Cute Boy ***Sketches In Thyme***

I created this wonderful LO for Sketches In Thyme for the Open challenge, all you need to do is post any sketch you used with your project posted with it, easy peasy.  So just head on over and play along!!

I used a sketch that we used at Sketches In Thyme a few months back, but flipped it on it's side for fun this time, no reason not use to a sketch more than once (not my little secret anymore)!!  I got the inspiration for the circles from the circles on the page, and for part of the general design of the number of pictures and general proportions.

I had fun playing with the buttons and how I used the bakers twine (that I got from Really Reasonable Ribbon) for the centers.  The pictures of of my friend's son.

Challenges:
http://kcclayoutchallenges.blogspot.com/ - secrets - 9/2
http://cropstop.blogspot.com/ - anything goes - 9/1x
http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/ - boy - 9/1x
http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/ - anything goes - 9/1x
http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com/ - decades - 9/7
http://www.stampsruschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes - 9/6



Enjoy!!

Erin R.

Smile ***ScrapWith V Kits***

I just started as DT over at Scrapbook Kits by Scrap with V and they have a fun challenge with a sketch starting now!!  All you need to do is to create a project with the sketch and then e-mail your creation to Jules at scrapbookkitswithjules@gmail.com by August 31st.  For more information please see the blog.

So here is the sketch and my take of the sketch.

In this LO are my 2 boys.  They just got out of the water at the pool, and we got this great shot of the two of them, a rare moment when they are both looking into the camera and smiling at the same time.  There were so many colors in the photo with the swimsuits tops and towels I decided to make it a black and white picture and crop it in.. I used my swirlydoo kit for this one, lots of fun little bits, plus some from my own stash.  I fun little hint to save money is I cut the lace and bling border so just the parts that are showing are used, there is no wasted lace and bling under the photo and flowers like it is meant look like.  Now I still have half of the beautiful trim left over for another project!!

Challenges:
http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/ - glitter - 8/28x
http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/ - hot colors - 9/2x
http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.com/ - recipe challenge - 9/13
http://heartsonginspirations.blogspot.com/ - shabby chic - 8/28x
http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/ - anything goes - 9/1x
http://punkyscraps.blogspot.com/ - get picky - 9/1

Enjoy!!

Erin R.

Hug - two of my sweet men in my life

This is a layout of my youngest son Brandon and my husband on our beach trip to Galveston in June of 2011.  Brandon was so scared of the water all the wanted to do at first was to be held, so I was taking pictures of Brandon clutching to his daddy for safety and this wonderful shot came out if it.  He finally got used to the waves (after running to us for safety and assurance that they would not hurt him), then later he was all over playing in the sand and water with his older brother and cousins.

I used some fun new techniques on this one.  First was weaving of paper, I had never done it before.  I got the idea from a Swirlydoo challenge (since this is from my swirlydoo kit).  The bottom and top right red and brown sections are both woven, a really fun thing to do if you have never done it.  I even used some unconventional product on this one, the brown paper is from a brown paper bag some of my flowers came in that I opened up and cut into strips to weave, they even had the fun frayed edge to them already.

I then created this wonderful bow using my fun new bow tool, Bow-tastic, it really makes easy good looking bows.  I then used the tail on right side to hug the bottom of the photo by curling it around to the other side.  I layered in some flowers, and some fun pearl strands I picked up at Hobby Lobby to accent it all off.

For this layout I used this great sketch from Sketches in Thyme.  I changed it up a bit, the the general bones are still there.  The challenge ends at the end of the month, so head on over and try it out!!

I also used this layout at Frosted Designs for their fun challenge to use clocks or time on your project.  So head on over to them and have fun with that challenge!!

