9.07.2016

Hip Kit Club Sketch Challenge

Hi, everyone!  For my birthday last month my AWESOME husband surprised me with a subscription to Hip Kit Club and also bought me a whole bunch of past kits to get me "started".  He's totally awesome, right?!?!

After my subscription started, I was added to the Hip Kit Club member Facebook page and found out that they host a weekly challenge on there.  This past week was a sketch challenge...and I love my sketches, so I joined in!  Here was the sketch:

And here is the layout I created.  This was made with the Fancy Free collection from Pink Paislee.  I've loved that collection since the day it came out, but it took me forever to be able to get my hands on it...so glad that I finally did. :o)

Well, that's it for me...I'll keep this post short and sweet ;o)  Thanks for stopping in!!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Alphas: American Crafts; Enamel Dots: Simple Stories; Everything Else: Pink Paislee

9.05.2016

Jot Magazine || Issue 15

Good morning, everyone!  Here in the U.S. we have a long holiday weekend and I'm so excited!  I definitely needed a tiny break from reality :o)

I did want to share a couple layouts that I had in the most recent issue of Jot Magazine. The first was for a call about Dad layouts.  It was Father's Day in Australia this past weekend.  I jumped on the opportunity to scrap this photo of my Dad and I (actually taken on Mother's Day last year...lol):

I used a cut file from The Cut Shoppe to create the big title and some of the Amy Tangerine Better Together line:

The second layout is one you've already seen before (and recently...I thought it had been passed up, so I shared!).  The call was about diagonals:

Thanks for stopping in.  Enjoy the week (and the extra time off, if you've got it)!!

Layout 1: Cardstock: Bazzill; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Sequins: SpiegelMom Scraps; Everything Else: Amy Tangerine for American Crafts

Layout 2: Cardstock: Bazzill; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Everything Else: Bella Blvd

9.03.2016

Handsome || Pretty Little Studio

Good morning, everyone!  I am popping to share a layout that I had up on the Pretty Little Studio blog a few days ago.  Lately I have been on a "simple scrapper" kick - meaning I want to make, simple (but pretty) layouts as quickly as possible.  My life has gotten pretty busy recently and I love scrapping, so I have no plans on giving it up.  However, I just don't have the time to make super intricate fancy pages right now.

One of the ways I've managed to do this is to rekindle a love affair with my diecutting machine - lol!  My Silhouette has come in super handy with helping me to create quick pages that I still think look nice.

I turned to my Silhouette to create the background for today's layout.  I decided to repeat my title multiple times to create a background and backed the cut outs with pretty papers from a variety of PLS collections:
handsome_detail2
The end result:
20164
I'm such a fan of how it turned out and it only took me about 30 minutes to make...can't beat that!
handsome_detail1
Cardstock: Bazzill; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Everything Else: Pretty Little Studio

9.01.2016

September Sketch || Creative Scrappers

Hello everyone!  Creative Scrappers revealed their September sketch this morning - I had soooo much fun with this one.  Check it out:


This month's sponsor is Cuts2Luv.  Their flair badges are pretty much amazing. :)

I also broke out some Simple Stories Sunshine & Happiness collection and one of my favorite cut files from The Cut Shoppe.  I also used one of the new Creative Scrappers cut files...so much fun!

I hope you can play along with us this month!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Flair: Cuts2Luv; Cut files: Creative Scrappers, The Cut Shoppe; Everything Else: Simple Stories

8.30.2016

A Pinterest Inspired PLS Card!

Good morning, everyone!  I am up on the Pretty Little Studio blog this morning with a Pinterest inspired challenge!
13557880_1152125474848625_5631178762604710416_n

I loved the Pinterest inspiration image for this morning's prompt.  The image immediately reminded me of my favorite product from the Pretty Please Here Comes the Sun collection: the Label Medley die cuts.  I am a label fanatic, so when I saw these I had to have them - so much so that I ordered 4 packs of them...and am considering ordering more!

