December Birthday Challenge by Marilyn

Former Guest Design Team Member Marilyn submitted this layout for the December Birthday Challenge.  Due to circumstances beyond my control I was unable to get it posted until now.  Marilyn said, "This layout is using some old pictures. They aren't the greatest but it is a funny story. My husband & I both celebrate our birthdays in Dec. Every year, we host a table at the Annual Fair Hall Christmas Dance. It is a great party to share with a bunch of friends. Well, one year, Tom & I were thinking very much a like, evidently. We invited many of our friends to the dance. Then we BOTH went back and called everyone again to arrange a surprise birthday party for the other. All of our friends are great secret keepers because neither of us had any idea what the other was doing. We were pretty embarrassed but it was a great laugh, shared by all!! We have never tried to throw another surprise for the other since then...and I think we are both happy with that!"

Meet Our October Guest Design Team Member - Marilyn

My name is Marilyn Graff and I live in a small town in South Central Texas. I am a mother to three active boys who are my favorite subjects on my scrapbook pages, but at the same time take me away from my hobby due to their busy schedules. I  have been married to my husband, Tom, for 16 years.

From August to May, I am also a Special Education Teacher in our local school district. Although I really love my job, my favorite time of the year is quickly becoming summer because all of our schedules slow down and I get to just enjoy my family and kids, and my hobby!! I love scrapbooking because is combines my three loves: my family, photography, and crafting!! My favorite product line is Close To My Heart. I love to stitch on my papers, embossing, and to journal with my own handwriting.


I am so excited about being a Guest Designer for Scrap Our Stash!! This is my first time to be on a Design Team and I am so honored to have this opportunity. I hope my pages will inspire you and get you motivated to scrap those memories...even the hard ones, like I have done with this month's challenge.

It's not too late - you too could become a Guest Design Team member - just complete either the September Challenge or the Frugal Friday Tip Challenge before the September 30th deadline.  See all the details below. 

 

September Challenge by Marilyn

Me & my Sisters by Marilyn
Guest Design Team Member Marilyn submitted this layout for the September Border Challenge.  She said, "I used my scalloped border punch for this layout about me and my sisters."

Now it's your turn to take the Challenge.  See all the details in September Challenge below.
And don't miss our other Challenges going on right now:

The Pagerize This Challenge - the challenge is to "pagerize" Joni's Rock Surfer layout.  See all the details below in the Pagerize This Challenge.
Frugal Friday Challenge - use one of the linked Frugal Friday Tips on a project and submit it to scrappinpsycho@live.com.  See all the details in "Frugal Friday Tip Challenge" below.

Pagerize This Challenge

Guest Design Team Member Marilyn submitted this layout for the Pagerize This Challenge.  She said, "Here is my attempt to Pagerize your layout. I even did the same theme. My first day of school pictures were perfect for it so I couldn't resist. I read in a magazine about how to heat emboss white on black paper to mimic a chalkboard. I liked the idea so I gave it a try. My work got a little dusty looking, but I kind of thought it added to the chalkboard look."

It's not too late to submit your Pagerize This Challenge project.  The challenge ends at midnight tonight.

October Guest Design Team Winners

Our August Flower challenge provided lots of ideas for flowers to use on your scrapbooking pages. Thanks to our readers:  Karen, Tina, Kelly, Irit and Marilyn for contributing to our flower challenge. It was a difficult choice, with so many tallented ladies to choose from.

The winners are:


Marilyn for Favorite Flowers
























and Karen for Friends

It will be fun to see what Marilyn and Karen will add to the Scrap Our Stash October Challenge. 

August Challenge - Marilyn

Reader Marilyn submitted this layout for the August Flower Challenge. She said, "I am excited because I have three boys and very RARELY get to use flowers. But I just finished this page and I thought it turned out very nice and I was looking for a challenge to try with it.

My flowers are homemade, sort of! :) I used ribbon,chipboard flowers, circles, paper flowers, buttons, and brads. I basically just layered different aspects together and covered some with patterned paper to get the effect I wanted. Again, I can't get too frilly or girly with these boys! I especially like the use of tiny safety pins as the leaves. I have lots of these pins but I have never found a use for them that I really liked. All products are from Close to My Heart".

Now it's your turn to take the Flower Challenge. Just submit a project in which you've used any kind of flowers. Email a picture of your project along with a description (or tutorial if you want) to scrappinpsycho@live.com. See all the details in August Challenge below.