May Day! May Day! How is it May already? I don't know but it is! Im happy to be here to share my first project for May with Paper Issues Partner's Up challenge. This month's partner is Let's Get Sketchy. So you know what that means? A sketch! 

It's a pretty nifty sketch don't ya' think?  Well of course I used it my way though. Ready? I really have been wanting to use this marble paper in the Dear Lizzy Stay Colorful collection.  I though it would be great for the torn element. Yep, it was perfect. It looked so good I decided not to add another strip of paper. I loaded up the layers under the photo instead. I added embellishments in the lower corner instead of paper. This collection is so wonky, I've been challenging myself to use some of the crazy icons and magical creatures in it. This time its the cat in the bike riding past the row of houses!

I layered die cuts, stickers and strips of paper under the photo then built up the cluster with foam tape and more layers of stickers. 

That title? My dog is magic. He has magical calming powers. We call him a calming soul and he truly is. Ahhh, see?!?! All the magical creatures.  Magic. 

Thanks for stopping by my creative view today. It's the first of many posts this month so I hope you'll come back again. You have all month long to join the May Challenges. You can find them in our  Facebook Group .  Paper Issues  is constantly getting in new items. Check regularly and shop using DEVRA at checkout for 20% off your purchase.

Life's a Beach

Good Saturday to you! I'm back for my 6th post this week! and I'm not done yet! Today I am sharing what I made using the July free cut file from Paper Issues. Her are this month's cuts.

I cut the "Beach Life' and added an 's' from one of the other cuts. Since all the 'a's were welded, I found a font close to this one and voila, "life's a beach'! I was playing around with photo filters when I took this photo a few years ago. Because it is washed out, I surrounded it with the bright saturated colors of the Fancy pants Making Waves collection, so it would stand out.  

This was the first time I had seen him reality relax and enjoy being at the beach. I think he was finally old enough to know its ok to chill out and enjoy the warn sand and cool surf. 

Design inspiration for this page comes from a great Let's Get Sketchy sketch, as well as Scrap Our Stash for their PHOTOS challenge this month. I used Polka dots, Heidi Swapp mist, orange, twine, October afternoon Flair and Silhouette.

Thanks for stopping by my creative view today. I've still got more projects to share, so come back again soon. Like what you see here? Use my discount code BEACHGAL for 20% off your oder in the  Paper Issues shop

Supplies: PP-BoBunny, Fancy Pants, die cuts, buttons-Fancy Pants, twine-MME, flair-October Afternoon, Silhouette, 

Peace, Love and Mani-Pedis

Hey there. Just a quick post to share I page I created using this week's sketch at Let's Get Sketchy and the May Scrap n Chat Mood board for Paper Issues

I loved this sketch. And it was fun to play in my old stomping grounds too. Instead of using a matte, I created a border around the page with washi tape. I also moved the embellishment cluster to the left side of the page. My title is so large I needed some balance. I used the bright colors from the mood board. All of the papers came out of my May Swag Bag. A few extra bits and that's it. 

My Grandma, Mom, Sister and I all went for mani-pedi's before my son's Bar Mitzvah. the gals at the salon couldn't believe my Grandma still gets manicures and pedicures. What we all really loved though was that she got purple glitter polish on her toes!  We all left with glittered fingers and/or toes. We were prompted and ready.

Thanks for stopping by my creative view. I've got lots going on, so come back again soon.

Supplies: PP-Swag bag, washi-Scotch, Queen & Co, Darice, Recollections, Bella Blvd, MME, Little B, Pebbles, chipboard-Bella Blvd, flowers-Queen & Co, clip-Freckled Fawn, Enamel dots-MME, die cut-Crate paper, flair-Paper Issues, alphas-American Crafts, Doodlebug Designs

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

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

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

3 Friends

Well hello there. It's Monday again. Time for a new sketch reveal at Let's Get Sketchy.

I liked this one. But if you know anything about me, I don't always play by the rules. I felt like I had been using a lot of circles lately, so I changed it up using a triangle cut file created for Paper Issues. The general idea of the sketch is there, just with a different shape and a vertical photo instead of horizontal.

These are two of my friends from high school. We try to get together when I am visiting my family near where they live. I just like that after so long, and years not being in touch, that we can still call each other friends.

