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LGS Fall into Fall Blog Hop

Posted on November 8, 2012 by daydesigns

Welcome to the very 1st Let’s Get Sketchy blog hop!! We at LGS are so very excited about our first blog hop! If you have arrived here from Carla’s blog welcome to the LGS blog hop!! If you have stumbled across this by chance and want to play along then you can head back to Stephanie’s site to start at the beginning. Hidden on each Design Team member’s site is a word that, when put all together, will give you a quote about Fall. I highly recommend heading back to Stephanie’s site to collect your Fall challenge words in order! These words should be in bold on each Design Team member’s pages. Once you have gathered all the words and have figured out the quote, email it to letsgetsketchy@gmail.com for an extra RAK of scrap goodies! My clue word is FRUIT.

Blog Hop Challenge-Fall into Fall

Fall is such a beautiful time of the year, it’s when the leaves start changing colours and everything around us is beautiful. It is also the season of Thanksgiving, which reminds us to take a moment to reflect on all the things we are most thankful for. (Side note for my Canadian participants – yes, we’ve already celebrated Thanksgiving but I like the idea of taking the month in between Hallowe’en craziness and Christmas craziness to slow down and be appreciative of life, don’t you?)

So in celebration of the fall we are hosting a Fall Color Combo challenge. You are to use the colors below and create ANY project related to the Fall. It can be a layout, card, mixed media project or altered item. The sky is the limit! Once your project is completed, please return to LGS and upload your project using Mr. Linky.

Please use the colour combo below:

You MUST use all of the colours in the picture (light blue, autumn red, yellow, brown, green). Each DT member will have a project of her own featuring these colours to give you some inspiration. Here is mine.

As soon as I saw the colour combo I thought of this paper that I had actually put into my “to be sold” pile in the summer. Go figure! It’s got all the colours in it so I knew it would be perfect. And then the other day the girls had a couple friends over and they wanted to rake up the leaves to jump in them. Talk about serendipity!!

Here are some close ups for you.

I tucked this journalling card from Ali Edwards behind the photo strip. It’s not glued down at all so you can pull it out and read the journalling that’s on both sides.

Here’s a view of it pulled out from behind the photos. The journaling reads: “We had one of those rare, sunny days today. We also had the Cowley girls for a bit so when you all wanted to jump in the leaves that Peter (our neighbour) had blown onto our lawn, I got out my camera! But this is not about leaf piles and jumping … this is about YOU and how much I love you all. Each of you is so unique and I am learning to love you for all your unique attributes. Marley approaches life by running full speed ahead. Paige makes sure it’s safe before diving in with a silly face. Christine just does it all! Whatever her big sisters do but with her own flair! Love you all so much!”

The title.

I used a couple of my Studio AE stamps from Technique Tuesday on my layout too. She has such fantastic sentiment stamps for layouts and I always seem to forget to use them! But this tag and the one up by the journalling were perfect for some stamping.

Hope that was inspiring, I can’t wait to see what you come up with. The winner of the hop will be randomly selected and will win the beautiful Prima collection below.

As always there are rules for playing!

Here are the rules for playing and winning: 1. You MUST be a follower of each LGS team members blog and leave a comment on each blog and; 2. You MUST also be a follower of the LGS blog.

Please make sure you visit the entire team today as some members are hosting additional blog challenges during the hop and offering their own extra goodies for you so the more you play the more chances you win!

All blog hop entries are due by midnight, November 15, 2012.

Now hop on over to Laurie’s blog to see what she has in store for you!

Line up

Stephanie <<<<<< START HERE>>>>>>>

Alison <<<<<<<>>>>>>>>

Laurie <<<<<<<< GO HERE NEXT>>>>>>>>

Posted in challenges, layout, Let's Get Sketchy | 29 Comments

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Posted on November 8, 2012 by daydesigns

Always like saying that!!

Okay, so I think I am a week behind in posting this (not so good on keeping track of things!!) but I have picked a winner for my 354 to 40 giveaway.

Drum roll please …

(My super high tech winner choosing device! LOL!)

