Sketches! {by tamara}

Challenge #134 -- Layout Sketch

2010-08-31T10:05:00.000-07:00

This is the 5th Tuesday of the month, which means it is Surprise Tuesday here at Sketches! {by tamara}. What that means, is you never know what kind of Challenge we will be uploading. And it just so happens, that today is my sons 4th Birthday. That also pretty much marks the amount of time I have lived in Germany, since he was 3 weeks old when we moved here.

Being it is his birthday, I asked a few people from the Sketches! {by tamara} facebook page to help out with this challenge. I supplied a sketch and asked them all to do a birthday layout.

Make sure you leave them all some praise on their great pages.

Hope you have a great week!

{tamara}

Amber Korn

Christina Skinner

Jessica Lester

Sara Perlberg

Sue Loughmiller

Challenge #133 -- Journaling Challenge

2010-08-24T02:14:00.000-07:00

We are on our last week of Summer Vacation here in Germany. School starts again on Monday. The weather has been everything except Summer weather these last 6 weeks. This week is no different. Rain. Cold. I guess fall is coming.

This week is our Journaling Challenge. It comes from Karen, one of the Design Team Members here at Sketches! {by tamara}.

Journal about your vacation: More than who, what, where and when. But your thought about the vacation or a funny event during the vacation.

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne -- Page 1

Yvonne -- Page 2

Challenge #132 -- Card Sketch

2010-08-17T01:31:00.000-07:00

The weather here in Germany feels like we are moving into Fall already. The kids have 2 weeks left of Summer Vacation before they go back to school. And I have 3 weeks until I fly out to America. I have been making some Scrappy Surprises for those that are attending the Weekend Crop with me in Wisconsin while I am there. So I have been real busy, and will continue to be until I leave.

This week is a Card Sketch. I am very excited to share this Sketch and to share what the Design Team made with this sketch. It is such a fun sketch.

Try it out. Share your creations with us. We'd love to see. Just post a link in the comment section for us to take a peek.

Hope you all have a great week!

{tamara}

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Challenge #131 -- Recipe Challenge

2010-08-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

Coming home from Vacation, I almost forgot to upload this weeks Challenge. Whoops.

We have a Recipe Challenge this week. And our recipe comes from Joan, one of the Design Team Members here at Sketches! {by tamara} . Use at least these three items on a card or layout:

Banner or Pennant
Green
Bling

You just have to see how fabulous the creations are that the Design Team Made. Make sure you check them out below.

Hope you all have a great week!

{tamara}

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Challenge #130 -- Layout Sketch

2010-08-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

It has been an adventure of a week at our house. As I look back, all our Summers here in Germany have been eventful for one reason or another.

I'm looking forward to traveling to Luxemburg on Wednesday. I hear it is beautiful there and I can not wait to get away for a few days.

This week, I am sharing a Layout Sketch. I actually really love this Sketch and would love to see what you do with it.

Check out what the design team Members did with it. I love them all!

Have a great week!

{tamara}

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Challenge #129 -- Journaling Challenge

2010-07-27T00:20:00.000-07:00

I am now back from vacation but am gearing up to leave again next week. We are going with friends to the Eifle here in Germany. It is a very pretty part of Germany. I will actually have the opportunity to stand in three different countries at one time while I am there. I am excited for this picture opportunity. I plan on using one foot in one country, another foot in another country and a hand in the third country. I also have plans to have all 5 of my kids standing in the three different countries for a picture. I am so excited to take these pictures and scrap them.

Also on another note. I am starting to have computer problems again. It looks like a new lap top is in my future. I will go lap top shopping while I am in America in September. But if I go missing between now and then, you all know why.

This week is our Journaling Challenge. It comes from Julia, one of the Design Team Members here at Sketches! {by tamara}.

Journal on a Tag

Check out the amazing layouts from the Design Team as well as our Guest Designer this week. Our Guest Designer is Maureen Esquillo-Kao. You can get to know Maureen and see her FABULOUS layout below.

Hope everyone has a great week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Asun

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Guest Designer: Maureen Esquillo-Kao

My name is Maureen, or Mo for short. I'm a wife, a mom of 2, a Registered Nurse, the eldest of 3 girls, and a daughter to two amazing parents! It all started with the love of writing as a child which in turn lead to a translation of what was in my head to art you can touch, feel and interpret as your own. My love for writing has helped me as a blogger, sharing my stories and art in an entertaining way. I also love creating things with my hands and I especially love scrapbooking. I feel life is a feast for the senses and live my life by really living in the moment, paying attention to the sight, sound, touch, taste and translate that to emotion. Scrapping is my therapy and ever since I started, the artist in me has fully awakened. Scapbooking and the blogging world has enriched my life AND helped me expand my talents! I can't believe how much I have learned from other scrappers. I also enjoy making cards, creating jewelry, and stamping on my projects.

blog url:

http://momostamper.blogspot.com/

online gallery:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/momostamper/

Challenge #128 -- Card Sketch

2010-07-20T01:00:00.000-07:00

This week, I am in Frankfurt, Germany with my family on vacation. We are meeting up with friends and hoping to have a great time. I love that it is finally summer break here and we can get be together without school or work and make some memories. I have my camera and should be able to capture many great pictures.

We have a Card Sketch this week. You just have to see how fabulous the creations are that the Design Team Made. Make sure you check them out below.

This week, our Guest Designer is Collette. You can get to know Collette and see her amazing card below.

Hope you all have a great week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Asun

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Guest Designer: Collette

Hi! I'm Collette and I'm a student as well as a mom who does not work outside the home (I have an aversion to the SAHM cliche'). I have one beautiful 15 year old daughter, 1 canine fur baby and 2 feline fur babies as well as my wonderfully supportive husband who I've been married to for ... dare I say it, 31 years. He's been my rock through thick and thin!

I've been stamping and scrapbooking for about 10 years, going back and forth between the two. I began my stamping fetish through my Stampin' Up demo. My scrapbooking came about when I began selling Creative Memories. While I still use many of their products, as a demo for CM, I was too limited in what we could use, so I stopped being a demo. There are way too many companies out there with all kinds of different products that I don't feel I can limit myself to just one. Additionally, I enjoy nearly all crafts, including but not limited to Jewelry Making, Ceramics, Quilting, Crocheting and Knitting (in the warm months), and am teaching myself how to watercolor. I can't sit and watch TV without having something in my lap. Another passion of mine is reading and watching what my daughter laughingly refers to as my "Period Movies" ... meaning Jane Austen types - the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice being my all time favorite.

From August through December, I'm also a cheerleading coach. I started with my daughter years ago but when she went on to High School, I missed it so much; I had to continue with the younger girls. I'm currently going to school - hoping to enter the Nursing Program in January. All incidental classes have been taken except for the actual nursing courses, so I'm all set.

I love all things "art", so creating cards and scrapbook pages is currently my outlet for my passion. I hope to be doing it for many years to come.

While I don't update it as often as I should, here's my Heaven Sent for You blog site: http://collette-heavensent.blogspot.com/ .

Challenge #127 -- Recipe Challenge

2010-07-13T05:05:00.000-07:00

We have a Recipe Challenge this week. And our recipe comes from Wendi, one of the Design Team Members here at Sketches! {by tamara} . Use at least these three items on a card or layout:

Stars
Staples
Rub Ons

You just have to see how fabulous the creations are that the Design Team Made. Make sure you check them out below.

This week, our Guest Designer is Amarilys. You can get to know Amarilys and see her amazing card below.

Hope you all have a great week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Asun

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Guest Designer: Amarilys

My name is Amarilys and I'm a Biology student in Miami, FL. I married my best friend one year ago and I'm still working on my wedding album. I have been scrapbooking since 2003 and was on the Design Team for Pages in Time this past term. As for my scrapping style, I would have to say Shabby Chic since I distress everything and always add a flower, even to masculine layouts! When Tamara asked me to be a guest designer for July I was ecstatic. I love her challenges, especially her sketches. When I am not scrapping, I enjoy being outdoors. I love to go kayaking, hiking and snorkeling. To see more of my layouts, stop by my blog at http://amadrian8.blogspot.com/.

