more layouts for another friday.

we are anticipating another storm here this weekend.  nothing like “nemo” that the east is bracing for right now, but still..  we love our storms.

I plan on staying in the majority of the day.  I get to go to the doctor, for me.  it’s one of those “fun” womanly visits.

I have already popped my aleve, have the heating pad ready for later on, but hope to be comfortable enough to sit up and play at the computer.  I have some serious organizing and creating plans…

wish me luck!

two layouts today with new products from liv:

up first is “evidence”.

this is using a new mini kit from liv called “t+mini vol. 1 – filmed”.

(click on layouts for full credits.)

and here’s “sweet”.

this is supposed to be showcasing the little label that says “sweet” from liv’s “all about love” labels, but all I can seem to focus on is that sweet little face…

excuse the emotion…

this girl is going to be five!!!

I am a little behind (clearing throat..) on her scrapbook.  I have been enjoying every second of her as my baby.  I am not ready to quit, but, well, this is life.

hope you have a wonderful weekend and that you find some time to play!

feeling scrappy.

I love pinterest for some good old inspiration, love blog hopping for the same reason.  there have been many things that have caught my eye, I have pinned them, totally planning on doing something with them sometime…

I finally crossed off a couple of those ideas last week.

#1 – wood grain.

now I have used it here and there, but I wanted to use it in a funkier way.  not in your traditional woodsy tones.

splendid fiins came out with another “knock-out” misting mask, and well, the rest is history:

(click on layouts for full cred.)

I have admired the look of title work cut from the main background paper, with a fun patterned paper placed behind, peeking through.

here’s me favorite example from elizabeth kartchner.

I mean, sure, you could get stickers, or cut the letters out of the patterned paper, but there is something about the look of it…

I can admit, that it took me awhile to get the drop shadows on this kraft background just right, and still, I look at it and wonder if it should be tweaked more…

I adjusted those darn drop shadows, merging layers, duplicating them, tweaking the shadows, multiplying and tweaking so many times, I lost track of how many times I did it!

my eyes, seriously, were on the verge of bleeding.

but that is what happens when you get passionate about an idea!

I sense a theme here..

here’s two layouts.

can you tell what they have in common?  it’s quite obvious, once you really look.  it took me longer than the average person though.  I will blame that on my head congestion.

well, they both feature peyton, and they are both photographs from behind.

see, pretty obvious.

maybe they both feature her because she is on my mind an awful lot lately.  maybe it’s because she is the only one around enough for me to take pictures of?

the kid is in size 4t now.  the 3t stuff looked kind of floody on her.  it’s fun, but a bit sad at the same time, to see her grow so much.

(as always, you can click on the layouts for list of full credits.)

but just some fun things I did with these:

the top one, I used liv.edesings washi tape as masks for my patterned papers.  I wanted some thing a little more interesting than just a scrap of paper and I love the jagged edges.

on the bottom one, I used products primarily from jessica sprague’s newest designer, samantha walker.  she is so fun!  I can’t wait to see what other fun stuff she comes up with, and to share it with you.

now I am off to try some more pinteresting things.. I will let you know how those work out!

tis the end of september.

can you believe it?!

time has never passed faster, I swear. 

there are many things I either forgot to do (birthday countdown for the middle child) or thought I would somehow have more time to do.

enter creative team layouts.

my assigned designer to work with this month was jessica sprague and I felt that hybrid was only fitting to showcase her goodies.

that is an awesome idea and all, if you have a organized/functioning space in which to make said hybrid craft/layout.

so between two days of work (but a still messy craft.scrap/sewing room) I have my two layouts done.

(and more planned!)

it was quite fun to be back there with my hands doing something besides ctrl+z.

(click on the layouts for full list of credits.)

what I loved about these, was that I designed the 8x10 spaces using jessica’s photo templates.  then all I had to do was print them off on my presentation paper (I like the matte quality to it), and print off another sheet of other papers and embellishments and have fun putting it all together.

I need to do more of this, more often.

and then there was august..

I don’t want to depress you..  I don’t want to depress myself, but did you know, were you aware, that august is almost over?

really.

next week, and that’s it.

hello september.

see, I depressed you.

shame on me.

I really am sorry.

maybe what I have been working on, catching up on (because I’ve been enjoying the last bit of my summer and playing a lot), will help to cheer you.

they just make me long for summer…

(click on image for list of full credits + links.)

a layout or 5..

