Another Mood Board Challenge

 The Design Team was given another mood board challenge...

The first thing that caught my eye was the water and I was reminded of the cruise that we took to Cozumel back in 2008.  Since I have yet to finish that album, I was inspired to go back and work on a few more pages. 

I completed this 2 page LO from our visit to the Celarain Lighthouse in Punta Sur.  We climbed the 127 stairs to the top and took a few pictures of the views...they were absolutely breathtaking and the water was gorgeous.  I think one of my favorite pictures is the one I took of the window inside the lighthouse.

My album so far has all be done using the SEI Black Orchid collection and I added a few Elle's Studios goodies...even finally used a couple of the stamps I have been hoarding!

You can see what the rest of the DT did HERE

Happy Scrapping!

Hosting my first challenge!

This week on the Use Your Stuff blog, it was my turn to host a challenge...no pressure or anything! ;) I have recently been working on scrapping older Disney pics and was looking for a brad to add something to the layout  I was working on.  I couldn't help but notice the immense collection of eyelets and brads I currently have.  I think I must have bought every color under the sun at one point!  Needless to say, it was my inspiration for this weeks challenge.  I am hoping I am not the only one with umpteen thousands of little colored round things and so I am encouraging you to use some of them up by using them to make a shape on your layout or card.

I completed this Minnie Mouse layout for the challenge where I used up almost 50 of the red brads to make a heart shape around my page title.  Hard to believe the little boy in that picture is getting ready to graduate from high school in just over a month, and that little girl is about to turn 16 (*sob*)

Looking through some of my older layouts, I came across this one where I used the eyelets to make a heart frame on my picture (guess I have a thing for hearts?!) and then threaded embroidery floss through it...

Then on this Pooh and Tigger layout, I used some eyelet brads to frame out the circle on the left hand side.

Thanks for looking and I hope you will stop over at the Use Your Stuff blog to play along in the challenge!

Happy Scrapping!

Remember Me?!

Yes, it has been AGES since I last posted to my blog...life got in the way and then took me down a crazy, winding road and I am slowly finding my way back!

Since my last post in 2013, our family was blessed with a surprise new addition so now I have 2 teenagers and one toddler...and I probably drink more wine these days than I should! ;)  I have also been working to make more time for scrapbooking and crafting since it helps keep me sane!

Not too long ago I was invited to be part of the Design Team for the Use Your Stuff Blog and I was more than happy to accept.  This week I took part in the Polaroid Challenge.  I use my Silhouette Cameo to cut out a cute polaroid frame to highlight the picture of my hubby and I back in 2008 when we went on a cruise to celebrate his best friend's birthday...

Be sure and head over to the Use Your Stuff Blog to see what the other ladies have to share!

:: Waiting for Daddy ::

In an attempt to find my creative mojo again I started looking through some old photos hoping I would find one that would inspire me.  That's when I came across this one of my Little Diva.  When the kids were little we live in Seattle and we had a long slender window by the front door.  Almost every day the kids would take turns watching and waiting at that window for Daddy to come home.  I would always know when he was home because I could hear their squeals and the little jumps of joys...my Hunky Hubby and I sure do miss those days!

BOO!

BOO!

Did I scare you?! ;)

I am loving my little frame trio...I know I am biased, but I just think they turned out so cute.  This is a pretty easy project to do.  I used 3 of the wooden frames you can get from Michaels for $1 each.  Then using a little Mod Podge and some pretty ghoulish scrapbook paper I started dressing them up for Halloween.  Once I finished that I thought it still needed a little more so then I went around all the edges with black paint and then some black ink.  The inside of the frames is more of the scrapbook paper and then 3 large stickers from my collection. 

 I added a little ribbon...

and even a little charm...

and there you have it...

I set them out in our entry way with a few little pumpkins I had on hand and a couple of spider rings.  Not necessarily scary...but pretty dang cute if you ask me!

I Never...

I put a couple of projects on hold in order to get some scrapbooking in for The House of Paper this week.  It has been a little bit since I really sat down to scrap and with all the new stuff that has been coming into The House lately I couldn't wait to play with all the new yumminess.  The challenge for the Interior Designer's this week was to finish the sentence,  "I Never..."

