In the Pits

Sketch 54 at The Scrappiest is:

Peace Baby (Practical Scrappers DT - Chipboard)

This week's challenge at Practical Scrappers is to use chipboard.

I used pre-printed chipboard shapes by Fancy Pants (Fishy, Swirly wave & border under the photo).  I used a scallop chipboard page from a chipboard album, mounted the photo & painted it white.  I also used raw chipboard letters & painted them to match.  I also used a chipboard rectangle, covered it with paper and used it for a journal box (lower right).  TFL!!  oh, notice those little dots in the black on my layout...well, it was sprinkling in Phoenix when I took the picture.  Didn't realize until I posted it here.  Extra fun, but they dried up!

2 Layouts - Background Stamping - Frosted Designs DT

 This week over at Frosted Designs our challenge is "Background Stamping".  Have you seen those really cool Donna Downey stamps that were just released at CHA?  Well, I had the "tree" on order and on it's way.  So when I got here, I was so excited to use it for this challenge.  Which is probably why I was really not thrilled with my layouts.  Too high expectations?  I mean, they're ok and all, just not what I had pictured in my head.  So here they are...   and I'll be trying that stamp again soon.

Up in the branches:  Stamped with Stampin Up Vanilla Kraft Ink.  PP is Sassafras Lass.

Jungle Love:  I stamped & cut out another tree on different paper, and used it as a mask (covering this tree) and then stamped a big "word" stamp on the background.  I had it in my head to use an old book on this layout, so I did that too.  PP is Sassafras Lass (again, I guess that's what I had out the day I did these)

Glow (SOS DT)

This month at Scrap our Stash the challenge is to use something OLD & something NEW. 

For the title, I used Heidi Swapp mask letters (medium old) and spritzed with Glimmer mists (new...the red color was just released at CHA Winter and I had won it as a prize). I used some really really old "mesh" and an old Queen & Co felt border . I found it really difficult to scrap this photo because of how dark it was. I struggled with it for a long time...I finally just added the journaling and called it done. As I look at it now, I'm glad I did. It's easy sometimes for me to want to "add more" but sometimes, simple is best.

Perfect Poses (Frosted Designs DT - Sketch)

Sketch time at Frosted Designs !!!  Get over there and see what the rest of the Design Team did....there are some great artists over there!!!    While you're at it....do a layout with the sketch and enter the challenge!!!

Here is the sketch:

And I don't know why, but I had quite a challenge with this sketch.  So here is what I ended up with.  I like that I used "not so great" photos and documented just that!!!

Zoom - (Practical Scrappers - White pen challenge)

This week at Practical Scrappers our challenge is WHITE PEN or MARKER.  Well, I use this a lot...so I wanted to "push" myself even further with this challenge. 
So, I took a class recently at The Craft Retreat -- my local lss & crafting store.  If you live in Phoenix, go see Susan and say hello!!  (59th Ave & Greenway).

I used those concepts and doodled ALL THE WHITE on this layout with my Sakura Gelly Roll.  I masked the title and spritzed it all with Glimmer Mist (including the photo, which I only PARTIALLY masked as well when I sprayed, so it's got some drips on it - intentionally).  Scratched the border into the photo (a fun technique I like to do).  One sticker (speed limit) and a small strip of patterned paper.  Done! 
I like that this is different and fun and kinda grungy and really works for this photo of Joseph zooming down the street on his bike!!  TFL!!!

Ramp Up - Scratch your photos technique

This week at Frosted Designs we, the Design Team, are showcasing our favorite techniques.  (or at least something we do a lot).  I have a couple things I do "often" so I settled on one that seems to "scare" other scrappers when they see me do it or I get lots of comments on it. 
So here it is:
I really like to 'scratch' my photos around the edges. I think it adds just a little texture and can really make a photo pop. Sometimes I just scratch a line for a border and sometimes I scratch more elaborate borders, like the arrows on today's layout. I just use a seam ripper and go for it.   If you're scared to try it, start with a scrap that you've cut from a photo to try it out.  And don't forget, you can always print another picture!!!

Prima Giveaway---WOO HOO!!!

COPIED FROM PRIMA'S BLOG:

That's Right! Prima is giving away two more AMAZING prize packages in conjunction with our BIG SECRET!

We want EVERYONE to have a chance to win so we are changing the rules a bit.
Please copy this write-up and link us on your blog, Facebook, or any other site that you frequent (please follow their TOU).
Then post here with a link to your blog, Facebook or site post for your chance to win BIG with Prima!
One US and one International winner will be chosen on Thursday, March 4th, 2010.
And we are getting closer and closer to revealing our secret-it won't be long now!

More information about how to enter HERE

Love Grass - (SOS DT)

Scrap Our Stash  -- March challenge is is to do a project using something OLD (from your stash) and something NEW. This can be anything you want to do - just stick with the OLD / NEW prompt. Your project does not have to be a card or layout - it can be anything you want to create.   Go to the blog here for all the details!!

So here is my Design Team layout:  (see description below)


I love love love this picture of my son (isn't he cute?). But he's growing up way too fast!!

Anyway, this is all about grass, which we don't have much of here in Phoenix, hence the point when he gets to go into the Arizona Diamondbacks Bullpen, he love to roll around in the soft lush grass. For those not sports savvy, the Diamonbacks are our professional baseball team.

I used my February Scrapbook Circle kit, which had some of the new Cosmo Cricket Material Girl line and some of the recent Basic Grey Origins line. I also used some of the new Elle's Studio flashcards for my title. Now, for the old... those squares to the left of the photo are those Architexture pieces that EK Success put out a few years back. I loved them, and bought sooo many, but I hardly used them (maybe 1 or 2 layouts). So, it was my goal/plan to use those on this layout from the very beginning. I think it looks ok and doesn't look like they are an "old" product. So, don't tell anyone ok?
 
Also, this is my second post today...scroll down or navigate on the sidebar to CANVAS to see a really cool canvas that I inked up!!

Canvas (Practical DT - Ink/Chalk) & LSS in Glendale AZ

This week at Practical Scrappers our challenge is to use ink/chalks on your project.  I had this 11x14 canvas that was taking up too much space in my room, so I decided it was time to use it!!  I inked the background by just rubbing the whole ink pad (different colors) lightly back & forth until I got the color & texture I wanted (notice how much darker the edges are).  Then I cut out a bunch of papers from the Fancy Pants Whimsy line and inked those edges.  I played around with placement until this just seemed to work.  I couldn't think of a good title so I didn't use one....and there's no journaling either.  This is a project that will be documented on the back and just be something that hangs on the wall (or on Grandma's wall).
If you double click, you can see more detail.  Also notice my great "holder"...ha ha.

Oh...and if you live in the PHOENIX, GLENDALE, PEORIA (or other Valley of the Sun city)....please drop by this lss. It's called The Craft Retreat -- you can see this canvas on display there. They carry scrapbook & papercrafting supplies, have a Pottery painting area (so Joseph does that while I scrap)...and some really really cool classes. Check out the website here or visit them at the NW corner of 59th Ave & Greenway.