The Studio Challenges sketch and The Scraproom kit

 I LOVE the Simply Stories Vintage Coastal line and was so excited that it was one of my kits in The Scraproom July Double Shot. I tried some mixed media and don't love the pink color, but I'm not wasting a wood grain paper, so I left it alone. I also used the Aug. 9 sketch from The Studio Challenge for inspiration. These are pictures I took at Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean's private island, last year.

Sketches in Thyme #432

 I'm throwing it way back today with these papers. I loved the Dream Street papers and bought about every line they came out with. I dug deep into the stash for this layout using Sketches in Thyme sketch #432. I kept the layout super simple with a few circles, a homemade tag, and a velvet flower. I really need to update my brown alphabet stickers. It took three different sets to make the title. These pictures were taken in 2015 when my daughter's class performed a little skit about the Boston Tea Party. I struggled on how to embellish the layout, so I just went with basic.

Supplies:

Paper: Dream Street Jack

Alpha stickers: Thickers and stash

Embellishments: stash

Challenge YOUrself layout

 I love the challenges over at Challenge YOUrself because it forces me to take more pictures of me and scrap them. This weeks challenge was to use a picture of YOUrself on vacation, so I pulled this picture from my son's senior trip last year. We took a cruise then spent a couple of days at Disney. I love this picture because it has three generations of strong, happy ladies - my mom, my daughter, and myself - plus Tinkerbell.

Supplies:

Paper: Kaisercraft Enchanted Adventures

Chipboard: Echo Park Finding Neverland (2019)

Bottle caps: EK Success Disney

Brads: Echo Park Finding Neverland (2019)

Enamel Dots: stash

Yesterday's layouts

I spent my time in the scraproom yesterday trying to catch up on some of the challenges that I missed for the online crops this past weekend. I was able to complete two more.

This one was for a double-page sketch for the My Little Scrapbook Store crop and the challenge to use my neglected tools for the Victoria Marie crop. I used an old kit with supplies from around 2009 and some punches. The pictures are my nephew in 2015.

And this layout was for the prompt to use "We" in the title for MLSS and a recipe challenge for Victoria Marie. I had to use pattern paper, fiber, chipboard, something with texture, and frames. This picture is my kids in 2013, and I used a lot more old supplies from my stash.

Weekend layouts

I participated in two online crops this past weekend. I had hopes of spending all day Saturday in my scraproom, but my husband decided at the last minute to go to the lake. Because of that, I only finished four layouts - two on Friday, one on Saturday, and one on Sunday. 

On Friday,  I did two layouts which I'm really proud of for two reasons. One - I used a lot of older stuff from my stash, and two - I combine items from several manufacturers, old and new. This is something I used to struggle with, but watching some wonderful ladies on Youtube make kits have really helped me. Here are the two layouts I finished on Friday.

This wasn't for any challenge. I just worked on it while watching Victoria Marie live. These pictures are from 2011.

This layout was for the first challenge for the Victoria Marie crop to create a layout about me. I chose this picture from my birthday in 2019.

On Saturday I only finished one layout but used some old Chatterbox paper mixed with some newer stickers and embellishments.

This was for a sketch challenge for the My Little Scrapbook Store crop and for a challenge at Victoria Marie to use stuff from our stash. This is my son at a photo shoot in 2016.

Sunday I was only able to finish a layout that I started on Saturday. I used a CTMH kit from 2014 called Jubilee.

 This layout completed challenges at both My Little Scrapbook Store and Victoria Marie. I used a mood board at MLSS that was full of yellow pictures that reminded my of a country feel, and for Victoria Marie the challenge was to use multiple photos. Pictures are from 2011.

I'm so glad I got to play even for a little while this weekend. I look forward to going back and watching the lives and getting more challenges done this week.

Choose Crazy layout

I love the challenges over at Challenge YOUrself, but I don't scrap many photos with me in them. I really liked this sketch though, so I found a picture to use. This one was a lot of fun. I even used some mixed media and mixed paper companies. Two things that I have a hard time doing. I'm a speech coach and this is part of my speech team from 2015.

Supplies used:

Paper: Kaisercraft (several collections) and Pink Paislee Pick-Me-Up

Chipboard: Dear Lizzy Lovely

Alpha stickers: Heidi Swapp puffy stickers

Enamel stickers: Doodlebug design sprinkles

Punches: Spiral notebook punch and scallop border punch

Mixed media: Balzer Designs stencil, CTMH ink, Nuvo Mica spray

Video chat layout

The Lasting Memories blog had this great Pagemaps sketch for their sketch this week. I'm not scrapping a lot of pictures from the pandemic, but I did have a few so I used them for this sketch using my June Hip Kit Club. I'm also using it for the Scrap Academy Facebook challenge to use hidden journaling.