Weekend Scrapbooking Getaway with Sketches! {by tamara}

2010-07-07T01:00:00.000-07:00

Weekend Scrapbooking Getaway with Sketches! {by tamara}

I am flying out to America and will be hosting a Weekend Scrapbooking Getaway in Watertown, Wisconsin. You might be thinking to yourself, where is Watertown, Wisconsin?

Watertown is approximately 40 minutes from Madison and Milwaukee. It is approximately 2 ½ hours from Chicago. And it is approximately 5 hours from Minneapolis. For flying, Milwaukee or Madison are good airports to fly into.

About the Crop:

Thursday, September 9th at 10am through Sunday September 12th at 1pm
Holiday Inn Express, Watertown, Wisconsin

Crop Fee is $40 for the entire weekend!

*Crop fee is non-refundable. If for some reason you need to cancel after you sign up, the crop fee is refunded ONLY if a replacement is found.
*You have 7 days from the date you sign up to have your crop fee received or your spot will be given away.

*A one day fee of $20 will be offered only two weeks prior to the crop and only upon availability.

Your Crop Fee includes:
*75 Hours of Conference Room Availability
*6 Foot Table Space with Reserved Seating
*Goody Bag of German Chocolaty Goodness

*Use of Computer and Printer for Journaling (in Hotel Lobby)

This is not a huge crop. The Conference Room can hold 27 Scrappers. A great way to get to know new people and have a fabulous time! At this time, there are only 14 Spots Available.

Meals, Snacks and Drinks:

*Continental Breakfast included for those staying at the hotel.

*Sign Up Sheet for Snacks and Drinks

*All Lunches and Dinner are on your own. (plenty of Restaurants in Walking Distance)

Here are a few things that will be planned for this particular weekend:
*Secret Sister Swap, Optional
* Rummage Sale table to get rid of unwanted Scrapbooking and Stamping Supplies

HOTEL INFORMATION: All hotel rooms have a Fridge and there is a continental breakfast each morning. I have a block of rooms set aside for those that desire to stay the night. The rate is $79 per night. That is for 2 queen size beds. You can put up to 4 people in a room for the same price if you don’t mind sharing a bed to make it cheaper. Block of rooms are reserved under my name: Tamara Wheeler. You will need to contact the hotel directly if you desire to stay the night. The phone number to the hotel is: 920-262-1910. I would be more than happy to help make the reservations for those that would like me to.

If interested in signing up or have questions, please email me directly at scrapbooksketches@gmail.com

{tamara}

Challenge #126 -- Layout Sketch

2010-07-06T03:40:00.000-07:00

It has been two weeks since I uploaded a Sketch or Challenge. Last week was the 5th Tuesday. And I had planned to do something Special for the 5th Tuesday. But it was my birthday last week and I got a bit side tracked. A little too much partying. :)

Summer break is almost here in Germany. Only one more week to endure the crazy schedules and then I plan on sleeping in and letting my house get messy. I need a break. lol

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I have bought a plane ticket to America. And I am putting together a scrap weekend while I am there. I am going to post all the details for this special scrap weekend and hope some of you will be able to join me. You can find all the details here on the blog starting tomorrow.

This week, we have a Layout Sketch to share. Check out all the layouts from the Design Team. Also, this weeks Guest Designer is Lisa Lapan. You can get to know her and see her layout below.

I hope everyone has a great day!

{tamara}

Alecia

Asun

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Guest Designer: Lisa Lapan

As a mother of 25YO twins, a 19 YO, Stepmom to a 11 YO, grandmamma to 2 grandsons, a crazy yellow lab, a psychotic kitty & living on 600 acres in beautiful farm country of Upstate NY, I never seem to have a dull moment. Besides working 4 days a week & trying to maintain the family farmhouse, we currently have physical custody my oldest grandson (3 YO). Needless to say, my free time is a bit limited. Thankfully I have the good fortune of having my own scrapping space & although it is a bit like a wide hallway, well traveled, I still have my place! I recently started dabbling more in digi-scrapping & enjoy it but still love the hands on feel of all the supplies. I love to scrap, cross-stitch, read, travel, antiquing, computing, photography & spending time with friends & family: in my “leisure” time!

Challenge #125 -- Journaling Challenge

2010-06-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

It is sometimes amazing how fast the weeks go by. Other times, they go so slow. For me, when I think about it being time to post the next challenge here on the blog, it feels like the week went by so fast. But I know, day to day, it dragged. And knowing I have a plane ticket to America sitting here that I so want to use, time is going by so slow. I have to wait until September to use that plane ticket. So technically, I am wishing my summer away so that September will get here faster.

This week is our Journaling Challenge. It comes from Lan, one of the Design Team Members here at Sketches! {by tamara}.

Vary the wording in your journaling by highlighting certain words with a different color, font size, type of font or all three.

Check out the amazing layouts from the Design Team as well as our Guest Designer this week. Our Guest Designer is Sarah Lewis. You can get to know Sarah and see her FABULOUS layout below.

Hope everyone has a great week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Asun

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Guest Designer: Sarah Lewis

I am a stay at home mom (but I am never at home) with 2 kids, one hubby, one cat, & a horse that lives down the road. Keeping my hands busy has been a part of my daily life since I was a kid. First it was embroidery, then sewing, then crocheting, then self taught knitting. I embarked on scrapping about 5 years ago when a friend took me to a Creative Memories class and now I can't stop scrapping! My style is pretty simple with a touch of whimsy. Kind-of like my life--I try not to take myself too seriously! When I am not crafting, I love to read, listen to my ipod, drink coffee, go to the gym, work in the yard, volunteer at my kid's school and fundraise for our hospital. I am also delving into digi scrapping but I really like playing with paper and glue!

my blog url: http://sarahlsblog.blogspot.com/

Challenge #124 -- Card Sketch

2010-06-15T02:47:00.000-07:00

I am sure many of you are wondering how my Sweden trip went that I mentioned last week. Well, I did not go. Sunday night, I had two kids throwing up. I didn't know what I should do, but came up with a plan B, in case the kids did not feel better by morning. Plan B was for my husband to go without me and have a Fabulous time. Monday Morning Came and the two older kids who were sick during the night seemed fine. We were at a Party the day before, and I think they both ate too many Slushies and Ice Cream. Anyway, I was getting Emma ready for School and noticed she had the Chicken Pox. What are the chances of that happening? So I decided to stay home and be with my spotted daughter. While My husband was gone, one of my other Girls, Hannah, ended up with Chicken Pox as well. All my children had been immunized against Chicken Pox. So what are the chances that two of them would get it just when I have a trip planned? It worked out alright. I ended up going to Ikea to go shopping, the closest thing to Sweden there is. :)

Don't forget, tomorrow is the last day to be entered into the July Guest Design Team Challenge. I really hope to see a few more people play along with us.

This week, we have a Card Sketch. I love the different takes from the Design Team. And this week's Guest Designer is Mieko Sejima. You can see her card and get to know her below.

Hope everyone has a fabulous day!

{tamara}

Alecia

Asun

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Guest Designer: Mieko Sejima

Hi! My name is Mieko Sejima. I live in Japan. I am a wife and a mother to
four teenagers,sons 19,17,daughters 14,12. We live with KURON, our lovely
cat! I have been Scrapbooking since 2003. I love all
crafts...Cardmaking,Scrapbooking,paper crafts,stamping,sewing and
knitting.I always like trying new techniques. I am a DT member for Love My
Memories(Japanese Scrapbooking magazine) and Scrap in Japan(Scrapbooking
Challenge blog). I am so proud and lucky to be invited as a guest designer
for the Sketches!{by tamara}. Thank you!

http://dreamsmhkm-mie.blogspot.com/

July Guest Designer Challenge

2010-06-09T01:00:00.000-07:00

It is that time again. We are looking for Guest Designers for the month of July. There will be 4 winners drawn randomly.

Use the sketch below and make a Layout or a Card. Make sure you upload a link in the comment section or on the Sketches! {by tamara} Facebook Fan Page to be eligible.

