Challenge #125 -- Journaling Challenge

It is sometimes amazing how fast the weeks go by. Other times, they go so slow. For me, when I think about it being time to post the next challenge here on the blog, it feels like the week went by so fast. But I know, day to day, it dragged. And knowing I have a plane ticket to America sitting here that I so want to use, time is going by so slow. I have to wait until September to use that plane ticket. So technically, I am wishing my summer away so that September will get here faster.

This week is our Journaling Challenge. It comes from Lan, one of the Design Team Members here at Sketches! {by tamara}.

• Vary the wording in your journaling by highlighting certain words with a different color, font size, type of font or all three.

Check out the amazing layouts from the Design Team as well as our Guest Designer this week. Our Guest Designer is Sarah Lewis. You can get to know Sarah and see her FABULOUS layout below.

Hope everyone has a great week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Asun

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Guest Designer: Sarah Lewis

I am a stay at home mom (but I am never at home) with 2 kids, one hubby, one cat, & a horse that lives down the road. Keeping my hands busy has been a part of my daily life since I was a kid. First it was embroidery, then sewing, then crocheting, then self taught knitting. I embarked on scrapping about 5 years ago when a friend took me to a Creative Memories class and now I can't stop scrapping! My style is pretty simple with a touch of whimsy. Kind-of like my life--I try not to take myself too seriously! When I am not crafting, I love to read, listen to my ipod, drink coffee, go to the gym, work in the yard, volunteer at my kid's school and fundraise for our hospital. I am also delving into digi scrapping but I really like playing with paper and glue!

my blog url: http://sarahlsblog.blogspot.com/

Challenge #124 -- Card Sketch

I am sure many of you are wondering how my Sweden trip went that I mentioned last week. Well, I did not go. Sunday night, I had two kids throwing up. I didn't know what I should do, but came up with a plan B, in case the kids did not feel better by morning. Plan B was for my husband to go without me and have a Fabulous time. Monday Morning Came and the two older kids who were sick during the night seemed fine. We were at a Party the day before, and I think they both ate too many Slushies and Ice Cream. Anyway, I was getting Emma ready for School and noticed she had the Chicken Pox. What are the chances of that happening? So I decided to stay home and be with my spotted daughter. While My husband was gone, one of my other Girls, Hannah, ended up with Chicken Pox as well. All my children had been immunized against Chicken Pox. So what are the chances that two of them would get it just when I have a trip planned? It worked out alright. I ended up going to Ikea to go shopping, the closest thing to Sweden there is. :)

Don't forget, tomorrow is the last day to be entered into the July Guest Design Team Challenge. I really hope to see a few more people play along with us.

This week, we have a Card Sketch. I love the different takes from the Design Team. And this week's Guest Designer is Mieko Sejima. You can see her card and get to know her below.

Hope everyone has a fabulous day!

{tamara}

Alecia

Asun

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Guest Designer: Mieko Sejima

Hi! My name is Mieko Sejima. I live in Japan. I am a wife and a mother to
four teenagers,sons 19,17,daughters 14,12. We live with KURON, our lovely
cat! I have been Scrapbooking since 2003. I love all
crafts...Cardmaking,Scrapbooking,paper crafts,stamping,sewing and
knitting.I always like trying new techniques. I am a DT member for Love My
Memories(Japanese Scrapbooking magazine) and Scrap in Japan(Scrapbooking
Challenge blog). I am so proud and lucky to be invited as a guest designer
for the Sketches!{by tamara}. Thank you!

http://dreamsmhkm-mie.blogspot.com/

July Guest Designer Challenge

It is that time again. We are looking for Guest Designers for the month of July. There will be 4 winners drawn randomly.

Use the sketch below and make a Layout or a Card. Make sure you upload a link in the comment section or on the Sketches! {by tamara} Facebook Fan Page to be eligible.

Deadline is Wednesday, June 16th.

I can't wait to see what you do with this sketch!

Have a great week!

{tamara}

Challenge #123 -- Recipe Challenge

Happy Tuesday!

As many of you know, I live in Germany. And my Husband and I try to get away a few times a year to see the sites that Europe has to offer. This week, I am in Sweden. And if everything works out correctly, this will be uploaded on Tuesday all by it self. I sure hope it does. :)

We have a Recipe Challenge this week. And our recipe comes from Alecia, one of the Design Team Members here at Sketches! {by tamara} . Use at least these three items on a card or layout:

• Clear Acrylic Embellishment
• Ribbon Bow
• Distressing and Inking

You just have to see how fabulous the creations are that the Design Team Made. Make sure you check them out below.

This week, our Guest Designer is Melissa Oeters. You can get to know Melissa and see her amazing card below.

Hope you all have a great week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Asun

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Guest Designer: Melissa Oeters

Hi, I'm Melissa Oeters and I am so excited that I am your June guest designer here. I have been scrapbooking and card making for over 15 years and I'm still just as hooked as I was when I first started. My paper crafting style is normally very simplistic, I like to see things clearly in a layout or card. Currently I'm addicted to papers that cater to the whimsical with wacky patterns and lots of colors. I'm lucky enough to have my own crafting room which is where I sneak off to for a little chocolate and lot's of inspiration!

My blog is 8ers.blogspot.com, it's called Needful Things.

Challenge #122 -- Layout Sketch

I know many of you have had a long weekend and are just starting to get back into the groove of a new work week. For us here in Germany, yesterday was no Holiday. And yet, I still find it hard to get back in the groove of things. And it is so hard knowing that so many are already out for the summer. School goes so long here. My kids do not get out until July 15th. I'm itching for a break with all the schedules and constantly on the go that comes with it. I'm hoping June speeds on by. I apologize to all those who want to savor June and have it last for a very long time. :)

This week we are featuring a Layout Sketch. I just love the layouts from the design team and their different takes on the sketch. Make sure you check them out and leave them some love.

This weeks Guest Designer is Kari Sweeney. And you can get to know Kari and see her Fabulous layout she made below.

If you decide to do the Sketch, we would love to take a peek. Just leave a link in the comment section where we can find yours.

Have a great week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Asun

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Guest Designer: Kari Sweeney

Hi, I am Kari Sweeney.

I am originally from a small suburb north of the Twin Cities. After spending a year abroad in Japan, I moved to Wisconsin for college and never left. I think it's safe to call me an official Cheesehead now. I live in NorthCentral Wisconsin with my one-of-a-kind husband Nick and our 3 rambunctious girls. Bennet, who is 4 1/2. We call her Matches. Scout, 2 1/2, better known as Gasoline and Eleanor (Ellie) who is becoming the Tinder at 4 months old. Besides scrapbooking I am a major movie and trivia buff.

I've been scrapbooking since 1995-96, back when the only options were construction paper and puffy paints. Man-have we come a long way or what? I consider myself a simple, non-technique scrapper. My favorite pages tend to have a clean, crisp look with white space. To me the photos and the story behind them are truly the reason I scrapbook. Capturing those everyday moments that at the time seem ordinary and mundane but years later will seem extraordinary. I usually focus a lot of energy on journaling and have been known to get on my soapbox about the importance of handwritten journaling on at least SOME of your pages :)

I blog here: http://nkbsweeney.blogspot.com

My gallery is here: Gallery