Pixels & Company December Challenge

     I haven't done a P&C challenge in several months.  Since I was invited to be a CT for 3 months, I thought I ought to accept the challenge.  I wanted to use the advent kit since the words Hello December had to be part of the layout.  My scene was not going to be of Christmas itself so I used some less traditional colors.

Cousins

Here We Come A Caroling advent kit by Pixels & Company Fonts: Bebas, Steelfish

Rachel at Christmas

     I bought a new Christmas kit today, so I thought I would scrap our Christmas at Rachel's house.  At first I planned to use lots of pictures of the whole bunch, but thought that might be too busy.  I decided since the layout would have lots of busy papers and elements, I would keep the photos more simple -- one person.  I had a lot of shots of Rachel so I picked her for this first layout.

Stitched Template Album by Karen Funk
All is Bright by Scrapyrus
Font: Dancing Script

A comic page layout....

     Vivian and Ewan had a pillow fight during Ewan's overnighter when Vivian was in town for Christmas.  I thought a comic page was fitting for a pillow fight.

Pillow Fight!

Comic Book template by Tiffany Tillman

Super by Splendid Fiins

Fonts:  Agent Orange, KG What Teacher Wants

52 Inspirations 2013 layout...

    I signed up for a subscription last year and I've collected all the kits but haven't used any of them.  So I decided today I would use at least one kit -- NO MATTER WHAT!
     It turned out to be an art journaling layout.  Normally photos are not on AJ pages so I put my photo way into the background.  I felt my picture needed to be there since it was about my creativity.

 

52 Inspirations 2013 by Sue Cummings & Vicki Stegall
Splatter Mask by Ashalee Wall
Fonts: KB Sticktolt, KG Cold Coffee

walking the dog....

     Vivian walked the dog today which was surprising as she's been afraid of him most of the time.  She was excited to use the leash.  It was fun to use Greg's iPhone photos right away.

walking the dog

Winter Glow by Studio Sugary Fancy Because of You (paper) by Che Yang Sketched Frames by LivEdesigns Font: KG The Last Time

Chillin'

     I wanted to use the crumpled paper from Scrapyrus so I found a cute picture of Ewan taken at my classroom to use with it.

Chillin'

Color of Happy by Scrapyrus and Joyful Heart Designs
Imagination (paper) by Dani Mogstad
Fonts: Keep Calm, KB Dunk Tank

Snow Angle

     Vivian was treated to our one snow day while she was staying with her Grandma and Grandpa Cruikshank.  Her dad helped her down so she could make a snow angel.

Snow Angel

Winter Whisper by Agnes Biro 25 Days of Christmas by Dunia Designs Font: Some Weatz Swashes



AJ Challenge -- What MERRY means to me....

     I loved a mini Christmas kit and it reminded me of snow days which do make me very happy.  So I decided to go with that theme for my merry challenge.

All I Want by Jen Reed
Hipster Holiday by Mommyish
Holiday Cheer by Dawn by Design
Font: Lobster Two

Ouch!

     I took pictures after the shopping cart attacked my car in the Costco parking lot.  I knew I wanted to scrap it as an art journal type layout -- dark, brooding and sad. 

Spills & Splatters by Rebecca McMeen
Summer Fun by Cilenia Curtis
All Time Low and Messy Stitches by AWolff
Frames by Cinzia Loosemore
Fonts: Legion Slab, Tractor, Sidewalk

65 years

     I have wanted  to use the small squares overlay for the longest time.  I decided it would be a layout about myself for a change. 
     The original photo had me posing right next to a cute, monster birthday cake.  The cake was obscured by the overlay and I used the RadLab to change the photo to an interesting sepia.  I wanted it all to blend into the background paper. 
     The kit came with a few violet elements which I thought complimented the grey very nicely.  It's kind of funny because I normally can't wear purple.

 

Outdoor by Erica Zwart

Resting at Thanksgiving

      I love this photo so much I used it on a Pixels and Company Speed Scrap.  I added some paper detail at the bottom of the paper stack after the speed scrap.  I love the color palette.  I opted for a sepia tone photo because the bright orange and navy in the photo just clashed with the elements.  It turned out just perfect to me.

