Kindergarten Moments

Hello! Welcome back, I have another layout to share today! I started with this sketch from Paper Issues:

One thing I've done a lot this year is use single page sketches for two page layouts and I did it again here. It is a fun challenge to figure out how to extand a sketch design to a second page to make a cohesive layout. This sketch is great if you have a bunch of scraps to use up. I played around with bits and pieces that I hade and layered them until I was happy with the result. For the second page, I used a large piece of patterned paper to make a pocket to hold the two programs that I wanted to include with these photos. For my title, I used my Cricut for the word "kindergarten" and fussy cut the word "moments from a sheet of word patterned paper (I also cut a few other words from that paper for embellishments on my page. I used a 3x4 card for my journaling that I tucked under my pocket. I then used number stickers on my photos and then added captions for each photo on the journaling card. The top half of my layout was too plain just white, so I used a mask and Cracked Pistachio Distress Stain to add some interest. I wanted to bring a bit of the coral color up there too, so I swiped Abandoned Coral Distress Stain onto a piece of plastic, misted it with water and then smooshed that over the masked and inked areas. I found I didn't have a lot of embellishments that were the right color for this layout, so I kept it pretty minimal and mostly just embellished with a few enamel dots and sequins. 

 I am also entering this one in the CSI Case File 341 challenge:

I worked with the colors and added numbers to my photos which reminded me of the numbered squares. Thanks for stopping by!

January Calendar Page- Stick It Down

Happy last Monday of 2020! I have my calendar layout for January ready to share! I started with the two page sketch from Stick It Down:

I stuck pretty close to the sketch. I found a pretty snowflake wreath cut file for my second page. I decided to do a grid of nine photos instead of four on the second page to fit some more on my page. 

 I was also inspired by the This Or That challenge at Paper Issues:

I chose silver, snowflake, white ribbon, ampersand, sequins, cut file, and animal. These choices helped me decide how to embellish my page. It is hard to see in the photo, but there is quite a bit of sparkle on this page from glitter cardstock, glitter ribbon, and sequins. 

Thanks for stopping by to check out my layout!

The Landing

Hello and Merry Christmas! I have a new layout to share today. I started with this sketch from Paper Issues:

I used the sketch for my left hand page and then created a second page to go with it. I used patterned paper to make the vertical and horizontal strips. I used a new mask and Picked Raspberry Distress Ink to add the stars across the top. Instead of a bow, I found a large flower and put a punched scalloped circle and a badge in the center. I used my Cricut for the title. To embellish the page, I fussy cut some words from patterned paper, and used some transparent and cardstock die cuts. I finished off my embellishment clusters with some washi tape and flowers.

I was also inspired by the Lasting Memories challenge to pick 3 items from this list:

Doily

Heart

Flower

The color gold

The color green

Washi Tape

Tag

Circle

Chipboard

I used flowers, green, gold, and washi tape.Thanks for stopping by to check out my layout!

 

Happy 3rd Birthday Layout

Hello again! I have a new layout to share. I ended up doing this layout because I was tired of looking at the stack of cards on my desk! Ha, how's that for inspiration? 

I knew when I started this layout, I wanted to include the cards on it. Since there are a lot of cards, I decided to make a pocket on each page to hold them. Since my son was really into animals at the time ( he requested a lion eating a zebra on his cake), I found a zebra cut file and cut that from a black piece of cardstock. I then cu it in half to make a pocket on each page. To cover the cut edge, I layered a piece of patterned paper across the top. Originally, I was just going to have the zebra paper be the pocket, but I noticed the stripes were a little flimsy, so I decided to back it with an animal print transparency. I love the bit of shine it adds and you can still see the cards through it! I sewed around the pocket to securely attached it to the page. I adhered most of my photos to the front of the pocket and the one of my son  with his cake on the top half of the page. I used my Cricut to cut the title. I found a couple of journaling spots that went with my color scheme to tell two parts of the story. I finished embellishing the page with stickers. 

 I entered this in the Paper Issues "Light the Candle" challenge and the Lasting Memories "Anything Goes" challenge.

A Couple of Cards

Hello all! It's been a while! I have been working on some non paper related projects, but those are about done, so hopefully I'll be back posting here a bit more. I have two cards to share today that I have made over the last few weeks. 