Thanks for stopping by my creative view today. There is always more to share, so come back again soon

Supplies: CS-Bazzill, PP, flair, die cuts & stickers-Basic Grey, sequins-Michaels, wood pieces-Gossamer Blue, alphas-Simple Storeis, Freckled Fawn, mist-Studio Calico, Heidi Swapp, Silhouette, cut file-Jennifer Chapin for Paper Issues.  

I REALLY want....

Hey there and Happy Monday to you. I know many of you don't like Monday's, but I really don't mind them. I have a layout to share that is part of today's Let's Get Sketchy reveal. Here is this week's sketch

Here is my page. I had a little fun with this one. I used larger photos which took up more space. I just made everything a little bit bigger too. I loved the colors of these papers. They have all the colors that are in his shirt. I sewed 2 of the circles and glued some twine into the center. Due to the scale of the rest of the elements, I used small clusters of small embellishments. 

Recently, I found several rolls of film and disposable cameras. I took them to be developed hoping there'd be some hidden gems. Well, there was plenty of grainy photos, but only a few gems. These were some of the ones that I was able to use. This kiddo has loved Cheerios since he could first eat them. Good to know that nothing has changed in the 10 years since these photos were taken in 2005. 

Thanks for taking a look at my creative view today. Come back again. There's lots to share.

Supplies: CS-American Crafts, PP & twine-Doodlebug Designs, stitch template-Bazzill, thread-DMC, clip-Freckled Fawn, Enamel dots-MME, wood veneer-Studio Calico, Basic Grey, stickers-Crate Paper, brad-Simple Stories, Sequins & mist-Studio Calico, Alphas-American Crafts, Basic Grey

Keep Calm and..

Good morning and happy Monday. It's going to be a busy month around here. But that's ok, that means I've had time to create. Today I'm up on the Let's Get Sketchy blog for this week's challenge. I like that there have been a variety of multi photo sketches lately. 

I had a lot of fun with this one. However, it's always a good time when I am making fun of myself. 

Cotton candy became a 'thing' at my annual scrap retreat this past summer. It's been a running joke, err, more of a craving ever since.  So while recently at Disneyland, what did I have to have? Cotton Candy. One of my friends found this printable. I couldn't think of a better place to use it.

I absolutely wanted to keep this light, bright and silly. It was a good excuse to use pink too. I reversed the sketch and moved the vertical strip to become a shelf for the photos. I mixed some bold colors  and subtle patterns with some happy themed embellishments. Add a touch of girly: finished.

I'm happy you stopped by today to continue this crazy journey with me through my creative view. Come join me again soon.

Supplies: PP-Bella Blvd, Echo Park, stickers-Bella Blvd, resin & flair-Freckled Fawn, doily-BoBunny, sequins-Studio Calico, Michaels, mist-Studio Calico, Heidi Swapp, pen-EK Success 

XCVI

Good Monday to you. Today is a new sketch challenge reveal at Let's Get Sketchy. This week we have a lovely one photo sketch with many possibilities.

My sister took this beautiful photo of our Nani on her 96th birthday. I wasn't able to be there. but when I called to say Happy Birthday, Nani told me she had the BEST day! I absolutely love that she still likes to celebrate her birthday. I think it is worth recording for that reason.

I loved the idea of the bokeh papers to help tell the story and bring the candles to life. The rest of the elements are a mix of modern (wood pieces) with heirloom (doilies & sequins). The bright colors also show the brightness of the celebration.  I also used the current challenge, T-W-I-N-E,  from Scrap Our Stash to aid in my embellishment choices. Two alphas, Wood, Inked edges, Nani in the photo (or nine total sequins), and Echo Park papers

Thanks for looking into my creative view today. I hope you will come back again, as I have lots to share this week.

Supplies: PP, Stickers-Echo Park, wood pieces-Freckled Fawn, studio Calico, Doily-Michaels, mist-Heidi Swapp, Washi-MME, sequins-Michales, Studio Calico, Flair-Freckled Fawn, Alphas-Echo Park, October Afternoon

Eat Cake

Hey there. It's Monday, reveal day for Let's Get Sketchy.   

