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

OMG, Great Grandma

It seems this month that some newer-to-me places have caught my eye. Namely ScrapMuch, Stuck?!Sketches  and Paper Issues. I have participated multiple times at all three blogs this month. Just want to say thanks for the inspiration that helped me get a few pages completed.

This LO uses a free cut file from Paper Issues. and a sketch from Stuck?!Sketches

I chose my own shape to use, circles, which enabled me to use the Paper Issues cut file. I just want this to be a fun page because it was a fun and exciting day for my son. The design of the page is simple enough that I could choose bright, happy colors, and whimsical embellishments. The title is large and eye catching. After reading it, the meaning of the page is apparent. the embellishments add to the excitement of the page. It came together quickly, after I decided on all the pieces. 

This page is based on a sketch from ScrapMuch, using many pieces from the Sept & Oct Paper Issues Swag Bag. 

It was kind of fun using just mixing bits and pieces, and not a selection of papers.  (I only hard wish I could get the white balance right of the LO. It's taking photos here when it's so grey outside. The background is white paper!) This too was a fun sketch to use and a design I need to remember in the future. I didn't want a completely solid background, so I used a chalk mist with a stencil. I felt I needed something to tie it all together, so I layered the background paper after punching a scalloped edge around it. I used a couple of 3x4 cards and a bunch of embellishment pieces from my Swag Bags. A few extra embellishments and I was finished.

Thanks for taking a look at my creative view today. It will be a busy week here, so com back again., I have lots to share

Supplies-OMG-CS-Bazzill, PP-BoBunny, DoodlebugDesigns, Pebbles, Echo Park, Die cuts-Paper Issue and Brenshevia Baker, Silhouette, brads-MME, stickers & chipboard-Freckled Fawn, Twine-DoodlebugDesigns, tags-PaperIssues swag bag, Alphas-October Afternoon, Freckled Fawn, stamp-WRMK, Ink-Memento

Supplies-Great Grandma-CS-AMerican Crafts, PP-Theresa Collins, enamel dots-MME, Basic Grey, punch-Fiskars, ink-Colorbox, mist-Tattered Angels, stencil, TCW, alphas & washi-Freckled Fawn, dies cuts-American Crafts, remaining pieces all Paper Issues Swag Bag

Curated Albums

Have you seen the new class that's starting soon at Get it Scrapped? It's called Curated Albums.

How do you have your albums arranged? by person? Theme? Year? This class will help you find the stories within your albums that you may not know are there. That;s how I'm thinking about the class. I scrap chronologically. Why? I like then see the changes and consistencies in my family from year to year. But, what I have been noticing with the consistencies, is that a story is unfolding about us. Some are personality stories, others are traditions. What if I pulled apart the albums to better showcase these stories? I'm sure there are many others I'll find in my albums, and that's why I am looking forward to this class. 

Class begins on Nov 4th. I think it's going to be worth it. You can sign up here: Curated Albums.

Let Her Go, She's 91

Hey there. It's my reveal day over at ScrapStuffz' Inspired by.  We've changed things up and are offering two inspiration photos this month with a verbal prompt as well.  I created a layout for each photo.

"let it go"

 I'm pretty much out of snow pictures, and I thought "let it go" to be quite funny.  I grabbed some blue card stock, a printed neutral paper and some funny pictures, and "Let Her Go" was created. All of the embellishments further the silly theme of the page.

These photos were taken right after we got our first dog. We had a feeling that our younger son would  love playing with her, but wee not expecting this. He would not leave her alone. Thankfully, she was very tolerant of him.

The second photo

"words to live by"

From this photo I took the whitewashed frame and ran with it. I used a whitewashed paper as the background for this LO. The sketch is based off a sketch at Stuck?! sketches. I thought it was a fun one and slightly different form what I usually see. But I was able to use it within my style. That's what it's all about.  I used different blocks of paper at the bottom instead of a triangle, but kept it angular in nature. I did leave the triangle at the top though.  The rest is all humor. Again.