 

 



Resting at Thanksgiving

Bliss by creashens Font: WM2-Wendy Teeny



Thanksgiving 2013

     I took this photo after Thanksgiving dinner this year.  I wanted to get Ewan's face in focus with the background in a blur.  It's not so noticeable in the black and white with the opacity reduced.  I'll have to scrap the photo again in color.

 

Right Now; Stamp Press by Karla Dudley
Font: WM2-Wendy Teeny



Car Mess

    Ewan was using all his big trucks and a noodle building toy to make a giant obstacle course.  I think the large photo gives an interesting perspective and the small photos offer clear detail. 

 

 

Car Mess

Comic Collection by Joanne Brisebois Are We There Yet by Britt-ish

Ooh, I'm having fun!

     Just bought RadLab which has been on my "to do" list for a long time.  There was a 35% special going on due to Black Friday and I resisted it yesterday, but just couldn't today.  It is fantastic!  I am sure I'll be using it nearly every time I scrap. 
     I snapped this photo at a stoplight on my way to Rachel's to babysit Ewan.  Couldn't believe my eyes when I looked in the rearview mirror.  I fumbled as quick as I could to get my camera out of my purse and held the camera backwards before the light changed.  I've wanted to scrap it for a long time, but the photo needed some adjustments.  It was fun to use RadLab on it.
     I bet money Brian would love to be in his place with Buddy in the sidecar.

Dog in Sidecar

Destination by AWolff Font: Ask My Flashlight

School Projects for 2013-2014

     I thought I would document some of the projects that have taken so much of my time this year.  I love this part of teaching -- creating the curriculum and setting up the environment.  There is so much of teaching that I LOVE.  I just wish there was less behavior "management" that was necessary.

 



Template by mLeCard-Birthday Bash
Ready to Learn by Cinzia Loosemore
iRead (paper) by Pixel Gypsy
Scarlet Letter Alpha by Gennifer Bursett
Font: Pea Genimi Jen

Race Car by Ewan

    While Ewan was spending the night this month, I was busy in the kitchen making the meal; he was on the floor of the family room busy with the art box.  He was very quiet for the longest time.  When I checked on him, I couldn't quite see all of him because he was hidden by the breakfast bar, he was deep into his drawing and coloring of this great race car picture.  It was just so fabulous I framed it and put it up in the guest bedroom.

.

Template by Katey Green
Boys at Work by Shawna Clingeman

Vivian's Halloween Party

     Alexis and Greg sent along some camera photos of Vivian's Halloween party.  It was a real challenge to hide the back of two heads and a camera phone in the large photo.  I tried the layout yesterday with a different template and kit and just hated the result.  I like this one MUCH better!

 

 

Halloween 2013

Tricks & Treats by Echo Park Font: Playtime With Hot Toddies

Ackstrap Art by Ewan

     Ewan worked very diligently on this picture while spending the day at our house.  His definition of "Ackstrap Art" just cracked me up.  His school, The Evergreen Academy, had obviously just studied the concept of abstract art.  I think the artsy layout compliments it perfectly.

 

ArtPlay Palette Snapshot by Anna Aspnes
Dawn by Design, leaf
Font:  Pea Gemini Jen, Corbel

A New Challenge at Jessica Sprague.com

     It was fun to scrap a new art journal page.  I've had this new kit awhile and have been dying to use it.  This challenge about what I am grateful for was perfect.  I loaded up the page with lots of paper and scraps.  I tucked some emphera underneath but went a little light on it.  A couple of pieces were a nod to the designer who offered some freebies to do the challenge with.  I didn't use them as predominately as most of the other scrappers, but I got them in.

 

Grateful

Spills & Splatters, Melle by Rebecca McMeen                                                                      Challenge freebies by Nancie Rowe Janitz                                                                   Fonts: Pea Gemini Jen, A Bite, Dancing Script



 

In the Orchard

     Alexis emailed a bunch of pictures from an apple picking adventure; Brian and I both loved this one.  It was fun to spend some time scrapping after putting in 57 hours at work this week.

 

 

Loads of Stuff Template by Lilly Lane Market
Things I heart about you by Studio Blagovesta
Font: Pea Gemini Jen

 

An October Challenge

     This challenge was an art journaling challenge at Jessica Sprague.com.  This may seem dark and brooding and sometimes the preparation for a new year is just that...other times it is light and airy and bright and cheery -- but that is for a different challenge....

