2 for 1: Concentrate

Happy Monday!

Today's 1 layout for 2 teams.  :-D  I love when I can combine projects.

The layout is based on the sketch on SSInkspiration today.  I loved that I could features papers from the Stampin' Up All Abloom Designer Series Pack on my layout, along with the Sans & Stripes stamp set to make the title.

Today's challenge on The Paper Girls is to use watercolors on your project.  I love the soft element that the watercolors add to this layout.

Make sure you play along with these challenges!  And most of all, have fun!

Cheers!
Kristy

PGCB: Red White & Blue Challenge

Hi!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer.  Ours has been busy since the kids got out of school, which is great, but it also means less time for crafting.  :-(  I was able to sneak away a little bit to create a page for The Paper Girls' Red, White & Blue challenge, using the Pansy 1 sketch from Scrapbook Steals and the wonderful Brenda Smith.

I took the red-white-blue color scheme pretty literally with my page, using only red, white and blue paper & glitter on my layout.  I love the patriotic feel of the page, and as much as glitter can be the bane of my existence, I love the extra sparkle it added to the page.

I promise, you will see me around more this summer.  Mama needs this sanity to keep her going.  ;-)

Cheers!
Kristy

Stylin' Stampin' January Blog Hop!

Thank you so much for joining us for our January Stylin' Stampin' Squad Blog Hop!  Love is in the air and our talented group of design team members have a Whole Lotta Love Goin' On as we are excited to be sharing some NEW Occasions Catalog goodies and some Valentine's Day projects with you this month!

As you hop along, please be sure to comment and show some love on every blog!  We are always excited to hear from our followers!

You should have just left stop number 12 on the Stylin’ Stampin’ Squad  blog hop – Bree R. of Craft-Somnia. If so, you are in the right spot. If a link doesn’t work or you get off track, you will find  the full blog hop lineup below.

Blog Hop Participants:

1. Anastasia R. of Stampin' Blondie 
2. Cynthia R. of Ink-a-Doodle Creations
3. Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
4. Kathy P of Katrina P's Creative Corner 
5. Pamela W. of Stinky Tofu
6. Diana E. of Stampin' Fun with Diana
7. Darla R. & Nancy K. of Stampin With Darla and Sisters 
8. Jamie H. of Unique Ink
9. Rose C. of Stamp with Rose
10. Kim R. of Stamping with Kim
11. Darcy J. of DJ's Stampin' Place
12. Bree R. of Craft-Somnia 
13. Kristina M. of Mama's Sanity
14. Annie L. of Love Me Cards
15. Jennifer B. of NW Stamper
16. Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
17. Heidi B. of Stuck on Stampin'

I decided to do a scrapbook layout using items from the new Occasions Catalog.  I have to say, I LOVE the new catalog.  LOTS of new fun stuff to play with.  Without further ado, here is my layout:

Recipe: 

• Paper: Watercolor Wonder DSP (#132994), 2013-2015 In Color Core'Dinations (#129958), Gold Fancy Foil Designer Vellum (#133363)
• Stamps: Make Note This & That Rotary Stamp (#133370), Love You To The Moon (#133143) 
• Ink: Jet Black Stazon Pad (#101406)
• Punch: Punch Pack (#118309)
• Embellishments: Watercolor Wonder Designer Washi Tape (#133000), Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents (#119246), Silver Sparkle Dazzling Details (#127845), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430), Occasions Paper-Piercing Pack (#129387), Essentials Wooden Elements (#132258)

And here are a few close-up pictures of my layout:

I used the Occasions Paper-Piercing Pack to highlight the Essentials Wooden Elements, which I colored with my markers.

I also stamped on one of my Essentials Wooden Elements, using Staz-on, then added some color with my markers.  I also used the Staz-on ink to stamp on the Gold Fancy Foil Designer Vellum.

I hope I've given you some new ideas for ways to use the items from the Occasions catalog.  Now, hop on over to Annie L. of  Love Me Cards.

Cheers!
Kristy

Practical Scrapper: Layout Sketch

Hi!

Today I'm excited to share my layout using the sketch on Practical Scrappers.  I was even more excited to get to use my new toy, a Silhouette Cameo, on this page.  I have had it sitting here, in the box, since before Christmas, but I was good, and didn't open it until after the holidays.  The little robotic sounds crack me up.  Ok, it is the little things that amuse me these days.  ;-)

I love Carta Bella's Homemade with Love collection.  I think it works perfectly for this picture of the kids making my birthday cake with my mom.  

Make sure to head over to the Practical Scrappers page and check out the other layouts made with the sketch...and link up your page there if you are inspired to use the sketch too.

