Family Tradition at Better Scrap

“Family Tradition” challenge
Create a layout about a family tradition, event, or something your family regularly does together that is not holiday related.
Chose at least 2 of the following:
1. Use three or more photos from a family event, cropped to fit your page design.
2. Use paper or supplies on your page that are at least a year old.
3. Use the word “tradition” in the title of your page.
4. Use hidden journaling in your page design.”

This is what I came up with.....


Sponsored Supplies:
Discounted Cardstock: “Clove 80 # 12×12″
Plaid: “Pop dots and Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Chestnut”
Charlene Buttons: “Bird Button”

Other Supplies:
K & Co. paper: “Wild Saffron”
Embellishments: bling “Recollections”
Flower: “Bazzil”
Journal tag: “Wild Saffron”
Rubons: “American Crafts”
Ribbon: personal stash
Criteria Used:
Use paper or supplies on your page that are at least a year old.
Use the word “tradition” in the title of your page.
Use hidden journaling in your page design.

Yet again another practical and inspirational challenge for us! I always take my little niece and nephew out at the peak of fall foliage for a photo shoot. Fall is my favorite season and I love capturing how my little kids are growing each year. This is a family tradition that we always enjoy. Looking back over the years and how they’ve grown, this is a tradition I’m so glad I began for them.
Blessings,

On This Day....

This layout is for my Better Scrap newsletter project. I used a bold color palette and journaled on a shaped journal box. The paper, journal box and the big flower all came in one of my past Lucky Girl kits. The other two flowers and the bling are by Prima and the rubons are American Crafts. Those yummy buttons are by Charlene's Button Box.

The challenge was to scrap a birthday that was significant. That was easy for me. On my 26 birthday, the love of my life asked me to be his wife. Without that life changing gift, I would not be the incredibly happy woman I am today.

A great day!!!!

Nov Challenge #2
“The Greatest of These is Charity” challenge
One way to make your life better is through scrapbooking, another way is to do something nice for someone else. Scrap about something you do or have done for someone else. A loved one, a neighbor, a charity, etc.
Chose 2 of the following:
1. Print an element of your page (NOT a photo) using your home or office printer. This can be your title, your journaling, an embellishment, or anything else you can use on your page, but not a photo!
2. Use three brads somewhere on your page.
3. Use a chipboard letter or shape on your page.
4. Use the following quote somewhere on your page or in your journaling: “If you haven’t got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. . — Bob Hope””

I am also hosting a monthly challenge at The Moments. TODAY is our Grand Opening!!!! I tied this layout to the recipe challenge I'm hosting there. Here is the recipe:

Are you ready for our first recipe challenge? This one is yummy, here are the ingredients you'll need:
1 cardstock
2 designer or patterned papers
3 flowers or brads

Mix all ingredients accordingly, embellish as you please, sprinkle with a little love and share with your scrappy friends!

Serves: a lifetime of memories


Sponsored Supplies:
Discount Cardstock “Really Red, 80#”
Charlene’s Button’s Box ”

Additional supplies used:
Papers: Echo Park
Papers: Sassafrass “Indie Girl”
Inks: CTMH “Cocoa”
Embellishments: ”Lucky Girl Craft Kits Old School Cool”
Chipboard: Pink Paislee
Adhesives: Tombow Mono

Criteria Used:
Chipboard letter, quote from Bob Hope, three brads

I included a hidden journal tag at the top of my photo to express my desire to be a volunteer at a hospital, the Niswanger Children’s Hospital. This hospital is a regional branch of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, my favorite charity. I hope that you are inspired to play along with us this week at Better Scrap and The Moments.

Lots to share today!

*****Warning, long photo heavy post*****

I have some awesome news to share, I am now designing for Scrapping the Moments! Yahoo!!!! If you haven't been to visit yet, please click here to become a member. Join me and my incredible teammates on November 13 for our Grand Opening and first challenges post on November 14!!!!

Better Living though Scrapbooking is having a Design Team search until November 15, here are all the details!!!!

November BetterScrap.com November Challenge #1
“Bucket List” Challenge
Create a layout or mini-album about the items on your “bucket list” (things you want to do or see before you “kick the bucket”).
Chose at least 2 of the following:
1. Use only scraps of paper from your scrap paper collection in the album.
2. Use photos printed from a royalty-free photo website such as Stock Xchange to represent the items in your album from your “bucket list”.
3. Use color mist such as Tattered Angels, walnut ink spray, or your own homemade color spray to add some color to your mini-album pages.
4. On the cover of your mini-book, use various rub-ons for the title.

