My Mind's Eye Blog

November Sketch Challenge

 

It's sketch time again! I am here today to share with you a fun layout with many tiny layers. There are two photos but turn that one larger photo into two smallers ones.  There's a large circle underneath the photo which could be patterned paper, paint, ink, etc!  

I added lots of little layers, like triangles, arrows, circles, and banners.  The important thing about adding little layers is grouping them together, overlapping on occassion. 

Remember...you are interpreting the sketch so feel free to rotate the sketch or change out the one photo for multiple photos.  Envision the pieces and see how you can make the sketch your own with embellishments, paint, patterned paper, and other wonderful My Mind's Eye products. 

 Supplies: Jubilee: Tangerine - Adventure 'Be Daring' Paper; Tangerine - Awesome Mixed Bag, Tangerine - Story: Journal Cards; Wildberry - Today: Flair; Wildberry - Life: Mixed Bag, Enamel Dots; Wildberry - Hey You:  Rubons; Wildberry - Wonder: Chipboard; Other: Stencil: TCW And So On & Positive, Ranger Ink: Archival Ink, Distress Ink;

I had a lot of fun creating this layout! I started with the big circle on the background. I used a variety of distress inks and archival inks with the stencil. I added another stencil layer over top using black ink.  I then layered the patterned paper on the background and placed my photos on top. I cut the background and layered it on the patterned paper to have that pop of woodgrain at the top.  

I then began all the small layers on top of the photos.  First i placed the "hello" journal card over the top of the photo of my darling grandbaby. I like the layers to touch to ground them.  

Repeating elements are also a good design element. I repeated elements like triangles, arrows, circles, and banners.  Here you can see the circles overlapping.  

I also repeated colors around my page using the "flair" as my inspiration. Black is also grounding so you can see it scattered around my page.  I love the big bold title of "1 2 3 Love" around the page.  I finished my page with a little journaling around the title! 

Okay. Now it's your turn.

A random winner will be chosen and shared with our December challenge on Monday, December 1 . You have until the end of the day on Sunday, November 30 to share your project.

Please link your sketch via the InLinkz tool at the bottom of this post. Your layout must feature MME products. Only one entry per participant, please. The prize is any MME collection.

Have fun and good luck!

 

An InLinkz Link-up

October Sketch Challenge

Hi, it's Ronda here today!  For this month's sketch, we are using 3 small photos with lots of layers around them.  The photos are 3" x 2" but of course you can change those to fit your needs.  Lots of circles on this sketch, 7 of them, tucked in and around the photos creating balance and movement!  The title anchors the bottom photo while the journaling is on strips to the right of the photo grouping. 

Remember...you are interpreting the sketch so feel free to rotate the sketch or change out the one photo for multiple photos.  Envision the pieces and see how you can make the sketch your own with embellishments, paint, patterned paper, and other wonderful My Mind's Eye products. 

Supplies:  Just Saying: Posies Glittered Paper, Mixed Bag, Transparencies, Chipboard, Enamel Dots;  Jubilee: Wild Berry - Today 'Flair'; Record it!: Follow Your Heart - Journaling Kit; Other: Watercolors, Ranger Ink: Gesso, Archival Ink, Black Paint, TCW Stencil: Positive, Thread. 

I started with the "b" side of the Just Staying Posies Glittered Paper.  I love the pattern and color but decided to tone them down with a gesso wash across the paper.  I love that you can see the patterned paper peeking through the piece.  I then added some watercolors on top of the gesso.  

I then begin layering the photos and the transparency sheet.  I love that light tone on tone transparencies. The next layers where added above and below the photos to give it lots of texture but every thing touches.

I added another transparency, an arrow, pointing to my photos.  I layered the circles on top of the transparency but behind the photo.  

I used a die cut from the mixed bag items.  On top of the flowers, I added another circle, the flair.  I layered thread on top for even more texture.  

Lastly along with the strips of journaling, i added the title to the bottom of the photo.  I love the glitter script font.  The big bold title really grounded the photos and the page.  

I invited design team member Tamara to play along this month and here's what she came up with!

