Last Chance to Win a RAK!

Welcome back to "Don't Quote Me" Thursdays where inspiration is taken from QUOTATIONS inspired from song lyrics, ancient proverbs, famous sayings and more.

This week, your inspiration will come from a very famous quote by Albert Camus.

QUOTE:
Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Just walk beside me and be my friend.


Interpret the quote however you like and post your projects back here or email them to me at TARA ORR before the end of the month to qualify for a sweet RAK!

I will be keeping track of everyone who completes my daily inspirations. Everyone who completes all 4 of my "Don't Quote Me" Thursday inspirations for the month of July will be entered into a drawing for a sweet RAK!

Materials Used:

Alpha Letters & Buttons: Fa La La Collection (Making Memories)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn)
Ink: Butter Pecan (Plaid)
Die Cut Paper: Artisan Toile, Greenhouse Collection (Making Memories)
Patterned Paper: Marah Johnson (Creative Imaginations)
Patterned Paper: Scarlet's Letter, Repose (Basic Grey)
Flowers: Prima
Journaling Pen: Gelly Roll White (Sakura)
Clear Swirl Stamp: Inkadinkadoo
Lace

Can I Get a Double Double?

UGH - I HATE Double layouts!! I started this layout yesterday while at a freind's crop and it just WASN'T doing it for me - the papers weren't coming together at all -I couldn't get the composition of the layout the way I wanted it - VERY frustrating!!

Worked on it a little more at home and finally it started looking not too shabby! I can honestly say that this is only the 2nd double layout I have ever done. I was given an extra push from Noel Mignon's blog Challenge which encourages you to tackle a 2 pager!

I ended up inking the chipboard pieces and then doing a little doodling to resemble some stitching.

Some fun pinwheel flowers - a great way to use up some of your scrap papers!


I used an old buckle loop to insert my journaling tag which reads: While your brother and sister were still napping, you had the swings all to yourself! July '09.

Space Ranger

Happy Sunday! Especially for me as I am looking forward to 4 hours of scrappy time at a friend's place this afternoon - oh joy!!!

A little while back I received a pile of goodies from a sweet friend and she asked that I create with them when I felt inspired.

Here is another layout I completed for her using some of the fabulous embellishments from her store - MyKi. There are loads of Scrapbook embellishments, journaling tags, customized bags and totes, baby gear and more! Definately worth a look!!


Materials Used:
Gear Embellishments: Myki
Robot Brads: boy brads (Around the Block)
Alpha Letters: Making Memories
Cardstock: The Paper Company
Journaling Pen: gelly roll (Sakura)
Patterned Paper: Cogsmo 8x8 Paper pad (Cosmo Cricket)

Tiny Dancer

Welcome back to "Don't Quote Me" Thursdays where inspiration is taken from QUOTATIONS inspired from song lyrics, ancient proverbs, famous sayings and more.

This week, your inspiration will come from one of my favourite songs by Elton John - Tiny Dancer. I am only going to include a small clip, but you can listen to the entire song here (if you aren't familiar): http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/e/elton_john/tiny_dancer.html

LYRICS:
Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band
Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you'll marry a music man
Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand
And now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand

Hold me closer tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
you had a busy day today

Okay.... so after reading these lyrics and looking at my layout, they don't really 'match' the photos... BUT... I am one of those people who RARELY know the CORRECT words to MOST songs (ahem). I had this song in my head the entire time I was scrapping this layout - - - okay, the first 5 words of the first verse and the first line of the chorus... but it seemed to fit with that!!! My layout was inspired by Deb Harter's Sketch #61 which is now live over at Creative Scrappers.

Close up of journaling which reads: "Its okay Eden, you're still a bit wobbly huh? Here, take my hands and we can dance together (July 2009)".

Interpret the lyrics however you like (I obviously did - LOL) and post your projects back here or email them to me at TARA ORR before the end of the month to qualify for a sweet RAK!

I will be keeping track of everyone who completes my daily inspirations. Everyone who completes all 4 of my "Don't Quote Me" Thursday inspirations for the month of July will be entered into a drawing for a sweet RAK!

