Thursday, May 28, 2009

This is a layout I did for a DIY flower challenge on Serendipity, and also a title challenge on AMR.

FOR the DIY challenge - pretty simple - make your own flowers and use at least three of them on a layout. These flowers were made by punching flowers from 2 different patterned papers (MME) with the medium EK success flower punch. Edges were inked, and the flowers were pinched and folded. They were put together with the brads (bobunny) and attached to the page.


The title challenge was to use the word MOTHER or MOM in the title. Most of the people that did the challenge did one about their mom. I don't have any good pictures of my mom (who really hates it when I take her picture - yeah, I know, I'm working on it!), and for the last three days, my DD has not called me Mom... it's been Mother. (why, I don't know, but I hate it!) So when I ran across these photos in my stack... this is what I came up with. The background paper started out as light blue - I distressed it with a couple of Tim's inks (weathered wood, frayed burlap, and vintage photo) to try to make it look like the truck.. didn't turn out QUITE the wat I wanted it to, but I'm still pretty happy with it.


Journaling reads:

This is something I hear a lot of lately. I love taking pictures of my children, especially since getting the new camera. More often than not, anymore, they are less than willing models and it takes a lot of coaxing to find a smile.
Photos March 2009 Journaling May 2009

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

I've been framed!

Ali has been chosen to be framed for the day at Savvy N Sassy!
This is one of my favorite photos of Ali - we adopted her after she fell ill with Addison's disease and her previous owners didn't want to keep her (they had decided to give her to a rescue before she got sick). We adopted Ali because my husband has always wanted a Basset, and hoped to take her with him on the road. Ali went with him for a while, but had to make too many potty stops for a trucker's schedule, so now she stays home with me.
Addison's disease is also called hyperadrenocorticism. Basically, her body does not make enough steroids to function properly. Luckily, there is a treatment for it, and every month, she receives a mineralicorticoid injection. Ali is fortunate in that she does not have to take oral meds daily as well.
She's goofy, but we love her.

Pick of the Day

My AAM Frame was chosen as Pick of the Day at Serendipity :)




And you will never guess what I found for $2 at Big Lots today... THICKERS (Thanks Abby!)

Found some of the chestnut brown ones I love so much, and some pink ones, and white vinyl. But I think the best find was the PLAIN ones! I can do ANYTHING with them! Fabulous!

Now I just need to find a MUCH better way to store them.....

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

May Mayhem projects

Come on over to Serendipity and play - there is still time to get some challenges done!

This layout was done for the May Showers challenge. The challenge was to use a cloud embellishment on a layout. Papers are from a kit I got last year. The cloud was cut from a sheet of Cosmo Cricket paper. Hard to tell on this photo, but I used 2 sets of letter stickers - I thought the yellow set would highlight the black ones nicely.
Closeup of the flower and letters.The next layout was done for Wendi's Card to Layout Sketch challenge.
And here is my layout... {yeah, I know, the grass needs to be cut... }

This layout was done for the May Flowers, or What May Means to You Challenge.
I always look forward to May because that's when my iris plants start to bloom. {yeah, I know the title should probably say "irisES" but it didn't fit on the photo} The stitching was done using a very old bit of Making Memories Twistel {remember that stuff??}


Closeup of the embellishments... I think this is one of my favorite groupings thus far. I love the 3d butterflies and the glittery flowers.
This project was done for the All About Me Frame challenge. Using a self portrait, make a layout about yourself and frame it. I did mine a little bit differently, in that I made a small layout and the photo to fit into this frame. I chose this frame specifically for this project because of the double mats - the top mat is very dimensional because it is up on pop dots. I thought that would make it way easier to use dimensional embellishments on the paper, and still be able to keep the glass in the frame. I'm pretty happy with it, which is saying a lot, considering I hate having my picture taken, and I rarely scrap photos of myself.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Memorial Day

Lest we forget...

Take some time to remember those who have fallen while serving this country. There are so many that never made it home..
{photo from simply marvelous files at wordpress. com}

Sunday, we had our family picnic. It was nice to have family over, for a change. Here are group photos of the cousins.. it's amazing how big they are all getting (and stubborn.. you have NO idea how hard it was to get this close to having everyone smiling in the photo!)


