Challenge Love: Sunday Sketch

Now that I'm part of the Studio Calico club - I decided to go on over to the Sunday Sketch challenge and see if anything there piqued my interest.  When I found this sketch I was initially a little befuddled.

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First, I don't do double page layouts.  Next, I've never been good at rocking the grid - although I might give it a try the next time I have 3X3's in the house.  Third, for some reason the left side of the sketch read like a card to me.  This is most likely due to my inherent need to layer things.  Finally, the example layout superimposed both sketches and I just couldn't wrap my head around it - despite the fact it was friggin' cool.  Then I scrapped four layouts and posted them on the blog.  A few hours later, my mind was still going and I was ready.

Supplies: Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Crate Paper, My Mind's Eye; Ink: Heidi Swapp, October Afternoon; Washi Tape: Target

I decided to stay with the basic foundation I used all day on Sunday.  I sprayed the Heidi Swapp Mint Green Color Shine Mist and really liked the results - finally a positive departure from the splatters (that I love by the way).  Then I went to work.  I decided to do the left side of the layout combined with the bottom third of the right-hand side of the sketch.  I thought I'd just set down the pieces and move on to something else - but the crafty bug had hit me...and I didn't stop until I was finished.

Supplies: Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Crate Paper, My Mind's Eye; Washi Tape: Target; Stickers: American Crafts, October Afternoon; Chipboard: Heidi Swapp; Ink: Heidi Swapp, October Afternoon; Pen: Sharpie; Other: Buttons

A few notes - the top line of journaling was added last - which should explain the weirdo spacing.  I just had to have that sentence there.  I know odd numbers rule the world of design, however, there are 8 buttons to represent the months this boy has been in our lives.  I used three stickers from the Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm Line.  There are three hearts - counting the one in the middle of the square sticker. That first sentence is driving me crazy.  I digress.

So that's it for this week (for now).  I hope everyone is having a great Wednesday.  Until then...

Product Love: Kit Club

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For the past few years, I've flirted with the idea of joining a kit club.  Last September, I took the plunge and joined the Cocoa Daisy kit club and really enjoyed it.  After the winter CHA products started arriving in stores, I canceled my membership.  My scrapbooking expenses were going way up as all of those wonderful goodies became available.  I recognized this wasn't a problem after the summer show because those products tend to be heavily holiday focused - and I'm definitely an everyday moments kind of scrapper.  I don't enjoy scrapping events or holidays.  After I had exhausted my spending opportunities at the local stores, I decided to give another kit club a try - Studio Calico.  I really enjoyed Cocoa Daisy.  I just wanted to see what another kit club had to offer.  I got my first kit this week - Planetarium and scrapbooked all weekend.  I loved it.  So I thought I'd devote this post to kit clubs and why they are so wonderful.

• I get access to one of a kind products.
• I get an opportunity to try out products I would never buy in a store - which can be surprisingly wonderful.
• It takes the guess work out of matching products.
• It opens me up to new color combinations.
• It feeds the need for new crafty things in my house.
• It provides an online community and access to oodles of inspiration, challenges, and overall informational goodness.  
• They do not push holiday products.
• They give me one more way to tell my story - and be motivated to do so.

I have a few other kits short listed to try out in the future.  If I keep on scrapping regularly, I might consider adding a second kit (if it's in my budget - yes, i said it).  I'll keep everyone posted.  I hope everyone's having a lovely Monday.  It might be time for me to start a count down to the day I get to see my nephew.  Love him so much.  Anyhoo...it's about that time, so....Until then...

NSD '13: Lucky Number Seven!

This layout is big.  It's overworked.  It's a little crooked.   It's something!  It's the final layout in a long day of crafting ending in my seventh layout!  I met my goal - even if it wasn't a layout a day!  It also marks a pretty big milestone for this little guy.  He's cutting teeth like a champ - FIVE AT ONE TIME - and still smiling.  Love him so much.

