March Workshop

Just a quick update with the layout from my March workshop.  I used CTMH"s Pemberly papers, which are stunning.  For the floral embellishments, I just cut out the flowers from one of the prints in the pack and foam mounted them to add depth.  (There are two vertical 4x6" photos that go on the right page - not shown).  Thanks for stopping by today!

October Workshop

This Friday is my monthly Scrap Night and this is the layout we will be making using a kit/papers of their choice. I made these pages with Close To My Heart's Dreamin' kit. It has such beautiful fall colors, but because of the blue in the kit, it makes it that much more versatile. I titled this page "Counting Our Blessings" because of the photos of our 4 kids. Having 4 kids in 3 years has definately brought its challenges, but my husband and I wouldn't do anything different. Our kids bring us so much joy, contentment, completion, laughter, pride.... I could go on and on. God has truly given us an incredible gift!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

September Layout

It's that time again for my monthly scrapbook workshop. Here is the layout we will be putting together tonight. I used Close To My Heart's new paper pack called "Roxie". Don't you just love that zebra print?!? It can really go with just about any color. I've also paired it with teal and apple green - adorable!

I used the cricut Calligraphy cartridge to cut out the title for this layout, as well as, CTMH"s Art Philosophy cartridge to make the scallop border. Thanks so much for stopping by today!

August Workshop

My August workshop is this evening, and this is the layout we'll be making tonight. I used Close To My Heart's Elemental Workshop on the Go. I absolutely LOVE this kit for its versatility. These are patterns and colors that I could use over and over, and would be a great compliment to other kits. As always, my attendees will be using a kit of their choosing, but most of them chose Elemental, as well.

This layout came together so easy, mostly due to the new Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, which I used for the title and embellishments. I'll post an update later with photos. Thanks so much for stopping by today!

All Supplies from CTMH.

June Workshop

It's that time again for my monthly workshop. This Friday we will be making this layout with papers of attendees' choosing. This first photo is a single page layout I plan to use as the front cover of my family photo album. I used CTMH's Bliss paper pack, which I absolutely LOVE. At first I didn't think I would have a need for it because I thought it was a "wedding" kit, but boy was I wrong! The papers are subtle, yet beautiful, and can be used for any number of occasions.

This next layout is the two-page spread that "my girls" will be making. For this layout I used CTMH's Lucky kit. These are pictures of my oldest son. He turned twelve a month or so ago and I always make a layout that celebrates their year past.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

May Workshop & Special

This month Close To My Heart has a fantastic special for National Scrapbooking Month called "You and Me". You get darling papers, a fantastic stamp set that can be used over and over again, embellishments, and directions for 2 two-page layouts. These are some samples I made with the kit. I, of course, changed them up a bit by switching the colors of the two layouts and changing the picture sizes to make them more accomodating to standard size photos (5x7 and 4x6).

The papers are just beautiful! You should see them in person!!!

I changed the purpose of this layout because I wanted to use it for some miniature golf pictures, so the title reads "CELEBRATE Good Times". My workshop was this past Friday and we had a great time! Thanks so much for stopping by.

Magnifique Layout

Hey fellow bloggers!! Thought I'd post a layout once (I know, it's been awhile!). I used a NEW Paper Kit from Close To My Heart's Autumn/Winter Catalog, which comes out Sept. 1. This kit is called "Magnifique", and it is truly stunning!! The pictures are of my twin girls when they were 4 years old. They're 8 now, so now you know how far behind I am on my scrapbooking. It's okay, though, because for me it's about the process, not the product (at least that's what I try to convince myself. HaHa!) Aren't they adorable? I wish I could bottle some of that cuteness. Don't get me wrong, they are still adorable, but that cuteness somehow morphed into prettiness, and I just miss those cheeks! (: Thanks so much for stopping by today!

All Supplies from CTMH

Patterned Paper: Magnifique My Reflections Paper

Cardstock: Colonial White, Chocolate, Lagoon

Accessories: Mini Medley Accents Shades of Chocolate, Twill Ribbon, Color Ready Oxford & Bold Alphabets

Page Maps Challenge

I have not scrapbooked in a LOOOONG time! I was missing it! I am actually first, and foremost, a scrapbooker. I know it's hard to believe since I primarily post cards, but I have been scrapbooking for about 25 years. I actually started scrapbooking when supplies were hard to come by. I made patterned paper with construction paper and markers, and then got introduced to stamping by my high school art teacher - the rest is history. I happened to be browsing through some sketch blogs and came across this sketch/challenge on the Page Maps blog. They are celebrating the 4th anniversary of Scrapdango and are hosting a contest. Couldn't resist this sketch - I loved it!!

I seldom do a one page layout, so I added a second page that mimics the sketch. The size of these pages are 9x9, which is the size album I make for all of my kids. I used the Veranda Kit from Close To My Heart.

These pictures are the yearly pictures I take of my kids near their birthday. No special occasion, just pictures to note their ages. She is seven here. Thanks for stopping by today!

All Supplies are from CTMH (except the sentiment "So" from Verve stamps)

Golf Lessons

I haven't been working much lately. As a substitute teacher, the jobs are a little slim in September. The good thing is I'm getting some scrapbooking in. This is a layout for my oldest's album from last summer. Golf is such a lovely sport - the greens in the pictures are amazing!

I found these great American Crafts papers that went wonderfully with the color scheme. Also by American Crafts are the black sparkly Thickers alphabet. This layout came together quick! Love that! Thanks for looking!

