Drill #20 : Feathers

Good morning! It's time for another Saturday with SWAT! For this challenge, we're asking you to use the sketch below from Page Maps, as well as use FEATHERS. 

I started out with some crazy photos taken with my roommate. The feather trend is one of my favorites, because, like arrows and triangles, it's an element that can be incorporated into almost any layout or card theme. 

I chose to use a feather stamp from A Muse Studio. I stamped it with black StazOn onto two patterned papers that coordinated with the layout. I used my fingers to fold the edges, creating some texture, before adhering them to the page. To add just a bit of glam, I added Stickles too! 

For the line on the bottom half of the sketch, I used two strips that I had previously cut off patterned papers. They're the strips along the bottom that hold the barcode and name of paper. These ones had patterns on one side. You would never know that they were meant to be trash! 

The products from this layout are a mixture of November's Studio Calico Scrapbook Kit and Amy Tangerine's Cut & Paste Collection. The tag in the scrapbook kit was a perfect place to add my journaling. I stamped the 'i love this' image onto the top of the tag, also from the kit. 

Thanks for dropping by the blog today and checking out my take on the challenge. Now it's your turn! You have until November 28th to create your own project - using the sketch and feathers - and link it up to the SWAT blog. As always, there's a fun prize up for grabs. I can't wait to see what you create. 

SUPPLIES :: Studio Calico (Cuppa Scrapbooking Kit, Yellow Twine, Mister Huey's), American Crafts (Amy Tangerine Cut & Paste Collection), Tattered Angels (Glimmer Mist), A Muse Studio Stamps, Star Dust Stickles, Paper Cut Vellum

TOOLS :: StazOn Jet Black Ink, A Muse Studio Acrylic Block, Bic Acid Free Writer

Drill #19 : Ice Cream Love

Good morning! It's time for another drill with SWAT! The holiday season is upon us, and let's face it, These times are all about the food. This challenge asks you to complete a layout that features a picture of food or a recipe. 

For my layout, I chose these fun photos taken at a birthday lunch for my dear friend, Hannah, where we indulged in ice cream. Sadly, I didn't have any ice cream papers or die cuts in my stash, so I worked with the Finely collection by Glitz Design. 

I love the 12x12 sticker sheets from Glitz. It makes it way too easy to embellish a layout. I used my finger to round the corners of a few of the stickers in order to add some dimension and movement. And I can never complete any project without a bit of paper distressing!

Make sure to head over to the SWAT blog to see the beautiful layouts my fellow design team members created. Then link up your own project for a chance to win this BoBunny Collection Pack!

SUPPLIES :: Glitz Design Finely Collection Pack, A Muse Studio Winter Sky Spray Ink, BIC Mark It Black Marker

TOOLS :: Fiskars Scrapbooking Rotary Paper Trimmer, CTMH Paper Distresser, MyStik Permanent Adhesive

Use It Tuesday : Stamping On Layouts

Good morning! It's time for another challenge with Use It Tuesday! Today we're requesting you dig deep into your stash and create something CREATURE themed. My fellow design team members have some great inspiration up on the Use It Tuesday blog - You'll want to make sure to take a look! 

I didn't have any creature-themed stamps or papers in my hoarded supplies, but I did have some recent pictures from the Wildlife Sanctuary here in Green Bay, Wisconsin. My friends and I had a countdown to the arrival of the new wolf cubs and immediately went to see them. When you walked up to the window, they'd stick their nose to the glass. I chose to think they were interested in being our friend over eating us alive. They were so adorable! Here's the layout I created...

As mentioned above, my hoarded items weren't creature themed. But don't worry, I still used hoarded supplies! You'll see I stamped in three different areas of the layout. All of the stamps were from sets I haven't paid much attention to in a long, long time. I dusted them off and was so happy to breathe some new life into them. 

The numbers were a Studio Calico set received in the Planetarium Project Life kits. I don't number the weeks of my PL spreads; therefore, I just set this set aside. Having the numbers symbolize the year was a fun, new way to use them. 