Materials Used:

Patterned Paper: Turtles & Trees - Turtle Lane (My Little Shoebox)
Patterned Paper: Flawless - Suzy (My Little Shoebox)
Die Cut Paper: Gretchen (My Little Shoebox)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn)
Cardstock: Black
Ribbon: Que Sera Sera Adhesive Ribbon (K & CO)
Alphabet Stickers: Offbeat/nanoset (Basic Grey)

Blog Award

It was a looooong weekend!! Scrapbook Star had an amazing online crop, I celebrated my birthday twice (once with my family and once with my inlaws) and all 3 of my kidlets got sick - thanks to daddy's germs...ugh!

Well, kids are FINALLY sleeping (knock on wood) so I have my 'down time' now. I browse my favourite blogs, visit forums, galleries, etc and it was with great pleasure I found that I had received this blog award from Lou Collins! I have always loved Lou's style - I even tried out for her Challenge Blog's DT Call fpr Scrapper's Block? (didn't make it, but I love her anyhow ;>

The idea is to link it back to the sender (done) and then choose 3 other bloggers who inspire you. There are soooo many wonderful people who have helped me get to where I am today and so many people who continue to inspire me - but I can only choose 3...

1. LADY GRACE ELEFAÑO-BELARMINO
2. TWORZKY FINNABAIR
3. FRANCES SYLVIA

Thank you Lou for this award. I've never received a blog award before! It helped to remind me that people actually enjoy reading what I have to say and enjoy viewing my layouts (still baffles me sometimes!) Just want to say - Thank you everyone for your continued support!

True Patriot Love

As promised, here is the second (third actually) layout for my contest submission for the My Mind's Eye blog. The pic was snapped this past Canada Day of my hubby and I - which is actually quite rare as the majority of photos we (I) take are of the kiddies!

My layout was inspired by sketch #21 over at 52 Sketches, 52 Weeks. Anyhow, enjoy the rest of your weekend! Be back next week with some more "stuff".


Materials Used:

Patterned Paper: flip 'n' flirty - sisters, breaking free collection (My Mind's Eye)
Patterned Paper: bittersweet collection, lipstick red (Basic Grey)
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up!
Patterned Paper: vintage red bookprint (Jenni Bowlin)
Cardstock: cream white (The Paper Company)
Ink: jet black (StazOn)
Ink: maroon (ColorBox cat's eye)
Alpha Stickers: Tiny Alpha letters (Making Memories)
Edge Distresser: Making Memories
Pop Dots: All Night Media

That Guilty Look

Well, if you haven't already heard, I'm in love with My Mind's Eye - specifically the papers! All of them (although most recently the 29th Street Market Collection)! The colours are just great for soft, earthy layouts and the quality of the paper is amazing - nice and thick! But I digress...


They have their first ever blog challenge going on as we speak. Create a layout using any of the papers from their Breaking Free Collection. Of course I submitted my layout already, but then stumbled across another sheet from the Breaking Free line in my stash and was like - ugh - totally meant to be that I do another layout!

So, being as frugal as I am, I managed to complete 2 layouts from the 1 piece of patterned paper. Here is the first - clean and simple. My dd caught red-handed after stealing a piece of her brother's birthday cake. Soooo busted!

I will finish off the second today (hopefully) and post tomorrow (hopfully). Wee ones are under the weather with fevers, so we will see how much scrapping I get in today!

Materials Used:

Patterned Paper: flip 'n' flirty - sisters, Breaking Free collection (My Mind's Eye)

Cardstock: The Chocolate Box (Core'dinations)
Alphas: Jitterbug Chipboard pieces (Cosmo Cricket)
Pearls: Kaiser

Roll With it Baby!

This weekend's online crop over at Scrapbook Star has already started! The design team has packed the forum full of awesome challenges and have offered up some fantastic inspiration to get your mojo flowing!

My challenge - Use Paper Rolling somewhere in your layout! Easy right?! I originally saw this idea used on one of Lady Grace's designs (Ponder) and adored it. Then, stumbled across another version (Night Owl) by Allison Cope and knew I had to give it a try. All the papers and embellishments were from the July Kit at Scrapbook Star (the swirl stamp was my own actually - inkadinkadoo).

Here is a close up of the paper rolling and the custom butterfly stamp included in the kit.

Well... what are you waiting for?!

It's "Don't Quote Me" Thursday!

Welcome back to the third installment of "Don't Quote Me" Thursdays where inspiration is taken from QUOTATIONS inspired from song lyrics, ancient proverbs, famous sayings and more.

This week, your inspiration will come from one of my favourite books of all time - I challenge you to read it without getting at least a LITTLE choked up! The book is called: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.