I chose to create a Lfe List album. I used #1 scraps, #2 photos from Photobucket, #4 various rubons for my title....

I so loved this Punky Sprouts album, so easy to work with!

Above is the inside cover

I counted down my top 5 "life list" items, with the above page sharing the cabin I want Ben and I to build on the lake when we retire!

Number 4 on my list is to return to the island where my heart lives all day everyday, Tybee! I told Ben I want the two of us to take a trip there every summer!!!!

I know it is difficult to tell in the photo, this page in the album was acrylic. I put the paper on the under side and used the rubons directly on the acrylic. In April 2011, my Ashlea will be dancing in a competition in Disney World. Since Jon-Christopher was born, I've had the dream for my entire family to travel with the little kidz to Disney....this one will be checked off in April, as the entire family is already booked!!

This is the best photo I could find of Haiti, that didn't upset me with the devastation being shown. Since the quake in January, my heart has longed to take a mission trip there. I begged Ben to lets try to adopt some of the children who were left alone. I hope this item can be checked off too!

Finally, number 1 on my list is to travel to Sydney Australia with my Honeybee the very summer that I retire from teaching!!!!

This album was such a process of searching the soul for things I want to live out! It was difficult for me to narrow my list, but in the end I decided upon my "Top 5 Life List". I used Photobucket.com to locate and print all of the photos in this album. Instead of printing them on normal photo paper, I used Colonial White cardstock from Close to My Heart. I love the soft feel it gives the photos. As you can tell, I used my favorite technique of distressing all the edges with inks.
I hope you will be inspired to play along with us this week and create your own "Bucket List."

Sponsor Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock “Clove Felt 80#"
Album: Punky Sprouts "Savvy Sprout"
Embellishments: Charlene’s Button Box
Adhesives: Plaid: All Night Media “Pop Dots
Plaid: Mod Podge "Demensional Magic"
Paint: Plaid: Apple Barrel “White”
Additional Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Close To My Heart “Colonial White”
Patterned Paper: Graphic 45 "Le Romantique Collection"
Patterned Paper: Sassafras "Serendipity"
Patterned Paper: Cloud 9 Design "Alyssa's Garden"
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey " June Bug"
Ink: Close to My Heart "Cocoa, Blush, Sorbet"
Stamps: Close To My Heart “Felicity”; The Cutting Cafe “Jot it Down”
Embellishments: Making Memories "rub-ons, journal tags"
Embellishments: Hobby Lobby "butterflies"
Embellishments: Flowers "Prima, Recollections"
Embellishments: Bing "Jolee's, Prima, Recollections, EK Success"
Embellishments: Prima "Alphabet"
Miscellanous embellishments: chipboard and ribbon
Blessings,

My Honeybee, cooking????

Time for another challenge at Better Living through Scrapbooking.

October Challenge #4 is a Recipe Challenge:
Criteria:
October Challenge #4
“Favorite Recipe Challenge”
Create a page showcasing your favorite recipe that you received from your mother, grandmother, or other relative or family friend.
Chose at least 2 of the following:
1. Include a photo of yourself preparing the dish, or a photo of the completed dish.
2. Include a photo of the person who gave you the recipe.
3. Make a copy of the original recipe, or hand write the recipe on a card and include it on your layout.
4. Use cardstock as your background, but ink, stain, paint, or color-spray it to make it unique.
5. Use a shape punch or border punch somewhere on your page




Sponsored Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock "Kraft 80# 12x12"
Stamps: For the Luv of Art, "Heart stamp set"
Stamps: Plaid All Night Media "Spatter stamp"
Papers and embellishments: Gauche Alchemy "Acme Mixed Media Paper Crafting Kit"
Paint: Plaid "Apple Barrel: "Barn Red"
Adhesive: Plaid "Mod Podge: Paper"
Adhesive: Plaid "Mod Podge: Dimensional Magic"
Adhesive: Plaid "Pop dots"

Additional supplies used:
Papers: Graphic 45 "Hallowe'en in Wonderland"
Inks: CTMH "Cocoa"
flower: Recollections
Alphabet: Making Memories "Noteworthy"
Punch: Creative Memories

Criteria I used:
2. Include a photo of the person who gave me the recipe
3. Make a copy or handwrite the recipe on a card and include on the layout.
4. Use cardstock as your background, but ink, stain, paint or color-spray it to make it unique.
5. Use a shape punch or border punch somewhere on your page.

Techniques used:
Once again I let pant be my distressing inks. I used a barely dampened sponge to put barn red all about the edges of my Kraft cardstock. I used an old sewing pattern to give character to the cardstock then stamped and distressed with paint.

