Great-Grandma

My great grandmother, about 82 years ago!

The majority of this layout is made using products that came in the June 2019 Tres Jolie Kit Club Scrapbooking Kit (product list below), and was created for the June Sketch Challenge hosted by Kim & the Tres Jolie Kit Club!

The Tres Jolie Kit Club June Sketch

I just love 49 & Market, and those laser cut shapes made this layout go together much faster than fussy cutting flowers!!

Adding some foam under the photo gives it just a little lift from the layers underneath.

I set out with a goal to see if I could use an entire package of flowers on a layout! I think it's a first for me!

I just happened it have the perfect Say It In Crystals in my stash for this project!

Another big, flower milestone for me...using a mix of flat & 3D flowers. I don't know if I've ever really succeeded at it. It always makes me panic!

A bit of the lace from the Tres Jolie Kit & a ReneaBouquets Heart Paper Clip for some little touches.

Products:

• [From the] Tres Jolie June 2019 Scrapbooking Kit
• 49 & Market
• Bold & Beautiful Collection
• Dear John
• Edge of Reason
• Whispers
• Laser Cut Shapes
• Blossom Blends
• Bluebell
• Lace
• ReneaBouquets
• Beautiful Board Heart Paper Clips
• Art Anthology
• Keyholes 6x9 Stencil
• Shimmerz
• Creameez
• Lapis Dance
• Dazzlerz
• Foiled Again
• Prima
• Finnabair
• White Crackle Texture Paste
• Jamie Dougherty
• Bloom
• Spark 6x6 Stencil
• Frank Garcia
• Santorini
• Say It In Crystals
• idea-ology
• Tim Holtz
• Tiny Attacher
• Tonic
• Tim Holtz
• Paper Distresser
• JudiKins
• Diamond Glaze
• Art Glitter Glue
• Silly Winks Sticky Back Foam Sheet
• Liquitex Clear Gesso

Egg Hunt

Egg Hunt - Created for the More Than Words June 2019 Main Challenge!

I started scrap-booking way back in 2009 when a friend asked me if I wanted to come over and scrap with her one night. At the time I was only thinking it would give me something to do...well, I haven't stopped since! Honestly, at the time, I thought it was just putting photos down on paper and I think I might have actually said, "you know, they make photo albums for that!"

Anyhow, I have often wanted to go back and "fix" my earlier layouts and More Than Words gave me the perfect motivation this month! Truthfully I have been wanting to go back and "fix" this particular layout for a while (the before photo is a bit further down!). At the time I made it (mid-2010, according to the date of the photo of the layout), I hadn't been scrap-booking very long, maybe 7-8 months. I didn't have a lot of supplies, I think all my paper still fit in a single Iris 3" Scrapbook Case! Then I found out people sew on their layouts! "SEW!!! Why didn't I think of that! I have a sewing machine! I'm gonna sew!"

This months More Than Words Challenge is "Favorite & Scraplift Yourself." 

What does the word FAVORITE inspire you to create?

You can choose to use the actual word somewhere on your project 

or simply be inspired by it. Please explain in your blog post 

how it inspired you if it isn't obvious in your work.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens - are these a few of your favorite things? As an extention to our word inspiration this month, we want you to find a favorite old project of your own and SCRAPLIFT YOURSELF! You can copy the design, the colours or any part of the project, so long as the project was created by you. Please share the original project in your post so we can see both the original and the scraplifted pieces.

The word "favorite" has a two part inspiration for me.

1. Sewing is still one of my favorite techniques on layouts.
2. These are some of my favorite photos! Especially the look on my sons face while the eggs are being counted! (No, that's not me counting them with him in the photo! I was the one behind the camera!!)

As for scraplifting myself, I lifted technique (sewing), and colors (I actually used paper from the same DCWV stack!)

I took "Reinvent and old favorite" very literally! LOL!!

Ok...are you ready now? Ready to see the original?

Here it is:

The original, and my VERY first time sewing on a layout!

