Baby Zach is HERE!!!

After a very long day and night, I am now the proud Aunt to Zachary David. My sister went into the hospital around 7:30am yesterday morning. Around 7pm she started pushing, and pushing, and pushing.... Finally at 11:45pm baby Zach entered the world weighing in at 8lbs. 8oz. Both baby and Jenny are doing great. Here's a few pictures taken just minutes after he was born.

Sisters

Todays layout is dedicated to my sister! Right now she is at the hospital having her baby!!!! I will be heading over there later this afternoon. I'm sure I will be posting more tomorrow.


This was challenge #7 at Scrappy Girl Designs cybercrop (only 3 more to go!). The challenge was to create a layout with matching embellishments. All the embellishments must be the same color--they could be varies shades of this color. I have lots of pink stuff, but never get to use it with 2 boys. Thought this would be a great chance to use some of it up. All supplies used are from the February MemoryWorks Express Kit (except for a couple of the big flowers, pink chipboard letters, and letter stickers).

I've been tagged!

Lacey has tagged me!

The Rules:
You must list one fact about yourself for each letter of your middle name. Each fact must begin with that letter. If you don't have a middle name, just use your maiden name. After you've been tagged, you need to up-date your blog with your middle name and answers. At the end of your post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name.

Here's my middle name: Louise

L--Loving: I provide lots of love to many different people in my life. I give love to the kids that I care for in the childcare. I give love to my friends. Most of all, I give lots and lots of love to my family!

O--Outgoing: I may not be a very vocal person, but I feel that I am outgoing in many other ways. I love to plan and organize events. I do it within my MemoryWorks buisness and I organize the monthly outings for the Mom's Night Out group that I put together.

U--Unique: Everyone is unique! We are all different in many different ways!

I--Inviting: My home is always open for guests. We love to hold parties in the summer where people can bring their kids and the parents can chill.

S--Shy: Always have been, probably always will be. I try to open up as much as I can, but it's just in my nature to be a little shy.

E--Energetic: Chasing around 8 kids 10 hours a day--I have to have lots of energy!

Ok, so whose up now.......hmmmmmm...watch out, I'm coming to your blog next!!!!

My Hero!

Challenge #4 from Scrappy Girl Designs Cybercrop.

Within this challenge your layout must have stitching around your photo. We were also required to have 2+ pictures. I just love these pictures of my son getting ready for his first Cub Scouts meeting. Again, I'm using up more scraps (gotta make room for new stuff coming soon!!!!).

Supplies used: patterned paper- Scenic Route Star Theme set, Scenic Route My Hero Chipboard, Provo Craft eyelets, Three Bug in a Rug Seeing Start metal brads, and rub-on stitches.

Oh, so Happy!

Challenge #2 from Scrappy Girl Designs Cybercrop this past weekend.


This challenge was all about the number 5. The layout needed to included the following: 5 flowers, 5 buttons, 5 arrows, and 5 letters in the title. Using up more MemoryWorks Express kits! This layout included paper from Nov. Express kit, Basic Grey mini monogram chipboard letters, prima flowers, photo corners, and hand cut chipboard arrow.

New Grill

This layout was completed for challenge #1 at Scrappy Girl Designs for their weekend cybercrop. Although, I didn't get as many challenges completed as I had planned, I will continue to work on them throughout the week. Lots of fun stuff to come!!!!


For this challenge we were to create a layout that revolves around FOOD!!! My husband loves to grill out and he is always taking pictures of his food. The layout also needed to have the following elements: 3 pictures, 2 different ribbons, and 2 different patterned paper. I'm still using up my stash: Piggy Tales- Goldilocks and the 3 Bears patterned paper, flowers, and chipboard letters, Basic Grey- Mellow Ribbon, and Autumn Leaves- Journaling stamp.

Big Bruise

I just HAD to scrap a few photos of Dylan and his first black eye. I'm sure this won't be the last time he has one! This was created for the weekly challenge at Scrappy Girl Designs--a site that I've been hangin' out at lately. There is some really awesome talent and fun challenges on the forum. Stop over this weekend for their Cybercrop! This weeks challenge was to create a layout using the following products: 1 sheet of cardstock, 1 sheet of patterned paper, 1 flower, 5 buttons, and 1 odd shape.

