12 Days of Christmas

It has been a mad house around here!  There are too many wonderful things happening, and absolutely no time to blog about them.  This year the boys and I are doing an "Advent: Preparing for Christmas" project.  1 envelope every day that has us do one activity to get ready for Christmas.  So far we have made paper snowflakes to hang on the windows, danced to Christmas songs, decorated the Christmas tree, and set up the Nativity (just to name a few).  We are also opening one new book each night to read together.  I admit, not all the books are Christmas themed (it was harder than I thought to find 25 children's Christmas books considering that we already own a bunch).

So with all this family Christmas stuff, I needed to do something for me.  I decided to participate in Scrapbook Challenges 12 Days of Christmas Progressive Challenges.  Each day a new step in the progressive layout is posted.  Tomorrow is the last day, but here is what I have so far:

I encourage you to swing by the site and try it for yourself!

Happy Holidays!!!

July Featured Member

I am sooooo pleased to announce that I have been chosen as Scrapbook Challenges July Featured Member!!!

I love this online scrapbooking group! There are tons of great sketches and challenges to inspire me and get my craft in gear  ; ) 

As the Featured Member I also get to give a challenge of my own this month... check back later to find out what it is!

Flag Waiving

I finally uploaded pictures from my phone of my "first official act" as a resident of Findlay, Ohio.  Findlay celebrated its Bicentennial early in June.  There was a parade with floats and marching bands.  And there were flags waiving all over the place.  Did you know that Findlay, Ohio is Flag City USA?

Here is the digital scrapbook layout I created from my phone pics - my son even took the one with me in it!

I used Sketch 301 from Scrapbook Challenges as a starting point - those ladies are full of fantastic ideas.  With all the holiday activities going on in the States this week, I'm sure you all have your own red-white-and-blue photos to comemorate.  I'd love for you to post a link to your creations!

Pagemaps Blog Challenge

I completely credit Pagemaps for the way I scrapbook today.  By looking at the sketches and seeing the examples, I was able to train my mind to see layout possibilities everywhere I look.  I seldom find a sketch that I love so much to duplicate (and that fits photos I am scrapping), but this is one of those rare moments.

Here is my layout for the Pagemaps Blog Challenge this month:

and the pagemap provided:

I am in love with the way it turned out - and that is what matters in scrappin' : )

Challenge Yourself

I think that should be my motto this year, if I was into that sort of thing. 
Here is a summary of what I have challenged myself with so far:

1. start and keep up a blog (as you can see, I am fairly successful at that so far)

2. create more projects using material (my stuffies have been my main fabric project - see my 1st one here)

3. start digital scrapbooking (I have been on a roll with digital layouts recently)

4. enter more scrapbooking challenges from multiple sites: here are two challenges I have completed this week

"Stretch"

and the sketch from Twisted Sketches

 

 "Blue"

 and the sketch from Scrapbook Challenges

Oh yeah, and I also am being "challenged" by having to move again in 7 months!!! Keeping a house clean with 3 little boys is the biggest challenge of all!

What are some of your challenges this year?

It's a Digital World

I find myself singing "livin in a digital world, and I am a digital girl" to the tune of Madonna's "Material Girl". 

Why? So glad you asked.  It is mainly because I have finally thrown myself into digital scrapbooking.  And I actually kinda like it.  Now it will never replace my paper scrapbooks - those are a completely different way for me to record different memories.  I find that the digital pages allow me to capture the tiny not-so-significant moments that my larger scrapbooks miss.  And I don't ever plan on turning them into physical book either.  They are purely a creative outlet for me. 

Here are a few of the pages I have done so far:

All of these digital elements were free!  I want to give credit to all of the wonderful designers and send them a big thank you for sharing their work - it is very generous of them.  Swing by and check out their work!
Sahlin Studios
Britt-ish Designs
Shabby Princess

I'm a Gem...again!

Wowsers!  I was chosen as one of Scrapbook Challenges Gallery Gems once again.  I needed this bit of good news after the week I have had.  You can check out my layout and the others on their blog here. 

The layout chosen was one of my very favorite from last weekend's crop at Sauder's Historic Village.  There's a few reasons it stands out to me:
1. I used bright colors - I have come to accept that I am not a pastel kind of person.
2. I used multiple embellishments - brads, flowers, and buttons (my favorite)
3. I had only one photo to focus on - I usually cannot decide on what photo I want to use to tell my story and end up clutter the layout with a ton; but my son's expression in this one photo says it all

Now, to be fair, this awesome layout was not of my own making.  I was totally inspired by a layout titled "Adore" over at the Studio Jullene blog.  I get inspiration from a lot of places, and I always try to share when I actually remember where it comes from!  So a big THANK YOU to Jullene!!!

Grab a Button!!!

I finally did it!  I am now officially dedicated to my blog.  I have created a button!!!

Check it out over on the sidebar to the left... then grab it and go!  Be sure to leave me a comment so I can check out your blog and share the love  : )

If you are looking for instructions on how to add your own button, I found Shabby Blogs very helpful! There are also other great tutorials for getting fancy with your own blog.

You're Invited to a Party

One of the blogs that I frequent is having a week long party - a "Crafty Party" and everyone is invited!!!  Head on over to Sew Many Ways... and check out the links to tons of fun projects.  Then add your own link!  It is a fun way to check out tons of new blogs/sites and projects too. 

Hope to see you there - happy crafting!

Scrappin' Inspiration

I am so excited!  I am going on a scrapbooking get-away next weekend.  I love these weekends when I get to surround myself with hundreds of creative people who share my addiction.  I have been spending my morning preparing myself for this adventure: pulling supplies off my shelves, packing up photos and papers, and most importantly checking out blogs.

Here are a few things that I may be scraplifting next weekend!

"let them eat cake" at LA Creations

"hedgehog" at Daughter of the King

"Splish Splash" at Bee Cee Creativity

"Adore" at Studio Jullene

"Yellow Brick Road" at Basement Chronicles

These all inspire me for multiple reasons; do they inspire you? 

Trading Cards

I am soooo excited to be a guest blogger on Just A Scrappin' today!

If you haven't been over to Linda's blog, click the link above and check it out.  If you are coming to my blog from there, here is an additional bonus project to go along with the trading cards: an ATC holder!

 

I found this wonderful template over on Martha Stewart's site years ago.  Her instructions are to print the template at 200% in order to create a mini magazine holder.  BUT if you print the template as is, it is the perfect size to hold standard ATCs! 

I printed the template out on cardstock first, cut along the lines, and assembled with adhesive.  Then I used a 12x4" piece of scrapbook paper to decorate the ATC holder.

A perfect holder for all the trading cards you create & collect!

Check back tomorrow for new layout sketch :)