Here, There & Everywhere

Somehow in the world of scrapping and blogging I managed to be in two places at once today! But really if you are a busy momma you do that everyday anyway ;)
Over on the Crate Paper blog I have a fun tutorial on using patterned paper to make yo-yos! Really easy with lots of dimension...
I love how this layout turned out about my two different, but precious boys.

You can find the full tutorial HERE.

And on the October Afternoon blog I have the first post of the new design team..and it's a challenge! A "throw a little vintage on it" challenge....you knew I would go there, right? ;)
I had this mini in my head for awhile...just a little documentation of "the little things" that make our house a home...and that someday I will miss. Like legos and toys everywhere ;)  And little bitty toothbrushes...

Be sure and check out the post HERE. A prize is up for grabs :)
Happy Monday!

CHA and playing catch up

CHA is officially over---and all the photos of new goodies waiting to be released has my head spinning--in a good way! :D
I was fortunate to be able to design some projects for October Afternoon's booth at CHA. I don't think it would come as any surprise how much I adore their lines, and from what I gather they have released a few new products as well such as ...
Sprinklers, a spray ink (non-shimmery) mist in 4 basic colors as well as 3 colors that match each of the new lines. If you know me you know I rarely scrap without a bottle of mist, or 10!, ready to splatter on so I am super excited to see how these compare to the mists I already own.
 Miscellany,  like a packet of ephemera (buttons, ribbon, wild cards, chipboard shapes, etc.). I always like the variety of embellies
Four colors of Sticky Keys were released, which sound similar to the Mini Market stickers, but round in shape. I am a sucker for those mini stickers anyway.
And the rubber charms are back! I still have a package hoarded from one of OA's very first releases so I am glad to see these back in action :)

5 & Dime looks to me like a mash up of Thrift Shop and Modern Homemaker. Great for spring layouts, all things vintage-y and pics of Ethel:

Who is Ethel you ask? I have no clue! Ha!! I found some great vintage photos at a flea market and brought them home, knowing someday they would make their way onto a project..and so she did! Rory thought it was so funny that I just randomly scrapped a pic of a person I didn't know (much less that I had named her) and asked what would I do if someone saw it at CHA in California said, "hey--that's my great grandma!" I said, "Well then they should be disappointed that some cruel person in their family in Missouri sold her photo for 50 cents!" :D And I think she looks pretty there and really, she does love her flowers ;)

Another vintage pic I scrapped for the show using Modern Homemaker:

Don't those guys look like they are having fun? I think the honeycomb look will be a new trend (or at least a revisited one) in the scrapping world. These patterned paper hexagons were created using my Slice, rest in peace you crazy machine!!

And then my fav release, Rocket Age:

My boys, Aven in particular, are OBSESSED with space. We talk about it a lot during the day. As a matter of fact at dinner last night we were discussing random factoids about the planets, comets, black holes and dwarf planets. (are we nerds?) Anyway, I had mentioned to some friends I wish that a company would design a space themed line with a vintage spin.

This is totally what I had in my head! I do not say it lightly when I say I think this is my FAVORITE OA line to date. It just really fits my "momma to 2 boys" life right now and I know there will be lots that say it doesn't work for them, but I also just see it having great colors/patterns for summer, particularly 4th of July. I just love how this layout turned out--can't wait to recreate it for my own scrap album :)

I was also able to create a layout for the Crate Paper booth, who hit home runs with FOUR fantastic lines this time, as well as new embellies like ribbon, journaling tags and THE COOLEST BUTTONS EVER, but that project will show up on their blog at some point so I will wait to share until then ;D I will say I was able to scrap some photos I had been saving for sometime and the Toy Box line was the perfect opportunity!! There are still 2 lines of theirs I have yet to play with so I am excited to get those as well :)
And on the May Arts blog the other day I did a little gift bag re-do tutorial using FAB May Arts ribbon and Crate Paper scraps--

you can catch the full tutorial and more pics HERE. Do be sure and check out their blog and facebook page--I believe there is a giveaway going on right now with some fresh off the press ribbon!

Whoosh--busy post! Thanks for sticking with me :)
What a fun crafty time of the year---perfect for when you are snowed in because of a blizzard.
In Missouri.
For real.
Stay warm friends!!

Cherry Blossom

Freehand Scraps May kit is truly delicious.

The papers yummy.

The alphas perfect.

The embellies sweet.

Yep, you're gonna want this kit for sure. How about a chance to win it? Ah.. I have your attention now ;) Head on over here and grab the Freehand Scraps blinkie, put it on your blog and then hop back over and tell Heidi where she can come look! One lucky person will have Cherry Blossom delivered right to your door! Promise if you win you'll share your creations, ok?

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.

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...

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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?

He is...

such the speed racer. And has the face to go with it ;)

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?

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.