seeing double.

sometimes, creativity urges changes in more places than just one.

as I was playing with amy tangerine’s newest collection “yes please”, I was getting the itch to spring clean the blog and make things pretty.

funny how just a few tweaks to a layout can turn out to be a fun new header!

this spur of creative energy (also brought to you by a couple of extra minutes I was able to rub together..), has me desiring some fun new candid pix of the girls.

well, as soon as lynn gets over strep.

blah.

(my 2013 tax folder is fatter than it should be.  hello deductions!)

anyway, in case you didn’t notice the above newness, here you go:

papers, border bits, camera, arrow elements, stitched heart circle, and brushes for the hearts, arrow, and “wonderful” from ac digitals amy tangerine “yes please”.

paint brushes, kraft tape, frame, staple, and washi tape from liv.edesigns.

“x” stitches from crystal wilkerson.

circle stitches from anna aspnes.

lace (with a hue/saturation adjustment) from kitschy digitals.

only one more day of school left!!

freeeeeedoommmmmm!!!!

(yell it like william wallace..)

our plans for this summer currently consist of:

- keeping in the habit of a decent bedtime, and me (ahem..) getting up early.

- going to the library a lot.

- read-a-thons and treats.

- living by the pool in the sun.

- buying lots of sunscreen.

- washing loads of towels.

- playing in our almost totally fun and finished back yard.

- hiking.

- playing as a family every chance we get.

- quitting the whole pop thing..  and I will be sure to quit at least 6 times a week.

13

the beginning of this month, we celebrated 13 years of marriage.

I am still in a bit of shock..  thirteen?!

in some ways it just doesn’t seem like it’s been that long, but then, it is like I have always known merrill, I just can’t seem to remember life without him.

ac digitals released project life “wedding edition” today.

(it’s on sale at 20% off!!)

so what’s a girl to do?

scrap her 13th anniversary with it, that’s what!

the cards all come from project life “wedding edition”, the paper is from liv.edesigns, stitching from anna aspnes, metal letters and numbers are from sahlin studio, and the straight pin in the picture is from kitschy digitals (with a hue/saturation adjustment added, it was red).

and life goes on!

we are enjoying spring in utah, and if you know what that really means, it means that we are anxious to get out in the yard, to work and play, but the weather isn’t cooperating.

more fun stuff, I was interviewed for tiffany tillman’s website, simply tiffany studios, for my style in journaling.  it was pretty fun!  (and completely awesome.)  you can check it out here.

monday’s aren’t all that bad…

so I propose that we start this week off with some excitement!!
what do you think?
good, glad you agree.
I am not sure if it can get any more exciting than this little tidbit.
(and by “little tidbit”, I really mean HUGE AWESOME MOST EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT EVER!!!)

let me preface this by stating the fact that I own a few (ahem..) books of darling american crafts rub-ons.  I bought them by twos.  my fault for naming my kids what I did.  they all have letters in common, I need the rub-ons!! 

(yes, rub-ons are still relevant in my book..)
I also have a little stash of american crafts paper..  don’t judge the stuff that is old, and I just haven’t found a project “worthy” enough to use it on.

let’s not discuss the spools (capital S belongs on the end of that doosy) of ribbon I own. 

yowsa.  only three spools on those top two sections aren’t american crafts….
so it was kinda sorta a match made in heaven when I got an email (most exciting one in a long time) inviting me (ME!!!) to be on the american crafts creative team.
you heard me right. 
american crafts.
as of today, they have a site where you, lucky, lucky little you, can go and buy your favorite traditional goodies, digitized!!!

what do I mean by favorite goodies?
think:  becky higgins project life, american crafts, crate paper, pebbles, amy tan!!!
hop on over, sign up for the email list, grab a freebie,  buy stuff at 25% off, and have a chance at winning some AWESOME stuff!!
I have had the fun of playing with some of these products in advance…

here's one with the amy tangerine's "ready set go" kit.
(other elements: stitching- anna aspnes; "x" stitches and staples- crystal wilkerson; frame- kitschy digitals.)
a happy  monday indeed!!

spotlight.

another designer is being spotlighted this week at jessicasprague, and surprise, surprise, she is another favorite!

kitschy digitals is a go-to folder of mine for those important little details and for anything that I want vintagey.  her stuff is gorgeous!

so to motivate you to go and visit her store, and shop a rockin’ awesome sale (40% off the WHOLE store, yo.) here is some motivation:

(click on layouts for full list of credits, if you want to.)

dude, it’s february.

