Master Crafter

Around the first part of September (or maybe it was the end of August) I wasn't able to sleep so came out to  the living room to check facebook.  There I found a link for a Master Crafter  contest on Sarah Hammer designs.  The first 100 people to sign up would be in.  I thought it sounded like fun and jumped right in.  The catch was that each of these 100 people would be sent a box with crafty items in it and then you had to create things from the items in the box.  You were allowed to use other items from you stash also.  You needed to link up your projects between October 4-6.  The voting begins on October 7th, so please head over to Sarah Hammer designs and vote for your favorite projects.

I was really excited when I first received the box, but then I opened it and was a little perplexed and confused.  Hmmmm, what can I do with this stuff.  Let me tell you Nothing was popping into my head.

Inside the box was a Mouse Scissors.  Now this device looked interesting and I was excited to try it.  Sure enough it looks just like a computer mouse and even rolls like them.  It cuts really easy and I found that it was the perfect thing to cut apart the picture collage from Walmart as I could like up the line at the top and just follow that on the collage.  It also worked well to cut apart Kristen's school pictures.  Also in the box was a 4x6 stack pad from DCWV.  Once again a little puzzling, not pages I would normally have choosen, how am I going to use these.  

 Also in the box was a little canvas bag (forgot to take a picture of it) a couple of buttons, and a small sentiments stamp (courage) and some green bling.

This is going to be a bigger problem than I thought.  I don't normally use stamps when I scrapbook (but I did know that there would be stamps in the box).  Also I don't normally use green or buttons and what in the world am I going to do with the canvas bag.  I let the stuff sit for about a week an a half.  When all of the sudden it dawned on me, the bling is just about the same shade of green as 4-H green.  Maybe I can do something with some of the girls 4-H pictures.  I decided that I wanted to try and scrap Kristen's state fair Educational Presentation pictures.  I really am so proud of her for trying this project.  

As I was looking for some ink that would work, I ran across another set of stamps that I have had for several years and never used.  These would be perfect for the title.  I choose to use my brother's comment on a picture my mom had sent me through the phone that I then put up on facebook.  (I didn't get to take her to the contest.)  I am guessing that we never told my brother about Kristen speaking at the state fair, so when the picture was posted his comment was Wow, look at you, I think that summed up my sentiments exactly.  How many 12 year old kids will get up and speak about something to a room full of total strangers and be judged?  The courage sentiment stamp worked perfect to journal with. I have always seen when people journal using a stamp for one work or a different colored ink so I gave it a try.

I really loved how this came out.   Then the green bling was just perfect for pictures of 4-H.  I also used some of the paper with stars on it for my photo mats.  The stars were perfect since of course she is a superstar.   Now I am on a roll, lets see if maybe I can scrap some of Sarah's graduation photos.  

Since the schools color's are red and black I decided that a few more of the black papers would be perfect for this 2 page layout.  On the first page are photo's of Sarah with the family that came to see her.  Others wanted to come, but it was almost 90 out that day and since the gym isn't air conditioned we decided that it wouldn't be a good thing for Grandpa F to come.  Way to hot for him, plus he would never have been able to sit in the bleachers.  However, besides Mom, Dad, and little sister Kristen, Uncle Dean, Uncle Dan and Grandma H all came to see her graduate.  I ended up using the canvas bag on this layout.  I had the perfect stamp for the bag.  Now I just have to figure out where she packed one of her tassel's.  They received at least 3 different tassels.  I will have her put one of them in the bag.  

I have never used a canvas bag before, but after stamping on this, I believe that there is a lot of potential for these little bags.  Will have to look into getting more of them to craft with. For the last page that I am going to show you (I did try a few other things, but those didn't turn out well, sorry Sarah you won't be getting a kitty cat birthday card, so I am not showing those) I used Iris folding.  I have done this before and liked it but always seem to forget about trying it.  

I choose kind of a fun star shape and then cut up 5 different papers into 1/2 inch strips and glued those on.  This along with the pink paper, the buttons, and the added bling all just scream Kristen.  She is so my girly girl.  

I must say that I really had fun with this little project/contest and can't wait to try it again.  I was pushed to use some different items than I normally would, but that is a good thing.