Playing With Paper!!

Still addicted to sketches

I don't know what it is but I can never get enough sketches.  I found a new sketch book on Pinterest and couldn't wait to buy it.  It's called Easy Scrapbook Sketches for 4x6 photos by Dawn Hall.  It includes 60 sketches with detailed measurements.   I used the sketch on page 46 call On a Roll for my ispiration:

The patterned paper is from SU!; the ribbon paper is from K & Co; I used Thickers for the title.  I always love a simple sketch - especially when the layout turns out so cute.

And you enjoy sketches - check out  www.EasyScrapbookSketches.com.   

Getting crafty...

I've been working on my office for months now - so close to finishing.  This past weekend, I worked on some projects for my walls.  I found the saying "Scrapbooking is a work of heart", I knew I could create something with that phrase.  And this is what I came up with:

The red glitter paper is by SU!.  Really nice paper.  I usually don't like glitter paper but this paper is great.  The flowers are from Prima and the pearls are from Queen & Co.  Not sure where the ribbon or doily is from.  I love how this turned out.  And it looks great on my wall!!

Well this layout took forever!

I started working on this layout last Monday.  But life kept getting in my way.  Finally last night I was able to put the finishing touches on - wanna see?

The pictures are from last Christmas.  Our home has 2 decks - a big one & a little one.  I have always wanted to put a Christmas tree up on the little deck and this year my husband suprised me by putting one up.  And then on Christmas Eve (when we got home from church) our neighbors had left us presents under the tree!!  It was so great!

I used patterned paper and title stickers  from October Afternoon.  The gold tags are from SU! (they are super old).  Super simple layout - very merry and cheery though - don't you think?

Ahhhh...Friday!

For what ever reason, this week has dragged!  I am so glad it is Friday.  I recently discovered a new (to me) sketch blog: 4x6photosketchblog.blogspot.com.  I love the fact that the blog focuses on 4x6 photos and places several photos per layout.  And they have 2 page layouts!!  It is a perfect match for me. 

I was looking for some inspiration the other day and came across a sketch from February 8, 2013 and thought it would work perfect for my photos.  Here's the original layout:

 And here's what I did with the sketch:

The photos are from my daughter's graduation last spring.  The patterned paper is from SU!.  I pretty much followed the sketch exactly and am really pleased with how it turned out.  I sewed the flowers by using a template from Bazzill and embroidery thread.  I used my Cricut to create the title.  

I am so excited for this weekend.  My sister and I are going to a crop tomorrow!!!  What are your scrappy, weekend plans??

Difficult cards

For whatever reason, I have the most difficult time coming up with masculine cards.  I can come up with little boy cards but cards for adult men always seem to be tough.  I needed to create 3 cards appropriate for men.  This is one of the cards I came up with:

The ship is a stamp from My Favorite Things (one of my favorite stamp companies) - I bought it at Paper Anthology.  The patterned paper is from SU! - I think it's pretty old.  I know it is a simple card but it works and I really like it!

This is another one I created.  The stamp set is from SU! and the patterned paper is by Authentique:

Bit more fun - less serious.  Love them both!!

Dotty Butterfly card!

I bought a lovely butterfly stamp at Paper Anthology and I couldn't wait to make a card - this is what I came up with:

I used Riding Hood Read, Night of Navy and More Mustard as my color choices.  I embossed the card stock below the butterflies to match the dots on the butterflies.  And to finish the card I added some Washi tape in navy blue.  I love this card and I love this stamp (from Memory Box) - can't wait to make some more cards with it!!

Getting back to normal!

So things have been a little crazy around here.   Sandy came through here and messed with everything. We lost power, some trees and a bit of sanity.   We had some visitors for a few days and celebrated Halloween a week late but now things seem back to normal.  Normal for me is getting some time to scrapbook - I have missed spending time in my office.  Here's one of the layouts I created:

The photos are from by daughter Grace's birthday this past summer.   Gracie loves vintage so this paper from Stampin' Up! seemed a perfect fit for her.  It is a bit hard to see in the picture but I matted everything - photos & patterned paper - I think it looks really cool on the layout.  What do you think?

Time flies...

This past September when my kids started back to school it was a little bit tough for me.  My oldest started high school, my second daughter started middle school, my 3rd child entered 5th grade and my baby is in 3rd grade.  I feel like only yesterday they were all little and I was the center of their world. Now they have friends, school, activities, and their own lives.  I am still vital in their worlds but now there are so many different influences in their lives - I can't believe how grown up they are becoming.  I am super proud of who they are and continue to enjoy my job as mom.  It isn't always easy but they are wonderful young people I am so proud to call mine.

The layout below is for my 6th grader - the photos are from her tour of the middle school.  I am amazed by her confidence - she may have been nervous about starting middle school but she was ready to go.  And I hope the photos and layout capture her confidence & my pride in her for staying true to herself.

The patterned paper is from Close to My Heart and the card stock is by SU!.  I created the butterflies with my Sizzix.  And for the title I used Thickers.

I can't believe this is my desk!

I am a bit of a neat freak.  Now, when I am scrapbooking or making a card-my desk is often a disaster but I clean up when I am finished.  It's just the way I am.  However today my desk is just a mess:

And although this is unusual for me, I don't really mind it.  I am working on thank you cards for a friend.  She has a baking business and wants some cards for her clients.  I am having a blast working on the cards & I have a million card ideas in my head.  I didn't think I could work with so much disorganization but I am feeling very inspired.  Here is one of my cards:

I used sketch number 33 from Fresh Made Sketches as my inspiration.  I really liked how the patterned paper is the star of this card.  So cute don't you think?

Mother's Day Card

I made this card yesterday afternoon.  The patterned paper is from Stampin' Up! - it retired a long time ago but I still love it.  The stamp is from Denami Design.  And the saying is from My Favorite Things.  I used a sketch I found on Fresh Made Sketches.  I love this card.  And I think I am going to use it for Mother's Day.