Hello Summer - Sketch N Scrap's July 15th Throwback Sketch Challenge

Hello, hello! Happy Friday to you! I hope you have had a good week. 

Today I am here to share my take on Sketch N Scrap's July Throwback Sketch Challenge. Here's a look at the three sketches we have to choose from:

All fun sketches, right?! I went with Throwback Sketch #61 for my layout:

I put my July kit for Lisa & Lori's Great Stash Bash to use for this layout. I even pulled out some stamps to use, too! 

These photos are of Ada making her first "official" jump into the pool this summer. I say the first official jump because she did jump in really quickly - fully clothed - the week before. We had a fairly wet and cool late spring, which means we were a little later getting the pool all ready to go this year, and it took a little longer to warm up to a bearable temperature! This girl loves her pool time!

Here are a couple of close-ups:

I pulled out my Elle's Studio Summertime Label stamp set for the stamped phrases around my layout. I also used a stamp from Echo Park for the "dive on in" here. I love putting my stamps to use!

For the title, I die-cut the word "hello" from an Echo Park metal die set, and used the chipboard banner I included in my kit. To help the "hello" stand out a bit more, I went around the edges with some ink.

I am so happy to say that I used up a lot of the chipboard that was in my kit this month. I feel like I succeeded in using our focus item for a change! I used more stamps from Elle's Studio and Echo Park here, as well. 

I also made some splatters around my layout. I wish I had been a bit more careful where I was adding it, as it smeared some of my stamping. Not bad enough to bother me, but I will be more mindful of that in the future. Or do my stamping after I do the splatters and they dry.

Be sure to stop by Sketch N Scrap for more sketches and more inspiration! We would love it if you played along with us

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! I hope you have a fantastic day!

Let's Go Have Some Fun at The Fair - Sketch N Scrap #330

Happy Monday! I hope you had a good weekend and are ready for the new week. We had a nice, quiet weekend around the house.

Today I am sharing the layout I made for Sketch N Scrap's July 1st sketch - Sketch #330. Here's a look at the fun sketch Lisa created for us to use:

And my layout:

This layout is of Abby and Ada at the county fair. Ada had never been to this particular fair, and Abby probably hadn't been since she was a teenager, and they both had so much fun! They loved the rides and the overall atmosphere, being on a much smaller scale than they are used to. I think it's safe to say they will check it out again next year when it comes to town!

For this layout, I used Simple Stories' Fun Times collection. It is perfect for their fun fair photos!

Here are a couple of close-ups:

I made good use of my little star punch on this layout. I don't know what I'll do if it ever wears out! 

For the title, I knew I wanted to use "The Fair" foam sticker that was in the collection, but I felt it needed something more. When I came across the die-cut piece that said, "Let's Go Have Some Fun," I knew it was just what I was looking for. I added in some alpha stickers for the word "at" and my title was complete.

I was very happy to see the pretzel die-cut piece. It was perfect since Abby got a picture of Ada with a big pretzel. They both agreed the pretzel wasn't that great, but the cheese dip made up for it!

Be sure to stop by Sketch N Scrap for more inspiration using this sketch. I hope you find some time to play along with us!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! Have a wonderful day!

Lisa & Lori's Great Stash Bash July Kit Challenge

Hello, everyone! Happy Wednesday and Happy July 1st! I can't believe we have already made it to the midpoint of 2026! Summer is flying by.

Since it's the start of a new month, that means it is time for a new Lisa & Lori's Great Stash Bash Kit Challenge. If you don't know what this challenge is all about, here's how it works: On the 1st of each month, we will post a challenge prompt and the stash kit we have created using that prompt. During the month, we will use as much of our stash kit as possible on different projects. This will be a just-for-fun challenge, so there is no monthly prize - but isn't the real prize using up our stash? We hope you will join us in our quest to bash our stash! If you play along, link up on either my blog or Lisa's blog (or both if you choose) so that we can see who is joining us each month.