What Fall is to Me

Melle by Rebecca McMeen Word Art & Labels by Allison Pennington; Karla Dudley; Julie Billingsley; Forever Joy; Yellow Butterfly; Birgit Kerr; Ashalee Wall; Vicki Stegall Fonts: Before the Rain, Bebas

It's been a long time...

     I have been SO BUSY at school and tired by the time I get home, I haven't even had a desire to scrap.  But today I finally finished a page -- about school!  The kit was a freebie.

Before and After

iRead by Pixel Gypsy                                                                         Font: What a Teacher Wants



Walk The Dog

   Layout #3!!  This one is about a fabulous game we play with Ewan.  I found the game at Value Village.  It has 69 little dogs and cards.  Brian plays the game with Ewan and me whenever he is home.  Ewan caught on to the strategy of the game right away.  We love to play it.
     I opted for a full page photo so the dogs in the game could be seen all stretched out in the long line.  I set up my Canon 60D on my new tripod so we could all be in the shot.  Even though there is a lot of background distraction in the photo that I couldn't camouflage, it is a fun photo anyway.

Woof by Echo Park
Fonts: A Bite, What The Teacher Wants

The BANGS have it!

     WhooHoo!  I got to scrap another photo this weekend.  It has been so relaxing and fun.  The title just happened to be the phrase that popped into my head when Lexie sent me this photo, so I just stuck with it.  Again, the biggest challenge was selecting the base papers and the color scheme.  I worked on clustering in the lower corner.  To add balance I added some small details to the upper edge.

 

You Are My Sunshine by Mye De Leon
Treasured Moments by Cinzia Loosemore
Photo Wall by Yoshiko Design
Fonts: A Bite, Too Much Paper

 

Evidently, even Princesses watch TV

     Loved this photo of Vivian watching TV -- such rapt attention and delicate pose...  I also thought Alexis' caption was just so funny, so I used it as the title.  It took me a LONG time to settle on the colors.  I like all the white space, so the focus is on the photo.

Made by Three Paper Peonies
Font: KG The Last Time, Some Weatz Swashes

 

 

     I feels really good to finally scrap a page again.  I've been so incredibly busy with school for the last 5 weeks that this was my first chance to get back at it.  I forgot some of the steps for saving to the web and had to go back and redo it.

Peeking in....

     Thinking about the previous post, I remembered an odd photo I took of Brian through the window at Starbucks when I was meeting with James to inspect his 24-70 mm lens.  Brian had leaned over to look inside the shop and I just happened to be snapping sample pictures.  It is an odd angle, but since Brian was not in his gray sweatshirt, I decided to scrap it.  Plus, it tells a story of something that we did.  I used another Cinzia Loosemore kit.

 

 

Every[day]Life 3 by Cinzia Loosemore and Gina Huff
Font: Ask My Flashlight

 

     I'm thinking I maybe should have made the photo b/w so his t-shirt wouldn't compete with the colors of the kit.  Maybe I'll try it.  Wait a minute....    Okay, I'm back.  Tried it without the color and DID NOT like it at all.  The photo disappears into the gray background paper.  So this is it!

Duh.....!

     I realized as I was searching for photos to do the spread on Brian that I have VERY few pictures of him.  He is ALWAYS in that gray sweatshirt so I don't take pictures of him.  However, he's been with me on so many of my photography trips and I've not taken a single shot of HIM only the scenery.  I need to capture HIM more, sweatshirt or not. 

This one's for Brian....

     I've loved this designer's colors and prints for the longest time.  I decided to use one of her kits to showcase one of Brian's passions.

 

Every[day]Life 2 by Cinzia Loosemore and Gina Huff
Font: Ask My Flashlight

One for Vivian

     I tried the new technique on a picture of Vivian.  I altered it some by having the brushes cover more of the original photo.  I left off the splatters and added a photo and cluster.

 

ScriptTease Learn by Anna Aspnes

All About This, Authentic, Ordinary Moments, Romantic, Favorite Moment by Anita Designs

Miracle by Scrapyrus

Flower by AWall

Yes You Can by Captivated Visions

Truly Madly by J Kneipp

Be by Forever Joy

Destination by Shannon McNab

My Journey by The Daily Digi Collab

 

 

 

Changed opacity....

