S to the T to the A-S-H! Challenge

Here's my contrib to Anita's great challenge: my JOY layout.

I started with my sketch stash... I mark pages in magazines or blog posts of the layouts I like, and "stash" them to scraplift someday.

The layout I did above was inspired by this (quite closely, you see): Emilie Ahern's layout on The Scrap Review blog (where they review scrapbooking products and give away lots of prizes).

I liked her layout so much (plus it was close to Mother's Day)that I jumped right on the project and found everything I needed within my stash. I used all the papers and embellishments from what I already had (even used a wrapper from a chocolate easter egg-- it was a sacrifice to get rid of the chocolate held inside the foil).

Even the photos were just sitting in my "stash" on the computer and I printed them at home (not my typical mode of operation).

I like this plan. I'll start doing more layouts and cards to use up my stash. No buying anything new. That is, if Paper Pals would just quit selling such inspiring/cute/creative stuff...