Now that's some SNOW!

Like much of the country today, we experienced some seriously heavy snowfall here in KC! I bet we got 10-11 inches today, plus 40 mph winds which caused the snow to drift and become much deeper in some areas. I'm ready to snuggle in with the kids on Wednesday. Actually, I'm trying to think of some things to do to keep them entertained all day without losing my mind! Maybe some cookies, some crafts, a movie...

This was the view from my front door this afternoon:

When Kent got home this evening, he dug our tiny 5 lb dog, Zoe, two little paths in the backyard so she could get out to go potty! Otherwise the snow was way taller than she was. Totally cracked me up!

Hope you're warm and safe this evening. On nights like this I feel so fortunate to have a home and am praying that our homeless are able to find shelter as well. God Bless!

It's Delightful, It's Delovely!

I was sooo excited when I found out Cosmo Cricket was releasing my very favorite paper line digitally today! I mean, just look at those bright blues and yellows and pinks--I am in heaven!

The "Candy Candy" elements are just as amazing! Sweet birds and pears mixed in with vintage sofas and chairs!

I put this little layout together with a picture from our photo shoot with the fabulous Rainkite Photography gals last September. I know I'll be using this line again and again--I'm even considering using some of the goodies to make cute tees for the goodie bags at Kendall's birthday party in March!

Mouse, Paper, Scissors!

Have you signed up for the new class by two of the most amazing teachers in the industry? Jessica Sprague and Heidi Swapp are teaming up to teach an exciting new hybrid class called "Mouse, Paper, Scissors"! The last day to sign up is Feb 2nd so that they can get the kits sent out before the start of class on Feb 21st. There are four super-cool projects we will be completing:

•Two beautiful double-sided printed cards
•A "FABULOUS" giftable mini-album filled with sweet pockets and a transparency cover
•A hand-made (cover to cover!) mini-album celebrating little things you love about your life
•A stunning mirrored FRAME that sits on an easel, which doubles as your photo stand for taking pics of your projects!

Come join us! Click here to sign up! 

If you need more convincing, see Heidi's blog post here!

Valentine lollies? Check!

Elle's Studio just released their darling Valentine's Day XOXO paper today! It is really bright and festive--and just perfect for the bouquet of lollies I had invisioned for the centerpiece on the island in our kitchen. Check out this fabulous paper pack here!

Valentine's Day!

It feels like Christmas just happened and now I'm decorating for Valentine's Day! In years past, I haven't typically decorated for anything but Christmas but I am starting to really enjoy making **pretties**  to display at different times of the year--and I think the kids like it too. :)

Some little V-Day stickers that I made for Kendall are displayed on the Jessica Sprague homepage today. I just love these "Little Valentines" that Elle's Designs came up with, and the minute I saw them, I thought they would make darling little stickers to seal up the Valentines that Kendall will be sending to her aunts and grandparents. TFL--have a great week!

Leap!

Betsy, an amazing friend of mine, has chosen the word "leap" as her "One Little Word" this year. It is just perfect for her and I am so inspired to see her living it every day! She mentioned one evening over dinner that she would like to have something tangible that says "leap" that she can look to as a daily reminder...and my mind just started going crazy with ideas.

Late last year I discovered this fabulous group of publications from Stampington & Co that are dedicated to artists, their work and inspiration and where they create. My favorite one is called "Somerset Workshop" and it actually walks you through, from start to finish, the process of creating some amazing things! I was blown away by an artist named Vanessa Valencia (how cool and artsy is that name??) who makes incredible mixed media canvases, and immediately wanted to try my hand at it. Most of them are dancers that she mod podges to the canvas, and then adds gorgeous skirts using sheet music, vintage book pages, etc. Here's my inspiration (she has an etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/AFancifulTwist?ref=top_trail):

So, back to Betsy...I decided that I would make a canvas for her to illustrate her word.  It was the most FUN I have had working on a project lately, and when I finished the other night at 11pm, I went to bed just GIDDY. This is certainly not a masterpiece by any stretch, but I had a great time with it and will definitely make more. I used book pages for the background and pages from the phone book for the skirt. I can see one hanging in Kendall's room, perhaps.

Betsy sent me this pic yesterday after being so sweet as to hang this in her office at work!

Da Boyz

I hardly ever scrap pictures of my husband, unless he happens to be in a photo with the kids! I should do more of this as I had a great time putting this very masculine (GRRRR!) layout together using a photo of Kent and two of his BFF's from our recent "Holiday Soiree". It cracks me up to see that they all wearing the same orange-y color essentially. (They swear they didn't call each other but I have my doubts.)

These guys are terrific friends and would do anything for each other. Both Brad and Barry have a special place in my heart, as their wives are my besties as well. Brad, the cutie in the middle, along with his wife Kim, introduced Kent (the hottie on the right :)) and I back in 1996. Barry, on the left, is the founder of our annual "Hawknestapalooza" campout and is reguarly the ringleader of other shenanigans. Love these guys!

The yummy background paper on this layout is from Liv's new release, Chestnuts and Mallows. The patterned papers are from always-fabulous Cosmo Cricket's line, Nutmeg. Hope you're having a great week!