Summer Refreshments - Creative Scrappers sketch 309

Hello friends!

What is your favorite summer refreshment?  For me, you just can't go wrong with an iced tea.  My layout was recently on the Creative Scrappers blog showcasing my take on sketch 309, highlighting this photo of my morning refreshment on vacation this summer.    

Ahhhhh...well, now I want another iced tea!  Go take a peek at close-ups of my layout on the Creative Scrappers blog.  This Echo Park Summer Fun collection is so colorful and cheery!  

Don't forget to share your take on the sketch on the Creative Scrappers blog for your chance to win a $15 gift certificate to Clique Kits!

Have a great week!

Majken

Nothing Brings People Together Like Good Food - Pebbles Fussycutting

I have been inadvertently sitting on a collection from Pebbles that I bought awhile back, and I decided to play with it for Creative Scrappers sketch 308, which I shared on the Creative Scrappers blog Friday.  Take a peek at what I created with this month's sketch:

The warm colors and beautiful florals from Simple Life collection from Pebbles just pop, don't they?

I documented a date night I had with my husband at a new restaurant near us.  It was really delicious, and we had such a nice time.  We took several photos, which were perfect to document with this month's sketch - I simply "stretched" out the width of the smaller photo area to accommodate my photos!

Go check out close-ups on the Creative Scrappers blog, and don't forget to create your own layout using the sketch to link up!

Please share any layouts you create with a Creative Scrappers sketch on Instagram and tag us (@CreativeScrappers) with the hashtag #CSSketch308 and #CreatingWithSketches.

And don't forget to follow me on Instagram {@chocoscrapaholic}.  See you there!

Have a super week!
Majken

Rad! - Creative Scrappers June sketch

Hello scrappy friends!  Today I wanted to share a layout I created for the Creative Scrappers design team June sketch.  It's so much fun to create from sketches, and it's extra fun to see how people change up the sketch in different ways.

Here's my layout!  I used the fabulous You Rock collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio.

Here are some close-ups - I created the title using The Cut Shoppe Open Letters:

Please share your layouts on Instagram and tag @CreativeScrappers with the hashtag #CSSketch307 and #CreatingWithSketches!  And link up your take on the main sketch 307 by June 30th on the Creative Scrappers blog.

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram too! 

Have a super weekend full of crafty time,

Majken

{XO Forever Yours} Creative Scrappers 306 Reveal

Hello friends-

So glad you stopped by!  Yesterday I was up on the Creative Scrappers blog with my rendition of Kristine's super-fun sketch for May.  You can use up to 6 photos on this layout, and there are so many possibilities!  I scrapped some photos of my husband and I from our engagement photo shoot.  We'll celebrate 17 years this month!

Go check out close-ups on the Creative Scrappers blog and see how I colored some Gesso to paint on my layout (psst...it doesn't have to stay white!).

Have a great day.

Majken

{Live Today} Creative Scrappers Sketch 305 with Lovely Day

Hello out there scrappy friends-

Today I'm up on the Creative Scrappers blog kicking off the Design Team's take on sketch 305 for April.  Our sponsor is The Cut Shoppe, and I had so much fun using two of Ashley's cut files!  I used Oodles of Doodles for the spiral circles and Spring Fling for the flowers at the bottom.  It's a fun and whimsical sketch, and I decided to use Dear Lizzy Lovely Day - it's so pretty and colorful!  I cannot get enough of that blue floral paper (full disclosure, I had to order more of it!).  Here's my layout.

 After deciding on photos of my daughter when she was two, I planned out the sizes I wanted to print.  Then I planned the paper square sizes and circle sizes.  Next I cut those spiral circles using my Cameo and adhered everything to textured white cardstock that I had spattered with two colors of ink.  Finally I sewed inside and outside each square as well as in the spiral circle.  So fun!

After adhering the photos, it was easy to put the chipboard title, some enamel dots and stickers, and some journaling strips.

 The chipboard hearts and flowers are so lovely!  I felt the bottom needed an anchor, so I cut a thin strip of the blue floral paper and stitched across.  And then I cut 3 flowers out from the Spring Fling cut file set and "planted" them in the strip.

And here is the sketch.

So come play with this fun sketch, and link up on the Creative Scrappers blog and Instagram using hashtags:  #creatingwithsketches and #CSsketch305 and tagging @creativescrappers.  

Thanks for visiting with me today!  Have a fun week - and make sure you enjoy some chocolate, too.

xoxo,
Majken

Everyday, Important Good Stuff - Creative Scrappers March sketch reveal with scrappy tip

Hello crafty friends!

Today I'm on the Creative Scrappers blog sharing a layout for sketch 304.  I am highlighting my adventure into starting my bullet journal, and I'm using Simple Stories Posh collection since I also use some of the Posh planner items my bullet journal.

