My crafty stuff

hair clip HI

2012-01-28T16:11:00.002-09:00

I am still alive. After moving my craft area and shoveling snow all month, I've found my mojo again! I finished up a few projects and had to wait for light to photograph. I played along with the Paper smooches sparks challenge again - I LOVE paper smooches stamps!!! The flower on this card is actually a flower I purchased from the Precocious Paper etsy store a while ago. It is attached to a hair clippie. I slit a hole in the card to attach it - so when I send it off, they will get a new hair clip too!
I used the Paper smooches My peeps set - the "leaves" are actually bird feathers. The Hi is from that set also.

Supplies
Stamps: Paper smooches My peeps
Ink: Tsukineko, copics
Paper: Copic x-press
Accessories: Copic multi-liner, hair clip, hot glue

I am ALIVE!

2012-01-24T22:30:00.000-09:00

It's been snowing like CRAZY here. We've hit a new record this year. Over 40 inches already and there is still some of the month left!

I haven't crafted for over a week... I did move my craft area to a new place and have been organizing/purging.

I also made about 30 hairbows and 2 wreaths, so I have been crafty, just not paper crafty.

Working on a couple things and will be posting again soon!

matchy matchy

2012-01-12T04:05:00.000-09:00

Yes, I'm one of "those" moms who dresses my kids alike. Dd1 LOVES it. Dd2.... well, she doesn't care as long as she has clothes on for now.

All the paper on this layout is from the Echo Park Dots and Stripes Candy shoppe collection. I do love Echo park! I think this is the 3rd day in a row of layouts full of Echo Park! I have almost all the collections...... Supplies
Paper: Echo Park Dots and Stripes Candy Shoppe
Accessories: EK success scallop edge punch, crochet heart (thanks mom!!)

building a snowman

2012-01-11T04:05:00.000-09:00

I found this sketch on Liz Qualman's blog and loved it so played around with it this week. I used a lot of Echo Park Holly Jolly Christmas line - I had to buy that because of the pink - Abby had a pink coat and it's hard to find winter paper with pink in it.
Supplies
Paper: Echo Park Holly Jolly Christmas

little girl(s)

2012-01-10T15:40:00.002-09:00

We have been SLAMMED weather wise this past 3 days. We got over 12 inches of snow.... then it RAINED last night. It's a MESS. Ice under the snow/rain/slush mix. I about fell on my rear when I walked my daughter to school this morning (with ice cleats on). We had places in town(roads) with waist deep water and tons of flooding.

I finished this layout up 2 nights after and photographed it with what little light we had today (It's supposed to freeze later tonight or tomorrow - it's going to be NASTY). It's a Sketchy Thursday sketch and lots of Echo Park Little Girl (I bought a whole new pack because I used every bit of the last one I had!!)Supplies
Paper: Echo park little girl
Accessories: Echo park little girl stickers

The Girls

2012-01-01T16:23:00.002-09:00

Hope everyone had a great New Years - we were all in bed before midnight here (I was falling asleep when the fireworks started..). I want to make some craft goals this year - to scrapbook at least once a week, print some more photos, keep the pages I finish IN books (instead of a stack on the floor) and to continue to attempt to be published... We'll see what happens!

I've been staying up late lately because dd2 likes to wake up to eat - so might as well stay up until she's back in bed! I have had the chance to craft away most evenings (except when I'm totally exhausted, then I just veg in front of the tv). The sketch from Sketchy Thursday was a great one - I might even use this one again! Supplies
Paper: American Crafts, Stampin Up, Echo park yours truly
Ink: Tsukineko
Accessories: SU ribbon, Echo park yours truly stickers

Thanks

2011-12-30T21:16:00.003-09:00

I LOVE the paper smooches sparks challenge this time! LOVE the inspiration photo - this idea popped into my head immediately when I saw it!

I used twine from the Twinery and a stamp from the Paper Smooches Chit Chat set - I absolutely love (and I think I have all of) the sentiment sets from Paper Smooches. The Thanks is colored with copicsSupplies
Stamps: Paper smooches chit chat
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: Copic x-press
Accessories: copics, twinery twine

Christmas 2010

2011-12-28T10:42:00.002-09:00

Last night after the girls were in bed, I had a little time to play. I have had these pictures printed for a while (I don't print pictures on island because the quality stinks, so I have to get all my pictures by mail) and decided to use a Sketchy Thursday sketch and a prompt from ScrapFit (to use mini pics). All of the photos are wallet sized on this page.Supplies
Paper: Echo Park Winter park, SU cardstock
Accessories: Winter park stickers, sew easy floss

teacher gifts

2011-12-26T04:00:00.000-09:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and got to spend a lot of time with their family! We spent the day together, went to church and just hung out (very relaxing!). I was spoiled and got a Kindle fire, a camera backpack, AND a cricut cake (and other stuff)!!!!

Abby had a GREAT teacher and teacher assistant in her classroom this year. We appreciate them a LOT! We did a little goodie bag for each of them last week before school was let out for the Holiday. Each bag had a tervis tumbler filled with candy and a box of peppermint snow tealights from Partylite.
The tags were stamped with a Unity KOTM image from January 2011 and colored with copics. They were cut out with nesties and layered on top of some Echo Park paper that was in my scrap pile.
Supplies
Stamps: Unity
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: Echo park
Accessories: May arts ribbon, copics, nesties

first day

2011-12-24T04:00:00.000-09:00

I finally scrapped Abby's first day of Kindergarten pictures. I'm not too behind (unless you count the 2 years of pictures before this was taken...). This was actually done using a Sketchy Thursday sketch from a couple of weeks ago. I was late getting it up (obviously)Supplies
Paper: American crafts, Bo Bunny Peacock lane
Accessories: nesties, MME stickers

You are in my thoughts

2011-12-23T04:00:00.000-09:00

Since having Lexi, I can't seem to turn anything in on time! I've been playing along with sketch challenges, but can't get them uploaded in time.... I LOVE snuggling with Lexi and playing with her instead of being on the computer when she's awake. I'm usually so tired by the time she goes to bed that I'm vegging out in front of a movie or going to sleep shortly after she does!

I got some new flowers the other day from Precocious Paper - I LOVE her samplers! I get a variety of flowers/ribbons and they all coordinate already! I used a cupcake poppy from the Pumpkin patch sampler. The sketch is a MFT sketch and the sentiment is also from MFTSupplies
Stamps: MFT clearly sentimental about sympathy
Ink: Palette vintage cream
Paper: BG little black dress
Accessories: Precocious paper halloween sampler

2 months

2011-12-21T20:35:00.002-09:00

I finished up this layout using a Jillibean Soup sketch and some Soup Staples - I used some Summer squash journaling spots and stickers and a Unity stamp. Lexi is still just as happy and smiley now (she's 6 1/2 months now)
Supplies
Stamps: Unity ...a number of things
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: Jillibean soup staples
Accessories: Jillibean soup journaling spots, letter stickers

home

2011-12-16T04:00:00.000-09:00

My husband was gone for a long patrol with the Coast Guard recently - I took a picture the day before he left and the day he got home to see how much the baby had grown. She was 6 weeks old when he left and was HUGE comparatively when he got home! She was 4 1/2 (almost 5) months old when he got back. She looked enormous! Abby was 4 when he left, turned 5 and started school when he was gone!

