Trim the tree!

Now I have found The Alley Way stamp blog - I am beginning to become addicted to using their stamps!!! This week's challenge over on their blog was to be inspired by this:

I chose to use the fun rays and the circe clutch latch on the bag as the main inspiration for my card. I again used a freebie set of images from their blog - and made this Christmas themed card. I have also used the cream and light grey colors from the bag.  

I used Fancy Pants 'St Nick' papers and baker's twine. I used my prismacolor pencils to color in the images to match.

Just keep swimming!

OK. So I have have now found a few AWESOME blogs that I am just in love with! The first is a card site called Retro Sketches - I just love the sketches they have and the simple but oh-so effective DT cards they post. Along with that - I have found a great stamp site called the alley way stamps - the stamps are just TOO cute and the sentiments work perfectly with them. Go check them out - you won't be disappointed.

For Scrapbook Steals card sketch this week (MCM#95)

 I used these cute FREEBIE digital stamps from The Alley Way Stamps, along with Echo Park's 'Splash' 6x6 papers. Super duper cute if I say so myself! :-) 

The Cutting Cafe - bags and boxes

So the theme this week over at The Cutting Cafe was to use any background set and any bag/box cutting file! As the current themes over on lots of the blogs at the moment is 'Christmas in July' I thought I would stick with that theme.

I made some milk carton gift boxes, using a variety of Christmas background printable files and printable sentiments.

The milk carton cutting files are SO easy to use, and even make the scored lines so they are easy to fold! The printable background sets, I just enlarge to fit on a standard 81/2 x 11 inch piece of card, and most of the tags for the boxes are actually the insert from the milk carton box. Super easy and quick to make!

Cutting cafe files used:

Christmas shapes milk carton set

Christmas mini colored set ... printable stamps

Other products used:

Bakers twine, colored cardstock, buttons.

Hope you like it! I'll be back next week with another great set.

Don't forget to check out The Cutting Cafe blog for more inspirational projects and prizes!

Happy scrapping :-)

Dreaming

Ok - so don't fall off your chair as you read this - but I have actually a scrapped a layout with me in it!!! LOL! As you know (or must realize from previous posts on my blog) I almost NEVER scrap pictures of me - I hate having my photograph taken! These photos were taken by my mum on her recent visit out to us! I wasn't happy at the time - but now I figured - there's got to be some photos of me somewhere or a few generations down the line, people won't know I even existed! Anyway - rambling over - this is a layout I did with the Creative Scrappers sketch #218:

 I used the Fancy Pants 'Be You' collection - I just LOVE this one! It's one of the few collections that I decided I need the stamps and stickers to match (I'm not a HUGE stamper as you know!)

New sketch blog!

Getting Your Mojo Back

Are you looking for your mojo? Sometimes we all have creators block, its like our mojo just get up and walk away. If this has happened to you then let us help you get it back!

Sketchers is a sketch only blog and we are dedicated to helpin you find your mojo again. We will have you creating again in no time!

Simply choose one of our sketches and you are on your way to created something beautiful!

Please make sure you come back here and share it with us by sending me an email.

We are a new blog so make sure you tell your friends about us!

http://sketchesforyou2.blogspot.com/

You make me smile!

I used the awesome sketch from Brenda Ragsdale over at Paper Secrets (this month's sketch challenge) for this layout:

 I used My Mind's Eye 'On the sunny side' collection.

I am also entering this into MME's July challenge #2 - Halfway There. The challenge was to document the actual day halfway through the year (day 183) or document the month of July. These photos were taken when my parents and sister came over to visit this year.
I am also entering this layout into the Fabulous Friday challenge over at Frosted Designs - to use patterned paper only.

Let's Get Sketchy challenge #21

Come and check out this week's sketch challenge over on Let's Get Sketchy.

Here is the sketch:

 I rotated the sketch quarter of a turn to the left. I used a variety of Imaginisce papers. I used the Imaginisce 'cloud' stamp from their 'Happy camper' collection, and then embossed the white cardstock for more texture.

For more great DT examples, check out the blog here.

I am also entering this into the Imaginisce monthly challenge - to use the word sun/sunshine or object of the sun.

Dad's new toy!

So - my husband is COMPLETELY obsessed with his new 'tractor'!!!! He decided that it was far too much effort to push the lawnmower around and got himself a tractor! Complete with matching hat! LOL! I just had to scrap these photos - he was having FAR TOO MUCH fun! I used the bonus sketch from Boys Rule Scrapbook kits:

 As you can see, I mirrored the sketch and added an extra photo. I paired these up with another great Echo Park collection - 'This & That charming'.

