Let's Scrap Reveal Day!

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for a new sketch at Let's Scrap. This week we are working with a card sketch:

Here is what I came with. I used the beautiful Webster's Pages paper:

Other items used: CTMH TLC stamp set and New England Ivy buttons; May Arts ribbon

Would you like to know what you are playing for this week? The prize this week is sponsored by Visual Designs. Visual Designs by Chris is a online store with a very active forum. She and several other designers create for all types of digital cutter machines. You can find a large variety of titles and die cuts in the store. Chris is giving away 2 Memberships her Quarterly membership club (QMC) Each Membership is worth $10. (She is also willing to send out a paper prize to anyone who does not own a digital cutter)
I am anxious to see what you do with this sketch!!

Pico de Gallo, Anyone?

We went to the Minneapolis Farmer's Market yesterday and had such a good time again!  It is the biggest market I have ever visited.  And Shane lives near there, so we always pick him up and get to spend some time with the kiddo!  Yesterday we were on a mission to pick up Pico de Gallo supplies.  We love this  - and eat this on many things.  I wanted to share the recipe so that you can give it a whirl!

1-1/2 c. seeded tomato, chopped

1/4 c. red onion, chopped

2 fresh jalapenos, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

juice of 2 limes

2 T. fresh cilantro

Mix together and enjoy!!  I have to give you a couple of hints.  What kind of cook would I be if I didn't share hints?  I don't seed my tomatoes - I use firm ripe Romas.  They are perfect for this, I think.  Also red onion makes a difference.  Your spice is going to depend on the whether or not you leave seeds from the jalapenos.  We are "hot" people, so we leave the seeds!

Now if you want some fresh guacamole to go along with it, here is the recipe I use:

2 avacados, pitted and mashed

1/2 cup red onion, chopped fine

1 jalepeno

2 T. cilantro

1 T. lime juice

1 tomato, chopped fine

1 garlic clove, minced

Jerry absolutely loves this.  We use these recipes with eggs, on brown rice with black beans (that's really healthy!), and with baked potatoes.  Both of these recipes are yummy!

Now that I've given you a recipe (sorry, no artwork - I worked today), I'm going to remind you about my blog candy.  Click on the picture on my right sidebar and it will take you right to it.  I see that I am getting close to 200 followers - WOW!  Should that happen by September 1st, I am going to add another prize package!!  Tell your friends!!

Lucky

It is cooler this morning - thank goodness!  When there's "that" feel to the air and back-to-school supplies on the shelf, I start thinking of the warm fall colors.  It felt like the perfect time to pull out one of my favorite paper packets, Grace.  Except for the Jenni Bowlin bingo card, all supplies are from CTMH.  I used the sketch by Cherie from Sassy Lil Sketches.  Be sure to play along this month for your chance to win goodies from Scrap Freak and The Cutting Cafe!

I was also very inspired by the color challenge at The Play Date Cafe!

The handmade flower is so easy!  I cut scalloped circles with my nestabilities.  I simply cut on the scallop and stacked them.  Another thing I do is paint my circles with Ranger clear rock candy crackle paint. That allows the "petals" to easily bend. Handmade flowers are the challenge over at CARDS (Create: Blog).

This card is my example for my next challenge on Sketches for You (go to the group Brenda's Challenges).  I want to see flowers and fall colors!  Hope to see you playing along!

Better Living through Scrapbooking Reveal!

Here we are again for our 3rd week at Better Living through Scrapbooking!  Are you playing along?  If you participate in all the challenges during the month, you are eligible for the grand prize (see it on my right sidebar).  But don't let that stop you, there will be occasional goodies and RAK as weekly prizes!! 

This week's challenge is to do a photoless layout of a happy memory or event.  You need to choose at least 2 of the following on your layout:

1. Use memorabilia in lieu of photos. If you have a map, brochure, flyer, receipts, or other paperwork from that day or event, use them on the layout.
2. Create your own photos of the memory or event. Take photos of favorite souvenirs from the day or event. Use your kids or grandkids, pets, or even dolls or stuffed animals to recreate a photo to represent the memory.
3. Use your favorite die-cut machine to create your page title.
4. Use at least two metallic elements on the layout.
5. Distress some element of your page – fray, tear, or crumple paper, or use distress ink or other distressing techniques on your page.

Does that sound challenging?  I thought so, but get an idea down, and soon your page just flows!  I am anxious to see what you come up with!  Here's mine for you:

This layout is of my 48th birthday. Jerry and I were going to spend the day at the Mall of America. I walked out of a store to find Shane waiting for me to, too!! What a great surprise! I was treated to a coffee at Caribou, a bag of Brighton, and an extremely wonderful day!! I had my camera, but I was enjoying myself so much that I forgot to take pictures!

