August Mystery Challenge

Before I show you what I did with the fabulous Scrapping Turtle August Mystery Kit, I am thrilled to announce that the layout I did for the July Mystery Kit was chosen as the winning layout. I am so excited!!!!! It was posted on the Scrapping Turtle blog too.

Here is what my winning layout looked like:

The August kit was a lot of fun to work with, as are all the kits. I really like the Jillibean Soup papers and Lori combined some fabulous goodies in this kit. We certainly were given lots to work with. I created the 'frame' around the paper using strips of the papers we were given. I cut the Quickutz border piece into four equal pieces for each of the corners, then embellished those with flowers, the centres from the border piece, brads and the ribbon.  The frogs were hand cut from the paper. 

I'm really excited to see what surprised Lori has for us in the September kit. I know it will be something fabulous!!!!

Week Ten Photo Challenge

Our Summerfest photo challenge for this week was "fun". That's easy peasy with Sara and Sam around. Here they are having fun with their new train set.

Just Like Jen

Our final Summerfest challenge for week ten at The Scrapping Nook involved scraplifting a project by Jen Backler. There are many fabulous projects of Jen's posted in the gallery. It was very hard to choose just one. I decided to scraplift her "Sweet Grace" layout to create my "Sweet Sara" layout.

In Jen's layout she had used paintable paper to create her flowers. I didn't have any of that kind of paper, so I hand cut the flowers from a Pink Paislee paper. There's some brand new Jillibean Soup paper behind the photo --- love Jillibean Soup. I added the stems and things to the paper by doodling --- I'm actually quite impressed with how it turned out. I added Stickles to the title so that it would show up better in the photo -- they look much better in real life. The fabulous photo was taken by my friend Kim Munro. Thanks Kim!!!!!

A Bit Chippy

Challenge #49 for Summerfest at The Scrapping Nook required us to use at least three different pieces of chipboard. Lettering could only count as one piece.

I found the Scenic Route chipboard circle with the word "Always" first. I distressed the edge and inked it. Next I took a Maya Road chipboard heart, inked it with StazOn ink and spritzed it with Glimmer Mist. The letters are American Crafts naked chipboard letters which I inked with Catseye ink. I put it all together on Bazzill Swiss Dot paper. It's a simple card, but I still like it.

A Round Card

Regan posted a fabulous card sketch challenge at the Scrapping Turtle last week. Unlike most card sketches that are square or rectangular, Regan's is round. As soon as I saw it I thought "Wow!!! Great idea!!!" The cards created by the Design Team for Regan's challenge are fabulous (you should go to the forum and check them out). I knew I had to give her challenge a try.

I started thinking about it and looking through my scrap bin. I love to use my scraps for cards whenever I can. I found the Scenic Route paper with the fish on it and then I found some left over Cosmo Cricket Snorkel paper. There was also a piece of blue Bazzill cardstock left over that was big enough to form the base of the card. I even found a left over wave that I'd cut out for another project and didn't use. With the addition of some Making Memories alpha stickers (which happened to be left overs as well) I had a cute little pool invitation.

Since I used only scraps for this card it also fit perfectly for the Summerfest Just Scrap It challenge at The Scrapping Nook. 

I really like this card -- it's cute if you ask me :) Just for the record, the invitation is for a swim in a little inflatable pool -- but you are still welcome to come :)

Thanks for the fabulous sketch Regan!!!!!

For Just A Moment

I've never heard this song, but the lyrics sound beautiful.

For Just a Moment by David Foster 

We laugh until we had to cry And we love right down to our last goodbye 

We were the best, I think we'll ever be 

Just you and me...for just a moment 

We chase that dream we never found 

And sometimes we let one another down 

But the love we made, made everything allright 

We shone so bright...for just a moment 

Time goes on, people touch and they're gone 

And you and I will never love again 

like we did then 

Someday when we both reminisce 

We both say there wasn't too much we missed 

And through the tears, the smile when we recall 

We had it all...for just a moment 

Time goes on, people touch and then they're gone 

But you and I will never really end, 

Will never love again...like we did then 

We laugh until we had to cry 

And we love right down to our last goodbye... 

One of our challenges this week for Summerfest at The Scrapping Nook was to use these lyrics for inspiration for a project. I wasn't sure what I would do at first, then I came up with the idea for this card.