I really enjoyed scrapping this page. My husband loves to cook! His favorite comfort recipe is Unkie B's Vegetable Soup! Now I have this in his handwriting to pass down for generations to come.

Please be sure to visit Better Scrap for more inspiration from the Better Scrap ladies!
Blessings,

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle.....

Good Morning,
Time for a reveal at Better Living through Scrapbooking...


Criteria for Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle Challenge:

1. Use corrugated cardboard or other recycled packaging on your page.
2. Find fun or unusual item around your house and use them as elements on your page. Playing cards, clothing tags, junk mail, broken jewelry, old greeting cards or postcards, buttons and/or material from old clothing, advertising magnets, pins and keychains, and blooms and/or leaves from discarded plastic floral arrangements are just to name a few ideas.
3. Journal about why recycling is important to you.
4. Use traditional adhesives (Scotch tape, masking tape, duct tape, Elmer's Glue, staples) on your page in lieu of scrapbook adhesives.
5. Use glitter somewhere on your page.

Sponsored Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock "Eggplant Felt 80# 12x12"
Stamps: For the Luv of Art, "Heart stamp set"
Stamps: Plaid All Night Media "Spatter stamp"
Papers and embellishments: Gauche Alchemy "Acme Mixed Media Paper Crafting Kit"
Paint: Plaid "Apple Barrel: "Pumpkin Orange"
Adhesive: Plaid "Mod Podge: Sparkle"
Adhesive: Plaid "Mod Podge: Matte"
Adhesive: Plaid "Pop dots"

Additional supplies used:
Inks: CTMH "Smoky Plum"
Embellishments: Miscellaneous button and staples
Adhesives: Scotch tape

Creteria used:
1. Use corrugated cardboard or other recycled packaging on your page.
2. Find fun or unusual item around your house and use them as elements on your page. Playing cards, clothing tags, junk mail, broken jewelry, old greeting cards or postcards, buttons and/or material from old clothing, advertising magnets, pins and keychains, and blooms and/or leaves from discarded plastic floral arrangements are just to name a few ideas.
3. Journal about why recycling is important to you.
4. Use traditional adhesives (Scotch tape, masking tape, duct tape, Elmer's Glue, staples) on your page in lieu of scrapbook adhesives.
5. Use glitter somewhere on your page.

Techniques used:
I used my Pumpkin Orange paint to distress the edges of the Eggplant cardstock, I am totally loving this effect! I also used Mod Podge to adhere one of the playing cards and the Sparkle Mod Podge to add a shimmer of glitter to the cocktail umbrella. For a more feminine touch, I gathered the Gauche Alchemy Acme fuchsia lace with staples and then attached it to the corrugated cardboard using staples.

This was another challenge that took me completely outside my box and I love that I created this important page for my "All About Me" book. Recycling is important to me as I love to scrapbook with those little treasures, as well as, reducing the amount of waste I am adding to my Mother Earth!

Please visit my Better Scrap family for more inspiration and fun ways to include some recycled items on your next project!

Blessings,

Me @ 41....

Welcome to an All About Me challenge at Better Living Through Scrapbooking.

“About Me Challenge”
Create a scrapbook page layout about yourself.
Chose at least 2 of the following:
1. Include at least one photograph of you (and only you).
2. Journal about yourself (i.e., your quirks, something you would like to change, your hopes, disappointments, etc.)
3. Use a traditional office supply on your layout.
4. Use foam adhesives or “pop-dots” to give elements on your page dimension.
5. Use an old book or magazine page as part of your layout.”

Sponsored Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock “Clove Felt 80# 12 X 12”
Papers and embellishments: Gauche Alchemy “Acme Mixed Media Paper Crafting Kit”
Stamp: Plaid “All Night Media: Splatter Pattern Stamp”
Paint: Plaid “Apple Barrel: Apricot”
Adhesive: Plaid “Mod Podge: Matte”

Additional Supplies Used:
Paper: My Mind’s Eye
Embellishments: Lucky Girl Crafts Kit alphas, Making Memories journaling tag
Ink: Close to My Heart
Misc: Felt flower, button, twine

Criteria I chose for this one was to include a photo of me, use an old page from a book, journal about something life changing (my infertility issues), and to use office supplies (tag and twine). I also used some Plaid pop dots to lift the stamp and the old clothes pin up off the page just a bit.

