Sketch-N-Scrap

I think I have mentioned this before but I LOVE sketches!  It really takes a load off when trying to decide a design for the photos on my desk.

Well how excited was I when I found out Lisa Hidy started a sketch site!  I know Lisa through PersonalScrapper and she really has helped me get some pages done through her monthly challenges there.....

Sketch-N-Scrap so hosting a guest designer spot this month!  All you have to do is head over to her blog:http://sketchnscrap.blogspot.com/
and link up your layout based on this sketch:

I did not vary the sketch too much on my layout and used this months Personal Scrapper kit:)

Weird Science

If you grew up in the 80's you know the movie and the song is playing in your head.... unfortunately every time I look at these layouts I can't help that it just pops right in again- Weird Science!

Today's Theme is:

 Science

It took me over a year to scrap these pictures.  It was an afternoon at the Hall of Science.  I took loads of pictures and printed more than I should have. 

These are the photos that have made it to the scrapbooks (there may be more in the future since I have plans for a few more):

All layouts were created with JilliBean Pattern Paper.

I just love the way this lil' Astronaut and Rocket Ship came out. 

They were created with the B is for Boys cricut cart. 

I am really proud that I am using it more often!

And yes there are still more layouts to be shown!!!

Year-o-logy

A few years ago (2008) I decided to keep a little pocket calendar in my bag and updated to include birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, events and under each date- there was a small amount of space to add notes and journaling.  After each month was complete, I would tear the calendar out and print out a few wallet size photos of some of the events on the calendar.  I would take these and my Personal Scrapper Kit of that month and create a monthly layout.  This is one of my favorite scrapbooks because it represented our Everyday life.  The happy & fun moments as well as the Dr. Visits, the meetings at work, dance classes and sports practices.

In March I received my kit from PersonalScrapper and it featured Simple Stories Year-o-logy line and I decided it has been a few years- I want to do it again.   This was also my effort into participating in a Project Life sort of album, a Take 12 project without the whole commitment.  It is sort of my hybrid of the two.

So what did I do?  My regular routine when downloading photos is to organize all photos by year and month.  So it was easy for me to open up Picasa (I have photoshop elements but find this way easier for me since I have not experimented with PSE enough)

I went through the Monthly folder and starred each photo I wanted to use. 

 Once I went through the month, I would go back to my starred photos and pick 12 photos. 

 I then created a collage with these twelve.

I used the text tool to type in the numbers on each photo and printed the collage out.  

Next I looked for Journaling cards and parts of the pattern paper that

represented each month

and create a layout.

Each layout has a Bingo month card and either journaling on the layout

or tucked behind the layout.

The journaling cards have a list with each number on the photo and

a caption.

I tried to mix special occasions, events with everyday life (like the strawberries growing in the garden in the above layout and the kids playing in the pool)

I have lots more layouts- come back soon for our next Theme: Science!

Best Wishes,

Lydia



The Girl Loves To Dance!

My blog has been neglected- AGAIN! 

I have been creating a lot more than usual but since I am on a computer everyday at work when I get home- I don't want to look at it!  So the layouts are piling up just begging to be posted.

I decided to break out my layouts into themes and will be post them regularly :)

Today's Theme is:

Dance

I {Heart} Dance

 I took this photo at my daughters dance school during open house (it is the one time of the year we are allowed to sit in the classes and take pictures, after viewing their silly antics because we were there-I can see why they limit it to once a year)

The pattern paper is from MOXXIE, I bought it at an all weekend crop I attended this month (I had a blast and will be talking more about it in the next post)

Bling is from Kaisercrafts

I stickled the heart

Frame was made with my new Fancy Frames Cricut Cart! 

Labels were created with EK Success Labeler from the Smashbook line.  (I bought it for less than 10 bucks at Michael's with a coupon!)

Open House

This layout is on open house for Ballet.  I used Echo Parks Le Ballet Mini Line for the PP, stickers journaling card and borders. The brads are from basic grey & ric-rac trim from Maya Road. 

Lil Orphan Annie

This layout was also created with Echo Park's Le Ballet Mini-Line.  The Journaling/title block is from My Minds Eye.  This years theme for the Spring Recital was Broadway Blitz.

For my daughters Jazz class- they dance to a mixed medley of Annie songs.  It was a great show.  The girls hated the costume but I thought they looked so cute in them.