Cheers!
Kristy

New Year's Traditions

Welcome to 2014!

I hope everyone had a wonderful start to the new year.  We started our year off with our traditional Rose Parade viewing, cinnamon rolls, and marshmallows to throw at the screen and each other (very long story...).  I decided to take this opportunity to scrap this memory.  I want my kids to remember it as fondly as I do.  This layout was for both Simple Sketches, sketch 19, and The Paper Girls Challenge, Wishful Thinking challenge.

One of my goals this year is to try a new technique or product each week.  My new technique/products used on this page is my gelatos around the edge of the page.  I also added a little glaze on my page to add some dimension.  This was the first time I used these as well.  Woohoo, 1 week in, and I'm keeping my resolution.  ;-)

I look forward to sharing more with you this year.  I hope you will tell a friend or two.  ;-)

Cheers!
Kristy

Simple Sketches Sketch 13

Happy Saturday!

I am back today with another inspirational sketch from Melissa at Simple Sketches.  I know I say it all the time, but I truly LOVE her sketches.  They always make me want to break out some paper and see where her sketches take me.  For example, here is this week's sketch:

And here is where I went with it... 

I couldn't resist documenting the Hailey learning to write her e's.  She kept singing "1 aaaaaand 2" with each "e" she wrote.  That was the inspiration for using the music paper from my November Citrus Twist kit (actually everything on this layout is from my November Citrus Twist kit!).

Thanks for visiting!

Cheers!
Kristy

PGCB: Cut It Out!

Happy Monday!

It feels so good to be back in the grove of scrapping after having to take a little break due to injuries and surgeries.  (Not to worry - we are all on the mend now.  :-D )

There is a new challenge up on The Paper Girls Challenge today: Cut It Out.  It is time to dust off your machines - whether it be a Cricut, a Big Shot, a Silhouette, or even your scissors - and join in the fun!  Make sure you check out all the projects over on the blog.  The Paper Girls really outdid themselves this time!

For my project, I used my Pretty Pennants cartridge on my Cricut to make the banners behind my photo.  I was inspired by the new Amy Tangerine stitching templates to add a little more dimension to the heart.  I didn't want to use too many other embellishments because I really wanted the heart to shine.

 

Thanks for visiting!

Cheers!
Kristy

Simple Sketches: Sketch 9

Happy Tuesday!  I wanted to share my page done with Sketch 9 from Simple Sketches. 

Here is the sketch:

And here is my page.  I actually took this sketch with me to the Scrapbook Steals crop in Salt Lake City and decided to use it on a page about the girls I sat with at the crop.  I loved all the strips behind the pictures.  I thought it would be fun to use all the cut-offs from the bottom of the papers we were working with.  So I had all the girls (my #mustachedogs!) give me theirs and stacked them behind the photo.  The sprays in the background were the colors were kept passing around the table. Even the "#" stitched in the title represents all the stitching we did on our projects while we were there.  It is fun to have all the little things that remind me of our amazing group on one page. 

 

 

Cheers!
Kristy

Simple Sketches #7

Happy Saturday!  Today is Simple Sketches 7th sketch.  This is a fun sketch if you do Project Life style scrapping - or like me have some fun little photos you want to highlight.  I actually stayed pretty true to the sketch for my project...

Let's look at the sketch first:

 

And here is my layout:

 

 

I know what you are going to say...wait, there are no pictures here.  And that's true.  What will be there are some of the photos I took of the wonderful food I ate in Florida this summer.  Unfortunately, my printer took a nosedive on me and I have a hard time getting mini-photos printed the way I want them at retail stores.  But I promise, the photos and what we ate will be there!  (My new printer will be here soon!)

 

If you liked this sketch as much as I did, make sure you link up your project on the Simple Sketches page.  We'd love to see your take on it!!!

 



Thanks for visiting!  Have a great weekend!

Kristy

PGCB: Stitch it up!

Hi! 

Happy Monday to everyone!  I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  I've had a whirlwind couple weeks.  Two weekends ago, I was in Salt Lake City for the Scrapbook Steals Retreat.  I had a total blast, and got to hang out with 4 other Paper Girls.  This weekend, we picked up my mom at the airport for visit.  :-)

As I was thinking about Jessica's challenge for The Paper Girls today, I thought it would be fun do to a page about meeting her and the other girls at the retreat.  So I used my Amy Tangerine stitching templates to stitch a "photo corner" on my layout.  (The paper is also from the American Crafts class we attended at the Retreat.)

One day I hope we can get a picture with ALL The Paper Girls in it.  Thanks for visiting! 

