Card Swap Month 1

My friend Arlyn wanted to do a card kit swap. The rules are that you have to make 3-4 cards with each kit and have to use half kit materials for each card. I'll be honest, I thought it would be easier than it was. I was probably overthinking a whole lot. Good thing I have 3 more months to work at this. 

In the first card, I used a card base and patterned paper from the kit. I used the leaf ribbons and mixed and mixed them to make it look more "natural." I die cut the title out of another card base. I inked the edges.

This is the last card I made and probably my favorite. I used the leftover patterned paper, the back of the card base from the previous title, a card base, flower, and small brads from the kit. I added the brown flower and big brad. Obviously I inked the edges again. 

For this card, I used a card base from the kit along with the green patterned paper, buttons, fiber, and the little fussy cut Santa that I decided not to use for the card but couldn't resist putting on the inside. To make the fiber more usable for button tieing I trimmed off all the fuzzies. I didn't do a very good job of sticking to kit supplies for this card. I added the red and stared patterned paper along with the paper I cut the title out of.

Last and my least liked card is this one. I used the pattered paper for the blocks and green background. I also used the fiber from the kit. Background paper, card base, and sticker were not from the kit. If you are Arlyn, you might even recognize the card layout. It is from a card she gave me years ago. It is my "go to" pattern for a quick card and I couldn't resist using it for this quick "cute" card.

Next month I get to make the kits. I have to mail them by November 1st so I guess I need to get working on them. I have a few ideas, actually too many ideas.

Cupcake Thank You

Hubby turned 50 (yikes!) yesterday. Since he spent the weekend running a Scout event, we thought it would be nice to surprise him. So last night we sang happy birthday, did old man kind of things, and had cupcakes......all 400 of them.
I made thank you cards for everyone that helped with hubby's cupcakes. Loved that I was able to use stuff I had on hand! I also learned 2 things making this card: 1. use tape across the back so the string doesn't tear through your paper, and 2. a little ribbon glue will secure your knot.
Also....this card was based on 2 cards/sketches found on Nancy Thomas' blog. She does amazing cards!

Products used:
Rusty Pickle papers
Sizzix die
Spellbinders die
Lasting Impressions brad

Splashin' Around

This was a single page sketch from Got Sketch Express 4 that a fellow classmate made into a 2 pager. Seeing her layout totally hit me upside the head that it would be perfect for these photos! Not sure if I like the wave border but it looks better than it did with white paper behind it. And I am super excited that I was able to use some seriously old things that I never imagined I'd use!

Products used:
My Mind's Eye Paper
Scenic Route chipboard
Flair border tape
American Crafts Thickers
Queen & Co brads

Churchill Middle School

I am sure this is based on a sketch from somewhere, but I don't know who/where. if it is yours, please let me know so I can give you proper credit.

I started this layout at my weekend retreat last month. after getting home I realized I had the wrong school and wrong school year. the colors work great for R's high school......too bad this was middle school! thankfully I hadn't put the layout together yet so I was able to change the things like the sticker and plaque with the wrong grade on them!

Products used:

Creative Imaginations papers, stickers, embellishments
QK dies
EZ Lazer Designs embellishment
Pebbles embellishment
KI ribbon
Lasting Impressions brads

Pumpkin Picking

yes, another camera picture, sorry!

this Got Sketch Express 4 two-pager was perfect for the photos I had. I cut them a bit smaller to have room to mat them and yes, used lots and lots of buttons for my circles to line the layout. it wasn't as difficult as you might think: I ran some adhesive down the page, positioned the buttons, punched holes, and then sewed them on. and can you believe I had enough buttons to do it??! sadly, I still have plenty of buttons leftover!

Products used:
Scenic Route papers and embellishments
Making Memories alphabet
misc buttons
DMC floss

Last Day of School

I think this is my favorite sketch in the Got Sketch Express 4 class so far! I love all the different papers (shocking, I know! lol!) and that it works well for someone who likes to mat her photos. I didn't make many alterations this time! And yes, again, sorry, another phone photo.

Products used:

KI paper and ribbon
Scenic Route chipboard
Making Memories rub-ons and stickers
Junkitz, Creative Imaginations, Pebbles embellishments

Jack O' Lantern

Another Got Sketch Express 4 sketch.


Had to change the photo sizes a little to makes my photos work but not sure you can tell the difference. Painted the edges of the pictures since we didn't mat them. For the trim on the top and bottom, I took some Creative Imaginations felt trim and added some striped paper. 

Another phone photo. Sorry!

Products used:

Basic Grey papers, stickers, alphabet
Doodlebug ric rac
Creative Imaginations felt
Misc buttons & brads

International Market Day

This is based on a sketch from Valerie Salmon's Got Sketch Express 4. Once again proving I don’t follow directions well, I turned this sketch on its side and reduced the number and size of the circles. But at least you can still see the sketch basics!

And sorry for such a crummy photo. My scanner is officially dead and I don't think I am going to replace it. Now to work on taking better pictures of layouts with my camera or phone!

Products used:
Collage Press paper
Little Yellow Bicycle paper and embellishments
We Are Memory Keepers ribbon
Junkitz, Bazzill, QK embellishments
Webster's Pages stickers
Doodlebug rub-ons