Monday's Musings: Distance Stinks

I wish there was more time in each day.  Time to reach out to those who live near and those who live far.

I spent time with my family last April, quality time that was amazing and priceless.  We had the chance to meet each other's children and the time to just hang out.

Distance makes that impossible on a regular basis.  Life makes is difficult to connect outside of Facebook.  I think about all of my family members, mother's side and father's side, on a daily basis.  But that contact is hard to find.

So when I have a chance to scrap these photos, it makes me heart smile.  I love that we had this time.  I adore the photos that I never thought I would have.

 

Seven gals, all different ages.  Sisters, daughters.  It is a great picture!  Now everyone is six months older.  The girls are changing each day.  The women are marching through life, moving forwards as moms and wives. 

 

Life really is sweet.

 

It would be even sweeter with a little more time and a little less distance.

 

 

Giving It Some Direction

Happy Thursday...one more day and the weekend is here!  That means time to run errands and maybe squeeze in a quick Marshall's run.  My kids have to accompany me sometimes.  It is just the way it is.  Whenever we are out and about, they want to ride in the cart.

 

Still.  Nine years old...wanting the cart.  Most times I refuse.  Sometimes I want them to remain happy so I can browse the clearance rack at Target.  So, I let them climb into the back of the cart.

 

On this day, I was shopping for renovation items.   I was on a deadline so Nathan needed to come with me and like it! 

 

 

I decided to give this layout I bit more direction than the simple center-block design.  I wanted to take those triangles right off the block in the form of arrows.  With some quick cutwork, I was able to create three arrows.  I pointed them to my title, which is composed of different fonts.

 

I decided to journal right on the tag so I can keep the textured side of the cardstock.  It was a fun layout to make.  A little adventurous thinking brings my page in a new direction.

 

I used Lily Bee to create this page.  I have my hands on some of the new releases and it is stunning!  I can't wait to make something!

 

 

Tuesday Tip: Tell The Truth

It is funny, this scrapping and blogging thing.  You can present all the best parts of yourself and the most positive parts of life.  But the real world is not all bubbles and joy.  There are bad days.  You make bad parenting moves.  I think it is important to document those internal battles you have.

 

I scrapped this page to document how hard I can be on my son.  He is a great kid.  He has his things.  I have always been critical when looking at him.  I don't know why.  Is it my need to have successful children so that I can be successful?  It is my need to control life?  Whatever the reason, it has very little to do with him. 

 

So I told him.  I told him on this page that I know I am hard on him.  That I have high expectations that sometimes block him in. 

 

 

I let him know that I love him.  He knows this anyway.  But I wanted to say it again, using a nickname I have called him a million times.

 

There are so many reasons to love him.  And that is the truth.

 

 



At Home: EntryWay Update!

After taking care of some big renovation projects, I decided to tackle a smaller area this summer and fall.  Our entryway!  It needed some freshening!

It involved this:

A beautiful shade of yellow, inspired by Young House Love.  It is bright and vibrant and just glows!

 

It covered up my black front door.  Here are some before shots:

Before:

 

Before, the door was painted black.  Our stair railing was a light oak and the stairs were painted with a tan color.  The old runner had loads of use with the previous owner so it was in rough shape.

 

 

I had my gallery wall and my entryway table, plus the new tile on the floor.  But the runner was old with a floral pattern.  It was very pretty, but I wanted a new look! Here is what it looks like now.

After:

 

The door adds so much life to the space!  It looks fantastic from the outside too!  I painted that little table with the lamp a turquoise blue to accent the black and yellow.  It adds a punch of color!

 

I added a geometric print to the stairs, black and white diamonds.  It was inspired from Pinterest, of course.  All of the ones I saw on Pinterest involved outdoor carpet, but I wanted something more lasting and sturdy!  I found this beauty and was hooked.  The space looks cleaner now!

 

I painted the old oak railing black to give it a more modern feel.  It really changed the space immediately!

 

Here is a close up of the stair runner.  It looks bold and graphic and welcoming!  I love when a space comes together!

 

 

 



Have A Lot To Say: Layer It!

I love how paper collections come with so many journaling cards, stickers and die-cuts with words.  Those elements typically get the creative thoughts moving, and inspire me to go in a specific direction with a page. 

 

Take this page!  I wanted the neutral base to pop off the woodgrain paper.  But then I needed other color.  I was drawn to so many of the typography elements so I decided to just use them all!

 

 

I layered the majority of my stickers and die-cuts from the Family Traditions collection by Adrienne Looman and Webster's Pages at the top of my page.  It balances out the woodgrain and compliments the white space on the bottom.

 

Not sure how to edit down?  Just use it all in smaller pieces, layered!  It will give you a good result!

 



 

 

Blog Hopping: CardMaker Magazine & Webster's Pages

Hello!  Welcome to the CardMaker & Webster's Pages blog hop!  Today, we are showcasing the beautiful Family Traditions collection.  Each designer on the hop will share a project and a chance for you to win the collection!  You should have come from my talented friend, Jamie Harder's blog.

I am sharing a card that I made using the Family Traditions papers, stickers, ribbon and twine.

I love this collection because there are so many great elements to choose from.  I handcut several elements like the hexagons and the banner.  Cutting the banner allowed me to place foam squares underneath to add some dimension!

 

I used my circle punch to punch out the Sweet tag.  I layered the sticker on top of the ribbon to add more typography.

You can win this amazing collection!  Simply leave a comment on each blog post to be eligible to win. 

 

Head over to Michelle Woerner's blog for some more inspiration!  Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Craving Pajama Sunday

I am craving it.  Time to just sit.  Preferably in my pajamas in front of the fire.  Coffee in one hand.  Laptop in the other.  Pinning, reading, relaxing.  Long weekend, here I come!

I shot this photo of Ella on one such Sunday morning.  She was in her pjs, just enjoying the free time.  It is a phone photo, like many photos are these days.

 

I mix Kraft and burlap here to create a tonal effect on the top of the page.  I then layered several different patterns and bold colors.  I kept the bottom very neutral with lots of white space. 

 Of course, each page needs to have the story.  I wanted to record this ritual.  This Sunday morning simple pleasure.

 

 

Only a few days away...

 

 



Monday's Musings: He is 1/4 of my happy

Nine years ago I met an amazing human being.  He was screeching and crying like crazy.  Until the moment they put him in my arms.  Then it was silence.  I was his comfort.  I looked at Steve and said, "He knows me."  That was my very first Mom experience.  It was powerful and it still brings tears to my eyes.

 

Nathan is nine today.  In another nine years, he will be leaving my house...hopefully heading off to college.  This has gone by so fast.  I can't imagine the next nine.

 



This kid is a huge part of my happy.  He is sincere and pure and loving.  When I am having a bad day, I just look in his face.  He expects more.  He accepts unconditionally, but he expects a loving place.  It moves me.

 

He told us that he birthday marks the beginning of Memory Season for him.  I asked him what he meant and he told us that he loves this time of year through the holidays because he gets to spend so much time with family.

Heart melting...

like his smile...

 

I am a lucky mom.  I cherish this happy.  I cherish this boy.

 

 

Happy Collection by Teresa Collins

I have a beautiful collection to share today....brand new release from Teresa Collins.  This one has awesome taupes, oranges, pinks and black!  I love it!

It really is happy!  I have a project done and I can't wait to share!  You will adore this line!

October Means Fall!

October means the month of leaves, pumpkins, Halloween costumes and scarecrows!  I love fall.  The majority of photos I have are from this season!  I am kicking off the month with a fall inspired layout!

 

I used the Family Traditions collection by Adrienne Looman for Webster's Pages!  This line is great for fall.  I love the little critters that are scattered throughout!

 

 

I put this collection up against Kraft as it is warm like fall.  I so love the buttons in the Webster's collections this release!

I used several paperclips on this page.  I love arrows and wanted them to point right to the photo.  I love to use hard object like metals with other elements like the stickers.

I am ready for sweaters and boots and beef stew and fall family fun!