Introducing...

I am so excited that I finally got the first page of the baby's scrapbook done. It also gave me a chance to use some Bo Bunny paper (I love me some Bo Bunny!). It was paper that I received from a fellow scrapper in a swap box (she totally rocked it out). Anyhow...I took out my first daughter's scrapbook the other night to verify what information was on the first page of her first scrapbook so that I would include the same things on this layout (no more or less information as I want them to feel pretty "equal"). I love how the layout turned out, but then again, when you have such an adorable subject, how can you go wrong???

 

Garnet #6 and #7

It has been some time since I did some of the Midweek Mojos for Scrapbook Steals, so I am pleased to say I got 2 done last night while cropping with some friends (my first crop with anyone since the baby was born). I really liked how these 2 layouts came together. In fact, the one called "House of Girls" came together really quickly (less than an hour) and I love the bright colors against the black background. The one labelled "Christina and Rob" was fun too because my husband and his sister rarely get pictures taken together (I am so glad I took these photos when we got our kids together for the holidays). Precious moments, I tell ya!

 

50 Item Challenge

I have decided that I am going to use what I have and try to keep from spending more money on scrapbooking supplies (although cardstock and adhesives are allowed). I have enough patterned paper to be able to make several projects, so I have decided on 50 projects for now (others in my scrapbooking circle have chosen to do 100, but I thought I'd start a bit smaller as I am busy with our 3 week-old). Here are the first 2 items I made: thank you cards! I am still learning to work with cards as I have very few "under my belt". Maybe this challenge will help me to hone my skills and start to find more of a style that fits me.

Anyways, here they are:

I think that my next projects may include ATCs (artist trading cards) and a potty chart for my 3 year-old...who knows what else I may end up doing...

Winter Backdrop

Is it just me or do winter pics and layouts just automatically bring out smiles? I did 2 layouts in the last 2 days (not bad with a 2 week-old keeping me busy and quite frankly, a bit tired). The papers I used came from a collection of 180 Christmas papers from Recollections that my mom brought me when she came to help take care of the baby these last 2 weeks. I was really happy to use them on both of these layouts.

Both of these were taken during the holidays before my newest daughter decided to join the world. As you can see, my 3 year-old is a happy girl and having a new baby around has brought out even more smiles! But I digress...

The papers on these layouts were fun to use and really easy to put together. Once they were compiled for each page, I really didn't feel the need for lots of embellishing as the patterns themselves already lent to some great "whimsy" already. Sometimes simplicity is the best thing (although the first page has a chipboard snowflake from a mini album, covered in white cardstock and outlined with "holly" Stickles for some bling). These are actually part of a challenge I am attempting this year ~ 52 Sketches in 52 Weeks (I have all the sketches on hand to get them started, but inevitably adjust them to my taste and pictures). Here's to hoping I keep things up!

Back Once Again...

Well, it seems that I have been neglecting my blog, but I must admit that the pregnancy had me focusing on other things. In fact, I went through a period with very few layouts being done. They were replaced by Christmas cards (72 of them) and gifts that I was making for people this year. Now that all of that is done, I thought I should post what I made.

I had bought some great magnetic boards from www.scrapbooksteals.com and had a great time customizing them for different people. Here are some of the ones I made:

They were simple to make and just really fun to play around with. So much so that I made a few more using what became my "go to" paper choice for winter/Christmas this year (Bo Bunny's Snowfall collection):

Is it any wonder I love this line? I love the non-traditional color mix (then again I seem to love anything combined with brown). These papers don't require much work because they are soooooooo beautiful!

I also made some plaques for friends to display in their homes:

Again these are Bo Bunny papers and it was just a matter of finding some nice sentiments, cutting them up and adding some ribbon embellishments and then adding some sparkle (I used a paint that added a bit of gold glitter to a few spots on each plaque). I thought these sentiments were just beautiful and meant to be in the home of my friends.

Well, there you have it...some of my latest projects (there were others, but these were the ones I wanted to focus on). Hoping to be better about keeping this blog going as we have just entered a new year. Happy 2012!

Bolton Landing 2011 (Topaz #'s 7 & 8)

Every year we head out to Bolton Landing for Labor Day Weekend. It's only a few hours away and it is enough of a change that we feel relaxed when we get back.


This year was no exception. We had great weather, which turned out to be one of the warmest weekends I have ever spent there. This year was my 8th year there, my husband's 5th time there and our daughter's 3rd time there. Now that she is older, she really had a blast. Between the ducks, the water and the sand, she was all smiles all weekend! Not to mention that she was having a great time talking with all the friends of ours who were there as well.


So, here are the layouts I have done so far of my husband and daughter. There are other pictures of her with me (looking every bit of pregnant that I am) and of her alone playing in the sand. Those will eventually pop up on layouts, not to worry.


I used papers from the "Like Father, Like Son" collection because I refuse to use "girly" papers when my husband is in the layout. Besides, the blues and such worked with the lake backdrop. It just made sense...

The Difference 2 Years Make...(Topaz #'s 1 & 4)

So I have been neglecting my scrapbooking duties quite a bit lately. With another little girl on the way, I need to get cracking so that I can have as much done for the first one as possible (not to mention there is still that wedding album waiting to be done...).

Last night I was fortunate enough to get some layouts done that allowed my to get caught up on the Midweek Mojos for ScrapbookSteals. They are almost at 10 for the Topaz Club and I had only had one layout done from that series until last night. I managed to get 4 more done and am attaching 2 of them to this post. The reason I am singling these 2 out is because it just so happens that they are exactly 2 years apart and show how much my little girl has grown and changed.

The first one is Topaz #4 - Hanging with dada. She was 7 months old in this picture and my husband was playing with her on the couch. As you can see from her expression, she was having a great time (then again she was a supper happy baby and it wasn't hard to get that smile to come out). I used a kit that I got from ScrapbookSteals (which seems fitting somehow). I love using brown with other colors as it is softer than black and isn't the typical "girly" look. I kept the layout very simple because I wanted the pictures to stand out on their own. The journaling will be on the long polka dot strip and it will be provided by my husband.

Now the next one is a much more recent picture. It was August of this year and showcases my daughter's curls (which she inherited from her mommy). She is at a stage right now where she likes to ask for me to put flowers in her hair, so that was one of those days. It's amazing how the most normal days can produce the most beautiful shots.
I used a paper I have been dying to use. It's actually a Halloween paper, but I don't care. I just loved the colors and the black swirls. I also used "Coredinations" papers and love the way the frayed edges look. It's a simple technique, but has such a great look. I also decided to use lyrics from a Bruno Mars song (I've been dying to do a page using the words from "Just the Way You Are") and love the way the Tiny Type stickers look. All in all, this layout is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Hope you like it too!