Scrap.Cats.Love.

Let's Get Sketchy!

2012-03-05T02:00:00.001-05:00

Today is the official launch of Let's Get Sketchy with the first sketch reveal! But the fun has already started with games, different challenges and extra prizes for the month of March! You should go check it out!

Here's the first sketch that you can play along with.

To see all the inspiration from the DT, go check out the blog here. There will be a new sketch every Monday. My first reveal will be next week. Hope to see you there!

Have a scrappy week!

Martine

March Layouts

2012-03-04T16:30:00.000-05:00

March 1st was to have been my first reveal over at Scrap Gal. But sadly, the store has closed. I was so looking forward to working with this great team!

So I can now show you the three layouts I had done for the month, made with products provided by the Scrap Gal Store. March was going to be "All About Mists" at Scrap Gal, so my three projects incorporate mists in one form or another.

The first layout is for my parents' 50th anniversary album. It's a page about their young dating years. The paper is Basic Grey's Wisteria collection. All the brads (including the butterfly brads) are from the 7 Gypsies Victoria collection. The small green flowers are from Making Memories, and the larger green one is from Prima. They were all originally white, but I misted them with Tim Holtz's Lettuce Color Wash. The purple flower at the bottom was also white, then misted with purple Glimmer Mist. To alter the flowers even more, I then stamped them with brown ink with a "dictionary definition" stamp. I used a brown American Crafts Slick Writer pen to write on the photos. The alpha stickers are from Fancy Pants.

The second layout is also for my parents' album. It's about them being grandparents to their only grandchild, Sophie, my niece. For this layout, I misted the background cardstock with four different colors of Glimmer Mists, light green, yellow, pink and aqua. I then used papers from the Nook & Pantry collection from Basic Grey to mat all the pictures. The four glazed brads are from the 7 Gypsies Victoria collection. The flowers are from Making Memories (this time I didn't alter them) and the leaf is from Bazzill.

My last page is about my boyfriend, and all that he does for me (the title means "This Man"). It's based on a sketch by Sketch Support. In this layout, instead of misting, I painted with the the color wash. I painted directly on the grungeboard star and heart, as well as the chipboard stars. The ghost stars were colored with alcohol inks. The papers and journaling tag are from the Basic Grey Origins collection.

That's all I have for today. Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Martine

Basic Grey Love

2012-02-28T20:04:00.006-05:00

I made this layout for a challenge at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out about our dreams for the future. The title means "Look to the Future". The journaling talks about how in the past, I dreamed about what my life would look like, I'd be an occupational therapist, be married, have children... but years later, none of that is true. I don't look to the future much anymore, but live in the present instead. The red paper is a "doily" from Basic Grey. I have several of them that I've been "hoarding". It feels good to finally use one up!

I also have two other pages to share that I made with Basic Grey collections. This first one uses the old collection Hang 10. It's based on a sketch from the Basic Grey blog. The pictures are from this past summer when we stopped by Old Orchard Beach in Maine.

The second one uses the June Bug collection and is based on a sketch by Cherie Averill. It talks about school life. It was done for a banner challenge at Let's Capture Our Memories.
That's it for now! Enjoy your extra day in February!

Martine

A Quick Layout to Share!

2012-02-22T17:35:00.004-05:00

Hi there!

I've been scrapping quite a bit recently, but I just wanted to share one of the last layouts I did. It's for a challenge over at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out. We had to make a layout about our dreams (the ones we have when we're awake!). Since I had already scrapped a layout about my dream come true a few years ago (going to live in Alaska), I decided to scrap about my dreams that haven't come true yet. Part of that is my personal growth, and I used this photo of a fern growing between rocks to represent that (I took the picture in Acadia National Park in Maine last summer). And believe it or not, the background paper, each strip of paper behind the photo and the journaling tags are all from a different collection of Basic Grey! You have to love how well their papers go together, even when they're from different collections! I inked the chipboard butterflies with distress ink and colored the ghost ones with alcohol inks. I kept everything very simple. Hope you like it!

Well that's it for today! Hope you have a scrappy end of the week!

Martine

Impromptu Challenge at Let's Get Sketchy!

2012-02-18T16:56:00.004-05:00

We're having an impromptu sketch challenge at Let's Get Sketchy while we wait for the grand opening at the beginning of March. It will run until February 28th. Here's the sketch:

And here's my take on it. It's Pemaquid Point Lighthouse on the Maine coast, which we visited last summer. I used a mix of old papers for this one: two from different collections of MME, one from Crate Paper and the decorative paper from Pink Paislee.

Stop by the blog here to see what the other DT members have done with this sketch! Hope you join us!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Challenge 62 at Scrap Your Crap!

2012-02-15T08:00:00.004-05:00

Hi there!

The latest challenge is up at Scrap Your Crap today and it's all about stamps! If you're like me, you've got tons of stamps but most of them go unused... Well today we're challenging you to use at least three stamps on a layout! They could be alpha stamps, background stamps, you can stamp an image and cut it out to use as an embellie on your page, you can stamp ribbons or flowers...

Here's the layout I did for this challenge. It's a page about my brother which I made for my parents' album. I used two different background stamps, alpha stamps for the title and a journaling stamp.

You should check out the work of the rest of the DT here for some fun inspiration! I hope you can join us for this challenge!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Layouts and news, again!

2012-02-11T14:18:00.008-05:00

Hello!

I've got some more good news to share! I made the DT over at the new sketch challenge site, Let's Get Sketchy! There will be weekly sketches and monthly prizes, with lots of inspiration from the two design teams! The official start will be on March 5th, but there's a "pre-challenge" you can play along with until February 25th, with a nice RAK to win! You can find Let's Get Sketchy on Facebook here.

I also have a few more layouts to share with you today. The first one is about one of my kitties, my "belly kitty", who loves to have his belly rubbed at night! I used a sketch by Cherie Averill from Sassy Lil' Sketches and made the layout for a challenge at Let's Capture Our Memories.

I scraplifted this second layout from Kathleen Summers from the Basic Grey blog and made it for one of the February challenges at Scrap Gal.

Finally, I used a sketch from Kristine Davidson's new sketch ebook for a challenge at Let's Capture Our Memories to make this layout about the hike, 5 years ago, when my boyfriend made his first "move"! lol! I used the "Max & Whiskers" collection from Basic Grey, which shows that even if it's a pet collection, it can be used for other subjects as well!

Well, that's it for now! Hope you have a creative weekend!

Martine

More layouts and some news!

2012-02-07T01:10:00.010-05:00

Hello!

First up, my bit of news... I made the DT over at ScrapGal! Come on over and check it out! There's an online store, a forum with fun challenges every month and a gallery full of inspiration! I'll be starting my term at the beginning of March. Can't wait to get started!

I also have a few more layouts to share. The first two are from our trip to the UK in 2009. We drove on these VERY narrow roads... oh, and did I mention they were TWO-WAY roads?!! They made me reeeeeally nervous! When you met another car, one of the cars had to back up until the closest (slight) widening of the road! It's the only part of our trip that I didn't enjoy!

The first page is based on this sketch by Lucy Chesna from My Sketch World (there's a Sketch-a-thon going on in February... you should check it out!)

And my version:

The second page was based on this sketch by Let's Get Sketchy.

Finally, I made another layout from one of the sketches at My Sketch World. This page is about my niece and is for my parents' album.

I hope you'll visit all of these sites and get as much inspiration from them as I have!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

New Sketchy Site and DT Call!

2012-02-06T15:32:00.004-05:00

I found "Let's Get Sketchy!", a new site that's all about sketchy challenges! There will be two challenges every month. You all know how I love sketches! They're currently having a DT call until February 13th, based on this sketch.

This is my take on the sketch. I added a second smaller photo and changed the title placement to fit my pictures. The photos are from our trip to the Pacific Northwest in 2010. We saw the most amazing sunset at Ruby Beach, in Olympic National Park. It was gorgeous!!

You should hop on over to Let's Get Sketchy and check out their DT call! They even have a mini-challenge going on right now before the real challenges start on March 1st. You could win a RAK!

Hope you check it out!

Martine

More Layouts to share!

2012-02-02T17:13:00.008-05:00

So it looks like the beginning of the year was very productive for me! We'll see how long I keep this up! lol! I have three more layouts to share with you. All three were done for the 8 Week Challenge at Let's Capture Our Memories. You should check it out! There's a 50$ gift certificate to the store to be won! You can catch up on the challenges any time, so you haven't missed anything yet!

First up, this layout where we had to use 2011 in the title. Mine says: "2011... a Year of Travel", since I got the chance to travel so much more than usual last year. It's based on a sketch by Becky Fleck at Pagemaps, and uses the Nook & Pantry collection by Basic Grey.

Then I made this page for a challenge where we needed to scraplift one of the other members. I scraplifted an amazing page by Claude Campeau. You should check out her blog! This time I used papers by MME. It's a page about my "arrival" in the family, for my parents' album. I also made a page for my brother, but you'll have to wait for the next reveal at Scrap Your Crap to see it!

Finally, here's a page that my dad asked me to do for him! (Imagine that! Totally took me by surprise!). It's a layout of his family in the late 30's, early 40's (all the info, names & dates, are behind the page). We had to use this sketch from Let's Capture These Sketches by Natalie Roy. I used Basic Grey's Cappella collection.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my work! Hope you're scrapping too! Leave me a comment so I can visit your blog too! :)

Latest Layouts to Share

2012-01-27T14:03:00.009-05:00

Hi!

I have a few layouts to share that I've done for different challenge blogs. First up, this page about our trip to the UK in 2009. On our last day, we visited Blenheim Palace. I made a layout based on this sketch from My Sketch World.

I also did two pages on "The Beauty of Christmas in Nuremberg" from our trip this past december. The first page is based on a sketch by Liz Chidester from Practical Scrappers.

The second page was based on this sketch from Scrap Gal. I rotated the sketch to fit my landscape picture.

This other page, "The Good Life!", about our trip to Cuba last winter, was made for another challenge at Scrapgal. We had to use colors that we normally would not. I went for turquoise and lime green, as I don't usually use bright colors like that (although the picture doesn't seem that bright because of the bad winter light for taking photos!)

Finally, this last page was done for a monochromatic challenge at Let's Capture Our Memories. It's based on a sketch from Sassy Lil' Sketches. That was me, 43 years ago...

Ok, I think I'm all caught up now! Hope you have a great weekend!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Win a Kit a Day!

2012-01-16T20:46:00.003-05:00

Yep! WeScrap will be giving away a kit a day for a week on their blog, starting this Wednesday! All you have to do for a chance to win is to leave a comment on each day's post. Easy peasy! They have an online crop starting next week too! You can get all the information here.

