October Scrap Our Stash Blend-a-Sketch Challenge "Ahoy There!"

Hello Scrappy friends - It is time for this month's Blend-a-Sketch Challenge for October!  All of the details, rules and PRIZE info, along with more inspiration can be found on the
 Scrap Our Stash Blog  - Please join us and play along!

I used the background from the left sketch - but I flipped it so the larger piece of patterned paper was on the top of the layout. I also  used the "tag" element from that sketch by making the banners into tags, and I also added round circle embellishments.  From the right sketch, I used 2 photos, the patterned paper layering and the banner shape.  I added the 2 red circles to go along with the dash circles on the sketch.  I also used the diagonal patterned paper for the banner on the far right.

Here is my layout for your inspiration:

I used photos of my hubby and I enjoying a "drink of the day" on our 2016 Disney Wonder Westbound Panama Canal Cruise.  I've collected lots of "cruise" paper over the years and actually mixed papers and embellishments from 3 different manufacturers in this layout!  
I am very happy with how it turned out.

 Here are some close ups for you!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope I have inspired you to join us at the Scrap Our Stash Blog, and play along with this SUPER FUN Challenge!

I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

Items Used:

My Mind's Eye: "By the Sea" Collection:

 - Anchors Away

 - All Aboard

 - Set Sail

 - Chipboard Elements

 - Mixed Bag

 - Decorative Brads

 - Enamel Shapes

Carta Bella - "Yacht Club" - Decorative Brads

Basic Grey - "Adrift" Collection:

 - Adrift (Diagonal paper)

 - Die Cut Cardstock and Transparencies 

 - Mixed Brads

Ranger Distress Stains - Fire Brick, Faded Jeans, Evergreen Bough, Picket Fence

Red "Doodle O's" - from Scrap-a-Doodle Doo

SOS February Book Cover Challenge - "Beaches"

It is February already - and time for the next BOOK Inspired Stash Challenge from Scrap Our Stash!
I have to say, at first I thought this was going to be difficult, and I was a little confused as to what to do for this challenge, but that is what makes it a Challenge right!!

Here are the rules:
Using the left page, or book cover, as your inspiration, create a layout and include 2 or more HEARTS ( it's February, so of course Hearts are involved!!)

I have to admit, while I love Dr. Seuss, and have ready many of his books to my (now grown up) sons, I have never read this one.  Looking at the picture, I could have chosen the White, Blue, Black, Red color scheme, or a photo of a Moose! or maybe a big banner, or antlers, or a hat, or even just something related to hearts ("Big-Hearted Moose").... really, so many possibilities!  - I hope your mind is running in a bunch of directions right now, as to how you are going to interpret it, and that you will play along with us!  Click on the SCRAP OUR STASH Blog for all the details, deadlines and PRIZE INFO!!

I decided to use the shrubs or foliage at the bottom of the book-cover, and the starburst effect behind antlers as my inspiration, as they reminded me of a photo / selfie that I took while on vacation 

this last October, at Beaches in Turks and Caicos!  Here is my layout:

I've had this intricate Basic Grey "Jovial" Die Cut in my stash from FOREVER!!  I thought it would be perfect to use it in this layout, as it has lots of foliage and an awesome color combo too!.  ( Are you as sad as me that Basic Grey has announced they are closing their paper crafting operations :-( )


I used lots of paper embellishments from the Simple Stories Summer Vibes collection -that I inked and matted on cardstock - here are some close ups of all the bits and pieces I used:

There were lizards everywhere at the resort!  I took this little chipboard one, colored him with Peacock Feathers Distress stain, then inked him with some Pearl paint, and then inked him with Twisted Citron Distress Stain. When that was done, I glazed him with Dimensional Magic.

Here we are sitting on the beach in the HOT sun, sipping on some adult beverages!  Let me tell you, this was our first trip to an "all inclusive resort" and it certainly won't be our last!  You can also see some of the paper embellies I used, along with enamel dots, and 2 wooden hearts that I inked with Distress stains, and then glazed with Dimensional Magic.

