Paper Lovin' Gals #15 - "Spring Fever" Layout

Ohhhhh my!!  What a heck of a lot of snow have we had in my neck of the woods!!  So with that said... it's time to tell you about the next challenge at Paper Lovin' Gals. (PLG #15)

Does this scream SPRING or what??? 

It sure does to me... so I am sharing a layout with you that warms me up a bit!  :-)

I kept this pretty simple.  Pulled the YELLOW and the FLOWERS from the inspirational photo for my creation.  My kids love playing in the snow... but SPRING is the time that it seems you can do so much more outside.  Soccer, digging, running, just playing around is what it is all about.  These are some pics from 2009.  Even though I don't make New Year's resolutions... I told myself that the non-chronological scrapper in me would get caught up on some old photos this year.  So I am on my way!!  :-)

Come join us for PLG #15 and show us any creation you can think of that is inspired by our "Pretty Yellow Flower" photo!!  So much you can do with this.  I personally love those Mason Jars... but have nothing in my stash that would have worked.  

You have until Tuesday, January 24th at 8:00pm PST to link up your project.

Can't wait to see what you come up with!!

Supplies:

Stampin' Up - "Sunshine Garden" Simply Scrappin' Kit & "Big Deal" Alpha stamp set.  Ink is "Only Orange. 

Lasting Memories Ch. # 71 - "Happy New Year"

Well we are well into the New Year for 2012... and we are well into our challenges over at Lasting Memories!!  For this week's challenge LMCB # 71... it's all about something to do with the NEW YEAR.  How did you celebrate New Year's Eve??  How did you wind down on New Year's Day?  What are your New Year's Resolutions?  Goals?  Wishes?  Show us what the NEW YEAR means to you and link up your scrap layout HERE by Saturday, January 21st @ 9pm EST.  Ohhh... and we are being sponsored by Haven this week with a  wonderful prize pack!!  So.. definitely wise of you to play with us!!

Here is my layout for "Ringing in the New Year for 2012"...

I really gotta stop taking my photos at night.. .because I don't quite get the right lighting... but this is the best I could get... and I will show some close-ups as well.
We spent another New Year's Eve at home... with dinner, a movie, games, fireworks and a slumber party!!  And we can't forget the all important PARTY FAVOR NOISE MAKER!!  Oh my gosh... my Husband and I had to finally throw those things away.. because the kids would not stop blowing them.  Talk about a headache!!!  So I had to highlight the infamous noisemaker on my layout!!  I am proud for what I came up with.  The base is a Cricut Cut  from "Sweet Treats"... and then I added curling ribbon for the frilly ends!  I was proud of myself for thinking that one up!!  :-)

And then topped it off with a Clock/Hat embellie from the "Celebrate with flourish" cartridge... and just simply a close-up of  the journaling.

Hope you come play with us at this week!!  Lots of new changes over at Lasting Memories with something for you to see every day!!  Featured Layouts, Tips and Tutorials, Featured Artists.... and now even an Inspirational sketch to get your MOJO flowing.  Come See!!

I am also entering my layout  at the newest Getting Scrappy Challenge - "Anything Goes."  Amanda and her NEW DT provide 2 challenges per month.. .and I think I have attempted to play with them at least once per month.  Always love their challenges.

And then I found a new sketch blog (Well new to me) called Twisted Sketches 134 where I used the below sketch and incorporated the twist of "NEW" on my layout.  Wish me luck... this challenge runs all month.


And finally...Paper Cutz Ch. # 120 is having a challenge that has to do with anything for the New Year.  Well I would say... my layout shows exactly that.  :-)  You have until January 20th for this one.

Okay my friends... that's all I have for you.  So glad you stopped by to check out my creation!
Happy Scrappin' week to you!!  (Although I will be back with more posts)
~Michele

Supplies Used:
Cricut Lite - Celebrate with Flourish (Hat/Clock)
Cricut Cart - Sweet Treats (Party Favor Base)
Cricut Cart - Boys will be Boys ("NEW")
Stampin Up - Celebrations DSP, Celebrations Quick Accents, Basic Rhinestones, Cardstock of Real Red, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Basic Black
Martha Stewart - Essentials Paper Pad - (shiny Red paper for party favor and word New)

Lasting Memories Ch #70 - "Getting to Know you"

Hi All!  Well this is an exciting day for Lasting Memories Layout Challenges!!  It's the start of our new challenge term with a whole new DESIGN TEAM!!  I'm not sure if I have mentioned previously... but a few months ago, Karen, (LM Owner), asked me to stick around with her on a permanent basis and be her V.P.  Smiles from ear to ear!!!  Well... I of course gladly accepted!!  I LOVE being a part of this team!  So many fun layouts have adorned my books... not to mention it is such a great group of Ladies!!  So I hope you will keep reading and join our very first challenge of 2012!!  We also have lots of fun things on the horizon.  Something every day of the week for you to learn, see and enjoy!!  Now...  Here is what I created...

