Saturday, December 11, 2021

12/11/21 - 90s Throwback: The Guys Next Door


8.5x11 Traditional Paper Layout.
The collage, including journaling, was created on the Project Life App.

Last month I went down the internet Rabbit Hole and wound up re-living my love for The Guys Next Door.
Who else remember these guys?!
Eddie Garcia was my favorite, thus he scored his own photo spot on my layout.




Close-up of the journaling
Journaling copied from Wikipedia




Products: Elle's Studio, Freckled Fawn, and Shimelle for American Crafts 

Monday, October 18, 2021

10/18/21 - "Elote Face"

Did you guess this layout woud be about Hamlet, just based on the title?
LOL! 

12x12 Traditional Paper Layout


"Elote Face"


Hamlet loves it when we buy him elotes from the neighborhood Elote Truck!


Elote: "The world 'elote' means 'corn cob' in Spanish, and Mexican Elote is grilled corn on the cob slathered in a mayo cream sauce and garnished with chili powder, cheese and lime."
We order Hamlet's w/out chili.



The pig embellishment was cut using my Sizzix Big Shot. 
I purchased the pig metal die 7 years ago from Amazon and this is the first time I ever used it!

I absolutely love how it came out!

Products:
Decorative Stickers - Mikki & Izzy* and Pineberry Paper sticker shops.

*Use code Doreen15 for 15% off
Other: Bazill Basics, Elle's Studio, Kelly Purkey, and Studio Calico



Saturday, October 9, 2021

10/09/21 - "Selfie 09 Sept 2016" / SOS Challenge

Joining in on the fun over at the "Scrap Our Stash" blog
Their current challenge is to scrap lift this layout and  must include Paint and/or Ink Splatters:





Here is my lift (12x12 Traditional Paper Layout):






These photos were e-mailed to me by Snapfish Photo as part of a "Memories from 5 Years Ago, This Week" e-mail.
I never scrapped them before and I like the photos so... here we are!

The coloring on the photos was an accident.
Though I am usually very OCD about checking my ink levels in my printer, I forgot to this time and of course the levels were low...causing the discoloration of the photos.
I didn't hate they way they came out though, so instead of printing another one, I just embraced it!

Products: Bazzill Basics, Crate Paper, Heidi Swapp, Elle's Studio,  Jillibean Soup, Pineberry Paper Stickers,  and Studio Calico 

Monday, October 4, 2021

10/04/21 - OOTD Jack-O-Lantern Edition

Our current challenge is live at Use Your Stuff.
We are collaborating w/ the Double Trouble blog to bring you this challenge:
Be inspired by Double Trouble's Fall Garland to create a project.


 I do LOVE Fall...
As is evident by the Jack-O-Lantern scarf I'm wearing in my 6x8 Traditional Paper Layout
- and nope I couldn't wait until October to start wearing it; Sept 27th, so close!


The gray BG "paper" is an Elle's Studio 4x6 Project Life Card.



Journaling:


Photo collage made in the Project Life app and printed on my home printer:


If your wondering about the prominent display of the Miki & Izzy sticker sheets...
I am a part of their Rep Team; have been for the past few months.
My Term ends October, 31st. Until then you can use my code Doreen15 for 15% your purchase from their shop: Miki & Izzy Shop

Other Products from Elle's Studio, mostly their September 2021 kit.

Sunday, October 3, 2021

10/03/21 - RIP Ludo


As I mentioned a couple of blog posts ago, I had another Memorial layout to create.
Here is that layout
They're all difficult but this one was especially so...




Close-up of Journaling:



As the journaling states: Ludo was my husband's favorite CTPR pig and Ludo's passing was sudden and unexpected to everyone!
These factors made it extra tough to learn of his passing.


The journaling also makes reference to the fact that we were fortunate to meet Ludo.
Here is the layout I created (and shared previously) of that meeting.


Ludo will be missed!

 

Monday, September 27, 2021

09/27/21 - "Use Your Stuff" Challenge: Retro

Hello,
Popping in to bring you the current challenge over at the "Use Your Stuff" Blog: Retro!
Here is the art that accompanies the theme:



So technically my layout isn't retro...yet!
But it will be someday! LOL
I was inspired by the music themed art to create this 12x12 Traditional Paper layout about my current character obsession:
Ned from the Twenty-One Pilots "Chlorine" video.
Isn't he cute?!