Go check it out!

Martine

Challenge #61 at Scrap Your Crap!

2012-01-15T08:00:00.005-05:00

Hi!

It's up! Challenge #61 at Scrap Your Crap, that is! This month's challenge is all about mixing the old with the new. We all have paper and product that we've been hoarding, don't we? Well the challenge is to use 50% of your oldest stash and 50% of your newest products!

Here's my layout. The title means "On the Christmas Market Trail". I used:

new for me (not always the latest collections, but my latest purchases): papers (MME Lost & Found Christmas); felt gingerbread man (Favorite Findings); poinsettia (The Girls Paperie); Christmas brad (BoBunny); glitter cut border (Fancy Pants)

old: gold bling (Forever in Time); alphas (Jenni Bowlin, American Crafts, Forever in Time)

oldest (2005!): Christmas postage stamp stickers (Pebbles Inc.); Christmas ornament sticker (for the letter "o") (Jolee's)

So come on! Let's see yours! Don't forget to share it here so we can have a look and leave you some love!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Layout Contest...Vote for Me?

2012-01-14T07:35:00.004-05:00

Hi there!

Just a really quick note to let you know that I'm in the running for a layout contest that's taking place over at Practical Scrappers. I sent in the cover page for my Maine album. (I have a lot of other pages that I prefer but they were made from sketches, and it didn't feel right to send one of those in. And on top of that, it looks like my photo didn't resize well, it's all pixelated... okay, enough of that... I sound like a whiner! lol!)

So if you like my page, hop on over to Practical Scrappers to vote for me(Martine Lebelle in the poll). I would really appreciate it! Voting only takes place today, January 14th, until midnight CST. Tomorrow a new batch of layouts will be up for voting. They'll be picking the top 25 (out of 70) to make it to the next round.

Thanks for your vote!

Martine

A New Sketch Challenge Blog!

2012-01-12T16:18:00.003-05:00

Hi!

I found a new sketch challenge blog recently, the Colorful Creations Sketch Challenge Blog. Their first challenge just went up on January 1st. They'll have a second sketch up on the 15th, with a drawing for a prize at the end of the month. They also have a ning site with lots of challenges!

Here's the first sketch.

And here's my take on it. It's a companion page to my "Gardens of Acadia" layout that I did earlier. I substituted 4 smaller pictures instead of the single photo, and had my strip of paper slip underneath the picture rather than on top of it. I also added a journaling box.

You have until January 14th if you want to play along with this sketch of the Colorful Creations Sketch Challenge Blog!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Blog Candy Alert!

2012-01-09T21:24:00.004-05:00

Hi there!

Head on out to the Scrapbook Extra blog for two chances to win an awesome blog candy! One lucky person will win a one year subscription to this magazine from Quebec (in French, but the language of scrappy inspiration is universal, isn't it?? :). Another person will win some scrappy goodies provided by generous sponsors. All you have to do is be a follower of their blog, post about the blog candy on your own blog, and then leave a comment here linking back to your blog post. So what are you waiting for? Go check out their blog! (for Canadian residents only)

Allez visiter le blog de Scrapbook Extra pour la chance de gagner un abonnement d'un an à cette revue, ou bien un kit cadeau scrapbooking provenant de généreux commanditaires. Qu'est-ce que vous attendez? Allez voir ça ici! Tout y est expliqué!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

First Layouts of 2012!

2012-01-07T12:48:00.005-05:00

Hello!

I hope you're having a creative start to 2012! I want to share my first two layouts of this year, both with Basic Grey collections.

My first layout was created from this Basic Grey sketch (1.2.12), based on a layout by Shimelle Laine.

This is my version. I added a second picture and tilted them. I dove into my stash and used my "Phoebe" collection for this layout. I "white-washed" the busy background paper with Gesso thinned with water, so it wouldn't detract too much from the photos (it's hard to tell from the picture). The chipboard hearts and circle (near the title cluster) are from the "Green at Heart" collection. The layout is titled "Miniature Nature" and is about our tiny little yard that I like to embellish with touches of flowers.

My second layout is based on a sketch by Valerie Salmon, done for a challenge at Scrapbook Centrale. (I just didn't finish it on time!) It's a layout about the "Wild Gardens of Acadia", in Acadia National Park, Maine, which we visited last summer. Everything was so lush and green! This time I used papers from the Basic Grey "Wisteria" collection. The soft purples and subdued colors were perfect for my pictures!

Leave me a link to your first pages of the year! I'd love to visit and leave you some love!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Last Layouts of 2011!

2011-12-31T15:32:00.004-05:00

Hi there!

I want to share my last three layouts of 2011. My very last one is this one from the Basic Grey blog. This is the sketch.

And this is my layout. It's the "East Side Gallery", which is a 1.3km stretch of the Berlin Wall covered with paintings from international artists. We were in a hurry, so we didn't get to walk all along it, but I would have loved to! I used the "Oliver" collection by Basic Grey, as well as label stickers from the "Basic White" collection and ribbon from the "Mellow" line. I added a bit of inked grunge board as well as chipboard embellies.

Then there's this one by a sketch from Cherie Averill from Sassy Lil' Sketches. It was done for a challenge at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out. I used an older line of K & Company for this one.

Finally, this is a companion page to one I did earlier, about our interaction with dolphins when we went down south last winter. It's based on this sketch from WeScrap. I used Basic Grey's "Marrakesh" line. Love the orange and the blue together!

Well, hope you had a great 2011, and wishing you an even better 2012!

Martine

Challenge #60 at Scrap Your Crap!

2011-12-15T08:00:00.001-05:00

Hi!

Challenge #60 is up at Scrap Your Crap and it's all about buttons! I'm sure pretty much everybody has a whole bunch of buttons in their stash... This is your chance to use some up!

Here's my layout. It's a companion page to one I did earlier about the biplane ride we took over Seattle in the summer of 2010. It was so much fun! The original layout was based on a sketch by Cherie Averill from Sassy Lil' Sketches. I threaded buttons and "glue dotted" them to the ends of ribbons of different lengths to create sort of a banner. I love the little touch that it adds.

Please go visit the blog to see all the different ways to use buttons that the rest of the team came up with! They're fabulous! I hope you'll join us too! You know you've got buttons just sitting there waiting to be used!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Just a Quick Post!

2011-12-03T10:58:00.006-05:00

Hi there!

Just a quick post to share my newest LO! I entered the new magazine Scrap365's sketch challenge. This is the sketch for December.

This is what I did with it. The title means "Adventure in the Land of the Whales". It's a layout about a camping trip that my niece and I took back in 2003 where we went whale watching, sea kayaking, and where we could see whales swim by our campsite! We had tons of fun! I used a collection pack of Sassafras Lass "Indie Girl" that I had never touched yet!

If you want to join in the sketch challenge, you have until December 16th to upload your creation!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Two Layouts to Share!

2011-11-30T21:57:00.008-05:00

Hello!

I have two new layouts to share with you today. I did the first one for the November Sketchy Challenge over at Canadian Scrapbooker using this sketch.

While we were in Cuba last winter, we had the chance to interact with dolphins on one of our excursions. I fell in love with them! Their kisses and snuggles were so soft! I hope to get the chance to swim with dolphins one day!

My second layout is about saying goodbye to my 18 year old kitty last winter. I did it for a challenge about "Connections" over at Scrapbooking From the Inside Out. I had so much to say that it wouldn't all fit if I wrote it by hand, so for the first time I actually printed out my journaling! The page is based on a sketch by Cherie Averill from the Sassy Lil' Sketches ebook.

Martine

Another Layout to Share!

2011-11-25T14:40:00.005-05:00

Hi!

Got a bit more scrapping done yesterday and did this layout for a challenge about "Connection", the theme for this month, at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out. It's based on a sketch by Cherie Averill in the Sassy Lil' Sketches e-book. The title means: Different but on the Same Wave Length! My boyfriend and I are very different on certain points (he loves it when it's hot, I love the cold; he likes modern, I love antiques; he's calm, I tend to stress out... you get the picture!) But we tend to think alike and agree on most subjects. So much so that we often think exactly the same thing at the same time! We always get a kick out of that!

The page came together quickly. I sprayed the kraft background with glimmer mists. I grabbed a few leftover strips of paper that I keep on my desk in a container, glued the pictures on a big circle, added some old Basic Grey letters and outlined them with a black pen, added the butterflies, and that was it!

I guess I can share this page too now. I did it a little while ago for the Sassy Lil' Sketches e-book (but it seems it's not available for purchase anymore! hope you got your copy, it's a great ressource!) This is Mike and I during our biplane flight in Seattle during our trip there in the summer of 2010. It was so much fun!! What an experience to feel the wind on your face as you're flying high!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy scrapping!

Martine

I've been scrapping!

2011-11-24T00:35:00.007-05:00

Hi!

I have a few more layouts to share. I did these for challenges at WeScrap. The first one is a companion page to one I've done before for Sassy Lil' Sketches. It's about the beautiful Conservatory at Volunteer Park in Seattle. There were so many gorgeous flowers! Everything was so lush! Here's the new page (the purple one, for a "Colours of Fall" challenge) along with the first one I did.

The other two pages I did were for a double layout, for a sketch and a fabric challenge. It's based on this sketch by Sue Sykes.

I used a twisted fabric strip to make the flower at the bottom right of the second page. (Sorry, you'll have to imagine them side by side... it won't post that way!) It's about all the smiling faces that we met during our trip to Cuba last winter.

There's still time if you want to participate in the November WeScrap challenges. You have the chance to win a WeScrap kit of your choice!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

SYC's Challenge #59: Mist Away!

2011-11-15T12:02:00.002-05:00

It's here! Scrap Your Crap's first new reveal and challenge of 2011! The challenge this month is to use at least three colors of mists. If you don't have mists, you can use paints.

Here's my layout. It's for the cover page of my Maine album from our trip this summer. Instead of misting, I painted with the mists. I stamped the lighthouse image with StazOn on white cardstock then painted it using some Adirondack Color Wash, Shimmerz Spritz, Glimmer Glaze and several Glimmer Mists. I machine stitched on a layout for the first time on this page! (This LO has been done for a while, so I did it before the one in the previous post.) I also used up some old stash on this one (title alphas, woodgrain paper), which always feels good! The strips were paper scraps, and the burlap is cut from a jute bag I got at the dollar store!

Make sure to visit the blog to see all the wonderful inspiration provided by the rest of the team!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

A Couple of New Layouts!

2011-11-14T02:25:00.009-05:00

Hi there!

