Tuesday, December 28, 2010

It's Over?

I really can't believe Christmas is over! We had such a wonderful time with my parents and sister & borther-in-law at our house! It was really nice to just take a break from the everyday and relax. My house seems so quiet now that everyone is gone. **sigh**

I'm working on editing my holiday photos so I can get those scrapped. Last week I took a break from holiday crafting and made this little layout about our trip to the Bahamas in October. It was nice to remember how beautiful it was (and how WARM it was!). The Queen of Quirk has released another fab template called Memento  (it's on sale right now for $1.59!) which allowed me to fit a TON of photos onto one page! I love how she has some of the photo masks going right off the edges of the page.



Next goal--cleaning out/up my scrap room by January 11th, in time for the "Soul Restoration" class with Brave Girls Club. I received the kit in the mail yesterday and it is spectacular! Have a great week!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Club CK!

I logged in to the forum at http://www.jessicasprague.com/ this morning and found out from one of the sweet designers (thank you, Linda!) that my little "Glimpse" layout was highlighted this week at Club CK! I'm actually a bit insecure about my abilities and really never think my layouts are that fabulous...so this little shout-out made my whole week! Check me out if you have a sec! TFL! Wishing everyone a magical Christmas! I feel so very blessed to have my parents, sister and brother-in-law with us this year!

Monday, December 20, 2010

More in Store Mondays!

There are some fantastic new releases at Jessica's site today! I really like the new template by Queen of Quirk with narrow photo masks...they allow for just a peek at your photos, or some of the CT used all of them together to showcase one photo (which I NEVER would have thought of! Thank goodness for those talented gals!).


Splendid Fiins outdid herself with some fantastic "Year-in-Review"  templates. I love the idea of adding some of my favorite photos from the past year as a little recap. Here's one I put together this weekend (check out the template here):



My parents are arriving tomorrow for a whole week and my sister and her husband come on Wednesday! I am so excited to have everyone at my house for the holidays! Have a great week!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Be Still My Heart!

Can it be? More digi templates? YES! Crystal came out with some fabulous 5X7 templates this week that are simply perfect for cards, adding to 12X12 layouts or just putting some photos together for a little gift. Some of my favorite photos from 2010 are from my amazing trip to Spark in September. Not only did I get to spend 5 days with 3 of my most favorite peeps...but the eye candy and inspiration were dazzling! I wanted to thank my friends for taking the trip with me to celebrate my birthday, so I threw some Spark photos into the template and adhered it to a 5X7 canvas. I then used Glossy Accents to add some hot pink lace ribbon and a bow (which I got at Spark!) to finish it off. I think it would be really cute in my gals' scrap rooms as a reminder of what an AMAZING time we had! Now I just have to make 2 more of these...!


TFL! Hope you're having a wonderful week!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Thanksgiving Photos...check!

I love love love digital templates...they make my life so easy! And I especially adore those with tons of photo masks so that I can scrap all of the photos from an event on one page! In days of yore, I would have probably done at least 2, if not 4, layouts all using these Thanksgiving photos. What I have come to realize though, is that 1) not all photos of an event must be scrapped; and 2) most events do not require multiple pages to sufficiently record all that took place. It is truly freeing! **wink**

This is one of LivE Design's latest templates and I love the simplicity of it! Check it out here! It is 20% off for the holidays--how can you resist?

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Coffee Filter Tree

I apologize in advance for this photo--taken in the evening with horrible lighting! I am quite happy with my little coffee filter tree; although I need to find something else for the topper. That round ornament isn't working, but that's all Hobby Lobby had left yesterday! Can you believe they are already putting out their spring stuff? It's not even the 12th day of Christmas yet! :)


I also finished up my Christmas lollies--I am seriously making these for every holiday until I just can't stand them anymore!



Thanks so much for looking! Hope you're having a GREAT week!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Simple Bow Wreath

I made another wreath over the weekend that looks suspiciously like the wreath I posted about last week (can you tell I am obsessed with turqoise and silver?); however, this one took much less time! I put this together using my trusty glue gun, a styrofoam wreath form, a bunch of silver gift bows, a few ornaments and a glittery decorative pick. It could not have been any easier: glue the bows on first, then the ornaments, then the pick, and...voila!


On Saturday night I put together a fabulous tree using coffee filters! I will post some pics later this week. Click here for a great tutorial on that project!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Welcome to December!


It's here! It's really here! December 1st is always such a blast for the kids because they get to start their Advent Calendars. Kendall is using the calendar I made years ago. Each drawer has a clue in it as to where her surprise is hidden. Today her little gift was in the oven. It was a princess ring and she loved it! Cale and I had such a great time together shopping for all of her Kendall's goodies at the dollar store the day before Thanksgiving. (He really can be a sweet kid when he wants to be! **wink**)


Cale got a Lego Advent Calendar this year which will be a lot of fun! Everyday there is a different figure to build--today was a darling little snowman. (Even though he is trying to be cool, I know he's excited about it!)


