LB & Shane

Good Tuesday morning! It looks like the cold weather is moving in to stay for a while. 70's yesterday for highs and today the high is mid 30's - brr! At least we're not getting snow like some places!

Today I have a very special layout about my Dad and Shane.

Anyone that knows Shane, knows that he is not much for company. He usually just stays in his room playing video games or watching his movies. On this particular Saturday he was quite social. Dad had stopped by for a visit and it wasn't long before Shane came in and sat down right beside Dad. With no prompting from anyone Shane said, "Love you, Grandpa". Not just once, but a couple of times! I could tell it really surprised Dad and it made him so happy to have Shane communicating with him. Little moments like this are what we live for!

Thanks for stopping by and stay warm! Until next time...

A few more of my favorites...

...from my first round of 50 projects. These are all Ada layouts, but in my defense, the boys have decided that they don't like to have their picture taken, so Ada layouts it is!  In no particular order:

Thanks for stopping by and see you soon!

Four of my favorites!

I am back to share 4 of my all time favorite layouts (so far!) with you. First up is this layout of Miss Ada:

I made this layout for a challenge over at Cookin' Up Creations. The challenge was to use a not-so-great photo and I think it was even a scrap lift challenge as well. I used the super cute Special Delivery collection from Pebbles, and this is probably my most favorite layout yet - even with the blurry photo!

Next is a layout about Matthew.

He has really entered into that age of not liking to have his picture taken, so I was ecstatic to get this photo of him on the 4th of July. I just can't believe that he is 16 - almost 17! It seriously does seem like he went to bed a little boy and woke up a young man - and I am so proud of the young man he is becoming.

Next is a layout of Shane. I have had these photos laying on my scrap desk for over a year, waiting to be scrapped.

I loved our walks going in search of the perfect rocks to throw in the water. I am so happy to get this memory documented!

And last up for today is a layout of Abby on her first Mother's Day.

I love everything about this layout - the colors, the design, and especially the photo of my two favorite girls!

There you have it - four of my favorite layouts from the last few months. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you soon!

Hello Again!

My goodness - I have taken quite the hiatus from blogging! I really didn't mean to let it go this long, but life has been busy. I had good intentions of blogging now and then, but the time to sit and write up a post just never seemed to be found. -And then I got so overwhelmed with just how much I wasn't sharing, that I just quit. I needed a break. Now I am back - hopefully a little more  regularly - and ready to share some projects.

I finally finished up my first round of 50 projects the first part of October and will be sharing some of those projects as they are some of my favorites. I am still working on using up my stash (that seems to be a never ending challenge!) and besides the basics, like cardstock, adhesive, and the occasional roll of washi tape, I haven't bought much of anything. I am reserving my right to treat myself to new product for finishing 50 projects, for when I can actually go to Scrapbook Generation and peruse their selection of goodies!

I have started another round of 50 projects (mid October) and am hoping to stay caught up on posting those projects over the next couple of weeks.

The boys are well into the second quarter of the school year and both are doing great. Shane is going on outings with his para and really enjoying them. Matthew made the first quarter honor roll and really seems to enjoy his classes.

Miss Ada - the main reason my time is so limited - is getting so big and doing so many things. She is now crawling, walking along and around things, and being the boss to everybody. I cannot believe that she will be a year old at the end of the month!

So there's a quick update of the last couple of months. I'll be back soon to share a  layout or two.

Scrapbook Generation September Blog Hop

 

Good morning and welcome to the Scrapbook Generation Blog Hop for September. I hope you all are enjoying this long Labor Day weekend. You should have made your way here from Lori's beautiful blog.  If this is your first stop, you might like to start at the Scrapbook Generation blog and then hop through each link.

 I have chosen to use the free double page sketch from the June edition of Create magazine for my layout. You can download a copy of this sketch here.