I loved the paper in this collection that had the old newspaper and magazine clippings. I though they were amazingly supportive of a photo of my 91 year old Grandma. Feminine with some attitude. Just like Nani. We had taken her out for her birthday and when we were ordering drinks, she said, "i'll think I'll have a term that sounds good." and right out of the bottle she drank. But really, she is 91. Who is going to tell her otherwise?

Thanks for stopping by today to look at my creative view. Come again soon. I have lots to share.

Ler her Go:CS-Bazzill, PP-Bo Bunny, Fancy Pants, cork-Freckled Fawn, Fancy Pants, chipboard-Freckled Fawn, Crate paper, Brad-Freckled Fawn, die cut stickers-Crate paper, 7 gypsies, sequins-Studio Calico, clip-Queen & Co

She is 91: PP & Die Cuts-Famcy Pants, wood pieces-Freckled Fawn, Studio Calico, resin flowers-Freckled Fawn, mist-Heidi Swapp, washy-scotch, sequins-Hazel & Ruby, Doodlebug Designs

The Play-Outs

I've been wanting to make this layout for quite some time. Well, thanks to the latest Link party at Paper Issues "Woodn't you know it's fall", I had my excuse. I used the idea of what fall means to me to  create the page about the baseball playoffs.

If you know me, you know I live for baseball. I have a love/hate relationship with fall because yes, it means baseball playoff and the World Series, but it also means the end of the season. These photos are from the 2008 NLDS, Dodgers vs. Cubs. We were super excited, thinking maybe this is the year for the Cubs. We had tickets to both home games, and sat there watching as the Dodgers won both games. The Cubs got swept in 3 games. That was the end of the season for us. My son coined the term "In Dusty we Busty", as the manager, Dusty Baker, just couldn't get the job done. From that day on, we called this the Play-Outs, not the playoffs.

Thanks for taking a look at my creative view today. Check back again tomorrow when I have more projects to share.

Supplies: CS-Bazzill, PP-Paper Pizazz, Echo Park, unknown, Embellishments-EK Success, unknown, Alpha-American Crafts

Say Cheese

Just a quick one because I forgot to write this up! Paper Issues has started a new feature called Sketchy Saturdays. Create a project based on a sketch. Here is the inaugural sketch and my interpretation

What? A 2 pager from this? Yep. I turned the sketch on it's side and spread it open to accommodate the 6 larger photos.  I continued to use the same simpler format and paper collection as on previous pages for this project. Worked like a charm. And helped me get one step closer to finishing that long Bar Mitzvah project that has been hanging over my head....Thanks Paper Issues!

Supplies: CS-Bazzill, PP, die cuts, chipboard-Basic Grey, alphas-American Crafts, Basic Grey, sequins-Michaels, metal pieces-MME

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

Little Drummer Boy

Hi there. I'm up on the Get It Scrapped blog today sharing a layout created with free downloadable images. These images are not necessarily designed with scrapbooking in mind.  

To begin my process, I browsed the Get It Scrapped Pinterest board on this topic. As I was browsing, I came across some vintage music sheets. That made me think of the photos of my son at a music concert, where he is performing a drum duet. I went to thegraphicsfairy.com to look further, eventually finding one that I liked.  At this point, I looked for a design so I could print the image in an appropriate size.

The photos aren't stellar, so I decided on neutral shades for the entire page. I liked the idea of the numbers paper to represent a musical 8 count. I printed the image the size of a journal card (3x4) to use it as an embellishment. There are other musical embellishments such as the two different styles of washi tape. The remaining embellishments are also neutral, stars.  However, you can also read them as he was a star for the evening.

 Thank you for taking a look at my creative view today. There are also more wonderful layouts on the  Get It Scrapped blog.