The original paper that the original title had been cut from!

What a difference nine years of "practice" makes!

Cut Files & Fonts (new layout):

• Silhouette Store
• Sweet Pea Sketch (Font) #86121
• PN Flittering Bold (Font) #191827
• SG Easter Egg Dingbats #256084
• Chevron Easter Eggs #121232
• Easter Eggs #24502

Products (new layout):

• Shimmerz
• Vibez
• Hermit the Frog
• Coloringz
• Don't Citron Me
• Studio Calico
• Large Alpha Used For "HUNT"
• Pink Paislee
• Paige Evans
• Oh My Heart Ephemera
• Hip Kit Club
• Day Dreams
• Puffy Stickers
• American Crafts
• Creative Devotion
• Texture Stickers
• Dear Lizzy
• Date Stamp
• Prima
• Water Brush
• Die Cuts With A View
• Holiday Stack?? (around 2009-10)
• Bazzill
• Avalanche
• A Flair For Buttons (Etsy)
• All three buttons ... at least I'm pretty sure because my collection was "manhandled" by a 2 & 6 yo in April when my niece & nephew came to visit! But who can resist colorful, shiny objects?!?!
• 13 @rts
• Ayeeda  Ink
• idea-ology
• Tim Holtz
• Mini Stapler
• Ranger
• Archival Ink
• Jet Black
• Tim Holtz
• Distress Oxide
• Peacock Feathers
• Squeezed Lemonade
• Silhouette
• Cameo 3
• Pen Holder
• Uni-Ball
• Singo (Micro 207)
• Liquitex
• Clear Gesso
• Krylon
• Workable Fixative
• Unknown/Unbranded
• Threads
• Washi Tape
• Tissue Paper
• White Cardstock (scrap pile!)
• **All the other patterened papers. (They came in a SSS kit at least two years ago, but SSS "tears" off random chunks of pads ...)

Original Layout Products & Fonts (that I can remember):

• Cricut
• "53 Eggs" came from a Cricut Cartridge. I don't know which one, it's been a long time! I want to say it had the word "Basic" in it ...
• Die Cuts With A View
• Holiday Stack?? (around 2009-10)

Always

My sons ... a few (13!) years ago!

For the month of February the More than Words Challenge was "Always & Quote." My favorite quote of all time is by Helen Keller, "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be see or even touch - they must be felt with the heart." The greatest of all emotions is Love, and I don't think there is a greater love than parental love - Always.

February 2019 More Than Words Main Challenge

A quick overview of what I did:

• I first coated the Creative Embellishments Heart Flourish in the Prima Pastes and set it aside to dry.
• I started with some clear gesso on the background, then added the stenciling & embossing.
• All parts from the Prima Mould were coated in black gesso, then Bronze Age wax...and I just started stacking and arranging and gluing the ReneaBouquets Grid with the gears...And hoping for the best! LOL!
• Then the pastes ... layering and mixing and blending and watering down and building back up and drying ... and doing it all over again!
• The hearts & "Always" were both coated in black gesso, but the hearts only have Electric Violet Metallique Wax & "Always" has a mix of Electric Violet, Old Denim, and Mint Sparkle on top of Bronze Age.

Cluster at top of page.

Cluster at bottom left of page.

Area under photo.

Products:

• [From the] Tres Jolie February Scrapbooking Kit
• 13@rts
• Aqua Flora "Blue dreams"
• Prima
• Midnight Garden Collection "Old Map"
• Resin Icons
• Chalk Black Gears
• Chalk Black Words
• Creative Embellishments
• Heart Flourish
• ReneaBouquets
• Beautiful Board
• Grid Elements
• 13@rts
• Rose Fields Collection
• "Always" Chipboard
• Prima
• Finnabair
• Metallique Wax
• Bronze Age
• Electric Violet
• Old Denim
• Mint Sparkle
• Rust Effect Paste
• Burnt Sienna
• Royal Blue
• Lavender
• Mechanica Mould
• Vintage Trinkets (Clock)
• Art Anthology
• Diamond Grunge Stencil
• Ranger
• Antiquities Embossing Powder
• Frosted Crystal
• Archival Ink
• Jet Black
• Tim Holtz
• Aged Mahogany Distress Oxide
• Freckled Fawn
• Wood Chips - Hearts
• Stampers Anonymous
• Tim Holtz
• Bubble Stencil
• Silhouette Curio
• Silhouette Pen - Black
• Unbranded
• All the other gears not from the Prima Mould!