Supplies used:
Paper: Pinkfresh  Studio Let's Stay Home
Alpha stickers: Pinkfresh Studio Let's Stay Home puffy stickers
Ephemera: Pinkfresh Studio Let's Stay Home
Washi: CTMH
Twine: stash
Enamel dots: Pinkfresh Studio Let's Stay Home

Layout #3

Three layouts in one day?!? What? Crazy!!! This layout came together pretty quickly. I used the Scrap Our Stash sketch for July, but I won't be using it for the challenge because I didn't use star paper. Instead, I used snowflakes! This is my daughter feeding her pigs during a snowstorm back in 2013.

Supplies used:
Pattern paper: paper pad from stash
Embellishments: snowflake brads, beaded snowflake, snowflake button all from stash
Punches: McGill and Martha Stewart
Ink: CTMH charcoal
Mixed media: Nuvo mica mist

Sketches in Thyme sketch #430

I was able to play with another Sketches in Thyme sketch this week. I used mixed media again for this layout. This time I used paint and a stencil. I used to be obsessed with Prima flowers and bought every collection that came out. I love it when I'm able to use some on a layout. This is my daughter after singing in a church Christmas production back in 2013.

Supplies used:
Paper: American Crafts (2015), CTMH Arianna (2013)
Stickers: Pink Paislee 5th and Monaco phrases
Embellishments: washi from stash, Prima flowers
Stamp: Heidi Swapp
Ink: CTMH charcoal
Mixed media: Heidi Swapp metallic paint, Heidi Swapp chevron stencil, Nuvo drops

Nassau layout

Between my daughter's softball games and taking my mom on a surprise birthday trip, I haven't finished a page in about a week. Last week Alice over at ScrapHappy did a mini crop with a rainbow theme. I started this layout for the yellow challenge, but I just couldn't get it finished on time. I've started using mixed media a little, but it takes me so much longer to scrap when I do it. However, I will say I like how this layout turned out. I used one of the monthly sketches from The ScrapRoom for inspiration. These pictures were taken from our ship as we docked in Nassau back in 2015.

Supplies used:

Paper: paper pad from stash

Stickers: Paper House

Embellishments: wood veneer from stash

Mixed media: Prima shimmerz spray

3rd grade LO

I took a sketch I had pinned on Pinterest. I watch several Youtubers that are participating in a video series called "Off the Board" where they use things they had pinned. I thought this would be a great way to get inspiration.  This picture is my daughter in 2013 when she was in 3rd grade. She will start her sophomore year in a month. I can't believe how quickly time has flown by.

Supplies listed:
Pattern paper: Paper pad stash
Ephemera: Echo Park Back to School
Stickers: Deja Views School and Reminisce You've Been Schooled

LM #506 sketch layout

I use sketches with almost every layout. It just makes decision making so much easier for me, and since I don't always have a lot of time to scrap, I have found it a quick way to get pages scrapped. For this layout, I used the Lasting Memories sketch chosen for this week which happened to be a Pagemaps sketch. I decided to use my Scraproom kit from June even though these pictures weren't taken in the summer. This was Thanksgiving 2015 that we spent at Great Wolf Lodge.

Supplies used:
Pattern Paper: PhotoPlay Tulla and Norbert's Excellent Adventure
Stickers: PhotoPlay Tulla and Norbert's Excellent Adventure
Enamel dots: stash and twine
Mixed Media: Gelatos

Beautiful & Unique LO

A Cherry on Top hosts a Make-the-Cut challenge each month where they give several measurements for cuts and you use them in any arrangement to create a layout. I used July's measurements to create this page of a random picture of my daughter from 2012.

Supplies list:
Pattern paper: Photo Play Belle Fleur (2019)
Chipboard: Photo Play Belle Fleur (2019)
Mixed brads: Photo Play Belle Fleur (2019)
Ink: CTMH Charcoal
Stencil: Hot of the Press
Texture paste: Ranger Ink opaque matte
Shimmer: Glitterbitz Cosmic Shimmer
Other: Nuvo drops ivory seashell

ACOT Becky Fleck sketch challenge #180

I participated in another Becky Fleck sketch challenge over at A Cherry on Top for this layout. I even used some mixed media which I'm just starting to try. This is my little girl back in 2013 when she was in a costume contest at a Fall Fest. She was the cutest little Go-Go Dancer.

