Just Smile!

When I received my Main kit from 3 Scrappy Boys in the mail, I knew it would be PERFECT for scrapbooking those photos from a mini session I did with my kids just after Christmas.  The colors were perfect, and it is so versatile either  masculine or feminine photos.  And the embellies that Heather included were the perfect accent to this layout of these 3 scrappy boys of mine!  It is very rare that I can get them to smile!  Just take a look at that runt on the end....is that even a smile?  I think it is more of a smirk! LOL

I like to add in different mediums to help add interest to the layout.  I used gun metal grey spritz along with some resist ink. 

TIP>>>  I used a Q-tip dipped on my ink pad to make all the little dots you see in yellow.  SUPER easy and most of us have Qtips on hand at all times!  

I hope I have ispired you! Have a super creative week!

Foto Mojo Friday!

Hi everyone!  Happy Friday!

I am looking forward to a fun filled weekend of basketball!  yay!  LOL

When Paula at Back Porch Memories e-mailed me and asked if I would be interested in joining her team...I was ecstatic!  I LOVE that place!  Of course I said YES!

Well, I have been assigned the "Photo Mojo" part of the forum.  Basically, I have to inspire the community to take pictures.  Well, that was right up my alley!  I love photography!  And Lord knows I spend enough time browsing the web stalking the amazing talents of professionals such as Karen Russell!

My thoughts for the forum are to issue a weekly mini tutorial or lesson along with a "Homework Assignment"  I am so excited!  Each Friday I will issue a New assignment, so keep a look out! 

Today, I want to share with you the very first challenge that I am issuing to the community over at Back Porch Memories.

My challenge is to:

 Use your camera phone to take an amazing picture of something OTHER than a person. 

Sounds easy enough, right?  Well, come on over and join us then!

Here are a few of my examples:

**These were taken last year...I WILL be playing along also, which means I will be capturing a fresh new I-phone photo!

I sure hope to see some of you come join us on the Back Porch and play along with the challenges! 

Have a Fantabulous Weekend!

My Feelings are Sad...

And that is just too stinkin' cute not to scrapbook! 

I used the Main kit from 3 Scrappy Boys featuring the Pink Paislee Portfolio Collection to document this bitter sweet moment with Skye.

We were at the park in the summer and I was taking a lot of pictures.

I guess that I had hurt her feelings in some way, because she went from a super happy smiling little girl to this! :

And all she would say to me was, "My feelings are Sad"

Awwww!  Of course that tugged at my heart strings....but this expression was too cute, so I HAD to take another picture to remember this day! LOL

Here is the kit that I had the pleasure of designing with:

You need to head over there and get your kit before they are all gone!

Have a magnificent day!

Happy Birthday and a frame...

Good Morning and Happy Monday to you all!!!

Today is January 14th.  Today, I have officially been a Mommy for 16 full years.

Today, my oldest son turned 16, and I am still in disbelief.

Happy Birthday to my NOT SO LITTLE Baby!

Just wanted to share that moment with all of you!!!

Now, are you ready for Beauty?

Well, here is a little project that I did using a 5x7 photo frame that my husband won in a white elephant gift exchange over the holidays:

Here is a photo of the original frame.  Nothing special...just a 5x7 black wooden frame.

I had no real use for it, but I love frames...any shape, size, color...I can't resist a picture frame! It is a weakness of mine!  So, I couldn't get rid of it...but needed to find a new use for it.

 So, I "Put my thinking cap on" and came up with a plan!   I pulled out my kit from 3 Scrappy Boys featuring the Pink Paislee Portfolio Collection and I set to work! I cut the bottom left portion of this paper in order to keep the stars and the red line that resembled notebook paper.

I cut it the same size as the original mat, because I completely removed the mat, replacing it with the paper only.  See how it looks like a sheet of notebook paper now?  

When it was the proper size, I put it into the frame and replaced the backing.  that part is finished.  Now comes the fun part!  Decorating!  I cut four small banners large enough to hold the letters "n-o-t-e" and I inked the edges of the banners.  

I used the American Crafts DIY Thickers that came in the Main kit from 3 Scrappy Boys.  These have a peel off top that allows you to use any finishing material of your choosing.  I used some Flower Soft glitter dust from a previous Product Swap that Bonnie did with Our teams.  It is perfect for these thickers!  I simply applied a generous amount of Flower Soft, pressed it into the thicker, and shook off the excess.

Next I gathered a few more materials. I got my handy dandy Hemp from the RRR store.  I used the blue and yellow from this assortment:

I got my photo bars metal embellishments from Momenta:

And of course some hot glue and I put it all together.  I made a hanging banner on the photo bar and I hot glued it all to the outside of that plain old photo frame. Here is an up close photo of the banner:

And finally, I got a small dry erase marker and I attached it to the frame using the hemp cord so that it doesn't get lost.  This entire project took about 20 minutes, and in the end, I had a super cute dry erase note board! I LOVE this little thing!  

I think I will keep it on my desk and maybe change out my "quote of the day" or even use it to write my "wish list" on!  LOL.    I hope I have inspired you all to get crafty today. And remember...Have a Beauty FULL day!  Thanks for visiting today!

We R~R~R~ Hopping!~

Welcome to the First Hop of 2013!

Really Reasonable Ribbon Has a great line up of projects and inspiration for you!  

If you arrived here from Vivian's blog, then you are on the right track!  If not, then you might want to start over at the beginning at the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog and check out all the blogs along the way!  

I absolutely loe the Valentine mix that Bonnie put together for this month's Ribbon Club!  

Te red/white/pink mixture sends all kind of messages of "LOVE"! lol

Here is the assortment...Isn't it Magnificent!!?

So of course, I had to make my "Bow of the Month" with the Ribbon of the month assortment!

So here is January's "Berry Sweet" Bow Valentine bow and clippies:

Here is a little snapshot of me with one of the matching clippies in my hand.  

I used little strawberry heart shaped buttons to match the ribbon.  

The pic of my model showing off the bow/clippies came out very blurry since it has been so rainy and dreary here.  So I do not have a model, unfortunately!

Thank you so much for hopping along with us today!  Your next stop in our hop is at Ginny's gorgeous blog.  You are certain to find more wonderful inspiration there!  Have a fantastic day! 

Using old Stash

I was lucky enough to be on 3 design teams this past year, and WOW! That was truly an honor. 

I am saying good bye to two of those teams, and hopefully will find one or 2 to fill those spots.

Until then, I will be digging into my large stash of goodies that I HAD to have, but have not yet been able to use!  I have been able to play these last couple of days...and I even have a couple of layouts that I want to share!

This first one is using My Mind's Eye.  Mostly So Sophie and Lost and Found collections.

Two of my FAVORITE collections from MME EVAH!

Had to have...never used! LOL

This is my youngest munchkin with Santa. 

Here is Joy to the World: 

 I used this sketch from the MME blog as my inspiration:

This second layout is using the Crate Paper Toy Box Collection.

Yes...another one of those collections I HAD TO HAVE and never used!  

I LOVE LOVE LOVE how this layout came out though!

This is my 3 boys all pointing their Nerf guns straight at ME!!!

Yes, I staged the photo for scrappy purposes, but this REALLY HAPPENED! 

We were having Nerf Wars with the Nerf guns they all got for Christmas last year and they all ganged up on Mom!  I was on the ground laughing, and when I looked up...this is what I saw...FOR REAL!!!  lol

Here is I NEED A HERO:

I have had fun digging into old stash!
The challenges over at Back Porch Memories helped get me to do it!!! 

I was excited when I found some of my favorites that I forgot that I had! LOL

Who knows...I just may be able to use up more stash soon! 

I am going to play along with the Swirlydoos Ultimate Designer Challenge.  Now, I don't expect to win anything, although it would be nice!  I do, however, expect for it to challenge me and give me the creative inspiration that I need to start 2013 out right!  

Wish me luck! 

First RRR Challenge of 2013!

And what a FANTASTIC challenge it is!  Bonnie had a GREAT idea!

The theme for Challenge #63 is My New  Toys & Ribbon Theme.  Be sure to let us know what your new item is in your blog post.

Show us what new goodies you received over the holidays (or what new goodies you purchased for yourself!)  Die cutting machines, new stamps, papers, embellishments, ribbon.....  Whatever it is, break it out and let's play! 

Create a card, layout, multi media piece, tag, ATC, hair bow, you name it. Just be sure to follow the theme above and use ribbon/lace or trim somewhere on your project.

Head over to the RRR Blog for the rest of the details and play along!

Here is my example: 

I created this using some October Afternoon goodies that my good friend Michelle sent to me for my Birthday.  I LOVED this photo of my son dressed as JFK...and these goodies set it off perfectly! 

Thank you Michelle!!!!

I also used Buttons and hemp from the RRR store...I love Bonnie's embellishments!

Ok...so you know the challenge, you've seen my example, go get crafty and submit your entry!! 

Have fun and good luck!

OH OH OH!!!!!  Almost forgot!!!!

Really Reasonable Ribbon is THREE YEARS OLD!!!!!!

YAY YAY YAY !!

(and I have been with her for 2 of those! How luck am I!!!!????)

go check out Bonnie's magnificent Blogoversary give away!

Here is a sneek of it!  

  THREE GIFT CERTIFICATES to Really Reasonable Ribbon!! This way you can select exactly what you want.  

  There will be one $50 gift certificate and two $25 gift certificates which will be given to three random winners.
GO NOW AND ENTER!!!!