Punched Circle Layouts

 Last year at Crop & Create (2012), I made this layout in Kelly Goree's class. I never did finish it- that is until yesturday! I was looking through my pictures and decided to scrap these two of my husband. I did not really know what paper would have that desert feel and for some reason my eyes fell on this layout that has been sitting in my paper tray for over a year and when I put the pictures on it- it looked just right!

 I don't know what supplies we used but some of it is Bo Bunny Double Dot paper and some of it is Plumeria by Basic Grey. I am forcing myself to do more journaling in my layouts. I am realizing the importance of telling the story, even if I don't like the look of it!

My step sister just had a baby boy and I thought this layout would be cute to put into a frame and give to her as a gift. I do not have pictures of him yet so it is somewhat incomplete but the layout idea is there. I used Echo Park's Bundle of Joy line.

For both layouts, punched circles were used to get a scallop border feel. On a side note: I have about 8 more layouts from Kelly Goree's classes at Crop & Create that I need to finish one day......So much to do, so little time!

Doodlebug Flower Cards

 I was playing around today with the new Doodlebug products  and I came up with these two cards. For this one I used the line Fruit Stand. I pop dotted a few of the white flowers. The 6x6 paper pad is so handy for making cards since the designs are scaled down. I also Love, Love, Love the quotes, seals, and stamps-so great for cards too!

For this card I used the line Flower Box. A very simple card using Doodlebug paper and the This & That stickers. I also added some pearls and I pop dotted the stickers.

There is still snow on the ground and honestly, today is the first nice day we have had this spring.....so how wierd is it that I saw a butterfly today??!!! Spring MUST be here- FINALLY!!!!

Hello There Sunshine Layout

 I did some experimenting outside of my normal style of scrapping. I used a 2x3 picture as the main focus and left alot of white space in the layout. I pulled out my mesh from years ago (Magenta) and used small pieces to add some texture in the background. I really like the clean look of this layout!

The embellishments are all Jillibean Soup's Pea Pod Parts from the Chilled Cucumber Soup line. I added some brown chord to the button and I pop dotted the clouds on top of the sun. The background paper is Bazzill, of course!

Heart Decor and a message!

 At Crop & Create we made this paper mache heart in Beth Kingston's class. I finished it off by misting it with a watered down blue Smooch ink and then glittering it with Vanilla Smooch ink. I added a Maya Road tule flower, a Pink Paisley butterfly, a Prima pearl swirl, a piece of ribbon glued to the original chord to hang it, and a little flower cut from Maya Road ribbon.

 Here is a closer look......I think it is so pretty and very different from my typical scrapping style.
I have not been very creative these days- very pregnant at this point and ready to burst!

On the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog there was a link to a blog that had the most amazing message for all of us photography/scrappy lovers out there (and to be honest- probably most women!). Check out this link:
http://myfriendteresablog.com/so-youre-feeling-too-fat-to-be-photographed/

The message brought tears to my eyes. How many of us are avoiding the lens, and thus avoiding capturing precious memories because of our personal perceptions of our bodies???? The author is right- we can't get those memories back so it is time to own it and step in front of those cameras!!! Plus, when you look back, you always think "Damn, I looked good back then and I thought I was too fat!"

Here is a sign of spring despite all the snow still on the ground.......The Rhubarb knows it is time!

You Make Me So Happy

I literally spent hours in my scrap room and this is what I accomplished- one card! I was playing with my new Memory Box Dies and looking through my papers trying to find some ideas. Not the most productive day I have to say! But, with the snow falling outside-AGAIN......This happy burst of colour is pleasing to my eyes. Oh, why can't spring come already!!!!!! I had images of walking around my neighborhood with my stroller on warm sunny days and I seriously think there will be snow on the ground when this baby is born! Crazy!

For this card I used Doodlebug's Washi tape from the Take Note Collection. The grid paper and the sentiment is also from this line. I used Spellbinders to make the hexagons and the butterfly was cut using a Memory Box die. I pop dotted the smaller hexagons and added Doodle bling.

                 Now, snow, snow go away.....come back next year please!

Sand & Surf

 I have been looking at all the inspriration for Project Life that seems to be everywhere on the blogs these days. I was thinking that I really need to do something like that for my trip to Thailand. I was there for 4 months and I have SO many pictures. I have never really done anything with them but they definitely deserve to be documented with the stories of my adventures. I did get some inspiration from Bella's new line called Sand & Surf to make a beach layout!

  I was going to use ink on this layout and when I made a few small dots, of course I smeared it! So I had to cover up my mistakes with the scallop border! This is why I do not stamp.....

The title was thickers from American Crafts and the 2006 was from Pink Paisley. Everything else is Bella products. I think it turned out pretty well, considering all the boo boos I made!

 

 Here are two more cards that I made at Crop & Create in Beth Kingston's class using the Xyron sticker machines. She gave us a handout with projects found on pinterest. You can look up ribbon cards and tissue paper cards to get more ideas- pretty cute and so easy using that neat little machine from Xyron. It even works on chipboard.....which gives me so many ideas for projects!

 

Crop & Create Inspiration

 I was at Crop & Create Winnipeg this weekend and it was a fabulous weekend of inspiration and learning! This card was a Make & Take with Caroline Lau from Maya Road. Such a cute idea! And it was VERY easy to make! The only problem is- who do you give a card like this to since it has so many embellishments....and if the person threw it away- devastating! I think I am keeping it for myself!

 I made this card for a challenge but I did not win. I used Doodlebug products from the Flower Box line and I added a chipboard sun and clouds covered with patterned paper. The little yellow butterful is from Jillibean Soup and I added 2 Doodlepearls. I absolutely love the seals, quotes, and tags cardstock stickers in Doodlebugs new lines. Perfect for cards!

 I also made this card using Doodlebug products from the Flower Box line. The twine came in our goody bag and I think it is probably Maya Road.

I took a class with Beth Kingston and it was full of very easy and cool ideas using the Xyron sticker maker. We made a version of this star but in a heart shape instead. I just think it looks so amazing- even better in person since you cannot see the colour very well or the glitter on it! I never thought I would use the Xyron products but I think Beth has convinced me!!!!

I also took 2 classes with the sweet Kelly Goree. I did not really finish my layouts from her classes yet so I will post those when I get some photos on them.

If you have not been to a Crop & Create, I totally recomend going. It is a great way to learn from some very talented people and you can meet new scrapping friends along the way. Ooohhh, and they have prizes! I won a Stampin' Up flower punch! The goody bag is filled with neat stuff and they give prizes away in the classes too. While I did not get much done in the actual crop part, I did take 3 classes and I learned some new stuff along the way so a very good but tiring weekend!

Berry Sweet Card

 I am so in love with the new Doodlebug products! This line is called Fruit Stand and it is so cute! Doodlebug included some great embellishments in this line including banners, seals, icon stickers and frills, pearls and bling- just to name a few! I pop dotted the cherry and other than that, it was a pretty simple card to make.

Here is the damage from my Easter carrot treats! Hence the reason why I did not decorate them too much. The kids did enjoy ripping them open and finding the chocolates inside. It was a busy Easter weekend with lots of good food and treats!