What would you call your Scrap Style?

Lately,  I've been applying for a few different design teams.  And usually, on of the questions in the application is, "what is your style?".  At first I struggled with this question because I've only been scrapbooking for a few years. I learned from youtube process video, particularly Shimelle Laine.  From there I started scrap lifting layout I found online so I could practice different styles and techniques.  About a year ago, I developed my own style.  

One word that comes to mind when describing my style: Layered.

I do love tons of white space on my layouts.  To me, it draws more attention to the photo.

I created this layout for the CSI Case File #153:

What would you call your scrappy style?

My idea of mixed media layout

mixed media

pl.n. (used with a sing. verb)

1. A technique involving the use of two or more artistic media, such as ink andpastel or painting and collage, that are combined in a single composition. Found: HERE

I absolutely love mixed media scrapbook pages.  LOVE THEM!  I have so much fun playing with paints, stamps, and texture paste.  It's a whole new world to me.

I have a problem though.  Every time I use my artsy-fartsy supplies on a layout, I never like it.  Before I even start, I click through the CSI Gallery and get tons of inspiration.  For some reason, when I do it, I feel like it looks too messy.  Maybe I'm not a mixed media scrapper.  I want to be.  But maybe I'm not.  I enjoy getting in touch with my inner artist and making a mess, but I hate the outcome.  I'll keep trying.

Here is a "mixed media" layout I created for CSI Case File #CC-4:

I sorta like how this came out.  I used a stencil with texture paste that I tinted with a light blue ink pad, a stamp with black ink, and splotched of silver mist spray.  

Here is Case File CC-4:

I love everything about this layout besides the texture paste.  I think I just love a white crisp background.  I'm gonna keep trying to get this mixed media style to my taste. 

Wish me Luck.  Do you have a hard time with mixed media?  If not, any advice for me?

Exciting News and a Scrapbook Page

This morning I wanted to share a cute little page that I made for the January 1st Sketch at Stuck?!.

Here's the sketch:

I've always loved the sketches that Stuck?! provides each month.  They are always well thought out and full of layers.  

Here's the Big and Exciting News:

Stuck?! sketches asked me to be a Guest Designer for the month of February.  Isn't that awesome??  I'm so excited to work with them and their amazing team of designers.  Find out more about it HERE!

A Jellyfish and a Challenge

Have you ever made a piñata before?  They are relatively easy to make and SUPER in-expensive.  I actually buy all my supplies at the Dollar Tree for about $10.  So far, I've made two piñatas in my life and they turned out AMAZING!  (sorry for bragging) I followed THIS TUTORIAL BY HONESTLYYUM.  

Last year, my good friend, Bonnie,  asked me to make a jellyfish piñata for her daughter's "under the sea" birthday party.  Of course I said yeas, I'm always up for a challenge.  And a challenge it was.......planning this ridiculous jellyfish was no easy task.  So I asked for help from the most crafty girl I know, my neighbor Jessica.  She had so many awesome ideas for getting this thing to resemble a piñata.  Take a look:

Didn't the tentacles turn out cool?  They were Jessica's idea.  They are actually made out of strips of plastic table clothes from the Dollar Tree.  

I made this layout as a Guest Designer for CSI.  This month they are having an amazing challenge with awesome prizes.  The challenge closes on Jan 31st, so you still have tons of time to join in the fun.  Here is what Major Case File No. 151 looks like:

Scrapping these photos has me itching to make a piñata again.  Have you ever made a piñata?  

P.S.- I miss you Jessica!

Mee-Mee, Our Elf on the Shelf and a CSI Challenge

Christmas is my favorite holiday.  Even as a young child, I waited impatiently for this magical season to arrive.  I call my husband "Clark Griswald" during the holiday season, because he loves Christmas just as much as I do.  Our son is 3, and every year becomes more and more exciting.  He is understanding the whole Santa Claus thing and getting into all the Christmas magic.

Last year, Santa sent a special elf to spend the holidays with us.  My son, at 2 years old, named him Mee-Mee.  Maybe not the most thoughtful name, but cute none the less.  Mee-Mee is an interesting little elf.  He looks over us all day long and watches every little move we make. (kinda creepy).  When we sleep, he flies all the way to the north pole and reports our behavior to Santa Claus.  Before we wake, he flies back home and "usually" positions himself in a new spot in our home.  In the morning, my son searches the house until he finds him (the fun part).  The only important rule is to not touch him or he could "loose his magic".  Simple enough.  When Christmas Eve comes around, he flies back to the North Pole with Santa until next year.  Do you know what's crazy?  I actually miss him.  He's only been gone for a few days, but I miss his creepy little elf eyes looking at me like I've done something wrong. I'll get over it.  See you next year Mee-Mee!

Here's CSI's current Challenge Case #150:

Here's the Layout I created as a Guest Designer:

Here are the clues I followed for the case challenge:

The Scene:  I was inspired by the elves in the inspiration picture.
The Scheme:  I used all five colors.
Evidence:  I used stripes, arrows, holiday accents, decorative borders, string, branches, and labels.
Testimony:  I documented the holidays and wrote my journaling in a How-to format.

Take the Challenge! CSI Case File #149

Do you participate in any scrapbook challenges?  My favorite challenge site, CSI, has a fun Case File going on right now.

Case File #149:

The reason I love CSI challenges so much is because they really push my creativity.  They make me think outside of my personal style and always end up create something I love.  

Here is the layout I created as a December Guest Designer:

Winter Fun -By: Andrea

Before jumping into the challenge, check out how the challenge works.  It's so much fun and I highly recommend playing along.  

CSI Layout Feature and January Guest Designer

OOPS, I did it again..............(5 points if you can name that song!)

But seriously, I can't believe it happened again. 

CSI Color Stories Inspiration had another challenge.

Case File S365-9:

I participated in the challenge with this layout:

Cupcakes- By: Andrea

My layout and four others were chosen as the featured Case File Favorites.   The five of us were invited to be Guest Designers (aka Special Deputies) for the month of January.  What an honor this is.  CSI has been so kind to me and has given me a chance to showcase my work.  I couldn't be happier.  Their website is bursting at the seams with inspiration and challenges.  

CSI December Guest Designer

Scrap-ditali-ocious!  I don't know why that word just popped into my brain.  My brain is so random and it usually thinks like a 7 year old about 50% of the time.  It's fun though.  

Anyway, Guess what? Last night was reveal night for CSI's Challenge- Case File #s365-10.  

Here is what it looks like:

As a Guest Designer (AKA Special Deputy), I created this:

The photo is from Christmas Day 2009.  Me and my husband's first Christmas together.  I made him this really ugly, uneven, itchy, pink blanket.  It was my first crochet project, obviously.  He wrapped himself in it like a tortilla and said that it was the most beautiful blanket that he's ever seen.  Yeah right, but he was very touched that I spent so much time making him a gift.  Bless his heart.  At that moment, I knew we would always be together.