Spring Break. And the flu.

Spring Break was suddenly upon us this year, and since we had already planned a nice quiet week, we decided to go to Chicago.  (What?!?)  Because, that's what you do when you have five kids... You spontaneously drive two hours to meet up with cousins (who only live 30 minutes away in real life) to stay the night in a hotel with a pool.  Then you drive another hour into a big city to ride the subway, take pictures of your reflection in the Bean, and eat hot dogs.  With a one-year-old who will miss her naps.

Actually, it was fantastic.  The weather was amazing, so walking around the city was great fun, even for Jojo in the stroller.  We took a break in Millenium Park to let her crawl around, and at one point we stumbled across a city playground that all five enjoyed.  We walked past a huge construction zone down by the Lake where the city is building an enormous new park with climbing walls, play areas, and picnic space; the kids are already planning to go back in a couple years to spend a day there!

And then, the flu.  Out of no where.  Only Hubs escaped it.  And it was vicious.  Shudder.  So the first week back to school happened without several of my children.  I hear it's really going around...  But, we're all better now, and all back to school, so it seems that I should probably disinfect the house and catch up on laundry (and do some of the hundred or so projects on my list).

Instead, I'll show you the sketches from the last two weeks!

Sketch 339

Double-Decker Grilled Cheese digital scrapbook layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kits: It's a Good Life by Just Jaimee, Enjoy the Everyday by Mommyish; Sketch: 339 by Scrapbook Challenges; Fonts: You Are Loved, Carbon Type

Sketch 340

You Make My Heart Sing digital scrapbook layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Storyteller Collab by Scrap Orchard for Persnickety Prints; Font: Caitlyn

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I Used to Post Things Here...A Recap

Once upon a time, I thought it would be cool to have a blog.  And I tried.  And I failed.  So I tried again.  And it seems that writing anything on a regular basis is just *not* who I was meant to be.

So, in the spirit of total haphazardness (if that's a word), I bring you a recap of the last month.  A little bit of life happened:

Zombies and Aliens invaded for the Story Laboratory Book Fair at school...

The youngest-among-us turned one!

And Easter happened...

Then, there were some Sketches:

Sketch 335

Competition Swim digital scrapbook layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Graph & Dot Paper, Banner, Paint: Me by Misty Cato; Stripe Paper, Journal Card, Flag, Tape, Love This Word Art: You Are My Happy by Sweet Shoppe Designs; Number Border, Memories Word Art, Staples: Today 2.0 by Mari Koegelenberg; Waves Border: Seaside Retreat by Mommyish; Alpha: Varsity by Lisa Sisneros; Sketch: 335 by Scrapbook Challenges; Fonts: Marcelle Script, Traveling Typewriter

Sketch 336

Lab Zombie digital scrapbook layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Paper, Skull, Dotted Ribbon: I Love Rock & Roll by Connie Prince; Alpha, Bookplate, Ribbons, Splat: Urban Wasteland by Angie Kovas and BZB Designs; Stitching: Machine Stitched Sampler by Traci Reed; Sketch: 336 by Scrapbook Challenges; Font: Carbon Type

Sketch 337

Zombie digital scrapbook layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Paper, Edges: Today 2.0 by Mari Koegelenberg; Stitching: Little Sew and Sew by Erica Zane; Edge Border: Painted Border Freebie by Just Jaimee; Paper Tear, Staples: Gunhild Storeide; Sketch: 337 by Scrapbook Challenges; Fonts: Grant's Ghosts, Carbon Type

Sketch 338

Double

One digital scrapbook layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Feelin' Peppy by Just Jaimee; Banner: Take My Picture by Just Jaimee; Flowers: Kalea Bits #7 by Creashens; Sketch: 338 by Scrapbook Challenges; Font: Caitlyn

And much, much more.  Someday, maybe I'll find time to post about that, too...

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SBC Sketch 333

This week's sketch release at Scrapbook Challenges turned out to be quite a challenge for some of us!  But, if you're a storyteller, this is right up your alley...

If you click over to the SBC Blog, you can see what the other DT members have done with the sketch, but I'm warning you that we're a sappy bunch this week!  This quantity of journaling seems to have brought out our collective sentimental side.  Which is cool...some photos require that kind of treatment.  Here's my take:

5 Days in September digital scrapbook layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Paper, Tape, Arrows: Little Boy by Pure Scrap; Stethescope, Thermometer, Bracelet, Red Cross, Word Art: Bumps & Bruises by Miss Mint; Brads, Ribbon, Ink: This Life: September by Penny Springmann; Paper Tears: Gunhild Storeide; Sketch: 333 by Scrapbook Challenges; Fonts: Impact, Underwood Champion

This is a long-awaited redo of one of my first paper pages.  I got as far as taping down the photo and some word bits, but never wrote the story...which is kind of the important part of this layout.  You can click to enlarge it if you care to read the journaling.

