, my new washing machine is leaking so I need to call about getting it fixed.  Hmmm....maybe I'll have to take another day off?  Wouldn't that be a shame - hee hee hee.

Better late than never...

This is this weeks sketch over at Fresh Made Sketches:

I don't know why but this one was really tough for me.  I loved the sketch but I couldn't figure out what to do with it.  It took a couple of tries but I finally got it (I think).  Here's my take:

The patterned paper & stickers are by Martha Stewart.  The "Happy Birthday" is from Stampin' Up!. Super simple card to make.  After many unsuccessful starts I needed a simple card to work on. Sometimes simple is a good thing!!  I really like it though...what do you think?

Finally a layout!

I never thought it would happen but I finally got a layout done!  This one has been sitting on my desk since last week but I was having a difficult time putting it together.  I originally picked out totally different paper but when I was at Paper Anthology on Saturday I found paper I  felt was a better fit.  The patterned paper is from My Minds's Eye and card stock is from Bazzill.  The photos are from my daughter's Open Gym Night (a big tradition for those in the 5th grade at our elementary school):

Part of my issue with this layout was photo placement - I just wasn't feeling it at all!  I kept moving the pictures around & around.  I needed some inspiration desperately-I found it in PageMaps 2 by Becky Fleck.  I "borrowed" the idea for this layout on page 92 - it was exactly what I needed!  To create the little butterflies I used chipboard butterflies (can't remember who made them but I think I bought them at Paper Anthology a while back) & colored them with Stickles.  I actually painted the Stickles onto each butterfly and then add a little pearl to finish them off.

To adhere the little pearl I used my new (kinda old) favorite product:

So Glossy Accents has been around forever but I just discovered that it comes in a small bottle (Stickles size) and it is awesome!!!  I know I am sounding like a commercial for Paper Anthology today but I found this there (it's a great store -what can I say?).

Hope you get a chance to play today!!

Having his cake and eating it 2!

I created this layout of my nephew on his 3rd birthday.  He and his dad surprised us by coming for a visit on St. Patrick's Day & it was his birthday as well.

Sorry the picture isn't great.  The patterned paper and present stickers are from Martha Stewart.  I bought them at different times and didn't even know I had them & that they matched.  I was thrilled to discover them & couldn't wait to put them together on a layout.  Simple, sweet layout for one cute little boy!

What to do, what to do?

Do you ever start a layout with great ideas?  With the feeling that it is going to be awesome?  That's how the layout below began:

The photos are from my 40th surprise birthday party.  The patterned paper is from Authentique - it is so gorgeous.  I bought the paper a while ago at Paper Anthology and couldn't wait to use it.  I used a sketch from www.sketchesbysuzy.com.  Initially, I really liked the direction the layout was going but then after I created a few flower embellishments, I kinda stop liking it.   I am frustrated with this layout - I like the photos, love the paper and the sketch but something is off.  

Does that ever happen to you?  I think I am going to set the layout aside for now & revisit it later.  What do you do when you don't love a layout?

Yikes...what happened to the weekend?

This past weekend just flew by - I hate when that happens.  I was having a bit of a rough day yesterday so my husband suggested I lock myself away in my scrap room for a little piece & quiet - isn't he great.  So I worked on some cards and some layouts, wanna see?

The photos are from my birthday dinner at the Morris Tap & Grill (amazing restaurant in my town).  I was continuing to play with my new camera so some of the pictures are in black & white while others are in color.  I wasn't sure how this would look on the layout but it works great.  Almost everything is from SU! except for the buttons and little pearls in the center of each button.  I used my Sizzix to create the flowers:

I love to use buttons on layouts but I wanted a different look for these flowers.  So instead of leaving the button plan, I embellished it with the little pearl.  Now the button almost acts like a matting for the pearl.  I am really pleased with how this layout looks!

Happy Sunday!!

It's another challenge day for me thanks to Fresh Made Sketches!

I must be honest, this was a tough challenge for me and I am not sure how I feel about my card.  I like it but you should check out some of the other cards on their blog - amazing!!!

I went a little old school for this one.  The butterfly is from a retired stamp set from SU! - Reason to Smile.  It's hard to tell by the picture but the butterfly is embossed.  And then I dug out some of my old metal tags to add an extra touch with rub ons.   I was really into the colors more than anything.  Simple card but pretty.  What do you think?

Leap Day layout

For Project Life, I took a picture of two of my kids leaping on Leap Day.  I got the idea from somewhere on the internet & thought it would be fun.  I could only get 2 of my kids to do it but I loved the idea anyway. Below is the layout I created with the pictures:

 The patterned paper is from American Crafts.  Last week I hit my Marshalls's and found this paper pack called Heat Wave.  I had never seen the paper before but I fell in love - the colors are great!  The flowers are chipboard I colored and some I wrapped with twine (again I saw this somewhere - maybe a magazine?).  I used Thickers for the title.  I think this is adorable-what do you think??

I joined a monthly kit - wanna see?

After much searching on the internet & following multiple discussions on 2 peas, I finally signed up for a monthly scrapbooking kit.  I chose to order from www.MyCreativeScrapbook.com - I chose this sight because it just seemed to fit my style.  My first kit arrived on Tuesday:

The kit is mostly made up of paper from Echo Park - I LOVE Echo Park.  I must be honest...this kit made me step out of my comfort zone a little bit (I don't usually go for the lace & stuff).  This is the layout I came up with:

The pictures are from Valentine's Day.  I had just gotten my new camera and I was playing around with the black & white feature.  My husband had given me the most beautiful roses and I wanted to be able to remember them always!  I punched out the hearts with a punch from Martha Stewart and then sewed them on with my machine.  I think it looks really cool (this is my first time sewing on a layout).  I love this patterned paper and I think it compliments the pictures beautifully.  

After I created this layout, I decided to create a card too.

Super simple card to make and I think it's very pretty.  I really love the colors of this card and I love the chipboard flower.  What do you think?

Mini haul - Thicker love!

I love Thickers.  I don't know what it is about these alphabet stickers but I just can't get enough of them. Yesterday, I was feeling really grouchy and I decided to stop at Tuesday Mornings and TJ Maxx - I didn't find a ton of things but I was pleased with what I came away with.

Tuesday Morning had one set of Thickers in a peach color; Tim Holtz Grungeboard alphabet; some cute fabric covered brads from Basic Grey and some cardboard that looked interesting.  I spent less than $10.oo - not bad.

I was really happy with my find at TJ Maxx:

I found 3 different Thicker alphabets (I don't have any of them) and some blingy brads.  Again, I spent less than $10.00 so I was pleased.

I was on 2 peas recently when someone mentioned finding scrapbooking supplies at their GoodWill - I may try there this weekend.  But now I am curious - do you have a store you go to-to find scrappy supplies that isn't a scrap or craft store??