Sweet Summertime Treats - Sketch N Scrap's Throwback Sketch Challenge

 Hello, hello! Happy Friday to you! It's been a month since I last posted anything here on my blog... and it's been even longer since I posted anything to Instagram. I am hoping that I can get back into the swing of things now that summer is winding down.

It's time for the mid-month throwback sketch challenge at Sketch N Scrap. Here is a  look a the selection of sketches we have to choose from:

I chose to use Sketch #102 for my layout:

For this layout, I have used Echo Park's 'A Slice of Summer' collection. I love the bright summery colors in this collection. They just make me happy! 

The photo is of me, Abby, and Ada, all trying a pineapple whip for the first time. When we went to Branson with my sister and Dad, we stopped by Springfield on the way home so Dad could pick up a few things. When he was done shopping, he treated us all to a pineapple whip. Abby and I tried the original pineapple whip, while Ada had the strawberry kiwi flavor.  It was hot, but breezy, and the perfect day to sit outside in the shade and enjoy a sweet treat. 

I'm not sure how we've never tried one of these tasty treats. Maybe because they aren't easily accessible to us. Whatever the case, we all thought they were delicious! Maybe we'll have another the next time we go to Springfield.

Here are a couple of close-ups:

I was so happy to see a pineapple and a strawberry in the sticker book for this collection. I thought they were the perfect embellishments for this layout.

I love these doily die-cuts! I am so glad I have the metal die to make them any time I want. This one was the perfect base for my title.

Head on over to Sketch N Scrap to see the beautiful layouts from the rest of the design team. I hope you have some time to play along with us this month!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today. Hopefully, I will be posting a little more regularly on here and on Instagram. 

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

Sketch N Scrap's June 15th Throwback Sketch Challenge

Hello, hello! Happy Sunday to you! I hope you are having a good weekend. Yesterday, we celebrated my birthday and Father's Day when we could all be together, and it was wonderful!

Today is the middle of June - I seriously don't know how that happened so quickly - and that means it's time for Sketch N Scrap's mid-month throwback sketch challenge. Here is a look at the four sketches chosen for us to use:

I chose Sketch #209 from September 15, 2020:

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For this layout, I used my June kit for Lisa & Lori's Great Stash Bash. I chose papers from Bella Blvd, and the yellow paper is a super old paper from Junkitz from 2005.

I snagged this photo from Abby's Facebook page. I love this photo of her and her girl! I felt like the background paper was a little busy for me, so I kept embellishing to the bare minimum. I just felt like to many embellishments made it look cluttered and hard to see the photo.

Here are a couple of close-ups:

I finally used one of those clear stickers from an old Simple Stories collection on this layout! This sheet of stickers has been floating around from kit to kit every month for a while, and I am hopeful that now that I have used one that I will continue to use them until they are gone!

The title for this layout came from an older Echo Park collection - Fine and Dandy - and it was one of the cut-apart cards. I die-cut it into a circle and mounted it onto this pretty doily die-cut. I really need to remember to use that metal die more often!

Head on over to Sketch N Scrap to see the lovely layout that Tina has created for the challenge, as well. We hope you have some time to play along with us!

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

Sketch N Scrap's Crop Challenge #3 - Who Knew?

Hello, hello! Happy Sunday to you! I hope you are having a good weekend. The sun is out and shining brightly this morning, and it is looking like it's going to be a beautiful day.

Today, I am sharing the layout I created for Sketch N Scrap's June Crop Challenge #3. These challenges are posted in the SNS Monthly Challenges private Facebook group, and the deadline to enter is June 30th at midnight CST.

Crop Challenge #3 is our small-format sketch challenge with a twist. The twist for this challenge is to use a patterned paper for your background. Your layout does not have to be a small-format layout; it can be any size you would like.

Here is a look at the sketch:

And my layout:

For this layout, I used the oddball extra layout kit that I added to my June kit for Lisa & Lori's Great Stash Bash. I didn't have any embellishments for this kit, so I made good use of the patterned paper and fussy cut some of the plants out of it.

