quick update

Yup still alive. I've been busy making birthday decorations for my sweet dh's birthday hoping things go off without a hitch on Friday. This week is swimming lessons. Still working a few days each week. Packing the weekends full of renovations, uncluttering, some pool time and trying to get in some relaxing. Guess which one isn't happening enough? I'll be back soon with party photos.

Summer time scrapbooking

So with the more relaxed routine of summer I've been getting more chances to scrapbook which is very

 good.

I created this layout for a challenge at Scrap Shotz to do computer journalling, something I rarely, if ever, do. I even pulled out some of those "older" embellishments that have been taking up space in my drawers. The pattern papers are Cosmo Cricket.

This is a layout that has been in my mind for a while to create. Not so much the photo or the story but the design with the punched out squres. Pattern papers are American Crafts, as well as the thickers and plastic flowers.

I got a chance to make some cards today and I had so much fun playing with new papers (Basic Grey Green at heart 6x6 pad) I'm really liking the 6x6 pads for cards because you don't waste a full sheet and I find that some of the papers are less overwhelming.

Totally loving that Top Note die from Stampin' Up! by sizzix! This cute little SU! stamp set (Trendy Trees) is one of my all time favorites too. Add a few scraps of October Afternoon papers and a cute sentiment by Hero Arts and you're good to go.

Ok for some reason this blue backgroud looked way better in person. I might have to change it because to be honest its bugging me. Love this cuttlebug pumpkin and Cosmo Cricket Earth love papers.

I'm quite pleased with myself for using only paper scraps for all these cards! Almost finished up this Basic Grey pad! Plus these Hero Arts stamps are my go to favorite lately.

I had fun with this color combo, easy when you pull colors from your pattern paper. I made a mistake stamping so I added 2 rows of ribbon to cover my mistake. Gotta love flexibility!

 

This card may just be my favorite with cuttlebug embossing folder (happy birthday) and Basic Grey ribbon with my favorite butterfly embosslits (from SU!) All done with scraps again!

Some new scrapbooking

This past weekend I was able to get away to spend time with friends and do a bit of scrapbooking. Its so great to have a group of people who enjoy getting together to share ideas, food and laughter.

I used some crate paper for this layout. My sweet sister-in-law took this cute photo of my Abby and was kind enough to print it out for me.

I've been enjoying making collages in Picasa lately because it allows me to get quite a few photos onto a page. I do majority of my editing in Photoshop Elements but print and crop with Picasa. All the papers and embellishments used on this layout are Basic Grey and I found them in the discounted bin as a scrapbooking store.

For those that know I'm more of an everyday scrapbooker rather than one who scrapbooks events and holidays. For this reason I've always had a hard time doing birthdays, they are days that need to be recorded but I still struggle. I employed the same collage technique but made the photos wallet size, I'm happy with how it turned out. I used the Memory Workshop June kit featuring Crate papers.

Just a simple layout that I wanted to do showing the differences between Ethan playing ball and Owen attempting to play ball. Papers are American Crafts, October Afternoon and Jillibean Soup.

This was a favorite photo that I took in June. I finally managed to get a good photo of all my parents' grandkids, no small feat with 2 boys under 2. Papers used are October Afternoon.

My new favorite layout of Owen. I took these photos at Churchill park just after he got his super cute haircut. I dug into my scrap box and grabbed some October Afternoon paper strips, added a journalling block and some grungeboard stars and I was done. Love a layout that just falls into place.

I bought this Kasier Craft paper last November with hopes to use it with some summer pool photos. I used the collage feature again and printed some wallet size photos into a strip. Totally loving my cricut gypsy which allows me to weld my letters together, one of the better investments I've made.

Thanks & a new friend

Firstly I want to thank all those who come and read my blog and leave comments. I appreciate every one of them, just just brighten up my day! I love reading the postive things about the things I create and take time to do, so much better than suppertime at my house (ewww are we having that again?)

Secondly I found this cute camera idea on etsy a few weeks ago and promptly ordered one
http://www.etsy.com/transaction/30372853

however it can't get here before Friday which is when I needed it. I'm helping out my aunt and taking some family photos for her. Its a large group with 2 active children (ages 2 and 9 months) so I set out to make my own

Meet Fred

Owen thought he was so funny so I took that as a good sign. Hopefully Fred does his job well. I'm a little nervous about taking these photos :P