First is a birthday card I made using the current sketch at Sketch Saturday:

I started by pulling some coordinating papers from my scraps and started putting them together in the design of the sketch. I dry embossed the background cardstock for some subtle interest. For the sentiment, I dug into a die cut pack from an Echo Park birthday collection. It worked perfectly with my colors and design! I finished the card off with a button and foil stars. 

I made this card a couple of weeks ago but never got around to posting. I was inspired by this sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch:

For the background of this card, I stamped snowflakes using light blue ink. I layered on a silver striped transparency. I used my Cricut to cut the snowflakes and heat embossed two of them with glitter embossing powder. I also stamped and heat embossed the sentiment. I finished the card off with some silver Nuvo drops. This one was a little tricky to photograph.

 

December Calendar Page

Hello again! I finally have my December calendar page to share! I was inspired by the two page sketch from Stick It Down:

I adjusted the sizes and directions of the photos to fit the photos I had. I needed more journaling space, so I added some to the right hand page as well. For my title, I cut the word from patterned paper and thin chipboard to give it some dimension. This font was a little thin for this, but I made it work. I found a wreath cut in Cricut Design Space. It wasn't a layered cut, so each piece had to be placed individually, which was a bit tedious, but I like how it turned out! To embellish the layout, I used stickers, resist canvas pieces, washi tape, a brad, a badge, and some Nuvo drops. 

 

Happy Birthday card

 Hello! I have a new card to share. I made this card for my oldest daughter who turned 14 this past weekend. I was inspired by the current card sketch at Stick It Down:

I started by making the wreath with my stamping gear and a flower stamp. The dance shoe stamp I wanted to use was too big to put in a corner of the wreath, so I moved it to the middle. I stamped the image on vellum and heat embossed it with silver powder. I then found some cardstock that matched my ink. I stamped and heat embossed my sentiment and then cut it into a little banner. To attach the vellum, I added adhesive behind the banner. I then added the Nuvo drop flower centers. Once they were dry, I took liquid glue and added dots of it on the backside of the vellum behind the Nuvo drops and pressed down the vellum. 

Thanks for stopping by to check out my card!

Back In Time

Hello! I'm here to share a new layout. I was inspired by the scraplift challenge from Paper Issues:

For my background, I used a cut file and drew it with a blue pen instead. This is something I've been wanting to try for a while and I finally got around to doing it. The effect is really fun! I then took the striped red and white paper and tore a strip. I chalked the raw edge to make it stand out. I then matted my photos on red cardstock. I used my Cricut to cut the title as well. I then went to work finding some tags to coordinate with the colors I had going on. Most of these were ready made tags, but I used a couple of stickers to make the "enjoy" tag. I tied some ribbons and twine through the holes to finish them off. 

 

Happy Birthday- CAS(E) This Sketch

Hello! I have a new card to share today. I was inspired by the current sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch:

For my background, I used a woodgrain mask and blended a couple of colors of Distress Oxide inks. I stamped the pig on white cardstock and then colored it in with watercolor pencils. I blended the color with a water brush. To add some dimension, I used a few colors of Nuvo Drops for the dots on the party hat. I layered on the stamped image, along with some cardstock scraps, onto the front of my card. I finished the card off with a stamped sentiment and some gold stars.

 

Busy Little Hands

Hello all! I have a new two page layout to share today! I was inspired by this sketch from Sketches in Thyme for my left hand page:

My photos were slightly different sizes and orientations, but I was able to make the sketch work. For my second page, it worked to use 3x4 cards with 3x4 photos.The alphabet and number cards are from a Bella Blvd. collection that I've had for some time and I was excited to put them to use here. I also used some 6x6  papers from a Doodlebug pad. For the title, I used my Cricut. I embellished my page with some chipboard pieces, a couple of fussy cut pieces, stickers, washi tape, enamel dots and Nuvo Drops. 

 Thanks for checking out my page!

Let's Party

Hello! I have a new layout to share. I was inspired by this sketch from Rochelle Spears:

I had a photo and invitation from a birthday party my daughter went to in kindergarten, so that's what I used for the photo spots on the layout. I pulled some colorful papers. I then used the smooshing technique to add some blue and then yellow Distress Inks to my background cardstock. The yellow ended up mostly mixing with the blue, so I ended up with green, but that went with my papers too! I then trimmed and added my papers. I used some stickers, chipbord, die cut transparencies and sequins to embellish my layout. I found the "Let's Party" transparency in my stash and decided to use that for my title. 

