Scrapbook Saturday-Pretty Sketchy

Hello! Today I have two pages using one sketch.  I loved the ability to use up some of my pretty papers with all those circles!  I found the sketch on a closed group on Facebook, so I'm not sure I can share the link here.  I pretty much followed the sketch exactly so you have some idea what it looked like!

I used some very old DSP from SU called Cutie Pie, which is so fitting since all three girls in the pics are exactly that!  I punched several 1" circles, ran a couple of strips of pattern paper above and below my photos, added a rub on title on the first and stamped a journaling spot on the second.  I think I spent more time arranging circles in different order than I did on anything else!  I'm a bit anal when it comes to things like that...

I took an unexpected break from scrapbooking at the beginning of the month.  My dad has been battling cancer for two years and we knew from the beginning his time was limited.  The first Sunday in August, we had a wonderful day with family; and Dad had a great time watching the grandkids play whiffleball in the yard.  Three days later, he was unable to even get out of bed.  He passed away in his sleep the following Sunday.  I was blessed to be able to be with him nonstop those last four days.  As hard as it was to see him go, it helped me know that he is at peace now and no longer suffering.  My dad was (and still is) my hero.  I have learned so many important lessons from him over the years and we've always had such a special relationship.  As we were gathering photos for the visitation, I was struck by how many wonderful moments I had been able to capture and record over the years and even with all of my photos, there were still moments that I wished I had used my camera more... That is one of the wonderfully special things about scrapbooking, we call it a craft, hobby, or pasttime, but it is so much more than that.  It is freezing a moment in time so you can go back and relive it when you need to; and passing on a legacy of memories that links to a new generation who will never get the chance to meet in person.  I understand even more now, the importance of journaling on those pages, capturing the stories, and preserving not only the photo but the entire moment. Because at some point in time, it may be all that is left. Both comforting and sad at the same time...

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Throwback Thursday-Cleaning House!

Welcome!  If you have been reading my recent posts, you know I am on a mission to clean up and use my supplies that have been around forever.  It's just an added bonus that I get photos scrapped at the same time!

It has been a bit interesting to see how the brain changes when one shifts from 'how can I make this look amazing?' to 'how much stuff can I use up today?'.  Don't get me wrong, I still want my pages to look nice and do the photos and story justice.  Now I just don't spend as much time going through everything trying to find just the 'perfect' way to dress up a page.  It has most certainly sped up my start to finish time!

Today's pages feature three things of which there is an abundance in my stash-letter stickers, occasion stickers, and pattern paper.  I am really working on the letter stickers and paper because I have SO MUCH and could honestly go years without ever buying new to replace them...

The first page uses two different papers, three foam glitter stickers, and a letter sticker.  I got a little creative with the title since I didn't have enough letters to do the whole thing!

This page uses two different papers and a month sticker.  I forgot how easy it is to make a page when the pattern does a great job of decorating the page!

My last page uses one wonderful page and three felt stickers.  This was by far the fastest page I think I have ever made.  Took me longer to find the stickers to match than it did to put everything together.

While I'm using my blog to keep me motivated to create as much as I can over the summer, I hope my work is somehow inspiring to others.  Whether you've decided to start scrapbooking (or pick it back up) or just using those neglected things that are lying around your creative space, I hope you will find some time to relax and create!  Have a wonderful day!

Throwback Thursday and more scrappin'

Well hello! No...you're not imagining things...I'm posting two days in a row!  All those finished scrapbook pages were begging to be shared and since I was awake anyway I figured 'why not'!

My pages today are all from Thanksgiving several years ago.  Once again, I focused on using papers from my stash and some of those overflowing embellishments.  I bought the leaves a few years ago for an altering project and I swear those things multiply when I'm not looking.  I have used them on the fall decorations on my mantle, some fall birthday cards, and a few scrapbook pages and I STILL have a bunch of these left!  The tags were part of an ephemera kit I bought years ago and I think they worked pretty well on these pages.  The pattern papers were also left over from the altered letters I made, and the metal buttons have been in my stash for quite some time now.  It feels good to use some of these random things! I'm apologizing in advance for the crappy quality of my finished photos.  I can never get a good picture of a scrapbook page unless I take them outside on a sunny day, and it wasn't ideal for that... 

Once again, pretty simple pages, a little more embellishing on these, but still super easy.

Tomorrow DD2 and I are going to a stencil class at our LSS.  The owner always has great classes and tries to come up with creative ways to use things.  We're going to be playing with inks, paste, and some type of glittery stuff!  I'm hoping for some new ideas on how to use the stencils I already have so I can use them more often.  I'll have to share my new skills when we get home!

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

How does this happen?!

Hello! Don't mind the post title; I'm just trying to solve one of the earth's mysteries...  Not the meaning of life or why are we here, but how can I use so many of my supplies and still have a mountain of things there when I'm done?!  I would pack my bags and seek enlightenment elsewhere, but I'm pretty sure this is what is referred to as a 'first world problem'. wink!

But seriously, I packed my supplies for the crop I attended recently and was thinking  that this is such a great way to use up some of my things.  If I don't have the entire stash at my fingertips, I have to use what is there.  Somehow, even though I used what I brought, I still ended up bringing a lot of it back! Now, granted there were attendance prizes, a gently used sale, and a silent auction... Hmmm...this might have something to do with my mystery!  I can say that I did use quite a few of my new goodies immediately which worked out really well when I realized I did not bring nearly enough embellishments. OK! Enough of my pseudo-problems and on with the pages!

Again, super simple and featuring another tag topper!

No new goodies on this page!

I used three of my freebie flowers that were in my 

goody bag at the table. Great to have something

that works so well with what I'm making!  Don't you

just love DD's face in the middle photo?!

I hope that my super simple scrapbooking is encouraging you to do a bit more creating yourself.  And if you ever find out why a crafter with waaaay too many supplies continues to buy more as she complains about too much stuff-then you have REALLY solved a mystery!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Page Recipes: paper-bases from stash, whisper white, ink-tuxedo black, stamp-just journaling, accessories-pretty new flowers from goody bag, angled tag topper punch, bakers twine and burlap ribbon from stash  

A special helper makes everything fun!

Hello! I am so glad you stopped by today!  If you have been following my blog recently, you know that I attended a crop last week and worked on lots of scrapbook pages.  So now I actually have pages to share with you!

My DD#1 likes to make cards and went along with me.  She also took her bucket for softball that she has to decorate and return to be used for storing her gear.  When we arrived at the crop, one of my former preschoolers helped us carry things inside.  His grandma organized the crop and he was there 'helping out' (He informed me that really he was 'in charge' but it was a secret!).  We had a great time catching up and he was quite impressed that DD1 was decorating a bucket.  His face lit up when she asked if he could help her.  They worked together for about 15 minutes, perfectly placing the stickers and decorations.  It was so much fun watching the two of them together, and he spent a big part of his time visiting with us and even made a few pictures using some goodies we gave him.  It was a great reminder that when we share what we love to do with others, we not only enrich their lives, but bring happiness to our own.

Here is the photo of the busy bees working on the bucket.  I blurred the faces as a courtesy to the others there.  I think she just might have the most blinged out bucket in the dugout!

 

I also managed to get a little something accomplished!  I completed several of DD#2's scouting and softball pages.  I still have a ton to do, but at least the albums have a few more pages in them!

I have found that I have really adopted a less is more style to scrapbooking.  I absolutely love the beautiful vintage and full of embellishment pages that I see others creating, but I just keep thinking that for me less is more.  I have decided that this specific page is going to get a title, but I also knew that as busy as I've been lately that if it didn't get on here as is, it may never appear!  I'm not going to give any instructions for this page-pretty self explanatory...

I am so glad that you took the time to visit.  I know that life can get super busy and it means so much that you take time to see what is going on here!  Have a wonderful day!!

Page Recipe: paper-base from stash, whisper white, ink-tuxedo black, stamp-Just Journaling, accessories-paper flowers from Audrey, white brads from stash

Anything But a Card Challenge-Summer Lovin'

Hi! I am so happy you stopped by today!  It's my turn to share my project for the Summer Lovin' challenge at Anything But a Card Challenges.  I am sure that for most people, summer brings to mind beaches, barbecues, and swimming. Those are all marvelous summer activities, but in our household, summer has always meant SOFTBALL!  So I created a scrapbook page of DD#2 playing softball.  

This was her second year of softball-back when it was all about the cute socks, visor that matched the uniform, and picking clover in the outfield.  Now she is much less concerned about the socks, traded her visor for ultra cool sunglasses, and enjoys the constant activity of playing third base.  Of course, you can still catch her and her teammates giggling in the dugout, probably about boys... Sigh...

I started with a softball themed dp which made the background quite simple.  I did dress up the letter o in softball with a handmade softball embellishment.  I also added 'stitching' to the yellow mat.  The softballs on the journaling card were made using the retired stamp set, Home Run.

I hope my softball page has encouraged you to document your favorite summer activity too!  If you're not into scrapbooking, why not try an ATC, art journal page, mixed media, or just about anything else you can think of!  We would love for you to link up with us!!

Page Recipe: Paper-softball dp (not sure of creator), crumb cake, yellow cardstock from my stash, Stamp Set-Home Run, Just Journaling, Ink-crumb cake, real red, Accessories-1 3/8" circle punch, 1" circle punch, real red stitched ribbon

Flashback Friday- Going Vintage

Hello! I am so glad you are joining me today for a Flashback! Once again, I've managed to pull out some retired paper and older photos and give them their 'props'. I also had to laugh that once again, the photos are quite fitting for a flashback!

Several years ago, I went on a field trip with DD#1 and her class.  There was a community about an hours drive away that held an annual tribute to their settlers roots.  Artisans from the area gather to show how things would have be done in the early years of the town's history.  They even dress the part!  It was wonderful to learn from them and actually see the processes.

Following my latest trend, my layout features a lot of photos so things are very basic.  I used strips of Springtime Vintage which fit the theme perfectly and even matched some of the dresses and aprons!

My personal favorite was watching the gentleman make

marbled paper that would have been used as decorative 

book binding. Gorgeous designs!!

 The tin/silversmith gave the kids lessons on making

punched designs that would be used on lanterns,

pie safe inserts, and other more decorative pieces.

I hope you are inspired to pull out some of your older supplies and maybe even some photos!  Just remember that when you use your older items, you make room for new goodies!  Now if that doesn't inspire, I don't know what will!! Have a great weekend and thanks so much for stopping by!

Page Recipe: Paper-river rock (ret), Springtime Vintage DSP (ret), Stamp-Just Journaling (ret), Ink-soft suede

Mission Impossible

Hello! I am so thrilled that you are here!  We are half way through the week and I am ready for the weekend!!  My mom pulled a muscle in her back a few weeks ago and I've been doing double duty between my house and theirs. The recent colder temperatures  and the early arrival of lambs has made things a little stressful and I'm looking forward to a break!  Add to that all of the yucky snow and sleet that we received yesterday and I am ready for a new start! Is it Friday yet? But I digress...

Have you ever been struck by the fact that you're fighting a losing battle?  Like getting all of the laundry washed, dried, folded, and put away and then you turn around and BOOM! A clothes bomb has exploded in your laundry room?  Or that moment when you let the dishwater out of the sink because you KNOW you checked the entire house for stray cups and all of the dishes are clean, only to have one of the kids bring you a cereal bowl from under their bed (not that they are allowed to eat cereal in bed!)?  Yeah, me too!

I would love to say that I scrapbooked all of my photos (I wish!), but actually I just realized that while I have completed a lot of scrapbook pages, there are still a LOT of photos left and that doesn't include the ones that are still on my memory cards waiting to be printed, or the ones on the computer waiting to be dropped on a digital page.  I have decided that I'm like an agent on Mission Impossible.  My mission if I choose to accept it, is to get as many photos onto some sort of page and document the story as accurately as my mind will allow.  I will probably never achieve the status of Mission Completed, but at some point I have got to start making some sort of progress!  One goal that I think I might actually achieve is to use up all of the older 12x12 cardstock papers.  I am at the point where there are mostly oranges and yellows left on the pile and I'm thinking they may become some sort of card boxes at some point.  My ribbon and embellishments are a totally different story, but one mission at a time!

Today's page used the last of my older pink stash.  I also snuck a few vellum letter stickers on there. Those babies are OLD!

I had a hard time selecting a layout for this page.  I wanted all five photos on one page and was trying to figure out how to make it work.  I remembered that a long time ago, I had made a quilt-like page that had lots of pictures and thought that might work.  The hardest part was balancing the embellishments.  I have such a hard time with 'white' space.  But when I was finished, I managed to have all five photos and even a tiny shot of my in-law's Lab.  Shadow loves her and he couldn't bear for me to throw her in the trash bin!

Well, I better slip on my black sunglasses and get back to being an agent.  I just have to decide whether my mission will involve dishes, laundry, or pictures...  Wish me luck!

Page Recipe: Paper-pink base from stash, strawberry slush, pistachio pudding, Stamp Set-Just Journaling, Ink-crumb cake, pistachio pudding, black journaling marker, Accessories-paper daisies, Boho blossom punch, bitty butterfly punch, 1 3/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, Martha Stewart leaf punch, dazzling details, green vellum stickers from stash.

Flashback Friday- Doing a Little Digging

Hi! Welcome to another wonderful Friday at my little spot in Blogland!  I have another Flashback project this week and I really did some digging for this one!  I unearthed some very retired DSP and pulled out some very neglected embellishments as well.  Isn't it funny how I can keep using my older things week after week and the pile doesn't seem to get any smaller?  I'm hoping one morning I will look at my paper stacks and see that I really NEED to buy some more paper!!

But enough of my wishful thinking, you came here to see something crafty!  I pulled out some older pictures again for today's page.  I'm hoping I will be able to say I'm finished with 2008 soon!

I used the DSP Play Date that has been in my stash for ages.  I'm not even sure when that was current.  I also snagged a doily from the leftovers of the Artisan kit, and inked up some paper daisies as well.  Ironically, the only new feature on this page is not from SU.  It's the Martha Stewart leafy punch that I recently purchased with a coupon! I think it's supposed to be an evergreen, but it reminds me of the delicate leaves of the daisies that pop up at the edges of the fields each year.  

I hope this weekend allows you some time to dig through your older goodies and have a play date! Ha! Get it?  Play Date DSP, play date...  Sorry! I really need to get out more...  Have a great weekend and thanks so much for visiting!

Page Recipe: Paper-Play Date DSP, whisper white, old olive, Stamp-Just Journaling, Ink-crumb cake, basic black, real red, Accessories-doily from Artisan kit, paper daisies, brights brads, stickers from stash, MS punch

Flashback Friday-On a Roll

Hello! I am so glad you stopped by today!  I have really been trying to get some scrapbook pages completed lately and am happy to say I have two more to share with you today!  If you read the post title, you will know that this uses my retired and older stash of supplies, hence the flashback...

The pictures are a bit of a flashback too.  These were from several years ago and it amazes me how much the girls have changed!  Now neither one of them ride the kiddy rides and would rather spend most of their visits at the water park instead of visiting Santa!

I used some older Page Maps sketches for my two page layout.  I 'm trying to use a lot more of my older DSP since I have so much, and I dug out the retired brights DSP pack for these pages.  There's still a lot left, but it's a little less than before :)

I hope you are inspired to take a look at your older neglected supplies (and photos), pull them out, and use them!  Have a wonderful weekend and may all your days be crafty!

Page Recipe: Paper-daffodil delight, real red, whisper white, Brights DSP (ret), Gingham Garden DSP, Stamp-Just Journaling, Ink-crumb cake, basic black, Punches-full heart, butterfly, scallop border, bitty butterfly, spiral border, Accessories-circle framelits, candy dots, paper piercing kit, real red stitched grosgrain ribbon

Anything But a Card Challenge 19-Wisdom of Heart

Well, hello and happy Sunday morning to you!  This is an especially happy Sunday morning for me because it marks the start of the first week since officially resigning from my job!  I know this is a short term 'time off', but I am going to enjoy every minute of it until returning to work!

We are now in week two of the color challenge at Anything But a Card Challenges and it's my turn to share.  I knew as soon as I saw this gorgeous set of colors and inspiration photo that I would be doing a scrapbook page and I also knew exactly what papers I would use as well.

The beautiful blend of blue/green and red/pink reminded me of the colors in the More Amore DSP.  I also knew that I would finally be scrapbooking a significant photo of my oldest DD.  This picture has been patiently waiting for just the right moment and papers to make it extra special.  Every fall, my girls pose for their 'first day of school' photo.  They are always wearing their new shoes and sporting their new backpack as well.  I love that it captures their style and personality for that period of time, but it also is a wonderful way to see how they have grown.  This particular photo is from DD#1 6th grade year and she just had her 8th grade recognition this past week.  How's that for timing?

As I started putting this page together, I realized that I had not used the first piece of cardstock, only patterned paper.  Highly unusual for me!! I also noticed as I was labeling the supplies,  there weren't that many different supplies used on this page, another rare occurrence!  I'm not usually into using a lot of bold patterns either, but here they are.  I'm really liking this new approach and it helped me use some of those beautiful papers I've been hoarding saving for just the right moment!

The fabric in the inspiration photo begged me to add some texture to this page.  I decided to go with a rolled ribbon 'flower' and added some crocheted ribbon as well.  If you want to see fabric inspiration at it's finest, be sure to check out Julie's amazing creation! GORGEOUS, I tell you!

a close up of my flower and the perfect quote that I had to work into this page!

I need to take a moment to gush about my wonderful girl!  I knew I wanted to use the beautiful quote on the piece of DSP for her.  From a very young age, she has had the amazing ability to completely look beyond what is on the surface and see the inner beauty in others.  Our first major experience with this was when we met one of her buddies from school.  She talked about this girl for months, how much fun she was, the great conversations they had, how this girl made her laugh.  So I hate to admit that I had a preformed vision of this precious girl in my mind and was a little taken back when I met her and realized that she had some special needs.  DD had never mentioned this aspect of her wonderful friend and it melted my heart to realize that while she knew her friend was different, that was not what she saw when she looked at her.  This has been her strength and special gift ever since.  She has no concern what others may think of her friendships and loves with her whole heart.  Is there any wisdom that is greater than this? None that I can think of...

So thank you for letting me get all mushy and teary eyed! To me, this is what scrapbooking is all about, not only capturing the event, but the wonderful memories and emotions that go with it.  I included a very special message to my daughter on the back of this page.  I really love doing this when the message is extra special and not necessarily for everyone's eyes to see.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit and I hope you find some time this week to be crafty, and I would love to see you play along with our color challenge!!

Page Recipe:  More Amore DSP, pool party ruffled ribbon, Victoria crochet trim, jumbo sticky rounds, Just Journaling stamp, black stazon & black marker

Flashback Friday-Another Simple Page

Hello and welcome to my little ol' spot in Blogland!  I have another really basic scrapbook page to share today and quite a funny little story to go along with it!  If you saw Wednesday's post, this paper is from the very same pack and again, I liked the pattern so well, I didn't want to cover it up!

I promised a funny little anecdote, so here we go...

Every year, my Mom, both of my sisters, my two girls, and I go to a local arts and crafts festival that is held in a nearby town.  There are several buildings around the town that house the various booths and we visit all of them!! We always have a wonderful time, and while for the most part we stay together, we often drift to different areas based on our own personal tastes and interests.  When we finish with a building, we always show off our purchases before moving on to the next building.  I had bought the cutest bracelet at one of the booths.  It's the kind that has some magnetic beads, but I bought it more for the cosmetic beauty than the health benefits.  As I pulled my bracelet from my bag, my oldest sister started laughing and then produced her exact duplicate bracelet that she purchased.  We could not believe that out of all of the bracelets in that booth that we chose the same design.  As soon as my middle sister heard our laughter, she had to come over and see what was so funny.  So we showed her our bracelets.  Her mouth dropped open and she muttered "UhUh...this is too weird..." and pulled out her MATCHING bracelet!  All three of us had bought the EXACT SAME BRACELET!  Mom just smiled and commented that it just goes to show how similar we are.  I like to think that it must be a sister thing...connected even when we're apart...

I hope you enjoyed my story and my super easy page!  Have a fabulous weekend and happy crafting!

Page Recipe: DP from stash, basic black cardstock (cut w/ cricut), Stamp Set-Just Journaling, Ink-river rock, black journaling marker

Scrapbook Wednesday- Super Simple

Hello! I'm so glad you came to visit today!  I would love to say that I spent all day working on this page that I'm sharing today, but the truth is, this was super simple and oh so easy! Now I'm not going to lie and say that I felt terrible about taking the easy way out.  Sometimes a paper and pictures work so well together that you just don't feel the need to do much more. Not to mention that when you have as many pictures waiting to be scrapbooked as I do, sometimes you just cheat a little!

Many, many moons ago, I bought this paper pack that I just loved and couldn't live without, and then I promptly placed it on a shelf and let it gather dust-sigh... I know...  But, the good news is that I rediscovered it and found a very pretty patterned page that would work perfectly with some pictures I was working on at the time.  All I had to do for this page was mount the photos on some pink paper from the same pack, layered some retired felt flowers, attached them with some brads, and then added some alpha stickers from my stash. Oops! I almost forgot, I also stamped some journaling lines in the center... Whew!  All of that work wore me out! hee! hee!

I actually debated posting this page, but then I thought about all of those people who wonder how I find time to do all of this crafty stuff.  This just proves that you don't need a lot of time to preserve your family's memories.  And besides, my albums are so full of lumpy, bumpy pages that a few flat ones are required to keep the binding from busting!

Well, that's all for me today!  I am knee deep in moving boxes for work and am itching to get my fingers inky again! Have a wonderful day and happy crafting!

Page Recipe: DP from stash, Ink-river rock, black journaling marker, Stamp Set-Just Journaling, Accessories-alpha stickers from stash, felt flowers (ret), brights brads

Flashback Friday- Happy birthday to...oops!

Hi! Yes, it's me! I know, you thought someone hacked my blog since I haven't posted 3 times in one week for so long!!  It's amazing what I can get done when everyone else in the house is busy!  

Today's page is a flashback in almost every sense of the word; the only fairly new items on this are the black and white cardstock!  Everything else is either stash or retired SU.  Also, I have to give you the background story for this page so my title makes sense.  One of my nephews has a birthday at the end of October.  From the time he was a little guy, he always had these creepy crawly cakes. Well, this was his 16th birthday, so Grandma added a car to the worms and bugs crawling on his cake.  As we were preparing to take a picture of him with the cake, the cake began to slide and half of it broke off and promptly fell on the floor!! OOPS!!  We all had a good laugh and managed to salvage the half that didn't hit the floor.  I am sure he will forever remember this birthday cake!

Now, on to the flashback goodies... Even the pictures are over 3 years old!!  While the leaves could have been new, they were actually extras from a different page I made a while back, so that makes them 'stash' in my book. I also used some really ancient stickers and a retired corduroy button.  Oh, how I wish that was new...mine are almost gone...sniff! sniff!  I know it's a little silly, but I always feel like I'm accomplishing something when I use up my older supplies.  Plus, it makes room for new goodies, and who doesn't love that?!

Well, that's it for me today! I have a very busy weekend planned.  The child care center where I teach is moving to a new facility and I'm going to spend my weekend cleaning my new room and packing up some of the supplies from my current room.  I'm excited to have a new space, but I really hate packing!! Wish me luck!  Hope your weekend is full of much more crafty goodness than mine!

Page Recipe: Cardstock-basic black, whisper white, real red, daffodil delight, Autumn Traditions DSP (ret), orange (stash), Ink-river rock, chocolate chip, black journaling marker, Stamp Set-Just Journaling, Accessories-woodgrain embossing folder, autumn accents die, pumpkin pie corduroy button (ret), linen thread, stickers and cardstock sentiment (stash)

Scrapbook Monday- Welcome, baby

Well, apparently my resolve to use up my older items is taking over! Today's page uses quite a bit from my hoarded supplies! I keep telling myself this is good and I'm hoping by the end of the summer, I will be able to see the slightest change in the amount of goodies collecting dust and Shadow hair!

I love how this page turned out.  It literally came together in minutes and the pics are so sweet! I even squeezed a new product on this page! The journaling is done using a new in color, primrose petals! Such a pretty pink!

I work with a lot of wonderful ladies,  but one has become a very dear friend to me.  Even though 10 years separate us, we have such a great relationship both personally and professionally.  Her daughter has become like a little cousin to my girls and they love spending time with her.  When my friend told me she was pregnant, last year, I was so happy for her!  Their family had been going through some difficult times and this was such a special, happy gift.  We anxiously awaited the arrival of the new baby. Although I have a few months off during the summer, she works year round.  I kept telling her we would be on vacation together this year.  I was right. About a week and a half after school let out, she had her baby.  Her DH was working nights and she was at home with her daughter, so her daughter ended up going to the hospital in her PJs in the wee hours of the morning.  I got the call later, that the newest addition to the family had arrived, and in less than 2 hours, we were at the hospital with a change of clothes for Big Sis (in their rush to get to the hospital, she did not grab extra clothes) and a present for the new baby.  My girls were thrilled to meet the new baby and were so honored to be able to hold her.  After a short visit with Mom and Dad, we took Big Sis out to eat lunch and went to a local park to play.  It really was such a wonderful day!

Layout Recipe: Stamp Set- Just Journaling (ret), Ink-black Stazon, NEW-primrose petals marker, Extras-white bakers twine for buttons, Stash-DP, stickers, and buttons

Scrapbook Monday- CYC

Every year since my oldest DD has been in 5th grade, we have made the trip to Gatlinburg, TN with my sister for CYC (challenge youth conference).  Some years, there is a large group that goes from her church, and others, it is a much smaller group. Regardless of how many are attending, we always have a wonderful time, gain some new insights into our faith, and spend a lot of quality time together.

The pictures on this layout show some of traditions of our CYC trips.  I love the view of the Smokeys as we enter Sevierville, especially when they are snow covered! The gentleman in the middle pic is our favorite presenter.  He has an incredible talent for drawing you into a personal story filled with humor and adventure,  and then when you least expect it, he gives you the Biblical version of his story. It has helped my daughter (and me) to see that God is so much a part of our every day lives if we only take the time to look for him. The sign in the last pic has been the setting for the final picture of the weekend for years.  My sister has pictures of her little boys in front of the sign.  They are all now grown men!

I used up some stash items on this layout.  I have tons of 12x12 cardstock from various makers and I am determined to use all of it up, eventually! The stickers have been around for quite some time too!

Layout Recipe: Stamp Set- Just Journaling (ret), Ink-black Stazon, Punch-eyelet border, *paper and stickers are from stash

Scrapbook Monday- Fun Flowers part 2

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Mine was busy, but spent a lot of quality time with friends and family, so it was pretty enjoyable!

Today's page is the second page I used the fun flowers die to embellish.  Nothing too fancy...

I also used the Boho Blossom and Butterfly punches.  I stamped the background in elegant eggplant using a stamp  from the retired set, Sprinkles.  A little ribbon and some dazzling details and we're done!

Page Recipe: whisper white cardstock, dp from stash, Just Journaling stamp, black stazon & elegant eggplant ink, Fun Flowers die, boho blossoms & butterfly punches, title cut w/ cricut, black scallop dots ribbon, dazzling details

Another Scrapbook Day -Fun Flowers

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  Half way to the weekend! Woo! Hoo!

Today's page is another from my sister's album.  Her favorite color is purple so I had to add some purple accents on the pages.  If you notice the birthday cake in the picture, you will see my daughter's birthday cake.  Their birthdays are 3 days apart and it was so easy to surprise my sister by telling her it was my daughter's party.  She was quite surprised!

I made the flowers using the Fun Flowers die.  It is such a great die for layered flowers. I really wish I would have brought more of my embossing folders to the crop to add texture to these, but you can't bring everything to a crop! Oh, well!  I decided to vary the centers of the flowers-antique brad, glitter brad, and a ribbon knot.

Well, I'm a few pages closer to finishing this album! Only about 10 more to go...sigh... I have a club meeting and a wedding this weekend, so I won't find a lot of crafting time.  Good thing I accomplished  so much at the crop!

Page Recipe: whisper white and basic black cardstock, purple and dp scroll from stash, Just Journaling stamp set, black stazon and elegant eggplant ink (sponging), scallop trim border punch, fun flowers die, antique brads, basics glimmer brads, purple handmade ribbon from Sherry

Scrapbook Monday-Nifty to be 50

I want to start off with a personal note of thanks to all who left get well comments for my DH.  He is doing a bit better and is getting around a lot better now.  Due to the nature of his job, he will be on a leave of absence until the first of May when he is released by his doctor.  Now I'll be needing prayers for his sanity (and mine!) as he wanders around the house looking for something he can do!  Maybe I can teach him to scrapbook!!  We are very blessed that his surgery went well and even more so that they did not find anything to be alarmed about.

Saturday, my sister and I went to a Relay for Life fundraising crop.  We started at about 8:30 and finally called it quits at 2:00! It was WONDERFUL!!! I had a great time checking out others creativity, eating lots of awesome food, winning prizes, and of course getting some crafting done!  They really spoiled all of us and I was so proud to finish 6 pages in my sister's 50th birthday album.  I also got all of the prep work done for my club projects.  So now I have the rest of the week to play around with other fun crafty projects.  My sister made the cutest purse card and silly me....I forgot to take a picture of it.  Had my camera and everything and didn't take the first picture...  I will try to snag one and post it on my blog.  We had the best time just crafting and oohing and ahhing over the different pages and cards.

But enough of my weekend... On to the scrapbook page!  I am the youngest in our family and while I always took a lot of good natured teasing about being the 'baby' and 'spoiled'.  I am now able to enjoy giving the 'over the hill' comments that I can share with my wonderful older sisters!!  The coffin was not my idea (wish it was!hee!hee!) but since our color theme was black and white, we thought it looked perfect in the corner!  My sister was a true sport and even stepped in to pose for pictures!  I had to pull in some spider web dp from my stash to add to the 'fun' of this page!

I used the stamp set Party This Way for the awesome balloons and the arrow. A little fussy cutting, a few dimensionals, and I had the perfect embellishments for the theme.  The title was cut with the cricut and the journaling lines are from a very retired stamp called Just Journaling.  It may have been my very first SU stamp!!  I left the journaling area blank so my sister could record her own thoughts.

**The Stampin' UP retiring stamp set list is now available!  Be sure to get your favorites before they are gone!!

Have a wonderful Monday, and may the rest of your week be crafty!

Page Recipe: Whisper White and Basic Black cardstock, dp from stash, Party This Way and Just Journaling stamp sets, black stazon ink