She Will Soar

It has been a while since I participated in the Unity Be Inspired Challenge.  Unity Stamp Company is one of my favourite stamp companies - their artists come up with something to suit the tastes of just about anyone.  You will find the current challenge here.  I decided to play with all three challenges this month by combining the colour challenge with the card sketch, and using the layout sketch as well.  

For the card, I used the Stitched Daffodils stamp.  I stamped it tone on tone with the orange and the kraft cardstock, and then used the Share Your Smile Itty Bitty stamp for the focal image.

For the layout, I tried to follow the clean and simple sketch as much as I could.  The stamps that I used are Your Wings Exist and the Dream Big Itty Bitty.  The little girl in the stamp reminds me so much of my daughter that I find myself using it over and over.  

Thanks for having a look.

Cheers, Esther

Baby Curls

I found the sketch that I used for this layout when I started following Pinkfresh Studios on facebook.  They are sponsoring the current challenge at Creative Scrappers and now they have posted a sketch challenge of their own, along with another company called Scrapbook Circle.  

My background is a piece of DCWV cardstock that has been lightly misted with Lindy's Stamp Gang Starburst spray in Saxifrage Olive Copper.  The patterned paper is Pink Paisley from the Prairie Hill line.  The letters are Thickers by American Crafts.

This photo of my youngest son is one of my favourites.  After his first haircut, those curls never came back, although, he remains absolutely adorable!  

Thanks for having a look.

Cheers, Esther

Forever Love

After being away for much of the summer, I was glad to come home and look up some of my favourite challenge sites.  I loved the sketch that I saw on the Stuck on U Sketches blog.  You can find the sketch I used here.  Even though I have a ton of vacation pics that I want to tackle, I thought that these older photos of my sister with my youngest son would be perfect.  I used all My Minds Eye products except for the letters which are Thickers by American Crafts.

Thanks for having a look.

Cheers, Esther

Sweet Girl

While I've played along with the sketches for Creative Scrappers in the past, I've never done it in time to enter one of their challenges.  If you like sketches, I highly recommend them!  This is sketch #275 so you have a ton of inspiration from which to choose.

I dug into my precious (read 'hoarded') collection of October Afternoon for  this creation.  It's the Woodland Park line and I love how it turned out.  The picture of my daughter was taken four years ago when she was almost 4 years old, but when I came across it the other day, I knew that I wanted to highlight it on a scrapbook page.  

Thanks for taking a look.

Cheers, Esther

My Upside-Down Boy

I love the sketches from Stuck On U Sketches, and while I quite often use them, sometimes (mostly) I forget to take pictures of my layouts and share them on their blog.  This time I think I'm just in time.

For this particular layout, I used My Mind's Eye products and Thickers by American Crafts.

~ Esther

September/October [be inspired] challenge by Unity

I really love the challenges that are hosted and sponsored by Unity Stamp Co.  The way that people use the stamps often blows my mind.  Unfortunately, I usually don't get a chance to play along myself, but this month I had a whole morning to myself and decided to treat myself to hours of creating!!!!  

In fact, I decided to use both the card sketch and the layout sketch. If you want to play along, you can find the sketches, along with a colour challenge here. 

For the card, I used the Phyllis Harris set called GO TO your HAPPY Place.  It's so great ... all three sentiments make me happy, so just getting to play with them brought me to a very happy place!  

  

For the layout, I used a couple of stamps.  I created the patterned paper behind the photo using Christy Tomlinson's cooped up notes.  Then, I used the Give Thanks set created by Joslyn Nielson.  I've used this set a lot since I got it.  The images are just perfect for autumn projects.  Add some distress paint, water, a spray bottle and some old lace and voila ... 

Thanks for looking.
~ Esther T.

Welcome in our Home

This month's challenge from Tracy Weinzapfel's Mixed Media Monday group was to represent what we allow into our homes.  I am very cautious about what and who I grant access to my residence ... it's where I keep my treasures, namely my family!  While there are things that I refuse to allow, I prefer to concentrate on what is permitted ... that way the space is filled and there is no room for the negative.  

I have faith at the top, because it is of utmost importance in our lives.  If I could have figured out haw to add a basement, I might have put it there as symbolic of being the foundation of our family.  

The rest of the things that fill our home are in no particular order.  I grew up in a family that believed in telling each other that each was (and still is) loved.  We've continued that in our home, and I am so happy that my children live with the confidence that is instilled by knowing that they are loved unconditionally!  

I could go on and on, but it's late and as usual I've left this post till the last minute.  

Thanks ...
~Esther