Fall Layout and Card

Here's a fall layout and a card that I made recently. I love Fall! ♥ I used some Making Memories items that I bought on clearance at Michael's a couple of years ago. I really miss the Making Memories collections. They haven't come out with anything that I truly love in quite some time. I only have a couple of those silk fall leaves left. I need to get some more for my stash.

I hope you're having a great day. Thanks for stopping by!

Lots of Projects!

I have been neglecting my blog!! That's OK though, because I've been spending lots of time with my girls! Emily has been home all week! She finished up summer school and was on a break from marching band. She starts back with all of the insanity on Monday! She will be at marching band practice A LOT! Anyway, here are some projects that I've done lately!


This one is for two challenges! The first is at Scrap-Friendzy. We're still participating in Camp Friendzy, and this week's challenge had a fishing theme! We needed to tie something onto our layout. I tied on a button and I tied some twine to the right of my title strip. The second is at Memorable Seasons. We were challenged to stamp at least three different stamps on our layout. I love to stamp, so no problem! I stamped my title, the beware sign, the funky skull, and the primitive man! I love these photos from Disney! I want those tiki totem poles in my backyard!! The papers are My Mind's Eye.


This Epcot layout was created with goodies that Suzanne sent to me! She sent a few of us an awesome kit, and we needed to create one layout. I'm an overachiever, so I created three projects! I'm so happy to be getting more vacation layouts done!


Another vacation layout, but this one is from Arizona! This watchtower was so totally cool!


I loved the chipboard shape that she sent, so I decided to create a personalized hanging for my scrappy area! I love this!


Here is the totally COOL kit that Suzanne sent to us! Isn't it fantastic!?! I had so much fun, and I still have some goodies left!


This layout was created for a challenge at Memorable Seasons to have a 12" swirl on your page and twelve hand cut flowers. Well, I did three flower stacks that contain four flowers each, and I cut the swirl from a sheet of My Mind's Eye paper. I'm not too sure I'm digging the swirl on this layout, but since I don't redo pages, it's staying! I do love the photo of my girls!!


This page was a recycling challenge at Scrap-Friendzy! We were to include recycled items on our page! I included a part of the ice cream box, a piece of corrugated cardboard, and a flower that I cut from plastic packaging. I love this photo of the girls and I. Those M&M ice cream sandwiches were VERY good! Yum!

So, I hope you've been having some summertime fun! It's been way too hot for me! I've been enjoying the air conditioning a little too much! I hope you enjoy your weekend, and thanks for stopping by!

Fashion Diva

This is my sweet Emily when she was little! Isn't she fabulous!? I used the April kit from Scrapbook Kit Club. I cannot emphasize enough how much I love that kit! I also used a sketch that is posted on the Scrapbook Kit Club forum. This page is also for a challenge at Scrap-Friendzy to use a frame around a photo. I used a My Mind's Eye transparency frame. This page is also for another challenge at Memorable Seasons to do something to the edge of your layout. The example given was using a Cuttlebug embossing folder and the QuicKutz squeeze. That's exactly what I did, and I love the effect! I'll be using that technique again! Last, this page is for Challenge #1 at The Color Room. This page has lots of Dear Lizzy by American Crafts, and I did a lot of sewing on the page. I just LOVE the way it turned out! Oh yeah, the beautiful crocheted flower? Emily made that for me, and it's fabulous!! Hard to believe this little girl in the photograph is now 14 years old! ♥

I hope you're having a great day! Thanks for stopping by!

Musicians

I finally had a chance to use some of my Life Stories paper and die cuts from My Mind's Eye. The kraft color scheme to this collection is so appealing to me! I love this 5x7 of Jessica and Emily. I took it at their last concert of the 2008-2009 school year. I am so proud of their talent and commitment to band. It's so impressive to me that they are musicians! So, the page is mostly Life Stories except for the Core'dinations cardstock, and the music notes paper which is Making Memories Vintage Findings. I also added a Prima, a wood button, and some twine. The title was cut with my QuicKutz. I love the way this turned out. It's based on a sketch that is posted for the Sketch-A-Thon that is going on over at Scrap-Friendzy, and yesterday, my layout was singled out as the Girlfriendz Pick of the Day!

