Unconditional LOVE

The SOUS challenge this week is LOVE and I just LOVE this layout of my daughter and her Fiance (who is getting married in 2 months) and I am getting pretty excited about this since we the family will be going to Jamaica for this wonderful celebration of marriage on Earth Day- so this photo is so appropriate. Also will be applying this page ovear at The Paper Variety for the Couple layout challenge

I used Cricut cartridges for all the leaves and fern cuts in several colors of green and layered them, tore the background papers, crimped some blue-grey cardstock and wrapped twine around it, stamped some phrases on paper and inked the edges and scattered them on the page and a simple but thin red cardstock for the matting just to pop the photos a bit. Added a few butterflies embellies and this nature theme  page is done.

B & W and hint of Color Layout

Black & White and a bit of Color is the challenge at The Paper Variety and this is my layout of a  friend of mine's- daughter (Aubrille Lynn). And this challenge was just perfect for this black & white photo I had  and I choose yellow as my hint of color with a few bumble bees and ribbon.

 I used a border punch and Cricut font cartridge ( Calligraphy Collection) and did some fussy cutting of  the white flowers and staggered them with pop dots on top of the black flower paper. I then used diamond Stickles on the name and the white flowers to add a little bling to the page. I think this page is so elegant and perfect for this adorable photo. Sweet & Simple.

Over the River and thru the woods...

To grandma's house we go..... is the title of my layout this week for 2 challenges, one at The Paper Variety to use a Christmas song or lyric  and over at SOUS to use "tree" die cuts. This photo is of my 2 daughters and their cousin in Upper Michigan after Christmas one year. The girls decided to take therir first rode trip alone to Michigan to celebrate the New Year with family. And they went over plenty of rivers and thru the woods to grandma's house --so the title is so right for this page.

I used several Cricut cartridges on this layout: DoodleCharms (trees) Graphically Speaking (snowflakes) Accent Essentials (hearts) Calligraphy Collection ( title words) . I also used my Cuttlebug and embossed the trees and layered them with pop dots and used green and diamond sStickles on them for some added bling.

Papers used were by Basic Grey -2-sided paper with houses on one side and blue swirls on the other- .also used red c.s. for mats and title cuts, brown inks, Stickles in pink, green and diamond, Rhinestones on snowflakes and my Xyron can in handy tonight to attached the title on.

I added some Stickles to the hearts and snowflakes and some pretty 3 colored ribbon and made my own journal spot.  The sketch I got from my handy PageMaps 2 book page 29 a 8 1/2 x 11 layut I convereted to a 12 x 12.

Happy Birthday-DAD!!!--- 4 layouts

Wow- was I ever busy this weekend doing 4 pages for my kids scrapbooks using all the same pictures, but 4 different layouts and papers on them --I used the sketch over at  Sketchy Thursday to do one of the layouts for my sons scrapbook (who is in both of the top pics) . They (all my kids) were at their dad's house celebrating his 47th birthday a few years back and they took these few pictures and wanted me to scrap them. I have uploaded all 4 of the layouts in this post -  the first one I will be applying to Sketchy Thursday challenge this week.
     I used Tattered Angel Mists for the background on white textured cardstock and then went thru my stash and found strips of papers , then machine stitched the border in black thread added or stamped a few swirls . I hand stamped the title and the saying then cut them out and put on with pop dots. The saying is " You never know when your making a Memory."

 This next layout is for my oldest daughter's scrapbook (blue & grey sweater in center photo)  and I will be applying this over at The Paper Variety for the challenge this week "Family" All the papers used in the next three layouts are from the Recollections paper stack. I machine stitched around the inside border( blue and grey circle pattern) which matches the colors in my daughters sweater and stamped (Cloud 9) design all around the edge and some misc. leaves and saying inked with a light blue. Made my own journal tag and inked  all edges of mats with black. I like how I scattered the photos-and put them at different angles it gives the page some motion and fun like feeling- which is what my kids had- a great & fun time.

 The next layout is for my son who is in the yellow and brown striped shirt in the photo -so that is the reason I pulled these colors out for this layout. I used my Fiskars circle cutter for the 4 circles, brown inked edges and blue/teal ink for the mats, Stamps (variety) for the title -saying -leaves -hand cut out and attached with pop dots and some journaling on the circles. I like the color combo in this layout the best-which make the pictures really pop.

