Happy Together Layout

hello and happy Tuesday!
I just got back from having an AMAZING time at Creativation, and I am bursting with creativity and the urge to create!!
I haven't had the time to make a layout in forever, and so the first thing I did was make one for the new Altenew Sketch Challenge - my FAVORITE layout challenges!!!

I mean, what's not to love about the sketch!? I LOVE circular layouts like that, so it was a dream to create!

here's my layout!

love it?! I layouts aren't for everyone, but I do love scrapbooking just as much as card making, so I have to play along and share! (sorry!)
I used the Altenew 36 pan set of watercolors to create the background, first! soooo pretty! what's not to love about those colors!

I also used the Watercolor Stripes stencil with some white embossing paste for the background! LOVE that texture! oh, and did you see the stitching? watercolor + embossing paste + stitching = MY FAVORITE! lol!

I embellished, and created layers behind my photo with papers from and stickers and die cuts from BOTH scrapbook collections: Reflection and Our Family!
those wood veneer, origami humming birds are just TO DIE FOR! I used gesso and then watercolored on top of them too! ha!

so that's my layout!
be sure to check out the sketch and examples so you can play along, too! the more the merrier!!
enjoy!

driveway hockey layout!

hello there!
today I'm sharing this layout I made for the 10th Altenew Sketch Challenge! love it!

the Altenew Sketch Challenges are my FAVORITE challenge, I just LOVE each sketch!
so this time, I made a layout combining both Scrapbook Kits: Our Family and Reflections. 

so fun!
I love the loose, grid style, and tried to mimic it on my page!

I love those wood leaf shapes, and even though it has nothing to do with hockey, I added them in! and I'm so glad I did!
I used my sewing machine to stitch a little bit all over the page, and also did some heat embossing with two mini sets: My Family and Traveling!

there's also some tissue paper, patterned papers and tabs behind some of the photo areas. and I used the awesome Dotted Washi Tape, which is my new favorite product ever! lol!
and I finally used that camera - SO IN LOVE WITH IT! I've been hoarding it, but I told myself to just use it! h!

so that's my page!
hope you like it, and be sure to check out the challenge here on the Altenew Scrapbook Blog!
enjoy!

total eclipse of the sun layout!

hello!

I just wanted to pop in and share a layout I created for the newest Altenew Scrapbook Sketch Challenge!

their sketch challenges are my FAVORITE! I love them, and I'm always so inspired by them!
this time I used a combination of elements from both their scrapbook collections! 

love it! can you tell I documented the Solar Eclipse that happened last August? we live in SC and saw 100% totality! it was so cool to research and experience with my little Menn!

the background paper is such a fresh, cool color combination, from the Our Family collection! I also used the wood veneers and project life-type cards! 
I used white gesso for the background, and added coordinating colors in water to add a little more texture. then I used some white embossing paste and a star/moon/cloud stencil  to add even more fun to the background! 

the title was created with the letter stickers from the Reflections collection! (my favorite!) I also used some stickers and chipboard pieces from that collection! 

I also stamped some phrases from the mini Traveling stamp set and My Family stamp set at the bottom of the page! 
so that's my layout!
kinda different for me, kinda love it!

can't wait to play along in the next sketch challenge! 
enjoy!

Summer Lovin' Layout!

hello!
hope you're having a happy day!
I just thought I'd pop in to share a layout I created for the newest Altenew Sketch Challenge! 

love it!
I'm a HUGE fan of sketch challenges, especially for layouts! LOVE LOVE LOVE having a 'reason' to get my Reflections Kit out and make something! oh! and I just got the new Our Family Kit, too!! I just opened it and CAN'T WAIT to play!

ok, so here's my layout!

love it!
these photos are of all of my Menn at the pool this summer! that's where we spend most days during the summer...let's be honest! it's so hot here! ha!

I started by using some gesso and a large brush to paint a circle for the photo cluster! then I layered some papers and chipboard stickers from the kit behind the photos! I also stitched along the edges of some of the photos, just cuz! I am in LOVE with stitching on layouts!

lastly, I splattered the page with some white acrylic paint and did some stamping with various phrases from the mini Traveling and My Family stamp sets! :)

so that's my layout! hope it made you smile! and hope your'e inspired to play along with me! 
enjoy!

epic victory layout!

ha ha!!
this layout guys...it's of a picture of my oldest son during one of his hockey camps last summer. he scored the game winning goal...can you tell!?!? i laugh every.single.time i see this photo!! ha ha ha!

oh, but first, i should mention i was inspired by the Altenew Sketch Challenge! 

this is my 2nd entry with this sketch, and this time, my interpretation is a little looser, but it's still the inspiration, no doubt! I used papers and embellishments from the amazing Reflections Scrapbook Kit! can't get enough! i also added some stamping with the My Family and Traveling stamp sets! 

awww, love it!
i started by adding some white gesso in a circular motion where i wanted my photos. then i added some watercolor areas with Salty Ocean, Mustard Seed and Festive Berries Distress Inks. 