I hope you're having a great day! Thanks for stopping by!

Six cards!

Over at ScrapCity, three of us decided to create and exchange cards kits. It's fun to do, because you get rid of some of your crap . . . uhm, I mean "stash", and you get a card kit in return. Anyway, I create two identical cards kits for Wendy and Audrey, and they both are sending me a kit in return. I already got Audrey's kit (I forgot to take a pic of the kit first, sorry!), and I made six cards using the kit!

I allowed myself to use tools (punches), ink, and stamps for the cards, but nothing else. I wanted to use JUST the kit. It wasn't until the last card that I added something. I added the ribbon, because the card just had to have ribbon!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy your Monday, and thanks for stopping by!

4th of July Parade

Two posts in one day! Woohoo! I finally got a chance to work with some NEW printable images from The Cutting Cafe'. I love how well they worked with my layout!


You need to click on the layout to see it larger, but the background blue sheet is covered with an amazing 4th of July Background Printable Stamp from The Cutting Cafe'. It's HUGE and perfect for my layout! I also used THREE printable stamps from the Two 4th of July Printable Stamp Sets. The "4th of July" in my title, the "Happy 4th of July" circle, and the circular photo frame are all from this set! For the photo frame, I used the 4th of July circular calendar, and I just cut out the 2009 calendar with my Coluzzle since these photos are from 2006! It makes a great photo frame, doesn't it? On this layout, I also have Sassafras patterned cardstock, Karen Foster patriotic brads, Thickers, a My Mind's Eye blue star, a QuicKutz photo corner, rhinestones, and awesome large blue ric rac. I'm thrilled with the way this page turned out!!

I hope you're having a great day, and thanks for stopping by!

Scrapping Recipe Challenge #43

This is my layout for Scrapping Recipe Challenge #43 at Sketches {by Tamara}.

For this recipe, we were to use the following on our cards or layouts:

• stitching
• brads
• a flower cut from patterned paper

As soon as I saw that we needed to use a flower cut from patterned paper, I realized that I needed to finish the 2nd page of a two-page layout. Don't ask me why, but I did the first page almost a year ago, and I never finished the 2nd page!!

This is the first page that I did last April!

Here are the two pages together! I trimmed the first page a little on the sides, and I mounted both pages on blue cardstock. For the stitching, I added three cross stitches to both pages. I also added a trio of heart brads to the 2nd page. The title is QuicKutz, the stamps are by Autumn Leaves, and I added a bunch of red rhinestones. You can click on the pages to see them larger. I think this is a very cute two-page layout, and I'm glad I finally finished it!!

I'm off to vote today, and I'm also going to the dentist for a cleaning. Hopefully, I'll be in and out at the dentist!! I hope you have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!!

More ScrapCity March Reveals

I have two more projects to show you today. These were both created using products from Crafter's Alley. Charlie is our ScrapCity sponsor for the month of March. One of the things that she sent to our Creative Team member is Core'dinations cardstock, and we all had so much fun creating with this cardstock!


Here's another card that I created featuring the cardstock! This cardstock is wonderful in the Cuttlebug. I embossed the card front, and then lightly sanded the raised image. Such a pretty effect! The scalloped circular sentiment is from The Cutting Cafe'. This image comes from the All Occasion Circle Scallop set. LOVE IT!! I cut the sentiment and the mat both with my Coluzzle. I added a gorgeous Prima (also from Charlie at Crafter's Alley!) with a Making Memories button center. Ribbon was added to the bottom of the card front along with a rhinestone trio. I love the way this card turned out!


I also created this fun layout! The paper, "summer" card, and large die cut flower are all by My Mind's Eye. I got all of this MME from a great value kit at Peachy Cheap! I am loving Peachy Cheap! Awesome deals of the day! I used the Core'dinations cardstock to make my title and my photo frame. The photo frame is strips of paper, and the title is QuicKutz. I embossed all of it in my Cuttlebug and lightly sanded it. I added a trio of bright Primas next to the "summer" card. The layout also has Making Memories brads and a trio of rhinestones. Love it!

