20 Questions Scrap Style Swap!

Our Design Team over at Counterfeit Kit Challenge loves to chat and do private challenges together.  Our go getter, Lisa, keeps us in touch with each other with Questions of the Week and puts together challenges we can all participate in.

We have been working on a fun one (and HARD...thanks a lot, Lisa!) that we are ready to share with you!

Here is the hop order!  I encourage you to start over at the Counterfeit Kit Site to see the explanation of the hop.  

Counterfeit Kit Challenge:http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com 

Angela:  http://colestoucan.blogspot.co.uk/

Bethany: http://inspiredscrapper-bethany.blogspot.com/  **YOU ARE HERE

Dawn:  http://dawnsscrapbookcottage.blogspot.com

Jemma:  http://just-jimjams.blogspot.com/

Julene:  http://julenebydesign.blogspot.com.au

Lesley G.:  http://ohblogitifyoucantbeatthem.blogspot.co.uk

Leslie:  http://lcsmithsaved-outofthemire.blogspot.com 

Lynnette:  http://sassyscrapper2010.blogspot.com/

Millisa:  http://millermall.blogspot.com/

Stephanie:  http://skylinepaperie.blogspot.ca

Lisa H.:  http://lisahausmann.blogspot.com/ 

So the 20 Questions that Lisa had us answer about our own style did not seem too hard.  I know what I like and don't like, right?

Here are the answers to my questions.  The hard part for me is that I am a "WHIM" scrapper...basically I just do whatever I like at the time.  LOL  I think I definitely have my own style though and this really helped to show what it is.

Team 20 Questions Scrap Style Swap – Bethany

Starting points:

1. photos/story OR sketch/design
   1. SKETCH/DESIGN
2. cardstock background OR patterned paper background
   1. CARDSTOCK
3. neutral background OR colourful background
   1. NEUTRAL
4. people/event themed OR moment/everyday themed
   1. MOMENT/EVERYDAY
5. single page layout OR double page spread
   1. SINGLE

Design:

6. graphic/straight lines OR layers/clusters/angles
   1. LAYERS/CLUSTERS/ANGLES
7. organic patterns/designs OR geometric shapes/designs
   1. GEOMETRIC
8. main elements central to the page OR main elements off centre (on a rule of thirds line or in a corner)
   1. CENTRAL
9. embellishments in a diagonal across the page OR embellishments in a visual triangle
   1. VISUAL TRIANGLE
10. girly/feminine feel to the page OR boyish/masculine feel to the page
    1. FEMININE

Paper/Product:

11. new/trendy products OR older/classic products
    1. NEW/TRENDY
12. papers/elements from predominantly one collection OR papers/elements from a variety of collections
    1. PREDOMINANTLY ONE COLLECTION
13. plethora of embellishments OR clean and simple
    1. PLETHORA
14. title work from all one alpha pack OR title work from mixed/multiple alpha packs
    1. ONE ALPHA
15. bold/primary/bright colours OR muted/pastels/lights
    1. MUTED
16. single photo OR multiple photos
    1. SINGLE
17. standard size prints (6x4/5x7) OR custom (Instagram, square, 2x3/oversized)
    1. STANDARD

Techniques:

18. wet (mists/inks/paint/wet embossing/stamping) OR dry (papers/dry embossing/die cuts)
    1. WET
19. handwritten journaling OR printed journaling
    1. HANDWRITTEN
20. clean cut/common margins/flat OR distressed/sanded/inked edges/torn/stitched
    1. CLEAN CUT

Here is a layout I made to prove it!  (And I actually had a hard time following all of MY answers...how about that?)

Now here comes the tough part...taking the 20 Questions from a Master Forger and creating something in THEIR style...AND...AND trying to guess who they are!  You are killing me, Lisa!!

