Sketch Frenzy Friday - May 28

It's another Sketch Frenzy Friday!!  Today's sketch was brought to us from Tammy.

I find that when I'm working on my cards, I often loose track of the basics. Simple is beautiful!  I really love this sketch.  It's sweet, simple and to the point!  Sure, I could have done all sorts of crazy, but I didn't!  I really like it!!

This is the first time I've used the Not Quite Navy Ribbon Originals.  Nice, isn't it? The DSP is Bella Bleu.  Cardstock is Not Quite Navy.  Additional accessories from Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware.  Sentiment is from Wings of Friendship. I think I may go make some more of these because they were almost too simple to be legal!  Thanks for the inspiration, Tammy :)

Sketch Frenzy Friday - May 21

This week, Melinda has given us a great sketch to follow.  It's super clean and simple.  I reallly like cards like this!

I'd love to see what you can come up with based on this card sketch!! 

A Scrapping Transition

Let's talk scrapping.  I'm a habitually unfinished scrapper.  I can't begin to tell you how many scrapbooks I have.  I can absolutely tell you how many complete books I have...3!!  It's sad.  Sometimes I just get overwhelmed trying to plan a big ol book in one sitting.  I've scrapped in 6x6, 8x8, 8-1/2x11, 12x12 and all sorts of random sizes in between.  I haven't decided exactly what size is my favorite yet so until I do, I am going to take the liberty of scrapping in whatever size I so choose.

I really do like 6x6 pages for the simple fact that they're easy to fill up. The picture on the top left is me and lil sis the day of her baby shower.  I really wanted to capture that photo for us and this seemed like a nice, logical layout.  (I'll include the page recipes at the end of my post.)  6x6 books are great for new scrappers.  One photo and you've finished a page!  It's not overly daunting and the layouts can be pretty simple.

What if you happen to love the 8-1/2x11 scrapbook layouts.  You'll see my rendition in the middle photo.  I took that original 6x6 layout, added some journaling and Designer Series Paper, and created a quick 8-1/2x11 page out of my original 6x6.  All of a sudden, I'm on my way to a full sized book!

Ultimately, however, I really do prefer to scrap on 12x12 pages.  But let's get honest girls, do you really "see" the 12x12 layout every time or do you "build" it as you go?  The last photo is my official 12x12 transition page.  Here, I took my newly enlarged 8-1/2x11 layout and added it to my 12x12 page with some border photos and journaling blocks.  (Yes, I realize there is nothing in the journaling section of the Modern Label Punches.  Remember how I said I rarely "finish" a scrapbook!)  We call this Transitional Scrapbooking.  Pretty cool, huh?

The next time you think you can't create those big 12x12 layouts, start smaller!  Work on your 6x6 layouts and work your way up to something a little bigger, then a little bigger, then...when you're ready...12x12.  Or you just might like a smaller size. I think you should try it and find out for yourself!!

Page Recipe:
6x6 - Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive and Bashful Blue Cardstock, Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Fast Flowers Wheel, Versamark, Flower Designer Brads, Vanilla Smooch Shimmer Spray
8-1/2x11 - Add Chocolate Chip Designer Patterns Paper, journaling block, and additional matching cardstock
12x12 - Add Modern Label Punch and additional matching cardstock

Chocolate Monkey Suckers and a Cupcake Tree

I had an amazing weekend!  For those of you who have followed my blog for a while, you'll know I was taking a poll a few months back as to which invitation to use for my sister's baby shower. (We decided on the pocket card.)  Saturday was the shower and it was wonderful fun!  We had a house full of family and friends.  We had family in from out of state that we hadn't seen in quite some time, too, so that helped make it an even more special day!  Lil Sis was showered with wonderful gifts that will be ever so useful when my nephew makes his debut sometime around the beginning of July.  I can't wait to meet him!!

So, you know if I was making the invitations, I had to make the decorations :)  The baby's room has a monkey theme so we kept with that and used Brocade Blue and Chocolate Chip as our colors. I had lots of help getting these decorations and favors ready.  Mickey, Audra, Madison, and Heather - Thank you for helping alleviate my stress.  You guys did a great job!!!  Below is a description of some my favorite party decorations and favors.  You can click on any of the pictures for a larger view.

