New Sketch N Scrap "Inspired By" Challenge!!!

Hello my fellow crafters!!!  Hope you're having a scrap-filled week thus far!!! 

Did you know that Sketch N Scrap is now hosting a BRAND NEW "Inspired By" Challenge every month?!?  That's right...  Now, there are two card sketches, two layout sketches, and a BRAND NEW Inspired Sketch EVERY SINGLE MONTH!!!! WOW... That's a whole lot of inspiration to get your creative mojo flowing :-)

So what is an "Inspired By" challenge you ask?!? One of our lovely sketch artist draws inspiration from a layout... Either submitted from our member's entries, DT, etc... And then we give YOU that sketch (along with a DT reveal and original entry) to interpret!!!  I'm so excited because this month, MY LAYOUT is the "inspirational" one!!!  This is an oldie, but goodie :-)

"This is My Story" with Crate Paper "Maggie Holmes"

I, myself, am a "colorful" person of sorts.  I'm outspoken, extremely personable (from many years in the hospitality industry), and sometimes down right obnoxious!!!!  I'm also good-hearted, I give when I can, and help others as much as possible :-)

One way I express myself is through my tattoos.  Yes, I have several of them, and they all provide a glimpse into who I am.  I wanted to make a page that reflects me as an individual.  A page that gives you an idea of "who I am".  And this is it:

The picture is of my "backside" where most of my tattoos are.  For those who are curious, I have several of them, including: both of my daughter's names, my own eyes, a clover, a shamrock, some stars and flourishes, a butterfly, the word "Lucky",  something that looks like a compass on my neck (don't ask... I was young!! Hahaha!!!), mine and my husband's astrological signs, and a large rose down my side which still needs to be shaded in (it's my "newest" addition!).  All of them are meaningful, and nothing I will "regret" as most may think of people with tattoos.  They all represent an "era" in my life...  And they all tell a story :-)

I used papers by Crate Paper Maggie Holmes collection to start things off.  I distressed and tore edges, and created the big tear down the center.  I used a MS paper punch to punch the edges of the torn area, then layered punched edges of different paper, ribbon, and a little Liquid Pearls.  I created the flower cluster using various flowers by Recollections and Paper House Studio. 

 The chipboard pieces are from Blue Fern Studio and were heat embossed, inked,  misted and then topped off with Perfect Pearls and Liquid Pearls.  I used my Spectrum Noir Black Alcohol Marker to go over some teal glittered Thickers so that the chipboard color was black, but the glitter would remain teal to match the page.  This page is easy on the eyes, full of sparkle, and a little rough around the edges.  Pretty much sums me up!!!!!  

Here is the AMAZING SKETCH created based on the layout by the very talented Kelly Holifield:

This sketch turned out better than I expected!!!!  It's AMAZING!!!  I LOVE IT!!!!  Make sure to stop by the blog and participate... There is a wonderful prize up for grabs!!!  

Also, be sure to stop by the Frosted Designs store soon....  We are QUICKLY selling out of the "Shades of Spring" February Kit, full of beautiful papers, embellies, and flowers!!!  Here's a few projects created using the kit (for the new monthly "Kit Challenge"!) from myself and member Vicki Robertson:

Me

Member Vicki Robertson

There are only a few "Love is in the Air" January kits as well... PERFECT for Valentine's or "love" themed projects!!!  Here's some ideas from our DT using this kit:

Debbie

Anita

Jean

Well gang...  Thanks soooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

"Inspired" Magazine Cover Girl!!!!

Hello all!!! I hope you are enjoying your weekend!!! It's actually turned out to be a beautiful day here... Finally!!!

I wanted to share with you something I've been keeping a secret...  I made COVER for the LGS "Inspired" Magazine!!!!  Yay!!!!  

All entrants were to submit a layout based on the following sketch:

I LOVED working this sketch and knew I wanted to make something "pretty" with it!!!!

Here is my take:

Nothing says pretty like a whole lot of pink!!! Hahahaha!!!!

I used the Pink Paislee "Colorwash" and Prima "Delight" collections to make the page.  They actually flowed together quite nicely!

I started by cutting some hearts into the background paper using my Cricut Expression 2, then outlining those hearts with a pink gelato.  I also took the gelato around the edges of the paper to add more pink!!!  The tags were cut from Jillibean Soup "flashcards" that were included in the January Kit over at Frosted Designs!!! I also added some "colorwash" tags that were colored with the same pink gelato.

I used a heart stencil (also in the January kit) and some molding paste colored with the gelato to add a little texture to the page.  I also sprinkled some Tim Holtz distress glitter in Rock Candy for some glitz!

The chipboard word "Happy" by Blue Fern Studios was coated with gesso that was also colored with the pink gelato, and sprinkled with the distress glitter.

The tickets are from the Prima collection and I added a little hand stitching for detail.  I used a Prima "Paquita" flower in the corner, also adding a bit of the gesso mixture for color :-)

Well gang... Thanks so much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

DCWV "Christmas Made" Favor Boxes and other Exciting News!!!!

Hello my crafty friends!!!  I hope you all had a beautiful holiday and are set to have a fabulous (and safe) New Year!!!