Supplies used:
Paper: Pretty Little Studio Comfy Sweater and Indian Summer, Pink Paislee Wild Child (2017)
Felt Pennants: Bella Blvd. Girl
Stickers: Vicki Boutin Watercolor stickers (2018)
Mixed Media: Vicki Boutin Acrylic paint (2019)

Family Gathering layout

It's been a while since I used a Sketches In Thyme sketch, so I took sketch #428 and scrapped these pictures from Thanksgiving 2015. We met my brother at Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas this year for Thanksgiving. After our Thanksgiving meal, Mom and I took the younger kids next door to the Gaylord Hotel to see all the cool decorations.

Supplies used:
Paper: Paper Studios paper pad from stash
Stickers: Karen Foster (2004)
Stash: labels, tags, chipboard
Stamps: CTMH
Ink: CTMH Cocoa

Jackpot show layout/sketch challenge

Another layout using a Pagemaps sketch for a challenge. This sketch challenge is from the Lasting Memories blog and is the LM #505 challenge. I used more old stash and old pictures. These pictures are of my kids showing their pigs in different Jackpot shows from 2011.

Supplies used:

Paper:  Paper pad from my stash

Chipboard:  Letters from my stash

Stickers:  7 Gypsies 97% Boys Garcons (2005)

Rub-ons: Daisy Ds and Bo Bunny Play All Day

Embellishments: Corduroy brads and enamel dots from my stash

ACOT July 2020 sketch layout

I did this layout using the Pagemaps sketch for the A Cherry on Top July sketch challenge with a twist. I almost forgot to add the twist (chipboard) but luckily found some that matched. Everything I used for this layout is from my stash. The pictures are from Halloween 2013.

Supplies used:
Paper:  CTMH Hooligans (2010)
Felt embellishments:  CTMH Hooligans (2010)
Ribbon:  stash
Chipboard:  MME Blackbird (2010)
Clear stickers:  MAMBI

Making Beta Cookies layout

Two Facebook groups I belong to, My Little Scrapbook Store and Victoria Marie, inspired me to do this layout. I used the July sketch from My Little Scrapbook Store. Victoria Marie has live events once a week, and a few weeks ago she took a paper pad and broke it down into page kits. I played along that day and took an old Paper Studios seasonal paper pad. I used one of those page kits for this page.

I dug deep in my stash for the eyelets, stickers, and acrylic pieces.

These pictures were taken this year while Emma and I made Valentine cookies for the Beta club. I journaled about how I remember making those cookies for Beta when I was in school, and now I'm helping make them with my children.

More June layouts

Here are the rest of my layouts for June. Most of the were for A Cherry on Top challenges, and most used items from my stash, especially paper.

My mom, niece, and me in 2012 in Central Park. Used the June sketch from Stick It Down.

My daughter cheering in 2013. Used a Scrapbook Generation sketch and scraps.

My brother's wedding in 2016. Used an old CTMH kit.

Castaway Cay in 2015. Used a Becky Higgins sketch.

St. Louis trip 2014. Used a Paper Wishes kit.

My daughter with Cathy Rigby at seeing Peter Pan in 2011. Title challenge for ACOT.

My great-niece this summer.

Saturday layouts

I was on a roll Saturday. I finished three layouts for challenges over at A Cherry on Top. I dove deep into my stash for all these layouts.

Where did June go?

It's been a month since I posted that I would get caught up. LOL  It seems that I will continuously be behind. June has been a month of trying to get back to "normal." I taught summer school two days a week, and my daughter started workout for softball and playing softball two nights a week. Plus both of us started rehearsing for the annual Broadway Revue that we perform in every year. Scrapbooking has taken a backseat. I have done a few layouts and I'll post them in a separate post, but I wanted to use this post to show the layout I did for the Scrap Out Stash June sketch challenge. Besides the sketch, we had to use kraft cardstock and metallic embellishments. I  dug deep into my stash and used some Chatterbox paper and some really old alphabet stickers. I also added some stickers, and my metallic embellishment is some old gold brads. These pictures are from 2011 when my son's first show heifer had her first baby.

Catch Up

I haven't been blogging much, but I have been scrapping and reading. I've been participating in LOAD over at ScrapHappy, and as of today, I have completed and uploading a layout-a-day! Just a few days left, so hopefully, I don't mess it up now. I do plan on getting some layout done for some challenges this week, so I'll be back soon.

