Special Guest DT Member Feature!

I have a surprise feature for you all today!!

Since we had so many beautiful Design Team creations for Sketch #05-11, I decided to post our Guest Design Team Member Liz Weber's interpretation of  the Sketch in a separate post. 

More eye candy, spread out over yet another day!! LOL Just a little more of the scrappy-enjoyment factor here at S:CY, right?

Here's a digital interpretation of S:CY Sketch 05-11 by our May Guest Designer Liz Weber~ 

 "Beautiful Smile" layout created by S:CY  May Guest Design Team Member
Liz Weber

[Notes: Digital credits: Shabby Princess, Summer Driggs]

Thank You Liz, Zane is a precious one, that's for sure! Those CURLS!! LOL 
I especially  love the way you put "floss" in the buttons on this LO... and that journaling spot  is perfect!

Remember to check out "Flourish with a Bling," everyone!
Store/Site
Flourish with a Bling's Blog

Soooo happy to have you with us at S:CY this month, Liz!!
Again, a special welcome to one of our own "Hall of Fame Gals!!!!"

~ Ali, Ann and the S:CY Design Team 

Sketch 05-11 Reveal!

Welcome back to S:CY!!


This week, we have another 12x12  Sketch for you to try! Please sure to leave us a link if you do... we will come visit your blog or Gallery and leave some love. Who doesn't love blog visitors?  Remember to leave those links!


Ready to see the new Sketch? OK!

Here we are- Sketch 05-11 features juxtaposed squares and a large circle... uneven stripes... and a scalloped or bracket-shaped upper border. Be sure to let us know what you think of this one!!



Sketch 05-11 created by S:CY Team Leader
 Ali MacDonald



Here are some beautiful, fun, and sometimes whimsical interpretations for Sketch 05-11 from the S:CY Design Team. Enjoy!  



"Spring" layout created by S:CY Design Team Member Tammy Pyette
(Notes: Digi papers are Shabby Princess "Promise" collection; ribbons are Shabby Princess "Sweet Sprinkles.")



"Smiley Guy" layout created by S:CY Design Team Member Tammy Pyette
(Notes: Digi papers are from Shabby Princess "Two Soon."
 Lettering- Shabby Princess "Sweet Serenity.)



"How Many?" layout created by S:CY Design Team Member
Lindy Rabenstine

 "Beach Fun" layout created by S:CY Design Team Member 
Sylvia Galindo

"Happy Anniversary" layout created by S:CY Design Team Member
Jackie Primmer-Plank

"Original" layout created by S:CY Design Team Member
Heather Bridges Topich

"Lovely" layout created by S:CY Design Team Member
Helen Hollinger

"Happy Birthday" layout created by S:CY Design Team Member
Amy Manis



"Princess Party" layout created by S:CY Design Team Member
Cheryl Casas

"Skee-Ball" Layout created by S:CY Design Team Member Renee Hagler

"Be Mine" layout created by S:CY Design Team Member
 Sylvia Tomala



"Learning Journey" layout created by S:CY Design Team
Member Heather Getson

"Snow Day" layout created by S:CY Senior Designer Ann Seleshanko 

 

"Dad and Us: Fall 2000" layout created by S:CY Team Leader Ali MacDonald 

Journaling reads:

I took this photo of you all in our Lilac Street PMQ on the Base at 14-Wing Greenwood. I had it in a frame, displayed with a collection of other “baby-Daniel” pictures. When the frame was dismantled, I immediately had to “scrapbook” the photo because it’s one of my favourites.

Daddy looks a little tired here because Daniel never slept more than a couple of hours at a time and we were both up a LOT at night. Looking back, we laugh and are not too sure how we survived it and went on to have another baby (Noah)! You are all so worth it.

