Belated Birthday Wishes

When I woke up yesterday morning and checked my email, I noticed the date.

April 29th.

My older brother's birthday.

And then I realized that I hadn't made or sent him a card. :(

I got called into work for the day, but in the evening, after taekwondo,  I sat down to make him a card, using the sketch challenge at Scrapping Everyday Miracles & the April Creative Weekly Challenge at the Crate Paper blog, where the challenge was to create a project using a Colour Collage: One Color in varying tints & shades.

Here's my card. I dug through my Crate Paper patterned paper scraps and found several shades of orange to work with.

I stamped a belated birthday sentiment from PTI's Stylish Sentiments: Birthday. The twist at Scrapping Everyday Miracles was to add washi tape: I covered a piece of cardstock with the orange and clear striped washi tape (MME) and diecut it with the Get A Handle on It banner die from PTI. The brads I added were MME (large chevron) and Teresa Collins (solid.)

Thanks for looking!

Everyday...

Today, I have a layout that I want to share. I created it for two different challenges.

The first is a sketch challenge at Scrapping Everyday Miracles where the challenge was to use the following Pages Maps sketch and the twist was to include washi tape on your project.

The second challenge is for the April Creative Weekly Challenge at the Crate Paper blog, where the challenge was to create a project using a Colour Collage: One Color in varying tints & shades.

Here's my layout. I had fun digging through my Crate Paper patterned paper and scraps looking for different shades of yellow to use.

I also used some Crate Paper diecuts from the new DIY collection. The washi tape I used runs across the centre of the layout (it's WRMK.) I made the tag using a Papertrey Ink die (tag sale #7) and added an Echo Park brad. I cut the title on my Silhouette. The enamel dots are MME. Behind those, I stamped the confetti image from PTI's Birthday Style stamp set.

I also used my Papertrey Ink Fabulous Frames, double-ended banner and get a handle on it dies. I stamped the word together from my PTI Wonderful Words Additions stamp set.

I had fun scrapbooking these photos that were taken at my nephew's wedding last year. I love how Austin and I can joke around and laugh together!

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

1. The weather has been gorgeous lately! Seriously, this is the nicest, longest fall we've ever enjoyed. Taking advantage of this nice weather, we've been going for walks lately. Here are some pictures that I took two weeks ago, around the lake near our house...


(Austin took this one of me.)







I often travel at the back of the pack, so I take quite a few shots from behind...



LOVE this one...

.... and this one!

This one is great, too! There's just something about fall lighting...

And last weekend, we went for a walk in the Pembina Valley with friends from church. We had such a great time! And, my friend, Mary, took this nice family photo of the five of us...




2. My name was on the list of winners for the Pink Paislee WCMD challenges that I participated in last weekend! Super excited to get some Pink Paislee goodies in the mail!


3. Sage got some birthday money from my mom and decided that she wanted to use it to get her ears pierced. I was all for it. This was actually the subject of one of my very first conversations with Sage-- she was a couple of hours old and I was holding her in the hospital. It was just the two of us & I remember saying how we would go for pedicures together and that I would take her to get her ears pierced. (Can you tell that I was excited to have a girl after my two boys?) And now, seven short years later, she was ready.

I took her to a salon in town and she got to pick out her studs (the sleepers weren't pretty enough!) Here's the before shot (doesn't she look excited?)


She did great! I think it hurt a little more than she was anticipating, but she was such a trooper. And the end result:


Her little ear lobes are so close to her head, you actually can't see them when you look at her straight on.

But, yeah, she's thrilled.


4. I wanted to share the layout that I made for a challenge at Scrapping Everyday Miracles. (This is, by the way, the last challenge I will be participating in as a part of their design team as I decided not to continue on for another term.) Jeannine provided me with the hardest challenge yet-- creating a layout that celebrates the miracle of grandparents. This challenge was hard for me, because I didn't have a great relationship with my grandma. I found it hard to journal about the "miracle" of a relationship with her. So, instead, I decided to focus on God and how wonderful He is and how He can break destructive family cycles and bring life.

Here's my layout:


I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic white, aqua mist, simply chartreuse) & die (limitless layers), The Girls's Paperie patterned paper and Fancy Pants (pink) and October Afternoon (green) letter stickers. The fabric brad is Basic Grey.

Here's a close up of the journaling:


And another close up:



5. And lastly (are you still reading? Sorry for the long post!), a card I made this week:


For this card, I used PTI cardstock (fine linen, ocean tides), stamps (Think Big Favourites #4) and dies (Fillable Frames #10, Mat Stack #1, Bloom Builders #3). I also used Cosmo Cricket patterned paper.

Thanks for looking!

Welcome to...

... the Scrapping Everyday Miracles September Blog Hop!

Scrapping Everyday Miracles is having a blog hop this weekend and has included 2 Cute Stamps to join in the fun. The Design Team Members from SEM have all created a project (or two) based on our theme friendship and you can "hop" from blog to blog to check them out!

All you have to do is visit each of the DTs blogs for inspiration, become a follower and leave a comment. There are RAKS to win along the way and if you leave a comment at each blog you could win one of two grand prizes from our sponsors.

