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.

Give

This month's kit from Freehand Scraps is just too pretty for words.

So I'll let my layouts do the talking ;)

I must confess, this is not the picture that was suppose to go on this layout. I have only a few photos of me from when I was young, 2 of which are in frilly, girly dresses. Either dress photo would have worked, and yet, and I couldn't find either one :( I thought about using a newborn photo of one of the boys in black and white, but I really wanted a photo with a more vintage feel. So this...is my husband :) Isn't he a cutey?

This layout was just fun. No rhyme or reason. Just playing with paint and paper. I cut the camera shape using my Slice and I loved how the chipboard button fit right in. I knew once I saw those frames I would paint some and "hang" them from thread. Appropriate I thought since I am confessing my love of taking pics with my instant camera.

And what december kit would be complete with out a december layout? This was the pic I used for our Christmas cards last year, and as I have confessed in the past I haven't scrapped a whole lot of holiday photos. In fact, bedsides Aven's birthday photo from last month's gallery, this is the first! I like that it's traditional colors in a bit of a funky way. I added a few buttons, jingle bells and a bit of twine from my stash to complete it. And this years Starbuck's seasonal cup sleeves are exceptionally awesome. I knew there was a reason I saved EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. ;)

Finally a card. I do believe if given the opportunity I could make fabric yo-yos all day long. Instead, I just made one and added the girlfriends looking button to the center.

Don't forget to head to the gallery for more inspiration!

Going "Granny"

Forget going green.

I'm going granny.

*I mean, go green too, ya know :)

"Granny Chic" is becoming increasingly popular...and if filling a room full of crocheted goodies defines that...

{source}

I'm in.

Or would be in if I knew how to crochet. That was one of last years resolutions...hmm...I still have a few months to learn, right?

In any case I pulled off my own look with a scrap page.

Fabulous paper designed by this talented girl.

I used this weeks sketch from Sketchy Thursdays as my jumping point. Lots of white space, spray ink and clusters--yum!

Anyone else digging the granny look?

Happy Fall

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

A time to "Gather"

First off..."AArrRGGgGHhhh Mateys! Me hopes ye had a frightfully fun Halloween, ya scalleywag!"

And now to time to "Gather". This kit knocked my mismatched socks right off! The buzz between designers was it's the most favorite yet and I have to agree. In fact, there *might* be a rumor floating around that I could marry this kit I love it so...*might* ;)

On to the good stuff.

Paxton's first treat: a sucker from Cookie Cutters. He ate every last sticky bite and loved it! --Although my mom claims he has had a sucker before on her watch. I guess that's what Grandma's are for ;)

Loved clustering all the embellies and paper here and as you can tell I am LOVING my new camera--those instant pics are too fun! The smiling alligator was a great touch--he already comes stitched.

I used a piece of Buzz and Bloom chipboard I already had as a mask for the mist and then sewed around it it orange--the color of the sucker :)

Glad to actually get a birthday layout done! Would you believe that I have NEVER scrapped a birthday or holiday before this one? Aven is all about super heros and that was the theme of his party a few weeks ago. The lighting at the party combined with super busy 4 year olds did not lend itself to great pictures, but he loved every minute of it and the few I got were priceless.

I realized after I finished that I didn't really leave room for journaling. Sure there was some white space that could be used or I could have wrote on the edge of the cardstock, but I felt it was busy enough sooo...

behind the clouds it goes! I've never made an "interactive" element to a page but loved doing this. And those SAWEET chipboard and cord clouds?? From Buzz and Bloom, an Australian based company and they are SUPER hard to find here in the States my friend. So if you want a chance at them this is the kit to get!

I used this title on a post awhile back and it's also the theme song on the Noggin channel for the season. I couldn't help but use it here after seeing Aven in the leaves. We have PILES AND PILES of leaves here and although most have fallen by now, a few weeks ago when I would look out leaves would falling so softly so I tried to mimic that with the leaves I cut out using the Slice.

I used the leaves as a mask before attaching and also pop-dotted a few to stand out.

Saw this twig in my craft room (yes, I had a twig in my craft room!) and decided it would be perfect to have the title falling from :)

Such an easy peasy project. Grabbed an old book and ripped off the cover. The clouds were the inspiration to find a quote I loved and wanted to display. I took the negative piece of the chipboard from the Buzz and Bloom clouds to paint with and then added the chipboard and cord clouds on top.

Used some fishing line (also found in my craft room! There could be anything in here I tell you!!) and hand-cut some raindrops to hang from the bottom. I can definitely see myself making these hanging covers for holidays and baby's rooms..all sorts of ideas :)

So there you have it. The SUPER AWESOME November kit from Freehand Scraps! Definitely take time to check out the AHhMAZInG gallery this month! All the designers are so talented and the guest was pure INSPIRATION!

I feel like I'm falling for Fall...

...any of you mommas out there watch Noggin? They have the cutest little jingles each season between cartoons and the one playing lately is "I feel like I'm falling for fall". I have it on constant replay in my head, which isn't such a bad thing because I do adore this season.

And I have a couple fallish layouts to share.

I played along with some prompts at Category Stories. I love how their challenges make you think outside the box and give you inspiration, much like a sketch. And if you are ever stuck on a title for a page, or what to write about, it's a perfect place to start.

'Tis the season for pumpkin spice lattes. And cool instant camera pics--that's always in season :) The prompt here was "pamper me" and as silly as it may sound getting a coffee from Starbucks is a simple way I can feel pampered. Anyone else get that excited feeling driving up to the drive-thru?? Anyone?

Had fun mixing textures on this one and trying to make it feel "cozy". That mug shaped chipboard is from Maya Road mini album.I just took out one page and covered in vintage text.

And if you must know, or don't already, I am a sucker for woodgrain. Woodgrain anything. I combined some woodgrain contact paper and some velvet woodgrain ribbon together. A perfect marriage if you ask me :)

Oh no she didn't scrap about her new orange coat.

Oh yes.

She did.

The prompt here was "As far as I can tell". I can see myself using that as a title sometime again because it's so versatile. I need to say how much I *LOVE* these papers by Amanda Johnson! The papers are a great thickness and perfect for misting on w/o warping. And the patterns...it is seriously hard to cut them up, but I thought they went perfect with the coat ;)

Threw in my Anthro tag and the tissue paper they put in your bag is too awesome to throw away. So of course I stash it and after cutting some scallops stitched it on.

So what are you falling for lately?

A week & new favorite

Has anyone else had a super crazy week? 

Seriously. I feel like I've lived 2 weeks worth...and it's just friday night!

Let's take wednesday as an example:

 Aven is back into his getting up early routine. so rise and shine at 530 a.m.

 wanting breakfast. He will starve and shrivel into nothing if he does not have breakfast this very moment.

 So breakfast for him...while I stand bleary-eyed and waiting for boy #2 to awake....and he does.

 crying. 

and fit throwing as I change the diaper because apparently he enjoys the pee-leaking thru getup he is sporting thank-you-very-much. 

breakfast #2 made. Apparently Aven isn't really that hungry after all and just wants to play. Pax doesn't care for eggs today so they end up on the floor. 

And we are dangerously low on milk because if there is ONE THING my children WILL consume it is milk. 

Decide to add that to the ever-growing grocery list and also decide today is the day I will tackle Wal-Mart with both boys (I do realize my folly in this line of thinking...and yet I continue with my plan to increase the gray hairs on my head). 

By the time everyone is dressed, teeth brushed, kitchen semi clean, eggs off the floor and kids loaded to do that doomed grocery store run it is 930a.m. 

Not bad I think. PLENTY of time. 

Mistake #125394845596045. 

Go to Wal-Mart. Silently, or not so silently whisper this is seriously THE LAST TIME I try to shop for food with 2 children in the car.

 and they are out of small juice boxes. And we need them because the most important thing in the world of 3 year olds is the day they are the snack leader. and that glorious day for Aven was thursday and HE MUST prevail with small juice boxes. Why Wal-Mart? Why must you do this to me? 

Check out and run to store #2. Get the juice boxes and a tall pumpkin spice latte (cheap therapy my friends!) and the boys are being good. 

And it's only 1130 so let's be a nice mommy and go to the park. 

The park really was fun--we were by ourselves and besides the creepiness I got at the thought of all the germs living and multiplying on the steps my youngest has decided to lick, I'm feeling pretty good. 

Time to go. 

Apparently I'm the only one wanting to go.

Finally get the kids loaded and back home. 

Carry in only the cold groceries because both boys are tired and hungry by now. 

Make 2 lunches. 

Get 2 boys down for naps and...freedom! Right?! Umm..not exactly...

Start doing some laundry and realize I haven't made my lunch yet. Do that and hurry and eat because I need to take a shower for the day...let's be honest...for the last 2 days. It's like a mini vacation for me. 

But first I need to run downstairs and respond to some emails. 30 minutes later I remember that I need to finish my bible study for that night's class..appropriately titled "victoriously frazzled!" (HA!!). 

Finish my 2 lessons and remember I need to check the mail because it might rain and I am suppose to get my next Freehand Scraps kit and the mail lady leaves boxes out by the mailbox in the street instead of the last mail lady who would bring them up to the door.

 Wonder what happened to the nice mail lady. 

Check the mail.

 

No kit. Bills-yuck. 

See that the vehicle hatch is still open with 6 more bags of food to carry in.

Unload the groceries and put away.

Remember the laundry I've forgot. 

Wasn't I suppose to be taking a shower? 

Get in the shower and there's Aven awake and asking for bubblegum. 

Start getting ready for church. 

Fix supper and coax boys into eating a little something because we need to hurry and leave and then I hear...a drip.

drip.

drip.

the dishwasher is leaking. 

seriously.........

and then today there was poop on the deck.

And I won't go into how it got there, but suffice to say it was NOT from wildlife.

I KNOW I'm not the only one with crazy days like that...right?!?

I have a new favorite layout to share:

I have always loved this saying! Maybe it's because I've always loved theatre/drama :) But when I got the new Sassafras Lass embellie prize and saw this picture of Paxton--soooo upset and distraught at the complete unfairness of his momma not allowing him to EAT DIRT!!!!!---well, I was inspired to scrap.

And scrap getting messy with ink and paint. And beautiful new products.

And trying a new layout size for me, which I LOVE.

And then I wanted to make a card for the sweet people at Sassafras thanking them for the ultimate box of goodies:

And then I decided to use a Jillibean Soup paper line that wasn't holiday-ish and turn it into a Christmasy card:

And then I got my Freehand Scraps October kit---and WHOA NELLY is it SAAAwEEeEt!

And then I remembered...God is good.

And LIFE is good. 

really, REALLY good.

even with poop on your deck.

And the weekend was...

..fun :)

Hung out with some scrappy friends friday night and saturday. Ate lots, laughed lots, watched Mamma Mia and several political shows..we're a wild bunch, aren't we ;) 

I'm never super productive during social scraps, but managed a few layouts and a card.

Wanna see?

One of my new year's resolutions was to learn how to crochet. I was thinking a blanket, but so far have only managed a layout :) Still liking the result though. Used some new Sassafras Lass goodies on this one--I knew when I saw the fruit felties exactly which layout they would land on.... and the nickname is one of my favorites for Paxton: Tooti Fruits! Have NO IDEA where it came from, but I have always called him that...and Sugar News. No idea where that's from either! The pics have a crazy glare...probably will have to retake. I choose to blame it on the overcast day. -and not my photography skills :)

And this was a neat surprise: I bought these fun patterned papers  by Jillibean Soup and when I saw these pictures while cruising iphoto the colors matched...because you know, it's all about matching the photos with the paper ;) And it's also all about super heros...at least around here anyway!

I had fun with the ink and paint on this one. I was thinking that Robin always said "Holy (something or another) Batman!" so that is where the tile comes from. And I am probably wrong, seeing as if I didn't grow up watching super hero cartoons. It made sense to me anyway!

Also made a card and another layout...which is possible my favorite layout to date. I'll share later this week. Oh the anticipation!! ;)

Should have a copy of this book from the author on it's way to me this week. Super excited to look it all over! Be looking for a review on my blog sometime soon.

How was your weekend?

a delayed "tomorrow"

remember in my last post I was suppose to share some good mail...like the next day? Well, thanks to Mr. (or maybe Mrs.? Ms.?) internet's hiatus from last friday until today, that didn't happen...until now :)

My happy mail was this...

just a box..right? A seemingly ordinary, unpromising box.

Or is it...?

Could it be.....

an awesome box full o' Sassafras scrapping goodness? 

As in EVERY SINGLE new embellishment from their newest CHA releases? Almost too good to even break into...almost ;)

And then this sweet Bo Bunny prize arrived too. The same day!

I started snipping that paper up right away and whipped out an owl shaped halloween card. Because as you might have guessed by now, I do love me some owls :)

Super fun to make! Just drew the outline on some cardboard and paper pieced the hoot together. Stitched her eyes (yes it's a "she"...notice the flower!) and the "Happy Owloween", glittered her stripes, inked her edges and flocked the black Bo Bunny swirls on her wings!

Feeling like a pretty lucky girl lately :)