The other two stamps were from Market Street Stamps. Unfortunately, this stamp company has since closed its doors. The 'remember this' sentiment went well above my journaling which was created with my typewriter. After typing it out, I cut the words into strips and adhered it onto the page. The 'cheesin' sentiment was stamped onto a scrap piece of patterned paper. Triangles were cut out of each end to create a banner. I clustered it with washi tape, an arrow die cut, and a few pearls. That sentiment really fits our personalities and this picture. Of course I had to add just a little stitching to a few areas of the page! 

Now it's your turn! I encourage you to grab some of your stamp sets and see if you can add them to your scrapbooking layouts. However, the true challenge for Use It Tuesday is to grab any hoarded supply and USE IT to create a creature themed project. Then link up your project on the Use It Tuesday blog. As always, one lucky participant will be chosen to be a guest designer on an upcoming challenge! I can't wait to see what you create.

SUPPLIES :: American Crafts (Cardstock, Puffy Vinyl Thickers) We R Memory Keepers Forest, Studio Calico (Darling Dear Gems, Planetarium Project Life Kit Stamp), A Muse Studio (Stormy Sky Spray Ink, Pearls), BasicGrey Washi Tape, Market Street Stamps, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

TOOLS :: Silhouette Cameo, Fiskars Scrapbooking Rotary Paper Trimmer, CTMH Paper Distresser, A Muse Studio Acrylic Block, MyStik Permanent Adhesive, Brother Sewing Machine, Typewriter

Drill #18 : Sketchy Saturday

Good morning! I'm here today with a new drill from S.W.A.T and it's one exciting sketch! There's just a little obstacle - You must also use wood embellishments. 

If you're anything like me, you've got a stash of wood veneers. Pull those out, and get to work! I recently picked up the main scrapbooking kit and add-on from Studio Calico which contained gorgeous heart wood veneers. The rest of the kit matched the colors of my photo, and this layout was born. 

I started with this great wood background and a few layers behind my photo. To recreate the circles in the sketch, I used the Silhouette Cameo to create several sizes from patterned paper. The fun part was arranging them on the background with die cuts, wood veneers, and ink splatters. 

The Tiny Attacher by Tim Holtz continues to be one of my favorite tools. It's so easy to attach vellum and die cuts or just add a decorative element. The camera 'die cut' was actually cut from a 12x12 Dear Lizzy paper. 

After adding the stitch marks from the sketch with a black gel pen, the bottom left corner was still "needing something." To recreate the vertical lines in the sketch, I added a piece of BasicGrey washi tape. 

Thank you so much for looking at today's challenge. I'm so excited to see how you take on the Drill. Don't forget to go to S.W.A.T and check out my fellow Design Team Members and link up your own creation. As always, there's a great prize up for grabs! This month Creative Embellishments is our sponsor. 

SUPPLIES :: Studio Calico (Antiquary Scrapbook Kit, Amsterdam Add-On, Mister Huey's Sherbet)  

TOOLS :: Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher, Silhouette Cameo, Fiskars Scrapbooking Rotary Paper Trimmer, CTMH Paper Distresser, MyStik Permanent Adhesive, Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Squares

Drill #17 : Fussy Cutting

Good morning! It's time for another Drill with S.W.A.T! For this challenge, we're asking you to get our your precision scissors and FUSSY CUT. As always, there's a prize up for grabs - Make sure to link up your project on the S.W.A.T blog! 

Let me start by saying I LOOOOOVE to fussy cut! Cutting and coloring are calming to me. Paper piecing, using cut outs, and transforming patterned paper is where. it's. at. 

Therefore, I was super psyched for this challenge. I had recently added a floral patterned paper to my stash and knew it needed to be used! You can see the full 12x12 paper by Echo Park here. I cut out a few of the individual flowers and used them as embellishments. 

Adhesive was added only to the center of the flowers, and I used my finger to bend the leaves upward. Love the texture and dimension this adds, along with the slight distressing of the edges. 

