justem: little bits of this and that

I am the lucky one.

I went through a stage a couple of years ago where I pretty much just filled my layouts with lots of punched items. Proof? See here. Or here. Or here! ;)  I kind of did a little throwback to that stage of my scrapiness with this layout! It includes what might be my all time favorite photo!  This layout uses the Studio Calico 35mm kit, which was a month that I only got the main kit (and supplemented with a couple of items from Archivers.)  I was feeling like the layout needed a little bit "more" but I wasn't quite sure what to add, so I stuck some mist up in the corner. That might have been a big mistake. I know that misting or splattering or whatever it's called is very trendy right now...but I'm not exactly a trendy scrapper, and I'm not sure if it helped or hurt the layout!!  Can't go back now!  It's not the most technically advanced layout of all time, but I like it...it makes me smile. 

*published: Scrapbook Trends, March 2013*

Beauty School Drop-Out...

Tomorrow is the first day of July, and that means two things! First...Happy Birthday Mom! ;)  Second...there is a new gallery up at write.click.scrapbook!  This month's theme was "5 products."  This really wasn't too much of a challenge for me...since I'm not a big embellisher to begin with! ;)  In fact, I ended up adding the doily because I needed one more "product." (I didn't think staples counted!)  My five products were: patterned paper, thickers, doily, washi tape, and 1 button!

This layout totally makes me smile. Last summer my stepmom found a bubble recipe online and made it for my daughter to try.  Unfortunately, Mirielle was way more excited about "washing her hair" with the bubble solution, which was quite the mess!!  I think her hair produced suds for about the next three baths!!  As I said on the layout...it's a good thing she's so cute! :) This layout uses the Studio Calico City of Lights kit.

Be sure to stop by the gallery and check out the layouts of all my talented teammates!
Have a great weekend! 

Summer Soak!

I had the pleasure of scrapping with two of my good friends last night! We had a great girls night that included a trip to IKEA, an excellent dinner, and finally a few hours of fun at Archivers. I only made two layouts, well 1.5! ;)  The first one isn't finished yet. But this one IS done. Very simple...but I like it!  Also, I just got a new laptop, and all the colors are looking a little wonky to me...so on my computer at this very moment the scalloped Crate Paper sticker looks kind of green...in real life it's yellow.  How does it all look to you?!  ;)  This uses the Studio Calico Story Hour kit!  

I hope you had a great weekend! :)

Dirty little secret...

I completed two layouts for National Scrapbook Day yesterday.  The first one uses the new Amy Tangerine line by American Crafts.  I love all the bright colors on the b-sides of the papers.  They were just begging to make a rainbow!!

**PUBLISHED - Scrapbook Trends, Create: Sketches**

Originally I had simply made the rainbow with the papers, but I have really been trying to add little extras here and there to my layouts lately.  I added some messy punched hearts and also coordinating baker's twine.  Here is a close up of the detail...

So what is the dirty little secret that I refer to in my title?  Well, both of the layouts I made for National Scrapbook Day are scraplifts of my own older layouts.  I've been doing that a lot more lately. It's a totally quick and guilt-free way to be inspired!! ;) Here is the original inspiration for this layout...it's from January of 2009:

The next layout was for two different challenges - one was a color scheme challenge and one was a confetti challenge.  I've never used confetti, and I was a bit apprehensive...but I really like how this turned out!  Granted, I didn't use confetti like I'm probably "supposed" to...instead I used double stick tape to adhere it to my elements. I am so not patient enough to stick down every single little dot!! This layout uses the Studio Calico County Fair kit, which I hadn't touched until yesterday!! 

And the original?  This layout from January of 2010:

It's so fun going back through my old layouts and seeing how my style has evolved (and for the most part improved!!) over the years!  Hope you all had a great NSD! :)

Everydaily...

It's May 1st!  This means a brand new gallery at write.click.scrapbook! This month's theme was "Everydaily." I decided to create a layout about Mirielle's morning routine, which is NOT a pleasant experience for anyone involved. I love how the bright colors in the layout make it seem much more cheerful than it really is. Ha! ;)  This layout uses an older Studio Calico kit, Brooklyn Flea. I've really been trying to use them lately! I have a bunch that are still untouched (embarrassing, I know!) in my scrap room!! Hope you all have a great Tuesday! :)

No Strings Attached...

Yesterday I ditched the kids, Justin, and his parents (who were visiting for the day), loaded up on snacks, made a little nest of awesomeness at Archivers, and got my scrappy on for about eight hours.  It was very nice...I needed it!!  I honestly think the last actual layout I made was at the beginning of March (Project Life not included).  No...maybe even FEBRUARY.  That's insane.  I got six projects made.  Five good ones. One embarrassingly bad one.  Four I can't share. Two I can. And the two I can...can you believe the are layouts I made just for me???  I haven't made a layout that's not for a team in...well, I can't even remember.  I used some of my ever growing stash of Studio Calico kits and they both make me quite happy. :) So here they are...my two "no strings attached" layouts!

The first one is a layout that talks about how emotional Miri's second birthday was. It uses the SC Daydream Believer kit.  I love this combination of colors and the little sequins!

*published: Scrapbook Trends, October 2012*


The second one uses the current SC kit, City of Lights, and features the only technique I think I've ever used. I don't know who did it first (KP maybe? April?) but it's one of my favorites.  (Note the cover of my "published" album over to the right!!) I had almost forgotten about it, but Ginny (LOVE her work - and I just realized we have the same chevron banner on our blogs, too!  Thanks Pinterest!!) used it in a totally cute layout last week, and I was inspired to whip out my circle punch and some pop dots! This layout turned out perfectly. I love everything about...especially that cute little baby. How is it possible that this was a year ago?!

*published: Scrapbook Trends, January 2013*

I feel like those eight hours really got me back in the groove. I'm hoping this means many more productive nights in the scraproom and more layouts to share!  Hope you had a great weekend!

obsessed

today i have a quick scrappy share.
this is my last layout for midnight rooster this month.
for some reason the photo got way over exposed...
i really need to take a better picture.
but in any case...i like it.
it's kind of my take on the chevron craze...
though a little simpler!

*published: Scrapbook Trends, February 2013*

that's all for today.
have a good wednesday.

In honor of December first...

here's a snowy little layout for you!

made with the midnight rooster november kit.
featuring my new favorite tool, this totally cool martha stewart punch!
i say...
bring on the snow!!
happy dec. 1!

scrappy sunday!

the november midnight rooster kit is now available!  i wanted to share with you my first (and favorite) layout this month!  i have seen a lot of people using punches in such creative ways lately, and i thought i'd try my hand at it! i love how it all came together...and it includes one my all time favorite photos!  hope you are all having a great weekend! :)

journaling: the other night i overheard justin talking to mirielle.  "of course i will take a kiss," he said..."someday you probably won't be giving them out so freely."  it is so true. she is growing up way too fast. we better get those kisses while she is still offering!  11.11

Midnight Rooster August

I have some layouts to share with you today! The Midnight Rooster kit went live a week ago, but I was so busy I forgot to share my projects!  I made three layouts with this fabulous kit, and I really like them all.  As you probably know, I am pretty honest about my work when I don't like it, so I hope there is no shame is sharing when I really *do* love it! ;) 

The first layout I made was super feminine with all kinds of little touches like the handmade pins that are exclusive to this kit.  These are photos I took of Miri on Valentine's Day. She was SO excited to eat the sucker that she got at day care, which was made obvious by the fact that she let me take her photo over and over without turning away from the camera!!

**Published: Scrapbook Trends, February 2012**

It's hard to believe that this next layout was made with the same kit, as it is pretty much the opposite of feminine. That's what I love so much about the Midnight Rooster kits...they are super versatile!! The Studio Calico wood veneer alphabet was really easy to customize.  I loved it!

**Published: Create: All About Babies Idea Book, May 2012**

 

Finally, I created another layout  of Miri. Coincidentally, these photos were taken the same night as the first layout, but I had them printed in black and white and she was in a much sillier mood than when the first set was taken! I used the Crate Paper label stickers to cover the Maya Road butterflies and the result was so cute!