Happy Feet

This 2-pager was also put together using Echo Park's Le Ballet Mini-Line.  I cannot remember the manufacturer for the the little tap shoes and dancer dimensional stickers. The song they performed to was Dancin' Dan (Me & my shadow) 

Fancy Footwork

This layout was a page kit layout that I picked up last year at the Scrapbooking Expo in Somerset NJ.  The page kit came from Apron Strings.  I never buy pre-made/ design layouts.  I usually don't have any use for them- I really enjoy the design process of scrapbooking. 

I had it in my stash for over a year and decided to bring it with me on my weekend crop (Just in case I needed down time- I can just whip this together)  It didn't actually work out like that.  Although the design is premade, the papers are pre-cut, I can't tell you how many hours I spent putting this together.  It really looks awesome in person.  The crazy part  was I decided since I spent all that time putting it together- I am going to use it for my daughters ballet recital pictures.  It was scary how the colors on the paper dancer matched so well and the costumes looked so similar!

The moral to this story- don't underestimate a page layout kit!

Come back soon for more layout ideas.

Have a Great Week!

Lydia







Congratulations on 100 Kits PersonalScrapper!!

Guess what!  PersonalScrapper issued their 100th kit this month!!!!  This was no easy feat- they are the only kit club to reach 100 kits!!!
I joined the kit club Nov. 2006 in hopes to find something that will keep me motivated and up to date with my scrapbooking! Many kits later and I can honsetly say, I have NEVER recieved a kit I did not like or use. 
Thank you Erica and Team for creating kits for us every month!
To celebrate the 100th kit- we were treated to a jam packed kit filled with goodies!!
The message board is hopping with inspiration!  Each day a new challenge is listed and Erica has been posting on her personalscrapper.blogspot.com blog.  It is very interesting to read about the start-up and all the work behind the scenes.
If you have never received a kit or visited the forums- this is a great month to check it out:
www.personalscrapper.com

Erica (the owner) created this layout highlighting a few moments (she also used this months kit- Echo Park's Paradise Beach):

June 2nd's challenge was to create a layout with 4 photos.  I used the May 2010 kit Featuring My Mind's Eye.  Since I was down to scraps I added the Basic Grey letter stickers for the title, the jewelry tag is a Stampin Up punch and the ribbon is from Stampin Up.

June 3rd's challenge was to create a layout with Journaling.  I decided to use the May 2012 kit since it had this cool newpaper background and the pattern paper with lots of circles which played with the ball theme.

Well I am off to create a few layouts with this months kits.  Go visit the PersonalScrapper site and let me know what you think!

Lydia





Creative Crops Layouts

Hi All,
If you joined the Big Picture Classes Online Creative Crop then you don't need me to tell you how awesome it was.  I was able to do 6 layouts.  The other 6 challenges are sitting on my scrappy desk and I will attempt to tackle them during the month of May.  So don't be surprise if you see several post on these!
Use Kraft in two different ways: I have been alternating on using my new stash and old.  This is one of older pieces of pattern paper.  The Toad was cut from the cricut.

Create a layouts using the sketch:
This pattern paper is Echo Park's Mini line Woof!

Create a fanciful frame: used bling to frame the dog.  



Create a layout with handmade flags on it. 

Use cast-off products: I created this layout with the cover page of Echo Parks Le Ballet Mini line (used as background)  The flower has punched circles from dictionary pages)

And I used this layout for the Analogous Colors layout. (Blue, green and yellow)

\

Thanks for looking!!

Have a crafty day,

Lydia

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!!

Today is National scrapbooking day AND Cinco de Mayo! A group of us local scrapbookers are getting together to scrap and enjoy Mexican food and margaritas! We plan to participate in the creative crop sponsored by Big Picture scrapbooking. You can find it here:

Stay Tuned for some of our creations as we attempt to tackle each challenge.
I hope you do something creative today!

Happy Scrapping,
Lydia

I found my mojo part 2

What time of the year do you find yourself the busiest?  I tend to find the end of the school year, the beginning of the school year and holidays our busiest (and all for different reasons)
While I work full time all year long, my afterwork activites varies according to the season- end of the school year is full of soccer games, dance recitals, school concerts, award ceremonies, birthday parties, and end of the year parties.  I am so thankful of technology- I get a date or appointment and it automatically is entered into our family cozi calendar- so we always have an up to date calendar on our cell phones!

I also cherish the time when I can escape to my scrap area (aka the desk in my bedroom)  It is bad that my scrapbooking stuff is overtaking my bedroom?
I guess I am pretty lucky that my husband hasn't complained about the growing stash! 