Deadline is Wednesday, June 16th.

I can't wait to see what you do with this sketch!

Have a great week!

{tamara}

Challenge #123 -- Recipe Challenge

2010-06-08T01:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday!

As many of you know, I live in Germany. And my Husband and I try to get away a few times a year to see the sites that Europe has to offer. This week, I am in Sweden. And if everything works out correctly, this will be uploaded on Tuesday all by it self. I sure hope it does. :)

We have a Recipe Challenge this week. And our recipe comes from Alecia, one of the Design Team Members here at Sketches! {by tamara} . Use at least these three items on a card or layout:

Clear Acrylic Embellishment
Ribbon Bow
Distressing and Inking

You just have to see how fabulous the creations are that the Design Team Made. Make sure you check them out below.

This week, our Guest Designer is Melissa Oeters. You can get to know Melissa and see her amazing card below.

Hope you all have a great week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Asun

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Guest Designer: Melissa Oeters

Hi, I'm Melissa Oeters and I am so excited that I am your June guest designer here. I have been scrapbooking and card making for over 15 years and I'm still just as hooked as I was when I first started. My paper crafting style is normally very simplistic, I like to see things clearly in a layout or card. Currently I'm addicted to papers that cater to the whimsical with wacky patterns and lots of colors. I'm lucky enough to have my own crafting room which is where I sneak off to for a little chocolate and lot's of inspiration!

My blog is 8ers.blogspot.com, it's called Needful Things.

Challenge #122 -- Layout Sketch

2010-06-01T01:57:00.000-07:00

I know many of you have had a long weekend and are just starting to get back into the groove of a new work week. For us here in Germany, yesterday was no Holiday. And yet, I still find it hard to get back in the groove of things. And it is so hard knowing that so many are already out for the summer. School goes so long here. My kids do not get out until July 15th. I'm itching for a break with all the schedules and constantly on the go that comes with it. I'm hoping June speeds on by. I apologize to all those who want to savor June and have it last for a very long time. :)

This week we are featuring a Layout Sketch. I just love the layouts from the design team and their different takes on the sketch. Make sure you check them out and leave them some love.

This weeks Guest Designer is Kari Sweeney. And you can get to know Kari and see her Fabulous layout she made below.

If you decide to do the Sketch, we would love to take a peek. Just leave a link in the comment section where we can find yours.

Have a great week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Asun

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Guest Designer: Kari Sweeney

Hi, I am Kari Sweeney.

I am originally from a small suburb north of the Twin Cities. After spending a year abroad in Japan, I moved to Wisconsin for college and never left. I think it's safe to call me an official Cheesehead now. I live in NorthCentral Wisconsin with my one-of-a-kind husband Nick and our 3 rambunctious girls. Bennet, who is 4 1/2. We call her Matches. Scout, 2 1/2, better known as Gasoline and Eleanor (Ellie) who is becoming the Tinder at 4 months old. Besides scrapbooking I am a major movie and trivia buff.

I've been scrapbooking since 1995-96, back when the only options were construction paper and puffy paints. Man-have we come a long way or what? I consider myself a simple, non-technique scrapper. My favorite pages tend to have a clean, crisp look with white space. To me the photos and the story behind them are truly the reason I scrapbook. Capturing those everyday moments that at the time seem ordinary and mundane but years later will seem extraordinary. I usually focus a lot of energy on journaling and have been known to get on my soapbox about the importance of handwritten journaling on at least SOME of your pages :)

I blog here: http://nkbsweeney.blogspot.com

My gallery is here: Gallery

Challenge #121 -- Journaling Challenge

2010-05-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

Hope you are all having a great Tuesday!

This week is a Journaling Challenge. It comes from Vanessa, our Challenge Coordinator here at Sketches! {by tamara}. Your challenge is to make a layout and Journal around the edge of your layout.

If you decide to do this Challenge, we would love to take a peek. Just leave a link in the comment section where we can find yours.

Below, you can see the fabulous Layouts from the Design Team Members, using this weeks Challenge.

Have a Super Week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Asun

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Challenge #120 -- Card Sketch

2010-05-18T01:24:00.000-07:00

This week we have a Card Sketch to share with you.

If you decide to use this Sketch, we would love to take a peek. Just leave a link in the comment section where we can find yours.

Below, you can see the fabulous Cards from the Design Team Members, using this weeks Card Sketch, as well as our Guest Designer for this week.

This weeks Guest Designer is Cathy La Hay. And you can get to know Cathy and see her AMAZING Card she made below. Make sure you leave her some love and praise on her personal blog.

Have a fabulous week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Asun

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Guest Designer: Cathy La Hay

Hi,
My name is Cathy La Hay and I’m thrilled to have been
asked to be the guest designer for Sketches! {by tamara}
for the month of May.
A bit about my self and my style......
I have been Scrapbooking and creating since 2004. I have
a serious love for 12 x 12 but found myself running out of
stuff to scrap about. One day I decided to give cards a try
and low and behold, I loved it.
When creating a card, I view it as a mini layout. I pick an
embellishment that I want to be my center of focus and create
around it, just as I would if it were a layout.
I really enjoyed working with Tamara’s sketch. When she
sent it to me, I knew right away that I was in BIG LOVE with
it. It appears to be a simple sketch but I looked into it deeper
and came up with this card. I hope you like it and find inspiration
from the sketch as well as my take on it.

Have fun! Cathy

My Blog: http://behindthesceneswithcathy.blogspot.com/

Challenge #119 -- Recipe Challenge

2010-05-11T00:14:00.001-07:00

This week, we are featuring a Recipe Challenge. This weeks Recipe Challenge came from Vanessa, our Challenge Coordinator here at Sketches! {by tamara}. Please use at least these three items on your layouts or cards:

Masking
Alphapbet
Yellow

If you decide to do the challenge, we would love to take a peek. Just leave a link in the comment section where we can find yours.

Below, you can see the fabulous layouts and Cards from the Design Team Members, using this weeks Recipe Challenge, as well as our Guest Designer for this week.

This weeks Guest Designer is Lilith Eeckels. And you can get to know Lilith and see her great Layout below.

Hope you all have a great week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Asun

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Wendi

Yvonne

Guest Designer: Lilith Eeckels

Hi. My name's Lilith and I am honoured to be a guest designer on the Sketches! {by tamara} blog. I live in a little village in the south of Belgium. I teach English and Dutch to French speaking students and I am a mother to four wonderful and inspiring boys. The youngest is 7 months old and the two eldest are 6. I have been scrapbooking for about 6 years and I don't have a particular style. I do lean to a more clean and simple look. I loved making this page with Elouan playing with the label of one of his toys. It's funny how the simplest of things keeps him busy. Have fun with this weeks recipe.

My Blog: http://lilithandscrap.blogspot.com

NSD Winner

2010-05-09T11:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who participated this past week in our National Scrapbook Day Challenges. We had a lot of fun and hope that you were able to be inspired and accomplish a few projects.

Joan, one of our Design Team Members, offered an Embellishment RAK. I want to take a moment and Thank Joan. This is something she did all on her own and I thought it was a fabulous idea. Again, thank you!

And the winner is:

Christina from Kansas and her blog is called : Been There, Done That, Have that Layout!

http://sameoldscrap.blogspot.com/2010/05/happy-national-scrapbooking-day.html

Congratulations Christina! Make sure you email Joan so she can mail that out to you. Her email address is: Jptomom@verizon.net

Here is the Layout Christina made for the Journaling Challenge.

Have a super week!

{tamara}

June Guest Designer Challenge

2010-05-06T01:00:00.000-07:00

It is that time again. We are looking for Guest Designers for the month of June. There will be 4 winners drawn randomly.

Use the sketch below and make a Layout or a Card. Make sure you upload a link in the comment section or on the Sketches! {by tamara} Facebook Fan Page to be eligible.

Deadline is Thursday, May 13th.

I can't wait to see what you do with this sketch!

Have a great week!

