changing up a sketch a bit

Before I begin, US is hosting a fun blog hop this weekend! You can go on a Treasure Hunt! You must start at US and then go to the participating designers, find their project based on their clue, write them down and when you are finished email the moderator with your names/projects and you could be the grand prize winner! Fun? Get going! In my label" Unscripted" is where you will find my treasure. Here is my clue:

To find me, read all of the clues

in my project you won't find any blues

red, brown, and green are chosen

and the prop is ice frozen......

This weeks sketch was a lot of fun (but then again, aren't they all?). I am in the mood to purge old paper packs and gave myself a goal that each day I am to use up whichever set I pull out. Since Easter is upon us, I wanted to create some religious cards for my church. God has given all of us certain gifts which we are to use to further His Kingdom. Using creativity to my best ability, I like to give back and the church sends them to "shut-ins", those sick or in crisis, or really to anyone that is hurting. I was able to make 10 notecards in a hour this morning to take with me on Sunday. I think Judy will be pleasantly surprised!

If you notice the front 2 cards, they use the same sketch- just varied it up a bit. The same- 2 panels 2x5". Varied is how I did the "triangle" piece.

How can you vary up the sketch at Unscripted Sketches this week? Don't forget that we will now be picking our top 3 and sometimes a design team member will be offering up a prize!

recipe: Basic Grey Wisteria line, black ink from Close to My Heart, Purple cardstock CTMH, and the stamps I won from a contest....

Sketch Challenge

The final weekend of the month of March- time for another layout. I am so excited, I have done 6 pages for my album- even bought a new one to fill up!!! Yeah! Have you checked out the Design Team from Unscripted Sketches for inspiration???

Bobunny Alissa line, sketch number 48, Unscripted Sketches, misc jewels, rhinestones and pearls (all from Walmart).

can you use a paint chip on your project?

Unscripted Sketches has been doing some "extra" challenges with the sketches and this week was to incorporate a paint chip. We are in the process of painting 2 of our girls rooms and we have a ton of these babies sitting around! LOL! Be sure to check US out as we have changed our format! We will be picking Top 3 Winners each week and some weeks may even include a PRIZE!

All papers are miscellaneous scraps sitting around. The card is 5.5x 5.5. I broke out the chalks for this card- for the spring feel. Versamark works fabulously to hold the chalk on! Heidi grace pins, $1.00 ribbon at Mike's, CTMH stamp set and Sweet and Sassy sentiments.

Show us your project with a paint chip- if you dare, or just use the sketch as is! Don't forget to link your project to US!

Sketch #46, Unscripted Sketches

I have been totally loving the new sketch designs we have at Unscripted Sketches!!! They can certainly be adapted to a card or, in my case, a layout.

The starting point was the sketch. In trying to keep up with my goal of 2 layouts a month, this week I really wanted to scrap. Next came the photos. These were taken in 2008, and my girls had an absolute blast down at the ocean (hon). We hadn't been since DD was 3- many years have passed and little did I realize that the beach was only 1 hour away from our home. And.... we have been here almost 11 years. How sad am I?

I really wanted to capture her contemplation at the shore line. When I see the ocean, all of my problems go away. Why? Well, how big is the ocean? How many grains of sand on the beach? My problem is put into perspective, just when I hear the waves and smell the salt. Ahhh.....

I created my own background with 2 sets of stamps: Bobunny and CTMH. The circles are colored to match the sand and the water. I used CTMH cardstock: black and desert sand. BoBunny patterned paper, stickers and Anna Griffin seashell. Jolees fish stickers too.

Weekly Sketch Challenge

Here is my interpretation of the sketch this week at Unscripted Sketches. I love the new sketches that have come out! I can't wait for next weeks as well....(hint, hint to come back!LOL!)

