Sketchy Thursdays Layout

I just love Sketchy Thursday sketches.  Here is this week's (1/20/11) sketch and my completed layout.  Since I only work in double page layouts...I improvised the second page to coordinate with the first page of the sketch.

Thanks for looking!  I have so much fun with these Sketchy Thursday's Sketches.

The First Counterfeit Kit Challenge!

I'm so excited right now...only a few more hours until midnight (MST) and the release of Counterfeit Kit's first challenge! 

Counterfeit Kit Challenge is a challenge blog that my friend, Bethany, and I set up.  We are very excited (and nervous) about our very first challenge to be posted.  It has been so much fun choosing the kit, making my counterfeit kit, and planning the tutorials and challenges for the month of January.  I really hope we are able to inspire a lot of scrapbookers through our blog.  If you haven't done so, check it out at http://www.counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/ .  I think you'll be happy you did!

A Few Journaling Blocks to Download and Print

Since Project Life is so popular now (especially with the start of the New Year)...I have created some 3"x4" size journal blocks.  I was just kind of messing around, experimenting with some simple designs and decided I would share them.  One more thing...cut the journal blocks out just inside the solid black lines and use a corner rounder on the corners...they should look good like that (the solid line is a guide for cutting, the dotted line is part of the design).

I believe there are 5 different designs in each .PDF file, and each design has one page of lined and one page of blank journal blocks, for a total of 10 pages of journal blocks.

For best results, this color .PDF file can be downloaded and printed on white, cream, or Kraft colored cardstock.

Download the COLOR journaling blocks here.

I have also included a "black and white" version...which looks GREAT printed on Kraft. 

Download the BLACK AND WHITE journaling blocks here.

I also remembered I designed some simple calendar "spots" a while back.  In my opinion, they look the best printed on Kraft cardstock. 

Download "round calendar months" here.

Download rectangle calendar/journaling spots here.

I have never used this "host" site before...if the first few people who download these could leave me a comment whether or not it worked for you , that would be great!

Happy New Year!!!

Introducing the Counterfeit Kit Challenge!!!

My friend, Bethany, and I have started a challenge blog that will debut on January 5th! We both LOVE monthly kit clubs.  But I have so many supplies on-hand in my scrap space, that I cannot justify purchasing any more.  As I was browsing through the Internet, admiring the beautiful kits that are out there, I realized that they are very inspiring to me! So I tried to mimic a recent kit and create my own "counterfeit kit".  To my surprise, it was so much fun and it looked great!!!

I'm not talking about always putting together matching paper, stickers, and rub-ons from the same exact line of paper---that's too easy!  It's more like pulling different papers, embellishments, "found items", and hand made baubles from completely brands and lines of supplies from your stash.  In order to make this process easier, we will use a current monthly kit club as inspiration!  By having completed kits on hand, it will allow us to scrap whenever we get a few minutes...and it will take some of the guesswork out of cooordinating the supplies.

On the 5th of each month we will post an "inspiration" kit.  We will also put up pictures of the "counterfeit kits" that we came up with based the inspiration. Throughout the month we will share tutorials on making some of the embellishments, mini challenges to help you use your kit, and even a blog hop so we can all share what we have done!

Here are some links that you will want to know for our challenges:
My blog (I will post throughout the month about the challenges)
Bethany's Blog:  http://inspiredscrapper-bethany.blogspot.com/Our Challenge Blog: http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/
And Facebook! Yep! You can like us on Facebook. Just search "Counterfeit Kit Challenge"!

Let me know what you think by commenting here or on Facebook! And feel free to offer suggestions!

My Layout for "Sketchy Tursdays"

I heard about the blog called "Sketchy Thursdays" and decided to check it out.  I think I am going to enjoy this site...and with a new sketch every week, I'll be looking forward to some scrapping inspiration. 

Here is this week's sketch and my completed layout.  Since I only work in double page layouts...I improvised the second page to coordinate with the first page of the sketch. 


12/16/2010 sketch



My layout based on the sketch.

Thanks for looking!

Scrapbook Challenge for 2011

I'm so excited to say a friend of mine, Bethany, and I are organizing a Scrapbook Challenge "project" to ring in 2011!  This new challenge will be complete with it's own blog, Facebook page, REALLY great inspiration, along with a few other ideas we have "up our sleeves".  It has been so much fun planning and organizing it with Bethany, I can't wait to reveal it! 

Although it's still "top secret" I'll give you one little hint...if you have a "hefty" stash of scrapbook supplies...this challenge will be right up your alley!  I'll keep you posted :)

December Journaling Spots--My twist on a "December Daily"

I know the idea of a December Journal/December Daily is VERY popular right now...but I do not create mini albums/journals.  I work  exclusively on 12 x 12 scrapbooks, and organize them chronologically.  So I did my own take on this type of project. 

Rather than making complete journal pages...I made journaling "spots" and journaling prompts to add to them. These journaling spots will eventually go into my scrapbook, along with any pictures and memorabilia from the corresponding day. 



Sample Journaling Spot for December 5th

For the "base" of some of my journaling spots, I simply cut a shape using my Silhouette (approx 4"x6") and added some stamping and distress inking.  For some other spots, I used patterned scrapbook paper as my "base" rather then cutting the shape with my Silhouette, I did this in order to vary the look of the layouts.

4"x6" Journal spot "bases"

Next I wrote a list of journaling prompts to add to each day's journaling spot. The prompts are written on mini label stickers.  The 25 different journaling prompts I used are as follows...

Believe in miracles...

Hang stockings...

Make a list...

No peeking...

Bake cookies...

Deck the halls...

Sing carols...

Wrap it up...

Sip on cocoa...

Gather together...

Send greetings...

Enjoy the lights...

Make it merry...

Trim the tree...

Keep traditions...

Visit Santa...

Keep warm...

Check it twice...

Take time...

Bring peace...

Let it snow...

Admire it all...
Shop till you drop...
Meet under mistletoe...
Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas...

Journaling Prompt Labels

My journaling will be either a reflection of that day, a Christmas Tradition, a Christmas memory, possibly a Christmas Cookie recipe, lists, menus, or basically whatever comes to mind that pertains to how we spent the days/nights of December 2010!

As each day passes, I will choose which prompt to use for that particular day.  Some of them I can plan (like "Visit Santa"), but a majority can be incorporated somehow into an activity from that day, therefore, they are not numbered.  I will add the number/date as I choose which prompt to use for which day.  Which brings me to the numbers...

I embellished the numbers 1-25 to use for each date from December 1st until Christmas Day.   This was probably the most fun/creative part of the project. 

Examples of some embellished numbers/dates

I do not plan on creating a layout for EVERY SINGLE DAY in December...I am sure I can squeeze 3or 4 days onto one double-page layout if need be.  But I generally take HUNDREDS of pictures during the month of December, so I imagine most days will have their own layout.

I intend on keeping up with the journaling every single day throughout December...who knows when I will get around to scrapping the pictures!  At least I know the journaling will be preserved for me to use when I am ready. 

Happy December!!!!