Altered Christmas Favor Boxes using DCWV "Christmas Made" Paper Pad

I'm here today to share some easy-to-make favor boxes I made using the DCWV "Christmas Made" paper stack.  I absolutely LOVE this paper pad and all the cute elements that come along with it!!!  I made one of these with the Frosted Designs "Friday Challenge" in mind... The challenge is to incorporate three or more of the following on your project:

- Roses

- Mittens

- Brown Paper 

- Strings

- Cream Colored

- Apple

- Bells

- Wings

- Blue Satin

- Snowflake

- Silver White

- Favorite

Here's a look at the one I made for this challenge: (I used cream-colored gingerbread paper on the base, Angel wings on the die-cut, and metal snowflakes)

I started with pre-cut, standard size favor boxes and adhered the desired pattern paper to the top and bottom portions.  I used a Martha Stewart paper punch to create the piece around the center of this box, then added Petaloo trim atop of it.  I finished by adding various die-cuts by K&Company and a number of embellishments (white and gold flower by Recollections, 3D Christmas tree by Martha Stewart, and metal snowflakes by Momenta)

  

Here's a look at this box from the side:

And here are all of the boxes I created using the same paper pad and K&Company die-cuts:

I added handmade candy jars in the boxes and gave them to my niece and nephews.  These were SUPER easy to make and I will certainly be making them again in the future!!!

"Christmas Greetings" Handmade Christmas Card using MME Lost and Found Christmas

I also wanted to share with you the latest card sketch over at Sketch N Scrap!!!  I totally forgot about this one with the very hectic holidays but better late than never!!! Hahahaha!!!!

Here's Card Sketch #16:

And here is my card:

This card was made using the MME "Lost and Found Christmas" 6x6 paper pad.  I cut all the papers to the desired size and inked the edges with Distress Ink.  I fussy-cut the sentiment piece from the same paper pad and stamped the "Christmas Greetings" from Fiskars.  I added two small bells to the chipboard snowflake by "The girls Paperie" along with some sparkling twine!!!  I finished the card with some string, a wood button, and some pearls colored with a Spectrum Noir marker.  

I also have some VERY EXCITING NEWS to share:

The "Christmas" edition of Let's Get Sketchy's Sketch Inspired Magazine is officially out... And I have FOUR PROJECTS that were PUBLISHED in this edition!!!  YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are the pictures of the pages with the original photos beside them:

 

Don't forget... I have some additional exciting news to share with you at the start of the brand New Year... Stay tuned for details!!!!

Well gang... Thanks sooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

Hop Into The New Year With Sketch N Scrap!!!

Happy Monday everyone!!! I really hope you have been enjoying the Sketch N Scrap Holiday Hop so far!!!  

Today, I bring you a wonderfully inspiring card for the New Year!  Not just any card... But a card that was PUBLISHED in the first issue of Let's Get Sketchy's Sketch Inspired Magazine!!!!  Here's a look at the magazine page:

And here is my actual card:

I decided to go with "non-traditional" New Year colors (Black, Gold, Silver, etc) and create something fabulous!!!!  This is what I came up with :-)

I used papers by Coordinations and K&Company.  The die-cut was cut using the Spellbinders "Scalloped Circles" die and my Grand Calibur, and the digi stamp is by "Cuttlebug Cuties".  I used my Spectrum Noir markers to color her in, then topped off the card with clear glitter glue, a ribbon bow and trim, sparkly flowers, and a die-cut clock that was inked and topped with a thin coat of clear glitter glue as well :-)

Now... For the "Good Stuff"!!!!!  

To be entered into a drawing for a FAB-U-LOUS prize pack, make sure you are a follower of the Sketch N Scrap Blog and MY Blog as well.... Then leave me a comment letting me know a New Year's Resolution you actually "stuck" with!!! 

(If you're anything like me, this may be a bit difficult!!! Hahahaha!!!!)  

That's it!!!! Easy peasy, right?!?  One winner will be randomly selected and announced on November 12th!!!! Here's a "peek" at what's up for grabs:

~ MME "Merry and Bright" Double Sided 6x6 Papers
~ K&Company Double Sided "Visions of Christmas" Mat Stacks
~ SEVERAL Holiday Trims
~ Various "Christmas Style" Twine
~ K&Company Glitter and Bling Rosettes
~ Christmas Die-cuts
~ Glitter Snowflakes
~ And MORE!!!!

If you haven't had a chance to check out the AMAZING Halloween ATC Frame that Jennifer made, you can still see it here!!!

If you have missed any of the wonderful inspiration from the previous designers you can just pop on over to the SNS blog to find all the links.

The Hop is scheduled to take a small break after today for our regular blog schedules, but Stephanie will be bringing you some wonderful inspiration for Remembrance Day on November 7th!!!

The hop runs until the 8th November so make sure you check out the SNS blog each day.

On another note, I also wanted to share with you another of my creations that was featured in the magazine!!!!  Here is the magazine page:

And here is the actual page:

You can read more about this page from a previous post here!!!!

Well gang... Wishing you Happy Holidays and as usual.... Thanks for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)