Blossom by blossom ...

A layout, with a photo I took, using the Tres Jolie February scrapbooking kit.

I was smitten with the 13@rts paper used for the background, and fortunately Mother Nature let the first signs that spring will return peek out so I could have a photo that matched the colors perfectly!

I grabbed my Ranger Gold Embossing Powder, TCW Paste, & my Art Anthology Lotus stencil for the background, and the bit of ribbon on the bottom I've had for a few years!

Under the photo I cut apart Prima's "Rose Receipts" for layers and fussy cut "Midnight Garden" for the darker flowers peeking out at the top and bottom of the stack.

All of the "top flowers" (the ones with centers showing!) came from the Prima flower packs that were included with the February Tres Jolie Kit, and I dug into my stash for the "bottom flowers" (the ones where only petal peek out!) and the leaves.


Products:

• Tres Jolie Kits
• February 2019 Scrapbooking Kit
• 7 Gypsies Architextures
• Iron Fence
• 13@rts 
• Aqua Flora: Pink Bouquet
• Prima Midnight Garden Collection
• Rose Receipts (12x12)
• Midnight Garden (12x12)
• This Place (Flower Pack)
• Dark Romance (Flower Pack)
• Ranger 
• Gold Embossing Powder
• Prima
• Wildflowers Pillar
• Art Anthology Lotus Stencil
• The Paper Studio
• Bright Lace Ribbon Scrap Pk
• TCW
• Light & Fluffy Modeling Paste
• AC This to That
• FabriTac
• JudiKins Diamond Glaze

all smiles

A full 12x12 layout using only items from my Counterfeit Kit! I once scrapbooked with limited supplies because I was just getting started with this craft, working from this kit reminds me of those days, and forces me to really think.

As a bonus, I actually finished off two packages of embellishments! Granted neither of them were all that full, but it felt good to use something up, better than I thought it would! I know buying new is fun and exciting, but finally using all of a product or that “special” paper is (almost as) exciting!

Happy Layout!

My Great Dane, Lucy, laying in the pond after an afternoon walk.

Over at scrapbook.com I host a monthly challenge, "The Ugly Games." Each month "tributes" are given someone to send two papers and (at least one) embellishment to. The receiver is then challenged with creating a layout using all or part of the papers, as long as they are recognizable, well the embellishment(s) are optional and count towards two extra votes! This isn't to say the papers are ugly, but the combination is meant to be U-G-L-Y, or at least something that wouldn't normally be used together! It really teaches one to think about papers differently and how to combine different colors and patterns!

For the May 2018 Challenge I was sent the following papers and set of stickers:

The layout they became is at the top of this post and here:

The cut file used here is "Piece of the Pie," from The Cut Shoppe (Etsy). I cut the outer edge of the shape in the yellow paper, then the "outline" in the red & white paper! With the stickers I coated them in clear gesso so I could apply watercolors to them, then used the hearts and flowers on the layout!

Product List: 

• Hip Kit Club Exclusive Die Cuts 
• Pentel Water Brush 
• Clear gesso 
• American Crafts - Lovely Day Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Up
• American Crafts - Little By Little Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Li'l Bit
• American Crafts - Little By Little Collection - Thickers - Hello Joy
• Echo Park - Summer Dreams Collection - Enamel Dots
• Scotch ATG - Adhesive Applicator Gun - Pink
• Sharpie - Fine Point - Writing Pens - Black - 2 Pack
• Silhouette America - Cameo Version 3 - Electronic Cutting System
• Silhouette America - Cameo Version 3 - Autoblade
• Tonic Studios - Tim Holtz - Non-Stick Micro Serrated Scissors - 7 Inches
• Prima - Watercolor Confections - Tropicals
• Tonic Studios - Tim Holtz - Mini-Snips - 5 Inches
• Crate Paper - Chasing Dreams Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Moment
• American Crafts - Little By Little Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Cultivate Joy

Smile!