 And the last or 4th layout is for my other daughter who is in the top left photo - and I really didnt have a color to pull out from her clothing so I went with the pink - for her rosy cheeks....and browns. I matted all the photos with white cardstock (which make them stand out against the pinks and brown papers) and just inked the outside edge of the layout. Again, I used Papers from Recollections and all the same stamps- and did the journaling on the blue/teal striped paper. The "Dad" is not a stamp- I hand wrote them since I couldn't find a big stamp like I wanted.

I had a fun time doing these layouts this weekend and I'm glad you took the time to come and check them out. I know I have a silly madness to how I try to pull out colors and how I lay out my photos- so each child stands out in their layout- it also helps me to  remember which one goes in what scrapbook...if this makes any sense ---it works for me.

Creative Scrappers #180 / Humorous layout

Here is a humorous layout I did of my son a few years back during  the summer month of July. You know how you tell your kids everyday to wear sunscreen as they walk out the door and they kinda roll their eyes at ya- like yeah you say that all the time- I know I will"  Well guess what my son didn't wear that day? or at least he didn't put any on his face, while he was sightseeing down on Lake Mischigan in Chicago for the day.
At this is the result of that afternoon. Too funny- now. But he was burning up that night. I bet he remembers to put sunscreen on when he goes out for the day!
Well this is a sketch from Creative Scrappers #180 that I used for this and also for the challenge over at The Paper Variety to do a humorous project- and I think this will qualify for that.

I used several papers from my stash along with a large scalloped die cut from My Little Shoebox. Journal tag, inked with yellow, foam stamps with orange ink, pinking shears, and a cut out embellie, and some rub-on letters. Also from my large stash some chipboard letters for part of the title.

Good Times for Sketches in Thyme & TPV

Here is my take on the sketch #56 at Sketches in Thyme and also The Paper Variety to use those stickers up. So this layout of my son at one of his 8th grade school dances was appropriate for both of these challenges.

 I used papers from DCWV Fun in the Sun summer stak- did my own doodling around the border and added some Stickles in pink to a few of the swirls and around the Friends sticker in the middle of the photos.. I painted in white the mats on the photos to have them pop a bit instead of using cardstock behind them. Several stickers which included the alpha's for the title, sub titles and a chipboard sticker that says 2 left feet..Prima flowers and my own flourishes done with Tulip fabric paints in purple. Some Studio G Pink  ink for distressing.

Love the SOUS Challenges...

Here is my layout for SOUS- the second one for this month- I really enjoy their sketches. Also over at The Paper Variety for the Tic Tac Toe challenge this week. The three I used were  Stitching (hand or faux)-- Multi photos-- Journal Strips.

     I used all Recollections papers from a stack book, which I just bought the other day at Michael's for $7.99 originally $19.99- (on sale and then another 20% off- what a deal this was. Well, enough of my bargain shopping onto the layout. I inked the edges either in pink or brown and used white cardstock for the mats on photos. I cut out the flowers from the papers used and pop dotted them for dimension and added Cotton Candy Stickles to the center. I hand stitched with embroidery floss moss green all around the circle edge and then cut out  with several green scraps of cardstock many leaves and just placed them around the stitched vine. I found some chipboard letters which had a funky design and color on them so I painted them with some pink and white paints and added a few pearls to them. M-arilyn  M-onroe,  the title of my layout- fairly simple- because I have a hard time with titles....

I wrote on some journal strips and placed on a green background paper and did some doodling and added another pearl and inked the edges in brown and green.

This is another one for my scrapbook...these photos were taken at Universal Studios of two of my kids back in 2005.

Uncondional Love..

Here is layout I did for the sketch over at Bo_Bunny last week but didn't get it done in till so applying over at Sketches In Thyme- an open challenge and I really like how this one turned out- love the colors and the picture is one that I took of my daughter and her Fiancee in Michigan during our visit up there during the 4th of July weekend this year

Here is the sketch I worked with.

