Inspiration Elevator Guest Designer and My Scraps & More GIVEAWAY!

You may recall that the purpose of this challenge group is to take our scrapbooking to the next level, to stretch our creative process and to grow as artists by embracing challenges that make us think, work and extend ourselves. You can view all of the challenges our Inspiration Elevator Blog, here. We are thrilled to welcome back Audrey Yeager this month as a guest designer. Audrey recently came into ownership of My Scraps & More online store, and has graciously offered a prize this month! Read on to find out how you could win!




My Scraps & More is celebrating Valentine's Day this weekend with a special crop and sale!  Visit the message board to see all the wonderful inspiration!

And there are a TON of new products in stock from manufacturers like American Crafts, Crate Paper, Studio Calico, October Afternoon, Simple Stories, Echo Park, and Bella Blvd.

Save 30% off your order this weekend ONLY (until midnight Feb. 16th EST).  Use the code:

ILOVEMYSCRAPS30 

at checkout!

*******
Our challenge this month comes from the very talented Michelle Hernandez. Here's how she expressed this month's challenge:

"Inspiration Elevator Challenge February- Phoenix Rising.
I'm going through one of the toughest times of my life right now. Huge changes, dashed expectations, embarrassing set backs- it's all overwhelming, all the time. I have the love and support of my family and my health- so it could be worst but still - it sucks.

Michelle's challenge for February:

Tell a story visually or through your journaling that speaks to your greatest challenge and most importantly how you dug yourself out. This should be a celebration of your faith, personal resilience and/or creativity. A story you'd like to tell your kids, grandkids or yourself when things get rough. "
*********

This was a tough one for me, but I was thinking about what challenging things I have been through the past couple of years, and the thing that stood out was our move from Texas back to NY.  We thought is was a perfect oppurtunity, but it didn't turn out as easy as we hoped!  It's a LONG story, as you will see on my page!

I used a sketch from Sketchabilities and papers from Crate Paper Flea Market.  I knew I was going to have a lot of journaling, so I added an envelope to my page to tuck in my thoughts.

I began by spraying some mist on my background and letting it drip.  Then I splattered some white paint and stamped with a polka dot stamp and navy ink.  Then I stitched a circle with white thread.

Based on the sketch, I made a banner of sorts with a doily shape I due cut with my cameo, a pennant piece, and the envelope.  Then I layered some other bits and pieces along the banner, too.  I have a few packs of tiny clothespins but rarely use them, so I am glad I go the chance to on this page!

And for my journaling, I just typed my text in sqaures that would fit into the envelope and taped them together with washi tape.  I added a washi tape "tag" to pull it out from the top.  I told you there was a lot of journaling!

Now hop along to the other wonderful blogs to see some great stuff!

Michelle Hernandez
Ann Jobes
Laura Whitaker
Lisa Moen
Christa Uttley
Cathy Harper
Lisa Spiegel
Joanne Burton
Jodi Wilton
Guest designer: Audrey Yeager


We would LOVE to see you take up Michelle's challenge this month, so if you do, please share it at our linkup on the Inspiration Elevator blog.

So, how do you win the My Scraps & More prize? It's simple - leave a comment! I will choose one random comment from one random blog to win the $15 gift certificate to My Scraps & More!

Stay scrappy my friends!

Look what she made!

For Christmas, Charlotte got a little kids sewing machine.  I was trying to figure out something easy for her to make, so we decided on a pillow.  I have tons of fabric scraps, so I let her pick out the patterns she wanted, and then we used her machine!  It just does a chain stitch, so there is not bobbin thread.  If one stitch comes out, the whole thing does!!!  It was a bit of a pain, so I told her that I would just make it "stronger" on my machine so it wouldn't rip!  She stuffed it and now sleeps with it every night!  I'm so proud of her and she was proud of herself!

When I saw the cherry print of the fabric, it reminded me of the Lily Bee Sweet Shoppe collection, so that is what I used!

My page is based on today's sketch at the My Scraps & More Sketch Blog!  The new DT had their first reveal today, so check out the sketch and link up a page!!  Visit it HERE.

My page is pretty simple.  I mounted a piece of white cardstock with the edges cut at a skew onto of the grey herringbone patterned paper, and stitched around the edge with black thread.  Then I splattered the page with blue and red mists.  The triangle "banner" is actually a piece of patterned paper that I cut and then just stiched to a thin piece of paper to keep it from ripping.  I painted some Studio Calico wood stars with black paint and also used some SC star rubons that matched, too.

I used some chipboard banner pieces, flair, stickers and fabric brads from Lily Bee for the cluster as well as the plastic xoxo from Studio Calico and some twine to tie it all together.

Finally, on the chipboard speech bubble (also from Lily Bee), I stamped a subtitle and placed it over my photo.  Then some other little stars, buttons, and bits scattered around the page.

I have been on a total sketch kick lately because I have been feeling a little un-creative!  But I just love sketch results!  Hope to see you play along, too!

Stay scrappy my friends!

Scrappin' my stash...some old Crate Paper

Every Thursday on the My Scraps & More forums is a "Throwback Thursday" challenge where we challenge you to use your stash that is at LEAST a year old.

When I started to think about scrapping these photos of my kiddos with the lollipops that Grandma gave them, I remembered a chipboard lollipop in the Emma's Shoppe collection from a few years ago.   I REALLY loved that collection and decided to use some more of it up!

I started by using some Gelatto's and water, and then going over it with a stencil and modeling paste.

Behind my photos, I added a few frame shapes cut from papers and just a few simple strips.

I layered lots of chipboard pieces, flair, and die cuts.

My title I cut with my Cameo and outlined with a black pen.  And lastly I scattered about some fun small bits like brads, sequins, chipboard, and tiny die cuts!

I really should scrap my stash more often!  It is fun coming back to these old collections and making them NEW again!

Stay scrappy my friends!