My Strong Handsome Little Man

This week at FROSTED DESIGNS we have a color challenge (LOVE THESE).... use BROWN, TEAL & LIME GREEN.
This MME paper has most of those colors already so I started there and continued the theme. 

So Charming

One of the online stores I shop, Memorable Seasons also has a message board, gallery & blog.  They had a challenge to use this sketch:

Used Crate Brook collection and came up with this:

Spring School Photo

I just realized that I didn't really put a title on this layout. hmm.....
Ok...you really need to check out this most recent photo (March 31st) of Joseph.... (GRANDMA look here)
Oh well, .. I gently used sketch #61 from the Scrappiest:

Basketball 2010 & UR a Winner (2 layouts using Scrappiest Sketch #59)

I used The Scrappiest sketch #59 and made the following 2 layouts:

Slugger

I used Scrappiest sketch #60 for this layout too (I did another one w/same sketch...called ENJOY THE RIDE)...see sidebar or scroll down if you want to see it.

Be Me

This month at Scrap Our Stash our challenge is to "lift" a layout previously posted on our blog or to use a sketch.  Well, I use sketches a lot, so I went for the lift. 

This layout by Tere is so darling.  I love the mask/misting on the large heart, so I lifted that idea and masked/misted on a large circle.  I also like the idea of the layout being about "me" and so I followed that lead as well.

Enjoy The Ride

Used Scrappiest Sketch #60 (flipped) & my March Scraproom kit (LYB  - Gen Z line)
The white at the top/bottom is packaging from the canvas tags.

2 Masking Layouts - Frosted Designs DT

This week at Frosted Designs our challenge is "masking".
so I initially got our my mist & a template, spritzed away and added a bunch of rub-ons (all from one SEI package) and 2 Bazzill edges and I was done.  Then I started thinking that this wasn't really masking (although I really think the layout it cute) ..... so I did a second layout..  I used lace cardstock (turned it over onto the back) and misted it onto the blue.  Then I used a small strip of the lace cardstock (front side) under my photo.  TFL!!
Both layouts below:  (oh, guess who the photographer is on the pic of me & john...yep, my 6 yr old who is getting quite good at being able to hold up my heavy camera.)

A Friendly Challenge - 100% Boy

ok, so my buddy Erika and I always challenge each other with silly scrapbook ideas.  So Friday we were at CK Convention and buying up stuff at the Queen & Co booth....Buy 10 get 2 free....  So we each have 12 felt borders and (counting) "10,11" pearls/rhinestones (hmmm, need one more) ....so Erika grabs a pukey yellow color and shoves it in my hand and calls "next challenge"  .... felt border and those yellow pearls (later realized they were called SLIME GREEN).  So on Saturday morning when she came to pick me up, we had BOTH done the challenge on Friday night (too funny)...so here's mine.... I used the yellow pearls on the bee and other pearls/rhinestones on the other bugs.  Added some black stickles just to make it stand out...although you can't see it too well in the photo...double click to enlarge if you want to see it closer.    Also, if you want to see Erika's layout (which is totally awesome...and funny and I highly recommend it) go HERE ...

Some Misc Layouts

Here's a few "misc" layouts that I've done that aren't for any DT's or challenges...just for me!

1) Yogi - pic of Joseph at the Yoga Studio before a Jai Uttal concert (Kirtan).  He likes going to Kirtan's with us and for a 6 year old, everyone is always amazed that he can just sit still and be entertained for 2 hours.  But he loves music, so that's why it's so easy for him.  Here he's showing off his new bracelet Daddy got for him.

2) Cherry Pie - pics my bff Erika took of Joseph when she took him out for Cherry Pie at Village Inn last summer when she was so graciously watching him for us over summer break!

3) Tug o War - just wanted to scrap these fun pics of Joseph that I took while he was holding one end of the "doggie rope" and I was holding the other end in one hand and my camera in the other...the journaling mentions..."like I wasn't going to let go?"

4)  Tree =1   Joseph = 0

--- ok, this one WAS for a challenge...it was a sketch on Scraproom (kit club) ... It was posted in their gallery so it didn't make it to my blog and I just realized it.   Pic of Joseph climbing the tree and the battle scar the tree gave him.

Safe at Third

This week at Practical Scrappers the challenge is to use ribbon, floss or fiber.  I used ribbon with the word baseball and little baseballs down the left side of the photos.  I added some brown twill under the title and for a little interest, I twisted it.  Very simple layout, but I love this series of photos of Joseph at his very first baseball game this season and first time playing with the "big boys".   (6-9 year olds...he's 6)

Sweet Little Chef

This week's sketch at Practical Scrappers is really cute:

I created this layout of Joseph making Valentine Brownies (fat-free/w/Yogurt...YUMMY).... using My Minds Eye LUSH lines.

Boys & Trees

This week at Frosted Designs our challenge is to use a  Tree on our layouts (or cards).  So I used a little Cosmo Cricket & ended up with this fun layout of Joseph & his friend Kyle playing with sticks....
And I used sketch #57 from The Scrappiest!

PS Blog Hop & Sketchy Thursday layout

Ok..so there's a blog hop going on at Practical Scrappers and 5 OTHER sites too!  LOTS OF PRIZES...so get over there and check it out.  Since I'm on the PS Design Team, I can't really win anything there....but I certainly can do some fun stuff at the other sites.  So at Sketchy Thursdays (LOVE their weekly sketches) here is the sketch for the blog hop and my layout.  I used Sasafrass Apple Jack line and some misting and some funky trim I found when I was looking for ribbon. 

Just a few extra layouts

A few layouts that I did that were either for me or for a gallery that didn't require it to be posted on my blog.

This one was for Memorable Seasons challenge to be "minimal" -- no embellishments, not much pp, .... hmm.

