Inspired By Sketch Layout for Sketch 'N Scrap

I've got a fun layout today based on the January 2014 "Inspired By" sketch from Sketch 'N Scrap. This is a new feature Sketch 'N Scrap is doing starting this month -- the sketch is based on a layout created by another scrapbooker. I love this idea!

I love the long title on this sketch, and I decided to do the same idea on my own layout. I love how it turned out...

For this layout, I used the Technologic collection from Kaisercraft. I added in letter stickers from My Mind's Eye (the large black alpha -- I've had that one in my stash FOREVER) and American Crafts Thickers (yellow and red glitter). I also inked all the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Frayed Burlap.

I must be addicted to paper collections with robots in them. I think I have every one ever made. LOL

I've never done a super long title like this one. I love it so much! I need to do it again soon.

(Oh, I miss these little guys! They are just so big now. Sigh.)

Thank you, Sketch 'N Scrap, for the awesome Inspired By sketch! Don't forget to head over to Sketch 'N Scrap to link up your own creation for a chance to win an awesome prize package...

Stay crafty!
Lissa :)

Practical Scrappers January Blog Hop

***Updated 1/18/14 -- And the winner is Yvonne! Please email me at MightycraftyDOTmeATgmailDOTcom to claim your prize! :)

I'm so excited to be a part of the Practical Scrappers blog hop today! We have an awesome and talented group of designers for you to hop around to. We are all scrapping from our stash (which I love!) and have great projects for you to see. It's a big, big list -- and you can enter for a giveaway from Kiwi Lane Designs (one of my absolute FAVORITE scrapbooking companies!) back on the Practical Scrappers blog.

Here's where we are on the blog hop list right now (head back to Practical Scrappers for the full list):

• Wendi Robinson: http://scrappydayinparadise.blogspot.com/  (You should have come from here)
• Lissa Mitchell: http://mightycrafty.blogspot.com  You are here! :)
• Deborah Johnson: http://scrappinthelittlethings.blogspot.com/  **** Go here next!

A lot of the designers are doing their own giveaways too -- including me! It's just a fun way for me to say thank you to all of you, my new readers and long-time readers. Read on to find out how to enter my giveaway...

For the blog hop, I created a new layout based on these awesome new sketches from Scrapping with Christine. She's started designing lots of fun card and layout sketches that are so fun to play with. Today, I'm working with this sketch.

Since I'm still on a winter kick, I turned those hearts into snowflakes to create this layout...

Yes, that's me, the teenager on the left, circa 1988 with big hair and big bangs and a winter snowman sweatshirt. Love it.

I used my January kit to create this layout. I've been creating a lot with it (more to come soon!) so I have quite a few partial sheets of patterned paper. Creating that square punch background was the perfect way to use up some of those scraps.

I used a Martha Stewart snowflake punch for the large snowflakes. I punched them out of white cardstock, then spritzed them with Mr. Huey's Calico Shine, added some Distress Stickles in Clear Rock Candy, and then sprinkled even more chunky white glitter on them. You really can't have too much glitter, right?

For the borders on each side, I used a Fiskars border punch and then layed a 1/2" strip of paper over the top. I love how it grounds those punched squares with nice edge.

Such a fun layout -- I'm glad I have this photo to remind me of those 80s fashions and hairstyles...

Thank you, Christine, for the awesome sketch!

And now for the prizes...I'm giving away this awesome group of fun scrapbooking supplies.

To enter to win, just do one of these:

• Subscribe to my blog and leave a comment on this post telling me you're all signed up.
• Like my Facebook page and leave me a quick post there telling me you did it. 

I'll announce the random winner on Jan. 18, 2014. So be sure to enter before midnight MST on Jan. 17. (I can only ship to United States -- thank you for your understanding.)

Now, head on over to the next stop on the blog hop. Have fun!

• Deborah Johnson: http://scrappinthelittlethings.blogspot.com/  ****Go here next!

Stay crafty,
Lissa :)

Sketch Layout for Practical Scrappers

Today, I'm super excited to bring you my first official project for Practical Scrappers. I have joined the design team at this great website with an amazing group of talented scrappers. I'm so thrilled to be working with all of them!

First up from me for this month is a layout based on this great sketch.

I knew I wanted to use my January kit for this sketch -- and luckily I had even included doilies, which worked perfect for this sketch.

