Just Two Midwest Girls July Scrap Challenge: Sneak Peak!

Head on over to Just Two Midwest Girls to see July's scrap challenge as well as my full layout! Every month we have a new challenge as well as a I prize. Check it out and play along!

xoxo,

Heather

Practical Scrappers Full Reveal: Sketch Layout

As promised, here are some more detail shots of and the story behind this layout.  Yesterday, on the Practical Scrappers blog, some of the other ladies and I shared our take on April's layout sketch.

I stuck pretty closely to this sketch.  That is what I love about sketches:  they can be interpreted exactly as the sketch or they can be used as an inspirational starting piece to get those creative juices flowing, among other ways sketches can be helpful in scrapbooking.

And here is my full layout!  I used my February Citrus Twist Kit, along with pieces of my stash, to complete this layout.  One of the great things about sketches, for me at least, is how quickly they come together.  This layout was completed, journaling and all, in a little over an hour (if I had to guess).

The Story Behind This Layout

This is a photo of my younger brother (many, many years ago) and our childhood dog, Mikey.  We probably got Mikey when I was in middle school.  We only had him for a couple years.  My childhood home was pretty small for 5 people.  Add a highly energetic dog to the close quarters and you get, what I like to call, a renegade Mikey!  

Mikey's previous owner was an elderly woman.  He was not trained very well.  Whenever we opened the doors at home, Mikey would fly out if we weren't paying attention.  And boy, could that dog run!  He would run for blocks!  All three of us (my brother, my sister, and myself) would chase after him.  It would get so frustrating!  

As I mentioned before, we only had Mikey for a couple years.  My parents realized they just didn't have the time and space for such an energetic dog.  My mom had a coworker at the time who lived on some land with a few other dogs.  She was happy to welcome another dog to her loving dog friendly home.  

Mikey was the only dog I had until Michael and I rescued our dog, Willie, in 2009.

So, there's some more detailed photos of my layout and the story behind Renegade Mikey.  Hope you enjoyed it!

Don't forget, Just Two Midwest Girls scrap challenge is still going on until 8PM CST on Thursday, April 3.  Click on the facebook link in my sidebar for more details on how to play along!

xoxo,

Heather

Sneak Peak: Practical Scrappers DT Layout Sketch

Can you all believe it's April already?  My goodness, time has just been flying!  Although, I am very happy with this warmer weather that is finally making its way into the Midwest.

So, what better way to kick off the month with some creative inspiration?  I am here today to bring you all a little sneak peak of the layout for the Practical Scrappers' April layout sketch.

Doesn't this layout look fun?  Now, head on over to the Practical Scrappers blog to see the full reveal of my layout, as well as the layouts from some other lovely ladies on the design team.

Don't forget to come back here tomorrow to read the story behind my layout and to see more detailed photos!

xoxo,

Heather

Practical Scrappers Scrap Your Stash Blog Hop!

Welcome to this month's Practical Scrappers blog hop!  You should have arrived from Claude Campeau's blog.  This is my first blog hop EVER!  I'm very excited!  I loved participating in this hop, as it gave me an excuse to use up my bottomless stash.  

As you know, this month's theme is scrapping your stash.  Those that follow me on Instagram (@hsweet12), know that I'm participating in 30 Days of Lists.  I decided to make my own mini album using my stash for my book of lists.

Look at how pretty?!  I had so much fun making this album.  And, it was all such a spontaneous decision to participate in #30lists.  

I didn't purchase ANYTHING for this project.  It was AWESOME!  

I used some of my new products (e.g. MME's Charmed 6x6 paper pad, October Afternoon's Daily Flash alphas).

I used paper scraps that had been sitting in my scrap bucket for many, many months.  I pulled out Thickers I forgot I had...

I used glassine bags and packaging from scrapbook kits.

I used a lot of Project Life and journaling cards.

I had so much fun putting this together, I wanted to create mini album like this!  

So, as part of my giveaway for the blog hop, I will be creating a similar mini album as a prize!  The title can be personalized (i.e. it doesn't have to say "30 Days of Lists") and I won't put "List..." on every page!  But there will be a mix of Project Life cards, patterned paper scraps, cardstock scraps, glassine bags, tags, envelopes, etc.  