     I realized that the reduced opacity made my whole image lighter, so I made some adjustments and got more of the paper's texture.

Today is Your Day

     After spending HOURS pouring over tutorials yesterday, I tried a combination of techniques to create this layout.  I wanted to add a textured background paper, but couldn't keep the gradient from coloring it too.  While laying in bed this morning I decided to try merging all the gradient layers and putting the textured paper under that layer.  I had to duplicated the merged layers inorder to get one above the paper, then reduce the picture's opacity to see the paper under it.  I think it turned out pretty interesting.

Script Tease Learn; Dripped Stains; Golden Glory by Anna Aspnes
Summer Cottage by Laurie Ann HGD
Summer Fun by Cilenia Curtis
Favorite Moments by Anita Designs
Fonts: Janda Celebration Script, Kartika

Speed Scrap at Pixels and Co.

    I participated in my first speed scrap and chat (1st live chat ever) at P&C last night.  I did it mainly because Katherine Hansen  invited me on the forum.  I had posted about wanting help with clustering and she had been commenting and said the speed scrap would have some. 
     They do speed scraps differently than Jessica Sprague.  Katherine made a layout and then wrote the directions for the layout.  You picked your own supplies (she even told some of the kits she used) and followed the directions.  The layouts for the night should resemble each other to some degree, yet be different because everyone will follow the directions differently and of course pick different supplies.
     There were only 6 or 7 participants so it was easy to keep up on the chat.  That part was fun.  Here's my take on the speed scrap:

 

Scarlet Letter by Gennifer Bursett
New England Cottage; Off We Go; Currently; Easy Goin; Spread Your Wings by Mye De Leon
Daytripper; Golden Pears by Dawn by Design
Menagerie by Celeste Knight
Familiarity by Karla Dudley
Fonts: Bitty by Audacious Design, Just Coles Cursive, Janda Celebration Script

One More

     Here's another one I wanted to "mess up" a little more.  I had so much symmetry going on that it looked like my first layout ever.  I wanted to maintain the gist of the layout but stir it up.  I added some more splatter and some art strokes to give more texture.

 

First layout

 

Redo

 

Added elements:

Loop Da Loop by Anna Aspnes

52 Inspirations by Sue Cummings

 

Again with the redos!

     Here's another super dark layout I just wasn't thrilled about.  I added another highly textured paper under the background and with a blending mode I got the black paper to take on the texture and a grey color.  The grey is a little more restful on the eye and it goes with Vivi's dress.  The white and the black overlay both show up nicely.  I think the tags even show up better, too.  I did a little revamping on the white scrolls making them less symmetrical.  I added some dots to the "hello" WA (word art) and the word "I" to the "love this photo" WA.  I'm more pleased with it now. 
     It wouldn't qualify for a CT layout anymore because I added the textured paper from a different shop, but I'm not uploading it to the CT gallery so it doesn't matter.

 

Original CT layout

 

The redo

 

Additional supplies:

52 Inspirations Week 9 by Vicki Stegall

Font: Just Coles Cursive

Another redo

     I have been dissatisfied with this layout too.  I felt the original layout was rather stark looking, the black background was so flat looking.  The two blue doilies have bothered me since they didn't really compliment the blues in Vivi's dress.  I deleted the top doily and added a smear.  I had to recolor the smear a little since it had yellow and I didn't want to introduce another color into the layout.  I added a torn paper sack underneath the black background paper and used a blending mode to let the wrinkles show through.  I THINK I like it better.  I'm also not wild about the frame, but it was the one that came in the mdl kit, Easy Livin.

Added elements:

 

Smears by Mye De Leon

I Am Who I Am by Allison Pennington

Rechopped

     I have been bothered by my Chopped Contest entry ever since I saw the other entries.  I realized that I kept the required elements the same size and orientation essentially.  I misunderstood that the ideas was for the contestants to CHANGE the elements to be used in a new creative way.  I decided to change my layout making it a little more creative, but I would use ONLY the elements and colors that were in my original entry.  See what you think, better? or not?