Yesterday I shared a few layouts I created recently.   I have a few more and they are all of my daughter and each one shows pieces of her personality:

Cheeky- do I need to say more?  This layout was created used strips of pattern paper I had left over from Echo Parks Summertime.  This was their debut line and I have loved everyline afterwards!
Lettering is from Doodlebug

Wii Dance- She loves to dance and loves to play with the Wii so I had to capture her playing one day.  (As she grows up, the Wii will be to her what the Atari was for me)
I used the same Echo Park Summertime time with a Stampin up scallop punch and glittered brad for the flower.

Quiet Moments Alone- On the baseball field, Mariana became upset and stormed off to the playground to sulk.  I don't think she realized my telephoto lens was still able to capture her!

I used Echo Park Summertime here again with a sentiment sticker from October Afternoon and the circle border is from MME.

Now I am off to go pack my crop bag, a bunch of us girls are getting together for a Cinco de Mayo National Scrapbooking Day Party!  (Sounds like Fun!!!)

Our plan is to tune into Big Picture Scrapbooking's On-line Creative Crop.  We will attempt to participare and do the challenges as they come up.

Let's hope we can stay focused and create some pages!

Have a great weekend!

Lydia

I think I found my mojo!!!

For the last few months I have been in a FUNK!  I would sit at my scrapbook table and reorganize, pull out sheets of paper, pull out pictures and find it just wasnt' working for me.  So I will put it all away and start browsing on my ipad for some inspiration and find an hour has passed and I have to go attend to my motherly duties!
This weekend I sat down and created quite a few layouts within a 3 hr period!!  I am BACK!

Mowing the lawn:  I have had these pictures on my desk since last summer, but didn't know what to do with them.  While reorganizing- I came across some of my Scenic Route pp (oh how I miss Scenic Route)  and pulled this all together rather quickly.

Music to our ears:  Pictures are a few years old!  I dusted off  my E2 to create the main title and musical notes for this 2 page.  The pattern paper is Echo Park (I believe off the record line).  With the addition of some buttons and kaisercraft pearls it came together pretty quickly.
My daughter is now practicing for her 4th grade spring concert.

Mother's Day 2011: With Mothers Day coming up, I wanted to document our day from last year.  I love the crown my daughter made for me.  Who doesn't want to be Queen for a day :)

Pattern Paper and sentiment stickers are from the My Minds Eye Stella & Rose Gertie line.  M sticker is from CTMH.  Felt layered flowers are from American Crafts.  I also used Stampin Up heart to heart punch.

I have a few more layouts to upload but must help the kids get into bed (since I am on the computer they are taking advantage by walking around the house and doing everything but get into bed!)

Good Night Everyone!

Lydia

All Fired up layouts Final part

Today's layouts are all based on Scenic Route & K.I. & Co. products.
My son graduated from 5th Grade two years ago and I still have not scrapped the pages until this weekend.  I have a few more events to scrapbook but the majority of it is done and I was able to use some of my Scenic Route stash!

All Fired Up to Scrap Layouts Part 2

The layouts I posted yesterday were all put together using PersonalScrapper.com kits.  Today's layouts were put together using Stampin Up products.  As most of you know I am a stampin up demonstrator and I love to bounce back and forth with Stampin Up products along with other manufacturers. 

This first layout is a layout I put together for my Spring Layout class.  It features the blossom & berries pattern paper and the mixed bunch stamp set with the coordinating punch.  I love this step because I then snipped off a few petals and made the flower into a butterfly, then tied some Lucky Limeade twine around for the body and antennae's.  The colors used are all part of the 2011-2013 In colors: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade & Wisteria Wonder.  This layout also features the lace border punch and the new framelits as a journaling spot.

This next layout was put together with the retired Spice Cake line!  I love the rich colors this paper has, it automatically made me think of Family!  I cut the designer paper into strips and adhered them onto the more mustard cardstock and made a background with them.  Then all I did was mat the photos onto Crumb Cake cardstock, I drew in some journaling lines and added a space cake button and I was done.  This was a quick and easy page:

The next two layouts were also created for my upcoming classes:

This is for the moms & cupcake class featuring the build a cupcake stamp set and coordinating  punch.  The cheerful treat designer paper is one of the many hostess sets you can earn when hosting a party.The colors on this page is so girly!  I can't wait to take pictures with my daughter and her friends at the new cupcake store in our area!