This sketch is a little different for me. I use mostly 4x6 photos. So to to stay true to the design, I used only 2 photos, but angled them.  I liked the notion of the paint as a base layer. I though this would be a good chance to use some new spray inks I got. I sprayed 2 colors, then dripped some water over them, letting the colors blend and drip. I used a different ink to paint the edges. I used the black and the patterned washi to give it some texture and contrast. The sprinkles of sequins give it a festive feel.

Thanks for taking a look at my creative view today. I'll have more to share soon.

Supplies: CS-American Crafts, Bazzill,  Ink-Dylusions, Sparkling H20s, washi-MME, Freckled Fawn, wood pieces-Freckled Fawn, Basic Grey, Studio Calico, Sequins-Hazel&Ruby, Studio Calico, enamel dots-MME, die cuts-Silhouette 

Wild, Wild West

It's another Monday, so that means a new sketch reveal at Let's Get Sketchy.  Here's the new sketch

Here is my layout.

What I like about this sketch, is it's versatility. I have actually used this sketch before and you can find it here. Today I used a large 5x7 photo and some extra layers of paper. Due to the larger size, I minimized the items at the top of the page as well as the embellishments. I chose colors that were neutral and tore them to add to the vintage feel of the photo. It needed a bit of contrast, so some red was added around the page. It definitely helped make the photo stand out.

Thanks for taking a look at my creative view today. I've always got more to share, so stop by again.

Supplies: PP-MME, Pebbles, EchpPark, washi-MME-Stickers-Sticko, Sassafrass, October Afternoon, alphas-MME, American Crafts, enamel dots-Quwwn & Co, Ink-Colorbox, 

Best Friends

Oh, Its Monday again and you know what that means...Reveal day at Let's Get Sketchy. Let's take a look at this week's sketch

I changed this one up quite a bit. I wanted a cleaner look for this photo, but wanted to still keep the original design in my page. First, I chose to use one vertical photo instead of the two horizontal ones. Then, I flipped the direction of the papers and the side of the page they're on.  I used the circular element, but placed it as an embellishment,  at the bottom right corner of the photo.  

I can proudly say this is the final Bar Mitzvah album layout that I will share. The album is finished. These are very special friends of ours who made the weekend exceptionally memorable. I wanted to create a layout highlighting them in the photo. 

Thanks for taking a look at my creative view today. If you are inspired by the sketch, come play along at Let's Get Sketchy. 

Supplies: CS-American Crafts, PP , alpha & stamp-Basic Grey, washi-MME & Little B, die cut, enamel dots & stars-MME, ink-colobox, mist-Heidi Swapp, Studio Calico

On the Town

Hey there. It's Monday and time for a new sketch reveal at Let's Get Sketchy. It's a great sketch and I just went to town with it.

My sister came to visit for Hanukkah one year. We thought we'd have a mother-aunt-nephew day in the city. We went downtown, to the Sears tower, and had a fun dinner. We took him to an old favorite of ours, but it was his first time there, the Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder. He still talks about it.

I picked up my first swag bag from Paper Issues. Didn't know what to expect. It's bits & pieces, die cuts, stickers, 3x4 pieces of paper. So, I took a bunch of stuff from my bag and put them to use here on this page. Anything that is paper on this page is from the swag bag. It actually was pretty feeing to just use a small selection of stuff! I added a selection of washi, some other embellishments and that was it. I don't think I've created a LO this quickly in a long time!

Thanks for stopping by my creative view. There is lots of other fantastic layouts on the Let's Get Sketchy blog as well.

Supplies: CS & clip-American crafts, washy-queen & Co, MME, WRMK, stencil-TCW, Mist-Heidi Swapp, enamle dots-Basic Grey, Doodlebug, MME, Freckled Fawn, all paper items-Paper Issues Sept Swag bag.

Lucky

Oh happy day. It's Monday again. And it's Halloween week. But I have mixed emotions. My boys are no longer Trick-orTreating. They have outgrown it. I guess it's time for a new Halloween tradition. It's also time for another challenge and reveal at Let's Get Sketchy. 

First, I flipped the sketch around to the way I used it.  I use mostly 4x6 photos, so it was easy for me to convert this to a one photo layout. I liked the idea of the steps of the altered papers so left the banner one sided. Because I used a pre printed paper, i changed the embellishments at the sides of the page. Lastly, I moved the title. 

