All Done

I just finished my last two layouts for my Guest appearance at Create My Keepsake. The first one is pretty simple. Much more simple than I normally scrap, but I wanted the focus to be on the pictures of the two kids discovering the beauty of butterflies. My mom took these photos at the Desert Botanical Museum in March.


My journaling can be found around the frame. It just states how fun it was for me to watch the joy of discovery. I love the focus in both their little faces.

The next layout is of E's obsession with bandaids. Every time she falls, bumps or whatever, she needs a bandaid whether or not there is blood involved. Luckily, my dad is always ready with a bandaid in his wallet. (A source of major teasing when we were children. But, now I appreciate his preparedness.)


A close-up of my swirl. I used a charcoal pencil around the edges to add shading and to make it pop off my page. (This is the Product Spotlight at The Next Step this week.)


Here's a close-up of the journaling.


It was so much fun working with Create My Keepsake this month! Their kits are fabulous and the forum is filled with very sweet women. If you're looking for a new kit club, check them out. I think you'll be quite happy there!

Sewing on a Rainy Day

Last Thursday was a drizzly overcast day and for some reason on such days, I love to bake and sew. Luckily, I had a few projects awaiting that mood. I made Z a bag for her piano books. The straps turned out a bit long, but otherwise it was a success. That is after I picked it out the first time because I unthinkingly sewed the wrong sides together. (Making it inside-out.) Where did my brain go during those few minutes? I'm not sure. I hope she had a nice vacation though.


Yes, that is our backyard in the background. We haven't quite gotten to landscaping. But, I'm hoping after summer's heat we will get some grass and some trees going even though the weeds are delightful. Really.

I also made E a little t-shirt dress. I had to practice (with my good bud Becky) because I was scheduled to teach a few women how to make this very dress the next day at a service project. Good thing it was easy, huh? E adores her new "heart" dress. Wears it all the time. What a gratifying project!


Tinkerbell wings not included.

First Two Done

As promised, here are the first two layouts that I did with the May Create My Keepsake kit. I absolutely loved the colors. Sherbet. Slurp...

The first layout is of C and my littlest bro, F. C completely adores F in a hero-worshipping kinda way. And really, I couldn't ask for a better role-model for my guy.


My second layout is my favorite. I knew the moment I saw the background paper (Making Memories) what needed to be done. (The army green isn't my own doodles. It is the paper. Cool huh?) The picture (my Dad and little E) was taken by my good friend and professional photographer, Sara.


That black polka dot paper on the left is actually the packaging from the black sticker letters. (Heidi Swapp) Once I placed the title, I needed a bit more black so that's what I had on hand. Same with the stars. They were punched from the packaging too. There is a nice visual triangle between the three.

I found out last week that I won the American Crafts weekly challenge! There were some gorgeous entries. I'm not sure how they could possibly choose only one, but I'm quite excited and flattered.

Also, you must stop by The Next Step because we posted the RAKs for this month. One of them will be given out to someone who comments on the post. So go comment!

Girls Night In

A couple weeks ago, the big boys (aka T and C) went on a campout. Not to be outdone, the girls had some fun at home. We had a chick-flick movie night, chatted until all hours and slept together in my bedroom.


When we woke up, each girl got her own scalp massage, bath, and pedicure. Let me tell you, everyone looked and smelled like a lily when we were through.

Despite the glory of beautifying, my favorite part was chatting with them as we fell asleep. There is just something special about those few ending moments of wakefulness. Deep feelings are somehow easier to express in the safety of twilight. Little secrets that I'll forever treasure.

Creative Spirit

About two months ago, I spent the morning cutting fabric for a skirt that I have yet to finish. Yes, I know...

D was very occupied with the fabric scraps. I left her alone to create. When she was done, this is what she had produced.


She made a fabric-scrap girl complete with face (see on the top left of the picture?), arms and body. I must say, I was pretty impressed. Talk about a Creative Spirit. Wow. Sometimes, I just rub my head on her head just to get a little of that creativity on me. I think it helps.

Blessed and Lucky

Last Friday was our 10 year anniversary. So our wedding has been on my mind. In light of that, I scrounged through wedding pics and came across one that I hadn't scrapped before because, well, it isn't a very good one. It is one of those pictures that was snapped in haste, from behind. It is uncentered with a cluttery background. Yet, despite its flaws, it perfectly captures a private moment of pure happiness. On one of my most perfect days ever.

I made this layout using that picture.


All pp is American Crafts; American Crafts Thickers; American Crafts slick writer; MM paint; Paper Studio buttons; Prismacolor colored pencils; thread and machine; masking tape



Journaling: Over the past 10 years, there have been happy times and sad times, but at all times, because of you, I'm Blessed and Lucky.


I cut those Chinese-lantern-looking circles out of the pattern paper, adhered them and sewed down the middle. Then I raised the edges just slightly to give more dimension. I also used sequin waste as a stencil with paint to add a little contrast to the masking tape frame.

The abundance of white space in this LO makes me a bit nervous. I normally like to fill everything up with doodles, but I forced myself to tone it down and let the picture and the journaling take a bigger role.

On a personal note, I appeared on ScrapScene today! I always feel so famous when that happens. Really exciting! Also, this month I'm guest designing at Create My Keepsake. I haven't gotten my kit yet, but when I do, I'll post my layouts as I finish them. Each day I run to the mailbox in joyful anticipation. Maybe today? Their May kit is totally my thing: bright colors, fun embellies. I can't wait to get cracking!

Bright

With a new week ahead of me, fun new adventures calling me, I'm feeling the brightness of possibility today. I hope you do too.

Here's the newest Luxe line: Ecology. With the daisies, butterflies and vines, there is just so much happy growth here.


Materials: Luxe pattern paper Ecology line; Luxe stamps; DCWV cardstock; MM paint; Luxe alpha stickers, Ranger stickles; 3L pop dots

Journaling: The future is plump with promise.


Doesn't she have the most beautiful eyes? Looking at her picture makes me want to drive to the school, scoop her in my arms and hug her completely-embarrassed-by-her-mother-barging-into her-classroom body. What a treasure she is to me.

The future really is plump with promise.

My Little Shoebox

I just found out that I made the My Little Shoebox design team! I can't tell you how excited I am!

Apparently, Suzy West, the DT Coordinator, had a terrible time getting in touch with me. I didn't know that I was so difficult! I hadn't read their blog for a few days (I can't handle suspense) and so I was under the impression that she would be making the calls on June 1st. So you can imagine my surprise when she called today!

Todd answered the phone thinking that it was a telemarketer, so when Suzy asked to speak with me in such an enthusiastic tone, he figured it was either one of my "scrapbooking friends" (his words) or it was a telemarketer with special passion. (giggle) Then he heard me scream and he almost dropped the lunch dishes since I guess my happy yell is the same as my I-just-found-a-scorpion yell. Oops. Sorry.

Anyway, I'm totally thrilled to be working with such a talented bunch of women. And, I'm even more excited because I'll be working with my friend, Heidi, again. Yippeee!

I {Heart} You

A few months ago, I traced each of the children's hands for a special project for my bedroom. (No, I haven't started yet. Almost though!) When I had finished, D asked me to trace her hands one more time making heart shape with her thumbs and first fingers. I knew immediately that I needed to use that tracing in a layout.

And so I did.

Here's the journaling.


I used all Luxe pattern papers from the new Lovey line, Bazzil cardstock, Making Memories paint, wall tape, Sharpie pen, uniball signo pen and Heidi Swapp letters.

A close-up of the heart and picture.


TIP: What do you do when you have a photo with a distracting background. (Like the one above.) Maybe you don't want to remove the background completely, but you want your focal point to stand out more? What I like to do is apply Distress inks (walnut stain or black soot) to the background so that it darkens it up. Leaving the focal point in the lighter area. (I use a sponge to apply the ink.) If you look closely at my picture, you can see that I did this. D looks like she's standing in a glow of light and your eye is drawn to her more.

I love this layout. It captures exactly where D is at this time in life. Isn't that what scrapbooking is all about?

On a personal note, I've been really focused lately on getting my family and home in order after almost a year of chaos. With moving, gestating, having Q, hurting my knee, having surgery, and intense physical therapy, the house and the family took a hit and the disorganization took a toll on all of us. I did my best, but...

Finally, I feel like I'm getting a hold on it again. What a great feeling. Even though this week has been really tiring, I go to bed feeling accomplished. Like I'm finally back in the saddle. On a horse with 4 working legs. With the wind trailing behind me.

Ahhh...yes.

Happy Mother's Day

I'd like to wish all women a very happy Mother's Day today.

There are two women that I'd like to thank the most.

First, I'd like to thank my own mother for always believing in me, for always teaching me what is right, for always supporting me, and for always being that shoulder of strength for me. I don't know where I'd be without her, my best friend and the woman who has had the greatest influence on my life. I know whenever I'm in a major pickle, I can call on you for anything. I hope that you know how beloved you are.


And I'd like to thank my mother-in-law, Karolyn, for raising a wonderful son who became a wonderful husband and wonderful father to our babies. I am eternally grateful for your kindness, love and compassion. I hope that you know how deeply you are loved.


I'd also like to thank the other women who have influenced me and have helped mold me into the person I am today. I cannot possibly list all of you, but I do hope that you also know that you are loved.

Have a Happy Day!

Grocery Shrink

Todd found this website yesterday. Angela Coffman saved $100,000 in one year just by cutting her grocery spending. Isn't that amazing? Just thought that perhaps you'd be interested in checking it out too.

Busy finishing up projects today, getting together a few teacher appreciation packages and recovering from this morning's craziness. As I walked the girls into school, little E (only 2 feet in front of me) in the parking lot was almost hit by someone (not looking!) driving in reverse. Of course I yelled, made a major scene and dragged her with one arm out of the way. (The other arm was holding little Q.) Luckily, I have a really loud voice and the woman in the car stopped when she heard me, but still. It shook me up. I'm feeling a little drained right now. That school parking lot is a death trap. I can't even count the number of near-hits and crazy behavior there. Yesterday there was a major accident on the road in front of the school. (No one was hurt, thank goodness.) I'm glad we only have 1 more month of school. One more month to keep my babies alive while negotiating the school parking lot. Whew. Sometimes, it's not easy being a momma.

Sunshine Art Quilt

In case you haven't already been there, my first tutorial is up at The Next Step. I made this mini-art quilt (measures about 5x7 inches) for it.


This was such a fun and easy project (really!). I hope that you'll play along with us.

On Solid Foods

Yes, I'm now old enough to eat solid foods. I know that it is hard to believe. After all it seems like just yesterday I was born.


Stuff like bananas, rice cereal and pears are my favorite. (I haven't really tried anything else yet.)

But I can't just eat the food from a spoon because that is not how food is supposed to be consumed. I'm supposed to be sucking it up, right? That is why I always suck my thumb while I eat my special mush. It makes dinnertime so much more interactive.


Sometimes I'm so intent on sucking my thumb (rootbeer comes out of it, don't you know?) that I need a little reminder that I supposed to get nourishment from the spoon. So mom has to tap me on my cheek to get me to open up. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't.


Yep, that's what I do.

Mall Shopping

Today my little Q and E went to the mall with me to return a shirt. I know that we haven't been mall shopping for a very long time. Perhaps 6 months? You'd think with E's reaction to everything that she's never been to a mall before. It was like heaven.


She was absolutely entranced by everything. "Mommy there are lots of clothes. [pointing with enthusiasm at Gap Kids] I have lots of clothes in my closet. Not as many as there...Oh peeetie [pretty]"

The mannequins were especially amazingly awesome. So awesome that she needed to touch each one. We almost didn't make it past the Hollister store (with at least 5 mannequins in various poses in the front). She wanted to sit with them on the front porch. Chat with them about surfing and plaid and collars-up versus collars-down. She was so obvious in her admiration that onlookers giggled as they passed us. It was quite the exciting day. Clearly we need to get out more often.

Dance

I just finished this layout for a contest at Webster's Pages. I really like how it turned out.

Those swirls around the heart are Luxe stamps. I love them passionately. You'll be seeing a lot of them in the future. In fact, I've kind-of got a swirly thing going right now. Maybe it has something to do with my curly hair?


Journaling: Whenever you dance Elyssa, dance with all your heart.

Materials: cardstock:Bazzil; pp: Webster's Pages
Crown stamp: Heidi Swapp; swirl stamp is Luxe; prismacolor colored pencils, Faber Castell pit pen; paint; StazOn ink; MM glitter; Ranger letters; Basic Grey reindeer; uniball signo pen; Fashion Jewels

Here are a few close-ups. The A and the E in DANCE are actually a V and an O that I adapted with a few jewels.


The reindeer is from a Basic Grey Christmas chipboard pack, but I thought that he looked like he was dancing and therefore fit perfectly here.


E's outfit was purple and didn't match with the paper that I wanted to use. I simply painted over it with turquoise. Easy peasy.

Don't forget that Monday is our first tutorial at The Next Step. I'm really excited and nervous all at the same time. What a jumble of emotions! Stop by and let me know what you think! (but only if it's positive) (...giggle...)