My Mind's Eye - March Sketch Challenge

I have recently purchased My Mind's Eye Remarkable collection from the MemoryWorks' Spring Catalog, and was anxious to use it.  Then I came across the March Sketch Challenge over at their blog, and decided to play along :)

I chose a photo of my son, Owen playing in one of his soccer games.  I know probably all parents say it, but he's a natural at this sport :) I didn't get to watch the whole game...I was sitting at the girls' game, and my husband was watching the boys' game. But, I did get there just in time to snap a really awesome picture.  Bill (my husband) always promises the kids $5 for every goal they make, and $2 for every goal they block...Owen earned $6 this game....

I thought the photo looked great with these papers, and it made for a very masculine looking layout.  Which is good, I definitely like my boy pages to look like boy pages!

I've been really liking the look of paint, lately...which is odd, because it's not my usual 'clean' style. I've been liking to use it, but I don't have a wide variety of it...because it's not something that I do typically use.  So, what I've been doing is taking some white paint, and mixing it with ink pad refills to come up with a color to match my layouts. Now, because I'm mixing it with white...it does tend to turn out a bit lighter than the colors on the projects, but still falls with the same shades/color families.  I've spattered it on my background here, before sticking everything down, and I've also used it to outline my acrylic frame.

I had fun with this layout...and there's more to come with this collection in an upcoming blog hop for the MemoryWorks Spring Catalog...you won't want to miss it :)

Supply List:

My Mind's Eye [Remarkable] - Patterned Paper, Glazed Brads, Stickers (Label, Tiny Word); Stamps (4x6 - arrow) 

Stampin' Up! - Cardstock (Crumb Cake); Ink (Baja Breeze)

American Crafts - Letter Stickers

Heidi Swapp - Acrylic Frame

Ek Success - Border Punch

Apple Barrel - White Paint

other - staples

12x12 Patterned Paper Glazed Brads 4x6 Stamps Label Stickers Tiny Word Stickers

InLinkz.com

Thanks for looking!

Color Combos Galore #237 - Raspberry Delight

A very feminine Inspiration Board from Color Combos Galore this week:

As Perfect as you are:

Supply List:

Stampin' Up! - Cardstock (Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, Whisper White); Stamps (Romantic Rose, Vintage Verses); Ink (Basic Grey, Certainly Celery, Pink Passion); Die (Square Lattice); Embossing Folder (Perfect Polka Dots); Rhinestones

Cuttlebug - Embossing Folder (Cane Back Chair)

Fancy Pants [Daydreams] - Patterned Paper

I used Inspiration Photo #1, with the Focus being die cuts.  Further inspiration came also from photo #1, using flowers as my focal point.  From photo #2, I was inspired to use a sentiment with mixed fonts.

There are several active story boards going right now, you won't want to miss playing along with CCG234 - CCG237. All deadlines for March are the 31st.

Thanks for looking!

Color Combos Galore #236 - In the Navy

A gorgeous palate this week from Color Combos Galore....

So, of course I couldn't help it but to make two projects!

All Cooped Up:

Supply List:

Stampin' Up! - Cardstock (Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla); Patterned Paper (Night of Navy Designer Series Paper); Ink (More Mustard); Linen Thread

Studio Calico [Yearbook] - Photo Corners; Polaroid Frame; Patterned Paper (Library Card)

Fancy Pants [The Good Life] - Patterned Paper (Distressed Red); Letter Stickers (Navy, Red); [Kraft Kuts] - Letter Sticker (atmark)

Lilybee Design [Allspice]- Patterned Paper (Yellow); Letter Stickers (Yellow)

American Crafts - Buttons

Crate Paper [Farmhouse] - Date Sticker

Autumn Leaves - Journal Stamp

I used Inspiration Photo #4, and included photos with a chicken coop for the Focus, which was 'Bird Cages' (A bit of a stretch, I know - but, I thought it was clever :). For additional inspiration, I also used photo #4...and used distressed patterned paper, inspired by the bird cage, and a library card, inspired by the books

There's Only One You:

Supply List:

Stampin' Up! - Cardstock (Night of Navy, Whisper White, More Mustard, Crumb Cake); Stamp (Vintage Verses); Ink (Night of Navy); Linen Thread; Punches (Small Scallop, 1/2 inch circle); Embossing Folder (Perfect Polka Dots)

Lilybee Design [Allspice] - Banners (yellow); [This & That} - Banners (red)

Spellbinders - Label Die

Simple Stories - Ribbon

American Crafts - Button

Die Cuts with a View [About a Boy] - Patterned Paper (elephant)

I used Inspiration Photo #1 for my card, for which the Focus was 'banners'.  Additional Inspiration was again taken from photo #1... using an elephant for my focal point, polka dots, and a font similar to that on the  jar and banner. 

Be sure to check out the sight to see what the rest of the DT made...a beautiful reveal, as always.  You won't want to miss out playing along.  You have until the end of the month, so go get started!

Thanks for looking!

Runway Inspired Challenges #31, Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

I made an order from Stampin' Up! for their 'Sale'abrations sale they have going on right now, and just recently got it back. So, of course I'm ready to play with some of my new toys :)  I went browsing the current challenges, and these caught my eye...

The current Inspiration Photo from Runway Inspired Challenges:

Plus the 'Anything Goes' challenge from over at Papertake Weekly Challenges....

