Our Summer Thing

The March Kit from Paper Camellia was full of the fabulous new I AM collection by Simple Stories.

I just love the colours and the textures of the chipboard elements. The journaling in the layout pretty much says it all.  I love musicals, and we are lucky enough here to have a fantastic amphitheatre that draws world wide talent to the city every summer to perform 2 different musicals over July and August.  I am thrilled that my girls (and even the hubs for the most part) love the singing and dancing as much as I do.  We try hard to make it to at least one show of the summer.  It's a little on the pricy side but so worth the money for a musical filled family night in Winnipeg.

I don't know about you, but I am still a sucker for banners, and this chipboard banner is no exception.  To prevent the adhesive from wanting to lift I added just a little machine stitching to the white portions of the pennants.

It was way to perfect a match to not add this gold doily from my stash to the chipboard cluster at the top of the page. And I kind of wish I had a lifetime supply of those perfect gold sparkly Heidi Swapp alphabets.  That way I could hoard some and use the rest.  I know you know what I'm talking about.

The March Add On Kits may be sold out, but there are still a few March Main Kits available in the store, you can get your hands on one right here.

This layout was based on the March Sketch.

Did you know that you can play along for a chance at a $10 gift certificate to the Paper Camellia store?  Link up your take on this sketch in this blog post.

Thanks for stopping by today friends!

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Paper Camellia January Sketch

My very first project for Paper Camellia was to work with the January sketch.  Kristine Davidson provided us with a fun one to kick off the year. I grabbed a couple of cell phone 'daughter selfies', and set to work.

How gorgeous is this Beautiful Chic wood grain paper, combined with the luscious gold of the Dear Lizzy embellishments?  And that gold title, it's foam!  I was curious how these gold words would look being foam and not chipboard.  I am a fan, so easy to work with, easy to peel away from the backing, and easy to re-position (especially for non commital scrappers like myself, hats off to all of you who use glue on your pages!)

This kid is forever grabbing my phone and capturing her silly moments with it.  I secretly enjoy finding these little treasures on my phone, they always make for fun scrappy pages. I chose to keep the journaling hidden, thinking that having 3 photos on the page would leave me little room once I added all the embellies that I wanted.  The tag peeking out add to the design and that fun little cluster and also holds the story behind the photo.

Here is this month's sketch.

Did you know that playing along with the sketch, and linking up to the Paper Camellia gallery here, or even the sketch blog post here could earn you a $10 gift certificate to the Paper Camellia shop?  We would love to see what you create.  And don't forget you can also share your work with us anytime on social media.  You'll find our Facebook Page here, and our Instagram account here.

Thinking about getting your hands on a Paper Camellia kit next month?  Hop over to this page and sign up now, these kits don't last long, January is already all sold out.

Thanks for popping it today friends.  I sure appreciate the visit! Pin It

Reveal Sunday

It's Reveal Sunday over at Creative Scrappers, our first week back, and I think we're all equally excited to be here and share with you our first reveal of this new chapter using sketch #251 created by Kristine Davidson.

First up is my take on the sketch.

Jounaling reads: It was the week of Dance Camp when Théa and Haley decided it was time for their puppies to meet.  A quick call to Tara and a date at the park was in order.  08/20/13

I used the new Hello Again collection by Kaitlin Sheafer, and simply freehand cut a bunch of circles in alternating sizes, stacked them together and stitched away to create all the circle elements.  A few Studio Calico Sequins, and wood veneer shapes and a few hearts, and brands from my stash, and voilà, done.  The photo is of my middle daughter and her friend with their puppies Wilson, and Jake.

Here are a couple detail shots.

See the super cute Maggie Holmes flair buttons?  I got them at CHA in July.  They are not actually flair buttons, but badges.  I simply removed the pin from the back and used Glue Dots to adhere them to may page. 

And those little banner strips are actually from the cover sheet in the collection.  I like the tiny patterns on them rather than the larger ones from the 12x12 sheets.  Talk about recycling heh?!

Here is Kristine's sketch.

You can see I stayed pretty true to the original idea, only substituted a few hearts for the starts, and changed my title and journal placement a little.  Sketches are a great way to get the mojo flowing when you don't feel inspired.  They're also an excellent way to break out of your shell.  I especially love playing with multi photo sketches since they are not my usual way of designing a page.

