For this week's Finally Friday, I wanted to use one of Martha Stewart Craft's All Over Punches. In this case, I used the Classic Butterfly. I also used the Blissful 6x6 paper pad from Authentique. 

This card started out in one direction, but as you'll see in the video, I had to backtrack a bit. Overall, I like the final version of the card more than how it could have looked. :) 

CHALLENGE 
Create a card with a punch. Upload your card to the TwoPeas Gallery and select this week's Finally Friday Challenge. 

SUPPLIES 
Solid Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Naturals Ivory, and Crushed Curry (Stampin' Up!) 
Patterned Paper: Blissful 6x6 pad (Authentique) 
Punch: Classic Butterfly All Over Punch (Martha Stewart Crafts) 
White Pen: Signo Broad (Uni-ball) 
Black Pen: Multiliner (Copic) 

Watch video below | Watch at YouTube | See Related Products

Congrats to michellerose, the winner of last week's challenge to scraplift.  A credit to your Two Peas account will be applied to your account shortly for your next shopping trip here at Two Peas!

Be sure to check out this week's journaling challenge from Jen Gallacher to compare and contrast.

We all have those photos that don't particularly go with any one event or celebration but yet when you compile them they can tell a story all of their own. For this week's layout, I searched through all 12 months of 2010 for photos of my youngest son making silly faces or doing something crazy. I picked my 7 favorites for this layout detailing his "personality" at five. 

I am always a big advocate for creating your own accents, whether it be stamping, die cutting, etc. but sometimes pre-made stickers and embellishments say just what you want to say and they make creating a layout super quick and easy. I combined stickers from Bella Blvd and October Afternoon and "dressed them up" by layering stickers and adding brads either to the stickers or close to them to complete this simple page. 

CHALLENGE: Try using photos that are not all from the same time/event on your next layout. 
*This challenge runs from July 27, 2011 - August 3, 2011.* 

Watch video below | See Related Products

Congrats to scrap anne the winner of last week's challenge "It's a Circus."  A credit to your Two Peas account will be applied to your account shortly for your next shopping trip here at Two Peas!

Be sure to check out this week's challenge from Shannon - "That's What Friends Are For."

i all! For this week's card, I wanted to do two things: use Crate Paper's Neighborhood collection, and create a tall card. Thankfully, I was able to do both in one card. 

CHALLENGE 
Create a tall card. Upload it to the Two Peas Gallery and select this week's Finally Friday challenge. 

SUPPLIES 
Patterned Paper: Neighborhood Collection (Crate Paper)
Chipboard Letters: Stroll Thickers (American Crafts)
Tag: Kraft Shipping Tags (Maya Road)
Circle Punch: 3/4" Circle Punch (Stampin' Up!) 
Corner Punch: Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers) 
Heart Punch: Small Heart punch (Stampin' Up!) 
White Pen: Signo Broad (Uni-ball)
Other: Glossy Accents (Ranger)* twopeasinabucket.com 

Watch video below | Watch at YouTube | See Related products

Congrats to jpeanut the winner of last week's challenge to use older product.  A credit to your Two Peas account will be applied to your account shortly for your next shopping trip here at Two Peas!

Be sure to check out this week's challenge from Shannon to scraplift!

I have been wanting to try out the new digital die cuts by Hero Arts that perfectly coordinate with several of their clear/cling stamps for awhile now. I absolutely love the idea of having die cuts that are already perfectly sized for stamping. No hand cutting around intricately stamped images!

For today's layout I chose this silhouette cling stamp of girls dancing to compliment my photos and the coordinating die cut shape from Hero Arts. 

I used lots of pinks/creams/tans/grays for this girly layout. I also converted my photos to black & white to make them easier to work with (the color versions were a bit hard to work with). 

Lots of feminine touches add to the girl theme and a large flourish stamp as well as title & sub-title stamps create a custom journaling spot. 

Watch video below | Watch On YouTube | See Related Products

A new lesson has been added to our free, monthly class Stretch Your Sketch with Jen Gallacher   This month's lesson focuses on modifying a 12x12 sketch for an 8.5x11 layout as well as additional techniques and ideas.

Check out this month's lesson, including a video and printable instruction sheet, and all of the class content from the class page here.

Congrats to Severine the winner of last week's challenge to use wide open aperture.  A credit to your Two Peas account will be applied to your account shortly for your next shopping trip here at Two Peas!

Be sure to check out this week's challenge from Kandis - "It's a Circus!"

Hi there!  We apologize for the late posting of the challenge winner.  Thanks for hanging in there with us.