Here's the DT blog line up:

Scrapping Everyday Miracles
Wendy
Jeannine
Lisa
Leigh (me!)
Roulien
Nicole

Here is the card that I made with a digital stamp from 2 Cute Stamps:


For this card, I used some My Mind's Eye patterned paper, Papertrey Ink cardstock (dark chocolate), stamp (Happy Trails (sentiment)) and die (Mat Stack #5). I did a little paper piecing and I used my SU! watercolour pencils to colour in the image.

So, your next stop on the hop is Roulien...

Thanks for stopping by!

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

It's time for another challenge on the Scrapping Everyday Miracles blog. This week's challenge is from Wendy and she challenges us to firstly, consider ourselves a miracle - perfectly crafted by the Creator, and to create a layout celebrating yourself.

The Scrap Twist: You must use a picture of yourself (it can be the whole you or just a part) and make sure to include some handwritten journaling to celebrate that gift also!

In her challenge, Wendy quoted the verse from Psalm 139:14: "I am fearfully and wonderfully made," so I took that as my starting place for my journaling, which reads: "The Bible says that "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Why then, do I struggle so much against my flaws? Is it best to accept them as "how I was made"? Or, should I treat them as opportunities for growth? I'm thinking the latter..."

And here's my layout:


I used Papertrey Ink cardstock, stamps (Button Boutique) and dies (Button Boutique, Bloom Builders #3), and My Mind's Eye patterned paper and decorative brads.

Thanks for looking!

Homebodies

I love being at home.

As much as I enjoy going out and visiting friends, I also love spending time at home.

And thankfully, my kids are the same way.

I made this layout for an inspiration challenge that Jeannine posted on Scrapping Everyday Miracles:


I used Bazzill cardstock & Pink Paislee patterned paper & die cuts. I also used a Papertrey stamp (Half & Half), die (limitless layers), buttons and twine.





How about you? Are you a homebody?

Thanks for looking!

Wisdom from my Lululemon lunch bag

There's a quote on my Lululemon lunch bag that says: "Breathe deeply and appreciate the moment. Living in the moment could be the meaning of life."

I know for myself, this is definitely something that I struggle with. My mind is often on projects, to do lists, etc. and not always focused on the moment.

So for my challenge on the Scrapping Everyday Miracles blog, I chose to focus on living in the moment. My challenge is to create a layout that focuses on the miracle of the moment.

The scrap twist is one of my latest faves: Stamp on your layout. ;)

Here's the layout I made for the challenge:


I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (kraft), stamps (Gratitude Journal) & dies (Journal Tabs, Two Triangles). I also used Lily Bee patterned paper & Just Cre8 stamps (clocks).

And I placed my journaling behind one of the photos:


Thanks for looking!

Capturing Everyday Miracles

I find that capturing everyday miracles is sometimes a case of being in the right place, at the right time, with your camera at the ready.

Case in point:


I happened to capture this miracle last summer in Minneapolis at the Mall of America on our family vacation. We were taking a break from Nickelodeon Universe and went to explore Legoland. I must have been trailing behind for some reason (maybe I got distracted by something shiny! ;) ) Anyway, when I got to where the kids were, I immediately noticed that my boys were holding hands-- not a common occurence to say the least. But, in being in such a large place, I'm sure they felt safer this way. But whatever the reason, I knew I had to capture this moment on film.

I love how the everyday miracles with which God blesses us include our relationships!

Here's the layout I made with this precious photo:


I used Bazzill (cream) and Papertrey Ink cardstock (hawaiian shores), American Crafts, Cosmo Cricket & The Girls' Paperie patterned paper, a Basic Grey fabric brad, Papertrey Ink stamps (Wonderful Words, Half & Half) and die (Half & Half) and my Quickutz Alphabet dies (reuse).

Other times for me, it's just a matter of taking a photo to remember a moment.

Here's another example:

We were having a wiener roast the other night. I was sitting behind my youngest son while he was roasting a marshmallow. All of a sudden, I heard him singing softly: "Take my life and let it be, all for You and for Your glory. Take my life and let it be Yours.” It was a chorus from a praise song we’d sung that morning in church. It made me so happy to hear this and I knew I wanted to remember it always, so I took this photo:



Yes, it's from behind and you can't see his face. But I felt moving around in front of him would have ruined the moment. Besides, this is the true memory for me.

Here's how I scrapbooked it:


I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (enchanted evening, kraft, stamper's select white), and Half & Half die. I also used Crate Paper patterned paper and a download for the title from a Big Picture Class.

Thanks for looking!

Three bookmarks

I wanted to share three projects that I made recenlty with product from the Eyelet Outlet, one of our sponsors this month at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.

I decided to us the Half & Half dies from Papertrey Ink to make some bookmarks for my kids.

Here's Austin's:


I used PTI cardstock (stamper's select white), dies (Half & Half, Limitless Layers) & stamps (Wonderful Words, Turning a New Leaf & Tag it's #2). The patterned paper is Basic Grey, the little Owl is Hero Arts & the glasses brad is from Eyelet Outlet.

