Summer Banner with Flowers {Practical Scrappers}

Today at Practical Scrappers, we are sharing several ways to use pre-made flowers.  I decided to create a banner - this, by the way, is my first banner!!! - and I really love it.  I used Tag Templates from Kiwi Lane Designs along with Simple Stories' I {heart} Summer collection.  The flowers are from Hobby Lobby and I don't recall the manufacturer.

Enjoy!!

Have a scrappy-happy day!!

Color Combo: Emerald Green, Royal Blue & White

Today's challenge over at Practical Scrappers is to use Emerald Green, Royal Blue and White on a layout, card or other crafty project.

Here’s a layout that I created using a sketch from ScrapbookSteals.com. % The photo in one that my honey took while we were on Cannery Row in Monterey, CA.  $ 

While I tried to read the novel, Cannery Row by John Steinbeck, I made it only through the first six chapters.  A little too much for me while I'm on vacation.  I'll have to come back tot he novel.

Left Overs for Journaling {Practical Scrappers}

Today’s assignment is to #use those left over sticker letters in a new and creative way.  On my layout using Simple Stories’ “Take A Hike”, I used a smattering of letters from a variety of paper companies.  I think that this is a fun way to use up those letters and show off your photos.

And a closer look at the journaling:

Have a Scrappy#Happy day!

Best Day Ever {Drill #12: Use Only Patterned Papers}

Welcome back to S.W.A.T. where we are having a sketch challenge for you today.  While I was waiting for my son to finish his music lessons, I stopped in at a local coffee shop and pulled out my Simple Stories 24/Seven collection and just went to work on this layout.  I also used my mists for this layout with a few drops splashed here and then and then I drew the circle.  This is a new technique for me and I found it to be very easy!  Just take the dropper out of the misting bottle and then draw with it like its a quill pen.  This technique gives you a messy, grunge look and I just love it!

Don't forget to link up your project so we can drool all over your interpretation of this sketch plus you can win a prize from our sponsor Boys Rule a $15 gift card. 

Have a happy scrappy day!

Endless Possibilities {SS Birthday Challenges #1 - #4}

ScrapbookSteals.com is celebrating their Fourth birthday!  To celebrate, they hosted an online chat with four different challenges.  The first challenge is to create a project using only four different types of materials.  I used FOUR:

1. patterned paper
2. tuille
3. pre-made flowers
4. ribbon

Now on to the rest of the challenges ...

The second challenge is to scrap an event from 2009 - that was the year that we visited my parents outside of St. Louis, MO.

The third challenge was to create a project using your favorite vendor - My all -time favorite is Stampin Up!

The fourth and final challenge is to use four different washi tapes on one project - I created this "Thank You" card.

Have a Scrappy-Happy Day!!

Gift Tags {Practical Scrappers}

I’ve always loved how crafty some people are; they put cute gift wrapping and tags on just about anything.  Today’s post shows you a way to put a crafty spin on a wine bottle.  More and more wineries are creating some very eye-catching labels but I wanted to personalize my label to celebrate a special date.

I used Maya Roads canvas, chipboard numbers and velvet flowers along with some burlap that I purchased at my LSS.  This is one of those projects that does not take a great deal of time - except for letting glue dry - and creates a very special feel to a gift.

Then I also created this gift tag with a much more clean and simple look to it to celebrate our wedding anniversary.

And here is my final offering for today - a Christmas in July gift tag.  Yes, our family celebrates Christmas in July.  We put up a small tree, outdoor lights, send Christmas cards, make cookies and we even give gifts to one another.  This is a tradition we started four years ago and the kids really look forward to it - helps to break up the heat of the summer.

Have a scrappy happy day!

Genuine Memory {Aquamarine #1}

Here’s a layout that I created using a sketch from ScrapbookSteals.com. %  Aquamarine #1 ... The girls at ScrapbookSteals.com have a new sketch each Wednesday and they group 10 sketches at a time.  I've tried many times to do the entire series but I think that's only happened once or twice.  $ The photo in one that my honey took while we were on Cannery Row in Monterey, CA.  $ 

While I tried to read the novel, Cannery Row by John Steinbeck, I made it only through the first six chapters.  %A little too much for me while I’m on vacation.  I’ll have to come back to the novel # its interesting # and I need to read it. $

Summer Fun {PGCB #35}

Challenge #35 at the Paper Girls Challenge Blog is to use at least three journaling cards on a layout, card or project.

