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

Project Life Layout

I've been hearing a lot about Becky Higgen's Project Life lately.  The little I new about it, I really didn't think it was for me.  I love the creative process of making a layout and picking out premade coordinating cards and sliding them into pockets takes most of the creativeness out of it.  But then I attended a demo at Craft Warehouse during one of their scrap club meetings and let me tell you, my outlook changed.  Jeanean Brown did an excellent demonstration of how basic Project Life can be and how you can incorporate the creative aspects of scrapbooking to make quick and easy layouts. 

 

Each month for club we are given a challenge to create a page using at least a piece of everything provided.  This month's challenge was to create a Project Life layout.  Everyone received one page protector, a Project Life pen and five cards (we got to choose our own).  Here's my very first Project Life layout.

 

 

 

I selected cards from two different kits and I added a variety of things to the different cards.  The top left, I added ribbon, brads and pins.  The pink flowers on the left middle section is a rub-on.  I added acrylic flowers to the "Love This" card and the butterflies are actually attached to the outside of the page protector.  I really enjoyed creating this spread and I love how quickly it all came together.  It helped that I had pictures that worked with the paper. 

 

Thanks for looking!

Music To My Ears Layout

It's the end of January and with that means that the scrapbook club at Craft Warehouse starts meeting again.  I look forward to this every month, you get to see new product, learn a new technique, see some friendly faces and get a new page challenge.  At the last meeting we weren't given a specific challenge, so we weren't required to use anything specific on our layout.  This worked out well this month as I recently joined a facebook group called the Bossy Scrapper.  This group is given a specific list of items that need to be included on your layout in some way.  I'm glad I found this group when I did as it provdided me with the inspiration to create this layout.

The requirements from Bossy Scrapper were -

1. metal element

2.distressing

3. chevron

4. matted photo

5. the color yellow

6. popped embellishment

7. four patterened papers

8. stitching

I managed to include it all.  For the first time I actually used a sewing machine on my layout.  I love how it turned out.  The paper is from Bo Bunny's Love letters line.  All the paper is distressed with an edge distresser, though it's hard to see, then inked all the sides.  You're Music to My Ears and the fussy cut heart are "popped" up with pop up adhesive.

Thanks for looking ~ Michelle

Happy Summer Days Layout

 

Hi everyone, today I wanted to share with you one of my recent layouts.  I made this one to submit for the SEI design team call.  Unfortunately I didn't make the cut this time, but I can share it with you.

 

 

I love the bright colors of this Echo Park paper collection, Summer Days.  I chose this picture of my daughter's and in-laws at the Aquarium because the colors worked with the paper.  I made the pinwheels from squares of paper to add a fun touch and custom embellishments. 

 

Supplies used:

Cardstock: American Crafts

Patterned Paper: Echo Park - Summer Days

Stickers: Echo Park - Summer Days

Brads: We R Memory Keepers

Rhinestones - Queen & Co. and Recollections

Adhesive

Paper Trimmer

Scissors

Ruler

 

 

Thanks for looking ~ Michelle ~

Jump Layout

I thought I'd share a layout I made for my youngest daughter's baby album.  She's two now and I'm still way behind but I've definately made some progress on it.

 

I cut strips of purple, pink and blue polka dot paper and wove the together to create the background.  It's a pretty simple layout but I think the background adds some punch.

 

Thanks for looking ~ Michelle~