Challenge Me Tuesday with Practical Scrappers

So, the challenge this week over at Practical Scrappers is to use something related to word games - crossword puzzles, scrabble tiles, bingo cards - you get the picture. As soon as I saw this, I knew I had to use some "flash cards" given to me several months ago by my bestie ALISSA. I really liked them, but I didn't have a clue what to do with them so into my horde junk stash they went until they spontaneously combusted...er, I needed to build an extra-large house of cards...so, um, anyway...luckily this challenge came along and I immediately knew exactly what to do with them. Well, with three of them. My papers are Authentique. My embellishments are a little bit of everything. I even used "faux" scrabble tiles, which were really stickers from a Simple Stories collection. See?

A close-up of my flower and simple number banner:

That's it for today, except for this one simple question - have you challenged yourself lately? If not, you know what to do... *smile*

I love to play with Authentique

This weekend, I had the opportunity to play along with Authentique's March Sketch Challenge, which can be found HERE. I LOVE Authentique's lines of papers, and I also love the simple sketches they have been posting each month on their blog as they give you the basic layout and allow your imagination to take over from there.

I used a picture taken of my sweet little nephew being held by his proud daddy, who just happens to be my baby brother. The name "Authentique" of course, means "authentic" and that made me think of my brother because that is exactly what he is! Plus, I really like the picture and would have found just about any excuse to use it. *smile*

I had left-over bits and pieces of blue from another layout that I decided to use on this one. I like the small pop of a cooler color.

For my banner, I hand cut circles out of my paper and mounted them on twine.

And I can't seem to get enough of layering these "rulers" ---

That's it for tonight, but be sure to stay tuned; I have both Lori Whitlock and Practical Scrappers projects coming up later this week!

Working with my First Sketch

For those of you who have been following along, last weekend I created my first sketch. But what good is a sketch if you don't use it, right? Right! So, when I saw a challenge over at LCOM's Scrapping with the Stars Challenge that required me to create a layout using at least three pictures...and my sketch was designed for three pictures...I took it as a sign that it was TIME!!!

I also had to use only patterned papers, lots of embellies, and handwritten journaling. So, with those parameters in mind, I came up with this:

These pictures were taken last summer when we took my Uncle Johnny and Aunt Lucinda to Kemah for the day when they visited us. It was a really fun day-trip, despite the fact that it seemed to be a billion degrees outside. So to keep our fair skin from getting burned, we all made sure we wore our hats. (Actually, the Huntress and I were trying to keep our fair skin from getting burned; Hubby just wore a hat because he knew it looked good on him!)

I used wonderful Authentique papers that came with my BIRDS OF A FEATHER March Kit. I am really loving the weight, texture and, most of all, patterns on Authentique's paper. To think, this time last year, I didn't even know who they were and now they are quickly becoming one of my favorite paper lines!

Of course, what's a layout without layers and clusters...

Another small cluster at the top and a pretty butterfly layered over one printed on my paper for a shadowed effect.

I don't know about your neck of the woods, but Spring had definitely arrived here in Texas. I plan to be outside as much as possible with my camera in tow - taking as many pictures as I can of whatever I can before I get the stink-eye from my kid or a random neighbor. And when I absolutely must come in, I am sure I will be getting as crafty as possible this weekend!

Here's hoping a sunny, crafty weekend is in store for you, too!

These Moments Are Special

Yesterday, I was listening to my son talking to my youngest daughter, who is six years younger. He was playing a video game, and he was explaining everthing he was doing and how the game worked to her. She was asking questions and generally basking in the attention he was paying to her. It didn't matter that he was having a technical discussion of a game that she would never be interested in playing on her own - she was just thrilled that her big brother, who she absolutely adores, was paying attention to her. So, of course, I had to create this layout (using fabulous Authentique papers, which have quickly become a favorite to me, and a sketch found on the Authentique BLOG)so that I will remember my little girl's hero worship of her big brother!

I loved everything about these papers! I even loved the Tolstoy quote included at the bottom of the paper (yes, the part that you throw away) - so I cut it out and used it, too! See?

This bracket and frame were originally hot pink. A little black Zig marker and they are now exactly the right color for my layout!

I am so happy to be ringing in the new year with several project ideas that I can't wait to share with you, so be sure to stay tuned...

Authentique Supplies Used
Authentique Blissful Collection (Happiness, Euphoria, Prosperity)
Authentique Foundations Bi-Fold Solid Paper
Authentique Icons
Authentique Petite Type Square Alphas