And no, Ned is not a llama but I love the way the llama sticker looks on the layout! :)

I used a really old 12x12 Pink Paislee PP, a really old sticker border and a few other old-ish items from my stash.
Note: I did not add the splatters to the BG paper, they were already part of the paper.


Journaling: "I love Ned, the cute CGI creature that represents Tyler's creativity in the Twenty-One Pilots Video 'Chlorine'."

Here is a better view of the glittery stars in all their glittery glory!


To create the collage I found photos from the internet and took screenshots. I then used a photo collage app on my cell phone to create the photo layout, and sent it to my home computer to print out.
5x7, HP photo paper, printed from my HP Envy.

I prefer the use of photo collages like this for a cleaner look when scrapping multi-photos.
Must be because I'm so used to Pocket Pages now, haha!




Finally here is the video for "Chlorine" in case you're interested in seeing this cute little guy in action.
Watch 'til the end! 



Friday, September 24, 2021

09/24/21 - "RIP Kayli"

Note:  *NOT MY PIG*

12x12 Traditional Paper Layout


My friends at Central Texas Pig Rescue lost another piggy; Heaven gained another angel.
These layouts are always difficult to create, but I think they are important.

Journaling: "Kayli died due to intussusception, a deadly condition where the intestines slide into themselves. Even the amazing surgeons at Texas A and M Veterinary Hospital were unable to save her. RIP, Beautiful - 08.27.21"

Products: Amy Tangerine for American Crafts, Elle's Studio, Freckled Fawn, Kelly Purkey, PinkFresh Studio, Studio Calico


Sadly I've had to do this more than I would like (see past layouts that I may or may not have shared):


If you want to read more about this layout, including the journaling, click here: RIP Annalise





If you want to read more about this layout, including the journaling, which explains how Hannah and the shirt are connected, click here: The Future is Kind


I have another layout to create about another loss @ CTPR.
I'll  post it as soon as it's completed and scanned.

Monday, June 21, 2021

06/21/21 - His Virtual Mommy

8.5 x 11 Traditional Paper Layout


It's been a long time since I've done a 8.5 x11 layout!
I chose to create this size layout because I wanted
 to attach it to the back of the Virtual Mommy certificate I received for virtually adopting Magnus, my favorite pig of CTPR.


Photos are of Magnus as a baby and more recently



I took a 12x12 PP and sized it to fit, then adhered it directly to the back of the certificate.

My official Virtual Mommy certificate
(Excuse the dirty scanner bed markings)



It makes my heart happy to take care of animals, especially those animals in need!


Products: Bazill Basics, Becky Higgins/Project life, Doodlebug Design, Freckled Fawn, Kelly Purkey,  Pinkfresh Studio, and Studio Calico 

Monday, June 7, 2021

06/07/21 - Fat Cat

Happy June!
Happy Pride!


June is Pride Month but technically, since I'm and LGBTQ mom x2, every month is Pride Month in my family.
#LoveIsLove

Speaking of Pride "Use Your Stuff" is having a rainbow challenge.

Here is my take on it:



6x8 Traditional Paper Layout

Throwback to October 2014
Panini, looking round and less than enthused!

Products: DCWV, Elle's Studio, Freckled Fawn, Photo Play Paper, Pinkfresh Studio, Simple Stories, and Tim Holtz

Monday, May 24, 2021

05/24/21 - "He Luvs Belly Rubs"


The current challenge over at "Use Your Stuff" is a tic-tac-toe board.
Here is the board:




I chose the right-hand column:
  • Fun Fold 
  • Stripes 
  • Any Shade of Purple
Thanks to this challenge I now know how to make paper pinwheels 
I learned from a tutorial on You Tube while I was looking for ideas for "Fun Fold" 

6x8 Traditional Paper layout
Another throwback photo, June 10, 2015 - Hamlet was 3 months old. 
We had him about a month at this point.
He definitely was starting to feel at home!


Products:
Bazill Basics, Dear Lizzy, Freckled Fawn, Studio Calico, and Tim Holtz.

