Better Living Through Scrapbooking November Challenge 4

This week is the “Whistle While You Work” challenge at Better Living Through Scrapbooking. To play along all you have to do is create a layout about household tasks that you perform every day. (i.e. laundry, lawn mowing, cooking dinner, washing dishes, garden tending, school carpool, etc.) Journal about why you love or hate doing them. Choose at least 2 of the following:

1. Use at least 2 photos that represent your household tasks.
2. Use a paper-tearing technique somewhere in your page design.
3. Use rubber or acrylic stamps somewhere in your page design.
4. Make a reference to Cinderella, Martha Stewart, or your favorite TV mom in your journaling.
5. Give a retro/50s theme to your page.

I'll be the first to admit that when it comes to housework, inside the house anyhow, there isn't much I find to whistle about.  I'd much rather pull weeds, plant gardens and water flowers than do laundry or wash dishes, any day of the week. For this layout I chose to use two photographs; a picture that I took of my livingroom earlier this year after my grandsons (aka "The Destroyers") were playing in there and one I took of my yard last summer.   I also used a stamped image on my journal block and referenced both Cinderella and Martha Stewart, because when I am doing inside housework I feel like Cinderella, but when I am working out in my yard, I feel like Martha (sorta) :-)

I wanted to share this close-up with you for two reasons, one to show the journal block and also to give you a close-up view of the darling buttons provided by one of our sponsors, Charlene's Button Box. She has some of the cutest little buttons I've seen! You can learn more about Charlene's Button Box and our other sponsors Discount Cardstock and Plaid by visiting Better Living Through Scrapbooking.

Sponsor Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Discount Cardstock "Natural Smooth 12x12”
Embellishments: Charlene’s Button Box: House
Adhesives: Plaid: All Night Media “Mini Pop Dots”

Additional Supplies Used:
Patterned Paper: October Afternoon "Thrift Shop: Complete, Great Finds, and Needs Paint"
Ink: Ranger: Archival Ink “Coffee”
Stamps: Papertrey Ink: Vintage Labels
Embellishments: Horizon Group USA: Hemp Cord, October Afternoon: Market Ledger Stickers
Other Tools: Spellbinders: Nestabilities Large Circles and Large Scallops, EK Success: Papershapers 2 inch Scallop Punch 

Better Living Through Scrapbooking November Challenge 3

This week at Better Living Thourgh Scrapbooking is the “Family Tradition” challenge. Create a layout about a family tradition, event, or something your family regularly does together that is not holiday related, then choose at least 2 of the following additions to your layout:

1. Use three or more photos from a family event, cropped to fit your page design.
2. Use paper or supplies on your page that are at least a year old.
3. Use the word “tradition” in the title of your page.
4. Use hidden journaling in your page design.”

To create this "Family Tradition" layout, I used three of the additions to the challenge. With my Cricut and the Potpourri Basket cartridge I created a card and envelope to hide my journal block. I used the word "tradition"in the title and I added more than three photographs to the project. By the way, those pretty little flourishes that I used to adorn the layout are cut from the Potpourri Basket

On the journal block I handwrote a note for my daughters which basically told them how much it means to me that they have kept up the tradition of taking family photographs at beautiful Bertha Brock Park here in our hometown. Every year while they were growing up, I would take them there to take pictures of them together. Now, they go there on their own to take photographs and then give the pictures they take to me as gifts. 

This close up of the layout highlights the beautiful buttons I used from our sponsor Charlene's Button Box.  To learn more about her and our other sponsors, Plaid and Discount Cardstock, as well as see the rest of the Design Team reveals for this challenge be sure to visit Better Living Through Scrapbooking and don't forget to join us for the challenge too!


Sponsor Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Discount Cardstock "Clove Felt 12x12”
Embellishments: Charlene’s Button Box: Painted Buttons
Adhesives: Plaid: All Night Media “Pop Dots”

Additional Supplies Used:
Patterned Paper: Bo Bunny: Back to Backs “Calypso Hope, Calypso Dream”
Embellishments: Dear Lizzy & American Crafts: Thickers Foam Stickers “White”, Papertrey Ink: Rustic Cream Button Twine
Other Tools: ProvoCraft: Cricut Expression and Potpourri Basket Cartridge (Envelope, Card and Flourishes)

Better Living Through Scrapbooking November Newsletter Challenge

I hope you've had a chance to sign up for the Better Living Through Scrapbooking monthly Newsletter. If not hop on over to the Better Scrap website and sign up, you'll be glad you did! This month, as always, the newsletters is packed with fabulous tips, tutorials and a brand new challenge. 

If you hate growing older (or even if you don't), we want you to try to remember your birthdays for the good times you had. So this challenge is all about scrapping your favorite Birthday memory. To join our challenge all you have to do is create a layout about one of your favorite Birthday memories and then choose two of the following options to go along with the project:

1. Paint on your page using object other than brush (pencil eraser, q-tip, bubble wrap, etc)
2. Make an embellishment entirely from cardstock
3. Use multiple layers of cardstock for a photo mat - try ripping, using a border punch, die-cut machine, etc, for fun!
4. Journal on a shape
5. Use a very bright color palette - vibrant yellows, reds, blues, and greens!

For this challenge I combined photographs from the surprise birthday party my daughters planned for me when I turned 47 years old (back in 2008) with a fun layout featuring our sponsor's both Plaid and Discount Cardstock products.  I also used paint on the leaves of my flowers, dabbing it on with a squished-up paper towel, made the flower embellishments entirely from cardstock, and created multiple layered photo mats all on a bright color palette.

I cut the title from Cream Smooth cardstock using the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge and my Cricut Expression.

I created the die cut flower layers entirely from cardstock and dressed them up by stamping them with a variety of stamps from Plaid's All Night Media Ornamental Stamp Set in Coffee ink from Archival Ink. I gave them added dimension by rolling the leaves in different directions and popping them up with Plaid's Pop Dots. The leaves are hightlighted with Plaid's Extreme Glitter Paint (and when they say "extreme" they are not kidding... that paint has tons of glitter mixed in and goes on so smooth and pretty, even with a squished up paper towel).

I used the Ornamental Stamp set to highlight the journal block as well. I just can't seem to get enough of that samp set!

To see all the other fabulous Designer Reveals for this challenge be sure to visit the Better Scrap website and sign up for the monthly newsletter.

