Scraplift Challenge

Hi, everyone!!!  This past weekend I got together with a couple of my CC friends for a weekend of scrapping fun.  While there I did a layout I had sketched . . . using circles to make a heart.  The gals with me loved it so much that they decided to scraplift it.  In fact, Raebae had her's scraplifted and done before I finished. :)

After we got back home, Raebae and & both posted our heart layouts on CropChocolate and the response was overwhelming. (Thank you!!!)  And there were a lot of comments about scraplifting.  :)  (Which I feel is the GREATEST compliment.)

Here's what mine looked like:

Here's what Raebae's looked like:

A few also commented about how different each looked because of the different paper/styles.   And we agree.  Because of this, Raebae and I decided we would have a "Scraplift" Challenge.  And by participating, both of us are offering some wonderful blog candy from our stashes. :)  (Just a quick note:  This is NOT a CropChocolate challenge, this is an individual challenge .)

Here's what you need to do to be eligible - Do a new project (layout, card, altered art, etc) by "scraplifting" my heart layout . . . adding, subtracting, changing or keeping the same, however you are inspired.  Once you have your project done, come back here and link it up to Mr. Linky below so everyone can see what you did.  You can link up by posting on your blog or any online photo sharing site . . . you can even post under your profile on CropChocolate.  Then leave a comment that you did so.  Also, go to Raebae's blog and do the same.  Here's the link:  http://kitchentablescrapper.blogspot.com/

You have till Sept. 1 at 10am Central to post your project . . . so let's get started and have some fun!!!  I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy

Winner of advice challenge

During CropChocolate's Design Team's first blog hop "Banners", I had a layout I felt it still needed something.  So I decided to have a little contest by coming to you, my followers, and asking for advice . . . and whosever advice I took, would get a little special something.  If there were 2 or more with the same advice, I would draw names.

Well, I LOVED all the advice and played around with all of it.  There ended up being more than one thing I did . . . in fact, I ended up doing 6 things.  So before I tell you who won, I thought I would show you what I did and why I did it.  

Here's what it looked like after I made changes:

First, you will see that I added a tiny banner to the upper left corrner.  A lot of you commented that it needed something and one of you said maybe a tiny banner with the year.  I also put a little star above the banner because it felt lopsided without it . . . if you look, the twine at the bottom went clear to the bottom right corner, so something needed to go to the right corner.

Second, I added some bling to the upper left edge of the circle under the picture to help balance the yellow with the right side . . . a few mentioned doing something to the right side of the circle and one person suggested bling.

Third, some mentioned that my photo blended into the background and I agreed . . . so I added a white photo mat.]

Fourth, I added bling under the banners . . . I agreed when someone said they needed a little more.  I tried just yellow bling, but it was too much yellow.  So I tried orange bling, but it grabbed all of your attention.  So I decided to alternate the bling . . .yellow and orange.

Fifth, I changed the yellow brad to a white w/ pattern brad.  It was mentioned that the yellow brad seemed to blend in and to use a pink brad . . . but again, a pink brad pulled all of your attention,  so I decided to use another white w/ pattern brad, though different from the other two (2), to help it flow better.

The Sixth and last thing I did was use Picket Fence to the edges of the layout,  It helps finish the layout by giving it a "finished" look and tying everything together.

So what do you think?  If you think it is too much, please let me know . . . or if I hit the right balance, please let me know that too.  I love getting some lovin', even when it is gentle criticism. :)

Okay, onto the winners . . . since I took more than one piece of advice, I decided to draw (2) names.  And they are . . .

{{drum roll, please}}

Ambra Bowles
and

NinaN

Please email me at clayton528@aol.com  or PM me on CropChocolate with your real name and mailing address.  Once I get both of your addys, I'll get your "surprise" in the mail.  Thanks!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kat

Challenge #24 - Happy Birthday (a little latte)

Last week on CropChocolate, the weekly challenge was a fun one.  Here's what it said:  "This week's challenge is for EVERYONE! This week it's all fun with no rules or guidelines . . . It's a "do whatever you want" challenge. Make something new (layout, card, altered art, etc.) out of 50% or more CropChocolate products and enter it for a chance to win cropcredit. That's it! Have fun and show us your fantastic creations!"