I used some Bazzill cardstock and an unknown paper from my stash. The two lines from the song were printed on cardstock with the space in the middle for the photo. I didn't create it with any specific purpose in mind, but I think it is a sympathy card. I just hope I don't need to use it any time soon.

Don't Distress, Tear It Up

One of my favourite techniques is distressing, although I don't use in on every layout or card. I think it really adds another level to the project when the edges of the papers are a bit 'roughed up'. So when I read the "Don't Distress, Tear It Up" challenge for Summerfest at The Scrapping Nook I was quite happy.

I used some left over Cosmo Cricket Snorkel papers to create "You Are A Lifesaver". The background cardstock is inked, then I tore the edges of the CC paper before inking them. The corrugated cardboard was distressed as was the CC tag, which was also inked. With the corrugated cardboard the card also has a bit more dimension.

Summerfest Week 9

Here are the final two challenges that I did for last week's Summerfest challenges at The Scrapping Nook.

For the Picture Perfect layout we were required to use at least 9 photos for a double page layout. I thought this was the perfect opportunity to scrap the photos we took at the Michael W. Smith concert at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton on May 16, 2009. I wish we'd had a better camera, but we did get some nice photos. The concert promotional poster image is from the internet. The papers are all from the new Bo Bunny Gypsy line. I was inspired by a Sketch Lover's sketch for this layout.

The journaling reads "The power of the Holy Spirit rocked the Coliseum. Smitty was amazing - he delivered the message from our Lord and Saviour. Our God is an awesome God!!! He reigns!!! Praise the Lord!"

Our sketch challenge for this week was from PageMaps. I combined some Bazzill cardstock with the Road Signs line from Reminisce for this layout. The title was done with American Crafts Thickers. 

The journaling reads "Samuel loved the digger when we stopped for corn at Gillespie's. August 15, 2009." I'm pretty sure we are going to have to get him one of these to play with.

Let's Get Krafty

Summerfest challenge # 43 at The Scrapping Nook required us to use our "kraft" items. I thought it was the perfect time to use one of these fabulous Fancy Pants Kraft Kuts, as well as to showcase Sammy with his new haircut. The title is cut using the Quickutz limited edition Zelda font, which I then adhered to stars cut using the Quickutz Nesting Stars die.

I still can't get over how grown up my baby looks with his new hair cut.

Summer Footwear

This week's photo challenge at The Scrapping Nook was to take a photo of my favourite summer footwear. That would have to be my trusty sandals. I've been wearing this style for several years now and just love them. Every year I buy a new pair at Zellers --- I hope they don't stop making them or I don't know what I'd wear.

Here they are on their way out for the day. They are beginning to look a little worse for the wear, but what do you expect from something I wear almost every day.

A Real Friend

In the last year or so I've been very blessed to have some very special people come into my life. They've all been there while I've travelled this difficult road that I'm on --- offering their love and support unconditionally. They are the ones who've listened, who've called, who've emailed, who've been ready with hugs and shoulders to lean on. They are the ones who've proved to me that true friends --- real friends --- are there for you no matter what. They pick me up when I am down, offer me advice and support, and never once have made me feel guilty for not being the 'strong' person I used to be. Each of them make me feel accepted, appreciated, and supported without question. Some of them are friends I've had for a long time, some are friends I've discovered in the last year or so, some are friends who have grown from acquaintances to dearly loved friends, some are friends from the internet that I've never met, and some are people I've reconnected with after years of having little or no contact. I love and appreciate each and every one of them. The sentiment on this card made me realize just how many real friends I have. I could send this to so many different people. Since it is only one card and I can't send it to all of them, I am posting it here with my love and gratitude to each and every one of my real friends. You all know who you are :)

The quote was assigned as a challenge for Summerfest at The Scrapping Nook. It reads "A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out" and was written by Walter Winchell. Cardstock is Bazzill, paper is Basic Grey, and the silhouette was cut on my Cricut using the "A Child's Year" cartridge.

Happy Birthday Colour Card

I am very behind in my birthday cards right now. Actually I'm behind with a lot of cards, but I'm trying to get caught up. But at least I can mark one more off of my list now, thanks to this challenge.