One of the best ways to create the squares in the sketch was to pull out my 6x6 paper pad.  I chose patterns with different variety:  a floral, some arrows, a solid light pink with polka dots, and a dark blue with polka dots.  

Scrappy tip:  something I learned in a quilting class I took is to squint at the fabrics (in this case, papers) and if you see a lot of contrast, that's good. If the papers are too similar in tone, pattern, colors, then see what else you can substitute for a good mix.

Once I chose my papers and decided where to place them, I trimmed them to save what wouldn't show.  Most non-rotary trimmers are great for trimming out centers or angled cuts.  In the blue paper below, you can see I trimmed a 4x4 piece from the bottom.  You'll never know it's missing!  I did the same for all the pieces behind the pink polka dot one that is in front.

Here's the layout again, and I opted to photograph it with a background setup as well.  I usually don't but wanted to test this technique out. 

Here are some close-ups.  You can see the distressed edges of the 6x6 papers as well as the stitching.  I love those enamel dots, bits & pieces, and decorative brads.  I printed my photos using my new HP Sprocket pocket printer.

Journal strips, the pencil and that "Shine" ephemera piece...fun!

I created a little banner by trimming the journaling tags from one of the 6x6 papers, sewing, and then adding some more bits and pieces.  There's Winston, the Simple Stories doggie, on a brad!

Don't forget to create your own rendition using sketch 304 and post to the CS InLinkz and share with us on Facebook and Instagram using #creatingwithsketches and #cssketch304.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Have a great weekend!

Majken

{Take It In} Creative Scrappers Sketch 303

Hello and happy February, y'all.  It was my turn on the Creative Scrappers blog on Thursday, and I thought I'd share here as well.  I used the colorful Shimelle's Go Now Go collection - the bright colors really work well with the spray-paint "canvas" in my photos!  We visited the Cadillac Ranch outside of Amarillo, Texas during our Christmas vacation visiting family - isn't this a great sketch??

I created fairly close to the sketch, using 2 photos.  But I switched up the straight strips by fussycutting some of the chevron paper to overlay the polka dot paper.  And to add some additional texture, I stitched and adhered star and heart enamels along the chevron.  

I even found a cut file in the shape of an antique car in the Silhouette store, cut out ten, and stood them up diagonally just like you see off Historic Route 66.

Here's a peek at the photo with a piece of ephemera I used for my title, along with a puffy heart sticker.

And here's the other photo area with some layers (and more enamel embellishments).

And last - but not least - you can see my journaling strips and an embellishment area in the top right.

I hope I've inspired you to come play along by using the sketch in a unique way!  Please link up any projects you create using the "Add Your Link" button on the bottom of the CS sketch reveal page.

Don't forget to also tag your project on Instagram (@CreativeScrappers) with the hashtag #CSSketch303 and #CreatingWithSketches!  Follow me on Instagram too - I'll see you there!

Have a super day.
Majken

Oh Joy | Creative Scrappers January Sketch

Hello out there happy scrappers!  Welcome to 2017.  I was up Monday on the Creative Scrappers blog.  Isn't the sketch awesome?!  I opted to flip it 180 degrees.  Also, the Pinkfresh Studio Oh Joy collection is just gorgeous.  I mostly used the 6x6 paper pad and some embellishments from Oh Joy as well as Fancy Pants Merry & Bright puffy dots stickers...they matched well!  Here's my layout.

I used the cut file created for the sketch on a sheet of white textured cardstock, cut papers to fit into the triangles, then sandwiched them on top of a full sheet of white textured cardstock.  I sewed along the cut file for some additional texure.  Cut files and sewing are a favorite combo of mine!

These photos of the kids from 2010 are perfect with these gorgeous papers!  I loved tucking in the ephemera and puffy stickers.  I created my own sewn tag using the acrylic "on the nice list" piece to put in the bottom right.

For the title, I purchased the font "Hello Sunshine" and cut out "Oh Joy" because I was so inspired by the collection's logo.  I used an enamel star as the dot for the "j".

I hope this page has inspired you to get some Christmas photos scrapped!  If you use the sketch, please use the hashtag #creatingwithsketches and post to the Creative Scrappers blog using the InLinkz widget.  And don't forget to follow @creativescrappers on Instagram!

Have a wonderful January!

Majken

{This Boy} Creative Scrappers December Reveal Blog Hop with Spiegelmom Scraps!

Hi Everyone!

Creative Scrappers is hosting a BLOG HOP today in conjunction with our reveal for sketch 301 and our sponsor Spiegelmom Scraps. I hope you can take a few minutes from your busy day and join us!  Here is sketch 301 - it's fabulous!

And here is my take on the sketch showcasing some fun embellishments from December sponsor, Spiegelmom Scraps.  I used:

• Lace Paper Doilies (I trimmed it for my boy page!)
• Chunky Cork Hearts
• Believe In You Sequins

As soon as I saw the sequins, I knew they matched Crate Paper's Cool Kid collection.  And since I hadn't yet scrapped Paxton's first day of second grade, the perfect plan came together quickly -- that's why I love sketches so much!