I used four of the options on my layout. A Brighton bag was cut apart and used for the number 48 and as an element. I die-cut my title “queen for a day” with my Slice Bon Appetit card. Do you see that sparkly crown and key? Those are my metal embellishments. To create the flowers, I tore Brighton tissue paper (more memorabilia!) in crude circles, and then ripped the edges. I inked them with white pigment ink and then added some (well, a lot - and it's still all over to prove it!) glitter. Fun flowers! The cute little lady sticking out from the flowers was chalked, and her hair, wings, and dresses were coated with crackle accents.  Here are some close  up shots:

Aren't those flowers so pink and pretty?!

This vintage stamp from Unity and Melody Ross is so lovely - but even better when coated with crackle accents!

Items used: Melody Ross Homespun Chic collection; American Crafts and May Arts ribbon; Unity Brave Girl stamp; SU! journaling tag; Creative Imaginations pearl brads; Studio Decor metal; Recollections pearls; CTMH black cardstock, prisma glitter, chalk, and white daisy pigment ink; Ranger Crackle Accents

Now, why don't you hop on over to Better Living through Scrapbooking and play along!  I think you will love it!

A Layout and a Card

Oh, I was having fun in my craft room today.  I only got a few things done, but I've cleaning so that's always a good feeling!

I decided to enter the Page Maps contest.  It's such an awesome prize (aren't vendors just so generous?!) that I couldn't resist.  I wanted to making a page to go with my round owl page in the previous post, so I again pulled out some Adornit.  Here's the sketch and prize:

I am seriously in love with Echo Park papers and this set looks just grand!  Well, here's what I came up with:

As I said I used Adornit papers.  Note that I actually did stitch on the three sides.  That's a huge feat for me!  My sewing machine is an old, old black Singer with the knee pedal, so you will only ever see straight stitches from me.  But I love that machine and so I will use it!  I cut the letters with my Slice Basics 1 card.  Simple layout, but I love it!

I have a card to show you, too.  I can't seem to put down the Webster's Pages paper.  I combined it with some Unity stamps:

That little diamond background under the sentiment stamp is a background stamp from Unity.  I think that is my favorite Unity stamp!  So pretty when used like this!

Off ot make dinner for my hubby.  Hope you are all looking forward to a great weekend!  Don't forget about my blog candy!!  Click on the photo at the top of my right sidebar and it will take you to the post!

Perfect Walk

It really was that day!  We went for a walk after dinner one night along the Rum River.  The shade on the river made for some beautiful pictures! 

I did this layout for a challenge from over at Sketches for You.  I don't often do round layouts, so this one was really fun to do!!

I used all Adornit papers from the Fern collection.  Don't you love that background sheet?!  It's so pretty!!  I cut the circles and words with my Noteworthy, Family Expression, and Think Pink cards.

Now don't forget to scroll down to take a look at the blog candy I am giving away!

Blog Candy!

Life is good, don't you think?  Ups and downs - all of it - and still life is good!  Because I am feeling particularly blessed, I decided that it was time for some blog candy.  I love the idea of passing on the blessing!!

Here's a picture and then I'll give you a list of what's in the box because it's hard to see everything!

• Cosmo Cricket Jack's World - sticker sheet, 2 journaling sheets, 2 journal tags, and 9 pieces of matching printed paper
• CTMH Clover Meadow - 12 sheets
• Fancy Pants Mixed Media 8x8 album
• Rolodex for altering
• Inkadinkado School stamp set
• Me & My Big Ideas Smile chipboard sticker
• Colorbok Cute chipboard letters
• Creative Imaginations school rub-ons
• K & Company Rough and Tumble grand adhesions
• Slick Writer pen
• Primary colored safety pins
• CTMH chipboard - swirls, brackets, square frames, round frames
• 4 yards red ribbon
• Bag of diecuts from the Slice Fall/Back to School card
• Big bag of brads, eyelets (couple hundred or so various colors and sizes), bookplates, and buttons

This blog candy that I'd like to share is valued at over $75.  I think the lucky winner will love it!!  I'll be choosing the winner on Wednesday, September 1st.  I bet you are wondering what you have to do to win.

1. You either need to be a follower or become a follower.  I love new followers because it brings me over to your blog!!
2. Spread the word on your blog.  Post a picture on the sidebar or create a post - however you want to spread the word! 
3. If you don't have a blog, post this news of this blog candy on your facebook page!
4. Finally come back and comment on this post to let me know that you are a new follower and/or spreading the word.  I'll leave a picture of this candy on my sidebar so that you can easily come back to this post!

Easy, peasy!  Follow, spread the word, and comment!

I am really looking forward to giving this box of goodies away.  I've already got it packed in the box, so it will be ready to head out the minute I draw the winner on September 1st!!  Good luck - and remember, life is very, very good!!

Let's Scrap Reveal Day!

It's time to bring you a new sketch from Cheri and Let's Scrap!  Did you get to play along last week.  If you did, weren't those banners fun?!  The only way you have a chance to win is to play!  This week's sponsor is Queen Scraps.  They have some of the nicest kits!!  Now on to the sketch.  This one has room for so many photos - I love it!!