And then, because I can be kind of an over-acheiver, I decided to whip up a second page!   I went way less literal on this take, but honestly, it shows the range that you can acheive with a sketch like this:

100 digital scrapbook layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Paper, Flower: With All My Heat by Juliana Kneipp; Journal Card, Bird Card, Glasses, Leaf, Lace, Tag, Tea Stains, Alpha: This Life: September by Penny Springmann; Bingo card: Fly Away With Me Collab by Sweet Shoppe Designs; Tickets, Buttons: This Carefree Day by Sahlin Studio; Sketch: 333 by Scrapbook Challenges; Font: Underwood Champion

If you look closely, the structure of the sketch is very much present in this layout.  I've just subbed out some of the journaling with extra (granny-chic!) embellishments.  That, to me, it the joy of sketches, especially very minimal ones like this...being able to play on the elements that grab your attention and letting your own creativity do the rest!


P.S.  SBC didn't miss Sketch 332...I did!  I hadn't done a layout with is, so I forgot to blog it!  You should still check it out, though!

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SBC Sketch 331

Our normal Monday sketch release was postponed this week because a tornado touched down in the town where SBC owner Brynn Marie lives.  Thankfully, her family is safe and her home was remarkably undamaged...but many in Hattiesburg were not so fortunate.  As we enjoy our weekend, let's please remember those trying to salvage and rebuild.

* * *

It is perfect, however, to release the lovely Sketch 331 for Valentine's Day!  Frilly and dainty in its details, this sketch only needs a single, special photo to complete it.

Click over to the blog and see what the talented design team has done...but in the meantime, here's my page!

Anna at Four digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kits: This is Why Collab by Design House Digital for Persnickety Prints; Kinda Awesome by Jennifer Barrette; Stitching: In Stitches by Robyn Meierotto; Sketch: 331 by Scrapbook Challenges; Font: Carbon Type

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SBC Sketch 330

Yeah, so I'm really out of practice with the blogging thing.  Like I totally missed the Monday sketch reveal at SBC.  #fail

And it's a super awesome one, too!  Check this out:

Right?  How sweet are all those tags?  Honestly.  There are so many ways you could take this, it's just amazing.  You should click over here and see what the Sketch Crew did with it, because I think they had fun!  Here's mine...

Crazy Boy digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: The Stache by Creations by Rachael B; Tags: Cool Change by Mye deLeon; Journal Card: Favorite Things 2 by Gennifer Bursett; Word Bubble: Photo Booth Fun Photo Props Add-On by Digital Design Essentials; Flairs: Fun Flairs: Rad by Megan Turnidge; Brushes: Stamp Sheet {Boy} by Karla Dudley, Fun & Fancy Splatter Brushes 1 by Pink Reptile Designs; Sketch: 330 by Scrapbook Challenges; Font: Underwood Champion

I've had this 'stache kit just chillin' in my...well, stash!...waiting for the perfect page to come begging.  Yup.  This was it.  There are several different kits and designers that all mashed up here, but it's about that crazy boy of mine.  Lurve that child...

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SCB Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Scrapbook Challenges Blog Hop! You're going to have a wonderfully inspiring trip through the interweb with this one...we have a fantastic sketch for you and the new Design Team has done amazing things with it!  If you get lost along the way, just  click back over to SBC for the full list of stops.

In case we haven't met, I'm Chanell, the Sketch Coordinator for SBC.  This marks my fifth term here, and I'm loving every minute of it!  If you ever have questions about what we do or how it happens, just holler...I'm around the site quite a bit. 

Seems this is also marks my {totally unremarkable} return to blogging.  Apparently, I haven't posted on this poor blog since, like, JUNE.  So, I'd love it if you wanted to follow me...and I promise to actually update content again!  Hahahaha!

OK, back to business.  THE SKETCH.  Is awesome.

I love everything about this sketch, done by our fearless leader Brynn Marie, especially how she layered the center bands.  You could do such funky things with that!  I actually went the "pretty" route with it this time, hauling out an old photo...

Love One Another digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Happy Celebration by SMJ Designs; Lace, Stitching: Shabby Sweet by BZB Designs; Alpha: Foam Stamp Alpha by Sahlin Studio; Sketch: Scrapbook Challenges; Fonts: Stamping Nico, Chanell's Handwriting

Look at those baby faces!  *Sigh*  These three are now 11, 9 and 7... Crazy.  This was a really fun page to scrap, though, and it fell together in a snap.  I love doing layouts that play on the balance of masculine (geometric shapes, dark colors) and feminine (curves, florals, pastels).

And now, for the *really* fun stuff: THE PRIZES!

1.  The HOP ON PRIZE for completing a layout based on the hop sketch and posting it to the Hop On thread at SBC.  Such gorgeousness...