This one was for fun...used new Sasafrass Apple Jack line.

BLOG HOP & This week's project at Practical Scrappers

This week at Practical Scrappers the challenge is to use Glitter/Bling.  Well, a few months ago, Barb (someone I only know from being on-line DT's together) posted a comment on one of my layouts & it gave me an idea...so I asked her to send me some pics of her son.  She sent me some pics of Matt and this is the layout I created. 
I showcased using Glitter/Bling on a boy page,  using a Prima rhinestone frame around the rub-on title and stickles on the snowflake & around some of the borders. Also some bling rhinestones to highlight the felt border under the main photo.

Also there is a BLOG HOP going on this week..and you could win prizes.....  Start at Practical Scrappers and check out the details.

Puppy Dog Dreams

This week's challenge at Frosted Designs is to use the word DREAM in your project.  I was excited to see what the DT would come up with and they did NOT disappoint....you should head over there and check it out.  Here's my layout..  Joseph had that puppy assigned to him for a week (all the Kinder kids do) and then they have to take him around with them and then they write about it in a journal.  Good experiment.  Anyway, this was "Jet" the dog, sleeping ON Joseph....too cute.  (and yes, I staged the picture and put the dog ON him).  I used Studio Calico papers that I won from the Scrap Review.  I tried a little stitching (different patterns....not sure I'm crazy happy with that)...and I popped up those little clouds.   TFL.

2 MME layouts

Well, since these 2 layouts are both My Minds Eye products, I'm going to post them both in the same post.
I really love how this "Boys of a Feather" layout turned out.  It's got some dimension that you can't really see in this photo, so it looks better in person.  

The "Charmer or What" layout was started from an "edge" challenge, but it ended up being borders so that's ok.  They are popped and I really like the look.  Mostly MME products, some other stuff..but used both old and new MME stuff.  This layout was done the same night (Friday) as the quote from Joseph where he used "or what?"...click to enlarge and read the journaling!!

Lights Up

Our challenge at Scrap Our Stash for April is to either 1) lift a layout previously posted on the SOS blog or 2) Follow a sketch. 

So, since I do sketches all the time, I took the challenge to "lift" a layout.  I loved Kathy's design on her "Love You" page, so I used that and created a layout of Joseph on the ladder putting up Christmas lights.

Buffalo Joe

This week at Practical Scrappers our challenge is markers.

So, I colored chipboard circles with red and brown Copics then cut them in half to create the large scallop border. I used a brown American Craft Marker to add the doodled border on the left as well as the scallop border on the bottom (see closeup...). A white American Craft marker was used for the journaling.  All of the small cut out pieces are popped up...some pretty high.  Joseph likes this layout because of all that dimension.  (Boys!!)

Cowboy Denim layout - Clothing Optional (tip)

My DT at Scrap Our Stash does a really cool thing on Fridays.  We post a "Frugal Friday" tip...ways to help save money when scrapping.  So this week, I submitted my tip.  Here is what I wrote up and my layouts.

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Now, using fabric on a layout is really nothing new. But here's how I got really frugal about it!

Every couple months, one of the local churches has a rummage sale and it's "all you can fit in a grocery bag" for $7.00.  So not only do I do a little second hand shopping, but I'm always on the lookout for things I can use on layouts or altered items.
So a few months ago, I found a ladies white T-shirt (size Small...needless to say, I'm NOT a size small) and what caught my eye was the tag on the arm that said "Parkers Jeans". Well, since my last name is Parker, this went directly into my bag. When I got home, I realized the neck tag and also the tag along the inner seam (at the waist) was also useable -- yea, 3 tags!!. So, cut them off and into my "bin".
So, the sale was again last weekend, I picked up a really pretty shirt for my husband....who is 6'5'', so getting shirts that are long enough is challenging. After he tried it on, and it was too short....he accused me of only buying it becuse of the cool buttons. (Brown with Palm Trees). GUILTY as charged. I was hoping it fit him, but plan B wasn't so bad, right? Anyway, I had the shirt in my scrap area and cut off the buttons (yep, into the bin) and the shirt was in my trash can.
I had started a layout of my son and realized a piece of that shirt would be perfect, denim color/look but more lightweight, so I pulled it out and started cutting it up. Well, I realized I liked it so much, that I wanted the entire background to be the shirt fabric. So, I cut out the center back of the shirt a little larger than 12x12, laid it out flat, without stretching it, and glued it to a piece of chipboard. Then I also attached the corners with brads to keep it secure. I even used another strip of the shirt and pleated it and sewed it along the right edge (sewing also further adhered the fabric). Notice I also used that "Parkers Jeans" tags right on the pictures??
So, I figured out how much stuff I get in one $7.00 bag and each item ends up being less than 50 cents (most times, it's more like 33 cents). So this layout cost me around one dollar. Now, if you don't have a church rummage sale, you could also get good bargains at yard sales and thrift stores...or even in your own closet or check your kids clothes before you give them away!!

ALSO this is my second layout posted today...SCROLL DOWN OR CLICK ON "PUCKER UP BABY" ON THE SIDEBAR to see my other layout today... (Color challenge & really old photo of Joseph)

Pucker Up Baby

This week at Frosted Designs our challenge is a COLOR challenge!!!  Hot pink, Lime Green and Black.... wow...Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.  Here is what I did.  I have these great die cuts from KUSTOM DIE KUTS and I used their really cool circle "lips" die cut on this layout.  So I started with that and built from there.  I painted chipboard alphas and a heart, stitched on some pleated fabric and found a really old photo of Joseph doing a "pucker" ... It was fun to pull out an old photo (he was only 2....time flies!!)  Go check out the sites mentioned above and see the cool stuff at both places!!