November Counterfeit Kit Challenge

I like to tell people that my interest in scrapbooking developed very quickly and very intensely.  So much so that I have probably more paper than I know what to do with.  Thanks to my friends Brenda S and Heather C, I discovered the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog.  Every month, they select an inspiration kit and readers are encourage to "counterfeit" the inspiration kit pieces/ themes/ colors/ etc. with supplies already in their stash.  I thought that this was the perfect way to actually use the supplies I already own and simplify how I scrapbook.  So far, it has been so fun.

So for this month, the inspiration kit is the Scraptastic Club November 2011 Autumn Splendor Kit. 

And here is what I chose from my stash to make my Counterfeit Kit.

Here are the embellishments for my counterfeit kit.  Some Cosmo Cricket stickers, Studio Calico die cuts, Sassafras blooms and paper whimsies, Glimmer Mist, floss, Pebbles Candy Dots...

The letter stickers and other journal stickers from American Crafts, Sassafras, Jillibean Soup, October Afternoon, Cosmo Cricket, Studio Calico...

This is the solid colored cardstock.

And here is the patterned paper I choose.  A lot of Studio Calico, some Crate Paper, Cosmo Cricket and Pink Paislee.

And here are the B sides to some the patterned paper above.

I focused primarily in trying to match the colors and the feel of the inspiration kit!  So far, I have already made two layouts and a card using the kit as my starting point.  I will be sure to share those soon.  But for now, make sure to visit the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog if you're interested to play along too!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Tet - Lunar New Year {a scrapbook layout}

The other night, I finally sat down and made a list of all the layouts I need to complete for our 2011 family album.  Let's just say that I still have a lot to do.  So you are hereby forewarned that we might be having some flashbacks with my pages for the next couple of...well, forever (because I doubt that I will ever actually catch up).  :)

For this week's Sketchy Thursday challenge, I scrapped some photos from this year's Tet celebration.  Tet is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year and is, hands down, my favorite holiday of the year.  It's a time for the ENTIRE family to get together, eat, celebrate, remember our elders, and try our new luck gambling!  So here is the layout...

And here is the sketch that this layout is based on...

For the larger photo, I created a black and white photo collage.  There were just too many memories to choose from.  The black and white collage also allowed the smaller color photo of me and Charlotte to stand out.  

I also wanted to include some heritage inspired elements.  So, I added a die cut of the branch with the hanging lanterns along the top.  This image reminds me of the gorgeous yellow apricot blossoms that would fill the house during Tet.  Using my Imaginese irock, I added little gemstones to make the flowers stand out a bit.  I also sprayed a little bit of glimmer mist to create a subtle shadow. 

On the tag, to signify that this was the year of the rabbit, I added another die cut image.

Most of the papers are from the My Mind's Eye So Sophie collection.  The tag is from Studio Calico and the letter stickers are from American Crafts and October Afternoon.  As always, thanks for stopping by!

Guess Who's Ready for Christmas?

We Are Finally There {a scrapbook layout}

For those that have been following this blog, you know that we recently completed a cross country adventure from San Diego, California to Newport, Rhode Island with a two week stop over in Dahlgren, Virginia.  The photo in this layout was shot minutes after we unloaded our car and checked into our hotel.  This hotel room would be our home for two weeks and we were so excited to finally be done (for at least a little bit).  Just like the little sticker says, "Smiles All Around!"

Since this layout commemorates our trip across the United States, it's my play on stars (see that blue star paper) and {chevron} stripes.  But I do know that there is a lot going on that probably needs some explanation (for better or for worse). 

First, I used this amazing sketch from the 10.27 Sketch Thursday Challenge as my starting point.  I've watched a LOT of amazing scrapbookers play along each week.  I finally took the plunge and decided to play along too.

Second, the title.  "...we are finally there."  I swear I speak good English.  :)  

It's a response on the age-old whiny road trip question: "are we there yet?"  Every time Charlotte got fussy or angry during our drive, I imagined that if she could talk, she would be screaming:  "GET ME THERE ALREADY!" 

