A Sketchy Situation...

Many of you who have followed me for a while know that I heavily rely on sketches for inspiration (and you are probably sick of me saying that, too!). :) Let me jump off the path I was going on with this post for a moment to give you some background on myself first...

The reason I named my blog "One Scrappy Novice" was because, in all honesty, I do not have a creative eye. I am really good at faking it and the only way that is possible is by using something like a sketch or another layout/card to create from. I can only think of a dozen or so layouts/cards/projects that I've created on my own, with no help needed. I like to joke that I couldn't craft my way out of a paper bag. Others might get out by turning it into something beautiful, like a landscape picture or fun hat or outfit. To me, all I see is that brown bag. Now granted, I'm learning to appreciate my own work more and I do feel that I am much better at my hobby now than I was even a year ago. Some people are born with the ability to be artistic (my oldest daughter is proving that at 5 years old). Others learn to be artistic. That's definitely me.

So going back to the point of this post...sketches give me a basic jumping off point and get the creative juices flowing. Without them, I am usually totally lost. There are cases where I am totally lost while using them, too. The layout I created for this post is a perfect example.

But first, here is the sketch (found on Pinterest):

And here is the layout I created with it:

Once I saw the sketch, I wanted to use my My Mind's Eye Stella and Rose 6x6 paper pad. I knew all of the soft pinks, greens and blues would go together perfectly. And I knew that a picture I had of my friend's daughter would work with those colors as well. I got it all laid out and only adhered the banner down. The rest I was completely clueless on. I had other flowers that I wanted to use and thought the spacing was off. So I went to a bunch of my crafty friends and asked them for their eyes. I knew they would be able to see this layout better than I could. Their advice totally helped me and I am thrilled with the outcome. I hope my friend likes it as much as I do!

Don't be afraid to admit it if you are a self-professed "novice" like myself. As long as your projects turn out looking good, take all the credit you deserve! (Easier said than done, I know!)

Before I sign off, I want to remind you all of the giveaway I currently have going on! Be sure to check out {this} blog post to see how you can win one Authentique Paper Genuine collection!

Until next time...

My Uncommon Miracle

Hello, all! Happy Friday! Hope it's going to be as gorgeous where you are as it's supposed to be here!

Today is my last featured post over on the Authentique blog. Super sad, I know, but I am coming away from this experience with tons of...well...experience! I feel like I've grown so much as a crafter since being a part of Authentique's first design team (as well as my own!!). I've challenged myself to push outside of my crafty comfort zone and I genuinely feel that the work I have created while on this design team have been some of my best.

Alright, sappy stuff aside. Let's get down to business! I have a layout to share with you and then I'll get on with the good stuff...a giveaway!!

This is the layout that I created for my post today:

So pretty, if I do say so myself. :) I love how this turned out! Be sure to check out my post for more details!

If you've been following me for a while, you know that I tend to always use a sketch or some sort of inspiration to create from. Well, this layout is no different. I used a sketch from a sketch book I found at my local craft store. I can't show you the sketch because I'd be violating the copyright laws, but just know that it looks like my layout. :)

Now, on to the good stuff! To celebrate (or mourn, you're call) the end of the Authentique design team term, I am giving away one Genuine collection.

Pretty, isn't it? :)

Here is how you win: Become a follower of my blog (and Authentique's blog if you aren't already), then leave me a comment! Simple as that! I'll leave this giveaway open until Saturday, March 31st at midnight CST and I will draw and post the winner on April 1st! Giveaway is for US and Canadian residents only.

Thank you so much for following me on my Authentique DT journey and be sure to stay tuned because there's always something to scrap! :)

I'm feeling kind of krafty today...

I thought I'd post a couple of cards that I made recently that show my love for using kraft paper. I discovered kraft paper about 8 months ago and it's been making appearances in my projects ever since.

This first card is one that I created for my hubby for Valentine's Day. I can, in NO way, take credit for this concept as I card lifted a pin I saw on Pinterest (card by Heidi Van Laar). But I CAN take credit for how cute and simple this card turned out:

I made this card in about 3 minutes. Literally. Doesn't get better than that. Plus, I used some Paper Smooches stamps. I guess it did get better. :)

The second card I made is one that I made for my bestie, who's birthday is on St. Patrick's Day. She just so happened to have given birth to her first child 6 days prior to her bday, so I had that on my brain and completely forgot to make her a card. This is what I came up with:

I actually got my inspiration for this card from Jill Cornell's blog post this morning. I always make hokey shamrock-filled cards for my friends bday, so I thought I'd stick with the green theme, ditch the shamrocks and do something different.

Both of these cards were created with MME goodies and burlap twine. A couple of my other faves. :)

That's all for now! Until next time...

I've done a color challenge!

Why did that statement require an exclamation point? Because color challenges REALLY stump me. But this one was different...

I recently stumbled upon a challenge site called The Play Date Cafe. They were having a color challenge that completely spoke to me. Let's see if you can figure out why...

Ok, this color challenge just SCREAMS for Authentique's Blissful collection, right? And I'm not just saying that because I'm on the design team. These colors ARE Blissful. No doubt about it.