I'd like to give a little shout-out to my Uncle Bill Chastain (or Uncle Butt, as my kids call him) today! This evening is the release/signing party for his latest book, Peachtree Corvette Club!  Congratulations, Uncle Bill!


Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Colors of Christmas

This year I'm taking my holiday decor in a different direction...I'm just loving all the turquoise, lime green and silver I'm seeing this season! I'll still incorporate the traditional red and green, just in smaller doses. My favorite new holiday decoration is an ornament wreath that I put together using a styrofoam wreath form and TONS of 50% off ornaments form Hobby Lobby. I think this little beauty cost about $25 to create vs. the $40 ornament wreaths at Pier One. This was my first shot at doing this, and there are things I'll do differently next time, but overall I'm happy with the outcome! Now I just have to decide where to hang it. **sigh**

Monday, November 22, 2010

Santa Baby

I was so happy when I foudn out that Nisa Fiins over at Jessica Sprague was introducing a new line of holiday patterned (hand-drawn, no less!) and plain papers this week! They are gorgeous...lots of brilliant reds and soft blues. I've been dying for an opportunity to digitally scrap my favorite Christmas photos of all time, from way back in 2007 (not quite vintage **wink**). Go check these papers out--they will look great with any project!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

DRAMA.

Kendall is officially three and a half and there is some major DRA-MA going on at our house. Seriously. She was such a little sweet-pea until about 2 weeks ago, and all of a sudden she just turned on me! Everything now is such a big deal...from whether she gets to buckle her own seat belt to how much cereal I pour in her bowl. If she doesn't get her way or something is just a bit off, she will literally throw herself on the floor and SOB. Someone please tell me this does not last through high school! :)


PS: The marker on her hand has nothing to do with this particular tantrum! This meltdown was due to the fact that I would not allow her to have cookies before dinner.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Letters to Santa!

I am so excited for the holidays this year and have been busy making wreaths, wrapping gifts (already!) and even have my December Daily album ready to go! I think I am especially looking forward to this Christmas because my parents and sister and brother-in-law will be here for a week to help us celebrate--YAY! I am so thankful that both of my kids still believe in Santa. There's something so magical about that and it really makes me remember Christmases as a child. They wrote their letters to Santa two nights ago. (Well, ok, Cale wrote his and Kendall dictated hers to me. She is only three.) Kendall's is especially funny as she listed several of the ways she has been good this year...cracks me up! Wish I could keep them little forever!




Monday, November 15, 2010

New Releases at Jessica's Website!

Happy Monday! So excited to showcase two news items this week...the first one is this darling card template from Elle's Studio! This won't be my *actual* Christmas card, but these photos from Rainkite sure look great, don't they?



I am also loving these "Make a Mess Masks" from Splendid Fiins! These sweet and sassy pics of Kim's daughter, Whitney, were just begging to be grunged up a bit with these great masks. (The photo reminds me a bit of those old-fashioned Army posters with Uncle Sam saying "We want YOU for the US Army!"...only MUCH cuter!) These masks also look fabulous over patterned paper. Check them out!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Clara the Christmas Dog

I hope my sister, Shannon, doesn't mind but I just have to share the Christmas card I put together last week using this ridiculously terrific picture of her dog, Clara! Does she look like the happiest pup in the world or what? Shannon is very kind to indulge my creative side and allows me to put these things together for her!

PS--I have a mini-obsession going with the font on this card...it's called "Playful" and you can find it here.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Fun Family Photos!

We had our family photos taken in September by Rainkite Photography. Kim Casey, one of the owners, and I have known each other for a while so I was thrilled that she was able to fit us in for a session this fall. The urban setting was spectacular and I am just in love with the way they all turned out. Here are just a few of my faves:






Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Happy Haunting!

I am so excited this week to get to work with Crystal's brand new page template! Along with her fabulous Spooky papers, embellishments and alphas, it was just perfect for our Halloween pics! We really had a fun time this year. Kendall was old enough to make it through the whole neighborhood and returned home happy and exhausted. Cale chose a pretty creepy zombie skateboarder look which scared many a small child in our subdivision. Good times!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Won't you please join me?

Well, Jessica Sprague has done it again! She's offering another free class called Inspiration Everywhere...and you are cordially invited! Trust me, once you take one of her classes you'll be hooked! Come join in the fun!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

One Buck Wednesday!

What can you really buy for a buck anymore? You gotta love One Buck Wednesday over at Jessica Sprague! All kids of goodies, including paper packs and templates, for (wait for it...) 1 BUCK! The kit that contains the little "Real Life" stamp that I used in my last blog post. Go check it out!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Fun Mini-Album!

Lucky me--I get to continue working with Nisa this month over at http://www.jessicasprague.com/! She released some really great photo frames today, which I used to highlight some of my favorite photos from 2010. They aren't necessarily the very best photos artistically, but each one of them brings back a special memory for me. The pages in this mini are 4X3--just the right size to carry around in my purse! The darling "Real Life" stamp set on the cover will be showcased on Wednesday...be sure to check it out!



Tuesday, October 26, 2010

PARTY!

Kendall had her class Halloween party this morning and she was absolutely beside herself excited! She almost couldn't sleep last night thinking about it! How wonderful to be a little kid! I was thinking in terms of the great photo op this morning...getting some shots of her in her witchie-poo costume before Halloween night when things are just crazy. She adores her costume this year and can't get enough of the kitty-cat on the little apron. I have a feeling we'll be wearing this for dress-up quite often after Halloween!







Monday, October 25, 2010

Tweens!

This weekend I got to work with Splendid Fiins' spectacular new Tween Add-On Kit! I cannot get enough of the great patterned papers and colors she used...to me, the kit has a great 70's vibe! My good friend, Kim, sent me some great pictures of her beautiful daughter, Whitney, and darling friend, Caity, which were just perfect for the page I was working on! Aren't the girls fabulous? Thanks, Kimmie!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Fab Halloween Mini-Album!

Every Friday at Jessica Sprague, they have a new Hybrid Project available for just $1! You really can't beat these darling projects! Check out today's sweet and spooky mini-album that Laurie put together...if I were really ambitious I would put it together this coming week so that all I have to do once Halloween is over is throw the pictures in! Maybe in my spare time...**wink**  Have a great weekend!


Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Just Another Day in Paradise!

I have been a big fan of Crystal Wilkerson's since I discovered the Jessica Sprague website earlier this year and am so thrilled that as a member of Jessica's CT I can work with any and all of her amazing goodies! This Quick Page was perfect for some of my recent vacay photos. I just love how the bright, fun colors in her papers convey the tropical island-y feel I was going for! To see more of Crystal's fabulous designs, click here.

Monday, October 18, 2010

New Jessica Sprague Classes!

Whew! I am back from vacation and ready to get to work! The trip was amazing...but I am always happy to be home in the end! We did lots of relaxing and laying around in the sun and I feel so rejuvenated!

Exciting news: there are two new classes being offered at Jessica Sprague's website as of today! They were designed specifically for Teens and Tweens and are just darling! They are an amazing intro to Photoshop and the other technologies involved in digital scrapbooking, like managing photos on a computer and telling her owns stories. A great self-esteem builder! When Kendall is a few years older you can bet I'll getting one of these classes going!

Hope your Monday was wonderful!

Monday, October 11, 2010

View From Paradise!

I have to keep pinching myself...it doesn't seem real that I get to spend the week on this gorgeous little island in the Bahamas! This is the amazing view from my balcony right now...



Saturday, October 9, 2010

Can I get a WOOT WOOT?

I found out this week that I have been invited to join THE Jessica Sprague's Creative Team! One of the very first goals I set for myself in 2010 was to join a design or creative team.  Over the past few months I have really immersed myself in digital scrapping and hybrid projects...and it was the hybrid piece that I was selected for! I am just thrilled to be able to create projects using products designed by the amazing gals over at Jessica's site. Please check her out: http://www.jessicasprague.com/. She has the most amazing digi classes and recently introduced Cosmo Cricket and Echo Park's exclusive digital designs! In a word: FABULOUS!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Another HO3 Mini and a FABULOUS Scarf!

Yesterday I mentioned that I created two mini-albums for my girlfriend, Suzanne. Here's the other one made from House of 3's "Summer Junque" line for her little sweetpea, Lucy. She is so yummy--don't you just want to squeeze those little cheeks off?








My fabulous friend, Lisa, took me to an amazing birthday lunch yesterday (I just love those birthdays that last for weeks!!) and gave me an absolutely stunning scarf from Shop Beautiful! It is like buttah! Super soft velvet and silk taffeta with raw edges--it is seriously to die for! I ran straight home and took these pics...I am now officially ready for cooler weather so I can rock this little beauty! **wink** Thank you so very much, Lisa!!





Thursday, October 7, 2010

House of 3 Fall Junque Album

Last week I had lunch with my sweet friend Suzanne, her daughter Lucy and her new sweet baby, Sam. He is such a doll and looks just like Lucy (who is lamost 3).  I gave her this mini-album I put together with my new fave House of 3 products: Fall Junque! I also made a little album for Lucy using some photos from her 6 mos photo shoot (yes, 2 years ago! I was a bit behind!)...I'll post those pics tomorrow.

Here are some pages from Sam's album:





Monday, October 4, 2010

Curious Sofa

I really can't believe I have lived here for 17 years and have never been to this amazing place! Curious Sofa is a little boutique-y shop in Prairie Village that has the most wonderful and eclectic mix of decor, furniture, jewelry, art, and paper! My Mom was in town this weekend and we decided to check it out after seeing a writeup in "Where Women Create" magazine...we are both officially obsessed! Mom loves to decorate for any and all holidays so I got her this brilliant "Day of the Dead" skeleton woman. She is truly specatcular and what a conversation piece! On Halloween weekend they flip the shop into Christmas mode. I can't wait!



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