One of the Summerfest challenges at The Scrapping Nook this week is a colour challenge. We were limited to using only blue, red, yellow, black and white on our project --- no other colours were allowed. The first thing I thought when I read that challenge was that those would be great colours for a birthday card. Then I thought of my EK Success border punches and pulled out two of them --- the candles because it is a birthday card and the ABC123 because it is a card for a little boy who turned 2 this year (he is doing a fabulous job of learning his letters and numbers too). Since I'm not mailing this card I decided to try a square card -- 6x6 to be exact. Then I cut different sized squares in the different colours. I punched three with the candle punch and the white one with the other punch. Then I proceeded to layer my squares. The edges are inked with black ink as well. I finished it off with an Inkadinkado stamp from the Humorous Birthday set --- I stamped the Happy part four times and the Birthday part once.

Now I just need to get the card and the present I've had for months delivered -- hopefully before the little guy has his next birthday LOL!!!

Summerfest Week 8 Challenges

I finished all of the challenges for week 8 of Summerfest at The Scrapping Nook with just minutes to spare. The last two that I completed were, for some unknown reason, a bit more of a challenge for me than they should have been. But the important thing is that they are all finished and posted.

I scrambled to have just the right number of items to finish the Fifty is Nifty challenge. I used my kit for the Two Scrapbook Friends product challenge and added a few things. My fifty items were:

1 background paper

2 die cut clouds

1 paper circle

1 journal block

2 tickets

4 pieces ribbon

4 staples

3 waves

1 sticker border

2 stickers

1 ink

3 fish

3 buttons 

5 numbers

17 words

The journaling reads: "Hold all my calls please. I'm spending the day relaxing in the pool!"

For the $3.00 or Less challenge, I used this fabulous die cut paper from K & Company and some Bazzill cardstock (total $2.83). I highlighted with my Zig marker and my Signo white pen. I doodled the 'Before' and 'After', but I'm not thrilled with how they turned out. The photos are of Samuel's first haircut. Can you believe that I finally agreed to cut off his beautiful curls? He doesn't look like a baby anymore --- he's a little man. Sob!!!

One of our challenges was to scraplift something from Tara at the Nook. I found a beautiful card that she had created involving four sections, ribbon and a middle piece with the sentiment. I used Little Yellow Bicycle's Zinnia line, some American Crafts ribbon, and Inkadinkado's Boxed Wishes stamp.

Our sketch this week was a lovely one from the Prima blog. I attempted to combine a Quickutz Flourish border die with a Quickutz Flower (pop up) border die (which is one of the dies being highlighted for Quickutz Korner at the Scrapping Turtle). It was a bit more challenging than I anticipated and I'm not sure I'm totally in love with the end result. You can't tell in the photo, but the flower border was spritzed with Glimmer Mist. There are bling crystals in the centres of the popped up flowers. I also added Prima flowers on the flourish border. I used Bazzill cardstock, Collage Press and Making Memories papers, and Rusty Pickle letters.

Our photo challenge for this week was to take a photo of either a sunrise or a sunset. Here is my sunset:

Get Well Soon

A very very dear and special friend of mine is going through a very challenging time right now. Her health has taken a bad turn and she is facing a rough road. She has a lot of people rooting for her, sending her positive vibes, thoughts and prayers, but she can use all the love and support she can get right now. Please take a moment to say a prayer for my friend. She means a lot to me and to a lot of people, and we all pray that she will get well soon.

I made this card for her, while completing one of the Summerfest challenges at The Scrapping Nook. The "Against All Odds" challenge meant that everything used on the project had to be in odd numbers. 

So here is my list:

1 JustRite stamp

1 Cuttlebug embossing folder (flower)

5 Copic markers (yes I coloured with my Copics)

1 piece of sandpaper

1 corner rounder

1 piece of patterned paper

3 pieces of cardstock (1 of which is Coredinations)

1 Catseye ink

1 ribbon bow (was white, coloured yellow with Copic)

3 words

11 letters

a ton of love, positive thoughts and get well wishes

Get well soon Mel. {{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}

Read All About It

One of the Summerfest week five challenges at The Scrapping Nook was focussed on the 5 W's -- Who, What, When, Where, and Why.

"Slide" came together rather easily. Bo Bunny paper, three photos of Sara showing a progression on the slide, American Crafts Thickers and brads, Doodlebug brads, some doodled stitching, the 5 W's for journaling, and some arrows created using my Quickutz Arrows die. The most time consuming part was piercing the holes in the semi circles for the brads --- thank goodness I only had to follow the pre marked design LOL.