{tamara}

Challenge #118 -- Layout Sketch

2010-05-04T06:46:00.001-07:00

How many of you participated in our National Scrapbooking Day Fun? Did you know that you have until Friday, May 7th to play along and upload a link here on the blog? And did you know that you could win a prize? Check out this prize (RAK) from Joan, one of the Design Team Members here at Sketches! {by tamara}. She has put together a fabulous Embellishment RAK for one lucky winner. All you have to do to win it is make a layout using one of the challenges from NSD. For each layout you submit, your name will go in a drawing. And one lucky person will get this in the mailbox. Does not matter where you live, you can participate. And there is no limit on how many layouts you submit. So show us your layouts.

Today is the big day that many have been waiting for! Today is the day that the new design team here at Sketches! {by tamara} gets to show off their creativity and talent. I know they are excited. This is something they have been waiting over a month for.

Take a look at the new Design Teams Layouts this week. And go ahead and go to their blogs and leave them some praise. They deserve it.

And to shock everyone, I too have uploaded a layout this week. It does not happen often. And I am not going to promise it will happen every week, because I know it won't. But I am sure I will be surprising you a time or two with my own creations during this design team term. With my layout, I was dabbling a bit with Digi Scrapping. I am not a digi scrapper usually. But, every now and then, I want to give it a try.

This weeks Guest Designer is Cherrie Vrabel. And you can get to know Cherrie and see her Fabulous layout she made below.

If you decide to do the Sketch, we would love to take a peek. Just leave a link in the comment section where we can find yours.

Have a great week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Asun

Donna

Joan

Julia

Karen

Lan

Robin

Tamara

Wendi

Yvonne

Guest Designer: Cherrie Vrabel

I am a single mom with an empty nest for the 1st time in my life. I have 3 grown sons and a daughter about to go off to College. I also have 3 beautiful grandchildren - that are often the source of my scrapbooking pages. I have been scrapbooking for over 18 years now and I am hopelessly addicted. I have just recently been bitten by scrapbook fever again after a short hiatus, while I moved.

My Blog: http://www.floridagirlagain.blogspot.com/

NSD -- Layout Sketch

2010-05-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

Here is our last Surprise for National Scrapbook Day 2010.

Remember, if you choose to participate with us, just link up any or all of your layouts you made using the Sketch and/or the Challenges. There will be a random drawing for an Embellishment RAK from Joan, one of the Design Team Members here at Sketches! {by tamara}. Deadline is Friday, May 7th.

This last challenge is a Layout Sketch. Take a peek at what our Sketches! {by tamara} Facebook fans did with this sketch. Just Fantastic work. Make sure you take a stroll on over to their blogs and leave them some much deserved praise.

Have a fabulous weekend and I hope you get a lot of scrapbooking done. Come back on Tuesday for the debut of our new Design Team here at Sketches! {by tamara}. You won't want to miss it!

{tamara}

Christina Skinner

Denise Coulter

Sandie Vincent

Sarah Lewis

NSD -- Journaling Challenge

2010-05-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

How many have already done the Recipe Challenge from earlier? Who is ready for the next challenge?

Our second Challenge is a Journaling Challenge. It comes from Vanessa Haynes. And I have to say, I so LOVE this challenge.

Your challenge is to journal in an alphabet list form. A great way to do this is to have your subject be a person and write a word/phrase that describes them for every letter of the alphabet. Other fun ideas are to have your subject be an event, vacation, place or even an object! Journaling the alphabet is also a great way to use up all those stray alphabet stickers you have laying around!

I want to thank the Sketches! {by tamara} Facebook Fans for helping us out with this Challenge. They really rocked this challenge. Take a look at their layouts below and make sure you visit their blogs to leave them their much deserved praise.

If you play along with us this weekend, please link your layouts here on the blog. We will be doing a random drawing for one lucky winner. Joan, one of our Design Team Members is giving away a RAK for some awesome Embellishments. I will be posting a picture of it later. You won't want to miss out. And the more you play a long, the more entries you have into the drawing.

Check back often for more fun and more inspiration!

Happy Scrapping!

{tamara}

Niki Stephens

NSD -- Recipe Challenge

2010-05-01T01:59:00.000-07:00

It is National Scrapbook Day, and we have some fun challenges and sketches ready to share. So make sure you check back through out the day as new ones will be posted periodically.

We are starting off today with a Recipe Challenge. This challenge was created by Vanessa Haynes and myself. Nothing like two brains coming together. :) We decided to use the letters NSD for National Scrapbook Day to come up with the challenge. So use at least these three items on your layout.

*Numbers
*Stitching
*Die Cut

For our examples through out the day today, we have Sketches! {by tamara} Facebook Fans who have willingly helped us out. I want to give a special thanks to each of them for helping me out today and sharing their layouts. Make sure you check out their layouts below and give them some love for their awesome work!

Happy Scrapping!

{tamara}

Kim Martin

Kristie Meeker

Vanessa Johnson

Join Us for NSD 2010

2010-04-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

Join us on Saturday May 1st
for National Scrapbooking Day!

We will be celebrating by sharing brand new Sketches and Challenges.
You can expect to see:

*Layout Sketch
*Recipe Challenge
*Journaling Challenge

So join us through out the day for some Fabulous Inspiration!

Challenge #117 -- Journaling Challenge

2010-04-29T12:57:00.001-07:00

First Off, I would like to apologize that this is late being posted. Normally I post on Tuesdays, and as we know, it is now Thursday. I was in Ireland and just returned this afternoon. And on my flight home, I thought about all the things I had to do, when the Sketches! Blog popped into my mind. I was a bit frantic once I realized I did not upload the Journaling Challenge to the blog before I left. It was such a last minute decision to go. We bought our plane tickets in January. But with the Volcano and the flights in Europe being grounded for some time, we had almost decided not to go. We booked a hotel room one night, and the next night, we were staying in that Hotel. I had such a great time. One of the best trips I have ever taken. I am so glad we decided to go.

This is the last upload for this current Design Team. Next week, the new Design Team will start sharing their layouts and cards with you. So I really want to give a huge shout out to each of them for their time and their talents that they have shared over the last four months. Thank You so much!

This week is a Journaling Challenge. It comes from Joan, one of the Design Team Members. Your challenge is to make a layout about the 5 Material Things you can not live without. For example, it could be Coffee, Laptop, Hairspray, low-riding jeans, Mascara, ect.

If you decide to do this Challenge, we would love to take a peek. Just leave a link in the comment section where we can find yours.

Below, you can see the fabulous Layouts from the Design Team Members, using this weeks Journaling Challenge, as well as our Guest Designer for this week.

This weeks Guest Designer is Anita Autore. And you can get to know Anita and see her Layout she made below.

Have a great day!

{tamara}

Alecia

Anita

Janine

Jena

Jessica

Joan

Karen

Melissa

Rachel

Guest Designer: Anita Autore

I have been a scrapbooker for 8 years. I love being able to save precious memories for my family.

My Blog: http://cardsandcoffee.blogspot.

Challenge #116 -- Card Sketch

2010-04-20T01:00:00.000-07:00

This week we have a Card Sketch to share with you.

If you decide to use this Sketch, we would love to take a peek. Just leave a link in the comment section where we can find yours.

Below, you can see the fabulous Cards from the Design Team Members, using this weeks Card Sketch, as well as our Guest Designer for this week.

This weeks Guest Designer is Lisa Cook. And you can get to know Lisa and see her wonderful Card she made below.

Have a fabulous week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Anita

Janine

Jena

Jessica

Joan

Karen

Marcia

Melissa

Rachel

Guest Designer: Lisa Cook

I am blessed to be the stay at home mom of two teenagers, a son 16 and daughter 14. My dear hubby is very supportive of my stamping and even enjoys sharing my work! I am lucky that I am able to spend lots of time creating and sharing my work with other stampers. Most of my work involves coloring my images with Copic markers. I love beautiful embellishments-pretty flowers, ribbons, baubles and bling always catch my eye!

My Blog address is www.bylisac.blogspot.com

May Guest Design Team Challenge

2010-04-19T02:30:00.000-07:00

Would you like to be a Guest Designer here on Sketches! {by tamara} during the month of May? If so, use the Journaling Challenge below and submit your layout.

