Clean & Simple nO.12

It's time for another Clean & Simple scrapbook challenge and time for another winner. Take a peek at this weeks sketch.....

(I will be uploading my sample in just a bit. I didn't realize until late last night that my printer was out of ink. I'm off to the office store in a bit so that I can print out my picture.)

Now head on over to AJ Otto's fantabulous blog to check out her sample.

Be sure and upload your creations to your blog or to SCS using the keyword CASSB12 and link back here so that you can be entered in the drawing for some goodies.

The winner for Clean & Simple nO. 11 is.......Heidi!

Take a peek at Heidi's super cute layout.....

You can check out more of her work at her blog Because I'm Not Busy ENuf. Be sure and email your addy, Heidi, so that I can get your goodies in the mail.

Thanks so much for playing! I can't wait to see what you do with this one! :)

***One other reminder. We don't post a challenge on holiday weekends so there will not be a new challenge posted next weekend. If you are playing this week you will actually have two weeks to finish your projects.

Clean & Simple nO.11

It's time for another Clean & Simple scrapbook challenge. This week is a sketch. Take a peek....

This one is EPLS...that's easy peasy lemon squeezy. I used one of my favorite pictures of my son Carter for this one. He's been playing catcher on his baseball team this season. It's so fun to watch. He's determined to catch one of the foul balls. He's been practicing, trying to figure out how to get moving in all that gear faster. Love that!

The paper is My Minds Eye. The letters are Thickers. I also used some Jenny Bowlin tickets and a bottle cap.

Now it's your turn. When you upload your creation please use the keyword CASSB11 and link back to this post. I will announce the winner in next Sundays CAS post so be sure and check back.

You can see an AMAZING sample using this sketch over at my sweet friend AJ Otto's blog. She is so very talented. I love her work.

Now on to last weeks challenge! All of your creations were BEAUTIFUL! Thank goodness for random.org! I would not want to choose the winner! This weeks winner is.....

Vicki! Seriously! You know I've met her! Last CHA I had the pleasure of meeting her in real life. She's so funny and such a sweet person. I just adore her! Here is Vicki's gorgeous layout.....

Love this! You can see more of Vicki's work at her blog, Summerthyme Studio. Be sure and send me your addy, Vicki so I can get your goodies in the mail to you. :)

I have really loved all of your creations this week. I am so very sorry to be so behind in commenting. I am hoping to catch up soon as things are finally slowing down around here. Thanks so much for playing!

Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday! I will post you soon! :)

Clean & Simple nO.10 - Anythng Goes

***Darn that blogger! So very sorry, I just realized that my scheduled post decided not to go live.***



.....anything goes?



Have y'all ever heard the song 'Everybody Knows'? The one I am talking about is by Leonard Cohen...think that's right. I have no clue why but for some reason that is playing in my head only with 'anything goes'. This weeks challenge is anything just keep it clean and simple.





I can't wait to see what you all come up with. Upload your creations by Sunday morning June 14th. Slight change with that. I will start announcing the winners in the next week challenge post. Please use the keyword CASSB10 when you upload to SCS and link back to this post. What are you playing for? A Crate Paper Paper kit! I will upload the picture tomorrow...I'm waiting for the camera battery to charge.

Be sure and check out what the fabulous AJ Otto has created this week.


And the winner of the CASSB09 is.......Tanya! Take a peek at her super cute layout.....


You can see more of Tanya's beautiful creations at her blog Tanya's Stamping Things.


Hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend! :)

Clean & Simple nO.9

It's that time again! Let's get busy with another Clean & Simple sketch! This weeks challenge....the sketch, just the sketch....only the sketch. ;) What do you think? Take a peek at this weeks sketch....



Here's my sample for this week....


I used one of my favorite photos of my middle son during this weeks baseball season. The paper and embellis are from Making Memories.


Want to know what you are playing for? Here is a shot of this weeks goodies....



Be sure and upload and link your layouts here by Friday night (June 5th) so that you can be entered for the drawing. I will announce it on Saturday. If you are uploading to SCS please use the keyword CASSB09.

