My Mind's Eye Blog

December Sketch Challenge

It's sketch time again! On this month's sketch, we are using strips of patterned paper to anchor a photo in the bottom right corner. I stacked the title up at the top between the journaling and surrounded it with little accident pieces. I added more embellishments near the photo including the big flair. 

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: Now & Then: Izzy - Smile 'Bloom' Paper, Izzy - Smile Flair; Izzy - Happenings Mixed Bag; Izzy - Happenings Enamel Dots; Izzy - Good Times 'Range' Paper; Milo - Friends 'Field' Paper, Izzy - Boys Brads; Izzy - Dream Big Buttons; Other: Stencil: TCW Stencils, Ranger Ink: Archival Ink, Distress Ink; Maya Road Twine; Uniball Vision Ball roller

I started this layout by selecting a fun patterned paper background from the Now & Then line. I let the colors guide my layout and used the same colors to stencil some designs on the background. Next I added some splatters of black paint before adding in the strips of patterned papers. 

Next I pulled out some leftover strips of patterened paper to create my base for my photo. I absolutely love using up scraps on my layouts. I find strips of paper very grounding and my go to design. I ripped one of them and stacked them together. I find it easy to combine bold patterns together in small strips. I added also black ink around the starts to give them a little more pop. 

Here I inked the edges and stitched them to the background. I also added a sub-title next to my picture using a die cut from the mixed bag.  After I glued the photo I added the baker's twine on top. 

I love making my title as part of my design. I started with lines drawn in pencil on the top of the page. I started by placing the title down first and then added the journaling all around the title. It really draws the eye to the top of the page and adds a cool element to the page. 

Okay. Now it's your turn.

A random winner will be chosen and shared on January 2  . You have until the end of the day on January 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

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

August Sketch Challenge

Hi, it's Ronda here today!  For this month's sketch, we are grounding our main photo (or photos) in the center and building all around it with lots of layers.   Three arrows pointing to that main layer really reinforces our focal point.  I love the playful journal at the top of the page and near the middle, split in two sections.  Try doodling around your strips of paper to add some fun accents to your page.  Lots of layers and with MME products you have a world of possibilities.  

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:  Now & Then: Mildred - With You: Library Paper; Jubilee: Tangerine - Awesome: 'Sheild' Paper, 'Arrow' Paper, Mixed Bag, Enamel Dots; Tangerine - Story: Rub-ons; Tangerine - Honor: Decorative Brads, Label Stickers; Tangerine - Fantastic: Sticky Notes, Chipboard Elements; Other: Watercolors, Black Pen

I knew i just had to use the Jubilee Sheild Paper as my jumping off point.  Do you ever find a patterned paper that you must have & use?  The playful chevron "B" side of this paper is perfect for me.  I couldn't decide if i wanted to paint the chevrons or leave them black & white.  In the end I decided to paint another MME paper to give me that pop of color.  

First i altered the paper with a light gesso wash and then added layers of watercolors to get that beautiful pop of yellows, pinky reds, and oranges.  I trimmed off a rectangle piece and I will save the rest for other projects.  

I added the white rub-ons on top of the altered patterned paper.  I LOVE rub-ons so I am really happy MME has new ones to add to my collection.  I added light aqua blue to the background paper and layered the altered paper on top.  I love all the playful details of the fonts, the mixed pieces, and the chipboard title.  I doodled around the edges of the layers of patterned paper to continue that playful touch. 

On top of the photo i added the sticky note and layered a brad on top of it.  I love how they look grouped together.  I even doodled all around my photo.  I added journaling to the chervon lines too.  So much fun!

The last touches are always those enamel dots.  I decided to do tone on tone with those dots and I love that choice.  It didn't overpower the rest of the layout!

Okay. Now it's your turn.

A random winner will be chosen and shared with our next challenge on Monday,September 1   . You have until the end of the day on Sunday, August 31 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!