 

Way 2 Go

Hello again, I have another new layout to share! I was inspired by this sketch from Paper Issues:

I was also inspired by this color challenge from "Lasting Memories":

I ended up using one more photo than what the sketch suggested and my photos are rectangles, but I was inspired by the placement of the photos and papers. I used a mask and Distress Oxide Ink in Fossilized Amber to make the stars on my layout. For the die cut piece and the title, I used my Cricut. I was able to use paper from a 6x6 pad for all of the patterned paper on this layout. I embellished my layout with gem stars and dots of Stickles. 

Thanks for stopping by to check out my project.

 

Boys Rule

Hi all! I have a new layout to share today! This layout was inspired by this challenge from CSI: Colors, Stories, Inspiration:

I was inspired by the colors in this photo and I also thought the photos in this collage were laid out like bricks. I focused on bringing in the teal from the photo, along with yellow and red accents. I took the time to fussy cut the edges of my patterned paper to add some interest. I embellished the page with lots of stickers and die cuts. 

 

Hard @ Work

Hello again! I finished a layout today! This one started with this fun sketch from Paper Issues:

I of course had to add more photos than the sketch suggested. This was a fun sketch for these photos! I pulled out a few different collections that worked together and used scraps for this layout. After I had my papers and photos down, I added some ink splatters. I made a tag for my journaling. I embellished the page with stickers, a brad, a button, and some enamel dots. For my title, I used some foam Thickers and some DIY Thickers that I covered in teal glitter. 

 I was also inspired by the Scrappy Friends Tic Tac Toe Challenge:

I did the center column with my teal ink splatter, chipboard arrow above my title and a tag for my journaling. Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday School Moments- Sketches In Thyme

Hey all! I have another new layout to share! This time I was inspired by this two page skech from Sketches In Thyme:

I took quite a few liberties with this sketch, but hopefully you can see the inspiration in my layout! I wanted to include a certificate and program on my page, so I used the certificate as an element on my left hand page and made a pocket for the program on the right. I didn't have a bunch of square photos, but 3x4 rectangles. I used those on the right hand page to make the blocked pattern. I found space on the certificate for the class photo and I matted that on gold polka dotted transparency to frame it, but make the certificate still readable. For embellishment, I used some stickers, rub ons, and Nuvo dots/ Liquid Pearls. The word "moments" in my title was from a sheet of patterned paper that I trimmed down. The rest of the title was stamped with coordinating ink (it is easier to see in real life). I'm happy with how this layout turned out. I struggle sometimes to include ephemera and this sketch worked well for what I needed!

 

Hello Easter

Hello, I have a layout to share today! For this layout, I used the two page PageMaps sketch from February:

I had different photo sizes, so my layout looks a little different, but the sketch really worked well for these photos. The papers I used were Shimelle's Never Grow Up. The egg cut on the left page was leftover from the full background that I had cut and used pieces on the last layout in this post and this layout. I used Distress Inks that went with the dots on the background paper to ink the cut piece. I cut a journaling card apart and used the bulk of it under my photos for my journaling and I added the top strip above my photos on the right. I embellished my page with some tags, die cuts, wood veneer pieces, brads, and enamel dots. I found the wood "hello" in my stash and decided to use it with chipboard letters for my title. 

 One of my daughters saw me making this layout and was jealous that it was going in her brother's album. Guess that means it's a good one, ha!

Catching Up- Several Cards

I have some more cards to share today! A couple used sketches that were current when I made them, but I never got around to posting them.

First up is this birthday card for my daughter using this sketch from Sketch Saturday:

I used a bunch of scraps from other projects for this card. They were all using alcohol inks and alcohol lift ink. The cupcake was fussy cut from the square behind the white piece- using every last piece! I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of white cardstock  and cut a piece of ribbon to finish off the card.

