Got Sketch? 151

Yesterday Valerie posted the latest sketch onto the Got Sketch? blog, sketch 151. When I first saw the sketch, I wasn't sure if I really wanted to do just one picture. It would've have definitely worked, but I fancied something else. I printed my pictures quite quickly, but then hit a stumbling block, as I didn't know what papers to use with the pictures. With the colours so soft in the photos, I wanted to keep it in that mood. I think it took me a week to decide which route to take. Once I'd decided it was done very quickly.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper | Patterned Paper: Crate Paper (Pretty Party Collection), October Afternoon (Sidewalk Collection), My Mind's Eye (Follow Your Heart Collection | Butterfly Die: Stampin'Up | Die-cuts: Crate Paper (Pretty Paper Collection) | Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts (Hello Thickers from Amy Tangerine Collection) | Twine: The Twinery | Markers: Staedler (Brown) + Pentel (White) | Buttons: October Afternoon | Corner Rounder: Zutter | Die: Papertrey Ink (Half & Half)

Do you ever get stuck and don't know what to do? Do you end up solving your dilemma, or does your project go unfinished? Any tips you'd like to share.

Today is also my youngest daughter's 9th birthday. I did make her a card, but haven't photographed it yet. I'll leave you with a picture that I took of her this morning.

My Very First Scrapbook Layout

I was looking through some old iPhone libraries and came across my very first scrapbook layout I've created. It was back in early 2006. The pictures are from Rebecca taken in my mum's back garden back in 2001. It was Rebecca's first encounter with snow.

Considering how little I knew about scrapbooking then and how little supplies I had, I actually still like it.

Same-isms

One of the greatest inventions I think is Pinterest. A virtual pinboard. Brilliant! Why didn't I think of this. Something I've been wanting to have for a very long time. I love going onto Pinterest and browse and see what inspires me. The downside of it is that you spent a lot of time pinning and not so much creating. When Got Sketch Express! 4 finished I stayed in the zone and created another layout inspired by the very may gorgeous things I've been pinning.

This layout is of my youngest Renee and her cousin Sanne. They physically aren't very alike, but their actions, poses and expressions are so similar it's quite amazing. Especially because they don't even speak the same language and rarely see each because they've never lived in the same country.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper | Patterned Paper, Die Cuts + Stickers: Crate Paper (On Trend Collection) | Button: October Afternoon | Spray Paint: October Afternoon | Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts | Marker: Staedler | Twine: Papertrey Ink | Ink: Papertrey Ink (Chai)

Another layout featuring pictures from the same day that I created back in February, but have never shared is this one.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper | Patterned Paper + Stickers: Crate Paper (Paper Heart Collection) | Button: Basic Grey |  Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts | Marker: Staedler | Twine: The Twinery | Scalloped Circle Punch: Marvy Uchida | Ribbon | Border Punch: Martha Stewart + Stampin'Up

Are you on Pinterest? What have you pinned that has inspired you to be creative?

Deconstructed Sketch No. 75

I played today. I created a card along the Deconstructed Sketch No. 75. I don't play along with these challenges as often anymore, but I sometimes still do, but never seem to get it on my blog. This time I actually got my camera out straight away, so I can show you what I've created.

Supplies: Cardstock: Papertrey Ink | Patterned Paper + Die-cut number + Snowflake: Pink Paislee (City Sidewalks collection) | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Stylish Sentiments: Holidays) | Ink: Stampin'Up (Lucky Limeade) + Papertrey Ink (Chai) | Marker: Staedler | Dies: Papertrey Ink (Mat Stack 4, Medium Scallop Border) | Ribbon: The Ribbon Man

This is my first Christmas card this year.

Got Sketch? Sketch 150

Halloween is almost upon us. For sketch 150 for the Got Sketch? blog, Valerie asked the design team to create using a Fall or Halloween theme. You can find the sketch here... and here is my card:

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper | Patterned Paper, Die-Cut + Label: October Afternoon (Witch Hazel collection) | Ribbon: Michael's | Clear Stamp: Waltzing Mouse (Midnight Feast) | Ink: Staz'On (Jet Black) | Corner Rounder: Zutter

Happy Halloween!

Got Sketch Express! 4

Last Friday Valerie posted the last of twelve sketches in the class room for Got Sketch Express! 4. It was a whirlwind class, with three sketches per week of which one of them was a double page version of the second sketch. I tried to create as many layouts along the sketches as possible to provide as inspiration for the participants. Here's the end result of my creativity:


Sketch 1: Glamorous
I used mainly Studio Calico's Hey Day collection for this and I pulled out my sewing machine and stitched almost everything.

Sketch 3: In the Surf
For this layout I must have pulled out my oldest patterned paper I own, but it seemed to give the right feel for the layout. And as there wasn't too much room for patterned paper I wanted the colours to be vibrant. The two collections I've used are from Amy Butler and Scenic Route.