Make sure you upload your layout on the Sketches! {by tamara} Facebook Fan Page OR post a link in the comment section on the blog. I will be choosing one Guest Designer for each week in May.

This Journaling Challenge comes from Marcia, one of our Design Team Members here at Sketches! {by tamara}.

*Create a Layout that includes Journaling about a hobby or talent you have outside of Scrapbooking or Cardmaking.

Deadline is Sunday, April 25th.

{tamara}

Challenge #115 -- Recipe Challenge

2010-04-13T01:00:00.000-07:00

This week, we are featuring a Recipe Challenge. This weeks Recipe Challenge came from Janine, one of the Design Team Members here at Sketches! {by tamara}. Please use at least these three items on your layouts or cards:

Brads
Buttons
The Color Blue

If you decide to do the challenge, we would love to take a peek. Just leave a link in the comment section where we can find yours.

Below, you can see the fabulous layouts and Cards from the Design Team Members, using this weeks Recipe Challenge, as well as our Guest Designer for this week.

This weeks Guest Designer is Sherri Simmons. And you can get to know Sherri and see her Adorable Layout below.

Hope you all have a great week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Anita

Janine

Jena

Jessica

Joan

Karen

Marcia

Melissa

Rachel

Guest Designer: Sherri Simmons

My name is Sherri Simmons, and I live in Virginia. I am married to my high school sweetheart and have two teens, Craig and Kati. My scrapbooking projects are usually about them or my wonderful nieces and nephews. I started scrappin' about 2 years ago, and my scrapbooking style is bright and whimsical - I love to make my pages fun! My favorite crafting tool is my Cricut- hardly ever craft without it.

I am currently on the design team for Practical Scrappers and Chirper Challenge. I have been Highlighted in the Cricut Chirp 4 times and have won scrapbooking awards from Polka Doodles Challenge, Practical Scrappers, Frosted Designs, Just Buggin', Fantabulous Cricut, and Cupcake Craft Challenge. I'm thrilled to be a guest designer at Sketches by Tamara.....so many lovely ideas here that make scrappin' easy and fun!

My Blog is: http://scrap4thememories.blogspot.com

Challenge #114 -- Layout Sketch

2010-04-06T02:20:00.000-07:00

Can you believe we are into April already? I really can not. Although, I am as happy as can be about it. I am counting down the days until the kids are out of school. And I have a long way to go. They don't get out of school here in Germany until July 15th. Being on Spring Break right now, makes me crave Summer all the more. I love no schedules. I love sleeping in. I love the care-free life to go and do what we want together when we want.

I guess for now, I will be enjoying the Springtime. We finally have nice weather today. I will be spending time with the kids outdoors. There is yard work to be done. I am excited to get my Garden Furniture out and do some grilling. Lots of picture taking opportunities during these things.

This week, we have a layout sketch. I love seeing what the Design Team does with each challenge and sketch. Make sure you check out their work below. And go ahead and go to their blogs and leave them some praise. They deserve it.

If you decide to do the Sketch, we would love to take a peek. Just leave a link in the comment section where we can find yours.

This weeks Guest Designer is Melissa Priest. And you can get to know Melissa and see her Fabulous layout she made below.

Have a wonderful week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Janine

Jena

Jessica

Joan

Karen

Marcia

Melissa

Rachel

Guest Designer: Melissa Priest

Hi there! My name is Melissa Priest. I live in Amarillo, Texas with my husband Alex and our two boys. I am an Interior Designer, but have now chosen to stay at home with my boys.

I have always been creative. I remember growing up I always drawings and various craft projects that I would work on. I have been scrapbooking for just over five years now, and I admit it. I am addicted. I originally began scrapbooking as a way to record my boys growing up....but now, I scrap for me. I love having a creative outlet that allows me to create something so personal and theraputic.

Besides scrapbooking, I love to read and hang out with our two mini daushounds - AJ and Annie.

My blog: www.melissapriest.typepad.com

Announcing Sketches! New Design Team

2010-04-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all those who applied to be on the Sketches! Design Team. It was really a hard decision. There were so many people who applied. I am just in shock. If you applied and did not make the team, I encourage you to apply again next time. With that said, here is the new Design Team here at Sketches! {by tamara}.

* Donna Norris
* Julia Short
* Wendi Robinson
* Robin Novak
* Asun Housset
* Yvonne Balmer
* Lan Amphone
* Alecia Castro
* Joan Umano
* Karen Clauson

You will be able to see their work here on the Sketches Blog starting in May!

Congratulations everyone!

{tamara}

Challenge #113 -- Surprise Bingo Challenge

2010-03-30T02:06:00.001-07:00

First off, I want to remind everyone that we are having a Design Team Call. It is not too late to send in your submissions. The Deadline is tomorrow, Wednesday, March 31st. So be sure to get it sent to me before then.

You are probably wondering what a Surprise Challenge is. At Sketches! {by tamara}, there are four sketches and challenges planned per month. But sometimes, there are 5 Tuesdays in a month, not just 4. And March falls into that situation. So I was trying to think what we could do for that 5th Tuesday. And I decided to do a special Challenge when that happens. It won’t always be the same type of Challenge. For March, we are going with a Bingo Challenge.

I am sure you know how Bingo is played. For Sketches! Bingo, you need to do ONE layout using 5 of the challenges either across, up and down, or diagonally on the ONE layout.

I want to send out a big thank you to Vanessa Haynes, one of the Guest Designers in March. She made our Sketches! {by tamara} Bingo Card. It turned out fabulous!

Since it is not a regular Challenge, I decided to have Sketches! {by tamara} Fans help with layouts for this challenge. I loved seeing all the different layouts that came in. And I loved seeing what part of the Bingo Card each person used. Thank you to each of you for helping out this month and contributing Layouts.

I have more things up my sleeve to get more Fans involved on the blog. If you want a chance to help out, make sure you head on over to our Sketches! {by tamara} Facebook Fan Page. That is where I will continue to ask for volunteers when I need them.

If you decide to play along with us this week, we would love to see your layout. Just upload a link in the comment section where we can find your layout. Or upload it to the Sketches! {by tamara} Facebook Fan Page.

Hope Everyone has a fabulous Day. I will be back in a few days to announce our New Sketches! {by tamara} Design Team.

{tamara}

Aimee Matteucci
Used Diagonal Row that starts with orange and slants down to tearing, Used Sketch #69

Asun Housset
Used Second Row Across

Christa Parker
Used second Row Across

Donna Norris
Used First Row Across

Eleni Gratsia
Used the Column with the letter O

Erin Witschey
Used Middle Row Across, using Sketch #89

Jessica Jo Salber
Used the Column with the Letter G

Karlene Hansen
Used the Column with the Letter O

Kerri West
Used Fifth Row Across

Lisa Simpson
Used the Column with the Letter O

Robin Novak
Used the Column with the Letter B

Tracy-Lihanne Lane
Used Second Row Across

Sketches! Design Team Call

2010-03-24T01:00:00.000-07:00

The Design Team Term here at Sketches! {by tamara} is almost up! I am looking for 10 People to Join the Sketches! Design Team. Those who have been on the Sketches! Design Team in the past or who are currently on the Sketches! {by tamara} Design Team are able to re-apply.

The Design Team Members need to be able to scrap both Layouts and Cards. I will upload a new Sketch or Challenge each Tuesday. We will rotate between Sketches and Challenges as follows:

Week 1: Layout Sketch
Week 2: Recipe Challenge
Week 3: Card Sketch
Week 4: Journaling Challenge

After week 4, we will start the rotation again. And that is why it is important that the Design Team be able to scrap both Layouts and Cards.

Design Team Members will be given a months worth of Sketches and Challenges at a time to work on. For example, all new Design Team Members will be given four Sketches and Challenges on April 1st and will be expected to return their items to me no later than April 30th. Each Month will be similar.

Each Design Team Member is responsible for turning in one Recipe Challenge and one Journaling Challenge to me at the beginning of their Design Team Term. Those Challenges will be used during the Design Team Term as I see fit. Design Team Members will get credit on the blog or on our Facebook Fan Page for all Challenges they create.

