Top 12 of 2012

The year is almost gone, and I personally can't believe how fast it went! I swear that the older my babies get, the fast the time seems to go...so that's why its nice, to look back over the last year and remember all of those amazing moments, whether they be a special occasion, or the perfect everyday moments.

So, I thought I would jump on the wagon and do a favorites of 2012 post, below you will find my top 12 projects of the past year, in no particular order, cause don't think I can narrow down that much. lol

Looking forward to seeing what 2013 has in store!

Hope you all have a happily blessed new year, and take the time to create something you love!

Motivation and Time

I have a layout today!! I finally got not only the time to scrap, but the motivation to actually get everything out and do a layout instead of take a nap! lol. I didn't realize how much I had missed it, that time for just me, to get all crafty and unwind! Really, really hope today wasn't just a fluke, and that I actually get to work on more layouts SOON! :)

Studio Calico is doing this awesome contest along with the Create blog, they are giving away a 6 month subscription, so when I saw that, it definitely helped to push me a little to try and get a layout, or maybe even 2 turned in, since I not only love their products, but would love to get their kits...and since the hubby is not on board with that quite yet, I had to give this a go.

Anyhoo, here is the layout that I am turning in for the contest. I used one of my favorite collections of theirs "Hey Day" on this layout, almost exclusively...there are a few other misc. embellies thrown in.

A quick back story on this layout, my middle daughter, Katlyn, is a lover of music. It doesn't matter what it is, she will sing and shake her booty to it. She changes her favorite songs fairly often, but this one here has been her favorite since she heard it from the first time....and something about it, even before she loved it, always reminded me of her....mainly the chorus, cause if you listen to the rest of it, it in no way speaks of a sweet little 4 year old. lol. I was lucky enough one day to snap this picture, and I immediately knew that that chorus was going to be the title. :)

 ( Just noticed my typo on there...still love the layout, lol, will just have to try and figure a way to cover/fix that...suggestions would be welcome! :))

I loved having this challenge, it really helped get that mojo going. So if any of you know of any other fun challenge blogs out there, leave me a link in the comments. I feel like I have been out of the loop for awhile and I'm not sure what's out there anymore! :)

Hope you all have a fabulous day! Take time to create something you love!

I'm a slacker

I feel like I have abandoned this poor little blog, I have just been so caught up in our sweet baby boy, and watching the girls with him, loving on him, you get the idea...so I apologize that I have been so MIA. The itch has finally came back though, I am dying to get some scrappy time in, and now that we are more in the flow and getting a schedule going I have the time, at least I think I will lol, to get some done.

So until I have layouts to share, thought I'd share a few more photos..mainly of baby boy, since he doesn't argue with me about getting his picture taken, at least not yet! :)

Here the girls are modeling their Indian headdresses, idea courtesy of the Fancy Pants blog, that we made for Thanksgiving. Little man had one also, but he wasn't to keen on wearing/modeling it for us. lol.

This sweet girl celebrated her 4th birthday last weekend. I can't believe how grown up she is, such a sweetheart, she is full of love, and her precious smile gets me every time. :)



Will be back SOON with a new layout or two to share. PROMISE! :)

Have a fabulously blessed day, and take time to create something you love!

Be Back Soon

I know its been awhile, but I do have a good reason this time. This little sweetie has been taking up lots of time, but I love every minute! :)

Colten Bryce
Born October 25th @ 7:53 a.m.
8 lbs 4 oz and 21"

We are all in love with this little guy!

Promise I'll be back soon to share some projects, right now just enjoying my baby boy!

Simple Pleasures

Hello friends!! I'm back with another post...I think maybe, just maybe I have gotten back into the groove of blogging! Yay! Course that will probably slow down once the little man gets here...I have started the countdown...3 weeks and 6 days! I know its going to fly, the whole pregnancy has! We are definitely ready to meet him, though I am really hoping we get this remodel finished up before he gets here!
Anyhow, I don't think I have shared this layout before, if I have, I apologize. Pregnancy brain, ya know! lol.
I made this layout using the "Year-o-graphy" line from Simple Stories. The colors and patterns were perfect for these fun photos of Miss E. :)

 

I had so much fun making this layout, all the papers came from the 6x6 pad, except the background. I love to use the smaller scale, makes layering and using lots of patterns much easier.

