Making a Splash!

I have several cute cards stamped that I really want to share. I took pictures. But the pictures look terrible!!! I can't show them to you! Hubby is gonna play around with my lights and see if he can get things working better. In the mean time, I have a 2 page scrapbook layout to share.

Here is a closer look....

A good lesson for you scrappers out there- Use patterned paper to break up the pictures! Sometimes I will be flipping through a magazine or surfing blogs and see a layout that I like. But then I think "I don't have enough pictures for that." Or maybe "I don't have enough horizontal pictures for that." Use paper!!!

A break from the chaos...

I had no idea that it would take me so long to get back to my blog! I beg your forgiveness! Let me explain (or just scroll down to the pictures)...

First, you know the usual list of chores that you come home to after vacation. Six people sure do make a lot of dirty laundry! And then there is the grocery shopping, unpacking and regular house work. This was made even more difficult since my parents came over the day after we got back (to celebrate my birthday) and we went out with friends the following night (more celebrating and repacking the kids for grandma's house). By Saturday, I was just plain exhausted. I slept in, slept through a movie with the kids, took a nap later and went to bed at 9.

Next, the kids started school this week past week. So we had to go to Open House at the school on Monday. This is not like any other Open House I have ever been to. It is stressful, crowded, irritating (why so much darn paperwork?!!!) and just plain chaotic! We had to bring so many school supplies for each of the 4 kids that we had to make multiple trips to the car in order to carry them all in. Crazy, right? And then I had to send the kids to their first day of school on Thursday. It is the first year that all of the kids are in school. Laynee is in Kindergarten, the twins are in 1st grade and Kyler is in 2nd grade. I am the super sappy mom that cried like a baby the day before school started, on the playground when I dropped them off and all the way home. I may cry all over again as I type this! I remember when they were all babies (4 in diapers at the same time!), I would dream about the day that I would "retire" and get to send them all to school. And now that the time has come, I desperately wish that they could be babies again.

Finally, my week became busier (and I cried some more) because the twins had their birthday on Saturday. They turned 6. How can that be right?!!! 6???? All day long I kept thinking "I remember exactly what I was doing at this moment 6 years ago." I remember it like it was yesterday! So we started the festivities on Friday. I brought cupcakes to school. (The day before I make 6 dozen ice cream cone cupcakes. I learned a very important lesson: When the directions say to only fill the cones half way- they really do mean it. So I had to toss 2 dozen cupcakes that oozed batter everywhere and had to send my hubby out for more cones.) On Saturday, their actual birthday, we had an entire day of fun. We made pancakes for breakfast. We opened a whole ton of presents (I think I went a wee over board.). We gave them everything they needed to redo their room to make it more of a big girl room. Since they couldn't agree on a theme (The twins are nothing alike.) we went with half the room in a ballet theme (Makenzie) and half of the room in a rock star theme (Danika). Then we went out to lunch, the bookstore and to make pottery. Finally, we went to dinner with their grandparents and home to open a ton more presents.

The rest of this week doesn't look any less chaotic. I have 2 doctor appointments, Kyler has an orthodontist appointment, Laynee's birthday is on Wednesday and all the girls are having a swimming birthday party on Saturday. Wowzer!

Can you see why I haven't had time to post (or stamp)? I actually have a bunch of cards made, but haven't taken the time to photograph them. My husband even got my ott lights and a smaller (more practical) light tent for my birthday. I am excited to try it out.

Now on to the stuff that you actually come to my blog for. First I have the most simple card that I have ever made. And even though their is a lot of white space and only one layer- I still love it. It is still cuter than any store bought card (in my opinion). And I made it using my new favorite stamp set: Button Buddies.




And now, because I feel so guilt about not blogging in so long, I have a little scrapbooking lesson/challenge for you. It is OK to make a scrapbook layout WITHOUT any pictures! It really is! After all, we scrapbook because we want to document our family's story. Any sometimes the story doesn't have or need a picture. So try it! Challenge yourself to make a layout without a picture! Maybe you want to talk about a goal you made, a big decision that you made or feeling you had about a change in your life. I have some examples of recent layouts that I made without pictures.

This one talks about my obsession with couponing. I could have used a picture if my stockpile, coupons or a store. But I didn't have any good one- so I relied on some fun embellishments. And I think they look much better than a picture would.

I turned 30 a couple of weeks ago. I got a little sappy about it. (Big surprise, right?) Being in Disneyland on the big day helped to distract me though. But I also thought it would make me feel better to document all the amazing things I got to do during my twenties. There are lots of different pictures I could have used. In fact, I could have made an entire scrapbook about the subject. But I didn't have time! And I had way to many things to include to have room for pictures. So I made a list and skipped the pictures. After all, a lot of those pictures are on previous layouts.

Wowzer! My twenties were awesome! I graduated from college, did lots of traveling, discovered stamping and scrapbooking, made incredible friends, married my high school sweetheart and had 4 beautiful children. It was so much fun to list it out!

So there is. The longest post you will find on my blog! I will be back soon!

On the mend....Finally!

I can finally "see" the light at the end of the tunnel with this eye surgery! I am still uncomfortable, but each day is a tad better than the last. I have 2 cards that I want to show you- but it is cloudy and I can't get a picture. I don't have lighting in my stamping studio. :-( I am sure you are getting sick of my digi layouts- but I have nothing else to show! So here are a couple 1 page layouts from my DC trip...

I have been working on this vacation scrapbook while recovering and I am almost done! Which is good sense we are leaving for a family vacation in 3 weeks! Ha ha!

Do a little stamping for me today! With both of your eyes open! :-)

Nothing can keep me from my stamps...not even blood.

I was lucky enough to get to spend yesterday morning in the hospital having surgery on my eye. You're jealous right? 24 hours later and I still can't see out of my eye. It is swollen, watery and so scratchy! And I am one big baby about pain. So I have spent a lot of time in bed. While laying around, I came up with a card idea. I decided "I will make it when I feel better." But I just kept thinking about it. Finally, I couldn't wait any long and went to the stamp room. So now imagine me stamping and gluing (with just one eye open) while my eye is watering and bleeding on the paper. It was a disaster! Definitely not a keeper! But the design was very cute and will definitely be remade when I can see!

In the meantime, I have another 2 page layout for you from my trip to DC. When I was in college, I dreamed of being a Federal Court judge. (Keep in mind that you have to be appointed to the position by the President and so it is not an easy job to get!) I took judicial class and constitutional law classes. I even worked for the Judiciary Committee in the State Senate as well as a lobbyist for the State Supreme Court. I loved it. But after college, I got married and started having babies. The dream of law school and being a judge were replaced with dreams of staying home and watching my babies grow. Good decision. But I was so stinkin' excited about seeing the Supreme Court when we went to DC. And it was no let down. It was easily the most beautiful building I have ever been in. It was all marble! Marble floors, staircases and pillars. Awesome! So the visit was deserving of 2 pages in my scrapbook!

A closer look at page 1....

And page 2....

I smile whenever I look at these pictures! And this is another simple layout for paper scrappers!

Well I am going back to tending the my drippy eye!

I'm Back!!!

We are back from our back East trip! We had such a fun time and I am a little sad that it is already over. I get post trip depression. I get post holiday depression as well. My husband thinks I am weird, but I have my fingers crossed that I am not the only one who experiences this!

Our trip started in Washington DC. I LOVED it! I love the old time charm that the city has. I love that you can see the Washington Monument all over the city. I LOVED the museums and the Supreme Court! While I was on the trip- I was already planning my scrapbook. So as soon as we got home- I got to work. The tough part is sorting through the 700 pictures that I took! My first layout is about our tour of the capitol. I used the same template I used for a layout last week- as I wanted to showcase lots of pictures on the one layout.


A closer look at the 1st page...

And the 2nd page....

More trip layouts and some stamping will be coming your way soon!

Cherish

I thought I would share one last project before I leave on my trip!

I am constantly asked by my blog readers to make more 2 page scrapbook layouts. Well, this one is for you...A close up of page 1....

And a close up of page 2....

I love that it has 10 pictures on it!

You know that I LOVE digi scrapping. I can't wait to scrap our trip using one of Stampin' Up's digi kits! But I know that many of you prefer to paper scrap. This layout would be a breeze for a traditional scrapper as well! Choose a fun (but not too busy) DSP for the background, another 2 others that coordinate for the paper strips. Use border punches on the thin strip for each side. Add pretty stamped flowers with buttons. For the title, stamp the letters with you favorite alphabet and cut each letter out in the shape of a square. Mat them on some darker cardstock and put them on the layout using dimensionals. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Go scrap! I am going to go take a million pics to scrap when I come back! Stay tuned!

Nashville!

I seem to be missing my stamping and scrapping mojo! YIKES! I sent 3 hours last night playing with pictures and paper. It was a disaster! And then this afternoon- I threw this layout together in about 10 minutes!

I had the BEST visiting my dear friend in Arrione in Nashville. I love country music so Nashville is the perfect fit for me! And I love Arrione- so it was the perfect get away! Next time I am going to bring my hubby!


This page would be easy to CASE for those who paper scrap as well. DSP can be the best embellishment!

Where oh where has my stamping time gone?!!!

I think that my kids may be responsible for the missing stamping time! Between dance, piano, soccer, gymnastics, girl scouts, boy scouts, their school, my volunteer time, MOPS, bible study, and my own schooling-- I am so incredibly booked!Then there are weeks like this one where I also had to figure in an orthodontist appointment, an audiologist appointment, and an IEP meeting. And can you believe that I spend nearly 2 hours every day doing homework with my children? The oldest is only in 1st grade!!!! Oh well! I love my life! Even when it is CRAZY! It is everything I always wanted to be able to do with my children! The only thing missing is my sacred stamping time!

So a couple of nights ago, I forced my eyes to stay open long enough to make a digi layout about my girls dancing at the Diamondbacks baseball game.

And a little sad news......it looks like I am going to be loosing this blog :( I just can't afford to pay the hosting fee. Hopefully I can figure out how to transfer everything over to a blogger account that is free. I am bummed though!

First Day of 1st Grade

I finally found 15 minutes in my crazy schedule to make a scrapbook layout! I am about 6 weeks behind in my scrapbooking. And that stresses me out! I know it is crazy since most scrapbookers are years behind!!! I like to scrap current pictures because then I can remember the stories and details behind the pics. I often tell people who are stressing about being behind to just start scrapping current pics. Maybe one day you will go back and catch up- but if not- at least you will have the stories and pictures from current events in the albums! Something is always better than nothing!

My son started 1st grade last month in a brand new school. I wanted to do a simple page with lots of room for journaling and this is what I came up with.....

Paper scrappers- This would be easy enough to create with SU! supplies!!!!! I think I would use the celebrations or Playdate DSPand the spiral border punch. Use strips of the pattern papers instead of the ruler and pencil and then add photo mat and paperclip a tag. The title can be printed from your computer or stamped with one of the alphabet set. Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!!!

Now don't forget to check out THIS post to learn more about my upcoming scrapbook class and class by mail kit!

Happy scrapping!

Scrappy Sunday

It should be no surprise to any of you by now, that I LOVE digi scrapbooking!!! I love it for lots of reasons but mostly I love that I am able to scrapbook from bed while watching TV! I have even been known to scrapbook in the car! I am more up to date on my scrapping than I have ever been which allows me the ability to share even more stories in my albums. I am very curious about Stampin' Up's digital software and downloads. I have not gotten to play with it. Maybe someone can answer a question for me: Can I purchase the downloads and then use them in Photo Shop Elements? That would be awesome!

So here are some of the more recents layouts, including a few from our Disneyland trip earlier this month....

Now I realize that many of you do not digi scrap. But maybe you can use these layouts for inspiration and just replace elements with SU! products. That is how I designed all my SU! pages! And I promise to make some SU! pages soon. I am just waiting to get some currect DSP.

Enjoy your Sunday. I am going out to make some memories that are sure to be in a scrapbook layout soon. We are riding the lightrail, going to a baseball game, and seeing a Wiggles concert afterwards. Fun stuff!!!

