October Afternoon Woodland Park

Here's a layout I made last night after church. These are my little cousin's ADORABLE 8 year old twins. They are SUPER sassy and girly and I never would have thought that they would have gone in that animal pen and picked up the chickens/roosters like they did! I could NOT stop laughing! It looks as if Ashlyn is saying, "yeah, that's right! I'm holdin' a chicken! what? what!"   LOL LOVE THEM!

I used the new Woodland Park line from October Afternoon. I swear they don't make anything that I don't just love! I also used some OA Cakewalk and Sidewalks, new Studio Calico Thickers and Veneers LOVE!.

Thanks for taking a peek!

More Layouts and CHA must haves

Hello crafty friends!

Can you believe it is AUGUST 1ST? As in, we just started the 8th month of the year! OMG I can hardly believe it really.

I've had a *very* lazy Wednesday and thank God because I needed it! The boy off at camp,the girl off to summer courses at the local university and the hubby at work makes for a VERY quiet house after a VERY non-quiet house this weekend! ha!

This summer has been a whirlwind so far. We have not gone away on vacation, but we've had a few staycations and have had such. a. great. time! So many new memories to cherish. I'll definitely have a lot to scrap...yay!

I recently learned that this is coming in September...

You can find more about it Scrapbook Expo I'm hoping to go on Friday morning at the Early Bird time. Just to shop of course ;)

 Also, don't know about you, but I have not really been so crazy about CHA releases this time around. Now, don't get me wrong, there are lines where I know I'll need. it. all. like...



And of course we'll need the girl line too...

And this one reminds me of old skool Ki !I think that is why I love Bella Blvd so much! So cute. All. of. it. LOL

And this is a new sister company  and I love all these colors. Curious to know what the weight of the paper is like. That is something I look for when buying paper...I do NOT like thin paper no matter how cute it is! Yep, paper snob here :)

And of course this made me GIDDY! Hampton Arts has acquired Ki Memories and this is their first release....the entire line is super cute they even have washi tape!

So while I wasn't BLOWN away there are still a few that I must have! And that makes me happy! I'm off to finish my shopping at the bucket with a cart that I started dayss ago, but they keep adding new stuff so I keep waiting! :P 

I leave you with a few layouts that I did a while back (remember my stack?) Hope you like them. Enjoy your Wednesday!

SO happy that Heidi Swapp is back and better than ever! Love her stuff! Still hoard a lot of her original releases.

I used my heat gun to crimp up this border. And punched out some circles on different areas of the layout... a la Keisha Campbell... <3 her="her">

Ordered some of these little baggies/envelopes from somewhere on Etsy, I think, can't remember. How odd, right? All I remember is that they took for-ever to get here! :(

Yes, this paper again! I rarely use the same paper in my layouts, but since these are all going into different albums....Jessie's, my mom's and mine then it's all good.

  The girl has already told me that she is taking. her. albums. with. her. if/when. she. goes. away. to. college. next. year. WHAT?!? I'm neither ready for her to leave OR for her to be taking any albums! I'll need some serious hand holding to get me through...for sure. :(

The boyfriend...Jessie's...not mine...LOL...playing in the first game ever to be played at the new Miami Marlins stadium. That is one of the pics of him that came out in the paper. He is SUPER talented and we are so proud of him. Will be going away to college with a full athletic scholarship! later this month and we are going to MISS him. Great kid.

 And lastly, here is my goober on his 1st day of kinder. *sigh* The pictures are super dark but there was so much light in there and heavy shadows it was hard to get a good one. He was SO happy and we are SO incredibly blessed with his new school. I can't thank God enough...ever.   <3>Peace.

*Swoon*

*Swoon*

Just when I thought I had found the perfect collection for my 2012 December Daily...I come across THIS....

My current favorites all wrapped up in one AWESOME colection...neutrals, chevrons, red, polka dots, hexagons and teal! ! ! I'm absolutely giddy!

This is only the first of the collections that I've seen today so I'm afraid I'll be posting lots more! I LOVE this time of year! I haven't done a BIG purchase since March when I finished up the last of my Winter Cha wants...so I'm DUE!!! LOL

Of to see all the CHA videos and Photos!

