It's Just Paper

Monday's Musings: Daddy's Girl?

2012-01-30T20:33:00.001-05:00

I always hear the phrases, "momma's boy" and "daddy's girl." While we are an equal opportunity family, it has been the opposite for us! Seriously, Nathan idolizes his father and they are two peas in a pod. He says that he loves us both the same (and I believe that), but I know he has a thing for his dad. And Ella, well...she has been all about me. She lives and breathes for my attention.

Except recently, I see her wanting daddy to tuck her in. I love to watch the dynamic. It is not threatening to me...I know our children adore us and we feel the same. It is just interesting. Will there be moments or phases in time when they switch between favoring one of us? or will they come to us and love us for different reasons?

Do you see trends in your house...do you believe in momm's boy and daddy's girl? I am curious. I just enjoy slowing down enough some days to observe the relationships.

So here is to Ella knowing that Steve is her first love...the man who sets the bar for all others!

He is her number fan....

I used Webster's Pages new Game On line for this...I line the colors in this collection...so much more than just a sport's line!

I adore these photos of the two of them. As much as I adore all of thenm Nathan, Steven and Ella. When I take the time to sit back and watch, I see so many moments...

mostly I see love...unfavored, unconditional love!

Behind the Page: Telling Your Story

2012-01-27T19:49:00.001-05:00

Do you take the time to tell your story? Do you scrap your fears, your accomplishments, your celebrations? Doing so would be like giving yourself a pat on the back or much needed forgiveness. Your story is as important as your daughter's, son's, husband's and friends'.

I took some time recently to tell a story. I didn't use too many words, but the ones I did are important to me. I am proud of what I have accomplished this past year. I set some goals and I really stuck to them. I dug in and shifted my life. If I can have the will power and self-belief to have worked on myself, then I can overcome anything. I can become a more even person. Can keep my patience more. Can let go of a past that sometimes stands in the way of a future or blocks my ability to live in the present.

Wait...this sounds like a Monday's Musing. It is all mixing together these days! I am sharing a page today...a page that has just the right amount of product, heart and sentiment. A page that was inspired by the goodies I was working with...it evolved because of that!

I love a good theme page and this one is no exception. This is a new line by Teresa Collins called Everyday Moments...a new direction for her! I am in love and plan to scrap with it often. I love the sentiments, the die cut messages and the beautiful color palatte. The calendar paper led me to think about the past year. The year where I started out age 40 and decided to make some changes.

I love the typewriter and the crown. I love this quote so much! That button and the little touch of bling!

These cute little letter stickers fit perfectly into the date boxes. I love how they add a touch of pop! I have used these pictures before, but don't let that be a barrier.

I wanted to keep the page simple so the story could be told. Just a few embellishments can add a ton! It helped me to tell my story.

It is a story worth telling....isn't yours?

Get Your Game On

2012-01-25T21:16:00.002-05:00

Happy Wednesday...does anyone else think this week is moving slowly? We have a busy weekend coming up and I am longing for quiet time. Actually, I am longing for a cleaning lady. I need a major overhaul right now. I have three large boxes full of scrappy things in my office...bits and pieces everywhere. It has gotten so bad, I just want to pretend it isn't there!

Ain't going to work!

It is time to share a new layout using a new collection from Webster's Pages. Brandin has designed a playful, yet elegant....masculine, yet usable line called Game On. I have to say that the traditional pages have me just as excited as the Clean & Simple ones! I had the chance to play...this line is going to get a lot of use...board games, play dates, girl's night out, sports, cards...love it!

Here is what I made:

I took these photos this past summer...I love seeing Steve and Nathan interact. They really idolize each other! The picture on the left makes me heart melt...Steve's hand on Nathan's...precious. I kept this page simple. I love the striking navy background...one of the solids in this collection!

To add some movement, I cut the hexagons in a random way and used it as a bottom border. This hexagon pattern makes me swoon! Brandin created a whole sheet of playing cards which could be used as a background or can be cut into smaller cards! And the new accents like the silhouette are great!

And there is a whole sheet of these tickets! They have all sorts of words...who needs an alphabet when you can make a title from these! That border along the top is made of new trim!

I am off...a few more deadlines to meet. Then I may take a week long scrappy break! Anyone want to come over and help me clean?

Monday's Musing: Be My Guest

2012-01-23T19:23:00.000-05:00

I am always so excited and quite humbled when I am asked to be a guest designer. I received an email a few months back inquiring if I would guest design for a challenge site called Colorful Creations. The site is cool...different, inspiring sketches, a wonderful community! I quickly said "of course" and was sent an awesom sketch.

Here is my interpretation! I turned the sketch and wow, did this come together quickly! I love the little groupings it helped me to produce! Please stop over to Colorful Creations, say hi and play along with the challenge!!

Again, I am honored to have been asked! Nice to be guested!

Happy Monday!

At Home: It Snowed

2012-01-22T22:01:00.002-05:00

Okay, I will be honest...I don't have home decor photos. No, that would mean that my house would be clean enough to show home decor photos. It isn't. That is the reality of the situation!

But, I do have pictures from my house today...pictures of two happy kids playing in the snow. Funny, my kids don't beg me to go outside often. But...let it snow and they want to go out every other minute. They stay out until their fingers are red and frozen.

Here is what my Sunday looked like!

Looks fun, huh!

Snowy Day...

2012-01-21T09:08:00.003-05:00

It is our first real snow of the winter. We won't talk about our October snowstorm because it still makes me cringe! I am sitting here typing and the snow is coming down outside of my window.

How perfect that I am sharing a spring layout...LOL!

This showcases one of the Teresa Collins winter collections, Spring Fling. This collection is a bit of a departure from her...a new approach on her style. It is bright and whimsical and...cute! Teresa has added some smaller die-cut sheets, which are awesome because they are a few styles. She has circles featured in some of the sheets so I went with that theme!

Circles = bubbles = spring! I have had these pictures forever and think they are adorable!

See that chipboard butterfly! I love it! I have a thing for Teresa's chipboard! To see the other collections and all of Spring Fling, stop by Teresa's website!

Ahh, that is better...alittle spring cheer on a winter's day!

Thursday Trending: Sneaky Peeky

2012-01-19T17:17:00.002-05:00

CHA! CHA! CHA! I am seeing favorites already...noticing trends I will come to adore!

I am so loving all of the sneaks! Including these beautiful new lines by Webster's Pages!

Palm Beach...look at the chevron and those vintage suits! That yellow!

Game On, which is on its way to me as we speak!

Oh, all the ways I love Webster's...the traditional and Clean & Simple pages! There is now something for everyone!

I have a layout to share using the recently released Sunday Picnic! I made 8 layouts in one week with this collection...it is that addicting!

This one is special because it showcases a really cool connection. One of my dearest friends, Jenn, has been in my life since I was 23. She saw me through my very first day and year of teaching, she did a reading at my first wedding, held my hand during my divorce, put up with me as I went through a wild phase, helped me mend another broken heart, saw me find the love of my life, has been an inspiration to me with parenting and now sees me in a blessed life. And our girls are just about the same age. They don't see each other often enough...but when they do, they get along great! I caught these pictures and I love it because it is a little Stacey and a little Jenn!

I made this layout girlie and soft! I love to combine the calm and linear patterns of Clean & Simple with the traditional Websters...notice the hand cut floral along the bottom! And that bird...swoon! This page means a ton....makes me happy!

Just as happy as CHA time....favorite releases include WP, Teresa, Crate (hello, love!!!), Bella, MME and Jillibean! What lines have you chanting!!???

CHA Release Time!

2012-01-17T09:24:00.000-05:00

ah...my favorite time of the year! I love the buzz in the air around CHA time...everyone all inspired by new collections, new teams and a new start at creativity!

I am liking what I see so far...yummy new Bella Blvd including buttons, loving the new Crate sneaks, the Webster's stuff is AWESOME! and the new Teresa Collins has me so happy!

I adore the Everyday Moments collection...it stole my heart!

See the navy and yellow and all those words...birds, typewriters...I love it!

And this is my second favorite, Fabrications Canvas! It has such a fresh and fun color palatte! Reminds of of summer days and tropical paradise!

I made this layout using the line:

That purple...it is awesome! I love the addidtion of the solid sheets in this collection! I am always craving that neutral background to build upon!

So what are you loving this release...let me know so I can buzz right with you!

Monday's Musings: Pinch Me

2012-01-16T09:07:00.001-05:00

Pinch me!!! really...I get to be a part of the Webster's Pages team for another year!

When this past term was ending, I literally felt sick. Not one fiber of me wanted to leave! What a relief to get an email from Brandin inviting me back! I am so lucky to have found teams that have become family! Teammates I call sisters and friends...I can say that about all of my current teams.

The new ladies are some of my favorites in this industry! I am in awe, a little scared...LOL! and just plain excited to grow and learn alongside them! My former teammates...I love these girls...our constant emails and chatting can go on!

Welcome:

To see the announcement, go to the blog! And be sure to visit daily over the next couple of weeks as we debut all the new collections...AMAZING is all I have to say. The new Clean & Simple lines...you don't want to miss any of it!

Thank you Brandin from the bottom of my heart!

I can't give a funny title because I am not sure what day it is

2012-01-14T07:50:00.000-05:00

Can you tell CHA is here? LOL! Busy, busy scrapping...wonderful, beautiful product. I can't wait to share...

I do have a layout I can post...it reminds me of summer days. Steven and I were talking last night about how dark it is at 5:00. It is a bit depressing...I know it will be spring before we know it with summer to follow.

In the meantime, I am scrapping it!

This was up over at the Webster's Pages blog last week! It showcases the new Sunday Picnic line...isn't the Clean & Simple divine? The solids are great! I still want interest so I added several circles. I have an easy tutorial for how to recreate the blocked circles here.

This one shows the new bling in this collection!

And a close up of my circles! I adore the new mini princess petals. I am sometimes not a flower girl...these little stunners will change that! It gives that touch without overwhelming!

Off to snuggle up with a hot cup of coffee...it is freezing outside!

Tuesday's Tip

2012-01-10T20:54:00.001-05:00

Happy Tuesday! I am here to share a new layout today. I will admit that I struggled with this one. I love the Head over Heels line by Lilybee, but couldn't quite settle on the elements of this layout. Maybe I have been scrapping too much and my mojo is compromised. It happens sometimes...we push paper. Sometimes the end result comes out better than you expect. And those that don't...you don't share! LOL!

My first dilemna involved the background paper for this. The line has amazingly beautiful small patterns that are easy to use as background. Yet, I couldn't settle on one. I wanted the music paper and the index card to stand out! So after trying this and that, I settled on white cardstock.

Next, I had a 5 X 3" photo on the layout. I had the exact design as this one, but it didn't feel right. So I went smaller with the photograph. It just seemed better!

So this was one where I sat on it. Worked a bit and put it aside. Looked from afar. Tried different options. Some take time to brew. Here is what the layout looks like, finally...

I used the January kit from My Scrapbook Nook to make this! We are hosting a 5 week long crop...awesome challenges, do-able time table and cool prizes. You should play along!

Maybe that will stop you from pushing paper around!

At Home: What's Happening

2012-01-08T09:15:00.002-05:00

Happy Sunday! I have to start taking some photos of my other spaces including my daughter's room. In the meantime, I am sharing what is being seen and heard in my house!

Started doing this:

Day one down and it was hard. Using a stability ball was much more challenging than I thought! I have been doing P90, P90+, and Insanity and this was still hard! LOVE it! I am ready for some new motivation! I have that "no way will I ever be able to do that" feeling, but...I had that before and now can do those things! It will be interesting!

Cooking this:

Balsamic-Brown Sugar Pork...Looks delicous and it is healthy! It is going in the crock pot on Monday...that is our busiest day of the week so I always do a crock pot meal! Source

Meatball Minestrone Soup...I am doing turkey meatballs! Might do the orzo on the side so I can only add a bit!