Challenge Layout #1 week 4/27/20

I have found a renewed energy this Monday. I've made myself a new schedule, and hopefully, sticking to it will help me get out of my current mood. I first finished up a layout that I had started yesterday. It wasn't for any challenges and was pretty basic. I have a hard time scrapping school photos. But after that I went ahead and pulled out some old CTMH papers to do the Heart 2 Heart challenge for the week of stripes. I love this picture of my daughter from a photo shoot back in 2015. Anway, I hope everybody has a great, productive week.

Supplies:
Paper: CTMH Veranda (2010)
Embellishments: CTMH filigree charms, CTMH Just Blooms spring blooms
Stamp: CTMH Heartfelt Treasures
Ink: CTMH Garden Green, Tim Holtz Distress Spray Ink distressed shutters
Thickers word stickers: Home

Challenge layout #2 Week 4/20/20

Scrap Our Stash has a great sketch up with a little twist. I actually used the sketch already but forgot to use floral paper and butterflies, so I just did it again. After watching NicoleJones911 on YouTube, I decided to make some page kits with my scrap pattern paper, and this is the first layout from those kits. The pictures are of my silly girl at the Tulsa State Fair way back in 2011! Not only are the pictures old, so are several of the supplies I used.

Supplies:

Paper: Elle's Studio Noteworthy, KaiserCraft Waterberry, Crate Paper (2015)

Stickers: stash

Chipboard Alphas: Heidi Swapp (2005)

Rhinestone flourish: Prima (2007)

Stash: butterfly enamel dots, tag, twine

Challenge layout #1 week 4/20/20

The new Sketches in Thyme sketch went up, so I had to get it done. I scrapped these pictures not too long ago for my book, so this layout is for my daughter's book. She got this cute haircut back in 2013, and I loved it.

Supplies:
Paper: stash from a paper pad
Stickers: Pinkfresh Joyful Day
Thickers: Happy Hooray
Foam title: Jillibean Soup

Challenge #7 week 4/13/20

I took the sketch from Let's Get Sketchy for April. I used a Happy Scrapp bag from My Little Scrapbook Store. If you haven't shopped there, you need to join their Facebook group for their live sales. She has some great stuff. The sketch was pretty feminine, but I took it a different way for a travel layout.

Supplies:
Paper, Stickers, and Ephemera: Simple Stories Going Places
Stash: enamel dots

Challenge layout #6 week 4/13/20

Another layout, another sketch challenge. This time the sketch can be found at Sketch n Scrap blog. This probably isn't something I should admit, but when I'm on conferences with my students, I tend to work on layouts. To be fair, my students are used to me multi-tasking, and I still pay attention to them as we discuss the novels they are reading. Anyway I started this layout while on conferences with my students this afternoon and finished it while watching Victoria Marie on Facebook Live. These pictures are of my son his junior year at the end of year awards assembly.

Supplies:
Paper: Echo Park Teen Spirit (boy)
Ephemera/Tags: echo Park Teen Spirit (boy)
Enamel dots: stash

Challenge layout #5 week 4/13/20

I doubled up on challenges for this layout. First I used a sketch from Sketches in Thyme, and then I did the emoji challenge over at Scrap Our Stash. Honestly, this sketch was a little difficult for me. It's really not what I would consider my style, as I'm more of a clean scrapper with layers and clusters. However, I just stepped out of the box and went for it. This picture is my daughter and a huge plate of ice cream. It's kind of a funny story. She was with my husband and son at this Mexican restaurant, and she went to the bathroom. And got locked in! I'm not sure how much time passed when my husband finally heard her screaming. The restaurant felt bad and gave her this huge ice cream dessert to make her feel better.

Supplies:
Paper: One Canoe Two Saturday Afternoon
Sticker: Thickers
Thickers phrase
Bling: Prima swirls (2008)
Mixed media: CTMH glitter pen in charcoal

Challenge layout #4 week 4/13/20

This layout is for The Studio Challenges sketch challenge for April. This is a picture of me dressed up and ready to go eat with my hubby for our 22nd anniversary. I decided to use this Dear Lizzy collection because the colors matched the colors in my kimono. Plus our anniversary is at the end of May, and the bright colors just matched the mood and feel.

Supplies:
Everything: Dear Lizzy It's All Good

Challenge layout #3 week 4/13/20

I found another new challenge blog and decided to use their challenge this week for inspiration. The new-to-me blog is called Double Trouble blog, and the challenge was to use squares and an old stamp. I'm not sure my page will count towards the prize because I used an old CTMH page kit for inspiration, but I did include squares (the pictures on the right page) and the stamp was from 2013 as was the paper. Glad I finally used this stamp and papers.

