Life's Trivialities

Basketball

It's been a while since I've done a double page spread... the last one I remember doing was for Sketch Support. Now that that's no more (sad me...), I am less inclined to do them. I do like them when there are lots of pictures but they aren't so easy to embellish without it looking like things just went splat! I did, however, use one of Allison's sketches to complete this layout.

The other driving force behind it; the August Brand Challenge at Paper Secrets. You can see it linked up here along with some other amazing Echo Park inspired layouts!

Everything except the twine is Echo Park! Go me!!

This was such an amazing game, the last game of Nikolas' first (ever) basketball season. As tall as he is, you would think he had played before. Somehow, this is one of the sports he hadn't tried yet. I think people expected much more from because of his height. He did well though. For somebody who hadn't played before, he certainly tried. As evidenced by that bottom, right picture; "get your hands OFF my ball!" is the caption I see in my head.

This layout came together lickety split by using all the same manufacturer! Amazingly, that is 4 sheets of EP and the sticker sheet. That's it. Unusual for me. Nice to have a layout fly together for a change!

 

Wrigley

It's been a rough year for my boys in regards to baseball... The Cubs (shhh, you have to whisper this....) haven't done very well.... And when they perform as they have, the desire to pay lots of money to travel to Chicago and see a game dwindles. Never mind that swimming has been the focal point of our summer. And lives!!

I did manage to take the kids to a game on our recent trip to Chicago however. It was THE perfect night to be at Wrigley. The weather was sublime; sweatshirts in June! The company was fantastic and the Cubs actually WON their game. With some exciting plays (not that I should pretend to understand what happened...).

This layout documenting that experience is based on the July layout challenge over at Paper Secrets. I used the giant baseball sticker from my guest DT stint with Scrappin Sports & More, some Pebbles and a whole lotta stars! And some twine and other stuff. Great inspiration!

The "original" star is the navy blue one pre-made by Bazzill. I took that foundation and created all sorts of complimentary stars that matched the colors in my layout. I've been doing a fair amount of dry embossing lately ; my new "go to" technique apparently.

I have created a number of layouts using this Pebbles line. None of them 4th of July. Mostly baseball. I made a mini-album (also crazy, I know!!) using this same line and pictures. Something for Nikolas to remember his favorite team by.

Cherish

Been so hectic around here I haven't had a chance to share layouts I made for various challenges. Paper Secrets' brand challenge this month is to create a project using Glitz product. I just so happened to have some Glitz thanks to a 3 Scrappy Boys kit so I was able to play along. Lucky me! And better yet, the colors worked perfectly with Nikolas' first holy communion. My Mum took this picture of the four of us before heading to the church.

I had some fun with the BigShot and cut out the medallion, banner and scrolly thing, all using Glitz paper for some extra "glitz" on the page!

Mizzy Moo's pink head band really stands out in the picture... I had a sepia and a black and white picture that I thought might look better but alas, I like the color. Despite that hot pink head band... I think the sharpening and color of the picture of the layout make it stand out even more!!

I happened to pick up those Thickers at Marshalls the other day. They just knew they would be used right away!! LOL!! Cherished and loved!!

Do you have any Glitz in your stash? Want to play along?

Tea For 2

I warned you, I did. I remember! Yup, another layout of Mia's little tea party. This one is based upon the February sketch challenge at Paper Secrets. It's been so fun to be back in challenges again! I love that Tattered Angels mask for this layout. You don't see much of it but the few whisps peeking out of the edges are just sublime!

I tried to find a better font for the title but after an hour of searching, abandoned my quest. I just used a very fine tipped brown American Crafts pen to outline the letters that were in the Simple Stories Year-O-Graphy kit that I used for this layout. It's difficult to tell from the pictures but it mimics the use of typography in the little banners on the 4x6 behind the pictures.

While distressing that lace, I discovered a cool technique that I will have to share another time! The lace is very white. Left "as is" it was rather an eye sore on the shabby, oldy worldy looking kraft and other elements from Simple Stories. I used some distress ink and stain to kind of "age" it a bit. Make it become one with the rest of the layout.

Challenge isn't due until Feb 29th, why don't you play along?!