My Joy

Hello friends ( if you are still there!) I know its been awhile, but this year has been a huge change around our household! I went back to work this year, after being home for the last 8! To say we have been adjusting is an understatement, and I have spent much of my free time enjoying time with my kiddos and the hubby! I think we have finally figured this whole working mom thing out though, and my hopes are to get back into the swing of things!

Today, I am going to share a layout with you that I made using a favorite Christmas photo from last year, and the Cable Knit kit from Noel Mignon.

I loved this dark woodgrain paper, and how the lighter colors really popped off of it, and brought focus to my photo. 

I really loved the Joy mixed media piece from Jillibean Soup, and thought it was perfect layered over the wood veneer from Elle's Studio! Glad I held onto that one! ;)

Then for just a little extra "oomph", I added in this gorgeous gold cord, wrapped around the photo, it really helps to draw in the eye even more. A few enamel shapes, some gold splatters, and I called it done!

I am linking this up with the current challenge at Paper Issues, figured the perfect place to get back in the swing of things was with one of their issues! They always inspire, so make sure you head over and check it out, and link up if you have anything to share!!

Dirty Girl Mud Run

Last summer, some friends and I participated in the Dirty Girl Mud Run. It was such a blast! I, of course, had to document this moment, the finish line moment!

I used some of my fabulous mambi goodies to put together this fun and simple layout.

I kept this one VERY simple, just a few simple layers and embellishments. I have a feeling I will be coming back to this one though, it doesn't quite feel done yet. We shall see though! :)

Thanks for stopping in today, and if you want to pick up some of these fun mambi goodies for yourself, head over to the website here!

Big Picture Classes Super Stashbusters Blop Hop!!!

Hello friends, old and new! Welcome to your next stop on the Super Stashbusters blog hop!!! I so beyond excited and honored to be a guest designer for this class...and had so much fun using up some of my stash to create my layout! Which I have a little sneak of for you today, but first, how about some details on this fabulous class!!!

Super Stashbusters with Aly Dosdall
Achieve total stash domination with 16 creative scrapbooking challenges. 


About the Class
Create scrapbook pages faster than a speeding bullet! Leap over piles of patterned paper and washi tape in a single bound! Turn into a super scrapbooker in as little as 4 weeks!

Aly Dosdall's Stashbusters Anonymous has already helped hundreds of memory keepers turn from "product collecting to productive scrapbooking." Now Aly is back with a NEW super-charged workshop that will help you:
● Rediscover and use products you love from your own scrapbook stash
● Complete up to 16 great scrapbook pages without spending a dime
● Learn to use inspiration (sketches, challenges, templates) in a way that works for you

In Super Stashbusters, you'll accomplish amazing scrapbooking feats based on 16 creative challenges. Not only will you use up your stash, you'll also learn to think outside your scrapping box and tap into your inner creative superhero. While this class builds on the content from Stashbusters Anonymous (now available as a self-paced workshop!), all scrapbookers are welcome—including digital scrapbookers.


Learn more and register here!!!

Now, I have a fun little sneak for you of the project I created, I put a twist on one of the fun sketches that Aly has created for you, and had a blast finally using up some of my stash!!

Hope this inspires you a little bit to want to join in on this fabulous class...and if that didn't quite put you over the top, how about a give away??!!!

I have a spot for one lucky person in this awesome class!! To be entered just follow my blog, and leave me a comment letting me know that you 1) are now/were a follower and 2) how you think this class will help you!

Now, you are off to Pepper's blog for your next stop!!

Here is the full blog party list, in case you get lost along the way, or you are just starting here!

Aly Dosdall

Katie Smith

Anandi Raman Creath

Amanda Johnson << You are here

Pepper Tan

Have a great day, and take time to create something you love!!

With You

Hi all!! Happy Hump Day! :) Today I am up over at the Noel Mignon blog sharing a new layout using the Sweet & Simple Classic Kit!!! There are still a few of these beauties left, so hop over and check it out!!

This layout started out on a completely different path, but I just couldn't make it work the way I wanted. Finally I just cut my layers and photos right off of the background, and adhered them onto this fabulous green stripe paper.

 I layered in a few strips along the left side of the paper. This helped to create a visual triangle with that fun navy polka dot paper, and I was also able to incorporate just a few more layers and interest...this was good too, since I was worried to mess too much with the layers around my photo. I used permanent adhesive on the previous background paper, and didn't want to risk damaging my photo!

I really wanted to keep them embellishing to a minimum on this page, but I just couldn't resist using one of those adorable tree clips. It worked perfectly with my photo!

Keep your eyes on the NoelMignon.com facebook page for sneaks of the upcoming South Shore kit!! So bright and fun...perfect for all those summer photos!!

Love, Love, Love

Hello friends!! I have a fun and bright card to share with you today using some amazing goodies from me & my BIG ideas!! I love how easy the Card Pads and Cards in an Instant make putting together cute and simple cards...they are perfect for those seasoned card makers, and those like me who still get intimidated when it is time to sit down and try to create a card!

On this card, I really wanted the "love, love, love" sentiment to stand out and take center stage, so I decided to cluster embellishments together in the corner to help draw the eye up.

I love to layer, the different textures of stickers that mambi offers, here I used some puffy stickers, glitter sticker, and I even deconstructed a layered chipboard sticker to fit what I needed. Don't be afraid to take layers apart, and rebuild to suite the need of your project!

Then I finished it off with a twine tied into a simple bow on the right side, to help highlight that title even more! Start to finish this card only took me 15 min...which I love!! :)

Check out all of the fabulous products me & my BIG ideas has to offer here in the mambi shop!

Repurposed Paint Can

Hello friends! Today I am up on the Imaginisce blog with an adorable repurposed paint can using the Little Princess line!

Our youngest daughter is a My Little Pony fanatic, so when I saw all of the cute colors, patterns, and unicorns in this new line, I knew that it would be perfect to spruce up this old can for her, and give her a carrier for her to cart her treasures from room to room.

I kept this fairly simple, as I hope it will be used and loved well...and it was! A big hit with her...and she already has it filled to the brim! :)

Head over to the Imaginisce blog to get a more detailed how to, and a few close ups!

Have a great day, and take time to create something you love!!

Fly High

I have a fun layout up on the Noel Mignon blog today using the awesome Sweet & Simple classic kit!! There was a yummy geometric pattern paper from Crate Paper included in the kit, that was just begging to be cut apart. I didn't get too crazy with it, but I love the fun added interest that it gave by just pulling a few of those pieces out!

 Keeping all of my layers and embellishing cluster around my photo, helped to really bring it out. I added a fun frame around it, to keep the focus on it even more.

Then for a fun twist, I left open a small spot on the top, and added my journaling in there, to keep with the design that I had going.

This kit is fabulous, and there are still a few available! Here are all the details! Check it out, and pick yours up today!!

Guest Designer for Top Dog Dies

Last week, I was the guest designer for Top Dog Dies, and I put together some cute little cards using their Mini Tag Dies and their Baby on Board dies!

I don't take the time as often as I should to pull out my manual die cut machine, these dies have made me regret that!! They cut beautifully!

Here are the projects I did for them, using the adorable Little Princess line from Imaginisce!

Love those little tag dies!! A definite new fave!!

Here is a little info on Top Dog Dies:

Top Dog Dies is a new online store that offers their own brand of wafer-thin and steel-rule dies, along with dies from brands you already know and trust, including Little B, Lawn Fawn, Taylored Expressions, Savvy Stamps and Cheery Lynn Designs. Top Dog Dies is also the leading U.S. retailer for Tattered Lace, a new line of intricate dies designed by British designer Stephanie Weightman.

Top Dog Dies is also doing a fun guest designer giveaway!! Simply head over here and enter for your chance at $50 to the Top Dog Dies store!!!

Noel Mignon and Creative Scrappers!!

This month, Noel Mignon is the sponsor for Creative Scrappers! So I had a fun time using the newest kit, Balboa, with the fun sketch from Creative Scrappers!

Here is the sketch:



I used some of my favorite elements from the sketch to put together a layout that was fitting to both my style, and the look I wanted for this layout.

Loved this color scheme that I pulled together from the Balboa kit! So many fun colors mixed with the awesome chalkboard trend!! Here are a few close ups!

Make sure and play along with Creative Scrappers this month for a chance at your own Balboa kit from Noel Mignon!!!

Sweet Spring Photos

Hello friends!! Today I have some Imaginisce layouts to share with you! I used a mixture of the Welcome Spring and Little Princess lines on these fun, spring photo shoot layouts I put together. The colors were bright and fun, and perfect with the photos. I added in some fun embellishments from American Crafts and Simple Stories!

I love how I was able to put together this very girly layout, and then a boy layout using bits and pieces from the same lines! Here is my boy layout.

Love these lines for the photos from this shoot! I will have more to share soon! Thanks for hopping by today, and take time to create something you love!

Happy Wonderful

Hello friends!! I have a fun layout up on the Noel Mignon blog today! I used the soft and sweet "Carousel" kit to make a fun fall themed boy layout!


 

I had so much fun experimenting with my title on this layout, and really stretched to make those gorgeous pastel colors work for this layout.
For some close ups and a more detailed explanation of the process, head over to the Noel Mignon blog!

We R Memory Keepers HSN!!

Hello friends!! I am stopping in today to share with you some exciting news!! The new Evolution Advanced from We R Memory Keepers is having its world launch on HSN today!!

I worked with these goodies to make some samples for the show! I am going to share a few of them with you today!

I used the die set, embossing folders, and letterpress plates that are included in this bundle to create these projects! This was my first time letterpressing, and while it does take a little practice, the finished product is so worth it!

I hope you head over to the  We R blog here to find out all the fun details!!

Creative Scrappers Reveal # 268

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms and mamaws out there!! Hope you are enjoying your day. Hopefully I can help that with a little inspiration for you with the newest sketch from Creative Scrappers!! :)

Circles are so not my thing, but once I got started with this sketch, it came together so easy, and I actually really love the finished layout. I used the fun and bright DIY collection from Simple Stories...I had been waiting to dig into this collection, and I am so happy I waited for this layout, was perfect!!!

Make sure you head over to the Creative Scrappers blog to see inspiration from the rest of the team, and to play along for your chance at a prize from our fabulous sponsor:

Have a fabulous day, and take time to create something you love!!

Mother's Day Shadow Box

Hello!! I have another fun Mother's Day gift idea to share with you today that went up on the We R Memory Keepers blog. I love the Inked Rose collection from We R Memory Keepers. The patterns and colors are fabulous, and I knew it would be perfect to use on a Mother's Day printer tray/shadow box!

I love the new Sew Easy template, and was finally able to put one to use making this cute banner. I simply stitched it on a frame that I fussy cut, and stamped a sweet sentiment inside. Love the finished look!

While I had that frame paper out, I decided to fussy cut a few more. I also fussy cut a cute butterfly to layer with them. A little foam adhesive, twine, and an enamel heart made for lots of fun dimension on this square.

Using both paper scraps, and the negative space from my sticker sheet, there were lots of fun pieces to tuck in and use for dimension and layering.

For a more detailed description of how I put this together, head over to the We R Memory Keepers blog!

Mother's Day Plague

Hi all!! I have a cute Mother's Day plaque that went up on the Noel Mignon blog today using the gorgeous Carousel kit!

I love the soft colors in this kit, and it was perfect to use for this project. I love how it makes the photo pop!

This sunburst clip was so cute, I knew it had to make its way on to this piece. Layering it on the clear butterfly, made it pop even more!

Simple layers were the perfect touch. Head over to the Noel Mignon blog, to get a more detailed description of my process!

Have a great day, and take time to create something you love!