All of the supplies on this layout were from a Lucky Girls Spring Souiree kit - Lucky Girls kit club closed, but she still has a few of the kits on sale at her site (I loved her kits)Supplies
Lucky Girls Spring Soiree kit

soccer camp layout

2011-12-14T21:37:00.002-09:00

I love how versatile Echo park paper collections are. I can use them in cards/layouts for pretty much any picture I have! These photos were taken in August in Alaska - we had extreme weather this week! The first 3 days of soccer camp were outdoor and BEAUTIFUL! The last 2 days of camp were complete downpour days (dark and gallons of water everywhere). Abby had a blast - even though they put her with all the 4 year olds (her birthday was 3 weeks later)I used the Echo Park Country drive collection Paper and Stickers

Supplies
Paper: AC cardstock, Echo Park country drive
Accessories: Echo park country drive stickers

for you

2011-12-12T04:00:00.000-09:00

I had a little time to play along with the paper smooches sparks challenge this time around and finished up a card using blues and a little inspiration from the group of frames on the wall
I created this card. I loved the little pop of yellow in the inspiration picture and wanted the birds to give that little pop in my card. The balloons are paper pieced using MME Lost and Found Portobello Road paper. I used both the Smoocheroo and Word up sets on my card
Supplies
Stamps: Paper smooches word up, smoocheroos
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: MME, copic x-press
Accessories: copics

skype with dad

2011-12-10T23:47:00.003-09:00

I've been busy creating! I have a pile of stuff to photograph and uploaded a ton of photos tonight - editing and will be posting!

I used the sketch from the MME monthly sketch - Challenge 30 - I used MME Life of the Party paper for my page. The title is cut using the Alphalicious cartridge on the cricut. I had fun with this layout! Just got the pictures from when dh was gone, the boat was gone for a long time and the only time we got to see/talk to him was when he was in port in Japan. Abby was showing him that she learned how to snap in these photos. Supplies
Paper: MME Life of the Party
Ink: Tsukineko
Stickers: MME
Accessories: Cricut Alphalicious, MFT jumbo scallop edge die

Winner Winner!!!!!!!!!!

2011-12-02T19:14:00.002-09:00

The winner from the Once upon a Childhood giveaway is

MINDY

Send me an email and I'll get it forwarded to the shop owner so you can pick your cape color!

Forest Friendzy, now Forest Whimsy

2011-11-29T10:13:00.003-09:00

I have loved Kim Hughes stamps for a while - I purchased the Forest Friendzy set from Cornish Heritage Farms about 2 years ago - she just released it with Paper Smooches as Forest Whimsy - LOVE that I pulled it out and used it today!

I love the colors in the inspiration photo this Sparks Challenge - LOVE the grey with the yellow and bluish green

I paper pieced the hat and pants on the gnome and colored his skin with copics. The clouds are popped up a little bit in the grey (hard to see in photo)

Supplies
Stamps: Forest Whimsy
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: Echo Park Victoria Garden
Accessories: MFT ric rac die, copics

The best part of baking

2011-11-28T22:28:00.002-09:00

I CRAFTED! I started this layout last week and finally finished it up yesterday. This month has been CRAZY! I love having dh home though! I've had Partylite parties, a photography workshop, a daughter with a broken (crushed) finger and specialist appointments, a daughter who refuses to sleep (for 3 weeks... waking up every 2 hours was getting to me). It felt good to finish this layout! I'm SO glad that Sketchy Thursday was a 2 week sketch this time because of Thanksgiving!

Supplies
Paper: Jillibean soup, American crafts
Stickers: Basic Grey, Jillibean soup

Once upon a child GIVEAWAY!

2011-11-18T08:53:00.006-09:00

First off, let me apologize for my lack of posts. My husband is home from a long deployment, my daughter smashed her finger with a bowling ball and the other daughter is allergic to the laundry soap I've been using and has been miserable until we realized what was causing her rash.

I have a GIVEAWAY!

Once Upon a Childhood is a shop for two sisters who love to craft and sew. They have fun, unique, and practical childhood items and specialize in one of a kind baby bedding and accessories and make beautiful puffy quilts to match any nursery or child's room. They've made puffy quilts from "snuggle" size up to king size! Once Upon a Childhood has baby shower gifts, dress up aprons and capes, and lined curtain panels in your custom lengths! They love to sew and be home with their kids so what better way to do it!

The products in their etsy shop are truly works of art. The colors, the patterns, they are just beautifully executed.

I love the 2 pc baker sets
Taggie blocks and blankets

Bug baby bib sets

Custom baby bedding
And they have TONS more in their Etsy shop!

including SUPER HERO CAPES

Talk about the perfect little gift for Christmas! What little one wouldn't want one of these!

Once Upon a Childhood is offering 1 MY CRAFTY STUFF reader a custom cape!

Your choice of dark pink, light pink, red, or black. AND a choice of emblem or letter on the back!

Do you have a little super hero in your life who would want such a fun gift?

If so, head over to

Once Upon a Childhood and let me know what your favorite item in their shop is! That's it! Leave your email address so that I can contact you if you are a winner!

For a bonus entries, post this giveaway to your blog, facebook page, or twitter. Once entry for each. Just let me know what you did!

Giveaway ends Monday November 28th

For another chance to win (before November 21) head over to my friend Brandy's blog - Gluesticks - her Once upon a Childhood Giveaway ends November 21

Thinking of Whoooo

2011-11-14T21:30:00.002-09:00

I got a couple new Unity stamps recently and decided to join in on the Unity Stamp challenge this month - the challenge is an Autumn harvest challenge. I LOVE the deep darker colors of fall (we have SNOW here - lots of it as of this morning) and used a Unity itty bitty Thinking of Whoo-o-o for my card paired with the dark colors in the Echo Park Times and Seasons paper. Supplies
Stamps: Thinking of Whoo-o-o
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: Echo park times and seasons
Accessories: EK success deco scallop

bath time

2011-11-11T13:32:00.002-09:00

I had a little time to join in on the latest Paper Smooches Sparks challenge this week - I pulled off a layout - I loved the color scheme with the picture chosen as inspiration this week. I used cardstock from American Crafts and stampin up along with Paper smooches stamps. I used Alphadot and Perpetual bliss stamp sets that I bought from I heart papers.
Supplies
Stamps: Perpetual bliss, Alphadot
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: American Crafts, Stampin Up
Edge punch: Martha Stewart

petting zoo

2011-11-04T21:28:00.002-08:00

I am really enjoying having Ryan home - it was a LONG patrol and I'm glad he's back now! I'm attending a photography workshop tomorrow, I can not wait! I'm VERY excited!

On to the layout - I used the Sketchy Thursday sketch for 11-3 (can you believe it's November????) and some Echo Park Happy Days paper. The title is stamped with a Paper Smooches alphabet set - Alphadot. I love stamping on my layouts! Supplies
Stamps: Alphadot
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: Echo Park Happy days
Accessories: SU top note die, Martha Stewart edge punch,

For my hero

2011-10-31T22:41:00.002-08:00

I'm SO excited for this week - my husband has been gone for 4 1/2 months on a deployment with the Coast Guard and will be back SOON! We can't wait to see him and I finished up this card for him.

I used the MFT WSC sketch #43 along with the Guest Designer contest this month to create my card. The MFT ALM Blue without you stamp set is perfect for any military crafter - you can change the outfit to fit the military branch that you belong to. The Dog Tag die-namic along with the little open scallop border die-namic helped finish the card. The bling is kaiser rhinestones and I got the Marishino twine from the Twinery. Supplies
Stamp: MFT ALM Blue without you
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: Echo Park Happy days
Accessories: Dog tag, little open scallop die-namic, kaiser rhinestones, copics, twinery twine

Lil turkey

2011-10-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

I finished this layout the night the sketch challenge at My Minds Eye was due... didn't get it posted in time - but I used their sketch for my layout. Love the new 6x6 paper pads from MME - the Lost and Found collections are beautiful!

I used the Sunshine paper pad for this one - I only used 6x6 pattern paper on this page Supplies
Paper: SU kraft, MME sunshine
Stamps: Paper smooches alphadot, my peeps
ink: Tsukineko
Accessories: SU scallop edge punch

sisters

2011-10-29T04:00:00.000-08:00

Fun sketch at Sketchy Thursday this week - I pulled out one of the great pictures Simply B photos took during Abby's school photo session - love how they turned out! Supplies
Paper: SU, Echo Park dots and stripes
Accessories: dots and stripes stickers

MIA... I'm back!

2011-10-28T08:57:00.001-08:00

I've been busy getting my house de cluttered and have let my crafting slow down a LOT! My husband gets home soon from a 4 1/2 month deployment - we can't wait for him to be home again!!!!!!!! He left when the baby was 6 weeks old, we are all ready for him to be home!

This layout was inspired by the Triplicate Trials Tuesday #11 - I LOVE the sketch, color combo and theme for their challenges!
Supplies
Paper: SU black, Echo Park be mine
Accessories: Be Mine stickers

fountain fun!

2011-10-19T04:00:00.001-08:00

Just trying to finish up some photos that I have from a couple years ago.. yes, I'm behind!

I did my journaling along the bottom of the right picture and around the round picture to go along with ScrapFit's workout #53Supplies
stamps: Paper smooches Alphadot
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: MME, american crafts
Accessories: nesties

just keep swimming

2011-10-18T04:00:00.000-08:00

I just received my Keep swimming Octopus stamp from I heart papers and "needed" to make a card right away. I have read most of Katie's story and it's heartbreaking to read! I heart papers still has a donation link up if you haven't donated yet!

I purchased all the goodies for my card at I Heart papers - Kate does an amazing job at getting my stuff here QUICK! I might have ordered the rest of the copics to complete my collection, maybe... Supplies
Stamp: Keep swimming octopus
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: SU kraft, Echo park summer days

school - Page maps sketch

2011-10-17T04:00:00.000-08:00

I just got Abby's school photos printed - Amy with Simply B Photos took Abby's pictures and I LOVE how they turned out! I used a sketch from the Page Maps Blog for my page along with Bo Bunny double dot cardstock and some nesties.

I loved all the journaling space on the sketch and took advantage of it and wrote about Abby's kindergarten "adventure" - she was an early entry kid because her birthday was after the deadline to start school - she is doing GREAT and LOVES school! Supplies
Die cut: Spellbinders, PTI
Paper: Bo Bunny
Ink: Tsukineko
Stamps: Paper Smooches
Buttons: Foof-a-la

Adore

2011-10-16T16:51:00.002-08:00

Love how this layout turned out - but I have taken about 20 photos and can't get a good one! The black is actually black in person.

This sketch is from the Sketchy Thursday sketch this week - I enjoyed it (even though I really like multiple photos on a layout!)Supplies
Paper: SU, MME
Ink: Tsukineko
Edge punch: SU

pinterest inspired

2011-10-15T04:00:00.000-08:00

Abby loves doing projects with me after school. Is it sad that I had to raid her new crayons for this project? She learned at an early age that I don't deal with broken crayons. As soon as she breaks one now, she walks it straight to the trash. Yes, I'm a little OCD also. We had to break perfectly good crayons for this project, but it was worth it! Abby LOVED giving it to her teacher.

How tweet

2011-10-14T04:00:00.000-08:00

I am still in need of Thank you cards - I always need them and never have them! I need to stop making birthday cards and just focus on thank yous!

This is a new paper smooches set that I LOVE - My Peeps - I picked mine up from I heart papers - although I have ordered direct from Paper smooches and had amazingly fast shipping also.

The birds are paper pieced with Echo Park Holly Jolly paper - the Christmas paper matches perfect with the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge currently going on. Cardstock: Neenah
Pattern paper: Echo park
Ink: Tsukineko

Happy bird-day!

2011-10-12T21:49:00.003-08:00

I have a good friend who had a birthday today - so I pulled out some tubes and got busy decorating one for her. Thanks to I heart papers, I have MINI tubes too - I can't wait to use them!

I just got some new Paper smooches stamps and wanted to use one, but actually pulled out an older set for this tag - I used Birthday buddies and paper pieced the cute bird (I love the animals that Kim Hughes draws - they are all CUTE) with some Echo Park Holly Jolly Christmas paper (because it was on my desk from another project)
I loved all the pinks and reds in the inspiration photos from the Paper Smooches Sparks challenge, so am entering my tag in their challenge also. The tube is filled with chocolate macademia nut kisses - a friend brought some back from Hawaii when she went and I LOVE them!
Supplies
Tube: SRM
Paper: Echo park
Stamps: Paper Smooches
Markers: Copic
Ink: Tsukineko

Christmas 2008

2011-10-09T04:00:00.000-08:00

I found these pictures and had to scrap them - Abby's cheesy grin still cracks me up. Every picture for about 2 months around this time had that same cheesy grin. We spent 1 Christmas in St. Croix and left right before the second one (we were in a hotel for that one). Abby LOVED the group of kids at church in primary and we got a group shot - most of these kids weren't active, but they came for the Christmas program at the church. Supplies
Paper/stickers: Echo Park

PTI and some buttons

2011-10-08T04:00:00.000-08:00

I have SO many stamp sets - I've been trying to pull out some older ones and show them some love. This week, I pulled out a PTI set that I still love! I need to get some cute polka dot buttons for this set too! I used the Everyday Button bits set on all three cards. I have SO many buttons in my stash and need to use more (although they cost a fortune to mail). I just got a package from the Twinery with every color of their twine that I used on two of the cards also.

Supplies
Stamps: Everyday button bits (PTI)
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: Copic x-press, SU kraft
Accessories: Buttons

Welcome baby - Paper smooches

2011-10-07T04:00:00.000-08:00

I pulled out this adorable stamp set as soon as I saw the photo inspiration for the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge this go around. Loved all the texture in this photo - the paper I chose (MME Oh la la for her) had enough texture to remind me to this photo and the color matched too!
I loved the small amount of green in the inspiration photo and chose to use a little bit of the green twine to add just a bit of other color to my card.

Supplies
Stamps: Paper smooches A little lovin
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: Copic x-press, MME ooh la la for her
Accessories: Twinery twine

Twinkle twinkle little star

2011-10-05T10:35:00.002-08:00

Abby LOVES microphones. In St Croix, we had an activity at the church every other Tuesday night - Abby would head straight for the microphone as soon as she could. She knew how to turn it on and off quickly. This Tuesday, The sister missionary who was in St. Croix played songs while Abby sang - her favorite was twinkle twinkle little star, followed by I am a Child of God.

I used the color challenge from the I Heart Papers 3rd birthday bash this week along with a sketch found on Pamela Brown's blog - cute sketch that I had to modify a little to work with my photos.

I used some My Minds Eye Vanity Fair paper, glubers, Twinery twine, and MFT die-namics

For the BEST teacher

2011-10-05T04:00:00.001-08:00

I put together a little group of stuff for Abby's teacher - this is for the MFT guest designer contest this month. I tried a different technique after the first didn't work on the hand sanitizer bottle. I ended up stamping on a transparency, then running it through my zyron to attach it to the bottle.

The lemon sugar scrub "recipe" is found on my friend Brandy's blog here. If you are more than just a paper crafter - she has the BEST blog! Such CUTE ideas all the time!

We actually took this to Abby's teacher yesterday... before I took a picture of the card alone - oops! Supplies
Stamps: MFT Teachers Pet
Ink: Staz-on, Tsukineko, copics
Paper: SU, Basic Grey
Die-Namics: dog tag, rolled rose, flower

Nothin runs like a Deere

2011-10-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

Abby got a John Deere tractor from a friend last time we lived in Kodiak - she LOVED it! It made all kinds of fun noises and felt like a tractor when you pushed one of the buttons (it vibrated). I used the Sketchy Thursday sketch and some Echo park paper for this layout. The white was too white this time, so I sprayed some glimmer mist all over it and let it dry overnight before putting the pictures on there. Supplies
Paper: American Crafts, Echo Park
Ink: Tattered Angels
Stickers: Echo Park

WCMD

2011-10-02T21:19:00.002-08:00

I participated in World Card Making day on Saturday in between cleaning my house and having a Jamberry Nails party that afternoon - then I got a migraine and was down in bed before 10!