Sketches! Design Team Term will be for four months. May 1 – August 31. This runs into the summer months, so please keep that in mind when applying.

Design Team members are to promote the Sketches! {by tamara} blog on their personal blogs and Message Boards.

Design Team members are required to have a Sketches! {by tamara} Blinkie, along with a link to the Sketches! {by tamara} blog on their personal blogs.

Being on the Sketches! Design Team is something that is done without pay. I do the sketches blog for fun and make no money on it. Therefore, I can not pay someone for their part in helping out with the Sketches! Blog. Basically, we all do it for the love we have of for scrapping.

For those interested, email me a link to your blog preferably, or online gallery where I can see your work. Please make sure you have both cards and layouts on your blog or in your online gallery for me to see. If you don't have a blog or online gallery, you can send me two completed layouts AND cards you have recently made. Please email me at scrapbooksketches@gmail.com . Please put "Sketches! Design Team" in the subject line.

Deadline is March 31st.

New Design Team Members will be announced on the blog on or before April 4th, and your first Layout or Card being posted on the blog on May 4^th, 2010.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

{tamara}

Challenge #112 -- Journaling Challenge

2010-03-23T02:26:00.000-07:00

So did you notice anything new today or earlier this week when checking out the blog? Yes, I have been playing around a bit trying to make improvements. This week it was the background color. Who knows what next week will bring. But come May 1st, there will be even more changes. I got a few things up my sleeve. :)

April's Guest Design Team Challenge is now over. I will be doing a random drawing as soon as I post this and will be sending emails out to 4 lucky ladies. Good Luck to all those who participated!

Tomorrow I will be posting a Design Team Call. Make sure you keep an eye out for that.

This week we have a Journaling Challenge to share with you. It comes from Anita, one of the Design Team Members.

*Create a layout with Journaling that lists 10 reasons why you feel lucky.

If you decide to do the Challenge, we would love to take a peek. Just leave a link in the comment section where we can find yours.

Below, you can see the layouts from the Design Team Members, using this weeks Journaling Challenge, as well as our Guest Designer for this week.

This weeks Guest Designer is Ana White. And you can get to know Ana and see her Fabulous layout she made below.

Have a fabulous week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Anita

Janine

Jena
(I don't know why this is sideways. So sorry!)

Jessica

Joan

Karen

Marcia

Melissa

Rachel

Guest Designer: Ana White

My name is Ana White, and I am a stay at home mom, to two little girls. I have been married to my wonderful husband, Jonathan, for 4.5 years. We live about 2 miles from Washington DC, which can be a bit crazy at times.

I started scrapbooking while on bed rest with my first daughter about four years ago and I was warned that it was a very addictive. Well those who warned me were right; I am totally addicted to the entire process. And scrapbooking has taught me so many things- that perfection isn’t necessary and mistakes are alright.

Finally to me scrapbooking is more than a hobby, it is a lifestyle. It changes the way you view every day events and it makes you appreciate the little things."

My Blog: http://anazelia-myscrapbookaddiction.blogspot.com/

April Guest Design Team Challenge

2010-03-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

Would you like to be a Guest Designer here on Sketches! {by tamara} during the month of April? If so, use the recipe below and submit your card or layout.

Make sure you upload your layout or card on the Sketches! {by tamara} Facebook Fan Page OR post a link in the comment section on the blog. I will be choosing one Guest Designer for each week in April.

This recipe Challenge comes from Anita, one of our Design Team Members here at Sketches! {by tamara}. Make a card or layout using at least these three items:

Bird
Circles
Buttons

Deadline is Monday, March 22nd.

{tamara}

Challenge #111 -- Card Sketch Challenge

2010-03-16T02:24:00.001-07:00

This week we have a Card Sketch to share with you.

If you decide to use this Sketch, we would love to take a peek. Just leave a link in the comment section where we can find yours.

Below, you can see the fabulous Cards from the Design Team Members, using this weeks Card Sketch, as well as our Guest Designer for this week.

This weeks Guest Designer is Julia Short. And you can get to know Julia and see her two Fabulous Cards she made below.

Have a fabulous week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Anita

Janine

Jena

Jessica

Joan

Karen

Marcia

Melissa

Rachel

Guest Designer: Julia Short

Hi I’m Julia I’m 66 years old and I live in West Wales with Hubby Andy and our little Jack Russell dog Basil. I have a son and a daughter and four wonderful grandchildren.

I have been crafting for as long as I can remember and have tackled most things along the way. Dressmaking, knitting, cross stitch and jewellery making to name but a few. I started Scrapbooking back in 2005 after many years of card making and vowing never to get into scrapping, it wasn’t for me. So much for that!

Most of my spare time is taken up scrapbooking that’s when I am not out walking with my dog.

Julia's Blog: http://ontopofthescrapheap.blogspot.com

Challenge 110 -- Recipe Challenge

2010-03-09T04:21:00.001-08:00

This week, we are featuring a Recipe Challenge. This weeks Recipe Challenge came from Rachel, one of the Design Team Members here at Sketches! {by tamara}. Please use at least these three items on your layouts or cards:

Embossing
Vellum or Transparency
Felt

If you decide to do the challenge, we would love to take a peek. Just leave a link in the comment section where we can find yours.

Below, you can see the fabulous layouts and Cards from the Design Team Members, using this weeks Recipe Challenge, as well as our Guest Designer for this week.

This weeks Guest Designer is Eva Virag. And you can get to know Eva and see her Fabulous Layout below.

Hope you all have a great week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Anita

Janine

Jena

Jessica

Joan

Karen

Marcia

Melissa

Rachel

Guest Designer: Eva Virag

Hi there :) My name is Eva. I live in the heart of Central Europe in Hungary in a small village near to Budapest with my husband and our 3 wonderful children. They are my most important models for LO. I have been scrapping for two years. I am a member of the following Hungarian scrapbook community: www.scrap.hu and www.scrapbook.hu . I am also interesting another craftman activity for example xcross, knitting, bobbin lace etc. I won a first prize two times in the bobbin lace exhibitions.

When I was school girl I played on flute in a brass band for 10 years. That years were very interesting, we played on festivals round Europe. Since that time I like to listen classical music. I also interesting all kind of the fine arts especially the Italian Renaissance.

My Blog: www.virageva.blogspot.com

Challenge #109 -- Layout Sketch

2010-03-02T00:08:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that we are already into the month of March. Time really is going by fast. But I must admit, I like it that way. I know it will eventually feel like my life is dragging. But for now, I am going to enjoy the fast pace of things.

With a new month brings new changes here at the Sketches! {by tamara} blog. We are starting our Guest Designer Spot. So today, we will be our first Guest Designer of 2010. And don't forget, you too can be a Guest Designer. Every month, we will be holding a Guest Designer Challenge. And I will randomly choose four people to be Guest Designers for that Month. It is not too late to try for the March Guest Designer Spot. The deadline is tonight, Tuesday at Midnight. I will be doing a random draw Wednesday Morning and will contact the winners via email directly after that.

Our Guest Designer for today is Vanessa Haynes. I chose Vanessa because she was the first person to upload a page on the Facebook Fan Page. You can get to know Vanessa and see her AMAZING layout below.

Don't forget, we are also now on Facebook. You can see bonus Sketches and Challenges each month there.

This week, we our featuring a multi-photo Layout Sketch. You really have to see what the Design Team came up with. Without a doubt, Fabulous!

If you decide to use the sketch, we would love to see your layout. Just link it up in the comment section here on the blog. Or, head on over to the Sketches! {by tamara} Fan Page on Facebook, and upload it there.