… and the winner is … MARYA GRANT!!!

Congratulations Marya! Please email me (alisonday at eastlink dot ca) with your address so I can get your prize out to you.

Posted in 365 to 40 SMASH, Giveaways, Winners | 2 Comments

Practical Scrappers: 10 Ways to Use Embossing Powder

Posted on November 6, 2012 by daydesigns

Today, over at Practical Scrappers, we’re sharing 10 ways to use Embossing Powder. Make sure you head over to the site to check out all the great ideas our Design Team is sharing with you!

I decided to create my own background paper with it. Here is my layout.

I took a Stampin’ Up! stamp (Flowering Flourishes) and created the pattern by alternating the orientation of the stamp. Once I’d stamped the whole page, I sprinkled the embossing powder over all the stamped images and that way was able to emboss the entire page at once.

Here you can see the shine the embossing powder gives the paper. If you have flocking powder, this would be a really fantastic technique to try!

And this is a better shot of the detail of the stamped images. I meant to take a picture of the paper before I added everything else on top but … ah well. At least you can get an idea of how the whole page looks!

I decided to take the embossing theme and really run with it by creating these blocks of dry embossed card stock to my layout. I used 4 different folders – lattice, woodgrain, chevron and vintage wallpaper.

The stamp set is a really old Martha Stewart set that I found in my stash.

Thanks for stopping by today. Don’t forget to check out the other Design Team projects on the Practical Scrappers blog today!

Posted in Halloween, layout, Practical Scrappers | Comments Off

LGS Reveal Day – November Week One

Posted on November 5, 2012 by daydesigns

It’s Monday which means there is a new sketch over at Let’s Get Sketchy! Please be sure to pop over there and see all the inspiration that Team A has come up with this week.

Here is the sketch we are working with.

And here’s what I came up with.

I interpreted the blocks of patterned paper behind the photo as paint – that’s what happens when you attempt to create in a dimly lit room and can barely see the sketch you’re supposed to be using! But, I really like it so … happy accident then!

This is a picture of Marley’s first visit to see a real mall Santa. I found it while organizing my scrap room in the summer and this sketch seemed like the perfect one for it. She had no clue what was going on but in true Marley fashion she took it all in stride and has been insisting on seeing Santa every year since!

I added some Mister Huey Opaque White splatters to complement the painted block.

And then I journalled in a white pen to keep things all the same.

I was wondering what to call it and had a sheet of random words I’d created from leftover letter stickers. One of those words was CHILL which I added to to make CHILLIN because that’s what she seems to be doing in the photo. Just hanging out and taking it all in!

Well, thanks for stopping by today. Remember to pop over to the Let’s Get Sketchy blog to see all the wonderful layouts the Design Team has created for your inspiration. It’s a new month which means there will be a new prize so I hope to see some of you entering layouts into the challenges! Good luck to all!!

Oh, and before I forget, join us this weekend for Let’s Get Sketchy’s first blog hop! Things get going on Friday November 9th and there are going to be lots of challenges to enter and prizes to win so I hope to see you all! I may even have an RAK to give away … haven’t decided yet!!

See you then!!

Posted in layout, Let's Get Sketchy, Marley | 4 Comments

LOAD Day 28, a SMASH update and a GIVEAWAY

Posted on October 28, 2012 by daydesigns

Hi everyone. Hope you’re all enjoying your Sunday. We are experiencing a rare sunny Sunday today!! The girls are super thrilled to NOT have to play soccer in the rain … finally!! While various girls and Greg have been out of the house, I’ve been working on today’s LOAD layout. It’s not my typical layout. It is in fact another page in my 365 Days to 40 SMASH book! Remember this?

I first posted about it here and here. In the post in the second link I mentioned a GIVEAWAY … I got a whole 2 responses so I am extending it for ONE MORE WEEK! If you would like to be entered to win a supply from my stash which will include 39 pieces of patterned paper, 39 assorted stickers and 39 pieces of ribbon (plus whatever else my little heart desires to add!) please do the following by midnight Pacific on Sunday November 4th:

1 – Become a follower of my blog – if you already are just leave me a comment to tell me so.

