Live Simply, Laugh Lots...

Happy New Year!  I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Year!  May 2016 be full of love, good health and all things happy! :)

With the holidays behind us and the kids back in school why not take some time out for you and join in with us at Challenge YOUrself.  This month we're easing you into the new year with an "Anything Goes" challenge!  That's right, you can create anything you'd like but it must include YOU in the photo.  

Here is mine to share.

This selfie of my love and I was taken at the Lake of the Clouds in U.P. Michigan.  It is such a beautiful place.

I created this layout with my October 2014 Gossamer Blue scrapbook kit.  I used a mixture of paper and product by Simple Stories and My Minds Eye.  For the hanging pendents I used the My Story chipboard buttons by MME.  To create the look just feed twine through the button holes and glue down the hanging trail, folding over the top and then tape down the tails on backside.  Topping it off with a matching bow.

Be sure to visit Challenge YOUrself for more inspiring layouts from this months challenge and I hope that you join in us!  I'm so excited to see what you come up with.  You have until February 4 to link up!

I am also sharing my layout with Rochelle Spears January This Or That challenge.  I'm using twine.

That's it for today.  Thanks so much for stopping by and happy scrapping to you!

Tracy xo

Baby Sweetness

Hello, hello and happy Monday to you!  I have to say, I have always loved Mondays.  It's the day where the house is completely empty and I can catch up around here after a busy weekend.  And this weekend was a crazy one!

Today I have a layout to share with you for Challenge YOUrself.  This month we have a sketch to follow and we also want you to include your favorite family photo AND as always, YOU must be in the photo.  Here is mine for inspiration.

This photo is so precious to me!  This past September my baby had a baby and I am still trying to absorb this.  My heart is so full of love for this new baby boy and I am so happy for her.  I just cant believe how fast the circle of life comes back around.

For this layout I used an older collection but it's one of my favorites, Sketchbook by Amy Tangerine.  I just love the bold colors.  Here are a few closeups for better detail.

I sure hope I've inspired you in some way to join in with us at Challenge YOUrself.  There are so many fun possibilities with this sketch so I do hope you'll share your creation and link up with us by January 5.  For lots more inspiration give us a visit!

Ok, do your sketch analyzing and get moving!  I really look forward to seeing what you create for us.  Thanks so much for stopping by and happy scrapping to you!
Tracy xo

Great Friends...

Hello scrappy friends and Happy November to you!  Oh my goodness, where has the rest of this year went??  The holidays are already upon us and I'm not even close to being ready... Yikes!

Today I have a new layout to share with you.  For this month at Challenge YOUrself we have a Tic-Tac-Toe board for you to follow.  So many possibilities with this one and so fun!!  Here is my creation.

My title says it all and it was the first thought that came to my head when I seen this photo of myself with all of my goofy, fun friends!  We were giving my selfie stick a workout on this beautiful afternoon as we were taking a break from a scrappy day.

For this layout I used a variety of Studio Calico papers from my stash.  As for my embellishing, I kept it simple since so much pattern paper was going on I felt it appropriate.  I used pieces from the ephemera hardware pack by Maggie Holmes.

Here is the Tic-Tac-Toe board to use with so many fun options to incorporate.  I used the middle vertical row - friends, you, bling.

Now it's your turn!  Go have some fun with it and get creative!  I look forward to seeing what you come up with.  Be sure to link up with Challenge YOUrself by November 4th for your chance to win!  Give us a visit for full details and for tons of inspiration.

That's it for today!  Thanks so much for stopping by and happy scrapping to you!
Tracy xo

Size Matters

I stumbled upon the perfect challenge to scrap my husband and his LOVE for food!  Actually I don't scrap him enough or any masculant style photos for that matter so maybe this will give me the incentive to do so more often!  This challenge is at The Paper Girls and it's all about food.  That's it, just food!  Here is what I came up with...

The title says it all when it comes to portion size for my husband.  The bigger the better for him!  Just look at the size of that hotdog!!  I really don't understand how he can consume so much and where he stores it all??

For this layout I used a variety of my stash.  The background paper is by We R and the pocket blocks are by Amy Tangerine.  I fussy cut the clouds from a printed paper by Bo Bunny and I topped it off with misc stickers and some wooden accents.  I like how it turned out.  The dark background really makes it pop.  I don't work with dark colors very often so that's another thing I need to do more of.  Here are a few closeups...

Well, that's it for today!  Thanks for your time and thanks for stopping by!  Happy scrapping to you.
Tracy xo

Sweet Capture

Hello friends!
Today I am sharing a new layout that I created for Stuck?! Sketches.  It has been a long time since I have participated in a sketch challenge outside of design team work and this sketch really intrigued me so I wanted to give it a shot.

Aww, look at our sweet granddaughter.  She is so precious to me.  It was such a beautiful fall day so we went out into the woods and I just let her explore.

