Hi There. Short and sweet today but I really wanted to get this written and posted. This page started with the Scrap Our Stash sketch + 3, then went sideways, before getting back on track. Why? Because I had it in my head that I was going to use one of those HAD to have scrappy items. The paper.

This is not the type of paper that I usually gravitate to. but I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I bought it. Only this time, I was determined to actually use it.  Paper first, then photo, then design. All backwards for me.  So I almost feel like the design gets lost a little on this paper. First, I went with a single photo. I was afraid more would make it too busy. Then I decided not to put the paper strips edge to edge.  Because of the flower clusters, I lowered the photo placements as well as simplifying the paper layers. I used a doily as the circular element, and moved it to the side. I used Jilibean Soup (butterflies), Kaiserkraft (black enamel pieces) and lined paper (background piece)

This is the last photo of my Nani and I. We were supposed to be out celebrating her birthday, but we settled for a visit in the hospital instead. She celebrated when she was home a few days later. There is no real title or journaling yet. I'm just not ready to write, but I sure love looking at the photo. For now, that's ok. 

Thanks for stopping by my creative view today and come back again soon. I'll be sharing slowly but surely over the next couple of weeks.

Supplies: PP, chipboard-Bella Blvd, enamel pieces-Kaiserkraft, MME, Chickaniddy Crafts, die cuts-Jillibean Soup, Amy Tangerine, doily-BoBunny, 

Can I give you a hug

Good morning. If you are like me, you might be looking for ways to make scrapbooking easier. I like that that is the goal at Get It Scrapped. Today on the blog we are sharing a sketch adapted from a layout in the StoryPlay eBook.  Sketches take the design element out of the equation for me and give me a starting place.All I have to do is select my photo and product which is the fun part for me. 

I like that the style of this sketch sketch has options for a serious or whimsical page as well as photo and embellishment placement. I didn't vary from the sketch very much. I chose to omit the journal strips and focus on more scattered embellishments instead.

One day while my boys were having an after school snack, my younger son walked over to his brother and gave him a huge, unprompted hug.  It was so unusual and to this day I have no idea why he did it. It was a moment I couldn't let pass by. Maybe some day he'll be able to tell us what he was feeling.

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

Supplies: Patterned paper: Carta Bella, Simple Stories, die cuts, sticky brads & Stickers-Simple Stories, acrylic shapes-Freckled Fawn, chipboard-Crate Paper, My Minds Eye, Heidi Swapp, Simple Stories & Studio Calico, Washi-WRMK & Recollections, wood pieces-Studio Calico, Umm Wow Studio, Alphas-Basic Grey, Fancy Pants, Jellybean Soup, pen & Adhesive-EK Success, Recollections

Gears on a String

Well, hello there! I had to take a short crafty break. I will be crafting intermittently over the next few weeks, but wont worry, I will be posting when I can. Like today! I snuck away for a bit and made this.

I have been wanting to play along with Paper Issues Pinspire Me all month. I saw a sketch I liked at ScrapMuch? and it all came together in about 30 minutes.

Something about this sketch made me think of these photos. Then the idea of scattering twine came to me and I was possessed with getting this page done. From the moment I saw the Pinspire Me board, I was attracted to the Stay Weird...so yep, done. 

Gears are his favorite toys. One day we were going somewhere so I put some on a string so they wouldn't get lost. Little sis I know I created a monster. Since then, not only do gears go on strings, but everything else too. This kiddo and his crazy ideas. 

Thanks for stopping by my creative view today. Stop by again soon. I'll post when I can.

Supplies: CS-American Crafts, PP, Stickers, chipboard-Bella Blvd, chipboard-Bella Blvd, Crate Paper, enamel pieces-Chickaniddy crafts, twine-MME, Recollections, Doodlebug Design, mist-Dylusions, alphas-Freckled Fawn, Lilly Bee, pen-EK Success

Pinch Proof

Hey there! Can you believe it's mid month already? Well, All that means is there's a new sketch challenge at Stuck?! Sketches today.   

Another amazing sketch to work with. The beauty of this sketch is it's versatility. Again I used a 4x6 photo. All I did was enlarge the scale of the sketch. The general idea remains the same. I kept it fairly clean, adding my own touches by moving some of the embellishments around. But really, wow, was this fun and super easy to work with. I even was able to work in one of Laura's free cut files for the title. 

My son is such a character. He got it in his head he wanted green pants because green was hi favorite color. My sister had already sent him the green shoes, so why not? He had the perfect attire for St. Patrick's Day, or any other time he was feeling his green self. 

Once again we have some great sponsors. See the blog for rules and details. 

$25 GC to the store

2 pieces of chipboard, a $20 value

Thanks for stopping by my creative view today. Come back again soon, I always have something to share. 

Supplies: CS-American Crafts, PP, stickers, die cuts, chipboard & brads-Simple Stories, ink-Versamagic, stencil-Heidi Swapp, mist-Studio Calico, pen-Ek Success

Hello Shayna Boy

Hey there. I have a layout in the new article on the Get It Scrapped blog.  Today we are talking about different ways to bring conversation into your pages, with ideas based on the Make It Mean eBook, available to Get It Scrapped members. 

I grabbed an idea from Debbie Hodge in which she used phrase to signal a story. Nani's conversations often began with "Hello Shayna Boy", which is a Yiddish saying for 'Beautiful'.  If this is an approach you decide on, my advice would be to choose a phrase that brings emotion and feeling to your story. Nani said these words in a sing-song voice, gesturing with her hands, which I can still hear, and visualize her doing today.

These photos tell two stories. First, my son is non-verbal. I find it funny that after all these years, My Grandmother (Nani) would still talk to him as if he would respond to her. Second, they look so engrossed in each other, but this was a one sided conversation. I've always tried to imagine what the real conversation would be.

Thank you for taking a look at my creative view today. Come back again soon, I've always got more projects to share. 
 
Supplies: Cardstock-Bazzill, Patterned Paper, alpha & stickers-PinkFresh Studio, Doilies & Sequins-Doodlebug Design, die cuts-Fancy Pants, Crate paper, wood piece-Basic Grey, chipboard-Bella Blvd, Freckled Fawn, mist-Heidi Swapp, Pen and adhesive-EK Success, page design-Get It Scrapped, Scrapbook Coach 4-Symmetry

You Together

Good morning! Wow. April already. Works for me. April means we are headed towards summer. April also means the beginning of baseball season. Woot Woot! Well, April 1 really means a new sketch challenge at Stuck?! Sketches

I love this sketch. It gave me and opportunity to work on my layering and clustering techniques. You can also make it as clean and simple or as decorative as you like. I went the simple route this time.  I layered and tucked extra little bits all around the photo. Instead of the second photo, I used tags and die cuts. I created my own version of the embellishment cluster at the bottom, using it for my title.

This photo is from last fall when my Mom arrived for a visit. My younger son was so beyond happy to see her, he quite literally dragged her, while hugging her up the stairs. They have a special relationship and it makes me so happy to watch them together. 

There are a couple of prizes up for grabs courtesy of our fantastic sponsors. All you have to do is join  the challenges this month.  See rules on the Stuck?! Sketches blog.

win a stack of your choice

win $20 in kits

Thanks for stopping by my creative view today. I've got several more projects to share, so comeback again soon.

Supplies: CS-American Crafts, PP, die cuts, puffy stickers, tags & flair-Fancy Pants, twine-DoodlebugDesign, mist-Heidi Swapp, Studio Calico