Next is another birthday card, this time using last week's CAS(E) this Sketch:

I had a different idea for what I wanted this background to look like, but my crafting products had other ideas. I inked the entire background with Distress Ink. Then I was going to use a mask and the Distress Resist Spray. Unfortunately, the sprayer on my Resist Spray is not working well, so the spray came out in large drops instead of a fine mist. The effect was still pretty cool, so I went ahead and used it. I used Brushed Corduroy Distress Oxide Ink and went over the background. The spray resisted the new ink allowing you to see the original inking. I used my Cricut to cut the sentiment. The word "Happy" was cut three times and then stacked to give some dimension. I stamped the small sentiment on a scrap of the paper used for "birthday" and cut it into a banner to finish off the card. 

Next I have a pair of anniversary cards. I got a couple of new ink colors this week, so I wanted to try them out, so I used them and a few other colors with a turnabout stamp to make these cards. I made one 6x6 panel and then cut it in half to make two cards. I used some coordinating glitter paper to cover the rest of the card front. I found some ribbon scraps in matching colors to cover the seam; one was long enough to tie a bow, the other was not. To take the place of the bow, I stamped another flower and leaf. I stamped the sentiment and cut a banner and finished the cards off with some Nuvo drop and Liquid Pearl details.

Finally, I have a sympathy card. I had this alcohol ink background sitting waiting to be used for about a year. I then went with a design I have used many times for sympathy cards. I stamped the branch directly onto the card front and then stamped the flowers and butterfly on white cardstock. I fussy cut the flowers and butterfly and attached them to the card, the flowers with regular adhesive and the butterfly with foam adhesive. I finished of the card with a heat embossed sentiment.

 

Birthday Cards- Stick It Down

 Hello! I have some catching up to do with my blog, so I will be sharing a few things over the next few days. First up is a pair of cards that I made using the current card sketch from Stick It Down:

For the backgrounds of my cards, I gathered some coordinating scraps and cut them into strips. I then attached those strips to a cardstock base and trimmed the excess. I punched the strip detail and attached that with foam tape. For the sentiment, I stamped and heat embossed it onto white cardstock and then fussy cut it, attaching that with foam adhesive as well. I punched the stars and then heat embossed them repeatedly with clear embossing powder. The strings are silver Nuvo dots. I considered using string, but decided that was too tedious. The card on the left is for my nephew who is turning 4 and the one on the right is for my niece turning 5, hence the number of stars.

Thanks for stopping by to check out my projects!

November Calendar Page- Stick It Down

Hi all and Happy Halloween! I got my November calendar page done just in time for November! I once again used the double page sketch from Stick It Down:

I loved that I could get so many photos on this layout. All squares was a little tricky for me, so I switched it up a little and combined a couple of the spots to use rectangles. I used a bunch of scraps to make the squares. I initially wasn't going to ink the edges, but felt like they needed something to set them apart from the background paper, so I inked them with brown ink. I cut my title with my Cricut. For the journaling, I handwrote it across the bottom. I embellished the page with stickers and chipboard pieces. I finished it off with some dirty bronze Nuvo drops, they are so pretty!

 My youngest was diagnosed with leukemia last November, so my monthly pages will have hospital photos on them for the next several months. It was interesting going back and reading my journaling from that time and reflecting on how much our life changed in a short amount of time. (He is now in remission and doing very well!)

Thanks for stopping by to check out my page.

Playtime- Sketches in Thyme

Hi all! I have a new layout to share today! For this one I started with the current sketch at Sketches In Thyme:

 I liked the three clusters on the page and decided to use 6 photos. I used a mask and spray mist to create the polka dot background. I then smooshed some distress inks in each of the photo areas (which ended up being mostly covered up by the photos). Once that was dry, I adhered my paper strips and photos. I used my Cricut to cut the file and did a bit of journaling above the title. To embellish the page, I used stickers, a vellum piece, chipboard arrow, enamel dots, stickers, and sequins. 

 

Happy Birthday- The Card Concept

Hi all! I have another birthday card to share! For this one I was inspired by the current challenge at The Card Concept:

I used it to make a Clean and Classy card. The inspiration photo is colorful leaves, but the way they were laid out made me think of flowers, so I found this cut file and cut it from green cardstock. Then I took patterned paper and backed all of the openings. This step was a little tedious, but I love the result! I then went around some of the leaves with Nuvo Drops. Once they were dry, I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock and attached it to the card. I finished it off with some sequins.