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

Playing With Falling Feathers

I hope everyone is having a fantastic week! I snuck in some playtime, and decided to pull out my Sheena's A Little Bit Sketchy - Falling Feathers EZ-mount stamp set. It is one of my favorites! I started with a piece of grey cardstock and misted it lightly with a bit of blue Glimmer Mist. After stamping the sentiment (part of the Stamp It Australia - Set 60 - Friendship Sentiments EZ Mount stamp set) onto the banner-shaped cardstock, I misted it as well. The feather was colored with Spectrum Noir pens (HB3, HB1, and the blender pen), then coated with Crystal Stickles. Stickles were also added around the banner piece, and after a piece of ribbon was added along the bottom, I adhered the feather (after fussy cutting, of course) with foam squares. Little yellow adhesive pearls add a nice finishing touch!

If you don't have this stamp set, you need to hurry to the Crafter's Companion store! It's a must-have! Watch for that tutorial I promised early next week :)

xoxo

Khristen