ScrapbookSteals Mid-Week Mojo: The Lilac Series

Sometimes I actually get to play for fun. And for myself. I usually use the ScrapbookSteals' Mid-Week Mojo sketches for my personal scrapping. These are all from the Lilac Series.

Lilac #1

(Crate Paper - The Pier, Party Day) 

Lilac #2

 

(Crate Paper - The Pier; Webster's Pages - Recorded) 

Lilac #3

 

(Authentique Paper - Infused Collection)

Lilac #4

(Crate Paper: scraps, Chipboard and embellishments; American Crafts - scraps; enamel dots)

Lilac #5

 

(October Afternoon - Summertime; American Crafts - Thickers, Elle's Studio - die cuts, Authentique - stickers;  enamel dots)

Lilac #6

 (October Afternoon - Summertime; Crate Paper - Notes and Things; American Crafts - Thickers; enamel dots)

Lilac #7

 

 (Crate Paper - Confetti; Fancy Pants - Office Suite; enamel dots)

Lilac #8

 (Sassafras Lass - flowers and embellishments; BoBunny Lemonade Stand)

Lilac #9B

 

 (October Afternoon - Summertime; Crate Paper - Open Book; American Crafts - Thickers; enamel dots)

Lilac #10

 (Crate Paper - Open Book, Notes and Things; American Crafts - patterned paper; Webster's Pages - patterned paper; October Afternoon - tags; enamel dots)

Make sure to check out the ScrapbookSteals Blog page on Wednesdays for your chance to play along! 

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Turning Advertisements into Layouts

Often advertisements in print magazines have some amazing graphic design work. This layout was actually inspired by a Behr Marquee paint advertisement.

I really loved that graphic painted wall, and had just purchased a few pieces of Crate Paper (Schedule, 3x5) and a few other items during a fantastic Paper Issues sale. I chose the triangular shaped papers to mimic the painted wall, and the gray chevron striped paper to mimic the flooring. The couch became the photograph, and the enamel dots and tags were inspired by the paint cans and the chandelier.

To make this inspiration a scrapbook layout, I created this sketch.

Supplies Used: Crate Paper patterned papers, enamel dots (My Mind's Eye & Freckled Fawn), Amy Tangerine Alphas, Martha Stewart Punch

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AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: All You Need is LOVE (SS Lilac #3)

When my mojo is gone, and I know that I want to create, I really turn to sketches. I often change them so much that they are only remnants of the original design, but for this fun layout, I stayed true to the original. I really wanted to play with this lovely new Authentique Collection, Infused. I couldn't resist pairing the sweet, confectionery tones with my two sweetest girls.

I loved snipping little bits of the 6x6 Bundle into the cute little banner (with Twinery Twine), and even added a fussy-cut cake cut from the Enhancements page. The journaling and sentiment cards are also from the same sheet.

A few little enamel dots, a couple of Elements stickers, and the layout is complete. Such a sweet memory captured.

If you'd like to see the sketch, I used the Lilac #3 sketch from ScrapbookSteals.com. For this challenge, there were seven options, and I chose Lilac 3A (the first one).

Products Used: Authentique Infused Collection (6x6 Bundle, Enhancements, Elements, Etiquette, Deluxe, Gourmet), Twinery Twine (Spring Blossom), assorted enamel dots Pin It

May Sketchy Saturday Sketch (Paper Issues)

I've been seriously loving sketches. This one I created in May for the Paper Issues Sketchy Saturday using the Webster's Pages Collection Strawberry Fields. I loved using all of the soft colors for this layout.

Isn't this sketch just so fun?!? I loved the layout, but of course made it mine by changing it all into a circular shape.

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March Paper Issues Crop Sketch

One of my favorite things right now is creating layouts using sketches. I go through waves of time where I love them, and then don't. This is from the Paper Issues Crop Layout sketch below. I used quite a few different papers including some from Heidi Swapp, Webster's Pages and Elle's Studio.

I can't get the pic for the sketch to load, but here is the LINK. It's the CROP sketch. Pin It

Sketchy Saturdays with Paper Issues (June 6th Edition)

Now that I've found some scrapbooking mojo to actually sit down create (and blog the many things I did make...) I have grabbed some of the fun sketches to get some memories jotted down. This fun layout was inspired from Paper Issues' Sketchy Saturday. I started with some fun Crate Paper patterned paper and October Afternoon die cuts that I had purchased from PI the month before, adding in some enamel dots and sequins that I snagged a couple of weeks back.