Here are a few close-ups.  The chunky cork heart works perfectly with the trimmed doily.

I love those aqua circular sequins in the pack!  And the daffodil sequins go well with the Crate Paper Cool Kid star clip.  And the little cherry bomb sequins accent everything perfectly!!

I used Creative Scrappers cut file "Slice of Cheesecake" to create the triangles that fit in the doily.  The triangles go with the triangle papers!

For my title, I used The Cut Shoppe's "Open Letter Alpha" cut file.  You can see another cork heart and more fun sequins from Spiegelmom Scraps.

Here's the order for today's hop!  I encourage you to make a stop at all the other designers' blogs for more eye candy!!

Anne Keller

Ashley Smith

Audrey Yeager

Caroli Schulz

Christine Beuzit

Jinny Newlin

Joefil E. Cate

Kristine Davidson

Majken Pullin       ***you are here***

Marielle LaForge-LeBlanc

Nicole Doiron

Rachel Lowe

Sarah King

Suzanna Lee

Valerie Ouellet

Vivian Lake

Yvette Weber

Please take advantage of this coupon on your next purchase

 from Spiegelmom Scraps!

Enjoy our reveal this month and please visit us on Dec 15 for another blog hop with
the design team members from SMS!

Tag us using #CreatingWithSketches and #Spiegelmomscraps 

We will also have a great prize for one of our participants
as well as a copy of the NEW Creating With Sketches V4!

Your next stop on the hop is Marielle LaForge-LeBlanc.

Have a great day!

Majken

{2 Cute} Creative Scrappers Sketch 300 Design Team Reveal - Clarity Stencil Brush technique

Hello everyone!  Welcome to November.  I can't believe it's November either.  Lots to do in the next two months!!  But first, grab just a few minutes and a tea or coffee to see a new sketch from Creative Scrappers.  It's a fabulous grid design!

This month's partner is My Creative Scrapbook, and I opted to create with their October Creative Kit which has a lot of Doodlebug Design Flea Market.  The colors are so bright and cheerful!  I chose my kitty Oreo as my layout subject.  

The first thing I did was cut the Creative Scrappers Lucky Stars cut file from textured white cardstock, peel out the star cuts, and then sew over another piece of white cardstock.  On the top, I created a border from a strip of paper with clouds and sewed over it as well.  See the lightly inked star?  I'll share how I did that later in the post.

Then I trimmed my photos and started creating my grid.  I used a few of my die cuts to create with:  Papertrey Ink's Noted: Scalloped Square and Technique Tuesday's Flair Maker.  Here's a little banner I made from the flair set.  You can see a couple more lightly inked stars...

Those faux stitch lines are awesome on the Noted set!  I added more machine stitching as well as a Heidi Swapp "noted" wood veneer from the kit...plus a couple of the white cardstock stars that were cut from the background.

How cute is this mouse in the bottom left corner?  And another grid square with some stickers, flair die cut, star, and enamel dot.

And a grid with a circle, some stickers, a star, the heart from the center of one of the flair banners, and another enamel dot.  More lightly inked stars in the background...

I used my Cameo to cut the title "2 cute".  I layered the other centers of flair to use as flower centers, then added more enamel dots.  

Can't forget the cute birdie in the top right corner looking over my kitty!  I used 3D foam tape to pop up one of the cloud stickers.

I used the typewriter for a cute journaling spot!

Once I had the grid layed out most of the way and before I adhered everything, I chose a few stars to lightly "paint" with ink using my new Claritystamp Clarity Stencil Brushes - they ink so gently and subtly for a beautiful finish - though you can add heavier ink if you wish just by adding more ink and brushing repeatedly.  I used CTMH Lagoon, Pear, and Creme Brulee.  And then I glued the stars into a few places left open in the cut background where I wanted them.

Here's the wonderful sketch Kristine created:

That's all for me, creative sweeties!  Don't forget to head over to the Creative Scrappers blog to see the other designers' takes on the sketch.  And create your own layout to link up!

Have a great week!

Majken

Happy Announcement and a Card

Hey there creative types!  I just realized I never posted a happy announcement nor a cute little card I made for World Cardmaking day, so I thought I'd pop in to share.  

I've been invited back for another term with Creative Scrappers, and I'm over the moon about it because I love Kristine's sketches!  Here's the full Design Team.  Our first reveal is November with sketch 300 - you'll love it, so check out the blog Nov. 1st!

World Cardmaking Day was October 1st.  I didn't get a chance to do a lot of crafty things, but I did make a card.  I used American Crafts Oh Happy Life.  Isn't this owl cute??

Until next time, my friends - don't forget to have a bite or two of chocolate.  See you soon!

Majken