Supplies:CS-American Crafts, PP-Studio Calico, washi Tape-Recollections, My Minds Eye, Darice, Twine, Queen & Co, Brads-My Minds Eye, chipboard-Studio Calico wood chips-Studio Calico & Citrus Twist kits, metal star & bling-Freckled Fawn, mist-Heidi Swapp & Studio Calico, Ink-Colorbox, ren & Adhesive-EK Success, sketch inspired by Scrapbook Generation

U Pick 'em

Oh, I had so much fun on Scrappy Friday. I spent the day in my scrap room, where I was actually fairly productive. Today I am sharing one of the projects I finished. I used the newest sketch at ScrapMuch? as well as inspiration from the Bingo board challenge at Scrap Our Stash and Paper Issues current Issue-You're sew cute you keep me in stitches

I had 4 photos that I wanted to use so I adjusted the sketch to suit my needs. I balanced the two sides by mirroring them.  I do a lot of 2 page LO and was happy to see one in a sketch challenge.  I used the middle vertical column of the Bingo board. There are tags, paper clips, wood veneers set on a base of kraft paper. My free space can be brads, twine, washi or mist. There is natural twine that connects the clips.

Our fall family tradition is apple picking. While living in Illinois, we found an orchard that we really liked. This particular one also had a late blooming raspberry vine. I had never been berry picking, and suggested we do so. I wound up taking more pictures than picking berries, but that's ok, since these are the results.

Thanks for stopping by my creative view today. Come back again. I have lots to share.

Supplies: CS-Paper Accents, PP. Die cuts, Stickers-Basic Grey, twine-MME, washi-WRMK, MME, brads-makingmemories & Basic Grey, paper clips-Doodlebug, wood pieces-Freckled Fawn, cork-Fancy Pants, Alpha-American Crafts, sequins-Studio Calico, Stencil-Paper Issues, Mist-Tattered Angels

The Best Thing

Happy October. Wow. How did that happen? Ok. Let's try this. Happy Wednesday. It's a good Wednesday here. It's time for a classic toy challenge at Child's Play Challenges. Today's LO is inspired by a Jack in the Box toy. 

I have to tell you, even now, when that thing POPS, I still jump! Anyway, I saw the jester and was insured to use a collection of papers I have with a Circus theme. The circus font is in the title card,  the black & red paper is reminiscent of the "big top" the shiny polka dot washi tape like clown costumes.

How does this work with the photo? It doesn't really, but I liked the title card to lead into how we feel when we get squeeze hugs from our younger son. So although I chose to use the circus papers, I selected ones that supported the photo and the story it tells.

Thanks for taking a look at my creative view. Come play at Child's Play. How are you inspired by Jack in the Box?

Supplies: CS-Pulp papers, PP, stickers & title cards-Fancy Pants, enamel dots-Basic Grey, MME, sequins-Hazel & Ruby, frame & brad-Freckled Fawn, washi-MME, mist-Heidi Swapp, Tattered Angels

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

Cat in the Hat Meets Fanboy

Hi and happy Wednesday. It's reveal day for Child's Play Challenges today and I think this one is a good one! It's classic book week. We have a book for you that should definitely bring out the kid in you. Or at least a memory or so.

So, the funny thing about this layout? I was almost finished with another one when I remembered that one of my boys was The Cat in the Hat for Halloween. Yeah, I don't scrap the event when it happens. I do it when I feel like it. Or in this case, I had some fantastic inspiration to get this done!

Since they were little, I've always says "this meets that". I kept to that in the title here as well. I'm proud of myself that I didn't use Halloween papers and instead used papers and elements that go with the theme of the page. Cameras, the comic style washi, even the whimsical title letters. They all the support the character of The Cat in the Hat and the fun that Halloween brings to children and their imagination.

Thanks for taking a quick look at my creative view today. I've always got more material to share. Check back again soon.

Supplies: CS-unknown, PP-Bella Blvd, Making Memories, washi-Queen & Co, MME, alphas-Doodlebug Designs, Freckled Fawn, American Crafts, Stickers-Bella Blvd, Freckled Fawn, Punch-Fiskars, brads-unknown, mist-tattered Angels, Studio Calico

Inspired By...

We are trying something a little different this month at ScrapStuff'z Inspired by. Instead of one inspiration photo, we have two to choose from.

