Back to School | Digital Layouts

Last year I created a scrapbook layout to celebrate Evan's first day of school. I love how that layout turned out (you can see it here), and I used that layout as a template to create layouts for this year's first day of school photos.

I used a new collection from Mommyish, called Scholastic, for Evan's layout. He has changed so much from last year! I used a color photo instead of a black and white photo, but the basic layout is the same.

For Jack's layout I used the same Scholastic kit, plus First Day - Journal Cards & Stamps. I also changed the layout size from 12 x 12 to 8.5 x 11.

I am going to upload these to Persnickety Prints and file them in their respective albums. 

I am off to take Bailey for a walk. She is getting so much better on her leash, but now we are working on the barking issue... she's rather protective of her new family and loves to bark at strangers. It's like trying to train a toddler! 

I'll be back in a bit with a card for this week's RetroSketches challenge. Thanks for stopping by!

CAS(E) this Sketch! | Challenge #90

Before I share my card for this week's CAS(E) this Sketch! challenge, I want to introduce everyone to the newest member of the Taylor family... Bailey! 

We adopted Bailey from a local shelter yesterday afternoon. She is a little timid, and definitely needs a trip to see a Vet (fleas, ear mites, and the incision from being spayed looks infected...), but I hope that once she's feeling better that she will be a great addition to our family. The boys adore her already, and the other animals (Rocket our Cockalier, and Lilly & Gabby our rescue kitties) aren't too upset by her. Lilly has hissed a few times, but Bailey doesn't seem to understand that is a "back off" noise... she just walks right past her! It's pretty funny to watch all four animals interact.

Here is the sketch I'm working with this week for the CAS(E) this Sketch! challenge:

I have a couple of dies that create a tilted square/rectangle, but I ended up cutting this one with my paper trimmer. After I trimmed it down, I used Papertrey Ink's Embellished Elegance stamp set, plus ink by Memento Luxe and Avery Elle, to stamp the white panel. I used Label Love from Altenew for the sentiment and the enamel dots are from My Mind's Eye. 

Avery Elle's Lemongrass ink matches Papertrey Ink's Limeade Ice perfectly, so I used Limeade Ice mini polka dot patterned paper for the background. 

We are off to a barbeque (hooray for three day weekends!). I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Thanks for stopping by.

Paper Smooches Sparks | Anything Goes Challenge

Good morning! Welcome to this week's Paper Smooches Sparks Anything Goes challenge. 

Fall is my favorite season and I love creating fall themed cards. For my card, I pulled out two die sets from Paper Smooches: Large Leaves Dies and Thanks. 

I die cut the leaves from white cardstock, then used my Copic and Spectrum Noir markers to color them in, blending several colors together until I liked the look. To create the multi-colored Thanks inlay, I die cut Thanks from a white cardstock panel. Then I cut three strips of yellow and orange cardstock, and lined them up on the back of a large sticky note, making sure all three strips were temporarily adhered to the sticky note. I placed my die over the strips and ran the whole thing through my die cut machine. I popped the die cut from the die, and carefully adhered the pieces to the white cardstock underneath the die cut white piece.

I wrapped some white thread around before adhering it to my card. After I adhered the leaves I added a wooden button that I've had in my stash forever... maybe 7 years? A few enamel dots finish it off.

I hope you can play along with us this week! Make sure to check out of the awesome creations by the rest of the design team:

Katie Gehring

Lynn Mangan

Lori Tecler

Alice Wertz

Erin Taylor

Jenny Mullens

Savannah O'Gwynn

Have a great week. :)

Retro Sketches | Challenge #130

This week's Retro Sketches challenge is to create a card using this sketch:

The sketch is based on one of my cards. I love it when my cards are up for a re-make.... I really have to think outside the box to come up with a fresh design! 

I decided to switch the orientation from vertical to horizontal, and use an aqua/teal/lime/gray color combo for a soothing thank you card. Papertrey Ink's Doodlie-do stamp set works beautifully with the multi-colored background. I stamped the flowers is Hawaiian Shores and Limeade Ice ink, then colored in a few of the open circles with my Copic markers. A few gems and enamel dots add the perfect finishing touch!

I hope you can join us this week for another awesome Retro Sketches challenge! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful holiday weekend.

Chickaniddy | Design Team Announcement

Happy Friday, friends!

