I'm Awesomely Amethyst!!!!

WOW! Scrapbook Steals have amazing weekly sketches on their blog, the current line being AMETHYST. They run for 10 weeks at a time with a winner each week, but if you manage to complete all 10 then you are put forward into a grand prize! Amethyst's grand prize is is LOTS of fun MME goodies (worth $216!!) Well this time I managed to complete ALL 10 layouts - I think it has got to be a first - but the sketches were fab (thanks Kristy). Here is my 'Awesome' Amethyst collection:

#1

 #2

 #3

 #4

 #5

 #6 & #9

 #7

 #8

 #10

Hope you like them! All very different but I think I love them all :-)

Now to cross my fingers, toes and everything for the FAB prize :-) x

Let's Get Sketchy Challenge #9

Hello fellow scrappers!  This week we have decided to do something a little different at LGS.  Instead of giving you a sketch we decided to do a "plus one" challenge.  What you have to do for this is create a layout using white and ONE other color.

Here is my example:

I used the Creative scrappers sketch #205 :

For more great inspiration from the Design Team, head on over to http://letsgetsketchy.blogspot.com/.

Can't wait to see you over there this week :-)

The Cutting Cafe Design Team!!!

Just wanted to let you all know that I made the Design Team at THE CUTTING CAFE!!!!

They have so many affordable printable stamps and cutting files, your imagination just runs wild! They also have a blog which has weekly inspiration projects, giveaways, contests, challenges and more!

Check them out - I'm sure you'll enjoy joining in the fun!!!!

I'll be back with my projects beginning in May :-)

playground days

Authentique is quickly becoming one of my favorite manufacturers, and their current sketch challenge is to use this sketch to create a layout.

I turned the sketch upside down and used kites instead of bows. I used a 6x6 paper pad from the Free Bird series (Endless and fair weather).

Here is my layout:

I am also entering this into Frosted Designs hexagon challenge, Artfull crafts Authentique/celebrate challenge, Scrapbook Steals Amethyst #8 which uses the same sketch.

I think you're amazing!

Another of the challenges over on Burlaps and Buttercups was to use this sketch:

with the twist of using mist/paint on your project! Anyone who knows me, knows I like 'clean' layouts so this was a toughie for me!!!! I opened up my new Echo Park 'This & That' collection and found some yellow pearlised paint that would go with the color scheme! Here is my layout:

You can just about see the paint on the wood background (but that is enough for me! I didn't want it to stand out TOO much! Lol!) I love this photo! 

Let's Get Sketchy challenge #8!

Here is this week's sketch.  Cant wait to see what you do with it!

Here is my layout:

Don't forget you have until Sunday to complete it!

I am also entering this in tot the Burlaps & Buttercups #1 use a quilting pattern, and Scrap-Friendzy's HippityHop crop challenge #6 use at least 1 flower, and Unique Crafters Challenge use paper flowers.

See you there :-)

Sweet Spring

I was asked to be Guest Designer over at Child's Play challenges - a great site that uses children's toys/games/books as inspiration for layouts! The inspiration piece I was given was this image:

I also combined this with GrandDiva's Creative Corner Tic Tac Toe challenge:

I used the bottom row : spring color combo, fussy cutting (tree) and 3 buttons. I used the Echo Park 'Springtime' collection. 

Scrapbook Steals Blog Hop Winner!

I would just like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who took the time to join in the Blog Hop this weekend and to comment on my post! It really did make my weekend! I loved working on this project, and I am so glad you all liked it and felt inspired! I must admit I was a little nervous when posting my project as it really was out of my comfort-zone! If I can do it - I know you all can do too!

So - onto my winner - selected by my daughter (I thought it only seemed right!!)

CONGRATULATIONS ...............

KIMBERLI!!!!!

I have just sent you an email to confirm!

Thanks again to everyone who entered and for those of you who have become followers of my blog!

