The ScrapRoom - January/February Shots Of Life Kits

Hello again! I am back with my second post of the day. If you are looking for my Sketch N Scrap reveal, please scroll on down.

Today I am sharing the layouts I created using the January portion of the Jan/Dec Shots of Life Kit from The ScrapRoom. Here's a look at the kit:

The January portion of this kit consists of Carta Bella's Snow Much Fun 4x6 journaling cards and 12x12 sticker sheet, Photo Play Family - Our Story and a half pack of enamel dots, Pebbles Happy Cake Day - Cake Day and sticker sheet, and Simple Stories - Crafty Girl 3x4 elements and bits and pieces.

When I saw the PhotoPlay Family cut apart cards I knew they would be perfect for the title page in my 2020 Project Life album. Here is what I came  up with:

I used 2 of the cards from the cut apart sheet and pulled a piece of mint green paper from my stash to fit in the one 3x4 pocket and to mat my photos on. It really does match better to the green in the bottom card than what the photo shows! I pulled a few puffy hearts from my stash to add around my spread. 

I am so happy to have the intro page to my 2020 all ready complete! Now to start on my weekly spreads!

Here are a couple of close-ups:

For my second spread, I used the cut aparts and sticker sheet from Carta Bella's Snow Much Fun to make a layout of Ada enjoying the first snow of the season. The colors in this collection were a great match to Ada's coat and hat.

Everything on this spread is from the kit, with the exception of the pink polka dot paper, a label stamp, and a snowflake die. Here are a couple of close-ups:

I loved that the sticker sheet has so many snowflake stickers on it. I was able to add them in several places around my spread to help pull it all together.

Be sure to check out The ScrapRoom Blog for inspiration using all of the January kits. 

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

Sketch N Scrap Card Sketch #162

Hello, everyone! Happy Monday to you! I hope that you had a good weekend and are ready for a new week.

I can't believe that it is already time for our last sketch of the month at Sketch N Scrap. January is going by pretty fast for me. Of course, we've had some really nice weather this month, so that helps. 

Here's a look at the fun sketch that Lisa has created for us to use:

And here is my card:

My hubby and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary yesterday and when I saw this sketch, I knew it would be perfect for that. I used an older American Crafts 6x6 paper pad - I think it was called "Valentine" - and tried to keep with the not-so-frilly and pink papers. Not only is this card perfect for our anniversary, but it would also be good for Valentine's Day, which is right around the corner.

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

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

You & Me - The Studio Challenges - Color Challenge

Hello, everyone! Good Sunday morning to you.

It's time for a new challenge at The Studio Challenges today. This week we have a color challenge for you:

This is what I came up with:

The colors that I chose for my layout are a bit brighter than those in the graphic, but I love the way they all look together. I used a dark wood grain matted on a piece of kraft cardstock for my background. I had watched a process video earlier in the week that had rows of hearts on the background and that is where I got the inspiration for this layout. My hubby and I will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary next week and I thought this design would be great for a layout about us!

With all of the different colored hearts on this layout, I kept my embellishing to a minimum. I added in a few enamel dots and typed up a couple of phrases that I felt was fitting and that was it. I did try a few other things but I just felt like it made my layout look too cluttered - at least for my liking. 

Here are a couple of close-ups:

Head on over to The Studio Challenges to see the wonderful layouts from Helen and Michelle. I would love to see your take on the color challenge, too!

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

TN Time With Lisa & Lori - January Challenge

Hello, hello! Happy Friday! I hope you have had a good week. We are all settling back into the routine around here and it's not been so bad.

It's time for a new TN Time With Lisa and Lori challenge! A new year, a new challenge, a new notebook...I am so excited to be continuing with this challenge this year. I love working in my TN and these challenges keep me excited to do so.

If you're not familiar with our challenge, here's how it works - this is a monthly challenge that starts on the 10th of each month and ends on the 9th of the following month at midnight CST. If you complete my random challenge for the month - link your TN, bullet journal, or planner spread below. If you combine my challenge with Lisa's sketch challenge - link up here and on Lisa's blog  - My Creative Endeavors - and you will have two chances to win a prize. You can find the full list of rules here.