 

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend, mine is going to be spent priming and painting. Fun, fun! lol

 

Thanks for stopping by, and take time to create something you love!

Enjoy This Moment

Happy Monday!!! The start of another crazy week in this household! I am already ready for the holiday, only so the activities slow down for awhile! Never realized it be this crazy, this early in the game! Yikes!!

I have a layout to share today using the awesome sketch posted on the Lily Bee blog here. I absolutely loved this sketch, and was very excited when I saw they did monthly challenges. I feel like I am just getting around to visiting all of my favorite blogs again, and I am so inspired!! Love this new spurt of crafty mojo I have! The sketch challenge is live until September 30th, so still lots of time to play along! :)

Here is the sketch they provided:




Fabulous, right?? The inspiration layouts were equally fab! :)

Here is my take, I didn't leave quite as much white space, but I think you can definitely see the where I was inspired.

 

I love this line from Lily Bee, and I thought the colors were perfect with this black and white photo. This photo is so special to me, it was taken by a dear friend just moments after we had our big "gender reveal" for the new baby. My oldest was so happy and excited to find out she was going to have a little brother. I don't get in on the photos very often, and especially not moments like this, so I will treasure this photo forever. I love it! :)

 

 

Now I'm off to attempt and tackle that huge mountain of laundry calling my name. lol.

 

Hope you all have a great week, and take time to create something you love!

Cherished Memories

Life is crazy! We get so busy, and so caught up in all that is going on, sometimes we ( at least myself) tend to forget to slow down and savor each moment. No matter if its a special occasion, or just another lazy Saturday, its a moment that you can't get back. I am vowing to start slowing down, and savoring all of those precious moments.

This is one of those moments for me. I love this photo of my husband and girls. This is him, truly in his element, sharing it with them, and they love it. Of course, they love anything that Daddy does, because he is an awesome dad. :)

 

I have scrapped this photo before, but it speaks so much to me that I wanted to make sure each of the girls had it in their albums.

 

On the topic of albums and memories, I have a question for you all! Do you have a "family" album? I have always just scrapped for the girls, kept an album for each of them, but lately have been thinking of adding in more of my husband and myself, and with the new baby coming, I thought might be easier on me to simply do and album for each, and then a family album. Instead of making 2 or 3 layouts using the same photos? What are your methods for this?? Please share!! :)

 

First soccer game of the season tonight, little miss is very excited....I'm a little curious as to what to expect. A team of 5 & 6 year olds, who have only had 3 practices. It'll be something, lol, that's for sure.

 

Oh, and just cause I am getting antsy and super excited, 5 more weeks til little man gets here!!! Can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone, so ready to meet this little guy! :)

 

Thanks for letting me ramble today! :)

 

Hope you all have a fabulous day, and take time to create something you love!

A Simply Great Life

Happy Monday!! Its a dreary day here, rain coming in and just makes me want to either stay in bed all day and snuggle, or scrap the day away. Let's see which one little miss agrees too! lol.

Today I wanted to share a project from a class I recently taught in at my LSS. The picture is not the best, but as many of you know, we are in the midst of a very extensive remodel, so I had to try my best to make it work where I could.

For the class we made used a 7 Gypsies printer tray and the Heritage line from Simple Stories. I was so nervous about this one, as I knew while I was making it that it was for a class. It was my first time teaching, and I couldn't have asked for a better group of ladies, and a more fun night! :) Hoping to do that more often!

Here is the project:

 

 

Don't you all just love that nice burgundy carpet?? lol. One of things that will be going soon, but for now it was my best option for a backdrop, since I'm pretty sure almost every other surface in my house is covered in dry wall dust. Remodels=torture!

 

Anyways, I did LOTS of fussy cutting of this project, along with some stamping, die cutting, and layering. I am in love with the way it turned out!! :)

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Hope you all have a fabulous day, and take time to create something you love!! 

Hello There

Happy Tuesday!! :) Today is another crazy day here at my house, I swear, with all the activities the girls already have in pre-K and kindergarten, I am scared to see what our lives are going to be like as they get older! Yikes!! Does it ever slow down?? lol.

