Birthday Snuggles Layout

Well, I told you I was inspired by that sketch a couple days ago, didn't I?  Yup! I'm still using it. This time, I flipped it upside down and gave it a whirl. Here, let me flip it for you...

Well, that was fun! I think I'm going to have to visit the sketch gallery over at Scrapbook & Cards Today for some more. What do you think? 

I created my title in Silhouette and used the negative image for the base followed by the rest of the title cut from a double layer of vellum. Although the vellum was coral it started to look pink once it was cut out and layered, so I took a melon colored marker and tinted it a bit darker from the backside before adhering it. 

This "*the cutest thing ever" and the "August" on my date tab are both rub-ons from Crate Paper. I am absolutely in love with rub-ons. I wish more companies would make them. They're way more satisfying than stamps for applications like this.

In case you can't tell, this layout uses three Project Life cards. The one with my journaling on it, the striped piece behind my photo edge, and the laser cut wood veneer. They all came from my Studio Calico Project Life kits. Well, all of the papers, embellishments, & even the tag die on this layout were from Studio Calico kits. I think the only things that aren't are the date stamp (Becky Higgins), the die cut tab (Chic Tags), and that tiny little star clip (Making Memories). I have a whole little trinket dish full of those in my desk. They're just lovely, and I wish Making Memories was still making collections. I loved their stuff. :-(

Any-who... I really hope you like my layout today. If you have a project based on S&CT's sketch, please feel free to share it with us. I know I would love to see and share your projects. Stay crafty, my friends!

Supply List:

Cardstock - American Crafts (Storm)

Patterned Paper - Studio Calico "Compli-mint-ary" (Far Far Away kit) & "Grid 01"

Vellum - Studio Calico "Poet Society" kit (Doodlebug - coral)

Ombre Thread - Coats

Sewing Machine - Singer

Machines - Silhouette of America, Cuttlebug, Singer

Printer & Photo Paper - HP

Date Stamp - Becky Higgins

Star Clip - Making Memories

Trimmer - Fiskar's

Tag Die: Studio Calico

Project Life Cards: Studio Calico (Grand Central, Mirror Mirror, & Far Far Away)

Tab Die Cut Shape - Chic Tags

Marker: Stampin Up! "Crisp Cataloupe"

Rub-Ons: Crate Paper "Notes & Things"

Adhesives - Glue Dots, & This to That foam dots & tape runner (American Crafts)

Gardaland Birthday Layout

 I don't remember the last time I used a sketch to make a layout, but I was super inspired by the one I found over at Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine. They have tons of free sketches you can check out here.

Since I'm not really a 12x12 scrapper, I scaled it down a bit to fit 8.5x11 and since I didn't have quite this many photos of the event I wanted to scrap, I combined the three pictures on the right of the sketch into one giant picture and changed the photo from the upper left into a little map showing where we were in the world. We had only been living in Italy a couple months, so I felt like the map was an important element I wanted to capture. 

I designed my title in Silhouette Studio using the designer edition. I really wanted to mimic the "Gardaland" sign that you see in the background of the photo. I originally had a very similar font as well, but it just didn't work for me, so I switched it to something more modern and clean. I covered the "birthday" part in glossy accents and popped the whole title up with foam dots. Normally I don't do a whole lot of 3D stuff on layouts since pages go into flat scrapbooks, but this just felt like it was needed for balance with the other thick embellishments on the page. 

Here you can see how thick the flair badge and enamel stars are. The flair is from my March Studio Calico card kit and the stars are from the coordinating Project Life kit. Just about everything on this layout is from a Studio Calico kit in fact. (It's just so easy that way.)

In my usual style, I added some stitching along the border of the layout and also along the washi strip on my tag. I thought it gave a nod to the perforated ticket idea. The journaling on my tag (Heidi Swapp) was done using my printer. I just measured my tag, created a text box of the same size in Word and printed it out. I did a test print first to ensure it would fit, then I taped my tag on top of the printer paper and ran it back through again. Perfect journaling every time!

Well, I hope you like the layout. If you create a layout using the sketch, I'd love to see it. I just think sketches are so fun. Everyone sees them in a different light. It's almost like a game of telephone. You never know what will come out at the other end of the game. 