Close-up of Journaling...

Close-up of Song lyrics...

Soo... LMCB # 70 is all about "Getting to know you."  That's right!  We want to learn something about YOU!!  This can go so many different directions.  I decided to do a layout about some of "My Favorite Things."  Besides the obvious of Hubby, Kids, Friends, Family etc. etc... I decided to share with you a few things that make me "Tic" from day to day.  Living in my early 40's, I have learned to not sweat the small stuff and that it is the little things that fill in the spaces between all of life's happenings!!  Gotta think of yourself just as much as you might be thinking about everyone else!!

So... I could have put about 50 things on this layout... but showed a Rich cup of Hot Cocoa, My new fav comfy shoe.. TOMS, a good glass of Pinot Grigio, My music of Adele, Lady Antebellum, Kelly Clarkson and we can't forget the all important Paper crafting stash.  The color scheme of Black, Pink and White is also one of my favorites ... and then to complete... I included the lyrics to the song from Sound of Music... "These are a few of my Favorite things." 
I hope you enjoyed learning a few tidbits about ME.  Would love to see something about YOU!  Come on over and join us at LMCB #70 and link up your layout by Saturday, January 14th at 9pm EST. 

I am also entering my layout over at the The Paper Variety... where it's all about Black and White with a 'kiss' of color.  Black, White with PINK is my choice.  You have until January 13th to go check out TPV.
Thanks so much for stopping by!  Happy Craftin' and Scrappin'!!!

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Stampin' Up... Pink Pirouette, Basic Black & Whisper White, Night and Day DSP
Embellies:  Black button from A-Muse, SU white baker's twine, Black and White striped ribbon from my stash, Title letters from my stash (sorry.. threw packaging away), Handmade flowers from Petaloo.

Paper Lovin' Gals # 13 shakes hands with Frosted Designs Sketch # 31

Good Evening all!  Yes... I am really typing this at midnight for those of you on PST time.  I had a 40 minute cat nap today... and it re-energized me!  I NEVER do that... but worked very early... so it naturally happened.  Not to mention... I am enjoying the quiet house of everyone sleeping.
I'm here to share with you the next Photo Inspiration challenge for Paper Lovin' Gals # 13.  I know most of you are past Christmas already... but I am letting go slowly.  So here is my layout that I created...

 

And here is the Inspirational Photo to get your wheels turning. 

As you can see... I had some perfect tree branches with snow on them.  Naturally, the photos of SNOW that we had on Christmas Morning back in 2008.  I don't remember if that has ever happened in my lifetime where I live.  I used alot of Red, White, snowflakes and some red Bling here and there to take from the berries.  I am only missing the bird.  So... show us what you see in the photo and create anything you like and link up HERE by next Tuesday at 8pm PST.
We are still in the early stages of our challenge blog and would love to have you join us.  Tell your friends!! :-)

I also want to share with you a FUN blog that I go to often for my sketches called Frosted Designs .  They have 3 different challenges going on at the same time... and for my layout, I am entering into the Sketch Along Tuesday #31 challenge.  Here is their sketch that I followed.  (Thank you F.D.!!)

Thanks for stopping by to visit.
And a very WARM welcome to my new followers!!  Always a happy thing!!

Playing Catch Up!! First up... PLG #12 "Happy New Year" Challenge

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of my friends and followers!!  So glad to keep these fun bloggy relationships going!!    Not to mention my inspiration to make paper projects!!  Thank you for taking the time to visit and for leaving me fun loving comments!  I always love to come see what you are up to!!  Here is to 2012!!

Here is the first of 2 projects that I am going to share with you today. Over at Paper Lovin' Gals Ch #12, we have a "Happy New Year" photo inspirational challenge going on.  You have until Tuesday 1/3/12 at 8pm PST to link up!!  Hope to see you!!  Here is my take...

 
This is New Year's Eve 2010.  My Hubby was nursing an arm after wrist surgery.  So "Home is where the Heart is."  We played board games, watched a movie, did a slumber party in the living room, watched the midnight fireworks both on TV and around our house.  (Legal here... sounded like a war zone.)  Fun way to kick back and ring in the new year with our kids!!

And here is the inspirational photo from Paper Lovin' Gals to follow...

And a few close-ups to show you my fun hole punched colored numbers and my rosette folded clock!!