I'm still two challenges behind from week five --- teaches me for not getting them done on time. LOL!!!! But first I should do the challenges for week eight, so they will get in on time and I will get full points. Wish me luck :)

Layout Sketch With a Twist

Awhile back my dear friend Mellissa posted a layout sketch challenge on the Scrapping Turtle pond. It wasn't the usual kind of layout sketch. She calls it a "layout sketch ... with a twist". The sketch was actually two 6x6 sized sketches that then needed to be combined into one 12x12 layout. Since one of the Summerfest week 5 challenges at The Scrapping Nook was "Size Doesn't Matter" and required us to create something that was a different size than we usually did, I thought of Mellissa's challenge. 

I used Mellissa's sketches to create the two 6x6 sized layouts. I used Bazzill cardstock, American Crafts Travel line, EK Success alpha stickers, and Quickutz Scallop border die and Jouraling Tag die.

I then combined them on another piece of Bazzill cardstock and added arrows using my Quickutz Arrows dies (two different ones).

Thanks for the sketches and the twist Mellissa!!!!! I miss you and hope you are feeling better soon {{{{Hugs}}}}

Final Week 7 Challenge

The final challenge for week 7 of Summerfest at The Scrapping Nook was one I had a bit of difficulty with. The "What's Old Is New Again" challenge required us to 'revisit' an old layout or card and enhance it. I honestly didn't want to change any of the layouts I've done, as I am a firm believer in letting them show the progression of my scrapbooking. But then I happened to be going through my card stash looking for a particular card and I came upon this one.

I've never been completely happy with the dark pink background. I also felt that the strip at the bottom needed something more. Overall the card seemed to be calling out for a bit more bling. Of course the biggest issue was the seed beads --- which were falling off!!!! So I had found my project.

I changed the background to green, made the corners fancy and inked the edges of the paper. I took off all the seed beads and replaced them with faux stitching and Stickles. I added a Dew Drop to the flower. I outlined the flower, butterfly and the green patterned paper with my Gelly Roll Clear Star pen. Finally, I added some tiny Prima flowers to the strip at the bottom and added a Dimensional Pearls centre to each flower.

It still isn't perfect and I'm not sure I like this background either, but it is better. At least now I can use it without worrying about all those beads.

Week 7 Photography Challenge

Our photography challenge for week 7 of Summerfest at The Scrapping Nook was "Summer". I thought this photo of my daughter, taken by my dear friend Mellissa, captures Summer quite well. 

Thanks for the pic Mellissa!!! Get well soon. You are in my thoughts and prayers. {{{{Hugs}}}}

A Sketch, an Old Photo, and Some Sass

"Past Blast" combines three challenges: my friend Dee's sketch challenge at the Scrapping Turtle, the Summerfest challenge to use an old photo from The Scrapping Nook, and my own challenge to finally use some of my stash of Sassafras Lass. I love Sassafras, but I haven't taken the plunge to actually use it that often. This layout uses Anthem, and everything comes from the line except for the Bazzill cardstock and the photo.

The photo is an old one of myself and my brothers. I have another one with the three of us and my parents that goes with this one. I'll have to hunt it out and scrap it one of these days.

Journaling reads: " This photo always makes me smile. I don't remember when it was taken. It was a formal portrait sitting, taken in the basement of the bank. Interesting fashion sense. I remember hating that fabric, yet everything was made from it. I don't know what made Scott pair a light blue suit with a purple shirt. And Stephen -- all grown up, independent and looking very ... umm ... Biblical. Ah, those were the days. I still love this photo."

Thanks for the sketch Dee!!!!

More Cards for Summerfest

I've created two more cards for Summerfest challenges at The Scrapping Nook.

The first is a belated birthday card that I created for the "It's About Time" challenge. The only requirment was that the project had to incorporate time somehow. I used a Teresa Collins transparency piece, Bazzill cardstock, some square eyelets, and some Making Memories mini alphas to created this card for our friend Rob. Sorry it is so late Rob :(

The second is a graduation card for my dear hubby, created for the "Black and White" challenge. We were to use black and white with some red allowed. Unfortunately this card is also a bit late, as we had his party on July 25th, but my heart was in the right place. I cut the grad cap out using my Cricut and the Locker Talk cartridge. The patterned paper is by Jillibean Soup. The word Celebrate is from the Creative Cafe collection by Creative Imaginations -- it was white, so I used Scarlet Catseye ink to make it red.

