How About Christmas?

It seems to be all about the holidays lately on my blog!  LOL...call it a product of the new releases.

I have a new layout to share with you today that was in the Lily Bee booth...I really dig this Christmas Cheer collection...the colors are just good together.  It has an elegant, yet cutesy feel.

I also love these pictures of my son...they are slightly blurry...maybe we should call it dreamy?  But the look on his face is priceless.  It captures his love for his favorite present.

The design was totally inspired by these Santas...they are so cute.  I decided that I wanted to use a whole row of them as a bold statement. 

I then added lots of circles to break up all the rectangles on his layout.  See those numbers along the side?  They are from a stamp with the collection.  Adds a nice touch.  I also stamped the Merry sentiment and the journaling line shown in the photo above. 

I think I dig green backgrounds...they just make everything pop! 

Halloween, Christmas, everyday...it is all in the name of creativity!

Sunday Surprise: Halloween?

I realize it is August, but fall will be here before we know it.  I love fall...pumpkins, decorating the house and Halloween.  I love Halloween for the kid's sake!

and for Webster's Pages new line, Once Upon a Halloween...it is fun and whimsical, elegant and pretty!  I love it!  I was able to create some layouts for the booth and had fun hand cutting some paper as well as the new transparent overlays.

I cut this hexagon paper around the edges and then placed ones with darker print in the middles of a few.  To use the overlay, I cut the top row of dots out and left the spiders.  It was easy to do with an Exacto knife.  I cut a third to place on the bottom of the layout, creating that visual triangle.

I knew I wanted to use the large Perfect Accent, but the trim was an afterthought.  It started out as a banner, but totally reminded me of spider webs.  So I went with it.  Funny how afterthoughts sometimes are exactly what is needed!

Even though I can't wait for Halloween, I am gladly going to enjoy the rest of the summer!

Tag: You're It!

Happy Friday!  We have a fun weekend ahead and I am looking forward to it!  I am getting ready to paint our bedroom, finally.  The last room to be done before the big bathroom renovation.  I am going a warm gray...I love warm colors.  The colors of fall.

So, using the new Autumn Spice collection from Lily Bee was a joy!  There is a hexagon paper in that line that makes me swoon...I used it for a layout I will share this weekend!

Tags:

See that spicy orange and the blue...love!  I did lots of layering with these tags.

To create this one, I used a circle stamp to create the background.  Then I layered some paper and topped it with the "So Blessed" sticker.  I stamped the word Family and hung it from under the button.

I created a pocket using the blue paper here and placed the sentiment inside the pocket.  I stamped the Here and Now.  The "Thanks" sentiment is a sticker from the Autumn Spice collection. 

I had fun making these tags.  I see more tags and cards in my life!

Tuesday Tip: Lily Bee Design Love

What a cool turn of events occured the few days before CHA.  I knew I was working in the Lily Bee booth doing make and takes, but I was super excited when I received an email asking if I would be willing to do a few projects as samples...

Ummm...willing?  I was honored and nervous and pumped!  I love Lily Bee.  But as I said...I was nervous.  So I looked back at my Lily Bee work and realized some of my favorite projects ever uses their products.  And the nerves went away.

So much so that I made cards and tags along with layouts.  First, I enjoyed it and...I think I like what I made!

Kristen sent me the new stamps to use and I incorporated them on every project.

First, this card made using the new Christmas Cheer collection.  LOVE this Christmas line...it is fun and bright.  See that 25?  There is a whole sheet of numerals just like that one!

I used the snowflake stamps (there are two) with my blue distress ink.  Then I topped some off with these silver circles.  I hand cut the 25 from the paper, but this is easily punched with a 1 1/2" circle punch.

I made another card using the Persnickety line...I think this line is my favorite of the three...the navy is great!  I layered 3 index journaling cards on top of a 4X6 base to make this one...easy peasy!

Banners...yum.  Woodgrain...yum!  I incorporate the stamps.  I added the two rows of hearts to the index journaling card.  I also created the "Celebrate" sentiment using a stamp.

I loved working in the booth and meeting Kristen and her family.  Seriously nice and genuine people!  It made me an even bigger Lily Bee fan!  Thanks for the opportunity, Kristen!

I have many more Lily Bee projects to share over the next few days.  I have such a creative spark lately and it feels great!

Happy Tuesday!

At Home: CHA Summer 2012 Loving

Sunday at home feels great tonight!  I can't wait to reorganize my scrap room and then create.  I am especially excited based upon the amazing releases from this CHA.

I have some favorites and trends to share today.

I have to say that hexagons are alive and well this CHA...which is great because I do like them.

Jillibean has this sheet of stickers and I love them along with the Grandma's Soup line:

I loved these adorable Basic Grey banners...seriously, they come already sewn together!  Banners remain a perennial favorite at the show.

Feathers were a hot trend this show...I loved these beauties by Jenni Bowlin Studio!

You all know I am a Pink Paislee fan and this release had me at hello.  I love the Portfolio collection and the new Artisan elements...these are usually so elegant, but this release also pairs these whimsical ones!

The new Lily Bee collections were all so cute...I love the colors and patterns...and the Persnickety line has great woodgrain cards!  I actually got to design some projects for the booth, which is a major honor.  I have always been a fan.  You can see my cards and tags here (and a peek at one of my layouts).  I will share more this week.

I fell in love with Elle's Studio tags...look at these!  More flags and office inspired...

There were my standbys that I always love!  New Crate Paper...Woodgrain again....it is in quite a few collections.

The Bella Blvd. booth is always just fantastic!!!  It blew me away this year!

I found a new crush this year...Glitz...look at these colors!  Swoon!  You can see chevron is alive and well.

And Simple Stories...I loved everything, but this Snap line stole my heart!

So many great things...I have Webster's and Teresa stuff to share later this week!  My Mind's Eye and the new Amy Tan line were fantastic.  So much great stuff! 

So, what do you love this release???

Home Sweet Home to My Everyday Love Story

What an amazing week at CHA...I loved every single second! I had work in the Teresa Collins and Webster's booth as well as Lilly Bee Designs.  It is fun to see your stuff hanging next to all the gorgeous work of others that you admire. I have many pictures to share and stories to tell...coming tomorrow.

But for today, I am home enjoying my family. I was so happy to see Steve and the kids...like I got all teary-eyed happy.

Today I grocery shopped and dusted. I did laundry. I loved my back to reality life...I will always love it because it means that I am home.

I have a fitting layout today...my love story with Steve has afforded me all these blessings. I truly adore this man...respect and love only grow over time.

Because he gets me and I get him. Together, we made beautiful babies.

I used the new Vintage Finds line by Teresa Collins...her collections are just incredible!  This one stole my heart...this brooch...

I would have worn that on the back of my wedding gown if it had existed back then...

And the glitter borders...I don't always do bling, but I couldn't stop using these sparkly beauties!

Off to work out and make dinner...my reality.  My love story.

Monday Musings: Love This Time of the Year

I get to see old friends.  I get to see beautiful product.  I get to see dreams come true.  The first time I walked the CHA floor, I thought I want my stuff to be there some day.  Maybe I even visualized it...

and it has happened.  It is cool to see a wish come true.  Hard work pay off.

Thanks to some special companies!  Teresa Collins being one of them.  I adore her new releases and I know you will too.

I am sharing another Christmas Cottage layout today!  I will be back this week to share more projects.

I went winter with this layout...decided to show how versatile it is.  I love this snowflake paper and wanted to bring out the detail.  So I stitched using Teresa's new twine.  I topped it off with some pearls.

I am into little hanging clusters lately!  They add that uneveness I crave.  Off to get on my plane.

I have friends and dreams to see!

Christmas in July

Right, some folks start making their Christmas cards now?  How about a layout?  I had the honor of creating some samples for the Teresa Collins booth at CHA.  I have to say that I am giddy about this release!  Her new embellishments are sooo good and I love the mix of big and small patterns on the paper.  I had a major mojo jump!

Here is one of the layouts I created!

This layout is 8.5 X 11.  I love this cute shot of my kiddos holding a handmade ornament.  Indoor photos are difficult so I applied an action to help this one out!  I layered a lot of the embellishments like the brad banners, the burlap twine, the buttons, and the chipboard.  Look at the glittery border!  Yummy!

See that green chevron?  Gorgeousness.  And I adore this woodgrain paper!  Such a pretty, classic Christmas collection.  You can find it here!

I am headed to Chicago on Monday, but plan to have posts scheduled!  I will try to post CHA pictures as soon as I can.  If you have a request for a booth, let me know!

See you soon!

Creating, But Can't Share

I made nine layouts in five days and put them all in a box to ship.  I am working on more, but I can't share yet...

My mojo was so pumping these past two weeks.  I love those moments when layout ideas pop into your brain or when you visualize a layout.

I did make this layout in between assignments this week.  It uses Crate Paper Pretty Party...what a cute line!

I layered some frames to make this and used that little flower cluster!  I think that one is from an older collection...I have a ton of Crate and love how it all works together.

I am off to Chicago next week, but will hopefully be posting some layouts.  I will be back with CHA photos!

Can't wait!

For Fun

CHA is upon us and I have been a busy scapper creating projects for the show.  I am using the new Teresa Collins collections and I promise...these collections will blow you away!

I can't waitt to share what I made, but in the meantime, here is a Webster's layout!

I used the In Love collection here!

The new Webster's collections are awesome too...I am a lucky lady!  Be sure to head over to the blog for sneaks!  For this layout, I kept things simple, yet added little special touches.  I adore that heart ribbon and have used it as a banner again.  I can't get enough of it!

This layout is about how Ella already loves to look through bridal magazines and pick out dresses...is it in the genes or something?

She better hold her horses...LOL

Happy Saturday!

Thursday Trending: White Out

A big trend in scrapbooking involves white on white on white layouts.  I like the look.  Sometimes there is a paint splatter or some texture thrown in.  Many folks do it well! 

I have been liking a monochromatic background.  Lots of places for the eye to rest.  On this last layout, I went a bit more white.  I tend to like some color though, so I added in punches of pink and green.

The photo was full of color and I like the contrast!

Love this collection by Teresa Collins...Sweet Afternoon!  It is a beauty.  I combined some Spring Fling with this page to add those punches and keep the eye moving.  I always use a visual triangle.  See the three green elements...they create one and enclose the photo.

I love how the photo plays off the white with white and soft yellow.  Fun trend.

Monday's Musings: It Will Work Itself Out

I have this tendency to want to control things.  Any sign that the tide is turning for the worse and I get worked up.  It causes a bit of an overreaction.

I do it a lot with my kiddos.  They are in swim lessons right now.  They are working hard, but having a difficult time with some concepts.  My first reaction is to want to fix it.  Steve says, "This time next year, they will be swimming."

He is right.  When we sent Nathan to kindergarten, he had zero fine motor skills.  I tried to get him to write and draw, but he wasn't into it.  By May, he had his artwork selected to be in the town-wide art show.  It worked itself out.

I need to trust more in the process.  Let time do what it does best. 

It did and continues to do great things for this boy!  My artistic superstar!

I used Jillibean Soup for this layout!  Love the colors...awesome for boys!!  I love all the little elements Jillibean has to offer!  I just layered and had fun!

I wasn't quite sure about the double lines under the title, but I let it go.  It worked itself out.

It usually does!