Boys Rule Scrapbooking Kit Sketch Challenge #2

Two layouts in one weekend? Wowza! But I can't take all of the credit. Most of it is due to the fact I used sketches! Yet again, I chose to play along at the Boys Rule Scrapbook Kit blog, this time using the second sketch. Here's the sketch:

And my take on it featuring adorable little Patryk back in February of 2009 wearing his sister's scarf:

 That's what I love about sketches. They give you a starting point for your layout, and you can either copy it all as-is, or put your own personal spin on it. I chose to make a strip of two photos instead of making a photo strip, matting them together on a rectangular strip of paper. the larger 4X6 image is accented with hexagons instead of tags, and I added a fun Studio Calico arrow clip. Papers: Fancy Pants Happy Go Lucky, Elle's Stuido You & Me, and Glitz Color Me Happy, all inked with Memento Nautical Blue ink. My Mind's Eye Boy Crazy enamel dots, Silver Liquid Pearls, Glitz Color Me Happy washi (the fun arrow-looking strip where the title is placed), Fiskars hexagon punch, and My Mind's Eye Lime Twist alpha.

I'm hoping that today holds more scrappy time, but we'll have to wait and see. It all depends on how quickly we can get out of the grocery store!

xoxo
Khristen

Boys Rule Scrapbooking Sketch Challenge 1

It's been a crazy week here, ending with a nice relaxing holiday, despite all of the sugary treats consumed by my kids! Baseball, softball, and lacrosse schedules are in full swing, so there is a LOT of driving around. This doesn't leave much time for layouts to be completed in between work and home responsibilities, although I know it is short lived. When I do have time to work on a layout, it becomes essential the process is as painless as possible. I also find I am lacking in the creativity department when it comes to design, probably due to the overload our hectic schedule imposes upon my brain!

That's where sketches come in handy. I love the challenges at the Boys Rule Scrapbook Kits blog, and decided to play along this weekend. I worked on this layout on Friday, their first sketch challenge (there are two each month). Sketches take the guesswork out of paper, photo, and element placement, while allowing you to make some alterations to suit your own personal style. In this case, I didn't alter much. I loved the sketch that put the spotlight on one image!  Here's the sketch:

And here's my layout:

 Papers: Studio Calico Darling Dear (Monroe, Sinatra). October Afternoon Rocket Age Sprinkler in Night Sky for spatters, and sprayed on My Mind's Eye chipboard stars. American Crafts foam Thickers in Limeade. My CM trimmer cut the scalloped border nicely.

Head over to Boys Rule Scrapbook Kits' blog to enter your own layout into this sketch challenge, and watch for post #2 using their second sketch!

xoxo

Khristen

Paper Crafting Challenges #8: No Patterned Paper

Good afternoon! Have you seen the new challenge over at Paper Crafting Challenges? This time, we're asking to see your creations featuring NO PATTERNED PAPER. This can seem a daunting task. However, there are many ways to deal with this problem. I like to create my own background as I've done here on my card:

 I started by splattering different mists across the kraft cardstock -- I used Glimmer Mist in Seven Seas, Fireworks in Angel Pink, and Mister Huey in Water Cooler. When that was dry, I added a border around the image with the Reversed Punchinella stamp from Unity Stamp Co, stamping with a Memento Dew Drop in Rose Bud.

I love this stamp! The image is Wild Rose Studio - Sheep For Ewe colored with my Spectrum Noir pens. After punching the corners with my corner rounder and affixing to a doily, I added some American Crafts Zazz! glitter glue in Taffy.

So what are you waiting for? Head on over to Paper Crafting Challenges and submit your own card or altered item using no patterned paper for your chance to win a free stamp set from Waffle Flower! You have until May 2nd. I can't wait to see what you create!

xoxo
Khristen

Paper Crafting Challenges #7: Masculine

Good morning! Have you seen the newest challenge at Paper Crafting Challenges? This week, we're asking to see your manly creations! This can be tough for some, but that's why they call it a challenge, people! :)

Here's what I came up with:

 I used my Spectrum Noir markers for this bucket o' beer: IG5, IG4, IG3, JG4, JG3, LG3, DR5, DR4, CR6, GB8, TB5, TB4. Background paper is Fancy Pants Merry Little Christmas. Image and sentiment Crafter's Companion Camden Town Male 1 EZ Mount Stamp Set, stamped and matted on black cardstock. Love this card, and it will probably go to the hubs on this birthday.

I hope to see you playing along with us at Paper Crafting Challenges! You have until April 18, so get on over there and enter for your chance at an SVGCuts prize!

xoxo
Khristen