Our sponsor this month is Crazy Monday Kits.  To be eligible to win a scrapbook kit from CMSK, all you need to do is create a layout based on Sketch #251, and link it up to this post on the Creative Scrappers blog using the inlinkz widget at the end of the post.  A winner will be selected on October 1. You may enter as many times as you like using a new layout each time.  Good luck, hope to see you there!

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If The Shoe Fits

Sharing a layout I created for Let's Capture These Sketches last week.

Meet Eden, my crazy passionate, cracks me up with the funny things she says and does girl.

Jouranling reads: Eden's feet grew about tow sizes during the summer of 2012.  We were shopping for school shoes when she comes up to me wearing these beauties.  She was so happy they fit.  She flt very grown up in them, and seriously wanted me to buy them for her.  There was no way that was happening. (We decided to make a quick pit stop at one of the local shoe stores directly after Dance Camp one day (hence the body suit, and shorts)


Once again Jocelyn delivered in the sketch department.  Sketch #159 over at Let's Capture These Sketches features a lot of blocking to work with.  To this type A personality neat orderly lines often make me happy.

Hop over here to see how the rest of the team interpreted the sketch, and to link up your own take if you'd like.

Thanks for popping in today friends!

♥ S.

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Scraptastic October Challenge

A second post today...only because I didn't have my ducks in a row. I wanted to play along with the October Challenge over at Scraptastic Club this month, and almost forgot.  I finished the layout yesterday, but only got around to photographing it today (I was waiting for the sun, but it would appear I'll be waiting several more days for it to grace us with it's presence here in Winnipeg, Manitoba *sigh*).  The cut off, however is tonight at midnight, so I am going to post this now so I can link it up there. 

Here is the sketch Heather created for us to work with.

And here is my take on it.  

sincere apologies for the colours, I had poor lighting with the sun absent today

I didn't have photos the right size so I improvised with the little ones I already had printed of sweet Ella and I from this past summer.  I only had to tweak the sketch a little bit to get it to work for me.  I used the fabulous Grandma's Lima Bean Soup by Jillibean Soup to create a fun page with little pops of colour. 

  

I really need to go and see this little one again.  From what I gather she's not so little anymore, but rolling over, and full of coos, and smiles, and even giggles for those willing to entertain her.

Wish me luck on the challenge, and I wish you all the best this Halloween afternoon.  Be safe and watch for little ones if you must be out on the road.

I'll be back soon,

♥ S.

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Let's Get Sketchy #30

It's Reveal Day!

Sketch #30 over at Let's Get Sketchy had my name all over it.

Loved the design that allowed for several small photos.  These ones of Eden getting her hair cut in June were perfect for it.

I used a paper collection, I've been hoarding for over a year.  Remember the 100 Days of Summer collection by Simple Stories?  I think it may have been their first ever collection.  I adored that line.  So much so, that I never used it.  Do you ever do that?  I created one double page layout with it, and that was that.  I loved it so much I was afraid of creating something sub-standard with it.  How ridiculous is that anyway?  Better to have photos mixed in with it, and include it in my albums where it will get views, rather than sitting on my shelf  in it's nice shiny package getting no face time.

Here's my take on this week's sketch.

Of course I needed to add a few more bits and pieces to make the sketch reflect my personal style.  And, this was my first attempt at using Gesso.  Unfortunately it's a trial an error kind of thing, and I'm not a huge fan of the huge white blotch on the bottom left of the photos, and I would have preferred just a little more to the top left of the photos, but overall I'm pretty pleased with it.

If you feel inspired to play, and want a chance at the $20 Gift Certificate to Scarptastic Kit Club this month.  Create a layout based on this sketch and link it up here.  This is also where you should go to get further inspiration, from the rest of the kind, and talented design team.

Happy scrapping friends,

♥ S. Pin It

SEM September Sketch Challenge

Scrapping Everyday Miracles September Sketch Challenge

Here is what you will be working with this month.  Isn't it great?  So glad Shimelle was kind enough to allow us to use it this sketch, it was fun to work with.

her blog

The Scrap Twist this month is to use a mixed alpha title.  Here is my layout.

