Last Week's Layouts

So now I have to figure out what the heck I'm going to do for Christmas presents. I have done a calendar the last 3 years, but I think I want a change. I wanted to print out my family album as a hardbound book for the people who usually get photo stuff, but then I realized that the album I'm working on is 2006. Thought that might not be the best idea. I thought about doing a year in review album- month by month and doing a 2 page spread for each month. But I'm still on the fence with that.

The kids are getting their Christmas Photoshoot tomorrow with my friend, so I may just make that into an album. I don' t know. Either way, if I do go with some sort of album, it will be from Blurb.com. Have you checked them out? Their pricing is fabulous! :) Up to 440 pages for less than $100 and they'll do a blog book too! I may end up even just printing off my blog with pictures and give that out. I don't know. I'm kind of stressing though. Whatever I decide needs to happen FAST!

Anyway, while I ponder that, here are my layouts for the week. As always, credits and journaling can be found at my DST gallery- link on sidebar. And if they're for a CT, their store link is also in the sidebar.


Used OScraps November Collab- O So Thankful. I included some of the song lyrics from one of my favorite songs in our church children's songbook- I'll Walk With You.
CT layout for Tangie Baxter using 3-4 different kits and element packs:
CT layout for Sara Ellis- I had a bout of Scrappers' block, so I found a random quiz for MySpace, took it, and posted my answers.

BTW, I'm sooo loving these folded paper templates from Karah Fredericks!


CT layout for Tangie Baxter using Sweet Bliss Confectionary. This one gave me fits, I messed up, and the file size was too large to re-open with my Photo Editor (we're talking 139MB!!!!), so I had to figure out how to edit it. Thankfully I fixed it and am now happy with it.

CT layout for Buzy Bee using Pinkalicious. I sooo love pink! Also done for last week's Hodge Podge challenge.
CT Layout using Merkeley Designs Mocha and Pistachio kit. (Simply delicious by the way!). I also did this for last week's Digi Dare Challenge. I love the way it turned out!

This was a 3 birds with 1 stone- Buzy Bee using Guy Thing, current Hodge Podge, and current Lifts with a Twist challenge:
The next 2 are for Gina Miller's template challenge. I love love love this template and plan on using it for at least 2 more layouts that I can think of off the top of my head. The pictures below were all taken by me, my sister, and my 8 year old daughter. I still have a lot to learn, and this was my first "photoshoot" but I'm really pleased with them.

Here it is in its entirety. I used the template for both sides.
CT layout for Pixel Gypsy Designs:
Well, that should do it for a while. I've also done some more work on my son's ABC brag book of his trip with his aunt last summer. I'm hoping to have that done by Christmas, but it may not happen, given that I still haven't figured out what I'm doing for the rest of my family! OY!

SUAS, and layouts galore!

Well, things have been just a hair on the busy side since I last posted! On top of throwing 2 large parties, helping with a PTA carnival at our school, going back to work part time, and now studying for my placement test so I can start school in January, I'm not exactly sure how I've managed to do it all! :) If I didn't make time to scrap, I would literally be in tears and go insane. This is totally my outlet- done after the kids are in bed. I guess that's why I've become a night owl lately- I savor that time when the house is quiet, and it's just me, my creative juices and my computer. :)

I finally finished the profile pages for my pregnancy album. Now to move on to the rest of it. As always, my gallery at DST is linked in the sidebar for credits and journaling, and my CT stores are on the side as well if you want to check them out.

I used Pixel Gypsy's Boyish Charm in this:



The following are all layouts I've scrapped since my last post.
This one was done for a Digi Dare Challenge, using Tangie Baxter's "Way Too Stinkin' Cute" kit. And it is too!
CT layout using stuff from Merkeley Designs and Jill D-Zines: This is my best friend- do you see any resemblance to me at all? We're not related!
CT Layout for Pixel Gypsy, and also for her blog challenge:
2 page layout using Tangie's Winter Forest Floor kit:

This is my first attempt at blending and extracting. It looks like I missed some stray pixels, which I tried to pick up, but still missed it. I'll have to fix that. This used Gina Arzaga's new fall stuff:
Jill D-Zines and Sara Ellis:
Tangie Baxter's Mystery Case for DSD, and for a Digi Dare Challenge
Another one for Pixel Gypsy and her blog challenge:
I used Buzy Bee Scrapper's Pinkalicous Mini Kit in this:



Since SUAS is now officially over, I can now post my layouts for the public. I did not win, nor did I come anywhere close, but I did produce some layouts that I put a lot of work into, and am very proud of. I do think I won't do a contest like that again- I don't like knowing that I came in somewhere around the bottom, as I think it's all a matter of perspective. I will probably do Digital's Next Top Scrapper Again, and I really want to do the Amazing DigiScrapping Race the next time they do it, but I doubt I'll do SUAS.

