Fall Page

I had created this page a couple weeks ago for a contest.  I am able to show it to you now, so here's some fall inspiration for you!

This is one of my very favorite pictures of Jerry.  We love the autumn season, and the day was just perfect!  I fussy cut the leaves from LYB Autumn Bliss, and the tree was fussy cut from Imaginisce's Apple Cider.  I had to turn this page, so it is no longer mine, but at least I have this photo of it!!

Items used: LYB Autun Bliss; Imaginisce Apple Cider; Slice card Word & Expressions - Thinking of You; May Arts hemp

Christmas in August

I stopped at an independent stamping store yesterday, and I found some beautiful Penny Black Christmas stamps.  I sat down to play with them right away, and here is what I came up with.

Isn't that embossing powder pretty?  There is not much to this card, but the stamps are so pretty!!  I used Fancy Pants Christmas Magic paper; Judikins White Diamond embossing powder; Penny Black stamps

Click on the image if you want to see a little more sparkle! 

EDIT:  Now my blogging friend Laurel (go visit - she is amazing and has been a tremendous source of inspiration for me!) let me know that this card fits some challenges, so I am going to enter it into Keep it Simple!, Paper Sundaes, and Sparkle's Christmas Card Challenge.  I am so glad she tells me about these places because I am always looking for new challenge sites!!  Yippee!!

Better Living through Scrapbooking - September Challenge #1

Ooooh, I so loved the challenge this week!  I have to tell you, even though I am on the design team, Better Living Through Scrapbooking challenges me in a unique and wonderful way!  When you do one of the layouts for the challenges, you will find that you think a lot more and the layout takes on special meaning.  Have you joined in yet?  What about the Facebook page?  You can follow there and keep up with everything going on!

All rightie, on to the first challenge for September!  Cehct out my right sidebar for the prize this month - it's a really good one!  Play along with all four challenges in September, and you have the chance to win!!Here are the deets for this challenge.  I've highlighted the options I used in my layout.

"Inspirational Quote challenge"

Create a layout that is based on your favorite inspirational quote. Need some ideas? Visit http://www.inspirational-quotes.info/ for a great searchable collection of quotes.

Chose at least 2 of the following:

1. Use one 5x7 photo of a place or thing that inspires you.
2. Use a palette similar to this one: http://www.colourlovers.com/palette/1254702/BetterScrap_Ch5
3. Make this a double 12x12 or double 8 1/2 x 11 layout, with at least 2 photos per page.
4. Place your title on a circular or wavy path.
5. Use a transparency of some sort on your page, whether an actual transparency sheet (Hambly Screen Prints, Fancy Pants) or transparent embellishment (Heidi Swapp Ghost Shapes, Making Memories) that you purchased, or a handmade transparency made by hand or with your computer printer.

Now I know everyone has a favorite quote!  Grab a picture or two and create!!  Here's what I created:

I so love this picture of Shane.  He was such a tiny little peanut, and I love what the studio did with the background.  Seemed like a perfect time to use Graphic 45 papers! 

It was very easy for me to choose an inspirational quote for the challenge this week. I prayed this Proverb for Shane non-stop. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Not because he was a difficult child to raise, but because children find their own wings at a certain time in life. There was a point as a parent that I had to understand to let go and trust that what we taught Shane would stick for the rest of his life. And today, I still find myself meditating on that Proverb.  Once a mother, always a mother!!


Items used:
Graphic 45 (Hallowe’en in Wonderland and Christmas Past)
Bazzill Cardstock from Discount Cardstock (Natural Smooth and Midnight Black)
Bazzill Flowers (Raven and Kisses)
CTMH (Bamboo Bitty Brads, Swirl Clips, Black Grosgrain)
Slice Cards (Big Kids, Noteworthy; Spring); Colorbox Chalk Ink (Chestnut Roan)

Sassy Lil' Sketches - New Sketch!

It's the 28th which means it's time for another Sassy  Lil' Sketch!!  It's a great sketch - again - and the 28th Sassies have some great inspiration!!  So be sure to head over and check out their work!

We have two fabulous sponsors again this month - a digi sponsor and a paper sponsor!!  Regina from The Cutting Cafe will be lavishing the digi winner with three files from her site!  Let me tell you, there is something for everyone on her site.  I wanted to finish off my Thanksgiving cards for Operation Write Home and I found a perfect sentiment.  Head over there and take a peek!  Also, Monica from Scrap Freak is  sending our lucky winner one of her gorgeous embellishment kits! 

How are you eligible to win?  Your name is entered for each layout/card you create throughout the month! Make sure you use Mister Linky to link your creation by September 5th at 11:59 p.m at Sassy Lil Sketches!!

Now if you haven't gone through the blog hop yet at SLS, be sure to do so before August 30th!  Lots of great prizes up for grabs in the Hidden Treasure hop!!  Click on the link at the top of the page to get to my blog hop post.  I've listed all the names so that you can start at the beginning.

See you tomorrow for the Better Living through Scrapbooking reveal!!

Cards for Friday

I haven't made cards in awhile, so last night when I was watching a movie, I put a couple together.  I haven't look to see if they will fit in any challenges (where does the time go?), so it was purely for the fun of it!

Cute paper, huh?  I bet there are lots of moms out there that wish school supplies were still this inexpensive!!  I used October Afternoon Report Card paper for this card. "AEIOU" is cut from a piece of paper and the card is a matching element.  Everything else is CTMH.

I have been wanting to make a card with this stamp set for a long time.  Both the spools and the sentiment are from Unity.  I fussy cut the spools and wrapped black hemp around them.  The kraft paper is Bazzill, and the printed paper is from Cosmo Cricket's Material girl.  I punched the bottom of the kraft piece with the Fiskars threading water punch.  Oh! I just realized this one could go into the Let's Scrap August challenge using Cosmo Cricket. 

Hope you are looking forward to a great weekend.  It's State Fair time here in Minnesota.  Jerry and I will be going next week - such a fun place to go!!

New Challenge at Sketches in Thyme, Sharing Our Anniversary Dinner, and Some News!

First I want to tell you about the new challenge over at Sketches in Thyme.  Be sure to hop over and give the sketch a try.  It's another good one from Helen Croft at Scrap a Little Sketches:

Okay, now I have to tell you about our anniversary dinner last night.  We went to the restaurant where Shane works - Chino Latino.  He didn't work last night, so he was able to come with us - prefect!  I don't think I would have know what to order.  Oh, but I have to tell you something fun.  When you make reservations for a celebration, they print menus that say "Happy 20th Anniversary."  (or whatever you are celebrating)  Is that fun or what?!  So anyway, Shane put in the order with our server and let us be surprised.  Here's what we had:

Sushi - Shrimp Caterpillar with Mango

Saigon Rolls - you eat these wrapped in large lettuce leaves

Squid with onions, red and jalepeno peppers

Jerk Chicken with plantains (I've never had plantains - they were crisp and yummy!)

And for dessert...Mango Cake (isn't that candle great?!)

Jerry's Chocolate Volcano Cup with Kahlua whipped cream

Everything is served family style, so we didn't really eat as much as it looks like!  And we brought 3 boxes of food home!  It was definitely a fun meal, great atmosphere, and we had a blast!!

Oh, here's what Jerry brought me for our anniversary.  He is really a sweetheart, and I was very surprised!

Now on to some news!  If you've been reading for a time, you know that I work at Archiver's as an instructor.  Yesterday I accepted a position near our home as a nursing assistant.  Something you may not know is that I worked as nursing assistant and medication administrator for 14 years.  I even went to nursing school for a time.  But Shane was toddler age, and I just felt like I needed more time to devote to him.  So I left health care and just did a lot of other things over the past 18 years.  I am very excited about this new job!!  It is a beautiful campus, and I know I am going to love everyone I come across!  One of the HUGE positives is I'll be able to start teaching in my home again.  I am really looking forward to that!!  I loved the ability to design and create my own classes. 