Congrats to jenchapin the winner of last week's challenge to use Jen's color combo.  A credit to your Two Peas account will be applied to your account shortly for your next shopping trip here at Two Peas!

Be sure to check out this week's challenge from Caroline to use older product!

Hi all! 

For this week's Finally Friday video, it all started with the kraft doily from Maya Road. I wanted to use one of them as a backdrop for other elements on a card. And when I saw October Afternoon's 5 & Dime collection, I knew it would be a perfect fit. :) 

CHALLENGE 
Create a card that has elements that "hang off" the side(s) of the card. Upload your card to the TwoPeas gallery and select this week's Finally Friday challenge. 

SUPPLIES 
Solid Card Stock: Crumb Cake and Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!); Red (American Crafts) 
Patterned Paper: 5 & Dime 8x8 pad (October Afternoon)* 
Doily: Kraft Doilies (Maya Road)* 
Stamps: Hello There stamp set (American Crafts)* 
Ink: VersaMark (Tsukineko)* 
Embossing Powder: Zing White (American Crafts)* 
Marker: Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!) 
Corner Punch: Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers) 
Heart Punch: Three Hearts punch (Stampin' Up!) 
Other: Glossy Accents (Ranger)* 

*Available at twopeasinabucket.com 

Watch video below | Watch at YouTube | See Related Products

 have been rediscovering the joy of 4x6 photos lately. Although I very much enjoy resizing and creating photo collages for my layouts, there is something satisfying about using those standard sized prints. 
I had initially thought I would include some green into my layout and I tried, repeatedly, but it just wasn't "doing it" for me. Once I removed the green and just concentrated on the yellow/cream/black combo with a hint of red I was much happier. 
I combined stamps from the February ("I want to remember"), May ("You" & "Life is an adventure") and July ("the call of the wild", "growing" & "playing") Studio AE Stamp Sets. I love how easy it is to combine stamps from different sets. 
I used stamps from Hero Arts Joy Ride Stamp Set to create a custom sticker accent. 
Lots of buttons, brads and a touch of ribbon finishes the page. 

CHALLENGE: Use 4x6 prints on your next layout. 

*This challenge runs from July 13, 2011 - July 20, 2011.* 

Watch video below | See Related Products

A new lesson has been added to our free, monthly class Products You Love Every Which Way with Nichol Magouirk.   This month's lesson is all about using rub-ons in fun and different ways!

Check out this month's lesson, including a video and printable instruction sheet, and all of the class content from the class page here.

Congrats to Karen Buck the winner of last week's photo challenge "Round & Round."  A credit to your Two Peas account will be applied to your account shortly for your next shopping trip here at Two Peas!

Be sure to check out this week's challenge, "Wide Open Aperture" with Chelsea Parsons for your chance to win!

my name:Wendy Sue Anderson

scrapbook size:Any size will work for me - I love doing a combination of all sizes

camera: Nikon D50

music: Christmas music (any time of year), and a little bit of everything else - I love Pandora!

work space:Half of our basement family room - I love being with everyone even when I am busy creating

style: simple, cute...and bits of everything else mixed in

1 or 2 pages:both - it just depends on how many photos and how much journaling

color preference: whatever works with my project, but I've never been one to turn away a pretty shade of green

favorite product type: anything that makes me smile

childhood ambition: ha!  I wanted to grow up and be a secretary in a law firm...just like my mama! ;)

fondest memory: my wedding day and the day each of my four kiddos entered the world of course

retreat: a long hot bath

wildest dream: I'm not very wild...neither are my dreams, lol.

proudest moment: watching my child conquer a fear or achieve a goal

biggest challenge: keeping up with the laundry...

alarm clock:i don't set one - my kids are my alarm clock, though they often "go off" way too early and they don't have snooze buttons.

perfect day:any day with my family - and if I can get in some creative time all to myself, that's the cherry on top!

first job: waitress

indulgence:McDonald's diet coke

last purchase:groceries - boring, right?!?

favorite movie: father of the bride - I know, corny.

inspiration:it's everywhere!

my life:it's all about finding the good in every day - even the hard days...

debut Garden layout:

Hi all! For this week's Finally Friday card, I kept it simple by using a large stamp as the main portion of the card. I chose to use the Day Dream stamp from Penny Black and pair it with another Penny Black stamp, Great Day, for the sentiment. 

Since the main stamp was an outlined image, I colored in the flower and leaves with Copic markers. 

Anyhow, enjoy! 

CHALLENGE 
Create a card where the main portion is a large stamp, image, or die-cut. Upload your card to the TwoPeas Gallery and select this week's Finally Friday challenge. 

