Challenge 11b and 8b

I went on a scrapbooking retreat last weekend. (Creative Passions in Chesaning) I only got 19 pages done but I am caught up to the current time, and I did two Challenge layouts:

Challenge 11b:



And Challenge 8b:

Challenge 7a and 7b

Since I was at a workshop and I was trying to work with the 2008 pictures that I already have printed, it was a bit of a struggle for me to try to incorporate them into the challenges that I have yet to complete. So my interpretations are rather "loose" this time, but it is clear to me that my pages are coming out WAY better than the way I would usually do them, thanks to the SiStaZ!

I am calling this one Challenge 7a although it bears slim resemblance to the original. I started with it though! I had planned to put the title sideways along the picture, but once I cut the letters out they didn't fit and I ended up doing it this way. Then I added the leaf punches (Creative Memories, borrowed from Stephanie) and the bike sticker for embellishment.

I am still working with just the one cricut cartridge (Don Juan) but to get these letters I pushed the "under pressure" button and got what looks to me like an entirely different font. The more I use this thing the more I learn about what it can do.

This one was based on Challenge 7b (You Rock) and again doesn't resemble the original very much but it helped me with the title (not putting it at the top LH corner) and overall layout of the page. I had a close-up picture of the food that I wanted to include but just couldn't fit it all onto the page. Then I had the brilliant idea to cut the letters out of the picture, using my magical cricut. Cool! I used Creative Memories papers and the stickers were given to me from the stash of Alisa, always willing to help a friend!

Challenge 4a

This Thanksgiving page was based on Challenge 4a. I used Creative Memories papers and the "tearing tool" to duplicate the torn look from the challenge. I lifted the way the challenge cropped the six photos for the RH page, which I would not have come up with on my own, and I'm pleased with the way it looks. For the LH page I had more pictures that I wanted to use than in the challenge, so it looks a lot different, but I still like the way it came out, still way better than my usual pages.

Challenge 4b

Here is the Challenge page:


Here is Kim's Page:


And here is my interpretation:



I had it lined up along the right hand side and I just couldn't stand it and moved everything to the middle and rounded the remaining corners. I can't help it, I'm all about symmetry.

I didn't have plans to do this challenge but when I saw Kim's layout I remembered recently running across a photo of my very similar car, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I used unusual sized paper and don't have an album to put this in, but it was fun creating it.

I used my cricut of course for the letters (still lovin that thing) but was too lazy to go and print the words for the journaling on my computer (although here I am now!!) I used a gel pen and when I went to erase the guide lines I smeared up the words. I am also too lazy to fix that but I will if I ever use this in album. I did not include the pictures of me with my big hair, ray-ban sunglasses and mini-skirt that go with it.

The page could probably benefit from one final snazzy embellishment, such as the ribbon bow in the other pages, but I don't have anything like that on hand so for now it's plain.

Challenge 3

I knew that I was going to a workshop so I planned ahead to do Challenge 3 and 4 there.

Here is challenge 3:

and here is my interpretation:


The pictures are from a recent trip to the Kalahari indoor water park with my boys and my nephew. I used three pictures instead of 1 on the LH page since I was doing 12 x 12 and it looked bare with just one picture (I'm still only using 4x6s) and I had a lot of pictures that I wanted to use. The papers are Creative Memories and the word SWIM is made with my new cricut, Juan Wan font.

I'm still working on organizing my scrapbooking workspace at home, but the truth is I rarely scrap there anyways. I get a lot more work done at my friend and Creative Memories consultant Lynn's house. She recently had her basement redone and that is where the workshops are held. Here I am working on my page:

Here I am with Lynn and Alisa:

Alisa likes to admire her own work:

Jenny and Stephanie made ABC books:

I never did get around to challenge 4, I think I may end up skipping it. I just couldn't figure out a way to do a layout like that with the kinds of pictures that I have at the moment, which are mostly from family parties. Maybe I'll get back to it.

New Toy

I didn't get this weeks challenge done yet. I did pick a subject and fool around on Picasa trying to make a collage, but wasn't happy with that so it stopped there. I also got busy cleaning up my scappin station so I could take a picture of it. I got a lot done but want to do more before it is Picture Worthy. Then I went shopping. I got a cricut!! They were on sale at Michael's and I couldn't resist. Happy Birthday to me! My birthday isn't for 2 months but I'm enjoying my present NOW. I also bought a Xyron, I've always wanted one of those. Eventually I will have all the gadgets, supplies, and a neat and ready workspace...and less excuses!

Challenge 2

Well I finally got my printer working, and am 1 day late in getting this done.

Here is the challenge:









And here is my page:





Doing this layout turned into a mathematical challenge for me. I was trying to figure out what the sizes and proportions were in the original layout so that I could duplicate it, but what I eventually figured out is that it must have been an 8 by 10 book or some other rectangular size, and that my 12 x 12 could not be the same. Once I let go of that, I did the best I could.


This is a continuation of the Christmas Party that I did in the last challenge, and I used papers and embellishments from the same CM pack, since they are pre-coordinated which helps me. Unfortunately they do not photograph well. They are designed to have "that damaged look."


I'm not sure if I can go on living any longer without one of those Cricut machines. Maybe I should go in on one with Amy and we could have joint custody or something.


After I finished the page I thought of more journaling I should add, but now it would wreck it. For those who read my other blog, the picture on the lower left is Aunt Chris opening the tin of popcorn I bought her.