Amazing Blog Candy

Here's a fun blog that has quite the blog candy. Thought I'd share it with my friends so you can have a chance to win.

Plus she's giving this away as well:

Simply Obsessed Just Beachy Crop

I saw on Scrap Scene that Simply Obsessed is doing a fun crop this week. Be sure and check it out. I'm hoping to participate. I love a good challenge - it keeps me scrapping. I'd love to see my friends there with me.

Challenges Challenges Challenges

I've been hunting around and finding some really fun challenges this month. I thought I'd share some of them with you.

This first one was my layout for the Last Scrapper Standing at Memorable Seasons. Unfortunately I didn't move on for this round but wanted to challenge myself anyway. It's not my favorite layout but it's done...LOL.


And here's one I combined for three challenges (I love being productive)
The first challenge was at Challenge Masters for the One Little Word which was Party.
The 2nd is I used Sketch73 from The Scrappiest. The 3rd challenge was Dixie Pieces challenge to create a birthday layout of me as a child.


And last but not least...a challenge at a site I just discovered call Treasured Scrapbooking. It was a challenge to use a sketch and create this card in black and cream.
Here's a link to the sketch

And here's my card:


Be sure and check these challenges and many more at each site. Thanks for looking.

Ch{all}enge Masters Color Challenge

For this month's Color Challenge at Ch{all}enge Masters I found this great ad that just screamed summer:


So you need to use orange/lime green/aqua/purple. You can add neutrals but the main part of the layout needs to be these 4 colors. Here is my layout:


Be sure and come check out all of the great challenges this month. They're due July 31st. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Paris Photos

I finally got some of my Paris photos developed and was so in the mood to scrap tonight. I actually combined three challenges into this layout. Here's the layout:

The first challenge is from Challenge Masters and it was "to take one photo & cut it into squares, the size you cut is up to you. Then take those squares & glue them onto your LO in a grid (at least 4 squares). " Plus it has a point system so I masked and used several items for that.

The 2nd Challenge as I used sketch #72 from The Scrappiest and rotated it a turn. It was perfect for my photo and pp's I wanted to use. It's a little hard to see in the photo but I did stitch a circle in cream. I probably should have done it with black thread but too late.

The 3rd challenge is from Backporch Memories. It was a recipe challenge:
1. flower(s)
2. rub-on(s)
3. brad(s)
4. at least 4 patterned papers
5. fiber (ribbon/thread/twine - something like that)
I had fun making sure everything was on the layout and really do think it helped me "complete" my layout.

Be sure and stop by each of the sites to participate in the challenges there. Thanks for letting me share.

Last Scrapping Standing Entry Week 4

Yay! I made it another week! This week's challenge was definitely that for me. I was very stressed when I saw and my mind wouldn't stop thinking so I thought I'd get it done and over with. The challenge is:
"You can scrap any subject matter you choose, BUT... You must use a solid color background paper and create some sort of pattern using a household item.
Example: USe white cardstock and bubble wrap with paint to create the background.
Use kraft cardstock and dip paper clips in paint/stamp pab to create the background.

Get the idea? Toilet paper tubes, potatoes, a kid's toy, a paper bag, there are TONS of possibilities, just be sure that the image you ink, paint, stamp, etc is a noticeable part of the Layout!!"

Once I started thinking and looking through drawers I came up with the idea of using paper re-enforcers. I experimented for at least an hour trying to come up with the best way and liked the look of the mist. I liked the idea of a little bit grungier of a look with the challenge. It really was a lot of fun thinking outside the box. You should go to Memorable Seasons and try it this week to get your name in a drawing for a gift certificate.

Anyway...here's my layout.

Last Scrapper Standing Week 2 and 3

Last Scrapper Standing is still going on over at Memorable Seasons. I am very grateful that I have managed to stay in the contest thus far. There is amazing talent there and I feel blessed to still be in the running. Voting will start Monday after 3pm. I think you have to vote for your favorite 5 layouts.

This week's challenge is to use white space and have a cluster. I'm not the best at white space layouts but here is my take on the challenge. This photo is of me and my older sister when we were young.

And here's a close up of my cluster:


Last week's challenge was to use black as your background and to create at least 2 flowers to use. Here is my layout for last week. I love this photo of Skye.

Challenge Masters Summer Lovin' Contest

Over at Challenge Masters, they're having a contest that lasts for 4 weeks. I thought it would be fun to have each of you join us. Here is the information on it:

Summertime & the livin is easy..... are you ready to be challenged???
are you ready for some FUN?????
Well then you won't want to miss this our first contest here @ Ch{all}enge Masters!!!!!!

