Crafterminds Trends Challenge - Throwdown!

When I read this challenge posted over at Scrapchallenge.com I knew I had to create a layout immediately!  So, here goes - the most fun layout I've ever made....(speaking as a mini-album, altered-item creator). http://scrapchallenge.com/hilarious-crafterminds-trends-challenge/

You can view the crafterminds blog here: http://crafterminds.com/2012/02/crafterminds-trends-challenge-2/#comment-62436
The objective of this challenge is to include in one layout/project as many current trends as possible and to poke a little fun at the same time.  Here are the trends I incorporated:
1) Pennant banners
2) Chevron pattern
3) Mustard/Gray color combo
4) Baker's Twine
5) Sheet Music
6) Any reference to "keep calm and carry on"
7) Geometric patterns
8) Using a bird
9) Quatrefoil designs
10) Bunting
11) Canvas
12) Hat Pins
13) Sewing
14) Mist Spray with mask
15) Doilies
16) Animal prints

Products used:  PP - My Mind's Eye, My Little Shoebox, Robin's Nest; Cardstock Stickers - My Little Shoebox (music/birds); Doilies, Cork Banners, Canvas, Twine - Punky Sprouts; Chevron pattern mask - Crafter's Workshop; Mist Spray in Gray by Lindy's Stamp Gang; Bunting rosette - Girls' Paperie; Charcoal Chalk ink - Colorbox.

Thanks for looking - I hope this made you chuckle! wink-wink.

My Little Shoebox Sweetheart Sketch Challenge

On Friday I received a box FULL of My Little Shoebox goodies!  Unfortunately, it is not all for me....!  I could not wait to get my hands on it, so I divided up to distribute as fast as I could....then on to create!  I love the sketch challenge posted on the MLS blog, so here is what I made ~ -

It's called "Little Sailor Girl" and it is a picture of me at 6 years old.  Products used:  All patterned cardstock, round alpha's & die-cut clouds from MLS lines of Aiko and Up in the Trees; Punky Sprouts Lil' Lacey Blossom misted with Rudolph's Nose Red Starburst Spray, Red button by Jenni Bowlin, star charm I found in my old stash and Color Box Chalk ink in charcoal and stitched with white thread throughout.

http://mylittleshoebox.typepad.com/my-little-shoebox/

A shabby chic Valentine's Wreath

So, I was bored today waiting for a package to arrive.  Every time I thought about leaving to run errands I was sure that Fed-ex would arrive while I was gone, so I decided to sit tight.  Naturally, this meant creating....and this is what I came up with:  I am pretty happy with how it turned out!  I wanted to use only items I had on hand - a heart-shaped grapevine wreath, some Punky Sprouts Lil' Blossoms, burlap, tulle, Starburst mists in various shades of pink/coral, a paper mache bird and white distress crackle paint.  In no time at all, it was done! I hope you like it...

Punky Sprouts Challenge!

Today I finally finished my first Challenge project EVER!  I have never been a SAHM like most of the lucky scrappers and stampers in the world.  I have to say, this was really fun!  I felt like I was playing hooky--lounging and scrapping in my jammies and eating bon-bons while I scrapped - okay THAT detail is not true...lol!  Here are the details: http://getpunkysprouts.blogspot.com/2012/02/new-monthly-challenge.html

I used the corrugated Punky Playground for the base, painting the outer inch or so with Picket Fence Distress crackle paint.  I used 2 pieces of cardstock in gray prints by DCWV, Broken China Distress Ink around the border of the gray paper and misted a Punky Sprouts Lil' Stem Canvas with Turquoise Glimmer Mist.  I used red thread to stitch all the papers and canvas and even used it to sew a border around my photo.  I made a red flower out of a small scrap of fabric torn into a strip, added a home-made faux metal bracket in pewter, some black glitter chipboard letters from Recollections and a "Beautiful" stamp by CTMH for the title.  Finishing touches were adding the bling by Want2Scrap and a decorative pin in the flower then a quick application of Charcoal chalk ink around the outer border.  I hope you like it!

My beautiful storm, Lilley, during adolescence... need I say more?