My hubby is actually very impressed -- I've made him two cards in one week!!! Actually, I'm rather amazed myself.

Dual Purpose Card

I wanted to create something special for Gary for our anniversary last Monday. I've never made him a card before, so I thought I would give it a try. My inspiration for the card came from Jodi's sketch in Summerfest at The Scrapping Nook. That meant I was able to use this card for the "Copy That" challenge as well. So it is an anniversary card that fulfills a challenge --- thus a dual purpose card. My friend Marissa helped me pick out the papers to go with my K & Company note card. We opted for the elegant look, choosing some Bazzill bling (black) and foil (gold) cardstock. I added the Bazzill tulle and some sheer flowers. The letters were cut with my Quickutz Banana Split font.

Gary loves the card, by the way :)

Summerfest Week 6 Is Now Complete

I managed to finish all of the challenges for week six of Summerfest at The Scrapping Nook, even though I had an unexpected trip out of town today.

The Mix and Match challenge required us to use papers by at least four different manufacturers. I was able to find plenty of papers in my scrap pile to create my "Enchanting" layout. I used papers by Sweetwater, Scenic Route, Cherry Arte, Collage Press, Fancy Pants and The Paper Loft. I also used Bazzill cardstock, Making Memories journal block, Catseye ink, and a Cosmo Cricket sticker for the title. I used my Quickutz Flourish border die to create the lovely flourish (love that die!!!!). The layout is based on a sketch by Karan Gerber. The photos were taken by my dear friend Kim Munro.

The sketch challenge was a really nice one from Page Maps. I think I especially liked it because the sketch actually used butterflies (as you can see, I used them too). I love butterflies!!!! Cardstock is Bazzill and pattern paper is Scenic Route. I used a Making Memories journal block, American Crafts Thickers, Sakura Gelly Roll pen, and butterflies by EK Success Jolee's By You. I used my Quickutz Scallop border die and my Adornment die on this layout. The fabulous photos on my layout "Free" were also taken by Kim Munro.

For the Glitz and Glam challenge I opted to create a card. I don't know yet what I'm going to use it for so it doesn't include a sentiment yet. I used my Quickutz Flourish border die (yes, I used it again) on Bazzill cardstock that had been spritzed with Glimmer Mist. The flower and leaves are cut with my Quickutz Flower die, then layered together. I used Stickles on the leaves. The flower petals are highlighted with metallic Catseye ink. The centre portion of the top flower is painted with Smooch, then I added some Stickles. The little bee is by Provo Craft.

The photo challenge this week was 'Curves'. Gary suggested that I take a photo of the sign for Curves, but that didn't end up happening. I took this close up of our garden chair instead. I think it looks rather cool.

Well, off to try to get the challenges from week five done before week seven is posted on Tuesday :) 

More Summerfest

I am, sadly, a week behind on challenges for Summerfest at The Scrapping Nook. Last week was such a busy week for me that I didn't manage to finish the challenges, with the exception of the photo challenge.The photo challenge for week five was "treasure" and had to be a photo of something we treasure. People weren't allowed. I chose my angel collection and took a photo of two of them. The big one is especially important to me, as it was a gift from my Mom. Love you Mom!!!!

So far this week (week six) I have two challenges finished.

The first one I've completed is the "Blast From The Past" ad challenge. We were given an old Campbells' soup print ad to take inspiration. My good friend Marissa had some fabulous suggestions and ideas for this one. Without her help I never would have come up with the fantastic layout I did. It used the Summer Soiree line from Fancy Pants. I did a lot of hand cutting on this one - two of the clouds, sun, waves. Three of the clouds are cut with my Quickutz Cloud die (otherwise known as Dee's Cloud). All of the clouds were flocked and I made the sun glitter using Stickles. I pop dotted four clouds, the sun, the middle wave and the title. The photo was taken at Waterloo Park.

The other challenge I have completed so far is the Colour challenge. We were given the colour combination of orange, chocolate brown, light blue and raspberry. With those colours I created my 'Hi' card. I used a Fiskars border punch on the light blue and embossed the chocolate brown in my Cuttlebug. The butterflies were created using my Quickutz Butterfly die. With the Signo white pen doodling I think the card turned out quite nice.

I'm off to work on the other challenges for this week, then hopefully on last week's challenges.