Challenge YOUrself Blog #113 - Best Time Ever

 Hello everyone!  Thanks for stopping by!  If you are new here, please leave a comment and let me know how you found me!!

This month over at the Challenge YOUrself Blog - This month we would like you "get messy" by using inks on your page.

I used the awesome NEW collection "Vintage Artistry Everywhere" from 49 and Market to create this layout capturing a fun memory we recently made by taking a road trip to visit our friends who moved away, in their new home. We had a great lunch and great time with them.

 I had lots of fun "kissing" the base page with Distress Oxide Inks to create the watercolor look behind the photo and embellishments.

I just love everything that 49 and Market creates! And this Vintage Artistry Everywhere Collection is one of my FAVORITES!  If you don't have it - you can check it out HERE - at My Little Scrapbook Store. I used one of the items in the Cluster Kit from the collection, and added some film strips, washi and chipboard items, along with tags and some of the Wishing Baubles enamel embellishments.

Here are some close ups for you:

I hope I've inspired you to "Get Messy" and play along with us this month at the Challenge YOUrself Blog!  I'm looking forward to see what YOU Create - just be sure YOU are in the picture!

Thanks for stopping by! Take Care and Be Well!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

Celebrate the Challenge YOUrself Blog's 100th Challenge!

Here is Challenge YOUrself #100 from the Challenge YOUrself Blog! This month we would like you to create a layout using stars somewhere on your page. 

Be sure to include a photo of YOU on your layout!

Here is my Design Team Inspiration layout for you!

I thought this FUN photo of my friends and I having a blast at the Candytopia Pop-Up Event in New York City would be perfect to celebrate 

the 100th Challenge from the Challenge YOUrself Blog!
I added 3 different color stars to the layout - can you find all of them?

I had so much fun creating this layout - using Vicki Boutin's pre-made mixed media paper as a base then adding the fun word stencil on the left using Picket Fence Snowflake Paper Glaze. I splattered some Ranger Distress Oxide Spray -Picked Raspberry, and some Glimmer Mists all around, and had fun doodling around the edges of the base page too!   
Here are some "work in progress" photos:

And here are some close ups for you:

Those flying pig embellishments were created by duplicating an image from a photo I took, in different sizes, cutting them out and pop-dotting them!
Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope I've inspired you to "Celebrate" with us and play along - check out the contest rules and prize info, along with some amazing inspiration from the rest of the Challenge YOUrself Design Team - there is LOTS in store this month 

- so follow along on the Blog and don't miss out!

Stay Safe ~ Be Well!
((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

Items used:

Paperhouse Colorways Flamingo Collection 
Amy Tangerine Shine On - Remember
Simple Stories - The Story of Us - Forever and Always
Bobunny Zip-a-dee-Doodle "ink"
Vickie Boutin - Mixed Media Base, Word Stencil
Picket Fence Paper Glaze - Snowflake
Ranger Distress Stain - Black Soot, Mustard Seed, Picket Fence
Ranger Distress Oxide Spray - Picked Raspberry
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Deep Plum, Golden Orange
Echo Park - Designer Dies - Text Me
My Mind's Eye - My Story decorative brads
Eyelet Outlet - Enamel Hearts
Simple Stories Emoji Love
Freckled Fawn - Puffy Camera Stickers
Doodle Bug Designs - Shape Sprinkles
Hallmark Puffy Heart Stickers
American Crafts Thickers - Weekend

Challenge YOUrself - #91 Shape Challenge "Candytopia"

 Hello my Scrappy Friends -  It is time for this month's FUN Layout Challenge from the Challenge YOUrself Blog!!!  This month we've got lots of choices for you - Just create a layout using shapes - and as always, a photo of YOU!

Here is my Design Team Inspiration for you 

- I chose to use Circles - with a few rectangles added too!

 This photo was taken on a Girlfriend's Day Trip to NYC to celebrate our friend Stephanie's Birthday at the FUN Candytopia Pop-Up!

I can't believe it was over 2 years ago!

I had lots of fun creating this - and actually used STAMPS to make those Ketch Flamingo and the new Salvage Patina Ranger Distress Oxide Stains, but before I did, I used the "kiss" method by watering down some of the ink on a piece of acrylic, and "kissing" it over the base of Vicki Boutin's Mixed Media Foundation Paper. I also did the same thing with Ranger's Blueprint Sketch Stain, that I splattered around too!

I even used one of the new Vicki Boutin's Color Study Bubble Stencils with some of her Color Study Textured Paste in Blueberry Sour and Watermelon Sour - full of circles and in a rectangle shape!

It was really fun to create my own background paper!