I was immediately inspired by a layout I made with the Blissful collection.

I have to admit...yellow is not one of my favorite colors. GASP!! But I also have to admit that this layout is one of my favorites that I've ever made. And it wasn't even for me! The picture of my friend's little girl just begged to be scrapped with Blissful and I was thrilled with the way it turned out.

Why am I telling you all this? Because this is the first time a layout has inspired me to create a card. Granted, my card turned out different than this, but the basic idea is still there...

This has to be one of the biggest cards I've ever made and probably the first square card I've made as well. I'm pleased with the way my layout translated into card form. Only thing that would have made it better? Actual stitching instead of faux stitching. My pink thread is disastrously low and I wouldn't have had enough to make it around the shape. :(

Thank you for stopping by today! I have more up my sleeves, so check back soon!

Hopping Along With Scrapbook Steals!

Hello, hello! Welcome to my blog! You should have gotten here from Amber's page. If this is the first you're hearing of the hop, be sure to go back to ScrapbookSteals' blog and start from the beginning! Make sure you comment at each blog to help your chances of winning a spectacular prize...a $20 gift certificate which will be rewarded to a person randomly picked from one of the blogs!! You have until Monday, March 12th at 11:59 pm, MST to enter your comments.

Here is the line up just in case you get lost (click on the person's name to go to the blog):

Scrapbook Steals
Kristy MacKeen
Staci Jones
Amber Sheaves
Cristine Redmond <-- You are here!
Venetia Holbrook
Charity Becker
Van Nguyen

Now, on to the important stuff. :) Name one thing - okay, maybe two things - that are in your scrappy stash that you can never have too many of. Buttons and brads, right? No matter how big our stashes get, we always have room for more. That is why I was excited that today's blog hop was going to be featuring Basic Grey's buttons and brads. About 95 % of my button and brad collection is from Basic Grey. Their collections are just the best!

The first project I completed just SCREAMS Scrapbook Steals. Alright, not literally, but I got about 98% of the things on the page from them, so it screams SS to me. :) Here is a layout I created with Echo Park's new This and That Charming collection:

One of my favorite things to do with buttons is decorate them with twine. It dresses them up a bit.

I used a couple of brads to "hold up" the banner by my title and I am so happy with the way that turned out. I never know what to do at the ends of my banners, but now I have a new trick! Just stick a brad on each end and that's it! So cute!

I decided to create another project to show you a different way to use buttons. (I can not take credit for this idea...I got it off Pinterest. LOVE that site for inspiration.)

I made a simple card by adhering the buttons in a rainbow formation. I just added some cute clouds (I distressed the edges to make them look more fluffy), a stamped sentiment and some doodles around the edge and that's it! SUPER simple!

I'm so glad you stopped by my blog today! I love to get new followers, so be sure to follow me to see what other created projects I have up my sleeves!

Next stop on the hop is Venetia Holbrook!

Scrapbooksteals and Authentique...together again.

Hello friends! I know I have mentioned this MANY times before, but for my new readers who might be in the dark...I. Love. Scrapbooksteals.com. I stumbled upon their site just over two years ago and I've been a loyal stealer ever since (much to my husband's dismay). :) They are my go-to place for scrapbooking supplies and even more so for inspiration.

Today Scrapbooksteals.com is featuring Authentique's Journey collection as their steal! AND not only that, today the Authentique Design Team is taking part in the MCM (Monday Card Madness)!

Here is today's sketch:

And here is my interpretation:

This collection is completely versatile. It can be used on anything from baby boy pages/cards to snow pages/cards...and everything in between!

I hope you'll all go over to Scrapbooksteals.com's blog today and check out all of the other Design Team members' interpretations of the sketch!

Until next time...

It's Authentique Sketch Challenge time again!

I hope everyone's having a wonderful weekend! March's Sketch Challenge was posted on Authentique's blog this morning. I absolutely LOVE the sketches for the card and layout. I had to take on the layout version.

Here is the sketch:

And here is the layout I created with it:

The Celebrate collection has to be one of my all-time favorite collections. It ranks up there with Authentique's Gathering collection, for sure! (And I'm not just saying that because I'm on the Design Team.) :) I love the aquas, blacks and reds together. We all know I'm a sucker for aqua...

I thought I'd add a bit of whimsey to my layout buy adding a pinwheel. I'll admit, this is the first time I've ever made one, but I love how it came out! I added a sparkly brad to the center and inked the edges in coordinating ink. Love it!

I used a lot of techniques on this layout...distressing paper, punches, dimensional adhesive, just to name a few. I love how each one of them added something to this layout.

I hope you all will head over to Authentique's blog today to check out the other creations the rest of the Design Team made!

Until next time...

A Splendid Wreath

So we all know that I like to refer to myself as a scrappy "novice." I like to say that because I feel fairly new to the scrappy world and have been s.l.o.w.l.y. trying to do things other than just scrapbook pages and cards. The proof? The project I created for today's Authentique post! Check it out!!

Be sure to head over to Authentique's blog to see how I put this little cutie together. :)

Until next time...