Monday, October 8, 2012

Dachau


After having studied about the Holocaust for years, I had a chance to see the concentration camp at Dachau.  I wanted this layout to show the stark reality of the former camp while expressing the hope that this horror will never be repeated.  The journalling reads, "We visited Dachau on a cold and overcast Saturday in March 2007.  Fittingly, the whole camp was bleak and barren except for these tiny wild purple flowers struggling to grow beside gray rocks."

The phrase "Nie weider" means "Never again" in German.

I am entering this layout in several challenges.

The sketch challenge is from Creative Scrappers, and the layout is number 228.  the challenge is here:  http://www.creativescrappers.blogspot.com/2012/09/sketch-228.html

My second challenge is from Lawnscaping, which challenge me to use texture in a paper craft.  I used a textured black paper, which has the look of burlap or heavy cloth.  I tried to make the photo larger than usual so the texture is visible.  Texture is also added with the embroidery floss, the button, and tearing along the bottom of the journalling block.   Here is the link to the challenge:  http://www.theplaydatecafe.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-play-date-cafe-pdcc152.html


I am also entering it in The Play Date Cafe's color challenge (Black, white and plum).  The plum IRL is plummier than the photo shows!  The challenge can be found here:  http://www.theplaydatecafe.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-play-date-cafe-pdcc152.html


Friday, October 5, 2012

MME Layout and card challenge


This is my entry for the September MME challenge found here:  http://mymindseye.typepad.com/blog/challenges/

Participants were challenged to create a layout and a matching card.  All of the papers (including those used to make the large flowers and the leaves) are from MME except the plain white cardstock.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

8th Grade at ISB



I was inspired by several different challenges!  One was the Scraptastic Club challenge to create a layout, card or mini album using tags.  I used a tag as a background for my daughter's school photo.  This was helpful because the school photo seemed very small when compared to the other photos.  The Scraptastic Club challenge can be found here:  http://www.scraptasticclub.com/blogs/scraptastic-club-blog/6483768-challenge-thursday

Another was an MME challenge to make a layout using MME products, and then make a card to go with it.  All the paper (except the plain white cardstock) came from an MME collection.  I think my link has to show both the layout and the card, so I'll make a separate post for that.

A third was a sketch challenge at Sketch-N-Scrap, one of my favorite sketch sites.  I reversed the sketch because otherwise two photos would show my daughter looking off the page.  My entry is for challenge 18, which can be found here:  http://sketchnscrap.blogspot.com/2012/10/sketch-n-scrap-18.html

Fourth is Mema's Crafts, which challenged me to use flowers on a project.  The red flower is made of 2 punches of red MME paper.  The leaves are hand-cut from MME paper.  The center is a clear button with blue thread.  I used this flower to cover a sign on the wall of the gym in the basketball photo.  Only part of the sign showed, and it was distracting.


Sunday, September 30, 2012

A Very Good Sign (Grandson)


This was a fun page to do, in part because I was working toward the goal of submitting it for three different challenges!

I also enjoyed the memories of our trip through western Switzerland, including a stop at the train station at Grandson.

The challenges are:

1.  Challenge 2 (Stitching) by ClassyGirl at http://classygirlmusings.blogspot.com/2012/09/anything-goes-with-challenge-2.html.  I used stitching to attach the punched gold star to the fabric at the lower left of the photo (where it is hiding a spot in the concrete).  I also used stitching (two x's) to sew down the fabric on a slant at the upper left of the layout.  I would have used more stitching but I couldn't see well enough to get the needle threaded on my little craft sewing machine--one sad result of getting older.

2.  Creative Scrappers Sketch #225 at http://www.creativescrappers.blogspot.com/2012/09/sketch-225.html.  I love the sketches on this website!  I followed the sketch fairly closely in the middle part of the layout, but felt I needed to add a little more decoration, and used the ticket at the lower left to cover a mark on the background paper.  I entered this in a second reveal post for this sketch because Les Papiers de Pandore was also sponsoring the sketch.

3.  Scraptastic Club Color Inspiration at http://www.scraptasticclub.com/blogs/scraptastic-club-blog/6566157-2nd-september-challenge.  I usually design my color scheme around the colors in the photo, but this photo had rather bland colors.  The station is light yellow, and there is red on Colin's jacket and several shades of blue in the photo, so I thought this color scheme would work well.  The twist was to use a punch to create an embellishment.  I punched a star out of glossy paper that I had inked with gold alcohol ink, and I punched a circle out of cardstock that was the lighter blue color in the color challenge.