Hope you all have a great week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Anita

Janine

Jena

Jessica

Joan

Karen

Marcia

Melissa

Rachel

Guest Designer: Vanessa Haynes

Hi there :) My name is Vanessa, or Nessa, and I live on the beautiful Oregon coast with my husband, our 3 kids and 7 cats and dogs (I'm a sucker for a homeless animal!). We live in a darling tiny town with tons of opportunity for picture taking! I've been scrapping since my oldest daughter was a baby 14 years ago, but really got into it four years ago when I was home and not able to drive while pregnant with my 3 year old. I discovered all the beautiful paper manufacturers and that was the end of that! I really never had a crafty bone in my body up until then.... can't draw a stick figure to save my life. I love making layouts, cards, and mini albums. My most recent passion is altering and I've filled most of the rooms in my home with altered items! Paper crafting is my main hobby, but I also love to wander around the coast and am obsessed with baseball, specifically the Chicago Cubs. I'm a fanatic and haven't missed a game on TV in years! All of our pets also have special Cubs names. Go Cubs Go! :) I also have an Etsy store where I sell mini albums and tags, and am currently working on new lines of handmade embellishments.

Thanks Tamara for this wonderful sketch! It produced my very favorite layout which is now hanging in my home!

My Blog: http://onescraftylady.blogspot.com/
My Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ScraftyPaperLady

March Guest Design Team Challenge

2010-02-25T01:15:00.001-08:00

Would you like to be a Guest Designer here on Sketches! {by tamara} during the month of March? If so, use the recipe below and submit your card or layout. Make sure you upload your layout or card on the Sketches! {by tamara} Facebook Fan Page OR post a link in the comment section on the blog. I will be choosing one Guest Designer for each week in March.

This recipe Challenge comes from Joan, one of our Design Team Members here at Sketches! {by tamara}. Make a card or layout using at least these three items:

Chipboard
Paint
Staples

Deadline is Tuesday, March 2nd.

{tamara}

Challenge #108 -- Journaling Challenge

2010-02-23T01:52:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to announce that Sketches! {by tamara} is now on facebook. Each weeks Challenge that is published here on the blog is linked onto facebook. In addition, there will be bonus sketches and challenges that will only be featured on facebook. There is already the first bonus Sketch uploaded onto the Sketches! {by tamara} Fan Page. So make sure you head on over to join us for some extra Sketches! {by tamara} fun!

This week, we have a Journaling Challenge to share with you. It comes from Karen, one of the Design Team Members here at Sketches! {by tamara}. Make a Layout and use this for your Journaling: Journal about an interesting characteristic or trait of someone you love.

If you decide to play along this week, we would love to see your layout. Just post a link in the comment section of where we can find your layout.

Have a super week! And I hope to see many of you over on the new Sketches! {by tamara} Fan Page on Facebook.

{tamara}

Alecia

Anita

Bethany

Janine

Jena

Jessica

Joan

Karen

Marcia

Melissa

Rachel

Challenge #107--Recipe Challenge

2010-02-16T04:36:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day.

This week we are featuring a Recipe Challenge. This weeks Recipe Challenge comes from Marcia, one of the Design Team Members. Make a card or Layout using at least these three items:

Staples
Stitching, Real or Faux
Stamping

Check out what the design Team did with this challenge below.

If you decide to use this challenge, we would love to see what you create. Just link your items in the comment section of where we can see your beautiful work.

Have a great week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Anita

Bethany

Janine

Jena

Jessica

Joan

Karen

Marcia

Melissa

Rachel

Challenge #106--Card Sketch

2010-02-09T04:48:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone has had a great week. I spent three fabulous days with my husband for an early Valentine's Weekend in Italy. Lots of great picture taking moments this past week. But unfortunately, my camera broke while I was in Italy and now I am on the hunt for a new camera. I can't believe how many different kinds are out there.

Today should be the Recipe Challenge. But because Valentine's Day is coming up, I thought I would switch the rotation for this month and upload the Card Sketch before the Recipe Challenge.

Take a look at what the Design Team did with the Card Sketch this week. Amazing inspiration!

If you decide to use the sketch, we would love to see your card you make. Just upload a link in the comment section so we can take a peak.

Have a super week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Anita

Janine

Jena

Jessica

Joan

Karen

Marcia

Melissa

Rachel

Challenge #105--Layout Sketch

2010-02-02T02:12:00.001-08:00

Happy Tuesday!

It has been a crazy week at my house this past week. Between the snow and kids being stranded at their schools unable to get home because the buses would not run, and my son getting hurt in school twice in one week, and then my son having not one but two birthday parties to celebrate his 11th birthday and also getting 4 of my kids to the dentist, I have had plenty of picture taking opportunities.

I am sure you too, have had picture taking opportunities this past week. Those pictures you took this past week are perfect for what we have to share with you here on the Sketches! Blog today.

Today, we have a layout sketch to share. I am so excited to show you what the Design Team did with it. They are so talented!

If you decide to use the sketch, we would love to see your layout. Just give the link in the comment section to your blog or online gallery where your layout is, so we can take a peak.

Have a super week! And don't forget to get your camera out and capture the moments!

{tamara}

Alecia

Anita

Bethany

Janine

Jena

Jessica

Joan

Karen

Marcia

Melissa

Rachel

Challenge #104--Journaling Challenge

2010-01-26T00:56:00.001-08:00

This week, I am very excited to share with you a Journaling Challenge. Journaling is such a huge part of Scrapbooking. And sometimes it can be the hardest part of the layout. Here at Sketches! {by tamara}, we want to help you document your life story. And that is why we have added Journaling Challenges to our Challenges for the year 2010.

This weeks Challenge comes from Bethany, the Guest Designer Coordinator and Inspiration Coordinator here at Sketches! {by tamara}.

Journal about something in your life that you have overcome. It can be something very personal and of great importance or something that was a big moment or change in your life. Or it can be something that is more light hearted, maybe not a huge ordeal in your life but still a situation or something that you had to overcome and make it through to get to where you wanted to be or to accomplish what you wanted to accomplish.

You can see the Design Team's take on the challenge below.

I also want to thank the Design Team for completing their first Month here at Sketches! {by tamara}. Their work is always fabulous and it is their work that helps inspire others.

If you decide to participate in the challenge, we would love to see your layout. Just upload a link in the comment section of where we can find your layout.

Have a super day!

{tamara}

Alecia

Anita

Janine

Jena

Jessica

Joan

Karen

Marcia

Melissa

Rachel

Challenge #103--Card Sketch

2010-01-19T05:45:00.000-08:00

Today is the day that most of you have probably been waiting for. A new card sketch here at Sketches! {by tamara}. It has been a long time. I hope it has been worth the wait.

I love all the cards from the Design Team. They seriously Rock!

If you decide to use the sketch, we would love to see the card you make. Just post a link in the comment section of where we can see your card.

Have a great week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Anita

Janine

Jena

Jessica

Joan

Karen

Marcia

Melissa

Rachel

Challenge #102--Recipe Challenge

2010-01-12T00:29:00.001-08:00

This week, we have a recipe Challenge to share.

These challenges can be used on cards or layouts.

I will give a list of three items that must be used on a card or layout. You are not limited to only the three items listed. You can use as many items on your layout or cards as you wish. But the minimum on it must be what is listed in the recipe.

Create a card or layout using the following items:

Rub Ons
Flowers
Bling

Check out what the Design Team did with this recipe. They turned out fabulous!

As usual, if you would like to share your take on this challenge, link it up in the comment section.

Have a great day Everyone!

{tamara}

Alecia

Anita

Janine

Jena

Jessica

Joan

Karen

Marcia

Melissa

Rachel

Challenge #101--Layout Sketch

2010-01-05T01:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome Back to the Sketches! {by tamara} Blog. I hope that in time, you will like some of the changes I have made to the blog as much as I do. It helps me to be able to spend more quality time with my kids and my family, without me feeling like I am neglecting them for the computer. And at the same time, I get to do something I really enjoy.

First off, can you believe that we are on Challenge #101? In reality, we have had more than 100 challenges on the blog. We have had 100 Layout Sketches, 100 Card Sketches, 50 Recipe Challenges, and then there are the miscellanious Ad Challenges, Journaling Challenges and Card Challenges over the past two years.

Each week, there will be a different Challenge or Sketch. So I thought it was appropriate just to start with 101, kind of where I left off during the summer.