Sponsor Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Discount Cardstock "Cream Smooth #80 12 x 12”
Adhesives: Plaid: All Night Media “Pop Dots”
Paint: Plaid: Folk Art Extreme Glitter “Peridot”
Stamps: Plaid: All Night Media "Ornamental Rubber Stamp Set"

Additional Supplies Used:
Patterned Paper: Crate Paper: Restoration Collection “Slipcover”, "Ruffles", "Heirloom"
Ink: Ranger: Archival Ink “Coffee”
Stamps: Papertrey Ink: "Delightful Dahlia"
Embellishments: Crate Paper: Restoration Collection "Stickers"
Other Tools: Papertrey Ink: Die Cuts "Delightful Dahlia", "Beautiful Blooms II", Tattered Angels: Glimmer Mist "Dew Drop", Copic: Copic Marker "Y35", ProvoCraft: Cricut Expression and Plantin Schoolbook Cartridge, Dear Lizzy and American Crafts: Elements "Assorted Brads"

Better Living Through Scrapbooking November Challenge 2

At Better Living Through Scrapbooking, “The Greatest of These is Charity” is the challenge for this week.  One way to make your life better is through scrapbooking, another way is to do something nice for someone else. Scrap about something you do or have done for someone else. A loved one, a neighbor, a charity, etc. and then choose 2 of the following additions to add to your layout:

1. Print an element of your page (NOT a photo) using your home or office printer. This can be your title, your journaling, an embellishment, or anything else you can use on your page, but not a photo!
2. Use three brads somewhere on your page.
3. Use a chipboard letter or shape on your page.
4. Use the following quote somewhere on your page or in your journaling: “If you haven’t got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. — Bob Hope”

For this "Charity" layout I decided to scrap about our Raccoon Rehab facility. The photographs are from the first two orphaned litters we rescued this past spring through summer. For the additions to the challenge I also printed the journal block from our home printer, I used more than three brads on the page, and I used chipboard on the title.

I absolutely love Discount Cardstock's 12 x 12 Primary Red Vellum. It went perfectly with the Cosmo Cricut patterned paper and I love that it lets the patterned paper "peek-a-boo" through it.

The close-up shot of the layout below not only gives you a chance to see the beautiful bird button from our sponsor Charlene's Button Box, it also gives you a closer look at Bella (one of our rehabbed raccoons who broke her leg shortly after release and had to be rehabbed again unti she recovered) laying on a banana peel (one of her favorite treats was bananas).  Bella has since recovered and been returned to the wild.

And here is a close-up of the printed journal block. I highlighted the top and bottom of the block with a stamp from the Vintage Labels stamp set by Papertrey Ink.

To learn more about our sponsors, Charlene's Button Box, Plaid and Discount Cardstock and to see the other Design Team reveals for this challenge visit the Better Living through Scrapbooking website.  And don't forget to play along with us too!

Sponsor Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock "Primary Red Vellum”Embellishments: Charlene’s Button Box: Birds
Adhesives: Plaid: All Night Media “Pop Dots”

Additional Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink “Rich Linen”
Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricut: Togetherness Collection
Ink: Ranger: Archival Ink “Coffee”
Stamps: Papertrey Ink: Vintage Labels
Embellishments: Papertrey Ink Grosgrain Ribbon: “Hawaiian Shores”, Prima Marketing: Flower, Papertrey Ink: “Hawaiian Shores Vintage Buttons”, Cosmo Cricut: Togetherness Collection Stickers, Zva Creative: Pearls
Other Tools: Spellbinders: “Nestabilities Classic Scallop Circles Large and Circles Large”, brads and glitter chipboard from my stash.

Better Living Through Scrapbooking November Challenge 1

This week at Better Living Through Scrapbooking it is the “Bucket List” challenge. To join us all you have to do is create a layout or mini-album about the items on your “bucket list” (things you want to do or see before you “kick the bucket”). Then add at least 2 of the following additions to your layout or mini:

1. Use only scraps of paper from your scrap paper collection in the album.
2. Use photos printed from a royalty-free photo website such as Stock Xchange to represent the items in your album from your “bucket list”.
3. Use color mist such as Tattered Angels, walnut ink spray, or your own homemade color spray to add some color to your mini-album pages.
4. On the cover of your mini-book, use various rub-ons for the title.”

Punky Sprouts is one of our fabulous sponsors this month and they provided each Designer with one of their new albums to create our "Bucket List" mini.  Don't tell anyone, but (believe it or not) this is the FIRST mini I have ever put together in my entire LIFE (I guess I can cross that off my Bucket List now!).  For the additions to this challenge I printed some free images from a royalty-free photo website at Dreamstime.  I also used Glimmer Mist to add colors to some of my pages.

The felt roses that you see on the bottom right of my album I learned how to make from a tutorial on Lisa Johnson's blog, Poppy Paperie.  I would love to give you the direct link to it, but I can't find it!  At any rate, if you cruise through her blog you are sure to come across how to make those cute little roses.

The frame was actually printed paper from the collection I used, however I wanted to it one color, so I glimmer misted it with "SWAK" and then gave it a coat of Plaid's Mod Podge: Hard Coat, to make it firmer and shine too. I also painted the front, back and center chipboard pages with Plaid's Apple Barrel paint and sprayed them all with glimmer mist as well.

Working with canvas as the background of a scrapbook page was a first for me as well.  I had trouble thinking outside the box for this one, and realized that I really need to cruise around some blogs and see what fun things crafters are doing with canvas these days!

This photograph shows the beautiful buttons from our sponsor Charlene's Button Box.  While I loved all the buttons I will be working with this month, these were my absolute favorite!

Talk about firsts... this was also the first time I worked with acrylics... I've still got a lot to learn about those, but it was fun stamping on them and thinking of ways to make both sides look good.

I had fun adding some vintage sheet music flowers that I made, but I realized that in a mini album you can't have a lot of big fluffy embellishments because the mini gets too thick and the embellishments get smashed too. I plan to keep that in mind when I tackle my next mini.

Ditto on the smashed flowers here too! I should have at least fluffed it more for the photo, but I forgot! Sorry about that!

Okay... so to learn more about our sponsors, Punky Sprouts, Plaid, Charlene's Button Box and Discount Cardstock and so see the rest of our Designer Reveals, make sure to visit the Better Living Through Scrapbooking website and don't forget to play along with us too!