I loved this All About Me Challenge. I really had to think about something that defines me as a person at this stage in my life. For me, at 41, that was that I have finally come to accept my infertility. I always knew that at this stage of my life I would be a mom, driving kids to and from football practice. We'll, I'm a teacher of third grade students and an Aunt (Nee Nee) to six incredible kiddos. I'm not technically a mother, but my life is very blessed and fulfilled. I'm in a very happy place at 41!

So now hop on over to Betterscrap to visit with the rest of the Betterscrap ladies and she what incredible inspiration they have for you!!!!

Blessings,

Blog Party Day 3, Betterscrap and a winner......

The challenge this week at Better Living through Scrapbooking
October Challenge #1
"Favorite Color Challenge"
Create a layout dedicated to your favorite color. Choose at least two of the following:
1. Journal on the layout as if you are speaking directly to your favorite color, and tell it why you love it, and what it means to you.
2. Take a photo of something you love that in your favorite color, and use it on your layout.
3. Use rounded corners somewhere on your layout.
4. Create hand-doodling somewhere on your page.
5. Make the name of your favorite color a prominent part of your title.
I am so in love with the color yellow! This was a no brainer for me......here is my dedication to "YELLOW"

Criteria I chose to use on this layout include:
I journaled to my favorite color, yellow, as if I were speaking directly to it, I told her why I love her and just what she means to me. I also chose to add some rounded corners with the floral paper. I used some hand doodling with a stencil and I included YELLOW in my title. I must say this is a challenge that I LOVE, it has inspired me to scrap more of my favorites to include in my book of me!!!

Supplies:
Discount Cardstock Sunflower 80# 12 x 12, Plaid Stylish stencil, Plaid Apricot acrylic paint, pop dots by Plaid, Mod Podge Sparkle (inside the heart, on the butterfly and flowers), Gauche Alchemy (stamp and foil ribbon), We R Memory Keepers floral paper, Die Cuts with a View Nana's Nursery (plaid paper), CTMH yellow heart paper, All Night Media splatter stamp, Sakura White Jelly Roll Pen, CTMH orange pen, Prima (blooms and alphabet), Misc. buttons, twine, ribbon, butterfly.

Techniques I used are to paint the All Night Media stamp with Apricot paint and stamp directly onto the page with ink. I love this!!!! I also chose to not ink the edges of my pages, but rather paint them with a sponge. This gave such a fun soft effect! I also used the sparkle Mod Podge to paint the inside of my heart and add just a touch of bling to the butterfly and flower. Did you notice my ribbon flowers? Those are just leftover pieces of ribbon that have been folded lengthwise, crisscrossed, and attached with a brad.

And now for the winner of my blog hop at Betterscrap. I used Random.org to choose the winner......

shobelle said...
I feel like a frog as I hop, hop, hop from blog to blog ... :)

Thank you for the opportunity!

September 28, 2010 12:56 AM

Please email me at neeneesparks@gmail.com and provide your mailing info for your Kaiser mini album.....

****************************************************************************

Day 3 of the Lucky Girl Blog Party....

Again, don't you love this fab paper? I chose to use more of my Little Kids party photos from last year.

This paper is so incredible, the only embellies I added were the flower, button, and trim. The alphas are from one of the older Lucky Girl kits. I totally adore the little spiders on the paper. Shop during our October Blog Party (October 1-3) and take advantage of some great Lucky Girl Savings:

SAVE $10 WITH ANY PURCHASE OVER $50!
Use code BOOCREW at check out.

Pre-order any Epiphany Crafts tool and you'll receive a free bonus kit with shipment of your tool.
If you love the little things in life, you'll definitely want to check out the great deals on all of our "extras" - from flowers to alphabets, past kits, papers & more, the discounts are to die for!
Don't forget, you will visit Natalie next!!!! I know you can't wait to see what she has for you!
Now, to have a chance at my RAK, please follow my blog if you are inspired by my creations, leave a comment here answering this question, "Would you create a mini album or scrap pages with this kit?" I'll announce my winner tomorrow morning.

Blessings,

Better Scrap Blog Hop is HERE!!!!

This post will remain at the top until Saturday, October 2. Please scroll for down for new posts.
Good Morning,
Today we are having our first blog hop at Better Living through Scrapbooking! You can go here to start from the beginning. If you have come to my blog from Kas, you are in the correct place! Our task today, show you our favorite style, introduce you to us. Well, if you follow my blog on a regular basis, you already know that my Honeybee is my everything! So I just had to scrap him!

I used some of our sponsor, Discount Cardstock Midnight Black #80 12 X 12 cardstock to mat the photo. I also used some of our October sponsor, Plaid, pop dots to lift the flower and leaves up. Instead of inking things up, I went with some Plaid White acrylic paint, and also used some Mod Podge Dimensional Magic on the Thickers (SO).