The title is actually from a Pebbles 12x12 paper that has 12 3x4 cards with gold foil. LOVE! Anyway, here's the great sketch inspired from Sasha Farina for October Afternoon. Some of the additional die cuts are from the Gossamer Blue kit printables.

 I also created a fun card using the Paper Issues Card sketch. 

I love using up those fun Sassafras Lass papers whenever I can. I also added a few Elle's Studio pieces and some Studio Calico sequins.

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It Hurts... Photographing and Scrapbooking Unhappy Events

How do you photograph a situation that you really don't want to? Photograph a beautiful detail. One small, probably insignificant element that can sum up the entire story without oversharing. I really feel that this photo, with the journaling does just that. Papers and elements are from my October Shop Your Stash kit.

I altered the PageMaps November 2014 sketch HERE and changed up a few things. I really wanted to focus on the one photograph, print the journaling with my Silhouette, and then really play with a few Silhouette cuts.

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Randall Hall... (How I Miss Thee)

September and October always remind me of going back to school. I know this sounds funny since I actually am a teacher, but I don't mean September 1st "going back to school"... I mean college. Leaving when the leaves are just starting to turn as you cross Snoqualmie Pass on your way to Central Washington University (GO WILDCATS!).

This last summer, we took the kiddos on a trip to Ellensburg and as I always do... I walked through Randall Hall just to reminisce. Room 117 was the room that I took most of my Art History courses in, and the top story includes the painting studios that I spent much of my time in college. It still smelled the same: a mix of oil paint, Gamsol and linseed oil. Seriously, some of my happiest memories are wrapped up in those smells. Hint, hint Scentsy!

Anyway... For this lovely layout, I had some inspiration, but I cannot figure out where from. Maybe the PageMaps 2 book? I'd totally give credit, but cannot for the life of me remember. I guess that's what I get for blogging something I made in August... Sigh. At least the My Mind's Eye Market Street papers are sure pretty... And I had to use some Heidi Swapp Gold Lame spray and random sequins. Pin It

Scrapping Along with My Scrappy Sisters (From Afar)...

Last weekend was a little rough for me as I had a ton of scrappy friends all congregate at the fabulous ScrapbookSteals Mad Scrapper Retreat. This year, I had a perfect storm of personal and work obligations that just made it really difficult to sneak away and play with all of them. There's always next year, and I know that it will be even bigger and better than before! If you haven't checked them out, make sure that you do.

Anyway, since I couldn't join my crafty pals... I figured I would at least pretend. I grabbed my little girls, let them play upstairs with me, and crafted the day away. I found myself drawn to a really vertical aesthetic, and just played with my September Homemade "Counterfeit" Kit which I'm now going to rename "Shop Your Stash Kits". The reality is, I don't want to step on anyone's toes and call them something that has already been taken. Totally proactive, I swear.

This layout used a lot of inspiration from Audrey Yeager's version of this PageMaps sketch.

For my second layout, I started with using some Golden Light Molding Paste with a Silhouette Online Studio cut. Once that was dry, I took a couple of inks that I had, and blended them together to add some color onto the dried paste. I didn't want all of the white to go away, so made sure that a little still showed. Then layered on a photo and a few embellishments. The veneer butterfly was inked to match the enamel dots.

The last of the three was really fun. The Sassafras Lass paper that I used is one of my favorites, and I'm glad that I finally used it. To be honest, I think I've had it in my stash now for over five years. That's a long time to not use something pretty.

I used one of the September PageMaps sketch for this one, and really liked it. I moved up the bottom border to better frame the photograph.

These last two were created sometime in September, but I wanted to finish sharing my wonderful September projects that were created using my September Homemade "Counterfeit" Kit. I really loved the yellow and all of the bright colors in this layout. I didn't want to make a matchy-matchy pink layout just because both of the girls were wearing pink. I did love the small pops of blue in Miss I's shirt, and the yellow in Ro's, so wanted to highlight those colors. I love using my Silhouette to make die cut shapes from small remnants of my favorite papers, so used the last of some Crate Paper to make this ampersand.