Sunday, May 16, 2021

05/16/21 - "Look At That Face!"

I have a love/hate relationship w/ 12x12 layouts... which is funny because that's all I ever created back in the day.

I love the room that it allows to add photos and embellishments and just really play on a page!
But I hate how much room a 12x12 layout takes up and it especially feels like a "waste of space" when you use just one photo. 
*Not to be confused w/ Scrapbooking is a waste, cuz it most definitely is not!

That's why when I create 12x12 layouts I try to use multiple photos or one large photo.
In this case I did neither, but since it's a rarity these days, I'll allow it ::wink::

12x12 Traditional Paper layout


This was day 3 of Hamlet being in our lives, he was approximately 2.5 months old and very tiny!
He was also very afraid of us and preferred to hang out on the side of the house where we had yet to plant grass.
Things have definitely changed since!


Part of my motivation for scrapping that one 4x6 photo of Hamlet came from the BG paper.
I bought it a few years ago, because it's difficult finding pig themed scrap products, but couldn't figure out how to use it, but when I saw it recently in my stash I was determined to finally figure it out!

The other part of my motivation was this sketch from the Sketch N' Scrap blog:


I did make a few changes to make it fit my layout but the basic structure of the sketch is all there!

Those Pinkfresh Studio alphas have been in my stash and I've been hoarding them because I love them so much but they don't make them anymore...wahhhhhh!
Also that Pink Paislee frame is a gazillion years old!

Finally I wanted to make mention that I just recently learned how to make paper pinwheel embellishments.
And yes, I know I'm late to the party!

Other products: Die Cuts with a View, Elle's Studio, Freckled Fawn, Kelly Purkey,  and Scrapbook Customs; the 2 Pig patterned papers.

Friday, May 14, 2021

05/14/21 - Feeling Beachy

12x12 Traditional Paper Layout w/ black border

Includes one 3x4 Pocket Page Card and one 4x6 Pocket Page card
I used lots of stash items mixed w/ a few newer items, including 3 Kelly Purkey beach-themed stamps.

 Just some old photos from a visit to the beach.

The pictures are from 10 years ago; my daughter was only 9!
This was when she liked hanging w/ us ::le sigh::

Also back in the day when we would use an actual camera and date stamped our photos, LOL



Despite it being Summer, in California, it was a chilly day on the beach, hence my bundled up attire...
I do remember it warmed up eventually though, as it generally does.

This was 06/19/11, a trip to La Jolla Beach for Father's Day which was our tradition at the time.
I did not include that info on this layout because I have other photos from that day that, once I find the layouts, I can place together in an album. I believe those layouts have the pertinent information on it.

I struggled w/ this layout and I didn't completely like it at first but it has definitely grown on me!

Products: 49 & Market, Bazill Basics, Elle's Studio, Freckled Fawn, Kelly Purkey, Pinkfresh Studio, Studio Calico and Tim Holtz


Speaking of other photos from this trip, here is another I recently created; I created both during the same weekend.
This one is going in a smaller album so I did include a few pertinent details.

6x8 Traditional Paper layout:


This includes 1 slightly trimmed 3x4 Pocket Page Card

Products: Bazzill Basics, Elle's Studio, Freckled Fawn, Kelly Purkey, Simple Stories, Queen & Company, Studio Calico, and Time Holtz


Wednesday, May 5, 2021

05/05/21 - "Too Many?"

Traditional 12x12 Paper layout using up a good part of my alpha stash.
There are 52 Alpha Stickers in the title!
Most of them are from Elle's Studio, the rest from Kelly Purkey. 

I love to take photos of our cat Panini and sometims wonder if I take too many...
but then I think: Nah! LOL

But it did make for a fun title... :)


Other Products:
Die Cuts w/ a View,  Freckled Fawn, and Photo Play Paper.

Monday, April 26, 2021

04/26/21 - The Sticker Club

I came across a "Sticker Club" on Instagram.
It's not really a club you join, per se, just an account for sticker addicts to virtually connect and share and most importantly... to be inspired to USE THOSE STICKERS!

The club also offers challenges once a week.
I just discovered them so I am a bit behind, but here is their first challenge, dated 03/24/21: Hearts
The challenge criteria is easy:
"Use your stickers, however you want, to form a heart"

My take on the challenge was dedicated to National Farm Animals Day.





Enamel dots/hearts from Freckled Fawn
Stickers from Michaels - one of those $1 sticker pads / their Farm Animal collection

The Instagram Account is "TheBFFStickerClub"
I'm using an old unused Traveler's Notebook for my "BFF Sticker Club" sticker book, as well as digging into my sticker stash, so "yay" for Stash Busting!

I'll have more to share as this is definitely a fun new project for me.
It's a fun, low stress, less time consuming way to be creative.
Because, honestly, some days I don't have the time or energy to get deep into the creative head space needed to create layouts.

Saturday, April 17, 2021

04/17/21 - "His and Hers" + "Brunch"

So apparently I'm on some kind of food/drink kick because my most recent layouts involve just that!

First layout is a 4x8 Traditional Paper Traveler's Notebook layout


Documenting an older photo, I think it's about 4 years old, that captures my mine and my husband's favorite drinks - His: Bloody Mary, Hers (Mine): Mule

I didn't date this photo because, honestly, the date doesn't matter...it was our favorite drink(s) back then, and is still our favorite drink now.

The "This is 'Our' Story" sticker originally said "my" but I found a tiny word sticker, from Bazzill Basics, that I was able to trim down and add to change the sticker to fit the theme.

Products:
Elle's Studio, Freckled Fawn, Kelly Purkey, Simple Stories and Studio Calico 

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Second Layout is a 6x8 Traditional Paper Layout
Finally (remembered to) used one of my Guest Checks for a food layout; love the way it looks!


Our first time at "Broken Yolk Cafe"

Bloody Mary Flight for my husband
Mimosa Flight for me (and our friend ordered one also)
And the Feta Avocado Toast was amazing!

I misjudged the typing on my journaling spot, but it's all good!

Stamp is from Kelly Purkey
Other products: Elle's Studio, Freckled Fawn, and Studio Calico

Saturday, April 10, 2021

04/10/21 - "Show-Time: Zarkana"

Hi all,

I had so much fun playing w/ the last challenge over at Scrap YOURself  blog challenge last month that I decided to play again this month!

And it has absolutely nothing to do w/ the fact that I won the Random Drawing prize though, of course, it made me very happy! ::wink::

This month's challenge is: 

Alphabet Soup!

This is the description of the challenge per the Scrap YOURself blog:

This month, we would like you to pick one letter and use it in various ways on your layout. For example, if you chose the letter P, you can use PAINT, PEARLS, PATTERNED PAPER, etc, and a use word that begins with P in your title.
**Please remember to include a photo with YOU on your layout.**


Here is my 6x8 Traditional Paper layout:



I chose "S":
STARS, STAMPS, SELF adhesive enamel dots, and STICKERS: alpha, label and chipboard
Also my title is "SHOW-Time"

My husband and I have seen a lot of shows in Vegas and a lot of Cirque Du Soliel shows.
Zarkana was the last show we saw before boycotting Vegas
We boycotted Vegas due to them starting to charge for parking at hotels, on top of already charging for the room + resort fees (which are ridiculously expensive!). We feel like parking should be part of the resort fees.

I'm sure they're not missing our money, but we gotta stand-up for our beliefs.

Luckily we had been going to Vegas 2-3 time a year since we met, 21 years ago, so really we've done everything we need or want to do there anyway!

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

04/06/21 - "(Hamlet's) 1st Elote"

12x12 Traditional Paper layout

First, for those of you who do not know what an elote is:
"The world 'elote' means 'corn cob' in Spanish, and Mexican Elote is grilled corn on the cob slathered in a mayo cream sauce and garnished with chili powder, cheese and lime."




Journaling:
"Hamlet's 1st Elote. He usually gets the bare cob after his Mommy and Grampy are finished w/ theirs but this time Grampy bought him his own, minus the chili. Hamlet was in Hog Heaven! 03.29.21"

"Mommy" = My daughter
"Grampy" = My husband

Hamlet is very spoiled, if you haven't already been able to tell, LOL!
Since this day, he has already had another elote.
IDK if he will ever go back to just eating a bare corn cob! ::wink::

BTW - 
I like elotes but don't eat them because I don't think they are worth the calories, LOL! I would rather use my calories on others foods I truly love!