Love you guys…

Photo~ Fall 2000

Journaling by Mom ~ April 2011

A Note to readers...Daniel never slept more than 2 hrs at a time til he was age 4. (Noah was born when Daniel was 19 months old.) Yep- it was head-spinning--  but Daniel is a HOOT and of course we love him to pieces!  I always say he was just busy learning and soaking it all up, so "why sleep??" LOL ... sleeps like a LOG now, at 10 yrs! Go figure!! LOL  
 Anyway...the point is that I had another post created for this sketch, called "The Go Team," but when it was accepted for publication by Scrapbook News and Review, (in the April 2011 mag section called  "Using Squares in your layouts) I  made the LO above to replace it. I will add the other LO to this post once the "publication hold" is removed.

"MORE GOOD NEWS" Department!!!

We have more Good News from our S:CY Designers!!! A card by Designer Patchi Moussatche that was recently created using Ann's Card Sketch 1 won a prize at the  SRM STICKERS Blog!

Below you'll find Ann's Sketch and Patchi's winning card!! CONGRATS PATCHI! WTG!



April Card Sketch (Card #1) by S:CY Senior Designer Ann Seleshanko

  

The contest-winning "Birthday Boy" card by S:CY Designer
Patchi Moussatche created with S:CY Card Sketch #1 by Ann Seleshanko

Keep up the great work everyone!

May 2011 Guest Designer: Liz Weber!

I am so very excited to introduce our S:CY Guest Designer for the Month of May, 2011!

A warm "Welcome" to Sketches: Creatively Yours
"Hall of Fame" Member Liz Weber!

Sketches: Creatively Yours May Guest Designer Liz Weber

Liz was kind enough to share a little bio information with us...

Hi my name is Liz Weber, I live in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
I have been scrapbooking for 8 years but for the last 3 years I have been dedicated to cardmaking.
I have 1 husband, 2 children (Zane is 9 and Sabrina is 5) and 2 cats.
I love creating cards, layouts, sketches and digital layouts when the mood strikes.
I remember fondly my time with Sketches: Creatively Yours a few years ago and was honoured when Ali invited me to be a Guest Designer, thanks Ali!

Thanks to being on some very awesome Design Teams like Craft Queen, Flourish With a Bling and AnnaBelle Stamps,  I get a lot of gorgeous goodies to play with.

Flourish with a Bling's Store/Site: http://www.flourishwithabling.com.au/store/

Flourish with a Bling's Blog: http://www.flourishwithabling.com.au/blog/ 

Here are a few of Liz's "latest favourite projects," sent along to share with you all.

WELCOME BACK to S:CY, LIZ!

 "Birthday Greetings" card created by Designer  Liz Weber for AnnaBelle Stamps



"Happy Birthday" card created by Designer Liz Weber for Craft Queen



"Your Kindness Touched my Heart" card
created by Designer Liz Weber for Flourish with a Bling

Liz, we look forward to what you'll be bringing to S:CY

as you "Guest Design" for us this month! My warmest thanks for accepting the invitation!!

FEATURED DESIGNER: Mandy Harrell!

It is my absolute pleasure today to wrap up the month of April 2011 by bringing you another S:CY Design Team Member Spotlight!

Know what? I love writing these features. It's just a small way I can personally thank the gals for their dedication and work here at the S:CY Blog.  

Today we shine the spotlight on S:CY Designer Mandy Harrell. Let’s get to know her better, OK? Ready, set… go!

S:CY Design Team Member Mandy Harrell

Mandy is a SAHM to 5 kiddos, 4 girls and a boy. She also has 2 dogs and a hamster, and  laughingly says "I think I own a cat too, but she has taken to the fields around my home and lives off the land now, so not sure if I can claim ownership at this point!" (She inserted a big grin in her email to me right there. LOL!)  

Mandy works from home by selling crafts and wall decor that she creates. She told me that her kids all put up with her creative ideas. For example, Mandy’s 2 middle daughters recently participated in a Lord of the Rings photo shoot, led by Mom… The result is one of Mandy’s favourite LOs.

