First challenge posted for SWAT

Hi everyone! I just cannot beleive that today is the very last day of 2011. What a ride this year has been! A new year carries with it the promise of a fresh new start, and I hope and pray that 2012 is a much better year for us. I cannot help but continue to be positive and keep the Faith that everything will work out exactly how it should. Everything always does, even if it is not how I had envisioned it should have. That's all I am going to say about that.

onto fun scrappy things. :)

The first sketch and challenge is posted up at Sketches With A Twist. The the twist to go along with the great sketch it is to use two different fonts for the title. Be sure to check out the blog to see the super layouts and card that the team created, as well as to join the message board and submit your take on the sketch/challenge. 

Here is the sketch:

and here is my take:

I wish each and every one of you plentiful blessings, good health and much happiness and success in the upcoming year!

"Dear Mr. Claus"

I cannot tell a lie- when I received the Cosmo Cricket "Dear Mr. Claus" papers to work with for the December My Scraps & More product reveal, I was a bit worried- ok A LOT worried- about how I would ever be able to create anything romotely beautiful and inspirational and satisfying with these papers. My initial thought was how ugly I thought they were (the girls even agreed that I had a huge challenge on my hands), then I thought about how my Grandma Nami would have loved them if she were still here among us. I grabbed onto that thought and used that as my inspiration for each of the projects I created. It's almost like my dear Grandmother was sitting with me, guiding my hands through the creative process.

And since I cannot tell a lie- I actually *gasp* like how everything turned out. I tried to think "old fashioned decor" with them, and it seemed to work. Do I love them? no. Will they be displayed in my home? no. They are going to be placed lovingly in a box along with some other things that I have created and don't neccessarily like, but would like to pass them along to someone who will enjoy them.

One more truth before I move on to the projects- I DO love how I was able to stretch my creativity and work hard with something that did not appeal to me with an end result that I can be proud of. I get it now. This is what growth is about. This is what being creative is about. Not everything we do or create has to be created with everything we love. Using something we are challenged with opens up a new thought process. , and in my humble opinion, makes me a better designer.

Onto my projects:

for this first project, I used an embroidery hoop that I spray painted black. I cut the base and adhered it to the hoop. I cut each letter out and used foam adhesive to gift them a lift. A simple bow and flower add just the perfect finishing touch.

these mini baskets were easy to create.

these cards came together quickly. I created them last using scraps from my other projects. Sometimes I struggle with cards, but not these.

And of course a banner:

Supplies for everything:

CC Dear Mr. Claus papers

The Twinery twine, and twine I found in the dollar spot at Target

Recollections Kraft CS

Basic Grey brads

Prima flowers

October Afternoon rubons

Thanks for stopping by. I think this will be my final blog post before Christmas, so I would like to take this time to wish each and every one of you a beautiful and blessed and most of all very Merry Christmas!

Sketches With A Twist

Check it out! http://sketcheswithatwist.blogspot.com/2011/12/welcome-new-design-team.html#comment-form

I am super excited to be a part of this new venture and to work with the other talented ladies selected!

Kara's Sledding Face layout

These photos make me smile. :) I just love the look upon her face, and I remember how much fun we had that day! She may not be smiling when I post this layout on my facebook page, but hey, as her mother I have to get every single simple pleasure that I can. heehee *wink*

Another thing that makes me smile is how easily this layout came together. I used this sketch from Let's Capture These Sketches.

Here is my layout:

supplies:

cs:Recollections and Bazzill

pp: MME and Jillibean Soup

embellies: snowflakes:MME, twine: The Twinery, brads: Pink Paislee

chipboard: Bo Bunny

stickers: American Crafts and My Little Shoebox

black ribbon

I am also entering this layout in the SPS Design Team Call submission. Many of the items I have used on this layout can be found at the Pumpkin Spice Shop.

Christmas is coming... are you ready? I hope you are enjoying this most wonderful time of the year!



Back Porch Memories GDT projects

Hello! Here are my projects that I created as a guest design team member for Back Porch Memories.
My assignment was to work with the wonderful Solo Kit:

Here are my projects:

I had a blast working with this fabulous kit! You can purchase this kit, or the other December 2011 kit (or previous kits) by visiting this link. You won't be disappointed!

I hope you are enjoying the beauty of the Christmas Season. :)

12th Day of Christmas challenge and more...

First off, today Kenny and I have been married for 13 years! We got married in our living room- just for us and although we had a formal ceremony in February, I am thankful that we did this.

Today was the final day for the My Scraps & More 12 Days of Christmas Contest. I had the final challenge and I decided to create a challenge around a banner. My challenge was to create a layout with a banner consisting of 12 flags/pieces. Here is my layout:

Before I leave you today I have some news to share; I have decided to step down as a design team member for My Scraps & More. I have truly enjoyed being on the team and I hope that I was able to inspire you to create with my challenges. It's been a fantastic team to be on, and I will surely miss it, but it's time to move on and allow someone else to have the honor. :)

Have a beautiful day!

On the 9th day of Christmas....

Today is another challenge day for me at My Scraps & More, and since we are doing the 12 days of Christmas, and today is the 9th day, I have posted a challenge to use either a grid design (containing 9 squares) or to use 9 squares on a layout.

Here is my layout for this challenge:

I know this is a several days late- but here is my challenge for day 4. My challenge was to use 4 colors on your layout:

December is such a busy time. I hope you are finding time to enjoy the Christmas season. :)

I'm a Guest Designer this month...

Hi! Happy December! I get to start off the month with something fun- I was selected to be the December guest designer for Back Porch Memories this month. Lucky me! :)

Here is my "winning" layout based off a sketch that can be found in the BPM forum:

As a guest designer I get to play with a fantastic kit as well as host a month-long challenge. I just receieved my kit today, so I have nothing to share for it yet, but I do have my monthly challenge. I adore making banners, so my challenge is to create a banner or create a layout with a banner somewhere on it. If you want to play along or check out the other challenges, head on over to the forum!

Here is my banner: I used some of the super cute new Pink Paislee and Jillibean Soup collections.

now I just need to find a place to hang this one. I love the way the light reflects off of the fake snow.

All for now. I'll be back soon. :)