Guest Designer at Life Paper Scrapbook

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I was lucky enough to be given the chance to be a guest designer at Life Paper Scrapbook for the new sketch challenge.  The sketch was really fun and different.  I pulled out my June kits from Studio Calico and got to work.

I decided to cut the arrow shapes from the bold chevron paper from Crate Paper and use a black background to make them pop.  They looked great but were huge.  To compensate for the size of the arrows, I decided to use only one photo with some layering in the bottom corner of the layout  I kept the title at the top of the layout. And when I was finished, my layout didn't look much like the sketch.  But it was a fun Christmas layout - and without any Christmas themed product.  What do you think?

I knew I wanted the title block to be really fun and balance the photo block at the bottom of the page.  So after I attached the letters, I grabbed a handful of the "candi" from the card add-on kit and dropped it on the page.  Then I stuck it down where it fell.  I love the random confetti feel.

I had a great time playing with the sketch and really appreciate the opportunity.  Enjoy your Friday.

I'm Published!

I'm so excited!  For the first time ever, one of my layouts is published.  You can find it in the online magazine Life Paper Scrapbook on page 71.  Here's my layout.

I pulled this together using the June kits from Studio Calico.  Those kits included great twine and this was the first time I played with letting it just wander across the page.  I used little pieces of wood veneer, little stars, and brads (where I cut off the prongs) hold it in place.  It creates a really great look.

 

I loved these Heidi Swapp alphas and am still using them.  They create sch a unique look.  And the Elles Studio background paper was perfect!

Then it was just about adding little bits and pieces. This leaf was in my stash and was from freckled fawn.

A Bright Color Challenge Means Soccer

I've been following the blog at Life Paper Scrapbook lately.  In addition to lots of good information, they have two challenges a month - a color challenge and a sketch challenge.  Yesterday I shared my take on the June sketch challenge.  And when linked that layout to the Life Paper Scrapbook blog, I saw that the June color challenge was posted. 

The June color challenge is full of bright summery colors - which makes me think of - what else - a soccer layout.  I know - you're looking at the picture of flowers and saying - "really, soccer?" 

I had printed a copy of a layout by Lilith Eckels that I especially liked (I love all her her work, but this one especially caught my eye for some reason) that served as my starting point for my layout.  I loved all the bits and pieces she used.  So I pulled out an assortment of patterned paper - some new, some from my scraps and lots of stickers, die cuts, and other bits and got to work.  When I finished, I didn't like at as much as I like the layout Lilith did, but it was pretty cute.

See you can find all the colors from the color challenge in my layout - even pink.  And I loved the large journaling card from Carta Bella's new line, Well Played.

I loved the way embellishment clusters framed the photo block on Lilith's layout.  I ended up with 3 clusters on my page.

 The cluster at the top of the page used Basic Grey, Studio Calico, My Minds Eye, and Theresa Collins.  It was lots of fun to mix all those different elements.

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 I dug out my old Creative Memories circle punch to held ground the embellishment cluster on the side of the page.

I added a number sticker from Jenni Bowlin at the bottom of the page to finish off the embellishment cluster - it was Nicholas's jersey number.  (And after I took the picture I turned that phrase sticker around so that it was right side up - LOL).

Now you see what I mean, right?  This color challenge was perfect for a soccer layout.

Have a super Saturday - hope you have time to scrap.  

Cake with Life Paper Scrapbook

I loved this month's sketch at Life Paper Scrapbook when I first saw it.  But I tried to put a layout together several times and just couldn't get the pieces to work.  I finally figured out that it was the proportions that were getting me every time.  And I liked the sketch enough to keep trying.  And then tonight I got home from work and knew just what I wanted to do. 

I wanted to play with a monochromatic look and use a picture of a lemon strawberry cake I made for my son.  I wanted to stick mostly with shades of yellow and white ( and maybe a little pink.) 

Tonight the layout came together in about an hour - it doesn't follow the sketch exactly, but it clearly was inspired by the sketch. and it was the perfect chance to use that amazing pink and yellow washi from Outer Banks.  What do you think?

I used just one photo on my layout with lots of laying to emphasize it.  And this slide frame from The Pier with the pink wash was the perfect finishing touch.

 That Dear Lizzy chipboard tag covers up some primary colored candles that just didn't go with my layout. 

Because the layout used such a uniform color palette, I had to use other design elements to add interest.  One of those was repeating elements.  I used slide frames, sequins and stars to tie the layout together.  You can see one star peeking out behind the photo block and more scattered at the top and bottom of the layout.

 Texture was also an important element.  I love the stars from the Planetarium kit and the sequins and ink splatters also had visual interest.  And the Thickers I used to add a title are some of my favorites because they have so much texture.

Try the sketch - it was fun and challenging.  And have a fantastic Friday.

Roundabout - And a Little Bragging (I just can't help it.)

Roundabout 

I had some time to play today (and will have some more tomorrow) so I dug into the June Studio Calico kit - Roundabout for a simple layout based on the MSM sketch blog challenge from last Friday.  I loved the paper layers at the bottom of the sketch.  And they provided the perfect chance to mix circles and triangles for some fun layers.

Here is my layout - really easy to put together and I adore the cloud paper in the kit - its a Studio Calico exclusive this month.  The black transparencies are kit exclusives too.  And I've been wanting to play with the Crate Paper DIY transparencies.

A Little Bragging

On Sunday Life Paper Scrapbook announced the top three layouts for their May sketch challenge.  It was my son's graduation day so I didn't get a chance to check it out til today.  But was I ever excited to see one of my layouts in the top three.  I shared the two page version of this layout in this post about documenting a soccer season.  But I'm not sure I ever shared the one page version based on the sketch.

This is the first time my work was selected for this kind of monthly challenge so I am thrilled. 

Thanks for sharing my happy news.  I am working on another layout from Roundabout so I am off to finish it up.  Hopefully I can share it tomorrow.  

Hope you have a fantastic Friday!