SUPPLIES 
Patterned Paper: Dots & Stripes 6x6 pad (Echo Park) 
Stamps: Day Dreams and Great Day stamps (Penny Black) 
Ink: Memento Ink in Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko) 
Markers: Sketch Markers in RV11, R39, Y08, BG10, and G24 (Copic) 
Scallop Sentiment Edge Punch (Fiskars) 
White Pen: Signo Broad (Uni-ball) 

Watch video below | Watch at YouTube | See Supplies Used

Congrats to baersgarten the winner of last week's challenge to use Caroline's sketch.  A credit to your Two Peas account will be applied to your account shortly for your next shopping trip here at Two Peas!

Be sure to check out this week's color palette challenge with Jen Martakis:

my name:  Lynn Ghahary

scrapbook size:  12 x 12 and 8 1/2 x 11 - I consider myself an equal opportunity scrapper!  ;)

camera: Nikon D300

music:  Eclectic - from Black Eyed Peas to Adele I love it all!

work space:  Neat, clean, and organized (for the most part!). ;)

style:  Colorful, clean, with lots of fun little details.

1 or 2 pages:  1 and 2 pages - whatever fits my needs!

color preference:  I'm a color junkie and love 'em all!  Although I will say the brighter the better!  

favorite product type:  Most definitely patterned paper! 

childhood ambition:  To be a Lawyer - I used to watch People's Court every day when I was younger and picture myself arguing each person's case to Judge Wapner.

fondest memory:  The moment each one of my boys came into this world. 

soundtrack:  Hmmm ... I'm not a real soundtrack person.  Last one that I can remember really listening to was Pulp Fiction (oh boy - did I just age myself or what?!?). 

retreat:  The ocean.  Preferably seen from the beaches of Maui.  ;)

wildest dream:  To move down south, but we have too much family here in NJ to leave! 

proudest moment:  My boys continually make me one proud mama! 

biggest challenge:  Finding time to accomplish everything on my "to do" list.  And realizing it's okay to leave some items unchecked til tomorrow (and the next day, and the next!).  

alarm clock:  My oldest son Darian - he's an early riser and makes sure to get me up every morning at 6:30am whether I like it or not!

perfect day:  Honestly just spending time enjoying my family is the perfect day for me!

first job:  A cashier at R.J. Mars (a kind of everything store). 

indulgence:  I am hopelessly addicted to McDonald's fountain Coke.  I know I am drinking an entire day's worth of calories when I have one but I can't help myself!

last purchase:  Scrappywise - Lots of goodies from the My Mind's Eye Lime Twist collection (love the colors!).  Otherwise - Some new tees for the summer from Banana Republic.

favorite movie:  Pretty Woman.  Love that movie - always have, always will!

inspiration:  Everywhere!  I am constantly inspired by the world around me.  

my life:  Amazing.  And so very blessed.

debut Garden layout:

my name:  Jill Sprott

scrapbook size: 12 x 12 (mostly) and 8 1/2 x 11 (sometimes)

camera: Canon Digital Rebel XTi

music: Music is with me always and everywhere (and even when I’m silent, there’s a song in my head -- such as the annoying theme song for “Johnny Test” right now).  My playlists often include Death Cab for Cutie, The Strokes, The Naked and Famous, Ra Ra Riot, Vampire Weekend, The Morning Benders, Jason Mraz, Lenka, The Submarines, Gwen Stefani, Weezer, and The Weepies.  For starters. 

work space:I work amidst colorful clutter on a desk in the corner of our living room.  It used to be a corner, actually, but I’ve encroached on at least 1/4 of the room.  I’m fine with limited space; if I had more, I’d likely just fill it with even more stuff. 

style: I like to think of my style in terms of convergence: I try to bring together words and images along with “telling” bits and pieces until they are all speaking the same language, telling the same story, resonating.  I’m BIG on color and layers.    