The original entry

 

 

The rechopped layout

 



Night Photography

     I decided to scrap one of the MANY photos I've taken for my latest photography class.  I've dragged Brian down to the Cedar River twice for hours each time, trying to get a good night shot.  This is taken with my new 24-70mm lens.  We set up in two locations in the dark, waited, waited, and waited for buses to go over the roadway bridge.  This shot shows the light trails of a bus' lights with a little reflection in the water.  I made it an artsy layout because -- well, it was dark and creepy at times.
     Candice recommends that you always have a partner with you during night shoots for security reasons and I have to admit, she is very wise.  There were a couple of times I would have been down in the dark, alone with groups of young men passing by -- VERY glad Brian was with me.

 

 

ArtsyKardz Living Well by Anna Aspnes
Crème Caramel by Captivated Visions
Fonts: Sidewalk, Downcome, Special Elite

 

Canon 60D, 70mm, Manual mode

ss 1.6 seconds; f/2.8; ISO 200

My Turn

     This is definitely my last layout for the CT commitment.  I'm going to say my thank you and good-bye on the forum tomorrow.  It has been an interesting month.  Being a CT is hard work and not a commitment to take lightly.  By being invited to join the team as a guest this month was great because I had access to a LOT of new releases.  I even got some older kits that I've wanted.  I got lots of templates which I didn't think I'd want but turns out I did.

 

I Heart Templates set two by Tiffany Tillman (Pixels & Co)
Organic Green by Mindy Terasawa (P&C)
Hello by Creashens (P&C)
Scarlet Letter by Gennifer Bursett (P&C)
Daytripper by Dawn by Design (P&C)
Font: Just the Way You Are

Photo Fun Redo

     I did make a couple of photo switches; I like it much better because it goes with the journaling better.

 

I HearTemplates by Tiffany Tillman (Pixels & Co)
Scarlet Letter by Gennifer Bursett & Mommyish (P&C)
Fonts: Janda Elegant Handwriting, Traveling Typewriter

Photo Fun

     The layout colors don't look Christmasy, but these pictures were taken Christmas Eve 2012.  I don't think I picked the best photos of the bunch since Brian's expression in all of these is about the same.  There were others I shot that showed more variation.  Maybe I should do a redo. 

 

I HearTemplates by Tiffany Tillman (Pixels & Co)
Scarlet Letter by Gennifer Bursett & Mommyish (P&C)
Fonts: Janda Elegant Handwriting, Traveling Typewriter

P&C CT Layout # 22

     I used a new kit named Dude for this layout, so it was a natural to use photos of Ewan.  I find that if I use a template the layouts go faster and I need to get these done before July 31 which is my last day to guest CT. 
     I certainly have gotten a lot of photos scrapped this month.  Overall, I'm very pleased with my work.

 

Layered Looks template by Tiffany Tillman
Dude by Robyn Meierotto
Font: Bebas, Playtime With Hot Toddies



The Big 5

     I noticed looking back at the layouts on the blog that I am kind of light on layouts for Ewan.  I realize that my most recent photos are of Vivian and her family, but I have lots of Ewan, too, that I can scrap.  I did one layout already about his birthday, but I have more photos that I want to scrap, so here goes....

 

A Piece of Me template by Elizabeth Albers
Hootenanny & Flying High by Dani Mogstad
Dear Diary by Agnes Biro
Freebie tape by Flergs
Fonts:  MTF You Are, MTF Big Ideas, Pacifico

 

 

I guess there was one more....

     I guess there was one more layout in me.  I really liked a flower in the Golden Pears kit so I downloaded it.  It is about pairs so the first layout I did was with a photo of Alexis and a photo of Vivian.  The two photos were from different days and the coloring was just not complimentary between the two.  I finished the layout at 11:30 pm but decided to sleep on it.  This morning I looked it over and it was okay, but...
     I decided to start over afresh to see if this morning would yield a better layout.  I decided this time to start with the photos and then to pick the elements from the kit.  Both times I used the same template. 
     I have not done any layouts with Chris that I can remember, so I picked a photo of Rachel and one of Chris -- there's my pair. 
     From there I picked the elements.  I added a few things that were not in the template, but I stuck exclusively with the Golden Pears kit.  Unfortunately, I went with the dark background paper again because it was a feature of the template.  I just didn't like the lighter papers anyway.  I think it turned out nicely.

