My Handsome Guy

Hey there, everyone!
Just getting caught up on some projects to share and I have a fun layout today.  I've been hoarding this line of Simple Stories papers since the summer and just couldn't bring myself to cut them.... until now.  I wanted to share the sunburst technique so I put a tutorial in the AWDML Newsletter!  If you don't get this fantastic newsletter in your in-box each week, just go HERE.  It's full of fabulous info and I know because I'm the editor!  ;)

Isn't it fun?!

Thanks for stopping by!  I've got more projects to share coming up soon, so be sure to come back soon!

It's almost October...

...and that means that I get to start working with the October kit from Birds of a Feather!!

There are so many wonderful goodies in the October kit and they work for any kind of project imaginable-- boy themed, girly, or somewhere in between!!

My first layout with the kit features photos from a trip to a friends' farm this past spring. It was "kidding" season and the barn was full of sweet little baby goats! They were so cute and sweet and WAY more cuddly than we thought a "farm animal" could be! I've been hanging on to these photos since the spring waiting for just the right papers and inspiration to come along! The October kit along with a sketch from Becky Fleck was just what I needed!

Here's a closeup!

Like I said-- this kit can go from boyish to girly in an instant! Here's a card that just SCREAMS femininity with all of the PINK! The pink is toned down just a little by the lovely lace ribbon that creates a perfect contrast to build on for the sentiment stamp.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! If you haven't checked out the October Kit, you definitely should- it's fabulous! Be sure to keep check back on the BOAF Blog to see what else our fabulous Design Team creates with the kit!

It's that time of year...

Sadly, it's that time of year when summer has drawn to a close and the back-to-school "fun" begins.  The kids were somewhat excited, but I was VERY sad to see summer end.  Of course, mostly because it meant I had to go back to work!!

As always, hubby has the job of taking the first-day-of-school photos.  Since I can't exactly take the first day of school with my students off to see them on their way, he gets to have that duty.  I had my camera all charged up and ready for him, and he got a few pretty good shots this year.  Here's the layout I created with the Simple Stories Elementary Collection. 

I just love this collection for it's colors and designs.  The stickers are great and the overall design isn't too "little-kid".

Here's a closeup of the little flags I made using a strip of paper wrapped around a wooden skewer that was trimmed to size and some of the cardstock stickers to mark the dates of the school year,

 

And, it seems like no layout of mine is complete these days without putting at least a few of the banner strips on there somewhere.  I just love making these using my square punch!  So easy and SO trendy and fun!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I'm STILL not all caught up with everything I've been doing, so make sure you come back soon!

Chevron Fun (Tutorial)!

I have a fun tutorial posted on the AWDML Blog on how you make your own folded Chevrons!  It's super easy and the result is fantastic- nice clean edges and a bit of dimension!  Check out the tutorial HERE and let me know what you think!

This is the layout I created using a mix of Echo Park A Boys Life and their Boy Collection Pack.

I love how the order of the photos reflects the journaling and the steps he took to learn to skate.  And, best of all, HE loves this layout and even thanked me for it.  Love that kid!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Be sure to pop back in to catch up on what I've been up to!

A new sketch...

It's the 15th of the month and that means a fun new card sketch from Lucy Chesna at My Sketch world!!  Check it out!!

 

And, here's my card based on the sketch!  I used Simple Stories Elementary Collection and rotated the sketch.  It will be the perfect card for when we have the opportunity to tell one of the kids' teachers how much we appreciate them!

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team did with the sketch on the MSW Blog, or come check out the FORUM and see the sketch and all of the fun monthly challenges, as well!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I have lots to get caught up on, so I hope you'll stop by again soon!

More September Kit FUN!

Hey, everyone!  Today I get so share some more fun projects from the September Kit!

First up, my sweet Duffy, the famous Goldendoodle who has stolen our hearts. We had taken a hike on Mackworth Island (just off the coast of Portland, ME) and took a break for the kids to wade in the water before heading home. Duffy had been with us the whole time and didn't want to leave my side while sitting on the beach, but never took his eyes of the kids, either.

One of my favorite parts of this page is the butterfly. I used some Cinnamon colored Stickles to create the flight trail. First I put dots with a pencil to create the pattern I wanted and then put dots of Stickles over the pencil marks to create the trail. I also used the Stickles on the top corner to help tie the page together.

The Glubers are such a fun part of this month's kit! They are really known for how easy it is to make a ribbon flower, so that's just what I wanted to do. And, the ribbon in the kit is just gorgeous!! The green ribbon has a beautiful sheen to it. I simply moved the ribbon around the Gluber to create the flower and then used a chipboard piece from the kit Extras as my flower center.  You can read on the BOAF Blog more about how I created the frame!