The Cutting Cafe - bow ties and ribbons

The bow ties and ribbons set is another great set from The Cutting Cafe with endless possibilities! I decided on the 'New baby' theme for my projects.

First up - baby boy. I made the bow tie from this cutting file to make a card and pillow box gift set.

The bow tie is super simple to make and I thought it looked quite cute on the baby! LOL!

Other cutting files used:

All about boys printable stamp set (circular sentiment)

Assorted pillow box set - cutting file (I used the plain box)

Next I made the same for a baby girl:

The bow is again very simple to make - just different sized bow tie's stacked on top of each other! Super cute!

Other cutting cafe files used:

That's what little girls are made of...printable stamp

Assorted pillow box set - cutting file (I used the plain box)

Hope you like it! I'll be back next week with another great set.

Don't forget to check out The Cutting Cafe blog for more inspirational projects and prizes!

Happy scrapping :-)

Scrapbook Steals & Imaginisce 'Sole Sisters' collection

WARNING!!!!! Long post and lots of photos! (Please don't stop here - keep reading :-))

For my first DT post I was absolutely THRILLED when Brittany Perry and Kristy Lee from Scrapbook Steals chose to give me the Imaginisce 'Sole Sisters' collection kit. I had secretly been hoping to see this collection come up on Scrapbook Steals ever since I saw the launch over on the Imaginisce blog. I had even gone a bought myself some stick pins and buttons from another site that matched the collection!!!! There is SO much exciting stuff in this collection, I tried to make a variety of projects using each and every bit (including the packaging!) 

So my first project was inspired by my daughter's recent dance recital - how perfect that her outfit should be black and red!!! I made a mini book full of all her pre-show poses and dance moves! The red background paper on these pages is actually the packaging from the embellishments (absolutely perfect!!! I always try and use the packaging wherever possible!!) I used a variety of the papers and embellishments from the collection, trying to stick to the color scheme, adding twine and brads also. 

Next I went to town making cards! This has become one of my recent passions and I must say, with this collection it was SUPER easy! All the inspiration I needed was right there in the packets! The first card uses the border strip paper and and embellishments from the collection. Add one little sentiment stamp and voila! A quick and easy card!

The next card took a little more time and effort, but as soon as I found the 'If the shoe fits....' quote, I just knew I had to use the shoe stamp from the collection! I used a variety of colored inks and then jazzed the shoes up with a little twine.

The last card I made was using another of the stamps from the collection, colored in with prismacolor pencils! A very simple design and I also added one of my stick pins and buttons I mentioned earlier - not from this collection but a perfect match! Another quick and easy card!

And lastly, just to show those of you who think 'This collection is no good...I only have boys to scrap!" - tada! A boy layout! This one is of my son whose school recently took part in the 4th July Parade in Park City. It was the first time his school had entered - and they were placed second behind Park City High School! Anyway, back to the layout! As you can see the papers can be just as easily used for a more masculine page - and yeh - he was wearing the perfect color combination!!! These papers worked out perfectly.

So as you can see, I was in IMAGINISCE heaven with this 'Sole Sisters' collection kit. I hope I have inspired you all to hit that steal button and grab a great collection. I had SO much fun with this - and still have SO much left to play with! :-) Thanks again Brittany and Kristy for matching me up so perfectly with this collection.

Scrapbook Steals have the best scrapbooking supplies in their online shop, with daily steals at 9am and 9pm MDT, and lots of inspiration, ideas and challenges on their blog. 

Until next time...happy scrapping :-) x

I am also entering the layout into the sketch challenge at Artful Delights.

Key Lime Pie!

I just LOVE these photos of my Dad with the kids! He has just been over to the USA with my Mum and sister for a holiday - 3 weeks of SO much fun! So sad to see them go home! :-( Anyway, all he talked about ALL holiday was having some 'proper' Key Lime Pie! Well, we all pretended that you couldn't get it here - then we surprised him on his birthday with his very own pie! He was over the moon! The Lily Bee 'double dutch' collection of papers was perfect for these photos.

This is the current brand challenge over on the Paper Secrets blog.

I used the Scrapbook Steals sketch Pearl #2 (by the very talented Katrina Hunt):

I mirrored the sketch to make the elements work. You will also notice that I had run out of "e's" for my title - so used the number "3" instead! Oh - and I think the "i's" may have been "l's" too! My own creative license!! :-)

MCM#93 & MME

This week's Monday Card Madness sketch over on the Scrapbook Steals blog is:

I used the awesome My Mind's Eye 'Meadowlark' collection and completed a card for their July challenge.

Just love the black and white color combo! :-)

The Cutting Cafe - free choice week!