SO, this is how I decided to finish it...

I NEVER THOUGHT OF MYSELF AS A TRUCK KIND OF GIRL...

Please tell me I am not the only one who has recently become addicted to the show Top Gear on The History Channel?  These guys are SO funny together and even both of my kiddos enjoy watching so we actually have something we can all watch together as a family, which I absolutely LOVE.  I never really gave a "you-know-what" about cars in the past but this show has definitely given me a whole new perspective...and any truck that actually has a LOUD button is for ME!  HA!



I NEVER TIRE OF YOUR SWEET SMILES...

Those are my sweet babies...9 years ago!  HOLY SMOKES...how did THAT happen?  They were so sweet and loving to each other back then...loved being together.  THESE days...yeahhhhhhhh...not so much!  LOL!

I recently finished a super quick and easy Halloween wreath...promise to share it SOON!  I have just been super busy trying to get things together for the annual Witch's Ball I host with my BFF...this is our 3rd year and every year we get just a little bit bigger!  LOL!  Can't wait to share the costume I am making too!  Halloween is totally my favorite holiday!

Happy September!

Happy September 1st!

Happy Fall Ya’ll!!

I {HEART} Fall…unfortunately, living in Florida we don’t really get much in the way of Fall...but it can still be a fun time of year. This time of year definitely makes me miss living in Seattle…being able to see the leaves change color, taking the kids to a REAL pumpkin patch…*sigh*…I do SO miss those times. I can remember as a young girl I swore I never wanted to move away from Florida…then I fell in love and moved to Minnepolis…then we made our way to Chicago…and then Seattle. I was so excited to finally make our way back to Florida again but…there are those times when I REALLY miss having 4 REAL seasons and Seattle was truly a beautiful place to live…despite that earthquake in 2001 (talk about scary! YIKES!)

In honor of September 1st, I have decided to turn over a new leaf (and yes, that pun was TOTALLY intentional!) More and more I find myself letting things fall to the wayside and making excuses for myself…and then eventually I just feel bad and disappointed in myself. I want to change that. I NEED to change that. And today seems like as good a day to start as any.  Yes, I work full-time, yes I am a wife and yes I am blessed with 2 beautiful children...but that doesn't mean I don't have time for ME...right?!

I am taking part in Shimelle’s Learn Something New Every Day class again this year. I started last year but basically gave up on myself. I am giving it another shot this year and I am hopeful that it will help me get back on track all around. I am excited too because I have a buddy for the class this year. She is in the UK – how cool is that? I am super excited to have someone keeping me on track and hopefully I can do the same for her and I love that I just might get a new friend as well.

I love scrapbooking and being creative and writing on my blog (even if not a lot of people are reading it – I am okay with that…I just love that I can share if I want too.) but I fuss about being what I consider “on time” or perfect and then end up not following through because I haven’t met one of my own stupid limitations. I am the only one holding myself back. (HEY, maybe that is my lesson learned today?!)

Since as Shimelle says, today is The First Day of School, I thought I would share this layout of me coming back from my very first day of 1st grade…

Do you see me?  I am that crazy one running like the wind and surrounded by that halo of bling! ;)  You see that gal next to me in those marvelous maroon pants and off white t-shirt...that is my friend Christie and can I just tell you that I am still friends with her...how cool is that?  Gonna see her tomorrow night in fact for our Floppy Hats and Stilettos Book Club meeting! (say THAT 3 times fast!)


HAPPY SEPTEMBER and HAPPY FALL! :)
 

Please Slow Down...

Used 4 different manufacturers alphabet stickers on this layout.  I just love this picture of my kiddos although my first thought when I saw it was how grown up they look!  It is going so fast.  Totally cliche, I know, but oh so true.  I wish I could slow them down just a little.



I am scrapbooking this weekend!

I haven't posted much to my blog lately for fear of giving away the big surprise party my siblings and I were hosting for my mom's 60th birthday.  My mom is damn near IMPOSSIBLE to surprise!  I mean, SERIOUSLY impossible to surprise.

I am THRILLED to report though that we were able to pull it off and she admitted that for only the second time in her life, she was truly surprised!  WOOT! WOOT!  I am excited to share a few projects that I worked on for her party...as well as finally post my mirror turned chalkboard project that has recently become my nemesis!

For now though, I am scrapbooking and just enjoying a little creative time during a weekend where I do not have to BE anywhere or DO anything in particular...and it feels SO great!

One of my scrapbooking heros, Shimelle, is hosting a Proud To Scrapbook weekend on her blog so I am happily taking part.  I completed this layout based upon a sketch she had posted.  I was lucky enough to be able to go see Katy Perry in concert when she was here in June.  She really put on a hell of a show and it was a fantastic Girls Night Out!

My husband surprised me today by purchasing tickets to see Duran Duran in October...I am looking forward to it!  And we are thinking about taking the kiddos to see Weird Al Yankovic as well.  Have you been to any good concerts recently?

Sweet Little Princess

I haven't blogged in a little bit...not that I haven't thought about it...because I HAVE!  Things have just been a little crazy and I haven't had the chance.  Last week my husband and son set out on their annual backpacking trip and so my Diva Princess and I set out for Walt Disney World with my mom in order to keep distracted so I wouldn't worry too much about the boys...plus our passes expire soon so we figured we should go.  I had to take some time off of work but it was worth it ;)

I will post more and share pics of that soon.  For today I just thought I would share a layout I just recently finished up.  I have been scrapping more and more older pics of my kiddos...a little bitter sweet actually.  As part of the Design Team for The House of Paper we were highlighting a Roomie from the Message Boards and so we all lifted one of her layouts...you can read more about that HERE.

This is my version of her layout...my sweet little Princess with her Princess Bunny.  Hard to believe she was really that little.

And how cute is her Snow White dress?!  My mom made that for her when she was 3 and she wore that thing until it was well above her knees!

ºoº ~ Magical Monday ~ ºoº

Happy Monday!  Hope you had a great weekend....I am still recovering from mine, all the while trying to get through my day at the office.  Hunky Hubby brought me lunch today -- of course he also wanted my truck, so we had to do a car swap ;)  Still, it was nice to sit together...with no kids fighting -- hey, since we weren't at home does that count as a date?

Our first born turned 12 yesterday.  I can't even believe it.  I swore once they got to 10 there would be no more parties until 13...but Hunky Hubby decided we should have one. SO, my whole weekend was about getting things ready for the party.  I didn't get much sleep and by last night I was in tears on the couch icing my ankle after a rousing game of kickball adults vs. kids....even though the adults outnumbered the kids they still kicked our butts...8-2.  I wish I could say we let them win, but, alas, that was not the case.

At least I had plenty of team spirit to go around...you see that pouty princess behind me...yep, that one...that's my Diva Princess -- don't ya just love the pout?  You would THINK they were losing...I am thinking maybe she is embarrassed by her mother's antics...but oh well...we were having a blast!

Thankfully my ankle is much better today...it is wrapped up and I am limping but that is major progress from last night!  And since my Allstar Son says he had a great birthday then it was all worth it. 

Us adults had so much fun we are planning another get together soon -- just so we can play kickball!  WOOT! WOOT!  Will just have to remember to tape up my ankles first ;)

Now, since it is Monday, I gotta get my week started off with some of the Disney magic...

 *sigh*  my happy place --

...so just a couple of Disney layouts to get that magic flowing...

These are pics from our 2003 visit to the Walt Disney World resort in Orlando...we were living in Seattle at the time...look how little my sweeties were!  And just so you know, I checked and double checked the spelling and it would seem that Disney and Cinderella spell carrousel with two r's -- although it has been renamed Prince Phillips' Carrousel now.

Pictures from January 2008 when we met up with some out of town friends...I was inspired by another layout I had seen...just love this layout...makes me happy! 

And so I leave you with that on this fine Monday!  Wishing you all a happy and ºoº Magical ºoº week!

Things To Do Dry Erase Frame

I am a list maker.  I am on a never ending quest to be better organized.  One of my favorite blogs, Eighteen25 posted this great To Do Frame and included a free printable.  I decided to print it out on a clear transparency so that I can change the backing whenever I feel like it.

I used a frame that I had spray painted black back when I hosted my sister's bridal shower along with some Melody Ross Soul Food patterned paper and chipboard stickers, ribbon, flowers and Stickles to make my own version of the To Do Frame and ended up with this...

Pretty, right?  I love that the chipboard sticker even says Do It Today...perfection, I tell ya!

Now I can just write out my To Do List with a dry erase marker and have it out in plain sight....no more losing or misplacing the sticky notes.  And even if I don't end up better organized it will at least look pretty sitting on my desk....as sooooooooon as I get it cleaned off...and organized ;)

I am linking up here:



Getting my groove back

I have really been out of it for awhile.  I could tip toe around it but in all honesty I have just been in a state of depression.  Took me awhile to really see that that was the problem.  And know that I have figured it out I am working on coming out of it.  I expect it will be slow going but I am ready for the challenge.

I had a really busy weekend but it was totally worth it.  Saturday we spent with friends at Adventure Island and Sunday my Diva Princess and I headed up to Disney's Hollywood Studios to meet some out of town friends and their new baby girl they have been blessed with.  Will share more about all of that on another post.

Yesterday was a nice and somewhat quiet day that we spent at home doing nothing in particular.  I was able to take some time to be creative and got most of the laundry done.  Felt good to get some creativity going again.  This week's theme at House of Paper was to do a project and fill in the blank on the sentence "I am..."  My initial thought process was pretty negative -- not surprising given my "down in the dumps" disposition as of late...but with all the fun paper collections Chiara has been bringing into the store it was hard not to do something a little more fun.

One night last week Hunky Hubs decided we should go out to Dairy Queen after dinner for a little treat.  I almost never go anywhere without my camera and the kids were having fun while I snapped away.



I am a Dairy Queen

They just crack me up!  My Diva Princess especially has a sweet tooth -- much like her daddy.  The Summer Days line from Echo Park was just too perfect with these pics :)  Added a little Stickles for a touch of bling as well.  WHY have I not done this sooner?!

Speaking of my Diva Princess, she just turned 10 on the 20th.  SERIOUSLY?!  I confess, I shed a few tears on my way to work that morning.  It just goes way too fast.  I would so love to have another baby but Hunky Hubs and the two offspring keep saying NO :(   Here is my baby girl on the morning of her 10th birthday...we filled her room with balloons before she woke up...




I am 10


The Pink Paislee Soiree is so fun and colorful and I was able to use some of the elements from Echo Park's Dots & Stripes Collection as well.  My sweet girl loved this layout when I showed it to her.  She is very proud of the fact that she is 10 years old now...especially since she was able to save up enough money to get an Ipod Touch...she feels officially grown up now.

You can see what some of the other Interior Designers did with "I am.." HERE in the House Gallery.

If you are a scrapper we would love to have you visit over at The House of Paper.  Sign up for the newsletter and you will be notified when the new products come in and every so often Chiara throws in a discount code...This week the newsletter discount is $5 off your order of $20 or more ENTER COUPON CODE 5off.  The message boards are always a great place to find fun, friendship and inspiration!


You can also "LIKE" House of Paper on Facebook and have access to giveaways and even more discounts...hope to see you there!  If you head over that way, be sure and tell her that Heather sent you :)

Happy Scrapping!

ºoº ~ Magical Monday ~ ºoº and NSD

National Scrapbooking Day was this past Saturday...did you get to scrap?  I had big plans to...but alas, it didn't turn out.  Nor did I get that relaxing Mother's Day I was hoping for.  Oh well.  *sigh*

I did get one layout uploaded in honor of National Scrapbooking Day though...better one than none I suppose.  I was able to use some of the Echo Park Christmas with pictures of the life sized gingerbread house at Disney's Grand Floridian Hotel we took this past December.

Kind of gives me a craving for some Christmas cookies now ;)