If you want to win a mini album, comment below!  Let me know what projects you're in the middle of right now!  Giveaway open only to US residents.  You have until Sunday, March 23rd at 11:59PM CST to leave a comment.  

Now, go check out how Patty Selah used her stash!

xoxo,
Heather

Just Two Midwest Girls Scrap Challenge: Gettin' Sketchy!

Hello everyone!  Kelly and I are back with another Just Two Midwest Girls scrap challenge!  We've been on a little bit of a hiatus, but that's because we're trying to figure out a better schedule in order to give everyone a chance to play along.  As of this challenge, we're going monthly.  We will post each challenge on the first Friday of the month.  Then, you all will have a month to get scrappy with us!  Also, our types of prizes will be changing.  We're going to be giving away actual products now, sprinkled in with gift cards to various online scrappy retailers.  

Speaking of prizes...here is the winner of our previous color challenge:  Jen!  Jen, please email Kelly.  Find her contact info on her blog.  She has won a Fancy Pants Blissful Blizzard 6x6 Paper Pad.  Come check out her project here.

For this month, Kelly and I are creating a layout with a sketch.  I love sketches.  They are a great way to get inspired.  I use them a lot when I'm trying to get my creative mojo flowing.  I also use them when I have a lot of kits piling up, like now.  

Here's my take on the sketch Kelly pulled from the Scrapbook and Cards Today calendar.  It's the sketch for March, how appropriate!

I used my Studio Calico Copper Mountain (January 2014) scrapbook kit.  This is the first project I've made with this.  And I only used this kit, minus the Project Life cards, the washi tape, small strips of paper and the jute.  

This layout is not nearly as embellished as many of my other layouts.  Which I honestly don't really like.  You all know me, I love embellishments.  The Studio Calico kits don't come with much embellishments, which I don't like either.  And these are colors I don't scrap with very often, so I didn't have too many embellishments from my stash.  So, it's a very un-embellished layout with lots of paper.

This is obviously about my cat, Darwin.  One of his pet names (pun intended!) is kitten baby, which is ironic because that was his name in the shelter when I adopted him; well, it was Baby, but you know what I mean.  I just had a few random pictures of Darwin that I thought went perfectly with the sketch.  

I've had Darwin since August 2007, right when I began my junior year of undergrad.  I adopted him from the Champaign County Humane Society.  I just moved into my apartment on the edge of campus.  I was living alone, so I knew I needed company.  Together, Darwin and I have moved 4 times:  back to my parents' house after graduation, into Michael's house, to St. Louis for grad school, and then back home with Michael.  I know he's a cat, but I literally could not imagine my adult life without him. 

He has such a personality.  And he's extremely social for a cat.  There's a little flair button in between those two smaller photos at the top of the layout.  It says "you can't tell me what to do."  That is so my cat!  It's like he knows what he can and can't do, but he'll do anything anyway and look at you like, "you can't tell me no."

I remember when I brought him home, he was only 4 or 5 months at the time. I still hadn't picked a new name for him.  I wanted it to be clever.  One night, I was sitting at my desk in my bedroom writing a paper, studying, or something and I looked over at my bookshelf.  On it, I had a couple of those books in the Darwin Awards series.  That's when it hit me, to name my kitten Darwin!  And it's clever because I was an anthropology major in undergrad, so perfect.  

Enough about my love story with my cat...Here's how you can play along.  Create a layout with this sketch!  Or, if you have a completed layout similar to this sketch, go ahead and link it up!

1. Link your project in my comments section on this post.
2. OR link your project in Kelly's comments section on her post.
3. OR link it up to our Facebook page

Remember, this does not have to be a new project if you already have a layout with a similar design.  Those of you who play along have the chance to win a prize!  This month's prize:  

Studio Calico's Essential Enamel Dots in Gold

***AND***

Studio Calico's Wanderlust Tiny Word Stickers

So, come play along with us!  Show us what you've made with this sketch.  You just may win those coveted gold enamel dots and oh-so-popular tiny word stickers!  The challenge ends at 8pm CST on Thursday, April 3rd!

