Christmas . . . for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly

Hi everyone! I’m thrilled to announce that Challenge YOUrself’s new March challenge is open. It’s their third challenge of the year, and I’m very excited to join in.

Challenge YOUrself #135 opened on March 7th and closes on April 4th at midnight:

This month's theme is all about BLING!  Feel free to go all out and use a much bling on your page as you like, just remember to include at least one photo with YOU in the frame.

Here is the mixed media scrapbook page that I created:

The photographs were taken in New York City during our family’s visit to the Christmas Spectacular (featuring the Rockettes) last year.  The paper that I used is from the 'Simple Stories’ Simple Vintage Holly Jolly collection. I applied bling to the 'Christmas' title, the word 'Joy,' and the holly leaves, which already had a subtle sparkle.

Attending the Christmas show in New York City was an amazing experience for my family and me. Traditionally, we had attended with my mom, making this year’s visit particularly poignant and nostalgic. It felt like we were 'home' again, surrounded by all the cozy memories of our childhood.

I hope you’ll take a moment to check out Challenge YOUrself this month!  We'd be thrilled to see YOUR projects.

I am also linking up my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's challenge for March.

Erika from BioArtGal is hosting this month. Her theme is Home Sweet Home.  She says:  "Your project can be about your own home if you want.  Remember, there are many types of homes.  You can also think about things inside a home or even what makes a home.   . . . Just make sure your page relates to the idea of home."

I really enjoyed joining in on the fun at Art Journal Journey this month. Making my page brought back wonderful memories that felt like Home Sweet Home for me. 

I hope you get a chance to check out AJJ.  You don't want to miss all of the beautiful artwork made by talented artists from around the world!

And thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.  Happy March! 

I am Sharon . . . for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone.  It's January and time for a new challenge at Challenge YOUrself.  It's their first challenge of 2025:

Challenge YOUrself #133 opened on January 7th and closes on February 4th, 2025:

This month's challenge is Create a page about YOU.  You can share as much or as little about you as you like on your page, but as always, please remember to include at least one photo of YOU!

Here is my mixed media scrapbook page:

This photo of Abbey and me is a favorite of mine and is my profile photo on FB and IG.

For the challenge, I used background paper and embellishments from the 49 and Market Wherever Collection Page Kit.

I hope you get a chance to check out  Challenge YOUrself this month!  We would love to see YOUR  projects as we begin a new year of challenges.

I am also linking up my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's challenge for January.

This month is hosted by Mia of Crafftartista.  Mia's theme for January is Dots.

As you can see, I added tiny dots to my trees.  And I splattered ink dots onto the background of my page, too.

I hope you get a chance to head over to Art Journal Journey Monthly, not only to participate in this month's challenge, but also to see all of the amazing entries from talented artists all over the world. 

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.  Happy New Year! 

Precious Friends . . . for Challenge YOUrself!

Hi everyone.  I have been so busy this month that I am just getting around to posting the new challenge at Challenge YOUrself.

Challenge YOUrself #131 opened on November 7th, 2024 and closes on December 4th, 2024:

The theme for this month's challenge is a grid challenge.  We would like you to create a layout using a grid pattern and we love creativity!

Here is the page that I created for the challenge:

The background paper is from 49 and Market's "Rusty Autumn" collection.  And I loved creating my grid pattern with rick-rack!

You can check out Challenge YOUrself #131 on Facebook and their blog.  Each month you have a random chance to win a 12 x 12 scrapbooking kit!

I hope you get a chance to play along with us at  Challenge YOUrself this month!

Thank YOU, so much, for stopping by my blog today.  I hope the rest of your November is wonderful.

Say Cheese for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

 Hi everyone.  It's August and time for a new challenge at Challenge YOUrself:

Challenge YOUrself #128 opened on August 7th,  and closes on September 4th:

This month's challenge is to be inspired by a rainbow.  (And as always, to include at least one photo of YOU!)