I created a layout inspired by each of the photos.  This first one is my interpretation of the office supplies photo:

Nope, it's not a first day of school photo. It's the last day of school. If you don't know me by now, I have to do something a little but off the beaten path...So really, all of the items in the photo are put away for the summer, not to be seen for 3 months!

 I used some of the items in the photo on the page such as pencils (stickers at top and bottom), paper clip (yellow arrow) and notebook paper (the background) and of course, lots of letters and numbers. (Isn't that washi tape awesome?!?) Ideas for this page also came from Scrap Our Stash  and My Scraps & More, use two collections from the same manufacturer, but at least 1 1/2 years old. I used Basic Grey- Hey You and Bowties. I really like when I can pull inspiration from several different sources.

And now for the second photo:

And my super fun layout:

There are a lot of photos on here! I couldn't eliminate any one of them. He tries so hard! Each photo shows how hard and how motivated he was to get to these balloons! He was only supposed to take one, but he wanted them all. The salesperson saw how happy he was and sent us home with the whole bunch. Did I mention this happened twice???

How did I get to balloons from a Ferris Wheel? They both go up in the air! He's also looking up in the photo much like a spectator looks up to see who is at the top of the Ferris Wheel. I did choose papers with bright colors inspired by the bright colors in the photos as well.

It's a lot to read today so I'll sign off here. Thanks again for taking a look at my creative view. It's an odd one sometimes. But I like it that way.

Supplies-School's Out: PP-Basic Grey & stickers-Basic Grey, Washi, paper clip, epoxy and mini flair-Freckled Fawn, mist-Studio Calico, Tattered Angels, Ink-Colorbox, Alphas-Autentique, Sassafrass

Supplies-Balloon Thief-CS & Twine-American Crafts, PP-Pebbles, Doodlebug Designs, alphas-MME, Simple Stories, American Crafts, enamel dots-MME, punch-EK Success, Stamp-Hero Arts, Die cuts-Silhouette, sketch by Scrapbook Generation

Cards and stuff...

I'm also taking some time this month to learn something new.  I'm taking a cards class at BPC.  I am perfectly capable of making cards. I just don't take the the time to do so.  By the end of class, I'll have 28 completed cards and plenty of ideas for future use.

Here are the cards I've made from the first week of class. Each card took less than 15 min to make.

I don't have a lot of stamps so I am using stuff in my stash to complete the cards for class. If I continue to make cards, I will be a few generic stamps to use. Otherwise, I have enough tiny alpha stickers to use for quite a while.

I also spent some time "procraftinating" this week. I have some DT projects to work on but wan't feeling inspired to do them. So I did this is instead. I used a sketch from Colorful Creations, where I have never played along before. The title is inspired by a challenge at My Scraps & More, to use Happy Moment on the page. 

Yes, it's yet another page from the bar Mitzvah. It's my husband with his sister and brother. I can say with certainty, that I have 4 more pages left to do. I am ready to be done and put the album together.  Sometimes, just getting out of a routine is enough to inspire me. It must have worked, because I was pretty crafty after this.

Glad you stopped to take a look at my creative view today. I have lots to share, so come back again.

Happy Birthday

There is a new article on the Get it Scrapped blog. Today we are discussing 2 page layouts created with a simple grid on one side of the page.  This was an assignment right up my alley and I enjoyed working on my layout.

It's a fairly self explanatory layout. We are celebrating my son's birthday.  As I've mentioned before, I have a hard time editing photos. That's one of the reasons this was easy for me to do. I chose to feature the photo of him with his cousins and use the grid for the photos of him with his cake. Although the photos are of different parts of the event, the layout is united with the paper strips that traverse the two pages. I also created clusters of embellishments in a visual triangle that cross the two sides.

There are several other great examples on the Get it Scrapped blog. It's an active creative blog week for me. But that's the way I like it. More posting means I've had more scrappy time. Its a win win. Thanks for taking another look at my creative view.