For this layout I went digging through my stash so it's a mixture of product.  The background paper is a Gossamer Blue print, perfect for the sketch.  Check out my title and journal block, they were made with the Minc machine by Heidi Swapp, along with the two layered tags above my picture.  So cool, right!?  Most of my embellishing was done with the Kiss Kiss ephemera pack by Crate Paper.

Now let me share the sketch I followed.  Like I said, it really intrigued me.  I felt it was different and something I wanted to try.

Well, that's it for today.  Thanks for much for stopping by.  Happy scrapping to you!
Tracy xo

Scraptober Fest Challenge!

Hello and Happy October friends!!  Today I've got some fun news to share with you!  This month at Challenge YOUrself we are taking a different direction and joining in with 3 other scrapbook challenge sites to bring you the ultimate challenge with a chance to win multiple prizes!  Welcome to SCRAPTOBER FEST!

This is how the challenge works:
Each challenge blog is hosting a challenge on their blog for a chance to win a prize.  For each challenge that you complete you will be entered into the prize drawing for that blog.

Now here’s the fun, challenging part… If you create a layout combining all (4) challenges on one layout and link it up to each participating blog, you will be eligible for a chance to win the ScraptoberFest BONUS prize: 

Rules for all challenges:

• Must be new as of October 2, 2015…no back linking
• Layouts only ~ No Cards
• No Digital Layouts
• Participants are allowed to complete or combine one or more of the challenges, but to be entered into the BONUS prize drawing, they must combine all (4) challenges.
• For each challenge you complete, you MUST upload to the blog that hosted the challenge to be eligible for that sites prize drawing.  
• All entries due October 31, 2015

Bonus Prize - $40 gift card generously provided by all (4) challenge sites.  

The winner will have (2) options for their gift card:

(A) $40 gift card to shop with one of our sponsors…winners choice  

                ~ OR ~

(B) (2) $20 gift cards to shop with any two of our sponsors…winners choice

 

Sites and Challenges:

• Challenge YOUrself - Create a layout that includes YOU in the photo.

• Scrap Our Stash Stash  - Create a layout using at least 2 different Washi Tapes.

• My Scraps & More - Color Challenge 
  

• The Memory Nest - Sketch Challenge 
  

Sounds fun, right?!  I sure hope you join in!  Be sure to stop by Challenge YOUrself for full Scraptober Fest rules and also throughout the month for some inspiration!  And stop by the participating sites as well for even more inspiration!

Let me start you off with some inspiration by sharing what I created combining all (4) challenges.

Ahh, here I am all relaxed and carefree since just boarding a cruise ship for a girls scrapbook week at sea.  Wouldn't you say I'm looking pretty wise?
I created this layout with my September Gossamer Blue scrapbook kit.  The papers were perfect for the color combo being asked for and they highlighted my photo nicely as well.  And check out all the little bits, just perfect for the finishing details.

I combined all (4) challenges and the first is a photo of me for Challenge YOUrself.  I just love the title and I felt it was fitting with my photo.

My two washy tapes used for Scrap Our Stash challenge are seen here, along the border.

This photo captures the color combo required at My Scraps & More.

As for the sketch challenge at The Memory Nest, I turned it and went from there.  As you can see, I made it my own and went in my own direction but this is my interpretation.  So this is proof in showing you how working with a sketch as a starting point is a great inspirational tool.

Again, I hope I have inspired you in some way to join in with us!  I really look forward to seeing what you create.  Go get busy and good luck!!

Thanks for stopping by today and as always... happy scrapping to you!
Tracy xo

A Balanced Life is a Happy Life

Hello and happy Labor Day!  I hope you are enjoying this holiday by taking in some fun as summer starts to wind down.  I really do hate knowing the warm weather will be coming to an end soon.

Today I have a new layout to share with you.  This month at Challenge YOUrself we have a sketch to follow, along with an added twist.  You must incorporate the phrase "note to self" anywhere in your layout as well.  Here is my take.

I included the phrase above my picture as a subtitle.  You can include it in any way you'd like.  As a title, subtitle, in your journaling, with a stamp or a stencil...etc.  Just as long as it's included.  Great opportunity to get creative here!

I completed this challenge with my August 2014 Gossamer Blue scrapbook kit.  I know, it's an oldie but look at the papers.  They really compliment my photo!  The background paper is called Shine On by Simple Stories and it really tops it off.

What do you think?  I hope I've inspired you in some way to join in with us at Challenge YOUrself.  There are so many possibilities with our sketch this month and a fun prize to win as well.  I really look forward to seeing your creations!  You have until October 4th to link up.  And don't forget to include YOU in the photo!

That's it for today.  Thanks for giving me a visit and again, happy Labor Day!  

Tracy xo