Here are a couple of close-ups:

I fussy cut one of the plants from the patterned paper and added it to a punched-out circle. I found the "Do your thing" phrase on a stamp set I had on my desk, and thought it was perfect for encouraging my plants to grow!

Another fussy cut plant and enamel dots for this cluster.

I added my journaling to the tag that sits behind one of the paper layers. Ideally, it would have gone behind the photos, but I had too much to say about my plants, and the tag would have been too long for that area. Plus, I didn't want to cover up any more of that plant paper than I had to!

This layout is about - who knew I would become a plant person? My track record with keeping plants alive is not the greatest, but I am giving it a try after seeing Abby's beautiful plants. I love how much they brighten up a room, and they are sure to bring me a smile any time I look at them. Here's hoping they continue to grow and do well!

Be sure to check out all of this month's crop challenges at SNS Monthly Challenges on Facebook. We would love to see your take on the challenges, as well!

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

Sketch N Scrap's 13th Birthday Bash Sketch #4

Hello, everyone! Happy Saturday to you! I hope your weekend is off to a good start! We are supposed to have sunshine and temps in the 70s today, and I am so ready for it! 

Today is the last Saturday in May, and that means Sketch N Scrap has one final 13th Birthday Bash Sketch for you to try. Here is a look at the fun sketch Lisa has created for us to use:

And this is what I came up with:

My good friend, Willa, came to see me at the beginning of May! We met each other on the Inspired to Scrap message board 10+ years ago and became (online) friends right away. She is so good to check in on me from time to time and to lend an ear when I need someone to talk to. I am so grateful that their vacation brought them close enough for a visit. She and Barry are the sweetest people you will ever meet, and our visit went by too quickly! I hope we can make it happen again someday!

For this layout, I have used Cocoa Vanilla's - These Days - papers and embellishments, and the yellow paper is from Die Cuts With a View. Here are a couple of close-ups:

For the title area, I backed one of the die-cuts with vellum so the puffy alpha stickers would stand out a little more than just on the patterned paper. I fussy cut a few flowers, added a butterfly die-cut, a few enamel dots, and a phrase sticker to complete that cluster area.

I repeated the same thing - fussy cut flowers, a butterfly die-cut, enamel dots, and phrase stickers for the bottom cluster. I love how this layout turned out!

Be sure to stop by Sketch N Scrap to see all of this month's sketches. There were a lot this month! There is a $25 gift certificate to an online store of choice for one lucky random participant! All you need to do is play along with any of our sketches this month and add them either to the Sketch N Scrap Blog or in the private Facebook group here. You'd better hurry - the deadline to enter the blog challenges is 9:55 PM CST tonight, May 31st, and midnight tonight CST for the Facebook group. 

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

Chillin' With You - Sketch N Scrap May 15th Throwback Sketch Challenge

Hello, hello! Happy Thursday to you! I hope you are having a good week. It is starting to feel a little more like summertime with temps in the upper 70s and 80s, and I couldn't be happier! 

It's the middle of the month, and that means it is time for Sketch N Scrap's mid-month throwback sketch challenge. Here is a look at the sketches we have to choose from:

I chose throwback sketch #106 for my layout:

Guys! Guess what?! I have used almost every bit of this boy-themed layout kit from my Lisa & Lori's Great Stash Bash kit for this month, and I made two 12x12 layouts with it! The only thing that is left is scraps and the sticker sheet. I am so happy to get it all used.

This photo is of me and Shane from back in 2016 when he actually liked taking photos! It's so funny because he loves to look at pictures when I have them out - especially pictures with him in them, but for the last few years, when the camera comes out, he hollers "Not yet!" and runs the other direction! Nowadays, I have to get pretty creative to get him in a photo - and he's usually not looking at the camera! #becauseautism

Here are a couple of close-ups:

I smooshed some ink around on the white cardstock and then added some stamped stars around the layout. I found vellum stars in my stash, which were the perfect colors. I sprinkled them around the stamped star clusters. I added some wood veneer pieces and finished it all off with a few phrase stickers. 