 

 

Scrappy Sunday

Again I apologize for being a terrible blogger. School and family are really consuming my time. I never have time to stamp anymore :(

I did finally get a chance to do some digi scrapbooking yesterday while I was a passenger in the car! Love digi scrapping!

Scrapbook Saturday

I have been sick for over a week! Yuck!!! I am so ready to feel better, but it seems my body has other plans!

Here is a scrapbook layout that I made last week to document my daughter, Makenzie's, love for ballet.....

Super simple seems to be my style these days!!!

Have a  great weekend!

Scrapbook Sunday

A simple layout about my 4 year old's piano recital...

I am noticing that I am really addicted to these one picture layouts! Whatever works and gets the story told!

 

Scrapbook Sunday

School and kids have made it very difficult for me to keep up with my scrapbook the past couple of months!!! But I finally got a layout made!

It's super simple! But I think it lets the photos shine.

 

Sealed with a Kiss

I just had the BEST weekend!!! I got to spend an entire day alone with my sweet husband and we got to take the kids to Flagstaff for a mini vacation. So much fun!

So did you gals go to the Daily Digi Blog and get all those cute Valentine digi freebies? I sure did!!! They were super cute!!! So here is a layout made will all free stuff!!!!

I have a very full week with lots of school work that must get done.....so I am not sure how much time I will have to stamp or blog. Be patient with me!!!

Scrappy Superbowl Sunday

I am about to watch the superbowl kickoff as I type on my laptop. I am not a football fan. And I think it is absurd that the pregame show has been on all day! But I watch the game anyway! I just need my laptop, photoshop, and Facebook to help me get through the next few hours :)

So I made quite a few cards earlier this week. Then I took pics and was all ready to upload to my blog. Then I discovered that I accidentally erased the pictures!!! I was not happy. But I will retake the photos and get the cards posted this week. I promise! (With the exception of one card that I gave away last night before I photographed it. Oops!!!)

But for today I have a few new digi scrapbook pages. I have actually made about 20 pages this past week. But you have to wait to see the fun digi album that I made! Here are a few layouts for the family albums.....

My favorite digi store, the Sweet Shoppe, was having a sale last week and I got 5 new kits! And new kits always motivate me!

Enjoy the superbowl! I cheering for the Saints. Only because my husband isn't! lol

Scrapbook Sunday

I have 4 kids and so I end up with a ton of birthday pictures. And I really dislike scrapbooking them! It can be so difficult to come up with a different and creative way to document an event that happens each year, for each kid! And since I am a little picture happy- I always have a ton of picture to sift through. My son turned 6 a couple of weeks ago and I am so relieved to have a layout ready for the scrapbook!

Now I suppose I have to start scrapping the big party he had with all of his friends.....

Scrapbook Saturday

I had a Stampin' Up! workshop last night at my house. It was my first workshop since I quit being a demonstrator nearly a year ago. I had one of my former downline members, Jill, come and demo some Valentine projects for us. I had a blast stamping with friends! And now I am anxiously awaiting my order which included 3 new punches, a new big shot die, a couple new packs of paper, a couple stamp sets, ribbon, buttons, and brads! And a lot of it was free with hostess benefits and my sale a bration benefits. I am excited!!! And if Jill says it is ok, I will show you the cards we made next week on my blog.

But for today I have another digi layout......

I made this layout to document the birth of my first nephew. Simple! And as my son would say "Easy Peasy."

Have a fantastic weekend!!!

Scrapbook Sunday

Some more of my recent layouts.....

Hope you took some time to take some pictures and make some memories! :)

Scrapbook Saturday

I can't remember the last time I posted a Scrapbook Saturday! I am a completly digital scrapbooker now. And I love it. I have never felt so caught up and I really enjoy making them more than I originally thought I would. It has been a year since I made a traditional scrapbook layout!!! I have gone as far as getting rid of a lot of supplies and so storing my craft supplies has gotten easier!

Ok on to some of my recent layouts.....

Happy Scrapping!