Supplies:Jubilee - Tangerine: Triangle patterned paper, 6x6 paper pad (orange and yellow), transparent frames, decorative brads, mixed bag; Jubilee - Wildberry: Flair pins; Misc: Black ink and pen, foam tape, orange thread, white cardstock, Mr. Huey's Color Mist: Heirloom Blue and Sunshine

Tamara says:What a fun sketch to use!  The collage style and circle motifs reminded me of the spinning motion of the Astro Orbiter ride in Disneyland's Tommorrowland.  I sprayed blue and yellow spray inks on the white cardstock for the background of my layout.

 

I used the "My Kind if Day" transparency frame for the focal point and title of my layout - perfect for this magical Disney Day. There are so many wonderful transparencies in the "Fantastic Transparent Frames" set - it was hard to choose just one!  I framed the two smaller photos with the "polaroid" frames from the Mixed Bag. 

 

I cut circles from the 6x6 papers, stitched around them, and layered them with the photos. I love all the bright colors in the triangle paper.  The pattern made it really easy to draw and cut out an arrow shape.

 

I finished my page with brads, journaling strips, date label, and captions from the mixed bag.  I love how the flair pins from the Jubilee Wildberry collection coordinated so well with the Tangerine line.

I can't wait to see the creations you make with this sketch!

Okay. Now it's your turn.

A random winner will be chosen and shared with our November challenge on Monday, November 3   . You have until the end of the day on Sunday , November 2 to share your project.

Please link your sketch via the InLinkz tool at the bottom of this post. Your layout must feature MME products. Only one entry per participant, please. The prize is any MME collection.

Have fun and good luck!

 

An InLinkz Link-up

June Sketch Challenge

 

Hi, it's Ronda here today!  For this month's sketch, i thought we'd go small.  3 small photos that is!  These photos really become the focal point when stacked on a large mat of patterned paper.  Use up your stash to create the banner floating across the photos!

Remember...you are interpreting the sketch so feel free to rotate the sketch or change out the small photos for one large photo.  Envision the pieces and see how you can make the sketch your own with embellishments, paint, patterned paper, and other wonderful My Mind's Eye products. Supplies:  Now & Then:  Dorothy - Wild & Free Mixed Bag, Enamel Dots; Dorothy - Lovely Day 'Play' Paper, Flair; Doroty - Celebrate Buttons, Alpha/Tiny Words Necessities: Teal - 6x6 Pad, Black & Grey - 'Confetti' Foiled Vellum;  Market Street: Nob Hill - Chipboard Buttons; Other: Ranger lnk: Dina Wakely Media Gesso & Heavy Body Paints, Golden Paints, Jillibean Soup Alpha, Black Pen, Fiskars Border Punch

The gray background paper is a lovely neutral paper for my vacation photos.  I've been thinking about this beach ever since i left it.  I am ready to go back there & stay a while.  I used the teal Necessities 6x6 paper pad and layered rows of the foiled vellum over the it.  I used a border punch along the edge of the vellum to give it texture.  

Got leftovers?  Line up little pieces of chipboard, patterned paper, buttons, die-cuts, and other items to make your own adorable banner.  I love the pop of color in the little banner, especially against my photos.

Did you know you can sew through the chipboard?  No needle change, just use a regular size need.  Because of the adhesive on the back of the chipboard, you should wipe the needle after sewing with alcohol.  It removes any sticky residue.  

Okay. Now it's your turn.

A random winner will be chosen and shared with our next challenge on   . You have until the end of the day on Monday, June 31  to share your project. The winner will be announced with the July challenge on July 1.

Please link your sketch via the InLinkz tool at the bottom of this post. Your layout must feature MME products. Only one entry per participant, please. The prize is any MME collection.

Have fun and good luck!

An InLinkz Link-up

May Sketch Challenge

Hello all, it has been awhile!  It's Ronda here with your May Sketch.  This month's sketch is all about playing with layers of patterned paper.  Stacking them behind your photos to create a dynamic focal point.

Remember...you are interpreting the sketch so feel free to rotate the sketch or change out the two photos for one large photo.  Envision the pieces and see how you can make the sketch your own with embellishments, paint, patterned paper, and other wonderful My Mind's Eye products. 