My granddaughter turned 8 months old on July 30 and I got a little carried away taking pictures of her. Can you blame me? She is pretty darn cute and lucky for me, she is a pretty willing subject, at least for now! This sketch was perfect for me to get quite a few photos on one layout.

I am still working on my 50 projects, (I'm almost there - this is 42 of 50!) so I went through my stash, and mostly my scraps, to make this layout. I used some old Jillibean Soup, Echo Park, Cosmo Cricket, Fancy Pants, and Close To My Heart papers. I wish I could say that it looks like I'm making a dent in my stash, but I have a lot of paper!

You can find the Scrapbook Generations sketches in their books and as downloads in the Scrapbook Generation store. There are four free sketches every month in case you want to try one out.

Next on the hop is Katy.  Check out her blog to see her beautiful creation and be sure to leave a comment on each blog. One lucky commenter will receive a free sketch bundle of their choice from the store.

The winner will be drawn on Monday, September 8th which leaves you one week to leave a comment.

In case you get lost at any point, here is the list all the blogs
Scrapbook Generation blog - http://scrapbookgeneration.blogspot.com/
Steffanie - http://steffanies.blogspot.com/
Ruth - http://scrapmachine.com/
Cassie - http://allsmilesandsunshine.blogspot.com/
Devra -  http://mycreativeview.blogspot.com/
TinaGale - http://tiggersscrapplace.blogspot.com
Lori - http://savingmine.blogspot.com
Lori S - http://loriannie670.blogspot.com-------you are here!
Katy Taylor - http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com/
Cicily - http://www.pinkdalmatianscrapper.com
Corrina - http://anotherthingoffthelist.blogspot.ca/

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Destined To Be A Gamer Girl {32/50}

Hello again! I am back to share the first of several layouts over the next few days in my quest to catch up posting my 50 Projects progress! First up is this layout of my sweet Ada with her Pops:

I can't believe that I used a "boy's" collection for a page about my granddaughter! But, these papers from the Boy's Rule collection by Crate Paper were perfect for this photo of Ada with Pops - checking out the PS4 controller.

Ada loves anything that her Pops loves, so of course, she is going to love video games. Like I say in my journaling - With a Mom & Dad, Grandpa, and 2 uncles that love to play video games, one thing is for sure - Ada is destined to be a gamer girl!

 

Thanks for stopping by and I'll be back soon!

 

 

 

50 Projects Progress Report

This last part of summer has gotten pretty busy around here and time has just seemed to fly by. It doesn't seem possible that summer is the same as over, especially since we are just now experiencing our hottest days of the season. The boys have been back to school for 2 1/2 weeks now and it has been hard getting back into the old routine.

Things have been busy, but I have been working diligently on my 50 projects, I just haven't had the extra time to get them posted. This process has been slow going, and I hope that my next round will go a little faster! Since my last post, I have made 22 projects - 11 cards and 11 layouts. Over the next few days I plan on getting caught up with posting these projects, starting with the cards. 3 of my cards I will not be able to share as I sent them off before I remembered to take a picture, and the other 8 are for my Christmas in July challenge. Sadly, I only got 8 of 31 cards made for this, but that's 8 more than I had at the beginning of July!

I was able to use up quite a bit of my stash of Christmas goodies on these cards, so I plan on buying some new Christmas papers for this year!

I think this little angel card may just be my favorite! She has been in my stash for years, and I am so happy to finally get her used on a project.

So, there you have it. We'll call these projects #21-31/50 projects (that includes the 3 that I am unable to show). In the coming days I will be posting the layouts that I have made, until I am all caught up again.

Thanks for stopping by!

CMS #65 - First Fourth {20/50}

Good Friday morning! I can't believe that it's already the weekend! I have a layout of the super cute Miss Ada to share with you today. We celebrated the 4th of July on the 5th this year at  Jenny and Art's with a bar-b-que, fireworks and homemade ice cream - Yum! Before we left for the party I took some photos of Ada in her red, white and blue. She's such a big girl now sitting up all on her own! I couldn't wait to get these photos back and to make a layout with them.

