Paper Secrets Song Lyric Challenge

The August song lyric challenge at Paper Secrets was to use lyrics about children. I've always loved the song with the lyrics, "I hope you never lose your sense of wonder" because I think we all love that in our children and would hate to see them lose it.
These photos of Hannah blowing bubbles remind me of that as she enters the last year of elementary school.

Scarlet & Grey

While we are die hard Husky fans, A Cherry On Top's August color challenge meant I had to use the Cougar colors of scarlet and grey.

As a bonus, I did Paper Secrets OLW challenge using the word Sweet. The title is...Sweet...and the ice cream is pretty good too!

Paper Secrets August Sketch Challenge

Paper Secrets is featuring Echo Park this month and their August sketch challenge featured bonus entries for using Echo Park products.
The sketch is a layout with three photos and I loved the cloud in the corner.

I used Echo Park's collection So Happy Together for this layout of Jack and his buddy at preschool graduation:

Authentique July Sketch Challenge

People often tell me they feel challenged on how to use their patterned paper. I think many times people think of it as a full sheet for a background. I think it is much more effective in smaller doses and cutting it up means it goes further!
Authentique's July sketch if a perfect example of how to use busy patterns in small amounts:

 Authentique August Sketch Challenge
With a photo in the center, I used patterns from their Loyal collection, cut into 2X2 squares, and stickers from the Details sheet.
This layout is from Jack's preschool graduation which was bittersweet since he has known these kids since he was an infant, and will be moving on to Kindergarten in the fall.

Products used:
Core'dinations cardstock in Asparagus
Authentique Papers from Loyal Collection:
"Steady"
"Honest"
"Faithful"
Authentique Stickers from Loyal Details sheet
Flower from Prima
Letter stickers from Glitz and Adornit

Color Inspiration

Sometimes what you need for inspiration is a fun color combo! Authentique always puts together collections with beautiful colors and their newest featured beautiful pinks and greens with brown.

I was inspired by the rich brown for my background and pops of the pinks and greens to highlight these pictures of Hannah on stage during the rehearsal for the spring dance recital.

Products used:
Core'dinations cardstock in Coffee
Stickles in Firefly
Authentique Paper Uncommon Collection "Distinct"
Authentique Paper Carefree Collection "Relaxed"
Authentique Embellishments:
Blissful Noteables
Blissful Tabloids
Authentique Stickers Delightful Collection "Details"

Paper Secrets Technique Challenge

I created this layout using these cute papers from Prima's Songbird collection. I love the rich colors and cute little birds.

This was for the Paper Secrets blog Technique challenge. The challenge was to use three techniques, inking, distressing, and layering. I distressed the edges of my patterned paper, inked them with black ink, and layered all kinds of embellishments.

One layout...ten photos!

The July challenge from My Mind's Eye was to fit ten photos on a layout! I always take tons of photos on the Fourth of July so I was able to get a bunch in one layout with this creation...