Adventures in Babysitting

If you are ever in need of inspiration, check out the monthly classes at Two Peas in a Bucket. That's what I did for this layout. Actually, the inspiration for this layout came from two classes, namely Nichol Magouirk's Scrapbook Stamping and Jenn Gallacher's Stretch Your Sketch. Here's Jenn's sketch:

And here's my layout:

As soon as I saw the sketch, I thought of using this series of pictures. I just love how Thomas is studying the page of his book, then noticing something and asking Melissa about it!

The journaling reads: October 2010 -- Two or three nights each year, Melissa and I drive into Manhattan to babysit for Thomas. It's a win-win situation! Michael and Jennifer get a night out on the town while Melissa and I get some precious one-on-one time with Thomas. Reading stories, singing nursery rhymes, playing with blocks and trains is all an adventure when we do it with Thomas!

Nichol's challenge this month was to dig out the word or phrase stamps to create a title or border on a layout. I used Technique Tuesday stamps to stamp a border under the journaling. The stamp reads: This moment. This story. This day. This experience. This life.

I also stamped on a label sticker, layered it on another sticker and added a flower and some buttons to ground the pictures.

I love stamping and I love sketches so I think I will be playing along with Two Peas all year long!

Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill (Kraft);

Patterned Paper: Sassafras Lass (Indie Girl); October Afternoon (Farm Fresh); My Mind's Eye (Just Dreamy 2);

Stickers: Sassafras lass (Indie Girl); October Afternoon (Thrift Shop, Farm Fresh); Making Memories (Tiny Alphas); American Crafts Thickers; Basic Grey Bloomers (Pyrus);

Stamps: Technique Tuesday (Ali Edwards Today You, Little Labels ); Hero Arts (Design Accents: Patterned Hearts);

Ink: Stampin' Up! (Taken with Teal); VersaMark;

Tools: EK Success Edger Punch (Postage Stamp); Martha Stewart Edge Punch (Scallop Dot);

Misc.: Martha Stewart twine; Making Memories buttons (Chloe's Closet).

UR gr8!

Here's a simple gift card holder I made for Melissa's teacher. Melissa's teacher is a scrapbooker so I wanted to make her card extra special. Here it is:

As you can see, I didn't have a lot of room for the sentiment so I was really happy when I thought of writing "you are great" as I would a text message. Crazy, I know, but it's the little things in life that make me happy!

For the overall design of the card, I used the template from the June 2009 class of Kristina Werner's A Year in Cards class over at Two Peas in a Bucket. You can access a video of her class and a pdf by visiting http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/mb.asp?cmd=display&forum_id=52&thread_id=2828094. Also, be sure to check out Kristina's Make a Card Monday and Finally Friday videos by visiting her blog at: http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/.

Here's a look at the back of the card:

It helps to make this card with two-sided or coordinating patterned paper sso that there is enough visual interest.

And here it is opened:

I've been very crafty over the last week. I made lots of cards to accompany end-of-year gifts and even managed three layouts in a marathon crop with my friend, Lissette. I'll have lots more to share over the next week!

Ingredients: Stampin' Up card stock (kraft); Sassafras Lass (Sunshine Lollipops) patterned paper; Heidi Swapp chipboard alphabet; Technique Tuesday stamp (Swiss Dot); EK Success punches (flowers and corner rounder); Anna Griffin ink (brown); Making Memories buttons; Walmart ribbon.