WELCOME BABY Banner - We made this banner from the Stampin' Up! Pennant Die the morning of the shower.  It went together so quick easy!  Each of the pennants is connected with a 3/8" Chocolate Chip brad and the ends with the ribbon are reinforced with Pewter Jumbo Eyelets.

Cupcake Tree - With lots of help, we made Lemon, Chocolate, and Red Velvet cupcakes for the shower.  I was even able to mix icing that was frighteningly close to Brocade Blue!  Each cupcake was wrapped up so cute thanks to the Perfect Setting Big Shot die. BB - chocolate, CC - red velvet, CC DSP - lemon.  On the top of each one sits a great little cupcake pick made by sandwiching a toothpick between two scalloped circle punches.  Look closely at the photo.  I used a 16x20 mirror as the cupcake tree tray.  In the lower right corner, I applied the "M is for Monkey" Decor Element.  So cute, right??  Now that it's not being used as a cupcake tray, it will be put in a frame and hung in the baby's room.

Chocolate Monkey Suckers - I'll be brutally honest.  I hope I never have to get these chocolate molds out again :-)  I made about 60 of these monkeys in both milk chocolate and peanut butter chocolate.  They were really tasty and so cute!  Each monkey was wrapped in a cello bag and mounted on a flower made with the Stampin' Up! exclusive Flower Folds die.  We tied the little thank you notes to each one and put them into vases for fun and tasty table arrangements.  I'll definitely use this idea again! 

Love your BRAYER!!

Last night was the first in my series of brayer classes.  We were working on Brayer Basics.  I absolutely love my brayer!!  By learning a few simple techniques, you can make some amazing background and fun elements for your cards and scrapbook pages.

We started Brayer Basics by working on simple color blending.  After that, we used two colors to create a wonderful floral horizon.  Our last card used the beautiful Bride Designer Paper and our own rainbow ink pad made from baby wipes and Classic Reinkers to make fun butterfly embellishments.  Lots of learning and fun was had by all!!

Ready to learn the next step in your brayering adventure?  Join me for Brayer Beyone The Basics!  You will continue to add color, depth and design to your beautifully inked creations. Brayer Beyond the Basics will teach you to blend color, mask areas to create depth and dimension, and use new techniques to bring your brayered cards to a whole new level!


The cost for this class is $20 and includes a pack of Stamping Sponges and a bottle of Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz. You must bring your brayer to this class. If you would like to order a new brayer, you can add one at the time of registration for just $12.50.

RSVP and payment must be received by June 1. Space is limited!

This class is available as a Class To Go. With a minimum of 4 participants, this class can be conducted in your home or mine on a date of your choosing. Please plan at least two weeks in advance to allow time for payment and product ordering.

Class Options

Class Only $20.00 Class plus a Brayer $32.50

School Days Scrapbook Workshop

School Days Memory Scrapbook

Grades K-6


Saturday, May 22
12:00pm ~ 3:00pm
~or~
Thursday, May 27
6:30pm ~ 9:30pm

This quick and functional album is the perfect way to preserve your cherished school photos as well as report cards, special projects, and class shots.



Each 2-page spread has a mat for an 8x10 photo on one side and a special pocket on the other for your special memories with lots of space for journaling. All page pieces are precut. We will use die cuts, stamps and alphabets to create this keepsake scrapbook!


Create this wonderful scrapbook for only $35! Additional scrapbooks are only $25 each! Add a 12x12 post bound linen album with 20 page protectors for $30 more. Please indicate if you want Red or Pink accents. Adhesive not included.

This album is available as a Kit To Go for $25.  Please email me for information on the Kit To Go option!  Love the class but don't want to assemble it yourself?  I'd be happy to assemble the kit for you!  A preassembled book, ready for your photos is just $55 for the first copy and $45 for each additional album!

RSVP by May 18 to guarantee your spot! Payment is due in advance and can be made via PayPal, Cash or Check.    When making payment through PayPal, please indicate which session you wish to attend.