WWAD ( What Would Alissa Do?)

I simply cannot resist a good challenge! And if I have the chance to combine a couple of challenges at the same time and give my creativity a little more of a workout, that's even better!

First, I combined two challenges over at Sweet Peach Crop Shop.

The first is the June sketch challenge to use this sketch:

I think it's a really nice sketch, easily able to be used for most scrapbooking styles. Sweet Peach also has a challenge going to use handmade paper embellishments. Those of you who know me know that I LOVE making embellishments from my papers - so completing that challenge was pretty much a no-brainer!

Secondly, my friend Alda's site, Flying Unicorn, has a Lucky 7 Challenge - this week to use 7 buttons on a layout.

Now you may be saying that's all well and good but what does this have to do with WWAD? I'm sure you've noticed my layout has none of her signature rub-ons and little brads. But, my layout does have a few other things that ALISSA has inspired me to do - things I wouldn't have otherwise thought of.

First, she taught me to keep a basket or bowl on my worktable with scrap odds and ends that I can add to my layouts - things I wouldn't otherwise think to use. See that little piece of yellow ribbon? I never would have thought of it if Alissa hadn't first found the hidden scrap and used a piece of it in one of her recent layouts! I put it in my new scrap container so I would remember it, too.

Second, she taught me that YouTube is my friend when it comes to learning new scrapbooking techniques. Actually, I already knew that; but I figured if she could take the time to post her own tutorials on YouTube, then I could take the time to see what was on there - and there's a LOT of cool stuff! I wanted to do something different with my flowers, so I found this TUTORIAL by Kristina Werner for Two Peas in a Bucket. The flowers were super easy to make and turned out well, don't you think?

Third and finally, she taught me to look at the leftovers from my punches in a whole new light. In the past, I would always immediately scrape those leftovers off my table and into my wastebasket, but not Alissa! Nope - they were fair game to be used on a layout. So, I decided to do the same...and I LOVE the result!

If you have a few minutes, take the time to stop by Alissa's BLOG and see what other wonderful, crafty ideas she has to share! Currently, she is showcasing her scrapbooking storage system, which is organized to the nth degree. She has some creative, neat storage ideas - I should know, I've stolen borrowed a few of those ideas, too!!!