Here are the requirements for our July kit: 

To create your kit, pull 3-5 patterned papers (any size - 12x12, 6x8, 6x6, etc.), 2 - 3 embellishments, 2 - 3 cardstock sheets, alphas (stamps, stickers, etc.), and our focus item for our stash bash for July is chipboard!

I had a hard time deciding what kind of kit I wanted this month. Should I go with a patriotic kit, a summer kit, or a kit filled with new goodies to play with? I had all three pulled and ready to go, but since our focus item is chipboard and the summer kit was the only one I had chipboard readily available for, I went with that one. I am always a happy scrapper when I can show some love to some of my older collections. 

Here is my kit for July:

I have pulled out one of my favorite summer collections from Simple Stories, their Sunkissed collection. I still have quite a bit left from the collection. I actually think I bought two of the collection kits when it came out; I loved it so much. There are so many fun goodies that I can't wait to play with this month!

Here is a look at the papers:

Here are the cardstock papers I have added:

Here are my embellishments:

I pulled ephemera, the sticker book, enamel dots, puffy stickers, brads, and the chipboard pieces I thought I would use.

Since I forgot to add the sticker sheet and cut-aparts with the embellishments, here is what I added to my kit:

I forgot to pull some alphas to use. I'm always forgetting something for my kit! I honestly will probably use the chipboard or stickers for my titles this month anyway.

Here is a look at my chipboard for this kit:

I pulled the chipboard pieces from the Sunkissed collection, an Echo Park summer-themed chipboard sheet that some of the pieces could work with my kit, a Vicki Boutin chipboard pack that sparked an idea for another layout, and some school-themed chipboard from Simple Stories in case I get to work on Ada's school album.

That is it for my kit! I am excited to see how much I can get used up this month!

Be sure to head over to Lisa's blog - My Creative Endeavors - to see the fun kit she has put together. Remember, this is a just-for-fun challenge, but if you do play along and put together your own stash bash kit, add it to the linky below, and we will be sure to check it out and cheer you on! 

Here are the rules: 1. Follow the challenge prompt to create a kit to work with throughout the month. You may use other items, but please concentrate on using your kit, and link it below. 2. Create new, not previously posted projects using your stash kit. 3. If you have a blog, please include the challenge graphic and a link to our challenge in your posts. 4. You may link to social media if you don't have a blog. If you share on Instagram, please make sure to use #lisaandlorisgreatstashbash2026

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! I hope you have a wonderful day!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Sketch N Scrap's June Throwback Sketch Challenge

Hello, everyone! I hope you are having a good week. 

Today, I am sharing the layout I made for Sketch N Scrap's June Throwback Sketch Challenge. Here's a look at the throwback sketches we can choose from:

I chose Sketch #202 for my layout:

I am back to working on Ada's school album. Since I have decided to include all the things instead of only her 1st day, school photo, spring photo, and last day of school photos, I have lots of layouts that I need to go back and add.

This layout is of her very first school party. For their fall parties, the kids always wear their costumes, and they have a parade around the school before going back to their classroom for treats and games. Ada wanted to be a witch that year for Halloween, and she was pretty excited to get to wear her costume at school. Abby was able to sneak out of her classroom long enough to take a few photos. 

For this layout, I used Echo Park's Halloween Party collection. How fitting, right?!  It's a really cute collection, and I am sure I will be scrapping more Halloween pictures with it. 

Here are a couple of close-ups:

I had a couple more photos that Abby had taken that day, so I added them to a pocket page:

I can't believe these photos are of Ada in kindergarten, and now this year she will be going into 7th grade! That just doesn't seem possible!

Be sure to check out Sketch N Scrap for more fun sketches and inspiration.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! Have a great day!

Sketch N Scrap's Card Sketch #298

 Hello, everyone! Happy Tuesday to you! I hope your week is off to a good start!

Today, I am sharing my take on Sketch N Scrap's Card Sketch #298. Here is a look at the sketch:

And my card:

This was such a fun sketch to work with. I love it when I can use big blocks of paper for a background. 

