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
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
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.
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
This post has been a while in the making ... I did the art work weeks ago, but forgot about sharing it all!
This was made for the Mixed Media Monday group run by Tracy Weinzapfel. The requirements are that it contain a favourite quote, and the 'letting it go' part is that it was to take 90 minutes or less. No over-thinking! It was a lot of fun, including the interruptions from my munchkins who wanted to paint with me.
I chose a quote from Mother Theresa that says, "Do small things with great love.". It's something I try to live by, and think that if it took hold, it could change the world.
This month's challenge is being sponsored by Viewtainer. I have three of these containers and I love them! It is so sweet and generous of them to offer a prize!
~ Esther
I was thrilled by this month's challenge. The journal page that Tracy created with the teapot and cup has been one of my favourite's and this was just the impetus I needed to haul out the art supplies. (I keep some of my stuff out of reach or my daughter would use it all up ... she's a prolific artist at 7 years old and keeps my refrigerator looking quite splendid indeed!)
Because I knew that this month would be crazy busy with two weeks of Vacation Bible School, a trip to New Brunswick and other summer activities, I decided to get creative right away. Unfortunately, I procrastinated about doing the actual blog post and my laptop decided that it needed a visit to the repair shop and took my camera card along with it. LOL So, here I am using my hubby's laptop, my son's SD card has been formatted for my camera and I'm good to go. I guess I just need the incentive of an 11th hour deadline to get my butt in gear!
This is the photo of the journal page that made me so happy.
In a world of coffee drinkers, I am a lover of tea. Hot, iced, chai, sweet, black, green ... you get the idea. I love waking up in the morning knowing that my husband has a freshly steeped pot of tea waiting for me! I cut a teapot and teacup from my "Once Upon a Princess" cricut cartridge to use as a stencil and went from there.
I used a butterfly stencil cut from the "Paper Lace 2" cartridge for the background and played with polka dots for the dishware.
The quote by Kakuzo Okakura is one that I found on the internet and I loved it! Did you know that someone wrote "The Book Of Tea"? I'm totally intrigued, and will be looking for a copy!
There is a sponsor for this challenge, and I don't want to forget to thank them. It's May Arts ... a ribbon company that has beautiful products.
Thanks for looking at my pictures. I'll try to be a better blogger!
The April dare from Tracy Weinzapfel Studios was to come up with five words describing what your life means. They are to be words that represent how I want to be remembered. I wanted to use words that describe how I see myself; how I hope people see me.
I started the journal page by writing on the blank page with my Versamarker, and using it with my Crafter's Workshop template "Dots all Around". They, by the way, are one of the sponsors for this month's challenge! I then embossed what I'd written so that it would resist the rest of what I was doing.
The other sponsor for April is Beacon Adhesives. I used their 3in1 Craft Glue to attach the flowers and buttons to the page.
I have totally enjoyed seeing the words that others have chosen. The similarities and diversities are what make this group so wonderful.
~ Esther
