Dinner with the Ya-Ya's

I'm still working on some trip photos and I'm having a blast doing it.  Yesterday I blogged about using up some kits and this is another layout I did this week with my Scrapbook Sussies February Kit.  I *love* Crate Paper and this line was no exception.  Still love it!  The stitching on those clouds makes me very *happy*!

These ladies I affectionately refer to as my Ya-Ya's.  In fact at one friend's son's wedding last January I met a gal who was dating another one of my friend's son's (wow....that's kind of hard to follow, sorry) and she said "Oh are you one of the Ya-Ya's?  I laughed and said "of course!". :)

After working on these photos for a few weeks I'm thinking we need to make another trip! :)

I'm entering this layout based on this sketch (from the Crate Paper Blog) at Sketches in Thyme as well.

I still have a little secret....you'll have to catch that post in a couple days, but I PROMISE it's a great one! :)

Not a Cloud in the Sky

I've been on a kick lately....a 'use it up kick' with my kits.  I love them to bits.  And when they are down to 'bits' I then break them up and either make a mini card kit or put the embellies away and throw the scraps in the scrap bin.

This is the last of my Scrapbook Sussies February kit.  I think I have officially used it up to the point I only have a mini card kit left.  I've made 3 more layouts with it this past week.

This layout I made as a challenge layout using sketch #129 at Creative Scrappers.  Not a Cloud in the Sky is a page about our girls trip to the beach in Texas.  We had clear skies 6 out of 7 days and it was perfect!  Every once in a while you need a break from the sun, right? ;)  I love stitching so I went to town on this layout and added a Jillibean Soup journal spot with an Ali E stamp on it to the layout as well.

Here's the sketch at Creative Scrappers by Aphra Bolyer: 

Kim is hosting an Open Sketch Challenge at Sketches in Thyme this week as well, so this is my entry to that.  You can join in too, there is still time.  Just click the link.

Journaling Class

Have you ever taken an online class?  I have and I love them!  I don't have a local scrapbook store that offers classes and this is my opportunity to take one and to be inspired by the best scrappers around the country.

I took a sketch class last month at Inspired to Scrap and it was fantastic!  Stacey offers Weekend Warrior Card Classes, classes on using your tools and so many others.

December will have 15 Days of Journaling Inspiration and you won't want to miss this class!  Let me share a little more about the class and the special offer for you!


December 8-22 : 15/15 – 15 Days of Journaling Inspiration – $15
“Black Friday Week” Special- Class is only $10!!
Features of the class-
Whether you want to write a little or a lot, this class is for you!! We’ll be inspired by journaling ideas, prompts, challenges, page ideas, samples and more in this class.
Access to a private area of the message board
Daily journaling inspiration
Photo and/or Video tutorials
All new samples and layouts to spark your creativity
Encouragement and support to complete 15+ layouts
Inspiration from fellow classmates
Prizes!!
**Plus an extra two weeks to complete the challenges to be entered into the prize drawing!

I hope you will join us!  

Sketchy Thursdays

I've used S.T. sketches often in my scrapbooks, but haven't entered many.  Why?  Most of the time I just get busy and forget to enter.  But I do LOVE the sketches and I love seeing the different ways everyone interprets them.

So here's my entry for this weeks sketch:

And yes, I changed it up to fit my photos.  Isn't that what it's all about?

Gotta love those papers & embellies from my Scraptacular kit!

Sketches in Thyme

My sweet friend Kim has a challenge blog called Sketches in Thyme.  She's super talented and so are the girls on her team.  Be sure to check out the challenges and then start scrapping.  And enter!

So many people never enter their stuff.  I know it's hard to put your stuff 'out there' sometimes.  And we always tend to compare our stuff to other peoples and feel like we don't measure up.  But that isn't the case.  We always inspire one another, no matter what our style of scrapbooking, no matter what our subject matter is, no matter what paper line we are choosing...no matter what.

So I want to challenge YOU this week.  Step up to a challenge.  Maybe this time you are just going to scrap for yourself using a sketch or an idea prompt.  But maybe next time you will be a little braver and enter it.  Let me know when you do....I'll be cheering you on!

Here's my layout for the Sketches in Thyme weekly challenge:

 

Papers from Dixie Pieces Kit Club 

(wow was that ever a very full kit!  it keeps going and going....)

Sometimes Distress is a Good Thing

It's a good thing when you are distressing a layout.....you know what I mean...giving that layout a less 'clean' look.

For example, I was working with My Mind's Eye papers and embellishments and had a bazzill cardstock that matched colorwise, but it was a 'tad' too bright.  I first used an edge distressing tool to rough up the edges of the cardstock (mine happens to be a pink Heidi Swapp tool....costs about a dollar, but there are many companies that carry these).

Then I used a Tim Holtz foam applicator tool to tone down the color a bit using Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen color.  I just dabbed my foam pad on the ink pad and then rubbed in half circles onto the paper about 1" into the cardstock from the edge.  To give it a bit more definition at the edge I added a little T.H. Distress Ink in Vintage Photo.  This time I dabbed the foam applicator into the ink and then just touched the very edges of the cardstock.

I learned quite a bit about distressing from my teammates at Frosted Designs, so be sure to check out today's post for other fun ideas.  Create your own layout, card or project and enter it in our weekly challenge.  I can't wait to see what you do!

Making a Statement

I love large photos and how the show the details of a moment and make such a 'statement'. :)  Over at Frosted Designs Blog we are showing layouts with larger sized photos.  Be sure to check them all out! 

I chose an 8x12 enlargement to feature on her page of my son doing what he loves best.  If you haven't worked with these large photos, we encourage you to try it.  The detail is fantastic!  Fancy Pants Designs "Like Father, Like Son" line was a fun choice with additional embellies like Take Note Journaling Tag & Philosophy tag and letter stickers from Prima.

Now it's your turn!  Have a photo enlarged, or pull an older 5 x 7 or 8 x 10 out of your stash of photos and create a layout.  Then link it to the November 5 thread at Frosted Designs for your chance to win! :)

And a little note....I was featured again on Practical Scrappers...my layout is "Lake of the Clouds" and is the 8th one down on the Making a Statement with Titles post. :)

I am going to be enjoying  a weekend of lots of fun, food & fellowship with wonderful friends this weekend at Work In Progress Kits weekend retreat.  I hope you are as blessed as I know I will be.  I am so grateful for friendships.