Creative Scrappers Sketchbook Volume 3

If you're an occasional scrapper like me, and have limited scrappy time... then you will love these sketchbooks published by Kristine Davidson of Creative Scrappers!!!  They are wonderful to help kickstart your mojo when you find yourself pushing paper around your desk (as I often am these days!).

She has just released Volume 3 and I'm over the moon excited!  I was asked to create a layout for the publication based on one of the awesome sketches, and I chose to scrap a funny photo of Ralphie with some Studio Calico/Sassafras goodies.

You can download a digital copy of the sketchbook HERE, and see below for a discount code!

I prefer to have both paper AND digital, and there are still some sketchbooks available to order HERE.

And if these sketchbooks are new to you, check out the Digital copies of V1&2!

Happy fun!!!
xo

More Rectangles...



Here's an update on the Scrapbook Projects I've been working on over the last few months.  I've been going through a creative block or shift lately, and haven't been as motivated to work on anything.  I dig out my Studio Calico kits and just shuffle paper around my desk... I'm tired of my layered rectangles! 

One of my favorite of all time scrappers (and awesome friend) Nicole and I were chatting about this last week, and she just said "find another shape!" ha!  It sounds so simple, but that's exactly what I'm going to do.  Really try and get out of my comfort zone... and maybe try and scraplift a few of her beautiful layouts. ;-)

For now, here are my rectangles

 

Creative Scrappers Sketch #268

If you take a look at my online galleries, you may notice I tend to shy away from circles. The only time I incorporate them is when I'm working on a CS Sketch! (I guess my creative brain just likes rectangles LOL)

 I wanted to try something a bit different with this layout, so I grabbed a piece of white card stock and cut out the six circles with my Silhouette Cameo.  I used this as a stencil to create my circles using the Hero Arts Daubers (Love these!).

It still looked a bit plain, so I dug out my watercolors and got my fingers messy.  At first, I wasn't keen on the results and almost threw it in the trash.  However, I decided to wait until it dried before getting rid of it and I'm so happy I did! When it was wet it looked so gross and muddy.  I loved it once it dried!

A good "lesson learned" for me this week: no hasty decisions until my watercolors have dried completely :)

This layout was tons of fun as it includes: Letterpress (the Ampersand), hand cut star and triangles, watercolors, ink daubers, stencils and white mist, individual letter stamps and lots and lots of messy stitching!!!

Thanks for stopping by, don't forget to check out the Creative Scrappers Blog for the DT reveal and your chance to win a great prize from this month's sponsor!
Have a great week,
Steph xo

Cool Kid

This boy and his cat crack me up... they are like two peas in a pod! Lucky has the perfect personality for a rambunctious fella like Rohan!  

Rohan has very good cat manners; he is very gentle with Lucky and doesn't tease or annoy him intentionally.  All he wants is a snuggle, and even then he doesn't push too much.  However, he is still only 6 after all, and little boys can play LOUD!  When Lucky has had enough, he just goes upstairs to his quiet place to recharge.

This paper and embellies were all part of a past Studio Calico kit... and I have to admit, I love the concept, but I really struggled with this beautiful graphic design paper. 

Sometimes I think I'm just in a scrapbook rut, in that when something is outside of my wheelhouse I can't figure out which direction to take.  Sure, I got the layout done... but I feel like I haven't "wowed" myself in a long time.  You know that feeling when you are finished a layout and you can't wait to show someone else because you are just so thrilled with it?!  Yeah, I haven't really had that lately. 

I'm sure it will pass... I probably just need to find more time in my Scrapbook space and work out those creative blocks.



Thanks for stopping by!
Steph

Cat In the Hat

I've been collecting Blythe dolls this past year, and one of the trendy items to outfit your doll with are these beautiful critter hats by Sweet Days.  When Ingrid posted this pink cat hat I just had to have it!

It was just by chance that one day when I was sorting through my Blythe hats, and poor Ralphie was sleeping on my desk, that I noticed the hat would probably fit him.  Well, it's safe to say that Blythe doll heads are about the same size as a Persian Cat's head!  haha! 