I used some CUTE new Paper smooches stamps that I ordered from Kate at IHeartPapers - LOVE how quick my stuff ships from her!
Supplies
Stamps: Paper Smooches
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: My Minds Eye
Twine: Twinery
Banner: MFT die-namics

Magazine reject

2011-09-29T22:05:00.002-08:00

I keep submitting my layouts to magazines - haven't been picked up for a publication yet, but I figure if I keep trying, maybe I will be one day!

This was a sketch that was for a Creating Keepsakes magazine. I had a great time putting the pages together using their sketch! I used some photos that we had taken while on a dinner cruise soon after Lexi was born - she slept a lot of the time we were out and enjoyed being held the rest of it. We got to see one sea lion, a ton of puffins and ate a wonderful dinner of salmon and local greens (I am not a fish eater and enjoyed dinner!)

Supplies
Stamps: Unity
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: Jillibean soup
Accessories: nesties

Cake pops

2011-09-27T22:36:00.001-08:00

Sketchy Thursday sketch - Jillibean paper and fun with cake pops. Abby liked it for a second - then decided she didn't like the texture of the cake/frosting mixture and wouldn't help me anymore.

Preschool 2010

2011-09-26T04:00:00.000-08:00

I had a little fun with some Echo Park Happy days for this layout. I have finally finished Abby's first year of preschool pictures (I had a lot....). She just started kindergarten, so I'm not too far behind. Other than the stacks of pictures I have from St. Croix (before preschool), I'm getting caught up more.

I used a sketch from Crafting Family blog -cute blog - fun sketch! Supplies
Paper: AC cardstock, EP Happy days
Accessories: Happy days stickers

2 kids

2011-09-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

It's been 9 years of marriage - We have lived in 3 states and 1 territory. Driven cross country twice in less than 2 years. Lived on 2 island and had 2 kids now. These little girls have their daddy wrapped right around their little fingers!

I used a sketch from Jillibean soup, but it is way past the deadline to turn it in (oops). My camera died after I made the layout and I had to wait for the new camera to get here. Hopefully Ryan can fix the old camera so he can use it with all the lenses we have! Supplies
Paper: Jillibean soup
Ink: Tsukineko
Stickers/journaling spots: Jillibean soup

My little fairy princess

2011-09-24T04:00:00.001-08:00

My friend Amy took these pictures last year when we first got up here to the island - Abby LOVED dressing up like a fairy princess and the pictures worked GREAT with the challenge on Triplicate Trials Tuesday.

I used some my Minds Eye papers that matched with the colors called for in the challenge along with some Unity stamps. Supplies
Paper: SU, My Minds Eye
Ink: Tsukineko
Stamps: Unity
Spray ink: Smooch spritz

Enjoy

2011-09-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

This is a card that I finished for the MFT WSC sketch last week - but because of the camera, I didn't get a picture taken until after the new sketch was put out. I'm working on some new cards this week too!

I LOVE this new PI girl - Feeling Froggy - I LOVE her overalls! She looked SO cute with the farmhouse paper (crate paper) that I picked up from Iheartpapers. Supplies
Stamps: MFT
Ink: Tsukineko
Markers: Copics
Paper: Crate paper farmhouse

Back asleep

2011-09-22T04:00:00.000-08:00

I had a TON of fun with the My Minds Eye sketch this month - So much fun! I want to use the sketch again along with the twine (ok, I just loved how the twine turned out on my layout - will probably try that again!)

I used the My Minds Eye Happy Go lucky paper/alphabet stickers/twine for the layout. Supplies
Paper: AC cardstock, MME Happy Go lucky
Ink: Tsukineko
Twine/alpha stickers: MME
Punches: MFT mini rolled rose, EK success edge punch

Sketchy Thursday AND Scrap Fit

2011-09-21T16:21:00.002-08:00

They combined challenges this week! Love it!

Quick post today. I got a new camera and have needed to play!
supplies
Stamps: Unity
Paper: American Crafts, Crate Paper
Ink: Tsukineko
Twine: Twinery

2011-09-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

If you are here for the Triplicate Trials Tuesday blog hop - you can find my post HERE!

Processing fish

2011-09-15T04:00:00.000-08:00

You have to know that I live in Alaska. My daughter is an outdoor girl (even in the cold), I am not. She LOVES going fishing, hiking, 4-wheeling, etc. She LOVES helping daddy with pretty much anything, even if it's touching slimy salmon. She had a great time picking up all the fish "parts" and putting them in the bowl to dispose of (we can't keep them in a garbage by the house because of bears) into a trash bag in the dumpster down the street.

Supplies
Cardstock: Stampin up
Pattern paper: October Afternoon
Stamps: Paper Smooches
Ink: Tsukineko
Punch: EK Success

sleepover

2011-09-13T21:29:00.002-08:00

All I know is that a hide-a-bed is NOT a good place to sleep when you are pregnant... But Abby and I had fun doing our "sleepover" party in the living room one night!

I used a sketch from Sketchy Thursday and some October Afternoon papers. Supplies
Stamps: MFT typewriter alpha
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: AC, October afternoon
die cut: Spellbinders

another thanks

2011-09-11T04:00:00.000-08:00

This one used just scraps from my scrap pile before I went through it and recycled a bunch of paper. I don't keep many scraps -I never use them. Sometimes my daughter does, but I definitely "forget" they are there unless I use them right away.
Supplies
Cardstock: Stampin up
Pattern paper: My minds eye
Ink: Tsukineko
Stamp: Paper Smooches
Ribbon: stampin up
rhinestones: kaisercraft

beer drinking pigs

2011-09-10T04:00:00.001-08:00

Yes, I'm totally serious on the title of my page. We visited some BEER DRINKING PIGS in St. Croix. They are right next to a bar - you can pay to buy a can (or more) of beer for the pigs. The handler goes in and gives the entire can to the pig, who crushes the can in it's mouth and drinks the beer.

Sad thing - there were only 2 pigs when we visited. The third had died of a liver disease......

I used some new American Crafts Amy Tangerine papers that I picked up the last time I ordered from 2peas. The title is stamped with the paper smooches alphadot set (LOVE this alpha)
Abby was terrified of the pigs - they were HUGE!

Supplies
Cardstock: American crafts
Pattern paper: american crafts amy tangerine
Ink: Tsukineko
Stamps: Paper smooches
punch: EK success

black with two

2011-09-09T04:00:00.000-08:00

I found another (new to me) challenge blog. It's Black with two - each month they have a challenge to use dominant black cardstock with 2 other colors - this month the colors were yellow and blue.

I loved the blue colors in these photos from a hike we took in St. Croix. We hiked down to a beach, picked up sea glass, explored, read maps, etc, then hiked back up to the cars. The boys enjoyed the hike and so did Abby and I. I pulled out some Jillibean soup paper that matched (almost) the blue in the photos. Right next to the blue Jillibean soup was some new Jillibean that I had just received in the mail that was yellow - perfect!

Supplies
Cardstock: Stampin Up
Pattern paper: Jillibean soup
Stickers: American Crafts
Ink: Tsukineko

Thanks!

