My take on my challenge

Hey, all! I said I'd be back to show you my take on my current challenge, so here it is:

I don't usually do layouts about myself, but for some reason, I decided this was the perfect opportunity. I had so much fun making this...I love splattering the paint around! I also saw this as the perfect opportunity to use some of my ribbon stash...I have way too much ribbon lying around!

And, just a reminder that this is the picture that inspired me:

You have until 13 February to post your link to your project to the original post. Can't wait to see what you all come up with!!

Be a doodlebug!

I'm sure that everyone has a certain technique they fall back on when they finish a layout, look at it and decide they're not entirely satisfied with how it looks. I know I do. When I finish something and I think it could use a little more, I just doodle on it. I will doodle on some random pattern or stitching to complete my look. I'm envious of those people who actually add stitching...but I'm not incredibly handy with the needle and thread/sewing machine, so doodling will have to do for now until I can learn. I think it just adds the little extra something that my layout is missing. Here is a recent layout that I doodled on:

And here is an older one (I used a sketch from Helen Croft):

What technique do you use when you need to add a little extra to a finished project??

Thanks for stopping by! And come back tomorrow and I will show you my take on my current challenge, in case you find yourself a bit stumped. :o)

New Challenge

Hey, all. For my newest challenge I have decided to do something just a little bit different than usual.

You're proabably wondering why I posted this photo. Well, I found this awesome picture here and I thought it was incredibly inspirational. So...I want to see how it inspires you.

*The rules:

1. Create a layout/project inspired by this awesome photograph.

2. Link your layout/project to this post by 6 pm PST on 13 February.

3. This will be a random drawing, so you'll get extra chances to win if you are a blog follower and if you link your layout/project back to my blog.

*The goods:

These in-high-demand loops punches from Martha Stewart crafts:

Here is a layout I created using the edge punch. If you click here you can see a layout that uses both the edge punch and the corner punch.

SOTB Challenge Time

Hey, all! The new challenge is up over at Scrap Outside the Box. This month the challenge is to use toothpicks on your layout. I struggled a bit at first...but that's why I love designing for this challenge blog...I'm ALWAYS forced to push the limits of my creativity. I finally opted to make little flags out of the toothpicks. Here is the result:Head on over to SOTB to see what the other fabulous ladies created!

Sketchy inspiration

Hey, all! When I get really stuck for layout ideas, I like to use sketches. I thought I would provide you with a list of some of my favorite sketch sites, in case you ever find yourself in a bind:

1. Creative Scrappers
2. Sketchabilities
3. The Scrappiest
4. Scrapsketch

And here is a recent layout that I made using one of Sarah de Guzman's sketches:

And, as a side note, this layout was made using the January Polka Dot Whimsy Kit. Check out the site for more details on their fabulous kits. I don't design for them or anything like that; I'm just totally in love with the monthly kit :-)

Come back soon...details of my next challenge will be up later this week!

Creating Keepsakes Blog

Hey, all...I was blog hopping tonight and came across this! Maybe you remember my "Baking Bread" layout. If not, here it is:

And by clicking on the above link you can see the FABULOUS layout that actually inspired me to make it! I still love Jen Jockisch's layout...probably one of my favorite ones ever.

Also, the Cosmo Cricket blog has been posting sketches recently. They have all been really cute and easy, so I recommend going over there and checking them out. Click here for today's post. They are featuring layouts made from their last sketch and they have a fun new layout posted today. A layout I made from their last sketch is posted there:

Paint swatches, anyone?

Hey, all! I'm always trying to find a unique way to add color to my layouts. A few weeks ago I was in Home Depot and decided to grab some paint swatches while I was there. I always loved the idea of using paint swatches on my layouts for two reasons: (1) they come in such fabulous colors and (2) the paint names can also play into what you're scrapping about. For example, take this layout that I recently completed. I scrapped about one of my favorite pairs of shoes (weird, huh?) and I chose a paint swatch that was titled "Hot To Trot." The name of the paint color clearly fit perfectly with a layout about shoes and the color of the swatch matched the paper that I was already using.


Now, I know I picked up my paint swatches with the sole purpose of using them in a layout, but this is also a great way to recycle any that you may have lying around from any recent home decorating projects.

As always, thanks for stopping by! :-)

Return of the lovebirds...

Hey, all! Some of you may remember my lovebird Christmas ornaments from a few months ago. Well, I have resurrected the lovebirds just in time for Valentine's Day. I decided to make some cute cards using them. I ransacked my scrap bin to make these cards. Everything here was made from scraps. I consider it a small victory when I can use as many scraps as possible :-)

If you need the template again, here it is:

To see my original post about the lovebirds and where the idea first came from click here.

Re-do

Hey all! Have you ever done a layout that when you finished it, you just hated it? I'm sure you have. Well, that happened to me with my most recent layout. I was trying to complete the current challenge prompt for The Pink Ninjas and when I finished my layout, I looked at it and said, "ick!" Here is what it looked like:
And since one of my goals for this year was to create 100 layouts that I am satisfied with, I couldn't leave my layout as it was. So, I went back and made a few edits. Even though I love those awesome Sassafras flowers, they weren't working well with what I had already done. The tag was all wrong and the ribbon I used looked terrible. So, I changed my flowers around, I used a new tag, with some twine instead of ribbon, stuck on some buttons and even added a few tears to the background paper to make it flow better. Here is what I came up with:

I am much more pleased with this final product, although it's still not perfect. Anyways, this second layout is the one I am submitting to The Pink Ninjas' current challenge. The challenge was to use a black and white photograph, scrap about a New Year's resolution and use pink alphas on the layout.