"Beauties" layout created by Designer Mandy Harrell 
 (Photo: Mandy Harrell)

Mandy dressed the girls up in LOTR costumes for the shoot...“We had so much fun!" In commenting on the creation of this page, Mandy adds "I used a water distressing technique for this layout.” 
In terms of scrappin’, Mandy's family is “first and foremost” her main source of inspiration… “and then after that comes my photography.” Mandy said “when I get a great photo from a shoot that I fall in love with, I have to scrap it even if it's not a family member.” Mandy owns a Canon 40D camera, and adds “I am hoping to purchase a Canon 1Ds Mark II this summer. I can't wait!!!” This gal loves to shoot photos, and is dedicated to improving her already-apparent skill in this area. Mandy told me that she loves how “both my hobbies go hand in hand.” (She is SO RIGHT about that!)

A peek at the projects on Mandy’s blog brings to the forefront her ability in beautifully photographing the small things that add such beauty to her creations. The pictures that Mandy takes of her work are delicious in their clarity and inclusion of shots featuring project details. They really are the definition of photographic "eye candy...!" You can easily see proof of this by taking a peek at Mandy’s blog, whimsically entitled: “For Scrapping Out Loud!”


Like many scrapbookers, Mandy describes being a memory-keeper from an early age. She says "as a teen, I always loved taking pics and sticking them in albums."

Mandy started her scrapbooking passion about 17 years ago, because of her eldest daughter Raine's birth. Raine is featured here in another of Mandy’s fave LOs.


"Reach" layout created by Designer Mandy Harrell
(Photo: Mandy Harrell) 

Mandy, aka "Craftysprinkles"  told me that she feels she really started to blossom in this hobby about 2 years ago when she began frequenting online Galleries. Mandy told me awhile back that she is “a big fan of working with sketches,” and that the hand-drawn sketches at S:CY appealed to her.
She says that her style “is best described as distressed and eclectic.” She distresses every page to some degree and says she also uses various brands and embellies on a single page. I asked Mandy for her best design tip, or hint… and she simply said “use layers, layers, and more layers!”

Mandy has a process to her scrappin’, and to decide whether something is done, she “works over every last detail of it.” She reveals that she will usually stand her layouts up. Why?? “So I can see them from straight on…” and then examine them with a critical eye. She said “countless times I have had empty spots in my background that I had to somehow get a layer behind.” Mandy reports that “I've added Stickles or Perfect Pearls for something extra on embellies or paper edges. To sum it up, I usually ask myself, 'where can I add more,' and if a clear answer pops out, then I add to it.”

We all have scrapping tricks that relate to our craft,  and Mandy's trick is connected to her enjoyment of music. She says "I love music... I scrap the best when I have music playing. I am also funny about playing music that fits my layout. So if I go darker I will play my Twilight soundtracks and if I go bright and fun, I go for dance music!!" 

I know you're wondering if I brought it up... The answer is "yes..."  I HAD to ask Mandy a question related to the topic of the dreaded “scrappin’ rut!” We are all familiar with it…those times when ‘Mr Mojo has LEFT the building…’ (Arghhh!!)
Mandy responded that if she falls into a rut, she takes a break… “unless I have no other choice. If I get a loss of mojo then I will set my project down and come back later.” Mandy told me that she really tries not to force the issue…stating that “it always comes back.” You can see evidence of the fact that mojo is never far away for Mandy by checking out her blog or gallery.

We also talked a little bit about the MUCH more FUN (in comparison to loss of mojo...) topic of scrap-supply organization! An interesting tidbit came up when I asked Mandy how she organizes her LOs in albums. She replied "I don't use albums anymore. My pages are far too thick and chunky to stick them in albums, so I place them in page protectors and store them in large bins. When my kids are older they can sort through them all and keep what they want.”
Mandy answered my organizational questions about her small scrappy items, too. She stores her buttons in “cute little jars that sit on my shelf.” For storage of her brads, Mandy uses bead containers.