Now for the January challenge:

(January 10th - February 9th)

For my first challenge of the new year, I want you to use something old (at least a year old) and something new on your layout

Here is the sketch that Lisa has created for us:

Here is my layout:

For my TN spread, I flipped the sketch to make it work with my photos. For my challenge, the "something new" that I used is a new-to-me paper collection - Echo Park's Go See Explore, the navy paper, and the stickers all came from this collection, and I used new photos! I had already planned on using some photos for Ada's bucket list TN but when I took these this week I wanted to go with them instead. 

For the "something old" part of the challenge - I used scraps from old Echo Park collections, alphas that have been hanging out for years, and my circle and tab punches. 

It was so pretty on Tuesday. I mean when you're talking 60 degrees and sunshine in early January around here, well, you take advantage of it. Shane and I took Willie for a walk and stopped at the creek. There was just enough water for Shane to throw some rocks in it for a while, and that always makes him happy! I love spending time at the creek. It is always so quiet and peaceful and I feel like I step into another world when I walk down the creek bank. 

Here are a couple of close-ups:

When I got this collection in a warehouse box sale a few months ago, I didn't know if I would ever be able to use any of it. Most of the paper's "B" sides were usable, like this navy paper, but the majority of the stickers are ones that I won't be able to use since we don't have the opportunity to travel. I did pick out the ones that would work for an adventure and used those on my spread. 

I hope you find some time to play along with us this month.  I would love to see your take on our challenges! Link up below by February 9th for your chance to win this:

Coming Soon!

A big thank you to Sandi and Becca for playing along with us last month. We did not have the required 3 participants in December, so no prize drawing for last month. Hopefully this month!

Be sure to stop by Lisa's blog to see her take on the challenges!

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

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Scrap Our Stash - What's My Challenge

Hello, everyone! Happy Hump Day! I hope you are having a good week. It's been a pretty good one around here. The weather is great - who can complain about 50's and sunshine in January? I will take every warm day in the winter that I can get!

Today I am sharing my layout for Scrap Our Stash's new challenge - What's My Challenge. We are mixing things up this year and the first challenge each month will be a different type of challenge. For January we have a bingo challenge:

Just pick any row, column, or diagonal line and use the selected stash items on your layout. 

For my layout, I chose the 4th row across - 4+ patterned paper, brad, stamp, doily, and to use a punch. This is what I came up with:

I have used 4 patterned papers - the pink gingham background, turquoise arrow, pink polka dot, and multi-colored dots paper. I also used a piece of solid turquoise paper for one of my tags. I used 3 brads - 2 that are on the doily and 1 heart brad on the tabs. (It really does match the papers better in real life than what it shows here!) For my stamping - I stamped the date and a couple of word phrases, and I used a tab punch and a loopy border punch.

The title actually reads - Who could resist...that sweet face - and the journaling says - "It's no secret - every time Ada and I go shopping - she comes home with something new. Toys, candy, clothes - it's always something! I just can't resist that sweet face!"

Here are a couple of close-ups:

This is my first layout using my stash bash kit! Here is what I used for this layout:

I was able to use up one full sheet (for the background), all of turquoise arrow scrap paper, and most of the pink polka dot paper. I also used 3 brads out of the pack and one of my favorite - but rarely used - border punch! I can't wait to see how much more of this kit that I can use up this month!

Head on over to Scrap Our Stash to see how the rest of the design team took on the bingo challenge this month. I hope you have some time to play along with us!

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

Challenge YOUrself #73 - One Little Word

Hello, hello! Happy Tuesday to you all! 

I am so excited to be sharing my first DT layout for Challenge YOUrself with you today! Here's a look at this month's challenge - Challenge #73:

One little word - I have never participated in Ali Edwards' One Little Word workshop, but I have tried to choose a word to focus on for the last several years. This year the word that I have chosen is 'focus':

I played around with several words - even taking the quiz on Ali's website to see what was recommended - but I just kept coming back to focus. 

This year I need to put the focus back on myself and what is important to me - my health, my family, and our finances. I also want to focus on areas of my crafty life, as well, but there will be more about that later. It is time for me to focus and get things done this year. And maybe I can focus on giving an update every month or two on how I am doing!