All the papers used in this layout are by Bo-Bunny except for the moss green cardstock in the background. I cut out the die cut and used the left over pieces for the punched flowers and the flip side for the blue and pink graphic pieces. The other pieces like the pink strip and little tag are some other Bo-Bunny scraps I found in my stash... I also laid a piece of acetate with predrawn stitching around the edge with a cute little saying on the right hand side-"

I used soe small scraps of the blue graph paper tpo make the banner with" unconditional and love"stamped on with Studio G alphas and braided some pink and yellow twine and attached with pop dots. Two cute decorative pink heart pins from Joann Fabric (sewing section), white, pink and blue paper flowers with brad or thread tied in knots for the center of them. And my own handmade crocheted trim/lace in pink.

I also then used some fabric paint to add my own swirls or flourishes by the flowers and hand drewn a stitch look around part of the photo. Other items used were Stickles, inks, sticker for title, punches, Cricut for 2 butterflies, and markers. I will also be applying this layout over at The Paper Variety for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge. My three items used were ...  Color Pink -  Banner - 1 Photo.

Handsome Young Man...my son

Here is my take for the challenge of using mist, inks, or paint on a project at The Paper Variety. I used paints and inks on this layout of my son while dressed up for a wedding a few years back. I hand painted the flourishes on the top and the bottom of page and also hand painted the mats around the three pictures in cream. I also used some black ink for distressing on the papers.

I love the colors that I pulled out in the page(masculine) and the grey textured special paper in the background pulled it all together well and added a few little flowers and brads. I wrote the title on the pinwheels (which were cut from the papers I used from my all scraps) by hand "Handsome young man"
Here are a few close-ups :

 I then added Stickles glitter to my hand painted flourishes for a little bling.

The Paper Variety Challenge

Here is my take for the challenge ovear at The Paper Variety this week. Another photo of my daughter and her boyfriend at my cousin's wedding a few years back. I pulled out the peach colors of her dress in the paper choices and hand cut out some flowers and adding stickles for some bling.

More Mickey layouts done for challenges....

Here is my take for The Paper Variety sketch #25 this week. I used We R Memories and Making Memories along with some scrap papers for the banner. I stamped the fireworks on the banners and on background  then heat embossed them with 4 different colors and added a sticker prism in the middle. Flat silver beads in between flags, black and blue inks, peach ribbon and circle & scalloped punches with some pop dots.

And this next layout is for Sketchabilities #43

I started off with black cardstock and just added some misc papers to represent the Mickey Mouse colors of black, red, yellow and white. I crocheted my own flower doileys and added a punched circle and a flower brad to the middle of them. I also did some of my own doodling in white gel pen and cut outs of the hands and the Mickey head balloons that I stamped a sub title on them. The" It's Magic" title is thickers and some rhinestones for shine on scalloped yellow scalloped area. I am so happy how this page turned out- wasn't to sure at first- I usually use alot of patterned papers, but with the black background it worked out. 

Let's Eat Cake

This is my take for Sketches in Thyme this week and also the challenge to use cupcakes on a project over at The Paper Variety. Another few pictures of my mother-in-laws 80th birthday pary and a few of the guest from out of town (my husband's sister who was home on leave from Iraq) which was a big surprise for everyone- that were celebrating with her. Used misc papers from stash, cut out cupcakes from special designer paper and put pop dots on them, yellow ric-rac, Inkadinkado alpha stamps for the title stamped in orchid ink and traced with a fine black marker. Each photo matted in a bright colored cardstock and inked the border of page in lime green.

Closest to my Heart

Wow- this page is qualifying for 4 different challenges this week. So first I'll tell you the materials used then Ill list the challenges after the layout. I really spent alot of time making my own embellishments and playing on my Gypsy with this one.  Papers were by  Paper Studio, white and red cardstock, embossing powder in grapefruit and Red Dragon for the hearts, heat gun, misc stamps, scrap chipboard for xoxo, Tattered Angels Spray mist- Bubblegum, Flower Soft in Ivory, Martha Stewart markers in Peony, Stickles in Diamond and Christmas Red, versa mark clear and black ink, fine black marker, pop dots and Cricut cuts from Wild Card and Lyrical Letters welded with my Gypsy for the frame heart and XXX border.

Qualifying challenges are:
Paper Variety-photo inspiration of valentine hearts
Fabulous Fridays at Frosted Designs- use Pink- Red and White only on a project
Studio Challenge- the February sketch and handmade embellishments
Scrapbookers Anonymous- use the letter x as many times as you want.