QUOTE:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

I used the July kit from Scrapbook Star for my layout and actually used the back of the making memories alpha stickers packaging for the semi circle!


Interpret the quote however you like and post your projects back here or email me at TARA ORR before the end of the month to qualify for a sweet RAK!

I will be keeping track of everyone who completes my daily inspirations. Everyone who completes all 4 of my "Don't Quote Me" Thursday inspirations for the month of July will be entered into a drawing for a fantastic RAK!

2 Posts!! LOTS To Share Today!

Hello my wonderful friends! So sorry its been a few days since my last post. I am busy working on some projects which will be revealed at a later date and have been holding on to others that could not be revealed until today!!

Butterfly Crafts has Challenge 16 posted!

The Challenge: Design a layout which showcases your quirks and idiosyncrasies.

I loved this challenge and really had to think long and hard about some of the strange things I do that make me - me!

I rarely do layouts of myself but found this one quite funny after reading my journaling:

- I prefer drinking my coffe from white mugs
- I always wash my arms first when showering
- I have to turn the radio off when parking the car
- I always put my left contact in first and take the right out first
- I always put sugar & cream in my cup first, then pour the coffee so I don't have to stir it
- I have to purel ALL the time and as soon as possible after being in public places

Please upload your LO's to the gallery, leave us a link in the comments or e-mail them to Butterfly Crafts by 29th July for a chance of becoming our guest designer for August. This month's winner will also receive a gorgeous ribbon Kit from Angel Crafts!

Materials Used:

Flowers: Nursury tales collection (Prima)
Patterned Paper: Fresh 'brothers' playground stripes (my mind's eye 29th street market collection)
Patterned Paper: Fresh 'outdoors' sprout (my mind's eye 29th street market collection)
Patterned Paper: Fresh 'mother' mama's curtain (my mind's eye 29th street market collection)
Patterned Paper: grandma's kitchen collection, flower frenzy (we r memory keepers)
Cardstock: core'dinations cardstock, the chocolate box
Tag: wild saffron collection (K & Co)
Alphas: tiny alpha letters, making memories
burlap

On Cloud 9!

Challenge 4 is up at A La Carte Challenge blog and my second Guest Designer submission is on display!

Menu:

1. Use turquoise, red, and yellow.
2. Use a popsicle stick.
3. Use a clear embellishment.
4. Use a circular layout.
5. Use a number in your title.
6. Use a handcut embellishment.

Directions: Choose at least three menu items for your challenge. Upload your layout to the gallery before midnight CST July 29th. A winner will be drawn and announced on August 1st.

Here is my beautiful son after a dip in the turtle pool! I actually managed to use all 6 items this time - not an easy task!

Red, turquoise and yellow - love these colours together!

Close up of popsicle sticks and hand cut embellies - love these pinwheels and super easy to make!

Can't really tell from the photo, but the beads on the butterfly are actually clear!

I also managed to tie this layout in with the "Summer Traditions Challenge" going on over at Noel Mignon Challenge Blog! The challenge is to scrap something that you find yourself, your family, your kids doing every summer. It can be making home made ice cream, taking a trip to a family cabin, hitting the beach...etc. Whatever you find you love to do during the summer months.

I thought that this photo of my son would be the perfect photo to scrap as he and his brother wait ever so patiently until summer arrives so they can 'swim' (more like wade now that they are bigger) in their beloved turtle pool!

Materials Used:

Patterned Paper: Designer paper pad, cut and paste (K & Co.)
Patterned Paper: Designer paper pad, wild saffron (K & Co.)
Patterned Paper: 8x8 paper pad, get happy, (Cosmo Cricket)
Chipboard: Chipboard stickers, wild saffron (K & Co.)
Chipboard alphabet stickers: fascinating (pink paislee)
black cardstock
popsicle sticks
Ink: jet black, StazOn
Edge Distreser: Making Memories
Journaling Pen: Marvy

Want Your Chance to Shine in the Limelight?

If so, check out the calls for our Special Double Issue for August/September 2009 at Scrapbook News and Review.