Since that day, whenever I receive a new Blythe hat, Ralphie has a little photoshoot with it first.  I have to schedule them just after a nap while he's still groggy, but I don't think he minds much anyway ;-) 

I dug out one of my favorite kits for this layout: Studio Calico Sugar Rush  (They still have some of the SC patterned paper left)

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a great week!
Steph

Creative Scrappers Sketch 267

Here is my take on yet another fabulous Creative Scrappers Sketch!  I really enjoyed working with this two photo layout.  I struggled a bit with the color combo since the photos have such a bold background, but all in all I think it worked out well :-) 

These Photobooth photos are one of my absolute favorite things about a S&CT Crop and Create!  The floral backgrounds are always the same, so the only way to really tell which photo was taken at which crop is by our clothes!  (Ahem... I've been known to wear shirts to the crop that match the photobooth LOL)

Thanks for stopping by my blog, and be sure to visit the Creative Scrappers Blog to link up your take on this week's sketch for a chance to win a prize from this month's sponsor Scraptastic Kit Club!

Also, CS is having a DT Call so while you're linking up your layouts on the blog, why not apply to be a part of this wonderful team!

Cheers,
Steph

Creative Scrappers - Birthday Bash

Welcome to the Creative Scrappers Blog Hop!

 

Creative Scrappers is celebrating 6 years of Creating with Sketches and we’re so excited to share 12 new sketches for you today and some inspiring layouts as well.

 

We’ll be giving away a few prizes so be sure to play along and check back on Saturday night April 26th to see if you’re the lucky winner!

Here are the different ways you can play along:

1. Like Creative Scrappers on Facebook
2. Comment on our blog or on Facebook page
3. Help Spread the news!

Here is a copy of my sketch created by Kristine Davidson:

 

And here is the project that I created with photos of my sister's Birthday last year!

I loved working with this sketch because of all the mix of patterned papers I had to use.  The different layers and stitching really helped me get the texture I was in the mood to create. 

Please join us in celebrating this wonderful milestone for Create Scrappers!!! 

Here is the Blog Hop Order

 

Amanda Johnson

Amanda Johnson Ashley Horton
Danielle de Konink
Jenny Evans
Jody Rogers
Kathy Skou
Kristine Davidson
Michelle Whorwood

Missy Whidden
Sherri Funk

Stephanie Hart (<-You are Here)
Tara Elias

Back to

Creative Scrappers

 

Head on over to the Creative Scrappers blog and download our sketches from today's birthday bash blog hop! We have tons of giveaways on our facebook page today thanks to our our awesome blog hop sponsors : 
Creative Scrappers, Let's Capture Our Memories,  Paper Camellia, Creative Embellishments, My Scraps & More, Scrapbook & Cards Today, Simple Stories, Jillibean Soup, Pinkfresh Studio, Davida Stafford - CTMH, Paper Issues, My Creative Scrapbook

Thank you for playing along today and helping us celebrate 6 years of awesome sketches and layouts!  Check in Sunday with us for more layouts using Sketch 267.

 

Please visit Tara's Blog to continue the Blog Hop!

LCOM's Monthly Color Spot Challenge!

I was thrilled when Isabelle from Let's Capture Our Memories contacted me to participate in their monthly Color Spot Challenge!  I loved the inspiration board and digging through my Maggie Holmes collection seemed like a perfect fit!

 

Here is my layout of our Ralphie!  I can't get enough of those crazy ears!

 

 

Here is the lovely Inspiration board!

Be sure to check out the LCOM shop, they have added lots of new Winter CHA goodies lately! 

Have a great week!
Steph
xo

Creative Scrappers Sketch 265

Grids are Back baby!!!

I just love this latest Creative Scrappers sketch!  It was the perfect way for me to document our first week with Athena, and I added a couple of extra photos in there just to capture it all.

I dug out one of my older Studio Calico kits and just loved playing with the sketch design and moving my embellishments around the layout.