I loved this quote I found online, and pinned it for use at a later date.  That day was when I printed out this photo of my then, new cute black flats.  A short...very short actually woman in flats...I know...counteractive...but I love 'em.  I don't spend a lot of money on shoes, rather I prefer to wait for sales, so I can have more at the same price.

Here is a close up shot of the journaling. 

Have you been enticed to play along?  I hope so.  Participating in this sketch will earn you the chance at a fabulous card kit being offered up by our generous sponsor this moth The Card Kitchen.

May Kit - prize may not be as shown

You still have plenty of time to link up with Challenge #20 this month also.  Doing so will earn you a second chance into the drawing for our sponsored prize. 

Remember all layouts must be linked up to the Scrapping Everyday Miracles blog by Sunday September 30, 2012 no later than 11:59 PST.  Make sure to link directly to your post, and not just your blog, and don't forget about the scrap twist.

Happy creating.  And thanks so much for stopping by today!

♥ S.

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August Sketch Challenge

The Scrapping Everyday Miracles August sketch is live.  Here is what we have for you to work with this month courtesy of our friends at Sketch Support.

This is another one of those versatile sketches with endless possibilities.  Boasting geometric shapes, journaling, and mulit-photos; there's something for all levels of scrappers to work with here. 

Scrap Twist:  We would love to see you incorporate at least one STAR on your layout.

Please pop over to the blog to see more of what a few of our designers came up with.

You still have a couple of weeks to link up with Challenge #19 if you haven't already done so.  It's a fun one that encourages you to break out photos of your favorite vacation.  You can see DT examples, find out what the twist is, and link up your layout here.

Up for grabs this month is:

Completing both the sketch, and Main Challenge will earn you two chances at winning this month's very generous sponsored prize by Artful Delight Kit Club & Store.

Submissions for both Challenge #19, and the August sketch challenge must be received by midnight PST on August 31 to be eligible.

Hope you get a chance to play along!

♥ S.



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July Sketch Challenge

It's that time of the month again.  Cara is up this month at Scrapping Everyday Miracles, and she's brought us a Pagemaps Sketch to work with.  I altered my take a little bit (as usual, so it would seem), and also had a little bit of a different take on the twist.

Here's the sketch:

Used with permission by Becky Fleck

My take on it includes photos of Théa and her sweetheart of a friend Sabrina.  These two have been dancing together at Kick It for the past 5 years, it's really hard to believe how far they've come since their days in Tiny Dancers.  They've not only become stronger, more competent dancers, but they've also become good little friends.  They encourage each other, challenge each other other, and best of all have a lot of fun learning together, and hanging out at the studio while they wait for their older sisters to finish class.  Although the photos are not the best quality, which on a side note is something I've gotten over, as I've discovered that things move rather quickly during Dance Competition time.  So much time is spent on costumes/make-up, and rehearsing that photos need to be captured in the precious moments in between all of that other stuff.  The result is often poor lighting, people in the background, and a lot of 'take what you can get' photos.  In the past I've waited for 'a better time' and discovered at the end of the season, that I really didn't get many photos of them in their costumes, and with their friends.  No more of that, I want to capture what I can, so I'll take whatever I can get.  Here are a few of just such photos.  This is the day of their Tap Small Group number.  I'm not sure where the other 2 in the dance are, but these two were with me so I pulled them off to the side to capture a few just for fun photos in the lobby of the Pantages Playhouse.  Sabrina has enough spunk to fill the building, and Théa is trying her best to play it up too.  I thought 2 Cool for School was a fitting title, given Sabrina's facial experession in the photos.  Théa really didn't get it, which just makes me laugh. 

Here is my layout

The twist this month is to use a computer generated element.  I chose to use the Dance Manitoba image as mine. 

Joining us this month will get you into the drawing for the $30 Ormolu gift certificate (which I seriously wish I had a chance at).  All you have to do is complete a layout using the sketch, incorporate the scrap twist and link it up to the SEM blog by July 31st.  You can see what the rest of the DT came up with, and have a peek at the Ormolu goodies here. 

Thanks for popping in today friends!

