Add-on Sketch Week

This week, the add on sketch was little flags ... I've only used them once before, but I knew instantly what I would do with them ... so here's the sketch ...

Add-on Sketch #15

And this is my layout ...

"Super Natural - Moraine Lake" by Michele Edwards
Supplies - Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: Basic Grey; Embellishments: Recollections (Brads); Ribbon: unknown; Alphabets: Cricut (Plantin Schoolbook and Calligraphy Collection); Markers: Copic; Floss: DMC; Sketch: Scrapbook Generation

I love this picture! I started with two-page sketch #25 and combined all the smaller photos into one breathtaking picture.

Variations

1. Instead of flags, I created sign posts to embellish this incredible two page picture of Moraine Lake (located in Banff National Park, Canada)

2. I enlarged the add-on to compliment the picture.

3. Using green floss and some white glue, I made grass to help ground the sign post.

This layout has some history.  I had originally planned to submit it for two-page sketch #25 ... but I wasn't happy with the picture ... I had it printed at Walmart, and the beautiful colour of Moraine Lake was subdued, muted, the mountains grey and flat.  I hated it.  Moraine Lake is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been ... the picture HAD to be perfect ... so the layout stalled.  And then, my husband suprised me with a new photo printer.  This was the first enlargement I printed ... the difference was night and day!  This picture is gorgeous.  When I saw the add-on sketch, well, I knew it would work for this layout!  I kept everything simple so that the picture would really pop!

Two-Page Sketch Week

Last week was two-page sketch week over at Sketch Support.  I loved this sketch, and I love it even more after seeing what the rest of the creative team came up with ... I can hardly wait to use it again!  Head on over and see the beautiful and inspiring layouts http://www.sketchsupport.com/2012/03/two-page-week-part-4.html

Lynette posted 2 gorgeous layouts, and once again Carolyn created the absolute most beautiful layout yet, but then I always love her stuff.  Anyway, here's mine, but first the sketch.

Two-page Sketch #26

It's so great, right?  And here's my layout ...

"On the Pup Deck" by Michele Edwards
Supplies - Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: Authentique, Bella Blvd; Embellishments: Jolees (seagull, trees and pawprints), Kaisercraft (ticket), Susan Branch (mayflies); Alphabets: Cricut (Plantin Schoolbook); Floss: DMC; Beads: unknown

This is such an incredible sketch, I'll use it again and again. These pictures were taken from the deck of the HMS Chicheemaun as we crossed beautiful Georgian Bay.  Dogs were only permitted in this area, other than in vehicles locked in the parking deck.  No way were we leaving Ruff and Gem alone below deck, so we joined the other dog lovers, and their dogs on the "PUP DECK".

This layout is so me ... I loved that I could easily incorporate the panaramic picture of Georgian Bay, what an impact!

Variations

1. In this layout I stayed true to basic sketch, but combined all the photos across the middle of the layout into one long panoramic picture of Georgian Bay.

2. I used 3X4" photos in place of some of the rectangles across the top.

3. I stitched a double wave across the middle of the layout. I inserted blue glass beads randomly across the page to add sparkle to the waves.

4. I moved the title into one of the 3X4" rectangles.

Stop back next week, cause I'm in love with the next layout ...

Card Sketch Week

Wow, it feels like weeks since I posted a layout.  Last week was card sketch week and the sketch had so many possibilities!  I did a two page layout, again, but this time I wanted to try something just a little outside my comfort zone.

Sooooo, here's the sketch.

Card Sketch #17

And here is what I did with it ...

"Hello Teddy" by Michele EdwardsSupplies - Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: We R Memory Keepers; Embellishments: Recollections (small star brads), Jolees (pawprints), Velvet ribbon (unknown), bone paper clip (unknown); Alphabets: Cricut (Plantin Schoolbook); Ink: Tim Holz; Floss: DMC; Twine; American Crafts.

The boys finally got their dog, a pudgy cocker spaniel! They named him Teddy!

Variations

1. I created a two-page layout rather than a card.

2. I flipped the sketch 90 degrees. The square photo of the boys replaced the square sentiment on the card.

There's something about this layout .. it looks so simple ... and too busy, all at the same time.  I tried to let the paper "be" the white space.  I'm just not sure about it, I look at it ... and sometimes I love it, and other times, well ... not so much.

I'm back in my comfort zone for the next one ...

To Blog or not To Blog

It has been a long time ... so much happening.  So, first I was sick ... really sick, nassssty sick.  And after that, well crazy busy.  I'm certainly NOT relaxing, again.

My car was broken into AGAIN!  I don't drive a snazzy car, I drive a Cavalier ... basic car, no a/c, no CD player.  So why is my car targeted?  These guys piss me off ... everytime they break my window it costs me $300 to get it fixed.  This time they actually stole something ... an extention cord.  Yep, my extention cord that I use to plug in my block heater.  Assholes!

Three months ago my little HP Photoprinter stopped working.  Cartridge jam ... according to what I see on the web, it's fairly common ... but either impossible or too expensive to fix.  So I've been printing my photos at Walmart.  The quality sucks ... really sucks.  To be fair, it's not their fault, it's the instruments fault.  I can't stand it when the beautiful, vibrant colours in my photos are muted during printing.  Well, I got a big surprise ... a new printer!  My husband got me a Canon Pro9000, and holy cow! what a difference.  My pictures are sensational, incredible ... beautiful!

This printer is big, it has to be ... it can print enlargements up to 13" X 19" ... that's HUGE!  So we went out looking for a nice solid printer stand.  It was hopeless.  We ended up putting one of our existing bookcases on it side (it still works as a bookcase that way too) ... it works really well, but I needed another bookcase, right?  Soooooo, off to IKEA.  I love IKEA.  Nice-looking and functional stuff, it won't break the bank, and I won't get mad at the dogs when they scratch it ... cause they will!  I already have some Billy's in the office ... but now they have nice deep units, perfect for all my scrapbooking stuff, so I got two!

So, while I'm hauling all my paper out, moving the office around and then organizing all my scrapbooking stuff, it hits me ... I've got alot of stuff!  Yikes!  Quick-like I check the specs on these new Billy's.  Whew, each shelf can hold 93lbs ... I think I'm OK.  All my albums, totes, well, everything fits ... I'm really happy with these new bookcases!

And ... spring is here ... not officially, but you can feel it in the air, hear the birds singing, feel it, you know?  Listen to me, I never had to wear my parka this winter ... or even my boots.  But I can't help but feel excited that spring is here.  Today, I'm planting some veggy seeds for my garden ...