Building with Embellishments

Happy Wednesday!  I have been loving the new You Are My Happy collection by Teresa Collins.  It has a gold, pink, and orange color scheme!  So fresh and fun...I am really enjoying using all of the elements in the line.

 

To build today's layout, I used mainly embellishments.  There is hardly any paper on this page, well in terms of 12X12 sheets.  There are so many bright colors and vibrant patterns in the embellishments that I wanted to selectively use paper.

 

I love the thought of creating and enjoy watching my daughter get the bug!  I used a deconstructed grid on this page.  Instead of placing all of the elements in rows and columns, I staggered things a bit.  It was easy to do with chipboard, diecuts and brads.

 

 

I wanted to add a touch of uniqueness to the page so I incorporated some layered scallops.  It is girlie and soft!

 

It is amazing how far you can go using small pieces of paper and embellishments!  Try using more goodies than papers on your next page and watch your creativity get boosted!

Monday's Musings: He is a Veteran

My dad.  He is a veteran.  He served his country with dignity and pride during the Vietnam War.  For years, he participated in military clubs to bring awareness about Vietnam.  I remembered going to all those Veteran's Day parades because he was marching.

 

He is an artist at heart.  You have never seen a snowman sculpture until you saw his.  He has made several pieces out of welded materials.  It is a part of him he didn't pursue fully, probably because he was being a dad to four girls.

 

He is now a Papi.  He loves to recognize his former life through our kids.  I know he relives our childhood every time he is around his grandkids.

 

This is the perfect example.  He has an antique Schwinn bicycle that is in beautiful condition.  He wheeled it out one day this past summer and wanted to take each kid for a ride on the middle bar or the back basket. 

 

Being a helicopter mom, I wasn't sure.  There weren't helmets.  My kids hadn't done that before.  But he insisted and reminded me that I was alive and well even after all our childhood adventures.

 

I allowed it.  It was awesome to see my kids giggling and loving the ride.  He told me that Ella laughed just the way that I did thirty plus years ago when he brought me for my first ride.  It brought him right back.

 

Watching him beam with pride, it took me right back too.

This is his everyday life.  My war hero.  The man who sacrificed so much for his country.  He did that so he could ride on this Schwinn and make his grandkids feel the wind on their faces.  True, simple freedom.

Who Loves Navy?

I do, I do!  I love navy!  It is a classic punch of color that makes me happy!

The new We R Family line from Lily Bee has just the right amount of navy!  Sometimes it is an accent and other times, it takes center stage.  Here is a new page I just created.

 

I used the Daily Deck cards to build most of this page.  The cards are so versatile, I used one for the typography, one as a journaling spot and cut the other to make the Family heart.  I love how the touches of navy allow me to scrap boy layouts!

 

 

I used the new metal badges and enamel dot stickers on this page too!

 

It is always great to have a line that can capture memories about the male side of the family!  I really wanted to share this photo because it shows how much Nathan looks like Steve.  It is crazy!

 

Happy Saturday!

 

Thursday Trending: Filling in the Sides



I sometimes feel like pages begin to look the same. For me, a top strip and white space are a must.  But I wonder if it gets old.  Lately, I am trying to fill in the rest of the space differently.  Maybe that will shake up the usual design.

 

Case in point, this page.  I went with the top strip and the slightly off-center photo placement.  Then I decided to tie the side into the design.

 

I used the same hexagon pattern along the left hand side and the top.  I also layered in several patterns in small doses along the side of the photo!  I really love pattern and colors.  It is easy to mix when you are dealing with a 12X12 page. 

I incorporated another trend I love on this page, the sunburst.  Yummy!  I purposefully placed it so the rays seem to come from Nathan.  I used last winter's releases from Alison Kreft to make this page.  Gosh, I love her stuff!

Another detail shot, using arrows and more hexagons.  Maybe I really like shapes too.

I think I will try more stuff along the sides!  They deserve some attention too!

Monday's Musings: Be Vibrant

Subtle, quiet, monochromatic...serene and calm.  There is value in surrounding yourself with colors and patterns that fit in with that theme.

Or you can go bold.  Use a red rug in your living room.  Wear the colored denim and a large scarf.  Try something new.

I recently went bold on a page.  Way bolder than usual.  It almost bothered me.  I told myself that it looked better in person than in photos. I questioned and wondered if I should make it quieter.

Then I let go and let it be bold.  I feel like I am doing that more and more in life, which is quite refreshing.  Get your eyes ready....LOL!

I decided to embrace that bright pink and white, that large pattern!  It all pointed right to the photo...so, doesn't bold work?

I paired the graphic with the frilly, incorporating the floral file folder.  This is the You Are My Happy collection by Teresa Collins.  It is bold and fun!

You only have one life so why not live it boldly?  There is something freeing about abandoning what I usually do.  Something liberating about living out loud and not caring about what everyone else thinks. 

In scrapbooking and life, I plan to move forward....boldly!

Monday's Musings: Distance Stinks

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

Life really is sweet.

 

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

 

 

Giving It Some Direction

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

Tuesday Tip: Tell The Truth

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

 



At Home: EntryWay Update!

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

It involved this:

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

 

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

Before:

 

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

 

 

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

After:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 



Have A Lot To Say: Layer It!

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 



 

 

Blog Hopping: CardMaker Magazine & Webster's Pages

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

 

Craving Pajama Sunday

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

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

 

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

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

 

 

Only a few days away...

 

 



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

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

 

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

 



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

 

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

Heart melting...

like his smile...

 

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

 

 

Happy Collection by Teresa Collins

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

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