Sponsor Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Discount Cardstock "Kraft #80”
Embellishments: Charlene’s Button Box
Adhesives: Plaid: All Night Media “Pop Dots”, Mod Podge Hard Coat, Mod Podge Gloss
Paint: Plaid: Apple Barrel “Satin Cream”

Additional Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink “Rustic Cream”
Patterned Paper: My Mind’s Eye: Life Stories Paper Kit “Pink Damask”
Ink: Ranger: Archival Ink “Coffee”, Ranger: Tim Holtz Distress Ink “Antique Linen”
Stamps: Papertrey Ink: Vintage Labels
Embellishments: Papertrey Ink “Rustic White Button Twine” Tattered Angels: Glimmer Mist “Old Lace”, “Glacier” and “SWAK”, Zva Creative: Pearls, Tattered Angels: Bingo Boards and Calling Cards “Outdoor”, Hambly: Screen Prints, The Girl’s Paperie: On Holiday Die Cuts “Travel Paper Cuts”, Webster's Pages: "Sparkers", Tim Holtz Ideology: Time Pieces, American Crafts: "Thickers Alphabet Stickers"
Other Tools: ProvoCraft: Cricut Expression Machine, ProvoCraft Cartridges: “Sweet Treats”, “Heritage”, “Tear Drop”, “Fabulous Finds”, “Life is a Beach” Fiskars: Border Punch, Felt from Stash, Papertrey Ink: “Ric Rac” Die Cut, “Fillable Frames” stamp set with die cut, Spellbinders: Labels One, Copic: Marker “T6” Lace,  Ribbon and other embellishments from stash

Better Living Through Scrapbooking Challenge

This just may be the only time you ever hear me say this.... drop your papercrafting and get cookin' because this week's challenge at Better Living Through Scrapbooking is all about the FOOD! It is the "Favorite Recipe Challenge". 

To join us for the “Favorite Recipe Challenge” all you need to do is create a page showcasing your favorite recipe that you received from your mother, grandmother, or other relative or family friend and then choose at least 2 of the following:

1. Include a photo of yourself preparing the dish, or a photo of the completed dish.

2. Include a photo of the person who gave you the recipe.

3. Make a copy of the original recipe, or hand write the recipe on a card and include it on your layout.

4. Use cardstock as your background, but ink, stain, paint, or color-spray it to make it unique.

5. Use a shape punch or border punch somewhere on your page.

Not only did I have fun creating the layout for this challenge, the afternoon spent cooking up the recipe was totally awesome. Three of my aunts happened to be in town visiting my mother, so we all got together to create my grandmother's Croatian Potato Salad recipe.  Unfortunately I got so caught up in preparing the dish with them, that I forgot to take a photograph of them all together!  Drat! But I did get a photo of my Aunt Sally doing her magical potato peeling trick for us with boiled potatos and a serrated knife.  You won't believe how easy it is to peel a potato that way.

For the additions to the challenge I included a photograph of the finished dish, as well as the hand-written recipe card that my Aunt Kathleen wrote out for me.  After deciding on how I wanted to lay the page out, I realized that I needed a special place for the recipe card. I knew that I did not want to permanently affix it to the page in case my daughters ever wanted to recreate the dish for themselves at some point in the future.  So I put my thinkin' cap on and finally decided to cut the side off an envelope and then I adhered it to the layout and then adhered the photograph of the finished dish on top of the that.  This little solution created the perfect spot to put the recipe card, which I attached a bit of looped ribbon to, so the card can be pulled out of the envelope easily. For the photograph below, I pulled the recipe card partically out of the "pocket" so you get the idea of what I mean.

To incorporate our sponsor products for this challenge. I created the flower leaves from wallpaper that was included in my Gauche Alchemy kit, I painted a thin coat of Plaid's Folk Art paint in Mettalic Peridot to give the leaves a bit of shine.  I also embossed them and folded them to add texture to the layout. I added the stamped "Enjoy" from the For the Luv of Art "My Favorite Things" stamp set as well and colored it up a bit with a couple of Copic Markers.  Discount Cardstock's "Really Red" cardstock was the perfect mat for all my photographs too!

I wanted the journal block to stand out on on this page in order to write about the day (since my photographs unfortunately didn't tell the whole story... remember I said I forgot to take a picture of my aunts and my mother all together).

We seriously had such a great time doing this that we are planning another get together soon, the only thing up in the air right now is what fabulous Croatian dish we are all going to tackle next! One thing is certain however, next time, I won't forget to take a photograph of all my favorite women together!

Sponsor Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock "Really Red 12x12”
Stamps: Plaid: For the Luv of Art "My Favorite Things stamp set"
Embellishments: (Leaves) Gauche Alchemy "Acme Mixed Media Paper Crafting Kit"
Paint: Plaid: Folk Art “671 Metallic Peridot”
Adhesives: Plaid: All Night Media “Mini Pop Dots”

Additional Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink “Vintage Cream”
Patterned Paper: October Afternoon "Thrift Shop: Complete, Collector’s Item, and Needs Paint"
Ink: Ranger: Archival Ink “Coffee”
Embellishments: Papertrey Ink Grosgrain Ribbon: “Pure Poppy”, Webster’s Pages “Sparklers”, American Company: “Shipping Tag”, Melissa Frances: “Kitschy Kitchen Chipboard”
Other Tools: Copic: Markers: “BG11 and R29”, Fiskars: Border Punch, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher and envelope, ProvoCraft: Cuttlebug and “Swirls Embossing Folder”.

Better Scrap and Recylce, Reuse or Renew

Do you recycle, reuse or renew products on your scrapbook pages?  If not, it's time to start... at least for this challenge anyhow (of course, it's great to do it all the time, actually... recycled products for your layouts saves you money and it's great for the environment too!  You can't beat that with a stick, now can you?!

Okay so anyhow, this week at Better Living Through Scrapbooking it's time to put some of those things you might have otherwise tossed into the trash on your layout! It's what this week's challenge is all about!  Read on...

“Recycle, Reuse, Renew challenge” All you have to do is use recycled products that might normally be discarded as part of a scrapbook page and then choose at least 2 of the following additions to include in the layout:
1. Use corrugated cardboard or other recycled packaging on your page.
2. Find fun or unusual items around your house and use them as elements on your page. Playing cards, clothing tags, junk mail, broken jewelry, old greeting cards or postcards, buttons and/or material from old clothing, advertising magnets, pins and keychains, and blooms and/or leaves from discarded plastic floral arrangements are just a few ideas.
3. Journal about why recycling is important to you.
4. Use traditional adhesives (Scotch tape, masking tape, duct tape, Elmers Glue, staples) on your page in lieu of scrapbook adhesives.
5. Use glitter somewhere on your page.