For this card, I pulled out the scraps from my June kit for Lisa and Lori's Great Stash Bash. I stamped my sentiment at an angle so it would fit on the square I wanted to use, which meant I needed to move the placement of my embellishment. I think it looks pretty cute, and it filled in a bit of blank space on the square.

The little puffy sun is from the Bella Blvd  You Are My Sunshine collection. It was the perfect size for the space. 

It's been a while since I made a card, and I definitely felt a little rusty. I don't think my first attempt after a break from card making turned out too badly!

Be sure to check out Sketch N Scrap for more fun sketches and inspiration! I hope you play along with the sketch. I would love to see your take on it, too!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great day!

Sketch N Scrap #329

Hello, hello! Happy Wednesday to you! We have made it to the mid-point of the week and are making our way to the weekend, and I am ready for it!

Today, I am sharing the layout I made for Sketch N Scrap's June 1st sketch - Sketch #329. Here is a look at the sketch:

And my layout:

In all honesty, when I pulled the off-white cardstock for my background paper, it was rainy out, and my craft room was a little darker than normal. In that light, the paper looked like a great match for the chameleon paper. Not so much in the brighter light! It looks more like a bright white; I wasn't about to pull it apart and redo it.

The papers are from my June kit for Lisa & Lori's Great Stash Bash challenge. When I bought the Shimelle Box of Crayons project pad at Tuesday Morning way back when, I never thought I would ever use the chameleon paper. That paper pad was put in my supplies, where it had sat for far too long. And in the meantime, I found an American Crafts paper pad at Dollar General a few years ago with a sampling of papers from the Box of Crayons line in it. Of course, I bought it, too, mostly for the other papers in the pad, but here I am using that chameleon paper and a sticker or two from the project pad! It feels so good to use up some supplies that have been sitting, collecting dust, and for it to be a paper I thought I would never use - makes me feel even better!

The photos are of Ada when she and I were having one of our drawing competitions. We decided to each draw a chameleon, and hers turned out so cute. I love that she even drew a little guy on the ground pointing up at it! I still have her drawing, and I think I will either add it to the back of the layout or maybe even put it in a page protector to go along with this layout.

Here is a close-up of the title area:

The alpha stickers that spell out chameleon are from the project pad. I wasn't crazy about the glittery/holographic look, but they really are cute in the layout! At first, I was going to change the "a" since it was yellow and it sat on the yellow paper, but I thought it was kind of like the chameleon and changing its color to blend in!

I pieced together a couple of the chameleons from the patterned paper to make it look like they were walking across the layout. I really like how it turned out!

I hope you find some time to play along with the sketch. I would love to see your take on it, too! Be sure to stop by Sketch N Scrap for more inspiration.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! Have a wonderful day!

Lisa & Lori's Great Stash Bash June Kit Challenge

 Hello, hello! Happy Monday and Happy June 1st! It is definitely feeling like summer already around here! 

The new month means it's time for a new Lisa & Lori's Great Stash Bash Kit Challenge, and I am ready to go! If you don't know what this challenge is all about, here's how it works: On the 1st of each month, we will post a challenge prompt and the stash kit we have created using that prompt. During the month, we will use as much of our stash kit as possible on different projects. This will be a just-for-fun challenge, so there is no monthly prize - but isn't the real prize using up our stash? We hope you will join us in our quest to bash our stash! If you play along, link up on either my blog or Lisa's blog (or both if you choose) so that we can see who is joining us each month.

I did get a layout made with my kit last month, and I do have plans for another layout using it, so my May kit will be staying out a little longer.

Here are the requirements for our June kit: 

To create your kit, pull 3-5 patterned papers (any size - 12x12, 6x8, 6x6, etc.), 2 - 3 embellishments, 2 - 3 cardstock sheets, alphas (stamps, stickers, etc.), and our focus item for our stash bash for June is - scraps!

Here is my kit for June:

Okay, so this is everything in my kit - except - the enamel dots that I had pulled, but you'll see those in the embellishment picture. Between the cloudy day and the cat, I was having trouble getting photos! This is what I had to deal with the whole time I was trying to take photos. I would move her off, and she would come right back. It took a lot longer than it should, but I got it done!