I decided to make a quick, simple card with the labels:
20162
I actually really like the end result.  The simplicity of the design allows the beautiful labels to really shine!
detail
Thanks for stopping by today!

Card: KI Memories; Patterned Paper, Labels, Die Cut Stars: Pretty Little Studio; Enamel Dots: My Mind's Eye

8.26.2016

Love Us || Pretty Little Studio

Good morning, everyone!  I'm popping in to share a new layout that I have created with the Pretty Please Here Comes the Sun collection.  I love how versatile this collection is.  With the right mix of colors and patterns, it's easy to crate a masculine page or a feminine page or a page all about love.  Today, I opted for the love one :o)

When I saw the Hearts patterned paper, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it: fussy cut the pretty shapes, layer on some die cuts and stickers and create a very mushy layout.
pls_detail2pls_detail1
The best part about this layout was how quickly it came together.  It took me about 10 minutes to fussy cut the hearts and then another 10 to glue everything down where I wanted it.  You can't beat a 20-minute page!
20161
Cardstock: Bazzill; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Alphas: American Crafts; Everything Else: Pretty Little Studio

8.24.2016

Clique Kits' August Pep Rally

Hello!  Happy Pep Rally day!

How much fun is the August kit?!?!  I'm telling you, I love pretty much EVERYTHING that Fancy Pants Designs manufactures and the Millie & June collection is no exception!  So, obviously, this month's Clique Kits kit is one of my faves :o)

For my layout share today, I decided to scraplift this amazing layout by Missy Whidden.  I LOVE it and the cut file from The Cut Shoppe sooooo much.  Her layout is waaaaaay better than what mine ended up looking like, but I tried ;-)  


Here is the full line-up for the hop:


Thanks for popping in!  Have a happy week!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Die Cuts, Alphas: Fancy Pants Designs; Mists: Heidi Swapp; Doily: SpiegelMom Scraps

8.23.2016

Fall Jewel Mix

Good morning, everyone!  I am so excited to share that the super-talented May Flaum has teamed up with Buttons Galore to create a limited edition mix called Fall Jewel!  This mix is choc full of pretty buttons, sequins and beads.

I was lucky enough to get to play with this mix and created a fall-themed layout - doesn't the mix match the new Fancy Pants Millie & June line perfectly?

Now through Friday, if you use discount code LL400 at checkout in the Buttons Galore store you can get this mix for just $5.99!  Now that's a good deal!  :)

Thanks for stopping in!!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Alphas: Fancy Pants Designs; Doily: SpiegelMom Scraps; Arrow Clip: Freckled Fawn; Mists: Heidi Swapp; Buttons, Sequins: Buttons Galore

8.20.2016

Scraplift Satuday || 8.20.16


Good morning, everyone!  I've been away for far too long!  Life got busy there for a while, but I have a teensy tiny break right now, so I'm gonna get my scrapping in :o)

For today's Scraplift Saturday post, I selected one of my favorite layouts to lift:

In keeping with the Bella Blvd theme, I broke out my long-hoarded "She Blooms" collection and got to work:

I sorta love it.  It's so much busier than my normal stuff...so many patterns and colors...but I *think* it works.  It's so far out of my comfort zone, I'm not even sure :)

Have a happy weekend!!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Everything Else: Bella Blvd

8.12.2016

Using Lots of Die Cuts || Pretty Little Studio

Good morning!!  I am popping in to share a layout that I have on the Pretty Little Studio blog this morning.  It is all about highlighting die cuts.  There are so many awesome PLS die cut packs to choose from so I had a difficult time deciding what to do for this project.  In the end I decided on one of my favorite packs: the Woodland butterflies!  I also sprinkled in some other die cuts from the same pretty collection.
kat_detail1
The final result is this vibrant layout featuring my vibrant niece!
20168
Thanks for stopping in today!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Sequins: SpiegelMom Scraps; Staples: Tim Holtz; Everything Else: Pretty Little Studio

8.05.2016

Purple Layout!!!