For this layout I decided to use old books pages to make my flower embellishments and use part of a paper bag that I received when I bought a cute stamp from an Etsy shop. I also used corrugated cardboard letters for my title and vintage paper from the Guache Alchemy kit (one of our fabulous Better Scrap sponsors this month!). I also stamped images (from our Plaid sponsor) onto plain brown packing paper that comes in a monthly scrapbooking kit I receive.  I dug a few buttons out of my old button jar too... removed from clothing that was too worn out to donate.

I took this photograph of my sweetheart John, when we were visiting this quaint little "Heritage Village" (near the lakeshore in Michigan) while we were on our (much-needed) week-long golfing vacation.  I have tons more fun photographs to scrap from that trip too... but this time, I just really wanted to do a layout about, "My Love".   Isn't he just a doll?!!

Okay, so all that said, here is the supplies list (after you read it, do head on over to Better Scrap and join in the challenge along with us.. or just stop by to see all the fabulous Design Team creations... I am honored to work with a bunch of very talented crafters on that team if I do say so myself!!

Sponsor Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock "Midnight Black” 80# 12x12,

Stamps: For the Luv of Art "My Favorite Things stamp set" Plaid Enterprises, All Night Media Rubber Stamps “Ornamental”
Vintage Paper: Gauche Alchemy "Acme Mixed Media Paper Crafting Kit"
Adhesives: Plaid: All Night Media “Mini Pop Dots”

Additional Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink “Vintage Cream”
Patterned Paper: Crate Paper "School Spirit Collection: Chemistry" Cosmo Cricut “Togetherness: Making Plans”, My Mind’s Eye “Lost & Found: Market Street “Love” Beautiful Paper”
Ink: Zig Memory Systems: “Pure Black”, Ranger: Archival Ink “Coffee”
Embellishments: Button Twine: Papertrey Ink Rustic Cream Button Twine, Jillibean Soup: Corrugated Cardboard Alphas “Kraft”
Other Tools: Brads and Buttons from my stash, paper sack

Better Scrap October Newsletter Challenge

The Better Livining Through Scrapbooking October Newsletter is available today.  You can sign up to receive the newsletter by email at the Better Scrap website right here.  The newsletter is chocked full of great inspiration and information, you really don't want to miss it.  It also features a Newsletter challenge, here are the details...

“Five Fun Facts” challenge. All you have to do to join the challenge is to create a layout about five fun things that people may or may not know about you and choose at least two of the following additions:

1. Take a “self-portrait” photo of yourself and use it on your layout.
2. Use the word FIVE or the number 5 in a fun and interesting way on your page.
3. Use alphabet stickers somewhere in your page design but NOT as the title.
4. Place your journaling on strips of paper, or cut your journaling into strip of paper and place them on your page.
5. Use star shapes somewhere on your page.
Here is my take on the challenge:

My oldest daughter took this photograph of me back in (I'm guessing) 1997 and I've meant to scrapbook the photo ever since. However, like I mentioned before, I'm really not very good at, or comfortable with, scrapbooking about myself. So to say the least, these kinds of challenges are very....well... challenging for me! It was a challenge as well to decide what additions to the challenge I wanted to take on (how many times do you think I can say "challenge" in one sentence?). In the end, I decided to add a Star shape (from the Gauche Alchemy kit) and use journaling strips for my facts about me.

I am in love the Plaid's All Night Media Ornamental Stamp set and knew I wanted to use it on this layout. So I decided to stamp a shipping tag with ink and emboss the image. The cute bright yellow band-aid and star are from our sponsor Gauche Alchemy and I stamped a sentiment from the My Favorite Things stamp set by For the Luv of Art on an old kraft envelop from my stash. The rich brown cardstock, "Clove Felt" is from Discount Cardstock.

I hope you'll join us in the challenge and if you do let me know by commenting here and I'll be sure to stop by to check it out!

Sponsor Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock "Clove Felt 80# 12x12, Pink Ice Parchment 8 ½ x 11”
Stamps: Plaid: All Night Media Rubber Stamps “Ornamental”, For the Luv of Art "My Favorite Things stamp set"
Embellishments: (Band-Aid and Star) Gauche Alchemy "Acme Mixed Media Paper Crafting Kit"
Adhesives: Plaid: All Night Media “Mini Pop Dots”

Additional Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink “Vintage Cream”
Patterned Paper: Echo Park "Life is Good",
Ink: Ranger: Big & Bossy: Embossing Ink, Archival Ink “Coffee”, Tsukineko: VersaMark Chalk Ink “Pixie Dust”
Embellishments: Ranger: Clear Embossing Powder, Prima: Prima Flowers Item # 539955, My Minds Eye: Laundry Line “Natural Glitter Chipboard Alphabet”, Button Twine: Echo Park “Life is Good” Element Stickers, Papertrey Ink White Jute Button Twine
Other Tools: Fiskars: Top Crest Border Punch, Kraft envelope, button and yellow ribbon, shipping tag from stash, pink polka dot tape from October's Studio Calico kit.

Better Scraps Special Assignment: Plaid and Discount Cardstock

My assignment this week for Better Living Through Scrapbooking was to create a project that featured our sponsors Plaid and Discount Cardstock. It was fabulously fun to create this "Laugh" layout of my youngest grandson featuring so many different products.

To liven up the tag, I sponge painted it with Plaid's Apple Barrel Paints in "Cloudless" and "Light Green Leaf". After the tag dried, I stamped it using Plaid's All Night Media Ornamental Stamps and then Mod Podged the giggle and play tickets onto the tag using Mod Podge "Paper". I painted the chipboard frame with Light Green Leaf Apple Barrel paint as well and after it dried I applied a coat of gloss Mod Podge to give it just a bit of luster.

To create the dragonfly, I die cut it using the Gyspy Wanderings and my Cricut Expression. I cut the shadow and one layer using Discount Cardstock in Patriot Blue Linen. I also cut one layer from patterned paper and assembled the three layers using Plaid's Mini Pop Dots for dimension. I then applied a coat of Mod Podge "Sparkle" to the top of the dragonfly for added bling.