Head on over to the Sketch N Scrap blog for more inspiration all month long. I hope you find some time to play along!

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

Cousins - Sketch N Scrap's 13th Bday's Bash Sketch #1

Hello, everyone! Happy Saturday to you! I hope your weekend is off to a good start. It's looking like it's going to be a beautiful one here in SW Missouri. I think we will be spending lots of time outside enjoying it!

We are celebrating Sketch N Scrap's 13th birthday with a new sketch every Saturday in May, and since last week was iNSD, that means today is the first of four new birthday bash sketches.

Here is a look at the sketch:

And this is what I came up with:

This is my second layout for Sketch N Scrap this month, and the second layout that is a "then and now" type of layout! I didn't intend for it to be that way; those were just the photos that were speaking to me.

This layout is about the special bond Shane has with his cousin, JT. JT has always looked past Shane's autism to see Shane for who he is. Shane has always gravitated towards JT because of that. He has never been afraid to rough-house and play with Shane. Even though Shane has a hard time communicating, JT seems to understand what he needs. I wish more people could see Shane like JT does. It is definitely a special bond.

The photo on the left was taken in 2008, and the one on the right was taken on Easter this year. It had been a long time since Shane had seen JT, and before we left Shane walked up to JT, ready for a big bear hug and a bit of rough-housing. 

I will add some hidden journaling talking about the special bond these two have behind the photos or one of the paper layers.

I used one of the layout kits that I put together for Lisa & Lori's Great Stash Bash this month. I'm pretty sure I cut into every paper in the kit, used some of the stickers, and the metal star dies that were in my kit. There's not much to put back in my stash, and that makes me so happy!

Here are a couple of close-ups:

I printed off the "a special bond" phrase on a piece of vellum on the computer and layered it over the alpha stickers.

Lots of stars on this layout, but JT is definitely a star in our book!

Be sure to check out Sketch N Scrap for inspiration all month long.

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

Sketch N Scrap's April 15th Throwback Challenge

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

It's (already) the middle of the month and time for Sketch N Scrap's Throwback Sketch Challenge. Here are the throwback sketches we have to choose from:

And I chose the 11th Birthday Bash Sketch #3 for my layout:

I guess with Easter coming up this weekend, I was in the mood to work on Easter photos! These photos are of Ada with her Easter basket in 2022.

I came across this cute bunny paper from Jillibean Soup a couple of weeks ago when I was going through some of my overflow of paper, and I immediately pulled a few coordinating papers for a layout. I just had to pick what pictures I was going to use. It was so nice when I sat down to work on this layout and had my papers ready to go!

Here are a few close-ups:

 I didn't have any embellishments that went with this paper, so I had to get creative! Lots of fussy cutting those cute bunnies and putting my metal dies to use!

I just received the Elle's Studio Office Tabs stamp in the mail, and a few of the phrases were perfect for this layout!

Head on over to the Sketch N Scrap blog to see more inspiration from the design team. I hope you find some time to play along with us! 

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

Sketch N Scrap February Throwback Challenge

Hello, hello! It feels like it's been a while since I made a post. Let's see if I can remember how!

It's time for the February 15th Throwback Sketch Challenge with a Twist at Sketch N Scrap. Here are the sketches that we get to choose from:

The twist is an acrostic challenge using the word HEART. We are to pick a scrappy item that begins with each letter in the word heart. Like for 'h' it could be hearts or hexagons, 'e' - enamel dots, embossing folders, Echo Park, etc.

Here is my layout:

I chose sketch #200 and flipped it to make it work better with my photo and I used my February kit for Lisa and Lori's Great Stash Bash. I love this Heartstrings collection from Simple Stories. The colors are so fun and it's not over-the-top Valentine's Day themed. This is a smaller collection with only 6 papers in it and I managed to cut into almost every paper for this layout. I think I may need to pick up another collection kit because I am not done playing with these fun papers!

