I said it was going to be a busy week. It's new Issue Monday at Paper Issues. 

It's time for Eggs-cellent Add-ventures sponsored by 17turtles Cut Files 

your prize is a $20 gift certificate to the 17turtles store

Yes, that's right. Need some ideas? How about Easter, egg hunts, Passover, adventures of all kinds (travel, museum, baseball park, etc.), chickens/birds, eggs, spring, candy, math symbols (plus signs, number paper, etc.), baseball, April Fool's Day (practical jokes, etc.), use cut files, 17turtles products, die cuts.

Want to learn more about 17turtles ? Here are all the places you can find more information and examples of their cut files :

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There is a discount code good through April 12th: PI17TURTLES25. Good for 25% off any order.

I used two 17turtles cut files. 

and

We were given the Eggcellent Adventures cut to use. We were also given the opportunity to use another cut from the store, as long as we used both on the project. When I was looking through the 17turtles store, I came across the clocks.  I had what I thought was a really great idea for my page. When it came down to it, the idea did not translate well to paper. Silly me. So I tweaked it, and this is the result.

I painted the background of my page first. Then I used the Silhouette sketch pens to design the clocks over the painted paper. I'm so happy with the look. I cut the word adventure to be he came width as the two photos, then used pop dots to give them some dimension. Since I want the focus to be on the cut files, I used clear stickers and acrylic fonts for the rest of the title. The robots and game pieces by Crate Paper from the Boys Rule collection were the finishing touches.

There are several other fantastic design team projects using 17turtles Cut Files  on the  Paper Issues blog today. Head over there now for more amazing inspiration. While you are there, be sure and check out all the new product that has just arrived in the Paper Issues shop!  Need some incentive?  Use coupon code BEACHGAL at checkout and receive 20% off your order

Supplies: CS-American Crafts, PP-Bo Bunny, DoodlebugDesigns, Crate Paper, stickes and chipboard-Crate Paper, alphas-Cosmo Cricket, Freckled Fawn, Media-Twinkling H2O, Tattered Angels, 17turtles cut files, Silhouette

Brain Games

Hey there! It's bonus Monday at Let's Get Sketchy. Yup. 5 Mondays in March mean an extra challenge. Here is the sketch

I created this layout using 4x6 photos instead of 2 smaller photos. However, because I stacked 2 horizontal photos, I changed the design to an all vertical format. 

My Mom loves to do puzzles. All kinds, crosswords especially. But recently she's jumped on the Sudoku bandwagon. While we were visiting, I caught her trying to teach both my son and my Grandfather how to do it too. My Grandfather didn't take to it, but my son sure did. He now has several Sudoku books of his own.

Thanks for stopping by my creative view today. It's going to be a busy week. So, come back again.

Supplies: PP, stickers, alphas-Echo Park, wood, clip and resin-Freckled Fawn, Stencil-TCW, Mist-Tattered Angels

Queen of Reality

Hey there! Oh, I have been dying to share this project! You see, there is a new feature on the  Paper Issues blog today. We are sharing projects created with Printables and Swag Bags!   Becky Monmany and Brenda Smith created some awesome printables for Paper Issues. 

 Not only that, but the fabulous Jennifer Chapin created this incredibly easy to use sketch for the currently ongoing first ever

Well, I was in an overtired, too much going on, my life is a pile of  *laundry*, brain needs more stimulation kind of mood. So I made myself a little crown, dressed myself up, set up my little tripod, and hit the self timer button on my phone. Because you know, when that kind of moods strikes, the only thing to do is make fun of yourself.  And that I did.

I bought these Gossamer Blue papers and embellishments a bit ago to use on pages about me. Pink=me. I mixed in a couple of die cuts from the new Simple Stories I Am collection and a few other bits. No page about me is complete without gold and sequins. The printable were perfection for the sketch. The whole thing took me about 30 min to put together. The result? an absolutely tongue-in-cheek page about myself right now.

There are several other fantastic design team projects using printable and swag bags on the Paper Issues blog today. Head over there now for more amazing inspiration. While you are there, be sure and check out all the new product that has just arrived in the Paper Issues shop!  Need some incentive?  Use coupon code BEACHGAL at checkout and receive 20% off your order

Supplies: PP-Gossamer Blue, MME, ephemera-Simple Stories, Gossamer blue, wood pieces-Gossamer Blue, Freckled Fawn, sequins-Studio Calico, mist-Heidi Swapp

All Right, All Right, All Right

Hey there! There is a new article on the Get It Scrapped blog today talking about Easter Eggs. 

