Whatever You Do-Scraptastic Cherry Pie Kit

The following was up on the Scraptastic Club blog last week. Instead of writing an entirely new post, I thought I'd just repeat a few of the highlights. ;) 

The colorful quote on this exclusive paper from the Cherry Pie add-on brought to mind just one thing...how hard my youngest works at his sport. So it was natural for me to scrap about swimming. 

I couldn't bear to cover up the quote, so I cut down the paper just slightly, framed it with a bright yellow patterned paper, and added 4 small photos grouped in the corner.

"His thing is swimming...

"...and he gives it his all!"

The beautiful background paper makes such a statement by itself that very little embellishing is needed. I added a few chipboard stickers, heart stickers and enamel dots, and called it done!

What do YOU work at with all your heart? ;)

Scottish-Irish Bagpipe Troupe

I've got a patterned paper obsession. Love it and use it...lots. But over my many years of scrapbooking, I have accumulated more than I'll ever need. I give away boxes full to friends, but it also makes me happy when I can put some of my old stash to good use. Here's a background that had me pulling out all of the green:

This cut file is called Have A Heart, but I see four-leafed clovers, with each of the clover leaves composed of a heart. I used the 8.5x11 inch version of The Cut Shoppe's file for my page:

Here are two closeups:

A small cluster of goodies fills a frame at the bottom of the page next to my title. This group of bagpipers is becoming a familiar sight in the Rex parade on Mardi Gras Day. I love their music AND their unique dress!

Sweet 16-Scraptastic Cherry Pie Kit

The most recent Subscriber Challenge over on the Scraptastic Club blog was an easy one for me, to use cut files from the kits. Seriously, this is one of my favorite scrapbooking techniques, so I set about meeting the challenge in a big way. I used 3 cut files from 3 different kits! 

First up is the background from the Cherry Pie scrapbooking kit for April. I eliminated some of the smaller central openings and saved quite a bit of time...and my blade! Besides, that area would be mostly covered up when I'm done.

Then I used the file folder and number tickets from two different This Life Noted kits. Again, I modified the files a bit, enlarging the number on the tickets and using only the outline of the file folder:

I printed my photo in black and white and embellished with mostly black clips, flair and clear stickers, all of which pop against the vivid colors of the papers beneath. Pen-stitching around the cut file openings helps to define them as well. Everything on the page is from Scraptastic's Cherry Pie scrapbooking kit for April.

This challenge was not a challenge at all. ;)

Gathering Storm

I guess I'll just continue with last year's beach photos! I have scrapped several, but more are waiting for some new summery/beachy papers. For the photo below, I used Scraptastic's Drops of Jupiter kit and add-on. The cloud shapes and overall color scheme were perfect for my photo of the impending rainstorm:

The patterned paper and die-cut clouds were a natural, as were the stars, both paper and acrylic, adding to the nighttime mood of the photo.

Those were some crazy dense clouds, turning day to night. We all gathered on the porches and decks, waiting for the show...because who doesn't love a thunderstorm at the beach?!

Wishing for Waves

Last week's Pinterest Monday at Scraptastic Club included projects influenced by the following pin:

This pin translated easily to my scrapbook page by using the Drops of Jupiter cut file:

The triangles, pointing up and down, were filled with the various patterned papers of the Drops of Jupiter kit and add-on. A small cluster of arrows, enamel dots, and flair points to my photo:

The waves were a bit puny during our week at the beach last summer. The boys were hoping to surf! That didn't happen. The swells were barely big enough for boogie boarding, but the kids still had fun. :)

There Be Treasure Here!

This year Krispy Kreme celebrated Talk-Like-A-Pirate Day, September 19th, with free doughnuts: a singleton for pirate speak, but a whole box for dressing up. Kevin obliged by donning a tattered shirt, rope belt, pirate beads, bandana and sword. I took a picture of him with our box(es)-plural because we couldn't just go out with the free box, so we purchased a second dozen. Yum!

To highlight the word "treasure" in my title, I used the Open Letter Alphas, a new cut file set in The Cut Shoppe Etsy store: 

After choosing the letters I'd need, they were each cut out individually, backed with patterned paper, and adhered to the page. In some places, a letter will slip between the outline and patterned paper backing of another, interconnecting the letters, giving it a richly layered look.

Stamping and looping red hand-stitching decorate the background. Horizontal banners continue with the red, white and black color scheme.

Usually we just celebrate September 19th with cake and ice cream. Yes, Talk-Like-A-Pirate Day also happens to be a birthday...mine! 

Hit & Run

Last year my youngest son and I were involved in a not-so-fun accident. After the other vehicle smacked upside of mine, the offender took off at a high rate of speed, with a police car in hot pursuit. Meanwhile, all I'm thinking is "Hey, what about us?!" No one was stopping for me, so I took off too, and followed the "parade" into a somewhat unfamiliar neighborhood. Here is where the suspect drove off-road, abandoned his car, and jumped the railroad tracks. My family soon arrived and I snapped this photo of my older son watching as a crowd of onlookers gathered.

All of the papers are from Scraptastic's Drops of Jupiter kit and add-on. I like how the bits of orange coordinate with the end-of-road caution sign and the fluorescent strips on side of the train. To me this color also seems to signal "Emergency!"

I used a Crate Paper fox "bobby pin" to hold together my paper layers:

Kraft cardstock was used to matt the photo and create the cluster of leaves to the right. Bits of ephemera were tucked and layered alongside:

I keep a couple of bowls and baskets near my scrap desk filled with odds and ends, and enjoy sorting through them for fun little details like this. See that little tag? I crossed out "room" and wrote "cell". Yep, the person responsible got to spend a bit of time in jail. I'm still furious that his insurance company didn't take responsibility. Evidently they don't cover someone fleeing from police. Does that make any sense at all??? What good are mandatory insurance rules when loopholes like this exist?