Sketch Diggity

Check out the great sketches over at Simple Sketches.

My Son's professional portraits from his swim team along with a ribbon he won. Go Piranhas!

I usually start and finish a page on the same day. This one sat and sat with the pics and squares laid out. Then I got the cork arrows and stitched tags in a page kit from The Scrap-Room and the page came together. 

I adore this sketch and will use it again with more white space. But I still like how this page came out, with the country warmth of the burlap mat and and stitched on gingham. 

My son created this rectangle with tissue paper and his cut out photo at VBS. Using the sketch from Simple Sketches I was able to save it in his scrapbook. 

Simple Sketches

Going green

The fun part of this page, in my opinion is definitely the textured, colored background. I used molding paste and a rough diamond mask to create a raised texture on scrap paper. Then I went to town with colored mist- light green, dark green, brown and some turquoise. When I created this background, I had no pictures or page planned for it. I just created for the sake of trying something new.

Then I got a sketch assignment from Simple Sketches. I wanted these "dressy" pictures of my hubby and I dressed up for a wedding in San Francisco to work with it. I pulled some "fancy" papers and tried to force it. I happened to be at a crop with my friend Sonia who informed me it wasn't working and to use the papers she happened to be working with at the time. Here scraps of paper, my pre-made textured-colored background and these photos worked together.

Ups and Downs

Simple Sketches put out a sketch that had 3 up, 3 down with a combo of 3 pics and 3 decorative tags.
When I started to scrap it, my design went towards clean and simple. I used some die cuts I bought for a bargain at the recent scrapbook flea market.

Here's the sketch:

Here's my take on it:

One item of note, the page is about us viewing the sea lions at Pier 39, a San Francisco tradition. The bottom die cut is a sea otter - also adorable and precious and in the area but NOT a sea lion. I was aware of this when I put it on the page, but although not accurate, it worked aesthetically and well, I like it.

Christmas time anytime

On a discussion board, someone mentioned they have a mental block to scrapping Christmas pictures.  I get it. Christmas to me is such an important holiday- the embodiment of my faith, family, generosity, good will. There is pressure to scrap those pictures JUST right. And I take soooo many on Christmas. But alas, I recently challenged myself to get all of 2010 photos done and those pesky, wonderful Christmas pictures need to be scrapped.

So I used the sketch #5 from Simple Sketches to capture the joy.

Tilting the vertical elements really added a playful touch to the page. 

I used a textured paper for the center strip that was pre-sewn with curly stitches. Then I added some older Basic Grey Figgy Pudding paper (which likely came out around when these photos were taken). 

Simply Sweet!

Simple Sketches # 3

What do I love about Simple Sketches- they are so easy to work with.
You can use parts to inspire you without being bogged down with the details.

Here is Sketch #3

And here is my take on it.

Cute kid, huh? The blue on the page really makes his little man glasses pop. 

The fun part of the page was creating those arrows out of washi tape. I wouldn't have thought to do that had I not been inspired by the arrows along the bottom of the sketch. 

Want to try your hand at the sketch? 

Check it out http://simplesketches.blogspot.com/2013/09/simple-sketches-3.html

Saving money by spending it!

Once a year, our local scrapbook store holds a scrapbook flea market. People are invited to sell their old, unwanted scrap goodies for a % of cash or store credit. I LOVE saving money and I LOVE buying scrapbook stuff. Although low in cash these days, I couldn't resist.

But check out these deals!! Flowers for under $1. Embellies for a quarter.

Many of the photos still have items in their bags with price tags so you can see the cost. Amazing!

A few of my favorites- a film transparency for $0.25, a word stamper (change letters) for $1 some Prima flowers for $0.50. I'm now stocked for the year. 

SCORE!!!! 

Now to create with them....

Simple Sketch #1

So over at Simple Sketches, she is posting some fun, easy to work with sketches.
Here is sketch #1

And my take

To create just the right splatter, I added paint to my brush and "flicked" it onto the page as if flicking a cigarette. Now I never smoked, but I felt kinda cool "flicking" the paint. Then I used a lid to stamp the rings. Use what you have! And have fun with it.