I have the left page of the layout to show you:

That bobber in the tree does not belong to my husband, but some other unlucky fisherman!  I don't think it's even necessary to tell you that, but as the wife of a serious fisherman, I feel obligated - LOL!  Other than the pewter brads and little bit of hemp I used, everything on this layout is Adornit.  I am having a blast with those papers!!  These are from the Rumble and Four Wheelin' collections.  The title was cut with my Slice Basics 1 card.

Now head on over to Let's Scrap and play along!

A Card and a Tag

Both of these little goodies are for challenges over at Sketches for You.  I purchased some Webster's Pages paper, and I was itching to do something with it so these are the results.  I based my card on the required sketch from Sassy Lil Sketches:

I love making banners, so you'll see one on this card.  They are simply so much fun to add to projects! 

The tag I created for Michelle's challenge is vintage:

Items used: Webster's Pages paper; Unity/Melody Ross stamp; Ribbon - American Crafts, Martha Stewart, and May Arts; Creative Imaginations brad; metal key; baby pink chalk; Glossy Accents

Better Living through Scrapbooking Reveal!

Happy Sunday!  That means it's time for the second Better Living through Scrapbooking reveal!  Before I show you my layout, I want to let you know to head on over to BLTS and sign up for the newsletter.  It's going to be WONDERFUL, and I know it will be something you look forward to in your inbox!

Okay, now on the challenge for the week.  You are going to be scrapbooking about the most influential person in your life.  Chose a person, living or dead, whether you know them personally or not, that has had a big influence on your life, and create a layout about them. This person can be a friend, relative, historical figure, celebrity - anyone at all.

 

 Choose at least 2 of the following:


1. The photo must be black & white. If you don’t have a black & white version, change the photo to black & white in Photoshop, or take the photo to your local 1-hour photo and have them do it for you. You can also make a black & white copy of the photo at your local office store. If you do not have a photo of the person (if they are a historical figure or celebrity) find one on the internet and print it out.
2. Use at least one major circular element on your page - whether it’s the photo, photo mat, or other noticeable circular element.
3. Use paint or ink in a fun and unusual way.
4. Hand make your own flowers and use them on the layout.
5. Include hand written journaling.



Now doesn't that sound like a great layout? Here's what I came up with using options #1, #2, and #5.  This is a layout of my son, Shane.  

I love handwritten journaling for two reasons. First of all, I think my grandchildren (and so on) will find a great connection to me through my penmanship. But the second reason is that I think I speak more freely from my heart when I have a pen in hand. Yes, sometimes I make mistakes. Sometimes I don't even like my handwriting that much. That is the beauty of it! My pages are a reflection of me - right here and right now.

In case you can't read the journaling, I'll share it with you. "Since the day I found out you were in my belly, you influenced my every decision. Where I went, what I did, what I said, what I ate - everything. That continued on through your growing years, and it became second nature to think 'Shane' first. What I realized one day (and I can’t pinpoint the exact day) is that as much as I lived to impact your life, you were actually the one who influenced me. Your kindness, love for others, generosity, and willingness to be yourself made me a much better person."

Items used: Adornit Nancy Jane papers; Stampin' Up! ribbon; Bazzill and Prima flowers; Creative Imaginations epoxy stickers; CTMH gems

I do want to mention that there is actually another person in my life that has influenced me tremendously.  That is my husband, Jerry.  You know I was going to put both of them and my thoughts on one layout, but instead I'm going to do the exact page for Jerry and put them side by side in my book.  These two men have truly helped me become the woman I am today!

Now it's your turn?  I hope I see your work linked up over Better Living through Scrapbooking!  Remember your scrapbooking is for a monthly prize - see that on my right sidebar.  Also, if you are on Facebook, look for Better Living through Scrapbooking there.  This is a truly wonderful website, and I think you are going to learn a lot about yourself through these challenges.  That's what scrapbooking is all about!!

A Card and a Layout for Sassy Lil Sketches

The card I have for you today is a sketch challenge from Stacy over at Sketches for You:

You'll see that I couldn't resist flipping it!

Items used: CTMH Veranda Level 2; CTMH Treasures stamp set; CTMH cocoa grosgrain; Zing Vanilla Embossing Powder

I wanted to scrap the next two pictures of my sisters and the perfect sketch popped up at Sassy Lil Sketches.  It is not my turn for reveal yet, but I still wanted to play!  Hop over and see what the Sassies have done with the sketch.  When you play along in the month of August you have a chance to win an embellishment package from Scrap Freak, and 3 sets of digi images from The Cutting Cafe!  I am not a digi girl at all, but trust me, Regina has some amazes images that are beautiful for scrapping!!  Okay, here's the sketch and what I've done with it:

Of course, my papers went on straight ;)

Items used:  Adornit papers & sister sticker; May Arts felt ribbon; Prima flower; Making Memories stick pin