CHA--More Pics!

I love that when you walk into CHA, the smell of paper just hits you! There are some noticeable absences, but many of my favorites are there so it is okay.

Check out the Graphic 45 booth:



I have a couple of friends on the DT and it was great to see their work in person!

I didn't love Crate online, but in person it sure is pretty!




I fell in love with JilliBean Soup! This stuff is just fabulous!



Lillibee Designs looked so cute too! I really liked both lines!



And, I am always looking for a good boy's line! Kaiser has Rewind and it is awesome!



I also got to meet my good friend, Suzy--and she is that sweet in person!

Sooo many good things at CHA! So much eye candy from the talented team's. I so wanted to see my stuff this year...but...next year. If it kills me! LOL!

How Can You Not?

This is my official slogan for CHA! How can you not have every Pink Paislee collection this release? How can you not love the monsters from Sass? How can you not be a huge fan of Webster's newest lines!?

The show has been quiet, but that is just fine! No fighting over seeing the lovely product! October Afternoon is just adorable! I went over to Cosmo and had the pleasure of meeting Eric and Julie in person! They are really lovely.

I have met lots of online friends like Emily, Paula, Celeste, Lucy, Ronda, Jennifer and many more!

Here are some of my favorite lines!

Pink Paislee Amber Road!


The Christmas line is just genius! I will get pics tomorrow!

October Afternoon showed two new lines!

Farm Fresh:




They are also showing a school line!


Jenni Bowlin is so pretty too!


And I love Sassafras!
Amplify:


Monstrosity


Sigh! Do you see why I say "how can you not?"--so much to choose from! I have more favorites too and will share tomorrow! Having fun at the show and with the girls!

Off to drool over catalogs!

5 Nights, 6 Days

That is how long I will be in hot and sunny Orlando! I just adore CHA--my "other" non-scrappy friends do not get it at all. My chiropractor laughs at me when I tell him where I am going.

But you all understand. The smell of paper, all the pretty eye candy everywhere, online friends and celebrity scrappers...I am just giddy!

Best part, seeing my ScrapStreet girls! I can't wait to have our first cocktail tomorrow night and just laugh!

I am leaving you with a layout using Cosmo Cricket's new release, Earth Love! This stuff is great--fabulous colors! I think I am slightly obsessed with the cloud paper in this line!


As always, the CC papers make me have 1,000 different ideas! Lots to look forward to when I get home--a new issue of ScrapStreet, the awesome August kit from The Nook and a cool guest design gig!

And, seeing the kids again. I will miss them! But I think all the Pink Paislee, CC, Jenni Bowlin, Webster's, OA...will keep me busy!

I have a post planned on Weds. and will share another Earth Love layout! Don't know if I can check in from the show--if I can, then I will bring you photos and reviews!
So keep checking in!

Eeeeeeeek!

A Mix of Stuff

Isn't life all just a mix of stuff? Some happy, some sad, I'm too bored, I'm too busy...I plan to mix it up in just a few days as I fly off to Florida to meet my ScrapStreet girlies! I miss them and can't wait to hang out! It will be weird to be away from the kids for 5 days, but I know they are in good hands with their Nana!

Funny how you can love being a mom but also crave that ME time where you get to wear a cute pair of rolled up jeans and halter top or a totally LC/The Hills-inspired long dress! It will be nice to mix it up!

I got happy mail today, receiving the new lines from Cosmo Cricket! I so love them and wish I had more time to play! I am sure that I will be dreaming up layouts the whole time I am away! Thanks Julie for sending them along!

So speaking of mixing it up, most days and moments I am happy. Yeah, I wake up cranky and get saturated by 7:20 p.m., but mostly I am happy. I do still have my moments though when I remember James and everything that happened with my sister. She is doing well, strong and yet I know she is sad and angry too. I see this look in her eyes and I wonder if it will ever go away.

I don't think it will ever go away for any of us. The other night, I happened to flip through the channels and see a woman giving birth--I felt physically ill and just lost it. I thought of Michelle and how she must relive that moment over and over. When listening to the radio, I am hit with waves of very strong emotion every time I hear the song Halo by Beyonce. I realize it is meant as a love song &, for me, it is too. Just in a different way.

