Just some photos...

Those who know me know that I *HATE* wearing shorts/skirts. Always have...well at least since highschool. It's just so darn hot now in south Texas. I found this skirt at Target for 3.50 and couldn't pass it up. I paired it up with a new tank from HT and new shoes I got for 8 bucks...I rocked it. LOL.

xoxo

PS- My kids are craaaaaaazy. (That's PB&J in his mouth)

Such a Sad, Sad Moment for Me Right Now

The new Three Bugs in a Rug line set for the CHA 2007 includes a kit to make your own *sigh* exploding scrap box. In chipboard. *DOUBLE SIGH*

http://mb.lifetimemoments.com/viewtopic.php?p=2469302#2469302

It's the "Back Porch Memory Box Kit." I don't know what the MFRP is set to be. Ah well. I mean, I offer mine completely DONE, so I shouldn't worry I suppose. LOL.

Speaking of, I am working on a wedding themed one using Basic Grey Romani. It's so pretty. I used the papers on my "Obsession" layout and I'm glad I have another use for it!!

xoxo

ps- i just finished DROOLING over the new CHA releases. Oh me, Oh my. Right now Urban Lily and Rusty Pickle are fresh in my mind since it was a few of the last items I viewed. *drooooooooooooooooooooooooool* lots of pink, white, and black combos.

And all the cute, punky Halloween stuff coming out?! The Daisy D's stuff is uber cool. I keep picturing that little stitched up boy. It's very Tim Burton. eeeee! All I know is there better be some craft stores in Germany. I don't see why there wouldn't be. Anyone? I'll be in the Bavaria region...Illesheim I believe.

The Art of a 3 Year Old on a Rainy Day in July.

For those of you in Texas, you know the horrible rain that we've been getting. Well, wonderful to me b/c I love stormy days (but not nights). I had to figure out rainy day activities for the kiddos. Anberlin is easy....give her a pen/marker/crayon she's happy for quite awhile. After going through at least 20 sheets of paper, I decided to make a book displaying her little cute drawings from these rainy days. She likes to narrate things to, as she draws them. So if she said anything in particular, I was sure to add it on that page.

*sigh* Unfortunately, I'm not digging on this book. I've only completed what I'm showing you. I'm kinda at a standstill...scratching my head at it. I think it's because I made myself a little personal challenge out of it: Only use scraps from your "scrap" box. I'm just not feeling it. I like the cover though. A lot. lol. Maybe I just need to step away from it for awhile and work on the dozens of projects I have lined up.

If you have any ideas, I'd LOVE to hear them.

**the details**

ok, well I'm not going to go into all the PP I used. Chances are it's been used on a layout that's been posted on this blog...and if it hasn't, then the layout is in queue to be uploaded.

The book itself is just a children's board book I picked up at the DollarTree (for a $1). I took a craft knife and took off the spine to allow room for the embellishments. This was my first time making one, so I already know what I would do differently. I was feeling lazy and didn't sand the book down first (so if you are going to make one, I suggest doing that first). I modge podged the paper down and laid a book down on top to ensure a flat finish.

To bind the book, I was really cheap. I rifled through my dad's work area in the garage and found some zip ties. I tied some ribbon scraps around it to hide the off white tint. Oh, and I didn't zip them all the way...only maybe a quarter of the way, that way I still have plenty of room to embellish and there's room for the book to open up completely.

xoxo

We Couldn't Resist

Before you know it, my kids are going to be teenagers and they're not going to let me and Josh take silly pictures like this. This photo was taken at the Ripley's Believe It or Not! in San Antonio last summer. Geeze...a year has already gone by! This is a total Elsie lift. :)

the details:

In the right corner, I ripped the white cardstock a bit and layered a darker blue CS for a punch of color. I also added a bit of red ink to the edges.

CS: DCWV
Ribbon: American Crafts, Ribbon FX (from hobby lobby)
Anchors, Corners, Star Buttons: Doodlebug
Paint: Making Memories
Foam Stamps: Making Memories
Ink: Tim Holtz

My Little Cupcake

Here's a layout I finished this evening. I bought the cute cupcake paper at my LSS...I don't frequent that store very often. I was pleased to find it though b/c I've been wanting to scrap this photo.

I made the felt cupcake myself, basing it off of the cakes on the PP. I like the base of it...I used an embosses brown felt for it to give it more depth. I used paint behind the chipboard letter b/c they didn't pop enough otherwise. I'm finding that I really LOVE embroidery floss for my layouts. Kinda late to be hitting up this trend, eh? lol.

the details:
PP: Heidi Grace (cupcakes), Making Memories (polka dots), Melissa Francis (pink gingham)
Chipboard: KI Memories
Stickers: KI Memories
Ribbon Tape & Photo Corners: Heidi Swapp
Brads & Clips: The Paper Studio
Acrylic Paint: Making Memories

xoxo

Girls Night Out Accordian Album

Here's an accordian album I finished in my favorite color scheme. I made it for etsy and will list it once I can bring myself to part with it. LOL. The book is for a bachelorette party/girls night out.



Front section:






These photo corners were made by Michelle Jacquemet,
one of my internet scrapping buddies. Aren't they awesome!!! I think they're hella cute and look good on this project. Thanks MJ for sending them to me!

Back Section:


xoxo

Mr. "I'm Too Cool For A Bottle"

I started checking on the scrapjacked blog and decided to do a challenge. This is my take on it! :)

I used some fabric remnants that matched with the bib my little one is wearing in the photo. It's a different color..I have the matching fabric but felt the black would help the lettering stand out more.

The little birdie in the corner is a handmade embellishment that I've been using ALOT on my crafts. I love it so. It's not a huge secret on how to make it, but it is something I'm sitting on until the right moment.

The details:
CS: Bazzil
PP: American Crafts
fabric: Alexander Henry
Letter stickers: American Crafts
Sticky Rak: Colorbok
Misc: Sewing Machine, Star Punch, Swallow, heart button.

I will be posting another project tonight once the kids are asleep aaaaaand my first board book is almost done! YAAAY!!

xoxo

Petaloo LOVE

These are my new best friends. LOL. I just *heart* polka dots...how much better is it on a flower?? It's THAT much better. I picked up the new (not brand spanking new) petaloo line at Hobby Lobby the other day. $6.99 plus a 40% off coupon? Can't beat that with a stick. Some of the flowers have a velvety texture too. I love them so much. Plus, they come in a reusable box with a clear window! And the centers are made from seed beads for a hint of sheen.

Best Buds

Here's a LO featuring my husband and one of his bestfriend's, Josh (Josh & Josh).

There's a pullout card behind the photo (see below). Inside I did some journaling about how they first met and some of his memories. I also put in some OLD pics of their old band. I wanted to be sure to include them, but I knew my husband didn't want them in plain view, so I hid them. LOL. There is also a small little envelope in the top right corner. Inside of that I included a picture of our kids playing together. :)


I used a technique on the photo mat that I haven't used since. I'm not exactly sure of the term, but basically I used a sponge to wet the outer edges and slowly distressed it and rolled it to give it a sort of aged/antiqued look. This works particularly well when the cardstock you are using has a white core.

PP- Basic Grey
CS- DCWV
Ribbon- American Crafts, Misc
Rhinestone Brads: MM
Circle/Star Clips: The Paper Studio
Anchors: Doodlebug
White Pen: Signo Uniball
Cricut to cut out star and envelope.

xoxo

The Reason Why Martha is my Homegirl

I made this for a recipe card swap back in winter time...except I don't think the swap actually got swapped. :( I need to email the gal who sponsored it and see if she still has mine.

Anyways, I met my husband's family for the first time on Thanksgiving day back in 2001. I didn't want to rely solely on my charm and wit to win them over (HA!!), so I depended on my culinary skills and good ol' Martha. Teamed together, we create a team no one can resist. I baked these sunken chocolate cakes, which in reality, are a sort of chocolate souffle I suppose. When you pull them out of the oven, the middle of them sink, making a perfect little nesting spot for a scoop of your favorite ice cream (I prefer Ben and Jerry's "From Russia with Buzz" coffee ice cream).

These were a huge hit. :) Josh's Dad still talks about them. I gave my sister-in-law, Sarah, the recipe and she made them too. They're a little time consuming and TOTALLY fattening (the ingredients are chocolate, eggs, sugar, and butter), but HELLA good. MMMMMMMMMMMM.

I love you Martha.

xoxo