Products include: Amy Tangerine for American Crafts, Bazzill Basics, Elle's Studio, Freckled Fawn, Kelly Purkey (stamp), Nikki Sivils (super old stash!!),  Pebbles Inc. and Simple Stories.



Wednesday, March 31, 2021

03/31/21 - "Thursday 3 - 03/25/21"

For the current challenge over at the "Scrap YOUrself" blog

Copied and pasted from their blog:
This month's theme is "Tell us a little about YOU!" You can interpret the theme any way you like, just . . . please remember is to include a photo with YOU in the frame somewhere on your page!"

This fit in w/ my current challenge to myself...

But first some background information:
Thursday 3 (created by @rukristin on Instragram).
The concept is to take a selfie and list 3 things about yourself.
This is very popular on Instagram!

It's been a while since I participated in this, which is what led me to 
challenge myself this year to not only participate more, but actually document my posts in my Project Life album.
Here is "Thursday 3" for 03/25/21

6x8 Traditional Paper layout (photographed on a black BG):


I created the 4x6 photo/journaling collage on the Project Life App and printed it from my home printer.

Products = Mostly Freckled Fawn 

+ a super old EK Success tag punch that I haven't used in yearssss!

Monday, March 29, 2021

03/29/21 - "Sunflowers"

This week's challenge at the "Use Your Stuff" blog is a Mood Board:

I was inspired by the colors and the bee photo

The story behind this 12x12 Traditional Paper layout is, last year the wild birds we were feeding w/ our bird feeder dropped sunflower seeds on the ground. Those sunflower seeds became sunflowers.
It was really quite pretty!
I did scrap them last year as well, and you'll see that layout further down in this post.

This layout captures the fact that the sunflowers came back again this year, and this made me/us very happy!


The sunflower sticker and the bee stickers came from the Vicki Boutin "Wildflower and Honey" collection.
It was perfect for my layout!
Besides the obvious stamping of the leaves, I also stamped "Springtime" on the Pocket Page Card.
I love the font of the "Springtime" stamp (from Kelly Purkey)!


I may have went a little overboard with this layout but I have zero regrets!


Other Products:
Bo Bunny, Elle's Studio, Freckled Fawn, and Simple Stories


As mentioned, here is the layout I created last year.
This one shows the progression of the sunflowers:



Saturday, March 27, 2021

03/27/21 - "Connecting"

Introvert: just add Alcohol, LOL!

A 4x8 Traditional Traveler's Notebook page.



 



I'm so in love with this Paper Person Shop brewery stamp set! I'm going to get a lot of use out of them! 
A lot of people seem to love it as well; it's sold out!

Also, this is my first ever pre-printed Travelers Notebook; I usually just buy the blank paper notebooks. 
I like it! 
This one is from Studio Calico 

Other products = Elle's Studio and Freckled Fawn 

Monday, March 22, 2021

03/22/21 - Pigs of CTPR

Two different styles of layouts, same basic theme: Pigs of Central Texas Pig Rescue 

I mentioned in a previous post that I sponsor a Pig from CTPR, named Magnus.
In an earlier post, dated 12/09/19 , I shared that we visited CTPR the first (and so far only) time we went to Texas.

Today I'm sharing layouts documenting more of our visit to the Rescue.

First layout is a 6x8 Traditional Paper Layout all about my meeting Magnus:




Products: Elle's Studio, Freckled Fawn, and Studio Calico


The second layout is a Digital/Traditional Hybrid layout about meeting my husband's favorite pig of CTPR, Ludo:
Products: PL App, Elle's Studio, Studio Calico, and American Crafts 

I created the layout on the Project Life App and added some real-life embellishments: 1-3x4 Project Life Card trimmed to fit, stamping, stickers, and doodling.


So glad I finally got these documented; these pages make me happy!

Side Note: It's been a while since I created a digital Project Life layout and I truly enjoyed the experience, especially knowing I can dress it up once I get it in my hands.

03/27/23 Planning with Urban Journal Season Ink

My printer was having issues and I fixed it but during the interim I was not scrapping and lost my mojo ::le sigh:: But I've still been ...