I used lots of the stickers and cardstock pieces, as well as the papers from the kit to layer behind my photos! 

i embellished with the AWESOME WOODEN BUTTONS (my FAVES!) oh, and then i felt like the page needed a little more blue (i don't know why...ha!), so i cut out the borders of the arrows from the chipboard sheet, even though the arrows themselves were used on another layout! not sure if i explained that right...ha!
anyway, then i did some stamping INSIDE the chipboard arrows and then stitched on the title! 

every month i'm always impatiently waiting to PLAY ALONG!! Ha ha ha!! I hope it brought a smile to your face and brightened your day! :)
enjoy!

a little trio of awesome

hello and happy weekend!
today i'm just popping in to share a fun layout I created for the latest Altenew Sketch Challenge! 

I used papers and embellishments from the amazing Reflections Scrapbook Kit! can't get enough! PLUS it gives me an excuse to flower up some layouts of my little menn! ha! sorry guys!

awww, love it!
I don't usually do yellow and reds together, but I was inspired by the BEAUTIFUL roses from one of the patterned papers! so I fussy cut up a bunch, and then used them as embellishments on my layout! 

i used white gesso onto the background of that gorgeous woodgrain paper, and then once it was dry, I added some yellow Distress Ink (Mustard Seed) using the packaging techinique!

I stitched on the title, then embellished with chipboards and wood enamel buttons! LOVE this kit, did I mention that?! I finished it off with some black splatters
and just like that, I have those fun photos of my little Menn and I on Valentine's Day this year! love it! and that littlest guys' face...i can't even!! clearly he's the coolest! ha! :)

fun fact, i don't usually use these colors, (or florals!!) in my scrapbooking! with two little Menn at home, there isn't much occasion! ha! but i LOOOOOOOVE that i can stretch my kit and push myself out of my comfort zone to create pages like this! :D

every month i'm always impatiendly waiting to PLAY ALONG!! Ha ha ha!! I hope it brought a smile to your face and brightened your day! :)
enjoy!

just me and my menn!

hello and happy weekend!
today i'm just popping in to share a fun layout I created for the latest Altenew Sketch Challenge! 

I used papers and embellishments from the amazing Reflections Scrapbook Kit and a picture of my and my little Menn on Mother's Day this year, actually!

awww, love it!
I used that awesome text-y background paper and then painted on a layer of white gesso in a circular shape! Once it was dry, I stitched some circles with my sewing machine and then started embellishing!

Some of the cardstock stickers and papers are layered behind my photo! A lot of the wood buttons (MY FAVORITE!!) are sprinkled around the circle, along with those acetate butterflies that I stitched on and various other stickers and chipboard pieces!! I am in LOOOOOVE with how this came out!

I also used a star stencil and some white embossing paste to add some texture around the circle, too! But it's SO HARD to see that in the photos! I'm sorry!

I was honored to win the last sketch challenge, so I won't win this time, but I JUST HAD TO PLAY ALONG!! Ha ha ha!! I hope it brought a smile to your face and brightened your day! :)
Enjoy!

you've got a friend in me layout!

**this is my 2nd post of the day! to see my Lawn Fawnatics Challenge card, scroll down or click here!**

hello and happy monday!
today i'm just popping in to share a layout I created for the Altenew July Scrapbook Sketch challenge! I've had the Reflections Kit for a while, but I've just been hoarding it! it's SOOOOOO pretty, I didn't want to 'ruin' it!! ha ha!
but luckily I was just TOO inspired not to finally start playing with it! 
here's the sketch:

so fun!
and here's my layout:

what do you think?
I really LOVE that photo of my littlest Mann waiting for big brother to get off the bus from school! and he brought his large Storm Trooper stuffed animal (that he calls Storm Troopy) along for the wait! ACK! all the feels!

I used the letter stickers in the kit, mixed with some small alphas from the stash for the title! just too perfect with the toy and the boy, huh!? ha!
I altered those AMAZING origami wood veneer butterflies by patingin them with acrylic paints and then splattering some paint on top! love it!!

lots of those INCREDIBLE wood buttons and stickers were used, too! I stitched on the stitckers, cardstock embellishments and paper directly to the 12x12 photo! 

so that's it! 
I am SOOOO excited I finally convinced myself to get the kit used up! and now I can't wait to make even more layouts with it - starting with the paper!!! swoon, the paper!
enjoy!