Scrapbook Steals Blog Hop!

Good morning!!  I am so very excited to be participating in the blog hop for Scrapbook Steals this weekend!  Here's a recap of the lineup:

1. ScrapbookSteals
2. Misty Buck
3. Michelle Philippi
4. Stephanie Umpleby
5. Kerys Sharrock
6. Jennifer McDermott
7. Emily Lanham
8. Brenda Smith

Be sure to stop by each blog along the way and leave these talented girls a comment; the generous girls at Scrapbook Steals will be picking a random commenter to win a $20 gift certificate to their store.  And if you have ever shopped for scrapbooking supplies at Scrapbook Steals, you know that gift card will go a looooooooong way.  Each comment you leave is another chance to win.  You should be arriving here from Kerys's blog; if not go back and check out her fabulous projects.

I am totally over the moon about the product used for today's hop: My Mind's Eye, Miss Caroline 6x6 Paper Pads.  I *love* all things My Mind's Eye, and the patterns in the pad I worked with (Dilly Dally) were just perfect for making some boyish projects, as well as a layout of my baby girl.  Plus, the 6x6 size makes the pads affordable, and perfect for both 12x12 layouts and itty-bitty projects.

First, I made a shadow box using my Cameo and the Silhouette file from Lori Whitlock.  I love how I got to use several of the patterns in the pad for this shadow box. In the lower right corner, I used my Cameo to cut out some chevron stripes and assembled them to make my own pattern.  I also used one of Lori's Project Life sentiments in the upper right, and misted it with Mister Huey's Calico White to make it stand out against background.  How about that fun, boyish wood plank paper?  I love it!

Next, I made a couple of cards.  For this first one, I couldn't get over how fun it was to make those chevron stripes for the shadow box, so I made some more for the front of this card!  I added a Lawn Fawn sentiment, and some Glossy Accents, and voila!  

These Dilly Dally patterns were just begging to be made into a boyish card, so I cut up some hexagons and flicked some Mister Huey's Classic Tan on the background.  I am in love with this griffin from Lawn Fawn, and it matched the yellow paper from the pad perfectly!  I just added a little shading with a Copic, and I just love the way he came out.  With a neutral "dude" sentiment, I can use this card for whatever boyish occasions arise. 

Since there are a couple of floral patterns in the pad, I wanted to see if I could make a girly layout with this picture of our baby girl's little toes.  I think it worked!

Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out my projects; next stop is the incomparable Emily Lanham!


Don't forget to leave a comment on this post for an entry into the Scrapbook Steals gift card drawing.  **I will also be choosing a random commenter from this post to win a prize pack of scrapbooking goodies, and will post the winner Monday morning! And, if you like my projects, feel free to follow me on the link to the right!**

Guest blogging at Scrapbook Steals!

Good morning!  I have some awesome news-I'm guest blogging at Scrapbook Steals this morning!  To head over there, click HERE, and you will see my post with lots of fun ideas about how to use today's super cute "steal": American Crafts Summertime Ribbon!  Then, come back here to enter my drawing for the card and ribbon clippies featured in the posting!

For those who are not familiar with Scrapbook Steals:  it is a fantastic deal-of-the-day site that features designer scrapbooking supplies, some even brand new releases, at a huge discount (hence the "steal") at 9am and 9pm MST.  You have to be fast, because they often sell out quickly!  There are also awesome card and layout sketch challenges, and seriously the most sweet, sincere ladies you could ever "meet" for friendship and inspiration.  Can you tell how much I love it?

So, Kristy, the Mojo Mama, sent me a *TON* of ribbon to work with for this posting.  Seriously.  If you buy the steal today, you will *not* be disappointed.  You could make about fifty bajillion super cute ribbon clips with this steal.  I love how American Crafts expertly matches the colors and patterns of the ribbons to make putting them together a breeze.  A Summer breeze, in fact. (amiright? ;)  Here are some quickie teasers of my projects:

Another feature I enjoyed about this ribbon is that the color palette is perfectly suited to just about any summer collection you already own.  If I can buy a product that allows me to use the alarming amount of paper I already have, that's a definite plus in my book.  For my featured projects I used Echo Park's Summer Days collection, and it matched splendidly.

Be sure to head over to the blog to check out the rest of the pictures of the projects, and a special How To'sday tutorial on ribbon-lined hair clips.  And did I mention a giveaway?  Indeed, I did!

If you would like to win this card, featuring 5 clippies made with the Summertime Ribbon, you will have two chances to win.  1.) Just leave a comment on this post.  Piece of cake, right? Then, for an extra credit bonus entry, follow my blog and leave a separate comment on this post telling me you have done so.  Awesome!

Thanks so much for visiting; be sure to stop by Scrapbook Steals and say hi!

~Jen

Going Garnet!

I've been playing along with the fabulous Mid Week Mojo over at Scrapbook Steals from the beginning (over a year now), and have *loved* all of the crafty inspiration and camaraderie among the other girls that scrap along with me.  This time, we're scrapping for the chance to win a Cinch ,  (faaaaaaaaaabulous prize!) all we have to do is complete 10 sketches by the amazing Kristy Lee and two guest designers, Becci and Charity.  Here are my takes on a couple of the Garnet sketches.  The rest are linked up to the Scrapbook Steals blog.
Garnet 1:

Boo *loves* his baby sister and couldn't wait to cuddle up on her when we brought her home from the hospital.  He is so fiercely protective of her (as are all the boys), so I'm sure her dating years will be super interesting.  :)

Garnet 2:

I love this photo shoot of Fiona; we tried to get all angelic sleeping pics, but she wasn't having any of it and woke up half way through.  I love her headwrap, though.  I would often take it out and hold it before she was born, anticipating when I would be able to put it on her fuzzy little head.  Anyway, I really can't wait to have tea parties with her.  

Garnet 3:

This layout was made using Authentique's Uncommon line.  Gooooooooorgeous paper.  Truly.  The best quality paper I have ever crafted with.  I needs to get me some more Authentique.  Anyway, I inked the edges of the papers with Spun Sugar and Worn Lipstick Distress Ink, and I think it matched beautifully.

Garnet 9:

 I changed up the sketch a bit on this one, but I'm happy with how it turned out.  I had a ton of pictures that the hubster had taken of the boys on numerous outings at the park. (Let me just say that I hit the jackpot in the hubster department. That man loves spending time with the kids and cherishes the opportunity to take the boys out on mini-Manventures.  *swoon*)  I thought Echo Park's Playground collection was a proper fit.

Garnet 10:

And lastly, here's my entry for Garnet 10.  I love when Boo's not in the mood to be photographed and we get these super cute ornery pics of him.  We call this character "Grumpy old Boo".  Of course, it's all an act and he's fighting back that charming smile of his, just like he is in that third picture.  This was created using my FAVORITE. LINE. EVER., Fancy Pants' Rough n' Tough.  As a mama of three boys, this collection has been a go-to for about a million of my layouts.  It's just perfect.

And with that, I'm Garnet.  Thanks so much to the ever-so-talented Kristy Lee, Becci, and Charity for sharing their gorgeous sketches and layouts over the past 10 weeks!