Express Kit Sneak Peak!

Here is a little sneak peak of what to expect from the March MemoryWorks Express Kit! Lots of blues and greens!!! Can't wait to see it!! Are you feeling lucky??? Contact me to place your order.

Valentine's Day Card

I know this is a little late, but I thought I'd share it with you anyway. I've been eying this frog stamp for a long time. Finally using it! I'll have to save this card for my husband next year.....

February Calendar Page

So, I'm trying to plan ahead a "little" and I've decided to create a calendar for NEXT year. My plan is to create one page each month leaving a blank spot for a picture. At Christmas I can wrap it up and give it to a Grandparent. In 2009, each month we will send the Grandparent a picture to put on the calendar. This will be a great way for the kids to stay in touch and practice their writing skills. Hopefully, I can stick to it!

Here's my layout for February:


I don't have the calendar pages yet. I will just add this to the top of the calendar. I should mention that this was all inspired by Lacey's calendar challenge on her blog. Come on over and check it out! I'm sure she will be thrilled to have more people submit entries!!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Circle Journal time! For this month's circle journal the theme was "A Few of My Favorite Things". I decided to skip pictures and just do some journaling for this one. I used my new February MemoryWorks Express kit and label maker to create this layout. Enjoy!

New camera!

I'm soooo excited---can you tell??? We got our tax return on Friday! Although most of it is going to pay off bills, we decided to splurge on one item---a NEW CAMERA!!! Our old digital camera is starting to loose some power. Every time I put new batteries in it, they die. I've been really looking into getting a camera with a little more features. Somthing that I could play around with and learn. I couldn't really afford a good digital SLR, so we went with a point and shoot camera with some added features. I think this will be a good step up and maybe in the future I can upgrade.

Here's what we bought: Canon Powershot s5 IS

We just picked it up last night so I haven't had a chance to play with it much. We did a lot of reading up on cameras and this one kept coming back to us with great reviews. It has a 12x optic zoom which should come in handy at school functions and sporting events. There are 3 different manuals to go through! It's snowing like crazy outside, so it's a perfect day to sit back and learn all about my new camera!!!

Moments to Remember

In 2007 I steped back into the scrapbooking world. After taking a few years off to care after 2 little ones, I decided I needed to do something for myself. I have been scrapbooking pictures since I was about 8 years old and it was time to come back! It took me a year to get back into things and learn the new in's and outs of this world. Embellishments, patterend paper, chipboard....I had to learn ALL of it--but, it didn't take me long. I can honestly say that I am 100% addicted to the craft.

Today I decided to take a different direction. Today I decided to share my craft. I've been blogging for a little while, but I want to do more. I would love to be on a design team. There a hundreds of little scrap stores online and each one has a design team to show off their products/kits. I think that I've put a lot of time and effort into learning this craft and I would love to show others just how easy it can be. So, that's my new goal for 2008---enter my layouts into contests for a design team. I'm not going to go crazy about it or get frustrated if it doesn't happen, but it's something to shoot for. Besides, contests are always a great excuse to create some amazing layouts--right??

So, for my first "assignment" I've found a great little website Moments to Remember. They are super friendly and they have amazing talent. I'm excited to jump into things and show myself to them. Stop over and check it out!

Shoes

A quick layout of Dylan being....well....Dylan. I haven't put any journaling on it yet. I'll probably just write a little around the outside edge of the patterned paper. Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!!! Kinda a cheesy-Hallmark holiday, but it's a good excuse to tell everyone they are loved.......ahhhhhhhhh. I don't have a layout to show you today, instead I thought I'd give you a quick review of a movie!