Do you know that term? It's a little hidden in plain sight idea, joke or nod to a fad, even a celebrity. You know, like the pineapple in the TV show Psych, or yogurt in the TV show Burn Notice. I know there are all kinds of video game references as well. 

I was so excited to get this topic. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Last year on the last day school I took my boys out to dinner to celebrate with some friends of ours. It was so fun ti watch them interact with each other. It was just a nice enjoyable time out. As we were walking out, my older son decided to put on a show. He was silly and very entertaining. Generally, he is reserved, so I loved seeing him let loose a little.

I gave a nod to the actor, Matthew McConaughey, and his catch phrase of "All Right, All Right, All Right" as the title of my page. Matthew McConaughey gives the appearance of a laid back kind of guy, and uses this phrase often. I thought his manor fit the sunglasses, peace signed son of mine in the photo.
 
I used 3 different sized fonts, smallest to largest to show a gaining momentum of the statement as often does.

Supplies: Cardstock-Bazzill, Patterned Paper, stickers, washi tape-Bella Blvd, wood piece-American Crafts, resin piece and patch-Freckled Fawn, chipboard-Naked Chipboard, enamel dots-My Minds Eye, Alphas-Webster's pages, Studio Calico, Bella Blvd, Ink-VersaMagic, Pen & adhesive-EK Success

Goodbye Home

Hello! Wow, it's Monday already. Funny how that happens every week. Well, It's time for a new sketch challenge at Let's Get Sketchy

Truth? My first reaction tooth's sketch was WHOA! How am I going to work with this one? My original thought was to change it by using fewer little squares. But when I began, it fell into place closer to the original sketch. I moved the title and some of the embellishments to make it work for me.

What made this fall into place is it felt like a patchwork quilt to me. That made me think of home and family. That drew me to this photo of our first house when we put it up for sale. It was more than a house, it was our home. My children were born there, they made their first friends there, we made many family memories there. The day the sign went up I was filled with many emotions. Now I have something to look at to remind me.

Thanks for stopping by my creative view today. It's going to be  a busy week so come back again soon. 

Supplies: CS-American Crafts, PP , stickers & chipboard-Basic Grey, alphas-Basic Grey, BoBunny, wood pieces, Studio Calico, die cuts-Jillibean Soup

Game On

Hey there! Have you heard of the Paper Issues Swag Bags? I love my Swag Bag! It has become one of my favorite ways to create a layout.

I get so excited when my bag arrives. First I dump everything out. Then I push all the little bits into a pile. Then, I sort the papers into groups that can work together on a page.

That's exactly what I did here. I have a friend who couldn't use her tickets to a UW football game. I scooped them up and off these two guys went. Their first UW game, and my son's first live football game ever.

Design inspiration from this page comes from a sketch at Boys Rule Scrapbooking

I did take a lot of creative license, but let me tell you how the design is there.  I flipped it vertically. I grabbed all the black&white and solid papers to create a large matte for my photo. 6 pieces. I added a triangular layer of vellum under the patterned papers instead of a circle, then an additional layer of vellum over them to tone down the bright colors so the photo remains the focus. One larger photo is centered over the 6 patterned papers. 

Then I went digging into my pile of little bits to embellish around the page. Banners, stickers doilies, oh my! So much to choose from! I used them all!

A couple of the new Bella Blvd DooDads found there way onto the page,  a few drops of Heidi Swapp Mist and Voila`! 

So umm, yes, Swag Bags are the Bomb.  They sell out fast! Subscriptions are the way to go to ensure you get yours each month. You really don't want to miss out on the goodness. While you are in the shop, check out all the rest of the new product and use code BEACHGAL for 20% off your order

Supplies: PP-SEI, MME, Doodlebug Designs, Enamel pieces-Bella Blvd, Freckled Fawn, Mist-Heidi Swapp, Alpha-American Crafts, all other-Swag Bag

Grin and Wear It

Hey there! It's reveal Sunday for me. Picture This has a new challenge today.

Dark Background + 2 photos + butterfly

I'm certain I overthought this one. Dark ground and 2 photos? No problem. Butterfly? Well, they don't make frequent appearances on my pages, so they are not a staple in my stash. I also had to figure out a way to use one in context with the rest of the subject of my page.  I admit, It was the very last thing to be added. Did you find it yet? It's on the journal tag.

