Skissedilla #159 - Adventure

Hey there everybody!!!  How's your Monday?  Ours is windy, windy, windy!  I can't wait until the crops get growing around here so the fields aren't quite as open.

Well Sketch #159 is up at Skissedilla and it is a fantastic one!! - Carrin created it and I fell in love with the fact it was an 8.5 x11 sketch - that never happens - I'm always trying to downsize, LOL.

Lots of ScrapFX chippies used on this page - so much fun altering them up - I'm not going to share too many deets because I'm thinking I'll post all that juicy info on the ScrapFX blog - teehee - such a tease I am because I'm thinking you may want to know how I did some of what I did - but alas I'm going to make you wait!!!  I can tell you I used up some of my large October Afternoon Thrift Shop stash - seriously crushed on that line!

See what I mean about the sketch being super cool!!  I love the whole office/clipboard feel I got from it before starting my page - I stayed pretty true to it as well with the exception of adding a picture and bellies where the big ol' ink splat is - not that I don't love a big ol' ink splat ;0) - just felt moved to add a photo instead.

So I won't be totally sassy - there are a couple detail shots I've got to show you all!

These are hands down my new favorite go to alpha!!!  They're called Itty Bitty Bets "Groovy" (2005104) made by ScrapFX and you NEED them - seriously they are the perfect size for any project - you'll be seeing them lots more in the future from me for shiggity!

This is a shot of my hand carved stamps - the hot air balloon and hexagons are my own design! - I'm really hooked on carving and could spend a lot of time thinking up designs!!  Have you tried carving your own stamps?

I've also linked this LO up at MSW for Ann's hexagon challenge - even though the page doesn't scream hexagon - they are still there. ;0)  Speaking of MSW if you're looking to participate in the hop going on until the end of tonight you can go here.

Have a wonderful rest of your day!!  Have you gotten those submissions ready for Scrapbook News and Review yet??!  If not you should totally put that on your to do list - just sayin'.  You never know unless you try!

I Challenge You To Embrace and Tape

Hey, Hey, Hey....Its Saturday!!!  

That means my kids go back to school on Monday - YaHoo!! - Just playin' - well kinda - you know I swear the older they get the more needy they become - is that how its supposed to work??! - they were totally more competent as toddlers at doing things for themselves/helping out - tween/teen brains are in full effect leaving this mama ready for them to have more of their hours occupied away from - ;0)

This is what teen brain looks like - oh yes - the teen brain behind this photo is quite okay with the fact I'm posting it as well!

However I'm challenging myself (and you) to embrace them (your loved ones) today - not like I (you) don't now - but truly look at them and see who they are becoming - capture it -  because when it comes down to it they both do truly love their mama - share WAY more than I ever did at their ages - still like to hang out with me - Wow.

Her feet are the same size as mine now!

Before I get into all the details of my other challenge let me back the train up a bit - I received an email from my dear friend Lucy and it had a terrifically fabulous invitation in it - wanna know what?

She asked me to be a part of the MSW card design team again!!!!  What?!! What?!!  Of course I said for shiggity and there was no time to waste as April's month of activities had already started.

In an effort to create a card challenge I racked my brains - I needed something fun, quick, and easy - this is where the tapes come in - my obsession with tapes isn't new - oh no - this gal has been in love with office supplies since I was a lil' bit - its probably a larger factor than I'd care to admit in why I became a teacher - I figured I could whip something up with the three - yes three - pencil boxes full of tapes I've gathered - and those are only scrap mfg. ones - don't get me started on my box of hardware tapes - bowl of tapes from Target's office supply section - you get the idea.

These are the tapes from Target!  I totally can't get enough of them - perfect patterns - and fun colors - the yellow dots is my FAVORITE!!!  I think I may need more because I love the orange that came with it as well. ;0)  I see a LO in the future with this picture....

So grab YOUR favorite tape(s), use it(them) on a card in some way, and share your creation!

When I started on this card I challenged myself to only use tape for the main design - really out of my comfort zone - like how it came out - for the most part - I think the sentiment block should be a tad lower. - what do you think? Hambly, American Crafts, and Target's (shouldn't have tossed that packaging!!) tapes were used.

That's all I've got for now - off to hang with my kiddos - get a bit creative - play online - you know the good stuff!  Take good care and make today the best day ever - its the only one you'll get.
xx