Challenges:
http://kcclayoutchallenges.blogspot.com/ - something new - 9/2
http://alphabetchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - navy - 8/19x
http://bythecuteandgirly.blogspot.com/ - the sea - 8/30x
http://ceschallenges.blogspot.com/ - mix and match - 8/19x
http://colourcreatechallenge.blogspot.com/ - blue, green, red, white, brown - 8/23x
http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/-  blue - 8/23x
http://craftyannschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - borders - 8/24x
http://cropstop.blogspot.com/ - pearls - 8/24x
http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.com/-  distressing - 8/20x
http://forfunchallenges.blogspot.com/ - LO - 8/24x
http://inkspirations-challenges.blogspot.com/ - colors - 8/19x
http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/ - beach - 8/19x
http://paperplaytime.blogspot.com/- anything goes - 8/26x
http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/ - anything goes - 8/30x
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/ - blue - 8/30
http://raisethebarchallenge.blogspot.com/ - beat the heat - 8/24x
http://simplycreatechallenges.blogspot.com/ - distress - 8/25x
http://sparklesforumchallenges.blogspot.com/ - boys - 8/30x
http://stampinsanity.com/ - anything goes - 8/24x
http://thepapervariety.blogspot.com/ - threads - 8/21*
http://totallygorjuss.blogspot.com/ - round - 8/19x
http://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/ - anything goes - 8/23x
http://wagsnwhiskersrubberstamps.blogspot.com/ - outdoor fun - 9/1x


Enjoy!!

Erin R.

Great uses for baker's twine and jute **Really Reasonable Ribbon**

I was thrilled to be the GDT for Really Reasonable Ribbon, it made my month!!  When I saw the selection they had on the baker's twine and all the colors and width's of their jute I had to have it all.  I think I got every color they had in both of these types of trim!!

For this first LO I used the 1.5" jute ribbon in the natural color.  I used it as a "peak-a-boo" under my paper and also as a trim under the mat of my photo. The pic is of my youngest son.  I loved the way his eyes looked in this picture, so I had to scrap it.  I love flowers and swirls, but to add a masculine touch I love the look of the "burlap" jute peaking out to rough the LO up a bit.
 

 This is really easy to do, and i hope you try it out!! 1. Either cut your ribbon in half or leave it intact.   It depends on how much of it will show peaking out under the paper.  I used it both ways

 2. Fold back sections of you paper to create a "V" or a "peak-a-boo" opening on your project

 3. Tape your ribbon to the background paper with regular clear tape.  Be sure to put the tape low enough so it does not show through in your "peak-a-boo" opening.  You can see here I did not use the ribbon all the way around the LO, I just placed it where it would peak out from under the paper.  To do this I had to line it up under the top paper before gluing it down, then tape the ribbon.

 4.  Glue the top layer of paper over your ribbon. so just a little peaks out from under your pulled back "V" or "peak-a-boo" sections. It really gives a fun frayed or rough look to a project.

For this next LO I used the a different jute ribbon, the 5/8" ribbon in natural color as a layered trim at the bottom of the LO.  I also used the red baker's twine in the center of the buttons.
 

To help match the colors of the baker's twine better to the LO, I used a little bit of light brown ink to color the white of the twine to a light brown color.  I then frayed the ends of the twine after tying the knot on the button.

 To see my other LO you have to by Really Reasonable Ribbon's blog and take a look at all the fun things going on - tutorials, challenges, and more!!  I always find some great new ideas for my ribbon there!!

Enjoy!!

Challenges - Those eyes LO

http://creativeinspirationspaint.blogspot.com/ - a tut - 8/13*
http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/ - photo inspiration - 8/17x
http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.com/ - distressing - 8/19x
http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/ - hot colors - 9/2
http://bellichallenge.blogspot.com/ - non paper materials - 8/16x

Challenges - Cute as a button LO
http://cropstop.blogspot.com/ - sketch - 8/10*
http://bellichallenge.blogspot.com/ - non paper materials - 8/16x

Erin R.

Cherish Birdie Card ***Do You Stack Up**

I was chosen to be the GDT for this weeks challenge at Do you Stack Up (DYSU), WOW!!