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Ski (Adelboden 2006 - 2007)


This is my latest challenge entry!

I am entering it in Kristi B's Technique Challenge: here:  http://www.devosmommy.blogspot.com/2012/09/september-blog-challenge-stamping-alphas.html

I started with Basic Grey chipboard alphas, which I didn't care for much because they are dark grey with polka dots on them.  I inked them in blue, and then used Kristi B's technique of stamping a pattern on them using snowflake stamps.  The pattern is hard to see in the photo, unfortunately.

I am also entering it in Rochelle's Stash Challenge, here: http://rochellespears.blogspot.com/2012/09/sept-challenge-bonus-challenge.html

I used three patterned papers, three stamped images (small snowflakes) and glitter at the bottom of each of the title letters.




Monday, September 17, 2012

The Serendipitous Stamper

You could win: A Clip It Up Ribbon Organizer and 5 Rolls of Ribbon... from The Serendipitous Stamper! To find out more, see: http://theserendipitousstamper.blogspot.ca/2012/09/tiered-mustang-and-september-blog-candy.html The drawing will be held on October 5, 2012!

Update:  While I didn't win, I got a lot of good ideas from this blog!

New Scrap Addict Give-Away

This looks like a great give-away! I couldn't get the picture to work, so I'll tell you that it is a give-away of Glitz products. Check it out at: http://helentilbury.blogspot.ca/2012/09/september-2012-scrap-addict-giveaway.html

This give-away expires October 3!

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Sixth grade


This is my entry in the September Sketch Challenge for the new Mothers of Boys Scrapbook Kit Club! I am also entering this in the School Days Challenge at For the Luv of Art, http://fortheluvofart.blogspot.com/2012/09/school-days-challenge.html.

Alicante


This is an entry for the Back 2 Class crop at My Scraps and More.  I used my computer for the journaling block.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

ISB Grade 5


Easter 2003

I tried some new techniques on this layout!  The flowers to the left of the photo were fussy-cut from patterned paper, then inked with lavender ink.  I used brushes and ink to make the plaid background behind the large photo. I used a 5x7 photo and plan to enter this layout in the Paper Girls Go Big Challenge.  Also, if combining is permitted, I'll enter in a sketch challenge too.

The date in the lower right corner is 2003.  It is printed on shiny specialty paper, so it doesn't show up as well on the photo as it does in real life.

Mothers of Boys

I just discovered a new kit club, Mothers of Boys!  Here's a link to the blogspot:

http://www.mobscrapbookkitclub.blogspot.com/

In honor of its grand opening, the club will give away its first kit to a lucky winner!  The winner will be announced on October 1, 2012.


Monday, September 10, 2012

My Scrap Cabin Give-Away

You can find a give-away from My Scrap Cabin right here:  http://erinblegen.blogspot.ca/2012/09/september-giveaway.html

It is open until September 30.

Scrap Friends candy give-away

This is one of the candy packages being given away at Scrap Friends!


Here is the link to the Scrap Friends website so you can see all the details: http://blog.scrapfriends.com.au/2012/09/birthday-candy-giveaway.html


You have until October 3 to sign up!

One Scrappy Doctor Give-away

Here's a give-away by someone who somehow finds time to work as an obstetrician, do scrapbooking, and maintain a blog!  Amazing!

http://onescrappydoctor.blogspot.ca/2012/09/the-story-of-spring-giveaway.html

Playing with Paper Giveaway

Here's a great gift from a birthday girl!  Visit this link for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate:  http://plywthpper.blogspot.com/2012/09/50-and-present-for-you.html

It is open until September 30 or when she gets 50 followers, whichever comes first!

Give-away at A Window to My Scrapping World

I discovered a new give-away at A Window to My Scrapping World!  You can find out more here:  http://awindowtoomyworld.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/2-years-in-blogland-which-giveaway-time.html


This is open until 9/25/12!