Supplies: CS-American Crafts, PP-Bella Blvd, Stickers-Bella Blvd, Simple Stories, Wood chips-Basic Grey, Freckled Fawn, American Crafts, Sequins & Mist-Studio Calico, Enamel Dots-MME, Die Cut by Brenshevia Baker , Sew Easy by WRMK, Thread-DMC, Ink-Colorbox, Pen & Adhesive-EK Success, Sketch by Scrapbook Generation





Supplies: CS-American Crafts, PP-Bella Blvd, stickers-Bella Blvd, Simple Stories, Wood Chips-Freckled Dawn, Basic Grey, American Crafts, Sequins & Mist-Studio Calico, Enamel Dots-My Minds Eye, Die Cut by Brenshevia Baker-http://scrappingever...fe.blogspot.com, Sew Easy by WRMK, Thread-DMC, Ink-Colorbox, Pen & Adhesive-EK Success, Sketch by Scrapbook Generation

Sluuurp

There is a new article on the Get It Scrapped blog today. The article talks about creative ways to use negative space in your scrapbook pages.  I contributed this page about a promise to my son of getting Slurpees since we missed free Slurpee day.

When working in negative space, I find using larger space easier to work with. I cut the design out then set it aside. I used the remaining cut out piece as a mask and sprayed ink over it in 3 colors. Each time I changed colors, I rotated the paper.  I laid the die cut back down on the misted background and this is the result; color mixed with white.  In the negative space you see peeks of color, a lot of color and almost no color.  I achieved the effect I was looking for, a slight mirror of the Slurpee cup.

Thank you for taking a look at my creative view today. I'll be back tomorrow with more from Get It Scrapped and another surprise.

Supplies: CS-American Crafts, PP and twine-Doodlebug Designs, Fancy Pants, Mist-Heidi Swapp, Studio Calico, Sticker, Pre-made die cuts & Chipboard-Basic Grey, American Crafts, Washi Tape- MME, Freckled Fawn, Enamel Dots-MME, Epoxy Stickers-Freckled Fawn, Ink-Colorbox, Sideburst Die cut-Brenshevia Baker cut on Silhouette, pens and adhesive-EK Success, Alpha-American Crafts

Creative Blog Tour

If you are looking for Let's Get Sketchy reveal post, please go here

I participated in my first blog hop about 2 years ago. I didn't know what one was or how to do it. Since then I have been in several, and currently participate in them once a quarter. Why do I like them? I enjoy looking at other people's creativity, learning their process, and finding new ideas. I often have "a-ha" moments while browsing.

Today I am participating in a different kind of blog hop called the Creative Blog Tour. I was asked by Christy Strickler . I have admired her work for several years, ever since I saw her work in a scrapbook community that we were both active in. Now, I am honored to be on the Get it Scrapped creative team with Christy. One of the signatures in Christy's style that I admire, is her ability to make multiple patterns, into a cohesive look on her pages. Thank you so much for the invite.

Now onto some information about me.

1. What am I working on right now?

I'm working on the last few pages of a project, my son's Bar Mitzvah album. I started it in May and made a lot of progress. I didn't get much done this summer and am eager to finally finish. I've been able to complete several design team projects using photos from the event.Conversely, having these assignments and sketches have helped me get the project completed. I've been using Basic Grey Hipster for all of the photos from the party. I am down to just scraps. Every piece counts! 

2. How long does it take me to create a project?

For this project, It has taken an hour or less to complete a LO. I selected all of the products for this project ahead of time so there is not a lot of extra decision making.  For day to day layouts, if I am focused (and uninterrupted) it usually takes me about an hour to complete a one page LO. Selecting papers is what slows me down.

3. What are my favorite things to create with at the moment?

Bright colors! I love working with color, and mixing simple geometric patterns: dots, stripes tonal prints.  Wood pieces, washi tape, decorative brads & paperclips, and pre-made chipboard are making frequent appearances on my layouts. I love using little bits to create clusters.