Oh my goodness, I so miss my boys being this little! My twin boys are now age 10, so this photo is extra sweet to me. They were all bundled up for their very first trek out into the snow for this photo.

I layered up two doilies and spritzed them with Heidi Swapp's Color Shine mist in Tinsel and the Mr. Huey's Shine mist from Studio Calico to give them each a bit of shine. I then embossed some blue cardstock with the Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls embossing folder and punched out a few scallop circles. These little scallop circles served as a great spot to place these adorable stamped/die cut/colored Winter Sparrows from Lawn Fawn.

I just stamped each birdie, then colored it in with EK Success colored pencils to match my layout. Then I used washi tape to hold each die in place over the bird and die cut them with my Sizzix Big Shot.

I love how they turned out...

I placed each bird on top of a glittered snowflake (Recollections) for extra sparkle -- with a pop-dot behind each bird to give them more dimension.

Finally, I added my title in white glittered Thickers and a tiny date tag punch to finish it off. Love...

Be sure to head over to Practical Scrappers to see all the other designers' versions of the sketch. You will love the inspiration you find over there. Until next time...

Stay crafty,
Lissa

Stitch Fix Love: January 2014

I'm so loving my monthly Stitch Fix boxes! If you haven't heard of Stitch Fix, it's a monthly subscription box service. You pay a $20 styling fee and fill out a detailed style questionnaire, then the Stitch Fix stylists pick out five clothing and accessory items to send you. You keep only what you love and send the rest back in their pre-paid shipping envelope. Your $20 styling fee is applied as a credit toward what you keep -- and if you keep all five pieces, you get an additional 25% off the total.

This month's Stitch Fix box arrived right on schedule, on Jan. 2. I immediately dove in...

Alexandra was my stylist this month and she did an awesome job. I love that she included a personal note and said she actually read my blog reviews on my previous Stitch Fixes. How awesome is that?! Thank you so much, Alexandra and Stitch Fix!

First out of the box was this Marquis Slub Knit Dolman Sweater by Kut From The Kloth ($48). The color and knit fabric were awesome, but it looked a little loose and sloppy on me and was a little on the short side. Let's be honest, I really don't need to look larger than I already am. :) So it went in the going-back pile.

Next up was this Rowson Colorblock Striped Sweater by 41Hawthorn ($58). I fell in love immediately, probably because I'm super into stripes right now. In fact, I have bought two other black and white striped tops in the last month. For that reason, I was really torn on this one. I wanted to keep it so bad. That pink on the top is adorable. But, even though I loved this one, it had to go back.

Third in the box was this emerald green Cherise Tab Sleeve Henley by 41Hawthorn ($48). I loved loved loved this color as soon as I saw it. And it was such a flattering fit for me (even though my face looks less than thrilled here -- I'm obviously not much of a model LOL). This was a keeper for sure.

Finally, these Collen High Rise Straight Leg Jeans by Liverpool ($78) in a purple-burgandy color. I was really not loving these -- until I tried them on. I don't know how Stitch Fix does it, finding pants than actually fit me. I would have try on five gazillion pairs at Kohl's before I found one that fit me -- and yet, in each box I've gotten from Stitch Fix, the pants have all fit me perfectly. These were so soft and comfy. And I know colored denim is a big trend right now, so I decided to keep these.

Last up, these Katie Twist & Crystal Drop Earrings by Bay to Baubles ($28). They were beautiful and sparkly, but a bit large for me and not so-much-my-style.

I decided that if I was keeping those jeans, I was going to wear them right away. So I put together this outfit the next day with one of those new black and white stripe tops I mentioned earlier and a new necklace.

Carolin' Cardi from Kiki La' Rue, Downeast Basics top, ModBod cami, necklace from HotDecor (Etsy), Liverpool denim, JustFab boots (Calvin)

My boys were iffy on my new pants, but hubs said they made me look skinny. So that's awesome. And I have a new favorite pair of pants. And the boys warmed up to them eventually. :)

So all in all, I only kept two of the five pieces this month. That means I didn't get the extra 25% discount for keeping all five, but my grand total for the two pieces was only $106 after my $20 styling fee was taken out.

I'm loving my monthly Stitch Fix boxes -- I cannot wait for the next one! If you haven't tried Stitch Fix, you should definitely do it. It is seriously so much fun to get these monthly surprise boxes.