We loved walking around Downtown Naperville on warm sunny days. No matter what, we always had to stop at his fountain and make a wish. And take a picture. So, it's just another moment captured and a chance for me to say "remember when..."

Thanks for taking a look at my creative view today.  Stop by again. I've got lots to share

Supplies: PP, stickers, die cuts, chipboard, alphas and brads-Simple Stories, washi-MME, pearls-Freckled Fawn, twine-Doodlebug Designs, Jillibean Soup, mist-Studio Calico

Brotherly Love

Good Monday to you. I can't believe the month is almost halfway over. But that means we are getting closer to Thanksgiving.  Well, I guess I'll just keep plugging along. Seeing that is is Monday, I have a new layout to share for this weeks sketch challenge at Let's Get Sketchy. 

As you can see, right off the bat I made it mine by using two photos instead of three. I added some extra paper at the top and bottom of the page, moved the embellishments around and used die cuts instead of a circular element. 

I got a new camera for my birthday. My boys were outside playing and reading. I looked up saw that my younger son had crawled into his brother's lap. I grabbed the camera and just started shooting. These photos are all because of the camera :-)

I chose to use some primary colored, basic shaped papers, but added fun, silly embellishments. Although they can at times be monsters, at this moment, they were just brothers.

Thanks for looking at my creative view today. If you like what you see, leave me a comment letting me know

Supplies: CS-Pulp Papers, PP, buttons, stickers & die cuts-Fancy Pants, washi, pearl and resin shapes-Freckled Fawn, enamel dots-MME, sequins-Michaels, mist-Tattered Angels, Studio Calico

The Last...

Good morning. It's been a busy and very productive weekend. I don't expect this week to be any different.  I'm starting the week with a bonus reveal at Let's Get Sketchy. The theme for the week is all about me.  

I used the sketch that is part of the entry challenge for the Let's Get Inspired Magazine. There are still a few days to get your submissions in! The deadline is September 30.

I took a different route with my "me" page. I saw a LO with some prompts about current events in your life. I loved the idea and have not created a page like that at all. It is just some snippets of what's going on right now. Nothing special. I wonder what it will mean when I look back on it in a few months.  Here is my page: 

I knew I wouldn't have enough alphas in the same font, so I used 2 fonts. I changed the circular elements to diamond shapes. It makes it feel fresh. The rest is lots of little bits to create the embellishment  clusters. I love the way this page turned out!.  I'm also adding it to the anything goes over at Paper Issues.

Thanks for taking a look at my creative view. I hope to see you adding a project at Let's Get Sketchy this week.

Supplies: CS-American Crafts, PP, Stickers & Die Cuts-Fancy Pants-Washi-Scotch, Wood chips-Studio Calico, Freckled Fawn, Citrus Twist Kits, Badges & Clip-Freckled Fawn,  epoxy stickers-Doodlebug Designs, enamel dots-Basic Grey, Sequins-Hazel & Ruby, Stamp-Kaisercraft, ink-colorbox, alphas-American Crafts, Cosmo Cricket, pen-EK Success, Mist-Heidi Swapp, Studio Calico

Let's Get Sketchy Fall Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the Let's Get Sketchy Hello Fall blog hop!  If you have arrived here from Shirley 's Blog welcome to the hop!! If you have stumbled across this by chance and want to play along then you can head back to the Let's Get Sketchy site to start at the beginning.  

  

The girls here at LGS are excited about the change in the season and thusly we are celebrating with a “Hello Fall” blog hop and giving away lots of daily prizes and a grand prize of a $25.00 gift voucher to Creative Embellishments.  To be eligible win any of our hop prizes you will need to visit each designer’s blog, leave some love on each of our design team’s blog’s and follow their blogs. Each member of the DT will be sharing a Fall themed project for your inspiration.  To find out how to win our Grand Prize as well as lots of other giveaways, make sure you visit the  Let's Get Sketchy  blog!

For your Fall inspiration I have created this project for the blog hop. I used the Let's Get Inspired magazine Fall Mood board for some extra inspiration.  

