Going on a Horsie Hunt

going on a horsie hunt
Originally uploaded by akchristyn

You know sometimes it's the simplest pages and pictures that make me smile. This one tells the story about a stroll S and I took along the Highline Canal in October. Our mission was to find some horses and we met a couple of beautiful creatures as we enjoyed a fabulous fall day. I knew as soon as I saw the red and brown papers from Jenni Bowlin they would be perfect for this page. So happy with the way it turned out. Now if only I could get my hands on some more of these corrugated letters from Jillibean, yes I know I have a paper crimper and could make them myself, but where's the fun in that?

where does the time go?

the last week seemed to vanish, I had great plans and blog posts written in my head of things to share but that's as far as I got.

Friday was an exciting day because this little layout was highlighted on the Studio Calico blog, snatched right out of the gallery along with a few others. It made me so happy to get the email and a little ashamed that it was shared with the 'world' before here with my loyal readers. But you get the extra special story behind it...Patterned Paper: Sassafrass, Cosmo Cricket
Mist: Tattered Angels (Yellow Daisy)
Alpha: Cosmo Cricket
Journal Spot: Sassafrass
Cardstock: Scenic Route (blue grid)

It all started with the tree shape and as you may know if you scrapped with me recently I'm a little obsessed with Glimmer Mists so I wanted to mist a tree shape on some cardstock to make a page, but not wanting to waste a piece of cardstock for the template I decided to use this piece of Sassafrass paper included in October's SC kit, which did not appeal to me at all, let's face it this paper in the wrong hands can go wrong. I couldn't find my sheet so Houston gave me hers. I cut the tree and misted the shape on cardstock but it just didn't quite work out the way I envisioned in my head (such things rarely do) so the little tree cut out hung around in my stash for a few weeks, it was too cute in a 'so ugly it's cute' way that I couldn't throw it away and once I printed these pics I was sure glad I didn't. I was perfect for these shots I took of S in a tree (don't worry moms not too high up and I was right there to ensure safety). Add a few Martha butterflies and a little mist and a happy page is done.

Here's another example of my mist obsession, this one totally inspired by Rhonda. I misted through plastic mesh and on some bubble wrap to make the kraft background and then lightly misted the cream background.

Patterned Paper: Sassafrass (hippos), Jenni Bowlin (Text)
Stickers: Pink Paislee (woodgrain scallop), WeR (flocked flowers)
Alphas: Sassafrass (Zoo), Jenni Bowlin (Crw), AC (E)
Mists: Tattered Angels (Turquoise, Key Lime)


And speaking of mists, yesterday I went to a crop in Ft. Collins and set next to the queen of mists Liz Hicks, seriously the queen aka the education coordinator for Tattered Angels. Oh My! Very Inspiring!! Can't wait to try out a few things I saw her do.

Ponder

Lots to Ponder...

How long will it take all of the snow to melt?

What happened to the Broncos?

When visiting friends why the dog jumps their fence and ends up in the neighbors yard, but won't jump back?

To take a nap or read a book for the last precious hours of a Sunday afternoon?

If I don't go to the grocery store today, will there be enough Halloween candy to sustain me for the night?

How did this girl get to be so cute?


I wish I could take credit for this page, but I lifted the combo from this layout by ArlaMo at Studio Calico.

9.9.09

while this date is not quite as cool as 9.9.99 (wonder what I was doing on that day), I thought it was still cool enough to merit a blog post...but what oh what dear friends to blog about, definitely a period of blahness happening around here...totally normal and expected as I come down off the rush of school starting, hard to believe a month has almost come and gone already.

Luckily for you I have a couple more layouts from the September Kraft Girl Kit to share with you. The kit is full of goodies that are perfect for back to school pics, so I thought I'd get into the spirit with a couple of school layouts of my own.

The first is about my typical school day from the admin side...the number of emails, phone calls and paper that crosses my desk...even my beloved water bottle makes an appearance...while I don't always remember to eat, I do drink a lot of water, a girl has to stay hydrated after all.
This one is a few pics of S at daycare, and if you're wondering to yourself 'did she go visit just so she could have pictures for this layout?' well the answer is absolutely, I have no shame, I've taken entire vacations just to have pictures to scrap. I had been meaning to go for months, so this was the perfect motivation...Special thanks to Houston for the alpha border...