I love how Mod Podge Sparkle adds an even layer of glitter to the embellishment.

To create the title I cut three layers of the word "Laugh" from the Wall Decor and More Cricut Cartridge. For the bottom layer I cut the word in Rich Linen cardstock (PTI), for the middle and top layer I cut the word from Discount Cardstock Patriot Blue Linen. I then painted every other letter of the middle layer with "Cloudless" Apple Barrel paint. For the top layer I applied a coat of Gloss Mod Podge to give the title some added shine and then assembled all of the layers with Mini Pop Dots. I also applied Sparkle Mod Podge to the die cut butterflies and adhered them to the layout using Mini Pop Dots, the perfect size to adhere tiny embellishments to your layouts.

Sponsor Supplies:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock "Patriot Blue Linen” 80# 12x12,
Stamps: (Tag) Plaid: All Night Media Rubber Stamps “Ornamental”
Adhesives: (Dragon Fly and Title) Plaid: All Night Media “Mini Pop Dots”, ( Dragon Fly, Title, Tag) Plaid: Mod Podge “Sparkle”, “Paper” and “Gloss – Lustre”.
Paint: (Tag, Title Shadow and Chipboard Frame) Plaid Apple Barrel Paint “Cloudless” and “Light Leaf Green”Additional Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink “Fine Linen”
Patterned Paper: Studio Calico "Anthology: Periodical", Bella Blvd “Estate Sale: Nana’s Apron”
Ink: Ranger: Archival Ink “Coffee”
Embellishments: Button Twine: Papertrey Ink White Jute, Crate Paper: Border Restoration Collection, Hero Arts: Pearls, Zva Creative: Crystals, Maya Road: Chipboard Frames, American Tag Company: #5 Shipping Tag
Die Cut Machine: Provocraft: Cricut Expression and Gypsy
Cartridges: (Title) Provocraft: Wall Décor and More, (Dragon Fly) Gypsy Wanderings
Other Tools: Button from stash, Fiskars: Top Crest Border Punch, Martha Stewart: Royal Butterfly Punch, Tim Holtz: Tickets

Better Living Through Scrapbooking Challenge

It's the second October Challenge at Better Living Through Scrapbooking, and I don't want you to forget that if you join in all four challenges during the month of October you are eligible to win some fabulous sponsor prizes.  After you are finished here, be sure to visit the Better Scrap website for all the exciting details! 

The week it is the all “About Me Challenge” So all you have to do is create an “About Me” layout.
and choose at least 2 of the following additions to the project:
1. Include at least one photograph of you (and only you).
2. Journal about yourself (i.e., your quirks, something you would like to change, your hopes, disappointments, etc.)
3. Use a traditional office supply on your layout.
4. Use foam adhesives or “pop-dots” to give elements on your page dimension.
5. Use an old book or magazine page as part of your layout.”

Now, for me, when this challenge came up I was really stumped as to what I wanted to do, it felt like I had done a lot of layouts that had something or other to do with me (more than I had done in all my years of scrapbooking) in the past two months. There was the one back in September that was about my quirks, then there was the "Baby Me" layout, and don't forget the hideous outfit I wore in a recent layout as well. So as I sat down to work on this project, I knew I just couldn't do another layout about myself which then got me thinking about why I scrapbook in the first place. With that in mind, this is the layout that was inspired from this week's challenge. "It's not all about me!"

I also chose several of the options that went along with this challenge. I used a photograph of me , wrote the journal about myself and why I scrapbook, and I used staples (a traditional office supply) to secure my ribbon to the layout.

To incorporate our amazing sponsor products, I painted the Gauche Alchemy cardboard with Apple Barrel paints and highlighted the journal block with the pretty rose stamp from the My Favorite Things stamps set.

To add a little something extra to the layout, I also created an easy handmade accordion flower as an embellishment. For the record, I do believe this is the most photographs I have ever included on a one-page layout before.

Clicking on the photograph to enlarge it will allow you to read the journal block... or you can skip the novel and go right to reading about the supplies I used.


Sponsor Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock "Midnight Black” 80# 12x12,
Stamp: For the Luv of Art "My Favorite Things stamp set"
Papers and embellishments: Gauche Alchemy "Corrugated Cardboard"
Paint: Plaid "Apple Barrel: Light Leaf Green" and “Apple Barrel: Satin Cream”

Additional Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink “Vintage Cream”
Patterned Paper: Jillibean Soup "Coordinating Old World Cabbage Soup"
Embellishments: Ribbon: Papertrey Ink Saddle Stitch “Spring Moss", Button Twine: Papertrey Ink Rustic Cream Button Twine
Other Tools: Sizzix Flower Die Cut, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher with Staples, Fiskars Top Crest Border Punch, ProvoCraft Cuttlebug with Swirls Embossing Folder, Brad and Button from my stash.

Better Living Through Scrapbooking - Favorite Color Challenge

This the the first challenge of October at Better Living Through Scrapbooking.  Not only do the challenges at Better Scraps keep you thinking outside the box... participating in all the challenges duing the month ensures you are eligible to win a fabulous sponsor prize drawn at the end of each month!  Visit the blog for all the details by going right here. But wait, before you go there, here's the challenge for this week...

“Favorite Color Challenge”

Create a layout dedicated to your favorite color.

Choose at least 2 of the following:

1. Journal on the layout as if you are speaking directly to your favorite color, and tell it why you love it, and what it means to you.

2. Take a photo of something you love that is in your favorite color, and use it on your layout.

3. Use rounded corners somewhere on your layout.

4. Create hand-doodling somewhere on your page.

5. Make the name of your favorite color a prominent part of your title.”
 
 

I combined the products from our sponsors, Discount Cardstock, Gauche Alchemy, Plaid and Norma Kennedy For the Luv of Art Stamps with some products from my own stash to create this layout featuring my favorite color shades of Aqua Blue. I also chose to round the corners of my accent paper, use the color I featured in my title and journaled about the color (sort of) as additions to this Favorite Color challenge.