The papers were old Bobunny stash (i think from 2006). Flowers are prima, bobunny, and mulberry flowers Kris gave me cut from silk flowers from the craft store..... Ribbon I picked up from Tuesday Morning, in the wrapping paper section (go figure) and the sentiment I just picked up from Sweet and Sassy. They are clearing out the acrylic stamps and going all digi. I got some great deals from them!!! The buttons are from Foof-ala (and I LOVE them, I am going to get some more!!)

I have a few more cards to make from this paper pack before I toss the scraps. This is probably my 5th card using these papers and I have to say, I love the color combo, but definitely sick of this paper. It is starting to affect my mojo.

Don't forget to link to Unscripted your PROJECT not just a link to your blog. It makes it really difficult to find that way!

See you soon-

Unscripted Sketches #44

Finally, using up that wonderful paper line Bobunny debuted over the spring/summer 2009, Abbey Road. Love the blues, greens, and chocolate all together. This line is so versatile, love the heavy cardstock paper that is reversible!

Unscripted Sketch #44, is the starting point for my layout. I have been bitten by the scrapbooking bug! In going back through these older photos and scrapping, I am learning that I need to refine my shots. From this outdoor art garden, I must have taken 25 shots of the statues and sculptures! Now looking back, how or why would I scrap so many of these? I have some good ones of the girls and hubby, a few of me, and those are what I should be concentrating on. I have found that over the years I have changed how many shots I take, now need to concentrate on WHAT shots I take AND not to print every one out! I think I have tossed away plenty of money on the unneccessary pics I won't use, as well as the blurry images. Life is teaching me some lessons along the way!

Unscripted Sketch #43

It's a sketch challenge with a piggy back challenge this week at Unscripted! The extra challenge, should you dare, is to use the colors light blue, green, bamboo and brown bag. I chose the Bobunny Line, Abbey Road, and substituted brown bag for chocolate. I love this paper!

Come back next week to see the layout that I have done using the same line, just a completely different look!

Unscripted Sketches #42

Okay, so if you haven't played on the Unscripted Sketch Blog lately, you really need to see their sketches! Wow! I have had such fun making projects- especially so since 50% of the work is already done for me. All I need to do is find a photo or 2, papers that match and bingo! Work is done.

A few weeks ago I organized my photos and labeled the tabs. They are waiting for me to pull out by month and scrap. I am far behind (I sometimes rather make cards because of time constraints), but isn't everyone? Each year the Elementary school puts on a great Field Day. The kids are outside all day playing, drinking lots of water, and competing blue against white teams. As you can see, Popsicle girl is on the enemy team of White..... Parents are invited to come and go or help all day long. We pull the wagons full of bottled water, help the nurse put on bandaids, cheer on our kids, and help the kids complete each course. It is tiring, but also exhilarating!

recipe: Bobunny popsicle line, all paper, stickers and journal spot

Sketch #41- Unscripted Sketches

What better way to catch up on scrapbooking than to use a sketch to get my mojo moving?!?! I tell you, I have 2 down and 22 more to go to fulfill my resolutions for 2010! Pics are all in order, boxed and ready to go. Now if I could just find a site that would allow me to make 2 page layouts with multiple photos.....


Unscripted Sketches has some great new designs this month and there are some added challenges attached! Come back and see them weekly-


Papers: bobunny popsicle line
misc: clear/frosted black stickers (love these, wish I know the manufacturer!)

That's it for now!

A sketch this week

In trying to keep to my resolution this year of doing 2 layouts a month, I have 1 down and 1 to go! Unscripted Sketches is the perfect starting point for helping me get my creative juices flowing. At first, this weeks sketch had me wondering what to do. Once I found my photo, then the papers, it really did just fall into place.