Speaking of kraft girls...a shout out to some of the DT girls who's goodies appeared on the Jillibean Soup bloggie today

Just as yummy is the sale that's going on at the site right now...buy June, July, August or even the fab September kit and get November or December for only 5 bucks. I've been longing for the
November kit full of Scenic Route Sonoma goodness, I might just cave and get June July...oh no they're both great I can't decide...

Happy 9s day!

Kraft Girls Kits --- Reveal Day!

I feel like I've only scratched the surface with this kit, can't wait to get deeper in throughout the month...

I know if Sienna wasn't on this page, you might wonder if it was really a Christyn creation...I'm in the midst of a mist addiction (cheesy I know, but I couldn't resist the word play). Until this layout the mist had been contained to chipboard and flowers, but Houston challenged me to spray a whole layout and so I did, plus a little misted bubble wrap ala Rhonda.


This layout is all about 'mr. man's' visit to the vet after he caused a fight at doggie daycare. The report card is one of 6 that combine to make one super fun piece of paper.


I love so many things about this picture, it needed a special layout. I 'borrowed' Rhonda's idea and made flowers with the text paper from Jenni Bowlin included in this kit.


Finally one with a cute picture of my dad and Sienna 'driving the boat', I love the grin on his face.

August Leftovers

I had a little self conflict yesterday posting sneaks, knowing full well that I had several layouts done in August that I haven't posted, some of you who know me well know I am all about order and routine, so you understand the inner conflict. Certainly not all are post worthy, but there were a few that I absolutely loved and felt they needed a little room in the spotlight. So since there is one more day left in the month I thought I'd squeeze them in...

The first one was for the August sketch...contest ends TONIGHT, just in case you're incredibly motivated...


Playing around with scraps...look out...if something is standing still I might just hit it with some metallic mist as is what happened with the thickers and flowers in this layout...


The 'rule follower' in me says I should teach her now that slides aren't for going up and that's dangerous, but the 'embrace the cuteness' me trumped that voice...


Hard to believe it's been almost a year...

Altered Journal Goodness

Have you noticed the school supplies everywhere you go, I love all of them...crayons, binders, and especially composition books on sale for 50 cents. I usually stock up and by 10 or so. Then I have them on hand when the inspiration hits...and hit it did. I gave this birdy a glitter bath thinking he would go on one of the layouts I posted yesterday, but then he just turned out so wonderful I thought he needed a project where he could really be the star.

I built up his nest with other goodies and adhered them all to the front on a composition book, I know this glittery friend with the cheery yellow will bring a smile to my face on those stressful days that the start of the school year brings.

More Kraft Girls Fun

I have a couple more Kraft Girl Kit layouts to share with you...

A little hybrid action on this layout...I added the frames in PSE and then printed and cut out the frames and the 'memories' quote. As if that wasn't enough newness, how bout a little mist action on the birdy. The kit only comes with 2 birds, but 2 wasn't enough(ok really, I was planning on using the second bird here, but after it got a glitter bath it needed a project by itself) so I traced and cut another bird and then hit it with some Archival Mists. Then...I wanted a little more shimmer so I rubbed some liquid pearl on the wing and on the flowers. I distressed the tag too, just for fun, the white seemed a little too white.



No fancy techniques on this one, who doesn't love black and white polka dots?

It's Reveal Day

(in my head I can hear an HGTV host saying the title)

anyway...

If you've been visiting my blog over the past week, you know that I am over the moon with the August kit from Kraft Girls Kits . From the moment I peeked in the box through 4 layouts(yes 4! and to think usually I do 4 layouts in a month) and a special project, I cherished each element.

You can see all my projects along with others from the rest of the ubertalented design team on the KGK blog or our super duper brand new flicker group. We want to see your kit work there too!

Here's the first of my layouts, I think it's my favorite, but then again I still have lots of goodies to play with...

Be sure to check the main site, there's lots of goodies to come including...