I started this layout by using Discount Cardstock in Aqua Ice Dust. Plaid's Apple Barrel Paint in Cloudless is absolutely my favorite color from their beautiful paint line, so I knew that I had to add it to my layout. I sponged the paint onto the Gauche Alchemy tag and also used it to paint the white Prima flowers that adorn the bottom of the layout. As a base for the flowers, I cut three scallop circles from vintage paper in the Gauche Alchemy kit, which I thought was the perfect addition to add a little something extra to the flowers. I created the journaling block using one of the stamps from the For the Love of Art Stamp set and some Hawaiian Shores ink, one of my favorite shades of ink.

As a final touch, I created flowers in my favorite color, added ribbon and lace and some patterned paper that featured my favorite color as well.

I have to say that this was the first ever scrapbook layout I created that did not include a photograph of someone or something... it was actually more fun than I imagined it might be.  I hope you join in the challenge, I'm looking forward to learning about your favorite color!

Sponsor Supplies:
Plaid:
Apple Barrel Paint in 20741 Cloudless
Norma Kennedy For the Luv of Art Stamps:
Journal Block Stamp
Discount Cardstock:
Aqua Ice Dust
Gauche Alchemy:
Tag & Vintage Paper from kit

Other Supplies:
Papertrey Ink: Hawaiian Shores Cardstock, Perfect Match Hybrid Ink, Hawaiian Shores Ribbon, Vintage Buttons and Leaf Ribbon
We R Memory Keepers: Vintage Blue Patterned Paper
Websters Pages: Bloomers
Mark Richards: Crystal Stickers
Cosmo Cricut: Ready Set Chip in Fairy Tales

Other Tools: Corner Chomper, Sizzix Flower Die Cut, Paper Shapers 2 inch Scallop Punch

Better Living Through Scrapbooking

Welcome to the last BetterScrap challenge for the month of September! Yes, we know there is still another week in the month after this one but don’t worry – we have something fabulous in store for the crafting community. Be sure to check the Better Living Through Scrabooking blog later this week for news on the fun (and prizes!) we have planned just for you!

“Holiday paper challenge”

Use holiday-themed papers (Christmas, Halloween, Easter, 4th of July, etc.) to create a non-holiday themed page layout or mini album.

Choose at least two of the following prompts:
1. Use photos that are at least five years old.
2. Use punches or a die-cut machine to hand-make embellishments or letters out of patterned paper for your page.
3. Use pop-dots to give 3-D dimension to an element of your page.
4. Use numbers in the title of your page.
5. Use rubber or acrylic stamps somewhere on your page.

Deadline to enter September Challenge #4 (and all other September challenges) is midnight EST September 30th, 2010, so visit the Better Scraps blog to enter today!

For this challenge I selected patterned paper from the Graphic 45 “Christmas Past” collection that I adhered to Discount Cardstock “Natural Smooth 12×12″ cardstock to create the background for this layout of my oldest grandson wearing his #1 sandbox wellies (aka rubber boots).

I also opted to use all of the additions to the challenge with the exception of item 1., a five year old photo (this one was taken in May 2010).

I used my Cricut Expression with both the Freshly Picked and Plantin Schoolbook cartridges to create the title in patterned paper and several page embellishments, including the boots and spade. I popped the title, “Wellies” up with pop dots on it’s shadow that I cut from cardstock with the Cricut. I cut the number sign and the numeral “1″ twice and adhered them together with pop dots to create a 3-D effect. I also used pop dots to raise one boot, and the spade as well for some added dimension on the page.

The journal block is stamped using Stampabilities Journal with Brackets wooden stamp, that I stamped on to Rustic Cream paper and cut out by hand. I then wrote a simple little paragraph about Jack’s boots, “There are probably few little boys who get more pleasure and use out of just one pair of wellies as Jack.”

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Discount Cardstock “Natural Smooth 80# 12×12, Sunflower 80# 12×12,” Papertrey Ink: “Simply Chartreuse, Rustic Cream, Orange Zest, Enchanted Evening, Harvest Gold, Terra Cotta Tile”; Patterned Paper: Graphic 45 “Christmas Past,” Sassafras: Apple Jack Wee Bundle; Stamps: Stampabilities “Journal with Brackets”; Ink: Memento “Black Tuxedo”; Embellishments: Basic Grey “Granola Chipboard”, My Little Shoebox “Carrot Juice Mini Alphabet Stickers”; Other Tools: Papertrey Ink “Med Scallop Die Cut”, Provo Craft “Cricut Expression, Freshly Picked cartridge, Plantin Schoolbook cartridge”; Pen: Copic “0.5 Multiliner”

Better Living Through Scrapbooking September Newsletter

Have you signed up for the Better Living Through Scrapbooking newsletter yet?  If not, you need to rush on over there right now (well, right after you check out this layout) and sign up!  It's FREE!  Go here to sign up from the right sidebar of the home page for Better Scrap.com.

The newsletter features (among other wonderful things), a really fun challenge and everyone is welcome (and encouraged) to participate too!

“Baby, You’re the Greatest” challenge

Create a baby layout about you, using the oldest photo you have of yourself.
Choose at least 2 of the following:
1. Scan the original photo and print it using your home printer or photo printing service, or take the photo to your local copy shop and have them make a color copy of the photo so that you can scrap the photo and save the original.
2. Use no pastels or “baby colors” on the page (no light pinks, blues or pastel yellows)
3. Frame the photo on your page in an unusual way.
4. Use words/letters as “art”. Cut letters and words from old magazines, junk mail, newspapers, packaging, etc. and use them in an artistic way on your page. Use them as a title, journaling, or just as embellishments on your page.
5. Use lace or ribbon on your page.

And my take on the challenge...

Whoa, now this photograph is a blast from the past for sure! Waaaay back in 1962 when I was but a wee lassie of just one year! I really had to blow the dust off this oldie before I could get any glue to stick to it. Well, okay, maybe I exaggerate, but you get the idea…it’s an old photo that COULD have had dust on it, had I not had it packed away in a Zip Lock bag (ah, the wonders of Zip Lock!).


Okay, now for the challenge I decided to scan the old picture and then scrap the copy (one of the additional parts of the challenge that we could select). I also used ribbon/lace on the page, and I didn’t really use any traditional “baby colors” like pastel blue or pink … although the muted tones of this beauiful Graphic 45 paper certainly lent itself well to a baby layout. However, I recognize that some may consider the colors pastel…but I figured since I did pick the other two additions to the Challenge, I could just use this one as an extra and let you all decided whether the layout features ”baby colors” or not!

