My 1st Sketch!

I've been participating in a crop at Simply Obsessed this month and one of the challenges was to create a sketch and then do a layout based on your sketch. I can't believe how easy it was! Created my sketch in Word using the shapes provided in the program:


And my layout! Here is Butch and Makayla on her third birthday last year. Since she's almost four now, I'd better get a move on, don't ya think!


Used the Cosmo Cricket Hello Sunshine collection. I wish I could take credit for that cool looking circle scroll combo, but it came in a kit that I've had sitting here for almost a year. OOPSIE!!

And once I get this Photomerge thing figured out on PSE7, I'll be scanning my layouts. Thought I had it down, but OH, NO!! Any pointers for this not so savy user?

I took the plunge!

I have been eyeing another kit club for some time now and today, I did it!! Simply Obsessed has had adorable kits and I just couldn't resist any longer! The June kit is packed full of Jenni Bowlin and paired perfectly with Graphic 45.


For a six month subscription it's only $26 per month - that includes the shipping! - so a girl can't go wrong!

Homemade Card Kit

I never realized just how easy it is to assemble your very own card kit! It was a challenge over at Life Preservers kit club and I knew I had to give it a shot.

Just take a few scraps of coordinating cardstock and pattern papers, add some ribbon &/or buttons, and viola, the perfect mini kit! Just add adhesive, a few alpha stickers, and some ink when you're ready to play!


And the end result:


I think I may have started a whole new thing for myself! Thanks Von!!

Another sketch!

I am just lovin' these sketches! This particular one I did of Butch's Grandma June with his Mom, Aunt Mickie, and Uncle Billy. I believe it was taken at her 75th birthday celebration. I will be framing this one, so I placed it on a 12 x 12 cardstock base with coordinating color.

Layouts!

Remember that free sketch class I was telling ya about? Well, Susan has come up with some nice and easy sketches to get us in the scrapping' groove. Here are the first two with my layouts:

National Scrapbook Day.....

..... was yesterday and boy did we have FUN! Butch decided that we needed to treat ourselves so we headed into town to do a bit of "want" shopping. While he visited the liquidation sale at Joe's, Makayla and I went to Craft Warehouse to pick up a few sheets of cardstock.

Well, well, well! Look what we found!! A Make & Take mini book! We both made one and Makayla did all her own inking, tearing, placing embellies, and the only help from me was cutting that little tree on the cover and helping to line up the paper to the chipboard squares.




She was so proud of herself!! And we had a blast. You're never too young to start. =)

ATC Holder

During a cyber crop last weekend, one of the gals used this for a Make & Take. We had just finished up an ATC swap and she thought these would make cute holders, and trust me, they do!

You will need:
flexible cardboard - cereal boxes work great!
assorted papers & embellishments
10 - 15 sheets of plain paper
large button
3 feet of string, twine, or thin ribbon
scoring tool
your choice of adhesive
paper cutter
hole punch or crop-a-dile
1" or 1 1/4" circle punch

1 - Cut a strip of cardboard 12" long and 3 1/4" wide. Starting at one end score @ 2", 3", 7 3/4", & 8 3/4". Fold on the scoring lines.


-If you want to paint the inside of your holder, as I did, now is the time to do so to speed up the project.


2 - To make the pockets each sheet is measured 9" long by 4 1/2" wide. Fold the paer at 3" and then again at 6".


Glue the side shut and repeat for each pocket.


Using a 1" - 1 1/4" punch, punch a half circle in the top of each pocket:


Now that you have all your pockets assembled, you will take two strips of glue down the center of each one and stack one on top the other until you have them all together in one pile. They should accordian out like this:


3 - Now its time to decorate the outside of the holder. Cut the paper the same dimensions as the cardboard. Much easier to cover and embellish if done before attaching pockets.

4 - To attach pockets, glue stack onto the center back of the holder.

5 - To attach button closure, make a hole in the top flap (2" side), make a knot in your string and feed it thru the backside of the flap. Make sure you have at least 3 feet of string to wrap around the holder a few times. Attach a button to wrap string around when closed.

6 - Almost finished! Attach the front pocket to the inside front of the holder. It will fan out when opened:


And here's my finished holder:


These would also make for great mini brag books for Grandmas, handmade coupon holders for anniversaries, birthdays, new parents, the list is endless! Whatever you decide to make, HAVE FUN!!

(this project was adapted from a post by Greta Adams of NoelMignon.com)

Waste nothing!

Last week I made some ATC's and used the lined paper from a stack of journaling tags by Making Memories. They had this floral edge on it that I just couldn't see me using for a layout. So, I decided to use them for cards instead! What do ya think?


I'm all for using it up till all you have left is scraps for the trash!

Free Sketch Class!

Over at The ScrapRoom , they are having a free sketch class that runs the entire month of May! In today's economy, FREE is GREAT!! You'll need to be a member of the message board and sign up in the appropirate thread. There is no charge to be a part of the TSR community, so why not! Come on! Get over there and sign up today!

Happy May Day!!

Just wanted to share a little story of myself as a child, growing up. We had a next door neighbor who was wheelchair bound and lived alone. As long as I remember, I would take her water daily - she had no well or toilet - and bring in her mail. I would sit and visit with her daily and fix her hair. I throughly enjoyed those times of looking at all her pretties, sampling her baked goods, and her company in general.

On May Day, I remember picking a bouquet of flowers, placing them on her front porch, knocking on the door, and hiding so she couldn't see me. Although she made a big deal of it, Mrs. Bieke knew it was me! The look of joy on her face is something I will remember always. Rest in peace, Mrs. Bieke =)