Smile layout, featuring your truly!

Over at scrapbook.com there is the "Round Robin" challenge, which is basically how it sounds. Inspiration is posted, in the case of this month, a lovely autumn themed image with the quote "Even though we can't have all we want, we ought to be thankful we don't get what we deserve" on it. So, it inspired me this way: I am 4 1/2 years old in this photo, and obviously upset about SOMETHING which I'm sure at the time was because I didn't get what I wanted or didn't get my way, hence why I linked this photo with the quote. And, I also threw in some leaves and I have mostly autumn colors on this layout. So there you have it, my Round Robin layout! Now it's week two's turn to be inspired by my layout!

This layout is also going to be entered in the Stuck?! Sketches November 1st sketch challenge, which is to use the following sketch! Instead of three photos, I cut one photo into three pieces! I also flipped the sketch on its head for my layout!

Stuck?! Sketches Nov. 1, 2017 Sketch

Product List:

• Shimmerz 
• Vibes: Mango Tango 
• Inklingz: Old Yeller 
• Creameez: Lapis Dance 
• Hip Kit Club 
• Harvest Dreams: Warm & Fuzzy 
• Elle's Studio 
• Black Letters & Numbers Sticker Sheet
• American Crafts
• Star Gazer Collection
• 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Make a Wish
• Crate Paper
• Gather Collection
• Ephemera
• Pinkfresh Studio
• Escape the Ordinary Collection
• 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Transform
• Chipboard Stickers
• Ephemera Pack with Foil Accents
• Prima
• Finnabair
• Art Basics - Mixed Media Silicone Brush - 2 Inch
• Ranger Ink
• Tim Holtz
• Water Brush - Detailer Brush Nib
• Sharpie - Fine Point - Writing Pen
• Teresa Collins
• Daily Stories Collection
• Cardstock Stickers - Alphabet and Label
• Tonic Studios 
• Tim Holtz
•  Mini-Snips - 5 Inches
• Orange & White Twine ... umm, I kinda threw the wrapper in the trash! 
• White tissue paper 
• Clear Gesso 
• The pink gems I got in a Birds of a Feather Kit back in 2014 ... I think 

Cherish

Cherish

During the last weekend of October, the husband and I went to the wedding of two very dear friends (the couple I made this card for), this is a layout I did featuring a photo I took during their first dance as husband and wife.

All of the papers on here I've had for at least 18 months. Apparently they were all waiting for this wedding! The lace is some eBay "vintage lace" I bought a few months back, and the flowers have been in hording for a long, long time!

This layout was entered into a couple of Challenges over at scrapbook.com, the October Music Inspiration Challenge (the song picked for me was "A Taste of Honey," and I used the line "yours was the kiss that awoke my heart" it just seemed rather fitting for the occasion!), the November Die Cutting Machine Challenge, and scrapbook.com's Handmade for the Holidays.

I absolutely LOVE the shard glitter glass and glass micro-beads from ReneaBouquets! (Links in Product List)

Not a lot of "special" techniques used here. I tore the papers, layered them with some lace, and then just started arranging flowers! Well, I did "dye" the paper flowers with some Distress Oxides & Shimmerz Paint!