All other papers, flowers, ribbons, pins, Lucky bingo card, and butterfly are part of the Lucky Girl Craft Kits.

I really had fun expressing myself in this layout. I think that I am really loving to dry brush the edges of paper with white paint as much as I love inking them! I also share how I adore using pretty flowers, ribbons, and pins on my layouts.

Better Living Through Scrapbooking has a fabulous prize pack up for grabs, thanks to Plaid! We will be giving away a Mod Podge starter pack, plus a selection of FolkArt paints, stencils and some Extreme Glitter! This prize pack is worth $50 retail, and will be awarded to one blog hop participant that comments on ALL of the blog posts during the hop.

I'll be giving away this fabby RAK on my blog as well! This is a darling little chipboard Kaiser Craft mini album. Be sure to follow my blog if you are inspired by my work, leave your comment here by noon on Saturday, October 2. Winner will be announced with my Better Scrap post on Sunday, October 3.

Now you are off to visit the ever so talented Katie. While there, leave her lots of love!
Here is a complete listing of all the stops along the hop:
BetterScrap
Angela
Beth
Brenda
Candy
Chelsea
Kas
Kim------you are here :-)
Katie
Michelle
Blessings,

Togetherness....

Good Morning,

Just a quick post this morning, I have a layout that was published in the Better Scrap Brads and Bytes newsletter last week. We created a layout about us from when we were babies or little. I chose to do one of the last summer I spent with my Grandpa. This was the summer of 1978.

Yep, that would be me with my arms all around him. He and my Granny were just 52 in this photo. My Grandpa passed away the very next year. This photo and memory of that day is so special to me. The other little cutie pie in there is my middle sis, Teresa.

Our challenge also included using text from a magazine in a title. Don't you love the "Togetherness" title that was cut from a Scrapbooking and Beyond magazine.

If you'd like to subscribe to Brads and Bytes, please click here.

Blessings,

Crazy 4 You....

Better Living Through Scrapbooking September Challenge #3

“Holiday paper challenge”
Use holiday-themed papers (Christmas, Halloween, Easter, 4th of July, etc.) to create a non-holiday themed page layout or mini album.

Choose at least two of the following prompts:
1. Use photos that are at least five years old.
2. Use punches or a die-cut machine to hand-make embellishments or letters out of patterned paper for your page.
3. Use pop-dots to give 3-D dimension to an element of your page.
4. Use numbers in the title of your page.
5. Use rubber or acrylic stamps somewhere on your page
Here is my layout....I hit them all and used the Sketches in Thyme Challenge 15 sketch for this one.....

Oh how I love this sketch!!!!

I so enjoyed this Holiday paper challenge. I loved putting my wedding photos to this yummy Graphic 45 paper. I really challenged myself to use each of the criteria on this one!

So here goes, I used two photos from my wedding, almost 14 years ago!! Next, I used my Cricut Expression George and Basic Shapes cart to cut the hearts, and the Cherry Limeade cart for the title. Then I used pop dots to add some dimension behind the hearts. I put a 4 in my title, and used rubber stamps for the stitching above the hearts and for the journal box.

Techniques used, I love to use my distress inks on the edges of my papers. I also used my Cuttlebug to emboss the circle element and the hearts. Then I spritzed them with some Pearl Glimmer Mist.

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock “Really Red 80# 12×12“; Papers: Graphic 45 “Christmas Past Collection: Carol of the Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “Hallowe’en in Wonderland”; Adhesives: Plaid Pop dots; Stamps: Close to My Heart “Simple Stitches,” Scrappy Cat “journal box”; Ink: Close to My Heart “Chocolate distress inks”; Color spray: Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist “Pearl”; Ribbon: Scrapgoods.com; Tools: Cuttlebug and “d’vine” embossing folder.

Hop on over to Betterscrap to visit my scrappy sisters and see how they can inspire you to use some holiday papers in a fun out of the box way!

Blessings,

Better Scrap September Challenge #3....

Good Morning,
Today is new challenge reveal at Better Living through Scrapbooking!

“Fashion disaster challenge”
Create a layout about a fashion disaster, hair disaster, or social faux pas that happened to you.
1. Use an old school photo of yourself on your layout.
2. Use fabric or canvas on your page(s).
3. Use one larger and two smaller photo on your page.
4. Use ribbon in a fun and/or unusual way on your page.
5. Use the following as a page title, or the beginning of your journaling: “Quick, Call the Fashion Police!

“Such a fun challenge for us! I had absolutely forgotten about some of my fashion faux pas from the early 1990′s! I had so much fun rummaging through my old photos trying to find the ones to ‘showcase’ here. Finally, I chose to use ones from my very first Kindergarten class back in 1992. Check out the hair…..oh gosh!

I chose to use ribbon in a fun way on this layout. If you look at the rosettes in the upper corner, those are actually wire edged ribbon that I just spiraled around until I was happy with the size. I tucked the cut edges under and inserted a brad into the center, and attached with mini glue dots. Then, I used some striped ribbon as a corner embellishment to the photo and the journaling box. This one was just looped and attached with a brad.

I also used the ‘Quick, Call the fashion police!’ for my fun title. When my oldest niece saw this layout ( she is now the age I was in the photo), she very quickly added, ‘I am so glad hair and fashion are different now!’”

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Discount Cardstock “Eggplant Felt 80# 12×12, Wisteria Vellum 12×12“; Papers: Graphic 45 “Hallowe’en in Wonderland,”, Embellishments: Prima alphabet and bling, American Crafts brads and rub-ons, Offray ribbon, and Making Memories journaling box.

So head on over to Better Scrap today and share you fashion fauz pas with us this week! While you are there, please visit my Better Scrap dt sisters, you'll be inspired to pull out you 80's and early 90's pix too!

Blessings

Better Scrap Reveal and a winner....

Good Morning,
I'm sorry this is kind of pieced together this morning. Our little man had to go to ER last night. He was fine and dandy then in just one spilt second he began to vomit and couldn't stop. He became limp, lifeless, and his eyes rolled back....we were scared to death and went straight to the ER. He got home about 3 am this morning. His white cell count is elevated, he got some ivs, and something for the nausea. He has been resting since....please pray for my little man.

And now I have the winner of my Lucky Girl Blog Party RAK.....

nursela said...
Oh yes! I did a 6x6 fall mini album and gave it away! The person I gave it to had such lovely pics of her and her boys in fall settings under beautiful trees etc., that I just HAD to give it to her! It was super fun to make!

September 3, 2010 2:08 PM------

Please email your shipping addy to me neeneesparks@gmail.com and Jessica will get this right out to you!

Thanks to everyone for following the blog party and for all your terrfic answers to my fall questions!

Are you ready for a new challenge reveal at Better Scrap?

Better Living Through Scrapbooking Challenge #6

“Bad photo challenge”
Create a layout using a photo or photos that you would normally have discarded or dismissed.

Chose at least 2 of the following:
1. Use rub-ons or stickers directly on your photo(s).
2. Use paint on your page in a messy or unusual way.
3. Use a die-cut or pre-purchased journaling “spot” on which to write your journaling.
4. Use this sketch as design inspiration for your page.
5. Make a handmade flower using Katie’s technique in our August 1st reveal, and use the flower on your layout.

Our sponsors for this month at Better Scrap are Graphic 45 and Discount Cardstock, so I've featured their yummy products in this layout

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock “Patriot Blue Linen 12×12″; Patterned Paper: Graphic 45 “Hallowe’en in Wonderland”; Embellishments: Gauche Alchemy Punchinella, Making Memories journaling spot and silver alpha stickers, American Crafts white rub-ons, Prima bloom and brad, Doodle Genie template from Chatter Box, Gelly Roll white Pen

Criteria used:
I chose to use #1 rub-ons and stickers on the photo and #3 pre purchased journaling blocks. I love this photo of Ashlea at her most recent dance competition. It is blurry and the color is a tad off, but considering that it is a bad photo, I love how the layout turned out.

Thechnique used: I used a doodle template and a white pen to create a fresh little flourish on the Patriot Blue Linen cardstock. I decided that I’ve had this template for 4+ years and I need to make an effort to use it on more layouts.


We are holding a Labor Day giveaway on our Facebook page, and it’s so easy to win!

Just visit our Facebook page (if you’re not already a fan, just click the “like” button at the top of the page, and you’ll be signed in!) and look for the Labor Day giveaway post. Just leave a comment to that post, tell us your favorite inspirational quote, and you’re entered to win!

Once lucky recipient chosen at random from the eligible participants will win a Punky Sprouts album from their new Summer CHA release, along with a pack of My Little Shoebox alphabet stickers to help you decorate the album!

Hop on over to visit my Better Scrap DT sisters and say hello!
Blessings,

Better Scrap Reveal

Good Morning,

I'm in Louisville this weekend for the Sate Fair. My little Ashlea is having her very first dance comp today! Then I'll be traveling the 4 hours back home. I'll update you all after the comp to let you know their standings.