Third, check out this banner. 

I used map paper from the American Crafts Amy Tangerine collection.  Amazingly enough, the paper actually includes a large chunk of the route we drove through Arizona to Virginia.  The little blue brads are actually placed to mark some of the cities we stopped to visit (like Albuquerque, Amarillo, Memphis...)

The bottom of the layout includes another portion of the map tracking some additional cities we visited through Virginia (highlighted in the orange brads). 

What I initially hoped was to create a layered look of banner pennants.  However, the map pennants effectively covered the bottom layer of kraft pennats that I stamped with Lawn Fawn Teeny Tiny Backdrops.  Since they were so cute, I wanted to show you anyways.

Fourth, I added some hand stitching to incorporate more of that orange color.

And finally, for the journaling, I used Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type to write out the following along the perimeter of the layout: 

"We left San Diego bright and early on September 20.  After 9 states, 14 days of travelling, over 2800 miles of driving and only 1 mommy meltdown...we are finally there."

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Update 11/3:  Thanks for all the lovely comments!   Happy to say that this layout was chosen as a Sketchy Thursday Fave!  Aw...it's the little things that totally make my day.  :)

Happy {Belated} Halloween!

Despite the cold weather and unfamiliar surroundings, we were still able to get our act together and take Charlotte out trick-or-treating.  Thanks to Wal-Mart (one of these days, I swear I'll actually make her costume...), Charlotte dressed up as a little bumble bee.

We first took her to Washington Square in historic downtown Newport.  A lot of the local shops were handing candy out to the kiddies.  It only took Charlotte a few try before she understood that these absolute strangers would give her candy...

Afterwards, we drove over to Fort Adams to trick-or-treat around the base housing.  There were SO MANY kids there and everyone (even the parents) were all dressed up for the fun.  Justin and I, however, did not dress up.  But here are some photos of us with our little bumble bee. 

And finally, since we're on the subject of Halloween, I wanted to quickly share the story of Charlotte's first jack-o-lantern.  (We sadly never got around to carving one last Halloween.)

A few days ago, we visited the Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown, RI with our dear family friend, Mrs. Polnasek. 

She used to work on the farm for many years and let me tell you, this place is adorable!  The store sells the most amazing gourmet food and sweets.  The farm grounds itself were also nice (although most of the pumpkins were already picked by the time we got there).  Regardless, Charlotte persevered and found two perfect pumpkins.

Much like what we did with the supermarket mini pumpkins, Charlotte painted the smaller of the two pumpkins. 

Justin carved the larger pumpkin.  Notice how skilled his pumpkin carving skills are.  :)

 
And after all was said and done, here are all the pumpkins. 

Hope everyone had a fantastic and safe Halloween!!!

Little Picasso

In an attempt to overcome by fear of getting messy, I let Charlotte play with some paint (washable paint of course).  :)  She went to town painting on paper...

Notice the paint all over her toes and fingers.  :)

This is the final masterpiece (proudly hanging on the refrigerator).

And here is Charlotte painting her mini pumpkin.

And here she is the next morning (after the paint finally dried) holding her painted pumpkin while eating pumpkin pancakes.  :)

Hope everyone is staying warm and has a fabulous Halloween!!!

Playing with Paper and Glue - {hello friend} card

I haven't played with paper and glue for...over six weeks?!?  It seems like ages.  Our home is slowly getting settled.   There are a lot fewer boxes around and I actually found a place for the computer.  I've found a home for *most* of my crafting supplies.  Here is a card I made the other day based on a fabulous Make a Card Monday #55 Sketch by Kristy Lee over at Scrapbook Steals.

I primarily used paper from the Basic Grey Curio 6x6 paper pad.  The sentiment strip is from American Crafts Amy Tangerine.  I originally wanted to use a stamp on vellum but I couldn't find my stamps.  Thankfully since then, I have located them.  :)

Okay, must run to get Charlotte ready for "school."  We're testing out preschools.  :)