This photo of Ada showed up in one of my Google Photos memories from February 1, 2019. I can't believe this photo is six years old! I can remember this day just like it was yesterday. I love the look on her face - her eyes staring off into the distance, the hint of a smile - I would love to know what she was daydreaming about!

To satisfy the acrostic challenge, I used - H - hearts, E - enamel dots, A - acrylic pieces, R - red, T - tags.

Here is a close-up of all of the fun goodies:

I had a bit of empty space in the photo and decided to add my title directly to my photo. I really need to remember to leave some empty space on photos more often. It's the perfect space to add a title or fun embellishment. 

Head on over to Sketch N Scrap for more inspiration for this challenge. I hope you have some time to play along!

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

Sketch N Scrap November Crop Challenge #5

Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a good week. 

Today I am popping in to share the layout I made for Sketch N Scrap's November Crop Challenge #5. The crop challenges can be found in Sketch N Scrap's Monthly Challenges private Facebook group here. The sketch for Crop Challenge #5 is always a smaller format sketch designed for a 6x8 layout, but you can adapt it for any size you like! 

Here is the sketch:

I have made a 6x8 layout for my 2023 December Daily:

Yes, here it is getting closer to December 2024 and I am still working on my 2023 December Daily! That's really nothing new for me, but I do think I need to set aside a day or a weekend to get this thing done! This layout is for Day 4 and is all about the tragedy of losing one of our most cherished Christmas decorations - a paper angel Abby made when she was in second grade. That sweet little angel sat on the branches of our Christmas tree for 27 years! But, sadly, that all ended last year.

I had just taken photos of my favorite ornaments the day before, and I am so glad I did! I had no idea that would be the last picture this little angel would be in. After supper, I walked into the living room and found bits and pieces of paper on the floor. When I started picking them up, I quickly realized one of the dogs had found the angel and had some fun. I have no idea what caused her to fall from the top branches of the tree, maybe a gust of wind when someone walked through the door, or maybe someone walked a little too close to the tree and caused a little breeze, whatever the case she wound up on the floor, the dogs found her, and I was heartbroken. Her story was definitely worth documenting in my December Daily!

Here are a couple of close-ups:

I had found this little angel on a piece of paper from Echo Park and there was also one on the sticker sheet. She was perfect for this layout!

I wanted to be sure to have plenty of room to tell the story so I made a flip-up with the photos. I stamped "This December story" and made it into a tab of sorts to lift up to reveal the journaling. I still have the bits and pieces of the angel and will add them in a little envelope on the top of the flap.

Here is the journaling:

If you haven't checked out Sketch N Scrap's November challenges - head on over and check them out!

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

You're So Cool... Sketch N Scrap #308

Hello, hello! Happy Monday to you! I hope your week is off to a good start! It's rainy here today with the threat of severe storms later this evening - yuck! - so I am going to keep this quick. 

Today I am sharing the layout I made using Sketch N Scrap's November 1st sketch. Here is a look at the fun sketch Lisa has created for us to use:

And here is my layout:

I had so much fun creating with this sketch and I pulled out a few supplies I haven't used in ages! I started with my everyday mini-kit in my Lisa & Lori's Great Stash Bash November kit. Then, I pulled out my gold color shine mist and sprayed it around on the background paper. I then stamped the zigzag stitch around the entire outer edge of the cardstock. I needed a way to add my title without covering up too much of the smiley face paper, so I cut a circle from some vellum to add my title onto. To help them stand out a bit more, I inked the edges of all of the vellum pieces.

I've had a pack of rub-ons from Shimelle for ages that had a row of gold hearts on it. The package says 2014 - so I wasn't sure if they would still work- but they worked beautifully! I added them under the photo and they go so well with the gold mist.

Here are a couple of close-ups:

The wood veneer pieces and phrase stickers have made a couple of appearances in my stash bash kits this year and I am so happy I was able to add a few to this layout!

I struggle with getting the "you're" centered right on the circle. I did end up pulling the stickers back up - yes, I had already glued them down - and rearranging them. They still are not perfect, but I am okay with that!