Anyway, here they are for your viewing pleasure:

More Layouts

Man, it's been crazy. I went back to work part time this week, my son turned one last week and we had a huge party, we're having a Halloween party this week, busy busy busy! Sorry it's been a while since I've posted.

I'm getting close to finishing my 2006 album- I still have several pages left, but I'm at least in November now. I still kind of hop around because different challenges, CT requirements, etc, I get to pick and choose a little bit.

As always, my gallery at DST is linked on the sidebar if you want journaling and credits. My CT's are also linked.

Let's start with what is now my favorite layout to date. This was done for a blog challenge at Pixel Gypsy designs, using her newest kit Petit Bebe. It's GORGEOUS!


CT layout for Buzy Bee using Little Princess, also done for Lifts with a Twist challenge:

CT layout using Jill D-Zines' glitter line:
CT layout for Sara Ellis- I've done a lot of 2 pagers lately!
I finally got ahead with all my CT stuff- haven't been behind at all, but haven't had a chance to work on my pregnancy album in a while either:

CT layout for Gina Arzaga and current Hodge Podge challenge:

Layout for current Digi Dare challenge:
CT Layout for Sara Ellis using Sweet Water Taffy- her newest collab with Jeannie Papai, also for last week's Hodge Podge Challenge:
2 page spread using OScraps October Collab:

Hope you like! :) I'm off to bed- have to work tomorrow.

Stand Up and Scrap

Man this contest is kicking my behind! LOL! I am amazed EVERY week by the insane amount of talent that is out there! I purposely don't look at the galleries until after I've done my layout- it's just way too intimidating, and I'm having a hard time not comparing my work to others. Usually I can do that without a problem, but it's just crazy all the fantastic layouts that are out there.

I must say though, I'm so glad I'm participating. I don't expect to win by any means, but those challenges are making me really work hard and boy, they are challenges. I have never spent so much time on my layouts as I have for this contest! But, I'm soo proud of my work when it's done. When I participated in Digital's Next Top Scrapper, I felt I created some of my best work. I'm getting that this time around too. I can't wait to be able to post them in public and see who is who in the gallery- I love the whole anonymous aspect of this contest!

So, if you're in the mood for some serious inspiration, check out this week's gallery. The challenge was to associate a color to a person, feeling, etc, then scrap using that color in a monochromatic scheme.

Week 4 Intermediate Gallery

Week 4 Advanced Gallery

Enjoy!

Back for some more

Man, things have been so crazy lately! I've been able to scrap a little, but not as much as I have been. I went in to work this week for my old boss- he went away on his honeymoon so I helped man the office for him. I'm not used to working outside of the home anymore- it's been 18 months! 18 months ago, I didn't have extra curricular activities to deal with! 24 hours is just not enough sometimes!

I'm not going to post links or credits today- I'm way behind in updating this- they're almost all for CT stuff and their blinkies are linked if you want to check out their stuff. My DST gallery is also linked on the sidebar.

Did this today using Pixel Gypsy/Sherrie Piegdon's stuff:


Lifts With a Twist Challenge and Jill D-Zines:

Not a CT layout, but I love her stuff- Jeannie Papai Designs

This is for Sara Ellis. I had a really hard time with this one for some reason. This is the first layout that it took more than 1 day to complete. I'm satisfied with it now, but I still may go back and change a few things.

This one uses some of Gina Arzaga's newest stuff:
Another one for Lifts with a Twist- I used stuff from Merkeley Designs:

2 page spread using one of Buzy Bee Scrapper's kits:



Another layout for Buzy Bee Scrapper using Little Princess kit. This will be part of my pregnancy album- I just can't wait until that's finished!

Another pregnancy album using Sherrie Piegdon/Pixel Gypsy's Tattered Serenity
Thanks for making it down this far. I think I'm also going to put links for my actual albums so you can see them together.
Now, I'm off to bed! Big day tomorrow- it's my husband's open house at his work- the ONLY time I'm ever allowed inside.

Have a terrific weekend!