Be sure and check out the fabulous AJ Otto to see what beauty she has created with this weeks sketch. :)


Hope you are all doing well! I will be back in a bit to announce last go around in just a bit. I cannot apologize enough for being so late. Is your 'end of the school' time as crazy as mine? I honestly do not know whether I am coming or going lately! Thanks so much for being patient with me! I really appreciate all of you.

Clean & Simple nO.8

....and Where Have You Been!

lol...sorry, things have been insane around here the last couple of weeks. To fill you in:

First, the laptop died. That I shared with all of you a couple of weeks ago. Second, the car died while my hubby was out of town....of course! I've had a zillion and one PTO commitments to fulfill for the end of the year. Some samples for SU.

....Now...breathe.......

Ahhhhhhhh............finally time to rest! This has been the craziest few weeks on record for me! I'm happy to say that things have finally slowed down. Woohoo!

Now time for another Clean & Simple scrapbook challenge! Are you ready? I hope you all had a great holiday weekend! :) Mine was relaxing but still filled with so many deadlines! I'm so happy to be sitting on my deck typing this while enjoying a relazxing moment and some not so warm air. It's really chilly here this weekend!

This weeks C&S challenge is to use this sketch......

Create any layout with it and put your title wherever you want! I'm pretty loose and free with it this weekend! I can't wait to see what you come up and where you put the title. I love this sketch. It's one of my favorites so far.

I will be back in a bit to insert my title here. ;) I'm enjoying a little time celebrating the end of a busy PTO year and some wonderful time with the family! :) I hope you are all doing well!

Be sure and link to this post with the link to your layout and if you are uploading to SCS use the keyword CSSB08. Don't forget to link your projects by next Saturday. I will post a winner Saturday evening before next weeks CASSB sketch is posted.

You can see AJ's fabulous sample here.

Post you all soon! Have a great one! :)

***Edited to add: Since this weekend is a holiday weekend we are extended this weeks CASSB. You have until Friday, May 29th to complete and link your projects. I hope you enjoy your weekend and that you have a safe and happy one!

Also, here is the candy that you are playing for this week.

Have a good one! :)

Clean & Simple nO.7

It's time for another Clean & Simple scrapbook challenge. Ok...we are a bit early this week for two reasons. First, it's national scrapbooking day! Woohoo! How fun is that! Second, because this weeks sketch has a little something special. This week you have two chances to win. I've got some goodies for you and, if you finish your layout by Monday, Angela from Unity has some BIG goodies for you! To find out more about that please visit Angela over at the Unity blog.



Just the deets. Upload your project at SCS using the keyword CASSB07 for a chance at my blog candy. (Yup, true to form I need to photograph that and will upload that picture after todays ball game.) For Angela's blog candy you need to upload your layout to either SCS and add the keyword UnityJBS01 or upload to the Ning site using the keyword UnityJBS01...yeah, it's the same keyword...just didn't want to confuse.



So what's this weeks sketch? Take a peek....it's one of my favorite to date!....



I actually did a tutorial for this one at the Ning site. You can view it here.


Here's my sample for this weeks sketch...




One more view....



You can view AJ's sample here tomorrow May 3rd. I can't wait to see what y'all come up with!

One quick reminder. To be included for Angela's blog candy you need to finish your layouts by Monday. You can get all the info on her blog. I will draw a name for the CASSB07 blog candy and post the winner Saturday, May 9th.

Have a good one! I will post you soon!

Clean & Simple nO.6

Are you ready for another one? It's time for another Clean & Simple scrapbook sketch. This week...just a sketch...no catches. Please forgive the goof on the title, I put this one together outside and didn't realize I had it flipped until it was to late. Take a peek....


So wanna know what you're playing for?

I opened the paper so you could see it a bit better, it's a 12X12 pack from SU. The ribbon is also SU. There's a stash of buttons and some chipboard as well.

Be sure and check out the fabulous AJ Otto. Her sample is amazing! I'll be back in a bit to post my sample. I'm going to put it in a seperate post this week.

If you get the chance to play be sure and link your layout to this thread. If you are uploading to Splitcoast please use the keyword CASSB06 so that we can keep them all together.

