Be My Guest: Top Dog Dies

I am so excited to be guest designing for Top Dog Dies.  Top Dog Dies is a new online store that offers their own brand of wafer-thin and steel-rule dies, along with dies from brands you already know and trust, including Little B, Lawn Fawn, Taylored Expressions. Savvy Stamps and Cheery Lynn Designs. Top Dog Dies is also the leading U.S. retailer for Tattered Lace, a new line of intricate dies designed by British designer Stephanie Weightman.

I was sent a few gorgeous dies from their wafer-thin collection.  I love the beautiful detailing that looks just like lace.  I like clean and simple pages with some pizazz and the dies allow me to create within that style. 

 

Look at how pretty the Flower Mosaic die is...so delicate!  I always like to mat my photos with something special and this does the trick.  I used my Cuttlebug to cut out the design.  It was quick and easy!

 

 

Can you believe the detail?  I decided to highlight it further by placing the Story Time wood banner along the top.  This page tells the story of the girls in our family, their ages and how they have been such a big part of my life. It is a special sentiment and the mosaic makes it look special too!

 

 

 

 

Here is the best news of all!  Top Dog Dies is sponsoring a giveaway!  The winner will receive $50 worth of exclusive dies from Top Dog Dies. Follow the link here.  You just need to register via the Rafflecopter app on the page to enter. Deadline to enter will be Monday, June 30 at midnight Central Standard Time. Get over there quickly!

 

I have a second project over at the Top Dog Dies blog.  Be sure to head over and check it out!  So much inspiration on the blog! Here is a sneak peek.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Top Dog Dies for asking me to guest design!

 

 

On the Cool Side: Scrapbook Generations magazine

Have you seen the newest issue of Scrapbook Generations magazine?  It is a free, monthly digital magazine that focuses on sketches!  I am so honored to be joining the rest of the Teresa Collins design team as we played with two fantastic sketches!  I spent time going through the magazine and it is so well done.  I was seriously honored to be a part of the feature.

Here is a layout that I created based upon one of the sketches!  It was fun and easy to create!

Here is what this month's cover looks like!  To see the sketch and learn more about the page, you have to see the magazine.  I have a double page layout in the issue as well.

To view the magazine and drool over many amazing projects, go to Scrapbook Generations Magazine!  I am so lucky to be a part of the Teresa Collins team!

Be My Guest: Scrapbooking From the Inside Out

Wow, this week has been busy, crazy, full.  Work is back full force and I am trying to adjust.  I have been creating...I just need to find time to photograph my projects!

Today, I am sharing a page I made using the SFTIO September kit.  It is full of Glitz, Webster's, and Simple Stories.  The thing I love the most about this kit is the direction to focus on one emotion:  ambition.

I am a bit over-ambitious with my desire to renovate.  I can't help myself.  Everywhere I look, I see possibilities.  I can happily say that I don't have any major or minor renovation plans in the works.  Well, for this week, anyway.

I made this layout to document my constant to-do list.  I blame it on Pinterest.

 

I grouped this cute symbol of a girl with the journaling card and my photos.

 

 

I love these cute rub-on push pins and wanted them to have a starring role on this page.  I thought of using them to hold up my to-do plans on the calendar. 

 

It is a fun kit and I am glad that I could make pages about topics that I might not have considered otherwise!

 

 

 

Be My Guest: Scrapping From the Inside Out

I have the pleasure of being the guest designer over at Scrapbooking From the Inside Out.  I received a very full and very fun kit that fits the theme of Ambition.

This kit club is cool.  I love that there are themes each month that allow the scrapbooker to explore feelings and memories.  The emphasis is on journaling so you know I love it!

The September kit is full of Simple Stories and Webster's Pages along with some cool embellishments.  I quickly made four layouts and have more in mind for when school slows a bit.

Here is a page I made based upon the theme of Ambition.  I swear my kids make it a goal to see who is first, who is better, who will win ALL THE TIME!  It seems to be their life's ambition right now.  So I pulled out this photo and went to work.

I have a thing for speech bubbles and all they offer to designing a page!  I cut a bunch out from one of the sheets of paper in the kit...ones that matched my feelings and the situation.

I really loved using this template.  It is by Ronda Palazzari for Crafter's Workshop.  I traced the love with a black pen to make it stand out!

 

I want my kids to stop the quest for being the best!

 

Please check out the Scrapbooking From the Inside Out website to see more about the kit!

Blog Hopping: Projects That Wow!

I am super excited to share this awesome opportunity with everyone!  Jennifer Grace has put together a fantastic online class that is sure to inspire!  I had the opportunity to create a layout as a class sample and was very inspired!

Here are some details!

Projects that WOW!’ is about making your projects stand out from the crowd. What makes you pause and look closer at a scrapbook page when you are flicking through your own albums, or looking at other people’s layouts in magazines? Which cards jump out at you from Pinterest or from envelopes when you open them? What details of paper-crafted home décor or jewelery make you stop and say ‘wow!’? It’s time to learn some of these techniques or styles and put them to use!

This online class will consist of 15 PDF prompts (lessons) and at least 3 videos, and it will run as a ‘live’ class from Monday, June 10th to Friday June 28th.  All the class material will still be available to participants after the end of class, so don’t worry if you can’t manage it while it’s ‘live’. Class participants will receive an email with a prompt attached every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for three weeks. The class will feature lots of scrapbook layouts, but also some cards, jewelery and home décor crafts (all involving scrapbook paper/supplies). There will be a forum, and a gallery for class participants to upload to, and there will be some prizes up for grabs for those who join in while it’s ‘live’!

Each prompt will have a ‘theme’ of a particular style or technique, which can be used to make crafty projects that grab your attention. You may have seen these styles before but not been able to define them, or you’ll be learning new ways to use them! There will be two layouts, two cards, and another item (eg jewellery / home decor, etc) by Jennifer Grace on each prompt, as well as a layout by a guest contributor. Some will have step-by-step tutorials, some will be super inspiring!

Here is a sneak peek of the page I made as a guest contributor:

This blog hop includes a giveaway for three class places (worth £10 each). To enter you just need to comment anywhere on the ‘Projects that WOW!’ blog hop by 11.59pm BST Thursday June 6th. EACH COMMENT on EACH BLOG in the hop counts as an EXTRA ENTRY into the draw. The winners will be announced at Jennifer Grace Creates on Friday June 7th . If you’ve already purchased a class place and then you win, the class price will be refunded to you. So don’t wait to sign up! Go HERE to buy a place now!

Have fun blog hopping and see some great sneaks from all the contributors...it is a good list!!

Jennifer Grace
Sarah Webb 
Elena Stefanidou
Stacey Young
Riikka Kovasin
Peg Hewitt
Ashley Calder
Stacey Michaud:  That is me!
Brit Sviggum
Sasha Farina
Jill Cornell
Diane Payne
Anna-Karin Evaldsson
Natalie Elphinstone
Jennifer Chapin
Angie Gutshall
Jennifer Grace

Be sure to sign up today!  Happy hopping!

Be My Guest: Punky Sprouts

I always love the opportunity to work with different companies...there are some diverse and gorgeous products on the market!

I had the chance to work with one of Punky Sprout's mini albums, Soul Sprout.  It is the perfect size and it comes with a variety of pages...most chipboard, one tag and one canvas page.  It was a blast to mix it all up.

Here is what I created!

I made a mini about our favorite summer memories!  I used this fun, bright line from Carta Bella called Alphabet Junction...a real treat that was included in my box along with the album.

I layered patterns and stickers from the collection, focusing on using numbers on each page.

I love this tag page so much...a perfect spot for journaling.

I know I will appreciate the memories that this album shares, especially when the kids are grown up.

I am honored to have been a guest designer for Punky Sprouts!  Be sure to head over to the blog and website to learn more about their great products!

Be My Guest: Laina Lamb, Part Two

Hi there!  Back again with the second layout I created with Laina's newest stamp and die set from My Favorite Things!  I love the camera references in these sets and was super excited to see the Instagrammed stamp!  I use my phone camera a lot so I have many unscrapped, ready-to-go photos!

I grabbed one of my favorites and went to work!  I knew the Instagrammed stamp had to go front and center!

I also knew I wanted to incorporate the cute camera die as a part of my title...2 kids and a camera.  The Smile and Taken By tag are also in the set.

I used the Photo Op circle stamp along the top as well to match the other circles!  I seriously had a blast using these great stamps and dies...I plan to use these again and again!

Be My Guest: Laina Lamb & MFT

Who loves new product?  Scrappy goodies that really inspire?

I do!  I had the chance to play with Laina Lamb's newest stamp and die set from My Favorite Things. Laina is a super cool gal who is very talented.  She gets what is fun and trendy...as you can see from her products:

Cameras, Instragram references, cute little sayings...I fell in love!  I am so thrilled to have been able to work with these products!  Here is one project I created with her goodies!  

I used the grid stamp from the Graph Paper Notes set to create the right side background...The Say Cheese is also a stamp in the set from the Captured Memories package!  See that cute little camera...it is a die-cut from the Cute Cameras set.  I just put Laina's die through my Cuttlebug and there it was as cute as can be!

I also stamped several of the word tags from the set...I like how they help tell a story!

You can find Laina's designs here at My Favorite Things.  I will be back tomorrow to share another layout using her goodies!

Monday's Musings: It Seems Like So Long Ago

I know I have posted many times about how fast time is going by...

The kids are growing like weeds, life is crazy busy...it is a whirlwind.  I am scrapping many photos right now of events or moments that happened only a few months ago.  Yet, they feel really far away.

I have blogged here before about how great it has been to meet my family on my biological father's side.  Steve and I continue to look back fondly on our trip to DC and the time spent with my brother, his wife and daughter. 

When I look at this photo, it seems like it was so long ago.  It feels like forever since I went to Georgia.  Everyone is well...thank goodness for Facebook.  Scrapping these moments allows me to return in time.  Think about those feelings and reflect.

This was a great day...a great experience.  I am so thankful.

(Supplies:  Scrapbooking From the Inside Out October kit)

 

Knowing the importance of these moments as well as feeling like time is moving reminds me to hold tight.  I feel so compelled to have at least one strong bonding moment with my kids each day.  Not just homework and dinner and showers.  But reading books and cuddles.  Conversations about what they worry about or what makes them happy.  Tickles and jokes even when it is time for light's out. 

 

Because I know that these moments are amazing...yet, time will go quickly.  I don't want to be left feeling like it was so long ago...

 

Although I know that is inevitable, I am determined to make memories so strong...they won't soon fade.

Monday's Musings: Farewell Scrapstreet

Four years ago, I stumbled upon a very different and very fun website.  I found a call looking for new staff members to write for an online magazine, Scrapstreet.com Magazine.

Now...you must know that I once had dreams of being a writer.  An author.  I have often thought of writing for a scrapbooking magazine or other publication.  Maybe even a self help book.

Just like that, there was this call and I was excited.  Could I grab a spot on that team? This new scrapbooker who was just refining her style?  I remembering reading the scrap book, Find Your Groove right around the same time.  I was not in my groove back then.  But the girls saw something in me. 

I met the women who would serve as my mentor and, more importantly, my friend.  Dora is wildly creative and would dream up all these cool challenges and contests.  I dove into it all and fell in love with this hobby.

When I made the team, I knew I wanted to write about journaling.  I developed, wrote and edited over 50 articles about how to enhance journaling.  It is my passion in this hobby.  To me, a layout is a layout...until you put the story down.  Then it becomes a record, a treasure.

Through Scrapstreet, I have met many friends.  Some still in my life as acquaintances, some good friends I can't live without, some forever sisters no matter the distance time and life has provided.  Each summer, I get to make a trip and spend time with these girls.  I know it is the best thing to come from Scrapstreet.

(Supplies:  October kit from Scrapbooking from the Inside Out)

I went looking for one thing...

yet walked away with so much more...I will miss you Scrapstreet!

Monday's Musing: Proud of Who He Has Become

My little guy turned eight years old yesterday.  How can he be 3/4 of my height?  I tried to pick him up yesterday, baby style and had a hard time.

He has those goofy eight year old teeth that are adorable.  He is so curious about learning, non-fiction and how things work.

I am so proud of his character, his nature.  Both are pure and kind.  Considerate and selfless.

I can really learn from him and feel like it is a gift that I get to be his mom.

He was three in this photo.  There he is with Ella...he looks after her all the time.  It is in his nature.

 

One year later. 

 

 

And last year.  Notice how it has changed a bit.  They are walking away from me...symbolic, huh.  They are more independent. 

 

This is another layout from my guest designing gig with Scrapping From the Inside Out.  I used the October Journey kit from to make this layout.  I adore this kit!

 

They are two together.

 

 

I trust in the man he will become.  I know he will be kind and giving.  Considerate and selfless.  I know he will look after Ella.  As a mom, I take great comfort in that fact.

 

 

Be My Guest: SFTIO

I was just thrilled when I was contacted by talented designer and fabulous design team leader, Melissa Elsner, from Scrapping From the Inside Out.  She invited me to be a guest designer for the month of October using their Journey kit.  I enthusiastically said yes!

The kit arrived and I was in love.  A mix of Basic Grey and Echo Park with very cool embellishments.  Using the theme of "journey", my mind went wild.  I easily created five layouts, all of which I will share over the next couple of weeks.

Here is the first one.  It tells the story of my personal, life journey.  My mom keeps saying that my life has come full circle.  I have mended and healed the wounds of the little girl who lives inside me.  It is a story I needed to tell.

I love this woodgrain paper and wanted to use the Kraft circles from the kit to create monochromatic texture.  Of course, the circles fit my theme.  The bird represents freedom and the ability to soar.  I simply layered other pieces to give my black and white photos a place to rest.  The punch of pink represents the girl inside.

 

This kit rocks!  On top of that, I love the whole idea behind SFTIO.  It isn't just about the page, but its about the stories.

 

 

Nothing Like Home

We had an amazing week...

Hanging out with my brother Chris, his wife, Cynthia and my niece, Riley was so much fun.  Easy, good connections...many things in common.  He cooked us a fabulous meal and we just all hit it off.

Washington, DC was fabulous.  I loved the amount of learning that took place.  Culture everywhere, facts and nonfiction abound.  It was funny how much we relied on Nathan, our 7 year old, to give us direction.  He could name the different buildings when we couldn't figure out the map.  We walked for miles and shared a great experience together.

But it is good to be home.  To wake up in your own bed and have that cup of coffee.  Even to mow the lawn or do laundry.  Our home is our haven.

I did this layout recently for a challenge by Courtney Walsh.  I just finished her second book, A Sweethaven Homecoming, and it was awesome.  There were many themes involving "home".

I had this photo of our green chair via Instagram.  I kept wanting to scrap it...to tell the story of its importance.  This challenge by Courtney was perfect!  Here is why this chair means so much:

Can you tell that I love these Bingo cards in Teresa's new Vintage Finds line.  This collection is so amazing!  I can't stop using it!  I am digging 8.5 X 11 lately!

Home involves the things that are found on the inside, but it is more about a feeling.  It is about the stories that the walls and hallways have to share. 

We are so happy to be home.