Now, go check out Kelly's blog!  She is also working with a kit to create a layout using this sketch.  And, don't forget to link up your projects!

xoxo,

Heather

A Little Gallery Inspiration

I thought today I'd bring you all some scrappy inspiration from the Two Peas in a Bucket gallery.  We all love the well-known scrappers out there; there work is just gorgeous, but I wanted to highlight those other creative people that may not always get recognized.  Paper lovers like you and me.  

There are a TON of amazing projects in this gallery.  I'm only going to highlight some in this post.  I'd like to do a gallery inspiration post once a month.  I'll link up the project, the creator's personal gallery, as well as their blog (if they have one).  I think it will be a great way to "meet" other scrappers!  A lot of my inspiration comes from other people's projects, so I want to start highlighting those that catch my eye.

Life Moves Pretty Fast, created by 2Peas Member  Leslie Ashe

I LOVE this layout!  I, personally, do not scrap with white cardstock, but Leslie just makes this absolutely gorgeous! I like the kraft, gold, wood elements, and flair.  This layout is simple, but still uses lots of embellishments.  Also, the white cardstock is a wood grain texture!  I love the pennants/banners, the tag, and I'm pretty sure that is gold polka dot washi tape...LOVE!

lovely layers created by 2Peas Member limedoodle 

Do I really have to tell you why I like this card?  ALL THOSE LAYERS!!  And it's on a card without it being overwhelming.  I love the colors she used and that vellum tag just gets me all excited!  I literally am in love with every card she creates.  Check out her blog here.

Simply Adorable, created by 2Peas Member MichelleWedertz

I love simple, but gorgeous layouts such as this one.  I love the layers with the doily and the tag.  I like the pink washi tape.  And those mist splatters are awesome!  

Relax by 2Peas Member catherine brancieq

I love that this layout's main paper elements are pocket style journaling cards!  I'm always looking for new ways to use my bajillion Project Life cards.  And I really like the royal blue with silver.  And oh, those stars!  Love, love this layout.  Check out more of Catherine's projects on her blog (in French) here.

Daisy Frame  by 2Peas Member marilou64

I am always in awe when I see all the different decor pieces made by paper crafters.  And this daisy frame is just something else!  I see something like this in stores all the time.  And I could make that!  This piece is definitely inspiring and makes me want to put my Cameo to work to create some lovely spring decor pieces for my home.

All this inspiration makes me want to be at home creating and not at my day job!  Looks like I need to start planning out some projects and using up my stash!  I hope you found today's post just as inspiring and creatively motivating as I have!  I'll be back Friday with a Just Two Midwest Girls scrap challenge.  Remember, there's still time to link up your take on our color challenge.  Find all the details here.

xoxo,
Heather

Just Two Midwest Girls Scrap Challenge: Color, Color, Color!

 

**If you're looking for my Pinterest Crafting post, it is the post below this!

Happy Weekend Everyone!  I'm definitely looking forward my 3-day weekend as I'll be scrapping all day Monday!  So, Kelly and I are back today with another Just Two Midwest Girls scrap challenge!  For the Valentine card challenge winner, check out Kelly's blog!

For this round, we thought we'd play around with a color palette.  We see them all over Pinterest.  We're starting to see them as inspirational starting pieces in the papercrafting world.  We see them all over!  Kelly and I picked a palette that has a winter-y feel to it, even though both of us are completely over this weather.  

Here is the palette we worked with for this challenge.  Aren't the colors just gorgeous?  I will admit though, as I was putting together a kit for this challenge, it was difficult for me to find those colors in my stash.  I'm not much of a darker color, monotone grayish blue scrapper.  

I wanted to put together a kit to make this process a little easier.  I took my time pulling these colors from my stash in papers, journaling cards, stickers, alphas, embellishments, etc.  I even pulled out some pieces from my November 2013 Citrus Twist scrapbook kit (which at this moment I still hadn't killed).  I cut some winter berries from white cardstock with my Cameo (not shown in photo).  And I even picked a sketch.  There were a couple things I wanted to use on this layout:  a winter-y photo and Project Life/journaling cards (because I have tons and need to start using them).  This is the first time I've ever pulled my own kit together.  I wanted to have everything in one place because I knew I'd be working on this layout off and on; I didn't want to have to put everything away after each time and then possibly forget what I had pulled out previously.

Citrus Twist Kits Sunday Sketch: 1.26.14

  Here's the sketch I chose to work with based on that semi-photo collage of my sister and I posing for the camera in the snow.

Sister Shenanigans

 And here is my completed layout!  I apologize for the lighting.  I took these photos in the evening a couple nights ago.  I didn't finish it the previous weekend so I could take advantage of some natural light.  I worked mostly with that blue and the reds in the color palette.  I didn't have soft enough grays for my liking in my stash.  Also, I didn't embellish as much on this layout as I usually do.  I didn't have too many embellishments in this color scheme and I also wanted to stick strictly with my kit.  I didn't dive into any of my stash after I started putting this layout together.  What I picked out a couple weeks before was what I was going to work with.

My background wood plank paper and the blue paper is from Dear Lizzy's Polka Dot Party.  All the other papers are from Glitz Designs' Finley collection.  The kraft cardstock is from scrap bucket, the kraft pocket is from a We R Memory Keepers' journaling cards kit, and the journaling cards are Project Life Midnight Edition.  I plan to write my journaling on the white and gray polka dot card tucked in that pocket.

I'm not really happy with how those winter berries turned out.  One, the image didn't cut very well because of its delicate nature and because I didn't adjust the settings to make it cut slower.  I was cutting these berries with scrap white paper.  I cut a few of them a couple times before I realized I need to change my settings.  And by then, I ran out of big enough white scraps; I didn't want to cut into a new sheet.  Anyways, I knew I wanted to watercolor them, but the brown on the branch didn't blend well enough with the red berries.  Oh well, I just need to practice my watercoloring technique.  I probably should have used watercolor paper...

 This layout came together really quickly.  I feel like the base of my pages come together really quickly these days, but the title and embellishment sometimes give me a difficult time.  The embellishment on this page definitely gave me a difficult time.  I didn't have much to work with, so I just had to put a few word stickers down and sprinkle some sequins and call it a day.

Okay, now it's your turn to play with these colors!  

Details

1. link up your project, new or old, to this post in the comments section OR in the comments section on Kelly's blog OR onto our Facebook page--link in my side bar
2. those that play along are entered to win a 6"x6" paper pad from Fancy Pants Blissful Blizzard collection; the colors just go so well with this challenge!
   
3. Challenge ends at 8pm CST on Thursday, February 27th--MY BIRTHDAY!

We hope that you guys come play along with us!  We can't wait to see what you make!  Now, go check out Kelly's blog.  I think she made another one of her wonderful mini albums!

xoxo,

Heather

One Little Word 2014: Inspirational Layout

I am a little behind in my OLW prompts.  I have written out all my January prompts, but I haven't written them all pretty on the cardstock to go into my album.  I haven't even looked at February's prompts....My goal this month is to get caught up though!

I think I mentioned before that I wanted to make a 12"x12" layout of my OLW that I can display as a reminder all year long.  I got the inspiration from Wilna Furstenberg's first and last videos of the Two Peas in a Bucket "In the Mood to Scrap" 2013 video series.  Her first video and layout can be found here.  Her last video in that series, documenting her One Little Word for 2014 can be found here.

Before I started this layout, I knew I wanted to do some brush script of my OLW: DO on white cardstock in several places.  I also wanted to use a recent photo of myself.  And I wanted to use products and papers from Maggie Holmes' Flea Market collection because I have tons of it!

I have to say, I absolutely LOVE this layout!  It did not turn out exactly how I had envisioned in my head, but I still love it!  After I completed the brush script, I wanted to tone it down a bit, so I sewed on a piece of vellum onto the background to create a soft look (except for the top "do," which I wanted to stand out).  Before the vellum was sewn down, I added a scattering of sequins and a punched border.

And then came the layering....I know I've said this before and I'll say it again, but I LOVE LAYERING!!  It's such a great way to use up paper scraps.  Everything on this layout is from the Flea Market collection except for the resin flower and pearl brads, the tag hiding my journaling, the vellum, the sequins, the doilies and the white cardstock.

This layout was so much fun to put together.  Having coordinating pieces or a collection just makes it easier to put things onto paper.  

As you all are well aware by this point, I am loving the gold trend and Maggie Holmes' collection just looks so great with gold.  

I still need to purchase a shadow box to house and display this layout in my scrap room.  It's just too pretty to be tucked away in an album.  Plus, I need it to help me to take action with DOing things this year.