For my layout, I have used Cocoa Vanilla's beautiful 'Happiness' collection. This could easily be one of those collections that I hoard and not use because it is so pretty, but I am making a point to use the pretties and not just keep them hanging around forever. There will always be another pretty to take its place.

Here are a couple of close-ups:

I just love those pretty flowers that came in the die cut pack. I could easily have 3 or 4 packs of them and not get tired of them. 

 What about you? Do you choose a word each year to concentrate on? I would love to see your take on the challenge if you are so inclined!

Be sure to check out the Challenge YOUrself blog today to see the gorgeous layouts from the rest of the design team.

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

Counterfeit Kit Challenge Mini (?) Kit Reveal

Hello everyone! Good Monday morning to you! I hope that you had a good weekend and are all ready for the new week. I'm hoping maybe now I will get back on track after the holidays! Hubby was home for 17 days and we lost all track of time!

I was on mini-kit duty this month at Counterfeit Kit Challenge and today is reveal day! Here's a look at the gorgeous inspiration kit from Citrus Twist Kits for January:

Holy moly is that a gorgeous Christmas kit or what! My mini kit is pretty mega for a mini, BUT...I do plan on working on my December Daily/Document December/whatever I'm going to call my December album this year! And I need to work in my 52 Favorites TN for holidays, so I needed a little more than a paper or two! And compared to most December Daily kits that I've seen...well, this is a mini kit!

Here's a look at my kit:

My kit is full of Elle's Studio Christmas goodies from 2018. I didn't buy anything new for a December Daily this year because I knew I had this collection and hadn't even touched it. So here's to getting it used up this month!

I pulled what 6x8 papers that I had - a total of 7, a few of the 6x6 papers, alphas, stickers and die cuts, puffy stickers, wood veneer, tags, 4x6 and 3x4 journaling cards, and a couple of stamp sets. I also added in 3 - 12x12 papers and some gold trim.

I'm still not completely sure if I will do a TN size for my Documenting December or if I'll keep with 6x8 pocket pages...I love my TN size, but there is just something about the pocket pages that I love for this project. Maybe I'll do a mix of both...stay tuned this month to see what I come up with!

Here's my first project from my kit - a spread for my 52 Favorites TN for Week 50 of the ornaments that Abby and Ada made for us this year:

Aren't those ornaments just the cutest?! Abby said Ada did all of the painting on the clothespin snowmen and I think she did a fantastic job on them! These ornaments are, by far, my favorites that were added to our tree this year!

Here are a couple of close-up photos:

I was afraid that I might need a bit more to finish out my complete project so I made up an add-on kit. This add-on is made up of some scraps, more alpha stickers, more 6x6 papers, and more stamps. This will surely get me through my Documenting December album!

Even though it looks like a mega kit - it all fits in this 9x12 box nicely - with the exception of the 12x12 papers, of course!

Scrapping this much Christmas in January will be something new for me, I'm usually over scrapping Christmas when January rolls around, but this kit has me excited to get my December memories scrapped while they are still (relatively) fresh in my mind!

Head on over to the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog to see the mini-kit and project that Clair has put together this month. Stay tuned throughout the month to see how much I can get done!

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

Sketch N Scrap Card Sketch #161

Hello, everyone! Happy Sunday to you! I hope you are having a good weekend. As much as I have enjoyed the holidays, I am ready to get back into my normal routine this next week! Maybe then I can at least remember what day of the week it is!

It's time for the first card sketch of the year at Sketch N Scrap today. Here's a look at the sketch that Heather has created for us:

And here is the card that I created:

This year I am really going to try to make an effort to use up my scraps and one great way to get that done is to make cards. I found this floral paper from Simple Stories on the top of my scraps in my scrap box and went searching for a paper to match. I found the pink paper from My Mind's Eye in the scrap pile and thought it was a good match. Two scraps from two different manufacturers, used at two different times throughout the years (yes, I said years because that's how long some of my scraps have been hanging out!) and they come together to make a pretty and quick card! Even the cardstock that I used for this card came from scraps!

Stay tuned throughout the year to see if I can continue with using up my scraps this year!