Before i jump into my interpretation of the sketch, let's talk a little bit about patterned paper.  

My Mind's Eye always offers you a wide variety of patterned papers with larger patterns, small patterns, neutrals, & bold colors.  So how do you decide which ones to use?  Patterned papers should complement your photos not compete.  

In the above photo, with her pretty floral dress these papers compete for attention.  

These papers complement with the photos, letting them take center stage.  But there is a way to use all these lovely patterns without competing with the photos.  

Supplies:  Necessities: Teal - Decorative Tape, Metallics - Monogram Alpha, Decorative Tape, Wood- 'Light' Wood Paper, Wood Shapes, Decorative Tapes;  Market Street: Ashbury Height - 'Global' Paper, 'Flowers' Paper, 'Shimmer' Foil Paper, Chipboard Elements,  Decorative Buttons, Decorative Stickers, Enamel Dots, Flair; Misc: The Crafter's Workshop RetroBursts Stencil, Ranger archival Ink: Black & Rose Madder, Black Pen, Neocolor II, DMC Floss

When I stacked these patterned papers, I took care not to put the floral paper near the photo.  The floral print is beautiful and I completely adore it, but if I placed it right under the photo it would compete.  So I stacked the more neutral paper next to the photos.

I love how all the paper looks stacked on each other.  I stitched a wonky border around them all and inked the edges with black ink.  I offset the patterned papers to showcase them all.  

Stacking & layering things together just like the paper stacks: watercolors, stickers, enamel dots, wood elements.  I loved the chipboard title stacked with the flair.  The chipboard heart looks great on the photo.  

Okay. Now it's your turn.

A random winner will be chosen and shared with our next challenge on June 2  . You have until the end of the day on June 1  to share your project.

Please link your sketch via the InLinkz tool at the bottom of this post. Your layout must feature MME products. Only one entry per participant, please. The prize is any MME collection.

Have fun and good luck!

An InLinkz Link-up

December Sketch Challenge

Hello all!  It's Ronda here bringing you your December Sketch.  This month's sketch is all about playing with lines & shapes.  You can change out the single photo for multiple photos or one large photo.  Here are examples of what it would look like with two photos:

or one larger photo:

Think of the sketch as a jumping off point.  Envision the pieces and see how you can make the sketch your own with embellishments, paint, patterned paper, and other wonderful My Mind's Eye products. 

Supplies:  Cut & Paste: Charm - Sweet 'Spin' Paper, Charm - Hey You 'Trend 'Paper;  Charm - Flair 'Forever' Enamel Dots, Snapshots Decorative Buttons; Lost & Found Record it: Antique - ''Charming' Paper, Timely' Paper, Sticker Sheets, Die-Cut Embellishments;  Cupid's Arrow: Sticker Sheet; Misc: The Crafter's Workshop Stencil, Golden Paints & Molding Paste, Black Pen, Maya Road Mist, Neocolor II, DMC Floss

Here's my take on the sketch.  Spending time with my hubby is ever so precious these days since I only get 6 weeks a year right now.  This recent photo was snapped while shopping for some household items for our upcoming life together.  I am happy I captured the everyday moment. 

I started this layout by making a colorful background using mists and watercolor crayons.  I used molding paste with black paint pushed through a stencil with a palette knife.  A touch of black always adds a nice touch to any layout.  The neutral papers and all the cool embellishments from Lost & Found Antique look great layered on the reds, oranges, pinks, & yellows. 

The papers make it easy to combine with other lines too.  I started by layering the neutral papers with the Cut & Paste line in rectangle strips.  Next i added the pictures and stickers to the page.  Always feel free to play with the sketch.  I added a few more strips than in the sketch. 

I also opted to have the circle on top of the photo instead of behind it. The papers from the Lost & Found Record It die-cut pack are perfect to layer into my patterned paper pieces.  The red sticker from the Cupid's Arrow line is the perfect pop of red I needed for the page.

I decided to hand stitch around the page using two different colors of DMC floss.  I stitched the glitter paper and the chipboard title.  I love the way the stitching looks on that title providing that pop of color.  I also stacked the button on top of the chipboard button and stitched them together.  I sprinkled enamel dots across the page to finish the layout. 