Today is a new challenge reveal at Betterscrap. Better Living Through Scrapbooking Challenge #5

“Inspirational Quote challenge”
Create a layout that is based on your favorite inspirational quote. Need some ideas? Visit http://www.inspirational-quotes.info/ for a great searchable collection of quotes.
Chose at least 2 of the following:
1. Use one 5×7 photo of a place or thing that inspires you.
2. Use a palette similar to this one at ColourLovers.com.
3. Make this a double 12×12 or double 8 1/2 x 11 layout, with at least 2 photos per page.
4. Place your title on a circular or wavy path.
5. Use a transparency of some sort on your page, whether an actual transparency sheet (Hambly Screen Prints, Fancy Pants) or transparent embellishment (Heidi Swapp Ghost Shapes, Making Memories) that you purchased, or a handmade transparency made by hand or with your computer printer.

Be sure to see the post above to see what our wonderfully creative design team has done with this challenge!


Deadline to enter Challenge #5 (and all other September challenges) is midnight EST September 30th, 2010.

My inspirational quote is from the old testament...

Supplies:
Discount Cardstock; Patterned papers: Graphic 45 “Le Romantique Collection”; Flowers: Prima; Embellishments: Recollections butterfly; Misc: Lace; Ink: Close to My Heart “Dessert Sand”

I chose to use the title cut in a circular path for my inspirational quote and I used a simple office transparency to cover the photos. This layout features photos from the Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia. This is one of my favorite places on earth. The entire city inspires me. I know that I’m a Southern Belle from the long ago historic days of Savannah that is trapped in a modern world. When I visit, my soul feels at peace!

Our design team sponsor for the month of September is Graphic 45. Since their inception just a few short years ago, Graphic 45 has enjoyed phenomenal growth and popularity within the scrapbooking community. With their unique and innovative lines mirroring the designs and patterns of bygone days, Graphic 45 embraces and encourages the love of all things vintage and heritage.

To encourage Better Living Through Scrapbooking, Graphic 45 is giving away a 12×12 paper pad of their brand new line, Christmas Past. These papers have just started to ship to stores after debuting at the CHA summer show, and you could be one of the first to get your hands on them!

Brads and Bytes Newsletter....

Good Morning,
Today I'm sharing my layout for our very first Brads and Bytes Newsletter over at Better Living through Scrapbooking. You can find our newsletter right here!

Here is our sketch

and here is what I did with it.....

Hop on over and check it out! My Betterscrap sisters did a fab job with this sketch too! Be sure to leave them some love!

Blessings,

Better Scrap Reaval 4....

Good Morning,
Today is Challenge #4 at Betterscrap....

Search your stash for sheets or scraps of paper that aren’t your favorites and that you might not reach for first, and use them on a layout!

Chose at least 2 of the following:
1. Use a 12×12 sheet of “ugly” paper as your layout background.
2. Use at least 3 scraps of “ugly” paper somewhere on the page where they can be seen.
3. Use 2 4×6 photos, any orientation.
4. Use “stitching” somewhere on the page. It can be actual sewn stitches, or your stitches can be hand drawn, created with a template, or stamped.
5. Use color mist (such as Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, or a homemade ink or paint mist) anywhere on your page

Here is my ugly paper layout.

The ugly paper challenge inspired me to create this layout for my oldest niece, Megan. I would have never used this background paper if not for this challenge. When I went through my scrap stash and put it all together, I love the way this turned out!

I used #1 to find a piece of “ugly” 12 x 12 background cardstock, #2 to use 3 scraps of “ugly” paper, and #3 use two 4X6 photos.

Supplies: papers are Making Memories, Colorbok, and Fancy Pants. Crate Paper chipboard, Close to My Heart inks, bling from Recollections, and flowers from Prima

Don’t forget – anyone who participates in all four of this month’s challenges is eligible to win the grand prize from Piggy Tales. However, be sure to keep your eyes open throughout the month, because we will also be giving away some RAKs and goodies to everyone that participates in any of our weekly challenges.
Please hop over and visit my incredibly talented Betterscrap sitters to be inspired by their "ugly" paper projects!
Have a great day!!!!

ghost walk....

Good Morning,

Today is challenge #3 over at Betterscrap....

The photoless layout challenge
Create a layout about a happy memory or event in your life that you have no photos of. This could be a childhood memory, an event that did not allow cameras, or perhaps you just forgot to take pictures that day!

