Celebrating her 5 Years

Ella was able to reach a dance milestone this year, the five year mark.  That meant she could receive a trophy at her dance recital and she was very excited!  I love recital time and all the fun costumes.  I have to say that this year's costume was my favorite!  So classic and charming...

 

I had to make a page that showed off the cuteness by using paper and elements that were just as cute!  I went with the Something Wonderful collection by Teresa Collins.  I love how there are reds, whites and blacks just like her outfit. 

 

I created a banner all along the top portion, starting with the yellow paper strip.  Then I put the Love circle, scalloped border and created a banner.  I still love banners!

 

I built my title using the chipboard numeral 5 and the tiny alphabets.  I love how Teresa's collections have such great embellishments.

 

It was a special day so a colorful, fun layout was in order!

 

 

Playing with Straws

I love party straws!  I like to put them in mason jars during all sorts of events.  They are festive and pretty.  Unfortunately, when you use them, the straws tend to get soggy.  Doesn't stop me from trying!

I used straws in a different way on a recent page.  I used Webster's Pages to create a fun and funky layout!

 

I went with this silly photo of my kids, nieces and nephews.  I decided to add seven pieces of straws for each person.  I used different patterns and colors to represent the differences between each of them. 

 

 

It gives the page some cool dimension and uniqueness!

 

 

Love Nathan and Ella in this shot!  Sums them up perfectly!  I sued Allison Kreft goodies on this page!

 

 

 

Inside the Art: Living With Grace

The first few days of summer, I read the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  It is about celebrating life, feeling gratitude at all times, even in the face of challenges.  It is beautifully written in a way to move you closer to God and how so many of the scriptures apply to life and your actions.  It was well timed for me to read it. 

 

Since I have been trying to practice living in the moment, I have started a gratitude journal again after a 12 year break.  It is grounding me again.

 

Enter in the July kit from Scrapbooking From the Inside Out.  The theme is Perspective.  Ah, how perfect!  Feeling grateful and being fully in the present requires the right perspective.  I was very excited.  My first layout celebrates how blessed I am. 

 

 

I used these lovely papers to create this page, building lots of words along the side of the page.  These two creatures and Steve mean the world to me.  I need to live fully in the moment so I can be the best mommy I can. 

 

A little note to myself about keeping this as my frame of reference.  It is a reminder to be grateful during good times and when there is adversity.