Saturday, March 28, 2015

Scavenger Hunt Sunday 3-29-15

Hello!  Well, I didn't get the scavenger hunt done last week, but I am back again this week with photos... maybe I'll shoot for every other week.  A couple of these are a bit of a stretch (okay, one is a major stretch), but I took lots of photos this week, so I just made them work.

Addiction
There are two addictions shown here: the pacifier and sleeping in the chair rather than his bed.  He has napped in the recliner in his room from time to time, but a couple of weeks ago he had an ear infection and I think he was more comfortable sitting up, so the chair has become his "bed" of choice. He has also been fighting naps. As you can see, this day he wore himself out to the point he didn't have enough energy to even get into the chair...

Me
Or, "Me!" This little boy is 2, and he likes to do things by himself.  He lets us know by saying (or screaming) "Me!" until we let him do whatever it is he wants.  He also gets this stern look on his face when he says it.  I didn't catch the expression fully here (there is usually more brow furrowing), but you get the idea.

On the Floor
These two were playing restaurant with the puff balls on the floor one day this week.  These two have a bit of a volatile relationship.  They can get along great (as shown here) or they can fight. I enjoyed them playing together happily this day.

Pride
Here is Minnesota we tend to pride ourselves on our ability to handle whatever winter throws our way.  We had it pretty easy this winter, but last weekend we had a snowstorm roll throw that dumped close to a foot of snow on us.  Here you can see the volume of it on our deck and the kid's picnic table.

Salty
All right, here's where it gets stretchy.  I really had nothing that fit the "salty" category, so I went with this photo.  Because... the snow looks like salt? I don't know... I got to leave the girls' school a little early after volunteering this week and so I decided to go to a local park to take some pictures of the freshly fallen snow. This is one of the resulting shots


Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Play to Learn

Hello!  I have another layout to share! I don't know what to say, I've been inspired lately! I started today's layout with this sketch #102 (by Ashley Horton) from My Scraps and More.

My interpretation is a little looser that I usually go with a sketch, but I think you can still see the sketch in my layout (even if my 6-year-old doesn't). ;)  I was also inspired by the 3/20 Friday Free for All Challenge at My Scraps and More. The challenge was to use new and old stash, wood veneer, and stickers. I used some Echo Park "Little Boy" (old!) and Bella Blvd "Tiny Tots" (new) for my papers. I started with a pieced of patterned paper for my background.  I took a circle mask and a blue Gelato to make some circles.  I then added some white and green ink splatters.


I used a sticker from one of the visits as an accent on my page. Since we were going with circles here, it worked perfectly! 

I colored some of my wood veneer pieces with the same blue Gelato I used on my background.  I colored the pieces and then blended the color with my finger.  I used a combination of letter stickers and die cut letters for my title.  I finished off my page with some orange buttons.

Materials:
Patterned Paper- Bella Blvd., Echo Park
Ink- Imaginisce, Studio Calico
Gelato- Faber Castell
Mask and Wood Veneer- Studio Calico
Stickers- Bella Blvd., Fancy Pants, Simple Stories
Font- Mail Ray Stuff
Software- Adobe, Crafters Edge
Die Cutter- Provo Craft
Tape- My Mind's Eye
Buttons- Jesse James Co., Oriental Trading Company
Pen- Zig

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Happy Birthday Dad!

Hello!  Today is my dad's birthday and I have the card I made for him to share today.


I pulled out a 6x6 paper pad that I have and started looking at the pieces of paper, most of which have been used, so I have quite a few smaller scraps.  I decided to make a background with some of those scraps for this card.  I cut a piece of smooth white cardstock slightly smaller than my card. I attached each piece of patterned paper with a generous amount of adhesive.  Once all of the pieces were attached, I ran the entire piece through an embossing folder.  To bring some cohesion to the different patterns, I took my Iced Coffee Gelato over the embossing. I rubbed the color around with my finger to make it a little more uniform. I stamped the sentiment in dark brown and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. I then inked the edges of my banners with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. I finished the card off with a couple of lengths of ribbon on the horizontal seams.

