MIM #69 -- Sketch #2

We had such fabulous weather last weekend.... it got me itching for school to be done and the summer to begin! I get a Phineas & Ferb song in my head: ♪♫♪♪♫   Summer belongs to you.... ♪ ♫♪♪♪♫

So, I decided to use some photos I took at our Splash Park last Saturday & make a layout. I also used the second sketch that Nichole shared on her blog for this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink as inspiration.


                            


I struggle with large circles on my layouts.... they just aren't my thing. But several years ago, shaped layouts were the big trend, so I decided to make my own. I was inspired by this sheet of patterned paper to go through my scraps and find some fun, bright colours, from which I punched out 1 1/8" circles and adhered them to the back of a large circle of white cardstock, which I cut out after tracing with a dinner plate. Here's my layout:



I'm not going to list all the manufacturers of patterned paper I used.... suffice it to say that there's a good mix. ;)

I also used October Afternoon letter stickers and Papertrey Ink dies (flipping out, limitless layers ovals 2.25", uppercase block alphabet.)

Here's a close-up of my journaling:



After finishing my layout last night, I decided to make a card for my friend, Marlo, using the same sketch:



I used Crate Paper patterned paper and PTI cardstock (stamper's select white, sweet blush, spring moss), impression plate (simple stripes), stamps (happy trails) and dies (limitless layers ovals 3.5", double-ended banner.)

Thanks for looking!

MIM #69 -- Sketch #3

I woke up this morning at 7am. My kids were still sleeping, so I decided to go downstairs to my scrapbooking space and make a layout using third sketch that Nichole shared on her blog for this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink.


                          

One morning, a few weeks ago, I woke up and could hear someone talking. I went into Sage's room and found Jonah, lying in bed beside his sister, reading to her. Then, several days later, they did it again, but during the day. I had to take some photos-- it was just so sweet!

I decided to use these photos for the layout, using this sketch:




I used some new Crate Paper patterned papers & stickers, as well as some Papertrey Ink dies (notched flower & double-ended banner). I also used some decorative brads. One is Teresa Collins (blue) and the other is Echo Park (pink).

Here's a close-up of the journaling:




I decided to use my scraps to make a card, using the same sketch:



I also used some Papertrey Ink cardstock (stamper's select white, sweet blush), stamps (think big favourites #7), buttons, button twine & dies (beautiful blooms II #2).

Thanks for looking!

MIM #69 -- Sketch #5

Today, I'm sharing another card and layout that I made with the fifth sketch that Nichole shared on her blog for this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink.

                        

It was cool to see Nichole post a scrapbooking layout as her inspiration! So, this time, I started on my layout first...



I used photos from Austin's 13th birthday party to create my layout. I also used American Crafts cardstock (12x12), American Crafts (orange woodgrain) & My Mind's Eye patterned papers, two MME decorative brads ($5 & crown) and a SU! build a brad (orange & white chevron). I also used Papertrey Ink cardstock (stamper's select white), stamps (text boxes ("th"), Think Big Favourites #12 ("Happy" & "Birthday"), Movers & Shakers sentiments ("13" & "Open")) and dies (Tag Sale #5, Uppercase block alphabet, Edgers #5).

Here's a close-up of my title:



And for my journaling, I printed it on a 5.25 X 8.5 piece of cardstock and folded it in half. I used the Edgers #5 die to make the tab adn adhered the photo to the front, so when you pull open the tab, you can read the journaling:



And then, using the same sketch, I created a card, for our taekwondo club to give to our custodian who's retiring at the end of the month.



I used PTI cardstock (stamper's select white, smokey shadow), stamps (Think Big Favourites #5) and dies (Tag Sale #5). I also used Crate Paper (herringbone, red) and Authentique (text) patterned paper and two Echo Park decorative brads.

Thanks for looking!

MIM #69 -- Sketch #4

I wanted to share the card and layout that I made with the fourth sketch that Nichole shared on her blog for this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink.
 
                         


I wanted to make a card for Kevin, a fellow black belt from taekwondo, who's moving to Alberta after he graduates at the end of June. We're having a farewell BBQ for him tomorrow night, so I'll give it to him then. Because he's a teenager, I thought Grunge Me would work well...




I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic white, soft stone), stamps (grunge me, wonderful words additions) and die (wonderful words.) The patterned paper is Authentique.