Cheers!
Kristy

Scrapbook Steals October Blog Hop

If you are looking for the PGCB Hop, click here.

Welcome to the October Blog Hop for Scrapbook Steals.  I was so happy when Melodee asked me to be a part of the hop.  I was even more excited when I was at their Retreat last weekend, and she handed me the steal to work with...My Mind's Eye Titles, Quotes & Die Cuts Mega Pack.  Let me tell you, when they say mega, they mean MEGA.  There was probably a stack more than 1" thick of tags, quotes and die cuts from some of my favorite My Mind's Eye collections, including The Sweetest Thing, Collectable, and Indie Chic.

I can't wait for you to hop along with some insanely creative designers.  Make sure you leave a comment on all the blogs for a chance to win a $20 gift certificate to the Scrapbook Steals store.  Comments must be left by October 6th at 11:59 pm MDT.  Here is the order of the hop:

ScrapbookSteals.com - http://scrapbook.steals.com/ <- Did you start here?  If not, hop back!
Kristina MacKeen- http://mamasanity.blogspot.com/ <- You are here!
Charissa Miller http://www.akihasmommascraps.com <- Hop here next.
Staci Jones http://scrapbookingischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/
Heather Conklin http://goldiecar.blogspot.com/
Erin Shultz http://trailofscraps.blogspot.com

And now, here is my project:

As I was looking through the all the tags, I thought it would be fun to make kind of a banner style hanging of all the titles.  After I laid out the ones I liked and thought would be good together, I glued them down and gave them a light whitewashing of gesso.  These tags are actually from all 3 of the collections.  Adding the gesso toned down the colors, and made them flow together nicely.  I added a light coat of Frost White Shimmer Paint from Stampin' Up over the gesso.  It is hard to see in the picture, but it added just a touch of shine to the background and tags.  I loved how you can still see the colors, yet they flow together nicely.  Instead of using the frame (also part of the Mega Pack!) in front of my photo, I added it behind.  This way you are able to see all my daughter's (and son's) animals, yet the pop of color is still there.  A quick trip to the sewing machine and some journaling around the edge, and I was done. 

I hope you enjoyed my layout!  Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win the gift certificate to the Scrapbook Steals store. 

And since it is almost my birthday, I feel like sharing a few presents with you!  I will choose one comment to win some of these fun My Mind's Eye titles, quotes, and die cuts.  Make sure you are a follower to win!  I will announce the winner on Oct 10th.

Cheers!
Kristy

Simple Sketches: Week 3 Project

Happy Saturday!  Today kicks off week 3 at Simple Sketches.  Team A (that's my team) is up with our take on Melissa's sketch:

 

 

 

I love the sketch.  I decided that it was time to actually scrap some pictures of my son playing soccer last year...since his new season starts today.  I've never been accused of being a chronological scrapper.  ;-)  So with a spritz, a stitch, and a few cuts on my Cricut, here is my first layout from Kevin's Purple Gorilla soccer team!

 

And now, I'm off to soccer practice.  I hope you have a great weekend!

Cheers!
Kristy

Kiwi Lane: Last Tuesday Tip Time

Today is my last individual blog post for the Kiwi Lane Design Team.  It has been a wonderful 9 months.  I couldn't have asked for anything more from my first manufacturer design team!  Thank you to all the girls at Kiwi Lane!

For my September Tips, I was lucky enough to work with Simple Stories December Documented collection.  It is a great collection.  So many fun elements.  I can't wait to work with it...when it is a little cooler out.  It is a little hard to be in the Christmas mood when it is 101 degrees outside, but I took a swing at it with some old photos from 2008...

The journaling cards in this collection are simply adorable!!!  I can't wait to use them on my December Project Life pages.  Here is a card I made with one of the journaling cards.  I used Kiwi Lane templates to highlight and cut the tree from the card.  (Did I mention that it was over 100 degrees outside – not very Christmassy weather?!?)

Thanks for visiting me today.  Make sure you head over to the Kiwi Lane store.  The templates I used on these projects (Sunnybrook Lane, Tiny Brackets, and Journey) are 10-15% off in the store this month! 

PGCB #39: Wired Up Challenge!

Hi!  Happy Labor Day to my US friends.  My family has enjoyed a lot of family time this weekend.  It has been wonderful!

I am hosting the challenge over at The Paper Girls Challenge blog - and it is all wired up!  I have had a box of jewelry wire and a wire jig in my scrap room for a few years and I haven't done anything with it - it was bought for scrapbooking, not jewelry.  I figured this was a great chance to finally break it out and use it!  I have two layouts featuring wire up on The Paper Girls blog today:

 

This layout has actually been on my blog before.  It was based off the Practical Scrappers scrapbook sketch in June.  For more details on this layout, click here!