Hope you all get a chance to play. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Clean & Simple nO.5

It's that time again! Time for another Clean & Simple scrapbook challenge. The twist to this weeks sketch is to create the layout with a little designer paper. Here's this weeks sketch...

I thought it fitting to pull out one of my favorite baseball pictures for the sketch this week. I spent all day Saturday at the ballpark between my older two sons games. It's that time of year again. I truly love baseball and we live at the ballpark this time of year.

This one is from last year. Notice the name? lol....a misspell led to a new nickname. Brickhouse. My oldest tends to be really particular about things so I was quite surpised when we got the shirt that he didn't really mind the error. Then when his peeps started calling him 'brickhouse' I was sure he wouldn't like it. But I was wrong. How nice to be wrong about something like this. He loved the name. We had such a fun season last year. I'm really looking forward to this one. :)

The paper for this layout is from Cosmo Cricket's Lil Man collection. The stamp is from Papertrey Ink.

Hope you all get the chance to play. Be sure and check out the sweet and talented AJ for her fantabulous sample. I look forward to seeing all of yours!

Here's a peek at what you are playing for.

The dsp and stamp are from one of SU's level 3 hostess sets. The ribbon is So Saffron, also from SU. The buttons I picked up from my lss.

Be sure and link your cards up here and if you upload to SCS use the keyword CASSB05. Hope you all have a wonderful day! :)

...And The CASSB Winner Is....

......Sarah! :) Take a look at her beautiful layout.....

Such a beautiful page! You can see more of Sarah's beautiful work at her blog, Stampin With Sarah.

Thanks so much for playing everyone! I have really enjoyed all of your beautiful creations! :)

Back in a bit with the next challenge. I hope you are all enjoying your day! :)

Clean & Simple nO. 4

It's that time again! Time for another Clean & Simple scrapbook challenge. I'm so in love with this weeks sketch! Maybe because it's led to one of my favorite layouts ever! ;) ...just to forwarn...it's the subject matter....you will see in a minute.

First up, the deets! In addition to this weeks sketch you need to add the oh so dreaded.....drumroll please...........journaling. Yikes! lol. Ok...there are probably many of you out there that aren't intimidated by journaling. For some reason, I'm not one of them! Journaling is the one thing that stops me cold while scrapbooking. I don't know. I truly can't even put it into words. Hmm....we might be on to something.......

...Ok....anyhoo...this week you need to create a layout using this weeks sketch.....


but you must journal on your page.

One of the reasons I don't tend to journal is that I hate my handwriting. I do think that there are times that you should use your own handwriting. After all, how nice will it be in years to come for your loved ones to not only see your beautiful work but to see your handwriting. Ok...it will bring about lots of head scratching in our house...they will all be wondering what on earth I wrote...which is why I opted to use my computer this week!....

The pictures for this weeks layout are some of my favorites. They are of my oldest son who I am always amazed by. He's quite a smart guy and he is growing like a weed! These were taken at the Childrens Museum in town this last week. I can still remember taking him when he was a baby and now he's this cool kid ...not quite 'to cool for school' yet...but definitely not in awe at everything anymore. ***insert sad face here...although it's all good. It's truly a blessing to watch them all grow.

Ok....sorry for the LONG post! I tend to do this to you all each week. If you've read this far it's time for the goodies! Time to see what you are playing for! This weeks prize......

...and now it's your turn. I forgot to leave all of the deets last week. Yikes! So, just a quick reminder...you have until Friday night, April 17th, to finish up your work. I will post the winner Saturday morning, April 18th.

Also, don't forget to come back here and link up your beautiful creations. If you are uploading to SCS please use the keword CASSB04.

Don't forget to check out the fabulous AJ's sample! She's created such a beauty this week. :)

...and Happy Easter! I hope you all enjoy your day! I am off to spend a little time with mine. I will post you all soon! :)

Clean And Simple With A Twist

It's time for another Clean And Simple Scrapbook Challenge. This weeks sketch has a twist. This week you will not only create a layout using the sketch you will add a little stamping to your layout.