Almost made it again, but the littlest one had to stick out his tongue... Ah well, that sparked even more fun photos..

This photo of my niece is by far one of my favorites this weekend.

Hope you all were able to spend some time with family.

Please keep the troops in your thoughts. Whatever you think about the war, the men who are serving deserve our support. After all, WE are the reason they are fighting.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Introducing...

Basic Grey Lemonade

I just LOVE these papers! They will work so well for so many pictures of my daughter and my niece. I like the colors, the patterns, everything. Check out this new doiley laser cut paper!!!!!!



Alphabet cardstock sticker - love this font!




Basic Grey June Bug

This one I am not so sure about - some of the papers are cute - I like the quilt type patterns, but I don't like this one nearly as well as I like the Lemonade line.


Designer Cardstock!!
LOVE IT!! There are 6 different color schemes available!

"Created with subtle color variations and a unique, hand-distressed look • Pack includes 24 sheets of 12”x12” doubled-sided designer 65# cardstock in six fantastic colors"




Designer Half Pearls

Self adhesive, many styles and colors! These are very cool! And I LOVE that they are self adhesive!!! (now if I could only find another source for the MS mini gems I love so much!)





(All images and the cardstock quote are from the Basic Grey Website. Check it out. Every piece of yummy Basic Grey goodness for your viewing pleasure.)

Kristen at Serendipity has set up an area for PreOrders in the store - Check it out HERE






Wednesday, May 20, 2009

A Scrappy Story

Oh my, I am having SO much fun at the May Mayhem event....

Victoria posted the "Tell Me a Scrappy Story" challenge. For the challenge we needed to write an original 500 word story incorporating the names of the scrappy manufacturers that are sold in the serendipity store. {And there are quite a few of them, the list is HERE}. The first 4 players would receive 5 points.

Well, having dabbled in creative writing a little bit, and always being up for a challenge, I thought I'd give it a try.. so without further ado.. here is my Scrappy Story. {Disclaimer: while I have actually met a few of the people mentioned in the story, it in no way reflects any actual events, not even remotely {unfortunately!} LOL It is a complete fabrication!}


As I rode my little yellow bicycle down the Maya Road this lovely October afternoon, I was taking in the gorgeous views on this very scenic route, which was a riot of color from the Autumn Leaves. I was wearing my little black dress, designed by my friend Jenni Bowlin, and wearing my blue moon bead necklace. It was fun to zig and zag between the leaves, waving at the sailors, Rob and Bob, as I passed them. My tattered angels on the handlebars waved in the breeze, making me laugh.

I was on my way to Center City, to visit the Black Market Paper Society on Bella Boulevard. I was going to meet a lady named Heidi Grace, who was the best artist around the block. On the way, I crossed paths with 7 gypsies, who were happy and dancing in their fancy pants. They were a lot of fun, and full of moxxie, and one of the was quite the chatter box! She told me piggy tales about about her Kalaidescope, mermaid tears, and her friend Cosmo (the cricket) who lived in the Robins's nest - she had QUITE the creative imagination! She gave me a handmade memento, a basic grey jaquard accent design, and she had adorned it with a c-thru window to place a photo, or even some pressed petals, which would be nice to Reminisce about all my memories with my new friends.

Once I got to Center City, I stopped in the Paper Salon for a few Paper Accents, then at the Paper Company to pick up some pageframes. I had a lot of project essentials on my list, all the latest scrapbook trends, and could see such luxe designs with my mind's eye. The art institute glittered like glass in the sun, and the brilliance of the glitz design gave me such a creative impression. At the Crafter's Workshop, I saw Teresa Collins, who showed me some of Webster's pages, part of the Imagination Project. Now there is a rare talent. Webster taught me to Scrap within reach, tinkering with ink and paper on Technique Tuesday. "Stampendous!" he shouted. "We R Memory Keepers, may arts make you happy!"

I finally made it to my appointment, and I saw Heidi swapp some grafix with Lil Davis for a piece of cherry arte from Twisted Cherry Designs. "It's done in the American Traditional Design" she said. (I thought it looked like 3 bugs in a rug myself, and not like cherries at all. )

After shopping, I stopped in at Darcie's for lunch with Tim Holtz, Karen Foster, Mark Richards, Anna Griffin, and Melissa Frances. It was fun to have lunch, making memories with K and company, especially Tim, who is one of my favorite people. He is a pioneer, a ranger, a lot like Jesse James (except nicer!) and an all around good guy! He likes to share his crafty secrets on his blog, and adds timeless touches to all his projects. "Mari Me, you sassafrass lass!" he said, as he gave me an urban lily, which made me the happiest girl in the world. Such magistical memories! I felt like a queen (and company) as everyone cheered, and laughed when Mark made a "Hot off the Press!" comment after Anna asked what was going on.

Unfortunately, then, I woke up. It was just a chartreuse dream!

I still had to go to my appointment in Center City, so I dressed and got my bicycle and started down the Maya Road. Along the way I crossed paths with 7 gypsies.

"Deja View!" I thought.

Monday, May 18, 2009

NEW Basic Grey!!!


Kristin at Serendipity has got pictures of the new Basic Grey! I haven't seen them yet, but, considering how much I lOOOOOOve Basic Grey, I bet they are fabulous!!

Kristin will be doing a pre-order for the new lines, and everything will be revealed May 20th at 9am PST/12 noon EST (which is great for me! because I WON'T be at WORK yet!!)

Can't wait to see the new stuff!

And, have you seen the bling it on pieces by BG?!?! those are FABULOUS! Check them out!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

May Mayhem

See this guy?


He and his friends are having a good time in the store over at Serendipity, and causing quite a lot of mayhem! So I have been looking for them all over the store.. they are sneaky little things though, hiding in the details, but still, have only 4 left to find.

Wanna play in the scavenger hunt?
Maybe play with some challenges?

Check out Seredipity Scrapbooks - the May Mayhem event is going on all month, so there is still plenty of time to get things done!

If you come, sign in and tell them I sent you - if you do that, and complete 3 challenges, I will earn 5 extra points!

What's the big deal about the points? Well, depending on the points, you can win prizes. And believe me, the prizes from Kristin at Serendipity are pretty cool - one of my favorite letter stamp sets was a Serendipity prize!

Hope to see ya over there!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Framed again! and.. sick :(


My hay layout, which I made about something my son did, was chosen to be framed for today! Hooray! (this layout was also the random winner for the challenge, which is really cool!)

This layout was made for Misty's challenge on AMR - the challenge was to use the following on a layout -

1) Use a solid cardstock for the base
2) Choose 2 patterned papers - 1 should be 3 x 12 & 1 should be 6 x 6 (just adjust if doing smaller than 12 x 12)
3) Find 3 photos
4) Pick out 4 flowers, 2 brads, 1 word embellishment, a tag (can have a ribbon), and a quote
**Do not adhere anything yet. There are some placement directions to come. I'll let you know when it's time to adhere everything.**
5) Place the patterned papers on the cardstock. They should be touching each other.
6) 1 photo should touch one of the patterned papers, the other 2 photos should just touch the cardstock.
7) Flowers, word embellishment, tag, and quote should touch at least one of the patterned papers.
8)You may add a title, stitching, journaling, inking, edging, embossing, stamping, or distressing.

The fun part about it, is that Misty posted each step one at a time, in a progressive challenge fashion! Makes it really interesting to do because you don't know what step two is going to be when you are getting step one done! Fun!

Well I think I've taken a turn for the worse, and have developed walking pneumonia :( NOT FUN. I can't breathe without coughing, which hurts, which makes it hard to breathe..
I've got some meds though, and I actually feel a little better today, so hopefully I can get on top of this and get better! Being this sick is not conducive to creativity, and I have too much to do to be this sick for long.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

... and again!

Savvy N Sassy "frames" a layout or project each day... and the stinker layout was framed for May 6th! How exciting! I do think that was one of my favorite layouts from this weekend.
Here is another layout I did this weekend - it was for a challenge I posted on AMR.
The challenge was to use 3 clear items (acrylic, transparencies, ghost shapes, buttons, etc) on a layout. The twist was the items could not be used "as is" - they needed to be altered in some way. My pieces for this layout are a Clear Scraps circle (with the letters KAMI added with rubons), 2 Heidi Swapp ghost flowers (stamped with stazon ink) and a clear piece cut from a cuttlebug folder package. I ran the plastic through the cuttlebug with the rose frame folder, then colored the embossed area with Copic markers. The K is a rub on. Since I wanted it to really show as an acrylic piece, I used my giant Marvy Uchida circle punch to punch a hole in the background paper, and adhered the plastic to the back. It's a neat effect. (The burgandy behind it is my stamp pad (foam cushion) that I picked up at Joann's for $5. Makes stamping those larger images much easier!) (oh, and the cutie is my niece.)


Off to create some more.. I have a little time to get some AMR challenges done - those are due Wednesday at midnight PST (so 2am thurs AM for me.) Good thing I'm in the late night club, eh?

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Pick of the Day!

Had another layout chosen as Pick of the Day on Serendipity!


This layout was done for the SAS crop recipe challenge. We were challenged to use the following:

1 solid cardstock
3 patterned papers
1 ribbon
1 flourish or swirl
1 journaling spot or circle
chipboard
something that sparkles
some sort of distressing

More things can be added, but you had to have all of these embellishments.

Well I had shown this photo to my mom and brother earlier today {er... yesterday LOL}, so it was sitting on my desk. And I started looking for papers to do the challenge with a different photo, and came across the skunk paper. And it just fell into place from there. This was actually a fairly quick layout {less than an hour}.

I always load projects into the Serendipity gallery, because they have a team challenge, which counts points for every project done, no matter where the challenge came from.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Star for the Day!


My Ramsey layout was chosen as Star of the Day on SAS for today! Hooray!

This layout was done for the Driving Miss Daisy Challenge... use the colors of a license plate on a layout. Bonus points for using the plate from your state. Black, brown and white were freebies, and you could add 1 extra color.
Well I live in Missouri , and the plates look like this:


(Note: this is not my license plate, it is the sample plate from Green Earth Office Supply, where they have pictures of all the states plates)

Pretty enough colors. Better than some. So I used them, and added yellow for my add in color.

I took these pictures the other day of my nephew as he was watching his dad chop wood (don't worry, he was a safe distance away!)

The boy hardly ever smiles when I try to take his picture (he is a little shy). So I usually start calling out funny words to get him to smile. Today's winner was "Chicken Snot!" LOL yeah, I know, but he cracked a smile, so it worked.

AMR Charity Auction


Join us June 13th and 14th for the Charity Auction at All Moments Remembered.


Sometimes life deals a really bad hand. A good friend of mine from the board, Kim, has recently had terrible things happen in her family. Both her husband and her Dad have been diagnosed with lung cancer. Even with treatment, her husband was given 2 years AT BEST. He was the breadwinner in the family, and this will make the next years very hard on them.


So at AMR, we are going to have a Charity Auction of handmade and crafted items, with the proceeds going to Kim and her family.


If you would like to participate, you will need to be a member of the board (which is free). Please come and buy things so we can help Kim!


If you would like to participate in the auction by donating something to be sold, please contact Stacey at AMR at allmomentsremembered@gmail.com

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Come and play!


Come to the Serendipity Scrapbooks May Mayhem Event and help me earn some points!


Here are the details:


1. Your friend must come to this thread and say that you referred her to the site. Must be a new member or someone who hasn't posted in the last 6 months to qualify as a referral.


2. Your friend must participate in at least 3 of the May Mayhem challenges...


3. 5 points per friend you bring with you to our May Mayhem crop :) These points are good through May 25th. (we want your friend to have time to participate in the crop fun...)

Purple Onion Stamp sale

Michele from Purple Onion Stamp Designs is having a sale for National Scrapbook Day... Alphabets 40% off, and some other stamps at 40-60% off! Woohoo!

Click HERE for the blog, and HERE for the store!

Don't forget to check out all the artwork on the blog - AMAZING stuff!!!!

Friday, May 1, 2009


Serendipity Scrapbooks is pleased to announce our first ever month long CROP!


Are you ready for a Hair Raising Event? I know we are. And we have so much in store for you for the month of May. Every Design Team member has 50 points to give away during the month and even some RAKs for you. There will be challenges, loads of games, Deals of the DAY, secret hiding places in the store, and best of all Blue Light Specials available to each and every one of you.


This will be a non stop event starting May 1 - May 31st! So join us every day because you never know when points will be handed out to add to your total which will put you one step closer to being our May Mayhem Queen!