It feels great to be scrapping again! This weekend I played along with an online crop at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out. It's a site that promotes personal journaling on layouts. I completed two challenges.

This is my first page, for the "Free Your Heart" challenge. We had to journal about something that holds us back. I came up with this {Letting Go} layout, with a recent picture and one of me when I was 6 years old. I have misconceptions about myself that I made when I was little and that I still hold true. They hold me back so I need to let go of them! As a design twist, we had to do some misting. I used "Tattered Leather" Glimmer Mist with a butterfly mask, then stamped the butterfly in black over it. I misted the heart with "Candy Apple" Glimmer Mist, then added Diamond Glaze to give it that glazed look. You can't tell from the picture, but I added Perfect Pearls to the chipboard bird for a bit of shine. The layout is based on one-page sketch #11 by Sketch Support.

My second page was done for the "What Matters Most" challenge. It might seem strange that I chose to do it "on being a cat mom", but my kitties truly are important in my life. It is also one of the only aspects of my life where I feel absolutely happy, accomplished and confident in. The design twist was to add some stitching, so I got out my new sewing machine and stitched the pieces of papers on the background page. I like the look! (And I'm amazed that a "non-sewer" like myself actually started to sew on her layouts! Yay!) I kept the embellishments to a minimum. I loved those gorgeous papers from My Mind's Eye, and felt they didn't need much added to them.

The page is based on this sketch from Scrapbooking From the Inside Out.

You should go check out their site. It's very unique and interesting! You can also participate in the online crop until Wednesday November 16th. And if you stop by their blog here, you'll find one of my layouts featured, along with amazing layouts by other members!

Stop by again tomorrow for the first reveal of Scrap Your Crap! It's going to be good!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Two Layouts and a Giveaway!

2011-11-05T00:01:00.006-04:00

Hi!

I've got two new layouts to share today. The first one is based on a sketch from WeScrap and was made for a recipe challenge over there. It's the companion page for the "Beach Girl?" page I made not long ago. I layered, inked and clustered. I distressed the letters because the blue ones were much too bright, so I had to tone them down. The little fishy was a last minute addition!

My second layout is about the beautiful flowers growing at our hotel in Cuba last winter. I couldn't believe the hedges of bougainvillea! I had problems here keeping a tiny one alive for a year! For the base of my layout, I misted an embossed cardstock, then sanded it to make the pattern show through the mist colors. The butterfly was stamped and colored with Copics. I've just started playing with those! I had wanted to stay away from them because I didn't need another addiction (lol!), but I finally gave in!

And now for the giveaway! Head out to Purple Pumpkin for a chance to win one of FOUR vouchers for some really cute embellies!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Another Quick Note!

2011-10-25T21:37:00.003-04:00

Just another quick note to invite you to go meet half of the Scrap Your Crap team (including me) over on the blog today! The other half of the team will be introduced on November 1st. There's a lot of talent over there!!

Oh, and by the way, did you know that we're called "Queens of Crap"? Ha! So perfect for me with my overflowing scrap room! lol!

Thanks for stopping by!

Martine

Just a quick note!

2011-10-22T15:35:00.005-04:00

Just wanted to let you know that there will be a blog hop happening at WeScrap October 28th to 30th. There will be tricks and treats, and scrappy prizes too, of course! You can find all the details on the forum here.

There's also a mystery sketch going on at Let's Capture Our Memories. Every day, a new element of the sketch is revealed, and you build your layout little by little. The first three days are up, but you still have time to easily catch up. I haven't taken pictures of my layout after each step, but I'm liking how it looks so far. Looking forward to see what's coming on day 4! If you'd like to join in, you can find all the information here on the forum (you might need to register though in order to see it).

Happy scrapping!

Martine

A New Layout and Some News!

2011-10-20T10:17:00.001-04:00

Hi!

I made this layout for a challenge at WeScrap for their Fabulous Fall Contest (the one where the grand prize is a Vagabond machine! what are you waiting for? go sign in here, it's not too late! there are always new ways to win some ballots!)

It was an "All About You" challenge. It's based on this sketch by Sassy Lil' Sketches. My title is "Beach Girl?" because I think I'm starting to like the beach, even though I've always said that I'm not a beach girl! The pictures were taken this summer at Ogunquit Beach, in Maine.

Don't forget that you have four more days to participate in the Sassy Lil' Send Off! You have eight sketches to choose from, and eight chances to win one of those wonderful Sassy Lil' Sketches e-book!

And my news... I am a "Queen of Crap"! lol! I'm going to be part of a new DT called "Scrap Your Crap"! (How appropriate is that for me, with my overflowing scrap room! ;) I love their blinkie! ha ha!

There will be one challenge a month, starting in November, on the 15th of every month. I hope you'll join us and see what Greta and Kim have up their sleeves for you! And go check out the rest of the DT! Lots of talent over there!!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Do You Like to Work with Kits?

2011-10-14T19:27:00.004-04:00

If you do, you should check out the kits at WeScrap! They have great kits at unbeatable prices! The October kit, Countryside, came out this week. You can read all about it here on their blog or here at their Etsy Shop! Gotta love those doilies! While you're there, check out their other kits, including some on sale!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

A Chance to Win a Vagabond! and Two New Layouts

2011-10-12T23:17:00.006-04:00

Hi!

Check out the Fabulous Fall Contest that is going on at WeScrap! It's ongoing until October 28th, and on the 31st, a Vagabond machine will be randomly given to a lucky winner! Challenges are issued every Monday, and there are many opportunities to win bonus ballots along the way! If you want to join in the fun, sign up on the WeScrap forum then post in this thread, and mention that I referred you. You'll be getting an extra ballot just for doing this! It's a great contest, an amazing prize, and lots of fun too!

I've completed two LOs so far for the contest. The first one was a scraplift (from "Kimmer"). That's my cat Câlin, who takes the cutest poses when he sleeps!

For the second one, we needed to use fall colors (yellow, orange, rust...). It's about the beautiful architecture of Trinidad, Cuba.

I hope you'll join us for some fun challenges and the chance to win an awesome prize at WeScrap!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

My Last Sassy Reveal!

2011-10-05T02:29:00.007-04:00

I'm a bit sad to share today my last reveal with Sassy Lil' Sketches... As always, we had a great sketch from Cherie to play with!

Here's my layout. It's the Conservatory in Seattle's Volunteer Park. It's this amazingly beautiful victorian glass house, with all sorts of gorgeous plants inside, from orchids to cactus and palm trees!

To switch up the sketch, I made a large, square mosaic of photos (with Picasa) instead of using four square pictures. I also put the title up top, changed the position of some of the embellies, and wrote my journaling around the page to make it fit.

I hope you play along with us this month! It's your last chance! And don't forget that there will be 8 Sassy Lil' Sketches e-books up for grabs! Don't let that chance get away!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Sad News at SLS!

2011-09-30T14:53:00.005-04:00

Today, Sassy Lil' Sketches shared some news on their blog. They announced that they are closing! I'll be sad to see them go. I was always inspired by Cherie's sketches! SLS always felt a little bit like home since I was on their very first DT team, which also happened to be my very first DT experience! It was a wonderful team to work with! Katie and Cherie are super nice!

On a happier note, they are going out with a bang! They are having a big send off, with all 8 sketches of the month being released between October 2nd and October 9th. You'll have until October 23rd to complete the sketches, and the winners will be announced the next day. You can check the full schedule here on the blog. You even get an extra entry if you decide to "switch it up", like I've been doing for the past three months!

And what can you win? How about a SLS sketch e-book for every sketch revealed! That's right, there will be 8 e-books given out! Each are packed full with more than 70 wonderful sketches! That's definitely worth scrapping for!

So check out the Sassy Lil' Sketches blog everyday starting Monday, and stop by here again on the 6th for my reveal!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

(And enjoy the nice fall weather while you still can! My kitties sure are! ;)

Switch It Up Saturday at Sassy Lil' Sketches!

2011-09-24T07:46:00.004-04:00

Hi there!

Today's my reveal at the Sassy Lil' Sketches Switch It Up Saturday! Here is this week's fun sketch:

And here's my version: (click on the photo for a larger view)

I made a double page layout with the sketch. I changed the size and number of photos, I moved the title on top, used pompom trim instead of the banner, and used fewer strips of patterned paper on the bottom. The pictures are from our trip to the coast of Maine this summer. The tile means "Chatouille in the Land of Lobsters". (And yes, I do travel with a stuffed animal... he's my trip mascot and always gets some souvenir shots! lol!) Hope you'll pop on over the Sassy Lil' Sketches blog and join us for a chance to win a prize!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

New Sketches and New Layouts

2011-09-19T22:00:00.007-04:00

Hello!

There are new sketches up at Sassy Lil' Sketches!

This is the sketch I worked on this month. Love the multi-photos and the strips of paper on the bottom! You'll get to see how I switched up my layout on Saturday!

These are the two other sketches that were released this month.

And don't forget the card sketches either, released every Thursdays!

Here's my last layout, a double page about my dad's family, to go into my parents' 50th anniversary album. It's based on this sketch by Amy Alvis from 4x6 Photo Sketch Blog.

I stamped on thin cork then cut out the images to make custom embellies. I wanted something masculine looking that added texture. I also used cork to mat part of the title, to make it stand out more. I cut out felt triangles and stamped a polka dot pattern on two of them, then glued all three on a piece of jute twine. I like the texture it adds.

Don't forget to check back in a few days for my "Switch It Up Saturday" at Sassy Lil' Sketches!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Another SLS E-book Giveaway!

2011-09-03T13:38:00.005-04:00

Just a quick note to let you know to pop over to the Practical Scrappers blog this weekend! Their September 2nd post has lots of inspiration to offer, plus an easy chance to win a free copy of the recently released Sassy Lil' Sketches E-Book!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Two Layouts and a Winner!

2011-08-30T00:16:00.006-04:00

Hello!

I have two new layouts to share today that I did for the "Deal or No Deal" contest going on at WeScrap! Every week we get to pick a suitcase for a unique challenge. For week 1, I had to use 2 cardstocks, 3 papers, ribbon, stamps, journaling spot, ink/pens and nothing else! It was this last part which was hard for me! This is what I came up with, my first experience snorkeling last winter. I stamped the blue ribbon with the fish, as well as all the embellies (I did chalk them for a bit of color...). It's fun to get to use the new "tropical" stamp sets that I bought after our trip to Cuba. (I'm just *slightly* addicted to stamps! lol!)

For the 2nd week, I had to scrap a weakness. Hmmmm... Since I always seem to have a tendency to "see the glass half-empty", I decided to use part of the lyrics of this song ("I can see clearly now the rain is gone...") with this picture of me on the beach, on our last day there. I was truly relaxed! I have a hard time scrapping with vivid colors. Add a white cardstock background, and it's really a challenge for me!

