Today is good

Hello again! Now that the busyness of the holidays are over, I am hoping to be posting and creating more regularly again! It's amazing to me how just an hour up in my scrap room, can help to de-stress and relax! So, with that being said, I have another layout to share with you, still from the All of You kit from Scraptastic...I can't say enough how much I love this kit!

I pulled out an old photo that I have had sitting on my desk to scrap...one of my kiddos with 2 of their grandparents...I have found that I don't take near enough photos of my kids with people. I document most everything they do...but I need to work on documenting the people that are part of their lives also! Does anyone else struggle with this?

This background paper was another Scraptastic exclusive, and it was one of my favorites. I used it to guide my design. I just followed that path that the circle made, and kept everything very centered. I used the exclusive vellum circles to add a little more interest to a few of the printed ones.

I layered in a few of the printable labels, and the labels with sentiments, were off of the branding strip on one of the papers from Elle's Studio. I really love that most companies make their branding strips usable, especially love this fun way of putting several labels along there.

Then, instead of using alphas to make a large title, I layered together a few of the die cuts for a cute, custom title...I didn't have much journaling for this one, so I tried to use a title and sentiments that would help convey the meaning.

Off to get ready for our wild new years celebration...Alvin and the Chipmunks: Road Chip and pizza with the hubby and the kiddos! :) Hope you all have a happy and safe new year! Take time to create something you love! :)

Locks of Love

Hello friends! I have another layout to share with you using the "All of You" kit from Scraptastic. Again, this kit is just perfection! I absolutely love it, and the bright colors. I am also using a fun sketch that is up on the Scraptastic Blog...you can find it here! 

A few years ago, both of our daughters cut their hair to donate to locks of love ( though I now wish we would have donated somewhere else, after doing more research) but, they were so excited to do this special act of kindness for others...made this mama proud! :)

I loved this little light bulb embellishment from Fancy Pants...and I thought the sentiment rang so true for this layout.
I needed something to fill that little captured space there, so I used it to my advantage to add in a little more yellow, and the date!

I kept the embellishment on the top of the layout to a minimum. There is so much going on at the bottom, that I didn't want to overwhelm, and the photos get lost.

Here's a full shot of the layout...a new favorite for sure!

Thanks for hopping in today.,..have a good one, and take time to create something you love!

Be You

Hello friends! I have a layout to share with you today that I absolutely love! It's pretty simple compared to some of my other layouts, but the items in this kit were so perfect for this photo, that it didn't need a lot!

I used the "All of You" kit from Scraptastic...and I have to say, it about broke my heart to use that whole heart paper for the background...but nothing else seemed to fit like it did.

Some of my favorites from this kit were the exclusives, and again how perfect they were for this photo. That flair badge...amazing for this! She definitely stands on her own! I broke out the silhouette and used the subscriber cut file...I kind of wish I would have used some white paint behind it to make it pop a little more...but I really like having that solid heart all around.

Nothing like good product to pull you out of a rut...excited to be feeling that scrappy "mojo" again!

Thanks for stopping by...have a good one, and take time to create something you love!

Bootiful

Hello friend! Over the weekend, I had a little time to break into my new Scraptastic Kit "This Is Halloween", and use a fun sketch from the Paper Issues facebook group. Both of these are WAY out of my comfort zone. I don't really normally buy themed items, but I have been wanting to sub to try out Scraptastic for awhile, and it just so happened, that the other kit was sold out before I got around to doing it...and as far as the sketch, not my normal style, at all, but I really loved  it, and just thought it would work perfect with this kit and photo.

First off, here is the sketch that I used:



I started out, by doing a little bit of mixed media on the background. I used a fun stencil from Echo Park, with some molding paste, and then misted over the top with black, and a few orange splatters.
I thought the bats were perfect for this photo. :)

It's very subtle, but I love the little extra bit it adds. I wanted to come in with some layers under my photo, but I didn't really want to use a lot of paper layers, so I layered bits and pieces from the emepherma from My Mind's Eye, and that cute exclusive flair badge.

The majority of this layout was kept simple, but I really liked how this design helped to draw everything right in to the photo. I did feel that I needed a little something down at the bottom...just a little too much white for me. So I added in a strip of that awesome plaid paper, and layered in a few embellishments.

I actually have ended up enjoying this kit a lot more than I thought I would. I am excited to break into it a little more and see what I can create!!

Never left fear and worry, rob you of the joy of creating! Always take time to create something you love!

Homegrown Goodness

There is nothing better than a fresh picked strawberry. Every year when our little patch ripens, we all get so excited to start picking and sampling to see how delicious they are this year...they don't usually last too long!

I wanted to go with some bright colors on this layout. I used some older Ell's Studio and Chic Tags products on here, and they worked perfectly with the story and photo. Lots of layers, to add interest and dimension.

Since I had kept the photo and all of the heavier layers centralized, I wanted to put small clusters in opposite corners. This way I could add in a little more embellishing, and my jouraling without overwhelming the center of the layout.

I loved how the brighter colors and patterns really popped off of this background paper. I also loved that how by placing my photo and layers in the center, this paper pointed into that from all angles, so that even with two opposing clusters, the focus still comes in to the photo.

Summer Battle Wounds

 I love scrapbooking happy memories and stories for my family, but I think that it is just as important to document those moments that are harder to process, and think about. This is one of those memories.
 A few summers ago, our oldest went to spend the night with a friend. Things were just going along, when the mom of this friend called me. I could hear in her voice how scared she was, she could barely even speak to tell me what had happened.
Our girl had had a pretty bad stumble while riding a bike...she ended up going over the handle bars, down there gravel hill. It was hard to tell at this point how bad it was...so we loaded her up and went to the emergency room. She ended up being extremely lucky...scrapes, bruises, and a chipped tooth..but thankfully nothing too serious. It's still hard to think about or look at these photos even now though.

The summer battle wounds title came from the clever mind of this little lady in the photo. I never would have thought of that one, but she came up with it, and I knew it was perfect. I tried to keep this one a pretty light layout, yes I wanted to get this documented, but I didn't want it to be heavy and dark where the main focus was on the wreck and the injuries...I more wanted the focus to be on how grateful we were that it hadn't turned out worse.

I used the Felicity Jane "Here's the Scoop" kit for this. My daughter loved the colors and patterns in this kit, so she helped me put this together. I think that is important also, especially on moments like this one, that were hard for her to process, to let the kids have a role in how there lives are documented and remembered.

I used some word stickers from the I am collection from simple stories...the colors were a little off, but the sentiments they had were perfect to describe her and this moment.
Don't be afraid to scrapbook those hard moments too. They help to shape our lives, and make us who we are. :)

Have a good one, and take time to create something you love.

Bookworm

Hello friends!! Back today with you to share a new layout...this one is a little outside the box for me. I used a few different items/elements that I wouldn't normally use, but I am SO in love with this layout, I think I need to step out of that comfort zone more often!

First though, I want to give you a little back story on the layout. This was taken over summer break, and it was a normal sight all summer long. Our oldest daughter is a true lover of books...most times you can find her with her nose right in the middle of a book, and I LOVE this! I am a reader ( well, I was before I had children! lol), and the fact that she is embracing that same love ( and our middle daughter is following right along in those footsteps behind her!!) just makes me excited! I am loving sharing with her books that I loved at that age, and am so looking forward to the time when I can read some of my classic favorites with her, and know that she will fall in love with and appreciate that world as much as I do/did!

I so wanted to share all of this in the journaling on this layout, but for some reason in that moment, the words just would not come to paper. Does that ever happen to you??




When collecting supplies for this layout, I was rifling through my stash, looking for an old book that I knew I had somewhere..I found it, and by a happy accident, saw this along the spine, where I had tore pages out previously. I LOVED the look, and knew it would be perfect for this layout, not only in theme, but to add dimension and texture.

I had received the chipboard from the "I am" collection from Simple Stories in a Gossamer Blue kit, I had had it for quite awhile, and not used anything but the smaller elements. Again, this was the perfect layout to put some of those to use. I loved that there was a stack of books, and to me the globe just made sense. These are items that I would never normally use...I don't even buy chipboard often, but I really had fun incorporating these onto my layout.

I had this bookplate from the ephemera from a Maggie Holmes collection, and I thought it would be a fun embellishment, and I was able to fill it with some of that pink/red paper to bring that over to the left of the layout. Some simple, messy stamping, and a few ink splatters later, this one is done and in the books. LOVE the way it turned out, and that I was able to stretch my creativity and open up to using some unusual ( for me) items!



I am linking this layout up to Paper Issues and their new Fan-atics challenge, because this girl is one of the biggest book fans I have ever met...she might even give my old self a run for the money! ;)

Details for the linky part are here! :)

The Best Part

Hello crafty friends! I have another layout to share with you today using the Felicity Jane Here's the Scoop kit. This kit had such a great variety of colors...I had some very girly, pink layouts, and then there were elements like what I used here, that lent itself towards a very boy layout. 

Oh, the powerwheels...what toddler doesn't love them, and my boy is no exception, as you can tell by that look of pure delight on his face. What is even better than his powerwheel at home is when we go to Mamaw's, and he gets to ride the slightly bigger and faster one. That's where I snapped this photo. 

I loved this chevron paper, and really wanted to use it as a main element, but wanted to bring in some of that gorgeous green color, so I cut this strip to run down then middle of my page. I wanted to do some messy stamping on here too...My layers were a little to uneven ( which I wanted) for the stamps to come out completely clear..but I still love the texture and little bit of dimension that it adds.

The Best Part actually was part of a pocket card, but I loved the idea of using it as a circular element, so I simply fussy cut it out, and ended up using it as my title. A few enamel dots, some staples, and flair later, and I have one adorably cute boy layout! :)

Thanks for stopping in today, have a good one, and take time to create something you love!

Perfect Hiding Spot

Hello friends! I have another layout to share with you today using the Thankful collection from Elle's Studio. I really loved the blues and greens in this collection, and wanted to play on that color scheme and how well it played off of the colors in my son's shirt.

I went layer crazy on this one..I really wanted to main focus to be right there in the middle. So I first made a messy mat for the whole middle section, then I went in with some different patterns and made a separate layered mat for my photo. I love how this really makes the photo pop.

I kept embellishing to a minimum on this one..I really just wanted those layers and the photos to stand out. I did layered in some labels, and green star paper clips...to add a little more dimension, and get some more of that green color in..I found that is was really just an accent in the collection..there weren't many embellishments that were this color.

For the title, I really wanted to use this older Dear Lizzy thicker set, I have had these forever, and never used them. They were the perfect shade of blue for this, but they were just a little too big for the space and look that I had. So, by cutting of the extra boxiness, I was able to make them fit...and love the final look!

The green stickers, are actually part of this collection, and I loved that I could get a little more of that color in...the just weren't doing it for me straight on the page though..so layered them on a label, and loved it! A little stamping, some splatters, and enamel dots...and I love it! :)

Thanks for stopping by today, have a great Monday, and take time to create something you love!

So Happy Together

Hello friends! Today I have a layout to share with using the Feels Like Home kit from Felicity Jane. I loved the soft colors and patterns in this kit. I knew this black and white photo would be a perfect one to pair with it. I love how it really pops.

On the cut aparts, there were all of the cute words..I thought it would be fun to add in a few on here. I used a white gel pen to add an "s" to the end of sister. I also used some of that gold thread to smoosh a little up under my layers for some fun texture.

Then, I wanted to add in another little cluster of embellishment in the top corner...it just felt like it needed something. I used this ticket from the cut apart sheet, and stamped a few different sentiments on it, layered it with a heart from the cut apart sheet, and loved the little bit of extra it added.

Looking back at this photo now, I can believe how much my babies have grown up! So crazy to think that this was over a year ago..times flies, we have to remember to enjoy every moment!

Have a good one, and take time to create something you love!

Love These Moments Together

Hello crafty friends! I have another layout to share with you today, using another fall line that I really fell in love with...Thankful from Elle's Studio. I really love the nontraditional colors and patterns for this line, and this striped paper was my absolute favorite!

The two starting points for this layout were the striped paper in the background, and this leaf stencil from Echo Park. I knew that I wanted both of these elements to really stand out, which is why I really kept all other embellishment to a bare minimum. I layered up some of the more neutral papers under my photo, and added in a few pops of that bright blue.

Then, I wanted a fun, chunky cluster up in the left hand corner. So I hit up the tags, stickers, and other ephemera to make this focal point. I used it to layer up some more of those text elements that I felt really hit the spot with this layout.

I am also linking this layout up to the current issue at Paper Issues " How 'bout them Apples",

Thanks for stopping by today, have a good one, and take time to create something you love.

Full of Happiness

Hello friends!! I don't know what has caught your eye with some of the newer collections coming out, but one of my favorites by far was Cedar Lane from Pink Paislee! I loved this one from day one, and as soon as Paper Issues had it in stock, I ordered up pretty much every piece of it...and this past weekend, I went on a retreat, and was able to cut into it, and create a layout that I absolutely love!

That text paper was just screaming to be fussy cut, and I really wanted to play with some watercolors that I had picked up. Its a little out of the norm for me, but I am so in love with the way it turned out. Those acetate arrows from the ephemera pack were too cute, and I added a fun touch!

I wanted to keep the photo layers light, but I really wanted to add in some more of that fun ephemera/ A mix of those and some of the washi tape, made for a simple layered look.

Look at those leaves! Gorgeous! I am linking this up to the newest issue at Paper Issues " How Bout Them Apples"

Thanks for stopping in today, have a good one, and take time to create something you love.

Paw Patrol

Hello crafty friends! I have a super fun layout to share with you today. If you have a toddler, chances are you know all about Paw Patrol...well a few weeks back, we went to the state fair and had a chance to do a little meet and greet with some of the characters. To say we had one excited little boy would definitely be an understatement.

I knew that I wanted to do bright, bold primary colors on this one...because Paw Patrol is bright, and also because said excited little boy also very much loves the color red.

How fun is this layout..I mean seriously, it just makes you smile! :) For the photo "mat", I did a few paper layers, but I really had fun using stencils and stamps behind that. I love all the added interest and texture that it adds, all the while drawing your eye into the photo.

Then for the title, I knew I wanted to do it in a bright bold red, and when I saw this Tall Type font from The Cut Shoppe, I knew it was perfect. I cut this out on white cardstock, with the intention of using watercolors...but I just couldn't get them to be bold enough, so I actually ended up coloring over my watercolor with a red copic. LOVE how bold this turned out, perfect for the look I wanted.

Then to finish it off, I went looking through my stash for anything bright, and fun. I kept embellishing pretty light, but these little bits were the perfect touches!

Thanks for stopping in today, have a good one, and take time to create something you love!

Feels like Home to me

Hello friends! Happy hump day! ;) I have another layout to share with you today using some more goodies from my stash. I have done so good this summer of really using what I have, and I am loving how it is making me really think and stretch my supplies!

For this one, I was inspired by a photo that popped up on Pinterest...and I can't find it now for the life of me. I was scrolling through and it was there, and I LOVED the idea of the little house so much, that I immediately went to create...and know I can't find the photo! 

I went really light with this one..and while it is not my norm..I really love how soft and light it is. This is mainly Crate Paper, with a little bit of the Simple Stories "I am" collection through in...love how they had the same tones and could be used together but weren't too matchy matchy.

These sentiments were just perfect for this page. I really just let all the word stickers and elements speak for themselves on this one...I didn't feel any journaling was necessary. I added in a little stamping for some interest, since so much of that background was kept plain and white.

This element was fussy cut from a Crate Paper...I think Confetti line. It had a 5, and it was close on colors, so it had to go on there. I added in some of those puffy gold stickers, for added dimension and fun.

Love how this one turned out..and just look at that photo...love my family! :)

Hope you all have a great day, and take time to create something you love!

Picture Perfect Summer

Hello friends! Back for another layout to share with you today! This uses the "Here's the Scoop" kit from Felicity Jane. Question...have you ever bought a kit because you knew that it was perfect for just one photo?? I did with this one right here! lol. When I saw that adorable popsicle, and the colors..I instantly thought of this photo and knew I had to get it. I was able to create some other projects with the kit, though I will admit none of them came together as easy as this one. I will be sharing those later in the week. 

Back to this though, I knew I wanted to use that popsicle card, and this summer paper, but I didn't want to have all that business up by the photo. So, while this is not my normal style, it really worked to highlight my photo and those elements that I knew had to make it on here!

The kit also came with these adorable acrylic pieces...I thought it would be so fun to layer this on top of the card for a little dimension, and it also made a perfect resting spot for my date!

I loved the summer stamp, but once I had it on there, it needed something else, so using another stamp from the kit, I stamped and fussy cut the " heart" this, and added in a clear sticker from mambi. Finishing it off with a few more papers layered, and an old Dear Lizzy flair from my stash, and it was good to go. Adding in a few drops of mist..and this one was done!

Gotta through it in here how much I love that photo...they had gave me a super cute posed one, with eyes and smiles on me..but then they started playing, and I captured this one purely by chance...those kind always end up being my favorites :)

Thanks for stopping by today, have a happy Monday, and take time to create something you love

Multi Tasking Mamaw

Hello friends! Long time, I know. We have been so crazy with back to school/work, soccer, enjoying the little bit of free time that we have, you all know the drill! The good news is, I have been creating in the meantime, and we have finally get settled into the schedule, which means I will be posting on a more regular schedule again! Yay! :)

For my layout today, this is a random picture that I snapped of my son, mom, and nephew on a day out we were having. My mom loves to take my two girls, sister in law and myself out for pedicures everyone so often...we usually have the boys with us, and of course, they always want to be all over Mamaw! Good thing she loves it!

I pulled out some more goodies from my stash on this one, I am really making a dent in that stash! I loved this striped My Mind's Eye paper, and I used it to pull my color scheme together. 

I didn't go too heavy on embellishments on this one, I really liked the lines that I had going, and how great everything was flowing..so I kept it simple so that could shine through.

I love this color scheme, and how well it worked with the photo...these cork circles have been in my stash FOREVER! I was so excited to finally get them on a layout, and I think they were perfect for this one!

Thanks for stopping in today...hope you have a great one, and take time to create something you love!

Super Duper Cool

Hello friends!! Happy Monday!! We are gearing up for back to school/work here...this summer has FLOWN by...not quite ready to head back, but will be nice to get back onto somewhat of a normal schedule.

Today I have a layout to share with you..I love the way this one came together. I started with a half sheet of the Pink Paislee circle paper, and just built from there, adding in with colors and patterns that coordinated, or just that I liked they way they looked together! lol

I really had no rhyme or reason with this one, I just put stuff down where I liked it...and I must say, I had so much fun creating this layout, and its probably one of my favorites out of my recent ones. Probably one of my favorite things is how well my journaling lined up on those diagonal lines, and then how the " this was amazing" stamp framed that in on the top perfectly! Love it.

Here I used a tag punch from Stampin Up to layer some tags in that same Pink Paislee paper, then I layered them under my paper layers, and added embellishments..both under the layers and on top...love the added dimension it gave!

Here are some more layers to build up the photo. Then I added my title right on to the photo, love the way everything seemed to fit so well in area, but isn't lined up perfectly. Oh, and the torn paper..I think it has been awhile since I have added torn paper onto a layout...but I have to say, I really liked it on here, I might have to use that look more often!

I'm also linking this layout up to Paper Issues and there new Monday issue " It's All About The Face" You can find all the detail, and link up your own project here!

Thanks for hopping by today, have a good one, and take time to create something you love.