Apollo

My oldest dog, Apollo will be 10 this August. We had to take him to the vet yesterday because he has really started to slow down. We wanted to see if there was anything we could do to make him more comfortable as he got older. As it turns out, he is quite sick. They put his condition at guarded right now without getting into too much detail. We are awaiting some test results that should come back this week and he has another visit scheduled for Friday morning. So, with that being said, I have to suspend my self-imposed layout a day challenge! I am just not in the creative frame of mind right now. Hopefully I can attempt this again sometime very soon! I have so appreciated the warm and kind comments nyou have left on my posts...I read every one! I know I will be back soon with some projects to share, I just can not keep up with the daily schedule! I am trying to spend as much time as I can right now with my old guy!!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

aloha

I put this layout together using another of Shimelle's sketches of the week. I have been loving these the last few weeks!! Let's be honest...I have been loving SKETCHES in general lately!! Going to be getting away from them though!!

I put this layout together to be the first page in our Hawaii vacation album (from our trip 7 years ago). My husband had been chosen to be a member of the Circle of Excellence for his company. The reward was for him and a guest to go to the Big Island for 5 days, completely paid for!! How awesome is that!! We then chose to extend out stay another 3 days and fly over to Oahu. We could have also gone to Maui or Kauai. We chose Oahu because we both wanted to visit Pearl Harbor. We knew this could possible be a once in a lifetime trip, so we knew instantly that's where we wanted to go. I am thankful every day that I had the opportunity to go to Hawaii and to Pearl Harbor!!

The photo above was taken from our balcony from our room at the Hilton Waikola on the Big Island. We were lucky enough to get an ocean view room!! Loved hearing those waves every night...and the room faced west so we got to see the sun set too!

The border up the page was punched using this blossom Martha Stewart punch. Every place there was a blossom, I added an old Prima flower (these flowers came from a Prima jar...that's how old they are). I stamped the title using various ink colors and my Natalee stamp set from Studio Calico (still debating the Noah alphabet, but it seems so close to this one...I will probably break down and get that one soon though). I used my Silhouette for the sun and circles. I love the bright and airy feel of this layout!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Deb

bride & groom

I think I am more on time with today's layout!! Still so sorry about getting yesterday's up SO late in the day!!! I decided that I wanted to play along with the Sketchbook 3 class again for this layout. Really loving that class! I need to spend some time this weekend getting those layouts uploaded to the gallery over at Studio Calico!! I have yet to do that!! Again, I've said it before, why rush into things!!

For this layout I used photos from my sister-in-law's wedding 2 years ago. It's a photo that I took of the bride just after she finished getting ready, and the groom right after he had gotten to the alter. I used silver glitter Thicker's for the words 'bride' and 'groom' and they don't seem to be showing up very well in the photo, but they look great in real live!! Used some older Prima papers and flowers from their e-line. Then I stamped an Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday journaling spot (using Jenni Bowlin for Ranger Chewing Gum ink) and printed my journaling directly from my computer.

I love the big smile on his face in that picture!! I photos that are still waiting to go onto a layout of him as the music starts and he sees her for the first time...boy is his face different in those photos!! I have to say that one of my favorite moments at any wedding is the look on the groom's face the first time he sees his bride (like in the movie 27 Dresses...that's so me)!! While most people are looking at the bride, I usually look at the groom!! It's such a special moment!! You can really see just how much he loves her...EVERY time!! What about you...what do you love about weddings??

Thanks for stopping by!!

Deb

Luau

So I am VERY late with my layout post today!! But better late than never, right!!! This layout was inspired by Suzy Plantamura's layout for Sketchbook 3 (from sketch #4 if you're taking the class...sorry that I can't share it here). I loved how she used the sketch and I thought it would be great with the photos that I had from the Luau my hubby and I went to when we were in Oahu 7 years ago (has it really been that long??).

Thanks for stopping by!!

Deb

family mini book

I've decided it's time to share a mini album. I know, I know...it's not a layout, but I am counting it nonetheless because it is photos out of the box (or off the disc) and putting them with pretty papers and embellishments.

The base of my mini are Papertrey Ink Coasters. As soon as I got my package of coasters I knew I wanted to make a mini!! I knew they would be great for die cutting shapes, but I thought they'd be the perfect size for a project like this!!

I covered the individual coasters with patterned paper from the Paper Doll line by The Girls' Paperie. I trimmed off any excess and around the corners. Then I sanded the edges to make everything nice and smooth. I punched all my binding holes next, with my Bind-It-All. Then I went to town decorating each page and adding photos. I decided to use the professional photos my sister had sent me from time to time as her kids have grown. I wanted to get those pics out of frames, and since they had a family photo taken this past Christmas, I thought that photo would be a great way to end this mini book.

Some un-traditional crafty goodness: Crepe Paper!!

And doily's too!!

Photos by Life Touch and JCPenney Studios.

This is a much better shot of the "junk bow" ala Margie Romney-Aslett. LOVE the junk bows!! You'll be seeing more of thse that's for sure! GREAT way to use up those scraps of ribbon that I just can't toss!!

I love looking at this mini!! I love seeing how quickly my neice and nephew have grown over the years!! They grow so fast!!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

silly girls

Another quick layout post!! I used the third lesson from Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook 3. I have to say that I am loving the sketches and the inspiration from the guest designers!! Such fun!!

I wanted to use some of the American Crafts Confetti line...but for a non-birthday layout! I also used some new Jenni Bowlin and Technique Tuesday stamps.

The letter stickers for the title are from The Girls' Paper new Jubilee line and the date is from Papertrey Ink's Library Ledger stamp set.

This is another older photo...from 2007...when my now 4 year olf neice was only 7 months old...they grow so fast!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

Birthday Boy

Quick layout share today! I finally scrapped the photos from my nephew's second birthday. I used LOTS of American Crafts new Confetti line for this layout. Fun and bright colors...and the B sides are just as great as the A side!! Used a few of those too.

Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

Lawnscaping Challenge #7

This is my second post today because I wanted to share the card I made for the seventh Lawnscaping Challenge!!

The challenge was to make your own patterned paper with STAMPS!!! I thought about using Just My Type...or maybe Critters of the Sea...but finally decided on Sew Lovely!! I grabbed the button from that set, five ink colors (four that just arrived at my doorstep on Friday from 2peas...Jenny Bowlin for Ranger inks), and created this...

It doesn't show very well in the photo, but the beaded circles Spellbinders die-cut is also embossed. I also did some machine stitching around the background paper...that I stamped...all individually...one color at a time!! I used Real Red from Stampin Up! (which looks purple in the photo), and Jenny Bowlin for Ranger's Chewing Gum, Lemon Drop, Seed Packet, and Chicken Feed. I used Neenah Solar White for the stamped pattern paper, and Papertrey Ink's Summer Sunrise and Orange Zest. Then I added a Summer Sunrise button that was tied on with some new to my stash Twinery Baker's Twine. I've got some baker's twine from The Twinery and Divine Twine...love both and both offer great colors!!

I stamped the sentiment on the inside along with the botton and the bow from Sew Lovely. This is the first time I've use the sewing machine stamp from this set...and this is one of the first sets I got last summer...how have I NOT used the sewing machine before??? I will surely be using it again because it's "lovely!!"

Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

Sweet & Silly

I've got another layout to share today. I am a little late in posting, but it's Sunday and I don't do a lot of rushing around on Sunday...just take some time to enjoy everything!! It's usually one of my days off from work...which means it's a lazy day. Went out to breakfast with my hubby, hit the fabric store, and then did some crafting. I will be back in a bit today to share a card I am making for the Lawnscaping challenge, but I wanted to get my layout up!!

I put together another page from my sister-in-law's wedding. This one showcases a pic of her daughter (my neice and God-daughter...funny that both of my neices are my God-daughters!!). I used my super zoom lens (not sure of the mm's right now so that's what I am calling it) for most of the wedding. I really wanted to capture the moments and facial expressions as much as possible. For some of the posed pics, I did switch over to the normal lens which allowed me to capture the dress, etc. Love this photo of my neice though...she's making a face at the other flower girl...and it was just too cute!! I didn't even know how cute it was until I was going through the pics after the wedding!! I used the latest Shimelle sketch for this layout too. Funny story in that I saw her layout on 2peas and LOVED it...then a few days later she's got that up as the inspiration for the sketch!!

I used a lot of Circa 1934 on this layout again...it's going to sit opposit the layout a did lat week so I wanted to make sure they flowed well to my eye. I also used my Labels One die and some Papertrey Ink Coaster Board for my embellishment clusters. Die cut perfectly!!! Love that coaster board!!! I also used some lace that I've had in my stash for a while!! Adhered it with glossy accents (best stuff to hold things like this...they aren't going anywhere)!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Deb

special moments

Happy Weekend!! Do you have any special plans for the weekend?? I wanted to share a quick post today...my layout from yesterday!! I am 8 days in and going strong!! Lots of older Prima flowers on this layout and some papers from last fall I believe. Just went through my stash for this one! Another layout of my sister-in-law's wedding...this is from their first dance. He said something to make her smile big and I am glad I was able to capture that moment!!

Enjoy your Saturday!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Deb



family joy

Happy Friday!!!

I have my second istallment of Sketchbook 3!! I got the sketch in my email box Wednesday and had to play along right away. I decided to use more instax pics and more American Crafts papers. I did add in some Papertrey Ink banners too on this one, and a journaling spot that I stamped with a new Hero Arts/Basic Grey background stamp...

I must say, as I am almost finished with my first week of the self-imposed layout a day challenge, that I am super excited that I am finally getting photos into albums. Most of the photos I have scrapped are from recent events , but I am planning to dig into my stack of older photos to finally get them into albums. Look for much older photos coming soon!!

Have a great Friday and Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

happy faces

It's Thursday which means the weekend is almost here!! So excited about that!! The layout I am sharing today I did for Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook 3 class. This is the first sketch that I received on Monday! I love this sketch and the versatility of it! I wish I could share it, but it's only available to those who signed up for the online class!! SORRY!!!

I can tell you that I did not follow the sketch exactly...instead I took a few liberties.

Lots of American Crafts on this layout: Thickers, Dear Lizzy Spring Collection pattern papers, Letterbox Collection pattern papers, Love Collection pattern papers, City Park Mixed Tape (the pink dots on the left side border strip) and Dear Lizzy Spring stamps. The punches are by Martha Stewart and Stampin' Up.

And can I just say that I LOVE my little Instax camera!! The pictures aren't the best quality that's for sure...but they are so fun and such a fun addition to my albums!!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

Godmother

I bet you thought I might have missed a day of my layout challenge since I am late in posting it. Nope I didn't...just had the day off work and decided to catch up on some sleep!! While I am not always the most thrilled with my job, I do enjoy having a weekday off. It gives me time to do my thing, and my hubby time to do his thing on the weekend day that he's off and I'm working...then we have our one day off together. It actually makes for a nice balance with us!!

Anyway, on to my layout today. It's another photo from my niece's baptism back in 2007 and another Shimelle sketch. This is a photo of my new God-daughter, me, my sister, and our Godmother! This is one of those photos I new I wanted to have taken when my sister asked my husband and I to be her first child's Godparents!! And, I used LOTs of Girls' Paperie on this...mainly because it will sit opposit my layout yesterday in my album, and I wanted them to flow nicely...plus I LOVE these papers!! I don't have much left...I will use every. last. scrap. until it's all gone!!

I LOVE those rosettes!! The top one is hand scored and pleated, while the one on the bottom right was made from the Tim Holtz die. I added some cotton candy stickles to the Tim Holtz rosette...just added that extra touch!! 

Can't wait to share my layout tomorrow!! I am going to use one of the sketches from Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook 3 class!! I just need to go put it together!!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

all smiles

It's Tuesday and I have another layout share!! I have been completely inspired by the sketches over at Shimelle's blog lately and this layout was inspired by this sketch!! I used lots of Girls' Paperie on this layout and chose photos of my niece's baptism back in 2007.

My husband and I were honored to have been asked to be her God Parents!! She's such a cutie and was so well behaved that day...not a peep! In fact, she actually fell asleep in my arms during the last half of the service (they did the baptism's first...which she was awake for).

Quick post today, but I will be back tomorrow with another layout!! Got my first PDF for Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook 3 class today and I can't wait to put my layout together based on that!! Such a fun class already, I can't believe I missed the first two!!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

Stand Beside Me

Hello Monday! I am not the biggest fan of Monday's because it means that it's the start of a new work week. But with Monday comes another layout!! I am happy that I am able to be successful with this challenge...but it is only the fourth day of the month (and my third layout post since I am a day behind). Check back with me around the 20th to see if I am still successful with this self-imposed challenge...by then it's entirely possible that I may have fallen behind. But for now I am optimistic!!

On to today's layout! This all started when I decided that I really wanted to use my Malted Milk ink pad by Jenny Bowlin for Ranger. I wasn't even sure what photo(s) I would use or the rest of the spupplies, I just new I wanted to use that ink pad!! And, as it would turn out, it would only make a small appearance on the completed page!! Oh well, but it gave me my start!!

I also knew that I wanted to use Shimelle's latest sketch!! Every Wednesday, Shimelle posts a new sketch on her blog. I have only just checked them out and checked out her picks from the previous week...but I've never played along. That is, until now!! I loved this sketch and I knew I wanted to create with it.

So I was set!! I had my sketch and my muse (the ink pad)...so off I went into my stash to find the perfect papers and embellishments...oh and the photo too!! I found myself drawn to Cosmo Cricket's Circa 1934...which has a nice creamy base and a great vintage feel!! It went perfectly with the ink and the photo that I chose (from my sister-in-law's wedding two years ago).

There are actually only a few items on this layout that are not Cosmo Cricket!! The date lable stamp is from My Mind's Eye, the date stamp is from the office supply store, the doily directly above the photo (a closer look at the photo above) is a stamp set from Papertrey Ink...and in the center of that stamped doily you will see my Malted Milk ink!!! And the letter stickers are from Doodlebug.

Love this layout...love this collection of papers (how have I not used it yet)...love this photo (taken at the wedding as the new happy couple walked to the head table...I love the non-traditional wedding photos as much as traditional ones, so I took a bunch of both!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Deb

Snapshots

Happy Sunday!!

I have another layout to share today...and these are photos I have already scrapped before (you can see that layout here)!! I didn't realize that until this layout was almost complete...but that's how much I love these photos!! They are cropped slightly different for this layout too. And it's all good...I will separate them a little in the album so it won't be too obvious that they are the same.

I used some yellow baker's twine on the left side of the layout (from Divine Twine) and hand stitched the banner (made from Papertrey Ink Banner Builder dies) in the upper right corner with regular white embroidery floss. The journaling is on two pieces of Neenah Solar white, die cut using the Papertrey Ink using the spiral notebook page die, then stamped using images from Papertrey Ink's It's Official stamp set. I then just typed my journaling on the computer and printed it out (which is NOT as easy as you would thing)!! I used a Silhouette image for my title. All on some older My Mind's Eye patterned paper.

This layout would fit into two classes over at 2 peas (the latest 4x6 photo love and the latest scrapbook stamping), but I didn't intend for it to...happy accident!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Deb