This last piece really didn't have a story... Just a sweet, lazy dog. I wanted to keep the colors fairly muted, so grabbed a couple of light patterns and created a large background cut. The original layout of the cut is pretty vertical, so I squared it out to mimic my photograph and paper. I couldn't resist adding a couple of Lawn Fawn stamps to the mix however.

Hope you enjoy the works of September! I already have my October Homemade "Counterfeit" Kit created... Hopefully I will share this with you tomorrow! Pin It

Two More Layouts with My August Faux-Kit... (ScrapbookSteals' Pansy 6 & 8)

I now have completed a total of FIVE layouts (the first three) with my "Faux-Kit" from August! I need to figure out a good name for the "kits" I'm making... Counterfeit Kit is taken. I'm up for ideas...

Anyway, here's my first. I am still in love with this blue polka dot paper. Too bad I finally used it. Although, there MAY be another piece lurking somewhere in my craft room. Who knows at this point... The white button was a fun altered piece. It's one of those buttons with the plastic loop thing in the bottom. I chopped that off with nail clippers, then glued it down. The look of a button, without the silly bottom part.

For this layout, I used the Scrapbook Steals Pansy #6 sketch. I switched a few things around, but that's normal for me.

This next layout was a little troublesome at first. Mainly because of the Amy Tangerine paper. I like it, but the LOVE cutout kept throwing me off. It's right in the spot that I usually scrap in, so I tried to incorporate it into the layout instead. I backed the love with the pink polka dot paper, and did some faux stitching with a silver gel pen. I don't normally use yellow, so tried to tie in all of the yellow with some additional yellow enamel dots. I even used the Lawn Fawn stamps!!

For this layout, I used the ScrapbookSteals Pansy #8. Thanks Melodee for the fun sketches! I am really going to try to get them all done on time this session!

Watch tomorrow for my September "Faux-Kit". Pin It

Using my August "Faux-Kit"...

I've been making some fun stuff lately. It's almost a relief "shopping" my stash sometimes. I like seeing things leave my studio, without the receipts entering it. Here are my first three layouts using my "kit", and I'm sure that I'll have a handful of cards to finish it off. 

This first layout was pretty fun. I loved these two pic, but hadn't found the right papers or anything to use with them. I really loved pulling the pinks together with the blues, as it complemented the photos well. I also really loved this Gossamer Blue pie chart from the July 2014 Life Pages kit. Sadly, it's the only thing I've used from that month so far... The paper edge is a Silhouette cut, and the banner was just hand cut. To be honest however, the back of that pie chart is a hot mess. Thankfully you cannot see it. I totally broke out my Xyron 9" Creative Station on it though. Seriously, those intricate die cuts are killer to try to glue down all the little bits... This way, it's glued in one pass. Simple.

This layout was inspired by one of the PageMaps sketches from the August 2014 set that worked with Scrapbook Circle DT. I really loved the pie chart shape, and had to include it! I have to admit however, this layout kicked my butt. I had to put it aside and come back later to complete it. I added the title die cut and stitching the next morning. I think it came out okay in the end.

The next layout used quite a bit of the patterned papers from Authentique, My Mind's Eye, Stampin' Up and a little bit of the leftovers of that Crate Paper woodgrain. I will seriously use every last scrap of that stuff! I also used my DIY Simple Stories envelope to place a die cut with hidden journaling. And, if you want the recipe to the most amazing (gluten free) chocolate molten lava cake... It's here. You can thank me later!

I used the ScrapbookSteals Mid-Week-Mojo Pansy 4 Sketch by Brenda Smith. Brenda always does amazing work. I'm always in awe of all of the fun details she uses in her work.

Sometimes you have that one picture that doesn't go with anything else... This pic was just that. I had previously gotten my hair bayalage'd by my lovely hair stylist who works at The Parlor. This place is adorable. Like, all industrial and woodgrain and aqua. LOVE! I really wanted to "highlight" the highlights, so the woodgrain follows the streaks in my hair, along with the streaks in the sky Sass paper, and the dark cloud chipboard pieces. And those chipboard buggers, pull out your Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker on those bad boys and BAM! Done. I'm a much lazier scrapper than I appear, I promise.

I used the ScrapbookSteals Mid-Week-Mojo Pansy 5a Sketch by Brenda Smith.