 

Be sure to stop by the Creative Scrappers blog to see the full DT reveal and submit your take on Sketch 265 for your chance to win a prize from our monthly Sponsor Chic Tags!

Cheers,
Steph
xo

Welcome Home Athena.....Um, or Lola or Ruby

If you have visited my blog before (Thanks you!!) then you have probably caught on that I am a cat lover.  Self titled Crazy Cat Lady, and I wouldn't live my life any other way.

The opportunity to adopt this beautiful girl presented itself almost a month ago and we couldn't resist.  She was described as a sassy, affectionate and cuddly 8 year old, retired Silver Persian Queen.  A lap cat. 

It was the last sentence that prompted Dave to immediately suggest we offer her a home.  You see, I had two lap cats who passed away late 2012 (Gabe 12) and early 2013 (Bronte 16).... and my lap has been empty every since. 

I drove the 8hrs to New Brunswick and back to pick her up, and immediately fell in love.  I think she *may* have felt the same way about me, because when I transferred her from the travel carrier to my carrier she just got up and walked in. 

We've been getting to know one another this past month, and I know this sounds corny, but she "fits".  She gets along so well with our other 4 cats, its almost as though she's always been with us!  (those of you with a multi cat household, know that this isn't always the case!)

She is lovely, sweet and a bit sassy... she meows like Chewbaca when she wants me to scratch her head.  It is adorable. 

She's 8years old, and doesn't know her name.  So we were entertaining the idea of renaming her since Athena doesn't really suit her.... we've tried Ruby, Rue, and Lola is the current favorite.... but it may just evolve as we continue to acquaint ourselves.... I caught myself calling her "Chewy" the other days, so who knows ;-)

Creative Scrappers Sketch 264!

Here is the latest Creative Scrappers sketch!  This was so much fun, I loved working with this sketch! 

I dug out some lovely Fancy Pants papers and embellies, and I'm just loving the new direction that they are taking with their designs!

Back in 2008 when I first began scrapbooking, I was ALL about Fancy Pants.  I couldn't get enough of their products.  Then I'm not certain what happened, if they changed, or I changed... but there were many other companies that were vying for my attention and their designs just didn't speak to me. 

That is until now.  I love their products!  The designs are much cleaner, and trendy... and I've enjoyed their last few collections in 2013 and just recently their CHA 2014 collections.

Be sure to stop by the Creative Scrappers blog to see the full DT reveal and submit your take on Sketch 264 for your chance to win a prize from our monthly Sponsor Chic Tags!

Cheers,
Steph
xo

Creative Scrappers Sketch 263

Good Morning Scrappy Friends!

Here is another lovely Creative Scrappers sketch to share with you today!  I struggled with it at first because of the size of the photo area being 6x12... my printer only prints 8½ x 11 so I sat at my desk scratching my head for a bit to figure out how to make it work. 

After I reminded myself that the sketch is an inspiration starting point, I was fine!  I found this iPhone pic of Roxy when she was a kitten and printed it a bit larger than 5x7 and matted it out so it would cover that space a bit better.

Here is my take on the sketch, hope you enjoy it!

 

Be sure to stop by the Creative Scrappers blog to see the full DT reveal and submit your take on Sketch 263 for your chance to win a prize from our monthly Sponsor Chic Tags!

Creative Catch Up!

A couple of weekends ago I was in a total Stashbusting mood and was able to get a few layouts finished!  My stash is slowly working its way down, without bringing in too many new items (Although I couldn't resist Amy Tangerine and Dear Lizzy's new AC lines!)

My goal is to have a much more manageable stash, where I don't hoard anything for longer than a couple of months.  I have a tendency to buy items that I absolutely adore, and will hang on to it for years because I don't want to "run out" or "use it all up".... and really, what's the point in that?!

So my personal goal is not to be wasteful and re home the items I know I will never use...It's an ongoing process, and the change in my shopping habit is the toughest part!  I love so many new items, but I need to remind myself I don't need every single release! Ha!

