Playing catch up :)

As I create new pages, I'm going to be going back and filling in the holes of past photos in my albums. Starting today with Thanksgiving 2010 :) I used the sketch at Authentique:

I used the "Gathering" collection:

I used 2 manilla tags by Ranger to build my title. Alphas by Making Memories and Lily Bee. The "gather" flag is a diecut from the Authentique collection.

I punched the brown mat with the Martha Stewart "Cherish" punch around the page set. 

I'm also sharing this layout with Scraptastic Club for using a border punch :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Happy New Years Eve ;)

Friendship isn't a big thing..

..it's a million little things.

Isn't that the truth?! I thought that quote was the perfect title for my layout of my bestie, Jess, and I. This page is definitely in my top 3 for 2011! I am so happy with how it turned out.

It started with the sketch from Scraptastic Club and a twist to make it about an anniversary. This Keith Urban concert marked our "one year" friendship anniversary. We met teaching summer school the previous year (after going to a Rascal Flatts concert lol!):

All papers are Authentique's "Uncommon" collection:

A few details:

Love the punch outs die cuts that come 

with the Authentique collections:

My favorite "root beer float" thickers! paired 

with journal strips for the long title:

Stay tuned at The Paper Variety for an upcoming 

tutorial on how I make my faux paper lace:

Thanks for stopping by! TGIF! :)

Better not pout!!

Happy day after Christmas :) The dust has settled here and there is definitely nothing to pout about. My hubby surprised me (okay.. I begged for) a photo printer. How did I ever scrapbook without this convenience?! I love it!

I used this month's sketch again at My Scraps and More.. and a Christmas song title challenge at Scrap It With a Song.. and instantly got the idea to scrap these pouty pics from Christmas Eve.

That's my cousin's little boy Gabe on the left. He was pouting because he really wanted to open his presents before dinner. And that's me standing beside my Uncle Dean.. in an Eagles cap. I'm pouting because my Cowboys lost. To the Eagles. And our quarterback got hurt. What a bad day football!!

All papers, borders, and journal spots are from Authentique's Christmas Wonder collection.

The holly was cut from the A Child's Year cartridge. Love them!

Hope you had a wonderful holiday :)

Merry Christmas!

Okay, really didn't think I'd be crafting this morning. But I was up early and since everything was crossed off my to do list besides laundry, I decided to squeeze one last project in between loads! It feels so good to be all ready for the festivities beginning this evening and throughout the rest of the weekend/week :)

Anyway! Onto the project. The latest December challenge at Burlaps and Buttercups is to make a home decor project. I used some scraps leftover from my holiday layouts/cards to make this frame:

I used a journal bit from the Jillibean Soup "Christmas Eve Chowder".. how appropriate right ;) I layered it on embossed cardstock using my "Snowflakes" folder. 

Part of the challenge was also to include a tutorial that you used on your project. Perfect, because I just bookmarked the instructions from Tessa at the SRM blog on how to make this adorable felt bow:

I even used a piece of the same felt as a backer on the frame to bring it all together.

Thanks for stopping by this weekend - Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve ;)

I really SHOULD be wrappin'.. but I've been scrappin' lol.

I wanted to make a layout with this month's DCWV sketch:

The Lemon Flower stack is my favorite! I made a second layout with it for my Colorado album, of my sister-in-law's wedding.

It will be the layout beside {this one} in the album. I used my new favorite technique with my doily lace punch..."rouching" it around my mat as I did on {this layout}.

I really like how the bow turned out with the stick pins. Wouldn't have thought of that if it weren't for the sketch ;) I also cut my title out of the green patterned paper and shadowed it in black. Green glitter thickers complimented the glitter in the plaid mat.

That's all before the holidays I'm sure, so let me wish you a Merry Christmas! May you make (and take photos of lol) many memories with loved ones.

Excited to Announce..

Good morning! 

I'm so excited to announce that I'll be rejoining the Precocious Paper design team in 2012!  I just love Tessa's embellishments in the Precocious Paper store and was ecstatic to accept her invitation.

Here are a few of my favorite Precocious Paper projects:

Stop by the Precocious Paper blog to meet the rest of the team. I was thrilled to see 2 old friends with past terms at The Paper Variety :)

Also.... I'm excited to announce that I'll be a guest designer next month at Artful Delight!  I'm thrilled to work with Leeanne, the January kit, and the rest of the designers.

