Wanna Hula Hoop? and some fun news!

"Hula Hoop", Freehand Scraps July kit, went up for sale this morning and it is FAB! I believe all the design team girls are together on the fact it is a favorite. Definitely no "theme" to the kit, other than awesomeness (is that a word?) and new CHA goodies.

Aven heard the Blizzardmobile was going to be close so of course we had to swing by for a free oreo blizzard. I really wanted to cut ice cream cone shapes from my Slice, but didn't have that design card. I thought about purchasing an ice cream punch for 40% off....but then I saw these banner stickers and thought they made the perfect "cone".

Our church had a soldier salute in May, hence the "5.10" title, and the boys were beyond excited to see this helicopter there. I really liked using the more muted papers for this and the Girls' Paperie die cuts went along swell.

He only wants to be poolside. Just content as can be to sit along the side and observe. I wonder how long that will last..?! Used just the yellow tones of the Cosmo Cricket paper for the "suns" and the blue tones for the "waves". And might we all just be in shock here that I actually did some HAND WRITTEN journaling? yes, I gave the old typewriter a break ;)

Simple little card using Martha Stewart hydrangea punch over and over and over...

And this little job is quite random. But I like random ;) I had this piece of kraft paper leftover from cutting some Christmas tags and then used it as a scrap piece of paper to show a friend how to get the inked circles. Planned to just throw it away but then I saw some scraps from the kit and thought they could use a little home in those "negative" spaces that were left. A bit of sewing and SHOCK more hand written journaling and I called it good! Use those scraps!

As always be sure to check out the full gallery here and then click here to purchase your own!

In other news...I am THRILLED to be guesting on the October Afternoon blog for the month of July! Along with most every scrapper out there, they are a favorite company of mine and continue to release MUST HAVE lines. Be sure and stop by their blog throughout the month and check it today for a giveaway! :)

Silly me...

..how is it the middle of June and I am just now showing my "Parasol" projects?

In any case, this kit was lovely...subtle shades mixed with brights and the cutest little embellishments!

A simple little layout featuring a pic Aven took. Loved this transparency with the grey flocking. The middle papers are kinda patchworked together.

For Aven's preschool teachers end of the year gift we got them beach bags filled with a water bottle, sunscreen and beach towel. I made these little tags to hang on the bags and wrote a thank you on the reverse side.

And finally, a card. "Sew" fun putting this one together ;)

And there you have it! Check out this month's kit and the other beautiful gallery projects here.

Planning on a few mini getaways this summer...wouldn't a kit be the perfect thing to grab to take? No planning or matching products--it's already done for you! Grab some pics, scissors and glue and off you go. Sounds like a plan to me :)

Just for Fun!

Aren't road trips the best?

Based on a sketch over at the Cosmo Cricket blog, using the JOYRIDE stash that I've been hoarding...along with those woodgrain alphas! And have you seen their new release "DeLovely"? YUM!

Like the stitched "exhaust"? ;)

Thinking it's time for another scrapping weekend road trip. Whaddaya say Paula and Suz?

Clothespin

The March kit at Freehand Scraps, "Clothespin" is just what I needed to help brighten up this dreary weather we can't seem to get away from!

This little boy just turned 2 this past friday. AMAZING how fast time goes. These bright, cheery colors completely remind me of him.

I couldn't cut these girls apart. They have a lacquer-like finish on them that makes them glossy. One of THE must have papers of CHA, if you like the whole vintage thing ;) I do. I thought they went nicely in the thrift store frame and will at some point be hung in my scrap room.

A fun, painty/misty/sew-y, page with a picture of Heidi, Sam and I at CHA. Yea, we like to get crafty.

The clothespins in this kit are so tiny and cute. I added some patterned paper to them and strung up my instax pic and embellishments as if on a clothesline. I journaled about my wish for spring to hurry.

And finally, these sweet canvas banners. They were literally ripping the carpet off the showroom floor as Heidi and I ran into the booth for her to order these. SO glad she did! Definitely worth the hustle ;) Three banners come in the kit, but they are doubled so you can cut them apart and have 6. I used 5 as a mini banner, along with some random bits, sewing and misting. For the life of me I couldn't get a decent pic of it all together, but you get the idea. Very fun.

As always, I would love to answer any questions you might have about the kit or these projects! Hope your March is beginning beautifully.

Long Johns

Grab 'em. It's cold here.

Oh wait.

I'm talking about February's kit from Freehand Scraps. Loved it. And could have done SO MUCH MORE except that I am still on the flip side of a wicked sinus infection. I will spare you the fun details. * I believe Heidi and Samantha saw enough ;)

I do own you a massive CHA post that will come sometime this week. Suffice to say, I was disappointed to be so sick on my trip, but NOT disappointed in the new products or my new friends :)

And to make way for all the new kits that will be FILLED with handpicked new CHA goodies, Heidi is having a kit sale. All remaining kits are 40% off . Grab one, or 2 or 3 or 10 before they are gone. The list of remaining kits can be found here.

I promised...

...and although it's late, here it is:

1. Thrifty Finds

Give me a free hour or two and I don't head to the mall. I head to the local thrift shop...and come away a few dollars more poor, but a few treasures more rich :) The guy ringing up my total said, "These are grandma things."

He was like 70.

I said, "Well I feel like an old lady trapped in a young person's body most of the time."

I don't think we either one had any idea what to say after that.

2. Instead of sneaks how about the real deal?

Meet an "Old Acquaintance"

Used a part of a chipboard flower to mask here and some recent photobooth pics of my cousin, her baby boy and I. Loved the toned down feel of this. Journaling about how I can't believe we are in this place in our lives, how blessed we are and how I wish we lived closer. The paper is Bella Blvd. as well as the paper flowers--aren't those awesome? You get one in the kit, but they has so many layers I pulled them apart for more ideas...although I also messed them up in the process ;( Guess that's how it goes!

When I saw the October Afternoon aplha in the kit it immediately made me think of all the pics I have of Aven creating. Here he is, Bumblebee Transformer costume on, painting away. My journaling talks about how he loves art and said on this day, "When I grow up I want to be an artist, but right now I'm just a little artist." Totally fine by me! I used the bottom of an old metal basket as the misting mask and some new spray ink. My stocking was filled with 8 new colors from Maya Road..guess I was on the nice list after all ;)

And this might be my most favorite project of the whole kit and it was so easy! Thrifted this frame for 50 cents and cut out some beautiful paper from Basic Grey to fit.For the life of me I can't remember where I came across this quote or who it is by. But I have always loved it and thought it could mean so many things..

*I took a deep breathe and let it go....and walked into the room to face my fears.

*I took a deep breathe and let it go...and pushed my baby into the world.

*I took a deep breathe and let it go...and chose to move beyond past disappointments.

*I took a deep breathe and let it go...and drove away for the last time.

You get the idea. Anyway, I loved how the butterflies seem to be flying away and kinda went with the quote. Plan on hanging this by my computer as a reminder that sometimes all I need to do is take a deep breathe and

let

it

go.

A couple of cards in the gallery, as well as some super inspiration form the January guest and design team. Be sure to check it all out!

3. Be my guest

There is a new prompt over at Category Stories and a new guest designer you might know ;)

The prompt was "perfect fit". Here is my interpretation:

I love that they give prompts and then you just jump off with it and create. Be sure to play along with them this month. All you have to do is link your creation to the January 1 post and/or their Flickr group (do both for a second chance to win!) The prize is determined by a random draw so you have nothing to lose and a cool new layout to gain! Please link me up if you do play along. I would love to see what you do with it :)

Hope you all had a wonderful ringing in of the new year. Wishes of the most blessed year for you and yours!

Happy Fall

Would this be a nice door greeter for our Thanksgiving day feast?

Special Delivery

I get excited about mail.

Particularly mail that comes in a box.

But sometimes that excitement rises to a whole new level.

Especially when that box contains this...

Yep. I now love doing laundry. Unfortunately I didn't get the machine that actually folds the clothes and puts them away, but I am able to wash 20+ towels in one load so I guess that makes up for it ;)

And I swear my floor isn't crooked ;)

My picture taking skills, however, are.

A simple fall layout using some buzz and bloom chipboard I cut apart to create "leaves".

Misted the shapes first and then zig zag stitched with different colors to create more falling leaves. Simple and fun.

When I showed Rory he said, "oh cool. I see the little footballs."

umm...no.

Those would be leaves.

But we do love football around here and it is fall so I will let it slide. **If you do this project maybe try a straight stitch instead for the leaf middle, to avoid any football confusion ;)

A fall themed altered book cover (yes I am addicted!) coming tomorrow.

It's Oct 1st...

...and you know what that means :)

Lets' take a drive down Arbor Drive shall we?

This kit was so well put together. It all blends beautifully without being too "matchy-matchy". Know what I mean?

Cut these flowers from the fun Fancy Pants paper and added a little bling from a friend, a little sewing, a little vintage book and a little "hello" from my typewriter.

Both my boys LOVE to be outside and anything to do with nature. He actually kissed the toad after this picture was taken :) I miss using pink on layouts and it was fun to throw a bit on this one. The flair from American crafts..oh my. LOVE the woodgrain!

I've had this "L" for awhile and wanted to alter it a bit before hanging in my craft space. A great way to showcase the American Crafts deer paper I LOVE and that Lily Bee tulle flower. I actually took the sequins off the flower to use them on a layout and put buttons from the kit in it's place using stickles...it glued the buttons together and i really like how the glitter seeped thru!

And I knew when I saw the kit these jumping photos would go *perfect* with a layout about the "chicks" and our weekend getaway! Those jumping shots are TOO FUN!!

Here's where I used those sequins. Just randomly placed on the layout. Stuck down with stickles :) I think I really like that stuff :)

And apparently I like to use these :) :)

A card for a friend with a new home:

The felt in this kit was great--so many different ways it could be used and I adore those little houses! And buttons. A girl (or project!) can never have too many ;)

And then a card for my husband (which means I get to keep it!) for our anniversary coming up. 10 years! Yep, we're still quite the "pair" ;) Cheesy? Yes. But fun! Love that pear paper.

And did I mention the buttons? :)

This kit is full of embellishments..and you KNOW I love the embellishments! :) I was able to create 2 layouts, 3 cards and an altered item and could seriously STILL make more! Heidi packs so much into each kit. Be sure and check out the gallery. I love when the first of the month rolls around to see what the other talented dt members did with the same kit! If you get a kit please share your stuff. Link me up! I would love to see it.

September Gallery

Do you have your Hall Pass?

Lots of love for this kit. Lots.

Want more? Head over to the Freehand Scraps gallery for more inspiration than you can shake a school book at :)

As always if you have any questions just ask! I never know if people want me to share what the journaling says, the stories behind the layouts, what products were used where...or maybe that's just boring stuff...?

Something not so boring? The super fun mail that was waiting for me today! Yipee! Will share tomorrow!

Gallery + Downtown

Hello August.

The gallery is up at Freehand Scraps. Loads of talent there. So cool to see how 6 people worked with the same products and created such a variety of projects!

"Go Go Go"

*journaling: "you like to say this while racing down the hall."




"Beauty Shop"

*journaling: "You're never too old to want to feel pretty."

"Just Fine"

*journaling: "I sometimes wish I could go back and tell the two of us that we'd be just fine."


"Don't Bug Me. I'm crafting." door hanger for the scrap room of course :)





"Home Sweet Home"

When I showed Rory this he said, "so you put keys on it?
And when I said yes he responded, "I'm afraid I will break it."
So it's back in the craft room :)


If you have any questions about the layouts/projects/techniques just ask. I would be happy to share! Be sure and get your "Happy Go Lucky" kit and be inspired!


Today I had some much needed solo time and headed downtown.
First stop--RVA


A feast for the eyes. Color and inspiration overload. Love it.






Purchased a few little items, including some vinyl stickers. Checked out Elsie's blog and since I had the same retro file holder I did this..



and then this.



Walked around a bit...




*where DID summer go?*

A bit of thrifting...


And finished it off with a healthy lunch.



:)

I didn't have the boys with me so I COULD have gone somewhere besides Mickey D's...and yet I didn't. Hmm...interesting.


So what did you do this weekend?