Studio Calico - Napa Valley

Again this month for my kit layouts, I was all about keeping my feet up as much as possible. I'm typically a night-scrapper, which can pose problems when you're feet are HUMONGOUS by 5:00. So, for most of these layouts, I planned them ahead in my head, then ran to my scrapbook room and scrapped each one in about 30-45 minutes.

I've been waiting to scrap this photo for a little while and when I saw the months paper whimsies in the main kit, I knew this would be the perfect layout to use them on. I wish I had taken more photos as G was putting the crib together that night, but the ones I do have, I will treasure. I just love watching him prepare for our first baby.

Another layout about G preparing for the baby. He's been reading this book about child-training for almost the entire 37 weeks I've been pregnant. It's 90 pages, so he's on pace with about 1/3 page per day, so he should finish while I'm in labor. Let's just hope that his slow pace is helping him absorb the message.

This was my favorite layout this month and was made entirely with my favorite add-on: Mendocino. I added the Circle Punch (which is sold out but being restocked) and some Antique Linen Distress ink.

This layout was made with the Sonoma add-on. I wasn't too sure I'd like this add-on when I first saw it all in one place, but I ended up liking all the elements because they're so neutral. They blended so well with the other kits, including the main, so that was helpful in putting layouts together. I've almost used all of those gems in the tape roll by Making Memories.

Last, another of my favorite layouts. This is a photo of me at about 3 years old painting our fence in Texas. My favorite part about the layout is the paintbrush stamp that's included in the Mendocino add-on. I used Stampin Up! inks on kraft cardstock, but the new Jenni Bowlin colors would work very well with this stamp. If I had them at the time I made this layout, I would have used them for sure. Oh, and don't forget to add glossy accents to your cart if you don't have any. Sometimes I forget it's a supply that I have on hand, but with this layout, it really made simple hole-punched circles stand out.

Hope you enjoyed the reveal this month at SC. Kits start shipping on the 3rd!

NSD Challenge - Negative-town

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend Vintagefest, an event hosted by Jenni Bowlin Studios. Not only was it a blast hanging out with Jenni and learning from her classes, but I had the chance to crop with some good friends.

I'm not a cropper by nature. Actually this was only my 3rd crop ever to attend, but I had seen the ladies bring their huge cricuts so I thought my Slice would be a nice addition to our groups' supplies.

For this layout, I positioned my Slice in the upper right corner of the charcoal cardstock, which is the base of my layout. On the Slice, there is an "x" located at the spot the blade will begin cutting, so it's easy to see where the cut will take place for the entire die cut. I also used my hands-free device, which was heavenly. If you don't have this, trust me, it will make your life complete.

After cutting, I ended up with a hole the shape of a "3" in the upper left corner. From there, I trimmed photos and other cardstock in rectangles to fill the remaining spaces. I even used my new favorite punch for the green border, some JBS crate paper that Lorie won at the crop, and mostly the Anthology collection.

Last, I used the donut chain border punch to punch strips of the woodgrain paper. I laid the strips in rows on top of the same paper and adhered it to the back of the "3" so the texture would show through.

Speaking of adhering.....the American Crafts This to That Adhesive Runner special is still going on and it's the perfect time to try it out. Buy the cartridge, get the matching refill free. (please only add the cartridge to your cart, we'll add the refill for you....promise!)


So, my challenge to you is this.....come to negative-town with me.

Use the negative space created from your die-cut machine, from packaging, from whatever your brain thinks up. Just use the negative image instead of the positive. Look at your supplies differently and you might be surprised with the results.

Feel free to combine my challenge with any other challenge listed on the SC blog. To be eligible to win a $10 gift card from me, your link MUST be posted as a link to my post here. You will need to upload your layout to the Studio Calico member gallery, copy the link, come back here and leave it in a comment to THIS POST. Contest closes at midnight EST tonight and the winner will be posted when I wake up tomorrow morning.

Have fun! Can't wait to see what you make!!!

stories

This month, Scarlet and I were invited to help out at Category Stories. If you haven't heard of this challenge site, please check it out. Every two weeks, they give a journaling prompt, so the style of your layouts is completely open. We had a blast participating and I thought I'd share my layouts with you.

The first prompt of the month was "Saturday Morning Cartoons." At first, I was stumped on what direction to take because I wasn't allowed to watch a lot of TV anytime, let alone Saturday mornings....but then I thought that was the perfect thing to write about.


The journaling reads:
Only 30 minutes a day to watch TV. So, as you can imagine I got to watch one show on Saturday morning. I chose "Saved By the Bell." Screech kept me giggling and I was oh so envious of Kelly and Jessie. I just knew high school would be just like that show!

Supplies:
Lemon Maya Mist, Studio Calico & Sassafras patterned paper from August kit, Bazzill Dotted Swiss, Basic Grey Brad, Making Memories Alphabet, Studio Calico Stamps, Pin from stash at home.

To get the pinked shape, I used die cut paper by Collage press, sprayed the lemon mist a few times, then outlined with a precision pen.

Now, for the prompt this week: "As Far As I Can Tell."
I made this layout before I knew I had miscarried, but I still love the thought and wanted to share it with you. I still believe every statement on this layout and I hope that it's something I look back on in time with happy memories instead of sad ones.


The journaling reads:
You love making children laugh.
You are determined not to spoil our child.
You will not enable bad behavior.
You understand training a child takes time and effort and you are willing to make that commitment.
You have already begun reading parenting books about training children.
You have been praying for the wisdom to make the right spiritual decisions for our family.
You will appreciate the value a child brings to our family.
You coached a 5-year-old soccer team - TWICE!
You are willing to take feedback and implement change when necessary.
You want to learn.
You are not selfish.
You place more emphasis on a spiritual education than secular education.
You realize that our relationship as husband and wife comes before your relationship as parent child.
You love to teach.

AS FAR AS I CAN TELL
You will be a great dad.

Supplies:
All items came from the April kit, Jack & Jill.

To make the background to this layout, I cut a piece of 12x12 paper into 4 strips. Then, I punched circles using the mega circle punch by Marvy. I stitched them onto the cardstock, then cut the page in half so I could put it through the typewriter. After typing, I adhered the two halves to another sheet of cardstock and added the embellishments.

I love the idea of making lists this way and ya'll know how much I love circles.

Please take advantage of this challenge, it's a great way to use up your kits so you will need more supplies in October :)