Simple Sketches Design Team

...and the new Simple Sketches Design Team members include.....little, old me!!!

Here is my bio and headshot.

I am: 38 years old, Christian, wife and mom, scrapbooker, sorority alumnae, mommy-group member, stay-at-home mom, Californian, dreamer, architecture/home lover, hiker, volunteer, pedicure lover, old-soul, friend. Scrapping is my passion and creating art though memories brings me joy. My playful style focuses on my two sons, my awesome husband, our dogs, my active social life with girlfriends, heritage memories, vacations and outdoor adventures along with anything else that tickles my fancy. I'm a super fast scrapper. My go-to style is thematic but I like to stretch myself with a bit of everything- distressed, masculine, clean and simple, classic, artsy, or whatever the photo or my whim calls for. I have been scrapping forever, specifically since 1993. Admittedly, I relish trying out the latest trends (like washi tape or banners) while still using tried and true favorites (paint, stickers, sewing). Recycling items like random kitchen trash, office supplies or old clothes onto layouts is a specialty for me.

Simple Sketches - SUPER!

A fabulous sketch designer, Melissa Williams is starting her own blog called Simple Sketches. What is fabulous about her sketches is their strong basic designs without all the fuss of extras, so you can start with the design and embellish how ever fits your needs. http://simplesketches.blogspot.com/

She has opened a Design Team call this month. Here is the sketch she provided.

Simple Sketches Design Team Sketch

And here is my entry. It showcases my youngest having a blast dressed as a super hero with muscles at a birthday party. I'm not usually one to scrap several pictures that are so similar, but something about the innocent youthfulness of these days of wonder and imagination just begged for me to capture every detail! I added some screen mesh (recycled from a screen door), white rub-ons, black stamped stars, doodled white borders, and plenty of fussy-cut pop-dotted accents. The playful papers are from Pebbles- Party with Amy Locurto - Save the Day & Incredible. I love how in the top right photo his little arms are up similar to the cut figure in the lower right.

And now I hope you check out Simple Sketches and take a look at Melissa's first official sketch on September 1, 2013 at Simple Sketches.  

Dandelion- Journal cards

Over at The Paper Girls, they challenged followers to create a page with 3 or more journal cards. Well I'm a Journal card junkie and could easily do this one!
http://thepapergirlschallenge.blogspot.com/2013/07/challenge-35-journaling-cards.html
Buzz on by and give it a try yourself. 

I used a fancy shape from the Making Memories - Noteworthy Collection - Spiral Journaling book for journal on the right side. 

I then tore and used the bees from  Making Memories - Paper Reverie Collection - Spiral Journaling book - Brun Antique as an embellishment on the bottom left. Finally I used a brown chipboard journal card on the left for the date over the photo. 

Sleeping Boy

While "walking down memory lane" of my boys when they are babies, I ran across this sweet pic of my oldest son sleeping. They are such angels when they sleep.

One of the "tricks" I used here was to glue Baker's Twine around the center pic and patterned papers to frame it in a sweet, warm way...and without actually sewing! I like how the twine frame turned out.

My Precious One

I love challenges. They, well, challenge me to think outside of the norm and create something new.
I found 3 talented women who host blogs with challenges and each month, they have a group challenge. Each gives their own challenge and if you do all 3 on one page, you are entered for a bonus drawing.

Kristi B. challenge is to use clocks on a layout. http://devosmommy.blogspot.com/2013/07/scrappy-friends-july-challenges.html
Grand Diva offers up a sketch to inspire. http://granddivasscrappyplace.blogspot.com/
Rochelle asks us to be inspired with a title from a Celine Dion song.
http://rochellespears.blogspot.com/2013/07/july-inspired-by-challenge.html

Listening to Christian radio, I don't listen to much "main stream" music but in 2004 when I gave birth to my first son, I was given as a gift the "Miracle" CD by Celine Dion which is all about her love for her newborn son. I played that CD in my son's room while he slept so it looped over and over while I was in there in the wee hours of the night nursing or rocking him. Oh, what sweet memories.

Here is the page with the title "My Precious One" from the Miracle CD, as well as using clocks and the sketch.