Here are some close-ups for you - I'll list all products used below too:

The little Watermelon Sour circles were made with the end of a paper straw - I though the layout needed some bright pink on the bottom right to balance out what was on the top left.

I fussy cut out all of the flowers from VB's Fieldnotes paper, and added additional texture by tearing the pattern papers behind my photo.

I am loving my new found addiction - Pink and Main - Unicorn Pearls - How cute and FUN are they - OH and they are MORE Circles!!

Thanks so much for stopping by - Please head on over to the Challenge YOUrself BLOG for all the challenge and prize details, along with LOTS more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team.  I hope you get a chance to play along with us this month too!

Take Care and Stay Safe 
(((HUGS))) ~ Sherri

Items Used:

Vicki Boutin Mixed Media Foundation Paper ( Base)

Close to My Heart "You Rock" Stamp

Ranger Distress Oxide Ink - Ketch Flamingo, Salvage Patina

Ranger Distress Stain - Blueprint Sketch, Picket Fence

Vicki Boutin Textured Paste - Blueberry Sour, Watermelon Sour

Vicki Boutin Color Study Bubbles Stencil

Vicki Boutin Field Notes - Among the Wild Flowers, Wander Always

Pink and Main - Unicorn Pearls

December SOS "Biscotti" Sketch Challenge and Farewell - for now!

Well, as they say, all good things must come to an end, and this will be my last post as a member of the Scrap Our Stash Design Team.  I am so grateful to have been a part of this talented bunch of ladies for the last 5 years!!  I can't believe it has been that long, and I've enjoyed every minute and every layout I've been challenged to create - think about that - 2 layouts / month, x 12 months, x 5 years  = 120 layouts!!  ( There are actually 123 layouts in the Scrap Our Stash label on my blog!!) OH MY!

While I have so enjoyed the creative journey with SOS, I felt it was time for me to step down for a bit. Working from home seems to offer me less free time - not sure why that is... but I know I am blessed to still be working and working from home in these unprecedented times! I'm still going to "get scrappy with it" and continue on with my other design teams, but I felt the need to cut back for now. I hope you will continue to follow my scrappy posts, and also play along with all the talented designers on the Scrap Our Stash Blog. You may see me join in once in a while too!

That being said - this last layout is bittersweet, as it is a reminder of our Friends Bakefest from last year. Due to Covid, and wanting to be safe, there is no Bakefest this year, but we will have to pick 2 days next year to make up for it!!! 

(Maybe Christmas Cookies in July - we can only hope!)

 Here is the sketch I used for my inspiration - I also had to include Holiday Paper, and a Glittery or Sparkling embellishment:

Here is my layout for your inspiration:

Thanks again for stopping by!  I hope you will play along with us on this month's challenge at the Scrap Our Stash Blog, and I wish you and your families a very HAPPY and HEALTHY Holiday Season, please take care, stay safe, wear your mask, and be well!  ((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

Items used:

Simple Stories - Winter Farmhouse Collection: 4x4 Elements, 2x2 Elements, 4x6 Elements, Feelin' Frosty, Frosty Mornings, Winter Days, Chipboard Stickers

Heidi Swapp - Glitter Letter Stickers

Ranger Distress Stains: Fired Brick, Tarnished Brass, Forest Moss

Little Birdie Flowers - Beaded Micro Petals -Vintage, Meadow Red 12 pc

Petaloo Textured Elements - Burlap Flowers -Ivory

Nuvo Crystal and Vintage Drops

SOS May Tic Tac Toe Challenge - "Got Cookies!"

Hi everyone!!  How are you all doing?   We've been home and in lockdown here in New Jersey since March 13th - I can't believe it has been 6 weeks!!  I'm blessed to be able to work from home, so we are doing okay.  I hope and pray all of you are too!

How are you all coping?  I am thankful I don't have to worry about young children at home, having to go to school online - as my kids are all grown, and I feel for all of you that are having to deal with that too!  I find taking time to scrap memories of when we were able to be together, while watching Netflix or Food Network, and sipping some wine is my escape from this crazy and scary reality.

Here is this month's first challenge from the Scrap Our Stash Blog, I hope you put aside some YOU time and get to play with paper, glue, scissors and scrappy stuff! 

Let's play TicTacToe and use some of that stash!

I chose to use: Wood Veneer / Enamel Dots / Twine

Here is my Design Team Layout for your inspiration:

These FUN photos are of my friends and me at our annual Christmas Cookie Baking Day 

aka "Bakefest!" last December!

I LOVE this "What's Cooking" Collection from PhotoPlay. While the colors are not very "Christmas" I just thought it was so bright and fun!  

I hope you like it, and that I've inspired you to play along!

Here are some close ups for you:

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

I'd love to know where you are from, and what you are doing during this unprecedented times.