Well, that's enough chatting for me!  There will be some more artwork coming!  Click on the links on the top of my blog to get to the post about my blog candy and Sassy Lil Sketches blog hop.  Then hop over to Sketches in Thyme and create a page with the sketch.  I'd love to see what you put together!!

Let's Scrap Reveal Day!

I want to show you an awesome sketch from Let's Scrap!  It's a brand new week, and it's time to play along!  The sponsor this week is Paper Threads - what a huge online store!!

Can you believe this sketch?  It could potentially hold 26 - 30 photos!  I wish I had seen this sketch when I had done some vacation layouts!!  However, if this sketch frightens you, I wanted to show you another way to use it.

I have used just the left layout and flipped it to suit my needs.  Instead of photos, I have used double matted pieces of the beautiful paper.  I fussy cut those ornaments from a sheet of paper and tucked them behind the photo.  This picture is special to me because it is the last picture I have of my whole family getting together.  It was a poor quality picture in the first place, but when I blew it up, it was even worse.  In this partcular case, I don't even care.  I know if I showed my mother this page, she would love it.

Items used: Fancy Pants paper and tag; Basic Grey Wassail stickers, Wal-Mart ribbon

One more thing - today is our 20th Anniversary!  Who knew that 20 years could go so fast - or be so wonderful!  We have truly loved being married to each other, and if possible, I think we are happier today than we've ever been!!  Tonight we are going out to dinner and taking Shane with us.  What a wonderful anniversary celebration it will be!!

Oh My Goodness!

I can't believe how blessed I am to have all of you following me!  I reached 200 followers, so on September 1st, I will be drawing TWO winners!  I haven't decided what I am going to put in the package for the second winner, but I promise it will be wonderful!!  Thank you all so much for following and for constantly leaving comments that brighten my day.  I don't think I could do without my blogging buddies!!

Sassy Lil' Sketches Blog Hop!!

We are having a Blog Hop…Sassy Lil’ Sketches style! We want you to get to know all the new Sassies. There are some pretty fabulous prizes to win, too!

The Sassy Lil' Sketches "Hidden" Treasures Blog Hop starts at Sassy Lil' Sketches where you will find two sassy sketches and the complete rules for the blog hop.  FOUR of the blogs have been chosen as "hidden" treasures!  If you post on that blog, you could be a randonly chosen winner!  Isn't that fun?!!  You've just got to hop!!  This hop runs through Monday, August 30th at 9:00 pm EST so that you have plenty of time to play!

I've chosen to use this sketch for the hop:

I liked it because it fits LOADS of little pictures.  I have pictures of Shane's little boy years that I want to scrap. but they are sooooo far away and there is sooooo much background (oh, I would have loved digital back then!).  So that's what I have chosen to do with this layout:

Items used: CTMH Route 66 Level 1, Shining Star stamp set, honey ink, clear detail embossing powder, and buttons; Soft Spoken embellishments; Bazzill Ribbon

Do you want to know the fabulously generous sponsors for the hop?  There are some awesome prizes!!

Xyron  - 9' Creative Station 

Thoughts 2 Paper - Zutter Distresser 

Scrappy Jo - Gift certificate 

Crop Stop  - Gift certificate

Apron Strings - July 2010 Kit 

Crop Chocolate - $40 Account Credit 

Now, of course I wanted to offer some blog candy, too!  I love that you've stopped in while you've been hopping!!  Here's my prize of nearly 60 journaling tags and journaling spots from Elle's Studio.  Great for scrapbooking and card-making!!  You need to leave a comment on this post, and I will draw a name randomly on September 1st.

Here are the rest of the Sassies that you need to hop over and visit:

Aimee 

Amanda 

Amy 

Brenda B. 

Brenda R. (that's me!!)

Carla 

Cherie 

Cheryl

Christine 

Deanna 

Debbie 

Denise
Isabelle 

Jessica Bree 

Katie 

Kelly 

Laura 

Martine 

Nancy 

Rebecca 

Sandra 

Shana

Enjoy the hop!  And remember you have until August 30th to finish!!

Better Living through Scrapbooking Reveal Day!!

We all do it.  We buy paper and then we get home only to look at it again and think..."boy is this paper ugly!"  I guess we should say that it's just not our favorite - LOL!!  So that is what the 4th challenge for the month at Better Living Through Scrapbooking is all about - your least favorite paper.  Search your stash for sheets or scraps of paper that aren’t your favorites, and use them on a layout!  Chose at least 2 of the following:

1. Use a 12x12 sheet of “ugly” paper as your layout background.
2. Use at least 3 scraps of “ugly” paper somewhere on the page where they can be seen.
3. Use 2 4x6 photos, any orientation.
4. Use “stitching” somewhere on the page. It can be actual sewn stitches, or your stitches can be hand drawn, created with a template, or stamped.
5. Use color mist (such as Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, or a homemade ink or paint mist) anywhere on your page.

Would you like to see mine?

It’s not in the right colors for me, and it’s somewhat muted. But here it is – having sat in my craft room wondering when it was going to be loved!

This challenge was the perfect time to bring out this paper. I have used three of the challenge options on my layout. I used the cardstock and printed paper as my background (#1). I also used three other different papers from the set on my layout (#2). The faux stitching was done with a white Uniball (#4). That always a little something.  I like the pictures very much! But even though I “cuted” this up – just not sure. The funny thing is that now I have to make a matching page – LOL!!

Items used: Recollections Rockets and Sprockets; Bazzill carstock; White Uniball; Ranger Glossy Accents; American Crafts Thickers

Let's see what you can create.  Link it up to Better Living Through Scrapbooking when you're done.  This is the last challenge for August!  If you do all four, you are eligible to win the monthly prize!!  Check out my sidebar to see those goodies!!

I really hope you get the chance to play - either this week or the coming months.  As an instructor, I am always looking for ways to grow in paper crafting.  I appreciate - and love - what Better Living Through Scrapbooking is all about.  The challenges are fantastic, and I think that you'll find you would grow in them, too!  There is a newsletter you can sign up for right here, and you'll get great tips and articles.  This month there is a great sketch in the newsletter, and here is what I did with it.

My cat, Miss Sassy, and our dog, Miss Chanel #5 (yes, she was named after Coco Chanel by our 21 year-old son!), are a constant source of photo inspiration in this house. I do believe they think they are human!!

Let me tell you a little about how I make “designer” buttons. It’s so quick and easy if you take clear buttons and scraps of whatever paper you are working with. Put a little Ranger Glossy Accents (or CTMH Liquid Glass) on the back of the button. Set it down on the top of the paper. Let it sit a couple minutes to adhere. That’s it! You can use your paper piercer to poke through the button holes to thread with your choice of floss. Easy peasy, and it adds a nice touch!

Items used: Imaginisce Apple Collection; CTMH Colonial White CS; CTMH Clear and New England Ivy buttons; Hero Arts Hello Flags stamp (I stamp on the wrong side of the paper, fussy cut my banners and mount them on matching paper); CTMH white hemp; Chicks with Lasers die-cut

Sassy Lil' Sketches Reveal!

I have played along with Sassy Lil' Sketches all month, but this is my first reveal as a Sassy!!  Isn't that exciting?!  I have been looking forward to this day!  I will always post the monthly prize on my sidebar and play along from week to week, but you will see my reveals on the 21st of the month.  Okay, on to the sketch from Cherie:

Here is my take on this great sketch!

(You may want to click on this layout to see some more detail.)  These are pictures from 1991, and they were a little dark.  So I needed to find some paper that would compliment them.  I chose to use Fancy Pants Like Father, Like Son.  The Sassies were given an opportunity to work with some Cutting Cafe images (they are one of our monthly sponsors), and I just loved playing with them! I printed the top banner on one of the designed papers.  I layered it with CTMH colonial white cardstock, and then another banner.  I printed "Party Time" directly on carstock.  For added embellishment, I've used a lot of CTMH Autumn Terrecotta buttons, brads, and pin.  The mat for the line of three photos is CTMH adhesive twill.  This was a fun layout! 

On Monday (September 23rd), there will be a Sassy Lil' Sketches blog hop.  Be watching!  I know there are going to be great prizes!!
Now hop on over to Sassy Lil Sketches and play along!  I'll stop in and see what you've done with the sketch!!

Sketches in Thyme Reveal Day!

It's Thursday, and it's my turn to reveal at Sketches in Thyme!  Have you played yet?  Look at the prize on my right sidebar being offered by Maven Fern.  What a great prize!!  Here's the sketch this week by Helen Croft.  Check out her blog - amaazing and free sketches for your inspiration!

I chose to go simple with this week's sketch.  I found the cutest pictures of my nephew Riley from 1998:

I've used a CTMH Level 1 layout from Zippadee.  It was just the perfect colors, and for all my CTMH buddies out there - you know how much I love the Level 1's!  I cut  2 different patterened "so cute" from my Slice Big Kids card, and then layered them to look like a shadow.  The buttons are Jenni Bowlin.

Now hop on over to Sketches in Thyme because I am looking forward to seeing what you create with this sketch!

Learn to Pause...

This is my second post for the day, so be sure to scroll down for the Let's Scrap reveal!  In this card, I've used the Alcohol Ink Faux Bleach technique over at Splitcoast Stampers.  When this was shown last week, I couldn't wait to sit down and try it!  I knew excatly what alcohol inks and stamp I wanted to use for this:

I have used two different alcohol inks - butterscotch and lettuce.  The wildflower stamp is from Hero Arts, and the sentiment is Tim Holtz.  Click on the link above to see exact directions and give it a try!  It's such a pretty technique!!

Let's Scrap Reveal Day!

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for a new sketch at Let's Scrap. This week we are working with a card sketch:

Here is what I came with. I used the beautiful Webster's Pages paper:

Other items used: CTMH TLC stamp set and New England Ivy buttons; May Arts ribbon

Would you like to know what you are playing for this week? The prize this week is sponsored by Visual Designs. Visual Designs by Chris is a online store with a very active forum. She and several other designers create for all types of digital cutter machines. You can find a large variety of titles and die cuts in the store. Chris is giving away 2 Memberships her Quarterly membership club (QMC) Each Membership is worth $10. (She is also willing to send out a paper prize to anyone who does not own a digital cutter)
I am anxious to see what you do with this sketch!!

Pico de Gallo, Anyone?

We went to the Minneapolis Farmer's Market yesterday and had such a good time again!  It is the biggest market I have ever visited.  And Shane lives near there, so we always pick him up and get to spend some time with the kiddo!  Yesterday we were on a mission to pick up Pico de Gallo supplies.  We love this  - and eat this on many things.  I wanted to share the recipe so that you can give it a whirl!

1-1/2 c. seeded tomato, chopped

1/4 c. red onion, chopped

2 fresh jalapenos, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

juice of 2 limes

2 T. fresh cilantro

Mix together and enjoy!!  I have to give you a couple of hints.  What kind of cook would I be if I didn't share hints?  I don't seed my tomatoes - I use firm ripe Romas.  They are perfect for this, I think.  Also red onion makes a difference.  Your spice is going to depend on the whether or not you leave seeds from the jalapenos.  We are "hot" people, so we leave the seeds!

Now if you want some fresh guacamole to go along with it, here is the recipe I use:

2 avacados, pitted and mashed

1/2 cup red onion, chopped fine

1 jalepeno

2 T. cilantro

1 T. lime juice

1 tomato, chopped fine

1 garlic clove, minced

Jerry absolutely loves this.  We use these recipes with eggs, on brown rice with black beans (that's really healthy!), and with baked potatoes.  Both of these recipes are yummy!

Now that I've given you a recipe (sorry, no artwork - I worked today), I'm going to remind you about my blog candy.  Click on the picture on my right sidebar and it will take you right to it.  I see that I am getting close to 200 followers - WOW!  Should that happen by September 1st, I am going to add another prize package!!  Tell your friends!!

Lucky

It is cooler this morning - thank goodness!  When there's "that" feel to the air and back-to-school supplies on the shelf, I start thinking of the warm fall colors.  It felt like the perfect time to pull out one of my favorite paper packets, Grace.  Except for the Jenni Bowlin bingo card, all supplies are from CTMH.  I used the sketch by Cherie from Sassy Lil Sketches.  Be sure to play along this month for your chance to win goodies from Scrap Freak and The Cutting Cafe!

I was also very inspired by the color challenge at The Play Date Cafe!

The handmade flower is so easy!  I cut scalloped circles with my nestabilities.  I simply cut on the scallop and stacked them.  Another thing I do is paint my circles with Ranger clear rock candy crackle paint. That allows the "petals" to easily bend. Handmade flowers are the challenge over at CARDS (Create: Blog).

This card is my example for my next challenge on Sketches for You (go to the group Brenda's Challenges).  I want to see flowers and fall colors!  Hope to see you playing along!

Better Living through Scrapbooking Reveal!

Here we are again for our 3rd week at Better Living through Scrapbooking!  Are you playing along?  If you participate in all the challenges during the month, you are eligible for the grand prize (see it on my right sidebar).  But don't let that stop you, there will be occasional goodies and RAK as weekly prizes!! 

This week's challenge is to do a photoless layout of a happy memory or event.  You need to choose at least 2 of the following on your layout:

1. Use memorabilia in lieu of photos. If you have a map, brochure, flyer, receipts, or other paperwork from that day or event, use them on the layout.
2. Create your own photos of the memory or event. Take photos of favorite souvenirs from the day or event. Use your kids or grandkids, pets, or even dolls or stuffed animals to recreate a photo to represent the memory.
3. Use your favorite die-cut machine to create your page title.
4. Use at least two metallic elements on the layout.
5. Distress some element of your page – fray, tear, or crumple paper, or use distress ink or other distressing techniques on your page.

Does that sound challenging?  I thought so, but get an idea down, and soon your page just flows!  I am anxious to see what you come up with!  Here's mine for you:

This layout is of my 48th birthday. Jerry and I were going to spend the day at the Mall of America. I walked out of a store to find Shane waiting for me to, too!! What a great surprise! I was treated to a coffee at Caribou, a bag of Brighton, and an extremely wonderful day!! I had my camera, but I was enjoying myself so much that I forgot to take pictures!

I used four of the options on my layout. A Brighton bag was cut apart and used for the number 48 and as an element. I die-cut my title “queen for a day” with my Slice Bon Appetit card. Do you see that sparkly crown and key? Those are my metal embellishments. To create the flowers, I tore Brighton tissue paper (more memorabilia!) in crude circles, and then ripped the edges. I inked them with white pigment ink and then added some (well, a lot - and it's still all over to prove it!) glitter. Fun flowers! The cute little lady sticking out from the flowers was chalked, and her hair, wings, and dresses were coated with crackle accents.  Here are some close  up shots:

Aren't those flowers so pink and pretty?!

This vintage stamp from Unity and Melody Ross is so lovely - but even better when coated with crackle accents!

Items used: Melody Ross Homespun Chic collection; American Crafts and May Arts ribbon; Unity Brave Girl stamp; SU! journaling tag; Creative Imaginations pearl brads; Studio Decor metal; Recollections pearls; CTMH black cardstock, prisma glitter, chalk, and white daisy pigment ink; Ranger Crackle Accents

Now, why don't you hop on over to Better Living through Scrapbooking and play along!  I think you will love it!

A Layout and a Card

Oh, I was having fun in my craft room today.  I only got a few things done, but I've cleaning so that's always a good feeling!

I decided to enter the Page Maps contest.  It's such an awesome prize (aren't vendors just so generous?!) that I couldn't resist.  I wanted to making a page to go with my round owl page in the previous post, so I again pulled out some Adornit.  Here's the sketch and prize:

I am seriously in love with Echo Park papers and this set looks just grand!  Well, here's what I came up with:

As I said I used Adornit papers.  Note that I actually did stitch on the three sides.  That's a huge feat for me!  My sewing machine is an old, old black Singer with the knee pedal, so you will only ever see straight stitches from me.  But I love that machine and so I will use it!  I cut the letters with my Slice Basics 1 card.  Simple layout, but I love it!

I have a card to show you, too.  I can't seem to put down the Webster's Pages paper.  I combined it with some Unity stamps:

That little diamond background under the sentiment stamp is a background stamp from Unity.  I think that is my favorite Unity stamp!  So pretty when used like this!

Off ot make dinner for my hubby.  Hope you are all looking forward to a great weekend!  Don't forget about my blog candy!!  Click on the photo at the top of my right sidebar and it will take you to the post!

Perfect Walk

It really was that day!  We went for a walk after dinner one night along the Rum River.  The shade on the river made for some beautiful pictures! 

I did this layout for a challenge from over at Sketches for You.  I don't often do round layouts, so this one was really fun to do!!

I used all Adornit papers from the Fern collection.  Don't you love that background sheet?!  It's so pretty!!  I cut the circles and words with my Noteworthy, Family Expression, and Think Pink cards.

Now don't forget to scroll down to take a look at the blog candy I am giving away!

Blog Candy!

Life is good, don't you think?  Ups and downs - all of it - and still life is good!  Because I am feeling particularly blessed, I decided that it was time for some blog candy.  I love the idea of passing on the blessing!!

Here's a picture and then I'll give you a list of what's in the box because it's hard to see everything!

• Cosmo Cricket Jack's World - sticker sheet, 2 journaling sheets, 2 journal tags, and 9 pieces of matching printed paper
• CTMH Clover Meadow - 12 sheets
• Fancy Pants Mixed Media 8x8 album
• Rolodex for altering
• Inkadinkado School stamp set
• Me & My Big Ideas Smile chipboard sticker
• Colorbok Cute chipboard letters
• Creative Imaginations school rub-ons
• K & Company Rough and Tumble grand adhesions
• Slick Writer pen
• Primary colored safety pins
• CTMH chipboard - swirls, brackets, square frames, round frames
• 4 yards red ribbon
• Bag of diecuts from the Slice Fall/Back to School card
• Big bag of brads, eyelets (couple hundred or so various colors and sizes), bookplates, and buttons

This blog candy that I'd like to share is valued at over $75.  I think the lucky winner will love it!!  I'll be choosing the winner on Wednesday, September 1st.  I bet you are wondering what you have to do to win.

1. You either need to be a follower or become a follower.  I love new followers because it brings me over to your blog!!
2. Spread the word on your blog.  Post a picture on the sidebar or create a post - however you want to spread the word! 
3. If you don't have a blog, post this news of this blog candy on your facebook page!
4. Finally come back and comment on this post to let me know that you are a new follower and/or spreading the word.  I'll leave a picture of this candy on my sidebar so that you can easily come back to this post!

Easy, peasy!  Follow, spread the word, and comment!

I am really looking forward to giving this box of goodies away.  I've already got it packed in the box, so it will be ready to head out the minute I draw the winner on September 1st!!  Good luck - and remember, life is very, very good!!

Let's Scrap Reveal Day!

It's time to bring you a new sketch from Cheri and Let's Scrap!  Did you get to play along last week.  If you did, weren't those banners fun?!  The only way you have a chance to win is to play!  This week's sponsor is Queen Scraps.  They have some of the nicest kits!!  Now on to the sketch.  This one has room for so many photos - I love it!!

I have the left page of the layout to show you:

That bobber in the tree does not belong to my husband, but some other unlucky fisherman!  I don't think it's even necessary to tell you that, but as the wife of a serious fisherman, I feel obligated - LOL!  Other than the pewter brads and little bit of hemp I used, everything on this layout is Adornit.  I am having a blast with those papers!!  These are from the Rumble and Four Wheelin' collections.  The title was cut with my Slice Basics 1 card.

Now head on over to Let's Scrap and play along!

A Card and a Tag

Both of these little goodies are for challenges over at Sketches for You.  I purchased some Webster's Pages paper, and I was itching to do something with it so these are the results.  I based my card on the required sketch from Sassy Lil Sketches:

I love making banners, so you'll see one on this card.  They are simply so much fun to add to projects! 

The tag I created for Michelle's challenge is vintage:

Items used: Webster's Pages paper; Unity/Melody Ross stamp; Ribbon - American Crafts, Martha Stewart, and May Arts; Creative Imaginations brad; metal key; baby pink chalk; Glossy Accents

Better Living through Scrapbooking Reveal!

Happy Sunday!  That means it's time for the second Better Living through Scrapbooking reveal!  Before I show you my layout, I want to let you know to head on over to BLTS and sign up for the newsletter.  It's going to be WONDERFUL, and I know it will be something you look forward to in your inbox!

Okay, now on the challenge for the week.  You are going to be scrapbooking about the most influential person in your life.  Chose a person, living or dead, whether you know them personally or not, that has had a big influence on your life, and create a layout about them. This person can be a friend, relative, historical figure, celebrity - anyone at all.

 

 Choose at least 2 of the following:


1. The photo must be black & white. If you don’t have a black & white version, change the photo to black & white in Photoshop, or take the photo to your local 1-hour photo and have them do it for you. You can also make a black & white copy of the photo at your local office store. If you do not have a photo of the person (if they are a historical figure or celebrity) find one on the internet and print it out.
2. Use at least one major circular element on your page - whether it’s the photo, photo mat, or other noticeable circular element.
3. Use paint or ink in a fun and unusual way.
4. Hand make your own flowers and use them on the layout.
5. Include hand written journaling.



Now doesn't that sound like a great layout? Here's what I came up with using options #1, #2, and #5.  This is a layout of my son, Shane.  

I love handwritten journaling for two reasons. First of all, I think my grandchildren (and so on) will find a great connection to me through my penmanship. But the second reason is that I think I speak more freely from my heart when I have a pen in hand. Yes, sometimes I make mistakes. Sometimes I don't even like my handwriting that much. That is the beauty of it! My pages are a reflection of me - right here and right now.

In case you can't read the journaling, I'll share it with you. "Since the day I found out you were in my belly, you influenced my every decision. Where I went, what I did, what I said, what I ate - everything. That continued on through your growing years, and it became second nature to think 'Shane' first. What I realized one day (and I can’t pinpoint the exact day) is that as much as I lived to impact your life, you were actually the one who influenced me. Your kindness, love for others, generosity, and willingness to be yourself made me a much better person."

Items used: Adornit Nancy Jane papers; Stampin' Up! ribbon; Bazzill and Prima flowers; Creative Imaginations epoxy stickers; CTMH gems

I do want to mention that there is actually another person in my life that has influenced me tremendously.  That is my husband, Jerry.  You know I was going to put both of them and my thoughts on one layout, but instead I'm going to do the exact page for Jerry and put them side by side in my book.  These two men have truly helped me become the woman I am today!

Now it's your turn?  I hope I see your work linked up over Better Living through Scrapbooking!  Remember your scrapbooking is for a monthly prize - see that on my right sidebar.  Also, if you are on Facebook, look for Better Living through Scrapbooking there.  This is a truly wonderful website, and I think you are going to learn a lot about yourself through these challenges.  That's what scrapbooking is all about!!

A Card and a Layout for Sassy Lil Sketches

The card I have for you today is a sketch challenge from Stacy over at Sketches for You:

You'll see that I couldn't resist flipping it!

Items used: CTMH Veranda Level 2; CTMH Treasures stamp set; CTMH cocoa grosgrain; Zing Vanilla Embossing Powder

I wanted to scrap the next two pictures of my sisters and the perfect sketch popped up at Sassy Lil Sketches.  It is not my turn for reveal yet, but I still wanted to play!  Hop over and see what the Sassies have done with the sketch.  When you play along in the month of August you have a chance to win an embellishment package from Scrap Freak, and 3 sets of digi images from The Cutting Cafe!  I am not a digi girl at all, but trust me, Regina has some amazes images that are beautiful for scrapping!!  Okay, here's the sketch and what I've done with it:

Of course, my papers went on straight ;)

Items used:  Adornit papers & sister sticker; May Arts felt ribbon; Prima flower; Making Memories stick pin