April Challenge - You Are... Layout

Wow, April is here already!  Do you do anything fun on April Fools Day?  I don't, kind of boring that way.  Oh well, I do have something to share that isn't so boring.  The latest challenge is up over at Black With 2.  Last month BW2 had a record number of entries, and there were some truly amazing layouts shared.  I can't wait to see what everyone creates with April's challenge.

April Inspiration Board - 

 

And here is my take on this challenge.

  This is one of those layouts where I really felt that less was more.  I used a punch to create the circle doily shape from green cardstock.  I love how it pops off the black.  Notice how my journaling isn't perfect?  I often mess up my journaling, that may be why I don't like to include it.  I'm a terrible speller and I often mess up when I'm writing, plus I don't like my handwriting.  But, it is mine and it is part of what my layouts special to me and my family and part of the art that it is.  Don't be afraid to journal, even if you think you'll mess up.  The stories that go with the pictures are just as important to them memories.

Thanks for looking!

Michelle

Black With 2 February Challenge

Well January just flew by, but the good news is that means there is a new challenge up on the Black With 2 blog.  Check out this awesome inspiration board for February. 

 

 

 

Here's my take on the inspiration board.

 

 

I embossed the magenta colored cardstock with my big shot since I didn't have any patterned paper that worked for this challenge, I created my own by embossing it. 

 

 

Here's a closer look at the flower cluster.  Check out all the design team inspiration and more at the Black With 2 challenge blog.

 

Thanks for looking!

New Year, New Challenges!

Happy New Year!  Here's hoping that 2014 is a great year for everyone.  Why not kick it off with a great new challenge from Black With Two. 

 

If you haven't checked out the Black With Two blog recently make sure you do as it recently received an updated look to go with the all new challenges with great inspiration boards.

 

Here's the inspiration board for January.

 

 

Use this board for color inspiration as well as the sketch and the other elements to create a unique layout for the Black With Two challenge for January.

 

Here's my take on the challenge.

 

 

I stuck pretty close to the inspiration board for this one, especially since I had these beach photos to work with the suggested theme.  The flowers are cut with my cricut, then I layered them and used the Best Glue Ever to adhere glitter to the edges.  I used the same technique to write the word love and add the spots of glitter.  I used a colored pencil for the journaling. 

 

You have until the end of the month to create a layout or card to submit to the Black With Two Challenge. 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking!

Polka Dot Blog Hop Starts Today!

The first challenge is up for Zappy Dots Polka Dot Blog Hop.

 

 

Lots of great inspiration to be found!

 

All you need to do for the first challenge is post an image of a polka dot pumpkin on the Zappy Dots Facebook page.

 

Black With 2 - October Challenge

The October color palette for Black With Two is up today.  Black with candy pink and shimmering gold.  It is a lovely palette and would be great for a wedding or prom layout.

 

 

Since this layout is for October and one of the colors is pink, I felt it only fitting to create a layout in honor of Breast cancer awareness and my strong Mother in Law whom is a two time survivor.

 

 

 

I'm not a big fan of gold, but I did happen across some gold Thickers that I was able to use for the Survivor title. 

 

 

Here is a close up of the ribbon details. 

 

You have a whole month for this challenge so I hope you come play along.  This is open to US residents and there are some great prizes up for grabs. 

 

Thanks for looking!

Black With Two September Challenge

Wow, I can't believe it is September already!  This year is just flying by.  With a new month brings a new challenge on the Black With Two blog.  I had a lot of fun with this months color pallet and hope you do too.

 

Here's September's Pallet - Brights Special

 

 

It's a lovely pallet with so many color combinations.

 

Here's my take on the challenge

 

 

I used my Cricut to cut the circle and built off of that. American Crafts Thickers were used for the title. 

 

 

Here's a close up of the flowers.

 

And a bonus this month, I also created a card for the challenge.

 

 

For the card I trimmed strips of paper and punched with the swiss cheese punch available from EK Success. 

 

Would love to have you come play along at Black With Two, there are two prizes up for grabs each month.  One for layouts and one for cards.  Plus it's fun!  Can't wait to see what you create.

 

 

Thanks for looking!

Black With Two - August Challenge

I'm thrilled to be designing for this fun challenge site Black With Two!  If you are not familiar with the site, it offers a monthly challenge which features a dominant black background and a color pallet to create a layout or card from.  I've been having fun designing for them and hope you join in the fun.

 

 

August Challenge

 

 

 

Pallet: Dominant Black with Sunset Orange and Tropical Waters, plus 5% white

 

Here's my layout for August, I used some of my stash with papers from My Mind's Eye and Echo Park.  The stickers are also from Echo Park.  The flourishes are cut from a larger flourish and used in multiple spots. 

 

Hope you join in and create a layout or card for the challenge.  Check out the Black With Two blog for more details.

 

 

 

Thanks for looking!