Lifting myself

... well not literally.  The scrappy kind of lifting.

Challenges number three and four are up at My Scrapbook Nook.  Three can be found here.  I've not done this one yet.  Challenge number four is from Hilde, who challenged us to pick one of our favorite layouts from last year and lift it.  I chose this one of D.

Although the placement of the journaling bothers me (I think it throws the balance off somewhat), I love this layout overall, so I chose this one.  Plus I had this sweet little photo of Wilson that I knew I wanted to use for the challenge.  Here's what I came up with.

Using My Scrapbook Nook's October kit featuring My Mind's Eye

This time I kept the journaling tiny, and better placed.  It's been awhile since I've hand stitched on a project too, so this was a fun one.

That's it for me today.  Been getting things ready for our trip next week, spoiled myself with my first manicure in about 16 years yesterday, schellac, loving it so far, (we'll see if it really last 2-4 weeks), volunteered in the girls' school today for pizza lunch (loved that), caught up with a friend with whom I haven't spoken to in months, and the sun is beaming in through my window.  Overall feeling really blessed this week. 

What about you, what have you been up to this week? If you plan on scrapping this weekend, perhaps you want to tackle Challenge #12 over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles, or the January Sketch Challenge there.  Or perhaps Sketch 191 over at Creative Scrappers.  There's also the New Year Crop ongoing at My Scrapbook Nook.  No shortage of scrapping incentive this weekend, I'd say.  For those looking for a greater challenge, may I suggest the Creative Scrappers DT Call.  You have until Feb 20th to get your application in.  I just discovered this call this morning, and my heart leaped.  I love CS.  I love that the owner Kristine is a fellow Canadian, and uber talented, and was kind  enough to let me use one of her Sketches for my first ever Scrapping Everyday Miracles post.  And there's never, ever a shortage of inspiration to be found by those who submit to the challenges, nor by the wonderful sketches her team comes up with.  This will be my third time trying out for this team.  I'm really hoping this is the one for me.  If not, no worries, I'm gonna keep trying, she won't be able to shake me that easily, mwhahah.  I think it's good to keep putting myself out there, it helps me develop a think skin.  Something you very much need in this subjective world of creating, and putting emotions to paper.  Wish me luck, pretty please.

Have a great weekend, all!
♥ S.

eta: another 2Peas Fave - yay!

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New Year Crop

I've told you about the 5 week long crop happening over at My Scrapbook Nook.  Challenge 1 & 2 were posted last weekend, and closed this weekend.  I wanted to share with you the layouts I created for each of those.
Challenges 1 was a recipe challenge.  You needed to use the assigned number and specifications of products, and then follow the directions to create your layout.  This was an exercise for me that resulted in two layouts rather than just one.  I was so excited to get started on the challenge, that as soon as I read the product list I went off to create.  I should have scrolled down a little further to see that there were directions I was suppose to have followed.  Oops.

Here's the layout I created based on the product list.

My sister and brother in-law.  Using Studio Calico Jan kit.

And here's the layout I created based on the product list AND the directions.

Using My Scrapbook Nooks January kit featuring Lily Bee papers

If you look closely you'll notice they both have a lot of the same elements.  I am glad I managed to get both layouts, even if I did go about it the long way.

Challenge 2 was to use 10 different patterned papers.  I know that sounds like a ton, but there are some creative ways to use that many without overloading your page with colour.  I had 2 different ideas I thought would work well.  When I looked through the thread however, I discovered that 2 others had the same ideas also.  Hence this layout of my one of my dear friends and her daughter.

Using the Lily Bee papers again - no journaling required Maddy's expression says it all :)

There are two more challenges up for this week.  You can see them here.  There are some fun prizes up for grabs so if you decide to jump in, it may just be worth the effort to upload to the gallery too.  Tell them Sherri sent you :)

eta: look what I just saw...