I've been finding lots of photo os my yogurt son smiling. Some I save to use to tell a story about him, Others are jut cute and I wasn't to look at over and over. These are two of those photos.  I found a fun sketch at Sketch n Scrap. I'm always looking for new ideas using both horizontal and vertical photos on a page. I mixed some colorful papers and embellishments to brighten up the dark background, and to play with the cheerful photos. It was quick and easy to put together.

Thanks for looking at my creative view today. Want to see more? You can find the Red Carpet Studio reveal post HERE.

Supplies: PP * chipboard-Basic Grey, stickers-Basic Grey, October Afternoon, enamel dots-MME, Doily-Recollections, wood piece-Freckled Fawn, alphas-WRMK, Crate Paper

By My Side

Good morning! It's another busy Sunday around here. First up is a new challenge at Red Carpet Studios. This week's movie choice is The Lucky One. Your challenge is to use gold and the word "lucky" somewhere on your project.

I know my first inclination should have been to be more supportive of the St. Patricks Day theme, but that's not really my style. I came across this photo of my son and I. It made me think of the day, and what we were doing. We were on a boat on our way to San Juan Island. It was a miserable, cold, rainy, summer day. It was not a good day to be out on deck. So, we sat inside at the table the whole trip.  The more I thought about it, the more I realized, yes, he pretty much was always by my side. Truthfully, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I had a bright and colorful paper collection, unopened and waiting to be cut up. I loved the circle paper. All tucked in and nestled against each other, much like my son and I. All of the sentiment stickers I chose tell my feelings about him, in general. Some are definitely a bit on the sarcastic side. There are some tags outlined in gold tucked around the page as well as gold paint splatter. Layered over the tag on the left side on the photo is a sentence made up of stickers "lucky 2 B, you & me"

This is also inspired by the STENCIL challenge at Scrap Our Stash.  I used stickers, twine, Echo Park, number, chipboard, inked edges, labels

Thanks for stopping by my creative view today. I've got another post up today for Picture This

and you can find it HERE

Supplies: PP-Echo Park, chipboard-Echo Park and unknown, alpha, flair and gold tags-Freckled Fawn, stickers-Echo Park, Simple Stories, twine-The Twinery. mist-Heidi Swapp

Wrestlemania

Hey hey hey, It's Monday and time for a new sketch challenge at Let'sGet Sketchy.  I love this sketch. This is a design I use quite often. It works all over the page and with one or more photos. 

Today I flipped the sketch and used it horizontally. I moved some things around, but the general design is clearly evident. I made the paper strips larger and reduced the amount and size of the circular elements. Those became the Superhero speech bubbles. 

My younger son loved physical play. He loved to roughhouse and wrestle. Once you get him started he doesn't stop. He also doesn't know his own strength.  I chose primary colors in basic patterns to give the page energy. I immediately thought of the superhero speech bubbles as a way to help show more energy on my page. Especially after the wood pieces arrived in the mail.  It's a pure bonus that I also have the washi tape too.  

I'm glad you stopped by my creative view to look at his page. It was a fun page to put together. Come back again, I have lots to share.

Supplies: CS-Bazzill, PP-Echo Park, Fancy Pants, Making Memories, Bo Bunny, Stickers-Echo Park, washi-Queen & Co, wood pieces-Freckled Fawn, enamel dots-MME, mist-Studio Calico, Alphas-American Crafts

Shine

Good Saturday morning to you. Today is Sketchy Saturday over on the Paper Issues blog. Here is the  sketch created by the wonderful Jennifer. 

This is what I did with it. I wanted a bit of a wonky look, so I hand stitched some crooked lines to create the grid. I knew I wanted to use one photo and I knew exactly which one. That made the product choices easy.  I had a some Webster's Pages Hall Pass left. I liked some of the sayings and they were great for the idea in my head. I cut pieces into different sized squares and rectangles, then layered them. I tried to treat each space as it's own little page, drawing attention to some spaces more than others. I chose embellishments that complement the theme of the page, my thoughts about my son growing up. Stars, inspiring sentiments and arrows all support the story.