After I scanned the photo I warmed it up in Photoshop (with a photo filter) wanting it to have a bit more yellow in it than it actually had (believe it or not! LOL), to match the design more closely. I left my journal entry for the layout very simple and decided to add it in my own handwriting for a more personal touch, it reads, “Elizabeth A. Moore, March 1962, 1 year old.”

I couldn’t resist the chance to create a little wordplay with the title too… “Baby Me.”

Now hop on over to Better Scraps and sign up for the newsletter to see all the other Designer inspiration and by signing up with your email address, you won't ever have to miss an up-coming issue!

Supplies Used:
Patterned Paper: Steampunk Debutante, Le’ Romantique Collection (Graphic 45)
Cardstock: Natural Smooth (Discount Cardstock)
Fibers: Ribbon (Martha Stewart), Lace (Ellen Hutson Freebie), Alabaster Splendid Ribbon (Artsy.licious)
Embellishments: Brads (Making Memories), Flower (Prima Marketing), Journaling Card, Sparklers (Webster’s Pages)
Other Tools: Cricut Expression, Cindi Loo, Fabulous Finds and Tags, Bags, Boxes and More cartridges (ProvoCraft)

Fashion Disaster over at Better Living Through Scrapbooking

It's a new challenge over at Better Living Through Scrapbooking and you are not going to believe what is in store for you!  You've just got to join in this week and of course, once you are finished here, make sure you go take a look at all the inspiration our Design Team has crafted up for you to get you going on this week's challenge! 

“Fashion disaster challenge”
Create a layout about a fashion disaster, hair disaster, or social faux pas that happened to you.
1. Use an old school photo of yourself on your layout.
2. Use fabric or canvas on your page(s).
3. Use one larger and two smaller photo on your page.
4. Use ribbon in a fun and/or unusual way on your page.
5. Use the following as a page title, or the beginning of your journaling: “Quick, Call the Fashion Police!”

To tell the truth, when I learned about this challenge, I knew exactly what photo I was going to use, (trust me, though I may have plenty of fashion disaster photos, nothing tops this one) anyhow, after I dug the photo out of the dust, I quickly learned that it is no easy task to match up the beautiful patterned papers from Graphic 45 with a fashion disaster like this one. Where are the people from the television show, "What not to Wear" when you need them anyhow?

At any rate, I'm not even going to attempt to explain this outfit (or the HAIR for that matter). I'll simply say that besides using the sponsor products from Discount Cardstock and Graphic 45, I also chose to use the additional items 4., to use ribbon in a fun and/or unusual way and and 3., to use one larger and two smaller photos on the page (as if I actually needed to have more than one photo to prove this was a true fashion blunder, even for that decade). It's scary really! Perhaps I should have used the ribbon to cover the photos! LOL.

This "Note to Self" reads simply, "No one should be caught dead in an outfit like this, no matter how pregnant they might be. Unless maybe it is Halloween."

I think maybe I should get some kind of (crazy) award for actually putting a scrapbook layout up for the whole world to see with a photo like THIS of me on it!  Don't you?  So, just so I don't feel all alone... go ahead and dig out some of those old fashion disaster photos (you know you got 'em) and get scrappin'!

P.S. I realized after I finished this layout that I actually put the wrong date down for when this photo was taken... it was actually 1989... not 1990 (does that make a difference...maybe?).


Supplies Used:
Patterned Paper: Hallowe'en in Wonderland (Graphic 45)
Cardstock: Midnight Black #80, Natural Smooth (Discount Cardstock)
Fiber: True Black Twill Ribbon, Rustic Button Twine (Papertrey Ink)
Embellishments: Hallowe'en in Wonderland Die Cuts (Graphic 45)
Other Tools: Cricut Expression, Don Juan Font cartridge (ProvoCraft)

Better Scrap Bad Photo Challenge

If you really want some inspiration to step outside your scrapbooking box, then joining us for this week's challenge at Better Living Through Scrapbooking is the way to go!  For this second challenge of September we're asking you to not skip through those "bad" photos or toss them into the trash, unused... Instead, we want you to put them into a layout... here are the full challenge details.

"Bad Photo Challenge"

Create a layout using a photo or photos that you would normally have discarded.

Choose at least 2 of the following:
1. Use rub-ons or stickers directly on your photo(s).
2. Use paint on your page in a messy or unusual way.
3. Use a die-cut or pre-purchased journaling “spot” on which to write your journaling.
4. Use the following sketch as design inspiration for your page: http://www.betterscrap.com/images/sketch2.jpg
5. Make a handmade flower using Katie’s technique in our August 1st reveal, and use the flower on your layout.

To start my layout for this challenge I selected some photographs of my oldest grandson when he was about 11 months old. We dicarded a lot of his photographs back then simply because his parents taught him to "Say Cheese" for the camera. I also used items 1 through 4 additions to the challenge. I used stickers directly on my photos, I "messy" painted a frame around the layout, I used the sketch as inspiration and I used some purchased journaling spots for the background of my journal entry.

The journaling reads, "We always had a difficult time getting photographs of Jack smiling (actually we still do!). For most photographs Jack kept a poker-face on.  So his parents spent a lot of time just before he turned 1 year old teaching him to "Say Cheese" for the camera.  Once Jack learned,  we stopped getting even the rare photograph of him smiling like the first one pictured here and starting getting  photographs like the last two pictures, bad or just plain SCARY, instead.  We soon stopped telling Jack to "Say Cheese" and instead just said..."Smile" and if he didn't...we took the photograph anyhow, poker face or not...even that is a better face than his "Say Cheese" scary smile! (Jack pictured at approximately 11 months old... journaling done August 2010)."

Our sponsors for this month at Better Scrap are Graphic 45 and Discount Cardstock, so I've featured their yummy products in this layout.

Now head on over to Better Scrap and take a look at all the fun and inspirational layouts the rest of our Creative Team have prepared for you this week... and most importantly, join us in this "Bad Photo" challenge!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Midnight Black #80, Natural Smooth (Discount Cardstock)
Patterned Paper: Nonsense Uncommon from Hallowe'en in Wonderland Collection, The Holly & the Ivy Christmas Past Collection (Graphic 45)
Stickers: Granola Chip Stickes (Basic Grey), Mini Market Stickers Ledger, Thrift Shop Label Stickers(October Afternoon)
Embellishments: Vintage Button (Papertrey Ink), Kraft Journaling Tags (Maya Road) Rustic Cream Button Twine (Papertrey Ink), Memo Pin (Tim Holtz) Pearls and Gems (Hero Arts)
Other Tools: Black Calligraphy 2.0 Pen (Marvy), Corner Chomper (Crop 'O Dile), Black and Cream Acrylic paints (Delta Ceramcoat)

Better Living Through Scrapbooking September Challenge 1

I absolutely love being a Design Team member at Better Living Through Scrapbooking.  The challenges are so clever and really make you look at scrapbooking in a whole new light.  I love that they make you think outside the box as well. This week's challenge is no exception.  I hope you'll join us...