<3



December Daily 2012

Yes, you read correctly I have my DD 2012 on the brain. Thanks to this SUPER cute Pink Paislee new release City Sidewalk!

Look at all those pretty colors and the snowflakes with GLITTER! As of right now this is definitely my top choice!

Quilting!

Edited to Add A Little Bit Better Pic :)

Finished my quilt top using Vintage Modern and I LOVE it!

I already started my 2nd one with Lucy's Crab Shack sooo cute! This one will be a beach quilt!

Next, my nieces already picked out the fabrics they wanted. The soon to be 7 year old picked this one...

Which is super fitting since her name means "butterfly" ! <3

My SUPER sassy just turned 5 niece picked this one...

Her pick made me laugh because I see it as a little old-fashioned and dainty...she is neither! hahahah she is sassy and spunky that little girl! <3 her!

Then come the boys. I have a feeling I'll be making Super Hero quilts... *____* Not my favorite colors but it's about them and what they're going to treasure, right? right!

Turns out my aunt and Jennifer also like quilts...so I think I'm going to be busy for a while!!

The good thing is that my mom, who has taught me all I know about sewing,  has been making a HUGE "canastilla" for an orphanage in Cuba so she has also has the sewing bug! She is making the most beautiful baby blankets, and dresses, infant tops, etc BEAUTIFUL! I'll post some pics when she sends me some. It's nice to have family that shares your excitement about your hobbies. <3 my momma!

I hope to work on the backing for the quilt some time soon. I have all the items purchased to finish, but I'm not sure what bobbin thread is best to use with the clear thread on top. Any suggestions?

Testing 123..

Happy Monday!

Trying to see if I can post photos from my iPad...

Long time no post

Howdy!

I hope you are doing well. It is SO HOT here it's hard to stay cool unless you are inside or in the water! But the days are so beautiful it's kinda worth the melting. :)

Had to go back and check at the date of my last post and I can't believe it's been almost three months! Not that I'm a prolific blogger or anything of the sort, but sheesh it seems as if it was just a couple of weeks ago.

I've been working on a few different things...

New Layouts-

I have a stack of layouts without an album to put them in! I never do this, but I ran out of AC 3 ring albums and finally just placed an order with them today. Hopefully they'll get here soon because this kills me!

Here are some of them...

My Birthday Party-

One of the layouts that I made to commemorate my birthday party this year with some of my guests.

 It was extra special because in addition to my immediate family and very special friends I was able to celebrate with my cousins and my aunt!! They've been living in Costa Rica for years and I miss them more than words can express. My cousin Sergio, who has always been more like a brother even though we aren't even blood related :), had a bone marrow transplant last year. He has been through SO much. But thanks to his unwavering faith and thousands of prayers that were and continue to be sent up in his name he is living a happy healthy life now! PRAISE GOD!

I felt as if I was celebrating my 4th birthday instead of my 42! LOL We had SO much fun and laughed SO hard...I had NO voice the next day! I even made them sing Happy Birthday to me 2xs just like the kids always do! hahahahahaha Good Times! 

I LOVE this tag! Isn't it fun and cute? I got them HERE. Check out her other stuff SO cute! My first order came super quick, but then I placed one on 5/25 and *just* got it yesterday :( I'm SO impatient when it comes to super cuteness like this, but it really is worth the wait!

Jessie's Junior Banquet-

It seems as if all we've done for the last few months is buy formal dresses for the girl! Oh em geee she's had so many events...banquet, boyfriend's prom, ring ceremony, NHS, graduations, etc etc etc

One of my favorite photos of all the events is this one, the night of her junior banquet. I thought my little girl looked like a princess! I am SO happy that she likes to dress on the conservative side. We saw some dresses that should be Illegal! LOL This one was much prettier in person I just couldn't do it justice with my horrible photo skills! ugh!

For this layout I used the new MME collection Be Amazing with some Be Happy. I can't get enough of it I love it so much! And the Amy Tangerine Thickers are my favorites now. That font and print is awesome.

My Own Sweet Angel in Heaven-

Ahhh. Can't say much about this one because the waterworks automatically start.

