Rebecca's Scraps

Yippee!

2012-02-09T14:36:00.006-06:00

Okay, ya'll. It's really no secret that Crate Paper is my most favoritest scrapbooking company ever! (Though there are some that are very close seconds...) And I pretty much have to have everything they make, because I love it all. So, I've been waiting eagerly for Stop & Scrap to have preorders for their new products, and today is the day!!! Yippee! Their new items are so pretty, and as usual, I want it all! Just check these out!

Oh, boy, am I ready for a Pretty Party! And I love to be a Storyteller!

The great news is, at Stop & Scrap, these are already 11% off MSRP. But, what's even better? If you use the code REBECCA, you can save an additional 12%! And you can use that code over and over again, so if you've used it once already, don't worry, you can use it again!

In other news... have you seen the new monthly Card Kits from Simon Says Stamp? I didn't get February's, and wished I had. So, when I saw March's kit, I jumped on it! I see they still have some available. How lovely is this?!

Lovely, right? These kits are designed by Kristina Werner, and they look just beautiful!! I can't wait to get mine!

I haven't done any scrapping lately, though I'm still trying to keep up on my Project Life. I'll post more as soon as I can on that. I have found a new little fun passtime. When I have things uploading for work, I usually have a few minutes of free time, and I've been playing Words With Friends with my boys. Yep, I have one game going with each of the 4 older boys. And right now, I'm winning them all, except with William (who's the youngest - go figure!) It's such a fun game, and I believe it's good for my brain, right? If any of you enjoy playing that, let me know! I'd love to start some new games!!

Okay, until next time (hopefully soon...), take care, friends!

Project Life - end of January

2012-01-31T16:51:00.006-06:00

Yay! I finished Project Life for January! And January isn't even quite over. (Hopefully nothing really eventful happens yet tonight that I want to include, or it will throw my whole plan off!) I decided that I really want to do this more by month, than by week. Maybe that weird, but that's just me. Weird. Anyway, here's the two page spread

And close-ups of the two sides

Okay - I'm off to get some supper started for the kids. I'm trying to work on making food from my pantry, instead of buying more all the time. My plan tonight was to make a Tuna Helper that has been in there a long time (we pretty much never eat packed meals like that), but when I pulled it out a little while ago, I saw it only had 4 servings. Probably not good since there will be 7 of us tonight. So, it was back to the drawing board. I found two packages of mac and cheese and 2 cans of Spam. It's crazy what's hiding in my pantry! Add some green beans, and I guess we've got a weird meal! :) Yep, that's me, weird!

New Pink Paislee and Heidi Swapp!

2012-01-31T09:23:00.004-06:00

Just as I said the other day, preorders are now available for the new lines from Pink Paislee at Stop & Scrap! They also have the new Heidi Swapp lines! These are the two lines I am most excited about!

But Prairie Hill, She Art (from Christy Tomlinson), and Indigo Bleu are all available for preorder now too! I am totally in love with the clear stamps from Indigo Bleu!

Oh, and they also added the new lines from Lily Bee yesterday!! And remember, if you use the coupon code REBECCA you receive an addition 12% off your order! I love that!!

I HOPE to be back later with my finish of Project Life for January, but we'll see how the day goes... Take care!

Wow! Check out these preorders!

2012-01-29T10:32:00.005-06:00

Oh, my goodness! The preorder collections at Stop & Scrap just keep getting better and better!! I am so excited about these new Basic Grey collections! I mean, seriously, how pretty are they???

And I really think this new collection from Simple Stories is quite nice too!

They've also added today Simple Stories Fabulous and Awesome lines!

Guess what else they just added?

Yep, Jenni Bowlin's awesome new release! These are so fun! Even the new Chalkboard Easel and Mini Reproduction Box!

I'm also really stunned with the beauty of this new release from Echo Park! Especially the Graceful collection!

And, remember, if you use my coupon code, REBECCA you will get an additional 12% off your order!! That is so sweet!!

PS - I also see that the new Pink Paislee lines will be available here for preorder this week. I soooo want them!

Project Life Weeks 2 & 3

2012-01-23T12:17:00.003-06:00

As promised, I'm back with some Project Life photos. I got a little behind last week, but yesterday made the time to get totally caught up. This week I'm going to try my friend Sasha's idea of just doing one pocket at a time - I can totally see taking a few minutes each day to work on this, as opposed to an hour or two each week. I'll give it a try at least! Anyway, here is week 2's pages:

And week 3's pages:

I'm not sure how y'all get both pages in one photo - I have a hard enough time getting high enough to get one full page. Oh, duh! I could photograph it with the book on the floor I suppose. Hmm... I'll have to see where in my home there is plenty of natural light on the floor...

Take care, my friends!

New Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Collection!

2012-01-23T08:44:00.005-06:00

Is anyone else as excited about the new line from Dear Lizzy as I am? Just the name - Neapolitan - alone evokes a response from me, since my favorite book as a kid was called "Striped Ice Cream". But, aside from that, the whole collection is so darn cute! I mean, seriously, check out this stamp!!

And pardon me, but the ruffle papers are the bomb!!

These are all available, plus the other new American Crafts and Pebbles collections, for pre-order at Stop and Scrap! And if you use my code, "REBECCA", you will save 12% off your order! How sweet is that? I seriously would have bought the whole collection if I could have, but I had to draw the line somewhere...

I'll be back later today to show you my weeks 2 AND 3 Project Life! I was a busy bee yesterday getting all caught up on it!

New Prima Available for Pre-Order, plus a coupon!

2012-01-17T09:48:00.006-06:00

Have you seen the lovely new collections from Prima? I just pre-ordered some of the new goodies. I got a few goodies from this lovely collection - Nature Garden.

Of course that's not all I got... I also added to my cart some of the great new stamp sets from the new My Mind's Eye collections. Yay! Check out all the items available for pre-order at Stop AndScrap! They've got a lot of fun goodies!

If you use the coupon code "REBECCA" when you check out, they will take 12% off of your total! How fun is that??

I was being hasty.

2012-01-16T12:38:00.005-06:00

Yes, I was. In being honest with myself, I know that if I don't show off what I do somewhere, I'm probably not going to do it. It has to do with some amount of accountability, but much more to do with the fact that I'm proud of what I do, and no one in my real life (save my younger kids) really has any appreciation for it. And I am NOT going to let fear of what some monster might do to with my kids' pictures stop me from showing you all what I'm doing. It's just not going to happen. My husband can say all he wants about how I make the kids think that technology is all wonderful, and how I'm being so irresponsible putting our kids' photos all over the internet. I just don't feel like I'm doing anything wrong. You know? I try to be very tasteful in what I post. My brother-in-law (who works in government security) told me that Facebook is one of the worst places to be posting photos of kids, so I stopped. But, I am not going to let fear keep me from doing what I love. So there! lol

That said, here is a photo of my finished December Daily album. I had taken photos of each page that I hadn't shown you yet, but then last week I deleted them all, and I just don't feel like going through all that again - sorry. Maybe someday I'll have some streak of wanting to photograph and process several pages at once, and do it, but for now, I hope you're happy with a photo of the whole book - I am! It got quite huge, but for now the binder rings are working, so that is likely how it will stay.

Moving on, I did my first week of Project Life last week. I am in love with this project! It took me a while to figure out what I was really doing, but once I started putting things in here, I don't think it could really get much easier (well, I guess I could just put photos in and use the PL journal cards and call it good, but what fun is that?) So, here are the pages of my Week 1 (I haven't made my cover page yet...)

I used a lot of Crate Paper's Farmhouse line, and a paper from their Random collection. I hope to start printing out photos and working on Week 2 later today, as long as things work out for that.

One of our daughters celebrated a birthday this past week, and after I finished making a card for her, I loved the design so much, I made 3 more! Why not? Here are 3 of them:

And a photo of all 4 (the close up of the 4th was all blurry.)

I used papers from Crate Paper's Emma's Shoppe line, a stamp from Papertrey Ink, Versamark ink, Zing embossing powders, and flowers from Sassafras. Oh, and my Zap heat tool, my ATG, and my Fiskars 2" circle punch.

When I finished making those cards, I made a little banner for her birthday cake with some of the scraps. I hadn't planned on putting a candle on this cake, but she really thought she needed to blow something out, so we put on one candle (not 12, as the banner probably would have caught on fire!)

I hope you are all having a fantastic start to your week! You all rock, you know that? I love that there are some people here who enjoy seeing what I make - it makes me feel good! Thank you for that! Take care!

Gonna make a little change

2012-01-11T14:22:00.005-06:00

Okay, maybe that should read a big change. We've had an incident that has made me now very wary of putting info or photos on the internet of my kids. It was nothing really serious, but it was a wake up call to me. So, in the future, I won't be posting photos of my kids, or pages that have their photos in them. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to go back and delete all the blog posts that include those things - that would probably be most of my blog. I really want to show you my mini-books, and my Project Life, and any pages I might happen to scrap, but I just don't feel right about doing it now. I'll still show you cute covers of books! And pages that might be without photos of my kids, but I feel an intense need to protect them right now, as well it should be, right?

But, that won't leave much of a blog. Or much chance to get published again, which I REALLY want! Or much chance of getting on a design team, another thing I REALLY want! So, I'm going to make a bit of a transition. I'm going to try making more home decor projects. And more cards. Hopefully lots more cards! In fact, here are a couple of birthday cards I made this past weekend.

Before I go, please just let me take a moment to say something. Please, PLEASE, if and when your children are old enough to start using cell phones and email, PLEASE make sure they know that even if they think they are sending someone things that will stay private, they had better expect that at some point, someone else will see them. Remember anything you do electronically can be seen by more than just you and the intended recipient. I've had, not that long ago, where I sent someone an email about something rather out of the ordinary, and suddenly the next day, I had web banners showing products to help with what I thought I had sent in a private email. Not so private, right?? And more than likely boyfriends, and girlfriends, will not always stay your boyfriend or girlfriend, and suddenly things you may have sent them in that past, may seem like pretty tempting things to humiliate you with. So yeah, please just make sure you make your kids aware of these things!!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T09:58:00.001-06:00

Buttons

2011-12-19T10:38:00.003-06:00

Oh, buttons, lovely buttons, how I love thee! No, I don't usually use them on my pages, sadly, but I have a gorgeous jar full of these beauties! When I noticed I was getting low the other day, I went to the etsy shop of my friend Bran, and ordered a couple of her Vintage Button Soup Blends. I got them this weekend, and am so in love!!

Thank you so much, Bran!!

A couple of Pink Paislee Projects

2011-12-17T16:50:00.005-06:00

It's no secret that I really love Pink Paislee. But I have totally been talking myself out of applying for their design team, knowing that there is very little chance that I will make it. But, last night, I reminded that myself that by not trying, I have NO chance, and if I try, I at least have some chance. So, I busied myself today making a couple of mini books. They actually came together really quickly - have I mentioned lately how much I love making minis? The first book is made using thier Soiree collection.

It's a book with lots of photos from my youngest daughter's birthday party this year. We made the invitations with Soiree, and decorations, so I thought it quite appropriate commemorate it with Soiree as well!

The second book I made was with the Hometown Summer collection. I used a book cover that I cut from an old book I got at a library sale. Oh, how I love my Big Bite Cropodile!

These are photos of our summer vacation at home this year. I love the colors in this line! And the paper I used on the inside covers is my favorite - I love those houses!

Have a great weekend, my friends!

December Book Days 5-13

2011-12-15T10:30:00.006-06:00

Hello, hello! How are things in your world today? I hope all is well! I've been finally getting into the Christmas spirit. Looks like the lice are a thing of the past, thankfully! And I've grown to really like my new hairstyle. And packages are starting to roll in for the big day next week. I've not gotten as many handmade gifts made this year as I usually do, but it's all good, right? I'm sure I'm the only one that cares if my gifts are handmade or not! Has anyone else noticed that as the kids get older, their gift requests get more and more expensive?? Anyway, on to the pages of my book. I got a bit behind, but Tuesday I got myself caught back up, well, at that point I was at least! I'm finding if I keep a paper where I jot notes down to myself about each day, it makes it much easier when I go to make my pages! Some days I forget to take any photos (like yesterday), so I'm learning to just fudge that a bit...

December 5th - just a quiet boring day. I had the kids fill out a card with their Christmas list, and am using those to fill in on uneventful days. One fun thing today though was that while I went to the dentist, Dave took Jake out for lunch at McDonald's. He loved that!!

December 6th - another fairly uneventful day - I kept Lily home because I found another louse in her hair, and worked on getting a prescription for them. Fun stuff, right? So, here's another Christmas list.

December 7th - I gave myself the whole day to craft, and it was awesome! Okay, so I did other stuff too, but I totally gave myself permission to play, and I loved it!!

December 8th - Umm... not much going on today either. But at least I got a few photos! Lily has become a really good reader, and had fun sitting on the kitchen floor reading the library books she had gotten that day to Jake.

December 9th - Our first real snowstorm! Dave and the boys went out to move snow, and the kids bundled up for school. In the evening, we watched Christmas movies - I did print a photo of Frosty the Snowman to put in here, but Jake took off with it, and I couldn't find it again (and was too lazy to print a new one.) Notice the photo of the mouse in the lower left corner? Just a little reminder to me that mice are not quiet when they get caught in a trap - yes, that is how I was awoken this morning. Yuck, right???

December 10th - Dave surprised me with a new mattress today! We really needed one, and he was able to get a REALLY good deal on a really good mattress! Yay! It was a bit of work getting it all set up, as our bed rails were not long enough (we switched from a full to a queen), and we had no sheets that fit, but I can tell you I slept SO WELL that night!! We also had Elizabeth's first choir concert of the year. I was shocked when I got there to find the auditorium was full, and there was nowhere to sit. I was resigned to the fact that we would be standing for the concert, when someone started setting out folding chairs, and we were able to get those.

December 11th - We woke up to find that even one more flush of the toilet was NOT a good idea, and had to get our septic tank emptied. On a Sunday. (I had just noticed it was getting to be a problem on Friday afternoon, but we thought it could make it through the weekend.) Fortunately we found someone willing to do that, and while we waited for him, we made a few trips to town to use the bathroom.

In the evening, we had all the family at home, and had yummy barbequed ribs. We all had the dirtiest faces and fingers, but it sure was good! I made a little pocket with this photo strip, and put the receipt from the septic tank pumping in the pocket. I thought it was a fun piece of ephemera to add!

December 12th - A fairly relaxing day, until late afternoon, when I had promised the girls we'd do a little holiday baking, and we had an orchestra concert to go to. Both Elizabeth and William play in orchestra, so it was a big night. I got really lousy photos of it, but oh, well. I was really excited to see that William is now 1st chair cello!

December 13th - Dave took Jake and I to Applebee's for lunch - that was fun for a change. After that, I finally was able to get prescriptions for the lice, though I had to wait at the pharmacy for about a half hour, because they misplaced one of or prescriptions! We ran home really quickly to do some online Christmas shopping, before returning to town to take Lily to her book fair (always a good time...). She was so sweet, trying to find gifts for others, but I only had a very limited amount of money with me, and she had the hardest time trying to find a book that SHE wanted. I was so glad when we finally were able to get out of there!

I am seeing that I totally am going to need bigger book rings! This is only half filled, and it's already this fat! But, I sure am loving it!! Take care, my friends!

December Book Days 1-4

2011-12-07T02:11:00.003-06:00

Hello, friends! What a ride it's been over the last few weeks in our home! We've been dealing with one of those dreaded things families sometimes have to deal with when they have kids in school - lice. Yuck!!! My girls with beautiful long hair... No fun at all! And I got them too. Yucky, yucky, yucky!! When I noticed I had them, I knew I'd have to deal with them myself, and the thought of my super long hair was too much! So, on impulse, I told my hubby he could cut my hair like he's always said he wanted to do. Kind of a mistake... But, I've gotten over it. Kind of... But, I digress. We are still dealing with the darn things, and it's been a struggle.

But, I am finding a lot of joy in working on my book to cheer me up! Here are the cover pages and the first four days.

The Christmas cards I made this year. The sentiment stamp was an exclusive from the Elle's Studio 'tis the season limited edition kit. Seeing it always makes me feel so calm... I wrote Shimelle's Christmas Manifesto inside of it.

December 1st - Having trouble dealing with the fact that it was December, and I did NOT feel in the holiday spirit. I had just discovered I had lice, the little girl staying with us had them really bad, and Jake had a stomach bug and was waking up during the night vomiting. But I felt a bit of peace in the afternoon, when the hubby came home and sat with the little guy so I could get some work done. Everyone eventually fell asleep in there, and I had some quiet time. I love seeing my little guy on his daddy's lap!

December 2nd - Trying to cope with my new short hair cut. Kept the girls home, and we had a pajama/lice killing party. Wouldn't you like to have been here... Not a fun day, but I tried to make the best of it.

December 3rd - It was so exciting to round a corner at Walmart and see Santa sitting on a bench! I had a couple of kids thrilled about that!! Jake sat right down next to him, and told Santa he wanted a fire engine.

December 4th - The grandbaby FINALLY got to come home!! Mom and dad and baby showed up in the afternoon, while I was working on bookwork, and the boys were cutting wood. He is still so tiny - seriously, smaller than some of my kids were when they were born! But, I got to snuggle with him... and burp him... and change his diaper. I'm in love! Everyone must have had a long day though, because while watching our beloved Packers play, all of them, plus her little girl who had been staying with us, plus Jake fell asleep! It was supper time, and half the house was asleep! There must have been sleeping potion in the air!

Oh, my poor neglected blog!

2011-11-22T12:39:00.002-06:00

Yes, I know, it's been a long time again. I'm sorry my blogging is so spotty lately. Fair warning - I don't expect it to be much better until after the holidays.

So far, this week has been a bit crazy. On Saturday, we went to a birthday party, and picked up the sister of our grandson. The little guy in still in the NICU (though we hope he won't be there much longer), and his sister has been bounced around a bit, so we are taking her until they are ready to bring her home. She is only 5 months older than our youngest, and they are having times of getting along well, and times of fighting. I certainly have a new appreciation for my sister that has twins!!

I've also been trying to prepare for Thanksgiving. The house is a lot cleaner than it was (though it still has a long ways to go.) And today I have switched some to the food prep for Thursday, and preparing our meal for 22. I've been chopping veggies, and cutting up meat and cheese for appetizer trays, and I'll boil eggs later for the deviled eggs my kids love, and try to make some dried beef dip. Tomorrow will be pie making day (I'm making 6 different ones - it's one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving), and I'll be making lots more things that can be made ahead of time. I sure hope the kids get along better tomorrow!

In the midst of all this, I've been trying to keep up with my online classes that I'm in right now, but I've decided that for today and tomorrow, I'm just going to have to take breaks from them. I've also been trying to figure out what I'm doing for Christmas cards, and working on getting some homemade gifts done.

That about sums up my life right now! In case I don't get back here before then, I hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving, and get some great deals over the weekend! Take care!!

Exploring the Light Workshop

2011-10-22T20:03:00.002-05:00

In case you haven't noticed all my tweets over the past couple of days, there is a free workshop going on this weekend at creativeLIVE. Rick Sammon is the teacher, and I have to tell you all - he is incredible! The workshop he's doing this weekend is Exploring The Light. I have been so impressed by Rick!

creativeLIVE hosts workshops very often, and if you watch during the live taping, you can watch for free. Right now, they are playing free rewatch of todays class, and there will be class all day yet tomorrow. I highly recommend this! If you get a chance, I don't think you'll regret watching this!

I'm beginning to think a lot about Christmas...

2011-10-20T18:57:00.005-05:00

Hello, friends! It's been kind of uneventful around here this week. Hmmm... the hubby has been taking it easy at work this week, so the little guy and I have spent more time with him, while the big kids are at school.

We rented a log splitter yesterday and split a bunch of wood - enough to get us through the next little while at least...

And I've been working on my December Daily/ Journal Your Christmas book. I knew that Studio Calico has teamed up with Ali Edwards to do a December Daily kit, which will be available next week, and as I had purchased a lot of goodies already for my album, I didn't want to be tempted by that. So, I thought I would at least put the bare bones together. I did very little embellishing yet, but I do plan to do a good part of that before December. I went pretty big, with the pages about 9 1/2" x 6".

Here's the front cover:

inside the front cover:

some of the inner pages:

I love this one for Christmas day:

inside the back cover:

And the back:

You might notice I went pretty heavy on the Crate Paper and My Mind's Eye...

I have a HUGE bag of things to embellish with. Probably too much, but we'll see. At least I have plenty of variety! (Sadly, I just ordered more from 2 Peas today, as they have their Holiday Card Making sale...) Here's just a couple of peaks in the big bag:

I hope you all are doing well. The grandbaby is doing well - his vitals are steady, and he is healing, so all is good!

He's Here!

2011-10-15T16:11:00.004-05:00

My grandson was born yesterday morning, and has the surgery he needed. He's in a lot of pain, but is holding his own. I really appreciate all the thoughts and prayers!! Please continue to keep this little guy and his parents in your thoughts.

I want desperately to go see them all, but right now things just aren't working together yet to make that work. So, I'll keep loving him from afar for now.

I know, I know...

2011-10-13T18:49:00.004-05:00

Yes, I realize I said I was back and then haven't been around. I have no real excuses, it's just that I haven't been doing too much that was worth sharing. Nothing scrappy, at least. I've been taking a class with Katrina Kennedy, Your Life Captured Through the Lens, and have been really enjoying that. Oh - I did finally get to upgrade to a DSLR. I love my new Canon Rebel, but it's taken some real getting used to. It's SO different than my Kodak point and shoot! I mean SOOOOO different. Here are a few photos I've taken.

I love this photo of my little guy - his eyes just draw me in on.

Here he was trying to fly, I think, today.

My oldest daughter. I had some trouble getting focused photos today, but this one came out pretty good (though even here the focus is pretty soft).

My girls, having fun.

Sorry, I'm not really chatty tonight. We got word an hour or so ago that our grandson is on his way. Tiffi (my stepson's girlfriend) had an appointment today, and had some tests that didn't come back very good, so they decided to induce her. They don't think anything will happen for at least 12 hrs., so we're guessing tomorrow's the day. I can't believe I'll be a grandma soon!!!! If you all could pray for the little guy, I would really appreciate it! I'm sure he's a fighter, but I think he's going to need some prayer on his side for the next few days at least. I'll share more when I can!

I'm back...

2011-09-22T18:04:00.006-05:00

I know, I know... long time, no see. What have I been up to? Well, it's been a bit crazy around here. A baby shower to plan, that finally took place last weekend (and sadly my camera decided to take a poo and not work after I got one cruddy photo of the food before the shower...) But, here are the invitations I made a huge number of.

Oh, you may be wondering who is having a baby. Well, our oldest son's girlfriend is expecting our first grandchild soon. The little guy has some problems, and will be rushed into surgery when he is born, but we have faith that everything is going to work out okay!

Anyway, between making all these invitations and the shower actually happening, we had 3 birthdays in the family. Yes, 3 of our children have their birthdays within the first week of September. Crazy, right? So, we had party after party, between family parties, and parties with friends. Lily's friends party was the one I worked on the most - here are the invitations I made for them - I was trying to keep it simple, so I printed out some Soiree cards I got from House of 3 before they closed. Of course, I wanted to glam them up a little bit... Then I didn't have any A2 envelopes, so I had to make some. That wasn't quite as simple... but they came together pretty quickly.

And with all those birthdays I had to make a new birthday banner, because the old purchased one I had just wasn't cutting it anymore in my humble opinion. So, one morning I made this with some fun older papers from My Mind's Eye. If I remember correctly, the alpha stickers are Sassafrass.

Other than all those parties, I've also been taking lots of classes! Let's see... right now I'm in Katrina Kennedy's Your Life Through the Lens at Get It Scrapped, Shimelle's Learn Something New Every Day (which I have fallen terribly behind on...), Jennifer McGuire's Inspiration Showcase (which I learned an INCREDIBLE amount from - I highly recommend it!). And today, Double Take with May Flaum and Nic Howard started! I've been really looking forward to this class - May is a teacher I really relate to, and I have pretty much decided that any class she teaches, I will take. This class is going to be a LOT of fun!! If you want to join me, you can still get into this class! Check it out here.

I hope to be back soon to show you more goodies - I've made a little tutorial for you, but just haven't had the energy to get that all put together and posted, but hopefully I'll get that up soon. Take care, everyone!

Grid it up

2011-08-14T13:38:00.004-05:00

Well, I'm still working, but I finished this page that I started last night during some document uploads. The challenge from Shimelle on this one was to make a page with a grid element. I bounced a few ideas around in my head, but this one won out. I love Jenni Bowlin's mini papers, especially this set. I cut them down to 3" x 3" pieces and glued them on my page. At first I was going to try to make a perfect grid, but that is just not me. So, I made a messy grid, and that really dictated the way the rest of my page.

Oh, darn. You can't read that last word very well - the phrase on the bottom says "...hold such PROMISE"

I wanted to add a couple of quotes I've seen on pinterest lately - I ♥ pinterest!

Here are a few detail photos.

I'm not sure if I'll be back with more yet today or not. I've got a decent amount of work left, plus most of the family is here for a big meal on Sunday nights (all 9 of us - or 11 if our oldest's girlfriend and her daughter show up!) Oh, and we veg out in front of the TV late Sunday nights - there is a 2 hour block of Soap reruns, and most of us never saw it (as it was before our time), and we are really hooked!

Crop Your Paper

2011-08-13T17:29:00.003-05:00

I'm back! Here is my second page for Shimelle's crop - it's for her Chop Your Paper Challenge. The challenge was to embellish your page using just one piece of paper that you cut into pieces. She had used a beautiful paper from Pink Paislee and House of 3's Soiree line, so I opted not to use that paper, and instead go with the beautiful Junque paper from their Daily Junque line. Again, it's a very simple page, but that's just what I'm having to go with today. And I'm okay with that. Because even simple looks absolutely beautiful when I slide it into my album!

Again, the lighting is terrible, and no matter how I play with it, I can't get it any better. The banner on the bottom says THINK POSITIVE, and I thought that was perfect to go with this photo where my little girl seems a little down.

A Stickery Challenge from Shimelle

2011-08-13T15:29:00.004-05:00

I have really been looking forward to the weekend crop with Shimelle! But, my life had other plans. I had to work all day yesterday, and deal with a really cranky property tech, more or less making me sound like either a liar or just dumb to her superiors, which made me really upset. When I pointed out that I had proof that things were as I said, she quit making my day miserable. But, that wasn't until much of the day was done.

This morning I had quite a bit of work to do, but I woke up early and got it started. I was happily finished a few hours ago! There's still laundry and some (well, a lot of) cleaning to do, but I had to start a page! I couldn't take it any longer! I started working on Shimelle's A Stickery Challenge, and though my page is really simple, it took me a couple of hours! My husband recently asked me to move all my scrapping stuff to the basement (as it was taking over our office), so I had to run up and down the stairs getting things I need. Now everything is back up here again, and all over the place! sigh... But! But! But! I did get this page finished!

The challenge was to combine stickers from at least 2 different lines. So, though I don't have a lot of stickers on here, they do come from October Afternoon's Rocket Age line and Echo Park's Country Drive line (both are really great!!) Here are a couple of detail photos:

I hate the lighting of these, but it's way too overcast outside right now, and I just can't get it right. Plus, after working on this page for so long, I had to just give up my expectations of perfection and get it done. So, I figured that applied to the photos as well...

I hope to be back with more later. I know tomorrow I will have to work very much of the day, so I am going to get as much done as I can today. And I'm happy I can!

Webster's Pages Groupon Deal!

2011-08-12T14:18:00.003-05:00

Wow! Check out this great deal from Webster's Pages that you can get today only through Groupon! $100 worth of awesome Wester's Pages goodies for only $25! You have to pay shipping too, but still, that is one heck of a deal!!

From the groupon website:

The human memory begins to record events around age 3, a phenomenon discovered in 1898 by a man who has since been forgotten. Keep beloved memories intact with today’s Groupon: for $25, you get The Best of Scrapbooking & Papercrafting, Volume 01, a collection of designer paper and scrapbooking materials from Webster’s Pages (a $100 value).

Spearheaded by the brother-sister team of Tim Myers and Brandin O’Neill, Webster’s Pages supports crafty endeavors with a dazzling assortment of cardstock, designer paper, and scrapbook embellishment. More than 50 12”x12” and 6”x6” sheets, ornamented with subtle thematic designs, fan out into a fancy, colorful array that’s sure to attract even the shyest scissors and glue sticks. Family photos in need of explanation can appeal to more than 360 cardstock alphabet sticker letters and 15 feet of boutique-style ribbon and trim. A slew of vintage-inspired buttons, paired with fabric and netting flowers, adds dimension and texture to 2-D folios, gracing pages that would otherwise be condemned to living in parakeet cages or storing unhappy words.

Remember, this only good through today, so get it quick!

Daily Truth

2011-07-31T16:09:00.004-05:00

Wow! I have a bit of a break in work! I got everything done already that I could for now, so I'm just waiting for my guys to come home with the rest of the photos I have to get uploaded before the end of the month. It'll be a late night, but I'm so thankful I'm getting a break!

Have you heard of Daily Truths from the Brave Girls Club? It's a daily email I get that, that I love! It's often just what I need to hear. My very favorite one came last month, when I really needed it. It read:

Dear grateful girl,
It might seem like so much is going wrong around you, it might even be true... but there are always many many more good things to see, and wonderful things to be grateful for.

If we can get our thought to sway away from feeling lack of any kind... whether it's financial or emotional or physical, and instead focus on every little simple and beautiful and lovely thing around us... our lives can be full and abundant and joyful.

When we have difficulties finding the beauty we are looking for or wanting to focus on, we always have the ability and the choice to go out and create it.

Between the beauty and truth that is already out there to find, and what we can create... we can each find joy and strength at any time. Isn't that wonderful? Life is so good!

Have a wonderful weekend!
Xoxo

Isn't that beautiful?

If you would like to receive such emails every day, join the mailing list here.

---
During this break today, the girls asked if I would craft with them. They painted, while I scrapped, and Jake napped. I made this layout for the Studio Calico Sunday Sketch.

Some details:

Week in the Life Day 6

2011-07-31T10:25:00.006-05:00

Wow! I can't believe this is the last day of Week in the Life. I've got a really busy day of work, as is usual for the end of the month, but I'm going to make it!! Here are some of my favorite photos from yesterday.

Elizabeth snuggled up in my chair reading first thing in the morning. Her favorite thing to do.

Jake and Lily were up on our bed watching a Kipper video they got from the library.

My quick breakfast so I could keep working.

Elizabeth unplugging Jake's tractor. Once she had it ready for him, it was so funny, he took off out of the garage on that think like a bat out of... well, you get the idea. That boy only drives in 2nd gear now!

Kind of a big deal. I haven't had an adult drink since I got pregnant with Jake (well, besides the occasional sip of Dave's wine), but knowing how stressful this weekend would be for me, I asked him to pick up some wine coolers yesterday, so I could relax in the evening. I was kind of excited then I saw them in the fridge. They looked so yummy (but when I finally drank one at about 10 pm, I'll be honest, not as yummy as I thought it would be.)

William is a very creative soul, and recently he realized that when he comes across air fresheners like this, he can make faces in them with his pen. He loves to make little things to make me smile when I work through the pictures. He's so sweet!

Jake playing with one of his trucks, and the gravel. This was shortly before the sun went down, and what I've been reading is right -the lighting is fabulous then!

Lily had a friend over for a sleepover, and the kids had so much fun making a mud hole, and swinging over it. They were soaked.

And Jake wanted to swing.

Then the girls decided to run through the mud hole.

After they all dried off and got on their PJs, they watched Tom and Jerry on our bed, and ate popcorn. What a fun end to the day for them!

Week in the Life Day 5

2011-07-30T14:47:00.007-05:00

Day 5 - we're nearing the end!

Thursday started out with quite a bit of arguing. Lily was really irritating Elizabeth with that silly popper toy.

Jake was pulling some really silly faces while eating his yogurt.

The scraps from lunch - I guess Jake didn't want his crusts.

We had to run some errands, and I surprised Elizabeth as she got into the van by taking her photo.

We were so excited when Elizabeth found a Mighty Machines movie in the Walmart checkout line. This is Jake's favorite show (well, that or Bob the Builder), so it's so exciting to be able to turn it on any time we need it!

After our errands, I promised the girls we'd go to the library - they LOVE going there. Look at that HUGE bag of books Elizabeth is carrying! We left with it even fuller!!

Everyone wants to help put the books in the drop.

Ahhh... my favorite shelf. I'm not really into fiction, though there are a few authors that I love to read. But, the new cookbooks... that or the craft area.

When we got home, Jake was so ready for a nap (this was a LATE one - like 5 pm!)

Dave was going to make supper, but he asked if I'd make a tuna macaroni salad. The kids loved it, but he wasn't too happy that I didn't put any celery in it.

Just looking at all these alphas from Sassafras makes me so happy! I have a mild obsession with them - there are more on their way to me. I love the open spot on the top - I recently thought of putting them all on a binder ring - love it!!

Jake woke up not very happy, and wanted to do nothing but watch dump trucks, so I searched youtube.

While Dave made supper, the kids played outside.

Dave grilling. When he realized I was snapping photos, he told me to put the camera in the house. I'm loving this, but my family is getting a little sick of it...

I made a page!

2011-07-30T11:26:00.004-05:00

I did it! I actually spent some time to scrap a real page this week. Yep, I spread it out between 2 days, but I really wanted to enter the Sassafras challenge for this month, so I did get it done. The challenge was to mix some of their lines together. I lost track of what all I used, but I know I have some from Starters, Indie Girl and Count Me In. The only thing that's not from Sassafras is the little yellow alpha - those are from Authenique. I also used Elmer's adhesive and a Pilot Precise V5 pen.

Some detail photos.

I'll be back later with my Week in the Life photos from yesterday. Happy weekend, everyone!

Week in the Life Day 4

2011-07-29T12:15:00.005-05:00

Day 4 already - more than halfway done! At least I'm earlier posting this today!

Lily and Jake shortly after waking up - playing with light sabers on the sofa.

Waiting for the pan to warm up to make Dave's eggs.

Dylan doing a little reading while he waits for Dave to be ready to leave for the day. On the sly is about the only way I can get photos of the boys.

Jake eating a bowl of cereal. He's not very good about using silverware.

Lily and Jake ready to leave to bring Elizabeth to a friend's house for swimming.

Later, we had to run to another town to pick up a part for Dave. I wanted a picture of Jake's cute Cars shoes.

Lily was playing with a camera and took a picture of her own feet.

At the grocery store - I let the kids have a rare treat - a frozen dinner.

Just documenting the price of a gallon of milk.

At the tractor part store, they offered the kids free popcorn. Jake announced very loudly after trying it that it was "lucky" - what he meant was YUCKY! Lily picked out the good pieces for him on the way home.

A self portrait.

Yay! The UPS man just dropped off a prize box from Studio Calico! Autumn Press, here I come!

Dave and the boys were home late for supper, as usual, so it was all in microwave dishes for them. Spaghetti and meatballs is a favorite around here.

Week in the Life Day 3

2011-07-28T19:45:00.007-05:00

Wow! Day 3's photos already! Or, maybe I should say, it's about time. Yep, I'm working on this late today. Been one of those days, I guess. But, here is yesterday's day in photos - I got a little bit artistic with the photos while editing them...

The kids played outside in the morning, and Jake ended up filthy, so once I was done with my workout, I gave him a bath - he loves baths!

In the meantime the girls played in their room. Ummm.... sadly, they just cleaned it last week. See the red curtains? Dave found them in a house he cleaned out (don't worry, I wash them well), and they make the room so... red! Seriously, when the sun shines in, the room is awash in red!

Jake took a fairly early nap, and the girls asked to use my paints. They had a lot of fun painting!

Elizabeth's dog clown.

Lily's bowl of chocolate and painting of herself with someone who is NOT her sister (they had a lot of arguing yesterday!)

And the little guy sleeps. Umm... I think I see a popsicle stick in there - you never know where he'll throw them.

After painting, Lily wanted to throw a fashion show for me. I was trying to work, but took some time to watch. She put a chair at the bottom of the stairs with a pillowcase lying in front of it (I didn't quite understand that part...) and walked up and down the stairs with the same dress over and over, but different accessories (including stuffed animal and bubbles.) I caught this photo as she was changing something up there - I loved the effect of the sun coming through the bathroom window.

After nap it was time to play outside. Elizabeth with a smug look on her face, for some reason.

I did a lot of laundry - mmm... fresh towels! The bottom ones here are the new ones - I washed them on their own, and the dryer lint from these was incredible! The boys didn't think that was very exciting when I told them...

This is kind of a crumby photo, as Dylan all of a sudden noticed I had the camera and trying to get away, but this where you'll usually find the boys when they're home at the computer, or on their bed playing Magic.

Dave pulled out the cheetos while he was making supper, then headed outside. This has become a favorite snack of Jake's lately, so he thought he would follow suit, and proceeded to stuff as many cheetos in his hands before he went out the door - I finally had to grab the bag, he had them falling on the floor, in his mouth...

Jake and Lily putting some mail in the box for me.

Lily on the back of the truck.

Jake wants to sit there too!

Yum - corn on the cob! Poor William still has braces, and has to cut his off.

While I did dishes, Dave had the kids outside, and Elizabeth took some pictures of the young ones swinging. She's really trying to help me with this!

Week in the Life Day 2

2011-07-27T15:23:00.004-05:00

Here is my day 2 of Week in the Life. It was a day where we stayed home all day, and I got my work done halfway early. That's always fun! Oh - and my daughter Elizabeth told me I could borrow her camera for a while - what a sweetie!!

Me, doing what I do. Well, most of what I do is on the computer, but we like to keep a hard copy of everything we do as well.

When I got my work done, the little guy was sleeping, so I thought it was a great time to paint my nails - I'm loving this orange shade! And a little caffeine and ginseng never hurt anyone, right? (except that's my hubby's soda, and he might not like if he saw I was drinking it...) lol

During crafting time (at least the girls get to do that whenever they want to), Lily made herself a Mrs. Snowman mask - cute, huh?

After they got all their other work done today, my guys cut our own lawn. Here's Dylan doing what he does most of the day - weed eating.

And Jake loves it when Daddy is mowing - he gets to ride along. He should have been eating supper right then, but riding the tractor is definitely more fun (plus supper last night turned out really bad, so I can't blame him for not wanting to eat it!)

After all the yard work and dishes and laundry, Dave had to bring the trailer back to the shop, and said he wanted to get a new pillow. So, he and Jake and I hopped in the pickup, and went to Walmart. Jake wasn't wearing any shorts! lol

What a mess Walmart was last night - boxes everywhere! And wow, did we load up a cart! Not only did we get a new pillow for Dave, but for everyone in the house (it was time!) Plus, he decided we needed new towels too - he's right - the great Martha Stewart Egyptian cotton ones we got about 10 years ago were getting a little (or a lot) on the bad side...

Explore

2011-07-26T14:21:00.005-05:00

I just need to love on Shimelle here for minute. She is so inspiring to me. If you haven't already, I would TOTALLY suggest you watch her video on Ali Edward's blog - you can find the blog post here.

I am taking Shimelle's Explore class, and am totally loving it. I can't believe how much she has put into it for such an inexpensive class! Here is the book I have made so far.

Front cover - how lucky was I that my new labels from Elle's Studio showed up while I was making this - that EXPLORE tag was just perfect for my cover!

Here is a self portrait of myself, the way my family often sees me - with my camera in hand.

A letter to myself reminding myself what I am taking the class for.

Just playing with map papers and circles - making my own embellishments.

We were instructed to write down something that we feel is perfect in our lives.

And these pages were in response to a request to take a photo of where we stand the most, sit the most, and sleep the most. Sleeping the most would have to be a tie between the bed and the recliner, I'm afraid...

I am really enjoying this class!!

Week in the Life Day 1

2011-07-26T11:15:00.007-05:00

Welcome to my first Week in the Life. I am so excited about this! The day certainly had some ups and downs, but I got about 110 photos of so, and took lots of notes. Here are some of my photos and words.

Dave started out the morning writing down what they did the day before, and planning work for the day ahead. This is a morning ritual. They have plenty to do today!

Jake was amused by something! And I think he has a piece of Dave's toast going into his mouth. He usually likes to eat breakfast with Daddy.

While I exercised, Jake got up on the top bunk bed, and he never gets down unless I get him down, so they waited up there for about 45 minutes. I think they were having fun though - I hope so, at least!

The girls saw me taking a photo of my feet, and wanted their pretty painted toenails in the picture too. We had all bought some new polish on Sunday, so it was fun to take a picture.

We ran to town to get groceries. Jake had finally finished off the unliked purple popsicles, so we finally were able to get another package (the purples always get left for the end. Orange first, then red, then purple.) We also go a treat of chocolate milk - it's great, but it will never compare to the Heartland chocolate milk in the glass bottles that we loved!

My precious camera in a bag of rice. I did the unthinkable. While taking some photos upstairs for Shimelle's Explore class (which I am loving!), I walked into the bathroom. As I entered the room, my hand hit the doorknob, and my camera went flying. It landed directly in the open toilet! Yuck! I tried to turn it on pretty quickly afterward (I knew better, but couldn't help it...), so I'm sure it's fried. But, I'm trying to dry it out, and hope maybe it works again. I'm not feeling very good about that though. This was the camera Dave gave me for Christmas a couple years ago when he knew I wanted a new camera (of course, I was wishing for DSLR...) Fortunately, no matter how old it is, I'm thankful that we have a backup digital camera, because poor photos are better than no photos! As you can tell, I forgot to take off the date stamp...

After supper when the girls were taking out recycling, Jake wanted to help. Of course, he didn't want to come back in, even with the promise of his favorite treat - watermelon! Elizabeth ended up carrying him in kicking and screaming so we could do dishes (she said he even bit her shoulder.) The watermelon did eventually calm him down, but you can still see a tear on his face.

After dishes, I folded some laundry. As I looked at these shirts of my boys', I reflected on how hard Dave and my boys work. It was 94 degrees out today, and they were out mowing all day! What incredible dedication they show!

Jake is often trying to help while we do dishes, but tonight, Lily got him to lay on the sofa with her, and watch cartoons. That was a huge help, because he usually gets water all over the place! They looked so sweet here. It was so dark, so I'm thankful I was able to get the photo to look halfway decent!

Some Pre CHA Favorites

2011-07-15T09:23:00.006-05:00

I am sitting here with some major CHA envy! How I would LOVE to go - especially since it's just kinda close (only about 5 hrs away...) But, as I look at all the goodies here on my computer screen, I've been collection some of my favorite sneak peeks. I thought I'd share them with you. Prepare to be falling in love!

Jenni Bowlin has some lovely new Halloween and Christmas kits coming out, but my favorites are some of her embellishments. Look at these lovely flowers!

And this great alpha!
Webster's Pages has several new collections coming out, but Western Romance is my favorite (I think...)

And the trim that goes with it... to die for!

Crate Paper's kits are always some of my favorites, and the Random Collection is no exception!

I'm also in love with their Farmhouse Collection.

Studio Calico has really outdone themselves!! They have 3 beautiful new collections coming out with oodles of goodies to go along with them! I think Memoir is my favorite collection.
And these new Mister Huey's are definitely calling my name! (I love that Overdue!)

Pin Paislee has lots of goodness debuting! Check out these adorable wood letters!

And their new Mistables collection looks like so much fun!

October Afternoon also has a Farmhouse Collection coming out that I love!

And their Sidewalks Collection looks adorable!
Glitz has a few new collections, and Vintage Blue is my favorite of those.
Maya Road has a incredible amount of new goodness! I'm loving this crocheted ruffle trim!

And these cameo stamps have my mind spinning with possibilities!
And how cute are these chipboard pieces??

My favorite new collection from Lily Bee Design is Head Over Heels - so pretty!

And Elle's Studio released their new collection this week (some of it is on it's way into my mailbox already!)

I love these pennants!

And their new Little Snippets line is awesome!!

I am sure there are some that I've missed... but these are the ones that have really stood out to me this week!

It's been a while...

2011-07-10T13:31:00.004-05:00

It's been a little while since I have blogged, but I have good reason. I had planned to start a LOAD on July 1st, and was very excited about it. But, I got really busy on July 1st, after being up very late the night before uploading things that needed to be uploaded by the end of the month. So, at a certain point, I decided I would start on July 2. But, sadly before July 2nd came, I got a call that my stepson had been involved in a bad accident. He is okay - a broken arm, and very banged up, but we are so fortunate that he is still with us. Sadly the family of the other person involved was not that fortunate. So, it's been a very sad and tense time here, and scrapping has been the last thing on my mind. We feel so sad for the other family, and our son is traumatized over this. Plus, we are still waiting to see if any charges are filed. It's quite stressful here.

But! Life goes on! I finally scrapped my first page yesterday, and it felt so good! I can't make any promises that I'll actually do one every day, but I am sure going to try.

Credits: Cardstock - Colorbok; Banner tag - Elle's Studio; Alphas and word sticker on banner, date sticker - The Girls' Paperie; Woodgrain alpha - Sassafrass Lass

The paint splat I did using a Ranger Mini Mister, in which I mixed some acrylic paint and water. I'm pretty happy with how that worked. I have to do some more playing around with that to make it exactly like I want, but so far, I'm liking what it's doing!

Celebrate

2011-06-21T12:37:00.004-05:00

Are you getting ready for the 4th of July? We celebrate it big around here, so I was very excited to see Polka Dot Pixels' new kit - Celebrate! What a fun kit to play with!!

Here is the page I made with it.

Some details...

I got to use this fun new Wood Grain Mini Alpha from Sassafrass!

Cardstock - Colorbok; All Embellishments - Polka Dot Pixels; Woodgrain Alpha - Sassarass; Adhesive - Elmer's; Pens - FaberCastell and Sakura; Thread - unknown

Savoring Summer book pages 1-3

2011-06-16T09:21:00.003-05:00

Well, working has been crazy busy, and between that and running kids around to places they need to go, and trying to get some housework done, dealing with a flooding basement, and all the other stuff, I've not found a lot of time to scrap. But, I can't tell you how much I love working in this Savoring Summer mini book kit from Elle's Studio. I got the covers and base made last week, and have been adding more and more base pages, as I get more and more paper I love. I think this will be a pretty thick mini by the time summer is over!

Let me very quickly mention - if you are trying to get something like this made, having the base of the book made beforehand is so wonderful! It makes making a page so quick and easy!

Here is my front cover.

My first page is about our little guy getting his leg broke on the first day of June. On the hospital bracelet piece, I blurred out his full name and birthdate on the photo, as I really don't care to give quite that much info out...

On the 2nd page I added some goodies from Crate paper - I love the die cut sheets that you get when you purchase one their collection kits. A 12" x 12" sheet FULL of die cuts to punch out! Yay! This frame and date element are from their Emma's Shoppe collection. Oh, and the trim came in the Elle's Studio kit, but it's from the trim set from Crate Paper's Neighborhood collection. Actually, this whole page is Crate Paper - the background is one of their papers from the Portrait Collection (swoon!)

Late last week, Lily asked me (very accusingly, I might add), "Mom, why don't you ever take us out for ice cream?". It made me feel kind of bad... But, the other day when we were at Walmart, she asked if they could get an ice cream treat - remembering that question, I said sure. On the way home, I remembered why I don't take them out for ice cream (at least not to eat in the vehicle, that is!) What a mess!! Trying to keep Jake's cast clean and dry was a real hassle. (But the ice cream sure was yummy!) So, that's what page 3 depicts. Oh, these little stickers are ones that I picked up a Walmart - they are adorable, and at just $1 for a sheet, a real steal, in my opinion!

I have more pages in the works, and will try to show them to you soon. I hope you are having a fabulous, happy summer so far!!

Country

2011-06-09T17:09:00.003-05:00

As I mentioned in my last blog post, my hubby and I just celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. As the little guy broke his leg that day, it wasn't really a very happy day. But, I was so thankful I had made this card the day before, and had it ready to give the love of my life.

I used this fabulous new digital kit from Polka Dot Pixels - Country. It is full of bandanas, and country goodies for scrapping your little cowboys or cowgirls!

Summer begins...

2011-06-05T14:04:00.003-05:00

Well, I haven't gotten any scrapping done this week, but that's not without good reason. The kids got out of school for the summer (yay!!); all the boys (but the little guy) are working with their dad, which leaves us girls to pick up a lot of their chores; the bookwork has been plentiful, as the helper thing just hasn't worked out; there are gardens to be planted; and then to add more complications, the little guy had a playground accident!

Can you believe they make walkers this small? Anyway, he's in a cast for 4 weeks, and though the walker is fun once in a while, he's not really that into it, so it means a LOT of carrying this 38 lb. 2 yr. old, and fining things for him to do while he can't move around a lot. I'm sure it will get easier as time goes by - he'll find ways to be more mobile. Oh, and guess what was really fun! This happened on my hubby's and my 15th wedding anniversary! Happy Anniversary, honey! Trips to the ER are a great way to celebrate!! lol

Oh, well. Back to the bookwork. Hope you are having a fabulous weekend!!

Girl Power

2011-05-31T17:37:00.004-05:00

I wish I had time to scrap a Girl Power page today, along with Shimelle, but I just have too much bookwork to do, as so much needs to be done by midnight tonight. But, I did help her cause by purchasing a class that I've been wanting to take from her, and you can help the same way, for the next few hours.

I feel so blessed that I was born where I was - to a happy family, in a country where women are treated as equals, where I was able to get a first-rate education, and follow my dreams. I had choices, I had love, I had meals, I had a home... Please consider joining me in helping Shimelle with this cause!! Here is the class I am taking - just one of several you can take to help!

I can't wait to take Love Your Pictures, Love Your Pages!! I have taken some other of Shimelle's classes in the past, and think they are awesome!

Elle's Studio First Project Kit! Yay!

2011-05-30T15:49:00.006-05:00

Okay, so... you can't get this any more. Sorry! But, they are going to offer them in the future, and I just want to show you how exciting this box was to open!!

My box from Elle's Studio (♥) actually showed up on Saturday. But, I had a crazy amount of work to do, plus the graduation party on Sunday, and as impatient as I am... I didn't open it until this morning, during the quiet, when everyone was sleeping. I wanted to be able to savor it.

Ohhh... yeah! This is gonna be good! Look at the beautiful wrapping!

Oh, yummy!!

Yay! My first washi tape and Mr. Huey's!!

Some beautiful tags from Elle's Studio - made exclusively for this project kit!

Mmmm... look at these gorgeous alphas!!!

Ohhhhh... come here, my pretty!!!

(can I let you in on a little secret? This is one of my favorite papers of all times - I actually have a few more sheets of it already! In case you want one - it's called "Bridesmaids", and it's from Crate Paper!)

So, yep, I'm pretty happy with my Savoring Summer Project Kit from Elle's Studio! (Happy early Anniversary and Birthday to me!!) lol

Fun page

2011-05-25T16:49:00.003-05:00

I had some fun scrapping today! I am just in love with this page! It's so bright and fun!

Here are some close ups

Cardstock - Bazzil; Border and floral cut out - Sassafrass; Tags, Pennant and Journal Spots - Elle's Studio; Puffy Stickers and White Alpha - EK Success; Green Alpha - American Crafts; Flags - House of 3; Adhesive - Tombow

Some Weekend Scrapping

2011-05-22T16:57:00.002-05:00

There's some big changes going on in my life right now. My oldest son graduates from high school this week - I've been through it with my stepsons, but it's a little different when it's my own, I guess. He had his last day of high school this week, and it felt so strange to me. He's working in the family business for now, and then will go into culinary arts in the fall. We're thinking for now he'll just commute, so at least I don't have see him leave... yet.

Also, I've been so very, very busy with our business. What was an hour or two of work per day, was suddenly something I was working on most of the day. It's not like it's all that much work, it's just working at home with a 2-year old, and trying answer emails and phone calls, and TRYING to keep the house going (I say that VERY loosely), it just made the work drag on and on and on. I was keeping up with it, but everything else was going to pot. Obviously my blogging and scrapping lagged, but much more importantly I wasn't being much of a mom, when that was the whole point of me not working outside of the home. And, I just kind of let the work take over me. So, to get to the change, I have someone coming here tomorrow, and I am going to teach her what I do. In all honestly, I fought it. I really didn't want to let someone else take over MY work. MY part of the family business. The part of me that I felt was invaluable to everyone else. But, my husband reminded that the whole point of being a stay at home mom was to be a mom, and a wife. And while I thought before it was my scrapping commitments that were getting into the way of that, I now see that it was partly that, but much more that I couldn't bear to share my load. So, I am still a little nervous about it, but for the most part, I'm going to just be a mom and wife again!! And I'm excited about that!! Very!!!

Anyway, feeling a new freedom, I spent some time scrapping yesterday. Not trying to hurry through it. Not trying really to please anyone but myself. Trying to make something for my daughter with whom I was having some troubles with yesterday, to remind her that no matter what, I love her! And this is what I made.

Isn't she a doll?

Patterned paper, border - Sassafrass; Cardstock - Bazzil;, Die Cuts - Making Memories; Journal spot - Elle's Studio; Frame - My Mind's Eye; Green Alpha, stamp - American Crafts; White alpha - Pink Paislee; Circle alpha - Jenni Bowlin Studio; Ink, punch - Martha Stewart; Adhesive - Tombow

Perfection

2011-05-16T14:37:00.004-05:00

Well, blogger had problems last week, and it appears the post I lost hasn't come back yet. So, let's try this again.

I got to play with this fun kit from One Little Bird, Focal Point.

I had actually started out doing something totally different, but this page took on a life of it's own, and I am so happy with where it ended! You gotta play with this kit, just to have that great lens!! I love it! Here is the page I ended up with.

Font is Traveling Typewriter

Brave Girl

2011-05-12T10:52:00.000-05:00

Wish Bliss Studio released this fabulous illustration set today - Brave Girl! Perfect for scrapping all the brave girls in your life (including yourself!!)

Here is a page I made with it.

My daughter at her spelling bee this year. It was kind of disappointing, but she held her head up!

Brave Girl illustration set by Wish Bliss Studio
Cardstock from creashens - Euphoria Paper Pack
Font is Traveling Typewriter

Another She Art Canvas

2011-05-11T12:12:00.003-05:00

Just another canvas I made this past weekend. I redid things a few times, and after taking this photo I actually added one more big stamp to the upper right corner, but I think I'm pretty happy with the finished canvas! It has some definite texture going on, and I like the effect of a few rhinestones added to it.

NSD Scrapping

2011-05-07T17:48:00.004-05:00

Well, I had a lot of work to do today and I also have been fighting a terrible headache. But, I did chat for a little while, and tried to monitor twitter as much as possible. And I took the time to do one challenge. Studio Calico has a bunch of different challenges going on right now, and I made a page for the sketch challenge. I used a sketch based on Tina Aszmus's "Sunshine" layout.

Made with cardstock from Bazzil, patterned papers and fabRips from Studio Calico, and alphas from American Crafts and Making Memories.

This is a photo of my little guy after he spent the day on the tractor with his daddy, playing in a big box with his sister, and spending time with our entire family. That was his kind of perfect day!

Now, I am off to figure out supper, before we have to head out to a parade tonight.

Queen of Hearts Grab Bag

2011-05-05T21:06:00.001-05:00

Here is Queen of Heart's first release this weekend. I'll try to show you her other one tomorrow. Check out this super fun, huge grab bag, made with Micheline Martin! It is so cute!!

Here is what I made with it.

Sometimes as a busy mom, I have to remind myself that there's still a girl inside of me. :)

Made with the huge new grab bag bonanza from Queen of Hearts and Micheline Martin - only $3 right now!

Everyday Good Stuff

2011-05-05T14:22:00.002-05:00

Check out the new release from birthday girl Danielle of Wish Bliss Studio!! Happy Birthday, Danielle!! Isn't this a fun new kit?!?!

I am totally in love with these papers!

Here is the layout I made with them.

My little guy having a blast jumping in a huge puddle in our driveway. Shortly after this photo was taken, I was video taping him, and he fell in it. :)

Made with Everyday Good Stuff from Wish Bliss Studio
Embellishments
Papers

Billet Doux

2011-05-05T10:12:00.004-05:00

It was a total dream come true when Peppermint of One Little Bird emailed and asked if I would like to guest for her! I am still shocked that she asked me. But, I am so excited that I am guesting for her this month! Yay!! Today, she released this absolutely lovely kit, billet doux. Look at how pretty it is!

She also made these lovely scattery bits!

Here is a two-page layout I made with this beautiful kit.

My youngest riding in his favorite place - on the tractor with daddy. They were tilling the garden this day, and after a while, he managed to fall asleep in his daddy's arms. What a sweet memory!
Made with Billet Doux from One Little Bird
Journal block from Time Capsule, also by One Little Bird

New Goodies from Polka Dot Pixels

2011-05-03T10:52:00.003-05:00

Here are a couple of new goodies that Polka Dot Pixels released today.

(there are actually several new Stitchery sets in her store!)
I also used a could of her older kits.

To make this page.

My daughter, not feeling well, but still trying to spend time with the ones she loves.

Supplies used:
(all from Polka Dot Pixels)
Stitchery - Page Borders 1
My Life 365 - Grungy Grocery Frames
Collage Craft digikit
Snap Out of It digikit

for you mom

2011-04-30T13:04:00.003-05:00

Pink Reptile Designs released this beautiful new kit this week.

Isn't it gorgeous?? I love the papers, and tried to use as many of them as I could! Here is the layout I made.

Made with the beautiful new kit from Pink Reptile Designs - for you mom
Digiscrappers Brasil
or
Zig Zag Scrap

Grown

2011-04-27T14:12:00.004-05:00

I am SO late with this! But, this week, Polka Dot Pixels released a huge new kit - grown. It is so full of fun stuff for you gardening and spring layouts!

Here is a 12x12 hybrid page I did with it. It's so cloudy today, so the lighting on this is pathetic.

But, I kind of like the way these close-ups came out.

My youngest exploring our potato garden at 15 months.

Products used: Grown digital kit by Polka Dot Pixels, sketch by Becky Fleck, cardstock by Colorbok, alphas by Jenni Bowlin Studio and Making Memories, Mono Adhesive by Tombow, Ultra Premium Matte Presentation Paper by Epson, staples

Happy Earth Day!

2011-04-22T09:46:00.004-05:00

This was made with a gorgeous new collab, Beautiful Earth.

From the product description:

29 inspirational digital scrapbook artists from all over the world have come together to create 'Beautiful Earth'.
The proceeds of this charity collaboration will go to the Red Cross 2011 New Zealand earthquake appeal.

http://www.redcross.org.nz/donate
The Beautiful Earth Charity collab is priced at $12.50 (poignant because at 12:51pm on the 22nd of Febuary 2011 the earthquake happened). At 12:50pm ( 1 minute before the earthquake) everything was normal. One minute later the lives of everyone affected and the landscape of Christchurch would be changed forever. The heart of the city may be broken but with our help we can mend it. Kia kaha Canterbury,... stay strong!

Included in this kit:

252 elements

81 papers

23 wordarts

4 templates

3 alphas

9 Quickpages

8 Clusters

1 bonus scene

that's 381 items (not incl. individual alpha-numeric).

Your contribution will ensure New Zealands second largest city will be beautiful once again, and those who have been affected - a chance to rebuild their lives. Thankyou for your donation and enjoy creating with this beautiful kit. :)
Contributing Designers:

AgnesyArts, Alegna designs, Carena's designs, Cinnamon designs, cherpea designs, Damayanti Studio, Dido designs, emeto designs, Studio Em-ka, et designs, HGD by LaurieAnn, HighFour designs, Holly Spring designs, Jenn Lindsey, Kristin Aagard designs, Kimla designs, Lily designs, Linda designs, Lorie Davison, MaryPop designs, Michelle Stone Designz, MK designs, Micheline Martin, NatashaNaSt designs, NewLife Dreams, Sara Gleason (Z + S), Studio SussieM, Tracy Anne Little, WendyP designs.

I also made these cards with this beautiful collab.

Banner Day

2011-04-21T11:57:00.003-05:00

As I told you yesterday, my youngest celebrated his 2nd birthday this past weekend. He is a total lover of tractors, and whenever he was asked about his birthday coming up, he would say, "I trator!" in a total Tim Allen grunt type voice. He's a total boy!

Wish Bliss Studio released a new illustration set of these great banners today, and I thought they were perfect for a birthday layout!

Here is the page I made.

My little guy on the tractor he got for his 2nd birthday.

Supplies:
Banner Day illustration plus alpha from Wish Bliss Studio
Birthday Bling from Wish Bliss Studio
Staple by Pink Reptile Designs

Painted Edge Rosette Tutorial

2011-04-20T05:37:00.006-05:00

Okay - last week I promised you all a tutorial, and here I am with it! You've likely seen these cool rosettes around - they seem kind of popular right now. I learned a few different techniques, from the likes of Heidi Swapp and Tania Willis, and I used them to make something just slightly different.

Here's how I made this. I started with a sheet of cardstock. Cut a 1" strip. (actually with this blue, I cut 2" - turned out too big when I got to the end - if you are going to do one this big, you need to start with 2 strips.)

Then, I used some decorative scissors, and made a scalloped edge on one side.

Pulled out some acrylic paint and a brush...

and painted a very imperfect white stripe along the scalloped edge.

I used my Martha Steward Score Board here - if you are going to make a lot of these, I would suggest investing in one of these or something similar - but you can also do this by hand (it just takes a LOT longer.)

I scored my entire paper strip every 1/4".

Then, I proceeded to z-fold my strip. Here is where you would start if you didn't have a scoring tool.

Z-fold the whole thing.

Then I get out my hot glue gun, and glued the two ends together. (I played a little switcheroo here on you and went to the yellow strip.)

Now you should have a ring.

I cut a small square of cardboard (from the back of a legal pad), and piled some hot glue on it.

Then I flattened out my ring, and set held it on top of the hot glue until I felt like it was secure.

At that point, I found a pretty button, put a little glue in that hole of the rosette, and pushed the button shank into it, and ended up with this pretty flower.

I used some pretty Jenni Bowlin mini papers to make this card, using inspiration I found here, at an online crop challenge by Jenni Bowlin Studio.

One more card to show you - my little guy turned 2 this weekend, and this is the card I made him.

I made this with Kristin Aagard's Contruction Zone digital kit.

Birthday Bling

2011-04-14T10:35:00.003-05:00

Check out the awesome new kit from Wish Bliss Studio today! Birthday Bling has some really sweet papers, and fun party elements.

I also used the alpha from Middle of Nowhere Monograms

to make this page of one of my sons' 13th birthday, as he blew out the candles on his cake.

I have been having fun, during brief free time periods making some fun hand-made embellishments for my scrapbook pages. I'm going to TRY to do a little tutorial later today, if my kiddos cooperate! :)

stitch in time

2011-04-12T09:47:00.002-05:00

Check out the gorgeous new kit from Polka Dot Pixels. I squealed when I saw this! I love sewing and fabric, and this was just soooo perfect!! And it's huge! I love it!

I made a little hybird layout with it - I am TOTALLY loving doing hybrid, as I can touch and feel it all I want!!

Supplies:
stitch in time digital collection from Polka Dot Pixels
Epson Matte Presentation Paper
Offray lace
Tomobow Mono Adhesive

RAK

2011-04-07T08:49:00.003-05:00

Okay, I promised a fun new collection from Wish Bliss Studio today, and I must say, I think this totally lives up to that!! Check out RAK. I love it! Such bright colors, and fun elements!!

Here is a layout I made with it. I am totally in love with this! I love how the bright colors pop against the background I chose!

My little guy with the car his daddy found for him. I had just asked him if I could get a smile, and he gave me this fun eye's closed big grin. Gotta love this kid!

RAK embellishment collection by Wish Bliss Studio

Background from sincerely digikit by Polka Dot Pixels

I also made these cards with RAK. They were a lot of fun to make - so cheery!

RAK embellishment collection by Wish Bliss Studio

http://www.afterfivedesigns.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=3049

Gems by ek sucess

Epson matte presentation paper

X-acto corner rounder

She Art

2011-04-06T19:02:00.002-05:00

Well, I told you a while back that I was taking Christy Tomlinson's She Art Class. It took me a while, but I finally got my first canvas done this morning. I'm actually pretty happy with how it came out, since it was really my first time doing this type of thing. I really enjoyed the process, and now can't wait to make another one (though I know work is going to be heavy for the next few days, so it'll be a while.) Anyway, here's my first girl!

See you tomorrow with a gorgeous new collection from Wish Bliss Studio! Take care!

eggstravaganza

2011-04-05T10:36:00.005-05:00

Hmmm... are you ready to hear that I joined another team? I have been loving Polka Dot Pixels releases lately, so when my best friend, Deanna, said that she was having a call, I jumped on it!! Her kits are so full, and fun!! She uses a lot of vintage looking things, and I love it! Check out the beautiful new kit she released today!!

I had so much fun playing with it!! Here are a couple of Easter cards I made.

Supplies:
eggstravaganza digikit by Polka Dot Pixels
Mono Adhesive and Dual Brush Pen by Tombow
Lace by Simplicity

Bliss Rewinds

2011-04-02T16:53:00.003-05:00

Isn't this a lovely illustration pack from Wish Bliss Studio? Think of the sweet Mother's Day cards you could make with it!

I decided to use it for a page I wanted to make.

World's Best Mom Illustration Set from Wish Bliss Studio
Euphoria Paper Pack by creashens

It's a passage from the Bible that I need to constantly remind myself to try to live by. How I wish I could be this woman!

I wanted to print this out and put it in the little book I'm starting at home, so I took off the background and printed it onto a sheet of tan cardstock. Unfortunately, it didn't come out as I thought it would. The border pretty much all disappeared, and anything I made white disappeared (I forgot that any spot that's white doesn't print - that's just negative color space! Duh!) So... I got out my paint, headed outside to watch the little guy play, and tried to make it work. Here's how that came out.

Hope you are having a fantastic weekend!!

I love me some Kitchy!

2011-04-01T17:02:00.004-05:00

Oh, how I love the Kitchy look! I don't even know exactly what "kitchy" means, but I know I love it! Pink Reptile Designs is guesting at Sugar Hill Co. this month, and made this kit for her stay there. Isn't it lovely??

I totally planned on making a lovely little feminine kitchy layout, but as I looked through my photos for ones to use, it struck me how these photos of my little guy after a rough day, having fallen asleep on the couch, matched the colors of this kit so well. And I wanted to scrap about how much I love when he falls asleep with these little cars and trucks in his hand - he loves them so much. So, out came this layout.

The Kitchy Collection by Pink Reptile Designs

Queen of Hearts

2011-04-01T13:47:00.005-05:00

Well, I told you I was on another new CT. Queen of Hearts posted that she was looking for a few more girls, and guess who told her how much she loved her kits? Yep, that would be me! And shockingly, she let me join the team!! Check out this new collab she did this week with Studio Basic! Time to be Happy is huge and fun!!

Here's the page I made with it.

My little guy in his carseat on the passenger side in Daddy's truck! He LOVES trucks, especially Daddy's!

Time to be Happy by Queen of Hearts and Studio Basic
here
or
here

Here are a couple more items she came out with today!

In the Hood

2011-03-31T12:28:00.004-05:00

Well - I was thrilled earlier this week when I got an email asking me if I would like to join the CT for Wish Bliss Studio! I mean, seriously, Danielle's work is something I totally love (and own MUCH of!!!) So, not only will I be working with an artist I love, but I'll be saving some money too! Score on two parts, right?? This week she has a fabulous new illustration set and paper pack out!

Here is the layout I made with them. Now, lest you think I am saying goodbye to my little guy's sweet little bum, that was NOT the point! What I now realize you can't see is that I wrote an excerpt from a lovely book I have read many times to my kids, "Goodnight Moon". But, it's mostly covered up by these cute photos of the little one sleeping. Just FYI for anyone looking for an explanation.

In the Hood illustration set and papers by Wish Bliss Studio
Torn Bits 4 by creashens
Staples by Pink Reptile Designs

Oh, and I'll get to introduce you to someone else I just started CTing for tomorrow (what happened to me trying to keep a light work load???) I just can't help myself! Take care!

Hello, there!

2011-03-27T15:33:00.004-05:00

Long time, no see, huh? Sorry about that! Work has been really busy! I did find the time to participate in Karla Dudley's You Lift Me Up challenge.

Lift of Aria Andrus's Happiness layout.
Supplies: Cypris Papers and Overlays, Remarkable Brush Set and Modern Marvel kit all from Karla Dudley; Essential Stitches #5 from Syrin.
Journaling reads: My dear Jacob... It astounds me that at the age of only 22 months, you are able to count to ten! As you walk down the stairs, you count them one by one. You've even gotten as high as twelve! For some reason, you always skip "seven" though. I see so many similarities between you and William. You know some of your colors already too, just as he did at this age! I can't wait to see where life takes you! You are certain to do wonderful things! Love, Mama

I've also been busy trying to keep up with the Mouse, Paper, Scissors class (but failing miserably at that, as well as with my other classes!) I did however take some time yesterday to make these cards. Once I started playing with this color palette, I just couldn't stop (in fact I printed off more to work with today - though the day is disappearing quickly...)

I made these cards with digital papers from Echo Park's Springtime collection. The shaped card is made with a template from the Mouse Paper Scissors class materials. The brushes are one's that I made from art from The Graphics Fairy. I also used a butterfly punch from Martha Stewart, Glam from Tattered Angels, Stamps from American Crafts, a Tombow Dual Brush Pen, Crystals from Bazzil, Glue and 3D Foam Tabs from Towbow, and Hem Tape from Wrights.

I have decided to start CTing again, on a very limited basis. I have rejoined a few of my old teams, added a new one, and have an exciting guest spot coming up in May! You will start seeing layouts popping up here more often again (as well, as my continuing obsession with hybrid, and perhaps even just paper!)

I hope you all are having a fantastic start to your spring!! Hugs!

You've Got Mail on sale!

2011-03-09T08:06:00.002-06:00

Pink Reptile Designs has this really fun kit on sale TODAY ONLY for $2! I used to collect stamps as a kid, so this kit has a special place in my heart. Get it here!

Lately...

2011-03-07T09:02:00.004-06:00

I've been having some hybrid fun! The Mouse, Paper Scissors class from Jessica Sprague and Heidi Swapp is in full swing, and I am loving it!!! If it opens again, I would HIGHLY recommend it if you want to learn hybrid!! Here is what I have made so far.

This is a notepad with a cover made from House of 3 and Pink Paislee's soon to be released line - Daily Junque. The paper is divine, and I will definitely want more!! For the stickers on the label, I used some Pink Paislee Sweetness glitter alpha stickers. I realized too late that I did the monogram wrong (my last name initial should have been in the middle), but oh, well! We got to use some new Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Chalkboard in Sprout to spray a white ribbon and make it this lovely green color! I love it!!

Next up I made this card. Essentially they had the card ready made, and I just had to print it out and cut it. We were supposed to have a 2" circle punch for the class, but I bought a circle cutter that could cut many sizes, thinking that would work just as well. Not so - not for me at least. I ended up just cutting out this circle with my scissors... it's far from a perfect circle!! I added the butterfly as an extra embellishment - I got a Martha Stewart butterfly punch recently, so I was happy to add one here!!

These next cards I am REALLY proud of! This first one, they gave us the card and envelope templates and walked us through making this. They are lovely templates!!

I especially love this Thank You banner! I'm so excited to know how to make these!!

Then this second card I did on my own (with the templates.) The monogram alpha is one Heidi made for it - gorgeous, right??? I inked the edges, and as you can tell, didn't do that perfectly, but I'm still pretty darn proud of it!! I love the jewels on it!

And doesn't the inside of the envelope just pop with color??

So, yeah... seriously - loving what I'm doing!!

I'm also taking two other classes right now, and hope to show you goodies from them soon - I don't have my camera most of the time right now as my hubby's broke - he needs one on pretty much a daily basis, so he's using mine. But, I am taking Karen Grunberg's class as Big Picture Classes - Finding Your Way - I won a spot in it from Paperclipping Roundtable!! And the other class I'm taking right now I'm enjoying VERY much, but I haven't actually taken the time to make anything yet. It's the She Art Workshop from Christy Tomlinson of The Scarlet Lime. I am learning so much there too, and hope to find some time this week to make some canvases of my own!

Mama, on sale

2011-02-21T14:19:00.004-06:00

One of my very favorite kits from cherpea designs, Mama, is on sale for $2 for the next 24 hours! I am still so totally in love with this kit!!

Here are a couple of layouts I made with it almost a year ago (in my days where journaling wasn't important to me...)

(the paper on this layout are from a paper pack of cherpea's - In Behind.)

2011-02-21T09:20:00.005-06:00

Hello, friends! I hope you had a fantastic weekend! Ours went very well!! Saturday we had a birthday party to go to, and I was really excited to make this card.

I printed everything out from One Little Bird's kit Unstoppable. (And one little hint I learned from Jessica Sprague recently - use Presentation Paper for hybrids - look at the gorgeous vivid color on this - presentation paper is coated, so the ink doesn't sink into the paper like it does with cardstock! It definitely more expensive than picking up a pack of white cardstock at Walmart, but I love it!) Other products I used - Tombow Mono Adhesive, Elmer's Craft Bond Glue Spots (they are what I used to raise the car off the page and give some dimension), and souffle 3-D pens from Sakura (I won these recently - very cool!)

Lily drew this fun photo of Clifford the big red dog!

And William was in the regional finals of the Knight of Columbus spelling bee yesterday, and won first place! It was especially sweet, as he finally beat the girl who had made him get 2nd place for quite a while now!

Oh, and the mail late last week was FULL of goodness!!! I got a package of Pink Paislee items I won from the very sweet Sarah Eclavea. Such pretty goodies - I can't wait to play with them!! Check out her blog - she is full of inspiration!

I also got something I am so very proud of!! The newest edition of Somerset digital studio! It's not out for the public yet, so here is a special sneak peek!

Why do I have a copy already? Well, because one of my layouts was chosen to be published in it!! Yay!! I am so honored to be in this fabulous magazine! And I would HIGHLY suggest this publication to you!! (And not just because I'm in it!) This is the first magazine where I have truly wanted to read each an every article. There are articles from people I had never heard of, who make beautiful digital art, and other people who I feel I know a little bit who also make beautiful art (like Christine Honsinger and Tangie Baxter!) If you are a digital scrapper, I really don't think you will be disappointed with this!

Anyway - here is my page - mine is the layout on the bottom of the left page.

And one more piece of fabulous goodness I received, and cant' wait to use... I am taking the Mouse, Paper, Scissors class from Jessica Sprague and Heidi Swapp, and received my supply box!!! Yay! I don't want to spoil the surprise for anyone that might read this and may not have gotten their box yet, but here's a little peak (Mmmm... I see lots of Tombow goodness in here!!!) I am so excited for this class to start, and I'm sure you will be seeing plenty of projects soon from it, right here!!!

Take care, my friends!!

Introspective

2011-02-18T10:22:00.003-06:00

Good morning, friends! My little guy has kind of been getting his days and nights mixed around, so when he was up a 3 am today, I got online for a while. I happened to notice this beautiful new kit from Queen of Hearts, and fell in love. Couldn't resist it!!

I had been wanting to participate in the MScraps Oscars, but as weird as my life has been lately, I just hadn't gotten around to it. This morning I realized that the contest ends in about a half hour now, so I thought I'd use this kit to make a quick layout. Funny, most of my layouts lately are quite introspective. Must be indicative of what I've been feeling lately...

Everything in this is from the Cool Crazy kit from Queen of Hearts, except the background, which is from the MScraps collab Above All is Love.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T11:12:00.003-06:00

Aren't these lovely?? My hubby surprised me with them on our way for our first dinner out ALONE in probably 5 years. It was fantastic!! It was the first time I've gotten a beeper to hold while we waited for a table, I had my first margarita (yum!), and I even wore pretty shoes even though I had to walk across our mud hole of a driveway. It was a fabulous evening!

This weekend I also had some hybrid fun! I got these banner printouts from House of 3, and put together, with Tombow Mono Adhesive, these sweet little toppers for the cupcakes my daughters were bringing to their Valentine's Day parties today. I think we ended up making roughly 80 cupcakes!

Aren't they cute??? I usually go pretty heavy on the frosting, but I decided to try it differently this time. And these banners would be adorable on a scrapbook page, don't you think??

The kids had fun having snowball fights with what snow is left! And somehow Jake ended up in this pink butterfly hat! Funny!!

I also made this "Be My Valentine" banner from Elle's Studio. I've been working on it for a while, trying to find time here and there to cut out the pieces. I though it looked pretty all put together!

On the ends I put some coffee filter flowers. They aren't perfect, but I thought they added a nice touch to the banner.

It was a fantastic weekend at our house!! I hope yours was fantastic as well! Have a happy day today!!

A big change

2011-02-11T16:29:00.003-06:00

Hmmm... take a look over there at the sidebar. I've decided to make some major changes in my life, and one of them is that I need to stop creating for other people, trying to meet deadlines and feeling incredibly guilty when I can't. So - I have said sad good-byes to all my creative teams. It was very tearful for me, but it was a decision that in my heart I know was the right one. My marriage is really struggling right now, and between trying to keep our family businesses afloat, and trying to care for 5 kids ranging in age from almost 2 to a senior in high school, and trying to make things work with my hubby - it's just time for me to focus on all the stuff that really, really matters!!! And while I TOTALLY plan to keep scrapping and crafting, I will be doing it for myself and for my family - not worrying about if others are going to like it. So, don't think I'm going away. No. I just hope to bring you perhaps things that are a little more me, and maybe make this a little more personal. I will still totally be showing you things and designers I love - I can't stop doing that! But, this will be purely out of love for right now, and nothing more. I hope you all will stick with me!!

So Excited!!

2011-02-04T16:27:00.003-06:00

I am so excited, I just had to share with you, my darling blog readers! I showed you a few days ago some hybrid cards I made with some things from House of 3 and Pink Paislee. Well... I didn't win any of the exciting prizes that House of 3 was giving away for their birthday, but I sure felt like a winner anyway!! Because Heidi and Rhonna SHOWED my cards on the live web show!! I just about fell over when my kiddos yelled - "They're showing your cards mom!!" Now, I didn't get to see it live, because my hubby had just gotten home from pushing snow for about 2 days before that, and I was trying to be a good wife and not sit in front of the computer while he was home. But, I sure did watch the next day!!! Anyway, that was my little moment in the sun this week! And I just wanted to share it! :)

Gaga

2011-02-04T15:39:00.003-06:00

Oh, my goodness! Couldn't you just faint at the cuteness of this kit??? Sir Scrapalot introduced Gaga for Little Monsters today, and I had so much fun with it! Adorable!!!

Here are some hybrid Valentine's cards I made. I really like them, but I'm not sure I'll take the time to make all the Valentine's for my girls' classes! That would be a LOT of monsters to cut out!!

I also made this layout with it. I'm really into the journaling right now, but I just couldn't get serious about that with this funny kit!

Gaga for Little Monsters kit by Sir Scrapalot
Font is Joe's Hand

Kendi

2011-02-04T14:34:00.003-06:00

Check out this gorgeous new kit from Brine Design - Kendi. Kendi is the African name meaning "The Loved One", and this kit is full of beautiful loving elements. And I really like the color palette.

Here is the layout I was inspired to make with it.

Journaling: My darling Jacob, You are so very special to me! I adore holding you on my lap, and watching you fall asleep snuggled against me. It is the most beautiful time of my day, when you go to sleep on me. This particular day though, I was busy on the computer, and you were watching a movie, and you fell asleep all by yourself for the first time. You looked so very, very sweet. But, I have to admit, my heart broke just a little bit. You see... you are growing up, and don't necessarily need me to fall asleep anymore. And it made me kind of sad. I love you!

Kendi by Brine Design
Font is 1942 Report

twolittlepixels 3rd Birthday!

2011-02-03T14:31:00.002-06:00

The Artisan Notebook

2011-02-02T12:54:00.003-06:00

I am very excited to share with you my first layout published in The Artisan Notebook! This was in the January 2011 issue.

Sentimental from K Studio - backgrounds and buttons.
Scribbles 'n Scallops Alpha from K Studio - bracket
Essential Stitches #3 from Syrin - Stitch
all available at CatScrap
Song- It won't be like this for long by Darius Rucker
Font - Jellyka-Estraya's Handrwriting
Journaling: As I looked through old photos from my childhood, and started to scan them into the computer, I was struck by emotion. My mom was meticulous about writing a caption on the back of all the pictures. Most said things like, "Rebecca's Sand Castle Sept 8, 1981" or "Rebecca 13 1/2 mos. old", even "Becki is 'nursing' Teddy". The caption on the back of this photo however was not my mom's lovely handwriting, but mine. It says simply, "our ex-family". I don't know the date of this photo, but I look to be about 6, I think. In that case, roughly 2 years later, my parents were separated, my mom was in a mental hospital, and my sisters and I were living first with Grandma, then with my aunt and uncle. I am so thankful that when this photo was taken, I didn't know how life would change so soon.

Hybrid Cards

2011-02-02T12:17:00.005-06:00

Okay, so I'm not very good at hybrid yet. Honestly, the feeling of trying to get things lined up right and using glue and all that stuff is still very awkward for me - I'm so used to digi. But I have wanted to so long to actually hold the goodies in my hand - to have actual cards to give away, rather than something I just printed off, to have pretties hanging up on my walls... So, I've really been giving it a go. And one of my favorite companies (and there are many) is House of 3. They are celebrating their 2 year birthday!! Anyway, I also love Pink Paislee, so the Parisian Anthology (along with the new Soiree collection) are definitely among my favorites!! So... today I made this little set of cards. Yay! They are FAR from perfect, but I feel good about them! Because I made them. :)

I used a brush set from the Parisian Anthology line, as is the beautiful ribbon. The jewels are from Jolee, and I used Tombow Mono Permanent Adhesive (I LOVE this stuff!).

my cuppa tea

2011-02-02T06:55:00.004-06:00

Just wanted to let you know that Pink Reptile Designs has one of my very favorite kits of hers on sale for only $2 today at Digiscrappers Brasil. Get my cuppa tea today! (image is linked.)

Beauty

2011-02-01T15:47:00.004-06:00

Whew - I think this will be last post today. How's this for making up for being such a bad blogger lately?

Hazel Olive has introduced this gorgeous new collection today! I am absolutely in love with Her Journey. Not only are Ashley's kits lovely, but she has the most delicious color combos that are just a dream to work with!

My one word this year is Beauty. I've really let myself and my home go, in an effort to live an easy life, where most things I own and wear are quite utilitarian. I plan to change that this year, and I thought with all the word arts and elements in this kit, it was perfect for scrapping my goal for this year.

Journaling reads: I vow this year to seek Beauty everywhere. In myself. In my home. In my family. In the world around me. I vow to not only seek beauty, but create it. Not only to find it, but to cultivate it. I've lived in a state of function and ease, and failed to recognize how bland that is. But no more. Beauty is in me. Beauty is what I seek. Beauty is me.

Her Journey kit from Hazel Olive Designs

Two

2011-02-01T12:05:00.003-06:00

I made this layout for The Right Accent challenge at CatScrap.

Journaling reads: I love watching the two of you together. Father and son. Best buds. Daddy and Jake. Leader and follower. The protector and the protected.

Euphoria Paper Pack from creashens
Schmootzy Romance frames from Nancie Rowe Janitz
Furever kit by creashens
Word Art No. 6 by Kristen Rice
Simply Swell No. 1 kit by creashens
Hand-Picked Flower Brushes from Lynne-Marie

Vintage Valentines

2011-02-01T11:35:00.004-06:00

Oh, how yummy! Nancie Rowe Janitz put in her shop today these GORGEOUS Vintage Valentines. She thinks they are from the 1920's.

They are absolutely gorgeous printed out to make your own vintage valentines, but I had this idea for a fun little page. It's kind of cheesy, but I had fun.

In case you can't read them, the 5 sweet words on the red heart say, "Won't You Be My Valentine?"

Vintage Valentines from Nancie Rowe Janitz
Flower from Sweet Life Kit by K Studio
Background (slightly recolored) from Euphoria Paper Pack by creashens
Font is 1942 Report

No Place Like Home

2011-02-01T09:52:00.004-06:00

Yippee! While Kristen Aagard is guesting at CatScrap (where she's staying through February!!), she and Kristen Rice did another collab! I'd like to introduce you to Love Lives Here. It is soooo full of wonderful things!!

Here is the page I made with it.

Journaling reads: There's no place like home... There's no place like home... There's no place like home...
I loved "The Wizard of Oz" growing up. We'd watch it at least once a year. But I never realized just how true that phrase was until well into adulthood. Home is the place I would rather be, more than anywhere else. Traveling is fun, visiting friends and family is fun, but I can never wait to get back home! My home is where I eat and sleep. It's where I create and work. It's the only home 3 of my kids have known. It's where I've nursed babies, and kissed boo-boos. It's where I've changed diapers and rocked babies to sleep. It's where I make food to feed my family, and where we prefer to eat. It's where we garden and raise our chickens. It's where we cut wood, and stack it for winter warmth. It's where we preserve food, and store it for later. It's where our children have played, in mud and in snow. Where they swing and play tag, and just run around. It's where they have learned to chores, and care for animals. It's where they have learned the value of hard work, and the incredible joy of getting work finished. It's where I hope my children have learned lessons that will carry them through the rest of their lives. It's where I always want to be. Home.

Love Lives Here kit by Kristen Rice and Kristin Aagard
Font: Jellyka-Estrya's Handwriting

And then for a very special treat... they have put their first collab on sale for 50% off! I haven't had a chance to play with it yet, but wanted to make sure you got it while it's on such a great sale!!

I'll be back later with more!

You're My Cup of Tea

2011-01-28T11:15:00.003-06:00

Sir Scrapalot is re-releasing this kit today (it was previously released in The Digi Files) at Funky Playground! How adorable is this??

Here is the layout I made with it.

Journaling reads: January 15 Twenty-Eleven It's been such a long day. Elizabeth wouldn't let you help decorate her cake, which upset you terribly. Lorin came over for a sleepover, and shortly after we picked her up, you banged your head on the bookcase. Ouch! We had Elizabeth's birthday party, with the cousins, so Ethan, Alex, Daniella and Cayla were here too! We had homemade pizza and cake and ice cream. By the time everyone left, you and Lorin were snuggled up in bed talking. But suddenly she came downstairs and wanted to go home. That made you so sad - you cried and cried. Finally you fell asleep on the couch, and before anyone could bring you upstairs, you slipped off the couch and slept this funny, but very sweet way!

You're My Cup of Tea by Sir Scrapalot Designs
Fonts: Jellyka-Estrya's Handwriting and Jellyka-Castle's Queen

PDQ (pretty darn quick)

2011-01-25T09:39:00.003-06:00

You have got to check out Nancie Rowe Janitz's PDQ overlays! She has a new set in the store today, and they are so pretty!

I made this background using them! They are so easy to use!!

PDQ Vol. 12 from Nancie Rowe Janitz
Story Starts Vol 1 from Nancie Rowe Janitz
Follow Me from Allison Pennington
Essential Stitches #5 from Syrin

4ever

2011-01-25T08:43:00.003-06:00

Ju Kniepp has released this gorgeous new Valentine's kit - 4 Ever. It is full of fun lace and pretty goodies! I had a lot of fun playing with it!

I also grabbed this fun set of templates from Tiny Toes designs.

And made this.

This photo is of a firework we lit off last July 4th. It is really supposed to look like Pegasus wings, but I thought it really resembled a burning heart, and was therefore perfect for Valentine's day!

4ever kit by Ju Kniepp Designs
Baby Steps [Vol. 4] by Tiny Toes Designs
Fonts: Quilted Butterfly and 1942 Report

Sir Scrapalot

2011-01-21T11:47:00.002-06:00

I was so excited to be invited to join the creative team for Sir Scrapalot. I think his designs are really cute, and am so happy to get to work with him! Here is a paper pack he put in his shop today. (images are linked)

With it I used this fantastic alpha that he released a while back.

And, I made this.

My little guy kept sneaking cheetos one day, and this is the look he gave me when I noticed. He's so sweet!

2011-01-18T14:15:00.002-06:00

creashens has released this fun element set at CatScrap today - these are just adorable - especially when you know her little girl helped her make them!!

I also wanted to play with this fabulous kit she has had in her shop for a while - I love these colors!
Here is what I came up with.

My youngest daughter who absolutely loves playing in the snow.

Kalea Bits #8 by creashens
Some Kinda Wonderful Kit by creashens
Font: Quilted Butterfly
Photo Action: Throwback from My Four Hens

numb3rs

2011-01-14T09:29:00.002-06:00

For the CatWalk Blog Hop, please see 2 posts down.

Pink Reptile Designs has this beautiful new kit out today. numb3rs is so much fun to work with!
Get it at
Zig Zag Scrap
of
Digiscrappers Brasil

Here is the layout I made with it.

Template from Crystal Livesay
Font - Nee Sissy Lynn

Construction Zone

2011-01-11T12:38:00.006-06:00

Please see next post for CatWalk Blog Hop and your free Quick Page

I know I showed you this kit this morning, but I just can't get enough of it! (in fact, I'm planning one more layout with it - I tell you - I'm in love!) It's such a perfect kit for my little guy who is so into this stuff!!
(images are linked)

And Tiny Toes Designs put out this awesome new template pack to coordinate with the CatWalk goodies!

With them, I made this fun layout.