I suppose you want details, yes?
OK This will run for four (4) weeks, starting the 1st Sunday in July. July 4th I will post a challenge for you & then every Sunday there will be a new challenge the last challenge will be July 25th. You will have 1 week to do each challenge. The Challenge will have to be posted the following Saturday in the gallery under the summer lovin' contest by midnight EST.
You will be awarded points & there will be a panel of judges from the DT. If there is a tie we will do a random drawing.

Would you like to know what the winner will receive??
Terri has graciously offer a $25.00 GC to the winners choice of on-line store & a Guest Diva spot!!!!!
I will send the runner - up a scrapping kit!

So if your interested for a little fun & to kick off the start of summer, just sign up here.
Sign - ups will end July 2nd.

So stop on over and get signed up. I can't wait for the challenges to begin!

Last Scrapper Standing Entry

What a fun challenge! This week's challenge at Memorable Seasons was to create a layout based off of this theme: An American Child

I was a little baffled at first then thought of a "blue-eyed" photo. I found one of my favorite photos from when my son was a baby and decided to use that. I had a wonderful time creating this! Here is my entry

I love this paper line and felt it worked best with this photo. I created my title from recycled corrugated cardboard that came in the box of my new bookshelf. I cut them with my QK Revolution. I loved the results. Be sure and go check out the contest. You have until tomorrow at 3p.m to get it in. Then be sure and go back and place your vote. And while you're there be sure and check out the sale in the store. Jill, the owner, always has great sales.

Happy Father's Day!

Today is Father's Day, the day we set aside to honor those special men in our lives. I'd like to say Happy Father's Day to my Dad, my Father in Law and my sweet husband. I can't imagine how different my life would be without them in my life. Love you all! Be sure and share your love and feelings for those men in your life who have made a difference. Here are a few cards I created for these great men:

Challenge Masters Design Team Call

I just thought I'd post and let each of you know of a Design Team call over at Challenge Masters - a site dedicated to challenges. I enjoy being a part of things there and thought you might like it as well. I'd love to see you all apply! Here are the details:

Ch{all}enge Masters {http://www.challengemastersonline.com/} is looking for new Design Divas! The term will run from July 2010 thru December 2010. If chosen, you will be responsible for issuing your first challenge in July!

I am also looking for someone to help secure sponsors for us & someone to be our PR person! If interested in either of those spots, please let me know with your application.

Here are the Design Diva requirements/Guidelines:

* Post 1 new challenge on the assigned date each month along with an example for your challenge.

* Be an active presence in our gallery, making sure at the very least that you leave a comment on each of your category's submissions.

* To be an active presence in our forums on a daily basis. You will be required to initiate a minimum of one new topic on a weekly basis & to make our members feel welcome. We focus on having fun while providing inspiration for our members!!!!

* To proudly display your Design Diva Badge on your blog & in your sig lines at other sites (as allowed) & to help promote Ch{all}enge Masters however/wherever possible.

* Check the Design Diva group for posts containing important information or requiring your response on a daily basis.

* If you have stuff going on in your life or are going on vacation, please contact me ASAP to let me know!

* Since there is no compensation for your design duties, you are eligible to participate in all of our challenges to win the prize each month!!! Please play along as much as you'd like!

To apply, please send a link to your blog and/or main gallery to: terri@challengemastersonline.com. Also please include your full name & email address. Submissions will be accepted until June 30th, 2010. Please include your top 3 choices for which groups you would like to lead! Current Ch{all}enge Master team members are welcome to re-apply! Thank you & I can’t wait to see all the submissions!

Last Scrapper Standing

Memorable Seasons is having a Last Scrapper Standing Contest starting Sunday, June 13th. I missed this last year and am really hoping to be able to participate in it this time around. Here are the details about what it is and the fabulous grand prize (which secretly I'd love to win so I can get those fab Tim Holtz Dies)

Memorable Seasons announces the second annual Last Scrapper Standing contest to begin on June 13. It is a fast paced, challenge based contest where members will vote for their favorites to survive each week. The final winner will be announced on July 28. Grand prize will be the winner’s choice of a Sizzix Big Shot or a Spellbinder’s Wizard. You must be a registered member to participate and to vote so get signed up today!

So come on over to Memorable Seasons and get registered. Then be on the lookout for the contest to begin. Can't wait to see all of you there!