The end of my NSD '13 celebrations is marked with this challenge by Shimelle.  I've had a great week and I can feel my bones starting to say 'what the hell is this girl thinking?'  It's about that time.  I hope everyone has a great Sunday.  Happy Mother's Day to all of you momma's out there.  Until then...

NSD '13: Use American Crafts Papers

Supplies: Pattered Paper: American Crafts, Elle's Studio; Chipboard: Heidi Swap; Stickers: American Crafts, Basic Grey; My Mind's Eye; Ink: Heidi Swapp, October Afternoon; Other: Sequins

I'm absolutely in love with both of these papers from American Crafts and Elle's Studio.  I'm in love with this little baby too.  This was actually the first layout today and it gave me a lot of steam.  I think I wouldn't have been so productive if the mixed-media layout would have been first.  I really loved the finished product.  I could go on and on - I don't know if it's the layout or the boy - either way- I'm happy.

BTW: Another layout for a Shimelle challenge!

NSD '13: Scrapbooking Smaller Photos

Supplies: Patterned Paper: Studio Calico, Crate Paper; Stickers: American Crafts, Basic Grey; Punch: Martha Stewart Crafts; Ink; Studio Calico, October Afternoon, Heidi Swapp; Other: Buttons

Hi All!  I completed this page for Shimelle's challenge: Scrapbook Smaller Photos.  I really love the finished layout.  Not much to say here.  One more challenge down.

NSD '13: Give Mixed Media a Try

Supplies: Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Heidi Swapp, October Afternoon; Embellishments: My Mind's Eye, Ormolu; Stickers: American Crafts: Stencils: Crafter's Workshop; Ink: Ranger: Colored Pencil; Prisma; Pen: Pilot Precise; Washi Tape: Target

This layout belongs in my total friggin' nightmare file.  I cannot get the hang of those 6X6 stencils.  The mixed media part of this layout seems to be the pox on the entire thing.  However - life goes on.  It is okay.  Deep breaths.  One more layout down and isn't my baby so cute?  Life is good.

BTW: Completed this layout for the Studio Calico challenge, Give Mixed Media a Try!

NSD' 13: When Life Happens

I think we can all agree that I had some lofty plans for this last week.  Unfortunately life had different plans, as it often does.  I had neither the will or ability to take on any crafty projects at the end of my work days.  I actually spent one day at home trying to get ahead of the pain that comes along with my chronic condition.  I was disappointed with myself - until I spoke to my sister.  She told me it was okay - sound familiar?  She reminded me that seven layouts was MY goal and it was okay not to feel well.  It was okay to take care of myself in other ways.  And I accepted it and waited until I could rest up and tackle another story.  So without further ado...my third layout for NSD '13.

Supplies: Patterned Paper: Studio Calico, American Crafts; Stickers: Basic Grey, American Crafts; Stamps: Cocoa Daisy, Jillibean Soup; Embellishments: My Mind's Eye, Basic Grey, Studio Calico, SEI; Other: Buttons, Labels; Ink: Ranger, October Afternoon

I'm entering this into two challenges; Challenge #6: Scrap This List at Two Peas in a Bucket and Shimelle's: The Power of Three.  I had a near freak out about the journaling and I might have used too much patterned paper - if there is such a thing.  The balance feels off and I'm not sure why. But you know what....being 36 has put me a little off balance.  Makes complete sense, right?  So there you have it, my third layout.  I hope to do 1-2 more tomorrow.  Maybe seven was a little ambitious considering I scrapped NINE layouts total in 2012.  Man, I need to be more gentle with myself.  One more thing finally hitting home at the tender age of thirty-effing-six.  I digress.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday.  I hope you're taking the time to rest, heal, and take care of yourself in whatever way you need.  I hope you're putting that self-critical voice in your head in it's place.  I hope you're taking the time to be gentle with yourself and remember "it is okay."  I hope...  Until then...

