Layout >> Sweet & Silly

This layout killed my Scraptastic Tongue Tied kit and add-on.  I made 11 layouts with this kit.  I finally got to use my favorite paper - this gorgeous script paper is from the Studio Calico Printshop collection (love this collection).

Speaking of Studio Calico, I placed my first order for the scrapbook kit club.  I'm a member of the Project Life kit club and I love it, so I'm taking the plunge with the scrapbook kit club.  Eventually my fiance will tell me to stop ordering kits but that hasn't happened yet...

Since I'm currently sans a scrapbook kit, I ordered the Fancy Pants Timbergrove collection because it is GORGEOUS. Right now we don't have snow, so I can't really take an snow pictures.  Needless to say I'm really hoping to have some snow again soon!

Layout: Scrap Buddy

This layout was totally inspired by the Studio Calico message board!

Challenge #2 for the Studio Calico online crop event was to do a layout based on a skirt on of the design team found.  

Awesomly enough, I had a piece of pattern paper in the kit this month (that I didn't really like) that was PERFECT!  It was kinda nice to be given the chance to use a paper that I originally turned my nose up at.

The photo for this layout was honestly chosen by the Studio Calico community!  I posted a picture of my desk with Lily on it and people just LOVED her!  They kept calling her my Scrap Buddy...  So here she is!

On a side note, Bella Blvd is hosting a HUGE giveaway!  All 4 of their brand new GORGEOUS lines are up for grabs to one lucky winner!  Head over and check it out!!!

Layout: You & Me (ComicCon edition)

This is my entry for the Studio Calico online crop event Challenge #1!  The challenge was to make a layout based on something in your Inspiration Folder.  So I chose a layout by Sarah Boirin.  This layout really tested my patience because the final product was the FOURTH page I ran through my Zing.  What a challenge!!

Layout: Oh Tom...

Happy CHA weekend everybody!  Studio Calico is hosting an Online Crop event in celebration of CHA!  You know what that means?  I'm going to be up very late all weekend doing challenges... This is my first online crop event so I'm excited to dive in.  But, of course, before I start a new project, I need to finish my old projects.

Old project finished!  Astonishingly quickly, too... Here's a quick layout I did for a sketch challenge over at life.paper.scrapbook.  I LOVED this sketch!!!  It was brilliant!!!  It also made for a really easy layout.  Strangely enough, the layout that took me the least amount of time is actually one of my favorites.

So one of the SC challenges tonight is to post a picture of your desk RIGHT NOW... So here is mine:

Layout: Key West

Happy Friday everybody!!  Aside from the freezing rain we're getting here in central Pennsylvania, it's going to be a lovely day (at least I'm going to make sure that it is)!

The layout I did last night was for a sketch challenge on the Chic Tags blog.  I don't really use circles in my layouts, so this was different for me.  I got to play around with the mists I have (all 2 of them) and my liquid pearls.  Actually, I used ALL of the mixed media stuff I have in my tiny collection.  I also got to use my favorite Thickers (foam - Eric font in corn).

Hopefully this weekend I'll get to work on my Project Life stuff.  I started a Studio Calico PL subscription and I'm anxiously awaiting my first kit.  I hope that using a kit will help me be a little more creative with embellishing my PL cards.  Unfortunately, embellished filler cards may be most of my week this week.  It's been a surprisingly uneventful week.  We do have a gymnastics competition tomorrow so that always yields a full page!

Layout: Sleepy Lily

I did a quick layout last night based on a Studio Calico sketch and challenged myself to do unique journaling and sequin splatter.  I'm not super thrilled about how the sequin splatter turned out, but the sideways journaling worked!

Layout: Patience

I've decided to participate in One Little Word this year.  The word I chose for myself is patience. On June 14th I officially become a wife and a mom, and I couldn't be more excited.  One thing I've always struggled with is patience.  Patience with others, with myself, and patience for things that I'm excited about.  My fiance is ridiculously patient and I admire him so much for it.  I'm significantly more patient than I used to be but I have a long way to go.  With the next stage of my life approaching, I want to be the best wife and mom I can be.

I tried to make this layout all about the word.  The title was cut from my KNK Zing using my own handwriting.  I have terrible cursive handwriting so I think I signed "patience" at least 30 times before finding one that I liked!

The Scraptastic Tongue Tied kit came with a package of photo overlays.  When I opened the package, I immediately love them but I wasn't entirely sure what to do with them.  I've tried to lay them over photos and I just didn't like the effect.  My photos were either too dark or competing with the effect on the overlay.  I do, however, like using the overlays to accent my journaling.  

Layout: Om Nom

This layout was so much fun!  I used a technique Nicole Nowosad shared on the Jillibean Soup blog.  It was so much fun, but took quite a bit of time.  Instead of using the 12 x 12 paper that came with the kit, I used paper from the Studio Calico Printshop 6 x 6 paper pad.  We did get quite a bit of Printshop paper (and embellishments) in the Scraptastic Tongue Tied kit so I knew it would coordinate and I wouldn't have to use all of my 12 x 12 sheets.

Layout: Bark!

This is a layout I did for a sketch contest over on PageMaps.  The more I explore this site, the more I love it.  The sketches are so exciting and unique!

The background paper is the Sun Kissed stitched ruffled crepe paper from the Dear Lizzy Neopolitan collection. I picked up 2 stacks of this stuff when Joann fabrics was having a big sale. I've been holding on to it for too long so I'm really glad I found a chance to use it!!

Recently I've been finding it difficult to cut into the gorgeous paper we got with the Tongue Tied kit and add on this month. I know I'm not the only person who has struggled with "I need to save this for something" syndrome. Tonight I'm determined to use at least one of the papers I label as "too pretty to cut". 

Layout: She Said Yes

It's taken me a couple months, but I finally put together an engagement layout. 

I really like how my journalling turned out...

Layout: You & Me

The new Scraptastic kit arrived!!!  This month I got the Tongue Tied kit and add on.  I love the colors.  So much.  Pink, aqua, orange, and yellow?  Yes please!!

The layout I did last night was a scraplift from Nicole Nowosad.  The Scraptastic Blog is doing a scraplift challenge and I absolute love Nicole's work.  When I saw this layout on the list, I was SO excited to try it!!!  It's a picture that Leah took of herself with Oscar (our Boston Terrier). I love this picture.  I've decided that this layout is actually from Oscar's point of view, so Oscar is actually the "me" in this layout.  He's also the one hoping that Leah will always be his.

While looking through the paper included in the Tongue Tied kit to find what I wanted to use for the circles, I just couldn't bring myself to cut into all of those gorgeous papers for a small circle.  So instead, I went to my scrap drawers and fired up my KNK Zing.  I did, however, use the most gorgeous piece of cardstock I've ever seen as the background.  Bazzil Bling Shimmer is this beautifully textured sparkly aqua cardstock.  Love it.

This layout was certainly a learning experience for me.  I created the background from scratch and spent probably 10 minutes carefully getting it off my Zing cutting mat.  It's also the first time I've used vellum.  I think it adds interesting dimension to my page, but it really irritates me that I can see the adhesive on them.  I also tried to use the Studio Calico Printshop transparent alphas that came with the kit and learned very quickly that I have no idea how to adhere those little guys.  After I ruined the "Y" and the "O", I gave up.  How DO you adhere transparent elements without seeing the adhesive??  I used a clear glue pen for the ampersand and I think it kinda worked...

Overall, I really love this layout.  I also think that Leah will love it, too!