2 – Read the two linked posts and tell me which layout from the first (the one at Practical Scrappers) is your favourite in the comments of this post.

If you are one of the two ladies who have already entered to win this giveaway, you may enter again if you like or just know that your entries are assured! Also, if you would be so kind as to email me your mailing address (alisonday at eastlink dot ca) I have a little thank you gift I’d like to send your way!!

Okay, back to your regularly scheduled (Ha! that’s a good one!!) programming …

Today’s LOAD prompt was to use a mask. Either on your layout with mists etc or to talk about the many masks we wear. I decided to pull back the mask so to speak. Yesterday I did a layout with lots of misting and doodling for which I used a mask (see it here) so didn’t want to repeat myself today. Thinking of the masks we wear made me remember one of the lists I’d started for my 365 to 40 project. It’s a list of 39 things I like about myself right now. Surprisingly hard to come up with 39! Really scraped the bottom of the barrel with some of them!!

When I flipped the page over I saw that it was already printed with the giant FABULOUS so rather than cover that up I used it as part of my design. I am pretty fabulous after all!! 🙂

Here’s my title. I even used a rub on. A RUB ON people!!! I usually run screaming in the opposite direction from rub ons but not today! I must be evolving!! (Gosh, I hope so! It’s about time!!)

I added the doodling to the letters. Totally fun!

I was trying to get a close up of all the different textures on my page … not sure it was successful. I have mists – both Glimmer mists and Mister Huey’s, Gel medium and paint on there plus the word strips were glued down with Modge Podge.

Well, that’s it. I really hope you like this as I am kind of a little bit in love with Art Journalling now! Sheesh! More things to add to my stash. Thankfully I now work at a place that sells all these supplies!! Don’t forget to enter my giveaway. If you have done any art journalling of you own please leave me a link in the comments. I would LOVE to come and see your work!

Posted in 365 to 40 SMASH, Giveaways, ME (Alison), SHO LOAD1012 | 9 Comments

Let’s Get Sketchy Sketch Challenge #34

Posted on October 22, 2012 by daydesigns

Today is reveal day over at Let’s Get Sketchy – hope you’ve already checked out the amazing pages over there!! It’s not my team’s week to contribute a layout but I decided to play along anyway. Here’s the sketch we were all working with.

And here’s what I came up with.

I’m still madly making a layout every day in October for the ScrapHappy Only LOAD challenge and today’s prompt was to use a “rear-view” picture. I had pulled out this picture earlier in LOAD but ultimately discarded it in favour of telling a different story (sorry, can’t remember what that was now – it’s been a long day with my 3 year throwing up and me feeling a bit dodgy too!) It was taken by a dear uncle of mine when he and my Aunt were visiting us way back in 2005. That’s me and my eldest – then barely 1 year old! These pictures are all the more precious to me now as they include my dear Aunt who passed away a couple years ago. Gone but never forgotten! The rest of the photos from that day that my uncle sent to me are still sitting out on my craft table so hopefully I can do something with them soon!

Here are a few close up shots.

My title. The letters were a bit pale for my liking but a quick brush with some brown ink and they worked much better!

The journalling. The yellow word sticker is covering up a different word that didn’t work for this layout. But I liked the colour and shape of the Basic Grey tab so found a workaround!

Embellishment cluster.

Thanks for stopping by today. Don’t forget to pop over to Let’s Get Sketchy to see what my fellow Design Team members have for you today. This is the last sketch for this month but you have until the 30th to submit this or any of the other sketches from the month. Remember you need to submit 3 out of the 4 sketches to be eligible for the fabulous prize from Apron Strings. Check it out!!

Good luck!!

Posted in layout, Let's Get Sketchy, SHO LOAD1012 | 12 Comments

Hallowe’en Mini Album for Practical Scrappers

Posted on October 20, 2012 by daydesigns

I posted a lot of pictures of this Hallowe’en Mini over at Practical Scrappers – I hope you are following us over there! We’ve got our spook on lately – did you see Kerri’s wreath from yesterday? ROCKING!!! Check it out here.