I finished off the layout with washi tape, super fun bling, and sticker letters. 

Head over to the S.W.A.T blog to see the other samples from my fellow Design Team members... They have lots of ideas to help you start your own fussy cutting project! 

SUPPLIES :: Echo Park (Flower Garden), Crate Paper (Decor, Maggie Holmes Lovely, Ephemera Pack), American Crafts (Cardstock, Mini Alphas, Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm Oatmeal Thickers) Queen & Co (Cotton Candy-Candy Stripes), Studio Calico (Seafoam), Close To My Heart (Arrow Paper Clip)

TOOLS :: Fiskars Scrapbooking Rotary Paper Trimmer, Close To My Heart Paper Distresser, EK Success Cutter Bee Scissors, MyStik Permanent Adhesive

Drill #16: Sketch & Twine

Happy Saturday, Paper Crafters! It's time for another Drill with S.W.A.T! This week we have a great sketch from our very own, Bev Code. 

In addition to the sketch, we challenge you to use twine on your project! One lucky participant will receive a $10 gift certificate to 3 Scrappy Boys... Just link up your project by September 28th.

I had this photo from a baseball game with dear friends this summer that just needed to be scrapped. I matted the photo with white cardstock and wrapped white twine around the bottom three times. I tied the twine together behind the photo and let the curly ends hang loose. 

Before adhering any of the layers, I added ink splatters to the background in place of the circle element on the sketch. After adhering everything down, it really needed an element there with more weight to it. Therefore, I took a colored pencil and my Martha Stewart Circle Cutter and created a fun half circle on the page. 

I can't wait to see your take on the sketch and how you incorporate twine! Looking for more inspiration before diving in? Check out the S.W.A.T blog to see my fellow design team members and their layouts! 

 SUPPLIES :: BoBunny Morning, Studio Calico (Cheerful & Love Wins Papers, Cork Washi Tape, Mister Huey's Silver), Crate Paper (Happy Day & Lifetime Papers, Storyteller Stickers), American Crafts Puffy Vinyl Thickers, We R Memory Keepers Brads, Queen & Co Dots, Ocotober Afternoon Travel Girl Washi Tape

TOOLS :: Fiskars Scrapbooking Rotary Paper Trimmer, MyStik Permanent Adhesive, Close To My Heart Paper Distresser, Martha Stewart Circle Cutter

Stamp, Stitch, & Splatter

Hello Paper Crafters! I'm here today presenting Drill #15 with the S.W.A.T Team! For this drill, we challenge you to use three fun techniques - Stamp it, Stitch it (machine, hand, or faux), & Spray or Splatter it! 

We can't give a great challenge without a prize! One lucky participant will receive a $10 gift card for 3 Scrappy Boys! 

I love all three of the techniques in this challenge and was THRILLED to use them all on one project! I started by adding brown ink splatters to my cream cardstock base. You can achieve this look over an even mist by removing the cap/nozzle and gently tapping the straw above the areas you'd like to ink. 

After Distressing the edges of two paper squares and adding a few patterned circles, I machine stitched a square to hold all of the pieces together. I love the added texture! 

I finished off the card with stamping! Looks like I did the three techniques in the challenge backwards! I paper pieced the bun and stove and adding it to the center. I grounded the image by cutting a small banner from brown patterned paper. I also stamped the sentiment onto a strip of cream cardstock, cut it up, and arranged it on the card front. Lastly, I embellished the card with a few star wood veneers. 

Thanks for stopping by! Make sure to head over to the S.W.A.T blog to see my fellow design team member's gorgeous creations. Link up your own project by September 28th to be entered for a chance to win! 

