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! :)

Speaking of vacations...

...how about a staycation?

With a 2 year old and a 4 year old we are all about the staycations. Here is Aven last year at our subdivision pool. Lots more trips there planned this summer.

I didn't even have to pose him for that picture. Pure relaxation indeed.

Love those wrinkly toes :)

What do you do for a staycation?

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 :)

The mini

Remember the mini album I sneaked a few posts ago? Here she is:

I love looking thru old treasures. I attribute that to my mom and mema, the queens of junking. I can remember my friend Katie and I dumpster diving for treasures when a thrift store on the square, St. Claire's Closet, went out of business and they threw what was left in a back alley dumpster. That was in middle school.

And the thrill of the hunt continues to this day.

I use to really be into more primitive-style antiques. But my taste is slowly becoming more modern, by about 100 years. ;) Mid century modern seems to be super popular and I must be jumping on that bandwagon because the style seems to really suit me at this point in my life.

I just thought how interesting it would be to take pictures around the house of the vintage look I am liking, because who knows...in 10, 20 years I might be into a whole different style.

This Maya Road canvas album is great--I tea stained all the pages and misted a few as well. The size was perfect for some instax pictures I took of my finds.

The paper and embellishments throughout are from The Girls' Paperie, mainly Paper Girl with some On Holiday thrown in for good measure. Both lines of alphas, buttons, brads, die cuts...just perfect.

If you have had a chance to play with these lines you know the vintage feel to them...totally went along with this album and treat to play with.

Looking forward to CHA Chicago this summer to see the new lines Margie will be debuting...and how the booth will be decorated. I kid you not, I could have lived in the booth from this past winter's show! SO CUTE!

So there you have it. A little tribute to my vintage style and findings! If you have any questions I will be happy to answer them :)

Have a beautiful day...I think we might be heading to the doctor. Paxton is sounding a bit croupy ;(

*Back from the doctor, and yep croup. And ANOTHER ear infection! Poor little dudey. Can't wait until June 7th for his ear tube surgery. Praying that will help do the trick.