2011-09-08T04:00:00.000-08:00

I have been a HUGE slacker - any of my friends/family who have NOT received a thank you from a baby gift you sent... sorry! It's been an adjustment to have Ryan gone and have 2 girls (baby is finally on a sort-of schedule). I have had a little bit more time to craft and instead of always doing layouts, I did a few thank you cards recently (so you will receive a card soon!). I haven't even sent out the baby announcements that I have printed....

I used a little Jillibean soup - I had some out for a layout that I finished and used one small scrap from the layout and pulled out the 6x6 watermelon gazpacho pad to finish the layout (along with a journaling sprout). Love this Paper smooches sentiment also! Supplies
Stamps: Paper Smooches
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: Jillibean soup

online friends

2011-09-07T04:00:00.000-08:00

These online friends are not just online friends now. I met these girls on SCS - we figured out during a chat that they lived close to my hometown and set up a time to meet the next time I visited my parents. What FUN - we did a little craft shopping (always fun) the first time we met. The second time, we went swimming. The third time, Renee and I went to lunch and did a little shopping! I love how I can meet people through crafting

I used the prompt from Scrap Fit's WWU#13 to use paper strips. I got out a MME paper pad and got cutting -the strips along the side are all different sizes/lengths.
Supplies
Paper: MME Stella and Rose Gertie
Ink: Tsukineko
Accessories: BG letter stickers

TTT #8 blog hop!!!!!!!

2011-09-06T00:01:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the Triplicate Trials Tuesday blog hop!!!!! I found this challenge blog recently and have been having fun playing along! When they said that their fans could join along with the blog hop, I sent an email right away!

If you have arrived from Debbie's blog - you are on the right path!!!!

All the details!!!!!

WHERE: Triplicate Trials Tuesday Challenge Blog

WHAT: BLOG HOP!!!

WHO: Design Team Members and Triple T-ers (you know...Triplicate Trials Tuesday Fans)!

WHEN: September 6th - September 18th

PRIZES: Comment on all participating blogs AND create a project to win our GRAND PRIZE of TWO WILSON DESIGNS STAMP SETS of your choice! There will be ONE lucky grand prize winner. As an added bonus some of the Triple T Team will be offering blog candy on their blogs! Yaaay!

This is the challenge this time around - I LOVE that you get colors, a sketch and a theme EACH challenge!
Here is the line-up of blogs to hop around to - make sure you leave comments at all the blogs for your chance to WIN!

Tiffany Call owner of: http://www.bkfastattiffanys.blogspot.com/
Marie Otake owner of: http://www.ethansimprints.blogspot.com
Alberta Futch owner of: http://www.albertascloset.com/
Natasha owner of: http://www.craftingwithnatasha.blogspot.com
Caryn Kidwell owner of: http://www.thescorpiancrafter.blogspot.com/
Kate Blue owner of: http://www.kateblue.blogspot.com
Debby McGrath owner of: http://www.debblesdabbles.blogspot.com/
Lisa Foust owner of: http://www.islandhoppingfoustcrafts.blogspot.com (YOU ARE HERE)
Rochelle Washington owner of: http://www.twotearsinmybucket.blogspot.com/
Kelly Braund owner of: http://www.kellystamps.blogspot.com
Janice Coble owner of: http://www.twin2u2-scrapaddict.blogspot.com
Tenia Nelson owner of: http://jazzypaper.blogspot.com/

Here is my card using the challenge elements, as soon as I saw the theme/sketch, I KNEW I had the perfect stamp set for the card! I pulled out Unity's Eco Chic and dug through my paper stash and found some Basic Grey Life of the Party that was the perfect colors!
Now you'll want to hop along to Rochelle's blog! Thanks for visiting!

Supplies
Stamps: Unity Eco Chic
Paper: BG Life of the party
Ink: Tsukineko

Happy 5th birthday

2011-09-05T04:00:00.000-08:00

Mistake #1 - making the card while Abby was awake.
Mistake #2 - doing 5 candles

She LOVES this card and I'm pretty sure I'll have to make a new one for her birthday this year, I have a feeling this one will disappear off my desk soon.

I played along with the MFT Guest Designer contest this month - rip and roll. Rolled paper and ripped paper (or other material). I stamped this cutie and colored/paper pieced her. Then added the rolled "candles" after distressing all the papers. Supplies
Stamps: MFT Hello cupcake, a la mode birthday girl (sentiment)
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: MME Six by Six Blink of an eye
Accessories: MFT open scallop strip die, copics

modeling

2011-09-03T21:54:00.003-08:00

Abby has done some amateur modeling for my friend's etsy shop (J. Marie Designs - she has CUTE clothes!!!) and I got copies of the photos - I though Abby looked SO grown up in these photos - she LOVES this reversible dress!

I used the new Echo Park Happy days paper pack along with the stickers - I LOVE their collection packs (no thinking about if things match or not!). The layout uses a sketch from Sketchy Thursday and the new work-out from Scrap Fit - Salt and pepper Supplies
Paper: Echo park happy days
Ink: Tsukineko
Accessories: Happy days stickers

good bye

2011-09-01T21:23:00.002-08:00

I found a sketch on Sassy Lil' Sketches that worked well with the photos I took of the girls with their daddy before he left on a deployment. This deployment has been harder than most - he left when Lexi was 6 weeks old - she's going to be SO different when he gets back! Abby got to start school and daddy is going to miss her 5th birthday.

I used some new paper that I got from I heart papers - the Kaisercraft Miss Nelly paper - I love ordering from I heart papers - I always get my stuff QUICK! Kate is getting a ton of new stuff from CHA lately, so I'm SURE I'll be ordering again soon.
Supplies
Stamps: Paper smooches alphadot, MFT sentiment set
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: SU kraft, Kaisercraft Miss Nelly
Accessories: MFT closed bracket border,

mint - teacher gift

2011-08-31T04:00:00.001-08:00

Abby helped me make a gift for her teacher for her first day of Kindergarten - she was VERY excited (and a little nervous) to go Monday. She had a BLAST when she was there though and can't wait to keep going!

I used the Precocious paper Summer Twilight Sampler for this empty Crystal Light container. I LOVED the colors (even with the Andes mints) and thought they would work great on the container. I love Tessa's samplers because they come with ribbon, flowers, leaves - all in coordinating colors (so I don't have to think!). I found the idea for this online somewhere (I have no idea where I saw it now).

This month's Sparks challenge on Paper Smooches had the cutest inspiration piece - I LOVED the clustered flowers in the inspiration and used that when I was doing the teacher gift. I used the Paper Smooches Alphadot set - I LOVE this alpha set!!!!

Supplies
Stamps: Paper smooches alphadot
Ink: Tsukineko
Accessories: SU scallop circle punch, Precocious paper summer twilight sampler

Family of 4

2011-08-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

I finished up this layout last week, then my camera died. It was DEAD. I got a new back-up battery and that didn't fix it right away. I had to leave both batteries out overnight, put them back in and it started up again (I was VERY happy at that point).

I used ScrapFit's workout #50 - be inspired by a book. Loved the layout of the cover and used that at my inspiration. Supplies
Paper: BG sweet threads
Accessories: BG kioshi stickers

Abby's many faces

2011-08-29T22:28:00.002-08:00

It's been a long week... and it's only Monday night here. Abby started school this morning - she LOVES it. It was sad/happy at the same time this morning. She had NO problems with me leaving her at the school and was SO happy to be there! I was sad (only a little bit) because she looked SO little next to all the other kids. She actually had to test to get in because her birthday is mid-September and she missed the deadline for school - she passed and got to start with the other kids today!