I made this "Beaches" title from a piece of the note paper that they gave us in the room at the resort. After cutting it out, and matting it - I glazed over the letters and pop dotted it on the layout.  You can also see 2 more hearts that were stained and glazed.

Here are a few more embellies, and you can see what I mean by the selfie in the center, with the palm tree "hat" or the starburst behind my head, kind of like the book cover.  The photo on the bottom left was one of our favorite spots to hang out by the swim-up bar!!

Here you can see where the die cut background is actually "pop-dotted" on the vanilla cardstock base, some enamel dots, and the wooden hearts inked with Distress Stains and then glazed.

A few more paper embellies that are added with pop dots in this corner of the layout.


Thanks for stopping by - I hope you will play along with us on this FUN Challenge over a the Scrap Our Stash Blog!! - Would love it if you took a minute to say Hi, now that you are here!

ITEMS USED:
Basic Grey "Jovial" Die Cut
BoBunny Avocado Dot
Simple Stories "Summer Vibes"
  Bits and Pieces
  Enamel Dots
  6x12 Elements
  Pop Fizz
  6x8 and 2x2 Elements
Dimensional Magic
Ranger Distress Stain - Twisted Citron, Rusty Hinge, Ripe Persimmon, Peeled Paint, Evergreen Bough

Scrap Our Stash January Sketch PLUS 3 - A Day in Paradise!

Hello Scrappy Peeps!   It is time for the 2nd January Challenge from Scrap Our Stash!  Once again, we are "kicking it up a notch" and not only is there a Sketch to Inspire and Challenge you, there is a "PLUS THREE" added challenge for you - just to make it 

even more FUN!!

So, besides the AWESOME Sketch below, you need to incorporate (1) item from each of the 3 columns in your layout!!

I decided to use the following (3) Items:

List 1 - American Craft - Wildflower Gold Foil Thickers "Adventure" Title

List 2 - Basic Grey - "Adrift" Collection (Nautical, Ropes, Tide, and Anchor -12x12's, Stickers, Diecut Cardstock and Transparencies, Mixed Brads

List 3 - Chipboard -  Chipboard Bracket

Here is my Layout -for your inspiration:

This is a layout with photos of our January 2014 Disney Fantasy Cruise, and our day on Disney's Private Island, Castaway Cay -one of the most beautiful places on earth 

- in my opinion! :-)

Love this beautiful Gold Title, by American Crafts!!

I stapled some paper yarn in a circle, behind the tag, with my Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher and added a nautical brad, a "Hidden Mickey" (can you see him) and an enamel dot.

Love the colors and patterns in this line!  I used the triangle stickers, that I matted with cardstock, and some more paper yarn, to make a banner in the upper left corner.

Besides the items listed above, I inked/edge distressed my papers with Ranger Distress Stains - Ripe Persimmon, Picket Fence, Blue Print Sketch, Evergreen Bough.

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to head on over the The Scrap Our Stash Blog - to find out all the challenge rules/deadlines and PRIZE Info too!!

 I can't wait to see what you come up with for this excited new challenge!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

Scrap Our Stash - January 2016 - "Christmas 1963"

We are trying something new over at Scrap Our Stash!!

Some NEW EXCITING Challenges are headed your way!!

Here is the first one for January!

So - how does it work?  Take a look at the photo, and let it inspire you to create your layout.  ALSO, if you look on the right page of the book, there is an added little challenge too!  This one is "you must use white paint, or paint splatters" on your layout!!

Still stumped?

Well, at first I thought the cat was walking on a beach with blue water behind him - so a beach layout would have worked.  Or how about a layout with a cat in it? Maybe a layout with a RED, WHITE and BLUE color scheme? Or just a BLACK and RED maybe? You could do a layout with Shoes or a Hat in it too!  All of those ideas would work - and I am sure you can come up with a BUNCH more too!

After realizing he was really walking in SNOW - I decided to do a winter or Christmas layout.  I'm not sure why, but I don't seem to do many Christmas layouts - but I am SO HAPPY with how this one came out!  Take a peek, I hope you like it too!!