I added faux stitching to the layout using "you have me in stitches" stamp set from Close to My Heart. The yellow brads, chocolate ink, honey ink, and all of the paper (veranda line) are CTMH as well. Misc grosgrain ribbon, wheat leaf diecuts are misc and the Journey chipboard/sticker are Anna Griffin. Martha Stewart punch.

new beginnings

I find myself (for some odd reason) making baby cards. Not for me mind you!!LOL! But, if you have been following me, you will remember that I am working on reducing the size of my stash. Since I made a "new beginnings" card for some blog challenges last week, I am determined to use up the 'scraps' on my table and make more baby cards. These will be great to sell at the craft shows and if not.... well I decided that I am going to donate them to the local hospital, the Labor and Delivery ward. They won't go to waste there!


Unscripted Sketches is my starting point on this card! Love those sketches and it is THE BEST TEAM to be a part of!! The paper is Flair, felt stickers by Anna Griffin, WRMK alpha stickers, misc buttons and flower. MS lacey doily punch. Don't forget to stop on over at US and leave a link to your creation.

something different

Each year for Christmas, I try to give a gift of myself to my girls. I started a tradition where I make them gift certificate booklets with vouchers inside for some much needed Mommy time. There are 6 per girl, with each book taylor made for each. The books are completely different since they each have different needs. Mik loves to snuggle and be touched- whether it is brushing her hair, massaging her back, just hugging and watching TV together. She values these books the most. So with sketch from Unscripted in hand, I made the cover of her book. I made the GC using MS word, templates for GC. Then I changed them up to make them more personal. Added the mother/daughter clip art photo, typed in dates and printed out (3 to a page!) This will be a winner of a gift!!

flourishes galore!

During a recent scrap retreat overnighter with a friend, I needed to work on my challenges for Unscripted Sketches. I took these older school photos of my daughters and lugged paper and stash around 2 state lines to work on. Kris gave me some wonderful fun products- anna griffen felt sticker flourishes and chipboard letters, as well as flourish chipboards from bobunny (BB is the paper line too.) The contrast of the brown with the paper really helps make the photo pop. I was able to punch holes in the chipboard to add the larger brads (CTMH chocolate). The trip was a success! I was able to complete 2 layouts, 3 cards as a gift, and a small present for a daughter. As well as shop for other holiday presents! Great 24 hours away from home!

How to use up leftover letters....

Unscripted Sketches tossed out a doozy of a challenge this week! I really got stumped with all of the dots...!! So, brain went into overdrive. Started out with the photo, found the papers that matched (old, old old bobunny stash!) and came across these wonderful glitter chipboard letters in my stash. Viola! The letters made the perfect "title" for my layout and solved my problem of the dots! I love it when my brain works up a great idea....! hehehe! This is a great way to use the letters of the alpha that never quite have a word that works. q's, u's, v's...? Laid out the letters, found a string of the alphabet that fit across the page and realized that the photo is a 'school' photo, the title indicates learning.... see where I went with it? So, I am challenging you to use up your stash of alpha letters in a unique way for a title! Let me see what you can do!

do you every scrap yourself?

I am usually behind the camera, rarely in front. And if I am in front, most of the time is because I have to ask to have my photo taken to prove that I existed! LOL! So, I am trying to do a better job of getting in the scrapbooks myself, mostly as a reminder to my family that I was here, made an impression on them, and to see me as I age. My mom passed away when I was 24 and there aren't many shots of her. I don't want my girls to only have a few memories of me.

The sketch this week at Unscripted Sketches (#33) had me scratching my head. What photo to use, then what color scheme to go with? Decisions, decisions. So, digging thru my photos, came across this one from last year, a family day trip to this wonderful outdoor art museum. Grounds for Sculpture, Trenton NJ. Ever been there? Don't wait, run there!! What a fabulous day! Over 260 pieces of art scattered throughout the grounds- some you can touch (like me sitting on this metal abstract) others, they tell you to look with your EYES only. Even my fussy girls loved being there!

deets: all cardstock CTMH, mm rubons, joann metal tags (to go with the metal art I am on), leaves misc (to remember the outdoors) and the paper clip (officemax) as a reminder of the abstract beauty.

sketchy saturday

Welcome to the unscripted challenge #32 sketch. I used my cricut to cut out the flower (aka snowflake) for my winter themed card. Used the last of my organdy white ribbon (yeah!), CTMH button and sentiment, K&Co rhinestone complete this card. Reminisce scraps. Kris RAK'd me with some glitter glue which I broke out and added around the snowflake and the tag to give that icy winter feeling.

