Smile & Be You - Scrapbook Generation Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the March Scrapbook Generation blog hop! This is my first time participating in this hop & I can't wait to see what everyone has done. Be sure to visit and comment on every blog in the hop for your chance to win - read on after my project for details.

I chose a sketch from Sketches for Scrapbooking volume 8, designed for 13 photos, and here's what I did with it:

I stayed very close to the sketch for this layout, really only changing the title area and journaling area a little. And no, my son wasn't too pleased with the flowery paper, but I think it looks great so tough nuts to him!

The sketch called for a die-cut paper where I used the floral, and instead of adding to an already busy pattern, I used a border punch for a little added interest. The title and embellishments are all chipboard pieces, some popped up on foam tape to add even more dimension.

For even more added dimension, I inked the edges of every piece of paper and chipboard with coordinating ink and sponge daubers. If you want exact product details, they are at the end of my post.

You can find the SG sketches in their books and as downloads in the SG store, and there is a free one every month in case you wanted to try it out.

Next on the hop is Mandi; leave a comment on each blog and one lucky commenter will receive a free sketch bundle of their choice from the store. The winner will be drawn on Monday, March 10th, so you have one week to leave a comment.

In case you get lost at any point, here is the list of all the blogs
Scrapbook Generation blog - http://scrapbookgeneration.blogspot.com/
Ruth - http://scrapmachine.com/
Louise- http://madeatnumber27.blogspot.com.au/
Tina Gale - http://tiggersscrapplace.blogspot.com
Steffanie - http://steffanies.blogspot.com/
Devra - http://mycreativeview.blogspot.com/
Melissa - http://www.scrappyjedi.com
Lori -  YOU ARE HERE!

Mandi - http://www.mjskraze.blogspot.com/
Lori S - http://loriannie670.blogspot.com
Cassie - http://allsmilesandsunshine.blogspot.com/
Katy - http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com
Stephanie - http://craftyholidaygirl.blogspot.com
Isbaha - http://isbahashome.blogspot.com
Corrina - http://anotherthingoffthelist.blogspot.ca


Products used in my project:

• Ariana paper pack and complements - Close to My Heart
• Exclusive Inks stamp pads in Smoothie, Slate, Outdoor Denim, Crystal Blue, and Sweet Leaf - Close To My Heart
• Sponge Daubers, Tsukineko (available from CTMH) 
• 3-D Foam Tape
• Parisian Edger Punch, EK Success (I believe this is discontinued but a quick Google search will bring up several available for purchase.)

Borders, Borders Everywhere

Let me preface by saying that it is HIGH time I get myself in a Copic class.  I had one heck of a time coloring the face on this today, but I have vowed to practice more with them in the hopes that I will eventually learn to love them!

I've had very little crafty time lately, so I decided to enter a couple of challenges today so I would at least get to play a little before I dig in & get back to the drudgery of housework!  I based my card on a sketch for Which One Wednesday at the TGF Farm Fresh Challenge Blog, and opted to go all-in with some border strips for the Beautiful Borders Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.   Go check them out and you can play along too!

I love how she just happens to fit in the circle design so perfectly; like she's lounging around there.

I used the following supplies to make my card:

• Kraft card base
• Springtime papers from Echo Park
• Black and white cardstock
• Cheeky Rockabilly stamp from The Greeting Farm
• Copic markers
• Ribbon from the Animal Crackers Jack collection by Making Memories
• Border punches from (top to bottom) Martha Stewart Crafts, EK Success, Martha Stewart Crafts, & Stampin' Up!
• ATG adhesive, Scor-tape (for the bottom 2 borders), and foam pop dots

Shameless plug: the Echo Park papers, The Greeting Farm stamp, Copic markers, and all adhesives are available over at Cutters Creek!

Thanks for stopping by; I always love to read your comments!  If you feel so inclined, I would also love for you to become a follower (I also have email and reader options).