Motherly Kind of Love (Echo Park Here & Now)

On Monday I shared a card based on this sketch from Simple Scrapper. Today, I have a layout to show you that is based on the same sketch.

I followed the sketch closely, just like with the card, but totally made it my own by adding in lots of layering and embellishments.

I adore these baby photos of me and my mom and was so happy to be able to scrap them.

I'd love to see your interpretation of this sketch! It's being used for the current challenge at Paper Issues. Link up a project based on this sketch and you could win a 1-month subscription to Simple Scrapper (includes 5 new sketches, a story starter idea list and access to older sketches, and paper and digi layered templates) or downloadable versions of Everyday Storyteller 1 & Everyday Storyteller 2 idea books:

"The Everyday Storyteller idea books...help scrapbookers bring their stories to life with simple ideas for memory keeping. With advice for paper, digital and hybrid scrapbooking, each volume includes more than 100 behind-the-scenes tips, tricks and techniques for capturing moments, telling stories and creating memories."

There's also a chance to win a $20 gift certificate to the Paper Issues store. When you shop, you can use the code LISA20 to get 20% off your order plus there's free U.S. shipping on orders $60+.

Card Share: 47 (American Crafts Dear Lizzy Neapolitan)

Do you love sketches? Then you'll love the Simple Scrapper Sketches challenge we have going on at Paper Issues. Jennifer Wilson from Simple Scrapper (a great site for sketch inspiration) is sponsoring the design team and she provided us with a wonderful and inspiring sketch (see above).

I created a birthday card for this challenge (for one of my sisters). As you can see, I followed the sketch pretty closely, using chipboard frames in place of the 3x3 photos.

Here's a detail shot of the frames which include some of the arrow action you see in the sketch.

Rather than stitching across all of the circles, and creating a grid, I stitched around three of the circles with embroidery floss.

So what do you think? Are you inspired to print out the sketch and join in on this challenge? I hope so!

Link up a project (or two or three or...) and you could win a 1-month subscription to Simple Scrapper (includes 5 new sketches, a story starter idea list and access to older sketches, and paper and digi layered templates) or downloadable versions of Everyday Storyteller 1 & Everyday Storyteller 2 idea books:

"The Everyday Storyteller idea books...help scrapbookers bring their stories to life with simple ideas for memory keeping. With advice for paper, digital and hybrid scrapbooking, each volume includes more than 100 behind-the-scenes tips, tricks and techniques for capturing moments, telling stories and creating memories."

There's also a chance to win a $20 gift certificate to the Paper Issues store. When you shop, you can use the code LISA20 to get 20% off your order and there's free U.S. shipping on orders $60+.

Card Share: It's a Love Story (Little Yellow Bicycle Just Because)

Today I'm getting all lovey dovey with a Little Yellow Bicycle Just Because card that would be perfect for an anniversary or wedding.

I backed a silver chipboard heart with patterned paper and layered a banner sticker over the heart to add some depth. The pearls and bow are simple and classic finishing touches.

Card Share: Harvest Time

Last week's cooler temperatures gave us a little tease of what fall has in store for us. Add in the fact that the season's first apples are showing up at fruit stands in my area, and I was left wondering where summer went.

The chill in the air reminded me I hadn't shared this fall-themed card. It's a mix of Bella Blvd. and Jillibean Soup with some Doodlebug alphas added in.

As much as I'm looking forward to our first apple picking trip of the season, I think I'll soak up some more summer before then. How about you? Are you looking forward to fall or are you more of a summer person?

Paper Issues: Project Life Issues

Did you know that Becky Higgins is sponsoring the current issue over at Paper Issues? We're definitely excited about it.

Becky is giving away a Project Life Core Kit. Check out the Paper Issues blog for all of the details. There are also chances to win one of Becky's Project Life sample kits.