I have more exciting news to announce - but that will have to wait until I have been given the 'green light' to tell you all about it :-)

I luv u!

This is one of my favorite photos - but it always makes me feel sad! This is a photo of my brother and daughter - just before we left the UK and moved to the USA. She didn't want to let him go!!! :-(

I used this month's sketch from Paper Secrets:

which I rotated 1/4 turn anti-clockwise. I used Echo Park's Dot's & Stripes 'Metropolitan' collection of papers and embellishments.

This also tied in with Scrap-Friendzy's challenge #8 - use an item or technique from each letter of the word SPRING. I used S-stitching, P - patterned paper, R - red, I - ivory color (matting behind the photo), N - navy, G - green

Here is my layout:

The hand wash

Scrap-Friendzy challenge #9 - use outdoor photos. The kids decided they were going to 'wash' Dad's car! Well - that was an experience!!! We still ended up taking it to the car wash afterwards!!! Made for some great photos though!

I used Boy's Rule April 13 sketch:

and combined it with Fancy Pants 'rough and tough' collection.

Here is my layout:

Little Dancer

Another Scrap-Friendzy challenge - this time #7 - create a layout using lace and/or ribbon.

I chose to use a sketch from Sketches with a twist:

The twist on this challenge was to use mesh on the layout - you'll find it behind the 'this girl' sticker.

I used Fancy Pants 'Dancing girl' collection - papers and embellishments. I must admit to cutting up one of my daughters (OLD) dressing up clothes for the mesh behind the round sticker! She'll never even notice it is missing - it is far too small for her anyway!! LOL! 

Here is my layout:

All Boy

Last week was a mad week for me - I had the kids on Spring Break, was looking after a friend's dog (who seemed intent on trying to eat my cats!!!) and then there was the FAB Hippity Hop Crop over at Scrap-Friendzy! Although I did manage to get some of the projects done! 
Scrap-Friendzy challenge #2 - use older product (6+ months), paper from at least 2 manufacturers, mixed up embellishments. I used Bella Blvd 'super stud, finally fall & all inclusive' papers, Echo Park 'playground' papers, embellishments from both collections, MME stickers, stick title and twine.
I used the Creative Scrappers sketch #203:

Here is my layout:

ScrapbookSteals Blog Hop!

Welcome to the ScrapbookSteals Blog Hop, the best place on the web for scrapbooking ideas and supplies! You should have come here from Stephanie's blog, if not head back over to ScrapbookSteals blog to begin! Don't forget to visit everyone's blogs and leave a comment - some ladies are having their very own giveaway too - so MORE prizes to be won! Scrapbook Steals will draw a name from all of the comments to win a $20 ScrapbookSteals gift certificate. Every comment is a chance to win!

I was so excited when Kristy Lee asked me to join in this hop! There are SO many talented ladies out there - you will have seen some fantastic projects - with still more to come! We were asked to use My Mind's Eye 'Miss Caroline' 6x6 pads - with free reign to create whatever we liked!! Well, my head was racing! Should I do a layout or a card? An altered project (something I must admit I am very new too!)? So I thought I would challenge myself - NO PRESSURE there then! I finally (after walking round Michael's for an hour for inspiration) settled upon the idea of making an altered photo box. The papers were perfect and it is something I love to have sitting on my desk as I work. I made this one of my daughter through the years, the one of my son is still a work in progress (the paper pad I was given was My Minds Eye 'dolled up' - the papers are so versatile they can be used for a girl or a boy).

I started off with a standard wooden photo box, which I painted with cream paint (I knew some of the edges would be showing, and for the girls box I thought it looked a bit nicer). For the boys box I have left them unpainted for a more 'rugged' look!

I then started working on each individual panel in turn. The first panel is when she was a baby. I cut out the papers on my cricut and added the 'pompom' ribbon down the side. Then I found embellishments to fit.

The second panel is from when she was 2 years old - this was a professional photo my parents had taken - she just REFUSED to smile! I love it! Again the panel was cut using my cricut and the flowers were made using the coordinating papers from the pad.