Last night I went to see Juno with some friends. I rarely go to the theaters, but I love movies (it's the $9 a pop I can't deal with!!!). Juno was a GREAT movie! Definitely worth all the hype. I love sarcasm and this movie is FULL of it. The main character Juno (Ellen Page) is amazing in this role. She plays a 16 year old pregnant girl, but is far from your ordinary 16 year old. Lots of one liners---which at times made me feel a little old, but funny nonetheless. The opening credits were fun and artistic. Lots of folky music that I'm sure some found annoying, but I rather liked. I also loved that throughout the entire movie you were constantly seeing the high school track team running in their short shorts--very funny.

Anyway...check out this movie. I'm usually not an emotional person, but even I was choking up at the end--but this no way makes this a chick flick. Go see it!

Navy Pier

A cute double-page layout I did showcasing our pictures from Navy Pier. It was a quick trip so I didn't have a lot of pictures. I really like the strip of pictures on the left.

Supplies: Piggy Tales: Little Boy Blue Theme Set

Computer Geeks

I completed today's layout for a sketch challenge over at A Daily Dose of Scrap. There is a weekly sketch with PRIZES!!! Check it out!

Snow Fun!

Since it's snowing outside---again----I thought I'd share with you a snow layout I completed this week.
Supplies: Patterned paper (Fancy Pants: Clair de Lune theme set), chipboard snowflakes (MW Jan 08 Express Kit) covered with white Colorbox ink and Stickles, Journaling (Heidi Swapp Journaling Stamp), stamp snowflakes (Autumn Leaves Clear Stamps-Rhonna's Christmas Card).

Spelling Words?

So, this is not my favorite layout I did this past weekend, but it was quick and easy. Used Three Bugs in a Rug: Seeing Stars theme set and chipboard shapes, ?? scrabble letters, and Heidi Swapp Date Roller.

More Layouts!

After this post I only have 1 more layout to post from my scrapbooking retreat, BUT I've been scrapin' this week!!! I got into the groove last weekend and continued on this week. Hopefully, I can get some more done this weekend. The posts will continue!!!!

"Mummies": Using up some of the last of my October 07 Express Kit (these kits just keep going, and going, and going!). Perfect for my little Mummies!

"Perfect": Using Cosmo Cricket Dutch Girl theme set, Autumn Leaves Rub-On (perfect), a couple Prima flowers with bling, ribbon, and a button. I sanded the edges of the photos for a vintage look or just to make the photos stand out and little more. The swirl and paper flower is adhered with a pop-up glue dot. Yes, this girly paper CAN work with boys too!

January 08 Express Kit

Today's layouts are a few of my favorites from this past weekend. For these layouts I used the January 08 MemoryWorks Express Kit. I really love the colors in the kit. I probably would have never purchased these papers on their own, but they really work. That's one of the best things about the kits--finding new papers or embellishments that you wouldn't normally buy, but end up loving!

"Family Pig Out": Fairly simple layout with a few fun elements. Black scroll is a big felt sticker. Looks very cool in person. "Family" was stamped using Heidi Swapp Family Clear Acrylic Stamp. Also used Heidi Swapp Frills Journaling Spots on cardstock and cut them out for journaling. "Pig Out" lettering done with Thickers foam letters--my new favorite letter stickers (included in the kit!).

"Ice Storm": I had a lot of fun creating this layout. The express kit included this glitter glue stuff called "Stickles". It was really fun to play with. I used it on the clear snowflakes and Ice lettering. The only downfall is that it takes awhile to dry and I'm very impatient. Also used sequins for the first time in a layout. The only thing not included in the kit is the letters.

Using up my stash!

A couple layouts today using up some little odds and ends from theme sets that I've had for quite awhile.

"Clean Room": I just couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of the boys clean room--a constant daily struggle. This layout was completed using Crate Paper: Zoom Theme Set. The background paper is actually 1 piece of patterned paper cut in half and taped together using both the patterned side (with the cars) and pain red side. Lettering was made with the Cricut and a Disney cartridge.


"Sponge Bob": This layout was completed using Pebbles: School Kit. The Pebbles kits are fun because they come with ribbon, cardstock quotes, stickers, and other bits and pieces--a great kit for a beginner scrapper. Lettering was again done with the Cricut using the Disney cartridge.

