365 Reasons

So, it's been awhile since I have blogged...what can I say:

a. I'm just a bad blogger
b. I've been very busy
c. I just plain ol' procrastinate too much
d. all of the above

Take your pick or just go with d! I've been busy working on an album for a client that I really had hoped to have done by Christmas, and yeah, that's probably not gonna happen, but there's still time. Then the stomach flu hit the whole family, with the exception of Matthew - lucky him - and that put me behind on Christmas shopping, so I've been trying to get that done in my spare time. But I did get some time to get into my scrappy room last night and this is what I made:

supplies - cardstock - CTMH Whisper and White Daisy, ink - CTMH Whisper, Cotton Candy, Pear, Lagoon, Honey, stamps - CTMH S1211 -  Capture the Date, A1117 - A Typeface, W189 - Friendship Alphabet Small, butterfly stamp - MME - Miss Caroline -  Dolled Up Favorites, notebook - from Michael's dollar bin

 

I had seen the idea for this here and fell in love with it and I knew I wanted to make some of  these for Christmas presents. (Nothing like waiting until the last minute!)  My sister likes to keep a daily journal, so I thought this would be perfect for her. I liked it so much I think I'll even make me one.  It really didn't take long at all and I love the way it turned out. I'm planning on making something similar to this for my nieces and they can use it for whatever they want.

 

Hopefully I will be back soon with some more goodies to share!

 

 

November 30 in 30 - projects #1 & 2

Six days into November and I've only gotten 2 projects done for my 30 in 30. What can I say - sometimes it takes me a while to get motivated and going on things!

For my first project I made a layout. Stacey is having another fun sketch class over at Inspired to Scrap this month, and this layout is based on the first sketch. The photos are from last year when our neighbor came over baled our hay. It was such a pretty afternoon and we decided to take some fun family photos. Matthew was so impressed that he could jump up on the haybale in pretty much one jump. He did it over and over and over!

supplies - Patterned Paper - Lily Bee Designs, Daisy D's and Echo Park, Cardstock and buttons - CTMH , Alphabet - KI Memories, Brads - Basic Grey.

For my next project I made a card. Yes, I see that my hello is a little slanted. I may take it off and try to straighten it...or I may just leave it alone!
I based this card from a sketch by Heather Landry. I loved the sketch when I saw it and I'm sure I will be using it again - definitely one of my favorites.

supplies - Cardstock - CTMH and Bazzill, Patterned Paper - Jillibean Soup, Wood piece - Studio Calico, Die cut - Spellbinders, Alphas - Recollections, Brads - from my stash.

Now that I have a couple of things made, maybe my mojo is back and I can catch up!

Happy Halloween & a layout!

Happy Halloween! I cannot believe that tomorrow is November 1st and we are getting ready for another round of 30 in 30! I tried the 30 in 30 scrapbooking challenge back in September and ended up finishing 24 layouts (22 actually got uploaded). I think that may have been a new record for me since I am kind of a slow scrapper and I have a few other projects that I am working on. That's what makes the November edition of 30 in 30 so great. We are not limited to only scrapbooking - any papercrafts are going to count. That means all those cards and Christmas gifts that I would like to get started on will count. Maybe I'll actually get 30 projects done this month!

The September 30 in 30 really took it out of me! I have not been productive at all throughout the month of October. I've done a few layouts for a client's album and I participated in Scrappin' - N - Chattin's 24 hour challenge (didn't make the deadline on that one - darn it!) and I signed up for the Triple S swap challenge over at Inspired to Scrap.  Basically  we were to cut a total of 20 squares out of 3 different colors of cardstock, in 4 different sizes with the largest being 2 inches. I really wanted to do something like the inspiration layout they had posted because I really loved it, but I just couldn't get it to work. I worked with it and fretted over it for days...weeks is more like it, until I came up with something I liked.

 

 

Stacey sent me the orange, green and tan squares to work with and I added in a dark brown, too. I ended up cutting some of my squares into triangles for my arrows, then added 3 stacked squares on the diagonal under the photo. This photo is of Shane back in 2005 at Bennett Springs and is one of my all time favorite photos of him. I also based this layout on a sketch from My Scraps and More. 

I am pretty happy with the end results, even if it took me forever to finish!

You & Me

supplies used - patterned paper and brads - MME, alphas - EK Success and American Crafts.

Here is the layout I made for the 24 hour challenge over at Scrappin' - N - Chattin' this weekend. Unfortunately I didn't get it done in time to be entered in for the prize, but I at least did get it done and I will be entering it into their "happy couple" monthly challenge.

There's a great giveaway...

 

going on over at my friend, Sandi's beautiful blog! Go check out how you can have a chance to win this fantastic prize!

Sponsor at Sketch Inspiration

I am the sponsor this week over at Sketch Inspiration! Here is the fabulous sketch that I got to work with:

- And here is what I came up with. I love the banners and the cluster of circles on the left side of the page.

And this is the prize you will have the chance to be getting if  you play along this week! Some of the beautiful Simple Stories Handmade Holiday papers. I love this line for Christmas!

 

I hope you stop by Sketch Inspiration this week and join the fun!

Trick or Treat Crop

 

I am super excited! My Scrap and More is having a Trick or Treat online crop this weekend and I plan on being there! They always have fun games and challenges throughout the crop and I can't wait to see what they have in store for us! Come check it out!

Layouts 13-16 for 30 in 30

#13&14 is a layout titled Saturday morning treat. This summer Abby stayed with us again while Shawn was in Texas for the National Guard. I knew this was probably going to be the last time she was home with us for any length of time, and we needed to make some fun memories! We decided that grocery shopping would be so much better if we got a frappe from McDonald's. It definitely gave us non coffee drinkers energy that's for sure! We didn't get one every week, but when we would grocery shopping would be so much more fun!

For this layout I used My Mind's Eye - Lost and Found two collection and sketch from Scrapbook Generation's Sketches for Scrapbooking  Vol. 3. It was also made for the For Girls Only challenge at Colorful Creations

For my #15&16 layout I used some older photos of Shane listening to Abby's i-pod. He loves music - always has! He definitely has his favorites and you'd better not change the station while his favorite song is on or he will let you know he's not happy! On this day, Abby had Kelly Clarkson playing on her i-pod and she put it next to his ear so he could hear. He thought it was pretty cool, but he wasn't too crazy about the ear bud in his ear. As long as they were close enough for him to hear he was happy!

I used Echo Park - A Boy's Life collection and a sketch from Scrapbook Generation's Sketches for Scrapbooking Vol.5.

Layouts 9-12 for 30 in 30

I have a few layouts to share today. I'm trying to get caught back up on my 30 in 30 posts so I don't get too far behind! This first layout I made for the Say It With Words challenge over at Colorful Creations. The challenge was to use any of the words that were on the inspiration layout. I found these old photos of Shane and Matthew with the neighbors dog and knew they would be perfect for this challenge. Shadow was such a good old dog and let the boys "love" him any way that they wanted. He never got grouchy with them no matter how much they squeezed and pulled on him.

This is just a photo of the second page to show the hidden journaling.

I used Echo Park's Woof and Times and Seasons collection and a sketch from Scrapbook Generation's Sketches for Scrapbooking Vol 1.

This is my #11&12 layout. More old photos of Shane! When I found these photos I just fell in love with them all over again. His face in the first photo is just priceless! He was so in awe of the Super 8 sign. He would get so excited when the words would change or run across the sign. I think he would have stayed there in the parking lot all day if we would have let him. Even after he was buckled in his car seat he was still trying to turn and see the sign until it was out of sight.

I made this layout for the more or less challenge over at Scrap-Friendzy. The challenge was to use more photos if you normally scrap fewer photos or scrap fewer photos if you normally scrap more. Lately I seem to be scrappin' 1-3 photo, so I thought using 5 on this layout would definitely be more! I used more paper from Fancy Pants' - The Good Life collection and I used a sketch from Scrapbook Generations August downloads.

Layout #17 - All Star

I've done quite a bit of scrappin' over the weekend, but I'm still nowhere near being caught up with my 30 in 30 challenge. It's a good thing I have another online crop at Inspired to Scrap this week to try to get caught up and finished with this challenge!
Here is my #17 layout. I used the September sketch from Artful Delights for this layout about Matthew.

This photo is from his 2008 Coach pitch baseball season. I have so many of his baseball photos that I really need to get scrapped - so at least this is a start! I used the Fancy Pants Little Sport collection and I love it! I'm sure I'll be using every last scrap of it that I have.

I'll be posting several more layouts in the next couple of days - trying to get the pages that I've made this weekend posted before I get too far behind.

Me and my randomness

So, I guess you could say that I am spending my day getting caught up on my blog! I thought while I was at it I would post the other two layouts that I have done for my 30 in 30 Challenge this month. Now maybe from here on out I can post them in the order that I make them!
This first one is layout of my sweet, sweet nieces, Allie and Baylie and it is my third layout for 30 in 30.

It was made following two different challenges. Rach's recipe from Colorful Creations was to use ric rac, stitching, a minimum of 2 photos, journaling, metal (staples), and to fussy cut one element (flowers). I have not used my sewing machine in ages, so it was fun to get it out and sew a little! The fussy cut flowers...they were a pain to cut out, but I really like how this turned out!
I also used it for the pre September challenge #1 over at Scrap-Friendzy. They had posted a layout that we were to use to inspire our layout. I used the overall design of their layout and the color pink.



This second layout was made using a sketch from one of the Back to School Crop challenges over at My Scraps and More a couple of weeks ago and is my #7 layout for my 30 in 30. Again I used some old photos of the boys that I've been wanting to scrap, but just never got around to doing. I love seeing those sweet "little" boy faces. They are both so big now!

Now I am all caught up  and I hope I can keep up from here on out!

I was featured!

I got an email from Let's Scrap on Monday telling me that this layout that I made using their 9-12-12 sketch was one of the featured layouts! (Click on the photo for a larger view.) I was so excited! This was the first time that I have participated in any of their challenges, and then this was a featured layout! How cool! I was also able to enter it into the pre Sept. Challenge #3 over at Scrap-Friendzy. That challenge was to use at least 2 different border punches on your layout and I used a total of 3. And lastly, it was also made for Deborah's summer vacation challenge over at Inspired to Scrap. We were to make a layout about what we did over the summer. I thought the last hoorah of summer for us would work for this one!

This is my #5 and 6 layouts for the 30 in 30 challenge. I love that a double page spread counts as 2! This layout is about our Labor Day fun at Bennett Springs. We decided to take the kids down to Bennett to walk the trails and maybe let them get in the water. Shane loved it! With the drought this year, the river was pretty shallow. I think at the deepest point where we were at it never came much above their knees. Shane would not hardly let go of Abby's hand (it was a little slippery!) and there were a couple of times when I thought they were both going to go down! I absolutely love the big picture of the 3 of them holding hands. It means so much to me to see Abby and Matthew taking care of their brother. (More on that in another layout!) 

This time we walked a different trail than the one we normally walk. It was really pretty and in places got really narrow. Shane never watches where he's going. He's either looking straight ahead or all around him. Scott just happened to turn around and grab his hand - right when Shane stepped off the side of the trail and about went into the river! I thought for sure the fishermen were going to have to "fish" him out of the water, but Scott was able to pull him back up and out of the hole. I'm pretty sure we heard a couple of the fishermen give a chuckle! 

It was a really fun day and a perfect way to spend the last summer holiday!

Sept. Sketch Challenge at SNC

Here is my layout for the sketch challenge over at Scrappin' - N - Chattin' this month. I really like this sketch and I'm sure I'll use it again! This is also layout #8 for my 30 in 30 challenge this month. Yeah, I know, this is only #8 and it's already the 19th?! So, I'm slow, and I've been working on Marilyn's album, but I'm only trying to use layouts of my family for this challenge. And I do have a couple of double page spreads planned out and ready to go - just need to sit down and do them. So, I have no doubt that I will get my 30 in 30 by the end of the month! Enough rambling!

I am  so happy that I finally got around to making this layout! The photos are of Matthew from 2004. 2004! Has it really been that long ago? I can't believe how fast time goes by. I can't believe that Matthew was 6 in these photos and now he is almost 15!

The journaling on here reads:
In the middle of game night, Matthew, out of the blue, asked Abby if he could use some of her fertilizer. What he really was asking for was her hand sanitizer!  Too funny!

My Sweet Boy

Here is this weeks sketch from Sketch Inspiration.

I was really excited to see the big banner pieces behind the photo - they are just so fun - and a great way to use up some scraps, too. I flipped the sketch to make it work with this photo.

Supplies - Kraft Cardstock - CTMH, patterned paper - Echo Park - This and That Charming collection, buttons - Making Memories, alphas - Jenni Bowlin  brown chalkboard

I was going through some old photo albums this weekend and found this old photo of Shane when he was about a year and a half old. I just love that sweet little face! I cannot believe that he is 12 now, taller than me and turning into a fine young man.

Kelsey's New Bike

One of the challenges over at Colorful Creations this month is to use white and purple only on your layout. I am not a purple lover at all, and generally stay away from even buying purple paper, but when I saw these photos of Kelsey, I knew they would be perfect for this challenge. I've had these papers in my stash for a long time...we're talking over 5 years - so it felt good to finally get to use them.

Nerds

I am participating in the 30 in 30 challenge this month and I am finally starting to get some layouts done! This is layout #1 this month.

This first layout is of Scott, Abby and Matthew when they went to see the Avengers back in May. They were all excited to see this movie (Abby's a Thor fan) and decided to all wear Marvel t-shirts to it. They even did their best superhero pose for me when I took their picture.

I used a pattern from the new CTMH - Make It From Your Heart book and all supplies are from CTMH:

Superhero Paper Pack

Cranberry Ink

E1021 - Trinity Alphabet

Back to school crop...

this weekend at My Scraps and More. Tons of challenges and inspiration all weekend long. I am ready to get my scrap on!

Final card for SNC's Christmas Card Challenge

Today was the final day of Scrappin'-N-Chattin's Christmas card challenge. I cannot believe that I stuck with it all month long and now I have 30 Christmas cards all ready to be sent out the first of December. Today's prompt was to "lift" any of the cards in the Christmas card challenge folder - even your own. I had a really hard time deciding on which one I wanted to lift, there are some pretty great cards in there. In the end I chose this one by Sue:

I really liked the strips and I had a "Joy" rub-on that I knew would be perfect for this. Then when I tried to use the rub-on, I guess I had let it set too long in my stash and it wouldn't "rub-on" to the paper. So I decided to stamp the word "Joy" on it instead.

I am pretty pleased with how this one turned out. I used some Authentique scraps from another card I had made this month and I used the retired Homestead alphabet for the letters. Another pretty quick and easy card to make!

SNC's Day 29 Christmas Card Challenge

I can't believe that tomorrow is the last day for the Christmas Card Challenge over at Scrappin'-N-Chattin'. To be quite honest I am getting a little sick of making Christmas cards, but I know I will be very happy to have them once the holiday season hits and I'm not in a panic trying to get them done! Today's prompt was anything goes. I made a very quick card using some older paper from CTMH's Evensong collection. Another plain and simple card, but I really like the way this turned out!

Day 28 SNC Christmas Card Challenge

supplies -  Cardstock - white daisy and crystal blue - CTMH,, Ink - crystal blue - CTMH, Embossing Folder - snowflakes - Provo Craft, white ribbon

Here is my card for day 28 of the Christmas card challenge over at Scrappin'-N-Chattin'. The prompt for this one was to use snowmen or snowflakes and wet or dry embossing. I decided to dig out my Cuttlebug and my snowflake embossing folder and put it to use. I embossed 2 pieces of white cardstock, then trimmed one of them down just so it would be a little smaller than the card base. I inked just the edges with some crystal blue ink. I trimmed down the other embossed piece and then sponged the ink over the entire front to sort of help the embossing stand out. I matted it on another piece of cardstock and added it to the card base,  trying to match up the design in the embossing. Added a piece of satin ribbon and called it done!

24 hour layout challenge

supplies used - patterned paper - Fancy Pants, alphas - Jillibean Soup, gems - Studio G.

I had completely forgotten that I haven't had a chance to post this layout that I made over the weekend. This was a layout I made for the 24 hour challenge over at Scrappin -N- Chattin'. I like that someone else picks the paper collection and sketch for me. Sometimes those are the hardest things for me to decide on. I got to use the fun "The Good Life" collection from Fancy Pants. I love every single piece of paper in this collection and can tell I'm going to be sad when I use it all up. I used some old photos of Shane (from 2006!) in awe of all the water in the road after a big rain. I really like the black and white photos with these papers. If I keep scrappin' some of my older photos, maybe one of these days I'll get caught up!

I finally got a layout done!

supplies used: paper - Echo Park - Times and Seasons, alphas - Maya Road - Jonathan mini chipboard, border punch - EK Success, brads, sketch - Sketch Inspiration.

I finally got around to getting a layout done! I've been so busy this month with school starting and doing a Christmas card a day, that I haven't had much time for any other scrappin'. Now that things are starting to settle down and we are all getting back into a good routine I am finding a little more time to scrap.
When I saw this weeks sketch over at Sketch Inspiration, I knew exactly what photos I wanted to use. These are pictures of all three kids from 2009. Matthew had spent the night with a friend and Scott, Abby, Shane and I all went out for pizza. We saw a quarter machine filled with mustaches for 75 cents. We couldn't pass it up - we just had to get one. When we got home all three kids had to take a turn trying on the mustache to see what they would look like. Oh what fun you can have with a 75 cent mustache!

SNC's Day 23 Christmas Card Challenge

Supplies used: Echo Park - Season's Greetings, Authentique - Festive, CTMH -  Cranberry Ink, B1306 Cottage Florals, C1328 Festive Frills, Color Box Ink - Chestnut Roan, brads and ribbon.

Today's prompt for the Christmas card challenge over at Scrappin -n- Chattin' was to do a shaped card. Anything but a square or rectangle. I hate to admit it, but this is the first shaped card I have ever made. I've always wanted to try it, it's just squares and rectangles are so easy! So this pushed me to give it a try. It's not perfect by any means, but I am pleased with how it turned out.

Easy Peasy Half a Lemon Squeezy

A couple of weeks ago I participated in a swap challenge over at Inspired to Scrap. We were to send half of  a 12x12 paper, cut down into 3 pieces, and a flat embellishment to another participant. Then we were to take the half sheet that we had left over and use it with whatever they sent to us and make a layout. I was afraid when I picked out the yellow-orange paper that it might clash. (There are a lot of different shades of yellow!) Deborah sent me the yellow floral print paper to work with. When I saw it, I knew I was going to cut the papers into squares and put a little distance between them with a couple of other colors mixed in. I used a picture of me and my oldest sister, Kim, along with the embellishment that Deborah sent. I really like the way this turned out, and it pushed me to use colors and papers that I probably wouldn't have picked to go together.

Freshly Made Sketches #49 & SNC Christmas Card Challenge

I have been participating in the month long Christmas card challenge over at Scrappin -n- Chattin', and today's prompt was a recipe. We were to use, 1 border punch, 2 brads, and 3 patterned papers. When I saw this sketch from Freshly Made Sketches today, I knew it would be perfect to use with this. I used some old Basic Grey patterned papers that have been in my stash forever. I love using up my stash - that way I don't feel so bad when I buy more! I can't believe that I have kept up with this challenge. By the end of the month I will have 30 Christmas cards all ready for the holiday season. No rushing to get them all done this year!

30 in 30 Challenge

I just found out about a really cool challenge coming up starting Sept. 1. It's called 30 in 30 and you make 30 pages in 30 days with no daily requirements - how cool is that! You can check out Mel's blog and read all about it. I cannot wait to make 30 pages in 30 days!

Sponsor at Sketch Inspiration

I am the sponsor over at Sketch Inspiration this week! Head on over and take a look at the sketch - get your layout for the sketch posted by Saturday night for your chance to win this:

And here is my take on the sketch:

He has it...

Supplies used: Patterned Paper - Fancy Pants, Basic Grey, Echo Park, Punch - EK Success, Alphabet stickers - October Afternoon and KI Memories

Here's another layout made for the sketch class over at Inspired to Scrap.
I have had these photos of Shane just beggin' to be scrapped for a couple of years now - that seems to be the going thing with me for this class - older photos - at least I'm finally getting around to them. Shane used to love to ride with us on the lawnmower, and when he was younger it was sometimes the only way to get him to take a nap. Then he took a spell of being afraid of the mower - running in the opposite direction with his fingers in his ears. On this particular day, he wanted to do it all by himself - no help from anyone - so, Daddy let him drive around the yard on his own. Of course Daddy was right there in case he needed him (and the mower was not engaged!). He did a pretty darn good job for his first time driving!

1 in 88

Stacey has another sketch class going on over at Inspired to Scrap this month and of course I had to take it - she always has such great sketches! This layout is my take on sketch #7. I figured since April is Autism Awareness month, that it was about time I made a layout about it. The strips on the puzzle pieces are statistics about autism.

• Autism now affects 1 in 88 children
• 1 in 54 boys
• Boys are 4 times more likely than girls to have autism
• More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined
• Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
• We live with autism everyday

I made this layout after Scott had posted a picture of Shane and his thoughts on Shane and autism on Facebook. He was able to say what I struggle to say about autism, so, the journaling behind the picture is from Scott.
This is what he had to say:
This is my son, Shane. He was diagnosed with autism between the ages of 2 and 3. He may never have a best friend or talk to his friends about how gross girls are in the first grade. He will probably never have a first kiss or a high school sweetheart. He will probably never proudly drive his new car or truck to school to show it off. He will probably never ask a girl to the prom or slow dance with the girl he always had a crush on. He will probably never get married or know the joy and pride of having children. He will probably never hit the winning basket or homerun in a ballgame. Shane has autism and may never do these things, but I know that there is an incredible boy inside held hostage by his autism. Unable to express himself or show his true potential. I say he MAY never do these things because I hope and pray daily that they will find the cause and cure for autism.

Stayed tuned because I am determined to get my thoughts and feelings on autism and how it affects our family down on paper.

Home Decor Project

So, it has been ages since I have posted anything here on my blog. I blame it all on our crappy computer that needs updating, but won't let us update. Maybe one day I will invest in a new one!

Anyway...
I was asked to be the guest blogger today over at Inspired To Scrap , and decided I would share here as well, so here goes -

I am going to share a quick and easy home decor project that can be made with things that you already have and you just might use up some scraps in the process. I saw the idea for this here and thought that it was really cute, and decided to make one of my own.


Here is what you will need:

a frame - I am using a 12x12 frame that I found at Michaels. It originally cost $24.99, but it was on sale for 40% off, plus, I had a coupon for an additional 25% off, making the final cost $11 and some change.

1 Sheet of cardstock - for the base

scraps of patterned paper

2 inch square (or shape of your choice) punch, die cut machine, or your paper trimmer

embellishments

small photos

Here is how I made mine:
First, I took all of my photos and paper scraps that I was going to use and cut them into 2 inch squares. I chose to cut mine into squares, however, you could use circles, hexagons, or any other shape that you like. After I got all of the pieces cut, I used my charcoal chalk ink to distress the edges of my papers. Then I arranged all of the papers and photos in a grid on my background. This took a little time for me to get it just the way I wanted – lots of rearranging!
When I had it the way I wanted, I adhered it to the background cardstock. I embellished some of the squares and left some blank. How much you want to embellish is totally up to you.


There you have it -a quick and easy home decor project. I think what took me the longest was getting the arrangement of the photos and papers just the way I wanted it.

Sharing From The Heart Blog Hop

Good morning and welcome to the January edition of the Sharing from the heart blog hop. If you have arrived by way of Wendy's blog - you are on the right track.

This month we had 3 categories to choose from, stamp of the month, Valentine's Day, and wintery. I was going to try to make something for all three, but ran out of time. I do have a couple of Valentine's Day projects and a wintery layout for you today. I apologize in advance for the photos - I had to take them at night.

For this first card I used the Sweetheart level 2 paper pack, black cardstock, black and tulip ink, Love Ya - D1460, Affection - C1441 stamp sets, and I used a sketch from Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.

For my second project I made a Valentine's Day treat holder. I saw the idea for this back at Halloween on this blog, and thought it would be great for Valentine's Day.

I used kraft, cranberry, and white daisy cardstock, black and cranberry ink, All My Love - D1194 and Affection - C1441 stamp sets, and some ribbon.

Last I have a winter time layout. These pictures are from last February that I have never got around to scrapping yet and since we haven't had much wintery weather this winter - at least not yet- I thought these would be perfect.
I used Wonderland level 2 paper pack, crystal blue cardstock and ink, Snowflakes D1480 and Polka Dot Alphabet D1469, and some baker's twine.

Thanks for stopping by and now head on over to see what Heather has for your today.