Framed Layout as Gift

So I said a while back I did a layout for a gift for someone for Christmas. My niece asked me to create a layout for her mother for Christmas of her first grandson Eli. This was so fun!

Here is the finished product:
This is almost exclusively GCD Studios from their line Funhouse. I threw in a few sentiments from October Afternoon, some alphas, and of course his name is THICKERS - American Crafts.

Want a hear a funny - Braden looks at it and his only comment was: That e is supposed to be capital! At least he's learning something while he's at school:) Enjoy your day.

Quick Sympathy Card

Just a quick card for today. This went to one of our teachers at school. Basic but I used a grey background and then some older GCD Studios papers. Love reversible paper because it usually coordinates so well with the opposing side. I did one thing here that I am not normally into - I cut out a "flower" and then layered it (basically matted it) and then for a extra touch used the bezeled jewel brad. (FYI - these cause higher postage cost but in this case it was totally worth it!) So if you're thinking of someone today - tell them! Happy Weekend:)

Penguins & Martha Love:

Crazy title, I know, but it got your attention didn't it? I love how life can be so random - one minute we're engrossed in one thing and the next minute - something totally different. Doesn't mean we aren't focused - it just means we are multi-taskers!

Today I took a picture of a piece of our lives right now (and maybe yours too) Silly Bands! Today, I found a penguin in my washer - yes, that's right, a penguin. He's not black and white, living in the arctic, he's all white living in my child's pockets:) And as I emptied the washer found about 20 more of these jewels - at least they didn't make it to the dryer, that could've been a mess for sure.


Next is my affection for Martha - I have been stalking this border punch for a WHILE after seeing on several blogs (particularly Stephanie Howell) and I just wanted it - so I saved my coupon for 40% off and now it's mine! I've already used it on two projects and have barely had it a week. The other punch was the butterfly. These are everywhere right now on everything and my next goal is to get one a step bigger! Most of this card is GCD Melody Ross stuff and the ribbon is an older LYB.

Thanks for stopping by! Life is a bit busy right now - I substituted at Bozeman on Thursday pm and Friday. It was such an eye-opener and I am so grateful for my children and their health (mentally and physically) and I pray it continues. Apparently I was so engrossed in "teaching" math that I didn't notice the administrator or the speech person as they passed through the room - kinda embarrassing but they were pleased with the work so I might be at that school more than I had anticipated - eeekk!

Next week is Recognition Night for our classes on Wednesday night which is a big event for me since I am responsible for the reception - yikes! It's not a new thing it's just very important to me and I want it to be perfect (I know you ladies can appreciate that) Anyway, hopefully I'll be able to balance it all so it doesn't come crashing down around me?!?

Happy rest of the weekend:)

Fun & Cute Card

So there's this sweet little boy we know who's having a birthday - so we were "just ridin' by" to say Happy Birthday GRANT!

He's turning five so he's still small enough for the trike but I loved the steering wheel and wheels by Tim Holtz. I also used the brown American Crafts ribbon to add just a touch more whimsy without going girly - hope you like it! The main background is GCD Studios.



Moxie Fab is having a card style challenge through Aug. 2 - you can go HERE for more details and to join in. If you gotta make a card anyway, why not?

Happy Saturday :)

Sorry to Keep you Waiting!

And even now I'm not sure this is exactly the post "you" wanted but I'm very O.C.D.about chronollogy that I just couldn't help myself. We just returned late last night from a great vacation in San Diego. By great, I mean, No one killed anyone else and I believe most of the memories for the children will be great ones. I am trying to get go of the fact that my kids will be kids just like everyone elses - they all have their moments - as do we adults! However, 75% of this trip was VERY enjoyable and I will share those pics with you gradually as not to overwhelm you - as you can imagine there are a TON of them!

This however is our "Father's Day/Teresa's B-day" post as well as a little crafty card thrown in.

Since we were going to be out of town on the actual day of Father's Day we celebrated with my family on Teresa's B-day. Honestly, the food was pretty good even if I did cook it myself, and the company wasn't bad either - hee hee!

After dinner and gifts (and desert!) we (actually some of us) went swimming - here are the results:

He won't ever think he's too big to be thrown!


Sorry this is out of order but I messed up and didn't have the know how or the energy to re-do the order. Grandpa liked his card - reading it aloud to everyone is a must.

Abbi and Tori with the water gun. Love how big they are getting and happy to have these memories.

Sweet Taylor!

She looks so grown up here and I love how all you can see are Melissa's hands but she is holding on tight - we all need to hold tight to our Mama's!

Here is a card I made for a young girl I was missing terribly. Used GCD product & the cricut. I think the smaller words are American Crafts rub-ons!

Glad to be back on track (despite the humidity - which I am avoiding today like the plague) and hope you enjoyed these and I'll be back soon with more. Lisa - the Paper Tales one is coming I just haven't quite gotten there yet.

Love you all and thanks for following!

Gotta Start Somewhere Right?

So this isn't how I pictured it in my mind (nor the way the inspiration layout pictured it) but I haven't scrapped in a LONG time and so I had to get started somewhere. Fortunately these aren't my fav. pics and I'm sure Hailey (Cummings) will hate me one day for these (maybe at her wedding - hee hee!) Anyway, gotta start somewhere right?


This paper is all GCD studios. Alpha's are Bo Bunny and American Crafts. All the other embellies are a mix. Enjoy your day!

Slow but Surely ~

we are returning to "normal" around here. YEAH! After an anniversary trip to New Orleans we are refreshed and ready to take it "all" on again. I worked on this layout before I left and was inspired by all the banners that are cropping up (no pun intended) everywhere in the scrapbooking world. So I did my first version. I used GCD Papers, Making Memories embellishments as well as some cardstock. I am SO NOT A FAN of white space - makes me feel like I forgot something. In the end, I like the page and it helped me put a LOT of photos on one page.

I used my Circle Cutter and inside each one I journaled a short comment about the photos. A different way to tell the story in a short version - not my usual style.

Here is a closeup of the "banner" - the MM embellishment was like an elastic/rope type stuff. Very cool and glad I finally got to use it.

Thanks for looking and I'll be back soon to share some other pics of NOLA and other crafty things! Good evening :)