After much thought, I decided to do a card since I still needed to make one for my sister-in-law for her birthday.  I had seen a card on Pinterest using the "water stain" stamp in 3 shades of brown making it look like coffee rings . . . the card said "Hope your birthday is good to the last drop".  Well, since I was late in getting a card and gift to my sister-in-law, I decided to do the "coffee rings" and use a different saying.  Here's what I came up with:

Supplies

CC Products

 "Note to Self" paper collection by EP

Tan/Brown EP cardstock

twine from JilliBea

 button from Fancy Pants

Walnut Stain distress ink

Black Soot distress ink

Snake Tape 

NonCC: White cardstock; stamp from Skipping Stones Design; and Milk Chocolate Liquid Pearls

As I said earlier, I got inspiration for this on Pinterest . . . I had been trying to thing of a way for the watermarks.  And since I was late in getting this card done, I thought using 3 shades of brown for "coffee rings" (or "latte rings" in this case) would be great.   But I had one little problem . . . I only had 1 brown ink and 1 black ink.  So I decided to experiment by using those 2 inks for this (Black Soot and Walnut Stain distress ink). 

After experimenting with different techniques using just the 2 inks, here's what I finally decided to do.  For the 1st ring (the darkest ring), I used both inks to get it dark.  For 2nd ring (the medium shade), I used only Walnut Stain.  And then for the lightest ring, I also used Walnut Stain, but I stamped it first on scrap paper to remove some of the ink, then stamped the 3rd ring with the rest of the rings. Note: I did NOT clean my stamp off after each time so I'd get a "dark" part around the edge of each ring.   I liked the way it turned out.  What do you think?

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy

Winners, winners, winners . . .

Yes, I said "Winners . . ."  But before I get to that, I just want to say a big "THANK YOU"  to each and everyone of you who participated in the "Banners" blog hop.  It's because of you that it was a tremendous success!

I also want to say "THANK YOU" to everyone for their kind and thoughtful comments . . . they mean so much to me.  It's one of the reasons I'm honored to be on CropChocolate's Design Team . . . you have been so encouraging in everything I done so far.  And you all know, I was a bit nervous at first because I felt we had some pretty big shoes to fill.

Okay, enough of my rambling on and on . . . I seem to do that a lot, don't I?  lol :)  As I was going thru your comments, I noticed that my "Followers" increased from 54 to 71 in just 2 days . . . WOW!!!  So due to this overwhelming response, I decided to give away one (1) blog candy for each increase of 5.  So in addition to my 1st blog candy,  I'll be giving away an additional three (3) blog candies . . . what can I say?  I LOVE to give away blog candy!!!

But before I announce the winners, I want to also let you know that I'm trying to decide which advice to take for the "Summer Fun" layout . . . since I just got all the comments printed yesterday and have been busy getting things in order for my upcoming surgery tomorrow, I'll announce the winner (or maybe winners) for the "Advice" contest on Monday August 6th, along with a picture of the final layout.  So please come back to find out if you were the one whose advice I followed . . . I have to admit, there was a lot of GREAT advice and I may follow 2 or 3. :)

Okay, on to the winners . . . . .

{{{drum roll, please}}}

First winner . . . . .

Julie Odil  

"Great projects! I love how you used tickets for a banner. How clever is that? OK, for what to do with the last layout. I'm into spattering ink right now. The upper left corner seems a little empty. I think a couple little droplets of a matching ink color would solve your problem. Some Glimmer Mist or similar product -- but I don't usually spray them, I flick them instead -- more control that way."

Second winner . . . 

Caryn S

"Great use of banners in all your projects. Maybe for the last project, something small in the upper left hand corner to balance the string in the the opposite corner? I wouldn't put something big like a journaling block there because you don't want to overfill your page. just something like a little button or brad or even another twine squiggle..."

Third winner . . . 

Monchan :)

"I love the balance and color combinations of your layouts! :) Thanks for some fun ideas. For the layout, it is great, but perhaps a sunshine-yellow mat may "complete" the look and let the picture be more of the focus? :) I also how you let such a mundane but whimsical inspiration be the basis of your card. :)"

And the Fourth winner . . . 

Victoria S

"wow i love your card nad teh 2 layouts! def gnna PN them! for the last one i owu ssay that you dont need any more embellishments -i would just fill that empty space with a little mist or flecks of ink.. splatter effect. i also like the suggestion of inking the edges msyb with white. i was thinking just extend the white craft ink or paint a little further under the round patterned paper to balance it some

but it is gorgewous just as it is...

i am following you"

Please send my your real name and mailing address via email  clayton528@aol.com    OR you can PM me on CropChocolate at clayton528.    Once I have everyone's info, I'll get these out in the mail . . . as most know, I don't drive and because I've had nothing but problems with my local PO, I have to go into the main PO which is 20 miles away.  Which means I have to get a ride . . . so it's just easier if I do all of them at once.  I hope you all understand . . . and if I don't hear from someone within a week, I draw another name after trying to contact them again.

Once again, THANK YOU for all of your kind comments and words of encouragement.  And remember to keep an eye out on Monday August 6th to see whose advice I took and who will win a super special blog candy. :)

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy

"Banners" away . . .

Welcome to CropChocolate's "Banner" blog hop hosted by the current Design Team.  You should have arrived here from Christina's blog. If you stumbled across this blog hop, please feel free to go back to the beginning to Amber's blog to join us.  The blog hop will run till 8am MST July 30.  The CropChocolate prize to be announced July 31.  To be eligible to the main blog hop prize, please visit each blog and leave a comment . . . it isn't required to comment on each and every blog (except for the last blog and on The Crop), but some of the blog owners will also be giving away their own blog candy.  So please make sure to follow instructions carefully on each blog.  Once you get to the end, you will be directed by to The Crop where you ARE required to leave a comment in order to be eligible for the main prize.   I will also be giving away some blog candy . . . not one (1), but two (2).  One of which will be my own little "contest" which I'll tell you about in a little while.  So make sure to follow the instructions that will be at the end of this post to eligible.

When we decided to do "banners" as our theme for the blog hog, I had so many ideas going through my head.  Banners can be used for anything from home decor to cards to scrapbook layouts . . . the possibilities are endless.

So I decided to do not just one (1) project, but three (3) projects showing different ways I use banners . . . while it took me awhile to get on the "banner" wagon, I seem to use them in almost every project I do now.  But since I had never used more more than one type of banner in a project, so I decided  I would used two or two types of banners in each.  One thing before I begin, for each project I used Walnut Stain distress ink and Snake Tape from CropChocolate.  And all supplies are from CropChocolate unless otherwise noted.

Anyway, the first project I did was a card . . . I had been sitting out on my deck enjoying the first cooler weather in weeks when I looked out past my clothesline with our pond & sky in the background.  So I decided to use that as my inspiration:.  I used banners for the clothesline and for the pond.  I even tied my twine in bows at the end since that's how my clothesline is hooked up.  Here's what I came up with:

Supplies

"Quite Contrary" 6x6 paper pad by MME

"Sprouts" by Jillibean (twine)

Tan cardstock by Echo Park

White cardstock by Echo Park

American Crafts pen
NonCC:  misc. ribbon from stash

My next project is also showing how to use two types of banners.  I used tickets for one banner and then used two (2) much bigger banners for a photo mat/background.  Here's what I came up with:

Supplies

"Note to Self" paper collection by Echo Park

Funday twine by MME

NonCC:  mini clothespins and pop-up glue dots 

My next project not only shows how to use banners as a title, but to also use it in two different spots on the page.  Here's what I came up with:

Supplies

"Hello Summer" paper collection by Echo Park

White  Echo Park cardstock

Picket Fence distress stain (part of background)

Funday twine by MME

"Beach Babe" cardstock & chipboard stickers by Fancy Pants

NonCC: White Thickers and Pop-up Glue Dots

I got inspiration for this from a layout I had seen online a few weeks ago.  But I feel something is still needed, but for the life of me I couldn't figure it out . . .  I tried to find it online again to not only see what the other person did, but also so I could give some sort of credit.  But I couldn't find it.  So I thought I come to you to advice. I thought I'd make it a little "contest".  So in the comments, please tell me what you think I need to do and, if your advice is what I do (including leaving it "as is"), you will be the winner of some blog candy.  If there are 2 or more people with the same advice that I use, I will draw names between those people.  

Now for other blog candy I was talking about earlier.  To be eligible, please become a follower (if you aren't already) and leave a comment that you've done so or anything you would like to say . . . but please keep it clean.

Thanks so much for joining us.  So now that you are done here, you can hop on over to Brenna's blog.  Following is a list of the blogs participating in this blog hop if you want to just jump around or get lost.

Amber - http://ambaju.blogspot.com  Christina-http://thriftysisters-chris.blogspot.com Kathy - http://www.upinthenightwithkat.blogspot.com  ---- You are here  Brenna - www.pinterestmademeabetterperson.blogspot.com ---- Go here next Julie - http://muddypawsinkyfingers.blogspot.com Nina - http://ninastimeout.blogspot.com  Miwa - http://miwannascrap.blogspot.com Brittany- http://britkdesigns.blogspot.com Jenni - http://wishiwasscrappin.blogspot.com  Michele - http://stuffbybelle.blogspot.com

Hope you have a "banner" a time.  Kathy

Focus Group #4 - July project

A couple of things before I start on my post.  You have probably have noticed I've been "hinting" about a blog hop this week.  I just got the go ahead to send out an invite.  So please come back on July 27th for a "Banners Away" blog hop that CropChocolate's current Design Team is putting together. :)  Not only will there be a main prize from CC for participating, but some of the individual blogs will also be giving away their own blog candy.  Make sure to follow instructions to be eligible for each one.  The blog hop will start with Amber's blog on Friday, July 27th. So come join in on the fun and get to know the current DT a bit better.

One more thing, today on The Crop my 1st Design Team project will be posted.  Our assignment was "ombre" which is shading from light to dark.  So in addition to the shading,  I also did a technique I call "burnt edges".  To find out more about it, stop on by.  Here's a sneak preview of what my project looks like. 

So again, stop on by The Crop on CropChocolate to see the whole project and for instructions.  I'll be posting a picture of the whole project tomorrow.   So keep an eye out for it. 

Okay, on to my post . . .  A few weeks ago, I submitted a project for CropChocolate's Focus Group #4 and got the 1st "assignment" soon afterwards.  We were to create a project using our favorite book as inspiration . . . boy, did the ideas fly back and forth between all of us.  From children's books to adult romance books. At first, I thought of using one of my daughter's favorite childhood books and then I thought about using "Amish Knitting Circle by Karen Ann Vogel" where one of the ladies knits as she casts off her prayers . . . I thought about maybe a prayer jar/journal where I'd put my prayers in.

But after giving it more thought I decided to use MY alltime favorite book . . . the Bible.  With that in mind, I started coming up with ideas on how to use it . . . from a layout about my faith . . . to how my daughter prayed as a child . . . I even thought again about a prayer jar/journal by using 1Peter 5:7 "Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you" . . . well, the options were endless.  I finally decided to use one of my favorite verses from 1Cor.  "Faith, Hope, Love . . . and the greatest of these is Love. 1Cor 13:13"  and using a picture from my wedding.  Here's what I came up with:

Supplies

"Hello Spring" mini theme collection by Echo Park

"Fresh Flowers" from Springtime by Echo Park (pink)

green bazzill cardstock

"Dear Santa" rhinestones by MME

Fancy Pants rub-on alphas

Slice ("Faith", "Hope", & "Love")

Cameo ("but the greatest of these is")

Xxyron create-a-sticker maker

Walnut Stain distress ink

Snake Tape

While I was writing up my supply list, I discovered that this layout ended up being 100% CropChocolate products. :)  It's a very simple layout, but I think  because of the verse it needed to be simple . . . otherwise, it would distract from it.  What do you think?  Now that I've finally scrapped one of my wedding pictures, the others are calling to me.  So as soon as I get more of this paper and other paper to coordinate, I'll finally get my wedding scrapbook finished . . . I know, "About time!"

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy

Challenge #23

I'll be posting several times this week . . . not only catching up on posting my challenges and my July FG project, but I'll be posting my 1st Design Team project for CropChocolate and there will be a blog hop starting on the 27th.


This week's challenge on CropChocolate was a fun one . . . well, they are all fun, but this one really came together quick for me.  In fact, I was the 1st one to post my project . . . a first for me since I usually don't finish mine and get it posted till the last day or so.

So for Challenge #23 "Patterns Galore", this is what we were told to do "Its summer, a time of freedom and less restriction. For this week's challenge, use 3 patterned papers any way you want to. Let your creativity shine like that summer sun and layer up those patterned papers on a card, layout, an altered project --whatever your creative heart desires."  

So keeping with the "summer" theme talked about, I decided to scrap a picture of my daughter from our first trip to Florida in 2007.  We had rented a condo right on the beach of PensaCola and had a balcony overlooking it and the ocean . . . it was on the Gulf side of PensaCola.  Because of this, my daughter was out playing in the sand every chance she got . . . morning, noon, and night.  I just love this picture of her  . . . such innocence and not a care in the world other than trying to make a sand castle.  And also going with the summer theme and since it was a "beach" picture, I decided to use "Splash" by Echo Park along with a few other items from other collections.  (I love how the Echo park collections work so well with each other.)  Here's what I came up with:

Supplies

CC Products: 

"Splash" paper collection by EP

"So Happy Together" paper by EP (red)

Funday twine by MME

Blue liquid pearls

Slice & Basic Elements cartridge (circles)

Cameo (scalloped circle)

Walnut Stain distress ink

and Snake Tape

NonCC: Liquid Pearls (Pumpkin, Daffodil & Ivy Green); and Pop-up Glue Dots

I was inspired by a LO I saw online awhile back, but there wasn't a name with it (if anyone recognizes it, please let me know because I try to give credit when I get inspiration from someone). I forgot to print it and all I could remember was the circles and red scalloped circle.

Well, that's it for today.  Tomorrow I'll be posting my July Project for CC's Focus Group #4 "Use a favorite book as inspiration". :) Also, I've been "hinting" about a blog hop this week and just got the go ahead to send out an invite.  So please come back on July 27th for a "Banners Away" blog hop that CropChocolate's current Design Team is putting together. :)  The blog hop will start with Amber's blog. So come join in on the fun.

Till next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy