7.25.2011

You make me happy...

Hello friends!  Last week over at the American Crafts blog it was Thickers week and they featured a ton of great projects.  One card especially caught my eye (HERE) and inspired me to create a layout.  I have always loved to sing "You are my sunshine" to my boys so when I saw that card, it immediately got me thinking about what papers/picture/thickers I had to create a layout using part of that song. 

First I found one of my recent favorite pictures of my oldest son and this great kraft, raindrop paper from American Crafts



Then, I knew I needed some clouds and this fabulous doily patterned paper spoke to me.


I kept the layout simple...wanting to focus mostly on the picture and title.  But I made it so that the picture lifts up to reveal journaling about all the ways my son brings laughter and sunshine into my life.






Here is the end result:

 
Thanks for visiting today.  We are preparing for our big move followed by a small vacation so if I'm a little absent from my blog I'm sure you all will understand.  Hopefully when I return I will have some more exciting news to share...stay tuned! :)


7.20.2011

Up In a Tree

This summer my Dad decided to build a treehouse for my boys in his backyard...what a great Grandpa!  :)  For several weekends the boys and I helped him with this special project and although it's not 100% completed (my Dad still has some grand plans!) the boys just couldn't wait to try it out once the ladder and slide were put in place.  So, of course I had to get some pictures and scrapbook this fun memory!



I thought the American Crafts City Park paper was perfect for this layout!  And it inspired me to create my own tree that I think provides a great anchor for the pictures and adds a playful element to the page.  I used some of American Crafts Campy Trails papers to create the tree along with a variety of green cardstock.  And of course I finished it off with some Thickers and AC brads (Campy Trails collection).  The mini alphabet stickers are My Mind's Eye.

Thanks for stopping by!  I'll be back later this week with a new card to share!


7.18.2011

Birthday Celebration

Hello all!  I'm back today with some fun birthday decor items I created this past week using American Crafts Confetti collection as well as some of their yummy ribbon and glitter cardstock!




First I made this fun cupcake...it was pretty time consuming since I didn't have any die cuts or patterns to work with but it was all worth it in the end.  I started with a styrofoam ball and fan folded the happy birthday paper to create the cupcake wrapper.  Then I punched out a bunch of circles and used straight pins to attach them to the styrofoam ball.  Finally I finished it off with some fun ribbon and of course a birthday candle! :)

Then I wanted to make a coordinating decoration using the great new large Flair from American Crafts so I decided it would be the perfect centerpiece for a birthday banner.

How fun would these be to surprise a teacher or someone at the office?!  I think they would be a great way to decorate someone's small work area on their birthday.

Okay, I am off for a day of shopping and packing!  I'll be back soon with a new layout to share!  Have a wonderful day!


7.15.2011

Pumpkin Spice Design Team Call

Thanks to my sweet blogging friend Savannah, I discovered a great new online craft store today and they just happen to be having a design team call!  Pumpkin Spice carries some of my favorite brands such as My Mind's Eye, Echo Park, and Crate Paper and they have fabulous prices too!  So, for the DT call the challenge was to create a project using two of more of the paper brands that they carry. 


I am having such fun using these MME playing cards (you can check out two other cards here) and I love the challenge of mixing different papers...such a great way to use up scraps and get extra creative!

Supply List:
Paper:  Crate Paper (Snow Day); My Mind's Eye (Happy Go Lucky); BoBunny (Double Dot)
Bee Card:  My Mind's Eye (Alphabet Soup Playing Cards - Girl)
Ribbon: American Crafts
Alphabet Stickers:  American Crafts
Border Sticker:  Crate Paper
Brads:  BoBunny

Another part of the DT call for Pumpkin Spice is to list my FAVORITE paper company...ack!  I think this is a bigger challenge than actually creating a project!  How can I choose?! :)  Well, frankly, I can't!  I LOVE My Mind's Eye...their boy collections are some of my favorites for scrapbooking my boys (although I love their girl lines too), American Crafts has such fun, colorful collections and I can never have too many AC Thickers or ribbon,  BoBunny Double Dot papers are a staple in my craft room, and I love Crate Paper's eclectic collections.  Honestly there are a few others I could list but I'm sure all of you paper crafters understand!

I hope you all are headed for a lovely weekend!  We will be packing for our big move!  I will be back next week with a layout or two along with some fun birthday decor I've been working on!


7.08.2011

Exciting News!!!

After having our house on the market for almost a year, I am excited to share the news that we sold our house!  And just this afternoon our offer on the house we were wanting was accepted!   We have lived in our current house for 9 years so there are so many things we will miss about our home and neighborhood but I know we will create new memories in our next house too.  I was inspired by all our house excitement to create this card.


I love this sweet little HOME playing card by MME.  Some of you may remember the first time I used it to create this card. 


I think I am going to leave this card with a little note for the new owners of our current house.

I just had to share my excitement with you all!  Now I better get packing! :)

7.06.2011

hip hip HOORAY!

All the entries are in...the Paper Crafts team is deciding who will get a chance to be their Idol this year.   I know they are going to have a hard time deciding since there are over 1400 inspiring entries.  I submitted 3 cards.  Here is one that I had a lot of fun creating.

Big award-type ribbons seem to be real trendy this year so I decided to create my own version using some yummy May Arts and American Crafts ribbon, Doodlebug Designs chunky glitter, a Papertrey Ink stamp, and some MME LUSH rhinestones.  The colorful, glitter paper is American Crafts as well...love it!
Have a wonderful day and good luck to everyone who submitted cards for the Gallery Idol contest!

And since my sweet blogging friend Savannah introduced me to a new challenge - i {heart} ribbon challenge - I am also entering this card into the current challenge which is to use at least two or more ribbons.  Click here to see the details on the challenge and link up your own ribbon project!

7.04.2011

Fourth of July Barbeque!

Happy Fourth of July!  I hope you all have some fun plans to celebrate today.  We are taking the family to see CARS 2...it will be my 3 1/2 year old's first movie experience!  Then later we'll have a BBQ and of course light off some fireworks!

I was inspired to create a treasury on Etsy for the 4th and thought today was the perfect day to share it with all of you!  Enjoy!


You can click HERE to find the links to all these great shops!


7.02.2011

All Star

Hello all!  So, I finally found some time this weekend to create some cards for the Paper Crafts Gallery Idol challenge.  I thought I'd share one today that was inspired by my oldest son.


He just finished a week of soccer camp where he excelled, is getting ready for tennis camp, and tested into a high level for swimming...yes, I'm a proud mama! :)

This card features several My Mind's Eye products.  I hand cut all those little stars for the banner...a little time consuming but soooo worth it!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend!  I'm sorry I've been a bit absent lately but I have good reasons...I'll share the exciting news next week!

6.20.2011

How Sweet It Is

I have a huge sweet tooth...it is my weakness.  If you are a sugar lover too then you will love these fun and yummy items I found on Etsy.  Enjoy!



Click HERE to see this treasury up close with links to all these fun shops!

We are off to the swimming pool this morning...have a sweet day!


6.17.2011

Last Etsy Inspired Challenge

Hello all!  Today marks the beginning of the end of the Etsy Inspired Challenge.  This will be the last challenge so be sure to play along this week for your chance to win one last great prize!  I have so enjoyed being on the Design Team these past two years...thanks Ashley for choosing me to be a part of this great team!  Even when my mojo was lacking, I could always count on our featured Etsy shop to inspire me to create and lovely comments from all of you to make me smile! :)

This week's featured Etsy shop is Homes & Weddings which offers metal table number/card holders and lovely jewelry too!  I was actually inspired by all the table numbers to create this special Dad's Day card.


I'm not sure yet if I'll be giving this card to my husband or my own dad but they both deserve the title!  I love this paper from My Mind's Eye and great glitter letters by American Crafts.

This week we don't have an official sponsor but don't worry...De has put together a wonderful mystery prize that includes items from some of our previous sponsors! 

We would really love to have you all join us for this last challenge! 
- Visit Homes & Weddings and find something that inspires you
- Create a project of your own and post it to your blog or online gallery
- Link your creation up to the Etsy Inspired Blog by Friday, July 1st at noon for your chance to win!

And be sure to leave some extra love for the Design Team this week too!

Angi

Ashley

Carole

De

Emily B

Jackie

Joy

Ruby

Savannah

Sherry

Virginia
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  Happy Father's Day!

6.14.2011

Fresh Inspiration

Whenever I'm lacking a little inspiration, I always enjoy browsing Etsy.  There are so many unique items, lovely photographs, and great color combinations to discover!  So here is my newest Etsy inspired treasury...Strawberry Melon.  I hope it brings a little inspiration your way too!  :)


To get a closer look at these items along with links to these fabulous shops, click HERE.

Have a wonderful day!  I'm hoping to actually take this inspiration and create a few items of my own today!  :)

6.08.2011

You're Invited...

to a lovely garden party! 


I have been adding more card making kits for kids to my Etsy shop recently and decided to spend some time browsing other Etsy shops and create a treasury.  Click HERE to access this treasury on Etsy with all the links to these lovely items and shops.

Have a beautiful day!

6.04.2011

Happy Birthday - Etsy Inspired Challenge #140

Welcome to another Etsy Inspired Challenge!  This week we have a great card shop for you to be inspired by!  Peaden Scott Designs offers fun pop up cards...I was inspired by THIS Happy Birthday card.


Our sponsor this week is Through the Craft Room Door and one lucky winner is going to receive a free one year online subscription!

Ready to play along?!
- Visit Peaden Scott Designs  and find an item that inspires you.
- Create a project of your own and post it to an online gallery or blog.
- Link your project up to the Etsy Inspired Blog by Friday, June 17th at noon for your chance to win a fun prize from our sponsor or featured Etsy shop!

Be sure to visit the design team for more inspiration!

Angi

Ashley

Carole

De

Emily B

Jackie

Joy

Ruby

Savannah

Sherry

Virginia


I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  We are expecting great weather so I'm sure we'll be outside a lot along with swim lessons and a trip to the library! 

5.31.2011

i heart faces - People's Choice Week

This week over at i heart faces it is People's Choice Week where photographers of all levels can submit their favorite face photo for May and everyone can go vote for their favorite starting on Thursday.  I just had to enter this photo of my youngest that I took on Mother's Day.  I absolutely cannot get enough of him in this adorable hat!  He has the matching shorts too! (from Old Navy)



To see all the other great faces for May and vote for your favorite starting on Thursday, click HERE.

5.20.2011

Etsy Inspired Challenge #139

Hello all!  It's time for another Etsy Inspired Challenge!  This week we have a cool home decor shop for you to be inspired by... Paula Art.    I really like her industrial and recycled items, especially this candle holder. 

I was inspired by the colors and simplicity of the photo/item to create this layout.
 This layout is one of my One Little Word assignments to write a letter to myself about my life right now.  It was a wonderful process and one that I will do again, along with writing a letter about where I see myself in another year.

Our sponsor this week is a great digi shop that specializes in digital papers...Shery K Designs.  Personally, I love her fun polka dot banners and scalloped borders.

The Etsy Inspired Challenge is now bi-weekly so you have more time to create a project for your chance to win great prizes!

- Visit  Paula Art  and find an item that inspires you.
- Create a project of your own and post it to an online gallery or blog.
- Link your project up to the Etsy Inspired Blog by Friday, June 3rd at noon for your chance to win a fun prize from our sponsor or featured Etsy shop!

Visit the design team for more inspiration!


  • Angi





  • Ashley





  • Carole





  • De





  • Ellie (May Guest DT)





  • Emily B





  • Jackie





  • Joy





  • Kerry





  • Ruby





  • Savannah





  • Sherry





  • Virginia




  • I hope you all have a wonderful weekend planned!  I am busy working on a special mini album for my mom for her birthday!

    5.08.2011

    i heart faces - Motherhood

     I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!  I was showered with hugs and kisses from my boys all day long and a lovely dinner with my mom too...it was a great day!   This week over at i heart faces the theme is motherhood.  Here is my favorite photo from today celebrating the joy that comes with being a mother.


    To see more great motherhood photos click HERE.

    5.07.2011

    For My Mom - Etsy Inspired Challenge #138

    Hello friends!  So I have to admit that lately I have not done much crafting.  I've really been focusing on my photography (see post below) and I'm loving it!  But with Mother's Day coming up and a lovely shop to be inspired by, I made sure to get out my supplies to create a card this week. 

    Are you needing a little inspiration too?   Look no further than our featured Etsy shop, Bear Creek Design & Felting, which has some of the sweetest looking animals and they even have kits so you can create your own needle felting project!  I was inspired by this pretty flower.

    So, I know this is not my best work...I think I'm a little rusty! :)  But my mom of course will love it and I do love this Stella & Rose paper by My Mind's Eye.

    I also took this sweet picture of my boys in our front yard...I love that the flowers are finally starting to bloom!


    Our sponsor this week is Claudia & Company,  a great online shop that carries tons of crafting goodies, including all the 'big names'.  I have my eye on the new Lime Twist collection by My Mind's Eye...can anyone tell me if the patterned papers are thick like the Stella & Rose collection or thinner like the Alphabet Soup collection?

    Are you ready to play along?  Guess what?!  The Etsy Inspired Challenge is now going to be bi-weekly, which means you have more time to create a project for your chance to win great prizes! 

    - Visit  Bear Creek Design & Felting  and find an item that inspires you.
    - Create a project of your own and post it to an online gallery or blog.
    - Link your project up to the Etsy Inspired Blog by Friday, May 20th, at noon for your chance to win a fun prize from our sponsor or featured Etsy shop!
    Visit the design team for more inspiration!

  • Angi







  • Ashley







  • De







  • Ellie (May Guest DT)






  • Emily B




  • Jackie





  • Joy





  • Kerry








  • Savannah




  • Virginia




  • Wishing you all a wonderful Mother's Day!

    5.04.2011

    Photography 201 - New & Improved...Thanks Elisha!

    Well, my photography class with Elisha Snow ended and the final assignment was to take 10 pictures of the same subjects/theme as we did before class started so that we could see how far we've come.  Oh baby, have I come a long way!  :)  I absolutely loved this class...if you enjoy photography, I highly recommend Elisha's classes.  In fact, I'm planning to take another class from her this month.  It's called Photo Finish and I know I'm going to learn a lot about using Photoshop/Elements to take my pictures to a whole new level.

    So, I wanted to share with you all my new and improved photos!  First, check out my pictures prior to taking Elisha's class HERE.  Even though I do think some of those first photos are good, none of them were taken in full manual mode and I know that overall my skills have greatly improved, as I'm sure you'll agree after seeing the pictures I am now taking in full manual mode.  Ready?! 

    1.  Someone you love - (my youngest son)


    2.  Two people you love (both my boys)


    3.  Your favorite food

    4.  A flower, tree, or plant.



    5.  A landscape. (I think this is better than my 'before' landscape picture, however, really I just need to go to a beach or somewhere besides my neighborhood to get a really great landscape photo.)

    6. A person in action (love the blurred background on this...makes it seem like he was really going fast!)  I created this photo by focusing on my subject and panning with him as I took the picture.


    7.  A candid photo


    8.  A self-portrait (HUGE improvement...yeah!)


    9.  A favorite object in your home (the leaves definitely look better this time around and for the 2nd photo I had to deal with glass and a mirror and was still able to get it to turn out great!)





    These thankful blocks were my first published project and now they have a special place in my home.

    10.  A group portrait (I have a few but none I can show...you'll just have to trust me that they look better too! :)