♥ S. Pin It

Getting Sketchy

I'm up this month with the Sketch Challenge over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  I've chosen to feature a Creative Scrappers Sketch with permission by Kristine Davidson. I thought it would be fun to see all the takes we could come up with this month using this sketch as inspiration.  There are so many possibilities.  You could use multiple smaller photos, or simply use all the squares as inspiration, or use the jounaling as the main focus, by swapping the photo location with the journaling location.  The possibilities really are endless when it comes to sketches.

Creative Scrappers site

By completing a layout using this sketch and linking up to SEM by Saturday June 30, you will be entered to win a series of Donna Downey PanPastel Workshops.  We can't wait to see what you come up with.

Here's my take on the sketch.

Using My Mind's Eye Indie Chic Collection

For more inspirational layout by several others of the DT, and all the details on the challegne, hop over to Scrapping Everyday Memories.
And don't forget the June Main Challenge has also been posted here.  Participating in the Main Challenge will earn you an additional entry into the draw for the sponsored prize, consideration for our June Top 3, as well as a possible future Guest Design spot with SEM.  To join us in a little chit-chat please come and visit us on our Facebook Group.

Now go and get your scrap on friends!

♥ S. Pin It

Guesting The Nook

Happy Monday friends.  I hope that the weekend was a great one for you where every you may call home.

I have a Nook layout to share with you today.  I may not have gotten a permanent DT spot at My Scrapbook Nook, but at the very least I have a little guest spot there - yay!  I mentioned on Friday that I won the sketch challenge last month, which resulted in my filling the role of Guest DT for this month's sketch.

Heather was the lucky Nook member chosen to have her layout transformed into a sketch this month. Here is her layout:

 And here is the sketch DT member Patricia created based off of the layout.

I wanted to incorporate the circles, but just couldn't make it work with the photo that I had chosen to work with.  Sometimes, I'm about the design first and everything else is made to be incorporated into that.  Other times I allow the photos to drive the design process.  With that I chose to keep the photos and journaling spot rectangular.  I also modified the embellishments from circles to starts.  Here is what I ended up with.

Using My Scrapbook Nook February kit featuring October Afternoon

The photo is of Théa and her Tap Small Group the day they competed at CNDC.  How cute are those costumes?  Jody put together a fun little dance for them.  It challenged their skills, but kept them totally engaged, and leading their audience on a fun little journey with them. 

It was fun to join the DT this month, I sure hope the opportunity presents itself again sometime soon.  In the meantime, how about you come and visit us over there, and try your hand at the sketch.  I'd love to have you :)

That's it for me today.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

♥ S. Pin It

Pint Size Ali

Today I have a new share for you.  It is one of three layouts I completed yesterday using the brand spanking new Kinnichiwa line by Basic Grey.  I love the fun colours in this line, and now with the Spring/Summer weather the girls have been wearing a few more brighter colours which match nicely.  This design is actually based on a sketch challenge by Mad About Scrappin Facebook page.  It was so up my ally that I just had to play along.  I'm sure if I were to go back and look through my layouts, I'd find a layout that looks almost exactly like this.  Does that ever happen to you?  I know I've heard it said that there are only so many ways to set up a 12x12 page, especially when you're using only one or two photos. 

only the tags, ribbon and alphas are other than Basic Grey product.

These photos of Théa were taken one morning just before we left for school.  It was one of those nice days, and she was wearing splash pants and a fleece with the hood up.  I told her she looked like a little boxer, so she posed for a few photos for me.  I've pop dotted a few of the elements here like the paper lantern by the tag, and the hand cut flowers to the right of the photo.  This is one of those layouts that didn't require any journaling, as the title really does say it all.

That's it for me today.  I hope your week is off to a great start.  Thanks so much for taking the time to pop in, I sure appreciate it.

Cheers,
♥ s. Pin It

Getting Sketchy

Jeannine is up today at Scrapping Everyday Miracles with a fun and and versatile sketch.  There were so many ways to work it, that I had a fun time shuffling paper around until I found what I liked best.  This month instead of sharing the sketch with you here, I thought I'd tease you and only show you my reveal.

Details:

I used my lovey new typewriter again and cut the strips out.  I also pulled out an old set of flourish stamps I have and used black embossing powder to heat embossed them.

This photo is of Eden and me at Disney in front of the Nemo theatre.  The Lily Bee papers are from My Scrapbook Nook's February kit. 