Combined Challenges

I love challenges and it's even better when you can combine a few. Here are my latest that I've accomplished.
This one is for Let's Scrap's Blog Hop #6 to scraplift a layout combined with the recipe challenge from Challenge Masters.

And here's Let's Scrap Blog Hop #8 to create a travel layout using a travel quote provided. Plus I combined it with the May One Little Word Challenge at Challenge Masters.


Be sure and finish up all of your layouts for our blog hop challenges at Let's Scrap. It goes until the 22nd of May.

Challenge Master's May Color Challenge

It's time for this month's Color Challenge over at Challenge Masters. Here is the ad that inspired me this month for this challenge:

And here is my layout for this challenge. I just loved this ad!


Come on over and join in this challenge as well as the many others and be entered into the monthly drawing for a prize pack. There's always a great challenge at Challenge Masters.

Let's Scrap Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to my very 1st blog hop. And to be doing with all my friends at Let's Scrap is so cool! So be sure and keep on reading to find out all about it!

This is the 5th stop on the Let's Scrap Design Team Blog Hop! Below you will find my challenge to you using one of the great Let's Scrap sketches(sketch Feb2). All you have to do is complete this challenge, upload it to the Let's Scrap gallery with the tag "bloghop5", become a follower of my blog and link your layout below. At the end of the Blog Hop on May 21, 2010, I will randomly select one of you to receive a small prize package. But that's not IT!! Keep hopping through the blogs....there are 10 of us playing along. Complete the challenges at EVERY stop on the blog within the next two weeks and your name will be entered into a random drawing for a $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE to A Cherry On Top Scrapbook Store. And the best part....you have TWO FULL WEEKS to complete your challenges and when all is said and done you will have 10 projects completed and a chance at some great prizes!!

Let's get this hop started!! Remember, to become a follower and return to leave a comment after completing each challenge. Good luck, and have fun!!!!

1. Susan
2. Cori
3. Deb
4. Jean
5. Sally - YOU ARE HERE
6. Rosalie
7. Scarlett
8. Carolina
9. Nana
10. Kristie


Now here's my challenge to you:

For this challenge, I thought it appropriate to incorporate Let's Scrap and listed a scrap item to use starting with each letter. You challenge is to create a layout using the following:

L - Lace
E - Epoxy - brads, stickers, etc. You can use pre-made or even make your own.
T - Tag
S - Single layout

S - Sketch your choice from Let's Scrap(click on the link to see sketches)
C - Chipboard
R - Ribbon
A - Alphabet stickers or rubons
P - Punch - border or shape

Here's my layout that I created for this challenge:


And at the end of the blog hop, I'll put all of the names of those who complete my challenge and post a link in Mr. Linky below with their layout. One lucky winner will win this "sweet" prize.


So Let's Scrap and show me what you can create!

National Scrapbook Day Coming Fast!!!

At Let's Scrap, we're going to celebrate National Scrapbook Day throughout the month. On Saturday there will be a few challenges and then we're having a blog hop. Be sure and come over and check things out!

Challenge Masters Design Team

I'm excited because I made it on the Challenge Master's Design Team! Right before I left for Paris, I got an email inviting me to be their Color Challenge Diva. I'm very excited to be a part of this team! A different set of challenges are posted every Sunday - the color challenge will be posted every 2nd Sunday. I love challenges as they force me outside my box. Can't wait to get my first one color challenge created so I can post it on Sunday. Be sure and check out the site. You won't regret it! Wahoo!

March Color Challenge

Okay ladies...here's this month's challenge. This month we're going to do a color challenge. Use this ad to inspire the colors you use on your layout.


And here is the layout I created with it. In person the color is red not this pinkish hue. DD was so mad when she saw that I scrapped these photos of her. I told her too bad, she'll appreciate them and laugh at them when she's older. She said she will always be mad I scrapped them. Oh well...


You have until April 5th (since I'll be in Paris at the end of the month) to accomplish this and post a link to it here and your name will go into a drawing for a RAK from me. Can't wait to see what you create!

Let's Scrap Weekly sketch and the March Challenge

Here is this week's sketch at Let's Scrap:


And here is my take on it. I just did the left side this month. I also combined it with Kristie's challenge to use a technique you've always wanted to try but have never done. I made 2 of the flowers and they were new techniques for me.


Cheri, at Let's Scrap is having a challenge through the month of March. She has some older sketches that are single layouts and she wants you to scrap 5 of them but the challenge is to create the other side of the layout to make it a double layout. For those that do five of them in the month of March, you will have your name in a drawing for a kit from one of our sponsors. I think it sounds like fun! I just hope I have time to get them all done. Come on over and give them a try. I look forward to seeing your work!