Saturday, September 8, 2012

C'est Magnifique Give-Away

I'm having fun this weekend getting more inspiration to finish my Mother's scrapbook, and in the process I found this give-away from C'est Magnifique:

C'est Magnifique Give-Away

The contest is open until September 12, 2012!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Ponts de Martel2


This is my entry for the Unique Crafters Challenge button challenge.  I used buttons on the lower left to balance my journalling tag on the lower right.  Here is the link to the challenge website:  http://uniquecrafterschallenge.blogspot.com/

Basel Tour


Sunday, June 17, 2012

Ponts de Martel


I based this layout on Sketch N Scrap 7.  The sketch was excellent, but my colors didn't work together as well as I had hoped.  The colors in the patterned papers are the same as in the photos, but I think the page looks a little busy and the title doesn't show up well enough.  Any ideas for improvement are welcome!

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Saut du Doubs


This is my latest challenge entry.  The journalling says: 


We crossed the Doubs River, which forms the border between Switzerland and France, and hiked to the Saut du Doubs (the “Jump of the Doubs”) so we could see the dramatic view of the waterfall from the French side.  The small lake at Villers-le-Lac looked quite calm in comparison to the rushing waterfall just a short distance away.


Thursday, June 7, 2012

Le Locle

I had to turn the sketch for this challenge sideways because my photos were horizontal, not vertical as in the sketch.  The journaling says:

 May 20, 2007--In an attempt to capture a picture of the city of Le Locle as it looked when our ancestors lived there, I photographed my family in front of a monument to a family of painters and engravers born between 1730 and 1861.  However, much has changed; the streets look like those of any modern Swiss city, and the occupants of the building labeled boulangerie behind the monument no longer offer baked goods, but now sell hygiene and cleaning products for industry.

Whitewater


Saturday, June 2, 2012

Celebrate (Christmas) 2004

I completed this layout as part of the Sketch N Scrap 2 challenge, but didn't get it posted before the collection closed!  I appreciated the sketch idea, so I'm posting it here anyway, with gratitude to Sketch N Scrap for the idea!

You can find Sketch N Scrap at http://sketchnscrap.blogspot.com/ (their new site) or at http://joy-n-jesus.blogspot.com/2012/05/sketch-n-scrap-2.html.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

103 Years


I made the base for the banners at the top left and the postmark at the bottom left from a copy of the back of the original (1904) postcard.
Here is what the journalling says:  One of the few mementos my family has from our Swiss relatives is a postcard from Ponts de Martel written in 1904.  When I moved to Switzerland, I was determined to see the area from which my ancestors had come, so in May 2007 we headed to Ponts de Martel to find the church on the postcard.  Because Ponts de Martel is such a small town, we were able to drive straight to the church. We discovered that little had changed in 103 years.  I was even able to find the spot on which the first photographer had stood, as it was located on a typically-Swiss wanderweg, one of the walking trails that cross the country.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Wisconsin Authors



This is my entry for the May Sketch Challenge of A Cherry on Top (dot com).

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Choko Loco

This is my entry in the Chocolate Challenge at Scrapbook.com.  I used Basic Grey Sugar Rush chipboard letters (embossed with gold embossing powder) and a Basic Grey Kioshi button.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Colin, grade 4--Sketch N Scrap Challenge


I was grateful for this layout idea from Joy-N-Jesus (Sketch N Scrap 4) because I had had the photos for a while without an idea of how to scrap them.  The green photo and the red photo are so different in coloring that it was helpful to use a lot of patterned papers to tie them together.  The apple is one of the few watercolor paintings I've done.

Joy-N-Jesus: Sketch N Scrap 4

Joy-N-Jesus: Sketch N Scrap 4--Great challenge!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

This is my most recent Challenge submission.  My favorite part is the heart embellishment, which I made by using the Iris Folding technique.  The flower by the closeup photo of Catherine was made by "fussy cutting" a flower out of a pink photo mat, then pressing it into Perfect Medium and heat embossing with transparent embossing power.

Monday, May 14, 2012



This is my entry for the Color Me Scrappy Challenge #3, found here:  http://color-me-scrappy.blogspot.com/2012/05/challenge-3.html.  This was the first color challenge that I tried. While the challenge had more specificity, I would call the colors slate blue, light blue, loden green, light gray and light yellow.  My focus photo had all the colors except light blue.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

I just completed my entry for the Got Sketch 5-Year Anniversary Challenge.  It has 5 photos, 5 patterned papers (including the background; it is hard to see in the photo that it is patterned) and a cluster of 5 embellishments (slide mount, heart, flower, button, and ribbon.)