Lasting Memories Challenge #242 - Scrap Theme

Hello to my beautiful scrap-happy friends.  This month's theme at Lasting Memories is "Life's Affirmations".  This week the challenge is to scrap anything about this month's theme.   This got me thinking about a time in my life when I was working on myself.  In 2006, I woke up one morning and disliked almost everything about myself.  I didn't like the person I had become and made a decision to go on an intense journey to change everything about my life.  I met the most amazing and inspirational people in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and they forever changed my life.  It has been a continuous journey to make the positive changes necessary to life a full and happy existence.  One of the most important lessons I've learned is to "Live in the Moment".  

You see, my brain is never naturally living in the moment.  I sometimes have to close my eyes and try to completely empty all thoughts.  When my brain is finally quiet, I listen to the noises that are going on around me, then the smells, then open my eyes and see..  I love this moment right now.

CSI Case #165

CSI has an awesome Case File filled with fun inspiration with a soft and beautiful color palette.   Here's how I cracked the case:

Here's the original Case File #165:

You can find more details at met CSI Photo Gallery.

Lasting Memories Challenge #242 "Strength"

Hello Sassy Sunday Scrappers!  I know...I know.  I've been a little absent from the Bloggers World.  No excuses, just pure old-fashioned laziness.  Awesome-sauce.

For the month of May, the theme over at Lasting Memories is "Life Affirmations".  This week, for the challenge,  we are focusing on "Strength".

I used MME's Now and Then "Izzy" Collection.  I really love these colors with photos of my son.  They really bring out his personality.

He has a very "strong" and unique little personality.  

He's always happy, affectionate and caring, and loves to explore new things.  He truly is the sunshine in my life.

Head on over to Lasting Memories and have fun with this challenge.  We would love to see your beautiful Creation.

New Design Team at CSI

 I'm proud to announce that I am on the Design Team over at CSI.  I highly recommend checking out this awesome challenge blog.  They have unique challenges every month to get your creative juices flowing. The gallery is filled with tons of inspiration from scrapers around the world.   To be continued.............

New Month New Theme at Lasting Memories

Hey y'all.  Sorry I've been a little slower with the ole blog this past week.  I recently took on a new and amazing job in my local town.  I can't wait to share it with you in a later post.

Lasting Memories has a yummy theme going on this month, "Food for Thought".  And ladies, I LOVE FOOD!  This week's challenge is #227 "Favorite Recipe or Food".  I knew exactly what I would scrap about:

CUPCAKES!

It took a few years to find the "perfect buttercream frosting" and the "amazing cupcake batter" recipes, and together they made  "The Perfectly Piped Cupcake" for any occasion.

The buttercream frosting is sweet and creamy and melts in your mouth with every bite.  The batter bakes to perfection and tastes like a soft sugar cookie.  It's an amazing experience.  

My son and I made this batch for his class Halloween party.  They were a hit!

What is your favorite recipe or food?  Share with us over at Lasting Memories and join in on this fun challenge.  

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?

SBC Scrapbook Challenges Design Team = Awesome

Is it true?  Did Scrapbook Challenges (aka-SBC) really pick me to be on their Design Team?  Heck yes they did and I'm so excited to be a part of their awesomeness.  They have weekly challenges to inspire your creativity.  

This week's sketch is #424: 

Isn't that an awesome sketch?  Their is so much you can do with it. Here's what I did:

I altered the sketch quite a bit.  I kept the basic design of the sketch, but moved stuff around.  For instance:  I used one photo instead of two, tightened up the layers, moved the embellishment clusters, and made it my own. 

To me, a sketch is a basic idea for me to make my own.  Sometimes my creations look exactly like the sketch, and sometimes totally different, but I always get some sort of inspiration in the process.

Do you use sketches?  If so, does your finished project resemble the sketch?