February's Winner is.....

Carrie

and

Nicole

Thanks Carrie and Nicole for playing along with me this month! I hope you'll continue to do so. Since there were 2 of you that played and just because I feel like it, you both win! Be sure and send me your full name and address at cranney@cableone.net and I'll send you both a little something! Thanks again for participating.

Scrapbook Throwdown Week 2

This week's challenge at Memorable Seasons is this:
This Weeks Challenge is we are going to be making "Fruit Salad " Cards

You need to make 4 different cards using the recipe for the fruit salad ...you need to at least use two different fruits per card (you can use more!!!) and you can only use one fruit on two different cards. All the cards should be different using the different fruit elements and each card should each have a title..thanks for playing along!!!
Banana -ribbon
Orange- circle
Apple- heart
Cherry- stickles/ glitter
Blueberries- hole punch
Grapefruit- big circle (meaning circle card)
Pear- stamp
Strawberries- leaves
Pineapple- border punch

And the titles have to be food related.

At first I was a little worried of what I could use for my sentiments but with a little thought I finally came up with a few. Then I went into my stash to see if I owned any fruity papers or embellies. I had a few and then went to Archivers and found a few more. Here are my cards for this challenge:


This card I used a sketch from Let's Scrap.




Come on over and try it out. They have a drawing every week for one participant to receive a prize.

Memorable Seasons Scrapbook Throwdown

Over at Memorable Seasons, they're having a 4 week contest called Scrapbook Throwdown. They post a weekly challenge and you submit your layout/project to go along with it. Here is this last week's challenge:
Here is your first Recipe Challenge. Today, we are serving up Wedding Cake!
Your "Wedding Cake" layouts must include pictures about a wedding event of any sort. If you are lacking this main ingredient in your cupboards, then you may substitute any photos of close relationships instead. Your recipes must also include the following ingredients:
Something old-this can be old photos, old products or you may use distressing/inking for an older look
Something new-this can be new products or new techniques
Something Borrowed-this can mean that you borrowed tools to complete your layout or that you used a sketch/scraplifted someone else
Something Blue-Exactly that....your layout must have blue in it somewhere!

And here is the layout I created for it. I loved this challenge and though the idea of adding blue wasn't my favorite, I was happy with it in the end.



Be sure and go check out this week's challenge It's not too late to play along!

Design Team Challenge at Let's Scrap

I was in charge of this week's challenge at Let's Scrap. I had saw this fun idea for a challenge (no I can't take full credit for it, though I wish I could) so I tweaked it and made it for Love. Come check it out here.

And here's mine that I did for it. Again...fun to do a single layout.

Snow challenge at Let's Scrap

Let's Scrap had a DT challenge from Shana. She challenged us to use this recipe on our layout:
S: some bling
N: nine embellishments
O: One photo
W: white space.

It was fun creating a single layout - definitely my favorite kind. Here's what I created.

My favorite Album

On the boards at Let's Scrap the question of the week is: What is your favorite layout or project. It was an easy question, or so I thought. As I was pondering what my favorite project was, I remembered a special album I created back in 2007 about the journey I went through after losing my baby at 22 weeks - what I experienced and more importantly, what I learned. I thought I'd share the album here for those who wanted to see all of the pages. I do have a lot hidden journaling throughout the book and will try to explain what I have written there. I made this wooden cover and used Chatterbox black refills for my pages

This journaling is about a dream I had several years before I got pregnant...hence the title.This is about how I thought I was done with kids and how I was shocked that I was pregnant and then had to go and buy all new maternity clothes, baby stuff, etc.

This talks about how we went into our ultrasound all happy and excited because I just knew this had to the girl I saw in my dreams. Then to find out there was no heartbeat and the devastation of the news. The file folder holds excerpts from my journal.

This layout is about all the decisions we had to make when it came time to deliver the baby. The right side with the small black photos talks about each momento and why it means so much to me. Under the D you can see my baby's tiny handprints.

The words over the Savior's face are lyrics from a song that really helped me understand why the Lord would have me go through this challenge. The right side talks about all of the many questions I had and then the little mini album has more journaling excerpts.

This talks about all the many angels who helped us through this time...my family, my friends and the amazing doctor, who took all the charges off of my bill and told his staff to refund me my money so that I could pay the hospital bills for in his words, "She's lost enough." What a miracle and a blessing.