Now, let's see who's the lucky person who'll be getting a free copy of the new Sassy Lil' Sketches E-book!

The random number generator picked #1, which means that Repositório won! Congrats!! Please contact Cherie at sassylilsketches@gmail.com for your copy of the e-book. Use the subject "Winner of the e-book giveaway" and let her know that you've won the book at my blog.

Don't forget to go check out the Sassy Lil' Sketches blog today! Since there are five weeks in August, it's a "Sketch Rerun" with two additional sketches that you can work on before September 5th to be in the running for a prize from our sponsors!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Free E-Book Reminder and New Sketch!

2011-08-23T23:49:00.004-04:00

Just a quick post to remind you that you still have a few days to leave a comment on this blog post for your chance to win a copy of the new Sassy Lil' Sketches E-Book! (Your chances are really good! ;) You have until August 29th to participate. The E-Book is great, full of sketches (over 70 of them!) and inspiration layouts! And at US$8.99, the price can't be beat (that's like 13 cents per sketch!) So even if you don't win, you should definitely check it out!

The August Week 4 sketch came out today at Sassy Lil' Sketches. I love the background squares! Check out the reveal for lots of different interpretations of the sketch by the talented DT!

You have until September 5th to play along with us for a chance to win a prize from one of our sponsors!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

My first "switch it up" Saturday!

2011-08-20T00:30:00.005-04:00

Hello!

Today's my first reveal since I've been back with Sassy Lil' Sketches. And this time I'm "switching it up" on Saturdays!

As a reminder, here's this week's sketch.

I had to "stretch" this sketch. The first thing I did was to add photos! I always have so many travel pictures that I rarely do one-photo layouts. So I replaced the landscape photo by a bloc of 4 matted photos instead. I also replaced the bottom left cluster of embellies with 2 more round pictures. I also didn't do the strip journaling. I added a small stamped tag at the top right instead. (Eventually I'll be doing a companion page where the "real" journaling will be.) I added some stamped flowers and rubons in the area where the journaling was supposed to be. I adapted the strip along the bottom edge of the photo with some rik-rak, ribbon and buttons instead. I also started the title on the vertical edge of the photo since it was too long to fit completely on top.

Go check out the Sassy Lil' Sketches blog to see what Ashley has done with her "switched up" sketch! I love her version!

Join in the fun by September 5th and have a chance to win a prize from one of our sponsors!

The paper sponsor (US only) is Apron Strings Design.

The digital sponsor is Sassy Studio Designs.

And finally, the card sponsor is My Favorite Things Stamps.

Hope you get inspired by all the sketches and layouts at Sassy Lil' Sketches!

Martine

New sketch and reveal at Sassy Lil' Sketches!

2011-08-16T20:30:00.006-04:00

Have you checked out the Sassy Lil' Sketches blog today? It's the August reveal for week 3, which is the sketch I worked with. But since I "switch it up", my layout will only be revealed on Saturday.

It's a simple one photo sketch that leaves lots of room for creativity and your own interpretation. The designers did a wonderful job! Check it out here!

Don't forget that there are two more sketches that have already been revealed (every Tuesday), as well as card sketches every Thursday! Saturdays are the "Switch It Up" days, which show ways that you can "stretch" the sketch.

Here's the sketch for the first week of August:

And the sketch for the second week of August:

Remember that you have until September 5th to complete and link your LO for a chance to win a prize from one of our sponsors!

So make sure to check out Sassy Lil' Sketches and happy scrapping!

Martine

Sassy Lil' Sketch E-Book Giveaway!!

2011-08-14T11:36:00.007-04:00

Hello!

Have you heard the news?? Sassy Lil' Sketches has released their brand new sketch e-book!

-----NEWS RELEASE-----

At Sassy Lil' Sketches, we are happy to announce the first Sassy Lil' Sketches Ebook has been released!

The Sassy Lil' Sketches Ebook features about 70 brand new sketches designed by Cherie Averill!

You'll find sketches for layouts with one, two, three & multiple photos! You'll even find double page sketches! Plus, sample layouts from talented designers that will spark your creativity!

Most of the sketches use standard photo sizes (4x6, 5x7, 8x10). To get extra mileage out of the sketches, switch it up! Use the sketches to create cards, double pagers, etc.! If you need ideas for "switching it up", check out the cards in the Sample Layouts section or stop by the Sassy Lil' Sketch blog on Saturdays.

The Sassy Lil' Sketches Ebook is available for online viewing or you can easily download and print it. It's your choice!

Visit www.sassylilsketches.com to get the Sassy Lil' Sketches Ebook & get scrapping!

------------------------------

Cherie's sketches are amazing, as always, and there are SO MANY of them! And at 8.99$US, you can't beat the price!! There is also tons of inspiration to be had from the many designers that contributed to the ebook!

I made one of the layout examples for the book, featured on page 5. I can't show you my LO, but I can show you the pictures I used. They were taken last summer during our trip to the Pacific Northwest. On our last day, we went for a biplane ride over Seattle in an old 1940's open cockpit biplane! It was such a cool experience!

And here are a few sneaks of my layout!

The gals at Sassy Lil' Sketches were kind enough to give us a copy of the ebook to give away on our blogs. Just leave a comment on this post for your chance to win! I'll pick a random winner on August 29th. If you don't win, remember that the ebook is just 8.99$US! I'll leave you with a screen shot of a page to give you a taste of the ebook!

Martine

Another toot!

2011-07-20T21:16:00.004-04:00

Hi there!

Just a short post to announce that, after a 6 month absence, I'm back on the Sassy Lil' Sketches DT! Yay! Cherie's sketches are always inspiring, so I can't wait until August to get started! There are a few changes this time around on the blog. Layout sketches will be revealed on Tuesdays and card sketches on Thursdays. There will also be a new "Switch It Up" team who will reveal their layouts on Saturdays. I'll be revealing on the third Saturdays of the month. So lots of fun stuff ahead!

In the meantime, there are already 2 great sketches out this month, with 2 more still to come! Go check them out here for a chance to win a prize from Tally Scrapper or Sassy Studio Designs!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

This is a "Cats" post of Scrap.Cats.Love.!

2011-07-12T12:30:00.009-04:00

Hi there!

Nothing scrappy to share with you yet. I'm working on my layout for the Sassy Lil' Sketches e-book, which is top-secret work! lol! But I do have some kitty news that I wanted to share!

After Chipper passed away last February, at the wise old age of 18 (yep! I was lucky to have him in my life for a long time!), I thought it would be nice to see Sable and Chipper together again. So I decided that it was time to finally get a portrait done of my angel kitties!

I had been wanting for a very long time to get a pet portrait done of my two special kitties, Sable and Chipper, whom I adopted as free kittens in a newspaper ad back in 1993. But I never found the "right" artist, until I came across Susan Faye's work on her blog and in her Etsy shop. I love her cute, pretty, colorful, whimsical style!

So here it is, my pet portrait! I love it!! It will be hanging in my scrap room, where Chipper used to hang out in all the time when I was working in there!

If you want to check out more of Susan Faye's art, go over to her blog, 365 Cat Ladies and Friends where there's a post about my kitties today! You'll find much more than cats too! There are bunnies and birds, pretty flowers, jewelry, prints, bookmarks and lots more... even dolls! (Oh, and if you stop by her Cafe Press shop, you'll find tons of t-shirts, mugs, calendars, aprons, totes...)

Here are a few pictures of my pretty angel kitties to finish off this post. Thanks for stopping by and tolerating my "crazy cat lady" post! ;)

Martine

A new layout, a toot and a giveaway!

2011-07-05T15:59:00.009-04:00

Hi!

Here's my latest LO. It's my first page about our trip to Cuba last winter. It was my first time going south for the winter... and I loved it! I've never been a "beach person", so I didn't think it would be my thing. Don't get me wrong, I knew that I was going to enjoy it, but I didn't think I was going to REALLY like it! It felt pretty surreal swimming in the ocean in January when you just left snow behind you at home!

It's based on this sketch from Sassy Lil' Sketches. I love muli-photo sketches!

I went with bright colors to go with the gorgeous color of the water over there! I used Tattered Angels "Glimmer Glass" as black accents. I faux-stitched around the page in black also. I stamped little tags for my journaling. I used bling to simulate waves under the palm tree, and added a few cute fish glass beads that I found on clearance at an art store.

Now for my toot! Sassy Lil' Sketches will be producing an e-book, and I've been chosen as a designer! I'm very excited to be part of this project! I'll keep you posted when it's all done and ready to go!

And the giveaway... Purple Pumpkin is having a huge giveaway to celebrate their first year! There's a total of $100 in vouchers to the store to be won! The winners will be announced on July 22nd, so go check it out! You know you can't resist these cute buttons and embellies!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy scrapping!

Martine

Back in my scrap room!

2011-06-26T17:58:00.007-04:00

Hi there!

Well, it seems like it's been forever since I scrapped... But I'm back in my scrap room now and I've made two layouts recently! I'm hoping that summer will be more productive than my spring was!

I made this LO for the cover page of my parents' 50th wedding anniversary album. I made a collage of pictures with Picasa. It was so easy! I had often heard of Picasa but had never used it before. I'm quite pleased that I finally got around to it! I'm not used to working with such a large picture, so it was a challenge for me to embellish the page. My mom really liked it though, so that's what counts!

This second layout was done with some old pictures that I came across as I was looking for photos for my parents' 50th anniversary. It's based on the April 28th sketch at Sassy Lil' Sketches.

I used a black cardstock base, which I don't do often. It was fun to mix and match the different patterned papers. The cute little mushroom button is from My Little Bit of Whimsy. It was fun to use cute embellies! I don't usually do cutesy LOs!

Well, I've got another LO in progress on my desk, so hopefully I'll have something to show you soon. It's going to be my first LO of our vacation to Cuba last winter, with some sunny, beachy pictures!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Finally a new page!

2011-04-04T17:09:00.012-04:00

Hi there! Well, I've finally finished a new page, after more than three months without any scrapping! It was more than time for me to get scrappy... I used this sketch from Becky Fleck that appeared in the spring issue of Scrapbook and Cards Today . The photos in the LO were taken at Volunteer Park in Seattle during our trip there last summer. I LOVE dahlias! They are just so bright and pretty! In that dahlia garden, they had some of all shapes, sizes and colors! It was wonderful! (I'll eventually make a second page with journaling, and photos of dahlias just about the size of a loonie ($1 Canadian coin), up to some about the size of my face!) I used the fresh and springy "Green at Heart" collection from Basic Grey. The white flowers in the background are old Hambly rub-ons. It feels good to use up some old stash! The cloud (cut from some Bella Blvd paper and stickled) and the chipboard bird (covered with yellow Doodlebug chunky glitter and Diamond Glaze) were laying around on my desk, discarded from a previous page. I found that they just "fit" on this LO!