Team 20 Questions Scrap Style Swap – PARTNER 6

Starting points:

1. photos/story OR sketch/design
   1. THE PHOTOS ALWAYS INSPIRE THE COLOUR SCHEME
2. cardstock background OR patterned paper background
   1. CARDSTOCK
3. neutral background OR colourful background
   1. COLOURFUL
4. people/event themed OR moment/everyday themed
   1. MORE EVERYDAY
5. single page layout OR double page spread
   1. SINGLES

Design:

6. graphic/straight lines OR layers/clusters/angles
   1. LAYERS, LAYERS, LAYERS!
7. organic patterns/designs OR geometric shapes/designs
   1. GEOMETRIC
8. main elements central to the page OR main elements off centre (on a rule of thirds line or in a corner)
   1. OFF CENTRE
9. embellishments in a diagonal across the page OR embellishments in a visual triangle
   1. VISUAL TRIANGLE
10. girly/feminine feel to the page OR boyish/masculine feel to the page
    1. ABSOLUTELY ALL GIRL

Paper/Product:

11. new/trendy products OR older/classic products
    1. OLDER- HAVEN’T SHOPPED IN A LONG TIME
12. papers/elements from predominantly one collection OR papers/elements from a variety of collections
    1. VARIETY
13. plethora of embellishments OR clean and simple
    1. CLEAN AND SIMPLE
14. title work from all one alpha pack OR title work from mixed/multiple alpha packs
    1. ONE ALPHA PACK
15. bold/primary/bright colours OR muted/pastels/lights
    1. BOLDS / BRIGHTS
16. single photo OR multiple photos
    1. MULTIPLE
17. standard size prints (6x4/5x7) OR custom (Instagram, square, 2x3/oversized)
    1. CUSTOM

Techniques:

18. wet (mists/inks/paint/wet embossing/stamping) OR dry (papers/dry embossing/die cuts)
    1. DRY
19. handwritten journaling OR printed journaling
    1. HANDWRITTEN
20. clean cut/common margins/flat OR distressed/sanded/inked edges/torn/stitched
    1. CLEAN CUT (BUT I DO INK SOMETIMES)

Want to see what I came up with?

TADA!  LOL  I actually had to redo this more than once.  I kept slipping back into my style.  I really like it, though.  Nice and clean.  I even got to use a project life card on it.  Way to use your supplies in different ways, Bethany!!  Whoop!  Whoop!

Now for my guess about which Master Forger I was copying?  That is hard!  Do I have to guess?  Really?  I think I am going to say LISA and if i am right, then I did not do her justice at ALL! (Might need to add a few more layers!)

Now hop on over to DAWN to see her take on the challenge.  And I would suggest you give it a try yourself?  

You could:

Swap with a friend (even an online one!) and create in their style

Pick a Master Forger to "copy"

Or just do our list straight up in your own style! 

Great challenge, Lisa!

Jennifer Grace: Red and Blue Challenge

Not my best work, but my head hurts and my kids keep on interrupting me.  LOL

I love using red and blue together.  :)   HERE IS THE CHALLENGE if you want to check it out.

Jennifer Grace: A Challenge to Embrace the Busy

I managed another challenge!  Whoohoo!  I happened to get sick right in the middle of this lovely event (still don't feel well), so I got more sleeping than scrapping done.  I am glad I pulled all of my Scrappy Christmas Goodness.  It is making it so much easier to work for a few minutes.

I took Jennifer's challenge to embrace the busy literally.  In fact, this page is not doing good things to my headache.  LOL  I'm sure I will love it later.

Love this paper, but it sure it making my head hurt.  LOL  I was afraid my photos would get lost, so I did several layers to frame them out.  I wanted to make my own "string of lights" so I let some twine fall on the page (to give it a more natural look) and the used brads to help keep it in place.  I then added enamel dots and sequins to add a bit of sparkle.  I threw on anything else I thought would work (trees, building, branch, tab and a totally cute flair) and called it a day.  

Whew!

Head over to Jennifer Grace Creates to see what Jennifer made for this challenge!

Jennifer Grace Frosty Festivities: Blog Hop Inspiration

It is so much fun being inspired by older supplies again.  I had been bummed that I have not been able to get the Christmas Paper I had been eyeing, but the paper I already own is finding some new life this weekend.

If you have not done Jennifer's blog hop, you should head over THERE.  So many great things to see and ideas to note!  Jennifer's layout for the hop is fantastic (as to be expected).  I was especially intrigued with her shaker pouch at the top of the page.  I decided to give it a try (on a smaller scale) and squeeze in the other suggestions she had, too.

Be Inspired:

Make a shaker pouch of falling ‘snowflakes’

Use a piece of ephemera or a chipboard element as part of a page title

Add two lines along the bottom of a page or card for a defined border

My cute little jar has some snowflakes and golden stars in it.  It took me a few tries to get it the way I wanted, but I really love it!  I love the non traditional colors on this layout, too.  Inspired by Isabel's pink coat, of course.