I know I had promised some photos from the shower, but wouldn't you know it, that my camera sat there neglected most of the day. A friend did snap a few for me, so once I go through those I promise I'll get some up!! Hard to believe that we are at 6 1/2 weeks until we meet our little man!! :)


Speaking of the little guy, I have the first layout I have made for him, to share with you today. I had a picture in my mind of how I wanted this layout to go, didn't really end up looking the way I had planned, and I can't decide 100% if I like it or not. So, here it is, you guys let me know what you think! :)

 

 

I used mainly the "Nostalgia" line by MME on this one, with a little bit of Studio Calico "Hey Day" thrown in. I loved these colors and thought the tones were beautiful for the look I was going for. I'm thinking I might need to cover that piece on the envelope with another pattern...didn't think about it at the time, since it was on the inside of the envelope...hmmmm I'll have to do something about that I think! :)

 

Hope you all are having a fabulous week!! :)

 

Take time today to create something you love!

 

Project and an Announcement

Wednesday!! Middle of the week!! Almost the holiday!! YAY!! :) Do any of you have big plans for this weekend?? Ours include more work on the house, we are down to 8 weeks til our little bundle comes, so it is crunch time!! Yikes!! Never again will we decided to remodel while I am 6 1/2 months pregnant! lol.

I am up today on The Paper Bakery blog with a fun little gift set I made using the August add-on kit!! Here is a sneak peak of it, head on over to the blog to see the full project!!

I have decided not to renew my term with the design team. I have absolutely loved being a part of this team, and Sarah is fabulous to work with! I will greatly miss being a part of that, but with that being said, have any of you seen this???


I am so excited to announce The Paper Bakery’s latest Design Team call!

Who we are looking for:
Creative scrappers who love altered projects and all types of the scrapbooking world!! Mini Albums, Altered Tags, ATC Trays, Library Drawers, Mixed Media-if you can dream it, I want you!!

DT member responsibilities:
**DT members are required to commit to 1 large project and 4-5 regular projects each month. Minimum: 2 layouts, 1 card, and 2-3 altered projects.
**DT members must submit their work on time with professional photos of their work. Any late work may result in leaving the team.
**DT members must take pride in designing for The Paper Bakery and promoting the kits for the kit club on their blog and throughout the web. This includes linking to The Paper Bakery’s site so potential customers can find us.
**DT members are required to do 1 blog posts each week on The Paper Bakery blog. These can be scheduled ahead of time.
**DT members are encouraged to participate in the bi-weekly sketch challenges, participate on the Paper Bakery’s facebook page, and comment on the Paper Bakery’s blog regularly.
**Blogs are required.
**DT term will be 6 months and will run October 2012-March 2013.

Design Team members will receive:
**Add-On Kit each month, shipped directly to team member, to create projects with for the Gallery. Each DT member may receive the main kit to create a large project with (this will be on rotation).
**DT members will receive discount on all additional kits they may want to purchase, shipped free with DT kit.

How to apply for The Paper Bakery Design Team:
Please Email the following information to sarah@paperbakerykits.com
~Name, Address, Email Address, and Blog address
~Include a link to any online galleries you consistently post to.
~Include design teams you are currently on, and any you HAVE been on.
~Tell us a little about yourself!! Short and sweet please…. no novels
~Tell us why you want to support The Paper Bakery and be on our team.
~Include 2 pictures of your best current altered art (tags, mixed media, mini albums, etc) work and why you love it so much.
~Include 4 pictures (2 layouts/2 cards) of your best current layouts and cards and how it describes your style.

International applications welcome, but please note that International applicants will be responsible for their own postage of their kit.

Current DT members are welcome to apply again for another term.

Submissions will be accepted through September 11th. Design Team announced by September 13th.
I look forward to all of the great submissions!!!! Bring them on!!! Feel free to email any questions if you may have them.


Apply, Apply, Apply!! This team is fabulous, and the kits are amazing!! I hope someone of you give it a go, I know you won't regret it!!! :)

I will be back next week to share some fun shower decor that I have been working on, for my own baby shower!! lol. Do any of you do that?? I just couldn't give all the control over, had to have a little say! :)

Have a great day, and take time to create something you love!!

Lovely, Beautiful

Hi all!! :) Hope today is treating you well so far!! I wanted to hop on today and share a layout that went up on The Paper Bakery blog today! This layout was made using almost exclusively the August add on kit, "County Fair"!