Please leave a comment and be sure to take care of yourself too - 

and join us at the Scrap Our Stash Blog for a little creative FUN!

Be safe, Stay home and Be Well!

((HUGS)) from afar ~ Sherri

Items Used:

PhotoPlay - "What's Cooking" - Tablecloth, In the Kitchen, Apron Strings

Jillibean Soup - Mini Alpha Stickers

Washi Tape

Hemptique Bakers Twine

Queen and Co. Felt Flowers

Kaisercraft Wood Flouishes "Little Words" 

Enamel Dots

Ranger Distress Stains - Peeled Paint, Barn Red, Mustard Seed, Blue Ocean

SOS March Challenge - "For Real!"

We have a really FUN challenge for you this month over at the Scrap Our Stash Blog! - 

It's an awesome COLOR challenge - PLUS use something from your stash that starts with the first letter of your first name!!

I used SEQUINS as my added stash item.

Here is my Design Team layout for your Inspiration:

Photos are from a day trip to NYC with my girlfriends!  We went to the pop-up Mickey Mouse Exhibit, and then to Black Tap for burgers and AMAZING Ice Cream Desserts!

I just had to use the "Llamalicious" Paprika Collection by PhotoPlay! I think all the colors work perfectly with the challenge, photos and happy memories!

Here are some close-ups for you-

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you find some time to play along with us at the 

Scrap Our Stash Blog this month - and that I've inspired you to go dig in your stash and create something beautiful!

Be sure to visit the Scrap Our Stash Blog for more inspiration from our great Design Team, along with Challenge Rules and Prize Info!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

SOS - December Cartoon and Sketch Challenge - Bakefest!

It's time for the December Saturday Cartoon Inspired Challenge from the Scrap Our Stash Blog!  - Plus you must include the color Gold and a Bow on your layout!

I used photos from our 2017  Bakefest, for my Design Team Inspiration Layout, for this month's Cartoon + Sketch Challenge, over at the Scrap Our Stash Blog - and I use Gold Twine, Gold Thicker Alpha's and 3D Gold Glitter Paper Bows for the added challenge:

For the past few years, my friends and I get together at my house, and bake up batches of our favorite Christmas cookies!  It is a long day, filled with sweet treats, love and laughter.  It's an event we all look forward to, and so do our families too!  There are always the standard Italian Grandma Cookies, and Biscotti too, but sometime we mix it up and try a new kind.  Our "BAKEFEST" is scheduled for later this month - I can't wait to see them and spend this special time together!  I Love this tradition and LOVE these ladies!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Wishing you and your families and friends a very Happy Holiday Season!  I hope you can find some time to play along with us at the Scrap Our Stash Blog!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

Items used:
My Mind's Eye - Yuletide - Merry
Simple Stories - Winter Farm House Collection -
  Warm and Cozy, 4x6 Elements, Frosty Mornings, Enamel Dots
Eyelet Outlet Baking Brads
Nuvo - Crystal Drops - Simply White, Honey Gold
Ranger Distress Stains - Vintage Photo, Aged Mahogany, Evergreen Bough, Forest Moss, Tarnished Brass
BoBunny - Dear Santa - Candy Cane
Gold Twine
Gold Bows

Scrap Our Stash Nov Cartoon and Sketch Challenge - Flamingling with Friends!

This month's Cartoon and Sketch Challenge from the Scrap Our Stash Blog 

is a super cute one!

See the challenge below, and stop by the Scrap Our Stash Blog for Rules, Prize info, more inspiration and to link your submission - I hope you can play along with us!

Here is my Design Team Layout for your Inspiration:

 Love this fun photo of my friends and me at a scrapbook weekend crop - the theme was "Let's Flamingle" ~ Needless to say - we did and had a blast!  For the "Fruit" part of the challenge - there is a piece of pineapple and a cherry on the drink embellishment that I used on my tag.

Here are some close-ups for you:

 Love this flamingo paper!!

Thanks for stopping by - I hope I've inspired you to play along with us at the Scrap Our Stash Blog - I can't wait to see what you come up with!!

(((HUGS)))~ Sherri

Items used:

Pebbles - Sunshiny Days - Pink Flamingos

My Mind's Eye - Confetti

   "Surprise" - Cousins -Diagonal Stripes / Green Paper

   "Surprise" - Summer Dots / Summer Stripes

   "Adorbs" - Story Recollect paper

Doodle Bug Designs -Tropical Shapes Sprinkles

Craft Smart Bookmark

Thickers - "Colorful"

Washi Tape

Sequins and Bling

Ranger Distress Stains - Picked Raspberries, Fossilized Amber, Peeled Paint