• Instructions for this layout and projects from the other DT members (they might not be up yet, but will be very soon I'm sure)
  

• A chance to win a free kit! KGK will be sponsoring 52 weeks 52 Sketches the week of August 9^th and will be giving away one of the August Kits. (Although I would say you should plan on buying one too, really I could use two and I'm sure you could too. )
  

• There's will be a sketch contest for August, another chance to win goodies

• Plus there will be a chance to win a little goodie on the blog this weekend.

Seriously 3 chances for free goodies, who else does that?

But wait there's more...The November and December 2008 kits are 50% off and the March kit is 25% off. What are you waiting for, jump on over to the KGK site right now.

Where oh where did my slick writer go?

Yay, I don't think there is a better feeling to finish with a project that has been in the works for a prolonged period of time. I started this little layout before my trip to Ak. I think I could have played it safe and mounted it on kraft or natural smooth and be done before I went to AK, but I really wanted to challenge myself to use a color background. Unfortunately the photos don't quite do it justice, so you may be saying 'she should have stuck with the kraft'...irl the cardstock is hot pink, super fun for summer.

This photo cracks me up, this is what Sienna's hair looks like post nap/pebbles styling when she manages to get the barrette or elastic out of her hair. I would journal all about it, if I could find my slick writer, off to buy a new one today, which is pretty much a guarantee I'll find my old one tomorrow. I have a couple of other 'favorite things' about this layout. First the butterfly, I used a spellbinder die to cut the butterfly and then dipped it in misted distress inks...want to do it yourself? Check out Jen McQuire's how-to video...careful it's addicting. Then I added glitter and sealed with super seal so the glitter would stay put. A little bling and some wire (salvaged from a bind it all project that went wrong) and this cutie comes to life. And just to show you how the ticket obsession is coming along, I layered the butterfly on top of a new SEI ticket that's glued to a Collage Press die cut ticket (it's a sickness, I tell you)


Speaking of things I can't get enough of...there's a Jenni Bowlin button in butterfly land, but was that enough...heck no! I cut three in half and used them along with small buttons to make a scallop border along the photo. Love how it turned out, no doubt this technique will show up on another layout at some point.


Supplies:
Patterned Paper: OA (stripe and polka dot), Studio Calico (Newsprint)
Embellies: Heidi Grace(pink journal square), SEI (bus ticket), Collage Press(blue ticket), Jenni Bowlin (buttons), AC (ribbon), Fancy Pants (colored buttons), Spellbinder(butterfly die cut), Kaiser (pink bling)

Hope your weekend was fantastic!

Let's pretend for a second that instead of the fabulous weather in Ak last week, it actually rained like I thought it would...I had planned to share these layouts, better late than never, right?

This one I did for Houston's birthday, I feel so blessed to have her as a friend.
Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket, Studio Calico, October Afternoon, Collage Press
Alphas: QK BeautyQueen, others hand cut from SC paper
Embellies: Making Memories, Collage Press, Jenni Bowlin


This layout is all about Sienna showing off her body parts...




Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants
Journaling Spot: Ali E brush from Designer Digitals printed on Kraft, Making Memories tiny alphas
Embellies: Fancy Pants Buttons, Bazzill Flower


She loves stuffed animals, so when I found these barrettes at a gift shop I knew they would be perfect, good thing I didn't expect them to stay in her hair very long...


Patterned Paper: Sassafrass
Alphas: American Crafts thickers
Journaling: Ali E. for Designer Digitals printed on kraft
Embellies: Tim Holtz tickets




This pic is actually from a few years ago, but it could have easily been last week, in fact if I hadn't done this layout right before I left I probably would have come home with an identical photo. More cosmo early bird, I love this paper, it makes me so happy every time I look at it, in this one I fussy cut the pinwheel paper to make it eyelet like.



Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket
Embellies: October Afternoon stickers, Making Memories frame and buttons, AC ribbon
Journaling Spot: Collage Press

Pretty Please with a Cherry on Top

What's not to love about a sticker with that phrase? I took the plunge and bought a Studio Calico kit this month...ok you caught me I bought 2 kits...the main and the Cherry Pop add on...I rationalized the second kit knowing the Houston really wanted it and fear that she didn't have internet access while in the wilds of Yosimite. I was prepared to give it all away and then...it came with it's bright cherry stickers and papers and well...we split the kit. Main kit is full of Cosmo goodness which I usually have a hard time cutting into, but since I had special ordered a full kit of just that I had now problem punching a few circles out of one of the papers...and the circles kept coming. This is one of those layouts that completely evolved as elements came together. It started with a polka dot background, color photo, a fussy cut flower, and punched circles. Polka dots got switched for kraft and I had polka dot letters but then the gingham ribbon practically jumped on the page by itself and I needed more red out with the chipboard letters and in with stamped letters...which didn't match the colors in the photo...finally at around 9 it all came together and I love it.
Patterned Paper:Cosmo Cricket
Alphas: AC Tickers (ooh peacock chip, yum!) OA stamps
Embellies: Jenni Bowlin(chipboard buttons), K&Co Bling, OA(Cherry, Polka stickers), QK (rings, leaves from re-use set)
Ribbon: Michaels

Grow

Sometimes(heck most of the time) I have serious concentration problems on Friday afternoons, especially post faculty meeting. Today is one of those days. So what's a girl to do while she's trying to remember what she needs to do? Well... write a blog post of course. Not that I have anything profound to say today, that only happens occasionally. So how about a layout instead. I love this pic of Sienna discovering some of Spring's first blooms (you know the ones that popped up before the late storms, only to be destroyed later.) And I had been holding on to this Jenni Bowlin bingo card forever, I thought they made a perfect combination.



Patterned Paper: Making Memories
Cardstock: Basic Grey
Embellies: Jenni Bowlin(bingo card), Cosmo Cricket(Journal Card), Heidi Swapp(bling), staples

Looking forward to celebrating National Scrapbook Day at the store with the monthly frenzy and super sales. Be sure to stop by if you're in town, we have great projects and super duper sales.

Time to dig into the stash

and scrap pile. I did a little bit of organizing my scraproom over the week, along the way I found this great Pink Paislee overlay, I forgot I had bought. I decided to really stretch myself and actually stamp a background using my handy CHF ledger scrapblock.I had it mounted on plain red cardstock then on the way to the scanner I saw the packaging from Sonoma and realized the colors were perfect. Sorry the scan is so wonky, the transparency and buttons just did it in.

Can you handle another Bella card...here's the latest. I organized my scraps and came across some sugared paper and chipboard from Basic Grey, it was the perfect for this bella I colored with H2O pencils.
oops looks like a pearl has gone M.I.A.

Weekend Wind Down

Yesterday was a wonderful day of scrapbooking in Ft Collins with the Pea group. I love these ladies! Amanda P was a wonderful hostess. I came home with 3 prizes, maybe some of Rachel's luck in rubbing off on me. Plus, thanks to a miracle of pre-planning I came home with 5 finished layouts. I think that might be a record for me for such a short crop.

Here's the first of the layouts to share...

is there anything cuter than tiny baby body parts? Look a little different than my usual simple style...totally, that's because it was for a 2 Peas challenge hosted by Ducky. As tough as it was it felt good to stretch my style.

Since it was such a long day, Tanner went to Camp Bow Wow for the day and night --- gosh it was strange not to come home to his happy face.

Today was a work day, we had a teacher quit just a we were wrapping up CSAP and a week before grades were due. That left me to pull her grades out of the curriculum and into our grading software for 180 kiddos. Not particularly my idea of fun, but someone had to do it. Also noticed she was behind on her grading of student writing. When it comes to our educational system nothing depresses me more than reading writing samples of high schoolers who can barely write. I wonder what the world will be like when it is run by people who believe an essay needs only to consist of two sentences, void of capitals and punctuation. I'm not the only one who wonders, ironically I clicked on this link on Arleigh's page and found the post End of Eloquence.

For the waning moments of the weekend I'm content to watch Iron Chef...battle garlic. Yumm-O. Here's your parting thought..."Garlic is the ketchup of intellectuals"