Last Zombie Challenge

The last (Daisies and Dimples) challenge requirements were to use the alpha that was provided. (This proved a little difficult for me because it came as a page of alphas and my software won't accept it as an alpha so I had to load the whole page and cut out each letter that I needed...but it worked.)  There was also an ad that we were supposed to get inspiration from...the add was a whole picture with a quote...most people used a picture as the background, I almost did but I decided just to do a layout with a quote.  I used the Zombie Apocalypse alpha by Kim Cameron and Sewing Fun add on by Touched by a Butterfly.

Daisies and Dimples 3

The 3rd challenge for the Zombie Run was to post a family photo.  I was indecisive on this one.  We just got photos done so I was going to do a nice summer layout, but I needed to use just one or 2 kits and the layout I liked used several so I thought of a wedding photo but came across the same problem.  So I ended up going with a Halloween theme.  I have a lot of cute Halloween kits and ended up using one by Kristin from Toxic Desirez called Jack Rocks My World 2.  The picture isn't one of our cutest because it's going on a public site.

Challenge Doubled

Little Scraps of Heaven had another layout challenge.  I decided to do the paper piecing challenge then just for fun I also did the layout digitally.  This was the first time I used the ink on the paper piecings.  It wasn't as scary as I thought.  I need to get a lot more colors though, I had a hard time matching what I had, so I didn't ink everything.  I also avoided doing the cheeks because I didn't want to push my luck.  I haven't added a title because I may turn it into a 2 page layout with the card, I need to see what photos I have first.  I also need to decide if I am going to give him a mouth or not.
I used the kit big boy in training and for digital I used life's a beach and sun kissed pig.

Layout challenge

This page was made with (and for) Touched by a Butterfly Designs.  I guess when the layout has a large circle, I see it as a sun or a moon.  This cute kit is called Fun at the Zoo.

Kit Layout

I won a free kit from MagsGraphics.  I decided to do a little page with it.  The kit is called Train up a Child. I couldn't figure out how to change the footprints either flip it to the reverse or change the color so they match.  Learning something new every time!

Zombies

Here is part 2 of 4 of the Daisies and Dimples Zombie challenge.  It was the little things, and the only requirement was to use a journal card.  The designs are from Story Rock and Little Scraps of Heaven.
My challenge on this one is it kept saying my file was too large to submit, even when I saved it at the smallest version possible.  I had to go to an online site to make it smaller.

October Challenge

Silhouette sent me a knew blade to replace the faulty one, but they sent a fabric blade instead of a paper one.  They said it is the same blade but the label says don't use on paper or it will dull.  So while I am trying to figure that out I decided not to cut yet.  I still wanted to participate in the challenge to get used to doing layouts so I did a digital layout for the challenge.  Not sure it will count.  Learned a few more things and a few more limitations to my software in the process.  These are some of the designs I won from Little Scraps of Heaven!

Stepping Up

Things were off to a pretty good start, I decided to join in some other challenges.  This time it's a Zombie run challenge for Daisies and Dimples.  I had specific items I needed to use but the layout wasn't a "live file" with my software so it was harder to work with.  I couldn't figure out how to change the colors of the embelishments that I needed so it just turned everything into similar colors.  I couldn't figure out how to add borders, or certain shaped tags, it kept cutting the wrong areas.  I either need to make a huge learning curve with my current software or switch to a different one where I can use any layout, instead of just the ones designed by them.  This challenge showed me I have a lot to learn. Also I had a certain idea in mind and I was sad to learn I didn't even take a picture that I thought I did. The challenge was to use this layout for what keeps you running.

Double Challenge

This time Little Scraps of Heaven had a layout challenge and they added the same challenge to their digital page.  I had been collecting some digital material and decided I might as well learn how to use my software too.  The regular challenge was a bit difficult for me.  My silhouette blade broke so I wasn't able to add as much to the page as I wanted, I probably would have switched colors around and added a title.  I wasn't too happy with the way it turned out but I ran out of time...but I won!  Yay now I have more files to work with.  Also on the digital page I was the only one that entered so I also won that challenge....though I think it turned out pretty cute anyway.  I used this page to figure out how the software worked.  It was a set layout so I could add what I wanted and move things around.  It took a little while to figure things out but went pretty smoothly.

New Challenge

I figure what better way to jump in and get started with scrapbooking than to compete in some challenges, gain some experience, get ideas, and try to win some prizes while I am at it.  I had a lot of ideas for this challenge but I didn't have any of the files I wanted to use so finally I chose a file I did have and worked around it.  The piecing was a little harder to get the arms in the perfect spot but I think the layout turned out great!

First Layout

This was my very first layout challenge and my first paper piecing set for a page.  I went simple because I struggled with the first time but this was actually very simple.  It went way better than last time and didn't take very long at all, the blocks were a little harder to figure out which layer was which so I ened up leaving 2 layers off but they still turned out fine.  The elephant (and the challenge) is from Little Scraps of Heaven Designs and I think he is just about the cutest elephant ever!

First paper Piecings

These were my very first paper piecings.  I got them from too cute by Jessica.  They took me way longer than they should have to figure out.  That was my fault.  I just got the Silhouette Came and I didn't really know anything about it, I thought I would just figure it all out on my own.  I didn't know how to separate them as a group so I released the compound path, which on these particular shapes released some of the triangles down the back from each other and from themselves.  I had to piece 2 pieces back together to make one triangle, then it cut all the triangles separately instead of keeping it as a border.  I liked the way they turned out and I was proud of myself for my first job, but I knew there had to be an easier way.  I needed to do some research on the machine.

Introduction

I am starting this blog to keep track of my creative side.  Show some of the work I have done to those interested as well as to track progress for myself.  I am determined to get my creativity back.  I feel like I was pretty creative throughout highschool but lost most of that with busy schedules.  Right now I am in a novice stage but I plan to jump in and start swimming.  I hope you enjoy this page and maybe get some ideas of your own!