Challenge 13a - pump

I created another layout last night inspired by ScRap SiStaZ challenge 13a. Now I only have three more challenges to catch up on before moving on to ScRap SiStaZ challenge 18:

• s*r*p
• Meeting Santa
• class of 1989 grad

Or I can move on to Challenge 18 and get back to those other three later.

At any rate, here's 13a...

pump:

Observations about the process and the products used:

1. No, it's not exactly like the inspiration layout, but I did use the inspiration layout as a guide. There are similarities and differences. First, the similarities:

• 11x11 cardstock matted on a different color 12x12 cardstock
• "Stitched" the smaller cardstock to the larger cardstock...I did this using my trusty white pen and a stitching template. I've had the stitching template for a while. It has several types of "stitches" on it. But this is the first time that I've used it, that I can recall. I really wish I had the nerve to pull out my sewing machine and stitch for real on my layouts. I'm not there, yet.
• Handwritten journaling (although, I turned mine on their side)
• A roughly stamped quote next to the photo. Although, mine uses bigger alpha stamps, which I was cursing the entire time. I usually love these stamps but they were NOT working for me! I basically had to go back and color in all of the letters with my white marker. When I had finished stamping the quote, I had all but sworn off CTMH stamp sets forever. Then I decided to try those same stamps in a different color ink on a piece of scrap paper. On my layout, I used SU! Craft White ink. On the scraps of paper, I used SU! Basic Black ink...and the stamped images came out perfectly. So, all of that time I had been cursing the CTMH stamps when I should have been cursing the type of ink that I was using!! (I've about had it with that SU! Craft ink!)

1. Next, the differences:

• I used two smaller photos instead of one large one.
• The photo placement is on the opposite side of the page. It started off on the same side of the page, but when I tried to stamp the quote the first time on the right side of the page, it came out HORRIBLY. So, I had to move the photos to cover the debacle and stamp the quote on the left side of the page instead.
• I added some ribbon
• I did not "stitch" on the photos
• Color scheme is different. The challenge used warm tones, I used cool.

All in all, I think I could have come up with a more satisfying layout if I would have come up with my own design, or if I would have lifted another design, rather than trying to make these photos fit in with this inspiration layout. I don't HATE this layout, but it's not one of my shining stars. It just doesn't "speak" to me.

But, that's OK. What's important is that I captured the memory. And I spent time CREATING. And I enjoyed the journey (minus the stamping debacle.) And the layout will "speak" to others for generations to come.

Inspiration Layout:

Challenge 12a - my 3 students

I wanted to finish up another ScRap SiStaZ challenge before Tina started posting new challenges for the fall, so I scrapped about the first day of school here at the Hillary's, lifting Challenge 12a. That leaves me with only 4 challenge layouts to "catch up" on from the first batch of challenges. Not too shabby!!

my 3 students:

Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. When I first saw this layout, I thought it would be perfect for me to do something with, since I, too have 3 kids. I'm glad I finally came up with something.
2. I switched it from a double layout to a single, but I think I captured the overall feeling of the original.
3. I enjoyed using the Heidi Swapp ghost alphas (that I got at the Mega Meet) for my title. But, I don't have a wide array of adhesive and staples seemed like the most sturdy route to go. Adds texture, no? That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!
4. I really do love using the Cricut. A MUST for any serious scrapper.
5. Jordyn's photo was shot in the same location as the boys' photos were shot, but there was no sunlight, so you can't really tell.
6. I can't believe I have 3 kids in school!! Holy Moly, where has the time gone.
   

Looking forward to more challenges!! :)

Challenge Layout:

Garden of Awesome

This page has been sitting on my scrap table in a state of half completion for almost a month now. I'm not sure what my road block was. I'm so glad that I stopped obssessing about it and just finished it already!

Challenge 17a - 2

And with this layout, I finished Liam's birthday album (minus his first birthday, for which I have not yet located the photos). And I finished it ON his birthday.

I assembled all of the pages in the correct chronological order and gave it to him as a gift. And he loves it. LOVES it!! Even gave it a thumbs up. That's what it's all about.

Challenge 17a was my inspiration for this layout. (WOO HOO, only 5 more challenges to go until I've done them ALL!!)

2:

Some observations on the process and products used:

1. The inspiration layout is a double spread, mine is a single. But I stole the strip of smaller bordered photos that kind of overlap each other. That's about the only similarity between the two. And that's OK.
2. When Kev looked at the page, he said, "Wow, where was his second birthday at?" And I read the journaling to him, "We celebrated your second birthday at a rented cottage on Big Star Lake." Kev's reply, "OOOOhhhh, yeah." That's what scrapbooks are for, to help us remember.
3. I had originally printed the photos across the top in full color, but thought that turning them to sepia would make them coordinate with the paper, better.
4. Speaking of the papers, another SU! paper set.
5. The arrows on all of the photos point to Liam's sports related gifts. It was a sports birthday.
6. He was such a good looking baby!!

Inspiration Layout:

four

Another Birthday layout for Liam....DONE!! And, it's a good thing Amy was there again and took pictures, these are all her shots. Where are mine, you ask? Good question.

four - double:

four - left:

four - right:

Challenge 15a - happy birthday

WOWSA DOWSA DOO - I finished a challenge layout before Tina added any more challenges! Challenge 15a, and by my count, I am only 6 challenge lay outs behind. Not bad.

AND, I got another birthday layout of Liam's scrapped in the process!! WOO HOO!!!

happy birthday:

Some observations about the process and the products used:

1. "happy birthday" Heidi Swapp sticker. LOVE that.
2. No real title, so, "happy birthday" will have to do.
3. You might not be able to tell very well in the photo, but I added brads to the center of many of the flowers in the CTMH patterned paper. That was my way of taking it to the next level.
4. I busted out my flexible ruler, all prepared to do the wavy title and accents, and I just couldn't bring myself to do it. But, I still followed the lay out pretty well - 1 large square photo, with 2 smaller square photos.
5. Journaling font is called Baby Bowser
6. The photos from this celebration did not turn out very well, which is why I turned the two smaller photos into black & white.
7. Who's gonna be the next one to post a challenge layout?!? Get scrapping, girls!

Inspiration Layout:

5

So, I'm working on Liam's birthday book, since his birthday is THIS Thursday.

I still have to do layouts for his 1st, 2nd, and 4th birthdays. I have the photos ready for his 2nd and 4th birthdays but I'll be damned if I can find his 1st birthday photos!! So, those might not make it into the book until, well, until I find them!!

Thanks, Aim, for the photos of this birthday celebration. I thought I took some of my own photos, but couldn't find any. Mother of the Year, yes, I know. At least I saved the ticket stubs.


Used the same SU! kit that I used for this layout. But, they're going in different books, so that's OK.

5: