My Sketch World is going to host a Blog Hop in April.
April 1st the layout sketch will be posted and April 15th the card sketch will be posted.
I'll be hosting a challenge in April along with the other designers so be sure to check out the site.
Here are a few sneak peeks:

April 1st layout sketch:

April Layout Challenge:

I have some exciting news I would like to share!  I made the Design Team for a second term at My Sketch World.  I am honored to be working with these very talented ladies.  Be sure to check out the forum for some very insiring challenges that are posted this month and the gallery for some amazing work by the members.

Layout Designers
Toni Archer
Joan Borgelt
Ann Jobes
Malin Rimby
Kristin Perez
Kathleen Hernandez
Darcy Lagrandeur

Card Designers
Suzann Jones
Jan Tatomir
Majo Wybranietz
Lisa Moen
Karen Zabuska
Pati Dias
Nicole Wise (DT Coordinator)

Facebook Designer/Admin- Stacey Wright
Tutorial Designer- Bev Code
OHSC Coordinator- Ginni Gass

Mixed Media Scrapbooking:

My definition would be combining various traditional and non- traditional visual art media to create a layout  . . . a work of visual art.

I have always loved the look of the messy, grungy pages and have decided to get out of my comfort zone a little and along with trying some new techniques to try some new art supplies.  When I look at all those supplies . . .  well it’s a little overwhelming!  All those glazing and texturizing mediums, the paints, inks, tapes, adhesives and the list goes on . . .   Art supplies were made to be used, to be experimented with . . . and so I will.
It’s been a busy week and I’ve been trying to get to all the fun challenges that Lucy and Nicole have posted at My Sketch World this month.  Here are three layouts I have done and on two of them I ventured out and used some Gesso, water colors, acrylic paints and Glimmer Mist.

Snails was done for the Extreme Colse Up Challenge at MSW.

And since I LOVE banners I completed two pages for the Banner Layout Challenge.

Pineapple Bliss Cupcakes

These are easy to make, low fat, moist and absolutely delicious . . . does it get any better?!

What you will need for the cupcakes:
1 box of yellow cake mix (I used Betty Crocker super Moist)
1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple, in pineapple juice (do not drain)
Directions:
Combine both ingredients in a large bowl.
Mix on medium speed with an electric mixer for 2 minutes.
Pour into lined cupcake tins about 2/3 full.
Bake in accordance with the cake mix directions or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool completely.

What you will need for the frosting:
8 oz. Philadelphia 1/3 less fat cream cheese
20 oz. can crushed pineapple, in pineapple juice (DRAIN AND SQUEEZE WELL)
¾ cup marshmallow fluff spread
Directions:
Combine the cream cheese, the drained crushed pineapple and the marshmallow fluff in a medium bowl and mix with a hand mixer until combined well.
Spread on cooled cupcakes and refrigerate until ready to eat.
Note: Once you top the cupcakes with the frosting they should be eaten within a few hours. I kept the frosting in the refrigerator and frosted the cupcakes as we ate them.

I made them yesterday and I think there are two left :)

Paper Flower:

I loved these, the first time I saw them on a layout and thought I’ll have to try that. You know, one of those things you add to your to - do - list and then never get to it. Well never say never. When I went to make them, the directions I had did not make sense to me. So through trial and error I came up with my own version . . . have fun making them.

You will need:
Double sided patterned paper
Or two different patterned papers
A circle punch or cutter
(I cut my circles at 2 ¼” with my Cricut using the Accent Essentials cart.)
Adhesive
Button or brad

Cut out eight circles using the double sided patterned paper
Or sixteen circles (eight from each piece of patterned paper
If you’re using the two pieces of patterned paper (like I did), glue two pieces together (one from each piece of patterned paper). Make sure the patterns are facing out. These circles will form your flower pedals.
Let dry.
(In the following picture I actually cut enough circles to make two flowers.)

Fold each circle in half one way, open it up and fold it in half the other way. Your circles will be divided into fourths.

Using your fold line as a guide, fold each side in so you form a point.

Flip the circle over and fold the sides back again forming a point.

Do the same with all eight circles.

Cut another circle to use as the backing of your flower. It can be a little bigger than the circles you used for your flower pedals.
Cover the circle you will use as the back of your flower with adhesive.

Attach four of the flower pedals - top, bottom, and two sides. Then go back and attach the other four pedals (overlapping slightly).

Add a button or brad to the middle and Voila!

I sprayed mine with Glimmer Mist.

Now I have another technique I can check off my list.

Be sure to check out My Sketch World this month.  Not only have Lucy and Nicole provided a variety of  FUN and INSPIRING challenges, there is also a Design Team call going on.
I'm hoping I can find some scrapppy time this weekend!?