NSD '13: Scrapbooking Square Photos

Supplies: Patterned Paper: Crate Paper, American Crafts, Basic Grey; Flower: Prima Marketing; Stickers: American Crafts; Twine: My Mind's Eye; Ink: October Afternoon, Ranger Industries

The next scrappy layout challenge comes to us from Shimelle Laine.  I finished this layout in less than a hour.  It's amazing what limited time, a pretty good nap, and uneaten dinner will do to scrappy mojo.  Not much to say here.  I'm not sure if the flower fits perfectly, but I love it.  It weighs a ton!  I hope everyone has had a great Monday.  Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.  Until then...

NSD '13: Sew and Mist

Supplies: Patterned Paper: Crate Paper, American Crafts; Stickers: American Crafts; Embellishments: Basic Grey, My Mind's Eye, American Crafts, Wilton, Crate Paper; Template: American Crafts; Pen: Sharpie; Mist: Studio Calico, Ranger, October Afternoon; Other: Cardstock

My first NSD layout for this week.  This layout has been sitting on my table for a week in different stages of completion.  I finished it today and am pretty happy with the results.  I'm still having a problem with journaling on my nephew's pages.  I have the words - I've said them in my head a thousand times - and I still can't find the place to write.  I have a couple of options - I could add a 6X6 page protector on the side to write the words or attach the journaling to the back of each layout.  Not sure what to do - still trying to navigate this new crafty mindset/style.

BTW: This layout is for American Craft's mist and sew challenge.  I really liked how the flower came out although it's a little high.  It could have been lowered about an inch.  It's done now - I like the layout.  And I guess technically the title could move up but that's just a huge pain in the ass.  So...deep breath...it is okay.  So that's it for now.  I hope this Sunday has been a good one.  Until then...

NSD Update: By the Numbers

I made my list. It has 17 items. Seventeen is my absolute favorite number. I think it's a sign of great things to come or just general all around goodness. Seventeen is the number of NSD challenges that piqued my interest. Seventeen that i actually took the time to write down. My plan is to narrow this list down to seven (another fave number on my list) and post a layout a day starting tomorrow until May 13th. I have exactly eight days to get it done (eight is another fave). The best part...the idea of this makes me very happy.

Why am I telling you this? Why did I take a picture of my list? It's pretty simple - I wanted to keep myself honest...to nurture some accountability. I have the photos. I have my stories. I'm ready to go. It's time to practice the butt in chair method. Not to mention, i wanted to try out the bokeh effects on my new photo app Picfx. I also used PicTapGo - an absolute must in my opinion. It works magic...seriously. Please wish me luck or just good will and happy thoughts on my scrappy pursuits over the next week. I have a feeling I'll need them. Until then...

Happy National Scrapbooking Day

Hello all! Today is a pretty fantastic day or week...it's International Scrapbooking Day. I sometimes forget the International part. I thought I'd give you a quick hello and list of crafty sites that've got me stoked for today. As a kiddo said this week - it's going to be epic!

• Two Peas in a Bucket - I'm digging the vibe here. There are a LOT of really cool challenges here. I'm all over the Pinterest challenge. I can hardly wait.


• Shimelle.com - Shimelle seems to have a mountain of posts and crafty ideas flowing on her sight today. It's a little slice of heaven - information, inspiration, and challenges. Yummy.


• Studio Calico - lots of great challenges on this site today. Each challenge is open for over a week and there's a pretty rocking chat schedule too...if that's your kind of thing. Excited to check these out further.


• American Crafts - this site is full of challenges and a very cool blog hop. Plus there's a chance to win one of their collections.

I really hope today finds you well and crafting. I'm currently in my local chain bookstore. I plan on taking a closer look at some of these challenges, making a list, and channeling my crafty inner self. Have lots of fun today. Embrace mistakes. Remember it is okay. And if all else fails...take pics of the gigantic disasters to scrap later. It's all good. Right? Until then...