Happy Friday everyone! It's already 50 outside, so I will be taking a long walk with Princess. We have some rain coming, but at this time of year, that's to be expected. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead before you go to bed on Saturday night! Have a great weekend everyone, and thanks for stopping by!

Scrapping Recipe Challenge #37 & ScrapCity Sketch Fest Layout

This week, I decided to combine my Scrapping Recipe Challenge #37 at Sketches! {by Tamara} with one of the Sketch Fest challenges that are currently taking place at ScrapCity. This sketch is by Julie Bonner from the 52 Sketches site.

The recipe challenge this week was to use the following three items on our cards or layouts:

• flowers
• buttons
• Stickles or glitter

I love all of those required items, so I had a lot of fun using them on my layout! I used My Mind's Eye papers. The die cut heart is also by MME. I created the punched border with my threading water punch. The flower and the button are Making Memories. The photo anchor is a QuicKutz die cut, and I stamped the date on it. The title was created using my Cricut. I used a hole punch to punch all of those green dots, and I applied them one by one to my layout. I love the way it looks, especially on a dotted background paper!! Finally, I added two trios of Stickles dots to my paper strips. I'm very pleased with this layout!! You can click on it for a larger view.

You can still get in on all of the awesome Sketch Fest Challenges at ScrapCity! The Sketch Fest runs through Friday!! I hope you have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!!

Boo!

I have a fun Halloween page to share with you today. I made this a while ago for a design team call. I love using 8x10 photos on a scrapbook page.


This is Mary Poppins and Dorothy with Toto. Emily and Jessica look wonderful! Yes, Princess looks cute too. This is from Halloween 2006. I used Rusty Pickle papers and ki Memories ribbon. The title is QuicKutz. I did a lot of detail cutting on the pumpkin, cat, ghost, and spider. I love this page!! You can click on it to see it larger. DeeDee just commented and mentioned how much she likes the trees in the background, so I'm editing this post to tell you that those maple clump bushes are in our backyard, and I absolutely, positively LOVE them! I'm amazed by them every year, and I love the color change . . . just gorgeous!

I'm getting my hair cut and highlighted today, thank goodness. The girls have a band field night tonight. They go to the high school, and they get to play on the field with the high school marching band before the game. They then stay in the end zone with the band, and at half-time watch the high school marching band perform. After half-time, they can leave. I'm going to be chaperoning and taking photos. It's going to be COLD!! It's an awesome experience for them to get to play on the high school football field with the high school band, so this will be fun too. I hope you have a great day, enjoy your weekend, and thanks for stopping by!

Scrapping Recipe Challenge #19

First off, before I get to my scrapping recipe challenge for this week, I want to announce that I am on the ScrapCity Creative Team! Yahoo! I love that site, and I'm thrilled and honored to be a part of their design team. I can't wait to get started!! Stop by and hang out if you get a chance. You will love the challenges each month, and it's just such a friendly message board!

Next, here is my page for Scrapping Recipe Challenge #19 at Sketches! {by Tamara}.


The challenge this month was set by ME, and here are the three recipe ingredients that needed to be used on our cards or layouts:

1. Felt
2. Stickles
3. An office supply or a library pocket

I had a lot of fun with this challenge. I finally scrapbooked the photos of the girls from Christmas 2005 when they got Mall Madness from their aunt, my sister-in-law, Kathy. She was so excited to buy this game for the girls, because it was the HOT toy for young girls in 2005!! The girls LOVED it, and they still love it three years later!! I cut my title on my Cricut using Cuttin' Up. I designed the page background to look like the game box. I added Stickles to the title letters and to an awesome felt border at the bottom. I bought that purple felt ribbon at a garage sale for 25 cents! It's thick and just awesome! I used my threading water punch on my DCWV patterned paper, I journaled on an American Crafts journaling sticker, and I added a paper clip with a bit of ribbon to one of the photos. On the other photo, I added a binder clip that says "Christmas". I also added two Primas topped by a felt flower that I cut in my Cuttlebug with a QuicKutz die. The flower stack is attached with a beautiful Making Memories brad. I love the way this layout turned out!! You can click on the layout to see it larger.

Be sure to check out what the other design team members created using my recipe! I hope you have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!!

Relax

At 4 Scrappy Sisters, one of the September challenges was so use a large element on your page, so I decided to use this giant Scenic Route arrow. How fun!


I could not get a good photograph of this page. The colors are so pretty, and I really couldn't capture it. I took these photographs standing up in the girls' skyfort. They were relaxing on the grass in the backyard, and I just couldn't resist taking pictures of them! The glitter chipboard letters are by ScrapWorks. The chipboard piece I used for the center of my Prima says "simple pleasures", and it's also by Scenic Route. I cut the circles with my Coluzzle, and I added two QuicKutz photo corners. I also used my Uniball Signo pen to add some white dot trios. I love the way this page turned out. You can click on it to see it larger.

Well, I don't want to jinx anything, but there is HUGE excitement in the Chicagoland area. Both the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox have clinched their divisions, and they will both be playing post-season playoff games. I cannot even tell you how exciting that is for us! Go Cubs Go! That's all I have to say . . . for now!!

I hope you have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!

So Sweet

I forgot to post the girls' marching photos. They marched in a parade on Monday. It was so HOT! The first photo is Jessica, and the second photo is Emily.



Aren't they wonderful? I just love my girls! Now, I'll show you a page I finished a couple of days ago. I'm working on an 8x8 album for myself, and this is the 2nd page that I created for it! The first one was the "Sleeping Beauty" page that I created with Jessica asleep in her chair. This photo was taken in 1999, and I'm sure you'll agree that my girls are SO SWEET!


The frame that the photo is sitting on came from a Princess page kit that I received as blog candy from the wonderful Dawn! Isn't that frame fantastic? I added a couple of rhinestones to the frame. The title was cut with my QuicKutz. The flowers were created with a Stampin' Up punch that I have. It cuts three flowers at a time. I hardly ever use this punch, and I decided it was time to dust it off and use it! I love the simplicity of the page.

It's a rainy day today. I'm off to get a much-needed haircut today. I'm looking quite scruffy! I also just need to do some stuff around the house and figure out what we're having for dinner tonight. Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!

BBTB - Indie Art - Strawberry Challenge

Our challenge this week at Bitten By The Bug was so use the strawberry on the Indie Art cartridge. Once again, I don't have that cartridge, and once again, DeeDee came to my rescue, and she sent me the cut. Thanks DeeDee! Be sure to check out what the other designers created! They're all fantastic!


I really struggled with this challenge, because I couldn't think of a project to use a strawberry on! I thought of "berry sweet" and "thank you berry much", but that just didn't work for me. In the end, I pulled out my So Very Stampin' Up set, and created a "sweet" card. I used my swiss dots Cuttlebug embossing folder on the black card front. I created a threading water punch red border for the bottom of my card front. The "Announcing" journaling card is by 7 Gypsies. I tied it on with beautiful red sheer ribbon. The "you are" alphabet stickers are by Making Memories. I added a chalk inked red flower, a tag that I cut with my QuicKutz stamped with the word "sweet", and I sewed on a button. I then mounted the inked strawberry and added 3 red rhinestones as a finishing touch. I love the way this card turned out, but I still think the strawberry looks like an afterthought. This color combination is so appealing to me!

We have a busy Monday. The girls have marching band camp, marching band uniform fittings, and then they both have an eye doctor appointment. We'll be running around quite a bit. I hope you had a great weekend! Have a good Monday, and thanks for stopping by!

the 4 of US!

I scrapped a photo from 2005 and posted it yesterday, and now here is one from 2007! I used to scrap strictly chronologically, but now? Not so much! However, I won't put them in my albums until I can do that in order!


I wanted to showcase this photo that was taken for Christmas 2007. To me, this is what Christmas is all about! There is nothing I would rather do than spend time with my family! I used Love, Elsie Noel papers, chipboard buttons, and ribbon. The paper is double-sided, and you can see both sides on my page. I also used a die cut sheet of Bazzill on top of red cardstock. I distressed the papers with chalk ink. The title was cut with my QuicKutz squeeze. I love the way this layout turned out!

I am totally engrossed in Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer! I got it on Saturday (thank YOU Amazon.com!), and I cannot put it down! I stayed up late last night reading it, and wow, is it good! Happy Monday to you all, and thanks for stopping by!

Card Sketch #51

It's card sketch day on Sketches! {by Tamara}. Here is my card for Card Sketch #51. Be sure to link your card back to Tamara's blog if you create a card using her sketch!


The sketch was definitely patriotic, but I decided to challenge myself to create a card that wasn't patriotic. I really love the way this card turned out. I used Love, Elsie Toby paper. I really like the way the paper was already striped, so it worked well with the sketch. I cut the star and the star shadow on my Cricut. I cut "superstar" with my QuicKutz squeeze and my Zelda alphabet. I added Toby ribbon around the card front, popped up the star, and attached three light blue dew drops. Love it!

So, the painting of the girls' rooms continues. All of the prep work is done. We got the ceilings done and the primer on the walls. It's so much work! My husband did the ceilings, and we all did the walls. Today, hopefully, we'll get to the color!! I took the "before" photos, and the "after" photos will be so BOLD! I'll show you when we're all done. The girls are so excited. Of course, with their rooms completely empty, the rest of the house is a MESS! We put their mattresses on the floor in the family room, and that's where they're sleeping! FUN!

I'm very excited about the 4th of July! Can't wait! I'll be walking along with the girls' marching band. We chaperone and squirt the kids when they get too hot. Our village also does an amazing fireworks show. Love it! Have a fantastic day, and thanks for stopping by!

Groovy

I did this page for a challenge to include some detail cutting on a layout. There are six flowers on this page, and I cut them all from a patterned paper by We R Memory Keepers.


The flourish stamps are by Autumn Leaves, and I added some red rhinestones. The "Groovy" title was cut with my QuicKutz squeeze. Just a fun page of my girls with braids in their hair! I actually have a second page to finish up that goes with this layout. They are the "after" photos when the braids came out!

Any American Idol watchers? I thought the judges were completely crazy last night! I usually agree with Simon for the most part, but I thought he was really harsh with David Cook. Clearly both of them are very talented, but I think David Cook is MUCH better. Oh well, I don't think it will be a surprise when the results are revealed tonight, do you? Was there ever any question that David Archuletta wouldn't become the next AI? Let's just say that I don't agree, but then again . . . I never agree with the final results!! Chris Daughtry is so crazy talented, and he didn't even make the top three! David Cook . . . can't wait for your CD . . . I'll buy it!

I'm off to the doctor today. Two appointments . . . I'm a big believer in getting doctor visits over and done with. I have a mammogram scheduled followed by my first ever trip to a dermatologist. If you're forty or over . . . have you had a mammogram in the last year? If not, schedule one today! That's my public service announcement for the day!

Last but not least, have you commented on Judy's scrapbooking diva bag giveaway! Go check it out. Is that tote fantastic or what?

Have a great day everyone, and thanks for stopping by!

BBTB - Christmas Cheer - Mug Challenge

I'm so excited to post my FIRST Bitten By The Bug challenge! I love the way it turned out! We were challenged to use the mug on the Christmas Cheer cartridge, and this is what I came up with! Please be sure to check out ALL the wonderful creations for the challenge this week . . . they're all amazing!


I cut and shadowed the mug using DCWV Old World paper. I then created the shopping bag from Tags, Bags, Boxes & More. The perfect touch was adding Grumpabella! I got the Bella image from my SBS2 sister Lori. I created the text for the tag that says, "Some days . . . only a BIG cup will do!" on my computer, and then I cut it out using my QuicKutz. I inked some sheer ribbon and added that to the tag. Finally, I added a beautiful crocheted flower that my oldest daughter Emily made for me!! Isn't it GORGEOUS? She is so talented, and she has since made me more flowers, so you'll be seeing more of them on my projects! I do believe I'm going to have to open an Etsy shop so that she can sell some of them! They're fantastic! I added a button to the flower center. I then added some Starbuck's gift cards to the bag. So, what do you think? What a nice gift card holder! It's my first BBTB project, I'm thrilled to be a new member of the design team, and I LOVE the way it turned out!

I tried to blog hop and leave comments at your sites yesterday, but I pretty much felt like throwing my computer through the window. I'm able to look at sites, but loading the comment window is just crazy! It takes about 3 or 4 tries before I can get it to display. I have no idea what's going on with my Internet connection. Hopefully we'll figure it out. I hope you all had a fantastic weekend, and thanks for stopping by!

Journalist In Action

I created this page on Saturday when I was scrappin' with my Diva girlfriends. There is a challenge at ScrapCity to use yellow and red on a layout, so this is my take on that challenge.


This is my oldest daughter in 2005 when she was on the newspaper staff at her school. She wrote an article about the Mayor of our town, and she interviewed him in person. He is such a nice man, and he was so impressed with Emily during the interview! He even took her into the board room and let her sit in his chair. It was a fun experience for Emily. I used some Foofala papers that I've had for a while now. The ribbon under the Prima stack is also Foofala. I stamped an Autumn Leaves stamp for the journaling, and I stamped an Autumn Leaves swirl under the photo. The title was cut on my QuicKutz. I'm very pleased with this page!

I have so much to do around the house today. I need to get into my spring cleaning BIG time! Have a wonderful day, and thanks for stopping by!!

Scrapbook Pages & Diva Day in Review

I had a great time yesterday scrapbooking with my Diva girlfriends! I didn't get much done, but I like the pages I created. I'll show you two of them today. I created these for a sketch challenge at Lesli's blog. Please check out the rest of the pages at her site. If you like my two pages, please vote for them. One of them is in the top section of the voting, and the other is in the bottom section of voting. If you like other pages better than mine, that's OK too, select the ones you like. All of the pages are in the left column on Lesli's site. Go check them out and please vote!


This is my first sketch layout challenge. I love the big circle. I traced a lazy susan that was in my girlfriend's studio, and I hand cut the circle. Not bad! The title is QuicKutz. This is all of us dressed up to support the Chicago Bears when they played in the 2007 Super Bowl. They were NOT victorious. Just a fun page. I really like the way it turned out!


This is the photo that appeared on my Christmas cards for 2008. I always take a photo of the girls in our backyard. I just LOVE this photograph! This sketch worked great to showcase this single photo. The papers are My Mind's Eye Wild Asparagus, and the large brads are Making Memories. I added some Primas and rhinestones. I really love it!


Now for a Diva Day update! I had a wonderful day at my girlfriend Sue's house! It's always so much FUN being there! This is Queen Diva Sue! She normally has a tiara on when we're in the Diva Den. She's fabulous either way . . . tiara or no tiara!


This is Diva Deb sitting at the stamping station table. Yes, there is a stamping station. Can I just tell you right now, that Sue's studio in her basement is an amazing place to be?!! Everything you could possibly want is there! It's just so much fun to create in her space! Diva Deb is also without her tiara, but once again, fabulous either way!


This is my wonderful girlfriend Diva Kathy. I met my husband through Diva Kathy! Kathy and I worked together back in the day . . . I'm talking the late 80's!! We've known each other for a long time! I took this photo by holding the camera in front of us. I could have had Sue or Deb take the photo, but that's not as fun, right?

So, I had a GREAT time! Thank you Sue! I hope we can all get together again! I got just five pages done, but I did only stay until 5 p.m. We did a lot of talking, listened to music, watched a movie, and just had a wonderful time! For today, I need to run some errands, do laundry, and get organized for the upcoming week. My oldest and I need to run to Michael's for styrofoam balls, because apparently she needs to create a model of a human eye. I'm not sure why, but that doesn't really sound fun to me. Sure, a human eye is an AMAZING thing, but does she really have to construct one out of styrofoam to appreciate it? Have a great Sunday, please go vote for me, and thanks for stopping by!!