SUPPLIES :: A Muse Studio Cardstock & Doily, Lawn Fawn Plus One Stamp Set, Pebbles Walnut Grove 6x6 Paper Pad, Studio Calico Star Wood Veneers & Mister Huey's Dark Calico, StazOn Jet Black Ink

TOOLS :: Close To My Heart Paper Distresser, MyStik Permanent Adhesive, ZIG 2-Way Chisel Tip Glue, Cutter Bee Scissors, Fiskars Scrapbooking Rotary Paper Trimmer, A Muse Studio Acrylic Block, Brother Sewing Machine, Martha Stewart Score Board

Unscripted Sketches :: Flashback Sketch #69

Thanks for stopping by this morning! We've got another Flashback Sketch from Unscripted Sketches! This summer, the design team has been going back in time, picking randomly selected sketches to use in a new and creative way! This Saturday, sketch #69 is the inspiration! 

I flipped the sketch upside down and mixed up a few of the elements. 

For this card, I was determined to use nothing but a 6x6 paper pad from Crate paper. Therefore, I made the base smaller than my average cards, creating a folded card of 3x5 inches. It's the perfect size to include in a baby shower gift! The bunny was stamped on the same cardstock as the card base and then again on patterned paper to piece together the pink elements. The white banner for the sentiment was the back side of a scrap of patterned paper from the pack. 

Stop by Unscripted Sketches to take a look at my fellow design team members' projects and a chance to play along! 

SUPPLIES :: Peachy Keen Stamps Somebunny Special Stamp, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Mister Huey's Dewey Mist, Crate Paper Random 6x6 Paper Pad

TOOLS :: A Muse Studio Acrylic Block, MyStik Permanent Adhesive, Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Squares, Fiskars Scrapbooking Rotary Cutter, Close To My Heart Paper Distresser

Retro Sketches :: Caffeine Fix

Hello! Yesterday I planned to have a full day to myself. I anticipated not leaving my house, sleeping in, and spending the day in my pajamas at my craft table. Sounds great, right?! After a call at 7 AM from a friend in need, I knew the day would be nothing as I planned. And sure enough, I had two other friends after that with frustrating events that needed some tending to. Rather than a day as a hermit, I ran around town. And you know what? I wouldn't change it. At the very end of the day, I was able to sit down long enough to create this card, and it sums up each of those "appointments" pretty well.

I used the sketch above from Retro Sketches as inspiration. I can't get enough of this sentiment. There really is nothing caffeine (and maybe a really good friend with a day off) can't fix! 

The cup was stamped on white cardstock and layered on top of patterned papers and embellishments - Honestly, a random selection of items on my desk. 

Thanks for stopping by. May this bit of caffeine in the form of a card brighten your day!

SUPPLIES :: A Muse Studio Sugar Cardstock, Pebbles Walnut Grove 6x6 Paper Pad, Mister Huey's Dark Calico Mist, Market Street Stamps Daily Grind Set, Memento Rich Cocoa Ink, A Muse Studio Latte Pearls, Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Ephemera Pack

TOOLS :: Close To My Heart Paper Distresser, A Muse Studio Acrylic Block, Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Squares, MyStik Permanent Adhesive, Fiskars Scrapbooking Rotary Paper Trimmer

Sketch It Saturday :: Flashback Summer

Good morning! This summer at Unscripted Sketches is a fun one! We're taking a look at previous sketches and bringing new life to them. There's lots of inspiration, fun, and prizes! 

I'm joining in for Sketch #56 a little late, but I couldn't resist giving this one a try!

For this card, I first laid down several layers of baby boy themed papers to coordinate with this precious bear stamp from Peachy Keen Stamps. The image was colored with Copic markers and adhered to the card front with foam risers for added dimension. 

Head over to Unscripted Sketches for this week's Flashback Sketch # 92 and join in all the fun! I can't wait to see what you create. 

SUPPLIES :: Paper Cut Cardstock, American Crafts Cardstock, Copic X-Press It Blending Card, Reminisce Patterned Paper, Peachy Keen Stamps Sleeping Teddy, Market Street Stamps Sentiment, Copic Markers, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

COPIC LIST :: Yellows (Y17, Y02, Y21), Blues (B41, B32, B45), Browns (E11, E13, E15), Greens (YG01, YG03, YG06), C-1

TOOLS :: Fiskars Scrapbooking Rotary Paper Trimmer, MyStik Permanent Adhesive, Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Squares

Drill #12 :: Sketch With A Twist

Good morning! I'm back today with a drill from S.W.A.T. Today's challenge combines a sketch from our very own Lanette and patterned paper. That's right... We don't want to see any solid cardstock used in this layout! 