I didn’t use a sketch for this but I think that “Summer Fun” speaks for itself!

Welcome Baby! July Card Sketch

Good morning - sharing a little card making fun with you!  

Practical Scrappers' July card sketch is up and ready for you to share in the fun. 

 Here's what I created using This and That Epic Day Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up!

And here's the sketch:

Now its your turn to create something fun!

Have a scrappy-happy day!

Just Look At Those Waves {PGCB #34}

Today at Practical Scrappers, we are sharing with you several ways to use spray mists with your crafty projects.  

I recently tried using my spray mists to draw on a layout and I really love the technique!  To do this, simply take the sprayer nozzle out of the bottle and then draw on your layout or card, or other project the same as you would use a quill pen.  You need to keep dipping the end of the spray nozzle into the ink bottle, but its a fun way to add a bit of whimsy to your projects.

The sketch I used for this layout is from Challenge #34 at the Paper Girls Challenge Blog.

Have a scrappy happy day!!

Bring On The Sunshine {Top 2 Pick}

Good morning!!  I enter challenges on a somewhat regular basis - this keeps me inspired especially when I'm having a "crafty-block".  I entered the Use It Tuesday Challenge #58 Bring On The Sunshine with this layout:

Can you believe it - I am a Top 2 Pick!  Thanks girls - appreciate the lovin'

Santa Cruz

We had a few days of rain on our vacation this year and while most people would take to the indoors, we did not!  We were trying to find a place called Mystery Spot and get a few groceries before heading up to Big Basin Redwoods State Park; and ended up on the boardwalk in Santa Cruz. 

The kids had a blast on a few rides and then it was time to hit the arcade.  To my honey’s surprise there was a section of “Classic Arcades” - he could not resist playing Donkey Kong.

Neon Green and Orange {Drill #11 S.W.A.T.}

Did you hear the news?  I'm on the design team for S.W.A.T. (Scrap Warriors Advanced Training)!!  YUP - and today is the official "reveal" - you were introduced to the DT June 29th through the blog hop and now you get to see more of our creations.  

For my first  official post we were told to work with neon colors.  When I think of Neon colors, I think of Day-Glo Green and Safety Orange and those are exactly the colors that dominate this layout.  I struggled a bit with using Neon as its not my style, yet isn't that what crafting and scrapbooking are all about?  Trying new colors, styles, textures?  I even went to a few of my online scrappy friends for some advice on how to bring this layout and card to life!

I often use sketches for my layouts and cards but this time around, I used my own noodle.  I'm liking the way the layout and card came out - its good to push oneself from time to time.  

(Stamp from Sweet Stamp Shop)

Hope you enjoyed my creations and don't forget to create something awesome and link it back to S.W.A.T.  by July 28th, 11:59 EST.  I know that there are prizes involved - an Elles Studio Prize Pack from our sponsor:  Boys Rule.  

Have a scrappy-happy day!

Cannery Row {SS - Peridot #10}

I love the sketches at Scrapbook Steals!  They inspire me and I love to put my own spin on them.  This is for Peridot #10.

#We had such a nice time in Monterey, CA ... lots of history to enjoy while spending time walking up and down Cannery Row.#

#Added a bit of doodling on this layout ... just seemed to fit with the colors, papers and photos.

Mile Nine

For the past several weeks#, I’ve gotten several invitations from Leslie at Memory Nest #to participate in their challenges.  I keep telling myself, let’s do# this!!  So today, while a neighbor was over for a bit of scrappy time#, I worked on a sketch and color challenge# and I love it!!

Sketch:

Colors:

I did turn the sketch onto its side# and added a bit more embellishments: 
Honestly, I {heart} this one!

 

PGCB #34 - A Sketch!

Challenge #34 is to use this sketch:

And here's what I created!  I really went out of my comfort zone as I don't usually mix stripes and polka-dots but I really like how this one turned out.

And - the cool part of this layout/challenge is that it also works perfectly for Use It Tuesday's current Challenge #58:  Bring on the Sunshine!

Materials used:  Mr. Huey's Mists that I've had for well over a year, some Glimmer Mist that is also over a year old.  Sadly, I don't know which line of paper I used that has those cute hexagons on it and I cannot remember where/when I got it!?

Anyway ... lots of goodies from my stash including the black/white twine that I've had for several months.