Good morning, everyone! Earlier this week I shared a layout on the Pretty Little Studio blog that I made with the Pretty Please Here Comes the Sun collection.  When I saw this fabulous photo of my friend's daughters I knew that this collection would perfectly compliment it.  It just screams summer fun!

I found a cute cut file from The Cut Shoppe, backed it with some paper from the collection and scattered minimal embellishments around to complete the look...and I used PURPLE cardstock...I still can't get over it...so unlike me  :o)
20164
detail
Thanks for popping in!

Cardstock: American Crafts, Recollections; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Everything Else: Pretty Little Studio

8.03.2016

Creative Scrappers || Sketch 297

Good morning, everyone!  Happy August!  Time is whizzing by!

I wanted to pop in and share this month's sketch from Creative Scrappers:


This month's sponsor is the awesome The Cut Shoppe!  There is even a free file for you to download and play with.

I had so much fun with this layout.  I love, love, LOVE the Quirky Quads background file that I used on this layout.  And I adore the new Elle's Studio collection.  I struggled a little with the sketch itself, but I just shrank it down a bit and found it much easier to work with.  I was still very inspired by it and its overall design:

I really hope you can all play along with us this month!

Thanks for popping in!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper, Die Cuts: Elle's Studio; Cut Files: The Cut Shoppe; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Enamel Stars: Bella Blvd

7.30.2016

Cutie || Pretty Little Studio

Good morning, everyone!  I am so happy to finally be able to play with Pretty Little Studio's Pretty Please Here Comes the Sun collection.  The colors are so soft and pretty and the patterns are so fun.  For my first layout with the collection, I decided to scrap a layout about my dog, Moose.  I picked out the masculine colors from the line and layered them in strips and sewed them all on top of each other:
20162
It was a simple and easy technique, but I really like the end result.
detail1detail2
Thanks for stopping in!

Cardstock: American Crafts; Enamel Shapes, Paperclips: Doodlebug Design; Mist: Studio Calico; Alphas: Pink Paislee; Word Sticker: Jillibean Soup; Everything Else: Pretty Little Studio 

7.25.2016

Playing with the Woodland Collection from Pretty Little Studio

Good morning, everyone!  I have a new layout on the Pretty Little Studio blog today that uses the new-ish Woodland collection.  I love the colors in this collection - the kelly greens, corals and navy blues compliment each other so nicely and make the collection truly unique from others.

My favorite product from the Woodland collection is most definitely the package of the die cut butterflies.  As soon as I saw them, I knew I *needed* them :).  I also knew just what photo I wanted to scrap with them.  I think this photo of my niece running through a field is simply perfect for this collection.  It's like my sister-in-law took the picture with Woodland in mind... :o)
2016

I also had fun laying the striped vellum sheets down in alternating directions to create a fun zig-zag effect...the stitching is messy, but I kind of like it like that!
detail_2
detail_1
Have a fabulous day!!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Clear Background Sheet: Bella Blvd; Wood Veneer: Heidi Swapp; Sequins: SpiegelMom Scraps; Everything Else: Pretty Little Studio

7.16.2016

Scraplift Saturday || 7.16.16


Two Scraplift Saturday posts two weeks in a row!  I admit it, I'm out of town right now, so I had to schedule some posts.  These were the easiest ones for me to do :)

For today's edition, I decided to scraplift this layout.  I was never sure how I felt about it, but decided to give it another go:

And here is my result...made with my Clique into Summer kit from Clique Kits:

Thanks for stopping in!

Cradstock: Bazzill;

7.09.2016

Scraplift Saturday || 7.9.16


Good morning everyone!  I have a new Scraplift Saturday layout to share today.  Here is the layout I chose to lift:

Here is my new take on it:

I was excited to be able to use the Clique into Summer kit from Clique Kits.  It's full of the fun "You Are Here" collection from Simple Stories.  I have a few more layouts in the works - this kit is too much fun!!