Head on over to Sketch N Scrap to see the beautiful cards from the rest of the design team.  I can't wait to see what you create with the sketch!

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

The Great Stash Bash 2020 - January Kit

Hello, everyone!

Are you ready for the first Great Stash Bash challenge of 2020? I know I am! In case you missed my announcement post, which you can find here, this is a challenge that my friend Lisa and I are doing to try and "bash" some of our stash this year. Feel free to join us - we can cheer each other on!

Here is a look at our first challenge:

Our first challenge is to pull 10 patterned papers - 7 papers that are 3+ years old and 3 newer papers, 3 embellishments that are 3+ years old and 1 newer embellishment, and we are going to concentrate on using punches this month.

Here is the stash kit that I have put together to use in January:

If you couldn't tell - I am already in the mood for spring! Plus, I am trying to finish up my granddaughter's summer bucket list TN and I think this kit will work well for it!

Here's a look at the 7 older papers that I have in my kit:

For my first kit, I decided to go with {mostly} a collection. All of these papers are from Echo Park's "Spring" collection from 2016. The only paper not from that collection is the first pink paper, it's also from Echo Park -their Photo Freedom collection from 2013. This first photo is also showing which side I plan on using but there are a couple that I just might use the other side. Here is a look at the "back" side of these papers:

For my 3 newer papers, I have chosen 3 from Close To My Heart that I got this past year:

These papers were so hard to get a good photo of because the 2 are so light, so here is a close-up - a grey and white print, a teal paper, and a light pink stripe paper:

I think they will work well with the older Echo Park papers.

We are also going to be working on using up our scraps and here are the scraps that I have pulled:

After picking my paper and scraps for this month, I think it's safe to say that I like polka dot papers!

Here's a closer look at the embellishments I plan on using:

The 3 older embellishments are the sticker sheet, the partially used pack of enamel shapes, and the brad packs. I know I technically have 4 older embellishments here with both of the brad packs, but I knew if I went with the yellow ones that I would wish I had the blue ones, and vice versa, so I put both in my kit, but when I decide what they will be used for I will more than likely just use one pack. 

The newer embellishment is the pack of layered flower stickers that I just picked up a couple of weeks before Christmas. I cannot wait to use these flower stickers and that big "lovely" off of the sticker sheet!

For the punches I hope to use this month, I have pulled a loopy border punch - I love this one and rarely use it - an apron lace - I think that's what it is called - a doily, butterfly, and banner punch. I'm hoping trying to use these this month will help me get better about using them all the time.

There you have it - my first stash kit of the year. These are the items that I will be concentrating on using up this month, and I can't wait to see how much I have used at the end of the month!

Be sure to stop by Lisa's blog - My Creative Endeavors - to see her stash kit for the month. We would love it if you played along with us. If you do add a link to your kit and any projects you make this month in the link-up below. The deadline to enter is January 31st at midnight CST.

Here's a reminder of our 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. 

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 - #lisaandlorisgreatstashbash2020

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

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Picnic Play - Sketch N Scrap #192

Hello, everyone! Happy New Year to you all! I hope you are looking forward to the new year and all of the possibilities it holds for us. 

The start of a new year - and a new month - means we have a new sketch for you at Sketch N Scrap. Lisa is getting us started with a super fun multi-photo sketch. I think this one is one I will be using again!

And this is what I came up with:

These photos are of Ada at Pops' company picnic in 2018. She had so much fun playing on the inflatables and she pretty much had them all to herself while she was there. The bottom two of her in the bounce house are not the best quality - they were taken through the netting on the sides - but they were too cute to not use, and you can really see her better than what it looks like in the photo. That black line that appears so dark in the photo is not that dark in person.

This layout came together so quickly, once I had the papers picked out. I had a specific paper in mind for this layout - a multi-colored dot - and I could not find it anywhere. Maybe I already used it and don't remember it...or maybe it will turn up now that the layout is done! Whatever the case, I think this multi-colored diamond paper works just as good with the yellow paper. All the other papers came out of my scraps bag. 

Here is a close-up of the embellishments:

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 in the new year. I would love to see your take on the sketch, too!

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