Product List:

• ReneaBouquets 
• Silver Shard Glitter Glass 
• Champagne Glass Microbeads 
• Shimmerz 
• Butter Cream Paint 
• Tuscan Sun Spritz 
• Dear Lizzy Date Stamp 
• Prima E-Line White Flower Mix 
• Bazzill "Vanilla" Cardstock (song lyrics are on) 
• Bella! Something Blue Paperz "Tittle" 
• Bella Blvd - Ciao Chip - Self Adhesive Chipboard - Words - Today
• Chickaniddy Crafts - 365 Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Weekend Wonders
• Little Birdie Crafts - Classic Elements Collection - Beaded Fancies - White
• McGill Paper Blossoms Collection - Tool Kit
• Prima 
• Finnabair - Art Basics - 3D Gloss Gel - 8 Ounces
• Paintables - 12 x 12 Paper - Roses
• Ranger Ink
• Archival Ink Pad - Jet Black
• Glossy Accents
• Tim Holtz 
• Distress Oxides Ink Pads - Antique Linen
• Distress Oxides Ink Pads - Faded Jeans
• Mini Ink Blending Tool - Round
• Scotch ATG - Adhesive Applicator Gun - Pink - Uses One Fourth Inch Adhesive
• Silhouette America 
• Curio 3T Version - Electronic Cutting System
• Pen Holder
• Sizzix - Big Shot Plus - Starter Kit - White and Gray
• Tonic Studios - 
• Tim Holtz - Mini-Snips - 5 Inches
• Tim Holtz - Paper Distress
• Unknown/Unbranded 
• 5 petal flower die 
• Ivory & Silver Stamen 
• Green floral wire 
• Vintage lace 
• key 
• Ivory "pearl" flower centers 
• Tan-ish-Gold-ish Beads (on the two fabric flowers)

the morning after

the morning after - 1953

Recently, while combing through old photos my grandma had kept over the years, I came across this photo, and I fell in love with it! I find it to be hauntingly beautiful. The remnants of packaging are scattered among the new toys that had arrived the day before. Even the lamp shade is crooked! This moment in life was captured forever by my grandma, she even provided the title! "The Morning After" had been written at the bottom of the photo.

Over at scrapbook.com, I host "The Ugly Games." (formally known as "The Ugly Paper Challenge," we had a vote!). Anywho...the object of the challenge is to use the two papers and the embellishment(s) (optional) that you are sent at the beginning of the month to create a layout! (I give out addresses on the 1st, & in short, you send a set, you receive a set). Now for my disclaimer, I'm not saying the products are themselves "ugly," the whole point of the challenge is to use papers sent to you that you may or may not have ever considered trying to combine, or they may or may not be your "style." Back in September, I received the following papers:

"The Ugly Games" papers I received in September

First, a short explanation, because these papers were sent to me during football season! I am a Kansas City Chiefs fan, and another football "nut" in the group is a Seattle Seahawks fan, and she has been patiently waiting for me to be on the receiving end during football season since the spring! The mascot for the Seahawks is Tamia the Hawk, hence the photo, and Seahawks fans are the "12th Man Army," hence the two "12" circles (apparently the Seahawks can't play without an extra person 😏) Anyhow, I normally get my layouts completed on time, but September was a draining month for me, and it seemed to affect my creative process. I knew what I wanted to create, I was just constantly running into a mental roadblock! I had actually put a layout together most of the way, but it just wasn't right! It was dull, and the lobster paper poinsettias just wouldn't blend in! I was frustrated, and that certainly didn't help my roadblock, then, as luck would have it, I saw this layout by Phyllis on the ReneaBouquet's Facebook Page, and I knew it was the inspiration I needed to get those papers used! It embodied the direction I had been trying to go, and stepped it up a notch! I actually dismantled the layout I had started, very carefully, given I couldn't replace any of the elements I had received in The Ugly Games and started anew! In fact, the Bazzill "Ash" cardstock with the Prima Crackle Paste was part of the original! (In addition to the parts created from the papers and embellishments I received.)

A closer look at the flower cluster and ReneaBouquet Silver Microbeads & Black Shard Glitter Glass (both linked at end of post) under the title!

Closer look at the cluster on the right side showcasing the flair from {A flair for buttons} (link at end of post)

Just another angle.