“Inspirational Quote challenge”

Create a layout that is based on your favorite inspirational quote. Need some ideas? Visit http://www.inspirational-quotes.info/ for a great searchable collection of quotes.

Choose at least 2 of the following:

1. Use one 5×7 photo of a place or thing that inspires you.
2. Use a palette similar to this one:
http://www.colourlovers.com/palette/1254702/BetterScrap_Ch53
Make this a double 12×12 or double 8 1/2 x 11 layout, with at least 2 photos per page.
4. Place your title on a circular or wavy path.
5. Use a transparency of some sort on your page, whether an actual transparency sheet (Hambly Screen Prints, Fancy Pants) or transparent embellishment (Heidi Swapp Ghost Shapes, Making Memories) that you purchased, or a handmade transparency made by hand or with your computer printer.

"History is a kind of introduction to more interesting people than we can possibly meet in our restricted lives; let us not neglect the opportunity." -- Dexter Perkins

History, especially local history has interested me for as long as I can remember. So the quote by Dexter Perkins sums up my feelings about meeting people you would not have otherwise met by learning the history of times gone by. One of my favorite places (and thus a place that inspires me) in my town is the Blanchard House which is now owned by the Ionia Historical Society and serves as Ionia County's museum. I have spent a lot of time learning the history of the Blanchard house and the people who lived there.

Along with the inspirational quote I also decided to use 2 prompts from this challenge; transparencies that I created myself by stamping butterflies on transparencies and cutting them out as well as a 5 x 7 photo.

In this layout I also featured not only a photograph of the Blanchard House but also flowers made using Pink Ice Parchment paper from Discount Cardstock, a sponsor at Better Living Through Scrapbooking as well mini Poinsettia paper flowers (Bazzill) that can be purchased at Discount Cardstock. I also incorporated their Midnight Black cardstock by creating a frame for my photograph using my Gypsy and the Heritage cartridge. Graphic 45 is a sponsor at Better Scrap this month as well and so I used paper from the Le"Romantique Colletion as well as scraps from their Steampunk Debutante collection.


Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Midnight Black #80 (Discount Cardstock), Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Speciality Papers: Pink Ice Parchment (Discount Cardstock), Crystal Clear Plastic Sheets (Ellen Hutson)
Patterned Paper: Le' Romantique Collection and Steampunk Debutante Collection (Graphic 45)
Stamps: Antique Engravings (Hero Arts)
Ink: Distress Ink in Antique Linen (Ranger), Staz On Jet Black (Tsukineko)
Embellishments: Mini Poinsettia paper flowers (by Bazzill Basics available for purchase at Discount Cardstock), Crystal Sticker Pearls (Mark Richards),
Other Tools: Gyspy and Cricut with Heritage Cartridge (ProvoCraft), 2 inch scallop punch (EK Success), Old Lace Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Flower Die Cut and Leaf Ribbon (Papertrey Ink)

Better Living Through Scrapbooking Ugly Paper Challenge

Here is an, errr, ummm... "fun" challenge.... using UGLY paper (oh, yuck!!).  LOL  Seriously, this week at Better Living Through Scrapbooking the challenge is to use ugly paper (you know you got it .... we ALL do, don't we?) and I actually did have a great time trying to make ugly paper not quite so ugly.  It's a fantastic way to bust that stash too! Here are the full details for the challenge.

“The ugly paper challenge”

Search your stash for sheets or scraps of paper that aren’t your favorites and that you might not reach for first, and use them on a layout!

Choose at least 2 of the following:

1. Use a 12×12 sheet of “ugly” paper as your layout background.

2. Use at least 3 scraps of “ugly” paper somewhere on the page where they can be seen.

3. Use 2 4×6 photos, any orientation.

4. Use “stitching” somewhere on the page. It can be actual sewn stitches, or your stitches can be hand drawn, created with a template, or stamped.

5. Use color mist (such as Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, or a homemade ink or paint mist) anywhere on your page.

If you need inspiration be sure to visit the Better Scrap blog and check out all the Design Team reveals too... (the finished products show you that ugly isn't really always ugly in the end... more like the Ugly Duckling turned Swan thing!)

Deadline to enter Challenge #4 (and all other August challenges) is midnight EST August 31st, 2010.

and now for my reveal...

Believe it or not I actually had to turn the pretty printed side of this 12 x 12 background piece to the “ugly” side. It's okay actually though as I had two sheets of this particular paper and I already used the flip side for a different layout of my youngest grandson Seth (the one also featured in this layout!).

As if using ugly paper wasn't challenging enough, I decided to just go for it and incorporate all 5 items to choose from for the challenge. I used the ugly 12 x 12 background paper, at least three additional scraps of ugly paper, two photographs, stitching and glimmer mist. Despite the use of ugly paper on this layout, I personally feel that you just can’t help but find the project to be cute… given the photographs of my youngest grandson and all… I mean, just look at that FACE! Is it not one of the most adorable things you've ever seen (just nod in agreement).
 
Okay, so now it's time to step outside of your comfort zone and use that ugly paper in a layout of your own!  Like I said, it's a great way to bust the stash, and it helps to realize that you can use ANYTHING and still end up with a layout you will gladly add to your album. (adding cute photos helps...trust me! LOL).  Head on over to Better Living Through Scrapbooking now!

  
Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Apple Jack Wee Bundle and Paper Collection (Sassafras)
Cardstock: Pure Poppy and Kraft (Papertrey Ink)
Other Tools: Cricut Gypsy, Expression and Gypsy Wanderings cart (ProvoCraft), Thrift Shop Label Stickers (October Afternoon), Navy Candy Dots (Pebbles Inc.) Carribbean Blue Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Rustic Button Twine (Studio Calico)Vintage Button (Papertrey Ink) Stick Pin (Tim Holtz), Sewing Machine (Singer) White Thread (from Stash)