Kids are back to school!!!!

Just thought I would update my blog and tell you how HAPPY I am today! The kids finally went back to school today after an incredibly LONG summer holidays! 12 weeks is just FAR TOO LONG to have them at home! 

I have been keeping up with my DT layouts and cards but have had no time to do anything else! Well...now they are back at school...I have time to play! my blog should become a lot more active now - there are still lots of things I have done that I can't show you yet - but they will be here soon! 

I'm off to 'play' - see you back here REAL soon :-)

Happy scrapping x

Let's Get Sketchy - challenge #26

Here is this week's sketch over on Let's Get Sketchy:

 Here is my take on it:

I used Little Yellow Bicycle's 'Splash' collection. For more DT inspiration and to join in the challenge, head on over to the Let's Get Sketchy blog.

I am also entering this into the 'Anything goes' challenge over on Artfull Crafts.

Happy scrapping :-)

The Cutting Cafe - hexagons!

This week over on The Cutting Cafe it is all about hexagons! There are some AWESOME DT projects - you should go check them out here. I decided to make a welcome baby card:

The cutting cafe files I used:

Hexagons shaped card set - cutting file

Other products used:

Jillibean Soup papers, Jillibean Soup butterfly stamp, Lori Boyd sentiment, beakers twine

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 & American Crafts 'Shoreline'

So this is my second DT post - and yet again, Brittany Perry from Scrapbook Steals, you gave me an AWESOME collection to work with! This time I was given American Crafts 'Shoreline' collection - lots of bright, fun colors and patterns, along with some FAB embellishments and thickers! This is a definite MUST for anyone wanting to scrap summer photos!

My first layout is using a photo of my daughter 'chilling out' last summer! I used all of the blue's in the collection - mixing and matching patterns and embellishments (this really would work for a boy photo too!) I did switch up some of the buttons on the rosettes and slimmed down the pinwheel to fit the papers - but because they are all held together with pop dots this is super easy to do.

I used one of this month's Sketch'N'scrap #14 sketch:

I then decided these papers would be perfect for some 'sprinkler' photos! The colored papers matched the colors in my photos perfectly! I'd like to say a big thank you to Jen for her sketch (this is Pearl #4a). I fussy cut the scalloped border following the pattern of one of the papers, added some twine and more of the AC embellishments. Topped it off with the AC thickers - and voila! 

I then decided to play around with the papers some more. I was inspired by a card I saw on the internet where they used the negatives from cut outs. I decided to cut out the words "I <3 summer" on my cricut and then back them with the different colored and patterned paper. I love how this turned out. I added a few more embellishments and a rosette, a bit of stitching - and I think this has got to be one of my favorites cards I've made so far!

And lastly, because I feel the NEED to create something other than just a card and a layout, I made a summer word book! I used a cutting file from The Cutting Cafe and cut out the papers and cereal boxes (yes - I never buy chipboard! Cereal boxes are just as good and always on hand!) and stuck it all together! I found some scraps of ribbons that matched the colors, added some of the fun embellishments, and now it is ready and waiting to be filled with this summer's photos.

So as you can see - the possibilities with the American Crafts 'Shoreline' collection are ENDLESS! I hope I have inspired you all to hit that steal button and grab a collection. Thanks Brittany and Kristy for another awesome 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

Retro sketches & LYB!

Another great sketch this week from Retro Sketches:

 I combined the sketch with an awesome Little Yellow Bicycle collection - 'Splash'!

I fussy cut the 'splashes' and the flowers and swimming costume are a part of the 3D embellishment set that comes with this collection! I didn't put on a sentiment yet as there is currently no occasion it is needed for - but it is there for when I need it! :-)

Happy scrapping :-)

The Alley Way Stamps - circus theme

The latest challenge over on The Alley Way Stamps blog is to Be Inspired by this:

I loved the colors and the circus theme. I made this card:

The circus tent is this month's digi freebie over on Alley Way Stamps, and I thought it would be interesting to make the card that shape! I was lucky enough to win one of the new releases of 'Admit One' a few weeks ago, and this was a perfect match!  The cannon was stamped first, then I masked it and printed the clown. The 'explosions', sentiment and starts (on the flag) were all from the same set. Everything was colored in with prismacolor pencils.

Hope you like it. I had a blast making it!

Let's Get Sketchy - challenge #24

Another week at Let's Get Sketchy and here is the sketch:

 and here is my take on it:

I used Echo Park's 'Hello Summer' collection, with the title stickers from Echo Park's 'Summer Days' collection.

I am also entering this into the brand challenge over on Paper Secrets - Echo Park!

Go check out these 2 sites - they have awesome prizes this month! Hope to see you over there! 

Happy scrapping :-)

The cutting cafe - Back to school!

Sorry I haven't blogged for a while - I have been super busy doing lots of creations for different Design Teams that can't be posted yet! They are coming up this week though - so keep your eyes open for lots more posts!

This week over on The Cutting Cafe it is all about Back to School! I must admit - I can't wait! This holiday has felt SO long! I decided to alter a pencil box for my daughter's new teacher:

The cutting cafe files I used:

school borders printable stamp set for the apple borders (which I colored with prismacolor pencils)

all about school printable stamp set for the circle sentiments, bingo cards and note to the teacher (this stamp set comes with 38 fantastic images!)

apple treat box cutting file to cut out the apple on the front of the box!

Other products used:

Recollections green gingham paper

DCWV Grade school paper 

Various colors of bazzill basics card stock

Bakers twine

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 :-)

The Cutting Cafe - OWLS!

OK - so I am SUPER addicted to the cute owls popping up everywhere in crafting at the moment! And this week was OWL week at The Cutting Cafe! I decided to make my husband's wedding anniversary cards using the Fun with Owls printable set - luckily he never looks at my blog so won't see this until I give it to him tomorrow :-)

I colored the image with prismacolor pencils, printed out the sentiment from the set (running up the side of the card) and added some embroidery floss. The paper collection is from Carta Bella's 'Beautiful Moments' collection and I used this month's card sketch from Artful Delights..

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!

I am also entering this card into the Artful Delight's August card sketch challenge:

I rotated the sketch quarter turn to the right.
Happy scrapping :-)

Paper Secrets - August Scraplift challenge!

Welcome to August scrap lift challenge! I chose a layout done by one of my favorite bloggers Tamara Tripodi! I am a huge fan of her blog and love to read her comments and see all her wonderful projects - the fact that she is a designer for Echo Park is an added bonus! She also designs for SVG cuts, Sizzix, epiphany crafts, paper issues and Little Yellow Bicycle!

Here is Tamara's fantastic layout (would you believe it was her first layout??!!!):

I just love the papers she used and the bright colors! The design is pretty awesome too! I chose to copy the design and use some of my own bright papers - Echo Park's 'Hello Summer' collection collection which can be found in the Paper Secrets store here.

For more details on entering to win a $10 gift card for the Paper Secrets store - go check out their blog. While you are there, take a look at all the other challenges going on this month - they are are all good fun! You have until the 

To a fun-gi!

So, this is my first time joining in with the Retro Sketches challenges - I've been admiring everyone's card from afar! Here is this week's sketch (#22):

I used the Alley Way Stamp freebie image and sentiment, along with Echo Park's 'Dots and stripes Metropolitan' 6x6 papers and May Arts twill striped ribbons.

Please excuse the colors on this photograph - I have tried taking the photo inside and out, in  number of different places, and for some reason the colors are just not quite right! My hubbie was 'playing' with the settings on my camera and it hasn't taken good photos since!! Aaargh!

Paper Secrets August Brand Challenge

Do you LOVE EP like I do? 

Head over to Paper Secrets Bog for their first August challenge:

Echo Park Brand Challenge

Here is Rochelle's layout:

She used Echo Park ” Pardise Beach" collection available in the Paper Secrets Shop

sketch by Lisa Dickinson

For guidelines and prize information on this challenge, click HERE. 

Happy Scrappin’ and Good Luck!