Here are the papers:

These papers are mostly from an American Crafts paper pad called Everyday Paper that I picked up from Dollar General a couple of years ago. The paper pad is mostly made up of various Shimelle collections, I think. I do know the pink heart paper is from a different paper pad, but I have no idea which one! I also pulled a couple of sheets of French vanilla cardstock for my kit.

Here are the embellishments:

I pulled the cut-apart paper and the sticker sheet from the Shimelle - Box of Crayons project pad that I also found in my supplies, and a few sheets of enamel dots in the same colors as the papers.

Our focus item for June is scraps - something I have a ton of - and I may have pulled a few more than the required 5-10 pieces!

Here is a look at my scraps:

And since I pulled these with specific plans for each set, I thought I would break them into groups for you to see a little better:

The cut-apart cards will be cut apart, and I am challenging myself to actually use them in a Project Life layout this month! I have plans for layouts for the other two sets here, or maybe I'll use them for a card or two. We will see!

And here is the second set of scraps:

I have a layout idea for the scalloped circles paper. The tags will be cut apart and used on a layout and maybe even a card, and the rest I have another idea for a layout - maybe two if I can manage it!

I am excited to dig into my kit and put it to use throughout the month.

Be sure to head over to Lisa's blog - My Creative Endeavors - to see the beautiful kit she has put together. Remember, this is a just-for-fun challenge, but if you do play along and put together your own stash bash kit, add it to the linky below, and we will be sure to check it out and cheer you on! 

Here are the rules: 1. Follow the challenge prompt to create a kit to work with throughout the month. You may use other items, but please concentrate on using your kit, and link it below. 2. Create new, not previously posted projects using your stash kit. 3. If you have a blog, please include the challenge graphic and a link to our challenge in your posts. 4. You may link to social media if you don't have a blog. If you share on Instagram, please make sure to use #lisaandlorisgreatstashbash2026

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! I hope you have a wonderful day!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Sketch N Scrap's 14th Birthday Bash Sketch #3

 

Happy Saturday! It's the long holiday weekend, the (unofficial) start to summer, and I am ready for it!

I am back today with the layout I made for Sketch N Scrap's 14th Birthday Bash Sketch #3. Here is the fun sketch Lisa has created for us to work with:

And here is my layout:

Since I made a 6x8 layout I used only two photos, but everything else stays true to the sketch.

I had originally thought I would do my granddaughter's school album in a traveler's notebook and only use her first day of school, her school photo, her spring photo, and her last day of school photo for each year and call it good. But then I had lots of other photos throughout the year that I also wanted to include - class trips, art shows, class parties, etc., so I have decided to do her school album in the 6x8 size and use a combination of full page layouts and pocket pages to include all the extra things.

This layout is her first day of kindergarten at school with her teacher. I have a few photos of her that Abby shared with me of her at home posing with her 1st day of school sign, with her backpack, etc. that will be included in a pocket page.

I used Echo Park's 1st Day of School collection for the papers and enamel dots on this layout, and the embellishments are from the Off to School collection.

Here are a couple of close-ups:

The school sticker banner fit perfectly above the photos. I hadn't measured it out beforehand, so I was pretty happy when it fit so well!

I layered up a couple of the border stickers that were in the sticker book and cut them down for this little cluster. I think it is perfect for a kindergarten layout!

Be sure to stop by Sketch N Scrap for more inspiration and fun sketches! We would love it if you played along with us!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! Have a great day!

Sketch N Scrap's 14th Birthday Bash Sketch #2

Hello, everyone! Happy Saturday to you! I hope you've had a good week and your weekend is off to a good start.

It's Sketch N Scrap's 14th birthday, and they are celebrating all month long with a new sketch every Saturday. Lisa asked if I would like to play along with one of their sketches as a guest, and of course, I said yes!

Here is a look at the sketch:

And my layout:

This layout is of Miss Ada at the mall waiting for her yummy Boba. I think somewhere there is a rule that you must have a Boba when you go shopping, and if not, there should be!