 

Sketch Week | Two Page Layout

Hello and happy Friday! Sketch week continues. It's me, Valerie, here with one last take on the sketch. This time it's a two-page layout using mostly My Mind's Eye Cut & Paste collection. How do you take a single page sketch and turn it into a two-page layout? It's simple really—I just did a little stretching. I have a hard time following sketches exactly anyway, but I think you can see how I was definitely inspired by the sketch.

 

Supplies:  Cut & Paste Collection— Charm and Presh 6x6 paper pads, Presh "Right Now" 4x6 journal card, Charm "Hey You" stamp set, Charm "Hey You" decorative buttons, Charm "Sweet" bits & pieces layered stickers, Charm "Carefree" chipboard stickers, Charm "Smile" enamel dots. Collectable—Unforgettable "You Are" tiny word stickers. Sweetest Thing—Bluebell "Smile" enamel dots. Other— cardstock (American Crafts), date stamp, tiny attacher (Tim Holtz), Thickers (American Crafts), chalk ink (Prima), pen (Copic), and thread.

 

Like the sketch, my title is almost completely surrounded by photos and other elements. I also did some scattered journaling as seen in the sketch too. Unlike the sketch, my layout feels a little messier and has less white space around the edge.

 

I LOVE the Charm "Sweet" Bits & Pieces layered sticker pack and decided those clouds and flowers were worth breaking away from the sketch a little bit if I got to use them. It was a beautiful day for a combine ride, and I wanted the layout to reflect that. I also love how the Cut & Paste 6x6 paper pads have a mini version of the Project Life style cards. The smaller size is so much fun!

 

 

And here's the sketch again for comparison. It was so much fun to follow along this week and see how each of us used the sketch differently! How will you use the sketch?

 

This week was a BLAST for all of us at MME. We hope you will join in and enter a project in the November Sketch Challenge!!!

 

 

Sketch Week | Altered Item

Hi everyone, Laurel here.  When I saw the sketch I thought it would be such a great way to use up some of the scraps that I had leftover from other projects.  I dug out my Vintage Christmas collection and went to work. 

Did you know that sketches can be used for anything? They aren't only for cards or layouts...they are for whatever your heart desires.

I decided to use the sketch as a jumping off point for this gift bag.

Supplies:Vintage Christmas: 6 X 6 pad; Sticker Accessories; Chipboard Accessories; Decorative Brads; Decorative Buttons; Layered Stickers; Faceted Gems;Misc:SRM clear stickers, May Arts twine

 

First off, I cut a piece of kraft cardstock to cover the front of the bag.  All of the pieces of paper used for this were scraps and it felt so good to use them up!  I trimmed and adhered them using the sketch as a guide.  I then just did some random stitching to make sure they were held in place well.

 

I then added the embellishments, here and there until I was happy with how they looked. 

 

Finally I added some twine, clear stickers and vellum snowflakes to finish it off.

 

I love the dimension this bag has and I can’t wait to package something up in it this Christmas.

 

Thanks for stopping by today!

Sketch Week | Make a Card

Happy Wednesday, everyone! This is Tonya and I'm so excited to be joining in sketch week!

I decided to use the sketch to make a card. While I love making layouts, sometimes I'm just in the mood to make a quick, easy, and chic card. Ronda's sketch made doing so a snap!

Supplies: Mistletoe Magic- 6x6 Designer Paper Pad, Decorative Stamps, Decorative Buttons, Enamel Dots, Decorative Brads

Since my dimensions for this card (4.25 " x 5.5", are quite a bit smaller than a layout I scaled things down a bit. To do this I just used fewer of Ronda's design elements. My sentiment simply replaced the title of the layout and instead of photos,  pieces of patterned paper were used for the squares/rectangles.

You can see how I embellished some of my shapes with some glitter, stitching and a zig zag edge. I loved how Ronda threw in the one round shaped element, to incorporate that I used some enamel dots in various places.

Do you use layout sketches to create cards? We'd love to see what you have come up with!

Thanks for stopping by today-