The first time I heard it was when I was driving home from the hospital. I was about 25 minutes into the 40 minute drive and had been awake for 36 hours. I was numb and in the mist of tradegy and raw grief. Then...the song...it struck me! The lyrics. And I cried like a baby for the rest of the drive.

That experience with James changed me in such a powerful way. It knocked down every protective wall I had. When something that bad happens, you have no choice but to be open and exposed. When I got to hold him and experience the peace...I will never forget that face and that moment. Such a tiny soul made such a big change.

So, of course, I scrapped it. Because that is what I do. I downloaded the lyrics and printed them for the background. The journaling reads: Just 9 1/2 lbs. Only 7 days. But you had a profound effect on me. The walls are down forever.


It is healing to put this all on paper. To say "this happened" and here is how I feel about it. To have that good cry as you type out your blog post for the day. So I encourage you to do the same about something painful or scary. If you need more inspiration, visit Rebecca at her new blog Outside the Box! She asked if I wouldn't mind sharing my In Awe layout and I gladly agreed to. There are some other wonderful, real layouts up.

It reminds me that life is full of ups and downs, ranges of emotion.

It reminds me that this is much more than just paper.

Score!

Ahh, sometimes my titles are so darn corny! Sorry...

But I have to say that I love my Scor-it! I didn't know that I couldn't live without it until I got one! LOL!

Here are two projects that appeared in ScrapStreet.com Magazine! First, I used the Scor-it to make the paper flower on this layout. It was so easy. I just cut a long strip of paper and added folds every 1/2 inch or so. Pleat the paper and gather it to make a circle. Put glue where the two ends meet! Viola! I jazzed it up with inking and tulle!



Here is a cute little treat box I made with the Scor-it. Directions for how to make it are found here! It was super simple and is sooo cute! And because I am an overachiever, I made a cupcake complete with a pleated bottom!



In other news, I have been scrapping a little bit. I have a cool guest designer gig coming up in August, which is right around the corner!

It is just flying by isn't it!

The Next Three Days...

...it is supposed to rain. It is pouring right now! But I am okay with it for two reasons. First, we usually rent our cottage during this week, but switched it to August this year---lucky for us! Secondly, I am going to sunny, hot Florida next week and all this rain will only make that sweeter!

Hope all is well with everyone! I am enjoying the pace of the summer, but am getting antsy because I know I have to pack, travel, be away from the kids. Change sometimes sucks for me! LOL!

I have been admiring the new releases and can't wait to see them in person. Right now, Pink Paislee, Webster's Pages and Little Yellow Bicycle are standing out to me. I know we have great things coming from Basic Grey and Jenni Bowlin too!

Here is a quick and simple layout I just made using the July Studio Calico kit! I adore orange on a scrappy page so the papers in the kit are perfect!



Now, I need to find something to do with the kids for the next three days. Any suggestions???

Never Goes Out of Style

What never goes out of style? Being grateful for what you have in life. Remembering the little things.

Oh, and Pink Paislee goodies! I pulled out this Enchanted stuff the other day because I hadn't used it yet! Beautiful stuff! Zarah posted some sketches on her blog for inspiration this week and they sure worked for me! I made two layouts in one day!

Here is the first one. I wanted there to be a little whimsy and dimension so I handcut some of the butterflies and placed them directly on top of the paper ones! I used created the flower by simply cutting circles of decreasing sizes, crumpling and layering!





Journaling reads: I have learned that life is not about how much you own or your status. Life is best lived in the everyday moments, a giggle, a hug, sweet kisses. You've taught me this lesson. Life is about how much you love. I can say that I have a great life...

Here is the second one! I used a rub-on from the Fascinating line to place the words right on my photo! I love the small photo and the larger pieces of paper! Some simple pleating and a butterfly or two and you have it!



Journaling: Remember that life is about the small moments, about finding joy in the everday. Be present & enjoy the journey.

Giggle! I wrote that to my daughter to remember that piece of advice, but I will be looking at it too as a reminder! LOL!

Thanks, Z for the inspiration! You never go out of style either!

Never a Dull Moment

Yup, so I was sitting on my computer typing along after watching the eliminations on So You Think You Can Dance when Boom! All was black. The lights went out after a night of serious thunderstorms. Now I am a bit of a baby when it comes to the dark.

Imagine me as a kid. I used to feel like someone was following me down the stairs so I would always run as fast as I could to the bottom. I would also spend hours not being able to fall asleep because I would see shadows that looked like skulls or wallpaper patterns that reminded me of a million eyes.

So here I am in the pitch black with my two kids upstairs sleeping in their beds and DH out with friends. EEK! Did you know that cellphones make great flashlights? It was all I could find. Come to find out later that all the other ones were in Steve's car from our little camping out trip.

I muddled through and I think I learned that the dark is not so scary. We had a big snuggle fest in our bed because the kids, of course, woke up!

Oh, the joys of this summer! It has allowed me time to experiment with scrapbooking though. I have been playing with white space and simplier designs. Just shaking it up a bit! Here is a recent one:





I can't stop scrapping Fourth of July pics because I caught some great shots and I love Webster's!

Hey, speaking of no dull moments, only 10 more days until CHA! I cannot wait!

Crankers

I am craaaaanky...although I shouldn't be because my jury duty was cancelled for today. And it is sunny out. And I don't have to be at work...

but only 4 hours of sleep. Not enough when you have two loud children!

Nathan woke up way too early because the sun came up and he was upset about it. The kid actually started crying and whining about the sun. I think tomorrow I will put a really dark blanket on our hallway window. Block that sun right out...

I have a layout to share! One of those ones I am not quite sure about, but why not share! I made it and it is going in the album!




I do love this Lemonade line---one of the best BG has made! Cute, yet elegant! I went cute with this one! Journaling: Every time we are outside you pick a flower. With great enthusiasm, you call out to me. You run over and hand me the flower. It is equal to getting a bouquet of roses.

Wish me luck today...I am going to need it!

Dimension and Texture

I love both dimension and texture on my scrapbooking projects! I think it adds so much interest! I really love those scrapbookers that are more like artists, think Lucy Edson and Dina Wakely.

I get dimension and texture by just using paper and choosing my embellishments carefully. Here is a recent card I just made using the July Nook kit which features BasicGrey's Lemonade.



To make this card, I placed one of the doilies onto top of the same colored cardstock! I love the monotone because the focus is on the texture. I handcut the flower design from one of the sheets of paper. Look closely at your patterns, you never know what you will see! To make the stem, simply grab a strip of paper and begin rolling. Then twist and turn to give it moment. Yep, it rips a bit, but that is all a part of it!

Here is another card!



I used a canvas Prima tag fro this one! I actually cut the tag so that it fit on my card! Did I mention that hemp is your friend?

I am going to focus on my card-making skills this year! If you know of any great sites that I can use as a resource, please share with me!!!

Happy Monday!

Family Fun

Weekends in the summer...fun-filled with lots of running around, which we don't mind much since we are also off Monday-Friday! We are heading out to a friend's house later to have a college friends reunion. In the past these parties meant beer, bbq, campfires, and late nights. This time, think kids. We are all bringing tents and camping out in the backyard. I imagine that there will still be bbq, campfires and some beer. I am not a big camping gal so it should be interesting!

Speaking of "All-American" fun, here are two recent layouts. I made these using the amazing July Mini Kit from the Nook--love Webster's Pages and this line does not disappoint. I can't wait to see their summer releases!

With this layout, I actually used a sheet of shaped paper from Making Memories to use as a template. I love doing this--cheap and pretty! I kept it simple with white space, something I am enjoying lately. Journaling: Nathan to Christian, Christian to Ella & vice versa. You are each other's heroes. Great admiration all around.



This layout is all about the photos! Look and see how I edited one of the black and whites. I was so excited that I figured it out! The flags are the only images in color! Lots of cutting here---but isn't that what Webster's are for? Journaling: We have always tried to teach you about the American flag so you can learn respect & know all that it stands for.



Off to pack and get ready for the big weekend. Hope you enjoy yours!

Dang, but...

Dang
darn
boo-hoo

well, it was a cool couple of days knowing that I was in the running there over at Cosmo Cricket. One of the highlights of my scrappy year.

I will pick myself up, remember why I scrap
and will continue to love CC---how about that new team. So inspiring!
And I will be back...

I can't be too sad because I have great news to share!
I am back at The Nook again for another term!
I can't leave that place--EVER (or at least until Leah and Pam say so!)

And the new design team is just amazing. Here they are:
Jen Pohl
Lynn Ghahary
Becky Williams
Susan Lui
Lady Grace Belarmino
Camilla Ekman
Zarah
Lisa Day
Brittny Lejune
Daniela Dobson

Such talent and wonderful girls. I think it is going to be a great term!

Off to lick my wounds...

A Tribute

My post yesterday was about finding inspiration. I have said it a million times and will probably say it a million more, that I also scrap as a form of therapy. Much cheaper than seeing a counselor...LOL!

It has been a month since we lost James. After reflecting on it all, I am ready to scrap it. To record the history, give a face to my feelings and release it. I made this layout as a tribute to my sister's strength and grace.





Journaling reads: I am inspired by you, my younger sister. Michelle, I am amazed by your strength, astonished by your grace, in awe of how well you handled yourself. You giggled when things were funny, grieved openly when you needed to, and made decisions when the time came. You have looked for the purpose, which is helping us all to heal. During trying times, we see a person's true character. I saw...And I am left speechless.

I uploaded this over at Two Peas this morning and when I went back to click on it, I noticed that it is the Featured Layout of the Day. That is a first for me so I am honored and appreciate that it is for such a special layout!

Thanks for letting me share, for letting me heal! And, Michelle, I love you!

PS. Head on over to Cosmo Cricket to see how you can help others in need! Such a worthwhile opportunity!

My Inspiration

Ahh, breathing normally again today and feeling great! Julie posted over at the Cosmo blog about the next round and how she asked us all to answer 20 questions. One of them involves where I find inspiration from.

My answer spoke of finding inspiration in my photos and the stories I want to tell. I am a real-life scrapper, working hard to capture all those little tales and family memories. The "good, bad and ugly" I call it. My paper choices, titles, journaling all come from the spark of the story. And when a particular piece of paper or chipboard element or a rub-on conjures up a story or memory, I run with it. That is my inspiration.

I finished this layout today---these pictures seriously make me laugh out loud. Steve and I were having some family shots taken and he got saturated by it, of course. But I wanted to keep going, of course.

So he gave me that eye-rolling-look he is so good at and I shot him Stacey-face. That "don't mess with me, Mister" look. I remember that part, but what I didn't know until I looked at the photos was that he stuck his tongue out at me. Nice, real nice. So I had to scrap it using Cosmo Cricket, of course! You know what triggered this layout...the cutes spinners from CC. I actually cut one up and, Viola, this design. I thought the sayings were perfect with the feeling of the page! Journaling reads: Love and devotion, yes. Yet there is also bickering and battles. We give the dirty looks, draw our lines and go at it. This is typical. But, there is love and devotion.



One more? I was inspired to tell this cute little story about my son! The journaling shares it: It was Sunday afternoon and we were just hanging out on the couch. You leaned over, looked at me and asked, "Best friends?" After the lump in my throat went away, I replied, "Of course. Best friends." How could I not, you're the best! I mixed a ton of products here and wanted the design to be about the photos and the story!



What else inspires me? My amazingly supportive and wonderful online friends. Thanks for your posts these past couple of months--when I have been sad and when I have felt joy. The love is strong, people! Giggle...

Holy Crow!

Umm, shock...
joy!
shock...
JOY!!!

Did you see?
I am a finalist for CC!
Seriously, this is my go-to company. I want to make something for the magazine or to submit, I go-to Cosmo. I want to have fun and let loose, I go-to Cosmo.

Somebody pinch me
because I feel very honored
and, yes, alittle sick to my stomach (hello---did you see the INCREDIBLE talent on the blog!)...because well, I would love to make it to the next step!

But for now,
Holy Crow!
Thank you Julie, Eric and Lindsay for making a small town girl feel like she can accomplish anything!

EEEEKKK!!
(Insert image of red-headed girl running around her office!)

July Already

I feel like June was such a blur...crazy that it is July. A new month brings a new kit from The Nook! The current design team term is up in just a few days. Time sure does fly when you are having fun. The new team will be announced by July 10th and the suspense is killing me! Always an exciting time as Leah picks such great teams to show off the kits! Speaking of, here are some layouts using the gorgeous July kit. It features BasicGrey's Lemonade, some Prima, Maya Road, a beautiful stamp and beautiful trim! I am really loving Lemonade--such pretty patterns.

This first one is called Long Distance Love Affair. I caught these photos of my daughter with my mom at a recent party. Neither of them knew I was shooting. So what you see is real emotion. I used the new BG doilies on here--these are soo much fun! And I used the large chipboard circle to make a journaling block! The other circle is actually a piece from the negative space. I keep everything when I am scrapping! Journaling reads: Even though Ella doesn't get to see you often, she just adores you. When you call, she lights up. We know she loves to tell Nonnie stories. The bond is strong and the love is pure. Near or far...




The second one is called Two Cute. I think I bought every add-on this month and I highly recommend you check them out. Lots of layering here and I handcut the beehive like paper to make the scallop. Do you see my dog smiling? Cracks us up...




I am off to a family picnic tomorrow and plan to take lots of pictures. I am doing well on my quest to scrap every family member! Can't wait for a burger and some strawberry shortcake.

Monday brings the big Cosmo Cricket decision. I would be lying if I told you that I didn't want this, because I do. I have also seen the amazing work all around the web. It sure has been fun looking and can't imagine having to make those final decisions! No matter what, I heart Cosmo!

Happy 4th of July weekend! Big thanks to all those serving and who have served our country!

That Doesn't Go There

I would like you to notice something. Look carefully at the picture above and examine how Cinderella's head is missing. Imgaine the size of it.

Imagine now hearing your three year old daughter call from the living room and say words you don't think can be true. "Mommy, the Cinderella's head is stuck up my nose!"

Huh, "Why would you do that?" was my first thought. "It can't be real," was my second. But after searching the floor for the small, flexible, plastic head, I realized it was nowhere to be found. Ella is pretty smart (if you are not using this as an example) so I knew she was telling the truth. Off to the medical center.

Yep, I see it, the doctor told me. But he couldn't get it out. Off to the ER.

Yep, I see it, the doctor told me. Three men to hold her down and a long skinny "foreign object" retriever, and it was out.

Nice, real nice. I am glad that it turned out this well. And I hope she learned a lesson.

I also thought that I would post the insides of my little recipe box that is down in my Cosmo Cricket post! I made individual dividers using the elements cards, chipboard, and scraps!








Ahh, let's hope the rest of the day is uneventful.
And that my children keep all toys and other foreign objects out of their small body parts.

They Never Stop

Yep, they never stop. Energy and enthusiasm from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Don't they ever get tired. Everything is a song, chant, riddle or conversation, a loud conversation at that. But I am not complaining because it is something else to be able to stand in the other room and hear them. Pure and sweet. Simple and magical.

The layout above was made using the July Limited Edition kit from The Nook. And I mean limited because it is already gone. Sold out in less than 24 hours. It was a beauty though! Journaling reads: Its like cherries in the summer, apple pie with vanilla ice cream & sweet sugar in a glass of lemonade. Your love is sweet, pure, expected and cherished!

I am fully enjoying summer vacation. The slower pace is very soothing right now. I am just trying to hold onto the lessons I have gained this past month and remember my blessings. I am scrapping again and enjoying it! I even have some ideas for layouts about James. I need to scrap them and will.

Wanted to let you know that there is a new challenge up over at Category Stories. The prompt asks you to explore which fictional character you would be. So this card was born. Yes, I love my husband like Bella loves Edward. Sigh, swoon, gag! LOL!



Go check out this month's edition of ScrapStreet.com Magazine. There were some new girls added to the staff and, wow!, they are fabulous. The magazine looks AMAZING!

Thanks for all your sweet comments about my CC post too! The support really brightened my day!

Have a good one!