I need to seriously clean my scrap room...it is sucking the creative energy from me! I have been creating, but all for assignments so I can't share yet. CHA is just about here and it all seems to be running late this year! I need to get my mojo going!

Hope you have a great weekend!

Thursday Trending...On Friday

2012-01-06T16:39:00.000-05:00

TGIF! What a week I have had! It has been busy and draining...I am quite excited about the weekend! It has been a while since I did a Trending post...these are the fads, obsessions and trends that have me excited. Something I have always loved to add to any page involves the sun, the moon and the clouds.

Well, truth be told, I have never scrapped a page with the moon...but I have made lots of suns and clouds! Those things just make me feel cheerful and happy! I love how both give the feel of being vibrant and alive!

I used both elements on a recent Webster's Pages layout....Remember. Today, I share a layout made using the Teresa Collins Carolina Breeze collection! There is this scalloped paper...rows of yellow with a white lining! I was drawn in...I thought of the sun.

So I made this!

The sun...made with layers of circles and topped with a brad. And, of course, the sunbeams in the form of the scallops! Spread all around the layout!

And, my sunny son who inspired it all...

and allowed me to use one of my favorite trends! Again....

What is trending in your scrappy live...I would love some new inspiration!

Hope you have a fabulous Friday!

Considering

2012-01-03T22:05:00.001-05:00

I am considering my Word of the Year 2012. I think I have it narrowed down...I know what I am striving for. I know what type of home environment I want....I just don't know exactly how to find one word to sum it up...I am almost there.

Have you considered your word yet? Do you create resolutions? I like to keep it simple and focus on that word, but I have some goals.

I do want to really enjoy my children over the next year. They are funny little people. If I stop cooking, cleaning, rushing and listen...they really crack me up! And they are full of insights, questions, wonder. It makes you stop and think. I so want to let them be carefree more often and let that rub off on me.

I want to see them smile with that light in their eye. To feel loved and understood. To know they can make mistakes and let that be okay.

I used the gorgeous new Sunday Picnic collection to make this...do you see that beautiful winged fairy Silhouette...it does my heart good! I love those new yellow gems...Ella actually held one up the other day and said, "Oh, this is pretty." She has good taste! The collection is available over at the Webster's site and is shipping next week!

Here is to smiles, lessons learned with love, bike rides, feeling the wind in your hair and reflection. And I will be back to share my word...soon!

Monday Musings: Family

2012-01-02T10:19:00.000-05:00

I am so thankful for family. This past week was full of celebrations and sleepovers. We spent time with grandparents, in laws and cousins. My children are grounded with strong family roots. I watch Ella with such a happy feeling...she is very open. She will hug any family members...loves cuddling and joking. She does this with any and all family members...the ones we see all the time and the ones we see only a few times each year.

Coming from a reserved person, this is refreshing. Nathan is more like me, but still adores his family. He has such a sense of loyalty. He completely loves his cousin and best friend, Christian. You worry about cousins growing apart as they get older, but I don't see that. Nathan will also have him as an active part of his life.

The best part and one that I feel blessed by is that my side of the family and Steve's side of the family get along fabulously! Birthday parties and BBQs are always fun. My mom and dad, affectionately known as Nonnie and Poppi, love all of their grandchildren without boundaries. Let's be clear, Christian is right in that mix. Even though Christian is not really a grandchild. When Nonnie buys an Advent calendar for my kids, cousin Christian gets one too. I love it!

When I asked Nonnie and Poppi to pose with their grandkids, they pulled Christian into the photo. This is the spirit in which I want my children to live...deeply embedded in family life with strong bonds.

I used the January kit by My Scrapbook Nook to make this layout! Love the Lilybee Heads over Heels line...I matted those banner stickers on black card stock to make them pop! The Stuck On You was actually a part of a square sticker, but I cut them apart to use as my title!

What a blessed life we all have...as long as we have each other!

Top 10 of the Year

2011-12-30T17:02:00.000-05:00

Before I welcome in the New Year, I wanted to look back on 2011...it was a great scrappy year for me! I joined two amazing teams and remained on two that I adore. I played around with my style a bit...further trying to get in my groove. It seemed to work on a productivity level...knowing who you are as a scrapper allows you to work freely and quickly!

This year, I had many favorites. Some speak to me because of the design and others because of the story!

Here we go:

This is a recent one...I love the bold pink and how the hearts worked out. I am so excited about the Clean & Simple Webster's line...

I love this photo of my son...it is my absolute favorite! I love the randomness of this design too (ironic since it features Crate Random).

I adored my entries for the Bella team...I was actually between this one and another I did, but it is out for pub...so this one it is!

I just like how free this one is and that side strip...makes me happy!

Again, something about the banner and the clustering...I know, it is a Crate layout! I really love their stuff! Crate are you listening...I love you!

A sentimental one...Trish and I go back a long way...I really struggled with this paper line by My Mind's Eye for a few days...then it all just happened and I was so thrilled with this...

Same My Mind's Eye line...I meant to do a sunshine ray thingy here...didn't work and this is what I ended up with...love those accidents!

I just love the loops on this...shows off the patterns! And I love Lilybee!

This one has such a story...it means the world to me! Webster's Pages....

I think the photo on here makes me swoon...and I love the black, white and red! This is using Teresa Collins!

I think this is my favorite from the year...it just speaks to me on all levels. I got that "I love this" feeling as I made it! Those dresses...I LOVE them... Webster's Pages!

It has been a productive year...I can't wait for the next one! I have a bit of a fresh start with a new look for the blog...now onward to creating! Here's to many more layouts to come!

Happy New Year!

Wednesday Wonderings: Friends

2011-12-28T21:49:00.000-05:00

Why does a thirty minute drive seem so impossible when you are in the midst of a crazed life? It evens seems too much the five minutes before you have to leave. Once you get over the time and the effort, you realize how worth it is it. How fast the time went by and how very little effort it actually took.

Yet, that thirty minute drive sometimes means you only see your friends once every 8 months. The drive home makes you realize that 8 months is too long, much too long.

After that thirty minute drive today, I had the chance to catch up with old friends. Two of the best. The girls who have seen me through all of my adult life and before. We were awkward teenagers...they were rebellious...I was always the mom. We experienced homecoming, keg parties in the woods (so maybe I was a little rebellious) and shared clothes. They may have rigged the junior prom queen voting or at least strongly campaigned on my behalf. We traveled through single adulthood...all getting married later in life. We danced in Miami and had wine in Martha's Vineyard. We went through the triumphs, heartbreak and tribulations of becoming parents...later in life.

It was nice to sit at lunch with them. To see how they have thrived in life. I wish we lived closer. Yet, sometimes a ten minute drive seems as daunting as a thirty minute one when you are immersed in daily life of working, being married and taking care of children.

I hope to teach Ella about the power of girlfriends. How to hold tight to the long lasting ones. Those few that see you in all lights and stay around anyway.

It starts at this age...

Made with the beautiful Feb. kit from My Scrapbook Nook featuring Lilybee and Maya Road.

It can continue on. I will have to teach Ella that friendship is hard when you are an adult. I need to remember that there is Facebook, texts and email. We can track each other's pins. And we can make that thirty minute drive more often that every 8 months. It is worth it.

Behind the Page: Adding Curves

2011-12-27T13:38:00.001-05:00

I have a page to share with you today that features the new Webster's Pages Sunday Picnic collection. I am in love with this paper line. Six layouts in and my stock has been replenished. I may just scrap this forever...

The best part...new embellies. You will love what you see. There is a sneak on this page and the full reveal is coming this week. All week long, Brandin is sharing the entire collection with a chance to win on Friday!

Brandin added six new papers to each traditional collection...6 clean and simple pages full of pretty solids and usuable patterns. I love how you can be monochromatic with them...layering similiar colors, but different patterns.

I made this page to show off the collection.

See all the creams and yellows and how pretty they are with the orange. Those clouds are on a sheet of the traditional WP papers....handcut them and layer them on a common color and you have simple. I inked the edges of the clouds with blue ink to help them pop. Those circles to the right came from a sheet of patterned paper too. I cute them to resemble scallops. Then layered them up...I like that effect! I love all the curved elements on this page!

The yellow frame actually has beautiful "picnic" related words on them. I love them, but it didn't fit with my theme so I covered it with the blue polka dot and used it as a journaling block.

This was one of those layouts where I did the whole thing without thinking of the title. I wasn't sure where it would go, but after some fidling, it found a home.

See the little finishing touches? One in particular made my heart soar. I didn't know what the embellies were until after the layout was done. They arrived last minute and when I opened the package...it was fate!

I have more to share this week and so does Brandin...be sure to stop over at the WP blog all week long!

Monday: At Home

2011-12-26T10:03:00.002-05:00

so my days are a bit off...it is the holiday season!

Speaking of the holidays, I thought I would share my holiday home! I always reconfigure my living room in the winter to make it cozy. I shift all the furniture around, making the fireplace the focal point.

This is it in the summer:

Now...the room is split in half...couch faces the fireplace.

I turned the jelly cabinet around to be able to place a chair next to it.

I turned the chairs to completely face each other, creating a conversation space. It also works better with the fire, which is lit every single day.

I love our stockings...$6.00 each from Kohl's on Black Friday.

Those urns from Pier 1 that sit on my mantle are made using greens right from our backyard. I love to go out with a big box and chop whatever I need!

The Christmas decorations will stay for another week. Then the house will seem bare for a while as the eyes adjust to normal.

Hope your holiday home is warm and cozy!

Merry Day

2011-12-25T11:18:00.002-05:00

I hope you are having a wonderful day....whatever holiday you are celebrating! It is a time for family, laughter and gratitude. We are moving and shaking to all of our different celebrations and feasts. The kids are being spoiled. And, I am too...simply because of all I have!

Happy holidays!

Behind the Page: Seeing Smoke

2011-12-20T19:26:00.000-05:00

or maybe ice...what do you see then you look at the blue patterned paper below? I saw the zigzags and immediately went to icicles hanging down on a frozen winter day! That warrants cutting, right? Can't have icicles without falling snow so that was next!

I love looking at hidden ideas and themes within scrappy goodies. Folks in my field might refer to that as figure-ground...there may be figures or images in the background! Looking with curious eyes makes scrapbooking interesting!

I recently created this layout for a class over at The Nook. It features the beautiful Dec. kit featuring Crate Paper.

I love those little houses so much and wanted to integrate them into a layout! This idea was triggered once I found my firetruck Santa pictures! I decided to enhance the houses by making some smoke! The pompoms of the Crate trim easily transform into puffs coming out of the chimney.

To finish it off, I addes some strips and a brad! Small touches that make it complete!

I am so ready for winter break...I am needing a perspective change and know that one is just around the corner...just like Santa!

Hugs!

Happy Birthday Stephanie

2011-12-19T06:00:00.006-05:00

Welcome to the Happy Birthday Blog Hop for Stephanie, beautiful owner of Bella Blvd. For those that are just joining me, you will want to go to the Bella Blvd blog, so you can start at the beginning of the blog hop. You don't want to miss anything.

I am so thrilled to be an ongoing guest designer for Bella and Stephanie this year! I have always admired Bella products...as in staring and dreaming at everything while at CHA. I love how genuinely enthusiastic she is about this industry!

So in her honor, I made this card:

Even though it's Stephanie's birthday, we have some gifts for a few of you lucky readers as well! We know how generous and giving Stephanie is, and we know she would never have a fun blog hop, without a few giveaways up for grabs too. So we got permission from Robin, who works alongside Stephanie in the office, to pick TEN lucky winners, who will each receive a Bella Blvd collection. All you need to do to be entered in the random drawings, is to leave Stephanie your birthday wishes in the comment section. You have lots of opportunities to up your chances, since you can leave a comment on each blog you visit, as you go through the blog hop. There are 26 blogs, plus the Bella Blvd blog, for a total of 27 chances to get your name in the pot. We will randomly choose winners, from 10 randomly choosen blogs, and announce them on Friday!

Sounds awesome, doesn't it...happy birthday wishes for everyone!

Keep on hopping along and head to my good friend's Deanna Misner blog!

At Home: Winter Front Porch

2011-12-18T14:10:00.000-05:00

So I should probably think about sharing my holiday home set up...but just haven't been able to snap photos! Next week...even though it will be Christmas Day!

Today, I am sharing my front porch decorations. I love to change my porch for the seasons. This winter I was originally looking for an old wooden sleigh to place along the wall, complete with a pair of ice skates. Didn't have one

so I turned to plan B. I remembered that I had an antique wagon in my shed. It was a gift from my dad years ago and I just never put it to good use! Steve dug it out and it makes such a nice statement...

I simply filled it with a bundle of firewood and lots of greens. I cut all my own greens from my yard...we have an evergreen, holly bushes and boxwood plants! I placed the wreath along the mailbox holder to give a bit more detail!

I love all those Pinterest images that showcase lights and ornaments nanging along the porch so I went for it! I found my snowflakes at Target...white, glittery...and they come 4 in a package for $1.00. Not bad!

I simply hung them with fishing wire and used sticky tabs on my roof!

It makes me happy to drive up and see it! I am thinking it can stay for most of the winter, right???

Hoping your Sunday at home is relaxing and full of happiness!

Thursday Trending: White Space

2011-12-15T21:31:00.000-05:00

I have always been linear, clean with a twist.

but lately, I have been in love with white space. We are talking about using clusters of items, small portions of paper or even just strips. I love it!

I want enough detail and interest, yet love the white space. Sometimes, there is a shift in how you create. I noticed that I started to be drawn to specific artist's work or a certain style. I think it is important to pay attention to that and figure out what draws you there. It gives you an idea of what you like and what feels right to you!

This layout has that white space I am speaking of...yet there is a hint of fussy cutting! The best of both worlds...

This layout uses the new Sunday Picnic line from Webster's Pages! The whole collection will be revealed soon and I can't wait!!! This is the first collection to feature the Clean & Simple papers...6 beauties perfect for making white space layouts!

Love this blue, don't you??

Don't forget to submit for the Webster's Pages Clean & Simple Design Team Call. They are so wonderful to design for...hands-on, generous, encouraging...the team is just amazing! All the details are on the WP blog here!

I see lots of white space in my future! How about you?

Tuesday Thoughts: The Unexpected

2011-12-13T21:02:00.001-05:00

Ahh...the unexpected. We have had an "unexpected happen"...money stuff. A big ticket item is needed and it is not something we were thinking about. Boy, does something like this cause stress. The holidays are here, the renovation occurred and everyday costs are up. This unexpected makes my head spin.

I guess it is one of those things you deal with. You pull up your big girl pants and move on. I have a great husband who is smart and careful. It will be okay.

The holidays are meant to be a time of celebration and reflection, but they leave me stretched and tired. So I am looking for ways to stand still for a moment and get my head on straight. I hit my Insanity workout like a maniac tonight. I will say that exercise brings me to a different place...I am calmer and more settled after. It is worth every sweaty and hard second. And I will try to go to bed early for a few nights. I made myself stop tonight and just look at my kids as they ate dessert at the table. They were laughing and happy. I absorbed that energy.

Other than that, I am thinking about a stiff drink and maybe hiding under my covers.

I know that won't work so I think I will stare at this happy face and let it all disappear!

How I love this picture of my son! It made our Christmas card, which I just ordered at the last minute. Yep, I told you...overwhelmed. You can sense his inner spirit! I used Crate Paper's Random here...most of those colors are pinks and yellows, girl colors. But there are some great boy hues as well! That denim...swoon!

I went with a circle theme here...the banners and circles and scallops reminded me of a happy circus!

Sounds like my life right now...unexpected stuff and all!

At Home: Celebrations

2011-12-11T20:17:00.000-05:00

at home this weekend, we were on the go...constantly.

We went on the Polar Express, had a playdate, saw the fire truck Santa and hosted a brunch. We are a tired bunch.

I took some photos of my front porch and how it is styled for the holiday...but the honest truth is that I didn't even have time to edit them.

So I will share a layout and try again next week! or maybe even on a different day this week...because this is real life and things happen!

Tonight, a layout...one I made a while back but didn't share...it features My Mind's Eye and came from the October My Scrapbook Nook kit! The boards are up and running again over there so come for a visit!

This layout is about my husband and his good friend, Jay...funny story. They had a boy, named him Tate. We had a son, named him Nathan (Nate). We had a girl, named her Ella. They had a girl, named her Stella. and we both have dogs named Cooper. Makes me giggle every time!

How I love this color combo! That blue with the yellow...love it!

Happy Sunday! I hope your weekend was full of fun and family!

Thursday Trending: Side Stripe

2011-12-08T21:49:00.000-05:00

not to be mistaken with Side Swipper...and, yes, now I am singing the theme song from Dora!

I am a bit tired...crazy speed scrapping, parent teacher conferences and lots of Christmas festivities! But it is all good! I have been letting go and just trying new things...cutting without over-analyzing. Maybe being in a frenzy has helped that.

One trend that I am loving and using is the extreme side stripe! That thin piece of patterned paper along the left or right side of the layout! I feel like a side stripe serves an important prupose...it stops the eye from leaving the page and it gives balance. You can see the side stripe on my Everytime layout on the post below.

It is also here!

I used the December kit from My Scrapbook Nook for this layout! The boards are back up and we are so happy to be together again. I used those words purposely to match the theme of the layout! To balance out the photos and the big ole snow globe, I tucked some snowflakes and little strips underneath. I think it grounds all those random elements.

Something about the side stripe that gives a vertical perspective to things.

I am liking it lately. What is trending in your world?

Oh, this is a big deal...

2011-12-07T20:59:00.000-05:00

What a great week! I can feel the excitement in the air...and it is not from Santa...although I feel like I have been given a great gift!

Webster's Pages has announced the new Clean & Simple line, which will be added to each traditional collection! With the announcement comes a new early release, Sunday Picnic! And now...

A design team call for Webster's! I am so thrilled that I will be a part of the family...and it is a family! So all graphic, white space, editorial, clean, simple scrappers...be sure to apply!

You get to work with products that help you create this:

Those solids...I want to marry them! (Ella says that every time she really, really likes something!)

What we’re looking for:Scrapbookers, papercrafters and card makers who 1. LOVE Webster’s Pages 2. Will help promote Webster’s Pages through their work, as well as through social media including a personal blog, InspireMe, Facebook & Twitter. 3. Love to share their ideas to help inspire others to create beautiful and simple projects.

International designers are welcome to apply.

Specific requirements and compensation details are provided upon invitation to the team. However we would like to mention that regular creation of projects and online participation are requirements for this team, and compensation is provided through a generous amount of product as well as monetary compensation for hard copy published items and trade show/advertising assignments. The term will be until the end of 2012.

Please note that Webster’s Pages Design Team members will be limited to being on no more than 3 paper manufacturing teams total.

To apply send an email to wpdt@websterspages.com with the following information:
•Provide a one or two paragraph biographical statement telling us a little bit about you and your scrapbook experience including any publication history, design team experience, teaching experience (in stores and/or online), etc.
•Explain in one paragraph why you would be a great addition to the Webster’s Pages design team.
•Include a link to any online galleries you participate on (please include your user name and make sure that online galleries do not have a login requirement) and your blog (if you have one).
•Attach a scan or photograph of 3 layouts or projects that you feel best represent your style. Images must be no larger than 600x600 px. Using Webster’s Pages is always welcome but not required.
•Please include your name, address, phone number and email address. Confirmation emails will NOT be sent. Notifications will be made by email or telephone in January.
•Applications must be received by December 31st.

At Webster’s Pages, we value our Design Team. They are an extension of our family, and we have a very harmonious group. We continue to grow and expand and we’d love to share our excitement with you. If you have any questions on applying, please send an email to wpdt@websterspages.com with subject QUESTION.

Apply...it is a great team...there is support, beautiful products, generosity...I can't say enough about this family of wonderful, beautiful people including Brandin, Courtney, Anabelle and all the DT girls!

Monday's Musing: Being You

2011-12-05T12:56:00.001-05:00

I just want to be free to be me. With my family, my friends, my job. Adopt a "either you love me or not" philosophy so that when people don't, its okay. It is something I can acknowledge and reflect upon...and then let go. It hurts when someone doesn't like you or someone is mad at you...deserved or not. I might wish for forgiveness, but it doesn't always come. I learned something this week that hurt my feelings. Someone talking about me behind my back when I thought the situation was just done. I just want it to be a non-issue. The relationship is over and that is that. At the end of the day, I am who I am and that will not match with everyone.

This applies to scrapbooking too. It is supposed to be an outlet. A way to express myself. I love when I can grab a stack of scrappy stuff and just be me. Free to create. Free to tell the stories that mean something to me. When the product you are working with brings you to a new place. I love when it is a good fit.

It is amazing how connected real life and scrapbooking are...one is represented in the other.

I went off on a tangent again...LOL! My initial reason for making this post was to announce the new direction that Webster's Pages is moving in! Brandin has come up with the amazing idea to add to her amazing collections. Instead of 6 papers, each collection will now have 12. Six of the papers will be traditional Webster's. The other 6 will be Clean and Simple...think bold colors, smallers patterns and solids. Yes, solids to rest all of those amazing WP fussy cuts upon!

I have the new Sunday Picnic collection in my hands...it is a breath of fresh air! It felt so good, so me to use the solids as a major part of my designs! My fellow clean scrappers will adore this...no more being afraid of Websters! Here is a sneak:

Do you see the possibilities!? Here is my interpretation using the new Clean & Simple papers along with the traditionally designed WP!

I love that Webster's wants to celebrate the graphic in me...and now you can celebrate the same in you!

Be on the lookout this week for even more, and very exciting, news about Webster's!

Free, free, free!

At Home: DIY Swag

2011-12-04T16:49:00.001-05:00

Happy Sunday! This weekend is our only slow weekend for the month of December. We spent is decking the halls as a family! The rooms are decorated and the trees are up! I will have pics of my living room decor next week...but wanted to share some easy DIY ideas today!

Of course, I have been inspired by Pinterest yet again...

I have seen a variety of these...

and this....

so I made this:

Want to know how? First, go to Jo'ann's when they are having a fifty off sale...grab a variety of large evergreen picks. Pick up a set of bells...I got mine at Kohl's for 50% off...score!

Collect your evergreens...this would work with the real stuff too, but I want to have this year after year! I had to use wire cutters to trim the stems on each one.

I had to remove some of the pine cones from these...keep them! I am going to show you what you can do with them over the next couple of At Home posts!

Layer these on top of each other, each one longer than the other.

That is my daughter dressed up as Batgirl coming to my rescue! Fasten with heavy duty elastic bands.

To hide the bands and create a way to fasten your bells...grab some ribbon. Cut a small piece off and wrap it around to hide the elastics. I used Glue Arts Ribbon Adhesive to help!

Then grab more ribbon to make your bow! Before tying your knot, loop the bells through so they are securely attached to your swag. Mine came with this cool ring at the top!

Finish off your bow and you are ready to hang it up...I tied a small piece of ribbon around the top and tied that to a nail on my front door! Pretty, huh...and cheap...and festive!

It will welcome my visitors all season!

Driving By...

2011-12-02T23:05:00.000-05:00

Wanted to stop by and share a couple of cool things!

First, My Scrapbook Nook is having some awesome specials right now...perfect timing since Christmas is just around the corner! Find the details here!

I have been working with the December kit featuring Crate Paper and it is awesome! We are expecting the board to be back and running soon!

I had a project up on the Teresa Collins blog this past week! We are focusing on making tags this month! I came up with this one using the World Traveler collection:

And I had the honor of contributing to the Card Maps Newsletter! I always love Becky Fleck's sketches! Check out the December Newsletter here! Design team girls from Jillibean Soup and Webster's Pages were invited to be inspired by sketches!

Here is my card:

The Botanical Christmas line has this cool sheet of patterned paper that is made up of vintage postcards! Makes for easy card making! I topped it off with this velvet ribbon and beautiful candle Silhouette.

I have loads of work to share over the next few days! I am working on something special and can't wait to share it with you...soon...soon!

Happy Friday!

Behind the Page: Challenge Me Happy

2011-12-01T17:17:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you just need a scrappy push...a Pinterest inspiration, a DT assignment or a challenge site that makes you want to scrap!

I had the chance to be a guest designer for a great challenge blog aptly named, Challenge Me Happy! The lovely Annelie Maddock invited me to play along with this month's challenge which involved a color combo:

I looked and immediately thought about the Western Romance collection from Webster's Pages. I pulled it out and the color combo was perfect...soft mauves, a brighter pink and those greens! It is a pretty palette, isn't it?!

Here is my interpretation:

Gosh, my Ella looks so grown up in this photo...I thought it needed a sophisicated palette and products! I love how the pops of brown including the Princess Petal flower accents the layout! I kept the rest soft and girlie...I am still not over banners...sorry!

The layout wouldn't be complete without the story so I split the journaling around the title...I actually included the title into my narrative!

I hope you play along in the challenge! There is a wonderful prize from Artfull Crafts! Be sure to check it out!

You will be inspired to create!

Monday's Musings

2011-11-28T16:03:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I think we go too far with our children. Maybe we are making up for things we lacked as kids or we think there are certain holiday events we have to engage in because the "list" says so.

Disney is the perfect example. We pushed and trudged and planned and exclaimed, "look at that!" The kids loved it, but at a certain point, they wanted something simplier. Nathan asked to leave the Magic Kingdom so he could go swimming in the pool.

We take our children on the Polar Express every year. I look forward to buying them new pjs and meeting all of our friends. My kids have a great night. Funny thing is that it is not the Polar Express train or Santa or the singing that gets Nathan most excited. It is the simple, old-fahioned train set that is set up in the waiting area. I can't drag him away from that.

It is the whole "buy them new toys, but they love the box" syndrome. I am going to try to be better about reading my kids. I am going to try to meet their simple needs.

I caught these photos on my iPhone...not the best, but they tell the story! I used the Dec. kit from My Scrapbook Nook to complete this layout! It features Crate Paper's Peppermint. Fun collection perfect for December!

On to simplier times...

At Home: Turkey Day

2011-11-27T09:53:00.000-05:00

Twenty years of the same tradition. It involves an early morning, lots of prep work, protective googles, $30.00 worth of oil, 15 friends, multiple family members, a fire, mayo, cast iron pan for the grill and laughter.

For the past twenty years, Steve has opened his yard to his buddies. It is about deep frying 12 birds for dinner. But it is more about having a reason to get together with close friends for a celebration. It is a bonding day for Steven and Uncle Jimmy.

For the past few years we have been short one member. It is not always talked about, but the awareness is there. This is a day that Jay loved as much as Uncle Jimmy and Steve.

Here are some shots of the day:

Yes, this is my kid's breakfast on this day!

Steve did this 12 times this year. Slow and steady...

Yep, that is an axe...shh, don't tell him!

The first bird of the day!

Pinterest inspired...can you day dollar store glass jars and candles! Split peas and cranberries for color...easy and cheap! I used up some scrappy ribbon to tie my utensils together!

Black Friday prep...

It was a great day...I was even caught singing Christmas carols a few times (even if I was making up my own words). Who isn't happy with friends, family and a good meal!

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Did You Start?

2011-11-26T09:17:00.000-05:00

So, now that Thanksgiving is over...have you started your Christmas decorating? Some peeps I know have already put up their Christmas trees.

I cannot do it yet. Mainly because I am so tired from Thanksgiving! Our deep fry party and dinner were awesome...it is a long day. Then Black Friday shopping. To top it off, we had a dinner party last night. I can't imagine happily pulling out my Christmas boxes to start.

I have, however, created some handmade ornaments. I was given the assignment by Webster's Pages and immediately starting searching for paper-crafted ornament ideas...there is a lot out there. I settled on altering small wooden spools I found at my local Jo'anns...they come six in a package for under $5.00. Gotta love that.

Here they are:

As you can see, I went with a vintage feel! I used both the Botanical Christmas and the Winter Fairy Tales lines to assemble these little beauties. I combined trims and bling and resin hearts and silhouettes. I also used either a stick pin or cameo pin to top each on off! I was quite surprised at how quickly these came together!

I wanted each one to have its own little personality. That thought really helped me to focus on which embellishments to use! This one...a serene butterfly...very monochromatic:

This one a bit more bold with the large Silhouette...I added the Ho Ho Ho to compliment that feel:

She is wearing a tutu...like a ballerina:

This one is classic with a simple design and the focus on Santa:

For a supply list and tutorial on how to make your own, visit the Webster's Pages blog here!

You might want to rush over there ASAP because there is an amazing Black Friday sale going on until Sunday! Beautiful kits, each with a project, for amazing prices!

This is as close to Christmas decorating I will do this weekend...but next Saturday...that tree will go up!

Thank You

2011-11-23T22:30:00.000-05:00

We were out shopping today, gathering last minute items for our Thanksgiving feast. My kids must have asked me seven times if I could "get" them this or "buy" them that. Each time I answered, nope! "Tomorrow is about being thankful for what you have."

They might not get it now...but they will understand one day. They will be thankful for family who stands by them, friends who love them no matter what, a hobby that bring them joy, experiences that help them grow. They will feel passionate about something in life...so much so, they will make it their calling. They will appreciate health and life because it can be so fleeting...

They will be thankful for tradition. Thanksgiving is an event around here. Our favorite day of the year. It starts at 6:00 am with deep frying turkeys. Think earmuffs, coats, bloody mary's, chatter and good friends.

It will be followed by a house full of people and a yummy dinner. A time to remember who we have lost and feel grateful we even knew them in the first place.

One day, my kids won't think so much about what they want. They will look at their own children and will teach them to be grateful...to honor tradition.

That thought fills me with so much gratitude...there aren't enough thank yous.

Monday Musing: Holiday Happenings

2011-11-21T21:53:00.001-05:00

I struggle with scrapping the holidays. I think I am looking for the wrong moments...events associated with Christmas...instead of the feelings, and more importantly, the people behind them.

This year, I am going to try to capture that look a mom gives her child when such child experiences Christmas magic. The giggle of cousins. What the bottom of the tree looks like before and after. I need to capture family photos of brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles.

I would like to say I am going to do a December Daily, but I don't have the energy. Maybe that would help me get in touch with all the memories of the season. Things to think about...

This recent layout captured one of those cool moments. You might not even understand it unless I put the story and words with it. But I remember it clearly. More so than the gifts that were given or the dinner we ate. It was THE moment right after the kiddos heard something strange. A distant bell and a commotion in the air. That second they look at each other and a light goes up in their eye. They run to the window and look. At first, they can't see out because the fog that forms over the glass when the heat from inside meets the cold wind outside blocks their view. They wipe and look, standing on their tiptoes. And they see!

Santa is in their view! Gosh, I love THE moment. It brings me right back to my own chilhood. It makes me happy that I can give them THE moment in their childhood.

I used Teresa Collins Christmas Home for this layout! I love her brads so much! And all those little die-cut tags! Fabulous! Be sure to check out the design team blog for awesome inspiration! This month is all about the holiday!

Help me get over my holiday blues! What moments do you capture on film? How do you decide which to scrap on a layout...or is a mini in order?

Any advice is appreciated...

At Home: Eclectic Details

2011-11-20T13:27:00.000-05:00

I think decorating your home should incorporate the same design elements you use when scrapping. I am by no means an interior decorator, but I think my scrappy eye helps when it is time to make a room look finished. It is about grouping common elements, layering, making sure there is a pop of color and a touch of texture.

Last week, I shared my living room. Today, I share the details. I have had so much fun treasure shopping in my own house. And so much fun shopping in my mother-in-law's storage unit! A trip to the Elephant Trunk in New Milford helped me to add in those vintage pieces I was yearning for!

My mantle! I had these frames in my dining room in the old house. When we moved in, I decided to layer them on the mantle and finish it off with the iron star! I love that chandelier even though I have bumped my head on it 9 million times.

This Pottery Barn pillow inspired the color scheme that runs throughout my entire home! I adore it! It is a bit bold in the room, but I think every room should have an unexpected.

This room was pretty empty until my mother-in-law donated her huntboard. It is so pretty and works great in multiple places around the space. I love to change out the top decorations to match the season. I keep a set of jars that I fill with a variety of things to fit the holiday/season. Think Pottery Barn, but I got mine at Home Goods for a 1/3 of the price.

I have to show you this very cool, antique notepad. It was sent to me by Anabelle O'Malley...she was antiquing one day and came across it! What a nice surprise to open the package and find this! It even has my middle initial. She is the sweetest!

I also have a clustering of vintage books and bowls mixed in with random things I already owned. I love the layered look.

On my coffe table, which is actually an antique trunk, I have some books and this awesome bird cage thingy...it adds interest and some height. I think that the trunk is too short for the couch, but I am okay with that. I don't think it is about having the perfect pieces, just interesting ones.

Here are some groupings. I have had this bookcase forever...it came from the unfinished wood store and I painted/distressed it. I have grouped some vintage cameras and clocks. The shelves are really made for tall items like stereo systems so I needed to fill the space up. Using old mirrors or small prints will do the trick.

Old books, photographs and art can add so much to a room, regardless of how much of a budget you have! I will be changing the formation of this room around soon to fit the winter season. I will share when it is all done!

Happy Sunday...hope you have a beautiful cozy day in the place you call home.

Behind the Page: Is it too Boring?

2011-11-19T07:33:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you have a great idea. There is a visual in your mind. You have awesome supplies. You build and think, "Hmmm...it needs something." You fiddle and putter. It gets better.

Sometimes you have the, "Ahh, that's better!" Sometimes you have the, "Ohhh, that is so it!" Sometimes you wonder...is it still boring.

I could be talking about a presentation at work, my fashion sense, a party I planned or parenting. Today, I wonder this about this page:

Is it boring? I love this line by Bella Blvd...that red paper and the calendar grid! Love it! I love the title that is built with numbers. I wanted to use the grid in a fun way and came up with the idea of putting a numeral in each box to create a random and big number. I added the striped strip along the top of the calendar. It was blank there before. Then I put my journaling there. However, the layout didn't flow that way. I covered up the journaling with the strip and moved it underneath. Now, I feel like my eye travels around naturally.

But I am still not sold!

I suppose that will happen. There will be humps in your creativitiy. Their will be wondering. Maybe that is what causes a creative shift. The good kind where you follow it with a project you just adore.

The one thing that makes me smile about this layout is the story behind it. It seems so simple to get a picture of my dog with a frisbie. But there is a great background story there. It is as if that frisbie is his security blanket. One day, this layout will make us giggle and reminisce about how this crazy dog strategically dropped it in the path of the lawn mover so Steve would have to stop and throw it. How it was so gross to touch that thing. How he would nudge you over and over and give that shrill bark until you gave in. How he made us throw it a million times. And how much we wish we could be able to throw it one more time.

And suddenly, the page doesn't seem so boring to me.

Thursday Trending: Orange

2011-11-17T21:01:00.000-05:00

Maybe it has something to do with fall? Maybe it is because I lurve pumpkins? Maybe it is because it can be a color for girls or a color for boys?

Whatever the reason, I love orange...it is bright and cheery.

I might love it this month because it was a part of the Crate Paper November Color Challenge palette...

I had to join in the challenge since the color combo is fabulous...pink, orange and sapphire blue...

my interpretation!

I have to say that I can't get enough of the Random collection...the colors and patterns. I think they are out of this world! Again, this collection makes great layouts for boys and great layouts for girls! The orange strip on this paper is subtle, yet has so much texture. I placed another, bolder orange on top to give it some pop!

I went with a bit of whimsy on this one and decided to use the blue frame as a journaling box!

I didn't win the challenge...but I ended up with a layout I wouldn't have made otherwise...even though I adore orange!

What color are you loving right now?

Whatever Wednesday

2011-11-16T22:25:00.000-05:00

This Wednesday...

I made this in the crock pot:

BBQ Pulled Pork that starts out cooking in root beer...yum! My kids even gobbled this down!

I am adoring this!

Like I would love for 30 boxes of globes to show up at my doorstep so I could use them. I would even build bookshelves to make them work:

I am wearing this:

Except my shirt is blue/gray plaid and my sweater was gray...comfy and cute!

And I am inspired by this little sneak peek:

Webster's Pages...coming soon! Um...can you say kites and clouds!!!!

Happy Weds....the weekend is almost here!

Monday Musings: Not to be Taken For Granted

2011-11-14T19:17:00.002-05:00

This past spring we said goodbye to our beloved cat, Roxy. She had been in my life for 15 years. Overall, she was damn good to me! I think back on those years and know that for a period of time, I neglected her. She was fed and got a night time snuggle...the basics were there, of course. But she was no longer my fur baby like in the past. I had other babies occupying my lap and demanding my time. She was well treated for...but there was a natural shift. I had the chance to spend a ton of time with Roxy the last couple of weeks of her life and I think I made up for it. She died one happy kitty.

Losing a pet made me appreciate my other ones even more. Every time I walk by our dog in a rush and notice THAT look...the "Please, belly rub. Please...I will do anything." look, I now stop. I make it a point to brush my other cat every night. She actually stalks me each evening around 8:00 looking for that attention. These little critters are members of our household. They have taught our children about kindness, how to care for another and about the concepts of life and death. Our dog was our first baby together as a couple. He represents family, home, hobby and our american dream.

Both of our furry friends are on the elderly side. They are both so loved by all of us! And so follows the layout! Here is our gentle giant!

I love how regal he looks, how strong and handsome! Yet, still quite goofy with the ball at his feet.

Supplies: Paper: Chipboard, Stickers: Bella Blvd.

He is the most loyal friend. He knows all our secrets and loves us anyway! Our pets round out our lives...and for them, I am grateful!

At Home: Living Room

2011-11-13T15:53:00.000-05:00

I have really enjoyed moving and having the chance to start over in a new home. It has meant new paint colors and decorating. I love when you work hard on a space and it comes together nicely. Being creative at home is just as fun as being creative in scrapbooking.

This is our favorite room on a Sunday morning! After I crawl out of bed, I will come down and find my husband sitting in the recliner with the fire going. It just has an air of relaxation! There is no TV, just books, newpapers and a radio!

I love many of the features of the room including the big picture window, the stone wall and that awesome mantle. Again, I can't take credit as my mother-in-law picked that baby out! It was the very first thing I decorated when we moved in. This is the room that houses most of my antique collectibles.

The couch and chairs were new purchases and the rest has been collected over time. This couch. I love the lines of it...but the fabric. When I saw it in the store, it was brownish-gold. When it arrived in this room and stood next to the old paint color, it was green. And I hated it! So I took a trip to my local Benjamin Moore paint dealer and explained my issue! The color expert told me a tan with a green undertone would take care of it...she was so right! It is the couch I wanted now!

It is the room we all head to when we cut screen time or when we have company. The thought was for it to be warm, cozy and welcoming.

It has it's autumn formation now! I like to switch the furniture around for the season! I will be back next week to share some details.

So tell me, which room is your go to room and do you change the furniture around to fit the season!??

Tuesday's Thoughts...

2011-11-08T21:06:00.000-05:00

sorta like Monday's Musings, right?

I am slowly coming back to the world of the functioning. I was able to scrap a bit during our blackout. I grabbed some papers and created just for fun. No assignments, no deadline. Just to keep my sanity. It felt good.

I will say that I had a hard time figuring out what to scrap during that crazy phase. I find myself feeling that way in general even before we lost power. So I don't scrap unless I have to.

Lately, I feel like I have too many photos. I know that sounds weird, but it is almost overwhelming. In an attempt to gather inspiration, I have snapped and editted and printed. But I still feel a bit stuck. I think I am forgetting the stories.

Each photo captures a moment. Each photo has a backstory where something interesting, funny or meaningful happened just before or just after. Each photo shares a bit of someone's personality.

I am not focusing on that enough. I think those meaningful moments will give me the push I need. So what is my strategy? Do I simply grab a couple of photos and let the story come to me? Do I then look for papers and embellishments. Will that help me to organize myself enough so I WANT to scrap?

I am not sure. I just know that I want to get back to documenting my family's history. I want to capture all the members of my family and ensure that a layout or two is completed about each one. I want that lust to scrap...LOL!

I made this layout just because! I enjoyed finding the color scheme that complimented the photos. I had these precious pictures of my daughter and my mother. They are so alike in so many ways. And their bond is clear.

I used new Bella Blvd. here! This is the Spring Fling and Easter Things collection mixed in with some older Bella. That green paper stole my heart...it is called "A Tisket, A Tasket". This collection has a wonderful color combo and will be great for Easter and Spring, but I think it works great for everyday layouts as well! The journaling cards are from the Sophisticates Short Stories paper and that flower is a Baby Bloom! I have to say that I love, love, love how Bella products all coordinate with each other!

If you have any thoughts about how to feel more organized and creative, and less overwhelmed...let me know.

I want to feel the light...

Super You

2011-11-06T21:23:00.000-05:00

I wish I had super powers this past week. I would have granted my many friends and family members heat and light to help them get through the storm. I would have helped people I don't even know who needed shelter, food or company.

This week took super skills...endurance, patience, nerves of steel. A thick, heavy cape certainly helped as well...if only to provide some warmth. Many people in my state still need super powers, 9 days later. I am not sure how they are sane. Some people are looking at two weeks without electricity.

This week took super workers...the Kentucky crew who got our power back on. I can't be mad at them for the fact that it took a week. They were just here to help. After working for four hours and restoring our power, they drove away in a line, their bright lights blazing. And I could have kissed each one of them. The higher-ups over at CT Light and Power should put up their force fields because they are facing angry mobs. Good will truimph.

This week required super heroes. I have many in my life. My children will always be well cared for, no matter what. Family is great! My husband is amazing. He worked overtime to ensure we were warm and safe.

In the spirit of super, here is my daughter, wearing her Halloween costume. Unfortunately, my city and much of my state didn't have "Halloween" this year. It took super powers for the kids to get over that one! I did happen to catch my daughter in her costume the week before so at least I have photos!

I used the All About Me collection from Webster's Pages to make this layout! I lifted Stephanie Garbett's work as she serves as our super November Guest Designer! Be sure to come to Inspire Me and check out her work! We also have some great challenges going on!

Loving those super Princess Petals...the pop of navy adds so much!

I hope you have a super night!

A Small Look

2011-11-04T15:27:00.000-04:00

Here is a small look at my last six days.

Six days without power. It was pure craziness in CT for the first few days after the October snowstorm. We woke up Sunday morning to very cold temperatures in our house. After hanging out for the day (wearing our coats and many layers), I took the kids to my sister's house, leaving my husband behind. On Monday, my dad let us borrow his generator. It was a Godsend. My husband headed out to buy gasoline and was shocked at what he found. Long lines with over an hour wait, many gas stations out of gas, people fighting and screaming.

I was in a part of the state uneffected and was able to find a gas station. That meant heat via space heaters in our great room. It was okay enough and my family was together. It felt like camping for a couple of days.

But now, I am tired and stressed out.

On the bright side, times like these do make you realize how lucky you are...my family is safe. I have been able to rely on family. I have so many friends who have reached out.

I still would give anything to have my electricity back...if you have any extra prayers, there are many folks in the Northeast who could use them.

Hopefully it will be soon and I can get back to sharing happier memories

and scrappy projects

At Home: What day is it?

2011-11-01T08:26:00.000-04:00

Well, our Halloween snow storm has caused havoc! We have been without power for two days. This means no heat. It was down to 46 degrees yesterday morning. I was able to take the kids to my sister's house where it is warm. We have been able to ge a generator and have some space heaters.

Our area is nuts. You can't get to gas stations and there are downed trees everywhere. Mu town even cancelled Halloween.

So unfortunately, we are living in a parallel universe. One with no blogs or photoshop or tv. One with layers, books and your imagination. One where you go out of your way to help others.

It doesn't sound so bad when you look at it. I just wish it was warmer here...

Thursday Trending: Tilted Patterns

2011-10-27T22:49:00.000-04:00

So every now and then, I find a technique or embellie that I love. (Think banners!) I might have a tendency to use it over and over. I switch it up a bit, but you can tell that I am in love.

Such is the case with using tilted, patterned papers overlapped in a diagonal fashion. I love how it adds a bunch of colors and patterns, but doesn't become overwhelming. The only drawback is that it is recognizable...maybe too repetitive? Hopefully, not boring.

I used this techique to make a Halloween layout using Teresa Collins Haunted Hallows. I love this collection! Awesome for the holiday and fall! I have loved adding red to this collection through embellies or alphabets.

This technique is quite easy..I just layer strips of paper, some thick, some thin using a diagonal approach on a sheet of paper about 11X 11 or smaller. Then I adhere the strips and cut the ends off. For this layout, I actually tucked the ends under the frame.

As always, I love to create clusters near my photos. I hand cut the pumpkin shape and the word tags, popping them with foam squares from Thermoweb. I layered with Teresa's Blingage!

Speaking of Halloween, I shared a couple of layouts over at the Teresa Collins Design Team blog. I offered some tips about capturing Halloween! Here are some sneaks:

Go check them out!

Then, remember to create something you love today...predictable or not!

Teaming Up with Glue Arts

2011-10-26T18:05:00.001-04:00

The Webster's Pages team had the opportunity to pair up with Glue Arts this month...what a treat to receive so many awesome goodies!

I really loved the Glue Glider Pro and the dimensional glue dots. My favorite product is the U Cut It Foam Blanks. They are large so you can customize the size to fit your project. I used it to give the Webster's Fabric Tickets a pop and make them sturdy. It looks awesome in real life!

Here is my layout:

To learn more about my layout and see what my super talented teammates created, go to the Webster's Pages blog. There are giveaways.... Be sure to visit Glue Arts blog as well!

I have been taking a few days off...editing photos and watching TV. I have been wiped from life in general and need to recharge my scrappy energy. Such is life! I am also gearing up for this:

Should be a blast!!! Happy Wednesday!

Monday Musings: Building Them Up

2011-10-24T20:48:00.000-04:00

So how do you build them up all while teaching them right from wrong? How do you discipline and teach, yet not have them feel bad about themselves? My two kids are great overall...well-mannered, helpful, and hard working. But they still find themselves in trouble. Nathan needs two reminders on the bus or he throws a glass bottle into the recycling bin and misses...sending glass everywhere. Ella fights for my attention so much that she will blatantly ignore my requests to "wait one second please". When they earn that consequence you told them that they would get, they start to say things like..."I am a terrible kid. I can't do anything right."

Steve and I have never said anything like that to them. The rational side of me knows that is their way of avoiding the situation and playing on our sympathy. But I want to ensure that they are getting the lesson in a way that builds them up. Parenting is so hard.

She is my best friend most moments. I find that if I hug her and shower her with kisses, she is more willing to be cooperative. I just think that she wants my attention...good or bad. So I am trying to use that on her. If I give good attention, she rises up. I had a long talk with her tonight about being strong-willed. We talked about how it is a good thing, but sometimes...she needs to give up that will and just listen. Because there is much to be learned from others.

She sure tries to bat those eyelashes...

(Supplies: Teresa Collins World Traveler paper, die-cuts, Webster's Pages flower, Maya Road metal charm)

I want her to realize it is her inner spirit that matters the most. Her brain is her most powerful tool.

I want both of them to know how special they are. Even when they make mistakes. It is all the process of learning.

At Home: Entry Way

2011-10-23T16:03:00.001-04:00

What a weekend....I have been so inspired to organize, purge and clean! I also painted my hallway...I must rid of all the dark brownish-gold that covered every surface (thanks Ma!). Spending time decorating and making the house ours is one of my favorite things to do.

I find myself walking around and thinking, I love this house. It is a good feeling.

So onward to my entryway. There used to be a red tile with a blue insert. It did not match the new kitchen and direction so it went! I had a hard time finding the just right entryway table to fit my space. There is enough room, but I couldn't go too long, too high or too deep because of my stairs. I think it has come together nicely with new tile, a coat of paint and new decor. This is what it looks like upon entering the house. Don't mind the tan trim along the stairs...that has to be painted next!

The table that fell into my hands. I walked into a friend's house and thought, "hmm...this is perfect. I gotta ask where she got it." Little did I know, she was getting rid of it! Score!

I love mixing old pieces with new. This is one of the baskets left behind by my mother-in-law. I got lucky in that she left other things besides that terrible tan paint...many good things! I love to decorate with books as it adds a homey, lived in feel.

Now, the gallery wall! I love eclectic gallery walls I see all over Pinterest. I am a serious collector of images and my favorites include a mix of different elements. I love when the frames don't match and when there is a bit of unexpected. The day I decided to do this I was short on time and money. So instead of waiting for the right time to buy Pottery Barn frames of mixed styles and colors, I went shopping in my basement.

The white frames are actually Pottery Barn. Wedding gifts...gotta love it! For the other pieces of art, I just looked for common colors. My thoughts were either black frames or dark wood. Dark wood won because I had more of them in my stash. I laid it all out of the floor first to be sure that I like the arrangement!

Notice how the dark wood frames as well as the art don't match. They do, however, coordinate.

I hope to find some vintage pieces, alphabet letters, rug beaters that I can begin to intersperse. But I think it looks good for now!

The view from my living room:

I love Pinterest and the ideas it has given me. I feel free when I decorate. I know that if I don't have it, I can make it. And I know that I don't have to follow rules, I just have to follow my own eye to make my home uniquely mine.

Before I leave, I wanted to let you know that the Webster's Pages girls teamed up with Glue Arts. We will be showing projects all week! There products + Webster's = heaven. Here is a sneak of my project.

Happy Sunday!

Behind the Page: Titles

2011-10-22T07:50:00.000-04:00

Where do your title ideas come from? and in what order? Do you do title, photo, paper or photo, paper, title?

It has always helped me to have a title prior to the page. Mainly with photos in mind, but I have also come up with a whole page concept prior to have any pictures to go with it. My favorite title inspiration comes from the products I am working with. I love seeing a piece of chipboard with the right words or a journaling block that gives me an idea. This is one of the reasons I love working with Teresa Collins stuff! Her typography rocks!

Case in point:

I love all the poison bottle labels and thought that combining them would help my titlework come together. I love that great big Danger label! It triggered the idea of Danger: "Excited Kids". I could hear the robotic announcement repeating over and over in my head. Teresa put that great chevron print in this collection and I decided to make it into a banner. This is the Haunted Hallows line!

Then, where to put the title. Why not on a curve, sitting on the banner? Titles are so important...why not give them star treatment.

A look at some details. I had to stamp twice because my first attempt didn't work so well. I ended up tracing the edges with dots to make it stand out more!

Titles capture the essence of a page. Even if the words are creative (Excited kids? come on...), the placement and thought can be!

Happy Saturday!

Thursday Trending

2011-10-19T23:17:00.000-04:00

When I think back to my scrappy style just two years ago, I would have called myself clean and linear. I had to have straight lines. As in the kind you measure to ensure they are perfectly straight and level. I always added something to give it a pop, but at some point, it started to feel static.

The whole concept of free, artsy, and scattered has really taken off lately. Even in fashion, I see so much mixing of color and pattern. Unexpected shoes or a sweater you wouldn't think works! I love it...but I am not sure I can do it.

I can only go so far away from linear so you won't see too much tilt or messiness on my pages. I do want movement and interest though. Bottom line...on a 12 X 12 space that has been done a million times, how do you do something unique? For me, I have been adding in a bit of randomness. A bit of scatter. I still need my button holes to line up vertically or horizontally, but I can now move outside of the box.

Case in point...

Those stars are hard for me to do...random, scattered. But I do like the feel they give the page!

To add even more movement, a circle near my title. Because this title starts with Once Upon A Time.

I have so many Disney pictures and think the Winter Fairy Tales line from Webster's really works with them! The whole dream a dream, fairies and once upon a time thing...but in a random, unexpected way!

So if I start to try some of this freedom stuff with scrappy pages, do you think it will translate to a better sense of fashion?

Or do I leave that to Pinterest!?

Tuesday's Musings...

2011-10-18T22:01:00.000-04:00

well, they have to be on Tuesday because I had no computer on Sunday or Monday! Can you say major virsus? It put me in a panic...the thought of no pinning, no Photoshop, no blogging made me crazy. But, I digress!

What I really want to reflect upon is the concept of friends. Friends who see right through you, friends who have your back, friends you can trust to tell you the good and the bad. Good friends are hard to come by. And I am one who is totally and completely guilty of not keeping up with my friendships on a regular enough basis. Life just gets busy. I get tired. I mean to call, mean to check in more, mean to call this one or that one for coffee. But it doesn't get done.

Thank goodness for Facebook and email. Thank goodness for online communities and trips to Chicago. Although I may need to make improvements in the friendship communication area, I really do appreciate my friends. I know that I am surrounded by wonderful women who raise me up when I need it. They give me the hard truth and allow me to expose myself.

This page is about a particular friend. A mentor. The first to give me a break in this industry. She is my biggest cheerleader, personally and professionally. She represents many friends who I cherish!

I used the Jillibean Soup Sweet and Sour collection...this collection rocks! I also added some other Jillibean goodies and random stuff from my stash!

Today, I am thankful for all of my friends...near, far, those made in childhood, those just found. I am truly blessed...

Behind the Page: Using It All Up

2011-10-15T08:57:00.000-04:00

Happy Saturday! I am so craving the weekend today! I hope to scrap a bit and take a ton of photos! I wanted to share a page and give some background about how it was built. I always love reading about how others construct their pages! Everyone has a different take and it is interesting to get inside the creative mind!

I made this layout recently with my October Nook kit! It features My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Sunshine...I have to say that this color palette is amazing! I have been attracted to soft, almost monochromatic layouts recently so I gave it a whirl.

I started this page with the photo and the background papers and kinda built it up. It was a process of adding different sized rectangles or strips in the right places. The jazzy gold with the circles is meant to bring the eye to the photo.

I made my own chipboard frame. I love the look it gives to the picture. I simply grabbed the packaging from the MME brads and used my Elmer's Craft Knife to cut out a rectangle. I adhered it with pop dots!

I decided to add handmade hearts. I used the old fold-a-rectangle-in-half-and-cut-half-a-heart-on-the-not-folded-side. You open it up and have a symmetrical heart! I then cut the inside of the heart out and used it to overlap. I purposefully placed it up top because I don't do that often and I like how it brings out the photo. I added little touches like the brads and the pin to give it all texture.

This element is heavy so I needed balance on the other side. That led me to the bottom cluster. I knew I wanted to put the circular brad and the numeral 7. But those things didn't have enough substance. So I added the stamp. I actually stamped right onto the page, but it didn't look right. So I stamped again on a piece of cardstock, cut it out and placed it over the other image with pop-dots. The banners and twine give it the final touch of balance.

The touches of blue are placed in a visual triangle. And those dark brown strips are from the cut-off strip of the 12 X 12 paper. I like to use up as many of my materials as possible.

What is your process? Link me up...I would love to see!

Thursday: Trending

2011-10-13T21:00:00.000-04:00

So I mentioned a while back that I want to add more structure to the blog. I am going to try to add in some regular features. Sunday At Home, Monday's Musings, Thursday: Trending, and Behind the Page post. I have grand plans...LOL. It is all in the implementation!

The topic of trending doesn't necessary have to mean "trend," like a fad. Instead, I see is as what is getting attention, what is hot, what is catching my attention in a new way. And how can that be incorporated into my crafting.

One trend I have seen lately and have certainly engaged in is using little strips of paper instead of focusing on big blocks. I made a move to this type of scrapping in an effort to shake things up and make my work more interesting. I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like I am creating the same layout over and over. It gets boring and I feel stuck. So I like to move in a different direction.

I took the concept of strips and moved them away from the edges to the middle of the page. I also went vertical instead of horizontal. It shook things up just enough.

I used Crate Paper's Random here. Gosh, I love Crate. They had me at chipboard! That orange and raspberry together...yummo!

A trend I can't get enough of is clouds...I adore them. They added a final touch here!

I like the strips. I like the vertical orientation. The white space.

What has caught your attention lately? I would love to see!

Monday's Musings

2011-10-11T20:00:00.001-04:00

I find myself stopping lately.
Right in the middle of a moment.
To tell myself to freeze it and live in it for a few minutes.
To look around as if I am watching from somewhere else.
and to be grateful.

It is pretty cool and helps me to appreciate how many blessings I have...

I am feeling very self-reflective lately.

Proud of the goals I have set this past year and how I have achieved them. I pledged to push the reset button at work and I have. I have told myself to develop some consistency and I have. I wanted to be a better mom...more getting down on their level, sharing hugs and telling them the good stuff. I have and will...

I have a few things to focus on. Things that are big...
but I believe I can do it.

Once lost, I feel found.

Calls for a layout...

I used the October kit from My Scrapbook Nook featuring My Mind's Eye...beautiful kit, beautiful collection! I love the little touches of bling! I found inspiration in the strip that has the collection's name on it. Instantly knew that I had to do this layout!

It is as important to step back and think about your hard work, celebrate it...as it is to do the work!

There are many more musings to come!

At Home: Using Burlap

2011-10-10T00:11:00.001-04:00

I love when things look finished...a good paint job, a dessert table, a scrapbook layout! Everything around my home...

I picked up a couple of mums this weekend at the grocery store. I knew we were hosting Nathan's party and thought they would add a bit a fall.

When I put them out on the front porch, they looked like this:

pretty...but I hated the plastic pots! I didn't have much time to replant so instead, I jazzed up those plastic pots with a bit of burlap. Burlap is using to find and is cheap!

Here is what I did:

Cut long pieces of burlap, wide enough to cover the pot and long enough to wrap around and secure.

Grab the piece and wrap it around the pot. If I had enough, I would have just tied the ends around the back! Instead, I gathered the ends and overlapped them.

I grabbed a large safety pin (because I am all about pretty and easy!) and pinned the ends together!

To hid the ugly pin, I just flipped up a piece of burlap and tucked it over the pin...

Same pots, with a bit more class and a bit more interest:

And my front porch...it is a work in progress! Pumpkins are needed!

Regardless, the burlap wrapped mums are pretty! It is amazing how such a simple trick can make such a big impact! It doesn't take a lot of time or money to make improvements!

Scrapping for Others

2011-10-07T16:08:00.000-04:00

Scrapping for other people is interesting...you are left with images you may or may not know the back story for. There is also a certain amount of pressure as you want to leave them with a special keepsake.

Scrapping for others can be totally rewarding...especially when it is someone you have watched grow and blossom into a beautiful and talented young lady. The subject of my latest layout is a former cheerleader...I was her coach for three years. She made me nuts! In a good way...

She was so driven and motivated. I knew she would be successful in life. And she is. A teacher, just married, a great friend. She actually know owns my first home...I am thrilled to know she is experiencing the positive energy the house holds.

I made this layout about her, for her. It celebrates her wedding day! I have several gorgeous pictures of her gorgeous day and hope to scrap them all for her.

Here is my first attempt:

I wanted the layout to be classic, simple...yet have enough bling and pop. Just like Trish! The papers in the My Mind's Eye Lost and Found line have lots of pattern. To make the layout calm, yet interesting...I did a bit of handcutting! I hope she loves it!

I used this layout for a Designer Showcase Challenge I am hosting over at The Nook this week! I used the beautiful October kit! The challenge is "A little bit goes a long way!" Come visit and play along!

Scrapping for others keeps you fresh and makes you open your design eye differently. Totally fun!

Have you scrapped

2011-10-04T22:01:00.000-04:00

about why you scrap?

I decided to tackle this subject on a recent layout! My theme really is about the whys...more specifically what I hope my kids take from my crafting.

It is not just the family memories. I want them to be inspired to be creative...art, scrapbooking, music, decorating...whatever! I want them to be reflective. I hope they keep journals...I loved practicing the art of journal...it frees your soul! I want them to tell stories...write and record.

I created those journaling pockets using the Webster Page's journaling cards. To see how, head over to the blog and check out my tutorial!

I love to scrap and want my kids to understand the benefits.

Before I go, I wanted to share the October kit from The Nook...this color combo is beautiful.

Rush over and get this one...it won't last long!

At Home: Cars 2 Party

2011-10-02T23:06:00.000-04:00

Oh, what a weekend! We had Nathan's friend party yesterday...10 boys. Ages 5-7.

He asked me for a Cars 2 theme and after searching the web and pinning away...I made some plans! I truly enjoy putting on fun parties for my kiddos. I sometimes can't spoil them during a regular work day. I would love to be able to greet them after school with a homemade snack...but it doesn't happen in my life. So elaborate parties it is!

Here is what the day looked like!

At Flo's Cafe for snacks:

At Luigi's having a bean bag toss into a tire!

At the race track...

I think he really liked it all!

Happy birthday dear Nathan!

Along the Lines of Really Cool

2011-09-29T20:10:00.001-04:00

Every now and then, something really cool happens...scrappy cool stuff! This one makes me smile! I knew it was coming, but didn't quite get it. Until I saw it.

Emma Bryan contacted me about being an inspiration for an upcoming magazine article she was participating in! Of course, I agreed...I was honored. She showed me her beautiful work and then time passed. I kinda forgot as life took over. Last week, a friend from The Nook posted the magazine. She had it in her possession and shared the pages that Emma contributed to! The magazine is Scrapbook Magazine out of the UK.

My work doesn't appear in the article, but Emma's very kind words about my stuff (see the red boxes and side bar) and her awesome projects do! How cool is this...

It is so fun to see how someone perceives your style! I am so very honored and really appreciate it! Thanks Emma...you rock!

I'm a Talker

2011-09-27T22:19:00.002-04:00

We were driving to my dad's retirement party last weekend. Just Ella was with us for the half hour jaunt. She hummed, sang, asked questions, commented on other cars. For the first 23 minutes. Steve turned to her and kinda said, "Ella..."

She looked right at him, all calm and cute...cut him off and said, "What...I'm a talker." "God made me this way." She then looked at me and said, "I came from your belly."

Oh, she is a talker. She has great vocabulary and seems to know the right joke to use at the right time. It is cute...unless you are tired and need a minute...then it is annoying...LOL!

I adore her!

I used one of my all time favorite Bella Blvd lines, Midterm! Adore those speech bubbles! I hand cut the red dotted paper to make my frame! And, of course, a banner. I could talk about those all day!

Speaking of talking and sharing! I had the chance to be a part of Christa Paustenbaugh's Meaningful Journaling feature over at Write, Click, Scrapbook! I have a layout in her post and I gave some insight into my process! Go check it out!

At Home: A Layout

2011-09-25T08:21:00.000-04:00

I have such big ideas about my blog and how to rev it up a bit. Ideas for regular features like At Home, Behind the Page and technique blasts. Real life gets right in the way...

but I will try. I want to share my house renovations and redos...it is amazing what you can do with your scrappy supplies and things you already own.

Today, I will share a layout honoring my kitchen. The renovation was worth every penny, every stressful day. It makes me so happy to go in there. I have filled it with retro details through antiquing, hand me downs and trips to Home Goods.

This layout came about because of the sticker on the top right hand side of this page. It is from the Random Collection and says, "Unique Kitchen Decor". Doesn't that just beg for a page? I went ahead and used retro like embellies on the rest of the page.

I have decorated for fall and I love the cozy feel my kitchen and house has...I'll be sharing soon...or at least I will try!

Also Known As

2011-09-22T20:52:00.000-04:00

Teacher, friend, Stace, SB, ST (let's see if my friends are reading my blog...), Edie...many nicknames

It was Freckle-face Strawberry when I was growing up as a little girl. Mental Ward or Wad when I was in high school.

I kinda like Mommy...

This summer my super imaginative daughter decided to have a new persona...she called herself Lizzie. Her father and her came up with a new identity for each of us. He is Frankie. For a few days, I heard them calling each other Lizzie and Frankie. Ella would bring it up at the cutest times.

Nathan is also known as Tony. Inspired by Tony Horton from P90X. That will forever remind me of this time of our lives!

I just had to scrap this...

I used the Sept. kit from My Scrapbook Nook...um, Crate Paper and Webster's Pages...hello!

Off to bed

I am also known as...tired!

To the Right...

2011-09-19T22:07:00.000-04:00

to the right
to the left, to the left...

oh, sorry...I forgot where I was! I did have my dancing shoes on this weekend at my dad's retirement party. He got us all out on the floor with his pure joy of dancing...he has the moves!

Speaking of moves, my daughter...she is a show stopper.
Think Elaine from Seinfield, but very cute and charming in a way that only Ella can be. She choreographs a routine every time she dances. She watches dance shows and practices all the time. I will admit it...I often join her on what is known as our kitchen dance floor. Poor Steven tries to do the dishes and we are moving and shaking all around!

I love her bravery, her strength and confidence. You can't teach that. I don't ever want her to lose that. I can be feisty and free, but it is calculated and only displayed under certain circumstances. It just happens for her without a thought.

She has been like this since she was born! It has been a beautiful blur.

I used the September kit from My Scrapbook Nook to make this layout! Gosh, I love Crate Paper. And this kit feautures Webster's embellies...it is a beautiful marriage!

I placed most of my goodies along the right side of the layout, something I haven't done too much before. I think it gives great balance for the larger photo. I had completed this for the Crate Color Challenge, but didn't get it in to Tara on time. I love the pink and orange together!

Wishing you a happy Monday...be sure to find some time to dance!

You know those quotes

2011-09-18T08:34:00.002-04:00

Like...sometimes we must give up the life we planned to live the life that is waiting for us or the happiest people don't have the best of everything...they just make the best of everything. Or maybe the one about how hings turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.

I found myself in that situation this past week. I was so sad the day that the Bella Blvd calls went out and I didn't get one. I did wake up last week to an email asking me to be a guest designer! I was thrilled to represent their fabulous company in any way, so I said yes!

It is not totally what I wanted, but it is probably where I need to be right now. I can respect my other obligations, my family, work and my other life outside of scrapbooking. Don't get me wrong, I still know what I want...but such is life.

Cue Rolling Stones song here...You can't always get what you want...you get what you need!

I am very excited to be a part of this list in any way...so many friends and so much talent.

Here is one of my favorite layouts that I sent for the call! I really loved everything I made and could not have created more freely or strongly than what I did.

I used the bright and fun Family Dynamix here! I love, love, love those playing cards! Thank you Laura and Stephanie for this opportunity!

Silly Time

2011-09-16T19:19:00.000-04:00

Friday...time to relax, laugh and let work slip away.

Wishing you a Friday full of silliness and love!

Layout using the new Jillibean Soup Sweet and Sour Collection...Love this!

Hugs!

Stepping Out: Behind the Page

2011-09-13T20:57:00.000-04:00

Stepping out of the box can bring a refreshing element to what you do. Buying a pattern you don't usually wear, getting a funky pair of shoes, saying yes to your kids when you usually say no.

It keeps that thinking flexible.

I was playing with my September kit from My Scrapbook Nook and decided to step out a bit. I thought I would share my thinking process with you.

I have mentioned before that I start from the small and move to the big when I scrap. I create a cluster with my photo and layer from there. My idea for this layout come from the photo! My daughter is standing next to a telescope. I grabbed this paper from my kit, which features the Random Collection from Crate Paper...it has lots of fun circles.

The telescope reminded me of the circles because of the lense. So I thought I would cut a row or two of them to use as my main cluster. I chose a chipboard circle and the pleated Stand-outs to compliment the theme.

Then, I layered and made my layout. The title got placed and I realized I had no place to journal. The yellow seemed like a good place. I thought of journaling strips and then stopped myself. I decided to write around the circles. I was nervous...I wasn't sure...but I like the end result.

The buttons finished it all off and grounded that writing!

Stepping outside of the box or in this case, the circle, resulted in a fun and different layout! You never know if you don't try!

Why I Scrap

2011-09-12T20:50:00.000-04:00

Gosh, sometimes I hate this hobby
hate the way that I let it make me feel
and I will be specific...the way that I let it make me feel

When you put yourself out there for teams or to submit and you aren't successful...it hurts. I let it make me feel not good enough. I have sung this song before...many of us have. I just want to stop comparing, stop wondering and just create.

I forget easily that I create for my two children. Ella asked me the other day about what I am doing with all the photos that I take. I giggled and reminded her about my scrapbooks. I told her that she would have those one day. She was quite amazed. I want her and the rest of us to remember our stories. Remember all the memories we built.

When I remember that, I love this hobby...through and through.

I am lucky to get to scrap them. That is my biggest success...the only one that should be important.

The Good News Is...

2011-09-10T21:34:00.002-04:00

I can look forward to a scrappy future designing for My Scrapbook Nook...again!

LOL! I think I am just a part of the inventory over there. I would be there anyway every day and I would be using the kits so why not start my fifth term???

The team is just amazing this time! We are switching it up a bit and designing on an every other month basis! Look at these girls:

Anna Sigga- Iceland
Carol Monson- USA
Danni Reid-USA
Deanna Misner- USA
Gina Rodgers-Australia
Hilde L Aaslund- Norway
Jaz Lee- Singapore
Jessy Christopher-Malaysia
Katarina Damm-Blomberg- Finland
Kim Moreno-USA (not Canada lol)
Leah Killian-USA
LG Belarmino- Phillipeans
Lilith Eeckles- Belgium
Lisa Kisch- Canada
Marinette LEFEVRE- France
Nicole Nowosad- Canada
Pamella Brown-USA
Shelleye McDaniel-USA
Stacey Michaud- USA

I am in awe!

Who wouldn't want to design with this kit?

It features Crate Paper's Random collection as well as some Webster goodies...really, two of my favorites all in one place!!!

Here is my first layout using the kit and add-ons! I am into bold, solid backgrounds lately!

I am looking for a simplier way. Less stress, more enjoyment...I plan to find it!

I Love to Listen In

2011-09-08T22:54:00.000-04:00

when they are talking, playing, laughing...

I could leave the fighting part...

but the rest, I love.

Since school started, I hear them a lot. Mostly Ella asking questions and Nathan giving her the lowdown. They help each other in the morning to remember the backpacks, lunches, etc.

I love it! I often leave the eavesdropping session feeling very proud.

I made this for the Bella Blvd. call using the Family Dynamix collection! I threw in some One Fall Day...still love those clouds. Even though I didn't make it :(, I look forward to seeing their new team. I am a fan. Always will be...

This layout speaks to me...it says that they love each other...

and I love them.

Sentimental

2011-09-06T21:33:00.000-04:00

So I consider myself a one man kinda girl. I am faithful and loyal. Can't help it...when I am in love, I am in love.

While I adore my dear husband, I happen to be speaking of the good ole scrapbooking layout! I really could just scrap 12 X 12 all day...no branching out into cards or projects. I love minis, love cards, love home decor...I make them...they come out okay, but I love layouts the mostest!

So today, in the spirit of trying...I am sharing cards! I think my biggest barrior is the sentiment. I want to be quirky and original like some of my favorite cardmakers. It just doesn't come easy!

And a project...which has a sentiment...giggle! This one was in the August issue of Cricut Magazine! So fun to use my Cricut and Teresa Collin's Black and White Cartridge to put this ribbon together!

All projects feature Teresa Collins: On the Edge, Sports Edition II and Timeless! I have been having so much fun playing with the new World Traveler and can't wait to share this week!

Of course, the new stuff is all layouts, glorious layouts!

Living a Colorful Life

2011-09-04T14:08:00.000-04:00

Ahhh...long weekend is in full effect! It has been a mixture of relaxation and getting errands done. All valuable.

In the spirit of really living it, I am going to keep today's post short.I found this at Pinterest a while back and loved the feel of it.

I decided to turn the sentiment into a layout! I would love for my kids to learn how to do this. Live a colorful life, rich and full of experiences. I want them to take risks and go big.

I had originally thought about creating sunbeams with the patterned paper. It turned into this, which I like! I made this for the Webster's Page's September challenge over at Inspire Me! Come over and join in the challenge for a chance to win a prize pack!

The focus was on using the Dazzle Me Gems. Brandin designed these to look like jewelry...they are stunning! I used on just as it comes and then cut another apart into strands. I thought that stitching would be a great way to distinguish the different papers, but I don't sew. So...I used the gems instead. I also used the new All About Me collection including the sparkle push pin and fabric tickets.

I am hoping you are leading a colorful life

today and every day!

My Open Heart

2011-09-01T20:03:00.001-04:00

I have learned many things based on my life experiences.

One of them is to close the door to uncomfortable situations. As fast as I can. I am not afraid of confrontation and can advocate for myself. By uncomfortable, I mean...situations that leave me vulnerable.

You build this perception of who you are and how loved you are. You think you know the truth. That your perspective is right and just and based on fact.

Sometimes it is not.

Sometimes strangers are angels in disguise with the stories they share. Stories that come at the right time.

Sometimes strangers who are much more than strangers open the door. And, by their kind and brave actions, they hold that door open at any cost...leaning, pulling, standing in the threshold.

Until you can't close it. By then, you don't really want to anymore.

I let the door stay opened and so many amazing things have happened. My perceptions are changed. They have been false in nature the whole time. If not false, then skewed.

and realizing that is changing me.

I used the new Botanical Christmas collection from Webster's Pages to create this layout! Those doors got my wheels turning! This collection is not just for the holidays!

I want to go to the door that has been opened and walk right on through. I think there are great things on the other side...

Coming Up for Air

2011-08-31T23:12:00.000-04:00

I am here.
really...

it is back to school week for all of us and it has been busy!

Life right now is about setting routines, laying out clothes, making lunches and squeezing it all in!

Two happy elementary school kiddos!

A tired, yet proud mamma!

And we are off...

Be back tomorrow with a new layout!

All Grown Up

2011-08-27T10:50:00.001-04:00

I can't believe this little girl:

Is going to kindergarten...

both of my children in school...

where did it go...and it only seems to be going faster.

She just graduated from preschool:

She had fun, one instance of tude! But that is to be expected from a strong, confident young girl.

Who has lots of friends she will miss and I am sure many more to come!

She is graduated and ready...

Even though I might not be...

Screens, Screens

2011-08-26T07:55:00.000-04:00

So many screens...

TV
computer
phone

I look forward to the kids going back to school so that their need to have screens is squashed!

We limit. We have reading time. We go on trips. We do a bunch.

They still want screens. I know it is the age of technology...Nathan is a whiz on the computer.

I did this layout a while back for Scrapstreet.com Magazine! I have been scrapping and creating new stuff, but can't show anything yet!

He loves screens. He loves to play with his toys along with the movie or show. But I want him to discover an old-fashioned style of play. The kind that I grew up on.

One that doesn't have so many screens.

Pinterest Pretties

2011-08-24T08:50:00.000-04:00

The last week of summer has found me:

having a family pool party and BBQ...so fun to see that many peeps in the pool

strolling along the CT shore, transported back in time with a trip to Mystic Seaport

realizing the power of a hot glue gun and some craft pieces for the kids to create with

working so that I will have a different kind of school year

sick...taking an antibotic that doesn't seem to be working on my cough

sleepy at night so I haven't scrapped much

pinning...but I pin every week!

Here are some things I have loved this week:

A layout that uses soft colors, almost monochromatic...I am intrigued by this

by Marcy Penner at Elle's Studio blog

This pillow makes me want to scrap...wouldn't this look cool on a layout!?

From See Kate Sew

I really want a pretty apron! Maybe it will help me want to cook!

Found at Lulu's Vintage

Oh, how I love this wall for my home. Somewhere, anywhere!

From the House of Smiths

So many pretties...so little time!

Hope you have found something beautiful this week!

Where did that idea come from?

2011-08-21T08:40:00.001-04:00

Where do you find your scrappy inspiration these days? I am super addicted to Pinterest and you can find small elements of inspiration in other craft projects, gifts, and home decor photos. I also love scrolling down my favorite scrappers blogs because it always makes me want to scrap!

We are having the last day of our virtual crop over at the Nook and there is so much eye-candy! Our theme is "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with everything Shakespeare inspired! I hosted two challenges and one of them involved the quote, "What a deformed theif fashion is." I put together this inspiration board full of Elizabethan fashions.

The challenge is to steal inspiration and incorporate it into a layout!

Here is my take:

I know the layout is not Elizabethan...but it doesn't have to be. What I did do was replicate the ruffle around the lady's necks. Hence the scalloped circle with the smaller scalloped chipboard.

And the idea for the burlap twine under my title came from the corsetting on the dresses. I knew I wanted to do a criss cross of some sort and this is how it turned out! I love the little monochromatic detail it gives!

Inspiration is everywhere! Maybe you just found some from the fashion above. Thanks Shakespeare!

Make it Work

2011-08-19T09:49:00.001-04:00

Channeling my inner Tim Gunn, maybe?

I love the phrase "make it work". Being able to take an idea to fruition and have it come out exactly as planned is a fab feeling. Being able to repair a project gone wrong feels pretty good too. I think "make it work" also means that you can use products you wouldn't normally use in a style that fits you to a tee!

Brings me to my latest project, a new Webster's layout! Now, I use Webster's all the time. It works for me. Shabby and layered or graphic and clean...it works. I like to dabble between styles! I love that every single layout made by Webster's will be unique. Because if you look at it from your eyes, you will see elements in the designs that no one else does!

I have a couple of friends who are afraid of Webster's. The papers are too pretty to cut or the A-sides are too patterned! But, I think Webster's looks good on anyone, especially if you bring your own perspective to it!

Here is my page. I used Yacht Club papers, stickers, flower, journaling spots and buttons! I also used Webster's alphabet stickers for the title words in red:

It is not a typical Webster's page. It is absolutely MY version of a Webster's page! I started with a bright cardstock to add some white space, but still mounted that on bolder patterned paper. I integrated B-side patterns like the stars and the red gingham. Who doesn't love stars and gingham?

If you look, I certainly used the A-sides, but I used parts of the A-sides. I hand cut the rope-edged, tall journaling block. I included the flowers and the wheel. Those little touches, graphics and patterns you can't find anywhere else add enough detail and whimsy!

I even deconstructed a Princess Petal flower to make the sun up in the sky! I love the bit of texture it adds!

So, how have you made something work these days? I would love to see! I so love this hobby because everyone has a different eye and a different perspective.

We all "make it work".

Nook Happenings

2011-08-18T09:26:00.001-04:00

My Scrapbook Nook is a hopping, happy place right now! One reason...our Virtual Crop starts this weekend and we have so much fun stuff planned!

Second reason, there is a design team call open until August 28, 2011. Things are different this go-round. Design obligations will be on an every other month basis, and typical 1 month non-design expectations will be spread over 2 months. So if you want to try out, but are afraid of the committment, fear no more! Every other month is fabulous!

And then, this:

Leah is hosting an awesome journaling class over at the Nook! Be sure to click on the image to see all the details and sign up! The class runs from August 21 until September 11th!

Oh, I wanted to add that my Crate Paper color challenge layout was featured on the Crate Paper blog yesterday! While I did not win, the feature is a nice treat! Fun, fun!

So much to look forward to!

Color Challenge

2011-08-16T08:28:00.001-04:00

I decided this month to participate in the Crate Paper color challenge! I was intrigued by the masculine combination and Tara Anderson's layouts drew me in.

Here is the combo...I grabbed this from their blog.

I love navy and was glad to try to find it in my Crate stash! For as much as I adore Crate, I don't scrap it enough! I want to! I want to!

Here is my take:

I added in a touch of orange to pick up my son's shirt. I love their faces in these photos...young friendship, so enthusiastic!

Participating was fun...I will do it again!

(PS...I didn't win, but my layout did catch their eye and it here on the blog!)
Have a colorful day!

What a Summer!

2011-08-15T08:30:00.000-04:00

Only two weeks left, and I am feeling it...I have loved this summer. Tons of quality family time. We made an effort to teach the kids the art of exploration and flexibility. Each week held a day trip and we had jaunts to Disney and Boston.

I visited three cities this summer, rode the T more times than in the previous 20 years, and felt very independent. Life should have a bit of that to help you face the everyday and all of your responsibilities.

I think the family has liked this approach. Now, I just have to figure out how to edit my millions of photos!

Here is a layout featuring the new World Traveler line by Teresa Collins. I will get a ton of use out of this collection!

I love the touch of green is this collection! See the circle on the top with the No.? That is a stamp! Lovin these papers so much!

Can't wait to explore them more...it might just have to take place on the weekends!

Happy Monday!

Stash It: Daily Junque

2011-08-11T21:24:00.000-04:00

I don't scrap from my stash nearly enough. And it grows and grows...that is what happens when you keep shopping but don't pull stuff out. I make lots of things, but most have to do with an assignment. I am going to change that a bit. I plan to go to my stash at least one time a month...if not more and just make something...for fun, because I loved the product when I saw it!

Daily Junque by Pink Paislee did that for me! I realize it isn't even considered old, but I have had it for a while. Just sitting there, all pretty in its folder!

I opened it! and made this:

I love the navy in this collection. It is hard to find a good navy...when you have a boy, it is important! I had to tell this story. The first picture is the first one I took this Easter day! Nathan was crabby! I had high hopes to get a good photo considering it was Easter and they were all dolled up! I had to seriously bribe them to get to the photo on the bottom. LOL!

The metal embellies are all from my stash too! I have so much cool stuff all color coordinated that I just don't touch!

So there you go! I am pledging to use up my stash...will you help hold me to it?

Supply Obsession

2011-08-09T09:11:00.000-04:00

There are a few essentials that I cannot live without: scissors, patterned paper, a good alphabet. Maybe the simpliest, yet most powerful supply...my pen!

It helps me to journal, which is a must do on every page. I need a sturdy pen, fine point...Zig Writer is my man! It helps me to add small details like dots to boring letters. It also helps with adding frames of all sorts.

I relied heavily on my pen for this layout:

Good, old, reliable Kraft can be jazzed up with a pen! I used it to add some pizzaz here and to make all the circles pop!

I started with the journaling spots and some smaller circles I cut from polka-dotted paper. Once I had it laid out, but not glued, I decided to doodle the circles. My technique? I used the Happy circle to make the larger circles for the green #2 one. I used the orange #3 to make the circle for the Happy. And so on... In essence, I just made use of the supplies in front of me!

The rectangular shape here is not pen. I used the Jillibean Soup stamp in the August Scrapbook Nook kit! This kit is so fun...beautiful bright oranges! I did use my pen to make the lines and journal!

Speaking of journaling, be sure to sign up for Leah's journaling class over at the Nook. She is such a talented writer and will have so much to share. We are having a Virtual Crop on August 19th and 20th so be sure to come and play!

Bring your pen! I know I will have mine!

What Disney Looks Like

2011-08-08T09:21:00.000-04:00

So many pictures...here are some highlights:

No comments about the t-shirts, kay?

What a wild ride!