The sketchy Thursday sketch had me stumped this week, until I found these pictures. They are from St. Croix - 2008 - I would ask Abby to show me a face and would tell her what face I wanted, she would pull all these faces anytime we asked!
Supplies
Stamps: MFT mini banner alpha, Paper smooches alphadot
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: AC cardstock, SU cardstock
Accessories: MFT jumbo scallop die, PTI ric rac die

Bubble fun

2011-08-26T04:00:00.001-08:00

Another fun triple challenge at Triplicate Trials Tuesday! I loved the color combo on this one - too cute! Found these bubble pictures from St. Croix and had to use them. Bubbles for Abby are FUN!
This is the first layout in a while that I haven't used pattern paper for. This is all cardstock. I stamped on the red to make it have a little "texture" and used a border punch to add a little to the page also. Dug out some crochet lace ribbon for the pictures also. Supplies
Stamps: Unity distressed dots, Paper smooches alphadots
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: SU cardstock
Accessories: May arts ribbon, Martha Stewart border punch

waiting for Santa

2011-08-24T22:19:00.002-08:00

I am late posting this for Sketchy Thursday. My camera DIED today. I'm SO sad! I have one more try tomorrow to get (another) new battery and hope that fixes it. If not... I might be getting a new camera body as an early Christmas present!

Pictures are from last Christmas - the Fire department drives Santa around housing to toss out candy. The kids love it (Abby hated the noise)

I'm entering this into ScrapFit's Weekend warm up also - to use scallops - I love scallops (and stripes and dots!)Supplies
Paper: AC cardstock, MME Lime twist life of the party
Accessories; SU/MS border punches

The love of a sister

2011-08-22T04:00:00.000-08:00

I'll admit it, I'm slightly jealous that my girls are sisters. I grew up with brothers - I never got the chance to have a sister who would play with me, tell secrets to, play with my hair, help me get ready for dances, etc.. I'm glad that my girls will have that chance (hopefully when Abby is 16 and her sister is 12 - they will still like each other!!!)

Abby is constantly wanting to hold Lexi. I think it's adorable when she looks at her and kisses her (then she gets bored holding her)Supplies
Paper: SU cardstock, EP be mine dp
Accessories: EP be mine stickers, MS embossed scallop edge punch

They both fit

2011-08-21T04:00:00.000-08:00

Since Lexi was born, Abby keeps trying out everything that I get our for Lexi. Everything. Including the Bumbo seat that Abby hasn't sat in since she was 1 or so. Is it sad that my 4 (almost 5) year old can FIT in the bumbo seat? The girl is little! I got a picture of Lexi in the seat also - the difference is amazing - Abby looks SO big now

I used a sketch from Sassy lil' sketches for my page - it was a fun sketch and worked great with the pictures I had. Supplies
Paper: AC cardstock, BG kioshi
Ink: Tsukineko
Accessories: bakers twine, su scallop circle punch

Back to school!!!!!!

2011-08-20T04:00:00.000-08:00

We have a back to school challenge this week on Scrap and Stamp. I pulled out some photos from Abby's preschool class - this was her first year at preschool (I still haven't printed last years photos...)

I found a CUTE sketch on the October Afternoon blog and pulled out some Modern Homemaker paper that matched pretty well with my photos and got to work. I used some Unity stamps on my page too - this was a FUN 2 pager that I finished.

Supplies
Stamps: Unity learning year by year, following my heart, picture perfect
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: SU cardstock, OA Modern homemaker
Accessories: MFT jumbo ric-rac die, nesties

Big helper!!!!

2011-08-15T04:00:00.000-08:00

Abby loves being a helper to her dad when he's here. She asked him one day if she could help mow the lawn and wants to help out each time he's out there now. Lexi was 2 weeks old and Ryan knew I needed a little time without Abby all over her sister, so he took her out to help with the lawn - I HAD to get pictures of it! I still laugh at her outfit that day - her dress and x-tra tuff boots along with the ear protection.
I told him that when he's gone, I'm going to send her out herself....
Supplies
Paper: SU cardstock, Echo park country drive
Ink: Tsukineko
Accessories; Echo park country drive stickers

Triplicate Trials Tuesday #6

2011-08-14T04:00:00.000-08:00

I found a new challenge blog - through someone who played along with Scrap and Stamp - she had linked up to the Triplicate Trials Tuesday blog - looked like fun to me, so I joined in on their challenge #6. They give you a sketch, color combo and theme to work with each weekI printed some new pictures of Abby and Lexi - Abby still can't get enough of her little sister. Lexi doesn't seem to mind (other than when there is hair in her face) too much getting all the attention!

I finally used my Sew Easy on this layout - it was SO easy to use! I'm definitely going to be using it more (I don't normally sew on my layouts).
Supplies
Stamps: Unity July KOTM (pocket full of...)
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: SU, AC cardstock, Echo park for the record
Accessories; nesties, sew easy, bakers twine

Once there was a snowman

2011-08-13T04:00:00.000-08:00

I just ordered some new paper... I justified it because I HAVE been using a lot of my paper.... Um, sure. I "needed" it.

I have a ton of snowman pictures from Alaska - Abby loves to make them! This one even had a nose, eyes and arms! Normally they are just snow. I used the sketchy Thursday sketch for August 10 - along with some CUTE MME paper (lime twist life of the party)

Supplies
Stamps: MFT mini banner die alpha, Paper smooches alphadot
Ink: tsukineko
Paper: SU kraft, MME lime twist life of the party
Accessories: Martha Stewart edge punch, nestabilities

cute as a bug

2011-08-12T04:00:00.000-08:00

I had a little time to color the other morning. Lexi woke up around 7 to eat, then went right back to sleep, SO instead of going back to sleep myself - I got a workout in and then got to color before both girls woke up for the day.

I used the WSC sketch this week and colored up the MFT Ladybug PI. The PI paired with some Dots and Stripes Metropolitan from Echo park turned into a pretty cute card (I like it anyways)Supplies
Stamp: Ladybug (MFT)
Ink: Tsukineko, Copics
Paper: Dots and stripes metropolitan (echo park)
Accessories: PTI button, crochet flower (thanks mom!!), MFT open bracket border

waiting

2011-08-11T04:00:00.000-08:00

This has to be one of my favorite layouts I have finished recently. I LOVE the pattern papers today - I don't normally use this many patters on one layout, but love how it turned out. I even combined 2 lines from MME for the layout - Lime twist life of the party and happy go lucky.

I used the sketch on the MME blog #26 along with the prompt from Scrapfit weekend warm up #11 - use flowers.

I saw this flower on the MME blog a while ago - LOVED how she used the twine to crochet flowers for her layout - so when my mom came up to visit, I put her to work crocheting for me (much easier then learning to do it myself)Supplies
Paper: MME Lime Twist Life of the party, Happy go lucky
Accessories: Happy go lucky twine, unknown brad, AC thickers, EK success binding edge punch

family

2011-08-09T16:27:00.001-08:00

I found some photos from a dinner we went to in December 2008, we were all in short sleeves and shorts that night. That is the only thing I miss about St. Croix - don't have to pack a ton of clothes (although I was covered in mosquito bites from that night). All the restaurants are outdoors or have outdoor seating and this one decorated at Christmas.

The sketch is a sketchy Thursday sketch and I used some Echo Park paper for my layout. Supplies
Paper: SU grey, EP walk in the park
Accessories: EP walk in the park stickers

all the cupcakes

2011-08-08T04:00:00.000-08:00

This cupcake looks yummy to me! I made this card the night of my birthday (Friday) - both girls went to bed early and I got to play in my craft area while they slept - it was a great present to me from them!

I used the Jolinne sprinkles on top from MFT - she's colored with copics and the cupcake has glitter on it (it wouldn't photograph well)Supplies
Stamps: Jolinne sprinkles on top
Ink: Tsukineko, copics
Paper: BG out of print
Accessories: stickles

one layer - paper smooches

2011-08-07T04:00:00.000-08:00

I had a little fun making a one-layer card last night using some NEW paper smooches that arrived the day before my birthday. I had a relaxed birthday - the girls and I hung out at the house all day - dd1 was sick, so we couldn't leave. I got an email from my husband and heard from a lot of my family/friends.

