Welcome 2011-The Layout

The American Crafts challenge this week is to create a project with a new year theme. I thought it would be fun to get my goals for 2011 down on a layout. A super simple page using punched circles with a little bit of fun in the middle of each one. I also couldn't resist using their new decorative tape. So fun! I think I'll put this layout on my scrap desk, so I can see it easily. A good reminder throughout the year.

Here is a close-up.

SUPPLIES:
American Crafts: 
Paper: Dear Lizzy Spring and Enchanted, Blue Skies, Abode
Thickers: Delight
Flair: Dear Lizzy Springy and Blue Skies Relax
Ribbon: Dear Lizzy Leafy and Lovely
Button: Glitter Baby Girl
Brad: Pearl White
Mixtape: Stream

I'm Thankful For...

It's been awhile since I've had a chance to participate in the American Crafts challenge. But I made some time, because I've been missing participating. The challenge is to create a page about what you are thankful for. I love these type of pages. I love taking the time to reflect on what I'm thankful for at any given time.

The journaling comes from a post I wrote a few weeks ago. You can see it here. The photo is from a time we spent at a park on a beautiful November day. I wanted to try and see if I could still hang from a bar and amazingly I could! My niece can hang hands free. Now that's really amazing. A good day.

I used a couple of papers from an old school collection of American Crafts, Moda Bella. The papers are so pretty and I love the hot pink color. The rest is from the Dear Lizzy collections. An all time favorite. And that yellow ribbon. Swoon.

Supplies used: American Crafts: Paper: Moda Bella, Dear Lizzy Spring, Thickers: Dear Lizzy Fantastic, Bliss, Ribbon: Butter and Dear Lizzy Leafy, Remarks: Correspond

And So It Begins

When I saw the American Crafts challenge for this week, I knew what I wanted to scrap. I snapped this photo of my niece this weekend texting to her friend. She doesn't have a cell phone, but figured out a way to text on an old iphone. She was even texting with her friend while in the same room together. Hilarious. I also had to tear her away from it to play a game. And so it begins...

I used the Blue Skies, and Dear Lizzy Spring and Enchanted collections. I love these papers! I can't wait to get my hands on more of the Enchanted line.

I really liked how this layout turned out. It's one of my all time favorites.

Product used
American Crafts
Paper: Cardstock, Blue Skies, Dear Lizzy Spring and Enchanted
Ribbon: Lovely, Leafy and Butter
Thickers: Dear Lizzy Fantastic, Berry and Bliss
Brads: Pearl Baby Boy
Echo Park
Letter stickers: Walk in the Park
Making Memories
Journaling page: Noteworthy Spiral Notebook

My Summer Favorites

This week's American Crafts challenge is to create a layout about yourself. When I first started scrapbooking, it didn't even occur to me to scrap about myself. It wasn't until a few years ago that I realized that my story is just as important as my other family members. I came to this conclusion with the help and inspiration of Ali Edwards.

Since we're heading into fall I thought it would be fun to create a layout that recaps what I loved about this summer. I was channeling Jennifer Johner when I made this layout. I think her style is so pretty. She uses bits of everything here and there so beautifully and I love her free flowing handwriting.

Here are a couple close ups. I had fun putting together the title, using several different fonts. And I think that little yellow bird in the second photo is so darn cute.

Journaling reads: Sitting on a patio enjoying a cold drink. Walks around the lake. Playing tennis on a clay court. Fresh veggies; the cucumbers, the green beans, the tomatoes, oh my! Water fights. Fresh flowers. Canoeing. Celebrating. "Knight and Day." Gooseberry Falls. Reading The Book Thief and the Steig Larsson series. Outdoor movies. Making a pillow. Navy Pier. Lots of picture taking and creating. Now, onto Fall...

What are some of your favorites from summer?

Product used: 
American Crafts
Paper: Dear Lizzy Enchanted, Dear Lizzy Spring and Blue Skies Collections
Thickers: Dear Lizzy Bliss and Berry
MiniMarks: Dear Lizzy Perch Accents rub-on
Flair: Blue Skies Relax
Premium Ribbon: Butter

Jenni Bowlin
Yellow Vellum Butterflies

Echo Park
Life is Good alpha stickers

American Crafts Challenge

Today is a quick post. I have a lot on my to do list and a new project notebook to write it all down in. Fun, fun. (For the life of me I tried to find the one I bought to link here, but amazingly I couldn't find it online.)

This week's challenge is to use Dear Lizzy products. Now, if you read my blog you know I love the first Dear Lizzy collection, so this challenge was a piece of cake. I'm waiting patiently for the new line, Enchanted, to show up in my LSS.

The photo was taken at the arboretum back in July. I love jumping photos, even the ones that don't quite turn out. M and I just weren't in sync, but I still find this photo hilarious. M looks like a superhero about ready to take flight.

Products used:
American Crafts
Paper: Dear Lizzy Spring
Flair: Dear Lizzy Springy
MiniMarks: Dear Lizzy Perch Accents
Thickers: Cupid

American Crafts Challenge

This week's American Crafts challenge is to make a two page layout. I haven't made a two page layout in a really long time, but I made one recently because I had more photos than would fit on one page.

I made it as part of my grandparent/grandchild series that I (finally) finished. I'll share more of them over the next few weeks. I'm really pleased with how they all turned out. Will definitely need to do another series again several years from now.

And here's each page on it's own.

Products used:
American Crafts
Paper: Dear Lizzy
Thickers: By the Yard, Dear Lizzy Glitter and Patterned Chipboard
Dear Lizzy Crocheted Flower
Elements Pearl Brads
Dear Lizzy Mini Marks

October Afternoon
Paper: Fly a Kite

American Crafts Challenge

This week's American Crafts challenge is to use buttons. I combined my love of the Abode collection with my love of mini polaroid photos. I've become a bit obsessed. I was inspired by this layout by Lisa Dickinson. I love a good grid on a layout. So classic. I used buttons instead of the butterflies she used.

The photo is of my nephew at the big ferris wheel at Navy Pier. The big ferris wheel that I barely survived riding. That may be a bit dramatic. Still not my most favorite experience.

Here is a close-up.

Products used:

American Crafts

Patterned paper: Abode

Buttons: Glitter Baby Girl

Puffy shapes, chipboard: My House Abode

Cosmo Cricket

Letter stickers: Tiny Type

Eating Outside

This week's American Crafts challenge is to do a layout about what you do on your summer vacation. I chose to do one thing I love about summer; eating outside. I love finding a shady patio and enjoying a cold drink and a tasty meal.

I used a bunch of misting on this layout and I actually used a mask on the background. I like the effect. I also used two different Thickers. Man, I love those!

Here are a couple close-ups.

Isn't that little birdie so cute?

Product used:

American Crafts:

Paper: Abode

Thickers: Flat, Dear Lizzy Berry and Dear Lizzy Bliss

Flair: Dear Lizzy Springy

Mini Marks: Dear Lizzy Perch Accents

Tattered Angels:

Glimmer Mist: Creme de Chocolat

American Crafts Challenge

This week's AC challenge is to use Thickers accents. You can't go wrong with anything with Thickers in the name! Aren't they so cute? This layout came together really quickly. Nothing too fancy.

This is one of my favorite photos from Easter this year. I take a lot of pictures holding the camera extended out in front of me and my niece snuck in without any of us knowing. She's so sneaky.

Here are a couple of close-ups.

Products used:

American Crafts

Thickers: Rockabye, Thickers accents: Dear Lizzy Bliss, Paper: Dear Lizzy and Abode, Dear Lizzy crocheted flowers and ribbon

Jillibean Soup

Brown Journaling Sprouts

Basic Grey

Basics White 6x6 paper pad

Happy Tape

American Crafts Challenge

This week's AC challenge is to use Detail embellishments. I honestly haven't used Details that often. I can't believe it either because they are really fun. They are full of layers of awesome detail (hence the name!) that add great depth to a page.

My layout this week is much different than my usual. I used paint! I took the eraser end of a pencil and dipped it into the paint and then just plopped it on the page. I love the fun splotches it made. I also didn't use a picture. When I decided what I wanted to do, I realized I didn't have a picture, so I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out. A good reminder to keep the story at the forefront. That pictures are awesome, but not necessary to tell the story. And now I have a page about one of my favorite things. I have been enjoying shaking it up a bit and trying different things on my pages lately. Definitely recommended for those who are in a rut.

and a close-up.

Journaling reads:

One of my favorite things is to read a book in my overstuffed red chair while drinking a piping hot cup of green tea. I can't believe it took me until I was 32 years old to try tea for the first time. Now, there's no turning back. I'm a tea drinker for life.

What is one of your favorite things?

Products used:

American Crafts

Details; Pantry

Flair; My Home

Thickers and Thickers Accents; Vera, Flat, Tenant Phrases

MiniMarks; Dear Lizzy Pounce Phrases

Making Memories

Paint; Red Wagon and Daiquiri

Cosmo Cricket

Paper; Early Bird

Tiny Type

Basic Grey

Basic White 6x6 Paper Pad

Basic Trims

Happy Tape

American Crafts Challenge

Wow, two posts in one day! That's a first.

This week's American Crafts challenge is to make a layout about an important boy or man in my life. I chose to make a layout about my nephew. It's a simple layout, but I love the bright colors of the Abode collection. I especially love the yellow dot paper. I use it on almost everything! I should stock up. The journaling is about what Sam was into when I saw him in April. These are some of my favorite layouts to look back on.

and a close-up.

Product used:

American Crafts:

Paper: Abode

Thickers: Apartment

Flair: My Home

Jillibean Soup:

Red Journaling Sprouts

Technique Tuesday:

Today You stamps by Ali Edwards

Favorite Layout

This week's American Craft challenge is to pick one of your favorite layouts using AC product. This was quite difficult because I use so much AC, but I chose this one about my youngest niece. I saw her in April and kept a list of things she was loving at that moment. I love looking back on layouts like this.

I've been admiring and been inspired by a style lately that is less linear, has more tidbits and is a bit messier. I do most of that here. Lately, I also have been liking the photo off center and using a smaller photo. All different from my usual and I love it. It feels good to be able to stretch myself creatively. It's so fun!

and a close up.

Products:

American Crafts

Paper: Dear Lizzy, Abode and Blue Skies

Thickers: Cupid

Flair: So Fun

MiniMarks: IM Phrases

Basic Grey

Bling

Martha Stewart

Butterfly punch

American Crafts Challenge

Up today is another American Crafts challenge: To create a spring themed layout. What a great challenge. Even though my allergies go crazy, I do love spring. All the newness and freshness. So many possibilities.

It's a simple, symmetrical layout. I like the focus on the photos and the words. I also like the pop of the red and yellow on the white paper. I really love using the old typewriter for my journaling too. The journaling reads:

hello lilacs

hello warmth

hello green grass

hello color

hello spring, glad you're here

And a close-up. I love the crocheted flowers from the Dear Lizzy line!

Product used:

Patterned paper: Dear Lizzy and Abode

Tickers: Apartment and Rockabye

Crocheted Flowers from Dear Lizzy

American Crafts Challenge

This week's challenge is to make a page about a pet. I made my layout about Bandit, my sweet pup. I miss her. You can read more about her here in one of my Flashback Fridays. This is my first page about my one and only dog. Thanks to AC for providing the challenge!

I used a variety of American Crafts collections and I like how they all look together. I personally like the pink, yellow and gray combo.

And a few close-ups. I cut out a few hearts from the Teen collection paper and put pop dots on the back to give some dimension.

I inked up a toilet paper roll to make this circle. Yep, a toilet paper roll! You can use just about anything on a scrap page.

Product used:

Paper from Teen, Abode and Dear Lizzy collections

Flat Chipboard Thickers

Dear Lizzy ribbon

Note and Springy Flair

Happy Tape

American Crafts Challenge

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. It was absolutely beautiful here!

Thanks to everyone who commented on my last post. Very much appreciated! I'm still trying to figure out how to respond to comments in Blogger.

Here is my layout for this week's American Crafts challenge. I'm loving this Abode collection and using it on every layout lately. Such fun stuff! Halloween wouldn't be the first subject I would think for this collection, but I think it worked well. I especially love the little houses. So cute.

And some close ups.

Product used:

American Crafts paper: Abode Skyline Drive, Halloween Boogieman

American Crafts My House Abode Chipboard and Puffy Shapes

American Crafts Thickers By The Yard and Flat

SEI Eerie Alley button

Ali Edwards Today You stamps

American Crafts Challenge

The challenge this week is to use Flair. I have a slight obsession with Flair. I knew immediately what I wanted to do. I created a page of my nieces and my Mom making my Grandma's cinnamon rolls. The Abode collection was so perfect for this. My Grandma would love that her great grandchildren were making her rolls. I loved it too.

Product used:

All American Crafts; Abode papers, Apartment Thickers, Flat Patterned Chipboard Thickers, My House Abode chipboard, and Sugar and Spice Flair

American Crafts Challenge

This week I made a simple thank you card for the American Crafts challenge, using fun rubons. I love the house one. I don't often make cards, unless for a specific occasion, so this was fun to do just 'cause. I was thinking it might work well to use it as a thank you to someone who will host me at their house later this year.

Product used:

American Crafts: Vacuum Accents Mini Marks, IM Phrases Mini Marks

American Crafts: Dear Lizzy Crocheted Flowers

American Crafts Challenge

This week's American Crafts challenge is to use two or more green products. I created a layout from my day out with my niece for her birthday. We had an excellent time! The banners are popular right now, so I thought I would try it out too. It was fun to make.

I used papers from the Letterbox and Blue Skies lines. I love these papers! A layout isn't complete without Thickers and some Flair too. There are so many new lines at American Crafts. I can't wait when I have some time to shop! I'd like to get products from the Dear Lizzy line in particular. Thanks for looking!

Product used:

American Crafts Letterbox and Blue Skies patterned papers

American Crafts Telegram Flair

American Crafts Rockabye Thickers

Martha Stewart Baker's Twine

Crate Paper Season Collection rub ons

Hambly rub on

Share and Tell Journaling Card

Happy Tape

American Crafts Challenge

This week's challenge is to make a love themed layout. I immediately thought of my nieces and nephew. They are four of the most important people in my life and they have each brought me such joy. The photo is from our time together in the summer of 2009. We have a tradition where the entire family gets together for a week. It's such a fun time!

Onto the layout:

And a bit closer look. I love the crocheted flowers, from the Dear Lizzy line. My mom said my grandmas knew how to crochet. I wish I knew how to crochet and sew and knit and...on and on. I don't want that type of art to be lost across generations. I better get on that! More on my grandmas on Friday.

Product used:

American Crafts

Paper from Abode line: Lake View Court and Sesame Parkway

Thickers: Apartment Glossy Letter Stickers

Crocheted Flowers: Dear Lizzy line

Jillibean Soup

Red Number Journaling Sprouts

American Crafts Challenge: Sketches

The challenge on the American Crafts blog this week is to use one of the Design Team member's sketches. I chose to use Danielle Layton's. Check out the sketch here. I am loving sketches and how quickly I can finish a layout using one.

My layout uses product I won on the Two Peas in a Bucket site during their CHA Winter Online Social. It's a bunch of American Crafts paper, Thickers, Flair, etc. What a fun package to get in the mail! Thanks again Two Peas and American Crafts! I can't wait to play more, but for now, here's my layout.

Product used:

Paper from Abode line; Cherryhill Ave and Skyline Drive

Thickers: Flat Patterned Chipboard

Chipboard: My House Abode