I had tons of fun playing with this cute little birdie image and the colors orange, yellow, and brown.  I just came back from CK convention and one of the classes I took was using these great new pencils and water color blending tools, so I had to use them on the little birds.  I also picked up some great new stamps from heartfelt Creations, and I had to use them too!!

So head on over to DYSU and join in the fun!!

One the techniques I used here was to stamp my swirl pattern with my new HC stamps and then go over the swirls with stickles to give it that fun glittery effect.  I also loved the idea of the softness of the glitter with the hardness of the burlap ribbon, made a nice contrast.

Enjoy!!

Challenges:
http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/  - sketch and girly - 8/3x
http://paperplaychallenges.blogspot.com/ - garden - 8/3x
http://simplycreatechallenges.blogspot.com/ - animal - 8/11x
http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com/ - pic - 8/8x
http://stampinsanity.com/ - fav color - brown - 8/3x
http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com/ - bling - 8/5x

Erin R.

Beach Trip ***Sketches in Thyme***

It's time for the 3rd and final challenge for the month of July at Sketches in Thyme, and this one is an Open Challenge! Now, how does an open challenge work, you ask? It's easy to play along! Just link up a new creation you've made for this challenge using ANY SKETCH, try out a sketch from a favorite blog or maybe create your own. As long as you use a sketch you can enter the challenge!!

So head on over to Sketches in Thyme and load up your sketch!!

I used this great sketch from Creating Keepsakes Magazine and made the fun beach page from our family trip to Galveston in June.

I did some fun techniques here.  One was to use strips of paper and punch the edges and roll them up to create the "wave" effect at the bottom of the pages.  I then added some cute little fish and other sea animals in the "waves" for a bit of fun.

Challenges:
http://kcclayoutchallenges.blogspot.com/  - big title - 7/29x
http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/ - summer colors - 7/27x

http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes - 8/2x
http://craftyourdaysaway.blogspot.com/ - summertime - 8/4x
http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/ - water - 8/5x
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/ - seeing double - 7/27x
http://craftypurplefrogchallenges.blogspot.com/ - water - 8/3x
http://www.cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/ - shabby/sparkle - 7/30x
http://heartsonginspirations.blogspot.com/ - anything goes - 7/30x
http://lollipopcrafts.blogspot.com/ - anything goes - 7/30x

http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.com/ - circles - 8/7x

http://prairiefairyfridays.blogspot.com/ - holiday - 7/27x

http://thesecretcraftersaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ - numbers (in journaling) - 7/28x
http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/ - embellish it - 7/28x
http://totallygorjuss.blogspot.com/ - punch - 7/30x

Erin R.

Somewhere over the rainbow ***Frosted Designs***

There is a wonderful challenge over at Frosted Designs right now...............use buttons!!!  So head on over and play away!!

For my take on this challenge I used black buttons as anchors for the strips of paper.  I saw this idea of colored strips as a rainbow on a layout over in a big online gallery, and I had to lift it!!  I also made the flowers using the twisted rose technique (one of my first attempts at these flowers). 

The pic is of my daughter Kristen.  This picture was taken the day before she died (very sudden of SIDS) at 4 months old.  My mother took this photo of her, and I am so glad that she did, as it is the last memory I have of her right before she died.  I picked the title that "We will meet again somewhere over the rainbow" to give me hope that I will someday when my time hear on earth is done get to see my baby girl again.  I miss her so much.  I journaled this info around the pic on the pebble paper, as to partly hide the info, but also to be seen and read if you want, as it is an emotional topic.

I love you baby girl, never forgotten and always missed!!

Challenges:
http://kcclayoutchallenges.blogspot.com/  - big title - 7/29*
http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/ - summer colors - 7/27x
http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes - 8/2x
http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/ - flower - 7/26x
http://cropstop.blogspot.com/ - rosettes - 7/28x
http://lollipopcrafts.blogspot.com/ - anything goes - 7/30x
http://thesecretcraftersaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ - numbers (in journaling) - 7/28x
http://thepapervariety.blogspot.com/ - rainbow - 7/27x

Erin R.