Paint on Your Face

Even though I have been scrapbooking for so long, there are a decade of years that I have not scrapped yet.  I always think it would be nice to be "caught up." but I also enjoy pulling out Shane's little boy pictures and lingering over a page.  I found these super cute photos from the 1997 Renaissance Festival and decided to stop everything and scrap them today.

One of my favorite things about Close To My Heart is that when I pull out a paper packet, I can pull out several things that match perfectly!  I used Jubilee paper because it's just so cheerful!  The matching embellishments I used are Jubilee Complements, Tiny Type Epoxy Alphabet, Midtown Cork Shapes, Dimensional Elements Banners, Ruby Chevron Washi Tape, Canvas Alphabet (retired), and Outdoor Denim Buttons (retired).

This is a pretty simple layout in the end, but I sure did enjoy making it!  Oh, if we could only freeze time.  I am so glad that I am scrapbooker so that I can go back and visit memories now and again!!

Thanks for stopping in today, and may your day be blessed!

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Sketch N Scrap

The sketch artists at Sketch N Scrap never cease to amaze me!  I am always so inspired by their sketches!!

This is what I came up with using the Artbooking cartridge:

What a cute little 2-year old boy - with a fabulous big smile!  These photos were taken 22 years ago, and Shane was thrilled to have my in-laws bird on his shoulder! The pieces I used from Artbooking are the honeycomb overlay and the two phrases.  The only other things I needed to use were a little chocolate twine, a few epoxy bubbles, and some Midtown Cork Shapes.  This retired piece of Dreamin' that I've been hoarding perfectly matched his denim jacket.

Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope that your day is blessed!

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First Day

Have you been over to visit the Rose Blossom Garden Challenge Blog?  We'd love for you to play!

This month we are going to be challenging you to do School Theme projects.  You always get a bonus entry in our monthly drawing if you use the specific key we name.  For this one, the bonus key is the "Z" key on the Artbooking cartridge.

I've used Outdoor Denim paper for this layout with remnants of Scholastic.  The images from the Z key are the notebook strip, calendar page, First Day, the journaling block, and the notes tab.  With a few embellishments, Artbooking easily created the page!

Thanks for stopping in today!  I really appreciate you!!

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New Challenge at Sketch N Scrap

 There is a new challenge at Sketch N Scrap, and we'd love for you to play along!

This is a perfectly lovely sketch, but I will be the first to admit that I had a very hard time with this one.  It forced me to step outside my box and create in a way that I am not used to.  For that very reason, I was thrilled to work on it and stretch my creative muscles.  I decided to grab some pictures that I really love and make a page that just makes me happy!

These two men in my life make me happy.

Very. Happy.

Rather than telling you what products I used or how I made this layout, I want tell you something else.

These photos were taken in 1994, and Shane was just 5 years old.  Jerry was taking him fishing with his Mickey Mouse fishing pole.

Grasp every single moment you can with your children.  

They grow up.  Way. Too. Fast.

I know that's not a popular thing to say right now as I have seen all kinds of articles from young mothers that are tired of hearing it.  I heard that when I was a young mother, too, but it didn't bother me.  I always kind of looked at that at "Titus 2" encouragement and learning from the mothers that went before me.

So let them be little and enjoy every single moment of their running and playing (and fishing).  You never know where your children's lives will carry them, and it's very important that you never take your time with them for granted.  They are such little blessings from God.

Thanks for stopping in today..and remember to make every day your best day!

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Sketch N Scrap Reveal

I am interrupting the reveal of my September card kit to bring you the newest sketch from Sketch N Scrap.

This sketch is fun and fresh and open to a lot of possibilities!  

If you have scraps of paper to use, this sketch is perfect for that!

This is my little blond-haired blue-eyed boy 23 years ago.  So cute!!

My layout consists of scraps of Babycakes, sky paper, a whole lot of stamping, and a few embellishments.  

Hang on to this sketch because you are going to want to use it again and again!  

Be sure to go over to Sketch N Scrap to see the rest of the Design Team examples!

Items used for this layout that can be found on my website:

• X7173B Babycakes paper
• 1385 White Daisy Cardstock
• X5761 Sky Cardstock
• Z2194 Sky Ink Pad
• Z2110 Buttercup Ink Pad
• Z2405 Buttercup Marker
• G1068 Babycakes Workshop on the Go Stamp Set
• S1312 December Stamp of the Month (available in December)
• Z1844 Trinket Wooden Shapes
• Z1732 Color Ready Ribbon
• Blue Sparkles (discontinued)

Thanks for stopping by today! 

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New Reveal at Sketch-n-Scrap!

It's time for a new sketch at Sketch-n-Scrap!  I have really enjoyed looking through your work from the first challenge this month.  You still have time to play with that sketch of the month, and now we have a second one for the month.  (Be sure to visit Sketch-n-Scrap for all the DT inspiration!)

Isn't this great?  I love that this sketch is wide open to possibility!  Here's what I came up with:

Now who could resist this sweet little blond boy covered in popsicle juice?  I know I never could!  This is Shane, and I took these photos 23 years ago.  My precious, precious boy.

This layout is cardstock and stamping, and the colors I've used are Pacifica, Honey, Cranberry, and White Daisy.  I created the banners using a new background stamp that will be released on August 1st.  The other stamps I used are For Always Card-Making WOTG  (stars, dots), Sightseer (chevron, "photo favorites") and My Sunshine (Bob Marley sentiment).  "Coolin' Off is an image from the new Artbooking cartridge.

I loved going back in time to bring these photos to a memory page.  So get those old photos out and scrap a couple.  You'll be surprised at how good your soul feels when you are done!

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He is My Home

I've had a picture sitting on my desk for almost a week that I wanted to put to paper.  One thing or another has kept me from getting it done, but this morning, before I did anything else, I sat and worked with it.  I have to get the grocery shopping done today, but I thought I'd have a much better attitude toward the whole errand process if I exercised my creative muscles a little bit first!  (I know I can't be the only only one that doesn't like grocery shopping!)

I went right to Sketchabilities to find a sketch, and their new one was perfect for what I wanted to do!

This is a photo of Shane and me from 22 years ago.  I remember the day as clear as it was yesterday.  I have said this before, but I am really grateful that over the years I have not been a chronological scrapbooker.  I love that I still have photos of Shane's little boy years to scrap because it allows me to go back and remember those blond-hair-little-boy days.  I love the "subway art" look that is gaining popularity in the scrapbook world, and that's what I've worked into this page.  The paper is Later Sk8r, and I've used a variety of stamps - Sightseer, Canvas Art stamp set, and It's Your Day (retired).  These are stamp sets that have great versatility and allow for cluster such as I've done.  I did a little hand stitching with black embroidery thread on the bottom left and top right.  Other embellishments I've used are Epoxy Bubbles, Outdoor Denim Baker's Twine, Outdoor Denim Buttons, and Tiny Epoxy Alphabet.  Here's a close up for you of the embellishments.

Now that I've had my fun, I suppose I'd better head to the grocery store or I may not be able to make dinner for my husband tonight!

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My Pick O' the Patch

Fall photos are some of my favorite to scrap.  I think it's the rich colors of autumn that just make me happy!
I wanted to show you today how easy it is to use the September Stamp of the Month, Fall Favorites, on a layout.

Where did this little boy go?  As the mother of an adult child, I am so glad that I was never a chronological scrapbooker.  I really enjoy going back, looking through these memories, and putting them to paper now.

I know many people are hesitant to incorporate stamping into a layout.  Let me tell you about all the stamping I did on this layout.  The leaves at the top are from the stamp set Harvest Happiness.  The rest of the stamps - border, scarecrow, pumpkins, "fall," jounraling spot, and "pick o'the patch," are all from the September Stamp of the Month.  Because of all the coloring that I did with the awesome alcohol markers, there wasn't a need for printed paper or even a lot of matting. (If you'd like to see the coloring a little better, just click on the photo to make it larger.) The burlap ribbon lends itself well to this stamp set, don't you think?

I think you might see a lot more of this stamp set.  It's just so cute and a lot of fun to use!!  I am going to enter this into a challenge:

• Shopping Our Stash - wooden element

ScrapFIT Workout #75

Time for another challenge at ScrapFIT!  During this next two weeks, we want to see what you can do with twine.  Sometimes I wonder what we did without it!  There are so many colors of twine, and they are all so beautiful!  Even a little piece here or there adds a whole lot to a page.

Today, I want to show you a few different things I did with twine on this layout of my son taken 17 years ago!

There is nothing particularly special about this layout, but it is one of my very favorite layouts.  You know, as our children grow older, it's hard to watch them go through difficult things.  All those monsters of life are just terrible, and all we can do is to entrust them into God's hands and remember that what they face today is what will shape them for tomorrow.  Here is my journaling up close:

Our prize this week from the Paper Issues store is the Eclectic Slide Fit Kit.

I look forward to seeing what you do with twine!!

And Speaking of Home Sweet Home...

Shane has spent the last week and a half picking berries in our neighborhood.  We are surrounded by loads of boulevard woods that have berry patches.  On his daily walk, he picked wild raspberries and blackberries and determined to make a pie from scratch with them.  So he carefully laid them on a baking sheet in the freezer as he collected them, and yesterday it was finally time to make the pie.

Oh. My. Goodness.  I seriously don't know where this kid gets his cooking and baking skills. (Maybe all the restaurants he's served at...)  I am a pretty good cook, but Shane has a passion for it and loves to make good food.  I have NEVER made crust that looks like this, and I have NEVER made a pie that tastes this good.  Jerry was in heaven as he is a huge pie lover.  As long as the ScrapFIT challenge is "home sweet home,"  I thought I would share what Shane contributes to this home of ours!

Splash Zone

I have wanted ot scrap these fun pictures of Shane.  4th of July weekend was so unexpected for us.  We really didn't have any plans, and Shane called on Saturday morning to say he was coming home for the weekend.  Yippee!!  It was a perfect weekend weather-wise, so the first thing we thought of was heading out in the boat.  Shane dug out a big inflatable, and we had a perfectly relaxing afternoon on the water!

I made this layout on Studio J because I like this paper, and it is exclusive to Studio J.  While I was putting this together, I learned something about Studio J that I wanted to share.  Mind you, you may know this, but I thought it was a great discovery!  Do you see my buttons on the top left and bottom right?  Embellishments are built into Studio J as a gray kind of ghost image.  You can use them or remove them - whatever you like.  Well, I used to think I had to drag my embellishments over, but no you don't!  You can click on the gray image and change it to whatever color you want.  What a time saver!!  I put this layout together in about 30 minutes.

I still love my handcrafted layouts and you'll most likely see more of them than you'll ever see Studio J layouts.  However, I have been in a card-making and altering kind of mood lately.  When I am in "one of those moods" (and all you crafters know what I mean!) I find it very easy to pop over to Studio J and get a few layouts done.

Don't Forget the Sunscreen

As I promised, I'm back with some artwork.  I found a sketch over at The Scrappiest, and it looked daunting to me.  For that very reason, I challenged myself to create with it!

Shane was just 14 months old in these photos.  That little baby belly - so cute!!  Other than the orange twine from Really Reasonable Ribbon, I used all Bo Bunny Sunkissed for this layout.  I so like when I have all the matching "stuff" for a layout.  It makes it all so quick!  I took a little extra time using my Imaginisce de-stresser to rough up all the edges.  I also used a craft knife to cut around the bicycle a little so that I could tuck the circle underneath just a bit.  If you need to see anything a little better, just click on the photo to enlarge.

22

I'll be back later today with some artwork, but for right now I have to take the time to wish my kiddo a very happy 22nd birthday!  As you may know from following me, he is about right smack dab in the middle of school.  Before we know it, he'll be a fully licensed hair stylist!

We are so proud of him.  Not only did he win the salon fair at school (picture above), but he was selected as one of five students to attend a "trend" seminar in May.  It is fully paid for, and he'll be learning some great things!  He is definitely going to fall into the "trendy" category when all is said and done.  I am so proud to be able to say that he is already building a good repeat client list in the school salon.  Not only do I think that has something to do with his styling, but also his personality.

So happy birthday, kiddo!  You deserve the best of days!!

Good Eats

There was a one-hour challenge over at Club CK today, and the requirements were to use shapes to reinforce the layout.  I didn't make it in time for the live challenge, but this is what I came up with.

I think my very favorite thing about these photos is seeing Shane's "tail" on his hair.  I remember that he wanted that tail as all his other little friends had them.  See, he was a hair fashionista way back when he was 4 years old!  If you click on the picture, you'll see that Shane was using a cookbook to make the pizza.  It is the Betty Crocker Junior Cookbook, and he LOVED using it.  From the time he could stand, I let Shane be on a chair in the kitchen.  Today, I can say that he is a really, really good cook!  I have been slowing buidling a cookbook for him in a 12x12 album, so this is going to go in that book.

I used CTMH's "You Rock" paper .  I cut the stars from a sheet of the paper and mounted them with foam circles.  The silverware and "good eats" are from the Slice Bon Appetit card.

Child of Mine

First of all, I've been posting a lot in the last couple of days, so be sure to scroll down if you'd like to see more artwork!

I saw the sketch over at Bo Bunny and decided I just had to play.  I had taken this picture of Shane with Miss Chanel #5 on Christmas Day, and I just knew Bo Bunny's Noel was the paper I wanted to use ot scrap it.  Here's the sketch from layout Friday:

As you can see, I replaced the two photos with one 5x7:

When you have all the matching elements, a layout can come together pretty quickly and this one did.  The only part that took a bit longer was fussy cutting the holly from a sheet of paper.  But those of you that know me well know that I love to fussy cut, so it's never a hindrance for me!

The challenge at Lasting Memories is to show your style, and this layout depicts my style perfectly.  I like clean lines and matching elements.  Mostly though, I like to embellish in a way that is "just enough."  I never want my pictures to be hidden but rather to be the first thing you see.

Back to my paper, inks, and embellishments!

Sketches in Thyme Reveal Day!

It's time for a new sketch over at Sketches in Thyme!  We are using a sketch from Helen Croft - she is amazing!  You can link up to her Scrap-a-Little Sketches blog on my left sidebar.  Here is the sketch we are working with this week:

Don't you love the possibilities?  Even though it's not my reveal week, I was anxious to use this sketch!

Items used: Lily Bee Designs paper, rub-ons, and chipboard; Petaloo paper flower; CTMH dutch blue cardstock

Play along for your chance to win the fabulous prize sponsored by Maven Tanya that you'll find on my right sidebar.

Imaginisce - To Love & Cherish

**Don't forget about my Surprise Blog Candy!! If you don't know what I am talking about, read about it here!**

Imaginisce put out their sketch for June, and I just loved it!  Here it is:

This is my kiddo at work last Saturday night.  Jerry and I went to have appetizers so that we would have a chance to see him.  He works a lot, so this is a very pleasant way to catch up!  And I think he's probably the friendliest, most personable server I know! ;)

Items used: Imaginisce To Love & Cherish papers, rub-ons, stickers, flowers, and ribbon; CTMH white daisy CS, rub-ons, and gems; Making Memories vintage metal roses

OCC Sketch Card and Pictures from Dinner Tonight

I wanted to quickly get this card posted for the OCC Sketch challenge. This one was a little challenging for me, but that was a good thing.  I pushed my comfort zone a bit and ended up with results that I am happy with.

Items used are Bazzill Swiss Dots paper and flower; CTMH Silhouette Level 2, ivory ribbon, and sparkles.  Slice cards used are Think Pink and Tag Maker.

Now I'm going to share some pictures from Shane's birthday dinner.  We had such a lovely time celebrating with Shane, Grandma Rose, and two of Shane's friends.  It was so nice out!  We were able to sit on the patio and have a very enjoyable evening.

Happy 21st Birthday, Shane!

I do not know where the time went in raising this precious boy.  But I can't really call him a boy anymore, can I?

I can't even begin to tell you how fast 21 years went. It seems like yesterday that I was on bedrest waiting to deliver Shane.  This child of mine came out talking!  He was raring to face this world the instant he was born, and that is exactly what he has done!

Shane is determined (some would call this stubborn) and has been all his life.  He forges ahead, learns his lessons, and gets on with things.  I am so very, very proud of the tremendous man that he's become.  He has a tremendous work ethic, shows great care to his friends, and always says "love you" when I see or talk to him.  This is a scary world for young people, but he met it head on and remains true to himself.  I really love that quality in Shane.  He is not afraid to be exactly who he is, and what a fine young man that makes him!!

We are taking him out to dinner this evening, and I couldn't be happier!  I thought he'd want to spend his 21st birthday with friends, but I am thrilled that he chose us!! 

Happy Birthday, Shane!!  Your mom loves you like crazy!!

Shane 1991

I found these pictures of Shane from 1991 and wanted to put them to a page. He always loved being in the kitchen with me, and I never minded. It was good for him to make a mess and learn along the way. Today, he is a very good cook who easily finds his way around the kitchen, and I am very glad of that!

For this layout I used a CTMH Animal Cookies Level 1 pre-printed layout, buttons, felt, and waxy flax. The star is Ki Memories, the tag is Little Yellow Bicycle, and the letters are Thickers.

I have many, many pictures to scrap yet. I am glad of this because I can scrap from whatever year I want. I am not in a rush to get it done and be completely caught up. Rather I have really enjoyed the process for several years. It is so wonderful to look back on pictures, think of past days, and to really put heart into a layout.

How do scrap? Are you chronological or are you like me - grabbing pictures from here and there that inspire you?

The blog hop is on Saturday, so don't forget to stop by! I have something special planned for my vistitors!! After that, you won't see me for a bit. I have lots of housework to do that I have been neglecting. Taxes are also nagging at me, and I need to get them done so that the burden can be lifted. By the time those things are done, I'll be ready to get back in the creating mode!!

Hope the sun is shining where you are and that you are having a good day!