Mindless Wanderings of Amie

Good China

2011-02-26T17:18:00.000-08:00

Do you still love the China you received from your wedding? I do!! I was cleaning my hutch last week and decided I needed a photo of the dishes I still love. They will end up on a layout in the near future but thought I'd go ahead and share.

Truth is... I'm up to my knees in 2 remodels and a new construction and my scrappin' time has ended up on the scrap table!! I hope to get back to my paper crafting this week. If you are interested in seeing projects from my Design Studio, you can visit me at www.IgouInteriors.blogspot.com. Thanks for visiting!

One & Only

2011-02-18T06:44:00.000-08:00

Michael is my One & Only so I decided to celebrate him on this Valentines layout! I love the color combo at www.Colorcombosgalore.ning.com, this week with the bold red and black.

I've been collecting "love" pieces for a long time and actually broke out some old stash for this one! I never thought I'd use flowers on a layout for my manly man, but since the journaling is done from my perspective, it worked for me! I've used a piece of scalloped acrylic from KI , chipboard damask and swirly are LYB, I made my first ever little blossom, the ribbon is old Making Memories, the leaves are Class A Peels from Stampendous, the acrylic always and forever piece is the inside of an old file folder from Creative Imaginations. The chipboard alpha is from the Lush collection of MME. I spritzed the page with Tattered Angels Graphite. The metal loop is a very, very old EK Architexture piece. The shaped papers is a journaling spot from Jenni Bowlin.

Thanks for looking at my latest creation! We had a delicious lunch at Macaroni Grill for Valentines, came home, got our dog and went for an hour walk along the Greenway! A most relaxing kind of day! Sometimes it's the ordinary that seems quite extraordinary!! Hope you did something wonderful to celebrate the love you have in your life!!

The 2 of Us

2011-02-15T12:31:00.000-08:00

Being a twin holds the sweetest memories, a friend forever, and someone to always share your birthday!! We were about 2 years old in this photo and my mother still has those outfits in a trunk at home. This is one of my sister and my favorite photos. Don't know where it was taken or anything, we just cooperated so nicely!! lol

this was the color challenge last week at Color Combo's Galore and I had a ball doing this one. Our challenge was to use icing in the way of rubons or stamps. Here I used a rubon ribbon from K&Co. (ancient), and a stamp from Hero Arts of the little birdie on a branch. Background paper is Bo Bunny, other papers include Basic Grey Porcelain coll. , DCWV (frame),C-Thru Ruler and Fancy Pants. Large sticker was from Basic Grey sticker sheet and then I added beads to center. Gathered tulle and tied 3 ribbons around it for texture and dimension. TFL!

Sweet Pair

2011-02-11T17:31:00.001-08:00

My newest creation for the Color Room this week! The challenge was a monochromatic layout using greens! Well, you know, I LOVE green so I thought it would be super easy. Honestly, it's been years since I've done a mono layout so it took quite a bit longer, along with some white ink, and Olive Vine Glimmer Mist to get it done.

Oh Horrors too, I silhouetted this photo 13 years ago and it's been stuck in an awful album that I just tore apart. I almost fainted when I saw it because I don't really like that look but thankfully it's just a copy of one that's safe and sound somewhere else. I actually didn't mind it once I got it on this layout but I don't plan on making a habit of it again!!!

Thanks for looking!!

First Visit

2011-02-08T09:33:00.000-08:00

Our niece Audrey, has a special connection to small animals, it's like she speaks their language. To prove the point, Gracie took to her immediately and she even got a nose tickle from her, which doesn't happen often, even with us!!

I'm hoping she'll do something with animals and follow her gifting. This project was based on a sketch from Sketch Inspiration a few weeks ago. Happy to have used some left over scraps from other projects!

On the Outside

2011-02-05T14:11:00.000-08:00

On the outside our niece, Olivia, who is my Sunshine girl, is very confident, athletic and super student. This is a layout celebrating the difference in appearances and what goes on inside of us!! At 17 she's full of conflicting emotions, difficulties at home and being big sister all the time !

This was the sketch last week at Sketch Inspiration. I dug out some old MMEm an ancient metal coil and snippet of crocheted ribbon for this quick layout!

#43 at The Color Room

2011-02-02T15:35:00.000-08:00

I don't do a lot of "me" layouts but this color scheme just called to my feminine side. The color combo at www.thecolorroom.ning.com, was to use purple, yellow, seasprite blue and chipboard; now I've never been a fan of naked chipboard but it really seemed to work with this color combo. I used Glimmer Mist in Fully Purple, Patina and Juneberry Wine. I really had a good time creating this one and can't wait until the new reveal on Friday. Come join us!!

Who Knew

2011-01-31T15:08:00.001-08:00

Loved the color combo this week from www.colorcombosgalore.ning.com. You'll find me there almost every week it's such an inspiring place.

So our challenge this week was to use, yellow, aqua, black and white for the base colors, then add metal, flowers and lace.

I had used an SEI line for this pen & pencil holder and thought it was perfect for this weeks challenge. I painted a 9" Damask in white for base layer, then paper scraps from October Afternoon, SEI, MME, for subsequent layers. Then added paper lace from Basic Grey, doilie and chipboard butterfly from LYB, which I glimmermisted with Patina, Royal Blue and Meadow Green.
This project used an empty (and washed) veggie can. I made this one for my mom and another one for my sister. My sister loved it so much, she made 12 for Christmas gifts for co-workers. It's an easy project that takes about 30 minutes, and the Crop A Dile makes holes super easy to thread ribbon, brads or jump rings through. Enjoy!

Every Day Sweet

2011-01-27T06:39:00.000-08:00

Everyday Sweet describes my Granny Mattie to a tee! She went home to be with Jesus in September and this is my first layout about her since then. This is taken from the current color challenge at THE COLOR ROOM . Challenges change every Friday so hurry on over to see the great projects for this week, www.thecolorroom.ning.com, one of my fave places to hang.

This project features scraps of SEI, Dotted Swiss from Bazzill, Doily, chipboard word tag, and bird accent all LYB. I used a Very, very old bird bath sticker from Colorbok, cut in 3 pieces so I could pop the base and top. Thanks so much for looking!!

Grace

2011-01-25T08:39:00.001-08:00

This is one of my fave photos of Grace as a kitten! She looks so demure and sweet! I based this project off of Sketch #202 at www.sketchinspiration.ning.com. Trisha posts new sketches every Sunday and I love them because they are simple enough to be a real spring board for creativity. I used a mix of Basic Grey papers, a left over trimmed circle from a Moxxie paper, Martha Stewart Butterfly punch and some Liquid Pearls, ribbon and some really old fiber and it's done. Loved working on this one!

2011-01-18T06:47:00.000-08:00

This is based on Sketch #149 at Sketch Inspiration. Love the circular elements, mix of papers (new from SEI) , and a tag, which I hadn't used for ages. Add a quick quote card from MME , a little bling from Prima and you're set. The circular Chipboard piece I've had in my stash for at least four years, so whoopee on cleaning out an old item.

goodbye 2010

2011-01-18T05:48:00.000-08:00

There are years to celebrate and some years to let go..... 2010 is one of those to let go. I won't bore you with details but I haven't been able to scrapbook for about 6 months, emotionally too hard, but I believe my mojo has returned and I'll be posting some brand new layouts in the next two hours!

I'm so glad to be back and look forward to checking in on all my girlfriends who I've missed in the last months! A BIG FAT WELCOME to 2011 and the promise of brighter days! God Bless!

Gracie's Amber eyes

2010-08-10T16:08:00.000-07:00

Gracie's eyes are as Amber as the gemstone by that name. It's a stunning combination with her gray coat and near black nose. Michael has always liked mouse gray cats and she fits right into the category accept she looks like she's been dipped in powder sugar! lol! All the ends of her fur glisten white which makes her look frosted, it's her special little quirk. :-)

Using Border pages

2010-08-01T19:02:00.000-07:00

Have you ever walked up to a paper and thought it was beautiful but it had a decorative border on it? I have..... wondering what on earth I would do with it! Like, staying inside the lines coloring when you're a child this usually just intimidated me. Until now, using the new collection Loolah by the designers at IOD and released by Creative Imaginations, I've created a couple of layouts using bordered papers that I really like. These are from my July classes I taught at a couple of LSS'S. I hope I've inspired you in some little way!! Be blessed!

Christmas in July

2010-07-24T05:55:00.000-07:00

I know it seems a little odd to be posting a Christmas project in the heat of the summer, although if you're going to hit the 100's today like we are, it might just be a great way to cool off for a few minutes!!

Really, what I want you to notice are the cute little Christmas trees in the corner. They were made from the wood paper from Creative Imaginations that launched last summer! They were cut out by the Epic 6, embossed with a Cuttlebug folder then inked and decorated. The wood paper comes in thick and thin weights, use the thin weight when using with die cut system.

This layout is really so simple but I love the linear look of it with all the photo's of our Christmas tree theme this last year! Enjoy!

Handmade lace flower

2010-07-21T16:14:00.000-07:00

I haven't been working on a lot of my own things, been too busy planning classes. This is Bo Bunny's Mama-razzi papers, their all time best selling collection!! In class we made the frame, love double sided papers for things like this. We also made the lace flower by weaving a small wire through the selvage edge. Once all the lace is on the wire, create a loop end in one end of the wire, curl with lace into small circle, run loose end through the other and then fold back over. Place a brad in the middle and you've created a one of a kind, beautiful lace flower. This also works with scraps of lace and can be quite charming!! Enjoy!

Love Birds

2010-07-12T14:17:00.001-07:00

We take a lot of kidding about all the nicknames we lovingly call eachother, blow kisses over the phone and greet eachother each afternoon with hugs and kisses, it's definitely our love language. The color palette at The Color Room was med. pink, dark pink, dove grey and charcoal. I don't have a ton of pink in my stash because it's not really my color but found an old piece of Pizzazzle from Creative Imaginations for background, a scallop edged circle from Moxxie and pattern paper from LYB. I then used chipboard icons from their Valentine collection, a printed floral border from K&Co., flourish and tag from Bo Bunny and liquid Pearls finished off the design. I really love the way it came together!

Bringing Up Daisy

2010-07-05T14:55:00.001-07:00

I absolutely love the new IOD Loolah collection from Creative Imaginations!!! This stitched paper called to me immediately for a layout about my own Daisy. The kitten stage only lasts a short while and I want to remember some of the small details about her at this stage. She's very sweet and likes to be held, she will only use the litter box if she can scratch all the way to the bottom with nothing in the way (which made for an interesting first two weeks!!), she's cautious and careful and she's a talker.

This is the current color scheme over at www.colorcombosgalore.ning.com, one of my fave new sites. Color is really my thing and so happy to have found a couple of really neat places to hang on the web. Color Combos Galore also issues a challenge with each combo that comes out twice a month, for this one, it's circles so I used buttons, punches, and brads to create circles! TFL!!

Southern Beauty

2010-07-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

My mother was born in 1942 and was almost 9 months old before her father ever saw her. Both her parents were from Coffee County Tenn. but my grandfather had moved to Indiana to find work during the depression. My grandmother married him at 17 and moved to Indiana. He joined the Navy a few years later and granny moved back to Tenn. to bring mom up around family. At four, mom would move back to Indiana but her heart has always been in Tenn. She married my dad at 20 years old and convinced him fifteen years later to bring her back home. They've made their home in Middle Tennessee ever since. I love this photo of mom at about 18 mos. old while living with her grandmother and mother. Her face is so sweet and round with those big brown eyes that she reminds me of a Cupie doll!! She's still a lovely lady and a southern beauty from the time she was born!!

This color palette was this weeks inspiration from THE COLOR ROOM. It has definitely been one of the tougher palettes for me although I loved the inspiration photo. I'm not usually a big fan of DCWV but adore all 4 new collections!!! Here I've used Mariposa, Linen, and Mediterranean Cafe with a script page from Glitz. I fussy cut some images from the Butterfly paper, used the back of an old punch out flower from Daisy D's for base of title work and inked a Kaiser Kraft wood swirl to frame the photo. Chipboard Beauty word is LYB.

Savor the Good Stuff

2010-06-29T07:31:00.000-07:00

Yum Yum, sweet icing from a cake, fireflies on a summer's night, the sound of a bird's song in the air, the laugh of a child, a hug from an old friend, and the memories families share are just a few of the things I hope Audrey will savor as she matures into a young woman!

This was the new color palette from The Color Room last week and it was a great fun working with it. I Glimmer Misted the background on white cardstock, punched several borders and used the Flourish 12" die from Quickutz. I embossed the Savor tag (from Bazzill) , glimmer misted and then applied chalk ink to really bring out the design. I loved the way this turned out!! Used a small stash of ribbons and my new fave Butterfly punch from Martha Stewart to finish off design!! TFL!!

Afternoon on the Beach

2010-06-26T05:57:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's been a while since I've pulled out foam stamps, in fact, had this one by Heidi Swapp in my stash for at least 4 years and have never used until now. This sketch and color Palette were last weeks inspiration on The Color Room, a yummy, yummy site!! This took me away from my normal style and made me try something new using so much white space. I used packing paper to sponge paint on background, used the same color to stamp BEACH. I cut circles out of paper from GCD and used scraps for the rest of the composition. I love how the red foil mimics the heat of the sun. I Glimmer Misted little doily, used wood tag from Imaginesce and adhered chipboard shell from SEI's new On the Coast.

I'm loving smaller photos and photo collages mixed in my normal one photo pages and this sketh was the perfect one to allow me a few shots ! As we all head to the beaches this summer, think outside the box and use some paint and old foam stamps to create interesting backgrounds!

Circle Mania

2010-06-20T10:22:00.001-07:00

This is my brother in-law and his oldest daughter Breanna with her baby girl Aubrey. Not your typical beach themed layout but was inspired by the sketch last week at Let's Scrap, which featured a series of circles creating a circular frame. Mine didn't quite come out as a circle but I used up a ton of scraps from recent projects. I layered, layered, inked and inked but was actually delighted when I was done!!

Tropical Delight

2010-06-16T07:20:00.001-07:00

I know we are all in the midst of or planning our vacations for this summer and SEI's new Boardwalk collection is perfect for showcasing beloved photos. I did this project for one of my stores and she reported yesterday all the product had sold out (in 3 days) and people were taking pictures of the layout!! I love it when I can help sell product for my customers. Part of the collection is aqua, coral and silver, which you see here and the other pieces are royal blue, black, and orange for a deeper Tropical feel. Wherever you're going this summer, this new collection is delightful and perfect!!

Quick Little Project

2010-06-12T06:44:00.000-07:00

A quick little project with super cute results and it only takes what you already have in your cupboards. I like using vegetable cans as they have a smooth inner ring where soup cans have a raised edge once you cut the tops off. I regularly stash them aside to make these cute pencil and utensil holders for family and friends. Just be sure and sanitize them well before using!

This one features paper and chipboard elements from Bridgewater by SEI. I simply used some ribbon I already had in my stash and put the title on with Mini Alpha's by My Little Shoebox. The Crop-A-Dile from WeR makes it easy to punch holes through the soft metal. This is a super simple project, even kids could do, and you get to use something we all have on hand!! Enjoy!

2 New Baby Girls

2010-06-09T17:40:00.000-07:00

Oh my, oh my, oh my!! I adopted two new babies about ten days ago! Daisy May is black and white and sister, Gracie is mouse Grey with a little white! They will be in the house for at least another month before getting acclimated to outside. They already love to play string, play fight with each other, and play with anything else that will move! Heeh heheeh. You ask me , yes, I've taken almost 100 photos of them already, sharing more later.

This layout was created for The Color Room as I tried to use the palette ( a little too teal) and the sketch for this week! I used old Daisy D and newer American Craft papers! I used new Pink Rox by Queen & Company to adorn the heart along with fave stickles! My journaling over took the right side but I so enjoy sharing stories on my layouts, I just couldn't resist!

Celebrating Circles

2010-06-08T12:22:00.000-07:00

Okay girls, how long has it been since you cropped a photo into a circle?! It's been ages for me but I'm seeing this trend reappear (check out all the inspiration at www.thecolorroom.ning.com) and had to try my hand at it, hence the anniversary page for Michael and me. I love the way it pulled my eye right into the kiss! heeheheh it's a great way to use up a lot of scraps by cutting into different sizes to focus your eye on the photo!

This color scheme, which I've always loved, was The Color Room color challenge for last week. Happily it gave me an opportunity to use some old Making Memories and Kimberly Poulson paper, an ancient acrylic marker from Creative Imaginations and some Prima packaging material, which I'm also seeing as an emerging trend. Put on your Scrapbook goggles and start looking for these two trends on your favorite blogs!!!

When

2010-06-04T13:42:00.000-07:00

When did Audrey stop looking like a little girl and become a teenager? Seems like in one year she's lost those little girl cheeks , eyes are more defined, hair style is more mature and her lips have filled out a little. I didn't get to see her from May of 'o8 to August of '09 and the changes are remarkable! Her natural beauty at 13 is stunning and she's just as sweet and thoughtful as she is pretty!

Love the new Road Show collection by Fancy Pants and the journaling pack that matches. Here I've blinged up the layout with Prima pearls, rhinestones and Daisies, which seemed younger even with the more vintage papers!

The sketch is from Pages In Time, a new site I found through Let's Scrap! I love Karen's style and Thursday sketches, so come check us out!!

A Mother's Love

2010-06-01T06:47:00.000-07:00

A Mother's Love is constant, caring and compassionate. I'd had that little card in my stash for a couple of years from Fancy Pants and it made perfect sense to use it as a subtitle. The papers are from Bo Bunny's Mama-Razzi line as well as the 6" alpha and the rubons used on it. I think partly what is so delightful about this line is you can use the darker colors for Heritage and masculine layouts but pull out the ivory, light aqua and sea green for a delightfully more feminine color scheme!

We just celebrated our Mother's a few short weeks ago. Have you handed the camera to someone else for a photo of you and your mom? If not, don't miss the opportunity in a few weeks to celebrate your dad!

Sweet Summer Nectar

2010-05-30T14:12:00.000-07:00

Do you have memories from childhood that have stuck with you through the years? I do ! The smell and sight of Honeysuckle in early summer brings back memories of being a 3rd grader and standing at the chain link fence that surrounded our playground and was covered in the thick vines. Many recess breaks were taken at the fence with some of my best girlfriends for a few dewy sweet drops of nectar.

This spring the fence row across the street was covered with the beautiful yellow blooms and I couldn't resist snapping a photo! I found this K&Co. stitched paper at Michaels and instantly knew it would look great with the honeysuckle photo. I layered an old Autumn Leaves transparent border over one section, added a very old hinge from EK, old quote sticker from Daisy D's and a NEW tag from Fancy Pants' Road Show and some buttons from my stash!

I loved documenting a special childhood memory!!! I hope you enjoy it too!

Just a little blip!

2010-05-28T12:18:00.000-07:00

Hey girls! This is just a little *blip* to put on your radar! I have been a little scrap lonely for several months but this week I've done four projects that I adore! I can't wait to show you what I've been working on..... so stay tuned until tomorrow morning!!! Have a wonderful, blessed day!

Birthday Greetings

2010-05-27T15:17:00.000-07:00

Monnita decided to make a scrapbook for Aunt Snookie, FIL's aunt down in Louisianna. I called Monnita and it just so happened she was making it in 12x12- perfect! I said, I'll get something in the mail by next Monday (this was four days before). Anyway I whipped something up on Sunday and sent her off! I thought it turned out really cute for a short turn around project. Fussy cut the flowers out of some older MME and decorated with pearl and rhinestones from Prima (love those). I'm am adoring my new butterfly punch from Martha Stewart, so many possibilities and so much fun!!! Oh, this is my first attempt at the cute banners I'm seeing everywhere too!

Go With all your Heart

2010-05-23T15:04:00.000-07:00

Wow! Time has flown from the time my nephew, Anderson, would run across the yard, arms outstretched yelling "Me, Me" which was his version of Aunt Amie. The "Me, Me" stuck and became "Mimi". He's now graduating from High School and embarking on a new adventure as he begins the process of making his own way in the world. I just wanted to give him a tangible piece of encouragement so I whipped up this quick card from some left over scraps. Wherever you go, Anderson, go with all your heart (inside). Papers are from American Crafts, tiny alpha is MLS and laser cut star paper is KI Memories.

Mixing old with New

2010-05-14T08:24:00.000-07:00

I do a happy dance every time something comes out of my "old" stash to use on something new. Here I pulled out old Crate Paper and mixed with Marrakesch by Basic Grey, the colors worked great together. Another item, Bazzill chips, which I have in several themes made it out of an old file and onto this birthday card. I adore Liquid Pearls so accented the cake to make icing more dimensional. Enjoy a little sweetness today!

Color

2010-05-13T14:24:00.000-07:00

These aren't typically colors I use but I did this project for the Color Challenge at Challenge Masters, a fabulous site where new challenges are posted 3 Sundays a month, several per session. I've had a ton of fun participating in this new community with categories like Ad/Art, Color, Recipe, Blade Runners etc, come join us!!

I have to admit that I didn't like this Anna Griffin line when I first saw it last year but decided to keep a few items when cleaning out sample bags. I'm quite fond of it now and know I'll use it again and again for the simple graphics and bright colors.

Think outside your normal color choices and create something different!!

Goodbye sweet Tuck!

2010-05-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

It's been a hard week! Monday, in fact, was crushing. My baby boy was inches from our drive way but died anyway. I never heard squealing car tires, no one stopped, I just happened to spot him while walking through the front of the house. I ran out the door calling him all the way, but he was already gone.His little collar was about 8 inches from him so I picked it up to keep it. I carried him back in the woods to bury him by Allie wailing all the way. So, to my neighbors, I'm sorry if I disturbed you that morning.

In my pain, I'm still celebrating what a cool, sweet cat he was and I can only ascertain that God gave him to me because he knew I'd love him for as long as he was here. So here's to Tuck Everlasting, Ken-Tuck-y, Tuck tuck and Lincoln (because that's the county he where he was rescued)the coolest, sweetest cat we've ever had the pleasure of owning! Rest sweetly!

Reflection

2010-05-03T15:43:00.000-07:00

You know, scripture tells us to concentrate on every good, pure, honest thing, they are gifts from God. That is my hope for Emma as she continues to struggle with who she believes she is, who others think she is and finding her place in the world. I really hate to see her pain, as her aunt, I want her to be healthy, happy and at a place of peace. My prayer is for her healing in all areas of her life! In the meantime, I, myself must reflect on all that is good, true and honest!

Nightly Routine

2010-04-27T15:46:00.001-07:00

I never would have guessed that Tucker would use Gunner as a pillow at night. When he was a kitten and inside the house getting acclimated Gunner would come to the back door and bounce and bark at him and he would go hide. Once outside they apparently worked things out because all winter this is where we would find Tucker early in the morning. This has become their nightly routine!

Similar Love Languages

2010-04-25T07:21:00.000-07:00

Mom and Anderson's "love language" is so very similar. I read the book by that name several years ago and it still comes to memory when associating with people. My love language is affection and Michael is wonderful at supplying that for me. I'm one of those people who automatically hug you. Michael's is food and one of the reasons I've learned to love to cook. Mom and Anderson's love language is Gifts. They both flourish when you buy them something tangible. They have an incredible bond and I think part of it is because the "get" each other. Pick up the book sometime and see if you can't get some insight into your families dynamics.

Everday holds untold Promise

2010-04-15T07:32:00.001-07:00

Life doesn't always look like we want it to look, but as long as you believe in a Heavenly Father who loves and adores you, everyday holds infinite possibilities. I will bow my head in prayer and raise my hands in praise to the One who holds my every breath in his hands!

New Chipboard Tools by GCD Studio

2010-04-09T14:32:00.000-07:00

I have been super excited about using the new tools by GCD Studio that were designed by Melody Ross, former owner of Chatterbox. I have drawers full of chipboard and see all kinds of possibilities using these new tools. I have shown you a close up of the tools I used to "stamp" this butterfly. Soon she'll be decorated and you can see her here on a new layout, but for now enjoy the scene!

Our Haven

2010-04-08T06:11:00.000-07:00

Celebrate the havens in your life, the little bits of perfection, which sometimes elude us in the chaos of life. Home for us is one of those little bits of perfection, a happy place to be, one full of love, kindness, generosity, and peace. It's not the size, or the address that make the difference, it's what you find behind closed doors. Yes, we still have all the chores, all the bills, all the stuff that isn't real pretty sometimes, but at the end of the day we are grateful and thankful for our little haven! Do a project about one of your happy places today!

This girl loves Webkinz!

2010-04-05T06:20:00.000-07:00

Alexis absolutely loves Webkinz and Nana adds to her collection every time they are together. This was her newst one given to her by Mom Igou on our family vacation last year. She woke up still holding her new bunny! Her collection is bursting at almost 80 animals, a little obsessive, just like scrapbooking!

2010-03-26T05:57:00.001-07:00

2010-03-26T05:56:00.000-07:00

April Flowers Bring Smiles Tomorrow

2010-03-26T05:51:00.000-07:00

Everythings coming up flowers, the crocus have bloomed, the buttercups are radiant and the woods behind my house are full of motion as birds return from their winter areas. Isn't life grand? Just soak in the beauty that surrounds us this time of year, spectacular! I've got a bevvy of scrappy ideas running through my head also and thought I'd share a few with you! These are from the new KI Memories Enchanting collection, and I have been enchanted with what I think is their best collection in a few years. Super user friendly and everything spring and flowers!

2010-03-25T17:53:00.001-07:00

2010-03-25T17:52:00.001-07:00

2010-03-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

Spring is just around the corner and several holidays to follow, like Easter and Mother's Day. I adore everything spring, from Saucer Magnolias to bunnies hopping across the front yard. I'll be teaching these layouts in May and just wanted to share them with you! I haven't put pictures on them yet, but that's cool, because you can customize them all you want. They are from the new LYB ClothesLine ensemble and I've been totally watering at the mouth for the sweet, feminine and spring feel of this line. Enjoy and picture your photo's here! This one features a tone on tone embossed flower design which I colored in with Copic Markers, which won't bleed over the embossed lines. How cool is that?!

A little treat

2010-03-23T06:42:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love using scraps?! My scrap drawer is usually overflowing so I'm always excited to use some of the stray papers to create little treats for friends and family. I used a foil piece from GCD with some very old papers from my stash. I think the foil added just the right touch of bling to the otherwise matchy, matchy papers. I stamped the greeting, added a flower with a rhinestone center and Voila! a handmade card.
As you go through today , celebrate the little successes of life!

Design Team Call

2010-03-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

Let's Scrap, My favorite online sketch site, is looking for 4 talented ladies to serve as DT's for May, June and July. Go to www.letsscrap.ning.com for all the details! Deadline for entry is April 16th!

If only....

2010-01-15T06:51:00.000-08:00

If only this was normal, but it's NOT! Gunner is constantly on the go , into something, like chewing off the handles of three of my sample bags last week! I have a great incriminating photo of the incident that I'll share later. This was during Christmas and he was allowed in the house to open his gifts. He and Michael had been playing pretty hard and I snapped this photo in a rare moment of rest. I keep holding out hope that this might become the norm....if only for a little while.

Lets Scrap Sketch 138

2009-12-31T16:59:00.000-08:00

This weeks sketch project on Let's Scrap!
The original sketch had ten photos' but you know me, and I have to have a large journaling area.
We have a particular way we open our gifts on Christmas so this is my layout of our family tradition. I did make the lamp my nephew is holding and plan on making another one for hubby and my bedroom. Visit us at www.letsscrap.ning for more inspiration!

The Greatest Gift Exchange

2009-12-27T14:58:00.000-08:00

Something I've been contemplating today- the greatest gift exchange. I've been working on my DT project for Let's Scrap (reveal on December 30th) and had planned on titling it "The Great Gift Exchange" but decided instead for "Our Family Christmas Gift Exchange" because my spirit kept working on me about my term usage. The Greatest Gift Exchange is the gift of Christ, on a cross where he exchanged all my sin for redemption . How could anything else compare?! Nothing in this world, for sure. So during this wonderful Christmas season all thanks be to God for his incomparable gift!

All Things Christmas

2009-12-27T14:53:00.001-08:00

What a surprise for Emma! We adopted kittens about the same time in September but her's disappeared in November. Her Nana and Pa decided to give her a new kitten for Christmas. My sister chose the kitten and I went on December 20th to pick it up. Michael and I had the pleasure of pet sitting until the big reveal on Christmas Eve. I don't know yet what Emma is going to name her but she's one of the mellowest, sweetest kittens we've ever known. She'll always have a soft spot in her uncle and aunt's hearts!

Bo Bunny & Kaiser Craft

2009-11-03T05:55:00.000-08:00

I bought this little Kaiser Christmas tree last year but didn't get anything done with it! I just dressed it in Bo Bunny's new Tis the Season Line and it 's getting shipped to 3 of our nieces in Florida!

Lets Scrap #120 She's All That

2009-09-09T15:58:00.000-07:00

This is our sweet niece, Audrey, who is all that and more. She's naturally pretty, vivacious smile, happy go lucky, imaginative and beautiful. She could so easily be ours, we love her that much! She loved this picture of herself so I sent the layout to her earlier today so she could see how much we adore her.

This was my DT layout for Let's Scrap sketch #120! I loved this sketch, which had a school theme but since I don't have kiddo's I don't have any school pictures. I loved the sketch anyway and found it very adaptable to so many different themes.

Tucker

2009-09-07T18:10:00.000-07:00

Meet Tucker! I had a short list of names including Spencer, Chase, Ross and Tucker, and you know which one stuck. He tucks himself into my lap for naps, tucks his head under my chin for lovin, and has tucked himself permanently into my heart. This little guy, at not quite five months, has brought a tremendous amount of joy back to my days. As you can see, he loves to help me scrapbook as well, he has a real eye for paper! heehee

2009-09-07T17:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Labor Day! Hope it's been a sweet time for family and friends. I just posted this layout for my DT Challenge at Let's Scrap. My challenge: Since it's football season and I'm a UT fan, use orange somewhere on your layout. The focus is to use inanimate objects to tell us something about you (with no people). My example is a tribute to the many word games I love to play!

I hope you'll play along. Visit me at www.letsscrap.ning.com to view the Challenge, got to the Forum and check out the Design Team Challenge14.

Coming Home

2009-08-28T10:05:00.000-07:00

Meet the newest member of our little family! I met this little guy last week at Pet Smart. Jeff Ross used to say that you don't choose animals, they choose you. I have to agree! Once I held this little guy and he touched his nose to mine and then stretched out both arms to put them around my neck.... I knew he was meant to be mine. I waited a week because of travel but on Wednesday went and he was still there. I didn't think I'd get another tabby so soon after Ollie died but this little guy looks a lot like him and they had named him Alley Cat which was one of Allie's nicknames. There's a whole range of emotion behind bringing him home. I'll post again when he has a new name, but don't look for it for a few days, I'll give him a few days to get settled!

Scraps!

2009-08-24T10:13:00.001-07:00

I absolutely love it when a plan comes together! Look closely, I had just used these Daisy D papers on Beauty on the Beach and then turned around and used them for my mom's Birthday card. Just added a chipboard tag from Colorbok, stamped a greeting inside and Voila! a handmade goody. I've been making cards for my family members for a few years, to the point, they are disappointed when they don't receive a handmade one.

It's kinda like life, you know! Everyday is full of little scraps that make up the fabric of our lives.... just something to think about! Have a blessed day!

Scrappy Saturday

2009-08-22T14:01:00.000-07:00

Another quick project from today! This is the current sketch for Let's Scrap! Kim actually posted a card sketch but I stretched it to a 12x12 layout. Great sketch for using some scrap pieces! I also loved the angle, just something a little different. Go check out the real thing on www.Letsscrap.ning.com . It's a wonderful community full of talent and friendly folks. Come join me....

Mixing the Old and New

2009-08-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

This is my take on this weeks sketch at 52 Sketches, 52 Weeks. The sketch itself is very simple but as I was working on this new photo of Olivia, the products I wanted to use kept growing. I think I almost over did it, to be honest, but I did manage to use a lot of older product. I used old Daisy D paper (who isn't even in business anymore), Paper Loft hinge,a cardstock sticker from AMM and a button from One Heart, One Mind, who also is out of business. It feels good to clean out some of my stash, considering I could open my own store.

I do love this photo of Olivia. Since months go by between visits, I'm newly struck by her beauty, inside and out, every time we get together. I'm looking forward to spring when she and Audrey get to come here for a few weeks!

2009-08-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

I just finished a card swap my girlfriend, Ana Peralta, hosted on Let's Scrap and thought I'd give you a sneak peek. I mixed some old Crate Paper with brand new Marakesh from BG. I've had sheets of old Bazzill Chip Toppers in my stash and thought this was a great time to use them. The cake is a Quickutz die and I used Stickles and Liquid Pearls from Ranger to decorate it.

Liquid Pearls, a dimensional paint, which is tubed just like Stickles is one of my favorite mediums. I love the way it shimmers and it's perfect for water, icing, wax candles, etc. It does require some dry time, but I love the effect. Hope you enjoy this little card!

New Design Team Member

2009-08-16T06:37:00.001-07:00

Okay , girls, I can't hold it back! I just got notified that I made my first ever DT on Let's Scrap! I am so very excited and honored. I love the team, Cheri, Kris, Allison and Kim and can't wait to spend the next three months under their helm! Congrats to all my fellow winner, even though I don't know who you are yet!! We are going to have a rocking good time! Woo hoo!

2009-08-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

Together Always , you & me

2009-08-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

It's not our anniversary or anything, it's our everyday love language. We so rarely get photos of us together that I jumped at the chance to get Anderson to snap these at Easter. Yes, I can still climb a tree at forty three! I know part of our purpose here is to be an example of the love God has planned for each of us in marriage. We aren't the norm, we understand, God has given us an extraordinary gift in the love we've found together. It's not always easy but it's deep down for all our lives. We pray over our marriage both together and separately every day and it's been an amazing journey thus far. Michael's been out of work for seven months, I'm self employed on straight commission but through all of this our love is stronger and we are learning to trust the Lord more. I'm not sharing this to gloat but give God the glory for all his goodness and faithfulness.

2009-08-13T12:24:00.000-07:00

A shock of sorrow...

followed after we found our beloved cat, Ollie, dead in the ditch across the street. I had been out of town working for a few days and Michael said he hadn't seen him. We live out in the country and I didn't think about the possibility of him being gone, he's crossed our country road thousands of times in his nine years! I saw him right before I left and we found him the night I returned home. I won't be able to scrap anything about him for a while but had to post his beloved mug where I would see it .... pardon me if I cry... it's still a little too soon. Here's a toast to Ollie, our talker, meower, snuggler, drooler and rabbit catcher! We love you and miss you!

2009-08-13T12:10:00.001-07:00

The Shorter Side of Me

I became cousin "it" in my search to grow my hair long enough to donate to Locks of Love. It took me just over two years to grow my hair from shoulder length to beyond my waist. I loved my long tresses until they started conflicting with my ability to drive where they constantly became tucked and pulled tight under my arms! It also became increasingly difficult to play with our puppy because I couldn't find him in amongst all the hair, even when it was pulled back. So, here's to a new, shorter me! At 43 it may have been a one time shot…. Then maybe not!

The Creative Side of Life

2009-03-21T08:10:00.000-07:00

I hear comments all the time about being so creative. I teach classes at six of my local stores and hear days later how the girls were still raving about my layouts and projects. There's a part of me that gets a little proud sometimes and I have to reel in my emotions. This isn't really me, it's the Holy Spirit living in me, connecting me to people, giving me a strong eye for color and composition, enabling me to share my light in a quieter way.

Don't get me wrong. I have loved to sketch, draw and paint since I was a little girl, but walking with the Holy Spirit seems to have honed my instincts, my desire for the creative side of life, my love for people through teaching. It has opened up a way to look at the world a little differently, as I decorate, celebrate and document a life through photos.

2009-02-13T18:12:00.000-08:00

This is from Sharon Ann's new Safari Girl from CHA Winter 2009. I have to admit, I think we were all a little apprehensive not knowing how the economy was going to affect the releases from manufacturers. I was more than excited by all the great introductions, including this adorable line.
My top picks from my vendors were the new brown Narratives from Creative Imaginations, All of Little Yellow Bicycles, four in total, Prima who is always spectacular and Melissa Frances. I will try to upload some more photos very soon!

My first Blog!

2009-02-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

Okay, this is my first shot at blogging. I actually didn't think I would ever go there but when you're trying out for a designer position on a scrapbook site , what's a girl to do? Valerie Salmon posted a call for guest designers on her Got Crafts website and I would so love to do that, with of course, all the extra time I have in any given day. But you must have an on-line gallery or blog and since I didn't have one I had to find one.As now, I should be packing up and leaving for a four day stint on the road, but this captured my interest this morning and here I still am! I will just call mom and dad and let them know I'm going to be late, because I don't actually have to be anywhere until 11:00 tomorrow morning. One of the perks of being self employed. :-)