So enough chatter.... here are the Stashbusting layouts I completed... all with product that is over a year old or more!

Thanks for stopping by and catching up with me!
Cheers,
Steph

Creative Scrappers Sketch #262

Here is the latest sketch from Creative Scrappers.... and again, the sketch designer has pushed me out of my safe place and had me create something I wouldn't have thought of doing. I just love that about these sketches! Not only are they great jump starts when you are having a scrappy block, but they help develop your creative muscle as well!

I tend to get stuck in the same rut.... rectangles, layers, off set with white space and title off to the side.  If left to my own devices, this is all that I would scrap LOL

Here is my take on the sketch, using an older Crate Paper collection.... Stashbusting 2014 continues!!!  I'm determined to use up what I have before I buy all the new CHA releases :-)

Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to check out the Creative Scrappers Blog for your chance to win a prize from this month's sponsor!

Cheers, Steph

Scrapaganza 2014!

My lovely friend Mercy Tiara invited me to her house for her annual "Scrapaganza" all day scrapbooking event!  Basically, she has a few scrappy friends over for an all day session (9am-until we drop) and I was thrilled to accept!

It was lovely meeting new scrappy friends, and spending time with others who enjoy this hobby as much as I do.  I haven't been to a crop in some time, so I was really looking forward to it.

The company was lovely, the food was delicious, and I think we all had a great time :)

Here is a photo that MT's hubby took of us in her amazing scrappy space.... can you imagine, she has room for 5 people to scrap comfortably!  I'm just a little envious LOL

Here are some of the layouts I completed during the day, I almost killed an entire SC Kit + Add on!

Thanks for stopping by!
Hope you are having a great week :)
Steph

Creative Scrappers Sketch 261

Happy Sunday!
It's that time again for another Creative Scrappers Sketch!  I really like this one, as it had two photo spots on the layout (I'm usually a one photo layout girl).

Here is my layout, using up my Echo Park stash..... Trying to continue my Stashbusting trend into 2014 :)

Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to check out the fill DT Reveal on the Creative Scrappers blog! Add you take on the sketch in the comments section for a chance to win a prize pack from PaperCamelia!

Creative Scrappers Sketch #260

Hello Friends!
Here I am with another great sketch design from Creative Scrappers!  This was a tough one, it actually took me two tries before I figured out what I liked... and I had to resort to my Cameo for help with cutting the triangles!  I know every couple of weeks I say that this CS sketch took me out of my comfort zone, but this one REALLY did!!!  I'm a rectangle, and occasional circle kind of girl.... never triangles! LOL 

I was in a mixed media type of mood, so I dug out my modeling paste and watercolors, punchinella and had a bit of fun with it.  The black stitching grounds it, and I love the effect!

Blythe dolls are my new obsession, and here are the first three that I bought this past fall.  It's just a quick snapshot with my iPhone, but I'm preparing a couple of dioramas to take proper photos of them.  I haven't owned a doll since I was a little girl, but there is something so cute about these girls I couldn't resist!

 

 

Thanks for reading, and please be sure to check out the full reveal on the Creative Scrappers Blog and enter your layout for a chance to win a prize from this month's sponsor My Creative Scrapbook!

 

Cheers,

Steph

xo

 

Creative Scrappers Sketch #259

Hello Friends!
I'm back with another lovely Creative Scrappers layout for Sketch # 259!

I love the simple design here, and the layers.... oh the layers!  I don't know what it is about layering on my layouts, but I just can't get enough!

Since the sketch featured two photos, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to tell the story of Ralphie sneaking up on Williebug.  He does this every now and again, and when he gets busted, he always has that wide eyed look on his cute face!  ha!  Williebug doesn't seem to mind, so it's always a funny scenario rather than a "oh crap" moment ;-)  (those with multi-cat households know what I'm talking about!)

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Please be sure to check out the rest of the DT reveal on the Creative Scrappers Blog and visit our January Sponsor My Creative Scrapbook!

Have a great day

Steph

xo