(Note: Stitch Fix offers a referral credit for affiliate links, which I have included in this post. I will receive a $25 credit if you sign-up using my Stitch Fix link. Thank you for your support!)

Stay crafty (and fashionable)!
Lissa :)

Easy Canvas Drop-Cloth Curtains

Today, I'm sharing a very quick and easy window treatment project, something you can create and finish within an hour -- I promise. I finished this project up long ago, but have just now got around to getting this on the blog. Procrastination!

When we moved into our house in Colorado, the curtains in the living room looked like this...

This photo was from the real estate listing -- not my furniture!

Um, yeah. Not so much my style. Blue, first of all. Really stuffy, second of all.

We've obviously got our own furniture in place in this room now, but it took awhile for me to change out the curtains. Remember this project, where I replaced the vertical blinds in our old house with drop-cloth curtains? I loved those so much (and hated to leave them) -- so I decided to make some for this house too.

Much better...and the easiest curtains you will ever make. I didn't even get fancy with them like I did on the originals in our last house.

To make these, you just need canvas drop-cloths from any home improvement store and those curtain clips you can get at Target or anywhere they sell curtains. Just fold over the drop-cloth until you get the length you want (you can cut off the bottom a bit if it's crazy long), clip on the curtain hangers and slide in on the rod. Done. Boom.

They let a surprising amount of light in, yet are opaque for privacy. And they're neutral enough for any decor. I love them.

I'll probably make more for a few other rooms in the house at some point. They just go with everything and are super cheap and easy to make.

Have you made your own curtains? I would love to see -- please share it here...

Stay crafty,
Lissa

Sketch 'N Scrap January 1 Sketch Layout

Hello all! I'm so excited to be here on the first day of the new year with a new layout. This is my first official layout for the Sketch 'N Scrap design team. I'm honored to be a part of this talented group and excited that I'll be able to share even more of their great sketches with you this year.

Today's layout is based on the January 1, 2014, sketch...

I love the arrangement in this sketch. When I went to create my version, I only had two photos to showcase, however. So, here's how my layout turned out...

I really wanted to leave those vintage skis on the paper in place, so they ended up in place instead of another photo, which worked out great for me. I used my January kit to create this layout -- I love all these wintery elements now that we're in the middle of the cold season here in Colorado.

A very simple layout with lots of impact. I love how it turned out.

Make sure to create your own version of the sketch and post it at Sketch 'N Scrap so you can be entered to win a great prize package! Can't wait to see what you create. Until next time...

Stay crafty,
Lissa :)

Announcing the Miss Kate Cuttables Design Team!

I am beyond excited and thrilled to announce that I am joining the very first design team for Miss Kate Cuttables! I have been in love with the cute and easy-to-cut designs from Miss Kate for quite awhile now. I am so excited to be able to be a part of such a talented team who will be bringing you inspiration on how to use Miss Kate's awesome cut file designs.

Today is the launch of the Miss Kate Cuttables blog, and we on the design team will be bringing you so many wonderful projects and ideas every single day of the month, all year long. To celebrate the launch, Miss Kate is giving away a very special set of her favorite Cuttable Files -- plus one lucky winner will win a Silhouette Cameo!!

 

But first -- here are the special Cuttable Files you can download at the blog...

Aren't they amazing? I love them all. The design team each took a turn using these awesome new files to create our own projects. So, I created this layout for my garden this past spring...

You can see I used that adorable Gnome file from the special launch day free file set above, plus these cut files from Miss Kate Cuttables:

I used the Hello Summer collection from Echo Park for the papers, journaling card, and the alpha/date stickers, but I did add in a few papers from my scrap drawer. I love using up my scraps! I also inked all the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Frayed Burlap.

 

Now, before you head over to the brand-new Miss Kate Cuttables blog, be sure to subscribe to my blog and leave me a comment on this post telling me you did it. Then, go to Miss Kate Cuttable's blog and finish entering the giveaway for the Silhouette Cameo!! You'll be able to subscribe to the blog, meet all the new designers, and download those cute free cut files.

Again, I am so thrilled and honored to be a part of the Miss Kate Cuttables design team! This is a great group of talented designers, and I know you will love what they create. I can't wait to see all the projects from the fabulous design team in the months to come. Until then...

Stay crafty,

Lissa :)