One of the great things about stamping on layouts is the versatility that it lends. Ever get stuck in the middle of the layout only to realize that you don't have the right embellishments? I love that if you have a set of stamps you can personalize your layouts for any theme....and they are still good for the next layout....or card....or whatever you are creating!


So this week take this sketch.....



.....and select your pictures and your stamps and let's see what you come up with!


Want to see what you are playing for this week? Take a look.....ok....well, I will be back in just a few to add that photo! Sorry! Teasing just a bit. We have had the best family day. First I spent the day at the salon...then we went to the movies....Monsters VS. Aliens, so cute....then dinner, yummy Mexican, although it wasn't Chuys! ;)....then games....can I tell you how tired I am! ;) I will be back in the morning to post that picture and I will add my sample for this weeks sketch.

****Updated 4/5/09*****

Me again...this is what you are playing for this week....

And here is my sample....and I will confess to struggling just a bit with photographing my layouts. I'm still trying to get the m straight while upright and it's not working so well. This was the best picture of the bunch and the top right corner is still flipping back which makes it look completely crooked! ;) No worries...you get the jist and one day I will figure it all out! ;)

I picked the paper for this one up while shopping at Target last week. Everything is from Making Memories. How cool that Target has so many supplies! Now if only they would carry Cosmo, and Crate, and OA.....Mike Richards gems......heck...why don't they just open up a Super 'Super' Target with a GIANT scrapbook section! I would be in heaven! Of course then they would need to super size the carts!

The stamps for this one are from Ali Edwards. I picked them up from Two Peas. There are truly so many wonderful stamps out there to use for your layouts. You could literally create an entire layout with one sheet of card stock, your picture(s), and some stamps! I love how versatile they are and how they fit the bill if you are missing anything at all!


Be sure to check out the ever so talented AJ Otto to see her beautiful sample. ...and it's ADORABLE by the way! Thanks for rocking it again, AJ!

And dont' forget to link back here to your creations and if you are uploading to SCS please use the keyword CASSB03 so that we can keep them all in one place. :)

Hope you are all have a good one! :) Hugs!

Clean & Simple Challenge Take Two

Happy Sunday! It's time for the second Clean & Simple Scrapbook Challenge! I had so much fun with last weeks and have really enjoyed seeing all of your beautiful creations! Please know that although the prize has already been given away you can still play along.

Now on to this weeks challenge. Last week my sweet friend AJ and I worked with one of my card sketches for Unity's hip hop. You can see AJ's sample here and mine here. Take a look at the sketch...

I love using sketches when I am 'stuck' on a project. With scrapbook sketches, however, I am usually stumped as it's so hard to find a sketch that is CAS. What's so great about ALL sketches is that no matter what they were created for you can use them for anything!

This week we are taking this card sketch and we are going to use it for a layout. There are NO size requirements for your layout as it works with any size. I have two samples for you today. The first is an 8 1/2 X 11 layout.....

For this one I opted to use the text box as a space for the title of the page. The picture is my middle son, Carter during a trip to the park. I just LOVE this photo of him!

Now I am taking the same sketch and using it for a 12X12 layout.....

This time I opted to journal in the where the text box it. I had to explain a bit about the 'Budder & Chachies'. ;) Hayden loves his peanut butter and it's usually all over his face! He never eats it on his crackers though....he uses a spoon! ;) And he's always running around asking for a 'chachie' which is cracker in Hayden speak. ;)

What are you playing for this week? How about some little goodies to help your future layouts? Take a look.....


There's some PTI designer paper, summer chipboard pieces, a chipboard alpha, and some buttons. If you get the chance to play, please remember to upload your creations to SCS using the keyword CASSB02....and don't forget to upload and link your cards in the comment section of this post so that you can be entered in the drawing by Friday, April 3rd. I will pick a winner and post that winner Saturday, April 4th.

Want to see another amazing sample? Head over to AJ's blog to see what beauty she has created with this sketch!

Thank you so much for playing last week! I hope you all get the chance to play again this week!

Have a wonderful day! :)

And The Winner Is....

I am overwhelmed! You guys created some AMAZING samples for this weeks Clean & Simple Scrapbook challenge. I LOVEd seeing all of your interpretations of the sketch.