I have been getting a lot of scrapping done.

(sadly it is all digi scrapping..  heaven knows how many pictures i have that are printed off, waiting in the mess that is now known as my craft room in the basement..  don’t even get me started on the stash of supplies that keep those pics company..)

I am not sure if this surge of digi scrapping is because of the re-discovered passion my girls have for playing polly pockets or  for watching jurassic park.

(both of which seem to take place in the loft, upstairs where the computer is..)

but anyway..  here’s a few:

(as always, click on layout for list of full credits.)

new today:

“chemistry” by cosmo cricket:

and i was way too excited about these brushes by liv:

and well, then there is all of this other stuff, that was basically just for fun…  our summer has been well-spent, and i have some cute pix to prove it!

(cute pix = more scrapping motivation!!)

hope you are enjoying your summer as well!!

in the haze of cold/allergies (still not sure..) i missed a whole monday.

**SCROLL ON DOWN FOR THE JESSICA SPRAGUE BIRTHDAY BOLGHOP FREEBIE!!!**

i was looking back over the projects i did this last month, enjoying them, and fixing mistakes (wink, wink) that have been found, and i realized, i missed a monday!

is there possibly anything worse than missing out on a whole day?

yes, there is.

a summer cold that has it’s hold on the majority of the household.

or is it allergies?

i still can’t make up my mind.

it sucks though.

so here’s what i missed:

(hope you did too.)

echo park:

(as always, click on the layout for complete credits.)

in the making:

and jodie lee:

“tonight, tonight, tonight! hot dog it’s coming tonight!!”

(if you can name that movie, i will admire you forever.  if you know which word i changed, you will be ranked as extra awesome in my book.)

the most exciting blog hop of my whole life is coming, TONIGHT!!!

(just in case you forgot.)

the jessicasprague.com blog hop starts 10 pm (est) here.

then a few hops more (36 to be exact) and you’ll be here!!!

(like right here..  my blog.)

to prove my excitement, i made a layout today…

it’s complete with lyrics that seriously bring me to tears lately.

(click on image for list of full credits.)

lyrics, for your tearing-up pleasure:

"Story's read, prayer is said
Close your eyes sleepyhead
While angels linger in your dreams
And hold you in their feathered wings
Just like you, I was small
Not that long ago at all
I wish you all the happiness
That God gives freely if you ask.
When you reach for the stars
Don't forget who you are
And please don't turn around and grow up way too fast
See the sand in my grasp
From the first to the last
Every grain becomes a memory of the past
Oh, life's an hourglass
Life's an hourglass."
(but i suggest listening to the song to get the full, tear-jerking effect.) (wink, wink, wink..)

song: mindy gledhill, “hourglass”

peyton had to drive the point home, one drizzly day while i was busily painting, trying to distract myself from life and all that was going on.  i was listening to this song, like really listening to what it was saying.  i was getting teary, and right after the line, “and please don’t turn around and grow up way too fast..” peyton runs up to me, hugs my leg and says: “i love you mommy!!”

it made my heart hurt just a little.  she is doing just what i need her to slow down in doing!!

oh well, a little blog hopping can’t hurt anyone in the cheer-up department. ;)

A Pixie-Licious Monday

Mondays in May have begun at Jessica Sprague..

What is a “Monday In May”, you might ask?

May is the month of celebration at Jessica Sprague, a month where goodies and good deals are in abundance.  Every Monday, you can buy one item from one designer and get another item, from the same designer, for freee!!

So, to tempt you…

Cosmos Cricket’s latest release, “Pixie-Licious”:

(Click on layout for full credits.)

Terrific Tuesday!

(I am trying hard to crank out creative post titles and sucking adequately at it.)
Today is not only “Template Tuesday” but it is also my 11th wedding anniversary.
Not only that..  but I finally had time to complete templates from not only LAST Tuesday, but today as well..
(For full credits, please click on the layout.)


And the fun news doesn’t end there my friends!!
Nope.
I was featured at CK’s blog.  Pretty close to that place I have been dreaming of being featured at for years….
Pretty terrific for this Tuesday if I do say so myself.

A little Spring for your Monday. *UPDATED WITH LINKY*

At my house, right this minute, it is snowing.  There is a little thunder and lightening mixed in with that snow too.  Out my front door, when I took the girls to school, there was the sun shining, but in the distance, dark, dark clouds.  We could hear the thunder and knew what was coming.  When we looked out the back door, it was so deceptive!  There was full sunshine, a little blue sky, some light, white clouds, but a totally different world out that back door.
The point in all of this..
It is springtime in Utah.
This is how I have to get my fix for Spring on days like today:
Echo Park has a new line out today, “Sidewalk Chalk”.
(Click on image for full credits.)

Spendid Fiins has Baker’s Twine, new in store today.  I love the stuff already!!
(Click on image for full credits.)

Hope you have a little Spring wherever you are!
(Hope you can find some if you are in the same boat that I am..  or sled.)
Just for kicks and giggles, here’s the templates I made for these layouts, for you, for FREEEEE!! 
If you use them, link up to this post, show me what you did with them.
Swooshy squares template.
Simple Circles template.
**I wasn’t sure how difficult/time-consuming it would be to add a linky to this post, to, you know, link up what you did with the template, but turns out it’s not so hard!
So link away ladies…
Link away.**

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!

A little inspiration.

I do a lot at the computer.

(Page credits here.  You can download FREE template here.)

Edit pictures, digi scrapbook, blog, create other things digitally..  basically I spend a lot of time in Photoshop.

I have a few choices as to what I can do while I am doing that.  I can listen to music.  I can listen to the girls play.  I can sit in silence.  I can sing to myself.  Before the teenaged DVD player decided to be a grumpy teenager, I could listen to whatever movie (or “ooive” if you are three) the girls were watching, or I can talk on the phone..

I would rather not hear myself sing.  Really.  So that leaves  a few other options.

Around Christmas time, my mom shared a link on her Facebook page to a program on the Mormon Channel. 

Yup.  I am a LDS (aka “Mormon”) and quite happy with my life…

It was an interview with Ed and Lois Smart.  If you don’t remember, or just don’t know, their daughter was kidnapped from their Salt Lake City home in the middle of the night in May of 2000.  I was pregnant with Lynn, and my days were spent watching all the news I could about this horrible situation.  She was found, March of the next year.  Alive.

This interview was one of the first of the series “Enduring it Well”.  It was what got me hooked.

To listen to their story, what life was like while Elizabeth was missing all of those months was awe-inspiring.  I have listened to many of the interviews on that program since, have some to catch up on, and love what it does for me personally.

It gives me strength.  It gives me a positive way to spend my time here.

I have since become addicted (nearly) to another program “Conversations”.  LOVE the stories that are shared by so many. 

My favorite of all time (so far) is with Herbert Klopfer. He grew up in Nazi Germany.  His story gives me chills!!  His life was full of miracles throughout that time.  I dare you to listen to his interview and not cry..

Member or not, these stories will uplift and inspire.  They truly testify that there is a God, and He loves us all.

The coolest part, you can listen to them on your computer, or download them and listen to them wherever you want!  Makes other chores so much more enjoyable..

So while I try to fill my time doing good things, I also try to find ways to edify myself in the process.

I love Mondays, don’t you?

There is just so much good on Monday!  Some people frown down on Monday, I look at it as a new to-do list, more fun to be had.

Oh, and “More In Store”..

See, good!

Just a couple of the new items for today over at Jessica Sprague:

First up, liv.eDesigns with her Needs + Wants: Eyelets Galore.

There are two sets of these babies, 24 different colors, four different sizes of each color.  These red guys are from set number 2.

Now for a confession:

I have SO many of these guys in real life.  I am talking drawers, keepers, and a bunch of packages in a big bowl of other goodies.  So the digi versions of these guys are perfect for me.

Another plus, no hammering!!

Credits for this page:

Eyelets: Needs + Wants: Eyelets Galore liv.edesigns

paper: Warm Wuv & Sofy Hugs - The Kit Papers liv.edesigns

overlay: EZ-PZ Template 06 - Fotocentric No.1 liv.edesigns

frame: Tape It Up! Frames liv.edesigns
border: Squiggle Borders liv.edesigns
stitching: Sew Crafty - messy stitches vol 1 Splendid Fiins

And then there’s those eyelets!
Needs + Wants: Eyelets Galore no. 2

font: my type of font

Next up is a sample for my recent (and strong) love of hybrid..

I already mentioned a bit about the “Mouse Paper Scissors” Class.  Get ready to sign up for this one the next time it comes around!!

I created this card and envelope set with the templates from the class, and goodness from Echo Park.

papers: flower pattern & solid purple- Echo Park Digitals Sprintime Element/Paper Pack #2 , light blue dot & multi-colored dot- Echo Park Digitals Springtime Element/Paper Pack #1

elements: yellow scalloped border, butterfly, circles, & label- Echo Park Digitals Springtime Element/Paper Pack #2 cloud- Echo Park Digitals  Springtime Elements/Paper Pack #1

Other items used to put this card together:

- Tombow dimensional foam adhesive.

- Tombow mulit adhesive.

- Glue Dots memory and craft dots.

- Emery board (to distress).

- Thread & sewing machine.

- Circle punches: 1 inch and 3/4 inch.

- Fiskars “Threading Water” border punch.

Now go and enjoy your Monday!!

More in store.

I have a confession to make..

I think I own just about every traditional scrapbooking tool/gadget ever.

It’s true.

I own almost every border punch known to mankind.

(Okay, maybe not that many, but I do own a few!)

And then Splendid Fiins happened to me.

Digital border punches people!!!

 

Credits for this page:

Staples- Splendid Fiins The Office – supplies 

Photo Corners- Splendid Fiins Feedsack element pack 1

Ric-rac- Splendid Fiins Feedsack element pack 2

Stitching- Splendid Fiins Sew Crafty - messy stitches vol 1

Paper- Splendid Fiins  Tween (add-on) paper

Brad- Splendid Fiins Tween (add-on) elements

“Adorable” Circle Stamp- Splendid Fiins See above for details- Circle Stamps

Polaroid frame- Splendid Fiins (faux)laroids

Border Punch- Splendid Fiins Border Punches set 2

 

And then there’s some more fun goodies from liv.eDesigns..

Credits for this page:

Paper- liv.eDesigns Click Solids

Elements- liv.eDesigns Click Elements

Fonts- Antipasto and Pea Matt & Kari

Freebie Friday!

I almost forgot!!

(Okay, I totally forgot..)

There is a wonderful FREEBIE from Splendid Fiins.

Remember, it is only free until Sunday..

(So go get it!!)

(NOW!)

Credits:

Papers & Elements:

Splendid Fiins (FREEBIE!!)

Stitching:

Splendid Fiins

Font:

Courier

Sweet girly stuff.

You know that is what I am so all about.  Been that way for years!!

So it should come as no shock that the name of a product line would grab me and hold onto me like a child who is being chased and teased incessantly by their older sister (can you tell what my weekend has been like?).

Let me introduce you to Echo Park’s “Little Girl” line:

Dreamy, and perfect, and oh, so girly!!

Look for this line, new to Jessica Sprague today.

Paper

Elements

Alpha

It’s not easy.

Look at this girl!

Where has the time gone?

It isn’t the easiest thing, scrapbooking the pictures from these days.  I miss them.  I am happy to be where I am, don’t get me wrong, life is great!  I just miss my babies.  I get quite homesick for them.

This layout documents some of the happenings in the first little while of Peyton’s life.

And now she’s three!

Credits:

Template: In The Making Design

Papers: In The Making Design Indulgence Paper Pack

Stitching: Splendid Fiins Messy Stitching v.1 

Font: Thinking of you.

Smitten.

Another layout..
I actually did a layout with this same picture, traditionally, right after Pey was born, but I love this layout so much more…
(See what you think.)
New product out today from liv.edesigns.
"I heart doodles 2" brushes.
And some oldies!
(Which I totally love, and mad this perfect..)
Also from Liv:
Soft and Gentle Solid papers.
Tape it up frames.
Other:
Sew Crafty Messy Stitches vol. 1 from Splendid Fiins.
Staple from Crystal Wilkerson.
Fonts: “Lobster” and “My Type of Font”.

On my way..

That goal, you know, that one…
(No, not the one about eating a piece of candy or chocolate a day..  the other one.)
Well, I have one page down of that one year (minus the two weeks that are done).
It’s mostly thanks to Liv’s inspiration.
These doodle brushes were perfect!  I had an extremely hard time trying to decide which one to use on this layout.

I love how it turned out!
Other supplies used on this layout:
Stitching from Anna Aspnes
Font: “Firefly Castle”.
Frame:  Vintage Polaroid brush from Deviantart.
Paper: Paint Play Swishes paper pack by liv.edesigns
Tape: Washi tape by liv.edesigns
Doodle brush: I heart doodles by liv.edesigns