Well... That's where I failed just a bit. I had most of the layout completed, when I realized I really needed somewhere for the eye to rest. That's when I added a few white embellishments cut from white cardstock and the white cardstock matting the yellow patterned paper. It wasn't until I took a photo of the finished piece that I realized what I had done! Forgive me! 

I flipped the sketch horizontally and added a few extra photos. Rather than having a physical circle behind the photos, I placed a black pen in the holes of my Martha Stewart Circle Cutter and created doodles. I added a few pieces of cork washi tape from the Studio Calico's July PL Kit. This may be my new favorite product!

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to check out the rest of S.W.A.T's Design Team projects! While you're there, link up your own Sketch with a Twist project to be entered to win a Webster Pages Grab Bag! I can't wait to see what you create!

S.W.A.T Drill #11 :: Neon

Hello paper crafters! I'm back with Drill #11 from S.W.A.T, and you're going to love it! The challenge is to fill your page with lots of NEON! It's popping up everywhere, from clothing to scrapbooking. 

This Drill's sponsor is Boys Rule, who have generously donated an Elle's Studio prize pack to one lucky winner who links up to the S.W.A.T blog by July 28th! 

I had this funny photo of my best friend, Anna, and I on a trip to Chicago last summer. The colors and style of the photo were completely different from the rest of the trip. It didn't fit in any other layout I created. This challenge was the perfect time to do something fun with it. 

I started with a plain white background, giving the eye a resting point from the bright colors I pulled together. Next, I started layering on a collection of stickers, brads, and rhinestones from different manufacturers. 

I finished up the layout with a title cut with the Silhouette Cameo and a font on my computer. The font is Quigley Wiggly, and you can download it for free here.

Thanks for stopping by! I can't wait to see how you incorporate the neon trend into your scrapbooking. Remember to link up by July 28th!

LAYOUT SUPPLIES
Cardstock: American Crafts (White), A Muse Studio (Onyx)
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (Hello, Amazing), Crate Paper (Maggie Holmes Tags)
Embellishments: American Crafts (Amy Tangerine Sketchbook Fabric Stickers, Dimensional Stickers), BasicGrey (Lauderdale Stitched Brads), Echo Park (Everyday Eclectic Element Stickers)
Stamps: Market Street Stamps
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Studio Calico (Mister Huey's Sherbet)

Unity Challenge :: Love Birds

Hello paper crafters! Unity Stamp Co has three new challenges up on their blog with great prizes up for grabs. I L-L-L-LOVE Unity red rubber cling stamps, and I think you should too! 

One of the challenges included the card sketch above. Triangle corners, like the one shown above, have been popping up in cards and scrapbook pages. Janna Werner is beyond inspiring and often uses paper triangles in the corners of her projects. As much as I love the look, I have been hesitant to try it for myself. Therefore, I forced myself to dive right in and give it a go. Here' my take on the sketch:

I'm using one of my favorite Unity Stamps... You may have recognized it from a recent post. I created my own banner with patterned paper by folding a long strip of paper and cutting triangles out of each end. 

Stop by the Unity Stamp Co Challenge blog today to link up your own project to one of the three challenges. You have until July 17th to be entered! 

CARD SUPPLIES
Cardstock: A Muse Studio (Sugar, Wasabi)
Patterned Paper: Studio Calico (Love Wins), GCD Studios (Melody Ross Collection)
Stamps: Unity Stamp Co (Love Birds)
Inks: Memento (Rich Cocoa), Heidi Swaap Color Shine (Gold)
Pearls: A Muse Studio (Sugar)
Tools: Close To My Heart (Paper Distresser)