Under 'de Sea

Well howdy crafters! Hope you're all well and, if you're in the UK, enjoying both the fantastic weather and tremendous performances of our Olympians!

Sorry it's been sooooo long since there was a post from me, but the end of the summer term brought the usual frenetic madness to Casa Mia, and then we flew straight off on a holiday of a lifetime to Orlando, Florida to "do" the theme parks! I think everything that could go wrong did in our first 24 hours, from a suitcase being damaged on arrival, to there not being a live booking for us at the car rental company, 2 out of 3 credit cards being declined at the supermarket to my mobile going in to "lost/stolen" mode!!!!!!! Anyway, by the time we got most of these sorted out on our second day (the hire car took several emails overnight and then 2 hours of me being rather assertive before we left with a car for the remainder of our holiday!) we were ready to go a have fun with Mickey & Co., plus going to the many other parks in the area.


There were so many highlights, from accompanying "adrenaline junkie" eldest bambino on the most terrifying rollercoasters I think I've ever seen, to the magical parades at the Magic Kingdom, "mum dancing" with Mr Incredible (fortunately there are no photos of that one ;o)!) and the most amazing time swimming with Okai the dolphin at Discovery Cove.

Phew, think I've come back home for a rest because we sure had an action packed 2 weeks away!



Today sees the start of a new challenge time at Feeling Sketchy and as usual we've got a great sketch for you.


Our sponsor this time is the lovely Nikky and team from Polkadoodles who are offering the lucky winner of this challenge a prize. And even if you're not our winner, go and check out the website as there are always some great offers on ....... !

So here's the sketch:

and here's my project using it:

I've compiled a digital layout, featuring some holiday snaps ;o) !

My layout recipe is as follows:

• Base layer - is the Wood Paper from Marisa Lerin's Coastal Papers Kit available at Pixel Scrapper
• Photograph Frames - are from the July 2015 Crafter's Companion Club Inspire monthly download called Sea Breeze. Into these frames, inserted some photos from our holiday: from left to right, going "Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid" ride at Disney's Magic Kingdom, a Disney "stock" photo from our PhotoPass of Ariel in the "Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade", and the 2 Bambinos on a "meet and greet" with Ariel in her clam shell. I then digitally layered the frames together and added a shadow to make them stand out from the wood paper.
• Starfish Brad - is another element from the Club Inspire monthly download Sea Breeze. I've just layered this onto the paper, and added a shadow underneath it.
• Journal Card - is also from the Sea Breeze download. I've added a blank text box over the top of the journal card and then added the wording so it sits within the lines of the card.

This sketch is perfect for both scrapbookers and cardmakers alike, but if you're in need of further inspiration, then do head over to the challenge blog and see the other great creations (both cards and layouts) by my wonderful teamies. I hope that I've inspired you to play along at Feeling Sketchy - don't forget that you can change the shapes of elements and rotate the sketch to suit your project ... we just need to see that you've been inspired by sketch! We'll be back with our next challenge on 1st September 2016.

I have been inspired by and would like to enter the following challenges:

• Cookie Challenge #50 - Photo Inspiration at If you Give a Crafter a Cookie - I've been inspired by the colours and also the flame haired mermaid; it looks like Ariel might be her twin ;o) !!!!!!!!!!
• #35 August Challenge - Anything Goes at Not Just Cards
• Photo Challenge at Make My Monday
• Challenge #40 - Anything But a Card at Crafting Musketeers
• Challenge #325 - Always Anything Goes at Craft Your Passion

I'll be along later with another challenge post - no holiday photos though, promise!!!!!

Whatever you're up to today, I hope you have fun.

Hugs, Helen x