2.  The NEW MEMBER PRIZE for one randomly chosen member who joins SBC this weekend!  Wowza!

3.  THE INSTAGRAM PRIZE for one follower and an additional IG user they tag. Oooh! Aaah!

Swoon.  I know you're excited now!  So, off with you!  Hop on, scrappers!  I can't wait to see your work in the galleries!

Your next stop is with Kristine.

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Hot Pink Faux Hawk

Yesterday was Pup's official birthday, and for a present, big bro #2 did this:

Faux Hawk digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits: Neon Love by Yellow Butterfly; Sketch: The Instinctive Scrapper; Fonts: Underwood Champion, You Are Loved

I was digging through my stash for a different kit and ran across this neon stuff, and I couldn't resist immediately scrapping these pictures!  And, bonus, I got to use another of my Pinterest-inspired sketches for it!

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Dear Ole Dad

I was happy to guest CT for a new kit called "Dear Ole Dad" that Nibbles Skribbles has released at Digital Scrapbooking Studio, just in time for Father's Day.

It's an adorable kit with a great mix of light and dark colors, perfect for all the men in your life (both young and old)!  It was the *perfect* collection for these old pics of Pup on Daddy's shoulders...just look at how their blue eyes shine!

On Daddy's Shoulders digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Dear Ole Dad by Nibbles Skribbles; Sketch: The Instinctive Scrapper; Fonts: Grant's Ghosts, Underwood Champion

Click over and pick it up today!

P.S.  I finally got a chance with this layout to use one of my own Pinterest-Inspired Sketches!  Check it out!

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Be on the SC Design Team!

Scrapbook Challenges is having our semi-annual Design Team call!  All the information is available here at the SC blog.  You have until June 16 to fill out the online application form and do a layout based on this sketch:

It's a super-versatile sketch.  I went the clean-and-simple route with this one...

Happiness digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Cherish Mini Kit by Megan Turnridge; Digital Elements: Autumnal Elements by Erica Coombs; Word Art:  Meadowlark Word Art Mini by One Little Bird; Overlay: Weathered Overlays 2 by Celeste Knight; Sketch: Brynn Marie for Scrapbook Challenges; Font: I Love Derwin

This is definitely a team you want to be part of!  I've been here for about 18 months, and I love it.  It's a wonderful, encouraging group of scrappers and the pace is enough to keep me inspired but let me live my life, too!  If you've ever considered being part of a design team, I highly recommend filling out the application today!

Good luck!

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SC Sketch Round-Up

It's time for another rousing rendition of Scrapbook Challenges Sketch Round-Up!  Which really only means that I haven't posted any sketches in a while, and I need to appease my guilt about it!  As always, sketches are linked to the SC forums and you can click to enlarge... So, here goes!

Sketch 291

 Direction digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Papers: Be Unique by Karen Funk; Word Art: balancinghome.com; Embellishments: Direction Elements by Robyn Meierotto; Clipping Masks: Cut It Out by Robyn Meierotto; Brad: Simply Boyish by Karen Funk; Sketch: 291 by Scrapbook Challenges; Font: Lithos Pro

Sketch 293 Double

Waterboys digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Sports-Football by Sahlin Studio; Sketch: 293 by Scrapbook Challenges; Font: Underwood Champion

Sketch 294

Cozy Together digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kits: Yesterday's Jam by One Story Down, iNSD 2012 Collab by MScraps; Clipping Mask: Cut It Out by Robyn Meierotto; Sketch: 294 by Scrapbook Challenges; Font: Courtney Dorkling

Sketch 295

Six Candles digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Lined Paper: Line It Up by Amy Martin; Patterned Papers: DayGlo by Shannon Hegarty; Elements, Alpha: Hoppy Birthday Collab by The Lilypad; Sketch: 295 by Scrapbook Challenges; Font: Traveling Typewriter

Sketch 296 Double

You're My Happiness digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Retrospect by Design House Digitals; Kraft Paper: Whiteout Papers by Audrey Neal; Journal Cards: Favorite Things 2 by Gennifer Bursett; Sketch: 296 by Scrapbook Challenges; Fonts: Gill Sans MT Condensed, Carbon Type

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NSD Blog Hop Reveal

Sorry for the delay on this...it was supposed to auto-publish three days ago, and I just realized it didn't!!

Time for the big reveal!  If you followed the full hop and gathered all the puzzle pieces, *this* is what you should have put together:

And *this* is what I did with it:

Sweet Smirk digital scrapbooking layout by Chanell Rigterink Credits Digital Kit: Nummy Buddies by Lauren Grier; Sketch: Scrapbook Challenges; Font: Trash Hand

Click over to the Reveal Forum at Scrapbook Challenges to see what the rest of the Design Team created!  Thanks for stopping by!

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