A close up of the Silver Glass Microbeads on some of the holly leaves! (I am seriously in love with those beads!)

Another angle!

The photo was taken from the top of the page looking down, with a good look at what I did to the pink rhinestone strip I had received! I used alcohol inks on it to change the color, dabbed on some "Foiled Again" Shimmerz Dazzlerz, and ran a wire through it so I could shape it!

Looking down at the Black Glitter Glass and Silver Microbeads that are at the top of the page.

Looking down at the cluster found on the left side of the photo!

**All of the cuts (poinsettia's, holly, ornaments) came from the Silhouette Store!**

Product List:

• ReneaBouquet:
• Silver Glass Microbeads
• Black Shard Glitter Glass
• Shimmerz
• "Coal" Paint
• "Foiled Again" Dazzlerz
• {a flair for buttons} "Tis The Season" Flair
• Hot off the Press: Black Silver Floral Foil Cardstock
• Bazzill
• "Ash" Cardstock
• Silver Metallic Cardstock
• Basic Grey: Juniper Berry "Lump of Coal" Paper
• Fancy Pants Designs
• "Collecting Moments" Sticker Fundamentals
• Tim Holtz:
• Flourish Stencil
• Distress Spray Stains: Candied Apple, Iced Spruce, & Weathered Wood
• Distress Ink: Iced Spruce
• Distress Oxide: Iced Spruce
• Paper Distresser
• Hinge Clip
• Mini Ink Blending Tool - Round
• Alcohol Inks: Cranberry & Silver
• Ranger:
• Texture Paste
• Transparent Gloss Texture Paste
• Glossy Accents
• "Gunsmoke" Stickles
• "Perfect Pearl" Perfect Pearls
• WOW Embossing Powder: Cloud 9
• Martha Stewart "Scallop Dot" Edge Punch
• Prima
• "White Crackle" Texture Paste
• "Crackle" Stencil
• DMC Silver Embroidery Floss
• a la mode clear embossing powder
• Silhouette
• Cameo
• Curio
• Unknown:
• the red paper
• the red cardstock (behind the photo)
• the green paper behind the photo
• Flat back pearls
• Silver wire
• Silver Metallic Marker
• Homemade Alcohol Inks: Black (ish) & a light purple (ish)

colder weather

colder weather layout! (the shards along the edges of the torn paper behind the photo are Silver Glitter Shard Glass by ReneaBouquets, but I took the photo with no flash so there wouldn't be glare off the shards or the metallic words at the top!)

Over at scrapbook.com, Amanda (scrapanda) hosts the Music Inspiration Challenge! For September I was given the song "Colder Weather" by the Zac Brown Band (lyrics link; video link), and this is what I came up with!

Way back when... (bet. 2002-2007) I lived in Michigan. This is a photo looking out our back door towards the dilapidated old barn that was on the property. I love the snow. I miss the snow. I don't necessarily miss being cold 😄, but I have always found snow to be beautiful.




In addition to the Music Inspiration Challenge, I am also entering this in the October 1st, Stuck?! Sketches Challenge, using the following sketch as inspiration!

As you can see, I rotated the sketch 90°, and instead of rings and splatters, I used snowflakes from two Simon Says Stamps sets, "Frozen Fractals" and "Swell Christmas."

October 1st Stuck?! Sketches Challenge.

Product List:

