Scrapping outside of my comfort zone...

Hey, all! I hope everyone is having a good weekend...I was pretty crafty today (yay!). I finished up a special Valentine's gift for the one I love (can't say what it is on here, since he checks in occasionally) and I finished 2 layouts today. Here is one of them...I used a sketch from Sketchabilities that I just fell in love with the first time I saw it. 

I've had those Making Memories flowers sitting around for quite awhile, so I decided to use them on this. I'm trying to use up some of my scrapping stash before I can justify buying some of the new stuff that is coming out now. This layout wasn't totally my style, but I'm still fairly pleased with how it turned out. It's fun to work outside of your comfort zone from time-to-time.

Also, don't forget about my current challenge going on. You still have one more week to link your entries to the original post!!! Have a good weeked...and happy kraftin'!

Making Valentines

Hello, all...I've been busy making Valentines...so much fun...holidays that encourage craftiness are always fun!

I decided to try a new technique: masking. I've seen a bunch of layouts using this technique recently, so I decided to jump on board....especially with my new found love of glimmer mist. To achieve the masking look on my valentine, I just laid down some chipboard shapes that I had lying around and then sprayed glimmer mist. Once the glimmer mist had dried, I picked the chipboard up, and wa-la. It's a fun and easy technique...and I think I'm going to use it more often!

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...

Challenge time!

Hey, all!! I am about to go traveling for the next two weeks so I will not be blogging during that time. I did, however, want to leave you with a challenge!! Here's what you need to do:

1. Create a layout using one of my past sketches:

2. Post your link here by January 10th! You may only enter one layout, but you can share as many as you like...just let me know which one is for the challenge.

It's as simple as that!!

The winner will receive a $25 gift card to Scrapbook.com. This will be a random drawing, so I will put your name in twice if you link your layout back to my blog. If you're a follower your name will go in three times!

Have a very safe and happy holiday season!

FINALLY!

I am FINALLY done with Christmas shopping. That is not to say that I won't end up buying more gifts for people. It just means that now I don't have to anymore. Haha. Knowing me, I will continue to buy things until the last minute and will spend a small fortune...but that's okay...that's one of the best parts of Christmas...making others happy.

Tonight I made a gift for a family I'm close to. They have a very strict "Kat, do not buy us anything" policy. But I always find ways to bend the rules a bit. This year I made them a wall hanging...and of course, I had to buy the frame for it. But, I don't really think that counts as buying them a gift.

Here is the wall hanging I made. I scraplifted Cindy Tobey's layout "Laugh With Me." It's one of my favorite layouts of all time and I was totally inspired by it. I have a feeling that this will not be the last time that I scraplift this particular layout. I know it's not the greatest picture...photographing stuff has never been my strong suit (I guess I should have taken the glass out, then taken the picture, but that's an awful lot of effort...ha!)

Christmas spirit

Hey, all! So, I have been completely overcome with the Christmas spirit...I am so, so excited...I can't believe it's only a week away. Then shortly after that, it will be a New Year. This year has really flown by quickly. It's exciting, though. A whole new year, time to make fresh new memories...I can't wait to see what the future brings!

I just wanted to share a few more of my recent holiday layouts with you. I know this first one looks a lot like the layout featured in my paint technique post from yesterday:

I actually do not like this layout very much, but decided to share it nonetheless:

It also appears that I really enjoy tying baker's twine around my layouts recently...I just noticed that when I made this post...ha!

Until I talk to you next...happy kraftin'!

Paint technique

Hey, all! So, I definitely do not have a vintage scrapping style. I love vintage layouts, but I've never been one that could really pull that look off. I am too in love with bold colors and patterns. However, every now and then, I love to dabble in the vintage style of scrapping.

One of the trademarks of a vintage look is distressing. A lot of people do this with ink...but once again, that's not something I'm very good at. I prefer to use paint. As always, I use acrylic paint since it dries so fast (awesome). I like to put paint on a Q-Tip and run it around the edges of paper and pictures. And the good thing is, you can be totally random about it...it doesn't have to look perfect...it's not supposed to!

So, while using paint for distressing doesn't look completely vintage, it does give a "quirky vintage" look to the page...and I love that. Here is an example of a layout I did recently using this paint technique:

Giveaway opportunity!

Hey, all..I just wanted to let you know about a great giveaway opportunity. It's on Sarah de Guzman's blog. I don't know if you all are familiar with her work, but I'm pretty sure you have seen it somewhere before and just don't realize it. This talented lady is on about a billion design teams and is super, super creative. The most impressive thing about her? She does most of her layouts in about 30 minutes. That's awesome to me. So, definitely run by her blog and check out the giveaway. I don't think you'll be disappointed!!

SOTB Challenge

Hey, all! A few weeks ago, I found out that I made a design team: Scrap Outside the Box. SOTB is a challenge blog that challenges you to use nonscrappy items in your layouts. It definitely makes you think outside the box.