Supplies:
Paper: CTMH Pro Player (2013)
Embellishments: CTMH Pro Player
Stamps and ink: CTMH

Challenge layout #2 week 4/13/20

I once again used a Sketches in Thyme sketch for my inspiration. When I first saw this sketch, I was a little perplexed by it, but once I got an idea, it came together pretty quickly, and I like how it turned out.

Supplies:
Paper: Crate Paper All Hearts
Thickers: Be Wild
Frames: Kaleidoslides from Magic Scraps

Challenge layout #1 week 4/13/20

I'm trying a new challenge over at the The Paper Girls Challenge blogspot to use flowers. I fussy cut the flowers for this layout of my father's grave decorated for Memorial Day. I also used day 13 of the 30 days of sketches challenge.

Supplies:
Paper pad and alpha stickers from my stash

Challenge Layout #2 Week 4/6/20

Yesterday I used Sketches in Thyme sketch #415 for my layout of my son with all the fair ribbons he won back in 2011. I'm getting so close to finishing my 2011 photos! I just keep chugging away.

Supplies:
Paper, ephemera: Photo Play State Fair
Thickers: Giggles
Paint: stash

Challenge Sketch #1 Week 4/6/20

This layout is for Sketch 'n Scrap's #198 sketch, and I dug deep into my stash for the supplies. This is my daughter dressed as a Greek goddess back in 2015. I love doing Halloween layouts, but my kids are now teenagers, and it's hard to get pictures of them now. It's a good thing I'm so far behind! LOL

Supplies:
Paper: Paper Junkitz Whimsical Halloween (2006)
Chipboard and brads: MME Blackbird (2010)
Phrase: Thickers Hocus Pocus
Stash: bat shaker

Challenge layout #7 Week 3/30/20

Another layout for Stick It Down April sketch, but this one is the single page sketch. More pictures from 2011 (maybe someday I'll get them finished). I really like how this one turned out. Usually I struggle with titles, especially long ones, but I thought this one turned out cute.

Paper: Echo Park I Love Summer and Simple Stories Oh Happy Day
Ephemera: Simple Stories Oh Happy Day
Stickers: Simple Stories Oh Happy Day
Bow Clip: Simple Stories Little Princess
Thickers: Cream Soda (black), Niki Riki (yellow), and Shoe Box (blue)
Stash: Pink Alphas

12/100 pictures

Challenge layout #6 Week 3/30/20

This layout is for the Stick It Down double page April sketch. The sketch called for one large picture on the left side, but I used two smaller ones instead. These pictures were taken 8 years ago! I can't believe how little my kids were and how much has changed in 8 years.

Papers: Amy Tangerine Shine On
Stickers: Amy Tangerine Shine On
Thickers: Beautiful
Washi: CTMH
Stash: Enamel Dots

Challenge layout #5 Week 3/30/20

Another Scraptember and 30 days of sketches layout. This sketch is from Scrapy Sketches and the Scraptember prompt was dash. I took this adorable picture of my daughter from back in 2011 and went to town on this layout.

Paper: Jen Hadfield This Is Family
Cut File: Wild Hare Kit
Thickers: Dreamer
Chipboard: MME Gal Meets Glam
Stash: flowers, pearls, gems
Punch: Oriental Trading and Family Treasures

Challenge layout #4 Week 3/30/20

For today's Scraptember challenge I had to "cut," so I used a hexagon punch and die cuts. I was able to use the 30 days of sketch again today. I have a hard time with mixed media. Basically the only thing I did was a few splatters at the end. The picture was taken on Blue Lagoon island in the Bahamas back in 2015.

Papers: Kaisercraft Paradise Found
Die Cuts: Kaisercraft Paradise Found
Flair: Kaisercraft Paradise Found
Washi: Firefly (Michaels brand)
Distress Spray: Tim Holtz Shabby Shutters
Punch: Fiskars
6/100 pictures

Challenge layout #3 Week 3/30/20

Yesterday I only scrapped one layout with one picture, but it did meet two challenges. I used the sketch from 30 days of sketches for it and the Scraptember challenge of bunting. I was super excited for the bunting challenge because I knew I had the perfect paper. I bought this Authentique paper for my Washington, D.C. pictures, so I fussy cut some of the bunting for the banner edge. The picture is the Lincoln Memorial back in 2013.

Paper: Authentique Hero collection and PhotoPlay Red, White, and Blue collection
Stickers: Sticky Pix
Punches: Oriental Trading
Ribbon: Stash

4/100 pictures scrapped