Let's Get Sketchy DT Call

Inspiration is all around us, we just have to open our eyes and minds to it. This is very true in scrapbooking and I love to turn to sketches for inspiration when I get stuck or fall out of a scrappy mood.

Browsing online I came across a new up and coming sketch site called Let's Get Sketchy. They are currently looking to fill positions in both their design and sketch teams. Team members will be required to complete a layout based on sketches 2 times a month for a total of 6 months. I think it would be a great way to keep my creativity flowing and try out new designs.

You have until February 10th to apply and the new design and sketch teams will be announced on February 11th, with the first challenge kicking off March 1st.

To qualify for the position they ask you to create a layout based on the following sketch:


Here is my layout based on the above sketch:


I love to distress with inks and recently discovered distressing using water on the pages. I love the way this transforms the paper and gives it a worn/unique look and texture.

Good luck to all the entries :)

February Photo-a-Day Challenge Day 1-7

Here is my first set of photos inspired from the February photo-a-day challenge from Chantelle's blog:

Day 1-Your View Today: From my front door in the morning



Day 2-Words: Currently reading Diana Gabbaldon's Dragonfly in Amber



Day 3-Hands: I spend a lot of time on my laptop



Day 4-Stranger: Movie actor on TV



Day 5-10am: This one I missed taking since I was busy prepping for the Superbowl Party.


Day 6-Dinner: Leftovers from the party: Spanish rice and taquitos



Day 7-Buttons: My rainbow of buttons in my scrapbook room

February Photo A Day...

I participated in a photo-a-day challenge in the past and had a lot of fun with it. I stumbled across a great blog: and instantly fell in love with her photo a day challenge with specific ideas for what to snap each day.

So for February and maybe other months I will reunite with my camera and try my hand at the list of ideas. I will aim to post my pictures on a weekly basis.

Here is Chantelle's list for february's photo-a-day challenge:

1. Your view today
2. words
3. hands
4. a stranger
5. 10am
6. dinner
7. button
8. sun
9. front door
10. self portrait
11. makes you happy
12. inside your closet
13. blue
14. heart
15. phone
16. something new
17. time
18. drink
19. something you hate to do
20. handwriting
21. a fave photo of you
22. where you work
23. your shoes
24. inside your bathroom cabinet
25. green
26. night
27. something you ate
28. money
29. something you're listening to

January Ugly Paper Challenge Part 2: The Lay out

I had so much fun creating this layout using my ugly papers I recieved earlier this month. I got lucky since I really liked the zebra animal print paper and embellishement I had to use. I used my cricut to cut the Title border and letters as well as the flourish. I used tim holtz inks to distress the embellishment after I sanded it. I also used a white pearl ink to distress the black cardstock and give it some dimension.
Here is my final LO:



These pictures where taken on a geocahing adventure back in October. I was spending my weekneds in the hospital with my husband waiting/hoping for his recovery. A couple of friends stopped by and we decided to take a break from the 4 walls of the hospital room and go enjoy the outdoors. What better way than to go geocaching-it's quickly become one of my favorite ways to explore the outdoors/neighborhoods.

Late Arrival

Just a little late for a first real snow fall, but its here and looks like it wants to stay! Too bad, I was really enjoying the "Texas" winter we were having to date.
The dogs can't get enough of it-they LOVE running through the snow. I do have to admit I do like the way the neighborhood is transformed when covered in snow-I especially love the tree that is across the street from the house.

Ugly Paper Challenge-January

Ugly Paper Challenge-January 2012
by Ltlemermaid
Scrapbook.com

The ugly papers and embellishment I recieved for January 2012

I am excited to be able to participate in this wonderful challenge again from Scrapbook.com its great for laughs and very inspirational craft wise--no longer need to throw away the ugly paper one aquires in the huge paper stacks!

I discovered this challenge last year and fell in love right away. It really makes you think outside of the box and I couldn't wait to see what uglies I recieved. Unfortunately I had to postpone my participation in the challenge till now, but I can't wait to start again this month.

Overview of Challenge: participants are paired up with a buddy and they are to mail out 2 sheets of Ugly patterened paper and an ugly embellishment to them in the beginning of the month. Once the papers arrive you have till the end of the month to create a layout. Sounds easy enough until you see the strange and sometimes terrifying combos people come up with-its always so much fun :)

I will post a completed LO by the end of the month. To check out the challenge and the other pages people create go to the link here: http://www.scrapbook.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/1568043/

2012 a new begining

Ringing in the new year with my husband and our friends was a great way to start the new year. Great food, drinks and music made it all a memorable night. I'm the most thankful for my husband being able to celebrate with us-he was in a very serious motorcycle accident last september and is now in outpatient PT getting stronger every day.

My goals for 2012:
1. Do something I love everyday-no matter how small or big-simply reading a book to exploring the neighborhood...
2. Try new ethnic foods-ethiopian food has caught my intereste lately
3. Create more-Pinterest is a great inspiration and I have a ton of great ideas I can't wait to try and blog about.
4. Enjoy every moment I can with my family-from the simple little events to the extravagant.
5. Reach my goal weight and maintain it-eat more healthy and workout in the great outdoors as much as possible

Hoping everyone has a great start to 2012 and that it just keeps improving over time.