Until next time, happy kraftin'!

Challenge winner!!!

Hey, all. I hope everyone is doing well this evening! Thanks to everyone who entered my challenge. I really do appreciate it.

The random winner (thanks to random.org) was Michelle! Michelle, please shoot me an email (kraftykat9@gmail.com) with your contact information and a $25 gift card to Scrapbook.com will be yours!

Stay tuned...there will be another challenge coming up soon!

Also, just wanted to let everyone know that Sarah has a giveaway on her blog. While you're there check out some of the fun stuff she has made for CHA!

A fairly unproductive weekend...

Hey, all! I hope that everyone had a good weekend. I had all these big plans to scrapbook the weekend away....and of course, it didn't happen. Oh well. Maybe next weekend :-)

I did get a few things done, though. I finished my layout for my Design Team work for Scrap Outside the Box. That should be revealed in a few days. Just a head's up...it's a fun one! And I did this layout:

I used the new Creative Scrappers sketch and I also completed it for a challenge on Helen Croft's blog. We had to use the colors blue, pink and brown. That was a challenge in itself!

Also, don't forget that tonight is the last night to enter my sketch challenge. I should be back on Tuesday to announce a winner.

Card Attempt

Hey all! So, remember how one of my goals was to start making cards? Well...I made one today. I don't know how people are so good at them. I still have a loooooong way to go! Oh well. Here it is:

I also made a new layout today:


Notice how both of my projects used the Crate Paper "Season" collection. I have decided that I am totally in love with Crate Paper. Between this collection and their "Bliss" collection, I am sold. And I think it's safe to say that I've gotten my use out of the glimmer mist over the last few days. I should probably lay off of it for my next few layouts...ha!

Also, just a reminder that entries for my sketch challenge are due by Sunday. Winner gets a $25 gift card to Scrapbook.com!

Got Scraps? Tear 'em up!

Hey all! You know all those scraps that you have lying around that I try to convince you to use every now and then? Well, besides making squares out of them, you can also tear them up to get a unique look. Sometimes, the messy teared look is just what a layout needs. Here are a few examples:

I just made this one last night:

And here are a few older layouts of mine that use the tearing technique...

I made this layout back in September 09 and it was inspired by Sarah de Guzman's layout "Bwech!" And apparently I have a "my guy" theme going on in this post...ha! I didn't notice that until today when I went to make this post...and the even more random thing is that he is wearing the same shirt in both layouts but the photos were taken at two entirely different times...

And this is just another old one:

Here's to not hoarding papers anymore!

Hey, all! So, hopefully I will have something interesting to share with you soon, like a sketch or a technique...or something. I'm getting excited about some of the fabulous layouts that are coming in for my sketch challenge (due Sunday!!!). You guys are really turning out some quality work, which really makes me want to make some more sketches to see what else you all come up with...

So, while I try to get to figure out what scrapbooking ideas to share with you next, I will leave you with a layout that I created last night. This layout is a scraplift of a layout that I saw in Quick & Easy Scrapbooking. The original layout, "Best Friends?," can be found on page 20 of the book and was created by Stacey Michaud. I'm also pleased to say that I used some of the papers that I've been hoarding for awhile now. Love these American Crafts papers from the Craft Fair collection. So colorful and up my alley...and I used more glimmer mist.

New Year...New Goals

Hey, all!! I hope that everyone had a fabulous holiday season. I just got back from traveling for the last two weeks...I was literally all over the place. I had a great time and now I have a few new pictures to scrap as well!

I've been thinking about New Year's resolutions...I don't ever make them, but this year I have decided to set some crafty goals for myself:

1. I want to make 100 layouts that I am satisfied with...the key is *satisfied*. I make plenty of crappy layouts all the time...I really want to turn out some quality stuff this year. Plus, for me it will be hard to get 100. I'm pretty busy with work, but I think I can do it...

2. I want to try new scrapping techniques...I have been branching out a little bit recently with paint and such, but I'd like to keep branching out.

3. I want to start making cards. For some reason, I've had a very difficult time doing this. My cards always end up looking like a kindergarten project, but I'm gonna keep working at it.

4. Use some of those scrappy supplies that I have had lying around forever. I don't know if anyone else does this, but I have a horrible habit of buying patterned paper that I absolutely LOVE and then not using it because I don't want to use it up. So stupid...but I hoard the stuff. I'm going to try not to do that this year...haha!

Do YOU have any crafty goals for twenty-ten? I'd love to hear what they are.

I will leave with you a reminder of my challenge (there's still one week left to enter!) and a picture of my first layout of the year. I am pleased to say that I used a new technique...glimmer mist! I've never used it before...I like it. I know, I know...so not a big deal...but I'm branching out with baby steps...