Thanks so much for stopping by the BOAF Blog today!! Make sure you come back to see what the other Design Team members are doing with this beautiful kit!!

Momenta and Helmar!

Hey, everyone!  I'm on the Momenta Blog today sharing a fun project using Momenta AND Helmar! We are in the throes of getting ready for back to school here and I wanted to make a fun and easy project for the kids' teachers to give them at open house. As a teacher myself, I know how much it means when a student brings a gift and that it's always a huge bonus when the gift is useful!

So, I started with a 4"x6" acrylic picture frame and inserted a fun piece of Momenta paper matted w/ matching cardstock. Then, I put another piece of patterned paper at about 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" matted with cardtock on top of the acrylic. I normally worry about adhering paper to acrylic, but not this time- with the Helmar tape runner, I had no doubt that it would stay put!

I added a ribbon and secured the bow with some Helmar 450! Then added the "just a note" stamped cardstock and simply peeled the backing from the sticky notes and stuck them right down. When the sticky notes run out, the teacher can just put a new pad right where the old one was- so it's re-fillable! The kids wrote a note to their teacher and I stuck that to the back and the project is done and ready do be delivered at open house next week!

Here's a front view of one of them:

And, here is a side view! You can see how it will sit easily on the teacher's desk without taking up too much room, ready to be used!

And, here they are for their group photo! One for each teacher!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you are enjoying the Momenta & Helmar event as much as I am!

Helmar Products Used:
Quick Fix Permanent Adhesive Tape Runner
450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Momenta Products Used:
#17374- Doodle Floral 6x6 Coordinating Cardstock Pyramid Pad

My First BOAF September Kit Reveal!!

Hi, everyone! I'm super excited to share my first two projects created with the Birds of a Feather September kit! The kit is chock full of gorgeous colors and beautiful patterns... and don't forget the fantastic embellies!

First I want to share my a layout about my sweet girl who just turned ten. I can't believe she's officially in "double digits"!! Where did the time go?!?! I swear it was just weeks ago that I brought my sweet little red-headed bundle home for the first time praying that I didn't drop her. And here she is- she's about to head into 5th grade and she's just all kinds of wonderful!

I used a few different techniques on this layout-- all of my edges are inked and I colored the alpha stickers with a combination of Copic Markers. I also cut apart the pearl swirl/butterfly that is part of the "extras" and used the swirl with the flower, the butterfly separately and even put a few single pearls on the tag that hangs below the photo. The journaling strips are made using the backs of the tags that I inked with "Antique Linen" Distress Ink and then ran them through my printer.

Here's a closeup where you can see how I separated the pearl embellishment.

I also want to share this fun and simple card with you. To create the 3-D hearts, I simply punched three hearts, stacked them one on top of another and ran them through my sewing machine. Then, I just bent them at the middle to create the dimension. It's a fun technique to use with lots of different shapes, but hearts are my favorite!

Last I knew, Amy still had some September Kits available-- but only a few! So, be sure to swing by the botique and pick yours up now before they are gone!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

I Love my Sweet Boy!

Hey, there everyone!  It's time to share another layout with you! 

Last week, I had to post a tip or technique on the A Walk Down Memory Lane Blog.  My tip was two fold- (1) Don't be afraid to use a photo where the subject is off to one side and (2) go ahead and run your page elements right on to your photo.  Doing that helps to connect your photo to the rest of the page and gives it a great sense of flow.  To really illustrate my point, I put my title right on the photo!

For this one, I used Echo Park's "Boys" mini-Collection.  I just love how the collection works with a black & white photo!

And, here's a close up of the title work. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you were inspired to try something new!

Let's Hang Out...with Gizmo!

**If you are here for the Momenta & Clearsnap Blog Hop, please scroll down to the next post.  Thank you for stopping by!**

Today is my final August reveal with the Birds of a Feather August kit and I've saved my favorite project for last! Not only is the paper beautiful, but the embellishments are wonderful, too! I loved the little clothes hangers but wasn't sure what to do with them. Then, I remembered this tutorial for origami dresses and I knew just what to do!

I had to use a bone folder to really crease the paper at each fold because the paper is so wonderfully thick. I used my computer and printed the sentiment directly on the kraft paper.

And for my last layout, I took some photos of my parent's sad, sad yorkie, Gizmo. He seemed so broken hearted that my mother had "abandoned" him at our house. He stared so sadly out the window from the back of the couch that I had to take some photos!
I used the packaging for the alphas that are in the kit for the green background behind the photos.

Here's a closeup where you can see where I popped up several of the hearts with foam tape.

I have SO loved working with this kit! The colors and patterns were right up my alley and it's been a blast to play and share with you this month. Just wait to see what Amy has in store for you next month!! ;)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!