Thanks for visiting!

Supply List:

Cardstock - American Crafts

Patterned Paper - Studio Calico (kit subscription)

Thread - Coats

Sewing Machine - Singer

Electronic Cutting Machine - Silhouette of America

Printer & Photo Paper - HP

Date Stamp - American Crafts (Shimelle)

Twine - Lilly Belle's Paperie (Etsy)

Trimmer - Fiskar's

Kraft Tag & Enamel Outline Sticker - Heidi Swapp

Veneer Smile Face - Freckled Fawn 

"Awesome" Flair - My Mind's Eye

Resin Stars, Washi Tape, & Gold Die Cut Circle - Studio Calico (kit subscription)

Tab Die Cut Shape - October Afternoon

Adhesives - Glossy Accents, Glue Dots, & This to That foam dots & tape runner (American Crafts)

Day 237: Love Ya

I made this card for Vince a couple of nights ago. The lace cardstock is really a glittery red, but I didn't have anything to really go with it, so I flipped it over and used plain ol' white. I think it "goes" much better now. I adhered little green stickers to the blue flower, and I drew a border and sentiment on the tiny tag by hand. I drew a fresh scrap-sketch for a challenge last night too, but I need to go over it with a marker before I can take a picture. Are you ready?

Day 35: Copics

I ordered some Copics a week or so ago, and they've finally made it here. I've already started sketching and doodling. My head is overflowing with ideas. I forgot to get a 6" ruler, some sketch paper and a gum eraser though. I'll just improvise until I can get my family to send the rest of my sketch materials.

Sketch 3

My lovely friends Sheila and Debbie have pointed out to me that I haven't posted anything crafty in quite some time, so I decided to put up a Sketch Challenge once again to inspire both you and myself. I've decided to put myself up to challenge as well this time, but I'm exempt from claiming the blog candy. Shucks! Since this week is about over I'll give you until next weekend to email your entries. Happy Stamping!!!

Check out Estivalia's card:

Just a Reminder:

There are only two more days to sign up for the card swap and to get your entries in for Sketch 2.

Sketch 2

I'm so thankful to all of you who have been sending your prayers and well wishes to me. I just don't know what to say. It's amazing how many wonderful people I have as blogging buddies. We don't even know each other, but where still there for each other through whatever trials we might be having. I don't know what to say. THANK YOU! I'm so glad that I am beginning to come out of my funky phase. It's not a fun place to be. I miss Brad SOOOOO much, but I know time will only go by more slowly the more I just sit and sulk about it. I need to create! I'll just let him be my muse instead of the reason for the invention of Kleenex. That's a much better use for a man anyhow! I've got 15 months of cards to make, so I'd better not sit around too long. He'll have a mailing address in a couple of weeks, so I'll be sure to let you know when he and his battle buddies are ready for some fan mail. I've gotten lots of sweet comments on my last sketch challenge, so I thought I'd try my hand at another one. And...since I have so much stuff to clear out of my packed scrap room, I'm going to throw in a secret surprise to those who come up with the best creations based off of this sketch. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Here's Estivalia's design:

Check out this card from Heather:

And this one by Kathy:

And last, but not least Leslie Miller's card: ***Update for all the ladies who entered: Please email me your snail mail addresses, so I can get your goodies out to you!***

Sketch 1

I'm frustrated that I haven't stamped in so long now. It's only been a week or so, but it feels like forever since I've done anything. I feel like such a weenie. I mean, I only have a puppy. It's not like I had triplets or anything. I'm in love with my new baby, but she's such a handful. Now I'm starting to realize why people want their kids to grow up, but stay babies all at the same time. Like I said, I haven't created anything, but I've been madly sketching in my journal, and more recently on my computer. I really prefer pencil and paper, but I thought I'd try my hand at digital sketches today. I just can't get the "feel" for what I want digitally, but I still think it's fun. I'm really interested to see if anyone actually gets any creative ideas from this little ditty. Here's my first card sketch: And here's a cute interpretation by Heather:

And another one by Kathy:

And an adorable bunny card by Estivalia: