Fine & Dandy!

The challenge for this week at Heart 2 Heart is literally Fine & Dandy. I had fun creating this layout celebrating my granddaughter's team win at the Conference Tourney.

This layout was entirely created with Close to My Heart products.  The layout inspiration comes from the left hand page of Pattern 22 in the Make it from your Heart Vol 3. I used patterned paper from the Stargazer paper packet as well as the retired Cats and Bats pack. I also used Black, Pebble, Poppy and retired Honey cardstock.  The Poppy enamel dots are from the Stargazer Dots set.  The title was stamped with a stamp from the Gimme Some Sugar--Scrapbooking set D1758.  One fun thing on this layout...I took a screen shot of a Tweet from our school principal and used it as a picture/journaling element...it kind of tells the whole story!

Stargazer and Gimme Some Sugar are two of the paper suites in the Seasonal Expressions 2 Idea Book.  If you have not yet had a chance to see the wonderfulness of this book, I invite you to visit my website, click on Products and then Idea Books.

For more  ideas be sure to visit Heart 2 Heart Challenges.  While you are there, I invite you to link your project.  We will love being inspired by what you find Fine & Dandy!  We ask only that you use at least one Close to My Heart product.

Got the blahs...

Winter blahs...it has been days since I have even thought about being creative. So I thought I would share my last project and maybe just talking about it will get me back in the mood!

I have previously shared how challenges spark some mojo with me.  I especially like the sketch and color challenges...they give me somewhere to start and from there I can usually add my personal touch.  Other challenges I like include themes or particular paper packets. The CTMH design books and the Idea books provide sketches and design ideas. Being on the design team at Heart 2 Heart Challenges has also been very inspiring.

So, with all that being said, let me talk about my latest source of inspiration.  I signed up for a monthly online layout class with Scrapbook and Cards Today.  The email I received included a picture of a completed project along with all the instructions (measurements too) and cutting files. Suggestions are also made for those that do not use a cutting machine.  Here is my interpretation of the January layout:

I used paper and Complements from the retired Hello Lovely packet and last year's Color of the Year, Sea Glass.  While I thought of using paper from the new Chelsea Gardens packet, this was the paper I have had in mind for these photos, so I went with it.

My new papers and supplies from Close to My Heart came the other day, so I hope to have some new projects for you to see really soon.

 Now if someone would just prod me into finishing my cleaning and sorting project in our home office...and cleaning kitchen cupboards...and cleaning the closets...

Fighting the blahs,
Sue

Picture Perfect!

How will you interpret this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge theme?  Will you create a layout or card that is "Picture Perfect"?  Too much pressure there?  Well, how about using Picture My Life cards from CTMH to create your project?  Certainly you have someone in your life that is Picture Perfect, so you can do a project to honor that person.  Or you can do as I did and use an actual picture.  

I found a picture on my computer that pleased me (I took this one at Glacier National Park) and edited it in my photo editing software.  Really, all this photo needed was resizing and application of the Vignette effect. I printed it on a piece of textured watercolor paper I found hiding in my stash. It is stamped with one of the stamps from Inspired Words D1740 from CTMH.  I used a die from Lawn Fawn to trim it and then matted it onto Heather cardstock.

I created this card for a family friend that is facing some really tough times.  I love the peace and serenity it reflects...I hope he likes it also.

Please visit Heart 2 Heart Challenges for more inspiration. 

Until next time,

Sue

Something New!

It is a New Year and at Heart 2 Heart Challenges, we are celebrating "Something New".  Maybe you are creating with new supplies or tools, discovering a new technique, or maybe you are documenting something new in your home.  I was the lucky recipient of an Instant Pot this Christmas so I decided to document this new addition to my kitchen arsenal!

Design credit to bellablvd

All the supplies are from Close to My Heart.  The papers are from the Beary Christmas packet.  Because I did not want the layout to scream "Christmas", I used Poppy instead of Cranberry for the title.  You know that I have been trying to be more aware of my stash, so the zip strip, rick rack and the "something" were all found there.

I hope you will inspire us this month by linking your projects, starting with this one!  You have until the end of the month to submit your creation.  Click on this link Heart 2 Heart Challenges to find the link tool.