I am still wondering where in the heck january went.

don’t mistake me, I am happy it is february.  I mean, I’ve been looking forward to it and all, it’s been on my calendar and such.  I just had stuff I wanted done before february came, and well, it’s not done.  so in my mind, february can’t happen, yet.  my january to-dos aren’t done.

sheesh.

so catching up, in a frazzled-like fashion, here you go..

here’s some january layouts:

(click on the layout for credits and junk like that.)

now I have to go and catch up some more.

(Title Goes Here.)

How many variations of a Monday greeting can one possibly come up with?  This is a new list I can start, I guess.

But anywhooo..

Here’s a few new layouts for your enjoyment. 

(Click on layout for full credits.)

First up, decorative bookplates – set 2 from Splendid Fiins:

Then there’s these GORGEOUS butterflies from Kitschy Digitals.

I had a moment..  while I was finishing up this first layout, I had another idea come to my mind for another layout…  I can’t decide which one I love more.

 

And then there’s some good old fun, just for fun’s sake from Creativity by Crystal…

I know that my week will have a fabulous start, hope yours does too!

Some yummy for your Monday.

Happy Spring!!

(More to come on that subject later..)

For now, here is some gorgeous stuff to get you started on a great week of digi/hybrid scrapping/crafting.

(More to come on that “Hybrid Crafting” part too.)

First up:  Cosmo Cricket “Lil’ Girl & Lil’ Boy” Papers and Elements.

LOVE them.

(Click HERE for full credits.)

And then there’s more Splendid Fiins.

(LOVE HER!!)

This time around it is border bits that go with the “Brilliant” collection.

You should already know of my love for that line..

(Click HERE for full credits.)

Go check out what else is in store today..  have some fun with your Monday!

Strictly for fun.

It is nice to have a reason (motivator) to scrap, but it is even funner to just do it for fun.

My friend Mandi created this template and I couldn’t wait to play with it.

I am learning a few things about myself as I scrap..

1- Music really influences the choices I make as far as style is concerned.  (That should be a no brainer.)  The pink was added in as the music I was listening to became a bit more gentle.

2- Scrapbooking pictures of Peyton is difficult for a plethora of reasons.  Besides the obvious (baby hungry, will be forever!!), I can see flaws in the way I was taking pictures before.  (Thanks education.)  Not to mention the quality.  The quality of the cameras I was using is not quite the quality of what I use now.  (Darn those megapixles!)  Some pictures are more pixilated than others, I can tell I was zooming way in.

3- I get to know my stash so much better when I am not focusing on must one designer.  It’s quite fun to hunt for the perfect elements for a page, from all over my hard-drive. 

4- I also know I need to get better organized.

5- I also want more “stuff” to play with.  But when don’t I? ;)

Credits:

Papers:

- Cream, Charcoal, and Mustard papers: Splendid Fiins.

- Pink: Jessica Sprague

Lace:

- Kitschy Digitals

Buttons:

- Small grey, white and yellow (I did change the hue & saturation on this one a bit): Kitschy Digitals

- Large grey button: Queen of Quirk

Fabric Flower:

- Kitschy Digitals

Stitching:

- Splendid Fiins

Staple:

- Crystal Wilkerson

Frames:

- Carina Gardner

Overlay:

- Queen of Quirk

Font:

- Firefly Castle from Kevin & Amanda

In the mood.

For Valentine’s Day..  I know, it really is about time.

But there are so many love-worthy things out there right now!

Today you can go to Jessica Sprague and get to know Danielle of Kitschy Digitals.  She is a doll!  Her store is also 25% off until Sunday.

Her vintage photo frames are a go-to item for me.

Just a sampling of her darling stuff:

P.S.  There’s a Kitschy Freebie here!

4..

You know, I really should catch up my little count going on (not really) over there ---------------->
2010 is well on it’s way out (already) and I have been lacking in my counting and recording skills.
(Blame it on the fact that math and I don’t usually agree..  or that I am just usually really, horribly wrong.  I blame it all on Roy High.)
I did manage to get FOUR layouts done, in TWO days.
Yup, I am pretty cool!
(Not really, it is just cool by my standards lately.  I’d be REALLY cool if my Christmas cards were out..  it would be even better if I had the pictures taken for aforementioned cards.  I do have the clothes picked out!)
Anyway (after a lot of distraction on my part..), here they are!
(New products will be released this upcoming week!)
This is a printable kit from Kitschy Digitals, but I used it for a layout all about Lynnie-lou and her summer reading goal.
Isn’t that gnome cute?!

I also used Kitschy Digitals Vintage Photo Frames, Crystal Wilkerson’s staple and woodgrain paper, rick-rack and stitching from Splendid Fiins.
(Kitschy Digitals also has a darling die-cut kit that matches this stuff..)

This is a template and quick page from In the Making Design.
I was looking for an excuse to use her “Sassy Season” papers and elements (they are cute!), but also relied on some of my favs..Crystal Wilkerson’s staple (told you I loved it!), and that stitching from Splendid Fiins.

Liv has come up with this incredible template to help showcase your photos.  They really take center stage here.
I got sucked into all of my summer pics (cold it be because of the cold?), and wanted some fresh, calm colors to go with.  Crystal Wilkerson’s “Sweet Summertime” papers, elements and label fit the bill.  Splendid Fiins stitching (heart) also helped to finish this one off well.

Last, but not least, Carina Gardner has an awesome kit coming out this week as well.  I have learned one thing about her: she does what she does well!  Her kits are incredible!  They have so many pieces, totally worth it.  Then there’s the same old stuff I love..  that same staple from Crystal Wilkerson, from my splendid friend, the rick-rack and the lovely stitching!
Don’t forget that the WHOLE STORE in on sale for this month, not to mention, if you spend more than $20 you will get the collaborative kit for FREEEEEE!!
(Did you hear Adam Sandler’s voice in that?)

Latest layouts.

Here’s the latest creations for Jessica Sprague product releases this week…
More In Store Monday:
- Carina Gardner
“Haunted” paper collection and stamps.

I also used the staple from Crystal Wilkerson: Crystal's {PLAYGROUND} Element Pack
Splendid Fiins (Orange rick-rack, orange stitching, and photo corners): feedsack element pack 1 and feedsack element pack 2.

Black stitching from Katie Pertiet.

- Elle’s Studio
Vintage typewriter Christmas journaling tags.

I also used product from Echo Park’s “Sleigh Ride” Paper collection (coming Wednesday).
Template form Miss Jessica Sprague herself: Jessica Sprague Template+ 1.15
Staple from Crystal Wilkerson: Crystal's {PLAYGROUND} Element Pack

One Buck Wednesday:
- Carina Gardner
Daisy Jane papers and paper bits.

Stiching from Splendid Fiins: feedsack element pack 2

Staple from Crystal Wilkerson: Crystal's {PLAYGROUND} Element Pack

Stitching from Splendid Fiins: feedsack element pack 2

Photo frame and mask from Kitschy Digitals: Vintage Photo Frames
- Echo Park
“Sleigh Ride” papers and elements.

Stitching from Splendid Fiins: Sew Crafty Messy Stitches vol. 1
Template from Jessica Sprague: Jessica Sprague Template+ 1.04

Another day..

Of fun freebies!!
Today’s freebies were courtesy of Danielle Thompson of Kitschy Digitals and Miss Crystal Wilkerson herself.
(And we all know how much I love her!)