Looks like 2012 is off to a great start! :)

Hope you'll come back and join me in ringing in the new year with lots of crafty projects.

A NonTraditional Christmas Card

 I still need to make a few Christmas cards and both blogs Burlaps and Buttercups and Celebrate the Occasion are having non-traditional holiday color challenges.

The Jillibean Soup "Christmas Eve Chowder" line is perfect for this.  I whipped up this quick and easy card using my 6x6 pad of papers and the "Bite Size Bits" journaling cards.

I sprayed it with my "Sunflower" glimmer mist to give it extra shine. It really shimmers in real life! :)

Thanks for stopping by tonight ;)

Let it snow!

BRRR.. it's definitely gotten chilly here on the east coast... if it's going to be this cold I wouldn't mind a few snowflakes! LOL!

I have a layout to share today featuring Jax and I during winter 2009. I used one of my favorite paper company kits: Echo Park. They make making a quick layout SO easy! This one uses last year's "Wintertime" (I need to get my hands on the latest "Winter Park" though!)

I used the December sketch at My Scraps and More. Perfect for these 2 photos.

The Paper Variety's last challenge this year is ANYTHING GOES! ;) Woot! So if you made time to make something this week, you can enter to win an Echo Park "Dots and Stripes" Christmas collection kit!

I'm also entering this layout at Lasting Memories (Winter Wonderland with Snowflakes) and Scrap It With a Song (Dreaming of a White Christmas).

Thanks for stopping by today!

Flashback Friday

I found a new challenge blog from my friend Sandi's blog... called "Flashback Friday". The challenge this week is to post your first "owl" project. I went back through my files and found this Owl card I made in July 2010. Using my "new" Create a Critter cartridge..*still* a favorite!

*gasp* no patterned paper! Must be why I still have so much :P

Echo Park + Paper Smooches :)

Happy Saturday!! :)

It's a work around the house day for my hubby and I - lots to catch up on from a busy week. But I took a little time this morning to make a card with my new Paper Smooches stamp set "Smoocheroos".. it's so cute!

When I saw the little lighthouse stamp, I knew I wanted to use the sun rays paper from my 6x6 Echo Park "Splash" pad.

I'm entering this card into the Paper Smooches "Spark" challenge for the blue and white with pop of yellow color inpsiration :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day :)

Hot Chocolate Invites :)

Are you enjoying the “Twelve Days of Christmas” series at A Walk Down Memory Lane? I’m loving all of the gift ideas!

My husband and I are planning to have friends over for a holiday get together.

It’s “B.Y.O.M.” … bring your own mug, of course! :)

I made these hot chocolate matchbooks for invitations:

(inspired by this tutorial on Mary's blog)

I used Bella Blvd’s “Christmas Wishes” collection. The sizing will depend on your hot chocolate packet, but here’s what I did: I cut my 8 1/2″ x 11″ in half lengthwise. You can make 2 matchbooks with one sheet! I scored my 4 1/4″ x 11 piece of cardstock at 1 ” and 7″.  I embellished with patterned papers, cardstock stickers, and ribbon.

The bottom half folds tucks under the flap. Here’s what it looks like open:

Super cute, right? :)

Check back tomorrow for more 12 days of Christmas fun. Don’t forget to take advantage of the daily deals in the A Walk Down Memory Lane store…. plus Bella Blvd products are 25% off all month long!


Have a great night :)

*FALALALA*

Double the fun today ;) 2 of my design teams.. The Paper Variety and Cricut Cardz are having "Christmas Song" challenges! So, if you use your cricut on your paper project that includes a holiday tune - enter at both places for more chances to win :)

A teacher and friend of mine is due on December 25th with her second child. We're having a surprise shower for her on Friday so thought I would make a punny Christmas card for the occasion.. (and I used my new Echo Park "Dots and Stripes" Christmas!)

Get it? "Santa Baby" hehehehe. Love that song!

(and my husband LOVES Kellie Pickler ;)

Enter at The Paper Variety to win the My Minds Eye "Kraft Funday" collection!

Don't forget about our DESIGN TEAM call ;) New, past, and current designers are welcome to apply.

AND.. head over to CRICUT CARDZ to see what the rest of the designers whipped up for you and link your projects there, too ;)

Have a great Wednesday! :)