I made the red flower by free-hand cutting circles (4 large and 3 smaller ones) from some wide "tulle" ribbon I bought at the dollar store. I heated the edges with my heat gun (very carefully because it "melts" really fast! I had seen tutorials using a tea light candle instead... that might be a better idea!). Then I just stacked them and stapled them in the middle, and glued down some pearls with Diamond Glaze. I also added a bit of Rock Candy Distress Stickles to the edges, although you can't really tell, even in real life! I added a leaf from Making Memories and stickled the dots to give it a bit more shine. I really like how it all turned out! On a totally non scrapbook related bit of news, I said goodbye in February to my companion of the past 18 years, my sweet kitty Chipper! He really was the sweetest kitty around, and I miss him... although I can't complain as I was so lucky to have had him around with me for so long! Although no cat will ever replace Chipper, I do have another sweet, goofy kitty to share my life with. Câlin (which means "hug" in French) is the cutest orange tabby! I rescued him from the streets 5 years ago, but I had left him with my parents when it became apparent that my old kitties thought there were too many cats at home... He's back with me now, and he's as loveable as ever! He loves to have his belly rubbed at bedtime and loves to play and run around like a wild cat once in a while. He makes me laugh! Bear and Lexi (my two older cats) don't like him that much, but they're learning to tolerate him... most of the times! Well, hopefully my mojo will be returning with the spring, and I'll be having more pages to show! Hope you're all having fun scrapping away! Martine

DT Call at LCOM!

2011-02-09T01:23:00.012-05:00

Let's Capture Our Memories is having a DT call! Check it out! You get to pick which products from the store you want to work with. How cool is that! You can find out all the details here. You have until February 20th to apply. Give it a try!

On a totally unrelated note, I just came back from a week-long vacation in Cuba. It was my first time going south in the winter, and I must say that even though I didn't *think* I was a beach person, it was pretty amazing!!

The amazing beach and sea! The sand is white and so fine. And the water really is that bright turquoise (no photoshopping involved! lol!)

Under the sea!

The colonial town of Trinidad:

The flowers blooming in January!!

I can't wait to start scrapping my new pictures!

Martine

January 7th Sassy Sketch and Layout!

2011-01-07T13:13:00.002-05:00

Hi!

Here's the new sketch at Sassy Lil' Sketches!

And here's my page, about beautiful Victoria.

I used some Basic Grey Olivia papers on a BG cardstock base. I stamped and embossed my title and the little butterflies, used a K & Co. transparency backed on kraft cardstock, Prima bling, flowers and pebble, some pins, and a label sticker from October Afternoon.

Hope you'll play along with us this month for a chance to win a prize from our new sponsors!

Our paper sponsor is Tidbitz in Time.

Our digi sponsor is CoCoDinGo.

Don't forget to go check out the rest of the DT's creations on the blog! You have until February 5th to link up your page for a chance to win!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Sketch #66 at Let's Capture These Sketches!

2010-12-22T14:50:00.001-05:00

Hi there!

Here's the latest sketch at Let's Capture These Sketches! It's a sketch from Tara Thynne and the challenge is to make something homemade on your page or incorporate some other craft on your layout (origami, crochet, sewing, etc.)

Here's my page. It's my brother and I on Christmas Eve (we always open presents at midnight on Christmas Eve in my family) in 1973 and 2009. Time sure does fly!

I rotated the sketch to fit my landscape photos. I unfortunately forgot to incorporate something handmade on my page... I had an idea when I started the layout, then kind of went in a different direction and forgot about the challenge until my page was all finished! My bad!

I used stamps from our sponsor this month, myStamp BOX. Complete the sketch for your chance to win some stamps of your own! Don't forget to link up your creation here on the blog!

I'll be taking a step back from my DT's for a while. This is my last layout with Let's Capture These Sketches. I'm done with Sketchabilities, and I have just one last reveal with Sassy Lil' Sketches. Although I absolutely loved being on those DT's, I just need to spend a bit less time on the internet for a while and more time for other things in my life. I'll still be scrapping hopefully, but just not on a schedule. I sure hope you'll keep stopping by when I post once in a while!

Happy scrapping and Happy Holidays!

Martine

Sassy sketch a day early!

2010-12-06T21:06:00.007-05:00

Hi there! Today you get the new Sassy Lil' Sketch a day early! So here it is:

And here's my take. It's the incredible sunken garden in Butchart Garden, in Victoria, B.C. Truly breathtaking!

Go check out the rest of the DT's work here. Link up your creation this month for a chance to win one of two prizes from our sponsors:

Lawn Fawn, where you could win this stamp set:

and our digi sponsor, Stamping Dragon Designs

Don't forget about the DT call going on until December 21st. And go check out the new forum and gallery too!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Sassy DT Call!!

2010-12-03T15:00:00.003-05:00

Sassy Lil' Sketches is having a DT call! It's a great opportunity and I encourage you all to give it a try! The sketches are always wonderful to work with, as are Katie and Cherie! And with the new forum, gallery and new sister card sketch blog, things will be happening over there for sure! Go check out all the details on the blog and give it a try!! You have until December 21st to turn in your application!

Good luck!

Martine

Mystery Sketch Day 4 and final day!

2010-12-03T14:47:00.006-05:00

Oops! Sorry I missed posting Day 4 yesterday, but here it is:

Along with my version:

And here's Day 5, the final day!

And my finished LO. It's about what has become a tradition in my family on Christmas Eve. We take a series of pictures in front of the tree, photographing every combination possible with each family member, even my cats get in on it! The stamps on the left are from our sponsor, MyStamp BOX. Go check them out!

Remember you have until December 10th to complete your LO for a chance to win some goodies! Check out the blog at Let's Capture These Sketches for more info!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Sassy Lil' Sketches has a new forum!

2010-12-01T20:17:00.007-05:00

Yep! It's true! The Sassy Lil' Sketches blog now has its very own forum, and a gallery is soon on its way!! The new website (which is not replacing the blog for now) can be found at http://www.sassylilsketches.com/. The new forum is at www.sassylilsketches.com/forum. Go check it out!! You can see all the details about the announcement on the blog here.

And just for fun, and for no reason at all other than I love him and that he's so cute ;-), a couple of pictures of my old kitty cat Chipper. Getting some fresh air in the back yard just before the first snow. And finding his way back to his favorite sleeping spot as soon the Christmas tree was up! My baby is 26 days shy of his 18th birthday!

But back to the subject... go check out the new forum!!!

Martine

Mystery Sketch Day 3!

2010-12-01T17:10:00.006-05:00

Step 3 of the mystery sketch is up for you at Let's Capture These Sketches!

Here's mine:

Are you playing along? Hope so! Don't forget to let us see if you are! You could win a RAK!

Martine

Mystery Sketch Day 2!

2010-11-30T20:18:00.004-05:00

Just a very short, quick post to show you step 2 of our mystery sketch at Let's Capture These Sketches!

Here it is:

And here's mine:

Have fun!

Martine

Sketch #36 at Sketchabilities!

2010-11-30T08:45:00.003-05:00

Hi!

Go check out the amazing work that the DT cranked out with the latest sketch from Karan Gerber at Sketchabilities!

Here's the pretty sketch we had to work with!

And here's my version. The title says "A Nice Encounter". While we were walking on a trail in Olympic National Park in Washington State last summer, we practically stumbled upon this doe and her pretty fawn, just munching in the forest, steps away from us (and all the other tourists!). It was such a sight! Everybody was quiet, and the two of them just went about their business, almost posing for us it seemed! I'll be making a second page (eventually!) that will include journaling.

Go check out the blog and be inspired! Link up your layout by December 12th for a chance to win an awesome prize from our November 30th sponsor, Technique Junkie Newsletter!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Sketch Swap!

2010-11-29T23:23:00.006-05:00

**If you're looking for Day 1 of the Mystery Sketch, check the blog post below. Thanks!**

Hi there!

There was a sketch swap between the sketch team and the card team at Let's Capture Our Memories! The sketch team did a LO using a card sketch, and the card team made a card using our LO sketch!

So here was the card sketch that we had to work with:

And here's the layout I made out of it. The title would translate something like "Girls Night Out" (really more like girl's "day" out though!). It talks about how my niece and I used to go the amusement park together every year, starting when she was 3 years old. I lived in Alaska back then, and it was always so much fun to go out together for a special day when I would visit during the summer! I used Bella Blvd papers and stickers from our sponsor this month.

So go visit the sketch blog and the card blog. You can link your creations for a chance to win a prize from Bella Blvd!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Mystery Sketch Day 1!

2010-11-29T22:44:00.007-05:00

Ok, so here it is! The first step of the mystery sketch at Let's Capture These Sketches!

I'll be using a 5x7 photo instead of a 4x6, so I used a bigger piece of patterned paper. Step two will be posted tomorrow. Please complete step one before peeking at step two. That's the whole fun of a mystery sketch!

And don't forget that there's a RAK for someone who completes the whole LO! You have until December 10th to finish up your page. Check out all the details here on the blog!

Stay tuned for the rest, and happy scrapping!

Martine

Mystery Sketch... and a RAK!

2010-11-29T00:08:00.004-05:00

Hi!

Don't forget that the mystery sketch starts later today at Let's Capture These Sketches! You'll need one landscape photo (4x6, but 5x7 should also work) and some matching papers. You'll be getting the first step today, then a new step every day until Friday! You'll then have a few days to complete your LO and link it up on the blog. Don't forget that if you complete the challenge, you'll have a chance to win a RAK!

So I hope you're up to a little mystery and a lot of fun!

Martine

Latest sketches from Sassy Lil' Sketches!

2010-11-28T23:41:00.005-05:00

Hi!

Go over to the Sassy Lil' Sketches blog to see all the wonderful LOs created by the DT with the latest sketches for the month of November!

Here's the November 28th sketch:

The November 21st sketch:

And the November 14th card sketch:

You can check out the November 7th sketch on my blog post here.

Don't forget that you have until December 5th to link your LOs from any of the November sketches on the Sassy Lil' Sketches blog for your chance to win a prize from one of our two sponsor's this month, Paper Wishes and Sassy Studio Designs!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Sketch #64 at Let's Capture These Sketches!

2010-11-28T23:05:00.009-05:00

Hi there!