I hope you are having fun.  The fact that it gets dark earlier now tricks my brain into thinking I'm tired much earlier.  I'm not sure how much longer I will be up tonight, but will be having more fun tomorrow after church.

A Challenge: To Be Inspired Project!

I have been doing Project Life lately.  My time is limited, so I need quick, small things to work on in between work and family.  Those small cards are the perfect canvas for me to do a little something and if I get interrupted, it is not a big deal or frustration.  It is working well so far.

Today I am anticipating interruptions, so I am sticking with small projects to get started.  Hopefully I can work my way up to a layout or two later.

Jennifer issued a great challenge:

Be Inspired:

- Use something with a rough texture near smooth or shiny items

- Add a row of snowy dots along a border

- Use pop-dots for letter stickers for a card recipient’s name, or a page title

She even has a fun prize you can win if you enter!  Now, I am not planning on doing EACH suggestion for each of her posts, but this group of inspiration prompts were too good to pass up!

At Christmas, I normally do pre-purchased tags or stamp some very simple ones to go with the wrapping paper for that year (and yes, I do make a big deal about finding the perfect paper!).  I don't generally spend a lot of time on tags as I don't think most of our recipients would actually appreciate them.  I decided to go ahead and make a tag for Meg (my step mom).  She loves to wrap and pays a lot of attention to detail, so I know she will notice and appreciate the tag.

My Grinchy self had to go ahead and break into my wood vaneer sheets.  I hoard them, but they were so perfect for this project.  They cut beautiful on my Cricut, too!

I used my new Art Philosophy and Artiste cartridges for the tag, green background and start burst (it even has a matching stamp!).  Don't you love the fox?  I have been eager to use him!  Dollar Spot at Michaels, baby!  The glitter tree is left over from maybe two years ago and I am glad I kept them!  Getting some use out of them today.  The white dots were made by me to mimic those cute enamel dots that are popular, but have not made it to Lafayette at this point.  They are just some plastic beads popped in the oven and melted down.  Nice.

Two projects down and I love them both!

Frosty Festivities: Welcome Inspiration

My first completed project!  It feels good to be digging through so much fun, loved stuff!

The first set of inspiration for today is this:

Be Inspired:

Add an embellishment that goes over the edge of your project

Mix three different paper collections

Include something with a reflective shine

I decided to go for a card, but needed to be a bit creative about the "add an embellishment that goes over the edge of your project" part.

I picked some paper from Cosmo Cricket's Dear Mr. Claus (mini deck)) for the background and tags.  To ground everything, I used a piece of Kraft Funday (black stripes).  This would give me a foundation to help my embellishments go over the edge of.

Isn't the deer cute?  I have a small pack of plain chipboard deer and snowmen.  A Studio Calico mask and a bit of aqua mist and he is ready to go, don't you think?

I am in love with sequins right now...they add such a fun touch and a bit of reflective shine.

Have you jumped into Jennifer's Blog Event for this weekend?  I wish you would.  It will be lonely doing it all by myself!

Jennifer Grace Creates: Frosty Festivities!

I met Jennifer when she applied for a position on my Design Team (Counterfeit Kit Challenge).  She is sweet, dedicated and OH, SO TALENTED!  I am sad that she is no longer on my team, but happy to count her among my friends.

Jennifer does some amazing Blog Events throughout the year.  She works so hard to put together a wonderful theme full of inspiration, prizes and challenges.  I always leave feeling sad it is over and full of ideas for the coming months.

Right now Jen has a wonderful blog event going on this weekend!



There is still plenty of time to play along!  I am FULL of ideas from her posts already!  I am one happy girl right now!

I am a bit OCD (totally not joking here...really), so I have been typing a list of all of her prompts/challenges, so I can check them off as I go.  I also have pulled EVERYTHING I can think of that would be great for holiday projects.  And I do mean EVERYTHING.  Even non-holiday stuff that feels inspiring to me.  I love it when that happens!

I have so many embellishments, stamps, stickers, sequins, twine, punches, papers, wood vaneers, enamal dots, washi tape...OH, MY!  Think I am finally ready?

I'm off to create!  A whole day!  Mostly to myself!  Kids are fed...Hubby is "on duty" to field requests...dinner is made and ready to heat up.  Oh, happy day!  I'll be back with projects as I finish them.