Sketchy Saturday

Welcome to another sketch challenge brought to you by Unscripted Sketches! I love this weeks sketch (then again, I love them all...Hehehe!) There are so many possibilites in which to create a project. Flip it, turn it, rotate it- as long as it retains the original thought, make it yours!

Christmas is a few weeks away and I am busy making cards for my friends and family. What is surprising to me, is the amount of winter/holiday themed paper that I have. So, in my quest to purge, I found a few sheets of this beautiful Reminisce paper that will make a few wonderfully easy cards. The sentiment is actual vellum that I cut, attached with vellum adhesive (love this tombow tape!) and added some mini pearls by basic grey. Punched a few snowflakes with MS punch, there ya go!

super saturday

I just love how this card turned out! These papers are from Flair and shabby princess- old stash. Unscripted Sketch #29 was a wonderful starting point on this card. I actually flipped the sketch because....adding the pearls around the edge of the sentiment, I had a twisty in the length that ended up being the last 2 pearls, but had to be covered up. They would not stay in the circle! The way the sentiment ended up, I needed to add something to the left side of the card, not the right. So, flipping came in handy and made the elements come together.

deets: vineyard berry grosgrain- close to my heart, basic grey green 1/2 pearls, creative memories sticker present, MS lace doily punch, pearls- mikes, the sentiment is vellum from Flair, cut and adhered to a cirlce using vellum tape (really works well!)

super saturday catch up

I sorted through my photos the other week. Organized them by date and took them out of the photo sleeves that they arrived in. I don't print my shots, still use the online pub sites and print most of my photos. Old habits are hard to break.

We have this wonderful nursery here in town that decorates their store so BEAUTIFULLY for the holidays. They set up various photo ops throughout, which makes a perfect backdrop for our holiday/Christmas cards! This shot was taken in a gazebo with Frosty. Unfortunately, Feeney's has been very well known and everyone and their mother comes to take photos (which are free to do!!- even sitting with Santa!) We made the mistake of going Black Friday last year- yikes! never will do that again! I do have our photos from the last few years and it is amazing how much the girls have grown and changed. Making me feel old!

Unscripted Sketches posted another great sketch for us- don't wait, join in with your interpretation!

deets:
paper- Flair, shabby princess, around the block
cricut vine border and the flowers are petaloo christmas
velvet scrap ribbon, misc button, creative memories rub on sentiment, fiskars border punch

Falling Leaves

Wow, can you believe that October is over already? We haven't even done our annual fall hike, with all of this yucky rain that we have had- who wants to hike in mud??? So, when all else fails for current photos, I went to my file of unscrapped pictures that were waiting for me to get my grove on and scrap. Found this photo from last year and went to town! This sketch completed 4 challenges: unscripted sketch, crafty cardmakers #6- autumn colors, Belli Challenge- autumn or leaf challenge, and gingersnap creations- green, orange and brown colors.

The leaf patterned paper is one I made a few years ago trying my hand at emboss resisting. It took a LOT of work and time and probably will NOT repeat this beautiful technique. First I typed out a poem on my computer, erased all margins and printed in a fun font. Next I stamped in versamark, large leaves in a random pattern. Heat embossed with clear EP. Then I stamped in wonderful fall colors the smaller leaves, acorns, and berries. Lastly, with a sponge and light colored ink, I sponged over all of the "blank" white spaces - which make the large leaves POP.

So, try your hand at this great sketch, I rotated the sketch for my layout to fit, and don't forget to leave a link directly to your PROJECT, not your blog so we can see all of your great ideas!! Unscripted Sketches is waiting for you!