Ugly Paper Challenge LO-"Good Times"

Found my camera cord just in time to get this layout uploaded for the Feb. ugly paper challenge. This LO was also inspired by Let's get sketchy's impromptu challenge on their blog.



Glad to get Pat out of his RIC room and outside to roll down Michigan Ave. One of his friends stopped by for a visit and we went exploring the streets right before christmas. Enjoyed the lights on the trees and posed with a very nice silver lady :)

Color Run 2012

Are you ready to run through a rainbow? Then sign up now for the Color Run 2012 Chicago-they also have other locations throughout the US. I am creating a team-Life, liberty and the pursuit of the finish line.

You can walk, jog or run this 5K -its not timed so no pressure at all, just a ton of color and fun! This year the chicago location chose to sponsor Children's Memorial Hospital so feel free to donate to a great organization too!

I can't wait to do this event with my friends in June-be on the lookout for an update to this blog with colorful pictures :)

February Ugly Paper Challenge

I'm proud to annouce that I won for sending the ugliest papers and I was one of five included in the finalist poll for best layout in January. I did not win best layout but it was great seeing it among the other great layouts :)

Today I recieved my uglies for the month and I can't wait to get started on them :)

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.