Have a nice weekend!!

**For the first layout's supply list, click on the link to the layout.**

Layout 2: Cardstock: Bazzill; Alphas: American Crafts; Cut Aparts: Clique Kits; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Patterned Paper, Stickers, Die Cuts: Simple Stories

7.04.2016

Project Life || May with Clique Kits

Good morning, everyone!  For all those living in the U.S., Happy Independence Day! I hope you a safe and happy holiday.

I am up on the Clique Kits blog today sharing my May Project Life spread.  

If you've been following along with me this year, you know that I have really simplified my Project Life process, but that doesn't mean that I don't like adding some fun bits and pieces to my monthly spreads every now and then.

For the first page of my May spread I decided to make  a flip-up title card.  I did this for a couple of reasons: I prefer 4x6 title cards and the page protectors I like only have 1 4x6 slot...and I had a 4x6 picture.  Also, the picture contains a bunch of people from work and I knew that I was going to be sharing this spread online, so I decided this was the easiest way to cover it up :)  Here is the spread:
20165
Here is the flip-up title card...I included journaling notes on the other side of it:
IMG_4510

For the second page of my monthly spread I really wanted to find a unique way to use that awesome paper from Pinkfresh...and hence the giant "Life" title in the middle...I also managed to use the whole remaining package of SpiegelMom Scraps sequins here:
20166

may2_detail

My third page is less exciting, but does include a few details that I think are fun; mainly the handmade filler cards:
20167

Thanks for popping in...I leave you with a look at this month's kit:
9161937_orig

Page Protectors: Becky Higgins (Design F); Journaling Cards: Clique Kits, Pinkfresh Studio; Alphas, Patterned Paper, Rubber Stickers, Acetate Words: Pinkfresh Studio; Arrow Clip: Freckled Fawn; Wood Veneers: Studio Calico; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Enamel Hearts: Bella Blvd; Staples: Tim Holtz; Printable labels: Clique Kits

7.02.2016

Lots of Layers || Clique Kits

Hello!  Happy weekend! :o)
Today I am popping in to share another layout made with the Clique Kits Raskog Kit.  I usually have a semi-plan for how I want to arrange my page before I begin, but recently I've been sitting down with no real plan in mind.  That's what I did for this page.  I knew I wanted to incorporate a lot of layers, but after that, I really didn't know what I wanted to do.
I was so happy with the color scheme that ended up emerging on this page: black, white, grey, yellow, green and blue - so pretty! The colors look really nice with the handsome pictures of my Moose Dog :o)
moosedog_detail1
After I had my pictures matted, I just started playing with scraps of paper and layered away.  I moved things all around until I got everything just where I wanted it.  I guess you could say that I "free-styled" this one:
katbenjamin_moosedog
Here is one last close-up...I kinda love those Bella Blvd/Illustrated Faith Enamel Hearts add on!
moosedog_detail2
Thanks for stopping by today - enjoy the weekend!
Cardstock: Bazzill; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Sequins: SpiegelMom Scraps; Enamel Hearts: Bella Blvd; Patterned Paper, Alphas, Acetate Word, Rubber Banner: Pinkfresh Studio; Cut Outs, Flair: Clique Kits

7.01.2016

Creative Scrappers || Sketch 296

Hello, everyone!!  Since it's the first of the month (it's July?!?!), that means there is a new sketch posted at Creative Scrappers today.  This month's sketch is really fun:

And it comes with the added bonus of a free cut file from this month's sponsor, Just Nick Studios!

I stuck to the sketch very closely...and was so excited that I was finally able to dig into my "She Blooms" collection from Bella Blvd:

I hope you decide to play along with us this month!  The winner will get a $25 gift card to Just Nick Studios!!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Mist: Heidi Swapp; Cut File: Just Nick Studios; Everything Else: Bella Blvd