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Monday, February 20, 2012

Paper Girl's Challenge #2

I am the host of this next challenge so go check it out over here!

Warning: This challenge is addictive. You may find that using photo strips on your pages become a recurring theme.

I made three pages for the challenge because I just couldn't stop myself. Ok, one of them was to complete a sketch for ScrapbookSteals and two were for the new Take 12 challenge I'm hoping to follow through with this year. So here you go:

My first idea for the photo strip page.

This one is my January Take 12

And this one is my two pager that is a combo for the Garnet #10 sketch at Scrapbook Steals and is also my February Take 12.

See what I mean? I couldn't stop myself. And it's great for those trips or occasions that have so many pictures that you really want to scrap. Have fun! I hope you decide to join in.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Introducing The Paper Girls Challenge blog

A few friends and I decided to put together a new scrapbooking challenge blog. We are going to have bi-monthly challenges with either a sketch, a topic, or a specific theme. I'm really excited to participate with all of the great ladies at The Paper Girls Challenge blog!

This is my take on the awesome sketch that Judy came up with. I found this picture of Genevieve when she wast 15 months old. She's now eight so it was really nostalgic to come across. My friend Misty has used the folded circles on a few of her layouts and I finally got a chance to use that idea. I hope you will play along with our challenges! Just click on the link above and join in on the fun!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Little Mama

This year I've really enjoyed participating in some sketch challenges. They are a great inspiration to start a page. I was going through my photos and I came across this one of my daughter holding my youngest son. I love the look on her face. The Splendid line from Authentique had the perfect colors to coordinate with the photo. This page just came together quickly.

Here's the sketch from Authentique paper's blog:

Monday, January 30, 2012

Valentine's Day Bagalope

While working on some extremely tedious tax prep I started dreaming of a fun project to use the new Sizzix Hearts framelets on. Bagalopes aren't a new idea but I thought it would be an awesome thing to cut a window to show off whatever treat you decide to put in there. I went with the classic conversation hearts because they go perfectly with the color scheme of the Everyday Enchantment paper pack you can get free in the Sale-a-bration catalog for spending $50.

1. Start by scoring 3/4" in from each long edge on your envelope. You need to press hard enough to get through both layers of paper without ripping the envelope.

2. Score 3/4" from the bottom of your envelope too.

3. Before we shape this baby into a bag we need to cut the heart out with our framelet. Simply place die on top of envelope so the heart doesn't overlap with any of the score lines. It will cut where the inside of the die shows. Sandwich between two cutting pads and place on top of tab 2 of sizzix platform and crank through.

4. Lick the adhesive on your envelope and seal it.

5. Trim the top 1/4" of your envelope off with paper cutter. If you want to stamp the outside of your envelope this is the perfect time to do it.

6. Now you can shape your bag. I find the easiest thing to do is to fold on each score line backwards and forwards so it pops into shape better.

7. This is what the bottom looks like. You may find depending on where your adhesive of your envelope ends you might have a little flap to glue down.

8. Glue little triangular tabs to the bottom of your bag with a little sticky strip.

9. Ready to decorate as you please. I used a small cello bag to hold the candy inside my bagalope.

Here's a photo collage of all of the steps in case you just need the pictures to remind you what to do. I thought it might be good for pinning on Pinterest.

One last thing I made for you: a little template for the bagalope.

Happy creating!!

Erica

Monday, January 16, 2012

Sketch Challenge

I played along with the January sketch challenge over at Authentique. I really like their Free Bird papers. This is my favorite line. I just love the blues and oranges they just say "boy" to me.

I have to say that I took these pictures because Elliott is such a mischief maker. This time he was turning on and off the power to the computer with the switch on the power strip. Ugh! Got a shot of him in action and then put him in time out. Probably not the best parenting. I just needed proof!