Equals this card from me:

Supply List:

Stampin' Up! - Cardstock (Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Vellum); Ink (Basic Black, Yoyo Yellow, Pink Passion); Stamp (Vintage Verses *new toy*); Embossing Folder (Honeycomb *new toy*)

My Mind's Eye - Patterned Paper

WeRMemoryKeepers - Stamp (Bee)

Spellbinders - Label Die

other - staple

I always dread dreary, overcast days...because I have to dig out my tripod and use a timer to photograph my projects.  But, the pictures always turn out to be some of the best...aside from the angles sometimes not being exactly how I want.  But, at least they're nice and clear!

I don't work with yellow *much*, but I really love how this card turned out. I knew right away when I saw the  Inspiration Photo from Runway Inspired, that I wanted to play along. It was fun, and I might make another...But for right now, laundry is calling my name....

Thanks for looking!

Color Combos Galore #235 - Sweet Indulgence

Another amazing Inspiration Board from Color Combos Galore this week...

I just made a card for this week's colors...

Happy Birthday:

Ugh...my green is off.  Every week I get at least one color wrong.  The problem is the colors always look different...it can depend on the lighting, or even which screen I'm looking at (phone, or computer).  But, I always see it when there right together like this.

I chose Inspiration Photo #1, and embossed my background. For further inspiration, the shape of my focal point was inspired by the tags in photo #3.

I used Cajun Craze cardstock for the copper color, but I inked it up with Close to Cocoa to make it darker, and match up better.  Again with the stamp...I colored the flower with Close to Cocoa first, then I went over it with Really Rust.

Supply List:

Stampin' Up! - Cardstock (Blush Blossom, Whisper White, Cajun Craze); Slot Punch; Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder; Ink (Cajun Craze, Close to Cocoa; Mint Melody, Basic Grey); Stamp (Birthdays Count, Happy Harmony); Organdy Ribbon (Very Vanilla

Crate Paper - Patterned Paper (Portrait Collection)

Ek Success - Border Punch

Spellbinders - label Die

Other - pin, beads, button, fiber

You have until the end of the month to play along....that's so much time, so be sure to squeeze it in :)

Thanks for looking!

Some Exciting News...

So, this has been a pretty exciting year for me, creatively speaking...but this pretty much takes it up to the next level. Go ahead, and check out page 4....

That's right...I made the 2013 GCD Studios Design Team, and I couldn't be happier about it. I'm in the company of some pretty awesome people, and was super giddy about a personal phone call from Heidi Sonboul, herself. This is going to be an awesome experience, and I cannot wait to get started :)

Here is the line up of the very talented ladies that I will be working with:

Alicia Thelin

Amanda Coleman

Angi Barrs

Audrey Yeager

Christina Collins

Christine Meijer

Grace Toleman

Julie Tucker-Wolek

Katrina Hunt

Kelly Holbrook - That's Me!

Lalo Ik

Nina Yang

Rae Barthel

Rochelle Spears

Sara Zenger

Suzanna Lee

Wida Miller

Be sure to check out their blogs to see their amazing work, and stay tuned...

Color Combos Galore #234 - Moonlight Serenade

A new challenge is live at Color Combos Galore!

HERE'S HOW TO PLAY 

4 Inspiration Photos

4 "FOCUS ON" Designer's Challenges

 (Choose one)

and 16 More Inspiration Ideas

 (Add some more)

Complete the "Focus On" Designer's Challenge assigned to the photo you choose.

About "More Inspiration Ideas"

These are inspirational ideas that can also be read from the photo. 

You do not have to do any of these prompts for your project. 

(But it would be fun to throw in just a few! ;D ) 

6 Months:

I chose Inspiration Photo #4, and used a Compass Rose as my map element for the Focus.  I also used several different flourishes inspired by the mailbox in photo #3.

Supply List:

Stampin' Up! - Cardstock (Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, River Rock); Patterned Paper (Basic Grey Designer Series; Ink (Basic Grey); Punches (lrge, and sm star); Baker's Twine (Early Espresso)

Fancy Pants - tags (brown, blue-grey circle); rub-ons ( blue-grey flourish, 'notes')

SEI - Die Cut (silver border)

KI Memories - Letters

 Colorbok - Photo Mat; Days of the Week Journal Card

Hambly Screen Prints - Transparencies

Daisy D's - Rub On ('you')

7Gypsies - Stamp (Compass Rose)

Making Memories - Button

American Crafts - Brads

Cuttlebug - Embossing Folder (Cane Back Chair)

other - file folder, staples

My card was also inspired by this cue from CASolgy:

I chose Inspiration Photo #2, and used a flower for my focal point.  I also used a postcard for my background inspired by the mailbox in photo #3.

Supply List:

Stampin' Up! - Cardstock (Basic Grey, River Rock, Whisper White); Ink (Baja Breeze, Bordering Blue, Basick Grey); Baker's Twine (Early Espresso); Stamp (Best Yet), Organdy Ribbon (Whisper White); button

Prima - Stamp (Flower)

Colorbok (Authentic Paper) - Photo Mat, Sticker

Spellbinders - Label Die

Crate Paper - Rub ons

You won't want to miss out playing with this challenge...so much fun!

Thanks for looking!