This is a picture of my little brother and I - his first time on Santa's lap, at 7 months old, and he doesn't look too happy LOL!!    

I, on the other hand, am holding onto that present like I'll never let it go!!  I was 2 1/2 in that photo.

Since I rarely do Christmas layouts (not sure why that is, I just never seem too...) - you can bet I had a bunch of STUFF stowed in my stash, and I thought this sweet vintage looking paper collection "Aspen Frost" from Basic Grey would be perfect for this photo!!

I LOVE these sparkling RED "Alphabits" Letters made by Queen and Co too!!!

I fussy cut some of the ornaments out of the Basic Grey

"Tin Soldier" paper, inked the edges and poked a hole at the top of them, then strung them with some bakers twine, and added them to the layout with  3D Foam.  I also included  a cute little Nutcracker sticker from Little B Stickers!!

Love the GOLD Bling on the Lily Bee Design "Jingle Egg Nog" paper - serious HOTNESS!!  I made a pocket behind the photo and added a jounaling card. I punched a hole in it and used the same ribbon for the tag, that I used at the bottom of the layout.

Here is a close up of the tag

I chose "WHITE Paint" for the added element, and painted these 3 wooden snowflakes, that I added to the top right corner.  I also added some enamel dots too

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you will have as much FUN with this new Challenge format as I did!! Please stop by the SCRAP OUR STASH BLOG for complete Challenge Details, and PRIZE INFO too!!

I can't wait to see what you come up with!!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

It's Sneak Peek Time! Next Class Feb 10th!

Hi Everyone! - Here is a Sneak Peek of my class next week at Scrap-a-Doodle Doo in Ramsey, NJ

It is NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT - February 10th at 6:30 to 9:00pm and there are only a few seats left!  Call the store ASAP  201 818 7060 if you want a seat - or a kit - COST is $30.00

It is a Paper Bag Album  with a "Friends" Theme - featuring :

The BEAUTIFUL Curio Line from Basic Grey.

5 inside paperbag pocket pages, plus the front and back cover - 7 pages all together

5 Tags for inside the pockets,

Journaling cards

Lots of Pockets - including 2 flip up pocket pages!  - Oh - that makes it 7 full pages plus 2 flip up pages with pockets too!

Friends "Doo Dad!"

Lots of pattern papers 

We'll use Ranger Distress Stains, and Ranger Distress Stickles too!



I hope you can join me - Please call the store at 201 818 7060 to reserve your seat ASAP!

Hope to see you there!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

P.S. - you could leave the chipboard Friends off and use it on another project if you'd like.

Your SMILE!

Your Smile makes me HAPPY, Your Smile makes me PROUD and

May your SMILE open doors to your DREAMS!

Our son Nick graduated from Franklin Pierce University this past weekend - Magna Cum Laude!!!  with a BA in Mass Communications ( Media Studies / Media Production)

I CAN NOT begin to tell you how PROUD we are of him!

This photo was take at the Honor's Convocation Ceremony that was held on May 6th.  It is not the best quality photo, as I had to take it with my cell phone - because while I remembered my camera, I left my SD card at home in the computer!!  I changed the color and style in photo shop, and even though it is a little blurry, his SMILE shines through, and I am happy with the results!

I made this layout to remember that special day.  I had hope to enter it into the Polkadot Door Design May Inspiration Challenge - and thought the cut off day was May 18th - BUT  it was actually May 15th - so I was not able to submit it. - That is OK - I love the "challenge" of a "good challenge" - and the work that is created out of it - I hope you like what I came up with!!

For the challenge ( that I missed! - Oh well!)  - the RULES were: Create a paper crafting project (card, layout, off-the-page item), based on provided inspiration (photo, sentiment, or element : crocheted flowers).  Here is the photo for inspiration:

I incorporated the pinwheel, crocheted flower and SMILE from the inspiration, and I LOVE how this page came out!  The Basic Grey CURIO Line is just beautiful, and I had so much fun using it again in this layout.