Scrapbooking
By Style* (see special call below)
Babies
Grandparents
My first job
School days/teacher's gifts
Silly grins and crazy faces
Stamped backgrounds

Digital Scrapbooking
Adding selective color to photos
Converting photos to black-and-white

Cards
Anniversary
Back to school
Cards that feature sewing
Cards that feature dry embossing
ABC (Anything But Cards) -- Teacher Gifts

Stamping*
Fashion stamps -- can be shoes, dresses, purses, make-up, etc. Think diva.
Reader Spotlight: Transportation -- can be airplanes, cars, trucks, trains. Any stamp that features a form of transportation.
* can be cards, layouts or projects as long as they feature stamps

Altered Art
ATC's -- of any style or theme
Arches -- of any style or theme
General call -- altered art projects of your choice

Deadline: August 1, 2009

Send submissions to Submissions

Special Call for August/September Issue

By Style:

In each issue of Scrapbook News and Review, we feature scrapbook pages by style and skill level. As a chance to see as many styles and genres as possible, for this call only, we do not restrict the amount of submissions per scrapbooker. In fact, we'd prefer to see at least three to five layouts per person in order to give us an idea of how well your defined style is. We're currently looking for pages of size or subject. It must be a clearly defined style, for example: clean and simple, modern and graphic, shabby chic, freestyle, eclectic, etc. Please include the style category you feel best describers your work.

More Exciting News to Share

I'm pleased to announce that beginning August 1, 2009, I will be on the Design Team for Creative Scrappers! I honestly can't believe it! The application and required sketch sat for almost a full month on my desk. I'd sit and look at the sketch, but always pushed it aside to work on other DT responsibilities. This past week I had finished up a Guest DT layout WELL ahead of time and as I was tidying up (never happens) I came across the application and sketch again and I thought - what the heck - I'll give it a go! SO GLAD I DID!!!

1 Picture, Many Pages

Three weeks ago, Creative Scrappers hosted a pretty cool challenge where they supplied a photo (above) and from this photo you were to create a layout. The only rule: You could only use the photo provided but could do anything you wanted to it - shrink it, enlarge it, crop it, duplicate it, etc.

While I've never scrapped someone else's kids before, I was most definately drawn to the photo and inspired quite quickly.


I decided to stick with a monochromatic colour scheme and popped out the grass in the photo while keeping the subjects black and white.

I also flipped the photo for a bit of a different take.



Materials Used:

Alpha Letters & Buttons: Fa La La Collection (Making Memories)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn)
Ink: Butter Pecan (Plaid)
Die Cut Paper: Artisan Toile, Greenhouse Collection (Making Memories)
Patterned Paper: Marah Johnson (Creative Imaginations)
Patterned Paper: Scarlet's Letter, Repose (Basic Grey)
Flowers: Prima
Journaling Pen: Gelly Roll White (Sakura)
Clear Swirl Stamp: Inkadinkadoo
Lace

Don't Quote Me Thursday - Inspiration #2

Welcome back to "Don't Quote Me" Thursdays where inspiration is taken from QUOTATIONS inspired from song lyrics, ancient proverbs, famous sayings and more.

This week, your inspiration will come from the LYRICS of one of my favourite songs by Lee Ann Womack - "I Hope You Dance"

LYRICS:

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance...

My interpretation is a layout I did of my oldest son and just the look in those beautiful blue eyes - so innocent and full of wonder - so much to learn and so wanting to be taught. It made me think of this song.

Interpret the lyrics however you like and post your projects back here or email me at TARA ORR before the end of the month to qualify for a fantabulous RAK!!

I will be keeping track of everyone who completes my daily inspirations. Everyone who completes all 4 of my "Don't Quote Me" Thursday inspirations for the month of July will be entered into a drawing for a sweet RAK!

Cutest Little Baby Face

Challenge #4 is up over at Scrapbook star. Include a song title or lyrics from a song in the title of your layout. Easy peasy right?!

Scrapbook Star's Got Talent - our summer crop - is continuing on throughout the summer months and you can submit your work up until the end of August to qualify for our prizes.

BUT

We will be doing weekly draws for fantastic prezzies so get your projects done asap so you can qualify for even more goodies!!

This is a layout I did using the July Kit.

Oooh, aahhh look at the awesome ribbon!

Butterflies, brads, shimmer letters... yummy!!

Introducing Scrapbook News & Review's Newest Staff Member

That's right - you're looking at the newest Staff Member over at Scrapbook News & Review Magazine!! I'm super thrilled to be a part of such an amazing publication and to have the opportunity to work with such a talented group of people! The newest issue is available NOW! Nearly 400 layouts, cards, altered art and stamping projects, a dozen articles, lots of tips and tricks and a whole lot more. Check it out!

Pretty Please - With a Cherry on Top??