I used random.org to pick the winner and it picked lucky layout #1...


Here are your random numbers:1
Timestamp: 2009-03-28 04:19:00 UTC

Take a peek at Kerry's beautiful layout....

How sweet is this picture! I LOVE it! I also love how she pieced the sentiments below the picture. It's super cute. You can view more of Kerry's beautiful work at her blog.

I hope you all get a chance to stop by on Sunday. I am so excited to share another CAS challenge with you.

I will post you all soon. A couple of little notes....Don't forget the big inspirational blog hop today starting at 11 Eastern. Also, VSN! Woohoo! My challenge actually posts at 11AM as well. I am so excited about this one! It will be so much fun! You can find all the deets in the SCS VSN forum! :)

A CAS Challenge: Blog Candy

Do you scrapbook?

Prepare yourself for a super long post here! I first want to share a bit about how I got started with paper crafts. About four years ago my friend and neighbor, Amy, invited me to a crop. She was a Creative Memories consultant at the time and I was completely naive to the whole industry. I went, I scrapped, I left a bit confused.

Stickers, paper, and pictures oh my! What is this scrapbook stuff about!

Amy, recognizing my frustration with the limits of the precut card stock and stickers and introduced me to Stampin' Up!. An addict was born! But, I stopped scrapbooking....after the 3 or 4 layouts I had made...and started card making. Scrapbooking has always seemed so intimidating. To many rules, to many embellishments. My style didn't fit. I could always come up with some reason to not scrapbook. (....little side note....I must apologize to Amy...sorry, I tell this story all the time! ;) I'm sure you are so tired of reading it! ;) Thanks girly! I'm so glad you introduced me to this world! You're the best!)

So here we are. If you are here reading this today, you are here for the inaugural of my Clean and Simple (CAS) scrapbook challenge. Because one of the things that I have come to realize is that there are NO rules! We are creating for ourselves...for our friends....for our family....we should create what we love. ...and we should NOT be intimidated because we feel like our style doesn't quite 'fit'. If you were to come into my home you would find yourself in the midst of 'CAS'. I am a minimalist type person so it's no wonder that is often reflected in the projects I design. I'm also, now, quite the scrapbook fan.

So are you ready for some fun, EPLS (easy peasy lemon squeezy) scrapbooking? Would you like to win some yummy prizes? If so I hope you will play. Even if you don't get that 'lucky' random number you will walk away with a beautiful memory to either add to your ever growing scrapbook, put in your new scrapbook, or frame and hang on your wall.

So on to the challenge! This weeks challenge is a sketch. I actually had the idea when I posted my layout for Thursdays hip hop. Here's the layout I am talking about.

This is one of my favorite pictures ever! As I was picking the paper and title, I kept thinking of the day I took it. I really didn't want to showcase anything other than the picture. It's a pretty basic layout, but what better way to get started. So here is the actual sketch......

The one thing to remember is there are NO rules! This is a sketch. It's always a plus if you can recognize the sketch when you are finished but I have participated in enough of these to know that sometimes your vision will lead you in a totally different direction! If that's the case just go with it!

Here's my new sample for this sketch.....

I added a few more chipboard pieces to this one but otherwise the sketch is the same. I'm uploading to Splitcoast using the keyword CASSB01. If you decide to play please upload with the same keyword so that we can all see your creations. ....and of course, link back here so that you can be entered in the drawing for the blog candy.

Want to know what you are playing for this week? Take a peek.....

You are playing for a 12X12 package of designer paper from Stampin' Up! Sell-a-bration catalog. The stamp set and ribbon are also from this catalog.

Wowzers! Sorry for the long post. I feel like I owe you all a prize just for reading the whole thing! ;) I hope you get to play. Next weeks posts will be much shorter! There is no deadline to play but if you want to be entered for the blog candy please have your project linked by Friday March 27 at midnight so that I can announce the winner Saturday morning.

...and one more FUN addition....my sweet friend AJ is also playing and has made one of the cutest samples ever for this sketch! Be sure and stop by her blog to see her creation.

Thanks for playing! I can't wait to see what you come up with! :)