November 07 Express Kit

Both layouts today were created using the November 2007 MemoryWorks Express Kit.

This was a fun layout to complete--lots of different elements. The fall colors worked really well for the photos of my Grandmothers 90th birthday party. The bird is a 3 piece chipboard set. I covered each piece with patterned paper, inked the edges, and glued them down. I added a blue jewel (also included in the kit) for the eye. Love, love, love the big flower!! Chipboard letters and sticker quote are the only items that were added from my stash and not included with the kit.

I'm not one for double page layouts--but sometimes you just have too many pictures for one page. This is a fairly simple layout. I'm not too thrilled with how the lettering stamps turned out. Matted a few pictures to highlight them and added chipboard pieces. Not my favorite layout, but it works.

Scenic Route- Metropolis Star Theme Set

For today's post I thought I'd share with you a couple layouts I completed using the Scenic Route: Star Theme Set from MemoryWorks. These papers worked great for my son Dylan who is always being goofy and silly. I love the bright colors and fun patterns.

"Goof-ball Dylan"--In addition to some of the patterned paper from the theme set I added a die cut arrow and Chipboard from the same collection. Letters were made with my new Cricut!

Another fun simple layout using circles. I added a few circle stamps to add more fun. Lettering was again done with the Cricut. We had 3 Cricuts with us on the retreat this weekend, so we had fun playing around with each other's cartridges.

Christmas Tree Layout

I'm super excited to share with you the layouts I completed this weekend. Before heading to the retreat I stopped to pick up a few essentials--adhesive, etc--but I would NOT let myself buy any paper. My goal was to use up some of the express kits and other paper packs that I've had in my stash for awhile. I had 3 months worth of MemoryWorks express kits that have been sitting untouched. It was fun to break them out and play with them. It reminded me how awesome they are and how much "stuff" they contain.

This week I'll post 2-3 layouts each day and list the supplies that I used to complete each page. For today's post I used the December MemoryWorks Express Kit. I'm super happy with how these pages turned out and I can't wait to print out the rest of my Christmas pictures and get them into layouts.

Chipboard "Tree" letters were painted with Pebbles, Inc scrapbook paint. Once they were dry (which didn't take much time at all--big plus for Pebbles paint), I inked the edges and grooves with Colorbox Fluid Chalk--Chocolates & Blueberries. Inking really helped make the letters pop.

This second layout was pretty easy. The paper is so cool that I really didn't have to do much of anything. I used my Heidi Swapp Edge Distressor to distress the edges of the green and red cardstock used to mat the picture. "Merry Christmas" was stamped on the layout using a foam stamp that came with the kit. For a little something extra, I added a few brads on the end of a few of the swirls. Super easy and quick layout.

Go Giants!

Just got back from my weekend scrapin' retreat. It was a lot of fun. Met some new people, got to know some friends better, and got lots of scrapin' done! I completed 15 1/2 pages! I had lots more planned, but overall I think I was pretty productive. I will post pictures throughout the next week. Right now I have laundry to do, house to clean, and a football game to watch!!! My husband is a big Giants fan so he's gearing up for the game tonight by making hoogie sandwiches.

Journal Revolution: Rise Up and Create!

Quick post before I head out for my weekend scrap retreat.....


I just finished the book Journal Revolution: Rise Up and Create by Linda Woods & Karen Dinino. This is the February book at Big Picture Scrapbooking in the Reading Room. This is the first "scrapbooking" book that I've read. The book was very inspiring. It really made me stop and think about how I put my feelings into my work. I've never been one to journal. I never kept a diary while growing up. Blogging has been the closest I've ever been to creating a journal. The basis of the book is to create your very own art journals. This could be something that you share with others or keep private for yourself. An art journal could be a way to get your feelings out. There are no rules or techniques that are required. Get messy!

Overall I thought it was a good book. A good motivator to step outside your boundaries and put your feelings on paper with paint or whatever craft supplies you may have. While, I don't know that I'll be journaling on my bras (yes, that's one of the projects in the book!), I will try to step outside the "scrapbooking rules" and put more feeling into my creations.