I love how this cluster turned out! It's nothing fancy but it makes me happy!

I will probably add a few lines of journaling under the photo to tell the story of the photo. Ada had gone grocery shopping with Abby and me, and we had to stop by 7 Brew for a quick pick-me-up. Ada had gotten a chiller, so it was nice and cold, and the store was super cold cause it was summer, and Ada was freezing while we were shopping. Abby took her to the clothes and she picked out a cute Mickey and Minnie hoodie and the cutest hat that was marked down super cheap. She put them on straight away and just looked so stinkin' cute hanging out in the cleaning supplies aisle!

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

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

Sketch N Scrap's WCMD Sketch #3

 Hello, everyone! Happy Saturday to you! We have made it to the weekend and it looks like it's going to be a beautiful one around here!

It is time for Sketch N Scrap's third and final card sketch of the month celebrating World Card Making Day. Here is a look at the sketch:

And here is my card:

I thought it was time I started my Christmas cards! I usually have them started long before now, so I will be busy the next month or so trying to make the Christmas cards that I want to send out this year!

For this card, I have used Bella Blvd's Santa Squad 6x6 paper pad and a cute little penguin sticker that I am not sure where he came from. It could have been Hobby Lobby, Walmart, or Dollar General. They all seem to have these types of stickers out this time of year and these particular stickers have been in my stash for a few years!

I moved the sentiment to below the focal point - mostly just because I didn't want to cover up any more of that cute patterned paper than I had to, and it also got lost against the busy pattern.

I am so glad to have my Christmas cards started! Maybe I will get into a good groove and get them all done sooner rather than later!

Be sure to stop by the Sketch N Scrap blog for more inspiration using this sketch.

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

Pumpkin Hunting - Sketch N Scrap's October Crop Challenge #5

Hello, everyone! Happy Sunday to you! I hope you are having a good weekend. It's been unseasonably warm for the last few days, and today is supposed to be around 80, but it looks like the upcoming week is going to feel a little more fall-like! Yay!

Today I am sharing the layout that I made for Sketch N Scrap's October Crop Challenge #5 over in their monthly challenges private Facebook group. Here is a look at the sketch:

This is a smaller format sketch but it would work well for any size - a traveler's notebook size, 6x8, 8.5x11, or stretch it out and make a 12x12 layout. The choice is yours!

Here is my layout:

I made a 6x8 layout for Ada's school album using this month's sketch. This layout is of her kindergarten class trip to the pumpkin patch. I had started out making her school album in a traveler's notebook and just adding her first day, school photo, spring photo, and last day of school photo. Mostly because I started back in 2020 or 2021 when school's were mostly remote. But, as I went back through some of my photos, there were so many other things I wanted to include - the photo of her kindergarten class with the first book they got to check out from the library, class trips (once they were a thing again), artwork that she had made and was hung in the hallways, Christmas concerts, fun things her class was doing, field day, etc., and I decided to change it up. Making it a 6x8 size and not working in a notebook has given me the freedom to work on whatever I want and not have to worry about counting pages and making sure I have left enough space to include everything that I want. 

For this layout, I have used my October kit for Lisa & Lori's Great Stash Bash. At first I had the hexagon paper for the strips on each side and I just didn't care for it. When I changed and put them together in the middle I liked it much better. Here are a few close-ups:

I was struggling with the embellishing since that hexagon paper is so busy and I did change up the placement of the embellishment clusters on the left side of the page and just made one cluster joining the two photos. I don't have any of the embellishments from Simple Stories Harvest Market line - just a few of the 12x12 sheets and the 6x8 paper pad, so I relied on fall-themed sticker books from Echo Park for my embellishments.

Luckily, one of the sticker books had this alphabet in it for my title. It was the perfect size!

I am really enjoy working in a smaller size lately, whether it's in a traveler's notebook or a 6x8. 

Be sure to check out the Sketch N Scrap Monthly Challenges group on Facebook and join in the fun! We would love to see you playing along!

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