I used my May kit for Lisa & Lori's Great Stash Bash for this layout.

Here are a couple of close-ups:

I "roughed up" all of the edges of the pattern paper with my fingernail. It gives just the right amount of dimension to the papers, and I love the cute little puffy boba cups!

I die-cut my title with a metal die set from Lawn Fawn. It was the perfect size to fill in the blank on the "is always a good idea" stamp.

Another stamp used on this layout! It always makes me happy when I can use some of my neglected supplies!

Be sure to check out Sketch N Scrap all month long for fun sketches and inspiration!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Lisa & Lori's Great Stash Bash May Kit Challenge

Hello, everyone! Happy May 1st to you! Can you believe it is already May? Summer is almost here, and I am ready for it!

It is time for a new Lisa & Lori's Great Stash Bash Kit challenge, and I actually have my kit all ready to go this month! 

If you don't know what this challenge is all about, here's how it works: On the 1st of each month, we will post a challenge prompt and the stash kit we have created using that prompt. During the month, we will use as much of our stash kit as possible on different projects. This will be a just-for-fun challenge, so there is no monthly prize - but isn't the real prize using up our stash? We hope you will join us in our quest to bash our stash! If you play along, link up on either my blog or Lisa's blog (or both if you choose) so that we can see who is joining us each month.

 Here are the requirements for our May kit:

To create your kit, pull 3-5 patterned papers (any size), 2 - 3 embellishments, 2 - 3 cardstock sheets, alphas (stamps, stickers, etc.), and our focus item for our stash bash for April is flowers.

And, I just realized after typing that that I forgot to include my cardstock. I'm a little out of practice after not getting a kit together last month. 

Here is my kit for May:

I was feeling those spring vibes when I pulled my kit for this month, and since iNSD is tomorrow, I went a little bigger with my kit. 

Here is a look at my papers:

I have papers from Echo Park's New Day collection: the navy floral, tiny flowers on white, and the mint green papers. Echo Park's Easter Time: purple checked paper. The yellow heart paper is from Damask Love, and the navy tone-on-tone paper is so old I can't remember who it is from. Either O'Scrap or Pebbles. The blue grid and the pink-and-red striped paper are from paper pads, but I have no idea which ones.

I forgot to add the sticker sheet to the embellishment photo ( so out of practice here), so I added it in with the cut-apart papers I plan to use.

Here are my embellishments:

I pulled all of the die-cuts from the New Day collection that I thought I would use, along with the sticker book, puffy stickers, and enamel dots. I also went through my bashket (yeah, it's still around!) and pulled a few things: labels from Kelly Purkey, rubber words, wood veneer from Elle's Studio, word/phrase stickers from Simple Stories, epoxy shapes from Doodlebug Designs, a few brads, and a lot of random word/phrase die-cuts.

Here are the scraps I pulled - all are from the New Day collection:

Our focus item for May is flowers, and this is what I pulled:

Lots of stamps - sorry for the glare on those - wood veneer flowers from the Dollar Tree, puffy stickers from old kits from The ScrapRoom, and a few paper flowers.

I am ready to get a few pages made with my kit this month. Hopefully, it will be a variety of sizes - traditional 12x12, 6x8, and traveler's notebook layouts. I am really missing working in my traveler's notebooks!

 Be sure to head over to Lisa's blog - My Creative Endeavors - to see the beautiful kit she has put together. Remember, this is a just-for-fun challenge, but if you do play along and put together your own stash bash kit, add it to the linky below, and we will be sure to check it out and cheer you on! 

Here are the rules: 1. Follow the challenge prompt to create a kit to work with throughout the month. You may use other items, but please concentrate on using your kit, and link it below. 2. Create new, not previously posted projects using your stash kit. 3. If you have a blog, please include the challenge graphic and a link to our challenge in your posts. 4. You may link to social media if you don't have a blog. If you share on Instagram, please make sure to use #lisaandlorisgreatstashbash2026

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! I hope you have a wonderful day!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter