Pink Paislee Love

so...it is no big secret that I love Pink Paislee...what a year I had with them.  I admit...I was heartbroken to not continue on, but such is life.  It was a fabulous treat to get a box of goodies when Rebecca generously sponsored ScrapStreet.com Magazine last month.  Felt like old times.

I jumped in and made three layouts using Soiree!  I have since ordered all the other collections and am in love...now if only the summer would start and I could get to using it!

Here is one of my Soiree layouts:

Nathan had a superheros party this year and it was a blast!  I love this group shot and it worked perfectly
here! I handcut the whole shape from a sheet of the paper!  To add some detail that wasn't so bold, I stamped a border!

Of course, I created a banner for the corner.  Sorry, this trend will never die for me!

Ahh, Pink Paislee...always in my heart!  This is a fun collection!  So bold and bright!  I will share some more in the next few days!

Happy Thursday!

Back...I hope

Whew...looks like we are back...computer issue seems to be resolved!  If it doesn't last, at least I know that I backed up everything on my external hard drive.

Can you imagine losing all those photos?  I would be distraught.  I love to use the same photos several times because there is always a new story to tell!

Wanted to share a couple of layouts I did recently using the Imaginisce line...super sweet papers and I had fun with them.  And, yes, I will make a banner out of everything!

Those little pieces of fruit really inspired me!  I think I am going to dabble in 8.5 X 11 more...shake it up a bit.  It is a funny size...I always want to make pages this size, but then sometimes it just feels small.

Anywho...hopefully all stays strong in the technological department!

Happy Tuesday!

Stampin It Up

Yeah...bad title...LOL!  Because I won't be talking about that company, but will be sharing some projects that incorporate stamping!  I am not a natural stamper.  I don't automatically reach for them, but when I am pushed a bit in that direction...I find that I do enjoy it!  Stamps can fill in that empty space on a layout or add a more transparent effect!

I used Unity Stamps as a part of an assignment for Scrapstreet!  Here is what I came up with!

A layout using Cosmo Cricket!

A card using Pink Paislee!  I flocked the stamped sentiment to make it fuzzy!

I created the title card with a stamp and the border along the top!

Can't wait to get my hands on the new Teresa Collins and Webster's Pages stamps...I have a feeling my usage rate will increase dramatically!

ScrapStreet Shares

Wanted to remind everyone about how fabulous the latest issue of Scrapstreet.com Magazine is!  We are a widely viewed ezine with amazing writers and designers.  Each issue has so much to offer and will surely inspire you!  I continue to write my monthly article on enhancing and improving your journaling, and I still love it.  Even after all this time!

I am looking for those who are interested in being guest designers as well as for you to follow the typical submission process!  Current calls can be found here!  I am currently looking for pages that incorporate idioms or beloved family sayings into the journaling!  The deadline expires on January 30th so you still have time to submit.  If you are interested in being a guest designer, please email me at stacey@scrapstreet.com with a link to your gallery/blog!  Once it is your turn, I will send you an assignment and you create! I would love to see your work!

Here is a page I created for my latest article about using your unique voice when writing.  That voice can change depending on the topic...I chose to use my gnarly, Valley girl voice from the late 80s and early 90s.  Remember that...there was even a TV show about the craze.  I suppose Jersey Shore is the modern day version.

Don't laugh at me, but that was my college hair!  HUGE!  Double spiral, piggy-back perm.  It was a whole heck of a lot of hair!  Oh, and my waist was sooo small there.  Sigh...darn aging process!

Be sure to check out the January issue and get ready for the February one!  You will not be disappointed!

The Most Wonderful Time...

...of the year.  Sure it is crazy busy and every weekend is full...but it is all time spent with family and friends.  I am loving the cold weather this year because we are just hunkering down every day after school.  Lots of family cuddles.  I am starting to exercise again and hope I can make a go of it.  I want to be as healthy as I can be.

A few weeks ago I told Steve that I want to be more loving.  I can be a bit aloof and have never been much of a hugger.  Except with my kids.  But I think that being loving will help me be happier, feel more secure and it will certainly help Steve and I stay centered as a couple.  So I am practicing and trying it...it is good.  Makes me not get so caught up in all the responsibilities and all the things that I am not doing well!  LOL!

On the scrappy front, I have some projects to share.  The team at Scrapstreet was sent some Bella BLVD goodies to play with and I fell in love with the products.  Here are some layouts:

Don't forget that Pink Paislee is celebrating the 12 days of Christmas with amazing giveaways!!  And, there is more, Teresa Collins is giving away goodies each day this month! 

See, I told you it was the most wonderful time of the year.

I Could Give You a Lame Title

or I can just admit that I don't have one...LOL!  I am feeling down a bit...putting pressure on myself in this crazy industry.  Thought I sent some GREAT pages, but I was off in my assessment...Why must we all be overachievers?

The rational part of me knows that it doesn't really matter because I scrap to celebrate my family.  In the end, they are most important in all of this.  I will keep repeating it.

My husband says that I put myself in positions where I am being judged by others.  Even when I was coaching cheerleading, our competitions were about being judged by a panel.  At the end of the day, people look at things with different eyes from a different background.  Personal likes have to factor in.  Maybe I am constantly looking for others to like me...he keeps telling me to explore it.  He might be right.

So I share a page with you.  One that I love.  It tells a story and records my family history. 

I used a wonderful stamp from My Favorite Things to create the background.  It gives the circle a place to rest and makes me title feel balanced.  This was in the October issue of Scrapstreet.com Magazine!  Be sure to check out the November issue...good stuff!

Off to lick my wounds and then to realize what really matters...

Thanks for listening.

What Makes Me Smile

I have been harried lately...swirling in a pile of to-do lists and social engagements.  Instead of complaining, which I can do from time to time, I decided to focus on the small things that make my life wonderful.

1.  I get to see this face, randomly throughout the school day.  I run into him and start to beam.

It makes my day.

2.  Ella is getting it...I see her stopping and thinking more before she acts.  I watch her trying to do the right thing.  She is a great kid full of that certain something and I know she will shine.

3.  Random, off key songs sung by Ella.  She adores preschool and all the music proves it.

4.  It has been colder here at night and in the mornings.  Both of my kids wants hugs to warm up.  I like it.

5.  My kitchen and dining room are done and fully decorated.  I feel at home there and it is great. 

6.  Steve and I went back in time this weekend.  Spent time with old friends.  It was nice to be the Stacey and Steve of yesterday, even if it were only for a short time.  It was also awesome to catch up with Steve's group of friends.  People I consider friends as well.   There is an ease and comfort there that is refreshing.  I wish we all got to experience it more often.

7. My dad's shoulder surgery went well.  I so want him to have a great quality of life again and this continues him on that path.

8.  I have many ideas and thoughts about creating.  I just want to do it for the right reasons.  My scrap space is in good shape and I think it will be great for the mojo!

9.  There are plenty more examples, which means life is good.  Time to live it!

Six years

Before I start I wanted to remind you to be sure to visit the post below before Sunday and leave a comment...Elmer's prize packages are up for grabs!!!


Six years since Nathan blessed my life.  I will never forget the moment he was born...the moment I held him for the first time.  He is a pure joy in this world with his big huge heart.  I told him last night that I am proud to be his momma (that is what he calls me). 

This is the face I get to look at:

I used a mixture of new Jillibean Soup here as we did an article about their CHA release.  Gosh, I love those eyes...both Nathan's and the ones on the paper!  I handcut the stars from a sheet of paper and scattered them around!

If you are visiting from the Nook, be the first to comment to get an extra point.  I have been working with and loving the October kit and will have layouts to show you in the next couple of days!

Other than that, I have been celebrating birthdays and working on the house.  I actually have some things up on the walls and it feel really good! 

At least that won't take six years....

I've Been Bitten by the Bug

As in the decorating bug...

it has been a long time since I needed to shop for a new couch or think about color schemes. Today found me visiting Pottery Barn after my lovely husband took the kids for a couple of hours. I could spend all day there. I found a gorgeous pillow that will be my inspiration for the new house...it will help me determine furniture pieces and paint colors.

I can't find it online except as a part of this living room arrangement. It is on the chair:




So in love with this piece:




Adore this couch for my "sitting room":




sigh...

I can't wait to visit Marshalls/Home Goods and just walk around for hours, scanning and scouring. Treasures are in those aisles. I liked doing it 10 years ago, but now I think I will be good at it. I have matured, have a sense of what I consider to be timeless. I think scrapbooking helps as I have a better idea about incorporating texture and pattern while maintaining balance and flow.

If you have any good sites that could serve as inspiration, please leave a comment. I am hungry for ideas right now!

Since we are on the topic of style, here is a recent layout about my daughter! She is a riot...a 3 1/2 year old who adores fashion. She notices cool shoes, trendy necklaces, new shirts. Calls things she likes, "stylin'" Mom, don't I look stylin'! These pants are stylin'! It deserved a layout!



Ahh...I just hope I can be as stylin as her!

March Already...

Really...in just a few days. Time surely is going by. This week was a busy one, but in a weird way. Nathan was sick for 4 days so we rotated staying home with him. I didn't really "work" for 13 days...yet being home tending to children is certainly "work." In between laundry and getting him juice, I spent lots of time cuddling and just staring at him. As a parent, you want to suck the sickness out of them and replace it with pure joy. It is amazing how you can look into their eyes and see that they don't feel well.

Today was the first day that I saw the shine in his eyes again and it was nice!

The arrival of March brings new opportunities, more play dates, and lots of sibling interactions. I have some fun scrappy stuff coming up in the next few days so keep your eye out! Soon it will be progress report time and parent/teacher conferences. We will hopefully sell our house quickly and will begin moving.

During this time of uncertainity, I will hang on tight to these two. My love bugs, the lights of my life. They bring a softness to me that no one else can and I am very grateful.



This layout appeared in the Feb. issue of Scrapstreet. We were sent this gorgeous Theresa Collins paper to play with and I truly enjoyed it!

Speaking of March, be on the lookout for the new issue of Scrapstreet. There is a nice surprise for me! And, rush on over the to Nook to order the March kit featuring Pink Paislee's Bayberry Cottage! If you sign up for a one year membership to the kit club, you will receive a free February kit (the one with the gorgeious Origins line). You also get your 13th kit FREE!!! So, you get two kits for free! Go here to check it out!

Enjoy the last few days of February!

Word of the Year

Any of you choose a word of the year? I believe it was Ali Edwards who started this trend and it sure has caught fire. Seems to me that choosing a word is actually more popular than making resolutions!

Last year's word was Be. Just be at home with myself. Realize that contentment is good. The blessings I have are wonderful and are more than enough. That led to the creation of this layout, which still remains one of my favorites from 2009:



I really tried to remember that wish all throughout this year. It seemed to work most of the time!

To continue that pursuit, I have decided on the word Balance for the 2010 year! I want to make priorities, learn how to say no to things that aren't right and yes to things that yield a greater good. I want to spend enough quality time with Steve and the kids, to embrace every second we have as a family.

Along with that, I need to honor me. I need to scrap, to exercise, to have time with the girls. I need to drink more water and have less coffee. I know that I can do it, finding my way to balance. I think it will lead to an even greater sense of serenity!

It will lead to a happy me. I don't have a layout with this word yet...but this one is close to conveying my happiness. I scrapped this one for an issue of Scrapstreet, using the phrase, "How Can You Not?"



So here begins the pursuit of balance. An attempt to stay more even and remember what is most important!

How about you...what's your 2010 word?

P.S. Be sure to check back in here on Friday, Jan. 8th starting at 3:00 p.m. for the Nook Blog Hop! We are having amazing giveaways that you don't want to miss!