Supplies used - Patterned Paper - Bella Blvd. All American, Stamps - Autumn Leaves - flourishes and stars, Close To My Heart - D1320 Shining Star, Ink - Stampin Up - Real Red, Close To My Heart - Outdoor Denim, Alphas - First - Doodlebug Designs, Fourth - Wallflower - Sizzix, Die cuts - Scalloped Circle - Sizzix, Circle - Spellbinders, gems.



Color Me Scrappy had the perfect color combo to use for this layout. Along with the color challenge, you needed to highlight a celebration. I figured Ada celebrating her first 4th of July was the perfect celebration!

 Here's a look at the color challenge if you want to play along:

I've made it to 20 projects so far - almost half way there!

Thanks for stopping by and I'll leave you with a few more pictures of Ada.

Pizza Boy and Fantastic Four

Good morning! I am back today with a couple of layouts I made during Inspired to Scrap's June Weekend Warriors class. I love Stacey's sketches and even though I didn't get to all of them during class, I have them printed off for future layouts.

Both of these layouts feature photos of my boys way back when they were little things. I've had these photos on my desk for about the last 6 months just waiting to be scrapped.

 

This first layout is of Shane in 2004. We had just gotten home from preschool and while I was getting things put away, he helped himself to some cold pizza from the fridge. This might not be a big deal for most people, but this was the first time Shane had done anything like this.

I have such a hard time using patterned paper for my base. I love it when I see other layouts using it, but I just feel like it looks busy. But, I am trying to mix things up a bit and try new things and who knows - if I start using it for a base more often, maybe I'll get used to it!

I used some of Echo Park's Scoot collection for this layout. I love those primary colors!

My second layout is of Matthew on his 4th birthday. It took me 12 years, but I finally got them scrapped - at least part of them. I still have pictures of him opening his presents that will go on another layout.

I used Crate Paper's Party Day collection - that I have been hoarding for a while now. I don't know why I am hoarding it because, not only do I have several pieces that I bought at the scrapbook store, but I also picked up the paper pad of the entire collection at Hobby Lobby a while back - so it needs to be used! Thank goodness the majority of the papers are generic and can be used for layouts other than birthday layouts!

There you have it - projects 18&19 of my first round of 50! Stay tuned for a summertime layout of my adorable granddaughter from the 4th of July, and the first card of my Christmas in July card challenges.

Thanks for stopping by!

Playing Catch Up

Oh my goodness! I can't believe how far behind I am with posting my 50 Projects progress. This summer has been way too busy! I hope it slows down just a bit, because it will be "back to school" time before we know it.

In order to get caught up on posting my projects, I am going to do one post with all of the cards I have made the last couple of weeks. There's not that many, but I'd rather do them all at once or they may never get posted.

My first card {13/50} is based off of this sketch from Try Stampin' On Tuesday:

And here is my take on it:

I used the super cute Pink Paislee Pen Pals 6x6 paper pad and the ephemera pack for this card and I love the way it turned out!

Next is a summer card I made for one of the weekly prompts at Scrappin -N- Chattin', which was to make a summertime card. {14/50}

I'm not thrilled with this one, but I did get to use up some Doodlebug paper and stickers that have been in my stash for ages.

My next two cards {15 and 16/50} are patriotic cards. The 4th of July is my favorite holiday, so it's always fun for me to make a couple of cards for this holiday.

 

And my last card {17/50} I have to share today was for another prompt at Scrappin -N- Chattin.

I am not a fan of this card, either, but I think it's because it's colors are a bit more muted than what I like to work with.

That is it for now. I have a few layouts to share before I am completely caught up, but I'll save that for another post! I have also joined in Scrappin -N- Chattin's Christmas in July card challenge again this year - which I am horribly behind on already - so hopefully I'll have a few Christmas cards to share in the coming weeks.