January 2013 Studio Calico kit - Block Party

I've enjoyed putting all of the layouts that I create from the current month's Studio Calico kit all in one post, so I'll continue this monthly feature in 2013.  I only post the layouts that I create from the time I get the kit until the next kit arrives at my door.  This challenges me to get as much done with the kit before I put it away.  I created four layouts and one card with the January kit.

This layout is probably my favorite of the month.  I love the photo of my kitty snoozing in the sun!

I did a lot of hand-stitching on this layout which was time consuming, but a lot of fun.

For this layout, I decided to try using circles.  I had cropped with Jennifer Larson in December and she said she loved using circles on her layout. I never really do, but was inspired to try.  I did some hand-stitching on this layout also.

This patterned paper was bright and fun - I thought it would be perfect for a birthday card.  I cut a circle out of the front of the card with my Silhouette.  The word "birthday" is layered over the empty space.  The word "happy" is actually on the inside of the card.

The last layout "Best Vacation Story Ever" was picked up by Scrapbook Trends to be published in the July 2013 issue, so I can't share it here yet!  

I was pretty pleased getting these five projects done with this kit.  It has been a few months since I got this much done.

How did you do with January's Studio Calico kit?

Have a great week everyone!

Cat Nap

Once in a while, a question will pop up on a scrapbooking message board asking if people create projects specifically to fit a particular call or if they just submit what they have already created.  It usually seems like it is looked upon negatively if you create pages specifically for calls - like somehow it is not as meaningful or something.

I do both - if I happen to have a layout that I have already created that fits the call, I'll submit it.  But lots of times, I'll read the call and it will spark an idea and I'll create a page specifically for that call - and I'm not afraid to admit it!  Some of my most favorite layouts have been created specifically for calls!

The latest call for Scrapbook Trends totally inspired this page.  The call reads:  

Real Life: I Love My Pet - Our pets become members of the family so create a layout to detail your pet's place in your home. Does he/she have a special place to sleep or eat? Any funny quirks? Get them down on paper!

The call made me think of my silly cat Sumner and how he loves sleeping in a sunny spot on the chaise lounge in our dining room.  He will keep moving closer to the edge to follow the sun as it moves and more than once has fallen off of the edge!

I used mostly the January Studio Calico kit on this page, but just a couple of bits from older kits such as the wood veneer "S."  Studio Calico recently stopped giving store credits for getting published in Scrapbook Trends using their kits, and I'll admit that it is kind of freeing!  Even though my main purpose  for getting published was never the SC credit, it was nice.  But now that it isn't an option, I have been finding myself digging through other supplies for something to add a perfect touch.

I put the journaling on a hidden journaling card - I loved the little Pebbles envelope that was included in the kit! 

I love this page to bits even though I created it specially for a call! (Wish me luck!)  So what do you think - is there anything wrong with creating a layout specifically for a call?  What do you usually do?  I'd love to know!

Have a great week everyone!

Happy Mother's Day!

I wanted to share this Mother's Day layout today that I created about a year and a half ago.  I had submitted the layout to Scrapbook Trends and it appeared in the May 2011 issue, so I haven't shared it here before.   The call was for Mother's Day layouts and at first I thought - I haven't spent a Mother's Day with my mom in the past twenty years or so, I don't have anything for this call.  That made me think that maybe I should create a Mother's Day layout about just that - that just because I'm not with my mom on Mother's Day, that doesn't mean that I'm not thinking about her and that I still love her very much.  

The photo of my mom is probably from about 1968, so before I was even born.  I love the photo because it reminds me how much I look like her!

I used mostly Crate Paper's Restoration line on this layout (my favorite line, EVER!)  I made hand-rolled flowers that were perfect for this page.  I created a hidden journaling tag, as I wanted the note to be more private.

I'm having the layout framed for her for Mother's Day.  I hope she loves it!

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

Precious Pincushion

I have the most adorable pincushion sitting on my scrapbooking desk.  He holds some some Jenni Bowlin and some Maya Road stick pins so that they are ready to use when I want them.  I made the pincushion with a pattern and material from Heather Bailey.  

Isn't he cute?  I took pictures of him and created a layout with the September 2010 Studio Calico kit, Back 40.  When I was creating the page, there was a challenge for a Scrapbook Trends submission that was to scraplift a page from the September 2010 issue of Scrapbook Trends.  I scraplifted a page of Emily Pitt's called "Pencil Proliferation" from page 60 of that issue.  The layout that I created was published by Scrapbook Trends in the April 2011 issue, so I never got to share it here.

I loved being able to scraplift a layout of Emily's to submit to Scrapbook Trends.  Thanks so much for the inspiration, Emily!

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Wanna Get Published?

Yes!

Love Cosmo Cricket.

Love Scrapbook Trends.

Why not give it a try?

Cosmo Cricket is having a sketch challenge over at their blog.  The winner gets published in the August 2011 issue of Scrapbook Trends!  What a fun challenge!

Here is the sketch from Cosmo Cricket:

Here is my take on the sketch:

I used lots of different Cosmo Cricket goodness.  I used some of the hot new "Salt Air" line that came in my March Studio Calico kit, I used some "Material Girl," and I even gave "Earth Love" some love.  The chipboard stickers are Cosmo Cricket also.  I actually won them in a contest on their blog a while ago!

The cat in the photo is my little Sumner.  He loves sleeping on the chaise lounge when it is sunny.  Doesn't he look happy?

Wish me luck and good luck to everyone else who entered!

Have a great Saturday night!