I encourage you to head over to Scrapping Everyday Miracles to see the sketch first hand, and have a peek at the other reveals.  While you're there you may want to check out the monthly challenge also, called "This is me".

Did you know there are TWO great prizes up for grabs this month?  Not only will you be eligible for a bundle of crepe paper fringe from Dot & Whimsy, you'll also be eligible for a spot in the upcoming Ashes to Beauty class.

I'd like to thank each of you who joined us for our impromptu blog hop this past weekend in honor of Nicole, our team leader.  She was very touched by all the messages of love and encouragement.  I used random.org to select the winner of my RAK.  Congratulations to...

Rosalind, I will send  you an email using the address the left.  I'll give you until Friday to get back to me.  Congratulations once again, I look forward to hearing from you soon.





Now head on over  the Scrapping Everyday Miracles to check out the Sketch Challenge.  I hope to see some of you playing along :)

Happy Monday friends!

♥ S. Pin It

Sketch Challenge

Before I get down to business I want to say a huge thank you to each of you for your sweet words of encouragement and congratulations on my guest spot over at Creative Scrappers.  Your comments mean the world to me.

Nicole is up with a sketch/technique challenge today.  We were fortunate enough to have Niki Sivils graciously sponsor us, and therefore had the opportunity to work with her fun and colourful product.  She sent us so much product, that we each got an entire line to work with.  The line I chose is called My Lil' Monster.  It's super cute.

Here is the sketch we worked with.

Here is my layout

This, is my two youngest, and my ham of a nephew, Jayden,

Nicole also has a technique for you this month.  See those cute little flags on the sketch?  You can learn how to make your own, as she takes you through it.  Up for grabs this month will be an assortment of Nikki Sivils product.  Hop over here to check out the post on the blog.  Check the side bar if you're interested in participating in the monthly challenge, for a second chance at the prize pack, and also the chance to win a spot in this month's top 3 layouts.

As a bonus this month we are also hosting a giveaway on our Facebook Page.  Some of the DT made several projects with the Nikki Sivils paper, and we wanted a way to showcase them best.  Here's the deal, by checking out the page, and commenting on the projects shared you'll be entered for a second chance to win a second set of Nikki goodies we have up for grabs.  You can see the album here.   I hope you get a chance to pop by.

Tomorrow I'll share with you the original layout I made with this line and the same photo.  I'll also fill you in on why that happened.

Thanks for stopping by today.  If you link up with Scrapping Everyday Miracles be sure to let me know.

♥ S. Pin It

Creative Scrappers Sketch #196

I am thrilled to be this week's featured designer over at Creative Scrappers.  I was thrilled to receive the request from Kristine back in January.  That was a huge secret to have to hold on to.  Although I didn't make the team this time around, I  am so happy to be able to join them, even if it's just for a week.  Sketch #196 goes live today.  It is another fabulous creation by fellow 'Pegger Nicole Nowosad.  For this  one I was able to brake out the paints I purchased just before Christmas, for the first time.  I am so glad I did, as I'm not sure how I would have created the look otherwise.  Here's the sketch.

And here is my take on it.

Using Studio Calico's November kit

I want to thank Kristine and her team once again, for having me.  I enjoyed the experience very much, and hope that our paths will cross again in the future.  You can see my introduction, and the full design team reveal here.

Happy Sunday friends, may a great week be in store for each of you,

♥ S. Pin It

Getting Sketchy

Today is my first DT post over Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  The third Monday of every month is a Sketch or Technique challenge.  I love that there's a little variety in what they post and when on their site.  Sketches are one of my go to inspiration starters when I'm in a slump.  Check out the post here.  It would be great if you played along with me.  I've got a pretty sweet rak up for grabs for the first person to complete a layout using the sketch.  If you use the sketch to complete Challenge #11, you'll be entered to win the Paper Issues prize also.  That means you have a chance at winning two prizes for the same challenge, how great is that?!  Leave me a comment here if you manage to complete the layout before anyone else and I'll be sure to get your rak out to you.

Since I didn't know I was going to be doing a post this month, I already shared my layout with you.  Rather than show you the some one twice, I completed a second layout using the same sketch.  Here's the second one I came up with using the fabulous Crate filled December Kit from My Scrapbook Nook.

I hope you get a chance to play along with me.  Thanks so much for stopping by today.

♥ S





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