This month’s challenge at the Challenge YOUrself monthly scrapbook challenge is a layout featuring your favorite animal!
I don’t currently have any pets, so I thought I would share my latest obsession…Iguanas!
That’s right! My latest hobby allows me to sit on the dock and look for iguanas sunning themselves in the mangroves across the canal.
It is ridiculously challenging trying to find iguanas in mangroves. The green iguanas really blend in well with the bright green leaves.
It is also ridiculously satisfying to find them! They can sit remarkably still much longer than I can making it even harder to notice they are there.
I was using up alphabet stickers and ephemera from my stash. The papers are from Stampin’ Up! These are the Softly Stippled DSP (Designer Series Paper). I really liked the B side patterns in this pack. They were subtle and appeared textured.
Now I am still with CTMH for the rest of the month, but I wanted to see what was new with SU since there is an offer to join on the table. I won’t be linking to any of the products today and I will continue to purchase CTMH stuff for as long as I can. I so LOVE their scrapbook and cardmaking workshop kits! It’s looking like SU will be adopting a few of these things!
For my layout, I had a set of heart journaling tags in my stash that had colors that worked perfectly with my papers. I used them to add my journaling in an interesting way. Each heart got a different detail I wanted to add.
I also added some stamping with a stamp from the SU set called irresistible blooms. A good splatter stamp is an essential tool for all scrapbookers! I used the SU 2023-2025 In Color called Wild Wheat which is one of the colors in this set of patterned papers.
For my final details, I added some black journaling pen. I added some stitching to the little die cut heart that I added to the title. I also added a black border around the white background piece that I used.
Measurements:
- Pool Party DSP: 12 x12″
- White 10 x10″
- Floral and Wild Wheat DSP mats: 6 x 7″ and 5 x 7″
- Calypso Coral DSP mats: 3 x 4″ with photos at 2-7/8 x 3-7/8″
Big Decisions:
I purchased a few items from Stampin’ Up! in March after the CTMH closure announcement. The owner of CTMH wanted to make sure her Makers were taken care of and that they have a soft place to land to continue businesses/hobbies. SU is graciously welcoming us in. Both companies are setting superb examples of how to treat employees like treasured family.
I wanted to see if any of the products have changed at SU, so I purchased some DSP, the 2023-2025 In Color ink pads and Stampin’ Write Markers, a couple of stamp sets and some dies that I knew would add nicely to my scrapbook stamp and die stash.
I have not been disappointed! SU is the same great quality of products that they always have been. I will confess that I can’t get the stamp pads open easily though. My hands are killing me. I think as I use them, they will loosen and become easier to open…unlike pill bottles! What is up with those things?
One big factor in why I left SU in 2018 was that I was not allowed to use products from other companies. Other demonstrators would actually turn you in for that. That policy has changed. I will be able to use other stuff (thankfully…I do have a stash I want to use up!) as long as I don’t link to anything. I like this change in policy! I was ready to try some of the new products that were in the art/craft world and I don’t regret the last few years and all the great design teams I have been a part of.
I am looking forward to joining SU again. I will be sharing how I will use their products to create my scrapbook layouts and other memory keeping projects. I will also make at least one card a week! I have been thinking about how I will use the host code program to create my own VIP customer program. I’ve got lots of ideas and I’m looking forward to turning my little hobby back into a small business. I finally have time to focus on that and I finally have time to focus on creating classes in papercrafting techniques as well.
Stay tuned friends!
Thank you for joining me today. We would love to have you join us for this month’s Challenge YOUrself scrapbook challenge! You don’t need a pet to create an animal page! Hopefully you enjoyed my layout today!
I hope you find time to be creative!