Choose at least 2 of the following:
1. Use memorabilia in lieu of photos. If you have a map, brochure, flyer, receipts, or other paperwork from that day or event, use them on the layout.
2. Create your own photos of the memory or event. Take photos of favorite souvenirs from the day or event. Use your kids or grandkids, pets, or even dolls or stuffed animals to recreate a photo to represent the memory.
3. Use your favorite die-cut machine to create your page title.
4. Use at least two metallic elements on the layout.
5. Distress some element of your page - fray, tear, or crumple paper, or use distress ink or other distressing techniques on your page.

Here is what I came up with....

I used # 1-a brochure from my ghost walk tour in Savannah, #3- used the expression to cut my title, and #5-distressing inks, crumpled and torn paper.

Supplies:

paper and ink are CTMH, flowers are Bazzill and Prima, cardstock is Basic Grey, and I used some pearlz glimmer mist.

Please hop on over to visit my super talented dt sisters and enjoy all their inspiration! I hope you are up for this challenge, I'd love to see how you interpret this one!!!!

Have a terrific Sunday!

Blessings,

Because of you....

Good Morning,

Better Living Through Scrapbooking Challenge #2

This week’s challenge is to create a page layout about the most influential person in your life.

Chose a person, living or dead, whether you know them personally or not, that has had a big influence on your life, and create a layout about them. This person can be a friend, relative, historical figure, celebrity – anyone at all.

Choose at least 2 of the following:
* The photo must be black & white. If you don’t have a black & white version, change the photo to black & white in your favorite photo editing software, or take the photo to your local 1-hour photo and have them do it for you. You can also make a black & white copy of the photo at your local office store. If you do not have a photo of the person (if they are a historical figure or celebrity) find one on the internet and print it out.
* Use at least one major circular element on your page – whether it’s the photo, photo mat, or other noticeable circular element.
* Use paint or ink in a fun and unusual way.
* Hand make your own flowers and use them on the layout.
* Include hand written journaling

And here is my reveal....

I chose a black and white photo of my Mom and I at the beach, a handmade rose (love how it came out), hand written journaling, and a large circle element.

All the papers, ink, and stamps for this one are CTMH. The bling is Prima and Kaiser, the ribbon is from my stash.

You must visit the Better Scrap Girls to read about who has influenced them. While there, leave them some scrappy love!!!!

Deadline to enter Challenge #2 (and all other August challenges, including challenge #1) is midnight EST August 31st, 2010.

Blessings,

Let's Celebrate Today...Heavy Post

Good Morning,
As I said in my title, this is a big day to celebrate. I have some fabby news, I'm a new designer for....

That is right, I'm doing the happy dance right now....I'm so excited to be a part of this fabulous and super talented dt!!!

Better Living Through Scrapbooking Challenge #1
This week’s challenge is to Scrapbook your scrapbooking!
Yep, you heard that right. We want you to create a layout or other paper crafting project that showcases some aspect of your scrapbooking hobby.
Chose at least two of the following for your project:
1. Journal about how you’ve achieved “better living through scrapbooking”.
2. Use at least 3 photos of your scrap space.
3. Use the title “I Scrap, Therefore…” (finish the statement in your journaling.)
4. Create a scrapbook layout using photos of your scrapbooks.
5. Have someone take a photo of you surrounded by your supplies, then use that photo as the main image on your page.
6. Create a mini-album “tour” of your scrap room.
7. Journal a list of your ten “can’t live without” scrapbooking tools/supplies
Here is the layout I created with my awesome Lucky Girl August Old School Kit

I chose to journal my can't live without supplies and to use three photos of my scrap space.

That's right, today is August 1 and that kicks off our Blog Party!!! You can't have a party without prizes!!! Click here to enter the main Lucky Girl Prize drawing. To enter my Blog Party Prize, please follow my blog if you are inspired by my work, leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite "Old School Memory". My winner will be drawn on August 4.

Be sure to visit Jessica for more chances to win and to see her awesome designs.

To help spread the word about Lucky Girl Craft kits, Jessica is offering 25% off two kits or, for my subscribers, you'll receive two free bonus kits - one valued at $15 with the shipment of the August kit, and one valued at $25 at the end of your annual commitment!
Use code BUY2SAVE25 at checkout for the two kit promo
Subscribers, just include a note with your order telling me you want to take advantage of the BONUS KIT!

And.....Better Scrap is offering a prize for August!!!!!

All you have to do to win this delicious prize is enter your project at Better Scrap by midnight on August 31!!! Please visit all the dt at Better Scrap for incredible "Scrap your Scrapbooking" inspiration, and leave them some love!!

Blessings,