This talks about how having 3 amazing children to come home to helped me get through this challenge.

Going back through this sure brings back a lot of emotion but in the end, this challenge, as all challenges made me who I am.

Let's Scrap New Sketch

I'm a little late posting this week's sketch. I thought I'd share it as it's a fun one. Here's is my take on it. I love these photos of my son as they remind of watching him learn - totally made me laugh.



Come on over to Let's Scrap and share with us what you create! If you do it by Tuesday night, you can get your name into the drawing for a prize from a sponsor. Can't wait to see your work!

And don't forget about the 1st February challenge - Old vs new. I'd love to see what you create for this challenge.

Thanks Tammy for this award!

Blog Award

Thanks Tammy for passing this on to me!

The rules of this award are to tell you 10 things that make me happy and then I am to pass it on to 5 more people.

So here they are, in no particular order:
1. Sunsets
2. Tulips
3. My children
4. Scrapbooking
5. A Clean and organized home
6. Friends
7. Sister Time
8. My fabulous husband Micah
9. Laughing children
10. Fresh chocolate chip cookies

Now to pass this on to 5 friends. Be sure and check out their fabulous blogs!
1. Debby
2. Tilda
3. Carrie
4. Audrey
5. Julie

Let's Scrap Sketch

This is this week's sketch at Let's Scrap. Here are the two that I created using this as my inspiration.

One of the best things about Cheri's sketches is that you can create a double layout or just a single one. On this layout, I rotated the sketch one turn so I could use my horizontal photos. I love the versatility of them as you could use them over and over and you'd never know they were from the same sketch.

Here's the other layout I created of my daughter, Skye, going to her first dance. She's so grown up and is such a beautiful young lady! She loves the color purple so when she found this dress, she just knew it was the one for her.

Don't forget to come on over and post your layout using this sketch. Cheri has a weekly sponsor and you can get your name in the drawing just by downloading your layout in the gallery. The winner is then chosen randomly. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

And don't forget to get going on the challenge this month...I'd love to send someone a few goodies to enjoy!

Old vs. New Challenge

This challenge is to get you to mix your old stash with your new one. I've created a list of what I consider to be old vs new. You know your stash better than I so use your judgement. Your challenge is to create a layout with at least 8 items off of this list - 4 being old and 4 being new. You can have more than that, but you must have an equal amount of old vs new. Any questions please ask. Here's your list:



1. Alphabets: OLD: Foam Stamps/Flat Stickers vs. NEW: Thickers/Die Cutting Machine lettering/ Chipboard alphas.

2. OLD: shaped punches/paper crimper vs. NEW: die cuts/dry embossing

3. OLD: deco scissors vs. NEW: Border punches

4. OLD: eyelets/snaps/conchos vs. NEW: brads/buttons/bling

5. OLD: fiber/twill vs. NEW: ribbon

6. Patterned Papers: OLD: 5 years or older vs. NEW: 1 year or newer

7. OLD: tags - jewelry/kraft/metal rimmed vs. NEW: journaling spots

8. OLD: silk flowers, stamped, die cuts vs. NEW: paper flowers or handmade flowers

9. OLD: Pen work for stitching effect vs. NEW: stitch with sewing machine or hand stitch/rubons

10. OLD: sticker vs. NEW:rub-on

11. OLD: flat cardstock vs. NEW: textured cardstock

12. Embellishments: OLD: metal(MM metal letters, plaques, charms,frames, book plates, hinges, buckles, slide frames, etc vs. NEW: deco brads, pre-made embellies, chipboard, tickets/coupons, etc.

13. OLD: Naked chipboard vs NEW: Pre-printed/colored chipboard



So here's mine for this challenge


I used :
OLD: deco scissors for borders
OLD: metal embellishments
OLD: twill
OLD: silk flowers
NEW: Patterned Papers
NEW: Thickers/die cut lettering
NEW: Cardstock
NEW: Brads
I also used this sketch from Let's Scrap:

I truly can't wait to see what you create! You have until the end of February to finish this to get your name into a drawing for a RAK from me. I'll post another challenge in 2 weeks!

My layout for the challenge

Well...it's about time but I finally got my layout done for this challenge. It was harder than I thought it would be to use blue and orange but I did it. I based it off of this sketch from Let's Scrap. Now share yours here by January 31st to get your name in a drawing for a RAK from me. And it doesn't have to be your new year's resolutions. It could be a focus on one of them or about how you feel about them. Just have fun with it and show me what you've got.