Sketch N Scrap #24

The first sketch of the year from Sketch N Scrap featured a three photo layout which was perfect for using some retro instant photo cut outs from my Silhouette.

While playing with the Silhouette, I also cut out chevron shapes which I used as a stencil, which I inked over to create the chevron pattern on my kraft background.

As part of the Graphic Design Challenge at A Cherry On Top, I cropped the title which describes the photos which were taken at a painted maze at the Seattle Center.

The Magic of Christmas

I am still working on Christmas photos, which I figure is okay since it had to happen before I would have pictures! For this layout I used a sketch from Paper Secrets to inspire my layout...

I loved the bracket shapes and used my Cameo to cut some fun Poinsettias for the flower elements.

The papers are from Authentique's Wonder collection from their 2011 releases.

The Sampler Kit club December Challenge

I loved how this month's sketch at The Sampler Kit Club was simple and symmetrical, allowing the photo to really shine!

I used scraps of paper from Echo Park and popped them on each of the corners. I punched a snowflake from a cup cozy for the corrugated look, and added little stick pins for a bit of dimension.

Echo Park Winter Wishes

While working on winter pictures from this year, I figured I would catch up on last year's too! With all the fun winter collections out there I had plenty of paper to choose from!
For this layout I used the Winter Wishes line from Echo Park with fun blues and purples!

For the Go Fish Challenge I did this winter layout from our hunt for our Christmas Tree:

I added sparkly glitter brads and rhinestone swirls for Scrap It Girls challenge to use bling, glitter, and shine  on a layout.

Authentique January Sketch Challenge

This month's sketch challenge at Authentique featured strips behind photos, a great way to use a variety of patterns or scraps of a collection.

While the sketch is a fun pre-February look, I used it for a fun Christmas page using the Wonder line.

I used
Surprise 12X12 paper
Curiousity 12X12 paper
Icons die cuts

I used a pendant punch to create the banner, with heart shaped brads between each of the banner pieces.

Good Clean Fun with Pebbles

Color me Scrappy's Challenge #23 featured bright primary colors with the twist being to use a black background.

Pebbles Fresh Goods line features these bold primary colors.

I love the clean crispness of Pebbles papers and the Fresh Goods line seemed just perfect for these fun bubble bath pictures of Jack.

As part of Frosted Designs Fabulous Friday Challenge, I used the recipe ingredients, misting, punches, stickers, and brads.

Scrapbook Steals January Blog Hop

 I hope you're enjoying the January Scrapbook Steals Blog Hop featuring Kiwi Lane Designs! I love Scrapbook Steals for their blog full of scrapbooking ideas and the deals on scrapbooking supplies!

 I had checked out Kiwi Lane's booth at the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Seattle and was blown away by the number of creative layouts and uses for their versatile templates! If you have not checked these out before, I recommend watching tutorials on their websites and picking up some of the border strips like I used. I was given the Clara Lane set to work with which is one of the Kiwi Lane Design Borders sets.

For my first layout, I used the templates in a traditional manner, using Kiwi Lane's framing technique. I loved their ideas for using these to maximize your paper and create two page layouts. While typically I am a one page layout scrapbooker, these templates made it easy for me to create a two page layout with balance and unity.

 
I created waves on one side with patterned pieces of cardstock, and flipped the shapes on the other side so that they balance each other without being completely symmetrical.

I found that inking the edges gave dimension and allowed the layers of paper to really pop. Some simple buttons and stickers were all I needed to add finishing touches to my page.

 

The wavy templates reminded me of snow and so my next project featured some fun snow pictures with the templates creating banks of snow on my layout.

Layering various patterns of cardstock I created hills of snow and one piece I cut out and then ran through my embosser to give it dotted texture for dimension.

I punched mittens which I strung across my layout with twine and clipped them on with mini clothespins. To emphasize the curve, I journaled along the curve of the snowy hill.

I also punched snowflakes which I also embossed with dots to add some interest.
The templates come with an eyelet enforced hold punched in the corner so the sets are easily held together by a ring. It was nice to keep them together and pull them out as needed to use them.

 The shapes were so versatile even beyond the simple forms they come in.
I took one shape that had a pointed wave and traced one side...

 Then flipped it to trace the same shape on the other side, to create a bracket edge.

 Again, I found that inking the edges added nice dimension and definition to the shapes.

 I was able to use even scrap strips that I might have otherwise thrown away or not thought of to use. By tracing the curve down the middle, I was left with two interesting strips that added life to my page.

I also found the templates useful for tracing stitching. On this page, the stitching makes a trail of the snowflakes falling on the page.

And finally, another fun technique...

I used the border template to cut two complimentary shapes, punched holes and reinforced with eyelets, and laced the pieces across a coordinating piece of cardstock.

These templates are so much fun, I hope this gives you some ideas of what to do with the Kiwi Lane Templates!

I would love if you became a follower of my blog and left a comment along with the other blogs to be entered to win a $20 gift card to Scrapbook Steals!
Don't forget to check out Kiwi Lane Designs after you've hopped where they will be giving away a prize as well!
Here is the list of the talented ladies blogs to visit on the Scrapbook Steals hop...
Lanette Erickson
Jennifer Blomquist
Rochelle Spears
Laurie LaRiviere
Marisa Torp
Andrea Eason --- You Are Here!
Amber Sheaves
...and don't forget to leave a comment at Scrapbook Steals!
Happy Hopping!