If you haven't played with a grid design, this is a great sketch to get you started.  Head over to the Paper Issues blog to see other ways the sketch was used. Like the products you see on the pages? you can find them in the Paper Issues shop, along with many new products, such as Bella Blvd, Simple Stories and Elle's Studio.  Use the coupon code BEACHGAL for 20% off your order

Thanks for stopping by my creative view today. I always have more to share, so stop back again.

Supplies-CS-American Crafts, PP & stickers-Webster's Pages, resin & clips-Freckled Fawn, Sew Easy, thread-DMC, wood pieces-American Crafts, Studio Calico, washi & enamel dots-MME

The Spot

Good morning. I have a layout to share that is part of the Product Spotlight feature today at Paper Issues. Today's featured Product is the Hall Pass collection by Webster's Pages.

I am sucker for a good school themed collection and believe me, I have a few. There are several things I like about Hall Pass. One is the different colors. It's coral, yellow, light turquoise and orange. Almost spring/summer type of colors, as opposed to the primary colors of the other collections I have. I really  like the motivational word phrases on the Sentiments sticker sheets. Lastly, I love the techy background paper I used. I think it's a current way to use the alphabet on a school themed paper. I did add a few little bits to add dimension and contrast.  All of these pieces combined, make for a fresh take on a school/learning kind of page, as I have created here. 

When we bought our house, I envisioned the huge island in the kitchen as the spot where my son would sit and do his homework after school. Sure enough, that is exactly what he does every weekday afternoon. I usually prep dinner while he works, so we are in the same room. It gives us a chance to talk about what he's doing, or for him to ask for help.  I'm glad I snapped a quick photo of him one afternoon while he was working.

Thanks for looking at my creative view today.  There is lots more around the corner. Stop back again soon.

Supplies:PP & stickers-Webster's Pages, Alphas-Thickers, Webster's Pages, Wood Pieces-Jillibean Soup, Recollections, cork-Freckled Fawn, Fancy Pants, enamel dots-MME, Freckled Fawn, washi-Bella Blvd.

When I Grow Up

Good morning and Happy March. 20 days until spring. Yippee! This is the beginning of an absolutely insane crafty month for me. It just so happens that lots of extra crafty surprises all came uo in the same month. So let's just begin shall we?

A new challenge is up today at Red Carpet Studio challenges. This week, our challenge is inspired by the movie Public Enemies. The theme is the Good Old days and we are asking that you use a distress technique on your project.

Distress huh? ok, I accept. Long ago, I learned to sad the edges of my paper, then use brown ink over it to give it a distressed look. So that's what I did here. It is really subtle, but I promise you it is there. I used an older sketch by Sketch n Scrap from one of my Pinterest boards. I thought this would be a good one for distressing because it has several layers.  I chose papers in primary colors and embellishments that all lend a hand to growing up, school and celebrating.

These photos were on an old disposable camera that I found and had developed. They are from 2005! This was Pre-school graduation day for my son. They were asked what they wanted to be when they grew up and to "decorate" their traced selves in that way. This is the only time that I can remember, that my son has ever answered this question. It is not likely I will ever forget it. 

Thanks for stopping by my creative view on what will surely be a wild and crafty month. Come back again to see what else I have to share

Supplies- PP, stickers, alphas & washi-Echo Park, tags-MME, Jillibean Soup, Brads-MME, chipboard-Crate paper, clip-Queen & Co, wood and arrows, Studio Calico & Basic Grey, ink-Colorbox.

Jack x4

Well, February is already over,  and it appears March is upon us.  That means new challenges begin to day. The first one I am sharing today is for Picture This. Our first challenge this month is:

 One photo + circles + tilt

My favorite thing about this challenge blog are there are endless ways to interpret the ingredients. I chose circular elements as well as polka dot paper. Tilt can be subtle as I've chosen here. 

I was happy to be able to use a sketch from Stuck?! Sketches. The fun layering enabled me to use lots of pattern and color, as well as an excuse to use my colored doilies! I love Halloween and Halloween colors. This was a fun page to put together.

I have so much going on this month. I will have a post almost every day. I hope you will share in my creative view. It's going to be a crazy one!

Supplies: PP-Lily Bee, Echo Park, Fancy Pants, brads, button &photo corners-Queeen & Co, Washi-Bella Blvd, chipboad and Alpha-American Crafts, Mist-Heidi Swapp, Tattered Angels, Enamel Dots-MME, Twine and doilies-Doodlebug Desings, stickers-Simple Stories, Freckled Fawn, resin-Freckled Fawn