 

This is my dad and me on my 1st birthday! My parents always gave me the BEST birthday parties. He was the BEST dad. ever. *sigh* Such beautiful memories. Can't you just *see* the joy in his eyes.  Even as an adult I would walk in a room and his eyes would light up! I. MISS. HIM...terribly. :(

I LOVE this new Dear Lizzy line. I think I like it better than her last release. I've used it now a few times and I don't get tired of it. She's already working on a new collection I can't wait to see it! 

Mini Golf Date Night-

These two are SO sweet together. I am so grateful that God has put such an awesome boy in my daughter's path to share her first "real boyfriend" experience. They've been together for 14 months and we have nothing but great things to say about him and their relationship. Really special.  

 This is a lift of a page maps contributor/sketch and I just had to recreate it. This photo altered the colors a little from this Pink Paislee Praire Hill collection but it's such a pretty collection and the color combo is so totally me.

My First full size quilt!-

Years ago I started a block of the month quilt project with some kits from Joann's...the pattern/fabrics weren't me at all so although I finished the quilt top I never finished the quilt itself. I've made a blouse and skirt in high school for home ec...and we had to wear it to school! LOL I got an A but OMG it was so ugly! And I've made several costumes for my daughter and curtains, pillows, etc but I've never made a quilt!

Then last year I discovered Quilt for Kids and ended up making 2 crib sized quilts for them. I was really excited that I had started and finished them. Shortly after I received an email from them with a photo of what looked like 100's of quilts stacked up because they didn't have enough $ to ship them to the hospitals/police stations, etc...what?!?  That made me so sad. 

So this year I decided that come summer I was going to make my first full size quilt!!! It *was* supposed to be for a birthday gift coming up, but Jessie saw the prints and claimed it for herself! I'm using Moda's Modern Vintage line! SO cute and pretty!

I've done a LOT of cutting and even more sewing and I'm almost done with the quilt top. God wiling tomorrow I'll go get the backing and binding fabrics, the batting and I'm even going to FREE MOTION QUILT IT MYSELF! Yes, I'm crazy, but it beats paying 100's of dollars for someone to do it for me. I'm not doing anything fancy either a medium stipple or straight lines OR in the ditch. I think I might let Jessie pick...we'll see LOL.

Well I have 12 more new layouts,  Project Life, Birthday album and some new Life Handmade goodies to share, but OMG I don't know WHY it takes me SOOOO long to post a new entry...I started this one yesterday! LOL

Well, I'm going to start dinner now so we can be ready for this tonight....

GOOOOOOOOOOOO HEAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTT!!!!! :)

Until next time... :)

<3

New Layouts

Hi and a Happy Wednesday to YOU!

I had a lot of free time in the mornings last week...love that! I was able to do something crafty almost every day! I *never* thought I'd be one to enjoy crafting early in the am...but surprisingly I am! I drop off Jordan at school and by 8:30 I'm back and sitting at my desk drinking my cafe con leche, and crafting! woot woot! This week I was *not* so lucky as the boy got strep throat and instead of crafting I've been playing a lot of Operation, Skylanders, Legos, Power Ranger Samurai, etc etc! 

Here are a few things that I worked on...

New Layouts-

Here is one of my favorite recent layouts.

I love everything about it and that's odd for me. Needless to say I LOVE the photos of my little goober when he was 3 months old. OMG he had the cutest blue/gray eyes that would MELT my heart. He was a serious baby and would say *everything* with his look. This is the same boy who is a CLOWN today...go figure.

Also needless to say is that I am in LOVE with this new Echo Park This and That Charming line! The colors are totally me. First collection in a long time where I've ordered more after I received my 1st batch...love it! 

I cut up a card from the journal sheet and used an Ormulu fabric tag to create the hidden journaling. My daughter asked me a long time ago to only use my handwriting on my layouts and I've done it 90% of the time ever since. I usually do my journaling on the back of the layouts so not a stretch for me. This layout came together super quickly thanks to an awesome sketch by Jana Eubank!

Another favorite layout using Echo Park This and That Graceful.

