March projects

 2016 PL

2016 PL

2016 PL

January layouts

Poor neglected blog!

This year, I decided to do things a little different. For 2014, I went through and picked the photos I wanted to scrapbook, and then I set up the album/page protectors. Then I went through and planned out the pages for the first seven or so months with photos printed and paper and sketches selected.

I am also leading a year long challenge on a message board. Every Monday I post a "recipe" of 4 or so "ingredients" (theme, product, color, tool, technique, etc) and a specialty bakeware item (tools or product that not every one might have). I also signed up for a 40 week challenge (post one layout a week).


1. Random recipe, week 1

Recipe: summer theme, journaling in strips, brads, washi tape. Extra: border punch (which I forgot, lol).

 

2. Random recipe, week 2

Recipe: flowers, multiple fonts, mat at least one photo, gold. Extra: shape die. (tab underneath journal card)


3. Random recipe, week 3

Recipe: stripes, grid design, enamel dots, ink other than black. Extra: Project Life or cut apart card, any size.

4.  40 week challenge, week 1

 

 

5. Ditch the Kids Crop

SG sketch

 

 This one also has an insert for more photos (still needs one more photo printed).

 

 

I'm so mad that I forgot to save the cut file! It took me forever to create.

SG sketch/kit that I scraplifted. I loved the kit (made 3 layouts), but it was A)sold out, and B) I already owned the paper, so I created the 3 layouts from the photos on the web, and used on for this layout.

I think it needs something above the 4x6 photos. SG page kit that I scraplifted.

Still needs the journaling :)

 

 

6. Random recipe, week 4

Recipe: 6x6 paper pad, ribbon/twine/lace, one word title, at least one camera. Extra: any watercolor medium (Gelatos, watercolor pencils/paints/crayons).


7. 40 week challenge, week 2

SG sketch

 

8. Random recipe challenge, week 5

Recipe: at least one banner shape, 3 different pattern papers, stars or hearts, yellow. Extra: die cut title. I was going to die cut the "me" portion of the title but forgot. SG sketch/kit that I scraplifted (same "kit" as the bluebonnet pics).


2015 layouts: 21

Workspace Wednesday 10/29, die cuts

I was storing die cut packs in divided page protectors in an album:

It actually worked pretty well. I have small enough hands that I can reach in to the 4x6 pockets, but occasionally some really small die cuts would stay down at the bottom of the pocket and I would really have to dig for them. The biggest problem, though, was turning the page. You had to turn very slowly and verrrry carefully, otherwise die cuts in the top pockets would be prone to flying out the top, even if the album was at a 45 degree angle. So any time savings from being able to access the die cuts all a once was lost picking up die cuts, lol. Plus, since I also use the album for storing templates and masks, I was limited by room.

I was thinking about how much more I'm using my stamps now that they are in the Avery Elle pockets and in a basket (easy to sort through and take out/put away), and that got me to thinking about how I had bought a package of these to use with die sets (before settling on Avery Elle pockets for those, too):

Die cut packs fit perfectly!

Easy in, easy out and quick access when lined up in a basket.

Studio Calico kit--Marks and Co (August 2013)

This was my last month as a subscriber; I bought the main kit, the add-on paper kit and the 4x6 paper pad, then added in the embellishments I wanted by buying them at regular stores with discounts. Plus, as I was working each layout, I added in whatever I wanted, just because :)

The main kit:

add-on paper

I started using this kit in January 2014, and made my first layout for the 50 project challenge:

and made a base layout to eventually put pics of my scraproom on (when it's clean, lol)

 

then I set it aside and pretty much ignored it's existence. I finally pulled it out on Sunday and decided to see what I could do with it.

 

I really kind of struggled with this one and it took me awhile to figure out that it was because I had only cut 2 6x6 blocks, when I normally layer 3. I added in some die cuts to balance the black frame.

 a close up of the stitching (using a template)

 

 I like this one, and used mostly 4x6 cards, with a few 3x4 cards from my stash added in.

This one is really not my style, but I was trying to challenge myself to use the A side. Of course, after I was done and looked up the papers, I realized that it was the easier to use B side that was meant for use in the kit. Oops.

I pulled in an extra sheet of the Fancy Pants paper so I could do a coordinated background, and several DL Polka Dot Party PL cards.

This was I think the only time I used stickers from the kit (add-on). I don't usually find the main kit alphas too usable.

My favorite one :) I always knew I was going to use the sun paper for these pictures.

A scraplift of a layout in their gallery (except theirs was a about dimples).

Layering more of the 4x6 cards and scraps.

 

Overall, I used more of the B sides than A sides. I'm pleased with 10 layouts and 6 cards. I didn't really think that a lot of the embellishments from the add-ons matched very well so didn't really use them, but I do have pieces of the paper line they go to, so they'll get used eventually. This is what I have left:

 

2014 in 2014:  1971/2041

50 projects total: 11/50

 

Peep Skip Day, 2014

On the message board I'm on, someone made a mention of senior skip days, and it turned into a discussion about wouldn't it be fun to have a skip day for crafting? Before anyone knew it there was a poll for dates and it turned from a day to a 4 day thing complete with prizes, Bingo and lots of fun. I love the message board I'm on :)  There were 16 challenges and I managed to complete them all, and it has totally rejuvenated me for scrapping; I feel creative for the first time in a long time.

Challenge #1
Christmas card tutorial

Challenge #2
Mad Dash, complete a layout in under 45 minutes

Challenge #3
Embossing and Embellishments, either use an embossing folder or make your own embellishments and use them on a layout. I made stacked label embellishments.

 

Challenge #4

sticker sneeze, create a layout where stickers are the main focus or organize your stickers.

I organized my stickers (upcoming Workspace Wednesday post).

 

Challenge #5

Make your own kit club kit

I started out with these two cut apart sheets from Echo Park Happy Go Lucky, the only two pieces I have from that line:

I love bright colors, so I was looking forward to seeing what I could pull from my stash. I started with pattern paper:

then added in several alphabet options:

followed by embellishments:

Can't wait to play with it!

Challenge #6
Fall layout challenge

Challenge #7
Let's go to the Border--use a sheet of border sections cut apart to create your layout

 

Challenge #8

27 fling boogie...pull a Fly Lady cleaning spree and clean up 27 things in your space or clean for 27 minutes. I completed this several times, lol.

 

Challenge #9

Die Cut Dodgeball, make die cuts your focus

Challenge #10
the challenge of challenge. A list of 52 challenges from a book, and this was the only challenge where layouts from the other PSD challenges could be used. I submitted 3.

Challenge #11
Peep recipe. Create a layout with a brown background, uses at least 3 circular elements, gold and some twine/string/ribbon.

Challenge #12
stencil challenge, use a stencil or mask.

Challenge #13
the 12 days of Christmas, create a Christmas themed layout with at least 12 items on it.

Challenge #14
random recipe challenge, when you signed up you were given a list of 4 things chosen by random.org.  I got fall theme, camera/geotag/arrow, frame your photos, and multiple fonts.

Challenge #15
peep skip day sketch. I actually used this for #3, as well.

Challenge #16
lots of dots! Use at least 15 enamel dots on a page.
I originally started this page for die cut dodgeball (#9) but realized I had enough dots on it to qualify for this one, so used it for this and made another one for DCDB since I still had my machine and dies out.

2014 in 2014: between working on 13 or so weeks of PL and this, I got my total up to the 1700+ range but forget to write down the exact number before updating it. Oops.