And here's the layout I made with the sketch:



I used PTI cardstock (rustic cream, smokey shadow) & dies (seeing stars, uppercase block alphabet.) The patterned paper is October Afternoon & the brads are My Mind's Eye (small) and Echo Park (large "50 cents".) The red cardstock is Bazzill.

Here's a close-up of the journaling:



Thanks for looking!

MIM #69 -- Sketch #6

I was so excited to see Nichole's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink this week, because in it, she shares six great card sketches, along with the photos that inspired the sketches!

When I did Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook 4 class earlier this spring, I challenged myself to create a layout and a card with each sketch. So, I thought I'd do the same thing with Nichole's sketches this week.

After a very full evening which included helping Austin with homework, playing tennis with Jonah & Sage, making supper, cleaning up and going to taekwondo, I didn't get down to my scrap area until after 10pm. So I looked at the sketches I'd printed out and chose the first one that caught my eye. It happened to be the last sketch Nichole shared:

                    

I was inspired by the inspiration photo, as well as the sketch. When I saw the lines on the bottom half of the sketch, I thought of using my new PTI Simple Stripes impression plate. Here's the card I made:

 

I used PTI cardstock (smokey shadow, rustic white), stamps (pretty peonies, think big favourites #7), buttons and twine.

And here's the layout I made with the sketch, this time interpreting the bottom half of the sketch as blocks of different patterned papers.



I used PTI cardstock (classic kraft, rustic white), stamps (tiny tags #2) and dies (text boxed, tag sale #5). I also used My Mind's Eye patterned paper & decorative brad (chevron). The other brad was made with an SU! build-a-brad (with a star from Text Boxed stamped on a punched circle from the MME pp on the right hand side.) The chipboard letters are American Crafts and the alphabet stickers are Lily Bee.

Here's a close-up of the journaling:



Thanks for looking!

A 12 photo layout

I took so many photos when we went to the Brandon Winter Fair, that I had time narrowing down which ones I wanted to scrapbook. I decided to make one layout about the fair in general and several separate ones that focus on a couple of photos in particular or a specific event I want to remember (like this one).

So, I made a collage of 12 photos in Picasa3 and had it printed out as an 8x12" photo. It still felt pretty full to me, so I didn't add too many embellishments to overwhelm the photos.



I used Bazzill cardstock (12x12, as well as some Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic cream, canyon clay & terracotta tile), stamps (On the Farm) and dies (On the Farm, Edger's #5). The patterned paper is Simple Stories.

Here's a close-up of my horses and cow:



And I sewed a pocket with the patterned paper behind my photos, in which I tucked my journaling. I am loving my Edger #5 dies to create some hidden journaling!



I find the layout still a little busy, but I like the fact that I can look back on it and get a good picture of our day.

Thanks for looking!

Happy they have each other

I wanted to make a layout using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: pocket cards. So, I decided to make a pocket card that would house my journaling....

I used PTI cardstock (aqua mist, rustic white)) stamps (wonderful words) & dies (mat stack #5, layerz mat stack #5, pretty peonies). The ribbon is Bo Bunny (I think!) and the brads and patterned paper are My Mind's Eye. I'm also submitting this project for Sue's Papertrey Princess challenge to use something that you've had a long time. For me, it's this ribbon.

Here's the journaling:

And here's how I adhered it to my layout:

The patterned paper on the rest of the layout is My Mind's Eye. I used a bunch of dimensional adhesive to adhere my elements to my layout.

Thanks for looking!

Six for Saturday

1. I participated as an official in the Iron Fist Taekwondo Tournament last Saturday, which means I was a pattern judge, a corner judge and a referee. It was a very full day, where I learned a lot. Here are a few photos. Please don't mind my outfit (it's what the officials wear-- I felt like I should have been asking people: "May I take your order please?") or my hair. Yeah. I know. I don't look that great with a ponytail, but it's regulation.

2. I've succeeded in making it to the June without any sugar or deep-fried foods! It's definitely getting easier as time goes on.... just because I don't want to break my streak. ;) The good news is, it's totally paying off! I went to the clinic this week and weighed myself.... and I've lost 15 lbs!


3. We went to Jonah & Sage's school on Thursday evening for their annual Spring Concert. They combine the concert with a bar-b-q fundraiser and carnival. Jonah and Sage both had responsibilities.... Jonah had a 30 minute shift in the game his class was running and Sage took a shift in her class' booth where she sold rice krispie cake. They both sang with their classes and Jonah performed with the voluntary choir, too. It was a sad evening, as their music teacher is resigning and moving to B.C. We're all so sorry to see her go.... she is fabulous!

I dislike face painting, so Sage asked if she could get her arm painted instead.

Here are Sage & Jonah with their teacher. It was an emotional evening with quite a few tears.


4. This weekend's forecast is for sunshine and a high of 25°C. I'm planning on wearing a tank top. ;)


5. I made another card this week, using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: pocket cards. I made this one for one of my kids' former teachers.... just to let her know I'm thinking of her.

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, sweet blush), buttons, twine and stamps (rosie posie, botanical silhouettes). The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye.

Here's the note card that pulls out.

With the card, I also included a plate of homemade baking powder cinnamon buns.


6. Today, our town is having its annual Block Party downtown. This year, our taekwondo club was asked to participate by doing a demonstration, so we'll be going to that shortly. I'm hoping I'll get to do some board breaking. :) Wish me luck!


Thanks for looking!

Pages with Papertrey -- Challenge #10

I just wanted to share the Pages with Papertrey challenge for June, which is to include an interactive element to your layout. It could be hidden journaling that you pull out to reveal, photos you lift to reveal more photos, etc. Whatever you'd like.

Here's the layout I made:

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (vintage cream, sweet blush), stamps (signature sentiments: dress form, journaling lines, movers & shakers sentiments) & dies (spiral note, edgers #5). The patterned paper is all Crate, except for the light blue, which is My Mind's Eye. The banner sticker is also MME.

Here's a close-up of my journaling:

And here's my interactive element.... I created three folders that slide into the pocket that I made that frames my photo. These can be slid out to reveal the dresses that my daughter designed:

This layout also works with this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: pocket cards.

So, if you create a layout for this month's challenge, please leave a comment here with the link or here on the PTI forum, because I'd love to see what you make!

Thanks for looking!

On the farm banners

When Papertrey Ink first sneak peeked their On the Farm set last month, I thought for sure that I wouldn't be buying it. Sure, we have cattle on my mother-in-law's farm, but I didn't think this set would be terribly versatile. As the week went on though, I saw how different designers used the set and I started to cave. (Of course, it didn't help that Sage kept saying: "A horse and cow stamp set? Buy it!")

Then, Melissa Phillips posted this card... and I knew that I had to have this set. I love how she created a banner with the set!

So, when I pulled the set out yesterday to make a birthday card for my soon-to-be nine year old nephew, I knew I wanted to use this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: pocket cards with the Barn Die, as well as include a banner.

Here's my card:

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (lemon drop, rustic white, pure poppy), stamps (on the farm, distressed stripes), impression plate (simple stripes), twine and dies (barn, tag sale #5.) I also used some Crate patterned paper.

Here's a close-up of the banner:

And when you pull out the barn....

.... the doors open up to reveal...

On the back we signed it from Uncle Cam, Aunt Leigh and your "country" cousins: Austin, Jonah and Sage. :)

After I finished the card, I decided to pull out some of my photos that we took at the Brandon Fair. In setting up this layout with photos of Jonah on a horse, I thought that here, too, would be a great place to add  another On the Farm banner.

I used Bo Bunny (background), Crate Paper (green and off white), American Crafts (orange woodgrain) and Simple Stories (stripe, star, off white banners) patterned paper. I also used Papertrey Ink stamps (on the farm), twine and dies (tag sale #5.) I also used some Pink Paislee chipboard letters.

For my journaling, I cut a piece of patterned paper out of the background (behind the photos and the block of patterned paper) and trimmed it down to 2.25" tall and printed my journaling on it. Then, I adhered it to the layout. I'm not quite sure why all of the lines didn't line up, though.... (If you'd like to read the journaling, you can click on the photo to see it bigger.)

And here's a close up of the banner. I had cut out the star from a sheet of patterned paper and adhered it to the banner. Then I thought it needed a little something extra. I was thrilled with how the 100% country stamp fit perfectly!

So, thanks to Melis for the inspiration and to you all for looking!

A thank you pocket card -- MIM #68

I made another pocket card for this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: pocket cards. This one is for one of the volunteers in our Sunday School program.

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic white, sweet blush), stamps (Happy Trails, Lace Bouquet), buttons and dies (double-ended banner). The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye.

The inside pulls out like this...

Thanks for looking!