This month I asked Laurel to join me by making a card for this sketch. Here's what she came up with.

 

Supplies: Mistletoe Magic: patterned papers, chipboard, stickers, enamel dots

 

Laurel says: I really like this month’s sketch for a card.  I love all the layering and the little cluster at the top of the sketch.  I am just creating the last of my Christmas cards for this year so I pulled out the Mistletoe Magic collection for this challenge. 

I love to mix the different elements for dimension and interest and am so glad that My Mind’s Eye always comes out with such fabulous chipboard pieces for their collections! Thanks for coming up with another fabulous sketch, Ronda. :)

 

Okay. Now it's your turn.

A random winner will be chosen and shared with our next challenge on January 6 . You have until the end of the day on Sunday, January 5 to share your project.

Please link your sketch via the InLinkz tool at the bottom of this post. Your layout must feature MME products. Only one entry per participant, please. The prize is any MME collection.

Have fun and good luck!

 

Cut & Paste Tags

Hi Everyone, it's Ronda here today with you to share some easy tags using the Cut & Paste lines.  I love the versatility of tags. With the school year kicking off, tags are great to have to have in your stash when you need a little something for a gift. 

Supplies:  Cut & Paste: Adorbs  - Special: ''Unique' Paper; Adorbs-Story: Bits & Pieces Layered Stickers;  Adorbs-Be: Chipboard Stickers; Adorbs- Decorative Tape; Phresh-Good Times: 'Decorative Stamps;  Misc: Ranger Archival Ink, Maya Road Twine, Black Acrylic Paint, Gesso,

I knew the Adorbs Special Unique Paper had to be my background for one of my tags.  I just completely adore it but wanted it tone down just a touch so my chipboard pieces would stand out.  I used some waterdown gesso to create a light wash over this beautiful paper. 

Next i added the "B" side of the paper as a topper to my tag along with some decorative tape,  I then added some small black paint splatters and stamped the Phresh Good Times images on the background.  I love that pop of black sitting in the background. 

After getting the background just right, I added in the chipboard saying, tucking in the speech bubble tale into the layered sticker.  I love how these two statements naturally go together.  To finish this card, I simply tied soem black twine to the top bringing the black all around the tag. 

Supplies:  Cut & Paste: Adorbs  - Special: Sticker Sheet; Adorbs-Story: Bits & Pieces Layered Stickers;  Adorbs - Hello: Enamel Dots; Adorbs - Loved: Decorative Buttons; Adorbs-Be: Chipboard Stickers; Misc: Ranger Colorwash Spray Ink, Dylusions Spray Ink; TCW Stencil, Modeling Paste, Maya Road Twine, Acrylic Paint

This UR2 Cute Tag began with some modeling paste and a stencil on a manilla tag.  Using the Cut & Paste Adorbs line as inspiration, I colored in the background with blues, yellows, and greens.  I left some spots open with no color letting the manila peek through the background.

Next I layered on the pink pennant sticker and the UR2 Cute layered sticker in the center of the tag.  To give the tag more punches of color I scattered the enamel dots in the background.  I also added some chipboard flowers that are similar in color to the main sticker.  I added that extra green button to the sticker drawing your eye to the phrase. 

I keep all my tags in a little basket ready to add to a girft.  I usually write my sentiments on the back of the tag and use the twine to tie it to the gift.  How do you store your tags?

March Challenge- Use our Die Cuts!

Happy March MME fans! 

Welcome to our very first March Challenge! This challenge is relatively simple. Use our diecuts on a project. The phrases, the titles...the journaling cards, the shapes and embellishments.

We come out with a ton of them for every release, and odds are that most of you have some lying around.

So use them to make something beautiful!

Interpret the challenge in any way you'd like, as long as it somehow uses die cuts.

Let's see what Suzanne and Tamara came up with! 