I have an exciting announcement to share today. I've been asked to join the Chickaniddy design team for the next year! I am thrilled to be working with an amazing group of women, creating cards (and probably a layout or two!). 

You can check out of the Chickaniddy blog to see the rest of the design team. 

I received my first box of goodies from Chickaniddy this week, and I'm anxious to get started! Their two new collections, Scrumptious & Jolly Good, are gorgeous and I know the next year is going to be a great one!

Turtle | Digital Layout

In June, Jack and I spent 10 days together while Evan was in Washington visiting my parents. Jack loves art projects, and we pulled out several unopened Kiwi Crate boxes to work on. 

One of his favorite projects involved using markers to color sea animals, then spritzing them with water so the ink bled, creating an awesome blended look. I took a ton of photos while Jack was creating his project, then created a layout using Scotty Girl Designs' Stitched Grid Templates.

My favorite element on this layout? The wood veneer "you" in the large photo. It looks so realistic! 

I combined both color and black and white photos on my page... something I love doing with digital pages. It adds a lot of interest and allows for imperfect photos to look great. 

Make sure to check back later this morning for a fun announcement. Thanks for stopping by and have a great Friday! 

 

Avery Elle | Sequins Challenge

I haven't played along with the Avery Elle AEI{heart}U challenge in a while, but this month's theme is sequins, and I love sequins! 

 

Sequins were popular in scrapbooking 6 or 7 years ago, and I have several containers full of sequins. For this card, I used Avery Elle's Rounded Diamonds stamp set and matching dies, Petals & Stems stamp set, plus clear sequins. I used ZOTS Minuscule glue dots to adhere each sequin... and it took forever! I watched the series finally of True Blood while I adhered sequins. :)

The sentiment, from Petals & Stems, is one of my most used Avery Elle stamps. The font is awesome! I used Ranger Jet Black Archival ink for the sentiment, and the enamel dots are from My Mind's Eye. 

This is my second post of the day. Please scroll down to see my CAS(E) this Sketch! card, or click here.

CAS(E) this Sketch! | Challenge #89

 Hello, hello! Today I have a card for this week's CAS(E) this Sketch! Challenge: 

Once again I pulled out my Country Fair Make it Market kit (LOVE this kit!), and used the big Ferris Wheel stamp and die as the focal point. The paisley/cherry/floral patterned paper and sentiment are also from Make it Market kit. The yellow patterned paper is from Papertrey Ink's Harvest Gold patterns pack.

I have been working like crazy in my office creating projects for the September Gossamer Blue release... and I can't wait to share them with you! Less than a week until the reveal! The September kits are gorgeous! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week! 

Paper Smooches Sparks | Designer Drafts

Good morning! Welcome to this week's Paper Smooches Sparks Designer Drafts Challenge! Here is this week's sketch:

I used one stamp set for my card: Blossoming Buds. Isn't the flower cluster beautiful? And this set has some great sentiments, too.

I stamped the flower cluster with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then colored it in with Copic markers. I added three enamel dots to the center, creating a fun visual triangle. I stamped the sentiment on Limeade Ice cardstock then trimmed it down to create the banner. 

I originally just adhered the green banner to the card, but after decided to add a layered pink patterned banner behind it, and I'm glad I did. The pink twine unifies the two elements (banner + flowers). The Tropical Teal striped patterned paper is one of my favorites for backgrounds.

You can check out the rest of the design team, and their awesome projects, here:

Alice

Angeline

Jenny

Savannah

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!

Papertrey Ink | Make it Monday #177

Hi there! Today I have a card for this week's Papertrey Ink Make it Monday challenge: Using Cover Plate Negatives. I pulled out one of my favorite cover plates (and stamp sets!), Mighty Oak, for this technique.

I die cut the tree three times. The first from New Leaf, the second from Limeade Ice bitty dot patterned paper, and the third from Kraft cardstock.After I punched all the little pieces out, I placed the intact green die cut over white cardstock and carefully adhered all the pieces into place. Then I removed the original die. I used foam tape to adhere some of the leaf pieces and regular adhesive for the rest. 

I die cut a heart from red cardstock and covered it with glossy accents. I used Dark Chocolate ink for the sentiment. The white background paper was impressed with my woodgrain impression plate, also from Papertrey Ink. 

This challenge was so much fun! Cover plates are pricey, but worth the investment due to their versatility.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!