Sketch 4: Fourteen

I totally loved this layout and without knowing I'd signed up for both the single as well as the double page layout for this. When I picked the pictures of Rebecca's 14th birthday to use for this layout I knew straight away that I wanted to used the Lost & Found papers from My Mind's Eye. They seemed to be made for them.

Sketch 4D: Carving Pumpkins
They double layout works really well too, as some times it can be hard to find two pieces of the same patterned paper large enough. With this layout that wasn't an issue and it flows really well. I used several Halloween collection from different manufacturers.

Sketch 6D: The Big Splash
This I found the hardest one to make work. Not as much the pictures but to find the right papers. Mainly because the pictures have purple and if there is any colour patterned paper I don't own much off, it's purple. Instead of purple I used blue, green and pink. All papers are from different manufacturers (SEI, Scenic Route and October Afternoon). To stay with the theme I cut splashes of water with my Silhouette.

Sketch 7: A.G.C. (Australian Girls Choir)
This was another sketch I loved. It came together very easily. I used two different Crate Paper collections for this and My Mind's Eye.

Sketch 8D: The Graduate
The last sketch for the class was another double. I knew again what pictures I wanted to scrap, but had the same issue... purple. I did have a little bit of purple Jillibean paper left, but needed something lighter. Instead of patterned paper I used cardstock, which I then stamped on to make it look like patterned paper. Also I didn't have patterned paper large enough for the background. To solve this I used two different grey papers. The green strip was the perfect way to make this work. I again cut the title with my Silhouette.

I love how this class always gives you reason and inspiration to get this on paper. Have any of you ever taken any of Valerie's classes before?

Thanks for stopping by.

Got Sketch 149 & a few more...

Got Sketch? has returned from an extended Summer break with a new card sketch. Here's my contribution:

Supplies: Cardstock: Papertrey Ink (white) | Patterned Paper + Chipboard Elements: October Afternoon (Woodland Park Collection) | Buttons: Basic Grey | Twine: The Twinery (grey) | Marker: Staedler (grey)

Besides Got Sketch? most recent sketch I also owe you a few older ones. Here goes...

Sketch 135:

Sketch 136:

Sketch 139:

Sketch 140:

Sketch 143:

Sketch 144:

Sketch 145:

Sketch 146:

Sketch 147:

I will spare you all the supply lists, but if you have any questions just shout.

Also, Valerie is planning another Got Sketch Express! 4 class. You can win a free spot for the class here. But be quick, time is running out.

Final Sketch GSE3!

Today the final sketch for Got Sketch Express 3! was posted. I wasn't assigned for this sketch, but I loved it so much I decided to join in.

Since I didn't have any 'o' left in my alphabet stickers, I replaced it with a heart shape.

For the journaling I used 'Cider' font.

The hearts were cut out using my Silhouette. I purchased the hearts individually, assembled them and then welded them together before cutting them out. I then cutout patterned paper by hand to go behind each of the hearts.

It's Friday and we're almost ready for the weekend. My two oldest have got the day off school for report writing. Renee still had to go to school as normal. I wish everyone a marvellous weekend.

Got Sketch Express! 3

It's still not too late to jump not the Got Sketch Express! We've reached the final week, but you can still get all the sketches if you join in now.

Because Valerie has been releasing two sketches a week, we've spread the load creating inspiration for those that have taken the class. This means that I haven't done all the sketches. There's just one more to be revealed, but here's what I've created so far.

Sketch 2: Graduation 2010

To give the layout a bit more of a feminine touch I added a ribbon. Not always that easy on a layout.

I cut the title using my Silhouette digital craft cutter. I'm looking to upgrade to a Cameo, but I would like to sell this one first. The numbers are made with dies from Papertrey Ink.

I did the journaling in the same font (Cider) as the title.

Sketch 4D: Legoland

Once again I cut the title with my Silhouette.

To be able to print a white font, I filled a rectangle with orange and printed it onto white card stock.

Since the pictures lacked colour, I added it with patterned paper. All papers are from different October Afternoon lines. Buttons are from Basic Grey.

Sketch 5: Angelic

My Silhouette has been busy this class. The butterflies were all cut with my Silhouette.

The twine is from The Twinery.

The patterned papers I used are from two different Crate Paper collections and the background paper is from Dear Lizzy.

If I had to guess the brads are from Basics Grey and K & Co. I've had them for quite a while and they fitted this layout perfectly.

Sketch 6: Trick or Treat

I love this frame and it's been waiting for the right time to be used. It fitted this layout perfectly. The font is called Bleeding Cowboys.

The die-cuts from Echo Park fitted the layout very well. The moon and bats and the tree are two separate stickers, but I made them placed them so that they looked like the were one.

This die-cut was perfect to act as the title.

Sketch 7D: Kuranda Scenic Railway

I created the rosettes cutting 1-inch strips that have been scored every 1/2".

The patterned papers are from Basic Grey, but most of the die-cut accents are from October Afternoon.

The alphas are from American Crafts and Doodlebug.

Maybe we'll see you in the class room next time.