The question related to paper storage for this S:CY Designer revealed that, like many of us, Mandy has her cardstock sorted by colour. “My patterned paper is always stored by brand.”
Organization and storage of paper scraps is handled in a well-planned way, too. Mandy told me that “when I get scraps left over I keep them in large ziplock bags by color.”

On the topic of handling deadlines, Mandy's sense of humor shines thru…! (Many of us can relate to her response to this issue!) She revealed that "I am awesome at handling deadlines, if they are set by someone else. If I set them, then forget it, lol.” (Thanks for your candor, Mandy! *wink* LOL)

Another of Mandy’s LOs is below. She told me that “This is my all-time favorite layout. The pic is of my youngest daughter and I just love the look on her face.”

"Speechless" layout created by Designer Mandy Harrell
(Photo: Mandy Harrell)

Mandy is currently a member of several Design Teams. In addition to her S:CY Design Team work, she creates for Scraps of Darkness Kit Club, Dusty Attic, Katies Kreations 4 U, Punky Scraps and Urban Swank.

Mandy's work has been published in Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. A side note: while perusing the most recent issue of SNR, I picked out Mandy’s work immediately-- before even looking for the Designer’s name!! That’s how distinctive and special her work is…! Bravo Mandy!

Thanks for helping us get to know you a little bit better as a person and an artist. We appreciate all you do for S:CY.
So very happy to have you designing with us!

 ~ Ali and Ann

Sketch 04-11

                                   Sketch 04-11 


Created by S:CY Team Leader Ali MacDonald

 This week's S:CY Sketch features a linear design for scrappin' 2 photos... complete with the suggestion of patterned paper, round elements, a "lace" effect alongside one photo plus a bracket, all capped off with a centrally placed, narrowly-matted title. This was such a fun sketch to create!

Our April Guest Designer Stefanie Semple created a digital template with this week's Sketch!

It looks great. Thank you so much, Stefanie! 



Digital version of Sketch 04-11 created by April S:CY
Guest Designer Stefanie Semple





"Of what does my kitty dream?" layout created by April S:CY
Guest Designer Stefanie Semple
(Credit: “What a catch” kit from Elise’s Pieces at http://www.thedigichick.com/... Stefanie notes that "it perfectly complimented my photos.")

"Just Ducky" Layout by Heather Getson previously posted here using Sketch 04-11 is OUT FOR PUBLICATION by

Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine



"100 years of flight in Canada!" layout by S:CY Design Team
Member Tammy Pyette

 

"Daddy's Buddies" layout created by S:CY Design Team
 Member Tammy Pyette
(Credits: Backgrounds by http://www.shabbyprincess.com/2006SeasonalSampler.asp ; "Winter" download.  The font is called "Brushed", it came with my editing software.)

 Journaling reads: "Champ was always a gentle giant. He was so good with kids, but even more so with Zac. The two were instant friends, as though Champ thought he was 'related' to him too."

  







"My new ride" two-page LO created by S:CY Design Team Member
 Lindy Rabenstine 

 


"Baby Cheryl with her Brothers" layout created by S:CY
Design Team Member Michelle Sheehan



"Play" layout created by S:CY Design Team Member
 Sylvia Tomala

 

"Future" layout created by S:CY Design Team Member
 Mandy Harrell

"You and Me" created by S:CY Design Team Member
Sylvia Galindo

 



"Pioneer Park" layout created by S:CY Design Team Member
Maggi Harding

 

"Summer Fun" layout created by S:CY Senior Designer
Ann Seleshanko



"Together" layout created by S:CY Team Leader
Ali MacDonald

Special thanks to you ALL for visiting with us here at S:CY today.

A warm "Thank You" to our April S:CY Guest Designer Stefanie Semple for being with us, sharing some of her fave layouts & her sketch interpretations this month.

The digital templates for Sketches 03-11 and 04-11 are really awesome: TY for this unexpected little bonus! Stefanie... YOU ROCK! It's been great having you with us... We wish you all the best with the Journaling Junkie Blog!