I also used a sketch from Sketches in Thyme... but too late to enter.  :-(

And here are few Challenges that I am participating in with my layout.  Wish me luck!  :-)

Whimsical Designs - Share either your favorite project from the last year or make a new one celebrating a new year.  You have until January 11th at Midnight EST.

Paper Issues - "We've got your Number."  Whatever that means to you.  I have the lovely 10 to 1 countdown until midnight featured.  ;-)  You have until January 13th to share as many "Number" projects as you wish.

Getting Cricky - "Simply Sunday Challenge" - "It's a Celebration" -  My layout shows celebrating the new year. You have until January 14th to share a Celebration project of your choice.  

Thanks so much for visiting!!  I will have a 2nd layout to share later on today with you.  So be sure to stop back by!!

Happy first day of the new year!!!

A gift for my Dad - 16 x 16 framed layout for Scraptastic Club and Scrapfit

Boy do I ever feel like I have been absent from the blogging world!!  It's just been a few days... but as with all of you I'm sure, we had such a busy, yet very fulfilling Christmas holiday time!!

I have a fun layout to share with you today.  This is 16 x 16... which I have never done this big before.  I don't know if I've ever really seen this size??!!  I just knew that I had four 5 x 7 photos that I basically didn't want to take too much from when cropping.  When putting this all together, I just had to "Enlarge" my thought process.  :-) 

My Dad turned 65 this year... and as you can see from the pics, this guy is non-stop.  He is probably more active than most 25 year olds.  And not only is he active, but he is very successful at what he does... and I don't really see him slowing down anytime soon.  He gives me all kinds of inspiration.  So... I wanted to commemorate how unique he is from the majority.  My mom suggested... so I went with it.  And Thank you to Karen and Denise for your opinions on my title choices!!

I based my layout from a challenge over at Scraptatstic Club .  This is for the December Challenge #2.

You had to: 

Make a special page about 1 person.

With at least 4 pictures

Journaling

And the person's name in the title 

I'm hoping to complete their 3 other challenges.  But thank you to them for pushing me in the right direction so far.

I am also entering this over at Scrapfit - Weekend warm-up 21.  Just link up one of your favorite layouts.  This is definitely at the top of my list!!

And... just another subtle reminder that over at Lasting Memories Layout Challenges... we are into the 2nd week of our "Holiday Cheer" challenge #69.  We are having a DT call and we have a Giveaway!!  Woo hoo!!  LOTS of reasons to get your scrap on and show us what you got!!  Hope to see you!! 

Supplies:

Patterened paper from Bo Bunny

Cardstock from Stampin' Up - Basic Black. Soft Suede, Creamy caramel 

Random letter stickers for Title & "65" from K & Company

Journaling quote from computer plus star wire clip from stash

Large and Petite tag punch from Stampin' Up

Basic Black brads from Stampin' Up 



LMCB #69 "Holiday Cheer!", A Giveaway and a DT CALL !!!

Hello!!  You want to read this post... for there is ALOT going on over at Lasting Memories Layout Challenges this week and next week!! 

First off we are having our last challenge for the year!  Show us what you see with this inspirational photo...  There is a fun sketch too... but you are not required to use it.

  And you have until the 31st to get your entries in!  Link up HERE.   

  We also have a little twist to add this challenge! In keeping with the Holiday Cheer, we're doing a Christmas Giveaway. How do you enter? Play along AND leave us a comment and tell us about one of your favorite Christmas memories and/or a favorite family tradition.  Here is the WONDERFUL giveaway from Wendy !!

What a great package of goodies!!  You can't win if you don't play!!

But WAIT... we have one more reason to play along for the next almost 2 weeks!! 

We are having a DT CALL!!  I have to say.. I HIGHLY encourage you to try out for this DT!  We are a fun bunch of gals.  Karen is such a fantastic blog organizer!!  Lots of  fun things coming your way for 2012 and most importantly... it is a fantastic way to get your photos on paper OFTEN!!

Here are all the specifics:



1. This term is 6 mths - January to June 2012
2. LAYOUTS ONLY please
3. You will be required to join our Yahoo group which is where you'll find all upcoming challenges
4. Comment on all DT member entries each week
5. Comment on as many entries as you can
6. Host at least one giveaway - whether it's from you or a sponsor you find
7. Challenges run Sunday 8am EST to Saturday 9pm EST
8. If you can't join a challenge, just please let us know, there's no stress here!!! We do ask that even if you can't make the challenge, that you post a link to our challenge that day on your personal blog
9. HAVE FUN!!!

Okay everyone!!  So a LONGER running challenge, a GIVEAWAY if you play, and a DT CALL!!  Can't wait to see you join us... and good luck with it!

I'll be back a little later with my actual layout for this challenge.  Have a great day!!!