Old Skool

Hey there!
I'm starting to create more layouts just for me and a lot of the prompt challenges I like to frequent work just as well for "me" layouts as the traditional family, kids, vacations, etc. layouts. So, when I saw the prompt on The Pink Ninjas this week, "Old Skool", I immediately thought of MY o-o-o-o-l-l-l-l-d school pics.

This is my FIRST GRADE class picture! Aaaaaaah!!! In the pic I'm only 6 months older than my son is now!!! Wow, really puts things into perspective. This is one of the last school pics until late Jr. High that I think I look cute because I got glasses in second grade and you know how those early 80s HUMUNGO, plastic kids' glasses looked! (Got contacts when I was 13!)

I'm soooo loving the color scheme on this layout, too. It's this week's SPCC color combo:

AND, I used this week's Sketchy Thursday sketch:

(Have I MENTIONED I absolutely L-O-V-E the Sketchy Thursday challenge site???!!!)

And how perfect are the school and bicycle stamps from this month's KOTM from Unity Stamp Co?!!

And, boy, when I started piling on the challenges for this layout, I REALLY PILED ON the challenges.

There's hand stitching for the Memories Always-Forever Stitching Challenge. And there are flipped letters in my title ("o", "d", "k", and "l") for the MAF Wacky Wednesday Challenge. I intended to also get the MAF Stamp Your Layout Challenge in on this, too, but realized 2 of my 3 stamped images are in black ink. Oh, well. I'll try for that one again later!

And, I was FINALLY able to complete a SPCC Finally Friday Challenge - fancy borders. (LOVE these Doodlebug borders, just don't use them that often, go figure.) I've fully intended to participate in the Finally Friday challenge each week as they've all been AWESOME but for some reason they never seem to make it on my layouts in time.

And, since I was already piling the challenges on, OF COURSE, I had to get Pile It On's challenge in there, too!! "Good Things Come in 3s." There are 3 rhinestones in my flower border, the 3 main colors (orange, hot pink, and turquoise) are repeated several times throughout, three wavy lines on the left border, and there are 3 stamped images (school, bike, flourish). Three is such a magic number when it comes to design.

Whew! That's SEVEN challenges in one layout! I'm kinda impressed with myself. Tee hee!

Details: Paper - We R Memory Keepers, Stampin' Up!, The Paper Co.; Stamps - Unity Stamp Co., Autumn Leaves; StazOn ink; Stampendous embossing powder; Pressed Petals chip chatter chipboard alpha; Doodlebug Design Inc. paper frills; K&Company rhinestones; Making Memories clip; We R Memory Keepers cardstock shapes; Ranger Stickles; Zig Milennium pen; Bic Mark It! marker; DMC floss.

Of course, I can't forget to mention (ahem) the AWE-HA-HAWSOME sponsor and prize for this week's SPCC Color Challenge. Once again, iCopic.com has GENEROUSLY donated another AMAZING Copics prize:

Copic Ciao - Set of 8 Craft Manga Muted Colors Marker Kit + 1 Multiliner Pen. This set retails for nearly $40!!

OK, off to reorganize my craft area. I've been negligent in cleaning up after every project this week so the room looks like it exploded. I have soooooo many stamps to clean, too, mostly from my "I Adore You" collage layout. You can kinda see on this layout the price you pay if you don't clean your stamps as you go...there's some black ink mixed in with the orange on the flourish. Shame on me!!

Have a great Tuesday!

Heidi