Here is the mixed media scrapbook page that I created for this challenge:

I used a favorite photo of friends of mine (and me!) taken at my friend's fall gathering last year. I especially like that I am holding one of my friend's seeing eye dog puppies that she helps to raise.  I started with a white piece of 12 x 12 Bazzill cardstock.  Next, I layered some patterned paper that I had in my stash, then used 2 different ArtStacks packs to make my page.  The rainbow and the colorful hearts from Lisa Oxley's "Bright and Bold" pack and the black butterflies from ArtStacks' "Tissue Backgrounds" pack.  You can head over to www.artstacks.com.au/shop to see these amazing packs in detail!

I hope you get a chance to check out  Challenge YOUrself this month!  We would love to see YOUR rainbow inspired projects.

I am also linking my page up to Art Journal Journey's August challenge:

This month is hosted by Jo from Let’s Art Journal. Her theme for August is “Wonderfully Wild.” 

She says:  "This could be about a wild animal, a wildly colored background, or even a wild quote, or maybe wild flowers or you could go wild with your design!"

 

As you can see, I added the wildly beautiful rainbow and butterflies to my page!

I hope you get a chance to check out the all wildly gorgeous entries from the talented artists that take part in this challenge every month.  And once again, I want to thank Jo and Art Journal Journey for having this amazing challenge. 

And thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.   Enjoy the rest of August! 

Wish Upon a Star . . . for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone.  It's May 7th and time for a new challenge at Challenge YOUrself!

Challenge YOUrself #125 opened today and closes on June 7th:

This month's challenge is about using fussy cutting on your page.  You can use as many or as few hand-cut images as you like, just remember to include a photo with YOU in the frame!

Here is the mixed media scrapbook page that I created for this challenge:

I decided to make my page about my family's Disney World trip in 2022.  I used Echo Park paper from my stash that is perfect for a Disney World theme.  I fussy cut many of my elements on this page, for instance the balloons, the heart, the bow tie, the "Say cheese" piece, etc.  I also used the lyrics from "When you Wish Upon a Star"  as the basis for my page.

I hope you get a chance to check out  Challenge YOUrself!

I am also linking my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's theme for May:

This month is co-hosted by Valerie at Baastelmania and Erika from BioArtGal.  Their theme for May is Poems. 

Valerie says "Don't be scared by the theme of poems.  It doesn't have to be anything special or super complicated.  You can choose a poem or short verse, or limerick or whatever poems you like.  You can compose your own or choose works from famous people.  The main thing is to have fun."  

Erika says "I'm excited to be working with Valerie.  She said it perfectly.  Have fun and let's rock some poetry this month."

I used the lyrics from the song "When You Wish Upon a Star" as my poem!  

I hope you get a chance to check out the entries from the talented artists that take part in this challenge every month.  And I want to thank Valerie, Erika, and Art Journal Journey for creating this fabulous and fun challenge. 

And thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.   Happy May! 

Captured . . . for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone.  It's April 7th - can you believe it?!   

It's time for a new challenge at Challenge YOUrself!

Challenge YOUrself #124 opened today:

This month's challenge is What's your favorite animal?  You can interpret the theme any way you like, for instance, you can use a photo of you with your favorite animal, use background paper depicting your favorite animal, use images of your favorite animal, etc!  Just remember to include a photo with YOU in the frame!

Here is the mixed media scrapbook page that I created for the challenge:

I used photos of me with our dog, Abbey, taken on Mother's Day two years ago.  Of course my favorite animal is Abbey!!  She is the light of my life and is always by my side.  The paper and embellishments are all from Vicki Boutin's Print Shop collection.  I love how her matts, embellies, and ephemera are in rectangular form, making this perfect for Valerie's theme at Art Journal Journey this month.

I hope you get a chance to check out  Challenge YOUrself!

I am also linking my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's theme for April:

This month is hosted by Valerie at Baastelmania.  Her April theme is Geometric Forms. Valerie says "this theme covers anything using one or more of these forms in your art work - circles, squares, triangles, lines, etc. I love them and I hope this challenge will renew your acquaintance with these forms."

As you can see, I used rectangles on my page,  the photos, the matts, and the ephemera are all in rectangular form!

I hope you get a chance to check out the entries from the talented artists that take part in this challenge every month.  And I want to thank Valerie and Art Journal Journey for creating this wonderful challenge. 

And thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.   Happy April!