 

You are Happiness by Suzanne Sergi

Supplies:Collectable-Notable:Documented patterned paper,'Cute' Petite patterned paper,"Love This'Ador patterned paper, 'Love This' Devoted patterned paper,'Cute" Muse patterned paper;Collectable-Unforgettable:'Today' decorative pins,decorative brads,layered stickersMy Mind's Eye Notable Memo Documented Paper,'Loved This' journaling card

Suzanne says:I love using diecuts on my pages to add extra layers. They are easy to use, as they are intended to be.However, I love layering one on top of one another.

I also tend to sometimes add a bit more texture, or change them just a bit. For the Happiness die cut, I simply cut out the circle portion, and then ran it through my embossing folder. Fast, and really makes my title to stand out on my page.

 

Cinderella by Tamara Jensen

Supplies:Collectable - Memorable: Record patterned paper, Flawless patterned paper, Cordial patterned paper, Adventure patterned paper, journal card, label sticker, layered sticker, title, chipboard, pin, brads, sticker; Lush: Cream paper and blue chipboard letters, Lost and Found Ruby: Pink lace and decorative tape; Miss Caroline - Fiddlesticks and Dolled Up Pearls; Misc: Chipboard letter, glitter glue, pop dots, blue paint, black ink and pen, cream thread.

Tamara says:Some of my favorite MME products are their diecuts!!  Their titles and journaling spots always add the perfect accent to my pages.  Today I used 3 die cuts on my layout from the Collectable - Memorable collection.  The soft blue, green, and pink color palette went beautifully with these magical photos of my daughters with Cinderella. 

The "You are PERFECT just the way you are" title was the inspiration for my layout.  The beautiful scalloped doily echoed the circles of their princess mouse ears and reflected the embroidery details on their clothes.  I cut the floral pattern off the top and bottom of the "Life is Good" diecut title, so it would look more neutral with the busy doily shapes on my page. 

Not only does MME have fabulous paper diecuts, but the have amazing chipboard and sticker diecuts!  I clustered the chipboard and stickers together to anchor the bottom of my page.  I used pearl accents from the "Miss Caroline" line, I cut the pink swirl in half to frame the cluster of accents.

I love how the pink decorative tape from the Lost and Found 3 Ruby collection looks like a real lace border. I glittered the chipboard letters and the other elements to give the layout the magical "princessy" feel.

Now it's your turn! Show us how you can creatively use our die cuts. We can't wait to see what you do...you ALWAYS inspire us.

As always, here are the rules.

1. You can submit a layout,card,album,altered item,etc.

2. The project must consist of mainly MME. It must "look" like a MME layout. :) It must fit the theme.

3. The project must be created new for this challenge.

4. Upload the layout to InLinkz at the end of this post by the end of the day on Tuesday,March 19

5. A random winner will be chosen and announced with the second March challenge on March 20. The prize is any MME collection- the choice is yours.

Have FUN! I'll be back today with the February sketch challenge winner!

Die Cuts with Tamara

What's not to love about MME die cuts? We have it all! From accents to titles to journaling cards...there's a die cut for everything and everyone.

Would you like to see how to make die cuts the focus of your layout? We asked Tamara to do just that and today she is here to share!

Supplies: Indie Chic-Saffron:Daisy patterned paper,Chevron patterned paper,Lattice patterned paper,Ornament patterned paper,title die cut,journaling die cut,die cut frame,brads,border stickers,decorative stickers,layered chipboard,layered stickers,trim;Indie Chic-Ginger:Mellow patterned paper;Misc-pen,sewing machine and thread,adhesive,black ink

Tamara says:Some of my favorite products from My Mind’s Eye are the die cut journaling cards, frames, and titles.  Their unique shapes add such personality to my pages and the titles always compliment my photos perfectly.  I used five die cuts on this layout – they are so fun to layer!  Try using them in different ways: the orange scalloped journaling card made the perfect frame for the photo of my daughter reading. 

The bright orange, gold and pinks of the Indie Chic Ginger collection went perfectly with these photos I took of my daughter 3 summers ago. I love how all of the embellishments coordinate perfectly together and add such fabulous dimension to my pages.

Tamara has such a gift for sharing layouts that showcase MME in such a lovely and timeless way.

Thanks for sharing today Tamara!

Thanks for stopping by on this fine Monday,MME fans. Hope your day is wonderful and that you have time to do something creative!