Merry Christmas

Wow! Is it just me or are the rest of you shocked at how fast Christmas is approaching? I have only purchased a grand total of 1 gift! I, not only haven't purchase my kid's gifts, I have no idea what to get either of them! If anyone has ideas for an 18 year old boy and a 20 year old girl, could you please pass them along? LOL

I have started getting in the Christmas spirit, though. The December kits are up at MCS and for my DT projects, I made an ornament and a gifty item with each of the kit's I received. I truly love Christmas and I probably shouldn't admit it, but I usually put up 5 Christmas trees! It begins to look like the North Pole around here at Christmas. It's too bad that we seldom get snow! That would probably make it perfect!

Here are the ornaments that I made with the kits at My Creative Scrapbook. These are really easy to do. I had so much fun with them!

First up is the main kit. This kit features Little Yellow Bicycle Sharon Ann and Making Memories Fa La La. It's a really pretty kit that is loaded with beautiful goodies. I made the ornament out of paper mache ornament that I picked up at Hobby Lobby. I covered it with 2 different patterned papers and used stickles to make little dots along the edges where the paper meets.

Next up is the Creative Kit. This is a super simple idea to make an ornament. Just cut strips of paper the width of your ornament and glue them down. This is really quick and a fun way to make an ornament or even tie-ons for your Christmas gifts. The tree in the center is a die-cut. Just back it with Cardstock and glue the ribbon that holds it in between the layers.

The candy holder is made simply with rectangle pieces of cardstock and patterned paper. I think it would be a really cute way to give little favors out at holiday parties!

I made these using the Album Kit. Just a simple little tin from Ikea and another paper mache ornament.

This one is made using the Limited Edition Kit. For the 'extras', I cut up a few inexpensive Christmas Picks and used the pieces. Be sure to check out all the Christmas greenery and flowers. Right now is the perfect time to find some gorgeous accents that you can use all year long!

Since I've already admitted that I'm a Christmas addict, I just couldn't get enough and ended up doing a couple more ornaments with my own supplies! LOL! Here they are! The first one is for my MIL and the second one was made for a Secret Santa gift.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season!!

Just for Fun

Do you ever see a picture that you just have to scrap? Not later, right then!

The other night, my niece came over to scrap and she had this fabulous picture of her daughter. I immediately knew that I had to have a copy. I wasn't scrapping that night, just helping her get some Christmas gifts done. The next morning I woke up, looked at this picture and had to get to work on it right then! I just loved it!!

It was so fun, too! I am the worst about looking at my pages forever before I decide to glue them down. This one just came together so easily! It probably helped that I used so many of my favorite things. lol I know that it is loaded with things, but I love them all! Prima, Pink Paislee, Webster's Pages and lots of glitter! Of course, if you know me, you know it had to have ribbon!

I've been hosting a ribbon challenge at My Creative Scrapbook this month, so I've been trying to think of things I haven't done before with my ribbons. For this page, I took some Bazzill Sheer ribbon and used thread to gather it in places. Where the thread showed, I just put a crystal on top to cover it. Simple and an easy way to add a bit more sparkle.

I was also able to really give this one a lot of dimension because it isn't going into a book. I'm giving it to my niece in a shadow box.




Here are a couple of close ups.

I love these butterflies. They are from the Raspberry Truffle collection at Webster's Pages. I just cut them out and added glitter and crystals to them.


You can better see the results of the ribbon technique here. I also inked the Pink Paislee letters. They are perfect to ink. I just covered the entire surface with a darker pink chalk ink and then used a tissue to wipe off the excess. It really made the edges nice and a little darker to go better with my page.

Thanks for dropping by!

New Kits for November

Wow!! Check these out!!! Pam has done it again with her November kits!! There is something for everyone this month!

The Main Kit features Crate Paper Prudence. These are a perfect blend of casual and elegant. Lots of glittery accents and Pam upped the ante by adding some lovely Zva Crystals!

This one is Alex and his girlfriend at prom.

Jade and her dog, Glory. Not my usual color choices, but I really love the soft look of these papers! The die-cuts in this kit make layering so easy! Everything is already cut out for you. Just add some pop-dots here and there for dimension.

Just a little thankyou card. I love the die cuts that are part of this line. They make creating so simple! The lettering is just done with Word Art. Simple!

Next up... the Creative Kit. What a fun mix of product!!! Talk about a kit that makes creating EASY! This is it! The kit this month features Fancy Pants/Daily Grind. Everyone loves Fancy Pants and ths additions that Pam added make this one a must have!

My Alex when he was little! This was back when he got to have a remote control all to himself! lol

This one is Jade with my great nieces. Maddi, the little one was copying what the big girls were doing. So sweet!! See what I mean about an easy kit to work with! Just a few fabulous embellishments with a great paper and viola... layout!


Another great niece. This is Ella. I pulled just green for this one, but you could easily use other colors. This kit has lots of options! The green flowers are hand-cut from the patterned paper. The little black flowers around the circle are rub-ons from the kit.

Not enough for you? Well, guess what? Pam is doing Limited Edition kits starting this month. Get them quick... when they are gone, they're gone! First up we have... Webster's Pages/Reflections of Nature!!! Oh WOW!!! These papers are flat-out GORGEOUS!! I have been dying to get my hands on these!!

This is Jade again. I've been saving this picture for some papers that I love! These are it!

This is a card holder that I altered. Such fun and... Christmas gifts are getting done, too! lol I'm not telling who it's for though! I truly LOVE this line!! The cardholder is metal. Pull out your crop-a-dile and punch away. I really didn't think that thing would punch through metal but it DOES!! So easily, too!! Pull some tulle through the edges to get this look. Just go slowly because the edges are pretty sharp and you don't want to mangle the tulle.

Still want more... well... How about Webster's Pages-Inspired? It's another Limited Edition Kit! More Gorgeous paper here, too!! I ran out of time this month, so I only finished one thing, but... Another Christmas gift in the bag! lol This is an altered ceiling tin. Speaking of the crop-a-dile. Woudl you believe that you can even add eyelets to the metal?? I love that tool more than ever now!!! After making the card-holder, I decided to try the eyelets to make it easier to pull the tulle through this one. Worked like a charm!!! Now I'm craving the bigger tool!!! Ah... another scrap purchase on the horizon! lol

Jade and Alex ...

See, I told you that there was something for everyone this month!!! I'll see you at MCS!!!

My Creative Scrapbook Kits

Hi ya'll!! I just wanted to pop on and share some new things using the Main Kit and the Creative Kit at My Creative Scrapbook! These kits are FABULOUS!!! I think these might just be my favorite to date!!!

The Main Kit features Basic Grey. I have to admit that I'm just not a fan of orange, however I ended up LOVING this kit!! These papers are gorgeous and are so easy to use. They almost scrap themselves!

This one is Jade in the goat pen with one of the babies.

A little idea when you need that something extra... I wanted some smaller butterflies for my design. To get them, I just made a color copy of some of the Basic Grey paper and printed it on a transparency sheet. Cut them out and give them a little bend in the center for dimension. The great thing about transparency is that it doesn't flatten out as easily as paper.

I got this picture when I was taking pictures of Jade. Alex was standing off to the side of me and I just turned and got this picture of him. I love how deep in thought he looks. So Alex! My thinker.

On this one, before I did the fussy cutting for the medallion, I glued it to transparency. The transparency gives it more weight and makes it stronger for pop dotting. It will hold up better in your book this way. The rub-ons were also put on transparency and then cut out. It allowed me to add dimension with them instead of leaving them flat on the paper.

More transparency. Again, I glued the the paper to a transparency to make it stronger for pop dots. The frame is just a chipboard frame that I painted black and then gave a mist of Glimmer Mist.

The Creative Kit features Bo Bunny this month.

The next layout is Alex and his girlfriend Kim. Just a sweet picture!
This is my Sister In Law's granddaughter, Kirsten. Terri shared this picture with me. Isn't she a cutie?

Thanks for dropping by my blog!

Changes

Well, It's been about two months since I blogged! It's funny since last time I blogged I mentioned how bad I am about blogging. Some things don't change!!

I am not one who does well with change. I like things to stay just as they are. Sometimes, I just don't get to have what I want. That is not always a bad thing, but it can be hard to adjust. Since I last blogged, I have become an empty nester. What a huge change for me.

I've been a stay at home mom for over 20 years and this has probably been the biggest change for me to date! Our kids are now both off to college. They are doing so well. They were ready, but I'm not sure that I was. I've been spending a lot of time reminding myself that the fact that they were ready means that I did my job and it's time to let go. I'll keep telling myself that when I want to wish for just a little more time with them at home. I'll keep telling myself that change is good, reminding myself that they are going to shine, praying that their lives turn out just the way they envision. I'll remember to enjoy my time, instead of wondering what now? I'll embrace the new opportunities. I'll get to spend more time with my husband. There is good here. I'll eat what I want for dinner tonight! Oh wow,I can watch what I want on TV! Maybe it's not all bad!

So, when I'm getting sad or having this empty feeling, I'll remember... I'll document... I'll be thankful for every moment!

September Kits are UP!

You MUST take a peek at these! Of course, once you do you are sure to want them!! Fabulous papers, flowers and embellishments!

Before that, I just have to say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY JADE!!!" I just can't believe that it's been 20 years! We are so proud of you!!!

The Main Kit this month features Pink Paislee. Fabulous fall colors!

This one is Jade and her friend Lani. They met in Mommy's Day Out when they were 4. This was taken their senior year. Ironic, but after they met we found out that they lived behind us. We had just moved and hadn't met anyone in our area yet. The whole family became our friends.

I don't often do cards, but for this kit I made one. The flower is just hand-cut and layered. The fancy edge is on the die-cut paper. Love the fabulous Pink Paislee die-cuts!

The Creative Kit is featuring October Afternoon this month. I just love the fun feel of October Afternoon papers. Cute and FUN!

I love this picture of Jade. I had taken the kids out for a photoshoot and they ended up playing on the swings. I love this because she's laughing. This is her 'real' smile with her dimples flashing! Perfect!

This is my sweet great-niece Maddi. She's just so cute you want to gobble her up!!

Thanks for dropping by! Be sure to take a moment to check out the kits!

Bad bad blogger and a fab new kit!!

Well, it's official... I'm the worst blogger ever!! It has been a while since I have posted anything here, despite my best intentions! I have been getting the kids ready to leave for college. Who knew that becoming an empty nester could take so much time!! Jade is about ready to move into her new apartment. We have had to furnish it from the ground up. Some of it was lots of fun... like bedding and furniture. Some of it was simply a pain... like kitchen utensils and potholders!! LOL Now, I need to take Alex shopping. He should be a cake walk after finishing Jade's shopping! Boys require so little!! Me to Alex, "So do you know what you want for your dorm?" Alex, "Maybe some sheets??" Me, "Well, have you talked to your new roomate to see what he is bringing?" Alex, "Mom, guys don't care." Me, "Do you want a rug at least?" Alex, "If you think I need one." In other words, he could CARE LESS!! LOL So, I guess I'm making the decisions here. I do know that he knows exactly which of his electronic things he's taking with him!! Me, "I could care less!"

So all that aside, I have managed to get some scrapping done. My Creative Scrapbook had their reveal today. You really should check out these kits. Amazing amounts of product are included!! Every month I just can't believe how much Pam packs into a kit! While you are there, be sure to check out the DT gallery. I think this is the best gallery so far. You will see designers that you know and love. They are all so amazing!! Here is my work this month. October Afternoon is the featured line. These papers are so FUN!!!



This is Jade on her 1st birthday.



And Jade on her 3rd birthday.



Just a little altered teacher gift. Know anyone named Mrs. Smith? I don't!! LOL Just thought this would make a fun teacher gift!

Thanks for dropping by!

Bring on the Sun with New Kits!

The reveal is up at My Creative Scrapbook! Bring on the sun! These kits just scream SUMMER!! Such fun and so pretty, too! I love how well the Main Kit worked for my boy picture. The featured line in the Main Kit this month is from We R Memory Keepers.

This is Alex at his summer job. He's a lifeguard and loving it! I'm so glad that he has found something he loves that keeps him busy in the summer.

This one is my great niece Ella. She's such a cutie! I took this one at the pool specifically for this kit! lol Of course, I didn't really need an excuse to go hang out at the pool. She gets such a kick hanging out at the pool with her friends and telling them that Alex is her cousin! So cute!

I love fun packaging for gifts. I thought that this would be a really fun way to give a summer birthday gift. Just grab a sand bucket at the $1 store and have fun adding elements from your stash to it! Next up this month is the Creative Kit. This one features Cosmo Cricket. It has fabulous embellishments, too! I had a lot of fun with it, too!

This is Jade and her friend, Kara, in Cozumel kissing the frog at a restaraunt. They had so much fun on their trip! I once saw a little pillow that asked 'Just how many frogs do I have to kiss?'. It cracked me up and I couldn't help but think how true it can be. Most girls have to go on a lot of dates to find the 'right' one! LOL! When I saw this picture, I just knew that I had to do a layout with that quote.

This one is Jade on the trampoline. It's not my usual style, but wanted to have a bit of fun with it. This is her element. I love watching her. All those years of gymnastics make for some great tricks. Of course, my heart is always in my throat!! There is a reason that gym tramps are floor level!

Finally... a little altered plate. This is a plate that I got from Southern Living at Home, but you could have fun with any plate. Just be sure to write on it with a dry erase marker so that you can change it out when you want to. I have two of these and am always changing them out for holidays and parties. I had frogs on the brain this month evidently! lol The frog and the bee are made with pieces of the patterned paper from the kit. They are basically a lot of circles.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cosmo Cricket

As so many of you know, Cosmo Cricket is accepting applications for their Design Team. Being a Cosmo Cricket lover, I HAD TO TRY OUT! I made this layout using the Wanted collection. Let me tell you, I have loads of this paper!! This paper is what I have done most of my dad's heritage book with. It is just so easy to use and so beautiful! It really works well with both girls and boy's layouts. This layout is designed around a picture of my kids that I took at Christmas time out in the goat pens. My son, the youngest, will be going off to college soon and our nest will be empty! I'm not ready, but I know that he is. The journaling on this layout reads... Making the decision to move to the country, watching you learn responsibility and compassion, spending time with the animals even now, depending on each other daily and being so close, knowing that you still enjoy time together, seeing the young adults you have become, I wouldn't change a thing. I wish they had stayed small longer, but as this layout says, I wouldn't change a thing about them!

This is a card that I made for my dad for Father's Day. I know I used it in my blog on Father's Day, but I wanted to include it here because I also used the Wanted Line for it. I told you I love this paper! I made this before I even knew of the design team call! I printed the words on a transparency and used alcohol ink that I made myself on the edges. The flourish in the upper right hand corner and the larger square are inside the card.




Finally, I made this fun layout of my daughter on her 5th birthday. I love how this paper is so fun and young. The die-cuts buttons just make the layout almost do itself! They are just so cute! I purchased this paper specifically for this picture. Ironically, it is not only perfect, but our daughter's nickname is Sunshine! I had to smile at that. I also used some of the blackboard chipboard here. How terrific that I didn't have to do any inking!! It is perfect just as it is. Just popped a brad in the middle and it was ready to go! I can't wait to try some watercolor pencils and paint on this chipboard.

So everyone at Cosmo Cricket... I would be completely thrilled to be on your design team!! Thanks for your consideration and for stopping by my blog!

Happy Father's Day!

It's Father's Day! It has been a long one, too! Our Father's Day started this morning at 7:00. As most of you know, our son graduated last weekend. Well, as if that wasn't hectic enough, he had his Eagle Scout Project this weekend. It has really been a crazy time around here. We were at the project site from 7:30 in the morning until 9:00 last night. I might add that it was 102 degrees outside and we were working in a horse arena and in an unairconditioned store room! Miserable! Naturally, as all projects go, we completely underestimated the time it would take to complete. So at 7:00 this morning we were back at it trying to beat the heat! The project was completed at 3:00 this afternoon.

Father's day for the dads in our life was made up of working most of the day. My dh was the first one there and the one to turn out the lights when it was over. This has been a goal of our son's to complete his Eagle Project and it was so wonderful to see him achieve the goal. Except for the formalities... Our son's an Eagle Scout!!! We all felt bad that the dads were working on Father's Day, but they wanted to help. My dad even showed up again today. He so wanted to be a part of the whole project. Although we told him that we had it covered, he still drove over to help. We also have some very close friends who have been instrumental to our son's scouting success. Was the dad home being pampered today? No, he was at the arena at 7:00 this morning too.

So today, I was reminded what wonderful men I am surrounded by. These men are what Father's Day celebrates. They are roll models for what I hope my son becomes. They are people who put their own needs and wants to the side to help a young man achieve his goals. We are all so blessed to have these men in our lives! So here's to Fathers and Grandfathers!! What would we do without you?

New Kits for June!

The new kits are available at My Creative Scrapbook! The Main Kit features My Little Yellow Bicycle this month. This is so bright and summery. Just PERFECT for you pool pictures!

This is my daughter (second from the right) and her college roommates in the pool this summer. I love the way this kit has so many colors and really compliments the pool picture!

The Creative Kit features Making Memories this month. What a super SWEET kit! This one made me have babies on the mind! I just love this soft color pallet for these pictures of my daughter when she was a baby!

I also made a little altered sign with this kit. It is just a cheapy sign that I picked up in the $1 section at Michaels. One of the DT members is expecting and like I said, I have babies on the mind with this kit. Thought that this little sign would make a sweet shower gift.
Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out the kits this month!

Sneak Peek and a Challenge

Wow! Time is flying by lately! We are getting ready for another kit at My Creative Scrapbook. These are some more really great kits! Lots of fun goodies and lots of great ideas. Here is a sneek peek at what is coming up! Be sure to check them out. We will be doing the release on June 2. Also, I am hosting a challenge at My Creative Scrapbook! It includes a great prize pack! Come join the fun! I really want to see your work.

Prom Night

Another event finished! Last night was the Senior Prom. The girls were all beautiful in their dresses and the guy so handsome in their tuxes. It is so fun to see them so excited and all dressed up. I just can't believe that the time passed so quickly and they are getting ready to graduate! We took loads of pictures and I can't wait to get them scrapped. The kids had a great time and will have good memories of their last prom! Doesn't prom just bring back memories for everyone. I just had to share a quick picture of my son and his girlfriend.

Wow!!!

The May kit reaveal at My Creative Scrapbook was today!! These kits are the best yet! I made two layouts, a mini album and an altered chalkboard with one kit and still have lots of goodies to play with! Pam really knows how to put together a fabulous kit! Even the album is included, not to mention a whole package of Mini Marks rub-ons! Be sure to check them out! You won't be disappointed!!

BUSY!! BUSY!! BUSY!!

Wow! Things are starting to heat up around here!! My son is graduating from High School on June 7th. In the two short years since my daughter graduated, I had forgotten just how much there is going on before the actual event. It seems like everyday there is another little detail to see to. Invitations, banquets, awards, scholarship applications, school acceptances... the list goes on and on! In addition to graduation, prom is only 2 weeks away. Talk about excitement. If all that wasn't enough, my son is in the midst of his Eagle Scout Project. Never a dull moment around here!!

The kids are planning their graduation parties and having so much fun as the excitement builds. The moms took them to the park to take pictures for their invitations and really got some fun ones. The best part was watching them laugh and tease each other. There is a big group that is having a huge party for anyone who would like to come the night of graduation. I think they are going to have a blast and we have lots of fun things planned for them that night! It is really a blessing to see what great young adults they have grown up to be.





We have one more photo shoot planned, because Alex is having a small party with a small group of friends that more for family and family friends to come celebrate his accomplishments.

I am scrapping away trying to get an album done for him to diplay at the parties. I am having lots of fun with it and going 'back to the basics'. Alex really likes the more simple pages and that is what he is getting! It has been forever since I have done a two page layout, and I'm actually enjoying it! It will be a lot more enjoyable when I get all the football pictures finished! lol

So... with Summer approaching fast, what are you up to? I would love to hear about it!!