Scraplift, Challenge #2

Here is another layout I submitted for a challenge on SD4U. We just had to scraplift one of the layouts in the gallery. This quote from Miriam just cracked me up, so I HAD to scrap it. She is such a little doll and one of the greatest joys in my life.

First Submission

I finally got some scrap time in the week. Over at SD4U, the big challenge was to create a layout using NO patterned paper and NO embellishments. I had a lot of fun using my punches and stamps to come up with a unique layout, but it took a LONG time. I've always been a slow scrapper, but this one took me several days to complete.

I found this picture of Kean and it was so very cute that I just had to scrap it. I think Bob took it cuz I never would have had Kean out on the grass in his socks. :) It is just adorable and he caught him just right.

***Had to take picture down for publication***

And I Bounced Back!

lol! I just read about Summer Scrapfest at SD4U. It starts on June 16th, which will get me going on my summer scrapping. Join me over there!

We have our group birthday party this Friday, so I will post pictures after that. Plus, I will fill you in on how our birthday week has gone. Stay tuned...

Today is the last day of school-woohoo! Let summer begin!

Out on my Birthday...

Welp, I'm out of the contest. And got the news on my birthday too. Ah well. There will be other contests. There was some amazing work in there, so I'm not too bummed. Every experience is a good one and will lead me to where I'm supposed to be.

For this third challenge, we could do anything 70's. They probably didn't think mine was psychedelic enough. And truly I was putting it together VERY last minute. These are pictures of me from the 1970's-I was born in 1974.

Here's the layout I did:
So, I'm looking for another contest if anyone knows of one! School is out (finally) on Thursday, so I plan to scrap the summer away.

Doin' the Happy Dance!

I made it through to the next round-unbelievable! As a twist, the contestants voted on the entries. There were some amazing works of art, let me tell ya. You can check them out by clicking here. I am having SO much fun! And I am getting some great layouts done. Scrapbooking is just good for the soul, ya know?

For this challenge, we could only use rubbish. And I took it quite literally, not using any pens, inks, or sewing. Unfortunately not everyone else did, so my layout looks a bit juvenille compared to the other submissions. But I really like it and I have been wanting to do this particular layout for some time now.

We were also advised to not use recognizable photos of ourselves or our families. The only scrapbooking supplies we could use was one piece of cardstock and our photos.

For the metal flower, I cut open a Pepsi can and used a stencil to trace our the shape. Then I scored the shape with an exacto knife and broke the aluminum. After that, I just punched holes with a paper piecer. The letters I cut from cardboard and then pulled it apart to reveal the corrugated part. The ring and tabs are scraps from the Pepsi can and the other letter and words I cut from a newspaper. And of course the tags are from our many LIG clothing items. I never could throw them away-they are really nice coaster type material. I will probably continue to save them since I can always paint them, stamp them, cut them up, etc.

Creative Block?

I just read this article from scrapbook.com that is full of "Divine Inspiration."

Creating for your Creator

Submitted by: Drex Davis

This article is excerpted from the book Stuck In a Rut? Ditch Scrapper's Block. by Drex Davis.

There's a powerful project you can do to unlock your creativity.

Create a layout for your Creator.

It's that simple. Not a layout about your Creator. A layout for your Creator. The layout is a gift for your Creator. If no one else ever sees it, that is fine, because it's a creation for the being or power who created you. The layout can be about anything. But put everything you have into it. Hold nothing back.

If you do not believe that you are the creation of a Creator, or that the world has a willful Creator, that's OK, too. Clearly, there are creative forces at work in the world. Make a layout for those forces (i.e. Nature or some other conception of Nature as Creator). Or make a layout for your ancestors, who are, in a sense, your creators.

As you create this gift, remember the source of the creative power your Creator has given you. Think about how your power is an extension of the power the Creator holds.

I am a person who believes in a Creator, and I believe this belief helps my creativity. I believe I am the creation of a Creator. This single belief has probably been the most powerful belief I have for unlocking creativity in me. This activity tends to resonate particularly well in people who believe in a willful Creator.

We are most like the Creator when we are creating. I believe it pleases the Creator that we create. Especially when we create for the Creator.

There is a story in the Bible about King David that captures this. David had the Ark of the Covenant brought to his city. When the Ark arrived, the Bible says David went down to the street and "danced before the Lord with all his might . . . leaping and dancing before the Lord." (KJV, 2 Samuel 6:14-16)

There are two aspects about the dance that David did for his Creator that I really like. First, the dancing was done "with all his might." Second, it says he was "leaping." This must have been quite a spontaneous and vigorous artistic act. It was so noteworthy, so passionate, it got recorded forever. A dance, recorded forever, because it was so remarkable.

I think that sometimes when we're blocked creatively, it helps to get back in touch with the Being (or forces, or ancestors) who created us. When we understand that we are the result of a creation, and that the power of creation is in us, it feels very natural to create.

Some people may not be comfortable with this exercise because of their own beliefs. If that is your case, try to adapt this exercise for your belief system.

Miriam's Birthday plus Mother's Day

Challenge 2

I finished my layout for the 2nd challenge for Project Scrap-Away last night. I could only use ONE piece of cardstock and my pictures. Everything else had to be "rubbish." That's right. I said, "rubbish." NOTHING else that is used in scrapbooking. Let me tell you, it was quite a bit of work to use recycled materials to create scrapbook supplies. This layout took me two days to think about and then around 2 days to complete. I'm really thrilled with how it turned out tho. I will post it as soon as they finish judging. Cross your fingers for me!