Sassafras: The August Challenge

I wanted to share my two entries with you for the August Challenge over at the Sassafras Blog.

Again, it’s not a sketch challenge. Since school is starting this month, we are going to celebrate by using our letters! This month, we are to create a layout inspired by Emily’s idea of mixing alphas. I love this idea of “mixing it up” again! It doesn’t matter what we do or how we use them, we just have to use at least three different Sassafras alphabets. We still have to use 90% Sassafras product.

I created this layout titled “i love u  24-7  365”:

Here is the story behind this layout. Before Caitie starts First Grade (just one more week left!) and is a full-time student, I wanted to spend as much time with her and Payton this summer before that happens. We have spent most of this summer at the pool. But, this “smash shot” photo was taken by my baby sister at The Brookfield Zoo. We spent the day together with her and Baby Cousin, Maddie. I love this pic! My sister did an awesome job! I wanted to create a soft layout to express my feelings about this photo. I ADORE my girls! The title came to me after I printed this pic out. The background paper I chose from the Starters Collection by Sassafras was absolutely perfect. Why? Not only because of the beautiful designs and soft colors, but also because of the number “10” off to the right of the page. I will forever remember this day we all went to the zoo…August 10, 2011.

I used the Lavender Fields Glimmer Mist not only to add the splatters on the page, but also on the strip of Golden Hour Patterned Paper to the left of my photo. I taped off the white part of the strip with a 2″ wide blue painters tape and sprayed it with the Lavender Fields Mist. I combined the Brick and Tiger Lily Glimmer Mists to get a pretty good color match to the Sunshine Broadcast Collection.

Supplies I used to make my “i love u 24-7 365” LO:

Background Paper: Starters Collection Intro Paper by Sassafras

The Sunshine Broadcast Collection by Sassafras: Golden Hour and Kindle Patterned Papers, the Wee Bundle, Foldies, and Sweet Treats Stickers

Alpha Stickers by Sassafras: Goldenrod, Yellow Paper, and Apple Glitter (from the Applejack Collection Kit)

Buttons by Sassafras: Green (the 3 gray buttons) and Kraft (the 2 yellow buttons) “In a Stitch Blossoms” and the Rascals Layered Blossoms (the gray and black striped button)

Punches: Large Monarch Butterfly Double Craft Punch,  3 in 1 Classic Butterfly Punch, and Monarch Butterfly Double Embossed Punch by Martha Stewart Crafts and Circles Large Edger Punch by EK Success

Paper Doilies by Little Yellow Bicycle

Tiny Attacher by Tim Holtz

Adhesives: Mini and Memory Book Glue Dots, Herma Tabs, Circle Foam Tabs by American Crafts, and the Zig 2-Way Glue Pen

Spray Ink: Lavender Fields, Brick, and Tiger Lily Glimmer Mists by Tattered Angels

Other: scissors, white thread and sewing machine, white embroidery floss and needle, staples, blue painters tape, and lace ribbon

Here is another layout I created titled “Back to School Supplies”:

A little bit of Scrap Therapy for me in preparation for Caitie to start First Grade. Oh, I’ll be okay…it’ll just hurt for about a month. Maybe longer for this 24-7 Mama. I wanted to make a fun and pretty page after we took Caitie to Target to get her school supplies. We had fun!

Supplies I used to make my “Back to School Supplies” LO:

Patterned Paper: The Sweetly Smitten Collection by Sassafras Pen Pals (Background Paper), Dainty Sketch, and the Sweetly Smitten Wee Bundle.

Alphabet Letters: Pink Glitter, Khaki Type, and Blue Graph Alpha Stickers (for the Title) and Musical and Green Graph Alpha Stickers (for the supply list around the page) by Sassafras

Embellishments: Sweetly Foldies Sheet, Sweetly Smitten Flag Banner Sticker Sheet, and Green and Kelly Green “In a Stitch Blossoms” (the yellow and green buttons) by Sassafras

Spray Inks: Starfish, Strawberry Shortcake, Tiger Lily, Yellow Daisy, Meadow Green, Key Lime Pie, Blue Skies, Lavender Fields, and Fully Purple Glimmer Mists by Tattered Angels

Adhesives: Circle Foam Tabs by American Crafts and Memory Book Glue Dots

Other: scissors, white thread and sewing machine, and cardboard

Sassafras: June Sketch Challenge

I wanted to share my two entries with you for the June Sketch Challenge over at the Sassafras Blog.

The reason I made two entries is because when I am torn between two things…I do both. Sorry, it’s just part of my “all or nothing” Type A personality…which really annoys my hubby sometimes. Really, this was just a great sketch to work with and I loved both LO’s. I just couldn’t decide which one I liked more as my entry.

The June Sketch is provided by Michelle Clement and you have to use 90% Sassafras products:

Here is the first Layout I created inspired by the Sketch:

I usually LOVE to include some kind of 3D Effect on my pages, but I really wanted to further challenge myself for this Sidewalk Chalk themed LO and keep things flat to the paper. I know that Crayola now makes 3D Effect chalk, but I wanted to keep it old school. I have to admit…this was SO hard for me. My photo sizes are the standard 4×6, 3.5×5, and the 2×3 wallet.

Here is what I first saw when I finally received the new Sunshine Broadcast Collection from Sassafras. Details, Details, Details! Colors, Colors, Colors! Oh my gosh, I was so happy! I mean sure, I studied it over the computer screen while I waited for it to arrive. But, its so much better in person!