All of the INGREDIENTS can be found on my post to my Scrapbook.com Gallery and were purchased at Scrap-a-Doodle Doo

I LOVE the base of this Layout - it is Bazzill's Glazed Chipboard "Grandma's Damask" sprayed with Tattered Angel's GLIMMER MIST in Maple Sugar and Turquoise Blue - then edged with Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stains in Wild Honey.  All of the torn edges were torn and folded with a water distressing technique, and inked with the Wild Honey too!  If you look below, at the bottom, middle of the photo you will see that I added an old dictionary page with the words "graduate" and "graduation" on it ( after I sprayed it with a little GLIMMER MIST in "Old Lace!"

HERE is a Dusty Attic Chippie (from DA0506 Foliage)- I first ran all the chippies through my Cuttle Bug with the TEXTILE distressing folder - I then inked this one and the smaller one in the bottom left corner - up real good with Quick Quotes Powderpuff "Tahiti" Chalk - then some Ranger Distress VersaMark, and some TeaDye Ranger Distress Embossing powder - hit is with my heat gun - and then brushed some Dried Marigold Distress Stickles on the brown spots - after that had dried - I painted on some Tattered Angles TIDE POOL Glimmer GLAM - I am LOVIN' how it can out and REALLY LOVIN' playing with Dusty Attic Chippies!

The Pinwheel was made by tearing paper  ( All the paper used in this layout are Basic Grey's CURIO Line)  The edges were then inked with the Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stains in Wild Honey. There is another little DA Chippie from the same set in this bottom left corner - along with a crocheted flower that a friend made, and that I "painted" with a little "OLD LACE" Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist. The FILM Strip "Ribbon" is from Tim Holtz Idea-ology, and the camera eyelet, and "Explore" brad have been in my scrap stash for a while!

Can you see the lace on the right - by the DREAM Tim Holtz Ticket?  I got that while on a B'day get-a-way weekend with my hubby last June!  I love having it "peak" out from the torn area's on the page.
The SMILE letters are Maya Road chipboard alphas that were colored with Quick Quotes Powderpuff "Tahiti" Chalk, then some Distress Dried Marigold Stickles, and finally some Tattered Angles TIDE POOL Glimmer GLAM to make the word POP!  I think it does - do you!?

This pretty little swirl chippie is from the same DUSTY ATTIC collection - there are 2 - on on top and one on the bottom of the photo.  First I ran them through the TEXTILE embossing folder - then I inked it with the Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stains in Wild Honey, then I hit the top ridges with Powderpuff BLOODY MARY chalk ink -then I sprayed them with TATTERED ANGLES Old Lace Glimmer Mist.  After it had dried - I then gave it a nice heavy coat of ROYAL COAT Dimensional Magic
OH - do you see the STITCHING along the left and right edges of this Layout??  all done by hand - thank you very much!! There is also BLACK "FAUX" Stitching on the brown flower cutout under the photo!

Here is a close up of my little friend - the CHIPPIE!  Seriously - you have GOT to get some of these and try playing with them - LOTS of CREATIVE FUN!!

ALSO.....


MANY THANKS to my TALENTED friend NATASHA whose inspiration got me additicted to water distressing - and now stitching on my layouts too!! Click on her name and check out her BLOG - but be prepared to wipe up the drool off your keyboard, as her work is AMAZING!  Oh, and while you are there - please leave her a little "blog love" (comment) and tell her I sent you!! ;o)



I am also entering this layout in a contest for Scrapbooks etc. February 2012 On Assignment Challenge
Boy/Girl Page, using Girl/Boy Product - so this is a BOY page, and I used "GIRL" product : Antique Lace, Crocheted Flower, flowered paper, Prima "Say it in Pearls" with mini roses and some BLING! Also some Glitter and Glimmer too! WISH ME LUCK!! Please head over there by clicking on the link and leave a like or a comment there if you would be so kind too! 


Thanks for looking ~ I would LOVE it if you would be so kind as to leave me a little BLOG Love - so I know you were here......

All the Best!
Sherri