Hope you enjoyed seeing a few of my latest creations. I swear I will be caught up with the Pansy Series before #10.

If you want more details on the specific papers and embellishements I used, I listed them all out on the previous post. Thanks!

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I Think It's Time For Cake (Pansy #1: ScrapbookSteals Sketch)

I saw this fun sketch by my friend Brenda on the ScrapbookSteals' blog and I just had to play along today. I tried this fun technique with blending fun ink colors over a sketch from watching a few of Kristina Werner's videos (the video for her version). While I didn't exactly do her trick with the kraft paper and white ink... I did combine the white paper and kraft. 

To get the fun background, I took all of these AMAZING pigment inks from Tsukineko/ImagineCrafts called Radiant Neon. I have the entire set and L-O-V-E them.

I took the entire set, and blended them on top of a stencil. This way, they were able to mix together and keep the fun triangle shapes. To make them truly blend, I used a my InkBlushers (also by Tsukineko/ImagineCrafts) to blend the colors together.  

The journaling was created with my Silhouette. I finally got to use my Elle's Studio birthday kit and some of those amazing Freckled Fawn Neon enamel dots. Make sure that you check out today's sketch and play along!

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Kiwi Lane Blog Hop!!!

Good Morning Kiwi Lane fans!! This morning we are all sharing our projects with the Tiny Wacky and Tiny Celebrate Designer Templates. If you are just starting out, please head to the Kiwi Lane Blog and follow along. If you got here from Kristy's Blog, you're on the right track! Make sure to comment along the way, one random winner from ONE of the participating blogs (including the Kiwi Lane blog), will be given a $25 gift certificate to the Kiwi Lane Shop that will be announced on the Kiwi Lane blog on Thursday, April 10TH.

Here's today's lineup:

Kiwi Lane http://kiwilane.com/here/blog/

Gail Owens http://glowormdesigns.blogspot.com
Catherine Povec http://www.tybearsmom.blogspot.com
Jennifer McDermott http://wonkywares.blogspot.com
Kristy Lee http://lifescrapped.blogspot.com
*** Heather Conklin http://goldiecar.blogspot.com/ ***
Misty Buck http://www.mistylynnwhat.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Nicholes http://craftingmoments.wordpress.com/
Barb Rapp http://www.mommaducksblog.blogspot.com/
Christina Steel http://tinasscrapcrap.blogspot.com/

I was lucky enough to work with the very fun Tiny Celebrate Designer Templates. I still had a few birthday photos from my little munchkin that very much needed scrapping, and this was the perfect venue for them. I started with My Girl from American Crafts papers, and my fantastic Tiny Celebrate Designer Templates.

For this layout, I used a January 2 page layout from PageMaps as my base, and like most sketches... I changed up quite a bit of it.

One of my favorite parts of the Tiny Celebrate Designer Templates were these balloon shapes. I really liked that there were two sizes, and I could easily ink and then pop them up with dimensional adhesive. I even tied some twine around each of them in order to make them more like birthday balloons.

The second thing I loved about this set, was this fun pinwheel. Once it was folded, it made the perfect embellishment for the layout. I even used an enamel dot to pin down the edges. 

This layout didn't feature ice cream, so I took the ice cream top, and turned it into clouds. 

Another view of the fun pinwheel from the Tiny Celebrate Designer Templates. 

OH! I cannot forget about the banner! I took the ice cream cone, and cut off the bottom of the triangle to create this adorable banner.

Make sure that you leave a response before 11:59 PM MST on Sunday April 6TH for that $25 gift certificate to the Kiwi Lane Shop. If you become a follower (or already are), I'll pick a commenter at random to win a cute little embellishment pack on Monday! Have fun!!

Now... Head on to my fabulously scrappy friend, Misty Buck http://www.mistylynnwhat.blogspot.com/ to see the amazingness that she has created this morning!

Supplies Used:
Tiny Celebrate Designer Templates, American Crafts My Girl papers, American Crafts & Coredination cardstocks, Twinery twine (Cantaloupe), enamel dots (My Mind's Eye), Lawn Fawn (Quinn's ABC, Quinn's ABC Lawn Cuts), Amy Tangerine stitching template and twine, Tsukineko/ImagineCrafts Radiant Neon Inks 

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