"Rain"

I am working on a Scrapbook for a friend, which is all about her daughter's Figure Skating and this one sure has alot of Pink in it with a bit of black and white which is the challenge this week over at The Paper Variety, so I thought I would enter this layout. The pages I'm working on are very simple because the emphasis is on her pictures , not so much the creativity- which is more of what I'm use to doing so its been a bit of challenge for me.

I used paper by We R Memory Keepers paper stack , pink and black cardstock for title cut /welded with the cartridge Calligraphy Collection and umbrella from A Child's Year by Cricut and then I hand painted the "Rain" title in white to give a 3-D look , and sprinkled some teardrop rhinestones on the title area and one on each picture. A pink and white floral leaf patterned ribbon under the title. And last, added two Rub-ons to the pictures and outlined with a fine black marker mats around the photo's.

Blizzard Blast

Here is a winter layout of my two eskies last year when we got a bunch of snow in February and they were just pups- their first big snowfall and boy did they love it. I'm entering this layout at FCCB and The Paper Variety both having snow -snowflakes as the theme this week as the challenge.

I used several papers in blue, lavendar, mint green and white for the matts and title. I torn the edges and laid a piece of pre stamped acetate with silver swirls and snowflakes on top of photos attached with brads in the corners. I made a snowball journaling tag and used Lyrical Letters to cut the title out welded with my Gypsy. Which I placed on top of the acetate to stand out more and with a glue pen added glitter and a few sticker embellishments. I really like how it turned out and love the winter colors.

Happy Holidays-Penquin card for granddaughter

This is such an adorable Christmas card for my granddaughter this year with 3 moving Penquins (which I saw on a tutorial this week I believe at Fantabulous Cricut blogsite)

I will be applying this card at Aud Sentiments #17 to use Happy Holidays on your project, The Paper Variety -a project for a child, and at PPCC #59- colors of blue, purple and teal.

The materials used were Recollections teal star patterned paper, blue and purple cardstock with torn edges, 3 Penquins cut from 3 Bugs in a Rug- paper with wire underneath for movement, stickles, glitter, glue pen, snowflake punch, black marker and lilac ink all on white cardstock.

Tic Tac Toe layout for Paper Variety

What a fun challenge this was over at The Paper Variety-it had a little twist to it- so here is my take on a 2-page layout titled- Crazy Bowl.  My tic tac toe is the following
Layout-  B & W and Red - Mix Alphas
 I used a plan golden colored paper from K & Company paper stack, white and black cardstock for the hand cut bowling pins and circle punch for bowling balls and some chipboard alphas that I painted with acrylics in the colors I wanted. Made a journal spot and painted some do dads on it and trimmed the edge in blue. This was our crazy banquet nite at the end of our bowling season back in 2003, with a variety of pics using a corner punch - on all 12 of them.

Our New Home - cheryl's page

Another page for my other daughter of our new home we bought back in 2002 when we moved from Wadsworth, Il to Antioch, Il. I will be applying this layout for several challenges this week also. The sketch is from Sketchabilities #32, Ella's Pink Scrapbook challenge for the color Aqua-designer papers-embellishments, and also the new blogsite I found at The Paper Variety the theme was "sky's the Limit". Materials used in this layout were the folllowing: DCWV Aqua cardstock, Basic Grey designer papers, sticker letters, aqua ink, silk flowers, marker, stickles, pop dots, machine stitched around border, and cut outs from the designer papers.I just now was told about another blogsite to check out by a friend Sue aka midwestgirl-that had a challenge with "home" on your layout. So I will be applying this Home layout there also at The Studio Challenges for the month of October. Thanks Sue for the tip, I love new blogs and challenges.

Home -linda's page

This is a sketch from Creative Scrappers #124 this week and I will be applying it to several challenges. Creative Scrappers, Ella's Scrapbook to use the color Aqua-Designer Papers-Embellishment and a new blog challenge that I found called The Paper Variety--challenge called "sky's the limit".

Materials used were: DCWV  golden cardstock, Basic Grey designer papers- and for the cut outs also,chipboard gloss letters,cuttlebug and embossing folder, stickles on flowers, machine stitched in several places on layout, sanded the cloud and pop dots. This was our new home we purchased back in 2002, built in 1992, so it was 10 years old when we bought it. This page is for my oldest daughters book.