Challenge YOURself #141 Sketch "Mother's Day 2025"

Hello Scrappy Friends! 

Over at the Challenge YOUrself Blog this month we Challenge YOU to create a layout using this awesome sketch as your inspiration- and be sure to include YOU in one of your photos!!

Here is my Design Team Inspiration Layout.  I used the beautiful new Botanical Buzz Collection from 49 and Market!  I scrapped photos of my sons and I from when we went out to brunch for Mother's Day this year.   

This is such a beautiful collection! I love the colors and I think I followed the sketch - it was fun to use as  inspiration! I used the ephemera die cuts and rub-ons too!

Here are some close-ups for you:

I hope you like the sketch as much as I did and that you play along with us this month over at the Challenge YOUrself Blog!

Head on over and check out all the great inspiration brought to you by the Design Team - check out the rules and this month's prize too!

I can't wait to see what YOU create!!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

Challenge YOUself #119 - Sketch Challenge "Hope"

 Hello Scrappy Friends - I'm sharing our next challenge from over at the Challenge YOUrself Blog for the month of November!  This month we have a SKETCH for you - and just be sure to include YOU in the photo!  Head over to the Challenge YOUrself Blog for Challenge INFO and details - and LOTS of INSPIRATION from the rest of our AMAZING DesignTeam!

I selected a photo of my wonderful hubby and I from a great day we spent with my parents at a Sunflower Farm, here in New Jersey!  It was a BEAUTIFUL Day and they had all these great photo ops!!

I created the background using a sheet of Vicki Boutin's white foundations paper, and used water and Oxide Distress Inks in different colors. I splattered some white Picket Fence Distress Spray along with some of Vicki's Cosmic Watercolors to create this colorful base page - I am so happy with how it came out - especially since I created it and the whole layout with a broken left hand!! Good thing I am right handed!!

I used papers and embellishments from Shimelle's Main Character Energy, along with a bunch of "stuff" from my stash!   Here are some close-ups for you! AND if you follow the link - ALL FIRST TIME PURCHASES can get 10% OFF your ENTIRE Shopping Cart by using the code: SHERRIREF

I hope I've inspired you to play along with us this month at the Challenge YOUrself Blog! Be sure to visit that Blog for more inspiration and Challenge Details and I can't wait to see what YOU create!!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

MLSS February Sketch Challenge "You are my Heart"

Hi everyone - I want to share a layout I made for the My Little Scrapbook - Scrapbook Layouts and More Facebook page! February Sketch Challenge.

Here is Sketch:

It is a 2 pager - but I decided to only use the page on the right.

Here is my layout:

This was an important layout for me to make. My husband Phil had a Widow Maker heart attack on August 13th, 2021.  He was moved from our nearby hospital here in New Jersey, to New York Columbia Presbyterian hospital in New York City on August 15th.

He was in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit from the 15th to the 28th, and on life support machines for almost the first week. He was in very critical condition and it was a very scary time. I drove into NYC everyday and stayed from 10am to 8-9pm. 

We are blessed that he was in such a great hospital and that he has an amazing team of Doctors taking care of him.  While he has heart failure due to damage done from the attack, and he has a long road ahead, as has been put on the heart transplant list as a "6" - he is doing so much better and getting stronger.

This photo was taken 10 days after arriving at NYP, 12 days after his massive heart attack.  We have been blessed with so much love, prayers and support. I shared this first photo of him on my social media with Phil sitting up in bed, smiling and giving a "thumbs up!" 

There is a journaling tag tucked behind the photo that I have yet to journal on as it is hard to put into words how I felt that day - but I will journal something eventually.

Anyway - I LOVED the colors and layers from this Simple Stories "HEART" Collection that I used to capture the blessing that I see in this photo. 

Here are some close ups, and a few process photos. I've listed the items used below some of the photos and at the bottom of this post.

YAY Phil!!!  I LOVE YOU!

