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 #6: Sketch/Pearls

Better late than never, right? Thought I would share this week's Paper Crafting Challenges mission, if you choose to accept it. It's easy peasy -- either make a card following the following sketch, or create something that includes pearls. And if you're a Lawn Fawn fan, you'll want to play -- the winner gets a free stamp set of your choice (which is a tough decision to have to make, they are all so cute!!) Of course, I chose the sketch:

 It's interesting, is it not? Here's what I created:

 I used a freebie Unity Stamp Co. sentiment included with my last order, Christy Tomlinson She Art paper, Prima flowers, and an AC pink pearl brad. I decided to move the circles on the sketch around a bit, as you can tell. I thought the sentiment would be fabulous raised off of the surface of the card, so I stuck three layers of foam adhesive squares in the center. Then I gently bent each side and adhered them to the card. Voila, an interesting banner sentiment, stamped with Memento Dew Drops in Danube Blue and Lady Bug. The blue circle felt left out, so I raised it up with adhesive foam squares too!

What are you waiting for? There are only four days left to play along with our sketch challenge for a chance to win some Lawn Fawn yumminess! Hurry over, I can't wait to see what you've created!

xoxo
Khristen

A Big Announcement!

Good morning! I trust everyone's weekend went well :) I'm posting with some big news: I am now designing for a new challenge blog, Paper Crafting Challenges! We bring a new challenge each and every Friday to get your creative juices flowing, and this week, it's a sketch challenge.

The sketch:

And my interpretation:

 I chose my Crafter's Companion Sentimentals Everyday - Imagine EZ Mount stamp set for this one -- the circular design lends itself well to the sketch. I felt the sketch needed to be turned, and used some pretty Authentique papers. Simple doodles added the perfect finishing touch!

So head on over to Paper Crafting Challenges and link up in our sketch challenge! Cards not your thing? Create an altered item with the theme "something sweet!" I can't wait to see what you create! Spread the word to your crafty friends about this new-blog-on-the-block, too! We'd appreciate it :) I am honored to be chosen for this team, and hope to inspire you each and every week!

xoxo
Khristen