Fun right?!  And I've been contacted by Francine Clouden once again to be featured in "Inspiration du Jour" over at Craft Gossip.  A scrappy good day thus far :)

Thanks for stopping by,

♥ S. Pin It

October Afternoon Holdiay Style

I took a break from the Crate Paper goodness that filled the December kit at My Scrapbook Nook, to use a little October Afternoon Holiday Style.  This is such a cute line.  I couldn't wait  to use it with some random Christmas photos.  I did these two layouts highlighting some fun stuff about my holiday experience.

My new fave holiday drink thanks to a friend.

The little baggies of chocolate covered pretzels I made for the girls' teachers.

I took a lot of photos this Christmas, more than usual, but this one really stood out for me.  It's my father-in-law, my hubby, and his nephew all on the same couch.  That's a rare photo op for sure.  So glad I got it. 

Crate: Peppermint collection.

I have a little of both lines left and want to use them to scrap the rest of my Christmas photos.  I'm really hoping to do a fun layout using a lot of tiny pictures.

I had a lot of fun scrapping Christmas photos so far this year.  I think it was a combination of having a lot of photos to choose from and two lines that were very easy to work with.  I received some fun recognition over at Two Peas for a couple of the layouts I shared with you just before Christmas.  Three of the layouts went Top 3 with in 3 days.  Two I've already shared with you in a previous post, and this was the third.

A big thank you to my scrappy friends your comments over at Two Peas.

That's it for today.  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you leave feeling inspired.

♥ S. Pin It

I'm scrapping today

I am so excited for the day off.  Simply enjoying making a few teacher treats for Christmas, and scrapping a little bit today.  I love days like this.  To make it even better I just discovered this at Two Peas...

How about you, what's in the works in your scrappy space?

Here are a few more photos of my day thus far

Funny hat day at school today

Xmas teacher treat bag prep

Step 1

Step 2

and done.

Have a great one friends, thanks for popping in.

♥ S. Pin It

An apology & a giveaway

I really have nothing new to say or post for you today.  I apologize.  Between working, and volunteer stuff, and Isabelle's birthday I have not had any time to scrap in the past few days.  I'm really missing it, but know that first things must come first.  I love that quote Denzel Washington uses in the movie The Great Debaters "we do what we gotta do, so we can do what we want to do".  He said his own father use to use that line on him and his siblings as he was growing up.  I have no complaints, life is good.  This, is simply our busy season. with 3 birthdays, Christmas and our anniversary all in the same 30 day period.  It's time to buckle up and prepare for the ride.

I had a fun bit of news yesterday.  Another one of my layouts made Top 3 over at Two Peas in a Bucket, in two  of the three categories.

How about I offer a RAK to make up for my lack of substance today?  I'll put together an assortment of scrappy goodies, and do a draw for a giveaway at the end of the week.  Simply leave me a comment letting me know if you'd like to win a little something scrappy, and ensure you're a follower.  Easy peasy! 

Thanks for popping in today.

♥ S. Pin It

Hooray

A quick card to share today.

The tag is from on office supply store, covered in a Vintage Vogue paper, and the butting is from my stash.

Made with the lovely Vintage Vogue papers, and embellies by Pink Paislee that I won at Leigh's fun crop back in October.  My card supply is running low, so this was a quick and easy one to add to the stash for a last minute pick me up for someone in need.  I should probably be working on Christmas cards, but it would seem I'm leaving them a little late this year.  To be honest I don't give out too many anymore.  I use to always print a family photo card for friends and family, but haven't done that in a few years.  What's your Christmas card tradition?  Have you been working on anything crafty?  If so link me up, I'd love to have a peek.

ETA: I finally uploaded a bunch of projects to Two Peas the other day.   Well, am I ever glad I did.  I saw this there first thing this morning

That first layout is mine :)

So stoked, I can't even tell you.  Another layout, (the Winter Wonder one I posted on Tuesday) should actually show there too, it's been liked and bookmarked even more than this one.  Not sure why it doesn't show up there, but at least I know it should be there,  and that makes me happy.

I also got some more amazing scrappy news last night too - it's still a secret though, but I'm bursting at the seams to tell you.  Yesterday was a super duper, fun scrappy day I'll tell ya.  I'm feeling very, very blessed.

Thanks for stopping by today friends, and for all your words of encouragement.

♥ S. Pin It