Scrappy Challenge: Feb 27- Use Packaging

Have you ever looked at the packages your pretty embellishments come in and wondered 'wow, that's nice too, I could use that on my layout'. If you haven't you are missing out and this week I challenge you to use packaging on a layout or card. Many manufactuers' packaging is almost as nice as what's inside. I was at a crop a few weeks ago and I was scavenging my neighbours' croppin' cuties...here is what I came up with:

First thing I snatched was the jillibean package. I loved the kraft colour and that big flower. I saw the BoBunny pieces and thought they would make great photo mats and they already have a scalloped edge! Even though I loved the kraft flower I ended up covering it as I wanted to make the flower really fun and bright. I trimmed down the photos to fit perfectly on the mats.

Here are a couple of older layouts using packaging too. This layout was actually created on a cardboard box we received stock in at the store. It was inspired by one of the Prima layouts from CHA. The white doilies were the acrylic packaging that their crocheted flowers came in.

This layout also uses Prima packaging (it's always SO pretty). The green piece along the bottom with the kraft vines was the backing for the felt stem you see on the layout.

So before you throw out those embellishment packages let's see you use 'em up! Make sure to add your creation into our gallery and under the sketch challenge heading in our forum.

Can't wait to see how you repurpose!

Sketch Challenge Feb 22

This week it's my turn to create a sketch to inspire your layouts or cards. I started by creating a layout, then hand drawing a sketch. As I am not computer savvy when it comes to sketches I enlisted the help of my friend Darcy to convert it.

Here is a little sneaky peek at my layout. I am holding out showing the full layout as it is my challenge for our Online Crop starting this Friday. Stop by our forum and check out all the wonderful challenges to get your scrappy mojo flowing.

Don't forget to post your layout or card in our gallery so we can all see your interpretation!

TSF Valentine's Blog Hop

Are you in the mood for some scrappy love? Are you craving design inspiration for your Valentine's Day projects? What better way to 'feel the love' than to spend some time with your friends at Two Scrapbook Friends and be inspired in the process! We invite you to share in the love starting February 10, 2012 beginning at 8 am with a fun Valentine Blog Hop!

You will begin the hop at the Two Scrapbook Friends Blog and travel from blog to blog leaving a comment on each one. If you comment on each blog, you will qualify to be in a draw for a special prize from Two Scrapbook Friends! Also, you will find a RED HIGHLIGHTED word on each blog which will make a phrase at the end of the Blog Hop! Once you have completed the hop to all our designers blogs, leave a comment on the Two Scrapbook Friends blog and email the phrase to us and we will enter your name for a second chance to win!

The hop will remain open from February 10th to February 13th at midnight (EST). Winners will be announced on February 14th in the Two Scrapbook Friends' Blog. So be sure to stop back and check to see if you are the winner of a fabulous prize from Two Scrapbook Friends.

For my creation I made a variation of something I have seen done before. I used lillybee papers and some loose scrabble tiles which we sell at TSF. By far the most labour intensive part was sewing all the hearts by hand. The grid paper made it really easy to line everything up!

All of the hearts are 3D so I took the glass out of the frame to show them off.

So remember, in order to be entered to win:
1. Leave a comment on all the blogs as you go and then come back to the Two Scrapbook Friends blog and leave a final comment there.
2. To have a second chance to win, keep track of the HIGHLIGHTED WORDS from each blog and email the phrase to 2friends@execulink.com. Put "Blog Contest" in your subject line.
3. Check back at the Two Scrapbook Friends blog on February 14th to see if you are the winner. (Winners will not be contacted personally.)

Here are the featured blogs in our Valentine's Blog Hop:

Carolyn

Christa

Jayne

Joanne

Sharlene

Sharon

Shelby

Have a great time blog hoping and thanks for visiting MINE.

Snowday Survival Guide

When I received my DT kit this month I wondered what I might do for an 'off the page' project. I decided on a mini album documenting all the fun things my boys love to do on snowy days. I gathered up my bits and pieces left after creating the layouts as well as a few things from my own stash.

I used wooden accents throughout the book like these ones from Maya Road and Pink Paislee. The album itself is from Basic Grey.

The lily bee letters were the perfect size to use on the tabs.

I printed out little strips for each page as 'tips' on how to enjoy yourself.

I was even able to use some of my favourite pics from the little bit of snow we've had this year.

I printed them out at home in the perfect size for this wee album.

The written words on this paper are all about winter and I cut this well known saying out of one of the journal cards and punched a few hearts.

Each page follows a similar design with small variations in embellishments.

These mitts are also from Pink Paislee.

I added some ink, stickles and some pink paper behind the hearts.

This final page doesn't have any pictures but I'm thinking I will add one or two of us drinking hot chocolate!

The back page just has a sticker with some snowmen on it.

I used ribbons,yarn and twine to tie around the metal rings.

I haven't made very many mini albums but I really enjoyed this one so I think I will definitely create more of them!