Playful template by Mye De Leon (Pixels & Co)
Golden Pears by Dawn by Design (P&C)
Font: Bebas

Maybe my last CT layout....

     This is maybe my last CT layout for P&C.  I have used every kit I've downloaded and I don't think I'll download anymore unless I'm totally in love with something.  I need to move on with other aspects of my life.  I've enjoyed the CT experience, but it was pretty time consuming.  I'm not sure I did a good job since there has been NO FEEDBACK from the website.  I did get a lot of free stuff, but most of it I probably wouldn't have purchased if I had needed to use MY own money.
     Since one of the last kits was stamps with a school theme so I needed to use a school photo.  I didn't want to use one of my former students, so I decided to use a photo of Ewan at my classroom and there won't very many of those.
     The color theme was set by the other kit I needed to use.  They are not my favorite colors by any means but that is the life of a CT isn't it -- making pages with things they don't necessarily love.

All supplies by Karla Dudley:

Stamp Press_Schooled

Mellow Yellow

Storyboards 1 template

Fonts:  What a Teacher Wants, Ariel

Improved layout....

     For a long time I have felt like my July P&C Challenge layout was lacking something.  I literally followed the layout directives, but I didn't add anything more to the layout which gave it a minimal feeling down the middle strip.  I found another layout in the Challenge gallery that reminded me a lot of my own layout, but it had additional items which gave it a clustered feel. 
     I scraplifted some of the ideas from that layout to add more detail to my own.  I also changed the center stripe's dimensions which helped tremendously.  I like it much better.  See what you think....

 

First layout:
 

 

Dawn by Design: Simply Put template 4; Skyline, Sun and Fun
Karen Funk: Daydream
Karla Dudley: Nillie; Life 365
Robyn Meierotto: Frill
Shannon McNab: Make a Date
Creashens: Hello
Fonts: Appleberry, KG Cold Coffee, Impact, Parisienne, Bebas, JuneBug, Lobster1.3, Cafe Rojo, Pharmacy, MTF Big Ideas

Revamped layout:
 

 

 

Additional supplies:

Bluebird on My Shoulder by Chelle's Creations

Cornered 01 by Creashens

County Fair and Chaising Rainbows by Dani Mogstad

Falling in Love by Bella Gypsy

Summer Flair by Mommyish

Room Collection by Crystal Wilkerson 

 

     Seeing the two side by side just now, I realize that the two layouts are pretty good in their own right.  The second one is just busier looking.  I guess it comes down to a matter of taste.  Right now in the galleries, the busier design is more favored, but I actually like the focus on the photos of the first design -- oh, well....



This layout is for me.

    I have been craving time and energy to do a layout using more artsy detail.  I used Anna Aspnes' ArtsyKardz as the basis of it because she puts layers and layers of paint, texture and overlays into her psd files.  I picked out the photos immediately but had trouble with how to show the second lower photo.  At first I worked at doing it as a blended area, but after looking over some of the galleries, decided to frame it with some minimal embellishments. 
     When I searched for some word art for the title I decided to use a new P&C file I just got recently and I think the two words are just the right touch.  The expression in the framed photo tells the story so I didn't do any journaling other than the date. 
     The colors in the Artsy template went perfectly with the photos.  The flowers in the lower right hand corner are actually from some paper that I clipped to a paint layer.  They are really cool, I think.

 

ArtsyKardz Truth & ArtPlay Inflorescence by Anna Aspnes
Chalkboard Elements by Celeste Knight
Card Fusion by Aria Designs
Tell Your Story by Joie de Vivre
Potential by Dawn by Design
Ordinary Moments & Wildflowers by Anita Designs
Word Art_Random Words by Robin Meierotto
Font: Catflisch Script Pro

CT Layout # 19

     This is a much brighter and cheerier layout.  I wanted to use the black photo word art and it calls for a much cleaner layout.  I needed a bunch of photos from one day.  This series doesn't show the whole day but it does show one of our treks to the library.  We stopped off at the dollar store on the way.  I had to recolor one of the torn papers at the top to make it match the other black elements.  I added the red to the little hearts.

 

Stamp Press_Photo by Karla Dudley (Pixels & Co)
Torn & Stitched, Easy Livin (paper) by Mye De Leon (P&C)
Wide Washi Tape by Karen Funk (P&C)
Font: Jenna Sue