 Stay tuned everyone, in the next couple of days. We're gonna wrap up April with yet another S:CY Design Team Member Spotlight!

See you then!! Have a great Friday!



Sketch 03-11 and a SURPRISE!

Hi Everyone!

It's almost the weekend! WOW!

Are you ready for a new sketch? I sure am. Here you go... it's one with space for 2 pictures, embellished with scallops and linear elements in addition to a few florals or flourishes. Room for journaling, as always... we can't forget the journaling!! Hope you like it!



 Sketch 03-11 created by S:CY Sketch Artist/Team Leader
 Ali MacDonald

We have a special surprise for you today... our April Guest Designer Stefanie Semple  is soooo awesome: she took the time to create a digital template from the above sketch as a little treat for us! Thanks so much, Stefanie!!

Digital Template from Sketch 03-11 created by Guest Designer
Stefanie Semple

Here is how the Sketches: Creatively Yours Design Team interpreted Sketch 03-11...

First, a layout from our S:CY Guest Designer, Stefanie Semple:
 

"My Little Sports Fan" created by S:CY April Guest Designer
Stefanie Semple
(Credits: Elise’s Pieces "A guy’s life" kit  from http://www.thedigichick.com/)



"My Girly Girl" created by S:CY Design Team Member
Amy Manis



"Mum's Wedding" created by S:CY Design Team Member
Michelle Sheehan
(Note from Michelle: This is my Nana's wedding pic, I've titled it "Mum's wedding" as this layout is for my Aunty's album.)

 

"Quiet Time" created by S:CY Design Team Member
Patchi Moussatche



"I love Strawberry Shortcake"  created by S:CY Design Team Member
Lindy Rabenstine



"CF-EVJ" created by S:CY Design Team Member Tammy Pyette
(Notes from Tammy: All images are mine, the background was created from the images. Font is Arial bold.)  

 

 "Rilla's 1st Valentine" created by S:CY Design Team Member
Tammy Pyette
(Credits: backgrounds and embellishments http://www.shabbyprincess.com/2006SeasonalSampler.asp Valentine's download; I changed the colours. Font is http://www.searchfreefonts.com/free/4-my-lover.htm )



"Read" created by S:CY Design Team Member Sylvia Tomala



"Baby Jail" created by S:CY Design Team Member
Heather Bridges Topich



"Time Passes" created by S:CY Design Team Member
Maggi Harding 
(Note from Maggi: I had to work this one for awhile but this is my most favorite LO ever I think. The sketch inspired me!!)
 Here's the journaling...Thanks Maggi!
 “I was only 18 when that photo was taken. Here it is, 40 years later, and I wonder, where did time go? The older I get, the quicker time passes. I think if I could have one wish, it would be to slow time down so that I could better appreciate each day...”



 "High School Bestie" created by S:CY Design Team Member
Renee Hagler 



 "Hanging Around" created by S:CY Design Team Member
Cheryl Casas



 "Spring Cleaning" created by S:CY Design Team Member
 Jackie Plank



"So happy" created by S:CY Design Team Member
Helen Hollinger

"You make me HAPPY" created by S:CY Design Team Member
Sylvia Galindo 



"Fall Photo Shoot" created by S:CY Senior Designer
Ann Seleshanko

"Grace's First Show" created by S:CY Design Team Leader 
Ali MacDonald
 (Green Note: Tag recycled from the tack shop~ originally labelled some equine gear.)

Journaling reads: "Grace, Kate’s 7-year old Hanoverian-Thoroughbred mare, did really well at her first show at the Greenwood Horse & Riding Centre (GRHC) in June 2010.  It was a “Training Show” and  was busy and well-attended by both entrants and spectators. Grandma was there to watch the show as Kate and Grace competed in several flat classes. Grace didn’t “place” but she was sooo calm and happy to be there. She waited over an hour and a half for her first class and was as easy-going as could be. Kate was so proud of her! Way to go, Grace!"