Next is the panel from when we went to Disney and she became 'Princess for the day'! The butterfly was punched from coordinating papers from the pad, to coordinate with the butterfly background paper. I thought the 'Imagine' embellishment worked perfectly.

 The final panel is the most recent picture of her - believe it or not she is only 8 in this picture! Boy - I've got troubles ahead!!! As you can see, the paper patterns get more 'grown up' as she ages. The star pins are backed with more coordinating papers and other embellishments were added.

I finished the lid with a simple design and used  the papers and punches to make the flower. It just finished it off perfectly! I have this box sat on my desk at the moment - but I am sure it will find it's way into my daughters bedroom very soon!

I hope you enjoyed looking at my project and found some inspiration! I think I am beginning to get 'hooked' on Altered projects - not something I thought I would ever hear myself say!

Here is the Blog Hop order. Be sure to visit everyone and leave a comment. Remember - the more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win the $20 gift certificate and maybe other prizes on people's blogs! You have until Monday, April 16th at 11:59PM MST to leave your comments.

ScrapbookSteals http://scrapbooksteals.stealnetwork.com/wp/

Misty Buck: http://www.mistylynnwhat.blogspot.com/

Michelle Philippi: http://michellephilippi.com/

Stephanie Umpleby: http://sucw.blogspot.com/

Kerys Sharrock:http://scrappinnhappy.blogspot.com/       <-- you are here!

Jennifer McDermott: http://wonkywares.blogspot.com/

Emily Lanham: http://createserendipity.blogspot.com/

Brenda Smith: http://theimperfectscrapper.blogspot.com/

I will also be choosing a SEPERATE WINNER from the comments on my blog to win a MYSTERY prize! Please become a follower on my blog and leave a comment below saying you have done so. I will choose a random winner on Tuesday morning and post the winner on my blog!

Thank you for taking the time to read my post and have a great weekend :-)

Kerys

Just be exactly who you are!

Here is my take on the Artful Delight Sketch challenge #19:

I used Little Yellow Bicycle's 'Paradise' collection.

I am also entering this layout into Scrap-Friendzy's crop challenge #11 - color combo, and Frosted Designs challenge 'weather' - subtitle for my layout reads 'sunny summer days', and lastly Burlaps & Buttercups challenge #2 - use at least 5 different patterned papers.

Live loud!

The current challenge over at The Paper Variety is:

I used a the sketch from Paper Secrets:

Here is my card and matching envelope:

Summer smiles

The current sketch challenge over on The Paper Bakery blog is:

This worked perfectly for crop challenge #4 at Scrap-Friendzy Hippity Hop crop (use an Easter dress for inspiration). Here is the cute little dress I chose:

The colors and patterns were perfect with Echo Park's 'Summer Days' and 'Hello Summer'! 

Here is my layout:

Sorry about the wonky picture! I just couldn't get it straight for love nor money!!! :-)

Best present ever!

I decided to use another of the Boys Rule sketches (I just LOVE these!)

I used the Pre-Crop challenge #1 over on Scrap-Friendzy's Hippity Hop Crop - use your favorite color of jelly bean as your main color (mine had to be brown - chocolate pudding!) and a little bit of your least favorite colors (red - very cherry - ugh!)

Here is my layout:

I used all Jillibean Soup products, and am entering it into the Jillibean Soup contest which was to use buttons (as well as at least 80% of their product.

Families are Forever

Another page from my brother's wedding! This is the other half of the page I posted earlier - Our family grows!

This time I used sketch #202 from Creative scrappers:

I used the Pre-crop challenge #2 (over on Scrap-Friendzy's Hippity Hop crop) for inspiration:

And also incorporated Frosted Designs 'fabulous friday' challenge to use banners.

Here is my layout:

The papers and embellishments I used are from My Minds Eye 'Follow your heart' - whose April challenge is to use hexagons.