Inside the Art: Celebrate

It is April and with a new month comes a new kit from Scrapbooking From the Inside Out.  This month's kit is called Celebrate and it features Webster's Pages and Jillibean Soup.  These are two companies I love! 

I decided to make pages with happy themes that celebrate the good in my life.  One of my pages is about how I have just finished P90X3.  90 plus days to hard work and dedication.  I pushed my body and my mind.  I saw changes in my strength and proved that I have overcome an injury from a couple of years back.

 

I kept this page simple, letting the bold orange pop!  I incorporated the typewriter as a symbol of documenting change!

 

There are cool, vibrant colors in the Jillibean Soup pages...so much fun!

Look at some of the very cool embellishments from this kit!  I am very much enjoying scrapping with the SFTIO goodies!  You should check them out!

I also plan to enjoy working out, mixing up P90X workouts from all the series.  I want to see how in shape I can get at age 40 plus!

Monday's Musings: It Makes Me Smile

I love those moments in life where a smile takes over...it is not forced...it is just easy.

This photo makes me smile.  It shows two happy families.  Even happier to be together.

I love how Ella and Nathan are holding Riley's hands.

I think you can see the happiness radiating from me.

I can't wait until the spring when we get together again...plus two more families.

I used a mix of Jillibean Soup to create this bright and cheery layout...I adore that blue background!   The mix of red and orange...yummy!  I went with numbers here.

Three days, 8 family members (Logan was still in Cynthia's belly!)...

one priceless photo!

Smiling here...

Sunday At Home: Those Screens

Screens are everywhere...phones, computers, TVs, the Wii, Leapstars, DSi.  It is hard to get away from them.  But we set parameters.  We have time limits and windows of play.  My kids try to push it though.  It is a constant push and pull.

Summer is easier to promote no screens because it is all about the outdoors.  I caught some cute photos of Nathan and decided to scrap about the topic of screens. 

 

I used Jillibean Soup here.  How fun are those collections...they can keep me off the screens for sure!

I went big title here...love that trend!  I put the "no" on one of journaling circles and just layered.  I love the amount of embellies that are available.

 

You know what...from the looks of his smile, Nathan doesn't seem to mind the lack of screens.  We need to recreate this all fall and winter too!

Monday's Musings: It Will Work Itself Out

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It usually does!

Thursday Trending: Just Keep Adding

Just keep adding, just keep adding...yes, I want you to repeat it in the same song-like pattern as Dorrie from Finding Nemo.  Sometimes it is hard to come up with titles for the blog posts...

Yet, just keep adding is my personal trend.  How to make a 12 X 12 look slightly different, slightly unique.  Because there are only so many ways to make a page.  So lately, it is still clean...but with extras.

Like the ric rac that I hung as garland.  The garland trick I have done before, but the material to create it is different, slightly unique.  I had the plan to use the garland to hang my title.  I love little alphabet letters, but don't like how ungrounded they can look.  So they must hang!  That was still not quite enough...so I had to hang more ric rac for interest.  Just keep adding.

When the basic design was done and I decided on the garland, I added the pinwheel sticker and the buttons.  All those layers seem to balance out the photos.

I used the June Grab Bag from My Scrapbook Nook featuring Simple Stories and Jillibean.  The Grab Bag is sold in addition to the coordinating kit...it is actually the size of a small kit!  I love both items!!!  Here is the kit!

Pam just keeps adding too...here is her monthly special!

We only have 5 grab bags left for May. So here it is-the next five people who join will receive the May kit and a free June kit! You will also receive a free grab bag for May and June!!!! After one year paid in the club you will receive another kit for free!!!! This deals gives you $110.00 plus dollars free. This is the first time we are running this special and only have 5 May grab bags left.

So what are you doing later to just keep adding or just to it fresh in general...do share!

 

Behind the Page: Simple Stories

Who knew Simple Stories could be soo fun to scrap with?  It is featured in the June My Scrapbook Nook kit along with Jillibean Soup and American Crafts.  I am so loving these papers!!

The motifs have a lot to do with summer, but can be used in a variety of ways.  My page was built upon the feel of the ribbon award that reads, "Best Memory."  I feel in love and immediately thought of the photos of my mom and dad with all the grandkids.  I adore that this fun moment was captured...it really show my mom's spirit with her grandkids.  She would do anything for them.

I simply started clustering from the ribbon.  It is big so it needed some balance...hence the large title and the cluster to the top left.  Big titles are making me happy these days!!

I used the green Jillibean card to the right of the layout to add that final touch of balance.  Plus, I think the brightness brings the eye to the photos more! 

The cluster is just built upon journaling bits and stickers from the collection.

It is a simple story to be told...and I tried to make the layout as fun as the photos.  It was easy with this awesome kit!!

Happy scrapping!

Tuesday's Musings...

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...

Silly Time

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!

Supply Obsession

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!

Getting Creative

I got a trim card in the new August Nook kit...full of pretty ribbon.  I wanted to see what I could make from it.  There are numerous sources of inspiration over at Pinterest...it got me thinking...and playing!

I decided to make my own double decker ribbon flower. 

 
I twisted and turned and created the canvas petals!  Then I looped to make the gingham ones!  If you are interested in more information, head over to the Nook to see my technique class!

Here is the layout that showcases the flower:

I used the August kit featuring My Mind's Eye and Jillibean soup to make this layout!  I adore orange and this kit has a lot of it!  Check it out!

So, spill it...link me up...show me what you have gotten creative with in the past week!

CHA Summer 2011 Faves

What a fun time at the show last week!  It was small and quiet, but I don't mind it like that.  You really get the chance to talk to people!  I was initially not thrilled with many of the releases this year, but once I saw them in person, I changed my mind!

I have to say that I work for two great companies and two amazingly kind and involved women.  I had the chance to spend some time with Brandin from Webster's and it was a treat.  Meeting Teresa at the show was so much fun.  Knowing how warm and validating they are makes me want to work even harder to show off their great releases!

Some photos of Webster's!  I love the releases this time...so many awesome new embellies!

And Teresa Collins hit it out of the park too!  I love the new trims and bling...my fave line is the World Traveler:

My others faves at the show:

The Amy Tan line...so fun and the colors are great!  The embellies had me immediately.  There was so much buzz at the show about this line!

Crate Paper!  Everything really, but I was mostly drawn to the Random collection.  That dark blue is so unique!

Jillibean Soup blew me away too!  I adored their new chipboard alphabets and the Sweet and Sour Soup collection!  Look at these new embellies too!

Be still my heart, October Afternoon!  They released some awesome collections...so much that I can't pick a favorite!  I just need them all!  This sheet from their Farmhouse line stole my heart:

Loved Bella Blvd too...I always do!  Their booth is totally amazing!  I love her bold patterns!



Studio Calico Memoir...yummo!  Their designer's samples always draw you in!

And, I loved Lillybee.  The images online have not done the collections justice because they are stunning in real life!  If only I had a photo...LOL!

It was fab to meet many people for the first time and run into old friends (Hi Suz!).  We need to organize a lunch next time so everyone can hang out!

Before I leave, I wanted to share something special with you...a wonderful opportunity: 

Leah is a master at journaling...such a talented writer!  Be sure to check out this class!

So what were your favorite new releases this show?

Krafty Love

and I don't mean "crafty love"...nope, I am talking about my addiction to Kraft paper.  I can't get enough of it!  The perfect neutral background, yet it never feels stark or cold.  I scrap with it 90% of the time.  It is not that I have anything against black or white...Kraft just sings out to me.

Another new addiction in my scrappy life is my Hipstamatic photos.  Is is bad that I have a fab digital SLR camera, yet I reach for my iPhone a ton? The retro effect seems to give so much feeling to the photos.  The results are unexpected and fabulous!

Combine both things and you have a layout that just fell together in minutes.   Gosh, I love when that happens!  I used the October kit from My Scrapbook Nook...my monthly vice!

I really like how the Hipstamatic photos come in squares...allows for an always popular grid pattern!  To make this layout, I simply laid out my photos, varying the colors.  Then I reached for scraps...I needed to balance the weight of the photos on the left side so I added the large block of red.  (By the way, red polka dots are another reliable go-to).  I like to ground my design so I used matching strips of striped paper...I think it makes it cohesive.  Then I just filled in the spaces of the grid like the bottom where I put the rub-on.  I could be very addicted to Lily Bee's rub-ons!

Add in a large block of journaling to explain the randomness of the photos.  I just put together a variety of images from the summer!  It was nice, but still missing that ONE thing...so I added the banner.

Yep, banners are a staple too!

I can't help it...I love what I love and I love it forever!