This week, I have a layout sketch to share with you. I really love sewing on any scrapbooking project. And that is why I chose my first sketch back with stitching on it. I love it so much, and yet, I sold my sewing machine back in the summer. I consistantly wish I still had it. But we had anticipated an international move, and I couldn't take it with me. So I sold it. Well, we ended up not moving and I no longer own a sewing machine.

I'd like to thank the Design Team for their awesome work. I really appreciate it and know that each of you do too. Their layouts bring the sketches I draw to life.

If you decide to use the sketch, I'd love to see your layout. Just leave the link in the comment section on where I can find your layout. And if you don't feel like sharing your layout but want to leave a comment anyway, I'd be thrilled! And I am sure the Design Team would love to hear how great their work is too.

Have a super week!

{tamara}

Alecia

Anita

Janine

Jena

Jessica

Joan

Karen

Marcia

Melissa

Rachel

Announcing Sketches! New Design Team

2009-12-07T04:44:00.001-08:00

Thank you to all those who applied to be on the Sketches! Design Team.

Here is the new Design Team for the Sketches! Blog.

Alecia Castro
Joan Umano
Karen Clauson
Janine Rachau
Marcia Pringle
Jessica Theodore
Melissa Sackman
Rachel Witthaus
Jena DeVries
Anita Hovey

You will be able to see their work here on the Sketches Blog in January!

Also, Bethany Stouvenel is our Sketches! Guest Designer Coordinator, along with our Friday Inspiration Coordinator.

Congratulations everyone!

{tamara}

Design Team

2009-12-05T14:48:00.000-08:00

Just want you to know that I will not be announcing the new Design Team today. I am so very sorry, as I know there are several of you waiting to hear.

I have been gone all day. Most of you know I live in Germany, and I was in the Netherlands today. And then an hour after getting home from there, I went to a German Christmas Market with my husband. It is almost midnight and I just got back.

With that, I am going to hold off. I can't promise I will get to it tomorrow (Sunday), as I know we have plans to be gone most of the day. But, at the latest, it will be Monday that it will be posted.

Once again, I apologize and hope you understand.

Thanks,
{tamara}

Reminder: Design Team Call

2009-12-03T10:55:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that Friday is the last day to apply to be on the Design Team.

I will be announcing the new Design Team on Saturday!

Have a super day!

{tamara}

Sketches! Design Team Call

2009-11-24T06:22:00.000-08:00

Sketches! {by tamara} is back! And I am looking for 10 People to Join the Sketches! Design Team. Those who have been on the Sketches! Design Team in the past are able to re-apply.

I am doing things a bit different than usual. In years past, I have had mulitiple Design Teams for different Sketches and Challenges. This time, however, I am only having one Design Team.

The Design Team Members need to be able to scrap both Layouts and Cards. I will upload a new Sketch or Challenge each Tuesday. We will rotate between Sketches and Challenges as follows:

Week 1: Layout Sketch
Week 2: Recipe Challenge
Week 3: Card Sketch
Week 4: Journaling Challenge

After week 4, we will start the rotation again. And that is why it is important that the Design Team be able to scrap both Layouts and Cards.

Design Team Members will be given a months worth of Sketches and Challenges at a time to work on. For example, all new Design Team Members will be given four Sketches and Challenges on December 5^th and will be expected to return their items to me no later than December 31^st. Each Month will be similar.

Each Design Team Member is responsible for turning in one Recipe Challenge and one Journaling Challenge to me at the beginning of their Design Team Term. Those Challenges will be used during the Design Team Term as I see fit. Design Team Members will get credit on the blog for all Challenges they create.

Sketches! Design Team Term will be for four months. January 1 – April 30.

Design Team members are to promote the Sketches! {by tamara} blog on their personal blogs and Message Boards.

Design Team members are required to have a Sketches! {by tamara} Blinkie, along with a link to the Sketches! {by tamara} blog on their personal blogs.

Being on the Sketches! Design Team is something that is done without pay. I do the sketches blog for fun and make no money on it. Therefore, I can not pay someone for their part in helping out with the Sketches! Blog. Basically, we all do it for the love we have of for scrapping.

For those interested, email me a link to your blog preferably, or online gallery where I can see your work. Please make sure you have both cards and layouts on your blog or in your online gallery for me to see. If you don't have a blog or online gallery, you can send me two completed layouts AND cards you have recently made. Please email me at scrapbooksketches@gmail.com . Please put "Sketches! Design Team" in the subject line.

Deadline is December 4th.

New Design Team Members will be announced on the blog on December 5th and your first Layout or Card being posted on the blog on January 5^th, 2010.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

{tamara}

I Am Coming Back!

2009-11-19T11:57:00.000-08:00

Yes, Sketches! {by tamara} will be returning. I have had so many inquiries of when and if I am coming back. I just needed time. But I have missed my weekly updates here on the Sketches! Blog.

I am going to mix things up a bit when I actually do come back. You can look for a design team call in the next few days.

Just wanted to share my news that I am indeed returning.

Have a great week!

Taking The Summer Off

2009-06-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that as of right now, the Sketches! {by tamara} blog is taking the summer off. Time for me and also all the design team members to spend time with their families, and take some vacations as well.

You can look forward to Design Team Calls the beginning of August, with the first new sketch being posted the beginning of September.

I want to thank each design team member for their time and their creativity. You girls totally rock!

Have a super Summer!

{tamara}

Card Sketch #100

2009-06-18T01:00:00.000-07:00

Here is this weeks card sketch. We are at #100. How crazy is that?

Check out what the design team did with this sketch. They all rocked it!

Have a super day!

{tamara}

Barbara

Marley

Olena

Suzanne

Sylvia

Tricia

Layout Sketch #100

2009-06-15T02:36:00.000-07:00

Good Monday Morning!

We are at our 100th Sketch this week. I can not believe we have made it this far. So to celebrate, our Layout Design Team Coordinator, Bethany, has offered to do a drawing for a RAK. All you have to do to enter is use this sketch and put a link in the comment section so we can see your layout. Make sure you have it uploaded no later than Sunday, June 28th. The winner will be announced here on the sketches blog Monday June 29th.

Thank you to the Design Team members for the rockin' layouts this week.

Have a super week!

{tamara}

Bethany

Joan

Wendi

Card Sketch #99

2009-06-11T01:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Thursday!

Here is this weeks Card Sketch. I love what the Design Team did with it. Thank you to each of them for their fabulous cards!

Hope you all have a great day!

{tamara}

Barbara

Carol

Marley

Olena

Riley

Suzanne

Sylvia

Tricia

Layout Sketch #99

2009-06-08T01:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday!

Here is this weeks sketch. I love what the Design Team did with it.

Hope you have a super week!

{tamara}

Abbie

Alecia

Carolyn

Jennifer

Joan

Wendi

Card Sketch #98

2009-06-04T10:50:00.001-07:00

OK, I can't believe I almost forgot to upload this weeks card sketch.

Take a look at the fabulous Design Team's Cards. AWESOME stuff.

If you decide to use the sketch, we would love to see. Just leave a link in the comment section so we can check it out. Your card could be featured here on the Sketches! Blog next week for our Friday Inspiration!

Have a great week!

{tamara}

Barbara

Carol

Marley

Olena

Riley

Sylvia

Tricia

Layout Sketch #98

2009-06-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday!

Here is this weeks sketch. I love what the design team did with it.

If you decide to use the sketch, we would love to see your layout. Just give us the link in the comment section of where we can find your layout. Your layout could be featured here on the Sketches! Blog next Friday for our Friday Inspiration.

Have a great week!

{tamara}

Abbie

Alecia

Carolyn

Jennie

Jennifer

Joan

Julia

Sandie

Wendi

Card Sketch #97

2009-05-28T01:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Thursday.

Here is the newest card sketch. Love what the design team did with it.

If you decide to use the sketch, we'd love to see your card. Just upload a link in the comment section to where your card is. Your card could be featured here next week on the Sketches! Blog for our Friday Inspiration.

Have a great day!

{tamara}

Barbara

Becky

Carol

Marley

Olena

Riley

Suzanne

Sylvia

Tricia