Supplies:

Stamps: Retired "Golfers" by CTMH (old woodies!) and CTMH Save the Date

Cardstock: Bazzill Whipped Mousse, CTMH White Daisy and Black

Patterned Paper: American Crafts Metropolitan (stripe and green)

Inks: CTMH Black

Accessories: American Crafts Thickers, Kaiser Crafts Black Rhinestones

Trick or Treat

In keeping with the seasonal appropriate posts, I worked on my daughter's scrapbook layout yesterday. This was her Halloween costume from 2008. (She was a tennis player and my other daughter was a waitress.) Both of my girls wore pink for their costume. Typically pink is not exactly a "Halloween" color, so when I found this paper from American Crafts, I knew it would be perfect for these pictures. I stamped the green paper with CTMH's Intrinsic Backgrounds in Chocolate ink and the pumpkins from Frightenin' Fun in Goldrush. The leaves are cut from a Cuttlebug die. The "Trick-or-Treat" Rub-on is made with a product called Grafix Rub-Onz. This cool product lets you create your own rub-ons using your own computer and printer. When I can't find what I'm looking for, I'll turn to this new find!

Thanks for looking!

Supplies:

Stamps: CTMH Intrinsic Backgrounds and Frightenin' Fun

Cardstock: Bazzil Kraft, CTMH White Daisy and Goldrush
Patterned Paper: Amercian Crafts Everyday Gidday

Inks: CTMH Goldrush and Chocolate

Tools: Cuttlebug Leaf Die and Machine, Grafix Rub-Onz

Making up with my oldest

My oldest son, Seth, was checking out my blog the other day. A few days later he very quietly asked me why there wasn't a scrapbook page posted of him, yet. I realized then that I had pages of everybody but him. I explained that I was new to this blog thing and that I didn't start until after his birthday. I've also been having so much fun with card challenges lately that I've neglected my scrapbooking. This layout is not new of him, and I can't even remember what products I used, but I want to make it right with him.

Yet again, another "bad mom" moment. You could get me out of hot water if you could comment about him. (Seems he's read the comments of his siblings, as well.) He really is a very handsome boy with a kind heart. He is ten years old now and an avid reader. He excels in school, is extremely friendly, very responsible, and he loves basketball. I adore my oldest - I hope he knows it. Anyhow, thanks for looking!

Twitterpated Layout

Here is a layout using CTMH's new Twitterpated and Workshop on the Go Kit! I whipped this one together last night for an open house display. I love how these kits make it so easy to pull a layout or two together! I altered it slightly from the directions to suite my tastes - Love that flexibility!

Thanks for looking!
ETA: For: JJFern First of all, let me start by saying "Thank You" for your comment. In answer to your question, I use layout sketches mostly for inspiration. I try to only look at the base of the sketch (what's behind the picture spots). Then, I sort through the pictures I plan to use (chosen by the colors of the photos that would go with the papers I'm using or vice versa)by the ones I must use, the ones I could use and the ones I'll use only if I have to. I focus on the ones I must use. I always do a dry run first - meaning I lay it out before I adhere anything. This helps me determine how I arrange my cardstock and patterned paper to get the right look, and how I can lay out the photos. If I have some "dead" spaces that I can't fill with a journal or embellishments, then I move to the pictures I could use to fill the space. Hope that helps!

Celebrate Eight

It's Chad's birthday on Monday, and he'll be turning 9. Like I posted previously I make a layout to celebrate each kids past year to hang on their hallway wall for about a month. This is his "Celebrate Eight" page that will eventually end up in my family album.

I used the Got Sketch #40, again, for this layout. It's a fun one so I'll use it for my oldest sons layout, as well. Thanks for looking!

All supplies from CTMH

You Make Us Smile

I think I mentioned once before that I LOVE polka dots and Damask Tiles! Once again I am using it in a layout of my daughter, Nicole. (These pictures were taken in August of 2005 - I don't scrap in order, I scrap what inspires me) She is "one of a kind", and we love who she is. These pictures are typical of her - you can't help but smile!

These pages are a 9x9 size. (This is the size album I do for each of my kids, and a 12x12 for the family album.) I thought the pictures could stand alone so I kept the layout pretty simple. I stamped a few rows of polka dots right onto the kraft cardstock. I used one of the Damask Tiles to stamp the strip of cardstock with Sunflower Ink. I added a little more detail by handstitching the zigzag with 3 strands of white embroidery floss. I accented with a red button I had been saving and another punched flower on the opposite page to provide balance.

Here are the specs:

Stamps: PTI Polka Dot Basics, CTMH Damask Tiles and Frame of Mind

Cardstock: Bazzill Kraft, CTMH Textured White Daisy

Inks: CTMH Sunflower

Accessories: CTMH Dimensional Elements Simple Alphabet, CTMH Large Brad in Sunflower, Button

Other: Embroidery Floss

Celebrate Seven

I thought I'd post another example of the layouts I do for my kids. This is my second son's "Celebrate Seven" page I made for his 8th birthday. (He'll be turning 9 in August so I'll need to start working on his Celebrate Eight page soon!)What I love most about this layout is that I used only CS to create it (and stamps, of course). I'm leaving on vacation tomorrow, but I scheduled another card to post while I'm gone. See you in a week.



SUPPLIES: All CTMH
Stamps: Weathered Backgrounds (retired?), Simple Stiches, Building Block E-size Alpha.
Cardstock: Olive, Cocoa, Textured Duos Dutch Blue (backside)
Inks: New England Ivy, Cocoa, Dutch Blue