This one is using photos of some of the family members at my daughter's High School Ring Ceremony! I can't believe I'm even saying that. Wasn't it just yesterday that she was playing with her life-size Barbie?!That's her favorite aunt, my sister in law, in the main photo they have such a wonderful relationship. Jessie was her girl way before she had girls of her own. I think every girl needs a Titi who she thinks is wayyyy cooler than her own mom! ;) I had Aunt Pam and I love her and all the memories we share together.

I thought the colors were perfect for these photos. I wished I would have made the circle in the background a little bigger, but I was *not* going to go back and re-do.

Here is something else that I'm loving lately...canvas. These are canvas butterflies from Maya Road. Not sure when they were released but I just got them a couple of weeks ago I think. Love the texture it adds to projects against the smooth papers and chipboard. I was at AC Moore last weekend and picked up a few canvas pieces from Canvas Concepts, can't wait to use them.

I'm not sure yet if I love or hate this one...

When I saw the sketch I envisioned such a cute layout with these papers and photo of my niece/goddaughter, but I'm not sure the results are what I was going for :(

Got the glitter ribbon at  Michaels during the holidays last year.  Used it on some wrapping paper and had a little left over. AC Moore has a LOT of different ones by American Crafts. I picked up a few SUPER cute colors.

These envelopes are by Martha Stewart. They are really super cute. They come with the little pink note card inside. Used some Elle's Studio Pennants both the True Love and the Birthday collections. Also some label stickers from the MME Miss Caroline collection. Again, not sure if I love it or hate it...but it's done! :)

Project Life-

I am LOVING this process! I have to take some good photos so I can post my progress. I was all caught up and then my birthday week came and POOF! I'm two weeks behind. Thankfully, all I have to do is print out the photos and add to album with some cuties and I'm done!

Thank You Cards-

I was spoiled rotten by my friends and family for my birthday this year! I honestly feel SO incredibly blessed that it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it! (I know what a SAP! but God knows my heart and he knows how truly grateful I am) I feel the need to let each and every person know just how much it all meant to me! So I'm making them all cards to show my appreciation for the party, gifts, dinners, lunches, etc etc. At the rate I'm going it might be time to make Christmas cards by the time I'm done! :)

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL end of the week and an even better weekend!

<3

Love * Overload *

Hello!

This month, inspired by Stephanie Howell,  I decided that I was only going to scrap about LOVE! People I love, things I love, etc. And then I would incorporate my left over scraps into my weekly layouts for February in my Project Life album. I'm *so* happy I've done it this way! I might make it a continuous system throughout the year.

Here are a couple of the layouts I've done in the last week...

I had posted this one already, but thought *something* was missing. I'm still not 100% convinced with how I placed the Ormolu paper chains so don't be surprised if I change it up a bit. 

I added the thread less stitching

and the little rub on quote with pearl. Overall I'm pleased with it...even if it has photos of me without a drop of makeup on! wahooo I'm brave! sorry :P

This is one that I LOVE! Not just because it's featuring my *awesome* kids!

But because this is my favorite Becky Fleck sketch...ever!

And this Echo Park Love Story line is SO pretty. I bought the entire collection and plan on using it again and again!  

I stayed pretty true to the sketch since the collection includes these awesome little tickets. And if you haven't noticed I'm a bit obsessed with banners and pennants lately!

And I also can't get enough of these Ormolu tags! So cute! I cut it up a bit and love how it turned out! They were just restocked at the bucket and I ordered some more.

Speaking of the bucket...I finally received my Dear Lizzy Neapolitan that I ordered back on the 10th! OH my!

I can tell you that it is SO much nicer than you can see online!

 The colors are gorgeous and it's so much more versatile that I initially thought!

love that! Somehow they ran out of some of the papers *after* they were in my cart...hmmmm...so I had to place another order today...yep, just had to :)

 

God wiling I'm playing with it next!

THANKFULLY I have nothing planned for the next 2 days since Jessie is away on her college trip! You know what that means...Jordan picking meals, movies and activities and then when he's nice and tuckered out...momma gets to plaaaaayyyyyy! at least that's how I'm envisioning it in my head!

I hope you all have a blessed end to your week and weekend!

<3