• ReneaBouquets Silver (Shard) Glitter Glass - (this is the 1st time I've ever used it ... had to see how it worked and all! I already have other projects lined up now [in my head] and I know I have found a new product to LOVE!)
• Simon Says Stamp - "Frozen Fractals" and "Swell Christmas" stamp sets
• Shimmerz AcriTonez: "3 Sheets to the Wind"
• Tim Holtz Distress Oxide, Stain, & Spray Stain - Wilted Violet; Nib Water Brush; Distress Collage Brush; Advantus Word Keys; Mini Snips.
• Bo Bunny - Altitude Collection - Christmas - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Blizzard & Noteworthy Journaling Cards; Sweet Life Collection - Chipboard Stickers
• Ranger Glossy Accents
• Prima - Finnabair: Snowflake Paste; 3D Gloss Gel; Metallique Wax - Old Silver & Brushed Iron, Opal Magic Wax - Royal Robes
• Silhouette Cameo: The font for "weather" is "Cotton Candy" from the Silhouette Store 
• Pink Paislee - Merry and Bright Collection - Christmas - Foil Stickers - Word Strips
• We R Memory Keepers - Crop-A-Dile and Case - Pink - Includes Crop-A-Dile, Case and 100 Eyelets
• EK Success - Sticko Alphas Stickers - Foam - Large - White
• The lace under the photo and the ribbon on the key were both part of the "goodies" I received from Donna (bonprof) with my September PocketLetter from her! (Neither of them was originally purple, but with a little help from some Distress Stains, all of us got to turn purple! LOL)
• The snowflake cuts I've had for quite a while. They came as a "subscriber bonus" with a Birds of a Feather Kit...and those kits haven't been released since Feb. 2016!
• The clear gem...teardrop...bling also came from a Birds of a Feather Kit, I think circa Aug. 2014.
• 'generic' white acrylic paint
• white gesso

Hair Up Here

Hair Up Here

A layout featuring photos of yours truly at (almost) 11 years old! The journaling explains it all!

Me, in April 1990, attempting to get the high bangs that were in style at the time. Unfortunately (Fortunately?) I was given a head full of fine hair that has never cooperated!

This layout is for two challenges, the first being the August 1, 2017 Stuck?! Sketches challenge, using the following sketch:

The second challenge is the "Ugly Paper Challenge" over at scrapbook.com where I am the hostess. I first did the challenge back in August 2011 with the, I believe, original hostess. Then in 2012 (I think) the second hostess took over, and in March 2015 I took it over! So, as far as I know, I am the third hostess of the challenge. I haven't done the challenge every month since I first found it (with the previous hostesses), but I have always loved the challenge! In short, two "ugly" papers and one (or more!) "ugly" embellishment(s) are mailed to another player (I give out addresses!) at the beginning of the month, and players have until the end of the month to create their layouts! The papers have to still be recognizable, and the embellishment is optional (it counts as two extra votes at the end of the month!). Now, this isn't to say any particular papers or embellishments are "ugly," but the combination given is! Most of the time anyhow! The challenge is receiving a combination that you may have never even considered putting together on your own, plus you are receiving papers that may not be your "style." Anyhow, I just wanted to make it be known that "ugly" is a subjective term, and I have received (on more than one occasion) papers that were wonderful, even though the sender didn't think so!


When I received my papers this month I immediately thought of my being a "tom-boy" growing up, but I just didn't know what photos I had to use with them. It turns out I didn't have the photos needed, my grandmother did, but I didn't know that until our family has had to start sorting through her 88 years worth of possessions after she passed on August 3, 2017. And while it has been a sad time for the family, we have also discovered many items, mementos, and photos we didn't know existed.

The papers, and embellies, I received for the August 2017 Ugly Paper Challenge

Product List:

• Crate Paper - Chasing Dreams Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Royale
• Ranger Glossy Accents
• Sharpie Fine Point Writing Pens
• Shimmerz Paints: Paste-eez "Raspberry Sherbet," and Coloringz "Well Blue Me Down."
• Carta Bella Paper - 6 x 6 Stencil - Lattice
• Pink Paislee - Paige Evans - Oh My Heart Collection - Ephemera with Foil Accents
• American Crafts - Starshine Collection - Thickers - Glitter - Fitzgerald - Teal
• Tim Holtz - Idea-ology Collection - Industrious Stickers - Deco Type
• The black/grey glittery paper is DCWV, but it was in my scraps, and I couldn't even being to guess what the stack was it came from!
• Hip Kit Club Exclusive Enamel Dots (March 2017)
• Unknown pink & white twine