Go check out Let's Capture These Sketches for the latest reveal! This week, we have a multi-pic sketch by Smitha Katti. The challenge is to create a LO about you!

Here's the sketch:

And here's my version. The polka dot strip of paper, as well as the little punched butterflies are from our sponsor, Bella Blvd. I used lots of different alpha stickers for the title. It's really a challenge for me to work with bright colorful papers!

Go check out the rest of the DT's layouts, and link your creation on the blog here for your chance at winning a yummy prize from our sponsor, Bella Blvd!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Come join us for a mystery sketch!!

2010-11-21T12:22:00.005-05:00

Hey scrappers, we want you!!

The sketch team at Let's Capture These Sketches is planning a mystery sketch for the week of November 29th to December 3rd. We want you to join us and get in on the fun!

On Monday, November 29th, we will post the first part of a sketch, then on Tuesday the 30th we'll add the second part, and it will continue until Friday. And just to make it more interesting, you can't view step #2 until you've completed step #1, and so on. We will let you know what type of picture you need (landscape or portrait) and how many, so that you can have them ready in advance. And you could maybe have some papers all lined up and ready to go too!

Spread the word, post this ad on your blogs if you like, the more that play along, the more fun it will be! If you post on your blog about the mystery sketch and leave a link in the comments here on my blog to let me know by November 28th, I'll put your name in a drawing for a small RAK from me! There will also be a RAK drawn at the sketch blog from everyone who completes all five steps!

Hope you join us!!

My sketch is up at Let's Capture These Sketches!

2010-11-19T17:43:00.005-05:00

Hi there!

Today it was my turn to provide the sketch for Let's Capture These Sketches! It was actually my first time creating a sketch! (Ok, I'm really not very digi-inclined, so I actually just drew my sketch with paper and pen...) It was fun! My challenge was to use patterned papers only, no cardstock allowed!

So here's my sketch:

And here's my version of my sketch.

I actually ended up modifying it a lot more than I usually do when working with sketches! Go figure! Actually, it was all my fault... My challenge was to use pp only (which I often do, I don't use cardstock much), but we had received some pretty Bella Blvd papers from our November sponsor, and I didn't have many big pieces left after a few layouts! In a any case, I'm happy about how this one turned out, even though I digressed from my own sketch!

Go check out the rest of the team's pages here! I hope you can play along with us! Don't forget to link up your creation by the end of the month to win a yummy prize from our sponsor Bella Blvd!

Sketch #35 at Sketchabilities!

2010-11-15T08:45:00.002-05:00

Hi there!

Today is reveal day at Sketchabilities! Head on over to check out the new sketch, as well as the wonderful creations by the DT!

This is sketch #35:

And this is my take on it:

If you remember my post here for the last reveal at Sketchabilities, I did a LO about my mom when she was young for my parents' upcoming 50th wedding anniversary. I did a similar page for my dad with this new sketch. This time, I used the blue "version" of the Life Stories line from My Mind's Eye instead of the pink for my dad though! The chipboard is from Cosmo Cricket's Everafter collection. I thought the colors worked perfectly with these papers. The background of the chipboard was white though and stuck out too much, so I just inked it up to make it blend a bit more.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at my page. Be sure to go check out the rest of the reveal here! You'll be inspired for sure!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Hippity Hop Blog Hop!

2010-11-12T01:33:00.004-05:00

Hi there!

Do you feel like hopping and creating this weekend? Then check out this Hippity Hop Blog Hop!

The hops starts at Sassy Lil' Sketches! You'll need to visit each of the blogs to complete your layout! You will get an element at each of the 5 blogs. Using all the elements, create a layout or card and post it to all 5 blogs for a chance to win up to 5 times. Each blog has cool prizes up for grabs!

Here are the blogs where you'll be hopping to:

Sassy Lil' Sketches
Scrap Fit
Crop Suey
Scrap Tiffany
Cuttlebug Spot

So get hopping and start creating! You have until Sunday November 14th at 9pm to upload your creation. Don't forget to upload it at EACH blog for a chance to win each blog's prize!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

November 7th Sketch at Sassy Lil' Sketches and New Sponsors!

2010-11-07T00:01:00.003-04:00

Hi!

Pop on over to Sassy Lil' Sketches for the new sketch and reveal! Here's Cherie Averill's cool sketch. Love all the blocking! So many possibilities!

Here's my take on it. It's a place called Paradise, in Rainier National Park in Washington State. It was so gorgeous there, with the mountains and the valleys FILLED with wildflowers! At some places, there were so many lupines that you could actually just smell them in the air as you walked in the trails! It was beautiful! And such a nice, sunny day too!

In this LO, I used a mix of BG Olivia and Oliver papers, some Zva bling swirls, a bit of Stickles, and some faux-stitching using my Scor-Bug embosser and white pen.

Go check out what the rest of the Sassies did here! Then give it a go! You have until December 5th to link up your LOs based on any of the November sketches for a chance to win a prize from one of our sponsors!

This month, our paper sponsor is Paper Wishes (US participants only)

and our digital sponsor is Sassy Studio Designs.

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Sketch #61 at Let's Capture These Sketches!

2010-11-05T18:17:00.000-04:00

There's a new sketch up today at Let's Capture These Sketches! It's a wonderful sketch by Heather Derbecker. The challenge is to use an animal somewhere on the page, either on the paper, the embellies or the pictures. Here's the sketch:

And here's my take on it. Our sponsor this month is Bella Blvd, and we were all lucky enough to get some goodies to play with! On this LO, the paper, the banner and the white letter stickers are all from Bella Blvd.

For the background, I sanded a piece of Core'dinations Jenni Bowlin embossed cardstock. I matted my photos with some MidTerm papers from Bella Blvd, and rounded the corners. I cut out the banner from the same line of papers, stamped the title, then added a thin line of Christmas Red Stickles. The big red heart is a leftover from a previous page. I had inked, glittered and diamond glazed a chipboard heart for a LO about my parents' wedding, but ended up not using it. I thought it was perfect for this LO about my special kitties! The big cat sticker, the sticker frame (which hides journaling underneath) and the cat brads on the bottom right, have been in my stash forever! It feels great to finally use them!

The journaling explains the story of my two special kitties, Sable and Chipper, two brothers who loved each other so much, although they were so different, both in appearance and character! I didn't expect them to come into my life (my roommate at the time wanted some kittens and I just went along...), but they changed it forever! I'm now a certified crazy cat lady! lol! I had Sable for almost 11 years. Chipper is still with me, he's almost 18. I have other cats too, but I don't think there will ever be other kitties as special as these two for me!

Ok, enough rambling! Go check out the rest of the DT's reveal here. And don't forget to play along with any of the sketches in November for your chance to win a yummy prize from Bella Blvd!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Sketch #34 is up at Sketchabilities!

2010-10-30T16:02:00.009-04:00

Hello!

It's reveal day at Sketchabilities! We had another gorgeous sketch by Karan Gerber to work with!

Sketch #34:

And here's what I did with it. It's another page for my parents' 50th anniversary album that I'm working on for next summer. This is my mom when she was young. The pink Life Stories line from My Mind's Eye was perfect for this LO. It was exactly the "mood" I wanted for this heritage page. And the best part is, I also have the blue line of this same collection for my dad's page!

Make sure you go check out all wonderful creations from the rest of the DT here, and link up your LO for a chance to win a scrapkit worth 35$ from our October sponsor Scrap Shotz! You have until November 10th to complete sketch #33 and #34.
Happy scrapping!

Martine

New sketch at Let's Capture These Sketches!

2010-10-30T15:35:00.005-04:00

Hey there!

Just another quick note today to let you know to pop on over to Let's Capture These Sketches for the newest sketch by Allison Cope! Here's the sketch, but you have to check out what the DT created with it! The challenge is to use at least three items that start with the letter B! How fun is that!

Up for grabs is a prize from Bella Blvd!

In fact, during all of November, the DT and card DT at Let's Capture Our Memories will have challenges with prizes from Bella Blvd! Go check it out!

And don't forget there's still time to complete any of the sketches from October at Let's Capture These Sketches for a chance to win a gift certificate from My StampBox!

Get scrappin! :)

Martine

Tons of sketches from Sassy Lil' Sketches!

2010-10-30T15:01:00.009-04:00

Hi there!

Just playing catch up with the lastest sketches from Sassy Lil' Sketches! Lot's going on over there, so pop on over to play and a chance to win a prize from one of our sponsors!

Here are sketches from our two monthly sponsors, Blue Hills Studio and Sassy Designs!

October 7th sketch: (I've already posted this one for my reveal, but I'm putting it up again, 'cause it was so fun to play with!)

October 14th card sketch:

October 21st sketch:

October 28th sketch:

You have until November 5th to complete any of the following sketches for a chance to win. You can check all the details here!

But that's not all! We're also having our "Card Crazy" month at Sassy Lil' Sketches during October, so you also have 4 more card sketches you can play with for a chance to win a prize from CupCards{ToGo}!

Card Crazy sketch #1:

Card Crazy sketch #2:

Card Crazy sketch #3:

Card Crazy sketch #4:

But you have to hurry, you have until October 31st to link up your creations! Go check out the details here!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Reveal day at Let's Capture These Sketches!

2010-10-23T00:30:00.004-04:00

Hi there!

Today is my first reveal at Let's Capture These Sketches! We had a wonderful layered sketch by Guylaine Seyer to work with. The challenge was to use ric-rak or zig zag stitching on your page.

And for once, I stuck to the single photo sketch! I'm slowly starting an album for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary next summer. (This is only my 2nd page!) This sketch was perfect for a LO with one focal wedding picture. Here's my version of the sketch. I added journaling to capture the story about their wedding day.

So go check things out at the blog to see the other DT's beautiful creations! Give the sketch a try before the end of the month and link up your entry for a chance to win a gift certificate from myStampBOX!
Happy scrapping!

Martine

It's reveal day at Sketchabilities!

2010-10-15T08:45:00.004-04:00

Yep! Today is my first reveal at Sketchabilities! This is the sketch we had to work with, by Karan Gerber. I love multi-pics LO with different sized photos, so this was was perfect! Lots of layers too! So here's sketch #33:

Here's my version. It's the old Roman baths in Bath, England. I used a mix of older papers, which I always get a kick out of! The blue background pp is some old 7 Gypsies, the hand-drawn big scalloped circle is K&C0, and there's a bit of Lush MME (love that flocked paper!!) behind the main photo. I've also used some "Dew Drops" for the circle, which I just recently got for the first time. I'm really liking them! It's hard to tell from the picture unless you click on it, but I used white crackle paint on the chipboard letters then inked them with Tea Dye Distress ink. It's a great effect for that page!