I recently did my very first Project Life page for a design team assignment. I used August's creative kit from My Creative Scrapbook. It's a two page spread with a traditional 12x12 on the left and a Becky Higgins Project Life page protector on the right. It may have been my first, but it definitely won't be my last!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Card Share: 100% Your Day (Fancy Pants Wonderful Day)

I used Fancy Pants Wonderful Day to put this card together for a friend with an upcoming birthday. Lots of layering go on here (you're not surprised, are you?).

The repeated text on the tag (tucked inside the bag) reads, "Happy Birthday, Rachel!" I think that pretty much gets the message across, don't you?

I hope you have a wonderful day! Thanks for stopping by!

It's a Bad Case of Stripes (Bella Blvd. All American)

Happy, happy Monday! Anyone in the mood for a patriotic layout now that it's August? I'm always up for red, white and blue. I hope you are too!

After patiently posing for photos during our fourth of July holiday barbecue, Alexa got a little silly with her small flag and I couldn't resist snapping a few more photos.

At first I didn't know what I was going to call this page, but then the title of the children's book A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon came to mind, and I went with it. 

Altered Project: Vacation Countdown Corkboard (Bella Blvd. Sand & Surf)

Today I'm sharing the last of the projects I made with this month's creative kit from My Creative Scrapbook.

The shaped corkboard is from Target's dollar section. When I saw it I knew right away how I was going to alter it. The metal rim tags (the countdown numbers) attach to the corkboard with a little Velcro tab. This way they can easily be changed out.

This month's creative kit is chock full of papers and embellishments from Bella Blvd. Sand & Surf along with American Crafts glitter Thickers and more. Here's a look at the entire kit:

Lots of fun, right? If you're looking for a kit club, then be sure to check out My Creative Scrapbook. Pam (the owner) never disappoints and there are a number of different kits to choose from, including new Project Life add ons.

Spring Performance (Bella Blvd. Sand & Surf)

Yesterday I promised to show you a dance-themed page made with Bella Blvd. Sand & Surf, a beach-themed collection. Were you thinking I had lost it? Were you wondering how I was going to pull it off? Well, here it is!

I was thrilled to see this collection in this month's creative kit from My Creative Scrapbook, but I didn't have many beach photos to scrap. Once I started looking at the papers and embellishments though, I realized many of them fit perfectly with this photo of Alexa after her dance recital. The sunglasses made me think of the saying that goes something like "your future is so bright".

Here's a look at the creative kit. What do you think? It's really fun and versatile and can work for more than just beach and vacation pages, right?

I'll be back tomorrow to share one more Sand & Surf project, this time an altered item...What could it be?

Maine Vacation (Bella Blvd. Sand & Surf)

Today I'm revealing the first project I did with this month's creative kit from My Creative Scrapbook. Don't be shocked...it's a two-pager! Can you believe it? The left page is a traditional 12x12 layout and the right side is a Project Life page protector.

This month's creative kit featured Bella Blvd.'s Sand & Surf collection, perfect for these photos from my sister's Maine vacation.

Here's a look at the left side of the spread:

This is the accompanying pocket page. Rather than keep all of the elements contained within the pockets, I added embellishments to the outside of the pockets as well (like the chipboard waves, arrows, ribbon and sentiment stickers):

Here's a look at the kit I worked with. Pam puts together the best kits, along with coordinating embellishments, ribbon and more.

This may be a beach-themed collection, but it can be used for so much more. Stop by tomorrow and I'll show you how I used it on a dance recital page.

Sneak Peek: My Creative Scrapbook August 2013 Creative Kit

Happy August 1st! It's the beginning of a new month (can you believe it?) so it's time to share sneak peeks of the projects I did with this month's creative kit from My Creative Scrapbook.

You are going to LOVE this month's kit! All of the new kits will be revealed on 8/5, but until then I have some exciting news to share. My Creative Scrapbook has introduced a new add on kit called Spotlight On Your Life. The kit includes a page protector (a different style each month) and additional embellishments for your Project Life pages.

The collage above gives you a little look at what I created this month. I can't wait to share all of my projects with you next week (starting 8/5). See you then!