4. How does my writing/creating process work?

I usually start with the photo(s).  I choose my products to support the story or event in the photos. Sometimes I use themed products for more literal translation of the story. Other times it's more subtle. I am not a big storyteller. I usually write a small anecdote about what was going on, maybe something silly that was said in my journaling. There are some long stories I have told, and many others that need to be told. For now, I like to keep my scrapbooking light. 

5. How do I become inspired and stay inspired?

I am inspired by warm sunny days, and the beach. When I can't have those things, I choose colors that remind me, brights, blues, neutrals.  I find more inspiration from other scrapbookers. I read creative blogs, manufacturer blogs, Pinterest and fashion magazines. There is plenty of material out there to spark some creativity when I need it.

6. What is my signature style?

I don't know how to answer that. I've had it described as adaptive. I like to try new products,  but I make them work for me. My style includes signature elements, but not all are present on every page. I use 4x6 photos, bright colors, drops of mist. and hand journaling. One thing I have found though that is always present is HUMOR. It can be found in my title, or my journaling, or word phrases, or the photos, but it is always there. 

Now it's time to move on to the people who I have tagged to be next on the creative blog tour.  There are so many people I've connected with who are incredibly creative, it was hard to decide. You can use these links to go to their blogs today. They will be describing their process next week as we continue the creative blog tour. I hope you find them as inspiring as I do.

Steffanie

Cassie

Diana

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

Happy

Good morning. School has finally started around here. What this means for me, (beside the early mornings) is back to a routine, both for my family and for my crafting. I'm beginning today with a new (and I mean last minute new) LO created for Child's Play Challenges. The first challenge for the month is

Sequins

Here is how I used them for inspiration

I've been using sequins for a while now in sprinkles here and there, and to add some sparkle & shine to my pages.  Here I decided to use them to fill the negative space in the wood circles. Using them at the top and bottom of the photos keeps the focus where I want it, on the photos. The design idea for this page came from a wonderful sketch at Stuck?! Sketches. (Another benefit of creating for deadlines last minute is being able to see the latest challenges).

As I am working on the last Bar Mitzvah photos, I am also using the last bits and pieces of the paper collection I've been using. This sketch was a perfect way to incorporate them.

Thank you for stopping to look at my create view today. Please head over to Child's Play Challenges to join in the Sequin challenge.

Supplies: CS-Paper Accents, PP=Theresa Collins, Basic Grey, Washi-Scotch, MME, Recollections, Wood chips-Studio Calico, Freckled Fawn, chipboard-Studio Calico, sequins-Michaels, Studio Calico, mist-Heidi Swapp, Tattered Angels, stencil-TCW,  ink-colorbox

SG Fall Blog Hop

Good morning and welcome to the Scrapbook Generation September Blog Hop. You should have arrived here from Cassie's blog. If this happens to be your first stop, it would be best to go to Scrapbook Generation and begin from there.

I created this LO using a sketch from the 2 page sketch book, volume 5.

I was given these papers for a class I take at my local Ben Franklin Crafts and Frames. They are bright, cheerful and fun, and a nice compliment to these photos of my son in a fit of giggles with my sister.  

One thing I struggle with is selecting one or two photos to scrap from a group of photos.  I can never choose, so I choose them all. That is one of the things I love about SG sketches. They are great for someone like me, who likes telling a story in sequence with photos, as I've done here.

You can find this sketch and many more in the Scrapbook Generation store.  In fact, if you want to try one out before making a purchase, there is a free sketch available in the store each month.  Thank you for stopping by my creative view today.  From here, please go to TinaGale's blog.  Please leave a comment on each blog in the hop. one lucky commenter will receive a Sketch book bundle of their choice from the Scrapbook Generation store.  You have one week to complete the hop. The winner will be drawn Monday Sept 8.

Supplies: CS-Bazzill, PP-Theresa Collins, Alphas-Theresa Collins, American Crafts, mist-Heidi Swapp, wood chips-Recollections, Studio Calico, Epoxy hearts & washi-Freckled Fawn, stick pin-LYB, enamel dot-MME, ink-Colorbox