:: new look & new content ::

My blog has a new look! I have had the same look since starting this blog a year and a half ago, and I thought it was time for a change! I've been wanting something different for a while now and I've kept my eyes out for something, but haven't found it until now. This weekend I downloaded some digital paper from VN Digital Art on Etsy and used that as my background. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted it! The papers that I downloaded almost make me want to take up digital scrapbooking (almost)!

I thought I'd give you a heads up on a couple of new pages that I've added to the blog with this new look. I've added a couple of tabs at the top, linking to new orange spaces. One is a page that contains my gallery. The content included is limited to recent one and two page layouts. At this time it does not include mini-books, Project Life or other projects, just my LOs. The second tab contains completely new material. I've started creating sketches in photoshop so that I can more easily share them. Up until now I have only (literally) sketched in my sketch book, really rough, and not sharable! Little by little I hope to be able to add more of my own sketches to this tab (right now there are only two). Feel free to pin them, tweak them and use them.  I only ask that you credit and link back to my blog. I would also love it if you would share your layouts with me if you use one of my sketches (but not required, of course). It's always fun to see another person's take on your work.

Finally, the second challenge at Scrap Your Story Challenge blog went up on Friday! This design team thing has been fun! This week's challenge can be found here. Hope you join us!

I'm working on a couple of posts for this week, and next week is full of fun (spring break). 

Peace out! See you again soon!

..::happy birthday, bug::..

Today our sweet Mikaela would have turned three years old.  We miss you, Bug.

Scrap Your Story Challenge :: pad-a-killars and butterflies

Welcome to my orange space! I have a new layout up at Scrap Your Story.  This week's challenge is to incorporate the theme of "animals" in some way.  I knew right away I wanted to scrap these photos from almost a year ago.

Fun with paint, papers and photographs!  Most of my papers are from the February Scrapbook Circle kit -- a complete list of supplies linked below.

These photos were taken last April.  B. had gotten a bug kit (net, magnifying glass and cage) for Easter and we took this lovely day to go outside and explore. The journaling (that is written in the circle of paint) reads, "You are so curious!  I love watching you learn about the world. We got lucky today and found a bunch of different kinds of critters.  You are quite the scientist.  The Easter Bunny brought you the perfect toys!" 

Here are a few closeups:

 I "popped" the title with pop dots.

 My journaling goes along the painted circle.

I also stamped a few items around the circle. Can you believe that I was an enamel dot virgin until this layout!?

I made a *real* sketch before making this layout. I've decided that when I like a basic design of a layout, I will share a sketch of it on my blog as well. I often, more literally, "sketch" out a LO before actually sitting down and putting it together. I have a notebook that I keep pretty close by most of the time and I use it for various things, including a quick sketch. This time, however, I sat down with Photoshop and made a *real* one to share with you!  Enjoy, pin, and use!  ;-)

Supplies Used :: 

October Afternoon :: Midway :: Ringtoss
Bazzill Basics :: African Daisy
Lily Bee Design :: Happily Lost :: Stroll
Pink Paislee :: Hometown Summer :: Summer Fun
American Crafts :: Everyday :: Rose Brad
My Mind's Eye :: The Sweetest Thing :: Enamel Dots
Crate paper :: Phrase Stickers
October Afternoon :: Sidewalks :: Word Stickers
Silhouette Cameo

StazOn Ink :: Jet Black

Xyron Tape Runner