This chipboard heart and heart beat is from a very cool Etsy Shop "Some Assemblage Required"  I used a teal gel pen to color in the heart beat, and painted the heart with Vicki Boutin Gold Glaze Creative FX and topped it with Nuvo Glimmer Paste "Celebrate Gold"

I love the large chipboard shape that I covered with the yellow patterned paper and then stenciled over it using a Brutus Monroe Jagged Heart Stencil and Ranger Distress Oxide Ink in Salvaged Patina. How sweet are those washi tapes too!

How cute is this heart!!  LOVE that Nuvo Glimmer paste!!

I also used the Distress Oxide Ink in Salvaged Patina with this fun Dotted Line Layering Stencil from Stamper's Anonymous.

You can see the beautiful gold and glimmer from the VB Gold Glaze and the Nuvo Glimmer paste that I painted on parts of the heart.

Look at that Nuvo Glimmer paste shine on that heart!  I also watered down some of the VB Gold Creative FX and splattered it all over the layout.  I cut out the teal "REMEMBER" from another sheet from the collection and popped it up for more dimension.

Below are a few "behind the scenes" work in progress photos for you:

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope I've inspired you to get crafty with it and try something new!

Treat each day as a GIFT as each one is precious!

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

Items used:

Simple Stories "HEART" Collection:  Chipboard Stickers, 2x2 Elements, Washi Tape, 6x12 Simple Set Cardstock Stickers, Papers used were: I Love You, Forever in my Heart, Treasured Memories, Element #2, I Never Forget, Remember, 4x6 Elements, Forever
Tim Holtz Stamper's Anonymous Dotted Line Stencil
Brutus Monroe Jagged Heart
Ranger Distress Ink - Mustard Seed and Oxide Ink -Salvage Patina
Ranger Distress Stain - Picket Fence, Tarnished Brass
Vicki Boutin's CreativeFX Gold Glaze
Nuvo Glimmer Paste - Glitterati Gold
Thickers - Navy
Some Assemblage Required Chipboard shape

MLSS December Sketch Challenge "Great Escape"

Hello my scrappy friends - I've been part of the Design Team for the My Little Scrapbook Store (MLSS) for some time now, and want to tell you about their current challenge, and online crops.  MLSS is a home-based and online business run by the super sweet Michelle Desiena and is based in New Jersey.  Michelle and her daughter Carrie use to vend their products at weekend crop events in the area, but since Covid happened, they have increased their online presence and have been holding virtual crops and challenges, as well as virtual sales.  

They even have a fun Family Bingo Night event, where you can purchase $3.00 Bingo cards that are emailed to you, and you can play 5 or 6 games of live Bingo with them and have a chance to win either a store gift card or an Amazon gift card. The next one is on January 8th.  They are lots of fun and many people look forward to playing as a family - it's been a great diversion during these crazy times!

 I decided to play along with the December Sketch Challenge.  They hold a once a month challenge and the randomly selected winner gets a $10 gift card to their online store.  They also hold online weekend crops with a bunch of challenges for you to play along with - and many of us on the Design Team host YouTube or Facebook Live events for some of the challenges too! Here is the link to the Facebook Event page for the next weekend virtual crop - Winter Wonderland Online Crop - being held on Jan 29, 30, 31st.  You can also view recorded past live events from previous crops for your inspiration too. All challenge winners receive a $10 My Little Scrapbook Store gift card/credit and are randomly drawn. You have 1 month to complete any or all of the challenges. - It's lots of fun, and I hope you consider joining us.

Here is the December Sketch:

And here is my take on it.  I used papers and stickers from the Simple Stories "Simple Vintage Great Escape" Collection from MLSS 

- I LOVE this collection. I actually bought (2) of the 11 piece sets!

It is perfect to use for our Covid Vacation Escape - where we rented this beautiful log home in Upstate NY in November - instead of going our a cruise to Bermuda, that we had planned. I did some fussy cutting and added both wood and shiny sequins for embellishments. 

Here are some close ups for you:

I love the banner stickers.  I put baby powder on the back of them, so they were no longer sticky and I then used 3D foam tape to raise them up and give them more dimension.