Be sure to go check out what the other DT members have done with the sketch here! It's sure to inspire you! Give it a try too! Link your LO for a chance to win a prize from our October sponsor, Scrap Shotz! You can get all the details on the blog.

Happy scrapping!

Martine

A layout, some sketches and some news!

2010-10-14T21:44:00.010-04:00

First up, a LO I did for the "Amazing Scrap Race" going on at "Let's Capture Our Memories". We had to use an old black & white photo, and journal about something we were thankful for. So I finally scrapped some pictures of the first love of my life, our family dog when I was growing up!! I'm so thankful that she came into my life... if for nothing else than to cure me of the extreme dog phobia I had when I was little! (after being bit in the face (nothing physically serious) by my aunt's tiny dog...) She even made me forget my "inner" cat lady for almost two decades... that's how much I loved her! lol!

And here are the latest sketches from Sassy Lil' Sketches!

This is the October 14th card sketch for the monthly prizes from our two sponsors:

and the second card sketch for our "card crazy" month for a prize from CupCards{ToGo}! Go check out the beautiful creations from the DT here!

And my news... I made the design team at Let's Capture These Sketches!!! I'll be having my first reveal later this month. Hope you stop on by!!

Martine

New layout, new sketch, new sponsors!

2010-10-07T00:01:00.006-04:00

It's a new month at Sassy Lil' Sketches, that means new sketches and new prizes too!

Here's the October 7th sketch by Cherie Averill. It's a great multi-picture sketch! I love those!!

And here's my layout. I did a girly page, all in pinks, pearls, flowers, butterflies, and my favorite part... my grand-mother's vintage paper doilies! This is a companion page to the one I did here about having "afternoon tea" at Butchart Gardens in Victoria this summer. I was never a "pink" kinda gal, but I'm finding I'm doing more and more pink pages recently! Must be all those gardens I've been visiting! lol!

Check out what the other DT members did here! You're sure to find lots of inspiration!

We also have two new sponsors this month! Blue Hills Studio is our paper sponsor.

And our digi sponsor is Sassy Designs.

Go check them out! You have until November 5th to participate and link up your creations on the Sassy blog. And don't forget the special card sketches released every Monday in October with a prize from CupCards{ToGo}! The first one is already up here! Hope you join us this month for some scrappy fun!

Martine

Latest sketches at Sassy Lil' Sketches!

2010-10-04T12:33:00.007-04:00

Hi there!

You have until tomorrow, October 5th at 11:59 PM EST to link up your layouts using any of the September sketches at Sassy Lil' Sketches for your chance to win a prize from one of our sponsors, Memory Miser and Digital Delights by Louby Loo.

In case you missed any, here are all the September sketches that you can use:

September 7th:

September 14th card sketch:

September 21st:

September 28th:

September bonus sketch:

Starting today and all month long during October, there will be special card sketches released every Monday!

This is the sketch for October 4th.

Complete one of these special card sketches in October for your chance to win a mini-kit from CupCards{ToGo}! Lots of inspiration to be had!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

New layout!

2010-09-27T21:25:00.006-04:00

Just a quick post to show you my latest LO. It's based on sketch #24 at Sketchabilities. The pictures were taken this August at Butchart Gardens, in Victoria. For my birthday, we had afternoon tea in the most beautiful setting! I love the whole "tea" experience (had my first ones last summer in Great Britain), even though I'm really not a "fancy", girly kinda gal! As I was writing my journaling on a piece of scrap paper, I realized why... it makes me feel like a little girl again, playing house and having a tea party! lol!

I knew right away that I wanted to use my BG Porcelain papers, they were just right for these "tea at the gardens" pictures. I used a vintage paper doily that came from my grand-mother's hutch, which is now in my parents' basement. I found them a few weeks ago and asked my mom if I could have them for my scrapping. There are a bunch of them, of different kinds, and they are so gorgeous! So detailed! They look like they're actually crocheted! (and they even still smell like my grand-mother's house!) I didn't ink them or anything, because I wanted to keep the original vintage "yellowed" look.

Happy scrapping!

Martine

A layout, some sketches and a giveaway!

2010-09-21T19:54:00.007-04:00

Hi there!

Last night, there was another "Monday Night Mystery Layout" at Love Is In The Details. Those are fun! We build a LO step by step, following instructions that one of the DT members posts one at a time, without knowing what the final page will look like. It's always fun to see the results! So this is my LO, based on Chelsea Miller's page.

This is my first LO on our trip to the Pacific Northwest in August. This is in Rainier National Park, in a spot called the "Grove of Patriarchs". Mike and I were really impressed by all the huge trees out there! We don't have those around here!

I think I went a little overboard with my new glimmer mists on the background! Turned my page much more orange than I wanted, but oh well... I just had to use my new Fall 2010 glimmer mists colors that I won on the Tattered Angels blog a few weeks ago! The colors are really rich and deep! I used Apple and Sugar Maple on this one.

Here are the last two sketches at Sassy Lil' Sketches. Go check out what the DT members have done with it! Don't forget you have until October 5th to upload your LOs based on any of the September sketches for a chance to win a prize from one of our sponsors! (Check my sidebar for a link to the sponsors.)

And finally, I just wanted to let you know about a giveaway that's going on at Scrap That!, a great new review site. You have a chance to win a yummy kit! Go check it out!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Exciting news!!

2010-09-12T10:08:00.005-04:00

Hi there!

I've got some exciting news today! I'm going to be part of the DT at Sketchabilities!!

It's a sketch blog run by Karan Gerber, with fantastic new sketches featured twice a month. There's also a card sketch blog for all you card-makers at Cardabilities. I'll be starting my 6 month term in October, but meanwhile, come visit the blog! They're having a birthday celebration all month long, complete with sketches, blog hop and prizes of course! So stop in for a visit here!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

September 7th Sassy Sketch and LO!

2010-09-07T00:01:00.009-04:00

Hi there!

Hope you had a great Labor Day weekend! It's a new month at Sassy Lil' Sketches and that means a new sketch and some new sponsors! Did you check out the August winners?

Here's Cherie Averill's sketch. I loved that you could fit lots of pictures on there! Of course, you could also replace some of the smaller squares with embellies or patterned paper instead!

And here's my LO. It's about all the cats I "met" on my trip to the UK last summer. I always love taking pictures/saying hello to all the kitties I meet on my trips! I saw somewhere (in my travel guide, I think) that cats are called "moggies" in the UK, hence my title. I hope they really do use that term! Those are just some of the cats I saw... I need to make a second page to show some of the others!

Here are the sponsors for the month of September. Each LO you complete using one of the September sketches will give you a chance to win one of these prizes (paper sponsor for US participants only; digi sponsor for anyone):

Memory Miser is offering a Cricut cartridge!

And Digital Delights by Louby Loo is offering a $10 gift certificate!

Please visit these shops to thank them for sponsoring our challenges!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Sketches and online crop... come out and play!

2010-09-04T13:17:00.010-04:00

There's an online crop going on at Love Is In The Details right now! There are 9 challenges and 9 prizes! Yup, that's right!! You have until September 26th to complete and upload your layouts. Check out all the details HERE!

To whet your appetite, here's just one of the prizes you could win!

So what are you waiting for??? :)

And here are the remaining sketches for August at Sassy Lil' Sketches. You have until September 5th (that's tomorrow!) to complete and link your LOs for a chance to win prizes from ScrapFreak and The Cutting Café!

August 14th card sketch:

August 21st sketch:

August 28th sketch:

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Winner of my blog hop RAK!

2010-09-01T23:32:00.007-04:00

Hi everybody!

First of all, I want to thank everybody who hopped with us at Sassy Lil' Sketches!! It was so much fun because of your participation! It was great to read all your wonderful comments! And welcome to all my new followers! :)

Now on to the RAK... This is what is up for grabs...

There were 50 comments total for the blog hop (wow!!). (There were 49 comments for that day's post, but one comment was made on the previous post by accident; it was obviously related to the blog hop, so I added it (my blog template puts the comments at the beginning of the post, near the title, and people sometimes comment on the previous post by mistake...)

I used random.org to pick the winner:

and that person turns out to be:

Congrats Faye Marie! Please contact me at martine(dot)7(at)hotmail(dot)com to give me your address so I can ship out your RAK!

Thanks again everyone for your wonderful participation!

Martine

Featured designer at Creative Scrappers!

2010-08-29T10:52:00.013-04:00

Hi there!

Wow! What a great day today! First of all, I just came back from a wonderful two week vacation in the Pacific Northwest. What a beautiful region! We had a great time and took way too many photos (again!) It will be hard to pick the ones that will make it on to my future LOs! lol!

And I've been amazed by all the wonderful comments that you made on my previous post about the blog hop going on at Sassy Lil' Sketches! And thank you to all my new followers! Truly honoured and humbled by all the love!

Today is also the reveal of sketch 119 at Creative Scrappers, and I'm the featured designer this week! I was so excited and honoured to be chosen! My first guest designer spot! How cool is that??

This is the sketch I used:

And this is my LO. It's my parents' wedding day. I loved working with the black and white photos with the BG Porcelain papers!

So go check out the sketches at Creative Scrappers (there are some prizes on the line also!). And don't forget you have until tomorrow August 30th 9:00 PM to participate in the Sassy Lil' Sketches blog hop!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

(Oh, and it's also my birthday today! :)

SLS Hidden Treasure Blog Hop!!

2010-08-23T00:01:00.026-04:00

August 23rd through August 30th, 9 PM. EST... Mark your calendars!!

We are having a Blog Hop…Sassy Lil’ Sketches style! We want you to get to know our new Sassies. There are some pretty fabulous prizes to win, too!

The "Hidden" Treasure Blog Hop starts at Sassy Lil' Sketches where there are two of our sassy sketches and rules for the blog hop. After visiting Sassy Lil' Sketches you can choose which Sassy you would like to visit next. We recommend visiting every Sassy because we have "hidden" treasure at four of our Sassies' blogs.