This last layout was created for my Easter class.  I used the Everybunny Stamp set.  It is soo cute!  I love the bunny and chick images!  The pattern paper is from the Spring Fever Simply Scrapping Kit.

And the clouds???  They were stamped on using the cupcake topper from the Build-a-cupcake stamp set. 

If you would like to know more about my stampin' up classes or projects, visit my stampin up website: www.stampinwithlydia.stampinup.net.

Come back tomorrow to see some school layouts using Scenic Route products (I know they are no longer manufacturering but I still have A LOT of their paper and stickers!)

Layouts created at the All Fired Up Crop!

I had such a great time this weekend at the All Fired Up Crop at West Sayville, NY.
There were over 40 ladies scrapping, chatting and having a good time.  After procrastinating and walking around chatting with everyone, I finally settled down and committed to do a few layouts:

This layout was put together with PersonalScrapper's March 2012 Kit, the papers features Simple Stories Pattern Paper with American Crafts cardstock, there was all sorts of goodies, such as the Basic Grey embellies, various buttons and bling.  The journaling label (Scenic Route) was the only item added from my stash:

This second layout was put together with PersonalScrappers February 2012 Kit featuring Basic Grey Pattern Papers with American Crafts cardstock.  The layout was based on a sketch from Lisa Hidy one of the fabulous women from the Personal Scrapper Forum.
A tip to make banners like this: Cut Strips of paper to your desired width and length, then grab a square punch, angle to to your liking and punch.  If you align it just so you will have even sides on the banner.  To complete the page I used my Notes & Details Stamp from Stampin Up for the journaling:

The third layout was also made from PersonalScrappers Feb 2012 kit and another sketch from Lisa! (Can you tell I love her sketches!)   I added the Making Memories Journaling Die Cut and punched the smaller hearts from Stampin' Up's Heart to Heart Punch:



Time to get dinner on the table, come back tomorrow to see a few more layouts!

DIY Smash Book!

Hi All,

I belong to a Meet.up group that loves to do all things related to scrapbooking and crafting.  We had a meetup a few weeks ago making our own smash books using our own stash.  It was great and although we all did the same project everyone's books came out looking so different.

Here's mine:

I decided to use it as my inspirational book this year and a place to keep track of my creative projects.
If you have a hobby & interested in meeting new people in your area- join a meet-up group!
www.meetup.com

Best Wishes,
Lydia

REGISTRATION PERIOD CLOSES ON 2/10

Fired Up for Scrappin’!

Want an inexpensive place to scrap & stamp for the day?

Join us for our inaugural 12 hour crop!

DATE:March 10th, 2012
TIME:10 am – 10 pm
PLACE:West Sayville Main Fire House (80 Main Street, West Sayville, NY 11796)
PRICE:Three different options for you to choose from:
·3 feet of cropping space for $20
·6 feet of cropping space for $40
Machines for “crop use” will not be available.
DETAILS:This crop is “bare bones.” There is nothing extra to drive up the cost of your day - it’s just an inexpensive way for you & your friends to craft without interruption!
To keep the cost as low as possible, this crop is strictly a BYO food & beverage event (non-alcoholic only please.)We will not be providing lunch, dinner, snacks, or beverages. There are many restaurants and take out places in the area, some also deliver.We'll have a selection of menus and a list of local places available for your use.
Have questions?Email Judy (JudyStampsUp@aol.com) or Denise (DeniseScraps@aol.com) or comment me!

There will be product & charity raffles featuring Stampin’ Up! &

Close to my Heart products, make & takes,

layout kits, and a limited amount product,

so bring some extra cash!

EARN A RAFFLE JUST BY BRINGING A SNACK TO SHARE!



REGISTRATION PERIOD ENDS ON FEBRURAY 10TH. EMAIL ME FOR A FORM!







Pets and Disney!

PETS AND DISNEY!  Just two of my favorite things.  My dog cookie and my favorite vacation spot-Disney World!  

We went to Disney World in August and I am just now getting around to scrapping some of the 3000 pictures I took! Don't worry I will not scrap all 3000, I will not even print out all the pictures. I do have a plan of attack. I bought a scrapbook at Disney World with a coordinating photo album. The photo album also has a DVD/CD holder. I plan to Scrapbook my very favorite photos (and the photos that have a story behind it) then place the extra photos in the album along with the CD in case we want to view the extras.