This month's challenge asks you to use Band-Aids! Here is my take:

Head on over to SOTB to see what the other lovely ladies of the design team came up with and enter your own layout for a sweet prize!!

Krafter's Block

Hey, all! I have recently been suffering from a bad case of creativity block. I sit down and try to scrapbook and everything I end up producing is total rubbish. No fun :( I really want to create something, but my brain just isn't working right. Oh well. I'm sure I'll get my groove back soon. In the meantime, I did draw a sketch today when I was really, really bored. I have not made a layout for it yet. I'm hoping that when I do sit down to use this sketch, I will finally be able to produce something good. So here it is:

I hope everyone has better luck than me being krafty!!

Challenge winner

Hey, all...I want to thank everyone so much for entering my first challenge. I received so many great layouts. The winner for this challenge is Angela (aka: Foreverscrapping). Here is her fabulous layout:

She will have a week to get me her contact information, or another winner will be chosen and will win all the yummy Christmas goodies.

I also decided to send Caroline Hancock a goodie bag filled with random embellies for being such a dedicated follower. I can do these kind of things you know... :-)

If you didn't win, don't despair...I will have another Challenge coming up soon...plus another out-of-the-blue winner, I'm sure. So, ladies, if you won...just email your mailing address to kraftykat9@gmail.com within the next week.

Thanks to everyone for participating and congrats to the winners!

Quick reminder

This is just a quick reminder that the entries for the Christmas/Winter Challenge are due tonight at 6pm PST. I will announce a winner tomorrow.

Here are a few of some of my recent layouts. This is a scraplift of an awesome layout that I saw in "creating keepsakes." It is called "celebrate" and it was done by Jen Jockisch. You can find it on page 24 of the January 2010 issue:

This is another layout I did last night. Sorry for the bad scan...it was the best I could get, though...I'm so in love with the Crate Paper "Bliss" collection. It's so perfect...and it goes really well with all the pictures from my best friend's wedding:

Make letters!!

Hey, all! So, I am here with a fun gift idea that you can make for your scrappy friends or your kids...paint them a letter! It's cheap, super easy to do, and it lets people know that you care about them, since you put so much time and effort into their gift. You can buy 9" wooden letters at most craft stores...I got mine at Michaels. They usually have a few different fonts to choose from also, so you can pick a letter that matches your style. This is a letter that I made for an 11 year old girl. She wanted a letter 'A' for her bedroom. She loves lime green, turquoise and flowers (her bedspread is also lime green and turquoise), so this is what I came up with...
I've also seen these given as wedding gifts. Decorate the first letter of the last name for the newly married couple. You can make it ultra classy (wedding colors, pearls and diamonds)...or you can decoupage it with pictures of the couple together. You may even be able to pass this off as a good gift for a guy if you decorate it with the colors of his favorite sports team for an office, etc. I love this project because anything goes...and you can really tailor it to fit the person who it is being made for.

As always, I would love to see any projects you make...so if you do decorate letters, leave a link to this post and I will definitely go shceck them out!

sketch time!

Hey, all! I have another sketch for you! Remember how much I like squares? Well, if you remember that, then this sketch should be no surprise to you. I like sketches that have a lot of squares, because you can insert pictures or squares...two totally different looks, but both look good. Here is the sketch:
And here is my layout:

And another note about this layout: the background paper was super easy to make. I just took some acrylic paint and squirted it around randomly. The blue paint was almost out, so it had a different effect when I used it compared to the red paint. It looks a little messy, but I like the way it ended up turning out anyways...

Holiday Layouts

Hey, all. Unfortunately, I do not have too many words of wonderful wisdom (sarcastic) tonight, but I figured I would share some of my most recent holiday layouts with you anyways...

This one was based off of a sketch by Helen Croft:And, if you liked the different paper strips in that one, then enter my Winter/Christmas challenge (the link is on the left side of my blog)! All that paper comes in the paper kit that is up for grabs...yay!

And this is just a random layout I did...nothing too special...it looks oddly similar to my "tree trimming" layout from my last post ;-)

Thanks for following!

Hey, all! So, today an idea popped into my head and I decided that I would do a random drawing of my followers and send one of them an embellie grab bag. I think it's so great that total strangers can provide people so much support for all the things they do. I love that people take the time to take an interest in other people's work. All those comments, love and support can really help someone to become even more creative.

I went to Radom.org to generate my winner...and that winner is...Karen Lee! So, Karen, please send your mailing address to me at kraftykat9@gmail.com and I will get that grab bag in the mail to you!

And for all my other followers, don't despair...I will continue to do this from time to time. Sometime it will be random and sometimes it won't... :-)

Here is a layout that I did recently...I'm getting so psyched for Christmas. I love everything about the season. I love spending time with family, and shopping for family and friends, and decorating, and going to church to recognize the reason behind season...and of course, I love the time after Christmas, too, because then I get to scrap all my fun new memories!!