As I said in my other post, I got the original idea for this mini from a self-paced workshop called The Boo! Book over at Big Picture Classes. This was over 2 years ago and the instructions and materials have sat untouched in my stash since then! Yikes, eh? As a part of my One Little Word (there’s another project that hasn’t had it’s proper attention!) I have been focusing on my Scrapbooking this year. I’ve done a pile of layouts that I am really proud of! So many memories and stories put down on paper which makes me so happy!! Well, now there are a few more memories in the can!!

Without further ado, here is my All Hallows Eve Memories mini.

The letter stickers are Jenny Bowlin (from 2 years ago!!), the washi tape is new (Teresa Collins) and the buttons are from my stash.

The metal frame was in my stash and I wasn’t sure how I was going to use it. I really like the added vintage feel it gives to this album. The orange letter tiles are new Studio Calico.

Okay, now to the inside spreads. I used Jenni Bowlin large Bingo cards (also 2 years old) and backed them with patterned paper (old MME – Spider’s Web).

2004

“Marley’s 1st Hallowe’en. Greg took her “trick or treating” to a few neighbours in the townhouse complex on 57th. Marley used an old black handbag as a loot bag. We ate her candy!”

Wasn’t she just the cutest little lady bug you’ve ever seen? Hard to remember her that small!

2005

“We made the Ladybug costume fit for another year, got a real loot bag, put up some decorations and generally got “into” Hallowe’en a but more. Marley may look nervous (on the left) but she quickly got the hang of things!”

2006

I was attempting to give the impression of a full moon with the circle of card stock and all the gems.

“We added Paige to the fun this year. She also made a cute ladybug! Marley decided to be a cowgirl with her pink (Mark’s Work Wearhouse) cowboy hat! Marley was very into the treat getting this year. Paige not so much!”

2007

More old Jenni Bowlin products – this time the black buttons.

Below I took a piece of black card stock and ripped one edge before attaching the tag to it. The orange arrow is a Studio Calico sticky note that I doodled on.

“The Princess and the Ladybug – First year in our new house. We had over a hundred kids come by and Marley got her first “real” taste of what a trick-or-treating haul can be!”

2008

I also got the mini Hallowe’en Bingo cards! I was keen!! The black tile letters are Jenni Bowlin mini chalkboard alphas – also 2 years old. Not sure why I’m telling all this but hey, I’m a sharer! Similar products are still available if you are keen to make something like this for your own family memories!

I took the girls to The Great Big Boo this year so these pictures were taken just before we went into the show. They were not taken on Hallowe’en night but are the cutest shots of my kids in their costumes from that year!

2009

A Panda, a Fairy and Hannah Montana!

“This year Christine (a.k.a LC) joined the Trick or Treating fun. The Ladybug costume had been donated so LC got to be a Panda Bear. Griffin’s birthday is Oct 28 so we had a pre-trick or treating party for him. Going out with the cousins made the experience super fun for all!”

2010

Another pre-trick or treating birthday party for Griffin. Greg’s sister and their cousin both lived in neighbourhoods that were not super family friendly so coming to our candy rich subdivision was a good deal for them. They’ve since moved to better neighbourhoods so we don’t do these parties any more. Kind of miss them!

“This year we had a Chicken, a Princess and Hannah Montana came back again. So cute!”

2011

“The Good Fairy. Kitty Cat. Wicked Witch.”

I didn’t do any journalling but did include pictures from a new activity the girls got to do last year. Friends nearby had a fire pit going with marshmallows and sparklers. It made for a late night (and a school night to boot!) but the girls are already asking if we are going to do it again this year!

Well there you have it. My new Hallowe’en mini. I’ve got plenty more Bingo cards and papers etc so I can add to it over the next few years. I finished it off with some ribbon strands – not something I normally do but I quite like it on this!

Thanks for coming by today. Hope you are enjoying your weekend. I’ve got more scrapping plans for the rest of this weekend – hope I can get to them!

Posted in Halloween, LC, Marley, Mini Albums, Paige, Practical Scrappers | 1 Comment