we all SCREAM for ICE CREAM layout

I love super FUN mail days!  

Recently, I received this amazing layout from my 2nd upline and friend, Michelle Snyder, 

for reaching a sales goal in June 2013.  

Did you realize that during the month of July (specifically July 21st this year), there is a National Ice Cream Day?  How did I not know this?!?!  Well...until now! Oh, how I enjoy ice cream...of all flavors!  

(click on image for more detail)

This layout is so bright and cheerful...I love the vibrant colors (Lagoon, Smoothie, Sunset, Pear and Cream Brulee), and the use of the Silver Shimmer Trim to add some glam.  Michelle also used the Chalk Marker to add highlights to the "Ice Cream" title and the waffle appearance in the ice cream cone.  Brilliant!  The scoops of ice cream and the white background behind the title comes from the Artiste Cricut cartridge (pg36, Accent 3, <6>, cut at 2-1/2" and 4-3/4" respectively). How creative!  She also used the Pixie Glitter Alphabet as part of the title, and used the font from Artiste for "Ice Cream".  I am always inspired by Michelle's artwork!  Thank you, Michelle!  I can't wait to add photos to this layout.

Photo-less Layout...Live in the Moment

I have to admit, this was a first for me.  The project accomplished exactly what it was suppose to...get us thinking outside the box, and outside of our comfort zone!  At first, it was VERY intimidating, but then after I got started, it was exciting watching it all come together.

We were given an assignment (challenge) as we left our team overnight retreat last month to document our time spent together as a team, in a 1- or 2- page layout...without using any photos!  WHAT???  No photos...that's right, we could NOT use any photos on our pages.  We had to bring the experience to life by using journaling and stamping.  Not an easy task.

Only a few of us completed the assignment (on time) but I hope those that didn't will take the time to do it and show it another time.  It was fun to see how different each layout was...each one was truly a piece of art!  However, each layout shared the same theme in the journaling...friendship, food, memories and creativity.

Here's mine:

and with my journaling exposed:

(click on images to see in more detail)

I used the Dakota paper packet, it's quickly becoming one of my favorites!  I must have used a dozen different stamp sets to get the "word puzzle" look I was going for.  Most of those stamp sets are long retired from CTMH, but nonetheless, still some of my favorites, just for this purpose!

The note (with a pull-out tab) on the right page actually contains the assignment we were given...this is a great technique to save memorabilia of any kind.  I created a "pocket" by popping up the word puzzle using 3-D foam tape, and keeping the 4th side open, to slide the paper inside.  It reads: "How often do you actually live in the moment or allow yourself to enjoy an experience?  My guess is probably not often enough." Then goes on with journaling prompts to help us really reflect on the time we spent together.

As scrapbookers, we are usually always behind the camera, shooting tons of pictures just to get the perfect one, and most often aren't living in the moment, and missing the entire experience altogether.  Sometimes, just forget the camera...and live in the moment...experience every aspect of the time you have with others.  My hope for you, is to try this challenge for yourself...next time you don't have pictures of an event (for one reason or another), make a layout without any pictures, and let only your journaling tell the story!

Scraps to Cards

Each month I host a training session for our group of consultants, and we always have a creative project of some sort.  I have delegated the creative projects to Vicki Price (check out her blog), and she has never let us down.  This month, our assignment was to bring 2 standard card bases (in Colonial White and White Daisy), 6 stamp sets of our choice (including sentiments), and 4 stamp pads (Black, Cocoa, Desert Sand, Chocolate).  I couldn't imagine what our project was going to entail.

Vicki brought each of us, a series of scraps...all the same, for each person participating.  I wish I would have taken a picture of the pieces we had to work with...I wasn't thinking clearly...as the assignment was given to us.  I was freaking out...I'm a planner, not a fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal! LOL

Our assignment - we had 30-45 minutes to design a card, using ALL the pieces in our "scrap" kit and the stamps and inks we brought.  No cheating!  We weren't allowed to look at our neighbors designs.  She almost made us turn with our backs to each other so we wouldn't cheat.  You see, when Vicki makes a project, we have lots of "followers" on our team (yes, we have some rebels too...you know who you are! LOL), that copy EXACTLY what Vicki is teaching.  This time, she didn't even create a card...we were truly left to our own imaginations!  Yikes!  We didn't even have our trusty card confidence programs to follow.

So here was my first design:

Not bad, eh?  I was given scraps from the Florentine & Footloose paper packs, a few cricut images, buttons, waxy flax and some retired ribbon (we all have some...use it up!).  For this particular card, I chose to use the Enjoy Life stamp set.  It was one I happen to bring with me...I hadn't used it in awhile!

Here's what everyone else created:

Then came our second "scrap" kit.  Same rules applied...this time it was scraps from Wings & Sweetheart (retired) paper packs, along with cricut shapes, buttons, waxy flax and a button brad.  Here's my creation, using the Love Life stamp set:

And the group created these:

Not a like one in the bunch!  It was so fun to see what everyone created...you can definitely see the different creative styles we have in our group.  I've never seen our group so quiet and focused as we created our cards! As much as this project stressed me out at first, it was fun to think outside of the box, and on a whim.  Thanks again for the challenge (aka - torture), Vicki!

I challenge you to try this with the scraps you have...Go Green, use them up!  Turn your trash into a treasure.