I LOVE the rabbit from the A little lovin set from Paper smooches - it's TOO cute! DD loved it too and I had to stamp it for her to color on her paper. She loves using my copic spica glitter pens - she uses them more than me! Supplies
Paper: Neenah cardstock
Ink: Tsukineko, copics
Stamps: A little lovin - paper smooches

friendship

2011-08-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

This week at Scrap and Stamp we have a Friendship challenge - scrap some friends - not too hard! Make sure you use a stamp and link it up for your chance to win a Jillibean soup clear stamp!

My layout is also being entered in the Dare To get Dirty challenges at Splitcoast - don't know about them - read about them here. Aren't a fan club member? Why not, join up and play along! If you are a fan club member - join in on the challenge here Supplies
Stamps: Unity July 2011 KOTM .... better together
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: SU Kraft, Bo bunny petal pushers
Accessories: SU black dotted scalloped ribbon

Abby

2011-08-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

Abby didn't like that I did a scrapbook page of "only Lexi" the other day and wanted me to scrap her "modeling" pictures, so I pulled one out tonight and had some fun. I need to remind Abby that she has almost 4 years of "just her" and I have scrapped one page of Lexi so far....

I worked-out along with the Scrap Fit workout #49 - put a banner on it and used some Echo Park Country Drive paper (it was the only paper I could find that matched her dress, sort of)Supplies
Stamps: Unity July 2011 KOTM .... better together, MFT mini banner alpha
Ink: tsukineko
Paper: AC cardstock, EP Country Drive
Accessories: MFT mini banner day die, SU top note die, EK success border punch, SU twill

Paper smooches sparks!

2011-08-02T22:18:00.002-08:00

It is my birthday week (yes, I celebrate the whole week) this week and I ordered myself a few presents last week so they would be here in time for my birthday. I ordered some new Paper smooches stamps, then realized that the last ones I ordered had not seen ink.. I remedied that and played along with the paper smooches sparks challenge on their blog. For the first card, I used a sketch and a color combo - It's not my favorite, but it turned out pretty cute (how can it not with that CUTE cow?)
The second one I just used a sketch and Paper smooches stamps.
Supplies
Stamps: Paper Smooches chubby chums
Ink: tsukineko
Paper: (first) SU cardstock, Echo park dots and stripes (second) MME Stella Rose Gertie

princess shirts

2011-08-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

I have a hard time finding matching shirts for the girls - it would have been easier if we had them closer together - but finding a 5T and a newborn size that match is difficult! Abby LOVES matching with her sister and keeps asking for matching clothes. The MFT guest designer contest this month is to Embellish yourself - make something you can wear or accessorize with. SO - I pulled out my MFT stamps and got busy.

Abby helped me pick out which stamp she wanted on the shirt - she picked the princess - because she is a princess... along with her little sister. I stamped the princess on the shirt and the onesie, heat set them with my heat gun and colored them both with copics so they match. Abby "needed" bows to go along with her new shirt, so I pulled out some felt and the MFT perfect petals trio and got to work. I layered the felt flowers and added a button on the top before adding them to the clips.

Supplies
Stamps: MFT Princess PI
Ink: Palette
Accessories: T-shirt, onesie, heat gun, copics, MFT felt, MFT perfect petals trio, buttons

Why I've been mia a little bit...

2011-07-31T04:00:00.000-08:00

I haven't been able to post daily anymore - I was doing great for a while. I had all intentions of having a TON of stuff pre-posted on my blog (scheduled) for after the baby was born, but she came 2 weeks early. My husband just left for a long time, so we've been busy spending time with him and adjusting to having 4 family members instead of 3.

Lexi is almost 7 weeks now. She's SO mellow! Her sister is in love and wants to hold her/touch her/kiss her all day long. I'm getting sleep at night now! She has cut into my crafting time because she's a cuddler! My first was NOT a cuddler, so having Lexi want to cuddle all the time is kind of nice!

The sketch is from a dt sketch on the Paper Trail Makers blog - loved the sketch and rotated it to work with my photo (photo taken by my friend at SimplyB photos - they all turned out BEAUTIFUL)Supplies
Paper: AC cardstock, Echo Park dots and stripes Candy Shoppe
Accessories: EP dots and stripes candy shoppe stickers

Photo inspiration challenge

2011-07-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

We have a new challenge for you at Scrap and stamp this week - to use the following picture as inspiration for your layout (and make sure you use at least one stamp)I LOVED the soft pastel colors in the picture and used that as my page inspiration. I used the sketch from Sketchy Thursday and some photos from a princess/fairy photo shoot at SimplyB photos. The paper is some Cosmo Cricket Earth Love that I had in my stash - I have been starting to use up some of my stash!
Supplies
Stamps: Unity November 09 KOTM - Simply magical
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: SU cardstock, Cosmo cricket earth love
Accessories: sewing pattern petals - precocious paper (etsy) - This one was from a sampler

Coloring Eggs - Jillibean sketch

2011-07-29T04:00:00.000-08:00

I had a few minutes today during nap time (for the little one)/quiet time to put together a layout. Jillibean soup put up a new sketch challenge on their blog - it's a monthly sketch challenge, but if I don't do it when I first see it... then I usually forget and don't finish it!

I used papers from the Pasta Fagioli line - I ordered these a while ago and haven't used them all yet (I need to order more 12x12 Jillibean soon - I hardly have any left) and thought they would work well with the egg coloring photos I have from St. Croix. I also used some Jillibean journaling sprouts from my stash and some alphabean cardstock stickers that I bought a while ago.
Supplies
Paper: AC cardstock, Jillibean soup pasta fagioli
Ink: Tsukineko
Accessories: Jillibean journaling sprouts, alphabean cardstock stickers, MFT jumbo scallop die, MFT perfect petals trio die

happy birthday - cuppie style

2011-07-28T04:00:00.000-08:00

I bought this image set a long time ago and I think it's seen ink once before... I played along with a Taylored Expressions sketch 2 weeks ago with a new stamp I had won, so decided to play along this time around. Cuppie is from the Sweet Celebrations Stamp set from Taylored Expressions - this sketch is challenge #143 on their blog. I used some MME paper - Life of the party (Lime twist collections)Supplies
Stamps: Sweet Celebrations
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: MME Lime Twist Life of the Party
Accessories: Copics, MFT jumbo ric rac die

you make me smile

2011-07-27T04:00:00.000-08:00

Loving all the sketches each week from My Favorite things. I colored this new Pure Innocent girl - Make a splash with my copics and paired her with some Echo Park Summer days (I love their 6x6 paper pads now - perfect for cards)
supplies
Stamps: MFT Make a splash
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: Echo Park Summer days
Accessories: summer days stickers, copics, MFT ric rac die

ribbit

2011-07-25T20:03:00.002-08:00

It's been a bit busy at my house. Getting dh ready to leave for a while and the baby gets really fussy during my normal crafting time... In fact, tonight is the first time I've uploaded pictures from my cameras (point and shoot and nice camera) - I had over 300 pictures just from the past 2 weeks. Updating both blogs while the girls are enjoying some quality sister time tonight

Had some fun with the sketchy Thursday sketch and some basic grey paper. I also did this for a challenge on the paper Trail makers blog - Re-run #2 - to have 4-6 photos on a single page layoutSupplies
Stamps: Unity frame this alpha
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: AC cardstock, BG pyrus

HB2U

2011-07-19T04:00:00.000-08:00

I really had fun with the sketch this week on SCS - WSC#28. I used a new to me stamp You are Unrepeatable - such a CUTE image (love that ipod!).

Busy week here! Getting dh ready for a long trip. Sightseeing dinner cruise with dh and the baby (Abby loves having a babysitter), shipping fish to family, church activity, etc.. Hope I have some time to craft! Supplies
Stamps: MFT ALM You are unrepeatable
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: Basic Grey Out of Print
Accessories: Copics, copic spica glitter pen

Gramps

2011-07-18T04:00:00.000-08:00

I am very lucky to still have 3 of my 4 grandparents alive. I actually KNEW my great-grandparents on my mom's side - my great-grandpa came to my wedding reception before he passed on. I'm really glad that my daughter can meet my grandparents and remember who they are also! Every time we visit my family in Oregon, we take the chance to get a picture with Grandpa - I have TONS of them! I want to remember him and I want Abby to remember him too! Hopefully we can get there soon with Lexi and get some pictures with grandpa again!

I used a sketch from Sketchy Thursday and some Echo Park For the Record paper for my layout
Supplies
Paper: Echo park for the record
Accessories: SU scallop edge punch, Echo park for the record stickers

MME #25

2011-07-17T15:45:00.002-08:00

I am loving the new lines by My Minds Eye - so joined in their layout challenge again this month. I used some photos from St. Croix -in December 08, we went to lunch at one of the best restaurants on island - it was GOOD! I'm pretty sure we were there after dh took a test and got his results back from that (he did good, so we celebrated)

I used the MME Life of the Party line for my layoutSupplies
Paper: MME Life of the party
Accessories: AC thickers, SU top note die

ScrapFit #48

2011-07-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

"A little birdie told me" is today's workout on Scrap Fit. The challenge is to create a layout using birds (stamped, cut out, drawn) along with using a Wise Saying as your title.

I chose to use "snug as a bug" for the title - these photos were pretty funny to me - Abby was staying in our room in St. Croix while my parents were in her room - we went in and found her in different positions every time we went in. She didn't seem to care if her head was off the mattress or if her legs were on the tile floor - she slept through it all! I'm grateful for a kid that can sleep through pretty much anything!
Supplies
Stamps: Spring Unity
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: AC cardstock, Echo Park Playground
Accessories: SU scallop edge punch, EP playground stickers

Moka Taylor

2011-07-13T04:00:00.000-08:00

I won this adorable stamp set from the last release from Taylored Expressions - she is too cute not to use, so I joined in on the Taylored Expressions sketch #142 this week on their blog/SCS.

I colored Moka Taylor with copics and paper pieced her dress using the same paper that I used for the banner. The banner is cut out using the Banner Day die from MFT - much easier than cutting them myself! Supplies
Stamps: Moka Taylor
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: Gina K pure luxury, jillibean soup blossom soup
Accessories: copics

happy

2011-07-12T04:00:00.000-08:00

Surprise - I got new paper... Ok, it's not that big of a surprise, but I really like the Echo Park collection packs that are coming out all the time - this is a layout using Country Drive - it's happy and pretty!

I used a sketch from Page Maps and also used the Weekend Warm up prompt from Scrap Fit for this page - to use paper embellishments. I cut out the trees and the birds on the page from one of the Country Drive papers in the packSupplies
Paper: AC cardstock, EP country drive
Ink: Tsukineko
Accessories: EP stickers

Pool time

2011-07-11T04:00:00.000-08:00

We have 40 degree raining/foggy temps here in Alaska -we had one really nice (in the 50's temp wise) day last week when my parents were here - SO I pulled out the photos I have from St. Croix. These photos were taken in January 2009 - we went to the pool almost daily down there. We had to get away from the heat some how because there is no air conditioning in the houses there. I used the sketch from Sketchy Thursday for the first page on this 2 pager - instead of the banners, I used some of the fish stickers that came with the Echo Park Splash paper pack that I have.

Supplies
Paper: AC cardstock, EP splash
Ink: tsukineko
Accessories: EP splash stickers

Shape up

2011-07-10T14:59:00.002-08:00

I AM going back to the gym this week. Not sure which day, but I will be there! Lexi is 4 weeks old now and I'm cleared to work-out again!!! I just won't tell the dr how much I've been out on my bicycle since she was born...... I'm feeling GREAT though! Have a couple pounds left to lose (that's what I get for gaining 45 lbs) and they will be gone soon (I hope). I want to get back in shape so I can run a 5K at the beginning of August.

I had some time to play along with the WSC sketch this week - my mom was in town holding the baby, so I could play (a little) at my craft table. I pulled out Who's that Girl Lets get physical. I am pretty sure this is the second time she's been inked - she was missing getting her work out!

Supplies
Stamp: Lets get physical WTG
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: Echo Park dots and stripes
Accessories: copics

our Hero

2011-07-09T10:05:00.002-08:00

This week on Scrap and Stamp, we have a sketch for you from Vicky - I love her sketches because she has a LOT of photos on them! I always have a ton of photos for each "event", so need to put more than one on a page! I just used the right side of the sketch for my layout - I had family in town all week and didn't get over to my scrap table much - it was fun having them here, but I missed crafting!
Supplies
Stamps: Unity in America
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: AC cardstock, Echo park country drive
Accessories: SU scallop edge punch

Every day

2011-07-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

Finished up this double page layout for the Sketchy Thursday sketch this past week - I LOVED these pictures from St. Croix. My husband was the scoutmaster, so he did a scout camp-out.. Abby and I went the second day and took a bunch of pictures, I got some great ones of her while we were there.

I used the Lucky Girls June 2011 Hullaballoo kit for my double page layout - love all the papers in this kit and how well they all coordinate.

Supplies
Lucky Girls Crafts June 2011 Hullabaloo kit
AC cardstock
Cosmo Cricket gluber
yellow crochet flower

MFT guest designer contest

2011-07-05T04:00:00.001-08:00

I joined in this month for the Guest Designer contest on SCS - My mom is here holding the baby, so I took an hour or so and put the card together (got it uploaded about 25 minutes before it was due). The challenge this month was to add texture to your creation - I used the swiss dots cuttlebug folder on the brown and my mom crocheted a flower out of bakers twine (lime twist - it matched the paper).

I have been riding my bike a TON since we bought it last year - so I HAD to get this image when it was released - MFT WTG Enjoy the Ride - I hardly have any of the Who's that Girl, so this one is a fun one for me! Supplies
Stamps: MFT WTG Enjoy the ride
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: MME Lime Twist Life of the Party
Accessories: MME lime twist bakers twine, AC Pearl brad, swiss dots cuttlebug folder

with sympathy

2011-07-03T04:00:00.000-08:00

I put this simple card together earlier this week. Needed a sympathy card - had to dig through my stamps to find one that would work - I found this one from PTI - Fillable frames #2 (I have the die too - easy to use)Supplies
Stamps: PTI fillable frames #2
Ink: Tsukineko
Paper: Lilybee designs picket fence
Accessories: MFT little open scallop strip die, PTI fillable frames #2 die

SummerTime

2011-07-01T00:01:00.001-08:00

I'm SO excited to post today - I'm this month's GuestFit girl at Scrap Fit! I found the Scrap Fit challenge blog a few months ago and have enjoyed playing along when I can - their work-outs are fun and always a challenge.

Workout # 47 is SummerTime (there are 2 work-outs a month). We all love summer time - but time does fly by when it's sunny out. The challenge is to create a layout with a fair amount of Yellow (to represent summer) and a clock (to represent Time).

This layout is from St Croix - Abby helped her dad wash the car- we had to do it fairly early in the mornings before it got too hot out (which explains her pajamas). It was summer year round down there so I have tons of "summer" photos (I did separate them by months so I know when things were now)

Supplies
Paper: AC cardstock, Echo Park summer days
Accessories: American Craft Thickers