The Sassies:
Aimee (http://optimisticscrappiness.blogspot.com/)
Amanda (http://amandajonesblog.blogspot.com/)
Amy (http://gebmom.blogspot.com/)
Brenda B. (http://brendasscrappyblog.blogspot.com/)
Brenda R. (http://www.roseblossomlegacies.blogspot.com/)
Carla (http://www.carlarausin.blogspot.com/)
Cherie (http://boywouldntyouliketoknow.blogspot.com/)
Cheryl (http://cherylswindow.blogspot.com/)
Christine (http://scrappinshimano.blogspot.com/)
Deanna (http://momentstocherish-deanna.blogspot.com/)
Debbie (http://www.scrapenabler.blogspot.com/)
Denise (http://lalasworldblog.blogspot.com/)
Isabelle (Zabou) (http://zabouscrap.canalblog.com/)
Jessica Bree (http://www.jessicabree.typepad.com/)
Katie (http://scissorsspatulasandsneakers.blogspot.com/)
Kelly (http://www.meluv2scrap.blogspot.com/)
Laura (http://www.findingthejoyineachday.blogspot.com/)
Martine (http://scrapcatslove.blogspot.com/)
Nancy (http://homesclscrapper.blogspot.com/)
Rebecca (http://houseofhenrie.blogspot.com/)
Sandra (http://buttonsandbowsandmore.blogspot.com/)
Shana (http://www.yayaprincessblog.blogspot.com/)

Our awesome, amazing, and completely generous sponsors for Sassy Lil’ Sketches “Hidden” Treasure Blog Hop:
Xyron (http://www.xyron.com/)
Thoughts 2 Paper (http://www.thoughts2paper.com/)
Scrappy Jo (http://www.shopscrapbooksupplies.com/)
Crop Stop (http://www.cropstop.com/)
Apron Strings ( http://www.apronstringsdesigns.com/)
Crop Chocolate (http://www.cropchocolate.com/)
BoBunny (http://www.bobunny.com/)

There are two sketches you can use for the hop. Here they are:

Here's my LO using the second sketch.

I had SO much fun working on this page!! I scrapped pictures from the day I spent taking classes with Tim Holtz. That was a great day! The multiple squares on the sketch inspired me to use the many pictures I had from that day. I used different techniques on the other squares in the grid. I pulled out my "Compendium of Curiosities" (that I had Tim sign that day! ;) and just played with my distress inks, crackle paint, acrylic paint, alcohol inks, glimmer mists, distress stickles, masks and stamps! The techniques are really well explained in the book and it was so much fun to play around with all those products. I really hadn't been using my distress inks to their potential! Everything in the LO has been altered one way or another. The background is embossed CS, but all the rest is smooth white CS that I inked or painted. There is no patterned paper at all in this LO, which is very unusual for me! The flower at the bottom is a white prima rose that I inked and misted.

I hope you give these sketches a try! As an added bonus, I'll be randomly giving out a RAK to one lucky winner. (I'm sorry I don't have a picture of the RAK yet... I'm on vacation right now and didn't get the chance to do that before I left...) Leave a comment here and you will get one entry. If you make a LO using one of the sketches, link it on the main blog, and let me know by leaving another comment here, you will get a second entry. You'll get a third entry by completing the other sketch. You don't have to become a follower to win, but if you like what you see, I'd love to have you follow me!

Happy scrapping and good luck!

Martine

A hop is coming your way!!

2010-08-22T02:38:00.006-04:00

Hi there!

Be sure to check this out at Sassy Lil' Sketches on August 23rd... Why?? Because we'll be having a blog hop, that's why! So come get inspired and win some prizes if you're lucky! We've got some great sponsors!

As for me, well, I'm on vacation right now (gathering ammunition for my next album, you might say!) . I'm taking tons of pictures here in the pretty Pacific Northwest! We flew to Seattle for my friend's wedding, and decided to make a vacation out of it. So we've driven around Mount Rainier National Park (what beautiful scenery with the mountains and the wild flowers!) and Olympic National Park (gorgeous beaches and amazing rainforests!). We're definitely enjoying our stay here. Tomorrow we're off to Victoria, B.C., then to Vancouver, then back to Seattle to catch our flight home to Montreal.

Here are are a few pictures to share. If you want to see more, you can check out my travel blog here. The descriptions are in French, but you can still see the pictures!

Thanks for stopping by, and see you at the hop!

Martine

Two cute giveaways!!

2010-08-09T20:49:00.006-04:00

Check out these two blogs if you like cute embellies!!

Stephanie at My Little Bit of Whimsy is having an awesome giveway! You can check out all of her creations at her shop here!

And Samantha from Purple Pumpkin Crafts is also giving away some awefully cute embellies here!

She will be updating her shop with new goodies on August 13th, so be sure to check her blog!

Have a great day and happy scrapping!

August 7th reveal at Sassy Lil' Sketches and 2 new sponsors!

2010-08-06T23:51:00.012-04:00

Hi there!

August is here and it's time for another reveal with the new DT at Sassy Lil' Sketches with two new sponsors too! Here's the fabulous sketch by Cherie Averill. Seriously, I'm always inspired by her sketches! Every time!!

So this week was a one photo sketch... I always have a hard time sticking to only one picture on a LO (because I always take waaaay too many pictures on my trips! lol!) My solution was to do a 9-photo contact sheet instead!

This is a LO about the "fauna" that we encountered on our trip to the UK last summer. Cows by the side of the road (and the roads were so narrow they almost had their head through the car window! lol!) My favorite, the highland cows, so cute with their long hair and big horns. Sheep everywhere! And of course, kitties! :)

I made this LO as a companion to the one I did on the "flora" of the UK (which was scraplifted from Lisa Tottle) .

I think I've mentioned before that I always do two pages for my travel albums, but I don't make "double layouts". I make two single LOs that kind of "go together" (same paper, similar sketch...). (I do that because I don't do both pages at the same time... there often is a long gap of time between my 1st and 2nd pages!). But in this case, I couldn't really use the same papers, because the flowery, pink and purple papers of the flowers pics didn't match with the animal pics. So I tried to tie in both LOs as much as I could by using a CS base (which I rarely do!), misting the same butterfly in the opposite corner, using the same alphas for the title (but inked in a different color) with the same little butterfly bling, and by curling the edges of my paper layers in the same way. They ended up not clashing too much side by side in my album, so I'm happy!

So go check out what the other DT members did with this wonderful sketch right here!

And we have two new sponsors this month!

Our paper sponsor is ScrapFreak! One lucky winner will receive a beautiful embellishment kit! (US only)

Our digi sponsor is The Cutting Cafe! Somebody will win three digi files from this site!

So what are you waiting for? Every sketch you complete during the month of August will give you one entry for the prizes! The more you create, the better chance you have at winning! You have until September 5th at 11:59 PM EST to link your creations.

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Online photo collages

2010-08-03T15:29:00.008-04:00

Hi there!

I'm not much of a "techie", so I was pretty happy when I found Photovisi to make quick and easy photo collages online. You just pick your template, add your pictures, fiddle around a bit with placement and size, then save!

I've got lots of pictures of the cats I saw during our trip to the UK last summer (yep, I'm an official cat lady, so I snap pics of all the kitties I see on my trips and I always scrap them! :). So I just played around quickly with the collages on Photovisi and came up with these. I'm pretty sure a version of at least one of those is going to end up on my layout!

I'll be back in a few days with my next reveal at Sassy Lil' Sketches. It won't be my "travel kitties" LO yet, but there will be plenty of other animals on there! You'll see! See you back on the 7th with my new LO!

(Oh, and if anybody from the UK is reading this, I'd love to know if the term "moggies" is really used over there, as that's what I'm thinking my title will be. Thanks for the info! :)

Happy scrapping!

Martine

July sketches at SLS

2010-08-01T16:21:00.007-04:00

Here are the rest of the July skeches over at Sassy Lil' Sketches!

July 14th card sketch:

July 21st layout sketch:

July 28th layout sketch:

Go check out the site for all the DT's beautiful creations! And don't forget that you have until August 5th at 11:59 PM (EST) to submit your work from any of the July sketches (including the July 7th sketch from my previous post) for a chance to win some awesome goodies from Snobby Walrus or Peggy Loves Vintage!

Stay tuned in a week for the first of the August sketches and brand new sponsors! Happy scrapping!

Martine

July 7th reveal at Sassy Lil' Sketches and 2 new sponsors!

2010-07-07T10:11:00.023-04:00

Today's reveal day at Sassy Lil' Sketches and they have TWO new sponsors! The paper sponsor is Snobby Walrus, who have graciously donated their Lakeside Picnic paper kit! (US only)

The digital sponsor is Peggy Loves Vintage , who has a wonderful Etsy shop full of beautiful vintage images! Peggy donated several cute digi vintage images to complement your layouts!

Here's the July 7th sketch. Loved the design with the photos along the vertical stripes of patterned paper, with a cluster of embellies at the bottom. This was perfect for Peggy's vintage images!

And here's my layout.

It's the little village of Rothenburg in Germany, a quaint, walled, medieval village that was one of my favorite places that we visited during our trip in 2007. It had a great (huge!) Christmas store with a Christmas museum. Being a true Christmas nut, that made me very happy! I just need to go back and visit during Christmas Market time... now that would be the perfect Christmas vacation!

I used two of Peggy's images, which I shrunk (they have a great resolution by the way, and keep their wonderful details even when they're resized!). I wanted a textured look, so I printed them on a old piece of adhesive canvas I had. I punched the little birdie image with a circle punch and glued it to a chipboard circle. I cut out the silhouette of the Santa. I inked them both with distress ink and used Rock Candy Distress Stickles to add a bit of glimmer. The other image is an old Christmas sticker I had. I inked it and added Crackle Accent to give it an aged look.I'm really happy about how they turned out! It adds a nice touch to the "Old World" Christmas I wanted to convey!

I also stamped my title on the adhesive canvas and mounted the letters on a transparency, then pop dotted the whole thing for dimension.

I used a lot of old supplies on this layout, which makes me happy! Other that the adhesive canvas and Christmas sticker, I used some old Daisy D's and ProvoCraft papers, dating back to 2005/06! I also added some new supplies, like K&Co transparencies and fabric brad, Webster's Pages alpha stickers, a Tim Holtz trinket pin, as well as Heidi Swapp's Tattered Angels Rockin' Renaissance Custom Cut Outs for my journaling tag.

So there you go! Go check out the rest of the reveal by the other DT members! Dont' forget, you have until August 5th at 11:59 p.m to link your layout at Sassy Lil' Sketches to have a chance to win one of the two prizes this month!

Happy scrapping!

Martine :)

Such a cute giveaway!!

2010-07-05T12:33:00.003-04:00

Go check things out here for a chance to win these cute handmade embellies!!

Come out and play!

2010-07-05T11:15:00.004-04:00

They're having some summer fun over at Let's Capture Our Memories! 28 days of challenges, fun and prizes! It all started on June 29th, but it's not too late to join in the fun! You just have to register as a member if you want to play, and start scrapping!

Oh, and it's also the last day to submit a June LO at Sassy Lil' Sketches if you want a chance to win a prize from Reminisce!

So what are you waiting for? Come out and play!!