Monday, March 23, 2015

April Calendar Layout

Hello,  I'm here to share my April calendar layout, a week and a half early!  I was inspired by this sketch at Stick it Down:


I was also inspired by the 3/12 Throwback Thursday challenge at My Scraps and More.  The challenge wad to use a colored cardstock background and buttons on your layout.  I like to use colored cardstock for my backgrounds,  do this challenge was pretty easy.  


I used the DIY Boutique line from Simple Stories. I picked this up a little over a week ago at our local scrapbook store.  I just loved the bright colors.  This collection was a lot of fun to use,  the colors make me so happy!

I scribbled with a yellow Gelato where I planned to place my title.  I then sprayed it with a little water and smudged it around.  I added some spray ink splatters for a little more interest.  As you may be able to tell from this photo,  I didn't have a couple of the letters I needed,  so i made the "r" and "i" from other letters.  I finished off the area with buttons,  stickers, tape and more chipboard.


You can see in this photo that I used a bit of white paint on my banners and labels to cover the pattern and make my journaling readable.  I did a little more with the yellow gelato in this corner as well.

Materials
Cardstock: Die Cuts With a View, Michael's, Bazzill
Patterned Paper,  Stickers, Die Cut, Enamel Dot: Simple Stories
Paint: Liquitex
Gelatos: Faber-Castell
Tape: Pink Fresh Studio
Pen: Zig
Chipboard: Simple Stories,  American Crafts
Buttons: Oriental Trading Company,  Jesse James Co.
Die Cutter: Provo Craft
Cartridge: Edge to Edge
Font: Nickelodeon
Ink: Tattered Angels,  Imaginisce


Monday, March 16, 2015

ABC and 123

 Hello!  I hope you have had a good start to your week!  I have a layout to share tonight!

I was inspired by the 3/10 Word Up Wednesday challenge at My Scraps and More.  The challenge was to use the alphabet or part of the alphabet on a layout.  I started with the alphabet strip on the right side of my paper and the idea for my title.  I was also inspired to use the new Gelatos that I bought, so I made a rainbow with them down the left side of my background paper. I started by spraying my paper with water.  Then I scribbled the colors onto the wet paper. As soon as the color mixed with the water it started to blend and spread.  I helped it along further by smudging it with my finger.  I really like how it turned out and I am excited to play some more with these in the future!

For my title, I used a couple of kinds of Thickers.  The letters for "abc" were white, but I colored them with my blue gelato so they would match my page.  I also outlined my title in black pen to make it stand out.
A sprinkle of sequins and a few rub ons and my page was done! While I have loved being on design teams the last few years, it is very freeing to just play and get pages done! I am having so much fun!

I am also linking up with the Paper Issues blog for their current challenge: Painting by the Numbers. I used both numbers and gelatos on my project!

Materials:
Cardstock- American Crafts
Patterned Paper- Bella Blvd.
Stickers- Bella Blvd., American Crafts, Simple Stories
Rub ons- Crate Paper
Pen- Zig
Journal Spot- Echo Park
Gelatos- Faber Castell
Tape- My Mind's Eye

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Baby- CAS(E) this Sketch #114

Hello! I have a baby card to share today. This time it was for a baby shower. I was inspired by this sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch:

I rotated the sketch. I cut two pieces of the star paper and tried to line them up, but they didn't line up quite right, oh well.  I put a layer of vellum between the layers to create the border. I cut the letter blocks with my Cricut and the "New Arrival" cartridge. I finished off the card with some pink Stickles.


Scavenger Hunt Sunday 3-15-15

Well, I didn't get photos together for last week's scavenger hunt, but I got some this week! The warmer weather has definitely helped!

Time
...for homework. On Tuesday of this past week, it got up over 65 degrees. It was so nice out, the girls decided to work on their homework outside and enjoy the weather.

On My Plate
Yesterday (3-14-15) was Pi Day and we celebrated by having Strawberry Rhubarb pie. 


Animal
We enjoyed the weather on Friday by going to the zoo with our MOPS group. While we were there, I caught this shot of one of the leopards snoozing in the sun.

Negative Space
This is another shot from the zoo.  My youngest took his sweet time making his way through the zoo. Here he had stopped to look for the otters.

Photographer's Choice
My final shot is also from the zoo. Usually when we go by the beaver exhibit, the beavers are hiding in their dam.  This day, two of them were out, along with a mallard duck!