We are in the midst of a remodel at my house, a very extensive remodel, so I have been unable to print off any new pictures, so while I was searching for some around here that I had yet to scrap, I came across my daughter’s preschool school picture from last fall. I usually have a very hard time scrapping school photos, but this time, the minute I saw it, my mind went to the “Lovely” sticker on the sticker sheet included in your add on kit for this month. I thought a lot of the colors and patterns in the papers lent themselves well to the fall theme they had for their photos. So surprisingly, for me, this layout came together very quickly, using almost exclusively items included in the kit.

I want to apologize for the not so great photo quality, these were taken with my iPhone, since another thing that I can’t find in the midst of this remodel is my camera battery charger.

 

 

Absolutely love the gorgeous colors and accents included in this kit!! I will have more projects to share soon!! :)

 

Hope you all have a blessed day, and take time to create something you love!

Reveal and a Layout

Hi all!! Long time, again! I swear, life just stays so busy anymore! I feel like I am always on the go! I have no idea how we are going to do it when the 3rd little one gets here! Yikes!! I am open to any suggestions!! lol!

Today is the 15th, which means its reveal day over at The Paper Bakery!! You can go here to view the kits available this month. Then up on the blog I have a fun little post sharing my favorite kit items from the add on kit! :)

I also have a layout to share with you all today! I actually made this layout a little while back, and realized I hadn't shared it on the blog. I don't know why, I'd have to say its one of my all time favorite layouts!

I used the Simple Stories "Fabulous" line exclusively on this layout, only throwing in a few extras, such as twine and washi tape. I liked using the grid design on this layout. It was an easy way to include lots of embellishment without overwhelming the layout, and myself! lol. Lately my scrap time is very limited, so a design like this helps it to all come together a little easier! :)

I'll be back next week to share some of my projects made using the Country Picnic add on kit from The Paper Bakery. Until then, have a great day, and take time to create something you love!!



Finally...

I am back to posting, at least I hope!! I tell you, life has been crazy, between getting two kiddos ready to start school, the activities they are already in, getting ready for the little guy, and a house remodel on top of that, I feel like I barely have time to breathe! I am ready for this summer to be over!! lol.

I am up today over at The Paper Bakery blog sharing a few projects.

These were the last of my projects made with the July add-on kit, which was fabulous, as always. Can't wait to see what Sarah has in store for us with the August kit!!

Hope to be on here more often, with both Paper Bakery Projects and just for fun projects! Hope you all are getting in lots of crafty time..send some of the and the mojo my way!! lol

Have a great day, and take time to create something you love!

Two for One

Happy Wedneday!! The middle of the week, finally!! I am so looking forward to the weekend, its be a long week.

Today I am going to share a couple of layouts I made with the July add-on kit from
The Paper Bakery, "Country Picnic". This add-on had so many possibilities, very versatile. There are still a few available in the shop here, so head over and check it out!! Full of goodies, including some very unconventional scrappy items.

I am sharing two very different layouts today over on the blog, this helps to show just how versatile this kit it. One layout is decidedly more "girly", while the other layout uses nontraditional girl colors, but still comes off as a very sweet, and lovely layout.

By focusing on the black and pink in my daughters shirt, I come off with a layout focusing more of the feminine aspects of the kit, and have a cute girly little layout...but even using these colors, it doesn't come off overly feminine.

By using feminine die cuts and images, I took very "boy" patterns and colors and made them work in this layout about my sweet little lady.

This is one of my favorite things about the kits that Sarah puts together at The Paper Bakery...there are so many possibilities with them, and them make you stretch those creative muscles and step out of the box!

Make sure you head over to the blog, and check out all the info and details on the July add-on and project kit...also check out the details on our sketch challenge and play along for an awesome prize pack! :)

Have a great day, and take time to create something you love.



Beautiful

Hello, Hello!!! Hope you are all having a fabulous Wednesday!! :) I am...so far! lol.

Today I just wanted to share a project I have up on The Paper Bakery blog. Its a cute little home decor piece I made for my youngest. Any ideas what I used as the base??

VINTAGE RECORDS!!!! Yep, you read it right! They were just a few of the fun little items that Sarah included in this months add-on kit.

Head over to The Paper Bakery blog for some addition photos, and while you are there, check out the sketch challenge we have up right now!! Would love to see some of you play along!! :)

Hope you all have a great day, and take time to create something you love!