I saw the mood board and thought I could use some papers I received in a class I take at my LSS.  I looked for a fall photo and found this one of our first trip to a new pumpkin patch.  Ok, so now I have pumpkins and pumpkins. Well, I chose a simple design so I could feature the papers, highlight the photo and still keep in the fall theme.

Before you move on,  I have a prize up for grabs available to US/Canada residents. In order to be eligible for the prize, you must please leave a comment here as well as follow my blog.  Be sure to check out the grand prize available at  Let's Get Sketchy

Thank you for hopping with us at  Let's Get Sketchy.  Next up on the hop is Joefil

Supplies: CS-Bazzill, PP-Graphic 45, SEI, American Crafts, Stickers-G45, twine-Doodlebug, Alphas-Cosmo Cricket, Simple Stories, Ink-Colorbox, washi-Little B

Dance With Me

Good Monday to you. I generally like Mondays. Yes it the beginning of the week and it's 4 more days until Friday, but its back to the routine for everyone and that's a good thing. It's also reveal day for Let's Get Sketchy. Here is today's sketch

Here is my translation. Yes, yes, I know. Another Bar Mitzvah layout. I promise. I only have 4 more to do! But, I love that using these sketches has helped me get so many pages for this album finished! 

Like here, I just changed the square photos into 3x4 then used other elements that went with my theme. The initial design is still there, but I made the rest my own. I also used a newer to me favorite tool, the American Crafts DIY roller stamp. This one has a heart shape on it. I wanted a polka dot look. Instead of rolling it in paint or an in pad, I used mist. The thinner liquid left a more random impression, which is what I was looking for.  I made my tools work for me.  

Now turn to it's your turn to put this Let's Get Sketchy sketch to work for you. Don't forget you still have time to submit for Issue 5 of Let's Get Inspired Magazine. Submissions are open until October 1. Thanks for taking a look at my creative view today. Stop back again later in the week. I'll have more to share for the Let's Get Sketchy Blog Hop

Supplies: CS-Paper Accents, PP-Basic Brey, Stickers-MME and Basic Grey, Metal accents-MME, brads-Freckled Fawn, Alphas-American Crafts, MME, ink-Colorbox, punch-EK Success, mist-Tattered Angels, Stamp-AMerican Crafts

Celebrating Momo

Good morning! Busy day. It's Monday. Most people dread Mondays. I happen to like them.  First up today is my LO for this week's Let's Get Sketchy reveal.  This week we challenge you to use a 3 photo sketch., Can you do it? 

I couldn't. I saw it as a way to use two horizontal photos. But that's what sketches are to me. Inspiration to create a page. Sometimes I use them literally, sometimes I don't. I loved being able to cut the circle into a baseball. You know me, any excuse to show my love of the game ;-).  I moved around some of the embellishment areas. My photos didn't allow for elements to be placed over them.

These are some photos from my Grandfather's (whom we call Momo) 90th birthday party in 2009. He has always been a baseball fan, a Dodger fan, and has shared and instilled that love in all of us, his children and grandchildren. His birthday request was to throw out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium. His wish was granted thanks to my sister, seen in these photos.  It was quite a party, quite a day spent with family from all over the country, and an event to remember. My only wish, is that I had done some of these pagers sooner, as he has since passed.  I would love for him to see the finished pages and relive the day with me all over again.   I have not written any of this on the page. This is part of a group of pages from the party. I think I will write a letter of sorts talking about the day and what it meant to all of us. This way I don't have to repeat everything on each page and I can just caption the pages instead.

One last thing before I end for today, this is my first ever entry for Paper Issues. I love the Tell me Dies, Tell me Sweet Little Dies theme this month. This LO covers several ideas: Die cuts (the baseball), family tradition (baseball), and a tribute (to my grandfather).

As always, thanks for looking at my creative view. If you are new to my blog, please follow me. 

Supplies: CS-Americam Crafts, Bazzill, PP-MME, Basic Grey, Reminisce, BoBunny, Washi-Freckled Fawn, Recollections, Chipboard, epoxy, rubons-Freckled Fawn, Alphas & word phrases-Cosmo Cricket, Freckled Fawn, Wood chips-Freckled Fawn, Studio Calico, Ink-VersaMagic, pen-EK Succcess, Die Cut-Silhouette, mist-Dylusions, Tattered Angels