I'm also making a simple journal to write in throughout the year to help document my actions, as well as to note the difficulties.  This journal does not coordinate with this layout as I used pieces from Studio Calico's Printshop collection.  I just need to decorate the cover and I'll let you all take a peek at it!

So, how are you doing with your One Little Word?  Have you made any inspirational pieces to help keep your mind on it?  I'd love to hear what you all have to say!  Leave me some comments down below!

xoxo,
Heather

Me on the 27th Series: January Review

I completed my first month of my monthly series, "Me on the 27th."  Except, I think I'm going to rename this series as "7 on the 27th."  My goal is to journal or document seven things about me currently on the 27th each month (27 is just too much!).  Those seven things will be journaled onto my monthly layout and I'll also provide some hidden journaling for all my other thoughts.

As you can see, I haven't added my journaling.  I still don't know if I'm going to write directly on the patterned paper or do typed journaling on strips of cardstock.  I have already written down what happened that day and some of my thoughts.  Now, I just need to do some editing.

I am really excited about this series.  It's my attempt to really connect with myself and who I am becoming as a woman, a wife, an adult.  I also want to be more aware of who I am right now.  All of my titles will be "Me" and the date.  So, this middle cluster contains lots of layers and a photo of me taken that day.  Underneath all those lovely layers is an envelope cut from my Cameo.  The envelope looks like a coin envelope.  Inside are two journaling cards attached with washi tape to make them flip open. 

 All of these photos on this layout were posted to my Instagram throughout the day.  I did note the specifics of each picture when I did my journaling at the end of the day.  I just wrote down what I had written when I posted each picture.

Those rosettes were such a pain in the ass to make!  I think I spent 30-45 minutes making these stupid things, but it was worth it.  I love them!  They add so much texture to a project.  I need to start making them more and experimenting with different shaped borders. 

I used my November 2013 Citrus Twist kit for this layout.  I finally killed that kit!  I'll have a post sharing the remnants of that kit and the layouts I made.

Confession:  I almost forgot about this day!  As you all know from my post at the beginning of the year, each month I was doing to document my day, similar to Ali Edwards' Day in the Life.  Anyways, I was at work, looking at my planner, planning my day when I saw my note in there about my blog series!  I'm glad I wrote that note in my planner, or else I probably would have forgotten until the evening.

I'm really looking forward to documenting me throughout the year.  I'm excited to see how my pages and my journaling will evolve.  I really hope you guys are enjoying this series.  Let me know if you have any ideas on how to document the 27th!

xoxo,
Heather

"From This Day Forward" Layout

So, I finally scrapped a picture twice.  Well, I guess it would be my second time doing this...but this particular layout I'm sharing with you today I intentionally scrapped this picture again.

The first time I scrapped this picture, it was bright and really "lovey" visually.  This time around, I wanted to 1) use my November 2013 Citrus Twist Kit main kit and 2) match the colors of the photo.  

As you can see, I have been loving layers!  I have so many papers:  scraps, 12"x12", 6"x6" paper pads, and cut apart cards!  Not only am I trying to tell more of our stories, but I'm really trying to deplete my stash.  I made my background paper based on this video from Maggie Holmes for Studio Calico.  Except for those really thin strips of paper, all the paper is from the CT kit.  The 3"x4" card, the gold glitter Thickers, and the vellum banner flag are also from the kit.  Everything else is from my stash.

This picture was taken the morning after Michael and I got married.  We were having brunch with his family and one of his aunts wanted a picture of the newlyweds.  I wanted to use this page as a letter to my husband about how much we have changed since the day we became a Mr. and Mrs.  Obviously, my journaling isn't done yet, but there is a strip of ledger paper on the right side that will hold all my thoughts and feelings about being married to my best friend for the past 18 months.  There are so many feelings I have now looking back on that picture.  It's something I definitely want to document.  

Okay, so that is all I wanted to share with you today.  Don't forget, Kelly and I have a current Valentine card(s) challenge.  Check out this post for all the details.  You have until Thursday, February 13 at 8pm CST to link up your project.  Link to my blog, to Kelly's blog, or to our Facebook page (button on my sidebar)!  I'll be back soon with some fun news!

xoxo,
Heather