Here is an layout of my precious daughter that I completed based on a sketch over at Twisted Sketches. The twist on the sketch was to include at least one transparency on your layout which I did in the top left corner - the hearts.

Loving the playful papers and chipboard embellies by K & Co's Berry Sweet collection! So fun!

I also managed to tie in a few other challenges with this layout - hey, gotta maximize my scrap time right?? Scrap That! has an amazing forum with tons of challenges, tutorials - even an online store with a heap of fantastic scrappy stuff. I completed one of the Design Team Challenges where you were to use fruit somewhere on your page!

AND just found a totally new challenge blog - Pile it On - where the theory is to create cards, scrapbook pages or even altered items using MORE THAN ONE challenge! How perfect is this concept?? Its about time! Their current challenge is to use at lease 3 embellishments and then of course, to combine other challenges when completing your layout!

Materials Used:

Patterned Paper: row of icons (Heidi Grace Designs)
Patterned Paper: Berry Sweet Collection (K & Co)
Chipboard Stickers: Berry Sweet Collection (K & Co)
Black Cardstock
Gel Excel Black Journaling pen (Marvy)
Alpha stickers: Offbeat/Nanoset (Basic Grey)
Paper Trimmer: 12 inch portable trimmer (Fiskars)

Another Toot, Toot!!

Just wanted to share with you all that NINE of my layouts (Mama's Boys, Tree Hugger, Scared, Stuck Between a Rock and Hard Place, Delightful You, Stop and Smell, My Sunshine, Wonder Boy and My Life) have been published in the June issue of Scrapbook News & Review!!

Toot Toot and Some ATCs

Just wanted to announce that my layout - "Age of Innocence" was voted the SECOND place winner in the Traditional Layout Category for June 2009 over at Scrap'n'Win!

Secondly, I just wanted to post a few ATCs that I completed a few days ago for a challenge over at Scrapbook Star. It was actually my very first attempted at these little things and once I got the hang of them, were actually quite fun to do! An awesome way to use up your scrap paper for sure, ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) typically measure 3.5 x 2.5 inches and can be used alone, attached to cards or as embellishments on your layouts.

I tried to stick with a vintage, musical theme. What do you think??

My Debut Layout Is Up at A La Carte!

I am honoured to be the guest designer for the month of July over at A La Carte challenge blog. My debut layout, "So This is Love", is up right now - go take a peek!



Challenge #3 is ready to go - are you??

Directions: Choose at least three menu items for your challenge. Upload your layout to the gallery before midnight CST July 29th. A winner will be drawn and announced on August 1st.

Menu:

1. Use doodling.
2. Use the colors red, white, and blue.
3. Use a critter.
4. Use the word celebrate.
5. Use four words in the title.
6. Create a double-page layout.

Close up of some doodling.

My journaling tag which includes the word celebrate as well as some little critters at the top left.



Don't forget to check back on July 15th for Challenge #4!!

Butterfly Crafts Challenge 15

It's time for challenge 15 over at Butterfly Crafts!

For the next challenge we would like you to design a TRAVEL inspired layout. It can be anything from your favourite vacation spot, a fun road trip or a special day out with the family.

Please upload your LO's to our gallery, leave us a link in the comments or e-mail them to Butterfly Crafts by 30th July for a chance of becoming the Guest Designer for the month of August. The winner will also receive a gorgeous ribbon Kit from our July Sponsor Angel Crafts.

NOTE: There is a Special Contest going on RIGHT NOW and its SUPER easy to win! Just head on over to Butterfly Crafts' blog and become a follower for a chance to win a Guest designer spot for our August 1st challenge reveal. How easy is that?!

WANNA WINNA RAK???

Welcome to "Don't Quote Me" Thursdays where inspiration is taken from QUOTATIONS inspired from song lyrics, ancient proverbs, famous sayings and more.

The first inspiration this month comes from a Scottish Dramatist and Novelist best known as the creator of Peter Pan (1860-1937), James Matthew Barrie.

QUOTE: Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.

My example below features a layout of my son. He makes me so very happy and is such an amazing little guy (gush). I cut the centre out of the scallop die cut circle and used it to symbolize the sun.


Interpret the quote however you like and post your projects back here (or EMAIL them to me) BEFORE next Thursday for your chance to win.

Everyone who completes all 4 of my "Don't Quote Me" Thursday Challenges for the month of July will be entered into a drawing for a sweet RAK!