When I first saw the sketch for this month’s challenge, I thought to myself Cool! I can layer and mix two papers together. I wanted to layer two of their patterned papers, but I just couldn’t bring myself to cut-up this great background paper. So, I used the natural border that Sassafras already created for me.

I used the beautiful Golden Hour Patterned Paper as my background paper, because it also looked like a square of the sidewalk with chalk colors.

(Papers in the pic below are from the Sunshine Broadcast Wee Bundle)

I cut out some of my favorite flowers from the Flourish Patterned Paper. Some of them looked like they were chalked on. I love every detail in this paper. So pretty!

I LOVE this little journaling spot on the side. I added my page subtitle here.

(I’m sorry you can’t see the details in this pic below too well. It is a photo of Caitie’s name written in blue chalk. I just adore her pretty handwriting and had to include it in this LO!)

The Beaming Patterned Paper looked like chalk lines to me. SO PERFECT!

So, I trimmed the paper and made my chalk lines. It was fun and these lines will never smudge! HA!

Again, I usually do not like my own handwriting…I’d rather use a cool and pretty “chalk” font. But, I’m just so proud of the work Caitie did on her sidewalk square. I decided that I would just “challenge myself” and hand write on this particular LO for her. (I really want to try to use my own handwriting more often.)

Pretty Colors on chipboard letters! I used the same colors that I noticed on her square…Pink, Blue, Yellow, Orange, and Green.

HOW PERFECT WAS THIS COLLECTION!?

I covered my LO with a blank sheet of paper, took it outside, and sprayed the chipboard letters with the Workable Fixatif. I really LOVE the chalking work I added to the chipboard. I wanted to keep it from smudging and this product is acid-free/archival-safe. Great stuff!

Supplies I used to make my “Sidewalk Chalking Day” LO:

The Sunshine Broadcast Collection Kit by Sassafras

The Sunshine Broadcast Wee Bundle by Sassafras

Background Paper: Golden Hour Sunshine Broadcast Collection Paper by Sassafras

Flowers: Flourish Sunshine Broadcast Collection Paper by Sassafras

Journaling Lines and Accent: Beaming Sunshine Broadcast Collection Paper by Sassafras

Journaling Spot and Photo Corner: Sunshine Broadcast Journal Tag Stickers by Sassafras

Sunrise Thickers Natural Chipboard Letter Stickers by American Crafts (from my local Archiver’s store)

Adhesive: Herma Vario Tab Refill Permanent by Herma

Others: Sidewalk Chalk by Crayola (from my local Toys ‘R’ Us store), Workable Fixatif by KRYLON (from my local Michael’s store), paper trimmer by Fiskars, Black Zig Writer Pen, and scissors

Here is the second Layout I created inspired by the Sketch:

Ahhhhhh, I feel much better now! Back to my 3D self…ha! And with this LO – Summer has begun! This LO was really fun to make. I LOVE the details in this collection. I used the glimmer mist under my photos. I added a little bit of water to thin out my two paint colors and “splashed” my LO with them. Fun and Pretty! Again, my photo sizes are the standard 4×6, 3.5×5, and the 2×3 wallet.

For my title, I used the wavy-looking border punch on one of the flag banner sticker designs.

I added the number 6 circle from the Flag Banner Stickers to remember Caitie’s age in this LO. How pretty is the color of this button? What a perfect match for the LO!

I just had to use a pretty computer font for my journaling! I used CK Surfer for this Summer LO. I love how this journaling spot looks like the sun. It has a cool layered sunburst effect.

When I took a closer look at the Golden Hour Patterned Paper, I saw my date…June 8, 2011. That ruler strip pattern was perfect. I really like the design and colors. I also used it in my title area.

Even though I love everything on this LO, this is probably my favorite part. When I saw the trim design on the bottom of the Static Patterned Paper, I saw water…my Splash Accent. I love this detail. And, of course, I just had to 3D this!

My girls love Spongebob Squarepants. My favorite pic from that day is Payton practicing her “Patrick Star”fish backfloat from swim school. I just love this star sticker! I had to add it right next to Payton to remember this.

I love layering these stickers.  I added the number 4 circle from the Flag Banner Stickers to remember Payton’s age in this LO.

Supplies I used to make my “Summer” LO:

The Sunshine Broadcast Collection Kit by Sassafras

Background Paper and Splash Accent: Static Sunshine Broadcast Collection Paper by Sassafras

Patterned Paper: Golden Hour Sunshine Broadcast Collection Paper by Sassafras

Journaling Spot and Accents: Sunshine Broadcast Sweet Treats Stickers and Flag Banner Stickers by Sassafras

Letter Stickers: Slate Mini Alpha Stickers by Sassafras

Buttons: In A Stitch Blossoms – Blue by Sassafras

Punch: Boundary Waters Border Punch by Fiskars

Adhesives: Mini and Memory Book Glue Dots,  Herma Vario Tab Refill Permanent by Herma, Zig 2 Way Glue Pen, and Circle Foam Tabs by American Crafts

Blue Skies Glimmer Mist Spray by Tattered Angels

Paint: Deep Sea and Sea Foam – Funky Vintage – Scrapbook Colors by Making Memories (from my local Archiver’s store)

Black Zig Writer Pen, Cardboard, scissors, white thread, sewing machine