1 or 2 pages:Usually one page. 

color preference: Maybe it’s the island influence, but in my closet and in my paper preferences, I tend to gravitate toward oceanic colors, likes blues, greens, and sandy browns and yellows.  Green is my absolute favorite color, but I do love the pop that red can bring to a layout, too. 

favorite product type: Easily, patterned paper!   

childhood ambition: I wanted to be a writer, but I spent a lot of time “playing school” as well.  Is it any wonder that I turned out to be an English teacher? 

fondest memory: Seeing my daughter for the first time after she was born still brings back a sense of overwhelming awe and disbelief.  She was even more beautiful than I imagined she would be.  I knew that seeing her would be an unforgettable moment, but I was unprepared for how everything would suddenly come into focus, and how the rest of the world would blur in comparison to her precious self.  That moment reoriented me. 

soundtrack: Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog

retreat: The best escape is in bed with a good book. 

wildest dream: Since we’re currently in the process of becoming home-owners, I suppose my wildest dream at the moment is actually owning a house and turning it into a “real” home for us.  It still feels so far away.  

proudest moment: I’m not sure, but I know that learning to prepare a perfect roast turkey with gravy is definitely on the list. 

biggest challenge: One of my biggest challenges is letting go of fear.  I’m a worrywart.  

alarm clock: 5:20 a.m. on weekdays; since I find it hard to sleep when I’m annoyed, I keep it tuned to a channel with two DJs who irritate me to no end.  On weekends, the pets on my bed are my alarm clock, mewling and tapping me with their paws until I wake up to feed them.  

perfect day: That would include sleeping in while it rains outside, waking to blue skies and heading to the North Shore for salsa and enchiladas at Cholo’s, followed by an afternoon of scrapping (without getting mist all over myself) while my husband cuts the grass and my daughter washes the dog.  After an evening movie (a witty, smartly written romcom that even my husband likes), the day ends with all of us (including the clean dog) watching Top Chef and playing Scrabble.  Before bed, I’m reminded that it’s a three-day weekend, so I can sleep in again.  Perfect. 

first job: My first real paycheck was earned shelving books at a public library. 

indulgence: Calvin Klein dresses.  

last purchase:Instead of purchasing plane tickets so that we could go on vacation this summer, we purchased a reconstructed ligament for our dog. That’s love. 

favorite movie: Just one?  I could watch the most recent version of “Pride and Prejudice” over and over again (and I do).  

inspiration:My family is a wellspring of love and laughter, so there’s always inspiration there.  Creatively speaking, I’m inspired by fashion photography (even though I usually live in jeans and tees), scrappy blogs, and online galleries.  I also find that walking through an office supply store or a craft store does great things for my mojo. 

my life: Colorful. 

debut Garden project:

This week I have an 8 1/2x11 layout to share. I had a few requests for this size of layout and I wanted to stretch my wings a bit. It's been awhile since I've created a smaller size layout and I was pleasantly surprised at just how fun this layout was to create! I believe you will be seeing more 8 1/2x11 pages in the near future! 

The circle "grid" at the top of the page was created with the Silhouette. (Design from Silhouette Online Store: large_circle_pattern_1565). The piece was misted with Mister Huey white ink for distressing. I used 1.25" circle stickers and punched circles behind the "windows" of the design. 

The photos in the photo border are all 2x3". 

The title is also from the Silhouette Online Store (the_great_escape_C00962_19547). 

CHALLENGE: Try a page size that you don't normally do (8x8, 12x12, 9x9, 8.5x11, 6x12, etc.) 

*This challenge runs from July 6, 2011 - July 13, 2011.* 

Watch video below | Watch on YouTube | See Related Products

my name:  Jenny Chesnick aka Chez

scrapbook size:3D

camera: Nikon D90

music: Pandora, you never know which channel I am going to be on.

work space:  Clean & Organized.  I also share the room with my husband.  Man cave on the left, creative corner to the right.

style:  clean, minimal, dimensional with a splash of clutter

1 or 2 pages:1 page

color preference: bright & bold.  Yellow is my favorite color.

favorite product type: micro beads & twine, I am so addicted.

childhood ambition: To go to design school.  That never happened, but somehow I turned out being creative anyway.  I would love to go back, but the thought of school just kills it for me.

fondest memory: spending the holidays at my grandma’s house.  I loved hanging with all my cousins and playing pranks on each other.  I miss the food and the smells and the safe cozy feeling of home sweet home.

soundtrack: GLEE!

retreat: Girls Weekend! There is nothing better than spending a few days with just the girls no matter what you are doing

wildest dream: To travel the world without a cell phone

proudest moment: When I was promoted at my job.  Being successful in everything I do is important to me.  I was very proud of myself as was my family.

biggest challenge: Answering my cell phone.  Seriously, I hate talking on the phone.  Unless you are my “person” I can only have one person at a time.

alarm clock:  I have two alarms set on my phone , plus my husbands, PLUS him kicking me to wake up.  I can sleep through atomic alarm clocks and earthquakes.

perfect day:  sleep, food, scrap, nap, food, sleep.  Maybe not in that exact order.