I inked the edges of the wooden embellishments using Ranger Distress Ink
and used a Nuvo brush to apply it.

I like to include my journaling on a tag that I tuck behind one of the photos on my page.
I use 3D foam tape to make a "pocket" where I can slide it in. 

I used one of the 4x4 Element Cards and cut it down to make the tag for journaling.

This is the back of the journaling card. You can also see the splatters of Nuvo Sparkle Spray and the Distress Oxide Sprays I used on the background at top of the layout. This was fun - you just open the bottle and tap the nozzle so the spray creates a splatter effect when it falls from the end of the tube.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope I've inspired you to join in on some of the fun over at the MLSS Facebook Page.

I wish you and your families a very HAPPY and HEALTHY 2021.

Be Well, Stay Safe and Wear a Mask please!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

PS - I'd love it if you would comment and let me know where you are from, or how you found my Blog :-)

Items used:

Simple Stories - "Simple Vintage Great Escape" Collection -

  - 4x4 Elements, Let's Explore, Time for Adventure, Banner Cardstock Stickers

Wink of Stella Clear glitter brush - on the butterflies

Kaisercraft Wood Flourishes - Little Words and Paisley

Nuvo Sparkle Spray - Peacock Plume

Distress Oxide Spray - Twisted Citron and Peacock Feathers

Distress Ink - Vintage Photo

Sequins and Twine

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

November Scrap Our Stash Sketch Challenge "Main Squeeze"

Hello everyone!  It is time for this month's Sketch Challenge from the Scrap Our Stash Blog!

This month we ask you to include CHIPBOARD 

and WATERCOLOR Patterned Paper in your layout too!

 This month I decided to use photos from our October 2019 37th Anniversary Cruise to Bermuda onboard the Norwegian "Escape" and just LOVED using the Cocoa Vanilla "Daydream" collection that I purchased from the My Little Scrapbook Store.

*I've also entered this layout in the My Little Scrapbook Store Oct/Nov Crop Challenge #5 "Mixed Media" Challenge.

For the Challenge - the base is a pre-printed watercolor design from the Vicki Boutin "Let's Wander" Paper pad. The chipboard pieces are from a 49 and Market "Happy Moments" Chipboard, by Dusty Attic -I used the circle and 2 sprays of leaves.  I inked them with 

Ranger Distress Oxide Ink - Speckled Egg 

Here are some close ups for you:

Here you can see the splatters I made using Glimmer Mist, Nuvo Sparkle Spray and
Ranger Distress Oxide Spray (colors below)

I love this title - and knew I wanted to use it when I saw 

the yellow in my wonderful hubby's shirt!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope I've inspired you to play along with me and the rest of the Amazing Design Team at the Scrap Our Stash Blog - Please check out all their wonderful layouts and find out the Prize Info and Contest Rules by Clicking on the LINK!

#StaySafe, #BeWell, #WearAMask

(((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

Items used:

Coco Vanilla "Daydream" Collection: Accessory Stickers, Puffy Hearts, Diecut Ephemera. Papers: All a Flutter, Garden Variety, Happy Place, Sun Shower, Stepping Stones

49 and Market Happy Moments Chipboard

Nuvo Crystal Drops: Bottle Green, Simply White, Auburn Pearl

Nuvo Vintage Drops: Yellow Brick Road

Ranger Distress Oxide Ink and Spray - Speckled Egg

Ranger Distress Stains - Weathered Wood, Victorian Velvet, Mustard Seed

Nuvo Sparkle Spray - Peacock Plume

Tattered Angles Glimmer Mist - Golden Orange

Thickers "Be Bright"

Scrap Our Stash October Sketch Challenge "BOO!"

 Hi everyone - it is time to share the October Sketch Challenge from the Scrap Our Stash Blog!  This month the rest of the Design Team and I challenge you to use our sketch as your inspiration and be sure to include FALL or HALLOWEEN patterned paper and - Mixed Alphas.

