Scrap.Cats.Love.

That's the theme at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out for August. The first challenge this month was to scrap about how we sometimes wish we could disappear somewhere and just escape from it all!

The title of my layout means "Escape". The picture is from the incredible beach of Cayo Ensenachos in Cuba, where we went in 2011. I wouldn't mind escaping there a few more times! lol! The picture flips open to reveal some journaling. I kept embellishments to a minimum. My layout is based on a sketch from Let's Capture These Sketches.

Hope you can "escape" and join in the fun at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out!

Martine

Posted in Cuba, layouts, Let's Capture These Sketches, Scrapbooking From the Inside Out

Posted in DT call, Let's Capture These Sketches

I love challenges, and right now there are tons of them out there! First up is Let's Capture Our Memories, which is celebrating its 3rd birthday with a birthday bash full of challenges, prizes and sales! I made this layout for the first challenge, which was to use one of the sketches from Let's Capture These Sketches and have a "birthday" theme. I used sketch #134 by JJ Sobey.

And this is my layout. It's about celebrating the 4th year of our tiny yard's make-over!

Next up is the summer long contest at My Scraps and More, called My Scraps Got Talent II. There has been two pre-contest challenges so far. The first one is based on this sketch by Kristine Davidson. We also had to use misting.

And here's my layout. The title means "Those Eyes", because I fell in love with this kitty the first time I saw his big green eyes! (I rescued him from the streets 6 years ago. He's now one spoiled cat! lol!) I tried the confetti thing for the first time on this page.



The second pre-contest challenge was to use this other sketch by Kristine Davidson and add some stitching.

I made this layout, which title means "Growing Old". I have a hard time with white space, so I filled it up with confetti again!

I hope you'll join in on both these events! Tons of challenges and lots of fun in store!

Happy scrapping!

Martine

Posted in layouts, Let's Capture Our Memories, Let's Capture These Sketches, My Scraps and More, sketches

Hi!

I've been working on several challenges taking place in March at Let's Capture Our Memories. The first two were scraplifts of two different people. I use sketches all the time, but I find that scraplifting is more challenging, for some reason or other. This one was scraplifted from Nicole Nowosad. It's a layout about the best kitties ever, Sable and Chipper. They're both gone now, but they will always be the best kitties I've ever had! On her layout, Nicole had sewn columns of circles. I decided to swap those for hearts, which was fitting for my page.



This second one was lifted from Wendy Sommers. It was a beautiful layout with lots of colors and layering. Although the colors are different, I used vibrant colors also. It's the gorgeous Italian Garden at Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C.



Finally, this last one was from the sketch blog, Let's Capture These Sketches. It's about the carriage ride we took on our last day in Acadia National Park, in Maine last summer. The horses made me think of the country, so I wanted lots of texture on my page. I used some burlap (which came from a nursery, believe it or not! (to cover outdoor plants in the winter) and some leftover denim scraps from my mom's stash of old fabrics!



That's it for now! I'm working on my next project for Scrap Your Crap (for April) and it's a real challenge! It's going to be a fun one! Don't forget to drop by Let's Get Sketchy for some fun challenges too! There's also a blog hop that will take place at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out on March 9th. You should check it out!

Have a creative rest of the week!

Martine

Posted in blog hop, cats, Let's Capture Our Memories, Let's Capture These Sketches, Maine, Scrapbooking From the Inside Out, Victoria

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! :)

Posted in Basic Grey, family, layouts, Let's Capture Our Memories, Let's Capture These Sketches, sketches

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

Posted in blog hop, Let's Capture These Sketches, mystery sketch, WeScrap

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

Posted in Cuba, giveaway, layouts, Let's Capture These Sketches, Sassy Lil' Sketches

Posted in layouts, Let's Capture These Sketches, Sassy Lil' Sketches, Victoria

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

Posted in family, layouts, Let's Capture These Sketches, sketches

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

Posted in family, layouts, Let's Capture These Sketches, mystery sketch

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

Posted in Let's Capture These Sketches, mystery sketch, sketches

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

Posted in Let's Capture These Sketches, sketches

**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

Posted in family, layouts, Let's Capture These Sketches, sketches

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

Posted in Let's Capture These Sketches, mystery sketch, sketches

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

Posted in Let's Capture These Sketches, mystery sketch

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

Posted in BOM, layouts, Let's Capture These Sketches, sketches

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!!

Posted in Let's Capture These Sketches

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!

Posted in BOM, layouts, Let's Capture These Sketches, sketches

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

Posted in cats, layouts, Let's Capture These Sketches, sketches