first job: My first job was at Del Taco a fast food joint in California.  It was by far the most fun ever!  How is it when you are young you think it’s terrible and now that I *have* to go to work I miss having a silly fun job.

indulgence:  Vampire, Werewolves, Elves, Witches with a side of Shapeshifter novels.

last purchase:  dog food, is that lame or what?  Scrapbooking related a whole ton of Divine Twine!

favorite movie: Just Friends.  My husband and I still laugh and quote this movie to death.

inspiration:  random objects and mostly not scrapbooking related.  I have dreams of something crazy I want to do and when I wake up I say to my husband “So I had this idea” that is usually followed by ughhhhh what now?!

my life:  runs on dunkin and lived through my view finder. It’s a mystery to me, but my friends have me down pat.

debut Garden project:

my name:Jaime Warren

scrapbook size:typically 12x12

camera:Canon 5d Mark II

music: A little bit of everything - from The Avett Brothers & Mumford & Sons to William Fitzsimmons & Chiodos.

work space:I have an office that houses my scrappy stuff and my photography business plus my girls' art stuff - but sometimes I scrap in the living room and catch up on my favorite shows!

style:This is always hard for me to answer!!  It's all over the place - I love to cluster embellies, splatter on mist and tear things!

1 or 2 pages: I'm definitely a 1 page kind of girl, but, I have created some 2 pagers lately that I'm pretty proud of!

color preference:The more the better in my opinion - my favorite color combos are yellow & grey and yellow & egg robin blue. 

favorite product type:Patterned paper and pop dots!

childhood ambition:To be a photographer or a writer.

fondest memory: Our first trip to the mountains as a family - it was the day we found our true home.

soundtrack: All of the Harry Potters...yes, I'm a dork.

retreat:The mountains.

wildest dream:To take my photography world wide.

proudest moment:Witnessing my girls' accomplishments...finishing our first year of homeschool.

biggest challenge: Keeping up lol!

alarm clock:I rarely set one.

perfect day:Camping and hiking.  Reading a book in front of a waterfall.

first job:Cashier at Winn Dixie!

indulgence:Bath & Body products - soaps, scrubs, bubble bath...love it all!

last purchase: Some new whipped soaps lol!

favorite movie:You guessed it...all of the Harry Potters! ;)

inspiration:Life.

my life:Is always chaotic and moving faster than I am - but I love it.

debut garden layout:

Congrats to bridgetthoward the winner of last week's photo challenge "Spark."  A credit to your Two Peas account will be applied to your account shortly for your next shopping trip here at Two Peas!

Be sure to check out this week's challenge, "Round and Round" with Garden Girl Kandis Smith for your chance to win!

Happy Friday, all! 

For this week's Finally Friday card, I wanted to use one of Maya Road's chipboard butterflies and put patterned paper behind it. I "painted" the chipboard by pressing an ink pad onto it, and eventually smeared Stickles glitter over the top surface. 

CHALLENGE 
Create a card with chipboard on it. Upload your card to the TwoPeas gallery and select this week's Finally Friday challenge. 

SUPPLIES 

Patterned Paper: Out of Print 6x6 pad (BasicGrey)* 
Stamps: Flower Dot Cling stamp (Hero Arts / BasicGrey)* 
Ink: VersaMark (Tsukineko)*, Fluid Chalk Ink (Colorbox)* 
Embossing Powder: White Zing (American Crafts)* 
Glitter: Diamond Stickles (Ranger)* 
Marker: VersaMarker (Tsukineko) 
White Pen: Signo Broad (Uni-ball)* 

 

I used a simple block design for this layout sketch. You can use either photos or paper blocks for each of the rectangles. I used 3 photos and 3 paper blocks. 

I loved the vibe of Austin and these Basic Grey Life of the Party and Studio Calico State Fair papers reminded me of it, so I chose to use a mixture of those products for this layout! 

Your challenge: Follow this sketch in your project and upload to the member gallery. Check the challenge checkbox while uploading to have your layout display below the challenge, and watch here on the Garden Girl blog next Friday for the announcement of the winner of a $5 gift certificate.

A new lesson has been added to our free, monthly class Scrapbook Stamping with Nichol Magouirk.   This lesson is all about creating custom background images using your stamps.

Check out this month's lesson, including a video and printable instruction sheet, and all of the class content from the class page here. 

A new lesson has been added to our free, monthly class 4x6 Photo Love with Shimelle Laine.   Each month another photo is added, making it 6 photos covered in this lesson.

Check out this month's lesson, including a video and printable instruction sheet, and all of the class content from the class page here.