 

This layout was based off Scrapbook Steal's Aquamarine 8 sketch...and there will be a second side to with the boys, but for how, here are the girls.  I used heavier gauge wire on this layout to form the word "Girls", and then held it down with some brads.  The papers were from the my Studio Calico August kit (Marks & Co) with embellishments from my stash.

 

Thanks for visiting!
Kristy

Simple Sketches: Sketch 1

Today marks the first official day of Simple Sketches!!!  Melissa designed a great sketch for us to start with: 

I decided that my coffee needed a page (even if my hubby didn't think so!).  I have fallen in love with Toffee Almond Cream creamer.  I'm sure my tastes will change again, but I really wanted to document my love for it now.  After seeing the papers in August's Studio Calico kits, I figured it would make a great page. 

 

Yes, I used that actual coffee cup, and coffee, to make the rings on my page.  I did "enhance" the ring a little with some ink because the coffee didn't leave dark enough rings for my liking.  The "Morning" started actual white Thickers.  I sanded them a little and colored them with a little paint.  I really dig the variation of colors it gives me.

Make sure you check out the Simple Sketches to see every one's take on the sketch.  They are all so fun and different!!!  You can even link up your take on the sketch on the site.

Cheers!
Kristy

Practical Scrappers: Staples

Today on Practical Scrappers, we are featuring projects with staples.  I love to use staples as accents...and to hold ribbon on to projects, like I did here. 

This layout was based off Scrapbook Steal's Aquamarine 7 MWM sketch and the paper and embellishments are from Gossamer Blue's August kit.

Cheers!
Kristy

Practical Scrappers: Sew Crazy Sketch Challenge

I love Scrapbook Page Sketch Day on Practical Scrappers.  I love the sketches Liz gives us to work with.  Here is August's sketch:

 

 



And here is my take on it:

 

And here is a little close up of the sewing I did on my sketch.  I *may* have gone a little crazy with the decorative sketches on my sewing machine...there are actually 4 different stitches on the layout.

I used my August Gossamer Blue kit for the papers.  I fell in love with this chevron paper.  It is actually where I started on this page.  Do you do that?  Start with paper, then find pictures to go with it?  The embellishments are an assortment from my stash. 

Cheers!
Kristy

Practical Scrappers: Paint

Howdy!  I'm switching gears from an inky card yesterday to painted layout today.  Practical Scrappers is featuring projects with paint.  There are some wonderful ideas over at the site.  When you are done here, you should go check them out.

Here is my project:

I used Tim Holtz paint in Iced Spruce and Bundled Sage (applied with a dry brush) to create the background on the right side of my page.  I love the "rough edges" the dry brush gives the paint.  I really like how the transparent arrows allow the painted background to show through.

The paper and many of the embellishments came from my August Gossamer Blue kit and the sketch is from ScrapbookSteals.com's Aquamarine 5 sketch. 

Cheers!
Kristy

Practical Scrappers: Sketch Challenge

 

Today's feature on Practical Scrappers is a sketch challenge.  I loved the sketch Liz came up with.  It is so such a fun layout, and perfect for a layout of my Road Warriors (including me).  I did flip it 180 degrees, so I could use my new "road" washi tape from Freckled Fawn on the layout - it only seemed appropriate.  :-)

Here is the sketch:

 

And here is my take on it, using my July Gossamer Blue kit...

 

 

Thanks for visiting me today.  See you tomorrow with some more fun stuff!

 

Cheers!

Kristy

 

PGCB #36: Watercolor!

I'm a little late posting this.  Yesterday, The Paper Girls Challenge posted a new challenge: using watercolors on your layout.  If you haven't seen all the beautiful work put together by The Paper Girls, go check it out! 

For my layout, I used a sketch from Simple Sketches as a jumping off point (excuse the pun).  I absolutely loved the sketch and I will be using it again!  Have you ever heard of Peerless Watercolor Papers?  They are these amazing little sheets that have some highly concentrated pigment embedded on it.  I got them in the mail right before we left on vacation and I've been itching to try them out!  It is amazing how much paint is on the little sheets.  I used some Stampin' Up Bridesmaid paper that had some vertical lines embossed on it.  They really stand out when I applied the watercolors to it.  A few diecut circles, some stamped water splashes, and my Kiwi Lane templates, and I have a fun layout about my son learning to dive.  :-)

Cheers!
Kristy