I thought free choice week would be nice and easy - but believe me - it wasn't! There are so many great cutting files and printable stamps over at the Cutting Cafe that it took me AGES to choose! 

I decided to make a card for my sisters birthday (12th July):

Cutting Cafe products used:

Bingo card month set - printable stamps

Birthday tags - printable stamp set (here is a close up of 2 of the tags):

Other products used:

Teresa Collins Carolina Breeze 6x6 paper pad, bakers twine

Hope you like it! I'll be back again next week with another great set. Don't forget to check out The Cutting Cafe blog for more inspirational projects and prizes!

Awesome giveaway on Northridge Publishing site!

For more details on this awesome giveaway (loving this collection!) check out the Nothridge Publishing site here.

You’re living the dream so record your favorite everyday moments with the on-trend“Everyday Eclectic” Collection! Still life images combined with art-filled elements, combine for a beautiful blend and eclectic styling. This collection hints at vintage vogue, yet offers “up-to-the-minute” sophistication. Designed to work in perfect harmony with your favorite photos, dream big and capture the moment now!

Loaded with bubble gum pastels and beautiful imagery, this collection will work perfectly for your layouts, cards, and special, everyday altered projects. This new Echo Park Paper collection, designed by Allison Kreft, is sure to be a Favorite!

Everyday Eclectic collection kit includes:

(12) – 12×12 double-sided papers
(1) – 12×12 sticker alpha sheet
(1) – element sticker sheet

Oakley Rodeo

So, this was a first for us - a rodeo! We have never been to one before, and whilst my parents were here we decided that it was a must! My dad desperately wanted to see one, and it is not something you get over in the UK! So we headed over to Oakley and had a blast! (I personally think you've got to be COMPLETELY nuts to get on the back of a bucking horse or bull!)

 I combined 2 sketches for this layout. The left hand side is using a sketch from BoysRule Scrapbook kits:

 and the right hand side is using a sketch from Creative Scrappers (#215):

I thought the 2 sketches worked well together. Sorry the photos look at bit wonky and different colors (I can assure you they are straight in 'real life' and the daylight today is dreadful!)

The paper collection is from Pebbles and is called 'Let Freedom Ring' - a new collection which I must admit is pretty awesome!

I am also entering this layout into Unique Crafters challenge #5 where the theme is 'patriotic'.

The Cutting Cafe - flip flops!

Another week at The Cutting Cafe and this week's theme was flip flops - perfect for the summer! I decided to make my daughter's teacher a present and card (yes - this was made a few weeks ago - how organized am I???!!!)

I used:

 Flip flop laundry line printable set - for the pail (colored with prismacolor pencils and then cut out) and the sentiment on the card

Hershey kiss bottoms printable stamps - school and everyday sets for the bottoms of the chocolates

Other - Bella Blvd papers, recycled flower pail, variety of ribbons and twine, flip flop stickers (on card)

Hope you like it! I'll be back again next week with another great set. Don't forget to check out The Cutting Cafe blog for more inspirational projects and prizes!

Doodlebug Buttons!!!

I was so excited when Kristy Lee from Scrapbook Steals asked me to 'create' with some Doodlebug Design striped buttons, and even more excited when they arrived in the mail and I saw the fun colors and designs. My mind was racing with ideas! Scrapbook Steals have the best scrapbooking supplies in their online shop, with daily steals at 9am and 9pm MDT, and lots of inspiration, ideas and challenges on their blog.

My first idea was to create a plain and simple card, with the Doodlebug designs striped button as one of the main focuses.

 I love the black, white and pink color combo, and thought the green button in the middle really made it 'pop'!

My second project was a gift bag. Again I decided on a plain and simple approach, using the Doodlebug buttons to represent balloons. I matched the colored twine to the balloons and used a simple sentiment stamp to finish it off.

These Doodlebug Designs Striped buttons are so versatile and can be used to represent so many different things.

Go and check out ScrapbookSteals today for your very own 'steal' - these buttons really are worth it! :-)

Happy stealing x

The Cutting Cafe - star box

Another week at the Cutting Cafe and this week I decided to try out the star box! I decided to make a baby gift bag as a friend of ours has just had a baby girl. This was the perfect size for a gift card and small present. I also made a matching card using the star border that comes with the set.

I used the Star Box template - cutting file. The single star on the card is the insert from the centre of the box, and the star tag is cut from one of the stars on the border. The sentiment on the tag is the 'that's what little girls are made of...' printable stamp.

I used Pebbles 'Country Picnic' collection of papers, image from Bugaboo stamps, and bakers twine.

Hope you like it! And don't forget to check out The Cutting Cafe blog for more great inspiration and tutorials, and make a comment on one of the post to be entered to win sets from the store!

Have a great week :-)