This next one is for Sage:


I used PTI cardstock (stamper's select white, hibiscus burts), dies (Half & Half) & stamps (Signature Series: Cupcake). The princess is a stamp that Sage got at Michael's & the glasses brad is from Eyelet Outlet.

And this last one is for Jonah:

I used PTI cardstock (stamper's select white), dies (Half & Half) & stamps (Signature Series: Dress Form & Tag it's #4). The patterned paper is American Crafts & the animal brads are from Eyelet Outlet.

Thanks for looking!

Scrapping Everyday Miracles Challenge #6

I wanted to share my layout that I made for Scrapping Everyday Miracles Challenge #6: Create a page focusing on the blessing of a friendship that has gone the distance.

Scrap Twist: use a layered title and add something thick and something thin on the layout.

Here's my layout, that I made using a photo of my very good friends, Susan, & me at the beach. I also used this week's Make it Monday at Papertrey Ink: Customizing ribbon.


I used The Girl's Paperie patterned paper, PTI stamps (Half & Half, Delightful Doilies, Wonderful Words and Turning a New Leaf), PTI dies (Beautiful Blooms II #1, Half & Half, Wonderful Words and Turning a New Leaf) and Eyelet Outlet brads (one of our August sponsors at SEM).

Here are a few detail shots:





Thanks for looking!

10 projects in 10 days-- Day 8

My project today is a layout that I made for this week's challenge at Scrapping Everyday Miracles, which was to scrap about something that made you laugh.

I decided to scrapbook some funny group photos that I took with extended family when they were all out for a visit at the end of June.

To make my layout, I used a sketch from the Elle's Studio blog:



I used Lily Bee patterned paper and letter stickers, Scenic Route chipboard letters, Papertrey Ink stamps (Delightful Doilies & Postmarks) and my Postmarks die.

Thanks for looking!

Scrapping Everyday Miracles Challenge #4

I wanted to share with you the layout I made for Challenge #4 at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.
Lisa challenged us to created a layout about a song that has touched you recently. The scrap twist was to include some fabric on your layout.

There are two sponsors for this week's challenge:

Paper Loves Glue Shoppe, who sent me some beautiful seam binding to use.

And Free Pretty Things sent us free digital images to print out and use on our layouts.

Here's the layout I made for the challenge:


I chose the song Everything by Tim Hughes. It's fabulous. I wrote out the words in my notebook and took a picture of it. I used My Mind's Eye patterned paper & brads, October Afternoon letter stickers & Papertrey Ink cardstock, stamp (from Happy Trails) & dies (Mat Stack #1 & #5, Beautiful Blooms II). For the fabric, I made die cut one of the flowers with a scrap of quilting fabric.

I made two other layouts using the seam binding and digital images:


On this one, I used Fancy Pants patterned paper, Bo Bunny chipboard letters, Papertrey Ink stamps (from Beautiful Blessings) and My Mind's Eye twine and lock.


I couldn't believe how perfectly this digital image matched my photo! I also used My Mind's Eye patterned paper & embellishment, Lily Bee patterned paper (blue floral) and October Afternoon (orange) and Webster's Pages (blue) letter stickers.

Thanks for looking!

Capturing Everyday Miracles

I just posted my first Capturing Everyday Miracles post at Scrapping Everyday Miracles and wanted to share the the layout I made here, too.

I also used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Pockets wtih Edger Dies.


I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (kraft and stamper's select white), Mat Stack #5 & Tag Sale #3 die and twine. I also used my Quickutz Classic alphabet dies & My Mind's Eye patterned paper.

I don't think I often get symbolic or artsy with my layouts, but for some reason, I did with this one.... and it was fun! I layered some kraft letters over the kraft cardstock, because I think that sometimes little reminders of God's love are hard to see (or easy to miss) if we're not looking for them. I stitched the patterned paper squares like a quilt because I think that our faith is made up of smaller elements like this, collected together.

Here are a few close-up shots:


And one with the tag pulled out of the pocket:


Thanks for looking!

Thankful for each new day

I wanted to share the layout I made for Challenge #3 at Scrapping Everyday Miracles. We were challenged to create a layout featuring one of the everyday miracles we received everyday: a new day. The scrap twist: include sewing on your page.

I was so fortunate to be able to include some stickers from SRM stickers, one of our sponsors for July.


This layout is going in my thankful album. I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (kraft), button and a Beautiful Blessings stamp. I also used American Crafts thickers, Crate Paper patterned paper and of course, a SRM sticker.

Thanks for looking!

A few things to share today....

#1. I have an Inspiration Post on the Scrapping Everyday Miracles blog today. I posted an inspiration post and a layout to go with it.

#2. I also posted a layout on the MSS blog this afternoon for the June Featured Product Challenge.

#3. I had a bit of time this afternoon to attempt the Papertrey Ink Make It-Monday #21: Polaroid Two Step Masking. Here's the card that I made:


I used PTI Kraft cardstock, Fresh Snow ink, Daydreamer stamp set and Happy Trails stamp set (for the sentiment). The patterned paper is Cosmo Cricket.

Thanks for looking!