I don't have many Halloween photos, and thinking back as to why, I guess it is because I love Halloween and I am usually too busy enjoying the moments, 

and having fun instead of taking pictures!
It also seems that I do not have much Halloween stuff in my stash so this too was a challenge for me! But, I was able to find these precious photos of my sons from 1996 and thought they would work perfectly for the challenge.
I decided to rotate the sketch one turn to the left to accommodate my vertical 4x6 photos and cropped the 3rd photo I had to make it fit.
I hope you like it!

Since Halloween paper is in short supply in my stash - I made the background paper by dabbing different color Ranger Distress Stains on a plastic bag that paper collections come in and then spritzing it with some water - and then laying the white cardstock down on it and letting it get "kissed" with color!  I really like how it turned out. I only had a small amount of that purple patterned paper -so those are small pieces that I tuck under the papers behind it - and the strip of the little bats was less than 12" long so it too was cut and pieced to fit.  I sure did use my "stash" on this layout!

I also used 2 different kinds of Alphas - one yellow and one purple for that part of the challenge!

My oldest son Nick who was 7 1/2 at the time, was a character from Goosebumps - we bought the mask and I painted the skeleton on a sweatsuit for him
- including a creepy heart and some creepy bugs!!

My youngest son Jake was 2 and made the cutest Batman!

Here are a few close ups for you:

I created a tag and made a pocket with 3D foam tape behind the bottom photo, so that I could include journaling about the photos and my memories.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Please be sure to check out the Scrap Our Stash Blog for complete Challenge and Prize info - Check out lots more inspiration from our other designers - and Link up your layout!! I hope you can play along with us this month and I can't wait to see what you create!

Stay Safe and Be Well and PLEASE WEAR A MASK!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

Items used:

Fisker - Heidi Grace Designs "Halloween Spiders"

Bazzill Basic Paper - Arsenic & Lace, and Countdown

Ranger Distress Stains: Carved Pumpkin, Ripe Persimmon, Spiced Marmalade, Black Soot, Picket Fence

Thickers: Sunny and Fantastic

Jolee's Boutique -Glitter Spiders

Tattered Angels Raven Glimmer Mist

Smooch Spritz

Doodle Bug Design Chunky Brads "Spooky Town"

SOS Sketch plus Hearts Challenge - "Love You"

Hi Everyone - I hope you are all doing well during this crazy time!  We are still at home here in New Jersey, and I am working at home.  It seems that I am working more at home, and have less "me" time!!  I try to fit in some scrappy time each night, to relax and watch a show on Netflix or the Food Network!  I want to share this month's 2nd challenge from the Scrap Our Stash Blog.  

Here your challenge is to use the sketch below as your inspiration, and also be sure to include HEART patterned paper, and A HEART Embellishment!  Be sure to check out the GREAT PRIZE, contest rules, all of the other Design Team inspiration over at the Scrap Our Stash Blog and join in the fun!

Here is my Design Team inspiration layout for you. I used a photo of my hubby and I on our cruise last October, while standing on the on the deck in Bermuda on the NCL Escape.  It was on our 38th Anniversary, and I can't wait to travel again.

I used heart paper for my tag, and chipboard and enamel hearts too!  

Here are some close ups for you:

I hope I've inspired you to play along and that you can find some time to escape, create, and play along with us at the Scrap Our Stash Blog!!

Big ((HUGS)) from New Jersey, USA

~ Sherri

Items used:

PhotoPlay- Vintage Girl #THINKTOREMEMBER

 -12x12 papers - Allure, Romance, Tiny Prints Black Floral, Tiny Prints Camera, Enchanting

American Craft Thickers - Darling and Colorful

Nuvo Drops - Vintage Drops -Regency Green, Glitter Drops - Pink Champagne, Crystal Drops - Simply White

Drinking Straw

Fibers

My Mind's Eye - Yes Please -Black Enamel Harts

Ranger Distress Stains - Picket Fence, Evergreen Bough, Aged Mahogany, Peeled Paint